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ROAD TRAFFIC TO EXTEND HOURS TO BEAT CHAOS

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net  THE Road Traffic Department, beginning today, will roll out several measures aimed at combating the chaos and long lines created by the recent implementation of a new $8m system, beginning with extended operating hours.

SEE PAGE SIX

Izmirlian hits BACK TO SCHOOL AFTER HURRICANE MATTHEW out at transfer to Perfect Luck

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net  SARKIS Izmirlian criticised the transfer of Baha Mar’s assets to Perfect Luck Holdings Ltd yesterday, calling the sale to the special purpose vehicle created by the Export-Import Bank of China (CEXIM) an “intricate fabrication�.

And nearly two weeks after making a “bona fide� offer to buy Baha Mar, Mr Izmirlian, CEO of BMD Holdings Ltd, said he found it “bizarre� that he has received no response to the “superior proposal�.

In fact, in a letter addressed to Liu Liange, vicechairman and president of CEXIM, Mr Izmirlian

said not only has the bank not acknowledged receipt of the proposal, but “nor has anyone associated with either the bank, the receivers, or Perfect Luck,� made contact with him.

Mr Izmirlian is the original developer of Baha Mar. In a letter dated October 10, Mr Izmirlian made an offer to purchase the stalled $3.5 billion resort “at a price in excess� of the current undisclosed bid.

Mr Izmirlian said BMD Holdings is prepared to pay 100 per cent of all “substantiated� Bahamian claims and all money owed to Bahamians and foreign employees.

SEE PAGE SIX

SLOW RESPONSE BY BUSINESSES TO CLAIM ON DEBTS FROM RESORT

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

BAHA Mar’s Claims Committee Chairman James Smith said Bahamian businesses owed money by the resort are responding slower than expected to the call to submit necessary documents in order to receive ex-gratia payments made available by the Export-Import Bank of China.

This comes as the Claims Committee has completed one goal, paying the 2,000 or so former Bahamian employees of Baha Mar

who were terminated last year, giving the workers the salaries, severance pay, accrued vacation pay and notice payments due to termination that was owed to them. “We had very minimum complaints and even within the range of complaints the differences weren’t much,�

Mr Smith said about the payments to employees.

But while the committee’s deadline for processing and dealing with the claims of Bahamian businesses expires in late SEE PAGE SIX

GOVERNMENT school students were back in class yesterday throughout New Providence after schools sustained damage from Hurricane Matthew. See page 12 for more photographs.

Photo: TIm Clarke/Tribune Staff

MINNIS SAYS PREFERENCE PINDER’S POINT RESIDENT GIVEN BY NEMA TO PLPS SAYS NO RELIEF FROM GOVT

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net  FREE National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday accused the National Emergency Management Agency of giving “preferential treatment� to Progressive Liberal Party supporters and leaving everyone else “out in the cold� in the wake of Hurricane Matthew.

Speaking with The Tribune after completing a walkabout in Lowe Sound, Andros, Dr Minnis said residents claimed that NEMA is only buying food

and supplies from stores where the owners support the government.

He also said that there are no construction supplies in Andros and residents are “anxious� to begin repairs on their homes.

North Andros was one of the islands hardest hit by Hurricane Matthew earlier this month. The island suffered severe flooding, damage to nearly 100 homes while 35 others were destroyed. “My team and I came down to Andros to see the progress and to ensure that SEE PAGE THREE

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

RUTH Russell, 75, of Pinder’s Point/Lewis Yard, has not received relief assistance from any government agency, and has had to depend on the kindness of the church and others for food, a hot meal, and help to repair her damaged house.

The elderly woman said representatives from Social Services had been by to conduct an assessment. A large portion of her home’s roof is missing and covered with tarpaulin, and all of the furnishings were dam-

aged inside.

Ms Russell and her son were finally able to scrape up some money for a generator on Friday. “I got my generator and my nephew hooked it up in the back, and that’s how we had light for the first time since hurricane – we did not get any generator from NEMA, we got it ourselves and we had to scrap to get money to buy it- it cost us $500,� she said. “Social Services and everybody came here say they taking assessment and gone.

They ain’t bring nothing yet,� she said on Monday.

SEE PAGE TWO

ACTIVIST SAYS PINDER COMMENTS INAPPROPRIATE

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

LOCAL LGBT activist Erin Green criticised Deputy Registrar Ron Pinder yesterday for language he

used when stressing earlier this week that he is heterosexual, saying someone who uses such language should not be a representative of the government.

Uproar erupted on social media recently after photos

of a wedding between Alfred and Rickia Pratt were posted online, with many mistaking the couple as lesbians. Mr Pinder officiated at the ceremony.

Mr Pinder called a press conference Monday to refute the erroneous as-

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sertions, and also insisted that he is “not a sissy� or “a punk,� but is instead “a man.� He said some people had also speculated that he was a homosexual.

SEE PAGE FIVE

PAGE 2, Wednesday, October 26, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

ALIA PAUL, who told The Tribune that the wooden house she rents with her son is in need of repair.

Pinder’s Point resident says no relief from govt from page one

“The only help I getting is from some church people and others in the community.”

Ms Russell said that a young lady in the area brought her a hot meal and she was grateful because she hadn’t eaten anything that morning.

On Sunday, she said members of the Church of the Good Shepherd stopped by and delivered a food package.

“They brought a bag of items - rice, sugar and flour and other food supplies.

The government ain’t bring nothing here yet,” she said.

Ms Russell, who has lived in her house since 1962, said everything was destroyed.

“We lost everything inside. The east side of the house, where my son’s room is, was badly damaged and he had to sleep in his car.

But, last night after we get the generator turned on he come inside - it was best sleep he had since hurricane,” she laughed, still able to find some humour amid the turmoil and devastation in her community.

Ms Russell said that her cousin stopped by on Monday to look at the house and promised to bring some friends to assist her with repairs.

“I know God is going to take care of us. I lived here all my life from 1962.

The government said they will help. Couple of people (from the government) said they coming to assist and bring things for the house

MALY ST VIL, who is unable to stay at his house.

because they know I am a senior citizen and I am not working, but I don’t know when they are going to reach,” she said.

Meanwhile, some Haitians living in the community of Pinder’s Point are also struggling to survive after losing everything.

The Tribune spoke with Maly St Vil who said that the wooden house he rents is uninhabitable and the landlord has not come by or spoken to him about repairing it.

“All my things are gone plenty of my things gone,” he said.

Mr St Vil is unable stay at his house which is badly damaged and is staying with someone else.

After returning from the shelter, he said that the back portion of the house had blown out where the kitchen was and the fridge and stove were outside in the yard.

“I can’t tell you how I feel, but I am grateful I have life,” he said.

He saw no one from Social Services.

Lutrice St Gera, who lives nearby, said that an assessment team had visited that area and had inspected her home for damage.

Her roof is damaged and is in need of a tarpaulin.

She has taken in two of her Haitian next door neighbours whose homes were also badly damaged.

RUTH RUSSELL, who says she has received FATUL Dasilial said he was grateful to church memno help from the government. bers who have been providing food.

Alia Paul, an elderly house,” he said. “The roof them, but they need help woman, said that the wood- is leaking but when you rent because they have nowhere en house she and her son you can’t do anything, you to go,” he said. rents is also in need of re- have to wait on owner. So Pastor Jean said he has pairs. we waiting on landlord to visited the Pinder’s Point With the help of a Hai- come and say thing to us,” area. tian interpreter known as he said.

“I see plenty damage Jean, The Tribune asked if Mr Dasilial said he was there to house in the Haithe landlord had stopped by very grateful to the church tian community and plenty and checked on them. people who have been dis- people in need down there,” Ms Paul said the owner tributing food items. he said. did not come and has not Bishop Horry Noralus, of Louiscemor Moreau of talked to them about re- Lewis Yard was also dis- New Apostolic Church, in pairing the place. placed following severe Eight Mile Rock said many “I have no food and damage at the house where Haitians are also displaced clothes to wear,” she said. he has lived for more than there.

“I pay rent and I see no 30 years.

“The Haitian population one since the hurricane “Somebody give me some in Eight Mile Rock was come here to check,” said place to live. Everything in badly affected by the huranother Haitian man. “I my house is gone. I asked ricane, and we had plenty see plenty people been out for help from government. damage at the church too here. They say somebody is I don’t see them yet,” he - our roof is gone,” he said. going to help us, but I don’t said.

“Some of our church memsee nobody yet.”

Pastor Joel Jean, of bers have lost their homes Another man, Fatul Dasi- Church of First Born, said and need help.” lial, said while he would like the church on Queen’s He said he has seen asto repair the damage to the Highway was severely dam- sessment teams in the area. house, he needs permission aged.

“I am concerned about from the landlord.

