Workers in Spain lead off a General Strike across Europe.
By BBC
Madrid, Spain — Workers in many EU states demand stable jobs and better social protection
Thousands of people from across the EU are expected to march in Brussels to protest against sweeping austerity measures by many national governments.
The European Trade Union Confederation says its protest could be one of the biggest in Belgium’s capital for years.
The union says EU workers could become the biggest victims of a financial crisis set off by bankers and traders.
A general strike against cuts is expected in Spain and protests are also due to be held in other EU states.
Many governments across the 27-member bloc have been forced to impose punishing cuts in wages, pensions and employment to deal with spiralling debts.
In Greece and the Republic of Ireland, unemployment figures are at their highest level in 10 years, while Spain’s unemployment has doubled in just three years.
In Britain, the government is planning to slash spending by up to 25%, while France has seen angry protests against a planned increase in the minimum retirement age.
Frustration
The European Trade Union Confederation (Etuc) says it hopes that about 100,000 people from some 30 countries will take part in the Brussels march, which is due to begin at 1100 GMT
Etuc says the protesters will be marching on EU institutions to voice their anger over budget-slashing plans and cuts which “could lead Europe into a recession”.
The union warns that the financial crisis – which it describes as the worst in Europe since the 1930s – has already made 23m people across the EU jobless. It fears that the austerity measures being implemented by various EU government could “result in even more unemployment”.
“We didn’t cause this crisis. The bill has to be paid by banks, not by workers,” Etuc said.
Instead, the union urges governments to guarantee workers stable jobs, strong social protection and better pensions.
Workers in many EU countries are frustrated that they are paying for the mistakes of the banks and the financial sector, the BBC’s Christian Fraser in Brussels reports.
The recovery is still fragile. In some countries it has not even begun, and many fear the cuts could provoke further trouble, our correspondent says.
He adds that in short, it is a debate on austerity versus stimulus, cuts or spending, and the opinions are deeply and bitterly divided. (more…)
The Hon. Byran S. Woodside, Minister of State for Lands & Local Government, Office of The Prime Minister, will host a town meeting Tuesday, September 28th in the Windsor Room, British Hilton Hotel at 7:00pm. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the Land Adjudication Bill.
The Land Adjudication Bill 2010 provides for systematic adjudication of title to certain lands within The Bahamas, the demarcation of boundaries and matters connected therewith.
The Ministry encourages the public to take advantage of the opportunity to participate in creating a legal framework for ownership and registration of land in The Bahamas, including but not limited to generation land.
A copy of the Land Adjudication Bill is available on the Government website www.bahamas.gov.bs under Bills, Laws and Act or ‘What’s New’
Information from the BUT first executive meeting reveals shocking news to the country. Bahamas Press can confirm Belinda Wilson has gone mad and is on a path to bleed the union dry.
Educators could look forward to a bankrupt union in short order. Bahamas Press publishes a statement issued by BUT Secretary General Stephen McPhee to the members yesterday.
27th September, 2010
Dear Members,
RE: Major Decisions Made at Executive Meeting – Friday 24th September, 2010
The new Executive Committee was sworn in on Friday 24th 2010 at the National Secretariat, but not without incident. Immediately following the brief ceremony, the Executive Committee had its first meeting. Please note the Following decisions:
National Secretariat/District Office
The new committee immediately fired the receptionist Ms. Diann Hanna without due cause, warning, notice or explanation other than she could not be trusted and did not seem supportive of candidates of the A Team during the elections. This is not the proper way for a trade union to terminate an employee as it violates the Employment Act and leaves the Union vulnerable to legal action and unnecessary negative publicity. Certainly, as the Teachers’ Union, we ought to seek to do what is right at all times instead of simply doing whatever suits our fancy.
Mrs. Kirsten Fowler will serve as the presidents’ secretary and the union will facilitate the move of Mrs. Martha Mackey and family (Grand Bahama District Office Secretary) to New Providence to serve as the National Secretariat Secretary. A new employee will be hired in Grand Bahama and a receptionist in New Providence.
The union will now pay two property managers in New Providence an additional $150 per month (Ms. Janice Armbrister and Ms. Mizpah Munroe). This too is a breach of the union’s constitution as the property management is the responsibility of the executive members.
Executive Officers
Consideration was made for an increase of ALL part-time officers’ stipends.
All part-time officers will be given a monthly phone allowance and a lap top computer if they desire.
Despite the demands of the A.G.M., All traveling executives were provided single room occupancy at the Hilton Hotel.
Despite rejection at the last two A.G.M.’s, the Area Vice President of New Providence will be made Full Time in January 2011, and the Area Vice President of Northern Bahamas and Southern Bahamas will follow within 18 months. These decisions will have a major impact on the union’s financial health, given that the plans for borrowing $5m to finance construction of two buildings against the backdrop of a struggle over the past two years to pay bills in a timely manner, no recent or expected increase in revenue, and other planned, significant increases in expenditure. Additionally, from 1989 to now, each of the four Executive positions which are fulltime (president, Secretary General. Treasurer, AVP – Grand Bahama) were ALL voted on by the AGM despite the fact that the constitution makes provision for the Executive Committee to hire fulltime officers and staff.
Executive Meetings/Training
No longer will Executive Meetings be held at National Secretariat in the Conference Room but will be hosted at a Hotel where lunch will be provided.
Executive training will be conducted by the President, AVP of Grand Bahama, and Executive Members Musgrove and Lightbourne.
Extension of National Secretariat and Construction of Grand Bahama Complex
The Executive Committee plans to borrow $5 million dollars to facilitate both projects.
Union Representation at Regional/International Conferences
The president will travel as the official representative to All events and will select two officers of choice to accompany her.
Medical Insurance
The union will continue to operate the present plan while consideration is given to the proposed plan by the Secretary General as the president will contact Dr. C. Brown for further information.
Forensic Audit of the Union’s Accounts
There will be NO forensic audit of the accounts.
Christmas Gifts/Honoraria
Both will be provided in December.
Identification Cards
The Secretary General’s Office has been asked to complete this process from Inagua to Abaco within the next three months; however no provisions will be made to facilitate travel if necessary. The AVP’s will submit the photos and information of members for completion. A scheduled and notice will be provided for New Providence Schools.
World Teachers Day
Will be celebrated on Friday 1st October. Members are advised to check with their AVP’s for plan events.
Collective Bargaining Agreement
The president awaits the counter proposal from the Government. Mr. Phillip Dorsette (VP) has been named as the replacement for the former VP and Ms. L. Knowles replaces the former Treasurer.
Pension Fund
$100,000.00 will be moved from the Pension Fund to be deposited to the Strike Fund.
Imprest Account
The president will be provided with an additional $1,500.00 as an imprest account.
As the officer responsible for the Unions communications system, I shall continue to do my best to keep you the members informed about your business in a timely manner.
Earl Deveaux is quiet as Exuma Land is being cut away and distroyed by the Aga Khan developer. Deveaux rope the 12 seater luxury helicopter.
Nassau, Bahamas — While the country awaits Earl Deveaux’s departure from the Cabinet of the Bahamas it appears that his haughty attitude mixed with greed continues to fester. His blatant arrogance is becoming more clearer and his collusion with ‘crack a jack’ lawyer, Pericles Mailis, and others in the Bahamas National Trust are fast becoming obvious.
Bahamas Press has learnt that for the first time is a while Hubert Ingraham is stuck stupid on keeping sewerage material around him; persons who have become embattled in controversy by compromising their positions in the Cabinet for a joy ride on an investor’s helicopter. BP can confirm Deveaux is not the only minister to fly the luxury plane, but that is a story for another day.
Many would remember Deveaux went to Abaco and other places on the luxury helicopter of the Aga Khan, owner of Bell Island in the Exumas. Deveaux at the same time had a draft plan awaiting his approval for dredging in the world’s oldest land and sea Marine Park. Deveaux told the Tribune, he is inclined to approve the dredging project, but this is not going well with Trustees of the BNT who will meet in Abaco on the matter and review their appointed Eric Carey and Neil McKinney.
The real owners of the Bahamas are disgusted by the actions of the minister. They are appalled by his arrogance and wicked handling of the environment under his watch. They are sick of his ‘bed sheet tango’ with investors who are destroying the country’s natural wildlife preserves and they, we are told, they are pressuring Hubert Ingraham to have Deveaux sacked.
Last week even Sam Duncombe joined the debate to preserve Bell Island as the knights of Abaco have engaged her PR services. Duncombe’s voice joins those of the media, including Nikki Kelly, The Punch, Steve Mckinney, fomer MP Philip Smith, Members of the Justice League, The Progressive Liberal Party and thousands of Bahamians who all call for Earl Deveaux to be removed from office.
Nevertheless, perhaps after today’s article, Ingraham and the wider public will look at sneaky Earl closer. You see, when the minister for the environment is not passing through Lyford Cay collecting his pay from ‘Bacon and Eggs’, he’s somewhere on a defense force boat attempting to stop an investor of longstanding from building his home. He is now threatening immigration officers to bring in some Canadian journalists to write stories for his boss [Bacon and Eggs], but Brent Symonette refuses to get involve. And when he isn’t on Kamalame Cay watching that investor dredge out the seabed to extend the cay, he is on some helicopter joyride. But what we’ve uncovered in the midst of all this is explosive.
