see sport section for report and pictures govt to pay...

NASSAU AND BAHAMA ISLANDS’ LEADING NEWSPAPER

Govt to pay back road project losses

Volume: 108 No.91 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012 PRICE – 75¢ (Abaco and Grand Bahama $1.25)

WEATHER

SUNNY ANDA SHOWER

HIGH 82FLOW 72F

By KHRISNA [email protected]

STARTING today, thegovernment will go door-to-door asking those affected bythe ongoing road works todetail their losses ahead of amassive repayment scheme,Prime Minister Hubert Ingra-ham announced last night.

Businesses on Baillou HillRoad, Market Street andPrince Charles Drive will bethe first in the assessment.

Speaking to FNM support-ers, Mr Ingraham said

through this initiative, thegovernment will compileinformation, including thebusinesses’ expenses, revenue,profits, accounts receivablesand payables during the peri-od 2007 to 2011.

“Businesses that are inoperation as well as any thatmay have closed temporarilyas a result of the roadworkwill be included in the survey.

“The results of the surveywill help us determine howbest we might lend economic

Survey willassess cost tobusinesses

TRY OURDOUBLEMcFISH

The TribuneTHE PEOPLE’S PAPERBIGGEST AND BEST

L A T E S T N E W S O N W W W . T R I B U N E 2 4 2 . C O M

FNM BACKS JOHNSON

By AVA TURNQUESTTribune Staff [email protected]

THE Free NationalMovement is determined tocontinue with the nomina-

tion of Central and SouthEleuthera candidateHoward Johnson despite apossible constitutional chal-lenge, the Tribune haslearned.

According to well-placed

sources on the FNM council,the party was concerned thatMr Johnson would not beeligible to sit in the House ofAssembly on the grounds of

CCHHEEEETTAAHHSS TTIIEE SSEERRIIEESSSEE SPORT SECTION FOR REPORT AND PICTURES

INSIDE TODAY: YOUR PULLOUT ARTS SECTION

By DANA [email protected]

PLP Tall Pines candidateLeslie Miller has dismissedNational Security MinisterTommy Turnquest’s lawsuitagainst him as “foolishness”but also spoke on possiblecounter legal action.

In his suit, Mr Turnquestclaims damages caused by“slander and/or falsehoodpublished”, according to theSupreme Court’s civil registry

cause list.According to published

media reports, the suit report-edly refers to a commentabout domestic violencewhich was allegedly made byMr Miller, earlier this month.

Mr Miller denied the alle-gations and said the Ministeris the one who initiated theexchange.

“I never called his wife’sname nor did I call Tommy

By AVA TURNQUESTTribune Staff [email protected]

A NUMBER of persons setto vote in North Andros havechanged their registrationsince the start of the voterfraud probe, according toFNM candidate for the areaDesmond Bannister.

The tribunal has set thecourse for a fairer process ofelections in the country, said

By SANCHESKA BROWNTribune Staff [email protected]

THE police officer whoshot and killed a reportedlyunarmed man in CrookedIsland over the weekend hasbeen removed from activeduty, the Tribune has learned.

National Security Minister

Tommy Tunrquest confirmedthat the police officer hasbeen flown to the capitalwhile investigations are beingcarried out.

“The investigation is verymuch active. The officer inquestion was flown into Nas-sau Sunday afternoon. He is

NOWHELP USTO REACHTO FIND OUT MORE, TURNTO OUR CENTRE SPREAD

WE’VERAISED

$1M$206,000

MILLER DISMISSES TURNQUESTLAWSUIT AS ‘FOOLISHNESS’

OFFICER IN SHOOTING OFF ACTIVE DUTY

SSEEEE ppaaggee 88

SSEEEE ppaaggee 88

SSEEEE ppaaggee 88

SSEEEE ppaaggee 88

SSEEEE ppaaggee 1122

VOTERS ‘CHANGED REGISTRATION’

PRIME MINISTER Hubert Ingraham in Carmichael last night. The Prime Minister has backed HowardJohnson, inset, to become the candidate for Central and South Eleuthera, despite a possible consti-tutional challenge. Photo: Felipé Major/Tribune Staff

i’m lovin’ it

By KHRISNA [email protected]

CONSTRUCTION of 13homes destroyed in the south-eastern Bahamas during hur-ricane Irene will soon beginas building supplies worth$400,000 were shipped to con-tractors late last evening.

Yesterday, NEMA direc-tor Captain Stephen Russellsaid at the Potter's Cay Dockthat this shipment is thelargest to be sent to any

island since the relief effortsbegan following the storm inAugust 2011.

The supplies will build 12homes in Acklins and onehome in Long Cay. Theywere transported by the mailboat Lady Rosalind II andare expected to arrivetonight.

Contractors on both islands,Mr Russell said, are waitingto receive the supplies andbegin the work, which shouldbe completed in four to 10

weeks.“Three weeks ago, I visited

Acklins along with the financeofficer and signed contractswith contractors to rebuildthose homes. We pledged to

get the supplies to them assoon as we could.

“All of the materials thatare required to build those 13homes are on this vessel,” MrRussell said.

This relief effort is a part ofthe government’s $3 millioninitiative to help those badly

affected by hurricane Irene.According to Deborah

Hanna, the accountant forNEMA, just over 95 per centof the money has been spentto date.

Following the categorythree hurricane, Cabinet min-isters and senior government

officials toured Cat Island,Acklins, Inagua and LongIsland to see the wreckagefirst-hand and meet locals whoweathered the storm.

Their visit to Acklinsrevealed completely demol-ished homes, roofs torn frombuildings and flooding.

LOCAL NEWS

PAGE 2, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012 THE TRIBUNE

McKINNEY, BANCROFT & HUGHES________________________________________________________

A N N O U N C E M E N TThe Partners of the law firm ofMcKinney, Bancroft & Hughes,Mareva House, 4 George Street,Nassau, The Bahamas are pleasedto announce thatBEATRICE E. MIRANDAhas joined the partnershipwith effect from 1st January, 2012.

___________________________________________________________

Mrs. Beatrice E. Miranda has been a Registered Associate ofMcKinney, Bancroft & Hughes since 2007 and specializes in trustand cross border insolvency work. She is fluent in English, Spanishand German and also speaks French.

___________________________________________________________

Mrs. Miranda obtained a Master of Law degree (magna cum laude)from the University of Zurich, Switzerland in 1994 and was admittedto the Zurich Bar in 1997. She also obtained the degree of ‘Master ofLaws in Comparative Law’ (LL.M.) from the University of Miami,Florida in 1998. In 2006 Mrs. Miranda was admitted as a Solicitorof the Supreme Court of England and Wales. In 2009 Mrs. Mirandabecame a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners(STEP) and was awarded the designation TEP (Trust and EstatePractitioner).

___________________________________________________________

The Partners, Associates and Staff of McKinney, Bancroft &Hughes join in congratulating her on this achievement.

DIRECTOR OF NEMA Captain Stephen Russell speaks to the media yesterday on board the Lady Roslin 2. Photos: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff

THE LADY ROSLIN 2 being loaded up with supplies.

BUILDING SUPPLIES are loaded onto the Lady Roslin 2 ready to be shipped to Acklins for use in the construction of new homes to replace those destroyed by Hurricane Irene.

Work torepair

hurricanedamage to begin

By PACO NUNEZTribune News Editor

POLICE officers may soonhave to undergo mental andphysical fitness tests to ensurethey can deal with the stressassociated with the job, Min-ister of National SecurityTommy Turnquest revealed.

He said additional trainingand evaluations will hopeful-ly help curb “excessiveactions” by officers andreduce the number of com-plaints against police.

“Policing in the Bahamastoday is challenging. Ourpolice officers work in a high-ly charged, highly stressfulenvironment, one that isfraught with danger anduncertainty. The stakes arealways high,” he said.

Mr Turnquest said he hasheld discussions with PoliceCommissioner Ellison

Greenslade about ways toensure the mental and physi-cal health of the men andwomen on the force is pro-tected.

He said while a number ofmeasures have already beenput in place in this regard,more could be on their wayvery soon.

The move is part of a planto ensure officers operate atoptimum capacity, given thestressful nature of the job, theminister said.

“Policing can take a signif-icant toll on the officers ofour force, on their health –both physical and emotional –and in their personal and fam-ily life.

“I am ever mindful of thosehealth consequences that cancome to our dedicated andhardworking police officersand I encourage all officersto eat healthy, exercise regu-

larly, and take care of them-selves and their families,” MrTurnquest said.

“Additionally, a mentallyand physically fit officer willrespond more appropriatelyin a variety of situations thathe/she may encounter, whichwould lessen or eliminateexcessive actions and com-plaints, therefore reducing lia-

bility claims,” Mr Turnquestsaid.

The minister said officersshould also develop their ownways of staying prepared forthe job.