“Some of our members people in Eight Mile Rock, “Everybody roof gone lost roofs and they really not only for Haitians, but and some people lost eve- need help. I don’t know people there are suffering rything; people lost whole if Social Services helped and need help,” he said.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, Wednesday, October October 26,26, 2016, 2016, PAGE PAGE 3 3

BPL SAYS JUST TWO PER CENT WITHOUT POWER IN NEW PROVIDENCE

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Power and Light has restored electricity to approximately 98 per cent of customers in New Providence and has completed restoration efforts in the Family Islands, the company said.

Full restoration was reached in Andros, one of

three islands hardest hit

by Hurricane Matthew, on Monday, BPL said in a statement. The company said it expects full restoration in New Providence before the end of the week.

BPL said as of Monday, the company had less than 1,000 of its approximately 81,000 New Providence customers without supply following Hurricane Matthew. Those 1,000 custom-

ers represent a mixture of customers with individual service issues and those whose supply could not be restored without prior approval from the Ministry of Works, BPL said.

Nonetheless, BPL said company officials expected that number to decrease by the end of working hours on Monday night, adding that BPL had “substantially completed” major restora-

tion work across New Providence by that time.

BPL CEO Pamela Hill said she is “especially proud of BPL’s team that worked as hard as it did since the storm’s departure.”

“These men and women did an awesome job,” she said. “The National Hurricane Centre suggests that storms of this magnitude could result in outages lasting weeks to months. In-

terestingly, the US, which didn’t get a direct hit from this storm still has thousands of customers without power along the eastern seaboard.

“To be so close to full restoration nationwide in this timeframe shows our commitment to getting our customers’ power restored as quickly and safely as we can. Those were basically our only priorities since the

FNM leader Dr Hubert Minnis during his tour of Andros yesterday.

Photos: Yontalay Bowe

Minnis says preference given by NEMA to PLPs from page one there is fairness in terms of distribution,” Dr Minnis said. “You know we have a huge concern with transparency and honesty with this government.

“There are still no construction supplies and that is causing concern because the residents want to begin repair work but NEMA has not provided them with any supplies. Residents also complained that there is a food shortage on the island and NEMA has been purchasing food from local stores but only from PLPs. We will not tolerate this and we in the (Official) Opposition will push for fair play and accountability. I will be speaking with NEMA when I return.”

Dr Minnis also said it is a

shame that three weeks after the storm, Lowe Sound is still without power and the one Bahamas Power and Light bucket truck that is on the island, is leaving on Monday.

“In spite of what Bahamas Power and Light said there is no light here,” he added.

“They are getting assistance from individuals from Dominica, but there is only one bucket truck. So there is work to do but only a little can be done with only one truck,” Dr Minnis said.

“And I am being told that the truck is leaving today and being sent back to Eleuthera, but the work is not completed. They need two or three more days to complete the work and this needs to be done. I urge BPL if they are concerned with the quality of life, not only in New Providence, to

provide the facilities necessary to get the work completed.”

Days after the storm, Dr Minnis said the government’s Hurricane Matthew recovery and restoration efforts would involve cronyism and victimisation.

“We know the PLP has a history of cronyism, a history of dishonesty and a history of corruption and a history of victimisation,” he said at the time. “I am not really listening to what they say about transparency and how they are going to not look at the political landscape. An election is coming. If they have demonstrated overt victimisation and cronyism immediately after the last election, God help what they can do with the coming election just to ensure they have the advantage to win.”

storm hit.

“Just as aggressive as we have been, we will continue to be. Our goal is to reconnect the supply of every customer who can get power. We want to thank all of our customers who have been patient and supportive through this entire process and we want the Bahamian people to know we are and will continue to work for them,” she said.

DR Hubert Minnis speaking to Andros residents yesterday.

THE FNM leader speaking to RBDF members in Andros during yesterday’s walkabout.

HOMES THREATENED BY FREEPORT BUSH FIRE THE SCENE of the fire in Freeport yesterday.

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By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net A MASSIVE bush fire threatened homes at a Freeport subdivision late Monday evening and continued to burn on Tuesday, causing

poor visibility for motorists travelling along Coral Road.

According to reports, the fire started sometime around 4.15pm on Monday in bushes adjacent to the subdivision near the St Jude’s Medical Centre.

A fire unit was dispatched to the area, and firemen worked into the late evening and early morning hours to contain the blaze.

The blaze was finally brought under control at 9am, but was constantly monitored by firemen

throughout the day.

“It is still not extinguished, but it is not causing as much of a threat as yesterday,” said a police officer with the fire division.

“We are asking motorists to be cautious when driving in that area.”

PAGE 4, Wednesday, October 26, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

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Bahamians are watching carefully how their money is being spent ALTHOUGH Bahamians have been given an assurance that there will be no politics in hurricane rebuilding, already complaints are starting to come in that — at least on Andros — the PLP are now first in line.

FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis, who was in Lowe Sound yesterday, said residents were complaining that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), was being accused of giving “preferential treatment” to PLP supporters, leaving everyone else “out in the cold”.

There were also complaints that NEMA was only purchasing food for distribution from store owners who support the government.

Having promised that there will be no politics in hurricane relief, it is hoped that those in charge will investigate and, if the accusations are found to be true, will take immediate action to bring the offenders in check.

There is still tremendous unease about how government’s $150m loan is going to be supervised so that the funds will be used wisely and solely for the reasons for which the money was borrowed.

Few persons seem happy about the Prime Minister’s appointment of Labour Minister Shane Gibson as national coordinator to oversee the restoration work to be done in the wake of Matthew. Despite Mr Gibson’s declaration that he will not “rest until everyone gets the help they need in a timely fashion, regardless of their political preference,” few seem convinced. Such slippery words glide easily over a politician’s tongue and so Mr Gibson’s tenure will be closely watched.

Prime Minister Christie explained that his reason for appointing Mr Gibson was because of the speed with which he completed restoration work after previous storms. This seems a superficial yardstick to use for such a serious appointment.

More than speed will be needed in this restoration exercise.

We recall shortly after the 2012 election when on the pretext of clearing up overgrown areas in residential areas to destroy criminals’ hideouts, large areas of land were being cleared, and hefty bills were being submitted for unsupervised work. It was all in the name of Urban Renewal - it was this exercise that gave Urban Renewal an unhealthy reputation. However, the plan became unstuck in the Mount Vernon area, where there was trespass on private land and beautiful trees were being chopped down. We use the word “chopped” because there was no careful trimming, but just ruthless desecration, leaving a section of Mr Vernon looking like a wasteland. When trespass was raised it was claimed that the slashers and choppers only went on private land with written permission from the police. This excuse fell to pieces when they wandered up into the Camperdown area with their tractors, the owner asked to see their police permission. Unable to produce it they were ordered off the land or risk prosecution. Not only was there no management of their work, but it quickly became obvious that it was a “thank you” gesture to certain PLP supporters who had voted the PLP government into power just two months earlier.

But the real icing on the cake came when a lone voice from a prison cell contacted The Tribune to find out if we would

champion his just cause. His complaint?

Urban Renewal had not paid him for that parcel of land that he had elected to clear and on which he had attached his own price tag for the work done. He had — like everybody else in the game — calculated his own worth, and, like everybody else who got their slice of the pie, could not understand why he couldn’t get his.

A short letter from lawyer Leander Esfakis, published on this page today, recounts a tale that she was told that shows how our money, intended for public use, is being misappropriated. When Ms Esfakis asked a courier what he thought about Urban Renewal, he told her an $80,000 hair raising tale. He said he had a contractor friend who was paid $80,000 to put the roof on an old lady’s home. With such a price tag, Ms Esfakis was obviously curious to know the size of the house and its roof. Obviously that was just a minor detail. The contractor was paid $80,000, but he never put the roof on the house, she was told. He just pocketed the money - you know how it is – all in a day’s work!

No, Bahamians are not only unhappy, but they are suspicious as to how public money — their money — is being wasted.

Before we get any further this is a reminder that when a donation is used for a special purpose, legal action can be taken, if , without reference to the donor, it is diverted to a purpose for which it was not intended.

We don’t know how many readers recall the day the late Sir Jack Hayward demanded to know how NEMA had spent a $1m gift from him and his late partner, Edward St George, for hurricane relief on Grand Bahama. Various civil servants brushed him off, refusing to account for the funds. Sir Jack’s patience snapped when he was shooed away with the assurance that his money had been put to good use in hurricane relief. Well that hit the jugular vein! Sir Jack exploded – and what an explosion! He bent our ear for most of the morning in a telephone call from Freeport explaining why he wanted his story in The Tribune. These people just had to learn a lesson, he said.

Hadn’t he attached the $1m cheque to a letter that had specifically said all of the money was to be used for restoring the educational facilities in Freeport?

Apparently, the YMCA, which Sir Jack considered an educational facility because it catered to children, appealed to NEMA for $400,000 to restore its building. NEMA turned it down - no money for that purpose.

However, NEMA had already diverted the $1m from Freeport to the general account in Nassau. For this NEMA could have been sued.

