Tributes to Sir Ellis

Attorney General, Anand Ramlogan:

"He was the grandfather and architect of our Constitution and political independence. He was the quintessential and model statesman and brought much dignity, grace and erudition to the office of president.

"His death marks the end of an era and creates a void that will be difficult to fill... he served the people with humility and class. Our nation owes Sir Ellis a debt of gratitude for the role he played in stabilising the ship of T&T during many a rough time... my condolences to the family."

Former PM Patrick Manning:

"He distinguished himself not just academically but in the field of government. He gave a lot of service to Trinidad and Tobago.

"He was a man who could have done very well in the private sector could have made a lot of money for himself...he was never driven by consideration of money or material gain but was very dedicated to the lives of the people of Trinidad and Tobago.

"He served selflessly. He emerged as the foremost authority in this country on the constitution. He was associated with the constitution of 1962 and 1976 and indeed was working with us on a constitution designed to introduce a presidential system. Sir Ellis was really an expert on matter of a constitutional nature."

Former PM Basdeo Panday:

"I have known Sir Ellis all my political life...he was a special species. Even until his last day there is one thing about him that I admired. It's his capacity to enjoy himself.

"Like him I believe we are put on this earth to be happy, not to be sad. And Sir Ellis exemplified that more than any other human being I have known."

Warner did nothing wrong on CAL issue, AG tells reporters

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan told reporters Thursday Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner did nothing wrong when he raised questions about Caribbean Airlines (CAL) noting that his cabinet colleague acted in the best interest of the airline and of the public.

Ramlogan made the comments as he announced that the airline will continue with its agreement with European manufacturer, ATR, to buy nine new planes at a cost of US$200 million. Ramlogan had hired British aviation John Dunne to report on the safety of the ATR planes.

"The deal, I am advised by the expert is a good one and good value for money," he said, noting that Dunne affirmed that the ATR aircraft have a good safety record. He said over 400 ATR aircraft are in service with 80 airlines worldwide and their safety record is no higher than an average rate, due to non-pilot error.

With respect to Warner's recommendation to buy the planes when there was no board at the airline, Ramlogan said the minister had legitimate safety concerns about the aging CAL fleet.

"Mr Warner at all material times did no wrong, but was acting in the public interest," he insisted, adding that the ATR deal that went to cabinet and was approved made good sense. 

He said timely action was needed because "procrastination would simply have acted to the detriment of Caribbean Airlines,"

Ramlogan also acknowledged that the new CAL board had "legitimate concerns" since the previous board did not address the issue of safety in assessing the ATR deal. "The Chairman of Caribbean Airlines would have been well within his rights to flag this issue for consideration," the AG said.

"And as the Prime Minister said, this Government was not prepared to dig its heels in the ground but planned to listen, listen and listen and then lead."

Ramlogan stated that the previous board, led by Arthur Lok Jack, that operated during the Manning PNM administration arrived at the right decision but through the wrong process.

"The route by which they got there may be the subject of conjecture and criticism but there is nothing illegal with a board negotiating with a preferred manufacturer.

"And although in the interest of transparency that is not the way this government would have done it, we have to, in some cases, catch the ball in transition and not drop the baton and start back the race, when we have already run three legs and we have one more leg to run to the finish line. That cannot be in the best interest of the country," he said.

Ramlogan said the previous board did not keep proper records. "There is no audit trail to demonstrate how the previous board arrived at this particular decision...The minutes lacked the expected degree of vigour and candour that would have constituted a robust corporate memory," he said, citing Dunne as his source.

Ramlogan also revealed that he has a letter from Brunton stating that contrary to what the previous board said, ATR planes were selected by the board and that was the direction on which the board had intended to go. Brunton advised the Cabinet, through Warner, to complete the transaction.

Ramlogan said Brunton plans to move on after his dismissal as CAL CEO and that he would be adequately compensated and recognised for his long and loyal dedicated service to the country and the airline industry. He also complimented Warner and CAL Chairman George Nicholas for the cooperation they showed during the mediation process.

The AG also said the controversy generated by the CAL issue was a blessing in disguise for the government. 

"I am happy that it came early in our administration and would now be a flagship and a beacon to guide all the ships in the public and state sector so we would not have a repeat...because the resolution will now send a resounding and sound message to all ministers and chairmen, so that they can work together in accordance with corporate governance best practice and procedure."

CAL buying ATR planes; Warner, Nicholas resolve differences

Caribbean Airlines announced Thursday that it will proceed with the purchase of nine aircraft from the European manufacturer, ATR. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had asked for a safety review of the ATR planes after the CAL board raised questions about the aircraft.

Line minister for the airline, Jack Warner, and CAL chairman George Nicholas III, will hold a joint news conference at the ministry of transport Friday at 11 a.m. to discuss the airline plans for 2011.

The announcement followed a meeting between Nicholas and Warner to discuss the ATR issue and the firing of Ian Brunton as the airline's CEO.

The airline also said it has resolved issues relating to Captain Brunton and confirmed that it is now looking to hire a new CEO.

In a media statement Thursday, Warner said the differences which arose over the CAL Board issue were never of a personal nature. He added, "I believe valuable lessons have been learnt by all parties concerned."

He also said he is now convinced that he and the board can share a common agreement on matters of proper procedure and policy as a prelude to moving forward together on common ground. 

"I am satisfied that we have made great strides in improving the level of communication and commitment to common objectives in the greatest interest of Caribbean Airlines and that is all that matters to me now," Warner added.


"The candour with which I speak on issues often lays the groundwork for harmonious working relationships and productive outcomes. It is with this same candour that lengthy discussions were held with the Prime Minister, the Attorney General and the Chairman of the Board regarding procedural and policy making matters.

"The views I have shared have been attentively listened to and have been held in the highest regard. As is my style and my personal philosophy in life, I bear and hold no personal grudges. Indeed the differences which arose over the CAL Board issue were never of a personal nature.

"Once I can be convinced, as I am now, that the Board and I can share a common agreement on matters of proper procedure and policy, then we can move forward together on common ground. 

"I am satisfied that we have made great strides in improving the level of communication and commitment to common objectives in the greatest interest of Caribbean Airlines and that is all that matters to me now," the minister declared.

