Category Archives: Bahamas

The Bahamas' Steven Gardiner (right) comes in second to South Africa's Wayde Van Niekerk (left) in the men's 400m final at the IAAF World Championships in London. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

LONDON, England: In his greatest defining moment, Steven Gardiner, too fatigued to take his well deserved victory lap, became the 16th IAAF World Championship silver medalist in the men's 400 metres.

Two days after he broke the national record with 43.89 seconds on Sunday night in the semifinals, Gardiner became the second Bahamian male to medal at the biannual championships and the first member of the 24-member team here to get on the podium in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Stadium.

His time of 44.41 seconds secured the silver as he couldn't catch South African Wayde van Niekerk, who successfully defended his title in a winning time of 43.98. Surprisingly Qatars Abdalelah Harqoun got the bronze in 44.48. In the process, Gardiner joins Avard Moncur, the only other Bahamian to medal in the men's 400m when he snatched the gold in 2001 in Edmonton, Canada.

"I felt pretty good about my performance," said Gardiner, who had to skip his victory lap to receive medical attention. "I came into the final with some dead legs from the semifinal, but overall, I held it together, brought it home and got second, a silver medal.

"I thank God for finishing healthy and strong."

While Gardiner had to seek some medical help fromteam doctor Keir Miller and physiotherapist Eugenia Patton in the medical centre after the race, he was greeted by Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Michael Pintard; Director of Sports Timothy Munnings, IAAF Councilwoman Pauine Davis-Thompson and team officials, including co-manager Maybeline Miller, head coach Dianne Woodside-Johnson and relay coordinator Rupert Gardiner.

21-year-old Gardiner, who hails from Abaco, said he will get a good nights sleep before receiving his medal on Wednesday night just before he cheers on Shaunae Miller-Uibo in the women's 400m final at 4:50 pm EST. He earned a hefty pay cheque of $40,000 for his efforts on Tuesday.

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UPDATED: Gardiner wins silver for the Bahamas | The Tribune - Bahamas Tribune

THE Marsh Harbour International Airport, renamed the Leonard M. Thompson International Airport in 2014, is a national disgrace. Redeveloped at a cost of over $30m, its completion faced delay after delay. It was plagued by design flaws and cost overruns, though portions of it were ahead of their time. While critics pointed out vast unused spaces that would have to be air-conditioned and maintained, proponents of the design said it was built to satisfy future needs. So what if it were larger than it needed to be now, they said, when other airports were outgrowing their space, Marsh Harbour would just be growing into its.

The design is just one facet of a much greater problem.

The Leonard M Thompson airport, the third busiest in The Bahamas, is so dirty and so poorly maintained that if the hero it was named after could see it, he would turn over in his grave, push up the dirt and call for a re-naming until it was cleaned up.

Here, on a recent weekend, is what Tribune sources reported. Some of the report was accompanied by photographs.

The main departure lounge for both international and domestic flights was filthy. Candy wrappers, food, empty cups, chips, used snack packaging was on the seats and the floor. There were so many wrappers and pieces of trash it would be difficult to believe the area had been cleaned even once on that particular day. Three or four large black trash bags filled to the brim sat tied near an exit door in plain view, waiting for someone to cart them away. There was an attractive 700 Wines & Spirits display but apparently it had not opened yet so anyone wanting to buy spirits to take home had to do so from the store on the other side of security clearance and the gentleman working in the store would walk the goods through and hand them to the individuals who, despite not being able to carry more than 3.4 ounces of shampoo or toothpaste, could then hand-carry the rum or Kalik on the plane.

As for all the Bahamian stores that the airport pretended it would have, there was little more than promise offered. Yes, there was a shop that had a small selection of souvenirs, including Abaco Neem, the true pride of Abaco industry, along with Abaco ceramics. But most of the goods were the usual -- water, soda, snack food and t-shirts. Hardly a shopping mecca.

For the most part, the airport was eerily empty of enterprise. A few workers lounged in chairs in the ticketing area, their position best described as sprawling.

