Sandy says crime down; PNM accuses government of buying 'dolly house plane'

John Sandy assured legislators on Friday that contrary to what the Opposition wants the country to believe, there has been a reduction in serious crime in Trinidad & Tobago.

The National Security Minister was speaking in an Opposition on the "Dismantling of National Security Systems".

Sandy said made the point that many of the previous government's crime initiatives and strategies had failed, adding that the People's National Movement (PNM) does not have the moral authority to debate crime, given their track record in dealing with issue. 

He used statistics to back up his claim. He said with respect to homicides, the number of murders so far this year, although high at 34, is still lower than it was in 2011 when 39 people were killed in the same period. He pointed out in 2010 it was even higher at 41, when the Manning PNM administration was in office.

"At the end of that fiscal year 2002, serious crimes stood at 16,610 with a detection rate of 23.5%. By fiscal year 2009, serious crimes had risen to 20,621, with a detection rate of 14.9%. That represents a 24% increase in serious crimes or an 8 percentage point or 36% decrease in the rate of detection," the minister stated.

Sandy said the country never had any benefit from the $50 million blimp.

"There were some guide ropes alongside the blimp and I am watching men running with that. Men running with those guide ropes to get that blimp airborne. About 20 men required to get that blimp airborne. It cannot become airborne in an emergency, and if the weather is bad, well waste of time," he said.

The Minister said between 2004 and 2006, it cost taxpayers $33 million to maintain and repair the airships, and $1.4 million to operate the blimp monthly. At the same time, he said, serious crime continued to escalate from 16,000 in 2004, to 22,000 in 2009.

"Saddled with this piece of equipment and having regard to the cost factor and its limited success, it was felt that we ought to get rid of it. Nobody wanted it. Nobody wanted to buy the blimp. As a consequence, it had to be sold to its original owner. They were the only people who wanted it," he said.

Former Minister in the National Security Ministry Donna Cox, disputed that. And she said having 'gioven away' the blimp for $50,000 the government is now getting a 'dolly house plane' to replace the airship.

Cox told Parliament the government is leasing a Zenith CH 750 Air-Scout for a 12-week period for US140,000 although the cost of the plane is only US$19,480.

"They talk about the blimp being expensive, yet they chose an inappropriate dolly house aeroplane...Just imagine, this plane could have been bought seven times over. Anybody could buy this on the internet. I could buy it and assemble," Cox said.

She also claimed that there was no tendering for the plane and stated that Deputy Police Commissioner Jack Ewatski was involved in the deal, backing up her charges with what she said was private emails.

Cox produces air services deal letter from CoP Gibbs

The Express newspaper has published a letter referred to in Parliament by MP Donna Cox with respect to an air services pilot project for the police service.

JYOTI has published the letter below, which is reproduced from the Express:

September 27, 2011

Mr Dirk Barnes
Managing Director
Trinidad and Tobago Air Support Company Limited
73 Valle Drive
Orange Grove
TACARIGUA

Dear Mr Barnes,

Re: Letter of Intent

I wish to express my thanks to your company for your interest to supply your unique services to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service as a law enforcement aviation pilot project,

As you are aware, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service is in the process of introducing new policing initiatives that will increase interaction and cooperation with the national community with the aim of reducing crime. As part of our 21st Century Policing Initiative we see possible integration of your Sky View Surveillance Support Proposal into our future operations.

The aviation support pilot project by your company appears to be well organized with a high potential of success. In as much, we wish to evaluate the capabilities of this type of aircraft in order to measure the effectives and efficiency of this form of air support. With this in mind I have approved the twelve week pilot project proposal.

I propose that the terms set out below should be incorporated into a contract agreement (the "Contract') namely as follows:

1. Client: The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service "hereafter termed the Police Service", Ministry of National Security of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago "hereafter termed the Ministry'.

2. Contractor: Trinidad and Tobago Air Support Company Ltd.

3. Deliverables: 720 hours use of Zenith CH 750 Air Scout Aircraft over a twelve week evaluation project period. The Contractor will provide check flights with four selected members of the Police Service for a period not exceeding two weeks.

