Referendum set for November 6

The Nassau Guardian

Referendum set for November 6

Following three delays, the long-anticipated constitutional referendum will be held on November 6, Prime Minister Perry Christie announced yesterday.

The referendum, which will focus on gender equality, will be separated into four questions.

The Bahamas Constitution Amendments Bills were tabled in Parliament yesterday.

“These four bills, representing the first round of constitutional reform, are bound together by a common thread: The need to institute full equality between men and women in matters of citizenship and, more broadly, to eliminate discrimination in The Bahamas based on sex,” said Christie in the House of Assembly.

The first amendment bill seeks to give a child born outside The Bahamas to a Bahamian-born mother and non-Bahamian father the same automatic right to Bahamian citizenship that the constitution already gives to a child born outside The Bahamas to a Bahamian-born father and a non-Bahamian mother.

“The bill is therefore simply equalizing the sexes and, in so doing, eliminating an area of discrimination against women that has persisted for the past 41 years,” Christie said.

“It is important to emphasize, however, that in keeping with the present constitution, the right to automatically pass Bahamian citizenship to one’s child will continue to operate only where the Bahamian parent is himself, or herself, a native-born Bahamian. This will not change under this amendment.”

The second amendment bill seeks to enable a Bahamian woman who marries a foreign man to secure the same access to Bahamian citizenship that a Bahamian man enjoys under the constitution as it relates to his foreign spouse.

As a precaution, Christie said provisions would be made to ensure that foreign people who enter into bogus marriages with Bahamians will not be assisted by the constitutional change.

None of the first two bills would apply retroactively, Christie said.

The third bill seeks to reverse the law that prohibits an unwed Bahamian man from passing his citizenship to his child if he or she is born to a foreign woman.

The bill would require proof of paternity.

The final constitutional bill seeks to make it unconstitutional for any law or any person acting in the performance of any public office to discriminate based on sex.

However, Christie said that would not be all encompassing.

“It is for me to caution, however, that this bill makes it clear that the existing exceptions will continue to apply,” Christie said. “In particular, this bill will not make same sex marriages lawful.

“Such unions are already treated as void under the Matrimonial Causes Act and the genesis of this particular legal position pre-dates the Independence Constitution. This will not change under the proposed amendments to Article 26.”

Christie said the government intends to have the four constitutional bills debated and passed in both houses of Parliament in the shortest possible time so as to maximize the time available for the educational campaign.

Retired Supreme Court Justice Ruby Nottage will spearhead the public education campaign, which is expected to begin in the coming weeks, Christie said.

The referendum was originally expected to take place before June 2013 and later rescheduled to November 2013.

Christie later announced that the referendum would happen by June 2014.

In order for constitutional changes to take place, the bills must be approved in the House of Assembly and in the Senate.

The bills must then be approved by a simple majority of voters in a referendum.

 

 

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Wells asked to resign

The Nassau Guardian

Wells asked to resign

Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Works Renward Wells has been approached about tendering his resignation for signing a letter of intent for a $600 million-plus waste-to-energy plant at the New Providence landfill, The Nassau Guardian can confirm.

Wells, who is also the member of Parliament for Bamboo Town, is being asked to resign as parliamentary secretary for breaching the Westminster protocol in regards to proceeding with that signing without Cabinet instructions, according to sources.

By signing the document, he acted above his pay grade, sources said.

The Guardian exclusively reported recently that Wells signed the document with Stellar Waste To Energy Bahamas Limited (SWTEB).

It would involve the project developer putting up 100 percent of the cost of the development of the facility, which would take two years to construct.

When contacted by The Nassau Guardian yesterday, Wells confirmed that he was prepared to resign, if it would mean protecting the integrity of the Westminster system he swore to uphold.

However, Wells was adamant that he, in no way, engaged in any acts that stood to result in any financial benefit to himself or any member of the government.

When asked if he met with the prime minister or the deputy prime minister, Wells acknowledged that he met with them.

But Wells said he wished not to divulge details of that meeting.

He said he will have more to say on the matter in the near future.

Wells’ boss, Deputy Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis, recently confirmed to The Nassau Guardian, that Wells did not have the authority to sign the letter of intent.

This is a significant development in a matter that has attracted public attention over the last week.

This is the first time Wells has commented publicly on the matter.

Opposition Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis recently listed this as one of the reasons the Christie Cabinet should resign and an early election should be called.

The matter is likely to generate attention when the House of Assembly meets on Wednesday.

Guardian Business reported the original story the week before last.

The document seen by Guardian Business stated that it was signed on July 4 by Stellar Waste to Energy Bahamas Ltd. Principal Dr. Fabrizio Zanaboni and Wells, former chairman of the National Energy Task Force.

Wells has a history of supporting an overhaul of the landfill. He went on record in August of 2013 as saying that the current state of the landfill is a “lose-lose situation” for the country, with “enormous” potential to be used for the production of energy and recyclable materials.

His comments came after the task force, appointed in April 2013, had reviewed close to 100 proposals for energy-related projects submitted to the government.

Davis, Minister of the Environment Kenred Dorsett and another minister speaking on condition of anonymity all stated recently that they were not aware of such a signing, adding that Wells would not have the legal authority to execute such a letter at any rate.

“I know nothing about this,” Davis said at the time.

“I know of Stellar Energy. I know this company had put in a proposal some time ago, and that’s what I know about it. I know they would’ve met me once or twice to explain their proposal to me, but a matter of signing an LOI is something that would require Cabinet’s intervention. I don’t know that a parliamentary secretary would have authority to sign such a document without the direction of Cabinet; I don’t know how this came about.”

He added: “As far as we are in the process of, there’s an RFP (request for proposal) that’s been responded to, and any waste to energy component has been put on hold until we would’ve dealt with BEC.”

While Wells confirmed he would be prepared to resign to protect the integrity of the Westminster system, he declined to comment further on the issue when he spoke to The Nassau Guardian.

 

 

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Williams suggests Bahamas can not stop U.S. from spying

The Nassau Guardian

Williams suggests Bahamas can not stop U.S. from spying

Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) CEO Leon Williams has suggested that there is nothing the company can do if the National Security Agency (NSA) in the United States is spying on Bahamians through the backdoor of its networks.

Williams did not confirm the NSA was using BTC to spy on Bahamians, but outlined how it is possible for an organization with that kind of reach to do so.

“Take a look back at our traffic,” Williams said.

“...If I send an email from my phone to your phone right now sitting here [it] goes all around the world before it gets back to you.

“Understand that all that traffic in the Caribbean, just like the airlines, [where] we don’t have direct flights

between here and Trinidad, we don’t have direct flights between here and Barbados, all our traffic goes into Miami.

“It is the same way the telephone traffic works. It all goes into Miami and goes south.

“It all goes into Miami and comes back. Every email we send in The Bahamas goes out to the cloud and comes back.

“Who is intercepting on the way while it is out to the cloud and coming back?

“Do I want to call names? No. But let us just sit down and look at it from 33,000 feet and let your imagination run.”

Williams said simple smartphone applications can indicate servers in the various jurisdictions an email has crossed before coming to The Bahamas.

He said there is a need for the Bahamian public to lift the level of conversation surrounding the NSA and the alleged spying in has perpetrated on Bahamians.

Asked whether there is anything BTC or the government can do about a foreign entity tapping into telecommunications in The Bahamas, Williams said, “If it is reported that the NSA was listening in on the conversations of the German Chancellor (Angela Merkel), a country with 350,000 people...that is dependent on everything going to the cloud, I keep saying this stuff is not rocket science. All we need to do is think.”

The allegations that the United States is spying on The Bahamas are contained in documents leaked by former NSA analyst Edward Snowden.

