A mental outpatient became the first casualty of the recent nationwide flooding when he drowned in the swollen Lengua River in Barrackpore.

Relatives said as flood waters rose on Monday afternoon during a thunderstorm, the river swell was so much that water reached over a bridge along Cunjal Road, where 53-year-old Kashib Ali would usually cross daily to get food and medicine.

A report stated that Ali, who lived alone on Cummoto Road, Barrackpore, was last seen walking near the river around 2 pm. Later on when relatives went to his home he was nowhere to be found. A missing person’s report was made to Barrackpore police. As the search went into yesterday morning, a Cunjal Road resident reported seeing a body on the river bank.

Police and relatives arrived and confirmed Ali’s identity. An initial examination suggested he drowned as there was no sign of violence. But investigators said they were not sure if he slipped into the river.

Ali’s brother, Ackbar, told the T&T Guardian yesterday that he used to take care of Ali’s medication and mail, but he lived a half mile away at Realise Road. Along the road was small bridge across over the Lengua River, which was being threatened by flash floods

“He went missing around 3 o’clock and we did not know where to look for him. Normally, he came for his medication between 2 and 3. When we missed him, I sent my son to look for him because he was supposed to come for food and medication," Ackbar said.

“When we made some inquiries people said they saw him going to the river, but he didn’t reach across by me. Then I realised something was wrong. We started to look but we could not do much because the river was really high so we had to wait until we got a search party and we found him about 500 feet from where we expected him to cross the bridge. I feel because of the height of the water, he got swept away.”

The Public Service Commission must explain why it appointed a junior officer on contract—and who’s the first cousin of the Public Administration Minister—to be the Election and Boundaries Commission’s new Chief Election Officer, says UNC Senator Wade Mark.

Mark called for clarification on the situation during yesterday’s Senate debate on the 2018 Budget.

“There’s a clear and present danger of Government undermining independent institutions—an attempt to hijack democracy,” he said.

“Our information is the Public Service Commission (PSC) recently took this unprecedented astonishing decision to appoint this person as EBC’s chief election officer. We want clarification. Why is PSC breaking well-established regulations?” he asked.

EBC officials said Chief Elections Officer was one Fern Narcis who was appointed about a month ago. They couldn’t comment on the matter including if she was the first cousin of the Public Administration Minister Maxie Cuffie. Narcis and other senior EBC officers within the CEO’s division weren’t available yesterday.

Officials of the Public Service Commission’s Woodford Street office, Port-of-Spain were unable to immediately answer on Mark’s claims. Communication officials said the matter would be sent to a senior officer for a response.

PSC chairman Maureen Manchouk, contacted by T&T Guardian said: “The position was advertised. We had a process and the person who was appointed (at EBC) was the person who topped the list.”

She said she didn’t know if that person was a contract officer or not. Nor did Manchouck have any idea if the person was related to the Public Administration Minister. Cuffie is on leave following a recent stroke.

Independent Senator Dr Dhanayshar Mahabir yesterday called on the Government to impose a new tax on the sale fireworks.

The money generated from the fireworks, Mahabir said can be used for the purchase of much-needed drugs for the Chronic Disease Assistance Programme (CDAP).

Delivering his contribution on the budget in the Senate Mahabir said the country had seen its tenth deficit budget.

“Deficits have some problems associated with them…and the problems are that the deficits give rise to debts.”

He said every debt that exists the country must service it, stating that no matter how hard Finance Minister Colm Imbert tries, he would not get expenditure down below $50 billion.

“Cutting expenditure is politically almost impossible. Not that it should not be attempted.”

He said Government will have to find ways to slash expenditure in the public service and eliminate waste.

In the current environment, Mahabir offered solutions that would not cost the Government much.

Estimating that 20 per cent of country’s population was deemed poor, Mahabir said we could find funds to finance the CDAP.

“The poor people get their pharmaceuticals from that CDAP programme. There is a suggestion. You see all the fireworks on Divali night that created mayhem in Trinidad and Tobago. Tax the fireworks,” he said.

He suggested the money earned from that tax be put it into a fund to finance the CDAP programme.

“It will make a lot of poor people happy,” he said.

Another proposal Mahabir put forward for the needy to use credit unions as the poor people bank, where they can save and lift themselves.

“But in order to do that, we need to have the credit union organisations regulated.”

Mahabir said it was no secret that the majority of people who patronise Play Whe are poor.

“We have to think outside the box now. Could we marry savings and gambling?”

Mahabir came up with the plan where the poor can put in $100 in a Unit Trust account.

“At the end of the month he (account holder) agrees that $1 out of my (his) interest will be put into a fund and Unit Trust has 100,000 accounts. At the end of the month, there is $100,000 there and random draw of 100 persons in that UTC will give each person an extra $1,000 in winnings.”

Mahabir looked at it as gambling their savings.

He said this idea had been used in North America to encourage the vulnerable to save their earnings, while at the same time participate in a gambling scheme.

Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar says the national executive is acting lawfully regarding the decision to hold the election for the post of political leader a year before it is due.

Speaking to the media while visiting flood-hit victims in El Socorro, Persad-Bissessar responded to Singh’s letter of complaint to the UNC in which he accused the National Executive (NATEX) of acting “ultra vires” Article 18 of the Constitution.

Persad-Bissessar laughed at the complaint suggesting “I think Ganga Singh may want to get himself a good lawyer. We are acting within the provisions of the constitution. The election will be a valid one when held. Ganga needs a better lawyer than he is.”

She said, “it is ludicrous, it is a totally ludicrous kind of argument that is being put forward.”

Persad-Bissessar said under the country’s Constitution “a Prime Minister has an election constitutionally due every five years but, a prime minister can call a national election, a snap election, anytime. Are you then telling me an Opposition Leader cannot call a sooner election for an Opposition political party? That is ludicrous.”

She said there are some who may not want her to win but confidently forecast “I have no doubt that I will win the party’s election and perhaps there are some who are trying to stop that.”

Asked why she felt the need to have the election a year earlier, she said that the decision was taken because of what she expected would be a busy election period ahead both at the local government and national level.

She said in El Socorro there could be a by-election where a councillor passed away.

Having the leadership election early, she said, “gives the party a chance to put in place a new executive that will take the party forward without the kind of division and bitterness that arises every time there is an internal election because you have conflicting factions who all want to try.”

The Opposition Leader said with the internal and leadership election out of the way the party could then “concentrate on what is the most important thing, which is to win whichever election is called, whenever it is called and remove this incompetent, wicked government out of office. That is my goal.”

She said she did not care about “this position or that position, what I care about is the country and serving the country and that is my goal and that is my aim I will continue to serve the country in the best way that I can.”

She blasted Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley who left the country yesterday to attend a Caricom/Mexico Summit on Disaster Preparedness saying “this is the worst flooding I have seen in this country since I was small growing up and there is the PM? He has abandoned the country as the state agencies have abandoned the country.”

She thanked citizens across the country whom she said: “have really come forward to do charity work that is a great thing, even greater at a time when the government and state agencies have abandoned the people.”

She said in the last two years the government had done little to deal with issues of clearing drains and flood prevention. “I believe all communities are being neglected,” she said.

The United National Congress (UNC) will hold a meeting of the party’s Congress next Tuesday to discuss a letter of complaint from Caroni Central Member of Parliament Ganga Singh who says the National Executive (Natex) is acting ultra vires of party’s constitution to hold early elections for the post of political leader.

