Environmental activist group Fishermen and Friends of the Sea (FFOS) has obtained an interim injunction barring the Government from continuing work on the first phase of the $400M Churchill Roosevelt Highway Extension to Manzanilla.

Justice Kevin Ramcharan granted the injunction, which will expire on Monday, during a hearing in the Port-of-Spain High Court yesterday.

FFOS had applied for the emergency injunction late Monday, however, Ramcharan could not determine the case immediately as he and the other parties served with the court documents were unable to read the filings in time.

In the lawsuit filed in September, last year, the group is challenging the process used by the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) for granting a Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) for the first phase of the project between Cumuto and Guaico.

It is claiming that the process was procedural flawed and failed to consider alternative routes for the project, which would have less impact on the area, known as the Aripo Savannas, and to existing communities.

It is also questioning why the EMA took 10 days to publish the CEC in the national register after it was granted on June 22, last year.

In addition to the FFOS’s lawsuit, concerns have been raised over Government’s decision to award the first phase of the project to Kall Co.

Ramcharan asked attorneys for the Ministry of Works and Transport and the National Infrastructure Development Company (NIDCO) if they were willing to consent to stop the work until the substantive injunction application is heard and determined, next Monday. They refused.

Noting that he was not pre-determining the issue, Ramcharan said the interim injunction would help protect the subject matter of the FFOS’s claim.

Under the injunction, Kall Co is only allowed to continue to survey the site, to construct a temporary site office and to remove logs that have already been felled under permission from the Forestry Division of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Presenting submissions on behalf of the group, former attorney general Anand Ramlogan SC claimed that over one kilometre had been cleared since the works began on January 8.

He stated that the works were causing irreparable damage to a forested area, which is home to dozens of species including the endangered ocelot.

“Each passing hour leaves a trail of rampant massacre and destruction of the environment,” Ramlogan said.

Head of the State’s legal team Deborah Peake, SC called upon Ramcharan to disregard the application as she pointed out that the deadline for filing for an injunction set by him had expired.

She also noted that Ramcharan still had to determine whether FFOS should be granted leave to pursue its substantive lawsuit against the highway project.

In response, Ramlogan said his client could not have applied before as Nidco and the ministry had repeatedly said that there were delays in the project.

“It would be rather strange would make such an order to file an application for an injunction restraining something that has not yet occurred,” Ramlogan said.

FFOS is also being represented by Jayanti Lutchmedial, Alvin Pariagsingh and Robert Abdool-Mitchell.

The State is also being represented by Ian Benjamin and Ravi Heffes-Doon.

About Aripo Savannas

The Aripo Savannas is one of three locations across T&T that is designated an Environmentally Sensitive Area by the Environmental Management Authority.

The other two are the Matura National Park and Nariva Swamp. According to the EMA’s website, the area is internationally renowned for its unusual flora and striking vegetation communities and is one of the more intensively studied natural ecosystems in Trinidad.

The website states: “It was designated as a Strict Nature Reserve because it is one of the areas in T&T with high scientific value, as it is the best remaining example of the types of ecosystems found within its boundaries. This designation makes the area eligible for special protection and management under the laws of T&T.”

Nidco’s response

Nidco last night stated that it was confident that it had complied with all statutory regulations before embarking on the construction of the highway.

It also denied claims by Fishermen and Friends of the Sea (FFOS) over the potential environmental impact of the project.

“The construction of the said highway does not in any way encroach upon the Savannas as is being asserted in some quarters. NIDCO has and continues to act as a responsible State agency and will abide by the terms of the Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) granted by the EMA as seeks to improve the lives of all our citizens,” it said.

Port-of-Spain Mayor Joel Martinez yesterday called on business people to be more generous to help host downtown Carnival as each year the event has gotten “bigger and better.”

Faced with tough economic times, Martinez said there would be certain cutbacks for 2018.

He assured that the event would still maintain all its pomp and pageantry and monetary prizes would not be adjusted.

Martinez was speaking at a press briefing held at the Port-of-Spain City Corporation yesterday said the downtown Carnival could not take place without sponsorship.

He said an estimated $1.2 million was spent on downtown Carnival annually. He said the National Lotteries Control Board had donated $50,000.

“There was a letter earlier that the NLCB was not going to give us any sponsorship but they have come through.

“We are trying to receive additional monies to bridge the gap,” the mayor said.

Martinez said additional sponsorship was forthcoming including a yearly subvention from the National Carnival Commission.

He said over the years a number of large bands had returned to downtown, adding to the volume of participants.