According to the documents, Merkel was among a list of world leaders subject to surveillance by the NSA.

The NSA is using a surveillance system called SOMALGET to collect and store “full-take audio” of every mobile call made in The Bahamas and storing it for up to 30 days, those documents allege.

In May, Marlon Johnson, outgoing BTC vice president of sales and marketing, said BTC was conducting an internal investigation into the spying allegations.

However, Johnson said BTC nor Cable and Wireless Communications is “complicit” in any breach of customer information.

When asked to provide an update on that investigation, Williams said he was not yet CEO when BTC officials made that statement.

Williams was announced as CEO of the company on June 10.

When pressed, Williams said, “I don’t know. I have no comment on that.”

Up to last week, the government had not received a report from the United States on the spy claims, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell.

 

 

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Pam Burnside makes presentation at Caribbean arts festival

The Nassau Guardian

Pam Burnside makes presentation at Caribbean arts festival

Pam Burnside, owner of Doongalik Studios Art Gallery, was recently invited to make a presentation on the growth of Bahamian visual arts at the Creatives of the Caribbean Arts Festival, on the topic ‘Fostering economic and commercial viability of the Caribbean creative economy’.

The festival was a collaboration of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Smithsonian Institution and the Caribbean In-Transit arts journal, and it was comprised of an art exhibition from June 6 to August 29; a concert on June 19 headlined by recording artist Alison Hinds and featuring performances by the Positive Vibrations Youth Steel Orchestra, and a panel seminar entitled “Voices of Caribbean creatives” to draw attention to the economic impact of the creative industries in the Caribbean and to promote the comprehensive development of this sector.

The panel, which Burnside participated in consisted of Marielle Barrow, editor-in-chief of “Caribbean in-Transit”; Ewan Simpson, musical arranger and intellectual property lawyer, and Dr. Yanique Hume, program coordinator and lecturer in cultural studies at the University of the West Indies. It was moderated by Ignacio De Leon, IDB private sector development lead specialist. There was also a presentation from Dr. Keith Nurse on the creative economy and entrepreneurship in the Caribbean, followed by another panel discussion with Dr. Diana Baird N’Diaye, cultural heritage specialist at the Smithsonian Centre for Folklife and Cultural Heritage; Felipe Buitrago, author of the IDB book “The Orange Economy”; Richard Campbell, chief of culture and tourism at the Organization of American States (OAS) and Mario Umama, integration and trade lead specialist at the IDB. The panel explored the topic “Measuring, preserving and growing the creative and cultural sector” from a development institutional standpoint. The seminar concluded with a key presentation by Dr. Vanus James, of the University of Technology, Trinidad and Tobago on ‘Measuring the economic impact of the cultural industries’ with recommendations on how the development stakeholders could support this process.

In order to share the information revealed during the festival with the Bahamian community, and as a part of its 40th anniversary celebrations, The Central Bank of The Bahamas, an institution that can be regarded as one of the foremost incubators of much of the nation’s visual arts development and progress, invites the public to attend Burnside’s presentation in the foyer of the bank’s gallery on Wednesday, July 23 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

The evening promises to be an educational and entertaining one as Burnside, who is also a founding member of the Transforming Spaces annual art tour as well as the newly-formed Creative Nassau organization, will examine the important role creativity can play in the Bahamian context and how it should be seriously embraced in its broader sense, not only as an economic engine that can provide necessary employment opportunities for Bahamians, but also as a vehicle that can positively affect the social fiber of the country. Burnside, an outspoken cultural advocate like her late husband, Jackson Burnside III, will also talk about the necessary shift needed to redefine the country’s outdated tourism model of sun, sand and sea into one that focuses on Bahamian art, culture and heritage from the inside out.

The evening will also include input from the IDB on its recent publication “The Orange Economy” that was prepared by Felipe Buitrago Restrepo and Iván Duque Márquez. It is a totally innovative text that discusses the importance of the creative industries with particular emphasis on the Caribbean. “The Orange Economy” can be downloaded at no cost.

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PM honored to celebrate BNGIS 10th anniversary

The Nassau Guardian

PM honored to celebrate BNGIS 10th anniversary

Prime Minister Perry G. Christie said on July 21, 2014 that he was honored to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the reactivation of the Bahamas National Geographic Information Systems (BNGIS) Centre because when he saw that, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, there was lack of planning as far as geospatial considerations for building and infrastructure, he "resurrected" the program.

"In 2004, I reactivated the center with a view to using modern technology, such as geographic information systems, to help guide strategic economic development planning and to also improve agency-wide efficiencies and services to the general public," Christie said, during the official ceremony held at the Paul Farquharson Conference Centre at Police Headquarters on East Street. Also among the senior government officials and stakeholders present were Minister of The Environment and Housing Kenred Dorsett; Minister of Health Dr. Perry Gomez; Minister of State in the Ministry of Transport and Aviation Hope Strachan; Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security Sen. Keith Bell; Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade and BNGIS Centre Director Carolann Albury.

Christie added that the reactivation of the center was also important for the implementation of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Land Use Planning and Administrative Project (LUPAP), which was executed by the BNGIS Centre.

He noted that there are many examples of the work that the center has performed for The Bahamas - from assisting the National Emergency Management Agency's (NEMA) emergency function to "protecting the physical Bahamas".

"When we passed the legislation, we were taking a giant step to ensure that we institutionalize the work they are doing," he added. Christie pointed out that this was done so that no matter which government is in power, it would not affect the work of the BNGIS.

"There are examples, whether in my term or Ingraham's term or Pindling's term, where lack of planning has cost the governments of the time a lot. Therefore, we are all obliged to empower any planning facility, any planning agency, and get them to work because that is the way you pass on this country to future generations with minimal degradation."

Christie said the work of the BNGIS Centre is intended to assist the country in managing its resources, monitoring its activities in The Bahamas and is indeed "critical". "It does not make a lot of waves. It is not highly publicized and is not, therefore, truly appreciated and understood; but it is, ultimately, its work that puts us in a position to ensure that our country will survive in terms of planning, to give the police an opportunity to do better, more effective policing. It's the center’s work that is directly tied to those things," Christie said.

 

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Minnis hits back in early election row

The Nassau Guardian

Minnis hits back in early election row

Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis yesterday hit back at Prime Minister Perry Christie over his comments that the FNM is not ready for an election.

Minnis was responding to questions from reporters when he renewed his call for the prime minister to call an early general election.

He said, “The prime minister said I, nor the FNM, is ready for an election.

“Well I tell the prime minister, and I state categorically, and I want him to listen attentively, that if he thinks we are not ready, call an election, and he will see if we are not ready.”

Minnis originally called on Christie and his entire Cabinet to resign and call an early general election before the administration “destroys the country”, claiming its record of “poor judgment” in government has placed The Bahamas on a “path to disaster”.

He said that a laundry list of bad decisions by the Christie administration has led to a loss of confidence among the public.

He also said the best solution would be to seek a new mandate from the electorate.

In response, Christie said everyone in The Bahamas knows that Minnis is not ready.

He called Minnis’ comments “silly” and said they should not be taken seriously as the FNM leader was merely looking for a way to stay relevant.

"The first thing you should tell the leader of the opposition is, ‘Never ask for in politics what you can't handle’. That's the first thing," Christie said.

“He does not have the capacity at this stage to even dream of something like that.”

However, Minnis said yesterday that the Bahamian people would make that determination.

“The Bahamian people will show him that they are ready,” he said.

“The Bahamian people will show him that they are tired of this rogue, uncaring, selfish and undisciplined government.

“We are totally tired of it, and this country cannot continue to be run by a rogue, selfish, uncaring and undisciplined type of government.”

Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Bradley Roberts said last week that Minnis and his “headline grabbing rhetoric” cannot be taken seriously.

He said the FNM leader should be more concerned about the “immediate problems and turmoil” within his party and the threat of leadership.

The FNM is expected to hold a convention in May 2015 with several senior-ranked FNMs vying for the leadership post.

Asked to respond to Roberts, Minnis dismissed his comments

He said he would leave that response to FNM Chairman Darron Cash.

 

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Police ID latest murder victim

The Nassau Guardian

Police ID latest murder victim

Police identified a man who was shot and killed on Tuesday night as Michael Dominick McIntosh, 21.

Police said McIntosh, of Jacaranda Street, Pinewood Gardens, and another man were visiting a woman at Sunset Park around midnight when two armed men appeared from nearby bushes and opened fire, hitting the men multiple times.

McIntosh and the other man were carried to hospital where McIntosh died. The other man was listed in stable condition at last report.

Police were still searching for the shooters yesterday.

The murder count for the year is 66.

In an unrelated matter, police said they arrested two people on Andros on Wednesday for reportedly failing to report the alleged sexual intercourse of a minor.

According to police, the 23-year old man and 24-year-old woman were transported to New Providence.

Police were also investigating the sudden death of a 45-year-old woman who died at a home on Sixth Street, Coconut Grove in New Providence around 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

 

 

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Govt seeking to rehabilitate mortgage relief program

The Nassau Guardian

Govt seeking to rehabilitate mortgage relief program

The government is seeking to “rehabilitate” its failed mortgage relief plan, Prime Minister Perry Christie said yesterday.

Christie said the government held a meeting on the matter yesterday.

However, he did not provide details as he said the process has just started.

Christie spoke to reporters following the opening ceremony for a UNESCO meeting at SuperClubs Breezes.

The mortgage relief plan, which was touted by the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) ahead of the 2012 election, was projected to assist 1,100 homeowners when a watered down version was presented to Parliament.

But it helped fewer than 10, officials admitted.

The government allocated $10 million for that plan in September 2012.

According to the government, there were around 4,000 homeowners in arrears.

In January, Minister of State for Finance Michael Halkitis said the government was examining an alternative proposal to the plan, which he said fell far below expectations.

He said at the time that until an alternative plan comes into effect, the government hoped to provide homeowners with other forms of protection.

Christie said yesterday the government is still committed to the pledge to bring relief to delinquent homeowners.

“Clearly, from my point of view, our commitment to govern has been mandated by the people of this country,” he said.

In its original plan, the PLP pledged to get local banks to agree to a 120-day moratorium on foreclosures and to write off 100 percent of unpaid interest and fees for those facing foreclosure.

The PLP also said that it would encourage banks to reduce the interest rate on the mortgages in question to prime plus one percent.

However, these details were not included in the modified mortgage plan, which was later presented to Parliament.

 

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Halkitis concerned about youth unemployment

The Nassau Guardian

Halkitis concerned about youth unemployment

Although the unemployment rate has generally improved, Minister of State for Finance Michael Halkitis yesterday said the rate of joblessness among young people remains a concern and will require “focused attention”.

Unemployment among young people aged 15 to 24 decreased from 32.3 percent to 28 percent, but remains higher than all other groups.

Halkitis said the rate of unemployment historically has been considerably higher than any other age group. However, he said the government is working to “open new doors of opportunity” for the youth and improve the economic conditions for all.

“The emphasis is on growing the economy so everyone in all age groups benefits while at the same time making the investments in education and training to equip everyone but especially young people to take advantage of the opportunities that are becoming available,” Halkitis said.

According to the latest survey, 8,390 net jobs have been added to the economy since May 2012.

The number of people employed in May 2012 was 160,650 compared to the 169,040 people employed as of May 2014.

Halkitis said the government is looking to improve upon that figure by focusing on education as well.

“We believe that the creation of the national training agency is helping young people in the area of skills development to help them to take advantage of opportunities,” Halkitis said. “This had been a major concern among employers, the lack of skills particularly the so-called soft skills. For example, customer service.

“Also, the minister of education is introducing an equivalency diploma geared towards individuals who have not finished high school. The diploma will open new doors of opportunity for young people.

“The development of BAMSI (Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute) will provide training in the area of agriculture and marine science and allow all including young people to exploit opportunities in the area of agriculture and marine science.”

Unemployment in The Bahamas dropped from 15.4 percent in November 2013 to 14.3 percent in May 2014, according to the results of the latest Labour Force Survey released on Friday.

The survey conducted in May references the period April 28 to May 4, 2014.

While the economy isn’t where the government wants it to be, Halkitis said things are looking up.

“[I would be] happy with a faster pace of growth but [I am] pleased that things are moving in the right direction,” he said. “It gives cause for continued optimism.”

The survey shows that discouraged workers declined by 27.8 percent nationally, from 6,765 in November 2013 to 4,880 in May 2014.

The number of discouraged workers fell from 3,335 to 2,920 (12.4 percent) in New Providence and dropped from 1,915 to 760 (60 percent) in Grand Bahama.

Halkitis said the decrease in the number of discouraged workers is a “positive indication of the improving health of the Bahamian labor market.”

 

 

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Man acquitted in death of lover

The Nassau Guardian

Man acquitted in death of lover

The Court of Appeal yesterday overturned the conviction of a 46-year-old man who was convicted of manslaughter in the death of his alleged lover.

Adrian Robinson claimed that Veronica Knowles, 68, died suddenly while they were having sex in her van in bushes on July 12, 2010. After he could not revive her, Robinson dragged her body about 11 feet off the roadway in bushes.

By the time police found Knowles, maggots and land crabs had already taken her body. She was scantily clad.

Robinson was originally charged with murder, but he was convicted of the alternative charge of manslaughter and sentenced to 21 years imprisonment last year.

At his appeal, Robinson challenged both his conviction and sentence. Robinson, who represented himself, argued that the trial judge was wrong not to leave manslaughter by negligence to the jury.

Robinson said that he did not kill Knowles, but did not do all he could have to save her. Pathologist Dr. Caryn Sands was unable to determine what caused her death.

The court will give its reasons for allowing the appeal at a later date.

Justice of Appeal Christopher Blackman gave Robinson this advice: “Don’t go messing with older women. They may not be able to stand up to your vigor.”

 

 

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Miller hits at media for revealing Jones’ BEC bill

The Nassau Guardian

Miller hits at media for revealing Jones’ BEC bill

Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) Executive Chairman Leslie Miller yesterday charged that BEC customers should not be subjected to having their information in the newspapers and added that the media should “desist” from making such information public.

The Guardian asked Miller if he instructed BEC employees to reconnect the supply of Jones Communications Ltd., despite the company owing the corporation over $100,000 and being listed for disconnection.

“I told you that people come to me every day for assistance to have lights reconnected,” he said.

“I told you 95 percent are homeowners who come on a daily basis looking for assistance. I try my best to provide that assistance.

“I don’t think it is fair that [any] customer of BEC should be dragged through the newspaper.

“I think it is wrong. I think you all should stop...from doing it because I don’t think [any] of us should be subjected to it.

“Customers should not be subjected to that. In fact, I am told that some customers are going to take legal action against BEC for having their bills in the newspaper...which is wrong.

“We try to assist people as much as we can. That’s what I will continue to do.

“I will continue to assist those Bahamians who are out of light.”

Miller did not say which companies plan to take legal action against BEC though.

The Nassau Guardian revealed recently that Miller and two of his family-owned businesses owed the corporation more than $200,000.

