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VOLUME:114 No.107, APRIL 26TH, 2017
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TOUGH CALL: SMOKE AND SECRECY AT THE LANDFILL - PAGE 8
Mackey owned stolen vehicle PLP chairman says FNM candidate owes $21,000 to Road Traffic By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net DELIVERING on his promise of a second “bombshell,” Progressive Liberal Party Chairman Bradley Roberts yesterday released a stinging missive on Free National Movement candidate Howard “Rickey” Mackey that outlined allegations of further tax evasion and ownership of a stolen vehicle. Mr Roberts reiterated his charge that Mr Mackey is unfit to hold public office, and in making his case, claimed that the North Eleuthera candidate allegedly owed a little over $21,000 in unpaid license fees to the Road Traffic Department for a fleet of vehicles; and has no liability
By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net THE country recorded its sixth murder in six days, after a 23-year-old man was found shot to death in Coconut Grove early on Tuesday. The killing took the country’s murder count to 50 for the year and marked the 11th homicide in April, according to The Tribune’s records. SEE PAGE SIX
POLICE SHOOT ROBBERY SUSPECT DEAD AFTER CHASE
insurance for his propane business, nor the licensing required to operate the business. For his part, Mr Mackey told The Tribune yesterday that he did not have time to respond Mr Roberts’ allegations, which he said he was aware of, and that a response would likely come from his constituency association. A response did not come up to press time. “I take no glee in presenting these facts, but was challenged by the FNM Chairman Sidney Collie and FNM candidate Howard ‘Rickey’ Mackey who urged me to tell it all,” Mr Roberts said. “It should be abundantly clear to the voters of North Eleuthera that Howard SEE PAGE SIX
REPORTS OF JOB CUTS AT BAHA MAR ‘BASELESS’ BAHA Mar denied “baseless” social media rumours that the resort has laid off dozens of staff members, while revealing that reservation availability for the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar has been moved up to May 8. The resort also said it is offering Bahamian residents a special rate. The mega resort released
50TH MURDER VICTIM OF YEAR FOUND DEAD IN ROAD
a statement last evening in the wake of social media rumours that alleged that about 100 workers had recently been laid off at the property. Instead, the resort said it is “actively expanding its associate base” and currently employs more than 1,600 people. SEE PAGE THREE
THE SCENE in Pride Estates where two suspects were shot by police and two firearms recovered following a high-speed chase. One of the suspects died later in hospital. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net POLICE shot and killed a car robbery suspect and critically injured another alleged thief during a highspeed chase in western New Providence yesterday afternoon. The drama unfolded shortly after noon on Carmichael Road and ended after the suspects crashed
their vehicle into a wall in Pride Estates. Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean said officers arrested three men on the scene. Two of the suspects were taken to hospital where one man died a short time later. One of the men is listed in critical condition and the other suspect was unharmed during the shooting. Senior ACP Dean said criminals should know “if
you engage the police, be prepared for the consequences”. He said police suspect the men to be part of a car theft ring and can “assist police with a number of murder and robbery investigations.” When The Tribune arrived at the scene there were more than 30 shell casings on the ground. “What we have here is excellent example of text book police work, we told
2,600 ENROL IN NHI IN TWO DAYS By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
MORE than 2,600 people have enrolled in the National Health Insurance programme in the two days following its historic launch on Monday, according to the NHI Secretariat yesterday. Health Minister Dr Perry Gomez yesterday said the milestone had positioned the nation among first world countries on the mat-
ter of healthcare services; however, he acknowledged that there was still no decision on how the government would fund the scheme. “I think it’s a wonderful thing that’s happening,” Dr Gomez said, “the fact that we have reached this point, the beginning of NHI, many people thought it wouldn’t happen and particularly didn’t think it would happen at the time we said it would happen, this month. “I’m happy that we have
met the target and the work begins in getting people enrolled and subsequently into care and it’s a momentous day for our country. We now join all first world countries to have the presence of NHI in their countries, when I say all first world countries we have to watch what (American president Donald) Trump does in the United States to eliminate Obamacare, which is NHI.” SEE PAGE SIX
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
members of the public that the police will be out in full force to ensure their safety and peace and tranquility in our community. Despite some acts of violence I can tell you that police are out in full force in every area of New Providence,” Senior ACP Dean said. “Today, officers from the Mobile Division were on patrol off Carmichael SEE PAGE TWO
BNCP ANGRY AT ELECTION ‘SABOTAGE’
By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net EXECUTIVES of the Bahamas National Coalition Party said they were “shocked” to learn of “glaring” errors in the listing of symbols and party affiliations published by Parliamentary Registration Department yesterday in The Tribune. BNCP Leader Wesley SEE PAGE TEN
PAGE 2, Wednesday, April 26, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
POLICE at the scene in Pride Estates after two suspects were shot and two firearms recovered following a high-speed chase. One suspect later died in hospital. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
POLICE SHOOT ROBBERY SUSPECT DEAD AFTER CHASE from page one
Road when they spotted a car with three suspicious men inside. The police suspected the car to be stolen. The officers beckoned to the vehicle’s driver to stop. Instead, he took off at high speed. A chase ensued through several little communities of New Providence in the western area that ended here at Pride Estates, where the men crashed into a wall and left the vehicle and opened fire on the police. Officers returned fire and through the exchange of gunfire the police, who were well trained for instances such as this, were able to shoot two of the men, and arrested all three men. They are in custody and two handguns were recovered from the men. “Two of the men were rushed to hospital where one died and one remains in critical condition.” Senior ACP Dean said police want criminals to know that no matter when, where or how “we will find you and we will bring you to justice”. “You will not destroy our country. We are telling
SENIOR Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean speaking to the media yesterday. you that the police will not that we suspect them to be stop. You cannot escape the a part of a stolen car ring. arms of the law. You cannot We found several license escape the Royal Bahamas plates in the vehicle and we Police Force,” he said. also found that a plate that “We will be out there to is on the vehicle does not find you, we will arrest you belong to the vehicle. So and take you into custody. we have a number of things This is just a warning to we are going to be quizzing some criminal elements out them on, we have had a there. We have a number number of armed robberof others we will be taking ies, we have had murders into custody and we are tell- and we have a feeling these ing you do not challenge the persons may be able to aspolice on the road, if you sist us with these investigaengage the police, be pre- tions.” pared for the consequencAnyone with information es. Wherever the criminal on this incident is asked to might be we will find them contact police at 911 or 919, and take them out. the Central Detective Unit “We are in the prelimi- at 502-9991 or Crime Stopnary stage of our investiga- pers anonymously at 328tions and we can tell you, TIPS.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, April 26, 2017, PAGE 3
INSIDE the Baha Mar resort during the ribbon-cutting event on Friday.
Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
CCA vice-president silent on Fitzgerald controversy By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net AMID continued backlash over a revelation that Jerome Fitzgerald sought contracts worth millions from Baha Mar for his family’s businesses, China Construction America’s (CCA) Senior Vice President Daniel Liu refused comment regarding his alleged role in the controversy. The CCA executive was contacted yesterday by The Tribune and questioned on the matter, however he declined to offer any insight, adding that CCA would not be issuing any statements at this time. The leaked emails published by The Tribune last week revealed that Mr Fitzgerald, from as early
as 2013, solicited broker- pointed but I have accepted age, trucking and limousine it and moved on. contracts while he sat in “I know that the interior Cabinet. In one furniture and email, he wrote ‘Unfortunately fittings should to former Baha despite all begin arrivMar developer efforts by you ing shortly and Sarkis Izmirlian I would really that both the de- and promises wish to now veloper and Mr to me by Daniel establish a reLiu promised Liu that we lationship behim contracts. tween Baha Mar Mr Fitzgerald would receive and Bahamas wrote: “Unfor- the brokerage Cargo and Lotunately despite and trucking gistics Limited all efforts by you (BCL) where and promises to work, we have all ports of enme by Daniel Liu not, apart from try can be adthat we would revised that BCL a one time ceive the brokeris to collect the age and truck- deal to move paperwork and ing work, we 40 containers.’ clear shipments have not, apart for Baha Mar. It from a one time - Jerome is my hope that deal to move 40 Fitzgerald the relationship containers. I do will continue not know why, I am disap- when the hotel opens and
we will again be the broker and trucker for this property as we were for so many years.” Prime Minister Perry Christie has been silent on the controversy, offering no comments on whether he would demand a resignation from Mr Fitzgerald or fire him from his post. After days of being silent in the wake of the controversy Mr Christie told The Tribune on Monday: “I don’t run from any issue.” He made the statement after this newspaper asked him if he planned to address the scandal before the May 10 general election. His comment to The Tribune came on the sidelines of an event commissioning a new ZNS broadcasting tower. Mr Christie offered no further response.
REPORTS OF JOB CUTS AT BAHA MAR ‘BASELESS’ from page one “Allegations regarding recent layoffs at Baha Mar are baseless and untrue. In fact, Baha Mar continues to hire across all areas of expertise and remains on track to employ 6,000 associates while directly and indirectly supporting more than 12,000 jobs in The Bahamas once fully operational,” the statement noted. “Baha Mar opened to the public on Friday, April 21, having surpassed our hiring goal of 1,500 founding as-
sociates,” said Graeme Davis, president of Baha Mar. “We continue to seek out the best and brightest in the Bahamas and are actively growing the Baha Mar family across all sectors of hospitality.” The statement added that Baha Mar continues to accept application via careers. bahamar.com. “Additionally, we have now moved up our reservation availability to May 8 for the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar and are offering Bahamian residents a special rate, starting today (Tuesday),” the statement noted.
PETITION LAUNCHED FOR CABINET MEMBERS TO BE FIRED FREE National Movement Chairman Sidney Collie has urged Bahamians to sign an online petition circulated by his party that calls on Prime Minister Perry Christie to fire Cabinet ministers Jerome Fitzgerald, Allyson Maynard-Gibson and Shane Gibson. “The sad fact is that the prime minister appointed these persons to his Cabinet and they are sullying the good name of The Bahamas,” Mr Collie said in a statement. “I ask Bahamians everywhere to join us in demanding accountability by going to firedem.com and signing the petition. Together we will send this inept and corrupt government out to pasture.”
