04192023 NEWS, SPORT AND BUSINESS

Deputy

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

DEPUTY Prime Min-

ister Chester Cooper said he is confident police will adequately investigate allegations that a sitting Member of Parliament raped and assaulted a woman.

“There is a complaint with the police in relation to some very serious allegations,” Mr Cooper told reporters yesterday. “I’m

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

FORT Charlotte MP

Alfred Sears and St Anne’s MP Adrian White said yesterday that they support criminalising marital rape.

Golden Isles MP Vaughn Miller’s views were less clear. He told reporters “rape is rape,” but said he did not want to discuss the matter until later.

The parliamentarians were the latest to be asked

certain that the police will investigate aggressively. We believe in the rule of law and we are confident that due process will prevail and the police will do their jobs.”

A woman filed a complaint in Grand Bahama on April 7 against her exboyfriend. On Saturday, she told The Tribune the MP raped, choked, poked her in her eye and made death threats against her and her family during their

SEE PAGE THREE

their views on the topic as the Davis administration weighs amending the Sexual Offences Act to make marital rape unlawful.

“During the debate and when the debate comes before Parliament, I can state as the Member of Parliament for Fort Charlotte, that I support the criminalisation of rape in any circumstances,” Mr Sears, the Minister for Works and Utilities, said.

SEE PAGE THREE

FNM WOMEN WANT POLICE TO ‘VIGOROUSLY’ PROBE ALLEGATION

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

WOMEN Free National Movement leaders yesterday called for police to vigorously investigate assault allegations involving a sitting Member of Parliament.

A woman made a complaint to the police against

ATLANTIS VP: RCI PLEDGE DOES LITTLE TO ADDRESS CONCERNS

the MP on April 7, accusing him of rape and making death threats against her and her family.

During a press conference yesterday, prominent women members of the FNM discussed the matter and the broader fight against domestic violence.

Former FNM Senator

SEE PAGE THREE

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

ATLANTIS yesterday said it has not been swayed by Royal Caribbean’s pledge to hit an environmental “gold standard” as the cruise giant is “packing a lot of people” into its Paradise Island beach club’s 17 acres.

Vaughn Roberts, the mega resort’s senior

MURDER SEES 22 PERCENT DECLINE IN FIRST QUARTER

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE murder rate dropped by more than a fifth in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same period last year, according to Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander.

On Monday in Trinidad and Tobago during a twoday symposium on violence in the region, he presented crime statistics showing the

22 percent decline in the Bahamas.

“This far for the year, we have recorded 35 (murders)

for the first quarter of the year,” Mr Fernander said.

“You could see a decrease to compare with (2022). Around the same time, it was a total of 45, so you could see it decreasing.”

The latest crime data comes after Allison Thompson, 35, and her 14-year-old daughter Trevorniqua were murdered over the weekend.

Police are again trying to keep the number of

vice-president of government affairs and special projects, told Tribune Business that Royal Caribbean’s promises not to construct any structures on or over the water - and to employ “a very sophisticated waste water management system” - for its $100m project had done little to address its long-standing concerns.

Five Anatol Rodgers students suspended after wild fight

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

FIVE Anatol Rodgers High School students were suspended after a video captured a wild fight among them, according to acting director of education Dominique McCartney-Russell.

The disturbing clip showed female students attacking each other while others watched and egged them on. Dozens of youth ran to the fight while adults struggled to separate the fighters, creating chaos in and around a New Providence street. The video was circulated on WhatsApp and Facebook.

“We did have a number of our students who had a fight after school,” Mrs McCartney-Russell told The Tribune yesterday. “I was advised that around about 3.45pm, that there were five children who had altercations outside of the school gate. The administrators sought to part them; they would have had an initial meeting with the parents (yesterday).

And those students have been given what we call a timeout, they have been suspended. They have been sent to our refocus suspension centres.”

Stressing the importance of conflict resolution skills,

Mrs McCartney-Russell said the suspended students must reflect on their actions.

“It is disturbing because we don’t want our children to resolve conflicts through fighting, I’m sure you know the reasons why,” she said. “Anyone can take out a weapon (and) people could get injured. And so, we want children to be able to resolve their issues in a better way. They can use their voices if there is an issue, they can solve those issues by talking about it, having a mediator present to go through the issues, and have an adult help them to solve those issues.”

The director of education said no students were seriously injured during the fight.

“Now those children who have been suspended, they go to a refocus centre,” she said. “At that refocus centre we have counsellors; we provide anger management sessions (and) we provide coping skill sessions. So, they’re not just there, they are actually gleaning from the counsellors there. They are also going to ensure that they do their homework (and) their class assignments (and) they get that extra support that helps them to navigate conflict a little bit better.”

SCREEN captured images from the video which circulated on social media.

‘Confident in police’ over MP rape claim

relationship, prompting her to fear for her life.

The woman and her family have questioned the authorities’ commitment to aggressively investigate her matter because it involves a sitting member of the governing party. Their concerns about the investigation grew after officers asked the alleged victim on Thursday to sign a document indicating she would not pursue further police action against the MP after binding him over to keep the peace.

National Security Minister Wayne Munroe said yesterday: “The RBPF investigates matters, and I don’t interfere with them. Satisfaction with investigations is a question properly addressed to the Commissioner of Police.

“We don’t interfere with the police in their investigations regardless of who is the alleged victim or accused.”

“Critics can say what they like. The record shows that a PLP (Progressive

Liberal Party) parliamentarian went to prison under a PLP government and (former Senator and MP) Pleasant Bridgewater was charged under a PLP government.”

ZNS reported last night that police have not yet interviewed the MP.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Bernard “BK” Bonamy told the network: “We would do all of our ground tests, all of our work, before we decide to move forward in terms of who the complaint is made against before we decide to interview anybody. We want make sure we get all of our witnesses who can assist with the investigation.

“When we investigate, we don’t put a time on investigations. We try to do it in a decent manner. I can’t say two days, I can’t say three days. Once we interview persons who can assist with the investigation then we’ll move forward. Asked about the complaint against him, the MP told reporters “no comment” at least three times outside the House of

sears and white support marital rape legislation

“That’s my position and I’ve stated my position without any ambiguity.”

Mr White said: “My stance on marital rape is that it should be criminalised. Relationships are complicated whether you’re married or not married. But the rights of a woman (and) the rights of a man, in a marital relationship, not to be forced to do something that they’re not consenting to, should be a punishable offence.”

“We have a punishment right now for those that rape outside of marriage. And consideration needs to be given to whether the punishment to rape inside of marriage is equivalent to what it is outside, or if it’s slightly different.”

Mr White said rape in marriage should lead to the dissolution of that

marriage. “The bottom line is if rape is ever a question in a marriage, that married couple should get counselling and realistically, it’s probably that relationship is over,” he said.

“And it should come to an end not only for the benefit of the husband and for the wife, but also the children that live in that household.”

Last week, House Speaker Patricia Deveaux

said she abhors rape but couldn’t say whether marital rape should be criminalised because she isn’t married. Her comments enraged some Bahamians. Reacting to her

comments, Mr White said:

“A lot of people did not agree with her response. But I will give her credit because she did put herself forward and go on the record for doing that. So, we have to take

individuals where they are. And as a society, we have to bring everybody together so we’re on the same page. And right now, the page that we need to be on is considering what punishments should be in place for marital rape after it’s criminalised.”

Asked about his position, Mr Miller said: “Rape is rape. What’s the difference with marital rape and whatever rape? Rape is rape.”

Pressed on the matter, he said: “This is something I’m very passionate about, but I don’t want to speak to it. But believe me, I’m very passionate about it and at some point publicly, I will make my views known wholeheartedly but I really don’t want to speak to it prematurely, I don’t want to speak to it now.”

fnm women want police to ‘vigorously’ probe allegation

Heather Hunt said she disapproves of how the police have discussed the investigation to date.

“The first statement from the police was ‘we’ll see how this goes.’ That’s an unacceptable response,” she said. “At this point, we are expecting the police to aggressively investigate, carry out due process and transparency... the same way and with the same vigor, for example, that they dragged those women in Goodman’s Bay a couple of weeks ago for assembly, or in the same way that they vigorously prosecute and persecute whom they choose, some may say for political purposes or not. But if they can do that with such vigour and such energy, we’re calling upon them to do the same thing with this and all domestic violence allegations.

“We want an aggressive and transparent investigation and we do not want a let’s see where this goes because that is the quote that came from the police when asked. So we’re not going to wait and see how it goes. We want you to tell us right now, immediately, the state and the status of the investigation and be transparent and report to the people on this case.”

Assistant Commissioner of Police Bernard “BK” Bonamy told The Tribune on Sunday that police

will say “exactly what happened” in the matter when their investigation is complete.

For her part, Senator Maxine Seymour said the government should prioritise constructing a sanctuary for women and children.

“Last year, $500,000 was allocated in the budget to build a women’s shelter, which was grossly inadequate and disproportionate based on sums allocated to other priorities, like travel and hosting celebratory events,” she said. “In fiscal 2022-2023, the new day government is spending $5.2 million on our independence celebration and $16.1m on travel and subsistence and $0 on the construction of a safe home

for abused and battered women.”

Meanwhile, Senator Barnett-Ellis noted that draft legislation for a Gender Violence Bill remains in limbo.

“Violence against our daughters, our sisters and our friends impacts and affects all of us,” she said.

“Not just the victims, but the friends and family members that must walk that journey with them. As legislators, we must embody and embrace the ideals of our legislation.”

“This administration has sent mixed messages on matters related to women and children. Unchecked violence against women not only escalates but it impacts our communities in many different ways.”

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Assembly last week. Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis is out of the country attending a CARICOM event in Trinidad and Tobago and has not yet commented on the matter.

THE FNM Women’s branch held a gender based violence presser in which they addressed the allegations of rape and abuse against a sitting member of parliament. Participating were: (from left: Senator Maxine Seymour, Vanessa Scott, and Michela Barnett-Ellis as well as others.

Photo: Austin

FORT Charlotte MP Alfred Sears and St Anne’s MP Adrian White both shared support for laws criminalising marital rape, while Golden Isles MP Vaughn Miller’s view is that ‘rape is rape’ but ‘I don’t want to speak to it now.’

DEPUTY Prime Minister Chester Cooper and Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe both expressed confidence in the police to handle the matter of the investigation into an allegation of rape and abuse by a sitting Member of Parliament.

DPM invites health and well-being industries to expand their business in The Bahamas

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

DEPUTY Prime Minister Chester Cooper discussed the health profile of The Bahamas during a health conference yesterday.

“As a policymaker, I think about the policy possibilities for our social safety net, and our health care budgets,” he said at the HEALinc Further Health Innovation Summit. “As a father, I think of how wonderful it would be to watch my descendants grow and when all is said and done, life truly is a precious gift.”

“The good news is that we are living longer already to enjoy it and the history of life expectancy in The Bahamas and the Caribbean more or less mirrors that of the US. But in the year 1900, the average life expectancy in the US was 47 years, and by 1950 it reduced to 68.

“In 2021, life expectancy in the US is 70 and it’s noted that life expectancy in The Bahamas is 74 and I should point out that women are living longer than men.”

Mr Cooper urged for the events attendees, partners and sponsors to expand their businesses in the country.

“I know that many of the entities represented at this summit are involved, as I’ve

indicated before in longevity, regenerative health, and well-being industries and I would like to personally invite all of you who are looking to expand your businesses to consider the Bahamas as an ideal place to do so,” he said.

“The natural beauty of our islands, up-to-date infrastructure, low tax environment, and proximity to the major markets of North America make our country one that is highly attractive for investment projects of all types, particularly with recent reforms we’ve carried out to make it easier to invest in the Bahamas.

“So not only is it easy to do business here, but we consider ourselves a wellregulated environment and we have a nimble legislative framework, an enabling framework, that can be responsive to the needs of the regulatory environment. And therefore, I invite you, and I urge you to consider it.”

Mr Cooper said the government aims to develop an industry in technology, including areas such as health tech, biotech and medical tourism.

The three-day summit is a global networking platform for health professionals to advance in the longevity, regenerative health and well-being industries.

STEM CELL RE SEA RC H AND T HER APY LEGISLATION TO BE R EPLAC ED S AY S, DA R VILLE

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

HEALTH and Well -

ness Minister Dr Michael Darville said yesterday the government would repeal and replace the Stem Cell Research and Therapy Act with a modern law. The last Christie administration passed the current law in 2013. Controversy erupted when multi-millionaire Peter Nygard claimed in a YouTube video that he initiated and helped to write the legislation.

“In 2013, we passed a

stem cell legislation,” Dr Darville told The Tribune. “In 2014, we passed some stem cell regulations which allowed individuals who are into cell therapies and stem cells to be able to do research and administer certain therapies. The programme advanced.

“We had some companies that operated from here, some therapies were administered and we, in 2022-2023, the legislation is a bit older and the science has advanced so we need to repeal and replace it so that we can capture what’s happening

in 2023.”

Dr Darville said the new law would put The Bahamas on the cutting edge in terms of attracting scientists and researchers.

“A lot of people are interested in coming to The Bahamas and for us to benefit from medical tourism, this particular legislation allows a lot of professors, a lot of technicians to be able to come to our area and administer these lifesaving therapies to patients around the world,” he said.

Dr Darville mentioned

the impending changes at a HEALinc Future Health Summit at Atlantis on Monday.

“A lot of work must go into this issue to repeal and replace the current act,” he said. “And when we get to that point, of course, it needs to be drafted by the AG’s office.

“And then there needs to be consultation, not only locally, but internationally along with the stem cell committee necessary in order for us to come up with something that is workable and something that is safe.”

DEPUTY Prime Minister Chester Cooper discussed the health profile of The Bahamas during a health conference yesterday.

MINISTER of Health and Wellness Dr Michael Darville says the government would repeal and replace the Stem Cell Research and Therapy Act with a modern law

Henfield calls pay delay for public workers ‘unacceptable’

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

SENATOR Darren

Henfield said it is unacceptable that salary payments to 900 public workers were delayed for the second time this year.

State Public Service Minister Pia Glover-Rolle said on Monday that 900 participants in the Public Service Professional Engagement Programme (PSPEP) experienced a delay in receiving their salary. She blamed systemic challenges for the delay.

Her ministry on Sunday said the workers would receive a payment within the following 48 hours.

“As members of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, we were dismayed to come across an article titled ‘900 Public Workers’ Pay Delayed Again’ in this morning’s paper,” Mr

Henfield said in a statement yesterday.

“The state minister has cited challenges associated with the integration of payroll systems, including the automation process and the HRMIS systems being introduced by both the Ministry of Public Service and the Ministry of Finance, as a reason for the delay.”

“It is unacceptable that hard-working public servants who rely on their wages to meet their financial obligations and support their families should be subjected to delays caused by systemic issues within government departments.”

“We urge the government of The Bahamas to act urgently and resolve this issue. In these difficult times, public servants should not be forced to endure the additional hardship of withheld wages.”

MURDER SEES 22 PERCENT DECLINE IN FIRST QUARTER

from page one

murders below 100, a goal that eluded them last year when 128 people were killed.

Commissioner Fernander said police would flood the streets and hot spot areas to tackle crime.

“This far for the year, we have taken over 100 weapons for the first three months of this year. So, what this is telling us is that the streets are flooded with weapons — illegal weapons. That is a problem,” he said.

He also highlighted emerging crime trends concerning drug and gun smuggling, such as using cargo ships to conceal illegal drugs.

He showed attendees videos of police confiscating and examining well-sealed weapons in shipment boxes.

Referring to one operation where a large number of drugs were found on a ship, he said: “In the slide, you would see there’s a magnet on the packages that’s under the exhaust and attached to the metal so you have to go up under. With your naked eyes, you would not have been able to see that but our canine (dog) was able to (sniff) that out and found over 60-something kilos of cocaine so this is an emerging trend.”

“I see in Trinidad a lot of cargo ships and oil ships out there so this is something I believe we need to pay attention to as well … and after carefully examining the packages, they had trackers on it so if you steal (drugs, criminals are) able to track exactly where the drugs are and then you end up dead. That’s the emerging trend,” he said.

Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis called the crime statistics presented during the symposium sobering and said they are a stark reminder of the challenges ahead.

“We must reform our bail policies, review our legal systems, and explore ways to expedite cases while ensuring that the rights of the accused are respected,” he said during the conference’s closing ceremony.

“The bloodshed on the streets of the Caribbean is a heart-wrenching tragedy, and we must do everything in our power to put an end to it.”

He said the symposium represented an essential step in fostering greater regional cooperation and developing a united front against crime.

He insisted that their efforts must not end there, adding: “We must continue to build upon foundations laid during these two days working together to create a comprehensive, cohesive strategy that addresses the root causes of crime and violence in our region.”

“I welcome Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s call for a comprehensive action plan to be completed in the wake of this symposium. Her proposals, including a

CARICOM arrest warrant, rotation of judges, enlargement of magistrates’ jurisdiction, and enhanced forensic cooperation, underscore the need for regional collaboration to improve our legal processes and dismantle criminal networks across our region.”

SENATOR Darren Henfield said it is unacceptable that salary payments to 900 public workers were delayed for the second time this year.

The Tribune Limited

Long overdue for legal reform

IN highlighting some good news –with a drop in the murder rate so far this year – Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander also illuminated the problems that we face.

Some of that is in the illegal guns on the streets, the drug gangs taking advantage of our society, and so on, which is something we can work to fight but which we do not have full control over.

However, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, speaking at the same crime symposium in Trinidad and Tobago, highlighted some of the things that we can change ourselves.