He also thanked Brunton for his service and dedication, saying the former airline executive "served CAL and the nation with distinction." 

He said Brunton told him that he wishes to move on with his career "and I take this opportunity to wish him the very best in his future endeavours.

"All that I asked was that he be treated fairly commensurate with his contribution to the airline and our terms and conditions of agreement with him. There has since been a review of the matter and Captain Brunton will receive all the emoluments due to him," Warner said.

"The very nature of the government, of which I am a part, is to find common ground and to negotiate solutions through our differences. Once again, to all our satisfaction, this has been achieved.

"I say this as a prelude to once again paying tribute to the Honourable Prime Minister for her leadership skills; which again effectively came into play in the impasse between the Chairman of Caribbean Airlines and me.

"As she has demonstrated in every circumstance, the Prime Minister's policies and decisions are driven by the paramount concern of what is in the best interest of the people of Trinidad and Tobago. 

"That is also my mission; as it is the mission of all who serve in the People's Partnership Government; as well as those who serve the government.

"Apologies have been accepted, unreservedly, and we proceed now to work to ensure that the government's equity investment in Caribbean Airlines, and our continuing support, will generate meaningful benefits to all stakeholders.

"I believe, as I always do, that the greater interest of the people, and in this case also Caribbean Airlines, will be best served if the matter is put to rest and we settle down with the very urgent needs of improving the airline," the minister said.

Warner said he would make no further statement on the past "as I am confident that the future of Caribbean Airlines is about to take off as it should."

Statement from Caribbean Airlines

On December 2010, our Caribbean Airlines Chairman met with the Line Minister the Honourable Jack A. Warner, to discuss and successfully resolve the issues which have held centre stage in the media for several weeks.

Among the issues fully ventilated were the ATR purchase, the termination of the employment of the former Chief Executive Officer and the relationship between the Line Minister and the Board going forward.

We had a very warm meeting with full and frank discussion of the issues on both sides and agreed to embark on a new relationship between the Board and its Line Minister with full observance of all the protocols required in compliance with the State Enterprises Monitoring Manual.

All the requisite steps will now be taken to complete the purchase of the nine (9) ATR 72-600 aircraft which have now received the verification sought from a global expert.

The ATRs have been certified by a global aviation expert to be suitable for Caribbean Airlines operational requirements and all prior concerns have been properly resolved and explained.

CAL has engaged Heidrick and Struggles, an international firm of repute, to seek qualified candidates to fill the position of Chief Executive Officer of Caribbean Airlines.

The former CEO who left office on 26th November 2010 has been paid in accordance with the terms of his contract and the attorneys are now working through the final details. We take this opportunity to wish him all the best in his future endeavours.

Both Minister Warner and the Board of Caribbean Airlines have reasserted their desire to work very closely together going forward for the betterment of the airline and toward the fulfillment of the dream of one Caribbean airline.

PM Kamla thanks the media for keeping gov't "on our toes"

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar hosted the media Thursday at a luncheon at the Diplomatic Centre,, handing out a hamper to each of her guests.

In a brief address she acknowledged the media's role in keeping the government in check. "You are doing your job, you have to keep us on our toes, you have to keep us focused and pointed and so on," she said.

2010 was a year of many changes, she said, noting that her mantra to her Government members "serve the people, serve the people, serve the people" remains. She said the new year will be one of delivery and action.

Housing Minister Roodal Moonilal, who is one of three deputy leaders of the United National Congress, also spoke of the media's critical role.

"As politicians, as Government members, we do appreciate your work, we may not voice that to you all the time," he said.

"We depend on you as well for a functioning government and a functioning system and we have you there so that you will be critical and scrutinise us and keep us under the light. That is a very important function that you play, we respect that and we appreciate your hard work and support," he said.

Jack Warner, whom the Prime Minister described as her "right hand man", thanked Persad-Bissessar on behalf of the Cabinet for hosting the media luncheon.

Persad-Bissessar has consistently recognised the media as an integral part of the system. On her inauguration as leader of her party and on several occasions after that she pledged to protect the rights of media.

"We will defend media freedom with all our strength and legislative capacity because we know that without a free media our democracy would be deformed," she said in January.

"We insist that no government has the right to take away or infringe in any way on the right of the media to operate freely. Our constitution enshrines the right to a free press and the freedom of expression and we must accept no less."

She said free media are an essential component of every democratic society because a free press will raise issues of concern "in a marketplace of ideas in which our citizens would be able to judge for themselves what is right and what isn’t."

Read the story: Worth repeating

Flashback to January 2010

 

Sir Ellis dies at age 93

Sir Ellis Clarke - 28 Dec. 1917 to 30 Dec. 2010

Trinidad and Tobago's first President, Sir Ellis Clarke, died Thursday evening. Two days ago he celebrated his 93rd birthday with a special lunchtime mass at his Fairways, Maraval, home.

Father Garfield Rochard, of the Church of the Assumption, Maraval, conducted the mass, which was attended by about 15 close relatives.

Sir Ellis had been recovering from a stroke he suffered on November 24. His death was announced by his daughter-in-law, Susan Clarke, made the announcement saying Sir Ellis passed away peacefully at his home at 7:15 pm. 

Click here for a CNMG special report on the passing of Sir Ellis 

Ellis Emmanuel Innocente Clarke was Trinidad and Tobago's last Governor General and became the country's first president on August 1, 1976 when the country became a republic within the Commonwealth.

He was one of the main architects of Trinidad and Tobago's 1962 Independence constitution and also contributed his expertise to the republican constitution. He was the leading expert in constitutional matters and had worked on a draft for a new constitution for the Manning PNM administration. 

However he quit that project after then Prime Minister Patrick Manning announced a draft constitution that Sir Ellis disavowed.

 "I don’t know whose draft it is, it certainly is not mine and I don’t think anybody on the round table will claim it. It’s nobody’s baby," Sir Ellis told local media in July 2008. "If it is nobody’s draft then let’s wait and see," he added.

When Trinidad and Tobago's first Prime Minister, Dr Eric Williams, died in office in March 1981, Sir Ellis had to make a choice for a successor. 

After a lot of discussions with top officials of the governing People's National Movement (PNM) he chose George Chambers as the new Prime Minister in preference to the party's two more senior deputy leaders, Errol Mahabir and Kamaluddin Mohammed.

