Fyzal “Johnny” Mohammed ushered in 2018 lying in a hospital bed, but thankful that he survived what could have been a deadly encounter with a venomous mapepire balsain.

Mohammed, 37, of San Pedro, Rio Claro, was bitten by the snake, also known as a bushmaster or fer de lance after he accidentally stepped on it in bushes near his home on Thursday.

He said he got a parakeet as a gift from his brother and had gone to cut a branch off a tree to put in the birdcage when the incident happened. He was bitten just above the right ankle.

Mohammed is at the Sangre Grande District Hospital where he is being closely monitored after being administered anti-venom. He said he is in extreme pain.

“As I mash the snake it turned around and bite me . . . as it bite, it let go, but I ran so fast. I knew it was a snake that had bitten me. I was real frightened when I see the blood,” he said, as he recounted his ordeal from his hospital bed.

Mohammed’s brother, Sharaz, a hunter, said when he realised his brother had been bitten he went immediately to look for the snake.
“The snake was in the same spot. It did not move because it had probably just eaten a rat and was lying there. We had to kill it to carry it with us to the hospital with my brother so the doctors could see what type of snake it is in order to give him the correct anti-venom. They confirmed it to be a mapepire,” he said.

“If that mapepire had strike from the front the poison would have travelled much faster in his bloodstream but because it was a bite he was poisoned but at a slower rate, thank God.”

Mohammed said: “This was a near deadly experience for me and I don’t want anyone to experience this because they may not be lucky like I am. People be careful out there, especially in bushy areas.”

PREVENTION OF SNAKE BITES

• Get to know the local venomous snakes, the places they like to hide and what time of day and year they are more likely seen.
• Snakes are often hesitant to tackle larger animals like humans, therefore, if a snake is spotted, allow it to slither away rather than having it meet a violent death with the cutting edge of a machete blade, as is customary in Trinidad.
• If you encounter a snake that is presumed to be dead, be careful. A scratch by the fangs of the snake may be enough to allow venom to be injected into the body.
• As much as possible, keep the snake’s food source out of your home. This includes creatures such as mice, rats and poultry . Snakes will come around if food is in abundance.
• Avoid having too much debris around your home.
• Be wary of snakes being washed down by rains and in flood waters. Certain snakes are excellent swimmers and with murky flood waters, it will be difficult to spot them.

MORE ON THE MAPEPIRE

The mapepire balsain, scientific name Bothrops atrox is mostly found in forested areas in Trinidad. Its prey includes small rodents, frogs and birds. It can grow up to two meters in length and is quite easily agitated.

The snake’s venom consists of enzymes and heamatoxins, which are meant to assist in the digestion of their prey. If a human is bitten it will cause swelling and necrosis (rotting) of the affected area. If bitten, seek medical attention immediately.

With just 41 days before Carnival 2018, the three interest groups are warning of major cut backs in their activities this season because they have not yet been given their annual subventions.

There has been a decrease in the budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts for the festival, down from $168.5 million last year to $147.35 million—a decrease of $21.15 million.}

The money is to be allocated to the National Carnival Commission (NCC) for distribution to interest groups, Pan Trinbago, the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (Tuco) and the National Carnival Bands Association, as well as smaller regional bodies."

NCC chairman, Colin Lucas said he anticipates a smaller figure for this year and applauds the interest groups for their understanding.

“There are financial issues in the country but we still have to operate within that context.

All special interest groups are understanding of the situation and as a result we might be late in the start but the show will go on,” he told the T&T Guardian.

Lucas, who was recently appointed along with a new NCC board, said there wasn’t enough time to improve in certain areas for the 2018 season but he assured that next year there will be drastic changes.

“We have already identified areas where things can be done differently,” he said.

Tuco president Lutalo Masimba (Brother Resistance) said the group has not yet been paid its subvention but he expected it will be a small figure.

“We have already made the decision to cut back on some of our competitions such as political and social commentary and humorous,” he said.

“We will have our main focus on just three competitions, which are National Calypso Monarch, National Extempo Championship and National Road March.”

Masimba added, however, that despite the current economic climate, Tuco is “going full steam ahead” into the Carnival season and has put in place interim measures.

The group’s first major Carnival event takes place today at the Grand Stand Courtyard, Queens Park Savannah, Start the Carnival.

“We have already started our Carnival activities since the end of October, beginning of November, with auditions for calypso tents,” he said.

Pan Trinbago president, Keith Diaz said the steelband body has not yet received word on how much will be given to them for the season but said there would be no boycott or cut backs.

“I don’t think NCC has received any funds yet but we remain hopeful as we are not finished with negotiations,” he said.

Diaz said Pan Trinbago has not yet been paid the $3 million collected from the 2017’s pan semis and finals by the NCC and that matter is engaging the attention of their attorneys.

On December 14, Pan Trinbago regained control of the sale of Panorama tickets after Justice Vahiest Kokaram ruled in their favour in a matter it brought against the NCC.

Fyzal “Johnny” Mohammed ushered in 2018 lying in a hospital bed, but thankful that he survived what could have been a deadly encounter with a venomous mapepire balsain.

Mohammed, 37, of San Pedro, Rio Claro, was bitten by the snake, also known as a bushmaster or fer de lance after he accidentally stepped on it in bushes near his home on Thursday.

He said he got a parakeet as a gift from his brother and had gone to cut a branch off a tree to put in the birdcage when the incident happened. He was bitten just above the right ankle.

Mohammed is at the Sangre Grande District Hospital where he is being closely monitored after being administered anti-venom. He said he is in extreme pain.

“As I mash the snake it turned around and bite me . . . as it bite, it let go, but I ran so fast. I knew it was a snake that had bitten me. I was real frightened when I see the blood,” he said, as he recounted his ordeal from his hospital bed.

