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Carmona: Embrace Caribbeanism

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Published: 
Friday, September 1, 2017

“As a Caribbean people, we can take on the world, therefore we must embrace or Caribbeanism.”

Those were the words of President Anthony Carmona in his Independence Day toast to the nation yesterday at a reception hosted by the Ministry of National Security at the National Academy for the Performing Arts in Port-of-Spain.

He said true Caribbeanism is “wrapped up in spreading messages of love, cultivating the art of disagreement without disrespect, adopting the attitude of being responsive rather than explosive and belligerent, celebrating and investing in the country’s best resource which its people and in the words of the late Garfield “Ras Shorty I” Blackman, remain sober in our thinking at all times to achieve a brighter tomorrow.”

The President said while progress should be celebrated, mis-steps should also be addressed in a holistic, transformational environment.

For this to be accomplished, he said, we must cultivate genuine appreciation and regard for the art of disagreement, where differences of opinion can be shared in an environment of mutual respect and objectivity.

Carmona congratulated T&T’s athletes for their achievements at the recently concluded World Athletic Championship in London.

He commended each athlete saying they had added to the tapestry of T&T. He also commended the West Indies Cricket team who recently won a match against England “against all odds and in convincing fashion.”

“We shall continue to rally around the West Indies as much as we will continue to forge and reach greater Trinbagonian heights in every facet of our individual and national lives,” Carmona said.

He said Independence Day observations and celebrations serve as a reminder that the road to independence was a long and trying one and it must not only be just acknowledged, but the celebration must be used as a forum to teach and to inform our children of where they came from and the struggles endured to afford them the freedom and lifestyle they now enjoy.

Carmona said he had every confidence that this nation would reach its highest heights.


Opposition no show at Independence parade

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Published: 
Friday, September 1, 2017

Citizens turned out on large numbers at the Queen’s Park Savannah from early yesterday morning to view the military parade in commemoration of T&T’s 55th anniversary of Independence.

The Grand Stand was packed to capacity and spectators who could not get seats there took up vantage points behind barricades on the parade ground.

The event came off with military precision the parade starting promptly at 7.30 am and ending with the 21-gun salute,

President Anthony Carmona was greeted with applause when he arrived at around 8 am for his fifth Independence parade since becoming the country’s fifth president in 2013.

Other dignitaries in attendance included Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and his wife, Chief Justice Ivor Archie and his wife ,members of the diplomatic corps and government ministers. However, there was no sign of Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar or any other members of the opposition, as was the case last year.

Detachments at the parade are divided in two contingents, armed and unarmed, came from the Regiment, Coast Guard, Air Guard, Defence Force Reserves, Police Service and Cadet Force were led onto the parade ground by the band and corps of drums of the T&T Regiment and T&T Prison Band. Unarmed detachments from the Fire Service, Prison Service, Special Reserve Police, Municipal Police, St John Ambulance Brigade and the T&T Red Cross Society, Military Led Academic Training Programme and Seventh Day Adventists Pathfinders were led onto the parade grounds by the T&T Police Service band and the T&T Fire Service Band.

Following the inspection of the parade, spectators’ attention turned to the march past, fly past and mechanised display with the T&T Police Service Transport and Highway Division receiving loud applause for their presentation with motorcycles.

Toward the end, the troops exited the parade grounds and proceeded south onto Frederick Street, west onto Park Street, then to Tragarete Road towards Roxy Roundabout, onto the Western Main Road and finally to the Police Barracks on Long Circular Road.

Cabinet ministers from left Attorney General Faris Al Rawi Finance Minister Colm Imbert, Minister in the Minister of the Prime Minister Stuart Young and Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan during during yesterday’s military parade in celebration of T&T’s 55th anniversary of Independence at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of- Spain PHOTO: ABRAHAM DIAZ

President calls for unity

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Published: 
Friday, September 1, 2017

President Anthony Carmona yesterday called on the citizens to put political and other differences aside to build a better country.

Speaking at the T&T Police Service’s annual Independence Day cocktail reception, Carmona, went off script as he lamented that crime and criminality were plaguing the country and appealed for divisiveness among citizens to stop.

“You know what is interesting, nobody is leaving Trinidad and Tobago. Everybody criticiing left and right but they not leaving. We all have a vested interest in peace, security and social harmony. Why don’t we get together and get something done?” he asked.

“No need to be belligerent and combative. I always tell people a bullet does not have a brain; it is a dumb peace of metal. This is not about politics or taking sides. If we want to give credence to 55 years of independence, one way we can do it is by coming g together to solve the issue of crime.”

Carmona reminded the audience, which included Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and his wife Sharon Rowley and acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams and his wife Justice Avason Quinlan-Williams, that crime is a perpetual reality.

He said each murder “diminishes him”, adding that describing a killing as gang or drug related is trivializing the life of someone and should stop.

He urgedthe media to focus on the positives like the police youth clubs that are saving the lives of children almost daily.

He recalled hearing of a Laventille teen who had six brothers, three were murdered and three arrested and charged with murder and his mother brought him to the youth club to ensure he did not end up like his brothers. He urged the gathering to show their gratitude towards the TTPS,

From left, Denise Rodriguez-Archie, wife of Chief Justice Ivor Archie, left, Reema Carmona, wife of President Anthony Carmona, and Sharon Rowley, wife of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley at the After Independence Parade cocktail reception at the Police Administration Building in Port-of-Spain yesterday. PHOTO: ANDRE ALEXANDER

Toddler out of ICU, recovering from beating

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Published: 
Friday, September 1, 2017

The mother of a two-year-old girl who suffered a ruptured colon after she was severely beaten last month says she plans to keep a round the clock vigil at her daughter’s bedside to help her heal faster.

She said she is thanking God for bringing her daughter out of a critical condition and putting her on the road to full recovery.

The toddler underwent two lifesaving surgeries at the Wendy Fitzwilliam Paediatric Hospital in Mt Hope after the incident on August 12 and was discharged from the Intensive Care Unit three days ago. However, she remains warded for further treatment and observation.

“I am very happy to see my daughter is recovering well. I was really frightened for her given the critical condition she was in but I am thanking God,” the mother said.

