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Volume: 107 No.191 FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011 PRICE – 75¢ (Abaco and Grand Bahama $1.25)

THE TR IBUNE • S 34 HEAD TO PUERTO RICO ECTIO N B • bus FIRST TIME IN HISTORY iness@trib unem edia.net C FRIDAY, JU $8 MILL ustoms LY 15, 201 ION Act consultation 1 By N abs EIL H en ART ce NEL ‘v PO Tri L er RT bune B y c I usi o PO ness E nc ’S di e tor C r onsultative com ning’ The Baha mittee D mas Chamb t suppos EAL ‘ and Emplo er of Comm o revie ed to b AFOO UNIQ yers Con erce w key e estab T UE chair federation 350-p lished man last nig (BCCEC) age leg ing ht describe co islation lack of d the seem mmittee’ su never m TO B r consultati - is pposed to e et UY-O eformed Cu on over t lation prio xamine the UT FLAV stoms Man he n r to its goin leg- terp OUR “very co agement ever met g to Parli art, K. P. * Inv ’ ncerning” Act as . ament Turnques estors to p ness , with Trib Both paper that t, told this R articipate confirmin une Busi- the forme despite bein news- OBIN g that the Khaali r BCCEC this comm g invited to HOO from ‘grou ‘consultativ s Rolle, an chairman, ittee, they sit on D nd up’ in fu e Baham d his curre never atte lly a Chamber nt Grand SEE pa nded - Baham of Comme ge 4B P ian-owned, rce coun- ARTNER privat By NE e-public IL HARTN Tribune ELL inf Business E rastructure partne ditor rship R obin Hood By NEIL H nig ’s principal ARTNEL B ht told Tri last Tribune L I h bune Bus Busi S e had iness ness Ed X found itor b investo e uy-o rs to n ut at lea Th d st some e upcom s equity sta of the ing $8 ke held m DEBBIE, DEMETRIUS TO A illi d by rawak C on e based his US- ay port c partn pu initial a er, S blic off d Khilnan uresh ering (IP e i, as he a O) h ttem “unique fl as a set the ret pts to avour”, its c ailer back o sen placem ho- following n track BISX ENDS 10-YEAR ent agent the end o t has Ma f C old Tri- rkets’ effort ity foo s to acquire bune Busi d business. his - l S nes o andy s, as it n Schaef g den er, thoug repre ied tha h, sent p t the s r qu investor th o estion w in e first f as Hube i S rt Pin t ource der. tim s fam e w iliar By NEIL H a opm with deve B ARTN i ents ha l- aham T ELL t d tol ians ribune B Busi d Tribun hav usiness Edi * Gets ness that M e e a tor into bla had r Pinder, wh ch ck for fi previously b o ance to The Ba rst time ed in een interes p hamas Inter exchan in investing in t- articipate Securitie national ge’s hi befo Robin Hoo s Exchange story re backing d “from the KEN made a (BISX) the away late KERR profit for * Pur day, had in ground time in i this first suing re int reignited ts 10-year h cogniti erest, and his up” in ing 201 istory dur- on by SE acc a team an infrastr 0, its chief comp C as ‘m ountants h of proje ucture confirm executive onent o ajor ing ad been sco ct operated ed yesterd f intern the retailer ur- lic-p as a pub- that he ay, adding ational of ’s books as p rivate par was contin su strateg a due dilige art tnership. sue uing to pur- ch recogn y hi nce exercis Kenwood recognitio t ition as “o s behalf. e on Kerr, chief exch n of th he major co ne of mi executive o ange by th e mponents ne where th “We were f Providen ties e US Secu internatio of the w e process s p speaking Advisors ce & Exchang ri- nal strate as schedule tood eople, and with , which tog KEI (SE e Commissi have”, ad gy we d for yester doing a dea with C ether TH DAVIES C). on ding that He describ day. Schaefer sai l,” Mr FAL won t phone co a tele- ed achievin d, when con be th he bid to Keith Dav nference b g for- briefly by t tacted e placemen ies descri BISX an etween his newspap age t bed d the SEC SEE night. Bu er last nt/financia to deter- page t of Mr Pi th l advisor to 4B interest, nder’s e Port IPO he added: t that is like name is no “That o take plac ly t familiar to e this fall, M Still, he me.” the fa said a told Tr cilit n ibun y - un g nes e Bu like o s tha si- sim t mo in ila p ve frastr r r s wer uct o w e u ure p v ay to nder- roj i at ect d lea wo s - e st pa uld r rtly be o M buy w e iam -ou ned x i-b t and t ased e ru e M ntir n n r K ely b d sta hilna y Ba s ke in ni’s hamians. the busine He added t “We’ve ss, adding: “ hat it was $ entered into heal 5 m an a thy” . ent t gree- fo 4 o d r the m ives a Baham t my pa n i- p rtn inves r some ers o tme i sh f nt v are ban a s. W kin t e’v m g e e a ark B sign lrea et y N o ed dy for I EIL f an a PO H f gre w A e em ork RTN r ent sp to b EL i .” re e T L n Tr ad ou ribu g ibun t, rathe ne Busi e Busi to th r than go ness Editor * Say stand ness under e same one s inter $5.26 s that Mr K - firm or two est co 58 at lea hilnani has s all the tim Transfer ming f st $9 million tha e, noting Solut and rom A $4. Robin invested in t “75 per c Providers ions Middle sia Hood, thro st ent” of the (TSP), the East binatio ugh a com- ocks curren go card a Man- n of equity tly listed o nd payme * Om It is tho and loans. BISX had n cessing nt pro- ni Fin ught he has been broug system pro ancial ing an been seek- market b ht to extend vider, has and M $5.1 exit rout y either him ed its $5.4 mer ango 561 partne e from his CFAL’s self or priva 38 million ge into to rship with M principals. te placem one $4 for som r Schaefer “As a mon ent unti . e months, a group, spe th’s end l * Be to rec nd is eager behalf aking on inv to give ke lieves oup as mu of Tony [ estors tim y techno investm ch of his SEE SPORTS SECTION E SEE BUSINESS SECTION B Ferg e to lo ent us g a CFAL’s pr on, decisio reach a ‘t y can $5.22 s possible. incipal] an n, its presi hird a be 69 He declin them if I d terday dent yes- rm’ of d ed to go could, we’r saying th econo $4 etail, but sa into grateful e had e offering my . w id Robin H for the opp attracted g as “buildin ood ty ortun lobal i The inform g the to pro i- est fr nter- ation conta back busine vide o om re party an ined is from up ag ss ur serv gions d The Trib a third ain” a our e ices, A such respo une can n t fter th xperti sia an as nsible for ot be held raction e dis- se, our d the M from errors and s of the e exper iddle the daily r /or omissi poten nce in th i- Dr Jo East. eport. on Market tial City is space - th nathan Ro s deal t market - is well-k dgers, the through hat fell and bring th nown ‘eye . LEAD CAC TEAM toric tra is his- conf doctor’, PROFIT WAIT nsaction to irmed to Tr PROFIT WAIT mark the ne ibune Bu etplace,” M ss that the si- told r Kerr p TSP priv LIFE Tribune Bu lacement ha ate INSUR “W siness. e d been exte ANCE & e think it p d until the nd- ANNU what arallels ad end of Ju ITIES has happen ding that th ly, / are y airpo ed at the c e Omni Fin ou pre rt to a cert ial Services an- pared? but ain extent, b money tran all Bahami usiness - sfer tic ans can par which up ipate in this - now has be until Ar . This [the en run as a awak Cay p rate unit t sepa- to ort] is goin o Mango u allow Baha g the TSP b nder ti mians to p anner - wo cipate in an ar- integrated uld be th investment into one w is nature fr of card/pay ith the g om the ment techn round up. provider. ology “ I think it’s “We hav fir probably th e several hig B st of its e worth h net l ki ind a nd tha ividu s t als, a t Ba nd ha so al O mians c me not so f an so f rea hig ! lly h H ticipate in par- individ net worth e works ha .” uals, as wel rd for his gr While th tution l as insti- You ades. ere were “l s close to work hard things tha ots of some making for his dre t are very p decision Don ams. tive abou osi- Rodge s,” Dr ’t let the un t” the Araw rs said, exp expected i 1,300 CITIZENSHIP, Ca ak lainin nterr y Port and rationale f g the Secure th upt your pla IP upcoming or extendin e future tod ns. O, Mr Kerr private pla g the ay with Fam go declined to cement. And just wa ily Guardi into detail He ack tch where an. th , explaining nowledged tomorrow at the spec many key that takes him! b ifics would decision-m e contained all were awa akers b in the yet-t y due to th e-released o- mer holi e sum- offering me days, addi orandum. m- the TSP ng that offering s However, appeal to hould he added t both wealt the IPO wo hat viduals a hy indi- uld for the nd institutio time enabl first as pensi ns, such e Bahamian on funds an retail and i There d banks. nstitutional were als investors t Baham o many o participa ian investo an infrast te in who, r groups PERMANENT RESIDENCY ruc on m ture invest ce one m ent 100 pe - decided ember r cent owne to invest, a and operate d on board ll came d by Baham . ans. i- Howe ver, if Bah Other “un investor amian ique” char interest p teristics ide ac- insuffici roved ntified by t ent to get Providence he vate pl the pri- Advisors c acement fu executive w hief scribed lly sub- ere that th , the TSP p public wo e said th resident uld be parti e compan ing in suc cipat- more y would h an investm than welco from the g ent foreign me their et-go. The P counterpar was being ort “We ts. also being o have group ated and o per- wide w s world- wned by a anting to in APPLICATIONS ‘SITTING vate- pri- R vest,” public secto odgers told Dr r partner- n Tribune Bu ess. “We si- SE in prefer loc CON E page vestors, al TACT ONE OF 9B as we’re OUR SALES SEE a Family Gua REPRESENTA page 9 rdian Financi TIVES TODAY B +242 al Centre, Eas 396-1300 I t Bay & Chur www.familyg ch Streets uardian.com

A membe r of the FamG uard Group of Companies DORMANT FOR YEARS’ By NOELLE NICOLLS Tribune Staff Reporter ‘PLP lying’ over [email protected] THE Department of Immigration has set up a special project team of 12 workers to process some 1,300 applications for citizenship and permanent residency which have been catching dust for decades. Brent Symonette, acting prime minister and minister of immigration, said there are 762 citizenship files and more than 600 per- manent residency files of all nationalities that have been “sitting in the filing cabinets for long periods of time because some form of document was not there.” “Their files were sitting dormant for years, because either they have not brought in some Mackey Yard SEE page three Ministry official says ARSON RULED OUT IN FNM HEADQUARTERS FIRE party attempting to discredit govt over proposed subdivision

By SANCHESKA arguments which erupted at BROWN a town meeting on Monday night, as well as all the false PROGRESSIVE Liberal information being circulat- Party operatives are spread- ed in the press. ing lies and propaganda con- He said: “For the most cerning the Mackey Yard part, the conflict was caused proposed subdivision in an by high operatives in the attempt to discredit the gov- PLP, specifically operatives ernment, according to Bren- from the Garden Hills con- sil Rolle, Parliamentary Sec- stituency. They said we are retary in the Ministry of selling and exchanging land Housing. for votes. Their comments Mr Rolle said PLP opera- tives are responsible for the SEE page eight

60,000 MORE VOTERS EXPECTED TO REGISTER AFTERMATH: The FNM By CELESTE NIXON headquarters suffered Tribune Staff Reporter severe fire damage. [email protected] Tim Clarke/Tribune staff ANOTHER 60,000 voters are expected to register before the next general election said parliamentary officials. By CELESTE NIXON With over 100,000 voters registered at the close of the 2007 Tribune Staff Reporter electoral register yesterday Parliamentary Commissioner Errol [email protected] Bethel said during a press conference held at the Parliamentary STUDENTS TO GET PRIORITY FNM DEPUTY SUPPORTS Registration building on Farrington Road that he expects the ARSON has been ruled out numbers to reach between 160,000 - 170,000 before Election writs as the possible cause of a fire DUE TO US VISA BACKLOG WOMEN CONFERRING are issued for the next general election. at FNM headquarters yester- By SANCHESKA BROWN CITIZENSHIP ON CHILDREN day morning, police say. By NOELLE NICOLLS SEE page eight Speaking with The Tribune DUE to a backlog in visa applications, the US Embassy in Nassau has announced it Tribune Staff Reporter yesterday, Fire Services Super- [email protected] intendent Jeffrey Deleveaux will temporarily process only student visas. Embassy spokeswoman Erica Thibault said arson is definitely not the said that due to the large number of stu- ACTING Prime Minister Brent Symon- cause of the fire that struck dents attempting to go back to school in the ette, deputy leader of the Free National FNM headquarters on Mackey next two months, the embassy is giving col- Movement, said he stands by his support of Street. lege students first priority when it comes to the constitutional amendment that would “All indications are that the visas. allow Bahamian women to confer citizen- fire was electrical,” he said. “In order to accommodate students who ship on their children. According to police reports, plan to study in the United States and reside The law is “creating havoc” for Bahamian fire fighters were called to the in our consular district, we have reserved families, and the system would do well with scene shortly after 2am yes- over 1,000 appointments in the month of reform, said Mr Symonette, who is also Min- terday when smoke was spot- August for applicants seeking an F1 or M1 ister of Immigration. Nonetheless, he does ted coming from the roof of visa. Currently, the next available appoint- not think the matter will take centre stage the building. ment for students is on August 3. We on the FNM agenda before the next general Supt Deleveaux said the fire encourage all students to apply for their election. was contained to a council appointment as early as possible,” she said. “I support the constitutional amendment meeting room in the south- Ms Thibault reminded students they do 100 per cent. I think we were stupid not to eastern corner of the building not need to have I-20 forms from their have voted for it, if there was one item on that prospective schools at the time of their visa referendum people should have voted for. SEE page eight SEE page eight SEE page eight

NASSAU AND BAHAMA ISLANDS’ LEADING NEWSPAPER PAGE 2, FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011 THE TRIBUNE LOCAL NEWS

