By PAUL G TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net:
IN a letter to the editor written earlier this week, the questioning surrounding the lack of development and investment in the future of Long Island was raised.
Bearing in mind the current economic situation in which every government now finds itself, the author, whose identity is unknown, maintained that some form of development can and should be finding its way to this long suffering island. Because, as we all know, Long Island has now for many years paid its dues to the governing FNM party and quite rightly should expect some form of "compensation" in view of its continued loyalty.
"The FNM could send anyone down to Long Island and the residents would vote for them," the author wrote; and "despite this certifiable fact, Long Island remains off the short list of islands pegged for improvements and necessary infrastructure.
"Despite this fact, Long Island has always supported the FNM even when it was unpopular to do so."
To add insult to injury, the author also highlights how other islands - which were not as loyal to this governing party and which in fact are currently represented by PLP Members of Parliament - are continuing to get assistance and development from the powers that be.
Funding
"Each and every Long Islander should note that almost $22 million dollars of joint funding provided by the European Union and the government of the Bahamas is being spent on the 300 souls that inhabit Acklins Island and the 37 souls that inhabit Rum Cay.
"While they are Bahamians and are no less deserving of infrastructure, surely Long Island would have been a better, more logical choice for these investments. However, this begs the question as to whether Long Island and its people are any less deserving? Or has the traditional support of the governing party caused Long Island to be taken for granted and left off the list of real and present concerns," the writer asked.
"I respectfully suggest to the electorate and constituents of Long Island that all and sundry consider these matters before pledging support for any proposed or incumbent representative as the "Salt of the Earth People of Long Island", rightfully demand delivery and not ill-fated promises. We trust that this FNM Government has not forgotten the people of Long Island, but yet again, no one realizes that you are hurt unless and until you cry out," he said.
Being a Long Islander myself I can fully understand from where the writer speaks, as Long Island has always had a peculiar relationship with the FNM. In fact I think you would be hard pressed to find any other island where being a PLP is more difficult or more dangerous than Long Island. No one can truly deny that Long Island was treated poorly under the old PLP government of Sir Lynden Pindling.
Electricity
The FNM had to come in and pave the roads and provide electricity to the rest of the island, not just stop the supply to where their supporters lived. The FNM government laid the pipes to pump water throughout the settlements.
The PLP government of 2002-2007 had to put the water in those pipes but little else was really done for the residents during this time. And Long Islanders I'm sure were not surprised because after all, the PLP were in power. In the back of their minds, they were hoping and banking on the return of their beloved FNM. But alas, as the letter writer explained, "the Torch" had returned but for some reason one of its greatest allies was overlooked once again.
However, is this really the case?
In his report to his constituents, Larry Cartwright, the MP for Long Island and Ragged Island explained that while the constituency has suffered like the rest of the Bahamas, it has been successfully accomplished quite a bit.
These accomplishments in just over two and a half years are as follows:
* Simms classroom block completed;
* Office space for Tourism officer;
* Poseidon Point road rebuilt;
* New apron at the Stella Maris Airport at $837,700, which was instrumental in Bahamasair returning to Stella Maris;
* All schools repaired and most properly enclosed for a total cost of $518,000;
* Simms seawall constructed and road rebuilt after it was left untouched for five years;
* Benzi Hill, Scrub Hill, and Turnbull side roads rebuilt and paved;
* Simms dock and marina completed;
* Appointment of Youth, Sports and Culture and Fisheries Officers;
* New Road Traffic office;
* New standby generator for David Simms Memorial Health Centre;
* New vehicles and boat for the police;
* Greenhouses for schools;
* Construction of a technical and vocational block at NGM Major High School;
* Rebuilding and paving of McKann's and White House back roads $394,000;
* Signing of contract for the rebuilding of the dock at Salt Pond at $772,209.90.
Despite these accomplishments, Mr Cartwright said you will always get persons who are not up to speed with what the government has done in Long Island and who would question why other constituencies were being better cared for and looked after at this time.
Needs
As he quite rightly explained, any government in this position today can only deal with the needs of any one constituency. Wants, will have to come at a later time.
"Of course I would love to see an international airport at Deadman's Cay. I'd love to see a cruise ship port in Clarence Town too," Mr Cartwright said.
But for now, such dreams will have to wait.
"You have the Opposition out there who is telling them, ya'll have been out there supporting the FNM all these years, but look, Cat Island getting this, Grand Bahama getting this, and Abaco getting this. What Long Island getting? And many of our people are not educated as to what is going on so they do not know how to answer them. So they begin to believe what other people are saying," he said.
Mr Cartwright admitted that two of his campaign promises have yet to be completed - mainly the piping of drinkable water and cable television to every home.
However, these promises he said hopefully will be completed by December 2010.
"The islands of Long Island and Ragged Island have a lot to be thankful for in that even though the whole world has been in recession for over a year, prices have escalated and the fishing industry was dealt a disastrous blow, poverty on these two islands is still at a minimum, crime is practically non-existent and our people are happy.
"For this we must be grateful," he said.
But if what the letter writer wrote to the editor is correct then it is safe to say that the people of Long Island will not be too "happy" for too long.
These constituents, he said, are no less deserving than the next, but because of their continual loyalty, require that much more from this present government.
Because, as the writer said, the last thing any governing party wants is for the constituents of any area to believe that their traditional support has caused them to be taken for granted.
What do you think?
April 12, 2010
tribune242
A political blog about Bahamian politics in The Bahamas, Bahamian Politicans - and the entire Bahamas political lot. Bahamian Blogger Dennis Dames keeps you updated on the political news and views throughout the islands of The Bahamas without fear or favor. Bahamian Politicians and the Bahamian Political Arena: Updates one Post at a time on Bahamas Politics and Bahamas Politicans; and their local, regional and international policies and perspectives.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Met report exposed
By Candia Dames ~ Guardian News Editor ~ candia@nasguard.com:
The two forecasters on duty at Lynden Pindling International Airport on the morning a deadly tornado hit Freeport two weeks ago, knew of the approaching severe thunderstorm activity before 8 a.m., but both failed to act on the information until it was too late, according to a closely-guarded report that reveals the details of an investigation into the matter.
In fact, when the tornado struck, killing three Freeport Container Port workers after 11 a.m., the duty forecaster in Nassau was literally out to lunch, even though that forecaster had been advised at 6:50 a.m. by the senior meteorological officer who worked the night shift that the worrisome weather system was moving toward Grand Bahama, the report indicates.
Not too long after beginning the 7 a.m. shift, the morning forecaster was able to deduce that the severe weather system would be over Grand Bahama by at least noon.
But that was apparently still not enough to prompt the forecaster to prepare a warning.
