Sports Editor

keith.clement@guardian.co.tt

Reigning national 200 metres champion Kyle Greaux captured the men's 200 metres gold medal when he stopped the clock at 20.11 seconds at the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Senior Track and Field Championships in Toronto, Canada, yesterday.

Greaux got the better of hometown favourite Aaron Brown who clocked 20.20 seconds for silver and Nigel Ellis of Jamaica who secured the bronze medal behind a time of 20.57 seconds.

In Friday's semifinal run, Greaux posted 20.74 seconds to secure his place in the final, while his national teammate Nathan Farinha could only finish fifth in heat two in 21.70 seconds which denied him a shot at the title.

In the women's equivalent, Semoy Hackett finished fifth in 23.27 seconds which was an improvement from Friday's 23.31 for third place in the semifinals. Reyare Thomas who qualified with a time of 23.62 in fourth place, therefore, advancing as one of the fastest losers finished eighth in the medal run in 23.73 seconds. The race was won by Jamaican Shericka Jackosn in 22.64 seconds with Crystal Emmanuel of Canada second in 22.67 and American Phyllis third in 22.91 seconds.

Cleopatra Borel followed up her gold medal triumph at the recently concluded Central American and Caribbean (CAC Games) Championships in Colombia with a silver medal yesterday. She threw the 'iron-ball' a distance of 17.83 metres on her first and third throws in an effort to challenge American Maggie Ewen, who achieved 18.22 metres in her first and fourth throws with Jessica Ramsey another American came in third with 17.80 metres from her first two throws after fouling four other attempts.

National long jump champion, Andwuelle Wright finished fifth with a best of 7.80 metres he registered on his last jump. of his seven attempts.

The top three places were occupied by Marquis Dendy of the USA (8.29m), Tajay Gayle of Jamaica (8.24m) and his teammate Ramone Bailey who did 8.09m.

In the men's discus, T&T's Akeem Stewart did not finish in the six-man field.

In the men's 4x100 metres sprint relay, the T&T quartet Nathan Farinha, Johnathan Farinha, Jalen Purcell and anchor Greaux captured the bronze medal in 38.89 seconds. Canada won the gold in 38.56 seconds from Barbados (38.69) with Jamaica fourth (38.96) followed by the Turks and Caicos next in 41.21 as the USA did not finish.

In the women's race, the team of Tyra Gittens, Khalifa St Fort, who was sixth in the women's 100 metres title run in 11.28 seconds, Hackett and Thomas in that order, did not finish the race as the USA captured gold (42.50), Jamaica the silver (43.33) and Canada (43.50) secured the bronze medal.

Jehue Gordon, who qualified for yesterday's final in fourth place with a time of 50.02 seconds finished seventh in the final behind a time of 50.12 seconds. Kyron McMaster of the IVB won the gold medal in 48.18 seconds with Jamaica's Annsert Whyte next in 48.91 and American Khallifah Rosser third in 49.13 seconds.

In the women's 400 metres contest, local girl Sparkle Mc Knight crossed sixth behind a time of 56.33 seconds. The event was won by American Shamier Little, who clocked an impressive 53.32 seconds followed by Jamaica's Janieve Russell (53.81) second with another American Georgranne Moline third in 54.26 seconds.

In the women's triple jump event, T&T Ayanna Alexander finished sixth with a best leap of 12.94 metres. Shanieka Rickets of Jamaica jumped 14.25 metres to win the gold from Tori Franklyn of the USA whom did a 14.09 jump and Dominica's Thea Noeliva Lafon finished third with a leap of 13.74 metres.

On Saturday, Tyra Gittens came up just short of the podium showing after a leap of 6.25 metres in the women's long jump event. American Sha’keela Saunders jumped 6.60m to bag the gold ahead of her compatriot Quanesha Burks (6.59m) with the bronze going to Jamaican Tisanna Hickling, who recorded a distance of 6.38m.

Hurdler Ruebin Walters registered a time of 13.72 seconds for a fifth-place finish in the men's 110 metres hurdlers event title run.

