Charges are to be laid against a 20-year-old Venezuelan national in connection with the fraudulent extension on his passport, after he appeared before the High Court challenging his detention yesterday (Christmas Day).

Alexandro Espinosa, a labourer and student at the night, appeared in the 10th Civil High Court before Justice James Aboud.

Espinosa was represented by attorneys Christian J Williams and Karunaa Bisramsingh. He was detained by Immigration Officer Fareed Abraham, who was served with a habeus corpus on Saturday evening, was not represented by an attorney before the court.

Aboud said under the law, Espinosa “had a right to seek redress for their imprisonment.”

“I felt the liberty of the subject was important for you and me, as well and the purpose..I need to hear the legality of the detention. The courts are closed until Thursday and Tuesday is Boxing day and the day after the registry is closed, that’s why I am here,” Aboud said.

In his defence, Abraham said on December 21 he was contacted by the San Fernando Court, after Espinosa was detained while attempting to leave the country via the San Fernando port to return to his homeland to spend time with his family for Christmas.

Espinosa was detained after his extension documents were found to be faulty. It was subsequently taken to the document laboratory in Piarco, where it was confirmed the extension to his passport was “in fact counterfeit.”

Williams praised the speedy work of the court and their dedication on the holiday.

Espinosa came into Trinidad via the Piarco International Airport in September and the alleged extension granted was until January 30, 2017. He was taken to the Immigration Detention Centre in Santa Rosa, where he is in custody. He is expected to be charged by the police and appear before a magistrate next week.

Politics

1-MANNING’S DEATH

The death of former Prime Minister Patrick Manning tops the list of political happenings this year.

News of Manning’s death on the morning of Saturday, July 9, plunged the country into mourning.

The Government offered and the family accepted a state funeral for the man who had been the longest serving representative in the Parliament, having a stint of 44 years as the Member of Parliament for San Fernando West.

Manning had been ailing for some time having suffered a stroke in January 2012. He recovered and returned to the Parliament, from where he eventually resigned in January 2015.

2-MARLENE MCDONALD DISMISSED

Less than a year into office, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley acted decisively in March when he fired then housing minister Marlene McDonald.

Rowley told the T&T Guardian’s sister station CNC3 on the night he dismissed McDonald that he could not ignore new revelations which had surfaced in a matter whiuch was before the Integrity Commission.

He said “an issue had surfaced sometime before and certain adjudications were made (by the Integrity Commission). (But) This morning (in the newspaper) I saw what appears to be new information and I spent the day looking at it. And I just want to give the assurance to the national community, that if the facts bear out what is there (in the article) and I have to take action, then I will,” he said.

Rowley’s action came even as the Police Service initiated a criminal investigation into allegations of fraud and misconduct levelled against the Port-of-Spain South Member of Parliament soon after she was fired from the Cabinet.

It is alleged that in 2008, McDonald abused her ministerial power to facilitate a Housing Development Corporation (HDC) home for her partner and helped pay for it.

The matter is also before the Integrity Commission, where it remained even as the year came to a close.

3-CABINET RESHUFFLES

In dismissing McDonald, PM Rowley did the first reshuffle of his new Cabinet, reassigning Randall Mitchell from Minister with responsibility for Public Administration to Minister with responsibility for Housing and Urban Development. He reassigned Maxie Cuffie from Minister with responsibility for Communication to Minister with responsibility for Public Administration and Communication and assigned Stuart Young as Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, in addition to his portfolio as Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General.

Rowley told the media in September that Mc Donald had every right to be reinstated to the Cabinet if allegations against her proved false.

Although admitting he did not know how the matter would go, Rowley said if it is found that she did not commit a crime, “then she has every right to be reinstated”.

There was widespread speculation that McDonald’s return would have come in the second Cabinet reshuffle in October. But with the matter against her still under investigation the expected return did not happen.

In his second reshuffle, Rowley dismissed former Energy Minister Nicole Olivierre and Public Utilities Minister retired Brigadier Ancil Antoine.

Olivierre’s dismissal was widely linked to a confrontation which she had with protesting residents of La Brea, the constituency which she represents in the Parliament.

While there was no word on the reason for the removal of Antoine, there was speculation that it was linked to problems with CEPEP which fell under his watch.

In the reshuffle, Rural Development and Local Government Minister Franklin Khan was reassigned as Minister of Energy. He was replaced in Local government by Former San Fernando Mayor Kazim Hosein. Fitzgerald Hinds replaced Antoine as Minister of Public Utilities. Hinds was replaced as Works and Transport Minister by Rohan Sinanan.

4-LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

Fourteen months after being elected to office, the Government returned to the electorate on November 28 in the Local Government election.

The ruling party had mounted the platform on the basis of reform of Local Government. But that took second place to comments from the two leaders.

From the PNM camp, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley launched an attack on the profligate spending of the former government.

The word ‘roti” would become a household one as the Prime Minister detailed the cost of expenditure on a Divali meal at the Diplomatic Centre under the former government.

Speaking at a meeting in Cocoyea Village, San Fernando, Rowley said: “I saw some records at the Prime Minister’s residence. You know every year at the Prime Minister’s residence we have a function for Divali, for Eid, for Christmas, for Emancipation. For one Divali function they (the Peoples Partnership) paid $350,000 for roti.”

He said the issue was not one of race because everybody in Trinidad likes roti. Rather he said he had raised it to show how the former government wasted money.

He told a meeting in Chaguanas: “At Divali, there is no meat and alcohol, and as you know, that is what costs money in a function...for 900 people, because that is how much all the invoices show how many people were invited, you spent a quarter of a million dollars on the actual food and $394,000 for the plate and the fork and the napkins?”

Rowley gave a breakdown of the cost of the Divali function hosted in October 2014.

He said accounting showed that the People’s Partnership administration spent a total of $1,677,719.79, including $487,400 on décor; $394,568.75 on catering; $98,200 on entertainment; $128,752.50 on printing and packaging; $69,750 for shuttle and parking services; $454,116.54 for tents and infrastructure; and $44,932 for ushering, ambulance and cleaning services.

But the battle was to get much more personal as Rowley described Persad-Bissessar as an embarrassment, after the UNC leader had taken issue with what she said were multi-million dollar contracts being given to wives of some PNM Government ministers.

Finance Minister Colm Imbert threatened to sue Persad-Bissessar over her comments.

But at a UNC meeting in Freeport, Persad-Bissessar fired back at Rowley, saying he was the embarrassment. She said: “I don’t think there is any greater embarrassment for a person who have more children outside than inside,” in reference to Rowley’s two sons from previous relationships, Garth Alleyne, whom the People’s Partnership made public in March 2015 and the other, Christopher Barthol, who the public became aware of, via a family photograph issued by the Office of the Prime Minister after this year’s Emancipation celebrations.

When citizens went to the polls on November 28, little attention was paid to Local Government reform and by the time the results were announced it was clear that the population had little or no interest in the poll. The EBC said 34 per cent of the electorate voted. The popular vote went to the UNC.

The ruling People’s National Movement went into the election holding eight of the 14 regional corporations, while the UNC held six.

By the end of the election the PNM had lost one of the eight. The result - 7 PNM, 6 UNC and one tied.

The corporation of Sangre Grande proved to be a difficult tie breaker. Both parties held four seats each and two aldermen each.

After recounts and checks, members of the council took the oath of office on December 15, three weeks after the election.

At the swearing in of the council the UNC walked out insisting that Terry Rondon had no authority to sit in the chairman’s chair to conduct the proceedings. In the absence of the party which holds equal sway in the corporation, Rondon was officially elected chairman in the presence of several Government ministers and officials from the ruling PNM.