Two airport employees, one male, the other female, sat at the bar drinking. Though probably finished for the day and off-duty, they were still wearing their reflective sleeveless vests, a sight that could have been disconcerting for the average traveller unaccustomed to seeing airport staff possibly in charge of their safety sucking back beer and liquor.

The very competent gentleman behind the restaurant counter who handled money and food with equal opportunity sans gloves also had control of the TV. On one screen was a reasonable show, on the other, still photos which he changed from time to time of scantily clad seductive females, one that stayed on for a long time with stockings, garter belt and little more -- you get the picture.

But the worst offence was the mens room.

One urinal was covered with a black garbage bag, obviously out of order. The other was so backed up that had someone used it, the splash-back would have sent him reeling. In the toilet compartment, water seeped onto the floor. The soap dispenser was empty and paper towel dispenser, designed to be hands-free, was loaded incorrectly and had to be cajoled into giving forth its gift of paper.

There was even trash in the alcove with the draping, photo and dedication to Leonard Thompson, a son of the Abaco soil who flew 25 combat missions in World War II until his bomber was shot down and he was captured by Germans in 1944, later released by Russians and went on to become one of the first aviation pioneers in The Bahamas.

Poor, dirty conditions at the airport were in contrast to so much of the islands of the Abacos from Treasure Cay to Green Turtle Cay to Hope Town on Elbow Cay where roads were beautifully maintained and you could drive for miles without seeing evidence of littering except near the Green Turtle Cay dump which is another issue for another day.

Abacos main airport is critical to the success of the Family Island in the northern Bahamas that has provided so much satisfaction to so many visitors, many of whom return year after year. There is no excuse good enough to explain away the bad condition of this newly renovated facility. A design audit is in order starting with the exterior where the drop-off area is too narrow. If a taxi unloading passengers and luggage fails to pull up as close as possible to the curb, a second vehicle cannot pass. The second floor where a new airport lounge has just opened is undergoing a re-design process, including the possibility of adding restrooms. But why were plans approved without restrooms on an entire floor of the airport in the first place?

In February, the government signed a technical assistance agreement with Vantage, the Vancouver-based company that manages Lynden Pindling International Airport under the NAD umbrella. Perhaps the new Member of Parliament for the Abacos, the Hon Darren Henfield, another proud son of the Abaco soil, can address how Vantage or NAD can assist in cleaning up what is now a national disgrace and an international embarrassment. After all, Mr. Henfield is also the Minister of Foreign Affairs and while the condition of a mens room is not high on the list of foreign affairs issues, it can shape public opinion and flush business we pay millions to attract right down the toilet.

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Editorial: Which International Airport In The Bahamas Is A National Disgrace? - Bahamas Tribune

Former teen idol Nick Jonas will make waves in the Bahamas this fall when he performs aboard two ships as part of Carnival Cruise Line's LIVE Concert Series, which has featured a string of top pop artists in the past three years.

Jonas, a multiplatinum and Grammy-nominated recording artist and songwriter, will perform aboard Carnival Liberty on Nov. 17 and Carnival Victory on Nov. 18 while the ships are docked in Nassau, capital of the Bahamas.

The Liberty sailing is three days round-trip from Cape Canaveral, Fla., to Nassau, with prices starting at $309 per person, double occupancy. The Victory sailing is also three days round-trip from Miami to Nassau, with prices starting at $269 per person, double occupancy.

The performances will be held in the ships' main show lounges, with tickets priced at $75 for general admission and $250 for VIP tickets, which include up-front seating and a photo op with Jonas.

Jonas began his career as a member of the boy band the Jonas Brothers and has appeared on such television shows as Smash.

He released his self-titled debut album in 2014, with the hits Jealous and Chains. His second album, Last Year Was Complicated, was released in 2016 and featured the platinum hit Close with Tove Lo.

He will appear in the film Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, which is set to be released in December.

Among the artists who have participated in Carnival's LIVE series are LeAnn Rimes, Lionel Richie, REO Speedwagon, Chicago, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood and Lady Antebellum.

Carnival also has announced that comedian Chris Tucker, best known for his role in the Rush Hour films, will appear as part of the series on Sept. 17.

