Nicholas Gajadhar, 27, who survived being shot multiples times six years ago, is once more fighting for his life after being shot multiple times.

Gajadhar, who was released from prison less than two weeks ago, was shot several times in the head, chest and stomach during an incident in Mon Repos on Saturday night.

At around 9.45 pm, Gajadhar, of Ste Madeleine, was standing near Building 11 of the Housing Development Corporation apartment complex on the Naparima Mayaro Road when he was approached by a man dressed in a camouflage jacket and dark trousers.

The man pointed a gun at Gajadhar and opened fire. As the victim fell on the ground, the gunman ran off. Gajadhar was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital where he is warded in critical condition.

Police recovered 15 spent 9 mm calibre shells at the scene. They are yet to determine a motive for the shooting but said Gajadhar was known to them and had several convictions.

In March 2012, Gajadhar was among several patrons liming at Charlie’s Bar on Pointe-a-Pierre Road, San Fernando when three gunmen came out of a car, entered the bar and shot him several times.

Cpl Sookram is investigating Saturday’s incident.

Sangre Grande recorded its first murder for the year on Saturday night when bar owner Ashram Persad was shot during a robbery at his business place.

The 49-year-old father of three died at the Sangre Grande Hospital shortly after he was attacked by two gunmen, their faces covered by bandanas, who held up Dogie’s Bar on the Manzanilla Road. The robbers escaped with an undisclosed sum of cash.

Police said two employees and a patron were at the bar with Persad at around 7.45 pm when the armed men entered the building. They locked one of the employees in the stockroom and forced the other to lie face down on the floor. The lone patron was chased out of the bar.

Persad, who was behind the bar selecting music, did not see what was taking place right away. When he looked up, one of the gunmen shot him twice in the abdomen. When he fell to the ground, the gunmen took his brief case which contained an undisclosed sum of money and emptied the cash register. They fired shots in the air as they ran out of the bar into a side street before escaping in a waiting vehicle.

Persad was still alive and was calling for his son when police arrived on the scene. PCs Robert Joshua and Buchoon of the Manzanilla Police Post took him to hospital in their police vehicle.

At the victim’s home where tents were being erected yesterday, relatives, neighbours and friends gathered to offer condolences.

Persad’s brother, Guyan, complained about the treatment given to his critically injured brother at the hospital. He said there were no attendants on duty and the policemen who transported him to the accident and emergency department had to assist in lifting and turning him so he could be attended to by a doctor.

Persad’s widow, overcome with grief, could only say: “He was a great father and husband.”

His older daughter Alexia, 19, who will be entering university later this year, said her father was a role model to his children.

“He was most happy when I got the most awards at North Eastern College graduation,” she said.

His younger daughter, Celina is in Sixth Form and son Rainer is in Form Two.

Police said footage from CCTV camera is being reviewed. Visiting the murder scene were ASP Joseph, Insp. Lutchman, Sgt Christopher Fuentes of Homicide Bureau Region 11, Arouca and PCs Roberts Buchoon and others. Sgt Fuentes is continuing investigation.

A post mortem will be done at the Forensic Science Centre in St James today.

RALPH BANWARIE

Chutney soca artistes Nermal “Massive” Gosein and Kenneth Supersad, whose songs have generated great controversy in recent weeks, have made it into the finals of the NLCB Play Whe Chutney Soca Monarch competition.

Gosein’s Rowlee Mudda Count has been heavily critized and there have been calls for it to be banned, while Supersad has been threatened with legal action for Raj Story. However, the controversies failed to dampen their performances in the semi final round of the competition at Live Nightclub in San Fernando on Saturday night.

Gosein, dressed in white, had the crowd in stitches as he demonstrated his Rowley Mudda Agricultural Dance.

“We importing plenty, plenty food from foreign. We have to to start helping Rowlee mudda to produce agriculture. We going to start planting our garden,” he said

Supersad wore a blue dress and wig and spoke about a Facebook video of a man caught by his wife with his mistress. A man named Raj who was featured in a video widely circulated on social media sites, threatened to sue Supersad if he continued to perform the song. However, the artiste claims his the song is based on a fictional character and on the advice of his attorneys is ignoring the legal threat.

