Exactly. That's why fraud is so prevalent in humanitarian efforts. Nobody has time to say let's stop everything and investigate, nor should they, lives are at risk The key things are to have a culture of procedures and protocols in place before you start to at least minimize the risk. The organized crime will likely be uncovered and prosecuted after. Take really good notice at the two audits that cited "*no controls*", that's a very very heavy finding.
I found it almost comical how fast Hubert Minnis moved to establish an authority to "*redirect*" the billions in humanitarian aid that was flagged to flow in to make it mandated to pass through the govt. Then we had an explosion of persons talking about creating "*non-profits*"....with no controls, just "I want help, give me money". The draw of and thirst for money. The donors saw it too and fled
On this one I dont have enough info, but I noted the balance. I calculated 30,000 annual salaries for 113 people, I believe that's a much higher salary than will be paid to pen attendants and cleaners, but I give that, I came up with 3.39 million.
That's it. That's the only thing we get out of this what will likely explode into billions of dollars. 1. All the produce is for export 2. 1500 acres are being granted to them. Is the land exclusively for the enterprise or will they start selling parcels for 2nd homes? Dont know. Dont know if the Port will continue to hold ownership or not 3. They will cut the island to allow seawater to flow in. This is where I want to hear from environmentalists, 4. They hype up how this will be good for us because ~"Bahamas" will be on the packaging. I find that a dubious "good thing" for the economy 5.What is the real value of harvested stone crab? I get that it's not a food source "typically" eaten by Bahamians **today**, but is our ignorance blinding us. I confess to being ignorant about this. Are we selling crown jewels for pennies? Dont know
In the end Chester Cooper will sell it off gladly as he's done with all the cays to the cruise ships and call it something like the "*new model for the blue economy*"
"*This is the second audit to clear food programme officials of misusing public funds. A report by Kershala Albury, president of ATI Company Ltd, had previously identified “**18 categories of major deficiencies,**” mainly relating to procedures, processes, and internal controls, but found no evidence of financial misconduct.*"
"*The latest report flagged similar concerns with internal controls and noted duplication of efforts between the food distribution programme and the Department of Social Services, including cases where recipients received benefits from both programmes.*"
"*However, it found the initiative largely met it goal*"
Of course it met its goals. That is not absolution. Its known world wide that fraud accompanies large scale humanitarian efforts. Why? Because the malfeasance can hide among the massive "***good***" being done
Have we sold off our first born child for 4m total in annual salary? While cutting up the island to allow seawater better inflow... I'll wait to hear from Joe Darville and Sam Duncombe
"*produce native Bahamian stone crabs for export purposes onl*"
This means they see really high prices on the intl market. I cant think of a single natural resource that we've sold off internationally because "*the other people pay higher prices*" that's been good for us in the end. This includes speeding up the process to sell land to foreigners, cruise ships devouring cays and the export of conch. None.
"*They did make a complaint that somebody was charging them to park in that lot.*"
**Taxi drivers shouldnt be allowed to park in that same pictured location they so angry about being charged for**". For as long as I can remember, it was a pedestrian walkway, it was never ever a parking spot for anybody. **They literally have to drive up and over a sidewalk to park**. It's also in a very weird location, on a curve for people to be pulling in and out recklessly. But **breaking the same law they're now asking to defend them in their lawlessness**, they just started this weird practice of doing what they want. They serve into and out of that spot in a very unsafe manner.
Surprised the police havent put a stop to it sooner. I have no idea why we appointed a new commissioner. *Same as the old boss*
"*They did make a complaint that somebody was charging them to park in that lot.*"
**Taxi drivers shouldnt be allowed to park in that same pictured location they so angry about being charged for**". For as long as I can remember, it was a pedestrian walkway, it was never ever a parking spot for anybody. It's in a very weird location, on a curve for people to be pulling in and out recklessly. But **breaking the same law they're now asking to defend them in their lawlessness**, they just started this weird practice of doing what they want. They serve into and out of that spot in a very unsafe manner.
