Deputy chairman of the Integrity Commission, Justice Sebastian Ventour, is hoping some major changes will be made to the Integrity in Public Life Act to root out corruption and to ensure those who fail to account are brought to justice. He said so at the presentation of commission’s recommendations on the Integrity in Public Life (Amendment) Bill at the Hyatt Regency hotel, Port-of-Spain, yesterday.

He said by amending the Act the commission intended to safeguard the nation from those given almost unrestricted access to public resources and who may be inclined to abuse those resources. Among the proposals is to wiretap people under investigation. “The debilitating effects of corruption are well documented. There is mounting evidence, documented by Transparency International, among others, that corruption can and sometimes do inflict immense, often irreparable damage on the country.

“This, essentially, is the rationale for the legislative and other measures that we propose to take to govern the behaviour of our public officials,” Ventour said. He said the commission did not assume all those in public life and those who perform public functions were corrupt. The vast majority of public officials, both appointed and elected, Ventour said, gave sterling and dedicated service and enriched the best traditions of selfless public service.

“These officials need to be encouraged and their contributions recognised. The best way to give such encouragement and recognition is to call to account those who do not play by the rules,” Ventour urged. On people coming forward to serve on the commission, Ventour said, that remained a challenge and resulted in crucial work being negatively affected. He said for quite some time the commission did not have an accountant, for instance. 

He added: “For the past five years the commission lost approximately 535 days of productive days because we did not have a member of the commission... there were not five members of the commission as the Act provides. “As of March 13 last year, prior to November 20... prior to the appointment of our new chairman... the commission lost approximately 250 days. 

“So while the public notes the inactivity of the commission it really has not been the commission’s fault, neither has it been the President’s fault because as I understand it is extremely difficult to get new members of the public to service as members of the Integrity Commission. “Why?” I do not know,” Ventour said.  

He said the commission was ready to present its final draft summary report for amendment of the Act to Attorney General Anand Ramlogan for it to be debated in Parliament.

New additions
The commission has also recommended that new categories of people in public life submit their declarations of income, assets and liabilities. 

These are chairmen and members of service commissions; Transport Commissioner; Commissioner of Police; Chief Immigration Officer; chairman of Board of Inland Revenue; Comptroller of Customs; chief executives and members of State boards; all statutory bodies; municipal corporations and enterprises; whether or not they are partially or wholly funded by the State; and special and technical advisers to ministers.

The commission is seeking to remove permanent secretaries or chief accounting officers under the Exchequer and Audit Act, chief legal officers referred to in the Judicial and Legal Services Act and chief technical officers.

Public forum
Members of the audience raised a wide range of concerns and questions. Head of the Public Service Reynold Cooper, the permanent secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, asked whether a person in public life would be liable if in his declaration of net worth failed to declare the assets of a spouse. Ventour said the Act provided that the declaration include information “known.” “So if it is not known to you, it cannot be included,” he added.

Joint Consultative Council (JCC) president Afra Raymond said one of the main questions to be asked was what had gone wrong in terms of how public officials stole money. He asked: “What is it that they do? Because we have had an integrity commission for a certain number of years and the quantity of corruption does not seem to be going down.

“The first point about public money is a great deal of attention is focused on the declaration stage. It is refreshing to see the draft proposal suggests that the declaration may be expanded which is a step in the right direction. “I can say without fear of contradiction that the huge State enterprises... the majority of them are in the breach of the code of conduct. There are compelling cases there for the Integrity Commission to take action,” Raymond added. 

The criminal charges against hunger striker Dr Wayne Kublalsingh was yesterday put off until March next year. Kublalsingh who completed his 75th day without food and water turned up at the Siparia Magistrates Court in a wheelchair on charges of obstruction, assault and resisting arrest which arose during a protest in September last year at the Debe to Mon Desir leg of the highway. 

The leader of the Highway Re-route Movement has been confined to his home for weeks as he became weaker and abandoned his strike camp outside the Office of the Prime Minister, St Clair. Kublalsingh had to be lifted into court by two HRM members because the newly-refurbished court had no access ramp for wheelchairs. When he appeared before Senior Magistrate Ejenny Espinet his attorney, Lennox Sankersingh, asked for an adjournment. 

He said there were certain constitutional matters that were connected to the case and he wanted time for those matters to be addressed. Police prosecutor Sgt Dridgenath Sookraj did not object to the request. However, he informed the magistrate three witnesses were present, including Inspector Anderson Pariman who charged Kublalsingh. 

Espinet made a note of the witnesses and agreed to the adjournment. Kublalsingh was told to return to court on March 27 next year. Kublalsingh, who spoke briefly with reporters after his court appearance, said although using the wheelchair looks “very cumbersome I am not suffering at all.” 

He extended his gratitude to his supporters and especially thanked President Anthony Carmona, chairman of the Mediation Board of T&T Justice Vasheist Kokaram, Transparency International T&T chairman Deryck Murray, the Project 40 Group, all of whom “are calling for mediation” to resolve the dispute. Kublalsingh said he wanted everyone to know he was “in a very happy place.” However, he said he believed  his body was giving up but he remained firm in his purpose.

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan, SC, has been appointed deputy chairman of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) at the plenary session in El Salvador on Thursday. A statement said Attorney General Martinez Gonzalez, of El Salvador, who assumed the chairmanship of the organisation at the meeting, expressed eagerness to collaborate with Ramlogan on the leadership of the organisation.

Ramlogan was unanimously elected and is expected to take over the reins of leadership as chairman in November 2015. “The CFATF plays a critical role in promoting regional compliance with the international Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards on anti-money laundering and combatting the financing of terrorism,” the release said. 

The organisation comprises 27 countries from South and Central America and the Caribbean, with a total population of approximately 80 million people. These countries include Venezuela, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Belize and the Cayman Islands. CFATF is responsible for monitoring and evaluating member states in an effort to achieve compliance.

In his remarks Ramlogan said the Government of T&T was committed to the eradication of money laundering and terrorism as evidenced by recent legislative measures undertaken and continued hosting of the CFATF headquarters for the secretariat in Port-of-Spain since 1992. 

CrimeWatch host Ian Alleyne visited the family of police shooting victim Ray Phillips, 19, in Diego Martin this week. Phillips was shot and killed by police on November 20, after the police claimed he shot at them at Rich Plain, Diego Martin. However, the killing sparked immediate protests from the community and members of the Muslim faith, who all said the police had killed Phillips in cold blood.

Alleyne interviewed one of the members of the community who witnessed the event and got a detailed account of the killing. The man told Alleyne that Phillips worked as a painter with a contractor and was returning home from a job when he met armed police in the “track” he was using to go home. The man said the police shot an unarmed Phillips several times then, as he lay on the ground, turned him over and allegedly began taunting him. 