He said: ““We must reform our bail policies, review our legal systems, and explore ways to expedite cases while ensuring that the rights of the accused are respected. The bloodshed on the streets of the Caribbean is a heartwrenching tragedy, and we must do everything in our power to put an end to it.”

Too often, we see court cases where someone is being dealt with over crimes that are five, six, seven, eight years and more in the past. Some of the delays in recent times are down to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic – but that merely exacerbated a problem long faced by our nation.

If you take for example a murder case, which is not held for years on end, the suspect is likely to be out on bail. Why? Well, they are, of course, innocent until proven guilty and so otherwise you end up with a potentially innocent person locked away for years on end. Imagine being innocent behind bars for five or six years while the real killer walked free in the streets.

Conversely, in many of these cases the suspects are indeed the guilty parties but are out on bail and perhaps have the capacity and the motivation to intimidate witnesses in their case – or worse.

Police have warned that many of the fatal shootings we have seen have been of people out on bail – but given that some of those have been on bail

for years, it seems less like reprisal for recent crimes and more being caught up in communities that have too long been plagued by violence, gangs, crime, unemployment and an absence of hope.

Mr Davis talks of reviewing bail policies – but the real issue is to get court cases heard and dealt with faster. If cases are being heard in a timely fashion, there is no need to be releasing suspects on bail who would be better off behind bars. If cases are being dealt with inside a year rather than lingering in the system for half a decade and longer, then there is an expectation that justice can be done, rather than reprisals being carried out on the street.

For too many, the prospect of the authorities dealing with a crime is a remote and distant one.

But Mr Davis is on the right path – the question now is when will these reforms take place and how soon can we see our sluggish legal system transformed into something fit for purpose?

It will take resources. That means money. That means more judges. That means reforms in the forms of legislation being passed. It perhaps means greater funds for police forensic teams, for the coroner, and more. We have already seen that there was a long delay in resuming hearings into police shootings because of the difficulty of finding an officer to handle such matters – so it is not simply a case of throwing money at a situation but finding the right people to carry out what needs to be done.

If we know what needs to be done then the next step is to do it. None of the problems outlined above with delays in court cases or the need for legal system reform are new. Many years have passed without reforms having enough of an effect to stop the large numbers of people out on bail, multi-year delays in cases or people being shot dead while on release. So if the time is now, that is good to hear. It will be even better to see it done.

Downtown development lack of will?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

FIRSTLY, let me say that the unvarnished truth is hard to acknowledge.

Every twelfth grader knows that most, if not all of the properties downtown are owned by the once powerful white rich families, who controlled the affairs of this country prior to 1967.

Today, downtown is an eyesore. It is a travesty that was allowed to fester spanning successive administrations.

For more than thirty years, the idea of downtown redevelopment had been discussed, from the days of George Mackey, former MP for Fox Hill. I seem to recall that George Mackey was affiliated with some group or committee - correct me - whose task was to spearhead the downtown redevelopment initiative. Thus far, no government, past or present, seems to have the political will to tackle this problem head

Availability of telephone directories

EDITOR, The Tribune.

EARLIER this morning, I hopped onto a public service jitney bus for Route 10-A, which means that it would have taken me by the Bahamas Telecommunications Corporate building on John F Kennedy Drive.

As the driver neared that location, I was amazed to see that the building was under extensive refurbishment, and with no forwarding information as to where to go for whatever services that were accessible at Head Office, but why?

After making further inquiry on the same jitney bus that dropped me off, apparently, the driver decided that he would not travel all the way to Cable Beach, as the passengers’ pickups were few, and far apart, this worked in my favour ... as I got back onto the jitney, complained to the driver about the closure of B. T. C’s Head Office -that the trip was all in vain...a passenger suggested that I visited the Navy Lyon Branch, which I did. On arriving there I was referred to the General Post Office at the Town Centre Mall, Baillou Hill Road, and this meant that I had had to take a public service jitney for Route 16 A, I did.

When I got to that location, I was told by a security officer, to visit their Mallat-Marathon branch...to get there, I had to get a public service jitney for Route #21, I did.

didn’t think that they printed any? Wow, all of this could have been avoided had they had the common courtesy to post instructions, where services x,y & z could be obtained, but why hadn’t they?

If the overarching reason was due to the delays in clients collecting their copy of the directory, is one thing?

But to out rightly, not have these very important pieces of business tools and emergency hardware not available for an entire country, speaks volumes to the challenges that confront the smooth and professionally astute management of that corporation, it appears does lie in the balance .. the Administrative team of BATELCO (now-BTC), in connecting vital dots and other features of the organisation’s business?

Diving into specifics, if another impediment to the decision to not publish the telephone directories was cost, it is easy to see in the natural why that avenue should present a difficulty?

If on the other hand, as the year by year facts might reveal that in the end they were left with more telephone directories not collected than collected?

Might I proffer up a scenario?

Telephone Directories to cover that number?

2. Those businesses that did regular business with the Postal Service, consider what that number might be, and provide directories for them.

3. All of the Members Of the Parliament and their assistants have theirs.

4. All of the various Bahamas Government Ministries, Departments and Offices, have theirs.

5. All Of the various hospitals and private medical offices, make theirs available and so on and so forth, now you got the picture.

And how would you get it to them?

When the 2023 Telephone Directories that should have been made available would have arrived...have postal workers from the Mail room, etc, place a notice in their Boxes, that those books were ready for collection, etc? How difficult is that?

on. None. I am not in the business of providing grist for the political mill, but there are two ideas floating in the stream of public opinion.

Firstly, there is a view that some property owners would prefer building top end apartments of town houses along the Bay Street thoroughfare, which would essentially create another (Albany Type ) situation stretching eastward along Bay Street. This idea seemed to have been rejected by the powers that be.

And so, the land owners, with both arms akimbo seem to be saying to the government: “Well you can’t tell us what to do with our property”. This, I am told, has created a stand-off.

Secondly, it is believed that some land owners are close friends and business partners with some members of the political directorate, on both sides. Now, paralysis has taken

hold and the government is reluctant to ruffle feathers or lock horns over this issue.

In any event, the government must muster the intestinal fortitude or summon the courage to coerce or demand that these property owners demolish these dilapidated structures, save and except for those having some historical significance.

Barring that, let’s hope that these property owner would somehow be sucked into a vortex of guilt and shame and do the honourable thing.

Downtown represents the heartbeat of industry and commerce and it is the seat of political power and governance. It is our face to the outside world, and as such, it cries out for serious and urgent attention. Someone had to say it.

ZEPHANIAH BURROWS Nassau, April 16, 2023.

Feeling confident that they would have the 2023 Telephone Directory, scouted inside to the main service counter and you guessed it?

The clerk told me that they didn’t have any, she

1. If the proof of non-collection were of such, here is a suggestion to mitigate much of that: Those customers, or clients that did regular business with the General Post Office, and had frequent visits to their postal boxes, have those numbers tallied and order

But, to have across the board, a flatout non production, printing of a country’s Telephone Directories is atrocious and shows very poor judgement. I call on the authorities to not only look into this lapse in judgement, but to fire those responsible. The country is in this state because of the tolerance, and incompetence... even work place corruption, giving positions to people based on favour, not competence, must stop. In the end we all will suffer at the hands of ignorance.

Finally, it is not too late, we need those 2023 Telephone Directories even if the numbers were significantly reduced.

FRANK GILBERT

Nassau, April 14, 2023.

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I WISH to bring to your attention a pressing matter that is negatively affecting the lives of hundreds of Bahamian workers in the ground transportation industry, which has been doing so for decades. Needless to say, as a worker in the industry it is near and dear to my heart as I am personally affected as a result of it. I speak of the widespread and nefarious practice by

many ground transportation companies of billing their clients for gratuities (which rightly belong to the drivers/chauffeurs/tour professionals) and retaining most, and in some cases, all of these funds for themselves.

What makes this reality most egregious is that generally, the remuneration paid to these workers is pitifully low. In most cases, it is not far above minimum wage. If workers complain they are advised to find

another job or worse, they are terminated.

It is hoped that shining a very bright light on this hidden tragedy will bring some relief to myself and my cohorts who have endured years of existing literally on the margins of quiet desperation in this country, which has so much to offer its citizens.

CARS are seen piled on top of each other at the scene of a partial collapse of a parking garage in the financial district of New York, in New York yesterday.

Photo: Mary Altaffer/AP

‘gb population decline due to hurricane and pandemic’

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Staff Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahama’s declining population signifies the island’s economic struggles, Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce president James Carey said yesterday.

The 2022 census showed the island’s population declined by nearly 4,000 in the past ten years, the steepest drop in the country.

According to the census, 49,475 people live on the island, representing 11.89 per cent of the country’s total population.

Mr Carey believes Hurricane Dorian and the COVID pandemic contributed to the island’s population decline.

NO BAIL FOR AR MED ROBBERY SUSPECT

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

AN 18-year-old man was jailed for armed robbery yesterday.

Donte Thompson appeared before Assistant Chief Magistrate Subsola Swain.

It is alleged that on April 13, Thompson, being concerned with another and armed with black handguns, robbed Pierre Evans as he left a bar on Montrose Avenue. It is said the two stole Evans’ white Samsung cellphone valued at $280 and $150 in cash.

Thompson’s VBI is set for service on July 3.

MAN FOUND WITH DRUGS ON $2K BAIL

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A 66-year-old man was granted $2,000 bail yesterday after allegedly being found with marijuana and cocaine on Monday.

Willis Wallace faced Magistrate Shaka Serville on two counts of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply.

On Monday in New Providence, he was arrested after allegedly having 21g of Indian Hemp and 1oz of cocaine.

Wallace pleaded not guilty. Bail was granted on condition he report to the Quakoo Street Police Station every Monday and Thursday by 7pm.

His trial will begin on October 25.

MAN HELD ON HOUSE BREAK-INS

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was sent to prison on Tuesday after being accused of a series of house break-ins in Exuma earlier this month.

Reno Bain, 26, stood before Magistrate Kendra Kelly on charges of stealing, receiving and two counts of burglary.

It is alleged that between April 4 and 5 while at The Cut, Exuma, Bain broke into two separate homes belonging to Elle Watts and Jessica Murphy. It is further alleged that on April 5 between 1am and 4.20am, Bain stole four pairs of shoes belonging to Ms Murphy, together valued at $150.

Bain will be served with a voluntary bill of indictment on July 7.

“With Dorian, a lot of people left town because of their circumstances and a lot of businesses were damaged,” Mr Carey said. He said critical mass is vital to the development of the island and its economy.

“It is one of those difficult moments that we are going through,” he said.

“I think Bimini was a popular spot for a number of people, and Nassau and Exuma. But I think by and large Grand Bahamians want to come back home.

“I occasionally bump into them in my movements through the islands and they want to come back home for sure, but they want to come back home with something to do and some of them have to restore their home. And in some cases, start again because they don’t want to restore where their homes were because of the flooding.”

The census showed the number of households in Grand Bahama increased to 17,820 households with an average size of 2.66 people.

Of the five constituencies, Central Grand Bahama had the highest number of constituents: 11,497.

East Grand Bahamas was next with 11,411 residents.

Decisive action on rape allegation would show govt’s commitment to ending gender-based violence

A MEMBER of Parliament has been accused of gender-based violence by a woman who was in a relationship with him. The violence included physical assault, rape, and death threats against the woman and her family. The survivor’s story is as clear as it is disturbing. It is about the escalation of violence, manipulation and threats, abuse of power, and the apparent impossibility of accessing justice. It is a lived reality that is more common than most people know.

I have spoken and worked with many survivors of gender-based violence in The Bahamas. Their stories are always upsetting, and their experiences when they try to get help are usually discouraging. There are, of course, stories we will never hear, some because the survivors do not want to talk about those experiences, and some because the stories have been buried along with them. Everyone does not get out. Everyone does not (get to) ask for help.

When people come forward, tell their stories, and ask for help, there should be no barriers. They should be guided through a seamless process to ensure their security and wellbeing and that of their dependents and anyone else at risk, access to swift justice, and access to all necessary resources, services, and accommodations including physical and mental healthcare, paid leave and accommodations at work, housing and childcare, and legal assistance. Survivors should never feel alone, judged, blamed, or disbelieved. They should be treated with dignity and respect.

In the case of Ms Rolle (a pseudonym used to protect her identity), the survivor who has accused the Member of Parliament of physical violence and rape, we see a survivor who has become an activist of sorts. She reported the genderbased violence perpetrated by the Member of the Parliament to the police.

When she did not get the response that the police owe to her, and to us all, she went to the news media. She clearly stated that she took these steps, not only for herself and her family, but for other women and girls. She wanted to protect other people from having the same experience. She said: “I’m doing this because this could be used to save a life.”

Far too many women, before we are able to take care of ourselves and heal from violence and trauma, become activists in some way. We do not want other people to experience the violence we have experienced. We take on the responsibility to prevent it, whether by sharing stories with women and letting them know who the

By Alicia Wallace

predators are and/or what the warning signs of abusive relationships are, or by speaking publicly, calling on the government officials to take the action that is well within their power.

The police have the power to bring in the Member of Parliament for questioning, and to press charges. Not doing so was a choice, and one they should not have been able to make. The Commissioner of Police has significant power. Will he use it? The Prime Minister has significant power, as leader of the Progressive Liberal Party and as Prime Minister. Will he use it? What will the Minister of National Security do, or not do? What about the Attorney General? If all of these people and their offices refuse to take action, what are we left to do? What does it mean for the women and girls in this country? For the LGBTQI+ people? The people with disabilities?

The people in the Family Islands?

This week, it is a woman living outside of the capital. She, fortunately, has the support of her family. She does not, as we learned from her story, have the support of a law enforcement or judicial system. Who, then, is going to stand up? Is one man, one Member of Parliament, more powerful than everyone else who is mandated to take action in response to the violence he allegedly enacted against Ms Rolle? Is one man worth the disgust and anger we should all have for the Progressive Liberal Party? Will they let protecting him, accused of being a rapist, come before law, order, conscience, responsibility, and human rights? Or are they convinced that The Bahamas is comprised of a people that do not move forward, upward, onward, or together with the people in situations of vulnerability, but have short memories, disinterest in other’s wellbeing, and the foolish belief that we will not be next? We have to demand action. The Member of Parliament needs to be questioned, charged, and publicly named. He needs to be dismissed. The Prime Minister, the Progressive Liberal Party, the current administration must take a stand. This is the time for them to prove themselves. Are they not rapists themselves? Are they not

corrupt? Are they not actively participating in rape culture? Are they not misogynists? It is time to start proving it. The best time has passed, and today is the next best opportunity, in Parliament. Recommendations to the government of The Bahamas

1. Criminalise marital rape. What does this mean? The definition of rape in Section 3 of the Sexual Offenses Act needs to be amended to remove “who is not his spouse” which is an exception for rapists who are married to their victims/survivors. Rape is rape, regardless of the relationship between perpetrator and victim/survivor, and this needs to be clear in the law. How would this make a difference?

Making this amendment to criminalise marital rape will make it clear that woman are human beings with human rights that are not, in any way, diminished by any relationships, including marriage. This means women have bodily autonomy and have the right to give or withhold consent. When we understand women’s bodily autonomy and fundamental rights and freedoms, we also understand that their are entitled to equal protection of the law, and this influences behavior.

2. Implement a gender policy. What does this mean? There is a National Gender Equality Policy that was drafted in 2018 and has yet to be adopted. It outlines seven goals with objectives, strategies, and timelines. Goal one, for example, is to eliminate discriminatory laws, policies, and practices, protect human rights, and provide access to justice. The objectives related to these goals are to create a legal environment that facilitates the elimination of all forms of discrimination on the basis of gender, build awareness among all actors in the justice system about rights and obligations under treaty agreements related to gender-based discrimination, and provide legal aid services to victims of gender-based violence. How would this make a difference? The gender equality policy will provide guidance to move The Bahamas toward gender equality by addressing both gender ideology and structural barriers through specific activities designed

for various areas. For example, a strategy under goal one and objective one in 2018 draft is to “build awareness among the citizenry on the criminal nature of marital rape with a view to amend the Sexual Offenses and Domestic Violence Act of 1991 to criminalise marital rape”. The gender equality policy is guidance and a set of strategies and activities to change mindsets and practices.

3. Set a timeline and action plan for a constitutional referendum. What does this mean? The 2016 constitutional referendum did not result in the necessary amendments to the constitution. The government, however, is still obligated to protect, promote, and uphold women’s human rights. It must hold another constitutional referendum, and plan for it extensively. The CEDAW Committee recommendations that the Government of The Bahamas set a timeline so that it is clear to everyone when the next referendum will be held, human rights organisations can plan their advocacy. An action plan would include the educational campaign, use of media, identification of champions, voter registration, budget, and other necessary components. How would this make a difference? This would ensure that the electorate is better prepared to participate

in the constitutional referendum. Human rights organisations will have time to prepare material and run campaigns, voters will have time to access information and pose questions, and there will be a better use of time and resources when everyone know what is happening and when.

4. Establish a national human rights institution (NHRI). What does this mean? This institution, established by law and independently run would promote and monitor the implementation of human rights standards in The Bahamas. NHRIs give advice to governments, receive, investigate, and resolve complaints, conduct research, and run human rights education programs. How would this make a difference? The Bahamas needs an independent body with the capacity and mandate to collect and analyze data, monitor the government’s (non-)compliance with human rights mechanisms, provide education and training, and raise pressing human rights issues nationally, regionally, and internationally. It would support the government in fulfilling its human rights obligations, work along with non-governmental organisations, and provide recourse to individuals who experience human rights violations, all while increasing national understanding of and access to human rights.