Young Ellis attended St Mary's College and won an Island Scholarship in the field of mathematics in 1938. He went to the University of London, graduating with a Bachelor of law degree. He was called to the bar at Gray's Inn and returned to Port of Spain in 1941 and began a private practice.

Sir Ellis was one of the country's most respected public servants, having served as Solicitor-General from 1954–1956, Deputy Colonial Secretary 1956–1957, and Attorney General 1957–1962. 

He was also an accomplished diplomat, having served Ambassador to the United States and Mexico and as High Commissioner to Canada and Mexico. His diplomaatic career also include a stint as the country's  Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

In 1972 he succeeded Sir Solomon Hochoy as Governor General and was unanimously elected as the country's first president. He was re-elected to serve a second term and retired in 1987. His successor was the late Noor Hassanali.

Sir Ellis was married to Lady Ermyntrude Clarke (1921–2002) for almost fifty years. They had three children: Peter Clarke, Margaret-Ann and Richard, who died as a young child). 

Sir Ellis also had four grandsons - John Peter, Michael, Alexander and David, and one granddaughter, Katrina.

T&T temporarily drops visa requirement for Indians and Russians: Rambachan

Trinidad and Tobago has temporarily lifted visa requirements for nationals of India and Russia. Foreign Minister Dr Suruj Rambachan told reporters Thursday the visa rule was changed a month ago.

"We have removed it for a period of 90 days for business or pleasure. It is to facilitate easier access to Trinidad and Tobago in terms of tourism and people wanting to do business with Trinidad," Rambachan said.

He added that Russians have been travelling to Tobago for holidays.

Rambachan said there is a large Indian community living in the United States who want to come to this country for a vacation or business, but are deterred by the visa requirement.

Citizens of the United States and Canada can enter Trinidad and Tobago without visas or passports. All they need is proper identification such as a driver's licence.

Rambachan also said Japanese applicants for visas to Trinidad and Tobago are now getting visas within three days because the Jamaican Embassy in Tokyo is handling those applications. He noted that it used to take up to one month previously because applications had to be processed in Manila.

$5,000 fine for cellphone use while driving takes effect January 1, 2011

Drivers in Trinidad and Tobago will have to use hand free devices from Saturday if they want to talk on their cell phones while at the wheel or face a fine of $5,000.

Works and Transport minister Jack Warner made the announcement Thursday. 

He told reporters he plans to meet with both the National Security Minister and head of the Police Traffic Branch to discuss the traffic laws. The minister said it is important for citizens to obey the laws and suggested that more police patrols are needed on the roads.

He said his ministry is hiring 350 traffic wardens by March next year to assist in surveillance.

Warner also adjusted his schedule for installing cable barriers at the medians on the major highways. He had initially promised to get the project done by the end of January. However he told reporters his technical staff have advised that the project will be completed by the end of June 2011.

PBR trial extended for another 6 months, starting Saturday

Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner on Thursday approved the opening of the Priority Bus Route (PBR) to the public for an additional six-month trial, beginning on Saturday January 1, 2011 and ending on June 30, 2011.

Warner first opened the PBR to all traffic for three months under stringent conditions during off peak hours and later extended it for for three more months. That trial period ends Friday.

This six-month extension would allow all private registered motor vehicles, carrying a minimum of three persons, including the driver, to use the bus route  between 4.00 a.m. and 6.00 a.m. and 8.30 a.m. to 3.00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Commercial and goods vehicles will also be allowed access to the PBR during these times. However no private vehicles will be allowed to conduct taxi services on the PBR at time.

In a media release Friday Warner said he is pleased with the trial so far, which has helped deal with traffic congestion and afforded greater mobility within Trinidad and Tobago.



“From all reports which I have received, the first six-month trial was a resounding success. From what I have been told, there has been less traffic on mornings coming into Port-of-Spain. 

"Therefore, we must extend this trial, giving the travelling public choices. I am really pleased with what I saw, and I feel another extension is necessary," the minister said.

Warner said he made the decision to extend the trial period in consultation with the appropriate technical personnel within the transport ministry and representatives of the Maxi Taxi Association.

Gov't owed $100M for state housing; HDC to begin construction of 1,200 houses

New HDC Chairman Henckle Lall shows of his instrument of appointment that he received from Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal

People occupying government houses have delinquent arrears of more than $100 million, Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal told the media Wednesday.

"I am informed that at this moment, we have almost 4,940 occupants of the (Housing Development Corporation) HDC who are in arrears. I am also informed that at this time, we may have accumulated arrears of $100 million.

"That is $100 million owing to the taxpayer and the country in arrears alone. This is a matter that is extremely important to us," Moonilal said at a ceremony to appoint the board of directors of the HDC.

"As of December 2010, we have 4,608 in licensed-to-occupy arrangements who are in arrears of $90 million. We have 194 in rent-to-own arrangements in arrears of $1.6 million and we have others in traditional rental properties and malls totalling arrears of $12.2 million."

Moonilal has given the new board 90 days to recommend a way to get the accounts settled. 

"This is money owed to the people. Money that can be used at a time like this for development for bridges, roads and drains. It is something that the board has to look at and to fashion a social yet practical and administrative policy agenda to recoup these monies," Moonilal said.

Moonilal also noted that his ministry is aware that some occupants are unable to pay. "This is a serious challenge that we need to look at from a policy point of view, an administrative point of view, but also from a humane point of view, in that we must also be humane.

"Clearly, there may be some persons who may be in occupation and unable, for whatever reason, to meet their responsibility. We don't want to unnecessarily burden these persons who cannot afford, but we want to work with the HDC occupants to ensure that we reclaim some of these monies," the minister stated.

Moonilal said now that a board is in place the government can get moving on its housing projects. "We expect that by January, we will be turning sod for the construction of 1,200 units in the San Fernando area."

HDC chairman Henckle Lall told reporters one of his priorities is to repair dilapidated HDC houses. "We want to get down to the task immediately of renovating and repairing all those homes that are not habitable," Lall said.

He also promised that the HDC will operate in the highest professional standards. "We want to make it a model company that other companies can use as a benchmark and make it one of the finest companies in the Western Hemisphere."

