For the second consecutive year, the ANSA McAL Group will ‘Illuminate’ the skies at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, and San Fernando Hill simultaneously for Independence Day, beginning at 8 pm tomorrow.

The fireworks display, powered by Fire One Fireworks, is an Independence Day gift to the people of T&T from the ANSA McAL Group of Companies.

As the nation celebrates its 56th year of Independence, ANSA McAL through its flagship company Carib Brewery Ltd and supported by the Port–of-Spain City Corporation, Music TT, Live Music District, National Lotteries Control Board and Guardian Media will add another gift to the nation in the form of Illumination the Independence Concert which begins from 3 pm to 6pm at the Grand Stand southern foyer at the Queen’s Park Savannah prior to the fireworks display. As part of the evening’s entertainment, ANSA’s McAL own musically talented employee Marlene Felix and Ninja will be in the line-up of entertainers Joining them will be Lujoe and the Gifted and Xavier Strings. Chutney Soca Monarchs for 2018 Neval Chetlal and Nishard M, as well as the Kings of J’Ouvert, RAPSO, 3 Canal are also featured acts.

Bringing the concert to a close will be Belmont based—The Caribbean Steelpan Connextion Ensemble.

Admission to the concert is free and there will be giveaways. No coolers will be allowed inside the venue as Carib will offer Independence specials to the public.

ANSA McAL has promised to continue to amplify its commitment and patriotism through its corporate social responsibility.

Newly-selected US Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, Joseph Mondello, who was confirmed at the end of June, expects to finally take up his duties in the Caribbean islands this month.

“Fairly soon,” he said in an interview with the Long Island Newsday.

“I don’t have a date certain yet.”

Mondello, who served 35 years as the county’s GOP leader, said he received his diplomatic passports and visas last week and was awaiting final documentation from Washington before departing Long Island.

“I’m in touch with Trinidad every single day,” he said. “I’m anxious to go . . . There’s a lot of protocol that has to be handled but I’m looking forward to it, meeting the people, talking to the school kids.”

The Newsday reported that Trump has done some sabre-rattling about Venezuela, where a severe economic crisis has led millions to flee the country amid food and medicine shortages.

It says that Trinidad, less than 7 miles away from the Venezuela coastline, could be a staging area for any U.S. action.

In addition, Mondello testified at his hearing about Isis recruitment in Trinidad.

Is Mondello, 80, ready for possible international tumult?

“Am I prepared for that? Yes I am.” he said, explaining that he had undergone seven weeks of training, including a course in counterterrorism.

“I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”

“I was chairman for a long time. To go into something new now, its an adventure and a challenge,” he said.

Members of a work crew from the T&T Electricity Commission (T&TEC), who stumbled upon an apparent car robbery trap in Chaguaramas, are defending their decision to highlight the issue on social media.

In an interview with television station CNC3 yesterday, supervisor of the crew, Kevin Julien said that they were disappointed over being accused of fabricating the incident, which was initially disregarded by the Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA) as misleading information.

The CDA has since changed its position and initiated an investigation into the incident.

Julien claimed that the discovery was made while he and his colleagues were clearing trees from overhead lines along the Western Main Road near to Crews Inn Marina.

“While our truck was parked there we saw something shining on the road,” Julien said.

The two objects noticed by the crew consisted of a small metal plate with a sharp protruding object, which was nailed unto the roadway.

He said the objects were placed a short distance away from each other, opposite a bushy area.

“Crime is at its highest. You have to take every precaution and you can not take anything for granted,” Julien said.

He said he and his co-workers believe that the objects were placed there to puncture the tyres of commuters, who would be robbed when they stopped.

“It could happen to any of us and the average person would not have two spare tyres in their vehicle,” he said.

Julien said he and his colleagues did not expect that their warning to the public would be ill-received and would lead to trolling of the company’s social media accounts.

“We thought the video would speak for itself. We did not expect all of this backlash,” he said.

Julien admitted that they did not report the incident to police but claimed that they tried unsuccessfully to report it to the CDA.

In a release issued shortly after the video clips were aired, the CDA claimed that the claim was investigated and no evidence was found to support it.

However, in a release issued yesterday, the CDA sought to assure members of the public that the incident was still being investigated.

The CDA said that its estate police have stepped up patrols in the area as they continue to search for other similar devices.

Members of the public, who may have information on the objects are asked to contact the CDA’s Estate Police at 634-1010 or 707-2965 or visit their office at Williams Bay or the Carenage Police Station.