“I will be by her bedside for the next five or seven days or so because I noticed that it is only when I am around that she is moving about, talking little and most importantly resting comfortably.”

The woman said she did not know the full extent of trauma her daughter was experiencing but believed she might be in need of counseling to help her fully recover.

“No one spoke to me about that but I know she is going through her own thing emotionally and mentally. Maybe she needs that level of help too,” she said.

She said preparations were being made for the toddler’s return to her home and denied knowledge of any plans to put the child in the temporary custody of the Children’s Authority.

“No one from there spoke to me about this, not even the police made mention of it so I do not know where that newspaper was getting its information from. I, myself tried to call them (the Children’s Authority) and left messages but no one has called me up to now to either confirm or deny this but this has me very concerned,” she said.

“If this is so, I don’t understand why because the incident did not happen home by me. We treated her lovingly and right now her mama and her sister are waiting anxiously to have her back home with us. She has her own room, her own toys, her own television. She was, is and will be very happy back with us, I know.”

On Tuesday, Roxanne Oliver, 39, a registered nurse, appeared before Port-of-Spain Magistrate Aden Stroude charged with causing grievous bodily harm to the child on August 12. She was granted $100,000 bail and ordered from coming within 100 feet of the victim until the case is determined.

The matter has been adjourned to October 26.

Opposition no show at Independence parade

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Published: 
Friday, September 1, 2017

Citizens turned out on large numbers at the Queen’s Park Savannah from early yesterday morning to view the military parade in commemoration of T&T’s 55th anniversary of Independence.

The Grand Stand was packed to capacity and spectators who could not get seats there took up vantage points behind barricades on the parade ground.

The event came off with military precision the parade starting promptly at 7.30 am and ending with the 21-gun salute,

President Anthony Carmona was greeted with applause when he arrived at around 8 am for his fifth Independence parade since becoming the country’s fifth president in 2013.

Other dignitaries in attendance included Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and his wife, Chief Justice Ivor Archie and his wife ,members of the diplomatic corps and government ministers. However, there was no sign of Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar or any other members of the opposition, as was the case last year.

Detachments at the parade are divided in two contingents, armed and unarmed, came from the Regiment, Coast Guard, Air Guard, Defence Force Reserves, Police Service and Cadet Force were led onto the parade ground by the band and corps of drums of the T&T Regiment and T&T Prison Band. Unarmed detachments from the Fire Service, Prison Service, Special Reserve Police, Municipal Police, St John Ambulance Brigade and the T&T Red Cross Society, Military Led Academic Training Programme and Seventh Day Adventists Pathfinders were led onto the parade grounds by the T&T Police Service band and the T&T Fire Service Band.

Following the inspection of the parade, spectators’ attention turned to the march past, fly past and mechanised display with the T&T Police Service Transport and Highway Division receiving loud applause for their presentation with motorcycles.

Toward the end, the troops exited the parade grounds and proceeded south onto Frederick Street, west onto Park Street, then to Tragarete Road towards Roxy Roundabout, onto the Western Main Road and finally to the Police Barracks on Long Circular Road.

Cabinet ministers from left Attorney General Faris Al Rawi Finance Minister Colm Imbert, Minister in the Minister of the Prime Minister Stuart Young and Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan during during yesterday’s military parade in celebration of T&T’s 55th anniversary of Independence at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of- Spain PHOTO: ABRAHAM DIAZ

Couples welcome Independence babies

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Published: 
Friday, September 1, 2017

After two failed pregnancies it was a third time blessing for Mercedes Vance and Adrian Jones, of Siparia, with the birth of their daughter, Monifa Adrielle Sky Jones, at the San Fernando General Hospital yesterday.

The bouncing baby girl was one of five born at the hospital as the nation celebrated its 55th birthday.

In 2015, Vance’s first pregnancy ended at 23 weeks due to oligohydramniosm, a condition in which there is a lack of fluid surrounding the baby in the uterus. The following year, she suffered a spontaneous miscarriage after only ten weeks of pregnancy.

“First child after three pregnancies. I was worried from the word go. I know all pregnant women worry, but everyone around me was worried. My mom got sick, my father got sick, my sister at home got labour pains as well.

“We were expecting her on her father’s birthday on August 28, the same day I was admitted but they induced labour yesterday and she was born today,” Vance said.

Asked how she felt that her daughter would share the nation’s birthday, she said: “I am quite elated and would not give up this experience for anything in the world. I have parents who are older than the nation and now I have a daughter born on the birthday of the nation.”

Jones’ face lit up when he walked into the post-natal ward and saw his newborn daughter for the first time. He said just as Independence was a gift to the nation, so too was his daughter.

“This is a happy day for me and the most important moment in my life,” he said.

First-time mother Tamika Mayers said her daughter Isabella Shaniya George was worth the eight hours of labour. She went into labour around noon on Wednesday and it was not until 8.44 am yesterday that she heard Isabella’s cries.

“It was painful, but I was excited to hear my first child’s cry. I have not even slept as yet,” Mayers said.

Sherel Ann Zhang and Ryan Hosein’s daughter Chelsea was the first baby to be born at the hospital yesterday. Zhang said childbirth was the hardest thing she ever did in her life.

“When she came out, I thought to myself, finally she is here now, after so long, nine months,” she said.

Hosein said he was happy his daughter was born on Independence Day.

Mercedes Vance holds up her newborn baby girl Monifa at the San Fernando General Hospital yesterday. PHOTO: TONY HOWELL

Caricom hails T&T’s contributions to region

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Published: 
Friday, September 1, 2017

Caricom Secretariat, Guyana—Caricom Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, in a congratulatory message to Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley on T&T’s 55th anniversary of Independence, has praised the country for its progress at the national level and its significant contribution to promoting regional integration.

LaRocque said the people’s creativity and resilience has ensured that this country maintains a dynamism that has secured for it a place of prominence in many fields, including culture, sports, academia and diplomacy.

He also credits T&T as a founding member of Caricom with providing significant promotion of regional integration, particularly in the areas of energy and security, for which it plays a lead role on the Quasi-Cabinet established by Caricom Heads of Government.

