100% hoppe r® 0% Beef 100% Whop per ® 0% Beef 100% Whop per ® 0% Beef Patty made from plants. TM & © 2020 Burger King Corporation. Impossible is a trademark of Impossible Foods Inc. Used under license. cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 29 January - 4 February 2021 No confi dence motion fi led against Bush Page 8 Compass investigates: How clean is Cayman? Page 11 Right to a timely trial A backlog in the judicial system has left some behind bars for years without having their day in court. Page 13 HOW TO MAKE 2021 A YEAR OF WELL-BEING FREE INSIDEMatinees (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $8.00 (Mon-Fri before 6pm) Additional charges apply per 3D/VIP tickets 640-FILM (640-3456) Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any lm starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. WHAT’S PLAYING THIS WEEK HONEST THIEF (PG-13) (SUN) 5:30 VIP | 7:45 VIP | 10:00 THE HORIZON LINE (PG-13) (FRI) 4:30 |10:15 VIP (SAT) 2:00 | 4:20 | 10:15 VIP (SUN) 4:20 | 7:40 | 10:15 VIP (MON, TUES, THURS) 4:30 MONSTER HUNTER (PG-13) (FRI & SAT) 1:25 (SAT ONLY) | 4:10 VIP | 7:15 | 10:00 VIP (SUN) 4:10 VIP | 7:15 | 10:00 VIP (MON-THURS) 4:10 VIP | 7:15 MARKSMAN, THE (PG-13) (FRI) 4:45 | 7:30 VIP | 9:45 (SAT) 2:00 VIP | 4:45 | 7:30 VIP | 9:45 (SUN) 4:45 | 6:50 | 7:25 VIP | 9:45 (MON-THURS) 4:45 | 7:30 VIP PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN (R) (FRI & SAT) 12:35 (SAT ONLY) | 5:15 VIP | 7:30 | 10:10 (MON & THURS) 5:20 VIP | 7:30 THE CROODS: A NEW AGE (PG) (FRI & SAT) 1:45 | 4:40 VIP | 6:45 (SUN) 3:40 | 4:40 VIP | 6:45 (MON - THURS) 4:40 | 6:45 THE LITTLE THINGS (R) (FRI & SAT) 1:00 VIP | 4:00 | 7:00 VIP | 7:10 | 10:05 (MON-THURS) 4:00 | 7:00 VIP | 7:10 (TUES) 4:00 | 7:10 WONDER WOMAN 1984 (PG-13) (FRI & SAT) 1:25 | 3:20 | 8:00 VIP | 9:15 (SUN) 3:20 | 8:00 VIP | 9:15 | 9:35 (MON-THURS) 3:20 | 8:00 VIP KID CLUB LION KING, THE (1994) (G) SATURDAY 10AM LION KING, 10AM CLASSICS HIDDEN FIGURES (PG) TUESDAY 7PM VIP PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Cayman Compass Ltd. Compass Centre, Shedden Road, George Town, Cayman Islands SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman, KY1-1108 Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@compassmedia.ky ADVERTISE WITH US: T: (345) 949-5111 E: sales@compassmedia.ky W: caymancompass.com PUBLISHER KATHLEEN CAPETTA EDITORINCHIEF KEVIN MORALES weather 78°F HIGH 72°F LOW Friday Forecast FORECAST Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with a 30% chance of showers. SEA STATE Rough with wave heights of 5 to 7 feet. A Small craft warning is in effect. SAT 82°F HIGH 73°F LOW SUN 82°F HIGH 73°F LOW MON 82°F HIGH 73°F LOW TUES 82°F HIGH 74°F LOW WED 86°F HIGH 74°F LOW THUR 82°F HIGH 74°F LOW caymancompass.comfacebook.com/caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass WINDS Northeast at 20 to 25 knots. Cayman passes 66K COVID tests The Cayman Islands has administered 66,481 COVID-19 tests as of Wednesday, 27 Jan. The Economics and Statistics Offi ce in June 2020 estimated Cayman’s population was just less than 65,000. Cayman recorded four new COVID-19 cases out of 1,428 tests reported from 21-27 Jan. All of those who tested positive were asymptomatic travellers who tested positive during routine screening. As of 27 Jan., 879 people remained in isolation and 7,073 people have received the COVID-19 vaccine. Cayman donates test kits to Jamaica, CARPHA The remaining PCR testing kits Cayman sourced from South Korea last year will be donated to Jamaica and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad, the Ministry of Health confi rmed on 27 Jan. A total of 78,000 of the Seasun test kits will be donated. Cayman dispatched 36,000 tests to Jamaica, and the remaining 42,000 kits will be sent to Trinidad. The polymerase chain reaction kits, which were acquired in April 2020 from South Korea, will expire at the end of April this year. Though not providing the total amount of test kits left, the ministry said, “This donation does not create any shortage of test kits for Cayman”. Cayman Airways’ MAX 8s cleared to fl y The Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands has given Cayman Airways the green light to return its MAX 8 planes to the skies. The authority, in a statement released 27 Jan., said that it would “allow the Boeing 737 MAX to operate passenger fl ights, subject to close oversight”. The authority has also lifted the restriction on the MAX 8s operating in Cayman Islands’ airspace. Prior to the MAX 8 returning to the skies, the Civil Aviation Authority said, “We will undertake a full review of [CAL’s MAX 8s] return to service plans including its pilot training programmes and implementation of the required aircraft modifi cations.” The all-clear for the planes to return to service comes nearly two