People’s National Movement San Fernando West MP and Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi said he met many people from Petrotrin yesterday as the fallout from Tuesday’s restructuring plan announcement continued.

“The refinery closure announcement came after Petrotrin’s board engaged in detailed analysis of all options concerning the refining business. My constituency hosts many people and businesses directly related to some Petrotrin refinery work. I’ve been engaged in constant dialogue with constituents, the vast majority of whom have expressed understanding for the business decision, and concern for the need for details regarding the financial and other benefit arrangements which will flow from the reorganisation of aspects of Petrotrin’s business,” Al-Rawi told the T&T Guardian from his constituency office.

“The Prime Minister will speak on Sunday and Government will be guided by the terms and conditions to be worked out with stakeholders. I have my eye and heart focused on the lives and well being of my constituents and will continue to maintain an active open-door and in-community engagement with all affected people and entities.”

Al-Rawi said he noted former People’s Partnership energy minister Kevin Ramnarine’s statements on television on Tuesday when Ramnarine “.... on enquiry, confirmed full agreement with the refinery’s closure.”

PNM San Fernando East PRO Anthony Clarke said many Petrotrin workers also in Mon Repos, Pleasantville and St Joseph Village may be affected by the situation.

“Our MP has shown much empathy in the development. He’s instructed that we set up financial counselling, entrepreneurial and other sessions for those affected and we’re bringing in such experts to speak to constituents to guide them on different options. We’ll have such sessions at Pleasantville and Mon Repos community centres soon.”

MP Randall Mitchell meanwhile said Petrotrin’s restructuring and refinery closure will “... obviously affect Petrotrin employees and their families, many of whom are constituents of San Fernando East, as well as the local economy that’s dependent on Petrotrin’s refinery operations.”

Mitchell added, “Petrotrin’s board nor Government could continue to countenance an unsustainable organisation that threatened the welfare of the majority of citizens and future generations. The restructuring as contemplated will in most cases result in a difficult transition period, but I believe in the resilience of San Fernando East constituents and T&T’s people. The Prime Minister will address this situation comprehensively on Sunday in a way citizens will have sight of the road ahead for the company.”

However, workers in PNM’s La Brea and Point Fortin constituencies may yet get increased job opportunities out of the situation, since it’s proposed Petrotrin increase activity in its Exploration and Production (E&P) units there.

PNM La Brea MP Nicole Olivierre - Minister in the Energy Ministry - said, “My constituents haven’t approached me about job losses since the refinery aspect which will be closed isn’t in our location. However, the company proposes to increase E&P work so that’s good news for La Brea, where jobs are predominantly E&P,”

Point Fortin PNM constituency officials said much of the work in that seat—held by Housing Minister Edmund Dillon—is also the E&P aspect of Petrotrin operations.

Exit packages for the more than 3,000 employees at state-owned Petrotrin are being worked out but the company is in no position to say how much this exercise will cost, what exactly will be offered or how soon payments will be made. What seems certain, however, is that the company will have to borrow money to meet the payments to staff once packages are decided upon.

But Petrotrin chairman Wilfred Espinet told the T&T Guardian yesterday that the company is going to try as much as possible to “cushion the hardship” which employees will face.

“We will try to soften the blow as much as we can in a way that is affordable. The company has no interest in seeing people go through hardship, we will try to alleviate as much of that as possible,” Espinet said.

He said teams have been put together to work with the unions to discuss the details of the separation packages, pension and how they can bring the plant down in an orderly fashion.

So where will the money to pay the workers come from?

“Well, we have to borrow it! You have a company with no money and you have to pay off the debt, where you going to get it? Borrow it!”

He said while some people are clamouring to pay the workers “plenty money and keep them on, how does that work, where do you get the money to do that?”

Espinet said the national community must come to the understanding that “when I borrow money is your children money I borrowing and I am trying to convey that to people, stop getting into these la-la land things. Let us stop making this place some kind of Alice in Wonderland for us to believe this is how it works.”

Espinet said counselling will be offered to workers “in terms of the impact on people psychologically and counselling in terms of where they may find other opportunities and so on.” The compensation to be paid to workers, he said, could provide them with “an opportunity to redirect their focus.”

He admitted there are “no guarantees” that the new model of Petrotrin would work,” but said the guarantee is that proper management will produce the right results.

