Shop at Standard ServiCeS where you

can get 20% off Houseware, linen,

lamps and draperies.and much, much more

Shirley & Church Street Phone: 322-4635

STANDARDSERVICES

SUPPLIES LTD.

DEAN & ASSOCIATES PROFESSIONALINSURANCE AGENTS & BROKERS

“Meeting Your Needs Efficiently and Professionally”

BUILDINGS (COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL)LIFE - GROUP - MEDICAL -

ANNUITIES - LIABILITY - MARINE - HOMEOWNERS - AUTO

Tel: (242)-356-0986 Fax: (242)-356-0987Deal’s Plaza, Mackey Street

P.O. Box CB-13952 Nassau, Bahamas8:30am - 4:30pm

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. 154 75 CENTSTUESDAY - OCTOBER 8TH, 2019

Ash Accusedof Dishonesty

nother day ofc o n t r a c t o rJonathon Ashbeing accused of

dishonesty by telling thecourt that the $250,000 inbribes he paid to DeborahBastian was for formerCabinet Minister ShaneGibson.Citing Ash’s police

statement in court, leaddefense attorney KeithKnight, QC, read,“Bastian said she needed$250,000 and I told hershe got to be joking. “I picked up my phone

to call my daddy and shesaid I can’t pick up myphone in here.” When asked in court if

in his second statement heever said “Bastian saidshe needed $250,000 forGibson,” Ash said “yes incontext, but not in those

BY BERTHONY MCDERMOTTJournal Staff Writer

A

g See page 8...

$318 Million EnErgy EfficiEnt U.S. EMbaSSy

4 Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis joined U.S. Embassy Charge d’Affaires Stephanie Bowers and other officials yesterday atthe groundbreaking ceremony for the new $318 million United States Embassy. (Photo/Rayvon Morrison)

Man Charged withThree Counts of Murder

he groundbreakingceremony for thenew $318 million

United States Embassywas held yesterday andthe energy efficient facili-ty is expected to be com-pleted in 2023.Attending the ceremo-

ny was Prime MinisterDr. Hubert Minnis whosaid the new facility willreside on a five acre siteand serve as a symbol ofthe long standing rela-tionship between TheBahamas and the UnitedStates.The five-acre site is

located on the corner ofEast Street North andShirley Street. A portionof the site was the office

BY DEANDRE WILLIAMSONJournal Staff Writer

g See page 4...

T

Eduardo Carey, 40, wascharged in theMagistrate’s Court onMonday with three countsof murder and threecounts of attempted mur-der in four separate shoot-ings.In handcuffs and

shackles, Carey turned tothe crowd standing out-side court and said, “Iain’t charge for that.”The crowd was made

of up his alleged victim’s

BY EARYEL BOWLEG Journal Staff Writer

g See page 8...

ManStabbedto DeathPolice are investigating astabbing incident whichleft a man dead onSunday. According to police,

shortly after 9 p.m., a manwas on East Street in thevicinity of BahamaAvenue, when he got intoan altercation with twoother men, who stabbedhim about the body,before getting into a pinkNissan March and speed-ing away.

g See page 2...

Police to Strictly EnforceNew Traffic Regulations

The new traffic regula-tions became effectiveyesterday and ChiefSuperintendent CraigStubbs warned motoriststhat police will strictlyenforce those regulations,which made it illegal touse cell phones whiledriving.Stubbs told The

Bahama Journal that therewere no major concernswith motorists yesterdayconcerning the new regu-lations and it will takepolice about a week tomake their assessments. In addition to the ban

of cell phone use while

driving, the new trafficregulations also prohibithaving open bottle con-tainers in vehicles, allowleft turns on red lights andenforce the proper use ofthe yellow junction box.Stubbs said the new

regulations would assistgreatly with road safety.“It would look at cut-

ting down a lot of theminor accidents. Or,sometimes there’s a fatalaccident all because per-sons just engage in cellphone use. So that aspectof the law and the openbottle container, as itrelates to the alcoholicbeverage, we look at

BY DEANDRE WILLIAMSONJournal Staff Writer

g See page 4...

