Kamla wins: Court rules LSA cannot demolish squatters' homes on state lands

A landmark judgement by the High Court has given victory to squatters whose homes were destroyed by the Land Settlement Agency (LSA) in 2008 on instructions from the Manning PNM government.

The case brought by Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who was a member of the opposition at the time. The LSA had moved in to destroy homes of squatters who had been occupying lands in central Trinidad owned by the former state sugar company.

On Friday Justice Carol Gobin agreed with Persad-Bissessar's argument that the LSA's move to destroy homes was unlawful.

The ruling sets a precedent in determining cases against the LSA that affect squatters, meaning that squatters could legally block the LSA from trespassing and demolishing their homes.

The judgement also means that squatters now have a level of protection, as the LSA can no longer move in and evict anyone who is squatting on State lands.

In 2008, Persad-Bissessar took up the plight of over 100 squatters who were living on lands formerly owned by Caroni (1975) Ltd in California, Central Trinidad. Some homes were destroyed; The LSA served eviction notices on others.

The judgement stated that the LSA did not and does not have the right to move in a knock down homes.

The judge said only the Commissioner of State Lands has the responsibility of dealing with squatters, not the LSA.

However she noted that the judgement "simply decides that the LSA, in actually evicting some of them and in threatening to evict the remaining claimants, acted unlawfully, in that it purported to exercise a power it did not have".

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan has congratulated Persad-Bissessar "for coming to the rescue of the hundreds of the dispossessed families when the government used brute force to evict them".

According to Ramlogan, "She acted in the finest traditions of the Bar by providing legal representation to a section of our society that needed the protection of the law the most, but could afford it the least. Her criticism of the then government's actions were clearly justified and she has been vindicated."

LIAT shareholders meet to discuss airline downsizing, CAL's plan for EC service

LIAT's principal shareholders are meeting in St Vincent Wednesday to discuss possible downsizing following the decision to close the airline's Port of Spain offices last Friday and stop issuing tickets in Trinidad. 

They will also deal with plans by Caribbean Airlines for a service to the Eastern Caribbean

In a statement in Barbados Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves announced that he will host his counterparts from Barbados and Antigua to discuss "a number of matters, based on an extensive agenda”.

The statement added that the agenda also includes the operational plans and performance of LIAT, Financial reports and projections and industrial relations and human resource development. The shareholders will also discuss the CAL issue.

A number of top LIAT officials, including the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr. Jean Holder will be attending the shareholders meeting, the statement said.

Media reports last week quoted LIAT’s Chief Executive Officer Brian Challenger as advising some staff members of pending downsizing due to losses that the airline has suffered.
 
LIAT advised customers that effective Friday January 28 LIAT's Trinidad office would close. Chief Commercial Officer Leesa Parris-Rudder referred customers to the airline’s hotline, website or airport office or to a local travel agent for further assistance.

All employees in Port of Spain are now without work. LIAT employs more than 900 people in 22 destinations throughout the Caribbean with about 600 of them based in Antigua where the airlines has its regional headquarters.

Now LIAT employees fear the downsizing would put about 100 of them on the breadline.

LIAT’s Corporate Communications Manager Desmond Brown told media on Sunday he had no immediate comment to make on the matter, adding that the airline would address the media reports in due course.

CAL to introduce new Guyana to US service to end transit stop in T&T

President Bharrat Jagdeo with CAL Chairman George Nicholas and CAL Vice Chairman Mohan Jaikaran in Georgetown

Caribbean Airlines (CAL) is planning to introduce a new service from Guyana to New York that is intended to end the inconvenience that passengers travelling out of Guyana face when in transit to the United States.

The new flight - to be named “The Spirit of Guyana” - will be from Guyana to New York three times a week and will eliminate the stopover in Trinidad and Tobago.

CAL is also proposing a Guyana-based Caribbean airlines flight that will be travelling to some of the domestic and regional destinations.

CAL chairman George Nicholas III made the disclosures to the Government Information Agency (GINA) after he and Vice Chairman Mohan Jaikaran met with President Bharrat Jagdeo in Georgetown.

Jagdeo outlined to the airline executives several issues that require attention including airfares from Guyana to New York. CAL promised a fare reduction when it introduces the next generation of aircraft.

The President has complained about the “unconscionable monopoly” on airfares by some airlines and even considered establishing a state airline to deal with the problem. 

He has said travellers sometimes pay more from Guyana to Trinidad and Tobago than travellers pay from Trinidad and Tobago to the US.

Guyana to get speciality hospital with Indian help

President Bharrat Jagdeo of Guyana left for India Sunday to try to secure a soft loan to set up a specialty hospital in Georgetown that would be staffed by locals and Indian nationals.

The Guyana government has already voted US$737,000 to begin preparatory work to design the 150-bed surgical specialty hospital, which will conduct specialist surgical procedures, including invasive cardiology and radiation oncology.

Jagdeo told reporters the low cost hospital benefit Guyanese, other Caribbean nationals as well as people from northern Brazil and even North America.

He noted that Americans travel as far as India for surgery, which costs only US$5,000, instead of paying US$30,000 for similar procedures in the United States. 

The Guyana hospital would offer a more cost effective service nearer home with the same degree of professionalism.

Security personnel launching big anti-crime operation Monday

Trinidad and Tobago is launching an air and land anti-crime operation on Monday involving police and soldiers. The operation is targeting illegal arms and ammunition

Media reports say Minister of National Security Brigadier John Sandy met with security personnel for several hours Saturday to finalise the plans. 

Among stakeholders at the meeting were Police Commissioner Dwayne Gibbs, Chief of Defence Staff Roland Maunday, Director of the Special Anti-Crime Unit of Trinidad and Tobago (SAUTT), Albert Griffith and a senior official from the Customs and Excise Department, the reports say.

The SUNDAY NEWSDAY said its sources have said helicopters will begin patrols Monday morning in areas designated as crime hot spot while police and soldiers will carry out patrols in selected areas throughout the country.

In addition the Coast Guard and Customs and Excise officers will be keeping a keen eye on all ports of entry.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who chairs the National Security Council, has expressed deep concern over the escalating crime in the country.

