A violent war between two communities claimed the life of Chaguanas father Rodney “Darkman” Joseph, who was gunned down while on his way to work yesterday.

Luckily for Joseph’s common-law wife, Neisha Richards, the cries of her two-year-old daughter Armani might have saved her life as she ran back to her Lion Drive, Chase Village, home before the gunmen attacked. 

Joseph, 40, a security officer with Guardsman Security Serviced Ltd, was shot five times by gunmen, who relatives and neighbours said were targeting people from their area.

A report said Joseph was walking along Orange Field Road, Chase Village, around 5 am when a white vehicle pulled up and gunmen got out. With his back turned, the men opened fire on him before returning to their vehicle and driving off. 

When Richards returned to meet him, he was found dead just outside the Orange Field Road, Gospel Hall. 

Speaking at her home yesterday, Richards said she would normally walk with Joseph when he leaves home to get picked up for work in Point Fortin. She told him to go ahead and while putting a jersey on Armani, the child cried out, “My daddy dead,” even before she knew he was shot. Within a matter of a second, her husband was shot dead and the suspects gone. 

“He has little children, what I’m I going to tell them. My son is nine years old and he had to see his father gunned down so? This could never be right,” Richards cried out.

As the breadwinner of the family, Richards is now left to care for three children, ages two, six and nine. With her birthday coming up next Sunday, plans were underway for a thanksgiving celebration with relatives and neighbours. 

She said Richards had even promised the children to take them to Movie Towne and Harry’s Water Park, Rio Claro, with the salary he would have collected tomorrow.

Residents: Three years living in fear
Neighbours said three years ago, a group of boys from Beetham Gardens, Port-of-Spain, moved into Lion Drive and during J’Ouvert celebrations, were involved in an altercation with some residents of Mandela Street. 

Since then, a war has broken out and they said men from Mandela Street have been targeting them. Richards said while certain people were involved in that incident three years ago, her husband never meddled. 

Her sister, Keisha said several people have been attacked and threatened, and Joseph’s death was the second since the war broke out. She said numerous reports and complaints were made to police, but no one seems to care. 

While the grievance was originally with four men from their community, she said everyone is now being targeted. So much so that on July 21, residents were at the birthday party when gunmen came into the community and opened fire. She said women and children alike had to scamper for safety and luckily no one was injured.

“We get no justice from the Freeport station especially. They’re waiting for mothers and children to drop dead before they do anything. These young fellas here do not retaliate, they just came here looking for a different life, but the police want here to become just like Enterprise,” Keisha said.

Several residents of Lion Drive attended Boom Champions 94.1 FM’s Wet and Skimpy party at the Arima Velodrome on Saturday night and she believes the gunmen were waiting for their return. She said with the attacks on their lives, residents are very careful about their movements. No one has been arrested for Joseph’s murder and they are not confident that anyone will be.

After being shot in the abdomen and hand, a San Fernando rigger was able to escape his attacker and drive himself to the hospital yesterday.

Relatives said Brandon Courtney, 23, of Hermitage Village, was warded in a stable condition at the San Fernando General Hospital up to late yesterday as the bullets struck none of his organs. 

According to reports, Courtney was liming at a bar on Dumfries Road around 2 am when he was approached by two men.

While speaking in the yard, one of the men pulled out a gun and shot Courtney in the abdomen. Courtney ran to his vehicle and the gunman attempted to shoot him in the head. However, he used his hands to block the gun and drove off.

The gunman ran off and it was reported that patrons held the other man until San Fernando police arrived. He was taken into custody for questioning and police continued their search for the gunman. The bar remained opened yesterday and patrons said they had not heard about the shooting. 

A bartender said she was not on duty yesterday morning and the owner was at home sleeping. He said the shooting took place outside the bar. 

Government’s decision to stop funding medical students at St George’s University (SGU), Grenada will definitely impact the quality of education that will now be offered at regional campuses in St Augustine, Mona and Cavehill—with senior officials now expressing concern over the anticipated student increases and whether or not the respective faculties are equipped to handle it.

Government’s decision to discontinue funding new students in the medical programme at SGU effective August 2016, was announced by Education Minister Anthony Garcia on August 3, as he presented the new changes for the Government Assisted Tuition Expenses (Gate) programme.
He said the changes were necessary in light of the local economic downturn, which made it difficult to sustain the programme in its current form.

While the minister has stressed that the changes have not been cast in stone, he remains firm that it was too costly to continue funding students at SGU as he explained that it was costing government three times as much to send one student to SGU, as compared to any of the UWI campuses.

In term of figures, he explained that government would pay approximately $71,000 a year for a student accessing medical training at either of the three campuses, whereas at SGU—it was between $199,000 and in some cases as much as $250,000 per student.

Meanwhile, pro vice chancellor and campus principal, University of the West Indies St Augustine, Prof Brian Copeland, has confirmed that the medical programmes at St Augustine were currently “over subscribed.”

Subsequently, he is now urging those students who were contemplating attending SGU, “To look at the Medical Schools at Mona and Cave Hill.”

Copeland’s comments were made in response to emailed questions seeking information on the St Augustine’s Campus ability to respond to the anticipated demand by students wanting to study medicine.

He wrote: “The St Augustine Medical programmes are over-subscribed, so much so that there are many applicants who are admitted via a deferred list and have to wait an additional year to commence their studies each year. We cannot increase our student intake with the current facilities and teaching staff without impacting on quality. As such, enrolment numbers have to remain the same. I urge those who may have considered St. Georges to look at the Medical Schools at Mona and Cave Hill. It is one UWI and all three programmes are internationally accredited.”

Attempts to contact the Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Professor Terence Seemungal, proved futile. Seemungal is the current Head of the Department of Clinical Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences.

During an interview last week, Garcia said, “A large number of our students were unable to gain access to Mt Hope to continue their training and, as a result, negotiations were held with St George’s University that will allow our students to access medical training at St George’s. As things got better, Cave Hill in Barbados also opened doors to medical training and now among the University of the West Indies, we have three of our campuses ­offering medical training—St Augustine, Cave Hill and Mona (Jamaica).”

Claiming that the cost was prohibitive to continue sending students to SGU, Garcia went on, “The other aspect of the training in St George’s is that their training is geared towards the United States market and a number of our students who have gone to St George’s, they have migrated to the ­United States and therefore we found ourselves training persons for the United States ­market and quite a few of them did not return to Trinidad to do their obligatory service.”