The full board comprises: Henckle Lall, (chairman), Graig Davis (deputy chairman), Reyna Kowlessar, Gunness Sudama, Douglas Johnson, James Lambert, and Naddia Ali.

Lucky heads Police Complaints Authority, pledges to restore confidence in police service

Former cabinet minister Gillian Lucky is the new Director of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA). She took the oath of office Wednesday and pledged to "renew and restore public confidence" in the Police Service.

Lucky, who is a former MP for Pointe a Pierre, is also a former member of the Crime and Justice Commission. Ralph Doyle, a Master of the High Court, will serve as deputy director of the PCA.

Speaking at the installation ceremony, President Max Richards described the PCA as a "significant pillar" in the fight against this country's crime scourge. He said both Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley agreed to Lucky's appointment.

Lucky told reporters, "There is no honeymoon period, no grace period and we hitting the ground" noting that the authority has not been functional for some time.

"We know there will be challenges. We are aware there will be challenges, but we expect the population and the police force itself to come forward and give us that level of support. We have to ensure that we renew and restore public confidence in the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service...

"The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service plays the most fundamental role in terms of crime detection and getting matters into the courtroom, so wherever there is anything that is inappropriate or improper then it is of course for the authority to step in and make sure that it is weeded out...

"We are very mindful of what has been placed on our shoulders and as I say, service to God and service to country is something that we are always very mindful of, and we want to ensure as an authority that we play our role in the fight against crime," Lucky said.

She said her experience as a former temporary judge combined with Doyle's expertise would make for a "highly-driven" PCA "guided by the hallmark of integrity, transparency accountability, performance, results".

Lucky thanked Persad-Bissessar and Rowley for agreeing to her appointment. "It means that people are putting the politics aside to get the job done, and that is what the fight against crime has to be. We put the politics aside and we get the job done," she said.

$15M needed to repair collapsed Matelot road; work begins immediately: Warner

Works Minister Jack Warner inspects the damaged road

The Ministry of Works and Transport opened a new $9 bridge at Salybia in North East Trinidad on Wednesday and is now looking at a $15 million bill for repairs to a stretch of roadway on the Toco Main Road in Matura, which collapsed over the Christmas weekend.

Works Minister Jack Warner gave the assurance Wednesday that the work will be done right away “because the fact is, we must leave nothing unturned to let the people of this region know they, too, are as important as anywhere else.”

Warner told reporters he visited the area just two weeks ago. He said at that time he didn't notice any serious problem. However he gave the assurance that the ministry will begin work on the Matura road right after the New Year's holiday.

The district engineer for the Highways Division explained that the road near the Matura Police Station began falling about four weeks ago after nearby river running flooded and washed away a part of the of the slope behind a retaining wall.

Chatram Sooklan said that caused the erosion that resulted in the collapse. He explained that rebuilding the road is urgent because it is the only access from Sangre Grande to Matelot.

“Every time the rain falls, the road slips a little more,” he said. “Among other things we will have to construct heavy retaining structures and pilings. It will take some time but it has to be done.”

Construction on the 25 metre-long Salybia bridge, which officials opened Wednesday, began in November 2007 with an original budget of $6 million. Cost overruns, attributed mainly to design flaws, pushed it to $9 million. 

It's one of five bridges to be constructed in the constituency of Toco/Sangre Grande, MP for the area, Dr Rupert Griffith, told reporters.

“I think it’s safe to say this constituency was one of the most neglected and decrepit I have ever seen but we have started the effort of rebuilding and redeveloping. I want to tell you that, at the end of our five-year term, Toco/Sangre Grande will not be the same. It will be a different place and a constituency that we all will be proud of,” Griffith said. 

Griffith calls emergency meeting to discuss decline in Tobago tourism

Tourism Minister Dr Rupert Griffith has called an emergency meeting of stakeholders for Monday to discuss the decline of tourism in Tobago, which he says is reaching crisis proportions. 

He told reporters Wednesday, “This year has seen one of the lowest rates of occupancy in the last three years. Hotels are running at 40 per cent, down from the 55 percent rate that is customary at this time of year."

Griffith said the projection for January is only 20 per cent, adding that "this will have a devastating affect on Tobago."

Monday's meeting will involve several ministries. "I have asked the Minister of Works and Transport Trade Minister Cadiz; the Minister of Tobago Affairs; the Secretary of Tourism and Transportation Oswald Williams; TDC (Tourism Development Company) personnel responsible for tourism development in Tobago and other stakeholders in Tobago to be present,” he said.

The minister noted that crime is one of the main challenges for Tobago’s tourism industry. He confirmed that two cruise ships have temporarily postponed their visits for January.

“The crime issue is very challenging. They believe, out of an abundance of caution, that they should not visit at this time.”

He said there are others factors, including the state of the global economy and the British passenger departure tax ranging between £75 and £150.

He noted that in order to counter the tariff the Ministry of Tourism and the TDC are giving a £100 rebate to people travelling from the UK to Tobago.

“On the issue of development, we are insisting that quality improves and incentives are being provided to hotels with less than 100 rooms to upgrade their rooms and provide a better service. They will receive a rebate of 20 per cent of the cost,” said Griffith.

Griffith also assured that the Vanguard Hotel will reopen before the end of the winter season. The roof has been completely refurbished and internal and infrastructural works are due to be completed soon.

Speaking about air connections he said the decision by American Airlines to end its service from Puerto Rico to Port of Spain would not affect tourism. He noted Continental Airlines and Virgin Atlantic Airways will be increasing flights to Trinidad from other destinations and Condor is negotiating with the Ministry to increase the number off flights.

Cruise ships give big boost to tourism in Barbados

While Trinidad and Tobago's tourism industry is in decline Barbados appears set to become the number one cruise destination in the Southern Caribbean.

Tourism minister Rupert Griffith announced Wednesday that at least two cruise ships have postponed their visit to the country.

At the same time tourism officials in Barbados were welcoming five cruise ships, including one of the world's largest ocean liners, the Queen Elizabeth, to Bridgetown. The luxury ships took 6,816 passengers to the island,

For the Queen Elizabeth, Barbados was its second port of stay on its inaugural trip.

Chairman of the Port David Harding promised that the Bridgetown Port would be redefined as it related to cruise tourism.