Noting that T&T has enjoyed “great economic progress over the years, which has contributed to the social and economic development of the region, as a whole”, LaRocque added that Caricom places great significance in this country’s dedication towards the advancement of its objectives and “stands ready to assist the country in its thrust towards continued development.”

Irwin LaRocque

NCIC head: First People deserve much more

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Published: 
Friday, September 1, 2017

Dr Deokienanan Sharma, head of the National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC), says T&T’s First People deserve more than a one off holiday.

“I do make a genuine appeal to the powers that be to consider very seriously the granting of a permanent annual holiday to our First People,” he said in an address at the NCIC’s annual Independence Rainbow Dance Festival at the NCIC Nagar, Chaguanas, on Wednesday night.

Sharma said recognition of the First People had come exceedingly late and the one off holiday, though welcome, is inadequate.

He suggested that one of the many holidays “that do not hold contemporary relevance to T&T” be replaced with a permanent First People holiday.

He said the worst disease of all plaguing the country was crime which seemed to be escalating,

“Each day brings news of death of the most horrendous kind. It has become so commonplace that we are tending to accept such situations and we now miss such news when the newspapers report no murders on a particular day which is in fact a rare occurrence,” Sharma said,

NCIC PRO Surujdeo Mangaroo was critical of the business community’s failure to sponsor the Rainbow Dance Festival which he said was funded from the pockets of NCIC members.


Flooding relief option in Port-of-Spain

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Published: 
Friday, September 1, 2017

Mr Mayor,

We have experienced perennial flooding in the city of Port-of-Spain now for more than 50 years and I wish to put forward a solution to mitigate this problem if not yet explored.

Powergen has applied to all the environmental authorities for the demolition of the power station which stands idly overlooking the city. This exercise will begin in the future when the necessary clearances are given as we are unsure of the start date or place where this work will begin. We remember Dr Emru Millette who offered a plan but was it was shelved mainly due to economic reasons.

Being a retiree of Powergen, it is of my knowledge that there is a pump house on Wrightson Road which delivered water from the sea to the condensers and other ancillary equipment. Water entered the power station through two channels and returned through two channels to the sea. This pump house is about 15 feet below ground level, allowing the water to flow naturally from the sea to the suction of the pumps.

When we look at flooding in the city, we see water backed up from the Light House landmark to the National Flour Mills on Wrightson Road, from the City Gate to the Diego Martin Maxi Taxi stand, the Brian Lara Promenade and even lower Charlotte Street amongst other highly used areas.

When the tide is high, the water does not have the potential energy to overcome the swells resulting in deluge. On both sides of Wrightson Road, there are drains that carry water to the sea through a main drain next to the University of Trinidad and Tobago, John Donaldson Campus.

If instead, this water is routed to Powergen’s channels, the water could then be pumped into the outlet drain resulting in relief.

Another advantage is that the Fire Station Services pump house is adjacent to Powergen and through piping, valving arrangement could assist in the case of an emergency.

There is much to be considered in detail to set your engineers to work to see how best this plan could be developed for the benefit of all.

For further discussions, I can be contacted using information supplied.

MR SONA SUPERSAD,

RETIREE

devaki.supersad@gmail.com

TT World Cup Qualifier blocked on Flow Sports

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Published: 
Friday, September 1, 2017

Tonight's CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier match between T&T and Honduras will be shown live in all Caribbean territories, with the exception of T&T.

According to a press release from cable and internet provider Flow, the match will be blacked out in this country.

Flow apologised to its Flow Sports viewers for any inconvenience but did not provide reasons for the blocked programming.

Anand: I will be victorious

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Published: 
Saturday, September 2, 2017

"I have no doubt justice will prevail in this matter and I will emerge victorious," former People's Partnership (PP) Attorney General Anand Ramlogan told reporters following his first court appearence yesterday on charges of misbehaviour in public office and obstruction of justice.

"We anxiously await the day in court when the people who have made these scurrilous allegations will enter the witness box and subject themselves to the cross examination that will prevail," he added.

Ramlogan, 45, appeared before Magistrate Nanette Forde-John in the Port of Spain Magistrate's Court on the two charges days after a large police party descended on his home in Palmiste, south Trinidad, at dawn Tuesday and held him on "reasonable suspicion" inallegations made against him in 2015 by Police Complaints Authority head David West.

After 12 hours of grilling on 189 questions from police and Ramlogan's own 40-page package of resp0nses, he was charged 36 hours after his detention, around dusk on Wednesday.

Currently out on $750,000 bail, Ramlogan appeared cool and calm when he arrived at court at 8.45 am yesterday in a black SUV accompanied by his attorney Pamela Elder, his wife Nalini and aides, with attorney Gerald Ramdeen alongside. He and his wife held hands as they walked into the court building.

After the hearing ended, the team emerged from the building at 10.4o am. With his wife at his side, Ramlogan delivered a brief statement to reporters.

"I have waited a very long time to have my day in court and remain confident that the truth shall set me free. I have no doubt that justice will prevail in this matter and I will emerge victorious," he said, adding that he had every confidence in his legal team headed by Elder.

"It has been a very harrowing and distressing experience to be subjected to the execution of a search warrant with such a large contingent of police officers at my home. My primary concern now is for my young children and my family and I intend to protect them and ensure that this trial does not affect them.

"Other than that, I intend to continue what I've always done, which is to fight for the downtrodden and underprivileged in T&T and I intend to be back out at work at my law firm come Monday morning."

Ramlogan did not respond to questions about whether he felt politically persecuted.

Commenting on the heavy security around the courts—which was for the Dana Seetahal enquiry which also occurred yesterday—Ramlogan said: "I was a bit flattered when I saw the extreme security measures this morning. Happily, it wasn't for me. I understand there was another matter in the court."

Suited up as usual, Ramlogan sported his traditional grey-streaked buzz cut with a short greying Van Dyke beard. His wife was dressed in black. While he looked cheerful and smiled as he spoke to reporters, his wife appeared serious.

Picong for PNM, Ramlogan.