Contacted yesterday, Garcia said a meeting with Copeland last Thursday looked at the introduction of means testing and developing the instrument.

On the issue of increased medical students at all three UWI faculties, Garcia said he was scheduled to meet with Copeland later this week to discuss a number of issues and that he would comment on the matter following that meeting.

When contacted, the UWI St Augustine Guild President, Makesi Peters agreed that the St. Augustine medical faculty was “Very small and the facilities do not really subscribe to a large population.”

However, he was quick to point out that student enrollment at SGU was also small with less than 100 students being admitted annually. He said some of those students might have been among those deferred from the UWI, St, Augustine, “Who did not want to wait another year.”

Peters said with the option for students now to attend campuses in Barbados and Jamaica, the situation should balance itself out.

However, he expressed confidence that the newly constructed facility at the UWI Mona Campus, Jamaica would be adequate to accommodate an increased student intake.

The UWI Guild, St Augustine, is set to meet with Minister in the Ministry of Education, Dr Lovell Francis, soon to discuss the new Gate changes and effects it was having on students who were already enrolled and those considering accessing tertiary education.

Attempts were also made to contact student representatives at the Mona and Cavehill Campuses.

No stats on UWI enrollment yet
Copeland has assured that there are existing policies in place to facilitate the easy and smooth transfer of credits from one university to the other.

Unable to say exactly how many students are currently enrolled at the UWI, St Augustine, Copeland said registration for the new academic year had not yet started and as such, there are no statistics for 2016 just yet.

Registration begins on August 22 and will close on September 16 - with the semester officially commencing on August 28 and teaching to begin on September 5. Last year, over 3,600 students were admitted from 16,000 applicants.

Copeland was unable to say what percentage of the university’s population was aged 50 years and over and how affected there were by the decision to discontinue funding for them at the tertiary level, as well as if there had been a decline in the number of persons pursuing post-graduate degrees.

Asked to comment on the matter of recovering monies from students who have not completed programmes and what process was in place for the reconciliation of this information from the UWI to the Funding and Grants Division, Copeland responded, “Gate is essentially a scholarship funded by the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT) awarded to the student, and the Ministry has the means to determine when students default. T

he UWI’s role in the Gate process is the provision to GORTT information on the status of all Gate funded students, primarily GPA. This is why Gate clearance is required by each student at the start of every academic year.”

Further pressed to say if this meant refunds would have to be forthcoming from the UWI or the respective student, Copeland wrote, “Gate transactions are really between the student and GORTT. The UWI’s role is to deliver programmes and courses for the tuition fee paid by GORTT and to report on Gate funded students’ performance to GORTT.”

The ribbon for a $500,000 historical archway on O’Meara Road, Arima is expected to be cut by Arima mayor George Hadeed soon to welcome visitors and beautify the burgeoning borough.

Hadeed assured that no taxpayers’ funds was used in the construction of the towering metal archway, which is one of four to be erected in Arima by supermarket chain Xtra-Foods in the coming months.

In an interview, Hadeed said work on the archway was still needed, as photographs of the late Holly Betaudier, calypsonian Lord Kitchener and the First Peoples will adorn the top, while a $32,000 clock will be fitted in the middle on August 20.

Thereafter an official launch wil take place with a cutting ribbon exercise. The blue and yellow archway, designed in the shape of a crown and built by Cornelius Construction was installed two weeks ago, a stone’s throw from Xtra-Foods Arima branch. 

St James and Tunapuna also have archways. Hadeed praised Xtra Foods for the kind gesture and called on other businesses in the borough to give back to Arima.

“I want to make it clear that no taxpayers dollars was used in the construction of the archway. With the exception of the clock, this was a project fully funded by Xtra-Foods. 

“We are in a highly-charged political environment and there are those who should know better and who are only looking for mischief.”

Hadeed said while the archway was funded by Xtra-Foods, he teamed up with his councillors and generated funds to purchase the clock as a gift to burgesses.

Marketing manager of Xtra-Foods, Daniel Austin, said the archway was part of the supermarket’s corporate responsibility in giving back to its large customer base and to beautify the borough.

“It cost Xtra-Foods over $500,000 to put up this archway.”

Installing the photographs would cost Xtra-Foods a separate fee, which Austin refused to divulge. Discussions on the archway, Austin said, had been in the pipeline for over five years by its management.

“This archway will be the first of four for Arima,”Austin said.

The second archway will be erected heading out of Arima closer to Maturita, another will be placed at the Arima Cemetery on the Eastern Main Road and the fourth will go up on the Blanchisseuse Road. Construction of the three archways is expected to cost Xtra-Foods approximately $2 million.

Austin said the remaining archways would have to go through a series of approvals, which he anticipate would take a while.

“We are eager to deliver on the other archways. But we don’t expect it to happen soon. It may take a few months.”

Austin said with oil and gas prices plummeting, Xtra-Food was putting its resources into tourism, which was one way T&T can diversify the economy.

“We will use the archways as a main tourism attraction. Arima is the only chartered borough in this hemisphere. 

“When someone comes into Arima they must feel a sense of pride and a warm welcome. It will create more commerce in Arima.”

Former independent senator Rev Daniel Teelucksingh, Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Caribbean journalist Richard Anthony Best, are among 11 people selected to receive honorary degrees in October from The University of the West Indies.

Teelucksingh expressed surprise at the news on Friday and said he felt humbled and honoured to be among those who will be recipients of the honorary degrees.

In a statement, UWI said the degrees will be awarded by Chancellor Sir George Alleyne during the 2016 graduation ceremonies, which will kick off at the Open Campus in St Kitts and Nevis, on October 8. This will be followed by the Cave Hill campus in Barbados on October 15, the St Augustine campus, on October 20-22, and will conclude with the Mona Campus, Jamaica, on October 28-29.

The decision to confer the degrees was confirmed at the annual meeting of The UWI’s University Council held earlier this year. People of eminence in the arts and sciences or other fields of intellectual endeavour, or people who have made outstanding regional or international contributions are usually conferred with honorary degrees at the graduation ceremonies.

Teelucksingh, who was appointed as an independent senator from 1991-2001, served on numerous parliamentary committees and became vociferous on issues of domestic violence, sexual offences and women’s and children’s rights. 

He was given a National Award for Public Service, Medal of Merit, Gold 2014 and an award for community service from the Inter-Religious Organisation.