Although their songs were well received by the crowd, it was the duo Nishard Mayrhoo and Neval Chatelal singing Masala whotopped the semi final round of the competition, while newcomer Vijai Ramkissoon, singing Suno More, was a close second

In a Facebook post, George Singh, CEO of Southex, organisers of the competition, said 34 artistes competed in what was a tough semi final battle.

“There were many new faces at this year’s competition and there was a lot of energy and hype inside the club. The venue was packed to capacity as from very early on there were long lines to get inside,” he said.

Singh said Southex is working closely with service providers to ensure there is a grand show for the finals on January 27 at Skinner Park, San Fernando, where the finalists will try to dethrone 2017 champions Ravi B and Omadath Maharaj.

The finalists are:

• Nermal Gosein
• Veejai Ramkissoon
• Rikki Jai
• Adesh Samaroo
• Kenneth Supersad
• Nishard Mayrhoo & Neval Chatelal
• Veekash Sahadeo & Ravi Babooram
• Imran Beharry
• Shivan Ragoonath & Slammer Cutter
• Saleem Beharry

With the official opening of the long awaited San Fernando Centre for Displaced Persons in San Fernando yesterday, homeless people in the southern city now have a place to go for meals, hair cuts and clothes.

Soon cots will be provided for those who need a place to sleep at night.

There is also a long term plan to help the people who use the facility, Social Development and Family Services Minister Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn told reporters following the official opening at Lady Hailes Avenue. She said a continuous care programme will be implemented.

“What that entails is having somewhere for these people—this same shelter approach—we are also going to be having accommodations, so within the next year or two, the people of San Fernando can expect to have a shelter where they can come in and be assessed, be rehabilitated and have some accommodations.”

Rural Development and Local Government Minister Kazim Hosein, who initiated the project when he was the San Fernando Mayor, recalled: “I approached some business people in the private sector, the Rotary Club, the Lions’ Club, and a lot of volunteers came forward. This place was real run down and somebody did over the roof, the floors, the bathrooms.

“Someone donated the freezers and we have a board in place. I really am overwhelmed this morning to know that myself and the Minister of Social Development can bring joy to the hearts of the people this morning.

“They are really deserving of it, they have feelings, they are humans, they are a compassionate people.”

Among those volunteering their services at the centre is gyro and burger cart owner Betro Khori, of Syria, who sells at Cross Crossing. Safiyyah Shah, of Revival of the Ummah, a charitable organisation based in Chaguanas, will be operating the soup kitchen, providing 80 to 100 meals a week.

Students of the Civilian Conservation Corps provided manicures and haircuts for the homeless people who visiting the facility yesterday and Southern Supplies Limited donated clothes. Frank Edward Deonarine, 54, who has been living on the streets since 2015 when his house burnt down, said he was grateful for the help but said further support was needed for drug and alcohol addicts and those with mental problems.

Also at the official opening were Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi, the MP for the area, and San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello.

Robbers shot dead a security guard at a Church’s Chicken outlet at the newly opened O’Meara Plaza in Arima on Saturday night after they became enraged that they were unable to open the cash register.

Grieving relatives and friends of the victim, Kurt Monticeux, 42, of Building 15, Maloney, described his killing as senseless and a “wicked act.”

Police said at around 7.30 pm two gunmen entered the fast food outlet and demanded money. However, the cashiers ran to the back and locked themselves in a bathroom. When the gunmen realised they could not open the cash register or get any money, they shot Monticeux several times, before making their escape.

When the T&T Guardian visited the victim’s home in Maloney yesterday, a cousin said the last time he saw him alive was on Saturday as he was leaving for work.

“I saw him right before he went to work because I am a security guard also. He was a real decent person ...a churchman who used to go to work and come home,” he said.

“He didn’t have any wife or children. He used to live with his father but his father passed away and it was him alone.”

The cousin said Monticeux was a talented artist who was well known for his drawings and paintings.

A neighbour described Monticeux was a “very nice fella” who was not in any “bacchanal” with anybody.

“He never used to interfere with anyone. If I coming up the stairs and I have any bags in my hands he would always help me ...not only me but anybody.