Ramlogan's address following his emergence from the court was the culmination of a morning of media monitoring from 8 am awaiting his appearance. His reference to the high security pertained to the blocking off of St Vincent Street from Duke to Hart Streets and the 14-plus heavily armed police officers on duty outside the court for the Seetahal matter.

The black SUV which Ramlogan and his associates arrived in wasn't allowed to enter the St Vincent Street court block and had to turn into Duke Street west, depositing the party there. They walked the short distance to the court under media glare.

Also arriving for the matter were Ramlogan's look-alike brother Krishna from south Trinidad, two other family members, colleagues from his law firm and attorney Wayne Sturge, a UNC senator.

Around 9.35 am, two Ramlogan aides emerged from the court and quickly left by vehicle. They returned at 10.10 am with Justice of the Peace Anthony Soulette who had handled the bail process for Ramlogan on Wednesday. Indications were that Soulette's presence was needed to rectify an aspect of the case. Soulette emerged from the court shortly after he entered.

Throughout the morning, a middle-aged Afro Trini woman with blue plaits woven into her hair walked the area shouting encouragement for Ramlogan and berating the PNM leadership.

"All will be well with the AG (Ramlogan)! God large and in charge. The AG will be alright!" she declared.

When Ramlogan emerged from the court, a middle aged female PNM activist and another woman who appeared on the Duke Street corner shouted at him.

"God doh sleep, boy!" was among her taunts to Ramlogan.

Among those who stopped to watch the proceedings was a well known female Santa Cruz UNC stalwart. UNC chairman David Lee subsequently denied a radio claim that the party had directed supporters to gather at the court.

"If anyone came out they did so of their own volition," he said.

$.95m bail for five in Grande teen’s abduction

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Published: 
Saturday, September 2, 2017

A 16-year-old Sangre Grande student is among the five people jointly charged with kidnapping a 14-year-old student of North Oropouche granted a total $ 950,000 bail with surety by a Sangre Grande Magistrate yesterday.

The 16 -year-old had initially been reported kidnapped but on Thursday the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution instructed police investigator Cpl Randy Castillo, of the Sangre Grande CID, to lay charges against him.

The other accused are Deokumar Lutchman, 39, a construction worker, of North Oropouche; Bissessar Arjoon, 52, also a construction worker, of Brierley Street, Sangre Grande; Ashraf Hosein, 28, of GP Road, Barrackpore; and Nicholas Jagessar, 20, of Thai Road, Barrackpore.

The five, who are accused of kidnapping Brandon Sam, were not called upon to plead as the charges were laid indictably.

Jagesssar and Hosein are being represented by attorney Candace Price who asked for reasonable bail for her clients. She told the court Jagessar is gainfully employed, has two children ages 4 months and three years, has strong family ties and is not a flight risk. She also said Hosein has two children and is a self employed construction worker.

Attorney Elvin Cudjoe, who is representing Lutchman and Arjoon said his clients have relatively clean police records and are gainfully employed, while Denise Waldropt, who represented the teen, said he lives with his family and is not a flight risk.

Quintyne granted bail to the five accused with conditions, including that they stay 1000 ft from the victim, must not communicate at any time with him and desist from visiting his home and school.

The teen was granted $100,000 bail with surety, while Jagessar, Lutchman and Bissessar were each granted $200,000 bail with surety and Hosein $250,000 bail with surety.

The matter was adjourned to September 29.

RALPH BANWARI

 

Kidnapping accused Bissessar Arjoon, left and Deokumar Lutchman being escorted to the Sangre Grande Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

Ex-AG case adjourned to January

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Published: 
Saturday, September 2, 2017

Former attorney general Anand Ramlogan, SC, will have to wait until next year to begin his defence against criminal charges for misbehaviour in public office and obstructing justice. His case was adjourned to January 11 when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Nanette Forde-John in the Port-of-Spain Magistrate's Court on the charges which were laid on Wednesday evening.

Flanked by a small group of friends, relatives and his legal team, Ramlogan and his wife arrived at the St Vincent Street courthouse almost 20 minutes before he was due to appear before Forde-John. No stranger to the surroundings, he was seen smiling and speaking with lawyers and members of the public in the corridors of the court building.

When his case was eventually called, Ramlogan, his entourage and members of the media entered and almost completely filled the public gallery of the courtroom.

Dressed in a grey and blue checkered suit, the former AG was directed into the prisoner enclosure and stood silently before Forde-John as he waited for her to read the two charges. However, as she was about to do so, Forde-John paused and had a brief conversation with Ramlogan's attorney Pamela Elder, SC, which was almost inaudible from the public gallery. She then stood the matter down for a short period.

The T&T Guardian understands that Forde-John's query was over an administrative error on the $750,000 bail bond granted by Justice of the Peace Anthony Soulette who reportedly had forgotten to sign the document. When the matter was recalled almost 20 minutes later, the issue appeared to have been rectified as Forde-John immediately proceeded to read the charges to Ramlogan.

He is accused of obstructing justice by using threats and bribery in October 2014 to persuade Police Complaints Authority (PCA) director David West to not give evidence in a defamation case against then Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley. Ramlogan is also accused of misbehaving in public office by improperly endeavouring for West not to testify on Rowley's behalf.

The lawsuit against Rowley centred around statements he made against Ramlogan about his handling of extradition proceedings against businessmen Ishwar Galbaransingh and Steve Ferguson and the controversial Section 34 issue.

Ramlogan was not called upon to plead to the charges which were laid indictably.

After the charges were read, Elder asked police prosecutor Insp Winston Dillon if he was ready to disclose the evidence against her client, including the warrant used by police to search his house on Tuesday morning. Dillon said disclosure of evidence will occur within a month. He also said the case will be prosecuted by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Forde-John said she would only dealt with Ramlogan's first court appearance and the case will be transferred to acting Chief Magistrate Maria Busby-Earle-Caddle who is assigned all capital offences and high profile cases.

The charges arose out of an investigation initiated by acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams after West gave a statement implicating Ramlogan in January 2015.

Ramlogan was arrested on Tuesday when a large group of police officers raided his home in south Trinidad. He was interrogated by the police for close to 12 hours and detained overnight before he was eventually charged the following day.