Best, the founding president of the Caribbean Media Association in the United States, is a broadcast journalist, newspaper editor, former general manager of a radio and television station in the Caribbean who has covered the United Nations and the Organisation of American States for over 40 years. 

Antiguan family physician Dr Sir Prince Ramsey, who has been treating HIV/AIDS patients in Antigua and Barbuda and providing free anti-retroviral medications for over 17 years, will also be conferred with a honorary degree along with current Chair of the Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership against HIV/AIDS Dr Carol Jacobs; Dr Carissa Etienne, Director of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and Jamaican writer Professor Lorna Goodison.

 Barbados-born attorney Sir Trevor Austin Carmichael, who is one of eight Organisation of American States experts responsible for drafting a new OAS Convention on International Contracts; American actor and film director Daniel Lebern “Danny” Glover, of Lethal Weapon fame, and Professor KE Bingsheng, President of the China Agricultural University, will also be given honorary degrees.

Local steelpan arranger Anthony Williams, who contributed to the development of the technology of the steelpan musical instrument and Fraser-Pryce, the first Jamaican woman to win the 100-metre Olympic gold medal, will also be awarded.

List of recipients for degrees 
Open Campus (October 8, 2016)
Dr Sir Prince Ramsey – DSc
Cave Hill Campus (15 October, 2016)
Richard Anthony Best – DLitt
Sir Trevor Carmichael – LLD 
Dr Carissa Etienne – DSc
Dr Carol Jacobs – DSc

St Augustine campus (October 20-22, 2016)
Professor KE Bingsheng –DLitt
Reverend Daniel Teelucksingh – LLD
Anthony Williams –DLitt

Mona campus (October 28-29, 2016)
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce – LLD
Daniel “Danny” Glover – DLitt
Lorna Goodison – DLitt

The Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) is urging Government to take a “definitive” position on illegal development in what it said was the historic and eco-sensitive Chaguaramas.

In a statement issued yesterday, MSJ leader David Abdulah said the party was “disturbed” by statements from Planning and Development Minister, Camille Robinson-Regis, during a visit to the peninsula in July 2016, that it would be difficult to stop work already underway.

Abdulah said Robinson-Regis, also during that same visit, had said the illegality of some of the private leases issued through the Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA) last year but had also said it would be difficult to stop work which included a amusement park being built, following major investment.

Abdulah, who expressed concern, said that in seeking the way forward, small man businesses would be affected.

The MSJ was one of the forerunner of the Save Our Chaguaramas Committee and had been opposed to leases given to private firms and individuals, mostly in the lead up to the 2015 general election, under former planning minister Bhoe Tewarie.

The party had been at the front of a number of marches against a development plan  by the then CDA, which conservationists said was contrary to the 1974 Development Plan and its stipulation that proposals for development on the peninsula must go before Parliament.

The demonstrations were in solidarity with the Guave Road Farmers and other traditional users of Chaguaramas, including organisations, such as the Military Museum, that had leases and were reportedly being pressured off the peninsula.

The CDA and chairman, Anthony Pierre, were under fire in the past week over plans to construct a hotel at the old tracking station as environmentalists have said the hotel would be devastating to wildlife, flora and fauna and citizens to who use the area for recreation have also condemned the CDA’s plans.

Pierre has said any such project would first require and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

The criticisms came after the CDA on Monday placed a media ad for expression of interest (EOI) for investors/developers into the planning, design, construction and commissioning of a full service hotel at the old tracking station at Macqueripe, Chaguaramas.

The MSJ said it had noted the CDA’s recommendation to Cabinet that all leases signed in 2014 and 2015 by the previous CDA Board had been “deemed illegal and therefore null and void”, according to advice from Senior Counsel Elton Prescott, also a former Independent Senator.
“Chaguaramas is part of our patrimony and must not be allowed to be given to a few investors to profit at the expense of the “common good”,” the MSJ stated yesterday.

“We also stated that the new CDA Board must undertake its responsibilities in accordance with the law and not pursue leases/activities (such as the hotel on the site of the tracking station) that are contrary to approved land use. 

“The CDA and the Ministry of Planning must start a proper process—with active stakeholder and public involvement—of updating the and have the new plan approved by Parliament before any new leases are issued. Old lease approvals—that is prior to 2010—which are in conformity with the 1974 Approved Plan could however, be considered for implementation.”

Abdulah added: “Our position was that leases were being given out by the CDA prior to Parliamentary approval of the UNC drafted ‘Master Plan’ for Chaguaramas and therefore were illegal since according to the Act governing the CDA, land use must be in accordance with a Parliament approved Development Plan.”

Condemning what it said was a “land grab” in Chaguaramas by family and friends of those in public office, the MSJ also noted the “active participation” of the Peoples National Movement (PNM) and Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley in a massive demonstration against illegal development on the peninsula last year.

“At the rally following that demonstration, Dr Rowley made a clear statement that if in Government after the 2015 elections his government would reverse any actions by the UNC (United National Congress) that were done illegally,” the MSJ stated.

“That time has come. The UNC ‘Draft Master Plan’ was not approved by Parliament and therefore had no legal effect. Dr Rowley and his PNM Cabinet must hold fast to their freely given public commitment,” Abdulah added.

When Gerard Latulippe bade farewell as Canadian High Commissioner to T&T on August 10, he took with him fond memories of our country’s food, people and culture.

Latulippe would also leave our shores proud, fulfilled and satisfied, knowing that he has strengthened bilateral relations between Canada and T&T in the areas of trade, education, security, justice, culture and health.

In his final interview at his St Clair office days before leaving, a smiling Latulippe confessed that he regretted not coming to T&T sooner.

From the moment Latulippe set foot in Trinidad in January 2013, the 72-year-old became captivated by our national instrument the steelpan. He had a weakness for the Indian delicacy doubles. And he was always drawn to the Lopinot’s Historical Complex to relax. But above all he could not believe the warmth of our people.

 “I just fell in love with your people who were so embracing and welcoming. I have made many new friends and will take back fond and enjoyable memories we shared. My stay was worthwhile and rewarding,” Latulippe said. Latulippe described T&T in three words “happiness in life.”

Reflecting on his term in office, Latulippe said while the country had seen political and economic changes, the one constant that has always been enduring and ever-growing was the relationship between Canada and T&T which was built upon strong people. 

Having heard about the country’s spiralling crime rate, Latulippe said he did not let that worry him when he was asked to serve.