At about 7:30 a.m., the two forecasters on duty discussed the day's weather situation; however, "neither discusses the severe weather approaching Grand Bahama with each other, although each was aware of its possible impact on Grand Bahama later that morning."
According to the report, at the start of the 7 a.m. shift, the met office's lightning detection system was not working because the duty forecaster did not know how to restart it. The report shows it was eventually restarted by the second forecaster who had worked that morning.
In the minutes and hours after the tragic scene unfolded in the nation's second city, there was "widespread panic", according to Director of Meteorology Arthur Rolle, who wrote to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of the Environment Ronald Thompson.
"Forecasters at the Department of Meteorology tracked the system using modern technology such as a lightning data network, a Doppler weather radar and satellite imagery," Rolle wrote.
"Unfortunately, no warning was issued by the department until just before noon for residents in the threatened areas. This oversight is unforgivable.
"The protocol for the issuance of warnings is that the director be informed before dissemination, or in his absence, the senior deputy director. Furthermore, the Ministry of the Environment should be informed simultaneously. The protocol was not followed. This resulted in widespread panic."
Rolle further wrote, "I would like to state emphatically that professionalism was not displayed during this episode. This is a clear indication of why the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requires meteorological personnel to be retrained."
He further advised that an urgent meeting would be called to apprise forecasters of the protocol.
"There will be some shuffling of staff," Rolle also wrote.
While the director advised that protocol was not followed on the morning of the deadly tornado, one of the two forecasters on duty at the time said in the report, "I am not aware of any protocols in place to issue severe thunderstorm warnings. I issue them when I see red (red echoes on the Doppler Weather Radar display.)"
The director, however, has attached to the report a presentation by him dated May 19, 2006, which states, "Before dissemination, all information from news items to warnings must be brought to the director's attention, or in the absence or unavailability, the senior deputy director or one of the deputy directors."
The attached presentation does not stipulate when a warning should be issued, however.
In a memo to Director Rolle on March 29, the day of the tornado strike, Deputy Director Basil Dean wrote, "We have equipped our weather forecasters with modern Doppler radar and a lightning detection network. Hence, it is inexcusable that a warning was not issued earlier."
In the report, nine forecasters and met department staff provided a detailed account of what they did on the morning and afternoon of the fateful day.
A 'synopsis of the event', which was prepared by Senior Deputy Director Trevor Basden, states that at about 10 a.m. at the Climatology Section in Oakes Field, a meteorological officer observed that severe weather would affect Bimini, Grand Bahama and Abaco.
"She alerts some in the Climatology Section on the results of the model runs, but does not contact the Forecast Office," the report states.
"Sometime after 11 a.m. a Bahamasair pilot enters the Forecast Office (at the airport) and requests a briefing for a flight to Grand Bahama.
"[The duty forecaster] used the Miami radar to bring his attention to the severe weather approaching Grand Bahama and went online and noted the 11 a.m. Freeport International Airport observation.
"Because of her previous analysis and this observation, indicating heavy thundershowers with thunderstorm clouds in all quadrants, this should have prompted [the duty forecaster] to call [the met officer who was operationally in charge of the Forecast Office that day] to begin the preparation of a severe weather statement.
"Unfortunately [the duty forecaster] then leaves to get something to eat."
The report states that a call from Administrator Don Cornish in Grand Bahama to Deputy Director Basil Dean prompted a sequence of events that provoked [the two met officers on duty] to prepare a severe weather statement.
"By such time the adverse weather had already arrived over Grand Bahama and reports of tornadoes were being received," the report says.
"However, the issued warnings remained valid for Grand Bahama until they were lifted at 5 p.m.
"Further to all of this, the directorate was not informed of the impending severe weather or that a severe weather statement had been prepared. The forecasters and observers are the 'watchmen at the gate' to inform the directorate of significant weather conditions that require a news item or a warning."
According to the report, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Deputy Director Jeffrey Simmons, who has responsibility for the Forecast Office, was mainly at the department's Oakes Field headquarters in a budget preparation meeting with the director.
Basden wrote, "Due to the breakdown in protocol, the director was not informed of the issuance of the initial severe weather statement. However, when the information was received from Deputy Directors Simmons and Dean, the director went into damage control and reports were furnished to Mr. Ronald Thompson, permanent secretary, Ministry of the Environment."
The meteorological officer in charge of the Forecast Office on March 29 stated that he left the office at 2 p.m.
He said he was at home at 2:38 p.m. when the director called him on his cell phone and stated he wanted a report as to why the warnings were issued so late.
After informing of his call from the director, the forecaster stated in the report that he was not aware of any protocols in place to issue severe thunderstorm warnings.
The director stated in the report that he did not know of the severe weather affecting Grand Bahama until his return from lunch at about 2 p.m. That's three hours after severe weather was reported there and many more hours after it was spotted making its approach.
Rolle said he received a call from Permanent Secretary Thompson who informed him of the deaths of two to three people in Grand Bahama and wanted a report.
"He (Thompson) also stated that Minister [Zhivargo] Laing was concerned about it," the director stated.
He said this is when he ordered the met officer who had been in charge of the Forecast Office that morning back to work.
Rolle said he received a report from that forecaster at 3:30 p.m. and sent it to the permanent secretary.
The report into the events in the Department of Meteorology on March 29 is being viewed by top government officials and disciplinary action is expected to follow.
April 12, 2010
thenassauguardian
The two forecasters on duty at Lynden Pindling International Airport on the morning a deadly tornado hit Freeport two weeks ago, knew of the approaching severe thunderstorm activity before 8 a.m., but both failed to act on the information until it was too late, according to a closely-guarded report that reveals the details of an investigation into the matter.
In fact, when the tornado struck, killing three Freeport Container Port workers after 11 a.m., the duty forecaster in Nassau was literally out to lunch, even though that forecaster had been advised at 6:50 a.m. by the senior meteorological officer who worked the night shift that the worrisome weather system was moving toward Grand Bahama, the report indicates.
Not too long after beginning the 7 a.m. shift, the morning forecaster was able to deduce that the severe weather system would be over Grand Bahama by at least noon.
But that was apparently still not enough to prompt the forecaster to prepare a warning.
At about 7:30 a.m., the two forecasters on duty discussed the day's weather situation; however, "neither discusses the severe weather approaching Grand Bahama with each other, although each was aware of its possible impact on Grand Bahama later that morning."
According to the report, at the start of the 7 a.m. shift, the met office's lightning detection system was not working because the duty forecaster did not know how to restart it. The report shows it was eventually restarted by the second forecaster who had worked that morning.
In the minutes and hours after the tragic scene unfolded in the nation's second city, there was "widespread panic", according to Director of Meteorology Arthur Rolle, who wrote to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of the Environment Ronald Thompson.
"Forecasters at the Department of Meteorology tracked the system using modern technology such as a lightning data network, a Doppler weather radar and satellite imagery," Rolle wrote.
