President of the Supermarkets Association of T&T (SATT) Dr Yunus Ibrahim says while some products on grocery shelves still carry prices with the old 15 per cent rate of Value Added Tax (VAT), the correct prices will be applied at the cash register.

“Prices are correct in all the stores that we have spoken to,” he told the T&T Guardian yesterday, on the first day that the new 12.5 per cent VAT took effect.

“The issue at hand is the pricing, labelling and that is going to take time but consumers should rest assured the prices are proper at the register,” he added.

Ibrahim said the process of changing labels could take a number of days: “From what I have heard from our members the changing of the physical prices on the labelling is taking up time.”

He said SATT was working with its members to “iron out” any other problems they might be experiencing with the VAT change.

Ibrahim said he did not expect consumers to be affected adversely by the new VAT regime.

“I think the patterns will remain the same and people will look at their bills and see what adjustments they will have to make in the long run. I do not think it is going to raise their basket more than $50 to $75,” he said.

Ibrahim had said in an interview last week that since the announcement of the VAT implementation date supermarket owners have been working late to prepare for the change. 

“This entails training employees, working with computerised and non-computerised systems, at the very least ensuring the cash register will have the 12.5 per cent VAT,” he had said.

Finance Minister Colm Imbert announced in January that approximately 99 food items, mainly processed food, have been removed from the VAT zero-rated list.

The National Security Ministry has been strengthened further by the addition of former Assistant Commissioner of Police, Toco/Sangre Grande MP Glenda Jennings-Smith, who will be appointed Parliamentary Secretary in the ministry.

Her appointment was announced yesterday by Government and she will assume duties today after being sworn in by President Anthony Carmona. 

It is the second addition to National Security in as many weeks.

The People’s National Movement (PNM) administration now has a former soldier (National Security Minister, retired major general Edmund Dillon) diplomat (minister in National Security, Dennis Moses) and retired senior police officer (Jennings-Smith) heading the ministry in charge of T&T’s security.

It is the only ministry in the PNM Government with three “bosses”.

Last Wednesday, Prime Minister Keith Rowley mandated Foreign Affairs Minister Moses to be Minister in the Ministry of National Security, assisting Dillon “in the performance of such duties as the Minister (Dillon) may specify from time-to-time.”

Yesterday, another statement from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), giving Jennings-Smith’s appointment, explained it was part of a “comprehensive overhaul and re-organisation of the national security and public safety effort.”

Jennings-Smith, 58, served with the Police Service for 32 years before retiring at the level of ACP in 2014. She had not been given a Cabinet portfolio when the new PNM Cabinet was announced last September. 

The OPM release stated Jennings-Smith, who has extensive training in the policing and social impact of the gang culture and police outreach programmes, would assist Dillon “in these and similar programmes and the overall outreach activities of the uniformed services.”

Communication Minister Maxie Cuffie said: “It’s all part of Government’s attempts to use all resources available in the fight against crime.”

Police are expressing concern over two separate sex attacks in schools last week.

In one particular case a severely traumatised 15-year-old girl is now on suicide watch after she was allegedly raped by a classmate in a classroom as another student looked on. The incident occurred at a south secondary school. 

The T&T Guardian was told the girl was approached by a 16-year-old boy and his friend, the same age, who demanded that she go into a classroom with them. 

The girl initially refused, but eventually obliged after she was threatened. While in the classroom, one of the schoolboys allegedly scolded her and raped her while the other one looked on. 

The two schoolboys were taken into police custody and questioned about the incident but it is not known whether they have been charged.

A parent of a student at the school, who wished not to be identified, claimed her daughter was also often harassed by male students but she said nothing was being done by the principal and teachers.

“My daughter told me that every time she would tell the teachers on the boys but she believed that her voice is not being heard and her cries for help and to feel safe are being brushed off. Maybe, God forbid, if she is raped too then somebody will take it seriously but then it will be too late,” the parent added.

A similar incident occurred last Friday at a secondary school in south western Trinidad, where a Form One female student was seen running into a classroom with her clothes torn.

She later claimed she was threatened, beaten and forced to have sex with a male Form Three student in the school’s female washroom. That incident is also being investigated by the police.

Also, in east Trinidad, police are probing a case of alleged impregnation of a 13-year-old girl by a close relative.

Contacted yesterday on the sex attacks in schools, T&T Unified Teachers’ Association president Devanand Sinanan said while such incidents were not new, he said in trying to treat with them over the years there seemed to be no solution to the problem and by extension, the escalating school violence.

“I don’t think we have the answers to this, which is a social problem. Despite all, we see that the national community has to come together and recognise that we all have a part to play in dealing with this societal problem. The very fabric of society has broken down,” Sinanan said.

Asked what were the consequences for principals and teachers should they fail to report such incidents, Sinanan replied: 

“The code of conduct specifies certain crimes must, by law, as principals, be reported to the police. In such cases, like possession of arms, ammunition, drugs and extreme violence, principals and teachers must report it to the police and if they fail to do so they will be breaking the law and will face disciplinary action accordingly.”

There are, however, growing concerns about the recent incident in the wake of a decision by the Ministry of Education not to renew the contracts of school guidance officers/counsellors.

According to a source assigned to a secondary school in south Trinidad, because some schools are now without counsellors, victims are unable to receive professional help.

“There are also the children who are faced with school bullying, physical, verbal, emotional and mental abuse. There is no one there to get them back on track and they will be left to self-destruct if not given the help required to heal from the abuse,” the source said.

Contacted yesterday for comment, a ministry official who did not want to be identified, said while the counsellors’ contracts had ended some of them were being renewed on a month-to-month basis.

On the issue of the non-renewal of contracts for school guidance officers, Sinanan assured that TTUTA was given the assurance by the Minister of Education Anthony Garcia that such contracts, along with school safety officers and business office assistants, would be renewed.

Mystery surrounds the death of Stevie Hansraj, ten, who was crushed to death when a steel gate in an abandoned slaughter house fell on him near his home at Sirju Sadhu Salt Mine Trace, Siparia, on Sunday. 

His grandmother, Pamela Hansraj, said yesterday she was suspicious about the incident and wondered aloud what may have led him there as it was a place he never frequented. 

