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A&V also bidto provide boatfor sea bridge

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Published: 
Thursday, September 14, 2017

A&V Drilling Workover Limited, the company now at the centre of a 'fake oil' scandal at state-owned Petrotrin, was one of the tenderers in February 2016 for a vessel to replace the Super Fast Galicia.

Well-placed sources at the Port Authority of T&T yesterday told the T&T Guardian that because it was “an open tender anyone was free to bid. A&V submitted a bid. But the tender process was scrapped.”

Asked why the tender was scrapped, the source referred the question to the then PATT general manager Leon Grant. However, efforts to contact Grant, who is on suspension from the Port, were unsuccessful yesterday.

Former Works and Transport Minister Stephen Cadiz posted a message on his Facebook page yesterday saying, "In Trinidad and Tobago, if you dig a little deeper what you might find is that a ferry service and an oil drilling company are actually one of the same.”

Contacted by the T&T Guardian about the post, Cadiz said his information is that “at a meeting in the board room of the Port Authority when the tenders were opened on February 26th, 2016, five tenders were opened. The fifth in the sum of TT$36 million was determined to be the 'best bid on the table.'”

The Port, he said, agreed to award the contract to tender five, which was submitted in the name of A&V Drilling, but “no vessel was identified in the submission. The tender is then abruptly cancelled.”

The tender process took place while the Super Fast Galicia was still operating the sea bridge. A second tender process took place in July 2016, but the T&T Guardian was unable to determine whether A&V Drilling submitted another tender.

Attempts to speak to the owner of A&V Drilling, Nazim Baksh, were again unsuccessful yesterday. A male voice at his Penal-based company said: "Mr Baksh is still out of the country." He could provide no information on when he would return. - RS


PM c

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Published: 
Thursday, September 14, 2017

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley last night condemned members of the public who have been attacking police officers while they are conducting their duty.

Speaking at a ‘Conversation with the Prime Minister’ at the St Augustine Secondary School last night, the PM referenced recent attacks against officers, saying, “I want to condemn those in communities who attack the police when they are carrying out law enforcement. If you think the police is your enemy think again.”

Rowley said people must remember “one day, one hour when the criminals attack, after you call out to God you have to call the police. So stop that foolishness.”

He said in recent times there had been an improvement in the performance of the police. But he said just like teachers, doctors and others do the jobs they are paid to do “crime fighting is the duty of those under national security.”

Rowley also spoke to the dire economic situation in the country, saying his Government was committed to doing the best for all the people.

“Government is about people and decisions, difficult as they may be, must be about the people,” he said.

Referencing recent polls which showed a decline in his popularity, he said, “You did not elect me to be popular. Populist politics is what got us where we are today.”

In the past two years, he said “given the hand we were dealt” hard decisions had to be made. His said Government did not have the luxury to say “I will give you this, I will give you that.”

While trade unions, with whom he met with yesterday, were against a wage freeze, he said the “only employees under a wage freeze are parliamentarians.”

While there is no official policy on a wage freeze, Rowley said the Government, which has 89,000 public officers on its wage bill, was concerned about ensuring people kept their jobs and could put food on their table.

It’s a headache every month, he said, for the Minister of Finance to meet the public service wage bill and Government had been borrowing to meet the commitment.

But he assured the Government has no policy to lay off workers, saying “some contracts may have come to an end. But there is no policy to manage the gap between expenditure and revenue by mass lay-offs.”

He said his Government has also not pursued a devaluation option. However, he said Government is “duty bound to bring down expenditure,” given that in the short to medium term “revenue is constricted. We restrict what we spend to grow revenue.”

Whatever the Government does he said had to be done with “balance and compassion, at the end of the day it is all about people.”

PM: Fake oil probemust be proper one

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Published: 
Thursday, September 14, 2017

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley says he expects the Petrotrin board will call in independent investigators to look into the fake oil fiasco involving A&V Drilling Workover Limited, adding that a proper investigation of the matter is warranted.

He made the call during his third ‘Conversations with the Prime Minister’ at the St Augustine Secondary School last night, after being asked a direct question by as member of the public gallery.

A&V Drilling is now at the center of a scandal in which an internal Petrotrin audit has found the company was paid TT$80 million for oil it did not produce.

During the segment and answer period, a man asked Rowley if he felt the matter should be investigated and A&V Drilling should also be made to repay Petrotrin the money.

“A proper investigation is required and I expect that the board will let independent investigators investigate that matter. And if there is any area of corruption and incompetence, then the board will have to take corrective actions,” Rowley said.

He said this was what Government had put the board, whom he described as competent, in office to do.

He added that if the investigation proves that anyone is culpable they will be held accountable. However, he said if you want to get something out of an investigation it should not be politicised.

“We don’t want any political scandal or foolishness,” he said.

He added: “We will protect no one with corrupt actions in Trinidad, whether friend or foe.”

