The Galleons Passage has left the Damex shipyard in Cuba for the final leg of its journey to Trinidad and Tobago, Nidco said yesterday.

The vessel’s estimated date of arrival in T&T is now July 16.

Responding to questions about the seabridge on I95FM yesterday evening, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley said the Galleons Passage “is not a fast ferry” and will be taking a “longer time, which is why we spent time to make it more comfortable.”

Rowley said the Government also hopes to have the T&T Express repaired in a shorter time than the 10 months it took for the T&T Spirit’s process in order to bring the number of vessels on the seabridge to three.

He said Government is also looking at “ordering two ferries brand new. If we put the order in now, sometime in the not too distant future we will get brand new ferries.”

This, he said, will put the Tobago ferry issues to bed “once and for all.”

T&T Police Service (TTPS) head of corporate communications Ellen Lewis yesterday denied the police paid special attention to recovering Adrian Imbert’s stolen cellphone.

Lewis made the position clear following recent public outcry that the TTPS had shown apparent bias in recovering Imbert’s stolen phone because he was the son of Finance Minister Colm Imbert.

The swift recovery of the cellphone by officers has led to a furore on social media over the efficiency of the police in the case. Some individuals claimed law enforcement and justice were selective. Others held the view that all crimes should be investigated regardless, while others believed the phone was quickly recovered because it may have contained confidential information.

Last Friday, Imbert, 25, was robbed in Laventille after his Hilux pickup stalled. Two men pretending to be mechanics offered to assist, but later robbed Imbert of his $5,000 cellphone and wallet containing an undisclosed amount of cash.

It was reported that agents from two elite units of the TTPS began investigations surrounding the hold-up and senior officers also alerted detectives from Cyber Crime Unit to begin efforts to track the stolen cellphone. On Monday, police locked down several parts of Beetham Gardens and executed a search warrant at a house where Imbert’s phone was found, but no arrests were made.

Yesterday, Lewis confirmed that the phone was recovered.

But in relation to comments the officers acted swiftly only because a minister’s son was involved, Lewis said, “The TTPS has been making enormous strides with respect to its detection rate, as reflected in the successful closure of cases and the recovery of items reported stolen.”

She insisted that the police has had particular success with reports that involved electronic devices such as laptops and cellular phones. She said Imbert’s incident occurred in the Port-of-Spain Division and the Cyber Crime Unit would have requested assistance in tracing any device or crime using technology.

Told there was a public furore over the police’s quick recovery of Imbert’s phone, Lewis said, “I can say with certainty there was no special interest paid to this matter. None whatsoever. There are real examples of police successes where the use of technology was involved in solving crime…whether it be stolen computers, laptops, tablets and cell phones. We treat impartially and objectively with reports that come in relative to crimes that were committed.”

She said it was common knowledge the police, in the conduct of anti-crime exercises, would recover large quantities of cell phones from time-to-time.

“And our divisions would call on the public to identify and collect them. That is a fact.”

Lewis said mobile devices are also recovered when a suspect is known to the victim.

“So, therefore, the police is easily able to retrieve the items that have been stolen.”

Guardian Media Ltd messaged Imbert senior yesterday asking about his interaction with the TTPS and whether he believed his son was afforded any special treatment because of his status as a Government Minister. Imbert viewed the message but did not respond.

Five men have appeared before a Sangre Grande Magistrate charged in connection with the murder of 53-year-old shop owner, John Samaroo.

According to the Police Service, Torrance Villafana aka ‘Bully’, 21; Justin Durity, 22; Javon Moora aka ‘Mickey’, 25; Ferdinand Moora aka ‘Ferdi’, 32; Bonifacio Moora aka ‘Chin’, 46; all of Guaico Tamana, Sangre Grande, face a charge of conspiracy to commit murder, while Villafana is on the additional charge of murder.

The accused appeared before Senior Magistrate Gillian Scotland in the Sangre Grande

Magistrates’ Court yesterday and the case has been adjourned to today.

Samaroo, the owner of J&J Mini Mart, also of Guaico Tamana, was outside his business place, when he was accosted by masked men on June, 21.

A female relative, who heard his cries for help, ran to his assistance when she was also attacked by a masked man who attempted to slit her throat.

The attackers then made good their escape and the woman was taken to hospital. The victim was later found dead with his throat slit.

The five were arrested between July 1 and 7, 2018, at their respective homes and later charged after advice was received from Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Joan Honore-Paul on Tuesday.

The investigations were supervised by Inspector Andrew Lawrence and Sgt Hezron Lynch of Homicide Bureau Investigations Region 2, while Cpl Daryl Seecharan, also of HBI Region 2, laid the charges.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley is awaiting confirmation on the full nature of Public Administration Marlene McDonald’s illness.

