T&T’s middle class is shrinking, squeezed between the super-rich and a growing number of poor at the bottom, Independent Senator David Small has warned.

Speaking in yesterday’s 2018 Budget debate in the Senate, Small said the situation demands examination.

He said consideration must be given to people who operated with a finite amount of funds.

“I go to the grocery and see people in the line asking the cashier for the total as each item is cashed, telling their kids to put back items, trying to prioritise.”

“We must be sensitive to this. Many people are operating with a finite or very low budget. When changes are imposed on them, it hurts them. An ‘Economic Weekly’ study shows incomes which rise unevenly have implications for growth. It was observed that countries with the highest income inequality are in Latin America and the Caribbean...that’s why we have to look at the middle-class in T&T,” he said.

While he commended Government for making a start towards sharing the “burden”, he said State governance needs attention since State board chairmen and directors were operating like executive officials and no-one wanted to talk about it.

He said they were giving instructions to company managments, “riding roughshod over them”, inserting themselves into issues and handling day-to-day affairs. Small said it’s not correct model according to State enterprise manuals.

“But seems to be the norm. Perhaps they don’t know but they need to be educated. We have a failing State enterprise sector and the reason is governance has completely collapsed. If it’s collapsed at the top, bad things are also happening down the line.”

Small said everyone in T&T wanted to maintain the status quo. For instance, he said T&T has a challenge since it has a very weak manufacturing sector.

He said untold billions were spent in that sector and they are supported in good times and bad, “But when can we rely on them to support us?”

Small said he expected some retort from manufacturers, “But they have their view and I’m privileged to have mine.”

Small also said the banks also were “demonising” themselves because of committing “daylight robbery” on customers. “That’s why banks globally are regulated, in T&T they’re killing us and nobody wants to talk about it,” he said.

Small questioned why the Central Bank was afraid to touch banks.

Fed up of the complaints about the crowded sidewalks in San Fernando, mayor Junia Regrello is calling on Rural Development and Local Government Minister Kazim Hosein to investigate the inefficiency of municipal police officers under his watch.

At yesterday’s statutory meeting at the San Fernando City Hall, Regrello said the council and administration had achieved a significant reduction in congestion due to the new traffic plan, which was done without the assistance of the municipal police.

Regrello was clearly upset from the onset of the meeting when no municipal officer was present for a safety briefing.

“At this point, I want to express my disappointment in this department as I have found them to be void of ideas and lacking in commitment. Therefore, I am calling on the Minister of Local Government and Mr (Brian) Headly to investigate the impotency of the San Fernando City Police and their inability to act.

Headly is the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of all municipal police officers.

“I must carefully add that they are fully responsible for the mayhem that currently exists with vendors on High Street, much to the annoyance of pedestrians and inconvenience to businesses who sustain the City by paying taxes and providing employment,” Regrello said.

Many past mayors have complained about street vending, especially along High Street and Mucurapo Street where most of the pavements are blocked with goods. Over the years, there has been growth in street vending with produce vendors adding diversity to the illegal market.

However, some store owners, especially on Mucurapo Street, who put their merchandises on the sidewalk and even in the drains. Regrello said he was tired with pleading to the officers to do their jobs. He said while he understood that the unit was short on manpower, he said there was no willpower to get things done. As a result, he has not requested any police entourage to accompany him anywhere or to be present at meetings.

“When there is a shortage of manpower, do not send an officer to me. I didn’t ask for any officers to accompany me here this morning and I saw two arrived. I informed them by way of a memo that if you have a shortage of manpower, go and choose to get the work done.”

In response to the mayor’s complaints, Snr Supt Carlyle Huggins, who oversees the municipal police in South Trinidad, told the T&T Guardian that Regrello should invite the officers to a meeting to discuss the problems. Huggins said he would not mind sitting in on the meeting.

However, he said there are several challenges with the governance of municipal police officers carrying out their functions as the bulk of authority comes from the CEO of the corporation. He said in the realm of policing, no civilian should be instructing a law enforcement officer.

United National Congress (UNC) founder Basdeo Panday says the party’s internal elections ought to be called only when constitutionally due.

Interviewed by reporters at a career guidance seminar at Presentation College, San Fernando, yesterday, Panday first distanced himself from the party: “No, no, no, that thing there is not my party. That thing is not my party, that’s not the party I formed. The party I formed had principles.”

He then commented: “First of all, if there is a constitution, it ought to be obeyed. I agree with that point and I don’t think the leader, the political leader of a party, can equate him or herself with the prime minister of the country.

“The prime minister of the country, when he calls an early election, he is doing so by the power he has under the Constitution, I don’t think that kind of power resides in the constitution of the thing that calls itself the UNC.”

The former prime minister said of the party’s current political leader, Kamla Persad-Bissessar: “I don’t know what has motivated her to do that but I would say it is probably to hold onto to power.”

Asked if he thinks Persad-Bissessar will win, he said: “If I was contesting an election and I was the person who organising that election, who you think would win, you?”

Panday said he “weeps inside every day,” because “this thing that calls itself the UNC, this is not what Club 88 struggled to build.”

Following Persad-Bissessar’s announcement of the November 26 elections, Opposition MP Ganga Singh threatened legal action stating it was a beach of Article 18 of the party’s constitution. However, Persad-Bissessar countered that she is acting within the provisions of the constitution and there are no grounds for Singh’s challenge.

Persad-Bissessar said an early internal election will take the focus off the division and bitterness which arises every time the UNC has an election and their focus could then be on winning the general election.

Central farmers who have been hit hard by last week’s flooding are pleading with Government to pay up all outstanding subsidies and respective grants quickly so that they can “get back up on their two feet in time for Christmas.”

Farmers in Caparo, Todds Road, Mamoral and Tabaquite, said although the flood waters have receded they are still reeling from the destruction.

Most of their crops were destroyed during Tropical Storm Bret in June, and when they thought they would be able to reap the crops they had replanted after the storm, all their produce were destroyed again by the adverse flooding.

Speaking with the T&T Guardian at his home at Santa Phillipa Road, Caparo, Bissram Seerattan said he experienced a double whammy in the floods as not only was his crops destroyed but his home was flooded and he lost appliances and furniture.

“I lost over $30,000 in crops. I had pimentos, hot peppers, cucumbers, ochros and chilli peppers. I usually sell wholesale and to supermarkets and food shops in the area,” Seerattan said.

“Also in my home, I lost over $15,000 in appliances. My fridge, loaded with foodstuff, floated away. I had to throw away clothes and a bed…real losses,” he said.

Mamoral farmer, Vishnu Henry, 50, said he lost 300 ducks, along with over $10,000 in crops—including lettuce, pimentos, hot peppers, tomatoes, bodi and caraille. “The ducks alone is a real loss for me,” he said.

He said the ducks were worth about $8,000.

Another farmer said he was still awaiting the payment for crops lost after Tropical Storm Bret.

“We are being owed about two sets of subsidies for the equipment we purchased, also for irrigation for Bret they came an assessed and we did the necessary signing up of the documents but no monies were released. Now it have a next flood and they assessing us again. We need our monies to start back up.”

Minister of Agriculture, Clarence Rambharat said yesterday he toured several farm areas and added that the assessment exercise began since last Thursday. He was, however, unable to ascertain the impact so far and also how it will affect market prices this weekend.

Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan has referred to Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi and the Integrity Commission a file involving a condemned building which had been purchased for $27 million under the People’s Partnership.

Sinanan warned that the People’s National Movement will not turn a blind eye to corruption or sweep dirty deals under the carpet, stating that it was time for full exposure.