“We lost somebody really good because the entire building saying they didn’t have to kill him. What they kill him for? They vex because they didn’t get any money so they kill him. We real hurt about it and we are really sad,” she said.

Police said they are working on certain leads and are reviewing CCTV footage from the scene.

The first Panorama title of the 2018 season has gone to Angostura Newtown Steel Symphony.

The band retained the National Panorama Single Pan Band title on Sunday night, earning 286 points for their performance of a Carlan Harewood arrangement of David Rudder’s Hammer.

Pan Jammers was a close second a score of 285 point for Signal To Lara and there was a tie for third place between Marsicans (Party Time Again) and T&T Fire Service (DuDu Yemi) with 282 points.

Front-runner in the preliminaries, Woodbrook Playboyz tied with San Juan East Side Symphony for the sixth spot with a total of 278 points.

The finals took place at the Princess Royal Basketball Court, Arima, with 20 bands competing for the title.

Judges were Dr Audley Timothy, Brendon Moore, Dexter Asson, Cuthbert Matthews, Vorbin Cordice and Joslynne Sealey.

HERE ARE THE FULL RESULTS

1. Angostura Newtown Playboys Steel Symphony—The Hammer—286
2. Pan Jammers—Signal To Lara—285
3. Marsicans—Party Time Again—282 T&T Fire Service—Du Du Yemi aka Natasha—282
5. Trinidad Nostalgic—By All Means—280
6. San Juan East Side Symphony—Dis Party Is It—278 Woodbrook Playboyz—Ah Want It—278
8. Shades In Steel—Bounce—275
9. San Juan All Stars—Iron Man—274 Curepe Polyphonics—Leave Me Alone (Rmx)—274
11. Metro Stars—Rant and Rave—273
12. La Famille United—Golo—272
13. La Creole Pan Groove—Signal To Lara—271 Nu Pioneer Pan Groove—Black Man Feelin To Party—271
15. Platinum—Soca Baptist—269
16. Uni Stars—Bun Dem—267
17. Star Sapphire—Black Man Feeling To Party—265
18. Chord Masters—Stranger—264
19. Pan Fanatics—Doh Back Back—258
20. Edingburgh 500 Steel Ensemble—Rock It—257
The champions were presented with the Pan Trinbago Trophy by Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, Minister of Community Development, Culture and The Arts, Colin Lucas, Executive Chairman of the National Carnival Commission and Keith Diaz, President of Pan Trinbago Keith Diaz. Arima Mayor Lisa Morris-Julian and councilors from the Arima Borough Councilors were in attendance.

Warning that fete promoters will be fined and penalised if they do not comply with stipulated noise levels, chairman of the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) Nadra Nathai-Gyan yesterday called on promoters to be more considerate of the sick and elderly.

She was speaking two days after the EMA and the police ordered an adjustment of decibel levels at the popular Red Ants’ Stumped cooler fete held at the Queen’s Park Oval on Saturday night.

Responding to statements by Red Ants officials that strict application of noise (decibel) levels was unreasonable and could kill Carnival and the culture, Nathai-Gyan said this was not the case.

“The fact that we are granting noise variation permits proves we are not against culture or Carnival,”Nathai-Gyan said, adding, “If you violate our noise variation agreement you will be fined and we will take this into account the next time you apply.” According to an EMA handout, the decibel level for a fete is 65 dBA.

Asked what the EMA was doing to sensitize fete promoters about the stipulations, Nathai-Gyan said the public education campaign started since December last year. She also said when fete promoters apply for a noise variation permit they agree to the stipulations.

“Therefore, if you agree why are you flouting the regulations? We will be looking at that and we are working with the police to make sure that people comply,” Nathai-Gyan said.

She noted that during the public consultations for the national environmental policy, noise pollution was the top complaint by citizens.

Although the EMA’s Enforcement Police Unit was understaffed, Nathai-Gyan said the TTPS, through Deputy Commissioner of Police Deodat Dulalchan, was working with the EMA to ensure compliance.

She also said that fete promoters can take their measures to contain the sound by positioning speakers away from residential communities and also sound proofing areas wherever possible.

However, fete consultant Ian Pantin said the EMA could do more to sensitize promoters.