“We have to be careful we don’t fall into the same trap of going back to the same process. You have to get the right people there, you going to have to drill, you going to have to do a number of things. The most important thing at this stage is to make it into a condition where it can pay the existing debt. Having done that we will look at the next stage,” Espinet said.

Espinet lamented that Petrotrin had got to the stage that it had because of those who had the mission to lead the company in the past. “Petrotrin has been mismanaged and whether or not people knew it, I would say yes they knew because they were doing it to their benefit and they all benefitted from it. There were very high people involved. They see it losing money year in year out and they did not understand that it could not go on forever.”

He said harsh decisions had to be taken because “if we don’t preserve what value we have we will destroy it and everybody will go down. We are hoping that what we are doing will preserve the value because it is destroying value at a hell of a rate.”

He said an analysis of the company indicated that if the refinery was kept open they will $2 billion a year.

“Put that in the context of what is the working population of Trinidad and Tobago, which is about 700,000 people, and they are the ones who are going to be paying that a year to keep 1,700 people employed,” he said.

“You want to say we should have 1,700 people take us all down? I have a little bit of difficulty with that. The purpose of the refinery cannot be to employ 1,700 people.”

He again dismissed the allegation from the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) that a private company is behind the scene waiting to get Petrotrin’s assets.

“That is playing on people’s emotions. Self-preservation is a major driving force in it. He (Roget) thinks people trying to close down his union, but what interest would I have in doing that?”

Asked whether there had been any discussion with the French company Perenco about Petrotrin, Espinet said, “The answer is absolutely not.”

Perenco bought over the assets of Repsol from BP and had brought the cost of production per barrel of oil down considerably, according to Espinet. But he said contrary to what the union was saying there is no conspiracy to bring in any company.

He said the urgency of the decision had to do with the bullet payment of US$850 million due in August next year.

“That bond payment is not guaranteed by the Government explicitly, but it is implicitly guaranteed by the Government. That means that the bondholders expect that the Government is going to pay if Petrotrin can’t pay it, which it can’t in its current state,” Espinet said.

kevon.felmine@guardian.co.tt

A day after the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) waged war against the Petrotrin for its decision to retrench 1,700 workers, the union is now threatening to take Lennox Petroleum Services Ltd to court for unpaid back pay.

Close to 30 union members and off-duty workers stormed the company’s compound at Princess Margaret Street, San Fernando, yesterday, to demand an estimated $30 million they said was owed to 250 workers.

With the loud singing of union songs and the outnumbering of the security at the compound, San Fernando police, Rapid Response Unit and the heavily armed Guard and Emergency Branch were called out to monitor the situation.

Lennox Petroleum Services Limited, a privately owned, local company, provides general oilfield contracting services both on land and offshore regionally and internationally.

OWTU chief labour relations officer Lyndon Mendoza said the retroactive pay came after the conclusion of collective bargaining for the period January 2015 to December 2017 and January 2018 to December 2020. He said these agreements were settled last March. Since then, he said the company has given several unsatisfactory excuses for why they did not pay the workers.

He explained: “What incensed the workers was that on Monday afternoon, they categorically stated that they would not be making any payments to the workers. This is to say that the company is just willfully withholding the money owed to workers.”

Mendoza said workers took a stand and decided to go to the head office to get their payment yesterday, but the company’s response was to call the police. He said the workers included riggers, drillers, assistant drillers, pump operators, machinist, electricians, welders and floor men who work on Trinidad’s East coast.

For more than an hour after delivering a letter from OWTU president general Ancel Roget, the workers stayed on the compound singing as they waited for a response to their demand for payment. Mendoza said the company CEO Wayne Persad told them he needed advice from his attorney. But after the workers agreed to wait, Southern Division police’s Insp Bisnath relayed the information from the company’s management that the money would not be paid and they would have to take the company to court.

“We have no fear of taking them to the court on the strength of our case winning with respect to the money owed to the workers. But we will not be relenting our protest action.”

Workers are expected to return to the compound tomorrow to continue their protest.

The T&T Guardian, through the security on the compound, requested an interview with the company’s management but got no response before departing the scene.

Teachers are being asked to stay away from classrooms on September 7.

The call came from Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) president Lynsley Doodhai yesterday in a show of solidarity for the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU), which was dealt a hard blow with Tuesday’s announcement that the Petrotrin refinery will be shut down.

The closure of the refinery is expected result in the termination of some 2,600 workers.

“Next week Friday, parents please keep your children at home, teachers will not be in school on Friday 7,” Doodhai said.

