THURSDAY, JUNE 27,
Blazing boat amputee is ‘hamstrung’ on damages
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor
A US tourist, who lost both her legs when an Exuma tour boat exploded, and her family have been left “hamstrung” in their pursuit of civil damages against the vessel’s owner and captain.
Stefanie Schaffer, an aspiring ballet dancer whose legs were amputated following the fireball that engulfed the 4Cs Adventure vessel on a ‘swimming with the pigs’ excursion, cannot progress her Supreme Court claim because the writ initiating legal action was no longer valid when process servers attempted to serve the defendants.
Justice Carla Card-Stubbs, in a June 18, 2024, verdict acknowledged the consequences of her ruling and conceded that the June 2018 excursion “ended in tragedy that will undoubtedly mar the family for life”. But, while describing this as “regrettable”, she added that the procedural difficulties engulfing Ms Schaffer and
• Tour vessel victim, family wait too long on case
• Judge rules mishap ‘of the parties’ own making’
• Exuma vacation ‘tragedy will mar family for life’
her family were “of the parties’ own making”.
Ms Schaffer, together with her mother and stepfather, Stacy and Paul Bender, and 13-year-old sister, Brooke, launched their damages claim against Clayton Patterson Smith, owner of both 4Cs and the boat; the company; and boat captain,
Roderick Watson, via a June 28, 2021, writ of summons.
They sought general and special damages for personal injury, loss and damage, together with interest and legal costs, on the basis that this had been caused by the defendants’ combined “negligence and/or breach of statutory duty” surrounding the accident.
Besides Ms Schaffer losing both her legs, both her mother and stepfather “suffered serious life threatening injuries” in the boat explosion. However, the writ and relevant legal papers were not served on Mr Patterson Smith, Mr Watson and Four C’s within the 12 months that the former document remained valid.
As a result, Michael Paton, the Bahamian attorney for Ms Schaffer and her family, applied to the Supreme Court for extra time in which to serve the three defendants; an extension of the writ’s validity for 12 months to June 29, 2023; and for permission to serve the action on Murrio Ducille & Co, the law firm
Ex-PM: Dorian abuse costs Gov’t over $1m
By
THE Government has lost more than $1m in Excise Tax revenues on high-end vehicles through persons abusing tax breaks designed to aid post-Dorian recovery, an ex-prime minister charged yesterday.
Dr Hubert Minnis, speaking to Tribune Business after tabling evidence in the House of Assembly to back his allegations, said automobiles were being brought in Excise Tax and VAT-free even though the blanket, all-encompassing Special Economic Recovery Zone (SERZ) Order facilitating
such relief had expired in December 2022. The Davis administration is still providing concessions on a case-by-case basis to persons judged
‘This is harassment, not tax compliance’
By NEIL HARTNELL
Worldwide alert for ex-MP over $6m disputes
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
A WORLDWIDE alert has been issued for a former MP and ex-Supreme Court judge accused of taking more than $6m from clients and then failing to repay them after not delivering the promised services.
Dr Paul Fuchs, one of two alleged victims named in the Interpol ‘red notice’ for Elliott Lockhart KC, told Tribune Business yesterday he remains confident that law enforcement in The Bahamas and globally will “follow through” and that justice will prevail over his multi-million dollar claim.
Confirming that he was both aware of, and had seen, the Interpol alert, he said his priority is the return of “life altering” sums worth more than $3m that were previously passed to Mr Lockhart, adding: “I don’t want to see him do this to anyone else.”
An Interpol ‘red notice’ is a request to law enforcement authorities worldwide to help locate, and provisionally arrest, a person, and Dr Fuchs told this newspaper: “I hope they find him. I’m confident that the justice system is going to see this through and reach justice. I’m confident that the police and law enforcement are going to follow this through as well.
“I’m confident we’ll arrive at the point where we
Disclosing that revenue agents even boarded some of the vessels docked in the marinas, he added that several vessel captains subsequently “voiced concerns” to him about the encounter and the negative impression this left on their guests.
Amid rising private sector alarm over the Revenue Enhancement Task Force’s approach, with heavily-armed officers
A FORMER Association of Bahamas Marinas (ABM) president yesterday slammed “heavy handed” tax compliance tactics as “not good for tourism”, arguing: “This is not enforcement; this is harassment.” Peter Maury, who operates Bay Street Marina, told Tribune Business that the industry has already encountered the same approach as that complained about by CBS Bahamas with teams of revenue officials - some of whom are heavily armed - descending on their businesses and sparking alarm among employees, boat crews and high-end visitors alike.
ELLIOTT LOCKHART KC
REALTOR HIRED TO MARKET $10M IN CONDOS ON PI
A BAHAMIAN real estate firm has secured an agreement to market $10m worth of Paradise Islandbased condominiums for sale.
The Agency has been named as the exclusive listing agent for eight condominiums in the THIRTY SIX residential development on Bayview Drive. Its appointment comes at a time when the demand for high-end properties continues to outpace supply.
Describing the location as “an invitation to an unparalleled lifestyle”, The Agency’s statement said the offerings include four penthouses with private roof-top balconies and four two-bedroom residences. The penthouses start at $1.4m, while the
two-bedroom residences start at $995,000.
The four-storey complex is minutes from the resorts of Paradise Island and the redeveloped Sterling Hurricane Hole Marina. Danny Lowe, founder and managing partner of The Agency’s local franchise, said: “Paradise Island has proven over decades to be among the top most desirable places in the world to live. It has all the basics of an idyllic lifestyle – year-round warmth, an English-speaking, politically stable country that offers the essentials of security and peace of mind. “Add the extras – the world-famous resorts with fine dining, golf, tennis, beaches, shopping and more. It’s an unparalleled package that adds up to the best of all worlds where
Inflation pressure eases following spike in March
you can live as quietly or as actively as you want.”
Mr Lowe is managing the exclusive bulk listing with The Agency’s real estate sales executive, Dexter Avney.
“Paradise Island has a timeless appeal,” said Mr Avney, a Paradise Island resident himself. “The island keeps improving with more conveniences, shops, restaurants and more service establishments usually associated with urban living. Yet it has managed to retain a magical laidback lifestyle that is the envy of the world.”
With 38 residences, THIRTY SIX features a fitness centre, infinity edge pool, 24-hour security and covered parking. Sterling Global Financial, parent company of Sterling
PRICING pressures eased in The Bahamas during April as the country's inflation rate dropped by half a percentage point month-over-month compared to March 2024.
development on Bayview Drive, Paradise Island. The team was appointed by Sterling Advisory Services.
Advisory Services,which appointed The Agency, said the timing was ideal for listing the remaining units of THIRTY SIX.
“Bringing The Agency on board to collaborate with Sterling’s sales team on selling the eight units at Thirty Six, Paradise Island, is a strategic move that embodies our commitment to excellence. Their fresh perspective, specialised expertise and vast network will amplify our sales efforts,” said Khaalis Rolle, president of Sterling Global Advisory Services. “We look forward to achieving exceptional results together.”