Earl Deveaux told the Tribune he was inclined to approve the dredging on Bell Island and so to hell with what anyone says. He said the Bahamas National Trust received one million dollars from Bell Island owner The Aga Khan sometime last year. The BNT denied it to be true, but at the same time has nothing to say about the dredging. And this is where it gets interesting.
You would remember Earl Deveaux telling the Tribune in an article published on Sept. 13th, and we quote: “I’m not compromised, I didn’t receive any money “DIRECTLY” [KEY WORD], the ride on the helicopter was fun, but it wasn’t my first time, nor will it be my last.”
BP can confirm Mrs. B.J. Deveaux is contractually employed with the Bahamas National Trust and has exercised several working obligations for the entity. Since Earl Deveaux claims he did not receive money directly from the Aga Khan, we wonder if that statement was an admission that his wife did receive money from the BNT. Perhaps a portion of that same $1 million contributed by the Bell Island owner, landed in the bank accounts of the Deveauxs.
BP is digging deeper into this development and shall report more of our findings in the coming days. (more…)
“Hubert Ingraham and defeated Elizabeth Candidate Duane Sands. {file Photo
South Abaco, Bahamas –– Members of the Free National Movement are possibly gearing up from another by-election we are told and that battle could come before the year is out.
Bahamas Press has learnt Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Hubert Ingraham is making frequent trips into South Abaco canvassing the ground and testing his chances in a bid that can be his final test before the general elections.
Bahamas Press reported an FNM Conclave is being set for Wednesday 3rd November 2010, at the Wyndham on Cable Beach. We know, Ingraham will deliever some major announcements during that gathering of the party faithful, and with two more years to go, a by-election win for the FNM – strategists believe – can take the PLP off its game and into chaos.
Bahamas Press has learnt South Abaco Member of Parliament, Edison Key, who underwent a triple bypass surgery, is contemplating vacating his seat in the Parliament. We are told by sources in the FNM, “If Key decides to resign from the House, he will give us the keys to a by-election, which we know we can win. It will offset our defeat in Elizabeth and will send the PLP into mass confusion.”
Hon. Edison Key
But will such a move be successful? With the Scandals emanating out of the environment ministry, namely, Earl Deveaux’s knitted conflicting relationships with “QUESTIONABLE” investors, who have ventured to rape the protected land spaces of the Bahamas. Added with the economic hardship Bahamians now battle; will a by-election help or destroy the FNM?
We are told FNMs are running scared and are taking to flight from their constituencies. BP has confirmed defeated former minister of education; Carl ‘Undernourished’ Bethel is running from his Sea breeze constituency like ‘cat scared a water’. We are told by sources deep in the FNM, “Carl is the Bahamas’ most unwanted man. First the children in the schools ran him out of his ministry, then Hubert ran him out the Cabinet, soon FNM will run him out of his position as Chairman and now he himself is running from his own seat in an attempt to avoid the pending cut_you_know_what.”
Bethel we are told is lurking around the constituency of St. Thomas More like a ‘jonser’ just off the begging streets of Calcutta looking for quarter. “He’s gone MAD! He has been most neglectful to the people of his former Holy Cross and now Sea Breeze. He has no shame BP!
“We in St. Thomas More want no clown face bozo representing us,” an officer in the constituency said.
PLP CDR leadership in Long Island over the weekend. Chairman Bradley Roberts address the gathering.
Meanwhile members of the CDR has accelerated their island hop throughout the country preaching the message of help and hope sponsored by the PLP.
Christie led a delegation into Long Island as he opened a branch in Deadman’s Cay. Christie, in his attempts to wash himself clean from the ‘late again’ stigma, was seen cutting ribbon and planting candidates and generals in that community. We are told PLP deputy Chairman, Alex Storr, is one of the possible candidates who could be fielded in Long Island as Christie strategy is to run a 41 member election slate.
Echoes of Christie’s voice could be heard telling the residents in that district he challenges the current leadership for the FNM to find the courage and pull the string to “ring the bell”.
Boy, we wonder if the PLP leader didn’t bite his tongue on that one. (more…)
Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Zhivargo Laing (right) is welcomed to WTO talks by Pascal Lamy, Director General of the World Trade Organisation.
GENEVA – Minister of State for Finance, Zhivargo Laing, has appeared before the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Geneva, Switzerland to lay out the Bahamas’ case for membership in that body.
He emphasized the Government’s commitment to WTO membership and its desire to conclude negotiations “within a timely period in a manner that enhances our natural development and positively supports our further integration into the global economy.”
He was addressing the first meeting of the Working Party responsible for The Bahamas’ accession, on September 14.
Minister Laing was accompanied by Raymond Winder, who has been appointed Chief Negotiator for the accession process by the Government; Joshua Sears, Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Simon Wilson, Director, Economic Planning, Ministry of Finance; Frank Davis, Consul, Bahamas High Commissioner, United Kingdom; and Mark Sills, Trade Consultant.
The purpose of the meeting was to initiate the discussions concerning the accession of The Bahamas to the WTO.
Nine years ago Minister Laing appeared before the General Council to present The Bahamas’ official request for WTO membership.
“The Government has made WTO accession an important component in its programme of national economic development and looks forward to concluding its negotiations on WTO accession in an orderly and timely manner,” said Mr Laing.
In July the Government hosted the Chairman of the Working Party, Ambassador Peter Black; the Director of the Accessions Division, Chiedu Osakwe; and the Secretary of the Working Party, Sajal Mathur.
During that visit they met with the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Rt Hon Hubert Ingraham; the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Brent Symonette; the Leader and members of the Official Opposition, senior government officials, private sector stakeholders and civil society.
“The Government viewed this visit as a very important part of the dialogue in our accession process,” said Mr Laing.
“The Government has already done considerable work and has begun reforming laws governing both foreign and internal trade, bringing practices into compliance with the rules of the WTO,” said Mr Laing.
“We have also commenced a programme of legislative reform which is largely self funded and involves the engagement of consultants from many WTO member countries. “
This programme, among other things, will see the introduction of new WTO compliant Customs legislation, amendments to existing intellectual property legislation, a foreign investment law, introduction of new rules governing technical standards and sanitary and phytosanitary standards, and the operation of a competition law regime.
“Additionally, on a best effort basis, all future legislation will be WTO compliant and draft legislation will be published in sufficient time before enactment to allow for comments from interested parties.
“These reforms, once implemented, will to a large degree result in considerably improved conditions of access for foreign suppliers of goods and services on a Most Favoured Nation basis and will correspondingly enhance the market access commitments that The Bahamas will undertake as part of its accession to the WTO.”
The Bahamas will also seek to become a signatory to the Government Procurement Agreement, once the WTO compliant revisions are made to existing legislation, he said.
“As a very open economy it has long been the policy of the Government to protect the right of legal entities to import and export authorised goods without arbitrary restrictions.
“We fully expect the Bahamian market for foreign goods and services to continue to grow from current levels in line with the overall continuing growth and development of the Bahamian economy.
“We believe that improving our international trade prospects go hand in hand with improving our internal trade prospects.
“To this end the Government has taken a series of initiatives aimed in their entirety at improving the ease with which business is done in The Bahamas,” said Minister Laing.
These include the passage of a new and modern Business License Act; implementing reforms that will ensure results based management within the public sector; utilising consultants from the Government of Singapore toward establishing a comprehensive programme to offer government services electronically, and developing a new, more relevant framework for supporting small and medium-sized businesses.
He noted that The Bahamas has been “seriously affected” by the global recession.
“We are currently compelled to deal with the economic and social implications of a soft economy with an unemployment rate of about 15 per cent and the adverse effect on the Government’s financial resources, the latter having to be very carefully managed.
“We have taken steps to address this as evidenced by our May 2010 Budget, which introduced a broad range of expenditure reductions and a number of revenue measures.
“Given the current situation, we seek to balance our commitment to WTO accession with the firm recognition that small, vulnerable economies such as ours must accede to the WTO on terms that safeguard our growth and promote development,” said Mr Laing.
Minister of State for Finance, Zhivargo Laing, and the Bahamas’ team at WTO talks.
Superintendent at Her Majesty’s Prisons Dr. Elliston Rahming
Nassau, Bahamas — There is a major breach in the National Security of the Bahamas and thus, BP is sending an alert to all senior law enforcement officials to listen up loud and clear to this BP NEWS ALERT.
Saturday’s horrid events on the streets of the capital have opened a Pandora’s box exposing a new the level of criminality now unfolding in the country.
A young man was found dead in the Robinson Road area yesterday. We learnt a gunman fired on him killing the man. No one knew in which direction the gunman went. The victim was with a prisoner who is now serving a long prison term at HR Majesty’s Prisons. That prisoner fled the scene of the crime wounded in the leg. He was shot during the incident.
Later Saturday afternoon, the community of Yellow Elder went into chaos as both a bother and sister were shot, as hails of bullets descended on their vehicle. The pair did not die. They were both driven to the hospital and here’s where the story gets hot.
