The nine-year-old boy who police suspected died as a result of a necromancy ritual gone wrong choked on his own blood his autopsy revealed. Police said Abayomi Jeremiah, a pupil of the of the Tunapuna Roman Catholic School, died of asphyxiation due to blood aspiration. A toxicology report has been ordered to determine what caused the child to aspirate blood in the first place. 
His body bore no marks of violence and there was candle wax on he boy’s head and left ear.

At the Forensic Science Centre, St James, yesterday relatives of Jeremiah refused to speak with the media and was allowed to pass through the undertakers’ exit to avoid media cameras. According to police, Jeremiah was found motionless in a bedroom at his Alexander Street, Longdenville, home around 11.30 pm on Friday by his mother, Ingrid Francis. Police have questioned a teenage relative who was seen clutching a lit candle and acting strangely after the child was found. The girl, who is currently receiving counseling, has been released by police. 

Police said Francis was alerted by the smell of smoke coming from a bedroom in the family’s home, which is a few minutes away from the Longdenville Police Station. 
When Francis checked she found Jeremiah’s 12-year-old sister with her hair and a wardrobe on fire.Francis reportedly put out the fire and went to check on Jeremiah.
When she found the child unresponsive she contacted the police and took him to the Chaguanas District Health Facility where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Police are continuing their investigation. 

Illinois-based teenager Mohammed Hamzah Khan, whom US authorities nabbed last Saturday allegedly seeking to join Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis) militants, was born in T&T, Government has confirmed. National Security Minister Gary Griffith confirmed the situation after Khan, 19, was arrested by Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) counter-terrorism agents at the O’Hare International Airport, Chicago.

Griffith also announced moves towards formation of a local counter-terrorism unit to deal with the situation locally, as he confirmed that several T&T nationals have “been lured” away from T&T to fight with the Middle East militants over the last three years. Khan is accused of attempting to provide aid to Isis, the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois confirmed.

Isis, also called Isil, is moving on the Syrian town of Kobane, a battle also involving a 55-nation international coalition, including US and UK forces. US authorities stated that Khan, of Bolingbrook, was attempting to join Isis. It was noted he was attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organisation and that carried a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a (US) $250,000 fine.

The US Justice Department reports were that Khan had been about to board a flight to Turkey, via Vienna, with Syria as his ultimate destination. Turkey is described as a common point for foreign fighters seeking to link with Isis. Khan intended to work for Isis either in combat or aid assistance. Khan, who had attended an Islamic academy in his neighbourhood, was said to have had notebooks with drawings of the Isis logo.

One had stated: “We are the Lions of War.” He also indicated he wanted to go to the Syrian border and had written a three-page letter expressing disgust with western society, paying US taxes and bringing up his children in the US. He left information for his family, inviting them to join him in the “Islamic state”.

US news reports showed a picture of a couple said to be Khan’s parents. US senate candidate Mike MacFadden on Monday urged that Khan’s passport be revoked. 

Griffith: Local groups under watch 
Yesterday, Griffith credited speedy confirmation of Khan’s birthplace to tighter relations with international allies, which T&T has obtained as a result of Government’s co-sponsoring of the United Nations resolution on terrorism. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar agreed on co-sponsorship last week during a UN meeting.

“Contrary to what the Opposition Leader believes, not signing this resolution would not isolate T&T from terrorist activity. This is a global plague and the only way to fight it is to stand resolute with partners,” Griffith said. While Khan was born in T&T, Griffith said further information was being sought on his life here. He said Government was also liaising with US authorities on the issue. 

Government’s information is that Isis has a 10,000-strong force of foreign fighters globally, he said. “There are known as Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTS) and there are several persons of T&T affiliation,” he confirmed. While he could not confirm the status of two men pictured on yesterday’s T&T Guardian said to be T&T nationals already with Isil, he said there was information about other nationals who have gone to Syria.

“As a result we have been monitoring people of interest, as well as persons who are sympathisers and who may be aiding and abetting those who are going there. “There are several different groups we are looking at and we are looking at the formation of a counter-terrorism unit to deal especially with these matters,” he added.

Griffith also noted the formation of the Special Operations Group recently and the acquisition of armoured vehicles which, he said, were geared to dealing with issues stemming from terrorist activities. He added: “Unlike others who want to pretend issues don’t exist, Isil is one of the most financially powerful terrorist groups in the world and has far-reaching effects. Because of this, youths are indeed being lured to become involved with them. 

Since they have 10,000 FTFs worldwide, if such persons try to return home, they become virtual parasites and can further activity in their homeland.” He said the monitoring had to encompass the financing of militant support, other assistance being rendered to T&T nationals in getting to Syria—and to come back— their accommodation and people locally or abroad who may be part of “sleeper cells” which were dormant until activated.

Local masjid members gone 
Yesterday, members of a certain San Juan district confirmed that several members have gone missing from their masjid in recent times and that there were others currently contemplating going to the Middle East as well due to the US$1,000-a-month stipend being offered by Isis to Muslims who join their jihad against the West. One member described it as “frightening” but admitted it was better to confront the situation and “know it is out there and deal with it.” 

Local Islamic scholars, including Imam Haseeb Aziz, of the Bamboo Settlement mosque, broadened calls to the T&T Muslim community against Isis, voicing concerns on several aspects of the situation and adding that the pall cast globally by Isis’ activities on followers of Islam could affect them. Aziz said: “What these people (Isil) are doing is incorrect. They have taken capital punishment, such as beheading to a level of indignity that is not done. 

“It is absolutely unislamic to parade the head of a person in a street and make fun as some videos purport. What may have started out as a worthy effort to assist the people of Syria has mushroomed into chaos and mayhem and no one knows what the fighting is for now.” He added: “I’m very very angry as a Muslim when people cut people’s heads off like that. I warned my congregation a month ago condemning this, seeking to protect our youths. 

“This will be a long battle and I have no doubt there will be collateral damage and some elements in T&T who hear criticism of the situation may not like the exposure but as long as you speak the truth and stand for what is right, God is in charge.” He said one deterrent may be for the authorities to issue pictures and publicise information on those who have gone to join terrorist groups overseas. 

“It may make them think twice about pursuing it and will warn true Muslims to be alert to people trying to lure them away. “I am also concerned that if those T&T youths who have gone don’t return, their families’ resolve may be strengthened in terms of martyrdom but we have to speak out and educate people about this to ensure our youths are not led astray. “Anyone at my mosque who shows inclination of support for Isil would be told to leave,” he said.