“Schools would be devoid of teachers come next week Friday. Do not waste your hard-earned money to send your children to school, the teachers won’t be there.”

His comment came during a media conference hosted by the Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM) at the Banking, Insurance and General Workers’ Union (BIGWU) headquarters in Barataria.

“TTUTA would hope that good sense would prevail and that the Government and Petrotrin board would reconsider the decision that they announced yesterday (Tuesday),” Doodhai said.

He said the day of rest and reflection had now assumed even greater significance in the wake of the Petrotirn decision.

“Workers are no longer going to take it. There is a saying in TTUTA, if you touch one teacher, you touch all teachers, I say this morning if you touch one worker, you touch all workers,” he said.

There was a consensus from JTUM that the Government had declared war on the workers of the country with the plan to shut down the Petrotrin refinery and send home some 2,600 workers and the trade unions said they are going to retaliate.

While several union leaders made veiled threats of action, Sheep and Goat Farmers Association president Shiraz Khan was the most vocal. He condemned Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and Minister of Finance Colm Imbert, saying they need to be “dealt with”.

He said back in 2015 before the general election, the two marched in solidarity with the workers and laughed when the union insulted then prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, but said they were doing worse but calling for discipline from the unions.

“September 7 is just the start. We coming for all yuh,” Khan said.

“You feel this is a game? Allyuh could just shut down and start back?” he asked, referring to the uncertain future of the Petrotrin refinery.

Khan said Rowley sat with the JTUM for 10 meetings before the 2015 general election and talked to the union about getting their support.

“Today look what he doing to we. He is taking this country down a road, it may not have no return,” Khan.

He said Rowley was being untruthful about many things in agriculture and now with the OWTU and Petrotrin.

“Today, what he is doing to the ordinary people in this country, I want to tell Rowley that this is not Caroni (1975) Ltd, this is not BWIA, this is not TTT, this is the leader of all unions,” he said, referring to Roget’s OWTU.

“We not going to take that damned stupidness from you Rowley, we not taking that and we standing with the OWTU.

“Allyuh behave allyuh self, September 7 is only the start. This man has to be dealt with and I make no bones (about it).”

Two men are expected to appear before a Point Fortin Magistrate today, charged with possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

Ishmael Mitchell, 36, a lorry man, of Pashley Street, Laventille, and Ricardo Prospect, 32, a truck driver, of Short Street, Mt. Hope, were charged with the offence, after being arrested by officers of the South Western Division Task Force (SWDTF), during an anti-crime exercise, conducted in the Cedros district, around 5:35pm, on Wednesday 29th August, 2018.

During the exercise, supervised by Sgt. Sheldon Ablacksingh, officers proceeded to Southern Main Road, Granville, where they had cause to stop and search a white Mitsubishi Hiace truck with two male occupants.

A search of the vehicle resulted in a white crocus bag containing 25 plastic packets containing 11.5 kilogrammes of marijuana being discovered.

The drug has an estimated street value of $115,000.

The accused were arrested in connection with the find and charges were laid by PC Sterling Sandy, of the SWDTF.

Four men, charged with the murder of a PH taxi driver in Diego Martin which occurred on Monday 20th August, 2018, have appeared before a Port of Spain Magistrate, to answer to the charge.

Paul Williams aka ‘Porter’, 22, of Savannah Terrace, Diego Martin; Shakeem Charles aka ‘Keem’, 20, of Nelson Street, Port-of-Spain; Joseph george, 20, of George Street, Port-of-Spain; and Isaiah Pantin aka ‘Wong’ and ‘Ziah’, 18, of Four Roads, Diego Martin, appeared before Acting Deputy Chief Magistrate Nannette Ford-John in the Port of Spain 5th Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 29th August, 2018.

Charles and George face additional charges of possession of a firearm and ammunition. The matter was postponed to Wednesday 26th September, 2018.

The victim, Mr. Jerrell Aris-Mendez, a 27-year-old of Fatima Trace, Laventille, was hired to transport four men with his vehicle, into the Cascade area around 11:50am on Monday 20th August, 2018.

While at Bagatelle Extension Road, Diego Martin, the passengers, two of whom were armed with firearms, announced a robbery.

A struggle ensued, resulting in Mr. Aris-Mendez being shot several times about the body.

The suspects escaped on foot and the victim died at the scene.

The four men were arrested on the same day of the incident by officers attached to the Western Division. Investigations were supervised by ASP (Ag.) Suzette Martin, while charges were laid by PC Dominic Garcia, both of Homicide Bureau of Investigations, Region 1, following advice received from Director of Public Prosecutions, Roger Gaspard, SC, on Wednesday 29th August, 2018.