5. Properly resource a national gender machinery. What does this mean? The Bahamas now has a Department of Gender and Family Affairs which sits within the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development. The Bureau of Women’s Affairs was “upgraded” to a Department in 2016, but has never received a proper working budget. It still operates much like the Bureau before it and, for some reason, the “upgrade” came with the addition of “family affairs” and the Department now has a “men’s desk”. The government quickly lost the plot, failing to put the necessary focus on gender (in) equality and the specific needs of women and girls, and does not acknowledge LGBTQI+ people as a primary community of focus.

The Department of Gender and Family Affairs needs to be staffed with technical experts on gender, sexuality, and human rights. It needs to be at the highest level of government—a ministry— as set out at the Expert Group Meeting on national gender machineries in Santiago, Chile, in 1998. How would this make a difference? A national gender machinery would function as a Ministry and have the ability to engage with

Ministers and Ministries on equal footing. It could develop guidelines and give input that would ensure gender mainstreaming in all government ministries and, by extension, services and programmes.

6. Adopt temporary special measures, such as a political quota, to ensure gender parity in political life. What does this mean? Temporary special measures are put in place to reduce and then eliminate disparities and to promote equality by making stipulations that change a practice and/or system for a period of time so that the norms change. Some countries, such as Guyana, have a political quota which requires political parties to have candidate slates that are 30 percent women. The onus is then on political parties to recruit and welcome women and present them as candidates for winnable seats. The electorate then sees women participating in frontline politics. How would this make a difference? When we see women in leadership positions, we understands that women can be leaders. Women can be Members of Parliament, Ministers (of more than Education and Social Services), and Prime Ministers. People learn, through experience, that women are as capable of leadership as men, and women’s representation is both increased and recognised as critical to the development of the country.

7. Amend the Bahamas Nationality Act 1973 to ensure gender-equal nationality rights. What does this mean? The 2016 constitutional referendum did not receive enough “yes” votes to make the necessary amendments to the constitution to allow gender-equal nationality rights. At present, Bahamian women married to non-Bahamian men do not pass on citizenship to their children born outside of The Bahamas and their spouses cannot apply for citizenship, and Bahamian men do not pass on citizenship to their children born outside of marriage. Gender-equal nationality rights need to be enshrined in the constitution, and in the interim, amendments can be made to legislation to grant this right. Members of Parliament need only make the decision to do so. How would this make a difference? This would allow Bahamians to pass on citizenship to their children, and it would allow spouses of Bahamians the right to access Bahamian citizenship. Doing this would demonstrate that women are whole people—not extensions of men—and that women’s rights are not erased by marriage.

‘The current administration must take a stand. This is the time for them to prove themselves. Are they not rapists themselves? Are they not corrupt? Are they not actively participating in rape culture?’

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT FIRST TEST FLIGHT OF SPACEX’S BIG STARSHIP

By MARCIA DUNN AP Aerospace Writer

Elon Musk’s SpaceX is about to take its most daring leap yet with a round-the-world test flight of its mammoth Starship.

It’s the biggest and mightiest rocket ever built at 400 feet (120 metres), with the lofty goals of ferrying people to the moon and Mars.

Monday’s launch attempt was called off because of a stuck valve in the first-stage booster and there could be another try this week from South Texas. Musk’s company got the OK from the Federal Aviation Administration on Friday.

It will be the first launch with Starship’s two sections together. No one will be on on board. Early versions of the sci-fi-looking upper stage rocketed several miles into the stratosphere a few years back, crashing four times before finally landing upright in 2021. The towering firststage rocket booster, dubbed Super Heavy, will soar for the first time.

For this demo, SpaceX won’t attempt any landings of the rocket or the spacecraft. Everything will fall into the sea.

“I’m not saying it will get to orbit, but I am guaranteeing excitement.

It won’t be boring,” Musk promised at a Morgan Stanley conference last month. “I think it’s got, I don’t know, hopefully about a 50% chance of reaching orbit.”

Here’s the rundown on Starship’s debut:

SUPERSIZE ROCKET

The stainless steel Starship has 33 main engines and 16.7 million pounds of thrust. All but two of the methane-fueled, first-stage engines ignited during a launch pad test in January — good enough to reach orbit, Musk noted. Given its muscle, Starship could lift as much as 250 tonnes and accommodate 100 people on a trip to Mars. The sixengine spacecraft accounts for 164 feet (50 metres) of its height. Musk anticipates using Starship to launch satellites into low-Earth orbit, including his own Starlinks for internet service, before strapping anyone in. Starship easily eclipses NASA’s moon rockets — the Saturn V from the bygone Apollo era and the Space Launch System from the Artemis programme that logged its first lunar trip late last year. It also outflanks the former Soviet Union’s N1 moon rocket, which never made it past a minute into flight, exploding with no one aboard.

GAME PLAN

The test flight will last 1 1/2 hours, and fall short of a full orbit of Earth.

If Starship reaches the three-minute mark after launch, the booster will be commanded to separate and fall into the Gulf of Mexico.

The spacecraft would continue eastward, passing over the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans before ditching near Hawaii. Starship is designed to be fully reusable but nothing will be saved from the test flight.

Harvard astrophysicist and spacecraft tracker Jonathan McDowell will be more excited whenever Starship actually lands and returns intact from orbit. It will be “a profound development in spaceflight if and when Starship is debugged and operational,” he said.

LAUNCH PAD

Starship will take off from a remote site on the southernmost tip of Texas near Boca Chica Beach. It’s just below South Padre Island, and about 20 miles from Brownsville. Down the road from the launch pad is the complex where SpaceX has been developing and building Starship prototypes for the past several years.

The complex, called Starbase, has more than 1,800 employees, who live in Brownsville or elsewhere in the Rio Grande Valley. The Texas launch pad is equipped with giant robotic arms — called chopsticks — to eventually grab a returning booster as it lands. SpaceX is retooling one of its two Florida launch pads to accommodate Starships down the road. Florida is where SpaceX’s Falcon rockets blast off with crew, space station cargo and satellites for NASA and other customers.

THE ODDS

As usual, Musk is remarkably blunt about his chances, giving even odds, at best, that Starship will reach orbit on its first flight. But with a fleet of Starships under construction at Starbase, he estimates an 80% chance that one of them will attain orbit by year’s end. He expects it will take a couple years to achieve full and rapid reusability.

CUSTOMERS

With Starship, the Californiabased SpaceX is focusing on the moon for now, with a $3 billion NASA contract to land astronauts on the lunar surface as early as 2025, using the upper stage spacecraft. It will be the first moon landing by astronauts in more than 50 years. The moonwalkers will leave Earth via NASA’s Orion capsule and Space Launch System rocket, and then transfer to Starship in lunar orbit for the descent to the surface, and then back to Orion. To reach the moon and beyond, Starship will first need

to refuel in low-Earth orbit. SpaceX envisions an orbiting depot with window-less Starships as tankers. But Starship isn’t just for NASA. A private crew will be the first to fly Starship, orbiting Earth. Two private flights to the moon would follow — no landings, just flyarounds.

OTHER PLAYERS

There are other new rockets on the horizon. Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin is readying the New Glenn rocket for its orbital debut from Cape Canaveral, Florida, in the next year or so. Named after the first American to orbit the world, John Glenn, the rocket towers over the company’s

current New Shepard rocket, named for Mercury astronaut Alan Shepard’s 1961 suborbital hop. NASA will use New Glenn to send a pair of spacecraft to Mars in 2024.

United Launch Alliance expects its new Vulcan rocket to make its inaugural launch later this year, hoisting a private lunar lander to the moon at NASA’s behest.

Europe’s Arianespace is close to launching its new, upgraded Ariane 6 rocket from French Guiana in South America. And NASA’s Space Launch System moon rocket that will carry astronauts will morph into ever bigger versions.

The European Parliament and the bloc’s 27 member states struck an informal agreement for the 43 billioneuro ($47 billion) Chips Act, which pools public and private funds and allows for state aid to kick-start massive investments for chipmaking facilities.

“The Chips act puts Europe in the first line of cutting-edge technologies which are essential for our green and digital transitions,” Ebba Busch, industry minister for Sweden, which holds the rotating EU presidency, said in a statement.

The EU is scrambling to keep up with the U.S., which launched its own $52 billion Chips Act to boost the American semiconductor industry. -

The journey began with a perfect morning liftoff by Europe’s Ariane rocket from French Guiana on the coast of South America. But there were some tense minutes later as controllers awaited signals from the spacecraft.

When contact finally was confirmed close to an hour into the flight, Mission Control in Germany declared: “The spacecraft is alive!”

It will take the robotic explorer, dubbed Juice, eight years to reach Jupiter, where it will scope out not only the solar system’s biggest planet but also Europa, Callisto and Ganymede. The three ice-encrusted moons are believed to harbour underground oceans, where sea life could exist.

Then in perhaps the most impressive feat of all, Juice will attempt to go into orbit around Ganymede: No spacecraft has ever orbited a moon other than our own.

ama on’s assy says ai will be a ‘big deal’ for company

By HALELUYA HADERO Associated Peess

NEW YORK (AP) —

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy signaled confidence that the company will get costs under control in his annual shareholder letter, where he also noted the tech giant was “spending heavily” on AI tools that have gained popularity in recent months.

In the letter, Jassy described 2022 as “one of the harder macroeconomic years in recent memory” and detailed the steps Amazon had taken to trim costs, such as shuttering its health care initiative Amazon Care and some stores

across the country. The company had also slashed 27,000 corporate roles since the fall, marking the biggest rounds of layoffs in its history.

“There are a number of other changes that we’ve made over the last several months to streamline our overall costs, and like most leadership teams, we’ll continue to evaluate what we’re seeing in our business and proceed adaptively,” Jassy wrote.

The company’s profitable cloud computing unit Amazon Web Services also faces “short-term headwinds right now,” despite growing 29% year-over-year in 2022 on a

$62 billion revenue base, Jassy wrote.

He noted challenges for the unit stem from companies spending more cautiously in the face of challenging current macroeconomic conditions.

Despite the cuts and “turbulent” times, Jassy said he strongly believes Amazon’s “best days are in front of us.”

The Seattle company will continue to invest in specialised chips most used for machine learning, its advertising business as well as generative AI tools.

The tools are part of a new generation of machine-learning systems that can converse, generate readable text on

-

demand and produce novel images and video based on what they’ve learned from a vast database of digital books and online text.

“Let’s just say that LLMs and Generative AI are going to be a big deal for customers, our shareholders, and Amazon,” Jassy wrote, using the abbreviated version of Large Language Models, or AI that can mimic human writing styles based on data they’ve ingested.

On Thursday, Amazon also announced several new services that will allow developers to build their own AI tools on its cloud infrastructure.

SPACEX’s Starship rocket at the launch site in Boca Chica, Texas. (SpaceX via AP)

ANDY JASSY, Amazon president and CEO.

Deadly coral disease is affecting up to 90 percent of reefs in some areas

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE deadly Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) continues to ravage corals in The Bahamas, affecting up to 90 per cent of corals in some areas.

Environment and Natural Resources Minister Vaughn Miller said treating the corals with antibiotics does not go far enough to solve the problem. He said the Davis administration had established a task force to tackle the issue more aggressively.

He spoke during yesterday’s conclave at Breezes, where officials discussed SCTLD and its impact on corals in The Bahamas.

Valeria Pizarro, senior researcher at Perry Institute for Marine Science, discussed the latest findings on the disease.

She said that in some areas, 90 per cent of the corals have been affected by SCTLD.

“What we’re seeing with stony coral tissue disease is that it affects more species than others, so it has a level of susceptibility, so the highly susceptible species are the first to get infected and the first to die, so for those species, we are looking in some areas for local extinctions and these are important reef corals but they are not the main reef builders,” she said.

“However, between the high susceptibility, not the

highly (susceptible ones) but the ones that are susceptible are the brain corals and the star corals and those species, and I’d say that in the reefs that we have assessed in some areas, we have lost 90 per cent of those corals. That means that we still have the structures right now because they die but over time, we will have erosion and they will erode and then is when we will start losing all of the reef’s functionality and that will affect Bahamians and everyone that lives in the coastal areas.”

Asked which islands were most affected, she named Grand Bahama — where all of the shallow reefs are highly affected — Abaco, New Providence, San Salvador, Cat Island and Andros.

For his part, Mr Miller said when the country’s coral reefs suffer, “so does our culture”. He called for widespread support, especially from the private sector, to help raise awareness about the problem.

“They are ecologically important and play a vital role in supporting our economy and the livelihoods

that depend on them. They act as natural barriers protecting coastlines from erosion and storm surges during severe weather events,” he said. “Our marine environment, if unchecked, can accelerate coral destruction.”

SCTLD, a bacterium, was first found in corals off Miami in 2014 and detected in The Bahamas several years later.

Currently, there is no cure for the disease. However, its spread can be slowed or stopped when

Amoxicillin, an antibiotic, is applied strategically to affected reef systems, along with other measures.

According to Mr Miller, coral treatment has been applied through the Perry Institute “with mixed results”.

However, he said, it is time the country moves beyond treatment and to more proactive solutions.

“As such, this administration has approved the development of coral reef task force,” he said.

“The Bahamas SCKTD

Taskforce and the taskforce has been assigned to one, develop and implement strategies to prevent the spread of SCLTD. Two, to help us understand how reef condition varies in space, time and under different threat regimes.”

“Thirdly, to explore how protection and restoration can reduce or even reverse the decline of coral reefs and fourthly, to seek to prevent permanent loss and damage of our culturally and economically important reef-building system.”

FORTUNE BAY CANAL CONSTRUCTION BEGINS AT $1.2M COST

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE construction of the Fortune Bay Canal is being undertaken at an investment cost of $1.2m and is expected to be completed in October.

Lucaya Service Company Ltd (LUSCO) said the project involves dredging to minus nine feet Mean Low

Water (MLW), resulting in the removal of some 33,000 cubic yards of sand.

According to a recent press statement, the company is supported by partners in the project, including Phoenix Engineering Limited, contractor A&D Gaitor’s Equipment Rock & Sand, and the Grand Bahama Port Authority and its Building and Development

Services Department. Landside work has started in preparation for maintenance dredging and jetty repairs at the inlet to the Fortune Bay Canal, including preparation of the staging area for dewatering of the dredge material.

“We are grateful to our partners as well as other important stakeholders to the project,” said Charisse Brown, CEO of LUSCO.

She said all affected landowners around the waterway have been notified, as well as the Dolphin Experience to ensure necessary safeguards are in place for the safe movement of dolphins during the project.

LUSCO is urging operators of vessels to exercise extreme caution and care while navigating the Fortune Bay Canal area during working hours and off

hours when equipment and markers may be erected.

Work is being conducted from 7am to 7pm Monday to Saturday until the project is finished in October, subject to weather and logistical delays.

“Mariners should remain a safe distance away from the dredger, booster, buoys, underground and above ground cables, pipelines, barges, derricks, wires, and

related equipment. Boaters should comply with the published mariners’ warning and signage posted in the waterway near the construction zone,” the company advised.

LUSCO is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of Lucaya’s physical infrastructure, including roadways, waterways, ocean inlets in the Freeport and Lucaya areas.

US REPUBLICANS READY PUSH FOR BORDER ENFORCEMENT

WASHINGTON

Associated Press

HOUSE Republicans for months have railed against the Biden administration’s handling of the US border with Mexico, holding hearings, visiting border communities and promising to advance legislation to clamp down on illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

But so far, they have failed to unify behind a plan, delaying efforts to

pass legislation. Now they are hoping to change that.

Republicans on Wednesday are jumpstarting work on an immigration and border enforcement package that would remake immigration law to make it more difficult to apply for asylum and easier for the federal government to stop migrants from entering the US.

Rep Jim Jordan, the Republican who is chair of the Judiciary Committee drafting the legislation, said he expected Wednesday’s

markup of the bill to go “well”.

The undertaking comes as Washington is putting renewed focus on border security, and the plight of thousands of migrants who show up seeking entry into the US, with a looming May deadline that is expected to end a federal COVID-era asylum policy. The hearing also comes as Republicans, more than 100 days into their new House majority, are under political pressure to deliver on a key

campaign promise to secure the border.

The Republican legislative package, which may not draw much bipartisan support from Democrats, aims to revive a number of policies either enacted or proposed under then-President Donald Trump that tightened up asylum rules.

It would give the Homeland Security secretary the power to stop migrants from entering the United States if the secretary determines the US has lost

“operational control” of the border.

And it would make it more difficult for asylumseekers to prove in initial interviews that they are fleeing political, religious or racial persecution, impose a $50 fee on adults who apply for asylum and require migrants to make the asylum claim at an official port of entry.

The bill would also enact a Trump-era policy that the Biden administration is pursuing, the so-called “safe

third country” requirement, which generally denies asylum to migrants who show up at the US southern border without first seeking protection in a country they passed through. Conservative hardliners who say migrants are taking advantage of the asylum process are backing the bill.

Rep Chip Roy, R-Texas, said the legislation “reflects in a package form basically where we’ve all wanted to head, which is to actually enforce the law”.

PHOTO: FRANCESCO UNGARO

WORK begins on the removal of sand to construct the Fortune Bay Canal.

SPORTS

Kevin Major Jr wins 3rd straight tournament

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

For the third time this year, rising tennis star Kevin ‘KJ’ Major hoisted a championship trophy.

His latest feat came at the Battle of Boca. Major prevailed with an identical score of 6-1, 6-1 over American Brock Anderson at the Rick Macci Tennis Center in Boca Raton, Florida, on Monday.