“Before a fete is held, the EMA could meet with promoters and have discussions on what are the best areas to host events and how the stage could be positioned to reduce noise levels. That way many of the issues could be resolved before a fete takes place,” Pantin said. He agreed that some areas should be zoned off, adding that people should be considerate to neighbouring communities.

Ann Narine, one of the organisers of the Soka in Moka fete, said the EMA’s guidelines were specific.

“When they give you the noise variation approval they inform you how much decibels are acceptable and you have to comply,” Narine said.

However, an official from Red Ants said artistes, DJs and promoters are meeting with the relevant authorities, those affected by noise levels and other stakeholders to determine an approach moving forward.

He noted that the strict application of decibel levels can effectively kill T&T Carnival and the culture which brings in foreign exchange to T&T.

The official also said that in other countries police, fire, environmental and other statutory bodies support promoters and band leaders to ensure the success of their tourist industry.

An argument between two fishermen over a missing boat light ended in murder in the fishing village of Cumana near Toco on Sunday.

David Callender, 38, fisherman of Unity Lane, Anglais Road, Cumana was shot repeatedly and died while being treated at the Toco Health Centre.

The 30-year-old suspect of the nearby L’Anse Noire Village was detained during a roadblock in Matura hours after the incident.

Police reported that around 6.25 pm on Sunday, an argument between Callender and the suspect escalated over a missing boat light.

Callender was accused of stealing the light and was shot, eyewitnesses said.

Villagers took the injured man to the nearby Toco Health Centre but he died within an hour.

Eyewitnesses told police that the shooter left in his Nissan Navara vehicle. Hours later he was stopped in Matura.

The driver was detained and police later released a woman who was also in the vehicle.

Cpl Kent of Matura police following instructions handed over the suspect to homicide officers attached to Region 11, Arouca.

Ag ASP Etienne and other police officers attached to Toco Police Station, Cpl Mohammed, PCs Lewis and Ramdial of Homicide Bureau, Region 11, Arouca were among the officers who visited the scene.

Throngs of people, including school children turned out yesterday at Parliament to pay tribute to the country’s fourth President George Maxwell Richards, who they described as a statesman, exemplar, educator, down-to-earth and grassroots man.

Representing the Carnival band Legacy, Carol St John said she would always remember Richards who religiously came to their band launch with former chief justice Michael de la Bastide.

St John said one year she attended a PNM rally and walked into Legacy’s band launch wearing a red T-shirt with the word emblazoned “red and ready,” which Richards heckled her about.

St John said Richards remained a humble and down-to-earth person even after his term of office as President came to an end in 2013.

“May his soul rest in peace,” St John said, after viewing his body.

Last Monday, Richards died of a heart attack.

His funeral service will take place tomorrow at the National Academy for the Performing Arts, in Port-of-Spain.

There was a steady stream of mourners and members of the public, some of whom were school children and workers who took their lunch hour to bid farewell to Richards’ at the Parliament’s lobby, Port-of-Spain.

Hubert Diaz travelled from Arima with the national flag to say his final farewell to Richards who he described as a statesman.

Having served as a police officer for 46 years, Diaz said he began attending “evening classes” at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine, campus, where Richards was principal.

“This is where I get to know him.”

At the 2006 Fifa World Cup in Germany, Diaz said his friendship with Richards grew as they were guests at the same hotel.

“When we were in Germany there were Trinis who had their little Carnival in the streets and he (Richards) was there with me…I had the national flag where we jumped up in the streets. He was a real gentleman and a God-send president of T&T. He was not this highfalutin type. He was down to earth. He loved people very much,” Diaz said.

Champs Fleurs resident Anthony Crichlow said Richards was a down-to-earth individual who never lost the human touch, even while he held the highest office in the land.

Crichlow said he would always remember Richards who encouraged not only tertiary level students to strive for excellence, but all citizens.

“He was a good man…an exemplar and everybody should follow in his footsteps.”

After spending three hours in traffic on the Solomon Hochoy Highway yesterday, Dexter St Louis said he did not mind, since he wanted to pay his last respects to the man everyone called Max.