On concerns some might abuse the current Hajj pilgrimages to try to join foreign forces, Aziz said group leaders held the responsibility to report any missing member immediately. Detailing the pilgrimage area, he said it would not be easy to escape security zones. Mufti Wseem Khan, principal of the Dar-Ul-Uloom School in central Trinidad, said none of his members had gone overseas to fight.

“We don’t propagate this at all. We have been against it from the beginning and many scholars in the Middle East are also opposed to what’s happening,” he said. Attorney Nafeesa Mohammed has also expressed concern the current terrorism situation may stymie efforts to secure the release of five T&T nationals detained in Venezuela since March. Another hearing on the issue is due this month. 

While yesterday marked the second anniversary of the end of his 2012 hunger strike and 21 days since the beginning of his second, environmental activist Dr Wayne Kublalsingh said there would be “no retreat” by the Highway Re-route Movement (HRM). His remark came hours after his sister Judy, in a television interview, revealed that his family had asked him to call off the strike.

Kublalsingh’s spirits were high yesterday as he spoke to the media on the HRM’s efforts to meet with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on an alternative route for the Debe to Mon Desir section of the $7 billion Solomon Hochoy Highway extension. He said he didn’t really care about the ambulance or drips and that he just needed to continue fighting the fight.

“We can’t back back because in important times in our history we have backed back, we have just retreated and it is not a time for retreat. It is time for going forward,” Kublalsingh said. He said he felt much better yesterday, had a clear mind about what needed to be done and was more positive about the idea of victory, adding the victory would be for the people and the Government.

Kublalsingh said in 2012 his first hunger strike ended with a minor victory when the People’s Partnership Government agreed to the appointment of the Armstrong Committee to review the highway proposal. “Now, we have nothing. We have two documents before the Prime Minister, which are the Armstrong report and the Optimum Connectivity Plan. So far we have, in terms of diplomacy, achieved nothing,” he said.

But he said he felt great that the HRM had the support of many of the churches in the country as well as individuals, like veteran masman Peter Minshall. “We have people in civil society and ordinary people standing up for us. I feel confident that some sort of mediation must occur. “People are understanding our cause more and I think the ground is shifting under the Government and now is the time for them to move on this matter,” he added.

Kublalsingh said his hunger strike was no longer just about the highway but about democratising the country. “If we go to court and we win that won’t solve the issue. If the Government wins that would not solve the issue,” he noted. Kublalsingh said the issue could only be solved through an exchange between a people and its government.

“I am prepared for everything at this time. It is going to be a rough ride from this point but I am prepared for it mentally and physically and committed to it spiritually and we will face whatever consequences that we have to,” Kublalsingh said.

Church heads appeal again

The head of the Anglican Church in T&T Bishop Clyde Berkeley and Roman Catholic Archbishop Joseph Harris yesterday again united in a call for mediation in the ongoing dispute between the HRM and the Government. In a joint statement yesterday, they  proposed an urgent process of mediation and said they had identified two eminently qualified and respectable citizens who were willing to facilitate the process for the greater good of all.  

They said: “As we urged in our first statement, we invite both sides in this conflict to take two steps towards each other by entering the open door to this mediation process. The mediation process can be started immediately, once both agree. “Come, let us reason together. The call to prayer remains in effect, as we seek God's good and gracious will for us all as a nation. May God bless our nation.”

The church leaders said as the hunger strike “waged war” on the Kublalsingh’s body, the anxiety levels and causes for concern rose across the nation. “The various media reports indicate mixed views but the tone reflects a wounded Trini spirit, hopefully not fatally. “As we continue to appeal on humanitarian grounds for a meeting of minds on the issues, which now command international attention, we appeal to that which is noble, sensitive and powerful among us,” they said.

...Minshall moved to draw
Masman Peter Minshall sent this drawing of Highway Re-route Movement protester Dr Wayne Kublalsingh to the media, accompanied by an explanation. The drawing is entitled: An Encircling of Vultures in Feathers and Beads. Minshall wrote: “This is an allegory. It alludes to things and places and states of mind and being without attempting to making forthright statements or draw definitive conclusions. Predator lies with victim. 

”They nest together. The flesh of each is the other. With marks made by the tip of a pencil on paper to create a picture, a single embroidery emerges, a tapestry of life, love, greed, power, death and resurrection. “This is not a cartoon. It is a serious contemplation on the most tragic of times in our island history. It is not by chance played out as a Carnival of feathers and beads. 

“Everything island is so ephemeral. But the dark stain and stench of these days of dread and treachery will last well beyond the lives of those who now experience them. The heroes and villains of these events will become legendary.”

Addressing the editors of the daily newspapers, Minshall went on: “I ask you to print this allegory full size, as presented, with all its secrets and mysteries, so that our people may at least bear witness, consciously, even as our angels dance with our demons before our very eyes.”

Islamic Missionaries Guild president Imtiaz Mohammed says the Government should seek international assistance to locate two men, believed to be local Muslims, who have joined the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis). 

He was speaking the day after Muslim organisations signalled their intention to hold an emergency meeting to discuss reports that locals were being paid US$1,000 a month to join Isis, which has claimed responsibility for the gruesome murders of American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, as well as British aid workers David Haines and Alan Henning. 

Unconfirmed reports said one of the men featured in the Al Hayat video, titled Eid Greeting from the land of the Khilafah on August 2, once lived at Boundary Road, San Juan. Residents there said yesterday that he had migrated to the US but was deported for involvement in criminal activity. They lost track of him when he returned to Trinidad. There was also speculation that the other man featured in the video may be from central Trinidad.

Mohammed, in a telephone interview, said he did not recognise any of the men featured in the videos and it was up to the police to locate them. “Government must keep a check on people who are travelling to the Middle East. They need to try and verify if there are visits there or whether these visits are genuine or not,” Mohammed urged. 

He said Turkey was a popular point being used to cross the border to terrorist-controlled areas in the Middle East and while the Government could not stop nationals from going to the Middle East, there must be proper surveillance. “I don’t know how they are going to do it. The United States has put a system in place to monitor people travelling to Turkey. Anybody who is travelling to that part of the world has to go through the US, London or Canada,” Mohammed said.

He said that Government should engage in international co-operation to find Isis fighters who might have roots in Trinidad. Mohammed said Isis was going against the tenets of Islam and last March, Islamic scholars co-signed an open letter to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, leader of Isis, arguing the Islamic state’s establishment and practices are not legitimate in Islam. Mohammed reiterated that any local Muslim who decided to join Isis would be going against their religion.

