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A L L T H E N E W S Y O U N E E D T O R E A D I N T H E M O R N I N G

VOL. 31 - NO. 120 75 CENTSTUESDAY - JULY 30TH, 2019

107 New RBDF MaRiNes coMplete

Basic RecRuit tRaiNiNg pRogRaMMe

4 Minister of National Security the Hon. Marvin Dames congratulated the 107 members of the Royal Bahamas Defence ForceNew Entry 56 and Woman Entry 25 on the successful completion of the Force’s Basic Military Recruit Training Programme,during their Passing Out Parade Ceremony, on July 26, 2019, at HMBS Coral Harbour Base. (BIS Photo / Eric Rose)

‘Country in Crisis’ n a clarion call forwomen to step-upand become leaders,former Progressive

Liberal Party SenatorRobyn Lynes said TheBahamas is in ‘crisis’ andneeds more women to bea part of the leadershipthat brings the solutionsBahamians desperatelyneed. “When you have one

woman in Cabinet that isnot good,” Lynes, whowas yesterday’s guest onLove 97’s Issues of theDay radio talk show, said.“That is not good

because that is not a goodreflection of what ourdemographic realities are

BY DEANDRE WILLIAMSONJournal Staff Writer

I

4 Former PLP Senator Robyn Lynesg See page 4...

Teen Drowns on Long Wharf BeachA 15-year-old boy, identi-fied by a relative as EthanMiller, allegedly drownedon Long Wharf Beach onMonday. According to police,

shortly after 3 p.m., a

group of juvenile maleswere swimming in watersat Long Wharf Beach,West Bay Street, whenone of them became dis-tressed and submerged inthe water.

He was retrieved fromthe water in an uncon-scious state and transport-ed to hospital where hewas pronounced dead ashort time later.Police said an autopsy

will be performed todetermine the exact causeof death.Investigations contin-

ue.

g See page 4...

Man Struck byLightning Dies Police in Andros areinvestigating the circum-stances surrounding thedeath of a man who wasstruck by lightning onMonday.According to police,

shortly after 12 p.m., aman and woman went ona fishing trip a few milesoff Red Bays, Andros,

when they were caught inan electrical storm. Police said the man

was allegedly struck bylightning and fell into thewater and became uncon-scious. The woman wasable to call for assistance

g See page 7...

NPO Bill Passedin Senate

The contentious Non-Profit Organizations(NPO) Amendment Billwas a part of the com-pendium of bills passedin the Senate on Monday.The bills are aimed at

helping The Bahamasmeet the requirements toexit the grey list of theFinancial Action TaskForce.

Leading off the gov-ernment’s contribution,Attorney General SenatorCarl Bethel said the Non-Profit OrganizationsAmendment Bill seeks toclear the misconceptionthat the government isgoing after the collectionplate.“Nothing is further

from the truth. The gov-ernment is not interestedin the collection plate at

BY BERTHONY MCDERMOTTJournal Staff Writer

g See page 4...

MitchellQuestions FoxHill’s Light Bill Senator Fred Mitchellclaimed on Monday thatthe Fox Hill Committeewas sent a $46,000 out-standing bill by BahamasPower and Light. Mitchell raised the

issue in the Senate, wherehe explained that BPLnegotiated with the com-mittee to pay only

BY EARYEL BOWLEG Journal Staff Writer

g See page 4... 4 Senator Fred Mitchell

Section A REGULAR_Section A Tues 7/29/2019 11:48 PM

An International SharkSymposium in its secondday of a two-day Sharksand CITES Symposium:Prep for the COP(Conference of theParties) focusing on thepreservation of marineresources, more specifi-cally sharks and rays. More feared than

revered, sharks have longgotten a bad reputation asthe apex predator of thesea. But researchers havefound that tens to hun-dreds of millions arekilled each year. For The Bahamas