Seen leaving the scene of that shooting with a driver of a gray Honda Accord was convicted armed arm robber, Terrance Rigby. Rigby was spotted in the passenger seat, according to residents, firing a weapon as he allegedly attempted to kill the brother and sister, and here is where the story went from a shooting scene to a hospital lock-down. It is believed one of the victims fired on had something to do with the earlier fatal shooting.
The big question: how did a convicted criminal found his way onto the streets of the capital in BIG BROAD DAYLIGHT; brandishing a weapon and attempting to kill citizens?
Bahamas Press has learnt, Rigby, who was convicted and sentenced to HR Majesty’s Prison for armed robbery, was sent on a work programme at an establishment in the eastern section of the island. By some “mystery”, Rigby went missing and left his station undetected as he went on his merry way. We now ask, how did Rigby end up in the YELLOW ELDER; miles away from his assigned place? We smell a RAT!
How did the prison inmate end up on his shooting escapade throughout the capital? And how many other prisoners on work sites are going missing all day, KILLING OFF WITNESSES?
Managers of crime in the Bahamas must now suspect that convicted criminals are ‘GUILTY AS SIN’ for the myriad of armed robberies and murders committed in the Bahamas! It is no question; this must be the reason why caseloads of crime cannot be solved!
BP was on the scene Saturday evening investigating the double shooting when the convicted prisoner mysteriously showed up at PMH nursing his wounded leg. With the brother and sister inside critical care in the emergency section at the hospital, with the allege attacker showing up for his own treatment, PMH had to choice but go into lock-down.
Prison and police officials later detained Rigby after he was discovered. A private citizen dropped him off, a hospital officials said.
Tommy Turnquest, Minister of National Security.
BP is asking a question only the Minister of National Security, Tommy Turnquest, can answer; how did a convicted felon [Terrance Rigby] ended up on the streets to terrorize this society, when a sitting member of the judiciary sentenced him behind bars?
BP believes the head at HMP, the person to whom Rigby was place in the care of and the minister of national security should all be summoned before that JUDGE and charged with CONTEMPT OF COURT! They all should BE FORCED TO EXPLAIN TO THE COURT HOW A SENTENCE HANDED DOWN BY THAT JUDGE WAS SUPPOSEDLY VIOLATED!!!!!
BP shall wait and see how this is plays out! Meanwhile, family members of the brother and sister will address a press conference later today. (more…)
Another murder had just occurred on Robinson Rd west. A young man who had just pulled to a house on Colletion Street was fired upon by another man multiple times. The shooter fled on foot. The man is laying dead on the scene. This is the 160th murder in the country since 2009.
Nassau, Bahamas — There was a police involved shooting on Quakoo Street last night shortly before midnight. Police were on patrol in the area when they attempted to search a young man. The man attempted to allude police, pulled a gun on the police and was shot several times. Police found a handgun on the man along with some drugs. the man is in stable condition at PMH.
A motorcyclist crashed into a vehicle shortly after 12 midnight on Gladstone Road. The cyclist died on the scene. BP can confirm a gang of motorcyclists were in the area overtaking cars as they headed south bound in a mad race on Gladstone.
In another incident a young man was struck by a vehicle that failed to stop. The young man was hit while walking in the area of a cemetary in Fox Hill, shortly after 1.00am this morning. The man died on the scene.
Nassau, Bahamas – It was stiff competition during the first judging session of happy picture submissions in the Coca-Cola HAPPY PICS contest. Judges spent nearly three hours poring over 400 photos of smiling babies, happy puppies, silly expressions and other memorable moments.
“The response from the public has been overwhelming and we’re so pleased that participants are capturing their happy moments and sharing it with us,” said Michelle Lewis, marketing manager, Caribbean Bottling Company (Bahamas) Ltd. “We hope that the spirits of the persons who view and vote on the photos are also uplifted during the eight-week long campaign.”
Submissions ran the full gamut, from baby christenings, weddings to group shots of friends all with an underlying theme of happiness. Five winners were chosen. The overall champ for the first week was Leondre Pierre-Louis who won a 15” laptop for his excited pose while attending a party.
“During the remaining weeks, we will continue to look for the most creative expressions of joy and happiness in the photo submissions we receive,” Lewis added.
Prizes range from iPod Nanos to digital cameras, 15.6’ laptops, PSP 3000 Core Pack, to 32-inch LCD TV screens, dock clock radios for iPods and iPhones to PC notebooks and Coca-Cola products. HAPPY PICS is a component of Coca-Cola’s Open Happiness initiative launched in January 2009. For further information and contest rules, visit: www.cocacolahappypics.com. (more…)
American, Jay McCarroll and first winner of Project Runway.
By Scieska Adderley, IWFW
Nassau, Bahamas – Mode Îles Ltd., organizers of the award-winning Islands of the World Fashion Week (IWFW), announced that the two International Guest Designers selected to present creations from their Spring/Summer 2011 Collection at the event are Jay McCarroll and Oliver Tolentino. IWFW will take place November 11th – 13th at the British Colonial Hilton.
Jay McCarroll has distinguished himself as a talented designer as he became the first winner of the popular American reality series, Project Runway. He has gone on to become a celebrity designer, and has starred in the documentary feature film “Eleven Minutes” which recounts his rise to fame. He has recently added another reality show victory to his list by winning Celebrity Fit Club earlier this year. Jay will attend the special private viewing of the film “Eleven Minutes” at Galleria Cinemas on Wednesday, 10th November to launch Islands of the World Fashion Week.
Oliver Tolentino, the young sensation from The Philippines, has been described as “the Valentino of The Philippines” due to his meticulous attention to detail in his designs. Having such notables as Imelda Marcos as a client, he became the first Philippine-based designer to establish a presence in the United States, launching his boutique in Los Angeles in 2009. He has now focused his attention on an eco-fashion line using The Philippines’ native fiber derived from the piña (pineapple).
Oliver Tolentino of the Philippines.
Owen Bethel, President of Mode Îles Ltd., stated that “both designers bring great creativity and style to the runway of IWFW. Attendees will be left in awe at the creations of these gifted designers. It is hoped that they will serve as inspiration to new and young designers to pursue their talent and dream with commitment.”
JWFW will boast several exciting shows this year, commencing with the presentation of those designers who have participated in the Islands of the World Fashion Tour to Palm Springs, Chicago and Miami, followed by the competition titled “In Search of the Next Oscar”, where the winner will showcase his/her collection at New York Fashion Week in 2011, and the finale being “Fashion Cares for Haiti: The Relief Benefit Fashion Show”, aimed at continuing awareness of the ongoing rebuilding efforts and development requirements in Haiti and the fashion industry as a potential catalyst for growth in the promotion of trade rather than aid. Five noted Haitian designers will travel from Haiti, courtesy of American Airlines/ American Eagle, to participate. (more…)
Public Advisory on Dengue Fever • Sep 23, 2010 – 5:31:46 PM
The Bahamas – There has been significant increase in dengue activity throughout the Caribbean region and the Region of the Americas with outbreaks reported from Barbados, Grenada, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, and the French Territories.
The Department of Public Health has confirmed that there have been five laboratory confirmed cases to date and more than twenty persons have been investigated for dengue fever in The Bahamas. The Department is working closely with the Department of Environmental Health Services to prevent and control the spread of dengue fever, a viral infection which is transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito.
Symptoms of dengue fever include fever, muscle and joint pains, excessive tiredness, headache and pain behind the eyes. Nausea and vomiting may also occur. A more severe form of dengue fever, Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever, presents with episodes of bleeding.
There is no vaccine to prevent dengue fever and treatment is given to lessen the symptoms of the infection. The majority of persons recover within five to fourteen days.
The public is advised to seek medical attention at your nearest clinic if you experience any of these symptoms.
The Department of Public Health and the Ministry of Health wish to advise the public to:
(1) Avoid mosquito bites by wearing protective clothing and applying insect repellent to exposed areas;
(2) Use safe household insecticides indoors;
(3) Where possible, have intact window and door screens; and
(4) Remove all breeding sites that collect water, such as old tires, flower vases, planters and garbage.
For further information contact the Surveillance Unit at the Department Of Public Health at 502-4790 and 502 4776. (more…)
Nassau, Bahamas – Sources in the ministry of foreign affairs have confirmed to BP former inspector at the Gaming Board, Teron Fowler, who was sentenced to 70 months on April 30th, 2008 by a court in Miami on drug charges, has been extradited back to the Bahamas to finish serving his time at Her Majesty’s Prison in Fox Hill.
According to our source Fowler was transferred from the USA on Wednesday, where he has served less than two-third of his sentence. The exchange programme has been a long-term treaty between the US and the Bahamas. (more…)
Nassau, Bahamas — Caribbean beer products are usually lagers and they are often noted for their lightness and easy- drinking characteristics- qualities that are important for those who live and thrive in these tropical latitudes. One popular Caribbean beer is brewed and enjoyed just east of the state of Florida. It is called Kalik Lager, a beer brewed in the Bahamas.
Basic Characteristics of This Beer:
Kalik is golden/straw in color and has a highly carbonated, clear body. These bubbles converge into a white head of foam that lasts for a very short time. The aroma of this beer is unusual, with scents of light grain but also some fruit and light spice/grassiness, leading me to suspect that Saaz hops are a key ingredient.