4 Forty-year-old Eduardo Carey was charged in theMagistrate’s Court yesterday with three counts of murder.

(Photo/Rayvon Morrison)

Section A REGULAR_Section A Tues 10/7/2019 11:36 PM Page 1

A2 NationalNEWSThe Bahama Journal

Tuesday - October 8th, 2019

Gov’t Still Monitoring Oil Spill at EquinorThe Government contin-ues to monitor the oil spillat Equinor, South RidingPoint Oil storage facilityon Grand Bahama. TheNational Oil SpillContingency AdvisoryCommittee, consisting ofa cross-section of industrystakeholders, has beenappointed to address theissue. To date, the com-mittee has met on severaloccasions and key personshave visited the oil spillsite to assess the scope ofthe spill.Following the most

recent site visit, it wasrevealed that the oil spillmade incursions of thefacility’s berm and spreadinland up to seven milesinto coppice environmentsnorth of the facility. It wasalso determined that whatmay have been initiallyreported as an oil slick inthe ocean was actuallyseaweed. It was also con-firmed that there was no

immediate threat tohuman health and safety,however, a wildlife planhas been submitted forreview by the Ministry ofAgriculture and MarineResources in concert withthe BEST Commission.An assessment con-

ducted by the Departmentof Environmental Healthhas confirmed that theproduct that was spill wasDopa crude oil. TheEquinor facility has a stor-age capacity for 6.5 mil-lion barrels of oil. Duringthe passage of hurricaneDorian last month, 1.8million gallons were con-tained at the facility. Ofthe 10 crude oil tankspresent at the facility,three of them containedproduct. The productcame from the top oftanks #6 and #10. Expertssuspect tornadic activitypropelled the oil spill in anortherly direction, whichpose no real threat to the

marine environment.Equinor’s initial

response to the spillincluded: deployment ofcontainment and person-nel via helo; acquisition ofoil spill resources from

Louisiana (USA); assess-ment of storage terminaldamage; investigation todetermine the integrity ofoil storage tanks; oilremoval with the facility’sberm; aerial reconnais-

sance to determine thescope of pollution anddevelopment of an oilresponse strategy and tac-tics ahead of arrival ofcontainment and remedialresources from Louisiana

including equipment andsupplies.The Committee has

planned another site visitto Grand Bahama thisweek to further its assess-ments.

4 Gov't has created the National Oil Spill Contingency Advisory Committee (NOSCAC), a small action team,to work with the response manager to mount appropriate responses to oil spill incidents, which falls underthe purview of the Ministry of Transport and Local Government. The committee is chaired by Permanent

Secretary at the Ministry of Transport and Local Government Antoinette Thompson. (BIS/Raymond Bethel)

SiMonE fitzcharlES Sworn in aS VicE PrESidEnt of thE indUStrial tribUnal

4 Simone Fitzcharles was sworn in as vice president of the Bahamas Industrial Tribunal by Governor GeneralHis Excellency the Most Hon. Cornelius A. Smith during a swearing in ceremony at Government House onOctober 7, 2019. Also present at the ceremony were Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Carl

Bethel and President of the Bahamas Industrial Tribunal Indira Francis. (BiS Photo/Letisha Henderson)

The victim was pro-nounced dead on thescene.Investigations are

ongoing.In other crime news,

police are investigatinga shooting incidentwhich occurred onSunday and left a manwith non-life threaten-ing injuries. According to police,

shortly before 8 a.m. aman was standing out-side a home on MarketStreet and Millers Closewhen he heard thesounds of gunshots andrealized that he had beenshot. He was transported to

hospital, where he wastreated and discharged. Investigations are

ongoing.

Man Stabbedto Death

gg Continued from / PAGE 1...

Section A REGULAR_Section A Tues 10/7/2019 11:36 PM Page 2

A3The Bahama Journal

Tuesday - October 8th, 2019NationalNEWS

NEMA’s ‘Operation Relief’ Goes toSweeting’s Cay and East End, GB

The National EmergencyManagement Agency’s(NEMA) Operation Reliefmade its way to the peace-ful settlements in EastEnd and was received byresidents with gratefulhearts and opened arms.Recently, the team, led

by Senator Kay Forbes-Smith NEMA’s GrandBahama Coordinator,loaded up a box truck ofhurricane relief suppliesand with a convoy of vol-unteers, headed to thecommunities of GrandBahama that were thehardest hit by HurricaneDorian when it blewthrough the island onSeptember 1, 2019.The trip to the East was

more of a reconnaissancemission as much as it wasa mission of supplyingneeded relief items.Sweeting’s Cay was the

destination, but obviousneeds in communitiesalong the way diverted theroute, as Senator Forbes-Smith; Grand BahamaChristian CouncilPresident, RobertLockhart; IslandAdministrators andNEMA volunteersstopped to deliver cases ofwater, canned goods,hygiene products, drygoods and words ofencouragement to resi-dents in other communi-ties.“The purpose of the trip

was to really get a view ofwhere we are as it relates

to our efforts in EastGrand Bahama,” saidSenator Forbes-Smith.“East Grand Bahama wasseverely impacted byHurricane Dorian and weneed to really check on adaily basis on how we areprogressing in East GrandBahama, because it is anarea that has been devas-tated so much.”The trip to East Grand

