The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says more fiscal adjustment measures are needed to restore stability to the T&T economy.

The multi-national agency gave the assessment following the conclusion of its latest Article IV Consultation on October 23.

While the IMF commended steps towards fiscal adjustment in the 2016/17 and 2017/18 Budgets, including introduction of property, excise and gaming taxes, royalties on natural gas production and elimination of fuel subsidies, it said additional fiscal consolidation, measures to restore balance in the foreign exchange market and structural reforms are still needed.

It said risks to the country’s outlook are still “tilted to the downside” and recommended that T&T “use its buffers to smooth out the pace of adjustment.”

The IMF said measures in the 2017/18 budget to improve revenue collection, streamline expenditure and achieve full cost recovery pricing to significantly reduce transfers to public utilities, could be a “significant step in the right direction.” However, it is calling for additional measures, including further broadening the VAT base, raising the overall VAT rate to the regional average; reforms of the fiscal regime for oil and gas; and significant reductions in the cost of transfers and subsidies.

“The external position in 2016 was weaker than suggested by fundamentals, although the international reserves cover is still relatively strong,” the IMF said.

“Going forward, policy measures are needed to deal with foreign exchange shortages, which undermine investor confidence and country risk perceptions.”

The agency is also recommending that Government “swiftly reduce and eventually eliminate these imbalances and distortions, including through an exchange rate adjustment as part of a broader package of fiscal adjustment and structural reforms.”

Other measures needed, it said, include “removing distortions to the labour market and pervasive rigidities in the public sector, improving the business climate for the non-energy sector, raising the efficiency of state-owned enterprises, and improving procurement practices.”

In addition, the IMF welcomed progress toward creation of the National Statistical Institute to address remaining data shortcomings to strengthen policy making and surveillance.

In its assessment of the country’s current economic position, the agency said T&T has faced several years of weak or negative growth on the back of low global energy prices and energy supply shocks, which led to sharp deteriorations in internal and external balances.

The report on the forensic investigation by Kroll Consulting Canada into the “fake oil” scandal at State-owned Petrotrin will now be delivered to the company’s board of directors in mid-November.

Petrotrin chairman Wilfred Espinet had said the report was due to be delivered last week, four weeks after the start of Kroll’s assignment. However, officials now say the Canadian company still has work to complete. They explained that over the past four weeks officials from Kroll Consulting have been doing on site work and are now in the final stages of electronic data analysis.

In late September, Petrotrin retained the firm after an internal audit report indicated collusion involving an employee and a contractor who supplied crude oil to the company, resulting in an overpayment of close to $80 million.

The August 17 audit report also found that crude oil supplies from the Catshill Field contracted to A&V Oil and Gas spiked by over 150 per cent in a ten-month period and Petrotrin paid for oil which was never received. The internal audit committee report identified an employee who was involved in the process. That employee was sent on leave.

Kroll started its work in early October and has been reporting directly to the board’s audit committee. Apart from the forensic audit, Kroll was retained to verify the facts contained in the internal audit report, identify any relevant parties/entities from the standpoints of accountability and culpability and any systemic inadequacies or short comings which may have contributed to the findings.

Some 36 people are now homeless after a fire destroyed over a dozen homes in Sea Lots, Port-of-Spain, on Tuesday night.

When the T&T Guardian visited the area yesterday, the residents called for assistance as they will be staying with neighbours or friends until they can rebuild.

Several residents were searching through some of the ruins seeking to salvage whatever they could. Teenagers and other youngsters meanwhile picked through burnt appliances looking for pieces of copper they could sell.

Members of various agencies were on the scene and many of the residents walked around with the documents so they could access the Self-Help Programme.

However, Esther Dyer, 61, refused to go anywhere, saying she would stay in the back of her damaged house.

“I living here 40 years. I was home and I didn’t know anything, I was inside watching TV. I have no choice. I going and stay there,” she said.

Resident Glenda Clement, 68, seemed more preoccupied by the loss of her DIRECTV service.

“I was working in Belmont and when I reach a girl told me. I staying by a friend in the front. You know about DIRECTV and if it would still be running?” she asked.

Shawn Dyer and his common-law wife Anne Marie, a Canadian national, tried to placate Clement and told her to contact them.

“We were out in the front and saw the fire. I tried to see if I could get something. They start the bucket brigade but things done in a mess,” Dyer said.

Dyer said he and his wife would be staying with a friend.

“Everything burn down. I could do with a little assistance. My passport and everything was in there. I looked in to get something and the fire already spread,” he said, pointing to the left over ruins.

Tricia Simmons, a Ministry of Planning employee and part time employee at the Fire Service Auxiliary, said she was at the station when she received a call on her cell phone.

“All I heard was the house burning down. I leave the things at the station and leave on the appliance (fire truck),” she said.

Simmons said she was shocked at seeing the fire after having lived in Sea Lots for many years.

“It was just a few months ago I got the keys (for new home). I am from Sea Lots, I don’t damn the bridge I come from. These are my family,” she said.

Simmons said four of her relatives stayed in the house and her cousin jumped out a window to save his life.

Councillor for the area Allan Samuel said the residents will be given items to assist them. He confirmed 36 adults and 12 children were displaced by the fire. The residents were given several mattresses on Tuesday night by Port-of-Spain City Corporation members.

“We had Self-Help Housing Programme help us and we did some assessment and some of the people will be getting more help than others,” Samuel said.

Samuel said MP Marlene McDonald also visited the residents on Tuesday night and offered assistance.

“She wanted to give them houses but some did not want to move,” he said, adding residents would be given items and assistance to make a structure.

“They will get things to keep them a float for now. Some are totally out of it,” he said.

Contacted yesterday, acting deputy fire officer Mervyn Layne said the cause of the fire was yet to be determined.

Corporal Billy Ramsundar has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm against Guardian photographer Kristian De Silva, a police statement said Wednesday.

He is also charged with malicious damage of a Canon camera valued US$1600.

The charges arise from an alleged incident at Nazim Ave San Francique, Penal on September 15, 2017.

He will appear before a POS Magistrate where the matter will be transferred to the Siparia Court.

The charges were laid by Supt Ruthven Hodge of the Police Complaints Division.

De Silva had told police that he was attacked while trying to take photos of the A&V Oil and Gas compound in Penal.

De Silva said he had gone to the compound to follow-up on the latest developments involving A&V Oil and Gas.

He said that while on Nazim Avenue he was attempting to take photographs for the Trinidad Guardian newspaper when a man approached him in a pick-up vehicle.

De Silva said the driver of the vehicle drove straight at him in what appeared to be an attempt to hit him.

He said a man then came out of the vehicle and hit him in his face, injuring his mouth in the process.

De Silva said another man then hit him on the side of his face.

The impact of the blows caused De Silva's eye-glasses to fall, following which one of the men stamped on it.

His news camera was also badly damaged in the attack.

De Silva said he identified himself as a Trinidad Guardian photographer but said one of the men reacted in an abusive manner, accusing him of being on private property.

De Silva said he had earlier verified with a security guard that the roadway, where he was standing, was not private property. 

He sought medical attention at the Penal Health Facility before making a report to the police.

Food borne diseases are a major cause of illnesses and death worldwide, with one in 49 people suffering from such diseases every year, says Dr Alexandra Vokathy, advisor on public health, Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO).

Speaking at the opening ceremony of a Food Safety Risk Assessment workshop at the Hyatt Regency in Port-of-Spain, she said food borne diseases could cause serious complications which could lead to chronic health problems resulting in dire economic consequences.

Vokathy chemical and nutritional imbalances which are known or suspected to be responsible for a range of health problems including cancer, kidney and liver dysfunction, hormonal imbalance and premature births.

Markus Lipp, senior food safety officer at the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Italy, said food security and good nutrition can only be achieved when the food consumed was safe. He said food borne illnesses are a leading factor for malnutrition and stunting among children.

“As every person in this world needs food—safe food and nutritious food—food trade must provide food to all,” he said. “But food trade is not only critical for food security. It also provides a livelihood and a way out for millions of people.”

Lipp said for the food trade to operate smoothly there must be “harmonised and compatible definitions.”

“We can effectively use language to exchange information; food standards are for trade what a dictionary is for language. If we all use the same standards that can be easily translated’ into each other, we can easily exchange goods and trade will flourish,” he said.

Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat said the biggest challenges for T&T are proper lab services, efficient plant quarantine and an efficient inspection regime.

President General of the Amalgamated Workers Union Michael Prentice is calling for daily rated workers of the Port-of-Spain City Corporation to be paid outstanding salaries otherwise this can result in them downing of tools.

Prentice said some 1,500 workers were being affected. He said the monies owed amounted to some $4 million.

The union also called on Finance Minister Colm Imbert to intervene, saying most of the workers were single mothers.

Speaking at a press conference held yesterday Prentice said the union was informed via a release that monies from the Finance Ministry was not forthcoming. He described this an untenable.

“We want everyone to understand the trickling down effect as a result of this. As a union we have tried to stay away from any disturbances at this time given the economical situation of the country but we would not be held responsible in the event workers choose to take a certain position given the fact that they worked and were not paid,” he said.

Calling for workers to be paid immediately Prentice said the workers were at the “lowest end of the spectrum,” adding that the authorities must understand that they live “from pay check- to- pay check.”

“We are fortunate that these workers remove all debris and all garbage from the streets of the city. The union will not be held responsible in the event if anything goes wrong.

“We need the powers that be to understand the seriousness of the trickling down effect this could have,” Prentice reiterated.

In the event that salaries were not paid soon Prentice said a “mass membership meeting” would then be held.

“We would be seeking the guidance of the membership before we would be making any decisions,” Prentice added.

When contacted an official from the Finance Ministry assured that the outstanding monies would be paid.

Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams has warned new graduates of the Police Service not to breach integrity because there will be no comprise.

He issued the warning during the graduation exercise of 160 officers—Batch 1 of 2017— held at Torenia Hall, Centre of Excellence, Macoya, on Wednesday.

He said too that the leadership of the service can guarantee that there will be no compromise when it comes to breach of integrity

Williams also advised the new officers to keep their integrity in tact otherwise society will not forgive them.

He told them the reason for his stern warning is that society has placed a lot of confidence, trust and expectation on the Police Service, and on this side (the Police Service), “we bring it clear to you that there will be no compromise should you breach integrity.”

He added: “We can teach you so much, exposing all skills of training, but at the end of the day all that has been taught will be of no value if we miss out on that pillar of integrity.

Your parents will not be proud of you if you fail them on that pillar of integrity and I have a good feeling your friend would not be proud of you if you fail them, everything spins around integrity.”

He said when someone becomes a police officer they are in a profession in which society place them at a very high point.

‘You are faced with different people in society with different careers, don’t abuse your power, treat them in the manner in which you were trained,” he said.

Williams also asked the 160 new officers to reflect on all the things they saw about police officers, especially the negative relations with the public as there are so much negative things said about police and their interaction with citizens.

“if you think about those negative things the list can be long or short, but with you there is hope for citizens,” he added.

He also appealed to them to embrace the words of wisdom offered by their instructors of the Police Academy.

A water ambulance that was built after the only road leading into Matelot was blocked by landslides and fallen trees, was officially handed over to the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation yesterday.

The boat, which was named in honour of the late Angela Cropper, founder of the Cropper Foundation, was presented to corporation chairman Terry Rondon by Ken Nishii, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, during a brief ceremony in Sangre Grande.

Nishii said the vessel was built and commissioned in keeping with the Japanese government’s commitment to deepening relations with T&T and to strengthening this country’s disaster management framework through development of policies and strategies, training exchanges, post-disaster recovery, strengthening of infrastructure and acquisition of equipment.

Rondon said the vessel will be used in emergencies for Matelot residents whenever roads into that community are impassable.

A 47-year-old police corporal will appear before a Siparia magistrate today charged with assaulting Guardian Media photographer Kristian De Silva and damaging De Silva’s Canon camera.

Billy Ramsundar was yesterday granted $80,000 bail by a Justice of the Peace and ordered to reappear in court today. Ramsundar was initially expected to make a court appearance before a Port-of-Spain magistrate but due to a mix up he will appear today in Siparia.

He was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and malicious damage of a Canon camera, valued at US$1600. The charges were laid by ASP Ruthven Hunte of the Police Complaints Division, after police sought advice from Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard, SC, on Wednesday.

The charges stem from an alleged attack on De Silva on September 15 at Nazim Avenue, San Francique, Penal. De Silva was at the time attempting to get an interview with A&V Oil and Gas owner Nazim Baksh at the height of the fake oil scandal involving Petrotrin.

The Director of Personnel Administration is in the process of recruiting a new Chief Magistrate.

The advertisement for the position was contained in a memorandum circulated to the permanent secretaries of all Government ministries, the Law Association and on the Service Commission Department website last Thursday.

The memorandum set a deadline of November 23 for the submission of applications.

While the advertisement was issued to several Government bodies, it seems to only apply to the 13 serving senior magistrates in T&T, including acting Chief Magistrate Maria Busby-Earle-Caddle, as the minimum experience required is holding such a post for at least eight years.

In addition to managing all the senior magistrates and 31 magistrates presiding across T&T and the courts’ administrative staff, the Chief Magistrate is also required to preside over high-profile and murder cases in the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court. The position carries a monthly salary of $32,700.

The move to fill the position comes a little over six months after former chief magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar left the post to be appointed as a High Court Judge.

Ayers-Caesar’s appointment was short-lived, however, as she resigned within two weeks of her appointment amid public uproar over the 53 case she left unfinished.

Ayers-Caesar, who has been temporarily replaced by Busby-Earle-Caddle, is currently suing President Anthony Carmona and the Judicial and Legal Service Commission (JLSC) for allegedly pressuring her to resign.

The Office of the Attorney General has also filed an interpretation lawsuit seeking to determine Ayers-Caesar’s status and how the unfinished cases should proceed.

In the meantime, Busby-Earle-Caddle has moved ahead to restart the preliminary enquires left by Ayers-Caesar.

The move has been opposed by one murder accused, Akili Charles, who has filed a lawsuit over the decision to restart his preliminary inquiry. High Court Judge Devindra Rampersad is still determining whether to grant Charles permission to pursue the claim, as the judge believes his case clashes with one already filed by the State.

Just a week after five senior Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago employees were dismissed, two directors have also been sent home. They were also told to return company phones, computers and all documents and confidential information which they may have had access to as directors of SporTT.

Richard McFarlane, who raised several issues in a letter to SporTT chairman Dinanath Ramnarine and board members on October 30, and fellow director Imran Jan were sent letters revoking their appointments yesterday. The letters were signed by Finance Minister Colm Imbert, who had written to Ramnarine the day before indicating Government had agreed to remove Jan and McFarlane from the board.

Both men were advised of the decision via an email from the ministry which gave no reason for the revocation.They have been replaced by Jeffrey Guillen and Hayden Manzano, a senior economist at the Ministry of Finance.

But Jan yesterday said both he and McFarlane “stood up and were clearly targeted.” He said he believed the move was linked to the unfolding events over the past months when eight administrative staff were sent home and five were dismissed last week, while three others were told their contracts would be allowed to run out but they were not to return to the compound .

Jan said, “Over the past couple of months we both raised various issues and concerns as to how the company was being run. I guess we should not have.”

He said when he was asked to serve on the board of SporTT “I was extremely excited about the possible prospects of making an impact, but it never happened.”

“The people that wanted us directors and other members of staff out clearly know why. It shall all soon be revealed.”

McFarlane also believed his revocation was linked to recent events “and in particular the letter I wrote,” in which he raised a number of issues, including the decision to conduct an audit without input from the board and the selection of employees who were sent on administrative leave.

Asked if he ever got a response to the concerns raised in his letter, he said, “Yesterday, the chairman notified myself and the rest of the board via email that he has scheduled a meeting for next Friday (November 17th), at which all the issues raised would be fully addressed.”

McFarlane said he did not even realise his appointment was revoked until he got a call from Jan indicating an email had been sent to them. He said his two-year appointment as a board member was due to end on November 28.

Asked how he felt, he said, “As a sportsperson myself it is very unsettling. The recent history has compromised the delivery of service to the country and the sports men and sports women of this country.”

The T&T Guardian understands staff was told of the decision since last Friday, but were instructed not to discuss or disclose any company information on the matter.

Ramnarine subsequently issued letters to both men advising that although they had been terminated, they still had “obligations” to the board, which include the obligation of confidentiality. He also advised them to return all confidential information, mobiles phones and computers assigned and cautioned them against “tampering, or erasing, or removal of any data from the company telephone or computer that was provided to you.”

Staff was also told yesterday that Kairon Serrette, who had been acting as Facilities Manager would revert to his position as Senior Manager Business Development and that Arvin Ragoonath had been assigned to head the Facilities Management.

Contacted for comment on the latest development dismissed employees told the T&T Guardian they were not “surprised because things have not been right at SporTT for some time now. They said they were still seeking legal advice on their dismissals.

In an unprecedented move yesterday, the Banking, Insurance and General Workers Union (BIGWU) staged a noisy protest against Public Services Association (PSA) president Watson Duke for ill-treating 18 of his workers.

Leading the protest outside the PSA’s Port-of-Spain headquarters was Kestor Duncan, president of PSA staff, who claimed for eight years Duke has been ignoring the plight of his staff, which ranged from health and safety concerns, non- functioning toilets, electrical issues and uncertainty of being paid a pension upon retirement.

The employees, who are BIGWU members, work at two of PSA’s buildings on Abercromby Street.

Asked if BIGWU president Vincent Cabrera gave clearance for the protest, Duncan said: “I wouldn’t say he sanctioned the protest, you know, the staff just decided at our last branch meeting that enough was enough. Duke needs to stop the victimisation and sit down with the affected staff and let us arbitrate.”

Duncan said this was the first time a union had protested against another.

“I would say this is historical,” he said.

Duncan said while people would say BIGWU’s protest was political and to make Duke look bad on the eve of PSA’s November 29 election, this was not the case.

“This has nothing to do with politics. What we want is for him to relate to the staff.”

He said many times BIGWU and the workers had tried to meet with Duke but were unsuccessful, which was unacceptable.

“You are fighting for public officers on the outside but you not seeing about your staff at home. I think he is dodging his responsibilities.” Duncan also described Duke as a “bad boss.” If Duke continues to refuse to meet, Duncan said they will step up their action.

“Just as how he would tell the Government that he would keep marching until they hear him, we are going to do the same thing until good sense prevails,” Duncan said.

Several calls to Duke’s cellphone went answered yesterday. (SH)

and CAMILLE CLARKE

At least 40 per cent of Customs and Excise Division (CED) workers heeded the call by Public Services Association president Watson Duke to stay away from work yesterday, the first day of his call to take a two-day holiday. This, however, did not affect operations at CED, as there were minimal disruptions.

But workers at the Board of Inland Revenue did not follow the call.

Duke had called on his members at the BIR and CED to stay away from work yesterday and today in protest of Government’s intention to replace both organisations with the T&T Revenue Authority.

A high level Customs and Excise Division gave the T&T Guardian a breakdown of their operations yesterday, admitting that some of its stations were affected but not to any great extent.

CED workers operate at the ports in Port-of-Spain, Point Lisas and Scarborough, while they clear passengers’ luggage at the Piarco International and ANR Robinson Airports.

“We were able to prosecute business at most of our stations. There might have been one or two stations where the fall-out might have affected us,” the official said.

The official described the first day of rest as “a scratch rather than a bullet wound. To me, it was a fizzle. It did not have the impact Mr Duke wanted. Our organisation was in no way crippled.”

In some departments, the official said they had a full turn out of staff. Where some workers did not report for duty, the official said CED had to redeploy a few of its staff members, while some managers filled in.

Asked what percentage of CED officers reported for work, the official placed the figure at 60 per cent. There are approximately 2,175 workers from the two divisions, the official said.

As for today, the official said measures will be put in place to ensure operations run smoothly.

“We will be instituting measures to mitigate whatever comes our way,” the official said.

Contacted on the response to the first day yesterday, Duke said “I am neither pleased nor displeased.”

Pressed further, he added that the Finance Ministry would be the “best one to answer that,” adding that he was in his office “praying all day” yesterday.

On whether he believed the response would be better today, he said, “Well they have been given two days tax holidays...why not use it.”

On the next step, Duke said it would be the expected meeting with Finance Minister Colm Imbert on Monday.

Scattered turnout

Checks at the Piarco Airport, Port of Port-of-Spain and the Board of Inland Revenue Division (IRD) in Port-of-Spain during the course of yesterday, revealed the majority of workers reported for duty.

But in some departments, several Customs and Excise officers failed show up for work.

Checks at the BIR office at Queen Janelle Commissiong Street showed there was no high level of absenteeism, as almost all employees reported for work.

One senior clerk said employees were “mindful” of their actions, especially given the tough economic times coupled with the fact that there was an increase in job losses.

“Almost everybody came to work...just one or two did not show. We were serving customers from the time we opened and this would be same tomorrow (today). I don’t think employees are heeding the call to stay home seriously,” she said.

The situation was similar at the Inland Revenue Division (IRD) at Trinidad House, St Vincent Street.

“I don’t think anybody took that call seriously. We have a lot of work to do so it made no sense to stay home,” one employee said.

Another worker said many employees could not afford to take days off as they had already used up all their sick and casual days.

Those who did not turn up for duty were mostly officers from the Customs and Excise Division based in Port-of-Spain. There was also a small staff turnout at the Customs and Excise Container Examination Section, but one officer said those who reported for work doubled up on duties resulting in a minimal negative effect on customers. A few Customs officers also failed to report for duty at Piarco Airport yesterday.

One passenger who exited the Customs Department at the Piarco International Airport yesterday said she encountered no problems.

“I was set for them because I heard it on the news. But I didn’t have no problem,” she said.

Other passengers said they too had no issues.

Checks with employees from the Airports Authority and Service Air revealed they also had no complaints, as they said there was a full compliment of staff with the exception of one worker who called in sick.

Efforts to contact officials at the Ministry of Finance and the Comptroller of Customs were unsuccessful.

More than 300 people are expected to attend a two-part seminar to raise awareness of domestic abuse in T&T and provide information to resources and solutions available to victims.

The event takes place on November 19 at the studio of the Xtreme Dance Academy (XDA) Long Circular Road, St James from 3 pm to 7 pm. Organiser of the event titled Know Your Options, Domestic Abuse Awareness, Sreshtha Tewari Maraj, a licensed Zumba instructor, said the drive to spread awareness on domestic violence was an initiative on her part after two friends of her own personal friends were murdered in domestic violence situations.

She said at present, one of her good friends is also a victim of domestic abuse. She said clinical psychologist Dr Denise Jittan Johnson and a leading attorney, who works with battered women, have both agreed to be panellists for the seminar.

The lawyer, Tewari Maraj said, asked not to be named publicly, at least for now. Tewari Maraj said in addition to raising awareness she intends also to raise funds for those affected by domestic violence.

Saying that she wanted to help victims of abuse, she said this has been her first public attempt to reach out to victims.

Tewari Maraj said the objective of the event is also focused on providing information about the resources and solutions available to victims. In addition to raising awareness.

She said part one of the seminar which starts at 3 pm to 4.15 pm is geared towards raising awareness and sharing information on what options are available to those affected.

In part two a Zumba fundraising and fitness party will be held between 4.30pm to 7 pm to raise funds for persons affected by domestic abuse.

She said proceeds from the event will go to Goshen House, a home for battered women. Tewarie Maraj said she will rely on her Zumba network to have multiple instructors volunteer their time.

Cost to attend the two sessions is $TT100. She said a website has been created to allow for registration of attendees.

The website is https://knowyouroptionstt.wixsite.com/domesticabuse101.

A total of 1700 students graduated between Wednesday and yesterday at the UTT’s O’Meara Campus in Arima.

Speaking at graduation ceremony on Wednesday, chairman of the Board of Governors of UTT Professor Kenneth Julien said T&T was in the midst of serious economic and social challenges and it was only with hard work, determination, a sense of community and national pride that the issues could be addressed.

Julien told the graduates that they were now in a better position to contribute to their family, community and country.

“In 2003, government took the important step of initiating the planning for a national university, the goal was to provide nationals with alternative opportunities for achieving quality tertiary level education in areas which would support national development,” he said.

President Anthony Carmona, Chancellor of the University, told the graduates that they must become more forceful advocates for just and worthy-causes.

“Even for those causes, which may be unpopular. Yours must be one that supports and defends the weak, the marginalized, the voiceless. Persons with disabilities and Mother Earth,” he said.

The honorees were:

Meiling Esau- Honorary Distinguished Fellow in Fine Arts

Michael Aboud, an Honorary Doctor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Chief Ricardo Bharath Hernandez- Honorary Distinguished Fellow

Frank Look Kin - Honorary Doctor of Energy

Aldwyn Lequay - Honorary Doctor of Energy

Aldwyn Roberts ‘Lord Kitchener’ - Honorary Doctor of Arts (Posthumous)

Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar didn’t use UNC’s Monday Night Forum to campaign for the leadership since her own campaign was to be launched last night (Thur) in Princes Town, UNC chairman David Lee has said.

UNC leadership contender Vasant Bharath recently wrote her, accusing her of using the forum to campaign.

She didn’t reply to T&T Guardian calls yesterday. But Lee pointed out that she had merely replied at the forum to criticisms of her made by Bharath. Lee said her campaign meetings will continue in Tunapuna tomorrow (Saturday) and next week. Lee also said UNC MP Christine Newallo-Hosein’s bid to contest the leadership meant “democracy is alive and well in UNC.”

Yesterday, Bharath was non -committal on the fact that he’d have competition for the leadership post from Newallo-Hosein. In the 2015 leadership contest Persad-Bissessar, with 18,000 votes, sailed past contender Roodal Moonilal— who got 1,800—- and Bharath who came last with 1,500 votes. Asked if he felt the same thing might recur in another three-way race, Bharath said, “It is what it is. I’m happy for Christine since she knows she needs to make a difference.”

“This augers well for democracy in the party. More people who are unhappy in the party should get involved in running it. It doesn’t bother me that I might lose, it shows the level of dissatisfaction in the UNC that’s causing people to have a voice,” he said.

Asked if he might decide to contest the chairmanship instead of the leadership, Bharath said he had no intention of contesting any other post but the political leadership. Nomination papers will be filed next week. Bharath yesterday wrote Persad-Bissessar challenging her to a televised debate.

“At your earliest convenience, to be televised, ‘manos y manos’ to discuss important matters.”

These included plans for rebuilding the UNC and regaining public trust, lessons learnt following “five successive national defeats and converting that knowledge into victory at the next election, “engaging other political participants outside of UNC’s base and plans for restructuring the T&T economy,

Bharath added, “In the event your schedule doesn’t permit televised debate, I’d be happy to examine these critical issues, with equal time afforded us both, at your next Monday Night Forum carded to be held at St Helena Hindu Primary School on Monday 13.”

On the invitation, Lee responded, “But didn’t he just complain Mrs Persad- Bissessar was using the forum to campaign, so why does he want to use it that way?”

More than a year after he was charged with raping a 12-year-old relative, a Penal man was freed by a Siparia Magistrate.

The 46-year-old man walked out of the Siparia Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday smiling after his alleged victim told the court her maternal grandmother had fabricated the allegations.

Two charges were laid against the accused on March 24, 2016, by WPC Darlene Renn-Lashley of the Child Protection Unit. It was alleged that between December 31, 2013, and January 1, 2015, at Platanite Trace, Clarke Road, Penal, the man committed an act of serious indecency and between July 31 and September 1, 2015, he committed sexual penetration on the girl.

The accused was represented by attorney Kevin Ratiram in the matter which was before Magistrate Margaret Alert in the First Court.

Four prosecution witnesses testified at the preliminary inquiry, including the child’s maternal grandmother and a family friend.

Although statements were filed on behalf of the other witnesses, the prosecution opted for oral evidence from the girl, aged 13.

“My grandmother brought me to the station and told the officer they have a report to make,” said the teen, who recalled that while she was giving the police a statement, her grandmother kept, “butting in and added stuff.”

“The allegation against my uncle that he rape me was not true. I tried to tell the police but they did not listen,”she said.

Under cross-examination by Ratiram, the girl admitted to knowing what sex was. She said at no time did she ever tell anyone that the man had done anything sexual to her. Under further cross examination, she said after he was charged, she told a number of people he had not done anything to her.

On October 19, the prosecution closed its case. Ratiram made a no-case submission that there was no evidence that his client had committed the acts for which he was charged.

Corporate secretary of Fishermen and Friends of the Sea Gary Aboud is questioning the feasibility of a port in Toco given the tough economic times facing the country. He said docking vessels in the treacherous waters of the Atlantic Ocean might pose a hazard for fishermen.

“How feasible and safe will this be for approaching and docking vessels? How much and what will be the dredging costs and what will be the marine/fishery ecosystem impact?” he asked.

He also wondered what kind of emergency response there could be in the event of an oil spill or a collision in such a remote rural location. Aboud said it took 48 hours to get any emergency response in the recent Chaguaramas National Park oil spill.

“Do we have the existing need for a fourth major port? Can the economics of such a proposed port be justified by the simple movement of local inter-island goods and services from Trinidad to Tobago that would duplicate the infrastructure and operating costs of an already fully functional Port in Port-of-Spain?” he asked.

Aboud said it might be better to consider expanding the Point Lisas and Libidco facilities and to “democratically transform the Port-of-Spain Port.”

“Based on collapsed energy revenue streams, national economic failures, alleged nepotism in awarding contracts and often poorly conceived, unnecessary or duplicated infrastructural needs,” he said as he appealed to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley to take “a long, hard, wise and measured look” at the project.

“The challenge to build a port in Toco will be immense considering the heavy seasonal wave action in the Caribbean Sea and the open often treacherous Atlantic Ocean,” he said.

With regard to the proposed Toco highway, Aboud noted with concern the contribution of Works Minister Rohan Sinanan during the recent budget debate.

“The Hansard record shows that minister indicated that a first class road to Toco will become a reality. As has been reported, FFOS recently challenged the Environmental Management Authority’s (EMA) granting of the Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) for the first phase (Cumuto to Sangre Grande) of the said proposed road to Toco.

“The question that comes to mind, is whether the minister by stating the road will become a reality is predicting the judicial outcome or has some prior knowledge of the judicial outcome?”

Aboud added: “The FFOS has made no judicial objection to the very conception of the proposed highway but is merely questioning the process employed by the EMA to grant this CEC. We are concerned with adherence to the rule of law and we hope that our judicial challenge is not perceived as an attack on the developmental aspirations of the citizens of Toco.”

Four years after the death of a two-year-old girl, police have moved to charge a suspect, who is already behind bars charged with the murder of the toddler’s mother.

The suspect, Adrian Noel, will appear in court on Monday charged with the murder of two-year-old Kimora Roopnarine.

Roopnarine was beaten to death in September 2013 and according to an autopsy report she died from blunt force trauma. Two of her ribs had been broken in the assault.

According to the child’s grandmother Erica Thomas, on September 16, 2013, the child was picked up from pre-school by her step-father, who took her to the Chaguanas District Health Facility, and reported that she was having difficulty breathing.

The child was pronounced dead on arrival.

Roopnarine’s step-father is currently charged with murdering her mother Patricia Fletcher-Thomas on May 16, 2016.

Fletcher-Thomas was chopped to death at her Enterprise Street, Longdenville home.

According to police, Constable Lewis of the Homicide Division’s Cold Case Unit pursued the investigation and laid the fresh murder charge against the suspect.

Three men, including a 77-year-old taxi driver, appeared in court yesterday on sexually-related offences.

In the first incident Sea Lots resident Neville Richards, a taxi driver, was committed to stand trial by Magistrate Adia Mohammed, for alleged sexual offences against two sisters ages six and seven.

The alleged offences took place between June 1, to June 30, 2016. Richards was granted $150,000 bail pending his trial in the High Court hearing. He was accused of committing the offences against the children who he was hired to drop and pick up from school. The case against the pensioner began in July last year.

In another court matter before Mohammed, 34-year-old Mikey Alexander was committed to stand trial for having sexual intercourse with a minor.

Alexander, of Fondes Amandes Road, St Anns, was denied bail and advised to apply to a High Court judge for bail. Alexander is alleged to have committed the acts against a 13-year-old girl sometime between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2015.

In the third court matter, Dowlin Roper was granted $250,000 bail when he appeared before Mohammed charged with rape and grievous sexual assault against a 22-year-old Petit Valley woman.

According to police, Roper allegedly committed the acts on September 8 at Farm Road, St Joseph and at Maraval.

The victim reported the matter to police on September 21.

The 44-year-old contractor from Cameron Hill, Maraval, was also charged with abduction with intent and choking the victim. The matter was adjourned to December 8.

Roper was ordered by Mohammed to stay 500 feet away from the victim and not have any communication with her whatsoever. He was also ordered to report to the Maraval Police Station every Monday between 6 am to 6 pm.

Three held

for gang rape

Three men from Central Trinidad will be placed on identification parades this weekend in connection with an incident where a 26-year-old woman was gang-raped by six men.

Police said the men, ages 18, 20 and 22 were held by WPC Singh of the Chaguanas Police Station on Thursday. Three other suspects are being sought.

The men are alleged to have taken turns raping the woman between 10 pm between October 28 and October 29 at Cunupia. The men also committed acts of grievous sexual assault on the woman.

The woman was taken to the house by another woman she had previously met.