Phillips, still alive after he was initially shot, begged and pleaded with the police to spare his life, the man said. However, the police fired more shots at Phillips, killing him on the spot. The police then dragged him from the “track," put him into a police van and drove off. Police reported that Phillips was taken to the St. James Medical Center after he was shot, but was pronounced dead on arrival. 

But the community is crying out for justice as yet another youth has fallen victim to gun violence, this time at the alleged hands of police. Family members told Alleyne that a cover-up is already afoot, as when they went to the Forensic Science Centre to identify Phillips and view his autopsy they were initially refused entry by police. 

When they were finally admitted to see Phillips he was covered and they were only allowed to briefly view his face, but not the extent of the injuries he had sustained. Alleyne is currently investigating the matter. In another story, Alleyne is investigating a Housing Development Corporation fraud case in which Mala Deosaran claimed she was conned of $163,000 by two men who said they could secure a house for her.

Immediately after the show aired several calls came in from over 10 people who claimed they had also been conned by the two men. The following day a total of 13 people appeared on the show to give their stories about the men. 

Alleyne advised the victims to go to Fraud Squad to build a case against the men so they could be arrested. Alleyne also called on others who may have been conned by the men to contact Crime Watch so he could assist them with building their cases with Fraud Squad. 

The men subsequently appeared on the show and admitted to being involved in a scheme with a contractor where they got a cut for every person they got to pay to acquire a house. Alleyne contacted the Fraud Squad and two policemen arrived on the set and took the men into custody.

Alleyne also appealed to the public to help in the case of the murder of Seema Balkaran, 33, of Tewarie North Circular, Arima, who was shot several times near Tom’s Bar in Arena, Freeport. The motive of the killing is still unclear and the matter is still being investigated.

Unsolved
Alleyne aired exclusive footage of a man with a broken hand who robbed a known Chinese grocery in Enterprise, Chaguanas. The suspect is of African descent with dreadlocks. Alleyne is asking anyone who may know the identity of the man to call Crime Watch with the information that can assist police in the arrest of the suspect.

Breakthrough
Premchand Sookraj came to the Crime Watch set seeking help to recover $10,000 owed to him by electrician William King, of Carlsen Field, Chaguanas. Premchand claimed the work was incomplete and he wanted the balance of his money back. Alleyne contacted King who came to the show to give his side of the story. After Alleyne intervened an agreement was reached where King agreed to complete the work for  Sookraj.

In Charlieville Central Trinidad, he is known as ‘Sharky’ and yesterday the Jamaicans understood why, as Imran Khan ripped apart their batting to leave them 173 all out in their first innings of their third round WICB Professional Cricket League (PCL) clash at the Queen’s Park Oval in Portof- Spain. Left with 22 overs to bat out the day, the Red Force closed on a sorry 59 for five. Pacer Sheldon Cottrell playing this game before he leaves for West Indies duties in South Africa operated like a one man army, taking four of the five wickets to fall.

The left hander who is here to prove his fitness ahead of the Windies tour accounted for Lendl Simmons (14), Yannick Ottley (0), nightwatchman Daniel St. Clair (3) and Stephen Katwaroo (0), while a terrible mix up saw the end of Evin Lewis for 25. However, the day belonged to Khan and as the evening tide came in, he took over and men accustomed eating ackee and saltfish were on the menu. He enjoyed the offerings, finishing with 6/52, to follow his 6/13 in the last match against the Leewards. After Tamer Lambert (87) and Dave Bernard (65) had rescued their side from a perilous six runs for four wickets, to take them to 157 for five at tea, Sharky took over. In a brilliant spell of 4-1-5-5, he brought the Jamaicans to their knees, as they lost their last six wickets for 16 runs after the break.

The Alescon Comets all rounder now has 195 First Class wickets to his credit. Earlier, Emrit lost the toss for the first time this season and Lambert decided to take first strike. The decision immediately backfired, as the visitors lost four wickets with the score on six. Richards and Emrit cutting the ball both ways off the freshly prepared pitch created havoc and men from moving back and forth between the pavilion and the pitch in a hurry. Four wickets fell in the space of 27 balls, without a run being scored. The casualties were John Campbell (0), Shacaya Thomas (2), Nkurmah Bonner (0) and Andre McCarthy (0). Richards was very good and grabbed three wickets, while Emrit who bowled equally well took the other. Lambert then came out and showed that he had made a correct decision but digging in, together with Bernard.

With the pitch drying out in the beautiful weather, the effectiveness of the seamers dulled and the two who have played a combined 202 First Class matches, brought their experience to the fore. They slowly got their team out of the trouble and when the lunch van pulled up, the beefy Lambert and Bernard strode off with the score at 82 for four. Just before the break though Lambert was dropped at first slip by Lendl Simmons off Emrit on 42. After the interval it was more of the same, with the Jamaicans playing well within their means and gathering runs in the process. Lambert brought up his 22nd First Class fifty in 114 minutes off 79 balls with five fours and three sixes. Bernard followed soon after getting his in 167 minutes off 112 balls with seven fours. Emrit tried everything he could to separate the pair and it finally came from his trusted leg-spinner Khan. The right hander who passed a fitness test just before play struck with the score ar 151—ending a partnership of 145 runs for the fifth wicket. Lambert made a big heave to the onside and got a top edge that flew to Richards at extra cover. His innings lasted 202 minutes and contained ten fours and three sixes over 146 balls faced 
 

OTHER RESULTS
At National Stadium: Windwards lead by 63 runs with seven wickets intact.

LEEWARD ISLANDS 116 (Austin Richards 44; Liam Sebastien 5-39, Alston Bobb 4-31)

WINDWARD ISLANDS 179 for three (Devon Smith 83 not out, Sunil Ambris 33; Jeremiah Louis 2-27)

At Guyana National Stadium: Barbados trail by 257 runs with all 10 wickets intact.

GUYANA 261 (Anthony Bramble 73,

Shimron Hetmyer 47, Rajendra Chandrika 34; Ryan Hinds 4-50, Dwayne Smith 2-20, Jomel Warrican 2-52)

BARBADOS 4 without loss.

Martine Powers

Hazel Brown isn’t surprised when she meets people who have never heard of Elaine Manning. The few who recognise the name know her as the mother of former T&T prime minister Patrick Manning. But hardly anyone remembers that she was an esteemed politician in her own right, voted into local office in 1968, then reelected in 1971. “People were voting for Elaine, not for him,” Brown said, of Patrick Manning’s early career. “It must have been the influence of his mother who got him where he is.”

