President Paula-Mae Weekes has declined an invitation to attend an overseas conference—a meeting of Governors-General and Presidents of the Caribbean— next month in favour of settling into her duties at home, including urgent matters.

A statement from the Office of the President noted Weekes was invited to the 16th Conference of Governors-General and Presidents of the Caribbean Region over April 8-12, 2018 in St Kitts.

Invitation to the conference was issued by the Governor-General of St Kitts and Nevis, Sir SW Tapley Seaton.

The invitations came a week after Weekes was sworn into office as T&T’s sixth President.

President’s House stated: “In declining the invitation, President Weekes indicated that while she considered it vital to maintain linkages and continue cordial discourse with her counterparts in the Caribbean she preferred not to attend an event out of Trinidad and Tobago so soon after assuming office. President Weekes believes that she should use these first few weeks in office to settle into her duties and take care of urgent matters commanding the attention and input of the President.”

Weekes assured Governor- General Seaton that, in keeping with tradition and protocol, she would make every effort to attend the next such conference and looked forward to making the acquaintance of her peers then.

Hot cross buns originated as far as the 12th Century and today they are an Easter delicacy enjoyed by many regardless of colour, creed, ethnicity or race.

The white cross represents the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

In South Trinidad, Puff and Stuff Bakery at Circular Road, San Fernando has been one of the leading bakeries providing delicious buns to thousands of people.

Managing director Gregory Laing took the T&T Guardian into the bakery to get a first-hand view of his team baking the first batch of 22,000 buns. The buns are being sold at $6.65 each.

The six-member team bakes the buns within a period of one hour and 45 minutes before they are iced with the sign of the cross.

The first process starts with Kim Barrow, the Puff and Stuff mixer who uses a special recipe for the buns.

Unlike other bakeries, Barrow uses full cream milk and free range eggs from a chicken farm in Central Trinidad.

The recipe is then put in a volumetric scale which weighs from 500 grammes to 2,000 grammes.

Laing said the dough is then put in a bun divider where it is divided into 30 pieces. The buns are then put in a proofer where the buns are raised with steam and heat. It gets maximum moisture and after 45 minutes it is placed in a Revent double rack oven where a total of 1,500 buns are baked at the same time.

Photographer Kristian De Silva captures the process, enjoy.

Former United National Congress (UNC) agriculture minister Devant Maharaj has been criticised over his lawsuit challenging Government’s move to implement property tax, last year.

Delivering a 22-page judgment in the Port-of-Spain High Court yesterday, Justice Jacqueline Wilson dismissed Maharaj’s lawsuit in which he was questioned a decision of the Valuation Division of the Ministry of Finance to require all property owners to complete and submit valuation return forms, necessary for the calculation of property tax.

Commenting on the ruling Finance Minister Colm Imbert posted on twitter “Government wins property tax (valuation of land) case. Claim made by Devant Maharaj dismissed with costs.” He also posted a link to the court ruling on the Ministry’s website.

While Wilson admitted that there was uncertainty over whether the submission of the forms was voluntary or could attract penalties for non-compliance, the position was clarified by the Commissioner of Valuations shortly after Maharaj filed his lawsuit in May, last year.

She also noted that the Court of Appeal had ordered the Commissioner to publicly announce the voluntary nature of the process, as Maharaj continued to pursue his claim.

As a result of the clarification, Wilson ruled that Maharaj’s challenge against the binding nature of the request could not stand.

In her judgment, Wilson criticised Maharaj for his inconsistent evidence in the lawsuit.

“The ambivalent statements, together with the Claimant’s approach in seeking the Court’s intervention before the Commissioner’s response to the pre-action protocol letter fell due and his tenacity thereafter in pursuing redress on the nature of obligations imposed by the forms when he had received the Commissioner’s unequivocal response thereto, called his motives into question and undermined the value of his evidence,” Wilson said.

As part of her judgment, Wilson ordered Maharaj to foot the State’s legal bill for defending the claim.

She also described the commissioner’s statement on voluntary nature of the process as reasonable and credible.

“It is reasonable that the Commissioner, in seeking to facilitate the taxation regime after a prolonged hiatus, would in the first instance seek to obtain information from landowners on a consensual basis while reserving the right to exercise more intrusive powers at a later stage,” she said.

She rejected Maharaj’s claim that the forms, which required information including utility bills, email addresses and telephone numbers, breached citizen’s constitutional right to privacy.

She said that Maharaj’s interpretation of the constitutional right was too wide.

Maharaj sued the commissioner and the Ministry of Finance after it issued a press release calling on property owners to complete and submit valuation return forms by May 22, last year, as it sought to enforce the Valuation of Land Act 2010 after a six-year tax moratorium.