“Those with dirty hands and fingers in the cookie jar will be caught whether these perpetrators belong to the PNM, UNC or any other political party. There is no hiding and all will be held to the same standard,” Sinanan said, as he delivered his contribution to the budget in the Senate yesterday.

Sinanan said when he took up office in November 2016, he discovered that the ministry had purchased a building for $27 million under the last administration.

The Government Senator did not give the location or ministry’s intended purpose of the building.

He said while former transport minister Devant Maharaj who he described as the “protest minister” likes to write the Integrity Commission “well, I have a file that is going to the Integrity Commission,” Sinanan disclosed.

What was unearthed in the file, Sinanan said was a letter stating that the former government should not have bought the building. “The building is no good. It has to be demolished. A Cabinet note went without including that (letter) into it.”

Following the purchase, Sinanan said an inspection was done by the ministry’s technical team and “it was confirmed that the building needs to be demolished.”

“So we bought a building for $27 million and we can’t use it. The building is still there.”

Sinanan said what was even more interesting, a valuation was done on the building at the time of purchase.

“The price on the valuation was $18 million. And what is even more fascinating was that we found on the file, where the bank was going to sell the building for $14 million.

“What was even more frightening after they realised they had to condemn the building…I am seeing a note where they were going to build a new building for $109 million.”

Sinanan said technically taxpayers bought the land alone for $27 million.

“Mr Vice President, that file has gone to the Attorney General office and we would wait to see what would happen.”

Sinanan also spoke about two parcels of lands which the National Infrastructure Development Company (NIDCO) had acquired for construction of the Solomon Hochoy Highway to Point Fortin.

In one case, he said, a parcel of land was valued by a private developer at $7 million.

“The owner of the land then hired his own valuator. That land price went from $7 million to close to $67 million. And somewhere along the line the person who valued that land for that development ended up in the chair of the valuation department and approved it at $79 million.”

The second piece of land, Sinanan said was also valued by the same valuator.

“NIDCO objected to the claim. The valuator ended up at the valuation department. Now NIDCO is saddled with a claim of $92 million. And these are some of the challenges that we face.

“I can tell you that this Government will have none of that. NIDCO has been given a mandate that they have to continue with no payments for land on that highway until the Attorney General reviews every single outstanding matter.”

Out of a $5.6 billion food import bill, T&T has spent a staggering $669 million on alcoholic beverages alone.

The startling figure was revealed in the Senate on Tuesday by Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat in his budget contribution.

Touching on the food import bill, Rambharat said this was one area the media and citizens often questioned him about.

“Well, there is one thing that I always have to remind them…because people believe that the food import bill is the business of the minister. But I don’t consume $669 million in alcohol every year. So it’s not only me drinking up that tab.”

Rambharat said people feel that importing food accounts for only vegetables, fruits, imported meats and root crops purchased from countries outside.

He said, “There is a lot of things that go in there. And when you have an opportunity to make a purchasing decision, you have the power to support young farmers in your community and neighbourhoods. You who have control, just as I have control over it.”

Last year, in his budget contribution in the Senate, Rambharat had told the Upper House that whisky valued at $100 million was imported into T&T between October 2015 and March 2016— a mere six months period.

In response to a text message, Rambharat could not give a breakdown of what alcoholic beverages were the most sought after, stating that only Customs and Excise Division would have that information.
He, however, said the $669 million on imported alcohol was for 2016 alone.

Asked if he thought the figure was far too much on alcoholic drinks for the country, Rambharat again re-emphasised that citizens have the belief that the country imports $5.6 billion in vegetables, “but we bring in a wide range of items under food imports.”

Rambharat also revealed that of the $771 million allocated to his ministry in 2018, $109 million has to go towards repayment of a loan, following the expenditure of $400 million by the Estate Business Management Development Company (EMBD) on roads in 2015.

Over 4,000 students will graduate during the next two days at the UWI, Sport and Physical Education Centre in St Augustine.

In all, students from different faculties will graduate in six separate graduation ceremonies.

Yesterday, the Faculty of Science and Technology and Food and Agriculture held their graduation ceremony.

Calypsonian Andrew Marcano, better known as Lord Superior, and calypso composer Winsford “Joker” DeVine were conferred with honorary Doctor of Letters for their work in the calypso arena.

Newly-appointed Chancellor Robert Bermudez advised the graduates that their success would be limited by their own hands.

“It would only be limited by your hands. Aim for the stars, the only regret you will have in life is the things you fail to do,” he said.

He told the students that they were independent and could make their own way in the world.

“Your ability to think...it is an asset in which you can never lose. Don’t let anyone discourage you from your dreams. There will be obstacles but you can get over them,” he said.

He advised the graduands not to be afraid of change.

“You can’t allow yourself to be paralysed by the circumstances. We are no longer who our fathers were. It is an exciting place where dreams can come through,” he said.

Valedictorian Zia Barnard said that the knowledge, skills and a sense of regionalism learnt at the university could make a difference in the Caribbean.

Barnard said there were many social, economic, environmental, agricultural, health and safety and unemployment issues which needed to be tackled.

“Let us set aside our egocentric and envious tendencies. Let us cast away political hatchets, racial and religious ideologies that divide us,” she said.

“As a UWI graduate, we are never the underdog. Our training and the tradition at the UWI will serve us well in any environment,” she said.

The graduation statistics revealed that 67.5 per cent of the students were female with 2,647 undergraduate degrees with the Faculties of Social Sciences and Medical Science certifying more than 500 undergraduate students.

Some 1,369 students were awarded graduate degrees including 233 educators from the Faculty of Humanities and Education who represented the largest graduate programme for the year.

Two workers who were sent on an errand to purchase lunch returned to find the body of their boss behind a container with a gunshot wound to his head in his garden at Ste Madeleine.

Police have ruled out robbery as the motive in the murder of contractor Shamand Gosine, 48, of St Mary’s Village, Moruga. None of his personal belongings seemed to be missing. His Ford Ranger was found intact on the scene along the Naparima Mayaro Road. Gosine had gone to the agricultural estate near the Usine Ste Madeleine factory with his workers yesterday morning. Police said around 1.50 pm he sent his two workers to purchase roti for lunch. When they returned around 2.10 pm they found his body slumped behind an old shipping container. His teenaged daughters and wife were among several relatives and friends who were on the scene yesterday. A male relative was convinced that his murder was a hit.

“They came to intentionally kill him and they did. This was not a robbery,” said the relative who said Gosine had received threats. Gosine has a court matter over a land dispute.

Body of missing man found

The body of Clyde Sadar who was reported missing was found near his home yesterday.

Sadar 48, of Garth Road, Princes Town was last seen around 11 pm at Iere Village Branch Road, Princes Town near the wake for university student Kimberly Teelucksingh who committed suicide. When he failed to return home and did not answer calls to his cellphone, his relatives made a report to the police and went in search of him. His body was found in a grassy track near his home. Autopsies on both bodies are expected to be performed today at Forensic Science Centre. Homicide detectives are investigating.

Woman shot at health centre

Gunmen opened fire on a crowd of people at the Petit Valley Health Centre yesterday and an innocent woman was shot.

Police said ongoing gang war in Simeon Road, Petit Valley over drug turf was linked to the shooting.

According to police reports, shortly after 1 pm two men dressed in female Muslim wear approached a man from the Petit Valley area and opened fire. A 69-year-old woman identified as Oharra Christian was shot the right leg. Christian, police said went to the Health Centre to collect medication and was seated outside the building when the shooting took place.