The Bahamas National Statistical Institute (BNSI), in unveiling the results of its consumer price index report for April, signalled that the prior month's 1.6 percent increase in inflation - the highest monthly jump for three years - may have been a one-off event rather than a trend.
Besides the 0.5 percent decrease in the monthly inflation rate, the report also revealed that prices for the trailing 12 months to April 2024 rose by 1.7 percent. This annual inflation rate represented a decline from the 2.8 percent recorded for the 12 months to March 2024.
"The monthly inflation rate in The Bahamas, which represents the overall change in price for 2024, decreased by 0.5 percent when compared to March 2024," the Bahamas National Statistical Institute said. "This decrease is reflected in the overall price of items purchased by the
In addition to its developments on Paradise Island, Sterling and its affiliates have projects throughout The Bahamas, including Montage Cay in Abaco. Sterling recently assumed operational management for the Briland Club in Harbour Island, and has more than $1bn in projects underway in The Bahamas, Caribbean and US.
average consumer during this period. This April 2024 decrease followed a 1.6 percent increase between February 2024 and March 2024.
"On a month-to-month basis, the major decreases by group included housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, 1.8 percent; furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance, 1.8 percent; and transportation, 0.6 percent.
"Meanwhile, the major group of miscellaneous goods and services, along with food and non-alcoholic beverages, recorded increases of 1.1 percent and 0.9 percent, respectively, for the month of April when compared to March 2024."
As for the trailing 12-month inflation rate, the Bahamas National Statistical Institute said: "Furthermore, for April 2024, the consumer price index rose 1.7 percent over
the same period last year in 2023.
"The major categories that contributed to this increase included Health 6.3 percent; food and non-alcoholic beverages, 4.2 percent; education, 4 percent; housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, 3.6 percent; miscellaneous goods and services, 2.7 percent; and restaurants and hotels, 2.1 percent . Meanwhile, transport recorded a decrease of 2 percent when compared to this same period last year in 2023.
"For the month of April 2024, both gasoline and diesel prices recorded increases. Gasoline increased by 4.3 percent, while diesel prices increased by 0.6 percent when compared to last month. Meanwhile, gasoline increased by 1.6 percent when compared to this time last year, while diesel prices declined by 4.8 percent when compared to this time last year."
DANNY LOWE, founder of The Agency, left, and realtor, Dexter Avney, have been selected to market more than $10m in residences at THIRTY SIX, a four-storey
FNM: GOVT IS TURNING AGENCIES INTO WEAPONS AGAINST BUSINESS
By FAY SIMMONS
OPPOSITION Leader
Michael Pintard yesterday accused the Davis administration of "weaponising" government agencies against business owners.
Speaking to reporters yesterday, Mr Pintard said the government’s task force which is visiting businesses to ascertain their
compliance status is using an unnecessary show of force. He questioned why the government is choosing to go into businesses that do not have a history of violating the Department of Inland Revenue, the Bahamas Customs or the National Insurance Board with armed officers. Mr Pintard said he was "glad" the business community has decided to fight back against the tactic
after business owners complained publicly about the inspections.
He said: “I warned again, when they went to all of the marinas, why do you need to go in with armed officers? You have immigration, customs, and NIB, persons from Ministry of Finance. Why are they going in so heavy handed? “All we said is if there are violations, we want you to enforce the law but why
are you going in intimidating workers and customers? “Now, once again, they have done it, I am glad that the business community has finally decided to join this fight and to raise their voice that this government is weaponising different agencies.”
Mr Pintard accused the Davis administration of "cherry picking" which businesses it will inspect
Blazing boat amputee is ‘hamstrung’ on damages
that represented the defendants in the criminal case brought against then=m,.
Process servers hired on behalf of the family had attempted to serve the defendants via Murrio Ducille & Co on both June 28, 2022, and June 30, 2022, but were unsuccessful as the law firm refused to accept service. The attempts were also made around the 12-month deadline when the original June 28, 2021, writ was set to expire.
Justice Card-Stubbs, though, said there was nothing obligating Murrio Ducille & Co to accept service and they had every right to reject it. She added that the Supreme Court’s new civil procedure rules 2022 stipulate that named defendants must be served personally unless an attorney has been authorised by his/her defendant client to receive the papers and informed the plaintiffs/ claimants of this.
“It would be a dangerous precedent for a claimant to be allowed to fix a defendant with notice that a new action has been brought against him merely by choosing to serve an attorney that acted/acts in another matter for that client,” the judge wrote.
“If the attorney or client chooses to accept service that way, it is a matter for them. However, there can be no obligation on an attorney acting for a client in one matter, to also act for the client in other matters.” The Schaffer family’s attorney also defended the decision to wait until the last minute, or 11th hour, to attempt to serve the defendants.
Mr Paton, in his submissions, said the delay was partly due to the family waiting on a decision from Cigna, their health insurer, as to whether it would partially fund the litigation and cover any “security for costs” - a performance bond - that the Supreme Court may have required them to post to cover the defendants’ legal costs as the Schaffers live outside The Bahamas.
“These facts were not known until 24 hours before the expiration of validity,” Mr Paton argued.
“Furthermore, they might still not have seen the plaintiffs pursue the claim without more. It was only these factors, as well as the existence of the Jackson claim, the criminal claim and the potential claim against the Ministry of Tourism that then led to the plaintiffs making the momentous decision to move forward on the writ.” The Jackson claim refers to the sole fatality of the boat explosion, Maleka Jackson, another US tourist, whose husband also had to have his legs amputated.
“The delay in not serving until the second to last day before expiry of validity was not to prejudice the defendant or avoid having to effect personal service,” Justice Card-Stubbs said.
“Rather, it was in an effort to ensure that the plaintiffs had a claim worth pursuing in every sense. This meant that they were suitably funded; had proper and reliable legal advice; and could meet an order for security for costs; and there was a sufficient quantum that was able of satisfaction; good likelihood of recovery; and that there were sufficient further elements to assist with risk mitigation and adverse costs exposure.”
Mr Paton argued that “it was therefore impracticable to effect personal service until such time as” Cigna had agreed to finance the lawsuit. “Upon concluding that there was sufficient merit in pursuing the claim, it was considered that given Smith, Watson and Four C’s lived and operated in Barraterre, Exuma (where Smith had moved house and ‘sold’ 4 C’s)...it was not possible to take any steps, let alone reasonable steps, or otherwise practically impossible, to serve [the defendants] personally within the remaining timeframe,” he argued.
However, Justice CardStubbs did not agree. She noted that there had been no effort to serve any of the trio personally. “The gist of the reasons given is that it was the 11th hour, decisions were not made until the 11th hour, counsel for the plaintiff was in the UK and the defendants were in Exuma,” the judge ruled. “There is no reason offered as to why the
process servers were not directed to attempt service in Exuma and this court will not speculate. In short, there is no satisfactory reason before this court that explains why personal service of the writ during its 12 months term was not attempted and why personal service was therefore impractical.
