A police officer's son was one of three people shot dead in Santa Cruz yesterday.

A fourth man is currently warded at the hospital nursing gunshot wounds.

Dead are 19-year-old Francois Hall, whose father is a police officer, Ian Garcia, 45, and a third man identified by the alias "Darko".

Jamal Bonne remained warded at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC) in a serious condition up to late yesterday.

According to police reports, around 10.40 am on Kingston Avenue in La Canoa, Santa Cruz, two warring gangs in the area opened fire on each other.

Hall and Darko died on the spot, while Garcia and Bonne were taken to the hospital.

Garcia eventually died while undergoing treatment.

Hall, an aspiring footballer, was said to be willing to assist anyone in the community. His killing was described as senseless.

The triple murder and the shooting death of another man in Cumuto accounted for four killings yesterday morning.

Hours before the La Canoa shooting, a 31-year-old man was killed in a separate incident in Cumuto.

According to reports, around 4 am David King was at his family's Cumuto home when four intruders entered.

King was in his backyard when he was approached by the four men armed with guns and cutlass. King was chopped.

His neighbour ran across to assist him after hearing the commotion and also received chop wounds.

King died on the scene while his neighbour was taken to the hospital to receive medical treatment.

The four intruders remain at large.

Homicide detectives are investigating the killing and a motive is still to be determined.

Anna-Lisa Paul

Attitude and ability.

This was the rationale Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley said he used to select Team Red & Rowley as they prepare for the final showdown—the internal elections—on September 30.

Referring to it as the "Double A's" when he addressed a gathering of Cabinet ministers and long-standing party supporters at the Arima Town Hall yesterday, Rowley testified as to the readiness of the candidates whom he claimed represented a good mix of politics and humanity.

Providing a brief insight into the internal workings of the People's National Movement (PNM) and the processes and procedures governing it, Rowley said the PNM had managed to maintain a certain level of transparency and accountability throughout its history.

Vowing to ensure this continue, Rowley will retain the title of Political Leader of the PNM as he remains unopposed.

Also retaining the title as PNM's Lady Vice Chair is Planning and Development Minister, Camille Robinson-Regis.

Current Chairman Franklin Khan has not offered himself for re-election, opting to shift that responsibility to the shoulders of Finance Minister Colm Imbert who was given the nod from Rowley.

Relating sobering and playful anecdotes about each of the candidates on his slate, Rowley proudly acknowledged the hard work, commitment, and dedication of each person who was intent on continuing to serve the PNM.

Claiming there were people who were not fit to be elected to the party executive as demonstrated through their actions in the last couple years, Rowley expressed confidence that voters would do the right thing when they go to the polls.

During his hour-long address which was similar to that of a general election campaign kick-off, Rowley thanked foundation member Overand Padmore for agreeing to contest the post of Education Officer, as he was a fount of knowledge for the younger members.

To the candidates, he said, "Teamwork is important."

Revealing some of the challenges the PNM had faced in the past in order to achieve independence and generate revenue, Rowley said likewise, the party continued to be unafraid of making tough decisions in order to provide for the population.

He said this was the case with Petrotrin.

Strongly denying the PNM was practising racial politics as they were being accused of, Rowley said nothing was further from the truth as the Government was concerned about each and every citizen.

Rowley pointed a finger at the unions as he said they had no plan for the future, yet continued to mislead members as to how dire the situation is.

Appealing for a chance to take T&T forward again, Rowley said his government continued to make a difference through a number of initiatives as he ended, "We are out and proud."

Team Red & Rowley

Political Leader—Dr Keith Rowley

Chairman—Colm Imbert

Vice-chairman—Robert Le Hunte

Lady Vice-chairman—Camille Robinson-Regis

General Secretary—Foster Cummings

Assistant General Secretary—Daniel Dookie

Treasurer—Howard Chin Lee

Education Officer—Overand Padmore

Public Relations Officer—Laurel Lezama-Lee Sing

Social Media Officer—Avinash Singh

Labour Relations Officer—Jennifer Baptiste-Primus

Elections Officer—Indar Parasram

Field Officer—Abdon Mason

Welfare Officer—Jocelyn Bodden

Youth Officer—Ndale Young

Operations Officer—Irene Hinds

Renuka Singh

Concerns and questions are being raised about the National Insurance Board (NIB) billion-dollar investment in the National Investment Fund (NIF). The main concern seems to stem from the NIB's admission during a Joint Select Committee (JSC) hearing last year that the fund could go bankrupt in 12 years if significant changes are not implemented.

Despite that dim outlook, the NIB was able to invest $1 billion dollars in the NIF, becoming the single largest investor in the fund.

The NIB defended its investment choice in response to questions from the Sunday Guardian at the end of August.

The NIB said while it recommended contribution increases in the last actuarial review, it has nothing to do with this investment.

The NIB said it was lobbying for a freeze to keep pension at $3,000 and increasing the retirement age to 65. The NIB is also lobbying for an increase in contributions to 15.6 per cent in order to rectify its current financial straits.