"We have been bombarded with headlines and stories about the state of criminal activity. The murder toll has continued to climb on a daily basis as though it were the countdown to surpass last year’s tally which had begun in earnest," she told the House of Representatives on Friday.

"The almost daily murder toll is a stark reminder of the critical and harsh reality of our time. I sat on the Opposition Benches after the former administration assumed office in 2001, we looked helplessly and in despair, as the murder toll consistently rose each year from a low of 172 into 2002, to as high as 547 in 2008 and thereafter," she added.

She has also expressed alarm over the entry of illegal weapons into the country and has asked the law enforcement agencies to get more aggressive in their of vessels that could be bringing such items into the country.

Statistics show that almost all the murders committed in Trinidad and Tobago are carried out with the use of illegal arms and ammunition, with most imported from neighbouring Venezuela by people involved in gangs and in the drug trade.

The direct assault on crime is only one part of efforts to end the problem. Sandy is also introducing a mentoring program, which will be launched on April 11 by former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.

It involves persons who have achieved success in their respective communities working alongside young persons to mould them into upright citizens.

Photo Story: Glen delivers wheelchairs to the needy

People Minister Dr Glen Ramadharsingh on Friday delivered four wheelchairs to needy people in his constituency as part of his ministry's Direct Effect Program.

He donated one of the chairs to Blance Marchan, 95, (photo above) who had requested one.

The program brings together many of the divisions of ramadharsingh's ministry as well as other key delivery agencies from other ministries.

Photo story: H.E. Nicholas planning T&T village to celebrate 50th anniversary of Independence

H.E. Garvin Nicholas greets a T&T national in London

The Trinidad and Tobago High Commissioner to London, Garvin Nicholas, has told nationals living in the UK of plans to celebrate the country’s 50th Anniversary of Independence and has indicated that he would look forward to receiving the support of the Diaspora in all of the ventures to be undertaken. 

Nicholas said project is a ‘Trinidad and Tobago Village’ where all the aspects of culture, religion, history and economic opportunities would be displayed and portrayed. 

He said the location has already been identified in London. 

Trinidad and Tobago gained its independence from Britain on Aug. 31, 1962.

Rowley wants the government to fire Julie Browne

Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley believes the government should fire the deputy director of the Security Services Agency (SSA), Julie Browne, for deliberately misleading the government on the Usha Ramnarine issue.

Browne is the person who recommended  Ramnarine for the job, stating that she was highly qualified for the post. Her recommendation was supported by an embellished resume that made claims about experience, training and academic qualifications of Ramnarine that were false.

The Minister of National Security used Browne's recommendation as the basis for the cabinet note under his name that recommended that Ramnarine be appointed director of the SSA.

Rowley told the Trinidad Express these developments are disturbing and demonstrate that something is not right. He has already called for the national security minister to resign and now he is saying Brown must go too. The situation is becoming increasingly worse, he told the paper.

"If the text is true, then it shows that the security system in Trinidad and Tobago has collapsed and is a source of great concern...to me as Opposition Leader and to every citizen," Rowley told the Express.

"Julie Browne should now be removed from the country's security system because she has demonstrated that she has compromised her professional integrity," he added.

"This girl was recommended to head one of this country's most sensitive intelligence security agencies and her references were never checked? That is unacceptable, that is mismanagement of the highest order.

"References are for a purpose. They are to check people's backgrounds to verify what they have said about themselves. It is a dereliction of duty and some heads have to roll in this matter so there is a total closure, and there will be no closure until heads roll."

Rowley said the positions of Browne and Sandy remain untenable and the Prime Minister owes the people of this country an explanation.

"Had it not been for the exposure of this scandal, technician Reshmi Ramnarine would have been in charge of an entire security intelligence apparatus. Right now there is a crisis and a lot of people should be removed from office. Julie Browne is one of them," Rowley insisted. 

"The question one has to ask is: did Julie Browne act on her own accord or did she do it as a sycophant pandering to power?"

He suggested that it is clear that someone "desperately wanted this girl in that position....The country has demonstrated that we are not going to move on until we get the answers and get accountability. There will be no moving on in this issue, there has to be consequences in this issue."

Kamla, Jack miss UNC 'Dollar fete'

Rain created a muddy mess at the UNC fete but that didn't stop people from having a grand time

The political leader of the United National Congress (UNC) missed Saturday's annual 'Dollar fete' as did the party's chairman, Jack Warner.

Reporters learned during the event that Persad-Bissessar would be absent. Media reports say the "unofficial" reason was that she was not feeling well. Warner was out of the country on Saturday night.

It is Warner who created the dollar fete a few years ago when he was a Deputy Chairman of the party to give people who cannot generally afford to attend Carnival fetes an opportunity to enjoy themselves with the same high quality of entertainment that is common at the big, expensive fetes.

The event has always been a big hit with party members and the public. Several cabinet ministers attended the fete, which was attended by about 6,000 people at the Couva south constituency grounds. The entertainment was provided by TTEC Gayatones, JMC 3Veni and Roy Cape and the All Stars.

COP deputy leader says it's time for party to leave People's Partnership

The Deputy Leader of the Congress of the People, Robert Mayers, has told the Sunday Guardian that it is time for COP to get out of the People's Partnership (PP) before it loses its credibility.

Mayers told the paper, "On May 24, people voted for a People’s Partnership Government and now they’ve gotten a UNC Government. They didn’t vote for that.” said Mayers.

The Guardian didn't say if Mayers was expressing the official party position or whether he was speaking in his personal capacity.

His comments are in conflict with what COP leader Winston Dookeran has repeatedly stated in public - that the coalition remains strong and united and that COP remains committed to the People's Partnership.

Dookeran is on record as saying the partnership is the vehicle for the political way forward. And other members of the coalition have made similar public statement.

There are six COP MPs among the 29 PP legislators, with the other 22 being UNC members. The COP members are Dookeran, who holds the finance portfolio; Anil Roberts (Sports), Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan (Energy), Prakash Ramadhar (Legal Affairs) and Rodger Samuel, who is a Parliamentary Secretary.

In addition, COP member, Senator Mary King, is the Planning Minister and Timothy Hamel-Smith is the President of the Senate. Several COP members hold key positions on state boards.