SIR ORVILLE LAUNCHES LATEST BAHAMIAN REGISTERED VESSEL AS part of his visit to China, Sir Orville Turn- GTR Campbell, another Bahamian based com- quest, a former Governor-General of the pany, supervised the construction of the CS Calv- Bahamas, yesterday launched the latest vessel to ina, which was built by the Tianjin Xingang Ship- be registered on the Bahamian ship registry. building Heavy Industry Co Ltd. The CS Calvina is a 37,000-tonne dry bulk car- The launch was followed by a special dinner rier that will join the fleet of the Campbell Ship- hosted by the shipyard. ping Company Limited, a Bahamian company The delegation from Nassau for the launch which operates from the Campbell Maritime Cen- included Sir Orville, Caryl Lashley; Charles Lash- tre on West Bay Street. ley; Kamana Valluri; Leroy Major; Peter Ramsay, Lowell J Mortimer, president of Campbell Ship- and Brandon Charlton. ping, said the CS Calvina is one of many ships on the Bahamian registry which was built in China. Peter Ramsay/BIS

THE TRIBUNE FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011, PAGE 3 LOCAL NEWS 1,300 CITIZENSHIP, PERMANENT RESIDENCY DPM: Bran’s comments were ‘irresponsible’ APPLICATIONS ‘SITTING By NOELLE NICOLLS Symonette. takes place in the “swearing in ed under McCartney’s watch, Tribune Staff Reporter “Any issue or question that room.” In Grand Bahama, he but which “ceased while he DORMANT FOR YEARS’ [email protected] it was done secretly, clandes- said, it takes place in the Prime was still minister of state.” tinely, or whatever word, is Minister’s office, and in Abaco, “They were a one-morning FROM page one GOVERNMENT officials totally irresponsible. I have he said, it takes place in a issue. I don’t want to give the are refuting claims made by outlined the process. The Marsh Harbour court house. impression you came in on Sat- document, or we wrote a letter the Democratic National leader of the DNA made no In all cases, Mr Symonette urday for weeks,” added Mr to general delivery, or whatev- Alliance about “clandestine attempt as a senior minister, said, applicants seeking citi- Symonette. er,” he said. operations” at the Department as far as I am aware, to change zenship are required to demon- The new employees, hired of Immigration. that process. He met it there strate knowledge of the under the government’s recent- Acting Prime Minister Brent and he left it there,” he said. Bahamas, including the pledge ly announced job-creation pro- Symonette said comments The only recent change that of allegiance, national anthem gramme, were tasked with the made by Branville McCartney, may be causing confusion for and national symbols, during responsibility of pulling all of the files to “find out why they leader of the DNA, were “irre- the DNA, Mr Symonette said, the interview stage. have been sitting dormant for sponsible.” is a new initiative at the depart- He said there was a class years with no process.” These Mr McCartney, a former ment aimed at processing some covering this information start- applications will then go through minister of state for immigra- 1,300 applications for citizen- the standard process of regular- tion, claimed that “disgruntled ship and permanent residency isation. employees” in his former office DNA LEADER Branville McCartney that have been catching dust “If you want to allege there is told his party that around 2,000 for decades (see story, page 1). a thrust to get people regu- illegal immigrants are to be Symonette. The basic process A special project team was larised before the next election, “secretly” regularised as is the same for citizenship and employed to deal with these No. We want to make sure that Bahamian citizens. permanent residency applica- back-logged cases, while the people who (are entitled and However, Mr Symonette tions, except in the case of permanent staff continues to deserving) can get regularised, told The Tribune this could not spousal applications, which do process current applications. because they have been lan- be further from the truth. not have to go to Cabi- As for the swearing in guishing in filing cabinets for He said citizenship applica- net. ceremony conducted years,” said Mr Symonette. tions are being processed based “Nothing has for successful appli- Any person born in the on the same procedures used changed in the cants, Mr Symon- Bahamas has a constitutional by Mr McCartney during his ette said that cere- entitlement to apply for citizen- process since time at the ministry, although Branville mony is not public. ship between the ages of 18 and much of the process has since It is attended by 19, regardless of their parental McCartney was heritage. Despite the varied been digitised. minister of state. senior government opinions on the matter, Mr Applicants go through a He did not officials and family Symonette said, “that is the detailed vetting process, where change the members. law.” they are usually required to process. I haven’t In New Provi- He said not all Bahamians produce birth certificates, changed his process. dence, he said the know what it feels like to be health records and school I met the process ceremony born in the Bahamas, live there records. They are required to there before when I all their lives, go through the participate in interviews, usu- was minister in 1992. school system, work in the coun- ally several. That is the try, and have to wait decades to Ultimately, the Cabinet, process,” said be regularised. serving as the board of immi- Mr The new electronic system gration, gives the final autho- should help prevent new back- risation during a monthly log from accumulating, said Mr immigration meeting, said Mr Symonette, because no applica- tions are accepted by the elec- DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER tronic system unless all of the Brent Symonette required documentation is there. As for processed applications, Mr Symonette said 1,144 appli- cants were granted citizenship between May 2, 2007 and June MINISTER: TWO CONFIRMED DENGUE FEVER CASES 30, 2010. In that same time, THERE have been two confirmed dengue fever side. Environmental Health has increased fog- 1,165 permanent residence cases out of 26 suspected incidents for the year ging especially to the south – such as Carmichael applications were approved; thus far, Health Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said. Road, Bacardi Road, Ridgeland and South 1,506 spousal permits and 10,012 The Department of Environmental Health has Beach." permits to reside. subsequently stepped up fogging exercises in Dr Minnis added that the ill patients caught Between May 2, 2002 and southern New Providence, the area where those the disease locally. May 2, 2007, under the former patients with confirmed cases live. "These incidents were not related to travel but administration, Mr Symonette In 2010, there were 10 confirmed dengue fever there is an increase in dengue throughout the said the government granted cases. region. We've increased our fogging and that's 2,083 citizenship requests; 1,582 "Last year we had about 51 suspected cases; out why the Bahamas did not suffer like some other permanent residence, 2,286 of that only 10 were confirmed. This year so far we countries in the region," said Dr Minnis. spousal permits and 22,839 had 26 suspected cases; of that 26 only two were Dengue fever is a potentially deadly mosquito- requests for permits to reside. positive. But once they come in with symptoms we borne infection that causes severe flu-like symp- He said the department does automatically test them. toms often accompanied by a rash. Wearing insect not have collated statistics on "We've identified the areas they would have repellent or long-sleeved clothing in areas where the number of rejected applica- come from and communicated to Environmental mosquitos are prevalent helps to minimise infec- tions. Health to increase the fogging to be on the safe tion.

PAGE 4, FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011 THE TRIBUNE EDITORIAL/LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Tribune Limited NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI Too many Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master

LEON E. H. DUPUCH, Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH, Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt . lazy vagrants

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON, C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B. Publisher/Editor 1972- in downtown Published Daily Monday to Saturday