Kalik offers a taste that is generally one of light cereal grains with a little bit of vinegar, lemon, and saltiness, followed by a metallic finish that offers only the slightest glimpse of hop flavor. The taste fluctuates from bitter to sweet and I even noticed slight differences from one bottle to the next. Some bottles tasted sweeter, others were more bitter, making for an inconsistent tasting experience.
This beer is brewed using the basic ingredients (malt, hops, water, and yeast) and is well- filtered to give it that clear, see- through body. The alcohol content of this beer is 5 percent by volume.
Food Compatibility:
The first food that came to mind when I tasted this beer was salt and vinegar potato chips, thanks to the combination of salt and vinegar in the taste. Other light snacks like pretzels would also match up with this beer. But nothing else is really suited to this taste.
Final Thoughts:
Kalik Lager is referred to as the “Beer of the Bahamas” by Bahamian natives and others who recognize this as the flagship brew of this island chain. Commonwealth Brewery of Nassau makes this beer and it is one of three products the company offers.
Kalik is a beer that offers few surprises. I had heard about this beer in the past but never gave it an official tasting until I spent a week in the Bahamas. This product is widely available throughout the Bahamas and it the nation’s best selling brew. These qualities led me to correctly predict that this beer would taste like a typical macro brew. In many ways, it is very similar to other mass- produced Caribbean beers and to several Mexican beers. It offers a bland flavor profile that makes it easy to drink in large quantities and enough watery character to make it acceptable to the masses.
One small surprise with Kalik is that in spite of the clear bottle, there isn’t very much skunky character. Many beers bottled in clear bottles have the dreaded skunk aroma due to the damage from light. The brewers at Kalik obviously perform at least one task well: Protecting their packaged product from exposure to light. There is only a little bit of skunkiness and this probably correlates directly with the age of the beer. The longer the bottles have been sitting on an open shelf, the greater the skunky character will be.
Besides some of the odd flavors present, one other thing that really bothers me about Kalik is the carbonation. The amount of fizz is really too much. It makes it seem like a glass of seltzer water with some added beer flavoring. And yet, with all that bubbling action, there is little foam retention and what little there is disappears faster than you can say “Conch”.
Kalik Lager is beloved by native Bahamians who often refer to it as the “world’s greatest beer”. Hmmm…. Either the people of the Bahamas have no taste or they have let native pride get in the way of sound judgment. I’m going to vote for the latter since many of the different Bahamian food dishes are tasty and they prove that the native folk know something good when they taste it. But as far as the beer goes, I’m going to rate Kalik Lager 2 stars out of 5 and give it a non- recommendation. It tastes ok when you’re sweltering on a Bahamian beach and need something to quench your thirst. But its flavor is mostly bland and forgettable- typical of a mass produced product from any country.
Nassau, Bahamas – Bahamas Press legal and forensic teams are deep on the ground in the ministry of finance and what we have uncovered is indeed shocking.
BP has once again scaled the high walls into the belly of the Sir Cecil Wallace Whitfield Centre and the Business Licencing Authority, and Bahamas Press can confirm the government of the Bahamas is being defrauded of millions of dollars annually.
Our forensic teams have combed through scores of conveyances in the sale of land by a company call Airport Industrial Park, AIP.
This company, Airport Industrial Park, started purchasing mass amount of land from this company named New Providence Development Company Limited back in 2001 and later again in about 2002 (the conveyance NPDCL to AIP will give you details see below). When they purchased those properties, they obtained government subdivision approval and then started developing the land for commercial use and purchase.
What we have uncovered is this; Companies such as Virgo Car Rental, Torway, Nine to Five, Global United, etc. have purchased land, however, what AIP failed to do was to obtain a legitimate legal business licence that would enable them to act in such business transactions as a corporate entity.
BP can reveal as you would see AIP has transacted many land sales [Conveyances attached below] and without a formal business licence to whom were the taxes on the profited land sole paid. BP has combed through records at the ministry of finance and we to date have not seen any payment to the public treasury on taxes due to the public treasury for annual business licence fees dating back to inception of this Company.
Business licence fees are payable annual and calculated on the previous year’s turnover.
In fact every business must have a license to operate in the Bahamas. Each licensed business is also required to pay an annual fee, based on the gross profit as a percentage of turnovers. Fees, according to our forensic team investigating this fraud confirm, are based, in the case of most businesses, on the annual gross receipts, less the “cost incurred in producing that turnover.” They range from nothing for a petty business to $500,000 for “a very large business with a very high profit” per year. The Business License Act defines business to include all types of manufacturing and commercial undertakings and covers professions such as law, accounting, and medicine.
The business license fee must be paid by April 30th each year. In addition, proof of payment of real property tax must be produced before a license will be issued. However, AIP is allegedly not complicit with obtaining a licence or paying the annual fee for such a licence and by extension is defrauding millions in due tax dollars to the Government of the Bahamas.
It is an offence under the Business Licence Act to fail to apply for a business licence. In New Providence, all applications for business licence are to be submitted directly to the Business Licence and Valuation Section of the Ministry of Finance together with the applicable licence fee. Applicants are requested to deliver rather than mail applications and support documents so that a staff member can screen them initially in the presence of the applicant.
There are some major players behind AIP Company many who we believe are the untouchables of this society.
RESOLUTION TO BORROW $58,000,000 TO BUILD ‘SEGMENT ONE’ OF THE AIRPORT HIGHWAY
Mr. Speaker, the Member for North Abaco is famed for saying “I say what I mean and mean what I say!” He touts all around this country that he is a man of his word.
Against this backdrop I take this opportunity to remind this Honourable House of the words of the Honourable Member just three months ago during the 2010-2011 budget debate. He said and I quote:
“This is a Budget that contains the most significant structural fiscal action of any Budget in recent years, with the overriding objective of enhancing the nation’s economic prospects by putting its fiscal house in order on a sustained basis. I want to stress that the fiscal targets and budget strategy that will so engage us now have relevance and meaning because they are essential to the economic welfare of our people. Failure to act would jeopardize our solid reputation as an attractive destination for foreign investment, would subject us to much higher borrowing costs and would dampen prospects for stronger growth and higher standards of living. We cannot and we will not fail.
“Accordingly, this Budget begins to aggressively redress public finances now, by containing the growth of Government debt this coming year and beginning to move the debt-to-GDP ratio back to more prudent and desirable levels over the medium term. We are fully aware that it will now take some time to do this, given the extraordinary measures that we had to take in the crisis. This Budget sets explicit debt targets for the two succeeding years beyond 2010/11, clearly indicating reductions in the debt-to-GDP ratio over that period.” (Pages 3- 4)
These are the words of North Abaco. These are not our words or those of the economists. His words are clear. The meanings are precise. Yet today we are debating a resolution to approve a loan for $60 Million for road works. This is clearly another blatant case of this FNM Government saying one thing and doing another. It is their modus operandi.
Can the Government truly say that it is putting its fiscal house in order? Where is the containment of Government debt that North Abaco spoke about? Where is the economic miracle that occurred over the last three months to justify such borrowings? When will enough be enough!
If the government proceeds with this loan they will increase the national debt by another $58million. Perhaps Members will recall that the Government’s Department of Statistics has recently indicated that the debt to GDP ratio was closer to 55% and not the under 50% that the Government touted in the 2010- 2011 budget communication. With another $58million road building loan it goes even higher.
It is time to do away with the voodoo economics that serves to provide financial opportunities for a select handful of Bahamians well connected to the real powers that be in the FNM at the expense of generations to come. Even a blind man can see that this does not make sense! Not now! The haemorrhaging must stop! It must stop now!
It is very evident that the proposed borrowing will increase the national debt but do they care, Mr. Speaker? They clearly do not!
The fact is that the Government has already borrowed $120million for roads. When are we to see the $120 million worth of improvements? Traffic is still backed up all over town. It some cases its worse than before. The only people who have benefitted are the same one or two companies that sell most of the asphalt and raw materials in our market.
Mr. Speaker, they could find $26million to pay over to the twenty owners of the new port on Arawak Cay. This Government is all about lining the pockets of the wealthy. These are the persons receiving Government payouts and subsidies while the rest of us are being saddled with taxes taxes taxes. We pay they receive, spend and play!
By the way, would the Minister of Finance mind telling us how much of this $26million has already been passed on to the dock owners? Who are the benifical owners? We deserve to know! Bahamians need to know who is collecting as they suffer and catch hell!
Mr. Speaker, the Government could not find money in August and September of 2009 for student loans. They could not find money for the 2010- 2011 budget to provide earned increases for Civil Servants. They could not find money to continue assistance programmes for the elderly, the sick, the indigent and the young as it was last year- they had to reduce all. They have cut subsidies to schools. They have sent home Customs Officers, the entire staff of the Hotel Corporation of The Bahamas and civil servants and now are preparing to send home roughly 100 members of staff from ZNS. They have cut salaries at the antiquities Monuments and Museums Corporation. Their excuse is that the Government can not afford to carry these financial burdens any longer.