Mayers said he is concerned about the increasing profile of the UNC in the partnership because both the UNC and the PNM "carry the stigma of corruption" associated with them.

He is unhappy about the Ramnarine affair. “The act of appointing Ramnarine says more than they realise. They treated the post in such a flippant manner. It also shows their treatment of crime is just a joke. They are not serious,” he stated.

He also said the economy is suffering from what he called "the indecisiveness" of the partnership and suggested that it is time to end the partnership. “They can’t stay. We have to move them now,” he said.

Mayers said there is no institutional framework to support the Partnership except a manifesto presented during the 2010 election and a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the head of the five parties comprising the coalition - UNC, COP, TOP, NJAC and MSJ.

In media release Sunday COP's Communication Secretary Dr Omar Ali said Mayers will appear on TV6 Monday to discuss the current political situation.

PM Kamla congratulates T&T cricket team on T20 victory

Prime Minister the Honourable Kamla Persad Bissessar and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday extended "heartfelt and well deserved congratulations" to the Trinidad and Tobago National Cricket Team on their resounding success at the recently concluded Caribbean T20 Championship.

In a media release she said, “Our national cricket team has truly demonstrated pride and passion in representing their country.

"They have made all of Trinidad and Tobago proud by playing unbeaten in the tournament and displayed true teamwork, total professionalism and commitment and dedication to the task of playing intelligent cricket.

“On behalf of myself, the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago I want to express our sincere gratitude and commendations to the players, Management and technical staff on their fantastic performance and to let them know that we are all very proud of this wonderful achievement.

“They have certainly made a positive impact on our society and it is my hope that this performance will certainly inspire the people of our country to continue to work together as a united team so as to continue in the development of our blessed country.”

Cabinet Note 92 recommended Ramnarine as qualified for top SSA post: Report

The Sunday Express reported in its latest edition that it has seen the January 13 Cabinet Note 92, the document that was the basis for the appointment of Reshmi Ramnarine as head of the Security Services Agency (SSA).

The paper said the note provided a short background to the agency's work in tracking the drug trade and providing policy makers with sufficient intelligence to help in fighting crime. 

The agency was established under the former Panday UNC administration and its first director was Lance Selman who held the post from 1996 to March 2000. The Express said the note listed other direcctors as:

• Serena Joseph-Harris - May to November 2000
• Rear Admiral Richard Kelshall - November 2000 to March 2002
• Serena Joseph Harris - June 2003 to June 2010
• Nigel Clement - April 1 to November 10, 2010

The paper said the cabinet note from the Ministry of National Security detailed the the legal relationship between the Interception and Communications Act 2010 and the urgent need for the appointment of director to head the SSA director to ensure the agency respected the law.

In addition, the paper said Cabinet Note 92 mentioned the increase in murder the need for "immediate initiation and implementation of all of the SSA/SIA resources including the recently legislated capability to intercept communications."

It said the document advised Cabinet that "At present, the interception of communications remains unlawful without the permission of an authorized officer," noting that under the new legislation, the SSA Director is deemed an authorised official.

Ramnarine's CV was attached to the note for Cabinet's consideration, the paper said.

"The Minister of National Security recommends and Cabinet is asked to agree that Ms Reshmi Ramnarine, current acting Chief of Telecom Technology, Ministry of National Security, be appointed as the Director, SSA, for an initial period of six months, with effect from the date of her instrument of appointment," the Express quoted the Cabinet note as saying.

The document also outlined the mandate of the SSA Director "to develop and manage the administrative, investigative and operational activities of the agency so that it effectively and efficiently discharges its legal obligations."

Other responsibliities included accounting and preparation of accounting reports, submission of audited financial statements and "principal adviser to the minister on matters relating to the Act (No.24 of 1995)".

The paper also published what it said are excerpts from Ramnarine's resume:

"In my career at the Ministry of National Security, I have had the pleasure of working directly with many of our regional and international counterparts. 

"I have also had the pleasure of working and training with the British DLO's (Drug Liaison Officers), Israeli Mossad, the Integrated Threat Assessment Centre (ITAC) of Canada and the United States Embassy with regard to examining narcotics trafficking, terrorism and threat assessment, monitoring our borders and key industrial interests and assets.

"I also have had the opportunity to lend my mind and experience to our colleagues in Curacao and also in the Jamaican Defence Force with regard to training in analysis tactics and report writing. 

"I have received specialized training in propriety hardware and software by international companies. Acquiring and streamlining sensitive high priority data for compilation into executive level reports and debriefs.

"Advanced analytical skills which correlate to making split second judgment calls from data at hand. Concise report writing of acquired information for the sole purpose to be used by other actionable elements of the organisation.

"Managerial experience leading and motivating many peer teams of 1-5 personnel simultaneously to accomplish both short and long term projects in accordance with guidance from the director and other executives, project requirements, budgeting per project and overall annual budgets so as to meet target objectives. 

"Effective communication with peers, superiors and subordinates to ensure executive intent, ensuring that all sensitive issues are dealt with both timely and diplomatically."

Sandy promises new recruitment policy for SSA director

The government of Trinidad and Tobago is developing an outline for recruitment to the post of Director of the Strategic Services Agency (SSA) to make sure that any person appointed to the sensitive intelligence post has the relevant qualifications.

"Government is committed to doing all in its power to ensure that any person who is assigned to such significant yet sensitive areas of responsibility possess qualifications and other requirements that are concurrent with a job of that magnitude," National Security Minister John Sandy said on Friday in response to questions raised in Parliament by Diego Martin North East MP Colm Imbert.

Imbert raised concerns about the appointment of Reshmi Ramnarine as SSA Director; she has since resigned. He noted that several government ministers had said Ramnarine was suitable for the post but it turned out that her resume was embellished.

Imbert pointed out that in other countries when appointments to such sensitive posts are to be made "there are a number of established procedures to screen the persons involved, from the lowest level person to the person at the top of the organisation."

Imbert stressed: "We have gone through a debacle and a fiasco and I hope that on the next occasion the proper background checks would be done, the proper reference checks would be done and you would let us know the qualifications and experience record of the person in question."