As it relates to Jones Communications, The Guardian revealed that on May 20, a BEC manager reported to a senior manager that he instructed an employee (an assistant manager) to carry out the disconnection of the company’s power supply “per the received disconnection list”.

But according to the manager, the employee reported that moments after he executed the disconnection, the executive chairman contacted him on his personal cell phone and told him to reconnect the supply.

The manager said in the report the employee claimed that Miller cursed him and made several other “disconcerting remarks”.

When asked about the report yesterday, Miller said, “You all need to stop you know.

“It is amazing to me the foolishness that people come to me with.

“We would turn on people every single day.

“First of all, people only come to me when their lights are off. I’ve never seen any listing of BEC with anyone’s light bill. It’s none of my concern.”

 

 

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USA Today readers vote Junkanoo top Caribbean celebration

The Nassau Guardian

USA Today readers vote Junkanoo top Caribbean celebration

As the government prepares to introduce the Bahamas Carnival next year, the country’s premier culture festival, Junkanoo, was voted as the top Caribbean celebration, according to USA Today.

Junkanoo beat out Trinidad Carnival, which placed a distant second.

The ratings are based on the votes cast in an online poll that ran for four weeks on the USA Today “10 Best” online website.

“The iconic Bahamas street parade known as Junkanoo has uncertain origins, but there's no doubt it was a favorite with our readers, who voted it to a comfortable first place finish,” said the article.

Finishing with the third highest number of votes was the Crop Over Festival in Barbados.

Other listed festivals include the Soul Beach Music Festival in Aruba, Christmas Festivities in Puerto Rico, St. Patrick’s Day in Montserrat, Carnival in St. Thomas, the Cancun-Riviera Maya Wine and Food Festival in Mexico, the Ironman Triathlon in St. Croix and the Tobago Heritage Festival.

Junkanoo received the top vote as the government continues to take some criticism over its decision to introduce the Bahamas Carnival in May 2015. Some observers have called on the government to abandon its plans to start up the local carnival, citing various reasons. However, much of the criticism surrounding the proposed Bahamas Carnival has been leveled based on concerns of cultural identity.

Bahamian artist Kirkland Bodie said in a recent letter to the editor that he is “offended by the proposition of a Bahamian carnival”.

“Many have sacrificed their lives and livelihoods to uplift this country’s culture,” he said. “All of the hard work done to instill national pride back into our people’s lives have been flushed away by the laziness and ‘copycatness’ of a few and only shows the weakness and lack of ideas by our nation’s leaders.”

However, the Bahamas National Festival Commission (BNFC) said if the detractors of the festival give it a chance, they will see “that the Bahamas Carnival, a festival of events encompassing music, dance, fashion, food, art and Junkanoo, will deliver an enviable collage of Bahamian culture.

“… Operating in a global context does not dilute our culture; it simply provides a vehicle for it to be exposed to a wider audience, as artists like ‘K.B.’ have proven, and to provide commercial opportunities for cultural entrepreneurs.”

Prime Minister Perry Christie said previously that the Bahamas Carnival will not take anything away from Junkanoo.

“When I articulated a vision that has caused a lot of controversy in the community about a carnival, there is nobody in public life with my commitment to Junkanoo,” he said earlier this month in Grand Bahama during the opening of full service destination and project management company Immerse Bahamas.

He said the new platform will create job stimulation and have a significant impact on the economy.

Also speaking on the topic last month, Christie noted that Junkanoo has failed to allow the artisans who practice it to make money.

Christie said up to $90 million will be injected into the country's economy in the first three years of hosting the Bahamas Carnival.

He said a report from the BNFC, detailing the projected economic impact of the festival, projects that there will be an operating expense in 2015 of $9 million and revenue of $7.5 million.

“But it also speaks about an economic impact of $27 million in the first year, $30 million in the second year and $33 million in the third year,” he said.

The Bahamas Carnival will include a midnight rush, an all-star Bahamian concert and a street party dubbed “Road Fever”.

 

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More cases of chikungunya fever expected

The Nassau Guardian

More cases of chikungunya fever expected

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Delon Brennen yesterday warned that the number of cases of chikungunya fever will increase and suggested the transmission rate could be worse than the dengue outbreak of 2011.

Dengue affected 1,500 Bahamians in 2011.

Brennen said health officials have been bracing for the introduction of chikungunya to The Bahamas given its rapid spread across the Caribbean.

“Chikungunya has spread a lot throughout the region,” he told reporters.

“When you look at the numbers, chikungunya has been spreading from one island nation to the other. So almost the entire Caribbean is being affected.

“So even when you look at what dengue was doing a few years ago, this is an even larger increase than what we saw from dengue at that time.

“It’s likely that we are going to see fairly large numbers. It doesn’t mean necessarily that locally we’re going to see large numbers, but we’re going to see large numbers in the region and we’re seeing large numbers of it. So we have to be prepared to protect ourselves just in case we see large numbers as well.”

Up to July 11, there were nearly 350,000 suspected cases of chikungunya fever in the Caribbean and nearly 5,000 confirmed cases, according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

Brennen noted that chikungunya is not as deadly as dengue.

The chikungunya virus is spread through the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is found throughout the country.

There were four confirmed cases up to yesterday. The first case was confirmed on July 4.

Brennen said at least two cases were imported by residents who recently visited countries that are experiencing a chikungunya outbreak.

“Again, it isn’t much of a surprise. Once it started we knew that it was going to continue,” he said.

“It really is [about] getting people to protect themselves…No matter how much we go out and we spray large properties, if you don’t do it around your home…you’re going to have more spread from one location, from one home to another and then into the larger community. So we have to protect ourselves.”

Brennen said it is very likely that health officials will begin to see local transmission as well.

“So we can’t rest on our laurels and say ‘oh it was imported’,” he said.

“We are going to get more cases at some point with the amount of travel, especially during the summer with people going places and people coming to visit us.”

The Ministry of Environmental Heath Services recently engaged in a “systematic monitoring” program and has increased its fogging program across the country, following the confirmation of the first case, officials said.

Symptoms of the virus include high fever and severe joint pains in the hands and feet, which can persist for weeks.

Other symptoms include muscle pain, joint swelling and rash.

 

 

 

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Patterson: VAT may increase suffering

The Nassau Guardian

Patterson: VAT may increase suffering

With less than six months before the introduction of value-added tax (VAT), Bahamas Christian Council (BCC) President Dr. Ranford Patterson warned that it is the wrong time to propose implementing the new tax, as he believes it would likely spawn more social ills if the economy doesn’t improve in the coming months.

Patterson said while the BCC generally supports the government’s efforts toward tax reform, the timing of its introduction could cause more problems.

Patterson said he also has some reservations about the rate of the tax.

“No government can operate without tax reform,” he said. “But I believe this is a [bad] time to pose any new tax on the Bahamian people. But we understand that there is a need to tax reform.

“I believe that the lower income people in our country are going to suffer even more as a result of the implementation of VAT. I think there needs to be a balance of the time and the rate. Everything needs to be at the right time.

“I don’t think we are at the right time. There are too many people who are out of a job. There are too many people who don’t have the basic necessities.”

Asked if he believes that January would be better, he said, “If the economy remains the way it is, then the answer is no”.

“I think we’ll see more social ills. Things will get much worse if the economy doesn’t change soon.”

The government intends to bring the VAT legislation to the House of Assembly before the end of this month, Minister of State for Finance Michael Halkitis confirmed earlier this week.

He said the education campaign will pick up in earnest following the tabling of that bill. He also suggested that the education process will help ease some of the fear that the new tax has caused.

But Patterson said he isn’t sure about that.

“Everybody is weary of it,” he said.