Jamaica's Hansie Parchment won the run in 13.28 seconds from American Aleec Harris (13.49) with Barbadian Shane Brathwaite third in 13.52 seconds.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and members of his Cabinet have been invited to attend an international cannabis conference to be held in Jamaica next month, to help in their ongoing discussions on decriminalisation and possible legalisation of marijuana.

Douglas Gordon, founder of CanEx Jamaica Business Conference and Expo, extended the open invitation to T&T’s policy makers during a telephone conversation with Guardian Media.

The third annual CanEx conferences takes place in Montego Bay, Jamaica, September 27 to 29.

Keynote speakers for the event are former president of Mexico, Vicente Fox, former television host in the United States, Montel Williams, and Bruce Linton, founder of Canopy Growth Corporation (CGC).

Gordon said he believes if government officials attend the conference their eyes will be opened to the medicinal and economic benefits of marijuana and the need to address the laws surrounding it.

“I had people who gave me a mouthful the first time I held this conference as to why what I was doing was anathema to good sense or being raised properly and these people have come full circle.

“These people are now huge advocates for the industry. They understand not just the power of the medicine—which is significant and that really is the main point—but they also understand the economic opportunities to be unlocked by countries that have been otherwise challenged for a very long time,” Gordon said.

“And when you put those two things together it is an incredible, not just compelling, argument that says you cannot wait any longer. I would encourage not just government ministers but also members of the medical fraternity, business people, potential investors, healthcare practitioners, cultivators, farmers, people in agriculture—a wide section of individuals—who should be looking at this industry,” he said.

Gordon said especially given the medicinal benefits of marijuana, we have a “moral obligation” to move it forward responsibly.

Williams has used medical cannabis products to effectively manage the symptoms of his multiple sclerosis (MS) since he was diagnosed with the disease in 1999.

At the height of his television career Williams experienced his first symptoms of MS—a sharp and 24-hour neuropathic pain in his feet and legs. When pharmaceuticals proved ineffective, his doctor recommended medical cannabis as part of his treatment.

Ever since, Williams has been using cannabis products as a medication to manage the debilitating symptoms of his MS.

Gordon, son of businessman Ken Gordon, said he grew up in a household, like most others here, where it was thought that marijuana was a bad thing. He has said, however, his mind has changed dramatically on the issue.

“I was raised to know marijuana was bad but as I got older and got more information (my mind changed). I understand why my parents did it; it wasn’t malicious. At the same token I understand it was based on information they did not have and that is the key now, there is no excuse for ignorance. There is too much information out there and it is not a fly-by-night information. It is empirical data from top institutions around the world and there is no reason to second-guess the research, no reason to not be informed about it,” he said.

The CanEx Jamaica Business Conference and Expo is a business-to-business conference that brings together cannabis industry professionals from 20 countries across North America, the Caribbean, Europe, and South and Central America to discuss the latest advances in the medicinal, health/wellness, legal, regulatory, business and investment landscapes.

The event features presentations, panel discussions and exhibitions from experts, policy-makers, researchers and business people, and provides a professional platform for knowledge sharing and high-level business networking.

The conference began in 2016 when Gordon said he recognised the issue of marijuana legalisation was moving quickly at a global level.

Gordon believes the Caribbean region has an important part to play in the global movement.

He said apart from the important medicinal benefits to be derived from marijuana, governments need to understand that the industry can also stimulate economic growth.

“A lot of governments are having conversations around the taxable income or taxable value and that is an absolutely important conversation but the economic impact is much more significant than that,” he said.

Gordon said while Colorado—the first state in the US was able to achieve US$150 million in taxable revenue from marijuana—more importantly 15,000 jobs were created as a result of the industry.

He said the economic impact of the industry to Colorado was calculated at US$ 2.5 billion.

“So this is not only a new opportunity in terms of taxes but it is a huge opportunity to create this whole economic ecosystem that benefits individuals as well as benefits the whole economy,”

Gordon said given the state of the global economy, now is the perfect time to act on the issue.

T&T is expected to hold its first local public consultation on the issue of the decriminalisation and possible legalisation of marijuana soon.