Mohammed’s brother, Sharaz, a hunter, said when he realised his brother had been bitten he went immediately to look for the snake.
“The snake was in the same spot. It did not move because it had probably just eaten a rat and was lying there. We had to kill it to carry it with us to the hospital with my brother so the doctors could see what type of snake it is in order to give him the correct anti-venom. They confirmed it to be a mapepire,” he said.

“If that mapepire had strike from the front the poison would have travelled much faster in his bloodstream but because it was a bite he was poisoned but at a slower rate, thank God.”

Mohammed said: “This was a near deadly experience for me and I don’t want anyone to experience this because they may not be lucky like I am. People be careful out there, especially in bushy areas.”

PREVENTION OF SNAKE BITES

• Get to know the local venomous snakes, the places they like to hide and what time of day and year they are more likely seen.
• Snakes are often hesitant to tackle larger animals like humans, therefore, if a snake is spotted, allow it to slither away rather than having it meet a violent death with the cutting edge of a machete blade, as is customary in Trinidad.
• If you encounter a snake that is presumed to be dead, be careful. A scratch by the fangs of the snake may be enough to allow venom to be injected into the body.
• As much as possible, keep the snake’s food source out of your home. This includes creatures such as mice, rats and poultry . Snakes will come around if food is in abundance.
• Avoid having too much debris around your home.
• Be wary of snakes being washed down by rains and in flood waters. Certain snakes are excellent swimmers and with murky flood waters, it will be difficult to spot them.

MORE ON THE MAPEPIRE

The mapepire balsain, scientific name Bothrops atrox is mostly found in forested areas in Trinidad. Its prey includes small rodents, frogs and birds. It can grow up to two meters in length and is quite easily agitated.

The snake’s venom consists of enzymes and heamatoxins, which are meant to assist in the digestion of their prey. If a human is bitten it will cause swelling and necrosis (rotting) of the affected area. If bitten, seek medical attention immediately.

One of the longest serving members of the ruling Peoples National Movement (PNM) Ashton Forde is commending Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley for “holding the country together” despite challenging economic times.

Forde who will celebrate 50 years as a member of the PNM in March, said people’s expectations were high when the Rowley administration came into power.|

“But we are in extremely difficult economic times and the party could not deliver on some of its manifesto promises,” he told the T&T Guardian yesterday.

“We cannot do what we would like to do as a government because you cannot get more from less, so we just have to tighten our belts and hope we could live with what we have at the moment.”

Forde said Government has been able to hold the country together and “make sure that public servants and other people don’t lose their jobs, although there has been some fallout in some areas with people who have contracts.”

The former Arima Mayor, who now resides in Canada, commenting on concerns about Rowley’s style of leadership, said: “He is the kind of leader who has no patience for incompetence and sometimes when he responds it may rub people the wrong way.”

However, he is unaware of any “rumblings” within the party about Rowley’s leadership.

Forde, who has worked with previous PNM Prime Ministers Dr Eric Williams, George Chambers and Patrick Manning, said the leadership of the party over the years has changed dramatically because of changed circumstances in the country and the world.

He added: “Therefore you have to make adjustments to suit the times. As a party we are also changing. At the party’s convention in November the constitution was adjusted to include a social media officer of the party. When Mr Manning was there he added a fourth deputy leader. As time goes by and things change the party adjusts to suit.”

Forde is no longer involved in active politics, but over the 50 years he has been in the PNM he has served as chairman of the Youth League, Mayor of Arima, General Secretary, a Parliamentary Secretary and other positions.'

His advice to those coming into politics now is exactly what Rowley told party supporters when they won the 2015 General election: “You have to respond to the people and you can’t go wrong when you put the people first. Attend to their issues, their requests and you can’t go wrong and of course you cannot afford to mislead people and make promises that you cannot deliver.”

Forde said it is “important and imperative” that elected MPs keep their ear to the ground at all times to have a grasp of the needs of the people.}

“My advice is to address the needs of the people.” he said.

With the Rowley administration now at mid-term, those elected ought to have settled into office and be working out the problems and the demands of the people..

“You cannot satisfy all of the people all of the time. Peoples’ expectations will always be high,” he said.

He added that a good communications network is critical given the circumstances in the country.

Using existing structures at the local government level, co-ordinators in the respective electoral districts and foot soldiers will be critical to keeping the party and government in tune with the people. Forde advised.

For 2018, he wants to see Tobago’s issues ought to be settled, the burgeoning crime problem addressed with the appointment of a new Commissioner of Police, as well as issues in the health sector. Forde will return to the country in March to celebrate his 50th year in PNM politics.

Officials of Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) have denied reports that the entire fleet of ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft have been down for the last three days, forcing the airline to press into service its fleet of Boeing-737-800 jet aircraft to alleviate the backlog of stranded passengers.

In response to a report in the Sunday Guardian, CAL’s head of Corporate Communications, Dionne Ligoure explained that two ATR’s were undergoing planned, scheduled maintenance and one was briefly taken out of service last Thursday to resolve a technical issue.

“That particular aircraft was returned to service within a 24 hour period,” she said.

“Although some services were delayed, the airline moved all confirmed customers and also several hundred persons who did not hold confirmed bookings.

“Additionally, it is normal for the Boeing 737 fleet to be used to support the operations during these high demand periods.

As indicated in media releases issued by Caribbean Airlines on December 28 and 29, the 737 fleet was being used to operate several consolidated services.”

Ligoure emphasised that safety is CAL’s foremost priority and during the busy holiday period the airline has done all possible to manage its resources to provide a safe and reliable service to customers.

She added: “The airline ensured that the airbridge operation was given top priority and increased the scheduled seat capacity over several days. For example, 4432 seats were provided on December 29.”