years after they were grounded in March 2019, amidst a global ban of the aircraft. The planes were grounded following two crashes that killed 346 people. Police seek crash driver who fl ed from hospital Police are seeking a driver who was involved in a 24 Jan. head-on collision on West Bay Road minutes after driving into oncoming traffi c on the Esterley Tibbetts Highway to evade police. Following the collision, the man was taken by ambulance to the Cayman Islands Hospital, but refused treatment and discharged himself before police arrived. Offi cers saw a vehicle travelling south in the northbound lane of the highway and responded with lights and sirens as the vehicle sped towards oncoming traffi c. The police stopped following the vehicle in the interest of public safety, according to an RCIPS press release. The vehicle was then involved in a crash shortly afterward. The driver was taken by ambulance to the Cayman Islands Hospital for treatment. Offi cers were informed he had refused treatment and discharged himself before police arrived. Gov’t mortgage programme remains in limbo The timeframe for restarting the Government Guaranteed Home Assisted Mortgage (GGHAM) programme for fi rst- time Caymanian homeowners remains uncertain as it awaits a new agreement with participating banks. The programme is in a “holding pattern”, National House Development Trust General Manager Julio Ramos explained, saying the new agreement between the banks and government has not been fi nalised. Since GGHAM expired back in 2012, two successive Progressives-led administrations have attempted to get the programme restarted to help Caymanians buy their own homes. The sticking point at one stage was getting the banks to agree to the terms of the guarantee government was proposing, but now it is not clear what is causing the hold-up. Six banks had previously agreed to team up with government to get the programme off the ground again. Under the initiative, government guaranteed up to 35% of the mortgage for Caymanians buying their fi rst home up to a value of $200,000. Rough seas, cooler weather expected Rough seas and cool weather are expected in the Cayman Islands this week as a cold front moves over the northwest Caribbean, resulting in an increase in the pressure gradient across the area. A small craft warning was issued for 29 Jan., according to the National Weather Service, as wave heights were expected to reach between 5 and 7 feet. Day-time high temperatures in the low 80s or high 70s are expected throughout the week, with overnight lows falling to the low 70s. news in brief Cayman Airways' MAX 8 aircraft, grounded for nearly two years, have approval to return to the skies. -Photo: Taneos Ramsay cayman compass 2 N news FRIDAY, 29 JANUARY 2021butterfieldgroup.com ButterfieldBank(Cayman)LimitedislicensedtoconductbankingandinvestmentbusinessbytheCaymanIslandsMonetaryAuthority. Address:12AlbertPantonStreet,GeorgeTown,GrandCayman,CaymanIslands. ButterfieldUndergraduateScholarship Aninvestmentineducationdeliversgreatreturns. Ifyou’reaCaymanianstudentpursuingpost-secondaryeducation, we’reheretohelp. Eachyear,Butterfieldselectsonedeservingstudenttoreceiveupto US$30,000perannumtocoverundergraduateeducation-related expensesatanaccreditedcollegeoruniversityanywhereinthe world.Becauseaninvestmentinouryoungpeopleisaninvestment inourcommunity’sfuture. CouldyoubeournextButterfieldUndergraduateScholar? Forscholarshipdetailsandhowtoapply,visit www.ky.butterfieldgroup.com/careers/scholarships. ApplicationdeadlineisFriday,26March2021. Your future,by . cayman compass 3 FRIDAY, 29 JANUARY 20211234567 89 101112 13 1415 16 171819 20 212223 2425 1234567 89 101112 13 1415 16 171819 20 212223 2425 ACROSS 1 Without purpose (7) 5 Impervious (5) 8 In respect of (2,7) 9 Accepted standard (3) 10 Consider (4) 12 Naturally (2,6) 14 Recover possession of (6) 15 To exhibit (3,3) 17 Ghostly (8) 18 Settle irrevocably (4) 21 Narrow beam of light (3) 22 Accept force of an argument (3,6) 24 Tiny gnatlike fly (5) 25 Offspring (7) DOWN 1 Arbitrator’s judgment (5) 2 To spoil (3) 3 Effectiveness (4) 4 Dissension (6) 5 Person easily defeated (8) 6 By design (2,7) 7 Agitation (7) 11 Keen-sighted (5-4) 13 Aversion (8) 14 Conductor’s platform (7) 16 Become interested in (4,2) 19 Ungracefully tall and thin (5) 20 Nought (4) 23 Bring action against (3) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16601 The numbers in the black cells are clues. Numbers above the slash are across clues. Number below the slash are down clues. The goal is to enter digits 1 - 9 in the white cells to add up to the number clues. You cannot enter any digit more than once when adding up to clue. TODAY'S SOLUTIONS Puzzle 16601 ACROSS: 1 Aimless, 5 Proof, 8 As regards, 9 Par, 10 Deem, 12 Of course, 14 Regain, 15 Set out, 17 