"Unfortunately, no warning was issued by the department until just before noon for residents in the threatened areas. This oversight is unforgivable.
"The protocol for the issuance of warnings is that the director be informed before dissemination, or in his absence, the senior deputy director. Furthermore, the Ministry of the Environment should be informed simultaneously. The protocol was not followed. This resulted in widespread panic."
Rolle further wrote, "I would like to state emphatically that professionalism was not displayed during this episode. This is a clear indication of why the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requires meteorological personnel to be retrained."
He further advised that an urgent meeting would be called to apprise forecasters of the protocol.
"There will be some shuffling of staff," Rolle also wrote.
While the director advised that protocol was not followed on the morning of the deadly tornado, one of the two forecasters on duty at the time said in the report, "I am not aware of any protocols in place to issue severe thunderstorm warnings. I issue them when I see red (red echoes on the Doppler Weather Radar display.)"
The director, however, has attached to the report a presentation by him dated May 19, 2006, which states, "Before dissemination, all information from news items to warnings must be brought to the director's attention, or in the absence or unavailability, the senior deputy director or one of the deputy directors."
The attached presentation does not stipulate when a warning should be issued, however.
In a memo to Director Rolle on March 29, the day of the tornado strike, Deputy Director Basil Dean wrote, "We have equipped our weather forecasters with modern Doppler radar and a lightning detection network. Hence, it is inexcusable that a warning was not issued earlier."
In the report, nine forecasters and met department staff provided a detailed account of what they did on the morning and afternoon of the fateful day.
A 'synopsis of the event', which was prepared by Senior Deputy Director Trevor Basden, states that at about 10 a.m. at the Climatology Section in Oakes Field, a meteorological officer observed that severe weather would affect Bimini, Grand Bahama and Abaco.
"She alerts some in the Climatology Section on the results of the model runs, but does not contact the Forecast Office," the report states.
"Sometime after 11 a.m. a Bahamasair pilot enters the Forecast Office (at the airport) and requests a briefing for a flight to Grand Bahama.
"[The duty forecaster] used the Miami radar to bring his attention to the severe weather approaching Grand Bahama and went online and noted the 11 a.m. Freeport International Airport observation.
"Because of her previous analysis and this observation, indicating heavy thundershowers with thunderstorm clouds in all quadrants, this should have prompted [the duty forecaster] to call [the met officer who was operationally in charge of the Forecast Office that day] to begin the preparation of a severe weather statement.
"Unfortunately [the duty forecaster] then leaves to get something to eat."
The report states that a call from Administrator Don Cornish in Grand Bahama to Deputy Director Basil Dean prompted a sequence of events that provoked [the two met officers on duty] to prepare a severe weather statement.
"By such time the adverse weather had already arrived over Grand Bahama and reports of tornadoes were being received," the report says.
"However, the issued warnings remained valid for Grand Bahama until they were lifted at 5 p.m.
"Further to all of this, the directorate was not informed of the impending severe weather or that a severe weather statement had been prepared. The forecasters and observers are the 'watchmen at the gate' to inform the directorate of significant weather conditions that require a news item or a warning."
According to the report, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Deputy Director Jeffrey Simmons, who has responsibility for the Forecast Office, was mainly at the department's Oakes Field headquarters in a budget preparation meeting with the director.
Basden wrote, "Due to the breakdown in protocol, the director was not informed of the issuance of the initial severe weather statement. However, when the information was received from Deputy Directors Simmons and Dean, the director went into damage control and reports were furnished to Mr. Ronald Thompson, permanent secretary, Ministry of the Environment."
The meteorological officer in charge of the Forecast Office on March 29 stated that he left the office at 2 p.m.
He said he was at home at 2:38 p.m. when the director called him on his cell phone and stated he wanted a report as to why the warnings were issued so late.
After informing of his call from the director, the forecaster stated in the report that he was not aware of any protocols in place to issue severe thunderstorm warnings.
The director stated in the report that he did not know of the severe weather affecting Grand Bahama until his return from lunch at about 2 p.m. That's three hours after severe weather was reported there and many more hours after it was spotted making its approach.
Rolle said he received a call from Permanent Secretary Thompson who informed him of the deaths of two to three people in Grand Bahama and wanted a report.
"He (Thompson) also stated that Minister [Zhivargo] Laing was concerned about it," the director stated.
He said this is when he ordered the met officer who had been in charge of the Forecast Office that morning back to work.
Rolle said he received a report from that forecaster at 3:30 p.m. and sent it to the permanent secretary.
The report into the events in the Department of Meteorology on March 29 is being viewed by top government officials and disciplinary action is expected to follow.
April 12, 2010
thenassauguardian
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Criticism of Chinese Abaco agricultural investment 'premature'
By NOELLE NICOLLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
nnicolls@tribunemedia.net:
GOVERNMENT officials say criticism over the planned Chinese investment in the Abaco agricultural sector is premature since no deal has been signed, or proposal submitted yet.
The Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) is engaged in discussions with the Chinese about large-scale investment in food processing and animal rearing.
Lawrence Cartwright, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, said: "I understand the group has been doing some work with the BAIC but nothing has been finalised yet. The initial stages have started. Nothing in writing has been put forward to government.
"There are some concerns. Some people from Abaco have spoken to me about their concerns. Any time a huge development is coming into a community it is normal for persons to want to know what is going on, but we cannot say until we know what is going on."
Two local farmers have asked the Government to hold a public forum in Abaco to discuss the nature of the plans, specifically disclosing information such as the environmental practices of the Chinese, and the "immediate and residual benefits" the Bahamas would obtain through an alliance.
Daphne deGregory, of Abaco Neem, said: "We want transparency. There are a lot of rumours flying around. Before the imaginations of people get carried away I think the responsible thing is for the Government is to have a public forum and not repeat a Bunker C situation where the whole world blows the situation out of proportion. We have to be a better government; a government of information; a proactive one that doesn't wait to react to public uprising.
"It is not something against Chinese. It is directed at any foreign country having a major role in agriculture in our country."
The Minister said the Chinese company would be required to submit an environmental impact assessment and a management plan to show how they are going to manage the use of chemicals and other products.
He mentioned the fact that animal husbandry creates large amounts of waste, so the management plan would outline how the liquid and solid waste would be disposed of as not to affect the water table
"We have to know how all of these things are going to be done. That would be examined before any final word is given. There would have to be some meeting half way so they are being done in compliance with the standards set by the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture, the BEST Commission and the wider government. The Government is not going to allow anyone to set up shop without knowing what is going on."
Nick Miaoulis, Abaco Neem president and farmer, said the plan should encourage farmers in the direction where they can meet already-identified needs as a strategy of ensuring food security.