He opened the tournament with an easy 6-0, 6-1 win over American Matthew Krusling before he had his toughest challenge in the quarterfinals where he prevailed with a hard fought 4-6, 6-2, 1-0 (10-5) decision over Sam Baldwin from Great Britain.

But in the semi-final, Major breezed through with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Juan David Velasquez from Colombia before he put the icing on the cake in the final.

The 28-year-old Major Jr said he felt like he was right at home.

“This one was closer to home because I play a lot of tournaments in South Florida in the men’s open and so I was really geared up for it,” Major said. “I didn’t have any easy matches. The scores didn’t really reflect the outcome. I was just dialed in from start to finish.

“I played one match that I had some trouble with in the first set, but I knew the score couldn’t sustain that level and then I won the second set with two breaks and I won the third set in the tie break.”

After that, Major Jr said it was smooth sailing.

“I won the semi-final and final in dominating fashion. In the semi-final, I thought it would have been tougher, but the guy didn’t put up that much resistance. I think that helped to get me ready for the final. I just went for it.”

With his game taking off this year, Major Jr said he’s confident that any time he steps out on the court, he can take on any opponent he faces.

“This year was a really good start for me in these

tournaments,” he pointed out. It’s given me a lot of momentum. This year I am gearing up for what I want to do. These tournament victories will only help me to get to that next level.” Major Jr will be back in action on Monday when he plays his fourth tournament for the year in Vero Beach, Florida.

“I want to keep playing as much as I can. I’m feeling so good,” he stated.

Now residing in Tampa, Florida with his manager Molly O’Brien and her family, Major Jr said he just focuses on playing tennis and that has been the difference in his success so far.

“She’s connected me with a tremendous amount of opportunities, so I’m just really grateful that it has come about because this sport is extremely expensive to play in,” he stated. “She’s been able to put a full team around me, giving me the full support I need on and off the court.

“I’m just very fortunate in what I do. For most people, the road has been difficult because they haven’t been blessed with the talent that I have. I recognise that and I don’t waste it. I’m just happy to have someone like that in my corner.”

Major Jr, however, said he and his team have been reaching out to the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association, headed by president Perry Newton, for some

Chisholm Jr’s homer leads Marlins over Giants 4-2

MIAMI (AP) — Jasrado

“Jazz” Chisholm Jr hit a goahead three-run homer and the Miami Marlins beat the San Francisco Giants 4-2 yesterday.

Jorge Soler had three hits and Luis Arraez singled twice for the Marlins, who have won six of seven.

Marlins starter Edward Cabrera limited San Francisco to two runs and six hits over six innings. Cabrera (1-1) walked two and struck out eight.

The Giants lost their fifth straight.

Chisholm’s shot off Giants reliever Jakob

Junis (2-1) in the fourth put the Marlins ahead 4-2. Soler doubled and Bryan De La Cruz singled, then Chisholm connected on a drive that landed over the wall in right centre field.

Miami got perfect innings from Tanner Scott and Dylan Floro before A.J. Puk closed with a scoreless ninth for his third save. San Francisco lost starter Alex Wood because of a left hamstring strain in the third. Wood planted both feet awkwardly after he left

the mound and fielded Jean Segura’s bunt near the third base foul line. He threw Segura out by a step but limped as he returned to the mound.

Martin to launch Andros track, field camp

By TENAJH SWEETING tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

ANDROS native Holland Martin will launch a track and field sports camp on Queen’s Park in Fresh Creek, Central Andros.

The newest track and field camp on the nation’s largest island will start on April 22 and run until June 16. The camp will be open for boys and girls between the ages five and 17.

The Bahamian professional track and field athlete and former national team member saw the need for a sports camp for the youth on the island and decided to be the change he wanted to see.

Martin talked about his motivation for starting the camp in his hometown.

“I moved back home a few months ago and since I’ve been home things have changed and are a lot different from when I was growing up,” he said.

He added that he just wanted to implement a camp so that the kids on

the island can have something to do after school because he felt like no one was taking the initiative to provide them with the opportunity, therefore, he decided to do it himself.

The professional track and field athlete noticed that when he grew up on the island, they had more options across the various sports such as basketball, baseball and track and field but nowadays it does not seem like there are any extracurricular sports for the youth.

Although registration numbers have started a bit slow for the young coach, he is optimistic that once more people sign up for the camp others will start to join.

“It’s kind of challenging because people don’t really take interest in stuff until they see others start to take interest in it,” he said.

He added that his mindset is to just start and remain consistent so that when others see that he is consistent with the camp

more people will begin to register. The next purpose of the programme is to help young boys and girls in Andros to get the same opportunities he was afforded growing up.

The 25-year-old grew up in Andros but transferred to Freeport in his senior years of high school which opened the door for many opportunities, including competing in CARIFTA for the first time.

It is also his plan to use the connections that he has established over the years to help out the potential

athletes to get scholarships and perfect their craft.

The Andros native had this final message for his community as he urged them to register.

“If the kids are interested just take the opportunity, they will not regret it, the youths are the future and we have to invest in them and it gives them the opportunity to be properly trained by someone who has been there and has the background to know what is going on,” Martin said.

For persons who are interested in signing up for the camp, registration is free. Practices are scheduled from Monday to Friday from 3:30 to 5:30pm and beyond if necessary.

For those that require private training, Martin provides that as well per special request. The contact to join is 425-5110 or hollandmartin@gmail.com. The rates are categorised as daily, weekly and monthly and are to be determined by Martin when the camp gets fully underway.

assistance, but to no avail. “I can only fight to show you how good I am for so long and then after that, it’s on you,” he said. “When I play these tournaments, people know who I am before I get there. They know what to expect from me. They know the level of tennis that I am going to bring. They know it’s going to be fun to watch.

“But at the end of the day because I’m so entertaining to watch, I’m aware of what’s happening and the people in Tampa have given me this space to where I can only focus on playing tennis. So I don’t think about anything else. If they work out, they do, if they don’t, then they don’t. I can’t let that stop me from where I want to go.”

Based on the high level of energy that he brings to the court, Major Jr said a lot of people feel like he has the ability to play on the major pro circuit, but there are so many variables that will enable him to take that next step. “Tennis is very expensive. I have

SEE PAGE 12

The left-hander’s outing ended after 2 1/3 innings. He gave up one run, one hit, walked one and struck out three.

Mike Yastrzemski’s tworun shot in the first gave the Giants a quick lead. Yastrzemski drove Cabrera’s fastball over the wall in right for his third homer.

ROSTER MOVE

The Giants recalled INF-OF Brett Wisely from

Triple-A Sacramento and optioned INF-OF Matt Beaty to the same minor league club. Wisely went hitless in three at bats. UP NEXT RHP Alex Cobb (0-1, 3.14) will start the series finale for the Giants this afternoon while the Marlins will go with LHP Trevor Rogers (1-2, 4.20).

AYTON AND SUNS BEAT CLIPPERS, EVEN THE SERIES

By DAVID BRANDT AP Sports Writer

PHOENIX (AP) —

Devin Booker scored 38 points, Kevin Durant had 25 and the Phoenix Suns beat the Los Ange les Clippers 123-109 last night in Game 2 to tie the Western Conference first-round series.

The Suns put together a gritty effort after a dis appointing loss in Game 1. Their shots weren’t falling for much of the first half and they fell into a 12-point hole midway through the second quarter. But led by Booker, they never panicked.

The three-time AllStar drilled a 3 just before the halftime buzzer to tie it and scored 18 points in the third quarter on 7-of-8 shooting, helping the Suns push to a 92-87

14 points – on 7-of10 shooting – and 13 rebounds. Torrey Craig hit 5 of 8 3s and had 17 points, and Chris Paul had 16 points and eight assists. Kawhi Leonard led Los Angeles with 31 points. Russell Westbrook added 28 points on 9-of-16 shooting.

HOLLAND MARTIN

JAZZ Chisholm Jr runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run in the fourth inning yesterday.

MIAMI Marlins’ Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr, left, celebrates with Jorge Soler (12) after hitting a three-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, yesterday in Miami. (AP Photos/Lynne Sladky)

KEVIN ‘KJ’ MAJOR

ALCARAZ CRUISES TO OPENING VICTORY AT BARCELONA OPEN

BARCELONA,

Spain

(AP) — Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz opened his title defence at the Barcelona Open with a comfortable 6-3, 6-1 win over Nuno Borges yesterday.

The top-seeded Spaniard, No. 2 in the world, converted five of his seven break opportunities to secure the win at the Rafa Nadal centre court.

“It’s always different to play here, it’s not just any other tournament for me,” the 19-year-old Alcaraz said. “I’m at home, with the fans behind me. It’s always nice and special.”

A two-time winner this year, Alcaraz is making his 2023 debut on the European clay-court tour. He had not competed since Miami in March, skipping Monte Carlo because of inflammation in his left hand and back pain.

“I feel great,” Alcaraz said. “Moving well, hitting the ball really well so I feel a lot of confidence playing here in Barcelona.”

Alcaraz’s next opponent will be fellow Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut, the 13th-seed who defeated Bernabe Zapata Miralles 6-2, 6-2.

Fifth-seeded American Frances Tiafoe lost 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-4 to Emil Ruusuvuori of Finland. The 40thranked Ruusuvuori rallied from 3-0 down in the final set.

Earlier, Casper Ruud reached the quarterfinals for a second straight year by beating Ben Shelton 6-2, 7-6 (1). The third-seeded Norwegian lost to Shelton last year in Cincinnati, where the American was a relatively unknown college player ranked 229th in the world.

“I wanted my revenge,” Ruud said. “Different surface, different continent, different tournament ... I felt like I had a little bit more time here to build the points on clay, which is normal.”

The 20-year-old Shelton, who had his breakout tournament in Cincinnati, made his first appearances in clay-court tournaments this season and has reached No. 37 in the world. He was eliminated in the first round in Monte Carlo and in the second round in Estoril.

Ruud won his first title of the year in Estoril this month. He will next face 15th-seeded Francisco Cerúndolo or Francesco Passaro, who defeated Fernando Verdasco 6-1, 6-1 on Tuesday.

Also, Diego Schwartzman defeated Wu Yibing 6-2, 6-2 to set up secondround matchup against fourth-seeded Jannik Sinner.

Sea Waves Triathlon at Jaws Beach on Sunday

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

IN preparation for the CARIFTA triathlon to be staged in The Bahamas in August, the Sea Waves Triathlon Club will stage the Beautiful Bahamas Triathlon at Jaws Beach on Sunday.

And even though organiser Shirley Mireault said they have not been able to secure the funding that they needed, they intend to make this third event hosted by their club a major success as they prepare the local athletes for the CARIFTA triathlon.

The event starts at 7:30am, but interested persons have until today to register to compete in the 8-and-under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-15, 16-19 and adult categories for boys and girls and men and women.

There will also be a category for the Paralympians and a high school relay segment. “This is a qualifier for the CARIFTA triathlon that we are hosting in August and also for the Youth Commonwealth

TO PREPARE FOR CARIFTA TRIATHLON IN AUGUST

Games in early August in Trinidad,” Mireault said. “We have a short list of three girls and three boys who can qualify for that.

“So we are making them do the same distance that they will be going in the international competition. So they will be competing against each other.”

Mireault said although they haven’t gotten as many entries as they anticipated, especially in the adult categories as they prepare for the Bahamas National Championships in a few weeks, they are still looking forward to some exciting competition across the board.

While CARIFTA will comprise the triathlon, aquathlon and team triathlon, Mireault said the Sea Waves Triathlon Club will forgo the staging of the aquathlon until May 20 around the roads of the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex.

“This is the second of three qualifiers for the CARIFTA triathlon,” she noted. “The final one will be the nationals in May. We have a lot of kids who are eager to participate in the event, so we are looking forward to their participation this weekend.”

Without the sponsorship that they had anticipated, Mireault said they are still pushing forward to make this an exciting event for all of the participants.

“We are still running this event because the kids need the opportunity to compete,” she said.

“We only have four triathlons for the year. We started with the Potcake Triathlon, we have our event, then there’s the nationals in Grand Bahama and then we have the Conchman in November.”

The Manta Water Polo team normally participates in the team competition, but Mireault said they

are travelling this week to compete in an international meet, so they won’t be able to participate. So she said they are appealing to the schools to enter their teams.

“I’m very disappointed that we are not getting the financial support, but we will still put on a very highly competitive event,” Mireault summed up. “We are encouraging the public to come out like they did for CARIFTA and support our triathletes.”

Mireault thanked Bahama Blu for supplying water, National Fencing for materials for the bike racks, SwapaCrop for their monetary donation and t-shirts for the volunteers, Bahamas Waste for the portable toilets, BASRA for water, the Nassau Rowing Club and Lyford Cay students for providing kayak assistance and Cycles Unlimited for making themselves available to assist with bike repairs.

Tennis ace Kevin ‘KJ’ Major wins 3rd straight title

FROM PAGE 11

to pay for my travel, my food, and my coach’s expenses. It’s a full array of expenses,” he pointed out. “Normally the guy with the best team that has all of these things covered is normally the one who gets there and gets there faster. “He’s only thinking about playing tennis. Everything else is already taken care of or is being handled by someone else. My job is to literally just play tennis. But when you have to worry about all of these things, it’s a major distraction.”

As he works on getting certain issues sorted out with the BLTA, Major Jr assured the Bahamian public that “nothing happens before its time.”

He said the best thing for him to do is to “stay patient under pressure.”

He added that “pressure doesn’t last forever.”

So one day, he will get it all sorted out and make that leap to the next level.

ac milan defeats napoli re oins europe’s elite in cl semis

By ANDREW DAMPF AP Sports Writer

NAPLES, Italy (AP)

— Serie A champion last season. A Champions League semifinalist this season.

AC Milan is regaining its pedigree as a European power after a turbulent stretch marked by the end of Silvio Berlusconi’s ownership and financial issues.

The seven-time continental champion reached the last four of the Champions League with a 1-1 draw at Napoli yesterday with a first-half goal from Olivier Giroud proving decisive.

Also, Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan blocked a late penalty from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Napoli’s standout winger, with Giroud also having a penalty kick saved before his goal.

Victor Osimhen equalised for Napoli with a header in stoppage time.

Milan advanced on 2-1 aggregate in the all-Italian matchup after beating the runaway Serie A leader 1-0 in the first leg.

Milan’s semifinal opponent will be either city rival Inter Milan or Benfica. Inter holds a 2-0 advantage entering the second leg against the Portuguese club at the San Siro today.

Real Madrid eliminated Chelsea on the other half of the draw in the night’s other matchup.

Giroud scored two minutes before the break with a goal that was largely produced by the work of Milan’s prized winger Rafael Leão.

Leão gained possession in Milan’s own half and slalomed his way past Napoli’s entire defence before unselfishly picking out the unmarked Giroud to slot home into an empty net after pulling goalkeeper Alex Meret out of position. Earlier, Meret had been the

star, first by swatting away a penalty from Giroud that Leão had earned then blocking yet another clear look from Giroud, who was France’s starting centre forward for the World Cup final loss to Argentina.

Napoli had Serie A scoring leader Osimhen back

from a thigh muscle injury that kept him out of the first leg. The hosts started out in full control but had trouble getting the ball to Osimhen, while Milan relied on counterattacks. The scene inside the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona was electric at the start following a truce

over the weekend between protesting fans and Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis over high ticket prices and other issues.

But in the end, it was the small pocket of Milan fans making more noise, singing and stomping their feet in unison so hard that the stadium was rocking back and forth.

Milan’s seven European Cup and Champions League titles rank second only to Madrid’s 14 but the Rossoneri last raised the trophy back in 2007.

Milan’s Serie A title last year was also its first in a while — since 2011.

Berlusconi had controlled Milan for more than 30 years before selling to a Chinese consortium in 2017. US-based hedge fund Elliott Management took over the following year then the club was sold to another American investment firm, RedBird Capital Partners, last year.

Milan voluntarily removed itself from the 2019-20 Europa League to deal with financial fair play violations and only returned to the Champions League last season after a seven-season absence. It might seem like old times again in Milan if the Rossoneri face 2010 champion Inter in a European derby.

Napoli, meanwhile, can now focus on closing out its first Serie A title in more than 30 years, since Maradona led the southern club to its only two Italian league championships in 1987 and 1990. Napoli holds a seemingly insurmountable 14-point lead over Lazio with eight rounds remaining. Maradona also led Napoli to its only European title in 1989 when the club won the second-tier UEFA Cup. This was Napoli’s first Champions League quarterfinal.

ORGANISER Shirley Mireault displays the awards up for grabs.

MILAN’s Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring their side’s first goal during the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match against Napoli at Naples’ Diego Armando Maradona stadium, in Napoli, yesterday.

(Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)

FOR the third time this year, rising tennis star Kevin ‘KJ’ Major hoisted a championship trophy. His latest feat came at the Battle of Boca. Major prevailed with an identical score of 6-1, 6-1 over American Brock Anderson at the Rick Macci Tennis Center in Boca Raton, Florida, on Monday.

Minister Lightbourne impressed with the young golfers on day 2

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

ZANE Lightbourne, Minister of State for Education, was impressed with what he saw at the Bahamas Golf Federation’s Junior Division 2023 National Schools Golf Championships at the BFG’s Driving Range at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

Lightbourne was on hand yesterday where he not only interacted with some of the private primary school boys and girls competitors, but he also presented awards to the boys’ top qualifying individual players and teams.