In a release issued yesterday by the Communications Ministry, it revealed that McDonald is “seriously ill” and still warded at the St Clair Medical Centre.

It stated that Rowley “is currently awaiting confirmation on the full nature of her illness.”

The release also disclosed that Minister in the Ministry of Public Administration Maxie Cuffie is expected back in Trinidad “by the end of this month.”

Mc Donald was admitted on Saturday to the private hospital for an existing medical condition.

This was the second time the Port- of- Spain South MP had to be hospitalised in the space of a month.

In June, McDonald was hospitalized after complaining of feeling unwell at a Cabinet meeting.

She was discharged after being treated for low blood pressure.

On Tuesday, Rowley had told listeners on a radio programme that McDonald was “seriously ill” and wished her a speedy recovery.

“Her ailment surprised us to the extent to which she has been away from work in the last few days. I haven’t seen her yet, but I have been getting reports on her condition,” Rowley said.

However, in a press release issued earlier yesterday by Sharon Felix, who works as an assistant in the Port-of-Spain South constituency office, it gave a conflicting report, which stated that the minister had been discharged from the hospital on Tuesday.

It stated that McDonald had visited the hospital on June 8 with a severe cough and other cold symptoms.

The release stated that having previously suffered a bout of bronchitis in 2013, McDonald was admitted to the hospital and while there, mucus was suctioned of out her lungs.

It further stated that McDonald was discharged from the hospital and resting comfortably at home. “She will return to work after a few days sick leave, as recommended by her doctors.”

It stated that McDonald had expressed her heartfelt thanks to her colleagues, constituents and all others for their love and support during her hospitalisation.

The news of McDonald being discharged from hospital was aired on the midday news of several radio stations yesterday, including 1.95.5 FM

Several calls to McDonald’s cellphone went unanswered yesterday.

Gail Alexander

Residential homeowners are responsible for the bulk of $604 million owed to the Water and Sewerage Authority by various sectors.

The authority’s Customer Service Manager Alan Poon King confirmed yesterday.

He gave the figure when the management of WASA appeared before Parliament’s Land and Physical Infrastructure Committee.

Poon King said homeowners owed WASA approximately $469m while private sector (commercial/industrial) customers owe $79m.

State agencies owed WASA $56m, he added.

WASA also owes contractors $342.4 million.

The authority’s chairman, Romney Thomas, said WASA had increasingly moved to sale of delinquent owners’ property to recover debt. But he said owners usually tried to arrange payment when WASA moved to sell a property.

One property will soon be advertised for sale by auction.

He added: “We’re not satisfied with the level of indebtedness especially concerning our financial circumstances.”

Poon King said about 50 per cent of WASA’s water supply was unaccounted for—being lost not only to leaks, but also by customer wastage and illegal connections which deprived people at the extreme ends of the system from adequate supply.

Thomas said he did not know exactly how many illegal connections existed, but had “suspicions.”

Thomas said metering was the best solution to prevent consumer wastage.

A 2016 feasibility study on the plan was done by a Canadian company.

Operations director Sherland Sheppard said there was 93 per cent water coverage throughout T&T— but not on a 24/7 supply basis.

He said there was only a 33 per cent supply 24 hours, seven days a week in Trinidad and 13 per cent in Tobago. Thomas said WASA is trying to “inch up” to 100 per cent supply, 24/7.

Out of 13,000 leaks, he said, WASA had cleared up 11,000 since 2017 and about 2,700 were outstanding.

Apart from a Rapid Response leak repair plan, WASA CEO Ellis Burris said every day 160 leaks were reported and while WASA tried to fix them, others appear.

He said WASA was acquiring ground-penetrating radar among its plans to spot leaks.

The other solution, changing ageing infrastructure, would require changing 150km of its 7,000 km line network.

This would cost around $934million, but WASA lacks the funds. Most of its funds go toward employee costs, Rachelle Wilkie (Finance) said.

Replying to JSC member Rushton Paray’s complaint that WASA’s image was one of digging up roads as soon as they were fixed, Thomas admitted WASA was responsible for some damage to roads following pipeline work, but not all. There is a backlog of 1,970 road restorations currently.

Dion Abdool (General Counsel) said 22 parties had filed claim against WASA concerning damage to properties by the authority and two regarding damage to vehicles resulting from WASA’s work.

Any position the Regulated Industries Commission (RIC) reaches on the Water and Sewerage Authority’s (WASA) rate increase application will take into consideration the fact that if properties are assessed upwards in the Finance Ministry’s current valuation exercise, their water rates will also be increased on that basis.

An RIC communication spokesman confirmed the position yesterday after questions arose on the impact of WASA’s rate hike application—now being considered by the RIC—and the Valuation/Property Tax exercise.