Shanti Roopchand survived a vicious scissors attack in 2016 and took out a protection order. She didn’t expect her attacker to return a year later to try to finish the job.

Her attacker, who is now in police custody, is expected to be charged with malicious wounding after he stabbed Roopchand and her son, Premchand, multiple times during an attack on Friday night at their Pancham Trace, Penal, home.

Both were discharged from the San Fernando General Hospital yesterday and spent New Years Eve with relatives,.

A relative, who did not want to be identified, said the attacker breached a protection order and came armed with a cutlass and a knife to kill Roopchand.

“Were it not for her son, Shanti could have died,” the relative said."

“After the protection order was granted, he was told to stay away. He came to the house on Friday around 9 pm and shouted her name demanding to see her.”

A reluctant Roopchand went outside and without warning the man started to chop her. She ran off screaming and the man dealt her a blow to her left arm. Hers screams alerted her son who tried to take the cutlass away from the attacker.

“He was aiming for Premchand’s neck and Premchand was using his hand to brace the blows,” the relative said.

When Premchand took the cutlass away, the man pulled out a knife and stabbed Roopchand in her chest and back. He also stabbed Premchand.

Neighbours heard the screams and ran to assist the mother and son. The man ran into bushes near the home and escaped.

The 52-year-old suspect was arrested hours after the attack. He is expected to appear before a Siparia Magistrate on Tuesday on charges of malicious wounding.

While many people look to the start of the new year in anticipation of new beginnings, T&T’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) community continues to be faced with troubling issues”, Friends For Life (FFL) said.

The group, which has offered friendship, support and counselling to LGBTQI persons in the country for the past 20 years, published an advertisement yesterday highlighting the findings of a research project it held between May to September.

A steering committee was established with five members of the LGBTQI community who guided development of research questions, methodology and analysis of the data with two university-based researchers providing technical support during the process. The study used a combination of methods to collect data including an online survey and journalling by ten LGBTQI individuals.

FFL said: “The findings showed that the LGBTQI in Trinidad and Tobago experience many forms of human rights violations, including denial to the right to security of person, discrimination in accessing and maintaining economic and social rights such as employment, education, health and housing, and experiences of trauma from emotional and physical abuse perpetrated by both community and family members.”

All of the survey’s respondents said they, or persons close to them, were victims of violence on at least one occasion, including being raped, robbed and physically abused.

Apart from this violence the LGBTQI community also faces difficulties when it comes to housing, FFL said.

“The policies of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago is silent on the LGBTQI access to low-cost or government subsidized housing. However, there seems to be an institutionalised barrier since the study’s findings show that it is significantly more difficult for same-sex couples to submit and have an approval since the process privileges married heterosexual couples.”

“Also, there is no protection from landlords’ discrimination against LGBTQI who attempt to rent or are renting,” the group said.

FFL said the study moves beyond anecdotal evidence to show patterns of structural and cultural barriers which continue to plague LGBTQI’s enjoyment of rights and protections in T&T.

One can wish that in 2018 those who intend on pursuing a life of crime will get rid of their guns and turn to a life of peace. Additionally, one can hope that the Good Lord will create a series of fortunate events that would lead to an end our forex shortage. One can also pray for an end to racial politics and a concerted effort from all our citizens in addressing our national challenges. Alternatively, those with the ability to make a positive contribution towards improving the quality of life in Trinidad and Tobago, can make 2018 the year where one participates in nation building.

In 2018 we can:

Reduce gun violence by insisting that both houses of Parliament pass legislations that allow for the acceptance of video evidence in our court, the reduction of criminal gangs, the composition of special courts that deal with violence and gun related crimes and reduction in the backlog of matters in our courts by introducing plea bargaining for matters in our courts over five years.

Make tourism a major earner of foreign exchange by partnering with our business community to make Chacachacare a premium tourist island and ships support facility; improve the infrastructure and boats at the bird sanctuary; make the Gasparee caves one of the best cave facilities in the world; package carnival and steelpan to be internationally attractive; rebuild the sea and air ports in Tobago to international standards; build attractive and safe infrastructure to access the Pitch Lake, our mountain tops, our swamps, rivers and waterfalls.

Restructure our governance model so that the business community would be given the opportunity to purchase, invest and run most of the State’s Enterprises.

Reduce central government’s role in managing our communities by legislation. This can empower communities to manage State lands, provide water distribution service, repair and build community infrastructure including bridges, roads, beach facilities, access to State parks and security.

Allow communities to raise funds independent of Central Government

Strategically plan for increased food production to not only satisfy local needs, but to position Trinidad and Tobago as the food basket of the Caribbean.These and much more are possible as Trinidad and

Tobago is blessed with intelligent, innovative and insightful people. We are blessed with natural, local treasures and equipment and business support to transform T&T into one of the most prosperous countries in the world.

We can do what is needed if we find the will to look beyond the debilitating agendas of those that thrive on dividing our people. 2018 is a good time to start on a journey to rebuild our country.

God bless our nation.

STEVE ALVAREZ

The owner of the Apsara Restaurant, located around the Queen’s Park Savannah, says in the past three years the National Insurance Board has earned over $4 M in rent from the property which it acquired at a cost of $37m in 2014.

And he believes that someone at the NIB should be investigated for allegedly defrauding the Board of Inland Revenue after a valuation for stamp duty put the property valued at $33 M at a mere $16m.

Questions about the price paid by the NIB for the building were raised in Parliament in December by Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh when trade unions and the Employers’ Consultative Association appeared before a Joint Select Committee of Parliament to discuss the NIB’s ninth actuarial report.

Deyalsingh said an independent valuation of the building $16.5 M, “but NIB paid the owners $37 M, so they overpaid for the properties by $20.5 M.”