Shirley Street, P.O. Box N-3207, Nassau, Bahamas Insurance Management Building., P.O. F-485, Freeport, Grand Bahama Freeport area TELEPHONES Switchboard (News, Circulation and Advertising) 322-1986 Advertising Manager - (242) 502-2352 EDITOR, The Tribune. grims, been as lazy as the vagrants in the downtown WEBSITE The Grand Bahama Port LETTERS Freeport area, the Western www.tribune242.com – updated daily at 2pm Authority is doing a great job in [email protected] world would’ve still been in the beautifying the downtown condition Christopher Colum- Freeport area through its bus met it in 1492. Downtown Turnaround Pro- Christian Reformers like Sir Lynden reveals cause of today’s problems ject. For years that part of tional Institute in order to train John Calvin, Martin Luther and Freeport City was an eyesore these vagrants with the skills Ulrich Zwingli, all stressed the THE CAUSE of crime as we know it irresponsible words and actions. Today we and an embarrassment to all they need to become produc- importance of hard work and today was born in politics and until political see the fallout from the fight in the early six- decent citizens of Grand tive citizens in this country. diligence. The economic foun- leaders recognise this fact, stop trying to ties over the littering laws. Bahama. It has become obvious to me dation that these great Christ- blame someone else and join the fight to And then there were the schools. Sir Lyn- There were certain areas in that many of these beggars in ian leaders laid down is the very stamp out a common problem, crime will den’s third objective that year was to tackle that part of the city that was the downtown area have no foundation that Western civi- continue to escalate. the problem of discipline in society — start- dirty and smelly. desire to work at all. lization is built on. The Reform- At times the PLP talk as though crime is ing with the schools. He wanted teachers to Even the Churchill Square They are too lazy. I started ers were all industrious men. an FNM problem, that the Christie govern- be given more authority to discipline chil- was a complete turn-off to me. working at age 14. According to them, laziness was ment had it under control during its short dren — he never suggested that their respon- I used to smell human fae- I was raised in abject poverty. an insult to God. administration with its urban renewal pro- sibilities should be taken over by a Royal ces and urine around the However, I worked my way out These lazy vagrants must gramme, and — if we are to take their rea- Bahamas Police Force officer stationed on square. of poverty. realise that laziness is not only soning to its logical conclusion — crime will campus. I commend Mr Ian Rolle and I could never bring myself to wrong; it is a sin. King Solomon not go away until the PLP are returned to “The teachers do their best to instil clean- his staff at the Grand Bahama do what these lazy vagrants are said: “Go to the ant, thou slug- power. Nothing could be further from the liness in the children,” Sir Lynden said. “But Port Authority for this timely doing. Rather than beg, I chose gard, consider her ways, and be truth. the parents say ‘we pass that age now.’ The endeavour. Freeport really to work for my own money wise. Which having no guide, “The people in this country closed the janitor supposed to do that. The janitress needed this. instead. It can be done; but you overseer, or ruler, provideth old year in fear for their lives, for their per- supposed to do that or the Haitians supposed Nevertheless, I still have one must be willing to work. her meat in the summer, and sonal safety, for their properties.” These were to that. That’s the problem” — and those major concern about the down- I don’t see how these per- gathereth her food in harvest. not the words of a present day politician. are today’s problems, including the Haitian town area: There are too many sons could look themselves in How long wilt thou sleep, o These were the words of the late Sir Lyn- problem. vagrants and beggars who fre- the mirror, knowing that they sluggard? Yet a little slumber, a den Pindling, during whose administration “We are falling backward with sophistica- quent that part of the city. beg for a living. little folding of the hands to crime as we know it today had driven a fright- tion,” said Sir Lynden, “because we have got When I visit the downtown area These vagrants have become sleep. So shall thy poverty come ened community into their homes behind slack and we’ve got lazy and we’ve got to shop, I am often harassed by professional beggars. as one that travelleth, and thy security bars. The year was 1990, the month sophisticated over these last 20 years and a group of young healthy men I had seen one of the beg- want as an armed man” ( was April, and Sir Lynden, addressing a PLP that’s our fault. I accept responsibility for and women who are always gars harassing the tourists in Proverbs 6:6-11). The vagrants rally in the Oakes Field area, was encour- that.” begging for money. This is the city area. who frequent the downtown aging the police in the admirable job they Speaking at the PLP convention in becoming very annoying. And This could cost Grand area should heed those words! were doing in trying to make residents feel November of the same year — 1990— Sir to make matters worse, these Bahama’s tourism sector to go safer in their communities. Lynden was back on the same theme. By vagrants are not handicapped further downhill. KEVIN EVANS By the end of 1989 Sir Lynden’s adminis- then, he said, he had changed his mind on or ill. So why aren’t they work- This is the last thing that Nassau, tration faced a new year with three major attitudes. He was concerned that “too many ing like everybody else? This Grand Bahama needs right July 11, 2011. problem — one was cleanliness. “If we pick young men avoid work like the plague” has nothing to do with the now. up paper ourselves and put it in the nearest because parents often required too little work recession. Several of these per- But these lazy beggars just drum and don’t wait until the next fellow of them. sons were in the begging pro- don’t care. Hard work won't comes along to do it, the place will be clean- “We told them that they were too good to fession since the early nineties. kill anyone. It never has. It was er right away,” he said. be gardeners, too good to be sanitation men, Grand Bahama’s economy was the late German sociologist and OUR ATHLETES Sir Lynden seemed to forget that towards too good to work with their hands. vibrant during the mid to late political economist, Max the end of the UBP administration, littering “As the great grandson of a slave I told nineties. Weber, who wrote in his CONTINUE TO was suddenly becoming a problem. The leg- many of my brothers those things myself. At I know a few of these groundbreaking book The islators of that day, who were accustomed the time, I was trying to elevate their goals; I vagrants quite well. The Apos- Protestant Ethic and The Spir- to a clean community, decided that the only wanted to spare them some pain and suffer- tle Paul declared that if a man it of Capitalism that, “Begging, MAKE US PROUD way to quickly deal with the problem before ing. would not work, neither should on the part of one able to work, EDITOR, The Tribune. it became an epidemic was to introduce lit- “But, I didn’t know then what I know he eat. is not only the sin of slothful- tering laws. Some of our readers might now, that any work breeds character. Too These vagrants need to go ness, but a violation of the duty The Bahamas has seen an remember the squeals from the PLP quarters. many young men lack character today; too and look for a job. of brotherly love according to ever increasing crop of world “Discrimination!” they hollered, the white many, too often shirk responsibility because The GBPA and the local the Apostle’s own word.” class athletes and I feel that man was taking away the freedom of the they have never been held accountable for police force have got to do Weber also noted that waste of some credit needs to go to black man — we believe the squabble start- their actions at home, in school or in society. something about this vexing time is thus the first and in prin- Frank Rutherford, who won the ed over the littering of the Eastern Parade, Therein may lie the heart of the problem,” problem. ciple the deadliest of sins. bronze medal in the 1992 then thought by some to be the white man’s Sir Lynden told the convention. Otherwise, the great The Pilgrims who came to Olympic Games in Barcelona, recreation area. In defiance, littering grew Did Sir Etienne’s writings on this subject improvements that were made America in 1620; as well as suc- competing in the triple jump. and prospered. By 1990 – some 23 years lat- eventually get through to Sir Lynden? No to the city area will all be for cessive generations of Euro- This was the first Olympic er – Sir Lynden was appealing to his people one knows. However, in the end Sir Lynden naught. peans who came to that great medal for the Bahamas in track for cleanliness. Today civic minded citizens was man enough to admit his errors — how- Perhaps it is high time that land after them, worked tire- and filed. organise periodic clean up campaigns to try to ever, it was too late to turn back the tide. the wealthier churches on the lessly to make America what it Since then, we have seen a keep the country clean. These citizens clean This is one of the legacies that Sir Lynden island establish some halfway is today – the wealthiest nation virtual explosion of athletes up for a people who still refuse to clean up has left his party and the Bahamian people. houses for these vagrants, in in the history of human civi- competing at a very high level after themselves. Instead of his successors trying to search for order to get them off the lization. They were not lazy. and since Rutherford’s historic Politicians do and say things without a scapegoat, we suggest they accept the bur- streets. The same can be said about our triple jump we have won three thought just to gain a selfish moment of glo- den and get on with the job of trying to assist After establishing the Bahamian forefathers. They Olympic Gold medals in track ry. They don’t realise the burden they are all of us in rescuing this society from a halfway homes, the churches worked hard to make this coun- and field. Pauline Davis- bequeathing to future generations by their destruction of its own making. should then partner with try what it is today. Had our Thompson owns two of these Bahamas Technical and Voca- forefathers, as well as the pil- gold medals. From the Golden Girls, Avard Moncur, Tonique Williams Darling and Chris “Fireman” Brown, our athletes continue to make us proud on and off the field. These are just a few examples of the many :$17(' athletes who have excelled in track and field. Congratulations go out to Team Bahamas that competed 0DQDJHPHQW (PSOR\PHQW 2SSRUWXQLW\ in the recent IAAF World Youth Championships in Lile, 3RVLWLRQ $YDLODEOH ² +RWHO &KLHI (QJLQHHU France. We won three gold medals and one bronze medal. Stephen Newbold won a gold $ OHDGLQJ KRWHO LQYLWHV TXDOLÀHG SHUVRQV LQ WKH DERYH medal in the 200 meters, twin brothers Latario and Lathone PHQWLRQHG ÀHOG WR DSSO\ IRU WKH SRVLWLRQ RI (QJLQHHU 0DQDJHU Collie-Minnis won gold and bronze in the triple jump respectively and Shaunae Miller 7KH VXFFHVVIXO FDQGLGDWH PXVW SRVVHVV WKH IROORZLQJ won gold in the 400 meters. Shaunae Miller set a new ‡ $ PLQLPXP RI  \HDUV H[SHULHQFH DV D 6XSHUYLVRU LQ WKH Bahamian junior national record with an excellent run (QJLQHHULQJ 'HSDUWPHQW time of 51.84 seconds. She is ‡ 0XVW %H SURÀFLHQW LQ 3UHYHQWDWLYH 0DLQWHQDQFH 3URJUDPV also the first woman in history ‡ 0XVW SRVVHVV D SURYHQ UHFRUG RI 7HDP /HDGHUVKLS VNLOOV DQG to hold the titles of World Junior and World Youth DEOH WR ZRUN ZLWK OLWWOH RU QR VXSHUYLVLRQ Champion. This is, of course, ‡ 0XVW SRVVHVV VWURQJ LQWHUSHUVRQDO FRPPXQLFDWLRQ SUREOHP also a first for the Bahamas. This is a major feat and VROYLQJ DQG FXVWRPHU VHUYLFH VNLOOV deserves above average recog- ‡ 0XVW SRVVHVV NQRZOHGJH RI (OHFWULFDO 0HFKDQLFDO 6\VWHPV nition from the Bahamian peo- LH +9$& 3OXPELQJ +HDWLQJ ple. An old adage says that we ‡ 0XVW SRVVHVV EDVLF $GPLQLVWUDWLYH VNLOOV ZLWK VRPH need to heighten the positive NQRZOHGJH RI 0LFURVRIW ([FHO and not the negative. I am a ‡ 0XVW EH DEOH WR ZRUN ORQJ DQG ÁH[LEOH KRXUV firm believer in this. What our athletes are doing is very sig- nificant, but the average $SSOLFDQWV ZLWK VXSSRUWLQJ GRFXPHQWV DOVR LQFOXGLQJ D FOHDQ 3ROLFH Bahamian apparently does not &HUWLÀFDWH VKRXOG EH VHQW WR WKH DGGUHVV EHORZ appreciate the magnitude of these accomplishments. I hope that just as we give alleged mur- &RPSHWLWLYH VDODU\ DQG EHQHÀWV SDFNDJH DUH FRPPHQVXUDWH ZLWK derers extensive coverage on all forms of media, that we can H[SHULHQFH begin to do the same for our $SSOLFDQWV IRU +RWHO &KLHI (QJLQHHULQJ athletes who make us very proud to be Bahamian. Let’s FR 7KH 7ULEXQH celebrate them. They deserve '$ it. 32 %R[ 1 DEHAVILLAND MOSS 1DVVDX %DKDPDV Nassau, July 2011. THE TRIBUNE FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011, PAGE 5 LOCAL NEWS BID TO PREPARE BAHAMIANS FOR ENTRY INTO JOB MARKET MAN IN COURT ON Government launches National Job HOUSEBREAKING, STEALING CHARGES Readiness and Training Programme By LAMECH JOHNSON TO PREPARE Bahamians for into the labour market and to with letters ‘A’ through ‘F’ should A MAN was granted $8,000 bail after entrance into the job market, gov- enhance existing skills by bringing go to the registration centres on appearing before a Magistrates Court yes- ernment yesterday launched the together the business community and Monday, July 18. terday to answer charges of housebreaking National Job Readiness and Training prospective employees,” the minis- “Those with surnames beginning and stealing. Programme, under which participants ters said. with letters ‘G’ through ‘L’ will be Jamal Ferguson, 38, of Fire Trail Road, will have their salaries subsidised by “The Government will subsidise registered on Tuesday, July 19. Sur- appeared before Magistrate Carolyn Vogt- up to $210 a week. the salary of all participants up to names beginning with letters ‘M’ to Evans in Court 6, Parliament Street to be Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham $210 per week.” ‘R’ on Wednesday, July 20, and sur- charged with breaking into Robertha John- announced during this year’s Bud- Bahamians wishing to participate names beginning with letters ‘S’ to son’s home and stealing gold jewellery and get Debate that it is his Governmen- can collect and fill out applications ‘Z’ on Thursday, July 21,” Ministers electronics belonging to Ms Johnson. t’s intention to prepare the Bahami- forms from Monday, July 18, to Fri- Maynard and Foulkes said. It is alleged that on June 28, the accused an population to take full advantage day, July 22, between 9.30 am and In the Family Islands, forms can broke into Ms Johnson’s residence on Van- of the economic rebound. 3pm from the following locations in be collected from District Adminis- ria Avenue and stole the following items: With this in mind, the National New Providence: trator’s office beginning on Monday, a gold Gucci watch valued at $1,000; a Job Readiness and Training Pro- LABOUR MINISTER Dion Foulkes • LW Young Junior High School July 18 and must be returned by Fri- gold and white Rolex watch worth $2,500; gramme was created to include three (left) and Youth, Sports and Culture • C R Walker Senior High day July 22. a Fossil watch worth $350; two gold chains major components, Labour Minister Minister Charles Maynard. • E P Roberts Primary School Forms can also be downloaded worth $300; a gold nugget bracelet worth Dion Foulkes and Youth, Sports and • Anatol Rodgers High School from the website $700; two gold bracelets worth $960; assort- Culture Minister Charles Maynard giving persons over the age of 30 the • C V Bethel Senior High www.bahamas.gov.bs starting on ed gold rings worth $1,000, and a Playsta- said in a joint press statement yes- chance to enhance their existing skills • H O Nash Junior High Monday. tion and digital camera worth $300 and terday. or gain new skills through study and In Grand Bahama: Application forms are to be $200 respectively. The three components of the pro- work placement. • Eight Mile Rock High School returned to the centres from which Ferguson, who told the court he is cur- gramme are: • General job placement – This • West End Primary School they were collected accompanied by rently employed, pleaded not guilty to • Job readiness – This component component is designed to allow • Jack Hayward High School a National Insurance card, the first housebreaking and stealing and was grant- is primarily aimed at young unem- unemployed Bahamians to work in • High Rock Primary four pages of a passport or birth cer- ed bail with two sureties. ployed Bahamians age 30 and under; designated industries such as but not tificate, and copies of academic cer- He is expected to report to the Grove they will have an opportunity to gain limited to tourism, financial services “The Government wishes to tificates. Police Station on Fridays and Sundays basic work force experience through and the industrial trades. ensure that all applicants receive ser- Employers wishing to take part in before 10pm. work shops and job placement. “These programmes are intended vice in a timely manner, therefore this programme by hiring persons The case will be heard before Magis- • Job training – This is aimed at to prepare Bahamians for entrance applicants whose surnames begin can register at [email protected]. trate Vogt-Evans on March 8, 2012. COURT NEWS

ByISRAELI MEGAN REYNOLDS BROTHERS DISPUTE:“We made a FORMERrequest and BRITISHThe court’s AG decision APPEARS to tions BEFORE varying the BENCH ruling given Tribune Staff Reporter now we ask your lordships to remove Amir Weissfitch’s by Justice Isaacs in August [email protected] ask for it, get them to write three children, represented by 2010. copies to all the parties, then Brian Moree, QC, from being He said the costs in respect APPEALS filed by the older all the arguments about its parties to the proceedings and to both appeals will be of two Israeli brothers engaged admissibility and so on can be set aside the order pertaining addressed in the written judg- in a seven year legal battle over dealt with later.” their costs spelled a minor vic- ment expected to be published more than $100 million in assets Lord Goldsmith argued the tory for Rami Weisfisch yes- in September. were granted in the Court of serious circumstances should terday. Following the judgment Mr Appeal yesterday, but the command support from all par- He and his wife celebrated Moree said he had not been appearance by former British ties in a call for this crucial evi- the outcome and said justice allowed adequate time to fully Attorney General and one of dence. had prevailed after the judg- develop his arguments yester- the most controversial figures in Now a partner at Debevoise ment was read by Justice day and expressed his inten- Tony Blair’s Cabinet signified and Plimpton LLP, Lord Gold- Christopher Blackman at the tion to appeal the decision to the dispute is far from over. smith specialises in Interna- end of two days of submissions the Privy Council. Lord Peter Goldsmith, QC, tional Dispute Resolution, by Nicholas Lavender, QC, on the longest serving Labour International Corporate Inves- behalf of Mr Weisfisch, and Attorney General at the heart tigations and Defence. Brian Moree, QC, on behalf of a political storm about the He was the longest serving of the children. legality of the Iraq war Labour Attorney General Mr Lavender had argued appeared before the bench at under Tony Blair’s leadership there was no need for the con- the Court of Appeal to high- and stood down on the same tinued involvement of the chil- light a disparity in the tran- day as the then Prime Minister dren in the case as their posi- scripts of proceedings from Jus- in June 2007. tion simply supports their tice Stephen Isaacs’ court. father’s. He called on the Appeal When Mr Moree took the Court judges to ask for the orig- Controversies stand yesterday he failed to inal transcript of the hearing convince the bench the chil- on June 9, 2010 to be provided Among the various contro- dren could not be removed as by the court reporter to serve as versies he was involved in was a participating party because evidence in his appeal, as the the political storm over the they were protected by a con- transcripts held by opposing legality of the Iraq war as pri- tractual agreement. counsel differ from his own. vate notes he had written to He further argued the chil- “The court is going to find Blair detailing his concerns dren were entitled to party-to- itself ultimately in a difficult about whether the war was party costs based on a position,” Lord Goldsmith legal emerged in 2005. Supreme Court ruling and asserted. His appearance yesterday their interest in the Trust. “We are going to say, ‘This is was in relation to an appeal Justice Blackman said the what the judge said’, and they made by Rami Weisfisch on ruling of March 25 2010 would are going to say, ‘No he didn’t’, May 5, one of the litany of legal be set aside as he granted the and the evidence is with the disputes between the brothers appeal on costs, and as he court reporters; they have the over the last seven years, and approved the appeal to original transcript and we can’t separate to the appeal granted remove the children from the get it. yesterday. proceedings he listed condi- PAGE 6, FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011 THE TRIBUNE LOCAL NEWS Sandals executive denies tabloid’s barbershops report AN EXECUTIVE at Sandals Emerald Bay in er of the reportedly closed down D & B Barbershop because of their shifts and the hours they work. It's that team members save here they spend in the Exuma yesterday denied tabloid reports that in Steventon, Exuma yesterday, the business was literally just a facility for our team members, many local community," he said. claimed the property's in-house barbershop has open. Owner Daniel Armbrister said he did not of whom live on the resort and don't have access to Mr Mutton added that Sandals' barber is an Exu- forced another operation on that island out of busi- have time to comment on the published claims. George Town. ma native who was hired by the resort at a time he ness. Jeremy Mutton, general manager of Sandals was on the verge of unemployment. The report, published in a tabloid yesterday, Emerald Bay, denied the tabloid claims and stressed "The person who we have employed since day claimed that a barbershop near the Exuma resort that Sandals' barbershop is a “back-of-the-house Unfortunate one at the barbershop is an Exumian. was forced into closure after the all-inclusive prop- operation” which caters solely to employees, not “He used to do barber work on his front porch erty opened its own hair salon for men. guests or locals. "It's unfortunate that someone would make such but we knew he was a talented barber who was The report also claimed that Sandals' low pricing He added that staff pay a nominal fee to access accusations. And at the end of the day the barber- going to lose his job,” he said. Mr Mutton added that had undercut the local competitor and that a the barbershop along with other on-site employee shop is just one of many initiatives we have that fall Emerald Bay has not opened a liquor or food store Jamaican was hired by the hotel to run the in-house amenities. "We took the initiative earlier this year under sports and social clubs. (Employees) pay a on-site, which was another tabloid claim, but does barbershop. to open a barbershop for our team members for a small amount (of money) to play bingo, use the support the local grocer through purchasing employ- However, when The Tribune contacted the own- number of reasons; to make it easier for them internet café and the barbershop. And any money ee food vouchers from the establishment. TURNQUEST HAILS POLICE SUMMER CAMP NATIONAL Security minister Tommy Turnquest encouraged hundreds of children, facilitators and volunteers to continue to f f

invest in constructive activities and attitudes a t during his tour of the Royal Bahamas Police s e