At a meeting yesterday of Parliament’s Land and Physical Infrastructure Committee, committee member Wade Mark asked WASA chairman Romney Thomas if there would be an automatic increase for properties resulting from the current Valuation/Property Tax exercise.

The Finance Ministry’s Valuation Division is currently on a drive to value properties to populate the valuation rolls in preparation for implementation of the property tax.

Thomas said under current law regarding WASA, if properties were assessed upwards, a higher water rate would apply. But, he said, under that law WASA would only be allowed to charge a maximum of $304 per quarter for residential owners for instance, “It can’t go higher than that,” Thomas added.

During the meeting, Thomas said WASA was awaiting the outcome of the RIC’s examination of its rate increase application. WASA has applied for rate hikes for the domestic (householder) and commercial classes.

Contacted by T&T Guardian on the possibility of a rate hike granted by the RIC plus water rate hikes from upward valuation of properties, RIC officials dispelled fears that two water rate hikes might occur.

They said the RIC, in examining WASA’s application, is taking into consideration the fact that water rates can be increased if property values are assessed upwards.

They said the RIC hasn’t taken a position yet on WASA’s application and when the position is finalised, it will be put out for public consultation. They said RIC is still in the process of examining papers on the WASA matter.

At yesterday’s parliamentary meeting, Thomas said, WASA hoped to get its rate hike from the RIC since it will be able to replace its ageing infrastructure, which contributes to leaks. Some pipes in its 7,000 network of lines date back to 1854 and are still in use.

Thomas said the rate hike will be reflective of operational costs, but wouldn’t offset capital expenditure,

“And even with an increase we’ll still rely on Government, but we hope an increase will reduce our reliance on the Treasury and bring us closer to meeting the costs we have,” he said.

kevon.felmine@guardian.co.tt

Despite 60 minutes of rain unleashing severe flood waters in several communities last week, head of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) retired Captain Neville Wint says that the country is in a state of readiness for the 2018 hurricane season.

The bold statement came months after the ODPM was heavily criticised by citizens and Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley for its handling of Tropical Storm Bret and the Divali floods of 2017.

Such criticism led to former ODPM CEO, retired Col Dave Williams, resigning under public pressure.

Williams had described the Divali flood as “no big thing” but during a visit to flood victims in Sangre Grande and Mayaro, Rowley said he was convinced that the correct personnel was not in the ODPM and it was not prepared to respond.

At a media conference yesterday at the San Fernando City Hall auditorium to discuss Government agencies’ state of readiness for this season, Wint said based on lessons learned from 2017, both locally and regionally, the ODPM has made adjustments to the way it will approach disasters.

Although the OPDM was deemed to have failed during last year’s floods, Wint said they were also ready then and the impact of concentrated rainfall tested that readiness.

However, he said those who live in the river, on the banks and in the lagoons were impacted based on their action.

Wint said programmes have been improved along with numerous consultations with the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government, the Ministry of Health and the various agencies which have critical roles in dealing with disasters.

The Ministry of Rural Development has ensured that shelters are ready and will be stocked with supplies. Steps will be taken to inform the population and the locations of shelters while management structures are being put in place.

Last year, there were people who were turned away or met locked doors at emergency shelters. While Wint hoped that there is no recurrence, he said that if the regional corporations are unaware that a shelter is supposed to be opened, there would be no resources allocated.

He said public education has been placed on the forefront and has begun with the publication of the ODPM’s Hurricane Guide on its website.

But while the ODPM is ready to respond, Wint said the country’s success in mitigating disaster also rests heavily with citizens.

“The ODPM is pleading with the population of Trinidad and Tobago to be extra vigilant this season, especially those persons living in low lying areas, conducting business or even recreation. We also appeal to persons to pay special attention to the forecast, information and bulletins being issued by the agencies so authorised to do.

“Notwithstanding the prediction of the 2018 hurricane season, it takes only one organised system to cause damage and as such, persons are reminded not to leave anything to chance. God is not a Trini,” Wint said.

Beside weather systems, he said that T&T was located in an earthquake zone and a reminder was given June 22 when a 5.3 magnitude earthquake 98 km West of Port-of-Spain shook the country.

“The state of the nation’s readiness to me is at a state where I am proud to say, we are ready. However, the severity of the impact will test our readiness. It will test not only the readiness of the responding entities but every individual in Trinidad and Tobago.”

Director of Environment Health in Municipal and Regional Corporations Jameel Mohammed said that municipal corporation bodies have cleaned 75 per cent of minor drains.

Just yesterday, Debe residents complained about the blocked drainage culverts and silty drain in their community.

Mohammed said that beyond cleaning, all corporations have drainage projects to be completed this year.

So far, corporations are in the process of distributing sandbags to its burgesses.

However, Mohammed said there needs to be a cultural change in terms of illegal dumping, littering and adhering the building codes.

