Is Your MP Performing: St. Cecilia Constituents Commend MP
BY KARISSMA ROBINSON:
Seven out of nine constituents polled in the St. Cecilia area say that their Member of Parliament Cynthia "Mother" Pratt’s performance in the area has been so noteworthy that she has already secured herself a prominent place in the annals of Bahamian history.
The Bahama Journal, which randomly polls constituencies each week, went out into the community yesterday to ask the residents if their MP was performing.
The Journal traveled from the St. Cecilia constituency office to as far as the corner of Bimini Avenue and Market Street and spoke with residents who were more than a little anxious to share just how well they feel the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) MP is performing in St. Cecilia.
John Thomas who has been a resident of the constituency for a number of years said Mrs. Pratt has done an "excellent" job over the years.
"She is doing a very good job and I love her. If she were to run in the next general election, she would definitely get my vote. We would hate to see her go." said Mr. Thomas.
Another resident shared similar sentiments.
"I cannot say anything bad about her. She has done a lot for the community and I wish her well in her future endeavors," the resident said.
"She is a good MP. She has brought about many improvements in the area, like paving roads. That was something that we really needed."
Mrs. Pratt has been the MP for the constituency for a number of years and residents say she has been very instrumental in helping poor children in the community.
"We really need her back. She has done a lot for the poor children. She has personally helped me get a job. She always encourages us [young people]. She will do whatever it takes to provide school supplies for children," said one resident who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Leroy King said that if it had not been for Mrs. Pratt many children in the community would not have the opportunity to go to school.
"During the school periods the children are given the basic supplies they need for school. I know that the children really love her because she is always there for them," Mr. King said.
While many of the residents were pleased with Mrs. Pratt’s performance there were two residents who said they felt she could do more.
"Personally, she has done a lot for me in the past. She helped me with my college education. However, she has not done anything significant in the community since I have been a community leader here. I would like to see her get involved with some of the positive things that is going on with the National L.E.A.D Institute," said L.E.A.D President T. Edward Clarke.
Another resident said that while he feels that Mrs. Pratt is doing a reasonable job, he would like to see her do something about the garbage problem in the area.
"What I would like to see her do is clean-up the loads of garbage around here. When there is garbage everywhere it attracts rodents and that is the problem that I have," said Mr. Roberts.
Mrs. Pratt has already announced plans to retire from politics at the end of her current term.
At last report, the PLP was processing at least four applications from candidates interested in representing the St. Cecilia constituency.
Mrs. Pratt previously served as deputy prime minister and minister of national security in the PLP administration.
August 12th, 2010
jonesbahamas
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.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Hubert Ingraham is the Free National Movement's (FNM) best chance of winning the 2012 general election
FNM has 'best chance of winning with Ingraham'
By PAUL G TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net:
THE Free National Movement was described yesterday as still having the best chance of winning the next general election with Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham at its helm.
Dismissing earlier reports that the party could stand a "better chance" of winning in 2012 with a "younger" candidate at the helm, a senior FNM strategist who spoke to The Tribune on condition of anonymity yesterday said that youth does not bring with it a very important factor -- experience.
"There can never be a comparison between Hubert Alexander Ingraham and the young Branville McCartney. Mr Ingraham was a cabinet minister in the Pindling administration. He was subsequently fired from that cabinet and went on to win his seat as an independent Member of Parliament. He then went on to become leader of the FNM and lead that party to a resounding victory at the polls in 1992 and 1997.
"What has Mr McCartney done in comparison? Yes, he was a Minister of Immigration -- which we all know is a very emotive ministry. But what has he done? What were his accomplishments during his tenure in Tourism? So before someone can come to me and say here is a man who is ready to become Prime Minister I have to ask them on what grounds they are speaking," the source said.
However, according to other well-placed FNMs, Mr McCartney's "experience" and tenure in the party does not factor in as much as his public appeal with independent voters. While they would admit that it is yet to be seen what level of support the young FNM MP could attract at a national convention, they feel certain of his public support -- especially with the growing number of young voters.
This demographic, The Tribune was told, may be more inclined to vote for a candidate with which they can "relate", versus the stereotypical "experienced based" argument. And, he said, considering the fact that the PLP will be putting forth a leader would be then in his late 60s in 2012 only adds to the appeal of the new "Branville campaign."