The Progressive Liberal Party has been grappling with scandals involving the three Cabinet ministers in question. On Monday, The Tribune revealed that Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard sent thousands of dollars per month to a Bank of America account belonging to Mr Gibson, minister of labour and national insurance, between August 2011 and January 2013. Documents obtained by The Tribune show that the payments totalled $94,131.10. After being contacted by The Tribune, Mr Gibson released a statement that claimed the money was used as a contribution to his 2012 election campaign and for community initiatives in
the Golden Gates constituency such as scholarships to students. This came days after Mr Fitzgerald, minister of education, admitted he solicited Baha Mar developer Sarkis Izmirlian for lucrative contracts for his family’s company. The admission came after The Tribune published emails from Mr Fitzgerald asking Mr Izmirlian for brokerage, trucking and limousine contracts at Baha Mar while he sat in Cabinet from as early as 2013. Attorney General Mrs Maynard-Gibson has denied accusations of impropriety in connection with Baha Mar. However in 2015, Mrs Maynard-Gibson revealed that her husband Maxwell
CORRECTION - MOSKO REALTY STEFFAN Christie, the son of Prime Minister Perry Christie, does not work for Mosko Realty as The Tribune reported yesterday (‘PM says claim of son’s pay is ‘crazy’) but for Cross & Mosko Real Estate and Development Company, a separate and unaffiliated company. We are happy to make this clear and apologise for any unintended upset caused.
Gibson owns the retail jewellery store chain that had been granted storefront leases in Baha Mar. At the time, she denied accusations that she has a conflict of interest due to her role as government negotiator for the stalled resort.
Her revelation came in a statement released four days after she initially said her two daughters, 28 and 30, had leases to operate stores in Baha Mar while a guest on the More 94 FM talk show Real Talk Live. Mrs Maynard-Gibson
and Mr Fitzgerald were part of the government’s negotiating team to get Baha Mar remobilised. The FNM’s petition, available at www.firedem. org, had more than two hundred signatures up to press time.
PAGE 4, Wednesday, April 26, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
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Two old antagonists command the world stage again DONALD Trump and Vladimir Putin have managed to push other world leaders and most unrelated news from the front pages of newspapers for significant parts of the past eight months, since the first information about Trump’s business ties to Russia and possible Russian interference in the US presidential election began to leak out last summer. There is some new headline relating to the US-Russian relationship, it seems, almost every day. In some respects, this is exactly what Russian president Putin and US president Trump want, for different reasons. Trump has often expounded his view that no publicity is bad publicity, and his electoral success seems so far to have largely reinforced his view. While he goes through momentary pauses in promoting himself and his opinions, he seems to still believe that it’s a good thing to be in the headlines. For the Russian leader, the new Russian notoriety recalls national glory he clearly misses. Putin, an ex-KGB official during the Cold War, openly yearns for a period 30 years ago when the then-USSR stood at the centre of the world stage, sharing it only with the United States. The two nations were the world’s superpowers, due in significant measure to their military might. Post-World War II generations of Americans took for granted their status at the epicentre of world events - and largely continue to do so today. For post-war Russians, the experience has been different. Spectacular achievements in rocketry, such as the launch of the first Sputnik and steady military development, kept the USSR in the spotlight, even as the inherent social and economic weaknesses of the centralised Soviet system eroded the structure of the USSR. Then, in 1990, the Soviet Union collapsed. By the time of the disintegration of the Soviet empire, Russians already had been reduced to the status of an ethnic minority in the USSR. Under the USSR, rigid centralised control from Moscow may have engendered calamitous economic inefficiencies, but it also provided a predictable structure for the empire’s populace. Ambitious citizens could see a way forward for themselves and for their families. That way was service to the Communist Party, and
advancement through its ranks to positions of privilege and relative wealth was possible through loyal and able accomplishment. Most crime was committed by the state. The result for most law-abiding average citizens was a daily life unburdened by uncertainly in many areas. In more recent times, an atmosphere more akin to the Wild West in the US has prevailed. Lots of governmental and private actors have jumped into graft, corruption and crime. Reputable Western academics have been describing Russia as a hollowed-out shell of a nation, almost entirely dependent on commodity prices - particularly in oil and natural gas - for its economic buoyancy. To Western eyes, it is almost as though the Putin regime has kept some of the worst features of the old Communist - and even Tsarist - regimes while introducing the worst features of an economy more like the Western free enterprise model. Meanwhile, Russians remain a proud people. Putin’s domestic popularity is said to derive mostly from his restoration of Russia to a place of international prominence. His annexation of Crimea, widely condemned, felt good to most Russians. Similarly, his meddling in eastern, largely Russian-speaking, regions of Ukraine makes his countrymen proud. He is credited with restoring Russian prominence in the world. So Russia’s new place at the centre of attention, displayed for the Russian people mostly through the lens of a state-controlled media, is seen in a much different light than in the West, where Putin’s aggressive meddling in the US, Europe and elsewhere is universally condemned. Against this backdrop, questions continue to arise about Trump’s business ties to, and perhaps vulnerability to, Russian blackmail. Acrimonious US-Russian disagreements boil over numerous geopolitical issues ranging from NATO policies to Syria to the Baltic Sea. In Washington, investigations continue to examine Russian interference in the US election. The American House of Representatives, the US Senate and the FBI are among those doing the investigating. So US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson visits the Russian capital and the world holds its breath. It won’t be the last time the two old antagonists command the world stage.
Spoiling our Bahamas EDITOR, The Tribune. I CONSIDER myself extremely lucky to be able to attend a small college in the United States, in addition to playing on one of the Varsity sports teams on campus. In college sports whether Division I or III, there is a traditional season and an off-season. Here at my school we are blessed to have a dedicated Strength and Conditioning Staff that push all of the athletes to getting better and better every off-season. They recently put up a sign in our weight room, above one of the mirrors that says “Look in the mirror…That’s your competition.” Our coaches encourage us to look in the mirror and hold ourselves and others accountable for pushing one another. This needs to be an honest and objective task; you cannot be biased because you’re tired or sore, you have to push yourself to be the best that you can be. Looking at the current state of our beautiful country, how can any Bahamian that claims they love their country say, “You know what, we are in a good place here.” The ones who claim this are either delusional or they love themselves more than they love their country, because there is so little that the current administration is doing that is benefiting the country. You cannot tell me that you are able to look at yourself in the mirror, while being true to your honesty and your integrity, and say that we can, as a nation, handle another five years of this administration. If you are
still wondering whether we can or cannot, let me assure you it’s the latter. Sadly, there is a culture of greed, power and corruption that has engulfed our Bahama Land. Because of this, the coming election is much more than sticking with who your mother or father has voted for in the past. Just because your family has voted for one way in every single election since our independence, this doesn’t mean you have to, too. I implore you to look a little further than just what your family has done in the past. Challenge yourself to look at current and potential MPs ethically, morally and objectively; look at what he or she has done for their people or what they are saying they will do. Go another step further, ask them to tell you exactly how they are going to bring about change, what steps are they going to take and most importantly is this beneficial and where is the money coming from? Residents of Jubilee Gardens, what has your MP done to help you in the past month and what has your Prime Minister done for you and your family? Is it enough? I’m going to go out on a limb and argue that nothing meaningful has been done, seeing that your neighbourhood is still exposed to smoke from the dump. Residents of Cat Island, what has your MP done for you other than a cookout and some beers? You cannot honestly say to yourself that what our politicians are doing to our country is sustainable; they
can only take so much before we have nothing left and they have everything. The Bahamas lacks accountability, and it is time that we change that. Wake up Bahamas! How can you look yourself in the mirror and say that an administration spending millions of dollars on Carnival is ok, yet the population of New Providence and the tourists, that we as a country rely on, cannot enjoy our inalienable right to clean air? Don’t you like to breathe fresh air; I know I do. I ask you, how is it acceptable that we do not know how our government has spent the vast amount of VAT money that has been generated? And yes we do have a right to know, because it is our money? How is it ok for the Prime Minister to stand in front of a crowd of people and show them the finger, or defy God himself? That is the man who represents us all over the world. In order to right the ship, the first step that must be taken is to look ourselves in the mirror and ask that very simply question: Can we as a nation take another five years of this? Five more years of uncontrolled killings. Five more years of dirty water, dirty air and a toxic dump. Five more years of inside jobs and contracts. We need accountability across all parties and we need it now. Wake up Bahamas! CONCERNED BAHAMIAN STUDENT Voting in the US April 24, 2017.
Branville will do the right thing EDITOR, The Tribune THE Democratic National Alliance (DNA) has been around on the Bahamian political scene for more than five years now. Who thought that this genesis of a party had any chance in hell of survival. But, they are still around today, ready and waiting to contest the next general elections. During the last general elections (2012) the DNA made a respectable showing at the polls (taking their youth into account) by garnering approximately 8.5 per cent of the popular vote. The results were totally unexpected even by members and supporters of this “baby” party. After the dust had settled, the DNA had secured for themselves the nomenclature of being a “spoiler party”. What does that mean? When you take into consideration that after all the votes had been tallied and the official outcome made public, the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) had amassed (approx) 48.6 per cent of the popular vote, and the Free National movement (FNM) picked up (approx) 42 per cent, theory dictates that if the DNA had not thrown their proverbial “hat into the ring” and all the 8.5 per cent that they had compiled had been transferred to the FNM, theoretically speaking, the FNM could have won the elections. In the ensuing years, the hierarchy of the DNA, its members and supporters did not take too kindly to the common practice of Bahamians continuing to refer to the DNA as “the spoiler party”. According to an old adage “the truth hurts”. And it is my humble opinion that there is some truth to that designation. Furthermore, even the Bible will tell you that the “truth” will make you free. So it would be prudent for the DNA to “wake up and smell the coffee” and come to the sensible con-
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net clusion (as, I guess, most Bahamians have) that their chances of winning the government during the next general elections are very slim. I have come to a conclusion that, based on my more than 50 years of experience on this earth, Bahamians cast their votes in three basic ways. Before they mark their “X” on the ballot, Bahamians take into consideration (1) The qualifications of the candidate offering themselves for service as a Member of Parliament, (2) Their loyalty to a particular party, and (3) Who is the leader of any particular party. The individual who leads a particular party weighs heavily in my decision of how I will mark my “X” in general elections. I like Branville McCartney, leader of the DNA. He is of my generation, and he possesses everything in his character, personality, intelligence, speaking skills, charisma, sense of humour and other idiosyncrasies that make him the man that he is today. In my book, he is a leader! And, as far as I am concerned, it was his leadership that caused the DNA to brag of such an admirable showing during the 2012 general elections. However, I am not naïve. Even though I would one day want Bran to take up the mantle of Prime Minister, I am one of those who thinks pragmatically and has relegated the DNA to “third party” status. That reference is not a good one. In fact, it is downright derogatory; plain and simple. But, I am an eligible voter who has a firmly held belief that the DNA is just too immature a party to expect to wrest the reigns of power from the PLP in 2017.