While the junior and senior high school teams wrapped up competition on Monday, the private primary schools staged their qualifying rounds to see who will advance to Thursday’s finals where they will square off against the top public primary schools teams, whose qualifying rounds will take place today.

“I think it’s a nice foundational programme for our youth. It’s a sport that we all love to see because of players like Tiger Woods and some of the top female players who participate internationally,” Lightbourne said.

“Now that we have it in our school system, we get to introduce some more players to a sport they may not have taken up on their own.”

Lightbourne commended the BGF, the Junior Division and Fourteen Clubs Golf Academy for collaborating in their efforts to produce the national championships where the public and primary schools get the opportunity to compete against each other.

During his time at the driving range, Lightbourne interacted with some of the players before he presented medals to the top primary individual boys and teams, who qualified to compete in Thursday’s final.

Lightbourne also got a golfing lesson in that he was told that a golf club is not called a golf stick. He was also offered an opportunity by one of the female players to provide him with some golfing lessons, which he gladly accepted.

William West, hoping to follow in the footsteps of his Windsor Academy junior and senior boys’ division champions, said he did very well to lead the upper boys division.

“I putted very well,” he said. “There were some things I felt I could have done better, but I’m really proud of my performance today.”

The 11-year-old sixth grader, however, is not certain if he will be able to contend for the title on Thursday as he would like to go on a field trip to Blue Lagoon with his fellow students from Windsor Academy as they celebrate their transition into the junior high school.

He said he will definitely be back next year to get another shot at winning the title, albeit in the junior division.

Gina Rolle-Gonzalez, the BGF’s Junior Division director, said they are very pleased with the way things are going.

“The scores that are coming in have been really good, so it seems like all of the kids are enjoying themselves as they fight for first, second and third places,” she stated.

“The private primary schools have gone out and tomorrow (today), we will have the public primary schools, so Thursday will be an interesting day to see who gets to carry home the trophies and medals.”

Fourteen Clubs Golf Academy director Georgette Rolle-Harris said the tournament had gotten off to a great start with

some great weather and no injuries.

“That is what we look forward to mostly,” she said. “The competition is stiff with some of our champions coming back and still competing at a very high level. There are some players who are also out to make sure that they do better than they did last year.

“I think this championship has pulled in a lot of our full-time junior golfers and are getting them excited about playing golf more. They are also excited about representing their schools, so it’s not just an individual sport, but a team one. This makes it more hyped for them to play, especially those playing for the first time.”

Ahmal Henfield, one of the lead coaches for mini golf in the BGF, said he was delighted to go into some of the public primary schools to give them some instructions on the game.

“The process was to introduce them to the sport and get them used to playing with the equipment and to give them a basic understanding of how they are to conduct themselves on the golf course,” said Henfield, who attended a number of schools, including Eva Hilton, Sadie Curtis, Garvin Tynes, EP Roberts, AF Adderley and HO Nash.

While he conducted the introductory programme at the schools, Henfield said a lot of the schools were invited to the Driving Range in the afternoon where the students got the opportunity to put into practice some of the theory that they were taught.

Henfield said he’s looking forward to seeing some of the students he taught come out and display their skills for their respective

today’s results

Lower Primary Boys Teams

1st Place - Lyford Cay - Team Score of 153

Aden Jones

Diego Gago

Alexander Murray

2nd Place - Windsor School at Old Fort- Team Score of 163

Jack

6th Place - Safari Hanna, The Meridian School - 58

7th Place - Lauryn Turnquest, Windsor at Old Fort - 69

Upper Primary Boys

1st Place - Windsor School at Old Fort - Team Score of 107

William West

Leonardo Bisterzo

Hugo Johnston

Hawthorne Wood

Thomas Fox

2nd Place - St. Andrews International School-

Team Score of 117

William Mahelis

Mirko Gervasini

Caleb Davis

3rd Place - Kings College -

Team Score of 122

Maximilien Demole

Luis Ortiz von Bismark

Francisco Ortiz von Bismark Jr,

4th Place - Lyford Cay

Int. School - Team Score of 124

Sebastian Halewyck

Philippe Ciampini

Juan Pedro Vianna

5th Place - Queen’s College -

Team Score of 164

Hiram Tinubu

Lathan Bowleg

55

9th Place - Cameo Smith, Queen’s College - 58

10th Place - Adam Turnquest - 61

Lower Primary Girls

1st Place - Poitier Golf Homeschool - Team Score of 147

Zion Poitier

Zeden Poitier

Zaire Poitier

Top Individuals

1st Place - Sarah Scheidecker, Nassau Christian Academy - 44

2nd Place - Zion Poitier, Poitier

Golf Homeschool - 47

3rd Place - Zaire Pitier, Poitier Golf Homeschool - 47

4th Place - Skyrah Chambers, Homeschooling - 51

5th Place - Zeden Poitier, Poitier Golf Homeschool - 53

schools as the public primary schools tee off in the tournament in their bid to qualify for Thursday’s finals.

Bayne Bostwick

Taye Charlton

Amir Hamilton

6th Place - Kingsway Academy -

Team Score of 183

Amari Jones

Dereck Rolle

Joshua Louis

Ethan Miller

Liam Gray

Top Individuals

Upper Primary Boys

1st Place - William West, Windsor School at Old Fort - 31

2nd Place - William Mahelis, St. Andrews International School - 34

3rd Place - Sebastian Halewyck, Lyford Cay International School - 36

3rd Place - Leonardo Bisterzo, Windsor School at Old Fort - 36

think

“We didn’t just want to target the kids from the schools who participated last year, the goal was to get more students involved and

5th Place - Maximilien Demole, King’s College School, The Bahamas 38

6th Place - Luis Ortiz von Bismark, King’s College School, The Bahamas - 39

7th Place - Hugo Johnston, Windsor School at Old Fort - 40

8th Place - Mirko Gervasini, St. Andrews - 41

9th Place - Briland Cunningham, Homeschooling - 42

9th Place - Caleb Davis, St. Andrews -42

Upper Primary Girls

1st Place - Windsor School at Old Fort Bay - Team Score of 148

Zara Greaves

McKayla Grace Wood

Amelia Inguaggiato

Alexandra Lefeber

Taylor Davis

2nd Place - Queen’s CollegeTeam Score of 183

Tatyana Clarke

Isobel Grimes

Haylee Rolle

Kaleah Brown

Individual Scores

1st Place - Kayleigh Rolle, The Meridian School - 37

2nd Place - Zara Greaves, Windsor School at Old Fort - 38

3rd Place - Tracy Johnson, Kingsway Academy - 50

4th Place - Londyn Strachan, Genesis Academy - 51

4th Place - Alyssa RichardsSt.Thomas Moore - 51

4th Place - McKayla Grace Wood, Windsor School at Old Fort - 51

7th Place - Tatyana Clarke, Queen’s College - 53

8th Place - Amelia Inguaggiato, Windsor School at Old Fort - 59

9th Place - Isobel Grimes, Queen’s College - 63

10th Place - Alexandra Lefeber, Windsor School at Old Fort - 65

of about 20 from each school who had expressed an interest in learning the game. “The end

MINISTER

of State for Education Zane Lightbourne and director of junior golf Gina Rolle-Gonzalez, above, present medals to the top qualifying upper primary boys winners. While the junior and senior high school teams wrapped up competition on Monday, the private primary schools staged their qualifying rounds to see who will advance to Thursday’s finals where they will square off against the top public primary schools teams, whose qualifying rounds will take place today.

Garland scores 32, Cavaliers beat Knicks 107-90 to even series

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer

CLEVELAND (AP) —

Darius Garland scored 32 points, 26 while setting an aggressive tone for Cleveland in the first half, and the Cavaliers evened their Eastern Conference playoff series against New York at one game apiece with a 107-90 victory over the Knicks last night.

Garland scored 15 points in the second quarter, when Cleveland tightened down defensively and dominated New York, forcing nine turnovers on the way to opening a 20-point halftime lead.

The Cavaliers pushed their lead to 29 in the fourth.

Cleveland’s blowout ended with a hard foul.

New York was still down 23 and playing its starters when Julius Randle was hit in the air by Cavs centre Jarrett Allen on a dunk with 2:22 left.

Randle fell hard to the floor, and after getting up, exchanged words with several Cavaliers players and coach J.B. Bickerstaff.

Caris LeVert scored 24 points off the bench and Donovan Mitchell added 17 and a career playoffhigh 13 assists for the Cavs, who were much more physical than in Game 1 and went toe to toe with the Knicks.

Randle scored 22 points and Jalen Brunson added 20 for New York, which got the split it needed in rowdy Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse to head home for Game 3 at Madison Square Garden on Friday night.

The Cavaliers matched the Knicks’ physicality from the outset, winning the 50/50 balls that went to New York in the opener.

And if handling Cleveland’s new-found toughness wasn’t enough

CELTICS BEAT HAWKS FOR 2-0 SERIES LEAD

get it back up to 119-97 with 2:16 left.

While the Hawks brought a better shooting touch yesterday, the Celtics took their overall energy up a notch, repeatedly beating Atlanta down the court in transition and outhustling Hawks to loose balls.

One glaring example was in the second quarter when Brown pried the ball free as De’Andre Hunter drove by. Malcolm Brogdon corralled it and tossed it ahead a sprinting Brown, who had split between Young and Dejounte Murray as they got caught ball watching.

FASTER START

After shooting themselves into a hole in Game 1, the Hawks ratcheted up their aggressiveness at the start of Game 2.

They hit eight of their first 14 shots to take an early 22-11 lead, answering coach Quin Snyder’s plea for his team not to pass up open shots because of what transpired in the opener.

The Celtics responded by picking things up on the defensive end, and during a four-plus minute stretch forced nine straight misses and five turnovers by Atlanta.

It helped Boston end the opening quarter on a 17-3 run, punctuated by a 42-foot buzzer-beater by Brogdon.

Injuries to NBA stars Giannis, Ja dim start of the postseason

By TERESA M WALKER AP Sports Writer

BUCKS coach Mike Budenholzer expressed cautious optimism regarding the status of Giannis Antetokounmpo after the two-time MVP left Milwaukee’s Eastern Conference playoff opener with a bruised lower back.

Antetokounmpo isn’t the only prominent player already dealing with a health issue after the first weekend of the playoffs. Injuries to some of the NBA’s top stars have dimmed the start of the postseason, with title hopes possibly fading just as quickly depending on how bad they’re hurt.

Budenholzer said Monday that Antetokounmpo underwent an MRI after the game that revealed “everything’s clean.”

The Bucks lost 130117 to the Miami Heat on Sunday and trail the bestof-7 series 1-0 heading into Game 2 tonight.

“I would say he’s still sore, but I think progress,” Budenholzer said. “He’s getting some treatment. I think we’ll just continue to monitor him for the next day or two. We’re probably fortunate that (we have) two days between games. I think (we’re) still mostly positive, mostly optimistic, but we’ll see how he feels over the next day or two.”

Injuries over the span of a couple hours Sunday also sidelined two-time All-Star Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies and the Miami Heat’s Tyler Herro,

keeping them from finishing their playoff openers.

Anthony Davis scared Los Angeles Lakers fans by grabbing at his right shoulder and saying he couldn’t move his arm.

Luckily for the Lakers, Davis rebounded from a stinger and returned for the start of the third quarter of their 128-112 victory over the Grizzlies.

Both Antetokounmpo and Morant were hurt on drives to the basket where each landed awkwardly.

Antetokounmpo came down hard on his backside after being fouled by Miami’s Kevin Love. The Bucks’ forward got up slowly with 4:13 left in the first quarter. He picked up his second foul about 2 1/2 minutes later but played about 11 minutes for the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed.

The Bucks went on to lose 130-117 to Miami. Herro broke his right hand late in the second quarter, apparently while diving for a loose ball. The Heat disclosed the severity of his injury at halftime.

Miami coach Erik

Spoelstra said Herro, seen with a cast on his hand after the game, won’t play Game 2 tonight and the Heat will figure out what to do next.

“I got the same diagnosis that you all heard,” Spoelstra said.

Morant came into Sunday’s first-round Western Conference series with his right hand already bandaged after being hurt in a win that clinched the No. 2 seed for the Grizzlies.

Then he drove to the basket against the 6-foot10 Davis with 5:48 left, with Memphis trailing the Lakers 105-101. His right hand appeared to bend the wrong direction as he hit the court. Morant writhed in pain, then ran toward the Grizzlies’ bench letting out a yell near midcourt before sprinting to the locker room.

Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said X-rays were negative and the Grizzlies will do further testing taking this injury one day at a time. “I’m not the medical expert,” Jenkins said.

Morant said he’s doubtful for Game 2 tonight with Memphis down 0-1 following a 128-112 loss. “Tough man, especially with everything I’ve been

through pretty much this season,” said Morant, who was suspended by the NBA for eight games in March after livestreaming himself holding a gun at a Denverarea strip club.

The guard who set the Grizzlies’ single season scoring record averaging 26.2 points a game wants to play.

Memphis already is without centre Steven Adams because of an injured knee and reserve big man Brandon Clarke tore an Achilles tendon in March.

“Another incident where that’s pretty much in jeopardy,” said Morant, who missed the final three games of Memphis’ semifinals loss to eventual champ Golden State with an injured knee. Pain level and how effective he can

KINGS BEAT WARRIORS 114-106 TO TAKE 2-0 SERIES LEAD

By JOSH DUBOW AP Sports Writer

SACRAMENTO, Calif.

(AP) — As the referees went to the replay monitor to determine whether Draymond Green should be ejected for his hard stomp, the Sacramento Kings took that time to regroup and make sure they didn’t lose focus down the stretch.

De’Aaron Fox and crew took over from there and delivered the Kings a 2-0 series lead that has the defending NBA champions reeling.

be will decide if Morant can play. “I feel like I can go out there and be somewhat myself, I’ll be playing,” Morant said. “If not, I don’t want to do anything to hurt the team.”

The Clippers survived their opener by beating No. 4 seed Phoenix 115-110 without eight-time AllStar guard Paul George, who’s been sidelined by sprained right knee since late March.

Lakers coach Darvin Ham may have been the happiest coach after sending Davis to the locker room with 1:15 left in the second quarter to make sure the medical team started working on the eight-time All-Star immediately.

“Just happy he’s OK,” Ham said.

Fox scored 24 points and made a backbreaking 3-pointer that led the playoff newcomer Kings to a 114-106 win Monday night for their second straight victory over the Golden State Warriors.

“I think that brought us together,” Fox said. “We huddled up and were like, ‘We have to win this game.’ Everybody thought he’d be ejected. When that happens, usually that team comes together and goes on a run. But we were able to negate that.”

The Kings closed the game strong after Green was ejected for a flagrant foul against Domantas Sabonis. They became the first team to take a 2-0 series lead over the Warriors in the Stephen Curry era.

The Warriors will try to get back into the series when it shifts less than 90 miles southwest to San Francisco for Game 3 on Thursday night.

MILWAUKEE Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo lays on the ground after an injury during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff game on Sunday in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

CELTICS forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket against Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter (12) during Game 2 of their playoffs last night in Boston.

(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

CLEVELAND Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) drives against New York Knicks guard RJ Barrett (9) during the first half of Game 2 of their NBA basketball first-round playoff series last night in Cleveland.

(AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Stock market today: S&P 500 posts slight gain, Dow flat

By STAN CHOE

AP Business Writer

WALL Street closed Tuesday almost exactly where it began after a mixed set of profit reports led to a quiet, meandering day of trading.

The S&P 500 edged up by 3.55 points, or 0.1%, to 4,154.87 after drifting between small gains and losses throughout the day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 10.55, or less than 0.1%, to 33,976.63, and the Nasdaq composite was down 4.31, or less than 0.1%, at 12,153.41.

Lockheed Martin was one of Wall Street’s bigger gainers. It climbed 2.4% after reporting a profit for the latest quarter that topped analysts’ expectations.

Bank of America rose 0.6% after its better-thanexpected profit report led to an up-and-down day of trading. The majority of companies have been beating forecasts so far in the

early days of this reporting season.

The bar, though, was low amid Wall Street’s worries about still-high inflation, much higher interest rates and slowing in some sections of the economy. Analysts came into this reporting season forecasting the sharpest drop in earnings per share for S&P 500 companies since the pandemic torpedoed the economy in 2020.

Several companies stumbled after failing to meet expectations. Goldman Sachs fell 1.7% after its revenue fell short of analysts’ forecasts, though earnings topped expectations.

Health care stocks were broadly weak and the heaviest weight on the S&P 500 out of the 11 sectors that make up the index. Johnson & Johnson fell 2.8% despite reporting stronger profit than expected and raising its dividend.

Coming up later this week will be reports from several dozen more

companies in the S&P 500. They include big names such as AT&T, Tesla and Procter & Gamble. Wall Street’s attention will also turn to smaller, regional banks set to report, such as KeyCorp and Zions Bancorp. Their stocks took a hit last month following the second- and third-largest U.S. bank failures in history.

The worry was that customers could pull their deposits out of banks together at once, similar to the runs that toppled Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. Most of the focus has been on regional banks instead of the massive “too-big-to-fail” banks like JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America.

Those big banks have so far been reporting better profits than expected, and their immense size may have helped lure deposits amid the turmoil. They’ve also been the highlights of the earliest days of this reporting season, helping to add some calm to markets.

China

“It appears that major bank earnings announcements helped soothe investors nervousness for financial stocks reporting

in the upcoming days,” Stefano Pascale and other analysts at Barclays said in a report.

A larger worry for the economy is that the banking industry’s woes could cause a pullback in lending. That in turn could add more pressure on an economy already straining under the weight of much higher interest rates.