In response Sandy said the SSA legislation does not outline the qualifications of employment for the post of director.

He said a profile has been developed of "what would constitute the most suitable candidate" and it has been determined that short listed candidates would undergo a rigorous interview process "including interview, psychometric testing and security vetting, and a panel of experts would be responsible for interviewing them".

He added documents of assessment of most suitable candidate would be submitted to Cabinet and once approved, sent to the President for consideration. He promised that in the interest of transparency, the final document will be presented to the nation. 

Sandy also said Government would also ensure that any legislation developed for the operation of intelligence agencies provides "specifically for the recruitment of persons to head such agencies similar to the approach as it obtains for the Commissioner of Police."

He confirmed that Cabinet note 92 was from his Ministry and stated specifically that the SSA director was appointed for a period of six months.

Rowley's "evidence" against PM Kamla is harmless

The delivery document with Dr Bissessar's signature

The People's National Movement (PNM) is circulating on the Internet the document that Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley produced in Parliament Friday as his evidence that SIA files were delivered to the home of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and received by the PM's spouse, Dr Greg Bissessar.

Speaker Wade Mark ordered Rowley to withdraw the document, stating that it could not be considered as evidence. Rowley followed the Speaker's directive but was obviosuly not pleased.

He claimed that the douments delivered were the HR files from the SIA. The Prime Minister denied that she received those documents and said the leader of the opposition was suggesting that she lied.

Speaker Wade Mark intervened and ordered Rowley to withdraw the allegation and apologise, which he did. However later in his presentation he returned to the matter to tell the House that he did in fact have the document that proved that Dr Bissesssar received the documents.

Persad-Bissessar objected again and stated that Rowley's evidence was no proof that she received the specific documents that Rowley claimed were sent to the PM's home. She noted that as Prime Minister she always receives official documents.

The document that the PNM is circulating shows delivery on October 17, 2010 as stated by Rowley with Dr Bissessar's signature. 

However there is nothing in the document to indicate what documents were delivered. The documents only proved that Dr Bissessar signed to receive documents to the Prime Minister with no other details. And according to Persad-Bissessar, that's something that routine - for her to receive official documents.
 

NCC handed contracts for Carnival stands without public tender: Report

A media report Sunday said the National Carnival Commission (NCC) awarded two construction companies contracts valued at over $50 million to build the North and Grand Stands without sending the project to public tender.

The Sunday Express named the the two companies as Steel Structures Ltd and Scaffolding and Civil Engineering Services Ltd.

The paper quoted NCC chairman Kenny De Silva as saying that because time was short his board had to rely on the advice of professionals in the Works Ministry. "The board was appointed in December, there was not much time for the opening and selection process of tender," he told the paper.

De Silva, who held the same position previously under the Manning PNM administration, said: "The NCC, along with technical people from the respective Ministry, went along with Scaffolding since they put up the stand for the past four years," he said.

"We listened to the people with more oversight and that is the Ministry of Works and Transport," he said.

De Silva told the people he is pleased with the speed and efficiency on the project. He explained that the North Stand is already 98 per cent complete and cost $11-$12 million. He said the other structure is 80 80 per cent complete and has so far cost $40 million.

Both stands are expected to be handed over to the NCC on February 10 and will be the permanent structures for Carnival. "They will come in on time and almost within budget," he said.

Former Works Minister Colm Imbert is not satisfied with the NCC's explanation of the how the contracts were awarded. 

"No one at the Ministry of Works and Transport could tell them who to appoint. The NCC is a separate and apart entity and while they could engage the Ministry to evaluate the construction, it is a bit strange that they taking advice from them on who to use," Imbert told the Express.

"It may turn out that everything is above-board, but I still find it very peculiar," he said.

The Express said it was unable to get a comment from the current Works Ministers, Jack Warner, who is out of the country.

"Hear the people..!" - the Peter O'Connor column

Hear the People, Hear the People. This must become the new mantra of the government at this time.

The warning alarms are going off all around most of our government ministers, who are not hearing them, and not listening to the increasing concerns of the population.

Our concerns are the several missteps and misstatements being taken and spoken, and the fact that ministers are not acknowledging that these are reasons for us to be concerned. So, I ask my government to hear us, not to shut us out right now.

It is not my intention here and now to list the several bloopers—spoken and committed—made by the government since coming into power. My concern is that these, rather than diminishing as you all become more familiar with your duties, responsibilities, and the understanding of consensus and joint responsibilities, are becoming more regular, and indeed, more damning.

In the early days of your administration, you were more inclined to review bad decisions and stupid statements, and try to correct or apologize for some of them. However, recently you are tending to slam doors and phones when the people or the media question your decisions and your statements.

You should be aware that there is no sanctuary in refusing to talk about what the people want to know. That is what caused Patrick Manning to abdicate and hand his sinking ship of state to you.

He tried to conceal the corruption and incompetence at UDeCOTT, at NHA, Petrotrin, CLICO and the scandal of the church he was building at Guanapo. But the people demanded their right to know what was going on, and so Manning ran and left you with the sinking ship.

Hear me please! I am on your side.

If Keith Rowley had “won” the election, I would be on his side. If UNC alone, or COP, TOP or NJAC had won, I would be supporting them. I will support a government which is trying to carry us forward, first, to lift us out of the mess in which Manning left us, and then to take us to a destiny which is there for us embrace and appreciate.

And for you all in government, this is your opportunity for your Legacy: To put back into our lives a society of decency, goodwill and properly functioning institutions.

However, you will not achieve this if you try to defend the indefensible as Manning and his sycophants had tried to do.

To set the stage, I want to belatedly congratulate Kamla for the first anniversary of her victory as Political Leader of the UNC. Celebration was warranted, for hers was a genuine victory, over two persons challenging her for that post.

However, I beg of you all not to “celebrate” the alleged victory over the PNM come May 24th this year. That was not your victory; that was you walking into a trap set for you by the PNM.

History repeats itself: In 1797, British troops landed at Invaders’ Bay to seize Trinidad from Spain. The Spanish, with no desire to hold on to this malaria-ridden piece of bush with no gold, capitulated without firing a shot.

