Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan and the Vice President of Bridgemans Services PLC Andrew Purdey have both confirmed that they have been invited to appear before Parliament’s Joint Select Committee on Land and Physical Infrastructure which is looking into the procurement of the Cabo Star and the Ocean Flower 2.

Sinanan told the T&T Guardian yesterday that he had been invited to appear before the Committee, and will appear as requested.

The T&T Guardian understands that there were extensive discussions on the situation with the ferries at last weekend’s general council meeting of the PNM when the party’s political leader Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley again spoke to concerns about the procurement of the MV Superfast Galicia.

Asked about the discussion Sinanan said, “I will not speak about what transpired at the General Council.”

Purdey who is currently out of the country told the T&T Guardian he is “looking forward” to appearing before the Committee and will be back to make himself available.

He has already met with independent investigator businessman Christian Mouttet who was appointed by the Prime Minister to look into the procurement of the vessels. Asked whether he had held further discussions with the Port Authority on the Ocean Flower 2 which is now docked in Curacao, he said, “there have been no discussions with the Port.”

Purdey said there had been a “five per cent accuracy rate in the reporting of the local media on the acquisition of the vessels.”

Last Friday the Port issued a statement which it subsequently recalled stating that Bridgemans “initial submission to the authority was made via the Ministry of Works and Transport.” A direct submission was subsequently made to the Port dated April 28.

The Port said it received four submissions from Bridgemans Services Group and two from Ken Shipping and Marine “outside of the official tender process.”

Maritime attorney Nyree Alfonso confirmed last week to the T&T Guardian that she had also been asked to appear before the Committee. She has also been asked to make written submissions by Wednesday of this week.

Former Works and Transport Minister Stephen Cadiz under whose watch the Superfast Galicia was procured told the T&T Guardian he had also been asked to make a submission in writing and to appear before the Commission.

The Committee has also requested that former chairman of the Board of the Port Authority Christine Sahadeo and other Commissioners appear.

Former board member Ferdie Ferreira confirmed that he had received a request to appear and will be doing so. But efforts to contact Sahadeo proved futile,

Part of the remit of the committee is to look at the maintenance contract and Ferreira said he will speak to his own concerns about the contract which this country had with Bay Ferries at a cost of $7 million a month.

President of the Seamen and Waterfront Workers Trade Union Michael Annisette, and former Works and Transport Minister Fitzgerald Hinds have also been requested to appear.

The Committee chaired by the Member of Parliament for Mayaro Rushton Paray will meet in the Parliament Chamber on September 4 and September 5. The hearings move to Tobago on September 6, when the Committee is expected to meet with the Division of Tourism of the Tobago House of Assembly, the T&T Inter Island Transportation Company, the Tobago Truckers Association, the Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association and the Tobago Division of the T&T Chamber.

JSCs have no power of subpoena and can only request people to attend sessions. There are no legal consequences for failure to attend if requested.

​TRANSPARENCY BODY CONCERNED ABOUT FERRY DEAL

Chairman of the local arm of Transparency International Dion Abdool told the T&T Guardian that the Trinidad and Tobago Transparency Institute (TTTI) is very concerned about the issue especially in light of recent statements made by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley.

Abdool said TTTI had initially believed that the process had been followed and that perhaps the quality of the outcome was the issue. But he said the statements by the Prime Minister “has now opened up questions about the process and perhaps those involved.”

Abdool is optimistic that the “multiple investigations now underway will hopefully provide the answers to the issues that have arisen.”

TTTI he said had noted that “the issues, concerns, controversies regarding the procurement of the vessels have arisen in the absence of functional modern procurement legislation.”

Abdool is now calling for the operationalisation of the Public Procurement Act “with urgency so as to rebuild public confidence in State expenditure and place accountability on those responsible for public funds.”

TTTI said there are those who “suggest that corruption is part of the national DNA.” It said the present tumult over the Tobago ferry highlights the “sensitivity of the public to corruption.”

Weary of the criticism he received for removing of the landmark clock at Library Corner, San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello assures the public that he will not relocate “The Last Train to San Fernando.”

However, Regrello proposed that the train, formerly known as Engine #11, be relocated to King’s Wharf to complement that upgrade of the San Fernando Waterfront, where work is set to begin in November.

The San Fernando City Corporation and the San Fernando Heritage Trust celebrated the 50th anniversary of the engine being handed over to the City. Engine # 11 made its last trip to San Fernando on August 30, 1965, and later took up its resting place at the Eastern end of Harris Promenade.

Despite being placed there as a monument to Trinidad’s sugar industry and the long defunct Trinidad Government Railway (TGR), the engine began to oxidise and a homeless man had taken up residence on the train. It was in 2014 that former mayor Kazim Hosein got council approval to refurbish the engine. It was supposed to be completed in time for the 50th anniversary of Engine #11’s last trip but was delayed because of the extensive work to be done.