Surprised the police havent put a stop to it sooner. I have no idea why we appointed a new commissioner. *Same as the old boss*
Sorry to say but "boards" in this country are just people with political affiliation or name recognition. Most of them just come together once a month or quarter for a nice meal. Our system of promotion to the upper ranks is broken and not all, but to a very large part, based on who you know and personality. They couldnt tell you the last time they questioned inefficiency or malfeasance.
"*the economic fallout for independent operators has been greater than expected.*
Who thought that? People have been raising the alarm about these private cays and the direction the country is going for years. **It is clear what the cruise ships want to achieve, they are in business to make money and maximize profits. It's not so clear what the government of The Bahamas is doing as they grin from ear to ear as the ships slide past.**
"*Prior to the opening of Celebration Key, Carnival cruise ships called at Freeport Harbour about 15 times per month, bringing about 350,000 persons each year.*"
Yup. At the very least someone should have tried to give an explanation for the "bruising". Things arent always being covered up, but try not so hard to make people believe there's a cover up. Give reasonable, realistic, truthful findings derived from a thorough investigation
ThisIsOurs says...
This is criminal
"***hope** that something happens soon. When the powers that be see that the island is speaking out, maybe they will move a little faster*"
Doesnt sound so:
"*Every time, they send us old ones from somewhere else, fix them up and ship them down here. That is not fair*"
Same old boss
On Crooked Island residents without electricity and water for nearly a week
Posted 24 October 2025, 1:36 a.m. Suggest removal
ThisIsOurs says...
Exactly. That's why fraud is so prevalent in humanitarian efforts. Nobody has time to say let's stop everything and investigate, nor should they, lives are at risk The key things are to have a culture of procedures and protocols in place before you start to at least minimize the risk. The organized crime will likely be uncovered and prosecuted after. Take really good notice at the two audits that cited "*no controls*", that's a very very heavy finding.
I found it almost comical how fast Hubert Minnis moved to establish an authority to "*redirect*" the billions in humanitarian aid that was flagged to flow in to make it mandated to pass through the govt. Then we had an explosion of persons talking about creating "*non-profits*"....with no controls, just "I want help, give me money". The draw of and thirst for money. The donors saw it too and fled
On Audit finds ‘No corruption’ in Minnis’ COVID food project
Posted 24 October 2025, 1:19 a.m. Suggest removal
ThisIsOurs says...
On this one I dont have enough info, but I noted the balance. I calculated 30,000 annual salaries for 113 people, I believe that's a much higher salary than will be paid to pen attendants and cleaners, but I give that, I came up with 3.39 million.
That's it. That's the only thing we get out of this what will likely explode into billions of dollars.
1. All the produce is for export
2. 1500 acres are being granted to them. Is the land exclusively for the enterprise or will they start selling parcels for 2nd homes? Dont know. Dont know if the Port will continue to hold ownership or not
3. They will cut the island to allow seawater to flow in. This is where I want to hear from environmentalists,
4. They hype up how this will be good for us because ~"Bahamas" will be on the packaging. I find that a dubious "good thing" for the economy
5.What is the real value of harvested stone crab? I get that it's not a food source "typically" eaten by Bahamians **today**, but is our ignorance blinding us. I confess to being ignorant about this. Are we selling crown jewels for pennies? Dont know
In the end Chester Cooper will sell it off gladly as he's done with all the cays to the cruise ships and call it something like the "*new model for the blue economy*"
On GB crab crawling: $40m project eyes hundreds of jobs
Posted 24 October 2025, 12:49 a.m. Suggest removal
ThisIsOurs says...
"*This is the second audit to clear food programme officials of misusing public funds. A report by Kershala Albury, president of ATI Company Ltd, had previously identified “**18 categories of major deficiencies,**” mainly relating to procedures, processes, and internal controls, but found no evidence of financial misconduct.*"
"*The latest report flagged similar concerns with internal controls and noted duplication of efforts between the food distribution programme and the Department of Social Services, including cases where recipients received benefits from both programmes.*"
"*However, it found the initiative largely met it goal*"
Of course it met its goals. That is not absolution. Its known world wide that fraud accompanies large scale humanitarian efforts. Why? Because the malfeasance can hide among the massive "***good***" being done
On Audit finds ‘No corruption’ in Minnis’ COVID food project
Posted 23 October 2025, 5:51 p.m. Suggest removal
ThisIsOurs says...