Asked by the same person if PNM senator Allyson Baksh, the daughter of A&V Drilling owner Nazim Baksh, should be suspended while the probe in ongoing, Rowley asked the man: “Do you think that the daughter should be suspended?”

When the man answered yes, the PM said he disagreed.

“I listened to you, you are making allegations against Ms Baksh, that is difficult to make.”

Earlier during his chat with the crowd, Rowley had also warned that those involved in corrupt activities would find no solace in his Government.

Repeating a previous statement that the corruption which permeates all levels of society had been one of the most difficult things for him to deal with since he had come into office, he said: “Persons who engage in corrupt practices, whether you are PNM or not, will find no solace. Every corrupt person must be held accountable for their action.”

Faulty AC unit forces teachers to walk off job at Sando school

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Published: 
Thursday, September 14, 2017

Disgruntled parents attempted to block teachers of the Princes Town East Secondary School from leaving students unsupervised yesterday morning, as they walked off the job because of a malfunctioning air-conditioning system.

“Who going to supervise we children?” protested the parents, who eventually stepped aside and allowed the teachers to leave.

Some 50 teachers, every day since the new school term opened, have been reporting for duty but leaving early because of the situation as they claim it is affecting their health.

One of the students was suspended after he took to Facebook to call on the Education Ministry to fix the issues at his school.

However, T&T Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) president Lynsley Doodhai and Parent Teachers Association president Patricia Drakes did not want to comment on the child’s suspension yesterday. Doodhai said he had to first speak with the principal while Drakes said they had not discussed the matter.

Doodhai said for more than five years the school has been plagued with problems with the air-conditioning system. He said the ministry failed to repair the system, which stopped working two weeks before the school term was closed for the August vacation.

“Last week teachers alerted us to the fact they have begun to experience some medical conditions such as headaches, itchy eyes, soar throats and skin irritation,” said Doodhai, who had in his possession a folder with medical reports for about 12 to 15 teachers.

Calling on Education Minister Anthony Garcia to have the problem rectified, Doodhai said, “It is really a travesty that the students of this school continue to suffer and they are essentially being deprived of an education by the inability of the Ministry of Education to rectify the problems.”

He said the teachers will attend school daily, but if the problem remains unfixed they will sign the attendance register and leave. Doodhai said the school, which is plagued with other problems, was not in a state of readiness when it was opened in July 2015 by the previous administration.

Drakes said two weeks before school was reopened they raised the issue with Garcia and Minister Lovell Francis at the ministry.

National PTA trustee Clarence Mendoza said a similar issue occurred at the Couva North Secondary School and 510 AC units were installed in the classrooms. He said another issue at the school was there were only two toilets for 500 students.

Attempts to reach the ministry’s corporate communication officials for a comment were unsuccessful yesterday.

PM: Fake oil probe must be proper one

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Published: 
Thursday, September 14, 2017

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley says he expects the Petrotrin board will call in independent investigators to look into the fake oil fiasco involving A&V Drilling Workover Limited, adding that a proper investigation of the matter is warranted.

He made the call during his third ‘Conversations with the Prime Minister’ at the St Augustine Secondary School last night, after being asked a direct question by as member of the public gallery.

A&V Drilling is now at the center of a scandal in which an internal Petrotrin audit has found the company was paid TT$80 million for oil it did not produce.

During the segment and answer period, a man asked Rowley if he felt the matter should be investigated and A&V Drilling should also be made to repay Petrotrin the money.

“A proper investigation is required and I expect that the board will let independent investigators investigate that matter. And if there is any area of corruption and incompetence, then the board will have to take corrective actions,” Rowley said.

He said this was what Government had put the board, whom he described as competent, in office to do.

He added that if the investigation proves that anyone is culpable they will be held accountable. However, he said if you want to get something out of an investigation it should not be politicised.

“We don’t want any political scandal or foolishness,” he said.

He added: “We will protect no one with corrupt actions in Trinidad, whether friend or foe.”

Asked by the same person if PNM senator Allyson Baksh, the daughter of A&V Drilling owner Nazim Baksh, should be suspended while the probe in ongoing, Rowley asked the man: “Do you think that the daughter should be suspended?”

When the man answered yes, the PM said he disagreed.

“I listened to you, you are making allegations against Ms Baksh, that is difficult to make.”

Earlier during his chat with the crowd, Rowley had also warned that those involved in corrupt activities would find no solace in his Government.

Repeating a previous statement that the corruption which permeates all levels of society had been one of the most difficult things for him to deal with since he had come into office, he said: “Persons who engage in corrupt practices, whether you are PNM or not, will find no solace. Every corrupt person must be held accountable for their action.”

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, left, chats with the audience during ‘Conversations with the Prime Minister’ at the St Augustine Secondary School last night.

Faulty AC unit forces teachers to walk off job at Sando school

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Published: 
Thursday, September 14, 2017

Disgruntled parents attempted to block teachers of the Princes Town East Secondary School from leaving students unsupervised yesterday morning, as they walked off the job because of a malfunctioning air-conditioning system.