Singh said the letter was emailed to UNC general secretary Dave Tancoo and all opposition MPs at 4.30 pm on Monday. While he has received no official response, Singh believes the calling of the Congress for 5 pm on October 31 is a direct response.

“They may have gotten the sequence wrong but governance is about building by the rules and constitution of the party,” he said.

Singh said it was never his intention to create bickering in the party, but “to ensure that due process and procedure were followed.”

He is concerned, he said, that there was no consultation on the decision taken at a Natex meeting on Friday night.

“It left no room for consultation, no room for discussion, but provided the membership with a fait accompli,” he said.

The Caroni Central MP said the UNC’s constitution has clear timelines for the terms of office of the political leader and Natex.

“Unless you change the constitution you have to do your duty for the extent of your term. Any attempt to limit that must be in accordance with the constitution,” he said.

On Monday, Tancoo told the T&T Guardian there was nothing to debar the political leader from calling leadership elections at an earlier date. He compares it to a prime minister calling an early election.

However, Singh dismissed that argument saying: “His fundamentals are wrong. The Prime Minister is guided by the Constitution and there is no power inherent in the political leader similar to that of a prime minister.”

Singh said the framers of the UNC constitution separated the election of political leader because “the history of the party has demonstrated whenever you have a fight with two aspirants for political leadership, together with the party membership, you have a rift in the party. As a result, the framers of the party separated the competition for political leadership from the party membership.”

He said when the party’s Congress meets next Tuesday once it takes a position to change the constitution, “whatever is the wish of the party we will abide by it.”

“Currently it is not the wish of the party for the political leader to determine the extent of her tenure. That power does not lie with the political leader. It is fixed for a three-year period barring resignation, death or any other cause,” he said.

HISTORY OF UNC ELECTIONSGanga

In 2001 when the UNC held elections for a National Executive, UNC founder and then political leader Basdeo Panday announced he was not supporting any slate in the election. However, word on the ground was that he was supporting then Works and Transport Minister Carlos John for the position of deputy political leader.

Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj’s Team Unity won 21 out of the 24 positions on the executive, with Maharaj himself elected as deputy political leader, beating John, for the position. Panday scuttled the executive and took control.

Panday, however, did not contest the 2005 election for the post of political leader because of pressures within and outside the party. It was also a time when he had a matter before the court. Winston Dookeran assumed the leadership.

In 2010 Kamla Persad-Bissessar beat Basdeo Panday for the leadership of the UNC by a vote of 13,493 to 1,359.

In 2012 Panday threatened legal action against the leadership of the UNC if his slate of candidates was not allowed to file nomination papers in the internal election. He accused the leadership of trying to steal the election.

In that election, Jack Warner was elected chairman of the party.

In 2015 Persad-Bissessar was challenged by Vasant Bharath and Roodal Moonilal for the post of political leader.

Persad-Bissessar tallied 17,502 votes, Moonilal secured 1,821 votes and Bharath 1,305 votes.

Four days after saying he felt no need for him to resign, Office of Disaster Preparedness Management (ODPM) deputy CEO Dave Williams yesterday tendered his resignation with immediate effect.

The T&T Guardian understands that Williams tendered his resignation yesterday following a closed door meeting with Minister of National Security Edmund Dillon.

Williams had come under fire after a press conference last Friday when, in admitting to the ODPM’s poor response to the severe flooding which hit parts of Trinidad, nonetheless described it as a “small thing.”

On Sunday, during a tour of flood affected Mayaro and environs, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley seemed to give a hint at Williams’ future when he said he was convinced that the ministry did not have the correct personnel in the ODPM. Rowley expressed his dissatisfaction with the flood response mechanism, especially after what happened with Tropical Storm Bret where the relevant response agencies were also slow on the draw in getting to the affected people. The PM also added that he would ensure the ODPM has the necessary personnel “who have the attitude and the aptitude to respond to this kind of disaster.”

Yesterday, hours before Williams tendered his resignation, Dillon said he agreed with the PM that firm action needed to be taken against the ODPM for its poor response to recent flooding in east, central and south Trinidad.

However, when asked whether Williams was asked to step down, Dillon replied: “There are issues to be treated with in the ODPM and we are reviewing the procedures in terms of personnel, processes and systems.”

Pressed further, Dillon, who was at the time fielding questions from the media following a workshop of the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on the world drug problem at Police Training Academy, reiterated that Rowley had already spoken on the issue.

In a release issued last evening, the ministry confirmed Williams’ resignation. It said in the interim, current ODPM relief officer Captain Neville Wint will take over.

Up to press time last night, Wint did not respond to questions sent to him by the T&T Guardian regarding his thoughts on Williams’ resignation. However, sources close to Wint said he (Wint) was unaware of Williams’ resignation.

“I am quite sure that Captain Wint will remain focused on our current operations with this disaster response on the flooding situation and I am sure that the Captain will do the best that he can in steering the ODPM ship,” said an ODPM officer, who wished not to be identified.

Calls to Williams’ phone went unanswered last evening.

Residents, along with workers from the San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporation, were up to late last night attempting to place sand bags at the Caroni River's bank at El Socorro, San Juan, in a bid to prevent more flood waters from entering the community.

Yesterday morning, following the heavy and continuous rainfall over the last few days, the river, which runs parallel to El Socorro South, broke its banks and flooded out several homes – some of which were under two feet of water.

A resident in the area blamed the malfunctioning of the only pump among three in the area.

“It have three pumps to pump out the water but for the longest while two pumps stop working and the third one working and stopping. Imagine the Ministry of Works Drainage Division have an office right here and they can’t do anything to have all pumps working.”

Sherwin Francois, who spent all morning emptying out his apartment and mopping up, said he was forced to send away his pregnant wife and two small children to a relative’s house.

“I can’t keep them here. Since Friday I ain’t go to work because it flooding. My bed soaked, rugs everything. I have to throw those things away now.”

Another resident at Chanka Trace, Ashley Mungroo, was moving out her clothes when the T&T Guardian arrived.

“My house inside under two feet of water…all my appliances and cupboards water-soaked and damaged. It real frustrating.”

Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who toured the area yesterday morning, described what she saw as “distressing and disheartening.”

“I was saddened to see so many families struggling to come to terms with their losses. My team and I visited several areas, many of which are still inundated, and I was touched by the outpouring of love from these people, who, in spite of their hardship, continue to try to help their neighbours, friends and families,” Persad-Bissessar said.

Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal says he welcomes the Police Complaints Authority’s (PCA) investigation into the leak of a search warrant in his name that made its way into Parliament.

During the Budget debate in the Lower House on October 12, Arouca/Maloney MP Camille Robinson-Regis read the search warrant in the name on Moonilal in connection with an investigation into misconduct in public office and corruptly giving advantages as an inducement or reward.

Days later, Moonilal’s attorney wrote the PCA calling for an investigation into how the document reached Robinson-Regis’ hands.

In a response to Moonilal yesterday, PCA director David West said they had carefully perused all the documents he provided along with his report on October 16 and surmised that his complaint fell under the remit of the authority.

As a result, West said the complaint was receiving the PCA’s attention and Moonilal would be contacted in due course.

“I welcome PCA’s investigation into WPC Camille Robinson-Regis and “unsub” police officers who leaked the purported search warrant. The Anti-corruption Investigation Bureau is being investigated for political vendetta. This is a very serious matter, the politicisation of police inquiries,” Moonilal told the T&T Guardian yesterday.