4. Contract Cost: TT$902,772.00 (US$140,400.00)

5. Contract Period: twelve weeks, start date to be defined in the Contract.

6. Contract Engagement: Upon acceptance of this letter of intent, the Contractor agrees to start the delivery process and facilitate availability of aircraft to the Police Service, upon which a Contract would be signed and a purchase order would be issued. The date of the Contract represents the start date of the Project.

7. Conditions Precedent: The client should pay in full the Contract cost (see Sub-Para 4) immediately on the successful completion of the Contract and expiration of the contract period.

8. Contract Evaluation: The Police Service shall evaluate the pilot project and use this evaluation to determine if a further contractual agreement with the Contractor should be negotiated.

9. Additional Points: This letter of intent sets out the major terms of the agreement that the Client is prepared to formally engage. The letter of intent is in no way a legally binding agreement between the Client and the Contractor but serves to formally express the Police Commissioner's approval to engage the Pilot Project with the Contractor.

You are requested to reply in writing indicating your acceptance of the terms in this letter and I thank you for collaborating with us.

Regards

Dr Dwayne Gibbs
Commissioner of Police(the letter published in the Express did not have a signature)

EWATSKI'S RESPONSE VIA NEWS RELEASE

“The TTPS has entered into an agreement to lease a light aircraft to evaluate the capability of this unique type of fixed-wing aircraft in support of our law enforcement aviation programme which has been in place since April 2011. 

“Our air-support unit has been using helicopters from the former SAUTT to support our ground operations. This unit has been instrumental in assisting in the arrest of numerous people. 

“The light aircraft will be equipped with similar technology as in the helicopters and due to its ability to fly at a very slow speed even compared to traditional fixed wing aircraft may be an alternative to helicopters which are much more costly to maintain.” 

Manning's condition continues to improve; best wishes pouring in from international sources

An online PNM site reported Friday that former Prime Minister Patrick Manning is continuing to improve daily. "Mr. Manning sat up, spoke, read the newspapers and is in good spirits," the online posting said.

The chairman of the South West Regional Health Suthority (SWRHA) Dr. Lackram Bodoe confirmed that Manning is in stable condition and is recovering well.

"His condition remains stable and he has improved from the time of his admission. I had the benefit of seeing him at admission three days ago and I can say from my visit today (Friday) that he has shown considerable improvement," Bodoe told reporters.

Bodoe spoke with the media after Manning's friend, Dr Ralph Gonzalves, visited Manning at the San Fernando General Hospital.

The Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines arrived in Trinidad Friday morning and went directly to the hospital to see his friend an 'brother'. Bodoe, PNM stalwart, Ms. Joan Yuille Williams, and former Sports Minister, Mr. Gary Hunte met Gonzalves at the hospital.

PM Gonzalves shed a tear for his friend, Patrick Manning

Commenting on his visit, Gonzalves said: "Oh his eyes lit up and he smiled. I wouldn't tell you what we spoke about briefly but the bond is there and there's a lot of joy and he will get better."

He added, "You know I love him. He's my friend since university. We played pan together, did a lot of things together. We worked well in Government, I've remained his friend through all the ups and downs of politics. He's my brother."

The PNM reported Friday that best wishes have been pouring in from other regional Prime Ministers.

The online posting added, "Internationally, we have received well wishes from many countries including the Office of the President of the United States and Foreign Missions for China and Cuba.

"Mr. Manning and his family would like to thank everyone for their words of encouragement, thoughts and prayers."

Guyana launches 'Festival of Colours' to boost tourism

The government of Guyana has launched a new initiative to boost tourism by about 20 per cent.

Click this link to read more about the Holi Festival in Guyana

It's sponsoring a special package themed "Festival of Colours" from March 2 - 9, 2012 to coincide with the annual Holi/Phagwah festival, which was brought to the country in the 19th century by Indian indentured labourers.