Force Summer Camp yesterday. n u b

Mr Turnquest said: "It's extremely impor- i r

tant to have the relationship between the T / e

police and young people. The k r

police every summer have a l

been able to bring together C m

young people from the vari- i ous communities under divi- T sional commanders, so it's really within the various areas fun at the same time. The age range for most and you don't have to move camps is five to 15; however, most camps outside of your neighbour- make determinations based on the individu- hood. al's maturity level. Older children are used as "It gives them an oppor- volunteers and mentors. tunity to work with the young Trevor Thompson, a 17-year-old student people, to talk to them, to volunteer said: "Children come from different teach them, to bring them in backgrounds but they are all the same, they an environment where police come here and learn. The police here are are able to work with young like family, you don't even look at them like people and let them know police because they give us advice every day, that it’s important to be good they push us to talk to the children and coun- Anastacia Ferguson, Southwestern camp productive citizens even at a young age and to sel them." work with the police. This is a wonderful ini- co-ordinator, said: "It gives kids an outlet to The informal setting encourages increased tiative." do things that they enjoy. It's a controlled bonds between police and the community, More than 3,000 children will have partic- environment where they can be along with according to another police camp coordinator, ipated at one of the 10 camp divisions. Over other kids where they feel free to express Humphrey Bain. Mr Bain said: "With the six weeks, there will be speech competitions, themselves. summer school, there is a vacation setting soccer matches sponsored by the Bahamas "They can choose to do other things, but type, you can get more down to earth with the Football Association, basketball games spon- instead they're here and they're making a kids because we're not in uniform and we sored by Caribbean Bottling, and musical difference. We are grooming our future prime have some commonality in that all of us are performances with instruments and equip- ministers, doctors, teachers so with this camp dressed casually. The kids begin to get com- ment provided by the Lyford Cay Founda- now is just a step in the right direction." fortable with officers and they are not nec- tion. Each camp hosts an average of 150 chil- essarily apprehensive when a police officer Teen participants also will be visiting radio dren from various socio-economic back- approaches them because they would have stations and media houses, in addition to par- grounds in an informal and safe atmosphere already have had the positive experience with ticipating in sports and other activities. where they can use their talents and have other officers.” THE TRIBUNE FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011, PAGE 7 LOCAL NEWS

FURTHER EXPANSION WILL ALSO TAKE PLACE IN HORTICULTURE, AGRICULTURE MINISTER OF NATIONAL SECURITY Tommy Turnquest speaks at police headquarters. PRISON CURRICULUM TO INCLUDE DISTANCE

ByLEARNING MATT MAURA or enhance themselves,COURSESensure that her Majesty’s Bahamas Information while awaiting their case Prison is able to facilitate Services to be heard.” the men and women who Mr Turnquest said these leave the institution in THE education curricu- moves are all a part of the becoming productive lum at Her Majesty’s Pris- Government’s prison members of our communi- ons will be expanded to reform initiative which he ties,” Mr Turnquest said. include distance-learning said will ensure that the “We firmly believe that courses, Minister of majority of the inmates it is easier to bring about National Security the will be able to leave the change by uplifting Tommy Turnquest said facility upon their release inmates rather than dehu- Wednesday. “as productive citizens.” manising them.” Further expansion will The new actions are also Mr Turnquest said the housed together); proper based initiative. la of the ongoing initiative. also take place in the areas being taken to address a rehabilitation thrust at sentence planning; a wide He said more than 100 “The government recog- of horticulture and agri- number of critical statis- Her Majesty’s Prison has range of technical/voca- inmates recently received nises that there must be culture. tics, including one report been “ongoing and wide in tional and academic pro- certificates of participation several complementary Mr Turnquest said addi- which states that fewer scope” over the past few grammes; attitude adjust- in a “wide array of sub- approaches and multiple tional efforts are also than 25 per cent of those years and has encom- ment programmes; behav- jects” ranging from basic interventions with which being made to ensure that persons admitted to prison passed inmate classifica- iour modification pro- computer skills to auto to address crime and crim- certificates of education possess a high school tion (to ensure that grammes; a day release body repair, tailoring and inality,” Mr Turnquest awarded by the facility’s diploma. inmates of similar risks programme, and a faith- welding under the umbrel- added. Correctional Training Statistics further show and inclinations are Institute (CTI) are that 90 per cent of the per- endorsed by the Bahamas sons admitted to prison Technical and Vocational are male; nine out of 10 of Institute (BTVI). whom are Bahamian The facility is also nationals, and two out of expected to offer “educa- every three of whom are tional opportunities” to under the age of 35. persons on remand “so “The Government of the that they can spend their Bahamas has been work- time productively and ing assiduously on its hopefully acquire a skill, prison reform initiative to

THE TWO apprehended Dominican vessels being brought into the Coral Harbour Base Thursday morning.

DOMINICAN VESSELS, CREW TAKEN INTO CUSTODY TWO GROUPS OF FOREIGN FISHERMEN APPREHENDED IN BAHAMIAN WATERS TWO groups of foreign fishermen were apprehended in connection with fisheries violations in Bahamian waters by members of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force on Wednes- day morning. While on routine air patrol, the Defence Force aircraft C6-BDF, under the command of Sub-Lieutenant Grere Mar- tin, sighted two foreign fishing vessels which the officers sus- pected were illegally fishing in the Great Bahama Bank area. The patrol vessel HMBS Nassau, under the command of Lieutenant Commander Michael Saunders, was informed of the sighting and proceeded to the Ragged Island chain. At around 2am, the officers discovered a 60-ft Domini- can vessel with a crew of 51 Dominican nationals onboard. They also found an undetermined amount of scale-fish and crawfish onboard. The Dominican vessel ‘Don Emmy’ and her crew were taken into custody. Then, at 11am, HMBS Nassau spotted another 60-ft Dominican vessel, the ‘Lil Lamb’, also in the area of the Great Bahama Bank. The vessel and her crew of 11 Dominican nationals were also in possession of an undetermined amount of scale-fish and crawfish, according to the RBDF. The apprehended vessels were escorted by the Defence Force vessel to the capital, where the foreign fishermen are to be turned over to relevant authorities for further processing. The exercise was a joint effort between the RBDF Airwing Department and the RBDF Squadron Department. Over the Independence holiday weekend, HMBS Nassau also apprehended seven American fishermen in connection with fisheries, customs and immigration violations in Bahami- an waters in separate incidents.

SOME OF THE FISHERY PRODUCTS being taken off the captured Dominican vessel at the Defence Force Base.

PAGE 8, FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011 THE TRIBUNE LOCAL NEWS

ARSONFROM pageRULED one OUTthat INit did FNM not spread,” FIRE he said. MINISTER DENIES MACKEY YARD LAND The building was still filled and was extinguished shortly with smoke this morning, said following the fire fighters’ Mr Symonette, but as soon as arrival. it is cleared out the head- ByBEING SANCHESKA BROWN SOLD TO ILLEGALresponsible for the award ofIMMIGRANTSRegarding naturalised persons apply- Speaking about the fire, quarters will be back in oper- that status.” ing for land, Mr Russell said the MOH Deputy Prime Minister Brent ation. HOUSING Minister Ken- Deputy Prime Minister will treat them no differently from Symonette said limited dam- Mr Symonette added the neth Russell has “categori- and Minister of Immigration Bahamians. age was done to the building FNM would like to thank the cally” denied that his min- Brent Symonette has also “The reality of the situation is, these as the fire was contained to a “diligent” persons who passed istry is selling land in Mack- denied that he has granted people have been granted status accord- back room and was quickly by the headquarters and ey Yard to illegal immigrants citizenship to any illegals liv- ing to the provisions contained in the extinguished by fire services. informed the police of the or giving it away for votes. ing in Mackey Yard. Constitution of the Bahamas. As the “The fire was put out fire. At a press conference yes- In fact, Mr Symonette Minister of Housing, I am certainly not quickly and we are thankful terday, Mr Russell said the said, no new requests for cit- empowered to revoke that status or to Ministry of Housing (MOH) izenship from that area have treat any person awarded such status in is in no way attempting to come across his desk. a manner as to diminish that person’s buy votes by selling land to However, Mr Symonette standing.” STUDENTS TO GET US VISA PRIORITY illegal Haitians squatting in did say that his ministry will Mr Russell also said that the ministry FROM page one Mackey Yard. be providing copies of citi- is not prohibiting persons who did not He said: “The ministry has zenship papers to those peo- live in Mackey Yard from purchasing interview. no authority to sell property ple who may have lost them lots in the new subdivision. She also encouraged students to apply for their interviews as to any foreigner, legal or ille- in the Mackey Yard fire in The minister did admit, however, that soon as possible to improve their chances of being at school on time HOUSING MINISTER: for the start of their classes. gal, living in the Bahamas. Kenneth Russell December 2010. the squatters will be given first prefer- Ms Thibault said Bahamian residents can still apply for a tourist As such, we have clearly Mr Russell said the min- ence. visa but currently the next available visa appointment is not until enunciated to all such persons residing on istry has enlisted the assistance of the He said if they cannot afford the lots, mid-September, possibly early October. housing land that they need to remove United Haitian and Bahamian Associa- they will be offered to someone else. She said, however, the Embassy will take every applicant’s trav- themselves immediately from that land. tion of the Bahamas (UHAB) to help The lots are being sold at $3.40 a el needs into consideration and will be able to accommodate some “I also deny assertions that the MOH illegals who are on the property move. square foot with lots starting at $17,000 emergencies by providing expedited appointments. is offering land for votes. The MOH has He said a letter was sent to all persons for 5,000 sq ft. “We will be issuing expedited appointments in emergency situ- absolutely no influence on the grant of still squatting on that land ordering them Mr Russell said government land and ations. Those include applicants requiring urgent medical treatment status to any individual, nor has there to move immediately so the government homes have always been sold at sub- in the US; applicants who must attend the funeral of a close rela- been any attempt to influence the grant can start preparing for a “properly sidised rates to make them more afford- tive; students whose classes start before the next available appoint- of status to any individual by the minister ordered legal subdivision.” able. ment; exchange visitors whose programme starts before the next available appointment; applicants claiming urgent business travel that could not have been previously planned, and temporary work- ers whose job starts before the next available appointment. We do not offer expedited appointments for cruise travel,” she said. FROM page one The embassy is encouraging all applicants to apply for a visa well are unprofessional and in advance of making their travel plans. reckless.” Ms Thibault said the best time to make an appointment is Mr Rolle said the PLP ‘PLP LYING’ OVER MACKEY YARD around February “when things are slow.” must look at themselves and “If that’s a statement of ship, while his leader was in ising squatters in the Pride Applicants meeting the requirements for an expedited visa their motives before point- the government trying to Nassau proroguing the One subdivision. He is actu- appointment are encouraged to submit a request to visanas- [email protected]. ing fingers at anyone else. get votes then I am sure it is House, that was certainly an ally the minister who estab- “We are simply seeking equally true that in 2007, attempt to offer citizenship lished the cost now being to empower Bahamians to when the Minister of Immi- for votes hours before the used by the ministry for the own land,” said Mr Rolle. gration in the PLP was in election.” sale of a lot, which works FROM page one the Mud giving out citizen- Housing Minister Ken- out to $3.40 per sq ft.” 60,000 MORE VOTERS neth Russell said he does Mr Russell said he is pre- “We have gained some tion of the 2007 yesterday. exceptional numbers, especial- COURT NEWS not understand why the pared to take the criticism Mr Bethel said: “The PLP is making such a fuss which comes from their ly within the last three months Bahamas, unlike some other when the current govern- efforts, even when it comes and we expect to go between countries in the world has a five BISHOP FRASER UNLAWFUL SEX TRIAL ADJOURNED ment is treating the squatter from those who would seek 160,000 and 170,000 which is year register – because we THE unlawful sex trial of Bishop Earl Randy Fraser has been issue no differently than the to make cheap political gain quite achievable,” said Mr know that the register in being adjourned to July 18, when closing submissions are expected to be Bethel. will come to an end after a fixed PLP did. by perpetuating lies and Now that the 2007 register is heard. He said: “In fact, it was half truths. He said he period of time the parliamen- Prosecutors have accused Fraser, 53, of abusing his position of closed, Mr Bethel said it is tary commissioner is authorised trust by having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl he had the PLP government that knows that in the end, the expected that the electoral to commence preparation of a agreed to counsel. began the course of regu- ministry’s efforts will yield boundaries commission will register in readiness, at a certain It is alleged that Fraser, pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Temple on St larising squatters as far fruit for the people of the meet soon to determine the time, prior to the expiry of the James Road, had a sexual relationship with the girl between July back as the early 1980s, in Bahamas. boundary lines, following which register in being.” 2005 and February 2006. the Nassau Village subdi- Mackey Yard is one of any necessary changes would Mr Bethel further stated that Fraser denies the allegations and remains on $10,000 bail. vision. three shanty towns located be made to voters cards so that this register in readiness will He is represented by attorney Jiaram Mangra. “Most recently Minister on Alan Drive, an area that they can be issued to the public. become the register in force on Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Franklyn Williams is Neville Wisdom followed makes up a part of the Gar- Clearing up confusion on the the expiration of the current prosecuting the case, which is being heard before Deputy Chief the same pattern in regular- den Hills constituency. electoral registration process register. Magistrate Carolita Bethell. Mr Bethel made it explicitly All registration centres known that eligible voters can throughout New Providence, still register following the close Grand Bahama and in the Fam- of the 2007 register yesterday, ily Islands will remain open to up to when the election is called accommodate those wanting to and election writs are issued. register, said Mr Bethel. He said “all persons who are According to constituency not yet registered, but who get summary, dated July 14, Blue registered before election writs Hills has the most registered are issued will be able to vote.” voters in the Bahamas with Explaining that under 3,853 persons currently on the Bahamian law there must books. always be a register in being, Blue Hills is closely followed normally with a life span of five by Golden Isles with 3,649 per- years Mr Bethel said prepara- son registered and Sea Breeze tions for a register in readiness with 3,347, Long Island and that would replace the 2007 reg- Ragged Island are noted as ister commenced on October having the lowest number of 4. This register became the new voters registered in the coun- register following the expira- try with 914 persons to date. FNM DEPUTY ON CITIZENSHIP FROM page one