Chairman of the Downtown Carnival Committee Wendell Stephens, who also spoke, said, “We have written a lot of letters for sponsorship and we are hoping to get a positive response.

“What we have done over the years is reduce the category but not the prize structure,” Stephens said.

He also urged Port-of-Spain businessmen to financially support downtown Carnival.

Martinez also promised that the decibel level would be adhered to during the celebrations.

A statement from the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) said the decibel level for a fete is 65 dBA.

“We also want to encourage band leaders to be very mindful of this. It may seem a bit difficult at this time but people will get accustomed to it and understand that the music does not have to be up more than the fete,” Martinez said.

On vending during Carnival Monday and Tuesday the mayor said there was a process to be followed and those who did not abide by the law would be removed by police.

DESTRA TO BE HONOURED

Soca diva Destra Garcia is expected be honoured at the launch of downtown Carnival on Friday.

Garcia, known as the Queen of Bacchanal, would be honoured during a cultural function at Woodford Square.

The parade route for downtown, Stephens said, would not be changed. He said the NCC’s kiddies mas would start from South Quay where there would be separate judging by downtown judges before the bands head up to Queen’s Park Savannah where they would be judged by the NCC.

He said on Carnival Sunday the Downtown Carnival Committee would hold its own kiddies mas beginning at South Quay.

The start of J’Ouvert would be proclaimed at 4 am, ushering in the reign of the Merry Monarch on Carnival Monday

Men can be arrested for ‘thiefing a wine’ during Carnival but Govind Seepersad has to pay a woman $12,000 in compensation for groping a woman’s genitals during the festival a decade ago.

Seepersad, 25, was expected to be sentenced yesterday in the San Fernando Second Assize, but he asked for more time to make up the money.

Seepersad, a welder/fabricator, who was then 17, pleaded guilty to the charge of indecent assault.

The incident took place on Carnival Tuesday on February 24, 2009, around 8.20 pm in Penal.

The woman, dressed in a pair of long jeans and black halter top, was walking along the SS Erin Road with her boyfriend during the Carnival festivities. The couple was standing near a supermarket when Seepersad passed on her right side, pushed his hand between the woman’s legs and grabbed her crotch.

The woman’s boyfriend chased after Seepersad and took him to the nearest police officer, PC Vinton Dinoo, who was on foot patrol duty.

Confronted by the woman, Seepersad said, “I never do that.”

The officer took Seepersad to Penal Police Station and recorded statements from the woman and her boyfriend. The officer took Seepersad to his Penal home where they met his father, who accompanied them back to the station.

In 2016, Justice Althea Alexis-Windsor did a maximum sentence indication where she suggested a three-year bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour and the $12,000 compensation as the maximum sentence.

The matter, however, did not get off the ground until last December when Seepersad pleaded guilty before Justice Hayden St Clair Douglas.

His attorney Cedric Neptune said his client was apologetic. He said Seepersad was young and may have had beverages which he ought not to have consumed at his age.

Seepersad, he said, would have just completed school and has no previous convictions or pending matters.

The matter was adjourned to February 28 for sentencing.

After maintaining her composure for the last week, Maxine Richards, the daughter of former president George Maxwell Richards broke down in tears yesterday, as the hearse carrying her father’s body drove into the compound of the National Academy for the Performing Arts (Napa), Port-of-Spain.

Maxine’s mother, Dr Jean-Ramjohn-Richards, however, managed to put on a brave face and smiles, as she greeted members of the public who came to say their final farewells to the former president at Napa’s auditorium.

On Monday, Ramjohn-Richards was unable to contain her emotions after viewing her husband’s body in the lobby of Parliament.

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

His funeral service will take place today at Napa, following which he would be cremated in a private ceremony.

As the hearse inched its way into Napa’s compound around 9.10 am, following a military procession, Maxine who was standing at the academy’s main entrance, in the full glare of the public, began to weep and had to be comforted by her first cousin, Karen Richards, who was standing next to her.

At 10.15 am Maxine and her mom walked across to the casket to view Richards’ body.

Containing their emotions, both mother and daughter chatted briefly over the opened casket and then took their seats.

Under a tent pitched in Napa’s compound less than two dozen citizens waited to see Richards’ body.

However, viewing was delayed for a few minutes because of a heavy and constant downpour.

As the rains showed no signs of easing up some citizens walked through the heavy downpour to get to the auditorium while others took shelter under umbrellas.

A small group of recruits from the Civilian Conservation Corps were first in line to sign the condolences book and view the former president’s body.

The public viewing which was scheduled to begin at 10 am did not get underway until 10.45.