In September, Moonilal also wrote to acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams, asking if he (Moonilal) was under police investigation following a statement by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley that a warrant had been issued to Moonilal in connection with allegations of misconduct in public office.

Former calypsonian Wayne “Watchman” Hayde, one of the men currently in contention for the position of police commissioner, says T&T needs a strong and fearless leader.

Hayde made the statement to reporters after visiting the Police Administration Building in Port-of-Spain yesterday, hours after returning to Trinidad from the United States.

Hayde, who is scheduled for an interview with the Police Service Commission later this week, spent the duration of the visit reconnecting with former colleagues he had not seen since taking up a post with the United Nations in 1998.

“I have been abroad working with the United Nations in a number of countries for a long time and I have been paying attention to what is happening at home,” Hayde said, adding he felt he was qualified for the post from his years of experience in law enforcement and because of his strong work ethic.

“What I can say about myself and my motivation is that I am what I have always been - hard working, reliable and honest. If I am going to get a job, I ‘m going to do it 100 per cent all the time. I am going to do it in a fair manner but I will do it fearlessly.”

Asked what motivated him to apply for the post, Hayde said he felt it was time for him to give back his country.

“If we have resources and abilities to offer I think we should offer it and this is what I am doing. I am a police officer, this is the only job I had in this country,” Hayde said.

However, he declined to comment on issues within the T&T Police Service and his plans to improve the organisation’s crime fighting and prevention initiatives should he be given the job.

Since the commission issued advertisements for the posts of commissioner and deputy commissioners in September, it has received over 20 applications. Hayde is one of 15 candidate’s short-listed by the commission for the posts.

The T&T Guardian understands acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams and several serving senior officers have also applied for the top post, as well as former national security minister Gary Griffith.

The short-listed candidates have already undergone psychometric tests, which include tests of cognitive ability and personality tests. They will now be interviewed by a panel and undergo other evaluations before a merit list is compiled. The commission is hoping to complete the process by the end of the year.

The last time the commission appointed a police commissioner was in 2010 when Canadians Dwayne Gibbs and Jack Ewatski were given the posts. They resigned in July 2012 with one year left on their contracts. Gibbs was replaced by Williams, who has since received seven six month extensions.

ABOUT HAYDE

Hayde, also known by his calypso sobriquet Watchman, entered the Police Service on May 1975.

Between 1998 and 2007 he was given approved leave to work with the UN and has severed on several of its peacekeeping missions in Africa and Asia. He resigned as a corporal in 2007 to continue his work with the UN.

Hayde, who never attended secondary school, is a lawyer with two bachelor degrees (BA and LLB), two Masters (MSC and MCL) and a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA).

There are many economic actors in the society who are earning a good living and are clearly avoiding their fair share of taxes while benefiting from services provided by the State, says Minister in the Ministry of Finance Allyson West.

West made the statement while piloting the 2018 Budget in the Senate yesterday — her maiden Budget delivery.

She said there is serious concern regarding the equity in the administration of the taxes.

“We have wage earners who are relentlessly taxed by the week or the month; who may be living from pay cheque to pay cheque while a wide range of persons making quite a good living aren’t bearing their share of tax.”

“This is regressive and repressive. It’s in this context, that Government has looked at good practice options to address tax administration,” West added.

She said the T&T Revenue Authority is expected to begin operations in 2018.

West said the difference between the taxes that should be collected and the taxes that are collected in T&T is between $12 billion and $15 billion, according to a recent study by University of the West Indies economists.

The study also showed a Corporation Tax gap estimated to be between TT$5.1 and TT$6.6 billion and the VAT gap between TT$1.9 and TT$2.4 billion.

She said the total revenue collected by Government in 2017 was $10 billion less than budgeted.

“It’s for this reason that a significant component of our fiscal policy will be to address tax administration.”

Case studies by reputable international institutions indicate a well–structured Revenue Authority not only facilitates coordination and collaboration between main tax collection offices, “but also allows for the recruitment, assessment and proper reward of specialised staff which is not always possible in the traditional public service,” she said.

On property tax, West added, “The time has come when property owners must begin to contribute a share of these benefits to assist in financing T&T’s development and providing funds for the servicing of the communities in which their properties are located.|

“It isn’t Government’s intention to introduce taxes which place too heavy a burden on the population, which is why the Property Tax Act introduces rates of tax lower than those under the Land and Building Taxes Act and the Municipal Corporations Act.”

She said while the Gaming Industry is worth an estimated $15 -$20 billion, little tax is collected. Compliance rate by Members Clubs and Amusement Gaming operators is less than 10 per cent and seven per cent, respectively.

“The proposed gaming legislation is to be laid in Parliament soon and we’re hopeful that with the support of our friends on the other side, who in fact crafted the Bill, that legislation will be in place in 2018.”

“In the interim, we propose to more rigorously enforce current legislation which provides limited industry regulation,” she said.

She added, “These are unusual times which call for major changes in our thinking, policies, institutions and our approach to how we live. It calls for serious adjustment from all sectors of society and each of us.”

Residents of Bayshore, Marabella, are appealing to the authorities to demolish a dangerous derelict foot-bridge and replace it with safe structure before someone is either seriously injured or killed.

Earlier this year the steel and concrete bridge, built in the ‘train line’ community overlooking the Gulf of Paria over 100 years ago, was closed by the San Fernando City Corporation, but residents, including children, still take a chance to walk or run across the structure as it is the only access point to their homes.

Other residents, who refuse to risk their lives on the precarious bridge, are forced to walk along a narrow track on the edge of a drain, through a dark, bushy area to get in and out of their community.

The force of the crumbling bridge is also causing the road to cave in very close to the home of an elderly resident Monica Hicks.

She complained that she tried calling her parliamentary and local government representatives but have not gotten through to them as yet. Fearful that her home will be damaged, Hicks said: “The cracks already reach in my yard.”

Another resident, Evelane Glasgow, 59, said the bridge was not being properly maintained.

“Is a good while the bridge bad, it breaking down, is a hazard to pass. Is life and death,” she complained. She said before the bridge was closed officials came and took photos and measurements, but nothing else was done.

“No vehicles could pass on the bridge to get to us. So in case of an emergency we in trouble. Everybody have to pass through by the edge of a drain, children, babies, but it dangerous,” said Glasgow.

A mother of three, who did not wish to named, called on the authorities to demolish the bridge and rebuild it.

“I don’t allow my children to use that bridge, but I have seen children crossing that bridge to go to and from school. It is in a terrible state and is very dangerous,” said the mother.

Attempts to reach councillor La-Verne Smith and San Fernando Mayor Junior Regrello were unsuccessful.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has admitted to signing off on the appointment of new Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) chief elections officer Fern Narcis.

On Tuesday, Opposition Senator Wade Mark, in delivering his Budget contribution in the Senate, said the Public Services Commission (PSC) had appointed a junior officer on contract who is the first cousin of Public Administration Minister Maxie Cuffie. Mark, who was referring to Narcis, described it as an attempt to hijack democracy, adding the PSC was breaking well-established regulations.

But during a media conference at the Piarco International Airport on his return from the IV CARICOM-Mexico Summit yesterday, Rowley said he did not know anything about the matter and went on to caution T&T “not to go down the road of other countries that started on these slippery slopes and can’s come back up.”