“The police force performsregular maintenance onfirearms, vehicles and otherequipment and therefore offi-

cers ought to recognise theimportance of a regular main-tenance programme for them-selves,” he said.

LOCAL NEWS

THE TRIBUNE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012, PAGE 3

By SANCHESKA BROWNTribune Staff [email protected]

FNM CHAIRMAN CarlBethel yesterday challengedPLP leader Perry Christie toproduce evidence of FNMsupporters victimising PLPs.

Mr Bethel’s commentscame after Mr Christie saidin the House of Assemblythat FNM supporters werenot the only ones harassed inGrand Bahama.

Mr Christie said: “I haveread detailed accounts of sto-ries of FNMs attacking PLPs.This is a story that is unfold-ing as we speak. There areaccounts that when motor-cades pass each other, therewere some known personswho threw beer bottles andcans in vehicles, so these arematters that are being pro-duced.

“Today I read a long list ofpeople by name, accountsfrom people who are Pro-gressive Liberal Party sup-porters who spoke of violencethat happened to them.

“Some of them were peoplein the community who you

would recognise. People whoon the face of it you wouldthink have no political rea-sons to do and say thosethings.”

Mr Bethel said the incidentGrand Bahama in whichFNMs were attacked by PLPswith a fire extinguisher, hasbeen documented and hecalled for Mr Christie to pro-duce his evidence.

“We have no informationto say what he is saying istrue. All I can say is we haveno proof to confirm MrChristie’s statement.

“If it is true, he should pro-duce the information – wehave. The FNM candidatemade a formal complaint tothe police,” Mr Bethel said.

FNM candidate for EastGrand Bahama Peter Turn-quest claimed his teenagedaughter and three otherFNM supporters weresprayed in their faces with afire extinguisher by PLP sup-porters while on a motorcade.

After the incident, bothPrime Minister Hubert Ingra-ham and Mr Christie calledfor peace between support-ers.

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter [email protected]

FREEPORT – The murdertrial of Samiko Rigby openedin the Supreme Court onTuesday before a jury of sixwomen and six men.

Rigby, 24, is accused of themurder of 32-year-old ErisonTanelus on January 7, 2009 atHepburn Town, Eight MileRock. He is also accused ofarmed robbery and burglary.

Tanelus and his wife wereat home asleep when threemen, masked and armed,entered their apartment dur-ing the early morning hoursof January 7. Tanelus wasfound shot to death in anupstairs bedroom.

Senior Justice HartmanLongley is presiding over thematter. Erica Kemp of theAttorney General’s Office isprosecuting on behalf of theCrown, and Carlson Shurlandis representing Rigby.

Constable Deniqua John-son was one of the officers onduty on the date in questionwhen she received certaininformation and proceeded toSam Rolle’s Apartment inHepburn Town.

When she arrived at Apart-ment Five around 2.45am, sheheard a woman screaminginside.

Officer Johnson said shewent to an upstairs bedroom,where she saw a black malelying face up on the groundwith a wound to the head.

She said the bedroom wasransacked. She said she tookthe pregnant woman, whowas screaming, downstairsand questioned her.

Police Sergeant LafayetteDorsett said on arrival at thescene he saw a bullet casingon the ground at the frontdoor of Apartment Five. Healso noticed that the first and

second floors were ransacked. Sgt Dorsette said the vic-

tim, whom he later learnedwas Erison Tanelus, was lyingon the floor, bleeding fromthe head.

He added that EMS per-sonnel were attending to thevictim, who was dressed in ared T-shirt and red plaid box-ers.

Sgt Dorsett saw the victim’swife, Frantzcia Tanelus, sit-ting outside the building. Hesaid she was in shock and wasalso being treated by EMSpersonnel.

The officer spoke with

Elliot Gibson, the tenant ofApartment Four. He took awritten statement from Gib-son, which was later handedover to the lead investigator.

Samuel Rolle, the apart-ment owner, said ErisonTanelus and his wife hadresided at his duplex apart-ment since 2005.

Two days before the mur-der, Rolle said he went to thecouple’s apartment and sawthat their bedroom doorupstairs had been smashed in.He said he had a carpenterrepair the door on January 6.

After Tanelus’ murder,

Rolle said the same bedroomdoor had been damaged.

Pathologist Dr Ana Tan-cawan, Pathologist at theRand Memorial Hospital, saidthe autopsy of Erison Taneluswas performed by her formercolleague, Dr Kacharli, onJanuary 9, 2009.

She said the report indicat-ed that Tanelus had sustaineda gunshot wound to the headwhich caused traumatic skulland brain damage.

“There were multiple frac-tures of the skull and massivetraumatic cerebral braininjury,” Dr Tancawan told the

court. She said the report indicat-

ed that Tanelus had sustaineda gaping entrance woundabove the left eyebrow.

Dr Tancawan said the vic-tim’s wife had officially iden-tified the body at the morgueon January 8.

Police officer 2984 ErnieBarr arrested Rigby forTanelus’ murder on January8, at Jones Town, Eight MileRock. Rigby was searchedand found in possession of ablack Nokia cellular phone.

The trial resumes onWednesday.

By CELESTE NIXONTribune Staff [email protected]

I N V E S T I G A T I V Ereporters may not be able tomake use of the Freedom ofInformation Act for sometime, veteran journalist Pat-ty Roker said.

While Island FM’s MrsRoker said she is encouragedby the introduction of theAct, its effectiveness in facili-tating access to informationand its impact on the way gov-ernment authorities interactwith the press and the com-munity, will not be deter-mined for a while.

“Yes, it is a start and betterthan not having any at all. It isgoing to be some time beforethe legislation comes intoforce and we can see howeffective and efficient the Actwill be,” she said.

Mrs Roker said many ques-tions will not be answereduntil the new law is in use,including how the Act will beimplemented and function,and how it will be used by thepublic.

She added that even after itcomes into force, governmentministries and their agencieswill have 12 months beforethey must be in a position tocomply with its provisions.

“There are going to be a lotof growing pains and it is notgoing to be the Pandora’s Boxof information that everyonethinks,” she said.

The Freedom of Informa-tion Bill was debated for thesecond time in the House ofAssembly on Monday follow-ing amendments by the Sen-ate.

The law aims to facilitateaccess to information held bythe government and its agen-cies and other designatedentities, subject to certainexceptions.

The changes made to theBill by the Senate include:

• the Act will come intoforce on a date to be appoint-ed by the minister, instead ofJuly 1, 2012.

• only Bahamian citizensand residents will have theright of access.

• the Information Commis-sioner will now be the DataProtection Commissioner.

• the Official Secrets Actwill override the Freedom OfInformation Act.

CHALLENGE OVER CLAIMSOF VICTIMISED PLPS

MENTAL AND PHYSICAL TESTS PLANNED FOR POLICE

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION BILL ‘A GOOD START’

Man accused of murderingvictim in his own bedroom

SAMIKO RIGBY is escorted by officers for the start of his murder trial. Photo: Vandyke Hepburn

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I WAS delighted today tohave read the message ofpeace by the Free NationalMovement’s candidate forKillarney, the Hon HubertMinnis. He wrote aboutallowing calm heads to pre-vail this election season andbeyond.

It’s a point worth repeatingby all responsible politiciansin the land, as the tempera-ture is truly rising among thepeople across the politicaldivide. I have never experi-enced such touchiness, itchi-ness, and angriness amongBahamians of different polit-ical perspectives in theBahamas until now.

If things continue on thiscourse, we could be in forsomething violently new inour electoral process, and itwill be a direct reflection ofour 21st century political lead-ership in the Bahamas.

Respect should always beour password; and with it –comes responsibility and lovefor one another. The politi-cal disrespect that seems tobe out of control in our coun-try today is a part of the widerdisrespectful culture that’sslowly tearing us apart.

We cannot be serious abouta prosperous future as onepeople, if we hate one anoth-er because – we support dif-ferent political parties, or wesee things differently.

If the invasive contempt forone another continuesthrough the upcoming gener-al election, then – what kindof results do we expect at theend of the day, brothers andsisters?

Yes, the assault incident in

Grand Bahama this weekendinvolving a candidate’s daugh-ter, is one worthy of seriousnote and action. Nip it nowor be sorry later.

I have noticed that so-calledresponsible politicians andpolitical leaders in our coun-try are first concerned aboutwinning by hook or by crook.Well, Mr and Ms politicians,you all better change that out-look before you don’t becomea victim of your distorted phi-losophy.

Let’s all watch and see whowill follow Dr Minnis of Kil-larney, and denounce allforms of violence in this elec-tion season and onwards,because only real leaders willdo so.

Step up to the plate broth-ers and sisters who seek ourvote.

DENNIS DAMESNassau,March 19, 2012.