With King’s Wharf being the former location of the old railway station, Regrello said the area holds more significance to host the train. It will also allow more space in the heart of the city to address the long-standing problem of traffic congestion.

“What I am saying is that as the City progresses and we look at how changes have to be made, we are looking at the advancement of the vehicles and how we are over saturated. We have more people now. The City itself has been expanded to accommodate the Ste Madeleine, Tarodale and Tarouba areas so it is more activity here.

“We have to really revisit how we do things in San Fernando. With the waterfront development coming, which was the main hub for the train, we will actually look at the possibility of putting the engine down on the Wharf because it is appropriate as it relates to the area. There is a nexus right there and I think it may a good idea. I am not making that call, the council has to make that call. It would be in consultation with stakeholders to get their views as we develop the City,” Regrello said.

As for the historical clock, he said, it will be placed on the island near Republic Bank, several metres from its original location. He said work to relocate the clock should start this weekend with an electrical connection being made. The cube-shaped, four-sided clock atop a concrete pillar was gifted to the people of San Fernando by businessman Carlton K Mack to commemorate the fourth year of T&T’s independence on August 31, 1966. It was removed as part of the City’s traffic restructuring plan.

A pregnant woman who, together with her husband, stole $153,330 from her employer was described as cold-hearted by a magistrate yesterday before she ordered the couple to pay $186,000 in fines in three months.

Failure to do so could result in the couple serving a total of 181 months each in jail.

Alicia George, 33, a cashier/operator/supervisor and common-law husband Antonio Anthony, 37, both of King’s Wharf, San Fernando, pleaded guilty to 49 charges of larceny by trick in the San Fernando Magistrates Court.

George, who is two and half months’ pregnant, claimed she stole the money to pay for fertility drugs to realise her dream of getting pregnant.

According to the facts, read by prosecutor Cleyon Seedan, during the period January 9 and August 21, Chandra Maharaj, owner of the Master Class Premium Club at High Street, San Fernando, observed a steady loss of revenue from one of her roulette machines. The owner conducted an audit of the machine and discovered an unusual amount of $153,330 paid out to Anthony during that period. She then viewed the surveillance footage and made a report to the San Fernando CID last Thursday.

Around 8.15 pm the next day, investigator PC Crawford went to the club where he confronted George about the report. He told her as the supervisor she would have entered a code for the machine, causing the hydraulic system ​APto operate where she would have had access to the wheel and ball of the machine and that she had altered the outcome as to what colour and number the ball would be placed on. She reportedly said, “Officer, I never take all that money, is ah lil small money me and Antonio take once or twice.”

Crawford then went to the washroom area where he met George’s husband. He told Anthony that he would have placed bets on a roulette machine at the club where the outcome was altered by his wife to ensure that he would win. He reportedly replied, “Boss, I assisted my wife a few times but we eh take so much money.”

Crawford arrested the couple, conducted further enquires, including showing the couple the surveillance footage and retrieving tickets and receipts from the owner. George’s attorney, Annalee Girwar, said her client’s one desire in this life was to get pregnant. However, she said this entailed George visiting various fertility clinics and taking a plethora of drugs, but her salary could not cover her medical bills.

She said a non-custodial sentence will allow George to satisfy her debt and preserve the life of her child.

Anthony, who represented himself, said he worked part-time at the city corporation and sold dried goods.

“I real sorry my wife had to do what she had to do to try to make herself happy,” he said.

He said they were also stealing the money to help him raise funds for a heart surgery.

The prosecutor confirmed George was a first-time offender. However, he said they did not get a proper trace on Anthony because two criminal records were coming up on his name. In passing sentence, Magistrate Chankar said jail would be the easy way out for them.

“You are sorry because your luck ran out, that is what you are sorry for,” said the magistrate, who described their actions as selfish and calculating.

She said that neither looked remorseful, guilty nor sorry. The magistrate said, “She is cold-hearted.”

The magistrate said there was no excuse for their actions and scolding both prisoners. She said they would have continued stealing had they not been caught. The magistrate ordered them to pay $93,000 in fines and ordered the sentences to run consecutively.

If they do not pay the money, George will serve simple imprisonment while her husband will do hard labour in jail.

Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Minority Leader Watson Duke proved his point yesterday by swimming part of the journey from Tobago to Trinidad to protest the unreliable inter-island ferry service.

Many people took to social media yesterday in support of Duke while others doubted his ability to accomplish that feat.

The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard described Duke’s attempt to swim as “inherently dangerous because of the natural ocean currents between the islands”.

In 1993, Grand Riviere resident Raymond La Croix swam from Trinidad and Tobago after two previous unsuccessful attempts.