But, eventually, the island developed, first with cocoa, then with sugar, and finally with oil and gas. Your Peoples’ Partnership, loosely organized at best, “came ashore” to see what you had captured.

You discovered CLICO, threatening to sink the economy, billions owed to contractors, suppliers, billions owed in VAT refunds, a labour movement betrayed for years, and dozens of “sweetheart contracts” hurriedly awarded to PNM friends and future senators.

You found a health service in disarray, a country flooding with every rain shower, rampant crime as gangs killed for the right to collect URP dollars. And more corruption, crime and incompetence are being revealed daily.

I sympathize with your desire to keep pointing back at all of these travesties which you are now responsible for healing. But you must put all that behind you. You must stop justifying your own bloopers by reminding us of the PNM. You must stop making the bloopers.

For every appointment you wish to make, for every action to be taken, for every statement to be made (and decide by whom!) you must ask the following: What would we have said if the PNM had done, said, or appointed this thing or person. Only by this process will you understand the enormity of some of what you have done and are trying to do.

And stop campaigning! Ignore all of the trivia you are raising, and raise genuine major issues only. This will keep you out of trouble, with the Speaker and with the media.

Hear the People, Hear the People, Hear the people! And be guided by what you hear. We will walk this difficult road together.

Photo story: Dookeran trains youth in leadership

Gradute Sasha Marchan addressing fellow graduates and members of the public.
Seated at the head table are Hamlyn Jailal, Vernon De Lima and Winston Dookeran.
   

For the past six months a group of young people in the Tunapuna constituency have been undergoing training in leadership in a program sponsored by their MP and Congress of the People leader Winston Dookeran.


The program was conducted in collaboration with the Heartland Centre for Leadership Development of the USA and TrainX Limited of Trinidad and Tobago. Its primary aim is to promote citzen participation and decision-making in constituecy and national affairs.

Last Wednesday Dookeran hosted a Graduation Ceremony for 20 graduates of the Local Leadership Development Program at his Tunapuna Constituency Office.

Elias threatens to force Imbert into bankruptcy over $55M payment

Diego Martin North-East MP Colm Imbert has a big bill to pay - about $55 million. And the man who is owed the money wants it right away otherwise he will move to declare the former Works and Transport Minister bankrupt and have him removed from Parliament.

A court on Friday ordered Imbert to pay more than $55 million to NH International (Caribbean) Limited (NHIC) that's owing for work done on the Grenada National Stadium construction project in 1997. The owner of NH is Emile Elias, who is the company's executive chairman

Justice Peter Rajkumar made the order Friday

Elias took Imbert to court over accusations that Imbert's firm had reneged on a contractual agreement and had refused to pay millions owed to him.

Elias filed a lawsuit against Imbert's firm, Clico Investment Bank (CIB) and National Stadium Project (Grenada) Corporation (NS) — a company Imbert was said to have formed to hold the lease on the stadium.

The lawsuit was seeking to collect a $17 million debt with interest, which would take the total amount to around $55 million.

Elias is happy with bth ruling and told local media Imbert’s attempt to “prevent NHIC from enjoying the fruits of its work” had failed. And he is not in a forgiving mood. 

He plans to explore all options available to have Imbert removed from Parliament and will also write the Government of Grenada asking for a full forensic investigation of the entire finances of the project.

In testimony before Justice Peter Rajkumar last October Elias alleged that Imbert’s company worked out an agreement for CIB to issue bonds to fund the million-dollar project. Imbert's company later fired NHIC and and said it did not enter into any agreement with NHIC.

Rajkumar ruled that NHIC was entitled to payment for work properly certified under its construction contract.

American Airlines says search of Grenada PM was part of US security rules

American Airlines has defended its decision to search Prime Minister Tillman Thomas before he boarded one of its airlines at the Maurice Bishop International Airport last month.

In a brief statement, the airline said it was part of the prescribed security screening procedures established by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration. American said it is obliged to follow those rules.

The airline stated that the procedures are uniform and the screening of the Prime Minister was conducted "in full consultation with the Government of Grenada’s Protocol Officer and with the utmost respect in a private area of the airport away from the public."

American Airlines further says the private screening procedure is frequently used for Heads of States travelling on American Airlines.

Thomas told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) he had no problems with the search, which was conducted at the Airport’s VIP lounge.

Robinson disturbed by Panday's reaction to 1990 uprising; says Manning 'implicated'

A.N.R. Robinson on Friday told the commission of enquiry into the failed 1990 Muslimeen coup that former Prime Minister Patrick Manning had "in some way (been) implicated in the matter". However he did not go any further with his suggestion, telling the commissioners he had no proof to offer.

It was Robinson's second appearance before the commissioners. "There were reports that Manning was, in some way, implicated in the matter. I don't like to pursue matters which I do not have hard evidence," the former Prime Minister and President said.

"It has been reported to me in such a manner I would think will be taken seriously. I think it would create further friction in the country. But it has been mentioned in many circles that the absence of Manning in Parliament from the occasion and the time of his conduct afterwards and affiliation with the Muslimeen gave rise to speculation," Robinson said. 

Manning is on record as saying the uprising was "a family squabble". He had left Parliament early that afternoon and was in the opposition leader's office when the Muslimeen stormed the Red House.

Robinson also noted the reaction of Basdeo Panday, who had left Robinson's government and was engaged in a national political campaign against the government. "It was reported to me when he was told of this matter, he said, 'Wake me up when it's over.' I thought it could mean wake me up when the Muslimeens have taken over."

Panday offered an explanation to JYOTI about his comment. In an interview in 2009 he said he had been heavily medicated for his cardiac illness and left Parliament early that day to go home. He said he was asleep when his wife said reporters wanted to ask him "about some commotion" in Parliament to which he replied "wake me when it's over."

He was emphatic that he did not know anything about the coup. However he said the Robinson administration had failed to deal with the country's social problems and with the economy in shambles the population felt betrayed by the government.

Robinson speculated that the root cause of the Muslimeen uprising may have been the social programs that his government started in many areas wher Jamaat-al-Muslimeen leader Yasin Abu Bakr had control. 

"Bakr was not happy his territory was being taken since these programs were aimed at helping the poor and youths out," Robinson said.