However they dare fix their mouths to ask us in this place to support a resolution to borrow money for roads. This cannot be right. Our people are suffering and they need jobs and our only answer is roads, roads and more roads!
They could find money to buy buildings owned by their supports and to construct roads! This Government is more concerned with things than people!
Neoclassical economists have encouraged us to govern with hard heads and soft hearts! This Government’s seem to be headless with hearts of stone. How can the Member for North Abaco, a man from humble beginnings like myself, look the Bahamian people in their eyes and send people home, cut scholarships and social assistance and justify such serious borrowing for roads in these times? Where is your conscience? Don’t you care? You must be ashamed of yourselves!
Mr. Speaker, I am of the belief that this entire exercise is a charade. It makes a mockery of our system of Government.
We have come to the House of Assembly to make real a rumour. We have all heard the rumour. Today we heard from the Minister of State, the Member for Marco City, that the government has decided to go ahead with a plan to borrow money from the Chinese Government and to employ large numbers of Chinese labour provided by the Chinese contractor. The Member for Marco City opined that the ratio would be two Chinese labourers for each Bahamian worker.
Isn’t it amazing that the ratio is almost identical to the ratio proposed by Baha Mar. Yet in the instance of Baha Mar the Prime Minister presented a doom and gloom project and now his Minister of State is the biggest cheerleader for this proposed development. Ironically it involves the exact same lender! What an erratic bunch indeed!
When it comes to this road project we are now supposed to say whoop-dee-doo and jump for joy because the government has so kindly arranged to provide for up to 100 jobs for Bahamians in possible sub-contracts to Bahamian contractors which might permit them to hire Bahamian workers. But, we should remember that only a short while ago his colleague, the Minister of Public Works and Transport said it was not the place of the government o interfere in what foreign contractors did on a day-to-day basis once the contract had been let. So, if the Chinese contractor chooses to only request the very minimum of work from Bahamian sub-contractors are we to once again get this explanation from the Minister of Public works and Transport?
In the minds of this Government we deserve the crumbs! And in some cases even the crumbs are too good for the majority of Bahamians! Their record and choices tell the tale
In planning for this project, and the pretty pictures brought to the House today, suggest that there was substantial planning, it is most apparent that the Government did not consider it important enough to suggest to the Bahamian people that there was a real consideration under way and seek to get their input. No, this is being treated the same way the traffic flow change on Blue Hill Road and Market Street was handled. They have probably paid a foreign company to so a study but not to bother to talk with citizens until after work begins.
Following recent form, the Minister of Public Works and Transport, dragging along one or two of his cabinet colleagues, will probably condescend to meet with the people in what they euphemistically like to call a “town meeting” at which they will probably say that no matter what people indicate, it is all a done deal and nothing would change.
The overwhelming belief is that the public is being asked to foot the bill today to meet the request of an one investor and hotel owner. It cannot be right that we must all collectively pay for the wishes of one and yet we have no say. We must ask, whether the Bahamian people even matter to this Government?
So much for transparency. So much for consultation. So much for respect. So much for caring.
There was no mention of this airport road plan in the 2010 Speech from the Throne in February, seven months ago.
They claim that the item was referred to in the 2002-2010 and 2010-2011 draft budget estimates. If truth be told there is a reference to $15 Million in the 2009-2010 budget and $10 Million concessionary borrowing. There is reference to $19 Million for capital expenditure for roads in New Providence, Abaco, Eleuthera, Andros, Exuma etc. To say that we should have known is nothing more than smokes and mirrors.
We are told now however that the government plans to borrow fifty-eight million dollars ($58,000,000) in order to fund the building of “Segment One” of a new airport highway. We are not told how many ‘segments’ there are to be in this project or how much the other, following segments are expected to cost.
We had not previously been provided with the details of the study which must have been done. This study has been a secret to the government and their special friends. The people generally and the People’s representatives on this side have not been among this number of favoured persons.
How do you expect responsible members to make this fifty-eight million dollar decision? The people have to be consulted and the people’s representatives must be afforded time and information in order to make a considered decision. They want all of us to remain in the dark and ignorant of the happenings in our own country!
Would not this money been better used on providing a much needed facelift to Bay Street and carrying out road works in that area. The downtown are receives over 3 million tourist annually yet it is a dump. There are huge benefits to be garnered for all Bahamians including surrey drivers, taxi drivers, straw vendors, hair braiders, souvenir producers and the like if we were to spend $60 Million on Bay Street. The Government ought to be thinking of what is in the greatest interest of all and not a few or any particular investor.
It is for this reason and the fact that it appears patently clear that the government’s focus again is on things and not on the people’s desperate needs.
Where is the responsibility in government that the Bahamian people so desperately need in these trying economic times? Where is the leadership required to enhance the desired recovery? Where is the sensitivity for the people and their ownership of the country?
When the government treats the people with respect then they could expect objectivity and support from the people’s representatives on this side of the House. When the government operates in the real transparency it so likes to tout then it can expect the members on this side to want to lend assistance.
Where is the underlying social-economic study on the impact of this loan and project to the Bahamian economy? How much is in fact being saved by the ‘preferential rates’ loan negotiated as it relates to how much a loan from other sources might have cost but would have allowed for greater participation of Bahamian interests, contractors and workers?
The savings in costs for the loan has to prove considerably more beneficial to the social economy of The Bahamas than it would be if a higher rate for loans from the IDB or another institution was accessed permitting the use of more Bahamian labour.
It is about time the FNM government begins to put the interests of the Bahamian people above things.
This is the Bahamas after-all! If there was ever a place and a time when Bahamians should be first – this is the place, The Commonwealth of The Bahamas and now is the time!
Nassau, Bahamas — There are more attacks on government officers. BP is reporting a break-in at the Customs Building.
Sometime last night Bahamas Customs warehouse located on JFK Drive was broken into and a number electronic equipment stolen. The incident is shocking and represents a continued attack against the people of the country.
AMMUNITON ARREST
Sometime around 9:20 am on Wednesday 22nd September, 2010 officers of the mobile division while on routine patrol on Faith Avenue South observed a male acting suspiciously. Officers conducted a search of the male and discovered a quantity of ammunition. The 24 year old male of Faith Avenue South was taken into custody. Police investigations continue.
HOMICIDE
Sometime around 7:40 pm on Wednesday 22nd September, 2010 police received information that a male was stabbed in the area of Soldier Road and Red Land Acres. Police responded and information received that a male while at his residence was attacked by three (3) males and subsequently stabbed multiple times to the body. The 17 year old male was taken to hospital via private vehicle where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later. Police are following significant leads into the matter. Police are questioning a number of males in connection with this incident. Police investigations continue.
ARMED ROBBERY
Sometime around 11:30 pm on Wednesday 22nd September, 2010 police received information of an armed robbery at Nassau East North. Police responded and information received that a female on arrival to her residence was approached by a dark male clad in a white t-shirt and jeans pants allegedly armed with a shotgun. The culprit robbed the female of her handbag containing an undetermined amount of cash and her 2006 silver Honda Accord L/P number unknown and fled the area in an unknown direction. Police are investigating.
Nassau, Bahamas – Breaking news coming to our news desk early this morning confirms a young woman has died after being diagnosed with dengue fever.
Officials confirmed earlier this week there were 16 reported cases of the disease in the capital and reported that fogging exercises throughout the island had continued, however, health officials failed to confirm or deny the reported death, which occurred on Tuesday.
BP has learnt the young woman, who is identified as, Kayla Farrington, is the mother of three and is in her late twenties. She had recently graduated with honours at a College in the Caribbean an had recently returned back to the capital to practice in medicine.
Health officials across the region are concerned about the near epidemic level of mosquito-borne dengue fever, saying it could get more severe as the rainy season progresses.
The high number of cases that have caused dozens of deaths across the area are being blamed on warmer than usual weather and an unusually early rainy season, which has, in turn, caused an explosion in the mosquito population, the Associated Press reported this week.
Sources in the OPM told BP, “We are monitoring the situation and we are attempting to increase fogging exercises to prevent the spread of the disease here in the capital.”
Officials are tight-lipped on the women’s death, but have increased advertising and promotions on prevention and what signs to look for.
The Parliament met yesterday, however, no public pronouncements were presented on the near pandemic. Dr. Hubert Minnis we are told is out of the country, with no update as to where the minister travels have taken him. Tommy Turnquest told the House the Minister of Health was on leave and said nothing further to Parliamentarians.
There is also a fear that the outbreak might spread to the United States. Dengue, once thought gone from the U.S., has been suspected in a case in Miami. Though test results came back negative, a recent study showed that five percent of people living in Key West had been exposed to the disease, which can cause fever, headaches and extreme muscle pain.
A relative of the young girl told BP, “I am finding it hard to believe we let dengue kill someone…they don’t fog the areas anymore? This is sad a shocking.”
The young woman is said to have begin her practise in pharmacy early this year. (more…)
This statement is issued against a background that I served the people of Exuma as a Representative in the House of Assembly for three decades. One could not help but be proud of the fact that one of our greatest natural treasures, the Exuma Land and Sea Park, was an integral part of the constituency. I was born and raised in Exuma. Mine is a lifetime of love and respect for Exuma and Exumians.