The restaurants are owned by Sharif Mohammed and Marie Kavanagh who pay a $96,000 monthly lease for the property.

Mohammed told the T&T Guardian that the $96,000 rental fee is until 2018, “and then there is a 30 per cent increase for another six years bringing the rent to $125,000 a month.”

He defended the $37 M paid for the building by the NIB. He said an evaluation of the building done in the middle of 2013 by “a reputable international surveyor valued the property at almost $33 M.”

He said in the course of negotiations for the NIB to purchase the building he submitted a proposal to the NIB that he intended to spend between $10 and $15 M to improve and upgrade the property. That deal, he said, was closed in “April 2014.”

Mohammed said NIB had a “quantity surveyor each week to evaluate the work I was doing. The $5 M was spent, but I spent $15 M more on the property and it is there to be seen.”

Asked where the $16m valuation came in, Mohammed said: “This is what was spread by politicians so it looked as though I got an extra $20 M for a property that only worth $16 M.”

But he admitted that a valuation was done in 2014 “in the middle of renovations,” which valued the property at $16.5.

Asked about the huge discrepancy between that valuation and the $33 M which he had gotten from an independent surveyor, Mohammed said in July 2014 the NIB “sent a valuator to value the property and when I asked the valuator why it is she was evaluating the property because the deal was closed and I had already been paid, she said it was for stamp duty purposes.

“I understand the land alone was valued and not the property itself. So they came up with a valuation for stamp duty for $16.5 M and ignored the total value of the property which was $33 M.”

NIB officials could not be reached to comment on the claims.

When asked about it in Parliament the representative from the ECA Keston Nancoo said while the NIB had a balance of three representatives from employers, government and trade unions, the Government held the chair.”

Mohammed described it as one of the best deals the NIB had made because they were getting a return on their investment.

“They have received $4 million in rent and with appreciation, the property is now worth $50 M,” he said.

“They spent $37 M and got $4 M in rent to date and it’s going to increase in 2018 so who got the better deal?” he asked.

Most mothers know that giving birth is quite unpredictable, but for Point Fortin couple Melissa and Lyndel Pompey, they found that out when their son Jadon was born four minutes after reaching a hospital bed.

Jadon Caleb Nathan Pompey, born at 8.09 am yesterday, was the Pompey’s second child and the second to be born at hospitals under the South West Regional Health Authority. There were three babies born at the San Fernando General Hospital yesterday, but the Area Hospital, Point Fortin recorded none up to noon.

However, nurses said there was a possibility of more births on the day which many believe is an indicator of how the rest of their year would turn out.

Sleeping in his cot with a smirk on his face, little did he know of the drama his parents endured. Originally scheduled to be born on December 31, his mother spent the Old Year’s Day at home relaxing with family.

Deciding to skip church because Melissa was at full term, the family did their devotions at home. Melissa, a compliance officer at the National Insurance Board, said at 10 pm, she began experiencing excruciating pain and when it became unbearable, she and Lyndel went to the Area Hospital.

“For two hours I was there with the unbearable pain, but I was not dilated enough. They thought I would have to do a Caesarian Section because the pain was at its peak so they sent me tot he San Fernando General Hospital. At 8.05 we arrived and I got to a bed and at 8.09 he was here,” Melissa said.

Despite the worrisome ordeal, the couple was in praise of God and the nurses, who they described as attentive and caring.

“To be honest, I am just very happy that he is here safely. It was hard as a man to see my wife in that amount of pain. It was tough, but it’s over and thank God,” Lyndel, a personal banking officer at Scotiabank, told the Guardian. All that remains was to introduce Jadon to his 14-month-old brother, Johnathon.

At the other Maternity Ward, South’s first baby of the year at 9.16 am, Cynia Fletcher slept peacefully at her mother, Kerisha Pierre’s bedside. Pierre, a teller at First Citizen’s bank, said Cynia came seven days earlier than she was due and she believes this was a good way to start the year. They were visited by Pierre’s husband, Rostant Fletcher and their first daughter, who was eager to see her baby sister.

Although Pierre was still experiencing the pain of undergoing a Caesarian section, she said she was excited with the expansion of their family and was anticipating bringing Cynia back to their Couva home.

The third baby, a boy, was born to Angela Richards.

A woman from Caroni remains warded in hospital in a critical condition after her two hands were severed in a cutlass attack by her husband during a domestic dispute.

The attacker drank a weedicide after the incident and was found dead near his home.

According to reports around 9 am, Bishnu and Drupatie Sankar had an argument at their home at David Trace, Kelly Village, Caroni home.

Bishnu grabbed a cutlass and chopped his wife several times. Two of the blows almost completely severed her hands from her arms, police said. He ran away from their house as his wife screamed for help, investigators said.

Residents contacted the police who took the injured woman to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mt Hope.

She remained warded in a critical condition at the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Police and residents later found Bishnu lying unconscious in some bushes near to their home. A bottle of a chemical believed to be poison was found near his body.

He was pronounced dead by a District Medical Officer (DMO) and his body was taken to the Forensic Science Centre in St James where a post-mortem is expected to be performed today.

When Guardian Media visited the community yesterday no one was at the couple’s home.

Neighbours were reluctant to divulge any details.

“We does try to mind our business here. We don’t know what does be going on in that house. They have cameras all over so the police should be able to figure it out,” the couple’s next-door neighbour said.

Investigations are continuing.

Hundreds of residents of flood-prone communities along the Caroni River Basin breathed a sigh of relief yesterday as flood waters which left them marooned in homes for the entire New Year’s long weekend began to recede.

When a news team from the T&T Guardian drove through Madras Road in St Helena and parts of Caroni and Las Lomas, yesterday most of the murky water which surrounded the communities had already drained off.

Only a handful of residents were seen cleaning their properties of debris. Many others started off their day power-washing their yards.