Even as Finance Minister Colm Imbert extended the deadline due to long lines of property owners at Valuation Division offices, Maharaj applied for an injunction stopping the collection drive, on May 19.

The injunction was granted by High Court Judge Frank Seepersad but was overturned by the Court of Appeal on June 6.

The decision on the injunctions was largely based on procedural errors in filing the applications and the assurance from the Commissioner.

Maharaj was represented by Anand Ramlogan, SC, Alvin Pariagsingh and Jayanti Lutchmedial.

Deborah Peake, SC, and Ravi Heffes-Doon represented the Commissioner, while Fyard Hosein, SC, and Rishi Dass represented the Finance Ministry.

The Court of Appeal has refused to remove former president Anthony Carmona as a party to a lawsuit filed by former chief magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar who is challenging her short-lived judicial appointment.

Delivering majority judgment at the Hall of Justice in Port-of-Spain yesterday, acting Chief Justice Allan Mendonca and Appellate Judge Peter Jamadar dismissed the appeal seeking to reverse the decision of High Court Judge David Harris to grant her leave to pursue her judicial review claim against Carmona.

Appellate Judge Nolan Bereaux delivered a dissenting judgement in which he contended that her claim against Carmona was devoid of merit.

Ayers-Caesar’s claim against Carmona centres around his decision to refuse to reverse her resignation after she informed him he was pressured by Chief Justice Ivor Archie and the Judicial and Legal Service Commission (JLSC) to resign after her employers became aware that she left 52 preliminary inquires unfinished when she took up an appointment as a High Court Judge in April, last year.

Archie and the JLSC have also been sued by Ayers-Caesar, however, both parties did not appeal Harris’ decision to grant Ayers-Caesar leave.

In its appeal, attorneys for the Office of the Attorney General, who represented Carmona, submitted that the former president failure to act was not reviewable as he had no power to reverse his acceptance of Ayers-Caesar’s resignation.

The argument was rejected by both Mendonca and Jamadar.

Mendonca said: “If that submission is correct it would mean that the power in the President to reconsider the receipt of the resignation is in every case dependent on a decision of the courts that the resignation is invalid. It is arguable that that is to take too narrow and pedantic a view of the powers of the President to reconsider the receipt of a resignation.”

He went on: “It is my view, arguably, that of the President has the power to set aside the resignation, implicit in that is a power to consider the circumstances in which the resignation was tendered to determine its validity.”

In his 14-page dissenting judgment, Bereaux disagreed with his colleagues as he suggested that Carmona had no power to accede to Ayers-Caesar’s request to strike down her resignation and reinstate her.

“The resignation takes effect once received by the President. The President has no power whatsoever to set it aside. Any question as to the invalidity of the resignation will be a matter for a court of law,” Bereaux said.

Jamadar, in his 18-page analysis, stated that the lawsuit should be determined expeditiously as it had to potential to affect the reputation of the Judiciary.

“A dispute such as this one, between the JLSC and Chief Justice on one hand and a judge of the Supreme Court on the other, can only serve to undermine public trust and confidence in the legitimacy and integrity of the administration of justice, if left unresolved for any length of time,” Jamadar said.

The AG’s office was represented by Reginald Armour, SC, Ravi Nanga, Ravi Heffes-Doon and Zelica Haynes-Soo Hon. Ayers-Caesar was represented by Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, SC, and Ronnie Bissessar.

ABOUT THE CASE

Former chief magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar was appointed a High Court Judge on April 12, last year. She resigned 15 days later amid public uproar over the 52 cases she left unfinished upon taking up the appointment.

Several of the cases have been restarted and before acting Chief Magistrate Maria Busby-Earle-Caddle, with a handful of accused opting to wait on an interpretation summons lawsuit, over how the cases should be handled, is determined.

The interpretation claim, filed by the AG’s office, is yet to be fixed for a hearing.

In her lawsuit, Ayers-Caesar is claiming the JLSC acted unlawfully in seeking her resignation as a judge, that it unlawfully procured her resignation and it acted unlawfully in treating as effective her consequent purported resignation.

Ayers-Caesar is also contending that the President’s continued refusal to set aside her resignation and reinstate her as a judge is unlawful.

Ayers-Caesar is claiming she was pressured by the JLSC to resign, in that, she was told to either sign an already prepared resignation letter or her appointment would be revoked by the President. She is seeking reinstatement as well as compensation from the JLSC and the State for breaches of her constitutional rights and loss of earnings.

Two Cuban women were among several people arrested by police yesterday as several homes were raided in a San Fernando community that has a growing drug business.

The two women, whose passports were stamped on arrival in Trinidad in 2015, both presented documents relating to a refugee status.

However, police were suspicious of the authenticity of the documents and transferred custody of the women to the Immigration Department of the Ministry of National Security for further checks.