These changes, the NIB said, did not impact its ability to make such a massive investment in the un-guaranteed Government fund.

"The investment decision-making process involves a very high level of prudence, keeping in mind the objective of long-term sustainability of the fund," the NIB said in response to questions on August 30.

The NIF was expected to announce the allocation of 5, 12, and 20-year investors on that same day but the NIB was not sure where its massive investment would be assigned.

"The NIB has submitted its application for the bonds and we are currently awaiting confirmation of allocation on the said bonds," the NIB said.

The Sunday Guardian emailed the NIB on September 4 for an update on its allocation, but there was no response.

"The decision-making process pertaining to investments is guided firstly by the statutory limits contained in the First Schedule of the National Insurance Act that regulate the investment of the NIB's investment portfolio," the NIB said.

"However, apart from these statutory limits, the decision-making process is further guided by the Investment Policy which establishes self-imposed limits/goals that reflect return/risk parameters consistent with the requirement to satisfy the long-term pension liabilities of the National Insurance System. The Investment Policy has been developed with reference to the First Schedule of the National Insurance Act," the NIB said.

The NIB said that all investments are subjected to review by the Investment Committee, then the Board of Directors if the investment exceeds prescribed thresholds.

The NIB was asked about its other investments but would only provide its portfolio for 2016. That investment portfolio stood at $24.3 billion

Last month Finance Minister Colm Imbert was forced to defend his brainchild against criticism from the Opposition and listed the investors as $828 million from pension funds, $251 million from credit unions, $1.2 billion from mutual funds, $2.1 billion from insurance companies and $1.1 billion contributed through "other" means. The NIB, he confirmed then, invested $1 billion.

The NIF is the largest public placement of bonds on record, yet it was done without a government guarantee. The T&T Securities and Exchange (TTSEC) said it approved the NIF before it was publicly listed last Tuesday but did not respond to other questions about whether the TTSEC mandate was carried out as it relates to the NIF.

The TTSEC also did not respond to questions about when investors would learn of their individual allocation even though the deadline date for notification passed on August 30.

The Sunday Guardian emailed and texted Imbert on September 6 and asked about the NIF allocation for the NIB. He was also asked whether he gave any direction to the NIB to cause the billion-dollar investment. There was no response.

KEVON FELMINE

kevon.felmine@guardian.co.tt

One day after Palo Seco mother Tehila St Clair was buried, charges were laid against an Arima man for her murder yesterday.

Kester Dabreau, 32, is expected to appear before a Siparia magistrate this morning. Investigators got instructions from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions yesterday to charge him with the murder.

Investigations were supervised by Inspector Darryl Corrie and carried out by Sgt Randy Ramjag and Cpl Henry Smith. The charge was laid by Smith. Dabreau is expected to be represented by criminal attorney Fareed Ali.

St Clair, 27, of Allen Street, off Beach Road, Palo Seco, died last Tuesday at the Siparia District Health Facility. An autopsy at the Forensic Science Centre confirmed that her death was due to multiple chop wounds.

According to reports, St Clair and her five-year-old son were asleep at around 11.30 pm last Monday when a man broke into their house. St Clair and the intruder had an altercation and she was chopped several times with a cutlass.

Her son ran out of the house and alerted neighbours that someone was chopping his mother. When the neighbours arrived at the house, they found a bleeding St Clair lying on the floor of the kitchen.

The suspect was held in the bushes near the scene and a weapon was found nearby.

Police arrested 18 people in east Trinidad as part of Operation Strike Back, an initiative launched by newly appointed Police Commissioner Gary Griffith earlier this month.

In a video clip sent to the media, acting Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) for the Northern and Eastern Divisions, McDonald Jacob explained that yesterday's exercise focused on Malabar, Arima.

"Malabar is basically a housing area. However, within the last few months we saw an escalation of shootings and woundings and robberies especially that of motor vehicles," he said.

"In order to arrest the problem in the district, we launched Operation Strike Back, where our whole intention is to take back the community from those offenders who wish to make life difficult for the law abiding citizens of Trinidad and Tobago."

Jacob said the exercises are intended to raise the public's trust and confidence in the TTPS.

"We hope a reduction of fear occurs so we can get additional information which we could use to help assist with the crime situation that exists," he said.

The exercise involved 55 police officers from specialised police units, including Northern Division CID, Northern Division Task Force, the Organised Crime and Intelligence Unit and Canine Branch.

Between 4 am and 9 am yesterday, officers held several roadblocks and executed search warrants at the homes of 12 known offenders.

Of those detained, five were for recent reports of woundings and shootings, three for robberies and two for possession of marijuana. Four were held for housebreakings in Arima, while the others were arrested in La Horquetta and St Joseph for wounding with intent and possession of a firearm and ammunition. One illegal firearm was recovered.

The suspects remained in custody up to late yesterday and were being interrogated by detectives. They are expected to be charged later this week.