“This is too mysterious,” she said.

Police reports indicate that the child was found shortly before 10 pm by his elder brother, Steffon, 14, and one of his cousins, who is a police officer, at the abandoned cattle slaughter house owned by API Pipeline. 

He was trapped under an iron and steel door measuring six feet by five feet. He was pronounced dead by DMO Dr Parasram who visited the scene.

An autopsy performed by Dr Hughvon de Vignes at the Forensic Sciences Centre, St James, yesterday, gave the cause of death as compression asphyxia.

At the family’s home yesterday, his parents, Steve and Annary Hansraj, were grief stricken as they tried to come to terms with the death of their third child, who is one of a twin.

Students at the Siparia KPA School where Steve and his twin brother Stephen were Standard Three pupils were also counselled and comforted by members of the Student Support Services from the Ministry of Education yesterday morning.

Dad Steve said the last time he spoke to Stevie was after lunch on Sunday when he and his dog, Brownie, left to visit a friend at the nearby Mulchan Trace. 

He said when he did not return some four hours later, he went to the home of his son’s friend only to learn Stevie never arrived there. The family started a search in the area and as dusk descended, mom Annary contacted two of her cousins who are police officers and they joined the search. 

With torchlights in hand the family later ventured onto the property that was once a wildlife resort. 

The howling of the family’s dog, which was tied to a post in the slaughterhouse, led Steffon to his brother’s body at the foot of the steel equipment which was used to confine animals before they were slaughtered.

Annary said she and her husband rushed to the scene but the police prevented her from viewing her son’s body. Dad Steve was allowed but dashed back out to seek solace in his wife’s arms after seeing his son’s body.

Yesterday, Steve said his son was very ambitious, bright and loved school. He said Stevie was always the one he called on to do any chore because of his willingness.

“He was a good boy. I don’t know what caused him to go there. He never went there before,” he cried.

Offering a theory about what might have happened, he said he believed his son’s curiosity got the better of him and in trying to climb to the top of the gate, which was used to squeeze the animals to death, he triggered some mechanism and caused the gate to fall on him.

The family said they had no idea how they were going to bury Stevie, as his father, who is a mason, is now unemployed.

Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams is unfazed by being granted yet another six-month extension.

In fact, Williams said that has given him the impetus to strive further in creating the Police Service as a leading entity.

Last week, the Police Service Commission (PSC) gave Williams his seventh extension.

He has been acting as Police Commissioner since Canada-born Dwayne Gibbs resigned from the post in 2012.

Williams would continue to act as top cop until July 31.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Deodat Dulalchan has been appointed to act as Deputy Commissioner of Police until July 17.

Contacted yesterday, Williams described the move as an opportunity to build the Police Service, an organisation where he had spent and served the country for 37 years.

On whether he believed the repeated extension was unfair or had frustrated him in any way, Williams said: “I am a unique human being. Those things do not cross my mind. I focus on the positive out of everything.

“I am the head of the organisation and I lead the Police Service in fulfilling its goals and objectives to the best of my ability.” 

He said under his stewardship no other commissioner has led the Police Service through a reduction in serious crimes by some 15 per cent.

Also under his lead, road traffic accidents have also been reduced.

Williams said while the Police Service still faced challenges regarding homicides, he assured that was a hurdle which would also be crossed.

Asked about Tobago-born Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vincel Edwards who has over 30 years service and who has been reportedly tipped to be the next police commissioner, Williams said: “How could someone speak about the outcome without looking at the process?

“Those things are promoted rumours. If Edwards is said to be tipped for the post then the situation is politicised and this is not so. There is a process.”

On head of the Police Service Social and Welfare Association Insp Anand Ramesar's intention to apply for the post of police commissioner, Williams said if that was so then so be it.

Vacation leave

On whether he intended to take a lengthy vacation leave as was previously reported, Williams said that was not the case.

He said he had not yet applied for any approval of leave.

Williams said he had a discussion with his officers informing them that officers must proceed on some part of their vacation leave for this year, especially those who had accumulated in excess of 90 days.

“And this includes members of the executive. It is a simple administrative process and this also includes me. I am the head of the organisation and I must also take some of my vacation leave .

“Fifteen per cent of the Police Service is authorised to be on leave at any one time and we have to manage it properly. The turnover has to be a short period for everyone... a month or so. 

“So it is not a lengthy period because everyone must be allowed to proceed on part of their leave,” Williams added.

On how much vacation he intended to proceed on, the acting top cop said he could not immediately say.

Kees Dieffanthaller is one of the most recognisable faces in soca music. His boyish charm, good looks and twinkle in the eye is what appeals to his many female fans. And even if he has not got a hit from the top drawer, his band Kes the Band always manages to have a busy Carnival season. 

This year, his big song is called People, a tribute to all his fans and supporters who stuck with him even when the hits weren’t flowing. In the opening lines he sings, “For all the Carnival I eh sing no hit, all yuh was right there, nobody eh leave mih, For all the time I feel to give up and quit, from the time I touch stage, I does see all dey hands them.”

Dieffanthaller’s biggest year was 2011, when he won the International Groovy Soca Monarch with the mega hit Wotless. And while it helped to cement his status as a bonafide soca star, some critics have said that his career has not quite recovered from that year of exceptional success. 

Tonight, the 34-year-old will present the third edition of the Carnival concert Tuesday on the Rocks at the O2 in Chaguaramas. Based on the buzz on the band’s social media pages, it looks like the fans are really sticking with their idol. 

In between rehearsals and a corporate gig, Dieffanthaller spoke to the T&T Guardian about the challenges and successes he’s had since Wotless. 

“After any hit year, you are faced with the challenge of having another the year after,” he said. 

“I look at a lot of artistes on their journey and I realise that all of this is usually part of the journey. How do you build from a hit? It’s a growth process. In the years after Wotless, people expected another Wotless, but that song was for that time. At first we took it on, but we just had to climb to the other summit, and to be honest, it’s either you climb or you fall off.”

Dieffanthaller and his band didn’t start out as a soca band. When they started performing back in the 90s, their repertoire included rock, soul, dancehall, reggae and some original music. They were always keen on looking outside of the box and developing a sound of their own.  