“Who going to supervise we children?” protested the parents, who eventually stepped aside and allowed the teachers to leave.

Some 50 teachers, every day since the new school term opened, have been reporting for duty but leaving early because of the situation as they claim it is affecting their health.

One of the students was suspended after he took to Facebook to call on the Education Ministry to fix the issues at his school.

However, T&T Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) president Lynsley Doodhai and Parent Teachers Association president Patricia Drakes did not want to comment on the child’s suspension yesterday. Doodhai said he had to first speak with the principal while Drakes said they had not discussed the matter.

Doodhai said for more than five years the school has been plagued with problems with the air-conditioning system. He said the ministry failed to repair the system, which stopped working two weeks before the school term was closed for the August vacation.

“Last week teachers alerted us to the fact they have begun to experience some medical conditions such as headaches, itchy eyes, soar throats and skin irritation,” said Doodhai, who had in his possession a folder with medical reports for about 12 to 15 teachers.

Calling on Education Minister Anthony Garcia to have the problem rectified, Doodhai said, “It is really a travesty that the students of this school continue to suffer and they are essentially being deprived of an education by the inability of the Ministry of Education to rectify the problems.”

He said the teachers will attend school daily, but if the problem remains unfixed they will sign the attendance register and leave. Doodhai said the school, which is plagued with other problems, was not in a state of readiness when it was opened in July 2015 by the previous administration.

Drakes said two weeks before school was reopened they raised the issue with Garcia and Minister Lovell Francis at the ministry.

National PTA trustee Clarence Mendoza said a similar issue occurred at the Couva North Secondary School and 510 AC units were installed in the classrooms. He said another issue at the school was there were only two toilets for 500 students.

Attempts to reach the ministry’s corporate communication officials for a comment were unsuccessful yesterday.

Parents of students attending the Princes Town East Secondary School attempt to block teachers from leaving the school compound yesterday.

Parking dispute leads to shooting of cop

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Published: 
Thursday, September 14, 2017

A dispute over a parking space led to a police constable being shot in on Tuesday night while she and her husband made their way home.

According to residents of Mamoral, the police officer Crystal Abraham was shot during an argument with a man over the use of a driveway where they both use to access their respective homes.

Abraham, 32, lives in a house to the front, Residents said the two always argued over whose vehicle was blocking and who belonged there.

The man, residents said, moved out of the area. When the T&T Guardian visited the area, Abraham was not at home and neighbours said she and her husband would usually be out early and return home late and mostly kept to themselves. One neighbour told the T&T Guardian that the suspect and the officer got into a heated argument one day that led to police intervention. After that incident, the man was never seen again, until Tuesday night.

According to police, Abraham was the front passenger in a Toyota Hilux headed home when she was attacked. Around 10.30 pm, Abraham reported to her colleagues, she saw the man and later heard two gunshots and then felt pain in her left palm and right shoulder. The shooter then fled in some nearby bushes. Abraham was taken to the Chaguanas Health Facility where she was treated and later discharged.

A media release issued by the Police Service yesterday stated that an arrest in the shooting is expected soon as they have identified a suspect. The released added that the members of the Police Service were praying for the full recovery of Abraham.

Princes Town parents take faulty AC unit protest to MP’s office

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Published: 
Friday, September 15, 2017

Frustrated parents of Princes Town East Secondary School took their protest to the constituency office of Minister in the Ministry of Education Dr Lovell Francis yesterday.

Holding up placards, the parents demanded an audience with Francis as they called for the malfunctioning HVAC air-conditioning system which has almost crippled operations at the school be fixed. Francis, who was not at his Petit Cafe, Princes Town office, arrived shortly after and assured them that attempts will be made to rectify the problem. On the advice of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association, the 50 teachers have been reporting daily to school, but leaving early.

The parents first protested in front of the school before taking the protest to the MP’s office. An emotional Nicole Mahabir complained, “As a new parent of this school it is very heartbreaking to know that it is the second week of the new academic year and these children have no where to learn. In primary school we are taught that one of the rights of a child is a right to education and there are 500 students in this school and they are being deprived of an education.”

Parent Teachers Association president Patrice Drakes said the parents were considering legal options as this has been an ongoing problem for several years.

She appealed, “We are asking the Ministry of Education, especially the Minister of Education to visit us. Mr Anthony Garcia will you come down here and visit our school and see what is happening.” Francis, who visited the school last Thursday said it was remarkably hot,”too hot to have the students and teachers inside.” Francis said he will speak with Garcia, but the HVAC system will eventually have to be replaced with split units which will cost about $4 million.

Francis said as a short term measure, however attempts would be made to get at least four of the five chillers working so classes can resume.

 

 

Minister in the Ministry of Education Dr Lovell Francis speak with protesting parents of the Princes Town East Secondary School outside his constituency office yesterday.