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan said involvement by T&T nationals could not be discounted as T&T had suffered from the effects of terrorism within recent times. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar also said at last Thursday’s post-Cabinet press conference that T&T was open to terrorist infiltration. 

She said her decision to co-sponsor the US security resolutions against foreign terrorist fighters would allow T&T to benefit from intelligence-sharing and data-gathering on a global scale.

it’s not us—nur-e-islam
The head of one of T&T’s largest mosques, the Nur-E-Islam Independent masjid at El Socorro Road, San Juan, Imam Sheraz Ali, has distanced his organisation from Isis. In an interview, Ali said: “None of our members have joined Isis. We have not had any meetings to discuss this but many of the Muslim leaders are planning to meet but we have not decided the date and venue as yet but it will be soon.”

He said because his mosque was one of the largest in the country, some Muslims would pass through to worship even though they were not members of Nur-E-Islam. He added: “They may live in the area and come to the mosque sometimes. That doesn’t mean they are members of my mosque. “In the San Juan area there are about four masjids. There is a lot of people who come from Port-of-Spain to pray at our mosque. It doesn’t mean they belong to our mosque.

“There is no movement in our mosque to recruit anyone to go to Syria or to join Isis. “It may just be somebody who is attending the mosque who may be affiliated with some other groups and living in the area or may be involved with other groups who may be doing something like that but our mosque is very peaceful and we do not have any of that going on.”

Ali said Muslims must think about the repercussions of their actions and noted that people did not really know what was going on in the Middle East except for what was portrayed in the media. “We need to get to the truth and be careful of what we say before we accept invitations to do anything. We need to know what we are doing as Muslims because it is putting our lives at stake and also our future as well,” Ali said. 

He urged local Muslims to listen to their scholars and find out more before embarking in any venture which may bring more harm than good.

KFC workers, in particular at Sixth Avenue, Barataria, are fed up of being abused by customers and are sending a clear message to all would-be abusers that if they dare to assault them that they would receive a hot oil bath. The threat came yesterday when the T&T Guardian visited the branch after one of its workers doused a 38-year-old Malick man with a pot of hot oil after he allegedly slapped her on Monday afternoon.

One worker, who wished not to be identified, said: “We are sending a message to all customers who want to violate...come we have thing here for you. We fed up being victimised.” According to a fellow employee and eyewitness, Shameek Gonzales came to the establishment around 1.45 pm on Monday and ordered a sandwich. The witness was not sure which of the two sandwiches offered by the fast food outlet the man ordered. 

The witness, who opted not to be named for fear of victimisation, said when the cashier told him to hold on while she went to check, the man became irate and began verbally abusing her. She added that the man threatened to slap the woman who has been employed at the outlet less than a year. The cashier told him, she said, to “go ahead if your name is Earl.” The woman was then struck with a stack of KFC paper bags acrosss the face. The man then left.

The cashier, who lives at Sea Lots, went to the back of the outlet where they fried the chicken, dipped out a pot of hot oil and went to Gonzales who was about to enter his car. After dousing Gonzales, he struck his attacker and the two began fighting. Police, who were passing in the area, had to intervene and rescue the 32-year-old mother who has been arrested and is expected to appear in court today. 

Gonzales was taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where he was treated for burns to his left chest, left arm and right forearm. When the T&T Guardian visited him yesterday he said he would not speak of the matter until he consulted his attorney as he planned to take legal action against the fast food franchise. One customer told the T&T Guardian Gonzales was deserving of his injuries. The woman, who identified herself only as Arlene, also works in the customer service industry.

She said: “Some customers are like the devil. I give them right. Some customers here feel because they buying, they right. Not all the time customers right. If we go in their workplace and get on so they would coast.” Another customer, who was listening while Arlene spoke, passed and said it was good for Gonzales.

Other abuse
The KFC employee said Monday’s incident was not the first and would not be the last. She said only a few weeks ago a pregnant employee was doused with a full cup of juice by a female customer. “I think it is real nonsense what does happen here. Customers does come and abuse us... it real ridiculous. They always threatening to pelt or do us something,” she added.

The woman said following Monday’s incident she feared that nothing much would be done to protect employees. She said the guard on duty at the time watched the entire incident and did nothing. She said she was doubtful the layout of KFC outlets would be changed to accommodate protective glass or any other protective measures against abusive customers. “I not standing up here and taking no lash. He (Gonzales) deserved it. I don't think it is fair that she get charged.” 

“He had no right to hit her. You have no children working here. Your wife not working here,” the upset woman said.

Former national heavyweight boxer Wendell Joseph, 68, sat in his wife’s wheelchair yesterday, his head propped on his hand and a small radio on his lap listening to a programme. It was Day 11 for him and his amputee wife, Erica, 56, at their “home” under a tent in the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain. With a look of despondency, Joseph said: “All I study is when someone is going to come to tell us they have a home for us.

“When I sit down here and reflect, all I see is the wicked people out there who don’t have a heart and who don’t have an understanding that all my wife needed is a place which is suited for the disabled.” Joseph said sometimes he felt he could not take any more of the disappointment, pain and hurt but was determined to remain strong for his ailing wife.

Up to late yesterday, there was no word from any government official as to a place for the Josephs to call home. They have been provided with Housing Development Corporation apartments in the past but say they were unsuitable as they lacked wheelchair access. Erica, who has multiple health problems, made a plea for medication, saying she was down to her last tablet for the pain. 

“It costs me $95 and I am forced to buy it because the dispensary at the hospital does never have it in stock. I don’t know where and when I will get the tablets now because I have no more money,” Erica said. The couple is again making a plea for the relevant authorities to assist them in getting a home as soon as possible or some good samaritan to come to their rescue. Minister of Housing Dr Roodal Moonilal could not be reached yesterday.

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard has withdrawn his lawsuit seeking a review of a magistrate’s decision to free former prime minister Basdeo Panday of three corruption charges. The judicial review case was retracted during a hearing before three judges of the Court of Appeal yesterday, in which Magistrate Marcia Murray was challenging Justice James Aboud’s decision to give Gaspard permission to pursue the lawsuit.