Bahamian women who are married should have voted for that issue. It is creating havoc,” said Mr Symonette. Any person born in the Bahamas has a constitutional entitle- ment to apply for citizenship between the ages of 18 and 19, regard- less of their parental heritage. Historically, the process for eligible applicants has been a nightmarish, taking over 20 years in some instances. “There are a number of persons, born in the Bahamas, attended our school system, lived here all their lives, who feel disfranchised by the fact they have not been regularised. I think that is a fair comment if you go out in the public,” said Mr Symonette. “Now there are a lot of Bahamians who have a contrary view. But we have these people who have been in the country, were born here, lived here all their lives, don’t know any other country but the Bahamas. There are a large number of those. We have been pro- cessing permanent residency and citizenship on a regular basis. We have been working hard at it to draw down the numbers,” he said. As for Bahamian women, based on the current law, their children have no right to citizenship once they are born to a non-Bahamian man, or outside of the country. In 2002, when Bahamians had an opportunity to amend the con- stitution to empower women, they voted against the amendment. “We have to have a serious discussion, not in the political heat coming up to elections to score brownie points. That is what makes me slightly frustrated and annoyed. This is a serious issue and we have to look at both sides. Spouses of Bahamians: We cannot expect, my three children, for instance, to come back to the Bahamas if they cannot bring their spouses to work in the country. We will con- tinue the brain drain. We have to face that head on,” said Mr Symonette. As a result of the department’s efforts, Mr Symonette said the wait time for applications has been reduced significantly. Just yesterday morning, Mr Symonette said he signed three citi- zenship applications that were filed respectively in 2002, 2007 and 2009. Those applications are headed for Cabinet for approval. Over the last four weeks there have been three swearing in cere- monies for about 70 people. While some of those applicants waited up to 20 years to get their citizenship sorted out, many of them were beneficiaries of the improved system, said Mr Symonette Most of the applicants in the most recent cohort were under 30, he said. Assuming their applications were filed when they were 18, he said that means an approximate time period of 12 years. Mr Symonette said those figures are not indicative of a well oiled machinery, which would ideally process applications in a matter of 6-months to a year, but he said they represent an improvement, giv- en the “tremendous backlog.” In the case of spousal permits, Mr Symonette said applicants can now get processed almost immediately after their five year permit is up. A non-Bahamian spouse is issued a five year permit in the first instance, after which the spouse is eligible to apply for permanent res- idency with a right to work. Mr Symonette admitted there are some applications that fall through the cracks, and would disagree with his assessment.

THE TRIBUNE FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011, PAGE 9 Crossing the line

By INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICAZELAYA Invariably, we all have to COMIC’S wait in line at some point. Our ancestors had to, and unless you have made your life completely digital, chances are so do you. But VIEW here is my question: Is there INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICAZELAYA an official rulebook for toe- ing the line? Unfortunately, Road Traf- more teeth than a comb. There are rules in baseball, fic was just the beginning. (This is the Distraction.) basketball, football, soccer, After that episode, every- Next, they slip in line close rugby and lacrosse. Hey, where I went that involved to you (likely bringing undue even tiddlywinks and lawn some kind of line I noticed scrutiny from the Whiners darts have rules. (Rule num- how many individuals (and standing behind you) and hit ber one in lawn darts: Do not sometimes whole families in you with a verbal onslaught hit your opponent in the collusion) were finding sub- of Hey/ How ya doin’/ How head with the lawn dart!) Yet tle—and not so subtle—ways ya mummy/ How ya job? how is it that the most brutal, to avoid toeing it. I have per- (This is the Confusion, contentious and potentially sonally witnessed these peo- intended to elicit a false sense hazardous of all human con- ple in action thousands of of familiarity.) Finally, when tact sports—Line Toeing— times now, in awe of their it is your turn to be served, has escaped the eyes of the ever-increasing creativity. the Chatter abruptly ceases ever present watchdogs? Being the comedian that I all banter, produces a previ- I admit I had never given am, I could not help classi- ously well-hidden bill and much thought to formal line fying these line predators. morphs into the Cutter toeing etiquette until an ear- At Bamboo Shack, I before your very eyes. (This ly morning incident at The became aware of the exis- is the Takedown. You never Road Traffic Department tence of Cutters. With per- stood a chance.) served as my wake up call. sonalities exclusively com- My brother-in-law was in prised of that rare mixture of town and needed to renew courage and ignorance, Cut- Rules his driver’s license, and as I ters believe that reaching out had not renewed mine since and grabbing hold of the I admit I too have been the the early nineties (I jest, security bars on the order victim of line predators another birthday was loom- window puts them technical- (mostly Chatters) because I ing) I decided to go with him ly ahead of you in line, even never used to pay attention and do the same. if you were there first. to these things. Plus, in the We made the post dawn At the bank, I was intro- absence of actual rules of the mission to Road Traffic hop- duced to the Jumpers. Dis- game who decides what is ing to at least make the top tant cousins to the Cutters, fair and what is foul? 50 when the doors opened at Jumpers believe that they are 8.30am. To my surprise and line royalty, and their place Here are my suggestions delight, when we arrived in line is eternal. They leave for the official line toeing there were only a few per- the line for some unknown rulebook: sons waiting outside ahead reason only to return 15 min- • Elderly persons must of us, with 25 minutes to go utes later with the remnants have a cane, wheelchair, oxy- until opening time. By my of a Dollar Breakfast and a gen tank or national insur- calculations, we were gold- rolled-up newspaper, expect- ance card in single digits in en. A nod of the head to the ing their spot has been order to bypass the line. others—all men—established ‘saved.’ • Pregnant women must be our places (sixth and seventh A trip to the grocery store in labour or at least showing respectively) and meant we led to an encounter with a in order to bypass the line would not be spending the Whiner. (having a ‘stubborn’ pot bel- entire day in a line. Usually found toward the ly does not count). back of long lines, Whiners • Handicapped persons Unlocked spend the entire time com- must actually be handicapped plaining about how slow the in order to bypass the line line is moving/ few stations (being loosely referred to as At exactly 8.36am, five sec- ‘crazy’ does not count) . onds before the entrance are open/many persons are in front of them and on and • Chatters are legally doors were finally unlocked, required to carry breath two young women who had on. After watching no less than mints or chewing gum at all just arrived strolled right past times. No exceptions. us with one casually declar- two persons abandon their full trolleys in the middle of • Jumpers must automati- ing, “Ladies first.” cally pay a departure tax Huh? What happened to the checkout line, I realised that Whiners, though not as when leaving the line (dollar ‘First come, first served’? amount to be negotiated with I was too dumbfounded to bold as Cutters, employ a very sophisticated brand of the person standing immedi- speak. Apparently so were ately behind the Jumper). all the other men although psychology. Their ultimate goal is always getting to the • Whiners must limit their one did suck his teeth. My rants to 30 seconds or less; brother in-law eventually cashier so they will talk (or annoy) you out of their way and only one whine per hour mumbled, “Real ladies would while on any line is allowed. join the line,” but both by any means necessary! It is like some weird Jedi mind • Cutters must cease and women ignored him. They desist, lest they get cut! raced in ahead of us only to trick. Still, it took an outing to Now that a few guidelines find the customer service have been established, we window they had sought out BEC to bring me face to face with the most stealthy and should proceed to our lines in so coldly was still closed. an orderly manner. Embarrassed, the pair socially adept of all line predators; the Chatter. These The rules are clear, the looked back at us, but by this scoreboard has been reset time an “official” line had cagey veterans have been through many line wars, and and violators will be ejected. formed, and I confess I was I am serious people, and somewhat amused watching rely on a masterful three pronged attack: First, they nowadays I travel armed with them reluctantly join the end lawn darts. of it. greet you by smiling with PAGE 12, FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011 THE TRIBUNE LOCAL NEWS

DRU MMERS FROM CENTR THE AL ELEUTHERA SCHOO HIGH L BAND PLAY THE PO ING WITH LICE, DEFENCE AND PR FORCE ISON BANDS.

OR THE RFORMING F STUDENTS PE MENT AW ENFORCE COMBINED L THEIR AND DURING AGENCIES B ENDENCE R THE INDEP PRACTICE FO S. CELEBRATION THECENTRALELEUTHERA HIGHSCHOOLBAND SHARING THE Central Eleuthera High School TABLE MAJOR POLICE CONS TUDENTS. Band recently spent five days in New L TIPS WITH S SOME HELPFU Providence where they performed at the annual general meeting of the Bahamas Union of Teachers and at the Church of God 57th Annual Youth Convention. Students also had an opportunity to interact with the police, Defence Force and prison bands. The students visited Government House where they serenaded Governor-Gener- al Sir Arthur Foulkes with a few songs. Accompanying the students were band director Andrew Lewis and parents San- di Cooper and Sonia Lewis.

IGH SCHOOL BAND MEMBERS OF THE CENTRAL ELEUTHERA H THE DEFENCE FORCE. ALONG WITH LEADING SEAMAN ROLLE OF

AND AND CHAPERONES THE CENTRAL ELEUTHERA HIGH SCHOOL B K MONUMENT. AT THE HMBS FLAMINGO MEMORIAL PAR

INTERNATIONAL NEWS POLICE TO INCREASE PRESENCE What’s the best AT PUERTO RICO BEACHES SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico home ownership plan? Associated Press 607 killings on island POLICE are increasing of four million people One built just for you. the number of officers at popular tourist areas in the capital of San Juan to reas- reported so far this year sure visitors the area remains safe despite a rising homicide rate in much of the reassure visitors who might arrested. Ready to buy your first home or pay off your current one faster? island. be alarmed by reports of a Beach-goers along the Rates As Low As We’ve got the expertise, flexible options, and interactive tools At least 50 new officers rising homicide rate: 607 island's north shore also can to tailor a plan just for you. Find out how you can: will join a 200-member unit * killings have been reported expect to see less garbage s #USTOMIZEAMORTGAGETOlTYOURBUDGET covering an area from the so far this year, 101 more and more lifeguards, offi- 7.25% s &INANCE NEW FURNITURE OR RENOVATIONS island's international airport s 0ROTECTYOURHOME YOURBIGGESTINVESTMENT compared to the same peri- cials said. to the imposing 16th-centu- od last year. In 2010, the Nearly 40 inmates will be Let’s figure it out. Talk to us today. ry fort in Old San Juan, said island of 4 million people assigned to clean up at least Emilio Diaz Colon, the recorded its second-worst three beaches every week- island's new police chief. Six year for killings with more end, or more if needed, said detectives also will be than 955 deaths. Corrections Secretary Car- assigned exclusively to that los Molina. The island's area, he said. Tourism Company also will The officers will fan out Tourists dispatch crews to the most on horseback, all-terrain- popular beaches to help Most of the killings are vehicles, bicycles and speed- clean up trash and hand out drug related and tourists are boats, Diaz said. garbage bags, executive rarely targeted. Check out our online mortgage calculators. "Puerto Rico is known director Mario Gonzalez * However, in mid-April, a bahamas.scotiabank.com/gofigure worldwide for being one of said. 33-year-old visitor from New the most important tourist Officials say they hope the Jersey was killed in the destinations in the changes will help boost the parking lot of the swanky Caribbean," he said. island's $3.5 billion tourism La Concha resort in San "(Tourists) are our best industry. Nearly 5 million Juan in a case that police say Subject to credit approval. *Trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia, used under licence. spokespeople." people visit Puerto Rico a involved drugs and prosti- The action is meant to year. tutes. Two men have been