Even before the council was sworn in, Rondon as well as UNC officials were called into action on the ground as heavy rains and winds pounded the communities of Matelot, Grand Rivere and Toco.

More than two dozen landslips were recorded and significant damage was done to homes, fishing boats and business places. Rondon estimated damage in the region of two million dollars.

By year’s end clean up in the communities continued.

The campaign saw the return of former Sports Minister Antil Roberts who had resigned amidst allegations of corruption in the Lifesport programme. There were concerns among UNC MPs that Roberts’ appearance on a UNC platform in Diego Martin signalled his re-entry into the Parliament. But by year’s end, although she had publicly asked him if he would sit in the “people’s house,” the UNC leader had made no move to appoint him a Senator.

Back in the politics though is former minister of the people and social development Glen Ramadharsingh, who had been dismissed under a cloud after allegations of sexual misconduct. Ramadharsingh was elected Chairman of the Siparia Regional Corporation.

5- THA ELECTION

Tobago is preparing for Tobago House of Assembly elections on January 23.

The announcement of the date came on December 16 in a brief announcement from the Office of the Prime Minister. Nomination day is January 3.

The ruling PNM currently holds all 12 seats in the THA and is looking to maintain that position.

The Elections and Boundaries Commission says there are 48,942 electors registered to vote.

THA Chief Secretary Orville London, who has held office since 2001 and has served for four terms, has indicated he will not be contesting the January election.

At a recent business conference, London was highly critical of the national carrierCaribbean Airlines, saying Tobago needs “an airline that is sensitive and recognises that an investment in Tobago at this point in time is going to reap rich dividends down the road.”

He told the gathering, “I am saying that if I am living in Tobago and this is Trinidad and Tobago and this is my national airline, my business must take priority.”

And the long-anticipated Tobago House of Assembly Bill to amend the Constitution to give self-government to Tobago is still to be laid in the Parliament.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley had promised that the legislation would have been laid by December 16. The legislation was prepared after discussions were held by a team led by London and including former chief secretary Hochoy Charles. It is expected to give the people of the island more autonomy.

The legislation provides for the creation of the new House so there will be the chamber made up of the elected assemblymen and the People’s House, which will be appointed by the ruling party in the THA.

Former head of the public service, Reginald Dumas, said he was very concerned about that matter, as the People’s House was to be appointed by the ruling party in the THA.

PSA president Watson Duke has indicated he will contest the election under the banner of his Progressive Democratic Party. Duke will be running for Roxborough/Delaford seat.

But the women’s arm of the Tobago Council of the PNM is urging Tobagonians, and in particular women, to withdraw their support for Duke, in light of allegations of sexual misconduct against him.

Duke told the T&T Guardian people have widely rejected the call because of the numerous problems facing Tobago. He pointed to a recent call-in poll done on Street Tobago 91.9 FM, in which the majority of people supported him.

Among the priority issues which he has identified on the campaign are: housing, land, problems on the air and sea bridge and a proper port for Tobago.

According to Duke, the party has a 40-page “Mandate not Manifesto” which has as its theme Let’s Build a Better Tobago, Child by Child, Family by Family, Village by Village.

The ruling PNM has already selected candidates and expects to kick off its campaign early in the New Year.

Bemoaning the amount of deaths, particularly murders, in the country,  a religious leader yesterday asked his congregation to pray for grief-stricken families shedding sad tears for their loved ones and experiencing a blue Christmas season. 

 Knocking those who keep repeating that crime is on a decline, Reverend Daniel Teelucksingh, in his Christmas Day sermon at the Susumachar Presbyterian Church in San Fernando, likened country’s crime situation to war-torn areas in the Middle East.

However, Teelucksingh exclaimed, “Who really cares?” as he complained that too many families are forced to spend a sad Christmas and New Year because their loved ones were murdered and they got no justice.

Pointing out that there is a kind of magic and power in Christmas that brings family together as they exchange gifts, Teelucksingh said for many families Christmas will be forlorn.

“I make an appeal here in San Fernando to all the families in T&T, to spare a thought and share a prayer for families who are not going to have a merry Christmas, not today and not this season.

“This is because a family member or family members will not be there this Christmas,” he said, adding that no carol, parang or gift could make them happy.

He said the only song those families might mournfully sing is about a blue Christmas.

“Who are these families, who know about the sad tear drops and the sad memories that come calling, 420 of them in 2015, about 450 in 2016 so far, family members who were murdered. ... The sad, sad tear drops keep falling ...”

Also mentioning four-year-old Jenice Figaro, who was recently beaten to death, two children who were killed in a fire at their Valencia home and the boy who fell into flooded river and died, he said relatives want justice but there is none to be had.

“Those sad, sad tear drops and blue blue memories call for justice. I read those cases, I hear those cases and parents and loved ones are saying I wish there will be justice, they are calling for some kind of closure in these cases, but this is a land where nobody seems to care, this is a land where so many cases remain cold. Where has the justice gone wrong?” he said.

Mid-morning rains did not deter shoppers from descending into Port-of-Spain and Curepe for Christmas Eve sales.

Stores and malls were opened throughout the city, and from Henry Street heading east the concentration of people steadily grew.

Charlotte Street was packed with wall-to-wall people, vendors’ booths lined both sides of the street, cars still passed at a snail’s pace among the mass of shoppers and pedestrians spilled onto the road.

S Chang Variety Store on Charlotte Street was one of the many stores filled with customers.

Speaking to the T&T Guardian, Wil Chang, the general manager, said, “Drones are one of our top sellers, doll sets, Bumble Bee cars and the majority of toys with LED lights and sounds.

“Minion and Peppa Pig toys rule everything this year. What are also doing well are the flying Minions, amphibious cars and the God of War remote control cars,” Dawn Charles from Morvant said she was shopping for everything in the store.

At Sing Chong Supermarket, throngs of people were buying foodstuff.

Ingrid, an employee, said all the varieties of turkey were finished, a “little bit” of chicken ham remained and the hams were selling. The supermarket also carried a traditional soak and boil ham.

The general manager said people were buying a little of everything because they had to stretch the dollar. She said if they bought a turkey they will forego the ham or vice versa.

Kathy Reid, from Cascade, said she was waiting on her big box of groceries with her ham and chow chow to come out of the supermarket. She said her shopping was going good and she was loving it.

Meanwhile, on lower Charlotte Street, a businessman said there was a proliferation of vendors. He said things hadn’t really picked up and in all the years he was doing business, this was one of the worst Christmases for sales. The businessman said he was not seeing the situation getting better soon either.

Another businessman said vendors were overdoing it, as they were clogging his entrance and making it difficult for shoppers to enter his place. He said the vendors took over both sides of the street and even the pavement. The businessman said delivery trucks also did not want to come in town and he was losing sales because he didn’t have the goods to sell.

A relative of a 15-year-old San Juan teen who was kidnapped on Christmas Eve was being questioned by the police late yesterday.

One man from the Port-of-Spain community, who is a gang member, was also in police custody.

Jaavika George, a student at a secondary school in San Juan, was kidnapped while on his way to a shop along Chotoo Lane, El Socorro.

A report said around 2.30 pm on Christmas Eve, George was bundled into the back of a Nissan Tiida motor car.

Relatives immediately made a report to the Barataria Police Station and officers conducted enquiries. Officers of the Inter-agency Task Force Strike Team, Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the Barataria Police responded.

A ransom of $300,000 was later demanded for George’s safe release.

However, George was later discovered in an abandoned house in Laventille after an exercise was carried out by the police. He was taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope, where he was treated and discharged. Investigations are continuing.