Police said the shooters escaped by running along a nearby river bank. Their disguises were recovered by officers of the Western Division Task Force who responded to the shooting.

A media release issued by the Health Ministry stated that counselling was being made available to those affected. The release added that security guards have been increased from three to five until further notice.

Former United National Congress (UNC) Senator and criminal defence attorney Wayne Sturge was convicted of contempt of court and fined $5,000 yesterday.

Sturge was found guilty and sentenced by High Court Judge Norton Jack in the Port-of-Spain High Court.

The contempt of court proceedings was brought over a series of posts Sturge made on his Facebook account while he was involved in a murder trial before Jack in October, last year.

The posts related to Jack’s handling of the case and the testimony of the State’s main witness in the trial, which resulted in five accused men, among them Sturge’s clients, being convicted of the lesser offence of manslaughter.

“I expect this would never happen again with another attorney. This was not about this court or a witness. It was about specific conduct,” Jack said as he stated that the social media posts risked prejudicing the trial.

Jack disagreed with the suggestion of State prosecutor Tricia Huddlin-Copper to impose a harsh sentence against Sturge with a possible jail term. He said he felt a fine was more appropriate.

Jack allowed Sturge seven days to pay the fine or face six months in prison.

He also ordered that the issue be referred to the Disciplinary Committee of the Law Association for its consideration.

Once the committee receives the complaint, a panel of Sturge’s colleagues will host a mini-trial to determine if his actions constitute a breach of the Code of Ethics for attorneys under the Legal Profession Act.

If he is eventually found guilty of professional misconduct, the panel will decide whether no further action should be taken or if he should face penalties which include being fined, suspended or disbarred.

Before the sentence was passed, Jack gave Sturge, who was seated at the bar table with his attorney Gerald Ramdeen and several members of his law chambers, an opportunity to address the court.

Sturge said: “I did not expect that reporting on the case would have this effect, it was not my intention. In those circumstances, I apologise for bringing the administration of justice into disrepute.”

Sturge noted that since the issue was raised after screen-shots of the posts were sent to Jack during the trial, he has refrained from making posts related to ongoing legal proceedings.

“It is not something that would happen again,” Sturge said.

In a brief interview after leaving the court, Sturge said he would consider whether to appeal Jack’s decision before the deadline for paying the fine expires.

While Government is “preying” on citizens’ fear of the International Monetary Fund to push flawed economic policies, these policies are actually pushing T&T closer to the IMF, says former Central Bank Governor Jwala Rambarran, now an Opposition UNC Senator.

Rambarran who was appointed Governor of the Central Bank under the past People’s Partnership administration, was fired in 2015 by the PNM administration.

Yesterday he surfaced in a new, political role - as temporary Opposition Senator in the 2018 Budget debate in Parliament. He replaced UNC Senator Saddam Hosein, who was ill.

Rambarran slammed Prime Minister Keith Rowley, Finance Minister Colm Imbert and his successor at the Central Bank, Dr Alvin Hilaire. (see box)

Rambarran, thanking Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar for the Senate opportunity said, “As an economist, I’m disturbed at the direction T&T is heading under this Government, and where we could be within the next three years.”

In his career he said he’d seen foreign exchange reserves grow from zero in 1987 to highest level of US$11.5 billion “under my watch.”

“Now, they’re haemorrhaging. This is why I stand here today—I have a vested interest in the economy.”

Noting the Prime Minister’s statements on staying away from the IMF, Rambarran said, “Many citizens remember the trauma endured when we were forced into the IMF’s arms. The Prime Minister preys on our fear of being trapped by the IMF.”

“His strategy is to set the bar so low and use the fear of that low point, so anything a little higher is considered a win and you emerge looking like a hero...he’s using fear of the IMF to drive support for Government’s flawed economic policies .

“It’s ironic the economic impotence of the Prime Minister, his army of economic advisors and, engineer-turned- economist, Finance Minister is pushing us closer into the IMF’s arms.”

Rambarran added, “Our collapsing economy under the Rowley-led PNM Government shows up the glaring incompetence of having an engineer playing economic doctor and a Prime Minister who appears to prefer economic ‘jamettry’ to economic strategy,”

“This Government is hurling us back to the Flintstone age.”

He cited similarities between T&T’s situation and the late 1980s economy.

“A new incarnation of the PNM is in power, deteriorating economic conditions broadly resembling those of the 1980s. We have the strange presence of an unholy trinity of persons who continue playing leading roles in economic policy making.”

Rambarran said Dr Terrence Farrell, former Central Bank governor Ewart Williams and current Central Bank governor Alvin Hilaire featured prominently in T&T’s 1980 negotiations with the IMF

“Today, they hold senior economic positions in this administration... Despite all the negative things he’d said about me, I still have deep respect for Dr Farrell who hired me at CBTT,” Rambarran added.

“One would think with such esteemed economic firepower this Government would be firing on all cylinders in economic management. But in 2016, we experienced the sharpest economic contraction in 33 years,” he said, adding Farrell and Williams’ advice has been ignored.

He said Imbert’s implementation of new taxes all at once cancelled intended revenue benefits.

“No surprise he continues to fall short of revenue targets .... The Finance Minister doesn’t have ‘barrakat’— the ability to earn wealth and keep it.”

Rambarran added, “Just like the electorate called upon the NAR to rescue our economy from the PNM in the 1980s, so too the political storm clouds are gathering. The real paradigm shift will soon take place.”

It was a war of former bankers in the Senate yesterday as Public Utilities Minister Robert Le Hunte—an ex-banker—took on former Central Bank governor Jwala Rambarran, now a UNC senator.

“Some people came here with vindictive minds to take advantage to settle scores,” Le Hunte thundered, following Rambarran’s contribution to yesterday’s 2018 Budget debate.

Le Hunte’s address was Government’s comeback after Rambarran attacked the PNM administration, Prime Minister Keith Rowley, Finance Minister Colm Imbert and current Central Bank Governor Alvin Hilaire.

Replying in fiery tones, Le Hunte waded into Rambarran. He said he’d cringed when he’d heard new UNC Senator Saddam Hosein on Wednesday, but it was compounded by Rambarran’s statements.

He said Rambarran complained about PNM deficit Budgets. “As though he’d never seen deficit Budgets before. But we’re here because of the UNC’s big spending over 2010-2015 when they had $63b budgets.”

“He talks about PNM advisors but in the PP’s term all the advice the PP got was “spend, spend, spend, tief, tief, tief’!”

UNC Senators objected.

However, Le Hunte egged on by PNM Senators, continued “...Who the cap fits, let them wear it.”

He said the situation which confronted the PNM in 2015 was so bad there was no money in the Treasury and the new administration had to borrow.

“All this occurred while the Central Bank was under the stewardship of certain people whose name I wouldn’t call—we must put things into context and understand where we came from.”

“He talked about foreign exchange but the PP’s legacy was to totally mash up the system which was in place, the effects of which we’re still experiencing- we tried to fix the problem, you created,” Le Hunte told UNC senators.

Attacking Rambarran’s revelations of Forex customers during his tenure, Le Hunte added, “I was a banker then and I cringed when I realised, it was a banker who’s supposed to be a confidential person and confidentiality was a hallmark of what I stood for as a banker.”

“I remember reading about the situation and saying, how could my (CBTT) governor, my head banker at the time, go and put people’s public information out there?”