National Trust (BNT) thisis a major concern as TheBahamas has one of themost impressive andextensive National Parksin the Americas, accord-ing to BNT Director EricCarey. The BNT's efforts to

protect the marine specieshave attracted governmentattention to do more toprotect sharks locally. As shark finds are

worth big money, it begsthe need for conservationand with that backdrop,the Ministry ofAgriculture MarineResources teamed up withinternational partners tohost the symposium herein The Bahamas. Minister of Agriculture

Micheal Pintard told sym-posium participants yes-terday that The Bahamasstands in solidarity withcountries that have signedon to the convention toprotect sharks and raysand that The Bahamas iswell on its way to the2020 challenge, making acommitment to ensurethat 20 percent of thecountry's marine environ-ment would be set asideby 2020. "The Bahamas is play-

ing a leading role in theglobal community in theconservation of ourmarine environment. Ofcourse this is not confin-ing to sharks, but certainlyyou would be aware of thework that we have beendoing,” Mr. Pintard said.

"We are in the processof engaging in further dis-cussions with Cabinet col-leagues to weigh out theadditional areas that havebeen identified."We've also been very

careful to work with allstakeholders because werecognize that the govern-ment is but one importantstakeholder, but all otherstakeholders are equallyimportant and we've hadsuccess because of thispartnership"We've gone to great

lengths to avoid antago-nistic relationship." The symposium comes

on the heels of 21-year-old American JordanLindsey, being attackedand killed by sharks inwaters near Rose Island,followed by another non-fatal attack of anAmerican man. Minister Pintard

assured that much is beingdone to enforce and makelaws that are necessary toprotect the marine envi-ronment as well as humanlife. Mr. Pintard added that

lots of research has beendone in terms of the envi-ronmental benefits andsharks contribution to theoverall ecosystem and thecontributions socially aswell as economically asbusinesses thrive becauseof the presence of sharks. "With respects to

sharks in particular, theefforts when they pay off,as they have been, nodoubt result in theincrease population ofsharks. And when thatoccurs obviously thatresults in increase in inter-action between sharks andhuman beings and at theend of the day, we appre-ciate fully the value ofsharks,” Mr. Pintard said."As we look at the

increase number of sharks[that] we believe willresult as an outcome ofthe efforts to be a making,we are seeking to strike acritical balance wherewhile we protect sharkswe also protect other usersof the water, in particular,human beings who areengaged, working with

fisheries, whetherBahamians who areswimming or whetherthey are guests who cometo our country." Mr. Pintard further

noted that the ministrywill move decisively anddefinitively to addressissues regarding sharksand possible sharkattacks. "We are examining

with a view of dramatical-ly reducing, and I believe

we will get to completelyban chumming inBahamian waters. Wehave a very serious con-cern about the increase offeeding of sharks, particu-larly in residential areasor in the periphery ofrestaurants seeking toattract customers. Thattoo is posing a problem,given where it is occur-ring," Mr Pintard said. Marine conservation

has actually long been

discussed, and the BNTdirector explained thatThe Bahamas' commit-ment to protecting themarine environmentmany years ago as it val-ues sharks as an impor-tant part of the ecosys-tem. "We've had incredible

successes in TheBahamas, not only withmarine conservation, butthere have been land-marked globally signifi-

cant levels of environ-mental conservation,”Mr. Carey said."We're very proud of

the creation of the ExumaCays Land and Sea Parkin 1958, the oldest landand sea park in the world."We became a shark

sanctuary, the first in theCaribbean, in 2011, andworked closely withsome of you [Conferenceof Parties], and we arevery proud of that."

A2 NationalNEWSThe Bahama Journal

Tuesday - July 30th, 2019

Request for Proposals (RFP) for services to conduct surveys of the Pay TV and RadioBroadcasting markets in The Bahamas.

The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) is the independent regulator for the electronic communications sector (ECS) in The Bahamas, comprising fixed and mobile telecommunications services, spectrum, numbering and broadcasting (which includes radio broadcasting and pay television).

One of the main policy objectives of the Communications Act 2009, requires URCAto further the interest of persons in The Bahamas by promoting availability of a widerange of content services which are of high quality. The pay television and radiobroadcasting markets in The Bahamas have undergone certain structural and technological changes since September 2009, which give consumers access to agreater variety of media and communications products and services available to consumers on multiple platforms.

To ensure the continued promotion of the availability of a wide range of high qualitycontent services, URCA seeks to measure consumer listening and watching habitsand their opinions on the quality of available services and programming providedover pay tv and radio.

It is URCA’s objective to obtain empirical data that can provide representativeparameters on the listening and watching habits of consumers and their opinions onthe quality of available services and programming provided to consumers over pay-tv and radio in The Bahamas.

URCA therefore invites interested entities to submit proposals for services to conductsurveys of the pay tv and radio broadcasting markets in The Bahamas.

A copy of the RFP and TOR may be downloaded here, https://www.urcaba-hamas.bs/rfp_tor-broadcast-market-survey/ or collected from URCA’s offices

Frederick House, Frederick Street, Nassau, The Bahamas.

The deadline for submission of proposals is no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday2 August 2019.

Plans to Conserve Sharkswhile Protecting Human Life

BY LICEC BASTIANJournal Staff Writer

4 The Department of Marine Resources officially opened a Shark Symposium, Monday, July 29, 2019. Major international experts are presenting on topics relative toshark species and their handling during the two-day event being held at The Island House, Lyford Cay. The Hon. Michael Pintard, Minister of Agriculture and Marine

Resources, welcomed attendees at the Symposium. (BiS Photos/Kristaan ingraham)


A3The Bahama Journal

Tuesday - July 30th, 2019NationalNEWS

30,000 Support StopDisney CampaignThe ‘STOP DISNEY -Last Chancefor Lighthouse Point’campaign on Mondayreceived more than30,000 signatures in sup-port of their petitionagainst Disney CruiseLine to select an alterna-tive site to construct theirmultimillion-dollar proj-ect at Lighthouse Point. The campaign garnered

attention to the more than20,000 people who hadsigned the petition withinjust 12 days after its pub-lic launch on July 15.

The campaign organiz-ers submitted another adfor publication to TheTribune just four days agoand 10,000 more havesigned on. The Bahamian partners

in the campaign areBahamas ReefEnvironment EducationFoundation, EARTH-CARE, reEarth, Save theBays, and WaterkeepersBahamas. TheWaterkeeper Alliance,based in New York, N.Y.,has also signed onto thecampaign.Waterkeeper Alliance rep-resents and works with300 waterkeeper organi-

zations in 44 countries,including The Bahamas.Director of reEarth

Sam Duncombe washappy with the positiveresponse to the campaign.“It is amazing to see

nearly 30,000 supportersin just over two weeksjoin us in opposition tothe construction of anindustrial cruise port in apristine proposed marineprotected area. Disneyhas to stop talking aboutits environmental policiesand listen to all of ourvoice and do the rightthing,” said Mr.Duncombe.The groups are con-

cerned about the enter-tainment giant docking atLighthouse Point. On thecampaign’s Change.orgpage, they stated, “Thisis not the place where anenvironmentally respon-sible corporation wouldchoose to construct amassive private cruiseship port.”They are suggesting

that Disney select analternative site for theircruise port and instead towork with local groups ona win-win alternative thatwould protect this uniquesite and secure sustain-able economic opportuni-ties for the communities

in South Eleuthera.In a statement, the

campaign organizernoted, “People in theBahamas, the UnitedStates, and across theworld treasureLighthouse Point and areworried about the pres-sures already facing coralreefs and our oceans.Some Last Chance orLighthouse Point cam-paign supporters loveDisney and are puzzledby why Disney wouldpick a place likeLighthouse Point to builda port that would tarnishand degrade the area.”Director of Last

Chance for LighthousePoint Campaign PhoebeShaw is still hopeful tosee how the matterunfolds.“It is not too late for

Disney to change courseand find a different sitefor its cruise port. At thesame time, the groups areeager to see Disney stayat Lighthouse Point andcooperate with localgroups on a sustainabledevelopment alternative,”Ms. Shaw argued.“Disney has a chance

to set a new precedent forsustainable developmentand the protection ofglobal oceans.”

BY EARYEL BOWLEG Journal Staff Writer

Police arrested a 50-year-old man on Saturday inconnection with an alter-cation at FusionSuperplex which left anemployee with injuries.The man also suffered

from serious injuries tothe body and was taken tohospital to be treated.According to police, on

Friday a female employeeof Fusion Superplex wasin the employee parking

lot of that establish-ment, when she wasinvolved in a physicalaltercation with a maleknown to her, who is alsobelieved to be an employ-ee of Fusion Superplex.

Following the incident,Fusion Superplex issueda statement explainingthat its security teamquickly responded to thedomestic dispute thatoccurred in the parking

lot where a female wasinjured.“We continue to pray

for our colleague’s quickrecovery. We thank youfor your support and wishto reassure the public that

we will always provide asafe and wholesomeentertainment environ-ment for the entire fami-ly,” the statement read.Police investigations

are ongoing.

Man Arrested Over AltercationAT F U S I O N S U P E R P L E X


A4 The Bahama Journal

Tuesday - July 30th, 2019 NationalNEWS

Man FoundDead with

Head InjuryPolice are investigat-ing the circumstancessurrounding the deathof a man who wasfound dead on Sunday. According to

police, shortly before5 p.m., they respondedto Sea Breeze Drive,off Beatrice Avenue,Sea Breeze Estate,where a man was

found unresponsive,with an injury to thehead. Paramedics were

called to the scene anda short time later con-firmed that the manwas dead. Police will await an

autopsy report whichwill determine theexact cause of death.

WomanStabbed inParking LotPolice are investigat-ing a stabbing incidentwhich left a womanwith injuries.According to

police, shortly after 1a.m. on Monday, awoman was in theparking lot of a bar onRosedale Street, whenshe got into an alterca-

tion with anotherwoman, which escalat-ed, resulting in herbeing stabbed aboutthe body. The injured woman

was taken to hospitaland is listed in stablecondition. Investigations are

ongoing.

and so we need to fixthat.” Of the 39 members of

parliament, there are onlyfive female MPs.Minister of Youth, Sportsand Culture Lanisha Rolleis the only female Cabinetminister out of 19. While male domination

in Bahamian politicsneeds to change, accord-ing to Lynes, she believesthere are certain issuesthat will not be brought tothe fore unless strongfemale leaders discuss it.“That’s just the reality

because you can only be

sensitized to what youexperience and there aresome things that onlywomen can advocate forbecause that is part of ourreality and our experienceas women and we need tobring that to the forebecause the truth of thematter is women lead,”she explained.“Women lead in the

demographic and the elec-torate. We lead as itrelates to who’s runninghouseholds in this coun-try. We lead as it relates toemployment up to a par-ticular sphere and thenwhen it gets into the sixfigures etc., we start to see

the numbers declining andmen are predominantlythe persons who are large-ly employed in thosespheres. “So we now have to see

more women in leadershipso that it can be a conver-sation that is reflective ofour populous.”Although Lynes is call-

ing for women to becomeleaders, she said thewomen who want to leadshould be able to with-stand the challenges thatcome with being in publiclife. “I don’t even consider

myself to be a public fig-ure or someone in public

life, but social media canbe brutal and very cruel,”she noted.“You have to be some-

one who is so fixated andfocused on the work thatyou have to do, that youshut your eye and yourear to all of that negativi-ty that comes along withpresenting yourself forpublic service. You haveto be able to do that andfocus on the work that isahead.”The former senator

pointed out that TheBahamas have some artic-ulate, intelligent, brave,vocal, passionate andastute women who don’t

want anything to do withpolitics. But Lynesencouraged such womento get involve by becom-ing leaders who wouldmake a difference in thecountry. “It’s true, I don’t want

anything to do with poli-tics, but I have a passionfor governance and poli-tics happens to be theroute to it and so I mustbear it until I get to whereI want to get to because Ican be on the outsidemaking all the noise Iwant to make, unless I sitin the seat of one of thedecision-makers, then I’mjust another complainer

and I refuse to do that inthis season,” she said.“I always tell this story.