It would be good for anyone handling donated money to read the full account of this transaction. They will learn from this that if money is given for a certain purpose it cannot be given to another cause without first getting the donor’s permission. Otherwise, the person directing the funds to another cause — no matter how worthy — could end up before the Bar of the court to answer for his sins. We advise government — all sections of government — to be careful how they handle the people’s money. Government is not trusted and Bahamians are angry. So, like Sir Jack, this is once sweet-talking will not calm the troubled waters.

Helping our fellow citizens EDITOR, The Tribune.

compassion and support can continue. I am very PLEASE allow me some fortunate. I still have a roof space in your paper for fur- over my head. We should ther comments after the all live every day helping passing of Matthew. each other and especially I do not have electricity, those in need in this same internet, telephone, cable, benevolent way. Let’s not and have minimal water, wait for the next hurricane but what I do have are fab- to bring us to the realisation ulous neighbours and com- concerning the importance munity members. of looking out for each All of us were impacted other. It should be second by the recent hurricane. nature.

Some more than others. I We are all citizens of this am grateful that we can all planet and should be taking come together as a commu- care of one another regardnity and help one another. less of a natural disaster or I hope this outpouring of other obstacle. It should not

take a category four storm to unite us and bring us to help our fellow man/woman.

Thank you again to all those that have come forth to assist after Matthew. I’m sure you are the same people that will continue assisting even through the good times. Let’s spread the word that all of us should continue with this benevolence and help our neighbours even after “the storm has passed”.

BT Nassau, October 17, 2016.

Listen to Mother Nature EDITOR, The Tribune.

I THOUGHT I’d share an observation: After the hurricane whilst clearing my garden of broken trees and many years of lovingly planted (and expensive) plants, I realised Mother Nature is telling us something. This hurricane “problem” is not the problem, it’s how we look at it that’s the problem. We may not realise it at the time but a problem’s really an opportunity to make things better, and so a big problem like this hurricane must be a blessing in disguise.

Even though we regularly have our trees trimmed by professionals throughout the year, many of our big beautiful trees were rotten inside, they looked so wonderful and majestic, we’d grown to love their splendour over the years, they were a constant in our lives we thought they’d stay forever. But, they were also too heavy, too tall, diseased, brittle and timeworn.

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net They had become weak where they’d rubbed up on other trees, they had masses of leaves that stifled the sunlight from the young saplings struggling to grow in their shade, and they probably would have fallen without warning, causing unknown distress.

Nonetheless, after clearing out the dead wood we now see a different horizon, and what a panoramic view we have!

So, what is our Mother Nature trying to tell us? I think she’s saying we need to clear out the decaying wood, we need to let the sunshine in, we need a new perspective, we need to replant wisely…Like putting the right tree species in the right location, so they have enough space to grow without harm or hindrance, establishing wind and disease resistant trees that can endure

and flourish after the next storm.

This will allow trees that are young, flexible and supple a chance to develop to their full potential, they will sway and bend in a breeze and not break, they’re also not contaminated and sick or diseased by rubbing up to each other. When the timeworn rotten trees have gone the outlook changes, plus it’s much safer without the decaying rot hanging over our heads.

Sometimes we need something big and tragic to happen to make us look at the opportunity’s growing right in front of us. Perhaps we should pay attention to Mother Nature’s warnings, or ignore her at our peril.

Do you think maybe now is the time to let the saplings grow and develop in the full and glorious Bahamian sunlight?

RUTH CLEECE THACKRAY Nassau, October 18, 2016.

How can we bear another tax?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE national debt is teetering around $7 billion.

Most Bahamians are aware that $2 billion of that amount was borrowed and squandered during the past four years by this present government. I say squandered because no matter how hard one seems to look, it is difficult to see where the money went.

After borrowing and wasting large sums of money, the government of The

Bahamas now has limited options to finance the post hurricane recovery effort.

Now the government wants to propose a tax to pay for the hurricane relief effort! Doesn’t the Prime Minister realise that the Bahamian people are already burdened with paying off the national debt and the interest that debt accrues?

Doesn’t he remember that he has already imposed a tax (called VAT) to aid in paying down the national

debt? And doesn’t he recall that he has failed to keep that promise?

Both the hurricane relief effort and the economy of this country has been bungled under his leadership and yet again the Bahamian people, some of whom still have no electricity, are to be burdened with another tax?

How much more are we as a people expected to take?

JB Nassau, October 19, 2016.

An easy $80,000 EDITOR, The Tribune.

WHEN Urban Renewal was in full swing I asked a courier what he thought about it.

He said a buddy of his

was a contractor, and made $80,000 with the programme to replace the roof on an old lady’s house.

I asked him how big and what kind of roof. He said that he didn’t know/ it didn’t

matter, because no roof was replaced at all, and his buddy “made” $80k anyway.

LEANDRA ESFAKIS Nassau, October 24, 2016.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, October 26, 2016, PAGE 5

Sears wants amnesty for undocumented migrants

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net AMID the litany of reforms proposed in his leadership platform, former Attorney General Alfred Sears calls for an amnesty period for undocumented migrants that have a “genuine link” to the country, and the regularisation of those living and working in the Bahamas for more than 15 years.

Mr Sears zeroed in on the hot-button issue of immigration as part of a multifaceted plan for social reform. It’s a platform that he intends to have the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) adopt if he is successful in his leadership challenge at the party’s national convention, and then implemented as prime minister if his party is ushered back into government at next year’s general election.

However, the platform, published as a special supplement in The Tribune today, does not specify a timeline for the amnesty or eligibility criteria. “[Immigration] reform is one of the most pressing public policy, political, social and moral issues facing The Bahamas,” the platform read.

“It is a complex question that requires significant research and analysis and the political and moral resolve to action.”

The reforms include: “Timely registration for citizenship of those persons born in The Bahamas neither of whose parents are Bahamian citizens, pursuant to Article 7 of the Constitution.

“Extend an amnesty period to undocumented immigrants who establish a genuine link to The Bahamas, have been residing and working in The Bahamas up to a pre-determined date.

“Regularisation and integration of undocumented immigrants who have

been residing and working in The Bahamas for 15 years or more. Regularisation may take the form of a work permit, permanent residency or the grant of citizenship, in accordance with the Immigration Act and the Constitution.

Grants of both citizenship and permanent residency will be subject to the requirement of attending and completing civic classes on matters concerning Bahamian culture, history and laws.”

Article 7 sets out guidelines on citizenship for persons born in The Bahamas post-independence to noncitizen parents.

It states that such a person “shall be entitled, upon making application on his attaining the age of 18 years or within 12 months thereafter in such manner as may be prescribed, to be registered as a citizen of The Bahamas.

The article also points out that if such a person is already a citizen of another country, then he shall not be entitled to be registered unless the citizenship is renounced.

Applicants under this article “shall be subject to such exceptions or qualifications as may be prescribed in the interests of national security or public policy.”

In November 2014, the government introduced a stricter immigration policy that, among other things, requires every non-Bahamian to have a passport of their nationality.

The country came under heavy fire from local activists and international human rights agencies that expressed concerns that it was an opaque process that targeted Haitian migrants who were profiled, arrested and deported without due process.

Persons born in The Bahamas to foreign parents must obtain documents of their parents’ origin before they are able to apply for

Bahamian residency or citizenship at 18.

It is unclear how Mr Sears plans to reconcile his proposed immigration reforms with the PLP-led administration’s hardline policy. He was unavailable to respond to questions placed yesterday.

The Department of Immigration announced last month that it will conduct checks beginning November 1 on employers in Inagua and Abaco to ensure their workers have the proper documents to live and work in The Bahamas.

Immigration officers will require the employees to be present with their documentation, according to the press release, which underscored that it is an offence to hire anyone without a work permit, and that offenders will be strictly prosecuted.

There is a fine of $10,000 or five years in prison for violating this law.

In his platform, Mr Sears suggests that work permits be granted to individuals who fall outside of the amnesty period. He noted that strengthening the nation’s border will be prioritised as a matter of national security with focus on the establishment of bases on key islands, particularly in the south, and key countries, like Haiti.

Mr Sears also calls for state-sponsored public education campaigns to combat prejudices against immigrants, and raise awareness of their contributions to Bahamian national development.

The platform also suggests changes to immigration policy in the financial services sector, with Mr Sears calling for work exchange as a requirement when granting work permits to international financial institutions.

“Revise immigration policy to protect the Bahamian expertise and to facilitate quick access to foreign expertise not read-

ALFRED SEARS ily available,” the platform read, “with the requirement that for every work permit granted to an inter-

national financial institution a Bahamian is afforded the opportunity to work at one of the financial in-

stitution’s international offices to gain greater exposure and experience where practicable.”

ACTIVIST SAYS PINDER COMMENTS INAPPROPRIATE from page one

“I think his choice of words, his decision to speak to the social controversy was a poor decision,” Ms Greene said yesterday. “It was unnecessary. The statement itself was embarrassing and I can’t imagine it was a representation of the government so it must’ve been a personal statement.

The party that allows him to represent it should be embarrassed.”

Ms Greene stopped short of calling for Mr Pinder to apologise and denounce his comments.