EDITORIAL/LETTERS TO THE EDITOR


The Tribune LimitedNULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI

Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master

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

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

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON, C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B.Publisher/Editor 1972-

Published Daily Monday to Saturday

Shirley Street, P.O. Box N-3207, Nassau, BahamasInsurance Management Building., P.O. F-485, Freeport, Grand Bahama

TELEPHONESSwitchboard (News, Circulation and Advertising) 322-1986

Advertising Manager - (242) 502-2352

OUR CONSTITUTION guaranteesevery resident of this country the right offree speech, conscience and assembly. Noone – election or no election – has the rightto interfere with these basic freedoms.Those who do should be severely punished.

Freedom of conscience assures each andeveryone of us the right to our beliefs,regardless of how others might disagree.Freedom of expression gives us the right toexpress those beliefs as we see fit, as longas we respect the rights of others to dothe same. In other words we all agree todisagree, but in a friendly manner, onerespecting the right of the other to have histurn on the floor. We also have the right tofree association with persons of like mind,including political parties. Under our Con-stitution, no one has the right to interfere.

These inalienable rights should beingrained in each of us from childhood. Tobe devoid of them on reaching adulthoodmeans that such persons have been lost onthe fringes of civilisation. They live in ademocracy, but they neither belong norappreciate that democracy. The only timethat there is a squeak out of them is ifsomeone retaliates by stepping on theirtoes — it is only then that they becomeaware and quickly demand their constitu-tional protection.

In a letter to The Tribune today, DennisDames commends Killarney MP DrHubert Minnis (FNM) for calling for“calm heads to prevail” during this elec-tion season.

“We must remember,” said Dr Minnis,“that we are all Bahamians and when theelection is over, we must all still livetogether in this Bahamaland. It is notunusual for one home to have individualswho support different political parties butwhat is unusual for us, is for family mem-bers not to support each other, insteadallowing political persuasions to affect ourfamily bond.

“We must continue to respect an indi-vidual’s right to speak, support and votefor the party of their choice, as this is thefundamentals of the democratic process atits best. We must bring out the best ineach other; we should practice patience,hospitality and love. We should abstainfrom mud-slinging and personal attackson each other because at the end of theday, we all want one thing, a betterBahamas. No one wants to live in a vio-lent, unfriendly environment.”

Dr Minnis called for peace and respectone for the other on learning that thedaughter of one of Grand Bahamas’ FNMcandidates, and three other supporterswere sprayed in their faces with a fireextinguisher by a PLP supporter.

Why would anyone carry a fire extin-

guisher to a political rally? This caseshould be thoroughly investigated and, iffound to be true, the culprit or culpritsshould be severely punished.

In commenting on Dr Minnis’ call forcalm, Mr Dames wrote that he had “nev-er experienced such touchiness, itchiness,and angriness among Bahamians of dif-ferent political perspectives in theBahamas until now”.

He said that if things continue on thiscourse, “we could be in for something vio-lently new in our electoral process and itwill be a direct reflection of our 21st cen-tury political leadership in the Bahamas”.

We remember when Mr Dames firststarted writing letters for publication inThe Tribune, and so we guess that he istoo young to remember the elections ofthe sixties and the PLP “goon squads”where election violence all started.

Today we are only reaping the seedsthat were sown then — violence, disre-spect for law and order, disrespect for ourelders and ourselves, satanic worship atthe altar of materialism – on and on intotoday’s pit of degradation. Today in almostevery aspect of our decadent social behav-iour we are reaping the evil seeds thatwere sown then.

In those days, the PLP’s goon squads,with their loud clackers, were so violent thatpublic rallies could not be held. We recallone night covering a political meeting inFox Hill’s school house when the buildingwas stoned. The foreign journalist with us,sent to cover the election, was so frightenedthat he crawled under one of the classroombenches for protection. People were injured,people were sent to hospital. Their picturesmade the front page of The Tribune.

Bahamians were frightened to write let-ters to The Tribune, and those who did nev-er attached their names. One night a wom-an’s home was stoned because it wasbelieved that she had written a letter criticalof the PLP to The Tribune. Properties wereburned, a policeman was sent to The Tri-bune to try to force us to reveal the identityof a Freeport letter writer. The police officerdisliked his assignment as much as we did,and so we had a friendly chat, wished himwell and sent a stinging message back tothe PLP Cabinet minister who had sent him.By the seventies, we were into the drugyears —fast boats, retaliatory killings, and ageneral breakdown of all the rules that hadheld a Christian society together. Fast mon-ey was a badge of success.

And so do not “send to know for whomthe bell tolls,” it tolls for each and everyone of us.

Now is the time for zero tolerance —either that or surrender our society to therefuse born and bred in the sixties.

Let calmheads

[email protected]

Protect our Constitutional rights


ELECTION season is uponus once again. This importantevent is commonly referredto by the general public as“Silly Season”, but to be hon-est, “Stupid Season” is a moreaccurate description, becauseevery time this five year eventcomes along, decency, com-mon sense, brotherhood, andChristian values go straightout the window, and stupidity,ignorance, immorality andyes, even violence, take centrestage.

Even though I am by nomeans a supporter of theFree National Movement(FNM), I have sworn that Iwill never, ever vote or eversupport the Progressive Lib-eral Party (PLP). Why?Because of the way both theirsupporters, as well as partymembers, behave. I would

even go as far as saying thatthe PLP in my opinion is theparty for degenerates, thugs,and disturbingly uneducatedpeople who are completelydevoid of good behavioralskills.

I read with disgust, anger,shame and disappointmenta report in this very paper,dated Monday, March 19,2012, a report that support-ers of the Free NationalMovement were attacked by“you - know - who”, wherethe victims were allegedlysprayed in the face with afire extinguisher. FNM can-didate for East GrandBahama Peter Turnqueststated that his daughter, aswell as members of his cam-paign team were injured insaid alleged attack, and hascalled on the PLP to controltheir supporters as electionfever heats up. My advice to

Mr Turnquest: don’t holdyour breath waiting for thatto happen.

As I have stated earlier, Iam not a supporter of theFNM, but should they winthis election, I would not feeltoo bad about it, because itwould mean that the PLP cer-tainly did not win. Give cred-it to the PLP though; they arecertainly doing their darnedbest to win this election, withtheir non-stop campaigningand flashy political ads. Butif they continue to behave likeogres, they can kiss whateverdreams (pipe dreams, I hope)of ever winning this electiongood-bye, because I, alongwith many other sensible peo-ple in this country, most cer-tainly will not vote for them.

EYES WIDE OPENNassau,March 19, 2012.

Why I will nevervote for the PLP


CAN someone explain tome and the other organisersof tourist activities why thereis a policy of police harass-ment towards these personson Bay Street and the dockarea?

I understand why there hasto be a strong police presenceon Bay Street. This has beenneeded for some time. Thejitneys in particular needmonitoring. But it beats mewhy the police have todemonstrate rude and aggres-

sive behaviour towards theactivity providers as they areattempting to pick up or dropoff their pre-paid groups inthe dock area or on the mainthoroughfare.

This is demoralising for theactivity professionals anddownright scary for the visi-tors.

Obviously, no one has edu-cated the police as to theextreme importance of theseactivities (which, by the wayare dwindling) and that theday such activities are nolonger available it will be the

demise of the tourist businessas we know it.

The police should be bend-ing over backwards to assistthese persons who are enter-taining our bread and buttercustomers. Or maybe theythink that the Bahamas hassome other means of finan-cial support, which, by theway, pays their salaries?

Mr Greenslade, I hope youare listening.

S SMITHNassau,

March 2, 2012.

PPoolliiccee bbeehhaavviioouurr ttoooorruuddee aanndd aaggggrreessssiivvee

By DANA [email protected]

MARIO’S Bowling andFamily Entertainment Palacewill be hosting its secondannual “Mario’s and Big O’sCharity fun/run/walk/skate”on the last day of this month,in support of the BahamasCrisis Centre.

The initiative allows partic-ipants to walk, run, or evenskate a 6.5 mile route afterdonating a $15 entrance feewith all the proceeds going tothe centre.

Announcing the event yes-terday at Mario’s, sales andmarketing manager GregoryWilkinson said therun/walk/skate is part of thecompany’s on-going effort to“give something back to thecommunity every year”.

“We found that theBahamas Crisis Centre wasmost suitable (this year) giveneverything that’s happeningin our community with crimeand the economy - people arevery emotionally stressed andwe assume that they are allgoing to be turning to theBahamas Crisis Centre thisyear,” he said.

Mr Wilkinson pointed outthe crisis centre no longerprovides aid only to women,but now offers their aid toanyone who needs it.

“People are very stressedout and it’s really affectingthe family in a very negativeway... It’s just really every-body in society, because thereare men and women and chil-dren - everybody’s hurt andwe can’t find a better causeto take on at this time,” hesaid.

A representative of the cen-tre, Sandra Dean Patterson,thanked Mario’s for choosingthe centre as the benefactor ofthis year’s initiative.