In the farming community, he said farmers would block watercourses as an irrigation method to water their crops but would not remove the blockages in times for the rainy season.

Wint said these issues were a recurring problem and the Ministry of Works and Transport is engaged in a structured, Cabinet-approved programme to clean watercourses. He said homeowners should also use sandbags and take measures to protect their properties.

kevon.felmine@guardian.co.tt

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh says that every person suffering from a chronic disease must have a week’s supply of medication at their home during the hurricane season.

Responding to the lengthy time it took patients to receive medical help following last year’s floods caused by Tropical Storm Bret and the Divali rains, Deyalsingh said it was an internationally recognised protocol that chronic illness patients follow.

He was speaking on the public health sector’s readiness to respond to possible disaster during an inter-GoKEVONvernmental agency media conference on the State’s readiness for the 2018 hurricane season.

There were several complaints from residents in the Penal, Debe and Mayaro communities last year as flood waters left hundreds marooned for days. For the elderly and ill, it took up to a week before first responders could reach to their homes or they could leave their homes for treatment at a health facility.

“The message is that every individual with a chronic disease such as diabetes or hypertension should make it their personal responsibility to have a supply of medication for at least a week… until the responders can come and until you can get to a healthcare facility,” Deyalsingh said.

He said just like people are advised to keep important documents in a plastic bag during a storm, food, water and medication should be in stock.

But in emergency medical cases during or in the aftermath of the hurricane or storm, Deyalsingh said it was his hope that first responders with dinghies would bring patients to a designated location where an ambulance could take them to a healthcare facility as soon as possible.

He said the ministry would have to rely on other agencies to get the people out of their homes and bring them to higher ground.

Dinghies were not available during last year’s flood, however, OPDM head Neville Wint said the Defence Force and Fire Service are in possession of dinghies to reach those trapped in their homes.

He said the use of the dinghies would be spread across the islands based on the impact of a flood. Wint said that the safety of the first responders will be assessed before deployment so there would be times when the response is delayed, based on the resources and conditions.

Chief Medical Officer at the Ministry of Health, Dr Roshan Parasram said that a chief technical disaster coordinator was recruited by the Ministry last year and has revamped the disaster preparedness plan for the public health sector.

This ensures that all facilities are up and running during adverse weather events. Parasram recalled that in 2017, Toco villagers were cut off due to fallen trees and landslide and lessons were learned for that incident. He said an air ambulance service is a possibility and is being looked at in Eric Williams Medical Science Complex where there is a heliport.

With the San Fernando and Port-of-Spain General Hospitals still suffering the occasional overcrowding, Parasram said that in preparation for a storm or hurricane, elective surgeries would be postponed to accommodate emergency cases.

Provisions are also in place to pay overtime to staff who may be required to work extra hours. Generators at facilities are being looked at while a Smart Hospital’s initiative, operated by solar energy, is also being contemplated.

Deyalsingh said that all services that are not critical will be converted to deal with emergencies.

“We think we’re in a very good place health wise to respond to any natural event,” the minister said.

Parents of La Romaine Secondary School students are hoping that the Ministry of Education makes good on its promise to have the school repaired before the opening of new school term in September.

A representative of the school’s parent teacher association said, “We are hoping that the ministry keeps its word and rectify the situation before the new school term is opened in September. It is now out of the hands of the principal and in the hands of the Education Facilities Company Ltd.”

The representative was responding to the ministry’s assurance that major electrical and infrastructural repairs will be conducted at the school during the July – August vacation period, in time for the opening of the new school term.

In a press release on Tuesday, the ministry stated, “Among the electrical upgrades are the installation of electrical outlets and wiring in several school blocks, such as the administrative building, multi-purpose hall, library, wash rooms and classrooms. The termite infestation problem in the pre-fabricated buildings will also be addressed.”

Classes at the school were first disrupted on May 29 following a small fire in the Integrated Science Lab which resulted in teachers walking off the job citing health and safety concerns.

Despite the majority of students refusing to report for duty, exams were still done at the school. Several parents kept their children away from school. The Ministry stated that a contractor conducted remedial repairs such as the installing of new electrical mains, cables and wiring.

The Electrical Inspectorate Official subsequently visited and issued a Provisional Certificate, indicating that the remedial works were in compliance with the Electrical Installation Inspection Act, thereby certifying that the school is safe for occupation. This provisional document was necessary in order for school to resume operations until the school term ended on Friday July 6, 2018.

Despite existing financial constraints, the ministry stated it was committed to ensuring that all infrastructural, electrical, sewer and other issues are promptly addressed in order to minimise any loss of teaching time and to ensure that students continue to have access to a quality education.