"It would be a landslide victory for the FNM with a young Branville at the helm versus Perry Christie. One is the embodiment of youth at its prime. One is the face of the young people; a change to future," he said.
However, the party's strategist, sees this argument in a totally different light.
"With Hubert Ingraham having been brought back by the people to lead them in 2007 it would be a slap in the face to the public for him to step aside now. It would the surest way for the FNM to lose an election in 2012; and that isn't even considering what such a move would do to his legacy as a politician.
"Just remember, in 2012 the national stadium will be built.
"The road improvement projects will be completed. A new straw market. Baha Mar will be coming on stream, and crime will be under control. Those will be tangible accomplishments that the people can see and feel that Hubert Ingraham would have delivered to them in only five short years. There is no comparison," he said.
August 13, 2010
tribune242
By PAUL G TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net:
THE Free National Movement was described yesterday as still having the best chance of winning the next general election with Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham at its helm.
Dismissing earlier reports that the party could stand a "better chance" of winning in 2012 with a "younger" candidate at the helm, a senior FNM strategist who spoke to The Tribune on condition of anonymity yesterday said that youth does not bring with it a very important factor -- experience.
"There can never be a comparison between Hubert Alexander Ingraham and the young Branville McCartney. Mr Ingraham was a cabinet minister in the Pindling administration. He was subsequently fired from that cabinet and went on to win his seat as an independent Member of Parliament. He then went on to become leader of the FNM and lead that party to a resounding victory at the polls in 1992 and 1997.
"What has Mr McCartney done in comparison? Yes, he was a Minister of Immigration -- which we all know is a very emotive ministry. But what has he done? What were his accomplishments during his tenure in Tourism? So before someone can come to me and say here is a man who is ready to become Prime Minister I have to ask them on what grounds they are speaking," the source said.
However, according to other well-placed FNMs, Mr McCartney's "experience" and tenure in the party does not factor in as much as his public appeal with independent voters. While they would admit that it is yet to be seen what level of support the young FNM MP could attract at a national convention, they feel certain of his public support -- especially with the growing number of young voters.
This demographic, The Tribune was told, may be more inclined to vote for a candidate with which they can "relate", versus the stereotypical "experienced based" argument. And, he said, considering the fact that the PLP will be putting forth a leader would be then in his late 60s in 2012 only adds to the appeal of the new "Branville campaign."
"It would be a landslide victory for the FNM with a young Branville at the helm versus Perry Christie. One is the embodiment of youth at its prime. One is the face of the young people; a change to future," he said.
However, the party's strategist, sees this argument in a totally different light.
"With Hubert Ingraham having been brought back by the people to lead them in 2007 it would be a slap in the face to the public for him to step aside now. It would the surest way for the FNM to lose an election in 2012; and that isn't even considering what such a move would do to his legacy as a politician.
"Just remember, in 2012 the national stadium will be built.
"The road improvement projects will be completed. A new straw market. Baha Mar will be coming on stream, and crime will be under control. Those will be tangible accomplishments that the people can see and feel that Hubert Ingraham would have delivered to them in only five short years. There is no comparison," he said.
August 13, 2010
tribune242
Thursday, August 12, 2010
To Branville McCartney: Son, you must first learn how to follow before you can lead, or - You must learn how to obey before you can give orders
Learn how to follow before attempting to lead
tribune242 editorial
AT A TIME when this country needs all of its citizens to focus on pulling together to ride out a turbulent economic storm many have not ceased to be distracted by election fever.
Since the 2007 election hardly a day has passed without a reminder that the focus is -- not on the economy - but on the 2012 election. From what we hear -- other than a political clique, mainly PLPs who are yet to concede their 2007 defeat, and a group of young, inexperienced Turks in both parties who want to push their leaders out and take over -- the majority of Bahamians are sick of the political sabre rattling. They are worried about losing their jobs, their homes, paying school fees and utility bills -- at times like these the politicians are an unnecessary distraction.
The latest concern this week is that the FNM might not hold its promised national convention this year -- not because of tight party funds -- but because lawyer Branville McCartney might challenge Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham for the leadership.
According to a letter writer to The Tribune, signed by one who says he is an "FNM supporter to change", Mr Ingraham is a man who says what he means and means what he says. The letter writer knows that being a man of his word is Mr Ingraham's sensitive button and in his letter he is pushing it hard with much flattery.