But long before La Croix’s venture, as history books record a rebellious slave by the name of Sandy made the treacherous journey in 1770.

“Sandy was one of the heroic figures of the period of slavery in Tobago, he was quite a heroic person and quite a personality,” historian Gerard Besson told the T&T Guardian.

Besson said when he heard of Duke’s plan to swim from Tobago to Trinidad he immediately thought of Sandy.

So who was this heroic figure Sandy and why did he make this swim?

According to historian Professor Bridget Brereton in her book An Introduction to History in Trinidad and Tobago, Sandy was born somewhere in West Africa but we do not know exactly where.

We do not know Sandy’s true African name but we know that he was enslaved and brought across the terrible Middle Passage to Tobago sometime in the 1760s, Brereton wrote.

Historian Rita Pemberton in an article entitled “Sandy’s Liberation War 1770” stated Sandy was a carpenter on the Grafton Estate in Tobago.

On November 11, 1770, Sandy plotted with other slaves to seize arms, kill their masters and lead a general uprising on the island in a bid for freedom.

It was the first slave revolt in Tobago and it lasted for six weeks and threw the entire island into chaos.

Tobago at the time was controlled by the English.

“Although only a few slaves joined in, it terrified the whites,” Brereton wrote.

The rebellion began at Courland Estate where one of the estate owners, Samuel Hall, was killed.

A military outpost at Hawk’s Bill Point was also attacked and two soldiers stationed there were killed.

The revolt spread to different parts of Tobago and forced the British authorities on the island to eventually call in reinforcements from Grenada, St Vincent and Barbados.

In all some 20 whites were killed.

“Rewards were offered for the capture of any of the resistors, for bringing in Sandy’s head, with freedom guaranteed for any enslaved African who brought Sandy in alive,” Pemberton wrote.

Sandy, however, was never captured.

According to an article by deceased historian Angelo Bissesarsingh detailing the history of Toco, he stated that runaway slaves from Tobago were a part of the society in Toco.

“Sandy escaped capture by jumping into the sea and swimming to Trinidad where some believe he lived out his life in Toco,” Bissesaringh wrote.

Speaking to the T&T Guardian Brereton said there has been a “persistent legend” that Sandy swam from Tobago to Trinidad.

“We have no idea what happened to him but if as some people have speculated he got to Trinidad it definitely was not by swimming. The truth is we don’t know. We don’t know what happened to Sandy,” Brereton said.

Brereton said she believes that if Sandy, in fact, came to Trinidad from Tobago “it was in a boat”.

“All we know is that he was not captured and he was not killed in Tobago but there has been a persistent legend that he managed to get himself to Spanish Trinidad where he would have been fairly safe because the Spanish authorities if they found him would not have sent him back to British Tobago but we simply do not know,” she said.

One of the leaders of Unruly Isis gang appeared in court yesterday charged with four offences including resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer.

Avinash “Krysis” Seepersad, also known as Abdul Wakeel, appeared before Chaguanas Magistrate Wendy Dougdeen-Bally.

Seepersad, 33, of Enterprise, Chaguanas, was arrested by the police last week Wednesday at Circular Road in Enterprise.

He was granted $30,000 bail by a Justice of the Peace last Friday.

His mother-in-law Rhonda Mohammed accepted responsibility to ensure Seepersad attend each court date and also report to the Cunupia Police Station twice a week between 6 am and 6 pm as a part of his conditions of his bail bond.

According to the charges, Seepersad allegedly used insulting language towards PC Anderson Ramjattan as well as resisting arrest as four police officers attempted to search him for illegal items.

Seepersad pleaded not guilty to all charges. He was represented by attorney Fareed Ali.

Ali told the court that Seepersad had lacerations about the body and suffered a broken nose during the incident. The court ordered that the evidence the prosecution intends to use against Seepersad be disclosed to the defence between September 22 and his next hearing date which is September 29.

Ali said the police version of facts was far from the reality of the events and intended to go full trial to resolve the issues.

Almost two years after Jonathan Hernandez was stabbed to death near his Arima home, a 24-year-old man from Caroni appeared in court charged with his murder.

Danny Sankaran, of Kelly Village, appeared before Magistrate Gloria Jasmath in the Arima Magistrate’s Court yesterday charged with murdering Hernandez on August 29, 2015.

After he spent several days in police custody without being charged, Sankaran’s lawyers Wayne Sturge and Alexia Romero filed a write of habeas corpus writ calling on homicide detectives to justify his continued detention.

High Court Judge Magagret Mohammed ruled in their favour and ordered police to charge or release their client by last Friday.

Before the deadline had expired, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard, SC gave investigator WPC Alisa Hassanali instructions to charge Sankaran for the crime.