In the years prior to Wotless, they produced songs like Let Me Know, Stay With Me, Stalker and Lion. These songs, as well as their soca songs helped them to gain traction in new markets. Dieffanthaller said they didn’t get jaded, but continued to make music. There were the “summer hits” like Can’t Wait, My Love and Tuesday on the Rocks which according to Dieffanthaller was the start of a movement. The band’s versatility, enabled them to make inroads internationally, and there was extensive touring and breaking ground in the outside markets.

“We’ve performed in different parts of the United States, Dubai, Japan, Shanghai, Greece and Belgium,” he said. 

“Our music is big in Hawaii and Africa is opening up. Technology has helped us, people are tapping in and want to see us live. Kes the Band has always been one of the early adopters of social media, and a strong social media strategy helped. 

“The fans out of T&T pick up something that’s different. They don’t play those songs here but they choose other songs, so for example, Tief a Wine is huge in Toronto,” he said. 

“We’ve learnt that while people here were waiting on Wotless Part 2, other songs were getting big out there.”

The San Fernando native believes that too many artistes limit their creativity because they stick to what might be popular at home. “Sometimes the amount of travelling we do it feels as if we win road march,” he said, laughing. Tonight’s concert is going to feature an eclectic cast, with Dieffanthaller describing it as a “festival vibe”. 

The theme of the concert is Where the World Meets and his cast includes local performers, some from the region and beyond. 

“I picked who I wanted on the show, that’s why the theme is Where the World Meets,” he said. 

“We have Lyrikal and he’s a New York-based soca artiste who broke big in T&T. Lots of soca artistes can’t make it here so I respect him for that. 

Latin singer Chris Hiero—with whom the band collaborated for the song Body Talk—is also on the lineup. 

“We met him in NY and he writes for a lot of Latin acts. “He is a free spirit, and like us, he has no creative boundaries. He has no problem in trying different things. Voice, the young writer and singer of hit song Cheers to Life will also join the band. 

The band Rock City from the Virgin Island, who wrote Man Down for Rihanna and Jamaican dancehall artiste Cham (aka Babycham) will also grace the stage. 

Dieffanthaller has always paid homage to the masters of soca and calypso and this year is no exception: “We wanted to pay respect to the veterans we have worked with. I wanted the dream of having the real men being there. Baron, Rudder and the Mighty Shadow will be there.   

This year’s concert is expected to be two-hours long and tightly stage managed. Dieffanthaller really wants to pay tribute to the fans at the concert and that’s why he’s happy about the success of the song People. 

“With a song like People you do reflect that you have the same folks in front the stage, they keep you going. They keep you going. You do feel to give up, but somewhere someone comes to tell you that this is not only about you. It’s about the people who love your music, it’s a responsibility.

You owe it to the people who support you. You learn how to learn with following your gut and heart regardless to what the world wants you to do.” 

A 28-year-old Chaguanas man was yesterday sentenced to six years in prison after confessing to a string of robberies at a restaurant and nightclub in Port-of-Spain over the past three years. 

Deodath Ramjit, of Longdenville, was given the sentence after pleading guilty to two larceny charges related to break-ins at the 51 Degrees nightclub and Town Restaurant in March 2013 and July last year. 

Ramjit was arrested by police last Thursday morning after allegedly staging his latest break-in at the businesses at the same property, Cipriani Boulevard, Port-of-Spain. 

He faced two charges related to that incident but was not allowed to enter pleas as the charges were laid indictably. 

Given an opportunity by Magistrate Cheron Raphael to make submissions before being sentenced, Ramjit, a cocaine addict, apologised for his actions. 

“I am very remorseful for what I have done. I am trying to change my life around and in order to follow Christ you have to be honest,” Ramjit said.

Raphael said: “So how long now you have found Christ?”

“Just a couple of days ago,” Ramjit, a father of two, admitted. 

In sentencing Ramjit, Raphael noted that even with his early guilty plea, he would have to be given a prison sentence as he had been convicted of similar offences in the past. 

“You must deal with the consequences of your actions. This court must send a strong message to those who wish to engage in such conduct,” Raphael said. 

According to the evidence read after his guilty plea, Ramjit stole a television from the restaurant on March 19, 2013 and stole $12,575.87 in alcohol, cigarettes and a Ipad during a raid on the nightclub last July. 

He reportedly admitted to his previous crimes while being interrogated for his latest break-in, for which he was allegedly caught red-handed. 

He was given a six-year sentence for last year’s burglary and a four-year sentence for stealing the television almost three years ago. The sentences are to run concurrently. 

In relation to the latest incident, during which he was allegedly found hiding in a ventilation duct after police released tear gas cannisters into both businesses, Ramjit is accused of stealing 43 packets of cigarettes from the nightclub and 468 bottles of assorted alcohol, valued at almost $100,000, from the restaurant. He will reappear in court to answer those charges on March 1. 

To combat the brazenness of criminals and to suppress criminal activity, three politicians are necessary to manage the vast resources of the National Security Ministry, says Prime Minister Keith Rowley.

Speaking at an Housing Development Corporation key-distribution ceremony at HDC head office, South Quay, Port-of-Spain, Rowley said he was confused and surprised over the criticism of his decision to appoint Foreign Affairs Minister Dennis Moses as a Minister in the Ministry of National Security and Glenda Jennings-Smith as its Parliamentary Secretary as the objective was to get on top of the crime problem.

Twenty residents of Marcano Quarry housing community were relocated to the Oropune Gardens, Piarco.

The Prime Minister said the objective of the changes was for the Government to get on top of the crime problem, adding that it must be sustained. He said there was “no switch that you flick and get it done. 

“There are a number of things that have to be done and that is why there are two ministers and a parliamentary secretary aiming to do all of these things at once.”

At Jennings- Smith’s swearing-in ceremony, Rowley said the three-member team “should give us probably the best chance we have to respond effectively to the criminal element and bring to the public the kind of comfort and safety they deserve.”

Saying crime is the People’s National Movement’s number one problem, Rowley said Government clearly understood that if it could not provide safety and security in homes, communities and on the streets, “whatever else we provide at government level will fall flat.”

