Imbert: Helicopter sent to Antigua and Barbuda was on ‘private mission’

Acting Prime Minister Colm Imbert yesterday said the National Helicopter Services Limited (NHSL) helicopter which was sent to assist in relief efforts in Antigua and Barbuda in the aftermath of the passage of Hurricane Irma, was on “a private mission”. Responding to questions from Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal in the House of Representatives, Imbert reminded him that NHSCL is a state enterprise, “which has private and public customers.”

He said NHSCL was working for a regional telecommunications company that was in Dominica and happened to have one of its helicopters on site. Imbert said the helicopter was supposed to return to TT but was diverted to Antigua and Barbuda instead. He said Barbuda was devastated by Irma and has now been evacuated for a week due to the imminent arrival of Hurricane Jose.

Imbert disclosed there have been preliminary talks with the Antigua and Barbuda government about TT assisting in rebuilding structures on Barbuda. He said no decision has been taken as yet and the situation is being monitored with Jose expected to hit the island today. Before the sitting, Imbert held a news conference to outline Government’s plans to help TT nationals who have been stranded in different parts of the region by Irma and other storm systems.

Woman sues former boyfriend, presents attorney with ring, bleeding wrist

WARNING: THIS ARTICLE INCLUDES GRAPHIC IMAGES SOME READERS MAY FIND DISTURBING.

The woman who is suing her former boyfriend for breach of promise to marry her, yesterday visited her attorney in San Fernando and presented to him the engagement ring she bought him, an engagement invitation card and photos of her slashed wrist.

The items and the bloody photo are to be exhibited in a lawsuit San Fernando attorney Stephen Boodram intends to file next week, against a Penal man for the breach and for damages for breaking off their planned engagement which had been fixed for April 29. The case against Nicholas Taransingh of Penal, calling on him to pay damages for breach of promise to marry, shot into the limelight on Thursday when attorney Boodram decided to challenge the boyfriend’s failing to show up for the engagement which resulted in the family having to turn away 200 invited guests.

The threat to file the novel lawsuit for breach of promise to marry, the last of which was adjudicated upon in the High Court in 1978 in which retired judge Monica Barnes delivered a ruling, has evoked an outpouring of support for the former would-be bride on social media. Upon publication of the story on Thursday, Facebook was rife with comments in which the story received 284 likes from people as far away as France; 358 comments and it was shared 480 times by people from various parts of the Caribbean. Yesterday, Boodram confirmed that he received from the woman, who also consented to speak with Newsday, but anonymously, photos of the injury she inflicted on herself on the night of the engagement. She also presented to him the ring and a receipt for $5,000, as well as the engagement card which listed the names of 200 guests to witness the April 29 engagement.

Slashed wrist of woman who is suing her former boyfriend for breaking off their marriage

Who killed Sweetbread?

WARNING: THIS ARTICLE INCLUDES GRAPHIC IMAGES SOME READERS MAY FIND DISTURBING. 

Father of two, Ryan “Sweetbread” Alexander, 27, left his home at La Brea on Thursday night to “go and catch crabs.” But a few hours later, early yesterday, his common-law wife Shanilee Khan, 31, received the devastating news that police found his body in a car with gunshot wounds to the head.

Reports state that South Western Division police received information at about 12.30 am yesterday and went to Union Village, La Brea, where they saw a B15 car parked at the roadside near Labidco Estate.

Slumped in the front passenger’s seat was Alexander with gunshot wounds.

Alexander lived at Union Road, La Brea, with Khan and their two children ages three and two-years-old. He had multiple nicknames among them “Mac Mac,” “Salty” and “Kay Kay.”

With tears yesterday, Khan recalled that shortly before 10 pm on Thursday, he told her he was going to “catch crabs” at Sobo Village in La Brea with his god-mother.

But at about 3 am yesterday, police visited her home and delivered the news of his death.

“He put on his clothes, packed food in his bag and said he was going to hold crabs. I believed that,” Khan said. “I did not watch to see where he was going.

“Ryan never catch crabs before, it was his first time. But now it seems like he never made it. He hustled for a living and took care of us.”

Khan said Alexander did not own a vehicle although he knew how to drive.

“I did not go on the scene so I don’t know whose car it is or what he was doing there,” Khan said. “I am not fighting anything because someone might get hurt and I don’t want that. “I don’t know who killed him but God will give justice.”

Unidentified man shot on Duncan Street

Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying the body of a man who was found shot to death on Duncan Street, Port of Spain yesterday.

Police said they received a report of gunshots a stone’s throw away from the Duncan Street Police Post.

When they checked they found a man of African descent, lying in a pool of blood near a pan yard.

First responders cordoned off the area, and Crime Scene Investigators processed the scene.

The body was then removed to the Forensic Science Centre in St James.

Pathologists would have to wait until the body is identified before any post-mortem examination could be performed.

The murder toll for the year now stands at 339 for the year.