“Before I arrived crime was an issue and it is still an issue. But it is a complex issue. I worked in Iraq, Libya and in the Congo in Africa so I was not dissuaded by what I read or heard,” he admitted. He said solving crime needed the combined efforts of law enforcement agencies and communities.

In his first two years as commissioner, Latulippe said through the Canadian government, T&T benefited in many areas and vice versa. Both countries have been tackling head-on issues of child marriages, domestic violence, entrenching the rule of law and combatting the scourge of crime.

“In the security sector, Canada provides cooperation and assistance in the form of training and capacity building in fields such as law enforcement, border services and the military to deal with issues such as drugs, organised crime, health pandemics and natural disasters.”

But more importantly, Latulippe said, both nations have strengthened and deepened bilateral ties. He said Canada’s investments are concentrated in the petrochemical, oil, gas and financial sectors. 

In addition, Latulippe said, Canada has been lending support to T&T in the areas of good governance, transparency, whistleblower and procurement legislations, campaign finance reform and a corruption free society.

“We have also been funding developmental programmes for Caricom countries through a Canadian $600 million grant, which was established in 2007.

“I have worked tirelessly to make sure that Trinidad and Tobago is a shared partner in this programme.”

On the flip side, Latulippe said many of T&T’s high school students continue to make Canada their country of choice to pursue their tertiary education. Every year, the High Commission in Port-of-Spain issues approximately 250 to 350 study permits to citizens of T&T.

After settling in the job, Latulippe said the first thing he fought for was to have the Canada Fund for Local Initiative programme, which had been stopped, reinstated.

“This permitted us to form non-governmental organisations on matters such as child marriages, advancement of women, at-risk youth, citizen security and LGBT rights,” said Latulippe, who was named president of the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development in Montreal.

He said Canada's long-term goal in the Caribbean region was to help build a more prosperous and integrated Caribbean community, one that can generate sustainable economic growth, and eventually provide opportunity and security to its citizens.

In calling for the revenue of oil and gas to become more transparent, Latulippe felt that the People’s National Movement was serious about addressing corruption and ensuring transparency.

“I am satisfied with the way they have been dealing with whistleblower protection, campaign financing reform and procurement legislation. When you have dirty money in politics it ends up to be corruption within the Government. You cannot address corruption without first taking measures.”

Smitten by our country, Latulippe said the first thing he gravitated towards was the steelpan. In his spare time he frequented Silver Stars Steel Orchestra panyard in Port-of-Spain, where he listened to the different notes on the tenor and bass.

“The steel pan is such a wonderful and amazing instrument. It has always captured my attention and heart.”

Latulippe said what also shocked him was how citizens joyously celebrated one another’s religion. 

“I am amazed how different religions can live in harmony. I saw Christians celebrated Eid and Hindus celebrated Christmas. Even the Muslims celebrate Divali. It showed that despite people’s religious beliefs you still live in peace and togetherness with one another,” he said.

Having accomplished his mission, Latulippe said he feels a sense of gratification, knowing T&T is where he would make his exit from the workforce.

“When I leave Trinidad I will be retiring. It’s time to spend time with my wife Odette, children and grandchildren. I also want to finish writing my book and dabble in some poetry.”

Reflecting on T&T’s diverse cuisine, Latulippe said of all the foods he had savoured, Indian was his favourite, especially doubles and roti.

“Some of the meals I ate I can’t even remember the names. But the taste I will never forget.”

Latulippe refused to name his successor.

Kim Berkeley

To combat money laundering activity two types of offences exist. The first is the offence of money laundering (“ML”), which was addressed in a previous article. The second type of offence is any breach of anti-money laundering (“AML”) regulations.  

The AML regime was established to prevent or minimise the risk that ML poses to the financial sector and to report such activities in order to assist in the detection and prevention of ML, and to penalise those who fail to implement AML.

The Proceeds of Crime Act (“POCA”) is the primary Act which deals with the offence of ML and the confiscation of proceeds of crime. The Financial Obligation Regulations (“FORs”) is the secondary legislation to the POCA. It is the FORs that sets out the obligations for an AML regime which must be implemented by financial institutions, non-regulated financial institutions such as credit unions and money or value transfer services, and “Listed Businesses”.

“Listed Businesses” are those types of businesses and professionals listed under POCA such as real estate services, motor vehicle sales, jewellery business, private members’ clubs, national lotteries and online betting games, pool betting, art dealers, trust and company providers, as well as attorneys-at-law and accountants who perform certain services. 

The FORs include regulations for Customer Due Diligence (“CDD”) which must be carried out by all the businesses and institutions listed. It can be simplified or enhanced depending on categories of customers considered as either high risk or low risk. It refers to the gathering of customer identification and information which would assist a business in assessing any risk posed by the customer including the risk of involvement in ML.   

Apart from CDD regulations dealing specifically with insurance companies, Regulation 11 states that CDD must be carried out on all customers at the outset of forming a business relationship—where there is a one-off occasional transaction of ninety-thousand dollars or more; where there is a series of transactions amounting to ninety-thousand dollars or more; or where there is one-off, occasional or series of wire transfer(s) amounting to six thousand dollars or more. For private members clubs CDD must be done where there is a transaction or series of transactions amounting to eighteen thousand dollars or more. 

Regulation 15 mandates businesses to therefore obtain the following information: full name of customer; permanent address and proof of same; date and place of birth; nationality; place of business/occupation; occupational income (where applicable); a signature; purpose and intended nature of purpose and source of funds; and any other information which may be relevant.  

Satisfactory proof of identification is a valid passport, a national identification card or a driver’s licence.   

Where a customer is a business, in addition to what is set out in Regulation 15 there must be verification of the identity of the directors, partners, account signatories, beneficial owners and any other relevant officers.  Other documents required will include a certificate of incorporation, articles of incorporation, copy of bye-laws, management account for previous three years or three- year estimates as would apply, and information on the identity of shareholders holding more than 10 per cent of share capital.  

This column is not legal advice. If you have a legal problem, you should consult an attorney-at-law.

The nine T&T nationals detained in Turkey have not yet left there to return home and they are still being processed by Turkish authorities, National Security Minister Edmund Dillon confirmed yesterday.

The Turkey Daily Sabah recently reported the nine were held in Turkey on July 27 along with a Syrian man who was taking them, via truck, to Syria for recruitment by Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis) as foreign terrorist fighters. It was stated that the nine will be deported back to T&T. They are at Turkey’s Adana detention centre.