They were followed by a few students from the Bourg Mulatresse RC School.

Up until 12.30 pm, the rains did not stop as the public’s line got shorter and shorter.

Earlier yesterday, the hearse carrying Richards’ body was taken through the St Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies, an institution where the former president once held the post as campus principal.

Staff and students gathered to view the procession as it travelled to the Max Richards Building —the Faculty of Engineering, the JFK Undercroft, the Office of Campus Principal and the main Administration Building. —See Page A11

The Government was offered a high-speed commercial ferry for the seabridge with capacity to transport 970 passengers and 251 cars, sources have told the T&T Guardian.

Emails with details and photos of the vessel were sent to the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Finance from Atlantic Marine Equipment on December 18, days after an inter-ministerial committee headed by Finance Minister Colm Imbert was appointed to look for a vessel following a failed attempt by the Port Authority of T&T (PATT).

The vessel, originally designed as a large high speed commercial ferry, was used to transport US military personnel, vehicles and equipment between Okinawa, Japan, and other ports in the Asia Pacific region. It is now based in Europe.

It was built in Australia in 2001 and is 100.99 metres in length, has a draught of 4.29 metres and travels at a speed of 35 knots. The asking price was just under $200 million.

However, there was no response from either the Office of the Prime Minister or the Minister of Finance to the offer from the vessel’s owners.

Last Friday, Imbert announced that the Government had purchased a brand new vessel for US$17.4 million and it will arrive in the country in two months.

President George Maxwell Richards was described as a hero by his daughter Maxine Richards, as she spoke of the life she shared with her father during an emotional eulogy.

“Daddy, I miss you and I love you. You will always be my hero. Let me part with your favourite words – Let me love you and leave you.”

While Richards wore many hats, Maxine said to her “he was just my daddy.”

As a stickler for education, Maxine said when her father drove his car into the yard, she and her brother, Mark, used to grab their schoolbooks, “be it upside down, just to pretend we were studying.”

Maxine said her father always complained that their mother spoilt them and allowed them to “run wild” instead of beating the books.

Whenever her mother Dr Jean Ramjohn-Richards worked nights at the San Fernando General Hospital, Maxine said her father had to prepare them for school the next morning— one of which was to comb her hair in a ponytail which he never got right.

After graduating from university, Maxine said her dad became more of a friend than a parent.

“From playing mas and partying together to continuing exploring the world right until the very end when we travelled to the Caribbean in November, Maxine said.

Richard’s son, Mark, who also gave the eulogy said those who shared their moments and experiences with his father in the last week brought tears to their eyes.

Giving an insight of their family’s life, Mark said his father was never interested in material goods and possessions.

“He preferred to spend his money on good food, drinks and entertaining his friends and family.”

Prof Ken Julien who also delivered the eulogy said he looked up to Richards as a leader of scholars, engineers and Trinis, insisting that he embodied the ideal of excellence, dedication and compassion.

“He served T&T with distinction.”

Julien said his friendship with Richards was further consolidated when they were put in a difficult position of rebuilding the Faculty of Engineering at the St Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies.

Delivering the sermon, Rev Claude Berkley said the testimony that Richards was a “feter” was an imbalanced statement.

Prof Brian Copeland, UWI’s principal, in his tribute said Richards “belonged to the people of T&T for the ten years he served as the fourth President, but we at the St Augustine campus want to say he belonged to us first.”

Copeland said Richards was one of several academics who saved the Faculty of Engineering after it was established following the mass resignation of its staff.

He said Richards always maintained that our country must maximise all opportunities and fortunes to survive and grow, stating that we have lost a faithful leader.

The Tobago Regional Health Authority has been ordered to compensate a mental outpatient after she was prescribed the wrong medication.

Justice Carol Gobin sitting in the Tobago High Court on Tuesday ordered the Authority to pay compensation for negligence to Mona Beache.

The court, however, has not yet assessed the sum to be awarded to the patient.

The evidence led was that Beache was an out-patient of the Scarborough Health Centre, Psychiatric Department, at the Scarborough General Hospital.

Four years ago on February 27, Beache went to the hospital’s Health Centre Unit dispensary where she filled the description for Lamictal also called Lamotrigine and Clonazepam.

She followed the instructions on how to take the medication.

However, less than a month after taking the medication she began suffering stroke-like symptoms and seizures.

It was discovered that she had been taking Leponex Lamictal, also called Lamotrigine, the wrong pills to treat schizophrenia.