US Air Marshalls will now be onboard US-TT flights

United States (US) Air Marshalls will now be onboard “selected flights” between Trinidad and Tobago (TT) and the US.

This was announced today by the US Embassy in Port-of-Spain, which said the agreement to do so is “in line with (both countries’) deep and expanding program of security and law enforcement cooperation.”

The agreement provides for the continued security presence of In-Flight Security Officers (IFSOs); more commonly known as Air Marshals in the US, between the TT and the US.

Air Marshals are security officers deployed on aircraft for the purpose of carrying out duties pursuant to aviation security.

The US Embassy said, “The renewed commitment will ensure that the US and TT continue to be on the forefront of the latest methodologies and security concepts. More importantly, this agreement allows the US and TT to continue to be part of an evolving joint global strategy to thwart terrorism in the civil aviation community now and into the future.”

“IFSO programs throughout the globe continue to be developed,” the Embassy added, “providing a risk-based inflight line of defense for terrorist attacks against civil aviation.”

The US Embassy thanked the TT Government for its support and cooperation and specifically thanked the Acting Comptroller of Customs, Glenn Singh, “for his commitment to ensuring the Federal Air Marshall program is and remains a success.”

Tobago Cycling Classic celebrates 31 years

The best of International cycling rides off in the “Capital of Paradise” as Tobago will set the perfect stage for the highly anticipated Tobago International Cycling Classic 2017.

Over 300 cyclists from Europe, North America, South America and all of the Caribbean will converge on this island paradise for five days of the Caribbean’s biggest sporting exhibition of endurance, skill and speed.

Riders will be tested to their limits as they confront the sweltering tropical conditions and brutal terrain when they circumnavigate the island’s spectacular coastline in the feature event, the UCI Accredited Tour of Tobago. This road cycling event is sometimes referred to in international cycling circles as “The Tour de France of the Caribbean.”

It is also the only such event in the region that has the full backing of the Geneva-based UCI – the world governing body for cycling.

The Cycling Classic will also feature two days of exciting Mountain Bike Racing through the picturesque trails of Tobago’s pristine rain forest reserve

The TICC will celebrate its 31st anniversary in 2017 which is a significant milestone, validating the prominence and the sustainability of this event. On this occasion, the TICC organizers will be looking to stage an event that will be unsurpassed in terms of competition, participation and viewership. The prime objective is to promote and boost sport and sport tourism activities in Tobago featuring this World Ranked-cycling event with daily video recaps on social media and live stream broadcast to an extensive worldwide audience.

“When any organization partners with the TICC, it is committing itself to delivering realistic relevance and value to the millions of followers who see the TICC as synonymous with any top rated international sporting event. Through media activations, product integration and social media, the TICC has the tools to engage a captive audience and highlight what sets Tobago apart from other Caribbean tourism destinations,” a press release yesterday stated.

It continued, “Despite the challenges being faced in terms of reduced sponsorship in 2017, infrastructure and the high travel cost for international teams and their support groups coming to the event, the TICC continues to deliver in its ability to outpace and outperform other local and Caribbean sporting events on the international forum.”

What makes this event so popular among the foreign and local participants is not so much the fact that it is the only race in the region from which they can accrue UCI points to improve their world ranking but more-so of the festive-like atmosphere that surrounds the entire week-long event. The TICC provides a unique forum where there is an atmosphere of friendly rivalry, sportsmanship and social bonding among competitors, support groups, media, sponsors and the locals.

“The Classic Rum Punch Beach Picnic is a highlight of the week’s activities, with a variety of exciting water sports and entertainment provided by the sweet sounds of the steel band and special appearances by local artiste and entertainers.”

The Event’s 5-day calendar of activities will consist of races that catered to pro and elite cyclists and also casual and rookie bikers, both on and off road. Spectatorship and interest in the event continues to grow with the international circuit races around Plymouth Village and Scarborough appealing to larger groups of supporters.

T&T Maestros U-13s sweep Vincy tourney

T&T Maestros Football Institute U-13 team made a clean sweep in their first ever appearance at the Annual Hamilton Lashley Caribbean Children’s Charity Shield Football Classic held in St. Vincent from August 13-21.

The U-13 boys won the tournament trophy, and copped the awards for Most Goals (Denelson Kennedy, with 12 goals), Best Midfielder and Tournament MVP (Abdul-Quddos Hypolite).

This victory came just a month after securing the 2017 Republic Cup U-13 National Championship in Trinidad and Tobago hosted by Republic Bank Limited.

The T&T Maestros Football Institute, which hails from San Juan/Laventille, has been a quiet storm of talent brewing over the past year. The team also participated in their first ever Flow Youth Pro League Tournament under the banner of Central FC and placed fifth out of 10 teams.

The club places a heavy emphasis on its values of Discipline, Industry, Skill, Athleticism and Intellect and coach Sheldon De Freitas views the Institute as an opportunity to not only teach the youths about football, but mould them with values that can serve them in their communities.

He believes that this can go a long way to reverse the stigma attached to youth that come from certain communities in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Institute is open to all age groups and trains at the Angostura Grounds on Trinity Avenue off the Eastern Main Road.

For further information about T&T Maestros Football Institute, email trinidadmaestros@gmail.com or call 495-9044 or 682-4201.

Scotiabank and RBC donate money to Hurricane Irma relief

Scotiabank and RBC have donated money to Hurricane Irma relief efforts following the devastation caused in places such as Barbuda, St Maarten/St Martin and the British Virgin Islands (BVI).

In a statement issued today by its head office in Toronto, Canada, Scotiabank expressed solidarity with all of its customers, employees and communities who have been affected by Irma and said it had donated US $500,000 to organisations supporting the relief efforts in the region.

Describing the devastation caused by Irma as “heartbreaking”, President and CEO of Scotiabank, Brian Porter, said “Scotiabank has been part of the affected communities for decades. We are committed to the region, and will support our customers and employees during these challenging times.”

The Canadian Red Cross will receive US $250,000 of Scotiabank’s donation, with the remainder being directed to initiatives supporting young people in the affected communities.

“Red Cross Societies are already active, mobilising volunteers to the possible affected areas and relaying public awareness messages. Relief supplies are on standby in Panama and the Dominican Republic to ensure an immediate response. The Canadian Red Cross has a presence in the area and is coordinating with the International Federation of the Red Cross and supporting the mobilisation of regional Red Cross teams…To make a donation to the Hurricane Irma relief fund, please visit the Canadian Red Cross website.,” Scotiabank stated.

Noting that the damage associated with Hurricane Irma has resulted in a number of fatalities and caused damage to infrastructure, cutting communities off from water and electricity, the bank said its immediate focus is on ensuring the safety of its employees. We are continuing to assess the impact on our business operations.”

While details are still coming in, you get a good idea of the rebuilding effort that residents and businesses such as Scotiabank face in the BVI.

In a video posted to the Facebook public group, “BVI Abroad – Hurricane Irma” by Ronald Evans on September 6, you can see an entire wall of glass missing from a section of the Scotiabank branch in Road Town, Tortola, BVI. That same branch also had holes in its outer walls and parts of the Scotiabank logo were missing. (SEE PHOTOS)

Customers who have banking questions or who require support, “can find the appropriate contact information” by searching “More Scotiabank Sites” on www.scotiabank.com

“Our thoughts continue to be with the people of the affected regions as they demonstrate strength and resilience following the devastation,” Scotiabank shared.

Fellow Canadian bank, RBC Royal Bank, has made “an initial commitment of US $40,000 to Red Cross agencies in St Maarten and Antigua/Barbuda to assist with relief efforts in these countries in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.”

CEO of RBC, Caribbean Banking, Rob Johnston, said today that “the first images coming out of these islands show the extent to which Irma destroyed the homes of our employees, residents and their communities. We are committed to supporting recovery efforts and are proud to partner with the Red Cross to support the great work of first responders.”

RBC’s Caribbean Incident Management Team was activated at the early warning stage of Irma’s trajectory and has been in constant communication with national agencies in the region ever since to ensure our precautionary and relief efforts are coordinated, efficient and effective.

“As the situation continues to evolve, we will assess the hurricane’s impact on our clients, employees and communities and will mobilise additional relief efforts accordingly,” RBC stated.

Johnston said employees “are also stepping up to support relief efforts and we honour their commitment,” as they are making donations to support relief efforts directly and through RBC’s global donations programme.

RBC assured that it “will work with national agencies, industry and government to ensure the safety of our employees and support the recovery and rebuilding efforts for our clients and communities.”

Meanwhile, the ANSA McAL Group of Companies (ANSA McAL); in a memo to staff, noted that not even as some islands begin post-Irma clean up, they are bracing for possible impact from Hurricane Jose.

As such, through its subsidiary; Guardian Media Limited (GML), the conglomerate is “partnering” with the American Chamber of Commerce the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) “to provide immediate assistance to those affected by Hurricane Irma and perhaps Jose.”

PADF is dedicated to serving vulnerable people in Latin America and the Caribbean through sustainable community development. PADF’s programs have generated thousands of jobs, saved lives and property, protected vital natural resources, upgraded skills training and medical services, and improved conditions for thousands of disadvantaged Latin American and the Caribbean people.

“PADF has created a special portal for our ANSA McAL Family to make financial donations for relief for Hurricane Irma; www.padf.org/irmaamchamtt. Please visit this website and make a donation if you can.”

“Logistics present a nightmare at this time, as most of the infrastructure in some of the Leeward Islands were completely destroyed. We will continue to keep you posted with what our Group is doing to assist our Caribbean family. Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns,” ANSA McAL informed employees.

Pollard wrong

THE EDITOR: WKS Hosein is entitled to his opinion (“Pollard did nothing wrong,” Newsday, September 6), like I am entitled to mine but saying Kieron Pollard did no wrong is reasoning I cannot understand.

Hosein points to the use of strategy in cricket, which would mean doings things in a way to help achieve victory. There was no way the Barbados Tridents could have won that match, so where did strategy enter into it?

True, in Test cricket captains “close their fields” to try to prevent a batsman, through a form of psychology, from scoring a century-making run. We are dealing here with a T20 match.

Why are people making excuses for Pollard? He was wrong. And he knew it. What could the Tridents have gained from what Pollard did? What could cricket gain from what Pollard did with one run needed for victory at the start of the eighth over? His team could not win.

Hosein wrote that the Patriots had nothing to lose. So even if the Tridents had won that match it would still have ended the preliminary round second to last and with no hope of going into the next phase.

Whatever happened to sportsmanship? Cricket is supposed to be a gentleman’s game. Pollard was not sportsmanlike and definitely not gentlemanly.

As an aside, did anybody else notice that the only team with no players born in TT is the one that ended at the bottom of the table? Coincidence? I think not.

GLEN

PROVIDENCE

via email

Shift emphasis to more relevant Republic Day

THE EDITOR: I am of the view that if it is the intention of the authorities to add some “fire” to the Republic Day activities by simply transferring the national awards ceremony to September 24, this would be an abject failure in terms of realism.

Indeed, I have always felt that, given that TT did not “fight” for its independence, it would be more fitting and certainly more realistic to abolish independence activities and shift the emphasis decisively to Republic Day. In this regard, I am aware this suggestion would not now find favour with most Trinidadians, given our disposition, in the mole of Oliver Twist, for more and more holidays. However, let me explain.

While countless Trinidadians (even including this writer), were supportive of and, to some extent in their own way, had participated, especially in London, in activities of the Anti- Colonial Movement of the 1950s, TT, as a country, was not in the forefront of these activities. Indeed, one would be aware that it was not until the advent of Dr Eric Williams and the PNM in 1956 that any meaningful “move” towards independence for this country was taken.

However, prior to this, countries of the former British Empire, especially in West and East Africa, as well as colonies of the former Dutch Empire of the East Indies, had, as it were, already “set the tone” for, and had achieved, their independence.

It was thus that TT, like our British Caribbean sisters, was subsequently able to “piggy back” on a situation which saw the British, in their own British interest, imposing “limited” independence. Of course, this British interest was to be eventually “rounded off” with the skillful formation of the (British) Commonwealth.

On the other hand, the foregoing is but one side of the picture as, to our indubitable credit, TT, unlike our sister States of the former British Caribbean (most of which have not even at this time done so) was to take the more meaningful step towards “genuine” independence by transforming itself into the Republic of TT by figuratively cutting the British monarchical “embryological chord.”

Herein, in my view, lies the indubitable argument for transferring the now-heralded independence activities to a more meaningful and forward-looking Republic Day celebration.

ERROL OC CUPID

Trincity

Shiva Boys edge Naps in SSFL opener

The Premier Division of the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) kicked off yesterday with two exciting matches at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.

The first match of the double header started at 3 pm where reigning central champions Carapichaima East Secondary School edged Fatima 2-0 on a soggy field. Defending Champions, Shiva Boys College battled south rivals Naparima College (Naps) in the second game of the evening and eked out three points in a battling affair which ended 2-1 in their favour.

Naps started on the front foot, pressuring the former champions from the opening whistle. Midfielder Jeron Pantor rocked the crossbar for Naps as he latched onto a bouncing loose ball at the edge of the area in the sixth minute and fired a cannon but saw his shot rebound back into play with the ‘keeper beaten. However, against the run of play, it was the defending champions who found the back of the net in the 14th minute after Junior Asson smashed home in the six yard box from a low corner delivered by Ronaldo Edwards.

Both teams tried to control the middle of the park as they battled endlessly for possession. Pantor should have equalised in the 28th minute when he got a golden opportunity after Shadeon Arthur’s cross eluded the entire defence, however, he tried to lay off the ball for his teammate but miscued his pass. On the resulting counterattack Shiva’s captain, Judah Garcia, unleashed a powerful shot but it was marvellously defended by his opposite, Rondell Payne, as he dived in front of the bullet for his goalkeeper. Halftime saw Shiva Boys leading 1-0 at the break.

After the interval, Naps were awarded a free-kick in the 72nd minute just outside the box and Kodel Frontin made no mistake with a curling effort tipped in by the diving Shiva goalie. Naps gained momentum and were looking for the winner, however, it was a similar tale from the first half as Shiva snatched a goal on a counter attack in the 77th. Shiva’s Tyrel Emmanuel got past defender Rushawn Murphy and slipped the ball into the path of Jude Phillip who made no mistake from the six yard box with the winner.

In the earlier game, it was the central hosts, Caps, who emerged victorious over Fatima 2-0.

Caps’ first goal came in the 28th minute after their no. 9, Kevon Williams, burst down the left wing then cut inside on his right and slotted the ball past the ‘keeper on the far post. Fatima had chances to level the scores before the half when their captain, Stephon Marcano, whipped a ball across the face of the goal in the 35th minute but the ball just strolled past everyone in the six yard box. Two minutes later Marcano created another opportunity, this time for himself, when he travelled with the ball into Caps’ box but his shot went just wide of the post. Caps went into the tunnel leading 1-0 at the half.

Caps doubled their lead in the 74th minute when Elijah King got on the end of a cross whipped in by Theophilus Bourne, from the left. There was no further change to the scoreline as the central hosts held on for the win.

Speaking to Newsday after the victory, King said, “It feels really great to get on the score-sheet as my grandmother and family was in the stands supporting. It was really important to win the game and get a solid start to the season. Everyone on the team is like brothers and even though the field was heavy, everyone played their part as we are looking to carry this momentum onto the next match and hopefully win the division. We can only keep getting better moving forward.”

Petrotrin chief talks environmental responsibility

Petrotrin’s President Fitzroy Harewoood has declined comment on whether the company’s executive management had met with the newly appointed board of directors. Harewood was questioned by reporters at the consultation on the National Protected Area System Plan at Petrotrin’s Pointe-a-Pierre Staff club yesterday. The consultation was themed- “Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago.” He also declined to say whether the company had suggested an oil price to peg the 2018 budget before noting that the company had provided proposals to the Ministry of Finance in previous budgets.

Addressing the consultation, Harewood acknowledged the company’s responsibility towards environmental responsibility while conducting exploration activities for crude oil.

“As an organisation involved in the business of drilling for and producing oil and gas, there is an inevitable and immediate impact to the environment,” Harewood said, adding, “If we are to reflect on our history in this industry, much of it inherited, we have been in this business for more than one hundred years and there have been instances in the past where energy operators have worked at cross-purposes with nature with an unfortunate impact.”

“We at Petrotrin recognise, however, that to remain sustainable, we must be able to strike a balance between the pursuit of our business operations and the critical requirement of preserving our environment,” he said. Petrotrin has experinced several oil spills over the past few years.

He observed that Petrotrin is the largest landowner after the State saying several of the company’s pipelines and installations passed through or alongside protected areas and reserves.

He said some of the commonly known protected areas on land include Forest Reserve, the Trinity Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in Guayaguayare, and the Morne L’Enfer area while its offshore operations were in close proximity to Soldado Rock.

Harewood said TT could be identified as one of the most biologically diverse countries in the Caribbean as there were 36 forest reserves, 13 wildlife sanctuaries, three environmentally sensitive areas and one marine protected area.

“As the largest energy operator covering a significant proportion of this nation’s acreage, we cannot dispute at Petrotrin that we are neighbours to a significant amount of this country’s protected areas and an equally significant amount of this biological diversity.

“This makes our role as custodians of the nation’s natural resources even more complicated,” he said.

“As neighbour to so many protected areas, it is not just our business to find and produce oil or oil and gas.

“It is also our business to protect and preserve our natural heritage for future generations,” he said, adding that the Pointe-a-Pierre oil refinery was also celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

Path forward for TT is not by protesting

THE EDITOR: Shut down the country. Take your money out of the bank. Withhold your labour. These are the suggestions that come up time and time again when citizens of TT feel aggrieved by action or inaction by the government of the day.

What happens after we take such drastic action? What are the changes we expect? Why are we not speaking about those changes now? It seems our people know what is wrong and who is to blame but seem reluctant to take the opportunity to determine the solutions or a path forward.

Over the last 15 years through the Democratic Party of TT (DPTT) and on my personal behalf, I have been promoting a path forward for our nation. That clearly defined path found online at www.dptt.org.tt is anchored in a belief that governance must always be about service to our citizens. Our government offices must be places of comfort and efficiency, not confusion or disenchantment.

There is little to gain from protesting if we do not know what we are protesting for. We must agree on a vision for TT. The DPTT’s vision is a good starting point for the discussion. Disagree with every aspect if necessary but for heaven’s sake let us determine where we want to be and how we plan to get there.

The DPTT’s vision calls for a decentralised structure of government where communities are empowered to manage their infrastructure and enhance government services in the community. It calls for structured police patrols and a new approach to community policing that promotes proactive policing as opposed to reactive policing from stations.

It calls for a new approach to conflict resolution that dismisses old court cases that clog up our courts, a system of plea bargaining, special courts and harsh penalties for all offences that threaten the lives of our citizens, and restructuring our prison system to be places rehabilitation.

The vision seeks to create new permanent jobs through community maintenance, the introduction of park rangers to secure State lands and promote eco-tourism and the employment of various new employees as we restore our heritage sites and buildings.

It envisages building a new network of roads, the integration of a light rail system with upgrades to our public transportation system and restructuring our tourism package in partnership with the private sector.

That new vision seeks to invest heavily in agriculture to not only be able to feed ourselves but to be the food basket of the Caribbean as we produce and manufacture food products for export.

It restructures our economy from a largely single-sector energy-based source of income to a multi-faceted approach that partners with our business community in tourism, agriculture, manufacturing and marine services, as well as new approaches to managing our energy sector.

We are in this nation together, one people, and our path forward must be clear. The emphasis must shift from major projects that benefit the few to projects that benefit a nation. The time has come for us to realise that simply flipping the proverbial coin each election is not the way.

The TT election coin has no tails, just heads. One of East Indian ancestry and the other of African ancestry. It is time to change the coin. Let us embrace the future together and start by agreeing on the path that can lead to a better TT. Only after agreeing on the path can we seek to agree on who will or can lead us there.

STEVE ALVAREZ

via email

PCA recommends criminal charges

The Police Complaints Authority (PCA) has completed its investigation into the day of “Total Policing” which took place on March 23, 2015, and has recommended that criminal charges be laid against some police officers.

In a release sent yesterday, the PCA, led by David West, said it had concluded its independent investigations into the road exercises undertaken by officers of the TT Police Service on March 23, 2015, and had made a suite of 21 recommendations.

The recommendations were sent to the DPP and the Acting Commissioner of Police and the Police Service Commission.

During the PCA investigation it recorded over one hundred and fifty statements from police officers and civilians and scrutinised hundreds of related documents.

According to the PCA release, the investigation revealed that, “There was a lack of proper supervision of junior officers by superiors which resulted in three hundred and forty-one (341) officers across Trinidad and Tobago conducting 29 roadblocks/ road exercises without the knowledge of their superior officers.”

The PCA also found that, although no direct evidence was found to indicate that senior officers were alerted to plans by the junior officers to conduct these road exercises, given the amount of planning, coordination and precise execution required for their staging, it was difficult to believe that no senior officer was, in fact, made aware of the plans.

The PCA also found that the activities of the TT Police Service Social and Welfare Association (TTPSSWA) up to and including the incident were a cause for concern. According to the PCA it found that there was evidentiary support for consideration of criminal and disciplinary action to be taken against some police officers who would have participated in the exercise.

In it’s a summary the PCA recommended:

1. The strengthening of the management/ supervisory infrastructure within the police service.

2. The restructuring of the Special Branch and the country’s intelligence gathering capabilities to be more in line with global security demands/ requirements.

3. That the relationship between the TTPSSWA and the Police Service be examined.

4. That consideration be given for the institution of criminal and / or disciplinary action against some police officers, based on their conduct in the events of and surrounding March 23, 2015.

On the day of “Total policing,” 29 roadblocks were carried out without the knowledge of the Commissioner of Police.

This prompted an investigation by the Police Service, the Joint Select Committee of Parliament and the Police Complaints Authority. Contacted yesterday, President of the Police Social and Welfare Association Acting ASP Michael Seales said the association would respond in due course but found it curious that the PCA would release such an “innuendo” without considering that members of the association would be aspiring to fill the positions of Commissioner and deputy commissioners of Police. He added that the release might be calculated to injure the chances of the candidacy of the people concerned.

Moko Jumbies hope to set new Guinness world record

Scores of spectators are expected to converge on the grounds of Skinner Park, San Fernando tomorrow when cultural activist Junior Bisnath attempts to enter into the Guinness Book of World Records for the most Moko Jumbies ever assembled in one place at the same time. The record for the most stilt walkers in one place now stands at 959 and was created in September 2011 by students in the Netherlands.

Over the last few months, Bisnath founder/leader of the San Fernando School of the Arts, Sport and Culture has been hard at work training more stilt walkers from all over the country as he goes after the world record. He is hoping to attract as many as 2,017 stilt walkers for the occasion. Many of the stilt walkers from both home and abroad who trained under him are also expected to join in. Apart from the attempting the record breaking feat, it’s Bisnath’s novel way to celebrate his 60th birthday and also his retirement from the Ministry of Works. Speaking with Newsday yesterday, Bisnath said the support for the event has been tremendous. He said: “I am really happy and thankful for everything.” At noon tomorrow, hundreds of Moko Jumbies will assemble on Harris Promenade to begin the walk to Skinner Park where the numbers will be counted, recorded and later submitted for verification. Masqueraders, calypsonians and steelbands will also join in the carnival styled event.

“We want to create history so all are invited to witness the moment” a confident Bisnath said.

Moko Jumbies will be dressed in national colors.

Munro, Bravo lift TKR into CPL final

A match-winning knock of 57 not out by opener Colin Munro on Thursday night saw Trinbago Knight Riders defeat the Guyana Amazon Warriors by six wickets to progress to today’s final of the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

In Thursday’s Second Qualifier at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Munro benefitted from two dropped chances to bat from start to finish, as the Knight Riders, replying to the Amazon Warriors’ 159 runs for six wickets in their allotted 20 overs, reached 160/4 with two overs to spare.

Today, at Tarouba, the Knight Riders will oppose St Kitts/Nevis Patriots in a rematch of the First Qualifier on Tuesday (the Patriots won that clash by 38 runs to move directly into the final).

Munro was pushed up a notch to open with fellow left-hander Sunil Narine, after the experiment with William Perkins ended after just one match.

Narine fell in the first ball of the innings, leg-before to left-arm pacer Sohail Tanvir while advancing down the wicket.

Munro then struck off-spinner Steven Jacobs for three successive fours to move to 13, but he was shockingly dropped at mid-off by Roshon Primus while attempting a fourth boundary.

A couple overs later, the Amazon Warriors captain Rayad Emrit leapt high at cover but was unable to hold on to a lofted shot from Munro (when on 18) off leg-spinner Rashid Khan.

Those missed opportunities deflated the confidence of the Amazon Warriors outfit as Munro featured in a third-wicket stand of 82 with Darren Bravo to virtually guarantee the win for hosts.

Hamza Tariq, who replaced Perkins in the Knight Riders’ XI, hung around for 10 before he edged Emrit to wicket-keeper Luke Ronchi.

Darren Bravo (43 off 27 balls with two boundaries and four sixes) feasted on the spin of Jacobs and left-armer Veerasammy Permaul before he was caught on the long-off boundary.

His brother and team captain Dwayne Bravo was stumped off a leg-side wide, before Munro (51 balls, seven fours) and Denesh Ramdin (18 off 12 balls) carried the Knight Riders to the finish line, seconds before a shower fell at the venue.

The Amazon Warriors, who were sent in to bat first, were kept in check by useful bowling by the Knight Riders.

Tanvir (eight) was leg-before sweeping at Narine and Ronchi (23) lost his leg-stump as he played all over to a slower ball from Dwayne Bravo.

Opener Chadwick Walton struck three sixes in his 31-ball 37 before he was stumped by Ramdin off Narine, while Jason Mohammed (10) slashed at one from pacer Javon Searles to Yasir Shah at extra cover.

Shah came into the Knight Riders team at the expense of fellow Pakistan leg-spinner Shadab Khan, who returned home to fulfil national commitments.

Gajanand Singh (39 off 25 balls with three sixes and one four) and Primus (35 not out off 18 balls with four fours and a six) accelerated the scoring in the latter overs, but fast bowler Ronsford Beaton, in the final over of the innings, removed Singh and fellow left-hander Assad Fudadin off successive balls.

Lessons of our First Peoples

It feels like chaos on our planet.

Undercurrents of war as relations between the United States and North Korea worsen, and as China, Russia and other nations try to make sense of an increasingly tense reality. Devastation because of hurricanes, storms, mudslides and flooding, from Sierra Leone to India to Texas, and now parts of our precious Caribbean almost entirely destroyed by Hurricane Irma.

At home, it does not even take a powerful weather system to cause our capital to flood or create instability with food supplies.

Human beings are reaping the results of their lack of respect for the planet. The year “2016 was recorded as the hottest year on Earth,” and increasing temperatures in the air and ocean are not only playing a role in the massive weather systems being experienced, but are a direct cause of higher sea levels and intensified flooding.

As one commentator put it, “Let’s not dance around the issue: Hurricane Harvey was a direct consequence of global warming, which in turn is a direct consequence of human activities.”

We talked about these matters while in rehearsal for upcoming performances of Eintou Springer’s play I Hyarima. The play is being put on as part of national commemorations of the heritage and culture of our First Peoples. Theirs is an ancient legacy, going back some 6-7,000 years.

Indigenous peoples lived in harmony with the earth, surviving on the meat and fish around them, planting crops and accessing the medicinal properties in the trees and plants. They killed to survive and used every part of the animal, so what they did not consume, was used for clothing or other aspects of home life.

Spiritually, they paid reverence to the change in seasons, cycles of the moon and sun, the animals, rivers, and forest. Their rituals and traditions reflected synergy with the earth.

Tracy Assing, a descendant of the peoples from the Santa Rosa community in Arima, has created a successful documentary about the history and heritage of her family, as a way of ensuring that they are not written out of the consciousness of the people of TT. She says, “I go to the forest and look for guidance and answers. Here I feel most connected with the universe and my family.”

But there is still a tremendous amount of work to be done to achieve her goals. Recently, I cringed to hear a well-known cultural practitioner describe Hyarima, the cacique or chief who waged war against the brutality of the Spaniards, as a guerilla. And a new social studies book for infants does not include the First Peoples.

Commenting on this grave faux pas, Collin Harris, Director of Research at the Warao Research Institute, conceded that available information was limited, staying largely within the families of the various groupings. “The Warao Research Institute was created to clean up that mess that the Spanish, French, Dutch and English made.”