The only homes that were seen to be still surrounded by water were those located close to large drains and tributaries which still filled almost to capacity.

“It was not as bad as the last three times last year. The water drain off fast once the rain eased up,” one resident said.

As on a previous tour of the community on Sunday, residents complained that the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) failed to visit and assess the damage.

They also said that they were sceptical of applying for flooding relief grants through the Ministry of Social Development due to past experiences last year.

“We sign up in the ministry but we never get anything, but people in the area who house barely get any damage get,” one woman said.

Some residents said that they had grown accustomed to the flooding and had taken some precautionary steps to protect their electrical appliances and furniture by placing them on concrete blocks or elevating the main access points to their homes.

However, they admitted that they all suffered repeated losses during three major floods last year.

“We could usually gauge when it going to flood but this time the water started to rise in the night (Saturday), so we could not do much,” teenager Nazir Mohammed said.

The residents called upon the Government to introduce long-term measures including widening and regular dredging of rivers and tributaries.

Mt Hope Women’s Hospital saw the birth of the country’s first baby for 2018 but the mothers of the newborns were all nervous of the country’s crime climate and how they will protect their children.

They have all vowed to guide their children along the right path through their growing up years and instil religious values.

Jewel Murray, 27, of St Joseph, gave birth to her second child, a baby boy at 12.17 am at a weight of seven pounds five ounces.

Speaking with the T&T Guardian yesterday, Murray said she wished her baby, named Jahané Arnold, all God’s blessings. The name, she said, was chosen because of its meaning “Holder of the World.”

Little Jahané’s beaming grandmother, Juliet Murray said she intends to see to it that her grandson is guided on the correct path in life.

“Parents and all adults around must take better care of your kids today. Children must be brought up in a strong spiritual path so that they can be conscious of God, good and evil and stay away from evil,” she said.

Murray’s sister, Gaynelle wished for her nephew to be intelligent, knowledgeable and understanding. His little sister, Destiny, who is just four years is said to be at home waiting patiently for the arrival of her new brother.

First-time mother, Keshana Delandro, 19, of Santa Cruz gave birth to Andy King Phillip at 1.11 am. She said her prayer is for the crime situation in T&T to “cool down.”

“It is a scary world out there and I just pray that crime goes down so that my baby boy can grow up in a safe environment,” Delandro said.

“It is best for parents to talk to their children and show them the reality of life and tell them of the consequences that they can face if they choose to go along the path of crime…it is time for parents to stop hiding the reality of life,” she said.

Baby Andy’s father, Anderson Phillip, 27, wished his son, who is his second child, health and prosperity.

Meanwhile, proud parents Sheena Khan and her husband, Jason welcomed the new addition to their family, their third child, Emily Khan, who was born at 1.21 am weighing five pounds 15 ounces.

The Khan’s said little Emily was their New Year wish come true.

The Eastern Regional Health Authority welcomed the first baby to be born at the Sangre Grande Hospital at 2.15 am. The healthy baby boy, who weighed eight pounds, was born to Keisha Johnson from Matura.

Ronald Tsoi-a-Fatt, chief executive officer, was on hand to congratulate Johnson and present her with a hamper filled with baby products.

Johnson thanked the staff at the Sangre Grande Hospital for the safe delivery of her baby boy.

Two babies were born at the Sangre Grande Hospital and at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital, five babies were born.

Tobago hoteliers are reporting between 30 and 50 per cent decline in room occupancy and believe regular visitors to the island are losing trust in the reliability of the airbridge and seabridge.

The air and sea travel service have been flooded with complaints and problems for most of 2017, resulting in a downward spiral of visitor arrivals and potential revenue.

The seabridge issue first reared its head, during the months of June, July and August 2017 which are considered to be the peak time in which hotels earn the highest revenue.

Nick Hardwicke, President, Tobago Hotels, Restaurants and Tourism Association in a telephone interview, confirmed that occupancy levels are “historically” low given the time of year.

He suggested the reason for the decline is due to the logistics on the inter-island route.

“The traditional holiday vacations that people tend to come up and enjoy—the Christmas period, the Old Year’s period from T&T—simply have not materialised this year in terms of numbers,” he said.

Hardwicke said based on the reviews from visitors the main reason why routine visitors would not return is due to, “the main deterrent which is the confusion, chaos and uncertainty caused by the seabridge and the airbridge issues.”

“Nobody trusts the current situation—the pronouncement made by the authorities whether it be through Caribbean Airlines Ltd, the Port Authority simply have fallen on deaf ears, because there has just been a catalogue of catastrophe and confusion affecting those two services for way too long, it has destroyed confidence in the Tobago market.”

Owners of the Cabo Star, vice-President of Bridgemans Services Group Andrew Purdey, as well as members of the Port Authority and Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley had appeared before the Joint Select Committee of Parliament to answer questions about the vessel and the route. The issue did not stop there and continued unabated with the airbridge at times having to pick up the slack left by the inefficiencies on the seabridge.

At the Blue Haven hotel, managing director Karl Pilstl said visitors who gave feedback say it was easier to go to another Caribbean destination rather than Tobago.

“The perception is when you go to Tobago it is difficult because you don’t know if you could get back on time because if the boat is not on time or if their flight gets cancelled they would not get back on time to go to work.”

Sean Clarke, Manager, Plantation Villas said the logistics between the islands left much to be desired. He said even though Caribbean Airlines Ltd was able to pick up the slack by the seabridge chaos, there is dire need to address the problem. He also agreed that regular visitors are saying that it is easier to go to Barbados or St Lucia or other destinations than Tobago.

As Government and Opposition MPs welcome 2018 they had one common wish—for the country’s murder rate go down.

Last year closed with 494 people being murdered, the third highest toll for T&T.