Tucker will appear on the Carnival Breeze stage in Nassau as part of a seven-day, round-trip voyage from Galveston, Texas, to Key West, Fla., Freeport, Bahamas and Nassau.

Tickets for the Tucker show are $30 general admission and $100 for VIP seats.

Info: Carnival Cruise Line, (800) 764-7419, or contact a travel agent

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Nick Jonas to perform shipboard concerts in the Bahamas on ... - Los Angeles Times

A maritime attorney with a leading law firm says The Bahamas is only steps away from regaining its position as one of the worlds most respected and sought after shipping registries.

Syneisha Bootle, maritime specialist with Callenders & Co., the countrys oldest law firm with a century-old history with shipping, said to achieve this goal the Bahamas must update maritime legislation including a half century old insurance act and enact new legislation with strict enforcement provisions.

We have the talent, we have the resources to put The Bahamas back on the map in maritime law, said Bootle, who holds an advanced degree in maritime law.

However, we must enact legislation enabling us to act on the many conventions and treaties we have signed. Without enforcement legislation, the signatures on the treaties are merely well-intentioned promises.

In the 1990s, The Bahamas enjoyed the position of being the fastest growing ship registry in the world and at one time was the third largest, boasting of high standards that would distinguish it from being a flag of convenience.

Bootle is worried the country has fallen to seventh place in an era when opportunities are greater than they have ever been.

It is gratifying to know that companies like Chevron, Exxon International, Maersk Line, Cunard Lines, Texaco, Holland-America Cruises, Finnlines, Teekay Shipping, Lauritzen Reefers, Smit International, the East Asiatic Company and MSC are listed on the official Bahamas Maritime Authority register and have chosen to fly the Bahamian flag. However, with the record number of new cruise ships under commission and the growth being experienced by the shipping industry as a whole, we must ask ourselves why we are sliding instead of climbing relative to other registries, said Bootle.

We have the capacity. We have the infrastructure with a well-equipped and provisioned maritime authority with offices in London, Hong Kong, Greece and New York with an agency office in Tokyo. We have the political stability, the strong and stable banking and financial sector requirements. We simply need to update and modernize our maritime legislation and to take a stricter stand on enforcement which requires legislation so that the treaties we have signed become law.

Bootles dissertation focused on the modernization of the Marine Insurance Act. The Marine Insurance Act that is more than 50 years old, she noted, and was modeled after the 1908 United Kingdom act. Today, that Act is in urgent need of updating, says Bootle. Along with the Marine Insurance Act, there are several pieces of legislation that need updating or must be created if we are going to be competitive in the ship registry space.

She commends the government for recognizing the value of yacht registration and enacting legislation to introduce the separate registry in 2011.

Now, she says, it is time to re-focus on the registry for commercial vessels, re-affirming the high standards it represented when the Bahamas Maritime Authority was launched in 1995.

According to the governments reports, The Bahamas has more than some 1500 ships on its registry. Panama, the worlds largest registry, reports 8,200 ships accounting for 23% of all vessels, though its requirements to register including the age of the ship are less stringent than those of The Bahamas.

We never wanted to be a flag of convenience and I am pleased that, in principle, we are maintaining that standard. But without signing on to treaties like the London Convention that sets strict penalties for dumping at sea and without updating our maritime legislation to support the treaties we have signed on to, I fear our reputation will be at stake. We want this country to grow and play a prominent role in an arena that is profitable, productive and invites many opportunities for people and companies that service the ships we register. These are relatively easy fixes and we should act on them without delay.

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Bahamas Can Regain Shipping Registry Prominence - Bahamas Tribune

Last week, Moberly Area Community College women's head basketball coach Chad Killinger signed Paula Greene, a 6-2 forward, from Bishop Michael Eldon High School in Freeport, Bahamas. Greene, who was named the 2017 Player of the Year in the Bahamas, averaged 15 points, nine rebounds, and over two blocks per game this past season. "Paula is still a little raw, but she has tremendous potential," said Greyhound women's coach Killinger. "She reminds me a little of Anisha (George) and how she was when she first joined our program. There is obviously an adjustment period anytime you add freshmen, and sometimes that adjustment period takes a little longer for international players, but having Anisha to learn from will definitely benefit her." Killinger said he has finalized MACC's 2017-2018 roster and he plans to announce the program's final additions later this week.