“We’re very grateful forMario’s to think of us andmake us the recipient of theirenergy on the 31st,” she said.

“The Crisis Centre is a realoasis, refuge, for persons whohurt and there are a lot hurt-ing people in Nassau. Hurt-ing in all kinds of wayswhether it’s as a result of

physical violence, sexualassault, child abuse, incest,psychological assault... and weprovide that escape, thatrefuge for persons, but inorder to do that we need thecorporate community to helpus and so we’re really gratefulto Mario’s for thinking of us.”

The Bahamas Crisis centreprovides Bahamians withabuse therapy assistanceincluding a 24-hour hotlineservice and individual and

group counselling for physi-cal and sexual abuse victims.

Also speaking at the eventwere Shavaugn Blades fromBahamas Road Masters andMario’s owner and PLP TallPines candidate, Leslie Miller.

The event will kick off at6am on March 31 and partic-ipants are asked to call 326-8012 to register.

The route starts at Mario’sthen heads west on ToniqueWilliams-Darling Highway to

Prospect Ridge, left on Sky-line Drive to Bay Street, easton Bay Street and then righton to Prospect Ridge, andback to Mario’s.

LOCAL NEWS


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By LAMECH JOHNSONTribune Staff [email protected]

A POLICE detective whoinvestigated a 2010 shootingdeath admitted he did not putthe accused killer’s confessionon the detention record theevening it was made.

Sgt 1406 Dwight Davismade the admission yester-day afternoon in SupremeCourt during cross-examina-tion in the murder trial of 26-year-old Kevano Musgrove.

Musgrove, of HalsmereRoad, Highbury Park, ischarged with the February 25,2010 murder of David BowlegJr.

Bowleg, 34, was found shotto death in the back seat of aHonda Accord in the area ofHoliday Drive, South Beach.

In yesterday’s proceedings,Sgt Davis recounted his inves-tigation of the matter fromthe day of the killing to hissecond interview with Mus-

grove, which took place theevening of March 7.

Musgrove had been arrest-ed the previous day in con-nection with the killing. Hewas cautioned at the CentralDetective Unit and it was putto him that he, along with oth-ers, caused the death of DavidBowleg Jr.

“Musgrove offered no com-ment,” the officer told prose-cutor Roger Thompson.

The next evening, March 7,he was going to be taken backto the Grove Police Station.The accused asked to speakwith the detective alone, tocome clean and “do the rightthing,” Sgt Davis said.

Musgrove admitted tokilling the victim, accordingto the officer, but said: “Ithought he was coming to killme first so I kill him.”

A statement was takenfrom the suspect at CDUHeadquarters.

The following scenario wasrecounted to Sgt Davis by

Musgrove, according to theofficer.

Musgrove said he was at hishome when a car had pulledup. He heard that a hit hadbeen put out on him byanother man known as “GuyStubbs”.

He said the contract on hishead resulted from his hav-ing shot “Fish”, an associateof Bowleg and Guy.

He waited inside the houseand watched Bowleg from thewindow as he walked aroundto the kitchen door.

Musgrove pulled out a9mm handgun and waited inthe hallway as Bowleg cameinside. He pointed the gun inBowleg’s direction and fired ashot, hitting the intruder inthe abdomen.

Musgrove ran to Bowleg’sside, pointed the gun at himagain and asked where GuyStubbs and Fish were.

Bowleg asked to be takento hospital. Musgrove duck-taped the injured man’s

ankles and eventually gave into his request.

However, Musgrove recon-sidered, believing that Bowlegwould report back to thosewho put the hit out on him.

“He decided he was goingto kill David and fired anoth-er shot in the back of the car.He contacted his brother Jer-ad Holmes and asked him tocollect him from Holiday Dri-ve,” the officer told the court.

After this, “he called hismother and told her what hehad done,” he said.

Sgt Davis told the jury hehanded the statement to theaccused to read over.

After giving the statement,Musgrove was taken to thescene and asked where he putthe gun, but he did not wantto say, the officer said.

Although defence attorneyMurrio Ducille argued againstthe statement being read incourt, Justice Indra Charlesoverruled his objection andthe officer read the statement.

During cross-examination,Mr Ducille asked the detec-tive if there was mention ofMusgrove giving a confessionon the police detention recordthat evening.

Looking at the document onthe witness stand, the officersaid there was no such entry.

“I could say there was anoversight on my part,” headmitted.

“That’s a serious over-sight,” Mr Ducille replied.

The attorney also suggestedthat the detective and otherofficers beat his client andforced him to sign the state-ment. The sergeant denied this.

Mr Ducille also told theofficer the statement and histestimony about what Mus-grove reportedly told him didnot match.

He asked the officer if theinvestigation produced foren-sic evidence suggesting thatthere was blood on the wash-er and dryer at Musgrove’shome.

“No, sir,” he said.Mary Chin Neely, 55, also

gave evidence yesterday. Shehad initially been chargedwith being an accessory afterthe fact. However, the chargeswere dropped against her.

She had given police asigned statement saying herson confessed to her over thephone that he killed DavidBowleg.

However, when the state-ment was brought up, shedenied receiving a call fromher son and said the state-ment she had given to policewas not the one presented incourt.

During cross-examination,she admitted that she wasarrested on two occasions bypolice and felt intimidatedthroughout the ordeal.

She said she signed thestatement because police toldher she would be released ifshe did.

The trial resumes today at10am.

BOWLING ALLEY TO HOSTANNUAL CHARITY EVENTTO HELP CRISIS CENTRE

Detective admits not placed accused killer’s confession on detention record

SANDRA DEAN PATTERSON, left,of the Bahamas Crisis Centre andGregory Wilkinson,of Mario’s Bowlingand Family Enter-tainment Palace.

residency.Mr Johnson was employed

at NOVA Southeastern Uni-versity as an associate lectur-er, and it is understood thathe did not resign from thepost until December lastyear.

According to the FNM’swebsite, Mr Johnson is cur-rently on a sabbatical fromthe Florida-based universitywhere he was also pursuing adoctorate degree in conflictanalysis and resolution. MrJohnson reportedly enrolledat the university in 2009.

The final go-ahead tolaunch Mr Johnson was givenlast night at a council meeting,at which time executives weretold that Mr Johnson’s can-

didacy issues had beenresolved and that a publicannouncement on the matterwould be made.

And last night the PrimeMinister gave his ownendorsement. Speaking at theopening of the Carmichaelconstituency headquarters, hehighlighted the locations theFNM would be visiting in thecoming days, adding: “Andon Saturday night we will bein Central and SouthEleuthera where HowardJohnson will send DamianGomez packing back to Nas-sau where he lives.”

According to article 47 (b)of the constitution, personseligible for membership in theHouse of Assembly must beat least 21 years old and ordi-narily resident in the country

for at least one year immedi-ately before the date of hisnomination.

The Tribune contacted anumber of federal and localagencies in the United Statesto confirm Mr Johnson’s sta-tus yesterday; however, dueto the country’s privacy lawsthe information is confiden-tial.

Elizabeth MP Ryan Pindercame under fire during thearea’s 2010 bye-elections overconcerns that he had notrevoked his US citizenshipprior to being nominated bythe Progressive Liberal Par-ty.

Mr Pinder narrowly defeat-ed his FNM challenger DrDuane Sands following anelection court ruling in Marchof that year.

being questioned and goingthrough the parts of the inves-tigation. We take policeinvolved shootings very seri-ously, especially when some-one is killed,” he said.

“Anytime there is a policeinvolved shooting, fatal orotherwise, there is a full inves-tigation. We sent a Superin-tendent from Exuma, an offi-cer from the complaints andcorruption unit along with ateam of officers to CrookedIsland to lead the investiga-tions. We hope to have a con-clusion in short order.”

Ezra Ferguson, 25, was shotand killed by an officer whileat a local cook out last Satur-day.

Police have remained tightlipped, releasing few detailsabout the Cabbage Hill inci-dent.

An official police reportonly said the shootingoccurred around 9.25pm atSea View Beach, CrookedIsland.

When contacted, SuptStephen Dean said policewere still investigating andcould not comment on some-thing as sensitive as a police-man being involved in a

shooting without having allthe details.

Meanwhile, the second manthat was shot by police on Sat-urday is said to now be in sta-ble condition.

According to police reports,the incident occurred around2pm on Saturday at the Nas-sau Street Police Station.

Police said the 25-year-oldman was shot while attempt-ing to evade arrest.

The suspect was capturedand taken to hospital wherehis condition has now beenupgraded to stable.

Active police investigationscontinue in both matters.

Turnquest’s name in relationto any beating of wives, so ifhe chooses to cry foul whenhe was the one that initiatedthe fight – I find it so incredi-ble and so petty,” he said.