Says the "supporter for change": "We all came to know Mr Ingraham to be a man to his word, in fact FNM came to respect him since he was a man who spoke truth and lived up to his word. We know him to be a man who 'said what he means and mean what he says'. So since he promised, live on TV, that we will meet in convention on November 4, we expect him to continue to be the man who spoke truth. The question of funding for the convention is a mute point because Mr Ingraham could have anything he wants done, when he wants it. The Eastern Road will comply."
It is true, Mr Ingraham is a man of his word. However, he is not a fool, and even a man of his word has enough sense to lower his sails and change tack when a situation changes and he realises it would be folly to stick to a promise made in better times. The letter writer is obviously depending on the Eastern Road to finance a few days of shaking colourful pom-poms, spouting a lot of hot air from a platform, stuffing themselves with free food and enjoying fun nights in hotel rooms. Eastern Road residents are mainly business people whose first consideration will be on the economic constraints necessary for the times in which we now find ourselves. If they are the ones expected to fund this useless bash, we hope they will lock down their coffers, go home and direct their spare cash to where it can be of more use -- helping the jobless among us. These are serious days, and a convention at such a time would be out of order. It is now time that some of these young Turks got some sense and settled down to getting some experience in nation building before continuing their useless chatter about what they are going to lead.
Mr Branville McCartney, a lawyer, is the man being pushed to the fore in the FNM ranks. There is a group who are playing to his ego and trying to make him believe that he is the future saviour of this country. He might well be. We know nothing about him except the usual curriculum vitae issued to the press, and the fact that for a short time he served, but later resigned from the Ingraham cabinet. However, we now invite him to think back on the days of Julius Caesar riding in triumph through Rome's ancient city. While the crowds shouted "Hail Caesar!" the little dwarf at his side constantly tugged at his tunic, and reminded him: "Remember Caesar, thou art only a man!"
Today Mr McCartney's flatterers are tempting him into believing that he has better insight into the needs of this country, after limited experience in politics, than a man who has had broad experience for more than thirty years, both nationally and internationally. Many interpretations can be put on why Mr McCartney resigned from the Ingraham Cabinet, but it indicates to us that when the going gets rough, or things do not go his way, his inclination is to abandon ship. His day for leadership might come, but in our opinion he is still lightweight in the political arena, and his time is not now.
It might do Mr McCartney well to shut out the noise in the market place and consider the advice given by Hamilcar Barca, a Carthaginian general and statesman, to his famous son Hannibal, who later crossed the Alps on elephants in a useless attempt to defeat Rome: "Son you must first learn how to follow before you can lead."
Another version is: "You must learn how to obey before you can give orders."
August 12, 2010
tribune242 editorial
tribune242 editorial
AT A TIME when this country needs all of its citizens to focus on pulling together to ride out a turbulent economic storm many have not ceased to be distracted by election fever.
Since the 2007 election hardly a day has passed without a reminder that the focus is -- not on the economy - but on the 2012 election. From what we hear -- other than a political clique, mainly PLPs who are yet to concede their 2007 defeat, and a group of young, inexperienced Turks in both parties who want to push their leaders out and take over -- the majority of Bahamians are sick of the political sabre rattling. They are worried about losing their jobs, their homes, paying school fees and utility bills -- at times like these the politicians are an unnecessary distraction.
The latest concern this week is that the FNM might not hold its promised national convention this year -- not because of tight party funds -- but because lawyer Branville McCartney might challenge Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham for the leadership.
According to a letter writer to The Tribune, signed by one who says he is an "FNM supporter to change", Mr Ingraham is a man who says what he means and means what he says. The letter writer knows that being a man of his word is Mr Ingraham's sensitive button and in his letter he is pushing it hard with much flattery.
Says the "supporter for change": "We all came to know Mr Ingraham to be a man to his word, in fact FNM came to respect him since he was a man who spoke truth and lived up to his word. We know him to be a man who 'said what he means and mean what he says'. So since he promised, live on TV, that we will meet in convention on November 4, we expect him to continue to be the man who spoke truth. The question of funding for the convention is a mute point because Mr Ingraham could have anything he wants done, when he wants it. The Eastern Road will comply."