Robinson said Panday and his colleague, John Humprhey, were creating a sense of uncertainty within his government. "There were errant members of government, and they had to be expelled to avoid them from continuing on as members," he said.

Robinson said prior to the attempted coup, his government obtained information that the Muslimeen were beieng funding from the drug trade.

The former PM said there were no intelligence agencies in place at the time. "So far as I was aware , no special system was in place for intelligence-gathering; the police and certain sections of the army will consider it their duty to gather information," Robinson said.

The Muslimeen members were convicted and later freed on appeal to the Privy Council. Robinson disagreed with that but never challenged it. "As a citizen of a country, I felt it was insensitive. Had it happened in the UK, the courts would not have let them go free in such a manner. " 

He said his government did not seek to reverse the decision of the Privy Council because his government respected the Council as the highest court of Trinidad and Tobago.

Robinson is expected to return on Wednesday to be questioned by the commissioners.

PNM fails in bid to send two cabinet ministers to Privileges Committee

The Speaker of the House of Representatives ruled Friday against two opposition members who had presented motions seeking to have cabinet ministers John Sandy and Surujrattan Rambachan sent to the House Privileges Committee for deliberately misleading Parliament.

Mark ruled that the opposition had failed to make a prima facie case of breach of privilege against Sandy, especially since he had apologised. The National Security Minister also excused his colleagues Rambachan and Prakash Ramadhar who had also given inaccurate information about the qualifications of Reshmi Ramnarine, at last Friday's sitting of the Lower House.

Ramnarine was appointed Director of the Security Services Agency (SSA) but resigned a few days later following national exposure in the media that questioned her suitability for the sensitive intelligence post.
 
Sandy told legislators when he stated that Ramnarine was a UWI graduate he genuinely believed it to be true. 

"Following my statement, other Government colleagues put on record of the Honourable House, similar information. Since then, it has been brought to my attention, that I had unwittingly misled this Honourable House and so did my colleagues," he said. 

He said it was never his intention or that of the Government to willfully mislead the Parliament. "For this, Mr Speaker, I offer you, this House and the national community my most humble and sincerest apologies," he said.

Mark said he considered the circumstances and the personal explanation by Sandy and felt that it would be "beneath the dignity of this Honourable House not to accept the apology" of the minister. 

Mark also noted that there must be something in the circumstances that point to "a deliberate attempt" to mislead before someone can be referred to the Privileges Committee.

Laventille West MP Nileung Hypolite moved the motion against Rambachan, telling  Parliament the week before that Ramnarine held a BSc degree in Information Technology (IT) from the University of the West Indies (UWI) and was pursuing a BA degree in Psychology.

In addition he said Ramnarine was well suited for the post because she had been employed with the security agency for nine years and had international experience in her field.

Hypolite stated that it is now public knowledge that Ramnarine does not have the stated academic credentials or international experience. Based on that he asked that Rambachan be sent to the Privileges Committee.

On Wednesday Rambachan admitted that he may have been wrong and said he would offer an apology.

The motion against Sandy came from Diego Martin Central MP Dr Amery Browne who said Sandy "knew or ought to know" that his statements in support of the appointment of Ramnarine were not true.

PM Kamla, Rowley in verbal sparring over SIA papers

Opposition Leader Keith Rowley had to apologise twice to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar in Parliament on Friday and withdraw, without reservation, comments that suggested that Persad-Bissessar was not telling the truth about human resources files from the Security Intelligence Agency (SIA).

Rowley was making a presentation with respect to the government's handling of the matter of the appointment of a director at the SIA during which he said the government was caught "red handed" in manipulating information with respect to the appointment of Reshmi Usha Ramnarine to the post.

The opposition leader stated that Ramnarine was not qualified for the post and that as a technician in the intelligence organisation she was not fit for such high office. He said there were 22 positions from director down for which Ramnarine did not meet the required qualification, yet she was put into the sensitive leadership role.

Rowley said the government fired 27 members of the SIA staff, eight of whom had more than 11 years service in the agency. "They decapitated the agency and removed all the qualified people," Rowley charged. He added that the plan was to make way for those who found favour with the new administration.

During the presentation he said HR files from the SIA were delivered to the Prime Minister's home in Penal and received by her husband. He asked Persad-Bissessar to tell the House if that were true. "No," was her terse reply.

At that point Rowley said he wanted it to be recorded that the PM had denied that files were delivered to her home. Speaker Wade Mark intervened when Persad-Bissessar objected to say Rowley was suggesting that she told a lie. 

Mark advised the MP that he was making a very serious charge and that unless he produced evidence to support his accusations he would have to withdraw the remarks and apologise to Persad-Bissessar.

Rowley offered to do so with reservations but Mark insisted on a wholesale withdrawal and apology. Rowley obliged. However later he returned to the issue and read from what he said was a delivery document that proved that Dr Greg Bissessar, the PM's spouse, received the papers on October 17, 2010. He said that was his proof.

The Prime Minister rose to set the records straight, saying that as the head of government she receives all kinds of government documents all the time and she would not tolerate the "libellous allegations". Rowley was stumped. His document could not prove what documents were delivered that day.

Again Mark intervened, this time visibly annoyed. He told Rowley that he could not accept the document as evidence and reminded him that when a member wished to make accusations against another MP it had to be done through a substantive motion. 

He told Rowley that under the circumstances he would have to withdraw the document and the accusation. Mark also ordered all reference to the matter be expunged from the records.

For the second time in the afternoon, Rowley had to withdraw his remarks without reservation. But he had his last word. The opposition leader ended his presentation by stating that what happened in the Ramnarine affair was not an error. He quoted a blogger who wrote, "They knew full well what they were doing". 

Rowley on the warpath, demands resignation of national security minister

Keith Rowley took the government of Trinidad and Tobago to task Friday for what he called "a most monumental cover-up" in relation to the hiring of a junior officer as Director of the Security Services Agency (SSA).

The Opposition leader said the government acted irresponsibly in putting such sensitive responsibilities in the hands of a person who was not qualified for the position.