The histories of women like Elaine Manning are highlighted in a new book, made public last week, that gives a year-by-year recounting of all the women who have run for local political offices for the last seven decades. Women in Local Government Elections in Trinidad and Tobago 1946-2013 was penned by Brown, the outgoing co-ordinator of the Network of NGOs of T&T for the Advancement of Women, and edited by Dr Sheila Rampersad.

Brown and Rampersad discussed the highlights of the book at a presentation Wednesday at the Arima branch of Eastern Credit Union. They said their aim was to gather a comprehensive roster of the women who have played a role in politics since before the nation’s inception—long before T&T elected its first female prime minister in 2010.

“No longer can anyone claim that they didn’t know where to find information on women in the electoral process, or that the information was not available,” Rampersad said. “All writers, commentators, and radio talk show hosts should have this.”

The project has been in the works since 2006, when Brown tried to hunt down records of women involved in local elections and realised such archives did not exist. So she decided to create her own. But assembling a complete list was no small task, and required hunting down records from libraries, newspaper clips, political party archives, and personal interviews.

Brown refused to allow others to borrow her collection of notes from her desk, for fear that the archives would get lost or scattered and the little-known history would remain obscured forever. Some days, she wondered if the herculean effort would ever be completed. "Today is like one of those days when you see your grandchildren born,” Brown said.

At the outset of the project, Brown—herself mentioned in the book as an unsuccessful candidate in the 1987 election—estimated that there were probably about 100 women who had run for local office over the years. Instead, she tracked down about 500 names of women candidates—astonishing, she said, since so few of those names are widely known now.

In the process of hunting down the names of some of these women, Brown and her research assistants took out a full-page advertisement in a newspaper calling for those who knew of female candidates from previous decades to come forward. Almost immediately, the phone calls came flooding in. Brown was shocked. 

“Some people called almost in tears,” Brown said. “One man said, ‘My mother was a local government councillor and she worked her [tail] off, and nobody ever remembered her after she left.’” The 2,000 printed copies of the book, paid for by the UN Women’s Fund for Gender Equality, will be provided to local libraries, political party archives, schools, and universities.

A slim tome at 82 pages, the book offers a roster of names, data, and statistics from each election but little by the way of personal anecdotes or private memories. Still, Brown said, through her research she learned about some of the behind-the-scenes challenges that faced women who dared to throw their hats in the ring: Many did not receive the kind of financial backing from political parties that was enjoyed by their male colleagues.

Some found that their candidacy applications were “misplaced” by local clerks again and again. And many women were discouraged from running for office in contentious districts and instead pressured to file their candidacy for electoral races where they had no chance of winning.

Rampersad expects that the research laid out in the book will prove useful to political scientists, pollsters, historians, and women’s studies researchers. Even more, she said, she hopes that it inspires other women to consider entering politics. “For women—those inclined to involve themselves in the electoral political process, and for those wishing to understand their own histories—this book is an absolutely necessary companion,” Rampersad said.

BOX
Facts about women in T&T local elections

* First woman elected to local government: Audrey Jeffers, elected to Port-of-Spain Council in 1936

* Total number of female candidates in 1946: 1 (of 156 total candidates)

* Total number of female candidates in 1999: 85 (of 275 total candidates)

* The first year that all 14 regions featured female candidates: 1992

* First woman mayor of T&T: Britomarte Beryl Hochoy, elected to represent Arima

* Success rate of female candidates in 2003: 53 per cent

Source: “Women in Local Government Elections in Trinidad and Tobago 1946-2013”

An assault rifle, the Norinco 7.62mm, which is a Chinese variant of the Russian AK-47 assault rifle and a Taurus .45 Calibre pistol has been recovered and seized by officers in the San Juan area. The assault rifle, according to police officers, is capable of firing 100 rounds of ammunition per minute in fully automatic mode.

According to a police report, around 8 pm on Friday, police officers from the North Eastern Division Task Force (NEDTF) led by Sgt Cornelius Samuel and Cpl Kerwin Martin and including PCs Colin Furlonge, Ameer Ali, Roger Foy and Sunil Mootoor went to Bagatelle Extension Road, San Juan, where they searched a bushy area close to an abandoned structure and found the rifle and the pistol with three rounds of ammunition.

The officers had received information that the weapons were placed at the location to be used in a reprisal shooting that night, in connection with an incident where several men were shot in a bar in the area on Thursday night. The officers of the NEDTF have been intensifying their focus in Bagatelle Extension Road, San Juan and environs, after a sudden increase in violent gun related crime in that area.

No one was arrested in connection with the find. Investigations are continuing.

The major issue of corruption in Government will have to be defended by the ruling People’s Partnership administration during campaigning for the upcoming general election. That’s the view of MP for St Joseph Terrence Deyalsingh who explained that the issue has now been reversed from the PNM which lost the 2010 election on allegations of corruption.

He said the PP Government and individual ministers will now have to answer during the hustings in 2015. Deyalsingh also raised the alleged participation of South Africa in the negotiations for the contract on the controversial San Fernando to Point Fortin Highway and called for it to be investigated.

Q: Mr Deyalsingh, you have been in office for almost one year, which is sufficient time for you to settle down to the task as MP for St Joseph, what is the major headache in this constituency?
A: (Clearing his throat at the Mt Lambert branch of his constituency offices Tuesday morning) The major problem I have encountered is the constituents’ inability to deal with the utility companies. These utilities are not responding adequately, WASA and T&TEC, especially WASA.

Isn’t it correct to say, Mr MP, that St Joseph is not unique in that experience?
It is possible…I do not know about the other 40 constituencies in T&T but speaking to my constituents, I can tell you that for the past year, I have found myself dealing with these issues. I must say though, once I intervened we got results—whether it had to do with water supplies or fixing back roads after WASA dug up affected areas. I always find myself intervening to get WASA to restore the roads to their former passable condition.

And you enjoy it when that happens?
 Yeah, I enjoy that (a hearty laugh, rocking back in his chair).

 I mean, the more they repair the roads the more your political stocks go up?
 (Another big laugh) Well...but I don’t do it for my political stocks to go up because it is about service.

Serving the people?
Service. Serving the people...does that remind you of anything? Serve the people, serve the people...(Politely ignoring the question with a bright smirk) I think whatever we do as MPs, or more precisely parliamentary representatives, is no different than any other occupation where people dedicate their lives in the service of the people. We are all servants of the people in our respective fields.

Other problems?
Housing is a major challenge as there isn’t a sufficient distribution of units, but I see recently where the minister (Roodal Moonilal) is saying 10,000 houses are going to be distributed. But Government had four years to distribute these in an equitable fashion, and I look forward to all my applicants getting a fair share.

How many have you applied for?
Well, we have submitted. I will rejoice if some of these very needy cases do receive housing. Up to today, I saw about six people for housing so there is really a critical need. I look forward to my constituents benefitting in this regard.