According to reports, around 1 am on the night of the incident, Hernandez, of John Street, Mt Zion, Arima, was walking along Devenish Street with his brother when two men in a car stopped alongside them.

The two men reportedly got out and had a short argument with Hernandez before one of them took out an ice pick and stabbed Hernandez several times. The men returned to their vehicle and drove away. Hernandez’s brother was unharmed.

Hernandez was taken to the Arima District Hospital where he died while undergoing emergency surgery.

Police had been searching for the suspects since the incident and only arrested Sankaran in a bar near his home, two weeks ago.

Sankaran was remanded into prison custody and will reappear in court on September 22.

Former attorney general Anand Ramlogan has been arrested.

At about 6 am today, officers led by acting Deputy Police Commissioner Harold Phillip went to Ramlogan's Palmiste Park home where they informed him he was under arrest for two offences.

The offences are (i) misbehaviour in public office and (ii) perverting the course of justice.

This is a developing story.

Several colleagues of Anand Ramlogan were denied access to the former attorney general this morning as they attempted to visit him just hours after his arrest.
 
The group of four attorneys arrived at the Police Administration Building at the corner of Sackville and Edwards Street, Port-of-Spain at around 9.45 am, where Ramlogan was being interviewed over offences related to misbehavior in public office and perverting the course of justice.
 
The attorneys who said they were there for moral support spent 45 minutes in the building before exiting and speaking to media.
 
While being interviewed by reporters, the attorneys were called by police.
 
They went into the building and exited within a minute before leaving the scene.

Content creators will be paid by the Government to produce local content for broadcast with the revamped Trinidad and Tobago Television (TTT). However, whilst TTT will have its “own” advertisers, content creators will also be encouraged to acquire their own advertisers, Minister of Communications Maxie Cuffie said yesterday.

He made the comment in response to questions on the issue of funding sustainability for TTT, given that in the 2015 report produced by the then board of state-owned the Caribbean News Media Group (CNMG) and Government Information Services Limited (GISL), it was recommended the Government fund the two entities through a levy arrangement on the revenue earned by the National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB) and Telecommunication Authority of T&T.

The board suggested that funding of a public service driven media should come via a levy on the revenues of TATT and NLCB to support the acquisition and production of original content.

“Alternatively, TATT and the NLCB can fund all operations,” the then board stated in the report, adding other expenditure would be via advertising and sponsorship revenues.

But speaking to the T&T Guardian on the issue, Cuffie explained that checks were made with TATT with respect to fully funding TTT but it was revealed the body’s Universal Service Fund does not allow this.

Addressing Government’s plan for the new TTT, Cuffie said: “Government will license the production of content creators so they don’t have to pay us to broadcast, we would be paying them for the right to broadcast their products.

“TTT has advertisers and we will continue to have advertisers, as well as the proposal is that some of the content creators will bring their own advertisers because they get support from the private sector to create their content. That sort of commitment is not new, that has been done before.”

In 2015 the then board had embarked on a public consultation exercise via interactive media using CNMG and GISL’s television and radio networks, and new media to engage citizens in a transparent and cost efficient way.

From November 2 to 18, the board invited the public to call CNMG and GISL’s media stations, text, email or send written submissions. The series culminated in simultaneous live panel discussions during television prime time from November 15 to 18 2015.

In summing up the views of nearly 1,000 people on state-ownership of media and the role of such media, there was unanimity that state media, more accurately known as a public service media, are of strategic value to the government and society.

“Citizens wanted media that promote national identity and culture. They view public service media as a platform for displaying local content and advancing the creative industry. They identified the major problem hampering the growth of that industry, which is the lack of platforms for the distribution of local productions. Public service media, if fully integrated with the new media, can play a vital role in taking local content to the wider Caribbean and internationally. Citizens felt that public service media could fill the gap left by private commercial media. In that regard, they recommended the government establish a fund for original content,” the executive summary of the 2015 report stated.

On the issue of private/public sector partnership for CNMG, it was deemed a very attractive option that had the potential to deal effectively with political interference and to remove the stigma of propaganda media.

With this option, the Government will bring to the partnership funding for high quality original content, addressing the needs of the creative industry, the report noted.

“It satisfies the definition of public service media for funding original content with the overriding policy of 75/25 per cent balance in favour of original content. It also brings a new approach to media ownership,” the report stated.

In “The way forward” 2015 report, the then board also advised against political advertising. It suggested no government and government-controlled institution advertising two months prior to an election and similarly, no indirect election campaign advertising by campaign financiers.

When asked about this with TTT, Cuffie said it would be up to the new board to decide as they “do not want to tie the hands of the board.”

“That is something for the new board to establish policies and procedures of operations. It is not a decision that Cabinet will make now. We will allow the new Board to explore and make recommendations,” Cuffie said.