Spectral, 18 Seal, 21 Ray, 22 See reason, 24 Midge, 25 Progeny. DOWN: 1 Award, 2 Mar, 3 Edge, 4 Strife, 5 Pushover, 6 On purpose, 7 Ferment, 11 Eagle-eyed, 13 Distaste, 14 Rostrum, 16 Take up, 19 Lanky, 20 Zero, 23 Sue. What is the most pressing issue you'd like to see addressed in the May 2021 general election? EducationEducation cayman compass ONLINE POLL 20% Jobs6% Environment 12% Housing3% 10% Other: (public transportation; crime; integrity; corruption; public health) Infrastructure 9% Tourism 16% Waste management 7% Economy 17% cartoon Returned call - By Caymanman What they’re saying Around 1,000 people seek jobs through WORC I went for an interview and the interviewer told me that I am too old. Does that per- son know what that does to a another person’s mental state? Anyway, I am not giving up and I hope you never grow old. Mind you, I am only 56 years old, in good health and spirit. – Dasmin Edwards Douglas How is this possible with thou- sands of people out of work in the tourism and restaurant fi elds? Are they not required to register with WORC to receive aid? – Jackie Myles Expat exodus helped protect Cayman from COVID fall-out I respect all the government’s decisions. We know that they are only thinking of the people to be safe. But, if the government is still not ready to reopen or not going to reopen in March, please let us expats withdraw a little more of our remaining pension. This is for expats like me who want/need to withdraw; it’s our money anyway. Yes, it’s supposed to be our retirement money but we need it most right now in these trying times. We don’t know if we can still go back to our work – Clair Deguzman Poor government policy to rely solely on imported labour for growth. Certainly not sus- tainable. – Linda Clark Cuban refugees save man from fi ery car crash Those Cubans defi nitely risked themselves to save a life. It could have exploded, taking away all lives. Real heroes of the day. Bravo! – Renoir Cota No confi dence motion fi led against Bush He should have been removed at least temporarily from the day he admitted to being involved, pending the investigation and trial. At this point he should be removed from his position as Speaker and formally censured by the House as a whole. He is a national embarrassment. – Alaye Mclaughlin He shouldn’t need to be kicked out. He should do what any right-thinking person would do and resign. – Jerry Young Cayman Airways’ MAX 8s cleared to fl y Can’t say I have done much research into the current state of affairs with this, but who on earth would want to book a fl ight in a plane that is operational under “close oversight”. – Rob Tyler I was hoping it was the green light to return its MAX 8 planes for a refund. – Jonathan Kern Probably the safest airplanes in the sky now. – Sara Harbison Mackay Tourism stipend registration reopens This is good news for those who were laid off since the last registration. But 11 months into this crisis, $1,000 is not enough. – Troy Leacock Wheaton connection with Woody Foster In the lockdown in the UK and have just watched the Wheaton video interviewing Woody Foster. I love Cayman and shopped in Foster's at The Strand on many previous visits. Great interview and this lovely man brightened a dull cold January day. Thank you for that. – Mary Hepburn Great interview, guys! Really entertaining and inspiring to hear the origin story of Woody. A great role model for young Caymanians! – Steve McIntosh Another good one, Vicki. The Hurricane Ivan references defi nitely brought back a few teary moments. Thank you for memories, happy and sad. – Val Cottier cayman compass 4 news N news FRIDAY, 29 JANUARY 20211 (345) 945-4040 1 (345) 640-4040 healthcitycaymanislands.com Weight loss surgery can help reverse the serious medical effects of obesity such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea and many other conditions. It’s time to take control. Contact us today to discuss your suitability for weight loss surgery that meets your specific situation and health requirements. We’re here to assist you on the path towards a better quality of life. YOUR REACHYOUR REACH A kick-start to weight loss We support your journey to losing weight and leading a happier, healthier lifestyle. NORMA CONNOLLY nconnolly@compassmedia.ky Members of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee on Wednesday, 27 Jan. quizzed airport offi cials and project managers on why the expansion of the Owen Roberts International Airport terminal cost $23 million more than originally budgeted. The PAC heard that the project, estimated in a 2014 outline business case to cost $51.9 million, ultimately was completed for around $74 million, and nearly a year behind schedule. The work on the airport building had been expected to be fi nished by the end of March 2018, but that was