Clearly His Highness, the Aga Khan, establishing residency in The Bahamas, is welcome; he could be good for our country. That said, the people of Exuma honoured me by electing me six times. I have a continuing responsibility to speak out on matters of import to them and their heritage. I know, love and believe in the people of Exuma– ours is a relationship that continues unabated.
A simple rule of business is to know what you are buying. It is for this reason the wise purchasers of property in The Bahamas consult with real estate professionals. Through this simple process an interested party could explain his or her desire or ambition and get expert advice in return of what is possible. Before purchasing property an investor, Bahamian or foreign, could be advised on what is possible with property before a purchase is made. If this process was accessed His Highness may have been guided to another possibility and the Park not threatened as it presently is.
Even after the purchase, it is possible that members of the government might have taken the opportunity to advise His Highness about what would have been permitted to happen on the cay while they were his guests on Bell Island during the latter part of last year.
When the Aga Khan offered the National Trust a gift of One Million dollars, the leaders of the Trust might have correctly given guidance that they had a sacred responsibility to protect the national treasure that the park is. The leaders of the National Trust are not permitted to betray this trust in return for a gift of any kind.
Earl Deveaux, Minister for the Environment.
The debate over the foolish actions by Earl Deveaux, the Minister of the Environment, and his inane statements attempting to justify his improper activities, is of very little importance relative to the protection of the Land and Sea Park. There is a serious disconnect with reality on Mr. Deveaux’ part and he is wrong but that is a matter for him, the Prime Minister and the electorate to deal with.
Of far greater concern is the potential for damage in what should be the pristine waters and cays of the Park.
The National Trust issued a statement on the 16th September 2010, which seems to be too much about justifying a gift of one million dollars last year from the owner of Bell Island, instead of protecting the natural elements of the Park. The National Trust seems to put a great deal of credence in an “Environmental Impact Assessment completed by Turrell, Hall & Associates of Naples, Florida, in March 2010”. This company is headed by Todd Turrell, the same man who wanted to sell millions of yards of sand from The Bahamas to reseed the beaches of Florida.
The Aga Khan owner of Bell island in the Exumas
Further, the statement that the application from the owner of the cay to “excavate an inland yacht basin,” seems to suggest that there is already a “yacht basin” in place and possibly enlarging same. That is not so. A pond is on the island and this must be what they are referring to.
Of far, far greater importance than the debate over Mr. Deveaux, the Trust and the government’s actions, is: has there been any decision to permit dredging in the national treasure that is the Exuma Land and Sea Park? The answer must be that there will be no dredging permitted in the sea and no destructive disturbance to the flora and fauna on the land.
The Trust refers to the rape of Halls Pond Cay carried out by Mr. Victor Kozeny when he scarified the cay to build roads and left it over the years to attempt recovery without help. We are one in our condemnation of this act and I call on the government to pursue Mr. Kozeny to secure the funds necessary to restore the cay.
In the entire Exuma Land and Sea Park there are only six privately owned cays. All by foreigners. The other islands and cays are part of The Bahamas’ Crown Land Bank.
Finally, we must all do what is best for Exuma and The Bahamas. We should embrace His Highness, the Aga Khan, but we should all be honest with him and other potential investors in what is possible in our treasured areas. We must protect the Exuma Land and Sea Park and all our other natural park sites.
God has provided us with a beautiful country and He requires all of us to do our best to protect the land and marine environments for today and for the future. (more…)
Bahamas PRESS has just received word that a young man was hunted down and stabbed to death by a group of young men at Sugar Kid Bowe Club on Soldier Road. The young man died at the PMH after 8PM tonight.
Intelligence on the street now suggest a pack of angry Somalian looking young men are in search of the killers to eliminate them. BP warns drivers to avoid the area as vigilante justice is the order of the day in the Bahamas.
Tonight’s murder is the #159th since 2009. (more…)
Andros, Bahamas — While the eyes of the public are focused on Bell Island in the Exuma Land and Sea Park, as the Aga Khan IV has already begun to excavate a hill in order to accommodate his dream of a two-slip marina, environmental concerns are also looming on the island of Andros.
Kamalame Cay may be the pride and joy of developer Brian Hew, but it’s also the pride and joy of Bahamians, and some are raising concerns about a massive dredging project there.
Calls are now being made for the government to also be transparent about the affairs of Kamalme Cay, as Andros has long been considered an untouched beauty with massive potential for development in the future.
Earl Deveaux, Minister of The Environment
Hew was recently featured in the Aficionado magazine, boasting of “blending work, life, pleasure and everything in between” at Kamalame Cay.
The Cay features three miles of white sandy beaches and Hew’s 7,000-square-foot home, which sits opposite the cay on land that is connected to Andros by a sand road.
But an excavation project is presently underway at the Cay. Heavy duty equipment can be seen digging into the sea bed, creating a deep trench. The crew is apparently using the dredged sand and building up an area to create what appears to be a canal, completely changing the face of the original landscape.
It raises the question how another sacred piece of land could be defaced without public knowledge.
Aficionado reports that Hew, who also manages the Compass Point Hotel resort in Nassau for an outfit called Island Outpost, settled down on Kamalame Cay with his family in 1994.
The magazine reports that the Hews made a deal with the Bahamian government in the mid-1990s. The government wanted a number of islands developed as resorts to increase tourism. It would sell land cheaply, with the understanding that it must be developed before the buyer could take over the ownership of the island. So, the Hews had to put in infrastructure and buildings and get the island up to resort status before the transaction would be officially completed. It says the Hews became the official island owners in 2001.
But the Constitution states that the land remains the possession of the Bahamian public up to the high water mark, all around the shores of any island within the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
Therefore, the dredging of the seabed and the building up of any area which would create a man-made extension of the land requires proper permits and approval.
Once again media officials are calling for the Minister of the Environment Earl Deveaux and the Bahamas National Trust to explain how the approval was granted for major dredging of the sea bed on a strip about 150 feet long.
And it leaves Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham in a position of having to address the public quickly on these pressing issues.
The extended man made land created on Kamalame Cay. The land cuts off the free flow of water in the area.
• Did The Bahamas Gov.t collude with US authority to have poor hardworking class straw vendors arrested?
• We here at BP want to know why the US merchants who were selling the goods not arrested?
• Is it now illegal to go to a shop or mall to purchase goods in the US?
• What role did the Bay Street Merchants inculding John Bull and the Greek Mafia have to do with the arrest of 9 poor hard working Bahamians?
• And while we are at it, what interests does Brent Symonette have out at Arawak Cay for him to be going out there two to three times a week? Is he now the Minister of Transport or Works? WE HAVE THE PICTURES and will soon do an expose’ on the port deal. WE WILL FOLLOW THE MONEY!
Ministry of Foreign Affairs addresses arrest of straw vendors in New York
NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sought to clarify the circumstances surrounding the arrest and detention of nine Bahamian straw vendors in New York.
In a statement released Wednesday, September 22, 2010, the Ministry, in light of public views, revealed details on the matter.
On September 19, 2010 at 12:43 a.m., a staff member of the Consulate General in New York, received information from a relative regarding the arrest and detention of nine Bahamian female straw vendors and was informed that they were being held at the Metropolitan Correctional Centre (MCC) in New York City.
Upon entering the office on Sunday, September 19, 2010, the Consul General discovered a fax sent by officials from the Department of Homeland Security on Saturday, September 18, 2010 at approximately 2:10 p.m., advising of the arrest and detention of the above-mentioned Bahamian nationals.
Officials from the Department of Homeland Security are in possession of emergency numbers at which the Consul General can be contacted.
On Sunday, September 19, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. Consul General Carl Smith spoke with Mr. Albert Sypioe of the Department of Homeland Security, who briefed him on the situation. He was informed that 11 straw vendors had been scheduled to return to The Bahamas from JFK Airport via jet Blue flight at 6 a.m. on Saturday, September 18, 2010, nine of whom had been detained, arrested and processed.
The Consul General was also advised that the persons would be arraigned on Monday, September 20, 2010 and that information regarding the subsequent charges would be conveyed to him.
The Consul General visited the Metropolitan Correctional Centre (MCC) on Sunday, September 19, 2010, but was unable to see the Bahamian nationals as the Legal Department, which approves such visits, was closed.
The Consul General made a formal request on September 19, 2010 to conduct a Consular visit.
The nine Bahamians were arraigned on Monday, September 20 at 4:10 p.m. on charges of conspiracy in the trafficking of counterfeit goods and services in violation of Title 18 Section 2320(A) (1) United States Code.
The Bahamian nationals have been assigned lawyers by the US Court and the Ministry has been advised that attorneys have been obtained by family members to monitor the judicial process in the United States.
The Ministry understands that the matter of bail and cash bonds is currently being addressed. The Consul General, who has been following this matter from the time it was brought to the Consulate General’s attention, was present in court for the arraignment of the Bahamians on Monday, September 20, 2010.
The Consulate General will continue to monitor the cases of these Bahamians to ensure that their rights and welfare are protected in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations 1963, to which the United States of America and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas are party. (more…)
Nassau, Bahamas — The BUT elections appears it will go to court as elections results took almost 24 hours to conclude.