A&V Drilling knocks reckless Petrotrin claim

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Published: 
Friday, September 15, 2017

A&V Oil and Gas, the company named in a fake oil scandal at Petrotrin, says an internal audit report which inferred it is guilty of fraud is “reckless and calculated to irreparably damage” its trading reputation, brand and goodwill.

The company is now demanding an unequivocal statement from Petrotrin chairman Wilfred Espinet and president Fitzroy Harewood by 4 pm today that these findings are preliminary and inconclusive.

Failure to do so could result in “such proceedings as are necessary or appropriate to protect our client’s interest” a warning a legal letter from the company's attorney, Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj SC, warned yesterday. In addition, A&V has given Petrotrin seven days to pay more than US$6.3 million it claims is owed for crude oil produced in June and July.

The company broke its silence yesterday on allegations that it fraudulently collected US$11.5 million from Petrotrin by overstating the amount of crude oil it sold to the company.

Maharaj said while Espinet was appointed Petrotrin chairman on September 6 and publicly stated he had not seen the report, he still made “authoritative statements which implicitly corroborated the allegations of fraud and or fraudulent conduct and or breach of contract against A&V.”

He said his client was not consulted by Petrotrin’s auditors and was not invited to make any representations prior to or upon publication of the report, neither has it been given a copy of the August 17 report.

Maharaj said Petrotrin sent the company a letter dated August 25 which underscored that the internal audit was a preliminary report and that it is seeking independent confirmation of the findings. He said Petrotrin is obliged to expeditiously conduct an independent review and to notify A&V of its findings.

If the independent review makes findings which are adverse, in keeping with the rules of natural justice Petrotrin must convene an enquiry, notify A&V of the allegations and give its counsel a proper opportunity to make representations, Maharaj said.

Maharaj noted that there are 18 operators assigned to the same tank farm at Barrackpore, but Petrotrin elected not to audit any of the others.

The company is also claiming that out of the more than 100 ticket sales certifying receipt of crude oil from the Catshill wells, there were errors on the dates of the low dips on two of the tickets which were prepared by Petrotrin. A&V said it would be “disingenuous and wholly disproportionate for Petrotrin’s auditors to make findings on these two discrepancies.”

The company said it has invested millions of dollars in roads, equipment and support services in a sustained heavy drilling programme, drilling in excess of 38 wells at a rate of one well every five days. It said the decrease in production for June and July was because Petrotrin had instructed the company to stop drilling to allow for inspection of the drilling rig and for A&V to submit documents in relation to the Catshill wells.

Rowley: I called Nazim to talk

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Published: 
Friday, September 15, 2017

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley is admitting that A&V Drilling owner Nazim Baksh is his friend.

In confirming this at yesterday's post-Cabinet press conference, Rowley said he also could not wait to call him when the alleged fake oil fiasco involving Baksh's company and Petrotrin first broke.

Rowley, who said he knew Baksh "very well," added that he "did not know what all of his friends would do all of the time," but said if a person was his friend he would not "deny or disown" the person on the grounds that an allegation was made.

"Being a friend means something and we are all to be held accountable for our own individual conduct. And if it is I am expected that I say I don't know Mr Baksh then I will not do that," Rowley said.

He said when he first heard the news he called Baksh only to find out that he too was out of the country at that time.

"When I first saw the report it was shocking news. I did call him and he has denied it in very firm terms," Rowley said.

Asked whether he thought it was appropriate for him to call Baksh, the PM said "of course it was."

"In fact, I couldn't wait to call him to find out what all this was about and he said he did not know," Rowley said.

Rowley was out of the country when the issue was brought into the public domain last Sunday by Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

In fielding questions yesterday, the PM lauded Persad-Bissessar for bringing the issue to the fore, saying he would have done the same if he had similar information as the Opposition. But in the same breath, he accused her of "jamettery" in her handling of it, saying the facts should be first confirmed.

However, he said the claims also reflected concerns that there was a systematic failure on the part of Petrotrin not only to effectively tackle corruption, but also to bring people to account.

"I am concerned about this to the point that I am frustrated. You cannot have certain kinds of operations and expect a certain kind of result," Rowley said

But he said said the facts ought to be first confirmed before any decision could be taken to refer the matter to the police or DPP.

"If this particular matter pans out it raises some serious concerns as to what goes on in Petrotrin. Petrotrin needs to be treated in a particular way and in a more serious way," the PM said.

On whether Baksh was a financier of the People's National Movement (PNM), Rowley said he would not be surprised as many financiers of political parties were private citizens.

"If I tell you that I am in an election or the PNM is in an election and you didn't contribute I would take a very dim view of that. The business sector has always made financial contributions but no one ought to be demonised for that," the PM said.

On whether the swearing-in of Baksh’s daughter Allyson Baksh as a senator was a political favour, Rowley denied this saying she was "hired based on qualification."