later revised to November 2018. The terminal was offi cially opened by Prince Charles in March 2019, although the work did not fi nish until July that year. The August 2018 audit report pointed to a number of issues that led to additional costs and the later-than-expected completion, including many ‘variations’ to the scope of the project, changes requested by the Cayman Islands Airports Authority after contracts were awarded, and the lack of a fi nal business plan. Among the changes requested by the CIAA after the contracts were signed were installing land- side canopies to provide shelter to passengers; bringing forward the implementation of the new generators to supply emergency power at the terminal; upgrading hurricane-grade windows to 15 pounds standard; upgrading offi ces on the second fl oor; and replacing old sections of the roof. Using the airport windows as an example of the cost impact of changing elements mid-project, the audit report pointed out that upgrading them to hurricane grade at that stage cost the project an additional $800,000. Funding for the project was paid for by government and by passenger facilities charges – a $13 fee per passenger. The outline business plan for the project was approved by Cabinet in August 2014 and also signed off by the Foreign and Commonwealth Offi ce, but a fi nal business plan was never produced, the PAC heard. Change in consultant The lead consultant on the expansion work was US-based consortium RS&H. The audit report noted that after the tender had been awarded, it became apparent that the original applicant did not have the experience or capability to lead the project, so RS&H, which had expertise in airport construction, was chosen as lead consultant instead. “The change in lead consultant delayed the signing of the contract by three months (to January 2015) while RS&H obtained the necessary registrations and licenses to trade in the Cayman Islands,” the report stated. However, Auditor General Sue Winspear, in her report, pointed out that RS&H did not perform well, leading to parts of the project PAC looks into airport expansion costs, delays PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9» Work on the Owen Roberts International Airport was completed in July 2019, at a cost of $74 million. -Photo: Stephen Clarke cayman compass 5 news N news FRIDAY, 29 JANUARY 2021Friday, 19 February 2021 Cayman Compass Special Feature Personal Finance The COVID pandemic has turned people’s financial lives upside down, creating uncertainty and confusion as they try to navigate through the crisis. As leaders in the financial industry, you’re invited to have your say in our Personal Finance special feature as we answer the Cayman community’s money-related pandemic questions. Why advertise? • 5,000 printed copies • Online audience of more than 75,000 weekly readers • Speak directly to readers who are private investors considering buying a home, saving for retirement, refinancing or starting a small business • Company representation among other leaders in the field BOOK YOUR PRINT & ONLINE AD TODAY BOOKING DEADLINES • Sponsored content: Monday, 1 February • Display ads: Friday, 12 February caymancompass.com 949-5111 sales@compassmedia.ky cayman compass 6 FRIDAY, 29 JANUARY 2021 CCRIF SPC now invites eligible firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing services to CCRIF SPC to conduct a feasibility study for the expansion of CCRIF within the context of disaster risk financing and other innovative forms of financing. The consulting services include a stakeholder analysis on disaster risk management, review of innovative financing instruments, identification of the role CCRIF could play in broader disaster risk financing, assessment of additional parametric insurance products that CCRIF can develop and new geographic locations in which CCRIF could provide technical services and support, and the development of a Business Plan for CCRIF SPC. Interested Consultants should provide information (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, general qualifications and number of key staff etc.) demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. Interested Consultants are required to declare conflicts of interest. Interested firms may obtain the full request for expressions of interest at: https://www.ccrif.org/reoi-feasibility-study-expansion-ccrif- within-context-disaster-risk-financing-and-other-innovative For further information on CCRIF SPC, please visit the CCRIF web site at www.ccrif.org. Expressions of interest must be submitted via email to: procurement@ccrif.org by February 5, 2021. Email receipts will be issued for all submissions meeting the deadline. Firms will be shortlisted based on the required qualifications and relevant experience. Request for Expressions of