Rowley said Jennings-Smith had left the Police Service not too long ago. He said when she was chosen as the candidate, critics felt it was improper for her to “go up” but he said her skills were an opportunity “for us to offer the Police Service, management and guidance from the political directorate and executive in a way the Police Service has not had for quite some time.”

Apart from knowing the Police Service “inside out,” the PM said Jennings-Smith was highly trained in criminology, specialising in anti-gang work and had also worked with communities.

With her appointment, Rowley said the top of the structure Government was implementing to respond on crime — human resources — was now in place and Government would continue to supply human resources, physical and financial resources to deal with law and order preservation. 

Noting concerns on Moses’ appointment, he said while Moses was not well known, he was very experienced, with much training, international links, of sound temperament and well prepared for 

the assignment.

Moses, a career diplomat, was appointed last week to assist substantive National Security Minister Edmund Dillon, retired Major General of the Defence Force, and Sangre Grande MP Glenda Jennings-Smith, a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, was appointed as a Parliamentary Secretary, to assist Dillon.

Rowley yesterday defined the roles of the three politicians in the ministry.

The Prime Minister said Moses, who is also the Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister, would be responsible for “administrative-type” matters, such as immigration and work permits, while Jennings-Smith will be responsible for matters relating to the anti-gang legislation and other social programmes, such as youth camps.

Rowley said there have been several National Security Council meetings aimed at establishing “a national security response that is up to and surpasses the criminal element in T&T.”

He said Moses’ presence would “free up” Dillon “to deal with the programme of operational response and preparing the units to respond in every place in Tobago and Trinidad.”

Rowley later told reporters she would also handle some of Government’s outreach programmes so the work was distributed in a way to get the best results.

Ready to work hard

Jennings-Smith, who retired as Assistant Police Commissioner after 25 years, holds a Master’s Degree in applied criminology and police management from Cambridge University, UK, and completed studies in public administration and social work at UWI.

She told reporters: “I’m no stranger to hard work... there’s a lot to be done... the murder rate is already beyond 44 for January. I bring a lot of competence coming from the TTPS which I will use to my benefit in eradicating crime.” The murder toll stood at 48 yesterday.

Dillon said he would meet today with Moses and Jennings-Smith to get down to work. He said the public would see the kind of experience Moses and Jennings-Smith would bring, encompassing international and domestic aspects.

“You’re looking at 70 years’ experience in policing just between Mrs Jennings-Smith and myself, so you will have a strong impact on the security environment. We will have a collective approach in national security issues. This is going to be a strong team based on collective experience of each of us,” he added.

Dillon, in debunking perception that the addition of Moses and Jennings-Smith was a strike on his competence, said:

“Not at all. In treating with security environments there’s no one person or entity that can deal with all issues. The entire country has to play a part. I welcome the additional members of this team.”

Jennings-Smith took the oath of office yesterday in the presence of her husband, Sylbert, daughter Cherisse, her mother, Rita Jennings, and a friend, Fitzlaurence Waldron. 

Opposition Leader, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, intends to seek the support of Prime Minister Keith Rowley to reintroduce a draft bill in Parliament to precept soldiers with police powers.

Speaking at the Siparia Women’s Association Kiddies Carnival in Bhupsingh Park, Penal, yesterday, Persad-Bissessar said the bill would help in the fight against the rising crime rate.

She added: “I intend to seek support of the Prime Minister for a private members bill which I intend to file in the Parliament to deal with protecting soldiers who are on duty with police and protecting civilians.

“What we had sought to do in 2013, we had brought the bill and it was called the infamous ‘police-soldier bill’.

“It is exactly the same thing the Government has now proposed to do but the concerns they raised then are still concerns today.”

Soldiers have been deployed to assist police in anti-crime operations following last month’s double murder of two schoolboys in Laventille. 

In 2013, under then national security minister, Jack Warner, the Miscellaneous Provisions (Defence and Police Complaints) Bill 2013 was laid in Parliament. 

Then attorney general Anand Ramlogan told the nation at the time that the legislation in place, the Defence Act of 1962, gave the regiment power to act only when a country was under attack or during a state of emergency. 

The bill was passed in the Lower House on March 15, 2013 but did not get the support of the Senate. 

Yesterday, Persad-Bissessar said she had already drafted a letter to Rowley and hoped he supported the bill but if he did not, she would bring it for debate as a private members bill.

Commenting on the addition of two members to the National Security Ministry, Persad-Bissessar said:

“We now have three persons there and I don’t know what that says about Minister (Edmund) Dillon that he is now given two additional persons... what it says about his competency.

“I am prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt and we are prepared as the loyal opposition in this country to continue to contribute, to co-operate with government when it comes to matters of crime- fighting.”

A supermarket employee whose drink was spiked with poison by a disgruntled worker wants the police to speed up their investigation and catch her attacker who has now gone into hiding.

Krystal Seebarath, 26, a supervisor at Jumbo Foods Supermarket, Barataria, yesterday says she relives the trauma every night and is afraid for her life.

Nine days ago, she said, she drank from a bottle spiked with a poison at her workplace.

The suspect, a 24-year-old man, is believed to be hiding out either in the Morvant, Barataria or Beetham areas.

Seebarath, who began working at the supermarket last March, was last month brought in as a supervisor of the meat section, since the manager and other senior officials suspected that workers were stealing meat. Most of the workers, except for one, were transferred out of that branch, including a security officer.

However, while there Seebarath said she encountered several problems and asked to be moved but her request was denied as her bosses told her she was doing a great job.

Last Tuesday at about 11.30 am, Seebarath said she was having a drink and left it unattended for a few minutes as she had to go to another department located on the upper floor of the supermarket. 

She said when she returned to the meat section she took a sip of her drink but quickly spat it out as she found it tasted strange.

“I swallowed a little bit. I didn't think that I was poisoned at that point. I thought the drink had spoiled just like that. Before I knew it I started vomiting and was on the ground with excruciating abdominal pains,” Seebarath said.

An ambulance was contacted. However, according to a supermarket official, it never arrived for Seebarath. She had to be taken via the supermarket's transport vehicle to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope, where she was treated.

Seebarath said she was in a state of shock to hear that someone tried to kill her.