“I didn’t know the man personally but I want to tip my hat to him for all that he has done for our nation. He was the last of the Mohicans…we would not get another president like him again. From culture to Carnival, Max was in everything. He lived life to the max and fullest.”

Among the students who viewed Richards’ body was Nelson Street Boys’ RC School.

Unable to contain her emotions Jean Ramjohn-Richards broke down in tears yesterday, as she viewed the body of her husband and former President George Maxwell Richards at the Parliament lobby in Port-of-Spain.

Overcome with grief, Ramjohn-Richards had to be comforted by her daughter Maxine, who put on a brave face and shoulder of support.

From at 7.30 am yesterday, there was a ceremonial procession of Richards’ body from the Old Fire Station, on Abercromby Street, to the Parliament Building, on Wrightson Road, which led to traffic gridlock in and out of the capital city.

Among the first to view Richards at 10.05 am was Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley who spoke briefly to Ramjohn-Richards before he signed the condolence book and left.

Acting President Christine Kangaloo, Chief Justice Ivor Archie, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar and several of her MPs all offered their sympathies to the widow and her daughter. Richards’ son, Mark, was not present.

After the dignitaries left, Ramjohn-Richards walked across to his casket, which was draped in the national flag.

As she looked down at the casket, she burst into tears.

Ramjohn-Richards was escorted out of the lobby by Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George to an awaiting vehicle which drove off.

Thereafter members of the public who were waiting were invited to pay their final respects to the former president.

In paying tribute to Richards, Persad-Bissessar said during her tenure as prime minister said had reason to call on Richards for advice involving an individual who was on an independent commission after there was a hue and cry about comments that person had made.

She said while some people looked at Richards as a PNM president, Persad-Bissessar he always had a listening ear.

Persad-Bissessar said the advice Richards imparted to her was “you must always be calm, reflect and give due consideration.”

Oropouche MP Dr Roodal Moonilal said it would be most fitting to name an institution after Richards for his invaluable contribution to education and country, while he should be honoured for his love for culture.

Parliamentary Secretary in the National Security Ministry Glenda Jennings-Smith said Richards who was a regular visitor to her Toco/Sangre Grande constituency has left a legacy for our country.

Minister of Social Development and Family Services Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn said we can never stop thanking Richards for serving T&T will distinction and honour.

Ailing mother Stephanie Mohammed yesterday celebrated with her husband after getting promising news that the Ministry of Health had granted approval for her to undergo a free medical study for a painful heart condition.

Mohammed, 27, of Cunjal Road, Barrackpore, suffers from atrial fibrillation, an erratic beating of the heart, which if left untreated could result in death.

She was diagnosed in 2015 while she was pregnant with her last child Alieyah. She has two other children— Aleema, four and Aleem aged seven.

Mohammed said the news of the medical treatment means that she can look forward to a life without pain.

She said the $53,000 electro-physiology study (EPS) will assess her abnormal heart rhythm and determine whether she has to undergo further heart surgery.

The EPS will help doctors understand the nature of Mohammed’s abnormal heart rhythm by testing the electrical activity of her heart to find the source of the abnormal heartbeat.

Mohammed said this is the second EPS to be done at the Advanced Cardio Vascular Institute at West Shore Medical Centre. She said her doctor confirmed yesterday that all approvals had been granted and the surgery will be scheduled soon.

“Sometimes the pain is so unbearable that I just lie down. I can’t play with the children and sometimes I cannot do the housework.

The doctor prescribed some strong painkillers but I could not get them as yet. I am looking forward to being healthy and strong because I want to live for my husband and our children,” Mohammed said.

Mohammed’s story was featured in the T&T Guardian last December.

Several Good Samaritans were moved by Mohammed’s pain when they saw her sitting on the floor of her ply-board house under a Christmas tree devoid of decorations.

Mohammed’s husband Shazim works at a grocery for minimum wage and Mohammed said it was difficult meeting her medical bills.

Her elder brother, Rias, has been assisting but Mohammed said she was praying that she could resume a healthy lifestyle after undergoing heart surgery.

She said doctors were baffled over her diagnosis as atrial fibrillation usually occurred in older people.

Contacted yesterday, Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh said he was happy to help Mohammed.