Two men are expected to appear before a Point Fortin Magistrate today, charged with possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

Ishmael Mitchell, 36, a lorry man, of Pashley Street, Laventille, and Ricardo Prospect, 32, a truck driver, of Short Street, Mt. Hope, were charged with the offence, after being arrested by officers of the South Western Division Task Force (SWDTF), during an anti-crime exercise, conducted in the Cedros district, around 5:35pm, on Wednesday 29th August, 2018.

During the exercise, supervised by Sgt. Sheldon Ablacksingh, officers proceeded to Southern Main Road, Granville, where they had cause to stop and search a white Mitsubishi Hiace truck with two male occupants.

A search of the vehicle resulted in a white crocus bag containing 25 plastic packets containing 11.5 kilogrammes of marijuana being discovered.

The drug has an estimated street value of $115,000.

The accused were arrested in connection with the find and charges were laid by PC Sterling Sandy, of the SWDTF.

“The anniversary of our independence provides us with another opportunity to reflect on the meaning of citizenship and the value of our national identity.

The world has brought us news of nations gripped by civil war, anarchy and terror. In many countries people do not enjoy the freedoms we may be tempted to take for granted.

That our democracy has remained intact these 56 years is no small feat. This deserves celebration given our status as one of the most multi-cultural societies in the western world. We have largely used our diversity as a bridge to make connections with each other. We’ve enjoyed a deep harmony that is intrinsic to our identity as nationals of this beloved country.

We must guard our unity zealously. This defence is especially needed in turbulent times. It is in times of difficulty that the urge to retreat to narrow interests and partisan lines can become the strongest. But we must resist this and seek instead an agreeable guidepost.

But how do we find common ground in an often polarising environment?

Permit me to suggest the advice from our first Prime Minister Dr Eric Williams in his inaugural speech on Independence Day 1962: “Whatever the challenge that faces you, from whatever quarter, place always first that national interest and the national cause.”

On an individual level, this asks us to always consider our choices and actions in light of the impact it will have on our families, communities and the entire nation.

For those of us who serve you as leaders, this requires us to work together to ensure that your interests are protected and that the collective good is sought over individual gain.

I have no doubt that we will do what is needed to create sustainable growth and national development. It is our responsibility as loyal citizens to ensure that our children can be proud of the decisions that we must make today.

On behalf of my family and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, I wish you all a safe and happy Independence Day 2018. May God continue to bless you and may God bless our nation.”

Today, our nation celebrates 56 years since its independence from Britain in 1962.

In celebrating this anniversary we look back at those who have contributed to the development of Trinidad and Tobago—those heroes, pioneers and role models who have used their talents in building our nation.

Their achievements and excellence should be trumpeted particularly for the sake of young people so that they learn about, appreciate and be inspired by their contributions.

There have been many heroes, pioneers and role models in our nation’s history, all profiled in the book Heroes, Pioneers & Role Models of Trinidad & Tobago which was distributed to all schools and libraries courtesy State-owned commercial bank First Citizens.

It is also available for reading online at www.safaripublications.com/firstcitizenstt/heroesprofilestt/. For information on acquiring a copy of this publication, email ourheroestt@gmail.com.

For a country like ours to have reached where it has today, through the periods of being “discovered,” “fought for,” “settled” upon, slavery, indentureship, labour movements, the joining of Trinidad with Tobago in 1889, to its independence in 1962 and the more modern era, involved many heroes, pioneers and role models over all those years.

For example, during the early years from around the 1770’s until the early 1900’s, such heroes, pioneers and role models included Roume de St Laurent, Gros Jean, John Jacob Thomas, Jonas Bath and Emmanuel Mzumbo Lazare, important people who have faded into history and some of you probably have never heard about.

The heroes, pioneers and role models of Trinidad and Tobago are those who have made important and positive contributions to our country’s development, from the early days, the colonial governors and our nation’s modern leaders who have paved and continue to pave the way for others to follow.

Such people include our national leaders, people in the various fields of human endeavour: agriculture, business, community and social work, culture and the arts, economics, education/literacy, environment, fashion and beauty pageants, law, medicine, oil, politics, public service, radio and television, religion, science, engineering and architecture, sports, trade unionism, writing/journalism.

The people who fall into these categories are listed hereunder.