This was the key outcome as cannabis activists met with Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi and Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Fitzgerald Hinds for around two hours last month.

The meeting between the Government and the activists was facilitated after Rowley received a petition from Caribbean Collective for Justice (CCJ) head Nazma Muller which featured 10,000 signatures calling for the legalisation of marijuana.

Muller and her team, including criminologist Darius Figueira, CCJ director Denise Carew, Colin Stephenson, co-founder of T&T’s first incorporated marijuana law reform NGO, C420, and media personality Joshua Seemungal attended the meeting.

In a series of tweets over the weekend, Finance Minister Colm Imbert hailed the success of the Government’s $4 billion National Investment Fund (NIF) which he said had been oversubscribed by more than 50 per cent. The offer period for the bond ended on Thursday.

In one of the three messages via his Twitter account, Imbert wrote: “Overwhelming vote of confidence from the public in the NIF Bonds. Congratulations to all who worked on putting together the NIF prospectus; on the market research; on the advertising and marketing campaign; on the investor outreach programme. Largest single bond offer in T&T ever.”

In another he stated: “NIF Bonds offer oversubscribed by over 50 per cent. As per prospectus, priority will be given to individuals.”

This was followed by another tweet: “$4B NIF bond issue has been very successful. All targets have been met. Special thanks to the hard working teams at the MOF, FCB, EY.”

Notification of allotments is expected on August 30, and refunds will be given on September 3. The bonds will be listed on the T&T Stock Exchange from September 4.

Because they have been oversubscribed, individual investors will be given priority and everyone else will receive a pro-rated allotment.

The bond issue was rated as investment grade quality with a high level of creditworthiness by regional rating agency Caribbean Information and Credit Ratings Services Ltd (Caricris). It was available from July 12 priced at $1,000 per unit and comprises assets transferred to the Government from CL Financial (CLF) and its subsidiaries.

Government issued the high interest tax-free bonds to recover funds owed from its $23 billion bailout of Clico after the insurance giant’s 2009 collapse.

The bonds were available in three tranche: five years (4.5 per cent), 12 years (5.7 per cent) and 20 years (6.6 per cent )

Police are investigating murders in Arima, Blanchisseuse and Laventille between Friday night and Saturday afternoon.

At Tecoma Boulevard in La Horquetta, Arima, at around 6.45 pm on Friday evening, Ariel Thomas, 30, was in the gallery of his home when an intruder jumped the front wall.

The man shot Thomas several times in the head and chest. He was taken to the Arima District Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Less than 12 hours later, homicide detectives were summoned to the scene of a stabbing at a beach house in Blanchisseuse.

According to reports, the incident occurred at around 6 am. Garfield Pickering, 47, the caretaker for the beachhouse, was arguing with a group of men when they reportedly drew knives and stabbed him several times. He died on the way to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital. The suspects were in custody up to late yesterday.

The latest incident took place at Mango Alley, Laventille, at around 4 pm on Saturday afternoon. Residents reported hearing gunshots and found 36-year-old Anthon Cox lying at the side of the road with several gunshot wounds. He died on the scene.

These murders and the death of a victim from a shooting D’Abadie, last week, raised the murder toll for the year to 336.

In that incident, Alika Scipio, Timmy Rangopaul, Tremaine Paul and 15-year-old Karimah Abdullah were shot while driving along Boy’s Lane in D’Abadie, around 8 pm on Wednesday night.

Scipio, 25, of Laventille, and Rangopaul, 25, a PH taxi driver from Oropune Gardens, Piarco, died at the scene.

Paul, 19, of Maloney Gardens, and the teenager from St Anns were taken to hospital for treatment. Paul succumbed to his injuries on Saturday morning. Abdullah remains warded in hospital. No arrests have been made in connection with the now triple murder. Investigations are continuing.

The PNM’s 2015 manifesto is “comfort to a fool”, says political leader of the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) David Abdulah as promises to regularise migrant labour and reform existing labour laws to prevent exploitation have not been kept.

At a press conference at the MSJ’s St Joseph Village headquarters in San Fernando yesterday, Abdulah said although consultations were held on the issues, this amounted to “old talk,” as nothing has been implemented.