“We are fixing all systems so the average person can have their matters attended to expeditiously. It is all part of the culture change of putting the patient first,” Deyalsingh said.

Saying he was glad to see his efforts bearing fruit, Deyalsingh said Mohammed’s approvals shows that the Ministry of Health was on the right track. Anyone wanting to assist Mohammed can contact her at 360-4373.

Imani Blackett’s ambition of becoming a cattle farmer and purchasing his own car died with him yesterday as he was gunned down while working at his cousin’s parlour.

Blackett, 22, of Thornhill Drive, Cocoyea Village, San Fernando was said to be loving and kind-hearted towards his family and never got involved in altercations.

It was why relatives were confused as to why he met such a violent demise. Rain was pouring around 12.30 pm when a silver pick-up truck stopped in front of the parlour at the corner of Forres Avenue and St Andrews Avenue, Cocoyea.

Eyewitnesses said that a gunman jumped out the van and opened fire on Blackett. The youngster was only able to reach just outside the door before he fell into a clump of grass and died.

San Fernando CID, Mon Repos Police and the Homicide Bureau of Investigations, Region III, including Insp Gajadhar, Insp Corrie, Insp Figaro, Sgt Ramlogan and Cpl Bacchus responded.

Searches were made throughout the community for the suspect and the pickup. Up to late yesterday, neither was found.

Police said Blackett was not known to be involved in crime.

As friends, family and relatives gathered near the crime scene, tears flowed openly while some others stood in disbelief.

Blackett’s father, Francis Blackett, said that he was at home when he heard the gunshots. When he looked out, he saw a pick-up driving off. It was only when a neighbour came to him that he found out that his son was killed.

“He didn’t use to interfere with anybody. He never used to look for trouble. I know some people don’t like to see other people progress and they would fight you down but I don’t know if that was the reason,” Blackett said.

In a separate incident, police are also investigating the shooting of three men in Point Fortin on Sunday night. Reports are that Glenroy London, Ricardo Mohammed and another man who was identified only as Turbo, were gambling at a house in Warden Road.

Around 11 pm, gunmen opened fire on the house, wounding all three men. The men were taken to the Area Hospital, Point Fortin and transferred to the San Fernando General Hospital where they were warded in serious conditions.

RALPH BANWARIE

Police was called out to Matura last night after what appeared to be the severed leg of a man washed ashore.

The discovery was made less than 24 hours after a villager found a human arm, cut off from the elbow, on the same beach.

A villager jogging along Rincon Beach found by the severed arm on Sunday around 2 pm.

Investigators believe the limbs are from the same person.

The family of former President George Maxwell Richards has one wish—for Carnival 2018 to be dedicated to him.

Putting forward the proposal was Richards’ daughter, Maxine, as she spoke to the media in the lobby of the Parliament, Port-of-Spain, where her father’s body will lie in State for a second day today, this time at the National Academy for the Performing Arts from 10 am to 5 pm.

His body will be taken through the St Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies from 7.45 am today as well.

Richards, 86, the country’s fourth president died last Monday from a heart attack.

His funeral service will take place tomorrow at the National Academy for the Performing Arts, Port-of-Spain.

On Saturday, Maxine said she saw her father’s body and on Sunday the family had a private viewing.

“Today, when I came to see him, it has been even harder,” she said.

Since Richards’ death last Monday, Maxine admitted that things have not been easy for her mother Jean Ramjohn-Richards who spent 50 years of her life with Richards.

When Ramjohn-Richards viewed her husband’s body yesterday she could not hold back the tears.

“My mother has been trying to be strong as she can possibly be. When she was leaving she asked my dad if it was okay to leave. She wanted him to know that she was leaving,” Maxine said.

Every Sunday, Maxine said she would visit her parents and spend time with them, stating that on Sunday she realised that her dad was gone for good.

She said it was comforting to know that her father made a lasting impression on so many people’s minds and hearts, as those who came across to her to extend condolences to her “genuinely looked sorry that he (Richards) was gone.”

Asked what his family thought would be a fitting tribute to her father, Maxine said “it would be lovely if this Carnival could be for him.

To ensure that Richards’ legacy lives on, Maxine said the family would establish a fund from which monies would be donated to “underprivileged” children and “young people who want to be engineers (chemical) like him…to raise funds for scholarships for them as well.”