THE TRIBUNE • SECTION B • [email protected] FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011 $8 MILLION Customs Act consultation absence ‘very concerning’ DEAL AFOOT By NEIL HARTNELL Consultative committee supposed to be established Tribune Business Editor TO BUY-OUT PORT IPO’S to review key 350-page legislation never met The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) committee’ supposed to examine the leg- terpart, K. P. Turnquest, told this news- ROBIN HOOD ‘UNIQUE chairman last night described the seem- islation prior to its going to Parliament paper that despite being invited to sit on ing lack of consultation over the never met. this committee, they never attended - PARTNER reformed Customs Management Act as Both the former BCCEC chairman, SEE page 4B FLAVOUR’ “very concerning”, with Tribune Busi- Khaalis Rolle, and his current Grand By NEIL HARTNELL * Investors to participate ness confirming that the ‘consultative Bahama Chamber of Commerce coun- Tribune Business Editor Robin Hood’s principal last from ‘ground up’ in fully night told Tribune Business Bahamian-owned, he had found investors to buy-out at least some of the private-public equity stake held by his US- based partner, Suresh infrastructure partnership Khilnani, as he attempts to BISX ends decade set the retailer back on track By NEIL HARTNELL following the end of City Tribune Business Editor Markets’ efforts to acquire his food business. The upcoming $8 million Sandy Schaefer, though, Arawak Cay port initial denied that the investor in public offering (IPO) has a question was Hubert Pinder. “unique flavour”, its cho- Sources familiar with devel- sen placement agent has opments had told Tribune told Tri- long profit wait Business that Mr Pinder, who bune Busi- had previously been interest- ness, as it ed in investing in Robin Hood represents By NEIL HARTNELL * Gets into black for first time in before backing away late in the first Tribune Business Editor the day, had reignited his time exchange’s history interest, and a team of accountants had been scour- Bahamians The Bahamas International Securities Exchange (BISX) * Pursuing recognition by SEC as ‘major ing the retailer’s books as part have a made a profit for this first of a due diligence exercise on chance to time in its 10-year history dur- component of international strategy his behalf. participate ing 2010, its chief executive “We were speaking with “from the KEN KERR confirmed yesterday, adding such recognition as “one of mine where the process stood people, and doing a deal,” Mr ground that he was continuing to pur- Schaefer said, when contacted up” in an infrastructure the major components of the was scheduled for yesterday. sue recognition of the international strategy we He described achieving for- briefly by this newspaper last project operated as a pub- exchange by the US Securi- have”, adding that a tele- night. But of Mr Pinder’s lic-private partnership. ties & Exchange Commission phone conference between SEE page 4B interest, he added: “That Kenwood Kerr, chief (SEC). BISX and the SEC to deter- name is not familiar to me.” executive of Providence KEITH DAVIES Keith Davies described Still, he told Tribune Busi- Advisors, which together ness that moves were under- with CFAL won the bid to way to at least partly buy-out be the placement Miami-based Mr Khilnani’s agent/financial advisor to stake in the business, adding: the Port IPO that is likely “We’ve entered into an agree- Mango provider extends ment to divest my partners of to take place this fall, said some shares. We’ve already the facility - unlike similar signed an agreement.” infrastructure projects - Tribune Business under- would be owned and run stands that Mr Khilnani has entirely by Bahamians. $5.4m private offering $5.2568 at least $9 million invested in He added that it was Robin Hood, through a com- “healthy” for the Bahami- $4. bination of equity and loans.$ an investment banking By NEIL HARTNELL * Says interest coming from Asia It is thought he has been seek- market for IPO work to be Tribune Business Editor ing an exit route from his spread out, rather than go and Middle East $5.1651 partnership with Mr Schaefer to the same one or two Transfer Solutions for some months, and is eager firms all the time, noting Providers (TSP), the Man- * Omni Financial and Mango to $4. to recoup as much of his that “75 per cent” of the go card and payment pro- investment as possible. stocks currently listed on cessing system provider, has merge into one $5.2269 He declined to go into BISX had been brought to extended its $5.438 million detail, but said Robin Hood market by either himself or private placement until * Believes technology can be $4. was “building the business CFAL’s principals. month’s end to give key back up again” after the dis- The information contained is from a third tractions of the potential City “As a group, speaking on investors time to reach a ‘third arm’ of economy party and The Tribune can not be held decision, its president yes- responsible for errors and/or omission Markets deal that fell behalf of Tony [Ferguson, from the daily report. through. CFAL’s principal] and terday saying the offering them if I could, we’re had attracted global inter- grateful for the opportuni- est from regions such as ty to provide our services, Asia and the Middle East. our expertise, our experi- Dr Jonathan Rodgers, the ence in this space - this well-known ‘eye doctor’, LIFE INSURANCE & ANNUITIES / are you prepared? market - and bring this his- confirmed to Tribune Busi- toric transaction to the ness that the TSP private marketplace,” Mr Kerr placement had been extend- told Tribune Business. ed until the end of July, “We think it parallels adding that the Omni Finan- what has happened at the cial Services money transfer airport to a certain extent, business - which up until but all Bahamians can par- now has been run as a sepa- ticipate in this. This [the rate unit to Mango under Arawak Cay port] is going the TSP banner - would be Blast Off! to allow Bahamians to par- integrated into one with the ticipate in an investment of card/payment technology He works hard for his grades. this nature from the provider. ground up. “We have several high net You work hard for his dreams. “I think it’s probably the worth individuals, and also Don’t let the unexpected interrupt your plans. first of its kind that some not so high net worth Bahamians can really par- individuals, as well as insti- Secure the future today with Family Guardian. ticipate in.” tutions close to making And just watch where tomorrow takes him! While there were “lots of some decisions,” Dr things that are very posi- Rodgers said, explaining the tive about” the Arawak rationale for extending the Cay Port and upcoming private placement. IPO, Mr Kerr declined to He acknowledged that go into detail, explaining many key decision-makers that the specifics would all were away due to the sum- be contained in the yet-to- mer holidays, adding that be-released offering mem- the TSP offering should orandum. appeal to both wealthy indi- However, he added that viduals and institutions, such the IPO would for the first as pension funds and banks. time enable Bahamian There were also many retail and institutional Bahamian investor groups investors to participate in who, once one member an infrastructure invest- decided to invest, all came ment 100 per cent owned on board. and operated by Bahami- However, if Bahamian ans. investor interest proved Other “unique” charac- insufficient to get the pri- teristics identified by the vate placement fully sub- Providence Advisors chief scribed, the TSP president executive were that the said the company would public would be participat- more than welcome their Financial Strength Rating A ing in such an investment foreign counterparts. M BEST from the get-go. The Port “We have groups world- A- Excellent was being also being oper- wide wanting to invest,” Dr ated and owned by a pri- Rodgers told Tribune Busi- CONTACT ONE OF OUR SALES REPRESENTATIVES TODAY vate-public sector partner- ness. “We prefer local investors, as we’re a Family Guardian Financial Centre, East Bay & Church Streets +242 396-1300 I www.familyguardian.com SEE page 9B SEE page 9B A member of the FamGuard Group of Companies PAGE 2B, FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011 THE TRIBUNE Is there value inBUSINESS business potential?

By SIMON COOPER when a council closes the road Res Socius outside for lengthy repairs, as has happened recently some- where on our islands. t is common cause that This kind of potential is buyers of businesses, SIMON based on circumstances beyond and their sellers, usu- COOPER the control of an individual ally start light years businessperson, yet it could awayIfrom each other in terms have hugely positive impacts of the value a business for sale when it materialises. If a seller Grand Bahama Power Company represents, and that they gen- better. I find this akin to a used- car salesman saying that a vehi- already knows of it, I believe a yesterday said it was making progress erally need a business broker value might be attached, and in delivering disconnection warnings to help narrow the gap to man- cle could go a whole lot faster with a new engine, and then that there could be advantages to customers, but urged them to make The best feature is ageable proportions. This is to selling it on untapped, too. because every business is dif- pricing the vehicle as if it sure the utility had their correct con- “that our cus- already had one. But that is not The cards are in a buyer’s tact information. ferent to a greater or lesser hands, though. Who knows of tomers can access their extent, meaning that value is in to say business potential may Katherine Demeritte, Grand not have intrinsic value. We just circumstances of which the sell- Bahama Power Company’s director personal account infor- the eye of the beholder, not er is unaware? readily sought in market trends. need to separate the sheep This begs two questions that of customer service, said all residential mation from the com- It is theoretically possible to from the goats. Every business has the should be in every potential and commercial electricity customers value a business in several dif- were now being sent a disconnection fort of their home. ” ferent ways. One could estab- potential to improve. It may be business buyer’s mind. When neglected because the current markets turn, as they inevitably warning prior to being cut-off for over- lish the cost of setting it up due payments. afresh, calculate the depreciat- owner is ineffective. It may be will, where will the uptick Katherine Demeritte ed value of the assets, or put a neglected because the owner begin? And is it a good idea to “This system is working, but we are value to goodwill. Unfortu- has grown old, ill, bored or sim- invest in an existing business still asking our customers to verify nately, it’s not a simple as that. ply tired. In this case, potential that is already well-positioned, that we have their current and cor- mation in the event of an outage in What value does one put on a has no real value because it lies or try to start a new one on the rect information so they are able to their area,” Ms Demeritte said. downtown street-corner posi- only in the eye of the seller, fly, when this happens? benefit from these added features,” “Today’s customer has many more tion, or a secured supply chain? who ought not to be paid for said Ms Demeritte. payment options than they previously The bigger question, though, what they did not do. NB: Res Socius was found- To further improve customer com- ed by Simon Cooper in 2009, had. is what is likely to happen in Circumstantial potential is a munications, Grand Bahama Power “All our customers need is their GB the future. The difficulty with completely different ball game, and is a business brokerage authorised by the Bahamas Company last year launched an Inte- Power account number located on the evaluating goodwill is that this and I believe it can hold real grated Voice Response System (IVR), is unlikely to be the same in the value. Let me cite a few exam- Investment Authority. He has top left hand corner of the bill and future as it was in the past. This ples to illustrate the point. A extensive private and public which enables customers to access they can pay on line via online bank- means that turnover figures sleepy town can develop expo- SME experience, and was for- billing information over the telephone. ing, or they can make payments at must be interpreted, not blind- nentially following the devel- merly chief executive of a pub- “The best feature is that our cus- any local branch of Commonwealth ly imported lock, stock and bar- opment of a new port nearby. licly traded investment compa- tomers can access their personal Bank, Scotiabank, and Bank of the rel. A construction company can ny. He was awarded an MBA account information from the com- Bahamas or CIBC First Caribbean.” Just about every business strike gold when oil is discov- with distinction by Liverpool fort of their home. Grand Bahama Power Company’s seller I have met has made a ered across the road. Equally, University in 2005. Contact him “They can obtain their account customers can also use cheque drop- great play of the fact that their though, a store can nosedive on 636-8831 or write to information, have billing queries off boxes at its office, or the drive firm could perform a whole lot [email protected]. addressed by an interactive automat- through window at its downtown ed system, and receive real time infor- Freeport office.

THE TRIBUNE FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011, PAGE 3B No ‘competitiveBUSINESS disadvantage’ for Bahamas from US FATCA

By NATARIO McKENZIE them. challenge is that the Bahamas terment of our industry. I analyse this carefully, and put your jurisdiction in the best Business Reporter “Those who would have itself, either through the Gov- believe the private sector, our position forward to the way they can, because these wanted to shy away from US ernment or through one of government and regulators IRS. That is how you have an are very draconian obligations DESPITE increased com- clients have already done so. I the industry associations or need to come together to influence on the rules to affect on our financial institutions.” pliance costs associated with don’t think there are organi- an entity within the Bahamas, the US Foreign Account Tax sations who have US clients has not sent something in that Compliance Act (FATCA), a who are going to say we don’t advances our case so that it’s leading accountant yesterday want to deal with it. I think if going back to the IRS with said he does not believe the anything we will probably comments on what things can Bahamas will be placed at a gain some US clients and, if work, what things cannot “competitive disadvantage” we’re smart about it, this is work, or how we think it can in dealing with US clients. our opportunity to go after be structured better to accom- “I do not believe it’s going them,” Mr Lewis said. plish the same things but be a to put us at a competitive dis- Mr Lewis agreed with sen- bit more efficient. The IRS is advantage, because every- timents expressed by attorney responsive to some recom- body is going to have to do Ryan Pinder that the Bahami- mendations, but not to ones the same thing. It’s going to an financial services industry they think will dilute the increase the cost of compli- should lobby to influence the effect of it.” ance, no doubt, but that FATCA implementation Mr Pinder said: “We as a increased cost is going to be process, noting that the IRS jurisdiction seem like we are across the board. The only has been responsive to some not motivated to go out and saving grace is that pretty recommendations made. lobby the international arena much any where they [US “The IRS and Treasury on issues that affect us as a clients] go they are going to Department over the last year jurisdiction. This [FATCA} face this. Any reasonable or so put out their first set of will affect the industry more jurisdiction they go to, they guidance, and in April of this so than almost anything on a are going to face the same year they put out a second set compliance point of view requirement to provide infor- of guidance,” Mr Lewis said. because it is so broad; it mation,” Lawrence Lewis, a “After each round of guid- touches a number of compo- Deloitte & Touche ance they put out, they have nents. (Bahamas) partner, told Tri- requested comments, and a “We are in a comment bune Business. number of organisations have period where we can actually FATCA is an important put in comment letters. The influence the rules for the bet- development in US efforts to combat tax evasion by per- sons holding investments in offshore accounts. Under FATCA, US taxpayers hold- ing financial assets outside the US must report those assets to the Internal Revenue Ser- vice (IRS) or face penalties. FATCA will also require foreign financial institutions to report directly to the IRS certain information about financial accounts held by US taxpayers, or by foreign enti- ties in which US taxpayers hold a substantial ownership interest. Mr Lewis said that while in the past the Bahamas has gen- erally shied away from US clients, it could now be in a position to go after and gain PAGE 4B, FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011 THE TRIBUNE BUSINESS BISX ends decade Customs Act consultation absence ‘very concerning’