“Everybody is afraid of the fact that what I can buy for a dollar today, it won’t be valued for a dollar tomorrow. That’s a challenge.”

He said the government must “be careful how we implement these taxes and when we implement them”.

Prime Minister Perry Christie recently expressed confidence that the economy would improve over the next six months.

He told reporters earlier this month that he is “excited” about the country’s future prospects.

 

 

 

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VAT Bill expected by month’s end

The Nassau Guardian

VAT Bill expected by month’s end

The government will table the value-added tax (VAT) bill before the end of the month, Minister of State for Finance Michael Halkitis said.

“When we do that the public education will expand,” Halkitis said.

But Shadow Minister for Finance Peter Turnquest said the government is dragging its feet and ought to give the bill priority.

“After months of discussion, several sets of independent consultants, as well as the government’s own hired consultants, we seem to be no further along with the VAT implementation schedule than we were last year this time,” Turnquest said.

“Nothing has changed.”

VAT, which was initially expected to be implemented on July 1, 2014 at a rate of 15 percent, is now expected to be implemented on January 1, 2015 at a rate of 7.5 percent.

Turnquest said even with the delay Bahamians are no closer to understanding how the tax will be implemented.

“It must be unacceptable that Bahamians and business entities are no more informed today than they were a year ago, with the clock continuing to count down to the January 1, 2015 implementation date,” he said. “This is almost negligent on the part of the government and is certainly inconsiderate.”

Turnquest said it must also be considered unacceptable that web shop gaming, which he described as a “voluntary tax on the poor”, is being given priority over the necessary reform, the establishment of the Central Revenue Agency and the collection of existing taxes.

“Looking at it, the tax reform package is going to have a significant impact in the way that business and consumers operate, not to mention the effect that it will have on our pockets,” Turnquest said.

“In addition to that, when you reference WTO it’s going to have a significant effect on long-term revenue. When you do proposals and look at what is going to have the most significant effect, to me, tax reform is way ahead of any web shop issue.

“And so yes, it is in my opinion a no-brainer that the VAT legislation and regulations ought to be brought prior to messing around with web shops.”

The Gaming Bill and accompanying web shop regulations were expected to be tabled earlier this month. However, Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe said the legislation will now be tabled before the end of the month.

As it relates to VAT, the government has yet to reveal the list of exemptions.

Last month, Prime Minister Christie said in the House of Assembly that the list was still being considered.

However, he added, “I expect to announce some selective reductions in customs duties to coincide with VAT introduction.

“The finalization of our WTO accession negotiations will also require some more generalized reductions when those negotiations conclude.”

 

 

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FNM ‘encouraged’ by new GG’s pledge to promote unity

The Nassau Guardian

FNM ‘encouraged’ by new GG’s pledge to promote unity

The Free National Movement (FNM) yesterday congratulated Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling on her appointment.

“Dame Marguerite assumes her position as our country’s head of state at a time when the nation is highly charged and politically divided,” said FNM Chairman Darron Cash in a statement.

“The FNM is greatly encouraged by the new governor general’s stated pledge to promote unity and harmony.

“In that regard, she will be continuing the work of her predecessor, Sir Arthur Foulkes, and that continued commitment to unifying the country should produce important benefit for all Bahamians.”

Dame Marguerite, 82, was sworn in on Tuesday as the 10th governor general in The Bahamas.

She pledged to serve the Bahamian people to the very best of her ability without “political distinction and without regard for race, class or social station”.

“Be assured, therefore, that in me you will have a governor general who will strive at all times both in actions and in words to promote unity over division, harmony over discord and love over enmity,” said Dame Marguerite.

“Let us stop fighting each other. Instead, let us come together. Let us unite as one to help build our country so we can continue to march to greatness and to goodness.”

At her swearing in ceremony, Prime Minister Perry Christie said Dame Marguerite’s ascension to Government House proves that the “circumstances of one’s birth and humility of their origins is no barrier to the attainment of the highest office in the land”.

“Dame Marguerite deserves this appointment; she has earned it in her own right,” the prime minister said.

“She has served our country with great distinction over many long years, first, as an influential figure in the struggle for majority rule; later, as first lady of The Bahamas for more than a quarter of a century.”

Christie said he is confident she will discharge her duties with complete fidelity to the constitution.

 

 

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Jones owes BEC $106,000

The Nassau Guardian

Jones owes BEC $106,000

Jones Communications Limited owes the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) $106,000, The Nassau Guardian can reveal.

But a BEC report reveals that as of July 8, 2014 the corporation’s managers would not take action to disconnect the account, as the disconnection of Jones Communications’ supply in May resulted in BEC Executive Chairman Leslie Miller immediately instructing officials to reconnect the supply.

On May 20, a BEC manager reported to a senior manager that he instructed an employee (an assistant manager) to carry out the disconnection of Jones Communications’ power supply “per the received disconnection list”.

But according to the manager, the employee reported that moments after he executed the disconnection, the executive chairman contacted him on his personal cell phone and told him to reconnect the supply.

The manager said in the report the employee claimed that Miller cursed him and made several other “disconcerting remarks”.

He said the employee also informed him that Jones Communications Limited CEO Wendall Jones visited the disconnection site and allegedly made “unpleasant remarks”.

The manager said it appears disconnection exercises are a “waste of time”.

Speaking about the employee, the manager said, “He asserted as I did previously that a disconnection list should be forwarded to the chairman so that he could approve which customers he feels should be disconnected.

“I am gravely disappointed at the treatment levied towards [the employee]. I have no sensible way to answer him.

“I would prefer not to put my staff members in unpleasant situations like that, which can affect their psyche.

“If we continue these disconnections, I feel that it will be more of the same, and it will amount to a unwise use of our human resources.”

According to a disconnection notice, as of July 8, Jones Communications Ltd. owed the corporation $106,007.56 collectively on its three accounts registered with BEC.

One account registered to Jones Communications Ltd. on East Street showed that the company owed the corporation $92,587.18.

A second account registered as Jones Communications Ltd. on East Street owed the corporation $11,881.54.

A third account registered as Jones Communications Ltd off East Street owed the corporation $1,538.84.

In the July 8 report, another manager advised the senior manager that the credit and collections department was processing the disconnection work orders for Jones Communications.

In response, the senior manager said successive attempts to disconnect the account were unsuccessful as “my people were turned away by the chairman”.

“As such, it is recommended that the chairman be consulted before any attempt is made,” he said.

Jones could not be reached for comment last night, and neither could Miller.

Unpaid bills

Miller made headlines last month after it was revealed he and his family-owned businesses - Sunburst Paints and Mario’s Bowling and Family Entertainment Palace - collectively owed the corporation nearly a quarter of a million dollars.

BEC records showed that a Harrold Road building registered with BEC in Miller’s name owed the corporation $46,373.77.

Those records also showed that a Harrold Road bowling alley, owned by Summer Winds Investments Ltd., owed the corporation $193,159.56.

Both businesses owed BEC a total of $239,533.33.

Neither business was disconnected despite the considerable arrears.

When pressed on why the businesses were allowed to run up such high electricity bills without being disconnected, Miller said many other companies throughout the country are in a similar position with significant arrears with the corporation.

“What we do, the businesses, we employ a lot of Bahamians so you can’t turn them off,” he said.

“You work with them because they employ people. Mario’s and those employ over 50 Bahamians. Its weekly wage bill is around $20,000.”

The executive chairman said his family businesses had experienced financial hardships.

Not long after the story broke, Mario’s paid $100,000 on its nearly $200,000 electricity bill.

It was later found that the payment was made in cash.

Following the revelation about Miller and his family-owned company’s electricity bills, the presidents of the Bahamas Electrical Workers Union and its umbrella union called for his resignation.