CUFFIE: PLANS NOT COSMETIC

Communications Minister Maxie Cuffie has issued a lengthy press release in response to what he claimed was misinformation contained in a letter to the editor from political analyst Indera Sagewan-Alli, published by this newspaper.

He strongly denied that Government’s plans were merely a cosmetic name change.

“For branding purposes, there will be a reversion to the name TTT but that is where the similarities end,” Cuffie said, as he noted CNMG would be wound up and a new state board appointed. He noted that the new board would be mandated to focus on local content.

“As a public service broadcaster, TTT would be mandated to have universal appeal, portray the diversity of cultures that represent T&T, promote national identity, provide a platform for local content and provide studio and editing services. Unlike CNMG, the soon to be created TTT will also be required to provide public and government information and news,” Cuffie said.

He also noted that while state funded, the company would be profit driven.

“In order to ensure this plan is not a drain on the treasury, I have repeatedly stated that the subvention for the new entity will not be increased but that the company would be funded by Government, donors and commercial revenues,” he said.

Speaking at a news conference last week, Cuffie had said that CNMG would be wound up and a new company, using the old TTT name, would replace it. Cuffie also said that the new entity would focus on local programming.

Current staff will be allowed to apply for positions in the new company, Cuffie said. He did not give a time line for the process.

Lessons Learnt From TTT and CNMG’s history, according to the then board (2015)

• Public service media must differentiate its programming from wholly commercial media and cater to the needs of the society it serves.
• Original content programming will remain a paper goal unless there is adequate funding to produce high quality and compelling programmes.
• There must be sound strategies to build up viewership/listenership that will attract advertisers.
• There must be insulation from political interference.
• Public service media cannot survive in a highly competitive environment also characterised by growing appetites for on-demand news and entertainment without capital injections and other financial support by government and other donors.

The elimination of apparent political control and a greater emphasis on original content are two measures being suggested for Government to consider in its plans to shut down state-owned Caribbean News Media Group (CNMG) television and restart the media house under its former name T&T Television (TTT).

The suggestions were made by media veteran Julian Rogers in a YouTube interview with social media journalist Rhoda Bharath, on her show Straight, No Chaser, over the weekend.

Rogers was a consultant when TTT was rebranded in 2005 and served briefly as CNMG’s chief executive officer, almost a decade later.

Responding to Communications Minister Maxie Cuffie’s announcement of the wind-up of CNMG and return of TTT last week, Rogers said there needed to be clear separation between the Government and the company.

“State ownership does not have to be state control. Nobody has to be dictating anything,” Rogers said as he noted there needed to be buffer systems between the two entities before they restarted TTT’s operations.

Rogers added: “I think he (Cuffie) needs to step back and as a former media professional, he should be looking more than ever for independence.”

He suggested that the apparent political bias of the company was one of the reasons why it was found to be not financially viable.

“CNMG was significantly damaged as a product by the previous administration. If you don’t have credibility and your image is damaged, you are not going to attract the advertising revenue you expect,” Rogers said.

Rogers also admitted that when he was part of the team that rebranded TTT to CNMG, he was not convinced by the then new name.

“There was no much history and nostalgia associated with the brand. We have a whole generation of people raised on TTT,” Rogers said.

He also said the production of original content was vital to making the new revamped entity profitable and being able to compete with local and foreign rivals.

“We really missed the boat with the entry of cable television to really return to our original content. We need to fill our programming with our images,” Rogers said, as he noted it was impossible for local television stations to compete with cable television services in terms of foreign television shows and programmes.

Asked how the company could raise revenue to invest in new local programmes, Rogers said the management needed to be creative.

“What about the oil companies? You can open the floor to people who recognise their corporate social responsibility,” Roger said, as he suggested that initial investments could be recouped through advertising, sponsorship and syndication of the programmes to regional television stations.

Notwithstanding his suggestions, Rogers said the Government had to first define the role of the new entity for the country as it would be initially largely funded by taxpayers.

“The mandate needs to be adjusted in a way that it is clear that it is an attempt to provide the public of T&T with an unrivalled service, funded by taxpayers, that really stands in stark contrast to what the private sector media has been doing,” Rogers said.

Two men arrested with three guns and 31 rounds of ammunition have been fined $30,000 each on arms and ammunition charges although they claimed they had the weapons for their own protection.

Rudolph Rambaran, 63, of La Romaine, who owns a chemical business-based in Piparo, and his work colleague Vijai Boodoo, 55, of Gasparillo, a chemical engineer and farmer, both pleaded guilty to the charges of possession guns and ammunition.

The charges stemmed from an incident last Friday in which another man, age 27, allegedly pulled a gun on the police and was shot in his leg. Doctors at the San Fernando General Hospital amputated his leg.