Even with charges pending, Ramlogan can continue to practice. The disciplinary committee of the Law Association will take action against him in the event that he is eventually convicted.

Ramlogan was also represented yesterday by Alvin Pariagsingh.

Former AG Anand Ramlogan, left, speaks to members of the media after his court appearance yesterday. PHOTO: ANISTO ALVES

Sinanan faces JSC Monday

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Published: 
Saturday, September 2, 2017

Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan and former and current Port Authority of T&T (PATT) board members are among stakeholders called to appear before the Joint Select Committee (JSC) which will look into the procurement for and maintenance of the Cabo Star and Ocean Flower 2 next week.

In a release yesterday, the Office of the Parliament said three consecutive meetings starting on Monday through to Wednesday have been scheduled before the JSC on Land and Physical Infrastructure at the Parliament, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain.

The committee will meet in public with officials including: Sinanan; Dhanmattee Ramdath, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Ag.); Marvin Gonzales, Director, Legal Services Unit; Duane Murray, Senior Legal Officer and Ronald Alfred, Director, Maritime Services.

Also with the current PATT board, including: Alison Lewis, Chairman; Adrian Beharry, Deputy Chairman; Ainsworth Mohammed, Commissioner; Tommy Elias – Commissioner; Dexter Jaggernauth – Commissioner and Suzette Baptiste – Commissioner.

Acting chief executive officer of the T&T Inter-Island Transport, Leon Grant, PATT’s General Manager/CEO Charmaine and Michelle Scipio-Hosang, the Manager, Fast Ferries will also appear.

Former PATT board members include: Christine Sahadeo - Former Chairman; Radha Permanand - Former Commissioner; Glenn Wilson - Former Commissioner; Ken Wright - Former Commissioner; Melissa Alexis-James - Former Commissioner and Ferdinand Ferreira - Former Commissioner.

Other Stakeholders to appear will include: Fitzgerald Hinds, MP and Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs and Former Minister of Works and Transport; Stephen Cadiz - Former Minister of Works and Transport.

OTHERS TO APPEAR BEFORE JSC

T&T Inter-Island Transport Company: Hafeez Mohammed - Divisional Manager, Operations and Ticketing; Vilma Lewis-Cockburn - Manager, Marketing & Public Relations; Nadine Pierre-McKenzie - Accountant (Ag.); Michael Bahadoorsingh - Manager, HSE (Ag.); Michelle Scipio-Hosang - Manager, Fast Ferries; George Ronalds - Team Lead, Operations and Safety; Anil Ramdial - Manager, Strategic Planning

Bridgeman’s Services Group: Andrew Purdey - Vice President

Other Stakeholders: Alfred McMillan - Marine Consultant, Nyree Alfonso - Attorney

Seamen and Waterfront Workers Trade Union (SWWTU): Michael Annisette - President

Ken Shipping and Marine Services Ltd: Lester Kenny - Managing Director

Intercontinental Shipping Limited: John Powell - Managing Director

Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association (THTA): Christopher James - President, Kaye Trotman - Representative, Dedan Daniel - Representative, Ted Greis – Representative

Other Stakeholders: Dianne Hadad - Former President, Tobago Chamber of Commerce, Kelvin Charles - Chief Secretary and Secretary of Education, Innovation and Energy, Tobago House of Assembly, Assemblyman Watson Duke - Minority Leader, THA

Inter-Island Truckers and Traders Association: Horace Amede - President, Wazir Ali - 1st Vice President, Robert Tardieau - 2nd Vice President, Samuel Applewhite – Secretary

Cops probe two murders

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Published: 
Saturday, September 2, 2017

Phillip “Ladders” Doldron, who was shot during a bar robbery in Pleasantville on Wednesday, has died.

Doldron, 62, of Cemetery Street, La Brea, had been warded in critical condition with a bullet lodged near his spine. He succumbed to his injuries at around 5 am yesterday at the San Fernando General Hospital.

Police said at around 6 pm on Wednesday, Doldron, proprietor of Ladder’s Bar in La Brea, was liming at Dianne’s Bar in Blitz Village, Pleasantville, when two gunmen entered. After announcing a robbery, one of the gunmen grabbed at Doldron’s gold chain and he resisted. The other gunman shot him in the stomach and both suspects ran off.

Colleagues and neighbours described him as a community man who had helped many young people in La Brea.

Meanwhile, police are investigating the murder of a University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) student who was stabbed to death in Carapichaima on Thursday night

Keeghan Subero, 22, of Penal Rock Road, Penal, was liming on Waterloo Road with a group of men when he got into an altercation with a man he knew. The man pulled out a knife and stabbed Subero several times.

Subero was taken to the Chaguanas District Health Facility where he died while receiving emergency treatment. Freeport police and the Homicide Bureau of Investigations, Region III responded and a man was held for questioning.

In an unrealted incident, an unidentified Chinese labourer was killed in an accident at a construction site in Wallerfield yesterday afternoon.

Up to late yesterday evening, police had no positive identification on the man, who was driving a mini concrete mixer on a private road near Eteck Park, Wallerfield. Police said the man was hit by a dump truck and died on the spot. The deceased was said to have been on his way to get lunch when the accident took place.

Police say an autopsy will be done on the man’s body on Monday as investigations continue, but labelled the death an an on-the-job accident.


Le Hunte’s Ghana citizenship revoked in 4 days

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Published: 
Saturday, September 2, 2017

Public Utilities Minister Robert Le Hunte said the good relationship he developed with the Government and people of Ghana helped him to get his citizenship there renounced in four days instead of the requisite two weeks. He explained this yesterday after UNC's Devant Maharaj asked how the Ghana citizenship was renounced so quickly when that country's Constitution states renunciation takes two weeks

"The two week period is stated on Ghana's Government website," Maharaj said yesterday. "I'm calling on Mr Le Hunte to show Trinidad and Tobago the certificate of renunciation since Ghana's rules are that a certificate is given when citizenship is renounced."

Maharaj made the call after Le Hunte was sworn in again as Public Utilities Minister on Thursday night. It was the second such function for the new minister and senator who was initially sworn in last Thursday.