It is true, Mr Ingraham is a man of his word. However, he is not a fool, and even a man of his word has enough sense to lower his sails and change tack when a situation changes and he realises it would be folly to stick to a promise made in better times. The letter writer is obviously depending on the Eastern Road to finance a few days of shaking colourful pom-poms, spouting a lot of hot air from a platform, stuffing themselves with free food and enjoying fun nights in hotel rooms. Eastern Road residents are mainly business people whose first consideration will be on the economic constraints necessary for the times in which we now find ourselves. If they are the ones expected to fund this useless bash, we hope they will lock down their coffers, go home and direct their spare cash to where it can be of more use -- helping the jobless among us. These are serious days, and a convention at such a time would be out of order. It is now time that some of these young Turks got some sense and settled down to getting some experience in nation building before continuing their useless chatter about what they are going to lead.
Mr Branville McCartney, a lawyer, is the man being pushed to the fore in the FNM ranks. There is a group who are playing to his ego and trying to make him believe that he is the future saviour of this country. He might well be. We know nothing about him except the usual curriculum vitae issued to the press, and the fact that for a short time he served, but later resigned from the Ingraham cabinet. However, we now invite him to think back on the days of Julius Caesar riding in triumph through Rome's ancient city. While the crowds shouted "Hail Caesar!" the little dwarf at his side constantly tugged at his tunic, and reminded him: "Remember Caesar, thou art only a man!"
Today Mr McCartney's flatterers are tempting him into believing that he has better insight into the needs of this country, after limited experience in politics, than a man who has had broad experience for more than thirty years, both nationally and internationally. Many interpretations can be put on why Mr McCartney resigned from the Ingraham Cabinet, but it indicates to us that when the going gets rough, or things do not go his way, his inclination is to abandon ship. His day for leadership might come, but in our opinion he is still lightweight in the political arena, and his time is not now.
It might do Mr McCartney well to shut out the noise in the market place and consider the advice given by Hamilcar Barca, a Carthaginian general and statesman, to his famous son Hannibal, who later crossed the Alps on elephants in a useless attempt to defeat Rome: "Son you must first learn how to follow before you can lead."
Another version is: "You must learn how to obey before you can give orders."
August 12, 2010
tribune242 editorial
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Cheryl Grant Bethel should be Fired in the Public's Interest
By Dennis Dames:
I am profoundly disappointed in Ms. Cheryl Grant Bethel’s ugly public behavior in regards to her quest to challenge the government’s decision to hire the new Director of Public Prosecutions - Jamaican born, Ms. Vinette Graham Allen. She feels that the Job is constitutionally her own. It reminds me of the Freeport attorney who thought that the prime minister should have included him on the Q.C. list in the last batch of successful candidates; so he sought legal advice in his nonsensical endeavor to compel the PM to recommend him to be a Queen’s Counsel.
I saw a recent headline where the official opposition PLP has encouraged their women to support the folly of Ms. Grant Bethel. I hope that PLP women with foreign husbands working in The Bahamas – doing work that Bahamians are qualified to do would see the wisdom in staying away from this lost cause. This goes too - for PLP men with non-Bahamian wives with Jobs here that Bahamians are capable of doing.
There are too many people in the public and private sectors who feel that the next step up the ladder belongs to them exclusively, or the man’s job is theirs until death separates them. My advice to them is to start your own enterprise where you could occupy any position that you desire until you die.
It is my view that Ms. Grant Bethel should be fired immediately from the public service, because she has terribly compromised her integrity – and is showing a thug mentality unbecoming of a senior officer. It’s time for the powers that be to put their foot down and show Ms. Bethel who’s in charge; send her home!
Congratulations are in order for Ms. Vinette Graham Allen, and welcome to The Bahamas. We trust that you would help us get things in order in regards to law and order in our beloved country. Don’t mind the noise in the market Madame; it’s the price of the fish that concerns us. All the best to you and yours and God bless.
Bahamas Blog International
I am profoundly disappointed in Ms. Cheryl Grant Bethel’s ugly public behavior in regards to her quest to challenge the government’s decision to hire the new Director of Public Prosecutions - Jamaican born, Ms. Vinette Graham Allen. She feels that the Job is constitutionally her own. It reminds me of the Freeport attorney who thought that the prime minister should have included him on the Q.C. list in the last batch of successful candidates; so he sought legal advice in his nonsensical endeavor to compel the PM to recommend him to be a Queen’s Counsel.