Beginning at mid-morning, Southern Division Task Force, San Fernando CID and the Canine Unit, led by ASP Peter Ramdeen, Insp Don Gajadhar, Sgt Dale Ramroop, Sgt Vishal Parasram and Cpl Barry Bacchus searched a house along Hankey Street where they found two pounds of marijuana in a black garbage bag in a bedroom.

A 57-year-old man who lived there was arrested along with one of the Cuban women who was in the house.

Next door, the officers found the other Cuban woman sitting on a porch together with a man from Roystonia, Couva.

The man told police that he was only visiting. As the officers searched the house, they found several packets of marijuana that were believed to be for retail sale. All three occupants were arrested.

Several times last year, police seized guns and drugs in the area, one of which led to the suspected murder of 37-year-old casino worker Lana John. John’s charred body was found after a fire destroyed her home along Purcell Street last November.

Her death came just 24-year-old after police seized a cache of high-powered firearms and $1.2 million worth of marijuana from a shack at the back of her home.

A 37-year-old male relative was placed in protective custody after escaping the gun attack that occurred just before the house was set ablaze.

While High Street was buzzing with activities yesterday, ahead of the long weekend, police were alerted that there were peddlers selling drugs along the street.

As a result of searches, they found three men with small packets of marijuana in their pockets.

A female vendor was also arrested with a small quantity of marijuana.

Security has been beefed up with immediate effect at the Port of Port-of-Spain after thieves made off with thousands of dollars worth goods from truckers who had lined up along Wrightson Road hoping to board the Cabo Star on Thursday.

In one case, the thieves made off with a truck loaded with a shipment of Nestle products and abandoned the vehicle near the lighthouse, in Sea Lots after stealing the $77,000 worth of cargo.

The driver of the stolen truck had said he parked his vehicle around 9.15 am and went into the Port to confirm his ticket.

Upon his return minutes later the 10-tonne truck was gone. The truck contained a variety of Nestle products, the driver said.

Yesterday, there were some cargo trucks parked along Wrightson Road. Goods were covered with several pieces of tarpaulin strapped down with thick rope.

One driver, whose truck contained cases of soft drink and water, expressed concern for his safety.

“I didn’t get on yesterday (Thursday) and there is no sailing on Sunday so I come today to see if I can get on today (yesterday).

“But is a chance I taking after what happened yesterday. There are Port officers around but I think we need armed police officers outside the Port. This situation getting from bad to worse..... now our lives are at stake,” the driver said.

President of the Inter-island Truckers and Traders Association Horace Amede, when contacted yesterday, said his members were left shaken by Thursday’s incident.

But he described the theft as “nothing new.”

“This is what we have been going through for the longest while with this whole situation.  Even if you secure your vehicle.... is only one ferry working now between the islands....it will now obviously take you longer to process your vehicle and ticket. “Where we used to park.... that is where they have the cars parking to go on the fast ferry. We need the police out there because it is not a nice situation,” Amede said.

He said for the past two years truckers have been experiencing difficulties at the Port to get their vehicles and goods to Tobago and blamed this on Government’s failure in sourcing a suitable fast ferry to work between the islands.

“Tuckers are fed-up and frustrated because this is something they have to endure on a daily basis with no end in sight,” Amede added.

Contacted yesterday, Vilma Lewis-Cockburn, manager, marketing and public relations of the T&T Inter-Island Transportation Company, assured that security has already been increased at the facility.

“We have security out there all the time. Our security department is not very far from there (Wrightson Road) and given what has happened the security department has increased patrols,” Lewis- Cockburn said.

The only sea-worthy vessel transporting a limited number of passengers and cargo to and from the island of Tobago, the Cabo Star, will be down for routine maintenance tomorrow (Sunday) and is expected to be back in service on Monday.

The vessel, which normally does not sail on a Saturday, will be in operation today given the demand to transport vehicles to the island of Tobago for the long Easter weekend.

The Cabo Star can carry 300 vehicles.

Meanwhile, the passenger ferry, the T&T Spirit, which was scheduled to return to service yesterday remained out of service as the radar was not functioning properly.

The radar is used to detect other vessels and objects during travel.

As a result, the Port Authority advised that the “T&T Spirit is still undergoing its sea trials.”

The new ferry, the Galleons Passage is expected to arrive in Hawaii today.

The Stations of the Cross dates back to the fourth century and was started by pilgrims who retraced the final journey of Jesus Christ before his crucifixion in Calvary.

On Good Friday, hundreds of Christians leave their beds before dawn to participate in the Stations of the Cross and to reflect on the sacrifice Jesus Christ made to ensure human salvation.