It came moments after the appeal panel questioned the purpose of the lawsuit, as even if the DPP had succeeded, it would have been a mere academic review of Murray’s reasoning, as Aboud had barred Gaspard from using it as a tool for reopening the case against Panday when he granted leave to proceed in April. The three-member panel was Appeal Court judges Allan Mendonca, Rajendra Narine and Maureen Rajnauth-Lee. 

During Panday’s trial in the Port-of-Spain Magistrate’s Court on June 26, 2012, Murray discharged him after upholding a no-case submission from his lawyer. Panday was alleged to have failed to make Integrity Commission declarations of the assets of an account, amounting to approximately $1.6 million, at the National Westminster Bank at Wimbledon Hill Road, London, for 1997, 1998 and 1999. He was prime minister at the time.

Panday was found guilty and sentenced in March 2006 by Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls to two years in prison. Panday appealed Mc Nicolls’ decision and the conviction was eventually quashed by the Court of Appeal and a retrial ordered. The Court of Appeal’s decision was upheld by the Privy Council. 

In her 19-page ruling in the retrial Murray said the Integrity Commission had failed to comply with the provisions of the Integrity in Public Life Act as it did not fully and fairly investigate the issue before charges were laid. Murray said: “The misconduct of the Integrity Commission was so serious that it would undermine public confidence in the criminal justice system and bring it into disrepute. “The court is therefore compelled to stop these proceedings to protect the integrity of the criminal justice system.”

While Justice Aboud agreed that a review of the decision was necessary to provide guidance for the commission’s future investigations, he said Panday should not face the prospect of a third trial.  Aboud referred to the significant period of time between Panday’s alleged crimes and his two previous trials, his age (82) and the legal fees he incurred in defending the charges.

Gaspard was represented by Ian Benjamin, while Ricki Harnanan appeared for Panday. Senior Counsel Avory Sinanan and Larry Lalla represented the magistrate’s interest in the case.

As political parties gear up for next year’s general election, president general of the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) Ancel Roget says there will be no honeymoon for the next government unless labour issues are addressed. Despite the union’s history of campaigning for and against political parties in previous elections, Roget said the OWTU would not be endorsing any particular party as it did with the People’s Partnership in 2010.

As the union plans action to stamp out contract labour in T&T, he said it had already written to the People’s National Movement, the Independent Liberal Party and the Movement for Social Justice, calling on them to state their positions on workers’ rights. However, he omitted the People’s Partnership from discussions, saying it had promised to provide decent working conditions in its 2010 manifesto but had since trampled on workers’ rights. 

He said the letters should have reached the political parties by today and the union was awaiting the responses. Roget sent the messages at the Joint Trade Union Movement’s (JTUM) Day of Action to Spot Precarious Work seminar at Paramount Building, San Fernando. It was one of several events being taken worldwide by members of the Industrial Global Union as they recognised yesterday as World Day for Decent Work. 

The union's intention was to address contract labour, health and safety issues at the workplace and job insecurity in T&T. In his opening remarks, Roget recalled that in 2010, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, then opposition leader, came to the OWTU office, asking for the union’s support in the general election. He said after taking office, Persad-Bissessar backtracked on her promise to implement the workers’ agenda and waged an attack against trade unions.

Saying the union would not be tricked again, he added: “That experience over the years, in particular over the last four years, has taught us a lesson and although I am not at liberty to say what procedures will be put in place, rest assured that it will be quite different from previous years. “The colossal response to any kind of retraction or any reneging on their position will be met with immediate force very early in their term of office, whoever it is.

“There shall be no honeymoon at all for anyone because our position is that these issues are urgent and they ought to be addressed. “We were neglected by the People’s Partnership and anybody seeking to govern this country ought to listen to and articulate their position on the workers' agenda and that is what we are about.”

Against contract work

Focusing on contract work, Roget said many employers were opting to hire workers on contract instead of permanent positions in order to relieve themselves from having to pay benefits. He said some workers were even being fooled into leaving their jobs in the public service to take up contract positions.

That, he said, led to employers violating workers’ rights and collective agreements, meaning that workers were not being afforded job security. In one instance, he said, a worker had been on a month-to-month contract for the past nine years and cannot even go to the bank for a loan.

Tributes continue to flow in for world-acclaimed Trinidadian dancer, choreographer, actor, designer and painter Geoffrey Holder, 84, who died of pneumonia on Sunday evening, even as his family planned a fitting farewell for him. Arts and Multiculturalism Minister Dr Lincoln Douglas said the nation had lost a favoured son.

“For me I have nothing but admiration for his work, as it had to do with his pioneering spirit in the field of arts and culture, especially at a time when we in T&T were not that savvy of those fields. Artistes like Holder made a significant impact in a wide range of disciplines; in art, film, dance, not just locally and regionally, but worldwide. 

“His passing is a tangible, symbolic loss to our nation. For us in the ministry we will look forward to doing something to honour the memory of Geoffrey and his brother Boscoe.” Yesterday, dancer, painter, calypsonian and comedian Bill Trotman said: “Geoffrey Holder was my mentor and his death has hit me very hard. “All the work I have done—my art work, singing, dancing—were turned on by Geoffrey Holder. 

“The first time I ever saw him dance I was about 17 years old and that was in the Port-of-Spain Hospital. He, Julia and Stretch Cox were dancing and that left a lasting impression on me to become a dancer. The next time I saw him was in Poisson Rouge at Little Carib Theatre. Then I saw his paintings. 

“Geoffrey, my father and Mr Boothman used to live in the same area in Corbeaux Town. We grew up sorta togetherish. He inspired me to try to get into the Art Society, in which they did everything, painting, singing and dancing.  “His death hurts me a lot. He was a very special kind of human being.”

Playwright, actor and the star of local movie Bim, Ralph Maraj, said: “It is sad to know Geoffrey has departed. He was clearly a trailblazer of phenomenal talent; a versatile man, skilled in various fields. He was a dancer and choreographer but was also a very impressive actor and visual artist.  “I saw him in the James Bond movie as Baron Samedi, a very towering presence with a unique booming voice. I didn’t have the privilege of seeing him on stage as an actor but I’m sure he was quite amazing.”

Veteran dancer/choreographer Linda Pollard Lake, Danse Assemble artistic director, said: “I had the pleasure of being in Geoffrey Holder’s company in the living room in a small house in Belmont, where his brother Boscoe lived many years ago, when he visited Trinidad.  “It was a terrific and unforgettable experience to be in his presence. I sat in awe and never said a word. I was completely dumbfounded by the power of the man. 