I saw a recent headline where the official opposition PLP has encouraged their women to support the folly of Ms. Grant Bethel. I hope that PLP women with foreign husbands working in The Bahamas – doing work that Bahamians are qualified to do would see the wisdom in staying away from this lost cause. This goes too - for PLP men with non-Bahamian wives with Jobs here that Bahamians are capable of doing.
There are too many people in the public and private sectors who feel that the next step up the ladder belongs to them exclusively, or the man’s job is theirs until death separates them. My advice to them is to start your own enterprise where you could occupy any position that you desire until you die.
It is my view that Ms. Grant Bethel should be fired immediately from the public service, because she has terribly compromised her integrity – and is showing a thug mentality unbecoming of a senior officer. It’s time for the powers that be to put their foot down and show Ms. Bethel who’s in charge; send her home!
Congratulations are in order for Ms. Vinette Graham Allen, and welcome to The Bahamas. We trust that you would help us get things in order in regards to law and order in our beloved country. Don’t mind the noise in the market Madame; it’s the price of the fish that concerns us. All the best to you and yours and God bless.
Bahamas Blog International
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Branville McCartney - Member of Parliament for Bamboo Town says: ...that there are a lot of men in his area who are in need of jobs
Men In Bamboo Town Want Jobs
By Sasha L. Lightbourne:
It’s something you find in every community – men who are unemployed and looking for jobs – and certainly that was the case in Bamboo Town where several young men who are residing in the area said one of the things their member of parliament can do is to put on a job fair.
Member of Parliament for Bamboo Town, Branville McCartney acknowledged that there are a lot of men in the area in need of jobs.
"We are trying to get a men’s forum together because we do have quite a number of men who are unemployed," he said.
"They feel despondent and frustrated so we are trying to get some persons in to talk to them like social workers and psychiatrists so I have to acknowledge that one of the areas I am having difficulty in is trying to get the young men involved in certain things."
Mr. McCartney said it is difficult to reach out to all the young men but because his Constituency is so large it is often hard to do so.
One of the men we spoke to in the area agreed that more jobs should be created in the area.
"I think one of the things Mr. McCartney can do is put on a job fair," Mr. King said.
"People have this misconception that young men out there don’t want to work and that is wrong. I got laid off last year and have been looking for a job ever since but it has been hard to find a job. Everyone is saying that they are not hiring because of the economy."
He explained that it is hard not having a job especially when you have a family to support.
"You have to look at the high crime rate in the country and wonder are these people just being nuisances or do they have no other choice," Mr. King asked.
"It’s hard out there. I just hope Mr. McCartney sees the young men in his constituency and will respond by assisting them. We are not looking for any handouts but we can find ways to create jobs in this constituency, only if that’s to cut grass then that’s what it has to be but something has to be done."
When we spoke to Mr. McCartney last week he told the Bahama Journal that several job fairs had been held in the past and there are plans to host another one later this year.
"We want to continue doing those kinds of things but the people have to come out and support it," he said.
"It’s expensive to put on those initiatives and then no one shows up. We also have regular community meetings as well as association meetings where we discuss these types of things with constituents so we can find out what the needs of the community are."
August 9th, 2010
jonesbahamas
By Sasha L. Lightbourne:
It’s something you find in every community – men who are unemployed and looking for jobs – and certainly that was the case in Bamboo Town where several young men who are residing in the area said one of the things their member of parliament can do is to put on a job fair.
Member of Parliament for Bamboo Town, Branville McCartney acknowledged that there are a lot of men in the area in need of jobs.
"We are trying to get a men’s forum together because we do have quite a number of men who are unemployed," he said.
"They feel despondent and frustrated so we are trying to get some persons in to talk to them like social workers and psychiatrists so I have to acknowledge that one of the areas I am having difficulty in is trying to get the young men involved in certain things."
Mr. McCartney said it is difficult to reach out to all the young men but because his Constituency is so large it is often hard to do so.
One of the men we spoke to in the area agreed that more jobs should be created in the area.
"I think one of the things Mr. McCartney can do is put on a job fair," Mr. King said.
"People have this misconception that young men out there don’t want to work and that is wrong. I got laid off last year and have been looking for a job ever since but it has been hard to find a job. Everyone is saying that they are not hiring because of the economy."
He explained that it is hard not having a job especially when you have a family to support.