The traditional stations depict the last 14 steps of Christ: Pilate condemns Christ to death; Jesus carries the cross; Jesus falls the first time; Jesus meets His Blessed Mother; Simon of Cyrene helps to carry the cross; Veronica wipes the face of Jesus; Jesus falls the second time; Jesus consoles the women of Jerusalem; Jesus falls the third time; Jesus is stripped of His garments; Jesus is nailed to the cross; Jesus dies on the cross; Jesus is taken down from the cross; and Jesus is laid in the tomb.

Worshippers say special prayers at each Station asking God’s intervention in dealing with society’s ills including depression, homelessness, poverty, crime, violence, marital breakups and juvenile delinquency.

The Stations of the Cross allows Christians to reflect on how they can work together to deal with society’s ills. It also gives an appreciation of the sacrifice that Christ made by shedding his blood as a ransom for the sins of mankind. In these photographs, the Guardian captures the re-enactment of Christ’s journey in several locations across Trinidad.

Weak with grief and with tears pouring down her face, Cindy Dowrich yesterday begged police to find the gunman who murdered her teenaged son for his gold chain.

Rinarco Balgobin, 19, of Southern Main Road, La Romaine, a member of the PNM’s National Youth League, suffered three gunshot wounds to his neck and head as he tried to flee from his attackers around 4 am yesterday.

His mother said witnesses heard someone shouting “Mammy! Mammy!” before gunshots were fired but she never heard her son’s call for help.

“I was sleeping on the couch in the living room and I did not even hear him. I slept in the living room because I was waiting for him to come home,” Dowrich sobbed.

Wiping away her tears, the distraught mother said she warned Balgobin not to wear the chain as he left home on Thursday night to attend a fete at a bar on Cipero Street, San Fernando.

“I want you to find him. Don’t ask questions. Find out who killed my son,” Dowrich shouted to police and media. Another resident sat on the steps wailing. She screamed, “All yuh tell the police who have the gun!

Tell them.” Other relatives told her to hush. Most of the people interviewed said they were fearful that the killer could return.

A source, who requested anonymity, said Balgobin came home around 4 am to see the killer waiting for him in a secluded area in his front yard.

The first shot missed Balgobin and he tried to run to the back of the house. As he collapsed near the fence, the gunman fired again hitting him twice and killing him instantly.

It was only around 9 am that Balgobin’s family found him on the side of the fence.

Police said Balgobin was robbed of some cash and his chain. However, senior investigators said they have information that the teenager got caught up in a turf war and was killed and then robbed.

Balgobin’s body has since been removed to the Forensic Science Centre where an autopsy will be done on Tuesday. Members of the Homicide Bureau yesterday took statements from residents and relatives.

In a statement yesterday, the PNM National Youth League said Balgobin served as chairman of the Oropouche West Constituency Youth League and was a former Committee Member of the National Youth League Executive 2016-2017.

Anyone with information on the death can contact Crime Stoppers at 800-TIPS.

Thousands of dollars worth of Dom Perignon and Ace of Spades champagne flowed at the Waterloo Cremation site yesterday as family, friends and other associates said farewell to Sheron Sukhdeo who was gunned down last Monday near a relative’s house on Caroni Savannah Road, Charlieville.

Sukhdeo, 33, a popular auto dealer, was at his mother-in-law’s home when he was ambushed and shot multiple times. He died at the Chaguanas Health Facility.

The funeral got off to a late start as scores of relatives and friends gathered at his home at the corner of 10th Avenue and Caroni Savannah Road.

Several of his friends and relatives were moved to tears as they greeted other mourners at the ceremony. Several of his gold chains were draped around his neck as he laid in the casket.

Members of the media were banned from entering the premises as they attempted to come through the entrance.

The service was officiated by Pundit Maharaj Akaram but was unable to be heard at times as there were no speakers or microphones used during the ceremony.

Several of his friends wore white T-shirts which read “Sheron Auto”, “World Boss”, “return if possible.”

Many of his trophies and gold painted miniature cars lined the bannister of the porch but had to be removed as the casket was taken into the house.

Sukhdeo was cremated in white robes.

Bouquets of roses from gold, white and red covered Sukhdeo as he lay in his brown and gold trimmed casket.

Inside his casket, the words “Sheron Auto” and “World Boss” were also written. A brown pair of boots were placed at his feet.

His colourful vehicles were moved from the premises and parked at the side of the road along with one of the music trucks.

The crowd and vehicles caused a backup of traffic along the busy Caroni Savannah Road.

Members of the Police Service provided security outside the premises to clear the traffic and maintain peace.

The two big trucks accompanied the hearse playing reggae music and other popular songs.

His wife, Rachael, his children Sheron Scott and Sherona, stood outside as the casket was placed in the hearse.