Interest Feasibility Study for the Expansion of CCRIF SPC Kirkconnell: Daggaro is just one of several possible projects JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky A new boutique hotel and luxury yachting marina are among a number of possible projects in the pipeline for Cayman Brac, according to Sister Islands MP Moses Kirkconnell. Plans for a new medical clinic and for significant investment in green energy are also being discussed, the Deputy Premier told the Cayman Compass. He was speaking amid public backlash to plans for a new aviation business, Daggaro, to set up on the island. Kirkconnell defended that project, which he described as a regional search and rescue contractor. He said it was just one of a number of proposals at various stages in the planning process. He said government’s ‘vision’ is to attract investment and jobs to the Brac and reduce the dependence on government jobs on the island. Though the aviation project has attracted controversy, he said it was subjected to the normal planning approvals process and had been supported by “seven generational Cayman Brackers” on the Development Control Board. Kirkconnell said government had been working for some time to create new opportunities on the Brac, which relies heavily on the civil service for employment. He said the $10 million project to build a helicopter hangar, airplane parking area and taxiway, was the first significant private sector development approved on the island since the Alexander Hotel. He accepted there were environmental concerns, including from the National Trust, but said government had to balance that with its aim to create a sustainable economy on the sister islands. Opponents of the project have highlighted the impact on the natural environment and suggested it does not fit with government’s stated vision of the Brac as an eco- tourism destination. Kirkconnell insisted that was still the goal for the island but said some development and business growth was needed for the island to have a sustainable economy. He said the Brac had the best education system on the islands but was exporting its people to Grand Cayman. “There is a certain balance we want to strike for sustainability. If the balance is not there, your young people have to leave the island to get jobs.” Asked how Daggaro, a specialist aviation operator which requires highly skilled personnel, would change that, he acknowledged there was no one currently on the Brac that would be likely to take up a job flying Black Hawk helicopters or as a rescue swimmer pulling people out of distressed vessels. But he insisted, “There are people that can be trained to be that pilot or that diver. Opportunity is the big thing. “When we started the financial industry I don’t think there was a single CPA on island.” He added there would be work during the construction phase and ancillary work for engineers, airport staff and other service operators once the business is up and running. Kirkconnell acknowledged that Daggaro had been on government’s radar since 2019. But he said that was the case for any business looking to make a significant investment in the islands. And he said it had been given no guarantees over the planning process, which is in the hands of the local development board. Marina plans He highlighted a number of projects that are currently in the discussion stage and said Daggaro was just one business proposal that fit into a wider strategy of trying to attract investment to the Brac. Perhaps the most significant of those could be a proposal for a marina, boutique hotel, restaurant and retirement homes that has been presented to government. More details on precisely what that project entails will be available in the coming months if it progresses to the stage where the developer makes a coastal works application. But Kirkconnell, who is also tourism minister, said it was the kind of project that government would be happy to see on the Brac if it comes through the planning process. Kirkconnell also referenced preliminary discussions for investment in green energy transition on the Brac as well as the recently announced commitment of Aster MedCity to create a satellite clinic on island as part of its $350 million medical tourism proposal. He acknowledged that some of these projects would likely attract backlash. But he said government’s aim had always been to attract private business to the Brac. He said there had been significant improvements to the Brac’s infrastructure, including investment in the airport, road network and healthcare facilities, and that was helping create new opportunities for private business growth. Kirkconnell acknowledged that part of the Brac’s appeal currently lies in its tranquility, compared to Grand Cayman. He insisted government was not abandoning this concept