“It was like being in a class at the feet of a teacher as he spoke about the arts and dancing. He eventually took me aside and said, ‘My dear, you must never let them know your mystery.’ I have never forgotten that encounter.”

Some 46 municipal police officers attached to the San Fernando City Corporation will receive backpay amounting to $1.7 million on Friday. At the same time, nine of them who staged sickout action on Monday by staying away from the job over the non-payment of arrears will face disciplinary action, Asst Supt Leon Lively says.

Of the 12 police who were rostered for the day shift on Monday, only three turned up, meaning that daily street patrols along the busy High and Mucurapo Streets did not take place and no cars were wrecked. San Fernando mayor Kazim Hosein met with Lively and other administrative officers on Monday and promised his council would move to pay the money to over 28 of them by Friday.

At that meeting at City Hall, Lively said the backpay was retroactive from 2013 and comes from Government’s $1,000 special allowance to all law enforcement officers announced by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar in 2011. With the decision to pay them, Lively said full operations should have resumed by Monday night. However, no one showed up for the start of the 5 pm shift.

“Disciplinary action will have to be taken,” Lively said. “I will have to call in the officers one by one and serve them notices accordingly. Presently, my department is understaffed and I am working with a strength of 28 officers, when my strength is supposed to be 53. “I will have to talk to them, warn them and let them know the seriousness of the action taken, because as you know we are an essential service and you cannot strike as the case may be.”

He said the police were entitled to 14 days’ sick leave and 14 days’ casual leave. Speaking after the meeting, Hosein said the police should have been paid before. “We got Cabinet approval, we have the money to pay and it should have been paid. I got a lot of complaints, because we had a bomb scare today and I had asked for a report, and nobody could have gone there to give me a report,” he said. 

Asked about the delay in payment,  city corporation CEO Indarjit Singh said they were awaiting the computation of the payment, which was only released to him on September 25. “The computation for the backpay for the officers is for the past four years. It is a process that requires staff. This is extra work and that is the process. 

“In terms of the remedy, the corporation now has to pay the backpay and we will wait for the release of the funds. We are going to use our money to pay the backpay,” Singh said.

Residents of St Barb’s, Laventille Road, Picton Road and St Paul Street yesterday dismissed as a lie and propaganda a reward being offered by National Security Minister Gary Griffith for information which may lead to the arrest of Laventille gang members who have put a $20,000 hit on law enforcement officers.

The $100,000 reward was officially offered by the Ministry of National Security yesterday to anyone who can give credible information that can lead to the arrest and conviction of people planning, paying, aiding and abetting and/or involved in the shooting of any law enforcement officer. The offer is being offered through Crime Stoppers, the ministry said in a release, and came one day after Insp Roger Alexander publicly announced the $20,000 bounty on air Tuesday.

The situation developed in the wake of the recent killing of reputed gang leader Dillon “Bandy” Skeete and two other men at Desperlie Crescent on September 24. Residents had claimed the killings were carried out by soldiers acting with police in retaliation for the murder of Lance Corporal Kayode Thomas on June 29 but that was denied by police and army hierarchy.

Yesterday, some of the gang leaders and residents said they believed the bounty and reward claim was being used to set up them up so law enforcement officers could lock down the community and target them. “Maybe they trying to create a situation where it will cause chaos and then they will say they have to force a limited state of emergency, which will obviously give them an excuse to come in here and kill all of we,” one resident, who did not want to be identified, told the T&T Guardian.

“This is real mad ting. They trying to fool the public. If all this is true, why didn’t they bring the proof and show it to all that there are plans to kill the police and soldiers. They using this to march forces into the area,” he added. There are also claims by the police that while they are on mobile patrols in Laventille they are being shot at by gang members. That, they said, had them afraid for their lives. 

However, a Laventille Road resident claimed it was they who have been taunted by police on mobile patrols in recent weeks. “Just this morning (yesterday) a police van pulled up in front of me and the officer say, ‘Aye, you have a $20,000 on my head, eh.’ The officer then laughed and the police van drove off. 

“This is what we are faced with. They harass us. They give us a curfew and if they see us liming out here late they threatening us or beating us. Is real drama with them police and soldiers and dem,” he added. Two young men, who were liming at the side of the road at St Barb’s, said the area was known for men belonging to the “Rasta City” gang but added they were all about promoting life and love.

“Listen, the police and dem coming up here and killing innocent people. We living in fear. They trying to kill us out,” one said. Another resident of St Barb’s, who also wished to remain anonymous, said he strongly believed Griffith had an agenda. “Maybe he getting pay out by the rich people to kill we out so that they can move in and take over the hills, which is prime land,” he said.

Businessman Keston Rennie, 33, who operates a restaurant at the junction of Picton and Laventille Roads, admitted crime was a humbug but said he believed if more young people like him started home businesses they could transform Laventille. “I could have my businesses outside but I choose to be here... to help develop the area,” he said.

“I not on nobody. I don’t do drugs and I am not a gangster but I believe that by me doing a good job here others will follow and maybe one day Laventille can have a pharmacy or even a ATM machine,” he said.

‘Negotiating with criminals over’

Contacted yesterday on the residents’ claims, Griffith insisted he had made a direct hit back on criminals. “Gone are the days where criminals can flex their muscles,” he said in a telephone interview. “The time for negotiation is over. No more private meetings and no more contracts. I do not have any intention to negotiate with terrorists or criminals. When they swing, I will swing back harder and hit even harder,” he added.

Also contacted yesterday, acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams said he was not sure about the bounty put out on law enforcement officers. However, he said he was had nothing to do with the reward being offered which could lead to the arrest of anyone plotting to carry out such acts. Griffith confirmed Williams’s statement, saying it was a National Security Minister and Crime Stoppers initiative.

When asked about the bounty issue at yesterday’s weekly police media briefing, ASP Joanne Archie said: “What I have been hearing is in the public domain. However, at this moment I have no guidance on that issue.” Archie then advised her colleagues to be vigilant and be alert while on the streets.
 

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan and his wife Nalini narrowly escaped death last night, after the vehicle in which they were being taken to a cocktail reception at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts collided with another vehicle at the intersection of the Rienzi Kirton Highway and Todd’s Street, San Fernando.

The accident left Special Branch officer Cpl Rasool, who was providing security for the AG, in a critical condition at the San Fernando General Hospital. The drivers of the two vehicles, the AG’s black Toyota Prado and Adriel Gookool, who was driving a pick-up, were not injured. 