Ok. You won the St Joseph by-election taking away this seat which was held by the PP administration, do you feel accepted by the government members in the Parliament?
Acceptance might be a very strong word, and I think they respect the fact that I am a member of the House of Representatives. I have to work with them and they have to work with me, so there is no animosity.
I am sure they will prefer if I wasn’t here (a tongue-in-cheek chuckle) and the fact is, I am here.

What about unemployment?
Yeah. That is an issue which is across the board. So what we have done, we sent about 300 young people to the different training programmes and what I have found surprising is that people are not fully aware of the opportunities that exist. I see myself now as a virtual broker matching opportunity with labour demands. 

And consequently, we have been able to positively impact about 300 people finding them jobs, getting them trained or retrained, that of course does not mean I have solved the unemployment problem in St Joseph.

Does that mean the Government messages are not reaching these people in an effective manner because Government has not been publicising these programmes?
I think what has happened is this, those people do not get their information from the same traditional avenue and they are now turning to social media. Once you do not advertise or promote goods on the media they use, that to me is the biggest  gap between matching opportunity with labour supply. Mass media is not doing it again and we have to come to grips with that, and that is why you have Guardian Media services and their online facilities.

Very well, let’s turn to some hard politics now…
(Bursts out laughing) I was wondering when you would get there, Clevon. Come on, hit me.

The PNM has somewhat stolen a march on the PP administration in the context of selecting candidates for the 2015 general election?
That’s right. And you may very well ask what we are seeking to get out of this move at this time...simple, the positives are we are now placing candidates who have been screened by arms of the PNM who have the necessary skills and qualifications. So we are being very proactive and setting the agenda for the national community, and it has responded quite favourable to that exercise.

How is this manifested?
In the way these candidates are now interacting in their respective communities, and constituents are happy to see a potential MP understanding the issues long before the general election is called and in doing so, bringing a certain amount of relief. For example, Clarence Rambharat is doing a lot of good work in Mayaro with the recent flooding on the ground and not only for political gains, but for bringing relief as I have just mentioned.

So you do admit there is an element of political opportunism?
We are in politics and we are making every opportunity to serve, to position ourselves as the next government, and what he is doing in Mayaro is to be lauded.

Ok. What are the negatives of jumping out the starting box before the race has officially started?
(Finger on lips, glancing at the ceiling pondering the question) I don’t see any negative because we know that election must be held in a certain time frame, so we’re going to set the pace.

There is some disagreement with your political leader and the Government over the exact period to call the election and on this matter, the Attorney General has sternly criticised Dr Rowley for his stand on this issue?
I will agree with my political leader on his analysis of the issue—any election date past May 25 will be viewed by the population very negatively. I don’t expect the AG to support Dr Rowley, and the People’s National Movement will fight election any date that it is constitutionally due, and we are going to contest all 41 seats, regardless. You know that, Mr Raphael.

The PNM, Mr Deyalsingh, lost the last general election for a number of reasons, the main one being alleged corruption. How much of an issue will corruption be in the upcoming polls?
The corruption charges for next year’s general election as part of the campaign will have very little to do with the PNM as that was decided in 2010. Now you have allegations between 2010 and 2015 involving junior minister Stacy Roopnarine and Minister Dr Suruj Rambachan; claims and counter claims have been made, she retracted. 

You had Section 34 and Minister Volney has taken the fall for it, etc. (He rattled off several more corruption allegations). And the contract for the San Fernando to Point Fortin Highway, where was that negotiated, Mr Raphael?

Wasn’t this signed when the PNM was in office up to 2010?
No. No. No. (Energetically gesticulating) The contract with the OAS, where and when was it done?  Has anything been negotiated in South Africa, Mr Raphael, with that highway? You investigate that, Mr Raphael.

Oh,  so you are now sending me to do some homework?
Yes. You investigate the South African connection with the Point Fortin Highway. So yes, corruption is going to be a big issue, but it is going to be corruption involving the incumbent Government and individual ministers.
This Government has had four years so far to prosecute anybody on the issue of corruption with supporting evidence to back their action, but how many, Mr Raphael, has been brought before the courts?

The future of Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), Orville London may very well lie in the hands of the All Tobago Fisherfolk Association (ATFA). So said the association’s public relations officer, Curtis Douglas during an interview with the Sunday Guardian at the Golden Thistle Hotel in Tobago. Also present were ATFA president Junior Quashie and fisherman Bill Mander. 

On November 17, a Tobago High Court judgment ruled in favour of ATFA against the THA and BHP Billiton over seismic surveys being carried out in waters north of the sister isle. That survey lasted for nine months. ATFA was represented by attorney Deborah Moore-Miggins and Senior Counsel E Prescott represented the THA. The judgment was handed down by Justice Ricky Rahim. The matter commenced in April 2014.

Quashie explained that because of the seismic survey which was carried out, the livelihood of about 1,400 fishermen suffered tremendously. “Before this survey was done, there was supposed to be a series of discussions with all parties but no one spoke to us. From what we understand, talks were held between BHP Billiton and the THA and clearance was given. We had no voice, so we decided to take the matter to the High Court.”

Douglas added that about five meetings were held between the oil company and the THA unknowing to them (ATFA). He said their “bone of contention” was that no compensation was given to the fishermen during the survey period. He felt that it should have been part of the court’s ruling.

Douglas explained that before the survey fishermen, during an eight-hour stint of fishing out in the seas, yielded about 500 to 600 pounds of fish at $20 per pound, “That is on a good day. On and on a bad day, fishermen would catch about 300 pounds. “Now, with the survey, on a good day the yield is only about 300 pounds and on a bad day, about 180 pounds.

“So when all that monies are calculated we are losing by the thousands of dollars a day, which is unfair to us. So, why aren’t we being properly and fairly compensated?” Douglas said subsequent to the ruling, they drafted a letter hoping to have a meeting with London but they are still waiting.

“Mr London now has a golden opportunity to make right and do right for the people of Tobago. He must sit down and discuss the damages and hardship that they have caused in the lives of the fishermen and their families,” Douglas said. “If London don’t meet with us he could very well be history because by the thousands they will refuse to vote for him or support him in any upcoming election,” he added.

Attorney Deborah Moore-Miggins, who successfully represented ATFA, stressed on a major factor—a breach of natural justice—which was highlighted by Justice Rahim. “This is a serious and major factor here. The THA needs to understand that they are not an ordinary group of people but a public body funded by public funds. When you take positions like that and don’t consult with the other sides it sets itself in a position clearly that cannot be filled in the principles of natural justice,” Moore-Miggins said.

“When you do seismic surveys it affects the livelihood and income of the fishermen and also, it interferes with fish life, spawning grounds which are long-term concerns.” 