but was trying to find the right balance between environmental and economic sustainability. Hotel and marina among proposals for Brac future Kirkconnell said government had been working for some time to create new opportunities on the Brac, which relies heavily on the civil service for employment. Aviation firm Daggaro plans to operate out of Cayman Brac using Black Hawk helicopters. cayman compass 7 news N news FRIDAY, 29 JANUARY 2021by legislators to remove Bush. A similar motion was overruled last year by deputy speaker Barbara Conolly on the grounds that it was sub judice. At that time, the case against Bush was still in court. Back in December, Bush was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment on each assault charge, to run concurrently, which was suspended for two years. He was also ordered to adhere to a curfew of 6pm to 6am Monday through Sunday, for two months. He was fined $700. Three days after that conviction, McLean wrote to Premier Alden McLaughlin after no action was taken against Bush. The premier, commenting on the conviction at a press conference in December, said, “I am not sure the country will be well served now by my taking action which precipitates the collapse of the government and the holding of early elections. So, we have to bear that in mind.” McLean, in a statement issued 28 Jan. announcing the no confidence motion, said the speakership is one of the most esteemed roles an elected member can hold under the Constitution. “It was the hope of many Caymanians that the Speaker, Honorable McKeeva Bush, would have done the Honorable thing and resigned in light of being convicted in a court of law. While it came as no surprise that Speaker Bush refused to resign despite his criminal conviction and suspended custodial sentence,” McLean noted in his statement, adding he was taken aback that McLaughlin refused to demand a resignation or remove Bush altogether. According to the motion, McLean and Miller are asking Parliament to express “its lack of confidence in the Speaker by two-thirds of the membership of this august body voting in the affirmative; and be it further resolved that this honourable Parliament proceeds with immediate effect and elects another Speaker as provided for in section 65 of the Constitution”. They contend, in their motion, that the conviction of the Speaker “has brought the integrity and sanctity of the role of Speaker of Parliament into public and international disrepute and demonstrates a lack of character and suitability to operate in a public leadership role and manage the affairs of this Parliament”. Bush has indicated that he will not be stepping down. There has been no indication from government when the next sitting of Parliament will be held for the motion against the West Bay West MP to be debated. The motion will have to be approved by the House business committee, which is led by McLaughlin. “It was my hope that Premier McLaughlin would have exercised the same moral conviction, integrity, and leadership that he displayed more than 8 years ago when he moved a No Confidence Motion against McKeeva Bush after he was arrested and charged,” McLean said in making his case for action against Bush. Miller, who has been consistently advocating for Bush’s removal since he was first arrested last February, said the refusal of the Speaker to resign and government’s inaction is disrespectful to the house. “I am also saddened that members of the Unity Government, especially the women MPs, have chosen to remain silent on this issue where a woman was assaulted, and the perpetrator was found guilty in our courts. What message is this sending to women and the community?” House Speaker McKeeva Bush (centre) pictured with Opposition Leader Arden McLean (left) and Premier Alden McLaughlin in December at the renaming of the Legislative Assembly to House of Parliament ceremony. – Photo: Alvaro Serey No confidence motion filed against Bush TIMELINE: Feb. 2020Bush assaults woman Feb. 2020Bush takes leave of absence April 2020Police charge Bush July 2020Bush pleads not guilty Aug. 2020Bush returns to Speaker’s chair Dec. 2020Bush pleads guilty to 3 of 4 charges Dec. 2020Bush convicted on all 4 charges Jan. 20212nd No Confidence motion RESHMA RAGOONATH RRAGOONATH@compassmedia.ky Opposition Leader Arden McLean and independent North Side MP Ezzard Miller have teamed up in a new bid to oust West Bay West MP McKeeva Bush from the Speaker’s chair. The senior legislators have filed a no confidence motion against the veteran politician. The motion, which was filed with Parliament on 28 Jan., comes almost one month after Bush was convicted on three assault charges and one disorderly conduct charge following an altercation at a local bar involving the female manager. This is not the first attempt cayman