The recent passing of the Anti-Gang Legislation may have stumped the intelligence gathering and investigative work of the T&T Police Service, forcing them to return to the drawing board on cases being made against key members of the criminal element. This is because officers cannot use information previously gathered on individuals before the bill was passed and assented to retroactively charge and prosecute them in the court today.

This was the startling disclosure made by acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams during a joint media conference with the National Security Edmund Dillon and T&T Defence Force (TTDF) Chief of Defence Staff Hayden Pritchard yesterday at the Ministry of National Security in Port-of-Spain.

Williams pointed out the flaw when he was asked how successful the police had been in making significant inroads into the apprehension any gang members or persons involved in gang-related activities since the bill’s passage. The bill was proclaimed on May 28.

“We have learnt lessons of the past…while we do in fact have clear indicators as to persons who are involved in criminal activities and gang-related activities in T&T, we cannot go in a retrospective way and take evidence from the past and make a case out in the present,” Williams said.

He added: “That is part of the failure of the past…2011, when we did that most of the cases went down the drain.”

Williams, however, assured that they were currently building up cases against many people to ensure that when they do act in future, everything will be in place to take the entire process to the end.

“In the very near future you would see several persons being effectively prosecuted under the Anti-Gang Act,” Williams said.

Just after the bill was proclaimed, however, Williams, in an interview with the T&T Guardian, had disclosed that the Organised Crime and Intelligence Unit (OCIU) was keeping tabs on close to 2,500 suspected gang members across the country. He then described the legislation as a “major contributor” for the police in the fight against crime, adding he expected there would be “progress and improvement and consequently a drop in the violent crimes.” He did, however, also point out then that “there is no magic formula” to the crime problem.

In 2011, the then People’s Partnership government passed anti-gang legislation and more than 100 alleged gang members were arrested under a state of emergency in the face of a rising murder rate. However, all of these individuals were subsequently released and the state has been paying out millions of dollars in payments for the wrongful arrest of these individuals.

Williams and Dillon also condemned Sunday’s brazen attack at the Chaguaramas Boardwalk that left three people dead and three injured, including an eight-year-old boy. Williams assured the case would be solved and all the resources needed will be provided to homicide investigators.

In seeking to allay fears of the citizenry, especially youngsters, about visiting public recreational spaces during July/August vacation period in the wake of the attack, Dillon said there will be a collaborative heightened security measure between the police and soldiers, where they will be posted in malls, shopping centres, beaches and popular liming strips at Ariapita Avenue and St James. He also said that there will be round-the-clock aerial patrols by the Strategic Services Agency helicopters.

Williams also assured there will be an increase in stop and search exercises and roadblocks in a bid to relieve criminals of guns. He said police officers had seized 552 illegal guns so far this year, which was more than the same period last year. He said last year police seized a total 1,064 firearms.

A prison officer who walked into a robbery at a Chinese supermarket in Arouca attempted to run away but was chased down by one of the armed thieves. A passing colleague saw what was happening and in aid of the fleeing officer, took out his firearm and shot the assailant.

The bandit’s three accomplices, one of whom is 16 years old, subsequently surrendered to the prison officers. The wounded man was taken to hospital but died while undergoing treatment. Police said up to last evening the dead bandit remained unidentified.

According to a police report, at about 8 pm a prison officer, who had just completed his shift, went to Jun Lin’s Chinese Supermarket, located at the corner of the Old Golden Grove Road and Sawmill Street, which is within earshot of the Golden Grove Prison, to make a purchase. When he walked in the officer realised there was a robbery in progress and attempted to sneak back out of the establishment. It was at this point that he was spotted and chased after by one of the four bandits.

As the bandit pursued the prison officer he fired at him. The officer’s colleague, who was passing by at the same time, stopped to help and drew his weapon. On seeing this the bandit fired at him and he returned fire, hitting the bandit several times about his body. The three accomplices, who surrendered right after their cohort was shot, were then bound with tie-straps which one of the officers had in their possession and handed over to the police.

A team of officers from the Arouca Police Station, led by Inspector Greene, visited the scene and conducted inquiries. Several spent shells were recovered from the scene.

The two prison officers were not hurt in the incident.

Yesterday they came in for high commendation from Prisons Commissioner Gerard Wilson.

“I would like to commend these officers for their bravery and assistance in capturing these bandits under very trying and dangerous circumstances. I applaud their efforts and the will be rewarded appropriately,” Wilson said.

The officers were also praised by Prisons Officers Association president Ceron Richards.

“These two officers risked their lives and limbs and were able to apprehend the perpetrators. They must be commended for their alertness and the way in which they handled the situation,” Richards said.

Almost two months after he told police he was forced to jump the fence at the Piarco International Airport because he was being chased by gunmen, David “Baby Bandit” Ector was killed yesterday.