Yesterday Princes Town Senior Magistrate Indira Misir-Gosine issued a warrant for his arrest and the suspect will be charged after he is released from the hospital. His matter was adjourned to September 22.

Prosecutor Ramdath Phillip said the police received information about suspicious activity at Dindial Road and met the accused standing on the side of the road and searched them. Another man who was with them escaped. Upon searching the car, the police found three guns, including Taurus revolver, Glock 17, 12-gauge shotgun, six rounds of 12-gauge ammunition and 25 rounds 9mm ammunition. They were charged by Sgt Ramlogan.

Attorney Shaun Teekasingh said both men were directly affected by crime and had the guns for their protection. He said Rambaran was robbed eight times in the past, including once when he was home with his wife. He said Rambaran’s adopted son Delinjah “Ninja” John, a caretaker, was murdered earlier this year.

Teekasingh said the suspects had boasted about killing John and also threatened to kill Rambaran. As a result, he said, Rambaran hired protection and also had the guns for his protection.

Teekasingh said his client could not wait to get a firearm user’s licence because he was fearful for his life. He said Rambaran and his wife were planning to migrate because they have been victims of crime for too often. The police confirmed that their only past dealings with Rambaran was when his son was murdered.

Teekasingh said Boodoo’s son and car were shot at two years ago and he hired armed protection. The prosecutor confirmed the men were first-time offenders but he asked the court to consider the prevalence and serious nature of the offences. They were each fined $15,000 on each charge. The men were ordered to pay the fines in two weeks or serve 18 months in jail.

The Housing Development Corporation has increased security at community malls at housing schemes to allow shoppers to feel a sense of safety and security.

This was disclosed by the HDC’s Manager of Commercial Properties Maurisa Findlay.

Findlay toured the HDC’s Maloney Mall expo on Monday where several entrepreneurs showcased their local merchandise including food, home renovation services, landscaping services and plant displays, cleaning products and locally made pesticides.

Findlay said that HDC was currently installing surveillance security cameras in around its commercial properties as well as hiring armed guards for patrol.

She added that there had also been an increase in applications by prospective shop owners for the subsidised commercial spaces, which were leased for three years.

Resident Mavis Samuel said she welcomed the HDC’s initiative and said that it would save residents from having to face traffic to go to the main towns and malls to shop.

“I know it will save time and money to go out there. Here would be better and more convenient, not only for me but my neighbours here in the community. I like what they doing and I love that they looking at our safety as well especially due to the increase of crime in communities like these.”

Another resident, who only identified himself as Gerald, said that he also welcomed the initiative as “it will enable the people here to become more constructive in getting their own sales of any kind out there. The youth could be able to start up their own businesses even if it’s selling music or hairdressing or seamstress and tailoring services.”

The mall is hosting several activities over this week including a fashion show by Miss T&T Universe, mini health fair, Independence fashion parade, Independence Day corridor sale and back-to-school flash sale, which will be held on September 3 from 10 pm to midnight.

The Ministry of National Security is reminding members of the public that the use of drones is prohibited within the city of Port-of-Spain.

In a press release yesterday the Ministry noted preparations for tomorrow’s Independence Day celebrations and referred to T&T Civil Aviation Act and the T&T Civil Aviation Authority Regulations, which precludes the use of the popular unmanned aircraft within the capital and within five km of Piarco and Arthur NR Robinson airports.

The release noted that drone should not be operated during open air functions and over mass public gatherings.

“Drones should not be flown at a height greater than 121 metres or 400 feet above the ground. Drones should not be operated in a manner that may endanger persons or property,” the release said.

It also advised members of the public to refer to the authority’s regulations on the use of drones on its website: www.caa.gov.tt/unmanned-aircraft-systems-uas-drones/

Head of the Southern Division police, Snr Supt Zamsheed Mohammed yesterday warned residents against harbouring criminals after villagers mobbed police officers who were attempting to arrest a gunman.

Mohammed said it was the same criminals who would eventually turn their guns against law abiding citizens in the future. According to reports, three Princes Town CID officers were on Cumuto Road, Indian Walk around 9.50 am when they saw a man walking along the road with an object bulging from his waist. The officers said when they stopped and searched the man, approximately 40 residents converged on them, obstructing them in the execution of their duty.

The officers observed a revolver drop from the suspect and one of the residents picked it up and ran off. More residents gathered and began hurling insults and profanity at the officers. One of the residents began inciting the crowd to arm themselves with pieces of iron and wood. When the officers attempted to arrest the suspect, they were met with resistance by residents who challenged them.

A struggle ensued between the officers and the unruly crowd, leading to one of the officers firing a warning shot in the air. The crowd continued shoving at the officers and they retreated. Southern Division Task Force was deployed but the crowd had dispersed before the team arrived.