Beache had already taken about 18 pills. Beache’s attorney Kalana Prince-Wilson wrote a pre-action protocol letter to the regional authority but they refused to settle the matter. Her attorney subsequently filed the lawsuit in 2015. Attorney Ken Wright represented the Authority.

Reigning Panorama champions, Massy Trinidad All Stars, will be second big band to be judged as the preliminary competition continues on Monday.

Over the past two days, bands in the East and Tobago were judged. South/Central’s turn will be on Tuesday, Pan Trinbago announced yesterday.

The fourteen (14) semifinalists will be announced on Wednesday when the score sheets are opened at the Murchison Brown Auditorium, Port-of-Spain City Hall, Knox Street, Port of Spain, Pan Trinbago said.

They will be joined by the 14 semifinalists for the medium band category in the National Panorama semifinals at the Big Yard, Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, from 1 pm on January 28.

The seven orchestras in the large band category in the northern region which will play their Panorama selection before the four-member panel of roving judges on Monday are listed:

1. Bp Renegades, Charlotte Street Year For Love

2. Massy Trinidad All Stars, Duke Street, Lightning Flash

3. Desperadoes, Tragerate Road, Year For Love

4. PSC Nitrogen Silver Stars, Tragerate Road, Lightning Flash

5. CAL Invaders, QPCC Car Park, Inside The Festival

6. Phase 11 Pan Groove in collaboration with Hadco Hamilton Holder Street Hello

7. NMHL Starlift, Christopher Samuel Drive, Mucurapo Road, Full Of Vibe

The booming sound of an explosion, the first of the 21, to salute former president Professor George Maxwell Richards, shook those gathered opposite Belgroves Funeral Home, Tacarigua yesterday.

The bulk of those gathered were children from the nearby St Mary’s Anglican Primary School. They shrieked after the first explosion.

The Regiment had warned onlookers moments before that there would be 21 loud explosions as part of the funeral ceremony.

As a former president, Richards was not given a 21-gun salute and since the canons could not have been brought to the Eddie Hart Grounds, to give a final sound off, Regiment officials simulated the explosions, like they do on Independence Day celebrations.

After the first sound, and the tension eased, the children, who had lined the Orange Grove Road, counted each explosion aloud until the final one.

Other people gathered were recording the historic moment with their camera phones and tablets.

About an hour before the explosions, Roshanie Beetan took her two sons out of school. They stood on the northern side of the Priority Bus Route (PBR) as the Defence Force readied themselves for the arrival of Richards’ body.

Beetan said she wanted her children to witness part of history and view first-hand the procession.

On the opposite side of the PBR, a 68-year-old woman, who identified herself as Mrs Alleyne, said she just wanted to see the parade and could not recall much about the country’s fourth president.

Another observer said it was only fitting for a disc jockey and a music truck to accompany the procession as Richards had been described as a party lover.

Closer to the intersection of the PBR and Orange Grove Road, members of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and Military-Led Academic Training (MILAT) rooted themselves at the side of the road as Richards’ body was wheeled passed them followed by slow marching military procession.

Among those lining the streets with some sort of recording device in hand, was Minister of Planning and Development Camille Robinson-Regis.

The Minister said she wanted to see the procession just like everyone else and decided to abandon her vehicle and stand at the side of the road, camera phone in hand, to say her final farewell.

Inside the crematorium, only family and close friends gathered for a private send-off. He was cremated after the service.

Roman Catholic Archbishop Jason Gordon says T&T’s fourth president George Maxwell Richards’ devotion to family life and his role as a father was something we can all emulate.

Gordon spoke yesterday following the funeral service of Richards at the National Academy for the Performing Arts, Port-of-Spain, following the State funeral for the former president.

Having listened to the eulogy delivered by Richards’ two children, Mark and Maxine—who spoke about the role their father played in the lives as children and even adults—Gordon said it showed that the former president was a man of distinction and a great family man.

Of all the tributes that were paid to Richards in the last nine days, Gordon said Mark and Maxine’s testimonies were most touching “because you got the inner core of who the President was. You heard from his children that he was not only a man of distinction for the nation or industry but a good father who took his time in the bringing up of his children.”

In today’s world, Gordon said Richards demonstrated an example for all fathers of our nation to emulate.

“And so he leaves us a challenge for our fathers to really participate in the bringing up and the life of their children.”

Gordon said of all the things Richards had contributed to T&T “that certainly is one of the pieces of the puzzle we have not highlighted. And one that I think is a wonderful and outstanding contribution.”

Asked if the absence of fathers in homes had been contributing to a breakdown in family life, Gordon said family life had seen a serious challenge all around.