The Federal Reserve has jacked rates up at a furious pace over the last year in hopes of slowing high inflation. High rates can suffocate inflation, but only by slowing the entire economy in one blunt action, raising the risk of a recession and hurting investment prices.

Inflation is slowing, but it’s still high, and traders widely expect the Fed to raise rates again at its next meeting in May.

Treasury yields have been climbing recently on such expectations, but they were easing a bit on Tuesday.

The 10-year yield fell to 3.57% from 3.61% late Monday. It helps set rates for mortgages and other important loans.

The two-year yield, which moves more on

expectations for the Fed, slipped to 4.19% from 4.21%.

In markets abroad, stocks were mixed across Asia and modestly higher in Europe. China’s economy accelerated in the first three months of the year and topped forecasts as consumers returned to shops and restaurants following the relaxation of anti-COVID restrictions. The hope is that stronger growth out of the world’s second-largest economy can help support the broader global economy. Still, some analysts remained cautious.

“This neither distracts from doubts around sustained growth recovery back above 5% nor does it adequately confirm recovery in private sector confidence critical to inspire a virtuous growth cycle,” said Tan Boon Heng at Mizuho Bank.

Analysts say new trade patterns will emerge since markets have been rocked by various political uncertainties such as the war in Ukraine, threatening supply chains and triggering fluctuations in consumer prices and moves by the world’s central banks.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that SENLEYSKY LAGUERRE, of Smiths Vill Subdivision, New Providence, Bahamas 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 12th day of March 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that JHENNY SANON of #55 Sandilands Village, New Providence, 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 18th day of April, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that

MYRLENE NOREUS, of Killdeer Drive off Monostary Park, New Providence, Bahamas 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 12th day of April 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

PEDESTRIANS pass by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange electronic screen in Hong Kong, Tuesday, April 18, 2023. Asian shares were trading mixed Tuesday as pessimism about global uncertainties remained even as

reported a better-than-expected economic growth data.

Photo:Louise Delmotte/AP

‘ eep the faith’

under the last Ingraham administration, and operating costs and inflationary pressures have increased substantially then. That took gasoline margins from 44 cents per gallon to 54 cents, where it has remained ever since, while diesel stands at 34 cents per gallon.

Gas station operators have been seeking a margin increase equal to 7 percent of the landed cost of fuel as their equivalent of a livable wage, viewing this as critical to their survival given that existing price-controlled fixed margins simply cannot be adjusted to cover a multitude of ever-increasing costs.

Mr Jones said the Association and its retailer members “feel comfortable” a workable solution will eventually be reached, but added: “We felt the same way in July, October and December, and here we are a year later. We continue to make our case to the Government and show them where we are and the historical data of what’s been going on in the industry.

“They’ve been receptive to what we’ve presented, and the data that they can rely on and shows the need to make some changes.” Asked whether the Association’s members were frustrated that a resolution has yet to be agreed, Mr Jones replied: “There’s been frustration because we’ve been talking for a long time.

“We’ve managed to tell people to keep the faith, the Government is listening, but there is frustration because it’s taken so long

and there may be more time before we get to a point where a resolution is achieved and something happens. We want to make sure we get something workable for ourselves and the public.... As an industry everyone wants to work together to find a solution where the motoring public continue to consume fuel and we continue to make money.”

Listing the ever-rising costs that fixed gasoline and diesel margins must absorb, Mr Jones previously pointed to the 2-3 percent “commission” or fees charged on every debit and credit card payment. On a $6 gallon of gasoline, the 3 percent charge amounts to 18 cents or one-third of the 54 cent margin, although this might be slightly less depending on the issuing bank.

With The Bahamas still largely a cash-based economy, he added that some gas station operators are being charged between $4,000 to $10,000 a month to deposit cash. With banks unwilling to accept such deposits over the counter, the industry is now incurring fees for doing this via the night deposit box.

And, with many of the petroleum industry’s 1,000plus employees earning the minimum wage, Mr Jones said their has increased by 24 percent or $50 per week due to the increase. While not opposed to the rise, he added that this has increased payroll costs for gas stations while also raising associated National Insurance Board (NIB) contributions. Insurance costs have also risen by 15 percent.

FOX, DOMINION REACH $787M SETTLEMENT OVER ELECTION CLAIMS

By DAVID BAUDER, RANDALL CHASE AND GEOFF MULVIHILL

Associated Press

FOX News agreed Tuesday to pay Dominion Voting Systems nearly $800 million to avert a trial in the voting machine company’s lawsuit that would have exposed how the network promoted lies about the 2020 presidential election. The stunning settlement emerged just as opening statements were supposed to begin, abruptly ending a case that had embarrassed Fox News over several months and raised the possibility that network founder Rupert Murdoch and stars such as Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity would have to testify publicly.

“The truth matters.

Lies have consequences,”

Dominion lawyer Justin Nelson told reporters outside a Delaware courthouse after Superior Court Judge Eric Davis announced the deal. Outside of the $787.5 million promised to Colorado-based Dominion, it was unclear what other consequences Fox would face. Fox acknowledged in a statement “the court’s rulings finding certain claims about Dominion to be false,” but no apology was offered.

“We are hopeful that our decision to resolve

this dispute with Dominion amicably, instead of the acrimony of a divisive trial, allows the country to move forward from these issues,” Fox said. Its lawyers and representatives offered no other comment or details about the settlement. Asked by a reporter whether there was “anything to this other than money,” Dominion CEO John Poulos did not answer. The deal is a significant amount of money even for a company the size of Fox. It represents about one-quarter of the $2.96 billion the company reported earning last year before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization — a figure often used to approximate a company’s cash flow. The settlement also follows a $965 million judgment issued against Alex Jones by a Connecticut jury in 2022 for spreading false conspiracy theories about the Sandy Hook school massacre.

Coupled with other lawsuits in the pipeline, the agreement shows there is a real financial risk for conservative media that traffic in conspiracy theories. What remains unknown is how much of a deterrent this will be. Even as the Dominion case loomed this spring, Fox’s Tucker Carlson aired his alternate theories about what happened at the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection.

NOTICE is hereby given that NICKSON SANON of #55 Sandilands Village, New Providence, 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 18th day of April, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

atl a ntis roya l c aribbe a n ‘pac ing a lot’ into pi club

Senior Royal Caribbean executives last week said Atlantis and others should feel “comfortable” their concerns will be addressed by the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection’s (DEPP) public consultation and approval processes, and that they will share more information publicly about their plans as this progresses.

Mr Roberts, though, said their reassurances had made little impression on the Paradise Island mega resort which - if the Royal Beach Club project is approved - will effectively be its immediate next-door neighbour. Describing Royal Caribbean’s multiple media interviews as “interesting”, he told this newspaper: “We didn’t really see them address any of the concerns we’ve raised and had on the table for the last two years.

“To say they will use some state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant is one thing, but to show up with the design of the facility and technology would be helpful. On the coastline, it’s one thing to say they will not be putting jetties on the water, but it doesn’t rule out the possibility of expanding the beaches. It’s nice of them to visit, but hopefully next time they will come with more details.

“Our concerns are squarely on the environmental details, and all this time later they’ve not come back with specifics on how they will address these issues and not touch the coastline at all.” Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean’s president and chief executive, last week told Tribune Business that all questions and criticisms surrounding the Royal Beach Club will be addressed but the project first has to pass through - and respectthe DEPP process before details can be shared.

He said: “We’re going to have a very sophisticated waste water management system. I think, as time will tell, they should feel comfortable we’ve addressed those questions but we need to go through the process with the DEPP before we start sharing this information.

“There are no structures on the water. There are no overwater cabanas. There’s nothing like that planned. Everybody’s entitled to voice their concerns and raise the question. We have no issue with that. We just believe we need to go through the process and will share all the relevant information when the timing is right.”

Mr Roberts, meanwhile, said Atlantis was “solely focused” on the environmental issues and DEPP

approvals process. “We know they’ve made reference to us, and they seem to appreciate why we’ve raised these concerns,” he added of Royal Caribbean.

“For us, it’s significant.

We have a massive facility and investment on Paradise Island that’s been in existence for over 25 years, it’s demonstrated the economic impact and we’ve certainly managed around any environmental issues there.

We stand on our record, are very proud of what we’ve done for The Bahamas, and we hope anyone else coming in approaches development in a sustainable and responsible way, and will be mindful of the environment.

“We continue to wait to see what the details are, and what the detailed responses are, to the questions we have raised and others have raised,” Mr Roberts continued. “On any given day there’s never 3,000-4,000 persons on the Atlantis stretch and it’s a much larger beach. It’s a lot of people to pack into the space on that [Royal Caribbean] beach.

“We need to see more details. They seemed to give some assurances they will provide more details. We continue to raise the concerns, and are going to stay very close to it and be very vigilant. It’s important to us, important to our

future and important to the experience we deliver to our guests.”

Mr Roberts said Atlantis, which has already encouraged its near-6,000 staff to voice their concerns over the Royal Caribbean project, was similarly enthused by the opposition from others and those who were challenging non-environmental aspects of the $100m Royal Beach Club.

“Somebody should question the economic impact and the displacement of business onshore; business across New Providence, not just downtown Nassau. People take excursions everywhere,” he said. “The distribution of the tourism dollar, people ought to question if this reduces that, constrains that. These are important issues someone should question. We’re squarely on the environmental position.”

The Royal Beach Club’s daily passenger average of 2,750 is just below 10 percent of the 28,000-plus record arrivals recently set by Nassau Cruise Port, suggesting that there will still be significant business for others to compete for.

And Mr Bayley and other Royal Caribbean executives pledged that “more than 60 percent of our guests” - which will have risen to 2.5m per annum by 2027 - will never visit the Paradise Island project.

Addressing fears from Bay Street merchants and other tourism stakeholders that the Royal Beach Club will suck cruise passengers, and their spending power, away from Bahamian-owned businesses, Mr Bayley said: “I’d say that’s just inaccurate. It’s just not factually correct. “We need to start working together as a collective team to improve the overall experience for our customers and tourists we’re bringing to the destination, and we need to start thinking win-win. How do we create experiences that make Nassau a desired destination for tourists? It’s not going to happen with a negative narrative; it will happen by positively working together. We can win together, and we can lose if we can’t work together.”

Mr Roberts and Atlantis have previously denied that their concerns are motivated by the competition that the Royal Beach Club will present for cruise passengers who, in the past, have provided a lucrative revenue sources for the Paradise Island resort.

However, they are not alone in voicing concerns over whether the proposed Royal Beach Club siteencompassing a relatively thin tract of land - can cope with several thousand passengers daily even with the Government’s four Crown

‘not out of the woods’ despite consecutive budget surpluses

FROM PAGE A 24

“March went very well. I think March is a very, very strong month. For us, it’s usually the strongest, and it did not disappoint in terms of revenue. We have to see how the expenditure numbers shape up, but it looks OK for March. April is going to be a good month. April is a quarterly VAT month, so we have to see how that outturn is.

“April is our strongest month for VAT filings because it includes the first quarter. Once we get these particular numbers, we will know if our revenue goals for the first year will be achievable. Right now we are OK. We have just got to see what is going to happen this month. It’s always telling.”

The two consecutive monthly Budget surpluses dropped the fiscal deficit for the first eight months of 2022-2023, or two-thirds of the fiscal year, to $256.7m

- a sum equivalent to 44.6 percent, or less than half, of the revised full-year $575.4m target.

However, while the Government looks to have significant headroom and be poised to comfortably beat this target, it often runs major monthly deficits in June when multiple ministries, agencies and departments present bills for paying before fiscal year-end that the Ministry of Finance knows nothing about. This happened in June 2022, when the Government incurred a $318.7m monthly deficit that was equivalent to 46.2 percent of the full year’s $689.5m in ‘red ink’.

Still, year-over-year, the Government’s fiscal deficit for the first eight months of 2022-2023 is some $69.8m or 21.4 percent less than the $326.5m incurred during the same period in 2021-2022 when The Bahamas was still afflicted by numerous COVID restrictions.

NOTICE

N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:

(a) SUPER HIGH JET CO. LTD. is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(b) Te dissolution of the said company commenced on the 6th April, 2023 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(c) Te Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, Te Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas

Dated this 19th day of April, A. D. 2023

Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator

NOTICE AMBER TREASURE HOLDINGS LIMITED

N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:

(a) AMBER TREASURE HOLDINGS LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(b) Te dissolution of the said company commenced on the 6th April, 2023 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(c) Te Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, Te Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas

Dated this 19th day of April, A. D. 2023

Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator

“We have to be cautious. We cannot rest on our laurels and cannot use this as a sign we are out of the woods yet,” Mr Wilson told Tribune Business of the Government’s fiscal performance to-date. “It’s a good sign, but we don’t want to read too much into it. You cannot base a Budget on two months. We cannot say we are over the hump yet. This is an interesting period for us. We are poised and will see how we go.”

The financial secretary, noting that the Government is “largely on track” in containing expenditure, confirmed that officials are watching carefully for any year-end spike in spending demands. “I think for us our expenditure levels are slightly below, on a percentage basis, where we were last year at this time,” he said. “We have to be cautious because we can always catch ourselves at the end of the fiscal year. We still

have to be prepared for the end of the year.

“We’re ahead of where we were last year in dollar terms because the Budget is larger, but as a percentage we’re behind on expenditure. We are, right now, we have used up approximately 70 percent of the Budget. We are probably 75 percent of the fiscal year gone, and have used 70 percent of the Budget. We’re trending below our expenditure targets.”

For the eight months to end-February 2023, yesterday’s fiscal release revealed that for the first eight months or two-thirds of the fiscal year some 59.2 percent of Budget expenditure had been deployed. This equalled some $2.031bn out of combined capital and recurrent spending worth $3.433bn. Some 60.7 percent of the recurrent budget had been used, amounting to $1.867bn out of $3.074bn.

On the capital spending side, some $164.2m

N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:

(a) APRIL INVESTMENTS LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(b) Te dissolution of the said company commenced on the 6th April, 2023 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(c) Te Liquidator of the said company is Leeward Nominees Limited, Vistra Corporate Services Centre, Wickhams Cay II, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands VG1110.

Dated this 19th day of April, A. D. 2023

Leeward Nominees Limited Liquidator

NOTICE HO & LUO INVESTMENTS LIMITED

N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:

(a) HO & LUO INVESTMENTS LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(b) Te dissolution of the said company commenced on the 6th April, 2023 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(c) Te Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, Te Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas

Dated this 19th day of April, A. D. 2023

Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator

of $359.1m in approved expenditure - equivalent to 45.7 percent of the total - had been deployed. The only spending categories close to using up two-thirds of their allocations were subsidies, where 65.6 percent or $283.7m out of $432.4m had been deployed; personal emoluments, where 63.8 percent or $528m out of $827.9m had been used; and public debt interest payments at $358.8m or 64.1 percent of the total allocation.

Some $144.1m, or 62.1 percent, of the $232.1m provided for social assistance and pensions had also been used by end-February. The Government, in unveiling February 2023’s performance, said: “During the month, revenue receipts firmed by $51.7m (26.2 percent) to $249.2m when compared to the prior year.

“This improved performance was primarily driven by increased collections of $26.3m in international

Land acres added to the 13 private ones acquired by the cruise line.

Joe Darville, Save the Bays president, who was last week among several activists to sign a letter demanding ““a thorough, transparent review of the environmental, economic and cultural impacts of Royal Caribbean’s proposed beach project on Paradise Island”, said the proposed volume of visitors made it almost impossible to avoid a negative impact.

Responding to Royal Caribbean’s promises, he told Tribune Business: “A company as large as that, and with all the resources they have, there’s probably a good possibility they could put in structures that may not significantly damage the environment.

“But, no matter what they do, that little part of Paradise Island cannot bear a large development. It’s surrounded by ocean on the side of the harbour and outside the harbour. There are multitudes of live coral reefs in that area. It’s almost impossible not to have a significant deleterious on a little part of land like that, particularly with hundreds and thousands of people there on a daily basis. It’s almost impossible that the impact will not be deleterious.”

trade and transaction taxes, $12.5m in VAT, $7.7m in other taxes on goods and services, and $2.7m in property taxes. On a month-over-month basis taxes on other goods and services grew by $14.2m (28.1 percent) and property tax receipts improved by $2.5m (14.4 percent) owing to enhanced collection efforts.

“On the expenditure front, total expenditure rose $2.5m (1.1 percent) to $232.9m relative to the prior year. Outlays primarily increased for the acquisition of goods and services ($11.8m) and public debt interest payments ($6.3m). Monthover-month, spending was contained by $30.9m (11.7 percent) mainly due to a reduced interest payments ($23.5m),” it continued.

“The net debt position increased by $100m to pre-fund future debt amortisations and payments on behalf of state-owned enterprises (SOEs).”

NOTICE

N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:

(a) WESTCOURT PROPERTIES LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(b) Te dissolution of the said company commenced on the 6th April, 2023 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(c) Te Liquidator of the said company is Leeward Nominees Limited, Vistra Corporate Services Centre, Wickhams Cay II, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands VG1110.

Dated this 19th day of April, A. D. 2023

Leeward Nominees Limited Liquidator

NOTICE

VALARUM ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED

N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:

(a) VALARUM ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(b) Te dissolution of the said company commenced on the 6th April, 2023 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(c) Te Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, Te Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas

Dated this 19th day of April, A. D. 2023

Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator

BISX-listed insurer’s $6.5m from Deltec’s Ansbacher buy

$25m or 42 percent during the three months between 2021 year-end and the sale closing, having stood at $59.184m at December 31, 2021.