“Maybe it’s fate that I have the opportunity to say this now in this House. I remember at the time I was in Africa and I remember reading about it and I was part of this noble profession, that stood for confidentiality - and you broke the trust and statutory duty,” Le Hunte admonished Rambarran directly.

Senate President Christine Kangaloo called for members to “take the temperature down a little.”

But Le Hunte added, “It’s important for us to remember these things at a time when our profession was supposed to be so noble, the things that emanated out from the Central Bank and the ulterior motives or motives that was driving those things.”

“In that time all of a sudden we recognised that a company that had significant contributions by certain people who were financiers of the other side—they were the ones who benefitted tremendously.”

He was cautioned by Kangaloo again.

Le Hunte added, “ The way the PP spent money wild all over the place without regard for process and order I’m reminded of an old calypso, ‘I go park mih PP anywhere’,” he added.

Hannah Janoura can only be described as a woman with a big heart.

For the past 27 years, Janoura, 77, has been hosting fundraising events offering beautifully designed Christmas decorations which she makes with her very hands in her spare time.

The money from the proceeds goes towards the purchase of wheelchairs for physically-challenged children at the Princess Elizabeth Centre in Woodbrook.

Janoura also does charitable work for the Cancer Society and other non-governmental organisations.

She started designing Christmas decorations in 1988 following a fire at Janouras on Henry Street.

“I had nothing to do. I saw in Miami they were doing dolls with mops and decided to give it a try,” Janoura recalled.

On her first attempt, Janoura made 100 doll mops.

Unable to sell them at their new location on Sackville Street, Janoura hosted a fundraiser at the ballroom of the Hilton Trinidad.

The response from the public was tremendous.

From there, it has been no stopping her.

“I just did something last year. I say I am going to have a fundraiser at MovieTowne to bring down 100 wheelchairs,” said Janoura.

Last year she made faces made of styrofoam balls which she decorated.

The event far exceeded Janoura’s expectations and she was able to buy 200 wheelchairs which were distributed on Independence Day and for Christmas to people in need.

This year, Janoura has already made 66 Christmas toy decorations using local and imported stuffed elves and Santa Claus dolls.

From September she began working on the pieces.

“That 66 has already been sold to one person who gives them out as gifts for Christmas,” she said, pointing to the decorations, which were on display on a table at her establishment.

“I am going to make more which I will sell in the store. I want to make more than 100 this year.”

Janoura craftily wrapped the legs or arms of each elf around a glass jar filled with either chocolates or salt and sweet prunes.

The prices of the decorations range from $150 to over $1,000.

As one of the directors of Janouras, there is no stopping this businesswoman who has demonstrated unwavering compassion for the less fortunate in the season of merriment and cheer.

Residents of Bayshore, Marabella, are appealing to the authorities to demolish a dangerous derelict foot-bridge and replace it with safe structure before someone is either seriously injured or killed.

Earlier this year the steel and concrete bridge, built in the ‘train line’ community overlooking the Gulf of Paria over 100 years ago, was closed by the San Fernando City Corporation, but residents, including children, still take a chance to walk or run across the structure as it is the only access point to their homes.

Other residents, who refuse to risk their lives on the precarious bridge, are forced to walk along a narrow track on the edge of a drain, through a dark, bushy area to get in and out of their community.

The force of the crumbling bridge is also causing the road to cave in very close to the home of an elderly resident Monica Hicks.

She complained that she tried calling her parliamentary and local government representatives but have not gotten through to them as yet. Fearful that her home will be damaged, Hicks said: “The cracks already reach in my yard.”

Another resident, Evelane Glasgow, 59, said the bridge was not being properly maintained.

“Is a good while the bridge bad, it breaking down, is a hazard to pass. Is life and death,” she complained. She said before the bridge was closed officials came and took photos and measurements, but nothing else was done.

“No vehicles could pass on the bridge to get to us. So in case of an emergency we in trouble. Everybody have to pass through by the edge of a drain, children, babies, but it dangerous,” said Glasgow.

A mother of three, who did not wish to named, called on the authorities to demolish the bridge and rebuild it.

“I don’t allow my children to use that bridge, but I have seen children crossing that bridge to go to and from school. It is in a terrible state and is very dangerous,” said the mother.

Attempts to reach councillor La-Verne Smith and San Fernando Mayor Junior Regrello were unsuccessful.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has admitted to signing off on the appointment of new Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) chief elections officer Fern Narcis.

On Tuesday, Opposition Senator Wade Mark, in delivering his Budget contribution in the Senate, said the Public Services Commission (PSC) had appointed a junior officer on contract who is the first cousin of Public Administration Minister Maxie Cuffie. Mark, who was referring to Narcis, described it as an attempt to hijack democracy, adding the PSC was breaking well-established regulations.

But during a media conference at the Piarco International Airport on his return from the IV CARICOM-Mexico Summit yesterday, Rowley said he did not know anything about the matter and went on to caution T&T “not to go down the road of other countries that started on these slippery slopes and can’s come back up.”

“One of the few of our institutions that find favour with the public and who have kept their duty out of bacchanal…is the Elections and Boundaries Commission. I don’t know who the person is related too, but that direction of talking about the independence of the EBC because somebody is somebody’s distant pumpkin vine cousin, I would say no more on that because I don’t know about it,” Rowley said.

He said he did sign off on the appointment, but could not remember who the person was. Rowley said the recommendation did come to them, but added they had no interest in the matter, “as we had not been, in terms of, we have no horse in the race…we rely on the institution and this development that questioning somebody who got a job like that, because somebody is saying that they related to somebody down the road, I advise this country to stay away from that…that is how some countries lost their way because that is the forerunner to question the election results.”

He added: “I have no knowledge of this person’s pedigree and ancestry…what I do know is that the service commission looked around and would have chosen the best candidate for the job and the Government had no involvement.”

In its own response to the matter, the PSC said in accordance with the provisions of sub-sections (3) to (5) of Section 121 of the Constitution, the PM was consulted to ascertain whether he had any objection to the appointment of Narcis. It added that the PM confirmed in writing there was no objection to the appointment and the PSC subsequently appointed her.

The PSC denied Narcis was a “junior officer on contract.”

“Mrs Narcis, prior to her appointment as Chief Elections Officer, was the senior legal officer, on contract, at the EBC,” the PSC said, adding it took all reasonable measures to ensure there was no information or circumstance that could compromise the PSC or the EBC and that the best available candidate was selected.

“The PSC wishes to emphasise that it is an independent constitutional body and that the recruitment process utilised for the selection of the best possible candidate was fair and transparent,” it added.

The Tobago Regional Health Authority (TRHA) has been ordered to pay compensation to the mother of a 17-year-old boy who died days after he was discharged from the Scarborough General Hospital with stab wounds.

In an oral judgment in the Hall of Justice in Tobago yesterday, Justice Frank Seepersad said the TRHA was negligent in its treatment of Zach Seeran when they discharged him, because its staff had failed to consider a CT scan from a private medical institution which showed he had damage to several internal organs.

Seepersad said: “It is unfathomable that in 2010 a CT scan report which was ordered could sit on a desk at an off-site facility and no effort was made to ascertain the whereabouts of same. The tears of his mother should not have been shed in vain. It is unacceptable that available and requested diagnostic assistance, which was ordered and prepared, was not forwarded to the hospital.”

Seepersad ruled that the care afforded to Seeran fell below the reasonable standard expected of healthcare institutions.

While he ordered compensation he did not quantify it, instead referring the issue to a High Court Master.