“I got served yesterday... it’sa joke, really, because whathappens now when Mr KeithBell and the other persons inour party, including myselfnow, join each other and bringa suit against him. He can’tbelieve that he’s just going tocome with his suit and we’renot going to counter-sue him,”

Mr Miller said. He then recalled comments

reportedly made by Mr Turn-quest concerning attorneyKeith Bell and other PLP par-ty officials.

“I got so much more thingsto do in my life right now thanfool around with TommyTurnquest and his little frivo-lous lawsuits,” Mr Miller said.

“This guy who initiated thiswhole foolishness is runningto the courts to talk foolish-ness around people there?Please. He got nothing elseto do? When the crime is atan all time high? When neigh-

bours are being murderedeveryday? When we are beingthreatened? Now by the Unit-ed States government thatthey put out a warning totheir citizens to be careful.He’s concerned about a law-suit instead of looking at thegovernance of our country?”

Mr Miller later said: “It is hisright as a citizen to do whatev-er he wants to do, it is our righttoo, to do what is necessary tocounteract what he would havedone. He brought a lawsuit, wewill bring a lawsuit. But is thatreally what is in the minds ofaverage Bahamians today?”

THE new base being devel-oped at Gun Point in RaggedIsland will allow the RoyalBahamas Defence Force tomaintain a constant presenceon the Great Bahama Bank,Minister of National Securi-ty Tommy Turnquest said.

The base is expected tobecome operational later thisyear. The Great BahamaBank is one of the country’s“richest fishing grounds,” theminister noted.

Mr Turnquest said the har-bour is nearing completion,and will have the capacity toaccommodate the DefenceForce’s 200-foot patrol craftand several mail boats.

The base also will be ableto accommodate up to 35marines.

He said: “The force’sdecentralisation strategydemands an increase in itshuman capital and opera-tional assets,” Mr Turnquest

said. “The government of theBahamas will continue toinvest in the personnel andassets of the Defence Force.We will continue to focus onlocal and international mili-tary training in the areas ofleadership and management,as well as professional andtechnical skills development.

“Substantial investment innew vessels and other physicalassets and ongoing recruit-ment of marines will ensurethe continued growth anddevelopment of the Force asit modernises its operationaland administrative capacityto successfully combat threatsto national security,” MrTurnquest added.

Mr Turnquest said thedecentralisation of theDefence Force remains a pri-mary focus for the Govern-ment and includes plans tocontinue to develop bases inGrand Bahama and Inagua,in addition to sub-bases inAbaco and Exuma.

“These bases allow the real-isation of the Defence Force’saim to maintain a continuouspresence at strategic choke-points throughout our archi-pelago. They act as a deter-rent and enhance our capaci-ty to apprehend those who

seek to violate our laws anddiminish our prospects forpeace and prosperity,” MrTurnquest added.

The National Security Min-ister said the Government ispleased with the “positivedirection” in which theDefence Force is heading.

“The archipelagic nature ofour country makes the man-agement of our borders andthe protection of our shoresvery challenging,” Mr Turn-quest said. “Notwithstandingthose challenges, (The RoyalBahamas Defence Force has)continued to patrol the watersof The Bahamas to deter andapprehend illegal migrants, aswell as foreign poachers of ourmarine resources, and thoseengaged in drug traffickingand illegal firearms smuggling.

Mr Turnquest said the gov-ernment is aware of the needsto increase the number ofOfficers and Marines (1,103)currently serving on theForce, in addition to increas-ing the number of women.This, he said, will be donethrough the recruitment ofqualified young Bahamianmen and women.

“There are currently 62recruits in training, who, ifsuccessful, will join the regular

Defence Force in June of thisyear. There will be a furtherrecruitment squad in July ofthis year, and the DefenceForce has been mandated totarget schools across TheBahamas aimed at enlistingboth males and females. The

Defence Force currently has astaff complement of approxi-mately 18 per cent womenand it is the goal of this Gov-ernment to see the percent-age of women increased to 25per cent over the next fiveyears,” Mr Turnquest added.

LOCAL NEWS


ffrroomm ppaaggee oonnee


Mr Bannister, sitting MP forCarmichael and Minister ofEducation.

“I can tell you that anynumber of people have calledand told me that they will getlegitimate,” Mr Bannistersaid.

“I know a number of peo-ple have changed their regis-tration.

He added: “The law of thecountry provides for how andwhere people are to vote.You cannot be living in NewProvidence or Freeport andmake decisions for the peo-ple of Andros. It’s a very sim-ple thing, the people who livehere are the people who

ought to make determinationson their leadership.”

Hearings in North Androsare underway followingclaims by Mr Bannister thatPLP operatives have been fly-ing voters in from otherislands to register in the con-stituency.

The governing party pro-duced a lists of 30 voters tobe investigated and haveannounced plans to file a sec-ond list.

The first hearing will con-tinue on Friday, when leadcounsel will present their finalsubmissions.

At last week’s hearing,island administrator HuntleyChristie said the fraud claimswere regrettable due to the

polarizing effect it has had onthe small community. How-ever, he noted that theprocess will serve to ensurethat voters take registrationseriously.

Calls placed to Adminis-trator Christie, concerning thenumber of persons that haveremoved themselves from theregister since the hearingsbegan, were unreturned yes-terday.

Mr Bannister said: “It maydivide some people, becausesome people stand up forwhat is right and becausesomeone else might want tohave their own way.

“But I have to applaud thepeople who stood up for whatis right, and when anyone

stands up for principle theywill have opposition by thosewho want to have their ownway, but you stand up forprinciple.”

Mr Bannister explainedthat voter fraud has been alongstanding issue for resi-dents as far back as the 1987elections.

PLP Leader Perry Christielabelled the claims as voterintimidation at the openingof the party’s Fox Hill con-stituency office Monday.

Mr Christie suggested thatimproper registration couldbe voter confusion stemmingfrom the “new rules”.

He added that his party wasworking to ensure that voterswere registered correctly.

Gun Point base to open later this year



MILLER DISMISSES TURNQUEST LAWSUIT AS ‘FOOLISHNESS’

FNM BACKS JOHNSON

VOTERS ‘CHANGED REGISTRATION’

OFFICER IN SHOOTING OFF ACTIVE DUTY

TOMMY TURNQUEST has confirmed the Gun Point base will open lat-er this year.

LOCAL NEWS


FOX Hill MP Fred Mitchelldenied the PLP was“attacked” by vendors whilevisiting the Straw Market ear-ly last week.

Addressing his constituentsat a rally in Fox Hill on Mon-day, Mr Mitchell said despitereports in the media and com-ments by Prime MinisterHubert Ingraham, “no suchincident” took place.

He said: “Nothing could befurther from the truth. It was agreat and successful visit, onethat boosted the spirit of thevendors. Mr Ingraham’s sug-gesting otherwise based onerroneous media reports. It’s adisservice to the straw vendors,it is unbelievable, unthinkable.

“No vendor threatened us.

No vendor attacked us. Therewas nothing that happenedthat disrupted the marketsave a spirited and sponta-neous rally for the PLP.

“Anything else that youheard is simply untrue.”

Mr Mitchell also said if re-elected, he would put youngpeople first, starting with anincrease in the minimum wage.

“I want to seek the supportof my colleagues to raise theminimum wage around thecountry from the present $150per week to $210 per weekwhich is the minimum wagefor government workers.

“This should help the work-ers at Sandals in Exuma whoare suffering. We know that34 per cent of the people in

the country under 25 areunemployed. That means onein three have no work.

“I pledge to work to create10,000 jobs within the first twoyears of the PLP administra-tion to put our young peopleto work. I will work more gen-erally to create jobs for all ourpeople,” he said. “I pledgealso to work for legislation toprotect people's primaryhomes from being sold outfrom under them by unscrupu-lous and rapacious banks.

“I pledge to put the infra-structure in place to make FoxHill the tourist Mecca that wewant with sidewalks, security,bathrooms and the upgrade ofthe Ocean Hole on Step Street.

“I will finish the communitycentre. Additionally, we willbuild a new classroom block forSandilands, put a track at DorisJohnson and upgrade the com-puter systems at L W Young.

“We are pledged to doublethe nation’s investment in edu-cation within five years. Part ofthis must also be a strategy toreduce violence in our schools.That will mean a pre-schoolat Sandilands PrimarySchool,” he said. Mr Mitchellurged constituents to vote PLPand send the message to thePrime Minster that “his time isup and the FNM has to go.”

MITCHELLDENIESSTRAWMARKETINCIDENT

MITCHELLDENIESSTRAWMARKETINCIDENT

PLP SUPPORTERS in Fox Hill at a rally on Monday, where Fred Mitchell, the current MP for the constituency, told supporters that the PLP was not “attacked” by vendors during a visit to the Straw Market. Inset,our front page story reporting the incident. Photos: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff

FRED MITCHELL at Monday night’s rally.

IN RECENT weeks, theDemocratic National Alliancehas tried to gain politicalmileage by stirring up a con-troversy over oil exploration.But rather than focus on thevery real substantive issues ina constructive way, they choseto launch a series of personalattacks and conspiracycharges.