“A big part of that in our country has been the absent fathers in the home…and now more and more the absent mothers in the home,” he said.

The first responsibility of any parent, Gordon said was to teach, guide and inculcate values and respect.

“All the external accolades that we might have will never make up for the parenting that we were entrusted to do for the children that we have.”

Stating that we lived in a fast-paced world, Gordon said he empathised with some parents who have to juggle work and manage a home which often leads to little family life.

“Unless you make family life a priority it’s easy to get caught in all the activities. And the husband and wife become strained from each other and also from their children.”

Gordon said it took a conscious commitment to build a strong family life and ensure that relationships are intact which in turn will lead to the proper growth of our children.

Acting President Christine Kangaloo yesterday compared former president George Maxwell Richards to West Indies batting legend Brian Lara as someone who carried the aspirations and values of our nation on his shoulders for years.

This was the message Kangaloo delivered in paying tribute to Richards at his funeral service at the National Academy of the Performing Arts, Port-of-Spain.

Kangaloo said when Richards died, T&T loss more than our fourth President.

“We lost one of the few remaining giants of a generation that is leaving us all too quickly. We lost a human being whose life stood out as one of the more notable examples in modern times of what it is to be great and humble at the same time.”

She described Richards as a devoted husband, loving husband and dignified statesman.

Richards’ life bridged the past and future, Kangaloo said.

While stern and polite, Kangaloo said Richards at the same time was the fun-loving, forward-thinking, salt of the earth inventor of the all- inclusive fete. She said he was “a man who everybody loved.”

Richards’ celebration of the country’s festivals, Kangaloo said, made us feel deeply connected to him.

“He was a man who could talk with crowds and keep his virtue and walk with kings and not lose the common touch.”

Richards filled a crucial role in our democracy Kangaloo said: “At a critical time in our nation’s history.”

She drew reference to the game of cricket, saying that one of the vital roles was the number four spot which was the backbone of batting in every team, which Richards filled.

“Former president Richards came in at number four among our nation’s presidents, following a line of distinguished office holders who gave us a great start.”

Kangaloo said Richards was the country’s first president who did not have a legal background but his life experiences prepared him for the role.

“And so it was, that, like Brian Lara that his number four counterpart of the West Indies cricket team at that time, former president Richards turned out to be one of the finest talents ever seen by the game. Like Brian, he carried the aspirations and values of the nation on his shoulders for a decade.”

And finally, when he laid down the uneasy crown of public life, Kangaloo said he illuminated an entire nation.

Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday suggested Government honour former president George Maxwell Richards with the country’s highest academic award and establish a national fund in his name.

Persad-Bissessar threw out the suggestion after Richards’ funeral service at the National Academy for the Performing Arts.

She said while many spoke in glowing terms about Richards’ life, the bigger questions were “How can we honour him? What is the suggestion for him to be honoured? What tributes should we pay to him? How do we remember him now?”

As an excellent educator, Persad-Bissessar, however, suggested “something at the university…maybe a chair or a national fund in his name. Those two things can be done. That is how I think we can honour him.”

However, when the question was put to Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi following the service, he said Cabinet would meet today and that “these decisions are taken as a Government through the Cabinet at the request of the family.

“So that is a matter that is still in the works and we expect it would no doubt come to the public’s attention soon.”

Asked if any suggestions to honour Richards came up, Al-Rawi said it would be presumptuous to say anything.

“Really this is a combination…less one makes an offer that is inappropriate to the family or maybe not fitting to his own personal desires. I think the purpose today is to respect the legacy and life of the former president…Max as we all call him and then to take those things into proper and measured steps.”

Princes Town MP Barry Padarath said he awaits what Government will offer Richards’ family, stating that when former prime minister Patrick Manning passed away there was a lot of banter in the public domain as to what they were going to honour him with, which never materialised.

Padarath said he hoped Richards would not be treated the same way as Manning.

Gyrating on someone without their permission is considered an assault and inciting others to do so can be considered aiding and abetting the crime.

This is the warning from the public information officer of the police service, ASP Michael Jackman at yesterday’s weekly media briefing.

Last week, Jackman stated that the unwanted touch by someone, be it in a wine at a Carnival fete or otherwise is an offence. His statement prompted ridicule on social media with some people even drafting “permission slips” to wine for Carnival.

Last Saturday, soca star Machel Montano told partygoers at Stumped cooler fete at Queen’s Park Oval: “They say yuh could get lock up for thiefing a wine. Allyuh forget that, find somebody to jam. This is Carnival. They will have to lock up the whole of Trinidad and Tobago”.