According to a police report, at about 7.45 am Ector was at Simon Road, Carapo, when he was approached by gunmen who shot him several times. Ector died on the scene.

On May 20, Ector, who was freed of being a member of the gang linked to the assassination of Dana Seetahal, SC, was arrested at the airport by Airports Authority security after he was spotted running near the terminal building.

A short video clip of the incident was shared on social media showing him, bare-backed, surrendering to the airport’s security personnel. In the video, Ector was heard attempting to explain his presence in the restricted area. He told security officers he was attacked while walking near the University of T&T’s (UTT) ECIAF Campus at Caroni North Bank Road in Centeno, which borders the runway of the airport. He was charged and taken before an Arima magistrate.

Ector’s murder brought the toll to 297 for the year so far.

The Youth Training and Employment Partnership Programme (YTEPP) Board has fired chief executive officer Nigel Forgenie following comments he made at a recent parliamentary committee meeting, Communication Minister Stuart Young said yesterday.

Speaking at the post- Cabinet media briefing, Young noted evidence was given at the Parliament’s Public Accounts Enterprises Committee (PAEC) meeting earlier this month where the CEO was accused of certain behaviour and allegations of dishonesty and untruths told had also arisen.

At the PAEC meeting, PAEC members said things are “rotten” at YETPP and there’s need for a forensic audit into the institution. The focus of that meeting — as at others — had been Forgenie who admitted his wife was employed with YETPP as a dance tutor using her maiden name. The admission came after three denials by Forgenie that any of his relatives were employed at YTEPP — and after a warning from committee chairman Wade Mark that he was under oath.

Proceedings also revealed that Forgenie took a unilateral decision not to brand the company vehicle assigned to him with the YTEPP logo contrary to state policy. PAEC members also expressed concern over the use/issues regarding a company vehicle involving Forgenie.

Yesterday, Young said YTEPP’s Board met with Forgenie and also reviewed his responses and he was given an opportunity to be heard and to defend his performance.

Young said the Board said yesterday it no longer had confidence in Forgenie and terminated his employment, effective immediately.

Young also said a Cabinet-appointed team recently met with Australian vessel manufacturers Incat and Austal and the team now has options and proposals to take to Cabinet next week on two new fast ferries—a 100 metre long one and a 94 metre ferry.

Both would be designed specifically for T&T’s waters and would be state-of the art, he said.

Sea Lots community leader Cedric “Burkie” Burke and contractor Kenroy Dopwell yesterday prayed for the speedy recovery of their Port-of-Spain South MP Marlene McDonald, describing her as a mother to their community.

Both men stated they were saddened by McDonald’s deteriorating health and would continue to ask God to deliver her from her sickness.

“On behalf of the community I would like to extend a speedy recover to our MP. I hope she gets over whatever is her illness. We are still unclear what she is suffering. All we have been asking God is to return her to good health,” Burke said.

This is the second time McDonald has been hospitalised in weeks.

In June, McDonald fell ill during a Cabinet meeting and was discharged after being treated for low blood pressure.

Burke said when Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley announced on Tuesday that McDonald was “seriously ill” he became gravely concerned.

But on Wednesday Burke said his fears worsened when the Communications Ministry stated that the PM was awaiting confirmation on the full nature of McDonald’s illness.

Only hours before, a press release from Mc Donald’s constituency office assistant Sharon Felix stated McDonald had been discharged from the St Clair Medical Centre where she had been admitted since Saturday for an existing medical condition.

The statements from the constituency office and ministry led to conflicting reports.

As a result of her illness, Allyson West has been appointed to act as Public Administration Minister.

“It’s worrying to the whole community because everybody knows she is well loved and supported in here. Marlene has done a lot for us. We are all saddened by the news because the last time we saw her she was in good health.”

Burke said he would not visit McDonald at the hospital, but would send her flowers.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with her,” Burke said.

Kenroy Dopwell, a contractor and Burke’s neighbour said the situation that has befallen McDonald was unfortunate.

“The best we can do is send her text messages and pray for her. We tried calling her on her cellphone but got no respond. This is not like Marlene. She would normally answer.”

In July 2017, Rowley fired McDonald hours after she affirmed the oath as Public Utilities Minister when Burke and Dopwell turned up at her swearing in ceremony at President’s House.

Burke was held during the 2011 state of emergency and charged with being a gang leader. The charges were eventually dropped.

“It’s something worrying. She’s a mother to us…a mother to the community. We are lost for words. We were not expecting to hear such disturbing news.”

Last Sunday, Dopwell said constituents prayed for McDonald’s health to improve during a service at the community’s Open Bible Church.

“We have been praying for her constantly.”

He said the 11 years McDonald has been representing the community, much was achieved.

In a discussion with constituents yesterday, Dopwell said they made jokes about the Public Administration Ministry being jinx.