"You have to look at the high crime rate in the country and wonder are these people just being nuisances or do they have no other choice," Mr. King asked.
"It’s hard out there. I just hope Mr. McCartney sees the young men in his constituency and will respond by assisting them. We are not looking for any handouts but we can find ways to create jobs in this constituency, only if that’s to cut grass then that’s what it has to be but something has to be done."
When we spoke to Mr. McCartney last week he told the Bahama Journal that several job fairs had been held in the past and there are plans to host another one later this year.
"We want to continue doing those kinds of things but the people have to come out and support it," he said.
"It’s expensive to put on those initiatives and then no one shows up. We also have regular community meetings as well as association meetings where we discuss these types of things with constituents so we can find out what the needs of the community are."
August 9th, 2010
jonesbahamas
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Tommy Turnquest - National Security chief says: measures are in place to protect The Bahamas’ multi-million dollar crawfish industry from poachers...
Measures are in place to protect crawfish industry
By CHESTER ROBARDS
Business Reporter
crobards@tribunemedia.net:
The National Security chief said yesterday that measures have been put in place to protect this country’s multi-million dollar crawfish industry from poachers who can remove up to $22million worth of the product per annum from Bahamian waters.
Tommy Turnquest said a defence force ship as well as a smaller, faster craft, have been assigned to patrol the Great Bahama Bank where poachers have been spotted and confronted by Bahamian fishermen in the past.
He cautioned fishermen not to approach the poachers if they happened upon them but to call for assistance.
“We don’t expect Bahamian fishermen to be out there in a fight by themselves,” Mr Turnquest said.
He added that for the greatest protection of this country’ marine resources, the Great Bahama Bank is where the defence force has been stationed.
According to him, the construction of a new defence force base at Gun Pointe on Ragged Island will bolster the protection of the bank by providing easier, faster access for patrol boats.
However, fisherman in the past have complained that calls to the defence force have led to nothing but inaction, and they insist that poachers are often simply released with their illegal catch shortly after being captured by authorities.
With the crawfish season just five days old, and Bahamian fishermen facing the challenges of a new catch system that will allow their crawfish tails to be traded with European Countries, they are even more desperate than ever to pull in large hauls.
Last year saw an almost 50 per cent decline in the price of crawfish due to the global recession.
And at the beginning of the year, this country saw the makings of a trade embargo on crawfish tails to the EU due to the absence of a tracking system called the catch certificate.
Representatives of the fisheries sector told Tribune Business recently that the certificate was key to restarting trade, while adhering to the Marine Stewardship Council's (MSC) - the world's leading environmental certification programme for wild-caught fisheries - mandates.
Glenn Pritchard, president of Tropical Seafood, and Mia Isaacs, president of the Bahamas Marine Exporters Association (BMEA), said implementing the catch certificate will be the most important focus for the fisheries industry, as the Bahamas would not be allowed to trade with the EU if the chain of custody for lobster tails is not certified by use of those certificates.
The certificates will allow purchasing entities to trace catches from their possession all the way back to the fishing boat that made the catch - and possibly even back to the exact spot in the Bahamas the product was caught.
This requirement is part of a global mandate to help countries ensure their food exports are safe and traceable, and that they keep their marine resources in check to ensure sustainability.
While certification from the MSC is voluntary at this time, many importers of this country’s lobster tails are increasingly demanding that the country be certified in an effort to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing issues.
When the Bahamas brings into force the MSC certification it is likely that many poachers, who are said to come form the Dominican Republic, will find a closed market for their product.
Mr Turnquest told Tribune Business in April that his department was investigating possible links between poachers and Defence Force officers. According to him, “intelligence operations are in place”.
However, he said yesterday that those efforts have yet to yield any findings to substantiate those claims.
Mr Turnquest said the Government is diligently attempting to resolve the poaching problem which exists within the Bahamas’ 100,000 square mile maritime border and the possibility that some Bahamians, even within the institution charged with policing these waters, are abetting it.
“We have in place some systems,” he said. “We have a limited amount of persons who know where these vessel go, but we continue to monitor it.”
August 06, 2010
tribune242
By CHESTER ROBARDS
Business Reporter
crobards@tribunemedia.net:
The National Security chief said yesterday that measures have been put in place to protect this country’s multi-million dollar crawfish industry from poachers who can remove up to $22million worth of the product per annum from Bahamian waters.