And Justice Card-Stubbs found that, in any event, the original writ “had already expired” when service was attempted meaning that the documents would have been invalid even if the defendants were presented with them. She found that the writ expired after 12 months on June 27, 2022, one day before the first bid was made to serve them on Murrio Ducille & Co.
The judge also ruled that the new civil procedure rules provide no mechanism by which the Supreme Court can extend a writ after it has expireda change that she described as a “rude awakening” for attorneys and their clients.
“The plaintiffs were dealing with various health challenges; financial difficulties; stalled representation by a US law firm; failure of government agencies and others to respond to request for information; stalled representation by a local law firm; negotiations with the health insurer to bear part of the costs of litigation; failed attempts to obtain medical records and communication with a prior attorney before they could instruct this attorney to institute the matter just in time to beat the limitation period,” Justice Card-Stubbs found.
“As grave as the plaintiffs’ injuries are said to be, and as unfortunate as the accident is, and while the court acknowledges the challenges of communicating with persons with medical issues, especially those who reside overseas, none of those reasons, separately or together, would be sufficient to convince me to exercise a discretion in favour of the plaintiffs in this instance.
“Having crossed the detailed hurdles to institute suit and file the writ, there was nothing which prevented the plaintiffs from serving the writ of summons while the case was
being worked on. Counsel was retained and had carriage of the matter. It seems to me that service was delayed until the 11th hour at which point counsel was overseas and service became urgent,” she added.
“On the affidavit evidence, it appears that the accident happened in the waters of Exuma. That the defendants were located in Exuma and could not be served readily as a presumed agent in New Providence is not a good reason.
“It ought not to have been a surprise to counsel that the defendants resided outside of New Providence. Having faced the delay in attempted service and the non-acceptance of service, it seems to me that the plaintiffs would act quickly to rectify matters – which would be to file the application expeditiously. Yet, the summons was filed on July 29, 2022.”
Dismissing the Schaffer family’s action in its entirety,
Justice Card-Stubbs added: “The evidence is that a family resident in the United States travelled to The Bahamas for vacation. It ended in tragedy that will undoubtedly mar the family for life. This is regrettable......
“I find that the reasons for the delay were of the parties’ own making. That they had to make inquiries for information, and that these inquiries did not meet with success, does not explain while a pleading, already filed, was not served within a 12-month span.
“That more information became available did not prevent the plaintiffs from serving the writ. Indeed, the plaintiffs had the options of amending the unserved writ and serving an amended writ or of serving the writ and then seeking to amend it,” the judge continued.
“It seems to me that having made the decision to file the suit, and bearing in mind that the limitation
period had already passed, the plaintiffs must also have borne in mind the consequences of the failure to serve the writ during its period of validity if funding were not received.
“Having received funding, when the plaintiffs did take a step, it was not a step that was in compliance with the rules of court. Nor was it a step that sought to regularise matters by application to bring this action in compliance with the thenprevailing rules,” Justice Card-Stubbs added.
“The real reasons for the delay in service and for the subsequent filing of this application out of time were not attributable to matters beyond the plaintiffs’ control or to matters that took them by surprise. The plaintiffs took a risk to wait until the anniversary of the Writ to act. Unfortunately, by then the Writ had expired and there was no obligation on lawyers who had represented the defendants to accept service of an expired writ.”
STAFF VACANCIES
Temple Christian School invites applications from qualified Christian persons for the following positions for the 2024-2025 school year:
• Upper Elementary Teacher
• Elementary Art Teacher
• Elementary Music Teacher
• General Science Teacher, grades 7-9
• Language Arts Teacher, grades 7 -12
• Female Physical Education Teacher, grades 7 - 12
• Pre-school Vice-Principal
• Maintenance Supervisor
• Maintenance Worker
Applicants must:
Be a practicing born again Christian who is willing to subscribe to the statement of faith of Temple Christian School.
Applications are available on the school’s website www.templechristianbahamas com and at the Administrator’s Office, 4th Terrace East Collins Avenue (directly behind the New Evangelistic Temple). A detailed job description is also available at the Office of the Administrator.
Applications are to be submitted to: Dr. Samuel L. Rutherford Administrator Temple Christian School 4th Terrace East, Collins Avenue P.O. Box N-1566 Nassau, Bahamas Ph: 325-1095 / 322-5157
MICHAEL PINTARD
PWC REPORT SPOTLIGHTS AI’S PRODUCTIVITY GROWTH IMPACT
By NEIL HARTNELL
SECTORS more exposed to artificial intelligence (AI) are experiencing almost five times’ higher growth in labour productivity, according to a major accounting firm’s survey.
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) said its inaugural 2024 Global AI Jobs Barometer report, which analysed more than half a billion job advertisements from 15 countries, suggests AI could allow many nations to break out of persistent low productivity growth, generating economic development, higher wages and enhanced living standards.
It said the report found that, for every job posting requiring AI specialist skills such as machine learning in 2012, there are now seven job postings. PwC said the findings showed growth in jobs demanding AI skills have outpaced all jobs since 2016, with postings for jobs requiring AI skills growing 3.5 times’ faster than for all jobs.
The accounting firm added that jobs requiring AI skills carry up to a 25 percent average wage
premium in some markets. Skills sought by employers are changing much faster in occupations more exposed to AI, with old skills disappearing - and new skills appearing - in job advertisements at a 25 percent higher rate than in occupations less exposed to AI.
To stay relevant in these occupations, PwC said workers will need to demonstrate or acquire new skills. As questions abound around the technology’s impact on everything from job security to long-term business viability, it added that the report’s findings highlight positive news even for workers in sectors most exposed to AI.
PwC said the findings show AI-enabled workers are more productive and more valuable, opening the door to rising prosperity for labour and nations. Like past technological revolutions from electricity to computers, AI is changing what it takes for workers to succeed, and those who adapt may enjoy vast new opportunities.
Carlton Cartwright, PwC’s digital assurance leader, said: “AI is reimagining and redefining the workplace, bringing with it efficiencies and increased
Vacancy Announcement
A service-oriented individual is being sought to work in the private residence of a highranking diplomatic official for the following position:
RESIDENTIAL CHEF
productivity for economies, industries and workers who embrace this change.
“Workers will need to invest in upskilling if they wish to survive and thrive in this new AI-driven workplace. Countries will also need to focus on AI and other digital technologies as part of their education agendas to ensure their citizens are prepared to capitalise on the opportunities this new world has to offer.”
PwC said the findings are positive on the impact of AI on labour markets and productivity. It added that sectors most exposed to AI, such as financial services, information technology and professional services, are experiencing nearly five times’ higher labour productivity growth than sectors less exposed to AI.