“One of the few of our institutions that find favour with the public and who have kept their duty out of bacchanal…is the Elections and Boundaries Commission. I don’t know who the person is related too, but that direction of talking about the independence of the EBC because somebody is somebody’s distant pumpkin vine cousin, I would say no more on that because I don’t know about it,” Rowley said.

He said he did sign off on the appointment, but could not remember who the person was. Rowley said the recommendation did come to them, but added they had no interest in the matter, “as we had not been, in terms of, we have no horse in the race…we rely on the institution and this development that questioning somebody who got a job like that, because somebody is saying that they related to somebody down the road, I advise this country to stay away from that…that is how some countries lost their way because that is the forerunner to question the election results.”

He added: “I have no knowledge of this person’s pedigree and ancestry…what I do know is that the service commission looked around and would have chosen the best candidate for the job and the Government had no involvement.”

In its own response to the matter, the PSC said in accordance with the provisions of sub-sections (3) to (5) of Section 121 of the Constitution, the PM was consulted to ascertain whether he had any objection to the appointment of Narcis. It added that the PM confirmed in writing there was no objection to the appointment and the PSC subsequently appointed her.

The PSC denied Narcis was a “junior officer on contract.”

“Mrs Narcis, prior to her appointment as Chief Elections Officer, was the senior legal officer, on contract, at the EBC,” the PSC said, adding it took all reasonable measures to ensure there was no information or circumstance that could compromise the PSC or the EBC and that the best available candidate was selected.

“The PSC wishes to emphasise that it is an independent constitutional body and that the recruitment process utilised for the selection of the best possible candidate was fair and transparent,” it added.

The Tobago Regional Health Authority (TRHA) has been ordered to pay compensation to the mother of a 17-year-old boy who died days after he was discharged from the Scarborough General Hospital with stab wounds.

In an oral judgment in the Hall of Justice in Tobago yesterday, Justice Frank Seepersad said the TRHA was negligent in its treatment of Zach Seeran when they discharged him, because its staff had failed to consider a CT scan from a private medical institution which showed he had damage to several internal organs.

Seepersad said: “It is unfathomable that in 2010 a CT scan report which was ordered could sit on a desk at an off-site facility and no effort was made to ascertain the whereabouts of same. The tears of his mother should not have been shed in vain. It is unacceptable that available and requested diagnostic assistance, which was ordered and prepared, was not forwarded to the hospital.”

Seepersad ruled that the care afforded to Seeran fell below the reasonable standard expected of healthcare institutions.

While he ordered compensation he did not quantify it, instead referring the issue to a High Court Master.

Seepersad said the case demonstrated the need for a critical review of the public healthcare system. “As flawed as the system may be, it still provides an invaluable service to thousands of citizens and so a solution has to be found,” he said, as he suggested that improvements be funded via amendments to the health surcharge system, or through introduction of a public health insurance scheme as used in other countries.

Seepersad was especially critical of State-funded healthcare in Tobago, noting that the scan had to be performed at a private institution because the hospital did not have the necessary equipment.

“This court has had to deal with several medical negligence matters in Tobago and it’s simply outrageous that in this island of 60,000 odd inhabitants, the only hospital is devoid of basic functioning equipment and staff,” he said.

“How can this be? How can this island, in a time where economic diversification is desperately needed, be considered as a viable tourist destination when there is a lack of basic and essential medical services?”

According to the lawsuit, Seeran, of Coral Gardens, was taken for treatment at the hospital after he was stabbed during Independence Day celebrations on September 1, 2010. He was warded for three days during which time he was taken to a private testing facility for a CT scan of his abdomen. He was eventually discharged but returned the following day after complaining of feeling unwell. Seeran was examined by doctors and again discharged. However he died two days later.

A post mortem by forensic pathologist Dr Hubert Daisley revealed Seeran died of damage to his lungs, kidneys and liver sustained in the stabbing, which had not been detected or treated by the hospital.

Seeran’s mother Arlene was represented by Gilbert Peterson, SC and Dawn Palackdharry-Singh,

More info 

Shortly after Seeran died, Robert Greene and Hakeem Joseph, both of Darrell Spring, Scarborough, were charged with his murder. The men were initially freed after a preliminary inquiry but were recharged and put on trial for the crime in October 2016.
Joseph was discharged by Justice David Harris, who ruled that there was insufficient evidence linking him to the crime. Greene was eventually freed of murder but convicted of the lesser offence of manslaughter and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment.
According to evidence presented during the trial, Seeran was attacked by Greene after he intervened in an altercation between him and another man.
Seeram, a student of the Scarborough Secondary School, intervened and began pelting bottles at Greene. Greene and another man then chased Seeran into a mall where he stabbed him eight times.

Approximately 2,300 households were affected by the recent widespread flooding across the country. The affected communities span from Sangre Grande to far-flung Woodland.

Confirmation came from National Security Minister Edmund Dillon, who held a joint press conference with Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan, Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Kazim Hosein, Minister of Social Development and Family Services Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn and Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat at the Parliament Building, Port-of-Spain.

The five ministries came together to inform the population how Government had been responding to the deluge which affected 11 out of the 14 regional corporations.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley announced that Cabinet had approved $35 million to compensate flood victims. He advised, however, that not all flood victims will be compensated by the Government.

“Once they are qualified we will ensure that they get it. Some people expect more assistance than they are entitled to. But if there are people with genuine complaints I am sure public officers who are involved will ensure that such persons will not be disadvantaged,” Rowley said at a press conference at the Piarco International Airport on his return from Mexico.

Hours later at the joint press conference, Dillon said having conducted damage assessments from October 18 to yesterday, from the ministries’ assessments so far roughly “2,300 homes” were affected by the flood waters.

“Once those damage assessments are completed, then that report will be transmitted to the various ministries to bring relief to those impacted,” he said.

Going forward, Dillon said the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (OPDM) will review its coordination and response to improve its effectiveness and efficiency.

“We intend to review what has gone good, what did not work and what were the gaps,” Dillon said.

Dillon said ODPM relief officer Neville Wint will take charge of the unit until they get a replacement, which will be soon.

Unable to say how many farms were destroyed by the recent floods, Rambharat said from today the ministry will make a $12 million in payments to 636 farmers whose farms were ravaged by Bret.

“Based on what I have seen so far from Namdevco, it is difficult to gauge at this time in terms of a dollar figure in terms of the impact. It is difficult to gauge prices on the wholesale and retail markets.”

However, he said he expects the same numbers of farmers to be affected this time around.

Sinanan said his ministry discovered there were a lot of breaches on some of the major watercourses, especially the major rivers.

“This would have caused some of the significant flooding, especially down in deep South.”

As the water subsided, Sinanan said he had been receiving reports of water damage to several roadways which would have to be repaired. He admitted that a lot of developers got approvals by the Town and Country Planning Division without visiting the ministry’s drainage department.

“We want to make that mandatory.”

As for squatters and developers who have built over watercourses and box drains, Sinanan said they will have to move.

Crichlow-Cockburn said her ministry will provide a $20,000 housing grant in addition to $1,000 clothing grant for those affected. A school supply grant is also provided, while a $10,000 grant is awarded to victims who lost basic household item, adding they will try to do the assessments and hand out the grants in the shortest possible time.

The Ministry of Education yesterday released the names of the 2017 scholarship winners for the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE). Veshala Goon, of Lakshmi Girls's Hindu College, and Sanjaali Maharaj, of St Augustine Girls' High School, were announced as the joint President's Medal winners. Below is the full list of scholarship winners.