Planning and Development Minister Camille-Robinson-Regis said she hoped society could work together to ensure T&T could thrive.

“I also would like to see a reduction in crime. The people in T&T have to understand it is important for us as a country to recognise the number of blessings we have and to build on themselves and country.”

When we compared ourselves to other countries, Robinson-Regis said, our nation had done well.

“We as Government, we will do our part to ensure that we get it right and work in the interest of T&T,” she said.

Tunapuna MP and deputy Speaker Esmond Forde said while it was impossible, he was hoping for a crime-free country.

“That is the first thing on the burner is that crime be reduced drastically, especially crimes of passion, gang-related activities and murders.”

Forde said there was a need for a collaborative effort to get the murder rate down.

“I am thinking very positive. We know that the nation is going through some tough economic times but we all have to play our part to rebuild the economy.”

Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General Fitzgerald Hinds had this message: “I expect we would have to hold strain through 2018 again doing what we have been doing…cutting back on expenditure and waste. Everyone has had some experience with the cuts the Government had to make and the burden we all carry and share.”

The Laventille West MP said he was looking forward to a peaceful and orderly society.

“I find individuals and gangs are traumatising us with unnecessary violence. I feel as a society we are not doing enough to deal with the situation.

“I think we all look only to the police to resolve it when it is patently clear that all of us must take a more sober and serious approach.”

Hinds said at times he was painfully embarrassed at the state of affairs in T&T.

Minister of State in the office of the Prime Minister and Tobago East MP Ayanna Webster-Roy was also optimistic about meaningful change.

“I want to improve circumstances for children and work closely with my constituents. I just hope we can become a more tolerant society,” she said.

Couva North MP Ramona Ramdial had two wishes—the economy to rebuild and a reduction in crime and “murders especially against women.”

In the last 12 months, Ramdial said, many women lost their lives at the hands of domestic abuse, violence and crimes of passion. “I really hope to see a decrease in that.”

Fyzabad MP Lackram Bodoe wants to see less crime, as well as an improved economy and confidence in the judiciary.

He said: “I wish that as citizens of this diverse society we strive harder to understand each other and be kinder to one another.”

Mayaro MP Rushton Paray would like to see a renewed sense of purpose.

“Coming into the New Year people have to look after their neighbours and be kind to each other. I really hope the Government can build back confidence in the economy. 2018 should be a turning point for us to restore confidence and rebuild hope.”

Cumuto/Manzanilla MP Christine Newallo-Hosein also wants to see a drastic reduction in the country’s murder rate.

“I would like for us to be our brother’s keeper which we are not. We hear and know a lot of things with regards to crime but we remain quiet.”

Caroni East MP Dr Tim Gopeesingh would like Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley to call an early election.

“For the New Year, I wish for an early election to be called because people are fed up with the Government.”

Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal said he planned to work tirelessly in and outside of Parliament with his colleagues to ensure that 2018 was the PNM’s last year in office.

“I wish the country a safe and secure 2018 as best it would be, given that we are almost 500 murders in 2017. But my heart goes out to the families of murder victims, those whose homes were flooded out and to the hundreds of people who were thrown on the breadline.”

Over the past four years, the month of January was proven as the bloodiest month in each year, and this year seems to be following the same trend as four murders were committed in first nine hours of the new year.

The victims were identified as—Brandon Khan, also known as Chinee and Jundallah, of Enterprise, Chaguanas; retired police officer John Ramkissoon, 59, of Gopaul Trace, Longdenville; Miguel Simmons, 20, a man only identified as Nic and Mark Bascombe.

ACP Crime Irwin Hackshaw, in an immediate response to the bloody start of 2018 said “The boots are on the ground.”

He assured that the police will continue to keep working on trying to keep the murder rate down.

“Our vision for 2018 is that, as it was last year, but we will put in that extra effort this year. We didn’t do too well last year but we will keep on pushing...the boots are on the ground and the police are on the ground,” Hackshaw said.

The first incident took place shortly after midnight while Khan was liming with friends at Goodwill Street when when gunmen opened fire on the group.

Khan and five others were shot. Khan died while undergoing treatment at the Chaguanas Health Facility. Police said he was shot six times. The names of the five wounded people weren’t released up to press time.

At the scene yesterday young men in the area were reluctant to comment on the incident but admitted that this was a “sign for them to look at protecting themselves by whatever means necessary.”

Neighbours, who asked not to be identified, described the scene as the “wild, wild west.”

A resident said that Khan, who was often involved in confrontations with police officers, was the “main target.”

Another resident said she returned from church shortly after midnight and saw people lying on the road, “just blood everywhere. The men came shoot up the group and Chinee attempted to run home but collapsed.”Hours later, police were called to the scene at Gopaul Trace, Longdenville, where retired police officer, John Ramkissoon, 59, was found dead in the garage area of his home. He was chopped to death around 3.30 am after an argument with a neighbour. He was repeatedly chopped to the face and his skull was fractured, police said.

A suspect, in his early 30s, has been detained is said to be assisting police in their investigations. The man, a father of three, is a mechanic and electrician by trade. His relatives described him as a “hard worker and friendly guy.”

Ramkissoon’s daughter, Shelly Anne, 35, said her father was visiting neighbours wishing them a Happy New Year.“We really don’t know what happened but there was an argument and when my mother and brother came out daddy was already on the ground. He spent the night going around and just drinking and liming,” Shelly Anne said.

She said her father worked in the T&T Police Service’s for 30 years and retired from the Guard and Emergency Branch. “My father was a good person to everyone and he was just enjoying his retirement,” she said.

The third murder occurred at about 7 am after Miguel Simmons, 20, was shot dead at Seventh Avenue, Malick, Barataria. The fourth murder occurred two hours later at Upper Mendez Drive, Champs Fleurs.