“We are asking the citizenry to be as civil as practicable. We live in 2017 and these same people they are harbouring and guarding against the police are the same people that will one day turn their guns again them. If people can appreciate what the people are trying to do. We are trying to ensure their safety and to do that, we need the support of all the people, all the time,” Mohammed said.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley is blaming a communications glitch for the revocation of Robert Le Hunte’s appointment as Minister of Public Utilities on Monday.

The announcement of the decision was made by the Office of the Prime Minister on Monday, mere days after the Le Hunte was sworn into the post. It said the decision was made because it had come to the attention of the PM that Le Hunte had Ghanaian citizenship, which disqualified him, under section 42(1) of the Constitution, from taking up a senatorship.

But speaking during a tour of the Diego Martin Sporting Facility yesterday, Rowley cleared up any misconception about Le Hunte’s place of birth.

“He is a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, so let me make that very clear, he is not a Ghanaian, he is a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago who did temporary assignment in Ghana. While he was there he obtained in part of his residency and acceptance in the community he obtained citizenship, there was a communication glitch in the handling of that development,” the PM said.

People in several quarters had argued yesterday that Le Hunte should not be reappointed, given that he did not inform the PM of this situation and also accepted his appointment from President Anthony Carmona knowing he was a citizen of another country. Raising the issue of integrity as well, some questioned whether society could be comfortable with his reappointment given how the issue was handled.

But while the PM yesterday admitted the issue had “breached” the Constitution, he said it was a situation which could not be rectified before now due to the miscommunication. However, he said once Le Hunte has given up his Ghanaian citizenship he will go ahead with the planned reappointment.

Le Hunte is a former banker and was the former managing director of HFC Bank in Ghana, which is owned by local company Republic Bank.

A 39-year-old registered nurse accused of beating her boyfriend’s two-yearold daughter, causing the child’s colon to rupture, has been granted $100,000 bail.

Roxanne Oliver, of Diego Martin, yesterday appeared before Magistrate Aden Stroude in the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court charged with causing grievous bodily harm to the child during an incident at her home on August 12.

Oliver was not called upon to plead and stood silently in the prisoner enclosure with her head bowed as the charge was read.

Her mother Doreen, who was the only person present for her appearance, was allowed to be surety for her bail. In the event Oliver fails to appear in court for future hearings, her mother would be called upon to pay the bail amount.

As part of the conditions of her bail, Stroude ordered that Oliver refrain from coming within 100 feet of the victim until her case is determined.

Her attorney, Richard Mason, informed the court that Oliver’s boyfriend, the child’s father, lives five streets away from her apartment. Stroude said he was satisfied the distance fell beyond his order.

After she was granted bail, Oliver and her mother managed to evade media personnel waiting at both public entrances to the courthouse and were allegedly allowed to leave through the basement garage used by magistrates and senior members of staff.

Oliver was due to appear around midday but her hearing was deferred, as Stroude said he wanted a representative from the Children’s Authority present to give an account of the child’s current condition and arrangements that would be made after she is discharged from hospital.

When the authority’s senior legal officer Rachel Noel-Bute arrived in court, she explained that her organisation would be seeking to take temporary custody of the child.

“Once the child is discharged she will be received into the care of the authority. We will be seeking to place her in alternative accommodation until the police and the authority’s investigation is completed,” Noel-Bute said.

Oliver will reappear in court on October 26. According to police reports, the child’s 42-year-old father left his daughter with Oliver as he went to drop off someone.

When he returned three hours later, he noticed a bump on the child’s forehead and was told she had fallen down. He took to hospital the following day after she complained of feeling unwell and was repeatedly vomited.

The child underwent emergency surgery two Fridays ago as doctors repaired the damage to her colon and to part of her bowel that was found to have gangrene. The child remained warded in the Wendy Fitzwilliam

Paediatric Hospital in Mt Hope up to late yesterday.

In a brief interview with the T&T Guardian yesterday evening, the child’s mother said her daughter’s condition was improving.

“She is off the ventilator and is already eating some solid food,” the woman said.

She also noted that she had briefly given the father custody of the child but would be seeking full custody when she is released from hospital.

The Massy United Insurance Trinidad Derby will be run off tomorrow and an exciting race is in prospect.

Although a relatively small field of 11 horses will be lining up for the event, it is a highly competitive event notwithstanding the likely presence of a big favourite in the Jamaican-bred Leading Lady.

This filly has shown herself to be the best stayer among the three-year-olds this year and was a very impressive winner of the Midsummer Classic in her final start. There is no doubt that she will get every metre of the 2,000m distance but her running style could leave her vulnerable to any horse with more tactical speed and equal amounts of stamina.

Were she to win the event, she would become only the second filly to win the Derby since racing was centralised at Santa Rosa Park in 1994. The only filly to do that so far, being Pride N Glory in 2008.