During that same threemonth period, while Sentinel’s assets had expanded by $46.5m or 9.4 percent, increasing from $495.446m to $541.974, this was outpaced by the rise in liabilities. These grew by almost $71.5m in just three months, expanding by 16.4 percent to $507.703m from $436.262m at year-end December 2021.

This also had the effect of decreasing Colina Holdings (Bahamas) share of Sentinel’s net assets, and revaluation reserve, from $11.245m at year-end 2021 to $6.512m. For the 2021

full-year, Sentinel Bank & Trust - via its Ansbacher (Bahamas) subsidiary - produced total comprehensive income of $787,861 on revenues worth $26.858m.

However, for the three months to end-March 2022 immediately prior to the Deltec deal’s closing, Sentinel generated a $1.32m comprehensive loss on revenues of $5.959m. Sentinel Bank & Trust acquired Ansbacher (Bahamas) in May 2009, with the two institutions merging just two months later and retaining the latter’s name.

“During 2013, the company (Colina Holdings Bahamas) and Colina (Insurance Company) made additional capital contributions of $124,473 and $213,382 respectively in Sentinel Bank & Trust,” the 2022 audited financials

added. “The funds were used by Sentinel Bank & Trust’s subsidiary, Ansbacher Bahamas, to partially fund the acquisition of Finter Bank and Trust (Bahamas).

“Colina Holdings (Bahamas) and Colina’s percentage ownership in Sentinel Bank & Trust after the capital contribution remained at 7 percent and 12 percent, respectively. The company made additional investments in Sentinel Bank & Trust and Ansbacher Bahamas during 2015. However, these additional investments did not impact the company’s consolidated percentage ownership in Sentinel Bank & Trust nor its classification as an equity-accounted investee.”

Meanwhile, Colina Holdings (Bahamas) 2022

audited financials revealed that its Colina Insurance Company subsidiary took out a $30m CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank (Bahamas) loan to finance the purchase of Bahamas government bonds.

While not confirmed, Tribune Business sources suggested that the bonds purchased were the Government’s US dollardenominated external foreign currency variety, with Colina joining other investors in taking advantage of the Central Bank’s decision to late last year temporarily waive the 5 percent investment currency premium to incentivise Bahamians and residents.

The financials show Colina Insurance Company’s bond purchase took place on January 27, 2023, just four days before the

window in which to consummate such deals ended.

“The Board of Directors, by resolution dated November 16, 2022, authorized Colina Insurance to enter into a non-revolving demand instalment loan facility with CIBC FirstCaribbean for $30m for the purpose of purchasing Government of The Bahamas bonds,” the statements reveal.

“The loan carries an interest rate of Bahamian Prime minus 0.25 percent per annum with an interest rate floor of 4 perecnt and will be repaid by regular semi-annual principal payments of $1.5m each, plus semi-annual interest payments with any outstanding principal and interest included with the last scheduled payment.

“This loan is collateralised by a pledge of Colina’s

Bahamas ‘caught behind 8 ball’ on airport upgrades

“The people of North Eleuthera, for example, have outgrown the airport many, many years ago, perhaps decades ago. So we have, frankly, gotten caught behind the eight ball with airport developments in The Bahamas over the course of the last 20 years. And we have a lot of catching up to do.

“LPIA, for example, even though this has been developed just over the last few years, on Saturday alone, we’re seeing 8,000 to 10,000 visitors come to the airport. And there’s now discussion at the moment as to how we’re going to accommodate the increased level of growth. And therefore we have to be expeditious while we try to create the kind of balance that’s needed.”

Explaining why the Government has extended the deadline for interested bidders in the Family Island airports to respond to the pre-qualification phase, Mr Cooper added: “We’ve had a significant level of interest and requests not just locally but from around the world for what we call the Family Island ‘renaissance’ project. As you know, we’re building out 14 airports. This is no small undertaking.

“And we have attracted the interest of major airport developers and managers around the world. They’ve indicated that the information we requested was quite onerous. We want to get this right. We want them to provide the information that we need so that we can do the proper analysis. And, based on the level of interest, we thought it prudent to extend the process to ensure that we get all of the information, but also the most credible bidders, off the table to participate.

“These airports are the gateway to the Family Islands. Connectivity is absolutely critical for our way of life, but also for our tourism industry. As you know, the Government

owns 30 airports across the country. We simply do not have the resources to redevelop and renovate all of them. And therefore we thought that a PPP process is the way to go.... I’m looking forward to what we will receive over the course of the next 30 days,” he continued.

“It’s a very onerous process. We want to know full details on all of the partners involved. So there might be a financier, there might be a builder, there’s an airport manager, there might be an operator. So some of these consortiums may have five different companies. And we’re required to do the vetting and the due diligence, and all of them were required to have proof of funding. And therefore this is a process. We acknowledge this from a business perspective, and we want to ensure we give people the best opportunity to respond adequately.”

The Ministry of Tourism, Aviation and Investments is estimating that a collective $263m investment will be required to turn the 14 selected airports into hubs of a size and standard appropriate for their location. Exuma and North Eleuthera are projected to require the greatest capital spend, at around $65m each, with Governor’s Harbour, Rock Sound, New Bight and Deadman’s Cay (Long Island) all pegged at around $18m apiece.

San Salvador was projected to carry a $15m price tag, with the quartet of Marsh Harbour, Sandy Point, Treasure Cay and Congo Town in Andros all projected to need a $10m investment. The smaller aviation gateways in the

Exuma cays - Staniel Cay, Fowl Cay and Black Point, were each pegged at $2m.

The Government is seeking private partners for the redevelopment, upgrade, financing and management of the 14 selected airports via public-private partnership (PPP) agreements with the winning bidders. They will be granted 30-year PPP leasehold concessions similar to that for LPIA. Shortlisted parties will be invited to participate in the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage, which is tentatively scheduled to be released in May 2023.

Enhancing the Family Island airports will provide for better airlift and transport connectivity, enable these facilities to accommodate increased flights and visitor numbers, and offer an improved first and last impression of The Bahamas for tourists.

Bidders were informed that airline seat capacity into The Bahamas for December 2022 was up 4 percent on pre-COVID comparisons from the same month in 2019. While capacity into Nassau was down 7 percent, Freeport and Marsh Harbour were up by 261 percent and 348 percent, respectively. The latter comparisons, though, are somewhat misleading because both destinations were still struggling to recover from Hurricane Dorian in December 2019.

“International airlift to the Family Islands was up 65 percent over December 2019 on average,” potential bidders were informed.

“Seat capacity increases for Freeport and Marsh Harbour were exceptionally high in December 2022 over 2019 because of the

small numbers in December 2019 post-Dorian. A better benchmark would be 2018.

“Accordingly, international seat capacity for December 2022 was 35 percent less than December 2018 for Freeport and 2 percent higher for

Marsh Harbour for the same period.” The Government also sought to entice potential airport investors with projections about the foreign direct investment (FDI) pipeline for the Family Islands.

holdings in Class C of the CFAL Global Bond Fund, in the amount of US$60m, and is subject to a minimum value of twice the amount outstanding on the facility at all times. The loan agreement is dated January 10, 2023, and the proceeds of the loan facility received on January 27, 2023, and immediately used by Colina for the purchase of Bahamas Government bonds.”

The Colina Holdings (Bahamas) spokesperson said of the deal: “The company’s policy is not to disclose key details of its investment strategy. However, the return on investment sufficiently covers the rate on borrowings.”

It forecast projects worth potentially $1bn as being on the drawing board for Abaco, along with $692m targeted at Grand Bahama; some $685m for Exuma; $137m for Eleuthera; and $250m for Long Island. These figures, though, were not broken out or potential investors identified.

FINANCIAL PROVIDER IN BAHAMAS PROMOTION

A FINANCIAL services provider has promoted Candace Thompson to head of compliance at its Bahamian office.

Suntera Global said in a statement that the promotion was part of a

group-wide exercise that recognised 43 employees across its global network of offices Employees have been recognised in seven operations, including The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Isle of Man,

Jersey, Luxembourg and the US.

The promotions also span Suntera’s multiple business segments, including its corporate, funds, private wealth and digital divisions, as well as central functions

Students taught on coastal protection

Aulenna Robinson, made an interactive presentation to students of Mary Star of

Madasta Invest SA (IN VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION)

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that in accordance with section 138(6) of the International Business Companies Act, 2000, as amended, the winding up and dissolution of Madasta Invest SA is complete.

Kim D Thompson

Sole Liquidator

Address: Equity Trust House Caves Village West Bay Street P O Box N-10697 Nassau, Bahamas

the Sea Catholic Academy as part of Coastal Awareness Month.

Targeting students from grades three to six, Ms Robinson shared information on the importance of protecting the environment and coastline. She also highlighted the value of protecting natural habitats, especially mangroves, that are essential to maintaining the balance of coastal ecosystems.

Ms Robinson, using visual aids, stressed that the five threats to the coastal environment remain climate change, pollution, endangered species, habitat destruction and overfishing. Beach clean-ups, supporting sustainable fishing practices, being aware of hazards for marine life and the use of single-use plastic items were ways Ms Robinson encouraged the young listeners to be part of the campaign.

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF A LIQUIDATOR UNDER SECTION 204 OF THE BVI BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT, 2004 GIESI LTD.

(In Voluntary Liquidation) Company No. 2100715

NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to Section 204 (a) of the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 that the Company is in voluntary liquidation.

The voluntary liquidation commenced on April 13, 2023.

The Liquidator is Cassandra Glasgow-Penn of Chapel Hill, East End, Tortola, BVI VG1120.

Dated this day April 19, 2023.

Sgd. Cassandra Glasgow-Penn Liquidator

including change management, compliance, finance, marketing, operations and tax.David Hudson, Suntera Global’s chief executive, said: “The past year has proven to be another highly successful one for us as a business, as we have continued to evolve our proposition and add to our footprint in key locations around the world.

“But the true driver of our success lies in our people. It is our combined knowledge and shared values that ultimately

differentiate us, and with that in mind I’m pleased to be able to recognise the significant contribution of more than 40 people from across our international network this year.

It is a reflection of the emphasis we place on empowering our people to help us realise our ambitions, and I’d like to congratulate all of those who have received promotions as we look forward together to the opportunities 2023 will bring.”

CALL 502-2394 TO ADVERTISE TODAY!

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF A LIQUIDATOR UNDER SECTION 204 OF THE BVI BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT, 2004 GENERIC INVESTMENTS (BVI) LTD.

(In Voluntary Liquidation) Company No. 2065726

NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to Section 204 (a) of the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 that the Company is in voluntary liquidation.

The voluntary liquidation commenced on April 13, 2023.

The Liquidator is Cassandra Glasgow-Penn of Chapel Hill, East End, Tortola, BVI VG1120.

Dated this day April 19, 2023. Sgd. Cassandra Glasgow-Penn Liquidator

CANDACE THOMPSON

UNION LEADER VOICES SHIPYARD FRUSTRATION

the union will file a complaint with the Labour Board if there is no progress towards an agreement.

A TRADE union leader yesterday voiced frustration over the alleged six-year wait to secure an industrial agreement with the Grand Bahama Shipyard.

Cory Cartwright, the Grand Bahama Port Authority Workers Union’s president, asserted that promises of a formalised agreement by March 31 this year had failed to materialise. He added that the failure to secure an industrial agreement had left the Shipyard’s workforce exposed, with management saying they needed to obtain Board of Directors approval for any deal.

Calling for Carnival and Royal Caribbean, which both hold a 40 percent equity stake in the Shipyard, to intervene in the matter, Mr Cartwright said

“We are asking for the intervention of the Board, and the chief executives of Carnival and Royal Caribbean to step in, because this team seems as if they don’t have the ability to translate or disseminate the necessary information regarding what the negotiations are asking for,” Mr Cartwright said.

“We’re prepared to take it as far as the court system if we need to go because, you know, the next step for us is to file a grievance with the Labour Board. But we are happy to speak with the Board [of directors]. We are happy to go back into negotiations with them. Only if they have somebody who was prepared to actually carry out negotiations, because it doesn’t take long

to reach a compromising position for both parties.

“But you first have to want to talk about it. We can’t get anything done.

Like I said, it’s been six years. We have never met with the Board; we have only met with the administrative team on the island. We just want intervention, because it seems as if this is a crew that has their own agenda, and we’re not sure if the information that has been given to them thus far was actually reported to the Board.”

Multiple attempts were made yesterday to obtain comment from Grand Bahama Shipyard executives. After Tribune Business was informed that its chief executive, David Skentelbery, was not in office, several messages were left for chief financial officer and human resources head, Linda Turnquest, but

no response was received before press time. Richard Paskins, the Shipyard’s vice-president of operations, declined to comment and referred this newspaper to Ms Turnquest. Mr Cartwright, meanwhile, alleged that the Shipyard has recently implemented stringent COVID-19 policies even though The Bahamas and rest of the world have either relaxed or eliminated such requirements. He added: “The memo was sent out on March 27, where they stated that in order for you to be promoted you have to be vaccinated. And there was no room for the unvaccinated within the company. Since then, they have come back and made an amendment to the memorandum saying that now you’ll be required to travel, so you will need to be vaccinated.

“They are implementing these stringent COVID policies when COVID is going out of the window. The world is now realising there’s no reason for these stringent policies and

guidelines. And they are just continuously increasing the requirements in order for [union] members not to be qualified for an increase or promotion.”

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resorts ‘st ruggling to win’ against airbnbs

A CAT Island hotelier yesterday admitted the island’s resorts are “struggling to win” the battle for visitors against an everexpanding vacation rental sector that is dominated by expatriate owners.

The resort manager, speaking on condition of anonymity, blamed the fierce competition with vacation rentals - as well as low airlift accessibility and high ground transportation costs - for the relatively low occupancy rates that the property is currently experiencing. She said: “We have Airbnb’s in the area, and it’s a battle that we are struggling to win. What we try to do is keep our prices low and continue to advertise. But, as far as the visitors go, they usually come in and go directly to the Airbnbs. You only know when you see them about, or they say they are staying at this place. And it’s sad because the Government does not get any income from the Airbnbs.

“We have two airports, and the one that’s in the

north doesn’t allow international flights to fly there so the occupancy is low. The airport is hours away from our hotel, and the ride from there to our hotel is $120. If our northern airport is opened then we think our occupancy will rise.”

The manager argued that most short-term vacation rental properties on Cat Island are owned by expatriates who pay little to no tax to the Government as all bookings and payments are handled offshore outside The Bahamas. As a result, she supports the Department of Inland Revenue’s drive to register all Bahamas-based vacation rental properties as a means to ensure they provide an appropriate standard of accommodation as well as pay due taxes.

She said: “Most of the [AirBnB] owners are expats. Right now, it seems to us that it’s easier for foreigners to build and make a living with rentals than it is for Bahamians. Right now, we are struggling to build our own homes.

“Foreigners build a second home then rent it out. If they are not going to stop then they need to be

registered because that’s a way to bring income to the Government and they are competition - a stiff competition - to the hotels. So, they should be registered and pay taxes.

“We have to pay taxes, whether we have income, whether we have guests, and we have to maintain our hotel. How do we get money to maintain and upgrade our hotel? There are more Airbnbs than hotels on the island and they pay nothing.”

The hotelier’s comments back concerns voiced by Kerry Fountain, the Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board’s (BOIPB) executive director, who earlier this week told Tribune Business that hotels must find ways to distinguish themselves from - and offer a competitive advantage over - the rapidly expanding vacation rental market that is increasingly making inroads into their customer base.

“I feel Cat Island should be performing much better. We will be meeting with all hotel stakeholders to determine what the itch is. Based on anecdotal evidence, and based on the proportion of second home vacation

rental guests going to Cat Island, we feel people are staying in hotels on their initial visit and coming back to stay in rental properties,” he said.

“If that is true, and it has to be determined, we’ll have to make some adjustments. We’ll have to determine what the competitive advantages are of staying in a hotel versus second home vacation rentals..... Hotels have to dig deeper to differentiate themselves from second home rentals. The demand for vacation rentals is continuing to grow, and they must ask themselves: What comparative advantage do I have as a hotel?’”

Shunda Strachan, the Department of Inland Revenue’s acting comptroller, last week said some 7,500 vacation properties have already registered ahead of the end-April deadline as the Government moves to levy VAT on the rental rate as well as the booking fee paid to platforms such as Airbnb.

She said: “The short-term vacation rental platform that we have launched -and we’re asking anybody in the short-term vacation

industry to register on that platform - it’s not so we can tax you. That’s not the goal right now. I don’t want to be deemed disingenuous, but the goal of the platform right now is to gather information.”

Arnette McKenzie, general manager of Hideaways at Palm Bay in Exuma, yesterday said occupancy rates on the island are high as more persons are travelling following the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions. She also confirmed that the island’s short-term rentals are running at full capacity.

“I think Exuma has been doing good. Every week all the car rentals are booked, the hotels are booked out. You can hardly find a room,” Ms McKenzie said. They were [competition] but now it seems like we are booked out, even though the Airbnbs take plenty of the business. It’s like everyone is just coming in. Everyone is travelling after COVID.”

Ms McKenzie said the majority of short-term vacation rental owners are expatriates who rent their properties via offshore platforms. She added: “Mostly the winter residents would

[rent] out their houses. They come down for the winter season and the rest of the year they rent it out. Lately, Bahamians have been entering the game. Everybody’s been trying to build some.

“With the winter residents, it’s their house. They can say they’re sending friends or family, and while they are probably charging them, everything is done in the US. Everything is paid there. Arrangements are made prior to them coming in.”