ASJA Boys' College, San Fernando

Andy Burke, Natural Sciences, Open

Joshua Raghoo, Natural Sciences, Open

Lindon Samuel, Natural Sciences, Additional

ASJA Girls' College, San Fernando

Arielle Ramadharsingh, Humanities, Open

Merlisa Bharath, Mathematics, Open

Latisha Jahoor, Business, Additional

Sahra Ramdath, Business, Additional

Allissah Mustaphar, ICT, Additional

Meera Madhavi Ram, Mathematics, Additional

Samara Mohammed-Khan, Natural Sciences, Additional

Raheema Mohammed, Natural Sciences, Additional

ASJA Girls' High School, Charlieville

Vasishma Persad, Natural Sciences, Additional

Bishop Anstey & Trinity College East 6th Form

Danicia Solozano, ICT, Open

Keiswanna Pierre, Business, Additional

Tai Rosemin, ICT, Additional

Raphael Superville, ICT, Additional

Jade Noriega, Mathematics, Additional

Laura Martinez-Garavito, Natural Sciences, Additional

Tia Gilkes, Natural Sciences, Additional

Danissa McLeod-Irish, Natural Sciences, Additional

Bishop Anstey High School

Jenia Cunningham, Creative Arts, Open

Maya Hinds, Languages, Open

Kai Seale-Sloane, Mathematics, Open

Anastasia Francis, Natural Sciences, Additional

Bishop High School, Tobago

Keizel Hayling, Mathematics, Open

Safiya James, Natural Sciences, Open

Lloyen Scotland, General Studies, Additional

Phia Rochford, Natural Sciences, Additional

Couva East Secondary

Katrina Samaroo, Environmental, Open

Sameerah Mohammed, Natural Sciences, Open

Chernell John, Environmental, Additional

Leandra Ramjattan, Environmental, Additional

Kadeem Ali, Natural Sciences, Additional

Krishna Kesarisingh, Natural Sciences, Additional

Cowen Hamilton Secondary

Ian Sooknanan, Natural Sciences, Additional

El Dorado East Secondary

Ajay Ramjit, Natural Sciences, Additional

Fatima College

John-Michael Herrera, General Studies, Open

Gyasi Husbands-Vialva, Humanities, Open

Isaiah Colthrust, ICT, Open

Adam Alexis, Mathematics, Open

Liam De Verteuil, Mathematics, Open

Damani Garcia, Mathematics, Open

Daniel Cockburn, Environmental, Additional

Christopher Voss, Environmental, Additional

Steffon Lewis, General Studies, Additional

Cian Coonai, Natural Sciences, Additional

Joshua Gooding, Natural Sciences, Additional

Muhammad Ibrahim, Natural Sciences, Additional

Xavier Lezama, Natural Sciences, Additional

Hillview College

Jordan Ramcharitar, Environmental, Open

Dominic Hernandez, ICT, Open

Isaiah John, ICT, Open

Harold Raghunandan, ICT, Open

Stephanie Chadee, Mathematics, Open

Aidan Gajadhar, Mathematics, Open

Reshawn Maraj, Mathematics, Open

Christopher Mohammed, Mathematics, Open

Ishmail Mohammed, Mathematics, Open

Denison Mylon, Mathematics, Open

Ronald Ramdeen, Mathematics, Open

Suhaas Vadigi, Mathematics, Open

David Abraham, Natural Sciences, Open

Adilla Bekele, Natural Sciences, Open

Jonathan Hosein, Business, Additional

Zane Mohammed, Business, Additional

Raemus Rampaul, Business, Additional

Sayyid Ali, Environmental, Additional

SItara Rambarran, Environmental, Additional

Anton Greenidge, ICT, Additional

Dillon Salick, Mathematics, Additional

Stephen Akaloo, Natural Sciences, Additional

Christian Chamaroo, Natural Sciences, Additional

Nabeel Khan, Natural Sciences, Additional

Tariq Mohammed, Natural Sciences, Additional

Xian Ramdass, Natural Sciences, Additional

Revash Ramtahal, Natural Sciences, Additional

B'jon Shallowe, Natural Sciences, Additional

Varun Singh, Natural Sciences, Additional

Holy Faith Convent, Couva

Amelina Ramlal, Mathematics, Open

Priyanka Kissoonsingh, Natural Sciences, Open

Shivani Ramnath, Environmental, Additional

Ronica Jagbir, Natural Sciences, Additional

Kristal Manboadh, Natural Sciences, Additional

Nikita Mohammed, Natural Sciences, Additional

Sonya Mulchansingh, Natural Sciences, Additional

Shania Saunders, Natural Sciences, Additional

Samantha Simboo, Natural Sciences, Additional

Holy Faith Convent, Penal

Celeste Alexander, Business, Open

Cristal Bernard, Environmental, Additional

Chevelle John, ICT, Additional

Sapphire Sookram, Languages, Additional

Jinelle De Gannes, Natural Sciences, Additional

Karisma Samaroo, Natural Sciences, Additional

Holy Name Convent, Port-of-Spain

Taylia Henderson, ICT, Open

Dominyque Mohammed, ICT, Open

Kyra Lewis, Business, Additional

Siann Questel, Business, Additional

Diane Sooklal, Creative Arts, Additional

Shenelle Ashton, Environmental, Additional

Crystal Hackshaw, Environmental, Additional

Tamera Mendez, Environmental, Additional

Soleille St Louis, Environmental, Additional

Iere High School

Karishma Harrykissoon, Mathematics, Open

Lakshmi Girls' Hindu College

Veshala Goon, Business, Open

Jordan Singh, Business, Open

Himlata Sumair, Business, Open

Ansara Balgobin, Environmental, Open

Devi Mahadeo, Environmental, Open

Vanita Ramnarine, Environmental, Open

Nickarlet Jeffrey, Mathematics, Open

Evanna Dadd, Natural Sciences, Open

Ashni Maharaj, Natural Sciences, Open

Aryaa Ramnarine, Natural Sciences, Open

Sherissa Budhram, Business, Additional

Cherisse Gomez, Environmental, Additional

Arissa Singh, Environmental, Additional

Ashrena Arman, Humanities, Additional

Karishma Balsingh, Humanities, Additional

Renesha Ramkissoon, Mathematics, Additional

Aliyah Ali, Natural Sciences, Additional

Keeara Bhagaloo, Natural Sciences, Additional

Parveen Dookie, Natural Sciences, Additional

Riana Kandhai, Natural Sciences, Additional

Danae Khan, Natural Sciences, Additional

Runella Mohammed, Natural Sciences, Additional

Malini Rajcoomar, Natural Sciences, Additional

Shivana Sankar, Natural Sciences, Additional

Naparima College

Ronaldo Lee Justin, Creative Arts, Open

Timothy Singh, ICT, Open

Addesh Bhagwandeen, Mathematics, Open

Vinai Birbal, Mathematics, Open

Adam Cassie, Mathematics, Open

Kavir Gopaul, Mathematics, Open

Matthew Kowlessar, Mathematics, Open

Kevon Seechan, Mathematics, Open

Kevan Singh, Mathematics, Open

Avinash Dass, Natural Sciences, Open

Danté Frett, Natural Sciences, Open

Rajiv Gangoo, Natural Sciences, Open

Emmanuel Singh, General Studies, Additional

Vasisht Ramnath, Mathematics, Additional

Luke Armoogum, Natural Sciences, Additional

Kameron Chatoor, Natural Sciences, Additional

Imran Khan, Natural Sciences, Additional

Matthew Ragbir, Natural Sciences, Additional

Siro Rajnath, Natural Sciences, Additional

Jeremy Ramjohn, Natural Sciences, Additional

Keiron Ramkissoon, Natural Sciences, Additional

Naparima Girls' High School

Zari Dowrich, Business, Open

Rachel Trotman, Business, Open

Pyria Kissoonsingh, ICT, Open

Steffi Maharaj, ICT, Open

Chela Aufderheide, Languages, Open

Manisha Balkissoon, Languages, Open