In our own way, through the dance, the movement and the words in the play, we will make our contribution to the omissions of history, and to the consciousness of the people who will come to see us perform. But a more permanent solution is required. We need to integrate our indigenous peoples into our education system and daily lives, and teach citizens how to live in harmony with the earth like their ancestors before them.

Is it too late to arrest the damage we have caused? Perhaps. Earth has already heated up and sea levels continue to rise. The First Peoples have a great deal to teach us. The crucial question is, are we willing to listen.

Dara Healy is a performance artist and founder of the NGO, the Indigenous Creative Arts Network – ICAN

Garcia: Contractor stopped work on San Juan schools

The main problem with the completion of the San Juan Boys’ and Girls’ Government Primary Schools is that the contractor has discontinued work.

Education Minister, Anthony Garcia, responded to the protest on Monday, the first day of school, when over 200 students protested in front of the school gates demanding that the school be completed.At a press conference yesterday at the Education Towers in Port-of-Spain, Garcia said, “I understand the concern of the parents in that they want to ensure that the new school is built. We have some problems that we are trying to rectify. A major problem is the contractor himself has stopped work on that project.”

He stressed that while the Ministry worked to “iron out the challenges,” the students were being housed in a building in Tunapuna and were receiving an education.

With respect to reports that school guidance counsellors had not been paid in two months and were staying away from work because of years of non-payment of outstanding allowances, Garcia said the reports in the press were “totally inaccurate.”

Dr Lovell Francis, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education told members of the media that he toured schools in Tableland on Thursday and had a discussion with South Eastern guidance counsellors who were conducting a cluster meeting. “There was no indication of any kind they had ever stayed away from work or there was any kind of a boycott. That report is totally in error.”

He also denied reports of counsellors not being paid for two months but admitted that some had been paid late due to administration issues within the Ministry.

Fortune recognises CEMEX as a world changing company

CEMEX; the Mexican building materials company that is majority shareholder of Trinidad Cement Limited, has been included in the Fortune 2017 Change the World List.

This list is a ranking that highlights 50 companies worldwide that have had a positive social impact through activities that are part of their core business strategy. With its inclusion in Fortune’s 2015 list, this marks the second time that CEMEX has been recognised among the world’s top 20 companies in this ranking.

CEMEX said Fortune recognised its efforts “to foster sustainable building practices” by highlighting CEMEX’s ‘Growing’ platform, which encompasses the company’s social and inclusive businesses such as Construyo Contigo (Building Together), ConstruApoyo, Yo Construyo (I Build), and Clean Cookstoves.

“Through these diverse, innovative solutions,” CEMEX said its ‘Growing’ platform “goes beyond self-construction businesses to fight poverty, low-quality education, unhealthy homes, unemployment, lack of capabilities, poor access to financial aid, and lack of civic participation. By 2016, these platforms had provided affordable and dignified housing to over three million people in Latin America.”

CEMEX added that it is committed to continue creating shared value through social innovation, by creating and strengthening its alliances with think tanks, the private sector, universities, NGOs, and community partners.

CEMEX CEO, Fernando A. Gonzalez, said the company was “once again honoured by Fortune’s recognition of our effort and commitment to foster global, sustainable building practices. The ‘Growing’ platform has enabled us to work across our value chain with governments, micro-finance entities, low-income communities, and social entrepreneurs to build over four million square meters of liveable space.”

Fortune assembled the 2017 Change the World List with the help of the non-profit social impact consulting firm FSG and its Shared Value Initiative organization. To select the 50 companies, Fortune considered three criteria: measurable social impact, the business result in terms of profitability of the socially impactful work, and degree of innovation.

Man shot dead during attempted robbery

Relatives of an 18-year-old man shot dead by a security guard on Thursday night during an attempted robbery are looking for someone to come forward and tell them what really happened, as they are getting several stories coming out of the matter.

“We are hearing all kinds of stories,” said one relative who did not want to be named, “we don’t know what to believe”.

Police said at about 6.30pm, Tyree Charles of Demarara Road, Arima and another man attempted to rob the Play Whe outlet at the corner of Prince Street and Broadway. The security officer saw what was happening, and attemtped to stop them. Charles drew a gun and fired at the guard and when the security guard returned fire, Charles was shot several times about the body, while his accomplice escaped.

However, relatives are saying this was only one version of the story which they received.

“We are hearing that it was a security guard, then we heard it was an ex-police officer, and we are also hearing that it was some bald-headed man.” said relatives at the Forensic Science Centre yesterday, “We are hearing all kinds of things but police are not saying anything to us.”

Relatives told Newsday Charles was originally from Wallerfield but spent a lot of his time at his grandmother’s house in Malabar. The teen was the eldest of two boys and would have celebrated his 19 th birthday on September 27. Charles’ father died while he was very young, leaving his mother and his two grandmothers to take care of him. His family members told Newsday that he was a loving child, but had gotten into trouble with the police before. They added that he was a quiet individual who would keep his emotions to himself.

An autopsy confirmed Charles died from multiple gunshot wounds.