Tommy Turnquest said a defence force ship as well as a smaller, faster craft, have been assigned to patrol the Great Bahama Bank where poachers have been spotted and confronted by Bahamian fishermen in the past.
He cautioned fishermen not to approach the poachers if they happened upon them but to call for assistance.
“We don’t expect Bahamian fishermen to be out there in a fight by themselves,” Mr Turnquest said.
He added that for the greatest protection of this country’ marine resources, the Great Bahama Bank is where the defence force has been stationed.
According to him, the construction of a new defence force base at Gun Pointe on Ragged Island will bolster the protection of the bank by providing easier, faster access for patrol boats.
However, fisherman in the past have complained that calls to the defence force have led to nothing but inaction, and they insist that poachers are often simply released with their illegal catch shortly after being captured by authorities.
With the crawfish season just five days old, and Bahamian fishermen facing the challenges of a new catch system that will allow their crawfish tails to be traded with European Countries, they are even more desperate than ever to pull in large hauls.
Last year saw an almost 50 per cent decline in the price of crawfish due to the global recession.
And at the beginning of the year, this country saw the makings of a trade embargo on crawfish tails to the EU due to the absence of a tracking system called the catch certificate.
Representatives of the fisheries sector told Tribune Business recently that the certificate was key to restarting trade, while adhering to the Marine Stewardship Council's (MSC) - the world's leading environmental certification programme for wild-caught fisheries - mandates.
Glenn Pritchard, president of Tropical Seafood, and Mia Isaacs, president of the Bahamas Marine Exporters Association (BMEA), said implementing the catch certificate will be the most important focus for the fisheries industry, as the Bahamas would not be allowed to trade with the EU if the chain of custody for lobster tails is not certified by use of those certificates.
The certificates will allow purchasing entities to trace catches from their possession all the way back to the fishing boat that made the catch - and possibly even back to the exact spot in the Bahamas the product was caught.
This requirement is part of a global mandate to help countries ensure their food exports are safe and traceable, and that they keep their marine resources in check to ensure sustainability.
While certification from the MSC is voluntary at this time, many importers of this country’s lobster tails are increasingly demanding that the country be certified in an effort to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing issues.
When the Bahamas brings into force the MSC certification it is likely that many poachers, who are said to come form the Dominican Republic, will find a closed market for their product.
Mr Turnquest told Tribune Business in April that his department was investigating possible links between poachers and Defence Force officers. According to him, “intelligence operations are in place”.
However, he said yesterday that those efforts have yet to yield any findings to substantiate those claims.
Mr Turnquest said the Government is diligently attempting to resolve the poaching problem which exists within the Bahamas’ 100,000 square mile maritime border and the possibility that some Bahamians, even within the institution charged with policing these waters, are abetting it.
“We have in place some systems,” he said. “We have a limited amount of persons who know where these vessel go, but we continue to monitor it.”
August 06, 2010
tribune242
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Desmond Bannister - Education Minister says: Mathematics and English test scores reflect an issue of "national concern"
E- and D ‘national concern’
By TANEKA THOMPSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
tthompson@tribunemedia.net:
STUDENTS sitting mathematics and English courses in this year's Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education exams (BGCSE) received average grades of E- and D respectively.
Still, mathematics and English are part of 16 subjects that showed some improvement in grade point averages compared to last year, including art and design A, art and design B, art and design C, biology, bookkeeping and accounts, chemistry, economics, food and nutrition, French, graphical communication, literature, office procedures, physics and religious studies.
The mathematics and English test scores reflect an issue of "national concern" highlighting the need for continued emphasis on improving literacy and numeracy skills in students, said Education Minister Desmond Bannister yesterday.
The subjects with the best results this year are art and design A, art and design B, art and design C, and carpentry and joinery with average grades of C+. The average test result of students who sat the bookkeeping/accounting exams was an E-.
Only four subjects saw an improvement in letter grades over last year. Art and design A and art and design C saw an average grade of C+, an improvement over the average grade of C in both subjects last year. The average grade in economics and office procedures was a D+, an improvement from D and D- respectively .
Geography, which recorded average grades of C this year and in 2009, was the only subject which did not see an increase or decrease in GPA or letter grade comparisons to last year.