“At this point in time I don’t think any right think-

ing citizen agrees with his statement or thinks it was appropriate,” she said. “I don’t think anything further is warranted. They don’t think a person who speaks like this and engages their professional duty should be given another opportunity to be a representative of the government. No matter what your position is on same sex marriage, none of us expect our state representatives to speak in such a matter.”

Ms Greene also addressed the weekend uproar over the pictures of the married couple.

“This situation, the response, should show us that what we consider to

be LGBT issues are larger than just that which affects the LGBT community,” she said.

“The man...doesn’t look like the typical male. That doesn’t mean he isn’t male.

The inappropriate response to him indicates people are still confused about gender, sexuality and some of the issues raised surrounding the (June gender equality) referendum.

“At the same time, I saw some healthy response which was, ‘look, just because he doesn’t look like a typical man doesn’t mean he isn’t a man and it’s none of your business; it’s between him and his wife.’ It was good to see the sup-

REGISTRAR CONFIRMS NO CERTIFICATE EVER ISSUED FOR SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net THE Registrar General’s Department yesterday said it “has never issued a license for a same sex marriage to be solemnised in The Bahamas,” after erroneous online reports surfaced over the weekend about a purported marriage of a lesbian couple.

The statement from the department came a day after Deputy Registrar Ron Pinder defended a couple he married on the weekend against social media attacks after it was spuriously spread online that the two were lesbians. The union is an heterosexual one between a man and woman.

“In The Bahamas, the Department of the Registrar General is the government agency of record responsible for issuing marriage licenses,” the state-

ment said. “The Registrar General’s Department has never issued a license for a same sex marriage to be solemnised in The Bahamas.”

“The Matrimonial Causes Act legislates that a marriage shall be void if the parties are not respectively male and female,” the statement said. “Accordingly, any ceremony conducted in The Bahamas, purporting to join in marriage two persons of the same sex would not be recognised as a marriage in accordance with the laws of The Bahamas.”

Over the weekend, Mr Pinder, a former Progressive Liberal Party MP for Marathon, officiated at the wedding of Alfred and Rickia Pratt. Shortly after, a picture of the couple spread on social media with many speculating that the groom was a woman, prompting uproar and vicious commentary from those who are opposed to

gay marriage.

The couple at the centre of the controversy was shocked at how quickly their photo spread on social media. However, Mr Pratt, at a press conference on Monday, stressed that despite his appearance, he is not a woman.

“My name is Alfred Arlington Pratt,” he said. “I was born a male. As you can see, I’m just fat.”

Mrs Pratt, who is legally blind, said the couple had dealt with misconceptions like this in the past. She added that her husband always has to flash his identification to people to prove that he is a man.

Mr Pinder also emphatically stressed his own heterosexuality, telling reporters that despite speculation to the contrary, he is “not a sissy” or a “punk.” He said he too has been the subject of attack due to speculation about his sexuality.

port his family gave and other service providers.

They supported the family’s right to privacy and tried to build a wall around a family which means that we are progressing. Small, sustainable leaps are much bigger than unsustainable, large leaps.”

Mr Pinder represented

the Marathon constituency from 2002-2007 as a mem-

HUGE TREE STUMP REMOVAL CALL US: 468-3977

ber of the Progressive Liberal Party.

PAGE 6, Wednesday, October 26, 2016

ROAD TRAFFIC TO EXTEND HOURS TO BEAT CHAOS from page one

Transport and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna Martin yesterday admitted that the department did not anticipate such a dismal rollout of the system that has been plagued by “glitches and incongruities,” which she acknowledged was “unacceptable.”

In hindsight, Mrs Hanna Martin said things should have been done differently.

She also said the department now has license plates in New Providence, which should also help the process.

She said because the department is an essential service, officials were doing everything possible to alleviate the problems, which are now associated with the process.

The operations of the department were relocated to the national stadium following Hurricane Matthew, which caused damage to the Clarence A Bain Building.

Apart from new operating hours of 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and on Saturdays from 10am to 3pm, the Carmichael Road office, which was previously closed down, will reopen during the first week in November, she said.

Officials also plan to

THE TRIBUNE

place tents around the stadium to shelter customers from the sun as they wait for information to be processed and plan to erect more signs to better assist with processing.

“Today (Tuesday) this is now the third day and it’s more of the same from each day. We still have long lines and long delays,” Mrs Hanna Martin explained yesterday.

“The controller (Ross Smith) has had a number of factors that have impacted the efficiency of this introductory process and the result has been a very unsatisfactory situation where people are taking hours to license their vehicles.

“One of them is that he had to move full operations to the stadium because of the damage to the Clarence Bain building.

“The Carmichael (Road) office is closed because they are relocating so the traffic is moving from Carmichael to the stadium and being centralised to a larger extent even though West Bay is still being utilised.

“And because they are having to input initial information, which is a one time process, that included your documentation, etc, it is taking very long to process one person. As a consequence, you have the bottle-

LONG lines at the Road and Traffic Department yesterday.

GLENYS HANNA-MARTIN, Minister of Transport and Aviation, at the Road and Traffic Department yesterday.

“In hindsight, things future date for those. neck created by the closure staff to carry out vehicle inought to have been done of the Carmichael Road of- spections.

“So now, we have only “Today the Ministry of differently. However as we seven working days to lifice and also the issue with the information that has to Finance sent additional move forward we have to cense all the October regdata entry persons. All ensure that we minimise istered vehicles, they didn’t be input into the computer.

“The reason they are in all he (the controller) inconvenience and frustra- even work last weekend to asking for the documenta- will send between eight to tion of people and that is try and give the public some tion (is) the first layer is you 10 new data entry officers what is happening now.” more time. have to prove your citizen- which will help to create “I always get my cars liAnger ship and you will do that ei- new portals for the processcensed by the second week ther by your passport or by ing of individuals. He has of the month to avoid the The situation has angered crowds, I tried earlier in your driver’s license. Then indicated that he will add secondly they’re asking that additional people to carry many motorists, with one October and was turned of them raising concerns to away and told to return on you submit your NIB smart out the inspections.”

Over the weekend, The this newspaper that people the 21st when they were card because that is information that will ultimately Tribune was told that con- may not have sufficient time starting the licensing. I foolbe on your driver’s licence tributing to Friday’s chaos to licence their vehicles be- ishly drove to the stadium when the new driver’s li- was that no new licence fore the month ends. on Friday morning arriving “Thanks to all the ‘tief- at 9.15am, when I saw the cences are rolled out. So plates, inspection certifithat’s what’s causing some cates or discs were available ing’ of license fees at Road absolute chaos I didn’t even for issue. It was explained Traffic they’re now trying to bother to stop, and I have of the delay.”

However, to combat the that the old discs had to be start this new system which no intention of returning issues, the Ministry of Fi- taken off the cars, and the they seem to be having this last week of the month nance sent additional data inspection stickers removed. great difficulty in starting,” when so many will be atentry workers and added However, because there the motorist said under the tempting to license their were no new discs available, condition of anonymity. vehicles.” the old discs were reissued.

“Usually we have our The motorist continued: On Monday, this was denied birthday month, all 20 work- “I trust that Road Trafby the department. ing days of October to get fic in their infinite wisdom “The other issue is he our cars licensed, however plan to extend the Octodoes not have plates, but this October they finally ber licensing period well he is telling me now that started on Friday, Octo- into November as I plan to the plates are now in New ber 21, and we’ve all read try again early next month Providence and he will be- that horror story about the when perhaps they might be gin the issuance of plates, ” crowds of people lined up all more organised.

Mrs. Hanna Martin admit- day, now we’re hearing that “They (also) suggest goted yesterday.

Monday was equally as bad, ing online to the website, “So the bottom line is plus to add more insult to www.roadtrafficbahamas. there have been a number injury, after going through gov.bs, so we tried this and of glitches and incongrui- the all day wait, people were surprise, surprise, they say ties associated with the im- told that the new license they are having problems plementation or introduc- plates are not yet ready and with this site and to try one will have to return at a again later.”

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff tion of this process.

‘Baha Mar sale is a fabrication’ from page one

He also previously said BMD Holdings will drop “all of our appeals and legal actions in effect within the Bahamian courts” upon acceptance of the offer.

One week after the proposal, Prime Minister Perry Christie urged Mr Izmirlian to work with Perfect Luck Holdings Limited, if the resort developer is in a position to make a

“credible proposal” to buy the property as he has suggested.

Yesterday, Mr Izmirlian said it makes neither economic sense nor is it in the best interests for the future of Baha Mar, or The Bahamas, that not one of these related parties “have engaged with us to discuss our proposal.”

“It is indeed ‘extraordinary’ that the entire sale to Perfect Luck has been an intricate fabrication,” he

wrote. “The fact that the receivers were not able to find an arm’s length buyer has nothing to do with the quality of the asset and everything to do with a process where bidders were not given information, and were forbidden to meet with stakeholders or to discuss the status of construction with any of the relevant parties.

“The fact that the Bahamian court signed off on the sale does not mean that a comprehensive and inclusive process was followed.