The accounting firm said that across the five major labour markets for which wage data is available - the US, UK, Canada, Australia and Singapore - jobs that require AI specialist skills carry a significant wage premium (up to 25 percent on average in the US), underlining the value of these skills to companies.
Across industries in the US, for example, this
premium can range from 18 percent for accountants, 33 percent for financial analysts, and 43 percent for sales and marketing managers to 49 percent for lawyers. While the wage premium differs by market, overwhelmingly this is higher in all markets analysed.
PwC said the study finds that knowledge work sectors are seeing the most rapid growth in the share of roles requiring AI skills. This includes financial services, with a 2.8 times’ higher share of jobs requiring AI skills versus other sectors; professional services, which were three times’ higher; and information and communications at fives times’ higher. Skills demanded by employers in occupations more exposed to AI are changing at a 25 percent higher rate than in less exposed occupations, PwC added. Some 69 percent of chief execuives expect AI will require new skills from their workforce, rising to 87 percent of chief executives who have already deployed AI.
A pre-eminent, well-established, independent, international school in Nassau is seeking a
Who will be responsible for:
- Planning, preparing and executing formal dining events using the highest standards of food safety.
- Coordinating, ordering and purchasing supplies related to household operations for private and official events.
- Ensuring that funds are accounted for food and beverage purchases for official and private events.
- Maintaining accurate and separate inventories of official and private food, beverages, flatware, dishware, cookware, appliances, and crockery.
- Planning, preparing and presenting daily meal plans for the household.
The successful candidate for this position will possess/demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, attributes, certifications, and/or qualifications:
-A high school diploma is required.
- Must have completed training & certification in culinary arts or equivalent.
- Must have current Public Health Certificate for food handling.
- Must have three years' experience as a residential or commercial Chef.
- Basic computer skills (for drafting and emailing menus).
- Time management skills with the ability to work under pressure to ensure deadlines are met.
- Workplace management skills i.e. ability to maintain a sterile environment.
- Flexibility, adaptability, dependability, decorum, and discretion.
- Willingness to perform duties in multiple residential, recreational, and/or commercial locations as directed.
- Willingness to work a highly irregular schedule including variety of shifts and many weekends and holidays.
- An ability to collaboratively work with a diverse workforce.
- Valid driver's license.
- Must have own transportation suitable for the transport of food items
- Language: Excellent working knowledge of spoken and written English (Level IV).
Applicants must be a Bahamian citizen or foreign resident who is otherwise eligible for employment in the Bahamas. Please
time qualified TEACHING ASSISTANT. Candidates should have sound classroom experience; a passion for innovative education; a professional attitude towards work; a friendly and cooperative disposition; a willingness to work in a team environment, a determination to grow professionally; and strong communication & organisational skills.
Job Overview: An assistant to a teacher has two main jobs: supporting the teacher in charge and supporting students in the classroom. As the job title implies, teacher’s assistants assist the lead teacher to ease their workload and help out with everyday classroom tasks. If a student needs extra support or instruction, a teacher’s assistant might be asked to work with that student one-on-one. Teacher’s assistants might also work with the supervising teacher to discuss the progress of students and provide insight. PRIMARY TEACHING JOB OPPORTUNITIES PRIMARY TEACHING
Responsibilities include:
• Grading tests and homework
• Record keeping
• Monitoring student behaviour
• Preparing the classroom for lessons
• Overseeing students during non-classroom times, such as lunch, recess, or field trips
• Supervising group activities
• Working with the lead teacher to monitor class schedules
• Teaching small groups who need additional help or guidance
• Listening to children read, reading to them, or telling them stories
• Helping children who need extra support to complete tasks
• Helping students to adjust, learn and socialise
Requirements or skills:
• A minimum of 2 years experience as a teaching assistant or similar role
• Associate’s degree in education or relevant field is preferred
• Familiarity with school administrative tasks and learning methods
• Great communication and organisational skills
• Positive attitude
• Firm but kind personality
• A love for teaching and the ability to build a trusting relationship with students, teachers and parents
CARLTON CARTWRIGHT JR
Eleuthera water supply restored, says minister
By FAY SIMMONS
THE water supply to Central Eleuthera - which has been disrupted over recent weeks - was restored yesterday afternoon, said Leon Lundy, Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Water and Sewerage.
Speaking in the House of Assembly yesterday, Mr Lundy said in addition to the booster pump that experienced a "major fault" on Monday, the plant experienced a "failure" at its deep well pump on Tuesday.
He said that due to the issues, the plant’s water production dropped by 50 percent, from 500,000 imperial gallons per day to 250,000 imperial gallons and WSC was forced to institute water conservation measures during peak morning and evening hours.
Mr Lundy acknowledged the "adverse impact" water distribution had on the residents of Central Eleuthera and apologised on behalf of the Water and Sewerage Cooperation.
He said: “As a Family Islander, I am all too aware of the necessity for critical public infrastructure and the very adverse impact the lack of infrastructure can have on the health, welfare and the economy of the Family Island communities.”
He said Prime Minister Philip "Brave" Davis instructed himself and all Ministers responsible for resolving the matter to “take any and all steps necessary to bring about a very early significant improvement to the reliability of water supply for Central Eleuthera”.
In terms of relief, Mr Lundy said several steps have been taken to bring relief to the residents of Central Eleuthera including providing five-gallon water bottles, tanking water to affected homes and businesses that have storage facilities and barging in water from New Providence
He said: “The following immediate steps were immediately taken by the corporation: One, the distribution of bottled water supplies to senior citizens, residents with mobility
challenges, and other residents in need. Hundreds of cases of one-gallon bottles, and thousands of five-gallon bottles have been distributed thus far and these efforts are continuing.
“Two, the delivery of tanked water supply to homes and businesses at higher elevations and those are the ends of the system who may have not received much supply during the water conservation periods. This has been extended to all homes and businesses who have any storage facilities in an effort to protect the public health.
“Three, arranging the shipment of water from New Providence to Central Eleuthera via barge. This operation is ongoing and will continue attend until the situation in Central Eleuthera is fully stabilised
and all storage facilities are filled.
“Four, seeking additional water tankers on New Providence for the deployment to Eleuthera to help with the tanking efforts."
Mr Lundy said a series of meeting have been held with government officials including a meeting with the Attorney General to discuss the "future of Aqua Designs operations" in The Bahamas.
He said: “Beyond these immediate steps yesterday, myself and the Member of Parliament for Central and South Eleuthera, who is also the Honourable Minister of Works and Family Island affairs, held the latest in a series of meetings with senior officials of our ministries inclusive of the board and senior management of water and sewage corporation.
“A series of action steps have resulted following that meeting included but not limited to an active engagement of the Office of the Attorney General regarding the future of Aqua Designs operations in the Bahamas, active steps to bring about early additional production capacity at the Naval Base facility, a review of the viability of barging water more efficiently and cost effectively to serve as a buffer for family islands with fragile desalination facilities.”