God made Adam andAdam was one of the onlythings that God made andsaid, ‘Listen, it’s not goodfor him to be by himself.’Then He made woman, afar more superior beingbrought in to solve theproblem Adam had beingby himself. Women areproblem solvers by ourvery nature.“Our country is in cri-

sis and we need ourwomen to be part of theleadership that brings thesolutions that we so des-perately need.”

‘Country in Crisis’

Teen Drowns on Long Wharf BeachMan Drowns on LoversBeachPolice are also investi-

gating an alleged drown-ing at Lovers Beach inHepburn Town, GrandBahama which left a 20-year-old man dead.According to police, on

Monday shortly after 4p.m., they were called to

Lovers Beach in HepburnTown, where it wasreported that two menwere riding a jet-ski, whenthey lost control. One of the men swam

to shore, but the othernever made it. Officers from the

Police Marine Sectionalong with local residentsassisted in retrieving thebody from water.

Police are investigatingand are appealing to thegeneral public during thissummer season and whileenjoying the beaches, toproperly supervise youngchildren and young adultswho are unable to swim orare not strong swimmersand to always wear a lifevest.Investigations contin-

ue.

NPO Bill Passed in Senate

Mitchell Questions

all,” Bethel said. “All that we want to

know is that the collec-tion plate is being count-ed for and we don’t wantto know how, that is forthe members.“Organizations that

have annual generalmeetings that approve orreject financial state-ments or records of theirorganization are carvedout.

“We are not interestedin the details of thechurch’s accounts. We’renot interested in anythingto do with that.” The opposition has

made it known that itsupports the compendi-um of bills.Senator Clay Sweeting

reminded that the initialbill didn’t get the PLP’sapproval because thegovernment failed toconsult religious andcivil society organiza-

tions before passing.“This is what happens

when the proper partiesare not consulted beforeenacting legislation. Thelegislation ends up beingshelved, only to bebrought back to this placea second time in sixmonths,” Sweeting said.“However, I am glad

the government had thefortitude to meet with thenecessary parties to atleast come to some kindof common ground

before enacting this bill.” Among the bills

passed are the Anti-ter-rorism Amendment Bill,the InternationalObligation Economic andAncillary Measures Bill,the Investment FundsBill and the RegisteredBeneficial OwnershipBill.The compendium of

financial bills was alsopassed in the House ofAssembly last week.

$26,000 but this still lefthim irate about the situa-tion.“It has always been the

position of all govern-ments and this was sounder the last FMNadministration and the

present administration.Those lights were provid-ed as public service to thecommunity,” Mr. Mitchellsaid.“I can’t imagine when

the Junkanoo rush tookplace here that the BPLsent a bill to the govern-ment? That just seems

outrageous on the face ofit.” The Bahama Journal

reached out to a BPL pub-lic relations director forcomment, but was toldthat the corporation willnot respond to the matteruntil further proof is pro-vided.

gg Continued from / PAGE 1...




R.e. coopeR MeRitoRious seRvice

awaRD ceReMoNy at gov’t House

4 Governor General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Cornelius A. Smith hosted an Investiture Ceremony of the 24th R.E.Cooper Meritorious Service Award at Government House, which was followed by a reception, July 26, 2019. Minister of Youth,Sports and Culture, the Hon. Lanisha Rolle represented the Prime Minister in giving remarks. (BIS Photos/Patrick Hanna)


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