Miller has said both businesses will maintain their current bills and make payments toward the outstanding balances until the total bills are paid.

BEC's accounts receivable are in excess of $130 million, according to Miller, who has repeatedly said homeowners are responsible for 70 percent of those arrears.

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Miller apologizes for BEC blackouts

The Nassau Guardian

Miller apologizes for BEC blackouts

Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) Executive Chairman Leslie Miller yesterday apologized for the recent outages and said BEC is working to prevent further service disruptions.

On Wednesday, thousands of customers were impacted after lightning struck a generator at the Clifton Pier power plant, Miller said.

This resulted in several units tripping offline, according to the corporation.

Miller noted that BEC technicians have since brought those units back online.

"We have all the engines now," he told The Guardian yesterday.

“Clifton is running at [optimal levels], so we're in good shape.

"We continue to get lightning strikes out at Clifton. They have the lightning arrestors on there, but the strikes are so massive they cause intermittent problems.

"So we're trying now to get some new arrestors to try and solve the problems. [These are] the summer months, so you'll have those things."

Asked if customers should expect more outages, Miller said no.

However, he added, "We don't predict nature".

"If the lightning comes and the rain follows, these things happen. I don't know if you want me to talk to God. You want me to give him a call?” he asked chuckling.

“When you have lightning strikes, the machines automatically cut off to save the machine from any serious problems. Then you go and repair whatever damage is done. It's very minor damage most of the time.”

BEC spent about $5 million in the past six months upgrading the Clifton Pier power plant in a bid to cut down on energy costs.

Miller told The Nassau Guardian last month that the upgrades will also help to prevent blackouts as a result of load shedding once the summer months roll in.

"We don't expect any blackouts," Miller said.

"We spent significant money refurbishing the engines at Clifton and we did so with very little outside help."

Miller said the upgrades resulted in the increased use of the Clifton Pier power plant, which also resulted in a decreased fuel surcharge.

He added that BEC is seeking to cut down on its reliance on the Blue Hills power plant, as it is more expensive to run.

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Verdict expected in unlawful sex trial

The Nassau Guardian

Verdict expected in unlawful sex trial

A verdict is expected today in the trial of a 32-year-old man accused of having sex with an underage girl.

Alban Johnson, who is also known as Medico, has denied allegations that he had sex with a girl of 14 on May 31, 2013 at his trial before Senior Justice Jon Isaacs.

According to the prosecution’s case, Johnson and his friend, Francis Carey, picked up two girls in a settlement on a Family Island and went to a beach.

Johnson allegedly left the vehicle with one of the girls and they had sex on the beach. After returning to the vehicle, another coupling allegedly occurred in the back seat while Carey and the other girl were in the car.

In closing submissions yesterday, defense attorney Bernard Ferguson asked the jury to reject the testimony of the virtual complainant.

Dismissing the teenager as an unreliable witness, Ferguson said the only thing they could believe was her age.

He said the teenager left home under the guise of going to church. He said this did not happen.

Ferguson said the only thing Johnson was guilty of was “bad judgment” for offering a ride to two people while it was raining.

Carey denied that anything happened between the young woman and Johnson in his presence.

By contrast, prosecutor Algernon Allen Jr. asked the jury not to be distracted by irrelevant considerations.

He said that they should convict if they were satisfied that the girl was under the age of 16 and that sex occurred.

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Changes coming for Coroner’s Act

The Nassau Guardian

Changes coming for Coroner’s Act

Minister of State for Legal Affairs Damian Gomez yesterday tabled amendments to the Coroner’s Act, which he said will breathe new life into the court.

The amendments will, among other things, enable a Coroner’s Court to make a finding in a homicide.

The amendment stated that where a verdict or finding of homicide is returned against any person, the coroner shall “make out his warrant for his committal for trial before the Supreme Court”.

It added that if the person is present in the court, that person shall be taken and conveyed to prison.

When asked about the new amendments, Gomez said, “We are giving life to the Coroner’s Court.

“Under the current act, the coroner really is impotent in a number of circumstances and we are addressing that.”

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FNM and DNA challenge DPM on 10,000 jobs claim

The Nassau Guardian

FNM and DNA challenge DPM on 10,000 jobs claim

Free National Movement (FNM) Chairman Darron Cash said yesterday that Deputy Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis appears to be delusional in his assertion that his ministry has already created over 10,000 jobs.

“That is the only kind of word to describe the deputy prime minister’s ridiculous assertion that the PLP government has created more than 10,000 jobs since coming to office in May 2012,” said Cash in a statement.

“In fact, the delusional deputy has asserted that he alone has created more than 10,000 jobs in his ministry.

“It is worth noting that if indeed Mr. Davis created over 10,000 jobs in his ministry alone, they must not have been jobs filled by Bahamians.

“They must have been filled by his government’s foreign consultants and illegal aliens.”

Cash said Davis’ statistic is clearly different from the numbers published by the Department of Statistics and that he is sending the wrong message to investors.

Davis recently told The Guardian that his ministry alone has created more than 10,000 jobs.

According to data from the Department of Statistics, 3,265 net jobs were added to the economy between May 2012 and November 2013.

FNM Deputy Chairman Dr. Duane Sands said yesterday that he finds it hard to believe that Davis created over 7,000 new jobs since last November.

“I remind the deputy prime minister that he is a servant of the people and what he speaks is official, and if these data cannot be rigorously defended on the basis of the evidence then they ought not be released from his mouth,” Sands said.

Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Deputy Leader Chris Mortimer yesterday challenged Davis to specifically show what kind of jobs he created in his ministry.

“The environment doesn’t lend itself to the creation of jobs in this country,” he said.

Davis was responding to the U.S. State Department’s investment climate statement, which pointed out that the Christie administration has failed to fulfill many of its ambitious campaign promises, including creating 10,000 jobs.

Davis said it was “inappropriate” for the Americans to comment on the internal political dealings of The Bahamas.

Cash said it is not a good idea for Davis to undermine confidence in his government by forcing the business community and general public to feel “that they should have little confidence in the statistics released by the Department of Statistics”.

“The deputy clearly needs a lesson in leadership,” Cash said.

“We know that Mr. Davis is working aggressively behind the scenes to force his boss, Prime Minister Perry Christie, into early retirement.

“We have no interest in helping him do this, but for the good of the country we feel obliged to advise him that a future prime minister must inspire confidence when he speaks.”

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Govt to decide today when to bring Gaming Bill

The Nassau Guardian

Govt to decide today when to bring Gaming Bill

The government will decide today when the Gaming Bill will be tabled in Parliament, Minister of National Security Dr. Bernard Nottage said yesterday.

The bill was expected to be tabled tomorrow. However, Prime Minister Perry Christie recently indicated that the government needed more time.

When asked for an update yesterday, Nottage, who is the leader of government business in the House of Assembly, said the matter will be discussed in Cabinet before a decision is made.

“I fully expect it to come in a relatively short period of time,” he told reporters.

“Cabinet meets on Tuesday and there will be some discussions and the date will be determined.”

The Nassau Guardian obtained a copy of the amended bill.

The bill would prohibit web shop owners from allowing foreign visitors to gamble in their establishments and would also prevent foreigners from gambling from other jurisdictions through websites operated by web shops.

Casinos would have the exclusive right to foreign players, both locally and online, according to the amended bill.

Web shops would be permitted to legally engage in cash betting transactions only, on the numbers games only and with domestic players only, the bill says.

The new bill defines the “domestic player” who could legally gamble in web shops, but not casinos.

The “domestic player” refers to anyone who is ordinarily resident in The Bahamas; is the holder of a permanent residence certificate; is a work permit holder or the spouse of any of these people.