She added: “This had to be premeditated against me and this is something I cannot believe. I was told that checks were made to see if anything was captured on tape but when they checked they saw that the wires had been disconnected. 

“This is something horrific like out of a movie and it happened to me. I am so shocked and scared,.

“When the workers were caught they all begged for their jobs, including the same guy who poisoned (allegedly) me and he was given a chance but I really didn't know it would have reached to this.” 

Seebarath expressed disappointment in the T&T Police Service for the way it has so far handled her case, including its failure to refer her to the Victim and Witness Support Unit for professional counselling.

She said over the weekend into Monday she had been trying to reach the investigating officer, PC Mitchell, in connection with giving an official statement. She says that all she wanted was justice.

Who would have thought that the highlight of Machel Montano’s Machel Monday concert would be a surprise segment featuring two popular 90s DJs and some dancehall stars?

The huge crowd erupted when DJ Signal to Noise (Joel Morris) joined Chinese Laundry (Tony Chow Lin On) onstage behind the decks. For many in the audience it was a real throwback to the 90s when maxi taxis were pumping loud music—more than likely provided by mixtapes produced by Laundry and Signal.

For their segment, there were appearances by veteran dancehall performers Wayne Wonder, Cutty Ranks and the duo Shakademus and Pliers. 

One stunned patron asked: “Where dey dus’ off Cutty Ranks from?” and men in their 40s started dancing like young turks when Cutty Ranks put down his classic Limb by Limb. 

Machel Monday was good but many patrons felt the show was far too long. There was no doubt about the quality of the performers who appeared with Montano during the nearly five-hour set including top local performers like reigning Groovy Soca Monarch Olatunji Yearwood, Kerwin Dubois, Farmer Nappy, Patrice Roberts, newly-crowned Junior Soca Monarch Aaron Duncan and the rising star of soca, Aaron St Louis aka Voice. 

As Voice touched the stage, the crowd sang “From yuh wake up this morning, yuh’s a winner” and continued singing his big hit Cheers to Life word for word. 

One of the unlikely stars of the season is radio “hypeman” Salty, whose appearance on the wildly popular RR riddim has produced one of the novelty hits of 2016. 

The song has few real lyrics but something about the repetitive line “Rock it, Rock it, Roll it and Rock it,” on the brass and percussion-infused riddim has soca fans totally mesmerised. Salty in his dapper green suit got an encore from the crowd at Machel Monday. 

There was an “unplugged” segment with Montano and his former producer and musical director Kernal Roberts on the keyboards which also went down very well. 

Of the foreign acts who performed, the crowd was most appreciative of Pitbull and Jamaican reggae crooner Tarrus Riley. 

Puerto Rican star Pitbull features on the new song Taxi Carnival alonside Montano and US hip hop star Lil John, who also performed. Jamaican singer Omi, singer of 2015 “summer hit” Cheerleader, was here to sing Hula Hoop with Montano. There were also appearances by Nigerian acts Timaya and Runtown as well as the Major Lazer pair of Walshy Fire and Chris “Jillionaire” Leacock. 

As usual, Machel Monday’s production values were quite high. The stage was impressive and the show ran smoothly. 

In an improvement on the 2015 edition, there were no issues with tickets at the entrances, and patrons flowed into the Hasely Crawford Stadium with no problems. The only issue was with the sound system which at times sounded quite muffled.

Speaking on social media, many who attended the show said Montano’s performance was very good, but he should consider keeping down the number of guests, and pare the show back to a more manageable length. 

In this short, recession-struck Carnival season, Machel Monday seems to be one concert that is “recession proof” as the turnout seemed to be even larger than last year, particularly in the $600 Platinum (VIP) section. 

Even the exclusive $1,200 Diamond section was well-patronised. 

Citizens must take responsibility to ensure their surroundings are clean and do not have any mosquito-breeding grounds, says Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh.

During a tour of Bagatelle, Diego Martin, the minister saw, first-hand, derelict vehicles infested with mosquitoes and mosquito larvae in plant containers.

“It is better your plants die than your unborn baby die, make the choice,” Deyalsingh urged, as pregnant women face serious risk from the virus which has also been linked to microcephaly—a rare but brutal condition that shrinks the brains of unborn babies.

On Friday, the minister declared the Zika virus a national health emergency and on Monday the World Health Organization said the virus was spreading rapidly and was now a global public health emergency.

“You are seeing the best of what T&T has to offer during times of crisis. We will face this crisis of Zika and at the end of the day, we will come out better and stronger,” Deyalsingh told reporters, before the start of the two-hour tour.

Several agencies including the Defence Force, working alongside the 14 regional corporations, the Insect Vector Control Division and the Police Service, have teamed up to eradicate breeding sites for the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

Hopeful that this partnership will result in an elevated environmental consciousness never before seen in this country, Deyalsingh said, if people were honest, they would agree that “we are a dirty people.”

In an attempt to get residents started, Deyalsingh launched the trial run of the national response plan at Bagatelle, Diego Martin, by distributing education leaflets and handing out mosquito swatters and insect-repellant hand-bands.

The minister toured Savannah Terrace No 1, where he entered several properties and inspected clogged drains, examined containers that offered favourable breeding sites for mosquitoes, viewed poorly set-up water tanks and even came upon a derelict vehicle that contained mosquitoes.

At the Bagatelle/Blue Basin Youth Club, Deyalsingh up-ended two plant saucers and pointed to mosquito larvae as he joked, “Look at them swimming like George Bovell,” adding, “That one doing the backstroke” and another “doing the freestyle.”

To all expectant mothers, Deyalsingh issued sombre advice as he urged them to wear long clothes and socks, use insect repellants and mosquito nets, and to avoid large crowds.

Asked if residents who refused to clean up their premises could not be fined, Deyalsingh admitted that he had asked the Attorney General to “look at the yellow fever regulations under the Public Health Ordinance to see if we can start to do some of those things because apparently people don’t learn until you impose some big heavy fine on them.”

Even though some spraying was done yesterday, the minister said the insecticide malathion which was being used could not be used daily as residents would become affected and mosquitoes could build up a resistance.

Warning that it was almost impossible to prevent the virus from arriving in this country as the world was now a global village, Deyalsingh said people had to take steps to avoid being bitten.