"New and exciting trade lines are opening up with South and Central America. Just as Puerto Rico has become a super hub in the North we are moving to make Barbados a similar super hub in the South,” he said.

The Queen Elizabeth is expected to visit Barbados twice a year which would supplement the six yearly trips currently being made by Queen Mary and Queen Victoria.

Greens call off anti-Tobago protest after talking with HC Garvin Nicholas

British nationals Peter Green and his wife, Murium, agreed Wednesday to cancel a protest demonstration outside the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission in London following a half hour telephone conversation with the country's High Commissioner to London, Garvin Nicholas.

The diplomat told the Greens they need not worry. The Greens were victims of a brutal attack last year at their holiday home in Bacelot, Tobago.

They had planned the demonstration to protest the delay in getting compensation from Trinidad and Tobago and also to warn foreigners about the high level of crime in the country. They had told the British media that the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) had promised compensation and had been giving them the "run around".

But THA Chief Secretary Orville London told local media Wednesday the allegations were not true and that he had never promised any compensation. That matter is before the compensation board. Justice Minister Herbert Volney told the media in Port of Spain the Greens will be getting some compensation early in 2011.

Commenting on his conversation with the Greens, Nicholas said it was "cordial" and that he plans to talk with the couple again in the new year. Green was relieved that Nicholas spoke with him and was impressed with the diplomat.

He told the Trinidad Express, "I certainly feel a lot more reassured. I think his excellency is a true gentleman and I shall always remember him with fondness and he's a very good man to represent your country. He's a good ambassador for T&T."

Green told the paper the maximum compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Unit of about £5,000 (TT$50,000) cannot cover medical expenses. However he said he remains optimistic that some "amicable settlement" can be reached.

Commenting on the statement from London that the THA never promised any compensation Green told the Express that shocked him. "One day I will face him face-to-face. I would love to and I will tell him what I think of him. He's a dreadful man," Green said.

He said the only expenses covered by the THA were two one-way tickets from the United Kingdom to Trinidad for his son, Martin, and another from Toronto to Trinidad for his sister, Ann Vines.

Green denied London's claim that the THA paid the entire hotel bill for his sister and son, adding that his insurance covered all expenses. 

"Everything was covered, all the airfare, the hotel bills, everything covered by my insurance. Nobody asked Mr Orville London to go out and pay, all he had to do was to submit his bills to my insurance company and it would have been settled, but Mr London is trying to make political gain on our misfortune," Green claimed.

"He is making us out to be villains and we're not, we're old-age pensioners who have been struck down by a horrific attack and our lives have been changed forever," Green told the paper.

London had his say as well on Wednesday. He told reporters in Scarborough Nicholas should have stayed out of the matter.

"No ambassador is supposed to make any statement on his own. I feel very strongly that an ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago making statements, which I believe are his own personal opinions, he has to understand what is the role of an ambassador," London said.

He insisted that there is a lot of misinformation being circulated about this matter and stated again that he never promised compensation to the couple. 

"Would you believe that we would really have a discussion where you talking about in one room a gentleman in ICU, hovering between life and death, and his wife seriously injured. Do you think that is the environment and atmosphere in which compensation would be an issue? I want us to ask ourselves that question," London asked.

He added that he fears the whole matter is getting out of hand.

Volney says Greens matter under consideration, some compensation in early 2011

Justice Minister Herbert Volney is optimistic that a board will soon be appointed to deal with compensation for victims of crime. He told the Trinidad Express a list of names is currently before Cabinet.

The issue of compensation has been in the news following claims by a British couple who were attacked in Tobago that they were getting no satisfactory answers on their claims for compensation.

A media release issued from the ministry Tuesday stated that the minister "empathises with the situation of English couple, Peter and Murium Green and commits to assisting them as far as the governing Acts and Laws under which the Ministry of Justice operates".

The release added, "The Criminal Injuries Compensation Unit (CICU) of the Ministry of Justice received a formal application on July 11, 2010, from the Greens and, in the months since, has conducted its own investigations and reviews into the couple's tragic incident.

"The file and attendant recommendations have been duly prepared and are awaiting the consideration of the CICU board. Membership of the board is before Cabinet and the Greens have been made aware of the status of their matter before the CICU." 

 

Volney said it is the Government's intention that some compensation under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act will be forthcoming in early 2011.

 

The Greens told the Daily Mail newspaper in London earlier this month about the attack and complained about the delays in attending to their claims for compensation. They were also critical of the treatment they received by some staff at the Mount Hope hospital where they were treated for their injuries.

London says he made no promises to Greens about compensation

The Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) told the Trinidad Express on Tuesday he never offered to compensate a British couple who were victims of crime on the island.

Orville London's statement was in response to claims made by Peter and Murium Green, who were chopped across the face on August 1, 2009, as they slept outside their home in Bacolet, Tobago.

The Greens have claimed that the THA promised them compensation and have said that officials are not honouring that promise. They have threatened to protest outside the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission in London if they don't get a satisfactory answer by the end of the year.

High Commissioner to London, Garvin Nicholas, told JYOTI Tuesday he will attempt to contact the Greens on Wednesday to discuss the matter. He also said, in his view, if any promise was made it should be honoured.

Read the story: TT HC to London will try to meet Greens, says Tobago "relatively safe"

London told the Express the THA and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago spent $93,443.55 for ground transfers to and from the Mt Hope Medical Sciences Complex, 21 days of accommodation at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Port of Spain, for Martin Green, the couple's son, and return airfare to London for family members.

"I did not make any commitment nor do I think any official representative of the Tobago House of Assembly made any commitment to compensate the Greens which they would have suffered," London said.

London explained that if any compensation agreement were made it would have set "a challenging precedence" in relation to locals and other international visitors. He said efforts have since been made to see if the Greens and other visitors can qualify under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act.

He also took issue with charges by the couple about mistreatment at the Mount Hope hospital.

"I want to also state very categorically that my information is that the Greens received the best medical care possible, and that the story that is bandied about, about the bandages, that to me is preposterous."

That comment was in relation to a report attributed to Peter Green that a nurse used a contaminated rag to clean an open wound to his head.

"We have to clear the name of THA and treat with the integrity of the island and the country, and the destination, and all the care givers, and all those that may have been responsible in some way, with the treatment of the Greens," he said.