Both Presidential candidates Frances Friend and Belinda Wilson claims irregularities existed in the process.
Unofficial results suggest Frances lost the presidential race by less than 100 votes. The tight race has brought a cloud of concerns with the voting processes conducted by the Department of Labour.
Frances has filed a formal protect to the elections to the Department of Labour, outlining her concerns. Wilson also has mounted concerns in the elections
The Director of Labour has declined to make a formal statement on the matter.
STRAW VENDORS NEED HELP NOT LECTURES
22nd September 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette’s remarks about the arrest of the vendors in New York is unhelpful. A Minister of Foreign Affairs cannot come off as politically impotent in their situation. When its citizens are in trouble, they expect that the government will come to their assistance. Thankfully, the technocrats in Foreign Affairs know what their job is: to intervene to ensure that there is due process, that they are being properly treated and have the benefit of all the rights to which they are entitled. Now is not the time to lecture people about what they ought to be doing but rather to seek to help in a bad situation.
From what is in the public domain, firstly it is being said that the Americans conducted a surveillance operation in the Bahamas which led to the arrest of the individuals. A further question is: Was the The Bahamas government aware of the surveillance operation and did it give its blessing to this operation against its citizens? it is being said that the Americans conducted surveillance operations in New York which led to the arrest of the individuals. The PLP notes with great interest and alarm that the Federal Agents and other US Agencies apparently did not arrest the Merchants who sold the knock off luxury goods to the Bahamian Straw Vendors. It stands to reason that if there are no Merchants selling illegal goods then there would be no buyers. Will Minister Brent Symonette raise this matter with the USA Authorities? In light of the Government’s handling of the recent case involving the Bare Foot Bandit, will the government peruse a measure of reciprocity with the U.S. government?
The PLP is deeply concerned about the fate of the Bahamian Straw Vendors, their rights to due process, and the inability of Bahamian consular officials to contact those persons who were arrested.
Instead of lecturing the vendors, the Deputy Prime Minister ought to take time out from his schedule while in New York to ensure that the vendors are secure and that their rights are protected. The PLP intends to send an investigative team to find out for ourselves what the situation is in New York. (more…)
Frances Friend, Presidential Hopeful in BUT Elections.
Nassau, Bahamas — Bahamas Press is reporting as of 1AM this morning [Wednesday] there has been no declared winner in the Bahamas Union Of Teachers elections held yesterday.
Belinda Wilson and members supporting the ‘A Team’ could be seen outside Teachers Union headquarters early this morning twiddling their thumbs and holding themselves up with black broomsticks, as if they were about to sweep the classrooms. There is no declared winner however, as the ballot results are yet to come in and the numbers are to close.
With poor communications and no national network operational, election officials contend the elections are still too close to call. Some 18 stations throughout the islands remain unaccounted for, particularly a large section of Grand Bahama, which exit poles suggest is in favour of Frances Friend, the presidential candidate who resides in that community.
Bahamas Press can confirm, however, Friend’s Vice President, Fr. Franklyn Colebrooke, was resoundingly rejected in yesterday’s ballot and was beaten out by Wilson’s running mate, Philip Dorsett. However, positions for the President, Treasurer and Secretary General are still all up for grabs.
If Elected President, Friend will bring to her new administration 37 years experience as a teacher, 32 years as a BUT member and eight years of leadership as an area vice-president for Grand Bahama
The veteran educator ran for the post in the two previous elections. (more…)
Earl Deveaux is quiet as Exuma land on Bell Island is being cut away and distroyed by the Aga Khan developer. Deveaux rode the 12 seater luxury helicopter of the Aga Khan to attend a private event.
Bell Island, Exumas — An application to dredge into the sea bed at Bell Island in the Exuma Land and Sea Park has not even been granted as yet, and the developer is already cutting deep into a limestone hill to create a marina.
The island’s developer, The Aga Khan IV of the Aga Khan Development Network, has two grandiose luxury homes that sit on top of two picturesque hills surrounded by plush natural vegetation on Bell Island in the park. Both homes have similar designs and feature areas of glass walls and a box shape that let’s in light at key areas of the homes. Manicured landscapes hug the homes, which are spaced far apart on one of the most beautiful and more elevated islands in the park.
One home sits just below the helicopter pad, which is a clean, grassy area on another hill. It’s the landing pad of the 13-seat helicopter that has been the center of headline stories, as the press and the public seek answers and call for more transparency as it pertains to developments on Crown Land in The Bahamas.
Ever since The Tribune ran a red-letter story disclosing how Environment Minister Earl Deveaux received rides in the Aga Khan’s helicopter.
An ariel view of the land on Bell Island being cut and scurried away.
He has handed his resignation into Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham. Media officials and the public are anxious for the Prime Minister to respond to this embarrassing situation for his government that claims to operate on a ‘trust factor’.
The Aga Khan IV has an application before the Ministry of Environment which Minister Deveaux said he was ‘minded to’ approve. It will allow the Aga Khan to create a number of marina slips, dredging up to fifteen feet deep. The public has yet to be told how long and how wide the slips will be, leading out to the sea.
Although the application has not been approved, massive demolition of a portion of the hill has already begun. The portion of excavated hill is about 20 feet deep and has been flattened to sea level, making it easier for excavation of the sea bed once the official approval is granted.
But concerns have been raised as the excavation of the hill and the buildings believed to be housing materials indicates that the developer expects to get the approval. Meantime, the hill has already been cut down, unbeknownst to most of the Bahamian public.
There are two main buildings near the area where demolition is being presently carried out, which are believed to house materials to complete the construction of the marina. The island also features a gazebo near a private beach. The gazebo is draped with sheer, white cloth and exudes romanticism. There is also a development on the other side of the island, where it is believed that workmen reside, as tools and equipment can be seen on the lot, and simple, wooden homes are present.
The hill that has been cut down is close to what appears to be the main home, where two satellite dishes are nestled in the bushes and are used for communication on the island. Bell Island features four amazing, heavenly white sandy beaches.
Once a Crown Land lease is up in 47 years, Bahamian children who today aspire to achieve a lease must be afforded the opportunity. If leasing developers like Aga Khan make major detrimental changes to the landscape, it could destroy the sacred land that belongs to the people of the Bahamas that the Minister of the Environment and the Bahamas National Trust has failed to protect.
The Minister has publicly admitted to accepting rides in the luxury helicopter and said he would “do it again”, while it has been revealed that the managing director at BNT accepted a million-dollar grant from the Bell island developer last year.
BELL Island exposed evidence of land-cutting already commence.
Grand Bahamians looking for food on long que lines.
Letter to Editor
Dear Editor,
The Department of Social Services is an unhealthy, dysfunctional organization. The managerial team seems completely overwhelmed by the gravity of the situation and have respondent with indifference. Morale has plummeted and the level of dissatisfaction is increasing. Caseloads are unmanageably high and management’s approach seems outdated and they appear unable to arrest the current downward spiral of the Department. The traditional response has been to suppress and control any attempts by the staff to have their matters addressed and cries of dissatisfaction are usually met with resistance and resentment. Unfortunately, while this approach has allowed the current regime to maintain their powerbase, it has impeded the progress of this organization and prevents the infusion of new and progressive ideas. Instead there has been a consistent recycling and repackaging of the same outdated ideas which have yield less than satisfactory results.
Social work is ever evolving, there are new techniques and schools of thought that can greatly improve the quality of care which the Department delivers, but the staff are not exposed to those concepts. Clients are given band aid care because officers do not have the time or resources to give restorative care as case loads are too high, resulting in frustrated clients and worn out social workers. Therefore Social Services has become a revolving door for some persons, with insufficient help being rendered to address the cycle of poverty and dysfunction within some families. A great many cases are dealt with at a crisis level and there are just too few social workers to properly manage the cases being reported.
The reality is, far too many government agencies operate in a chaotic manner rather than dealing with problems and coming up with workable solutions. Case in point, where is the Department’s plan of action and research on the social climate so that the government can intelligently respond to the changing needs of Bahamians. If such mechanisms are not in place, how reliable is the data given to Parliament, are the decisions being made based on fact or mere emotions and assumptions? Proper forecast would also allow management to determine their human resource needs allowing them to assess the growth and future development needs of the organization. This could lead to more manageable case loads, more healing and empowerment for clients and lower the stress level of employees thereby increasing their level of satisfaction and contentment.
Not only is there no exchange of new ideas those at the top seem to have lost their passion for the profession and are simply going through the motions. Another serious concern is that most of the managerial team will age out around the same time, creating a dilemma as sufficient effort has not been spent training and developing younger officers. One wonders if this is a self preserving strategy aimed at extending their time, thereby allowing them to return as consultants. Some senior staff members have also been denied well earned positions so they see nothing wrong with forestalling the careers of younger workers, after all their prospects are limited and time and age will not allow them to advance further up the ranks. The end results, increased resentment, abuse of authority in a misguided attempt to hide the truth that this Department is in need of guidance and direction.
Nassau, Bahamas — WITH the Bahamas Union Of Teachers Elections set for Tuesday, Presidential candidate, Frances Friend and her team are confident of victory.
