Jury to decide murder or manslaughter in teacher killing

The Nassau Guardian

Jury to decide murder or manslaughter in teacher killing

There is no question about who killed teacher Denise Adderley, and today a 12-member jury will determine whether the actions of her former boyfriend, John Adderley, amounted to murder or manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.

Mr. Adderley killed the mother of his daughter on January 9, 2011 in the parking lot of the Texaco Service Station on Wulff Road. Mr. Adderley shot her five times at close range with a manual shotgun.

The defense, lead by attorney Murrio Ducille, did not dispute that Adderley was the killer. However, he urged the jury to find Mr. Adderley guilty of manslaughter - not murder.

By contrast, prosecutor Sandradee Gardiner said that Mr. Adderley acted deliberately and intentionally when he pumped those five shots into Ms. Adderley. She noted the evidence of the firearms expert, who said the weapon had to be cranked before each shot.

She noted that the deceased had ended her relationship with Mr. Adderley several months prior to her death. She was seeing someone else.

Gardiner said, “He decided with the end of the relationship, her life should come to an end.”

Ducille asked the jurors to rely on an assessment by psychiatrist Dr. Michael Neville that found that Mr. Adderley was not in his normal state of mind when he shot Ms. Adderley.

Neville’s diagnosis was based on an interview with the defendant eight months after the fatal shooting and an examination of the facts of the case.

He admitted during cross-examination that he did not conduct any objective tests in making his diagnosis.

In his interview with the doctor, Adderley claimed that he was depressed and could not sleep or work.

However, Gardiner pointed out that Adderley’s own friend of 15 years, John McIntosh, noticed nothing out of the ordinary about him when they spoke about a week before the killing.

Gardiner said Adderley spoke about plans to build more apartments in his conversation with McIntosh, who did not recall him mentioning the deceased or their daughter.

Justice Bernard Turner will sum up the case to the jury at noon.

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Abaco airport cost extra $11 mil.

The Nassau Guardian

Abaco airport cost extra $11 mil.

The new Marsh Harbour International Airport cost an additional $11 million, Minister of Works Philip Brave Davis said.

“This year, the investment by public works was in the tune of some $38 million to get this to where this is today,” Davis said at the official opening of the terminal on Wednesday.

The airport had an original budget of $27 million and was scheduled to open in October 2012.

The government awarded additional contracts for the extension of the runway and the construction of a cargo building, according to Ministry of Work officials.

The Ingraham administration broke ground on the airport in September 2011.

The terminal was previously expected to open in January 2014. However, government officials said an assessment team from the Ministry of Works found technical issues, which resulted in the delay.

February was then identified as a target date, but some components of the terminal had to be redesigned, according to Davis.

Prime Minister Perry Christie, Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe and Transport and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin toured the airport on Wednesday.

The terminal went into operation on Tuesday.

 

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Umbrella unions meet with PM over labor concerns

The Nassau Guardian

Umbrella unions meet with PM over labor concerns

Trade Union Congress (TUC) President Obie Ferguson said union representatives met with Prime Minister Perry Christie yesterday and hope to meet with him again tomorrow about their concerns.

Ferguson said they presented the government with a list of those concerns.

The umbrella union and its affiliates have threatened industrial action for several weeks.

The most recent threat came during a union rally at St. Gregory’s Anglican Church two weeks ago.

“We are seeking specific dates on the issues raised by me and the respective affiliates, both the TUC and the NCTUB (National Congress of Trade Unions of The Bahamas),” Ferguson said.

“That is our objective, so we can know precisely what, if any, the dates when these matters are going to be dealt with.

“...Those issues have been allowed to accumulate over the years, so it is quite a bit to deal with.”

Ferguson has said if the government does not resolve outstanding labor concerns, the umbrella unions would “level the playing field” in order to bring “respect and sanity in the workplace”.

He has criticized the Department of Labour, adding that with only two reconciliation hearings per day, the department is not productive and has allowed a “clogging of the system”.

He had also said the Industrial Tribunal is not designed to assist the working class.

Ferguson claims there are 11 unions that fall under the TUC that have not signed off on their respective agreements with the government.

Yesterday, Ferguson said union executives wanted to give the government another opportunity to address the concerns, but “we have had enough of it and workers are suffering in this country”.

Ahead of the meeting yesterday, Ferguson said, “The workers are very disappointed and our objective is to meet with the prime minister, the head of state and the minister of finance, to find a solution on these matters,

“If they are not resolved, we have said we are going to withdraw our labor.”

Asked how soon the union would act in the event it is not satisfied, Ferguson said that would be discussed immediately following a union meeting.

The umbrella union said it would hold a general meeting soon to discuss the outcome of the meeting and the way forward.

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Murders up eight percent

The Nassau Guardian

Murders up eight percent

Murders increased by eight percent between January 1 and May 23, 2014, compared to the same period in 2013, according to The Nassau Guardian’s records.

There were 46 murders recorded during this period compared to the 50 murders recorded this year so far.

In the last week, five people have been murdered in the country.

All of those murders took place on New Providence.

The most recent victim was shot dead outside a business on Lightbourn Avenue, off Farrington Road, around 5:45 a.m. Friday.

On Wednesday morning, a man was found dead inside a public restroom near Mermaid Boulevard, off Carmichael Road.

There have been 10 murders this month so far.

There were 12 murders in April.

Seven deaths have not been classified to date, including the four bodies found on April 3 on Anguilla Cay.

The bodies had tires placed on top of them and were burnt beyond recognition, according to authorities.

While Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade has provided indications of the murder trend in recent months, he has not released crime statistics for 2014.

In April, Greenslade said violent crimes with the exception of murder were trending downward.

Authorities have recently expressed concerns that crime could negatively impact tourism.

Minister of National Security Dr. Bernard Nottage said on May 6 he was “personally satisfied” that the government is on the right track in the fight against crime, adding that the crime problem will not be fixed overnight.

 

 

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Bonefish Bonnies make big catches at Deep Water Cay

The Nassau Guardian

Bonefish Bonnies make big catches at Deep Water Cay

DEEP WATER CAY, Grand Bahama – Proving that fishing “isn’t just a guy thing”, the 165 members of the Bonefish Bonnies are all about the catch! This year they returned to Deep Water Cay for their third visit with fourteen members showing how ladies reel them in.

The Bonefish Bonnies are an all-ladies angler club hailing from the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, Florida. They named their club in honor of the first female bonefish guide in the 1940s, Bonefish Bonnie Smith. The club’s members range in age from 30 to 85. Officially established 12 years ago, the club has monthly luncheons with educational and entertaining lessons on fishing skills, seminars on cooking, tagging, specific research studies on fish, presentations by celebrity anglers and lessons on fishing photography and environmental concerns about the oceans they fish in.