He also said most people who might contract the virus would not need to be hospitalised, as four out of five citizens who contracted Zika would be asymptomatic, that is, they would not display any symptoms.

He said the virus could be brought into the country by an infected person who, after being bitten by a virgin mosquito, could transmit it to others locally—as well as via trade involving tyres and other items packed in shipping containers. 

If the Government has declared Zika a public health emergency, then all areas of T&T should be sprayed, not just urban areas where the Aedes aegypti mosquito is prevalent, say Opposition MPs Barry Padarath, Rodney Charles and Dr Tim Gopeesingh.

They commented after Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh at a health symposium, last Sunday, said spraying would not be done in all areas of T&T, but only in areas where the mosquito is endemic. 

The virus is suspected to cause microcephaly—unusually small heads and brains in newborns—and may be associated with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, an autoimmune condition causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis and death. But causative links must be confirmed, local experts said at the symposium.

Deyalsingh has declared a public health emergency situation with regard to Zika. Deyalsingh said he’d spoken to corporation heads last Friday and some—like Rio Claro/Mayaro—said they never had a dengue case, so mosquito spraying wasn’t necessary.

Deyalsingh yesterday supervised a mosquito eradication exercise in Bagatelle, Diego Martin.

But Princes Town MP Padarath, whose area adjoins Rio Claro-Mayaro said: “I’m not convinced we should isolate areas and not spray some because there have been no signs of dengue outbreaks. You can never say for sure if something will affect an area from year to year.

“Zika is a new challenge and if, as the minister correctly said, it’s a public health emergency situation, we should be leaving nothing to chance. We should spray all of T&T, not just areas where mosquitoes are endemic.

“You must have an holistic, national approach rather than the myopic approach the minister is adopting. The PNM has promised to govern for all. Let’s see spraying being done everywhere. Rural areas are just as susceptible to mosquitoes as urban sectors. There are just as many opportunities for water to accumulate and mosquitoes to thrive in rural areas.”

Charles, whose Naparima constituency adjoins Rio Claro, said: “Once a situation is declared a public health emergency, it’s expected ‘public’ means all of T&T, not just some areas with many mosquitoes.”

Padarath said the situation presented problems for rural corporations. 

“I met the chairman and councillors of Princes Town corporation and while we’ve all agreed to sensitise residents about the Zika issue, the area is severely challenged due to lack of financial releases. Princes Town’s has been cut by $21 million. There will be big challenges in undertaking work including spraying.

“We hope the minister will speak to the Rural Development and Local Government division to allow corporations the resources to handle these necessary campaigns.”

Calling for the Zika issue to be discussed at a special parliamentary session as an “urgent matter of national importance,” Gopeesingh added, via a media statement, “The Prime Minister must involve the entire national community in a vigorous mobilisation exercise to avert an outbreak. 

“Sustained medical/sanitation undertaking must be launched by Government, regional corporations and other relevant stakeholders to eliminate Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. There must be an all-out campaign to spray as many homes as possible, especially in vulnerable communities, in the shortest time. UNC-led regional corporations are leading in this exercise.

“Additional funding should be provided to appropriate institutions for insect vector spraying and an education campaign on measures to avoid contracting the virus. Community, non-governmental, faith-based, trade unions and other service organisations should be included and there must be focused public education campaign, involving national media and relevant public/private sector institutions,” he said.

The Gasparillo farmer who was charged for tying a woman with a rope and walking her along the road like an animal after he accused her of stealing his peppers has been freed.

Dubbed the “Ropeman” after the incident was captured on video and uploaded on Facebook, Sunil Ramcharan breathed a sigh of relief when he stepped out of the San Fernando courtroom yesterday after the case against him was dismissed.

“I am very happy this is over. I have never been before a court and in life I don’t ever want to go through this again,” said Ramcharan, 38.

Charged with assaulting Zaheeda Mohammed by tying her with a piece of rope on March 7 last year at Massy Lands, Gasparillo, Ramcharan had pleaded not guilty and was granted $15,000 surety bail and a cash alternative of $8,000.

Yesterday, however, the prosecution’s case against Ramcharan collapsed because Mohammed, the main witness, never came to court and attempts by the charging officer to find her has been unsuccessful.

Ramcharan was represented by attorney Shaun Teekasingh.

Since then the matter had been called several times and yesterday it was set for trial before Fourth Court Magistrate Margaret Alert.

Charging officer WPC Bassarath, however, took the witness stand and gave evidence about her several futile attempts to locate Mohammed. She said she went to Mohammed’s last known address at Massy Lands and found a vacant lot where her house used to be.

She said she had no contact number for Mohammed and there were no other people living in that area which was primarily used 

for gardening.

Asked if given another opportunity she would be able to find Mohammed, she said she would not be able to. In answer to the magistrate, prosecutor Sgt Krishna Bedassie said he would not be able to continue with the matter without Mohammed’s evidence.

While he was happy that the matter was over, Ramcharan said he has been forced to abandoned his ten-acre pepper garden because of thieves.

Frustrated by the numerous times thieves raided his garden, Ramcharan said: “You cannot even get 100 peppers in that ten acres... too many thieves. I lose a lot of money. I leaving it (land) until I decide to plant on it again.”

Asked how he felt about the entire ordeal, he said it had been difficult. “I feel disturbed that people calling me “Ropeman” on the road,” he added.

Asked why he tied the rope to the woman’s waist, he said it was the “only thing I had to hold she with,” while he waited for the police to arrive.

Accompanied by his father Ramdeo Ramcharan, 76, and close friend, Shaheed Baksh, Ramcharan said he was ready to move on with his life. 

Last February, Mohammed appeared in the San Fernando Magistrates Court charged with stealing $100 worth of melongene from a farmer at Massy Lands, Gasparillo. She was placed on a $3,000 bond to keep the peace for a year. 

In default, she will serve 12 months’ hard labour.

There seems to be no end in sight for contractors who are seeking to obtain $40 million in outstanding fees from OAS Construtora. 

The 60-odd local contractors said the money is for work done on the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway extension to Point Fortin during the past seven months.

Last week, the contractors blocked the entrance to OAS headquarters at Golconda with water trucks, to press the Brazilian firm to honour its debt.