He was speaking on a motion to condemn the government for its handling of the matter of the appointment of Reshmi Usha Ramnarine to the post of Director of the SSA and a full accounting of the whole matter to the nation.

He dondemned the defence of the appointment by several cabinet ministers "who are now falling over themselves" and "scandalising themselves" to apologize for the government's error.

And he called on National Security minister John Sandy to resign, saying if the minister had "one modicum of self-respect" he would "hand in his papers and walk."

In a lengthy presentation that was interrupted several times by Speaker Wade Mark to restore order to the House, Rowley traced the matter to what he called a deliberate attempt to mislead the country.

He said it started with an official announcement of the appointment from the office of the president which stated that Ramnarine was the new Director of the Security Intelligence Agency (SIA) and not the SSA as stated by the government. The president's office subsequently sent another release stating that it has stated SIA in error.

Rowley also pointed out that while the government insisted that Ramnarine's appointment was for a six-month period to oversee the merging of the two security agencies, there was nothing in the announcement from the president's office that put any time limit on the assignment.

He also pointed to media reports that quoting government ministers as defending the decision and stating that Ramnarine held a BSc degree when she had no degree.

The other contentious issue which Rowley raised was the apparent confusion about how the appointment was made. The official response from the government was that a recommendation to appoint Ramnarine was made to the National Security Council and later approved by cabinet. Sandy is a member of the NSC, which is chaired by the Prime Minister.

Rowley said Sandy contradicted himself when he told the media that he did not know of the appointment stating that unless the rules had been recently changed if a matter of national security is to go before cabinet a note to that effect has to be prepared and the minister must sign off on it.

The opposition leader quoted the Prime Minister as saying that cabinet minister should have known about the appointment if they had read their notes.

Rowley called the entire affair an example of "gross irresponsibility" by appointing a technician as director. He said this is a pattern with the People's Partnership government.

In response Sandy scoffed at Rowley's demand for his to quit and asked why Rowley did not resign when his former boss asked him "where the money gone", a reference to suggestions by former Prime Minister Patrick Manning that Rowley should account for $10 million that had been missing from a government project. It turned out that no money was missing.

Sandy reminded the House that Rowley becomes a "bully" when challenged, quoting from Hansard of Oct. 21, 2009 when Manning said Rowley behaved "like a raging bull" whenever he didn't have his way.

The minister challenged Rowley's arguments saying many of the statements he made were misleading. He also outlined his history of service "since 1966" and his commitment to service to the country.

Powell coming to T&T to launch mentoring program

Former American Secretary of State Colin Powell is visiting Trinidad and Tobago in April to launch a mentoring program.

Powell, who served in the George Bush administration from 2001 to 2005, was the first African American to occupy such a high government position. 

National Security Minister Brigadier John Sandy made the disclosure in Parliament Friday during a private motion raised by the Opposition on the Security Intelligence Agency (SIA) files.

Sandy said the mentoring program is part of the People's Partnership Government's efforts to deal with crime in the country.

Sandy told legislators government is committed to making the country safe again. "I wish to emphasise, even as we seek to strengthen the law enforcement, this Government is committed to putting measures in place to safeguard the fundamental rights of our law-abiding citizens" said Sandy.

He said the Ministry of National Security is working to create a more coordinated response to crime through the collaboration of law enforcement and intelligence agencies as part of its anti-crime strategy.

Debate on 'hanging' constitutional amendment for Parliament Feb. 14

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar told the House of Representatives the debate on the constitutional amendment that would allow hangings to resume will begin on February 14 and continue until February 25 if necessary.

The legalisation puts murders in three categories with capital punishment for the most severe cases.

She said the date was agreed during a meeting Friday between government and opposition representatives. 

Both sides previously met on January 14 at which time Opposition Leader asked for time to take the issues to the General Council of the People's National Movement (PNM) and the party's national convention in March. Rowley said he wanted to postpone debate until April.

However in a brief statement in Parliament Friday Persad-Bissessar said due to the horrendous escalation in murders she believes that matter of hanging convicted murderers has become even more urgent. She said in that context both sides met again and agreed to debate the bill ahead of time.

Chancery Lane Complex to be part of Sando hospital; Oncology Centre coming soon

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago is shifting gears with respect to the the Chancery Lane Administrative Complex in San Fernando, which began during the Manning People's National Movement (PNM) administration. The incomplete project is next to the San Fernando General Hospital.

On Friday, Health Minister Therese Baptiste-Cornelis announced that the complex will become a part of the hospital. She was speaking during a ceremony to mark the launch of refurbishment works of the UWI's teaching facilities and student and student accommodation, at the hospital.

"The Ministry has also been meeting with several stakeholders to determine the feasibility of building a ramp that will connect the San Fernando General Hospital to the Chancery Complex, thus using the complex as a decanting area," the minister said.

The complex was started by UDeCOTT six years ago and has already cost $440 million, almost twice of the original budgeted cost of $296 million. UDeCOTT said last December that the project is 85 per cent complete. Contractors have abandoned the site.

The Minister also announced that government soon built the long promised National Oncology Centre. She said, "The Ministry of Health has received the green light from Cabinet for the construction and commissioning of the National Oncology Centre at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex."

She added, "We will also receive technical assistance and an appropriate construction delivery model, as well as project management services for the Oncology Centre from the Ministry of Works and Transport."

The Manning administration turned the sod in 2007 to begin construction of the Oncology Centre but the site site remains abandoned despite the spending of millions of dollars. She said tenders went out this week for the construction. 

Health Ministry rolls out 'combo deal' involving three projects

The People's Partnership promised that 2011 is the year of delivery. And the Ministry of Health is making sure it sticks to that agenda.

On Friday the Ministry of Health showed off a combo deal during a media conference at the San Fernando Hospital. 

The package entails three major projects to be undertaken in the Health sector, including facilities in San Fernando, a hospital for Chaguanas with construction starting in march and Point Fortin Hospital. Construction begins in  August for the long awaited institution.

When the Point Fortin Hospital is completed, it is expected that health care would be brought to the door steps of a sizable South and South Western population that would normally have traveled to San Fernando General Hospital to access health care.
 

At the San Fernando hospital lands are being cleared to start construction of a $2.6 billion training and housing facility for medical students of the University of the West Indies Medical.