In view of the enormousinternational pressures andrevenues that can be expect-ed, together with the dramat-ic changes to our way of lifethat are implicit in future oilproduction, not to mentionthe incredible pollution risks,it is worth taking a closer lookat this issue – particularly inthe context of the accusationsof cover-ups and carve-ups.

Our original petroleum actwas passed in 1945 to facili-tate exploration by Gulf Oil,Standard Oil, Superior Oiland Shell. It was replaced bylegislation enacted by the Pin-dling government in 1971,which came into effect sevenyears later and remains inforce today.

The last exploratory wellwas drilled here in 1986 by acompany called Tenneco, andwhile no commercial produc-tion followed from those ear-ly explorations, there were oilshows and most experts areconvinced that large quanti-ties of petroleum lie beneathour seabed.

The Christie governmentawarded a British group (lat-er constituted as the BahamasPetroleum Company) fivenew exploration licenses forjust under four million acresin 2006. The licenses becameeffective just before the lastgeneral election in April 2007,when they were signed by thegovernor-general. And for thepast several years, BPC hasbeen conducting geophysicalresearch in the Bahamas.

Now BPC says it is prepar-ing to conduct appraisal

drilling south of Andros, andthe DNA thinks this amountsto a conspiracy involvingsecret deals. The party has setup a Facebook petition on oilexploration, asking Bahami-ans to sign “If you think weshould control our resourcesto benefit all Bahamians, sowe can demand answersbefore it’s too late”.

From the commentary ithas made, the DNA is clearlynot opposed to drilling, but issimply trying to stir the pot.This is not necessarily a badthing, but it depends on howit is done. Accuracy and hon-esty are important when mak-ing public statements on com-plex issues. Publishing falsestatements and facilitatingwild allegations will lead to arapid loss of credibility.

For example, according tothe DNA, “this governmentnegotiated a 12.5 per cent(royalty), one of the worst inany country”. In fact, it wasthe Pindling government –back in 1971 – that set a thenindustry-standard minimumroyalty rate of 12.5 per cent“of the selling value at thewell-head of the petroleumwon and saved from thelicensed or leased area”.

And, contrary to what theDNA now alleges, the licens-es awarded to the Isle of Man-based Bahamas PetroleumCompany in 2007, set a slidingscale of 12.5 to 25 per cent ofproduction value, a fact whichBPC clearly shows on its web-site.

Those licenses were neverrenewed, because the gov-ernment imposed a morato-rium on oil exploration in

2008, while efforts were madeto pin down precise maritimeboundaries with Cuba, the USand the UK/Turks & CaicosIslands. The boundary withCuba – where four of theBPC licenses are located –was finalised last October.

In 2010 – following the cat-astrophic Gulf of Mexico oilspill – the government decid-ed to step back and reviewthe entire petroleum policyframework before allowingexploration to resume. TheMinistry of the Environmentalso required all license hold-ers and new applicants to pro-duce environmental impactassessments for the areas theywished to explore.

There are currently sevenapproved licenses for oilexploration in Bahamianwaters, and 10 applicationsfor new licenses have beensubmitted since 2008. Five ofthe approved licenses are heldby BPC. The other two areheld by Liberty Oil, but weresuspended because of thecompany’s failure to remove asunken vessel from an Abacoreef.

A US company called NPTOil has applied for sevenlicenses covering more thansix million acres north ofGrand Bahama. NPT’sBahamian data and assetswere recently acquired byPennine Petroleum Corpora-tion, an emerging oil and gasexploration and developmentcompany active in Albertaand Saskatchewan.

A Canadian geophysicistnamed Allan Spector hasapplied for an onshore licensenear Seymours on north Long

Island. And a partnershipbetween BPC and the Nor-wegian company Statoil hasapplied for three licenses cov-ering more than 2.3 millionacres near the Cay Sal bank.

DNA Montagu candidateBen Albury – who has led theparty’s campaign on this issue– says he is simply demandingtransparency and information.But he has also accused Envi-ronment Minister EarlDeveaux of gross malfea-sance, without any evidence,and has succeeded in makingthe issue more opaque, ratherthan clearer, for the averageBahamian.

“My main issue,” he toldme over the weekend, “is thedodging of the questions byDeveaux. If you listen to hiscomments, he makes it soundas if there is a moratorium onoil exploration, (but) BPC istelling the media that theyintend to drill in the comingmonths.”

Albury cites a Miami Her-ald article published lastOctober, in which Dr PaulGucwa, BPC’s chief operat-ing officer, refers to plans foran exploratory well by theend of this year. “TheBahamian government has amoratorium on granting newexploration licenses,” the Her-ald reported, “but... that couldchange following the coun-try’s May general elections.BPC has contacted 10 majorinternational oil companiesabout partnering in its oilexploration operations.”

A review of Deveaux’sstatements on this matter overmany months, if not years,shows an entirely consistentposition. He has repeatedlystated that the explorationfreeze will remain in effectuntil an updated regulatorysystem has been put in place.He has also said that the pre-sent government is commit-ted to the widest possible pub-lic consultation on the issueof oil production.

However, if you listen tothe talk shows, some Bahami-ans are already gearing up tostop work and collect their“black gold” dividendcheques, while others are wor-ried about secret backroomdeals in which the well-con-nected carve up the country'sseabed for their personal ben-efit.

Interestingly, there may besome truth to this. As men-tioned earlier, experts havebelieved for decades thatlarge quantities of oil and gaslie beneath the Bahamianseabed, and now that drillingtechnologies and marketprices have reached the pointwhere exploitation is not onlyfeasible but profitable, we canreasonably project a massiveinflux of petroleum revenuesin the near future.

But that is precisely whythe government is seeking tooverhaul our regulatory, leg-islative, environmental andfinancial regimes, in order tolay the groundwork for theorderly development of thisindustry (whether you like itor not). As Deveaux told meover the weekend: “Withoutdetailing all the issues inher-ent in something so material-ly significant, it is a clearresponsibility of the govern-ment to prepare the countryfor oil and its likely conse-quences.”

The DNA appears to be

confused because, underexisting Bahamian law,licensees are required to drillan exploratory well within acertain timeframe – which inBPC’s case is prior to April2013 – or risk forfeiting theirrights. The company says ithas completed the requiredenvironmental impact assess-ment for this test well and isalready working on a man-agement plan.

Meanwhile, EnvironmentMinistry officials have metwith their counterparts inNorway to discuss revisionsto the existing act and regula-tions, and consultants haveproduced working drafts forthe government to review,after which they will go to theattorney-general. Deveauxsays the proposed regulatorysystem will be included in hishand-over notes for the nextgovernment.

“Our visit to Norway inDecember was very usefuland the government hasagreed in principle to use thatcountry’s policies as a guide indeveloping a Bahamian petro-leum industry,” Deveaux said.

Norway began offshorepetroleum production in 1971and is now the world's seventhlargest oil exporter and sec-ond largest gas exporter, withsome 600 licenses awarded to avariety of companies. Norwe-gian officials have advised theBahamas to have all the essen-tial elements of oil and gasgovernance in place beforeany drilling begins. Theseinclude environmental, safety,tax, revenue, training andemployment policies; contin-gency plans; and insurancerequirements.

Norway’s national petrole-um policy seeks “to ensurelong term management of,and value-creation from, thecountry’s petroleumresources”. Oil and gas activ-ities are restricted to offshorewaters, and all subsearesources are vested in thestate, which is charged withmanaging them for the bene-fit of Norwegian society as awhole.

As we said, under the cur-rent Bahamian act, an explo-ration license includes anobligation to drill, and a bondmust be posted to that effectas a way of precluding specu-lators. Exploration licensesare awarded for an initialterm of three years, renew-able for two successive three-year periods, but the 2008moratorium meant thatBPC’s original license was puton hold and never technicallyrenewed.

Similarly, if BPC’s explo-ration is successful, currentlaw says it is “entitled” to arenewable 30-year lease tobegin commercial production.The royalty rate for produc-tion of oil and gas is based ona sliding scale of 12.5 to 25per cent (from which the leasefee is deducted), with no oth-er taxes or fees required.Equipment can also beimported duty-free.

On its website, BPC saysthat its license expires onApril 26, and it has appliedfor renewal. The companynotes that if it meets its oblig-ations, “the governor-generalshall renew the licences foranother three years providedthe company commits to drillan exploration well and(starts) the well before the

end of the first renewal year,ie, by April 26, 2013”.

So there is clearly some ten-sion between the positions ofthe government and BPC,which claims to have invested$50 million so far to explore.Appraisal drilling is projectedto cost several hundred mil-lion more, and obviously thecompany expects to benefitfrom this investment. But thepetroleum act was written 40years ago, and is silent onmany of the complex issuesthe Bahamas would face asan oil producer.

Meanwhile, the DNA hasrightly argued that oil drillingthreatens two of the country’sbiggest industries – tourismand fishing. “(We) demand toknow if Mr. Deveaux and theFNM government haveensured the protection ofBahamian interests,” BenAlbury says. Well, the shortanswer is that Deveaux hasrepeatedly talked of the needto train Bahamians to man-age a new regulatory envi-ronment.

“We have to come to thepublic with full information,”Deveaux told me. “We want astandard of management sim-ilar to that of Norway. Weneed a petroleum directoratethat is fully staffed with arange of expertise, includingfinancial. If oil is producedwe will be dealing with bil-lions of dollars, changing thewhole culture of the countryand the way the governmentdeals with money. It is nosmall thing.”

In Norway, for example,surplus oil revenue is deposit-ed in a $600 billion sovereignwealth fund so that the coun-try's non-renewable resourcescan benefit future genera-tions. The fund is managedby the central bank, underrules developed by the Min-istry of Finance, and isresponsible to parliament,with the interest used to cov-er government pension oblig-ations.

Consultants have alsoadvised the Bahamas toincrease royalties and adoptprofit sharing with oil compa-nies in order to compensatefor the absence of a corpo-rate income tax.

As noted earlier, BPC’slicenses were awarded by theChristie administration in2006, and signed by formerGovernor-General ArthurHanna in April, 2007. It isnoteworthy that PLP candi-date Jerome Gomez is thecompany’s resident manager,former PLP cabinet ministerSean McWeeney is its seniorcounsel, and PLP deputyleader Brave Davis’ law firmis the company’s onshorelegal advisor.

What is even more note-worthy is that the PLP has sofar ignored this importantpublic debate. The FNM’sposition is that “nothing canhappen until the governmentapproves and nothing willhappen until there is publicconsultation”. The DNA saysit will hold a national refer-endum on oil exploration andproduction. The PLP is heav-ily conflicted in this matterand has said nothing.

Did someone mentioncarve-up and cover-up?

• What do you think? Sendcomments to [email protected] or visitwww.bahamapundit.com.

LOCAL NEWS


Credit Suisse Trust Limitedis presently considering applications for an

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Applications should be submitted to:Human Resources Department

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or via fax: 356-8148

DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS IS: MARCH 26, 2012

Oil drilling in the Bahamas -the facts behind the scares

A MAP showing theboundary linebetween Cuban andBahamian waters.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS


By MICHAEL MISICK

MY FELLOW Turks andCaicos Islanders, I addressyou today March 19,2012,with a heavy heart as Ihave been left with no otherchoice than to seek politicalasylum in a third country oth-er than my beloved Turks andCaicos Islands.

My reason for doing so issimple because of the politicalpersecution that is takingplace to me and my family,former Cabinet Ministers andtheir families and a select fewdevelopers who supported meand my Progressive NationalParty during my tenure asPremier of the Turks andCaicos Islands.

I am convinced that thiswhole persecution is becauseof my views and firm plan tomove our country towardsIndependence. This plan goescounter to the British andtheir supporters in theTurksand Caicos Islands. That iswhy stories were fabricatedby the opposition, the Britishand their supporters in orderto call for a Commission ofInquiry.

It is unprecedented for aCommission of Inquiry to becomprised of a sole commis-sioner. It is my view that SirRobin Auld came to Turksand Caicos Islands with spe-cific instructions from the For-eign Office as to what the out-come of the Commission ofInquiry will be. In short, theoutcome was pre-determined.

To add insult to injury, theyhave bypassed the entire legalsystem by appointing a Spe-cial Prosecutor whose prima-

ry goal is to get rich of thebacks of Turks and CaicosIslands’ tax payers and tomake a name for herself.Helen Garlick has alreadycollected over $20 million ofTurks and Caicos Islands taxpayers’ money and is slatedto collect at least another $10million in 2012, at a timewhen the interim governmentis laying off hundreds of civilservants, cutting pensions andother benefits and increasingtaxes.

There is no way that I, orany of the persons that havebeen accused by Helen Gar-lick and her team, can get afair trial. The British Gov-ernment, aided by two gov-ernors, Gordon Wetherelland now Ric Todd, have abol-ished our fundamental rightto jury trial.

They have also suspendeddemocracy. The Governorand the prosecutor control theexecutive, the legislative andthe judiciary. They havechanged so many laws suchas the Proceeds of Crime Bill,laws pertaining to evidence,laws pertaining to hearsay allin an attempt to convict meand my colleagues.

If we have done somethingillegal why is there a need to

change so many laws in orderto secure a conviction? Whycould we not be tried underthe same system that thou-sands of people were triedunder over the years? Whydid they have to abolish ourParliament and the Execu-tive? Is it so that they, includ-ing the prosecutor, can changethe laws and the entire judi-cial system uninhibited with-out the normal checks andbalances that exist in ademocracy to ensure theirgoal which is the convictionof me and my colleagues?

If another country haddone this, the British wouldhave been outraged and theywould seek international sanc-tions against that country.This is double-standard andpolitical persecution of thehighest order. They havesought to politically persecuteus because we desire to live inan independent Turks andCaicos Islands, where the ruleof law applies to everyone;where the rules and laws can’tbe changed to get rid of a per-son or government becauseyou disagree with their polit-ical views and goals.

Finally, we can never get afair trial considering thechanges that were made and

the interference with the jus-tice system by the Governor,the Foreign and Common-wealth Office and the SpecialProsecutor Helen Garlick.

You have the situationwhere the Governor appointsthe prosecutor, she willchoose the judge and theGovernor appoints who shechooses. The Governor at apublic meeting has alreadyannounced that we are guilty,therefore the whole notion ofa trial is a show. We know,and all Turks and CaicosIslanders know, that the ver-dict has already been decidedby the Foreign and Common-wealth Office, the Governorthe prosecutor and the Judgesthat they have chosen.

All of the laws and rulesthat have been changed, weredone on the recommendationof the Special Prosecutor toensure a conviction. This is acomplete set-up for a mod-ern-day John Crow politicallynching. I will not be part ofthat. I have therefore soughtprotection from anothercountry in accordance withthe United Nations Conven-

tion on Human Rights andthe human rights laws of thatcountry, as it is my right todo and the right of any personthat is being politically perse-cuted.

Let be clear. I am not afugitive, and will never be afugitive. I have applied forpolitical asylum from anothercountry and I am merelyseeking protection from polit-ical persecution.

I will continue to bringchallenges to clear my nameand that of my governmentand colleagues. I dream toreturn to my homeland as anindependent, victorious,proud and free nation.

My Brothers and Sisters myprayers continue to be thatMay God of Jacob, Isaac andJohna protect us and deliverus out of the hands of thePhilistines and restore ourpride, human rights anddemocracy so we can resumebuilding a prosperous nationwith both political parties con-tinuing to make their contri-butions as we chart our owncourse and fulfill our God-given destiny.

MEXICO CITY Associated Press

A STRONG 7.4-magnitudeearthquake hit central andsouthern Mexico on Tuesday,damaging some 800 homesnear the epicenter and sway-ing tall buildings and spread-ing fear and panic hundredsof miles away in the capitalof Mexico City.

One of the strongest toshake Mexico since the dead-ly 1985 temblor that killedthousands in Mexico City,Tuesday’s earthquake hithardest in border area ofsouthern Oaxaca and Guer-rero states, where Guerreroofficial confirmed that some800 homes had been dam-aged.

Hours after the shaking atnoon local time (18:06 GMT),there were still no reports ofdeath or serious injury, evenafter a less powerful, magni-tude-5.1 aftershock was feltin the capital and several oth-er aftershocks near the epi-center in a mountainous ruralregion.

“It was very strong, verysubstantial,” said CamposBenitez, hospital director inOmetepec, about 15 miles (25kilometers) from the epicen-ter.

Guerrero Gov AngelAguirre, who is from Omete-pec, was headed there to sur-vey the damage and orderedemergency crews and civilprotection to the area to helpwith the damage. The statedid not say how many weredisplaced.

In Mexico City, frightenedworkers and residents pouredinto the streets of the capital.

Telephone service was downin the city and throughout thearea where the quake was feltand some neighborhoodswere without power, accord-ing to Mexico City MayorMarcelo Ebrard, who set up ahotline for people to reportdamage.

A pedestrian bridge col-

lapsed on an empty transitbus.

About 40 passengers werestranded for a short time onthe Mexico City airport airtrain, but later released. Theairport closed for a time butofficials said there was no run-way damage and theyresumed operations.

Samantha Rodriguez, a 37-year old environmental con-sultant, was evacuated fromthe 11th floor on the AngelTower office building.

“I thought it was going topass rapidly but the wallsbegan to thunder and wedecided to get out,” she said.

Mexico City, built on a

lakebed, was badly damagedin 1985 when an 8.0 earth-quake killed at least 10,000people.