"Operation Strike Back continues to fulfil its purpose of striking back hard against persons bent on committing serious crimes and on propagating an atmosphere of fear and lawlessness in Trinidad and Tobago," the TTPS said in a release.

Since being launched on September 1, the project has resulted in the arrests of over 50 offenders in east Trinidad. It was first introduced in Bon Air Gardens, Arouca, where there was a spike in gang-related murders last month.

KEVON FELMINE

kevon.felmine@guardian.co.tt

An Indian national was beaten and robbed while selling gyros in Princes Town on Friday night.

Police said that around 10 pm, Kothakapu Proveenkumar, 29, was at his stall in Craignish Village, Princes Town, when three men approached him and began kicking and cuffing him. They then robbed him of $1500 from his sales and ran off.

PC Rampersad of the Princes Town CID is carrying out inquiries but up to late yesterday no one had been arrested.

In another incident, at 2.10 pm, Sardisai Sirju, 56, of Barrackpore, was walking along Bonanza Street, Princes Town, when he was held up and robbed at gunpoint of $5000. The gunman escaped in a black Nissan Teana.

A report was made to the Princes Town police and PC Isaac and a team of officers responded. They intercepted the car a short distance away. A 27-year-old man of Gasparillo was arrested and is expected to be charged.

Joel Julien

The Progressive Empowerment Party (PEP) spent the most money in the two Local Government Bye-elections held earlier this year, according to data from the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC).

However, the party received the least number of votes among the three parties that contested the elections, the EBC figures show.

On Monday 16 July, Local Government bye-elections were held in the electoral districts of Barataria and Belmont East.

According to the EBC figures, the PEP spent a total of $49,327.98 on those two losing efforts.

PEP candidate for Belmont East Felicia Holder spent the most money out of the six candidates vying for the two electoral districts, the EBC figures showed. Holder's expenses were $24,715.48.

The PEP candidate for Barataria, Christopher Samlal spent the second highest amount—$24,612.50, while United National Congress' candidate for Barataria Sharon Maraj-Dharam spent the third highest figure. Maraj-Dharam's spending was not in vain, however, as she was able to win the Barataria electoral district with 1,933 votes.

The People's National Movement (PNM) candidate for Barataria Kimberly Small spent $6,996 and received 1,825 votes. Samlal received 69 votes in Barataria.

The PNM candidate for Belmont East Nicole Young spent the least—$4,451.50—and won the Belmont East electoral district with 594 votes. The UNC's candidate for Belmont East Lianna Babb-Gonzales spent $19,000 and received 151 votes.

Pursuant to Section 58 of the Representation of the People Act, Chapter 2:01, the Summary of the Election Expenses Statement has to be made public. The candidates returned their expense figures two weeks ago.

The ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) has started its fourth year in office facing some fallout from the decision to shut down the Petrotrin refinery and the spiralling crime problem, according to political analyst Dr Mukesh Basdeo. However, on a more positive note, the Government has been able to stablise the economy and he expects the positive the signals sent by Finance Minister Colm Imbert in the mid-term review will result in a better budget than last year.

Speaking on the anniversary of the election of the PNM three years ago, Dr Basdeo admitted that the Keith Rowley administration did not have the easiest of times as it came into office “with a major revenue problem.

“If you rate the Government on everything that happened in this financial year and in the last year, I would say they would get a poor grade. They have struggled. There are a lot of situations they had to deal with and it was very challenging for this administration,” he said.

In addition, they “made a lot of errors and these things tend to haunt the administration and will continue to affect its ratings,” he added.

The PNM’s fourth year in office started with the day of rest and reflection called by the trade union movement on Friday.

Last week, after plans for the closure of the Petrotrin refinery were announced, the labour sector intensified its lobby for workers to rest and reflect.

Basdeo said in addition to Petrotrin and the poor industrial relations climate, Government also faces the “continuing problem of crime which has plagued the administration.”

He said the next two years will be critical, with local government elections due in 2019 and the general election in 2020. However, he believes Government “still has time on its side to reverse some of the trends that are currently affecting it.”

Basdeo expects the Budget, due to be presented in the next few weeks, to be “an indication of what type of policies they will put in place for the next 12 months. It will be a clear indication of the government’s attempt to actually deal with the current situation.”

Recalling Imbert’s mid-term review in which he announced that the economy had turned around and things were starting to improve, Basdeo said: “One would expect that the budget would be a continuation of the .inister’s statement in the mid-year review.”

Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan, who ran the PNM’s successful 2015 election campaign, said he believes the worse is over.

“I am very comfortable where we are at this point in time,” he said.

An opinion poll published on Friday shows that 43 per cent of the population believes they are worse off today. Sinanan said that is because there had been “a serious slide in the revenue of this country.” He said things “could have been worse” and with the economy stabilised he expects over the next two years to see growth “close to what we were accustomed to.”

National Security Minister Stuart Young said in addition to stabilising the economy there has been no mass retrenchment” and Imbert ensures that every month public servants are paid.

Young said there have been a lot of achievements but the government is “not looking for pats on the back.”