The aim of the project is to get Guyanese living abroad to come home for the week and rediscover 'home'. It's the first of a series of tourism packages aimed at the Guyanese Diaspora.

Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali told local media, “We are targeting overseas based Guyanese directly, to come home to rediscover and enjoy the cultural activities in their home." He added that "there will be a package available for the week-long activities."

The partners in the project include the government, Trinidad & Tobago's national airline, Caribbean Airlines and local hotels. Toegther they will offer a package that includes airfare and hotel accommodation.

Ali said the packaging of activities around the rich Guyanese culture would help boost the country’s tourism industry.

Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Indranauth Haralsingh, said they targeted March because of the lull in visitors during that period, which coincides with the week-long Indian festivity.

“An activity of this nature will aid the tourism sector’s objective or surpassing the tourist arrival figure for 2011,” he suggested.

Panday renews call for constitutional reform, elected executive president

Basdeo Panday told an audience at the the University of West Indies Thursday there is an urgent need for constitutional reform in Trinidad & Toabgo. And he also said there is a need for officers of the United National Congress (UNC) to be removed from the governing process.

Panday spoke at the second in the four-part series; "Conversations with Prime Ministers" at the Daaga Hall auditorium of the University of the West Indies, St Augustine.

"The process by which we approach to reform the constitution is the key to successful constitutional reform," the former Prime Minister said.

"We cannot begin by engaging a group of lawyers to sit down around a table to produce a draft in legal language which is then put before the ordinary people for comment. 

"The constitution must be so designed to solve the problems of the society and promote its growth and the happiness of our people, then the exercise in constitutional reform must begin with identifying the problems that the people face from day to day," Panday explained.

Panday also reiterated his preference for an executive president to be elected on the basis of one person, one vote and suggested that there be a single elected chamber in the national Parliament.

Such a system, he said would give representation to a wider cross section of the population, which in turn would deepen and expand democracy.

"Such an expanded Parliament will also enable the establishment of several powerful house committees that can monitor more closely the activities of the government as in the United States where they act as checks and balances on the actions of the government. The present system does not permit this, that is and has been, a serious failing in the present constitution," said Panday.

He also said the present government should speak less and act more.

Panday also spoke about the internal election of the UNC, which he led until he was defeated two years ago by Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Panday is supporting a team called Generation next in the party's internal election on march 24.

He said the UNC needs to be "extricated from the Government" to allow for greater accountability.

"What they (Generation next) want to do is separate the Government from the party so that the party will be in a position to tell the Government what is right and what is wrong." Panday stated.

"How can you do that now when the general secretary of the party is employed in the office of the Prime Minister? Panday asked. He said no government ministers except the prime minister should be an officer of the party.

"At the present moment most of the ministers are also members of the executive of the party...(so) the party cannot have an independent view and be at arms width so they could speak to the government.The party cannot speak for the government because the government is the party," said Panday.

Commentary: Rowley must start leading instead of just being a rabble rouser

"rural |ˈroŏrəl| adjective - in, relating to, or characteristic of the countryside rather than the town: remote rural areas."

Keith Rowley in friendly territory at a PNM convention

Keith Rowley continues to amaze me. For a politician who has been around as long as Rowley you would expect that he would put his experience in government and opposition to good use and come up with creative, winning plans to get his party back in government some day.

However, it seems every time the Opposition Leader makes an "important pronouncement" he either confuses the issue further or makes no sense.

His latest idea of dismantling the Ministry of the People and Social Development, which Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar created on assuming office, is a good example of going in the wrong direction.

Rowley promised supporters this week that if the People’s National Movement (PNM) forms the next government of Trinidad and Tobago he would establish a Ministry of Rural Development. (He also said he is confident the party will win the next election. I have to disappoint Dr Rowley, but under his leadership and with his style that is not going to happen!)

The Opposition Leader told a rural gathering of PNM supporters this week that "logistically" rural communities are always left behind.

“In order to ensure that rural communities are not left behind as we progress as a nation there will be in the Cabinet of Trinidad and Tobago a Minister of Rural Development whose responsibility will be to co-ordinate what the nation has to offer to ensure that rural communities get their fair share and they get it in a timely manner,” he told the gathering. “We will have no Ministry of the People,” he declared.