"We also have an added responsibility to ensure that we market Tobago aggressively, and that we find ways and means and utilise all relevant strategies to alleviate some of the damage that must have been done to this island and this country," London told the paper.

The THA's Division of Tourism and Transportation has offered to pay for the Greens to return Tobago to testify in the case against the man accused of attacking them. It is also offering to pay any necessary professional support.

"We have every confidence that justice will be dispensed. We wish Mr and Mrs Green well, as they continue to recover from an experience which no one deserves," the Division declared in an official statement.

TT HC to London will try to meet Greens, says Tobago "relatively safe"

Trinidad and Tobago's High Commissioner to London, Garvin Nicholas, will try to contact Peter and Murium Green in London Wednesday to discuss concerns that the British couple have about safety for foreigners in Tobago and about compensation to them for a vicious attack on them last year.

The Greens were victims of a savage attack at their holiday home in Bacelot, Tobago last year. Both of them had to be flown to Trinidad for emergency treatment at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex. Murium suffered wounds to her face and jaw, while Peter's injuries were mostly in his face and head.

Murium underwent operations to rebuild her shattered face, while Peter spent two weeks in a medically induced coma to help reduce the swelling on his brain. Doctors didn't expect him to live.

The accused attacker is expected to go on trial on January 11, 2011.

The crime was widely reported in the British press and travel websites, cautioning visitors to avoid Tobago. The couple told the British press they were badly treated by support staff at hospital in Trinidad.

They also said the Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), Orville London, promised compensation but so far all they have got from anyone in Trinidad was a replica of a steelpan, a patterned beach wrap and an invitation to return for Carnival. They say this happened during a visit to their home by a man they identified as Farid Hinds.

On Monday they sent an email to the Trinidad Express stating that if they don't get word from about the promised compensation they would join their friends and supporters in demonstrating outside the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission in London.

In an email response to these development, High Commissioner Nicholas said, "I will attempt to contact the Greens tomorrow (Wednesday)."

Nicholas said the government of Trinidad and Tobago fully appreciates the need for tourists to feel safe and noted that Tobago remains relatively safe. He challenge, he said, is to make it safer.

"This government fully understands the need to provide a safe destination for tourists and citizens alike, especially as it strives to diversify the economy away from dependence on the energy industry into areas such as tourism," he said.

The attack happened during the Manning PNM administration and Nicholas noted that the present People's Partnership government was elected on its promise to deal with the crime situation which was totally out of control.

He noted that there has been a notable drop in major crimes in Trinidad and Tobago this year but "the government understands there is much more to do as one murder, rape or robbery is one too many."

With respect to the concern of the Greens about compensation, the diplomat said if the Greens were given a commitment by the previous government or the THA, "this promise should in my view, be honoured." 

He added, "I may even wish to suggest that it may be a practice that the THA should adopt for tourist in general as an incentive to tourist arrivals where fear may be a deterrent.

"Tourism is after all a very competitive, though highly lucrative industry. If we are to distinguish ourselves it should be positively. As this government's representative in the UK, I shall make every effort to communicate this to the Greens and the British and European public in general."

People minister wants to introduce music to youth as a deterrent to crime

People Minister Dr Glen Ramadharsingh is teaming up with a Venezuelan organisation to launch a music program for young people.

The minister met Tuesday with representatives of Venezuela's noted 'El Sistema' music education with respect to providing youths at risk with a musical career "as an alternative to crime."

The meeting was coordinated by well-known Trinidadian musician, Pat Bishop and included four representatives of El Sistema, led by Eleazor Yeguez.

El Sistema is a publicly-financed music education program that was founded in 1975 by Venezuelan economist and musician Jose Antonio Abreau. It has over 40 youth orchestras around the country involving about 300,000 children, most of whom are from poor economic backgrounds.

Ramadharsingh told reporters he would love to see the El Sistema model adopted in Trinidad and Tobago since its objectives are consistent with the mandate of the People's Partnership Government.

He said the ministry would contact the Venezuelan ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago to arrange for a delegation of his ministry to go to Venezuela soon to see the work of El Sistema.

Bishop said that she met one of the group's conductors ten years ago in Trinidad where he was learning English and invited him to be a guest conductor with the Lydian Singers.

She suggested that there is a splendid opportunity to promote a healthy life by involvement in the arts. "We just have to do better than we are doing it. We have a little system in the pan world already. What we need is muscle, corporate will, political will, instruments, time, teachers, and we good to go."

She added, "We have a foundation already. It is not only structural, but it is also within the gift of the people. Trinidadians are intensely artistic."

27 SIA employess fired, more dismissals to come: Report

A report in NEWSDAY Wednesday said 27 staff attached to the Security Intelligence Agency (SIA) were handed termination notices last Thursday. And it said officials have stated that more staff will be fired shortly.

The paper said Canadian criminologist Cameron Ross, who was hired by the the PNM administration to review all intelligence agencies, has advised that the SIA be disbanded and some key employees be sent to the Strategic Services Agency (SSA).

It said its sources have noted that Ross pointed out that SIA officers are duplicating work done by SSA officers and recommended that their jobs be declared redundant.


Newsday said its sources have said that the People’s Partnership Government is accepting the recommendations of the Ross report and will soon send home more SIA employees.

The SIA was highlighted after a police raid at its offices last October found evidence that the agency was illegally spying of citizens, including the president, prominent politicians, judges, journalists and business people.

The government fired the head of the SIA, Nigel Clement. It subsequently passed legislation to legitimate wiretapping under very stringent conditions.

Letter: The PP gov't has performed; discard the propaganda and give them a chance

Contrary to a wave of opinion which suggests that the People's Partnership is not performing, I am of the view that the Government has done a reasonable job within the seven months it has been in Office.

The setting up of a Government which includes the formation of a Cabinet comprising competent Ministers was the first major task of the Prime Minister. She did well in her choices. Not only were competent persons chosen from those successful in the elections, but in addition the Cabinet reflects the ethnic composition of the country.

This is a far cry from Mr Manning who once declared that he could not find East Indians. The future of this country depends on the commitment of all the people.

The PM in her wisdom knows that you cannot succeed with only half the country supporting you. This genuine attempt at ethnic balance is also reflected in the composition of state boards where it seems extra efforts are being made for balance.