A different approach was taken last Friday as the contractors engaged representatives from the company in talks.

A subsequent meeting was held on Monday between the parties, while a bus remained near the compound plastered on one side with a large banner stating, “We want we money,” driving home the point.

However, none of these actions has yielded any positive outcome.

Spokesman for the contractors, William Ashby, who spoke after the meeting, said “There is nothing further (to report). We are supposed to get some information tomorrow,” he said.

The contractors have met separately with both OAS and National Infrastructure Development Company Limited (Nidco), but failed to reach a resolution. 

Ashby said OAS officials told them they were not paid by Nidco, a position Nidco officials denied, saying that OAS was paid.

Attempts to reach OAS or Nidco officials for comment have been futile thus far.

Owners of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) have asked Government to pay US$4.5 million for T&T to host the semifinals and final of the event here from August 3-6.

However, sources say that while Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley is convinced that staging the three main matches here will generate substantial benefits for the country, he is not willing to pay that price and is insisting on re-negotiations to bring the cost in line with what the country can afford.

Last year, the PP government spent US$3.5 million and there was massive interest and sold out crowds for the final which was won by the local Red Steel, which beat Barbados Tridents in the final at the Queen’s Park Oval.

T&T is facing competition from the governments of Barbados and Guyana, as they have both made presentations to CPL owners, but negotiations are still ongoing with the three countries. 

It is understood that T&T has proposed a counter offer of US$1.5 million. Sources say that Government may agree to US$2 million. 

The CPL has provided a report prepared by SMG Insight on the economic impact of last year’s final.

SMG Insight reasoned that by hosting last year’s event, Trinidad & Tobago got significant economic and social benefits, which included the direct spend by CPL from hotel to local vendors, travel, media and advertising.

The total direct impact of the 2015 tournament for the T&T economy was stated as US$15.40 million. This was broken down into the direct spend by CPL which was US$3.84 million, accommodation and general expenditure was listed at US$5.63 million, and value produced by the T&T Tourist Board branding at matches was put at US$5.93 million.

The proposal also outlined to Government that a total of 93,929 fans attended the matches in this country and as a result 551 jobs were created. In addition to this a television audience of 27.3 million viewed the games, and a total of 5,703 nights were spent by non-local spectators at the hotels in Trinidad.

Guardian sources say Government has not given up and will continue to negotiate. 

“At this point, we are confident that the matches will come our way as there are many ways for the CPL to fit the difference for what they are asking. Government understands the importance of hosting an event of this magnitude and hence negotiations are far from over.”

The Queen’s Park Oval hosted the final of the first edition in 2013, and last year’s edition. 

More children will be allowed to participate in adult bands during the senior Parade of the Bands Competition on Carnival Monday and Tuesday. This after the National Carnival Commission (NCC) yesterday changed a rule that limited the number of children allowed to play mas in adult bands.

In an interview yesterday NCC chairman Kenny de Silva said the figure had been raised from two per cent to 30 per cent after objections from bandleaders.

Rule number nine outlined in the NCC rulebook stated that in bands that have children as part of their presentation, the number of children must not exceed two per cent of the registered band size to qualify as an adult band. 

This meant a large mas band with 2,000 masqueraders can have only 40 masqueraders under 18. With the rule change it means that a maximum of 600 children can play with a band of 2,000.

Traditional mas bands which mostly see families playing together, with parents accompanying their children, will either have to remove children from the band at judging points or remove children from the road completely.

“We moved it up to 30 per cent. We realised it would have had a negative impact on family bands since it applies to anyone under 18,” De Silva said.

Last year, Ronald Alfred, leader of Original Whipmaster Jab Jab band, was penalised on Carnival Tuesday. He was forced to pull his seven children out of the band before he got on the road and had no children in the band in the competition. Alfred was just one of many traditional bandleaders who share the creation and participation of mas with their children.

President of the T&T Carnival Bandleaders Association (TTCBA) Gerard Weekes said his organisation urged the NCC to remove the rule entirely.

“I don’t support it. We reject that rule in particular. It does not augur well for the development of mas,” Weekes said in an interview.

“Our association is in support of that move being removed in its entirety. There is a feeling that Carnival bands are not suitable for children under 18.

“That may work for a few bands but the majority, which are traditional bands, have children learning the art of mas and you are telling parents they can’t involve their children,” he added.

Weekes said he started playing mas at nine years old with his father, an experience which led to him bringing out his own Carnival band. “There are family bands in T&T, particularly at the traditional level, passing the baton from one family member to the next.

“Then you have Rosalind Gabriel who allows parents to play with their children on Monday and Tuesday,” he added.

Gabriel, who has brought her band to both the junior and senior Parade of the Bands for the past several years, will not be on the road on Carnival Monday and Tuesday this year. She may attend the Socadrome stage.

“It breaks my heart but I had to let my masqueraders know. I will not be able to take my band to Socadrome or any of the judging points because of the rule.” Gabriel’s band is a children’s band. She said, historically, children have played mas in adult bands.

The rule has seen mas bands taking Carnival organisations to court because of confusion over its enforcement. One bandleader described it as unenforcable.

“They are going to what, guess who is a child and who isn’t? Or are they going to ask everyone on the road for their birth certificate?

“Why are you trying to pass a rule for mas bands when you have it in steelband and in calypso? There is no clear argument for the rule.”

Senior counsel Gilbert Peterson yesterday resigned from his position as director of the board of Guardian Media Ltd (GML) following last week’s announcement  he was nominated to head Government’s Telecommunications Authority of T&T (TATT) board.

Peterson, in a letter to GML board chairman Grenfell Kissoon, said his resignation was as a result of his decision to accept the nomination to the position as chairman of TATT.

Communication Minister Maxie Cuffie announced him for the TATT board on January 28 at a post-Cabinet press conference. 

Since the announcement, Opposition and social media sites have queried whether Peterson’s position on the GML board would be a conflict of interest with the TATT post and if the public and corporate media sector of T&T would be assured of fair treatment from the board due to his “longstanding membership on the GML board.”

Contacted on the situation, Peterson said yesterday: “If I take up the Telecom board position, I won’t hold posts on both (Telecom and GML) boards.” 