“We are yet to formulate a policy on migrant labour even though we have seen a dramatic increase in migrants,” he said. “In the private and public sector workers are being exploited as they are being forced to work on short-term contracts.”

Abdulah said in the energy industry labour supply contractors have been recruiting workers for offshore platforms.

“If you go back to 1972-73, a Commission of Enquiry was held on contractor labour and it was said to be akin to slavery and indentureship because of worker exploitation. Today, in 2018, labour supply contracts are rampant in the old and gas sector and this breeds exploitation and breach of rights,” he said

The PNM had promised a comprehensive review of labour legislation but again failed to deliver, he said, adding that a system is needed for migrant workers to come into T&T legally to do legitimate work.

“If they are coming to work there should be the application of work permits by the employer. These migrant workers must be protected and systems put in place to prevent exploitation,” he said.

According to Abdulah, some migrant workers come to T&T illegally and are being forced to work in slave-like conditions.

A Princes Town man will appear before a San Fernando Magistrate today charged with the murder of Curtis Marcano who was shot and left to die in a track near his home.

The shooting occurred on July 17 and Marcano succumbed to his injuries eight days later at the San Fernando General Hospital.

Homicide officers led by PC Lewis conducted investigations and arrested a 28-year-old man of Teesdale Road, Mandingo, Indian Walk. He spent the weekend in police custody. After investigations were completed, a file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions and instructions were given for a charge of murder to be laid.

Meanwhile, a man from Morvant and a woman from St James, who beat and robbed a Williamsville businessman on Thursday, will also appear in court.

The couple is believed to have robbed the businessman around 3.42pm. The victim, 37, told police he was conducting sales when two people entered his business place and announced a robbery.

He handed over a quantity of cash and in the struggle that ensued the victim was beaten with a piece of iron. The assailants escaped in a silver Nissan Tiida which was later intercepted in Ste Madeleine by members of the Rapid Response Unit and the Southern Division Task Force.

The couple spent the weekend in police custody and will appear in court today.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has extended condolences to the family of novelist and Nobel Laureate, Sir Vidiadhar Surajprasad Naipaul, who died Saturday at his home in Britain, six days shy of his 86th birthday.

“This proud son of T&T established himself as an icon in the literary arts on the global stage and his world-renowned achievements caused his birthplace to shine in a positive light,” he said in a statement issued shortly after news of Naipaul’s death.

Rowley said the Nobel Laureate was “unwavering in his resolve to tell his stories as he saw fit. Moreover, his strength of character was responsible in no small part for his renowned success.

“His literary works will always remain a testimony of his strength and amazing talent as well as ensure that he will never be forgotten. May he rest in peace,” Rowley said.

Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar described Sir Vidia’s works as inspiring and uplifting.

“For people of my generation, the children of the post-Colonial society that was Trinidad and Tobago, a society and people struggling to find and assume our identity after centuries of being ruled as marginal addendums to a social, economic and political framework that previously treated us as merely tolerated outcasts, Sir Vidia’s work was inspiring and uplifting.

“Like so many of my local and regional contemporaries, I would have been raised on books from Europe and England which described and deified people, cultures and civilisations that essentially reflected all that I could never be, until, as teenager and young adult I read Miguel Street, The Mystic Masseur and A House for Mr Biswas.

“And it was in these works, still so dear and personal to me, as they also are undoubtedly to many other of my countrymen and women, that Sir Vidia’s greatest contribution to my country and the world became not only clear, but inspiring in the greatest possible way,” Persad-Bissessar said.

His widow, Lady Naipaul who described Sir Vidia as “a giant in all that he achieved” said he died “surrounded by those he loved having lived a life which was full of wonderful creativity and endeavour.”

Locally, people took to social media to post their tributes to Sir Vidia.

Columnist Ira Mathur shared a photo of her son at an event with the Nobel Laureate during his 2008 visit to T&T and wrote on Twitter: “I heard of his death in the middle of a family celebration. Something shattered in me. The greatest writer in the English Language dead at 85. #Walcott, now him. #CaribbeanLiterature. Thank you for the words #SirVidia.”