As an educator, Maxine said her father would have wanted this.

Her fondest time with her dad, Maxine said was travelling around the globe during vacation.

And as an adult, Maxine said she partied, play mas and attended functions with father, stating that he always put his family first.

“A lot of people don’t get opportunities to do that. Some people wanted to party with my parents more than me.”

The joy and fond memories Maxine said her family shared, “I wish all families could have.”

Maxine told the T&T Guardian last night that seeing her mother weeping over her father’s body yesterday was “distressing.”

Asked how Ramjohn-Richards has been coping, Maxine said “not good”, stating that what her mother missed most about her dad was “his companionship, laugh, conversations. They were like two peas in a pod.”

Most times, Maxine said her parents were inseparable.

“When you see Max you see Jean. When you see Jean you see Max,” telling how close they were.

Maxine said invitations were extended to dignitaries outside of T&T, but could not say who will be part of the funeral service.

Police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a murder victim, whose body was found in Mt Lambert yesterday.

According to reports, around 10.30 am residents of Mt Lambert Circular contacted police after they noticed the body of a man lying in a bushy area off the road.

The victim’s body was partially wrapped in a sheet and his head was covered with a T-Shirt.

The body was taken to the Forensic Science Centre in St James, where an autopsy will be performed as soon as it is identified.

Homicide detectives declined to comment on if the body bore marks of violence as they said they would wait for the autopsy to confirm the cause of death. Anyone with information which may help police solve the case is asked to call 555 or 800-TIPS.

Detectives of the Region Two Homicide Bureau are continuing investigations.

A man from Petit Valley became the country’s 33rd murder victim of the year after he was ambushed and killed in front of his home yesterday.

According to reports, shortly after 5 pm, Jamal Joseph was driving near his home at Simeon Road, Petit Valley, when residents reported hearing a volley of gunshots.

Joseph’s blue Hyundai Elantra crashed through a neighbour’s gate and stopped after it collided with a short wall in the driveway.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by a District Medical Officer (DMO). Homicide detectives and crime scene investigators were on the scene up to late yesterday.

See Page A9

The T&T Police Service (T&T) is seeking the urgent assistance of the public in locating three teenagers, two of whom are sisters from Oropune Gardens, Piarco.

In the most recent incident, 17-year-old Natalia Thomas was last seen at her home at 9 pm on December 27, at her home at Tomato Drive, Diego Martin, by her mother, Nathifer Graham.

Thomas has a tattoo of a fairy on her right thigh.

Police said the two sisters — Aleana St Louis, 15, and Alissa St Louis, 14 — were last seen on December 2, at their home at Oropune Gardens.

Anyone with information on any of the teenaged girls is asked to contact the police at 999, 555, 911 or any police station or call 800-TIPS.

Partygoers who intend to go to wet fetes this Carnival season are asked to think twice before they do so, especially if they complain about the country’s poor water supply and delivery.

These were the words of Public Utilities Minister, Robert Le Hunte yesterday as he was addressing water conservation issues.

The Minister was speaking to reporters following the launch of a new mobile app implemented by the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) at the company’s St Joseph headquarters.

The new app, allows customers to pay their bills, report leaks and request truck-borne water. It will be ready for download on android phones and on iOS devices, by month’s end.

“Therefore, as you enjoy the Carnival season and engage in the water, let us remember that water comes from one source and as the saying goes ‘you cannot have your cake and eat it too’ or rather the local version of this adage ‘you cannot wet down and drink it too,’” he said.

He suggested that people boycott these wet fetes and instead be a part of the solution.

“WASA’s police have their part to play and can intervene but we must not lay blame or expectations on them and the fete promoters. We have to be part of the solution and not go to these events where water is wasted,” the minister said.

“We are about to embark upon the dry season. Water is a depleting resource and based upon international standards, we here in T&T use more than five times the water of our compatriots in other countries. Simply put, it is imperative if we want to see an improvement in the delivery of water to all, then we must change our consumption patterns,” he added.

The Rapid Response Programme, which is geared towards optimising WASA’s existing workforce for the purpose of fixing leaks quickly and efficiently, will operate in tandem with the app.