When approached for comment, Rachel did not speak but hugged her children and other well-wishers.

They along with other mourners threw flowers and rice as the door of the hearse was closed according to Hindu rites.

At the cremation site, Sukhdeo’s large gold chains were removed from his neck as friends popped bottles Champagne spilling it onto the blazing pyre.
Police said up to late yesterday they were continuing investigations and that no suspects were held.

Rising poverty levels and unemployment are having a negative impact on La Divina Pastora festivities in Siparia with a drastic decline in attendance this year.

While some said the traditional celebrations are not being upheld by the youth, church leaders said the poor turnout was the result of economic hardship.

When the T&T Guardian visited the church yesterday, the lines, which usually stretch to the roadway, was non-existent.

Only 15 people stood inside the prayer room waiting to make offerings of flowers, olive oil, rice, money and gold jewelry to the dark-skinned statue.

Known as the Miracle Mother of La Divina Pastora, Catholics celebrate her as the Virgin Mary while Hindus called her Siparee or Supari Mai (mother of Siparia) which represents the Hindu Goddesses Kali, Durga and Lakshmi.

Church stalwart Juliana Verna Fermin said she was surprised by the poor turnout. “I think a lot of the traditions are dying. A lot of people who were part of this have died. The church needs to be better organised else this celebration will not go on. We have a lot less people now,” Fermin said.

She also agreed that people were suffering from financial hardship and this could have also contributed to the poor turnout.

However, church member John Ramdeen, who has been engaged in La Divina Pastora festivities for over 50 years, said he too was surprised by the poor turnout. “I think we have about 15 per cent less people and about 25 per cent less people who have come here to collect alms,” Ramdeen said.

Among those who came to make offerings to the statue were Lisa Seepersad of Chaguanas.

“I offered jewelry and money and I expect her blessings. She helped me before and I know that she will help me again,” Seepersad said in reference to the statue. She said this was the second time she came to the church to make offerings.

Nicole Samaroo, of Caroni, who came with her three children aged 10, four and six months, said she was expecting to get some money to buy food for her family.

“I took a taxi to come here. I spent the night out here last night and I may stay here again tonight. My husband cannot find a job and it is really hard taking care of the children. People told me if I come here I will get some help,” Samaroo said.

Sukho Bridgemohan, who has been cutting people’s hair outside the church for 41 years, said he was also surprised by the poor turnout.

“Usually around this time we would have about 100 people already getting haircuts. This year, we only had about 25 people,” Bridgemohan added. He also said the La Divina traditions were dying because people were less spiritual than before.

President Paula-Mae Weekes said yesterday that one of the benefits of living in a multi-religious society such as T&T, is that “we can all extract the essence of the beliefs of others and discover its relevance to us.”

In her Easter message yesterday, she said the teaching of comparative religion in schools can bring a richer and more complete understanding of the beliefs, practices and fundamental philosophy of the faiths that co-exist in our shared space.

President Weekes said, “Easter is the principal and oldest festival of the Christian Church. The resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord, which Easter celebrates, is a foundation of Christian faith and celebration is fitting because Easter, with its guarantee of acceptance, hope and an eternity of joy, follows a period of anguish, rejection and despondency.”

“While Christmas with all its hype might appear to non-Christians as more significant, Easter with its message of rebirth and consequent redemption from sin is the bedrock of Christian belief. It signifies Christ’s victory over sin, evil, death and the grave and gives to all believers assurance of eternal life which is the source of our hope in this life.”

Given the state’s society, she said, Easter might have significance to non-Christians and therefore, “we need exemplars or superheroes who model for us how we might handle pain, disappointment and feelings of hopelessness.

“The Easter narrative can be helpful, whether or not one believes the story to be true, if one focuses on the allegory. Easter teaches us that success is not necessarily about conspicuous worldly achievement but rather about the ability to use personal suffering as a springboard to compassion.”

What is clear, she said, is that Easter teaches everyone to stand firm in one’s principles without compromise or retreat even in the fact of persecution, victimization or ridicule and being prepared to stand the consequences of speaking and living one’s convictions.

Her wish for citizens this Easter, is that each citizen finds something that speaks to them, “in the account of the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ Our Lord. May this lead us to live lives full of compassion, perseverance, courage, love and humility.”

As members of the Baptist community around T&T celebrated Spiritual Baptist Liberation Day 2018 yesterday, the Tobago United Spiritual Baptist Assembly hosted their Stations of the Cross procession through the streets of Scarborough culminating at the car park at Garden Side in Scarborough.

Also taking part in the celebrations in Tobago were chief secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Kelvin Charles and his wife Catherine, secretary of Tourism, Culture and Transportation Nadine Stewart-Phillips, assistant Secretary of Education Marisha Osmond and Secretary of the Tobago United Spiritual Baptist Assembly Maeda Edwards-Cowie.