Allisha Rahaman, Languages, Open

Michaela Joseph, Mathematics, Open

Alyssa Ramsubir, Mathematics, Open

Chelsea Sobransingh, Mathematics, Open

Naveela Sookoo, Mathematics, Open

Christiane Dookie, Natural Sciences, Open

Shalini Jagdeo, Natural Sciences, Open

Marianna Lalgee, Natural Sciences, Open

Kenya Lewis-Alexander, Natural Sciences, Open

Kerissa Ramasar, Natural Sciences, Open

Janessa Campbell, Business, Additional

Christin Mohammed, Creative Arts, Additional

Chelsea Sanatan, Creative Arts, Additional

Farhaana Dan, Environmental, Additional

Aleema Mahabir, Environmental, Additional

Meagan Gopaulsingh, Humanities, Additional

Adana Racham, Humanities, Additional

Aasha Ramlal, Humanities, Additional

Kimberly Gookool, Mathematics, Additional

Saveeta Paray, Mathematics, Additional

Charisse Alexander, Natural Sciences, Additional

Vanell Benimadho, Natural Sciences, Additional

Tricia Bissoo, Natural Sciences, Additional

Tishelle Boodoo, Natural Sciences, Additional

Shanaya Chadee, Natural Sciences, Additional

Amanda Deonanan, Natural Sciences, Additional

Jenine Dhoray, Natural Sciences, Additional

Melanie Dookhantie, Natural Sciences, Additional

Daniella Mohammed, Natural Sciences, Additional

Sasha Omadally, Natural Sciences, Additional

Samantha Parmasar, Natural Sciences, Additional

Dana Ramsingh, Natural Science, Additional

North Eastern College

Arti Ramroop, General Studies, Open

Presentation College Chaguanas

Savio Keith, Business, Open

Nevash Maraj, Environmental, Open

Krsn Ramsumair, Environmental, Open

Reece Bajnathsingh, Mathematics, Open

Marc Bhopalsingh, Mathematics, Open

Adrian Chitan, Mathematics, Open

Rajeev Parmasar, Mathematics, Open

Adrian Ramlal, Mathematics, Open

Kieran Ramlogan, Mathematics, Open

Jaron Ramsundar, Mathematics, Open

Rohan Ragbir, Natural Sciences, Open

Ahmad Rahman, Natural Sciences, Open

Mikel Rajkumar, Natural Sciences, Open

Kristoff Sahadeo, Natural Sciences, Open

Mahendra Singh, Natural Sciences, Open

D'jean-M'onteil Murray, Environmental, Additional

Zachery Ragoonath, Environmental, Additional

Vikash Surujbally, Environmental, Additional

Darren Fung, Mathematics, Additional

Josiah Gosyne, Mathematics, Additional

Vivek Barran, Natural Sciences, Additional

Majel De Coteau, Natural Sciences, Additional

Suraj Deodath, Natural Sciences, Additional

Rajeev Harripaul, Natural Sciences, Additional

Joshua Manickchand, Natural Sciences, Additional

Siddique Mohammed, Natural Sciences, Additional

Matthias Rambally, Natural Sciences, Additional

Wesley Ramnarine, Natural Sciences, Additional

Mohammed Shaddy, Natural Sciences, Additional

Presentation College San Fernando

David Craig, Mathematics, Open

Gregory Jaggernauth, Mathematics, Open

Joseph Simon, Mathematics, Open

Joel Kissoon, Natural Sciences, Open

Riyad Khan, Technical Studies, Open

Gregory Cassim, Environmental, Additional

Richard Bernard, Mathematics, Additional

Alario Mendoza, Mathematics, Additional

Ronaldo Mills, Mathematics, Additional

James Bhola-Singh, Natural Sciences, Additional

Jelani Borrel, Natural Sciences, Additional

Anthony De Silva, Natural Sciences, Additional

Dariel Maurice, Natural Sciences, Additional

Akshay Pawar, Natural Sciences, Additional

Dominic Tam, Natural Sciences, Additional

Queen's Royal College

Brandon Ramkissoon, Creative Arts, Open

Okera Duncan, Languages, Open

Brandon Joseph, Mathematics, Open

Jonathan Paul, Mathematics, Open

Rio Claro West Secondary School

Chelsea Sudama, Environmental, Additional

San Fernando Central Secondary School

Meenakshi Saroop, Natural Sciences, Additional

Saraswati Girls' Hindu College

Jyvanti Ramroop, Business, Additional

Gabriella Sookram, Business, Additional

Shiva Boys' Hindu College

Suraj Sakal, Natural Sciences, Additional

Tyler Seudath, Natural Sciences, Additional

Signal Hill Secondary School

Selena Campbell, Environmental, Additional

St Augustine Girls' High School

Amanda Wiseman, Environmental, Open

Rochelle Bally, ICT, Open

Joanna Boxill, ICT, Open

Maryam Ali, Mathematics, Open

Kaitlin Latchu-Rampersad, Mathematics, Open

Sian Lee Kitt, Mathematics, Open

Saanjali Maharaj, Mathematics, Open

Nicola Ramdass, Mathematics, Open

Vishanna Balbirsingh, Natural Sciences, Open

Alyssa Brathwaite, Natural Sciences, Open

Chelsea Hosten, Natural Sciences, Open

Rachel Madoo, Natural Sciences, Open

Saacha Mohammed, Natural Sciences, Open

Stachenne Ollivierra, Natural Sciences, Open

Kevelle Cooper, Business, Additional

Amanda Mitchell, Business, Additional

Naveena Persad, Business, Additional

Lindsay Siriram, Business, Additional

Caitlin Boodram, Evironmental, Additional

Anala Deo, Environmental, Additional

Alyssa Khalawan, Environmental, Additional

Atiyyah Newaj, Environmental, Additional

Khadeejha Rajkumar, Environmental, Additional

Karishma Saith, Environmental, Additional

Paige Scott, Environmental, Additional

Khendrea Sambury, Languages, Additional

Safiyah Ali , Natural Sciences, Additional

Komal Bhola, Natural Sciences, Additional

Jenelle Boodoo, Natural Sciences, Additional

Kelsey Ganessingh, Natural Sciences, Additional

Christine Jagroop, Natural Sciences, Additional

Cherisse Persad, Natural Sciences, Additional

Aliea Ramjag, Natural Sciences, Additional

Tattyana Samlal, Natural Sciences, Additional

Johleen Seedansingh, Natural Sciences, Additional

Trishana Seemungal, Natural Sciences, Additional

St George's College

Megan Lawrence, Business, Additional

Azanna Mohammed, Business, Additional

Adam Ali, Natural Sciences, Additional

Rehanah Ali, Natural Sciences, Additional

Shania Chadee, Natural Sciences, Additional

Jewel Mulrain, Natural Sciences, Additional

Abigail Ramlal, Natural Sciences, Additional

St Joseph's Convent, Port-of-Spain

Corrise Belasco, Business, Open

Matthew Chong Sing, Business, Open

Gia Borley, Environmental, Open

Akilah Wade, Environmental, Open

Ananda Whittier, Environmental, Open

Jewel Lee Foon, General Studies, Open

Nishanna Ramberran, General Studies, Open

Shiyan Cato, Mathematics, Open

Maia Nieves, Mathematics, Open

Celeste Sambrano, Mathematics, Open

Fayola Thompson, Mathematics, Open

Laurelle Lee Young, Natural Sciences, Open

Pooja-Devi Maharaj, Natural Sciences, Open

Chelsea Rodriguez, Natural Sciences, Open

Jihanne Shepherd, Natural Sciences, Open

Brittney Alvarez, Business, Additional

Leigha Clarke, Business, Additional

J'vana Peters, Business, Additional

Gabrielle Alleyne, Creative Arts, Additional

Arianne Buckradee, Environmental, Additional

Serah-Marie Maharaj, Environmental, Additional

Jordan Taylor, Environmental, Additional