“First Maxie Cuffie fell ill and he still outside seeking medical attention. And look! weeks after Marlene was appointed to the ministry she fall sick too. We were asking if the ministry blight or something,”Dopwell said.

Calls to Felix’s cellphones went straight to voice mail.

A High Court judge is expected to deliver judgment in a defamation case brought by Oropuche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal against political activist and newspaper columnist Juliet Davy in December.

Justice Robin Mohammed reserved his judgment following a trial of the case in the Port-of-Spain High Court yesterday.

Moonilal’s claim centres around two columns written by Davy and published by the TNT Mirror weekly newspaper between May and June 2016.

In the columns, Davy allegedly accused the former housing minister of becoming one of the richest persons in T&T through corruption.

The columns referred to a list published by website “imgur.com”, which claimed to identify the 25 richest persons in T&T. Moonilal appeared fourth on the list, which estimated his personal fortune at $2.58 billion.

Testifying yesterday, Moonilal claimed that the re-publication of the erroneous information caused irreparable harm and distress to his professional reputation.

However, he admitted that he did not seek to determine the origin of the list or contact the moderator of the site to have it or his name removed.

When she took the witness stand, Davy denied any wrongdoing as she contended the columns were commentary pieces, which fall under the defamation defence of fair comment.

“At the time of writing, I was doing my journalistic duties. As a columnist, I had a serious professional responsibility...I have always acted responsibly,” Davy said.

Under cross-examination from Moonilal’s attorney Larry Lalla, Davy admitted that she did not take steps to verify that accuracy of the online publication.

Presenting brief submissions at the start of the trial, Lalla claimed that the case was important due to the prevalence of defamatory posts on social media websites.

After hearing the evidence, Mohammed gave the parties a timetable for filing their submissions on legal issues in the case.

Mohammed stated that if the deadlines are met he would be able to deliver a judgment by mid-December.

Davy was represented by Michael Quamina.

A Tabaquite man, accused of fraudulently receiving money, has appeared before a San Fernando magistrate to answer five fraud offences.

Stephan James Gomez, 34, a security officer of the Special Elite Investigations Services Ltd., appeared before Magistrate Alicia Chankar in the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday charged with obtaining TT$11,880 by false pretences, two counts of forgery of a valuable security and two counts of uttering a forged valuable security.

Gomez was granted $75,000 bail with surety and the matter was adjourned to August 8.

The Police Service said the accused, of Sandhill Trace, Tabaquite, is alleged to have unlawfully obtained the cash from the owners of a grocery store where he was attached, by purporting that he was authorised by the security firm to receive monies for and on their behalf.

It was later learnt that Gomez was not in a position to do same and requests for a reimbursement proved futile.

As a result a report was made by the victim to the Fraud Squad leading to an investigation being launched and supervised by acting senior Supt Totaram Dookhie of the Fraud Squad.

Gomez was arrested on Monday and subsequently charged by WPC Michelle Kissoonsingh, of the Fraud Squad.

Two murders in Laventille and D’Abadie on Wednesday have brought the murder toll to 299.

The victims were identified as Adrian Dennis, 30, of Reid Lane in D’Abadie and Moses Brewster, 32, of Trou Macaque in Laventille.

In the latest incident, according to a police report, at about 9 pm Dennis, who was liming with some friends at Harper Circular, off Reid Lane, when he left to go to a nearby apartment. On his way there, police said, a lone gunman who shot him several times ambushed him.

Dennis was taken to the Arima District Hospital, however, he was pronounced dead on arrival.

In the unrelated incident, at about 6.45 pm Brewster was liming with a group of friends near the basketball court in Trou Macaque when a vehicle pulled up alongside the group with its occupants opening fire. Brewster, who was shot several times, died on the scene. The vehicle sped off.

Police are yet to determine a motive for both killings but strongly believe that the incidents were drug and gang-related.

Investigations are continuing.

Three men from Sea Lots were yesterday acquitted of murdering a man during a robbery in Cocorite in 2010.

After spending eight years on remand, Sherwin Alexander, 32, Richard “Bulls” Thomas, 36, and 23-year-old Sean Villafana walked out the Hall of Justice in Port-of-Spain as free men after a jury found them not guilty of murdering 24-year-old Amiel George on January 18, 2010. They were also acquitted of the lesser offence of manslaughter.

Their friends—Reinaldo Marcano, 36, Raymond Birot, 45, Kurt Serrette, 36, Terrence “Trix” David, 36, Keston Morris, 29, Gerard Hepburn, 26, Keon “Taliban” Lawrence, 26, Joel “Snake Roberts, 27, and 26-year-old Devon Victor—were also charged with the crime, but were freed by High Court judge Devan Rampersad in April.