She, however, noted that this was not the first time that the THA had run into problems over seismic surveys. She referred to several years ago where Petro Canada had to pay some compensation to fishermen. Another company, Centrica, she said, understood that the fishermen were prepared to go to court and therefore negotiated with the fishermen in a respectable manner and paid them.

What is Seismic surveying?
It is a vital part of exploring for oil and gas making it critical to producing the energy needed. Oil and gas explorers use seismic surveys to produce detailed images of the various rock types and their location beneath the Earth’s surface and they use this information to determine the location and size of oil and gas reservoirs.

Sound waves are bounced off underground rock formations and the waves that reflect back to the surface are captured by recording sensors. Analysing the time the waves take to return provides valuable information about rock types and possible gases or fluids in rock formations. This is similar to the use of ultrasound in medicine. According to the seismicsurvey.com.au Web site.

The court ruled
It is declared that the decision taken by the Defendant (THA) to endorse the document “Framework for Identifying and Communicating with the Affected Users of BHP Billiton 2014 Deep Water Seismic Survey Area” communicated by letter dated November 15 2013 was made in breach of principles of natural justice and is null and void with no effect.
• Centorari is granted to remove this Honourable Court and quash the decision.
• The Defendant is mandated to withdraw the letter of endorsement of November 15, 2013, in writing addressed to BHPB and copied to EMA.
• The Defendant is mandated to consider the representations by the Claimant should the Defendant embark on a fresh process of deciding whether to issue an endorsement.
• The Defendant is to pay to the Claimant the costs of the claim to be assessed by a Registrar in default of agreement.

A British couple is moving to sue the T&T government for two million pounds, five years after a brutal machete attack in Tobago.

In August 2009, Peter Green and his wife, Murium were chopped and left for dead at their Bacolet Crescent home. They survived, barely and with permanent injuries. Green, 70, a retired hotelier, had a cracked skull, fractured cheekbones, smashed teeth, limited vision after the knife cut out his left cornea, and nerve damage. Murium, who has multiple sclerosis, had both cheekbones and eye sockets smashed, and her jaw detached.

According to UK media reports, the Greens are claiming that the T&T Government should have warned tourists the place was “dangerous”. They are reported as saying that they suffered ongoing physical and psychological damage from the incident.

The reports days after a German couple—Hubertus Keil and his wife, Birgid—were found hacked to death at Minister’s Bay, a stone’s throw from their Bacolet residence.

Green is quoted as saying: "It might cost us a lot of money but we're going to do it. We want to bring it to people's attention that these islands are dangerous.

"There have been several other incidents. A Swedish couple was decapitated just west of Bacolet not long before we were attacked. It's a beautiful place but they do not tell you your life is in danger if you're going over there—it should carry some kind of health warning, like on a cigarette packet."

According to the report, Green said, "The authorities don't like me because I am a constant reminder of what their republic stands for. They say I've ruined their tourism industry and had an effect on hoteliers, but people need to know how dangerous this place is."

The legal challenge, the report said, will begin after medical assessments.

Haunted house?
Since the 2009 attack, the Greens' house has been up for sale, but neighbours believe because of the stigma attached it is yet to find a new owner.

One neighbour told the Guardian: "Several couples from Europe and the USA came to view the property but after they were informed of the bloody attack they have changed their minds because they are very scared knowing to that the suspect is still on the loose."

"Now with the (Keils’) double murder, it makes it even worse."

The resident is very concerned and is thinking of selling her property and leaving Tobago for good.

A couple who was in the area on Friday told T&T Guardian that they were there to view several properties in the Bacolet area but were thinking twice whether or not to pursue with any transactions.

"This is a very serious situation and I don't think we will be in any position to risk our own lives."

The Greens' former residence is now overgrown with bush and vines. The white paint is washed out and the walls are partly covered in moss. The main door of the house is boarded up.

Another resident compared it to a haunted house out of a horror movie.

Asked if the Keils had befriended the Greens, the resident said: "I will be honest, I do not know. But whenever we see each other, pleasantries are extended. That is a question that should be answered by Mr & Mrs Green."

Hours after he ordered the demolition of the historic Greyfriars Church of Scotland, owner Alfred Galy agreed to stay his hand.

But not before a demolition crew smashed its way through the northern wall of the Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain landmark.

Despite yesterday’s bad weather, workers of Joel Ramdeen and Company, working with an excavator, started demolition around 5 am. By 8 am, the manse (church hall) was reduced to rubble, and the northern wall of the church was taken down.

Joshua Lu, who had been circulating a petition calling for the preservation of the site as a historic building, alerted officials from Citizens for Conservation who rushed to the scene to prevent further demolition work. 

Lu said he often drove into the capital on a weekend to check the site and ensure no demolition work was being done.

Conservation activists and concerned citizens started to flock to the churchyard, as news of the demolition spread.

In an attempt to stop the excavator operator from knocking down the remaining church walls, Lu entered the building and stood inside the church, even as the owner of the excavator ordered the operator to continue the demolition.

Lu was later joined by Dr Nurah-Rosalie Cordner, adviser to Minister of National Diversity and Social Integration Rodger Samuel, who jumped onto the excavator and appealed to the operator to stop destroying the country’s heritage. As four workmen attempted to forcibly remove her, Cordner’s hijab (head covering) was pulled off by and her purse was ripped open, leaving her personal belongings scattered among the debris.

Blinking away tears, executive secretary of Citizens for Conservation, Michele Celestine said yesterday’s action caught everyone unawares.

“Mr Galy continues to disrespect the process, although we have been in discussions with him all week and for the past two weeks trying to come up with a city plan where he can construct a building as he says he wants to do, and we would get to keep our historic church.”

Celestine said it was disappointing to witness the destruction of a building which was centuries old.

“The notice of intention to list this property as a historic site has been served on Mr Galy over three weeks now.”

Galy had expressed an interest in purchasing adjacent properties to construct offices, she said.

Chairman of the Council of the National Trust Professor Winston Suite said Galy had acted in a “dishonest and disrespectful” manner.

“Like a thief in the night, he has moved in to destroy the building and hoping by the time people wake up Monday morning, everything would be done and it would be a fait accompli.” Suite was joined by his wife, attorney Lynette Seebarran-Suite and Deputy Principal of the University of the West Indies, Professor Rhoda Reddock, who were outraged over the demolition. 

Officials of the non-profit organisation Citizens for Conservation were also on site.

Standing in the rain as he surveyed the scene in disbelief, Samuel said: “They just don’t have respect for this country—absolutely no respect—because we have been negotiating, the Town and Country Division up to Thursday was negotiating with this gentleman in good faith trying to help him work around it. 

“And this is what happens, like a thief in the night.”

Samuel said no demolition approvals were granted by the Port-of-Spain City Corporation. 

He said he would remain on the site until the excavator was removed.

Up to yesterday evening, Galy was expected to sit with officials to discuss the way forward. Those meetings are expected to include Samuel, officials of the Council of the National Trust, and representatives from the Town and Country Planning Division.

Hours after he ordered the demolition of the historic Greyfriars Church of Scotland, owner Alfred Galy agreed to stay his hand. But not before a demolition crew smashed its way through the northern wall of the Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain landmark. Despite yesterday’s bad weather, workers of Joel Ramdeen and Company, working with an excavator, started demolition around 5 am. By 8 am, the manse (church hall) was reduced to rubble, and the northern wall of the church was taken down.

Joshua Lu, who had been circulating a petition calling for the preservation of the site as a historic building, alerted officials from Citizens for Conservation who rushed to the scene to prevent further demolition work. Lu said he often drove into the capital on a weekend to check the site and ensure no demolition work was being done. Conservation activists and concerned citizens started to flock to the churchyard, as news of the demolition spread.

In an attempt to stop the excavator operator from knocking down the remaining church walls, Lu entered the building and stood inside the church, even as the owner of the excavator ordered the operator to continue the demolition. 

Lu was later joined by Dr Nurah-Rosalie Cordner, adviser to Minister of National Diversity and Social Integration Rodger Samuel, who jumped onto the excavator and appealed to the operator to stop destroying the country’s heritage. As four workmen attempted to forcibly remove her, Cordner’s hijab (head covering) was pulled off by and her purse was ripped open, leaving her personal belongings scattered among the debris.

Blinking away tears, executive secretary of Citizens for Conservation, Michele Celestine said yesterday’s action caught everyone unawares. “Mr Galy continues to disrespect the process, although we have been in discussions with him all week and for the past two weeks trying to come up with a city plan where he can construct a building as he says he wants to do, and we would get to keep our historic church.”

Celestine said it was disappointing to witness the destruction of a building which was centuries old. “The notice of intention to list this property as a historic site has been served on Mr Galy over three weeks now.” Galy had expressed an interest in purchasing adjacent properties to construct offices, she said. Chairman of the Council of the National Trust Professor Winston Suite said Galy had acted in a “dishonest and disrespectful” manner.

“Like a thief in the night, he has moved in to destroy the building and hoping by the time people wake up Monday morning, everything would be done and it would be a fait accompli.” Suite was joined by his wife, attorney Lynette Seebarran-Suite and Deputy Principal of the University of the West Indies, Professor Rhoda Reddock, who were outraged over the demolition. Officials of the non-profit organisation Citizens for Conservation were also on site.

Standing in the rain as he surveyed the scene in disbelief, Samuel said: “They just don’t have respect for this country—absolutely no respect—because we have been negotiating, the Town and Country Division up to Thursday was negotiating with this gentleman in good faith trying to help him work around it. “And this is what happens, like a thief in the night.” Samuel said no demolition approvals were granted by the Port-of-Spain City Corporation. He said he would remain on the site until the excavator was removed.

WAY FORWARD
Up to yesterday evening, Galy was expected to sit with officials to discuss the way forward. Those meetings are expected to include Samuel, officials of the Council of the National Trust, and representatives from the Town and Country Planning Division.

Be less “arrogant.” That’s the word from Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to her Cabinet ministers, as she moves to cut down the trappings that keep them distanced from the public. The Sunday Guardian yesterday detailed a confidential Cabinet meeting last Wednesday at which Persad-Bissessar clamped down on Ministerial use of blue flashing lights, shortcuts through South Quay bus terminus, private use of the State helicopter and heavy dark tint their vehicles.

Responding to questions from the media at her annual Toy Drive at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima yesterday, Persad-Bissessar said the decision was triggered by conversations with the public. She said in those talks with citizens, she found that people perceived them as arrogant.

“Sometimes, some say our ministers have been away from them, some use the word “arrogant” and say they’ve been shut down. I shared this with the ministers and I indicated to them we need to get back close to the people. That’s why people put us here,” she said. “I do not have tint on my own vehicle, believe it or not,” Persad-Bissessar said.

While not speaking directly to the issue of the blue flashing lights, Persad-Bissessar said her ministers must feel what the citizens feel on a daily basis, especially the daily traffic congestion. Blue flashing lights can be used by to bypass traffic that most citizens are forced to face.

“There are a lot of issues there. They agreed that we would deal with these issues, because traffic is an issue we have been trying to deal with. Ordinary citizens every day face that traffic congestion and they want to feel that their MPs and ministers are also part of that feeling,” Persad-Bissessar said.

MORE INFO
Response to poll
Persad-Bissessar said she found a recent poll “very encouraging” but conceded that it does not give the whole picture. Results from the poll, recently published in the local media, place the PM’s People’s Partnership in a tight race with the opposition People’s National Movement (PNM). She said the polls also show that the people want “better governance and leadership.”

A British couple is moving to sue the T&T government for £2 million, five years after a brutal machete attack in Tobago. In August 2009, Peter Green and his wife, Murium were chopped and left for dead at their Bacolet Crescent home. They survived, barely and with permanent injuries. Green, 70, a retired hotelier, had a cracked skull, fractured cheekbones, smashed teeth, limited vision after the knife cut out his left cornea, and nerve damage. 

Murium, who has multiple sclerosis, had both cheekbones and eye sockets smashed, and her jaw detached. According to UK media reports, the Greens are claiming that the T&T Government should have warned tourists the place was “dangerous.” They are reported as saying that they suffered ongoing physical and psychological damage from the incident.

The reports days after a German couple—Hubertus Keil and his wife, Birgid—were found hacked to death at Minister’s Bay, a stone’s throw from their Bacolet residence. Green is quoted as saying: “It might cost us a lot of money but we’re going to do it. We want to bring it to people’s attention that these islands are dangerous.

“There have been several other incidents. A Swedish couple was decapitated just west of Bacolet not long before we were attacked. It’s a beautiful place but they do not tell you your life is in danger if you’re going over there—it should carry some kind of health warning, like on a cigarette packet.”

According to the report, Green said: “The authorities don’t like me because I am a constant reminder of what their republic stands for. They say I’ve ruined their tourism industry and had an effect on hoteliers, but people need to know how dangerous this place is.” The legal challenge, the report said, will begin after medical assessments.

haunted house?
Since the 2009 attack, the Greens’ house has been up for sale, but neighbours believe because of the stigma attached it is yet to find a new owner. One neighbour told the Guardian: “Several couples from Europe and the USA came to view the property but after they were informed of the bloody attack they have changed their minds because they are very scared knowing to that the suspect is still on the loose.”

“Now with the (Keils’) double murder, it makes it even worse.” The resident is very concerned and is thinking of selling her property and leaving Tobago for good. A couple who was in the area on Friday told T&T Guardian that they were there to view several properties in the Bacolet area but were thinking twice whether or not to pursue with any transactions.

“This is a very serious situation and I don’t think we will be in any position to risk our own lives.” The Greens’ former residence is now overgrown with bush and vines. The white paint is washed out and the walls are partly covered in moss. The main door of the house is boarded up. Another resident compared it to a haunted house out of a horror movie.

Asked if the Keils had befriended the Greens, the resident said: “I will be honest, I do not know. But whenever we see each other, pleasantries are extended. That is a question that should be answered by Mr and Mrs Green.”

People’s National Movement Port-of-Spain South nominee Louis Lee Sing says it would be unthinkable for anyone to ask him to support or assist incumbent Marlene McDonald if PNM’s screening team chooses her. Lee Sing, former Port-of-Spain Mayor, is one of three nominees being screened for that seat Wednesday at Balisier House. He spoke to the Guardian after the constituency’s executive met last Wednesday and agreed to back McDonald for the candidacy.

PNM Chair for Port-of-Spain South Jean Elder confirmed this. “Port-of-Spain South supports Marlene McDonald. She’s the person whom the executive will recommend to the screening team on Wednesday.” Elder declined, last week, to comment on the prospects of Lee Sing and radio show host Isha Wells, another nominee. Lee Sing is claiming that the meeting of the executive was flawed.

“I’m reliably informed the incumbent was at the meeting the executive held last Wednesday to decide on who they’d recommend. That’s highly  unacceptable and runs in the face of any democratic process and a level playing field,” Lee Sing said. “I am however still awaitng  list of party group chairmen and secretaries which I requested from the constituency executive since October 21 and it’s now a couple days before screening.”

Lee Sing said it was important for PNM to be cohesive since the Independent Liberal Party (ILP) had also targeted POS South. McDonald didn’t answer calls yesterday.

Confusion over San Fernando East
Lee Sing was concerned at his party’s handling of the San Fernando East MP Patrick Manning, a former prime minister. Manning said last week he would consider contesting the seat in the 2015 general election. The announcement came as a surprise to many as Manning has had major and prolonged health issues. “I heard people asking what Mr Manning wants. I think he wants proper succession in San Fernando East and it’s not too much to ask, Lee Sing said.

“Mr Manning needs to be treated as the special person he has earned the place to be. You can’t  treat with him as you would everyone else.” San Fernando East public relations officer Anthony Clarke said Manning was awaiting a reply from political leader Keith Rowley to a letter suggesting that he and Rowley hold talks. However, PNM general secretary Ashton Ford said he was awaiting a reply from Manning on his November 26 invitation for Manning to meet party’s national executive on Wednesday.

Ford said Manning hadn’t replied. “The invitation was issued on behalf of the leader and executive but I don’t know if he’s coming. We merely invited him to a meeting. We’re at a loss why he released the letter publicly,” he said. “When the general secretary writes him to come and meet the national executive, that must be like a red flag before a bull,” Lee Sing said.

“If I was leader I’d seek to meet Mr Manning one on one, perhaps with the general secretary. But to ask him to meet the entire national executive is not only unreasonable but also suggests indiscretion on the part of those requesting the meeting. When they did that, what did they expect of Manning?” He added, “I hope the leadership will return to the drawing board and find the best way to address San Fernando East, because San Fernando East ain’t Port-of-Spain South.

Ford said Rowley was due home yesterday.  Asked if Rowley would respond to Manning today, Ford said Rowley would have to speak on that.  He said San Fernando East has asked the party to postpone nomination submission, due today.  
Clarke said there was no urgent need to nominate candidates.

People living with HIV experience, on average, unemployment rates three times higher than the national average. Closing the gap—the theme of this World AIDS Day—is a strong reminder that despite significant progress, we have left behind some populations at heightened risk of infection. We can only achieve our goal of ending Aids by 2030 if we effectively address their needs, which include decent jobs, respect for their labour rights and social protection coverage.

HIV-related discrimination, gender based violence and inequalities remain major obstacles to the uptake of HIV services, including testing. As of 2013, 19 million out of an estimated 35 million people living with HIV worldwide—more than half—were unaware of their HIV status. Where stigma and discrimination are prevalent, workers will be less likely to seek information, testing and treatment services, for fear of losing their jobs and their livelihoods. 

People need to be aware of their HIV status so that they can seek treatment and prevent the further spread of the virus. Responding to this challenge, the ILO launched the VCT@Work Initiative, in collaboration with UNAIDS and a range of partners. To date, the initiative has reached more than one million workers and mobilised close to 500,000 to undertake the HIV test, 37 per cent of whom are women. 

The UNAIDS World AIDS Day Report 2014 shows how successful we have been in breaking the conspiracy of silence, and bending the trajectory of the Aids epidemic. But it also reminds us that we still have essential unfinished business in order to eradicate Aids by 2030. Adequate social protection coverage is part of this unfinished business. 

Social protection must be expanded to include people living with HIV and their households because it improves their economic security and enables access to and adherence to effective HIV treatment. In the post-2015 sustainable development scenario, we will have to keep our sights fixed on the goal of ending Aids by 2030. 

We need both to expand and speed up our efforts towards the most vulnerable and those who have the least access to treatment. Eliminating HIV-related stigma and discrimination and promoting employment and social protection coverage for people living with HIV is an essential part of this agenda. As we celebrate this World AIDS Day and reflect on how far we have come, let’s accelerate our push to close the gap. Let’s end Aids by 2030.

Michele Marius

On Monday, 25 November, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) published its Measuring the Information Society Report 2014 in which it highlights key technology and developments worldwide and tracks the cost and affordability of telecommunications services as of the end of 2013. 

The report includes the results of the organisation’s review of information and communications Technology (ICT) development globally, through its ICT Development Index. The IDI includes 11 indicators organised under three sub-indices: ICT access, ICT use and ICT skills.

Thirteen Caribbean countries were among the 166 economies assessed: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. 

The majority of Caribbean countries slipped positions since the 2012 IDI exercise. The exceptions were Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago, which improved their positions in the index, whilst Guyana and Saint Lucia, retained its 2012 ranking. But most Caribbean countries’ IDI scores improved compared with the previous year, which was generally the trend across the set of countries. 

It could be that the decline in ranking that many Caribbean countries experienced could be attributed to the marked improvements that other countries worldwide have made. 