Kerese Smith, ICT, Additional

Sabrina Lingo, Languages, Additional

Abigail Affoo, Natural Sciences, Additional

Danae Byer, Natural Sciences, Additional

Kimlin Chin, Natural Sciences, Additional

Arianne Chung, Natural Sciences, Additional

Shelleen Gowrie, Natural Sciences, Additional

Gyshan Latchman, Natural Sciences, Additional

Kaitlyn Mitchell, Natural Sciences, Additional

Sabrina Mitchell, Natural Sciences, Additional

Mariah Nakhid, Natural Sciences, Additional

Shivani Ramsaroop, Natural Sciences, Additional

Khadija Smith, Natural Sciences, Additional

St Joseph's Convent, San Fernando

Malika Cooper, Languages, Open

Amanda Chatoor, Mathematics, Open

Saeeda Doolan, Mathematics, Open

Keereyea Phagoo, Mathematics, Open

Tiffany Rampersad, Mathematics, Open

Alexia Suite, Mathematics, Open

Brittany Thackorie, Mathematics, Open

Chelsea John-Williams, Natural Sciences, Open

Shania Robinson, Natural Sciences, Open

Caitlyn Hassanali, Business, Additional

Kimberlee Ramsundar, Business, Additional

Sarah Maharaj, Environmental, Additional

Vishalla Maharaj, Environmental, Additional

Alyssa Kangoo, Languages, Additional

Caron David, Natural Sciences, Additional

Vanah Mohan, Natural Scienes, Additional

Tanya Rampersad, Natural Sciences, Additional

St Joseph's Convent, St Joseph

Celine Da Silva, Business, Open

Mary-Rebekah Reyes, Creative Arts, Open

Naiomi Rambarack, ICT, Open

Laquesha Bailey, Languages, Open

Keira Hackett, Languages, Open

Jayda Maingot, Natural Sciences, Open

Britney Campo, Business, Additional

Ana Lisa Jack, Business, Additional

Leshawn La Borde, Business, Additional

Valini Marcial, Business, Additional

Praveen Rajcoomar, Business, Additional

Thalia Vidale, Languages, Additional

Soraya Alfred, Natural Sciences, Additional

Christin-Marie Baksh, Natural Sciences, Additional

Aliyah Hazel, Natural Sciences, Additional

Alexandrea Jones, Natural Sciences, Additional

Jahlisa May, Natural Sciences, Additional

Nelisia Noel, Natural Sciences, Additional

Amanda Perryman, Natural Sciences, Additional

Marie-Danielle Regis, Natural Sciences, Additional

St Mary's College

Tryreke Cooper, ICT, Open

Angelo Morales, Languages, Open

Alister Matthew, Mathematics, Open

Omari Newton, Mathematics, Open

Caleb Vidal, Mathematics, Open

Luke Walker, Mathematics, Open

Richard Lim, Environmental, Additional

Sachin Ramesar, Mathematics, Additional

Sebastian Hadeed, Natural Sciences, Additional

St Stephen's College

Joshua Parris, Natural Sciences, Open

Rehsma Ramsoondar, Natural Sciences, Open

Kayle Diljohn, Environmental, Additional

Rhevelle Newton, Environmental, Additional

David Deonarine, Natural Sciences, Additional

Folasade Hinds, Natural Sciences, Additional

Rinaldo Ramkissoon, Natural Sciences, Additional

Vishnu Boys' Hindu College

Avinash Mohammed, Business, Additional

Suspended without being given a chance to be heard, Harry Ragoonanan opted not to attend this week’s interview with the Investigations Committee of the ruling People’s National Movement.

Ragoonanan was due to appear before the committee yesterday but told the T&T Guardian he did not go.

The T&T Guardian understands Ragoonanan had requested his attorney also attend the committee hearing, but committee refused the request. Former Port-of-Spain mayor Murchison Brown, the committee’s chairman, yesterday told the T&T Guardian, “This is an internal party matter. It is between the party and the aggrieved person and we don’t have third parties at these sessions.”

Brown spoke just before 6 pm yesterday, when the committee was still awaiting Ragoonanan’s arrival.

Asked what would happen if Ragoonanan failed to attend the committee hearing, Brown said, “We are the Investigating Committee, we will submit a report to the general secretary and he takes it from there.”

Ragoonanan, a long-serving member of the PNM, was suspended from the party on October 14 following a meeting of the PNM general council. The announcement to the media was made before Ragoonanan was informed. Ragoonanan, who is a sitting member of the general council, did not attend the meeting on the day he was suspended. Also absent on that day was political leader, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley.

The official letter informing Ragoonanan of his suspension, dated Monday October 16, accused him of attempting to solicit business from a Chinese businessman on the basis of his position in the PNM and his relationship with the then PTSC chairman Terrence Beepath.

A comprehensive report on issues on the Cabo Star cargo ferry has been sent to the Brazil and London offices of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF—the global organisation which represents transport workers around the world.)

Local ITF officials Michael Annisette, president of the Seamen and Waterfront Workers’ Trade Union, and maritime attorney Nyree Alfonso surveyed the vessel following receipt of a report from Estonian engineer Edurak Lasuk about safety issues on the Cabo Star.

Among other things, Lusak complained of leaks of a combination of hazardous oils and fuels on the vessel and and said he did not “feel safe” working in the “environment.” Another engineer who has since left the vessel expressed similar concerns.

Within recent weeks, truckers have reported that the vessel has “slowed down considerably” and on Thursday it was travelling at nine knots an hour. Truckers aboard the vessel on Thursday said while on route to

Scarborough work was being done on it and it eventually docked just before midnight. It made the return trip from Scarborough at 1.45 am and was due to sail again at 2 pm yesterday.

Port officials confirmed repair work on the vessel will be undertaken today and tomorrow. A plan for a late sailing of the vessel tomorrow was cancelled after consultation with the Tobago Chamber, which wanted to ensure the maintenance work to be done was completed before the vessel set sail again on Monday.

In a statement yesterday, the public relations manager of the Inter-Island Transport Company, Vilma Lewis-Cockburn, confirmed the vessel will return to service on Monday.

The Prison Officers Association (POA) was yesterday tracking down all their members living in west Trinidad following the murder of one of their colleagues and attempted murder of another who recently retired.

According to the POA, Gideon Granger was with a friend heading out of Cocorite yesterday when the friend’s car was shot at twice. The shooting took place one day after an inmate at the Port-of-Spain Remand Yard warned that officers living in the west would be killed after a cell search at the facility.