The following day Montano recanted his statement and called on men in particular to create a safe environment for women and respect women and seek consent.

Asked about inciting someone to commit an assault yesterday, Jackman said that offence does not exist, however, there is a law against aiding and abetting someone to commit an assault.

He made no reference to anyone in his comment.

“Anytime someone says by word or by action that they do not wish to engage in that physical transaction then the other party who is at the time of or engaging in that activity should stop immediately. If they should continue the law states that an assault would have taken place. No means no in any language,” Jackman said.

The murder of a Diego Martin man on Tuesday night was captured on CCTV and shared on social media yesterday.

In the 33-second video, two men were seen coming out of a white car and opening fire on a group of men liming at the front of a house.

The gunmen escaped in the waiting vehicle.

As the gunmen emerged from the car and began shooting one man is seen running inside the house.

Police reported that around 9.15 pm, Jerome Ottley, 18 was liming with his friend Atiba Quamina, 25 at Quarry Street, Diego Martin when two men jumped out a white Nissan Tiida and opened fire.

Ottley, of Edward Street, Diego Martin, died on the scene, while Quamina was taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where he remains warded in a serious condition.

Both men, according to police were not known to be involved in criminal activities. Ottley is the 35th person to be killed this month.

Ravi B, joint 2017 Chutney Soca Monarch with Omardath Maharaj, will not be defending his title.

In a statement released through Southex Ltd, organisers of the competition, Ravi B said he wants to focus re-branding of his band Karma and also wants to create more opportunities for younger artistes to showcase their talent.

“While it has always been my dream to be a beacon of change to chutney soca music in Trinidad and Tobago, it has also been my wish to see the growth of the chutney soca industry to match the standards of other established music industries.

“In doing so, I have decided to do some self-analysis which can serve in the industry’s best interest,” he said.

Ravi B also said: “To the well-wishers and supporters of my music, I wish to thank you for your support in the previous years, I know this may be disappointing to you but I will return in the near future.

“I wish to thank George Singh for having such an avenue where we as chutney soca artistes are able to compete respectively, giving our best show to our fans worldwide.”

Ravi B and Karma will, however, be the featured opening act at the 2018 Chutney Soca Monarch finals on January 27, at Skinner Park, San Fernando. Also due to make guest appearances are Nailah Blackman and the Khalnayak Dance Academy.

On the night 11 finalists will be vying for the title.

Ravi B’s withdrawal from the competition was one of two announcements made by Southex yesterday.

The other was that the winner of this year’s title will collect a $300,000 cash prize, while the second and third place contestants will get $100,000 and $70,000 respectively. All the other finalists will receive $35,000 each.

The Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts confirmed that $750,000 has been allocated for prizes for Chutney Soca Monarch 2018.

The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) will be cracking down on breakfast parties which refuse to adhere to the Noise Pollution Control Rules. EMA officials are having ongoing discussions, not only with breakfast party promoters, but all stakeholders as Carnival draws nearer, corporate communications officer Mario Singh said yesterday.

He said the agency is also working with the police to ensure compliance.

“In terms of breakfast parties, our managing director has signalled that we are taking a look at it. The daytime level is from 80 decibels and then from night time the level goes down to 65 decibels,” he said.

Singh said with a noise variation there is laxity for noise to go “a little above the noise level” but there are certain considerations.

“In the case of breakfast parties, depending on when it starts, they will have to go to the standard noise level, or if there is a variation the level is permitted within the variation,” he explained.

He said the EMA does not look at the format of the event but rather if it is complying with the applicable noise level at the time.

“For day time there is a higher level as opposed to night time where there is a lower level. Let’s say the party starts at 4 am. That is the night time level. When it goes to 8 am the noise level goes up a bit because that is day time level,” Singh said.

He said weekly discussions are taking place with stakeholders and factors considered include proximity to hospitals, residences and homes for the elderly.

“Over the years we do a roster of events to be monitored and we take into account sensitive receptors in the area of the surrounding environment.

“We also look at the history of complaints and we investigate these complaints from the public in making a determination as to where we would want to focus our attention,” Singh said.

Penalties include fines from $10,000 up. Promoters have to place a bond with the EMA before the event and if the decibel level isnot adhered to, the bond is automatically lost. The prescribed fee for a single event is $250 and $1000 for multiple events.

Noise Pollution Control Rules

The Noise Pollution Control Rules (NPCR) , created under provisions of the Envionmental Management Act Chapter 35:05, sets prescribed standards for noise and controls the emission of sounds in the environment which are considered to be noise pollution.