As reflected by the overall IDI scores and rankings, Barbados, followed by Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Antigua and Barbuda generally performed the best across the three sub-indices (access, use and skills). The most notable exception was Cuba, which overall had an IDI score of 2.77 and was ranked 125th out of 166 countries, but again the ITU reported that Cuba’s score for ICT skills was quite high—44th among the 166 countries.

The Caribbean group performed relatively well under the ICT access and skills sub-indices, which indicates that the region has a reasonably good handle on matters related to telecommunications infrastructure and education. But not unlike last year’s assessment, the region appears to be challenged with regard to ICT readiness, based on the actual use of the Internet and take-up of both wired and wireless broadband subscriptions densities.

In summary, and as reflected in other assessments conducted by other organisations, Caribbean countries still have not established the necessary systems to facilitate better use of technology by their citizens. The IDI scores not only reflect that the region is still lagging behind in relation to ICT development, it also suggests that they might not be positioning themselves for the possibilities and opportunities that could emerge from a more focused effort towards becoming Information Societies.

Michele Marius is the publisher and editor of ICT Pulse, a blog that discusses technology issues from a Caribbean perspective. She has almost two decades of professional experience in the telecommunications and ICT fields, which has been gained in the Caribbean, Southeast Asia and the South Pacific, and in developed and developing countries.

My name is Marc de Verteuil and I’m working to establish a sanctuary giving sharks 100 per cent protection.  

I live in Goodwood Park. My parents got a divorce when I was seven, and I moved to the Netherlands with my mother and sister, Genevieve. I never adapted to feeling Dutch and moved back to Trinidad when I was 25. My home has always been here.

I’m undecided about having a family of my own. I’m still single at age 41, and I don’t know that will change soon. My sister has three children, Sebastian, Jordan and Zoe. I don’t think I could love my own children more than I love them. The world population is surging towards 9. 6 billion by 2050.  So I also struggle with the morality of putting more children on this planet.

Both my parents are alive. But I “lost” my dad to mental illness a long time ago. He’s severely schizophrenic. My father saw his whole life fall apart. He lives with that pain and the bewilderment of his disease every day. He misses his family. He is shunned by most people. The pain is unimaginable. When something like that happens in a family, it’s like throwing a bomb in a crowded room: everybody gets hurt. My grandfather had to see his son deteriorate. 

My mother saw the man she loved change into something she could not understand, or live with. Her nurturing home was destroyed. My sister saw her parents, home and life torn apart. 

My dad was my best friend. I don't think anybody will ever fully recover.

But my sister's kids cuddle him, accepting Grandpa and loving him for who he is. So I know there is still something good about his life.  

I'm an atheist. I have read most of the Bible and some of the Koran. Neither reading has convinced me that there is a god, or that the god described is just or unconditionally loving. 

It must be the grandest arrogance a human being can have to think that he or she is eternal. If there is an afterlife, then it is in the form of our DNA. And humans share 50 per cent of DNA with bananas.

Half the time, my car radio’s tuned in to BBC World Service. The other half, I switch from dancehall to indie to pop to rock.

Just because I use different terms for music doesn't mean I know which style fits what name. I'm just trying to sound like I know what I'm talking about.  

If chipping down the road on Carnival Monday and Tuesday is dancing, then I dance. 

I'm a vegetarian but I'd have to admit my favourite meal would be rib-eye steak. Rare, with garlic butter and a white wine reduction. And super-thin French fries. 

On a reef in Indonesia, sharks were overfished. Without predators, the snapper population exploded. The snappers ate out the grazer fish like parrotfish. Without parrotfish the reef became overgrown with algae and started to die. Without sharks, the oceans will be less productive.

Sharks are apex predators and many species are hurtling towards extinction. A billion people around the world depend on the ocean for protein and income. So protecting sharks means protecting people.  

On average, five people per year worldwide are killed by sharks. In the US alone, about 13 people per year are killed by vending machines. Cows, cars, bathtubs and ladders each kill more people than sharks.

The best thing about establishing a shark sanctuary is it gives Trinidadians a chance to view ourselves as responsible, protective, nurturing people guided by rationalism. And not our bellies, fears or general ignorance.

Sometimes people tell me, “Oh, you’re a rich white boy, you could afford to care about sharks, but poor people have to eat a food.” I tell them the depletion of fish stocks hits poor local fishermen first. The rich don’t care. They will buy farmed salmon imported from Alaska.

A Trini is a Nobel Prize-winning author, a Trini is also somebody implicated in a plot to bomb JFK airport. A man who uses his body to stop highway bulldozers. An island scholarship winner, a single mother with six children from six different fathers, a climate scientist with the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change, a gangster, the couple trying to make ends meet selling doubles. There is no one prototype Trini. 

T&T, to me, means “home” and “pride.” I have a UK passport but I use my Trini passport whenever possible, just because it is more part of who I am. 

Read a longer version of this feature at www.BCRaw.com

Once labelled T&T's most wanted man, Azmon Alexander is expected to appear before the Arima Court today.

Police are already securing the venue and a heavy media presence is anticipated.

Alexander and a 17-year-old accomplice were to appear before an Arima magistrate Friday but a mix-up in the charges frustrated curious onlookers who had showed up to get a glimpse of the men charged with kidnapping, murder and other offences. 

Another large crowd is expected today.

They are accused of kidnapping Brasso Seco residents Felix Martinez, 52, Irma Rampersad, 49, her daughters — Felicia, 17, and Jennelle Gonzales, 19 — and her daughter, 14-month-old Shania Amoroso. 
The family members were last seen on October 26 and reported missing two days later. Martinez also was reported missing but residents thought he had gone on a hunting trip.   

On November 8, his body was found in a sleeping bag along with that of baby Shania. On November 11, Rampersad’s body was found near a tree. All three bodies were found badly decomposed in the Brasso Seco forest. Rampersad and Martinez were strangled, according to autopsies. The cause of death for baby Shania remains unknown, however, as her autopsy was inconclusive owing to the advanced stage of decomposition. 

Three days after Rampersad’s body was found, sisters Jennelle and Felicia were rescued by police from a makeshift camp in the Lalaja forest after a shootout with two men who were guarding them. The sisters have been kept in a safe house since they were rescued.

An unidentified man described by police as mentally ill was shot and killed by police yesterday morning after he assaulted a police officer.

According to police, around 8.15 am members of the Arima Crime Patrol Unit responded to a report that a man armed with a cutlass at Heights of Aripo was threatening pedestrians. 

When the officers went to the scene they found the man brandishing the weapon in a threatening manner.

The officers first attempted to coax the man into going for counselling before wrestling the cutlass out of the his hand. 

The man then reportedly  picked up a stone and bashed Cpl Seulal in the head before he was shot by another officer. 

The man was taken to the Arima Health Facility where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Cpl Seulal, police said, underwent emergency surgery and is now in a stable condition.