Have we sold off our first born child for 4m total in annual salary? While cutting up the island to allow seawater better inflow... I'll wait to hear from Joe Darville and Sam Duncombe
"*produce native Bahamian stone crabs for export purposes onl*"
This means they see really high prices on the intl market. I cant think of a single natural resource that we've sold off internationally because "*the other people pay higher prices*" that's been good for us in the end. This includes speeding up the process to sell land to foreigners, cruise ships devouring cays and the export of conch. None.
1500 acres?
On GB crab crawling: $40m project eyes hundreds of jobs
Posted 23 October 2025, 5:41 p.m. Suggest removal
ThisIsOurs says...
"*They did make a complaint that somebody was charging them to park in that lot.*"
**Taxi drivers shouldnt be allowed to park in that same pictured location they so angry about being charged for**". For as long as I can remember, it was a pedestrian walkway, it was never ever a parking spot for anybody. **They literally have to drive up and over a sidewalk to park**. It's also in a very weird location, on a curve for people to be pulling in and out recklessly. But **breaking the same law they're now asking to defend them in their lawlessness**, they just started this weird practice of doing what they want. They serve into and out of that spot in a very unsafe manner.
Surprised the police havent put a stop to it sooner. I have no idea why we appointed a new commissioner. *Same as the old boss*
On Taxi drivers protest alleged $20 Margaritaville parking fee
Posted 22 October 2025, 11:39 p.m. Suggest removal
ThisIsOurs says...
"*They did make a complaint that somebody was charging them to park in that lot.*"
**Taxi drivers shouldnt be allowed to park in that same pictured location they so angry about being charged for**". For as long as I can remember, it was a pedestrian walkway, it was never ever a parking spot for anybody. It's in a very weird location, on a curve for people to be pulling in and out recklessly. But **breaking the same law they're now asking to defend them in their lawlessness**, they just started this weird practice of doing what they want. They serve into and out of that spot in a very unsafe manner.
Surprised the police havent put a stop to it sooner. I have no idea why we appointed a new commissioner. *Same as the old boss*
On Taxi drivers protest alleged $20 Margaritaville parking fee
Posted 22 October 2025, 11:38 p.m. Suggest removal
ThisIsOurs says...
Sorry to say but "boards" in this country are just people with political affiliation or name recognition. Most of them just come together once a month or quarter for a nice meal. Our system of promotion to the upper ranks is broken and not all, but to a very large part, based on who you know and personality. They couldnt tell you the last time they questioned inefficiency or malfeasance.
On Letter: Usher construction into 21st century by appointing Board
Posted 22 October 2025, 11:29 p.m. Suggest removal
ThisIsOurs says...
"*the economic fallout for independent operators has been greater than expected.*
Who thought that? People have been raising the alarm about these private cays and the direction the country is going for years. **It is clear what the cruise ships want to achieve, they are in business to make money and maximize profits. It's not so clear what the government of The Bahamas is doing as they grin from ear to ear as the ships slide past.**
"*Prior to the opening of Celebration Key, Carnival cruise ships called at Freeport Harbour about 15 times per month, bringing about 350,000 persons each year.*"
On GB businesses claim decline since Celebration Key opened
Posted 22 October 2025, 4:41 p.m. Suggest removal
ThisIsOurs says...
Yup. At the very least someone should have tried to give an explanation for the "bruising". Things arent always being covered up, but try not so hard to make people believe there's a cover up. Give reasonable, realistic, truthful findings derived from a thorough investigation
On US advocacy group demands probe into Guyanese-American’s death
Posted 22 October 2025, 4:33 p.m. Suggest removal