“Fabulous is the only way to describe our visit,” said Nina Patterson, an organizer of the trip and current member of the Bonefish Bonnies’ board of directors. “We’ve had 100 percent great weather and are overwhelmed by the upgrades to the club.” Patterson noted that the service at the club was exceptional, and all the ladies were thrilled when one of the members’ mutton snapper catch was incorporated in an evening meal.

Buzz Cox, Deep Water Cay’s general manager, stated, “The Bonefish Bonnies was a fun group to have here on the island. We see our role as simply facilitating the fun. We can’t wait to welcome them back next year.”

The ladies hail from all over the United States and Canada and spent three days on the island fishing all day, along with late evening sailing and massages. “What I love here is the guides really help us,” said Jeanie, who caught five bonefish in one day alone. “We ladies love having the guides instruct us and share with us the secrets of their best spots and techniques to improve our fishing. I don’t think some of our fellow male fishermen listen so well,” she remarked.

A few of the ladies reeled in bonefish catches over 10 pounds; all of them were chasing the new 14-pound record set at Deep Water Cay a few months ago. “You can fish for days in Florida and not even see a bonefish there,” said one of the ladies. “Here the guides take you right to them, improve your use of the long strip or short strip, and bam - you’ve got a beauty on your line.”

The ladies, who arrived using the island’s private airstrip, are very serious about returning to Grand Bahama, noting that a big draw was the ease of arrival and the close proximity of the fish. “If you want to catch bonefish, you need to be in The Bahamas. You need to be in Deep Water Cay,” said another member of the group. “This is the place to be and I’m hooked.”

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GBPA promotes Freeport in Qatar

The Nassau Guardian

GBPA promotes Freeport in Qatar

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama – More than 7,500 miles away in Qatar, Ian Rolle, president of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA), captured yet another opportunity to herald the benefits of Freeport, during the 14th Doha Forum. Held in Qatar this past week, the Doha Forum represented a gathering of more than 300 delegates from 69 countries.

On the invitation of Mohammed Jaham Al Kuwari, Qatar’s ambassador to the United States, Rolle presented on the subject “Economic potential of Freeport” to various high-level investors; namely members of the Qatar Investment Authority.

“Freeport is a premier center for business and private investments, and sharing this message has always been GBPA’s mission and mandate. However, I don’t believe we have ever had the opportunity to deliver our message to a group such as this,” Rolle explained, referring to the Qatar Investment Authority, which manages one of the world’s largest sovereign investment funds.

The 14th Doha Forum took place over three days, May 12–14; and while its agenda focused on enriching the Middle East’s economic future, Rolle noted that the conference addressed a broad range of economic issues, applicable to many countries.

“The Bahamas is no different from other countries striving to attract foreign investment,” he expressed,” Rolle said.

“GBPA capitalized on an excellent opportunity to promote the benefits of Freeport.

“We had a captive audience of extremely influential investors and our message was precise; the opportunities Freeport presents as a platform for a wide range of investments.”

 

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American Women’s Club donates to Bahamas National Trust’s summer safari camp

The Nassau Guardian

American Women’s Club donates to Bahamas National Trust’s summer safari camp

GRAND BAHAMA – The American Women’s Club recently made its annual donations to all of the nonprofit organizations it supports, including the Grand Bahama branch of the Bahamas National Trust (BNT). Its donation will help five children from the Grand Bahama Children’s Home to attend the BNT’s summer camp in Grand Bahama.

“The Grand Bahama branch of the BNT is extremely grateful to the American Women’s Club for its generous contributions over the years,” said Cecilia Bodie, BNT education officer. “This year’s summer camp will feature some exciting and adventurous expeditions. This generous donation will allow students who would not have been able to participate to take part in this summer’s exciting activities.”

The BNT’s summer safari camp will take place June 23 to 27 on New Providence, at The Retreat, and at the Rand Nature Centre in Grand Bahama.

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Book about British American Insurance Company launched

The Nassau Guardian

Book about British American Insurance Company launched

A book-signing event for “The Story of British American Insurance Company” was held recently in Nassau by the authors Peter Phillips, Carroll Davidson and David Thurlow. This was followed by a launch party at the Nassau Yacht Club for over 50 British American Insurance Company (BA) alumni, friends and followers, many of whom had not seen each other for decades.

Prominent alumni who attended the celebrations included Roger Sayers, who was a contributor to the book, Sir Geoffrey Johnstone, Roosevelt Finlayson, Angela Sawyer, John Wybrew, Judy Higgs from the Fidelity Group and Norbert Boissiere from Family Guardian. The launch costs were sponsored via the kind generosity of the Fidelity Group and the previous Chairman of BA, Peyton Woodson III.

BA was incorporated in Nassau in 1920 by five Bahamians and sold life insurance, with the premiums collected weekly. It eventually became majority-owned by a family trust (McMillen). It was a major business in The Bahamas and became a multinational company. It played a prominent role in civic and social life in The Bahamas, as it also did in the 33 countries in which it operated. Managed from its headquarters at 51 Frederick Street, Nassau, BA’s worldwide operations included life insurance, banking, broking, reinsurance, and in The Bahamas in the 1970s it also operated hotels, a motor dealership and other businesses.

In 1931, BA’s first non-Bahamian sales office was opened in Kingston, Jamaica, where in conjunction with the Nassau office it sold weekly premium life and sickness and accident insurance. In 1952, there was an ambitious expansion program and new offices were opened, first in Haiti, then Bermuda and later in the majority of English and Dutch-speaking countries of the Caribbean.

1967 saw Central American expansion into Nicaragua, followed by Honk Kong, Malaysia and Fiji. Africa was next, with offices in Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya and Mauritius. Later, European expansion followed, with the purchase of ordinary life insurance companies in the UK and Luxemburg.

The Bahamian insurance branch operation became a company, BA Bahamas, and it is now BAF. First Home Savings and Loan was established in the late 1970s to provide Bahamians with the finance to buy their own homes. It later became British American Bank and has since evolved into the Fidelity Group. A brokerage company, Britam Bahamas, was launched soon afterwards.

This book chronicles the history of the control of BA, the geographic expansion of its insurance activities and the impact that the changing world of the 1970s had on its operations. It contains photos of BA people worldwide and also vivid reminiscences of the pioneers who ventured into far places to fly its flag.

The authors worked together in the Caribbean home office in Jamaica during the 1960s. They lived in various countries during their careers with BA and their service exceeded 90 years.

BA’s final chapter is briefly covered. BA unraveled after the trust which controlled it divested itself of its interest and this once-proud company was disposed of, one operation at a time.