He said: “We take our jobs very seriously. We have achieved stability and now we going to another growth period.”

Young said when the PNM took office contracts in the downstream industry had expired and they were facing billions of dollars in lawsuits.

“We have stabilised the gas industry as a result of the hard work done by the government over the last three years,” he said and gave the example of the recent signing of the Dragon gas deal with Venezuela.

Although crime continues to be a headache, Young said a lot ustaking place and all the heads of national security are now working as one unit.

“We are taking the issue of crime very seriously,” he said

Energy Minister Franklin Khan, noting the challenging situations the PNM met when it took office, said: “I think we have managed the situation extremely well.”

He said Gvernment hopes to continueon a path of “sustainable growth, prudent fiscal management and to take the country onto a new path of sustainability.”

Former government minister Mustapha Abdul-Hamid is fielding a rival slate to challenge the team led by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley for three of the positions at stake in the People’s National Movement’s (PNM) internal elections on September 30.

Listen more, care more is the tagline for the slate which was launched yesterday at the Barataria Community Centre. Abdul-Hamid is vying for the post of chairman, while the other members of his team are Chinua Alleyne who is seeking the general secretary position and deputy mayor of Port-of-Spain Hillan Morean for youth officer.

The event was attended by several prominent party members, including former ministers who had served in the PNM administration of the late Patrick Manning. Among them were Manning’s widow, Hazel, his sister Dr Petronella Manning-Alleyne and former ministers Karen Nunez-Tesheira, Alicia Hospedales, Gary Hunt and Joseph Ross.

Abdul-Hamid will go up against Finance Minister Colm Imbert who is on Rowley’s team, while Alleyne and Morean will square off with Foster Cummings and Ndale Young respectively.

Alleyne told the small group of supporters at the launch that the party’s democratic process is alive by their very presence.

“The democratic process means that we campaign hard to win, but after election night we continue to remain one strong, resilient united PNM family. In the politics of Trinidad and Tobago that is something that is unique to the PNM. No other political party in the history of Trinidad and Tobago has been able to conduct their affairs without bacchanal, backbiting and confusion,” he said.

Alleyne said what is needed is the building of bridges so that the voices of elders are heard.

“In addition to these core values of integrity, discipline and respect. a strong, caring PNM requires us to take decisive action to bring the party closer to the people. It means that we need to create real opportunities for members to grow and develop within the party. It means that we have to organise the administration of the PNM, consistent with the requirements for a modern political party,” Alleyne said.

Abdul-Hamid said the country depends on the PNM for its well-being and the party had faced more than 60 political parties in elections over the years, the majority of which have died and disappeared.

He the PNM’s longevityis based on their national vision, commitment and connection with the grassroots.

“The UNC has no mission they have a purpose. Their purpose is to make the rich richer,” he said.

Abdul-Hamid congratulated DR Rowley who is unopposed for the position of political leader.

“If you look alongside Mustapha Abdul-Hamid and you see a better name that is your right (to vote for them). My duty is to ask you for your support. This is not an internal selection. This is an internal election,” he said.

Some local government councillors have been evicted from their offices and others are being threatened with eviction by their landlords because they are unable to pay their rent. That was the claim made by the chairmen of four regional corporations under the control of United National Congress (UNC) at a press conference at the Office of the Opposition Leader in Port-of-Spain yesterday.

The chairmen say delays by the Ministry of Finance in releasing recurring expenditure to regional corporations over the past financial year is hampering the operations of several regionals bodies since they are unable to pay for gooda and services or carry out projects.

Chairman of Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation Henry Awong said because his corporation only received a quarter of its annual budget allocation, there are no funds to conduct repair projects or pay rent for councillors. As a result, Allan “Taxi” Seepersad,Councillor for Carli Bay/Calcutta No 3/Mc Bean, has been been evicted from his office.

Glen Ram, chairman of the Mayaro/Rio Claro Regional Corporation, said Councillor for Rio Claro South/Cat’s Hill Bhusham Rampersad has also been evicted and landlords for other councillors have threatened to take similar action.

“If this money is not paid, every single councillor will be out on the streets,” he said.

Allan Sammy, chairman of the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation, said his corporation has had to find creative ways to cover costs.

“In our case, we have to take money that is earmarked for other things to assist councillors to pay their rent and meet incidentals associated with offices,” he said.

Chairman of the Princes Town Regional Corporation Gowrie Roopnarine said his corporation had not received the $420,000 allocated to cover rent.

The chairmen also complained that their corporations’ repair porgramme for drains, roads and bridges has had to be deferred.

“People are asking why are you not fixing my pothole or drain but it is because you have to spread your resources more thinly,” Sammy said.

Ram said this lack of funding has saffected the corporation’s ability to respond to natural disasters.

“I am informing the burgesses that if something should happen and we have a disaster, the corporation’s hands are ties to respond to the issues,” Ram said.

Roopnarine claimed his corporation is facing the threat of legal action from contractors who have not been paid for supplying truck-borne water to burgesses.