The T&T Guardian received information the group included several women and a young child as well as several men.

Dillon did not confirm or deny that but stressed Government would be receiving information from the Turkish authorities once processing of the group was completed and any moves to send them back to T&T began.

He also confirmed he was working out arrangements to meet for talks with members of the Muslim community. That should be within the next couple weeks, he added. 

Following a call by a T&T-born Isis fighter, Abu S’ad at-Trinidadi (reportedly Shane Crawford), Dillon said in an exclusive Sunday Guardian story he wanted to meet with members of the community to understand the motivation and root causes of why people were leaving to join Isis. 

A number of Muslim community leaders, including attorney Nafeesa Mohammed, last weekend indicated an interest to meet with Dillon.

Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi, back from vacation, also said yesterday he was checking with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the detained T&T nine in Turkey. Government assigned Foreign Affairs to deal with the matter, via diplomatic channels. 

Al-Rawi is due to bring legislation early next month to Parliament to deal with returning T&T terrorist fighters (FTFs). He had assured that suspected local FTFs were under surveillance.

He told the T&T Guardian yesterday legislating the United Nations resolution on terrorism, signed in 2014 by the past administration, was also high on Government’s agenda. 

After designating convicted JFK bomb plotter Kareem Ibrahim and Isis as terrorist entities under the anti-terrorism law the AG’s office on July 25 applied to the court for similar declarations for 75 other entities and individuals. 

He said the list involved four batches comprising 75 designated entities as well as three individuals. His office is awaiting a court date for the matter. 

T&T does not yet figure on the UN Security Council’s list of entities/persons deemed terrorists. That list will be updated next month.

National Security Minister Edmund Dillon said yesterday Government would put measures in place to monitor prisoners who would secure bail in the wake of the expiration of the Bail (Amendment) Bill and Anti-Gang legislation.

There are some 600 prisoners in the system who can now access bail after the Acts expired at midnight. 

“They are entitled to apply for bail. Whether they are granted bail or not is another matter,” Dillon said yesterday.

“Being proactive, the Ministry of National Security would take the necessary measures to ensure those who apply for bail and who would have been there on several kinds of charges, would take the necessary precaution and the necessary action to do further monitoring if and when bail is granted.”

Dillon declined to reveal much more about the ministry’s plans in that area. However, he assured: “We will take the necessary additional measures if and when certain persons are granted bail.”

Government had previously indicated its desire to extend the legislation for another two years, to August, 2016, but failed to get Opposition support on that, hence the lapse of the legislation.

Speaking with the T&T Guardian on the issue yesterday, secretary of the Police Service Social and Welfare Association Insp Anand Ramesar said the expiration of the legislation now removed one of the tools in their fight against crime.

He added that the Criminal Gang and Intelligence Unit (CGIU) served two purposes, to rid the country of gangs through arrests and to gather information relating to gangs but with the expiration of the Acts, he said CGIU officers could now only gather information in relation to specific crimes, since being in a gang or any affiliated gang offences were now no longer illegal.

“This was one of the major tools we had in the Police Service armoury. Now that has been taken away with the passage of time,” Ramesar said.

With the expiration of the Bail Bill, anyone arrested for gun-related offences can now be granted bail once they meet the necessary criteria. This controversial amendment had seen a division in the magistracy, as some magistrate believed that the amended law applied to all gun-related offenders while others viewed the law as applicable to illegal firearm owners. 

The misconception was cleared up when Chief Magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar ruled that the law was to address illegal guns and only those with illegal guns should be denied bail for a 120-day period.

Leading up to the expiration of the bills, the Government sought an extension but was not supported by the Opposition, as the law requires a three-fifth majority.

AG disappointed

Speaking about the current situation yesterday, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi said he was disappointed that the Opposition did not support the move to extend the life of the legislation.

Now that the bills have expired, the offence of being a gang leader, member or assisting a gang member are no longer offences under law. 

He added, however, that it would not be that some offenders would be automatically granted bail but that they could now apply to a judge for bail before 120 days and if they are denied they could re-apply within 28 days.

He added that the system used to deny bail under the expired laws were based on charges and not convictions and given the current sluggish criminal justice system, the charges route versus conviction was a more feasible approach. 

Al-Rawi added that the full effect of the expiration would be known tomorrow after remanded prisoners apply for bail now that the law was defunct.

He said that was something that was advanced with great vigour by two former attorney generals — Anand Ramlogan and Garvin Nicholas — along with former government senator Wayne Sturge, when the People’s Partnership was in government and he questioned why they did not support the amendments now. 

Al-Rawi said since the court wis on vacation the Government was monitoring the situation to see whether Chief Justice Ivor Archie would need to call out another judge to assist the lone judge now conducting bail hearings, given that approximately 620 people could now access bail.

He said they were now in talks with the Criminal Gang and Intelligence Unit to determine what kind of law they would now need to convict gang leaders. 

“We have to understand what they are made of, how they operate. That should have been going on since 2011 when the law took effect. The question asked now is, do we need such a law,” Al-Rawi said, adding that there is very little data on the effectiveness of the anti-gang legislation.

Al-Rawi said the Government was now doing research within other Commonwealth countries on gang legislation and how they have worked in those countries. He added, however, that he was looking at bringing amendments to the laws in the new parliamentary period.

Automated Banking Machine (ABM) fraud involving bank card transactions and credit card fraud are on the increase, senior officials at the Fraud Squad Unit confirmed yesterday.

The latest incident was reported yesterday where a commercial bank customer discovered just over $11,000 had mysteriously disappeared from her account.

Contacted for comment yesterday, head of the Fraud Squad Unit, Sen Supt Totaram Dookhie, confirmed there had been an increase in bank fraud cases over the past months. He, however, declined to comment further.

However, another source at the Fraud Squad Unit, who wished not to be identified, said it seemed the skimming technology used by thieves had gone “high-tech,” making it a problem for them (investigating officers) to make any kind of breakthrough in the numerous cases being reported daily by victims.

“There were breakthroughs in the past where we made serious dents in investigations like this and arrested people but now it has become even more difficult and this bank fraud and online fraud are not only a serious problem here in T&T but it is a global problem,” the officer said.

What was strange in this latest incident was that the victim was on vacation in the United States on the day her bank card was used by the scammers. 

Speaking with the T&T Guardian yesterday, the woman, who wished not to be identified, said the particular account was mainly used for the depositing her salary and the payment of a loan. Her home branch is in Maraval.