The NPCR refers to a ‘variation’ as a deviation from the prescribed standards or sound levels.

It prescribes standards in three areas—general, environmentally sensitive, and industrial areas.

In general areas such as Woodbrook, St Clair, Port-of-Spain and environs, the night-time (8 pm–8 am) level is 65 decibels but with a noise variation permit, an event promoter is allowed to exceed the prescribed level.

Holders of such permits are required to adhere to set decibel levels.

In cases where no noise variation is obtained by the event promoter, the regular (daytime or night time) prescribed levels must be observed.

Sisters Aleana, 15, and Alissa St Louis, 14, who were reported missing from their Oropune Gardens, Piarco last month, have been found.

The teens were reported missing by their mother, Alicia Yearwood, on December 20. Yesterday the TTPS said the sisters have been found and thanked the public for its assistance in ensuring their safe return.

Police are still searching for another teenager, Natalia Thomas, 17, who went missing from on December 27, at her home at Tomato Drive, Diego Martin.

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

The US$17.4 million catamaran to service the inter-island seabridge is now expected to arrive on our shores from China by the middle of April.

This means that the vessel which is still docked in China will be delayed by a month.

And it would also cost taxpayers an additional US$800,000 in associated fees, moving the total bill so far to US$18.2 million (TT$127.4m).

Finance Minister Colm Imbert gave the details at yesterday’s post-Cabinet press conference. Last week, he had said the boat would have arrived within the next “two months.”

He said the cost of the vessels will be recovered within two years, noting that is was more expensive to lease a similar vessel in the long-term.

Annually, Imbert said it costs Government “$50 million in rental cost for those leased vessels.”

The new ferry is expected to complement the existing fleet of the T&T Spirit and the T&T Express and as such the problems of the past when one of the vessels is down for repairs there will not be “a tremendous strain” for passengers.

The T&T Spirit has been taken out of service for major repairs in June last year and the T&T Express, which was scheduled to a maintenance check in December, has been granted an extension to operate until the end of next month.

In December, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley had promised to have the seabridge issue sorted out by Christmas.

Yesterday, Imbert said the vessel is expected to leave China en route to Trinidad this month.

“It would take approximately two months to get here. So that we expect that it would arrive sometime in the middle of April. That is my guess. It would arrive then if all goes well… if it does not encounter any problems along the way.”

Imbert said what was attractive about the vessel it would be perfect for the proposed Toco to Tobago ferry route.

“It would make that journey in one hour.”

The vessel, he said, would be named after the body of water between Trinidad and Tobago —Galleons Passage.

Questioned about the sailing time of the new vessel, Imbert said it would take about four hours to make the journey from the Port of Port-of-Spain to the Port of Scarborough.

Asked if the new vessel will take longer with its sailing time than the T&T Spirit and T&T Express, Imbert said: “That is a good question because what we decided to do was go and check the records and see how fast the boats have been making that trip over the last two years.”

He said the average sailing time was four hours and 15 minutes.

“When the boats were newer they were making the trip in three and three and a half hours. So this boat is expected to make the trip in four hours.”

However, PRO of the Inter-Island Transportation Company Vilma Lewis-Cockburn said yesterday that the average sailing time of the T&T Spirit and T&T Express was three hours.

Pressed further as to if there will be associated costs in obtaining the Galleons Passage, Imbert said yes.

“It’s going to cost us US$800,000 to sail the vessel from China to Trinidad and Tobago.”

He said T&T would also have to pay the invoice of £10,000 (TT$100,000) for the services of a United Kingdom lawyer.

How boat was acquired

The Finance Minister yesterday outlined the seven failed attempts by the Port Authority of T&T over a three year period to get a vessel. He said because of the repeated cancelations the Cabinet decided that it was appropriate to appoint an interministerial committee to do a worldwide search for a vessel.

The Port Authority had selected the Ocean Flower 2 to service the route but the contract was terminated in August after the vessel failed to arrive on time. A cargo vessel, MV Cabo Star leased from the same company Bridgemans Services, is currently being used on the route.

The committee, which was led by Imbert, prepared a short list of 10 ship brokers inviting them to submit proposals for leasing or purchase of a vessel.

“During the course of inquiries, Imbert said the committee became aware of a brand new ferry which is located in a shipyard in China.”

He said one of the ship brokers put out enquiries to all of its customers and one of its affiliates, Sea Transport Corporation of Australia, was in the process of constructing a ferry for a Venezuelan operator who could not complete the boat’s purchase because of the economic situation. The boat is owned by Sea Transport, Imbert said.