Police said yesterday that one of the suspects was taken to the Central Police Station while the other was at the Barataria Police Station.

When contacted, relatives, who did not want to be named, said they were surprised that George was kidnapped.

“I am glad he’s released, he’s back and he’s okay. He was going to buy something and they take him. Somebody see and make an alarm,” the relative told the T&T Guardian.

“I was in shock. And he is a good and decent boy who going to school and studying.”

Friends of the family expressed their dismay at the incident and initially took to social media to find George when he was taken.

Investigations are ongoing.

The best Christmas gift ever!

That was how Marissa Nelson, who has undergone an intense weight loss programme to shed her 600 pounds at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC), Mt Hope, summed up her Christmas Day yesterday, after being paid a surprise visit by Health Minister Dr Terrence Deyalsingh.

Deyalsingh showed up on the High Dependency Ward at the hospital to get a progress report on the 32-year-old woman’s health and to extend Christmas greetings to her.

In September, Nelson had pleaded with Government to intervene and provide specialist medical care, urgent medication and a 24-hour caregiver in the T&T Guardian and on CNC3 television, which led to an outpouring of support from the public and attracted Deyalsingh’s attention.

Nelson suffers with lymphoedema, which has left her limbs enormously swollen and overweight.

Touched by Nelson’s plight, Deyalsingh offered medical help by providing a team of specialists to work with her to shed the weight.

In November Nelson was admitted to the EWMSC, where she began a rigid weight loss programme, while on December 3, she underwent gastric bypass from the country’s leading surgeon, Dr Dilip Dan.

Yesterday, Deyalsingh said from his last visit at Nelson’s Johnson Street, Valencia home, the size of her arms “looked much smaller.”

From her own observation, Nelson said she had shaven off some pounds on her face, stomach and legs.

“Little by little I am shedding the pounds. This is the best Christmas gift ever... getting back my health,” she beamed.

Smiling from ear-to ear and taking repeated selfies with Deyalsingh while seated on her hospital bed, Nelson said everything has been working out by the grace of God.

“This is Christmas, you are looking brand new. You looking reborn. Look at that smile! The last time I saw you...you were crying. Look at you now,” Deyalsingh told a shy Nelson, who could not stop giggling.

In bringing some Christmas cheer, Deyalsingh removed his red and white Santa Claus hat from his head and placed it on Nelson’s, who was lost for words.

In the last month, Nelson has been actively involved in physio therapy, while she has been put on a low carbohydrate, low fat, high protein diet.

“I try to push myself as much with the physio therapy because I am on a mission. Where there is life there is hope. Never give up on your dreams. This was one of my dreams. With God all things are possible,” she said.

On January 5, Nelson said a plastic surgeon will remove the flabby and extra skin on her body, which will be the final stage of her weight loss programme.

“They have to do this step-by-step,” Nelson said.

Deyalsingh said Nelson was admitted to the EWMSC because of the Trinidad Guardian, CNC3, himself and a team of dedicated people from the Ministry of Health who saw the need to intervene after her plight was highlighted.

“This is where we all acted responsibly. This just gladdens my heart to see that there are good people and good things could happen when people put their minds together,” Deyalsingh said.

Deyalsingh said he had no idea Nelson’s plight was initially published in 2007, but said no one came to her rescue then.

“No wonder you gave up hope,” Deyalsingh interjected.

Deyalsingh also promised to redo Nelson’s bedroom.

“All the materials have been delivered and I am working with your MP Jennings-Smith (Glenda). She is providing the labour to do the construction. So when you go home, as promised, you will have a new room. It will be a new you in a new room.”

Deyalsingh told Nelson her biggest challenge was not in the hospital, but when she goes home, as she would be tempted to eat snacks and unhealthy food if exposed to it.

A five-year-old autistic boy who was praying with a lighted candle for the release of his imprisoned father, accidentally set fire to his family’s four-apartment home and his grandmother’s home next door, leaving 28 members of his extended family homeless.

The child’s aunt said his father has been imprisoned for 19 months and his mother had been praying daily with a lighted candle for his release. She said the child, who copies everything his mother does, climbed up to where the candle was kept and while praying for his dad accidentally dropped it on the bed, where his 11-month-old brother was asleep. The bed caught afire and quickly spread to the wooden and concrete structure, completely destroying the two family houses and scorching a third at Bayshore, Marabella.

Family members described as a Christmas miracle the sparing of all lives, especially the children, including the five-year-old, his sleeping baby brother and another autistic child, six-year-old Asa Grant, who was watching television, unaware that the house was on fire.

San Fernando mayor Junia Regrello, who visited the distressed families, praised the community who abandoned all of their Boxing Day celebrations to help contain the fire and give support to the fire victims. He also heaped praises on the Fire Service for their efficiency and competence in getting the fire under control.

“Because the way these houses are built and the way how the community is close, it could have been a disaster and the entire community could have been wiped out this morning,” Regrello said.

Regrello said he had already asked the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) to provide mattresses and meals to the families, who will be housed in facilities at the nearby basketball court in the interim. He said members of the business community have also committed to providing building materials which should be delivered by 9 am tomorrow.

Nandy Williams, mother of Asa and Tesfar, who is four, said although they lost everything but no one was hurt.

Williams explained that her blind grandmother, Agnes Tannis, who owns the house and lives in the upstairs apartment with her son Gerard Joseph, called all family members outside early yesterday morning to celebrate Boxing Day in the yard.

“Granny called out all of us to lime with her in the front. Like she know something was going to happen but she couldn’t tell us. She called everybody out of the house and I with my stupid self send the child back inside to put on clothes, because his ding ding was outside.”

Williams said her five-year-old autistic nephew was naked and she sent him to their basement apartment to get dressed, because his mother had gone to a nearby shop and left her two children in her (Williams) care. This was around 10 am.

She said within minutes, one of her nieces, Kalina Attong, seven, ran outside shouting, “Aunty, aunty, the house on fire.”

“I ran inside and dashed some water on the flames. Then I heard the baby bawling and saw him running towards me. I just raff him and my nephew, run outside and went to the homes to see what I could save.”

Williams said she had no idea that her son, Asa, was still in the burning building. She explained that she went into her apartment to save a television which was close to the door. “I spent $6,000 for the TV, so I tried to save it. When I went to pull out the TV, I hear my child saying, ‘mummy, mummy, you going with the TV. The house was pitch black and I did not know anybody was inside with me. When I heard that, I just forget the TV and I grabbed my child and run across to my mother’s house to try and save what we could.”

Her sister, Kay Greene, a mother of five, said all she was able to save was some photographers, which she clutched close to her chest.

Green’s mother, Natalie Williams, said she was not at home when the fire started, having gone to her workplace to clarify whether they had to work today or tomorrow (Wednesday).

“I got a call and I will tell you I stopped to take a drink of Puncheon to stable my heart. I am an alcoholic and I had stopped drinking, but with this fire, I take up a drink before I could come and see what was happening. I know they holding this child to ransom for burning down the house, but he is a child. This boy crying for his father too bad,” she said.

She hugged and pleaded with her sister, Peggy Alleyne, to not harbour any ill will towards the child and his family. Peggy, who was also out when the fire started, burst into tears as she came back to meet her wooden structure partially destroyed.

“People have to take responsibility for their children. You don’t leave babies to see about babies. I just got a grandchild, what if my child was in the house,” Peggy cried.

Natalie hugged her and told her to give praise that no one had died.

Meanwhile, acting Divisional Fire Officer Boodoo of the Southern Division said six people were also rendered homeless in a fire which started in a commercial/residential building at Moruga.

Boodoo also called on citizens to exercise caution around this Christmas season.