Around 8 pm, police and firefighters who were awaiting the arrival of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who hosted the reception for the VIII Americas Competitiveness Forum 2014 delegates at SAPA, rushed help the occupants of the AG’s SUV after it turned on its right side in the crash. 

They climbed atop the vehicle and pulled out the AG and his wife, who was carried by a policeman to another vehicle. The Ramlogans were then taken into SAPA where a doctor checked them, Insp Mulraine told the T&T Guardian. The AG later came back outside as Rasool was being placed in the ambulance. He was accompanied by National Security Minister Gary Griffith and National Diversity Minister Dr Rodger Samuel.

Asked if he was okay, the AG told the Guardian, “I am a bit shaken, but I am all right.”

The head of a fundamentalist Muslim organisation in Trinidad, who is considering joining the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis), says there is no recruitment going on locally for foreign fighters for Isis. 

Rather, he said, Muslims from ten fundamental groups in T&T were considering joining Isis of their own free will and already close to 50 local Muslims have left T&T to join Isis by crossing the Turkish bank of the River Orontes, which is the frontier with Syria. Security experts say Isis has 30,000 foreign terrorist fighters. The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Isis was an ideology, a religious doctrine luring Muslims to fight voluntarily for the protection of Islam.

Claiming knowledge of every citizen who has crossed the border to go to Syria, he explained: “Prophet Mohammed said coming to the last days, the nations would gather together like vicious dogs around a bowl of food. “We are seeing that playing out. When that time comes, there will be an army that will march from Khurasan to Israel and they will defeat every army in sight and they will go to Israel and fight the Jews. We are seeing that happening. 

“The army is unstoppable. They cannot get rid of Isis. This is why so many Muslims are joining Isis voluntarily.” Giving an outline of its organisational structure, the source said Isis had a nine-member council which met daily to discuss strategies. 
“Isis is a religious doctrine. It is an ideology. It has a structure that is more effective than most of the governments. 

“They have a council within the structure which sits on a daily basis and every member of this council has a speciality in a particular field, like military, economics and government. “They even have one specialised in agriculture. This nine-member council sends information to all the governors who are in control of the areas which Isis has conquered,” the source added

The council members report to a three-tiered hierarchy, comprising leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and his two deputies. Al-Baghdadi has a US$10 million bounty on his head. “These three leaders make critical decisions and dictate how the organisation is run,” he added. The source said one of T&T’s prominent scholars would be speaking out about Isis in the coming weeks. Asked why he had not gone to Syria, he explained that he wanted to get information first on what Isis stood for.

He said the western media were spreading propaganda about Isis and there was no confirmation that Isis was responsible for the deaths of American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff and British aid workers David Haines and Alan Henning. Asked if he supported the use of children in the Isis armies, the source said in Islam it was prohibited to kill women and children on the battlefield but Islamic doctrines dictated that mothers should give consent for their children to join armies.

“It’s part of the Islamic doctrines to train our children to shoot with bow and arrow, swim and ride horses. We no longer have bow and arrow so children will be taught to shoot. “Don’t criticise the Muslims for putting guns in the children’s hands. They are fighting for their lives and religion and honour,” he added.

Desperate for money
Contacted yesterday, Minister of National Security Gary Griffith said it was not only fundamentalist Muslims who were on the Government’s radar. He said non-Muslims were also being enticed by the mighty dollar, noting that Isis was one of the most powerfully funded terrorist groups in the world. “Isis’ tentacles have spread and young men are being lured by Isis because they are desperate for money. 

“They are being used and they lose their lives for a couple hundred dollars,” Griffith said. He added that there are 30,000 foreign terrorist fighters in 80 countries. Griffith said he was willing to meet with any group to discuss the Isis threat. He also said he would embark on an educational campaign to build awareness of it.

Give Muslims some respect
The source also accused the Government of being discriminatory towards fundamentalist Muslim groups and said the purchase of armoured vehicles was meant to intimidate local Muslims. The official also said it would be in the best interest of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to meet with fundamentalist Muslims, rather than to co-sponsor the United States resolution against foreign fighters, adding: “

Islamic doctrines dictate that one must help one’s brother even if he is the oppressed or the oppressor. “Isis has called on world leaders, saying, ‘Show us what we are doing wrong.’ How can we say Isis is doing bad things? You have to ascertain the truth. Have we done that? “I am not in total support of Isis. All I am saying is that we do not know what is happening in that part of the country.”

He said many fundamentalist Muslim groups were being blocked from discussions with conservative Muslim groups.

Television host Ian Alleyne has landed himself in hot water yet again, this time over his comments pertaining to a court case involving the son of prominent contractor Junior Sammy. At an emergency hearing at the Port-of-Spain High Court yesterday evening, Justice Joan Charles granted an ex-parte injunction barring Alleyne from discussing details of Sammy’s son Shaun ongoing court case. 

Sammy’s legal team, which included former attorney general Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, SC, and Alleyne’s former associate Om Lalla argued the commentary served to prejudice the case, which is due to come up for hearing in the Port-of-Spain Magistrate’s Court today. Shaun, a director in his father’s company, Junior Sammy Group of Companies, is expected to follow up yesterday’s action with a substantive defamation lawsuit.  

The injunction came almost an hour before Alleyne’s programme Crime Watch was aired on television station CNC3 yesterday evening. While he did not mention the injunction, Alleyne did speak about the negative impact of his report on the issue, describing the situation as “unbelievable.” “Everybody seems to be upset with me. I did nothing wrong. I was just asking questions,” Alleyne said. 

The case shot into the limelight last month after several media reports claimed the police file related to his arrest in late August had gone missing. Shaun was reportedly driving his car on French Street,  Woodbrook, on August 23, when he was stopped by police. Police claimed he failed a breathalyser test at the Woodbrook Police Station. When he appeared in court last month, Shaun pleaded not guilty to the charge. His legal team also includes Ravi Rajcoomar and Derrick Balliram. 

Attorney for the Highway Re-Route Movement (HRM) Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, SC, has shot down Attorney General Anand Ramlogan’s claim that the HRM has filed no application before the Privy Council to expedite a hearing of an appeal over an injunction to stop work on the Debe to Mon Desir segment of the Pt Fortin Highway. Maharaj also accused the AG of misleading the country, saying Ramlogan knew his consent was requested for an urgent hearing. 

