Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Faris Al-Rawi says the Strategic Services Agency (SSA) cannot intercept calls and spy on citizens as was being claimed by the Opposition.

Speaking during the weekly post-Cabinet press briefing, at the Office of the Prime Minster, yesterday Al-Rawi dismissed concerns that the proposed legislation threatened freedom of the press.

During debate on a bill to expand the mandate of the SSA, Opposition and Independent Senators expressed serious concerns about the legislation, saying it spy on citizens and even the media would be under threat.

President of the T&T Publishers and Broadcasters Association Daren Lee Sing was also quoted as expressing concern over the SSA bill as there were perceived threats to media workers.

Al-Rawi said the interception of communication can only be legally done by the Chief of Defence Staff, the Commissioner of Police and the Director of the SSA.

“The only way that surveillance is permitted on anyone, any ordinary citizen, the media, anyone, is under the Interception of Communication Act,” he said.

He said Section 6 of that Act provides for a warrant to be granted by a High Court judge and only after that was done “you can engage in surveillance and that (only) authorised officers can engage in surveillance for very limited purposes of national security as defined in the legislation.”

He reminded the Interception of Communication Act was approved by the former People’s Partnership Government with the then PNM Opposition support in 2010.

The AG said the Opposition’s claims were “extremely ridiculous. So I’d like to just dismiss that out of hand.”“Anything to deal with arrests, prosecution and conviction are not conducted by the SSA. They are not conducted by the politicians. Those matters are for the T&T Police Service and the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions),” he said.

The bill requires a simple majority vote for approval. It was already passed in the House of Representatives.

Al Rawi said the bill had nothing to fear about the legislation “because there is no law in relation to cybercrime which could prejudice the media.”Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister and the Office of the Attorney General, Stuart Young said the Opposition was misleading citizens on the SSA bill, adding that there are two levels of accountability for the agency, the Joint Select Committee of Parliament and the Auditor General. 

The All Trinidad General Workers Trade Union (ATGWTU) is calling on Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat to investigate issues affecting workers at the Mora Valley Farm and the Sugarcane Feed Centre.

At a press conference on Wednesday at the union’s headquarters, Rienzi Complex, Couva, president general Nirvan Maharaj also called on Rambharat to bridge the communication gap between himself and the ministry’s permanent secretary. 

He added: “We have written many letters to the government since 2012 and with the advent of the new Government we would have begun writing in October and then we had a meeting with the Minister in October.

“Ever since that meeting with the minister and the letters in October, there have been a failure on the part of the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture to not only address the issues with the minister but to actually respond to the union who represents these branches.”

Maharaj said there could be mass deaths of buffalypso (the Caribbean breed of water buffalo originating in T&T) at the Mora Valley Farm. 

“We also have a major issue coming up where there is a possibility, because of a lack of action by the Ministry of Agriculture, you could have mass deaths of animals at the Mora Valley Farm.

“There are a 1,000 heads of buffalypso and there is a lack of food for these buffalypso. There is  limited human resource to take care of these animals,” he said.

He outlined other issues facing the workers, saying: “We have a question of late subventions, late payment of wages and salaries, danger to employees, health and safety issues, outstanding back pay and lack of negotiations.”

Stating that T&T’s working class comprises agricultural workers as well, Maharaj called for an investigation by Rambharat.

“I want the minister to understand that the working class in T&T also consists of those people who are engaged in the agriculture sector, livestock and farming, research and development, especially at a time when you have a decline in the agricultural sector and we are looking at the diversification of the economy.

“We are calling on the Agricultural Minister to investigate not only the issues affecting these workers but also the lack of communication between yourself and the permanent secretary,” he added.

Maharaj said the union had also been told there was an attempt to undermine the two divisions by private citizens with business interests.

He added: “There seems to be a deliberate plot or conspiracy to undermine the Sugarcane Feed Centre and the Mora Valley and I am being informed, it is alleged, that there are private businessmen who are interested in getting hold of these farms, these huge acreage, thousands of animals.

“The union is very concerned about this. We are a legitimate body with legitimate recognition in these institutions and we are saying to the minister you cannot operate in a unilateral manner without first consulting with the union.”

He said if Rambharat failed to intervene, the union would take their plight to his office in Port-of-Spain.

The T&T Guardian contacted Rambharat and he responded via a WhatsApp message that read: “The union has brought the matters to my attention and I am arranging for a meeting between the union and the PS (permanent secretary) for next week.”

The owner of the Claxton Bay bar where a teen bandit was beaten so badly by his “victims” that he never regained consciousess after he was hospitalised feels no joy he is dead.

However, Phoolmatie John has defended the patrons who came to her assistance when Curtis Pierre came for her after robbing them, saying she disagrees excessive force was used against him.

Responding to comments by Pierre’s mother, Kndra Commissiong, that patrons went too far when they severely beat Pierre after he tried to attack her, an emotional John said yesterday that as a mother she felt sorry he died. However, she said the 16-year-old boy was wrong to have engaged in the criminal act of armed robbery in the first place.

“I have one son and one daughter. If my son should go and do things like that and they beat him and kill him, ent I have to bury him?” she asked.

“You have no right to be there! If you was in school you would be alive today.”

Wiping away her tears, John said her son Niben Beepat, 28, was just defending her and his infant son when Pierre came at her in their house at the back of the compound, after leaving his accomplice in the club at the front when he realised there were other people on the property.

Suspecting that the police may now possibly seek to charge those involved in the beating connected with Pierre’s death, John said, “I don’t think they should charge anybody because the man come in meh house. It is not like they run in he mother house and beat him up or drag him out a car.

“This law could never be right. Let them lock up my son and see if I would take that so? I will never take that so because that is boldfacedness.”