He said the indigenous knowledge and farming expertise was underutilised. He recommended, as an example, an investment in a potato processing plant in Andros, which he says "grows some of the best potatoes" to supply the local demand for processed potatoes in the form of French fries.
"Technical assistance from foreign bodies is great as long as they are coming in to farm safely, to provide training in new technology and teaching us to be self sufficient, managing the farms for the future for ourselves," he said.
BAIC administrators in Abaco said the various farming associations in Abaco have been privy to information about the plans of the Chinese, including the North Abaco Farmers Association, the Central Abaco Farmers Association and the All Abaco Farmers Cooperative.
"Let us be honest and frank, whether it is PLP or FNM, we voted for these persons. They would have done feasibility studies to see if these things are viable. But anyone can pitch up arbitrarily and say anything. All of these organisations want to tell the Government what to do - half of these people don't vote. It is just a handful of people saying a bunch of nonsense. No one has time to tell these private people what the Government is doing. They are not that important," said Ejnar Cornish, manager of the BAIC office on Abaco.
"If people want to come in with the technology and funds to back what they are saying, let us give them a chance and see what they could do. A decision has to be made so the people can work. Plenty people in Abaco are hurt," said Mr Cornish.
April 10, 2010
tribune242
Tribune Staff Reporter
nnicolls@tribunemedia.net:
GOVERNMENT officials say criticism over the planned Chinese investment in the Abaco agricultural sector is premature since no deal has been signed, or proposal submitted yet.
The Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) is engaged in discussions with the Chinese about large-scale investment in food processing and animal rearing.
Lawrence Cartwright, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, said: "I understand the group has been doing some work with the BAIC but nothing has been finalised yet. The initial stages have started. Nothing in writing has been put forward to government.
"There are some concerns. Some people from Abaco have spoken to me about their concerns. Any time a huge development is coming into a community it is normal for persons to want to know what is going on, but we cannot say until we know what is going on."
Two local farmers have asked the Government to hold a public forum in Abaco to discuss the nature of the plans, specifically disclosing information such as the environmental practices of the Chinese, and the "immediate and residual benefits" the Bahamas would obtain through an alliance.
Daphne deGregory, of Abaco Neem, said: "We want transparency. There are a lot of rumours flying around. Before the imaginations of people get carried away I think the responsible thing is for the Government is to have a public forum and not repeat a Bunker C situation where the whole world blows the situation out of proportion. We have to be a better government; a government of information; a proactive one that doesn't wait to react to public uprising.
"It is not something against Chinese. It is directed at any foreign country having a major role in agriculture in our country."
The Minister said the Chinese company would be required to submit an environmental impact assessment and a management plan to show how they are going to manage the use of chemicals and other products.
He mentioned the fact that animal husbandry creates large amounts of waste, so the management plan would outline how the liquid and solid waste would be disposed of as not to affect the water table
"We have to know how all of these things are going to be done. That would be examined before any final word is given. There would have to be some meeting half way so they are being done in compliance with the standards set by the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture, the BEST Commission and the wider government. The Government is not going to allow anyone to set up shop without knowing what is going on."
Nick Miaoulis, Abaco Neem president and farmer, said the plan should encourage farmers in the direction where they can meet already-identified needs as a strategy of ensuring food security.
He said the indigenous knowledge and farming expertise was underutilised. He recommended, as an example, an investment in a potato processing plant in Andros, which he says "grows some of the best potatoes" to supply the local demand for processed potatoes in the form of French fries.
"Technical assistance from foreign bodies is great as long as they are coming in to farm safely, to provide training in new technology and teaching us to be self sufficient, managing the farms for the future for ourselves," he said.
BAIC administrators in Abaco said the various farming associations in Abaco have been privy to information about the plans of the Chinese, including the North Abaco Farmers Association, the Central Abaco Farmers Association and the All Abaco Farmers Cooperative.
"Let us be honest and frank, whether it is PLP or FNM, we voted for these persons. They would have done feasibility studies to see if these things are viable. But anyone can pitch up arbitrarily and say anything. All of these organisations want to tell the Government what to do - half of these people don't vote. It is just a handful of people saying a bunch of nonsense. No one has time to tell these private people what the Government is doing. They are not that important," said Ejnar Cornish, manager of the BAIC office on Abaco.
"If people want to come in with the technology and funds to back what they are saying, let us give them a chance and see what they could do. A decision has to be made so the people can work. Plenty people in Abaco are hurt," said Mr Cornish.
April 10, 2010
tribune242
Saturday, April 10, 2010
The Bahamas Needs Markets, Not a 'Plan', For Recovery
By Steven Horwitz ~ For The Nassau Institute:
In his column of March 18, Dr. John Rodgers offers a four point plan for helping the Bahamas emerge from the current recession. His plan is a mix of a few good ideas, some not so good ideas, and an overarching but misguided faith in the ability of government to guide the process of recovery and growth.
In particular, Rodgers refers at the start to "the failure of the free market system" as a cause of the current recession. Nothing could be further from the truth, as several of his own arguments illustrate later in his article.
In fact, the path toward economic recovery involves releasing the forces of free market capitalism from the government shackles that have prevented the Bahamas from having the sustained economic growth that Rodgers hopes to achieve. Below, I offer some criticisms of his plan as well as some alternatives that Bahamians might consider as they debate these important issues.
The most important and correct point that Rodgers raises is proposing an end to the exchange controls on the Bahamian economy.
As he notes, the Bahamas is one of the few places in the world that still has such controls and they have a dramatic negative effect on trade, especially internationally.
Exchange controls do indeed increase the cost of raising funds from outside the country, forcing entrepreneurs to pay more, and have to look hard to find, local sources of funding. The Bahamian economy also sits atop a very small base of US dollars that will continue to make more drastic controls necessary if the government cannot reduce its debt and the central bank cannot get better control of the internal money supply.
There is no doubt that ending exchange controls would make for some short run economic pain as devaluation would surely accompany it, but like the addict who must go through withdrawal before returning to true health, that pain would be worth it.
Dollarising the Bahamian economy would be a substantial improvement over the status quo, but over the long run, finding market-driven alternatives to the central bank would be even better at capping government debt and maintaining an appropriate money supply.
Rodgers rightly recommends more competition in the retail banking sector. The Banks and Trust Companies Regulation Act of 2000 places a variety of barriers to entry in the way of new banks opening up, especially ones with foreign ownership or desiring to have foreign subsidiaries.
Allowing offshore banks to compete in the retail market would be a good first step, but true competition also requires that government policies that restrict entrepreneurship, or make it unnecessarily expensive, must be eliminated. Doing so will cultivate a truly competitive and consumer-friendly banking sector.