The Ministry of Education has been served with a pre-action protocol letter over the relocation of the School for Blind Children from Pax Vale, Santa Cruz to the old Five Rivers Secondary School in Arouca.

The attorneys are representing principal of the institution Derrick Mundy.

Mundy has complained that there were serious concerns raised since the Ministry of Education relocated the school from Santa Cruz to Arouca. Maundy claimed there has been infrastructural problems at the new location.

Maundy is being represented by Scoons Attorneys and Counselors at Law.

The 10-page letter from Scoon’s office claimed there were 32 violations under the OSH Act. at the Arouca school

The letter, which was addressed to Eduction Minster Anthony Garcia, was hand delivered . It outlined breaches under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. It said there were numerous complaints of “failing to provide a safe and secure work environment under the OSH Actt Section 6 (2)(a).

“The OSH Report sets out some 32 violations of the OSH Act. The Report requires that the Ministry address the violations noted thereirn to the OSH Agency within 30 calendar days of the report.”

“Please bear in mind the the welfare of the children must be of paramount importance coupled with the fact that our client has been extremely understanding and accommodating to date and is hopeful that this matter can be resolved amicably,” the letter said.

Mundy also wrote to the T&T Unified Teachers Association and to the Teaching Service Commission seeking to address the “unsafe and unhealthy conditions at the aforesaid school.”

“It is my hope that TTUTA will recognise the salient issues involving its members’ terms and conditions of employment and safety and health of both the children and employees and be moved with haste to render unflinching assistance toward the successful conclusion of this matter.”

A letter sent from one of the Safety and Health Inspectors, dated last November, gave a detailed report on the findings at the school.

The officer (name withheld) said the findings should be a addressed and a report of the corrective measures submitted to the OSH Agency within 30 days— which expired two months ago.

The letter claimed that there was no evidence to indicate that a suitable and sufficient risk assessment was conducted, there was no documentation to indicate that a valid certificate from the Electrical Inspectorate existed, exposed electrical sockets on the compound, water pudding in classrooms which could result in a risk of slipping and falling on the wet surfaces.

There were also complaints of sharp objects protruding from the structures, old furniture, unsanitary toilet facilities, poor lighting and a “mould-like substance” on the structures.

When contacted, Garcia admitted that there were complaints about facility

“I have not received it and don’t know if it went to our legal department but we heard of several contentions between the principal and the Board. I am not aware of the pre-action protocol but I know we have been trying our best to mediate between them,” he said.

The students from El Dorado West, Bon Air Secondary Schools and St Anthony’s College have come in for high praises from Education Minister Anthony Garcia for their participation in two separate projects to protect and preserve the environment.

The El Dorado West Secondary School students, in collaboration with the RBC Young Leaders Project, took part in the “WE Campaign” to create a nation which produces less waste and encourages the conservation of our wildlife.

They began the initiative at school by enforcing a recycling system which encouraged the student population to recycle their used bottles and also brought awareness to the number of plastic items that were used on a daily basis.

Additionally, the students and their teachers participated in a beach clean-up exercise at Manzanilla Beach on March 25.

They picked up approximately 70 bags of garbage along the beach. The main items collected were plastic, glass bottles and styrofoam containers.

Meanwhile, another group of 41 students and teachers from the Bon Air Secondary School and St Anthony’s College successfully executed a similar educational awareness and beach clean up exercise, removing 26 bags of garbage from the Chaguaramas Beach on March 21.

This exercise was initiated as part of the Marine Environment Education Programme in T&T (MEEPTT), at the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) on March 21.

Garcia is urging all students to get involved in more of these civic- minded exercises and to let the experience serve as a motivation to make a positive difference in the society and to continue working towards making T&T a better place.

The Ministry of Agriculture will only consider relocating a 12-foot anaconda at its livestock station in Aripo if it seen again or poses a danger to staff and livestock.

In a Facebook post issued on Thursday, Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat said Saiyaad Ali of the Serpentarium was invited to the station yesterday afternoon to observe the reptile.

While he said that the snake posed no immediate danger to staff and livestock at the facility presently, Rambharat said his ministry would monitor the situation as some staff members were apprehensive of its presence.

Rambharat also expressed concerns that persons may decide to hunt the protected reptile.

“The huille (local name for anaconda- pronounced “wheel”) is likely to move about frequently and may find itself in danger with persons who may seek it out for sport or consumption (yes, some people consider it a delicacy),” Rambharat said.

The snake was first spotted by one of the workers at the facility on Monday as he went to urinate next to the pond. The snake was in the process of ingesting a seven-foot caiman which it had constricted around moments before.

The worker prodded the snake until it released its intended meal and disappeared under the water.