“This is the Christmas season when we engage in a lot of electrical systems being used in the form of lighting and we have the potential of overloading circuits.

“My desire is to encourage you avoid overloading of circuits, using open flames, leaving lighted candles which could be very detrimental.”

Boodoo cautioned parents to be very vigilant when it comes to their children and their very valuable properties.

​

Very slow, dead and okay was how street sellers and store clerks described Boxing Day sales in the capital city.

Although Port-of-Spain remained virtually deserted yesterday, some people ventured out of their homes to take advantage of the specials offered at the Frederick Street outlets of Detour and Trendy Kids, as well as the street vendors who complained of a slow day overall.

Although the manager at Detour declined to speak with the media and directed all questions to the head office, employees said there had been a slow trickle of customers since the store opened at 8.30 am.

Unsure of when they would have closed yesterday, the workers said there were special discounts being offered on selected items.

At the electronics counter, there was a handful of shoppers—some of who admitted they only wanted to “see” what was on sale.

Over at Trendy Kids, an official said the Boxing Day sale offered a 20 per cent discount on clothing and toys.

Pressed to say how sales had fared, the woman said, “Okay.”

She added that it had been a “quiet Christmas” season.

Indicating that yesterday’s offerings were normal, the manager said they opened from as early as 9 am and had experienced a steady stream of customers who usually came hunting for bargains.

While many of the street vendors expressed disappointment over the slow sales, one man said he had been hoping for some “momentum” after the Christmas rush.

He said, “Back in the day, many persons would get their back-pay and come to shop. However, that is just not happening anymore. Now we can’t even get foreign exchange. There is no injection of funds to keep the economy going, everybody has to fend for themselves.”

It was a similar sentiment from the couple set up next to him, who added, “The place just dead. There was no effort to brighten up the capital and make it more attractive to shoppers.”

Asked why they thought sales might have been slow, one of the owners offered, “It might be the economy and the recession, people probably trying to save money.”

​

The details of a national prosecutions structure which entails tracing court data so as to ensure a smoother and better coordinated criminal justice system is expected to be made public next month.

“We are taking the backlog and prepare them for trial and then we are going to establish a single unit to actually manage this. This is very similar to what the British calls a Crown Prosecution.

“You have to have national prosecutions in T&T coordinated so the police, the DPP and the judiciary need to have management for all the prosecutions that are done but until you realise where the bulk is then you can’t pour the resources,” Al-Rawi said.

Saying the management of State prosecutions has been in a state of “non-functionality” due to lack of structure and resources for far too long, Al-Rawi said data would show where the prosecutorial focus needed to be placed.

“The exercise is ongoing and would be completed in stages beginning in January and involves mapping what the backlog and prosecution look like in the magistrates’ court, High Court, Police Service and the DPP’s office.

“The figures from the judiciary are nearly complete, the figures from the DPP are now crystallised and the figures from the Police Service are now being formalised,” the AG said adding that there has not been effective coordination on this.

Some 34 vacancies, across the board, were expected to be filled DPP’s office starting from next month.

Al-Rawi said ninety five per cent of prosecutions at the magistrates’ court were conducted by the police while DPP officers did five per cent.

“Who manages that? How is that organised? This is a huge question and that is why we have to track the load so that management from a national prosecutions structure can be done.

“ I am working on the creation of a national prosecutions structure because unless you manage the 95 per cent that the police does then the system goes no where, “ the AG said.

Saying that the “measurables” were unknown Al-Rawi said data would be made public in the first quarter of next year.

“Right now we’re talking about crime but there is no raw data. Does anybody in this country know how many reports are received at a station on a monthly basis? How many of them move towards the magistrates’ court or the High Court?

“In other words what are the reports verses charge verses conviction figures really look like? Nobody knows what that figure really looks like and that figure is going to be made public very shortly through the revelation of statistics in the criminal justice system at the magistrate court, High Court and very importantly through statistics from the Police Service,” Al-Rawi said.

In outlining some of the factors revealed by the data collated thus far the AG said it has revealed that delays in the criminal justice system have been caused by trial by jury, preliminary inquiry (PI), lack of resources at the DPP’s office , availability of courtroom, witnesses and judges.

Civil laws to deal with evidence was also another factor.

He said there must be a performance indicator to determine how efficiently the Police Service was using its monies from Government, adding that a lot of the frustration pervading T&T was a sense of hopelessness felt by citizens.

“People say, ‘I will not report this because this will not be dealt with.’ So let’s figure out what it really is,” Al-Rawi added.

He added that legislation to completely abolish preliminary inquiries was already prepared and work was taking place on a public defender system.

“So once your counsel is unavailable you will be appointed a counsel who is competent but that has to be an amendment to reorganisation of the Legal Aid and Advisory Authority. We are working with the British Government and the public defenders office out of England on that particular approach,” Al-Rawi added.

He said he had already drafted a document regarding “judge only trials by election” which was expected to be made public next year and which the AG also described as a “very contentious issue.”

“Meaning you will have the choice of judge only or not which is a jury less position because there is such stout resistance to that position but in our view it is something which is beneficial to the country and therefore we need to come forward with data on it,” Al-Rawi said.

In the first quarter of next year video conferencing is expected to come on stream at remand as opposed to transporting prisoners back and forth every 28 or 17 days as the case maybe, he added.

​

There is a lot of anger in the country coupled with too many drugs and guns being easily available.

These were among the concerns of Roman Catholic Archbishop, Joseph Harris, amid calls by Anglican Bishop Rev Claude Berkley and Rev Daniel Teelucksingh, of the Presbyterian Church, that the family unit must be restored in light of all the social ills and spiralling murder rate sweeping the society.

“One murder is bad enough and 400 plus murders is awful. We can’t and should not be living that way,” Harris appealed yesterday.

He said it appeared that T&T was “walking in darkness” and was yet to see the light of Jesus Christ as violence seemed to be the order of the day.

“The reading is that people who walk in darkness have seen a great light. We appear to be walking in darkness but the light is the light of Jesus the Christ. We have tried all kinds of ‘isms’...communism and socialism and capitalism and none of it is helping us as a way of life.

“We have to move away from the ‘isms’ and try Christianity,” Harris urged.

He said the values of Christianity also included the same values of Hinduism, Islam and other religions, which were so urgently needed to restore peace to the land.

“We have to get back to those values which Jesus Christ came to teach us,” Harris said.

On the issue of encouraging people to return to their respective places of worship and to pray fervently he said religious leaders also needed to do a better job to ensure this, adding, “We are not doing it well enough.”

He said many still did not understand the reason for the Christmas holiday but if the values of Jesus were internalised and practised the country would be better off.

On whether the Catholic Church would be celebrating midnight mass, especially at the Port-of-Spain Cathedral he said this was never done as mass was usually around nine or ten at night.

“For a long time Catholic Churches have been doing that. I think there is only one Catholic Church in the north which had midnight mass,” Harris said.

On whether all Catholic Churches should celebrate midnight mass Harris said, “Times and circumstances had changed.” He added that he believed it was due to the crime that this was stopped.

While delivering the sermon at the Christmas Eve vigil, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Abercromby Street, Port-of-Spain, on Saturday night Berkley had lamented the many social ills including the runaway murder rate, contracting economy, domestic violence and child abuse.

Teelucksingh, a former Independent senator, had compared the war zone of Aleppo, Syria and the “vicious” truck attack on a Christmas village in Berlin, Germany to the “killing fields” of T&T where the murder rate has already surpassed that of 2015 and where families of missing loved ones were grieving by themselves.