It only means that your lawyers were able to craft a story sufficiently plausible for the bank to sell Baha Mar to itself and conduct a further sale of Baha Mar in even more secrecy.

“Today, Bahamians are still waiting,” he added.

“Construction has not restarted, and the mysterious real buyer has not been identified. So for the record, we reiterate our

offer to purchase the Baha Mar assets. We have been in ongoing communication with many industry experts, operators and interested parties, many who have considered their options for pursuing Baha Mar. They, like us, question the sincerity of the process and the real goal of the appointed receivers. They also recognise the unique experience we bring to this significant project given the many hurdles that lie ahead.”

Mr Izmirlian urged the bank to “engage” with him to find a solution to the current impasse, “help Baha Mar open quickly and successfully, improve CEXIM’s economic position and maximise value for other stakeholders.”

He added: “At this stage no one feels lucky: the thousands of Bahamians out of a job, the contractors not paid, the foreign creditors ignored, the shareholder of

CEXIM who is forced to take an enormous write-off on its debt.”

“We present the best option to complete the project and affirm the policy success of CEXIM. Together, we will have shown that even when faced with a challenge that we have found the solution and resolved the problem. Why not at least engage in a serious discussion with us to consider whether there is a pathway forward? President Liu, I repeat from my offer letter of two weeks ago: together, we can move ahead to a swift and mutually beneficial resolution for Baha Mar, which will result in the resort being open as soon as possible to serve the best interests of the Bahamas, as well as the bank. Now more than ever the country, in its time of need, requires us to come together.”

In August, Prime Minister Perry Christie an-

nounced that the government and CEXIM entered into an agreement to have Baha Mar completed and sold to a “world-class hotel and casino operator.” Last month, Mr Christie and a government delegation that travelled to London, England, to meet with investors were informed about the identity of the anticipated buyer for the beleaguered Baha Mar resort. However, he said he could not name the group because of the delicate stage of negotiations.

Under the terms of the agreement, Mr Christie said CEXIM has committed to funding the costs to finish the project and the resort’s general contractor, China Construction America (CCA) Bahamas, will complete outstanding work. He has also said CCA would also resolve outstanding claims with its suppliers and contractors.

SLOW RESPONSE BY BUSINESSES TO CLAIM ON DEBTS FROM RESORT from page one December, the committee is nonetheless surprised that less than half of expected claims have been submitted to the group.

“We have started to process the claims for the unsecured creditors and we find that out of the selected amount of those claims, the ones that complied with our calls on our website is probably less than 50 per cent up to last week,” he said. “We are discovering that many of the service providers supplied similar information during the liquidation process and they feel we have it. We are urging them that this is a different committee that is looking into their issues. We are in charge of making this ex-gratia payments so we have our own rules which are outlined on our website and if they submitted similar information

before as part of other processes, it should be easy for them to get their hands on the same information again and submit.

“If not, we won’t be able to process their claims and they won’t benefit from this process.”

Some businesses, especially those owed relatively little money, may have decided not to seek remuneration for their services at all, Mr Smith said as he discussed why more businesses haven’t presented their claims.

“Perhaps they’ve absorbed the loss and have written it off,” he said.

It should not be difficult for businesses owed money

by Baha Mar to compile necessary information and submit it to the Claims Committee, Mr Smith said.

“When operations at Baha Mar first closed in 2015, with the court proceedings going on, the court had to find

out who is owed what and to whom money is owed. Everyone I presume would’ve come forward and submitted something at that time.

“And Baha Mar also had to know that information.

So everyone who was seriously engaged in this process would’ve compiled the documentation already and it shouldn’t be a hassle for them to do so now and submit the information to us.”

The form on the Claims Committee’s website asks for documentary evidence of claim, such as copies of relevant invoices and summaries of services rendered and work performed, among other things.

It also requests proof of nationality.

As for the 200 or so people who were associated with Baha Mar but were not employed by the resort, Mr Smith said the committee gave them all a fixed amount of money.

This group included people who completed Baha Mar’s training programme, the Leadership Development Institute, but who were not immediately hired by the resort.

It even included people who failed to complete the training programme but sought compensation, highlighting the Claims Committee’s commitment to pacifying Bahamians connected to the resort regardless of their entitlement.

“It was dicey because there’s always a huge gap for people who were expecting something but had no entitlement whatsoever,” Mr Smith said of the decision to give such people payment.

Meanwhile, foreign former employees of Baha Mar have yet to receive their payments and won’t do so until after Bahamian businesses have received the money owed to them.

PAGE 8, Wednesday, October 26, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

After the storm is over S

OON after Hurricane Joaquin smashed into the southern islands a year ago, newspaper reports cited “critical weaknesses” in the national emergency management system, which “should worry us all”.

At the time, this column noted that “despite the millions of taxpayer dollars we spend on NEMA and BIS (not to mention the Office of the Prime Minister), those at the top feel little obligation to report to the people who pay those taxes about one of the biggest natural disasters to affect the country in recent times”.

This time around, things were a little different - perhaps because there is an election around the corner. There was plenty of warning and information about the storm’s passage.

Residents in low-lying areas were advised to evacuate, and the prime minister and other officials were more visible and forthcoming.

Despite the hundreds of millions in reported damage, the storm was not as strong as initially feared.

Things could have been much worse – especially on New Providence.

According to a Weather Channel recap of the storm, on late Wednesday, October 5, Exuma clocked a 119mph sustained wind.

Winds gusted to 85mph in Nassau on Thursday, October 6, and Freeport recorded sustained winds of 100mph with gusts up to 121mph as the eye wall passed over Grand Bahama that evening.

There was serious damage to homes, docks, trees and utilities on North Andros, western Grand Bahama and parts of New Providence. Although the amount of rain was less than expected, flooding from storm surge was significant in coastal areas.

In fact, the parts of New Providence that can expect to be affected by storm surge are well-known to government planners. A category five storm could

flood the entire island, except for the coastal and central ridges.

Too much of New Providence is just too low-lying, and sea levels are gradually rising due to climate change. Development takes place without regard for the potential consequences.

The only solution is to restrict construction in very low-lying areas and require building designs that take account of flood risks.

As usual after a major hurricane, there has been a lot of waffling talk about facilitating supplies and donations, moving people out of low-lying settlements, legalising forced evacuations, and getting more prepared for the next disaster.

But the biggest news of this particular cycle was the government’s fasttracked decision to borrow $150m for reconstruction – on top of the $6.8 billion we already owe. This decision was taken without the slightest effort to provided accountability or justification of any kind.

Coming just before a critical general election, there will be an obvious temptation for the government (any government) to use these funds for its political advantage. So we strongly support calls for a crossparty committee or independent commissioner to oversee relief spending.

The Christie administration long ago destroyed any credibility it may have had in this regard. It won’t co-operate with the Public Accounts Committee, it dismisses the damaging reports of the auditor general, and it deliberately hides important information on

public affairs.

Supervision is even more important in the wake of the prime minister’s decision to politicise the relief process by placing a highly partisan minister in charge.

The law says the director of NEMA is in charge of disaster relief - why do we need a political commissar named Shane Gibson?

THE GREAT NEW PROVIDENCE LANDFILL DEBACLE So the story is that from before the 2012 general election the principals of what became known as Renew Bahamas and Stellar Energy were competing for the opportunity to exploit the Harrold Road landfill - an epic environmental disaster.

Stellar wanted to build a multi-million dollar wasteto-energy plant at the landfill - something that has been proposed by a range of local and foreign investors for years. Renew wanted to start a recycling operation at the landfill, and make money on the export sales.

The competition between Renew and Stellar over the landfill was said to be wrapped up in the obscure political rivalry between some members of the government.

There were early noises in the Christie administration’s current term about a waste-to-energy solution for the landfill. But in late 2013 the government signed a five-year contract for Renew to take over the landfill.

A few months later, the then parliamentary sec-

DAMAGE in in Nassau after Hurricane Matthew. retary for the Ministry of ation and made genuine efWorks signed a controver- forts to remediate the dump sial “letter of intent” in sup- and reduce the incidence of port of Stellar’s waste-to- toxic fires. But it was always an uphill battle. energy project.

Recently, the company’s No explanation was available for this document until principal - Gerhard Beurecently, when court filings kes - withdrew from the opshowed that the Finance eration. And right after the Ministry had produced an hurricane, Renew collapsed earlier version for the Inter- - arguing that the governAmerican Development ment would not talk to Bank in support of Stellar’s them about a subsidy. The landfill is now back under funding efforts.

Renew’s landfill con- government control.

Meanwhile, Stellar has tract sparked complaints about the lack of a proper filed a law suit against the tendering process. And government for allegedly the government has kept reneging on its commitment the contract secret, despite (as documented by the nodemands from opposition torious letter of intent) to politicians, journalists and support its waste-to-energy project. civic leaders.

So, here we are at the end The Harrold Road dump has never been properly op- of Christie’s second term no erated, as is obvious from further ahead than when it the toxic fires that explode began in 2012. And at the every year - becoming more end of Ingraham’s last term, noticeable as housing es- we were also no further tates encircle the once-re- ahead than when it began in 2007. mote landfill.