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley leaves the room after addressing the media at yesterday’s post-Cabinet briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister in St Clair. PICTURE ABRAHAM DIAZ

Family of Irma victims thank Govt for bringing bodies home

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Published: 
Friday, September 15, 2017

The family of Melan “June” Salvary has extended hearts of gratitude and thanks to the T&T Government for standing the full expenses of the repatriation process of her body and the body of her three-year-old grandson, Oliver Robert Doyle Gedio.

“We are very grateful that we are finally getting some closure,” Salvary’s sister, Emily Pasqual, said yesterday in an interview with the T&T Guardian.

“My sister will finally be returning home and I thank every one who helped us in our time of need,” she added.

The relative added that they can now “breathe relief” and focus on preparing for a funeral.

Salvary along with her grandson and other relatives were in their home at French Quarter, St Maarten last week Tuesday during Hurricane Irma when the house began to fall apart due to the strong winds and heavy downpour of rain.

Salvary while holding Gedio in her arms attempted to run to a closely house of another relative when she and her grandson were swept away by a massive wave that came up from sea.

During yesterday’s post-Cabinet media conference, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young, said the Government of T&T heard the plea for help in bringing the bodies back home.

“We are going to make all attempts to facilitate that,” Young said.

He added that both the bodies would be removed from St Maarten to Antigua and then to Trinidad.

“We will have the bodies removed from St Maarten to Antigua. We will be reaching out to the Government of Antigua through diplomatic channels of communications to then see if they can assist in getting the bodies back home from Antigua to T&T,” he said.

Oliver Gedio

Accused in Broadbridge murder worried about safety

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Published: 
Friday, September 15, 2017

One of the two people charged with murdering ex-curator Dr Claire Broadbridge is worried about his personal safety while he is locked away awaiting trial for her death.

John Smith, through his attorney Roland Bain, expressed concern over his safety among other things. Bain, who did not elaborate what concerns his client had, told acting Chief Magistrate Maria Busby-Earle-Caddle that his client was worried about his safety.

He added that his client is on medication that needed to be taken at specific times. Busby-Earle-Caddle said that matter could not be addressed by her but by the Prison Service.

Bain said his client, a joiner, was denied his medication on Tuesday after being in custody since September 5. Bain added that his client also wanted his mother to collect items taken from him by police, namely $1809 and keys to his business in Chaguanas and his vehicle.

Inspector Glendon Charles, who charged both Smith and his common-law wife Virginia Nedd, 32, assured that Smith's mother could collect all the belongings at the Riverside Plaza where Region One of the Homicide Bureau is located.

The couple stood about six feet apart from each other and had separate lawyers. Their relatives also sat apart from each other. The couple worked for Broadbridge for some time prior to her murder. Relatives of Broadbridge huddled together in the back seat of the courtroom.

Nedd's attorney, Darryl Worrell, said his client, a janitor, wanted her relatives to have possession of her cellphone, which the police confiscated.

He added that if the cellphone forms part of the case then his client will like that her SIM card be returned as that is a crucial part of her business.

He added that his client was hoodwinked by the police as she was arrested on the afternoon of September 5 but only made aware that she was the suspect in the murder the following night.

He added that when his client was arrested she was told she was being held in relation to an incident at her work and not in relation to Broadbrigde's death.

The case was then adjourned to October 12 after court prosecutor Insp Winston Dillon assured that the case file will be sent to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions within a month so that a State attorney can be appointed.

The murdered 80-year-old retired National Museum curator was found by the Fire Service who responded to a report of smoke seen coming from her Fondes Amandes, St Ann's home on September 2. She had been stabbed and her throat cut. After the killing her home was set on fire.

JOHN SMITH AND VIRGINIA NEDD

Khan gets ‘fake oil’ report from board

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Published: 
Friday, September 15, 2017

The final report of Petrotrin’s internal audit probe into the “volume discrepancy” allegedly involving the company and A&V Oil and Gas was finalised and being forwarded to Energy Minister Franklin Khan yesterday.

Khan revealed this in the Senate in reply to Opposition queries on the Petrotrin audit report controversy revealed by Opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar last weekend.

Khan yesterday described it as a “volume discrepancy” issue. It has brought the Dr Keith Rowley administration into sharp focus particularly because of alleged players involved.

Questions on the issue posed to Khan by Opposition Senators Wade Mark, Gerald Ramdeen and Wayne Sturge played out in the presence of Government backbench senator Allyson Baksh, the daughter of the company’s owner. (C Box)

Khan said Petrotrin submitted an initial report to him on August 4 indicating they’d recorded discrepancies in the volume of oil shipped from their Exploration and Production Department to the volumes received from the refinery. Petrotrin said an internal audit was commissioned and was continuing then. The report was originally submitted by Petrotrin’s Internal Audit Division to Petrotrin’s president, he added.

“Procedurally, what happens after, is it goes to the Petrotrin board’s audit team for review; then the full board for deliberations and what course of action may be taken after.