Rampersad upheld a no case submission as he ruled that there was insufficient evidence linking the nine men to the crime.

However, the trio was not as lucky as Rampersad pointed out that the victim’s blood was found on their clothing when they were arrested shortly after the incident.

As the trial, which began over a year ago, continued before Rampersad, the trio’s legal team raised discrepancies with the State’s evidence against them.

While under cross-examination from defence attorney Mario Merritt, the State’s forensic experts admitted that the blood stains did not corroborate allegations that the three men surrounded George and chopped him. Merritt contended that the stains would be larger and would be in distinct patterns if the State’s case was indeed true.

DNA experts also admitted that the blood on the cutlass, that was allegedly found in the maxi-taxi the men were travelling in, could have been easily transferred to the trio’s clothing through mishandling by police officers and crime scene investigators.

They also admitted that the victim’s DNA (skin particles) were found on the handle of the cutlass.

It took a 12-member jury before Rampersad almost the entire four hour period allotted to them to return with unanimous not guilty verdicts for the men.

The trio’s relatives and friends, many of whom attended all the hearings of the case, were heard celebrating in the courtroom as the verdicts were being delivered by the jury foreman.

“Thank you Jesus,” several of them exclaimed as embraced each other after being ushered out of the court by police officers.

“We always know they were innocent but that is the law,” one female relative said.

Alexander, Thomas and Villafana briefly greeted them before entering a Range Rover SUV that was waiting outside.

The men were also represented by Wayne Sturge, Alexia Romero, Karunaa Bisramsingh and Shanice Edwards. Tricia Hudlin-Cooper prosecuted.

The group of men were on trial for murdering 24-year-old Amiel George on January 18, 2010.

George was standing near his home at Harding Place, Cocorite, when he was attacked by a group of men, who robbed him of a gold chain before chopping him several times. While no one witnessed the attack, residents claimed to have seen the men fleeing the scene in a maxi taxi.

A maxi taxi fitting the description was eventually intercepted along Wrightson Road in Port-of-Spain, with the 12 accused inside. The blood-stained cutlass, which was allegedly used in the attack, was recovered inside.

Throughout their preliminary inquiry, the men referred to police officers as the “Dirty Dozen”, repeatedly professed their innocence and frequently protested by banging against the walls of prison transport trucks while being conveyed to and from court.

A La Brea man, charged with multiple sexual offences against an 18-year-old woman, has appeared before a Point Fortin magistrate.

According to the Police Service, Sujit Balkissoon, 42, appeared before Senior Magistrate Rajendra Rambachan in the Point Fortin 1st Magistrates’ Court charged with two counts of serious indecency, three counts of grievous sexual assault and one count of indecent assault.

Balkissoon was granted $200,000 bail with surety and the matter was adjourned to August 8.

The incidents are alleged to have occurred between January 31, 2018 and March 1, 2018.

Balkissoon was arrested at his home last Saturday and subsequently charged by officers of the La Brea Police Station.

Public Administration Minister Marlene McDonald has been diagnosed with renal/kidney failure.

The Port-of-Spain South MP has been hospitalised since Saturday. A statement from the Ministry of Communications indicated McDonald was being treated for an “existing medical condition.”

It’s the second time she has been taken to hospital in the last month. While it was initially thought she was battling pneumonia, a concerned source close to McDonald disclosed the true nature of her illness, saying she is in renal failure and now requires dialysis two to three days a week.

Guardian Media Ltd also understands that McDonald’s prognosis is complicated by her diabetic condition and she will need time to rest and recover.

Kidney failure occurs when your kidneys lose the ability to filter waste from your blood sufficiently and is accompanied by a number of risks, including anaemia, high blood pressure, increased risk of infection, fluid overload among others.

Calls to McDonald’s phone went directly to voicemail.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley appointed Senator Allyson West as McDonald’s temporary replacement at the Public Administration Ministry. He said this was done “given the nature of her hospitalisation and her ability to function in the assignment she is carrying.”

At the post-Cabinet news conference, Rowley did not divulge details about her health but he wished McDonald a “speedy recovery and a complete one.”

He also responded to conflicting information put out yesterday by the Port-of-Spain South constituency office, suggesting that McDonald had been discharged from the hospital. It contradicted a statement from the Communications Ministry which stated McDonald was still hospitalised.

“We cannot speak for any other than the Government’s communication that it made to the population,” Rowley said.

“The statements made by the Government would be based on information the Government has, which may be different from the information other people have.”

McDonald still remains at the St Clair Medical Hospital under medical care.

It now means two ministers from the Public Administration Ministry are facing serious challenges with their health and are now on sick leave.

Minister in that ministry Maxie Cuffie has been away from duty since last year after suffering a stroke. It is expected he will return to the country from the United States at the end of July.