Hours after the search, officer Glenford Gardner, 44, was ambushed around 7.30 pm and murdered while outside a house he owned at Sea Trace, Savannah Road, Diego Martin. When the T&T Guardian visited the area yesterday, residents said Gardner did not live in the area and only came to collect rent. One resident said Gardner, the captain who transported prisoners to Carrera Island Prison, had a land dispute at one of the three homes he owned in the Bagatelle area, but did not believe his killing was linked to that.

Speaking with the T&T Guardian yesterday, Granger, who resigned from the service last December, said there is nowhere prison officers can hide if they are wanted by criminals. Granger said he was a friend heading out of Waterhole, Cocorite, where he lives, when he heard the gunshots and the vehicle being hit around 10.15 am. He said the incident solidified his resolve to leave the service. Asked if he was now considering leaving the West he said yes, adding he has a pending Housing Development Corporation (HDC) application awaiting relocation.

“It have nowhere safe you know, because it is a network, they could get you wherever you go,” Granger said.

The officer, who spent 19 years in the service, said the death of Gardner, who joined the service with him, will be treated as the other murdered prison officers, with temporary anger then it would be back to normal.

POA secretary Gerard Gordon, who trained with both Gardner and Granger, said the officers are tired of their colleagues being murdered and the deafening silence of those in authority. The association has threatened a mass exodus of officers if their safety concerns are not adequately addressed.

Gordon said on average 300 inmates are relinquished into the custody of police officers to be taken to court and some inmates have returned with fast food and other things they could not get on their own. He said some contraband will be missed in the “never ending game of cat and mouse,” but it was not only rogue prison officers who facilitate the influx of contraband, which is a flourishing business in the prison.

“This thing bigger than the jail. We do not have society’s help. So today is us and who is next? Who will the criminal be offended by, so they will come to kill? I am fed up! It is too much too soon,” Gordon said.

Both Gordon and Granger described Gardner as a “cool one” who was not into social media and posing for photographs. The father of one, they said, loved his job and lived alone. Gardner’s killing comes 19 days after fellow prison officer Richard Sandy was killed by an ex-convict at a bar in South Trinidad one day before his birthday on October 8.

National Security Minister Edmund Dillon yesterday condemned the killing and assured all resources are being used to “treat with this heinous act.” In a release, Dillon said attacks on service members will not be tolerated since they work tirelessly in maintaining peace and security in the country.

“No stone will be left unturned in bringing all perpetrators of attacks against national security officers to swift justice. These criminals will feel the full brunt of the law. Members of the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service and all arms of law enforcement are assured that the Government will be giving priority attention to strengthening the safety and security of officers,” Dillon said. (See editorial on Page A16).

Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams also condemned the killing, adding he had committed all the required resources needed in pursuing Gardner’s killer/s, “to bring them to justice within the shortest possible time.”

Once again the girls outshone the boys at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) examinations, as the schools securing the most scholarships were St Joseph’s Convent (Port-of-Spain) and Naparima Girls’ High School, who were awarded 38 scholarships each from the 382 overall awarded by the Government.

“I must say that the boys need to step up to the plate. However, it is not as daunting as it would seem because in the case of boys we have had very good performances by some of our schools where we have our male students, like Hillview College who achieved 29 scholarships...14 open and 15 additional,” Education Minister Anthony Garcia said yesterday.

He said Naparima Boys’ College got 21 with 12 open and nine additional, Presentation College (Chaguanas) 29 with 15 open and 14 additional and Presentation College (San Fernando) secured 15 scholarships with five open and ten additional. (See pages A17, A18 & A19)

“They (boys) are not too far behind, but we would like to see that day that they are also among those who will be awarded the President’s Medal. In the past we had the boys coping that distinction, but for the past few years we have had girls coping those awards. We would like to see both boys and girls doing exceptionally well,” Garcia said.

He said he was pleased government schools also received several schols, including El Dorado East Secondary School, which was plagued by violence in the past, Couva East Secondary, Rio Claro West Secondary, San Fernando Central Secondary School and Signal Hill Secondary.

He said out of the 382 scholarships, 153 were open and 229 were additional, adding there was also a “much wider spread” of scholarships than in previous years.

On complaints of a delay in scholarship payments, Garcia assured this would be done in a timely manner. He described the overall performance of the students as “excellent,” saying it was difficult to maintain the cap on the 400 scholarships usually awarded.

He said while it was necessary to celebrate the students who excelled, the ministry was implementing measures to ensure those who were not up to par also received the necessary assistance, including adjusting the curriculum to cater to special needs students.

Faith in God, dedication to studies and a supportive family have resulted in Veshala Goon scoring a hat-trick for her alma mater, Lakshmi Girls’ Hindu College, after she was announced as one of the two President’s Medal winners yesterday.

In an interview with the T&T Guardian yesterday, Goon said when she received the news around 1 pm she immediately burst into tears.

“I was in a store at the time and I start to cry. People were looking at me. I am so overjoyed. I did not expect to win. I didn’t think I could have won a President’s Medal...I still can’t believe it actually. I need a while for it to sink in,” Goon said.

She said she wrote the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) exams in Accounting, Management of Business, Economics, Caribbean Studies and Communication Studies. Saying her goal is to become a chartered accountant, Goon said she wants to further her studies at the University of Toronto.

“That’s my passion. I enjoy studying this. I don’t get bored and I find it really exciting. My dream school is the University of Toronto and I want to do finance there,” Goon said.

She said she also signed up for the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) programme and was expected to begin in January next year.

On her formula for success, she said prayer and continuous studies, adding that everyday she would commit an additional four consecutive hours to her school work.

The Tunapuna resident also hailed her mother Parbatee and father Naarad as her pillars of strength, saying their support was unwavering.

“They supported me everyday. My mom would cook for me to fuel my brain. My parents are very hard working. They never made me feel that I was lacking in any way,” Goon said.

On advice to students who found it difficult to cope with studies, she reiterated the key was prayer and having a strong support group such as parents.

“I would tell the parents to talk to their children and encourage them,” Goon said.

St Augustine Girls’ High School Saanjali Maharaj, who was also awarded a President’s Medal, echoed similar sentiments, saying her main focus was putting God first. Already a first-year engineering student at the University of Toronto, Maharaj said she was pleasantly surprised during her school’s graduation yesterday when Education Minister Anthony Garcia announced her achievement.

“I was really stunned and excited,” Maharaj said.

She said she has not yet chosen a particular field to specialise in as currently she is enjoying all aspects of engineering. But Maharaj said her focus was not only on academics, as she urged other students have a balance.

“The key is time management. I play the piano and guitar and also do classical Indian dance. That was really a great balance for me,” Maharaj said.

Her mother Sandra said she was humbled by her daughter’s achievement, as apart from the teachers at SAGHS she also thanked her pre-school and lessons teachers who laid a solid foundation for her daughter.

Lakshmi Girls’ Hindu College principal Sonia Mahase-Persad says the school’s success includes a high degree of pastoral care.

“We are not just driven by scholarships. We are driven to getting to know our children. Our teachers go out of their way to provide additional support...be it academic, social...any type of support our children need in order to help them reach their fullest potential. We genuinely care about our children. We do have a very close knit family-type atmosphere in this college and we are investing in the success of the children,” Mahase-Persad said.

She added there was also a strong link with the parents of the school.