VISION:
To bring Good Governance back to the BUT by restoring integrity to the conduct of union business, and to build our capacity to grow and develop our Union to achieve unprecedented levels of membership satisfaction.
GOALS:
Accordingly, the following and other goals will be pursued during the period 2010-2013:
1. Provide leadership with integrity through strict compliance with the rules, regulations and policies of the BUT and the laws of our land: union business will be conducted in transparency and with accountability;
2. Replace the current Self-Managed Group Medical plan with a sustainable Group Insurance Plan underwritten by a reputable local insurance carrier to provide affordable Group Insurance Coverage for members and their families;
3. Negotiate a new Collective Bargaining Agreement which the majority of members approve:
• Advocate for the implementation of the Teaching Service Commission;
• Advocate for an increase in gratuity and pension benefits for our members;
• Advocate for the regularization of the status of teachers with permanent residency;
• Partner with the MOE to achieve 100% computer literacy rate in Teaching by 2013
4. Improve the image of The BUT especially in The Bahamas and the Caribbean by demonstrating internationally accepted leadership behavior at all times, and enforcing the BUT Code of Ethics;
5. Sponsor Professional Development Activities to address identified needs of the Teaching Profession and the public education system;
6. Conduct a study on how to attract more male teachers, and advocate for the Ministry of Education (MOE) to implement a strategy to achieve the same;
7. Maintain effective dialogue with the MOE to promote the professionalization of teaching, resolve issues, and to promote improvements in public education;
8. Implement a set of Standard Operating Procedures to safeguard and control the financial resources of the Union;
9. Promote accountability and transparency by providing members with financial reports at least quarterly;
10. Increase and improve MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
11. Improve communications and relations with our members: via memoranda, bulletins, website, newsletter, regular meetings, work site visits, social activities;
12. Provide on-going education and leadership training for union leaders at all levels, and relevant education and training for members;
13. Review the Union’s Construction Projects scheduled for New Providence and Grand Bahama, and take appropriate actions to safeguard our financial well-being;
14. Appoint a Constitutional Review Committee to review the two Handbooks in print, and to publish a new Handbook approved by the Executive Committee which includes the authentic Constitution and Governance Manual;
15. Maximize the benefits which are available from the BUT’s affiliation locally – NCTU, regionally – CUT, and internationally – EI to enhance our development.
16. Amend the constitution to establish that the President shall be elected by majority vote.
Friend said members, educators throughout the country, and by extension, the entire Bahamas should hold her to her maiden release and take note of her winning team members listed.
Ingraham to borrow more money on the back of the poor.
Nassau, Bahamas — When the Parliament reconvenes this Wednesday the reckless tax and spend Ingraham administration will bring a resolution to borrow $68 million to build a new highway from the Lynden Pindling International Airport to the new Spider web; [The six-legged roundabout on JFK].
You would recall the government had table a resolution to vote on 8,150 work permits to construct Baha Mar’s pipe dream. Talks between the Baha Mar Developers and Scotia Bank on a $200 million loan settlement would have opened the way for the new development.
The Government however will proceed in getting Parliament’s approval to borrow money, which are being hitched on the backs of the unborn, like a noose tightened around the necks of children; but that’s not all.
Meanwhile, the Opposition Progressive Liberal Party have refused the engage its Parliamentary powers by using the Public Accounts Committee to probe as to where millions of taxpayers dollars have been spent. Like the almost $47 millions used to dredge the Nassau Harbour for one ship scheduled to pull out of the Bahamas in October. It is the Public Accounts Committee, which has sole executive powers to call at anytime for people and papers and quiz them on government expenditure. For three years now the Committee has failed to function! BOY WE IN DEEP DO-DOO!
Hubert Ingraham robbed as Doctor of wercking the Bahamian economy.
We believe the minister of finance and his bag-totting junior should come clean to the Bahamian people and explain how THEY BANKRUPT THE TREASURY! For it was under Ingraham’s gross mismanagement thousands of Bahamians are knocking the streets looking for work and standing on long lines seeking employment.
It is under Ingraham’s watch we have witnessed the largest tax increase on the backs of the poor, taxes heaped on everything from children underwear to the Holy Bible; from electricity to imports of vehicles.
It was with Ingraham’s radiant plans and ‘wutless’ leadership we saw the ‘sufferation’ and naked abandonment in the subventions to private schools and the cancellation of grants for students studying abroad. Why build a University for them dumb people, they implied, when we could spend millions and millions building roads and super highway for criminals to speed up and down the road.
It was under Ingraham’s glowing plans they decided to build roads and awarded contract after contract to a Brent Symonette subsidiary, which have partnered with an Argentine company.
It is no wonder today we see crime festering like puss oozing all across the naked skin of THE Women we once loved so dear called the Bahamas. She is sick, ailing, suffering, in distress, tormented from bouts of anxiety and her offsprings are moved in extreme bouts of depression and suicide.
Wake UP BAHAMAS! WAKE THE HELL UP! Your country is being pillaged and destroyed right before your very eyes. Hubert Ingraham and the WUTLESS BUFFOONS of spineless wonders have abused this Woman [BAHAMAS] and have beaten her black and blue. THEY HAVE NO SHAME! The are a bunch of SHAMELESS MEN AND WOMEN!
Nassau, Bahamas — “Some politicians have been crooked all their lives and others have been shady, deceptive and just plain wicked recently,” said one observer monitoring recent events between the personalities at the Bahamas National Trust [BNT] and members of the Ingraham Government namely, Minister Earl Deveaux.
Many persons are concerned with the blunt speaking Deveaux who rode the private helicopter of Bell Island owner the Aga Khan. Now this is not the story for as we said before while Earl and his wife rode the luxury craft to the Abacos for a private event, documents sat on his desk awaiting approval to dredge almost 9 acres of protected seabed for the Aga Khan’s development.
Land HOG and BNT Former President, Pericles Mailis. Could the black bag be the money bag?
Readers throughout the world should note if a Bahamian is found fishing in that area of the country, they could serve years in jail time for being in this no take zone. But here we see; a Minister, the BNT and possibly other members of the Ingraham Cabinet, are all acquiescent to the disruption of the environment following their deliberate acceptance of “strange” gifts from the Aga Khan developer.
This same Earl Deveaux we warned the Prime Minister about following a series of strange episodes behind the gates of Lyford Cay, which also involving a lawyer who was a former president of the BNT, Pericles Mailis.
Mailis must also answer the people of the Bahamas and tell them why was he so quiet and never spoke for the environment when a development near his South Western home dug up and destroyed all the mangroves in Adelaide to build himself a private dock. When will Mr. Mailis advise the public of any degradation or damage to the creeks of Adeliade that may have been sustained by the dredging of the channel and construction of the marina by the developers of Albany? Or is he now straight and can only talk about the lionfish?
Bahamas Press read the Torch [Tribune] September 13th edition with interest and what we read then has exposed a pandox’s box of venomous reptilelike creatures we now see raping the Environment; leaving the Bahamas like a naked women for all the world to see.
Again, we ask readers to not focus on the helicopter ride, that’s the trivial part. Earl himself spoke to the Torch and they threw that out, therefore, that is not the news in this latest episode, but lets look deeper into some statements, which are indeed revealing, illuminating and helpful.
Eric Carey, Director of the BNT
We’ve learnt there have been other members of the Ingraham Cabinet flying around in the The Aga Khan’s helicopter. We’ve seen them on Butch Stuart’s private jet also; therefore again, that’s not the story.
In that same edition with Earl, the minister said and we quote: “I’m not compromised, I didn’t receive any money “DIRECTLY” [KEY WORD], the ride on the helicopter was fun, but it wasn’t my first time, nor will it be my last.”
Bahamas Press has taken a closer look into this BNT, Earl Deveaux connection and what we have found is “ASTOUNDING”. The Tribune report noted, “It is understood that the Aga Khan donated $1 million to the Trust last year.” Earl noted he was inclined to approve the dredging of the protected seabed near Bell Island.
Here’s where the story gets interesting. It is alleged that a close relative of the minister, is the real power behind the thrown.
We’ve learnt by sources in the know, that relative’s PR Company is alleged to be contractually employed by the BNT and is located near the Bahamas Information Service offices.
BP contends this is what can only be described as a ‘RANK CONFILCT OF INTEREST’ and swirls further collusion between the BNT, The Minister and Private Developers raiding on protected land all over the Bahamas.
We therefore put the following questions in this Court of Public Opinion:
What are the terms of the contract if any between The Minister’s relative and the Bahamas National Trust?
How long has the Contract if any between The Minister’s relative and the Bahamas National Trust stood in place?
How deeply involved is the Minister’s relative in the Public Relations activities of Bahamas National Trust particularly on the Bell Island development?
And we ask the Prime Minister, when will he publicly accept or reject the resignation of Earl Deveaux?
We are BP are concerned with the present alleged incestuous relations between the Minister of the Environment and the Bahamas National Trust. We believe the new developments are more serious than any helicopter ride. The conflict is sickening and the corruption is as stink as a dead corpse.
WE demand the resignation of Minister for the Environment, Earl Deveaux as we further probe the matters now before us. (more…)