Additionally, Mr Lundy said WSC is engaged in a $26m water works project in Eleuthera that will see
improvements to the Central Eleuthera Naval Base plant.
He said: “The corporation is already actively involved in the largest water infrastructure upgrade project on Eleuthera in many decades, over $26m thus far is projected and we anticipate that this figure will increase included but not limited to major new storage tank and storage tank improvement works to the Central Eleuthera Naval base, North Eleuthera, The Bogue, Harbour Island and Spanish Wells.”
He said Eleuthera will also receive "extensive water mains improvement" as a part of their road paving exercise and including the installation of water mains between Tarpum Bay and Savannah Sound, the replacement of leaky water mains and a more ‘robust’ pumping system at the Naval Base plant
He said: “Extensive water mains improvement works are about to commence
as part of the Eleuthera road paving water infrastructure public private partnership project. I must highlight that these works will include the installation of water mains between Tarpum Bay and Savannah sound to permit the cooperation to supply the Central Eleuthera system from the Rock Sound and Tarpum Bay systems in times of water supply challenges with the naval base.
“Also included in Central Eleuthera is a replacement of a leaky transmission mains between James Cistern and Hatchet Bay and along the Banks Road between Governors Harbour and North Palmetto Point A new more robust pumping station at the Naval Base, along with additional booster stations with standby generators were required [and] is also planned for the very near future.”
PUBLIC NOTICE
INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL
The Public is hereby advised that I, MONIQUE DAVIS, of Nassau Village in the Eastern District, Nassau, The Bahamas, intend to change my name to SAMARA ELIA ISRAEL If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O.Box N-742, Nassau, The Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.
NOTICE
ESTATE OF LORNA LOUISE SMITH
TAKE NOTICE that anyone having a claim against the Estate of LORNA LOUISE SMITH late of the Settlement of Spanish Wells in the Island of St. George’s Cay, Bahamas, who died on the 20th day of September, 2022, may submit such claim in writing to the law firm of MAILLIS & MAILLIS, Chambers, Fort Nassau House, Marlborough Street, Nassau, Bahamas, Tel: (242) 322-4292/3, Fax: (242) 323-2334
ON OR BEFORE the 8th August, A.D., 2024.
LEON LUNDY
Ex-PM: Dorian abuse costs Gov’t over $1m
as requiring assistance to rebuild after the devastating Category Five hurricane, but the Killarney MP asserted that high-end vehiclesincluding brands such as Mercedes, BMW, Lexus and Land Rover - are being imported under the SERZ Order and then illegally shipped to islands not struck by Dorian.
Documents tabled by the former prime minister in the House list 41 imported vehicles upon which $1.008m in total revenues due to the Public Treasury could have been evaded. Ralph Munroe, Customs comptroller, yesterday confirmed the SERZ and related tax breaks had been “abused to some extent” but said the agency had taken the necessary enforcement action in response. Signalling that Dr Minnis’ allegations may be somewhat
overblown, Mr Munroe told this newspaper that Customs will host a press conference today “to clarify a lot of stuff”. He added that the agency “can’t close the gate” completely on the SERZ and Dorian-related tax breaks because persons who legitimately require help to rebuild their lives will be hurt as well.
“Quite a bit of vehicles that came in under the SERZ Order, we found persons abused it to some
extent,” the Customs chief said. “We have to pull some of them, and some of them are luxury vehicles.... We want the public to know we have everything under control. We cannot close the gate because innocent people will get caught in it.”
A similar point was made by Kirk Cornish, the North Abaco MP, in the House of Assembly after Dr Minnis made his accusations. Mr Munroe, meanwhile, denied the former prime minister’s assertion that Customs’ powers and functions have been illegally usurped by JDL, the private company that has taken over operation of Lynden Pindling International Airport’s (LPIA) air freight terminal.
“We’ll get much better service and collect more revenue out of it,” Mr Munroe said of the JDL arrangement. “It is not putting anybody out of business. It’s not that Customs has been replaced. We’re fully in charge of what’s going on. Customs officers are there. They are doing their work.”
Dr Minnis, meanwhile, said the documents he tabled in the House of Assembly showed many of the highend vehicles imported via abuse of the Dorian SERZ
Order have already been licensed by the Road Traffic Department and have the necessary plates.
He added that vehicles can only be licensed if their identity slip is stamped and signed-off by a Customs officer, and the former prime minister alleged some persons identified as receiving autos benefiting from Dorian-related tax breaks are officials from the same agency.
“Customs has signed off on it,” Dr Minnis alleged. “The SERZ Order has been stopped, but they’re bringing in these cars and the Government is not getting any revenue because they are signing for them under the SERZ. My records reflect over $1m has been uncollected on Mercedes, BMW’s, Lexus - all high-end cars. These are the ones I have records for.”
The ex-prime minister said the scale of the abuse and tax avoidance was likely greater than detailed in the documents he had obtained as cheaper vehicles were also likely involved. “Cars are being brought in through Abaco and Grand Bahama, and some of them are coming directly here [New Providence] under the SERZ Order, which is illegal,” Dr Minnis said.
“Customs is signing on it. The SERZ Order stopped
over a year ago but they are still bringing them in. It’s still happening.... $1.08m is the duty on these high-end cars that has not been paid. That does not include the lower end cars.
“Many of these cars are already licensed. The documents I tabled show these cars have licence plates now,” the ex-prime minister added. “To get licence plates they have to show that duty has been paid, and there are some Customs officers on this list as having received cars after the SERZ Order expired.
“If a vehicle is licensed, it must be stamped by Customs officers and you have to present the vehicle identification slip. Officers have to stamp the vehicle identification slip.” Dr Minnis also challenged whether Dorian-related tax breaks were being abused in the importation of other goods such as expensive household appliances, furnishings and building materials.
“It’s not only the vehicles but also the furnishings, appliances etc,” he added.
“When the duties are lost, the Government revenue is down, so what they do is tax the poor and middle class more. More stress. The poor people are the ones who have to pay.”
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‘This is harassment, not tax compliance’
turning up at businesses unannounced, Mr Maury told this newspaper it was “quite disturbing” that the Government can find resources to send officials door-to-door when agencies such as the Department of Inland Revenue are struggling to respond to taxpayer requests for clarity and help.
He added that, while the Task Force was quick to demand documents and receipts from himself and Bay Street Marina during its visit, it was unable to provide him with any answers as to the fate of the company’s VAT objection and request for a $2,800 tax credit relating to Business Licence fees.
“They visited every marina two to three weeks ago,” Mr Maury said of the Task Force. “It was the same thing as here. They’re just targeting businesses, in my opinion, just to mess with them. It’s very heavy-handed; big guns and everything. At one point, at one of the marinas, they asked one of the employees if they were afraid.