The application is being made, Maharaj said. Ramlogan, who maintained yesterday that the HRM had made no application, said:
“I was astonished to be informed that no appeal has been lodged at the Privy Council by Dr Kublalsingh and his lawyers... no papers have been filed with the Privy Council or served on the State’s Privy Council agents as of this morning (yesterday)... and that I find rather surprising, given the call for us to consider an expedited hearing.” 

The AG said he had consented to the grant of leave to enable an appeal to the Privy Council. Saying he could have objected, Ramlogan said he chose not to do so as he did not want to deny Kublalsingh and the HRM the right to take their case to the highest court. “It was my hope that such leniency would lead to a better understanding of the State's position, highlight our overriding concern for the rule of law and the plight of Dr Kublalsingh and his followers,” Ramlogan said. 

Saying his sympathy and compassion for Kublalsingh could not justify a violation of the legal procedures that govern an appeal to the Privy Council Ramlogan added that must be balanced against the sympathy and compassion he felt for the tens of thousands of commuters who were forced to leave and return home when dark while still having to suffer through hours of frustrating, distressing and depressing traffic daily.  

But Maharaj said from the outset Ramlogan did not take the necessary steps to give an undertaking to the court for the status quo of the Debe to Mon Desir section of the highway to be maintained until the court was able to determine the substantive issues in the constitutional claim. Maharaj said the chronology showed  the lawyers for the HRM, before making the application to the Privy Council, sought the AG’s consent for an expeditious hearing. 

“The Highway Re-Route Movement will now inform the Privy Council that the AG has refused to consent to the expeditious hearing of the matter and would now apply to the Privy Council to have the matter determined. “It is therefore misleading for the AG to give the impression that no application is before the Privy Council,” he added. 

Yachties are threatening to pull out of T&T because they claim immigration officers are demanding  fees—as much as $3,000—to extend their stay if they wanted to complete repairs to their yachts. They come to T&T from all over the world to have their boats repaired, whether it is engine, upholstery or body repairs, because, they say, T&T is one of the best dry docks in the Caribbean.

Rent of a berth for the month is US$1,000 and some yachts have to stay for over 12 months because of delays in repairs. Their average cost of living for about a year is US$40,000. Many businesses along the western peninsula benefit from yachties’ business. Speaking with the T&T Guardian on Tuesday, a boat owner, who only chose to identify himself as an European who is in T&T working on his boat, said he was asked by an immigration officer to pay $500 for an extension. 

“One time before I had to pay TT$100 for a three-month extension...now I got problems and they say I have to pay TT$500. “I saw them put some of the money I gave in his front pocket but I say nothing because I wants no trouble,” he said. Another yachtie, a German, invited the T&T Guardian on board his yacht, which has been in dry dock for about a year. He did not want to give his name for fear of being a target of criminal elements.

He said he was approached to pay a bribe for an extension but refused. “We have certain legal information on every country and I can safely say that we yachties are seldom involved in crime and criminal activities. “We highly expect that the authorities respect the international contract that covers us from the United Nations.

“I know that certain officers in Trinidad leave the legal base for whatever reason but they want to take our money but I do like Bob Marley say, ‘I stand up for my rights.’ I am not going to pay bribe.” The German retiree, who has been visiting Trinidad every 18 months since 1988, docked in Chaguaramas in October last year and was only placed in dry dock in November. He said within the last five months he had strange experiences.

“I was told that I have to leave and cannot get an extension because I come here too often. I was told never to come back. “Then suddenly when I went today (Tuesday) at the Immigration Office, the four officers I usually saw were not there. “One officer was there and he granted me my extension without any hustle. It was strange but it worked out for me because my yacht is still under repairs,” he added.

He said his fellow yachties were becoming more and more frustrated and planned to leave the island, never to return. “In 2008 when I came there were 3,000 yachts here. When we are here we create employment for about 500 people. In 2010-2012 there was a significant decline to about 1,000 boats. “So think about why and think about how many people remain unemployed. We help the unemployment and we help boost tourism and the economy through our foreign exchange,” the retiree added.

His wife said she recently encountered a problem at Piarco Airport when she returned to Trinidad from a short vacation. “I flew in-and-out four times before and this last time I was told by an immigration officer that I needed a letter from the captain so I said no problem, but I tried to explain that I had no problems before and why the change now? 

“I was then made to sit on a bench for an hour only to be told by a supervisor later on I can go ahead because I am a Caricom member,” she said. “This is outrageous as to what is going on here in T&T. How could each and every immigration officer seem to have a different agenda and their own rules?” she asked. The German said he was confused as to why the immigration officers were holding them to ransom and ill-treating them and called on the T&T Government for protection.

Ministers respond
Minister of National Security Gary Griffith, when contacted on the issue, expressed shock. He said he had not been aware of the situation but promised to speak to Chief Immigration Officer Gerry Downer about it. Griffith, in the interim, recommended to all yachties not to fall prey to officers who attempted to manipulate them in any way to pay bribes for extensions. He said they should immediately contact Downes or him personally and report the immigration officers.

Tourism Minister Stephen Cadiz said although the yachties did not fall under his ministry he was aware of the issue and understood the line minister, Minister of Trade Vasant Bharath, met with them recently. Bharath could not be reached for comment.

Head of the Organisation of American States (OAS) José Miguel Insulza has offered assistance to T&T to tackle campaign financing. Insulza made the offer while delivering the feature address, titled Latin America and the Caribbean: Good News with many Challenges, at an open lecture hosted by the St Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies on Tuesday night.

Elections and Boundaries Commission chairman Dr Norbert Masson, who was in the audience, said he hoped the Government would take up the OAS’ offer in drafting legislation dealing with political campaign financing. Insulza said now was the time for countries to implement very clear legislation to deal with campaign financing and warned that if it was not properly dealt with it could undermine a country’s democracy.

“Political financing has become an increasing concern to all our democracies. We must have rules to avoid the pitfalls,” Insulza said. He said while Latin American and the Caribbean region have been faced with challenges, including organised crime, all was not lost as there have been improvements in the areas of poverty reduction and infrastructural development.

Pro vice-chancellor of the University of the West Indies, St Augustine Prof Clement Sankat, who also spoke, hoped the OAS would focus on the Caribbean region even more in the coming years. A stronger Caribbean could only be good news in the quest to make the OAS stronger, Sankat added. Sankat said UWI had a proud tradition of serving all the English-speaking Caribbean countries for over 65 years and was also committed to serving the wider region, including Central and South America.