compass 8 news N news FRIDAY, 29 JANUARY 2021“having to be re-phased, overall delays in the timescale, and cost increases”. Sub-consultants working with RS&H reported that the company was “slow to communicate with them, which has resulted in critical information not being updated or presented to the Senior Project Manager and Project Steering Group”, auditors stated. Among the shortfalls in performance highlighted in the audit report was an issue with electrical drawing, which auditors stated had to be submitted 14 times before the government’s Building Control Unit inspectors approved them. “Approval for the electrical drawings was 36 weeks later than planned, which resulted in the start of construction being delayed by eight weeks,” the report stated. Tom Guyton, chairman of the Cayman Islands Airports Authority, also told the PAC Wednesday of some of the problems that had been encountered with the lead consultants, including the fact that what were supposed to be final drawings presented at the start of the construction project were incomplete. “We later found out that they were no more than 75% complete,” he said. He also told the PAC members that a total of 412 variations had been made to the project due to omissions or errors in RS&H drawings, at a cost of $12.37 million. He said 72 tenant variations led to $531,000 in costs, while an additional $1.15 million was spent on dealing with 79 variations relating to “unforeseen situations”. Also, the CIAA board approved another 236 changes, at a cost of $5.6 million, which Guyton said was paid for by supplemental cash that had been ring-fenced for those variations. In relation to the cost over-runs, Guyton pointed out that the outline business plan had included a 25% risk allowance for expected risks for the duration of the project, based on the terminal being a 30-year-old building, so “if you adjust the $51.9 million for construction costs and apply the 25% risk allowance factor, you come to $71.08 million; we come in at just around 3% over that figure”. Project manager Roy Williams, who was hired in July 2016, told the Public Accounts Committee that a meeting was scheduled to be held next month to discuss the overall final cost of the project, and potentially any legal action that might be taken. Not enough meetings It was suggested at Wednesday’s PAC meeting, and in the audit report, that a lack of meetings by the Project Steering Group, which had oversight of the airport project work, meant that issues that could have been addressed earlier, were not. The report noted that although the steering group had met monthly since August 2016, meetings were infrequent between July 2014 and August 2016, “at times when key procurement processes were ongoing and contracts were being signed”. No meetings were held between July and November 2014; seven meetings were held between March 2015 and February 2016; and no meetings were held between March and August 2016. Asked about the infrequency of the meetings, Guyton admitted that while there may not have been regular meetings, “at no time was the steering committee left in the dark”. This was echoed by CIAA Chief Executive Officer Albert Anderson, who told the lawmakers that some members of the steering committee were also members of his management team and worked on a weekly basis with the contractors and consultants. “They were very, very close to the project. Some discussions were had by email,” he said, but added, “I accept that the meetings should have been held to record when they were updated.” Asked why, when its performance was considered so poor, RS&H had not been fired and replaced, the witnesses before the PAC stated that there would have been no benefit to removing the lead consultant in the middle of the project. Guyton said bringing in a new lead consultant at that point would have made the project even more expensive and led to additional delays. The project involved the expansion of the existing airport terminal and the construction of a new terminal, all while the airport continued to operate. The construction work coincided with record numbers of tourists arriving on island, meaning that the airport needed to be open every day, adding to the difficulty of the project. The original airport had been designed to handle up to 500,000 passengers a year, but since 2000, double that number was coming through its doors annually. The Public Accounts Committee hearing into the Owen Roberts International Airport terminal expansion project was continuing at press time on Thursday, 28 Jan. PAC looks into airport expansion costs, delays CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 Funding for the project was paid for by government and by passenger facilities charges – a $13 fee per passenger. cayman compass 9 FRIDAY, 29 JANUARY 2021Next >