The book is for sale at Buy The Book on Saunders Beach; Logos Bookstore on Harbour Bay; Kathryn Marie Hair Salon on Palmdale Avenue, and on the website Amazon.com.

 

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New defense force vessel arrives

The Nassau Guardian

New defense force vessel arrives

The first of nine vessels that are expected to significantly enhance the Royal Bahamas Defence Force’s (RBDF) detection capabilities arrived in New Providence yesterday.

The $15 million vessel, HMBS Arthur Dion Hanna, was docked at Prince George Dock after a six-day journey from Amsterdam, where it was built.

The government will sign the acceptance letter for that vessel today, according to National Security Minister Dr. Bernard Nottage.

“We have to be able to defend our borders and protect the integrity of our country,” said Nottage during a press conference onboard the vessel yesterday morning.

“As you know, illegal immigration is probably the biggest problem we have in terms of border invasion. But there are drugs always going through.

“We are satisfied that there are guns that go through. We are satisfied that there is human smuggling and there is trafficking in persons.

“The fight against those will be significantly enhanced by the acquisition of this fleet.”

RBDF officer Chapell Whyms said the vessel can accommodate a crew of 24 and is equipped with state-of-the-art communications.

He said the vessel can travel for 2,500 miles before refueling is required.

RBDF Commander Nedley Martinborough said the acquisition of all nine vessels will “fill a void that has been missing for several years”.

“It provides a complete range of vessels from 100 feet to 140 feet and we will still have in our fleet the 200 feet HMBS Bahamas and Nassau, which are also set to receive [refurbishing] during this Sandy Bottom Project,” he said.

“So given the existing fleet and the completion of the Sandy Bottom Project, that would complete maritime security from the surface level for some years to come; I would daresay the next 15 or 20 years.”

The government expects another two boats within the next four months. All of the vessels are expected to be complete by August 2016. Officials said construction of the vessels is running ahead of schedule.

Nottage previously said the cost for the shipbuilding is approximately $149 million and the civil works are expected to cost $75 million.

The government will borrow $232 million from Deutsche Bank to purchase the vessels and carry out ancillary civil work.

The government signed a contract with Dutch shipbuilders Damen Shipyard earlier this year to build the vessels.

Van Oord will dredge the Coral Harbour Port to accommodate the larger vessels. It will also construct ports in Gun Point, Ragged Island, and Matthew Town, Great Inagua.

Several officers are undergoing training so that they can properly man the new vessels.

 

 

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Three shot dead

The Nassau Guardian

Three shot dead

Police yesterday investigated three additional murders.

Police said a woman was found dead in a car off Cowpen Road with multiple gunshot wounds around 7 a.m., a man was shot to death in front of a house in Redland Acres hours before, and a man died after he was shot at a bar on Robinson Road on Friday night.

In relation to the latest murder, Assistant Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson said police found the woman in the passenger seat of a gray Honda Accord on a dirt road about half a mile off Cowpen Road.

While details surrounding the incident were limited, Ferguson said police believe the woman was killed on Saturday night and driven to where she was found.

Police believe the woman was in her early 20s. Her identity was not released.

Asked who the car belonged to, Ferguson said it did not belong to the victim, and police were trying to determine the owner.

In a separate incident, officers responding to a report of a man being shot on Haven and Red Sea Roads near Soldier Road, around 3:30 a.m. yesterday, found the man lying on the ground with gunshot wounds to the head, Ferguson said.

While police were uncertain about the circumstances surrounding that incident, Ferguson said the victim was believed to be in his late 30s.

No arrests were made in connection with any of the incidents up to press time.

On Friday, an armed man walked into King’s Bar on Washington Street and Robinson Road and shot a man, police reported.

The victim was taken to hospital and later died of his injuries, police said.

Ferguson appealed to the public to assist with any information on the murders.

These latest incidents pushed the country’s murder count for 2014 to 48, according to The Nassau Guardian’s records.

On May 6, Minister of National Security Dr. Bernard Nottage told reporters during a press conference at the Cabinet Office that there has been an “overall systematic reduction in crime” in The Bahamas.

He said with the exceptions of slight increases in rape and crimes against property, all categories of crime in the country have been reduced.

However, Nottage did not provide statistics to back up the statement.

Authorities continue to express concern that crime could negatively impact the tourism product, especially with major events such as the upcoming IAAF World Relays putting the country on the international stage.

 

 

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Trial of man accused of sex with 12-year-old adjourned

The Nassau Guardian

Trial of man accused of sex with 12-year-old adjourned

A judge yesterday halted the trial of a man accused of having sex with a minor after it became apparent he was not competent to represent himself.

Dario Roberts is on trial for unlawful sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 14. He has denied the allegation at his trial before Senior Justice Jon Isaacs.

Prosecutors allege that Roberts had relations with the girl of 12 on January 19, 2013.

Isaacs adjourned the trial to Wednesday for appointment of a lawyer after Roberts failed to question the alleged victim about her testimony when it was his turn to examine her.

During her testimony, the alleged victim identified Roberts as the man who put his hand down her pants and fondled her genitals when she walked outside a game room around 8:30 p.m.

She said that she told Roberts “never again” and went back inside the game room.

She claimed that someone dragged her behind the establishment as she left around 9:30 p.m. and raped her. The girl, now 13, said she didn’t see her attacker because it was dark, but when she escaped, she looked back and saw the accused.

Prodded by the judge, the complainant said she didn’t look back until she had reached the corner. The girl said she did not tell her mother what happened when she got home, but she washed her genitals because she was “itching and burning”.

The complainant said she told a teacher about the alleged assault after she was unable to run because of the pain. The complainant said a policewoman accompanied her to the clinic.

Asked by prosecutor Darnell Dorsette if she knew the accused, the complainant said she exchanged greetings with him when she went to the game room.

When given the opportunity to question his accuser, Roberts did not suggest that she was lying or mistaken about the identity of her attacker.

He asked the accuser what he was doing in the game room and she replied, “Sitting there, cracking jokes.”

Roberts had no further questions.

 

 

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John Pinder fails to provide evidence on aragonite claims

The Nassau Guardian

John Pinder fails to provide evidence on aragonite claims

Bahamas Public Services Union (BPSU) President John Pinder and the Bahamas National Citizens Coalition (BNCC) yesterday stood by their claim that argonite is selling for as much as $900 per metric ton, though they were unable to provide any proof in the matter.

“I maintain that this government, if they pursue this thing properly, can get as much as $300 per metric ton for aragonite,” Pinder said.

“I am saying that because the final product is being sold for as much as $1,200.”

Pinder also admitted that he has not read the lease between Sandy Cay Development Co. Limited and the government.