“They’re walking around with these big guns..... They went on the boats. These are foreign-flagged boats. What business does the National Insurance Board (NIB) have going on a foreign-flagged boat? It’s like they are purposely causing trouble to harass businesses. That’s what was so concerning about it.”
Asked about the impact, and impression created, for visiting boat crews and visitors, a number of whom fall into the high-net worth category, Mr Maury replied: “It’s never good when you have people sitting on their boat and there are people with guns, even if they are from the Government.
“These people are here as tourists. They don’t expect this kind of treatment. I had a couple of captains come in and voice concerns. It’s not good for tourism.... It’s kind of shocking to be honest. There’s a whole new direction these guys are going in. This is not enforcement; this is harassment.
“To treat tourists like that, I’m surprised the tourism minister [Chester Cooper] has not had more to say about that. I’d be pretty upset and have persons from tourism involved to give the right message. That’s not happened.”
Mr Maury voiced surprise that, during the Task Force’s one-hour visit to Bay Street Marina, there appeared to be no Customs official present among the government agents even though the agency “has clearance over the vessels” and deals with boaters more regularly than its public sector counterparts with the exceptions of the Port Department and Immigration.
“All of this is on Customs’ files,” he added. “They have this information. There should be no reason to treat people this way. Our guests have not done anything wrong. They’ve not violated our laws, and they’re not even a suspect, yet this is how they want to treat people. It’s pretty crazy and looks like it’s going to continue.”
The ex-ABM president said MPs and others he has spoken to had voiced surprise about the Task Force’s tactics and approach, saying they were unaware of it. “I’m not going to say any names,” he added.
Recalling the specifics of the Task Force’s visit, Mr Maury said Bay Street Marina was asked if its NIB contributions were current, to which he replied they were. “I said that if they check their records, they’ll find we are paid up,” he told this newspaper. “She said that we’d only paid up to April.
“At that point it was the first week of June. The law says I have until a certain date in June to pay for May. It’s the first week. We haven’t even submitted it. Clearly she had the whole record in her hand. It’s baffling. She stood there asking us to show her the records when she had it clearly marked down.
“One guy wanted to see an invoice to make sure we had ‘VAT sales’ on it, which we did. I said; ‘Not only does it have VAT sales, it has it in big, bold letters’. Once I showed him the letter, so he could see it, I said that I submitted the VAT and we are not behind in our quarterly filings.”
Mr Maury, though, asserted that the Task Force proved less adept at answering his and Bay Street Marina’s questions. “We have a note of objection in with the Department of Inland Revenue because we have a $2,800 credit from the Business Licence that I asked to be credited to my VAT before I made the payment and they never did it,” he told Tribune Business.
“I said that I sent my request in to the director and acting comptroller of the Department of Inland Revenue. I said that I’d be happy to give you the letter. Of course, they didn’t want to see it. It’s quite disturbing that they find so much time to do this but they cannot answer the phone. It’s not just me. I hear this from a lot of businesses.
“They say the same thing. When you call [the Department of Inland Revenue] you cannot get any help. They have 15 people walking around, harassing businesses, but we cannot get an answer. You can send a message on the portal, you can use the e-mail address listed on the website page, and can call the number.
I’ve tried all three and have yet to get a response.”
Mr Maury said revenue officials on the Task Force could easily have searched Bay Street Marina’s electronic filings and tax records to determine in any taxes were due and outstanding, which they were not, rather than “waste time and resources” visiting the company physically. His concerns reflect those voiced by Brent Burrows II, CBS Bahamas’ vice-president of retail and sales, who described Monday’s sudden, unannounced arrival of the Revenue Enhancement Task Force team during the middle of the business day as “deeply alarming” for both customers and his staff. He added that the impact was “disruptive” because staff had to be pulled away from their daily
tasks to address the officials’ requests for specific documents and receipts.
While backing the Government’s goal of ensuring all companies pay their fair share in tax, the CBS Bahamas chief said the Task Force’s visit would have been more productive if it had alerted the retailer in advance because then it could have had the necessary paperwork ready for inspection.
And he pointed out that many documents, such as Customs entries, were already easily accessible electronically and in the possession of the Government’s tax agencies, thus eliminating the need for an on-site visit. Mr Burrows also challenged why the Government is seemingly targeting all businesses rather than those deemed
‘high risk’ or with a history of tax avoidance, evasion and non-compliance.
Commander Bertram Bowleg, chairman of the Government’s Maritime Revenue Enhancement Task Force, previously explained that the visit to CBS Bahamas, and other businesses in the SouthWest Plaza, were part of a “door-to-door” compliance and enforcement strategy to ensure companies are compliant with all taxes.
Signalling that this is the next step, following the recent voluntary compliance exercise staged by the revenue agencies, Commander Bowleg refuted suggestions that the team which visited CBS Bahamas were “heavy handed” or “aggressive” in their approach.
Asserting that officers never entered the store
pointing their weapons aggressively at customers or staff, he pointed out that it was standard practice for law enforcement to carry arms in the modern Bahamas. Commander Bowleg said the presence of armed officers was necessary to protect tax officials given the possibility that some delinquent companies may react negatively to demands for payment. The Chamber of Commerce, though, urged the Government to “immediately cease these heavy-handed tactics” of sending heavily-armed officers into businesses as part of tax compliance checks. It said it was “deeply alarmed” by what could be deemed “coercive tactics”.
Worldwide alert for ex-MP over $6m disputes
reach justice. The monies are life-altering, and hopefully we can work towards getting the funds back one way or another. I don’t want to see him do this to anyone else. What’s important to me is how this has affected my family; how it affects them. We need to get the funds returned one way or another.”
The Interpol alert, which has been seen by this newspaper, asserts that Mr Lockhart is facing two charges in The Bahamas of allegedly “stealing by reason of service”. Tribune Business was unable to reach the former MP and ex-judge for comment yesterday, but sources close to him suggested he is sceptical
that the ‘red notice’ is genuine or has been issued.
Mr Lockhart is innocent until proven guilty, but the Interpol alert, detailing the claims against him, said: “Dr Paul Fuchs reported to the Financial Crimes Investigation Branch [of the Royal Bahamas Police Force] that in May 2023 he retained legal services at the law firm of Lockhart & Company to purchase several properties on the Exuma Cays and Paradise Island.
“He communicated with Elliott Lockhart and subsequently transferred a total of $3.033m to CIBC First Caribbean International Bank”, for credit to Lockhart & Company’s client account, “over a period of several months. The law firm failed to provide any documentation of the properties
Incorporated under the International Business Companies Act, 2000 of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas registered in the Register of Companies under the registration number 209768 B.
(In Voluntary Liquidation)
Notice is hereby given that the liquidation and the winding up of the Company is complete andthe Company has been struck off the Register of Companies maintained by the Registrar General.
Dated this 26th day of June A.D. 2024. ALAIN BENVENUTI LIQUIDATOR
and produced several other inconsistencies.
“As a result, Dr Fuchs requested that the funds be returned on April 27, 2023,” the Interpol alert said. Despite repeated promises that they would be returned by wire transfer, “the monies were never sent and Dr Fuchs received no funds”.
The alert added: “Two demand letters were sent to Elliott Lockhart to return the funds with negative results. On September 8, 2023, Dr Fuchs commenced proceedings in the Supreme Court seeking a freezing injunction against Lockhart & Company and Elliot Lockhart, seeking the return of his monies.
On September 13, 2023, the court granted the freezing injunction.”
The Interpol alert revealed that another foreign investor, Daniel Clay Smith Jnr, had made a separate but similar complaint to the police force’s
Financial Crimes Investigation Branch on August 18, 2023. He alleged that, between May 2022 and November 2022, he paid some $3.205m to Mr Lockhart and his law firm to assist with Crown Land on Staniel Cay, Exuma, that he wanted to convert to commercial use.
“In addition, some of the funds were to assist in applying to The Bahamas’ Immigration Department for citizenship for Mr. Smith and his family,” the Interpol alert alleged. “By November 2022, nothing had materialised and Mr Smith requested his monies to be returned..... The funds have not been received to date.”
Dr Fuchs, in a previous interview, confirmed the $3.033m represents a sum paid to Mr Lockhart over a real estate transaction involving an Exuma-based property. When the deal fell through, he asked the exjudge to return the funds, which should have been
Incorporated under the International Business Companies Act, 2000 of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas registered in the Register of Companies under the registration number 209394 B.
(In Voluntary Liquidation)
Notice is hereby given that the liquidation and the winding up of the Company is complete andthe Company has been struck off the Register of Companies maintained by the Registrar General.
Dated this 26th day of June A.D. 2024.
GLAUCIA REGINA STANGANELLI LIQUIDATOR
held in escrow in his law firm’s client account, but the latter has allegedly failed to do so.
“This has been taking an incredible toll on myself and my family,” Dr Fuchs told Tribune Business. “We gave him [Mr Lockhart] the cash for a real estate transaction in good faith. We gave that to them. When the real estate transaction didn’t occur we asked for it back.
“I’ve been out of my money for over a year. It’s taken an incredible toll on my family, my personal well-being and my personal mental health, and my family’s well-being and mental health. I’ve talked to colleagues, and they’ve suggested going to the US embassy in Nassau and looking at diplomatic options. I really don’t want to do that.”
Senior justice Deborah Fraser, in an April 16, 2024, verdict detailed the progress made by Dr Fuchs’ “breach of contract” claim - a civil matter that is separate from the criminal complaint filed with the Royal Bahamas Police Force.
The judge recalled that a Freezing Order shutting down assets owned by Mr Lockhart and his law firm, thus preventing them from accessing/moving them, was granted on September 13, 2023. This order was served on CIBC First Caribbean International Bank (Bahamas), which confirmed that the former judge and his firm held accounts with it, and that these “would be frozen in compliance” with the Order.
Mr Lockhart, one week later, disclosed assets held by himself and his company but “failed to set out” the accounts held with the bank. This prompted Dr Fuchs’ attorneys, Callenders & Co, to apply to the court seeking information from the BISX-listed bank given the “failure to
disclose the accounts”. They also moved, on their client’s behalf, for a summary judgment against Mr Lockhart and his firm.
Following an October 11, 2023, hearing, the Supreme Court ordered that the exjudge and Lockhart & Co were “jointly and severally liable” to return the $3.033m. Interest was to be added at an annual rate of 3 percent from September 8 last year to yesterday and, from hereon, the rate increases to 6.25 percent per annum until full payment. CIBC, meanwhile, was ordered to provide details of account balances owned by Mr Lockhart and his firm up to $3.033m. The Supreme Court, in early December 2023, also made an interim third party debt order as the first stage in enabling Dr Fuchs to recover the sums owed by garnishing the KC’s bank accounts.
Early 2024 saw Dr Fuchs and his attorneys struggle to serve Mr Lockhart with the debt order and relevant documents as “he could not be located and the office of Lockhart & Co was closed”. Electronic service was eventually deemed sufficient.
The KC and his firm were also ordered to produce a copy of the $3.033m cheque that they presented to CIBC, but “have not complied” as Mr Lockhart was unable to locate it. Mr Lockhart had previously alleged attempts to return Dr Fuchs’ monies were unsuccessful, but he also “failed to present himself to the Royal Bahamas Police Force” over the criminal complaint.
Mr Lockhart is a former chairman of Nassau Flight Services, the Gaming Board of The Bahamas and the Police Inspectorate.
NOTICE is hereby given that NATACHA TELUSMA of Marsh Harbour, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 27th day of June, 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
Incorporated under the International Business Companies Act, 2000 of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas registered in the Register of Companies under the registration number 202195 B.
(In Voluntary Liquidation)
Notice is hereby given that the liquidation and the winding up of the Company is complete and the Company has been struck off the Register of Companies maintained by the Registrar General.
Dated this 26th day of June A.D. 2024.
FUTURE LTD.
Incorporated under the International Business Companies Act, 2000 of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Registration number 207633 B (In Voluntary Liquidation)
Notice is hereby given that the above-named Company is in dissolution, commencing on the 25th day of June A.D. 2024.
Articles of Dissolution have been duly registered by the Registrar. The Liquidator is Mrs. Suzane De Almeida Pimentel Nogueira, whose address is Rua Carlos Ribas, 49 ap 103, CEP: 25804040 Tres Rios, RJ, Brazil. Any Persons having a Claim against the above-named Company are required on or before the 25th day of July A.D. 2024 to send their names, addresses and particulars of their debts or claims to the Liquidator of the Company, or in default thereof they may be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such claim is proved.
Dated this 25th day of June A.D. 2024. Suzane De Almeida Pimentel Nogueira LIQUIDATOR NOTICE
Incorporated under the International Business Companies Act, 2000 of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas registered in the Register of Companies under the registration number 208520 B. (In Voluntary Liquidation)
Notice is hereby given that the liquidation and the winding up of the Company is complete andthe Company has been struck off the Register of Companies maintained by the Registrar General.
Dated this 26th day of June A.D. 2024. PEDRO LACAZ AMARAL LIQUIDATOR
FNM: GOVT IS TURNING AGENCIES INTO WEAPONS AGAINST BUSINESS
and noted that agencies such as NIB have a list of frequent violators that it should be checking in on and again criticised the government’s contract with JDL for the renovation and management of cargo at Lynden Pindling International Airport.
He said: “If you were to send in NIB, why are you sending NIB into businesses that don’t have a violation?
Why aren’t you taking care of the violators, we have a list of persons who have violated NIB for years? The government isn’t sending anybody to their business.
“We know persons who contravening customs law, we raise it in the house over and over, why aren’t they going to those businesses or stop the construction at the airport, which we believe is a violation of Customs?