The Minister disclosed that as of Friday over 2,600 leaks throughout T&T have been identified.

In challenging WASA’s management to bring that number down, by 70 per cent, Le Hunte said that the number of leaks by year’s end would be reduced to 800.

“By doing so, we will also be able to reduce the amount of Non-Revenue Water in the system, thus ensuring that more water is available to consumers throughout the country,” he said.

In giving his own experience, Le Hunte said it is unacceptable for a large sector of the population not to receive a reliable water supply.

“Like you, it irks me when I see water being wasted on the roads. It gets me even more upset when I arrive at home and cannot get water from my tap. And I am triply upset when I realise that as a taxpayer, I contribute to the three-billion-dollar subvention that WASA receives annually, and yet there is a large percentage of the population that does not receive a reliable supply of water. That, to me, is totally unacceptable. And I am convinced that all Trinbagonians share the pain that I feel and that they are anxious to be part of the solution.”

The Ministry of Public Utilities will be joining the agencies—WASA and T&TEC by launching its own communications tool.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has defended Government’s decision to award Kall Co Ltd (Kallco) a $400 million contract to construct the first segment of the Churchill- Roosevelt Highway extension to Manzanilla. He said nothing is wrong with that decision.

In mid-October 2017, Dr Roodal Moonilal, former EMBD (Estate Management and Business Development Company Limited) CEO Gary Parmassar, and three others were accused of bid-rigging and ‘cartel behaviour’ in the handing out of several contracts during Moonilal’s tenure as housing minister.

It amounted to over $200 million in payments. Government subsequently gathered evidence which formed part of civil claims to render contracts with five companies void and unenforceable.

Rowley was speaking yesterday at the Breakfast with the Prime Minister event hosted by the Joint Consultative Council held at the Hyatt Regency, Dock Road, Port-of-Spain.

The Prime Minister said subsequent to Kallco’s disqualification on the Maracas contract, contractors were invited to bid by Nidco.

The PM said, “Nidco invited contractors who were qualified, or who were able to do the job, Kallco among other contractors.

Kallco’s bid was the lowest bid, the difference between the highest and the lowest bid was almost $100 million.”

Rowley added: “If there is grounds especially legal grounds for a contractor to be delisted then certainly, such a contractor should not go forward, but as of now, if you ask the ministry the question you are asking me now, as to why contractor ‘A’, ‘B’ or ‘C’ forms part of a list or ‘B’ or ‘C’ should not be there because of something they did two months ago there is no system in that.”

He noted that Kallco had the lowest bid which was a $100 million cheaper.

Also critical of the long time President Anthony Carmona took to appoint the Procurement Board, Rowley estimated by June 2018 the public would see fruit from the implementation of the new board.

A 22-year-old Arima man was killed and his 16-year-old brother wounded as they attempted to protect their father from an armed intruder on Monday night.

According to reports, around 9.30 pm Dominique Koon Koon and his younger brother were liming in the porch of their home at Koon Koon Street, Malabar, Arima, when a stranger came to the front gate and called out to their father.

They went inside to tell their father, who was in the bathroom, and when they returned to tell the man to come back in the morning, he had already jumped over the front gate.

The gunman forced the brothers inside and robbed them and two other relatives of their cellphones and cash.

When their father came out of the bathroom he was confronted by the man, who began attacking him with the butt of the gun.

Koon Koon intervened and was shot twice in the chest as he attempted to disarm the gunman.

Koon Koon’s brother was grazed by a bullet, but still managed to grab a baseball bat and attack the intruder.

During the melee, the gunman dropped his weapon and ran away.

Koon Koon was pronounced dead on the scene by a District Medical Officer (DMO) while his brother was taken to the Arima Health Facility where he was treated and discharged.

Police searched the community for the suspect but only found three live rounds of ammunition which were discarded along the track through which he ran.

Investigators alerted hospitals and health centres as the suspect is believed to have suffered serious injuries during the scuffle.

They said an arrest is imminent.

Homicide detectives believe that from the circumstances of the attack, it was a botched hit on Koon Koon’s father.Koon Koon’s murder raised the murder toll for the year to 32.