Sandy Cay Development President Tony Myers recently told The Nassau Guardian the unprocessed aragonite being shipped from Ocean Cay is being sold on average for $12 to $20 per metric ton.

He provided an invoice that shows a recent sale for $12.50 per metric ton.

The government gets a $2 royalty per metric ton sold.

Pinder maintained that the government could net $300 million in royalties per month from aragonite sales if it were “serious enough”.

“If he (Sandy Cay President Tony Myers) is selling it at $12, he is giving it away,” Pinder claimed.

“I don’t believe that, because you could go and buy a bag of sand from around here, which is only a bag of sand which weighs about 20 pounds, and you have to pay like $12 to $20.

“Who is he kidding?”

Pinder admitted that he “doesn’t have all the information” on the matter, but “has a feeling”.

Myers told The Guardian that Sandy Cay has only had 16 export shipments since it started aragonite harvesting in 2010.

He estimated that the resale cost of aragonite — after his company sells to U.S. companies and they complete the refining process — increases to around $75 per metric ton for the glass market and up to $400 per metric ton for the plastics market.

 

Profit

Myers said Sandy Cay has not yet made a profit from its operation, though he said it is poised to make money soon.

Pinder said, “If you believe that you might as well believe a cow jumped over the moon.”

He and the coalition have called on the government to increase its royalties to $300.

Pinder said his research team, the BNCC, has provided him with his information.

However, BNCC Chairman Rev. Andrew Stewart has admitted that the coalition has not seen the lease and has not contacted the investor.

“We could yield as much as $300 million per month off aragonite if the government has the will to do what is necessary to cause that to happen,” Pinder said.

“I maintain that statement. I have done what I [needed to do]. I have sensitized the Bahamian people.

“Let them do their research [and] let them defend me.

“I don’t need to defend my statement. I’d rather Bahamians do their research and defend it.”

When asked if he read the lease between the government and Sandy Cay, Pinder said he did not.

“I don’t have all the verifiable facts, but my mission has been accomplished,” he said.

“I want Bahamians to be sensitized to a very valuable product we have that is a necessity for most of the products produced in the world.”

Aragonite is a naturally occurring unique carbonate mineral found in abundance in our ocean.

Commonly, it is known as sand, and has widespread uses in various industries, including aggregate, agriculture, glass, power plant desulfurization, plastics, food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

Pinder said he wants like to see Sandy Cay’s books, as well as those of every other company that has mined aragonite in The Bahamas.

 

 

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Bail granted to alleged gun runner

The Nassau Guardian

Bail granted to alleged gun runner

A Supreme Court judge yesterday granted bail to an alleged gun smuggler after the prosecution conceded that the case against him was weak.

Leonard Saunders, 28, of Churchill Subdivision, was arraigned last month on 17 counts related to the seizure of five firearms and 387 rounds of ammunition.

Prosecutor Maria Zancolla withdrew her objection to the grant of bail after acknowledging that there was no evidence to connect Saunders to the guns and ammunition.

According to Saunders’ lawyer, Dorsey McPhee, he was only a passenger in a taxi. McPhee said the contraband was found in Exuma on April 8, but police arrested Saunders and taxi driver Shamar Ellis the following day after they left Potter’s Cay Dock.

Police found appliances and groceries in the taxi, according to a witness statement. McPhee said Saunders’ image had been plastered across the newspapers, giving the impression he was a “gun runner when there is nothing to connect him to these charges”.

Justice Vera Watkins set Saunders’ bail at $8,000 with two sureties.

The seized firearms included an Austria Glock 27.40 pistol, an Austria Glock 9x19 pistol, a Del-ton DTI 15 rifle, and a .223 5.56 assault rifle. Police also recovered ammunition for the weapons.

Ellis and Saunders also face charges of possession of guns and ammunition with intent to supply and conspiring to import guns and ammunition from October 20, 2013 to April 7.

 

 

 

 

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Gibson dismisses Sands’ concerns on NHI date

The Nassau Guardian

Gibson dismisses Sands’ concerns on NHI date

Minister of Labour and National Insurance Shane Gibson yesterday dismissed concerns from Free National Movement (FNM) Deputy Chairman Dr. Duane Sands that the government will not meet its January 2016 deadline for National Health Insurance (NHI).

“It is really difficult for me to keep responding to an always rejected man who wants to be a politician,” Gibson told reporters yesterday.

“He is at his best when he is criticizing, and I’m not going to endorse him or authenticate what he says by responding to him. As soon as he is able to be elected in Parliament...then I will speak to him.”

Last Wednesday, Minister of State for Finance Michael Halkitis said the government intends to implement NHI in January 2016.

He said NHI should be a national priority and “we should all support it”.

“I would say to any Bahamian who has read the article in The Nassau Guardian, dated May 8, do not hold your breath,” said Sands, who appeared as a guest recently on the Star 106.5 FM radio talk show “Jeffrey” with Jeffrey Lloyd.

Sands pointed to the numerous deadlines the Christie administration previously set for universal healthcare as reasons why he doubts the plan will be executed.

“You heard National Health Insurance was coming in 2006,” Sands said.

“Then you heard the now minister of health (Dr. Perry Gomez) on the campaign trail say that within one year after the election NHI would be implemented in The Bahamas.

“Then that date was pushed back for another year. Now we hear it’s pushed back to another year-and-a-half.

“I put that to you against the background of the fiscal challenges in this country; against the background of the fact that most of the planning hasn’t been done.

“This will not happen, not with this government and its total incompetence in terms of planning and executing anything.”

The government has engaged Costa Rican accounting firm Sanigest Internacional to come up with the cost for NHI, according to Minister of Health Dr. Perry Gomez.

Gomez said the NHI report is due by mid-July.

Gibson has promised to release how much the government paid the firm.

When asked yesterday, he said, “We’re not operating in a vacuum.

“As soon as we have all the information and we are ready to release that information we will release it. It makes no sense to me personally to release information [in] bits and pieces at a time.

As soon as we are ready to release the appropriate information through the appropriate means, then we will do so.”

Under the first Christie administration, NHI was estimated to cost $235 million annually.

 

 

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Govt awards housing contracts

The Nassau Guardian

Govt awards housing contracts

Acknowledging that the government’s housing program has suffered setbacks, Minister of Housing Kenred Dorsett said yesterday 23 contracts have been issued for home construction.

Dorsett said the Ministry of Housing issued the contracts for the construction of homes in Strachan's Hill Estates on Fire Trail Road.

“These contracts not only demonstrate the government's commitment to helping Bahamians achieve home ownership, but also provide employment predominately to Bahamian men,” Dorsett said in a statement.

“Though we experienced delays, my ministry received the first tranche in the amount of $2.5 million and construction has begun, as I have previously announced.”

Dorsett said the program is now “off and running”.