She said she returned home over the weekend and went to an ABM machine (belonging to the bank she does her business with) to withdraw cash only to be notified that she had insufficient funds in her account. She said she went home and checked her account information online.

“It was while checking online that I saw about six or seven transactions took place on August 4. I was still out of the country then. Five withdrawal transactions took place at an ABM machine on Independence Square (belonging to another bank) and there was also a point of sale transaction recorded and the address was a telecommunications company on Charlotte Street,” the woman said.

“I did some further inquiry on the telecommunications company I saw in the transaction records and I got some telephone numbers but when I called it they were all out of service. I have the entire list of transactions recorded here,” she added.

The woman went to the Fraud Squad Unit in Port-of-Spain yesterday where she lodged an official report. She then took the report back to her home branch where she was told by bank officials that they would now launch an investigation.

Asked if the Fraud Squad had launched an investigation into her report, the woman said she did so at the unit yesterday and was told by an officer who dealt with her to contact them again next week to ensure an investigator was assigned to her case.

Attempts to reach the new president of the Bankers Association, Anya Schnoor, for comment yesterday proved futile.

After spending a night in jail for littering after he threw a styrofoam cup on the road, an Unemployment Relief Programme (URP) worker was fined $250 yesterday.

Anthony Gaskin, 38, of Embacadare, San Fernando, was ordered to pay $70 forthwith and allowed seven days to pay the balance of the money.

He was arrested around 9.20 am on Sunday after PC Ramchairth saw him throw the styrofoam cup on the ground along Mucurapo Street.

Gaskin, who was walking along the road, was approached by the officer and when told of his crime reportedly said: “Officer I sorry. Give meh a bligh nah.”

The officer arrested Gaskin and took him to the San Fernando station where he was charged under the Litter Act. 

The white cup was produced in court when the matter was called.

Gaskin, who came from the holding bay, apologised for his actions, saying he had “children to mind.” 

He said he was on his way home after making groceries which were still at the station. 

The magistrate scolded him for his actions and asked him whether he was training his children to also throw rubbish in the streets. 

She told him if everyone littered the place would become dirty. 

“I apologise. It will not happen again,” Gaskin said.

If he fails to pay the fine he will serve 14 days in prison doing hard labour. 

Two weeks after pathologist Dr Valery Alexandrov walked off the job in frustration at the Forensic Science Centre (FSC), St James, saying he was overworked, three temporary employees have been hired to assist him and other pathologists.

The three, all women, are said to be two on-the-job trainees and one intern. 

The trio was hired following Alexandrov’s two-day standoff. 

Following his protest action, the Minister of National Security, Edmund Dillon, under whose purview the FSC falls, said the Government was in the process of recruiting more staff. 

He admitted that the field of forensic science was not an attractive one but scholarships would be provided and in the short-term there were plans to extend existing contracts and hire new skilled labour.

Alexandrov protested on August 2 after working for five weeks straight since the other pathologist on staff, Dr Eslyn Mc Donald-Burris, was on two weeks vacation. 

She resumed work yesterday and Alexandrov, who worked six weeks straight in her absence, will pick back up his scalpel next week. A house officer, Dr Janet Charles, has also been re-assigned to work at the Forensic Science Centre to assist in autopsies, sources said.

The T&T Guardian was also informed that an additional pathologist was to be employed at the FSC since Dr Hughvon des Vignes expressed his desire not to return unless certain requirements were met to fulfill a new contract. 

Attempts to get a response from officials at the FSC and the Ministry of National Security has been futile.

Alexandrov complained that he was understaffed based on international standards which required one mortuary assistant for every 100 cases and so far there had been 1,200 cases done at the FSC for the year. To date there are five attendants with three of them being women.

“This is a tough job lifting dead bodies and what not. There is a need for a legal mortuary attendant to handle all the legal documents, instead what we have is a radiologist and on-the-job trainees,” Alexandrov said then.

The pathologist has been working in T&T and by extension the Caribbean for the last seven years.

A special reserve policeman who was charged with three criminal offences, including assaulting a colleague, has been granted $50,000 bail.

SRP Kevon Rivers, 30, was not in custody when he appeared before Chaguanas Senior Magistrate Sharon Gibson having been granted bail at the Chaguanas Police Station after he was arrested and charged on Sunday.

Rivers, attached to the Guard and Emergency Branch, headquarters in El Socorro, pleaded not guilty to failing to comply with the directions of a police officer in uniform, assaulting PC Ali Shaffe and using a vehicle contrary to its registration.

The charges stemmed from an incident on Sunday after Rivers was stopped during an exercise by Driving Under the Influence Task Force at Southern Main Road, Chase Village.

He was arrested and taken to Chaguanas Police Station where charges were laid by Cpl Ramsubhag, WPC Johnson and PC Shaffe.

When the matter was called in the First Court yesterday, his attorney, Taradath Singh, asked for his client’s bail to continue, saying he was a serving member of the Police Service for three years and had an unblemished record.

Prosecutor Sgt Ken Ali informed the court a state attorney would have to be appointed to prosecute the matter which was subsequently adjourned to December 8.

Although Anastazia Ali lived for nine short years she has left a legacy of love, joy and faith that can never be destroyed.

Pastor Victor Jogee said that was evident from the many fond memories of her shared by her relatives, friends and teacher during her funeral service at Faith Centre, San Fernando, yesterday.

The Standard Two student of St Gabriel’s Girls’ RC School drowned along with her grandfather, Morris Sammy, who tried to save her when they got into difficulties in waters near Coconut Drive, Mayaro, during a family beach outing two Sundays ago.

Ali was remembered as a brave, bright, happy, warm, talkative and friendly child, who, according to her cousin Jada Sammy, had a smile that lit up any room.

The first of her parents two children, Jada said Ali had big dreams and aspirations and was an inspiration to her relatives.

Her contagious life and humour had them rolling with laughter, said Jada who described her as one of the greatest joys in the family.

Monsignor Christian Pereira, who thanked the church for allowing him to participate in the service, said yesterday was a special day since it was the day the Blessed Virgin Mary was taken up in the heavenly realm. 

Expressing condolences on behalf of Ali’s school and the RC Church to parents, Any and Stacy, and son, Zane, Pereira said: “We deeply appreciate your generosity in allowing us to be a full part of this service which speaks volumes indeed. It speaks volumes of the healing of our city as we open our hearts and our churches to each other and show to our children the respect we hold for one another,” he added. 