Introducing antitrust laws, as Rodgers suggests, will not do much when the source of the "oligopoly" in the banking system is government policy. Such laws are more likely to be abused by existing banks who will complain about the competitive tactics used by new entrants. Antitrust laws tend to be just another way for private firms to use government policy to harm their competitors and make consumers worse off in the process. Competition requires only freedom under the law, not antitrust enforcement.
Rodgers' tax plan is the most problematic part of his proposals. He is correct in arguing that moving from import duties to a sales tax would reduce what economists call the "deadweight loss" of taxation. A sales tax would likely cheapen goods in comparison to import duties.
However, if the long run goal is to balance the government's budget, expenditure cuts are indeed needed. Lowering the costs of goods and services by ending import duties would reduce the prices of things government spends on, reducing its total expenditures, but to believe these will stick requires the naïve view that politicians would not quickly find ways to spend on new programs the money thereby saved.
What is needed is fewer programs, not just cheaper goods. The total size of government, regardless of its debt, is the problem to be solved.
Cuts in expenditures should be combined with reductions in the overall size of the revenues that government takes from the economy. Rodgers proposes a "revenue neutral" switch to a sales tax. Even though such a switch might generate those revenues by expanding the economy, even more growth can be obtained by reducing the total tax take of the government, which would free up resources for private entrepreneurs to use to meet consumer demands.
Rodgers' claim that $500 million in savings that would come from a better tax policy encouraging more business in the Bahamas is also misguided. He refers to the "velocity of money" to argue that each dollar will "circulate four or five times" before it becomes an expenditure on imports. This reasoning is fallacious along several lines.
Aside from the fact that what he is talking about here is not "the velocity of money" (that refers to a different concept), this argument, like others in his piece, ignores the benefits of international trade. Notice that the assumption is that it is "bad" when Bahamians spend on imported goods as that causes money to "leak out" of the Bahamian economy. Rodgers makes this argument earlier as well when he bemoans the "unfortunate" fact that the Bahamas is a net importer.
Funds spent on imports need not "disappear" from the Bahamian economy. Ending import duties would make imports cheaper, enabling residents to have money left over to spend on products made locally and other imports. And where importing goods is cheaper than making them domestically, consumers benefit as well.
If consumers were able to freely convert to and from US dollars without exchange controls, the funds spent on imports would flow back to the Bahamas as investments in Bahamian assets. Just as the US current account trade deficit implies that the dollars spent come back to it when foreigners use them to buy US assets, so would Bahamians benefit from duty-free imports combined with the elimination of exchange controls. It would lead to a flow of capital resources into the country, which would help make up for the low domestic savings rate noted by Rodgers.
Small countries like the Bahamas can ill-afford to isolate themselves from the world economy. The notably freer trade caused by ending import duties and exchange controls would make goods cheaper for its citizens and more easily enable non-citizens to invest back in the Bahamas by buying stocks, bonds, buildings, and other assets. The Bahamian dollars spent on imports have to come back as investment in Bahamian capital.
Rather than demonstrating the failures of free markets, the recent problems in the Bahamian economy, a number of which Rodgers correctly notes, are in fact created by restrictions on those very market freedoms. The path forward for the Bahamas is to reduce the cost of goods and services by opening up international trade and freeing the entrepreneurial spirit of its people by lowering taxes and reducing regulations, particularly on the very uncompetitive banking sector.
This would free up the flow of capital to fund new business and reduce the costs of borrowing to the thousands of small entrepreneurs who are the lifeblood of economic growth. Rodgers' plan does not go nearly far enough in these directions.
Steven Horwitz
Charles A. Dana Professor of Economics
Hepburn Hall
St. Lawrence University
Canton, NY 13617
April 09, 2010
thenassauguardian
In his column of March 18, Dr. John Rodgers offers a four point plan for helping the Bahamas emerge from the current recession. His plan is a mix of a few good ideas, some not so good ideas, and an overarching but misguided faith in the ability of government to guide the process of recovery and growth.
In particular, Rodgers refers at the start to "the failure of the free market system" as a cause of the current recession. Nothing could be further from the truth, as several of his own arguments illustrate later in his article.
In fact, the path toward economic recovery involves releasing the forces of free market capitalism from the government shackles that have prevented the Bahamas from having the sustained economic growth that Rodgers hopes to achieve. Below, I offer some criticisms of his plan as well as some alternatives that Bahamians might consider as they debate these important issues.
The most important and correct point that Rodgers raises is proposing an end to the exchange controls on the Bahamian economy.
As he notes, the Bahamas is one of the few places in the world that still has such controls and they have a dramatic negative effect on trade, especially internationally.
Exchange controls do indeed increase the cost of raising funds from outside the country, forcing entrepreneurs to pay more, and have to look hard to find, local sources of funding. The Bahamian economy also sits atop a very small base of US dollars that will continue to make more drastic controls necessary if the government cannot reduce its debt and the central bank cannot get better control of the internal money supply.
There is no doubt that ending exchange controls would make for some short run economic pain as devaluation would surely accompany it, but like the addict who must go through withdrawal before returning to true health, that pain would be worth it.
Dollarising the Bahamian economy would be a substantial improvement over the status quo, but over the long run, finding market-driven alternatives to the central bank would be even better at capping government debt and maintaining an appropriate money supply.
Rodgers rightly recommends more competition in the retail banking sector. The Banks and Trust Companies Regulation Act of 2000 places a variety of barriers to entry in the way of new banks opening up, especially ones with foreign ownership or desiring to have foreign subsidiaries.
Allowing offshore banks to compete in the retail market would be a good first step, but true competition also requires that government policies that restrict entrepreneurship, or make it unnecessarily expensive, must be eliminated. Doing so will cultivate a truly competitive and consumer-friendly banking sector.
Introducing antitrust laws, as Rodgers suggests, will not do much when the source of the "oligopoly" in the banking system is government policy. Such laws are more likely to be abused by existing banks who will complain about the competitive tactics used by new entrants. Antitrust laws tend to be just another way for private firms to use government policy to harm their competitors and make consumers worse off in the process. Competition requires only freedom under the law, not antitrust enforcement.
Rodgers' tax plan is the most problematic part of his proposals. He is correct in arguing that moving from import duties to a sales tax would reduce what economists call the "deadweight loss" of taxation. A sales tax would likely cheapen goods in comparison to import duties.
However, if the long run goal is to balance the government's budget, expenditure cuts are indeed needed. Lowering the costs of goods and services by ending import duties would reduce the prices of things government spends on, reducing its total expenditures, but to believe these will stick requires the naïve view that politicians would not quickly find ways to spend on new programs the money thereby saved.
What is needed is fewer programs, not just cheaper goods. The total size of government, regardless of its debt, is the problem to be solved.