Do you know what would persuade me to seriously consider casting my vote in favour of Bran and his party next month? The topic has been discussed in the public domain ever since Bran disassociated himself from the FNM five years ago. It is the same ole’, same ole’ - if the FNM should lose the May 10 general elections and the DNA should do the same (in all likelihood), why doesn’t Bran swallow his pride, “return to his vomit” (so to speak), and return to the FNM, and his supporters follow him? However, it is my humble opinion that Bran should not even consider reaching out for the “olive branch” that I have heard has been extended to him on numerous occasions by the “small” and “big” in the FNM, if he is not offered (unequivocally) the leader’s post of that party (of course after going through the formalities of inner party elections). Hubert Ingraham did it in April, 1990. And, afterwards, he became Prime Minister in a short space of time (August, 1992). And it does not help Bran that, right now, the DNA is commonly known as “a one man party”. Bran has incessantly and adamantly made his position on the matter clear - he is not going back. His image is ubiquitous in the media concomitant with his comments and stories about him. But there is still hope because this is politics and Bran is the quintessential politician. And good politicians don’t reveal their “hand” until it is the perfect and opportune time to do so. And so, I choose to believe that Bran will do the right thing (in my mind) when the time comes. And if he does, he certainly has my vote. MARVIN G LIGHTBOURN Nassau, April 24, 2017.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, April 26, 2017, PAGE 5
Rolle denies Butler-Turner claims of jobs for votes By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Long Island candidate Glendon Rolle yesterday denied recent claims by Official Opposition Leader Loretta Butler-Turner that he and the PLP have “hand picked” nearly 30 people out of the constituency for new employment opportunities in an attempt to attract support on the island. Mr Rolle, in an interview with reporters outside the Office of the Prime Minister, said the claims by his incumbent rival are not true. He suggested that the area’s poor representation has made local residents realise that in him, “there is somebody who is not there to give them a fish but to teach
them how to fish.” Mrs Butler-Turner is running as an Independent candidate for Long Island. Earlier this month, Mrs Butler-Turner blasted the Christie administration over the reported launch of a jobs programme in her constituency, claiming 28 people were handpicked for new employment as the election approaches. In a Facebook post, Mrs Butler-Turner raised concerns over the reported preelection hires, adding that no guidelines or advertising had been done for the jobs. She also questioned where the government was finding the money to pay the new employees. In a later interview with The Tribune, Mrs ButlerTurner said she found it “unfathomable” that there
were people in Long Island that have not been paid for contracts since last year, but yet the PLP was giving away jobs. Describing this as “ridiculous” and “reprehensible,” Mrs Butler-Turner further accused Mr Rolle of making promises to get support as he campaigned on the island. “That is not true at all,” Mr Rolle said when questioned on the matter. “My thing is, like I said to you we’re dealing with the lives of people. I don’t have to buy anyone anything and I don’t have to do anything for them. What it is, is that the people realise (how) they have been treated under the FNM’s members of Parliament, the way they’ve been treated over the years. And now they realise that
there is somebody who is not there to give them a fish but to teach them how to fish.” When asked if he feels he faces an uphill battle contesting a seat some observers feel has not been historically supportive of the PLP, Mr Rolle said: “…I believe that that will change this time, and the reason why is because people have realised that they have been voting one way because of the colour of their shirt, which is the FNM, and not really looking at the candidate. “And so therefore I believe historically it has been FNM, but . . . I believe that the people have woken up and they’ve realised that they’re tired of the talks and they’re tired of suffering and as a result of that
hope has come to the island.” Recently, PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts said he had no knowledge of a newly launched jobs programme in Long Island. Nonetheless, the concerns raised by Mrs ButlerTurner comes as government officials have still not answered questions regarding the reasoning for a quadrupled budget for the Office of the Prime Minister. Details of the government’s mid-year fiscal performance revealed the $62.532m increase, showing that the budget for the Office of the Prime Minister, approved as $17.069m last year, has expanded to $79.947m. The increase came under the heading “grants, fixed charges and special trans-
actions.” In an interview with The Tribune earlier this month, Free National Movement Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest said this increase was “absolutely crazy”. Days after the PLP defeated the FNM in a landslide victory in the 2012 general election, Prime Minister Perry Christie said his government would seek to prevent future government’s from awarding contracts ahead of and after the dissolution of Parliament. He described these as “bribes,” adding that he was concerned about contracts awarded under the former government just prior to the election. However, the government did not implement any law or policy prohibiting this.
FNM ‘SERVES RETIREMENT NOTICE’ FOR MP GRAY By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
WITH two weeks remaining before voters across the country take to the polls to elect the nation’s next government, the Free National Movement’s (FNM) campaign machinery moved into Acklins to serve a notice of retirement to incumbent MICAL MP Alfred Gray and the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP). In an addressed delivered before dozens of residents in Salina Point, considered PLP stronghold, FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis presented an array of policy items geared toward jumpstarting the island of Acklins and the greater MICAL area. Dr Minnis urged voters to see his party’s slate of candidates as a true opportunity for change in the isolated community. Speaking directly to the issues of Acklins, Dr Minnis said his administration will immediately remove VAT from bread basket items to bring relief to the less fortunate and ease burdens in a community where a large percentage of the population depends on fishing, farming and touristic activities for stable income, considered seasonal employment. Additionally, the FNM leader said his administration will reform and modernise local government. Dr Minnis said his party has plans that will prioritise residents of Acklins and MICAL. He told the crowd gathered: “No longer will you be neglected. Acklins, like other Family Islands, can only be developed if it has the proper infrastructure.” He continued: “The right infrastructure will help in the development of tourism and will significantly boost your economy.” “The FNM will repair your dock at Spring Point, and complete the paving of your roads. “We will also work hard to ensure that Lovely Bay and Snug Corner have potable drinking water. “We will ensure your healthcare needs are fully addressed with a new fully staffed clinic.” He also said: “Acklins, education is the key to your further development. An FNM government will ensure that you have access to good preschool education, and a new high school in Salina Point. “We will also work towards ensuring that you have a sub office to pay your electricity bills in a timely manner.” Dr Minnis said that all students in Acklins who qualify for the University of The Bahamas will be assisted with accommodations and provided with a monthly stipend to assist with living costs. “Our goal is to work aggressively with the University of The Bahamas, to ensure that policies are put in place to allow each and
every qualified Bahamian student free education.” He continued: “Acklins, you know the value of land ownership especially for you living on the Family Islands. Land is a major requirement for wealth creation and economic empowerment.” “We cannot continue the past practice of laying out the red carpet for foreigners to own and lease Crown lands while at the same time tying Bahamians up in red tape with no land. “Acklins, we will fix this problem for you. “We pledge that immediately upon becoming the government, we will begin the process of expediting all Crown land applications. The vexing problems associated with generation and commonage lands will also be addressed.” MICAL has been represented by Alfred Gray since 2002. The FNM has selected Miriam Emmanuel as its standard-bearer in the constituency. Mrs Emmanuel, pastor and director of church operations for Good Samaritan Kingdom Ministries in Salina Point, Acklins since 1989, replaced Walt Saunders, who was named the FNM’s MICAL candidate but later withdrew because of health reasons. The party his hoping that her inroads in the area will yield quality results in Mr Gray’s most trusted polling division in MICAL. Salina Point, which on average yields roughly 110 voters, often elects Mr Gray by a wide margin. Of Mrs Emmanuel, Dr Minnis said that she has proven that she will be dedicated and will fight for Acklins, a community she calls home. Dr Minnis said: “(Mr) Gray represents the old, he represents the past, and he represents the no good corrupt practices of the PLP. His season is up. (Mr) Gray must go.” Scandals Again addressing scandals that have unfolded during the Christie administration’s time in office, Dr Minnis warned residents not to be “fooled” by the PLP. “They are an elite business group who use politics to serve the corrupt interests of themselves, their families, and lovers,” Dr Minnis added. He reminded the crowd of Mr Gray’s 2015 judicial interference scandal, for which he was relieved of his Cabinet post as minister responsible for local government amid a police investigation into allegations that he used his power to interfere with the judicial process. Dr Minnis last evening told supporters that if it were any other Bahamian accused of the same thing, they would have been taken before the courts. He again hit out at Prime Minister Perry Christie, accusing him of keeping government deals secret and
FNM supporters during the rally in Bimini. not giving a proper account of value added tax spending. “This same Christie, on a public stage, raised his middle finger at Bahamians,” said Dr Minnis. He told residents that it is time for Mr Christie and his party to be voted out of office as punishment for its in-
justices against the country. On Monday at a party rally in Bimini, Dr Minnis continued his calls for the firing of Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald following the incumbent Marathon MP’s admission that he solicited contracts from Baha Mar while he sat as a Cabinet minister.
“Jerome Fitzgerald should be fired, he should be fired but we have heard nothing, from Prime Minister Christie but since Christie would not fire Jerome, we need to fire all of them,” Dr Minnis said. He added: “Did Christie know what Jerome was doing to Baha Mar? Some of
the senior PLPs have family business connections to Baha Mar including Allyson Maynard-Gibson, it is poetic justice that the man who read other people’s emails on the floor of Parliament now has his own emails leaked. As we say in The Bahamas, God don’t like ugly.”