Jogee said some people might say Ali’s death was premature but she was called back to heaven because she achieved her purpose on earth. Her teacher, Dixie-Ann Lee, who delivered the eulogy, recalled fond memories of Ali’s home and school life.

“Quite the chatterbox, very sociable, a jubilant spirit, happy, were just some of the words she used to describe her. 

Her classmate, Zara Pariag, recalled Ali would shout from across the classroom when their teacher separated them to speak with her as she and another classmate, Kirsten Graham, reflected on the last moments they shared with her.

Ali’s life was also celebrated in dance, poem by her schoolmates, Spirit Academy, a dance troupe of which she was a member, St Joseph Convent choir, among others. 

The funeral service for Ali’s grandfather took place last Friday at Guide’s Funeral Home, San Fernando.

Troubled young people were embraced by the Police Service in an effort to lead them away from a life of crime during a youth extravaganza last Saturday.

Addressing close to 1,500 children from 29 Police Youth Clubs across T&T at Eco Park, St Helena, acting Commissioner of Police Harold Phillip said the broad remit of the Police Youth Club initiative was to engage young people positively, including “at risk” youths between the ages of five-25 years, guiding them to make constructive decisions and positive choices away from a life of crime and criminal behaviour.

He said the youth clubs also focussed on teaching the young people about the ills of bullying and domestic violence. “This quality of engagement provides the opportunity for TTPS to mentor our youths, thereby assisting them to develop their full potential across several facets of their lives, such as academic, sports culture, arts and life skills,” Phillip said.

He promised that TTPS would continue to sustain partnerships with Non-Governmental Organisations to expose young people to programmes which would enhance their conflict resolution skills, ability to communicate with each other and solve problems. 

“This in turn will contribute to a reduction in high levels of hastiness, rage, anger and violence, which seems to becoming more and more common in our society. These collaborations will foster and promote solutions which will bring peace and build harmonious relationship,” Phillip said.

He emphasised that values, such as love, discipline, respect, volunteerism, tolerance, self- esteem, hard work, trust, confidence, teamwork, creativity, honesty, character, leadership could assist the police achieve peace and in the long run better communities.

He said the Police Youth Clubs were the pride and joy of the Police Service. He had special welcome to the Police Youth Clubs from South Western, Southern and Central Divisions at the event. “You are all shining beacons of hope, not only for Trinidad and Tobago Police Service but for the nation of Trinidad and Tobago,” he said.

In 1974, there were only two police youth clubs, today it stands 112 strong.

Phillip was optimistic about the future in maintaining vibrant and functional youth clubs in all nine police divisions. 

Also attending was the Minister of National Security Edmund Dillon. 

As the Parliament Channel gets set to celebrate its tenth anniversary on Thursday, members of the public have been invited to participate in a series of tours during which they can visit the Parliament chamber where national decisions are decided upon daily by leaders in Government.

The open house will continue today and on Friday, with a parliamentary expo being held along the Hyatt Waterfront tomorrow and Thursday.

Scheduled to begin at 9 am yesterday, the first tour got off to a somewhat late start with the lone visitor, Junior St Hillaire, being escorted to the second floor by Parliament’s senior administrator Marion Sutherland and corporate communications manager Jason Elcock.

Under the watchful eyes of a uniformed police officer, he was treated to a tour of the parliamentary chamber where he was allowed to sit in the Speaker’s chair as well as those occupied by the Leader of the House (24), the Prime Minister (23) and the Opposition Whip (25).

He was also given a guided tour of the control room and offered a peek into the room housing the computers mainframe, along with a walk-through of the J Maurice Hamilton Room where the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meetings and Joint Select Committee (JSC) meetings are held.

St Hillaire, who is employed at TSTT, said he learned of the open house during a series of newspaper and television advertisements.

Admitting that he was, “curious to see where our legislators sit,” St Hillaire said he became interested in the Parliament’s operations as he got set to pursue a Masters in Business Administration.

St Hillaire said: “I maintain that we have put them there to do a task and we can now watch everything they do and not let them go about on a whim and fancy.”

Although the open house is being held during the school vacation period, Elcock said several police youth clubs and other agencies were invited to participate—and that a special invitation had been extended to broadcast students from tertiary level institutions.

Revealing that the Parliament’s operations had relocated from the Red House to the Hyatt Waterfront in 2011, Elcock was unable to provide a status update on the restoration works that were underway. However, he said unconfirmed information was that it was due to be completed in 2018.

During the tour, Sutherland sought to impress the importance of the dress code for visitors to the Parliament building.

Seeking to encourage more members of the public to visit the seat of Parliament, Sutherland said: “Many persons are unaware that they can access the public chamber when there are sittings once seats are available. We want to highlight our operations and encourage more persons to come in and view what takes place here.”

Following the tour, St Hillaire indicated that he was now more educated as to the environment in which parliamentarians operate and better informed as to why certain measures were in place.

The public is invited to attend today’s open house which begins at 9 am.

St Hillaire responds to Gate changes

Meanwhile, the 39-year-old Morvant resident commended the Government for the tremendous assistance provided by the Government Assisted Tuition Expenses (Gate) programme since it was first introduced in 2004.

Having just completed his Bachelors Degree in Business Administration and set to pursue his Masters at the beginning of October, St Hillaire spoke candidly about the joy he experienced upon learning of the programme’s offerings.

Accepting that he would now have to foot his tertiary education bill following the Government’s decision to cease funding postgraduate programmes unless they were in alignment with the country’s developmental goals, St Hillaire said, “I believe people have to accept some of the changes. Not everybody is going to be happy with it, but given the financial situation the country is in now, we have to take that into consideration when we are doing things. It is for the greater good of all.”

Admitting that he had grown up in poverty stricken times where he had to wear shoes and clothes with holes in them, St Hillaire credited the Gate programme with affording him a better quality of life.

Christopher Alcazar, a director of the T&T Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA), has confirmed to the T&T Guardian that local manufacturers are preparing to ship more goods to Venezuela at month end. 

This follows the first batch shipped in late June in keeping with an agreement signed between the T&T and Venezuela governments to supply the South American country with manufactured goods through a US$50 million revolving fund. The agreement covers an initial three-month period and so far $26.9 million dollars worth of food and basic household items have been shipped to eastern Venezuela.