The man, who was only identified as “Nic,” was driving a grey B-13 when gunmen opened fire on the vehicle.

The driver crashed into a concrete embankment. Police said the injured man got out of the car and attempted to run but was chased and shot dead.

Relatives at the scene said that it was not a good time for them and did not comment further.

Bascombe was killed outside a children’s party in Bagatelle, Diego Martin shortly after 5 pm.

He was shot by the occupants of a passing car and was taken to the St James Medical Centre where he died.

Police said an automatic weapon was used in the attack.

While many citizens rang in 2018 with prayers, fireworks and family limes, the Bansgopauls spent their night in hammocks fighting off a scourge of mosquitoes brought on by four days of floods.

Every New Year’s Day, the Woodland family would hunt, cook and invite friends and relatives over to their home for a day of celebration and togetherness.

But there was little they could do as they, like many of their neighbours, had murky, stagnant water in their homes. The aftermath of four days of torrential rainfall which swamped the entire country.

Many motorists heading to San Francique and Siparia were forced to turn around as Pluck Road remained blocked by water due to overflowing New Cut Channel.

Children threw nets in the road, catching cascadura and other small fish while cattle grazed on what little high ground they could reach.

For the Bansgopaul household of 13, they sat solemnly on their front porch, disheartened over the missed holiday.

Larry Bansgopaul told the T&T Guardian that from the time the water started gushing into their home on Friday, they sent the four children, ages one to eight, to stay with relatives as they already knew their fate.

His mother Mohanie said it was the third time in 2017 that they were flooded; the other two times being the Tropical Storm Bret in June and the Divali floods of October. She said the authorities did nothing to ease their problems.

“We spent our New Year’s Day sleeping in hammocks and on chairs. As you can see we’ve raised everything off the ground, but the water has damaged clothes and the wardrobe so far. In the past, we’ve lost a lot of furniture and appliances.”

While the four rivers running through the community remained high, villagers said it was the unstable bank along the New Cut Channel that was responsible for the floods.

Cattle farmer Kassim Mohammed said the banks cannot withstand the volume of water rushing down and on three occasions, the soil washed away, making way for the water to gush into their homes. Several residents along with contractors tried using a flat-bed trailer and mud to block the broken parts of the banks, but they said the water was too powerful.

Mohammed said he had to wade through the floods to retrieve his cows, but now they have very little to eat as the grass remained underwater for days. Only a few residents were able to begin cleaning as the water began draining into the rivulets. Dilip Mungal said while he was happy to wash his premises, the rivers are in dire need of cleaning as more rain will only bring another round of flood.

A tense industrial relations climate resulted in some unprecedented action, with protests being staged outside the home of a Government Minister as well as inside the Parliament.

The latter action resulted in two workers associated with the gaming industry being banned from the precincts of the Parliament.

In a massive show of force, labour leaders abandoned the National Tripartite Advisory Council (NTAC) in protest over what they claimed was the disrespect of a senior government minister for the trade union movement and workers.

The year began with the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) led by Ancel Roget threatening a strike at Petrotrin to press for increased wages for the more than 5,000 employees of the State-owned energy company. The action was called off only after Government’s intervention and an agreement for a five per cent wage increase.

Roget also led a series of protests at the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission.

In April, he was telling oil giant bpTT to “take yuh rig and go” as he led workers in a protest outside of the Prime Minister’s office in St Clair after the company decided against fabricating its Angelin platform locally.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley said Angelin’s fate was sealed by protests which delayed completion of another bpTT project, resulting in the Juniper platform being removed from T&T to be completed abroad.

Roget denounced the policies of the Rowley administration and warned of a series of protests.

“They’re devoid of any idea that can bring about good governance, we’re experiencing very poor governance,” he said.

Roget further warned that the Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM, which he headed, was prepared to “shake up this blasted place” if Government didn’t treat workers with respect.

By March, the three umbrella trade union organisations, JTUM, Fitun and Natuc had withdrawn from the NTAC following the decision to close down the Tourism Development Company (TDC).

Secretary General of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) Joseph Remy described the decision as a breach of the principles of tripartism and consultation.

TDC workers staged protests against the decision which was announced by Tourism Minister Shamfa Cudjoe.

Despite their protests, the 111 workers were sent home and two new tourism entities set up.

In October, the Tourism Trinidad Destination Management Company was formed with a board of directors headed by former Miss Universe Jannelle Penny Commissiong.

Another company was formed to deal with tourism in Tobago.

In July, eight employees of the Sports Company of T&T (Sportt) were sent on administrative leave as the Office of the Attorney General ordered a forensic audit into the company.

By year’s end all eight, including CEO Adam Montserin, had been relieved of their duties.

There was also a shake-up on the board of Sportt with two directors being replaced.

Trade unionists used Labour Day celebrations in Fyzabad on June 19 to send another warning about their growing disenchantment with the Government.

Roget said: “As the conscience of the people, the labour movement must hold every Government accountable.”

He warned of a massive protest and on August 4, there was a show of force as workers staged a demonstration in Port-of-Spain.

Roget issued an open-ended ultimatum for Rowley to meet with trade unions, failing which, labour would intensify their actions.

He also called for the immediate removal of the “four non-performing ministers”—National Security Minister Edmund Dillon, Finance Minister Colm Imbert, Tourism Minister Shamfa Cudjoe and Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley responded to the demands from the trade union leaders by calling for restraint and understanding given the country’s economic circumstances.

He assured that “far from the views expressed by some voices in the labour movement, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago is not unmindful of the stresses and strains exerted on the national population, especially those who face inadequate income earnings or who encounter the prospect of a reduction in employment opportunities.”