“Our notorious killing fields in Trinidad and Tobago is as vicious and as deadly as last week’s (Christmas) market (truck) bombing in Berlin,” Teelucksingh had said, and noted that if international news agencies such as CNN and the BBC were to cover Trinidad and Tobago, “we would make more news than Aleppo and Berlin. If they were here, we would be making the world news just as any war torn country in the Middle East or any country in Europe that is terrorised.

​

President of the Couva Point Lisas Chamber,Liaquat Ali is calling for innovative policing in 2017 to deal with the crime scourge in the country.

“We have to do something with crime or we are heading for disaster, “ Ali predicted yesterday, saying it was seriously affecting business.

“We cannot afford to adopt the same policing approach over and over to fighting crime and nothing is changing. We have to be innovative because criminals are winning the war right now. If we continue this way criminals will over run this country.”

Expressing concern that central Trinidad had been identified as the second hot spot in the country, Ali said with 2016 being one of the bloodiest years, he was at a loss to understand Ag Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams’ claim that there was a two percent reduction in serious crime.

At the final police press briefing in Port of Spain lat week, Williams said overall there was a two per cent reduction in overall violent incidents, which entailed woundings, shootings and murders.

“It does not appear so to us. The perception out there is that crime is out of hand and perception is what has people living in fear, “ Ali contended.

The businessman also called for transparency in the distribution of foreign exchange among commercial banks as the shortage continues to plague their membership who are unable to pay suppliers.

“A lot of our members are on the verge of not being able to pay their suppliers, including myself. I have been asking for an even and fair distribution of foreign exchange from the commercial banks.”

​

Health Minister Dr Terrence Deyalsingh has tipped his hat to medical doctors Ronnie Bhola and Vijay Naraynsingh for providing free medical services to citizens of T&T leading up to Christmas.

The minister made the statement on Christmas Day while visiting new born babies at the Mount Hope Medical Sciences Complex.

Bhola delivered early Christmas gifts to 25 cataract patients, giving them free surgeries and better sight.

The surgeries, with a total value of $250,000, were all done by Bhola, 48, director and consultant ophthalmologist at the Caribbean Vitreous & Retina Surgery Limited (CVRS Ltd).

Naraynsingh also provided 100 patients from the public health sector with free surgeries by a team of 21 surgeons of Medical Associates private hospital, St Joseph.

“I want to thank them publicly for the work they did. I praised Dr Ronnie Bhola and Dr Vijay Naraynsingh of Medical Associates for coming forward in the spirit of Christmas to give of their services free of charge.”

Asked if other doctors should follow in the footsteps of these two doctors, Deyalsingh said, “it would be nice, if from time to time, all of us in Trinidad and Tobago can give back something to society.”

He said Bhola and Naraynsingh have shown what they can do for their country and not what they expect their country can do for them.

“In this time where we have challenges it is time for citizens to step up to the plate regardless who you are. If you are a teacher and you have a child left behind give free lessons from time to time. Take somebody under your wings and mentor them.”

Deyalsingh said Bhola and Nayarnsingh should be “lauded” and credited for providing their god-gifted talents to those in need of medical services.

​

Police have released the female suspect detained in connection with the death of Jenice Figaro.

She was detained by the Gasparillo police last Wednesday as they awaited instructions from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). She was released on Friday pending further investigations.

Now Jenice’s dad, Robert Figaro, said he has lost all faith in the system.

“I’ve lost it. I don’t know what to think, to do anymore.” He said when he heard the police had picked up the woman, he felt he was finally going to get justice for his child, although what ever penalty is imposed cannot bring her back.

“But when the police told me they released her the next day, Friday, I broke down. They said they need more information.”

He said after one month of investigations, he thought the police had a solid case and was disappointed by the turn of events.

Jenice died at the San Fernando General Hospital on the night of November 24. She was taken to the hospital by ambulance after she fell ill while eating a meal of french fries.

An autopsy performed at the Forensic Science Centre four days later revealed she was beaten to death.

Jenice was the only child for her father. She had been living with him since she was 10-months old, as her mother , Shana Charles, was unable to provide for her.

Continues from yesterday

The announcement of the date came on December 16 in a brief announcement from the Office of the Prime Minister. Nomination day is January 3.

The ruling Peoples National Movement currently holds all 12 seats in the House of Assembly and is looking to maintain that position.

The Elections and Boundaries Commission says there are 48,942 electors registered to vote.

THA chief aecretary, Orville London, who has held office since 2001 and has served for four terms, has indicated that he will not be contesting the January election.

At a recent Business Conference London was highly critical of the national Airline Caribbean Airlines saying Tobago needs “an airline that is sensitive and recognises that an investment in Tobago at this point in time is going to reap rich dividends down the road.”

And the long anticipated Tobago House of Assembly Bill to amend the Constitution to give self-government to Tobago is still to be laid in the Parliament.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley had promised that the legislation would have been laid by December 16

The legislation was prepared after discussions were held by a team led by chief secretary Orville London and included former chief secretary Hochoy Charles. It is expected to give the people of the island more autonomy.

The legislation provides for the creation of the new House so there will be the Chamber made up of the elected assemblymen and the People’s House, which will be appointed by the ruling party in the THA.

Former head of the public service, Reginald Dumas, said he was very concerned about that matter as the People’s House was to be appointed by the ruling party in the THA.

PSA president Watson Duke has indicated he will contest the election under the banner of his Progressive Democratic Party. Duke will be running for Roxborough/Delaford seat.

But the women’s arm of the Tobago Council of the PNM is urging Tobagonians, and in particular women, to withdraw their support for Duke, in light of allegations of sexual misconduct against him.

The party has a forty page “Mandate not Manifesto,” according to Duke which has as its theme Let’s Build a Better Tobago, Child by Child, Family by Family, Village by Village.

FATCA Debate

A storm of a different kind raged in Parliament with the return of the Foreign Accounts Compliance Agreement- FATCA.

FATCA is the first piece of legislation brought by the Rowley administration which requires a constitutional majority. This means that the Government, which holds 23 seats in the parliament, must get the support of at least three opposition members of parliament.

Debate on the Legislation first started in the Parliament last September when the Opposition UNC expressed concerns about invasion of rights of persons and recommended that it be referred to a Joint Select Committee for scrutiny, where it said experts from the banking and financial sector could be called to give advice on the legislation. The government agreed but later reneged on the promise, leading to a stand-off with the Opposition on the legislation.

The law mandates all financial institutions to report on the accounts of US clients with more than US$50,000 to the US Internal Revenue Service the IRS.

Failure to comply with Fatca would mean all financial institutions and US citizens will be subject to a withholding tax of 30 per cent applied to all US-sourced income.

The banking sector lobbied the politicians to ensure the passage of the Legislation before the deadline date of September 30th. But the two sides remained divided and on the day the national budget was presented the finance Minister Colm Imbert told the country he had sought and received an extension from the US government. The new deadline for FATCA compliance was February 2017 and the country has until September 2017 to put all the necessary guidelines in place.

The legislation returned to the Parliament in mid-december. On the day the house was to debate the legislation the Opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar brought a motion to address the country’s spiralling murder rate. The motion was turned down by the Speaker who advised it was brought under the wrong standing order. The opposition leader objected and engaged in cross talk with the speaker. Persad-Bissessar was put out of the house. As she left all opposition MPs followed.

The debate continued with the government speaking to itself in the Parliament and the nation through the live broadcast of the proceedings.

When the debate resumed on Monday December 12th the Opposition was a no show in the Parliament choosing to look at the debate from a caucus room assigned to it in the Parliament building.

The Fnance Minister wound up the debate declaring he “was ashamed to be a Parliamentarian,” and urged the opposition to return to the house “come in” he said.