In past years, Guerrero hassuffered several severe earth-quakes, including a 7.9 in 1957which killed an estimated 68people, and a 7.4 in 1995which left three dead.

TOULOUSE, France Associated Press

POLICE searched south-ern France on Tuesday for anexpert gunman suspected offatally shooting seven peoplein the head at close range inattacks that may have beenmotivated by neo-Nazi ties orgrudges against minorities.

The shooter is suspected ofcarrying out three deadly

attacks: leaving four peopledead on Monday at a Jewishschool in Toulouse, three ofthem young children; killingtwo French paratroopers andseriously wounding anotherlast Thursday in nearby Mon-tauban; and fatally shootinganother paratrooper inToulouse on March 11.

All the victims in the schoolattack were Jewish with duelFrench-Israeli citizenship, and

the paratroopers were ofNorth African or FrenchCaribbean origin. The shotswere fired at such close rangethat the gunfire burned theskin, prosecutor FrancoisMolins said Tuesday.

“We are confronted withan individual extremely deter-mined in his actions, an armedindividual who acts alwayswith the same modus operan-di,” he said, “in cold blood ...

with premeditated actions”.He added the crimes

appear to be premeditateddue to the killer’s “choices ofvictims and the choices of histargets” — the army, the for-eign origin of the victims ortheir religion.

The killer could “actagain”, he said.

Interior Minister ClaudeGueant described the suspectas “someone very cold, very

determined, very much a mas-ter of his movements, and byconsequence, very cruel”.

However, his suggestion thatthe attacker was wearing a cam-era around his neck that couldbe used to film and post videoonline was described by theprosecutor as “a hypothesis”.

On Tuesday night, theschool attack victims werebeing flown to Israel for bur-ial there.

PERU has canceled a portcall by a British navy frigate insolidarity with Argentina, cit-ing the country’s long-runningdispute with Britain over theFalkland Islands.

The frigate HMS Montrosehad been scheduled to visit anaval base in Lima’s El Callaoport starting Thursday.

Peruvian Foreign MinisterRafael Roncaglioloannounced on Monday thatthe visit had been canceled.

“This decision has beenadopted in the spirit of com-mitments to Latin Americansolidarity ... with respect tothe legitimate rights of theArgentine republic in the sov-ereignty dispute” over theislands, Roncagliolo told thestate-run Andina newsagency.

The decision came afterArgentine news media criti-cised Peru’s initial authorisa-tion of the frigate’s visitdespite tensions betweenArgentina and Britain aheadof the 30th anniversary oftheir brief war over theislands.

The British Embassy inLima said in a statement thatthe frigate had been “sched-uled to make a short visit toPeru as part of a routinedeployment to the region”.

“Ship visits are a sovereigndecision for states, but weregret that Peru has revokedits previous agreement to thisvisit,” the British Embassysaid in the statement Mondaynight. “The UK Governmentremains fully committed tothe Falkland islanders’ rightto self determination. Thisposition will not change.”

VENEZUELAN opposi-tion leader Henrique Caprilessaid Tuesday that he doubtsPresident Hugo Chavez’saccount of a possible plotagainst him, and isn't surewhether to view it as a warn-ing or a threat.

Chavez said on Mondaynight that his government hasreceived word of plans for anattack on Capriles, and thatthe government has offeredto help provide security.

“To tell you honestly, Idon’t know whether it’s awarning or a threat,” Caprilessaid in a televised speech tosupporters in Los Teques, atown located in the hills out-side Caracas.

Capriles will competeagainst Chavez in the coun-try’s Oct 7 presidential vote.He rejected the president’soffer of security help.

“It’s not about offeringsecurity to me. When one isgoverning, one has to offersecurity to all people,”Capriles said.

BACKED by a crushingtelevision ad advantage, MittRomney sought a strong Illi-nois primary victory Tuesdayto solidify his lead over RickSantorum in the battle for theRepublican presidential nom-ination. It was the latest-in astring of must-win contests forthe front-runner.

Romney held a secondadvantage as well, this one inthe competition for Illinoisdelegates to the party con-vention next summer. Santo-rum was ineligible for 10 ofthe 54 at stake after failing tofield a full slate.

About four in 10 voters inter-viewed as they left their pollingplaces said they were evangelicalor born again. That’s about halfthe percentage in last week’s pri-mary states of Alabama andMississippi, where Santorumwon narrowly. As in otherstates, the economy was thetop-rated issue and an ability todefeat President Barack Oba-ma mattered most to voters.

Neither Newt Gingrich norRon Paul campaigned exten-sively in Illinois, while Rom-ney and Santorum exchangedbarbs, Romney calling Santo-rum an “economic light-weight”, while Santorum firedback: “If Mitt Romney’s aneconomic heavyweight, we’rein trouble.”

A FIREFIGHTER leans against the roof of a damaged mini-bus while standing on the beam that fell from a bridge onto the bus during an earth-quake, in Mexico City, yesterday, collapsing at least 60 homes near the epicenter and a pedestrian bridge in the capital where people fled shak-ing office buildings. There were no passengers in the mini-bus and the driver suffered minor injuries, according to firefighters.

800 HOMES DAMAGED IN MEXICAN EARTHQUAKE

Turks and Caicosformer premiersays he will bidto clear name

YESTERDAY, The Tribune reported thatthe government of the Turks and CaicosIslands had obtained a warrant for thearrest of former premier Michael Misick

over alleged corruption. Today, wereport a statment received by

The Tribune from the former leader, inwhich he vows to clear his name.

FORMER Turks and Caicos premier Michael Misick.

FEARS IN FRANCE THAT SCHOOLYARD SHOOTER MAY KILL AGAIN

BRITISH FRIGATETURNED AWAYBY PERU OVER

FALKLANDS

RIVAL DOUBTSCHAVEZ CLAIM

OF PLOT

ROMNEY ANDSANTORUM SLUG IT OUT

LOCAL NEWS


McKINNEY, BANCROFT & HUGHES________________________________________________________

A N N O U N C E M E N TThe Partners of the law firm ofMcKinney, Bancroft & Hughes,Mareva House, 4 George Street,Nassau, The Bahamas are pleasedto announce thatNICOLE SUTHERLAND-KINGhas joined the partnershipwith effect from 1st January, 2012.

_________________________________________________________

Mrs. Nicole Sutherland-King joined the joined the firm as anAssociate in 2001 and was made a Senior Associate in 2010. Herareas of expertise are Commercial and Civil Litigation, Trust,Banking and Finance and Insurance and she regularly appearsbefore the courts.

________________________________________________________

Mrs.Sutherland-KingholdsaBachelorofLawsdegreewithhonoursfrom the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados andwas awarded the Council of Legal Education’s Certificate of Meritby the Eugene Dupuch Law School, Nassau, Bahamas in 2001.Mrs. Sutherland-King is a member of the Bahamas Bar and is anAssociate Tutor at the Eugene Dupuch Law School.

________________________________________________________

The Partners, Associates and Staff of McKinney, Bancroft &Hughes join in congratulating her on this achievement.

or financial assistance to thosebusiness establishmentsadversely impacted by theworks,” Mr Ingraham said.

Ministry of Financeemployees will visit the busi-nesses throughout New Prov-idence on roads where majorroadwork is being done andtheir connecting side streets,to hand out the surveys.

Mr Ingraham said the sur-veying is expected to last twoweeks.

The business owners thenhave one week to completethe surveys, and gather sup-porting documents, before theMinistry collects them.

In the weeks to follow, MrIngraham said the informa-tion will be analysed and deci-sions made on the assistanceto be given.

Two weeks ago, Mr Ingra-ham told parliamentariansthat an independent reviewwould be conducted into the

government's administrationof the New Providence Infra-structure Improvement Pro-ject (NPIIP) which hedescribed as having been"vexing and torturous" to dri-vers.

"There is no doubt that theNew Providence Infrastruc-ture Improvement Project is amajor investment of enor-mous benefit to the people ofNew Providence."

"Apart from LPIA, it is thelargest capital project under-taken by the government. It ismy view, however, that it hasbeen vexing and torturous,and so I have determined thatit would be appropriate tohave an independent reviewof Government's administra-tion of the project. The reportwill be made public so thatappropriate lessons may belearnt from the experience,and inform public policy inthe future," Mr Ingrahamsaid.


GOVT TO PAY BACKROAD PROJECT LOSSES

PRIME MINISTER Hubert Ingraham with Carmichael candidate Darron Cash at the opening of the Carmichael constituency office last night. Photos: Felipé Major/Tribune Staff

PRIME MINISTER Hubert Ingraham in Carmichael last night.

THE CROWD cheers at the opening of the constituency office in Carmichael last night.

FROM TOP, Prime MinisterHubert Ingraham, a member ofthe crowd cheering and candi-date Darron Cash.

see sport section for report and pictures govt to pay...

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