Seepersad said the case demonstrated the need for a critical review of the public healthcare system. “As flawed as the system may be, it still provides an invaluable service to thousands of citizens and so a solution has to be found,” he said, as he suggested that improvements be funded via amendments to the health surcharge system, or through introduction of a public health insurance scheme as used in other countries.

Seepersad was especially critical of State-funded healthcare in Tobago, noting that the scan had to be performed at a private institution because the hospital did not have the necessary equipment.

“This court has had to deal with several medical negligence matters in Tobago and it’s simply outrageous that in this island of 60,000 odd inhabitants, the only hospital is devoid of basic functioning equipment and staff,” he said.

“How can this be? How can this island, in a time where economic diversification is desperately needed, be considered as a viable tourist destination when there is a lack of basic and essential medical services?”

According to the lawsuit, Seeran, of Coral Gardens, was taken for treatment at the hospital after he was stabbed during Independence Day celebrations on September 1, 2010. He was warded for three days during which time he was taken to a private testing facility for a CT scan of his abdomen. He was eventually discharged but returned the following day after complaining of feeling unwell. Seeran was examined by doctors and again discharged. However he died two days later.

A post mortem by forensic pathologist Dr Hubert Daisley revealed Seeran died of damage to his lungs, kidneys and liver sustained in the stabbing, which had not been detected or treated by the hospital.

Seeran’s mother Arlene was represented by Gilbert Peterson, SC and Dawn Palackdharry-Singh,

More info 

Shortly after Seeran died, Robert Greene and Hakeem Joseph, both of Darrell Spring, Scarborough, were charged with his murder. The men were initially freed after a preliminary inquiry but were recharged and put on trial for the crime in October 2016.
Joseph was discharged by Justice David Harris, who ruled that there was insufficient evidence linking him to the crime. Greene was eventually freed of murder but convicted of the lesser offence of manslaughter and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment.
According to evidence presented during the trial, Seeran was attacked by Greene after he intervened in an altercation between him and another man.
Seeram, a student of the Scarborough Secondary School, intervened and began pelting bottles at Greene. Greene and another man then chased Seeran into a mall where he stabbed him eight times.

Approximately 2,300 households were affected by the recent widespread flooding across the country. The affected communities span from Sangre Grande to far-flung Woodland.

Confirmation came from National Security Minister Edmund Dillon, who held a joint press conference with Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan, Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Kazim Hosein, Minister of Social Development and Family Services Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn and Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat at the Parliament Building, Port-of-Spain.

The five ministries came together to inform the population how Government had been responding to the deluge which affected 11 out of the 14 regional corporations.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley announced that Cabinet had approved $35 million to compensate flood victims. He advised, however, that not all flood victims will be compensated by the Government.

“Once they are qualified we will ensure that they get it. Some people expect more assistance than they are entitled to. But if there are people with genuine complaints I am sure public officers who are involved will ensure that such persons will not be disadvantaged,” Rowley said at a press conference at the Piarco International Airport on his return from Mexico.

Hours later at the joint press conference, Dillon said having conducted damage assessments from October 18 to yesterday, from the ministries’ assessments so far roughly “2,300 homes” were affected by the flood waters.

“Once those damage assessments are completed, then that report will be transmitted to the various ministries to bring relief to those impacted,” he said.

Going forward, Dillon said the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (OPDM) will review its coordination and response to improve its effectiveness and efficiency.

“We intend to review what has gone good, what did not work and what were the gaps,” Dillon said.

Dillon said ODPM relief officer Neville Wint will take charge of the unit until they get a replacement, which will be soon.

Unable to say how many farms were destroyed by the recent floods, Rambharat said from today the ministry will make a $12 million in payments to 636 farmers whose farms were ravaged by Bret.

“Based on what I have seen so far from Namdevco, it is difficult to gauge at this time in terms of a dollar figure in terms of the impact. It is difficult to gauge prices on the wholesale and retail markets.”

However, he said he expects the same numbers of farmers to be affected this time around.

Sinanan said his ministry discovered there were a lot of breaches on some of the major watercourses, especially the major rivers.

“This would have caused some of the significant flooding, especially down in deep South.”

As the water subsided, Sinanan said he had been receiving reports of water damage to several roadways which would have to be repaired. He admitted that a lot of developers got approvals by the Town and Country Planning Division without visiting the ministry’s drainage department.

“We want to make that mandatory.”

As for squatters and developers who have built over watercourses and box drains, Sinanan said they will have to move.

Crichlow-Cockburn said her ministry will provide a $20,000 housing grant in addition to $1,000 clothing grant for those affected. A school supply grant is also provided, while a $10,000 grant is awarded to victims who lost basic household item, adding they will try to do the assessments and hand out the grants in the shortest possible time.

The Ministry of Education yesterday released the names of the 2017 scholarship winners for the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE). Veshala Goon, of Lakshmi Girls's Hindu College, and Sanjaali Maharaj, of St Augustine Girls' High School, were announced as the joint President's Medal winners. Below is the full list of scholarship winners.