This is the first major move on the project since June 2013, when the Ministry of Finance signed a $160 million memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the National Insurance Board (NIB) and the Bahamas Mortgage Corporation (BMC) for the national housing program.

At the time, Dorsett said the project would begin in 30 days. However, work was delayed as a result of the BMC and the government working to fulfill the stipulations in the MOU, including the hiring of a financial advisor and project manager, officials said.

The first phase of the construction will cost $10 million, which will be disbursed to the ministry in quarterly installments of $2.5 million.

Dorsett previously said the $10 million would fund the construction of at least 120 homes.

In yesterday’s statement, he said the government has adopted a new housing model in a bid to drive down construction costs. Dorsett said three homes that are nearing completion in Strachan’s Hill are the first to be built under the new plan.

“They have been outfitted with modern windows and will have solar-powered water heaters and photovoltaic systems,” Dorsett said.

“These homes were constructed using modern building methods with a view to lowering the cost of construction without losing square footage or quality. This is an attempt to offer dwelling homes for sale which more of our citizens can afford.”

Dorsett said he expects work to be up to acceptable standards.

“Bahamians should note that the construction process will be different than in previous years as private inspectors have been retained,” he said.

“There is also a fund administrator for the monies that would have been advanced from the National Insurance Board as mandated in our agreement.

“My intention is to provide value for money as much as possible, being mindful that purchasing a home is a lifelong investment for most of our citizens.

“It is imperative, however, that those who want to avail themselves of home ownership now and in the future prepare by saving and ensuring that they are not burdened with debt.”

Dorsett said construction will begin in Grand Bahama “shortly”.

He also said new homes will be constructed in Fire Trail Subdivision and Romer Street in Fox Hill when the second tranche of funding is received from NIB.

 

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Nottage says spying claims ‘irresponsible’

The Nassau Guardian

Nottage says spying claims ‘irresponsible’

National Security Minister Dr. Bernard Nottage yesterday dismissed “irresponsible” claims by Free National Movement (FNM) Deputy Leader Loretta Butler-Turner that the government is using the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to “engage in domestic spying on the Bahamian people”.

Nottage said Butler-Turner’s comments were “unbecoming of a member of Parliament”.

Outside the House of Assembly, Nottage said her comments were “foolish”.

“Absolutely foolish,” he said.

“How would she know that?

“What do you mean nobody has any idea [what the NIA is doing]? I have an idea. I don’t care to deal with that now.”

When asked if the NIA is spying on Bahamians through reading text messages and emails and listening in on telephone calls, Nottage said,

“Please. No. I am not checking anybody’s private business. We are after criminals.”

During a rally at the Free National Movement’s (FNM) headquarters on Tuesday night, Butler-Turner said no legislation was brought to Parliament to set up the agency and questioned its legality.

She questioned whether information is being collected for political purposes and then being passed on to the most senior members of the Cabinet.

“Is the National Intelligence Agency the PLP’s secret intelligence operations unit just as ZNS is its broadcasting and propaganda arm? What is happening to our Bahamas?” Butler-Turner asked.

She added, “What we may now have is a possible illegal agency engaging in spying on the Bahamian people, possibly listening to our telephone calls, reading our texts and emails, gathering information on God knows who and for God knows what.

“What is the legal standing of this domestic spy agency and network?”

Speaking in the House of Assembly last night, Nottage addressed the issue further.

He held up a copy of The Nassau Guardian’s Wednesday edition for all members of the House of Assembly to see.

The headline read, “FNM deputy says govt may be spying”.

He accused the FNM of trying to “sully his reputation with these false accusations”.

He further charged that the opposition is more concerned about attracting crowds.

Speaking on a point of order, Butler-Turner said Bahamians have a right to know what the NIA is doing. But Nottage brushed her comments off.

The NIA was created by the Christie administration.

According to government officials, it is responsible for collecting and transmitting valuable intelligence to various law enforcement agencies to aid in the fight against smuggling and terrorism.

Former Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) Commodore Clifford ‘Butch’ Scavella heads the agency.

Speaking about the creation of the NIA in August 2012, Minister of State for National Security Keith Bell told The Nassau Guardian he expected Nottage to bring legislation to Parliament to strengthen the proposed unit, but said the NIA will be able to do some work without any new laws.

The creation of the NIA was a campaign pledge of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and outlined in its Charter for Governance.

 

 

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TUC leader puts workers on notice

The Nassau Guardian

TUC leader puts workers on notice

Trade Union Congress (TUC) President Obie Ferguson put thousands of workers across the country on notice last night as the umbrella union gears up for “mass industrial action” in the coming days.

He said if the government does not resolve what he called a myriad of outstanding labor concerns, the TUC and the unions that fall under it will “level the playing field” in order to bring “respect and sanity in the workplace”.

“Stand with me and my colleagues for a few days to bring full recognition to you as workers and your right to an equal share in the economic and social fiber of this country,” said Ferguson at a mass rally at St. Gregory’s Anglican Church on Carmichael Road.

“I call on all trade unions to file a trade dispute on any unresolved matter that exists in your union as a precursor to the plan.

“And I call on all workers in The Bahamas to listen to the announcements and follow the instruction to be given as to what you ought to do over the next two to three days of withdrawal of our labor, designed to level the playing field and to bring respect and sanity in the workplace.”

Ferguson said the Department of Labour has been “reduced to a toothless poodle”, which lacks relevance and effectiveness.

He said with only two conciliation hearings per day, the department is not productive and has allowed a “clogging of the system, the effect of which the users of the system have become disenchanted with the system”.

He also said the Industrial Tribunal is not designed to assist the working class.

Ferguson said if an employee is awarded money, and the employer refuses to pay, the tribunal has no authority to enforce its ruling.

The TUC president said this means an employee is forced to pursue the matter in the Supreme Court at a cost.

“This process would cost the worker approximately $2,500,” he said. “Does that make sense?”

Ferguson noted that the umbrella union made several recommendations to the government in 2012 aimed at revising the Employment Act to better protect and provide for employees.

Some of those recommendations include making notice required before redundancy, expanding the redundancy provision of the act to take into consideration years of service and legislating that workers get their redundancy and gratuity on termination.

The union also recommended that the government create a redundancy fund to ensure workers are provided for when a company claims bankruptcy or financial ruin, among other things.

Ferguson said there are 11 unions that fall under the TUC that have not signed off on their respective agreements with the government.

He said the government does not appear to respect Bahamian workers or trade union leaders.

Ferguson also expressed concern about workers being dismissed and rehired on contract.

He spoke of the 30 former full-time security officers at the Grand Lucayan resort who were rehired on contract.