PAGE 6, Wednesday, April 26, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
50th murder victim of year found dead in road from page one Police identified him last night as Geneiro Rahming, of King Street. His murder means that 619 people have been killed since the Progressive Liberal Party took office in May, 2012, according to The Tribune’s records. Ahead of the 2012 general election, the PLP posted billboards throughout New Providence - in areas heavily trafficked by tourists and locals - which said there had been more than 490 killings under the fiveyear Ingraham administration. The PLP, then in opposition, campaigned that it had the answer to violent crime
while the Ingraham administration did not. It promised that if elected it would get crime under control. Yesterday’s homicide took place around 2.30am in Coconut Grove. According to Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean, police received reports that the body of a man was lying in the road on 3rd Street, the Grove. When officers arrived at the scene they found the lifeless body of an man who had been shot. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The murder comes after police in Grand Bahama arrested two men in connection with the fatal shooting of a young man on Sunday night at an apartment
complex in Caravel Beach, Freeport. That murder took place shortly after 11pm on Amberjack Street. According to reports, police were called to an apartment complex where shots were heard. When officers arrived on the scene they discovered the lifeless body of a man on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds to his body. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have not identified the victim, but The Tribune understands he is Khali Fox. Another man was killed around 10pm on Saturday in New Providence. According to reports, police received information that a man was shot in front of
a home on Knowles Drive, off Tonique Williams-Darling Highway. When officers arrived, they found the lifeless body of a man lying on the ground. The victim had been shot several times. He was pronounced dead at the scene. He has been identified as Ryan Munnings. Another homicide took place shortly after 10pm on Friday off Augusta Street. According to reports, a man was driving his vehicle in the area of Bola Alley and Augusta Street when two men armed with handguns approached his vehicle and fired several shots at him before fleeing the area on foot. The victim was pro-
nounced dead at the scene. Police have identified him as Kenrick Frazer. A few hours earlier, shortly after 4pm, police were on the scene of another homicide, this time in the Market Street area. Police said a group of men were standing in front of a car wash on Market Street, near Palm Tree Avenue, when the occupants of a dark coloured vehicle pulled up and fired several shots at them before speeding off. Two of the men were shot and taken to hospital. One of the men died shortly after his arrival at the hospital and the other is listed in serious condition. Police have identified the victim as Patrick Thompson of Coral Harbour.
Officers chased the suspects into the Ridgeland Park area, where the three men fled on foot from the getaway vehicle. Officers chased the men again and caught the three suspects near a bushy area. Police discovered on the men a tech 9 automatic firearm and a .40 pistol along with several rounds of ammunition. Police believe the three suspects are responsible for several homicides and armed robberies. Anyone with information on any of these homicides is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS. Investigations continue.
2,600 ENROL IN NHI IN TWO DAYS from page one
“I’m delighted that we have reached this far but the work just begins,” he said. Dr Gomez said he was confident that more providers will come forward over time as resistance to the scheme among the private medical community subsided. The Christie administration’s NHI primary care phase has been given a $100 million budget, through a mixture of funds ‘repurposed’ from elsewhere in its spending budget and tax revenues likely produced by value added tax (VAT). However, the government has yet to disclose how much NHI will cost should it be rolled out to its full extent, and who will finance it, with many Bahamians fearing new or increased taxes are inevitable to fund such an expensive social programme. When asked if there had been any further consid-
eration, Dr Gomez said: “That’s not moved yet, let me leave it there. Right now the government is funding it out of the (public) purse but I don’t think you could continue that way. Somewhere down the line we will look at other means, there are some things that have been suggested from the very first dissertation on this, sin taxes and so on, as one.” Bahamians can enrol in NHI Bahamas and select their doctor online at www. nhibahamas.gov.bs, or in person at the following enrolment locations in New Providence: Cotton Tree Plaza at Bernard Road, Fox Hill; Enoch Beckford Memorial Auditorium on Carmichael Road; and New Providence Community Centre on Blake Road. Persons in the Family Islands can enrol online or in-person at their local NIB office, the Secretariat said. To enrol, people will need their NIB smart card and proof that they have resided in The Bahamas for the last six months.
THE REGISTRATION process for NHI underway at the Enoch Backford Centre.
Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
MACKEY OWNED STOLEN VEHICLE from page one
‘Rickey’ Mackey is not a fit and proper person to be elect to the House of Assembly.” On the matter of the “stolen” vehicle, Mr Roberts alleged that a luxury 2014 Infinity Jeep stolen from Florida in 2013 was found in the possession of Mr Mackey, driven by him and
licensed up to August 2017. Mr Roberts said the Jeep’s vehicle identification number (VIN) was confirmed by Enterprises Holding Rental (EHR), which reported that the vehicle had been rented to a Bahamian woman from Abaco at the time the theft was reported on December 3, 2013. He alleged: “An investigation revealed that no re-
cords existed to verify the importation of this into the Bahamas; no record of the vehicle and no record of the importer. This vehicle was found on Harbour Island with Harbour Island license plate No. 1832 and licensed up to August 2017. The car was in the possession of Howard ‘Rickey’ Mackey and driven by him.” Mr Roberts further alleged: “Shortly after I disclosed the non-payment of customs duties dating back to 2001, Howard ‘Ricky’ Mackey caused for the stolen vehicle to be taken to the Governor’s Harbour police compound where he reported to the police that he has reasons to believe the vehicle was stolen.” The stolen vehicle claim mirrors reports concerning the PLP’s candidate for Nassau Village Dion Smith, Deputy Speaker of the House, who had been in possession of a BMW valued at $30,000 that was reported stolen from a rental company in Florida. According to documents obtained by The Tribune, the rental company, Budget Rent a Car System Inc, traced its car to the Bahamas some time between 2015 to 2016. When found on the East Bay Street condominium property where Mr Smith lives, the BWM 328I bore a New Providence licence plate but did not have a licence disc affixed to its windshield, according to the leaked documents, rais-
HOWARD ‘RICKEY’ MACKEY ing questions about how a If so, from whom? How did stolen vehicle was licensed the 1994 Infinity Jeep come without proper paperwork into the possession of Howdisplaying its ownership. ard ‘Rickey’ Mackey? According to Mr Rob“. . . Was the vehicle inerts, Mr Smith had told him sured? If yes by what insurthat he had bought the car ance company?” from a local bank and later According to the PLP sold the car to another man. chairman, Mr Mackey’s alMr Smith has not re- leged unpaid RTD debts sponded to the questions extend as far back as 2009. asked by The Tribune, Mr Roberts further claimed much of which echoes the that he had a fleet of unliquestions directed at Mr censed vehicles. Mackey by Mr Roberts yesMr Roberts also claimed terday. that an untrained and un“The unanswered ques- licensed employee of Mr tions are the following,” Mr Mackey’s propane business Roberts said. “How was the was injured on the job after vehicle transported to the the driver of his gas truck Bahamas? Was it in a con- accidentally opened the tainer? nozzle on a gas valve. “Did Howard Rickey He continued: “I am adMackey purchase the vehi- vised that Mackey has a cercle from someone locally? tificate of competency for
LPG and had started the licensing process some two months ago, but had not returned the application with the required liability insurance to date. “People on Harbour Island have serious concerns that Mackey parks his propane truck in such close proximity to residential homes,” he added. These claims follow The Tribune’s report last Thursday that Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald solicited contracts from Baha Mar’s original developer Sarkis Izmirlian. Although there has been no formal response from the government, the PLP has interpreted Thursday’s story as a leak by opponents to damage the PLP’s re-election bid. At the time, Mr Roberts pledged to drop “bombshells” about the FNM’s Free Town candidate Dionisio D’Aguilar and Mr Mackey. This is Mr Roberts’ second attack on Mr Mackey’s tax compliance, in the first, the PLP Chairman revealed that Mr Mackey had failed to pay customs duties that had been outstanding since 2001. Mr Mackey settled the 15-year tax debt of $9,500 to the Department of Customs a few days later. When contacted yesterday about the allegations, Mr Collie said the FNM is “not concerned” and would respond in due course.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, April 26, 2017. PAGE 7
Justice Bain has her tenure extended for another year By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
SUPREME Court judge Justice Rhonda Bain, who reached retirement age last week, had her tenure extended for another year, The Tribune understands. At January’s opening ceremony for the new legal year, Chief Justice Sir Hartman Longley announced that he and Justice Bain would reach the mandatory retirement age in February and April this year. On February 8, the Cabinet
office announced that Sir Hartman’s application for a two-year extension on the Bench had been granted. He also told the Bar that Justice Bain, whose term ended this month, had also applied for a two-year extension. But up to that time nothing had been heard from her application. Justice Roger Gomez, who requested and was given a two-month extension in November, also retired from the bench on January 25. Although Justice Bain had applied for a two-year extension, she was only
granted a year on Monday. On February 8, a statement issued by the Cabinet Office noted that in accordance with Article 96 (1) of the Constitution, Governor-General Dame Marguerite Pindling, acting on the recommendation of Prime Minister Perry Christie, after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition Loretta ButlerTurner, extended Sir Hartman’s appointment. There was no mention of Justice Bain’s application in the communication at the time. A day before, Justice Bain
had dismissed Mr Christie’s “no merit” recusal application which argued that she, while awaiting an approval of her application to extend her tenure as a Supreme Court judge, cannot be perceived to be impartial in hearing an ongoing judicial review into allegations that Lyford Cay resident Peter Nygard illegally increased the size of his property. Attorneys for Mr Christie filed a motion in the Supreme Court on January 26 asking that Justice Bain recuse herself from the judicial review - or any other cases in which he was
a party - on the basis that she was about to attain the legal age for retirement in April. The motion was filed by Mr Christie’s lawyers in his capacity as minister responsible for Crown land and was argued on January 30. In her 40-page ruling on the recusal, Justice Bain reminded Mr Christie of the independence of the judiciary from the executive, stressing that cases are distributed by the chief justice – a role that cannot be “usurped by the prime minister.”