Bahama was carried outby all of NEMA supportservices working on postDorian efforts. BerthaMcPhee led the team fromthe Department ofEnvironmental Health,along with theCommander of theDefence Force, SpecialForces from the Trinidadpolice force and localNEMA volunteers.At each stop, where

care packages were deliv-ered to residents, SenatorSmith, Pastor RobertLockhart, East EndAdministrators andNEMA volunteers lis-tened as home owners andeven children expoundedthe horrors they faced inriding out HurricaneDorian in East GrandBahama.“We wanted to talk to

residents in McLean’sTown, in High Rock, inPelican Point and onSweeting’s Cay aboutwhat their needs are andwhere they are followingHurricane Dorian,” saidSenator Forbes-Smith.

Words of comfort andencouragement wereoffered, as PastorLockhart told home own-ers to continue to staystrong and to believe inthe fact that things will getbetter.As the team moved fur-

ther and further east, thedevastation got moresevere. In High Rock,only the frames of homesremained. The govern-ment complex (whichhoused a police station,National Insurance Boardand a small post office)was obliterated. The HighRock clinic across thestreet was flattened, withthe four walls of the smallbuilding lying in four dif-ferent directions, as ifsomeone had intentionalpulled the building apartto see what was inside.By the time the convoyreached McLean’s Towndevastation and the ideaof losing everything tookon new meaning. Theonce thriving, robust,active community, whereGrand Bahamians wouldgather by the dock await-ing a boat to get to Abacoor Sweeting’s Cay liedeserted. Homes that had beenabandoned by its occu-pants during the height ofthe storm, sat shattered,some had roofs caved in,some had walls blown outand some were only con-crete foundations, theonly indication that a

house at one point stoodthere.The remnants of toys,clothing, yard equipment,house appliances andother personal items werestrewn over yards wherehouses had beendestroyed. However, the destructioncaused by HurricaneDorian would also showup in the nearby sea, dur-ing the boat ride fromMcLean’s Town toSweeting’s Cay, wherecars littered the water nearthe dock. It was unclearhow so many cars ended

up in the sea surroundingMcLean’s Town, but spec-ulations suggested that thehigh tide that had movedon land, receded, pullingcars with it into the sea.Sweeting’s Cay wouldsuffer the same fate asMcLean’s Town. Not onehome or building on thesmall cay escapedHurricane Dorian’s wrath.Some were more damagedthan others, but all werebasically uninhabitable.Yet the people onSweeting’s Cay insistedon staying, not wanting toleave what they had

worked so hard to accu-mulate, in spite of the factthat it was all lying in rub-ble. On the surface, one look-ing from the outside in,would have found it diffi-cult to believe thatSweeting’s Cay residentshad gone through a majorhurricane and that theyhad lost all that they hadto that storm, becausethey greeted the convoy ofNEMA volunteers withwelcoming smiles, hugsand genuine appreciation.

4 A well-known resident and business owner from High Rock, affectionately known as“Bishop,” points out the severe damage that was done to his restaurant and villas in HighRock as a result of Category 5 Hurricane Dorian. At right is NEMA Coordinator (GB) Senator

Kay Forbes-Smith. (BIS photos by Lisa Davis)

g See page 7...