He said those workers are no longer entitled to vacation, sick pay, pension and the right to file a dispute if they feel they have been unfairly dismissed in the future.

“We as leaders of the workers cannot sit idly by and allow that type of situation to occur to workers in The Bahamas,” he said.

“To allow that kind of situation to continue without doing what we are doing tonight, would in my opinion amount to a fundamental breach of our sacred responsibility to the workers of this land.”

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Rupert Roberts joins the DNA

The Nassau Guardian

Rupert Roberts joins the DNA

The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) announced yesterday that businessman Rupert Roberts has joined the organization.

Roberts, the owner of the Super Value grocery store chain, said he is tired of the same political parties.

“We’ve had the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) for years. The Free National Movement (FNM) and PLP, there’s very little difference. I think it’s time to try something else,” Roberts said at a press conference.

Roberts has been in business for more than 50 years.

He has also been outspoken on numerous issues, including the New Providence Road Improvement Project (NPRIP) and the implementation of value-added tax (VAT).

Roberts said he was very distressed that the Ingraham administration “steamrolled” through the Blue Hill Road and Market Street portions of the road improvement project.

“It destroyed a lot of lives and the livelihood of a lot of people,” he said.

“The FNM wouldn’t listen. The PLP marched and prayed with us and came to power and did nothing.”

When asked what his allegiance was before joining the DNA, Roberts said he was a PLP.

“I supported the PLP very heavily financially and voted for them as many of us did because the people said they were going to the polls to vote out the FNM and I suppose that’s what I did,” he said.

DNA Leader Branville McCartney thanked Roberts for his support.

“We are most privileged and honored to have a person like Mr. Roberts to be a part of the DNA,” McCartney said.

“I intimated a few months back that persons have joined and will be joining — persons who are significant in The Bahamas.

“Today is the start of [that].”

The party did not indicate if Roberts will be on its ticket in the next general election.

The DNA won no seats in the last general election, but made history by garnering the most votes ever for a third party in The Bahamas.

The DNA got 13,186 votes of the 155,804 votes cast, which accounts for 8.4 percent of the overall vote.

McCartney pledged yesterday that a DNA government would work for the people.

“We believe and we have said the power of the people is always greater than the people in power,” he said.

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Four men wanted in separate murders

The Nassau Guardian

Four men wanted in separate murders

Police have launched a nationwide manhunt for four men wanted in connection with several recent murders on New Providence.

Police are looking for Marvin Hamilton, 35, of Jacaranda Street; Lavardo Poitier, 24, of Seven Hills, and Antoine Hamilton, aka ‘Tones’, 26, of Sumner Street, Nassau Village.

However, Superintendent Paul Rolle, head of the Central Detective Unit, who issued the wanted bulletins for those men yesterday, did not detail which murders police wanted to question those three men about.

He said police believe other men may be involved in those murders and they do not want to compromise their investigations.

Rolle said there is no relation between Marvin Hamilton and Antoine Hamilton.

Police are also looking for Shervin Munnings, 19, of Montel Heights, to question him about the murder of Rashawn Sumner, 19, of Montel Heights. He was killed on Key West Street last month.

Sumner reportedly got into an altercation with two men around midnight on April 17 and was shot twice in the head.

He died on the scene. Another was man injured in that shooting and taken to hospital, police said.

Rolle appealed to the families and friends of the wanted men to turn them over to police.

Sumner’s death pushed the country’s murder count for 2014 up to 33.

There have been 41 murders in the country so far this year.

Gang

Rolle said many violent incidents, including murders, have taken place in Englerston this year.

He said the emergence of two new gangs in that area has fueled a turf war.

“There are some people who are trying to assemble themselves as gangs in that Englerston community,” Rolle said.

“We are not going to allow them to wreak havoc and achieve that which they are trying to do in that community or any other community.

“We are going to continue to pursue them and we are going to continue to flush them out.

“The two [gangs] that are trying to gain prominence in that area, I just want them to know that we know who they are and they will feel us.”

Superintendent Stephen Dean said the police presence has been significantly increased in Englerston and residents should notice a difference.

“We intend to reduce the fear of crime in that area and we will be bringing these people to justice.

Last year, the government amended the Penal Code to target gang activity.

Anyone convicted of being in an unlawful gang or participates in or contributes to the activities of unlawful gangs can be fined up to $500,000, and imprisoned for 20 years, subject to a minimum term of 15 years.

 

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School for blind and visually impaired celebrates 65 years

The Nassau Guardian

School for blind and visually impaired celebrates 65 years

The Salvation Army’s Erin H. Gilmour School for Blind and Visually Impaired Children celebrates 65 years this year under the theme “Celebrating our Past”. To commemorate this momentous occasion, the school recently held a church service at The Salvation Army Nassau Citadel Church at 31 Mackey Street, one of many activities planned for the anniversary. The entire service was conducted by the staff and students of the school.

There were musical selections performed by the school’s music ensembles, the Little Beacons and the Mighty Beacons.

The service was moderated by Bill Lightbourne, a former student and current teacher at the school.

“It is always a pleasure to be treated to a performance by our talented students, who remain determined, focused and poised even in the midst of their challenges,” said Major Lester Ferguson, the Salvation Army’s divisional commander.

The Erin Gilmour School is a primary and secondary educational facility with trained teachers, who cater to students ages six to 17 years who are unable to attend regular schools. In this specialized facility, students are provided with quality educational programs with state-of-the-art equipment and assistive technology devices.

The mission of The Salvation Army’s Erin Gilmour School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Children is to provide a quality education, individualized instruction, adaptive technologies and resources to enable students who are blind and visually impaired to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes to become independent, productive and contributing members of society.

For more information on the school, please call The Salvation Army at 393-2340 or visit our website at www.salvationarmybahamas.org.

 

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Canadian man warns of crime in The Bahamas

The Nassau Guardian

Canadian man warns of crime in The Bahamas

A Canadian man who was stabbed while on vacation in Nassau in 2010 has warned about crime in The Bahamas following the acquittal of three men who were charged with the attack, according to international reports.

The website www.globalnews.ca reported that Mitchell Nini spoke out against crime in The Bahamas after learning of the acquittal last week.

“Anyone who goes there isn’t immune to the crime there,” Nini is quoted saying.

“Whether you feel like you’re safe on the resort, as soon as you step off the resort you’re in a war zone.”

Nini was attacked near Luna nightclub on West Bay Street after a party early Christmas Day in 2010. He was stabbed several times after he chased after a suspect who had ripped a $1,000 chain off the neck of his friend, Bahamian Montez Armbrister.

The three men charged with the attack were found not guilty by a verdict of 6-3 by a Supreme Court jury.

Crimes against visitors to The Bahamas have grabbed headlines in recent weeks.