“What happened last weekend was this report was leaked and is now in the public domain. So the board met urgently on Tuesday and Wednesday to consider the report’s findings,” Khan said.

He added: “My understanding is due process was taking place at Petrotrin. Serious allegations are being made and procedurally it had to go through these steps.

“What brought this matter to the fore is the leak that occurred last weekend. It’s gotten the whole population anxious about the outcome. I cannot breach due process and due process has occurred.”

Khan said the steps he intends to take on the alleged volume discrepancies, “...is to let due process take place. As we speak the board’s audit team and Petrotrin’s board are considering the report. They, in their own judgement, will determine what further actions are needed. At this point I cannot intervene and will not. I want to be very particular that due process takes place in a matter like this.”

UNC’s Ramdeen’s said Petrotrin had halted a (US)$6 million payment to A&V Oil and Gas over June-July. Khan confirmed that while the audit was being done Petrotrin had stopped payment pending probe outcome.

Khan said at this point, Petrotrin’s board hadn’t taken any decision to refer the matter to the Fraud Squad.

Whether he’d direct this be done, Khan replied, “My position is to let due process takes its course. When the Board makes its official recommendations to me, I’ll deliberate on it, consider our options and will so decide,”

Asked whether he’d refer it to the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Khan added, “Due process...I’m following this thing step by step. The report was leaked - by who we don’t know - the process is in progress. Let due process take its course and we’ll determine that in the shortest possible time.”

NAZIM BAKSH, DAUGHTER MUM ON ALLEGATIONS

People’s National Movement Senator Allyson Baksh yesterday told the T&T Guardian the Petrotrin fake oil allegation matter was under investigation and she therefore had no comment.

Her father Nazim was similarly tight-lipped. He returned from the US having been delayed by hurricane Irma last evening.

But sources close to A&V Drilling confirmed their attorneys had earlier issued letters regarding the allegations being made.

Expressing concern about this, they said the company’s name was being called “all over the place” and the allegations were being stated as “fact.” They added the company hadn’t done any wrong and had learned of the allegations in the papers. Sources added that it appeared to be geared to “get at the Government.”

During yesterday’s Senate exchanges on the Petrotrin issue, the UNC’s Gerald Ramdeen unsuccessfully attempted to have it debated as a matter of urgent public importance. It was necessary, he added, since it pertained to one operator - A&V Drilling - and the Catskill production field. He claimed the matter resulted in Petrotrin paying royalties to Government of approximately US$1.86 million for crude oil which wasn’t received over January-June 2017.

He said A&V Drilling continued operating the Catskill field and getting payment and despite Petrotrin’s internal audit report on the issue, Government took no steps to implement the report’s recommendations.

Senate President Christine Kangaloo said it didn’t qualify for debate under the regulation he’d presented it.

Senate vice president Nigel de Freitas lays a paper as PNM Senator Allyson Baksh listens during yesterday’s sitting of the Senate.

Trini pilots tell of ‘bittersweet’ landing in BVI

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Published: 
Friday, September 15, 2017

Being part of the relief efforts for those severely affected by Hurricane Irma in Tortola has been a “bittersweet one” for two of T&T’s local pilots— Dale Dass and Marcus Deonarine as they have put their own lives at risk to help those in desperate need.

On Wednesday, Dass and Deonarine boarded their jointly owned Piper Aztec six-seater light twin engine aircraft from Trinidad to Grenada where they loaded up 800 pounds of relief supplies, including emergency medical supplies, baby food and baby products. Its destination¿—the severely hit island of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands (BVI).

Speaking with the T&T Guardian yesterday, Dass expressed pride and happiness in being able to bring relief supplies to those, who have suffered tremendous loss during the powerful and very destructive Hurricane Irma.

“It was very heart breaking for us going into Tortola and as an aviation person, moreso to see planes overturned and millions of dollars worth of infrastructure completely destroyed.

“At the same time, we were very happy to get in items that are much needed. Imagine these people do not have basic water,” Dass said.

Dass and Deonarine operate the Tropical Interisland Express where they buy and sell planes from light aircraft to medium aircraft—now and then commercial planes.

They are also commercial and ferry pilots and part of a bigger group of local pilots.

But getting the supplies to the BVI was very risky for them as they were warned that they would be “entering at their own risk.”

Not being able to confirm whether or not they would have access to fuel in Tortola, they landed in Nevis, a 50-minute distance from Tortola for refuelling purposes to and from the BVI.

“We did have our concerns especially when you hear on the radio control they telling you to enter at own risk. It was one that we accepted to take and its outcome…successful,” Dass said.

Recalling the last few minutes of approaching Beef Island, Tortola, Dass said when they entered Puerto Rico’s airspace they were taken to the closest point at ten nautical miles before handing over to the tower control frequency for the airport in Tortola.

For them, though, communication was a major issue and they had to communicate with other aircraft all around them to ensure a safe approach.