The biggest improvement "in the history of the examination" was shown in the number of students who received at least a C or above in five or more subjects.
"There's been a general trend of improvement this year and that is where we are looking to go in the Bahamas with respect to results.
"This year the increase in the number of candidates who were successful in obtaining five or more subjects at grade 'C' or higher shows possibly the biggest improvement in this statistics in the history of the examination, improving to 921 compared to 834 in 2008 and 788 in 2007,” Mr Bannister said.
Five hundred and 20 students were awarded at least a grade C or above in mathematics, English and science compared to 476 in 2009, and 499 in 2008.
English language, biology and math continue to be the most popular subject choice for most students while Auto Mechanics, Clothing Construction and Electrical Installation continue to be the least. The majority of candidates who sit the heavily subscribed subjects usually only sit the core papers, said Mr Bannister, and none had a 100 per cent subscription rate.
The results were part of a report released by the Ministry of Education's Evaluation and Assessment Division yesterday on the BGCSE and the Bahamas Junior Certificate (BJC) exams for 2010. As promised earlier this year, Mr Bannister did not issue a national grade average for the junior and secondary certificate exams – an average he claims does not paint a clear picture of student performance.
The exams are graded on a seven point scale from A to G. There are 27 subjects offered and 14 of these subjects contain core and extended papers. The highest grade available on a core paper is a C while students sitting extended papers can score as high as an A letter grade.
While not "completely satisfied" with this year's results, Mr Bannister said with his ministry's targeted focus on numeracy and literacy skills he hoped to see a marked change in the test scores in the future.
August 06, 2010
tribune242
By TANEKA THOMPSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
tthompson@tribunemedia.net:
STUDENTS sitting mathematics and English courses in this year's Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education exams (BGCSE) received average grades of E- and D respectively.
Still, mathematics and English are part of 16 subjects that showed some improvement in grade point averages compared to last year, including art and design A, art and design B, art and design C, biology, bookkeeping and accounts, chemistry, economics, food and nutrition, French, graphical communication, literature, office procedures, physics and religious studies.
The mathematics and English test scores reflect an issue of "national concern" highlighting the need for continued emphasis on improving literacy and numeracy skills in students, said Education Minister Desmond Bannister yesterday.
The subjects with the best results this year are art and design A, art and design B, art and design C, and carpentry and joinery with average grades of C+. The average test result of students who sat the bookkeeping/accounting exams was an E-.
Only four subjects saw an improvement in letter grades over last year. Art and design A and art and design C saw an average grade of C+, an improvement over the average grade of C in both subjects last year. The average grade in economics and office procedures was a D+, an improvement from D and D- respectively .
Geography, which recorded average grades of C this year and in 2009, was the only subject which did not see an increase or decrease in GPA or letter grade comparisons to last year.
The biggest improvement "in the history of the examination" was shown in the number of students who received at least a C or above in five or more subjects.
"There's been a general trend of improvement this year and that is where we are looking to go in the Bahamas with respect to results.
"This year the increase in the number of candidates who were successful in obtaining five or more subjects at grade 'C' or higher shows possibly the biggest improvement in this statistics in the history of the examination, improving to 921 compared to 834 in 2008 and 788 in 2007,” Mr Bannister said.
Five hundred and 20 students were awarded at least a grade C or above in mathematics, English and science compared to 476 in 2009, and 499 in 2008.
English language, biology and math continue to be the most popular subject choice for most students while Auto Mechanics, Clothing Construction and Electrical Installation continue to be the least. The majority of candidates who sit the heavily subscribed subjects usually only sit the core papers, said Mr Bannister, and none had a 100 per cent subscription rate.
The results were part of a report released by the Ministry of Education's Evaluation and Assessment Division yesterday on the BGCSE and the Bahamas Junior Certificate (BJC) exams for 2010. As promised earlier this year, Mr Bannister did not issue a national grade average for the junior and secondary certificate exams – an average he claims does not paint a clear picture of student performance.
The exams are graded on a seven point scale from A to G. There are 27 subjects offered and 14 of these subjects contain core and extended papers. The highest grade available on a core paper is a C while students sitting extended papers can score as high as an A letter grade.
While not "completely satisfied" with this year's results, Mr Bannister said with his ministry's targeted focus on numeracy and literacy skills he hoped to see a marked change in the test scores in the future.
August 06, 2010
tribune242
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)