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MACC women sign POY from the Bahamas - Columbia Daily Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister of Finance K Peter Turnquest yesterday pledged the governments planned $166m rescue for Bank of The Bahamas will be fully debated in Parliament.

Mr Turnquest acknowledged that a second bail out for the beleaguered bank tests the patience and confidence of the public, but ultimately defended the move as the governments duty to act in the best interest of its shareholders and the industry.

We intend to go to Parliament to have the rescue fully debated which should have been done with the prior deal, he told The Tribune in an interview yesterday.

He also committed himself to disclosing the details surrounding the first Bahamas Resolve transaction, telling The Tribune to the extent that we can, I will.

We fully appreciate that the publics patience and confidence has been tested with this second effort, Mr Turnquest said, but we believe that the bank, operated without political interference and free of a book of bad loans that should have been addressed years ago, will pay off in the medium term.

The government of The Bahamas as the majority shareholder has an obligation to its depositors and minority shareholders to act in their best interest as well as the industry. We are confident that the action taken to secure the banks path to profitability and return of shareholder value is the best option available.

He continued: We are likewise confident in the newly elected board of directors and their plan to restructure and strengthen the banks governance and market position.

Resolve is a state-owned and controlled company that was established in October 2014 to assume liability for $100m of BOBs non-performing commercial loans.

The bail out came under scrutiny on the general election campaign trail earlier this year after former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham questioned how the deal was authorised without the approval of Parliament.

In early February, then Prime Minister Perry Christie said his administration would soon make a full disclosure on the current affairs of BOB and Resolve Bahamas. However, no such disclosure was made.

According to Tribune Business, the new bail out is essentially a repeat of the first Bahamas Resolve transaction, although the sums involved are much higher.

The latest rescue will remove some $166m worth of toxic commercial loans from BOBs balance sheet and transfer them to the Bahamas Resolve special purpose vehicle (SPV).

The loans, which are to be paid for at gross book value, will be exchanged for promissory notes (government IOUs or bonds) that will be provided by Bahamas Resolve.

While in opposition, the Free National Movement was critical of the Christie administrations actions relating to BOB and Resolve Bahamas.

In January 2015, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, leader of the Official Opposition at the time, led about 100 supporters on a march to BOBs Shirley Street location.

We have assembled here at the peoples bank to declare with one loud voice that enough is enough, Dr Minnis said on the steps of the bank at the time. The government must act and they must act now. The use of government voting power to prop up failed leadership in the bank is unacceptable, when the Bahamian taxpayers have been made to swallow a $100m increase in the public debt load in order to prop up the same bank.

The banks present leadership must go and they must go now.

At the time, Dr Minnis also called on the government to cause for an immediate forensic audit to be conducted of all decisions made by senior management which contributed to the potential collapse of the bank, the need for intense Central Bank intervention and ultimately the need for a government bail out.

Shortly after winning the May 10 general election, the government announced BOB, among other institutions, would undergo a forensic audit.

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Bank Of The Bahamas Bailout To Be Debated By Parliament - Bahamas Tribune

From staff reports

The Nicholls State University mens basketball team finished its preseason tour of the Bahamas with a perfect record.

Nicholls wrapped up a 3-0 mark Monday night with a 85-76 win over NBBA All Stars in an exhibition game at Sir Kendall Isaacs Gym in Nassau, Bahamas on Monday night. Individual stats from the game were not available.

The Colonels, under second-year coach Richie Riley, led 19-16 at the end of the first quarter and extended their lead to 41-35 at halftime and 65-56 at the end of the third quarter.

In earlier exhibition play in the Nassau, Nicholls posted a 106-103 win over the Bahamas All-Stars on Friday and 94-73 victory over IBA Elite on Sunday.

College basketball teams are allowed preseason international trips once every four years.