Section A REGULAR_Section A Tues 10/7/2019 11:36 PM Page 3

A4 The Bahama Journal

Tuesday - October 8th, 2019 NationalNEWS

GOT NEWS?call The Journal

TIP LINE at 356-7254

UTEB Calls UB Backto Bargaining TableThe Union of TertiaryEducators of TheBahamas (UTEB) hasbeen without a bargainingagreement for almostthree years and is nowcalling on the Universityof The Bahamas (UB) toreturn to the bargainingtable with them.UTEB President Daniel

Thompson said yesterdaythat UTEB has been out ofan industrial agreementsince 2017 and while hesaid he is empathetic to allthat the country has beengoing through since thepassing of HurricaneDorian, it’s the best timeto return to bargaining asGrand Bahama and Abacoresidents also stand tobenefit from an agreementbeing reached.Mr. Thompson also

noted that some of thoseresidents have had to takeon more responsibility asthey attempt to rebuildUB's North Campus."The Union of Tertiary

Educators of TheBahamas in the aftermathof Dorian understand andsympathize with what hashappened in our country,”

Mr. Thompson said."Critical among what’s

happening in our societyis that the cost of livinghas even gone up higherfor many of us, not with-standing Dorian."In fact, our insurances,

our major health insur-ance plan has increasedby several hundred dollarsfor every faculty and infact staff at the university.So, starting Septembermany of our members willbe taking home $200 to$300, in some cases $400less in salaries." Mr. Thompson said

these are the realities thatunion members are facingand as a result of Dorian,a greater burden has beenplaced upon these mem-bers as faculty has had totake on additional stu-dents in their classesbeyond the expected levelsince the passing of thestorm.Mr. Thompson further

stated that despite UBPresident Dr. RodneySmith expressing his will-ingness to resume thenegotiations, there hasbeen no date set."We have given him

time because we know themyriad of activitiesinvolved in the aftermath

of Dorian, but we wouldencourage him andencourage the universityto let's get back to thenegotiation table,” Mr.Thompson said."So, we are hoping that

the university, through itspresident and chief execu-tive officer will find thetime to sit with us at thetable."And, we are reason-

able you know. We areBahamians and we'renation builders. We arenationalists, but we alsoneed to be able to survive."We need to be able to

feed our families. Weneed to be able to get towork. We need to be ableto pay our schools feesand our utility bills." Mr. Thompson said

critical to negotiation isunderstanding the differ-ences between the univer-sity’s Academic Senateand the union, which hesaid discussions need tobe had to separate the roleof the university Senate tothat of the union.Prior to negotiations

being put on hold, theunion and the universitywere discussing its remu-neration package andsome lump sum owed.

BY LICEC BASTIANJournal Staff Writer

$318 Million EnErgyEfficiEnt U.S. EMbaSSy

of The Bahama Journaland JonesC o m m u n i c a t i o n sNetwork. At the peak of con-

struction, the prime minis-ter said 160 Bahamianswill be employed to assistin building the state-of-the-art facility.While highlighting the

features of the newembassy, Dr. Minnisnoted that there may be a50 percent energy costsavings from a variety ofenergy efficient strategies,which includes the use ofLED lighting, solar-ther-mal hot water and photo-voltaic panels. “Other sustainable fea-

tures include low-waterflush and flow fixturesand a wastewater treat-ment system to treatwastewater onsite, whichwill also provide 100 per-cent of landscaping irriga-tion,” Dr. Minnis said.

“I am pleased thatBahamian art will beprominently featured inthe new embassy. Thepermanent art collectionwill showcase works fromAmerican and Bahamianartists in various media,including painting, pho-tography, textiles andsculpture.”While the U.S. is The

Bahamas’ major tradingpartner and close ally,with deep security ties, Dr.Minnis pointed out thatU.S. response toHurricane Dorian is evi-dence that the country is atrue friend to TheBahamas.“During our time of

need, the United Statesprovided critical assis-tance, saving livesthrough the prompt inter-vention of the U.S. CoastGuard, USAID and otherfederal, state and localgovernment agencies. Theassistance is ongoing,” Dr.Minnis said.

“We thank PresidentTrump, the respondingagencies, the U.S.Embassy in Nassau andthe American people, forall you have done to helpus.”According to the prime

minister, new embassy ispart of the wider redevel-opment and revitalizationof Nassau into a vibrant,modern city.“Just down the street,

the new Central Bank withits Sand Dollar design willbe constructed on the oldRoyal Victoria grounds,”Dr. Minnis said.“The old Central Bank

will be repurposed as amuseum.“Just above the Old

Royal Victoria site, theformer main post officebuilding will be demol-ished to make way for anew Supreme Court com-plex. “The Pointe, next to the

gg Continued from / PAGE 1...

g See page 8...

Section A REGULAR_Section A Tues 10/7/2019 11:36 PM Page 4