There’s no doubt about it.

Early in this term, Environment Minister Ken Dor- Our leaders can talk about sett talked bravely about re- change but they never actunewable energy. The stated ally get around to delivering goal was to turn the landfill it. into a solar farm and wasteto-energy plant.

POLICING SOCIAL MEDIA But just a few months later, Renew was in, Stellar The newspapers recently was out, and all talk of re- published a letter from a newable energy was put on retired senior cop calling hold. for the prosecution of those As we noted at the time, who spread misinformation Renew’s contract “required on social media “which apthe indefinite postpone- pears to result in public ment of a waste-to-energy alarm and panic.” plant, as well as the snubThe top two examples bing of a coalition of Ba- given were the rumour of hamian waste management an island-wide fuel shortfirms that had also been age and the report that poseeking to remediate the lice were not showing up for dump.” duty after the hurricane.

By all accounts, Renew The writer suggested prosinvested a fair amount of ecution under Section 492 money in its recycling oper- of the Penal Code:

“Whoever, with intent to cause public alarm or disturbance, publishes or attempts to cause the publication of any news or telegram which he knows or believes to be false, is guilty of a misdemeanour.”

In our view, this should not be tolerated because the drawbacks far outweigh the benefits. The best way to deal with misinformation is to avoid a vacuum and provide full and credible information as fast as possible. Our political and business leaders very often do not do this until they are cornered. And sometimes not even then.

The original scare about fuel shortages came when someone noticed that the docks at Clifton were no longer there and extrapolated a lengthy power island-wide outage. Others noticed that multiple gas stations were closed. Lots of people passed this information on urgently as if it were fact, but there was nothing sinister about it.

There were similar rumours after Hurricane Joaquin about deaths on Long Island. But how do you determine if a rumour which could potentially cause panic was spread maliciously? And should we waste court time and resources to pursue such matters?

Remember that Maria Daxon, an ex-police officer, now a lawyer, was recently arrested under the criminal libel laws for criticising the police commissioner on social media, and held initially without bail.

Since we have so many conflicts of interest in this town – personal, political, financial and otherwise – combined with general political immaturity polished up by high-powered spin doctors, it would be unlikely that policing social media will be an impartial exercise for the benefit of public order.

• What do you think?

Send comments to lsmith@ tribunemedia.net or visit www.bahamapundit.com

There’s a hole in the bucket, Dear Christie

I

WAS born in the 70s, and I grew up in the 80s and 90s. Life in The Bahamas was so much simpler then. Everything appeared cleaner, easier, purer. It was long before we knew what a storm our leaders were brewing for us, though we would soon find out. And the Pandora’s Box has been spilling over since then.

On the island, in our daily island life, traffic was unheard of in most places.

There was no hustle and bustle. A drive out to Adelaide or South Beach or Yamacraw was like a journey to another island, and therefore, a weekend treat.

There were still trees everywhere. The air was fresh and fragrant with greenness. We could still see all the stars every night and it was wondrous. We watched stars instead of television.

Now we can hardly see stars and televisions are never turned off.

In many ways, we were still very much an island paradise in the 70s and 80s.

The influence of America existed but it had not yet taken a stranglehold on our haven like it does today. Being more like an island and not being so connected as we are today with modern communications networks, we were still pristine in many areas, still untouched and unaffected.

We were remote enough to not get the latest television, music, and movies from the first world nation closest to us. And we only had the propaganda station to watch. Though it was something to have as a source of local news, as opposed to nothing, ZNS TV programming left much to be desired.

Children of my generation grew up watching Sesame Street, and we were a good ten years behind in the programme. In the 70s we were watching 60s episodes, in the 80s we were watching 70s episodes, and

By NICOLE BURROWS

I don’t mean as highlights, I mean exclusively.

I have many favourites from Sesame Street, and many of them cross my mind on occasion for various reasons, depending on what I encounter every day.

One favourite that’s been on my mind for the past week now, looping over and again as I watch Bahamian news, is the episode with Henry (purportedly played

by Jim Henson, muppet master himself) and Liza (purportedly played by Rita Moreno) – ‘The Hole in the Bucket’.

BACKSTORY Henry and Liza live on a farm. It seems a remote and peaceful life. In the opening scene, Liza is kicked back in her rocking chair, staring at the great outdoors, and Henry is about to start a day’s work on the farm. But he has a little problem.

Henry wants to go fetch water from the well, but the bucket he needs to carry the water has a hole in it.

Henry is not the sharpest tool in the shed. Dimwitted may be an understatement.

But Liza, good old, reliable, Liza is nearby in her rocking chair, waiting to impart the wisdom she most surely has if the grey hairs on her head are any indication of her experience in solving problems for Henry.

So Henry, clueless Henry, tells Liza there’s a hole in the bucket. Liza, tells Henry to fix it. Pretty straightforward, right? Apparently, not so much.

Henry, in spite of his many years on the farm, doesn’t know how to fix a bucket hole, so he asks old

faithful Liza. Liza tells Henry to fix the hole with a stick.

Henry walks to the nearest bush, pulls out a random stick, lines it up against the bucket hole, and then goes back over to Liza and tells her the stick is too big for the bucket hole. Loud enough for Henry to hear, and obviously accustomed to the imbecile she’s married to, Liza says, “Any fool woulda known that.”

Henry, who by now we can already guess would be non-existent were it not for Liza, waits for Liza’s ideas on what to do next before making a move. He’s frozen without her, yet everything she offers to him to do, he is incapable of implementing.

Liza, beginning to unravel, tells Henry to cut the damn stick so it fits the bucket hole, after which Henry might be able to use the bucket to carry water.

Of course, Henry doesn’t know what he’s supposed to use to cut the stick, so he asks Liza. Liza tells Henry to cut the stick with the hatchet. Oh yeah, Henry’s face lights up as if it were his own idea. And he says to himself, “Oh yeah, sure, I coulda told you that.” We are not fooled.

Alas, Henry brings the hatchet to Liza along with the complaint that the hatchet is too dull to cut the stick. Dull hatchet, dull Henry. Go figure.

By this time, Liza is seething.

Anticipating his madness, Liza mutters, “Say it, say it, say it!”

When he finally says what she knows he will, she tells Henry to go sharpen the hatchet if he expects to be able to cut anything with it.

But, in spite of the fact that they probably go through

THE BUCKET sketch in Sesame Street has lessons for The Bahamas. these motions every single to wet the stone, to sharpen day, Henry doesn’t know the hatchet, to cut the stick, what tool he must use to to fit the hole in the bucket sharpen the hatchet, and so to get water from the well. he asks Liza.

Henry, brave yet insane, Liza is always there, and asks Liza another question. she seems to have all the What is he supposed to use answers, never mind he is to carry the water to wet the the one representing their stone? household on the farm. But Liza screams, “the buckHenry won’t learn from et”. We can imagine what Liza’s answers and keeps she really wanted to say. asking the same basic quesBut Henry comes back tions. yet again to Liza, because Liza tells Henry to sharp- he has to tell her... there’s en the stick with the stone. a hole in the bucket, so he At this point, we can com- can’t carry the water, to wet pletely understand Liza’s the stone, to sharpen the frustration. The man lives hatchet, to cut the stick, to on a farm and doesn’t know fix the hole in the bucket. how to do anything there. And he points to the hole, He is not her champion. as if Liza never saw it beHenry dawdles on over fore and no one knew it was to the stone and gives it a there, even though it has whirl, trying to sharpen the been the source of the probdull hatchet, but of course, lem from the start. it ain’t workin’.

In the end of the story, He goes back to Liza, there is no resolution to the who is now on the verge of original problem. In fact, losing it, as well she should the only resolution that be to have to put up with seems viable is actually the this man who is void of any problem. useful thought. Liza, poor Henry is left holding the Liza, says “I can’t take it….. bucket with a hole that can’t I can’t take it”. We know and clearly won’t get fixed.

Liza’s pain. We are all Liza. And Liza leaves with her We can’t take it. rocking chair on her backLiza, popping a gasket, side to go find the man she tells Henry to wet the stone, should have married for a in order to sharpen the better life. hatchet, to cut the stick, to There is a lot of analogy fit the hole in the bucket so in storytelling. And here is Henry can get water from how I cast the characters in the well. this Sesame Street episode.

Henry again. He asks Liza what he’s supposed to use to wet the stone. Liza flips, trembling with rage at The farm is representathis point, yet still hanging on by a thin mental thread tive of The Bahamas.

Liza represents Bahamiand tells Henry to use water

ANALYSIS

an citizens, namely the progressive, thinking people, not to be confused with the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP). They just want a peaceful existence and for people with brains to use them to solve problems which they more often than not create for themselves.

Henry is The Bahamas government, the current administration, the Prime Minister, the cabinet, the PLP. The well Henry needs to go to is Parliament.

The water he has to fetch at that well are useful, innovative ideas and policies.