All four chairmen believe funds are being denied only to UNC-controlled corporations, as PNM bodies did not complain about similar treatment.

“I believe it is an attempt to stifle the corporation to not deliver and to make the UNC councillors look bad,” Roopnarine said.

The chairmen said they raised the issue with Rural Development and Local Government Minister Kazim Hosein at a meeting last week and were told to take their grievances to Finance Minister Colm Imbert.

“I think our line minister should be raising those matters at the Cabinet level with a very strong voice because local government is the closest to the people,” Awong said.

They also complained that the current system of dispensing relief grants to victims of natural disasters is unfair and some burgesses are being denied relief.

“Social Development comes long after the corporation has cleaned up so they don’t see first-hand the damage that has been done,” Ram said.

Contacted yesterday, Hosein did not confirm or deny the issues raised.

“I continue to advocate for the local government practitioners because having been in the field for a long time, I know the vital role that they have in serving the people and being the first response in communities,” he said.

kevon.felmine@guardian.co.tt

As police held in a high profile meeting to discuss the kidnapping of Palmiste mother of two Natalie Pollonais, her family were yesterday anxiously awaiting a phone call from her kidnappers so they could negotiate her release, sources said.

Pollonais, 49, wife of Inland and Offshore Contractors Limited director Jason Pollonais, went missing after leaving the C3 Centre in St Madeleine last Thursday.

CCTV footage from the shopping mall and entertainment centre showed that after leaving Central Athletic Club gym, she visited a few stores before driving away in her BMW 5308 hy­brid sedan. She was expected to visit a friend and return home to complete errands.

When Pollonais did not return home after a few hours, her family and friends tried contacting her but calls and messages to her cellphone went unanswered.

Around 10.30 pm that night, police found her car abandoned in the parking lot of an apartment building in Cypress Hills, Union Hall.

Her kidnappers had stuck a fake registration plate over the original. The vehicle was taken to the Special Evidence Recovery Unit in Cumuto on Friday and forensic experts are expected to check it for clues.

An eyewitness reported seeing Pollonais sitting in her car along the SS Erin Road just before noon on Thursday. There were two men in police uniforms—one searching through the truck of her car and the others leaning over her door, so assumed Pollonais was caught in a roadblock.

Sources said on Thursday night the kidnappers contacted Pollonais’ relatives and allowed her to speak to her husband.

She was able to tell him that she was okay but the kidnappers hung up the phone when the family attempted to negotiate her release.

Some of the landowners in the path of the Curepe Interchange have inflated their land valuations by 300 per cent and their failure to provide proper documentation for claims is slowing down the process. This was the response from the Ministry of Works and Transport yesterday to a Sunday Guardian report that highlighted complaints by residents and property owners.

The Ministry said some residents have not been complying with the legal process.

“Land owners refused to submit their declarations to the Board of the Inland Revenue in support of their claims for compensation,” the Ministry said in a press release..

According to the release, in addition to the compensation for lands, Cabinet also approved Caroni lands for the residents who “have since viewed the approved lands and indicated their approval for use.”

Some residents affected by the planned $221.7 million Curepe Interchange project said they are seeking legal protection against the Government’s forced evictions. They said they were notified in August and given 14 days to vacate their premises.

“The activation of the Land Acquisition Act to acquire these parcels of land for public use is a two-step process that entails serving Section 3 Notice of Intended Acquisition of land followed by Section 4 Order which empowers the State to enter and take possession of the properties within six months of serving the Notice,” the Ministry said.

The residents said contrary to the provisions in the Land Acquisition Act, there is little transparency in the way the land acquisitions are being handled. They are also condemning the Government for forcing them to accept between one third and one fifth of the lands value through compulsory acquisition.

However, the Ministry said since 2013 the State has been engaged in consultations and negotiations with stakeholders.

“There have been multiple consultations with residents under past and present governments. It is now for the residents to submit evidence based claims to the State for processing of compensation,” the Ministry saidm adding that while the State is committed to paying the fair amount for the land, it is the responsibility of residents to provide evidence of the cost of their lands.

“It will be administrative malpractice for the State to pay exorbitant compensation to the residents without supporting evidence,” the release said.

The Ministry said the residents are impeding progress on the Curepe Interchange.

The original project included 22 parcels of land for the Interchange, but has since grown to 37 and includes residential, commercial, agricultural,state-owned and privately owned properties.

Works Minister Rohan Sinanan is one of three owners of the Kay Donna Drive-In Cinema which was in the path of the project but reports are that Government has already obtained that land through compulsory acquisition.

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh credited the determined leadership and tough decisions taken by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley for the failure of Friday’s rest and reflect industrial action by trade unions.

In his address at a Nurses’ 5oth Anniversary Luncheon at the Hyatt Regency in Port-of- Spain yesterday, Deyalsingh said the country had been rocked by two seismic events in the last three weeks. The first was the 6.9 magnitude earthquake on August 21, while the other was the call by trade unions for workers to stay home and rest and reflect last Friday.

He thanked the nurses, who had been advised not to show up for work, for reporting for duty and providing care to the sick, needy and vulnerable.

“There are those in society who would encourage you to abdicate your responsibility when the country needed you most and you did not do that. You are to be heartily congratulated.

“Our country came through the two seismic events that I described earlier with flying colours and to me what builds a country is not money, it is not GDP, or how much oil and gas you have. What builds a country, in my view, is how you succeed in the face of adversity. How you look down the gun of a barrel and decide I am going to face this head-on and decide to succeed. That is where your moral compass ought to lie,” Deyalsingh said.

“Those two seismic events—the earthquake and what could have been a seismic event on Friday and what led up to that rest and reflection on Friday—was as a result of determined leadership. The ability to make hard decisions, necessary decisions to correct the long term course of this country.”

He said the tough decisions the Prime Minister continues to make will pave a better way for the country in the future.

Deyalsingh added: “A country does not become great by avoiding hard decisions. A country becomes great in how it deals with adversity, whether it is a natural event or whether it is last Friday. There is no more road to kick the can down the road in making hard decisions to right this country.”

He said he stands with Rowley “shoulder-to-shoulder in making those hard decisions. As he would have said we are not afraid of losing office. But it is always the right time to do the right thing.

“Don’t be afraid of making hard decisions as we have done. We as a Government has many hard decisions to make . . . serious decisions to make and we have chosen to support our Prime Minister in making some hard decision,” he told the nurses.

The minister also spoke about the Central Block of the Port-of-Spain General Hospital which was deemed unsafe in a2009 report and will be demolished.

The Minister pointed out that even though the Central Block was unsafe for patients, the former People’s Partnership Government saw it fit to build the Couva Hospital, ignoring the threat to life and limb in the capital city. He said on assuming office in 2015, he alerted the Prime Minister to the matter and action was taken to rectify this problem.

Deyalsingh said work on a new Central Block will begin this month and will be completed in two phases.

The Oilfields Workers Trade Union (OWTU) has delivered a letter to the Office of the President, outlining its position with regard to the decision to close the Petrotrin refinery.

President Paula-Mae Weekes is currently out of the country and Senate President Christine Kangaloo is acting as President of the Republic.

The OWTU leader, Ancel Roget is calling for an inquiry and public debate into the decision.

He will also deliver letters to the Leader of the Opposition, Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Independent Senators during the course of the day, as part of what Roget calls their "campaign of awareness".

He said the contents of the letter delivered this morning will be made public after the president has time to peruse the document.

Roget is again denying reports that he knew the government was going to shut down the refinery.

"In all deliberations we would have had, there was never any categorical decision on shutting the refinery down," he said.

He said what the union interpreted from the meeting was that a decision was being taken to sell the refinery.

Roget said the OWTU had seven members in the meeting and none of them got the interpretation that the refinery was to be shut down.

He says an inquiry will determine who are experts that helped the government make the decision, and what was the basis of giving this decision.

For the second time in as many months, fire broke out inside the Mon Repos Fire Headquarters, prompting officers to call for an immediate rewiring of the entire building.

Throughout Sunday night and for most of the day on Monday, the headquarters, situated at the San Fernando Bye-Pass remained without an electricity supply.

Fire officers said the heat was unbearable in the facility, adding that the toilets were dirty as the water pumps were dysfunctional.

The fire started around 6:20 pm, in an electrical metre inside the engineering section.

The officers used a fire extinguisher to quickly bring the fire under control and a T&TEC crew later arrived and took away the metre.

A generator was subsequently brought in to power the lights.

A source who requested anonymity said two weeks ago, the Electrical Inspectorate declared the wiring unsafe and gave the T&T Fire Service 14 days to rectify the problems. "Last month there was smoke coming from the wiring and this prompted us to call in the inspectorate," the source said.

The point of entrance cable was changed along with the metre base.

However, when checked the electrical changes were given a failed grade and the T&T Fire Services were given some more time to do further work.

The building is usually occupied by almost 100 people during the day and 30 plus at nights.

Fire-fighters who were interviewed said since the fire, their work conditions have been deplorable.

"We need the building rewired because this is not safe. "We need a proper electricity supply to fill Breathing Apparatus cylinders and that pulls a lot of current.

The gas pumps also pulls a lot of current when fuelling the vehicles as well as the compressor. The entire building is now air-conditioned and the old electrical wiring cannot take that load," the source said.

The officers also called for the electrical panels to be changed to accommodate the additional electrical load adding that if it was not fixed properly then a fire could raze the fire station.

Apart from the fire hazards, officers also called for better maintenance of fire appliances and other vehicles.

"Many of the vehicles used by fire officers have been given a failed grade by the licensing department. There are good vehicles which need simple parts like a filter or a clutch which are being parked up in the stations and left to rot," the source said.

In Rio Claro and Point Fortin stations, the fire appliances have failed inspections yet they are being used. This is a hazard to officers. In Mon Repos there are four tankers being left in a state of disrepair. One is used for extreme emergencies despite defects. The tankers carry water 10,000 litres and above," the source added.

He explained that one of the four tankers leaks water and a portable pump is used to get water out because the tanker's pump is defective. The sewer system inside the Mon Repos station is also faulty.

"A fleet of BT 50 vehicles bought for the Fire Services recently are breaking down because of poor maintenance," the senior source added.

Officers also said they were being asked to work in Petrotrin's refinery but they were not being outfitted with thermofoil fire suits which keep out the heat. He also explained that newly recruited fire officers were not being given proper working gear.

A Whatsapp message was sent yesterday to National Security Minister Stuart Young asking for a comment but although the message was read, no response was forthcoming.

President of the T&T Fire Service Association Leo Ramkissoon also did not answer his cellphone and could not be reached for comment.

radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt

Parents of pupils attending the Barrackpore East Secondary are raising money to fix their school, which was damaged by the 6.9 magnitude earthquake last month.

Each parent has been asked to pay $200 each by the school’s Parent/Teachers Association (PTA) to facilitate repairs to their school, which has remained closed since the August 21 earthquake.

In a WhatsApp group shared with the T&T Guardian, parents were advised to drop off the money at the school security office. However, one parent complained that when she went to drop off the money, the security guard told her he was not authorised to collect any money.

Parent Stacy Cochrane said the idea to raise the funds came following a meeting with the PTA.

“We were told that instead of waiting on the ministry to fix the school we should raise funds and do it ourselves. Right now it hard for me to find $200 to pay after I bought school books and uniforms.

“Every day my child asking me when school opening. If I have the money I will pay it because I want the school work to get done,” Cochrane said, adding parents wanted the school reopened as soon as possible.

Another parent, Keith Balkissoon, said he also could not afford to pay the $200.

“I am working taxi and I do not think parents should be made to pay for the school repairs. Why can’t the Government pay for it? Why are we paying taxes,” Balkissoon questioned.

Since the earthquake, the main stairway has been detached from the main block and cracks appeared on the ceiling and floor. Block B is also said to be in a state of disrepair.

Balkissoon called on the ministry to conduct repairs as soon as possible.

Contacted yesterday, however, a senior school source denied the principal was involved in the collection of the school repair donation.

“I am not authorised to speak to the media but this has nothing to do with the principal. This is an idea that the PTA came up with.”

Asked what checks and balances were put in place to ensure the money was used for school repairs, the official referred questions to the PTA.

A PTA executive member, who declined to give her name, said she was under no obligation to answer when asked whether the donations had the approval of the Education Ministry.

“You need to have the approval to raise funds in a school?” the member exclaimed.

She confirmed that the money was being collected for school repairs and people were getting receipts, but would not say who was collecting the money.

Contacted for comment yesterday, Minister in the Ministry of Education Dr Lovell Francis said the ministry was in charge of school repairs. However, he said there was nothing wrong if the PTA wanted to raise funds to assist the school.

“The PTA is within its authority to assist the school in any way. If the PTA is willing that is great, but it is not permissible for the school to be raising funds for school repairs because it is the Ministry of Education that is in charge of school repairs,” Francis said.

He added that the Ministry of Works and the Occupational Safety and Health Authority will be visiting the school today to do an inspection.

Rhondor Dowlat

Police officers are asking for the public's help in identifying the body of a man that was found on Sunday along the North Coast Road.

According to a police report, at about 4 pm a team of police led by ASP Maraj of the Maraval Police Station, acting on information received, went to an area near LP22 where they found the body.

Police said the body was that of an East Indian man, brown in complexion, medium built and about five feet seven inches in height.

Police said there were wounds to the chest and stomach. The body was removed to the Forensic Science Centre in St James.

Anyone with information can contact any police station or 555 or 800-TIPS or the direct line of the Commissioner of Police, Gary Griffith at 482-GARY (4279).

Investigations are continuing.

Rhondor Dowlat

Four people have been detained for questioning in connection with the weekend’s triple murder in Santa Cruz. However, no charges have been laid against any of them yet.

Investigators yesterday told the T&T Guardian that enquiries were ongoing and they could not comment further on the incident.

Relatives of all three victims, who were at the Forensic Science Centre in St James yesterday, refused to comment on the killings. Among the three who were killed was the son of a police officer.

The three victims were identified as 19-year-old Francois Hall, Ian Garcia, 45 and a third man identified only by the alias "Darko".

A fourth man who was also shot remains warded at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWM­SC), Mt Hope, in a serious condition.

It was reported that at about 10.40 pm on Saturday at Kingston Avenue in La Canoa, Santa Cruz, two warring gangs in the area opened fire on each other.

Hall and Darko were hit in the crossfire and died on the spot, while Garcia and the fourth victim were taken to the hospital. Garcia died while undergoing treatment.

Investigations are continuing.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley is defending the Government’s deal with a Chinese firm once blacklisted by the World Bank for bribery and fraud allegations.

The company, China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd (CHEC), has been retained by the Government for the drydocking facility planned for La Brea. However, while CHEC has been offered 30 per cent equity in the new facility, it is still unclear how much the project will cost the country.