Recalling the incident last Thursday, John said she saw Pierre and another man walk into the bar.

“I say they come to buy, is when the man crack the gun then I realise was bandit. Well, my lil grandson was there, I just grab his hand and drag him inside.” 

She said she closed the gate by the bar counter and went through a door leading to her house. At that point, Beepat, who was asleep, woke up, she said. 

“He (Pierre) come inside my house and kicking down meh door.”

John confronted Pierre and they began to scramble. But her son Beepat was then joined by a dozen patrons who came to her aid. Pierre was beaten into a state of unconsciousness. 

Pierre’s accomplice, who had robbed Chinese national Lui Luo, who operated a gaming machine at the club, and other patrons of their cash and other valuables, ran when he realised what was happening and later escaped in a car.

And while John is not advocating for vigilante justice, John yesterday encouraged other citizens to stand up and fight back against the criminal element because the authorities seem unable to arrest the crime situation.

“More people have to stand up against criminals, crime too out of hand,” she said.

She also called on the lawmakers to “bring back the hangman.” 

John, who survived a heart attack three years ago, said it was the first time she had been robbed, but noted that her Chinese tenant had been robbed several times. 

Admitting she was stressed out and disturbed since the incident, John said she was now thinking about retiring and renting her business.

John’s sentiment was also supported by other residents in the community, including some who were victims of the bandits.

Requesting anonymity, a resident, who has been living in the community for 22 years, said she was fed up with the crime situation. 

“The bandits too out of hand and it getting worse everyday. When they come they come to rob and kill you.” 

Complaining that in the last five years crime had escalated in the area, another resident said people must stand up for their rights. 

But a senior police officer is urging citizens not to take the law into their hands. 

“The population’s already under pressure with crimes being committed against them. We don’t want any vigilante group operating in this country. We have a law enforcement agency to deal with that. We’re asking people not to engage any criminals, especially if they are armed,” the officer, who did not want to be named, said.

The officer said citizens would be putting themselves in further danger and advised citizens to call the police or take photographs of the suspect if they could, instead of engaging them. Referring to Pierre’s incident, he said the beating caused the teen’s death and the matter was now under inquiry.

Also contacted yesterday, retired senior superintendent Johnny Abraham said when he was in charge of Central Division he and his colleagues held meetings with residents encouraging them to organise neighbourhood watch groups instead of vigilante groups.

“We would tell them they must not take the law into their own hands. But people are desperate about what is going on in this country. They feel that is one way of fighting back.”

He added, “Nothing wrong with subduing the suspect and handing him over to the police.” 

Commenting on Pierre’s beating, he said, “I think excessive force was used, more than necessary. The man was unarmed and they had already subdued him.”

Pierre died at the San Fernando General Hospital on Tuesday night. An autopsy revealed he died from blunt force trauma to the head. 

Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) president general Ancel Roget has been ordered to pay $360,000 in compensation for defaming a former manager of the National Petroleum Marketing Company Ltd (NP). 

Justice Vasheist Kokaram made the order in the Port-of-Spain High Court yesterday, after ruling that Roget had made allegations against NP’s former general manager of human resources, Geeta Ragoonath, which were “wholly unsupported, untrue and outlandish”. 

Kokaram ordered that Roget pay Ragoonath $200,000 in general damages and $160,000 in exemplary damages for making statements which he knew were untrue. 

“The fact that the defendant took no steps to ascertain the veracity of the allegations he was making showed that he had little regard for the effect such statements would cause,” Kokaram said in delivering his judgement. 

In an unprecedented move, however, Kokaram promised to reduce the exemplary damages by 50 per cent if Roget agreed to issue Ragoonath a public apology within 14 days. While he said the court could not force Roget to apologise, Kokaram said the offer of a discount may convince him to do so. 

Kokaram said: “An apology can operate as a significant mitigating tool in making amends for damage done to one’s reputation, more so in defamation cases where emotional distress and hurt are some of the foremost elements that the aggrieved claimant seeks to have addressed. 

“An apology may vindicate the claimant’s rights but it may also be a form of redress and solace for the emotional harm caused and can go a long way in addressing the hurt felt by the injured. A public statement would have a greater if not equal impact as an award of damages. The injury and the need to clear her name deserves some public pronouncement.” 

He noted that Ragoonath had said an apology would mitigate her suffering. 

According to her lawsuit, Roget made the offensive comments at a press conference after the Industrial Court ordered that NP reinstate 68 suspended workers in November 2014. Roget had accused Ragoonath of criticising the impartiality of the court by writing to President Anthony Carmona. Roget did not deny making the comments and provided no defence to the lawsuit. 

Ragoonath claimed that she had felt uncomfortable at the company after the statements were made, forcing her to leave the job. Ragoonath is currently the human resource manager at Guardian Media Ltd, which publishes this newspaper. 

“It is not unreasonable to accept that she indeed suffered great embarrassment and distress having been thrown into the limelight in a most negative way,” Kokaram said. 

In addition to the compensation, Kokaram also ordered that Roget pay Ragoonath’s legal bill. 

Contacted yesterday, Ragoonath said she was relieved and overjoyed by the court’s decision. 

“Although I am a strong woman, this was an extremely stressful and humiliating experience. I was publicly vilified for something I did not do. It almost destroyed my career,” she said.

“My family was put through hell and I am happy that justice was served. I look forward to receiving Roget’s public apology, as he did not attack me in private. No one is above the law and this kind of bullying, threatening behaviour must stop.” 

Several calls were made to Roget’s cellphone for comment but he did not respond. 

Ragoonath was represented by Anand Ramlogan, SC, Kelvin Ramkissoon, Kent Samlal and Shabana Mohammed. Roget’s legal team comprised Douglas Mendes, SC, and Anthony Bullock. 

The cash-strapped Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) owes its contractors and suppliers $257 million.

While the authority’s chairman, Romney Thomas, admitted that WASA has not been paying its contractors and suppliers in a timely fashion due to cash flow issues, he said the State-owned company was “querying and questioning” a number of payments, as the company goes through a forensic audit due to irregularities.

“We are not satisfied that some of the payments are legitimately due,” Thomas said yesterday.

Asked about double invoicing by contractors, Thomas said those issues will be addressed in the outcome of the audit.

Thomas said even though WASA receives significant subventions from the Government it has had some challenges in making payments to its contractors and suppliers who are owed “$257 million.”

Thomas described the outstanding debt as most worrying.

“It’s very concerning because we don’t like to be in a position where we owe, bearing in mind that people’s livelihoods are at stake and they have employees. 

“We are trying as best we can to meet these payments,” Thomas said.

Though WASA has hundreds of contractors and suppliers, Thomas could not say how many are owed.

Apart from not paying on time, Thomas said WASA “has gotten one or two pre-action protocol letters. I recall two contractors within recent times having us in court for claims...monies.”

Asked if WASA has money to pay its contractors, Thomas said Government will meet all its debts, but the timing of payment may be an issue. 

He said WASA tries to pay its older bills first.

Thomas said WASA was in a financial bind because its income was far less than its expenditure.

“One reason for this was our water rates, which have not been raised since 1993. From what I can see, the question of water rates is an issue.”

In a bid to raise cash, Thomas said WASA will soon go on a “collection drive.”

Commercial and residential customers who owe WASA hundreds of thousands of dollars will now be called upon to pay their outstanding bills.

Failure to pay up, Thomas said, could result in disconnection.

“WASA has the power to sell properties for outstanding water rates. This will be a last absolute resort for recalcitrant customers. 

“I am very mindful of the economic situation that we are in. 

“But we need for people to pay their rates,” Thomas said.

Another area Thomas said WASA will look at was clamping down on illegal connections. —See Page A7

A civil engineering company is suing a state enterprise for over $1.2 billion in unpaid bills.

The lawsuit, possibly the largest ever brought by a private company against the State, was filed in the Port-of-Spain High Court yesterday afternoon by attorneys representing Namalco Construction Services Ltd, which is based at the Labidco Industrial Estate in La Brea. 

According to documents obtained by the T&T Guardian, the company is claiming that the damages being sought represent unpaid fees for six construction contracts performed for the Estate Management and Business Development Company (EMBD) over the past five years. 

The company is contending that it was not paid despite completing the projects and having them approved by an independent engineering company, as stipulated in its contracts with EMBD. 

“At no stage, or at any of the material times, has the EMBD, by its agents, servants or senior employees, sought to deny that it had a very substantial liability to Namalco,” the documents stated. 

In addition to the $1,291,877,247.22 the company claims it is owed, it is also seeking damages from the court for EMBD’s breach of their contracts. 

It also claims that through its actions the EMBD breached its own policies for the handling of contracts its former board members had revealed at a Joint Select Committee meeting of Parliament, last year. 

EMBD is mandated to manage and develop agricultural land held by the State acrosss T&T. 

The previous board chaired by Heackle Lall had told the committee that its ability to perform its duties was hampered by its predecessors, who signed contracts for the development of several sites without ensuring that financing was available to perform geotechnical and economic studies on the sites. 

The committee chaired by former Independent senator Elton Prescott, SC, had recommended that the then board perform a forensic audit into the projects undertaken by the EMBD to determine if there were systemic shortcomings and identify those responsible. 

Since assuming office in September last year, Finance Minister Colm Imbert has repeatedly stated that the Government was still assessing its liabilities to contractors incurred during the previous administration and was working on a plan to fulfil its obligations in the light of ongoing fiscal constraints caused by low energy prices. 

The T&T Guardian attempted to contact officials of the EMBD for comment but calls to its Couva office went straight to voicemail up to late yesterday. 

Namalco is being represented by British Queen’s Counsel Simon Hughes and attorneys Om Lalla, Dereck Balliram and Jessica Harragin. 

A date for the first hearing of the lawsuit is yet to be set.

There is an increase in robberies and assaults, both with the use of guns, senior officers in the Northern Division said yesterday, during a media briefing following the seizure of three guns and 45 rounds of assorted ammunition. 

During the briefing, Supt Hendron Moses said there is an increase in offences in the division, while his junior Insp Naim Gyan added that there is also an increase in the number of illegal guns recovered. 

For the year in that division, 41 guns have been recovered including the three they displayed yesterday. For the same period last year, officers recovered 38 guns.

Head of the Division Senior Supt Simbonath Rajkumar congratulated the officers for their work in recovering the guns, specifically the Mac-10, 9mm and .380 revolver that were on display. 

Rajkumar added that the public should also be thanked for providing information to the public which he urged them to continue doing. 

Both Rajkumar and Moses added that the information that they received from the public will be treated with confidentiality. 

Moses said: “Within the past couple weeks we have been having an upsurge in criminal activities in the division...At some point in time the criminal element has a way of amalgamating to execute their criminal activities. 

“The public is supporting us and we are here to let the public know, whatever it takes for us to give them that level of satisfaction, we are here for the long haul. 

“With the commitment of the police officers in our division, we are one step ahead, I can assure you.”

Rajkumar urged businessmen who want to withdraw large sums of cash from banks to contact them to avoid making themselves targets. He said that officers are willing to provide escort to and from the banks when businessmen are seeking to withdraw large sums. 

Regarding a video recording of three well-dressed armed men entering the property in Trincity, believed to be police officers, Moses said the matter is being investigated and the owner of the house whose home was broken into by one of the men is assisting police with their investigations.

Children are being abused at an alarming rate and the homes entrusted to look after them are bursting at the seams.

So said head of the Victim and Witness Support Unit, Margaret Sampson-Browne, who made an urgent appeal for more homes to be built, adding that corporate sponsors must also get on board with this venture.

The Children’s Autho­rity has reported that there were over 5,000 cases of alleged abuse committed against children in vari­ous forms in the last 12 months.

The authority added a major challenge was finding appropriate homes for such children.

Sampson-Browne, a former assistant commissioner of police (ACP) in charge of Community Affairs, said very little had changed over the years regarding this.

“This has been a problem from time immemorial. 

“Sometimes we have a child, six, seven years and we cannot find a home. 

“Worse when they reach 14 or 16 or a child with HIV...it is more challenging.

“There is really an urgent need to provide sufficient homes because the children are suffering. And these homes must be well rounded to properly develop the child,” Sampson-Browne added.

She said while the Child Protection Unit was responsible for the placement of children, sometimes the help of the police was sought.

“We have had challenges with identifying the appropriate home for the child. 

“Many times this has been the case,” Sampson-Browne said.

She said another issue was “lumping” the children together rather than catering to specific needs of the child.

“It has reached crisis proportion. Some of the homes are not adequately staffed. 

“I know the Children’s Authority has been doing some training and evaluation but the rate it is done is not the rate by which the services are required.

“We don’t want to place children in a home where after a number of months or years they just fade into the distance so we need to bring all that up to speed,” Sampson-Browne said.

A check showed there were 33 registered children’s homes in T&T, but she said this figure was still not certain as there were many people who have offered their services to care for abused children but such homes were not necessarily registered.

Sampson-Browne said in the past the police, upon removing a child from an abusive home, would take that child to a “person who cares for children” in the community.

But now that is the responsibility of the Children’s Authority.

“We know the standard homes are St Michael’s, St Jude’s and St Mary’s. 

“Other than that other non-governmental organisations have been providing a service and whether or not that service is in keeping with what the Children’s Authority requires is another issue because they have their own way of addressing situations,” Sampson-Browne added.

On whether she was satisfied that police officers were doing their best to investigate cases of child abuse she said while the officers were working there “could never be a perfect situation.”

A manager of a children’s home in east Trinidad said some 15 years ago the home began with five children and it now cares for close to 30 plus children.

She agreed that sourcing the proper staff and adequate financial support could be daunting.

The home, she said, was primarily run on donations including food, clothing, books and toys from generous citizens.

High Court Justice Frank Seepersad has weighed in on the public conversation on abortion, saying the dilemma is between the church and the State and the fear of political fallout if the perceived wrong decision is taken.

Addressing a conference titled, Making of the Indian Constitution: Role of Dr Bhimrao R Ambedkar, held at the School of Education, UWI, on Thursday, Seepersad said Christian theology has always had a strong influence on the laws of this country and in this modern day and age it should not be the pivot on which the national agenda is determined.

The conference was hosted by the High Commission of India in collaboration with the University of the West Indies, St Augustine.

Seepersad did a comparative analysis of the Constitutions of T&T and of India, focusing on the differences with respect to the nature and composition of the respective Parliaments and the election and powers of the president of each nation.

He said the constitution of India has served the people of India well because it was born out of the desire of the citizenry to embrace independence and to take full control of its destiny. 

“While it cannot be said that our Constitution has failed us, it has not permitted us to achieve our full potential. We are stilled shackled to our colonial past, we do not trust each other and are unwilling or afraid to take charge of our own future. The self-realisation revolution that catalysed the Indian constitution still has to take place in this Republic.” 

Noting the current public discussion on abortion, revived due to the link between the Zika virus and microcephaly in children, Justice Seepersad said this debate seems to be primarily premised on theological perspectives. “Unofficially T&T has been referred to as a secular state but the reality is that Christian theology has had a significant impact on all our laws. Since from the colonial times, Christianity was the dominant religion. 

“The question as to whether the State should be allowed, in this modern age of equality, to legislate over a woman’s right to be in charge of her own womb and to criminalise decisions that she makes in relation to pregnancy has to be addressed,” he submitted. 

He said it may also be argued that the decision as to whether or not a woman elects to carry a child is a personal decision since pregnancy has a direct impact on her life and health. 

“While theologically based views of morality may guide each individual’s decisions and lifestyle choices it should not be the focal point when the determination of national policy is undertaken nor should it be the pivot upon which national agenda turns.”

He said, “The fluidity that accompanies the interpretation of the Indian constitution recognised this, but we in this jurisdiction are still faced with the dilemma as between church and State and the fear of political fallout if the perceived wrong decision is undertaken.”

The judge said the Indian constitution was drafted so as to inform the way of life in independent India and took into account the social, political and religious differences. 

Such an approach, he said, did not guide the formulation of either T&T’s Independence or Republican Constitutions. 

“Continuously we have had calls in the society for effective constitutional change but there has really been the absence of the political will to effect same.”

He questioned, “Why would any government elected under our existing system ever undermine its unilateral power and authority? It may very well be that we have the Constitution that we deserve, for the lack of struggle that accompanied our independence, our unwillingness to engage in national issues, the absence of a sense of national identity and the general sense of complacency that defines all aspects of our lives may all be indicative of the fact that we are not ready for constitutional change.”

Days after Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi announced that Government had begun the statistical groundwork on decriminalising marijuana possession, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh confirmed that he had the authority to grant permission for the importation of medical marijuana.

Outlining the regulations supporting the Dangerous Drugs Act which enabled him to allow the importation of such a product, Deyalsingh stressed that there were no regulations supporting marijuana cultivation and that he did not possess the power to grant a licence or permit for the local cultivation of the plant.

Asked to indicate his position on the issue during yesterday’s weekly media briefing at the Ministry of Health, Port-of-Spain, Deyalsingh revealed that permission had been granted by previous ministers on two separate occasions in the past.

He said: “My understanding is that on at least two occasions in the past, whichever minister it was gave permission for the importation of medical marijuana to CARPHA/CAREC and UWI for research purposes.”

Deyalsingh said persons with research facilities were free to apply for permission to import the product, once they had the requisite paperwork organised.

Another pregnant Zika case

Providing an update on the number of confirmed Zika cases in the country, Deyalsingh said it now stood at 23.

Revealing that a second case of a pregnant woman being diagnosed with the virus had been recorded, the minister cited the doctor/patient confidentiality clause as the reason for his being unable to share the patient’s age, address and details with the public.

With only four chikungunya cases and five dengue fever cases recorded thus far for 2016, Deyalsingh said policy decisions along with the implementation of short- and medium-term measures had led to a drastic reduction in maternal mortality rates.

He praised the actions by public health officials and private obstetricians who had heeded the ministry’s plea to utilise more cost-effective and life-saving measures for both mother and child.

As the start of the rainy season was declared on May 2, Deyalsingh said within the next two weeks, the ministry would be rolling out another programme aimed at further reducing mosquito-breeding sites.

He commended the regional corporations for increasing their efforts to eradicate breeding sites, as he said members of the public were finally getting on board to clean up their homes and businesses.

During the period October 2015 to May 2016, 91 confirmed H1N1 cases were recorded.

The minister said while data indicated vaccination measures had spiked in January which had led to a reduction in the number of cases recorded after this period, the ministry intended to begin vaccinating persons earlier this year as the new flu season was due to start shortly.

State-owned oil and gas company Petrotrin said it remains conscious of its responsibility to retired workers who protested outside its Pointe-a-Pierre administration office on Thursday, for an increase in their pension fund.

The company said it also wants to ensure the long-term sustainability of the pension plan given the current economic challenges now being faced in this lower oil price environment.

In a statement issued on Thursday, following the protest, Petrotrin explained that the Petrotrin Employees Pension Plan is an independent fund operated by a trustee with oversight by a management committee. The committee includes company personnel and representatives of the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU).

The statement noted that Petrotrin approved a payment to retirees based on the triennial actuarial valuation for the period 2010- 2013. It said this was communicated to the OWTU but met with dissatisfaction.

On Thursday, members of the Petrotrin Retirees Association (PRA) protested in the scorching sun, calling on the company to pay them their 36-month pension increase.

Activist Frankie McGuire, 61, said over 4,000 pensioners are affected, but the majority could not participate in the protest because of failing health. 

McGuire said: “There was an agreement with the union to get four per cent (increase) every three years but it depends on the actuaries. There was a meeting with the retirees, the actuaries, the union and company, they said no growth.”

He said there was a three per cent offer, which the retirees did not agree with, but accepted it because of the present situation. Now he said the company is unwilling to honour that commitment.

“We understand that the company don’t want to pay the three per cent that they agreed on from 2010 to 2013. They want to pay from 2011 to 2013 but the retirees are saying they rather dead than to accept no increase for 18 months. That is why we are here today, we understand the company is going ahead to make payments from 2011 to 2013 and we are telling Petrotrin rescind from doing that.”

He said their last increase was 2004 to 2007 which was paid in 2011. 

With the 2016 rainy season creeping in earlier than expected, regional corporations throughout the country are still struggling to clear waterways, including tributaries and drains.

However, they claim that despite a major delay by the drainage division at the Ministry of Works and Transport to clear major rivers of all debris, de-silted and dredged, they are doing the best they can.

Many areas affected by bush fires during the dry season have left hills bare of vegetation and this can lead to devastating landslides and flooding. Corporations had a jump start as the Zika virus awareness campaign led to several community drains being cleaned to remove potential breeding grounds of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits the virus.

Speaking with the T&T Guardian, chairman of the Couva/Tabaquite Regional Corporation, Henry Awong, said that works to have all tributaries cleared are not quite completed yet but gave the assurance that efforts are being hastened.

“Given our minimum resources, including financial, we are trying to make it work. We are only allocated $400,000 and, with that, we would have to rent additional equipment and machinery to do the job. But, we are working on clearing the tributaries and drains throughout the region,” Awong said.

He added that on top the priority list is the Claxton Bay area which experiences flash flooding every time there is a heavy downpour of rain.

“We are really focusing on this area because we do not want a repeat of last year and other flood prone areas. We are working quickly.”

Sangre Grande Regional Corporation chairman Terry Rondon said his corporation is not quite ready but admitted they would “soon get there.” He, however, noted that major rivers including the Matura, Valencia and Guaico Rivers are in dire need of clearing and dredging works. These are really supposed to be the work of the ministry but we are not waiting on anyone, we are trying to do what we can and as much as we can for ourselves.”

He also admitted that he was getting assistance from the Local Government Minister Franklin Khan and is expected to have two disaster units established in Sangre Grande and Mayaro soon.

“We sent out letters to the Ministry of Works about the major rivers and outstanding works that must be done but, at the same time, we are not going to wait. If we have to get help from the burgesses around, well so be it,” Rondon said.

Chairman of the Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation Edwin Gooding said the corporation is ready for the rainy season, in terms of local drains but definitely not ready with respect to the major rivers/waterways.

“We need to get the Ministry of Works here,” Gooding said.

An official at the San Fernando City Corporation said that clearing of waterways was ongoing. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, urged residents to help in getting the work done by identifying areas which need to be cleaned and which rivers need dredging.

Police are investigating two robberies which took place in central Trinidad on Friday.

Around 12.15 pm, 30-year-old Nicholas Loraine was robbed of $40,000 while conducting a transaction at an automotive business.

Loraine, an engineer from Barataria, was doing business at Best Motors, Tobago Road, Enterprise, when he was accosted by two men with a firearm.

According to police, Loraine was struck on the head with the firearm by one of the assailants who robbed him of cash.

The men then escaped in two waiting vehicles, a black Nissan Cube and a green Toyota Corolla.

The vehicles proceeded west along Tobago Road.

Loraine went to the Chaguanas Health Facility to seek medical attention for his injury.

CPL Nelson and WPC Frederick of the Chaguanas Police Station visited the scene and interviewed several people. Investigations are continuing.

The assailants were described as Trinidadian males of African descent and dark complexion. One of the men was medium built and was wearing a striped T-shirt and hat, while the other man was wearing a blue Massy Technologies jersey.

In another incident, around 11 am, Joshua Michael was robbed of $10,000 while at the Pearl Hall Restaurant and Bar in California.

Police said a man entered the bar and pointed a black object resembling a firearm at Micheal, forcing him to hand over his money.

The robber then made off, heading south along the California Main Road. 

SGT Mohammed and PC Duncan of the Chaguanas Police Station are continuing investigations.

Police said the man was of African descent, approximately five feet, eight inches tall. He was wearing a black jacket, white jersey and grey baseball cap with light blue rim.

Police have opened an investigation into who was responsible for the sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl who recently gave birth to a baby boy at the San Fernando General Hospital. 

The probe is, however, being complicated by the fact that the police now have two different reports of how the Form One student came to be impregnated. One of them is that she became pregnant by one of two family members who were sexually abusing her. The other is that she was raped by a man who had gone to their home to conduct repairs.

The incident has been confirmed by hospital officials and officers from the Children’s Protection Unit of T&T Police Service.

The T&T Guardian was told that when the girl became impregnanted she was living with her mother, who is nursing a medical condition, and father. But after giving birth to a baby boy at the hospital on April 23, she and her baby moved in with other relatives.

The police were tipped off that the child had for several months been a victim of sexual abuse by two male relatives, but her family tried to cover it up. She was reportedly taken out of school and arrangements were made for her to have a home delivery. However, the child developed complications at home and had to be rushed to the hospital, officers were told. In keeping with hospital’s policy, officials contacted the police because the girl is a minor.

But when the child was interviewed last week by Children Protection Unit officers she related a totally different story about her pregnancy, one which involved sexual assault.

The child told them that sometime ago, a stranger pulled up in front their house with a car. She was alone at home. The man, she said, told her he came to check the meter box. However, he soon dragged her inside the house and raped her. She told the investigators he threatened to kill her if she said anything. The girl said she told no one she was pregnant until she was in her third trimester.

Detectives are investigating all angles, including the veracity of her second story, as they continue their investigations. Contacted yesterday TTPS Victim and Witness Support Unit head Margaret Sampson-Brown said she was aware of the report, having been informed via the media a few days ago. 

“I did seek to have a conversation with the Victim Support officer and the matter has been referred to the Children’s Protection Unit and the Children’s Authority.” She said she was not aware of the details, but she said her organisation was standing by and ready to provide any assistance requested.

Meanwhile, the T&T Guardian was also told another investigation has been launched into a report that a 14-year-old girl gave birth at the same hospital three weeks ago. 

Last week the Children’s Protection Unit head, Supt Odette Lewis, said there had been 358 cases before the courts arising out of 1,709 reports of child abuse between May last year to February. Although the required staff for the unit is 216, inclusive of ten civilians, she said the current staff was 99 with one civilian.

Complaining further about staff shortage, a police officer said: “The units are seriously understaffed and it is affecting our ability to do our work efficiently. They passed a cabinet note so long for us to get 35 SRPs to assist throughout the country, but so far nothing doing with that.

“Additionally, SRPs don’t investigate serious crimes so they won’t be doing investigations and they work 40 hours a month so when they complete their hours they will be staying home and the shifts will still be short.”

The officer appealed to the powers to urgently address the situation.

Members of the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) are expected to meet today to discuss the controversial topic of abortion, in order to possibly put forward recommendations on a way forward to the Government.

There have been fervent calls to legalise the procedure in recent months, especially in light of the Zika virus which has the potential to affect pregnancies. Continuing research has linked the virus to microcephaly, which can lead to defects in unborn children.

Head of the IRO, Br Harripersad Maharaj, said yesterday that his members would also be discussing other key topics, but abortion was high on the agenda.

Despite statements by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley that abortion was against the law in T&T, Maharaj said there was a general consensus that this should be allowed in certain circumstances, including that of rape, incest and where the mother’s life was at risk. But he said the foetus must not be older than 12 weeks.

Maharaj also described as “nonsensical” calls for women to refrain from getting pregnant in light of Zika, saying people must instead be more cautious. The core of the issue, he said, was for society to create a value system where life was respected.

“Some people are saying it’s the woman’s body so she could decide, then it wouldn’t be long from now where we are going to have mass murders,” Maharaj said.

“The time is going to come where people are certainly going to say I have the right to commit abortion and it’s really going to be a society where there are no morals or spiritual or human value...there would no longer be fear of God and life would therefore be totally deteriorated.”  

Also contacted on the issue, Santana Dharma Maha Sabha head Sat Maharaj said while his organisation did not support abortion per say, it could be permitted where the life of the mother was in danger or if it was medically proven that the child would be born with deformities, as in instances of microcephaly associated with Zika.

“We prefer to save the life of the mother rather than having them go to the backstreet abortionist, because in Trinidad a lot of people are going to backstreet abortionist and their life could be in further danger,” Maharaj said. 

In cases of incest and rape, however, his organisation would not support permitting abortion, as these were instances where the mother’s life was not at risk.

President of the Anjuman Sunnat ul Jammat Association (ASJA) Yacob Ali said abortion would not be welcomed by the Muslim community. But he said if the mother’s life was in danger it could be considered.

President of the T&T Automobile Association Rawle Mahabir says there is no need to increase this country’s speed limit, as the current 80 kilometres per hour is sufficient. He made the appeal yesterday, even as calls are being made to have the limit increased to 120 kph. 

Mahabir said rather than seeking a higher speed limit, motorists must instead practice a culture of safe and responsible driving, insisting driving faster was not the answer.

“You’ve got to have real supporting documentation before you could make the move to increase the speed limit,” Mahabir told the T&T Guardian in a telephone interview.

Apart from this, he said T&T’s roads were not properly constructed to accommodate driving at 120 kph.

“We simply do not have these kinds of roads. In the first instance our drivers need to have the respect for our current road regulations,” Mahabir said.

“And the only reason there is the push to increase the speed limit is that so many people are accustomed to driving way beyond the speed limit because of the lack of enforcement.”

He also dismissed claims that the 80 kph speed limit was contributing to unnecessary traffic, as he said he had personally observed this was not the case on the highway last week.

“People have come back to driving at 80 and the traffic was not that bad. And I believe we ought to take a hard look at where we ought to be, as opposed to where we want to go, without the facts,” Mahabir added.

The group Safe Drivers for Efficiency, via a petition, has called on Transport Minister Fitzgerald Hinds to modernise existing road traffic laws as it relates to the speed limit. The petition was started last week and had already garnered the support of close to 10,000 people as of yesterday.

It proposes the variable speed limits of 120 kilometres per hour on long open stretches of highway, 100 kilometres per hour approaching simple highway intersection areas and 60 kph at complex intersections.

It added that in the USA, speed limits have been increased from 113 to 130 kph on longer open highways to mitigate the risk of drivers falling asleep or tuning out.

The petition came one day after Works and Transport Minister Fitzgerald Hinds announced that police would be using speed guns to ticket offenders who go over the 80 kph speed limit.

So far, seven people have been charged with speeding since the use of speed guns came into effect. One of those drivers was tagged going at 85 kph. But yesterday, Mahabir said the stipulated 80 kph has always been law, but was never enforced, resulting in drivers “speeding past” the police and getting away with it.

“So the issue was we were allowed to get into bad habits, just as ‘PH’ taxis which are practically illegal but is now accepted across the board because of the lack of enforcement,” Mahabir said. He said this particular problem has been compounded by the lack of efficient public transport.

The T&T Police Service (TTPS) is being blamed for last Thursday’s attack on Guardian photographer Rishi Ragoonath and ought to take responsibility, the Media Association of T&T (MATT) says.

Ragoonath was physically assaulted while on duty by a prisoner who escaped police custody outside the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court. He sustained injuries to the head, eyes and chest. His camera and spectacles were also damaged. The prisoner, a murder accused, also verbally threatened his life.

In a release yesterday, MATT said the TTPS has to take full responsibility for the attack, as the police was responsible for securing the prisoner at the time of the assault. MATT also condemned the TTPS’ inaction on issuing a public statement on this matter and its failure in reaching out to Ragoonath.

“The association has communicated with Ag Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams, who informed us that an investigation was immediately launched to determine how the prisoner was able to escape police custody to assault Ragoonath. While we appreciate the Commissioner’s prompt action, we further call on him to ensure that the investigation is expeditious and that the TTPS publicly reveals the outcome of its investigation and what action it intends to take post-investigation,” the release stated.

MATT says it sees the incident as demonstrative of the poor state of prisoner security, especially in the context of other breaches of security by prisoners being transported to and from court in the Southern Division.

“The association takes this matter very seriously in the context of general citizen insecurity and the number of murders that reportedly have been coordinated by prisoners from inside the prisons. At a time when ‘hits’ are reportedly being called from behind prison walls, Ragoonath must be fearful for his and his family’s safety,” MATT said.

MATT also called on T&T Guardian’s editor-in-chief Orin Gordon to further establish support for Ragoonath and to encourage an immediate offer of professional psychological assistance.

It said the trauma of violence, threats and intimidation, including cyber-bullying campaigns, must be recognised as daily threats to the freedom of information. It thus called on media houses to strengthen internal protocols and policies to support and protect the health and safety of its media workers.

“This includes immediate access to physical and psychological medical care, adequate insurance coverage for journalists operating in the field or arising out of stories published and increased security when necessary,” MATT said.

Gordon said the T&T Guardian has traditionally supported and provided ongoing support for journalists who, in the course of doing their jobs, have met with accidents. 

“We are working towards having Rishi provided with the medical and related assistance he needs to help him get through this distressing episode, including psychological counselling. He will be fully supported through this. We have a duty of care to Rishi, not just in seeking appropriate law enforcement and legal remedies, but in HR terms,” Gordon said.

“I agree with MATT taking the opportunity to take a wider look at threats journalists face. I hope that we the media houses would, with MATT’s help, jointly identify the threats and codify responses to them.”

Convinced that Palo Seco missing farmer Vijay Ramoutar was abducted, his worried relatives yesterday appealed to his abductors to release him.

Issuing a heartfelt appeal, his cousin Linda Ramoutar-Jaggernauth appealed: “We are begging that if you have taken him and you want money or something, we’re willing to give you a ransome to get him back.

“We hope he is alive. Even if he is dead or alive we want some closure, we have reached this stage now. We don’t want to go through the rest of our lives not knowing what happen to him. We don’t care about the vehicle we just want to get back our loved one.” The Anti-Kidnapping Squad is investigating the disappearance of Ramoutar, who was last seen Tuesday night at his grandmother’s Penal home. 

His gold-coloured Nissan Navara, licensed TCF 3322, is also missing. Ramoutar, who does crop farming on a large scale, lives with his father and three brothers in Palo Seco.

Ramoutar-Jaggernauth explained that her cousin would spend every night with their 90-year-old grandmother because she lives alone and return to his Palo Seco home on mornings. She said her grandmother told them she last spoke to him before she went to bed around 7 pm.

“When he did not come back home on Wednesday morning they thought he was tired and he stayed with our grandmother. When Thursday reach they called me to find out if I heard or saw him, that is when we realised he was missing,” she said.

When they went to the area at the back of the grandmother’s house where Ramoutar stayed, she said the backdoor was open, the burglar proofing on the same door was broken, the driveway gate was open and the locks were missing. 

She said two bags which he travelled around with were still there with his clothes and toiletries. The house was not ransacked, but his car was missing. She said Ramoutar’s brother was told his car was seen at Fraser Street on Thursday. She said they spent Mother’s Day worrying about him.

“Usually we would go by my the grandmother and have lunch and dinner, we would lime, but we did nothing. We have been searching for him, but no word,” a worried Ramoutar-Jaggernauth said. She said her cousin had no problems with anyone and it was unlike him to leave home for any extended periods without letting anyone know his whereabouts. 

“He don’t drink, smoke, lime, gamble, he have no children, he not married,” said Ramoutar-Jaggernauth.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Penal Police Station, Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Crime Stoppers 800-TIPS (8477), 555, or his relatives at 383 2781.

Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh says women should not be ashamed about breastfeeding their children in public. “It is a natural human response and I support breastfeeding totally because it is better for the baby. 

“Babies who are breastfed up to six months to a year show that their immune systems are stronger because they get all antibodies via breast milk,” Deyalsingh told members of the media yesterday, as he paid a special visit to mothers who gave birth on Mother’s Day at the Mount Hope Women’s Hospital.

The issue of whether breastfeeding in public is acceptable or not has been a continuous debate in T&T. 

Deyalsingh noted, however, that his ministry will soon launch a robust education campaign to encourage breastfeeding. The ministry will partner with the Breastfeeding Association of T&T on this drive, he said. He also disclosed that three breastfeeding stations will be set up at the hospital and by extension at all hospitals throughout T&T.

“We want to make all hospitals baby friendly and in keeping with the international codes,” Deyalsingh said.

“We want to discourage the use of infant formula substitutes, which could never match a mother’s milk. They may match in terms of proteins but not antibodies. We really have to get serious on breast feeding.”
At Mt Hope there were four Mother’s Day babies.

Marina Lewis, 28, of Kelly Village, Caroni, gave birth to six-pound baby girl Majesty Lewis at 1.56 am. Lewis’ husband, Paul, was at her bedside all in smiles as it was a proud moment for first time parents.

“I am extremely proud to be a father on Mother’s Day and I am looking forward to be a responsible and loving dad to my daughter, Majesty,” Paul said. The second baby, a girl named Aaliyah Ali, was born at 3.05 am to Analicia Narine, 29, of St Joseph. The third baby at the MHWH was born at 3.45 am to Sherrica Baptiste, who did not have her boy, named Brian Atkins, with her as he was at the Intensive Care Unit.

“The umbilical cord was around his neck so he had to be sent to ICU, but I am keeping the faith and believe that my newborn son would be out of any danger,” Baptiste said.

The fourth baby, a boy, born to Cristy Chan, entered this world at 5.09 am. Deyalsingh also visited the Port-of-Spain General Hospital Maternity Hospital, where the first Mother’s Day baby was born.

First-time mother, Leanna Lovell, 28, of San Juan, gave birth to a bouncing baby boy at 1.54 am via C-section. Her baby, who she named Alakay, weighed eight pounds nine ounces.

Speaking with the T&T Guardian, the proud mother said she wished for her son to grow up generous, God-fearing and to have the love for all people regardless of colour, creed, race or religion.

Asked if she was concerned about contracting the Zika virus during her pregnancy, Lovell replied: “Not really. I was continuously encouraged by my doctors.” The second baby at PoS was born at 4.36 am via C-section to Aysha Jones Asson.

Asson’s baby, named Anais Aubrey, was not with her when the minister visited, as doctors were said to be running tests.

“I am so happy. She is the best gift ever to me. I kept praying throughout my pregnancy that I would remain healthy and my baby would be ok,” Asson said.

Holding their bundle of joy after months of anticipation was the best Mother’s Day gift six mothers at the San Fernando General Hospital could have asked for yesterday.

While they were hoping to spend the special day with other loved ones at their respective homes, nothing could overshadow the happiness they felt on welcoming the newest addition to their families into this world.

Zalina Khan, 22, Nkese Griffith, 29, and another mother, who did not want to be named, were among scores of women who either gave birth and were recuperating or had already given birth at the hospital yesterday.

Paying a surprise visit to the proud mothers was San Fernando Mayor Kazim Hosein, who presented them with floral arrangements.

Baby Karishma, weighing 2.85 kilos, was the first to be born around 12.47 am to her mummy Zalina. The San Francique mother, who was admitted to the ward Saturday morning, was elated her daughter was born on Mother’s Day. 

“It is the best Mother’s Day present I could ask for,” said Khan, who was with her other daughter Kaitlin, seven, and husband Radesh Paltoo.

The second baby, a boy, was delivered around 2 am via caesarian section. However, his mother did not want to be interviewed. Proud mother Nkese Griffith gave birth to her fourth child and third son Messiah around 4.37 am. Baby Messiah, who was smiling in his sleep, came as a surprise to his mother and father Merrick Ram, since her due date was May 25.  

“We were not expecting him for quite a few days again. I came on Friday night after my water bag burst,” said Griffith. 

She has three other children—two boys ages 12 and three, and a 10-year-old girl.