“They are cherry picking who they will go after, and we ought to be very concerned and fearful of how this government is behaving.”
of talking about the weaponising of the of government agencies.
FROM PAGE B3 was “an eye-opening event” not just for himself but the wider private sector given that it signalled an “increasingly hostile” environment for local businesses.
Mr Pintard said he has frequently warned the Davis administration and the public about the government’s “weaponising” of agencies such as the police force and the DIR, but was accused of being “reckless”. He maintained that many of the businesses DIR has been investigating with a “fine-tooth comb” have no violations.
He said: “I warned in the House of Assembly that it is wrong for the government to give the clear impression that the police force for example, would act in a narrow wait based on political interference. The government said those statements were reckless in terms
“I warned again in the house of Assembly that Inland Revenue was being used and weaponized against business persons, because we have had supporters who simply run their business, but no doubt contribute to all political organisation.
“Yet, with a fine-tooth comb Inland Revenue was going through their books not because of one violation that gave Inland Revenue, the pretext to go in and look further to see. No violations. I warned in the house, they said I was being reckless, irresponsible.”
On Tuesday, Brent Burrows II, CBS Bahamas’ vice-president of retail and sales, wrote in a widely-circulated Facebook post that Monday’s surprise visit by the Government’s ‘Revenue Enhancement Task Force’
of
A 30-second video clip, which went viral on social media, showed a ten-strong team of officials from various government agencies entering CBS Bahamas’ South-West Plaza store at just after 11am on Monday, June 24. They include
Amazon joins exclusive club, crossing $2 trillion in stock market value for the first time
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that JEAN CELA of Kemp Road, Nassau, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 27th day of June, 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
NOTICE is hereby given that ANOUCE FRANCOIS of Emerald Garden, New Providence, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas and that any person who knows any reason whyregistration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 20th day of June, 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.
NEW YORK Assoociated Press
AMAZON joined the exclusive $2 trillion club Wednesday after Wall Street investors pushed the value of the e-commerce giant's stock past that threshold. Shares in Amazon.com Inc. finished the day up almost 4%, giving the Seattle-based company a stock market valuation of $2.01 trillion. Its stock has gained 52% in the past 12 months, partly driven by enthusiasm for the company's investments in artificial intelligence. Amazon now joins Google's parent Alphabet, software behemoth
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that CHARMADORA CAMELUS of Marsh Harbour, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 27th day of June, 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
is hereby given that
of
JOSE
Island, Nassau, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 20th day of June, 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
Microsoft, iPhone maker Apple and chip maker Nvidia among companies with valuations of at least $2 trillion. Last week, Nvidia hit $3 trillion and briefly became the most valuable company on Wall Street. Nvidia's chips are used to power many AI applications and its valuation has soared as a result.
Amazon has also been making big investments in AI as global interest has grown in the technology. Most of the focus has been on business-focused products, including AI models and a chatbot called Q, which Amazon makes available to businesses that use its cloud computing unit AWS.
"A big part of the valuation boost has been cloud and AI," said Wedbush tech analyst Dan Ives. "Amazon is going to be a major player in the AI revolution."
In April, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said that AI capabilities have reaccelerated AWS' growth and that it was on pace for $100 billion in annual revenue. The
unit's growth slowed last year as companies cut down on costs amid high inflation.
Amazon has also invested $4 billion in the San Francisco-based AI company Anthropic to develop socalled foundation models that underpin generative AI systems. In addition, Amazon makes and designs its own AI chips.
Outside of its cloud business, Amazon has cut costs significantly since late 2022, laying off more than 27,000 corporate employees across several divisions. It reported revenue and profits for the first quarter of the year, aiding by growth in AWS as well as its core retail business and advertising. All those things are boosting investor sentiments, said Neil Saunders, the managing director at GlobalData Retail.
"Certainly, there are downsides, but these are mostly external — such as the threat from the FTC," Saunders said, alluding to the federal agency's antitrust lawsuit against the company.
The Public is hereby advised that I, MONTEINO LENARDO DAVIS, of Nassau Village in the Eastern District, Nassau, The Bahamas, intend to change my name to SAMSON BENUAL ISRAEL If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O.Box N-742, Nassau, The Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that LUDE BOCAGE of Bernard Road, Nassau, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 27th day of June, 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that MAGALIE JEAN of Kemp Road, Nassau, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 20th day of June, 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that KERNELL MORAIS MCCREATH of Soldier Road, Nassau, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 20th day of June, 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
AN AMAZON
Jenny Kane/AP
Wall Street drifts in subdued trading around last week's records
By DAMIAN J. TROISE and ALEX VEIGA AP Business Writers
A MOSTLY subdued day of trading Wednesday left stock indexes on Wall Street close to the all-time highs they set last week.
The S&P 500 index rose 0.2% after drifting between small gains and losses most of the day. About 65% of the stocks in the benchmark index fell.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished less than 0.1% higher, while the Nasdaq composite rose 0.5%.
Several big stocks helped offset the broader decline in the S&P 500.
Amazon.com rose 3.9%, surpassing $2 trillion in market value for the first time. The rise in the e-commerce giant's stock market valuation comes a little more than a week after Nvidia hit $3 trillion and briefly became the most valuable company on Wall Street.
Cheerios maker General Mills fell 4.6% after reporting that revenue for its most recent quarter fell more sharply than analysts expected. The company has been dealing with lower sales volumes as consumers grow more cautious and price-conscious amid stubborn inflation.
Chipotle eked out a 0.3% gain on the first day of trading after its 50-for-1 stock split. It was previously among the most expensive stocks in the S&P 500.
FedEx helped offset the losses with a gain of 15.5%. The package carrier reported results for its latest quarter that easily beat forecasts. Rivian soared 23.2% after Volkswagen
said it would invest up to $5 billion in the struggling maker of electric vehicles.
Several big technology companies gained ground. Apple rose 2% and Microsoft gained 0.3%. Their large values tend to heavily influence the direction of the market.
All told, the S&P 500 rose 8.60 points to 5,477.90. The Dow gained 15.64 points to 39,127.80, and the Nasdaq rose 87.50 points to 17,805.16.
Wall Street's big focus this week is on the government's latest inflation report Friday. The personal consumption expenditures index, or PCE, is the Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation.
"The market is basically just sort of idling, like a race car that's waiting for the green light," said Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA. "The light will turn Friday morning, when the PCE numbers come out."
Wall Street expects the index will show that the rate of inflation eased to 2.6% in May, following a 2.7% reading in April.
The Fed is trying to tame inflation back to its 2% target, but the rate has been sticky. The PCE has been hovering just below 3% for months. The better known consumer price index has been hovering around 3% throughout 2024, though it was as high as 9.1% in the middle of 2022. The latest updates on inflation could influence the central bank's decision on when to begin cutting interest rates, which remain at their highest level in more than 20 years.