Any time you can take a foreign tour it is a huge opportunity for your team, Riley said before the team left Thibodaux. We have a lot of new faces that will be playing together for the first time, so it is certainly a bonus for them to get the chance to compete together. Im proud of the way that our guys have approached the practices leading up to the tour. They have had a business-like approach each day and a commitment to improving.

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Colonels wrap up Bahamas tour with 3-0 record - Daily Comet

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United States, August 4, 2017 A new Ambassador to The Bahamas is being processed in the United States and some words used by the candidate have rubbed some people the wrong way and sent up red flags about Bahamas-US relations. President Trumps nominee for the position, Douglas Manchester during an August 2ndhearing of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations said that The Bahamas was a protectorate of the US. This description would mean that the United States not only protects The Bahamas but controls it.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in addressing those concerns explained that, the Ministry understands and appreciates that this is part of an internal process and the comments made do not necessarily reflect the views of the Government of the United States. Another part of the process will be a full briefing by the Department of State with the successful nominee before taking up the assignment, which will bring a fuller understanding of the relationship between the two countries.

Manchester explained that he based his view on the presence of Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security officers in our island nation. An article by a US news agency added that the Royal Bahamas Police Force is the national law enforcement agency.

The nominee for Ambassador to The Bahamas said also, We are obviously working with the Royal Bahamian Police Force, which we want to continue to support, who are doing a great job in the interdiction of human trafficking and drugs and also gunrunning.

Foreign Affairs, in that media release further explained, Just recently on 4 July the US marked 241 years of independence and on 10 July the Bahamas celebrated 44 years of independence. Indeed, this independence is a mutual and shared pillar in the strong and enduring relationship between the two countries. While our interests often align, The Bahamas as a sovereign country pursues its own interests independently.

#MagneticMediaNews

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Photo credit: San Diego Union Tribune

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Trump US Ambassador candidate has wrong idea about US-Bahamas relations say some - Magnetic Media (press release)

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Bahamas, August 4, 2017 Nassau The governments public sector employee verification of workers which begins next Tuesday could lead to a cost saving of $80M per year in recurrent revenue on salaries; so says John Pinder, the President of the Bahamas Public Services Union. Pinder is reporting that he supports the move by Prime Minister Hubert Minnis, explaining that the process will weed out phantom workers and end other unethical practices which are costing the Bahamian people.

The figure of $80.1M comes from a belief, by John Pinder, that Government could save 3% of the $2.67B national budget . Pinder said that dead, incarcerated and missing people are all still being paid by Government and in some cases families are collecting the money. Pinder added that there is even more roomto cut back by reviewing those who continue to be employed by Government despite being unfit or unsuitable for their jobs.

The Union President recommended that more attention be given to what he called, succession training. The verification programme, explained the Minister of Finance and DPM, Peter Turnquest is to clean up and see where there can be cuts to the over $650M government current pays per year in public workers salaries.

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Estimated $80M savings through Bahamas Govt employee ... - Magnetic Media (press release)

Details August 07, 2017

The Bahamas Minister of Tourism Dionisio D'Aguilar is making his frustrations with the cruise industry known, sounding off in local media.

He told Tribune Business, in an article posted on Tribune 242, that the cruise lines "make all the money, and we have nothing."

He did concede that the Bahamas needed to upgrade its product offering to continue to attract the business and economic impact.

He went on to say the current situation with the cruise lines was unsustainable, including complaints that cruise lines point passengers to specific land-based businesses, where the companies dictate margins and mark-ups.

"The cruise industry's increasing use of Bahamian private islands is also a concern, as the lines typically run and control the attractions there themselves, leaving little opportunity for Bahamian entrepreneurs and creating just a few local jobs," the article said.

"I would challenge anyone to drill down and focus on stopover visitors, as they spend the money in our economy, and whether that's improving," the Minster said. "That's what I'm focused on."

"We've got lots and lots of cruise passengers," he added, "and it's not important to grow that number. We have to find out ways for them to spend more money when they come here. That's the challenge."

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Bahamas Tourism Minister Not Happy with Cruise Industry - Cruise Industry News