The judge also said Mr Christie should have immediately filed a motion seeking her recusal if he had concerns, instead of choosing to “sit back and do nothing for upwards of seven months” while other Nygard matters were continuing in court. On March 16, the Court of Appeal unanimously rejected the prime minister’s application for leave to begin appellate proceedings into Justice Bain’s decision not to recuse herself from judicial review cases involving construction works at Nygard Cay.
WITNESSES FAIL TO SHOW UP IN VOTER FRAUD TRIAL CASE By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
WITNESSES in a voter fraud case were no shows for the trial in Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Andrew Johnson, 57, a long serving Water and Sewerage Corporation employee, reappeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney for the expected start of his case on the charge of making a false declaration, contrary to Section 94(a) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, Chapter 7. However, police prosecutor Sgt Philip Davis requested an adjournment of the proceedings on the basis that the witnesses, most of whom were based in Eleuthera, were not available. Johnson’s lawyer, Philip Hilton, protested this, however, arguing that the police took a plane to Eleuthera to bring his client back to the capital in handcuffs and to face arraignment. He said by the same token, police should be able to use their police plane to bring the witnesses from Eleuthera. He also argued that May 10, the date of the general election, was near and his client should not be denied his right to vote. Mr Hilton further stressed that since Johnson’s March 29 arraign-
ment, he had yet to receive the witness statements that make up the prosecution’s case against his client. Magistrate McKinney inquired from the prosecutor on the latter point and Sgt Davis explained that he too was not in possession of the documents despite every effort, up to the date of trial, made to obtain the file and associated statements from the investigation unit relative to the case in question. Sgt Davis also suggested that it may be best to transfer the case to Eleuthera for trial given the circumstances. The magistrate, however, said it was unacceptable that nearly a month later that the prosecution was not in a position to proceed with the case brought against Johnson. He said at the least, Parliamentary Commissioner Sherlyn Hall, who is based in Nassau, should have been present to commence the proceedings. However, as two dates had been fixed for trial, the magistrate adjourned the matter to May 1. Magistrate McKinney said that if the prosecution is not in a position to proceed, then it ought to take a certain course of action concerning the charge. He also ordered that the accused’s attorney be given
the statements to prepare their defence no later than April 26. It is alleged that Johnson, between February 27 and February 28, while at Harbour Island and under oath, made a statement before Revising Officer Lucy Butler for the purpose of registering to vote knowing the statement to be false. The section under which Johnson was charged notes that “any person who - (a) makes any false statement, for the purpose of being registered as a voter; or in answer to any lawful enquiry by a revising officer, returning officer or presiding officer, or for the purpose of making any objection to the registration of any other person as voter, or in any oath or declaration taken or made by him by virtue of any of the requirements of this act, knowing such statement to be false; shall be guilty of an offence against this act, and any person who aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission of any such offence shall also be guilty of an offence against this act.” When called on to answer to the charge at his arraignment last month, Johnson pleaded not guilty. The revising officer and Mr Hall are two of six witnesses listed to give evidence. Johnson remains on bail.
TRIAL DATE NEXT YEAR FOR MAN ACCUSED OF 2013 ATTEMPTED RAPE By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
A NEW trial date in 2018 has been fixed for a man concerning an incident of attempted rape in 2013. Otto Moss, 30, was due to stand trial before Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs on April 18 for the expected start of his case. However, the judge was presented with a medical slip last week indicating that Moss was not fit to attend work for seven days.
The document was dated April 13 and expired April 20. The judge inquired from attorney Ian Cargill for further details as a jury had been empanelled for the matter. Mr Cargill, after a brief recess, indicated that his client had not only food poisoning but was also dealing with the recent death of his mother. He said his client would provide proof of both to the court. Due to this, the case was
adjourned to Tuesday, April 25, for a fixture hearing. When yesterday’s fixture hearing was called, the parties agreed to a June 4, 2018 trial date. Moss had pleaded not guilty to the charge of attempted rape when formally arraigned in the Supreme Court on March 21, 2014. He remains on bail and is represented by Mr Cargill. Cordell Frazier and Anya Allen appeared for the Crown in yesterday’s fixture hearing.
POLICE HUNT FOR MAN IN MURDER INVESTIGATION POLICE are looking for 28-year-old Alfred George, who they believe can help with an ongoing murder investigation. Mr George is a resident of Tonique WilliamsDarling Highway. He has a dark brown com-
plexion, a medium build and is about 5ft 7in to 5ft 11in. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 919 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-8477 or 242300-8476 in the Family Islands.
ALFRED GEORGE
JAMAL Bowe receives medical attention at the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Medical Facility on Monday.
JET SKIER RESCUED AFTER TWO DAYS WITHOUT FOOD AND WATER A JET skier who was stranded for two days on an island in the northern Bahamas without food or water has been rescued. Jamaal Bowe reportedly left Rose Island on Saturday for Nassau but his jet ski experienced engine failure in rough seas and he eventually drifted ashore on the southern coast of Sandy Point, Abaco. He was found by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force while they were assisting other maritime partners in
the search for two men who had gone missing off Grand Bahama on Friday. The Defence Force was notified and a patrol aircraft, piloted by Lt Marcellinus Rolle, was deployed. Mr Bowe was spotted by the aircraft around 1pm on Monday. The US Coast Guard was notified and he was retrieved by helicopter at around 5pm. He was able to contact police by cell phone informing them that he was near a red and white lighthouse. He received medical care
after he was rescued. The Defence Force also conducted an air search for two Bahamians who left McLean’s Town, Grand Bahama, in a small craft for Moore’s Island on Friday afternoon. Defence Force Marines based in Grand Bahama have teamed up with the Police Marines to assist with the search. BASRA personnel, local volunteers and the United States Coast Guard are also engaged in the search using vessels and aircraft.
PAGE 8, Wednesday, April 26, 2017
AN AERIAL view of the dump fire that broke out just a couple of days before Baha Mar’s opening.
THE TRIBUNE
Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
Smoke continues to obscure landfill bid process F
ACED by another toxic fire at the Harrold Road dump as a general election nears, the government has swung into action with an express ‘request for proposals’ (RFP) to fix the problem. The original dump was transformed into a sanitary landfill in the late 90s, with financing and guidance from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). But equipment and management failures over time spawned an environmental disaster, surrounded by housing estates. As well as failing to implement and sustain the IDB’s fully funded plans, successive governments have routinely ignored numerous integrated waste management proposals from Bahamian and foreign experts over the past 20odd years. Now, in a rush to impress voters, bids have been requested for the “remediation and management” of the dump. The request was issued on April 10 and proposals must be submitted by today - an unheard of time-frame for such a big project. It is understood that bids are being submitted, but for some strange reason the government has sought to keep all details under a cloak of secrecy. Bidders are under a gag order not to talk to the press. And no information on the terms and conditions is provided in the RFP notice other than the basic requirements - a $10,000 non-refundable fee and a signed non-disclosure agreement. Normally, a non-disclo-
sure agreement seeks to protect proprietary information provided by bidders. British procurement law, for example, requires contracting parties to protect elements of tenders which bidders have “reasonably designated” as confidential. But keeping a lid on the actual terms of reference for a public project is inexplicable. It should be obvious to everyone that transparency is indispensable for a sound public procurement process - to everyone but our cabinet ministers, that is. Details of the government’s previous failed effort to fix the dump (when Renew Bahamas was given a contract in 2013 outside an existing RFP process) were also kept secret, despite numerous public demands over several years. Renew walked off the job last year and we are still no wiser about the terms of their contract. I daresay that disclosing the terms for managing a public dump would not qualify for a top-secret classification anywhere but in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Update on solar In December, this column revealed that the Utilities Regulation and Com-
Funeral Service BERNARD GREGORY JOHNSON, 79 of Glinton Square, and formerly of Gregory Town, Eleuthera, will be held on Thursday, 27th April 2017, 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Boyd Road. Monsignor John Johnson will officiate. Interment will follow in the church’s cemetery, Tyler Street. Bernard is predeceased by his daughter, Donna Smith. He is survived by five grandchildren: Sophie, Patrick, Dominique, Lakeisha Smith and Lashawn Turnquest; nine great-grandchildren: Shelayah, Shannon, Doniqua, Kennedy, Warren, Janiah, Brianna, Lashawn II and Joshua; three sisters: Sister Agnes Johnson, O.S.B., Carolyn Moxey; aka rita and Cynthia Neely; thirteen nieces; sixteen nephews; other relatives including: The Thompson, Johnson, Petty and Cambridge Families, Monsignor John Johnson, Lewis Street community, the entire community of Gregory Town, and other families and friends too numerous to mention. Friends may pay their last respects at Bethel Brothers Morticians #34 Nassau Street, on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until service time.