Alcazar, who is also the National Brands Director at Vemco Limited, said one of the challenges had been in meeting the exact specifications of the size and volume of goods requested by the Venezuelan buyers. “For example, they chose a particular 500ml ketchup format from Vemco. We were therefore able to supply 180 tons of that particular product given current line capacity, raw and packaging material available at the time,” he explained.

“Had they chosen another format of ketchup we would have been able to supply the requested the entire 700 tons of ketchup requested.” However, he added, the Venezuelan market is proving to be lucrative for T&T manufacturers. “Our current business to Venezuela is a foot in the market, which can give us access to understand how we can work with the market to secure mid-long term growth through different avenues. Vemco will be pursuing these opportunities as the current business model does not carry with it security for long term brand building in the market,” he said.

Chinese Association of T&T committee member, David Lee Kim, yesterday called on the police to go after the gangs at Santa Rosa Heights, Arima, who have been terrorising the community and targeting Chinese businesses.

He made the call in the wake of a report in yesterday’s T&T Guardian, headlined “Santa Rosa Terror,” which highlighted attacks against Chinese business owners and residents by armed criminals in their community.

The crimes, the residents claimed, have been taking place right under the noses of police at the Pinto Road Post, forcing them to live like prisoners in their homes and under siege.

Within hours of the residents’ complaint being highlighted, officers yesterday initiated regular patrols for which they were commended by Santa Rosa mini mart operator Rose Ferdinand. 

She said in an hour she had seen two vehicles on patrol while armed officers were seen walking around.

“We are feeling a sense of relief now that the police are on patrol in the area,” said Ferdinand, who thanked the T&T Guardian for its intervention.

The patrols came after Assistant Commissioner of Police, Superdense Persas, promised to look into the police’s failure to guard the community.

Contacted yesterday, Lee Kim said it was no secret that Chinese businesses were being targeted. He referred to two Chinese business owners—Chong Cato and Hi Hong Huang—who were killed months apart by gunmen.

“Chinese people have become an easy target by the criminal elements. They are not known to retaliate or fight back when under the barrel of a gun or being beaten mercilessly,” Lee Kim said.

By nature, Lee Kim said Chinese were not confrontational and were quiet people.

“How can you retaliate when criminals are coming at you with guns and cutlasses? They would easily give in because they don’t want to be killed. 

“I feel sorry for them (Chinese) but what can we do? There is so much crime in the country and to me the police have their hands filled,” he said.

Unable to say how many Chinese businesses operate in Trinidad, Lee Kim said in the last two years there had been a proliferation of restaurants, supermarkets and casinos set up by Chinese in the country, which criminals view as a “gold mine” and “easy pickings.”

Lee Kim said citizens have often seen bandits beating, humiliating and manhandling Chinese nationals during robberies.

“We have seen it many times on Crime Watch and Beyond The Tape. It’s a frightening situation not only for the Chinese. The crime situation is really bad. We hope the police catch these perpetrators and go after the gangs that are creating havoc in the community,” he said.

Mayor worried

Arima Mayor George Hadeed also called on the police to step up patrols in the area to allay the business community and residents’ fears.

He said while the police generally worked in Arima, it was embarrassing to read that a crime had been committed 50 feet from the Pinto Road Police Post and the police were unaware of it.

“This is worrying. It just goes to show that the criminals have no respect for the law or no one,” he added.

Hadeed felt the Chinese were becoming prime targets because of the lucrative businesses they operated. 

He said many of them have opened casinos and supermarkets which gave the criminals the perception they walked around with huge sums of cash.

Although Santa Rosa did not fall within the jurisdiction of his borough but the Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation, Hadeed said as mayor the robberies were of great concern to him. 

“It appears that the Chinese are being targeted recently in term of robberies. A further investigation should take place to understand why this has been happening.

“Yes, crime is a problem in Trinidad. We have been experiencing this problem for a number of years. I am sure the police are trying their best since no one can predict when a crime will take place but at the same time they need to step up their patrols,” Hadeed added.

He said while it would be impossible to put law officers at every street corner, they needed to be more visible.

Hadeed admitted he had not received any reports of Chinese being robbed outside of Santa Rosa.

“They (Chinese) create employment and I would suppose they contribute towards paying taxes and helping with the economy,” he added.

Asked if the criminals were winning the war on crime, Hadeed said: “I would not say they are winning the war but as it is now, I would say they are ahead.”

He said it was time for our criminal justice system to be revamped.

Several calls to Arima Business Association president Winston Boodoo’s cellphone yesterday went unanswered.

Flashback

In January, Chinese businessman Chong Cao was gunned down outside his business place Zhong Guo Cheng Chinese Restaurant and Bar at Tumpuna Road, La Horquetta. Cao, 30, was shot three times in the face by a lone gunman.

Last April, Hi Hong Huang, 35, was fatally shot as he struggled with two bandits during a robbery outside his business, Happiness Supermarket, Curepe. 

In 2012, China-born businessman, Yang Jiang Hua, 60, and his wife, Wu Xiu Hua, also died at the hands of gunmen who entered their Tiger’s Chinese Restaurant and Bar in Cunupia.

Political analyst Dr John La Guerre believes Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley should give the population an update on his health by weekend.

“Failing that,” La Guerre said, “there would be some justification by the public in raising concerns. Then people would begin to assume that it is worse than they probably feared.”

Opposition MP Rodney Charles also expressed similar sentiments. He said while he understood the balance between intrusiveness and the need for privacy, Rowley had to make a judgment “as to what we ought to know. 

“In the interest of full transparency, if we don’t have that it would feed speculation which does not auger well for good governance. The Prime Minister has a duty to let us know, bearing in mind he has a right to privacy also,” he added. 

La Guerre and Charles’ comments came hours after Rowley returned from California, USA, yesterday, where he had checked into a clinic to undergo required tests. However, La Guerre admitted it may not be that Rowley would not reveal his health condition to the public.

“I don’t think Dr Rowley is holding back information. I think he probably wants to have consultation with his Cabinet to explain to them what the results of the various tests possibly,” La Guerre said.

Asked what would be a reasonable time frame within which Rowley should make an official statement on his health, La Guerre said by weekend.

“He (Rowley) should be in a position to reassure the public,” he said.

Yesterday, Rowley returned home at 5.30 am but did not hold his usual press conference at the VIP Lounge, Piarco International Airport. 

Rowley, who indicated that matters pertaining to his health were personal, was absent for six working days. His specific days of travel were from August 4-15, a total of 11 days, inclusive of two weekends which equalled to six working days of absence. —SH