Emphasis is placed on those born in Trinidad and Tobago and those born elsewhere but who have spent an important part of their lives here making important contributions to our country’s development and importance around the globe.

The Chaguanas Borough Corporation (CBC) paid tribute to community activists whose work usually go unheralded at its Independence Day awards ceremony on Wednesday.

The event took place at the auditorium of the Chaguanas Borough Corporation, at Cumberbatch Street, Chaguanas. A total of 35 awards were presented to people in the field of community work, business, sports and family services.

Special awards were given to past and present councillors for their role in public service.

The Administrative Officer 11 Vishnu Sieunarine at the corporation said the country is in need of positive role models.

He praised the Mayor for coming up with the awards scheme.

“We decided to honour the so-called, not so great men and women but in my heart, in his (referring to Chaguanas Mayor Gopaul Boodhan) heart and I believe in all of our hearts they are giants, these are heroes of our community.”

Boodhan said: “Our heroes are found in all areas of national life, be it in the field of sports, business, education, community service, culture, amongst others. We as a people should draw our inspiration in building our Chaguanas, from their unconditional acts of service, hard work, determination, courage and vision.

“Independence is not about political freedom, but it is about our responsibility and self-determination.

“Our journey as a nation was one of hardship and struggles with a destination of independence, a destination of peace and love, of change and improvement, success and truth.”

Two Arima men pleaded not guilty when they appeared before the Rio Claro Magistrates’ court today, charged with possession of TT$11,500 worth in marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

George La Rode, 60, of Pinto Road, Arima, and Linton Dyer, 21, of Malabar, Arima, were each granted $150,000 bail with surety when they appeared before Magistrate Indira Misir-Gosine on Thursday 30th August, 2018.

The matter has been postponed to Friday 21st September, 2018.

La Rode and Dyer were arrested during an anti-crime exercise in the Biche district conducted by officers attached to the Biche Police Station around 12:30am on Thursday 30th August, 2018.

During the exercise, officers had cause to stop and search a white Nissan B15 motor vehicle with two male occupants.

A search resulted in officers discovering 2.7 kilogrammes of marijuana hidden in a crocus bag in the vehicle.

The accused were later charged by PC Raymond Mendoza, of the Biche Police Station.

A 23-year-old man, charged with the sexual penetration of a 15-year-old girl, has appeared before a Chaguanas Magistrate today, to answer to the charge.

Nicholas Boodram, a mechanic of Couva, was granted $80,000 bail with surety when he appeared before the Chaguanas Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 30th August, 2018.

The matter has been postponed to Thursday 27th September, 2018.

The charges arose from an incident which took place on Monday 7th May, 2018, when the victim was offered a ride home by a family friend.

The victim was then taken to a bushy area along the Waterloo Felicity Link Road, Waterloo, where the man had sexual intercourse with her.

A report was made on Sunday 1st June, 2018, leading to Boodram being arrested in connection with the incident by officers of the Child Protection Unit Central Division (CPU CD), on Tuesday 28th August, 2018.

He was subsequently charged with the offence by WPC Darlene Blackman, while Insp. (Ag.) Vollan Francis, both of the CPU CD, supervised the investigations.

A billion-dollar Petrotrin payout is ahead to refinery workers who will lose jobs—including an early retirement package for those over 55 who will receive full pensions.

“We haven’t worked it out fully yet but the (termination benefits package) figure will be huge - significantly more than a billion dollars,” Energy Minister Franklin Khan told reporters yesterday.

Khan gave the estimated cost of workers’ termination benefits following yesterday’s launch of state-owned TTT Limited television station, formerly CNMG. (See page A7)

Earlier this week, Petrotrin’s board confirmed plans to close the company’s refinery in October in a move which will cause the loss of 1,700 permanent jobs. But OWTU president general Ancel Roget has called on Government to rescind the decision and call an election or “face chaos.” (See page A5)

But Khan said yesterday, “Mr Roget represents a trade union that seeks to represent workers as it sees fit. T&T’s based on law and order and any action they take, once legal, is acceptable. But if it’s illegal, the state would have to act.”

“So no - we’re not rescinding the decision,” Khan confirmed.

On Roget’s insistence that he wasn’t told of the closure at a recent meeting with Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, Khan said, “Yes, he was told. I was at the meeting. The meeting’s minutes will show the Prime Minister indicated in no uncertain terms to Mr Roget that Petrotrin will be getting out of the refining business. As to why (Roget) didn’t communicate that (to OWTU) at that point in time, that’s his call - not mine.”