On Monday, however, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) said Le Hunte couldn't be sworn in as a senator and couldn't be a minister since he was a citizen of Ghana. He had served there from 2013 to last month as a Republic Bank official.

The OPM cited Section 42 (1) of the Constitution which debars people who have acquired citizenship from another state from holding senatorship. The OPM said Le Hunte was rectifying the situation. He left T&T on Monday to go to Ghana to renounce his citizenship and returned on Thursday.

Maharaj has written to Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey seeking confirmation that Le Hunte's Ghanaian citizenship was indeed revoked "within a mere three days"" and in accordance with that country's laws and with a renunciation certificate as required.

He asked: "Was Mr Le Hunte afforded any special treatment by Ghana's Government to expedite this?"

Le Hunte said he wasn't given any special treatment and T&T's Government didn't intervene but it was expedited because he had a good relationship with people when he worked in Ghana for the past four years.

He said based on the advice he received before he was sworn in as a minister the first time, the Ghana status wasn't an issue since he was advised based on the Representation of the People's Act.

"It was when I examined the Constitution myself after that I realised there was an issue and I informed the Prime Minister myself immediately," he said.

"I was given the Ghana citizenship in recognition of the role I was playing in forging trade/investment ties between Trinidad and Tobago and Ghana and I accepted it as I didn't have to renounce my Trinidad and Tobago citizenship."

However, Maharaj said: "Mr Le Hunte swearing on the Constitution essentially violated the oath of office of the Constitution. What was the role of the Attorney General who is the legal advisor to the Cabinet and supposed to vet all such appointments in this latest fiasco? Where's the Law Association on this legal issue of the intent of Section 42?"

He said Le Hunte should have been aware of the Ghana MP for Bawku Central who was jailed for two years for having dual citizenship.

"How can citizens now be expected to repose trust and confidence in Mr Le Hunte who didn't see it fit or proper to advise his political leader that he held citizenship of another country? Yet Prime Minister Rowley will have T&T simply believe it was a 'communication glitch'."

Analysts: He should not have been reappointed

Political analyst Dr Bishnu Ragoonath said Le Hunte shouldn’t have been reappointed as he failed to tell the Prime Minister about his Ghana citizenship when he took the oath of office.

"A classic example of mismanagement,” he said

Political analyst Dr Winford James asked what was checked when the Dr Rowley asked Le Hunte to serve.

"The Prime Ministeer has access to much information. That's what the Attorney General is there for. There doesn't seem to be a legal bar to reappointing him but the situation is an embarassment for Government.

"If it was a deliberate mistake in not telling the Prime Minister of the citizenship, then reappoinment could be reconsidered. It's whether the Prime Minister's Office did proper background checks. These problems of embarassment—the ferries, the Le Hunte appointment—are solved by due diligence. Someone isn't doing their work."

Former Congress of the People (COP) deputy leader Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan said Le Hunte's reappointment "not only undermines integrity in public life but also speaks to the very same issue of corruption the Prime Minister identified as a major problem in Government."

She added: "Before a minister takes the oath of office, it's mandatory they become familiar with Constitutional provisions. If the Prime Minister is serious about improving the problem of corruption within his government he should lead by example. It's on this basis Mr Le Hunte should have been disqualified from holding any public office."

PM condemns Roodal’s rant

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Saturday, September 2, 2017
Anand case talk aimed at causing racial divide

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has referred to comments made by Opposition Member of Parliament Dr Roodal Moonilal as a “dog whistle” in a bid to cause racial divide in this country.

The PM made the comment yesterday as he strongly condemed Moonilal’s claims his Government was behind the arrest and charges laid against former attorney general Anand Ramlogan.

Rowley noted the police investigation which led to Ramlogan’s arrest on Tuesday commenced under the last government and emphasised that it was under the guidance of an independent Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) that Ramlogan was subsequently charged.

“Nobody from this Government is involved in these investigations…driving it or encouraging it. This is an investigation that started under the last government and its now reached the point of an arrest of one individual,” Rowley said during a press conference at the Piarco International Airport before his departure for the United States.

“In the first instance, Dr Moonilal made a comment in response to that and the comment is what I called a dog whistle. Meaning it is a sound to those who will hear it…with its content being clear…without being spelt out.”

Rowley said the statements made by Moonilal, who is no ordinary person and who holds the office of MP of T&T of long-standing and former leader of government business in the House, were divisive and would only serve to cause racial divide.

“I condemn that statement and I call upon the national wider community to take note and to condemn this and similar statements, because it is this kind of statement that creates division in a country like ours, the consquences of which can be quite grave if they go unchallenged,” Rowley said.

“He (Moonilal) is saying that this is oppression on the part of the Government, implying that it is an executive action of the cabinet and members of this party…not actions of an independent police, under the guidance of an independent DPP, where the requirements are for information to be converted into evidence and for evidence to be acted upon…under the guidance and watchful eye of the DPP, a place where the cabinet has no presence of involvement

“…he (Moonilal) is saying that this arrest of his former colleague is political action on the part of the Government and even further to say it is action against persons of East Indian background and he named a number of East Indians who had been through the court process and attaches this recent development to it and is indicating to the country that law enforcement in this country is based on your racial complexion.”

The PM added: “I condemn that and I call upon all the leaders of this country to condemn this development. It is my understanding, and I am sure that it is the understanding of the vast majority of the people of T&T, that in T&T the police does not take political instructions from political parties to prosecute or persecute any person.”

He said initially he had refused to comment on Ramlogan’s arrest as he did not want to fuel any impression the Government had “any horse in this race.”

Rowley also spoke of the matter where the state, through the Attorney General’s Office, had gone to court to complain about eight or ten people with respect to the handling of over $400 million dollars at the Estate Management & Business Development Company Limited (EMBD). One of the names mentioned was Moonilal’s, he said, and a warrant was subsequently issued to Moonilal with allegations of misconduct in public office in relation to the matter.

Rowley suggested Moonilal was using the development involving Ramlogan’s arrest to make a point that East Indians are now being targeted. He added that weeks before the general election in 2015, Moonilal made a comment that went unnoticed by the media, in which he (Moonilal) was warning the police not to allow itself to be used by persons for political means.