ASJA Boys' College, San Fernando

Andy Burke, Natural Sciences, Open

Joshua Raghoo, Natural Sciences, Open

Lindon Samuel, Natural Sciences, Additional

ASJA Girls' College, San Fernando

Arielle Ramadharsingh, Humanities, Open

Merlisa Bharath, Mathematics, Open

Latisha Jahoor, Business, Additional

Sahra Ramdath, Business, Additional

Allissah Mustaphar, ICT, Additional

Meera Madhavi Ram, Mathematics, Additional

Samara Mohammed-Khan, Natural Sciences, Additional

Raheema Mohammed, Natural Sciences, Additional

ASJA Girls' High School, Charlieville

Vasishma Persad, Natural Sciences, Additional

Bishop Anstey & Trinity College East 6th Form

Danicia Solozano, ICT, Open

Keiswanna Pierre, Business, Additional

Tai Rosemin, ICT, Additional

Raphael Superville, ICT, Additional

Jade Noriega, Mathematics, Additional

Laura Martinez-Garavito, Natural Sciences, Additional

Tia Gilkes, Natural Sciences, Additional

Danissa McLeod-Irish, Natural Sciences, Additional

Bishop Anstey High School

Jenia Cunningham, Creative Arts, Open

Maya Hinds, Languages, Open

Kai Seale-Sloane, Mathematics, Open

Anastasia Francis, Natural Sciences, Additional

Bishop High School, Tobago

Keizel Hayling, Mathematics, Open

Safiya James, Natural Sciences, Open

Lloyen Scotland, General Studies, Additional

Phia Rochford, Natural Sciences, Additional

Couva East Secondary

Katrina Samaroo, Environmental, Open

Sameerah Mohammed, Natural Sciences, Open

Chernell John, Environmental, Additional

Leandra Ramjattan, Environmental, Additional

Kadeem Ali, Natural Sciences, Additional

Krishna Kesarisingh, Natural Sciences, Additional

Cowen Hamilton Secondary

Ian Sooknanan, Natural Sciences, Additional

El Dorado East Secondary

Ajay Ramjit, Natural Sciences, Additional

Fatima College

John-Michael Herrera, General Studies, Open

Gyasi Husbands-Vialva, Humanities, Open

Isaiah Colthrust, ICT, Open

Adam Alexis, Mathematics, Open

Liam De Verteuil, Mathematics, Open

Damani Garcia, Mathematics, Open

Daniel Cockburn, Environmental, Additional

Christopher Voss, Environmental, Additional

Steffon Lewis, General Studies, Additional

Cian Coonai, Natural Sciences, Additional

Joshua Gooding, Natural Sciences, Additional

Muhammad Ibrahim, Natural Sciences, Additional

Xavier Lezama, Natural Sciences, Additional

Hillview College

Jordan Ramcharitar, Environmental, Open

Dominic Hernandez, ICT, Open

Isaiah John, ICT, Open

Harold Raghunandan, ICT, Open

Stephanie Chadee, Mathematics, Open

Aidan Gajadhar, Mathematics, Open

Reshawn Maraj, Mathematics, Open

Christopher Mohammed, Mathematics, Open

Ishmail Mohammed, Mathematics, Open

Denison Mylon, Mathematics, Open

Ronald Ramdeen, Mathematics, Open

Suhaas Vadigi, Mathematics, Open

David Abraham, Natural Sciences, Open

Adilla Bekele, Natural Sciences, Open

Jonathan Hosein, Business, Additional

Zane Mohammed, Business, Additional

Raemus Rampaul, Business, Additional

Sayyid Ali, Environmental, Additional

SItara Rambarran, Environmental, Additional

Anton Greenidge, ICT, Additional

Dillon Salick, Mathematics, Additional

Stephen Akaloo, Natural Sciences, Additional

Christian Chamaroo, Natural Sciences, Additional

Nabeel Khan, Natural Sciences, Additional

Tariq Mohammed, Natural Sciences, Additional

Xian Ramdass, Natural Sciences, Additional

Revash Ramtahal, Natural Sciences, Additional

B'jon Shallowe, Natural Sciences, Additional

Varun Singh, Natural Sciences, Additional

Holy Faith Convent, Couva

Amelina Ramlal, Mathematics, Open

Priyanka Kissoonsingh, Natural Sciences, Open

Shivani Ramnath, Environmental, Additional

Ronica Jagbir, Natural Sciences, Additional

Kristal Manboadh, Natural Sciences, Additional

Nikita Mohammed, Natural Sciences, Additional

Sonya Mulchansingh, Natural Sciences, Additional

Shania Saunders, Natural Sciences, Additional

Samantha Simboo, Natural Sciences, Additional

Holy Faith Convent, Penal

Celeste Alexander, Business, Open

Cristal Bernard, Environmental, Additional

Chevelle John, ICT, Additional

Sapphire Sookram, Languages, Additional

Jinelle De Gannes, Natural Sciences, Additional

Karisma Samaroo, Natural Sciences, Additional

Holy Name Convent, Port-of-Spain

Taylia Henderson, ICT, Open

Dominyque Mohammed, ICT, Open

Kyra Lewis, Business, Additional

Siann Questel, Business, Additional

Diane Sooklal, Creative Arts, Additional

Shenelle Ashton, Environmental, Additional

Crystal Hackshaw, Environmental, Additional

Tamera Mendez, Environmental, Additional

Soleille St Louis, Environmental, Additional

Iere High School

Karishma Harrykissoon, Mathematics, Open

Lakshmi Girls' Hindu College

Veshala Goon, Business, Open

Jordan Singh, Business, Open

Himlata Sumair, Business, Open

Ansara Balgobin, Environmental, Open

Devi Mahadeo, Environmental, Open

Vanita Ramnarine, Environmental, Open

Nickarlet Jeffrey, Mathematics, Open

Evanna Dadd, Natural Sciences, Open

Ashni Maharaj, Natural Sciences, Open

Aryaa Ramnarine, Natural Sciences, Open

Sherissa Budhram, Business, Additional

Cherisse Gomez, Environmental, Additional

Arissa Singh, Environmental, Additional

Ashrena Arman, Humanities, Additional

Karishma Balsingh, Humanities, Additional

Renesha Ramkissoon, Mathematics, Additional

Aliyah Ali, Natural Sciences, Additional

Keeara Bhagaloo, Natural Sciences, Additional

Parveen Dookie, Natural Sciences, Additional

Riana Kandhai, Natural Sciences, Additional

Danae Khan, Natural Sciences, Additional

Runella Mohammed, Natural Sciences, Additional

Malini Rajcoomar, Natural Sciences, Additional

Shivana Sankar, Natural Sciences, Additional

Naparima College

Ronaldo Lee Justin, Creative Arts, Open

Timothy Singh, ICT, Open

Addesh Bhagwandeen, Mathematics, Open

Vinai Birbal, Mathematics, Open

Adam Cassie, Mathematics, Open

Kavir Gopaul, Mathematics, Open

Matthew Kowlessar, Mathematics, Open

Kevon Seechan, Mathematics, Open

Kevan Singh, Mathematics, Open

Avinash Dass, Natural Sciences, Open

Danté Frett, Natural Sciences, Open

Rajiv Gangoo, Natural Sciences, Open

Emmanuel Singh, General Studies, Additional

Vasisht Ramnath, Mathematics, Additional

Luke Armoogum, Natural Sciences, Additional

Kameron Chatoor, Natural Sciences, Additional

Imran Khan, Natural Sciences, Additional

Matthew Ragbir, Natural Sciences, Additional

Siro Rajnath, Natural Sciences, Additional

Jeremy Ramjohn, Natural Sciences, Additional

Keiron Ramkissoon, Natural Sciences, Additional

Naparima Girls' High School

Zari Dowrich, Business, Open

Rachel Trotman, Business, Open

Pyria Kissoonsingh, ICT, Open

Steffi Maharaj, ICT, Open

Chela Aufderheide, Languages, Open

Manisha Balkissoon, Languages, Open

Allisha Rahaman, Languages, Open

Michaela Joseph, Mathematics, Open

Alyssa Ramsubir, Mathematics, Open

Chelsea Sobransingh, Mathematics, Open

Naveela Sookoo, Mathematics, Open

Christiane Dookie, Natural Sciences, Open

Shalini Jagdeo, Natural Sciences, Open

Marianna Lalgee, Natural Sciences, Open

Kenya Lewis-Alexander, Natural Sciences, Open

Kerissa Ramasar, Natural Sciences, Open

Janessa Campbell, Business, Additional

Christin Mohammed, Creative Arts, Additional

Chelsea Sanatan, Creative Arts, Additional

Farhaana Dan, Environmental, Additional

Aleema Mahabir, Environmental, Additional

Meagan Gopaulsingh, Humanities, Additional

Adana Racham, Humanities, Additional

Aasha Ramlal, Humanities, Additional

Kimberly Gookool, Mathematics, Additional

Saveeta Paray, Mathematics, Additional

Charisse Alexander, Natural Sciences, Additional

Vanell Benimadho, Natural Sciences, Additional

Tricia Bissoo, Natural Sciences, Additional

Tishelle Boodoo, Natural Sciences, Additional

Shanaya Chadee, Natural Sciences, Additional

Amanda Deonanan, Natural Sciences, Additional

Jenine Dhoray, Natural Sciences, Additional

Melanie Dookhantie, Natural Sciences, Additional

Daniella Mohammed, Natural Sciences, Additional

Sasha Omadally, Natural Sciences, Additional

Samantha Parmasar, Natural Sciences, Additional

Dana Ramsingh, Natural Science, Additional

North Eastern College

Arti Ramroop, General Studies, Open

Presentation College Chaguanas

Savio Keith, Business, Open

Nevash Maraj, Environmental, Open

Krsn Ramsumair, Environmental, Open

Reece Bajnathsingh, Mathematics, Open

Marc Bhopalsingh, Mathematics, Open

Adrian Chitan, Mathematics, Open

Rajeev Parmasar, Mathematics, Open

Adrian Ramlal, Mathematics, Open

Kieran Ramlogan, Mathematics, Open

Jaron Ramsundar, Mathematics, Open

Rohan Ragbir, Natural Sciences, Open

Ahmad Rahman, Natural Sciences, Open

Mikel Rajkumar, Natural Sciences, Open

Kristoff Sahadeo, Natural Sciences, Open

Mahendra Singh, Natural Sciences, Open

D'jean-M'onteil Murray, Environmental, Additional

Zachery Ragoonath, Environmental, Additional

Vikash Surujbally, Environmental, Additional

Darren Fung, Mathematics, Additional

Josiah Gosyne, Mathematics, Additional

Vivek Barran, Natural Sciences, Additional

Majel De Coteau, Natural Sciences, Additional

Suraj Deodath, Natural Sciences, Additional

Rajeev Harripaul, Natural Sciences, Additional

Joshua Manickchand, Natural Sciences, Additional

Siddique Mohammed, Natural Sciences, Additional

Matthias Rambally, Natural Sciences, Additional

Wesley Ramnarine, Natural Sciences, Additional

Mohammed Shaddy, Natural Sciences, Additional

Presentation College San Fernando

David Craig, Mathematics, Open

Gregory Jaggernauth, Mathematics, Open

Joseph Simon, Mathematics, Open

Joel Kissoon, Natural Sciences, Open

Riyad Khan, Technical Studies, Open

Gregory Cassim, Environmental, Additional

Richard Bernard, Mathematics, Additional

Alario Mendoza, Mathematics, Additional

Ronaldo Mills, Mathematics, Additional

James Bhola-Singh, Natural Sciences, Additional

Jelani Borrel, Natural Sciences, Additional

Anthony De Silva, Natural Sciences, Additional

Dariel Maurice, Natural Sciences, Additional

Akshay Pawar, Natural Sciences, Additional

Dominic Tam, Natural Sciences, Additional

Queen's Royal College

Brandon Ramkissoon, Creative Arts, Open

Okera Duncan, Languages, Open

Brandon Joseph, Mathematics, Open

Jonathan Paul, Mathematics, Open

Rio Claro West Secondary School

Chelsea Sudama, Environmental, Additional

San Fernando Central Secondary School

Meenakshi Saroop, Natural Sciences, Additional

Saraswati Girls' Hindu College

Jyvanti Ramroop, Business, Additional

Gabriella Sookram, Business, Additional

Shiva Boys' Hindu College

Suraj Sakal, Natural Sciences, Additional

Tyler Seudath, Natural Sciences, Additional

Signal Hill Secondary School

Selena Campbell, Environmental, Additional

St Augustine Girls' High School

Amanda Wiseman, Environmental, Open

Rochelle Bally, ICT, Open

Joanna Boxill, ICT, Open

Maryam Ali, Mathematics, Open

Kaitlin Latchu-Rampersad, Mathematics, Open

Sian Lee Kitt, Mathematics, Open

Saanjali Maharaj, Mathematics, Open

Nicola Ramdass, Mathematics, Open

Vishanna Balbirsingh, Natural Sciences, Open

Alyssa Brathwaite, Natural Sciences, Open

Chelsea Hosten, Natural Sciences, Open

Rachel Madoo, Natural Sciences, Open

Saacha Mohammed, Natural Sciences, Open

Stachenne Ollivierra, Natural Sciences, Open

Kevelle Cooper, Business, Additional

Amanda Mitchell, Business, Additional

Naveena Persad, Business, Additional

Lindsay Siriram, Business, Additional

Caitlin Boodram, Evironmental, Additional

Anala Deo, Environmental, Additional

Alyssa Khalawan, Environmental, Additional

Atiyyah Newaj, Environmental, Additional

Khadeejha Rajkumar, Environmental, Additional

Karishma Saith, Environmental, Additional

Paige Scott, Environmental, Additional

Khendrea Sambury, Languages, Additional

Safiyah Ali , Natural Sciences, Additional

Komal Bhola, Natural Sciences, Additional

Jenelle Boodoo, Natural Sciences, Additional

Kelsey Ganessingh, Natural Sciences, Additional

Christine Jagroop, Natural Sciences, Additional

Cherisse Persad, Natural Sciences, Additional

Aliea Ramjag, Natural Sciences, Additional

Tattyana Samlal, Natural Sciences, Additional

Johleen Seedansingh, Natural Sciences, Additional

Trishana Seemungal, Natural Sciences, Additional

St George's College

Megan Lawrence, Business, Additional

Azanna Mohammed, Business, Additional

Adam Ali, Natural Sciences, Additional

Rehanah Ali, Natural Sciences, Additional

Shania Chadee, Natural Sciences, Additional

Jewel Mulrain, Natural Sciences, Additional

Abigail Ramlal, Natural Sciences, Additional

St Joseph's Convent, Port-of-Spain

Corrise Belasco, Business, Open

Matthew Chong Sing, Business, Open

Gia Borley, Environmental, Open

Akilah Wade, Environmental, Open

Ananda Whittier, Environmental, Open

Jewel Lee Foon, General Studies, Open

Nishanna Ramberran, General Studies, Open

Shiyan Cato, Mathematics, Open

Maia Nieves, Mathematics, Open

Celeste Sambrano, Mathematics, Open

Fayola Thompson, Mathematics, Open

Laurelle Lee Young, Natural Sciences, Open

Pooja-Devi Maharaj, Natural Sciences, Open

Chelsea Rodriguez, Natural Sciences, Open

Jihanne Shepherd, Natural Sciences, Open

Brittney Alvarez, Business, Additional

Leigha Clarke, Business, Additional

J'vana Peters, Business, Additional

Gabrielle Alleyne, Creative Arts, Additional

Arianne Buckradee, Environmental, Additional

Serah-Marie Maharaj, Environmental, Additional

Jordan Taylor, Environmental, Additional

Kerese Smith, ICT, Additional

Sabrina Lingo, Languages, Additional

Abigail Affoo, Natural Sciences, Additional

Danae Byer, Natural Sciences, Additional

Kimlin Chin, Natural Sciences, Additional

Arianne Chung, Natural Sciences, Additional

Shelleen Gowrie, Natural Sciences, Additional

Gyshan Latchman, Natural Sciences, Additional

Kaitlyn Mitchell, Natural Sciences, Additional

Sabrina Mitchell, Natural Sciences, Additional

Mariah Nakhid, Natural Sciences, Additional

Shivani Ramsaroop, Natural Sciences, Additional

Khadija Smith, Natural Sciences, Additional

St Joseph's Convent, San Fernando

Malika Cooper, Languages, Open

Amanda Chatoor, Mathematics, Open

Saeeda Doolan, Mathematics, Open

Keereyea Phagoo, Mathematics, Open

Tiffany Rampersad, Mathematics, Open

Alexia Suite, Mathematics, Open

Brittany Thackorie, Mathematics, Open

Chelsea John-Williams, Natural Sciences, Open

Shania Robinson, Natural Sciences, Open

Caitlyn Hassanali, Business, Additional

Kimberlee Ramsundar, Business, Additional

Sarah Maharaj, Environmental, Additional

Vishalla Maharaj, Environmental, Additional

Alyssa Kangoo, Languages, Additional

Caron David, Natural Sciences, Additional

Vanah Mohan, Natural Scienes, Additional

Tanya Rampersad, Natural Sciences, Additional

St Joseph's Convent, St Joseph

Celine Da Silva, Business, Open

Mary-Rebekah Reyes, Creative Arts, Open

Naiomi Rambarack, ICT, Open

Laquesha Bailey, Languages, Open

Keira Hackett, Languages, Open

Jayda Maingot, Natural Sciences, Open

Britney Campo, Business, Additional

Ana Lisa Jack, Business, Additional

Leshawn La Borde, Business, Additional

Valini Marcial, Business, Additional

Praveen Rajcoomar, Business, Additional

Thalia Vidale, Languages, Additional

Soraya Alfred, Natural Sciences, Additional

Christin-Marie Baksh, Natural Sciences, Additional

Aliyah Hazel, Natural Sciences, Additional

Alexandrea Jones, Natural Sciences, Additional

Jahlisa May, Natural Sciences, Additional

Nelisia Noel, Natural Sciences, Additional

Amanda Perryman, Natural Sciences, Additional

Marie-Danielle Regis, Natural Sciences, Additional

St Mary's College

Tryreke Cooper, ICT, Open

Angelo Morales, Languages, Open

Alister Matthew, Mathematics, Open

Omari Newton, Mathematics, Open

Caleb Vidal, Mathematics, Open

Luke Walker, Mathematics, Open

Richard Lim, Environmental, Additional

Sachin Ramesar, Mathematics, Additional