“With the equipment we have on board it allows us to see other aircraft and allow us to request position, speed, altitude and distance.

“There was a lot of helicopter traffic but all were so helpful to us,” he said.

In the end, Dass and Deonarine were able to land at 7.50 am Wednesday on Tortola’s very short 4,600 foot runway safely and have the relief items delivered.

“On the ground we saw a lot of US military planes delivering relief items. It was overwhelming to see the support from the US military helping,” Dass said.

Dass has extended his services to further help from agencies/larger private companies, who would want to have emergency relief supplies delivered to the Hurricane Irma-battered islands to contact them at tropicalinterisland@gmail.com or 678-5823

Marcus Deonarine offloads supplies in Beef Island,Tortola.

Family seeks relative missing on island

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Published: 
Friday, September 15, 2017

Relatives of a Trinidadian woman who was living in St Maarten are now panicking and worried over their missing relative, who has now not been seen since Hurricane Irma ravaged the island last week.

The family’s last form of communication with Aliyah Gill was via a Whats App message, when she chatted with one of her aunts, Jaliy Lah Lum Wai, 63, of Port-of-Spain, just one week before the disastrous hurricane made its landfall.

Yesterday, Lum Wai told the T&T Guardian she is now very worried about the welfare of her niece and her two children.

“I do not know what area they live in in St Maarten but all I know is that they live very close to the coast line. I have had no contact with her and I am very worried,” Lum Wai said.

She added that all she knows about her niece is that she left Trinidad about two months ago for St Maarten, where she opened a restaurant selling Trinidadian food such as roti and doubles.

Gill’s sister, Kimberly, said they have made contact with T&T’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs but up to yesterday had had no feedback on whether or not Gill and her children - Dante and Mina - were located.

“We heard nothing at all, nothing. That is why we are so worried,” Kimberly said.

The relatives are hoping and praying Gill and her children are found alive and able to return to Trinidad as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Trinidadians who were evacuated by Government from St Maarten began arriving home over the last 24 hours. Relief efforts also continue across the region for those countries now trying to pick up the pieces. 

Aliyah Gill

Imbert may give Budget date today

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Published: 
Friday, September 15, 2017

There is the possibility that the budget date may be announced in the House today by Finance Minister Colm Imbert.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley gave the hint at yesterday’s Post-Cabinet press briefing when he said the date was “very close” and within the next “day or two” Imbert would be in a position to give that information.

“A Minister of Finance would probably chose a time like tomorrow (today) to tell the country when the budget might be,” Rowley said.

On the health status of Communications Minister Maxie Cuffie, Rowley, who expressed concern, said, “He is making some progress. I don’t want to say satisfactory progress but there is some progress.”

Cuffie, a former journalist, is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for La Horquetta/Talparo. The PM, however, said the constituency would not suffer in Cuffie’s absence as his colleagues would hold on for him.

Asked what exactly was Cuffie’s “medical episode,” the PM said he could not say.

Last week Wednesday, a release from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) stated Cuffie had “a medical episode” which necessitated his hospitalisation. In 2012, Cuffie suffered a stroke.

Lawsuit against CoP promotion of sergeants continues

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Published: 
Friday, September 15, 2017

An injunction preventing acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams from promoting officers to the rank of sergeant will continue.

High Court judge James Aboud on Tuesday continued the injunction which was granted by another judge in August as Williams was scheduled to promote 75 officers.

In obtaining the injunction, 11 corporals had contended that Williams moved to promote their colleagues while their legal proceedings over the compilation of last year’s merit list was still ongoing.

The officers, who have been holding lengthy acting appointments, first challenged the merit list after it was published in April, last year.

They made two requests under the Freedom of Information Act for Williams to provide the criteria used for compiling the lists and the scores those on it had received, in order to determine if they had been prejudiced.

Williams provided some of the information on the criteria but ignored their requests for the scores and grades given to the colleagues.

In July, this year the officers filed a judicial review claim in which they were contending that Williams could not justify not releasing the information. Justice Joan Charles had granted them leave to pursue the claim and ordered Williams to release the information by August 17.

However, the deadline was not complied when the injunction was sought.

In granting the injunction, Justice Margaret Mohammed ordered that Williams provide the information by September 9.

While Williams complied with the deadline, Aboud agreed to continue the injunction as the officers had issues which he (Aboud) felt needed to be determined by Charles, when the new law term opens next week.

The officers are being represented by Jagdeo Singh, Dinesh Rambally, Kiel Taklalsingh and Stefan Ramkissoon.

Petrotrin starts stricter process for oil custody

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Published: 
Saturday, September 16, 2017

In light of the ongoing fake oil fiasco at state-owned Petrotrin, the company has now instituted more stringent measures for the custody transfer measurements of its crude oil.

The cash-strapped company also intends “to recover any amounts of money that may have been overpaid to the contractor in the Catshill field and take action it may deem necessary.”