“Now that is an alarming statement coming from a Member of Parliament, a former minister of government, who has questions to answer about the handling of public monies and for which information was provided for a court in T&T and the court being so satisfied that allowed warrants to be issued on this matter,” Rowley said.

“I find it inexplicable that such a comment could have been made in this country by a person who still holds his post in the parliament and could have made a comment like that without challenge…today I challenge that statement.”

He added: “Worse, what Dr Moonilal was doing was protecting himself because as he named the persons who had been to court, Mr Panday, Dr Narayansingh, Chief Justice Sharma, he very carefully didn’t name himself, because while being currently under a warrant to account for matters under his own portfolio…so what he is doing is seeking to incite flavours of understanding of this development to make it appear as though the police is acting against East Indians under the direction of this Government and so therefore when he appears before the court under the warrants that now exist, he will be a victim of this same development.”

Rowley does not care about citizens, says Moonilal

In an immediate response to the Prime Minister’s statements yesterday, Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal said instead of dealing with the issues that are affecting the people of T&T and putting forward solutions, Rowley, “chose instead to sow the seeds of division in our nation.”

Moonilal said it was very disturbing to hear Rowley suggest that he has personal information on possible further charges to be laid by the police in the Ramlogan matter and to insinuate that other members of the Opposition will be in court soon.

“How does the Prime Minister know this?” Moonilal asked.

“We ask whether there is collusion between elements of the police service and the political directorate? Our democratic principles are being eroded when the PM can openly allude to future police action and suggest personal and intimate knowledge of police investigations.”

He condemned Rowley’s latest attempt at misleading the population and distracting from the issues that matter.

“It is worth reminding the public that it was the PM, the head of Cabinet and head of the National Security Council, who has repeatedly criticised the T&T Police Service, choosing to blame law enforcement for his Government’s inability to deal with spiralling crime.”

Moonilal emphasised that Rowley does not care about the people of this country.

“As he leaves on yet another trip, the matter of the ferry debacle remains unresolved and the re-appointment of Robert Le Hunte to the position of Public Utilities Minister, which is unacceptable,” he said.

“The Opposition maintains that Mr Le Hunte’s firing and re-appointment is a breach of the Constitution and laws of T&T, and the Prime Minister has to accept responsibility for bringing the two highest offices in our land into disrepute.”

A lot for us to celebrate today

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Published: 
Saturday, September 2, 2017

Newspapers are a lot more than just a business. They play a key role in democratic societies and, as they establish themselves over the years, they become an integral part of a nation’s life. Today, it is difficult to imagine Trinidad and Tobago without its Guardian.

All this also means that it is a tremendous responsibility to be the majority shareholder of Guardian Media Limited, the publishers of the T&T Guardian. Together with the minority shareholders, we know that, although vital for its success, looking after the T&T Guardian is more than looking at costs, revenue and investments. It is also about cherishing the newspaper’s heritage, protecting its reputation and making sure its next century is as successful as the first one.

There is a lot for us to celebrate about the T&T Guardian’s past. In fact, the T&T Guardian is the only daily newspaper in circulation to have covered our country’s independence in 1962 and it has been the main source of trusted information to Trinbagonians through many other major moments in our lives.

Although not set up by the ANSA McAL group or its predecessors, we feel connected with the guiding principles that led a group of respected men to create the Trinidad Guardian in 1917. Then, like now, the newspaper felt strongly about how businesses could grow the islands’ economy and make them more prosperous to everyone.

The founders were also optimistic and patriotic. That is what explains the launching of a risky new venture amidst the uncertainties of the First World War, with a newspaper created to give a voice for the islands at a time independence was a very distant dream. In today’s Trinidad and Tobago, we are driven by the same optimism and patriotism that inspired them a century ago.

Like any other business, the T&T Guardian had its ups and downs. However, it never refused to accept defeat. Many newspapers would have struggled to recover from the devastating fire that destroyed its St Vincent Street site in 1980, effectively removing it from circulation for a long period. Instead, it came back even more determined, thanks to efforts of its staff and the support of its readers.

Celebrating the past is important but we must also look into the future. We believe the T&T Guardian, now in the digital age, has a bright future ahead of it. This is why we continue to support it and invest in its development, through new technologies and new ideas, some of them being rolled out later this month as part of the centenary celebrations.

In reality, we think that a strong and trusted T&T Guardian is even more important at a time when fake news is easily disseminated via social media or when many prefer rumours to fact. More than ever, we need a strong Guardian of Democracy and a catalyst for change for all those who want to make Trinidad and Tobago a better place.

Like all ANSA McAL stakeholders, I am thankful for the work done by all those who helped make the newspaper so successful over the last 100 years and look forward to another century of distinguished journalism and committed patriotism, underpinned by an uncompromising defence of democracy and freedom of expression.

Norman A Sabga
Executive Chairman,
ANSA McAL Limited

 

 

San Fernando Hill fireworks attract thousands of spectators

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Published: 
Saturday, September 2, 2017

Thousands of Southerners from as far Cedros converged on San Fernando Hill and surrounding areas to see the spectacular “Illumination” Fireworks display, sponsored by Ansa McAl for the 55th Anniversary of Independence.

Spectators brought their coolers, chairs, mats, and snacks and were awed by the sights and sounds of the colourful display. Cars and spectators lined streets surrounding the hill and were parked along all vantage points such as the Mosquito Creek, the Reform Link Road, and hills behind Brian Lara Stadium.

Children and adults were delighted to receive 5,000 sparklers from attractive Ansa McAl brand ambassadors.

San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello commended ANSA McAL Executive Chairman A.Norman Sabga and CEO Andrew Sabga for their corporate social responsibility and continuing the tradition of national social responsibility that was the hallmark of their father, the late Anthony Sabga.

San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello, third from left, and Theron Ousman, managing director ANSA Technologies Ltd centre, light sparklers with residents near the San Fernando Hill during the fire works display on Thursday. PHOTO: TONY HOWELL

Newspapering and media through the years

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Saturday, September 2, 2017

Though the technological advances of Britain’s Industrial Revolution toward the end of the 18th century were generally slow in reaching colonial outposts in the West Indies, the printing press established itself as a significant exception.