The Legislation went to the Committee stage with only PNM MPs present. Further discussion on the Legislation in Parliament is set for January 6th2017.

Opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar and her team say they do not intend to budge on their demand for a Joint Select Committee since the bill is too important to the rights of people.

T&T deepens ties with Venezuela

Trinidad and Tobago’s historical ties with Venezuela were strengthened this year with a visit to this country of Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro, the first by a visiting head of State since the People’s National Movement led by Dr Keith Rowley was elected in September 2015.

The visit came at a time when Venezuela was in the throes of a severe economic downturn which has seen protests for food and medical supplies.

The two leaders discussed several matters of mutual interest including enhancing bilateral cooperation in the areas of foreign policy and energy and trade. PM Rowley described the talks as “very productive and useful.”

Following their discussions an agreement was signed to direct operating companies to proceed with cross border initiatives. He said the two sides had signed an MOU in order to further boost their trade and economic relations.

He said as this country’s closest neighbour and sharing in the same kind of challenges the two countries need to work together. Dr Rowley said the agreements signed with respect to the energy sector “could see the monetisation of cross border gas, Venezuelan gas in Trinidad plants and together Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago approach the international market…for these activities”.

During the talks this country agreed to provide relief to Venezuela in the form of a supply of manufactured goods from Trinidad and Tobago. This country subsequently sent a range of goods valued at millions of dollars to help ease the shortages in that country.

By November the Prime Minister was paying a reciprocal visit to Venezuela. Three agreements, were signed.

The first agreement establishes a project that will supply natural Venezuelan gas to Trinidad and Tobago via an interconnection through the Dragon-CIGMA (Dragon Field) export gas pipeline to the CIGMA complex near Guiria, in the Gulf of Paria, Sucre state.

The second agreement was between Venezuelan oil company PDVSA and Shell Venezuela to reduce gas flaring following concerns in Monagas state.

PDVSA and Shell, also signed a memorandum to begin negotiations to obtain financial resources for the PDVSA-Shell Petroregional del Lago crude oil joint production project in Maracaibo Lake’s Urdaneta West field, Zulia state.

President Maduro said “a fourth agreement will be signed and announced when its translation into Spanish is complete.”

PM’s health care

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley had a health scare in August. Shortly before heading out on vacation he visited his local doctor and he subsequently told the country they saw something of interest to them.

No one knew what it was but the country was told that Dr Rowley would have to be examined further by a foreign team of doctors.

On his return home Dr Rowley said that the tests he underwent while on vacation in the United States, showed that he is in good health. He said “My doctors have pronounced me in good health and I have no ailment and no symptoms that would prevent me from carrying out my duties”.

The tests related to changes detected to his prostate by local doctors, and the Prime Minister advised all the men in T&T forget being macho and to get themselves examined on a regular basis once you get past age 40.

A 92 per cent decrease in the country’s earnings from the energy sector in 2016, finance minister Colm Imbert told the country Petroleum Revenue declined from $19.3 billion in 2014 to $1.7 billion in 2016. Revenue from taxation royalties on oil and gas profits also declined from $57 billion in 2014 to $37 billion in 2016 a 35 per cent decline.

It was in this scenario that the Finance Minister Colm Imbert presented his $47.4 billion dollar budget with an admission that the budget was 5.6 per cent higher than the revenue expectations for 2016. The Budget was predicated on an oil price of US$48 per barrel and a gas price of US$2.25 per MMBTU.

Imbert made it clear that the country’s economy was in an even more perilous state than the Government had envisaged.

In June, Imbert stated that having borrowed TT$3.1 billion from local banks and drawn down TT$2.5 billion from the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund (HSF), that he would travel overseas to borrow US$1 billion on the international financial market.

In July Imbert embarked on his ‘roadshow’ to woo US banks into financing a chunk of this country’s deficit spending. On his return the Minister told the media the roadshow was a “resounding success.” He said T and T had received offers of participation from over 250 international investment firms.

Imbert had set out to raise US$1 billion and on his return he reported that his travels to London, Los Angeles and New York and meetings with investors were “well worth it because we achieved the outcome.”

He said, “Within two hours, we had received offers of US$3.5 billion dollars.”

The TT dollar depreciated against the US dollar by 4.9 per cent with the selling rate moving from $6.45 in January to $6.77 on December 21st. But the demand for foreign exchange showed no signs of abating. The country’s foreign exchange reserves fell from US$9.78 billion in December 2015 to US$9.54 billion at the end of November 2016.

Business interests expressed concern at the growing problems to get foreign exchange and for the average citizen it became more difficult to buy US dollars for foreign travel.

A seven per cent online tax for purchases took effect in October and by year’s end the finance minister was reporting that the government had benefitted from the tax to the tune of TT$6 million.

One of the hardest hit sectors this year was the energy sector which reeled under a drop in oil and gas prices. As of December 20th West Texas intermediate crude averaged just over US$43 a barrel for 2016. Crude oil production was at its lowest averaging just over 70 thousand barrels per day compared to 2015 when the production was above 78 thousand barrels per day.

Natural Gas production as of October averaged 3.335 billion cubic feet per day, compared to the previous 3.833 billion cubic feet per day the previous year. In this scenario gas supplies to some companies on the Point Lisas Industrial Estate were impacted, some companies production now under 70% because of the situation. With the economy on the down slide thousands of workers were thrown on the breadline, the largest group 644 were from the Arcelor Mittal Steel Plant which closed its doors in March in a “voluntary wind-up.” The Company listed its liabilities at US$280 million and its assets at US$70 million.

The closure of the steel plant followed a ruling by the Industrial Court that the Company should pay full wages to workers who had been laid off in December 2015.

By Year’s end over 22 thousand people were unemployed, and the Central Bank reported that the unemployment rate had increased from 3.3% for the corresponding period last year to 3.5 per cent.

Faris and gun issue

Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal caused a national stir when he produced photographs of two teenagers posing with UMP 9 millimetre guns which the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force uses. Moonilal said the teens had a striking resemblance to a senior government official.

Al-Rawi called a news conference telling the media that the training was a matter of security. He said upon becoming AG in September 2015, a threat assessment was conducted and the security agencies instructed that it was imperative that the international protocols for training how people are exposed to threats had to be delivered by the security forces to him and his family.

He said his family was taken up to “the Cumuto base where instructions as to threats against our persons and circumstances were provided. The protocols were very carefully directed under the supervision of the army.

The AG did not confirm that the children in the photos were his, however he lashed out at Moonilal, saying he holds him in rigorous contempt of morality for dragging family members, particularly children, into a conversation for political mileage.

It would be Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley who would confirm the teens were Al Rawi’s children. The Prime Minister said while Moonilal claimed to have dropped a bomb or mark in Parliament, “a serious breach had taken place.

The Prime Minister said, “Two things happened here. The officer who would have taken that picture and to have publicised it as part of the work going on at Camp Cumuto, that officer would have breached a level of security and has created a threat for the children of the Attorney General.”

Rowley said passing such information to an Opposition member was “meant to harm.”

He said “It is irresponsible on the part of the officer who took that picture.”

Rowley said members of national security services, “especially those who are charged with the responsibility of protecting officers of State and their families, that they have a duty and must have some respect for the job that they carry out. Because if it is you lose confidence in the people around you, who are to safeguard you from those who would want to harm you, I rather be without them you know.”

Rowley said recently he had to remove Special Branch from the Prime Minister’s detail because they publicly said they could not guarantee him security.

The PM told Moonilal he found it strange his sight was so good now, noting that when a video of his former People’s Partnership colleague surfaced he did not know who the person was,“but the back of a photograph...the back of a child you know who it is now. You could look at the back of a child and know who the father is, but you couldn’t know your colleague was in Cascade snorting.”