Speaking with the T&T Guardian, earlier this week, Kristopher Rattansingh, of Wildlife and Environmental Protection of T&T, said that anacondas were often killed by people due to their formidable size and unfortunate reputation.

If seen, members of the public should avoid contact and call in experts, to remove the non-venomous reptile.

Members of the public who wish to contact Wildlife and Environmental Protection of T&T for the removal of wildlife from populated areas can reach them at 341-9983, 748-7100, 497-3373 or 748-3936.

People from all parts of Trinidad journeyed to Salybia Beach on the Toco Main Road to camp for the long Easter weekend. The shore was littered with hundreds of camps as families packed the facility to have a good time with family and friends.

Many of the campers from Longdenville, Couva, Chaguanas, Maraval, Arouca, Malabar, Arima, Carapo, and San Juan, said they usually go to Tobago for the long weekend but were turned off by the seabridge fiasco. Some said it was costing them too much money to carry their families to Tobago and they were not sure if they will return to their homes on time. They turned instead to the scenic north-east coast beach. Many joked that they were seeing Toco in the distance from Salybia anyway.

“We all miss Tobago, but say what, if the ferry begins to operate efficiently we will definitely be going to Tobago for the August vacation,” one camper said.

Others boasted about the safety of the area and facilities like washroom facilities and potable water, in addition to 24-hour patrols by police officers. “We feel comfortable at Salybia and we are thinking about returning,” another camper said.

The De Four family of Curepe said they chose Salybia to relax since they wanted to avoid the hassle of getting to and from Tobago.

Ramnarine Dipnarine of St Joseph said going to Tobago by sea was trouble at this time and paying extra money by plane spells trouble and hassle. “Probably next year, but with the comfort and safety at Salybia it will be a hard decision to make.”

The Penco Family of Garden Village, Arouca, said “We have a large family and it is too costly to go to Tobago at this time. We are enjoying our time so far. We paid less by boat and cannot afford the price on plane.”

Visitors from England, the Smiths, Dover, Mc Willy, and Mings vowed to return to Salybia because of the warmth of the people, the presence of life guards, regular patrol by police, washroom facilities, and sale of local products all in one place. “We choose Salybia and we are enjoying ourselves, we will return as it is more comfortable and relaxing in this north-east bay.”

Owners of small businesses in the area said there was a boost in sales since the crowd was larger than what they usually see for the Carnival period.

—reporting by RALPH BANWARIE

Dean Dass' campsite with its two large 35 X 30' tents dwarf other campers' tents and is hard to miss at the Malabar Farms Estate, Manzanilla beach. If not, the enticing aromas of seared pork, curry duck, and stew chicken emanating from the camp's hobby chef Davenand Dial's stove top will draw you in by your nose with country and western music coming from speaker boxes to titillate the aural senses.

On the chow assembly line, Dass' brother Sundarsan and long-time family friend, Junior Rooplal, a tailor from Gasparillo, season the various meats as family members and friends look on in anticipation as to what delicious meat or fish to sample next as Dass prepped the food for serving.

Like many families, this has been a tradition going on 34 years for the Sangre Grande businessman who spends the long Easter weekend camping out with family members and friends in a safe environment. There was a boat and barrel raft pulled up on the shore.

When the Sunday Guardian visited Dass' camp on Good Friday, he said the menu was fish, stew and seared pork, curry duck, curry and stewed chicken.

He said the camp had 30 people that day, today they will have about 60 people, and they will be adding pone and accra to the menu.

Dass said camping was something more people should get into because it kept the family together.

He said it was one time of the year where nieces, nephews, and cousins who didn't see each other for months can come to this area to relax and mix with one another.

As the country continues to grapple with the issue of domestic violence, head of the Spiritual Shouter Baptist Archbishop Barbara Gray-Burke has accused the Government of lying with respect to there being state-run homes for battered women here.

Gray-Burke made the statement as she addressed the crowd at the Spiritual Shouter Baptist Liberation Day celebrations held at the Empowerment Hall, Churchill-Roosevelt Highway, Maloney, yesterday.

She was hugging women's advocate Hazel Brown when she made the statement.

"There are many things that y'all don't know that both of us know. They tell you that they have place for battered women and place for this, we can tell them they lie," Gray-Burke said.

"We have battered women, and many days I'm calling her and saying 'help me nah, I want to hide this woman, the man want to kill she', and she would find a place to assist me to help them," she said.

According to statistics from the T&T Police Service (TTPS), there were 11,441 domestic violence reports between 2010 and 2015, 75 per cent of which were related to female victims.

Also in the same period, there were 131 domestic violence deaths, 56 per cent of which were female.

For this year 14 women have been murdered with eight being as a result of domestic disputes.