Rowley agreed to meet with labour leaders and urged them to return to NTAC. After a nearly three-hour long meeting on September 13, Government agreed to a moratorium on retrenchment in the public sector until December 31.

In October, after the presentation of the Budget, there was another massive show of force as workers aligned to the Public Services Association, NATUC and the Members Club and Lottery Workers Union, protested outside the Parliament against new tax measures, including a hike in fuel prices and a 100 per cent increase in gaming taxes.

A decision to increase the number of maxi taxis and allow maxis to work outside of their respective routes was eventually put on hold.

Casino workers took their protests against the increase in gaming taxes to the Maraval home of the Finance on the Divali holiday. The Minister did not meet with them but his wife accepted a letter from the protesters.

The workers later staged a protest inside the Parliament as Minister in the Ministry of Finance Allyson West was winding up the budget debate in the Senate. They were escorted out of the chamber and House Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George later deemed members club employee Maxine Gonzales and president of the Independent Fishermen Union of TT Robert Sagramsingh for shouting across the floor.

This year also saw protests by UTT workers over a planned restructuring of the facility. Roget led the workers in protests.

“There is an attempt, through the guise of so-called restructuring, for the reduction of the number of campuses from 15 to six. That would have a devastating impact on the number of workers who now service all of those campuses,” he said.

UTT has more than 1,200 staff members and Roget expressed concern that as corporate management and academic staff are removed, so too will workers on the lower tiers. He said there has been a cut in government’s budgetary allocation to the University to $100 million.

Discussions on the issue will continue at the Ministry of Education later this month.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has invited Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar and a “small team” from the Opposition to a meeting to discuss nominations for the election of a new President for T&T.

Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister and Office of the Attorney General Stuart Young wrote to Persad-Bissessar yesterday inviting her and a small team to meet with the Prime Minister and a small government team at ten o’clock on Friday at the Diplomatic Centre.

In the letter which was sent to the media, Young told Persad-Bissessar, “I also called you to extend an invitation and to ask that should you have any name(s) you would like us to consider that you provide the name(s) as soon as possible in advance of Friday’s meeting so that we may consider same.”

Persad-Bissessar did not respond to calls to her mobile phone, but Deputy Political Leader of the UNC David Lee told the T&T Guardian that the UNC’s parliamentary caucus will meet today “to discuss that process.”

The party’s national executive will also meet to discuss the way forward.

Asked whether the party will submit a nominee, Lee responded: “I could not say. Discussions have to take place first.”

Some UNC MPs are advocating that the UNC should not submit any name for the Presidency. One of the two nominees first touted by party officials as the UNC pick, former diplomat and head of the public service Reginald Dumas has since indicated he is not interested in the position.

In a letter to the editor shortly after his name was published as a possible candidate, Dumas wrote “Our non-executive president, whoever he or she may be, is our citizen number one, whose election should not, in my view, be the subject of party political machinations and, consequently, of the very fissures that more and more afflict us.”

Dumas proposed that “instead of yet another adversarial scenario to have the three components of the Electoral College—Government, Opposition and Independents—consult as many members of the public as possible in the short time remaining, then sit together in advance of the election and agree on a single person.”

Another name put in the public domain by UNC officials was that of former Industrial court judge Gladys Gafoor.

Sources also told the T&T Guardian the PNM’s pick for the post is retired Caribbean Court of Justice judge Rolston Nelson. But party sources told the Guardian yesterday that other names are being considered.

MPs began receiving letters today informing them of the meeting of the Electoral College. The Government and the Opposition have until January 10 to submit nominations.

ABOUT THE PROCESS

On December 18, presiding officer of the Electoral College, Speaker of the House of Representatives Bridgid Annisette-George started the process for the election of the President writing to both the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader indicating that she had set January 19, as the date for the election of the President.

Under the Constitution, the President is elected by the Electoral College voting by secret ballot. Ten Senators, the Speaker and 12 other Members of the House of Representatives constitute a quorum of the Electoral College.

Once elected by the Electoral College the President holds office for a term of five years. President Anthony Carmona was elected on February 15, 2013, and was appointed to the office on March 18, 2013.

His term of office ends on March 19. Under the Constitution, an election must be held no sooner than January 18, and no later than February 19.

kevon.felmine@guardian.co.tt

Yesterday’s low tides and warm weather were ripe for clean-up works in flood-ravaged communities but after three disasters in just six months, the fear of more devastation looms large.

Like the onslaught of Tropical Storm Bret in June and the Divali floods of October, the recent rainfall has distressed hundreds of households.

Cepep crews were out assisting residents in Mafeking Village, Mayaro to discard ruined furniture, appliances and clothing valued ten of thousands of dollars. Similarly, some Woodland folks were trying to salvage anything they could from the mauby-coloured water that seeped into their homes since Friday.

Chairman of the Mayaro/Rio Claro Regional Corporation Glen Ram painted a grim outlook of the next rainy season, saying that if the Ministry of Works and Transport continue to grapple with funding to clear major watercourses, devastating floods could become the norm.

Water had subsided along the Naparima/Mayaro Road but Cedar Grove and its surrounding area remained covered. Ram said over 150 houses were affected, but the tally continued to climb yesterday as the Disaster Management Unit assessed the damage.

Two families had to be rescued from their home by first responders and they took up shelter at the Mayaro Civic Centre. They were provided with mattresses and food.

“We had floods just two months ago, but this month was worse than before. If you saw the pictures, you would see people’s fences covered by the waters. The problem here in Mayaro is that there is a constant need to clean the main rivers which fall under the Ministry of Works.

“Of course we raised these issues at our regional meetings, but we understand that the problem with the Ministry is funding. We try to help but we are also starved for funding and floods will become a perennial thing is nothing happens. If the rain comes in that manner again, we will get flooded again, especially when the tide is high,” Ram said.