This was relayed in a memo dated September 12 and sent to Petrotrin staff by its president Fitzroy Harewood, which was leaked to the T&T Guardian.

The message explained that within the first quarter of 2017, the company’s vice presidents of exploration, production and refining and marketing were tasked with reviewing the custody transfer measurements within the divisions, since abnormal variance was observed with the reported volumes of crude oil delivered and what was received at its Pointe-a-Pierre refinery.

In January, Harewood said there was an internal audit of the custody transfer operations within the divisions, which involved several field visits, examinations of records, interviews and reviews of existing measurement practices.

By July, it was determined by the internal audit team that its oil volumes from the eastern district and the Catshill field in particular, which operated under an incremental production service contract, were the main sources of the discrepancies and corrective action was needed.

As a result, Petrotrin instituted “a more rigorous management” Harewood stated, of its custody transfer measurements within the eastern district and the division. Harewood said from inception, Petrotrin’s management has remained steadfast in its determination to ascertain the facts, have regard to due process, recover such sums as may have been overpaid and take such other action as it may deem appropriate in the circumstances.

Among the measures management has taken are:

· A further technical review of the adequacy and accuracy of its measurements within exploration and production is to be undertaken by an external firm.

· Industrial relations investigation into the conduct of any of its employees involved in this matter to determine accountabilities and disciplinary action.

· Investigation to determine if any fraudulent activity occurred and to identify any culpable individuals, whether internal or external to Petrotrin.

Ferry probe went smoothly—Mouttet

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Published: 
Saturday, September 16, 2017

The first report into the procurement of the controversial Cabo Star and the Ocean Flower 2 vessels was submitted to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley by business executive Christian Mouttet on Thursday.

And Mouttet, who was appointed by Rowley on August 15 as sole investigator to probe the circumstances surrounding the procurement of the two vessels to service the sea bridge, says it was a smooth process.

The probe was ordered after the Works and Transport Ministry had terminated the contract for the Ocean Flower 2 on the grounds that Canadian-based ferry service provider Bridgemans Services Group had failed to satisfy the conditions under the contract.

In a brief telephone interview yesterday, Mouttet confirmed he submitted the report to the PM following Thursday’s post-Cabinet meeting.

“The report was completed and handed in yesterday (Thursday). The Prime Minister has to decide …the Cabinet has to decide what they are doing with the report. So I don’t think it would be appropriate for me speak about the report or to say anything until that happens,” Mouttet said.

In terms of interviewing individuals and obtaining documentation during his investigations, Mouttet said “for the most part” everything went smoothly.

Asked if he got full cooperation from everyone, Mouttet opted not to comment. He also stayed clear from saying how detailed the report was, how many pages it contained and what was unearthed.

Appointed by Rowley on August 15, Mouttet, who was given support by the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs, was given 30 days by the PM to submit his findings.

Mouttet’s probe was one of four investigations into the vessels. The other three are being conducted by the Port Authority of T&T, Integrity Commission and a Joint Select Committee of Parliament.

Part of Mouttet’s task was meeting with people, carrying out interviews and putting together information and documentation that had been created regarding the whole procurement process of the vessels.

Among those Mouttet interviewed last month was vice president of Bridgemans Services Group Andrew Purdey, who handed over documentation on the procurement of the two vessels.

Rowley confirmed he received the report in Parliament yesterday while replying to Opposition questions on the sea bridge issue.

The PM was asked to detail the information available to him which prompted his recent suggestion that the procurement of the Ocean Flower 2 deal was crooked,

Rowley said, “As you might be aware, I’ve been summoned to appear before the Joint Select Committee (JSC) which is investigating this matter. I’ve agreed to attend and I’d prefer to make my comments on that occasion.”

The JSC, comprising Government, Opposition and Independent parliamentarians, met recently in Trinidad and Tobago to examine the Tobago ferry services, including procurement and management of ferries. - With reporting by GAIL ALEXANDER

Petrotrin board gets two advisors

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Published: 
Saturday, September 16, 2017

State-owned Petrotrin yesterday appointed Robert Riley and Leroy Mayers as advisors to its newly-appointed board.

Both men are expected to bring a wealth and knowledge as it relates to the energy industry.

The announcement was made yesterday by Petrotrin chairman Wilfred Espinet in a letter dated September 15, which the T&T Guardian obtained.

The appointment comes two days after Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley called on the board to appoint independent investigators to probe the current fake oil fiasco at the company, which he said must be properly done.

In welcoming the advisers, Espinet said he was confident that “their tenure advising the board will reap tremendous benefit to Petrotrin.”

Espinet said Riley is widely known for his career at BP, which spanned over two decades. Riley, who was the recipient of the Chaconia Gold Medal, also served as chairman and CEO of bpTT and several boards.

Mayers, a former permanent secretary of both the Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Finance, also served as a director at the National Energy Corporation and Trinidad Generation Unlimited.

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