The company has been the subject of negative reports coming out of West Africa, Guinea, Bangladesh and, closer to home, in the Cayman Islands. All the reports highlight bribery, fraud or corruption allegations levelled against CHEC.

Back in June, the New York Times reported that the outgoing Sri Lankan government had signed a billion-dollar deal with the company. But the incoming government struggled to make payments on those debts and was forced to hand over its new port as well as 15,000 acres of land surrounding it.

But Rowley is not concerned that the same thing will happen with the T&T Government’s arrangement.

“How many people do you know or have heard about who had to hand over their house or car to a bank or credit union?” he asked.

“Does that mean that no one should ever enter into a loan arrangement for a house or car? Circumstances and arrangements differ as they exist or are made.

“That is why we assessed our own unique attributes and, additionally, we got the Chinese to not just be a hired contractor to the project, but we negotiated them into the project as equity holders so they share the risk and have an incentive to bring business to the facility from the huge international Chinese merchant marine and other users.”

He said on his visit to China last year he met with the President and Premier “and asked them to encourage Chinese companies to not just be contractors but to make direct foreign investment in the economy of T&T to bring growth and diversification which is what we are after.

“They both agreed that they will support T&T national policy and would encourage their companies to invest ‘in projects which make economic sense,’” Rowley said.

Rowley said the “groundbreaking” La Brea project, which he has promised will provide 5,000 jobs, is only the first of these type of arrangements with foreign governments.

Asked how much the deal will cost, the PM said, “We are currently working towards that.”

Back in 2014, the then United National Congress (UNC) signed a similar deal with the same company for the development of an economic zone, a transshipment port and drydocking facilities. That agreement was pegged at $500 million and was signed by former trade and industry minister Vasant Bharath.

Contacted via text message on the UNC’s arrangement back then, Bharath said, “I don’t know the details (of the current deal) but, in essence, it looks the same drydocking and transshipment facilities. Funding was already approved at two per cent with a five-year moratorium for repayment and designs have already been done and approved.”

But Rowley’s arrangement has one key difference: the CHEC will hold 30 per cent share in the facility.

“So the UNC signed that deal? So it was a state secret? So the Chinese had equity in their deal?” Rowley asked, responding to questions about the similarities in both arrangements.

Rowley added if the deal was the same as the UNC’s then there should be no questions about the cost.

“Since they already signed the deal, they should be able to give you a figure,” he said.

However, he confirmed that no cost has yet been determined on this project.

While there is limited available information on the new deal, the old 2014 deal promised delivery in 36 months after signing. It included construction of a large container and a bulk transfer terminal; deepwater channel excavation, basin dredging, offshore reclamation and terminal land construction; large dry dock construction and an outfitting terminal for shipbuilding and repairing.

Much of North Trinidad woke up to dry taps yesterday and this may continue today after a major pipeline along the Beetham Highway burst on Sunday.

WASA workers were out from as early as 6 am yesterday as they attempted to repair ruptured 36-inch diameter transmission main along the Beetham Highway.

The pipeline services most of the East-West Corridor which feeds almost 250,000 customers.

Minister of Public Utilities Robert Le Hunte visited the site yesterday and explained the extent of the situation. “We had a major leak happening on one of our transmission lines that brings water from Caroni up to Port-of-Spain. The way how the water system works, about 35 million gallons a day, Caroni produces about 70 million gallons and half of that production is what is used to service the people of north Trinidad.”

Among the areas affected as a result of the leak are Cocorite, Morvant, Gonzales, St Augustine, Mt Dor, Bamboo, El Socorro, Port-of-Spain, Santa Cruz, Laventille, Belmont, Curepe, Petit Bourg, San Juan, Beetham Gardens, Cascade, Champs Fleur, Valsayn South and Aranguez. The Piarco International Airport and the Eric Williams Medical Science Complex were also affected by the rupture.

Several schools in Port-of-Spain were dismissed early as a result of the lack of water. Fatima College sent home students at 10 am while officials of the Ministry of Education confirmed other schools opted to send home pupils by midday.

Le Hunte was hopeful the work would be completed by this morning. He said the pipeline was close to 40 years old and believes the rupture was caused by corrosion over time. He said he had hoped more could have been done to upgrade aged pipelines.

“As the Minister, I take responsibility, I apologise for this inconvenience. WASA has a contingency plan, we are getting a truckborne supply out immediately to all the schools, all the hospitals,” Le Hunte said.

He explained that residents of Cascade and St Ann’s would be doubly affected by the leak.

“They had some other problems from Thursday with some wells not producing water. When we resolved the problem on Sunday afternoon it was compounded by this problem, so the people in the Cascade, St Ann’s area will continue to have problems.”

Le Hunte said while the work is expected to be completed this morning it will take some time for the water pressure to normalise. He also explained that in some cases the water would be dirty upon its initial return.

In a release yesterday, WASA also confirmed the rupture and estimated service to be restored within 36 hours.