What is even more striking is the fact that state board appointees have not been duplicated and no one is serving on two boards. This is good strategy because it controls the tendency of interlocking directorates to be corrupt.

In the first three to four months Ministers most of whom were there for the first time had to become familiar with the public service, with rules of governance and with setting out a plan of action. some have taken longer than others.

However it must also be noted that with changes in Government, the old order fights back, and it seems that this is also the case. The PP Govt should have shaken the trees already by making personnel changes so that the support of critical human resources in the Public Service would have been in place. It is not too late to so do.

The introduction of a policy on Multiculturalism was a giant step in the cultural evolution of Trinidad and Tobago and marks a radical departure from the past. In mixed societies it is important that people be made to feel important, appreciated and respected. 

Treating with social customs and cultural practices in a spirit of equality is most important. It creates an environment of ownership for one' s country and its future. Divali was the best ever funded by any Government in the history of our country. The national Awards were more evenly distributed and reflected the country.

While the crime situation continues to be problematic, including a new wave of domestic violence the PP must be given credit fr bringing before the Parliament important (though some say draconian) pieces of legislation to combat the crime.

Amongst these are the Anti Gang legislation and the Bail Act Amendment. All of this is happening as the Justice system was being re-organized with the creation of a Ministry of Justice in addition to Legal Affairs and the Attorney General's Office.

The debate on hanging as a deterrent was also re-introduced as well as the Joint patrols. amidst this the Govt did succeed in appointing a CoP. It takes some time to set up a Ministry and to organize for delivery. That all of this was done in seven months is commendable.

The disenchantment with the government is coming from a population who have very high expectations of the PP. They were fed up of driving on bad roads, having to face water woes and being flooded out. They want a cataclysmic shift in their quality of life in these areas and are losing their patience in having to wait.

It is in the delivery of these basic services that the PP will regain the perceived loss of confidence in them.

The disenchantment is also being fuelled by the 289,000 PNM voters who want the previous political culture to continue.

It is a calculated strategy that we are seeing being played out in the talk of loss of confidence in the economy. There is no loss of confidence. The Foreign companies have not closed their businesses. Local businesses have not foreclosed like in the USA. In Parliament recently we heard of new acreages being given out for offshore drilling. We are hearing of investment missions to our country.

We must not forget that the PP inherited a treasury which according to Mr Dookeran went down in two years from 19 billion in cash to 5 billion when the PP came into office.

We must be honest enough to admit where and with what inheritance the Government started. We have not spoken about the CLICO debt and the contractors debt and the HCU depositors, nor of the cost overruns, nor of the big buildings that bring no revenue.

We have not spoken of a demoralized police Service who were short by 2400 officers. This is the inheritance that the PP Govt has been manging for the past seven months. Yet, they have been able to create the Life Fund for Children, give out letters of comfort, begin to distribute deeds to sugar workers, create a Ministry of the People and launch a vicious attack on poverty.

For the first time in the country's history farmers were compensated within six weeks for flood damages. Residents were also compensated in several areas for flood damages to their homes and businesses.

The Minister of Local Govt has been able to set up TENT to respond to disasters in a speedier fashion. The Government has been doing on balance a credible job. Yes they can do better. However let us be fair to them. 

They have now set up shop, developed infrastructure and seem to be ready to deliver. if they fail I will be the first to write again and be critical of them. But for now they deserve the benefit of the doubt.

Chandra HarnananFernando

Flashback to January 24, 2010 - Kamla Persad-Bissessar

Read the story: "This is your victory and the nation's victory": Kamla

Cable barrier system for T&T highways to be installed by end of January 2011:Warner

Minister of Works and Transport Jack Warner told media in Trinidad and Tobago his ministry will soon be installing cable barriers along the median of some of the nation's highways by the end of January.

There were eight road fatalities over the Christmas weekend, two of which caused by accidents in which vehicles crossed the median and crashed into traffic in the opposite lane. In one crash five people died; two were killed in the other accident.

"We got the approval to install the cable. The order has gone out for the cables and I was given the assurance that by the end of January it will be installed," he said.

Warner noted that when vehicles cross over to opposing lanes of traffic, the risk of catastrophic injuries is very high, "since vehicles are often striking head-on and drivers in the opposing lanes have little or no warning that a vehicle is coming from such an unexpected direction...The time has come for something to be done to reduce the number of fatalities on the nation's roads."

However the minister said the cables alone won't stop the carnage of the nation's roads. He said it is important for drivers to obey the existing laws and for police to ensure that the laws are enforced.

Warner said he plans to ask for an increase in police patrols on the highways. "We need to go back to basics and use highway patrols and speed traps," Warner told the Trinidad Express.

In August, Warner announced his ministry's plan to install Cable High Tension Barrier Systems along the medians of the Solomon Hochoy and Uriah Butler Highways, as well as a 42-kilometer stretch from Golconda in South Trinidad to the Caroni bridge.

Read the story: Cable barriers for T&T highways to prevent cross-median crashes

The project, which will be handled by the Traffic Management Branch of the ministry's traffic division, will cost $21 million.

New courts, reduced backlog part of priorities for Justice Ministry: Volney

Government’s top priority for justice include plans for at least four new High Courts along the East/West Corridor to ease the backlog of cases and offer speedier trials.

The courts would be built in St Joseph, Sangre Grande, Arima, Trincity and Valencia, according to Justice Minister Herbert Volney.

“The vision for the ministry includes the construction of new court plants along the East/West Corridor from Sangre Grande to St Joseph in order to provide court rooms to take up the load of new cases that will enter the system and it is all part of the speedier justice initiative," Volney told the Trinidad Guardian.

Volney said the Government is expected to begin the construction of “one or two” court plants by the first quarter of the new term of 2011,

He added, “By 2015 we expect that all these building would have been put up. It is an ambitions initiative that the Ministry of Justice proposes to drive because for far too long there has been a clog in the administration of justice because of the overwhelming backlog of cases.

“We must ensure that the speedier justice initiative is not ‘frustrated’ by the backlog of cases in the present system. The idea being that current cases would be dealt with within a year of charge while the older matters would continue to be tried at the same time,” Volney told the paper.