His bucket is the method of governance, the management of government, and systems, institutions, and industries - like tourism, banking - that must work in harmony.

The hole in the bucket represents all the problems and failings of government, mismanagement, poor governance, the things that make for weak governance.

The stick, the hatchet, the stone, the water, are all ideas… policies... considered to fix the problems of government. But none can work without another/ something else working before it.

The last possible idea to solve the problem, another bucket, is the same as the problem... the failing systems, industries, governance, resource management. And in the end the problem never gets fixed.

Visit the link online and see how simple stories can be used to understand a complex life. Maybe, you can even write one of your own. At the very least, be entertained. https://www.bing.com/ videos/search?q=sesame+s treet+there%27s+a+hole+i n+the+bucket&view=detai l&mid=648626A695F4C57 D8A60648626A695F4C57 D8A60&FORM=VIRE E-mail: nburrows@ tribunemedia.net. Facebook and Twitter: @SoPolitiCole

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, October 26th, 2016, PAGE A9

TECHTALK

R B TS

• ANHEUSER-BUSCH says it has completed the world’s first commercial shipment by self-driving truck, sending a beer-filled tractor-trailer on a journey of more than 120 miles through Colorado.

The company says it teamed with self-driving truck maker Otto and the state of Colorado for the feat. The trailer, loaded with Budweiser beer, began the self-driving trip Thursday at a weigh station in Fort Collins, Colorado, and ran along Interstate 25 through Denver before wrapping up in Colorado Springs.

The company says a professional truck driver was on board for the entire route and monitored the trip from the cab’s sleeper berth.

Anheuser-Busch says it hopes to see self-driving technology widely deployed.

Otto was recently acquired

by Uber.

SHOWCASED BY CHINA

BEIJING – The Canbot can say its name, respond to voice commands, and “dance” as it plays Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.” Other robots China is displaying at the World Robot Conference can play badminton, sand cell phone cases and sort computer chips.

China is showcasing its burgeoning robot industry at the five-day exhibition in Beijing, part of a national effort to promote use of more advanced technologies in Chinese factories and create high-end products that redefine the meaning of “Made in China.”

Apart from the cool factor, China’s sweeping plans to upgrade its factories and production lines depend on building and better using advanced robots. Automation is crucial for industries facing rising labour costs and slowing growth in the work force thanks to the “onechild” policy era and aging of the population.

China will have to make big strides to leap ahead of Germany, Japan and other nations whose robots are generations ahead.

Infinities International Group, based in eastern China’s Shandong, advertises its Canbot U-Partner as a service robot that could be programmed to run in shopping malls, restaurants and banks. But it’s modeled on the “Pepper” robot made by Japan’s SoftBank.

Nearby, Peng Zhihui and Luo Binyi stood with “Ares,” a humansized robot they designed with exposed metal arms and hands and a wide range of uses in mind, from the military to performing basic tasks in a home.

Peng and Luo, both 24, developed the mannequin-like Ares while at-

ARES, a humanoid bipedal robot designed by Chinese college students with fundings from a Shanghai investment company, is displayed during the World Robot Conference in Beijing. (AP) tending college in southwestern China’s Sichuan province. A Shanghai investment company pitched in some funding.

“Many robots aren’t very useful right now, but will show their true value when they are used in homes in the future,” Peng said.

Thousands of factories in southern China’s industrial centers which long were manned by low-cost migrant workers, are now turning to robots. China has become the world’s top consumer of industrial robots and will soon have the most commercial robots in operation of any country. Foxconn, the Taiwanese firm that assembles Apple’s iPhones in China, has installed 40,000 robots in its factories.

China made robotics a focal point of its recent “Made in China 2025” plan, and has set national goals of producing 100,000 industrial robots

A BOY talks to the Canbot, a companion robot, displayed during the World Robot Conference in Beijing. (AP) a year and having 150 robots in operation for every 10,000 employees by 2020, a figure known as robot density. Currently, China ranks 28th in the world for robot density, behind Portugal and Indonesia.

Chinese suppliers sold about 20,000 robots last year to local companies.

“There has never been such a dynamic rise in such a short period of time in any other market,” the International Federation of Robotics said in an analysis of China’s robot industry published earlier this year.

Steve Wyatt, head of sales and marketing for Switzerland-based ABB Robotics, said his company employs more than 1,600 people in China and has seen its sales in China grow by a factor of 50.

But the country remains behind in terms of the complexity of tasks Chinese-made robots can handle, Wyatt said.

Chinese appliance maker Midea Group recently announced it was purchasing almost all of German industrial robot manufacturer Kuka.

Wing Chu, a senior economist at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, said China will continue to seek foreign expertise to advance in robotics as part of a broader effort to transform its economy.

“In the longer term, China wants to upgrade all its industries,” he said.

NOMAAN MERCHANT, Associated Press

NINTENDO COMBINES PORTABLE AND HOME GAMING WITH SWITCH NINTENDO has announced a new gaming system that combines a portable handheld device with a dock to use at home. Nintendo Switch will be released in March. The gaming giant released a preview video of the console Thursday.

The company says the Switch features a

dock to connect the system to a TV. Users can lift the device from the dock and use it in portable mode as well.

The Switch comes with detachable controllers. It also features single and multiplayer capabilities.

Associated Press

MIRAI MALWARE SIMPLIFIES INTERNET ATTACKS LIKE LAST WEEK’S

A MASSIVE internet attack that paralysed Twitter, Netflix and other services last week is being blamed on a specific kind of malware designed to harness the power of ordinary consumer devices.

The bad news: Using it isn’t particularly hard and doesn’t require much money. The malware, known as Mirai, was recently posted online for others to adapt for their own attacks.

Researchers say Mirai exploited security vulnerabilities in thousands of internet-connected devices such as web cameras, then used those devices to attack a major internet firm, resulting in widespread outages. Researchers say Mirai has been used before, but not on the scale of Friday’s attacks.

Here’s a look at Mirai and what makes it so destructive.

WHAT HAPPENED? Dyn Inc., an internet company in Manchester, New Hampshire, said its servers were hit by a distributed denial-of-service attack. These types of attacks work by overwhelming targeted computers with junk traffic, so legitimate traffic can’t get through.

Jason Read, founder of the internet performance monitoring firm

CloudHarmony, said his company tracked a half-hour-long disruption early Friday affecting access to many popular sites from the East Coast. A second attack later in the day spread disruption to the West Coast as well as some users in Europe.

WHAT MADE THIS ATTACK SO NASTY? While distributed denial-of-service attacks have been around for years, hackers have many more devices they can use to pull off their attacks, thanks to the proliferation of internet-connected cameras, thermostats, lights and more.

And Mirai makes it easy for a would-be attacker to scan the internet for devices to take over and turn into “botnets” for launching coordinated attacks, Chris Carlson of the cybersecurity firm Qualys said.

While botnets have been used as weapons for nearly a decade, they have typically been employed by organised crime groups that targeted websites involved in less-than-savory businesses such as pornography or gambling. Those sites pay extortion money to make the problem go away quietly, Carlson said.

“But when you bring it to Dyn, and a lot of the internet gets shut down, people take notice,” Carlson said.

WHAT KINDS OF DEVICES WERE AFFECTED? Researchers at the cybersecurity firm Flashpoint say very few devices in the U.S. seem to be involved.

Most of the junk traffic heaped on Dyn came from internet-connected cameras and video-recording devices that had components made by an obscure Chinese company.

Those components had little security protection, so devices they went into became easy to exploit.

Because the components were put into a variety of devices that were then packaged and rebranded, it’s hard to tell exactly where they ended up. But Flashpoint researchers Allison Nixon and Zach Wikholm say their research shows that the bulk of them ended up in Vietnam, Brazil, Turkey, Taiwan and China.

WHO’S BEHIND IT? That remains unclear. Nixon and Wikholm say it’s unlikely that this is a state-sponsored attack. Because the blueprints, or source code, for Mirai were public, an attack like this wouldn’t need a government’s resources.

Hacker groups have claimed responsibility through Twitter, but those claims haven’t been verified and the pair says it’s likely that

they’re all lying.

“These guys are amateurs and they managed to get this far. That’s kind of scary,” Nixon said.

ARE MORE ATTACKS COMING? Probably. Hacker groups have threatened targets ranging from the Russian government to major corporations and the U.S. presidential election.

But it’s unclear if those groups are actually capable, or just making empty threats.

Experts say that whatever the target, more attacks are inevitable in light of the continued growth of connected devices and the lack of security requirements for them.

Therefore, the solution lies in boosting device security at the hardware level.

“At the end of the day, these attacks aren’t super sophisticated,” Carlson says. “They’re just a blunt hammer and whoever has the biggest hammer wins.”

The Department of Homeland Security said Monday that it’s been working on security practices for internet-connected gadgets and will release them in the common weeks.

BREE FOWLER, Associated Press

• THE US government’s highway safety agency says automakers should make cybersecurity part of their product development process by assessing risks and designing in protections.