petition Authority (URCA) was working with Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) to set up a licensing and regulatory system for renewable energy. This comes right at the end of the government’s term - meaning that another five years has gone by without any appreciable progress on fossil fuel reduction, energy efficiency or the use of renewables. Renewable energy provisions in the 2015 Electricity Act cover self-generation by homes and businesses (using solar panels or wind turbines, for example) together with grid interconnection and utility billing credits (known as net metering). The law also provides for utility-scale renewable energy generation, based on power purchase agreements to be negotiated between BPL and third party providers. But everything has been on hold, ostensibly until URCA, BPL and the Ministry of Works (MOW) sort things out. In fact, progress has been continuously delayed and obstructed - despite the fact that solar in particular is a mature and cost-effective technology with many benefits for the environment and the economy. In spite of all this stonewalling, there are already hundreds of residential and small business solar photovoltaic installations around the country - including those operated by cabinet
ministers. But less costly cians to sign off on another grid-tied facilities (which application and then go don’t require batteries) and through another lengthy innet metering were not al- spection process to be comlowed until recently. pliant with the new regulaAs I reported, URCA’s tions. preliminary consultation This is primarily for safedocument in December ty reasons, and secondarcalled for publication of a ily for records management final document in January with regard to the compofollowed by a period of pub- nent of the national energy lic consultation ending on demand being met by reMarch 31. A final document newables, Cambridge said. was never published and it “The inspection of off-grid is unclear whether any sub- systems will be facilitated missions were received in by URCA and the Ministry response to the public con- of Works where applicable.” sultation. Existing systems were But BPL launched its inspected according to the small-scale self-generation 2015 Canadian Electrical programme a month ago Code, which is applied in without any fanfare (the the Bahamas. And since details can be found on its all solar systems were inwebsite). And according to spected by current Ministry URCA’s newly appointed of Works electrical inspecdirector for the electric- tors, what could possibly ity sector - exhave changed BEC manager to require new Shevonn Cam- ‘Another five inspections bridge - the years has gone (other than for details are still by without any record-keepbeing finalised. ing)? This will “The rel- appreciable only create a evant agen- progress on fossil bureaucratic cies (URCA, fuel reduction, bottleneck for MOW and the renewables BPL) are work- energy efficiency sector. ing to final- or the use of Asked how ise the safety, renewables.’ long the intechnical and spection procommercial cess can be terms,” he told me. “At this expected to take, Camstage it is considered to be bridge was philosophical: in a beta-testing mode, with “The maximum time frame wide-scale publication pro- should not be more than jected to commence in mid- two months from receipt of May.” a properly completed appliWhy a technology that cation. It should be noted, has been in use for over however, that due to the three decades around the volume anticipated within world needs beta testing the initial period, this time here is beyond me - as well frame may be exceeded. as most experts I talk to. URCA will closely monitor It is even more inexplica- progress to ensure that apble when we consider that plications are processed as BPL is managed by South- quickly as possible.” ern Power, which has years The good news is that of experience installing there is finally - after more megawatt solar plants in than a decade of shuffling the US. and jiving - an official reAnd the bad news is that gime for small-scale genthe owners of all currently eration of renewable energy inspected and installed re- in The Bahamas. newable systems will now But according to Camhave to get one of the few bridge, URCA’s review of local three-phase electri- BPL’s Utility Scale Renew-
able Energy plan is still underway and won’t be completed until late this year. Then the regulations will have to be brought into force, followed by a procurement process. So we are likely to be approaching 2020 before anything concrete can happen at this level - hardly acceptable for an island nation touted as a “world leader” in sustainable energy. The Government and freedom of information Official stonewalling is not confined to the renewable energy sector. Both the Ingraham and Christie administrations enacted freedom of information laws at the end of their respective terms, but neither have been brought into force. The cabinet minister responsible for the latest Freedom of Information Act - Jerome Fitzgerald has said he expects to appoint an Information Commissioner soon. But most experts familiar with the law say the appointment process is seriously flawed. It stands to reason that the Information Commissioner should be appointed by an independent process, such as the Judicial Services Committee or a parliamentary select committee, with representation from the Opposition. Additionally, civil society representatives should be included in the decisionmaking process - either though membership on the select committee or by the publication of a shortlist of candidates for public feedback. If the current provisions are brought into force, the Information Commissioner will be a creature of the government, and so will be unlikely to make decisions that are not agreeable to the political directorate. • What do you think? Send comments to lsmith@ tribunemedia.net or visit www.bahamapundit.com.
READERS’ VIEWS ON ‘GUTTER POLITICS’ AFTER Reverend Laish Boyd, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands, denounced the “gutter politics and venom” associated with the general election, readers responded on tribune242.com. TalRussell asked: “It is time somebody whispered in the ear of the good Bishop Laish, that gutter politics on the side of the government and opposition parties might just be the people’s only freedom of speech to deliver their election messages? The louder your political opposition squeals - the closer you are to the target in exposing them and their questionable deeds, and actions - and some bad things been going on. Comrade Bishop, were you encouraged by one political side to issue this statement?” The_Oracle wondered: “Do you really think, aside a few decent individuals, that the ‘incumbents’ from
either side want anything to change? They have, over the course of 50 years, ‘trained the public’ to buy into the personal attacks and innuendo of wrong doing. I say innuendo because if the real dirt surfaces they will all be shaking in their boots! What decent lawabiding citizen wants to either be associated with the majority in power or be subjected to the ‘allegations of the corrupt’ or the complete lack of decorum? These jokers cannot even abide the principal of ‘honour amongst thieves’.” Licks2 said: “Now that his party is ‘on the ropes’ and getting gut punched from all sides he wants to say that the other sides dem
are playing too dirty like . . . where was dis man when the PLP (inclusive of BBB) are all over the place talking trash about everybody and they mar? I would only say to the good gentleman to play fair . . . or lee them chirrins dem alone with they dirty fight . . . and let dem PLP take they blows like they gave dem!! Lol!” Tribune Business reported that Senior Chamber of Commerce executives have urged the credit rating agencies to factor Baha Mar’s opening into their next assessments of the Bahamas’ sovereign creditworthiness. Banker had this response: “These guys are smart enough to know that the only thing that counts is a positive revenue statement from Baha Mar. The greatest bellwether of success is to examine the advance bookings now with travel agencies and online GDS systems. The first time it was announced that Baha
Mar was opening, folks booked rooms by the thousands for weddings and holidays. That well has been poisoned. I’d love to see the advance booking numbers. Somehow, I don’t think that they are impressive.” Sickened said: “Baha Mar really isn’t opened yet so let’s wait for that before we run to S&P for a review. Our VAT money paid for this so called ‘opening’ so any stimulus to the economy was through government funding and since government has no cash it was done through debt, which doesn’t result in an economic stimulus.” OldFort2012 had this to say: “0% GDP growth for 4 years straight, 12% unemployment, massive budget deficits, GDP to debt ratio of over 75% . . . and these guys want an upgrade? Pigs will fly first.” • Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, April 26th, 2017, PAGE A9
EARTH MONTH SPECIAL UBER TAKING TO THE SKIES WITH NEXT RIDE HAILING PROJECT UBER is taking to the skies with its next project — “flying cars” — even as all eyes are on its problems on the ground. On Tuesday, the embattled ride-hailing company announced plans for an on-demand network of electric aircraft that can take off and land vertically, like a helicopter. It wants to test a network for such vehicles by 2020. The company says its partners in this Elevate initiative include real estate companies, aircraft manufacturers, electric vehicle charger makers and the cities of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. Uber’s Jeff Holden says urban aviation “is a natural next step for Uber.” Uber has been reeling from executive departures and accusations of sexual harassment at its workplace. Results of an internal investigation are expected in May.
GM PLANS TO LAUNCH
10 ELECTRIC CARS IN CHINA BY 2020 GENERAL Motors Co. plans to launch 10 electric and gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles in China by 2020, an executive has said, as automakers speed up the rollout of alternative vehicles under pressure from Beijing to promote the industry. GM will start production of a pure-electric model in China within two years, Matt Tsien, president of GM China, told a news conference during the Shanghai auto show last week. He said GM expects annual sales of 150,000 electric and hybrid cars in China by 2020 and possibly in excess of 500,000 by 2025. Ford Motor Co., Volkswagen AG, Nissan Motor Co. and other automakers also have announced aggressive plans to make and sell electric vehicles in China, the biggest auto market by number of units sold. On Tuesday, GM unveiled a hybrid version of the Chevrolet Volt to be manufactured in China and sold under its Buick brand. China’s communist government has the world’s
most ambitious electric car goals, hoping both to clean up smog-choked cities and to take a lead in an emerging industry. Regulators are pressing foreign brands to help develop the industry. Regulators jolted the industry by proposing a requirement that electrics account for at least eight per cent of each brand’s production by next year, rising to 10 per cent in 2019 and 12 percent in 2020. Automakers say they may be unable to meet those targets and regulators have suggested they might be reduced or postponed. Beijing also is due to enforce what auto executives say are the world’s most stringent emissions standards. They say that is likely to require all manufacturers to include electrics in their lineup to meet targets for average fleet emissions. “In the next several years, out to 2020, we expect to launch at least 10 new energy vehicles into the marketplace,” said Tsien, using the government’s term for electric and hybrid vehicles. “We
SAIC-GM president Wang Yongping announces the global launch of the Buick Velite 5, an extended range electric hybrid, during a global launch event ahead of the Shanghai Auto 2017 show in Shanghai, China, last week. (AP) have a pipeline that is going to materialise, that’s going to put us in a very good position from a fuel economy requirement perspective.” All the vehicles will be manufactured in China, he said. GM, which competes with VW for the status of China’s top-selling automaker, reported 2016 sales rose 7.1 percent to a record 3.9 million vehicles. Foreign automakers had been reluctant to sell electric cars in China because regulators required them to transfer valuable intellectual property to local partners or face import duties of 25 percent even if the vehicles were produced at a Chinese fac-
tory. Beijing has eased those requirements in an effort to attract foreign participants, though automakers say the final ground rules for electric vehicle production have yet to be announced. “We have no concerns relative to amount of IP that has to be shared. We have a fairly clear understanding of what the rules of engagement are,” said Tsien. “For vehicles where General Motors owns the IP, we have had longstanding technology licensing agreements with our partner. Those work effectively.” The government is expanding China’s network of charging stations to reduce “range anxiety,” or buyers’ fear of running out of power. The Cabinet’s planning agency
announced a goal in February of having 100,000 public charging stations and 800,000 private stations operating by the end of this year. Electric cars also are exempt from sales tax and license plate quotas Beijing, Shanghai and other cities use to curb congestion and smog. Still, sales of electric and gasoline-electric hybrids fell 4.4 per cent from a year earlier in the first quarter to 55,929 vehicles while SUV purchases rose 21 per cent to 2.4 million. Tsien said manufacturers will need to develop vehicles that appeal to customers. “The industry has to work on very hard to educate customers with regard to the merits,” he said.
Q: WHAT IS AN EV? An EV is an electric vehicle. It does not require any gasoline and is propelled by an electric motor using energy from the electricity grid or from solar, stored in rechargeable batteries. The motor provides instant torque, creating strong, smooth acceleration. Around three times as efficient as cars with traditional combustion engines, the running costs of an EV are usually very low. EVs also run quietly and do not emit tailpipe pollutants. The world’s top selling highway-capable electric car is the Nissan LEAF. Q: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EVS AND HYBRID CARS? The primary difference between an EV and a Hybrid car is that the Hybrid derives some of its power from a conventional gasoline engine, requiring visits to the gas station and regular service of the combustion engine. A true 100 per cent electric car like the Nissan LEAF gets all of its power from electrical sources, including solar power and thereby is a completely zero-emission vehicle.
THE Bahamas Cabinet Office, the Department of Inland Revenue, Civil Aviation and Social Services have all used
the Nissan LEAFs.
100 PER CENT ELECTRIC VEHICLES ADDED TO GOVERNMENT FLEETS THE Ministry of Finance has made the move towards greener transportation by leasing eight zero-emission, 100 per cent electric Nissan LEAFs, the world’s best-selling electric vehicle (EV), from Easy Car Sales, the only local provider of 100 per cent electric cars. The Bahamas Government is reaping the benefits of switching to electric transportation by saving on fuel and maintenance costs, which in turn improves the bottom line of the National Budget to the benefit of all taxpayers. To date, The Bahamas Cabinet Office, Department of Inland Revenue, Civil Aviation, and Social Services have all
enjoyed the reliability, durability and the ability to meet the driving range needs of its drivers, who are all very pleased with the smooth ride and luxury features of the Leaf. According to Ms. Pia Farmer, Director of Easy Car Sales, the Government’s desire to reduce its carbon footprint is encouraging. It demonstrates an interest in bringing The Bahamas in step with the growing trend of greener transportation around the world and helps align the nation with our 2030 Energy Policy goals. Bloomberg magazine has predicted that the 2020’s will
be “the decade of the electric vehicle’, and sales of EVs worldwide have shown a healthy increase year-over-year since 2014, reflecting the choice of more environmentally conscious consumers. “We are seeing more and more interest in EVs at Easy Car Sales not only from the government sector but also from business owners and individual consumers who are learning that EVs are not only good for the environment but also great for their pocketbook. “It’s just a matter of time before more of us recognise the benefits of joining the EV revolution,” said Ms. Farmer.
Q: WILL I RUN OUT OF POWER WITH AN EV? With a conventional combustion engine vehicle, you make plans to refill the tank with gas when it is running low. With an EV, you fill up at home, at work, or on the road by plugging in at your convenience any time. Fully charged, the range of a Nissan LEAF is up to 100 miles and the majority of drivers drive less than 30 miles per day, so the battery will not be empty, even if you forget to plug in sometimes. Q: HOW DO I CHARGE AN EV? When purchasing an electric vehicle, a charger is included, or you may choose to install a faster option. After installation, just plug in your car. Your EV is fully charged in just a few hours. Similar to cell phones, a full charge is not necessary for use. EVs like the Nissan LEAF can also use regular household power outlets, though this method takes longer. Either way, never stop at a gas station again. Q: HOW WILL AN EV AFFECT MY ELECTRIC BILL? Electric vehicles are very economical. The Nissan LEAF for example, costs approximately 5 cents per mile at current energy prices in the Bahamas. That translates into $5 for a full charge which will take you 100 miles. In general, expect to spend less than a third of what you would normally spend on gasoline - and no combustion engine service. Q: HOW MUCH DOES AN EV COST TO MAINTAIN? Electric vehicles are very low maintenance. With the Nissan LEAF for example, when service is needed, diagnostics are performed on a computer. Since there is no combustion engine, there is no oil change, no spark plugs or pistons, no radiator problems or mufflers, literally 1,000 parts which are not present in an EV to repair or replace. This makes maintenance costs dramatically lower than a traditional vehicle and translates into fewer maintenance visits and lower costs. For more questions about EVs email AskMe@easy242.com.
PAGE 10, Wednesday, April 26, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
The History Makers
ATHLETICS legends and civil rights icons Dr John Carlos, above, and Dr Tommie Smith, below, visited the University of The Bahamas on Monday. The Olympians are renowned not only for their achievements on the trck, but for the salute they made on the rostrum at the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games after Smith won gold and Carlos won bronze in the 200m, pictured right. The pair shared with the university audience their experiences before, in and after Mexico City. Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
BNCP ANGRY AT ELECTION ‘SABOTAGE’ from page one
Full Military Funeral Service SGT. 102 CHARLES WAYNE GREENSLADE, 52 of #1 Abollo Court, Golden Gates #2, will be held on Friday, April 28th, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Wulff and Baillou Hill Roads. Officiating will be Fr. Dwight H. L. Rolle assisted by Fr. Stephen Davies and Fr. Julian Campbell. Interment will follow in Lakeview Memorial Gardens and Mausoleums, John F. Kennedy Drive & Gladstone Road. Loving memories will remain in the hearts of his Loving and Devoted Wife: Monique Greenslade; Daughters: Charlez Greenslade and Roberthea Wright; Sons: Charles Greenslade Jr. and Renaldo Wright; Grandson: Eugene Pinder Jr.; Mother: Leona Greenslade; Sister: Bridgette Smith; Sisters-In-Law: A. Eloise Fernander, Karen Bethel, Rose (Sidney) Greene, Carliemae, Biafia, Juel Barry and Euletta (Valentino) Johnson; Brothers-In-Law: Godfrey (Schandles) Barry and Dundred Barry; Aunts: Dorothy, Veronica, Pernella, Rosa and Barbara; Uncles: Clinton Williams Sr., Holland Forbes and Ronald Greenslade; Nieces & Nephews: Jamie Smith, Tavette and Tanisha Kelly, Melissa Dean, Corporal 2999 Glen Dean Jr., Clarence Rahming Jr., Shakara and Lashonda Hepburn, Serena Williams, Roberta Hudson, Selisha (Todd) Thompson, Simone and Alqueena Neily, Remon Murphy, Maylena Dorestine, Jue’Rissa (Lorenzo) Curtis, Thedore Knowles, Joycelyn Bethel, Carllan and Charles Cambridge, Paul Mortimer; Twenty-two grand nieces and nephews; Cousins: Lewis, Peter, Michael, Vincent, Albert, Jason, Clifton, Marvin, William Jr., Thaddeus Jr., Basil, Corporal 2794 Raymond Rahming, Beverley, Wendy, Doramae, Brendamae, Valerie, Rosalee, Sharmine, Tanya, Katherina, Christina, Amberley, Sonia, Sandra, Judy, Mary, Geraldine, Marion, Kenneth, Louise and Charles; Left to mourn his passing includes: Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade and the Royal Bahamas Police Force, especially the Central Detective and Selective Enforcement Units; Deputy Commissioner Anthony Ferguson, Assistant Commissioners of Police Clayton Fernander, Ashton Greenslade, Paul Rolle, Leamond Deleveaux, Samuel Butler, Kendal Strachan, Ismella Davis Delancey, Elburt Ferguson, Clarence Reckley and Theohyllous Cunningham; Other relatives and friends in mourning include: The Families of The Sweetings, The Deans, The Greenslades, The Barrys, The Woods, The Duncombes, Kendrick & Pearl Williams, Colin & Genevieve Burrows, McCarlton & Aries Demeritte, Greg & Stephanie Smith, Errold & Christine Fernander, Superintendent Philip Hinsey & Inspector Sherell Barr, Deputy Inspector Marcel Hamilton Sands, R/ Sgt. 437 Obinna & Dianne Okpuno, Jeff & Nicola Major, Darren & Deidre Henfield, Whitney & Mary Jane-Moss, Gabriel & Myron Rolle, Gabriel & Myron Rolle, Jasmine Russell, Myra Brown, Trevor Wood, Michael Woodstock, Coolay, Deangelo Wilson, Kadesha Decius, Eugene Pinder Sr., Whopper, Leroy Taylor, Neil Wallace, Shine, Sam Cleare, Vernel Brennen, Marion Capron, Patrice Taylor, Tequila Moss, The Bluff Boys especially Peter and Pascal Heastie. The Bain & Grants Town and Black Village Communities, The Boulevard and The Pit Crew, The Family of Transfiguration Baptist Church, The Family of St. Ambrose Anglican Church & St. Paul’s Anglican Church, The Bluff Eleuthera and the list of well-wishers too long to be listed; Our most humblest apologies if we inadvertently omitted anyone. Viewing will be held at the Paul Farquharson Conference Centre, Police Headquarters, East Street North on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and at the church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until service time.
Campbell said he believed there was an attempt underway to “sabotage” his fledgling party’s campaign as eight of its 15 candidates were listed as Independent and three others listed as part of the “BNCC” and not BNCP. He said that the errors have already impacted his party’s run for office, as supporters are now uncertain of the political persuasion of BNCP candidates. The BNCP was formally the Bahamas National Citizen Coalition (BNCC), an activist group established in 2013. In 2015, the BNCC transitioned to a political party and later changed its name. Mr Campbell said officials at the department assured him that the errors will be corrected, but Par-
YOUR
liamentary Commissioner Sherlyn Hall explained that the candidates were listed as Independent because the BNCP had failed to submit the needed documents for its members. Mr Campbell denied this. BNCP National Chairman Andrew Stewart added that the issues were unacceptable. In response, Mr Hall was on the defensive yesterday when he was asked about the BNCP’s claims and hung up the phone when attempts were made to question him further. “I never received their letters before today,” Mr Hall said, “and that’s the bottom line and some of their candidates were listed as Independent because we never received the letters that they purported to deliver to my office. We have no record of the letter. That’s all I can say.” BNCP Carmichael candi-
date O’Brien Knowles, Lorraine Arthur, the party’s Centreville candidate, Mr Campbell, who is running for the Englerston seat, Randy Rolle for Fort Charlotte, the party’s candidate for Nassau Village Paul Michael Rolle, Tall Pines candidate Frederick Anthony Rolle, Kendal Lewis Jr, who is running for Yamacraw, and Seabreeze candidate Anne Marie Glinton-Rolle were listed as Independent. Angela Cox, Leroy Butler and Don Lockhart were said to be apart of the BNCC. The hopefuls are the BNCP’s candidates for Fox Hill, Mount Moriah and Pinewood respectively. Kishon Turner, the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) candidate for Tall Pines, was also listed as being affiliated with the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) while a lighthouse was shown as his symbol.