Pride N Glory, in fact, also has a connection to this event being the dam of the main locally-bred contender, Caesar Country. This colt blotted his copybook in his final start, the Midsummer Classic, when he was pulled up and did not finish. Prior to that, he had won his first two starts and was a close second to Valorous in the Guineas with Leading Lady behind in third. If he has overcome the issues which resulted in his failure to complete the Classic, he could have every chance of challenging for the victory.

The Guineas winner Valorous returns and this colt must be given every chance, in spite of his defeat in the Midsummer Classic. He seemed to get over the sloppy track of the Guineas with much more aplomb than he handled the fast track of the Midsummer and although his rider in the first two classics, Patrick Husbands, has not returned to ride him in the final leg, he still has every chance of competing for the top prize.

Divine Inspiration (third in Midsummer) and Rocket Wheels (fourth in Guineas) also return and given ordinary luck in running, also have decent chances of at least placing in the final leg of the “Triple Crown”.

Last year’s champion juvenile, Battle Cry (fourth in the Midsummer) has looked a shadow of the 2016 juvenile but he is also still coming back from a long injury. He is not without hope.

Among the longer shots, Maha Raja seems to be in as a pacemaker for Leading Lady; Hello and Discouldrun have not shown enough to suggest that they would be competitive at anything above the 50 class while Golden Choice has raced exclusively at distances below 1,350m. Lord Silver, was a close second to Caesar Country in the Royal Colours Classic, seemed to lose his way for a while, but his victory in his last start maiden at least provides some hope to connections that he could be on his way back.

Independence Day also sees the running of the Massy Remittances Independence Cup scheduled to be run off over 1,800m on the turf. The actual complexion of this race depends on the surface since if the race remains on the turf, it is highly likely that leading contender and President’s Cup winner, Whisper Light, would not be taking his chance. On the main track, Whisper Light is likely to take all of the beating since most of his rivals either prefer the turf surface and/or are not up to this level.

Two rivals that do not care about the surface are Conquest Bespoke and the returning Thisonesforron. The latter will be returning to the track after an absence of almost eight months but has been training well in preparation for this event. He will be the horse to beat on a turf surface.

Conquest Bespoke is also versatile but just a touch below either of his two aforementioned rivals. He has also been deserted by stable rider, Ron Ali, in favour of Stockyard. This son of Scat Daddy is bred to relish a turf surface which explains his defeat by Buffalo Soldier on his debut. While he can perform respectably on the main track, connections will be looking forward to seeing him stretch his legs on the turf.

Of the others, both Trini Navigator and Magical Victory have performed much better on turf than the main track though neither convinces of being out of the top drawer, even by local standards. Madiba has thrived since switched to the turf but remains well down on class against his other turf rivals. This range hinges on the weather and the answer will be known early on Thursday morning.

A ten race card is in store and as usual, for a public holiday featuring a major race, some highly competitive races have been arranged. All race fans are encouraged to come out to the track.

The semi-nude corpse found in a drain in San Fernando on Saturday has been identified as Duane “Popcorn” Taylor.

Police said Taylor was a person of interest in four murders in south Trinidad.

Taylor, who lived in Morne Diablo, Penal was suspected of being involved in the January 21 murder of Jerome “Pum” Calliste along Coffee Street, San Fernando.

Detectives probing the murders of Kevin Fuller, Terry Edwards and Sanjay Mahabir said Taylor’s name also came up in their investigation.

Taylor’s body was found near the School of Accounting and Management along Blanche Fraser Street after someone called the police and reported loud explosions in the area.

Officers visited the scene but did not find anything. However, they were recalled to the area around 2 pm and found Taylor in a kneeling position. Taylor was wearing only his underwear.

His head, which had several injuries, was partially submerged in water. A bloody boulder was found next to the body and a pair of pants was found further up the drain. An autopsy at the Forensic Science Centre, St James on Monday confirmed police suspicions that he died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head.

Last January, Calliste, of Phase II, Golconda was in his silver Nissan B 15, parked outside the Lai King Chinese Restaurant and Bar at the corner of Drayton and Coffee Streets.

Around 10.15 am, a gunman opened fire on him, striking him several times. He stumbled out of the vehicle and into the bar where he collapsed. He was later pronounced dead at the San Fernando General Hospital.

In March, gunmen stormed the Runway 69 ‘Shorts’ Bar along Wellington Road, Debe, killing Fuller, a scrap iron dealer from Princes Town, his childhood friend Edwards and Mahabir, who was just a resident liming at the bar.

Investigators suspected that the murders were a paid hit against Fuller in reprisal for the 2015 murder of T&TEC linesman Roger Romain, who was shot dead outside his Penal home.