FROM page 1B ticipants were saying similar, ther from them,” Mr Smith long profit wait the BCCEC chairman replied: added. “It’s obviously very concern- “There have been no meet- nor were invited to attend - ing, because we would have FROM page 1B exchange gained this recog- isfied we are doing what is any meetings. Fred Smith QC, ings, and I have not been nition, Mr Davies added, with necessary to keep us moving thought that legislation of required to give any input into the Callenders & Co attorney such significance would have securities offerings initiated forward. But we’re not com- the procedures, the protocols eign exchange recognition and partner, confirmed like- gone through wide consulta- from the SEC as “opening the from the Bahamas - with a placent, and are not satisfied wise. of this Customs Management US nexus - able to go back with where it is.” tion prior to being submitted doors to many others”, as it The fear here is that no one to Parliament. Act.” ‘onshore’ in the States once Mr Davies said BISX was would enable “additional from the private sector, and “Customs duty represents Mr Turnquest, the Grand the timing was right. still working on bringing the types of transaction to flow possibly no one outside of the the bulk of the entire tax Bahama Chamber chief, had Meanwhile, the BISX chief share registries for all its list- through BISX”. Government, Customs and structure, so any moves to a similar experience. Adding executive confirmed that the ed companies on to one tech- Other potential opportuni- their consultants, has seen the revamp that I thought would that he, also, had not seen the ties opened up by SEC recog- exchange recorded its first nology and software platform legislation - intended, at least have got as wide a consulta- year-end in the black for the at its Bahamas Central Secu- partly, to fulfill the Bahamas’ revised Act, he added: “I nition, Mr Davies explained, tion as possible before making know they were supposed to were alternative listings on 12 months to December 31, rities Depository (BCSD), obligations under trading a decision. have me on some committee, BISX, and the use of the 2010. reducing this from the existing arrangements such as the “People don’t understand Bahamian exchange as a “We made it last year,” he three platforms. World Trade Organisation the impact of this until it’s but as far as I am aware, they “potential vehicle for entry added. “The first time it’s “The share registers have (WTO) and the Economic time to deal with Customs have not met.” into the US”. been done based on the been copied and migrated Partnership Agreement and they find things have Describing the seeming “This is a required step the exchange’s operations. It’s from one of the systems and (EPA) - and knows what’s in changed, so it’s very worri- lack of consultation as “unfor- exchange has to go through,” been a long road, and we’ve are being tested,” he added. it. some.” tunate”, Mr Turnquest said: Mr Davies explained. “This got to keep it going. Every “The other systems are going Given that almost every The Customs Management “I’m surprised they would resident and business in the is still in train, in progress. It’s year has to be better, and it’s to take a little longer because Bill, let alone the Act, has yet have gone through with the Bahamas has to interact with one of the main things we’re got to be better this year. I the process is different. We’re to be posted on the Govern- Act without allowing us to allowed myself to be happy Customs, the potential for trying to conclude. The SEC still bringing that information ment’s website or Internet have a look at it.” for all of five minutes, and over. problems and confusion to will be the ones recognising generally. Tribune Business has seen a the exchange, and we have a then it’s on to the next stage. “We’re still in the process occur when the legislation is copy of the letter sent out to call into them today to see “Every year since I’ve been of collating it, as we have to implemented seems high, giv- Tabled where they are. in the chair we’ve made get it done in a certain way. en that the Act overhauls the persons invited to participate “Any time you do a trans- progress - small, positive It’s quite painstaking. The framework for all dealings on the consultative commit- between the Government’s While copies have been action from the Bahamas, incremental steps. The level registries need to be cleaned tee. Customs was seeking rep- main revenue collection tabled in the House of being designated an offshore of listings and activity we’ve up a lot in terms of consisten- resentation from large agency and the private sec- Assembly, when a Tribune securities market under the seen is indicative of the times importers, brokers, shipping cy, continuity and depth. tor. Ultimately, the major reporter tried to obtain one, rules of the US enables you to we’re in, difficult times, but I We’ve got to roll up our impact is likely to be felt in they were told it was a 350- and airlines. do certain types of transac- see elements of progress, par- sleeves. It’s tedious, hard the Government’s tax rev- page document and would be The letter, sent by Customs ticularly for projects people tion.” work. It’s the work no one enues. too much of strain on photo- superintendent Gregory Certain transactions using are talking to us about. sees, no one cares about, but Winston Rolle, the copying resources. Jones, said: “The Bahamas BISX might be exempt from “Overall, I am pleased with we have to get it done.” BCCEC’s chairman, told Tri- Given that most persons Customs is undergoing a registration once the the overall direction, and sat- Apart from the $8 million bune Business yesterday that appear to struggle with 20- modernisation effort. Arawak Cay port initial pub- he had not personally seen a page legislation, yet alone “As part of this initiative, lic offering (IPO), and the copy of the new Customs Bills of 350 pages, the con- we are establishing a Customs likely sale of the first 9 per cern is that much of the ‘dev- Management Act. Consultative Committee. The cent tranche of the Govern- “It was a period when il is in the detail’ with the Cus- ment’s remaining Bahamas Khaalis [Rolle, his predeces- toms Management Act, and purpose of the Committee is Telecommunications Compa- sor] was part of a consulta- that some provisions when to discuss proposed new poli- ny (BTC) stake, the only oth- tive committee that was sup- enacted might cause a nasty cies and procedures, and to er listing activity in the posed to be dealing with the surprise and throw the system obtain our partners input into pipeline is Bahamas First’s whole Customs issue, but I into chaos. the development of these stated intention to come on can’t recall any record of Mr Smith, the Callender’s policies. to BISX. them meeting in recent & Co partner, told Tribune “It is proposed that the Describing the investment times,” Winston Rolle said. Business that despite being Committee be comprised of invited to participate on the funds sector as “very quiet”, Khaalis Rolle previously representatives from the confirmed to Tribune Busi- consultative committee, and Mr Davies added: “That’s Chamber of Commerce, been extremely quiet. The ness that the consultative accepting, he had not been committee had never met, contacted again. 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BISX LISTED & TRADED SECURITIES AS OF: TUESDAY, 12 JULY 2011 BISX ALL SHARE INDEX: CLOSE 1,409.96 | CHG -0.05 | %CHG 0.00 | YTD -89.55 | YTD % -5.97 FINDEX: YEAR END 2008 -12.31% WWW.BISXBAHAMAS.COM | TELEPHONE: 242-677-BISX (2479) | FACSIMILE: 242-323-2320 52wk-Hi 52wk-Low Securit y Previous Close Today's Close Change Daily Vol. EPS $ Div $ P/E Yield 1.19 0.95 AML Foods Limited 1.18 1.18 0.00 0.155 0.080 7.6 6.78% 10.63 9.05 Bahamas Property Fund 10.63 10.63 0.00 -0.640 0.200 -16.6 1.88% 7.50 4.40 Bank of Bahamas 6.94 6.94 0.00 0.230 0.100 30.2 1.44% 0.53 0.17 Benchmark 0.18 0.18 0.00 -0.048 0.000 N/M 0.00% 2.84 2.70 Bahamas Waste 2.70 2.70 0.00 0.030 0.090 90.0 3.33% 1.96 1.77 Fidelity Bank 1.77 1.77 0.00 0.097 0.040 18.2 2.26% 11.93 8.44 Cable Bahamas 8.48 8.48 0.00 0.245 0.310 34.6 3.66% 2.80 2.35 Colina Holdings 2.50 2.50 0.00 0.438 0.040 5.7 1.60% 8.50 8.33 Commonwealth Brewery 8.40 8.40 0.00 0.740 0.000 11.4 0.00% 7.00 6.00 Commonwealth Bank (S1) 6.88 6.88 0.00 0.496 0.260 13.9 3.78% 2.19 1.90 Consolidated Water BDRs 1.87 1.82 -0.05 0.111 0.045 16.4 2.47% 2.54 1.31 Doctor's Hospital 1.38 1.38 0.00 0.074 0.110 18.6 7.97% 5.99 4.75 Famguard 5.40 5.40 0.00 0.498 0.240 10.8 4.44% 8.80 5.40 Finco 5.40 5.40 0.00 0.757 0.000 7.1 0.00% 9.85 8.25 FirstCaribbean Bank 8.60 8.60 0.00 0.494 0.350 17.4 4.07% 6.00 4.58 Focol (S) 5.50 5.50 0.00 0.435 0.160 12.6 2.91% 1.00 1.00 Focol Class B Preference 1.00 1.00 0.00 0.000 0.000 N/M 0.00% 7.30 5.50 ICD Utilities 7.30 7.30 0.00 -0.122 0.240 -59.8 3.29% 10.80 9.80 J. S. Johnson 9.82 9.82 0.00 0.880 0.640 11.2 6.52% 10.00 10.00 Premier Real Estate 10.00 10.00 0.00 1.207 0.200 8.3 2.00% BISX LISTED DEBT SECURITIES - (Bonds trade on a Percentage Pricing basis) 52wk-Hi 52wk-Low Security Symbol Last Sale Change Daily Vol. Interest Maturity 99.46 99.46 Bahamas Note 6.95 (2029) BAH29 99.46 0.00 6.95% 20 November 2029 100.00 100.00 Fidelity Bank Note 17 (Series A) + FBB17 100.00 0.00 7% 19 October 2017 100.00 100.00 Fidelity Bank Note 22 (Series B) + FBB22 100.00 0.00 Prime + 1.75% 19 October 2022 100.00 100.00 Fidelity Bank Note 13 (Series C) + FBB13 100.00 0.00 7% 30 May 2013 100.00 100.00 Fidelity Bank Note 15 (Series D) + FBB15 100.00 0.00 Prime + 1.75% 29 May 2015 RoyalFidelity MerchantMerchant BankBank && TrustTrust LtdLtd (Over-The-Counter. (Over-The-Counter Securities)Securities) 52wk-Hi 52wk-Low Symbol Bid $ Ask $ Last Price Daily Vol. EPS $ Div $ P/E Yield 10.06 5.01 Bahamas Supermarkets N/A N/A 14.00 -2.945 0.000 N/M 0.00% 0.55 0.40 RND Holdings 0.35 0.40 0.55 0.001 0.000 256.6 0.00% CFAL Securities Ltd. (Over-The-Counter Securities) 41.00 29.00 ABDAB 30.13 31.59 29.00 4.540 0.000 9.03 0.00% 0.55 0.40 RND Holdings 0.65 0.75 0.40 0.029 0.000 24.13 0.00% BISX Listed Mutual Funds 52wk-Hi 52wk-Low Fund Name NAV YTD% Last 12 Months % NAV 3MTH NAV 6MTH NAV Date 1.5573 1.4674 CFAL Bond Fund 1.5573 2.04% 6.13% 1.535365 1.512246 30-Apr-11 3.0185 2.9020 CFAL MSI Preferred Fund 3.0185 2.41% 4.01% 2.952663 2.907492 30-Apr-11 1.5976 1.5289 CFAL Money Market Fund 1.5976 1.50% 4.50% 1.580804 1.561030 29-Apr-11 3.2025 2.5730 Royal Fidelity Bahamas G & I Fund 2.5730 -5.41% -9.79% 31-May-11 13.6806 13.0484 Royal Fidelity Prime Income Fund 13.6806 2.42% 2.01% 31-Mar-11 116.5808 103.9837 CFAL Global Bond Fund 116.5808 0.71% 8.38% 115.762221 114.368369 31-Mar-11 114.1289 101.7254 CFAL Global Equity Fund 114.1289 2.39% 7.89% 111.469744 106.552835 31-Mar-11 1.1608 1.0000 FG Financial Preferred Income Fund 1.1655 1.66% 5.19% 30-Apr-11 1.1214 1.0000 FG Financial Growth Fund 1.1264 0.71% 6.11% 30-Apr-11 1.1620 1.0000 FG Financial Diversified Fund 1.1668 1.54% 5.59% 30-Apr-11 9.9952 9.5078 Royal Fidelity Bah Int'l Investment Fund Principal Protected TIGRS, Series 1 9.9433 0.98% 4.58% 31-May-11 11.2173 10.0000 Royal Fidelity Bah Int'l Investment Fund Principal Protected TIGRS, Series 2 11.1970 1.31% 11.59% 30-Jun-11 10.4288 9.1708 Royal Fidelity Bah Int'l Investment Fund Principal Protected TIGRS, Series 3 10.1525 1.27% 8.82% 30-Jun-11 8.4510 4.8105 Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Equities Sub Fund 8.6507 3.01% 18.38% 30-Apr-11 MARKET TERMS BISX ALL SHARE INDEX - 19 Dec 02 = 1,000.00 YIELD - last 12 month dividends divided by closing price 52wk-Hi - Highest closing price in last 52 weeks Bid $ - Buying price of Colina and Fidelity 52wk-Low - Lowest closing price in last 52 weeks Ask $ - Selling price of Colina and fidelity Previous Close - Previous day's weighted price for daily volume Last Price - Last traded over-the-counter price Today's Close - Current day's weighted price for daily volume Weekly Vol. - Trading volume of the prior week Change - Change in closing price from day to day EPS $ - A company's reported earnings per share for the last 12 mths Daily Vol. - Number of total shares traded today NAV - Net Asset Value DIV $ - Dividends per share paid in the last 12 months N/M - Not Meaningful P/E - Closing price divided by the last 12 month earnings FINDEX - The Fidelity Bahamas Stock Index. January 1, 1994 = 100 (S) - 4-for-1 Stock Split - Effective Date 8/8/2007 (S1) - 3-for-1 Stock Split - Effective Date 7/11/2007 TO TRADE CALL: CFAL 242-502-7010 | ROYALFIDELITY 242-356-7764 | FG CAPITAL MARKETS 242-396-4000 | COLONIAL 242-502-7525

THE TRIBUNE FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011, PAGE 9B $8m PortBUSINESS IPO’s ‘unique flavour’ FROM page 1B

ship, another feature not seen before in the Bahami- There’s no monopoly on this an capital markets. “type of expertise, consider- “Certainly it has a com- pletely Bahamian flavour, ing we as a collective entity, our- to the extent that when you selves and CFAL, would have been look at the airport, that’s sig- nificant, but it’s being run market leaders in that space for and managed by a foreign quite a number of years, having company,” Mr Kerr said. “The Port is of equal impor- launched more than 75 per cent of tance, but it’s run and the issues that are publicly listed owned entirely by Bahami- ans, so that’s a unique on BISX.” flavour. People also get to participate from the ground up.” 75 per cent of the issues that They are more in charge of are publicly listed on BISX. that," Mr Maura said. Concerns “It’s just healthy for the When the IPO occurs, market, and for the work to both the Government and Concerns have been have even distribution. You the group of private sector expressed by some competi- don’t want to have one per- investors who jointly make tors recently that all the cap- son monopolising the work, up the Arawak Cay Port ital markets work, from an because that gives the Development Company will IPO and private placement appearance of one entity each sell 20 per cent of their advisory perspective, having all the expertise. equity holdings - $4 million seemed to be going to one “That’s not correct. We each for a total of $8 mil- company, namely RoyalFi- want to take advantage of lion. delity. all the skill sets in the mar- This will ultimately leave Asked whether the ket, rather than be one- the Government and 19 pri- dimensional. We’re grateful Arawak Cay Port IPO vate sector stakeholders as for the opportunity. We award would benefit the equal shareholders of 80 per wider Bahamian investment have the expertise, and it’s cent of APD, holding 40 per banking market, in terms of exciting.” spreading the work around, Mike Maura, Arawak Cay cent each. The public , fea- Mr Kerr told Tribune Busi- Port Development Compa- turing Bahamian retail and ness: “I think it’s good; it’s ny's chief executive, told Tri- institutional investors, will healthy for the market. bune Business last month take ownership of the “There’s no monopoly on that the IPO target date was remaining 20 per cent, in this type of expertise, con- October 2011, although this line with what Prime Minis- sidering we as a collective would be left to Providence ter Hubert Ingraham has entity, ourselves and CFAL, Advisors/CFAL to deter- described as a commitment would have been market mine. by the Government to leaders in that space for "It's still somewhat vague. broaden wealth creation, quite a number of years, It might take place on Sep- ownership and economic having launched more than tember 30 or October 30. benefits. Mango provider extends $5.4m private offering FROM page 1B labourers were employed - and frequently sent money home via money transmission businesses. Bahamian company. There are a lot of peo- Advocating that they would be able to do ple in Canada, the States, Asia and some these money transfers via Mango for a fee of of the Middle East countries expressing an “$0.50 per transaction or less”, Dr Rodgers interest, so if things do not pan out here, said studies had shown that Filipinos work- that’s fine. It’s a global world now, and this ing overseas collectively sent home $1.5 bil- is a global product. It’s a global market.” lion per year. Explaining that TSP had “the people, the He argued that money transmission firms processes and the technology” to execute typically charged fees equivalent to 10-15 on its vision of providing electronic pay- per cent of the sums being transferred, and ment services to the ‘unbanked’, both in the said Mango’s technology could perform the Bahamas and abroad, Dr Rodgers said that same function “at a fraction of that like Google and Facebook, it needed capital expense”, thereby boosting gross domestic to realise its vision and take it to the next product (GDP) in the recipient country. level. “Technology infrastructure is becoming as important as health infrastructure, edu- Expensive cation infrastructure and physical infra- structure,” Dr Rodgers said. “It allows you “Technology is expensive, and we have to things much more rapidly and extensive- the opportunity to be tremendously prof- ly. itable in two years based on the technology “We need a third arm of our economy, we have now,” he told this newspaper. and believe technology - and computer- “It [Mango] has the potential to earn rev- related technology - is the way to go.” enues beyond the borders of the Bahamas. Speaking specifically to the TSP private If I were in America right now, this would be placement, Dr Rodgers said it was the first a snap. People would be buying it up like technology-related offering to come to the crazy. Bahamian capital markets. “What we have in technology and soft- As a result, it would appeal to sophisti- ware right now is far more than these tech- cated, rather than the average, investor, due nology companies that have done IPOs in to the need to “understand the product and the US. The potential for this is endless.” what it’s about”. The $5.4 million offering is a Private “It’s really a niche market,” he explained. Placement, and targeted only at specific “The great thing about this is it offers peo- institutions and high net worth individuals ple an opportunity to invest in technology who have been solicited. that can be, and will be, deployed around the It is therefore not a public offering, and world. members of the Bahamian public should “There is no company I know of that has not seek to become involved or apply for combined a debit card capacity with mobile shares. payments and the Internet. Explaining the rationale for integrat- “Certainly, the world is moving towards ing/merging Omni Financial Services and mobile payment...... Cellular phones have Mango into one, Dr Rodgers said the latter’s become a very important part of our lives, technology and payments systems would not just in communicating with people, but eliminate the need for persons to physically how we make payments.” come into the offices of money transmis- sion businesses, such as the former, to send funds overseas. “If you send money by cell phone you can do it from home, and you will be able to INSIGHT send money to Jamaica, Haiti, without hav- ing to go downtown or to any money trans- mission business,” he added. “The potential For the stories behind is for this to be used on a worldwide basis.” Describing the export potential for Man- the news, read Insight go’s card and payment systems technology, on Mondays Dr Rodgers focused on the Middle East, where thousands of Pakistani and Filipino