The newly-amended Gaming Bill now provides for several licenses for web shop operators: A gaming house operator license, a gaming premises license and a gaming house agent license.

The new bill also mandates web shop accounts be established by the license holder in the name of the domestic player on a “face-to-face basis”, which essentially blocks web shop owners from establishing online accounts for foreigners.

As the government moves ahead with the Gaming Bill, Nottage said the role of the police will change.

The police and the government have been heavily criticized following the 2013 gaming referendum for its failure to enforce the law as it relates to web shops.

“As much as we talk about web shops and their existence, when you quite understand the law of gaming, it is not clear what the position of web shops are,” he said.

“What the new legislation will do is set out definitely what the restrictions are and so forth. So I think that all of the confusion will be relieved totally.”

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Munroe: Temporary closure of web shops would be harmful

The Nassau Guardian

Munroe: Temporary closure of web shops would be harmful

Attorney Wayne Munroe, who represents a group of web shop owners, said he does not see the logic in closing down web shops for a period of time before they are regularized as it would hurt web shop employees.

“It doesn't make sense from a point of view that, when you close, you terminate people and you have to pay them all their severance packages,” said Munroe when contacted for comment.

“Then if you have leases with landlords, what’s the position with that? I’m made to understand that the position of the government is that although that may have been floated, it’s not being recommended by the gaming consultants.”

Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe said on Monday the government is determining a period of closure for web shops.

Wilchcombe recommended that web shops be made to close before the regularization period begins. However, he said he has faced some opposition to that.

“The web shop consultants are suggesting that it’s not necessary,” he said. “We’re weighing it right now.”

The revised Gaming Bill is expected to soon be tabled in Parliament.

Prime Minister Perry Christie has said that web shop regularization will be retroactive to July 1, though he did not state at what rate they will be taxed.

Munroe represents Island Game, Island Luck, FML Group of Companies, Asue Draw, Whatfall and Chances

He said his clients accept that the regularization process will be “painful”.

“My clients accept that the process is going to be painful from the sense that nobody likes to pay money and that the government is looking to come after them with a big stick,” he said.

“We’d like to think it’s a principled big stick and to demand substantial sums back for the maximum period that the law permits would be a big stick.

“But the closure would make no sense. It would cause pain to employees; it would cause pain to landlords.”

Munroe estimated that if web shops were made to close, around 5,000 to 6,000 employees would be impacted.

Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson has also said the government intends to impose a penalty on web shops for revenue generated prior to regularization.

Munroe said while his clients would be upset “because they paid taxes in other jurisdictions” their businesses are regulated in, they are trying to be sensible in the consultative process and do not see such an imposition as a penalty.

“No one is happy to pay taxes,” he said.

“People have to understand that the government is being hard in positions it takes with us in this consultative process, but I’d like to think that they are trying to be fair and my clients are trying to be fair and sensible.

“If you look at that proposition that makes sense and could be as a matter of principle, something you could defend.”

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DNA claims referendum delay not surprising

The Nassau Guardian

DNA claims referendum delay not surprising

The delay in the proposed constitutional referendum on gender equality proves that the Christie administration does not care about the rights of women, Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Leader Branville McCartney said yesterday.

“The PLP campaigned and won on the promise of a referendum which would finally address constitutional inequalities against women,” McCartney said in a statement.

“However, after more than 50 years since the women’s suffrage movement, months after receiving the recommendations of the Constitutional Commission, and more than two years in office, this government has not seen fit to make good on this promise.

“Prime Minister Perry Christie has instead postponed the date of the planned referendum twice and his administration has, during this time, failed to undertake the promised educational campaign intended to make the public more aware of the key points at the heart of this very important issue.”

Christie promised that a referendum on gender equality would have taken place by the end of June 2014.

He had originally set the date for the referendum for June 2013.

Back in October, when he announced a second delay for the referendum, the prime minister said the bills would be tabled before the end of 2013.

No bills have been tabled and the public education campaign has yet to begin.

McCartney said though he is saddened by the delay, he is not surprised.

“Since taking office, this administration has failed to meet its own deadlines on issues of national importance,” he said.

“As with issues such as value-added tax, National Health Insurance, the Freedom of Information Act, the implementation of the Sexual Offender’s Registry and countless others, the government has faltered consistently, failing not only to meet its own self-imposed deadlines, but also in providing the public with the necessary updates required to inspire confidence in the electoral process.”

Chairman of the Constitutional Commission Sean McWeeney has said the government may have to delay the referendum for a third time.

Christie later said no date has been set for the referendum.

The government hopes to “amend the citizenship provisions of the constitution to achieve full equality between men and women with respect to the acquisition and transmission of Bahamian nationality”, Christie previously said.

He said the government also proposes to expand the definition of discrimination in Article 26 of the constitution to “include discrimination based on sex as a prohibited ground so that women would be able to enjoy the same level of protection from discrimination that men already enjoy”.

 

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‘Significant error’ if Smith returns as COB president

The Nassau Guardian

‘Significant error’ if Smith returns as COB president

It would be a “significant error for the country” if former College of The Bahamas President Dr. Rodney Smith is reappointed to the top post, former COB Council Chairman Franklyn Wilson said.

Wilson was asked by The Nassau Guardian to respond to reports from sources close to the process that the college council has recommended to the government that Smith fill the position.

In 2005, Smith apologized for not properly using another academic’s material with attribution in an address

at COB’s honor’s convocation.

He alleged that the council forced him to resign, even though it had been proved that his use of material in the speech was not a violation of intellectual property rights.

Speaking to The Nassau Guardian recently, Wilson said he could not confirm that Smith’s name has been forwarded to the minister of education for consideration.

But he said, “I personally would be disappointed if that were in fact the recommendation.”

Wilson said, “I think it would be a significant cause for having to explain a lot to the public as to why that is the right thing to do.

“In doing so, I make it clear, there is no question about the competence of the gentleman. There is no question in my mind about that, but the issues left from the time of his separation from the college, they remain and quite frankly his performance when he came back for the interview, I cannot believe that an objective analysis of his comments when he came back for this interview would leave him as [the best] candidate.”

Smith was one of four candidates shortlisted for the vacant presidency post.

While addressing the college’s stakeholders in March, he said if successful he would implement policies to ensure students and faculty are held accountable for any breach of intellectual property rights.

Smith said he was disappointed to have left the college amid the plagiarism controversy, but has returned and offered himself again for consideration in the national interest.

“I left feeling disappointed that even though I had taken a drastic reduction in income and returned home to serve, I was being rejected and did not feel the support I was promised,” he said.

“My family and I have suffered for the past nine years emotionally and financially as a result. I am not a plagiarist, and I have never been accused of such before or since that incident.

“I am here today offering myself once again to be of service to my country.”

But Wilson said Smith’s failure to show contrition is disappointing.

“In my view there is no doubt that the good gentleman is knowledgeable, academically qualified; no one questions that he has an earned doctorate degree...no one questions that he accomplished meaningful things here in the role, but at a time when one is trying to inspire certain qualities within the population, I think that is a very difficult thing to do for somebody in that role,” he said.

“...I am not limiting this to what happened when he separated from the college. That’s not the point to me because everyone’s entitled to a second chance. But in the process of getting a second chance it seems to me useful to show contrition.

“I saw just the opposite. What I saw appeared to me to be a rationalization that somehow an individual had been wronged, that somehow what happened previously was a mistake, that somehow what happened reflected an error in judgment on behalf of the then council.”

Smith is vice president for administrative services, operations analysis and research at Hampton University.

Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald confirmed that he received a recommendation on the next COB president from the college council, but he said it would not be appropriate to make the name public until he has taken the matter to Cabinet.