Last month, British visitor Edgar George Dart was killed during a home invasion in Grand Bahama.

On April 8, Dart and his family were bound and robbed by three armed bandits, according to police.

Dart, who was reportedly in Grand Bahama visiting his mother, was shot after he got into an altercation with one of the intruders, police said.

Last month, a U.S. website ranked The Bahamas as number one on a list of the ‘world’s most dangerous cruise destinations’.

The list is featured on www.cruiselawnews.com and made the rounds on social media shortly after it was posted.

The list was based solely on “anecdotal” evidence, according to Florida-based attorney Jim Walker, a partner of Walker & O’Neill Maritime Lawyers, who compiled it.

Minister of State for National Security Keith Bell said it paints the country unfairly.

Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe acknowledged that such bad press hurts the destination.

 

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DPM: Country ‘under siege’

The Nassau Guardian

DPM: Country ‘under siege’

Deputy Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis said yesterday crime has the country “under siege”.

However, Davis lashed out at the media for “flaming this fire of discontent”.

While in opposition, he was adamant that reports about high levels of crime should not be silenced.

Speaking at police headquarters yesterday, Davis said, “Anyone visiting New Providence cannot help but come away with the impression that there is an insipient sense of anger, rage, intolerance and impatience in our midst.

“It is evident everywhere. We see it as we drive on our streets. We see it in our relations with one another.

We see it in our homes, and sadly there is an overspill of these tendencies in our community.

“We are an angry society and we need to calm our most vicious tendencies to lash out at everything and everyone.

“This type of behavior has not been made easier by the fact that we have a media and other forms of social communication which seem to take delight in flaming this fire of discontent.”

Davis highlighted the crime problem at a launch of the Urban Renewal Programme’s Peace Ambassador initiative.

As he spoke, reporters were called to the scene of another homicide on Cowpen Road.

“Crime and criminality and other anti-social behaviors affect our traditions and culture,” Davis said. “Our morals and values are being diluted.

“Our social fabric is coming apart at the seams. Our economy is under siege, our very livelihood at stake, yes, even our proud heritage as announced in our constitution is under vicious attack.”

Davis has sent mixed signals on the level of criminality in The Bahamas.

In January, nearly a month after being robbed at gunpoint in his home, he said The Bahamas is not “as dangerous as it is made out to be”.

“We do have pockets of young men who have lost their way and wreaking havoc, but I think it is all confined within what I call groupings,” he said at the time.

However, last June, following the shooting of his police aide, Davis told reporters the incident highlighted the country’s high level of criminal activity.

He said the attack sent the message that no one in The Bahamas is safe.

While Davis is now accusing the media of fanning the flames, prior to the Progressive Liberal Party’s (PLP) return to office in 2012, the PLP erected billboards highlighting the number of murders in the country.

Some of these were placed in areas frequented by tourists, including Montagu and the Saunders Beach roundabout.

The signs read ‘Under the FNM government 490 plus murders’.

After the then government tore down some of the signs, Davis accused the Ingraham administration of using “strong arm tactics” to conceal the facts.

Then Minister of Tourism Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace said tourists complained about the signs.

“We cannot hide the truth,” said Davis on April 26, 2012 when asked about backlash over the murder billboards.

“Are we about hiding the truth? Are we going to be concerned about the impression that the truth gives? The only way we can get rid of these things is to address the issue. The fact is that there were more than 490 murders in this country (since 2007). We cannot run away from that.”

Davis’ most recent comments on crime came amid a spate of violence and killings in New Providence and Grand Bahama.

 

 

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Police ID five murder victims

The Nassau Guardian

Police ID five murder victims

Police released the identities of five homicide victims yesterday including the latest victim, Rolley Gibson Jr., whose burned body was found behind a church off Cowpen Road on Tuesday.

Gibson, 23, was a resident of Sandilands Village Road, police said.

His body was discovered after 10 a.m.

Superintendent Paul Rolle, head of the Central Detective Unit, said police believe someone dumped Gibson’s body at the site the night before it was discovered.

It was found behind Refuge Tabernacle on Refuge Court wrapped in a sheet, according to police.

The other victims have been identified as Quentine Rolle, 20, of Plantol Street; Carleau Prudhomme, 17, of East Street; Neko Lloyd, 35, of Gibbs Corner and Braven Hanna, 18, of Constitution Drive.

Rolle was shot as he walked through the Wilson Track area around 9:30 p.m. on April 24.

He died in hospital.

Police arrested two 17-year-old boys, a 37-year-old man and two 24-year-old women in connection with the incident.

Prudhomme was shot and killed on Cordeaux Avenue shortly before 9 p.m. on April 25.

Lloyd was shot and killed on Gibbs Corner after midnight on April 27.

Police said he was at the rear of a friend’s home when he was killed after being shot to the stomach and chest. His death marked the sixth killing in four days.

The shooter fled on foot and the victim ran to the front of the house, where he collapsed and died.

Hanna, who was previously identified by family members at the crime scene, died after he was shot in the head during a shooting on Constitution Drive before 9 p.m. on April 28.

Hanna was a recent graduate of C.C. Sweeting High School. He was sitting on a bench outside a friend’s home, playing a game of dominoes with friends, when a masked man emerged from the rear of the building and started shooting.

This week, South Beach MP Cleola Hamilton called for an end to the violence. She spoke to reporters at the scene where Gibson’s body was discovered.

“I just regret what is happening in the country today,” she said. “...It appears as if almost every day there is a murder. It appears as if people aren’t talking anymore. It appears as if we have very angry people in the country.

“...People don’t appear to care. I am praying for the country. We all need to pray because we are going through a very bad time.”

 

 

 

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Sturrup named general manager and managing editor of The Freeport News

The Nassau Guardian

Sturrup named general manager and managing editor of The Freeport News

The Nassau Guardian yesterday announced the appointment of Fred Sturrup as general manager and managing editor of its Grand Bahama newspaper, The Freeport News.

Sturrup’s appointment takes effect on Monday.

As general manager and managing editor of The Freeport News, Sturrup begins a direct association with the one daily newspaper in Grand Bahama for the fifth time. Previously, he contributed to the expansion of the circulation and advertising departments at The Freeport News. Then, as Guardian publisher during the early 1990s, The Freeport News was part of his administrative portfolio.

More recently, Sturrup served a six-month stint during 2010 coordinating the newspaper’s editorial department.

“Fred is one of the most experienced newsmen in the country. We are pleased that he has accepted this appointment and are sure he will help grow The Freeport News,” said Guardian General Manager Brent Dean.

Sturrup succeeds Ollie Ferguson as general manager.

“Ollie did well leading The Freeport News these past years. He brought organization and discipline to the operation. We wish him well in his future endeavors and thank him for his loyal service to our company,” said Dean.