Well first of all, under the present government the Cabinet makes sure that it coordinates what the nation has and it makes sure through all its ministries and agencies that rural communities get their fair share and they get it in a timely manner. Tell us something that we don't know, Dr. Rowley.

And also ask yourself first why rural communities are "logistically" left behind, as you claim. That is PNM logic and PNM policy.

Times have changed since the PNM left office. The philosophical thrust of the current People's Partnership government is to focus on rural neglect and other areas of underdevelopment. In fact Kamla and her team have been making every effort to reach into rural Trinidad & Tobago to deliver services with the same urgency as in the towns and cities. It's called NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

Development is taking place at a pace that Rowley and the PNM cannot comprehend. And all of it within or below cost. The Kamla government is exploring new areas and going where no government has ever gone before.

For the PNM, rural Trinidad & Tobago has always been the place to go to mamaguy people for votes every five years and then disappear until the next election.

If I understand Rowley right he is suggesting that the poor, dispossessed and destitute only live in rural area so he would create a Rural Development Ministry just to look after their needs. Every ministry in the government is responsible for the welfare of the entire nation - for schools, utilities, roads, amenities.

But in the PNM playbook, rural equals non-traditional PNM constituencies so rural always equalled "neglect". This government - that is the Kamla led government - has dismantled that idea and its whole development thrust includes the rural communities. No one is left behind!

I have heard the PNM complain that the government is only developing UNC and COP areas, which adds credence to the point I am making.

A new road with proper box drains in Papourie Road, Barrackpore became an issue of "biased development" for the PNM. When PM 1 went there, it was the first time a prime minister of T&T had gone so far south. The truth is that the PNM had shamefully neglected ALL the rural areas, which is why Rowley can say unashamedly that "logistically rural communities are always left behind".

Works and Infrastructure, Local Government, Public Utilities, Finance, Trade and Investment, National Security, Education, Tertiary Education, Agriculture, People Ministry, Gender and Youth affairs and the others are all focusing on DEVELOPMENT across the country, regardless of rural or urban classification; for the curent government of Trinidad & Tobago development means a holistic approach to nation building.

It has discarded the PNM style of building white elephants to show off to the world in favour of educating itself on the needs of the people and then developing programmes and projects to help where help is most needed.

You see, for Kamla, hunger and poverty are not reserved for rural communities. Which community in Trinidad & Tobago has been more neglected (by the PNM) than Laventille and its environs? And they certainly don't fit the definition of rural.

The structure of government, even under the PNM, was designed for developing the whole country. However under Patrick Manning and Keith Rowley development meant doing favours for friends and supporters.

Patrick Manning created whole communities of unemployed when in one spiteful political decision he closed an industry that had sustained the nation and kept a community of nearly a quarter million alive and vibrant. And to compound the spite he refused to give the former sugar workers their entitlements and allowed the billion-dollar assets of the company to be plundered.

He had hoped to destroy the base of the opposition but underestimated the resilience of the people. And Rowley is making the same mistake, based on his personal bias and the discriminatory behaviour of his party.

Unless the PNM remakes itself as a truly national party that recognises and accepts the diversity of Trinidad & Tobago and develops a genuine development plan for the entire nation regardless of where people live, it will remain in the political wilderness for the next 40 years. The party is a relic of rum and roti politics of the past and Rowley is not making it any better.

It is time for Rowley to start leading instead of being just a rabble rouser. (Rabble-rouser - noun : a person who speaks with the intention of inflaming the emotions of a crowd of people, typically for political reasons.)


Jai Parasram | 27 January 2012

Kamla thanks UNC for making party 'stronger than ever"

"To the tens of thousands of people who gathered to celebrate the 2nd anniversary in the important change of leadership in the party and nation, I offer my heartfelt gratitude. 

"The theme, "Stronger than Ever", was well demonstrated through the high level of organisation and outpouring of support as we once again united across all boundaries for the good of the country.