PAGE 10B, FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011 THE TRIBUNE BUSINESS NEW SENIOR PARTNER PLEDGES REBRANDING TO ENHANCE MARKET PRESENCE PWC to expand business ADVISORY

PWC PARTNERS: (L-R) Prince A. Rahming, PwC territory senior partner; Gowon N.G.Bowe, PwC partner; Dawn A. Patton, PwC partner; Kevin D. Seymour, PwC partner, advisory services; and Clifford A. Johnson, PwC partner. Missing is Myra R. Lundy-Mortimer, PwC partner.

PWC GUESTS: (l-r) Lenworth C. Smith, retired PwC partner; Craig A. ‘Tony’ Gomez; Prince A. Rah- ming, PwC territory senior partner; Alfred M. Sears; Raymond L. Winder; and Anwer Sunderji.

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Bahamas’ new senior partner has pledged to “Our firm has a rich history in the increase the accounting fir- Bahamas. And as the new leader, m’s market visibility through rebranding, while also I will build on this strong legacy and expanding its business advi- take steps to reconfirm our position sory practice. as the preeminent professional ser- Prince Rahming promised the Bahamian market: “My vices firm in the country.” partners and I seek to become more visible and accessible to you as we aim land, where he served in ming. He was speaking after to better understand your roles such as lead banking being introduced to his PwC needs and expectations. auditor for the Swiss Finan- colleagues, accounting pro- “As we look to the weeks cial Market Supervisory fessionals and government and months ahead you will Authority (FINMA). In officials at the Balmoral begin to see evidence of 2006, he became a director Club. He succeeded Clifford grand changes, which will of PwC Switzerland, and Johnson as PWC (Bahamas) include the formal launch- was made a partner 12 senior partner on July 1. ing of our new logo, and the months later. “Our firm has a rich his- launch of our expanded tory in the Bahamas. And Business Advisory practice Debate as the new leader, I will to include business recovery build on this strong legacy services, IT consulting, “You’re going to see that and take steps to reconfirm human resources and pay- because of the leadership our position as the preemi- roll services, corporate and expertise that we have, nent professional services finance services, forensic including the fact that I am firm in the country,” Mr accounting and corporate coming with 10 years of Rahming said. and tax compliance ser- experience in Switzerland - “We will achieve this vices.” one of the world’s leading through renewed energy and PwC is hoping these financial sectors - we’re focus, one-on-one delivery changes will encourage going to be more engaged of client services, quality in growth across all business in debate, particularly when work, and the creation of lines in its business advisory it comes to issues surround- added value to our clients practice. ing the health and contin- as we seek to make our firm Mr Rahming comes to the ued sustainability of the distinctive and, once again, Bahamas after a 10-year financial services industry in relevant in the local mar- tenure with PwC Switzer- the Bahamas,” said Mr Rah- ketplace.”

THE TRIBUNE • SEC- INSIDETRAK WORLD CUP: TOP-RANKED Debbie, Demetrius US TO FACE JAPAN to lead CAC team

TURN TO 4E...

‘SHAQ’ JOINS TURNER SPORTS AS NBA ANALYST

TURN TO 2E...

BRITISH OPEN: TOM LEWIS IN THE LEAD TURN TO 5E... BRAZIL BEATS ECUADOR 4-2 TO REACH COPA QUARTERS

TURN TO 7E... NO SEEDED PLAYERS REACH TEAM LEADERS: Grand Bahamian quarter-miler Demetrius Pinder (INSET) and sprinter Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie – named the most outstanding senior athletes at the recent BTC Track and Field Nationals in Grand Bahama – will lead the Bahamas’ 34-member team for the Senior CAC Championships, which is all set to get underway in QUARTERFINALS Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, today and run until Sunday, July 17. IN MERCEDES SEE FULL STORY ON PAGE 3E CUP TURN TO 5E... Puerto Rico blows by Bahamas, 101-30

By RENALDO DORSETT Team Dominican Republic beat the SERENA, Sports Reporter Cayman Islands team 113-42. The [email protected] Dominicans dominated right from MAVS GET BIG the start, winning the first half of n unwelcome return to the the game, 54-25. Frabel Feliz was HONOURS AT FIBA Americas Cen- the best scorer of the game with 24 Atrobasket tournament points for Dominican Republic ESPY AWARDS greeted the Bahamian Under-17 squad that ended the game with an junior national team on day one of Canales added 12, Krystal Luciano incredible 125 shot attempts, thanks the event. and Claudia Ortiz had 11 apiece to 86 rebounds, 47 of which were on TURN TO 2E... The Bahamas fell to host country while Naysha Franqui chipped in the offensive boards. Puerto Rico in a lopsided thrashing, with 10. Carolay Hernandez led the way 101-30, at the Fernando "Rube" The Bahamas struggled offen- for the Dominicans with an incredi- SANCHEZ Hernández Coliseum in Gurabo, sively for much of the game, shoot- ble all-around game with 22 points, Puerto Rico. ing just 7-43 from the field for 16 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals. Taneka Sandiford led the per cent and shot just 59 per cent Guatemala beat the Virgin Islands WINS 12TH Bahamas with the game’s only dou- from the free throw line. in the second game of the tourna- ble double and was the lone team Ball control became a major issue ment, 71-60. The Guatemalans had a TOUR STAGE member to reach double figures in as they allowed 46 turnovers yet reg- great first half as they led 43-22 at either category with 15 points and 10 istering just three assists. the half, a margin that proved to be rebounds. In contrast, the Puerto Ricans insurmountable for the Virgin Kaylicia Laing added eight points gave up 18 turnovers but dished 32 Islanders. and four rebounds. However, that assists led by Luciano who posted a Emily Rosales had a huge game was nearly the extent of the scoring game high nine. with 29 points, 5 rebounds and 3 for Team Bahamas as the remainder The Bahamas fell behind early in assists. of the lineup managed just two field the game and trailed 29-5 after the Taneka Sandiford led The Bahamas last competed in goals. first quarter. They delivered their DOUBLE DOUBLE: the Centrobasket Under-17 tourna- Puerto Rico's high-powered best offensive output in the second Team Bahamas with the game’s only ment in 2009 but finished with a dis- offense placed five players in double quarter but were still outscored 30- double double. appointing 0-5 record. figures and seven players who scored 14 in the period and trailed 59-19 at The team was led by Sandiford over eight points. the half. in the third, and seven points in the who averaged 12.6 points and 7.4 Diamalises Rivera was the high The Bahamas managed just 11 second quarter in the loss. rebounds over the course of the TURN TO 8E... scorer with 15 points, Daneichka points in the second half, four points In the first game of the evening, tournament.

TRIBUNE SPORTS FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011, PAGE 3E Bahamas toSPORTS host events for first time in 10 years

By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter [email protected] Men’s tourney to be held under patronage EXECUTIVES of the Bahamas Basketball Federa- tion (BBF) suggest the organ- of Mychal ‘Sweet Bells’ Thompson isation and indeed the country is “well prepared” to return as hosts of the region’s top Bahamas, Barbados, Bermu- the Olympics, which ever is basketball event for the first da and Jamaica in the north held first at the completion of time in over a decade. down to the tip of South the latter event. Usie R Richards, president America to include Guyana Richards stressed that while of the Caribbean Basketball and Suriname." it has been quite a while since Confederation, was on hand Formerly known as the the Bahamas has had a team to finalize for the XXI (21st) Caricom Basketball Confed- that qualified for Caricom, CBC Basketball Champi- eration, Richards said in 2000, this is a golden opportunity onships July 23-29 and the the name was changed to the for the Bahamian public to XX (20th) CBC Women's CBC with countries such as lend their support behind the Basketball Championships Cuba and the Dominican federation's efforts to get the August 3-7 at Kendal Isaacs Republic joining the list of job done this year at home. Gymnasium. countries that now make up In endorsing the Ministry This will mark the first time the region. of Sports' commitment to the in 10 years that the Bahamas Richards said the CBC is tournament, sports director has hosted the championships. delighted to be back in the Timothy Munnings said it's a "The Caribbean Basketball Bahamas when Caricom great opportunity for the Confederation is a sub-zone stages its last Junior Caricom local, collegiate and profes- of FIBA Americas, which is a Tournament. sional athletes to band togeth- zone of the International Bas- According to BBF presi- er to display their talent in a ketball Federation, which is dent Lawrence Hepburn, the cohesive unit to get the either the second or third men's tournament will be held Bahamas back as a power- largest sports federation in under the patronage of house in the region. the international Olympic Mychal 'Sweet Bells' Thomp- Munnings, an Olympic Committee with some 212 son, a former three-time NBA track and field athlete, said members," Richards said. champion with the Los Ange- the ministry will do its part in "We are divided into five les Lakers, and will be divided assisting the federation in zones from Africa, Asia, into two zones. making sure that the event is America, Oceania and From the tournament, the a tremendous success through Europe. In our area, we are top three teams in both the a small financial donation. known as FIBA Americas. men's and women's divisions "It's a great sports tourism We have three sub-zones will advance to the Centro initiative, so we hope to have within our zones, the North Basket, which is made up of the fine folks from the Min- America, Central America the top eight countries in the istry of Tourism on board and Caribbean and South Central American and with us," Hepburn stated. America. Caribbean. "We want to let the public "Within the sub zone of At the end of the Centro know that there will be rev- Central American and Basket tournament, the top enue for having these people Caribbean, there are two sub- four teams in the men and here. We want the Bahamian zones. Those two sub-zones women will secure berths in people to make them feel spe- are CONCABA, which rep- the FIBA Americas Zone cial, so come out and support resent some nine countries in Championships. And from every team that comes in here the Caribbean and the CBC, FORMER NBA CHAMPION: BBF president Lawrence Hepburn says the men's tournament will be held under the Zone Championships, the because of the exposure that which represents some 24 the patronage of Mychal 'Sweet Bells' Thompson (above), a former three-time NBA champion with the Los top three teams will go on to the Bahamas will gain from national federations from Angeles Lakers. the World Championships or this." 34-member Team Kobe holds clinic for Bahamas in Senior youth in South Korea CAC Championships

THE Bahamas Amateur Athletics Association will today field a 34-member team for the Senior CAC Champi- onships in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. The event concludes on Sunday, July 17. Team Bahamas will be led by Grand Bahamian quarter- miler Demetrius Pinder and sprinter Debbie Ferguson- McKenzie, both of whom were named most outstand- ing senior athletes at the BTC Track and Field Nationals in Grand Bahama. Other team members include sprinters Nivea Smith, quarter-milers Michael Math- ieu, Andrae Williams, Latoy Williams, hurdler Jeffrey Gib- son and high jumper Donald Thomas. The remaining women’s team members consist of sprinters Sheniqua Ferguson, Lanece Clarke, Anthonique Strachan and V'Alonee Robinson, quarter-miler Cache Armbrister, middle distance runner Hughnique Rolle, hurdlers Katrina Sey- mour, Petra McDonald and Ivanique Kemp, long jumper Bianca Stuart, triple jumper Tamara Myers and javelin thrower Laverne Eve. On the men’s side will be sprinters Jamial Rolle, Rod- ney Green, Trevano Mack- ey, Adrian Griffith, and War- ren Fraser, quarter-milers HIGH JUMPER Donald Thomas is expected to be a part of Team Ramon Miller, Avard Mon- Bahamas for the the Senior CAC Championships in Puerto Rico. The cur, half-miler Wesley Ney- mour, middle distance run- event concludes on Sunday, July 17. ner Oneil Williams, hurdlers Nathan Arnett and jumpers the coaches of last year's but a student of the game. Troy Bullard, Trevor Barry, junior national team at the Just the opportunity to learn Leevan Sands and Jamal Wil- NACAC. more of the sport in order to son. “The Senior Nationals teach that." Kenyan Knights' head CAC gives you a different The head of the delegation coach Frederick Bastian was feeling than the juniors as will be Foster Dorsett and he named as an assistant coach they are more dependent on will be joined by the team to the senior team. "I would you as a coach, but on the manager Ray Hepburn, head like to thank God for this senior level as a coach you coach Rudolph Ferguson, opportunity to be named as really concentrate more on assisted by Fritz Grant, Jason LAKERS’ Kobe Bryant gives an instruction for South Korean students during his basketball clinic for one of the coaches for the the technical side of the race Edwards (horizontal jumps) youth in Seoul, South Korea, on Thursday. Bryant is in Seoul as a part of the five-Asian cities tour. Senior CAC championships and their execution," he said. and James Rolle (vertical (AP Photo) after being named as one of "I don't see myself as a coach jumps).