He noted that since no provision was made in the 2010/2011 budget for these projects the state would have to make additional allocations to build the courts. It would also have to find the money for new judges and support staff.

Volney said his ministry will also focus on criminal justice transformation. This involves the review of the mode of trial to allow for certain serious crimes to be tried without a judge and jury and in some cases with special juries.

This would involve the reconfiguring of the way persons are treated as suspects by the engineering of the Judges’ Rules which have not been reviewed since 1966, Volney added.

He promised consultation with various stakeholders within the next few weeks to finalise the project.

“That’s one of the top priorities for the new year. To begin the consultation process. We need to get the views of all those involved to ensure that there is a widely accepted change in the mode of trials,” Volney said.

Keeping check: Murders reach 467 for 2010

509 murders were recorded in T&T in 2009. By comparison NY City (Pop. 10 million) had 461 murders. In War zones, military casualties in 2009 reached 521 and in Iraq 151 military personnel were killed last year.

Foreigner in court in T&T on drug smuggling charge

A Latvian woman, aged 28, will appear before an Arima magistrate Tuesday on a charge of attempting to traffic four kilograms of cocaine.

Officers of the Organised Crime, Narcotics and Firearms Bureau (OCNFB) arrested the woman on Sunday afternoon at Piarco International Airport as she was about to board a plane to Gatwick Airport in the UK.

Police were doing regular checks when they noticed that the suspect was "acting suspiciously" while she waited the in-transit area of the airport. They did a thorough check and discovered the "Colombian pure" high-grade cocaine in a gutted-out camera charger.Police say the drugs have an estimated street value of $1.4 million.

Small quake rattles Trinidad

An earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter Scale rattled parts of Trinidad Sunday night. It was recorded at a depth of 38 kilometres. Earthquakes between 3 and 7 are considered are considered "medium" sized.

No damage or injuries were reported but many people felt the tremors.

“It sounded like a truck slamming into the house...I thought any time some aftershocks were coming but they did not come. I spent the whole night thinking it would have serious aftershocks,” one person told the Newsday newspaper. Another said she “waited for it to get bigger.”

Seismologist Joan Latchman of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Seismic Research University (SRU) said in a radio interview the Caribbean region could experience “one of its great earthquakes” soon since this had not happened for the past 100 years.

Latchman said people need to prepare and take earthquakes seriously. She said earthquakes in the magnitude of 7.1 to 7.5 range occur in the eastern Caribbean every 20 to 30 years.

A release from the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) said emergency services had been put on alert to assist in the event of aftershocks.

“There have been no confirmed reports of damage. However, the disaster management units within the various municipal corporations will continue to perform damage assessments throughout the country, with assistance from ODPM as necessary,” the agency said.

Jamaican newspaper raises possibility that TT could scuttle CAL-Air Jamaica deal

A report in The Jamaica Gleaner newspaper says former CEO of Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL), reportedly recommended that the People's Partnership government in Port of Spain should walk away from the Air Jamaica deal after April 30, 2011.

Captain Ian Brunton negotiated the deal while he was CEO under the direction of the previous board, led by Arthur Lok Jack.

The new CAL board of directors, chaired by George Nicholas III, said in a media release issued earlier this month that it's possible that CAL might scuttle the merger with the Jamaican carrier.

It also confirmed that on November 11 Brunton suggested to the board that CAL "should not complete the Air Jamaica transaction, which the previous government of Trinidad and Tobago agreed to on May 1, 2010 and which this administration, after its due diligence, agreed to complete".

Under the deal worked out between the Manning administration and the Jamaican government, Air Jamaica would retain 16 per cent of the airline's shares, with CAL taking the other 84 per cent. CAL agreed to operate Air Jamaica's profitable routes.

Despite its pledge not to pump money into the Air Jamaica deal, the Manning government agreed to invest US$50 million (TT$315 million) in Caribbean Airlines Ltd (CAL) to meet "operating and capital expenditure" following the Air Jamaica takeover.

"The way we have worked it out, we expect that we would get a fairly good return on that money coming into 2011. What we expect and looking at it conservatively is US$12 million to US$15 million per year," Lok Jack told reporters in April.

He added, "So we are not taking on any costs at all and what we have happening here is that we are getting a clean operation with routes that we want, not routes that we don’t want...

“We found them (routes) to be very good routes with good load factors, they were developed routes with a number of people flying and the revenue at hand was quite substantial for those routes".

He said there are "no skeletons in the closets" and as a result CAL will move from owning nine aircraft to approximately 15.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar told her Jamaican counterpart, Bruce Golding, in July this year that Trinidad and Tobago would honour the agreement made by the previous government for Caribbean Airlines (CAL) to take over the operations of Air Jamaica.

She also told Golding the brand name Air Jamaica would be maintained. She made the commitment during a visit to Kingston for talks with Golding.

In September, during a visit to Jamaica on FIFA business the airline's line minister, Jack Warner, told Jamaicans they have nothing to worry about with respect to the deal. He admitted having reservations about the merger but was comfortable with it after talking with the experts both in Jamaica and at his ministry in Port of Spain.

"I hope this is the last time I will have to say this, but there is no need to worry, and on October 21 when the contract is signed it will signal a new beginning for Air Jamaica," Warner declared.

However since then things have changed, with Air Jamaica continuing to report losses in the last six months, The Gleaner said.

It quoted a source close to Warner as expressing concerns. "My belief is that Air Jamaica has been continuing to record losses. 

"Even with the CAL fuel subsidy (based on a US$1.50 per gallon price to CAL: current price US$2.50), they are substantial and could become significant in what will be a political debate in Trinidad and Tobago if the current impasse between the Minister of Transport Jack Warner and the board continues," the source said.

Air Jamaica had accumulated debt of more than TT$12 billion when it announced the merger with CAL in a memo to staff in March this year.

The memo from Air Jamaica’s President and Chief Executive Officer Bruce Nobles stated: "The current transition proposal is to continue to operate Air Jamaica utilising our existing fleet under contract to Caribbean Airlines for perhaps as long as one year. Caribbean Airlines will be financially responsible for the transition operation after the transaction date...

"A new company will be formed to hire the personnel required. Those employees will be hired under fixed-term contracts. The number of jobs required and the terms and conditions of employment are still being finalised,” he added.