Health Minister Therese Baptiste Cornelis, who turned the sod for the start of the project, said work will begin on February 2.

"I am extremely pleased to recognize the start of refurbishment works for the University of the West Indies (UWI) Training Facilities and Medical Students Accommodation, here on this soil, in San Fernando" she said.

She described the circumstances in the health care workforce as a chronic national disease, causing much stress like diseases tend to do.

"It weakens our health care system, proper management of this disease requires a committed national effort in several areas," stressed the Minister.

"We at the Ministry of Health believe that the Human Resources problem in the medical arena is much more than a Ministry of Health issue. You see, the management of this disease requires a committed effort directed in several areas, with the ultimate goal of taking first class health care to the people."

The facilities in San Fernando will ease the stress of UWI at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex. The Health Minister noted that the convenience of the living quarters means that students will be in a better frame of mind to study, and they will be able to achieve their ambitions personally and vocationally.

The health ministry has enlisted the support of the Ministries of Education, Science and Technology and the MP San Fernando West, Carolyn Seepersad Bachan, to help ensure delivery of these projects.

UWI planning South Campus since 2006: Sankat

The Principal of the University of the West Indies (UWI) confirmed Friday that everything is on schedule to begin construction of the South campus of the university in Debe.

Speaking with reporters in San Fernando at the launch of a UWI medical faculty project at the San Fernando General Hospital, Sankat: "I have been having discussions with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, and meetings with the various councils and committees of the UWI.

"And as principal, I am also doing what I need to do within the UWI system to advance this concept of the South campus which is a satellite campus of the St Augustine campus."  

Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley has been critical of the south campus and said earlier this week that it should not be located in Debe, insisting that St Augustine is the ideal location for any expansion. However the government has stated that there is a need for extending the campus beyond its present location to facilitate students from all over the country.

Sankat assured reporters that the decision to expand is not one that was taken overnight. "The idea of a South campus did not arise just so. These ideas were being mooted in 2006, 2007," he said.

When I became principal, I had indicated to the campus at a board meeting that this was one of my objectives. We have been doing our studies quietly to move in this area. Some have moved east, we are moving south."

Sankat added, "We are committed to this vision which is at the heart of our expansion into South Trinidad and which underpins the imminent establishment of a flagship Faculty of Law in the South Campus in Debe...to be able to reach all students no matter where they live and to provide them with the opportunity for personal and professional advancement."

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced on Tuesday that the sod-turning ceremony for the campus will take place on February 24, near to the Debe High School. The date has symbolical significance for Persad-Bissessar. That's the date in 2009 on which he became leader of the opposition.

Oropouche MP Dr Roodal Moonilal rebuked Rowley for giving the South Campus a thumbs down saying it will allow people in the area to  get easier access to quality education so Debe will no longer be known only as a place to make "doubles, phulourie and saheena".

Photo story: PM Kamla receives $75,000 for Children's Life Fund

(L-R) Vashti Pekhoo PMCGC Secretary, Chairman Ray Jaggernauth, PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Treasurer Randall Mohammed and Director Kalapnath Ragoo. Photos by Nicholas Ramjass courtesy OPM

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar received a donation of $75,000 on Friday for the Children’s Life Fund.

The gift is from the board of the Prime Minister’s Charity Golf Classic, a charitable association that hosts an annual golf tournament under the patronage of the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.

The charity donates all proceeds from the tournaments to charitable cases. The funds handed to the Prime Minister at the Red House Friday represent money from the 2010 tournament.  The 2011 tournament is scheduled for May.

Treasurer Randall Mohammed explained why the board chose the children's fund. “We recognise the children as the future of Trinidad and Tobago and we need to secure that future," he said.

Jagdeo gets failing grade for his stewardship as Guyanese President

Bharrat Jagdeo has got a failing grade from the Washington-based Council on Hemispheric Affairs (COHA), which has said in a report that the legacy of the Guyanese leader's terms in office is “stagnation, violence, corruption, arch-sectarianism, and unfettered crime."

Read the report: Guyanese President Leaves a Tattered Legacy

The report was prepared by Research Associates Robert Cavooris and Elcin Chang.

“Now that Jagdeo has announced that he will not seek a third term in the upcoming August election he may well ask, as a New York mayor once did, “How did I do?” The answer, in this instance, must be “terribly”,” the autho0rs noted in a statement.

"Jagdeo could only receive the lowest of marks from any independent evaluation. Through his tolerance of crime, racism, and dismal social progress, President Jagdeo has turned in a fifth-rate performance as president of one of the poorest countries in the hemisphere.

"As the Guyanese use every strategy, legal and illegal, to flee the dysfunctional country, Jagdeo will go down in history as a man who did almost nothing for his nation while in office.”

COHA did give him credit for leading the country on a path of considerable economic growth in the last 10 years. 

It noted that the Guyanese economy, which is heavily dependent on the export of rice, timber, gold, bauxite, shrimp and sugar, has expanded at an average rate of three per cent over the past decade.

But Cavooris and Chang said despite the improvement in the economy, government officials have been either unwilling or unable to share this modest prosperity with average Guyanese citizens.

They supported their argument by pointing out that the allocation for education as a percentage of government spending is significantly lower than it was 10 years ago and warned that “there could be pernicious social consequences if education continues to take a back seat on the Guyanese agenda”.

On health care, COHA said there have been some positive results including an increase in life expectancy and a notable decrease in infant mortality, but it also said that there were still many outstanding issues.

The authors allege that violence in Guyana has ethnic undertones and party affiliation falls almost directly along ethnic lines, and accused Jagdeo of doing “almost nothing” to address the racial divisions in the country.

“Jagdeo has failed during his presidency to advance the freedom and fairness of Guyanese public life, or the inequities of the Indo-Guyanese dominated society,” they said.

“Increased economic growth is futile if it does not translate into a greater sense of prosperity within the entirety of society. Jagdeo’s two-term presidency fell woefully short on that point.”

The Research Associates concluded by saying that whoever replaces Jagdeo as President of Guyana must work to tackle these issues, and “clear the air of hopelessness when it comes to improving life” in that country.