Ferguson’s last day at The Freeport News is tomorrow.

Sturrup takes up the role of managing editor from John Fleet, who left The Freeport News last month.

“I am very familiar with The Freeport News and the general environment of Grand Bahama. The Freeport News has always been an important news organ for Grand Bahama. Going forward, I intend to work very closely with the team at The Freeport News to cover the news in Grand Bahama and to project the island in a significant and positive way,” said Sturrup.

Sturrup is a multiple national and Caribbean award winning sports journalist. He began his association with The Nassau Guardian in 1965 as a copy boy and later completed his journalism internship with the organization. The Nassau Guardian also sponsored his training at The Washington Post, in Washington, D.C.

 

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$26 mil. overrun on govt building

The Nassau Guardian

$26 mil. overrun on govt building

The cost of the new government complex on John F. Kennedy Drive that was budgeted at $5.8 million when a contract was signed with Holiday Industrial Builders in 2004, skyrocketed to more than $32 million as a result of “wastage” by the Ingraham administration, Minister of Labour and National Insurance Shane Gibson said yesterday.

Gibson also said the former government’s decision to terminate a contract with Rev. Lloyd Smith, the company’s principal, “without cause” led to enormous delays.

As a result of the delays that came with the contract termination, taxpayers will also have to pay $7.8 million in additional interest, the minister said.

He said the $32.6 million figure was up to December 2013. When electrical and other repairs are factored in, the final cost will be even more, according to the minister.

Gibson revealed the information to The Nassau Guardian as a row erupted over the Christie administration’s decision to award a new $20 million contract to the same construction company.

The new building will house the Ministry of National Security. It will be constructed next to the existing one, which is where the Office of the Attorney General is now located.

Smith was advised on November 4, 2008 that the Bahamas Mortage Corporation decided to terminate the agreement for the building “effective immediately”.

In a letter to him, then Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works Anita Bernard invited Smith to submit claims for compensation in accordance with the agreement.

One week later, Acting Financial Secretary Colin Higgs wrote Algernon Cargill, the then National Insurance Board director, advising, “The Ministry [of Public Works] is presently in discussion with Jones Construction Company with respect to complete the building.”

In the House of Assembly weeks later, then Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham advised that the contract had skyrocketed to over $14 million due to “defective work” and material that had disappeared from the site.

The matter went to arbitration.

According to Gibson, Smith got a $700,000 payout after it was determined his contract was wrongfully terminated.

“There was no finding of sub-standard work made by the arbitrators,” Smith’s lawyer, Kelphene Cunningham, later wrote in legal correspondence.

Cunningham also advised that the material that had been held “in storage” by Holiday Industrial Builders was returned to the Bahamas Mortgage Corporation.

“Ingraham’s cessation of the contract was purely for political expediency,” she wrote.

Both the current and former administrations reported repeatedly that there were significant problems with the building, which resulted in tremendous cost to taxpayers.

Selective bidding

Gibson said the government had no problem awarding Smith a contract for a new government building next to the existing building because arbitrators found that he was wrongfully terminated.

The minister said the $20 million contract was awarded after a selective bidding process.

He said such a process is not unusual.

In the face of opposition criticisms over the recent award of a contract for the new building on John F. Kennedy Drive, Gibson said, “We did more than they (the Ingraham administration) did.

“We went out to tender. They did not go out to tender with Jones Construction for the same building they are talking about that they terminated Smith on.

“They gave a $8.6 million contract to Jones Construction.

“Lloyd Smith had a performance bond in place and he only had $4.6 million left in his contract to finish the building.

“If they had terminated him for cause, what they would have done is call in the bond. The letters of termination clearly state that it was not for cause so he was able to cash his bond back in.”

Gibson called opposition members “hypocrites” for criticizing the government over the new contract award.

Gibson said the Ingraham administration used selective bidding to award contracts for the Critical Care Block, the Ministry of Education building, the Ministry of Health building and the administrative complexes in Freeport and Abaco.

“They were all financed by NIB and all had selective tendering,” he stressed.

“They were done under the FNM administration, so I don’t understand why they want one set of rules to apply to them and another set to us. It shows hypocrisy.”

On Tuesday, former Minister of Works Neko Grant said it is regrettable that the government is replicating the John F. Kennedy Drive building.

“Only the good Lord knows why they would do that,” he said when contacted for comment.

“It’s very, very strange that a contractor who couldn’t finish a building in two and a half years would be awarded a contract to build a replica. It’s really unacceptable.”

But Gibson said the opposition is overlooking the fact that arbitrators determined there was no wrongdoing on Smith’s part.

He insisted the selective bidding process was fair and promised to soon table documents in the House of Assembly in relation to those bids.

Gibson also assured that NIB money is not being put at risk.

“NIB money is never at risk because it is always paid back by the government,” he noted.

“NIB’s returns are guaranteed. The only way NIB would be exposed is if the government goes bankrupt.”

 

 

 

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Man murdered Friday night

The Nassau Guardian

Man murdered Friday night

Police were on the scene of another murder last night. There were few details up to press time, but The Guardian understands that a man was shot dead in a yard through Palm Beach Street off Cordeaux Avenue.

 

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Grand Bahama MP: Second homeowners fearful after murder

The Nassau Guardian

Grand Bahama MP: Second homeowners fearful after murder

East Grand Bahama MP Peter Turnquest said in the House of Assembly yesterday that second homeowners on Grand Bahama are worried about being attacked after a tourist was killed during a recent home invasion.

Turnquest said the murder of British visitor Edgar George Dart, who was killed in Emerald Bay two weeks ago, was “vicious” and “tragic”.

“[It has put] fear into the hearts of a number of our residents, in particular with respect to second homeowners who are feeling particularly vulnerable,” Turnquest said.

“Mr. Speaker, I just want to assure them that I’m sure that the police department is doing all that it can to apprehend these culprits.”

On April 8, Dart and his family were bound and robbed by three armed bandits, according to police.

Dart, who was reportedly in Grand Bahama visiting his mother, was shot after he got into an altercation with one of the intruders, police said.

Seven people were reportedly in the two-story home on Dunton Lane when the masked men broke in just before 7 a.m.

One of the bandits was armed with a handgun and another with a machete, police said.

After freeing themselves and ensuring the bandits had fled the area, members of the family drove to Central Police Station to alert authorities.

The robbers fled the home in a white truck owned by the gardener, police said.

The vehicle was later recovered about a block away from the home.

The bandits reportedly stole jewelry and other items.

On Tuesday, Assistant Commissioner of Police Emrick Seymour, the officer-in-charge of the Northern District, said he has been in constant contact with Dart’s family.

 

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