After this came to the Government’s attention, Imbert said they reviewed its specifications and reasonable price and jumped at the opportunity to buy. Imbert said they had conducted valuations on the vessel and was satisfied.

He said the Government commissioned Lloyd’s Register of Hong Kong to inspect the vessel, while they retained experts out of Australia—a company named Schulte Marine—to be a second independent pair of eyes.

They also engaged marine experts from the University T&T to go to China.

In addition, they also engaged Dun and Bradstreet to conduct a financial and forensic check on the shipyard, the owner and builder and hired an expert counsel from the United Kingdom.

Imbert said Lloyd’s, Schulte Marine and the experts from UTT attended the sea trials and inspected the vessel.

“So we now have three inspection reports. And these three reports have satisfied us (committee) that this vessel was worthy of consideration. We decided whatever we did was legally and commercially correct and would be in the best interest of the population.”

ABOUT THE CATAMARAN

• It has an aluminium superstructure and steel design.

• It is 74 metres in length and has a 2.75 draft.

• It can berth anywhere in the port without dredging.

• It can accommodate 700 passengers and 100 vehicles.

Reacting to Finance Minister Colm Imbert’s disclosures on the purchase of a new vessel for the seabridge, former Transport Minister Devant Maharaj accused Imbert of continuing to “obfuscate the issue without clarifying the core issues surrounding the procurement of the new ferry.”

Maharaj said Imbert’s statement left the door open for speculation that a financier of the ruling party or a PNM Minister recommended the vessel.

On Wednesday, Maharaj wrote to the Integrity Commission calling for an investigation into the procurement process used to acquire the new vessel.

While Imbert said the procurement process is being done by NIDCO, Maharaj said it appeared from what the inter-ministerial team, headed by Imbert, did the procurement process was also skewed because “identification of a vessel is an integral part of the procurement process.”

He said the ministerial committee having identified and selected a vessel to be purchased raised questions as to “what exact procurement process did the National Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (NIDCO) undertake?”

He has also questioned why there was “no tender by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to purchase a vessel as was done when it wanted to lease a vessel.”

Maharaj said there were a number of questions which the Minister failed to address including:

* “What was the process used by the inexperienced and unqualified Ministerial committee that was successful as opposed the process used by maritime experts who failed in a similar process?”

* “What was the process used to select experts from Hong Kong and Australia as well as UTT Maritime experts?

He is also calling for the three reports from the experts to be made public for examination by members of the public.

In addition, he said, Imbert failed to identify “who was the UK legal counsel utilised by the Government nor did he state if the UK legal counsel reviewed the procurement process as opposed to the commercial soundness of the purchase.”

Maharaj accused Imbert and the Government of continuing “to hide and shroud the procurement process with generalities and vagueness.

Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young said yesterday more legal action will be taken against the local broker of the MV Super Fast Galicia which sailed out of T&T last year.

The local agent is Intercontinental Shipping Company Ltd (ICSL).

Speaking at yesterday’s post-Cabinet press briefing, Young said they have retained a senior counsel and a team of lawyers to pursue the case.

“We expecting if it has not already happened that they will be commencing action against the broker for the Galicia for the state they put the country in.”

Young said the last time he spoke to the legal team they were “calculating the damages that they (Government) would be entitled to.”

Last April, Young said the Galicia departed our shores at short notice prompting the Government to take legal action.

The Government was served with a two weeks notice by the owners of the Galicia-Transmed who indicated that they would be terminating the vessel’s contract.

Following its departure, a pile of documents was forwarded to Attorney General Faris Al -Rawi, who began conducting a probe into whether there may have been any wrongdoing in the Galicia deal.

Some of the documents that Al-Rawi received showed that the Galicia was initially deemed unsuitable for the seabridge.

Following a technical, commercial and statutory assessment done in March 2014 by then acting CEO of the Trinidad & Tobago Inter-Island Transport Corporation, Leon Grant, it was concluded that the vessel only satisfied two of the six areas deemed critical for its suitability to service the seabridge.

“With respect to some of the other actions that we took and forensic work that we did, coming out of what we found was suspicious circumstances of the Port and you would recall the Prime Minister telling the country what happened when he went before the Joint Select Committee of Parliament,” Young said.

At that time, Young said certain legal actions had already been taken.

“There is more action to be taken,” he said.

Last April, ICSL challenged Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan’s claim that it had an 18-month contract to service the seabridge to October 31, 2017.

ICSL’s attorney Theresa Hadad said yesterday she had no comment until she spoke with her client.