On termination benefits for workers, Khan said,”All the costs are being worked out as we speak. A lot of milling through of numbers has to be done. We’ll be offering an early retirement plan for people over 55, pay them off and they’ll have their full pension. Then we’ll have an exit package—I don’t want to call it severance—for younger workers. That formula is still being worked out.

“But the (termination benefit) figure will be huge - significantly more than a billion dollars - since the base salary of Petrotrin is big. Any calculation will be based on base salary.”

While refinery workers don’t command the highest salaries and theirs is on par with the company’s Exploration/Production sector’s wages, the refinery has the largest overtime costs, he added. But overtime wouldn’t come into play in termination benefits.

Khan also acknowledged the closure’s effect on the “human side”.

“We’ve said we were left with no other choice—to save putting the economy at risk ... However, no matter what spin you put on it, there are 3,000-2,500 families who will be affected. I’m very much conscious of this and so is the Prime Minister,” Khan said.

“I know most of those workers! I supervised some of them in my career. I feel great empathy for them. That’s why we’re working out proper packages for them. We also hope the spin-off effects for places like Marabella will be something like what happened in Couva and Chaguanas in the post-Caroni era.”

He said major challenges will be in Marabella, Gasparillo and other catchment areas for the refinery.

Khan said he wasn’t worried about Santa Flora, La Brea and Point Fortin, which will have more Exploration and production activities.

“Point will go even further as there’ll be more activity in Trinmar and Atlantic (LNG) is still there,” he said.

Khan says the “exit” agreement for the Petrotrin terminations will be a human resource expense.

“If you have to meet that cost you may probably have to borrow it or something like that. But it’s the only way out of this, you just cannot send people home without anything,” Khan said.

Whether taxpayers will bear some part of this cost, Khan only said, “The termination benefit figure will be part of the cost structure of this reorganisation, but it’s a small figure compared to the annual haemorrhaging (of Petrotrin).”

He said calculation to close the refinery was based on a cost benefit analysis in the context of the operational costs of the refinery, in terms of the haemorrhaging of money because of the importation of crude oil.

However, Khan assured the details of the payout to workers will be worked out “long before October.”

On when the entire process will be completed, he said he hoped “a lot of things will be completed before year-end.”

The new TTT television station must be the “gold standard” of quality in broadcasting and lead the charge in providing factual, accurate information and combating “fake news,” Prime Dr Keith Rowley has indicated.

He did so yesterday as he launched TTT Limited—formerly CNMG—at Maraval Road, Port-of-Spain.

“In closing CNMG, we’re opening the door to a brighter future,” Rowley added.

Rowley said TTT needed to adhere to high standards because of the seriousness of the role the media plays in citizens’ lives.

In a time when one has to question everything seen and misinformation, he said TTT has the role of building a reputation as a bastion for correct information. If a question arises on something that’s “trending” and if it’s seen or heard on TTT, “... you’ll know it’s been checked.”

On TTT’s other role as a production house, Rowley said it’s important for the station to not just broadcast news or provide a platform for creativity but facilitate the creation of local content. He said with the negativity seen in the news, it was important to produce programmes that elevate, entertain and drive people to a higher quality of life.

“Rather than be news carrier, it’s more important for this generation of TTT to be a programme producer of content for T&T and externally,” he said.

He projected jobs and projects which could bring revenue from such productions, which would, in turn, offer a platform for talented people.

Rowley said the media is an integral part of T&T’s quality of life. He said he’d had two friends in the media, one of whom he taught in school. He said he’d once disagreed on state-owned media but over time changed that view. He cited the US’ PBS and UK’s BBC as proof of a role for the state in media.

Communication Minister Stuart Young said TTT will lead the charge of 100 per cent accurate news to combat the proliferation of “fake news”, which he said was growing and taking over, especially on social media, and would be a go-to platform for information.

The ANSA McAL Foundation presented grants to nine organisations and individuals totalling $465,000 on Thursday.

Among the recipients were Sr Marie Thérèse Rétout, of the Holy Name Convent, the John E Sabga Foundation, the Friends of the Botanic Gardens, Althea Montano, a member of the Guardian Media staff whose son was accepted to medical school in Canada, the Writing Intervention, Vitas House, the Rotary Club of Central Port-of-Spain, SEWA International TT and Bishop’s High School, Tobago.