Cuts in expenditures should be combined with reductions in the overall size of the revenues that government takes from the economy. Rodgers proposes a "revenue neutral" switch to a sales tax. Even though such a switch might generate those revenues by expanding the economy, even more growth can be obtained by reducing the total tax take of the government, which would free up resources for private entrepreneurs to use to meet consumer demands.
Rodgers' claim that $500 million in savings that would come from a better tax policy encouraging more business in the Bahamas is also misguided. He refers to the "velocity of money" to argue that each dollar will "circulate four or five times" before it becomes an expenditure on imports. This reasoning is fallacious along several lines.
Aside from the fact that what he is talking about here is not "the velocity of money" (that refers to a different concept), this argument, like others in his piece, ignores the benefits of international trade. Notice that the assumption is that it is "bad" when Bahamians spend on imported goods as that causes money to "leak out" of the Bahamian economy. Rodgers makes this argument earlier as well when he bemoans the "unfortunate" fact that the Bahamas is a net importer.
Funds spent on imports need not "disappear" from the Bahamian economy. Ending import duties would make imports cheaper, enabling residents to have money left over to spend on products made locally and other imports. And where importing goods is cheaper than making them domestically, consumers benefit as well.
If consumers were able to freely convert to and from US dollars without exchange controls, the funds spent on imports would flow back to the Bahamas as investments in Bahamian assets. Just as the US current account trade deficit implies that the dollars spent come back to it when foreigners use them to buy US assets, so would Bahamians benefit from duty-free imports combined with the elimination of exchange controls. It would lead to a flow of capital resources into the country, which would help make up for the low domestic savings rate noted by Rodgers.
Small countries like the Bahamas can ill-afford to isolate themselves from the world economy. The notably freer trade caused by ending import duties and exchange controls would make goods cheaper for its citizens and more easily enable non-citizens to invest back in the Bahamas by buying stocks, bonds, buildings, and other assets. The Bahamian dollars spent on imports have to come back as investment in Bahamian capital.
Rather than demonstrating the failures of free markets, the recent problems in the Bahamian economy, a number of which Rodgers correctly notes, are in fact created by restrictions on those very market freedoms. The path forward for the Bahamas is to reduce the cost of goods and services by opening up international trade and freeing the entrepreneurial spirit of its people by lowering taxes and reducing regulations, particularly on the very uncompetitive banking sector.
This would free up the flow of capital to fund new business and reduce the costs of borrowing to the thousands of small entrepreneurs who are the lifeblood of economic growth. Rodgers' plan does not go nearly far enough in these directions.
Steven Horwitz
Charles A. Dana Professor of Economics
Hepburn Hall
St. Lawrence University
Canton, NY 13617
April 09, 2010
thenassauguardian
Friday, April 9, 2010
Sidney Cambridge - former treasurer of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) has been declared a "fugitive from justice" by a Florida judge
Former top PLP declared 'fugitive'
By ALISON LOWE
Tribune Staff Reporter
alowe@tribunemedia.net:
ATTORNEY Sidney Cambridge, who is accused of involvement in a $900,000 money-laundering scheme with a US politician, has been declared a "fugitive from justice" by a Florida judge.
Contrary to reports in a local tabloid that Cambridge may be "off the hook", documents seen by The Tribune reveal that the attorney's case has been "transferred to the suspended/fugitive file until such time as he is apprehended."
The order, signed by United States District Judge Daniel Hurley, was made in light of the fact that a review of Cambridge's file led to him being determined "a fugitive from justice."
The judge further ordered the Clerk of the Court to designate the file "closed" for the time being.
Cambridge's US attorney, Lilly Ann Sanchez, said she and her client, who has asserted his innocence, are hoping US prosecutors have "reassessed" their case against the Bahamian lawyer.
However, she admitted that rather than evidence of the case being dropped entirely, the order is an administrative and "routine" one issued in cases where a defendant has not come to the US to face charges against him.
The order requires the Court to move the file off the "active docket" caseload.
Cambridge was formally indicted in a Florida court in November 2009 on one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and five counts of money laundering. An arrest warrant was issued for him at that time.
The laundering scheme was allegedly masterminded by Florida's Broward County Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion, who was last month jailed for two and a half years, fined $10,000 and ordered to be placed on three-year supervised probation when released for his part in the plot.
Cambridge was accused by US prosecutors of having conspired with Mr Eggelletion and others to "unjustly enrich" himself "by obtaining fees for laundering purported fraudulent proceeds through Bahamian bank accounts" and "knowingly and wilfully" attempting to hide the real source of thousands of dollars which he was told were the proceeds of illegal activity.
He immediately resigned as a partner in the law firm Callenders and Co, as well as from his position as treasurer of the Progressive Liberal Party and the Bahamas Bar Association after being indicted.
Yesterday Ms Sanchez said she was unaware of any extradition request having been issued by the US government for Cambridge and feels that "a lot can be inferred from the fact that the US government has not aggressively pursued" the attorney.
"I have had a conversation with the (US) government that if they do want Mr Cambridge to come to the United States and plan to extradite him that they are to consult with me first because Mr Cambridge would happily come to the United States at the appropriate time under the appropriate conditions and face the charges voluntarily," said the lawyer, who specialises in defending individual accused of "white collar" crimes.
The Tribune reported in November of 2009 that Ms Sanchez was negotiating with US prosecutors to get a bond agreement for Mr Cambridge that would allow him to fly between South Florida and The Bahamas where his wife and family live if he came to face the charges against him in the US.
Yesterday Ms Sanchez said these discussions did "not reach a final resolution." Discussions on this aspect of the case are no longer active as the US government "has not pushed further to have (Cambridge) come to the US," she added.
The attorney claims that a review of the transcripts and reports compiled by US investigators on the alleged money-laundering scheme show that "there are very clear indications that Cambridge was told all along that there is no issue with this money (which Mr Eggelletion was supposed to have been seeking to launder) and it was clean."
April 09, 2010
tribune242
By ALISON LOWE
Tribune Staff Reporter
alowe@tribunemedia.net:
ATTORNEY Sidney Cambridge, who is accused of involvement in a $900,000 money-laundering scheme with a US politician, has been declared a "fugitive from justice" by a Florida judge.
Contrary to reports in a local tabloid that Cambridge may be "off the hook", documents seen by The Tribune reveal that the attorney's case has been "transferred to the suspended/fugitive file until such time as he is apprehended."
The order, signed by United States District Judge Daniel Hurley, was made in light of the fact that a review of Cambridge's file led to him being determined "a fugitive from justice."
The judge further ordered the Clerk of the Court to designate the file "closed" for the time being.
Cambridge's US attorney, Lilly Ann Sanchez, said she and her client, who has asserted his innocence, are hoping US prosecutors have "reassessed" their case against the Bahamian lawyer.
However, she admitted that rather than evidence of the case being dropped entirely, the order is an administrative and "routine" one issued in cases where a defendant has not come to the US to face charges against him.