To demonstrate this commitment, Sankat added, UWI had approved “ACS initiative”, a new tuition fee structure for non-UWI contributing countries of the wider Latin American and Caribbean region, particularly countries from South America and Central America.

He said: “We at the UWI St Augustine Campus therefore look forward to welcoming more students from the wider Caribbean basin, beyond the 17 contributing countries...countries such as Suriname, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Panama, Ecuador, Brazil, Chile, Cuba and Costa Rica just to name after. “We see these students as essential, as they too contribute to the development and advancement of the Caribbean and Latin American region.” 

To further strengthen ties, Sankat said he travelled to Panama last year to sign a memorandum of understanding on behalf of UWI and the Arthur Lok Jack  Graduate  School of Business with  the  Caribbean Shipping Association to launch an MBA  in port and maritime management  for the entire  English, Dutch, French and  Spanish-speaking countries. 

Sankat left for Brazil yesterday to represent UWI at the sixth international seminar and seventh general assembly of the Coimbra Group of Brazilian Universities. 

Reports of T&T nationals joining the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis) are a matter of grave concern and interest to the Government, admits Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Dookeran. He said so while fielding questions from the media after speaking at an open lecture hosted by the St Augustine Campus of University of the West Indies on Tuesday night. 

However, he was quick to say that, thus far, there had been no evidence on the matter. He said he had also asked the Ministry of National Security to provide him with “any thoughts on the issue.” Dookeran also defended Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Persad’s decision to co-sponsor the United Nations Security Council resolution on the fight against terrorism. “This is a landmark piece of resolution that brought us near to a world consensus on the fight against terrorism. 

“The programme that will evolve out of that we will see emerging is a whole different approach to fighting foreign terrorist fighters... that is what the resolution is about.” On the statements of Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley that co-sponsoring the resolution put T&T citizens at risk, Dookeran said that was a risk which existed with or without the co-sponsorship. 

Griffith: it helps us monitor Isis
Contacted yesterday, National Security Minister Gary Griffith said he was unable to divulge the security aspects of the mechanism but said it was useful in connection with monitoring whether nationals were fighting for Isis. “We are closely monitoring all aspects of this issue, including anyone who has been aiding and abetting in any way and financing all of these individuals.

“Because of the resolution we have been able to obtain valuable intelligence at a fast pace, which has been assisting us,” Griffith said. Asked whether he was concerned that several T&T nationals have reportedly joined Isis, Griffith said as Minister of National Security he was never concerned. “I work on facts, not emotions. I make decisions in the best interest of the country,” he replied. 

The 31-year-old mother of three accused of throwing hot oil on a KFC customer on Monday was granted $45,000 bail and ordered to stay 100 metres away from the victim when she appeared in court yesterday. Erica Fonrose, of Sea Lots, was represented by attorney Sade Lee-Duprey when she appeared before Port-of-Spain magistrate Aden Stroude charged with assaulting Shameek Gonzales, causing grievous bodily harm. 

Fonrose first appeared around 11.45 am but Cpl Mitchell of the Morvant Police Station, who arrested her, was not present when the matter was called and Fonrose’s criminal tracing was unavailable. Stroude postponed the case to 1.30 pm to give the police enough time to get her criminal tracing. Fonrose is alleged to have doused Gonzales with the oil after he allegedly slapped her. He is warded in a stable condition at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital.

Before the case was called yesterday, four women who work at the courthouse came into the courtroom and told the T&T Guardian they were there to support since “all ah we is woman.” Fonrose will re-appear in court on October 22. 

President of the NGO Citizens for Conservation Rudylynn De Four Roberts has expressed horror at the state of Banwari Trace,  site of the remains of a 7,000-year-old civilisation. Roberts said the site, which is well recognised internationally, can be used to promote local tourism, but the National Trust has failed to promote the development of the sacred site at Penal. “What was done to Banwari Trace is ridiculous,” Roberts said in an interview with the T&T Guardian. 

“They built a toilet in the middle of the site. There was absolutely no proper planning. We wanted a design that was suitable for sustainable development of the site. “What happened is that some monies were allocated and they built that structure without consultation or proper planning.” She called on the Government to set up a heritage fund, one of the stipulations of the 2013/2014 budget, adding it was also time for Government to appoint a new National Trust.

“I know that they are about to appoint a new team. Names have gone to Cabinet for approval for the new council,” she said. Once a team is appointed, Roberts said the new members must immediately take steps to protect many of T&T’s heritage sites, including Banwari Trace. “The new council will have to get organised to set up themselves as a statutory body and take ownership of its powers in the act,” Roberts said. 

T&T’s National Trust is one of the most powerful statutory bodies in the Caribbean, she said, but under the last council there were only two research assistants with a small office in the National Museum. For the National Trust to operate effectively, she said Government must establish a heritage fund. “The National Trust must function like a business. We can develop heritage sites and use it to generate income, which can then be used to protect and preserve other sites.” 

Roberts added that if this is done, the trust will not have to go begging government for money. She also noted that preserved buildings must be continuously maintained. “What happens in the United States and Canada is that they use heritage properties to earn revenue to preserve other heritage sites.” Roberts added that once the fund is established there can be better management of T&T’s heritage sites. “We must also encourage community tourism,” she pointed out. 

In the 2013/2014 budget, several fiscal initiatives were outlined, including the establishment of a heritage restoration fund to be used for the restoration of historical and heritage sites. It was proposed that the fund would function in a similar way to the Green Fund, under which a percentage of taxes are levied from newly established multinational businesses. Alternatively, a percentage of the revenues from the National Lotteries Control Board could be allocated for the establishment of the fund.

An e-mail was sent to National Diversity Minister Rodger Samuel asking an update on the National Trust and the state of the fund. However, he is yet to respond. Banwari Trace is the oldest pre-Columbian archaeological site in the West Indies dating back to 5,000 BCE.

What is Citizens for Conservation?
Citizens for Conservation was established in 1979 by a group of concerned citizens, including architects, engineers and private citizens, who began lobbying for protection of T&T’s heritage. 

In 1985, following the public outcry over the intended demolition of the "George Brown House" along the Queen's Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain, Citizens for Conservation was formed to provide an official voice for the protection of T&T’s natural and manmade heritage. Through open discussion they sought to sensitise the public to the importance of conservation and preservation.

Through the group’s efforts, the National Trust Act was drafted and passed by Parliament in 1991 and enacted in 1999. On its Web site, the group says its present aim is to provide support for the National Trust and other interested groups for the protection and preservation of T&T’s heritage.