TO COME IN 2017:

•Property Tax, at an across the board rate of 3% initially.

•Legislative requirements for the Revenue Authority by the 2nd quarter of 2017
•Regulation of the gaming industry
•$100 exemption on electricity bills with a value of less than $300 (this took effect in December consumers will feel the benefit of this by February
•VAT exemptions for foreign yacht repair service to take effect in the first quarter of 2017
•Partial divestment of Lake Asphalt
•50 per cent of outstanding arrears to public officers to be paid in cash by the end of March 2017.

Several stores in Princes Town had to shut their doors and allow customers in two at a time, as shoppers rushed to cash in on Boxing Day sales in that part of the island, yesterday.

Private security guards were kept busy as from as early as 5 am, customers lined up outside stores to participate in this Boxing Day tradition, which ended at 12 noon.

Among the early birds were seven members of the Timothy family from Santa Cruz. One member of that family, Kurlene Timothy said they saw the JD’s Supercenter advertisement on Facebook on Christmas Day and decided to make the trip down south to capture the 33 1/3 per cent discount.

“We left home at around 4 am, and were there when the doors opened at 6 am. We met people already lined up, but we were among the first to get into JD’s Superstore. We purchased four television sets, a pressure cooker, two sandwich makers, two DVD’s and we were out of there within an hour. “

Household appliances and toys were among the best sellers in Princes Town. On High Street, San Fernando, some stores also opened hoping to cash in on the Boxing Day sales, but the response was not as great.

Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar is urging citizens to take courage and work together to address challenges in the new year.

“Each of us has an important role to play in strengthening unity in our nation and in moving the country forward,” she said in her Christmas Day message.

She noted that amidst the merriment of Christmas celebrations, which is a time of love and togetherness, she is painfully aware of the social and economic turmoil facing the country.

“I know it is difficult for many to feel festive at this time, especially when those who govern our country appear to have abdicated their responsibility to citizens, choosing to abandon the poor and vulnerable and thousands of others who face uncertainty as we close one year and prepare to begin another.

“Children have been victims of heinous crimes, parents and grandparents are at the mercy of rapists and murderers. Women and girls are disappearing, while an uncaring and impotent administration washes its hands like Pontius Pilate, refusing to take responsibility for protecting citizens,” she remarked.

Persad-Bissessar commented that as the county observes another Christmas, countless families are unable to find shelter or purchase food and other necessities. She also expressed concern for the thousands who have lost their jobs and who have little hope of finding an alternative means of survival.

Pointing out that a collective approach has to be taken to address the challenges, Persad-Bissessar said there is still a bright light on the horizon.

“Today, in spite of our adversity we have one another. Let us share that which money cannot buy, as we reflect on the Son of God who came to us in the humblest surroundings,” she said.

One of three miraculous survivors of a horrific crash that left six people dead yesterday pleaded with drivers not to accelerate on amber lights.

Kwme Romain, 26, who was discharged from hospital one day before Christmas Eve suffering from a broken right leg and left arm, recalled the driver of the car he was travelling in was speeding and ran through a red light at the O’Meara intersection colliding with a pick-up truck.

“Red light, one, two, three, dead people” Romain said of the accident that killed his brother, two friends and three strangers on December 5.

According to police reports, the Romain, brothers, Kwme and Kareem, 27, Che Peters and driver Travis Teague were heading east along the Churchill Roosevelt Highway when on reaching the O’Meara intersection, Teague’s Mitsubishi CK Lancer collided with an Isuzu pick-up heading south along O’Meara Road.

The accident took place around 11.30 pm. All the passengers in Teague’s vehicle, except for Kwme died on the scene, as did three occupants of the truck.

The other casualties were later identified as, Ramesh Narine, the driver, Avenelle Thomas and Timothy Fraser. The trio, all employed with Special Elite Investigations Services Ltd, were on their way home after working a 10 am to 10 pm shift.

Roxanne Johnson and Rampaul Hanoo survived the crash from Narine’s vehicle.

Seated in the porch of his Valencia home, Romain yesterday recalled the last moments, his brother and his friends went from enjoying life, to horror.

His memories of the accident remains not too clear as he was in and out of consciousness. He said if it weren’t for God, he would have probably been dead.

“We were coming to the light, it was green, and the driver was like ‘Yeah, we go make it’. Then the light turn amber and he mash down all, he could have stopped but he was so close to the light and he put X to board. Next thing the light change on we and the van man just buss out, he didn’t even wait. Yes, the light was green for him but he didn’t give we a chance. The only thing the driver (Teague) didn’t do was pop his horn,” Romain said.

Romain said the next thing he recalled was his friend Peters gasping for breath. Peters’ body was fitted between the two front seats and his head was on his lap.

He recalled “seeing the bone out my leg” before his memory went blank. He later woke up on his hospital bed asking for his brother and friends.

Asked what he learned from the incident, Romain said: “I have to talk to my drivers and them. I wasn’t driving and the driver wasn’t drinking. We does smoke weed (marijuana), well I stop now, and he wasn’t smoking. So I just have to let my drivers know not to try and beat the light because that is what he (Teague) do.”

Romain said that after being operated on last Wednesday he was told that he would have to spend a week in hospital, but he prayed and two days later he was home, in time for Christmas.

At home, the festivities were not as grand as they have been in the past.

On Monday (Boxing Day) the family had some merriment with the second birthday of Kareem’s second child, Adian.

In an interview two days after the crash, Romain’s mother, Debra Gibbons said the boys were friends and she would not harbour a grudge against anyone to erode that friendship.

“Yesterday she said: “My Christmas was awful and it will never be the same again. There is a void that could not be filled.

“My whole life change now and as I open my eye I am reminded that’s something missing. I can’t even look at Kwme without thinking about Kareem. The 40-day (mourning period following the funeral) ends on January 13, and that is my birthday, but by the grace of God, I will make it.”

Gibbons said she hopes to ring in 2017 with some joy.

POLICE WARNING

In a telephone interview with the T&T Guardian, head of the Highways and Traffic Branch, Supt Mathura Singh yesterday advised drivers to treat an amber light like a red light.

He said the death toll from road accidents currently stood at 132 compared to 146 for last year.

“Drivers when approaching traffic lights must do so with caution. What we have happening is when drivers see the amber light they accelerate which is the wrong procedure.

“Once you see that amber light you treat it as a red light and stop. There are times when you are at the intersection and you can’t stop but other than that stop.

“We are calling on all motorists to adhere to the simple rules on the road. These are simple rules,” Singh said, adding that drivers should continue the habit of not driving while under the influence of alcohol.

A Valencia man, who for years have been visiting friends in Carapo, for the festive season was shot dead on Boxing Day.

Both relatives of murder victim Fabien Patrong and police are unsure as to why the 27-year-old was shot dead at Simon Drive, Carapo.

Police said the Ministry of Works employee was not known to be involved in any criminal activity and described his shooting death as “strange.”

According to police, Patrong was liming with a group of friends in the roadway when a man walked up to him and shot him repeatedly and left.

Police said there was no exchange of words, or an attempt to rob Patrong.

The shooting took place around 5.17 pm and Patrong became the 451st person to be murdered for the year.

Speaking with the media at the family’s home yesterday a relative said Patrong was the type of person not to interfere with anyone and they are confused as to who would want him dead.

The relative, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Patrong usually spent the Boxing Day with his friend in Carapo.

“He is a real loving fella and never had a falling out with anybody. He not in drugs or nothing, he real humble,” the relative said.

Patrong’s father, Danny, said he was in his estate on Monday night liming and playing cards with friends not realising he was having a wake for his second child.