 

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Turnquest: U.S. report an indictment on Christie administration

The Nassau Guardian

Turnquest: U.S. report an indictment on Christie administration

A recent U.S. Department of State report highlighting “undue interference” in the government’s bidding and procurement process is an indictment against the Christie administration, Shadow Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest said yesterday.

When called for comment, Turnquest said it is a shame that the U.S. pointed this out.

“That’s a serious indictment because, again, it takes us back to an era when if you wanted something done you had to call certain people to get it done,” he said.

Former Minister of State for Finance Zhivargo Laing said yesterday that as far as he is aware the issue was never raised by the U.S. during the last Ingraham administration.

He said the administration was working with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to create a new system for the tendering process that would have made it more transparent.

“From our own governance point of view we had worked on trying to improve the tendering process,” he said when contacted for comment.

“The reality is attempts to do things fairly and transparently in any bid process is a relatively straightforward exercise.

“Everybody has to believe that they have equal opportunity to do so.

“There has to be a process that people can observe and believe that, once they participate in it, that their chance of being duly considered is as good as anybody else.”

In its latest Investment Climate report on The Bahamas, the U.S. Department of State said that it has received a number of reports of impropriety in recent times surrounding the issuance of contracts by the government.

“Over the last year, the embassy (in Nassau) has received several complaints from U.S. companies alleging a lack of transparency and undue government interference with bidding and procurement processes,” the report said, which is compiled for the U.S. Department of State by the U.S. embassy in Nassau.

The U.S. highlighted the issue in its 2013 report as well.

“The process lacks transparency; there is no requirement to engage in open public tenders, and award decisions are not subject to challenge or review,” the 2013 report said.

There are no critical notes regarding the bidding process in The Bahamas in the previous U.S. state department reports, which date back to 2009.

While not commenting on the report, Laing said it should not make a difference to anyone that the U.S. raised the issue.

“What should always be a concern for Bahamians is that we do things as effectively and efficiently as we can,” he said.

“That other people point out some flaws in our process doesn’t make that any more important to us.

“What is important is that we ourselves look at ourselves and ask, ‘am I doing the most effective, the most efficient job that I can do?’”

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Shipyard gives support to Grand Bahama schools

The Nassau Guardian

Shipyard gives support to Grand Bahama schools

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama – As school doors close and commencement ceremonies begin to take place all over Grand Bahama, the 2014 graduates of Martin Town Primary School, Bartlett Hill Primary School and Holmes Rock Primary School have all stopped to say ‘thank you’ to the Grand Bahama Shipyard (GBS) for supporting them throughout the year.

Using the proceeds from annual fishing tournaments in 2013 and 2014, the GBS has donated several hours of its time and effort to each of the three schools in a variety of ways. Over the last few years, the tournament has grown and the shipyard has been able to extend its support of local education, assisting more schools both in east and west Grand Bahama.

Ed Pavey, GBS Youth Benefit Fishing Tournament director and director of technical, planning and information technology, along with his colleague Creighton Moxey, GBS Youth Benefit Fishing Tournament co-director and junior ship manager, attended each school’s commencement and were honored to be recognized by the students and staff.

“The graduating classes from all three schools are truly exceptional,” said Pavey. “Between their academic excellence and athletic dominance, is a direct reflection of the hard work accomplished by the teaching and support staffs as well as the amazing guidance of the principals.”

Holmes Rock Primary School was the first school that GBS started to work on after the 2013 fishing tournament. Upgrades to the school included a complete repainting of the exterior of the school, a new water heater, completion of a smart board setup for the school, new water fountains, the installation of plexiglass in some of the classrooms, new ceiling fans, trash cans and enclosures for the trash cans, a new refrigerator for the teachers’ lounge, new bleachers and four new picnic tables. The GBS team also repainted the school’s logos and signs.

At Bartlett Hill Primary School, the shipyard helped buy, build and assemble a new playground for the preschool; provided and painted four new picnic tables; completed a smart board setup for the school; provided new water coolers; installed plexiglass in some of the classrooms; refurbished the school’s tuck shop and existing playground; donated 12 new basketballs and painted a new logo on the basketball court.

Pavey also noted, “I am so proud to have the privilege to know the three fantastic principals, Mrs. Mary Russell of Martin Town Primary School, Miss Leslie Newton of Holmes Rock Primary School and Mrs. Gia Walker of Bartlett Hill Primary School. I would also like to personally thank Mrs. Sandra Edgecombe and Mrs. Mary Cooper of the Ministry of Education for all of their cooperation and support of our school projects!”

The shipyard’s fishing tournament has been running for four years, with the fourth one on March 21 and 22 at the Grand Bahama Yacht Club. For more details and to see pictures from previous tournaments visit the shipyard’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Grand-Bahama-Shipyard/175576595824296.

 

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FNMs under death threat

The Nassau Guardian

FNMs under death threat

Free National Movement (FNM) Chairman Darron Cash said last night several senior FNMs all received a death threat.

According to Cash, the threat was made against FNM Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis, FNM Deputy Chairman Dr. Duane Sands, former FNM MP Brensil Rolle, North Eleuthera MP Theo Neilly and FNM Deputy Leader Loretta Butler-Turner, as well as himself.

Cash said the threat was made in March, but he spoke publicly to the issue for the first time yesterday after Butler-Turner told reporters that she received a graphic death threat (also in March) warning that if she did not resign from politics she would meet her end.

She said she reported that matter to police at the time and was warned on Tuesday not to take the letter sent to her lightly.

She said that she knows nothing about the letter threatening other members of the party.

While not commenting specifically on Butler-Turner, Cash said, “The March communication referred to the leader and me and several other party officials, including the deputy leader.”

That letter warned the leadership of the FNM, as well as Cash, Sands, Rolle and Neilly to “resign now. If not the mobs will be shooting you all in your neck one by one”.

It was signed “sincerely FNMs” and said it was copied to the speaker of the House and “Leader of the Opposition Hon. Hubert Ingraham”.

But House Speaker Dr. Kendal Major said yesterday he received no such letter.

Cash said the party did not report the letter to the police.

When contacted yesterday, Sands told The Guardian that he knew nothing of threats made against him.

Cowards

Butler-Turner said the latest warning caused her to be concerned about the safety of her and her family.

“I come from a background where death is a very real thing,” said Butler-Turner, a mortician.

“I don’t fear death. I just fear cowards who want to make such threats. Death is something that all of us will go through. I do not want anyone to think that I fear that.

“I just do not want people to take my life prematurely for whatever reasons they may have.

“What I found interesting is that they were very graphic in what they were going to do to me before they took me out.”

She said she reported the initial letter to Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade.

“In the interest of allowing the work of the department to be done I determined that it was best not to say anything,” she said.

The Guardian was unable to reach Greenslade yesterday and Superintendent Paul Rolle, officer-in-charge of the Central Detective Unit, offered no comment on the matter.

Butler-Turner said the recent warning has caused her to reconsider her approach to the matter.

“That somebody can come to me, or people can come to me, in recent hours and say to me that this is what they have heard and I need to be very guarded and aware of what I’m doing, where I’m going. That, for me, causes a little concern,” she said.

Butler-Turner has said that she is considering running for the leadership of the FNM, but did not wish to speculate as to why someone would want her to resign.

When asked if she would resign, Butler-Turner said no.

“It’s been three months and I haven’t resigned,” she said. “I plan to continue in what I am doing.”

She added that this was not the first time that she has received death threats.

“I got two threats during the time that I was a government minister,” she said.

“They were very similar to the threats that I got three months ago.”

She said that she is now considering whether she has take extraordinary measures to protect her and her family.

 

 

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