Although Ms McKenzie questioned the timing of the Department of Inland Revenue’s decision to register short-term rentals, she agrees that the industry should be fully taxed. “They are trying to do it now at a time when most of the locals are tapping into it, and it’s going to take away from them,” she added. “I think they should be taxed. I mean, it’s been a long time coming because if the hotels are getting taxed the Airbnbs should be taxed.”

THE BAHAMAS hosted nine private pilots from Florida on a threeday visit to Grand Bahama as it seeks to boost highspending aviation visitor numbers.

The Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (MOTIA), in a statement, said the group undertook a familiarisation trip to Grand Bahama between April 2-5. The visiting pilots were part of the fly-out from Florida

that closed The Bahamas’ participation in the recent Sun n’ Fun Airshow held in that state.

The visit was organised to demonstrate to private pilots the ease of flying from Florida to Grand Bahama.

During their trip, the pilots were hosted to a welcome dinner by Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation representatives, and also toured attractions such as the Bahamian Brewery & Beverage

Company, Paradise Cove and a private boat charter.

Wendell Saunders, a Ministry of Tourism groups and events executive, said: The Ministry of Tourism is always excited to host flyins with private pilots from Florida. It is our goal to continue promoting private aviation on Grand Bahama, and the benefits pilots can receive from participating in fly-ins led by our Bahamas Flying Ambassadors.

It is a pleasure to see the

pilots thoroughly enjoying our unique island experiences, and we look forward to the next fly in.”

The Bahamas Flying Ambassadors are a group of veteran private pilots with years of experience flying to, and around, The Bahamas. The Ambassadors aim to introduce new pilots to the ease of flying across the Gulf Stream to The Bahamas, and familiarise them with what each island has to offer.

Mike Z, Bahamas Flying Ambassador, said: “It is always a pleasure to fly into Grand Bahama. I’ve been flying here over 40 years, and this time is more exciting for me as I’ve brought three younger private pilots who will promote Grand Bahama even more via their social media platforms.”

The youngest pilot, Adam Antaya, 21, said: “This is my first time on Grand Bahama, and my experience flying here

Bahamas hosts private pilots for aviation boost Notice

was very easy. Seeing the islands from the sky is a beautiful view and the entire process - from clearing to Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation representatives receiving us - was seamless.

“The local tours were very fun, and I can’t wait to share my experience with the Fly Guys social. Our mission at Fly Guys is to show persons involved in general aviation the opportunities available for them to take their private aircraft to destinations and explore what is there.”

The Ministry of Tourism, Investments &Aviation said it will be hosting another international fly-in in the very near future. Interested pilots can contact Ahmad Williams via awilliams@ bahamas.com and Wendell Saunders via wsaunders@ bahamas.com for more information.

PUBLIC WORKERS’ CO-OPERATIVE CREDIT UNION LIMITED

The Nominations Committee, of the Public Workers’ Co-operative Credit Union Limited, in accordance with Sections 46, 47, 48, 73 and 79 of The Bahamas Co-operative Credit Unions Act, 2015, wishes to announce that applications are now invited from members in good standing who may wish to be considered to run as candidates for the below-listed posts, to become vacant at the next Annual General Meeting (AGM), to be held on FRIDAY, MAY 26th, 2023:

No member may be elected to the Board of Directors, Supervisory or Credit Committees unless he or she has satisfied the Guidelines for Assessing the Fitness and Propriety of Applicants for Regulated Functions, regarding Fit and Proper Requirements, as outlined by our Regulator, the Central Bank of the Bahamas.

Further, please note that all interested members must meet the following criteria:

- Is 18 years of age or older (Section 50(a) of The Bahamas

Co-operative Credit Unions’ Act, 2015).

- Is not disqualified from serving in accordance with Section 50 of The Bahamas Co-operative Credit Unions’ Act, 2015.

- Has qualifications or experience in matters relating to accounts, finance, business administration, commerce, or law; (Section 48(4)(a) (i) of The Bahamas Co-operative Credit Unions’ Act, 2015).

Interested members can obtain a Nomination Form from the Credit Union’s offices, Wulff Road (Nassau), or Oak Street (Freeport); or by email to sthompson@pwccu.org.

All members interested in serving on any of these three (3) Committees should submit: the completed/signed Nomination Form and a cover letter and resume outlining their qualifications and experience by 4:00 p.m., on Monday May 8th, 2023, to any of our offices, or via the email, listed above. No nominations will be allowed from the floor

Finally, all Member-sponsored RESOLUTIONS, for the consideration of the AGM, must be submitted by 4:00 p.m., on Monday May 8th, 2023, at any of our offices, or via the email address, listed above.

Academy to help cut $12.5m egg imports

A CABINET minister has hailed the launch of an agriculture research and training centre as another step towards slashing The Bahamas’ annual $12.5m egg import bill.

Clay Sweeting, minister of agriculture, marine resources and Family Island affairs, said the creation of the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute’s (BAMSI) Poultry Research and Training Centre will help to revive domestic poultry production amid high post-COVID food prices.

“Out of crisis, this administration saw an opportunity to revive our domestic poultry supply,” Mr Sweeting said. “Today is certainly a proud day for The Bahamas as it was just several weeks ago that we held the groundbreaking for the Golden Yolk project, and now we are here at BAMSI to launch another layer of our holistic overall egg production plan – the BAMSI egg academy Poultry Research and Training Centre.

“The academy will aid in creating a sustainable poultry production programme for The Bahamas. Some 3,800 birds will be housed in this enriched cage system. These birds will complement

our egg production programme and are expected to produce an estimated one million eggs annually. Additionally, there will be free-range chickens that will also produce eggs.

“We expect that this poultry research and training centre will be able to offer tertiary-education opportunities for The Bahamas and the region, and provide realworld experience for those seeking to enter the lucrative business of poultry farming. Further, the Institute will hold poultry courses and seminars on layer husbandry, incubation, quality assurance methods and nutrition.”

With The Bahamas spending $12.5m per annum on imported eggs, as part of a “staggering” total $1bn food import bill, Mr Sweeting said the Government is “seeking to make a paradigm shift by making The Bahamas more food secure”.

He added: “We not only want to reduce our imports but we are hopeful that, in the near future, we can increase our exports as well. I have always believed The Bahamas has not tapped into its full potential with food production. This egg academy prepares us for the future.

“We know this is just one of the many programmes that BAMSI will continue to develop to enhance food security in our country. The Institute is also seeking to

launch greenhouse parks in several islands, which will be able to produce healthy leafy greens year-round even under extreme weather conditions. BAMSI will be able to provide training for farmers wishing to use new technologies for more efficient farming. The profession of agriculture is truly limitless”

BAMSI, in a statement, said the layers programme includes some 500 Rhode Island Red Layer Chicks that were purchased in March. It is expected to produce an estimated 1.5m eggs annually, according to BAMSI executive chairman, Senator Tyrel Young.

“While the production of eggs is an important goal for us, our primary focus

is broadening the scope of knowledge, experience and exposure for our students, farmers and agri-prenuers through the newly established Research and Training Centre,” Mr Young said. “As an extension of BAMSI College, the Centre will focus on the scientific, technical and business knowledge required to operate a poultry business on a successful scale.”

In preparation for the launch, the Institute has spent the last three months constructing a commercial-grade poultry facility equipped with environmental control systems. The facility is expected to give students the access needed to explore the process of egg production and poultry management.

From BAMSI’s perspec-

tive, the curriculum and training courses will be expanded to include poultry science and an examination of the commercial production of layers and breeders.

“Not only will we be producing eggs, but the facility will operate as a classroom for our agriculture students and registered livestock farmers to learn about nutrition, reproduction, the physiology of the birds, processing technology and livestock management,” Mr Young said.

The layers programme will eventually be joined by a brooding facility, which will provide space for technical training and academic support for BAMSI students, licensed poultry farmers and agri-prenuers. Eggs produced through the initiative will initially be sold in New Providence and Andros, with extra poultry facilities expected to be constructed on other Family Islands before the end of 2023 Egg prices escalated at the start of 2023, with the cost of a dozen eggs hitting about $10. The Government’s goal is to reduce the country’s reliance on foreign imports, and Bahamians consume imported eggs which may be weeks or even months old. That often depletes the nutritional value and lessens the taste of the eggs, but BAMSI’s locally produced eggs are fresh.

“With global events having such a huge impact on our local market, our mandate becomes even more pressing,” Mr Young said. BAMSI has a responsibility to address the issue of food security actively and adequately through as many channels at its disposal.

“Through the Poultry Research and Training Centre and the layers programme, we will be increasing the number of healthy eggs on the market, introducing Bahamian students to the science of poultry and poultry management, and we will be supporting the education and training of farmers and agri-prenuers who are interested in either creating or growing a successful poultry business.”

Alaasis Braynen, BAMSI’s chief executive and general manager, said: “As the programme grows, we will also be partnering with registered livestock farmers and agriprenuers to help grow their broods. The chicks and technical support which BAMSI produces for farmers will increase the number and size of local poultry operations, which will have the necessary positive result for food security.”

He added that a veterinarian will be onsite in Andros to ensure the birds, who have been vaccinated, remain healthy.

SHOWN in the group photo are BAMSI chairman, Tyrel Young; Clay Sweeting, minister of agriculture, marine resources and Family Island affairs; and Leonardo Lightbourne, parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs.

business@tribunemedia.net

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2023

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

ATLANTIS yesterday said it has not been swayed by Royal Caribbean’s pledge to hit an environmental “gold standard” as the cruise giant is “packing a lot of people” into its Paradise Island beach club’s 17 acres.

Vaughn Roberts, the mega resort’s senior vice-president of government affairs and special projects, told Tribune Business that Royal Caribbean’s promises not to construct any structures on or over the water - and to employ “a very sophisticated waste water management system” - for its $100m project had done little to address its long-standing concerns.

And he also queried whether the Royal Beach Club, which will be located near western Paradise Island’s

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE GOVERNMENT

cannot interpret two consecutive monthly Budget surpluses “as a sign we are out of the woods”, its top finance official warned last night.

Simon Wilson, the Ministry of Finance’s financial secretary, told Tribune Business that officials were “very encouraged” after February 2023 produced a second $16.2m surplus to follow the smaller $3.1m generated in January.

However, while branding it “a good sign” of progress, he added that the Davis administration is “not reading too much into it” when it comes to the remainder of the fiscal year or preparations for the 2023-2024 Budget that will be unveiled at end-May.

Pointing out that the calendar year’s first quarter,

which includes January and February, is typically the most revenue-rich period of the Government’s financial year, as it coincides with peak winter tourism activity, Business Licence fee payments and the bulk of real property taxes, Mr Wilson said April’s VAT filings - with the deadline just two days away - will be critical in determining whether fullyear 2022-2023 revenue goals will be hit.

April’s VAT returns are typically the highest given that they coincide

with peak winter tourism activity and also include filings by quarterly as well as monthly tax-remitting businesses. As for expenditure, Mr Wilson said the Government has spent less of the 2022-2023 Budget in percentage terms than it did for the same period in the prior fiscal year, with 70 percent exhausted during the first three quarters.

A Budget surplus means the Government’s revenue (tax and non-tax) income has exceeded its spending, and the Davis administration has achieved such

a result - albeit involving modest sums worth a combined $19.3m - for two successive months. Nevertheless, it provides further evidence of the economy’s continued post-COVID rebound and gives hope that The Bahamas is in the earliest stages of righting its fiscal position following decades of heavy deficit spending.

“We’re very encouraged, but we know this is the strong part of the fiscal year in terms of revenue,” Mr Wilson told this newspaper of the consecutive monthly surpluses. “We expect to see a couple of strong months. We’ll be optimistic but cautious.

SEE PAGE A18

Petroleum retailers told: ‘Keep the faith’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIAN gas station operators were yesterday urged to “keep the faith” amid ongoing talks over the Government’s latest proposal to address the wider petroleum industry’s structural woes.

Raymond Jones, the Bahamas Petroleum Retailers Association’s (BPRA) president, told Tribune Business that while there was some “frustration” because talks with the Government over the sector’s price-controlled fixed margins have dragged on for a year “everyone wants to work together to find a solution”.

Speaking after the Government last Friday submitted a proposal

designed to “foster greater competition” between retailers and wholesalers, but without negatively impacting motorists, he said the Association and its members now have to “talk among ourselves to see how we view their proposal and see if we can get back to them this week”.

Describing this as a natural part of negotiations, with parties submitting various proposals and counter-offers, Mr Jones told this newspaper that the Association will compare the Government’s position to what it wishes to see. “We were the ones in there from last year putting in a proposal. This is a further iteration of the discussion, and the discussion continues,” he explained. “April marks a year since we started.

“We’re continuing the dialogue, the proposal we presented and the counters, going back and forth. That’s where we are. I don’t think there’s anything new. We continue to look at what their thoughts are about the industry and how we operate, and we will give them our thoughts. Essentially it’s an ongoing discussion and nothing has materially changed from what we’ve been debating for the past year.

“The view is to find common ground that’s to the benefit of everyone and is palatable for the Government. We’re trying to address the woes of the industry and ensure the retailers survive and, as much as possible, there’s no loss of jobs as a result of the present economic situation, change the system

and everything we do, and look at how we operate,” Mr Jones continued.

“And the Government, in our view, gets us a margin we consider economically viable for our operations. That’s something we’ve wanted for a long time; to get an economically viable margin under the present cost circumstances we face. If costs go the other way, then fine, we’ll be talking something different, but all we can see going into the future is increased operating costs against fixed margins, and we’ve offered some solutions and been in dialogue with the Government for 12 months now.”

The last margin increase enjoyed by gas station operators occurred in 2011, some 12 years ago,

SEE PAGE A17

Bahamas ‘caught behind 8 ball’ on airport upgrades

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE DEPUTY prime minister yesterday admitted that The Bahamas has “gotten caught behind the eight ball” over the need to upgrade its airport infrastructure with discussions now also focusing on expanding the country’s main gateway.

Chester Cooper, also minister of tourism, investments and aviation, speaking to media at the HEALinc Further Health Innovation Summit, said there was renewed focus on how Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) will be able to accommodate the surge in tourist arrivals that The Bahamas is seeing.

Speaking after the Government extended

the deadline for initial responses to its $260m, 14-airport, bid process by two weeks to end-April, he said: “We want to ensure the best possible outcomes. And we also want to ensure that we were expediting this process. And, therefore, there is a balance between providing more time and, at the same time, ensuring that we move this along.

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tip in the Colonial Beach area, is sufficiently large enough to accommodate the 2,750 average daily passenger count cited by Royal Caribbean. Mr Roberts said Atlantis “never has 3,000-4,000 persons a day” on its beaches, which stretch for several miles, suggesting that the cruise line is seeking to “pack a lot of people” into a much smaller space.

And, with Atlantis “focused squarely” on the environmental concerns sparked by Royal Caribbean’s proposal, he also encouraged Bahamians to query the project’s economic benefits for local businesses and their employees and whether it will “displace” existing passenger spending enjoyed by Bay Street merchants and restaurants, plus tour and excursion operators throughout New Providence.

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BISX-listed insurer’s $6.5m from Deltec’s Ansbacher buy

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A BISX-listed insurer is due to ultimately receive just over $6.5m from last year’s sale of Ansbacher (Bahamas) to Deltec Bank & Trust.

Colina Holdings (Bahamas) audited 2022 financial statements, which have just been released, reveal that the life and health insurance holding vehicle is receiving less for its collective 19 percent stake in Sentinel Bank & Trust, Ansbacher’s immediate parent, than the initial $8m capital investment it made more than 13 years ago. The BISX-listed entity, and its Colina Insurance Company subsidiary, invested $3m and $5m, respectively, for 7 percent and 12 percent equity stakes in Sentinel in July 2009. A Colina Holdings (Bahamas) spokesman, in brief replies to Tribune Business questions, confirmed that the near-$6.5m produced by the Deltec sale relates to their combined 19 percent holding and not just the parent’s 7 percent.

“Yes, the $6.5m does relate to the 19 percent stake,” they said. Colina Holdings (Bahamas) financials, affirming that the Deltec Bank & Trust deal closed on March 31 last year, said: “At the closing of the Ansbacher Bahamas transaction, the company received a cash payment of $6.021m. Management has estimated that a further $491,331 would be received.

To date, the company has

received $84,373 of the projected payments.”

The audited financials were signed-off by Colina Holdings (Bahamas) chairman, Terry Hilts, and executive vice-chairman, Emanuel Alexiou, on April 6, 2023. No explanation was provided in the notes for why just 17 percent of the $491,331 has been paid to-date or why the full sum was not paid over to the BISX-listed insurer immediately upon the deal’s closing and receipt of the purchase price from Deltec.

The total $6.512m due to Colina Holdings (Bahamas) is almost identical to its combined share of Sentinel Bank & Trust’s net assets, and “other comprehensive income through revaluation reserve”, as at March 31, 2022, when the sale to Deltec Bank & Trust closed. Together, the insurer’s net share of the assets and revaluation reserve was pegged at $6,511,567.

Using a back-of-theenvelope calculation, and employing Colina Holdings (Bahamas) 19 percent total stake and the $6.512m received for it, gives a potential sale price of around $34.276m that was paid for Ansbacher (Bahamas) by Deltec.

This, though, could not be confirmed. However, the latter figure is almost identical to the $34.271m net asset value assigned to Sentinel Bank & Trust at the end-March 2022 sale date. Sentinel’s net assets, or worth, was shown as having decreased by almost

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‘Not out of the woods’ despite consecutive Budget surpluses

SIMON WILSON