The grants will be used for a variety of purposes. They include the creation of a pancreatic cancer awareness and research facility in T&T, support for the Vitas House, the commissioning of histories of the Dominican Sisters and the Botanic Gardens, environmental projects such as plastic recycling, creating a writing programme to assist young people, and the creation of a model United Nations assembly to foster greater awareness in young people.

This is the second time for the year that grants have been awarded by the ANSA McAL Foundation, which is supported by the ANSA McAL Group of Companies.

Here the recipients are photographed with ANSA McAL Foundation members Maria Superville Neilson, Linda Hadeed, Fr John Mendes, Diana Mahabir-Wyatt and Ravindranath (Ravi Ji) Maharaj.

The National Ramleela Council is seeking $3 million to run this year’s celebration.

This was announced by Kamalwattie Ramsubeik, the head of the National Ramleela Council of T&T (NRCTT) at the launch of Ramleela celebrations on Thursday at Saith Park, Chaguanas.

Ramsubeik suggested that State funds be distributed by the National Ramleela Council to ensure fair and equitable distribution. She said last year some groups got as little as $3,000 while production costs for the 10-day event can exceed $400,000.

She said last year the Ministry of Culture distributed $200,000 in cheques. Ramsubeik said the NRCTT is seeking an urgent meeting with the Ministry of Culture to discuss the issue of the distribution of funds.

Ramleela celebrations are set to begin in October and the NRCTT represents around 35 Ramleela groups in T&T.

Ramsubeik said groups now have to pay for additional security to prevent vehicular thefts and break-ins. She said vandalism is another problem since some people destroyed props at outdoor savannah venues.

She said despite high criminal activity Ramleela attracts thousands of people.

“Some groups have an audience of 10-15 thousand people. We will total like over 300,000, 400,000 in total for all the groups in the council.”

Chaguanas Mayor Gopaul Boodhan, who spoke at the launch, said Ramleela can do well to inculcate positive social values into youths and the wider community once the message is spread.

Boodhan also warned citizens to guard against the “Rawans or demons” that plagued T&T. He said, “The Rawans continue to inflict and pains and suffering on the people. We must rid society of all the evils and Rawans that continue to plague us.”

radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt

The T&T Electricity Commission says no evidence of sabotage was found following an early morning fire at its Savonetta Substation yesterday which knocked out power at the Point Lisas Industrial Estate and neighbouring communities.

The billowing cloud of black smoke at North Sea Drive, Point Lisas triggered speculation on social media that the fire could have been maliciously set.

However, T&TEC’s manager of Corporate Communications Annabelle Brasnell said investigations were ongoing and there was no suspicion of sabotage.

“At this point, we have no suspicion of anything like sabotage. Our first priority is to restore supply to customers and get to the source of the fire. We cannot say what is the genesis of this unless we complete investigations.

By 1 pm, the electricity supply was restored to all residential customers at Phoenix Park and Cedar Hill. However, three companies—YARA Trinidad Limited, ANSA McAL Chemicals Limited and Trinidad Nitrogen Company Ltd (Tringen) were without electricity.

Brasnell also denied that the substation was destroyed.

“The substation is still standing. Because there is oil in transformers, the fire looked as if the entire substation was engulfed. People saw the big black smoke but that occurred largely because there is oil in the site. Only one transformer has been damaged and two other pieces of equipment used to transmit the electricity have been burnt. The substation has not burnt down. Another transformer is still intact and substation building is intact as well,” Brasnell said.

She added that this was the first fire of its kind to occur in four years adding that there was a fire at the Westmoorings facility in 2014.

The substation at Point Lisas was not occupied at the time of the blaze.

T&TEC’s engineers spent hours on site yesterday executing repairs and doing checks.

Meanwhile, police said yesterday that a break-in was reported at Petrotrin’s Beach Camp facilities in one of the executive buildings owned by Petrotrin which is often occupied by senior staff. However, it is uncertain whether anything was stolen.

On Thursday during a press conference president general of the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union Ancel Roget said all of T&T would see black if the government pushed ahead to shut down the Pointe-a-Pierre refinery.

“It is an act of reprisal because we can make no sense out of this. But (Prime Minister Dr Keith ) Rowley has to be reminded that those who seek to destroy the OWTU will only destroy himself. Then they talking about a black hole. Let me say to (Energy Minister) Franklin Khan the whole country would not be placed in a black hole if you leave Petrotrin running. The whole country will be black is you shut down Petrotrin. In fact, if you don’t reverse that decision the whole country will be black,” Roget said.