Companies also should identify safety critical systems such as engine control computers and limit their exposure to attacks, under best practice guidelines released Monday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The agency also wants automakers to limit access to car owners’ personal data.

The guidelines aren’t requirements but will go into effect after a 30-day public comment period.

“Our intention with today’s guidance is to provide best practices to help protect against breaches and other security failures,” said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, who oversees NHTSA. • GOOGLE has designed a giant touch-screen canvas for companies trying to make it easier for their employees to brainstorm as they work on team projects and other assignments.

The product is called “Jamboard,” an allusion to its goal of replacing the physical whiteboards that companies have been setting up in meeting rooms for decades. It boasts a 55-inch, ultrahigh-definition screen capable of recognising the difference between when someone is writing on it with a stylus or touching it with a finger.

Google is releasing the device to a small group of companies Tuesday before making it widely available early next year.

As with a whiteboard, employees can post their ideas, documents and images on the Jamboard, only they won’t need markers, tape or sticky notes to do it. Instead, they can use their fingers, a stylus or smartphones and smaller tablets to share information and content from anywhere with an online connection. All the work posted on a Jamboard can be saved in Google’s online storage service, Drive.

PAGE 10, Wednesday, October 26, 2016

THREE ARE CHARGED OVER ATTEMPTED MURDERS IN SHOOTINGS

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

THREE men were arraigned in Magistrate’s Court yesterday on multiple counts of attempted murder concerning two separate shooting incidents that occurred last week.

Shepfield Rose, 20, Bernard Allen and Donnavon Rolle, both 22, were brought before Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes to face four counts of attempted murder and a count each of possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.

It is alleged that the trio, being concerned together on Tuesday, October 18, attempted to cause the deaths of Keron Sands, Geovarney Pinder and Kathyo Davis.

It is further alleged that they, on the following day, October 19, tried to murder Larrenty Munroe.

It is also alleged that on October 20, they were found with a loaded Austria Glock 23.40 pistol and seven bullets for the weapon.

The accused men are scheduled to return to the Magistrate’s Court on December 9 for their cases to be fast-tracked to the Supreme Court for trial.

They were remanded to the Department of Correctional Services in the interim.

However, they can apply for bail at the Supreme Court.

Lawyer fears for client in hurricane-hit prison

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net A LAWYER yesterday expressed concern for his client’s stay in prison, which had been affected by the passing of Hurricane Matthew.

Kelvin Deveaux, 20, and 24-year-old Dereck Neily appeared before Justice Bernard Turner yesterday to learn if their case into the August 2014 killing of Latore Mackey would be heard as their initial November 2015 date had been delayed because of an ongo-

ing case.

The accused men were told that they would have to wait until November 1 to learn when they would stand trial as the court was proceeding with another trial.

Geoffrey Farquharson, lawyer for Deveaux, informed the court of complaints his client had brought to his attention concerning the sanitation and nutrition of the facility which he attributed to the category four storm that pummelled the capital at the end of last month.

“Kelvin Deveaux is in

the custody of the commissioner of prison in his duty to this court,” Mr Farquharson said.

“So you have concerns about the conditions of his remand?” the judge asked.

“Serious concerns. No attempts have been made to clean the prison since the flooding occurred during the storm. Food delivery and preparation has been impacted. Prisoners have been given one slice of bread and tea, in some instances cold tea,” the lawyer added.

“Lunch is sometimes served at 4 or 5pm. These are human beings m’lord,”

MAN ACCUSED OVER DEATH OF SON BACK IN COURT IN TWO WEEKS

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net A MAN awaiting trial concerning the death of his son will return to the Supreme Court in two weeks for a status hearing on his case.

Delano Coakley Sr, 30, and his lawyer Romona Farquharson-Seymour appeared before Justice Bernard Turner for a report from the Crown on their readiness to proceed with Coakley’s case concerning the death Delano Coakley Jr. Prosecutor Darell Taylor said she would be in a position to address the court after a short adjournment, as she was not originally handling the matter.

The case was adjourned to November 7 for a further status hearing.

Coakley Sr faces a charge of manslaughter by negligence concerning the August 24, 2011 death of his young son who was thrown from the car when it crashed.

Coakley Sr remains on bail.

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Mr Farquharson stressed.

Justice Turner said he had made a note of the complaints and would bring it to the attention of the relevant authorities before adjourning the matter.

Mackey, 37, was deputy director of Bahamas Information Services, owner of the Blue Reef Sports Bar and Lounge on West Bay Street, and press secretary to Prime Minister Perry Christie.

He was shot in the neck around 4.30am off Market Street on August 25, 2014, according to initial reports.

Deveaux, of Market

Street, and Neily, of Young Close, face a charge of murder under Section 291 (1B) of the Penal Code, Chapter 84. A charge under this section does not attract the court’s discretionary death penalty but carries a sentencing range from 30 to 60 years imprisonment if convicted by a Supreme Court jury.

Deveaux and Neily have retained Mr Farquharson and Michael Kemp to defend them against the charge.

Darrell Taylor and David Cash appeared for the Crown.

GOVERNOR General Dame Marguerite Pindling visited West End Primary School in Grand Bahama yesterday to talk to the children in the wake of Hurricane Matthew.

Photos: Vandyke Hepburn/BIS

GOVERNOR GENERAL VISITS GRAND BAHAMA

BAHAMAS NATIONAL TRUST IN RUNNING FOR TOP AWARD THE Bahamas National Trust is a leading contender for this year’s Go Blue Business of the Year Award, which will be announced in Florida on October 28.

The award recognises “outstanding contributions toward promoting and encouraging conservation,

restoration, or preservation of marine life and/or marine ecosystems.”

It is billed as Florida’s premier ocean conservation event. Judges include such renowned ocean conservationists as documentary filmmaker Fabien Cousteau and Jim Harvey

of the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation.

The Go Blue Awards were created by Loggerhead Marinelife Centre in Juno Beach, Florida, to recognise individuals and groups that support and promote ocean conservation, with a special focus on

endangered sea turtles.

Loggerhead Marinelife Centre is a non-profit sea turtle hospital in Juno Beach that hosts more than 200,000 visitors each year.

This year’s award finalists were announced at a special reception in September.

Winners will be announced

at the PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach.

The BNT is a non-governmental, non-profit, membership organisation working to protect Bahamian natural resources by building a network of national parks and promoting environmental stewardship.

RESIDENTS RESPOND TO LESLIE MILLER’S CRITICISMS OF BPL AFTER Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller criticised BPL and the government for “bringing in foreigners” to assist in restoring power when “Bahamians could have done the same job”, readers gave their reaction on tribune242.com.

Rqd2 said: “No single utility has the capability to quickly restore power when the entire system is offline.

That’s why they agree to work together in times of disaster. If they all wanted the jobs to go to untrained locals, the systems would take months to come back online.

“Your idea of having Bahamians do the work just

for the sake of having them be Bahamian is ludicrous.

The time for training those Bahamians was long ago and it would have cost you millions of dollars to not only train them, but to keep them employed while you waited for a disaster.”

To which ThisIsOurs responded with: “‘Untrained locals’? Where d’you get

that?? The ‘locals’ have the necessary training to get the job done, the problem was a foreign firm that refused to accept local advice on how to carry out the restoration, that only exacerbated the issue with insufficient resources to completely tackle the problem. It wasn’t the ‘locals’ who waited forever to ask for help.”

VDSheep said: “When hurricanes have devastated areas in the Caribbean and Bermuda - BEC Bahamas was there - helping to restore power! The narrative about BEC Bahamas help was always - ‘professional help from BEC Bahamas’ -

totally satisfied!”

C2B was critical of the MP: If Mr Miller wants to take credit for the good at BEC, he needs to own the bad. He is partially responsible for the sorry state of this utility.”

OMG thought the country needed all the help it could get: “Funny country this, love donations from other countries of equipment, cash from winter residents to allow voluntary groups such as Family Island ambulances and fire engines to operate, assistance from free dental groups, supplies to the clinics but ‘we don’t want for-

eigners’. Get real Mr Miller, this tiny, tiny country needs all the help it can get and can easily be by passed by more efficient countries.

Most developed countries have long realised that one or more qualified individuals from whatever country can often run local industries efficiently and therefore provide more jobs. If devaluation and downgrading occur – which is looking more likely – you better hope, Mr Miller, that you and your mindless cronies know where turn for help.”

And there was this from John: “The fact is BPL seems to have brought in

foreign help and the trucks as an afterthought. It appears they were approaching the BEC restoration and recovery in a ‘business as usual mode’. Only after they realised the extent of the damage and the intolerance of the Bahamian consumer did they decide to holler for help. So when the men and trucks arrived a large bulk of the repairs were completed.

Since they are here, hopefully they will ship some of them to Andros and get the victims over there back up and running.”

• Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.

PAGE 16, Wednesday, October 26, 2016

GOVERNMENT school students went back to classes yesterday across New Providence, after repairs to the damage caused by Hurricane Matthew.

BACK TO SCHOOL

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Photos: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff