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Political Leader and Activist along with other protesters arrested during CARICOM meeting in The Bahamas

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 16 th , 2023

Nassau The Bahamas – Political Leader and Activist Lincoln Bain and other peaceful protesters were arrested by the government yesterday 15 th February, 2023, as they attempted to protest the Illegal Immigration situation in the Country during CARICOM.

Maria Daxon is an attorney and Activist that has been practicing law in the Bahamas for many years. She has used her platform to advocate for the people of her country and is daily fighting for their rights. For more information on the above story please go to The Tribune (tribune242.com) Videos of police actions available

Bain along with the other protesters are being held illegally without charges until the CARICOM meeting that is being held in the Bahamas from 15 th to the 17 th February 2023 at the Baha Mar Resort, Cable Beach is concluded.

Protesters were blocked from entering the area of the hotel and directed to an area further away, where they were then followed by the officers, who commenced to harass and then arrest and assault the women in the crowd, punching some in the face and slamming and stomping another to the ground.

The Constitution of the Bahamas gives its citizens the right to peacefully protest as well as The Bahamas has signed on to the International Convention On Civil Rights and Political Rights. Please read Human Rights Committee: General Comment No. 37 (2020) on the right of peaceful assembly (article 21).

While the entire Caribbean has been experiencing an influx of Illegal Haitians as they flee their gang ravished nation of Haiti. The Bahamas in particular has been overrun by slopes coming in on a daily basis filled with no less than three to five hundred Illegal Immigrants to all of its islands. In addition, they are arriving via planes with passports and work permits in hand.

The issues that Bain and the other protesters were hoping to bring to the forefront during this protest are as follows:-

  1. The over population of the country by illegal Immigrants
  2. The influx of gang members.
  3. The influx of illegal guns
  4. The influx of illegal Drugs and more.

Because of the corruption in the country, the Constitution of The Bahamas is being over ridden and the Illegals are being given citizenships for a fee. The citizenry of the Bahamas is approximately four hundred thousand persons, while Haiti’s population is approximately eleven million. It is impossible for the Bahamas to absorb the invasion when there are Bahamian Citizens that are still living in abandoned buildings and cars since hurricane Dorian in August,
2019.

The drain on the country’s resources has been strained to its limits before
he latest inundation and now it is about to snap. The school system is over run,
the hospital do not have enough bed, the National Insurance is said by the government to be running out and the list goes on.

Because of what is happening in the country there is no recourse, the media is being censored and the arm forces are being used to control and abuse the people of the Bahamas. With this in mind, we are asking that you help us get this information out to the
world.



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50 responses to “Political Leader and Activist along with other protesters arrested during CARICOM meeting in The Bahamas”

  1. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    Two quotes
    (1) “In addition, they are arriving via planes with passports and work permits in hand.”
    (2) “Because of the corruption in the country, the Constitution of The Bahamas is being over ridden and the Illegals are being given citizenships for a fee.”

    70K times $2000= $140M Illegal or not, large sums of money will be made by selling passports to thousands. This make the money derived from the Welcome Stamp program look like chicken feed.

    Hopefully, the situation in the Bahamas serves as a stern warning for those who would propose mass movement of people across their borders. Problems include the following:
    The school system will be over run,
    the hospital will not have enough bed,
    the struggling National Insurance will be overwhelmed
    the media will be censored
    the arm(ed) forces will be used to control and abuse the people,
    increased transportation issues
    increased water issues

    I can see the future and it is bleak.

  2. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    Good on this citizen for making an effort.
    Years back a Bajan businessman with several interests told me “there is corruption in the Caribbean and then there is corruption in the Bahamas.”
    Later in life I witnessed it first hand.
    Lest we forget, the real issue here is the sad situation in Haiti. Without that, people wouldn’t be fleeing en masse.

  3. Vincent Codrington Avatar
    Vincent Codrington

    Valid points that some politicians and technocrats ignore.

  4. David Avatar
    David

    It is a pity with the passing of Eric Fly we don’t have any real advocate to give an edge to the dissenting view. This is made the more apparent in a prevailing circumstance where one party dominates the house of assembly.

  5. African Online Publishing Copyright (c) 2023. All Rights Reserved. Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright (c) 2023. All Rights Reserved.

    Look how things have come full circle though.

    Can those who believe that everyone else should be doing all the advocating for them while they hold a stance of being far removed and detached from a dangerous situation now spreading across the region just as it spread across the world in the last few years..

    ….where is the citizen input and civic duty OUTSIDE of just posting comments…do yall understand that many of us worldwide have already put in all the work. and seen much progress…despite all the attacks and attempts to sabotage…….IT’S YOUR TURN…

    I already posted to the other thread about Suriname.

  6. David Avatar
    David

    Steuspe

  7. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    ” Prime Minister Trudeau, expressing pleasure at meeting with Prime Minister Mottley, noted that Canada and Barbados have a long and deep past of working together.”

    https://barbadostoday.bb/2023/02/17/mottley-meets-with-trudeau/

  8. David Avatar
    David

    @Hants

    What we need MOTTLEY to do now is to redeem some of the goodwill from the international community to the benefit of the region. We are starting to see some conversion but it needs to be as a greater pace and quantum.

  9. African Online Publishing Copyright (c) 2023. All Rights Reserved. Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright (c) 2023. All Rights Reserved.

    And this is the main reason yall got left decades behind and no one, at least not me, will ever invite those who are determined to not see the forest or the trees, anywhere.

  10. Think Big Bitch Avatar
    Think Big Bitch

    Protestors get arrested all the time and treat it as a badge of honour to further their cause
    Bitch you thinking small
    you need to be thinking big bitch
    think big bitch

  11. African Online Publishing Copyright (c) 2023. All Rights Reserved. Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright (c) 2023. All Rights Reserved.

    For those interested in saving themselves, developing and moving forward and upward. There are groups out there completely focused and moving in the right direction to achieve just that.

    But you will have to find them on your own…i stopped getting involved in certain things.

  12. African Online Publishing Copyright (c) 2023. All Rights Reserved. Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright (c) 2023. All Rights Reserved.

    I can remember seeing anyone post the definition before.

    “Word forms: puppets

    You can refer to a person or country as a puppet when you mean that their actions are controlled by a more powerful person or government, even though they may appear to be independent.”

  13. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Make that a double steupse!

  14. It Has to Be a Dream (Late Night Radio Edit) Avatar
    It Has to Be a Dream (Late Night Radio Edit)

    For the record I think the word should be “steups”

  15. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    How to fix the Haitian problem is obviously beyond my capacity. Seems that millions of horses have been allowed to bolt. A few hundred thousand – I got ideas, but my poor little brain cannot think in terms of millions. Unlike some, I don’t pretend to have all the answers.

    What I do know is this –

    Unlike the USA, the UK and Europe, we did not have a hand in creating any crisis in any other country. We bear no responsibility for this chaos.

    Still, we cannot simply wash our hands of them. We know their history! They are symbolically important at the very least and important as our brothers and sisters to all with human empathy.

    What can this little rock do? The only jobs available would be in agriculture, since farmers often complain for labour shortages.

    And even then, we must be careful not to strain our infrastructure, as TheO pointed out.

    Caricom must do SOMETHING!

  16. David Avatar
    David

    @Donna Haiti is a failed state. You are intelligent to know what that means. Unfortunately we will not see Haiti rise in our lifetime and not be for lack of trying.

  17. African Online Publishing Copyright (c) 2023. All Rights Reserved. Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright (c) 2023. All Rights Reserved.

    Funny enuff, when Haitians were recently methodically STARVED TO DEATH, including prisoners…not a peep was printed in the so called traditional media in Barbados…although i missed plenty on BU in those months…i cant remember seeing it on here either…..

    But it was unpacked in other forums and in a big way on the continent..

    It’s instructive to note that Haiti is one of the wealthiest countries in the west in terms of resources, irridium which can be found in only 2 countries…and reportedly has more oil and gas than Venezuela…most people dont know that.

    ..so everyone has eyes glued to see if these fly by night criminals who look for slave labor at every opportunity think they can exploit these oppressed people…

    Pacha….things are much better today…needed a few days for processing…back to normal now.

  18. Black In My Soul (Tiger Stripes Main Remix) Avatar
    Black In My Soul (Tiger Stripes Main Remix)

    Black Slaves were taken from their Mother Land Africa and patriated in various plantations to work in islands or mainland captured lands against their free will and were property of others who had an insatiable constant need for more slaves as they would die after 7 years, the point is if these people are fleeing gangs and violence then they should be given a place to stay and welcomed in “black” countries and treated like family because they are distant relations

  19. African Online Publishing Copyright (c) 2023. Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright (c) 2023.

    We watched for years as some of these know nothings pretended they are better than Haitians and had no clue that what’s under the earth in Haiti could feed the sagging asses of these pretenders who have absolutely no shame.. and feed the whole Caribbean too.

    Some of us have known about it for decades.

  20. Black In My Soul Avatar
    Black In My Soul

    Haitians slaves were property of France while Barbadian slaves were property of Great Britain,

    Breaking down nuances of territories that became the source for enslaved people to meet the demand for labour.

    Majority of the French enslaved Africans were purchased in the Senegambia region, where the French established trading posts at Saint-Louis in Senegal and on the Island of Gorée, as well as in the Bight of Benin.

    Old Pirates and racist Great Britain robbed the people from Western Africa (part of which became known as “the Slave Coast”), Angola and nearby Kingdoms and later Central Africa

  21. African Online Publishing Copyright (c) 2023. All Rights Reserved. Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright (c) 2023. All Rights Reserved.

    No one has to listen to me but the Slaves should keep quiet, most things have moved out of the realm of their limited knowledge and understanding…

    I dont have to say a word, but looking at the pathetic reasoning is cringeworthy..even i got a heart..but no, ah cant help ya…wasted too much time on here already as it is…..

    but doan mine me..continue.

  22. W Avatar
    W

    You are a SELF-RIGHTEOUS IDIOT.

    Why you should let it BOTHER YOU, if you think people are limited in knowledge and understanding?

    THAT IS THEIR PROBLEM, NOT YOURS.

    NOBODY AIN’T ASK YOU TO TELL THEM ANYTHING!!!!

    It has to be BOTHERING YOU that you keep WASTING YOUR TIME TALKING ABOUT it all the time.

    Thank God or whoever you does pray to that you got more understanding, knowledge, education and commonsense than everybody else here on BU, and STOP talking bout people.

    After all, when any of these people dead, duh ain’t gine BURY YOU.

    GROW UP AND GET A LIFE!!!!

  23. African Online Publishing Copyright (c) 2023. All Rights Reserved Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright (c) 2023. All Rights Reserved

    Poor coward, your ignorance and cnut status is solidified….and compounded…i dont hide behind muliple anonymous monikers to attack or attract anyone…

    I repeat…you backward shame and disgrace, of which there are way too many, are not to confuse, lie to or mislead the next our incoming generations with your know nothing rhetoric and bullshit..

    ..that is why i have, not one, but 2 websites to refute your lies and lack of knowledge.

  24. African Online Publishing Copyright (c) 2023. All Rights Reserved. Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright (c) 2023. All Rights Reserved.

    I will say this once, you wicked Slaves are not to wish more oppression and exploitation on Haitian people by having them work agriculture for your lazy asses in Slave Society Barbados…while am sure the thieving crooks of Barbados will seek ways to rob them their labor…but the Haitian gangs are a real force already unleashed…so i wish them all the luck they deserve.

    ..the thought of a wellknown idiot suggesting that, in a corrupted Slave mind, when Haitians can feed ya nuhbody ass…is an insult.

    ..you dont know anything about Haiti, ya dont even know ya own history… .but shitehounds can never see that far ahead….ya may want to read the Haitian thread for up-to-date info…and christ…get some help…there are ways to reverse damaged goods.

  25. W Avatar
    W

    TWO websites, but you still does come here everyday to talk scunt?

  26. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    David,

    Kindly inform the blog that Donna is Donna is Donna and only DONNA!

    On a few occasions I have slipped up and been “D” but I have always claimed my comments in my next post.

    But just for the record, I wholeheartedly endorse the sentiments of “W” and suggest that it stands for WHOEVER has sense enough to understand that you have an inferiority complex which, Richard Browne the Bajan psychologist said on CBC many moons ago, actually masquerades as a superiority complex.

    Your daily drivel is therefore to be understood as a cry for help.

    If Richard Browne still lives, I think he would have retired by now.

    But there are others who must know what he did, and should be able to help you.

    Good luck!

  27. African Online Publishing Copyright (c) 2023. All Rights Reserved. Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright (c) 2023. All Rights Reserved.

    All the last words are yours to have…knock yaself out…..

    i actually have work to do on both sites today…took short break this weak….work is catching up…no more time wasting, unless an actual intelligent contributor posts something worthwhile, which is getting farther and fewer in between.

  28. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Tee hee! Symptoms, symptoms!

  29. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    David,

    I know that Haiti is a failed state. And I know that fixing it is beyond our capacity.

    My concern is for those who are fleeing. We cannot appear to be indifferent to their situation. Whitey will weaponise that as a whataboutism narrative! Of course, that completely ignores the hand that they played in creating the chaos, and the fact that we are not so sullied.

    It will give them the cover the chase down the Haitian asylum seekers on horseback again and return them all UNCEREMONIOUSLY and without a whimper to their misery. They are doing so now, but not on horseback. We must not give them back their horse gig!

    What exploitative plans are being hatched, I have no knowledge of. I don’t fool myself that I can stop them so it matters not if I get the scoop.

    My concern is only that we must not appear indifferent to our black brothers and sisters who flee.

    That is my simple reasoning. No websites, no delusions of grandeur. We ALL have our limitations. Some of us know what ours are and we are very comfortable admitting them.

    So…what can this little dot do, David? What can Caricom do?

    Simple thoughts from Simple Simon’s sister, Simone!

    Hahahahahaha!

  30. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    “TO” chase down! Simple Simone’s senior moment!

    Hahahahaha! Old ass Simple Simone!

    Hahahahaha!

    Reality!

  31. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    Donna

    Why waste precious time.

    And, I mentioned “precious,” because ‘time is short.’ Reinforced by the fact I only knew this morning that a school mate died in November last year, after coming across her obituary on line.

    We were going to plan a class reunion this year, after postponing over the past 3 years due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

    However, I often wonder what would motivate any SANE individual to visit a blog every day, and use a multiplicity of contributions to spew the same hostile rhetoric with monotonous regularly, remind people of her superiority and their inferiority, while verbally abusing them in the process and ‘saying’ they’re jealous of her?

  32. David Avatar
    David

    @Donna

    Barbados and a few Caricom islands have shown how we really feel about giving fleeing Haitians immigrant status. It be as political back and forth which stoked anti Haiti sentiment. We live a good talk don’t we.

  33. African Online Publishing Copyright (c) 2023. All Rights Reserved. Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright (c) 2023. All Rights Reserved.

    Pacha, William, TLSN…i didnt know these were already available..the photos are unappetizing to say the least. I will eat leaves first.

    ..but everyone has different tastes, so to each his/her/it/ they/them/their, own. Some people might actually like them, because i know they were on NYC menus for at least 20 years.

    “We purchased four brands of cricket products on Amazon and put them under the microscope to see what they really contain. And we released the photos late last night.”i take it they are already on store shelves.”

    I

  34. African Online Publishing Copyeight (c) 2023. All Rights Reserved. Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyeight (c) 2023. All Rights Reserved.

    At least they got her, she could never had worked alone for 10 years….a pack of thieves all of them.

    “Kingston, Jamaica – The former employee of the investment firm, Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL), Jean-Ann Panton, has been remanded in custody until February 24 after she appeared in the Supreme Court on Friday on several charges arising from the alleged multi-million dollar fraud at the company whose clients included eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt.

    The Financial Investigations Division (FID), which confirmed that Bolt had been defrauded of US$12.7-million, said that Panton has been charged with breaches of the Larceny Act, the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), the Forgery Act and, the Cyber Crimes Act.

    Her attorney, in making an application for bail had submitted that her client cannot walk and is unable to stand. However a medical report that was submitted did not indicate that.

    She had earlier this week been interviewed by investigators in the presence of her attorney after searches were conducted on two premises connected to her on January 20.

    “This resulted in the seizure of documents and electronic devices to include telephones which, along with other evidence, continue to be thoroughly analysed,” said the FID, which is being assisted in its investigations by Police Fraud Squad, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation and other agencies.

    “As indicated in a previous communication, the case is complex for three main reasons; the number and types of accounts affected; the number and types of transactions conducted on the affected accounts; and the length of time (over a decade) during which questionable actions were taken against some of the affected accounts,” the FID said in its statement.”

  35. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    “Barbados and a few Caricom islands have shown how we really feel about giving fleeing Haitians immigrant status. It be as political back and forth which stoked anti Haiti sentiment. We live a good talk don’t we.”

    @ David

    Interesting comments, especially when you compare the actions of the USA’s Biden administration and those of the Bahamas.

    The following excerpt was taken from a Reuters report……

    December 5, 2022 9:07 PM AST

    U.S. expands deportation relief to some 264,000 Haitians

    By Ted Hesson

    WASHINGTON, Dec 5 (Reuters) – The Biden administration will expand deportation relief and access to work permits for Haitians who are already in the United States, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said on Monday, a move that comes as Haiti’s government struggles to stabilize the country.

    The administration will offer Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to an estimated 264,000 Haitians for 18 months after the current designation expires in February.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    The Tribune

    Friday, January 27, 2023

    “Bell resists UN call to suspend deportations to Haiti as situation spirals out of control.”

    DESPITE calls from United Nations officials to suspend deportations to Haiti, Immigration Minister Keith Bell said The Bahamas has “a job to do” to ensure that officials protect the country for Bahamians.

    The Bahamas is facing an influx of Haitian migrants. However, United Nations Secretary General António Gutierrez on Monday called on governments to consider halting deportations as the situation there spirals out of control

    Speaking on the sideline of a Labour on the Campus event, Mr Bell recognised the duty of the secretary general, but made it clear what the government has to do.

    “The United Nations obviously they seek to ensure that there is harmony, there’s unity among all nations, so obviously that is his job. We in The Bahamas have a job to do to ensure that we protect The Bahamas for Bahamians. It’s as simple as that. The Bahamas as all governments have consistently said we cannot absorb these persons who come in The Bahamas illegally,” he said.

    “If you want to come to The Bahamas as a tourist or want to work, then there is a process. If you follow that process, you may be granted access to The Bahamas.

    “If you come here illegally and unlawfully, then, of course, there has to be swift justice. We will not tolerate, nor will we support reasonably anyone coming into The Bahamas from undocumented or illegal means you will stay in the jurisdiction you will be deported.”

    He also shared doubts that The Bahamas would sign on to provisions allowing for free movement when asked about CARICOM’s freedom of movement or labour within the region.

    “I know you’re talking about a treaty – I think the Treaty of Chaguaramas and the (free) movement of people through the Caribbean. The government of The Bahamas, both PLP and FNM, has consistently not signed on to those specific provisions. I do not foresee in the very far future that we’re going to support a free movement throughout this country of anyone.”

    Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said the crisis in Haiti poses a substantial threat to The Bahamas due to an increase in irregular migration.

    He spoke earlier this week at the opening session of the heads of summit meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

    During his remarks, Mr Davis stated: “With the support and leadership of Haiti, collectively, we can, through CELAC and other regional organisations, help Haitians build a path out of crisis.”

    Asked if there was frustration with the international community over addressing Haiti’s issues, the labour minister listed some of the factors that needed to be considered when helping countries.

    “I will not say it there is frustration and you would have seen all around the world where first world developed countries, superpowers go into these countries where they need help — where there is a genocide or there is this civil war and the like. When you go into these countries you have to ensure first of all, what is your objective? What are the objectives of you going in? And what would be your exit strategy?

    “Haiti has political instability, economic deprivation, and complete social collapse. So you are talking about a myriad of challenges and problems. That problem can only be addressed at the international level and so it isn’t a matter of frustration.

    “It’s just a matter of how we’re going to address these issues and challenges and then determine how we can help, but Haiti has 12 million people, The Bahamas cannot under no circumstance, support any illegal and unlawful entry of persons from Haiti and that has extended to Cuba where we’ve had an exponential growth in illegal migrants coming from that country. We will not tolerate it.”

  36. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    @ David

    St. Kitts & Nevis Observer

    Wednesday, February 15, 2023

    “Migrants?- Grenada Sends Haitians to Trinidad & Tobago.”

    Grenada returned 15 Haitians who arrived over weekend to Trinidad and Tobago.

    The Haitians were returned on Monday night after they were denied entry into the Spice Isle, with immigration officials saying they were not deported to the oil-rich Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.

    “They were denied entry to the island, they were not deported, so they were returned to Trinidad on Monday night which is the port of embarkation on the way to Grenada,” said Superintendent Leroy Joseph, who is the head of the Immigration Department.

    As a result, Port of Spain will now be responsible for their onward journey.

    Joseph said the group comprising seven women and eight men ranging between the ages of 20 and 40 had arrived in Grenada as tourists and had not sought refugee status or political asylum.

    Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell told a news conference on Monday immigration officers during their normal routine checks were able to ascertain that the Haitians would have been a CHARGE ON THE PUBLIC PURSE if they were PERMITTED to enter the country.

    He explained that because Haiti is a CARICOM member there are specific and limited grounds that can be used to prevent a CARICOM national from entering.

    “One of which is a charge on the public purse and the second will be in broad terms, national security risk, in this case, it was purely on the basis of a charge on the public purse,” he said.

    “If you are not a citizen of Grenada and you come to Grenada, you can only be staying at a hotel for at least one night unless you have a friend or family, and in the absence of friends or family it means that you have to be able to afford a hotel at least for one night.”

  37. David Avatar
    David

    @Artax

    Air Antilles deal to boost Caribbean travel
    By Gercine Carter gercinecarter@nationnews.com
    Barbados has made a major stride in improving airlift capacity with a deal that will mean a boost in inter-Caribbean travel for the island and ultimately open up new tourism markets in Europe.
    Chairman of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc Shelly Williams yesterday disclosed that a partnership with French airline Air Antilles would see a daily schedule of flights between Barbados, Dominica, St Lucia, Martinique and Pointe-a-Pitre in Guadeloupe beginning April 1, 2023, representing a sharp rise from 15 000 to 35 000 seats annually.
    “Air Antilles offers a service to Barbados of three to four flights weekly and with a 133 per cent increase in seats, we anticipate incremental economic earnings of BDS$9 million annually,” Williams told the Sunday Sun.
    She pointed out the expansion of the Air Antilles service “will boost Barbados’
    connections into nontraditional visitor source markets as far as Europe” since the airline’s Guadeloupe, Pointe-a-Pitre and Martinique, Fort France routes connect Barbados directly with France through Corsair airlines.
    Expand and diversify
    Williams said, “France is a key market for us as we expand and diversify the places where we do business.”
    Air Antilles is based in Guadeloupe and has been flying to Barbados since February 2017. Remarking on this latest development, founder and owner Eric Khoury said he was looking forward to doing even more business with Barbados, since the island “continues to perform well as a destination and has been a strong partner over the past six years.”
    “As we grow and expand our footprint throughout the Caribbean, we are eager to increase business with Barbados and look forward to making this venture a success. We are excited with this partnership commitment
    for Barbados for a minimum of one year in the first instance and are pleased that flights are already loaded for sale,” Khoury added.

    Source: Nation

  38. David Avatar
    David

    @Artax

    Resurrection of LIAT not the way

    The featured speaker at the BCCI luncheon on February 27, is Dr Hyginus Leon, president of the Caribbean Development Bank, and his topic in part is The State Of Air Transportation In The Caribbean And Its Impact On The Region’s Tourism, Trade And Economic Development.
    There is no wonder that regional air travel continues to be a matter of grave concern to Caribbean people. Again, this has been recently highlighted at the 44th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, by the Prime Minister of St Kitts, Dr Terrance Drew. It was highlighted further by the reluctance of American Airlines to accord VIP treatment to Prime Ministers Dr Keith Rowley and Dr Ralph Gonsalves, travelling from Guyana via Miami to The Bahamas for the same conference. The impact of the lack of regional transport keeps being driven home. We need a
    regional air carrier that fills the void left by LIAT.
    My suggestion is do not resurrect LIAT. Form a completely new venture with headquarters in Barbados or Guyana. Seek an equity partner, preferably Canadian with the blessing of the Canadian government. With the buy-in of all CARICOM governments, a comprehensive air traffic agreement, inclusive of Canada, should not be difficult.
    I, like so many other Caribbean people, look forward to the action of our governments in creating a strong, viable inter-regional airline.
    – Andrew Bynoe

  39. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    @ David

    A few days ago I posted an article about LIAT to the LIAT thread that was written by Kemar Stuart.

  40. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    @ David

    I found the article in the St. Vincent Times very interesting.

    Updated: Tuesday 14, February 2023: 11:40 am

    Funding for LIAT 2020 remains grounded

    A much-needed regional airline is still stuck on the runway because regional governments won’t help pay for the full revival of LIAT.

    During the press briefing after Cabinet, Information Minister Melford Nicholas said that Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who went to St. Lucia for a special meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government more than a week ago, said that other Caribbean governments didn’t want to “embrace LIAT.”

    A government statement said that the meeting was mostly about getting LIAT back up and running and how trade and air travel are linked in the region.

    After LIAT (1974) Ltd went out of business in 2020, mostly because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the government of Antigua and Barbuda, led by Prime Minister Gaston Browne, tried to quickly set up the new LIAT (2020) Ltd, which has been running on a smaller scale.

    But the meeting last week didn’t lead to anything useful for the Gaston Browne administration, as questions about how the new airline will be financed in the region remain unanswered.

    “Everyone has felt the loss of LIAT, and we are still committed to it, but I think the Prime Minister will talk about it more at the right time, and for LIAT 2020, the sky is still the limit,” Minister Nicholas said.

    Many people in the Caribbean have said that they need a regional airline because travel costs within the region are still high.

    But Minister Nicholas said that a “joint venture agreement” with another airline might be a possibility.

    “With an airline like Air Peace, there might be a chance for some kind of joint venture that could help LIAT grow and get back on its feet, as well as get its services from [Africa] to the Caribbean,” he said.

    Air Peace is a private airline based in Lagos, Nigeria. It is owned by Allen Onyema, who is also the CEO. At first, Air Peace was in talks with the Cabinet about starting commercial flights between Nigeria and Antigua. These plans were scrapped when Air Peace said it wanted to start flying to Jamaica because the rules in the Eastern Caribbean were too hard to follow.

  41. David Avatar
    David

    @Artax

    Read it and commented to the fact regional governments seem unsure about the best model to support for regional travel whether air or sea probably due to parochial interests. It really is an indictment on the effectiveness of Caricom. Although it must be said other trade blocs around the world suffer similar challenges if not to our degree. Maybe because of our lack of resources?

  42. David Avatar
    David

    Remember many years ago having a revealing conversation with the late Dr.Jean Holder. He said as much that region politicians do not understand what it takes to support regional transportation and eventually it will cause the demise of LIAT. He ‘confided’ he had forced himself to remain as chairman to try and keep the airline going. Was he wrong?

  43. Lovely Avatar
    Lovely

    We are in trouble in the Bahamas 🇧🇸 our country cannot take anymore.
    The illegals are coming with their culture. They stabbing the Bahamian children, raping the girls in the school
    Our school are overwhelmed 😪

  44. GP Avatar
    GP

    KING ARTAXERSES: GREETING

    IF EVER THERE WAS A TIME REGIONAL AIR TRANSPORT SHOULD WORK, IT IS NOW

    AS FAR BACK AS 1974 I LEARNED THAT LIAT WOULD DIE BECAUSE OF ONE MAJOR FLAW.

    IN THOSE DAYS AIR JAMAICA HAD SHARES IN LIAT AND THE ENERGY CRISIS OF 1973 WAS CAUSING SOME HAVOC

    AIR CANADA SUCCONDED A MAN TO AIR JAMAICA TO ADVISE THEM ON THIER THEN FLEDGLING AIRLINE.

    BECAUSE OF THEIR INTEREST IN LIAT, AIR JAMAICA SENT THIS CANADIAN TO INVESTIGATE THE LIAT SITUATION

    THIS MAN WORSHIPPED AT THE SAME ASSEMBLY AS I DID AT MONA, AND I SPENT PART OF MY FIRST CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS IN HIS HOME

    IT SEEMS THAT THE WISDOM AND ADVICE GIVEN IN THIS MAN’S PROPHESY WAS NOT HEEDED., BUT IT SEEMS THAT HE WAS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.

    I SHARED THE ANSWER WITH YOU ALREADY
    IF YOU REMEMBER AND UNDERSTOOD WHAT I SAID THEN YOU OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO FORMULATE THE SOLUTION FOR TODAY.

    I WILL SAY NO MORE, BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW I AM AT BEST A VERY POOR UNSUCCESSFUL DR WHO COULD NOT BE PROMOTED TO THE TOP, AND I AM NOT A TRAINED FINANCIAL OR POLICY ANALYST, SO I WOULD OR COULD NOT POSSIBLY HAVE A FEASIBLE ANSWER.

    BEST WISHES TO YOU

  45. David Avatar
    David

    The following posted as received in BU’s inbox:

    “Sir I am in total anger reading the bullshit sent to you by that non respected attorney who most magistrates run out of their courts because she is very much unethical, dishonest, scams her clients, sleeps with their husbands who come to her and also turn on her clients for the highest bidder. My name is Ozzie Poitier and i am a private detective who has seen these actions by Maria Daxon first hand. At present she is even on the verge of being disbarred. The kind of persons Maria Daxon and Lincoln Bain who are both 2 ex police officers that i also worked with in the past is that they are hungry for money and power and that’s what this is all about. They post a little truth and then add a whole lot of lies. Things are nowhere as bad in my country as this political harlot attorney said in her letter to you and many Bahamians are outraged by it. The job of the police was also to protect our dignataries from any potential threats both foreign or domestic and they did their jobs. Lincoln Bain and Maria Daxon would rather destroy the image of their country to get back at the government leaders for not giving them what they want and they BOTH should be put before the courts for treason. Please post on this blog. Thank you”.

  46. John Avatar
    John

    Came across this.

  47. African Online Publishing Copyright (c) 2023. All Rights Reserved. Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright (c) 2023. All Rights Reserved.

    Anything to do with politics…liars from both sides are involved.

    Anytime they belch out the “country’s image,” bribery and corruption are involved..

    .these sickening drones are a blight and curse in our lives..

    .am so happy and PROUD, this is how the word is meant to be used, to see the HIGH numbers moving completely and entirely away from that stench..

    Sever is the new buzz word..

  48. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Boy,

    I see you are trying to drop your usual bullshit on the blog.

    I have no time to watch it. I am too busy reading Tucker Carlson’s texts relating to the Big Lie of the stolen election! Then there’s Sean Hannity’s texts and Laura Ingraham’s texts! All presented as evidence by Dominion in the billion dollar lawsuit.

    The Kraken has been released!

    Murdah! No response necessary. Just though I should damage the credibility of your posts, seeing where you were headed!

    Over and out!

  49. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    @ David

    St. Vincent Times

    Wednesday, February 22, 2023

    No idea when intra-regional travel issues will be solved – PM Skerrit
    According to Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, the owners of LIAT 1974 Ltd are no closer to resolving the difficulties travelers are currently experiencing as a result of the bankruptcy of LIAT.

    “This is an ongoing debate. Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit told reporters at the conclusion of the 44th CARICOM summit in the Bahamas, “We have mandated the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to explore and examine the current challenge that we face, and to provide recommendations on how we can overcome the intra-regional travel issue.”

    LIAT has a history of financial difficulties, but the severity of the crisis became more apparent during the height of the Covid-19 outbreak in July 2020, when the airline was forced to cease operations.

    Skerrit informed reporters that the issue had been discussed at the summit and that the leaders had received a report update from the CDB.

    “We have also considered a number of activities that we believe we can do immediately to assist in resolving the present difficulty.

    “The reality is that we all miss LIAT in the Caribbean, an airline that was criticized by so many of us, but now we understand and appreciate the important public good that LIAT espoused for so many decades, and so we are examining what kind of structure we can bring into play, given that there are already companies servicing our islands,” he said.

    Skerrit stated that the Caribbean nations are examining “how we can collaborate with these existing groups to address the current difficulties.”
    The governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines own the airline.

    Since November 2020, a scaled-down version of the airline has operated a reduced schedule with a smaller personnel.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    @ Dr. GP

    Greetings to you as well, sir.

  50. David Avatar
    David

    @Artax

    Are you surprised? The governments with the exception of Guyana are broke. There is no appetite for the financial commitment required to support an island hopping airlines in an air space that is not common.

The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.

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