The order requires the Court to move the file off the "active docket" caseload.
Cambridge was formally indicted in a Florida court in November 2009 on one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and five counts of money laundering. An arrest warrant was issued for him at that time.
The laundering scheme was allegedly masterminded by Florida's Broward County Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion, who was last month jailed for two and a half years, fined $10,000 and ordered to be placed on three-year supervised probation when released for his part in the plot.
Cambridge was accused by US prosecutors of having conspired with Mr Eggelletion and others to "unjustly enrich" himself "by obtaining fees for laundering purported fraudulent proceeds through Bahamian bank accounts" and "knowingly and wilfully" attempting to hide the real source of thousands of dollars which he was told were the proceeds of illegal activity.
He immediately resigned as a partner in the law firm Callenders and Co, as well as from his position as treasurer of the Progressive Liberal Party and the Bahamas Bar Association after being indicted.
Yesterday Ms Sanchez said she was unaware of any extradition request having been issued by the US government for Cambridge and feels that "a lot can be inferred from the fact that the US government has not aggressively pursued" the attorney.
"I have had a conversation with the (US) government that if they do want Mr Cambridge to come to the United States and plan to extradite him that they are to consult with me first because Mr Cambridge would happily come to the United States at the appropriate time under the appropriate conditions and face the charges voluntarily," said the lawyer, who specialises in defending individual accused of "white collar" crimes.
The Tribune reported in November of 2009 that Ms Sanchez was negotiating with US prosecutors to get a bond agreement for Mr Cambridge that would allow him to fly between South Florida and The Bahamas where his wife and family live if he came to face the charges against him in the US.
Yesterday Ms Sanchez said these discussions did "not reach a final resolution." Discussions on this aspect of the case are no longer active as the US government "has not pushed further to have (Cambridge) come to the US," she added.
The attorney claims that a review of the transcripts and reports compiled by US investigators on the alleged money-laundering scheme show that "there are very clear indications that Cambridge was told all along that there is no issue with this money (which Mr Eggelletion was supposed to have been seeking to launder) and it was clean."
April 09, 2010
tribune242
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Current rate of urbanisation could bring 'unprecedented challenges'
By NOELLE NICOLLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
nnicolls@tribunemedia.net:
THE current rate of urbanisation in the Bahamas, as well as globally, could present "unprecedented social, health and environmental challenges" if not addressed, according to health experts.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) and its regional arm, the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO), are calling for action to address the needs of the changing population landscape.
The theme "Urbanisation and Health" governed the celebration of World Health Day 2010 yesterday.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday morning Minister of Health Dr Hubert Minnis said:
"Cities are the centre of commercial, political and cultural life, attracting people who are looking for greater wealth and a more prosperous life.
"People who live in urban settings are exposed to a wide range of environmental factors. While a move to city life brings about improvement in economic status, it also leads to public health challenges."
Over half of the world's 6.3 billion inhabitants reside in cities. According to the United Nation Population Division, in 20 years, six out of every 10 people are projected to be city dwellers.
Almost 85 per cent of the Bahamas' population lives in urban areas, which is well above the Caribbean's 67 per cent average. By the year 2050, the urban population in the Bahamas is expected to comprise 91 per cent.
Dr Minnis declared that the Bahamas is on board with the global World Health Day celebrations.
The aim of the ministry is to integrate the activities associated with World Health Day into a "sustained strategy to combat the effects of urban living and reverse trends".
On Saturday, the Ministry of Health will host a Farmers' Market at the Fox Hill Parade to showcase the produce of local farmers, backyard gardeners and producers of native products.
The market is aimed at highlighting some of the steps people can take towards improving their health, particularly by eating healthier.
Several other health challenges to be examined, are pollution, water, sanitation, waste, increased exposure to communicable diseases and violence, smoking and second-hand smoke, drug use, and an increase in chronic non-communicable diseases.
"Regular activities at the street, neighbourhood, and local levels, in addition to those occurring at the national and regional level can have a profound impact on the health of the population. Urbanisation also creates stress on the environment," said Dr Minnis.
"We can combat population and environmental stress by encouraging neighbourhoods to participate in clean-up campaigns and walking groups to promote healthier environments. Communities can come together to promote safety and decrease violence. Taken together, these activities can contribute to a healthier population and safer environment for all," he said.
The Bahamas recently moved on one area of recommended policy actions to improve urban living conditions.
To improve conditions, communities are encouraged to adopt "progressive land use policies" that regulate commercial and non-commercial areas, as well as protected lands for recreation and the preservation of natural resources.
The Revised Planning and Subdivision legislation, recently passed in the House of Assembly, seeks to address these issues, among others.
It is expected to be implemented by July 1.
April 08, 2010
tribune242
Tribune Staff Reporter
nnicolls@tribunemedia.net:
THE current rate of urbanisation in the Bahamas, as well as globally, could present "unprecedented social, health and environmental challenges" if not addressed, according to health experts.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) and its regional arm, the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO), are calling for action to address the needs of the changing population landscape.
The theme "Urbanisation and Health" governed the celebration of World Health Day 2010 yesterday.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday morning Minister of Health Dr Hubert Minnis said:
"Cities are the centre of commercial, political and cultural life, attracting people who are looking for greater wealth and a more prosperous life.
"People who live in urban settings are exposed to a wide range of environmental factors. While a move to city life brings about improvement in economic status, it also leads to public health challenges."
Over half of the world's 6.3 billion inhabitants reside in cities. According to the United Nation Population Division, in 20 years, six out of every 10 people are projected to be city dwellers.
Almost 85 per cent of the Bahamas' population lives in urban areas, which is well above the Caribbean's 67 per cent average. By the year 2050, the urban population in the Bahamas is expected to comprise 91 per cent.
Dr Minnis declared that the Bahamas is on board with the global World Health Day celebrations.
The aim of the ministry is to integrate the activities associated with World Health Day into a "sustained strategy to combat the effects of urban living and reverse trends".
On Saturday, the Ministry of Health will host a Farmers' Market at the Fox Hill Parade to showcase the produce of local farmers, backyard gardeners and producers of native products.
The market is aimed at highlighting some of the steps people can take towards improving their health, particularly by eating healthier.
Several other health challenges to be examined, are pollution, water, sanitation, waste, increased exposure to communicable diseases and violence, smoking and second-hand smoke, drug use, and an increase in chronic non-communicable diseases.
"Regular activities at the street, neighbourhood, and local levels, in addition to those occurring at the national and regional level can have a profound impact on the health of the population. Urbanisation also creates stress on the environment," said Dr Minnis.