Sebastian Hadeed, Natural Sciences, Additional

St Stephen's College

Joshua Parris, Natural Sciences, Open

Rehsma Ramsoondar, Natural Sciences, Open

Kayle Diljohn, Environmental, Additional

Rhevelle Newton, Environmental, Additional

David Deonarine, Natural Sciences, Additional

Folasade Hinds, Natural Sciences, Additional

Rinaldo Ramkissoon, Natural Sciences, Additional

Vishnu Boys' Hindu College

Avinash Mohammed, Business, Additional

A comprehensive report on issues on the Cabo Star cargo ferry has been sent to the Brazil and London offices of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF—the global organisation which represents transport workers around the world.)

Local ITF officials Michael Annisette, president of the Seamen and Waterfront Workers’ Trade Union, and maritime attorney Nyree Alfonso surveyed the vessel following receipt of a report from Estonian engineer Edurak Lasuk about safety issues on the Cabo Star.

Among other things, Lusak complained of leaks of a combination of hazardous oils and fuels on the vessel and and said he did not “feel safe” working in the “environment.” Another engineer who has since left the vessel expressed similar concerns.

Within recent weeks, truckers have reported that the vessel has “slowed down considerably” and on Thursday it was travelling at nine knots an hour. Truckers aboard the vessel on Thursday said while on route to

Scarborough work was being done on it and it eventually docked just before midnight. It made the return trip from Scarborough at 1.45 am and was due to sail again at 2 pm yesterday.

Port officials confirmed repair work on the vessel will be undertaken today and tomorrow. A plan for a late sailing of the vessel tomorrow was cancelled after consultation with the Tobago Chamber, which wanted to ensure the maintenance work to be done was completed before the vessel set sail again on Monday.

In a statement yesterday, the public relations manager of the Inter-Island Transport Company, Vilma Lewis-Cockburn, confirmed the vessel will return to service on Monday.

Suspended without being given a chance to be heard, Harry Ragoonanan opted not to attend this week’s interview with the Investigations Committee of the ruling People’s National Movement.

Ragoonanan was due to appear before the committee yesterday but told the T&T Guardian he did not go.

The T&T Guardian understands Ragoonanan had requested his attorney also attend the committee hearing, but committee refused the request. Former Port-of-Spain mayor Murchison Brown, the committee’s chairman, yesterday told the T&T Guardian, “This is an internal party matter. It is between the party and the aggrieved person and we don’t have third parties at these sessions.”

Brown spoke just before 6 pm yesterday, when the committee was still awaiting Ragoonanan’s arrival.

Asked what would happen if Ragoonanan failed to attend the committee hearing, Brown said, “We are the Investigating Committee, we will submit a report to the general secretary and he takes it from there.”

Ragoonanan, a long-serving member of the PNM, was suspended from the party on October 14 following a meeting of the PNM general council. The announcement to the media was made before Ragoonanan was informed. Ragoonanan, who is a sitting member of the general council, did not attend the meeting on the day he was suspended. Also absent on that day was political leader, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley.

The official letter informing Ragoonanan of his suspension, dated Monday October 16, accused him of attempting to solicit business from a Chinese businessman on the basis of his position in the PNM and his relationship with the then PTSC chairman Terrence Beepath.

The Prison Officers Association (POA) was yesterday tracking down all their members living in west Trinidad following the murder of one of their colleagues and attempted murder of another who recently retired.

According to the POA, Gideon Granger was with a friend heading out of Cocorite yesterday when the friend’s car was shot at twice. The shooting took place one day after an inmate at the Port-of-Spain Remand Yard warned that officers living in the west would be killed after a cell search at the facility.

Hours after the search, officer Glenford Gardner, 44, was ambushed around 7.30 pm and murdered while outside a house he owned at Sea Trace, Savannah Road, Diego Martin. When the T&T Guardian visited the area yesterday, residents said Gardner did not live in the area and only came to collect rent. One resident said Gardner, the captain who transported prisoners to Carrera Island Prison, had a land dispute at one of the three homes he owned in the Bagatelle area, but did not believe his killing was linked to that.

Speaking with the T&T Guardian yesterday, Granger, who resigned from the service last December, said there is nowhere prison officers can hide if they are wanted by criminals. Granger said he was a friend heading out of Waterhole, Cocorite, where he lives, when he heard the gunshots and the vehicle being hit around 10.15 am. He said the incident solidified his resolve to leave the service. Asked if he was now considering leaving the West he said yes, adding he has a pending Housing Development Corporation (HDC) application awaiting relocation.

“It have nowhere safe you know, because it is a network, they could get you wherever you go,” Granger said.

The officer, who spent 19 years in the service, said the death of Gardner, who joined the service with him, will be treated as the other murdered prison officers, with temporary anger then it would be back to normal.

POA secretary Gerard Gordon, who trained with both Gardner and Granger, said the officers are tired of their colleagues being murdered and the deafening silence of those in authority. The association has threatened a mass exodus of officers if their safety concerns are not adequately addressed.

Gordon said on average 300 inmates are relinquished into the custody of police officers to be taken to court and some inmates have returned with fast food and other things they could not get on their own. He said some contraband will be missed in the “never ending game of cat and mouse,” but it was not only rogue prison officers who facilitate the influx of contraband, which is a flourishing business in the prison.

“This thing bigger than the jail. We do not have society’s help. So today is us and who is next? Who will the criminal be offended by, so they will come to kill? I am fed up! It is too much too soon,” Gordon said.

Both Gordon and Granger described Gardner as a “cool one” who was not into social media and posing for photographs. The father of one, they said, loved his job and lived alone. Gardner’s killing comes 19 days after fellow prison officer Richard Sandy was killed by an ex-convict at a bar in South Trinidad one day before his birthday on October 8.

National Security Minister Edmund Dillon yesterday condemned the killing and assured all resources are being used to “treat with this heinous act.” In a release, Dillon said attacks on service members will not be tolerated since they work tirelessly in maintaining peace and security in the country.

“No stone will be left unturned in bringing all perpetrators of attacks against national security officers to swift justice. These criminals will feel the full brunt of the law. Members of the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service and all arms of law enforcement are assured that the Government will be giving priority attention to strengthening the safety and security of officers,” Dillon said. (See editorial on Page A16).

Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams also condemned the killing, adding he had committed all the required resources needed in pursuing Gardner’s killer/s, “to bring them to justice within the shortest possible time.”