There are only eight shelters in this country and they are all run by private organisations.

March 30 is Spiritual Shouter Baptist Liberation Day in this country.

However, this year the day coincided with Good Friday.

As a result, the Spiritual Shouter Baptist community decided instead to hold their celebrations yesterday.

The Government did not put a "red cent" toward the celebrations this year, Gray-Burke said.

"The Government always gives us funding for our national holiday, would you believe this year they didn't give us a red cent? But we are celebrating, you know why? We are strong women, strong men," she said.

"We not going to let no Government, no demoniacal forces, no nothing stop us from celebrating," Gray-Burke said.

Gray-Burke said apart from no funding from the Government, new rules established by the Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) requiring a down payment to be made for the use of buses also affected the financial aspect of yesterday's celebrations.

While there have been calls recently for Baptists to be given a cathedral, Gray-Burke said what the community really needs is a secondary school.

"The Catholic man can walk down after SEA (Secondary Entrance Assessment) and pull out 20 per cent and I want the Shouter to be able to walk down and take out his 20 per cent," Gray-Burke said.

She said education was the key.

"Make the best, go for education, education is the key to take us out of poverty, it will take us out of a predicament you think if we have one or two doctors or lawyers you think anybody making style on us with money. The doctor will say look a million allyuh go an celebrate," Gray-Burke said.

She reminded the congregation to remain grateful to former prime ministers Basdeo Panday and Kamla Persad-Bissessar for granting the Baptist community its holiday and giving them a primary school.

The North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) has made significant strides in encouraging and facilitating parents to stay on the Paediatric Wards with their children, chief executive officer of the NCRHA Davlin Thomas has said.

Thomas made the statement in response to an article in the Sunday Guardian last week which told the first-hand experience of a mother who was barred from being at her dying daughter's bedside in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in Mount Hope during her final moments some four years ago.

Thomas said drastic improvements have been made since then, and that the mother's situation does not reflect what takes place on the wards today.

"For the Paediatric Wards and the Paediatric Emergency Department, the policy at the NCRHA encourages at least one parent to stay at the bedside of their children 24/7 as it promotes healing and reduces anxiety both for the parents as well as for their kids," Thomas stated.

"For the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, parents are allowed to visit between 10 am and 7 pm and there is always time allotted on a daily basis for detailed briefings with the senior doctors. The NCRHA’s focus is on our patients, and we have gone even further as families are also encouraged to bring their children along in the maternity wards, and with the introduction of the Post Natal Home Care Unit (PNHCU) the effort continues to facilitate families staying together for support and to promote healing at their home," he stated.

Thomas said to show its commitment, the NCRHA has also reached out to teachers.

"To tangibly show our commitment to medical best practices in child care, the NCRHA has even reached out to our teachers who supervise our children through our SUNreach program that trains school teachers to be more responsive and prepared in cases of injuries and other emergencies involving kids at school, so the country can feel more confident about the safety of our kids when at school," Thomas stated.

Thomas, however, said there was still some room for improvement.

Leader of the Congress of the People (COP) Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan is denying that the party had any connection with the data mining company, Cambridge Analytica (CA).

Speaking at a media briefing at Chancellor Hotel, St Ann's yesterday, she said “Since these revelations, myself and others in the COP undertook a review of all the party’s documentation inclusive of minutes and meetings.

“Based on those investigations, we are not aware of any contractual engagement between the Congress of the People and SCL or CA.

“At no point in time, as far as we are aware based on the documentation that we have reviewed, did the COP ever enter into any contractual engagement with any of these entities."

She added that at no point in time was the party’s funds used to pay for any activities in connection with those companies.

Seepersad-Bachan said that she spoke with former party leader Prakash Ramadhar on the matter, who acknowledged that he had had discussions regarding the party's imaging and membership listing.

She said Ramadhar indicated that there were discussions and some engagement between the COP and SCL, but moreso he was only aware of the issue of SCL.

Seepersad-Bachan said SCL was engaged by the party, discussions took place with respect to press releases and imaging for the 2013 local government elections.

She said at that point in time she was chairman of the party but she had no knowledge that it had engaged in consultancy to that extent.

Seepersad-Bachan said she was aware, however, that the party's vice vhairman Nicole Dyer-Griffith and Ramadhar were having discussions in terms of how they moved forward as a party, in terms of the image of the party.

Prakash: We had limited exposure to SCL

When Ramadhar was contacted last night for a comment, he said the company had absolutely nothing to do with Cambridge Analytica. Regarding SCL, he said that it was very limited exposure dealing with matters such as streamlining the party imaging and press releases for a short period of time and that was it.

Ramadhar reiterated that the party did not sign any contracts with CA.

Calls to Dyer-Griffith's phone went unanswered.