CHOICE FOR THE FAMILY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/JOYFM1019
PAGE 12, Wednesday, April 26, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
SOME of the Bahamian volunteers get ready for kick off for the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017 at the National Beach Soccer Arena at Malcolm Park.
Photo: Lea Weil
Volunteers ready to help host international stars MORE than 200 Bahamian volunteers are offering themselves for “national service” to ensure the biggest sports tournament to be hosted in the country goes smoothly. Organisers of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017 have received the help of many Bahamians who are giving their time and expertise to the tournament, which runs from tomorrow to May 7 at the National Beach Soccer Arena at Malcolm Park. The event will feature 16 of the best beach soccer teams in the world. From students on school break to veteran volunteers, Bahamians will be working in roles including hospitality, accreditation and transport. Denzil Sturrup, 42, said he has been volunteering for years as a means to give back to the country has been assigned to the VIP area. “It’s a great experience because you get to showcase the Bahamian people, and our hospitality,” he said. “So it’s not just about the county but the people itself. For those who haven’t heard much about us, we are more than sun, sand and see. We’re about our people and our culture. So, we get to share this with an international audience. “Basically I’m a goodwill ambassador. I have been volunteering for so many different events over the
FROM left, Timothy Moses, general manager of Sanpin Motors; Maddex Murray, KIA Official Match Ball Carrier for the FIFA World Cup Beach Soccer Bahamas 2017 and FIFA Confederation Cup Russia 2017 and Michael Kemp, sales manager at Sanpin Motors, at the handover of vehicles to tournament organisers FIFA. Fans will get to see teams gives me the opportunity to major events said the World just fun. I love doing it,” she past few years. I just did IAAF (World Relays) this from Switzerland, Ecua- work with people around Cup will also allow other said. past weekend. I’ve been do- dor, Senegal, Nigeria, Italy, the world and expose me to countries “to recognise the VIP tickets are still availing it because it’s great for Mexico, Paraguay, Portu- soccer, which is big in The potential that we hold and able for purchase while the things that we can offer general admission to the the country, especially a gal, Panama, Brazil, Tahiti, Bahamas now,” she said. Poland, United Arab EmirReferring to the impact as a country”. tourism country.” games is free. Gates open at She, who has been volun- 2.30am for the group phase Stanley Forbes, 35, said ates, Iran, Japan and the the tournament will have on he has been volunteering hosts, Bahamas, over the the country, Ms Smith add- teering for three years and of the tournament over the ed, “It puts The Bahamas is assigned to transporta- first six days, with matches at multiple sporting events course of ten days. College student Megan on the map in many coun- tion and accreditation, said kicking off at 3.30pm, 5pm, since he was a boy. “So beach soccer was another Smith, 18, said the tourna- tries. It could potentially she offered herself to give 6.30pm and 8pm daily. sport on my list,” he said. ment comes at the perfect help to increase our tourism back to the country. “For Team Bahamas plays “This event will bring more time when she is on a break numbers and it can help to me, I find that it’s just fun Switzerland on Thursday, just to volunteer and give of Senegal on Saturday and tourists to The Bahamas from school. She said she boost our economy.” Janell Braynen, 42, who yourself to The Bahamas. Ecuador on Monday, all at and we get more exposure volunteered because of the opportunities it offers. “This has also worked at multiple It is a community event. It’s 8pm. to the world.”
GRAND BAHAMA CELEBRATION FOR UNIVERSITY THE University of The Bahamas (UB) continues
its official charter events this week with a special
celebration at the Northern Bahamas Campus (NBC)
in East Grand Bahama on Thursday.
UB, which transitioned from The College of The Bahamas, was chartered on November 10, 2016. Thursday’s celebration is the latest event to commemorate the historic charter outside New Providence. “The idea is to ensure that the entire county serves as the campus for the University of The Bahamas, so rather than having all of our centres of excellence on one island we are going to create centres of excellence on several islands throughout the country,” said UB President Dr Rodney Smith. “With Grand Bahama being the centre for industrial, shipping and manufacture enterprises, the focus for the campus should be in these respective areas. Eventually, the College of Engineering and Technology of the University System could be located on this island. “Similarly, the College of Agriculture and Marine Sciences could be located on the island of Andros, in partnership with the Bahamas Agri-
cultural and Marine Sciences Institute (BAMSI). Other colleges within the system will eventually develop on other islands as the university expands, stimulating economic development throughout the country.” Residents in Grand Bahama are encouraged to wear blue today in support of UB which is also partnering with Frank’s Ice Cream to celebrate the charter. On Thursday, the celebration at the Northern Bahamas Campus will encompass a formal charter ceremony beginning at 10am followed by the unveiling of two plaques, one recognising the charter of UB and another commemorating the Grand Bahama Port Authority’s gift of the land on which the campus is constructed. Alumni, friends and supporters of the institution as well as members of the public who support higher education are invited to attend. On Thursday evening, UB alumni are invited to attend a mix and mingle event at Monkey Joe’s to reconnect with their alma mater.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, April 26, 2017, PAGE 13
PAGE 14, Wednesday, April 26, 2017
IN this Feb. 1, 2017 file photo, then-National Security Adviser Michael Flynn speaks during the daily news briefing at the White House, in Washington.
THE TRIBUNE
Flynn ‘appeared to break federal law’ over Russia payments WASHINGTON Associated Press PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, appeared to violate
federal law when he failed to seek permission or inform the US government about accepting tens of thousands of dollars from Russian organisations after a trip there in 2015, leaders of a House oversight committee said Tuesday. The congressmen also raised new questions about fees Flynn received as part of $530,000 in consulting work his company performed for a businessman tied to Turkey’s government. The bipartisan accusations that Flynn may have broken the law come as his foreign contacts are being examined by other congressional committees as part of investigations into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and potential ties between Trump associates and the Kremlin. Congress returned earlier this week from its spring recess, and Tuesday’s announcements reflected renewed interest on Capitol Hill. Reps Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, and Elijah Cummings, D-Md, said they saw no evidence that Flynn, a retired Army lieutenant general, properly disclosed foreign payments he received to military officials or on his security clearance paperwork. Flynn, who headed the military’s top intelligence agency, was Trump’s national security adviser until he was fired in February. Among the payments in question was more than $33,000 that Flynn received in 2015 from the Russia Today television network, which has been described by US intelligence officials as a propaganda front for Russia’s government. “That money needs to be recovered,” said Chaffetz, chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Chaffetz said Flynn was obligated as a retired Army officer to request permission from both the Defense and State departments about prospective foreign government payments before he received them. “There was nothing
in the data to show that Gen Flynn complied with the law,” Chaffetz said. Cummings said Flynn’s failure to formally report the Russian payments on his security clearance paperwork amounted to concealment of the money, which could be prosecuted as a felony. Flynn’s attorney, Robert Kelner, said Flynn reported his plans to travel to Russia to his former agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and he briefed officials there after he returned. Kelner declined to answer questions about whether Flynn properly disclosed the payments. The congressmen spoke after reviewing classified documents regarding Flynn that were provided by the Defense Intelligence Agency. They were also briefed by agency officials. The congressmen declined to describe in detail the materials they reviewed. But Cummings said the documents were “extremely troubling” and he urged the administration to declassify them. Chaffetz and Cummings said they planned to write to the comptroller of the Army and the Defense Department’s inspector general for a final determination as to whether Flynn broke the law and whether the government needs to pursue criminal charges and seek to recover the payments Flynn received. Cummings also criticised the White House for refusing to turn over documents the committee requested about Flynn’s foreign contacts during his three-week stint as national security adviser. In response to a letter to White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, an administration official told the committee that documents relating to those contacts likely contained classified and other sensitive information, weren’t relevant to the committee’s investigation and could not be turned over. “That is simply unacceptable,” Cummings said.
TRUMP SEEKING ‘BIGGEST TAX CUTS IN US HISTORY’ WASHINGTON Associated Press
PRESIDENT Donald Trump plans to propose massive tax cuts for businesses big and small as part of an overhaul that he says will provide the biggest tax cuts in US history. In addition to big tax cuts for corporations, Trump also wants to cut taxes for small business owners from a top tax rate of 39.6 percent to a top rate of 15 percent, said an official with knowledge of the plan. The top tax rate for individuals would be cut from 39.6 percent to the “mid30s”, the official said. White House officials had already revealed that Trump’s plan would reduce the top corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 15 percent. The plan will also include child-care benefits, a cause promoted by Trump’s daughter Ivanka. Republicans who slammed the growing national debt under Democrat Barack Obama said Tuesday they are open to Trump’s tax plan, even though it could add trillions of dollars to the deficit over the next decade. Echoing the White House, Republicans on Capitol Hill argued that tax cuts would spur economic growth, reducing or even eliminating any drop in tax revenue. “I’m not convinced that cutting taxes is necessarily going to blow a hole in the deficit,” said Sen Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, chairman of the Finance Committee. “I actually believe it could
stimulate the economy and get the economy moving,” Hatch added. “Now, whether 15 percent is the right figure or not, that’s a matter to be determined.” The argument that tax cuts pay for themselves has been debunked by economists from across the political spectrum. On Tuesday, the official scorekeeper for Congress dealt the argument — and Trump’s plan — another blow. The nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation said Tuesday that a big cut in corporate taxes — even if it is temporary — would add to long-term budget deficits. This is a problem for Republicans because it means they would need Democratic support in the Senate to pass a tax overhaul that significantly cuts corporate taxes. The assessment was requested by House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis, who has been pushing a new tax on imports to fund lower overall tax rates. Senate Republicans have panned the idea, and officials in the Trump administration have sent mixed signals about it. The import tax is not expected to be part of Trump’s plan. Trump dispatched his top lieutenants to Capitol Hill Tuesday to discuss his plan with Republican leaders. They met for about half an hour. No Democrat was invited. Afterward, Hatch called it, “a preliminary meeting”. “They went into some suggestions that are mere suggestions, and we’ll go from there.”