The senior Patrong said: “God will take charge of things,” and what he wants now is positive people around him to help lift his spirits from the tragic news.

Chairman of the Urban Development Corporation of T&T (Udecott) Noel Garcia

said by February, next year the controversial Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba would be ready for cricket.

Completion work on the controversial venue restarted under the present government after the building was left idle for several years needing completion before it could be occupied.

In 2005, a $275 million contract was awarded for the construction of the stadium. However, the cost ballooned to $885 million with several delays, which resulted in the project being halted in 2010.

The facility, named after legendary West Indian cricketer Brian Lara, was supposed to be finished in time for the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean.

In November 2015, during a tour f the facility, Sport Minister Darryl Smith said the stadium would be ready by mid-2016.

In giving a progress report on the stadium, Garcia said by January 31, work on the academy will be completed and in February the public would be able to enjoy the first cricket match at the venue.

“So far the project has been under budget. Udecott has spent to date under $73 million. But you never know because there is always contingency. So let us put it this way. Up to now we are within budget and time. We are planning to have an international 20/20 match in the middle of February as an official opening,” Garcia said.

He said one of the things the Government must ensure was that the stadium be used for commercial use.

“We still have the other objective with it being a training academy. However, we can also keep an eye on the commercial aspect of it.”

Garcia said the stadium would be an alternative to the Queen’s Park Oval, in Port-of-Spain.

“It engenders what I call healthy competition.” He said next July, the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) wants to host a match at the venue.

Leaving the building unattended for six years, Garcia said resulted in significant damage to its fixtures and furniture.

“People vandalised the place so all the electrical cables were stolen.”

He said of the $90 million budgeted to do refurbishment works, the civil the building works took the largest chunk.

“Just to replace the electrical cables cost Udecott between $6 to $9 million alone. This was the most expensive part of the work to date.”

Installation of 10,000 seats, which are scheduled to arrive on January 27, would be installed by February 15, Garcia said.

“Other additional works to be completed by February 15, include the digital scoreboard, which is being sourced from outside, the turnstiles and the landscaping of the entrance to the stadium,” Garcia said.

Civil works, decorative fencing, structural works, security fencing, handrails, guard booths, roofing repairs, upgrade of the playing field and installation of new pitches have already been completed.

“The following packages have been completed but require commissioning after re-connection of permanent power to the stadium by T&TEC, refurbishments of the fire, potable, irrigation and sewer pumps, three standby generators, the installation of all speakers for audio media, all air-conditioning units and access control and CCTV cameras.”

With work coming to a close, Garcia said he always felt that leaving the stadium incomplete would have been a waste of $800 million of taxpayers money, while the building would have ended up as a scrap heap.

“So it was always my and Udecott’s intention to finish the project and put it into the use for the benefit of the people of T&T. I really question people’s patriotism when they could advocate that you abandon a project simply because of somebody they don’t like. We really have to stop this partisan and third world approach...that if the PNM start something and the UNC come into power they must stop it and vice versa.”

Garcia said at the end of the day, the players on the field are not concerned if it is a UNC or PNM ball or bat. “What they are concerned, is that, the facility is up to world-class standards.”

The fall in global energy prices in 2016, coupled with a steady reduction of crude oil production, have contributed to a sharp decline in Government’s revenue.

With little money in it’s coffers, several mega-projects which started under the People’s Partnership government, including construction of over a dozen primary and secondary schools, all remain incomplete.

Given that the energy sector remains the lifeline of the T&T economy, its no surprise that the only mega-construction project which remains on stream is the $6.3 billion Caribbean Gas Chemical Ltd (CGCL) plant in La Brea.

Some of the mega-projects which remain incomplete:

SOLOMON HOCHOY HIGHWAY EXTENSION PROJECT

The $7.4 billion Solomon Hochoy Highway extension project started in March 2011 and is 49 per cent complete. Designed to connect the city of San Fernando at Golconda to the southern towns of Debe, Penal, Siparia, Fyzabad, La Brea and Point Fortin, the highway was initially awarded to Brazilian construction giant Construtora OAS but was never completed after the company went bankrupt.

In January, 1,000 OAS workers were laid off without being paid outstanding wages and severance payments.

In February, 60 plus contractors hired by OAS protested outside the company’s headquarters in Golconda, saying they were owed in excess of US$40 million.

On May 25, the contract came to an end and angry workers threatened to burn down OAS property if they were not paid.

By September, NIDCO, the project manager, invited tenders to resume the highway and several private contractors took OAS to court demanding their outstanding payments.

The company’s assets including vehicles and construction material were auctioned off in November.

CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Situated on a 60-acre expanse of Caroni lands, $1 billion the Couva Children’s Hospital and Training Centre remains unoccupied.

Meant to be the hub of medical tourism in the Caribbean, the facility is now overgrown with weeds. In August, the facility was handed over by Chinese firm Shanghai Construction Group to UDeCOTT. Following a tour of the facility, UDeCOTT chairman Noel Garcia said a Request For Proposals (RFP) was issued so the hospital can open its doors through a public/private partnership. A bio-medical engineer was given the task to ensure that all equipment were protected and functioning. An inventory was created and each item was tagged. Security measures were also put into place to ensure there was no unauthorised removal of the equipment.

THE BEETHAM WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT

The Beetham Waste Water Treatment Plant is 60 per cent complete. Rigged with controversy, the plant has been the subject of scrutiny by the Government. In May, a Joint Select Committee meeting of Parliament conducted an investigation into the National Gas Company and was informed that a total of $943.7 million had been expended on the Beetham Waste Water Treatment project for 2015. NGC entered the contract with Super Industrial Services (SIS) Ltd in March 10, 2014, at a cost of US$162,055,318.77 to build the plant but in November 2015, the contract was terminated. SIS indicated that it could not complete the works even though it was paid over $780 million.

UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES SOUTH CAMPUS (PENAL/DEBE)

Building works at the $.5 billion University of the West Indies south campus in Debe is 80 per cent complete. Since the construction began in September 2013, a total of $511 million has been spent on the project. Outfitting of all buildings, external fixtures and external works are 50 per cent complete. The campus was supposed to be ready for the academic year 2015/2016. However, UWI principal Prof Brian Copeland said there were problems with the contractor, China Jaingsu International Economic Technical Corp, which he did not wish to disclose. The project is now expected to be completed by year’s end.

POINT FORTIN HOSPITAL

Nineteen months after the sod was turned by former prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the construction of the $1.2 billion Point Fortin Hospital has finally started. It was a project promised since the days of the late Prime Minister Eric Williams.

It is being funded through a government-to-government arrangement with Austria and the main contractor is an Austrian firm Vamed Engineering GmbH & CO KG. The hospital is expected to be completed by August 2017.

ARIMA HOSPITAL

Expected to be completed in June 2018, construction of the $1.2 billion Arima hospital started in June this year and is about 20 per cent complete. Arima MP Anthony Garcia said the site is barricaded and he was eagerly anticipating the opening of the promised institution.

PENAL FIRE STATION

Construction on the $71 million Penal Fire Station is under way and expected to be completed by August 30, next year. The project is 35 per cent complete, according to Roxanne Stapleton-Whyms, media coordinator of UDeCOTT.Work began under the previous People’s Partnership government one month before the 2015 general election.

SHIVA BOYS’ & PARVATI GIRLS’ HINDU COLLEGES (PENAL)

Both schools situated at Clarke Road, Penal are 70 per cent complete. However, because of a non-payment of funds, the contractor has stopped works.

In an interview, Education Minister Anthony Garcia said a number of primary and secondary schools are still incomplete because of lack of funding.