"The event rekindled hope and belief in the vision which so many overwhelmingly voted for just a few years ago. It was also an opportunity for all of us to reflect and recommit to the enduring values that will lead this beloved nation of ours towards the realisation of a better quality of life for everyone. Thank You!"

The Honourable Mrs Kamla Persad Bissessar

Political Leader, United National Congress;
Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Regional governments must address LIAT's problems - Guest column by Sir Ronald Sanders

The column below by Sir Ronald Sanders has been reproduced from the online site, CARIBBEAN 360:

The three main shareholder governments in LIAT – the airline that is vital to movement of tourists and local alike in the Caribbean – are scheduled to meet on January 31 to consider options for the airline which lost US$14.8 million last year.  

If LIAT collapses, travel within the region will be severely affected. This will result in a loss of revenues to governments in myriad ways including the hefty landing fees LIAT pays. It will also affect hotels, taxis, retail outlets and restaurants. Business people and persons travelling for social purposes will also be affected.

Those who argue that the Trinidad and Tobago government owned Caribbean Airlines (CAL) and the low-fare airline, REDjet, will be able to take up the slack, underestimate just how much of a workhorse LIAT is, and the extent of the service that it provides including to uneconomic routes, even though it has now shed some of them. 

While George Nicholas, the Chairman of CAL, announced late last year that CAL “would gradually cover the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) countries with several flights a day”, that is yet to happen and indeed may never happen with the scheduled frequency of LIAT’s present flights.

The principal reason for LIAT’s poor financial performance is the age of its fleet of planes, many of which it is leasing; the high cost of their maintenance because of their age; and the down-time and delays the airline endures because of break-downs. 

If new airplanes can be brought into the operation, there could be considerable cost reduction, decreasing significantly, if not eliminating, the airline’s operational losses, and allowing LIAT to continue providing a crucial service to the region.

While the governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados and St Vincent & the Grenadines are LIAT’s main shareholders, with Barbados being the largest of them, eight other governments of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are also shareholders owning 1.11 % of the shares. 

As shareholders, however small, and as members of CARICOM to which regional transportation is highly important both for the movement of goods and people, and the strengthening of the spirit of “community”, these governments too should be concerned about LIAT’s prospects.

In these circumstances it is difficult to understand why CARICOM governments have not together addressed the difficulties of LIAT, in the context of regional transportation in an attempt to resolve them.

Regional airline experts have long suggested that a structured co-operative relationship between LIAT and CAL would be beneficial to both airlines which could share the costs of a number of common activities, and with LIAT acting as a feeder for CAL’s long-haul flights from several Caribbean ports. This still appears to be a sensible option.

As far as is publicly known, there has not been an attempt by the Boards of CAL and LIAT to try to forge a working relationship in the last 2 years largely because of an indifferent posture by CAL, nor has there been an effort by CARICOM governments to talk through the issue based on technical studies of which there are many. 

Instead, the region is witnessing an increasing expansion of CAL’s flights into territories traditionally serviced by LIAT. CAL is doing so with the significant unfair advantage of fuel subsidised by the Trinidad and Tobago government and new aircraft with far less maintenance costs.

While CAL’s subsidised flights will hurt LIAT if the latter airline cannot reduce its operational costs, CAL will not be able to service LIAT’s present routes fully in the future and may even, for financial reasons, abandon some of them especially if, as the CAL Chairman has said, CAL decides to give up the huge fuel subsidy it now receives from the Trinidad and Tobago government that makes up much, if not almost all, of CAL’s declared profits.

Recently, there has been a suggestion that two of LIAT’s existing small shareholder governments – St Lucia and Dominica – might again become larger shareholder in the airline. 

Were they to do so, they would each have to find US$1.8 million, difficult to do in the present circumstances of their economies. Even if they were to do so, it would not overcome the difficulties that confront LIAT and would not contribute to its longer-term stability, though it would demonstrate both commitment to, and confidence in, the airline.