GML Chairman Grenfell Kissoon said that Peterson has always made insightful and valuable contributions to the deliberations of the board.

“I wish to convey the gratitude of the board, and to wish him success in his new role,” Kissoon said. 

Tomorrow night’s International Soca Monarch finals will be the most unpredictable it has been in years. This was the view of multiple soca artistes who spoke to the media yesterday following the draw for positions for the  show on Fantastic Friday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port-of-Spain.

The show is one of the biggest events for the Carnival season and sees soca artistes from other Caribbean countries competing for the crown. It begins at 8 pm and will feature guest performances by seven-time winner, Machel Montano, and this year’s Chutney Soca Monarch K.I.

“This is the first time in years where anybody could be a winner and I think everybody has to bring their game,” said soca singer and radio announcer Adrian Hackshaw (Third Bass).

Hackshaw, whose song “Bum Bum” has been a favourite for soca lovers this Carnival season, said the presence of newer artistes in the competition made it more interesting. His opinion was shared by Darryl Henry (Farmer Nappy) who performs at position number 11. He added: “You can’t sleep on the young ones. You can’t sleep on Voice (Adrian St Louis). You can’t sleep on Third Bass.

“The competition is wide open so you cannot feel like you will win. Everybody has to work to win.”

He said soca music was in good hands and he was proud of all the younger artistes. Henry noted the competition was laden with groovy songs.

“I am going in there with experience and I will be working hard to win,” he said.

Another seasoned artiste, who has recently introduced a new sound to fans, Samraj Jaimungal (Rikki Jai), said it was an honour to be in the finals among the younger artistes. For St Lucian singer, Teddyson John, his performance in the finals means much more than winning.

“It’s a blessing to be representing home. It feels like a win already because the stage is a place you get to showcase.

“I’m really happy because I have a song that everybody seems to love and actually being able to represent my home on a stage with so many great artistes is great.

“I think T&T is like the New York of soca music so once you can make it here you can make it anywhere. I’m just happy to make a stamp here in the mecca of soca music,” he said.

The competition will be shorter this year as the categories have been eliminated, leaving power and groovy as one group. Winners will also be announced in a televised show the following day, a new change for the competition. Performers will be competing for $1 million first prize.

During a short address to artistes chairman of the Caribbean Prestige Foundation (CPF), Peter Scoon, told artistes to bring their “A Dame” as the competition was a tough one. He also advised artistes that video recording by unaccredited professionals would not be allowed.

Order of performance
1. Cloud 5 
2. Sherwin Jeremiah (M1 aka Menace) 
3. Peter Wiggins (Peter Ram)
4. Damian Etienne  (Hypasounds)
5.Devon Martin  (Lyrical)
6. Nesta Boxill (Sekon Sta)
7. Akeem Chance (Preedy)
8. Shurwayne Winchester
9. Patrice Roberts
10. Ronny Boyce (Pternsky)
11. Darryl Henry (Farmer Nappy)
12. Akil Borneo (5 Star Akil)
13. Teddyson John
14. Stephenson Marshall (Shal Marshall)
15. Ricardo Barriteau (Ricardo Drue)
16. Adrian Hackshaw (Third Bass)
17. Samraj Jaimungal (Rikki Jai)
18. Dexter Stewart (Blaxx)
19. Aaron St Louis (Voice)
20. Olatunji Yearwood (defending champion)

A team of ten Value Added Tax (VAT) inspectors have been dispatched to survey supermarkets and other shops to monitor the prices of goods to ensure compliance with the new 12.5 per cent rate, says Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon.

The ministry is also establishing a hotline for consumers to report on/query any such issues. 

The T&T Guardian contacted Gopee-Scoon on concerns that some consumers continued to have as operators settled down with the implementation of the 12.5 per cent VAT level imposed by the Government on a range of items that were formerly zero-rated.

The previous rate of 15 per cent VAT on other goods was also reduced to 12.5 per cent and took effect from February 1.

On Monday when the VAT rate began, there had been some concerns regarding price level for some products. One grocery, for instance, placed the VAT rate on sardines although sardines are on the list of goods that remain zero-rated. Finance Minister Colm Imbert later stressed sardines did not carry VAT.

Yesterday, asked how some groceries in far-flung areas — with foreign or non-English-speaking employees — are handling the VAT implementation, Gopee-Scoon said ten Consumer Affairs officers have been sent out all over Trinidad from yesterday to survey how the VAT rate was being implemented. She said officers have not been sent to Tobago yet.

“They will be looking at the price changes being made (by operators) and hearing what consumers have to say on the spot. The Consumer Affairs Division has a mechanism in place which includes the monitoring of prices in supermarkets throughout T&T.

“This exercise, relating to the implementation of the new VAT regime, began during the period November 2015– January 2016 and will continue during this month,” she said.  Gopee-Scoon suggested the public check the list of VAT-rated items and zero-rated items which are published on the ministry’s website.

She said the ministry had only received about two complaints on the VAT situation so far but was organising the hotline to deal with any issues that might arise. The Ministry’s Consumer Affairs Division subsequently stated its 800-4277 number would be used for that. The  hotline will be answered between 8 am to 4 pm between Monday to Friday.

Alternatively, outside of these hours, consumers can forward queries, via email, to 4VAT2016@gmail.com

Use consumer power—advise NGOs

Meanwhile, the Network of NGOs yesterday announced release of its 2016 consumer journal focusing on consumer protection, assisting consumers on getting their money’s worth and cost-effective purchasing in the current period of structural adjustment.

Issues included “The Consumer and the Economy”; “Consumer Protection Policy”; “Consumer Rights and Responsibility”; making consumer complaints; tips on economical grocery shopping; cost comparison strategies;  planning shopping; budgeting; how to save money on bills and meals planning.

 Network head Hazel Browne said the theme was relevant as T&T was experiencing serious economic challenges “which will require that we all become more aware of our power as consumers. 

“The time is now to highlight how we can improve household management, make more informed consumer choices and act together as consumers in our own interest.”  

The Journal is available from the organisation’s office, the Professional Centre, 11-13 Fitzblackman Drive, Woodbrook. For further information, call 627 4807.