"We can combat population and environmental stress by encouraging neighbourhoods to participate in clean-up campaigns and walking groups to promote healthier environments. Communities can come together to promote safety and decrease violence. Taken together, these activities can contribute to a healthier population and safer environment for all," he said.
The Bahamas recently moved on one area of recommended policy actions to improve urban living conditions.
To improve conditions, communities are encouraged to adopt "progressive land use policies" that regulate commercial and non-commercial areas, as well as protected lands for recreation and the preservation of natural resources.
The Revised Planning and Subdivision legislation, recently passed in the House of Assembly, seeks to address these issues, among others.
It is expected to be implemented by July 1.
April 08, 2010
tribune242
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Bahamas: Repatriation of Haitian migrants is criticised
By MEGAN REYNOLDS
Tribune Staff Reporter
mreynolds@tribunemedia.net:
HAITIAN community leaders have criticised Government for repatriating Haitian migrants last week, claiming they will face deplorable conditions and "certain death."
Although the repatriation of illegal Haitian migrants was suspended when Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince was devastated by the magnitude 7.0 earthquake on January 12, Haitian migrants who have been apprehended in the Bahamas since then were returned to Haiti on Monday, March 29.
Deputy Prime Minister and Immigration Minister Brent Symonette maintains Haiti is now ready for repatriation to resume as normal, while members of the Haitian community say those seeking refuge from the devastated nation should not be returned until conditions improve.
"They are sending people to certain death," said a Haitian Bahamian community leader who did not want to be named.
"Now Haiti is coming into the rainy season they are talking about the mud; people are walking in three inches of mud and they have to sleep in that, in tents, and it is going to get worse.
"To me it is really unfortunate to send people to a situation where their livelihood and their lives are at stake.
"We are just sending people to more misery."
An estimated 200,000 people were killed in the earthquake, and aid agencies have struggled to provide food and shelter for around one million left homeless.
Homeless
The Haitian government is now appealing for 40,000 dwellings for the 200,000 homeless living in the worst flooding and mudslide-prone areas.
By returning migrants now, the community leader fears the Bahamas will gain a poor humanitarian reputation internationally.
Antoine St Louis, president of the United Haitian Bahamian Association, added: "We applaud what the Government did for the Haitian people after the earthquake, but we would hope they would give them some more time.
"Haiti is not ready to take anyone as yet.
"They still have a million homeless people sleeping on the street, they still have no food.
"There has not been any improvement to the situation.
"If they gave them some more time that would really help because it is still in dire need."
Mr Symonette maintains there has been no change to the Bahamian Immigration policy, although exceptions were made in the aftermath of the earthquake.
Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham approved the release of 102 Haitian men, women and children held at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre days after the quake hit and they were granted temporary status to remain in the Bahamas for up to six months.
Meanwhile the United States government extended 18 months Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to an estimated 200,000 Haitians already in the US when the earthquake struck.
However, both the US and Bahamas continued to apprehend all those illegally landing within their borders after January 12 to be repatriated when the Haitian government was ready to accept them.
A total of 62 Haitian migrants found on a boat in Exuma two weeks after the earthquake were immediately repatriated by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force with assistance from the United States Coast Guard.
Earthquake
While dozens of others apprehended since the earthquake were charged in court to extend the period of their detention until they could be repatriated on Monday, March 29.
The 86 illegal migrants apprehended in Long Island on March 27 were then returned to Haiti on Wednesday.
In response to criticism from the PLP Opposition, the Immigration Minister released a statement on Monday to clarify how government's policy regarding repatriation has remained constant despite exceptions being made in the aftermath of the quake.
"Now that it is possible to resume the orderly repatriation of illegal Haitian immigrants, those who have been incarcerated are being repatriated," Mr Symonette said.
"Any new illegal immigrants are being apprehended and repatriated as promptly as possible."
April 07, 2010
tribune242
Tribune Staff Reporter
mreynolds@tribunemedia.net:
HAITIAN community leaders have criticised Government for repatriating Haitian migrants last week, claiming they will face deplorable conditions and "certain death."
Although the repatriation of illegal Haitian migrants was suspended when Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince was devastated by the magnitude 7.0 earthquake on January 12, Haitian migrants who have been apprehended in the Bahamas since then were returned to Haiti on Monday, March 29.
Deputy Prime Minister and Immigration Minister Brent Symonette maintains Haiti is now ready for repatriation to resume as normal, while members of the Haitian community say those seeking refuge from the devastated nation should not be returned until conditions improve.
"They are sending people to certain death," said a Haitian Bahamian community leader who did not want to be named.
"Now Haiti is coming into the rainy season they are talking about the mud; people are walking in three inches of mud and they have to sleep in that, in tents, and it is going to get worse.
"To me it is really unfortunate to send people to a situation where their livelihood and their lives are at stake.
"We are just sending people to more misery."
An estimated 200,000 people were killed in the earthquake, and aid agencies have struggled to provide food and shelter for around one million left homeless.
Homeless
The Haitian government is now appealing for 40,000 dwellings for the 200,000 homeless living in the worst flooding and mudslide-prone areas.
By returning migrants now, the community leader fears the Bahamas will gain a poor humanitarian reputation internationally.
Antoine St Louis, president of the United Haitian Bahamian Association, added: "We applaud what the Government did for the Haitian people after the earthquake, but we would hope they would give them some more time.
"Haiti is not ready to take anyone as yet.
"They still have a million homeless people sleeping on the street, they still have no food.
"There has not been any improvement to the situation.
"If they gave them some more time that would really help because it is still in dire need."
Mr Symonette maintains there has been no change to the Bahamian Immigration policy, although exceptions were made in the aftermath of the earthquake.
Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham approved the release of 102 Haitian men, women and children held at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre days after the quake hit and they were granted temporary status to remain in the Bahamas for up to six months.
Meanwhile the United States government extended 18 months Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to an estimated 200,000 Haitians already in the US when the earthquake struck.
However, both the US and Bahamas continued to apprehend all those illegally landing within their borders after January 12 to be repatriated when the Haitian government was ready to accept them.
A total of 62 Haitian migrants found on a boat in Exuma two weeks after the earthquake were immediately repatriated by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force with assistance from the United States Coast Guard.
Earthquake
While dozens of others apprehended since the earthquake were charged in court to extend the period of their detention until they could be repatriated on Monday, March 29.
The 86 illegal migrants apprehended in Long Island on March 27 were then returned to Haiti on Wednesday.
In response to criticism from the PLP Opposition, the Immigration Minister released a statement on Monday to clarify how government's policy regarding repatriation has remained constant despite exceptions being made in the aftermath of the quake.
"Now that it is possible to resume the orderly repatriation of illegal Haitian immigrants, those who have been incarcerated are being repatriated," Mr Symonette said.
"Any new illegal immigrants are being apprehended and repatriated as promptly as possible."
April 07, 2010
tribune242
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