One possibility, which LIAT might consider, is the formation of a new company by interested Caribbean governments to purchase appropriate new aircraft from Brazil, Canada or France and leasing these new planes to LIAT. 

The new government-owned company would be able to acquire aircraft at concessionary prices, and, in turn, lease the aircraft to LIAT. LIAT would then retire its leases on its oldest aircraft. 

Overall these measures would reduce LIAT’s maintenance costs significantly and shorten the down time of its aircraft and its flight delays. It would be beneficial if other governments join the St Lucia and Dominica governments in establishing the new Caribbean company to negotiate and purchase the new planes that LIAT would lease.

Caribbean governments have collectively spent US$45 million subsidising flights by carriers into the region. None of it was spent on LIAT. Additionally Caribbean governments have collectively expended a great deal of time and money trying to get the British government to reduce the Air Passenger Duty applied to flights into the Caribbean. Yet none of this money and effort is spent on solving a distinct Caribbean transportation problem.

The ideal approach to addressing the LIAT issue would be a full CARICOM Heads of Government meeting that includes the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. Importantly, it should not be a meeting in which the government of Trinidad and Tobago would be expected to shell-out money for LIAT. 

It should be aimed at requiring a co-operative and structured relationship between CAL and LIAT, and an end to CAL’s fuel subsidy on the routes with which it competes unfairly with LIAT.

The prospect of a collapsed LIAT is not good for tourism, business or community of the Caribbean people. It is time for regional action

Feature: T&T Consul General in Florida offers support for ailing national

L to R Seeta Boochoon, Dr Anil Ramnanan, Consul General , Meera Ramsook and Rajesh Ramsook

Dr. Anil Ramnanan & patient Seenath Polo Ramdeen

Consul General of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Anil Ramnanan, is keeping a check on Seenath Polo Ramdeen of San Fernando, Trinidad, who is a patient at the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital.

Ramdeen sustained a fractured neck in November 2011, which resulted in a severe spinal cord injury. Ramdeen was injured in an air boating accident on the Oropouche River.

Doctors in Trinidad were able to keep Ramdeen stabilized. However, his condition was too severe so they advised that the he would receive better care in Miami, at the Ryder Trauma Center

Ramdeen arrived in Miami on 3 January, 2012 and was in immediate contact with Ramnanan. 

Ramnanan has visited Ramdeen in hospital and offered continuous support to to both the patients and his family, who have accompanied Ramdeen to Miami. 

Ramnanan has said that his responsibility is to continually seek the interest of nationals. He extends his charity to non-nationals as well.

Last Christmas Ramnanan travelled to Palm Beach County to distribute Christmas presents to sick children at the Palms West Hospital as part of his efforts in connecting with the wider community.

The day Rowley Bowed - (from NEWSDAY)

The day Rowley bowed
By NALINEE SEELAL Friday, January 27 2012 (reproduced from NEWSDAY)

PRIME Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s gesture of bowing and touching the feet of India’s President Pratibha Devisingh during a recent 14-day State visit to India, has generated much discussion in local society.

Leading the loudest howl of condemnation for the act, which is a common gesture of respect and humility in the Hindu religion, of which Persad-Bissessar is a follower, is Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) leader Dr Keith Rowley.

At a PNM public meeting days after the Prime Minister returned home, Rowley castigated Persad-Bissessar by saying, “I am a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago and I take umbrage at my Prime Minister going to anybody’s country and ‘kissing’ any office-holder’s foot! Nobody sent the Prime Minister abroad to represent her religion or her race.”

Persad-Bissessar countered by saying she had nothing to apologise for as her gesture was one of showing respect to her elder as is the norm in the Hindu religion and that if Rowley is serious in his aspiration to become Prime Minister, he ought to show respect to all races and religions.

However, this photo, taken at a mosque at Victoria Village in San Fernando during Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations last year, Dr Rowley himself is seen bowing during prayers as is the norm in Islam. No one, not the Prime Minister nor any other person, castigated Rowley — who is not a Muslim follower — for bowing during that Eid celebration.