Peter Boomgaard and Gert J Oostindie challenge traditional views on this in their provocative study Changing Sugar Technology and the Labour Nexus: the Caribbean, 1750-1900, but it is clear that the advent of the printing press rode on the tide of social and economic change in the colonies in the years prior to the freeing of African slaves.

So important was this new technology, that by the end of the 1800s, there were well over 100 modern newspapers being printed and published in the English-speaking Caribbean. The Jamaica Gleaner, which began publication in 1834, is the oldest survivor of that era, followed by newspapers such as the Catholic News (Trinidad) in 1892 and the Barbados Advocate in 1895.

The first indigenously-printed Caribbean newspaper on the records of the American Antiquarian Society was the Weekly Jamaica Courant in 1718, followed in 1755 by the Antigua Gazette.

By contrast, in Trinidad, there appears to have been little evidence that any printing was taking place on the island at the time of the changing of hands between the Spanish and English in 1797.

Gertrude Carmichael’s History of the West Indian Islands of Trinidad and Tobago 1498-1900 suggests that printing was actually not introduced into the island until the late stage of Spanish occupation.

The history of newspapers in the colony therefore usually begins with the launch of The Trinidad Weekly Courant in 1799.

Carmichael however notes that British officials exercised “strict control over the press” and that then Governor Sir Ralph James Woodford was in the habit of sending polite notes to editors asking to borrow the handles for their printing presses—without which printing would have been impossible.

However prolific their publishers and active their printing presses, it was not an easy time for newspapers in the colonies back then. Public opinion expressed through such publications, and the official backlash they generated, had played important roles in the turbulence leading to the Declaration of Independence by 13 American colonies announcing the United States of America in 1776. Official censorship was par for the course in overseas holdings and most, not all, publishers chose to play it safe.

Early-year newspapers and periodicals in the Caribbean were also important organs for information on developments in the UK, Europe and other colonies in the region and contained important information currently used by researchers interested in trade and commercial activity, and insights into life on the colonies at that time. For example, passenger lists of arriving vessels were regularly published, along with obituaries, court cases and the outcomes of public, political events, sometimes with the preferred perspectives of early publishers.

In T&T, the launch of the Courant was followed by the establishment of the Port-of-Spain Gazette in 1825 and there appeared to have been no turning back for what was becoming a very active industry, to the extent that the authorities moved to register all newspapers in 1834.

In the years that immediately followed, there emerged more than ten important newspapers in Trinidad. In Tobago, seven years prior to establishment of the unitary twin-island state, a Tobago News had already been in existence since 1892.

That was the same year the Catholic News was launched. By then, a number of significant publications such as the Trinidad Standard and West India Journal in 1872 and publications such as the French-language Critique and Tobago Chronicle and Public Gazette had emerged. Other major newspapers at the turn of the 19th century included The Trinidad Chronicle which opened in 1864 and The Mirror, launched in 1898.

By the time the Trinidad Guardian came along in 1917, there appeared to have already been a wholesome appetite for privately-published news and information. The Trinidad Chronicle was already in its ascendancy and a number of activist publications had increased in popularity and influence.

Among these were the left-leaning Argos newspaper, launched after the First World War by Sino-Trinidadian Aldwin Lee Lum as a voice of labour and as an important organ of early social justice activism.

The East Indian Weekly followed in 1928 as a significant platform for Indian issues. And, there were also several important periodicals including Beacon magazine, launched by the Trinidad Labour Party, and The Nation, published by the People’s National Movement (PNM) and edited by CLR James.

There were also special interest publications including The Independence Chinese News, launched in the 1940s, Cheng Chi Chinese Weekly published in the 1960s, Tapia first published in 1969, The Vanguard by the OWTU and the Labour Leader, an offshoot of the British socialist newspaper.

The Evening News was launched as the country’s first daily evening newspaper in 1935, followed by The Sun which was launched by the Trinidad Express. Early, locally-generated radio broadcasting came with the launch of the US armed forces radio station, WVDI in 1943. It actually pre-dates the establishment of Radio Trinidad, usually cited as the country’s earliest radio station which went on the air on August 31, 1947 as a part of the Trinidad Broadcasting Company (TBC), owned and run by Rediffusion (Trinidad) Ltd.

The TBC network, which at the time operated one AM and three FM frequencies was acquired by Trinidad Publishing in 1998 and the media group later launched CNC3 television in 2005, expanding in 2008 to operate free-to-air broadcasts. Fifteen years, to the day, after the launch of TBC, Rediffusion was holding a 30 per cent stake in the inauguration of the country’s first television station, Trinidad & Tobago Television (TTT) which began operations a week before the hoisting of the flag of independent T&T. The main shareholder in the station was the International Thomson Organisation of the UK (50 per cent) with smaller holdings by Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) of the US with 10 per cent and the Government of T&T 10 per cent.

The Daily Mirror newspaper, which had previously competed vigorously with the Trinidad Guardian, was acquired in 1966 by the Thomson Organisation and, folded that very year.

This led to the introduction of the Trinidad Express in 1967. Weekly newspapers such as the Bomb newspaper, launched in 1970, the Sunday Punch in 1972 and the TnT Mirror in 1982 were also significant publications that helped change the face of newspapering in the country under late journalist, Patrick Chookolingo. Trinidad Newsday was launched as the country’s third and newest daily newspaper in 1993.

As was the case at the changing of colonial hands in the late 1700s, new technologies—in this era the digital revolution industry—are challenging important connections between key sectors of the economy and the growth and stability of a mass media industry.

There are currently six free-to-air television broadcasters, ten television broadcasting services via cable and 14 registered subscription television broadcasters. Additionally, there are 37 FM broadcasting services and one AM service still on the books of the Telecommunications Authority.

A number of online news and entertainment platforms have also been launched in recent years and traditional media enterprises make use of social media and digital formats delivered online.

It is 100 years since the launch of the Trinidad Guardian and more than 200 years of the English-language newspaper in T&T. Industry leaders would do well to consider a future unlike any other period in the country’s history.

The first edition of the Trinidad Guardian in 1917.
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