On Facebook, Nigel A Campbell recalled his encounter with the renown writer:

“The UWI SPEC hall was ram, and all I thinking was, ‘if I don’t get up early to join that line, he might only sign a few books and leave.’ So you could imagine the scramble when his readings were over, and the announcement was made to form a line for signings. So here I was in the line with my ratty copy of the first American edition of his first novel, The Mystic Masseur. (US$5 on eBay in 2001. Some people don’t value “old books”) I nearly left the book in my car thinking that he wouldn’t want to sign an old book.

(My pal Afra and his mother said, ‘nah bring it.’)

“So you could imagine my horror when Vidia wife, Nadira, grab the microphone and said, ‘Sir Vidia won’t be signing old books! only new books purchased at the event.

“At this point, I was three from the front of the line. Someone earlier handed him random pieces of paper to sign so they could have his signature. He get vex or she get vex, I ain’t know who to blame now. I turned to my right, and his agent Gillon Aitken standing next to me, watched me dead in my eye and said, ‘don’t worry, he will sign that.’

“Aitken shepherded my book to the author. I smile inside.

“We reach the man, he flip it, he turn it back to front. He said, ‘I haven’t seen this in a long time.’ He glanced at me. He was not impressed, I guess, as he said nothing to me.

“He signed it quickly and pushed it aside and looked to the next person in line. I was still rambling to him, “thanks for your presence, for your writing,” but he moved on.

“Now that he is gone, my $5 investment has taken on a new significance. An encounter that lasted all of 30 seconds maximum is now an heirloom. (My daughter likes to write.) Thank you, Sir Vidia. RIP.”

Sir Vidia, who was born in Chaguanas on August 17, 1932, wrote more than 30 books, won the Booker Prize in 1971 and the Nobel Prize in literature in 2001, following the late St Lucian Derek Walcott who won the award in 1992.

The Nobel Prize in literature committee awarded Sir Vidia for “having united perceptive narrative and incorruptible scrutiny in works that compel us to see the presence of suppressed histories.

“Naipaul is a modern philosopher. In a vigilant style, which has been deservedly admired, he transforms rage into precision and allows events to speak with their own inherent irony,” it added.

Sir Vidia, who as a child was read Shakespeare and Dickens by his father, was raised a Hindu and attended Queen’s Royal College in Trinidad. He moved to Britain and enrolled at Oxford University in 1950 after winning a government scholarship.

His first book, The Mystic Masseur, was published in 1951 and a decade later he published his most celebrated novel, A House for Mr Biswas, which took over three years to write.

The editor of the Mail on Sunday, Geordie Greig, a close friend of Sir Vidia, said his death leaves a “gaping hole in Britain’s literary heritage” but there is “no doubt” that his “books live on”.

His first wife, Patricia Hale, died in 1996 and he went on to marry Pakistani journalist, Nadira.

radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt

Police are calling for witnesses to come forward with information about Saturday’s shooting at Hashtag Lounge in San Fernando in which a pensioner was killed and four others wounded.

Up to late yesterday, John Charles, 23, and John Mark Ashford, 27, of Bayshore, Marabella, were in critical condition at the San Fernando General Hospital. Another victim, Anthony Mitchell, 32, was in stable condition, while Elon Chatterpaul, 25, has been discharged from hospital. Investigators found 35 spent shells at the scene leading them to believe there were multiple shootings outside the establishment on Cipero Street, San Fernando.

Charles and Ashford were shot in the chest and back, while Mitchell, was shot in the leg and Chatterpaul was grazed by a bullet.

An autopsy is to be done on the body of Stephen Pope, 65, who was killed by a stray bullet as he watched the commotion from the front porch of his home.

Officers are reviewing CCTV footage to piece together the sequence of events which led to the shoot-out at around 5 am on Saturday. Eyewitnesses can contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 800-TIPS.

Political activist Devant Maharaj has written to Australia’s Attorney General Christian Porter calling for an investigation into T&T’s planned AU$100 million purchase of two new Coast Guard vessels from Austal.

Maharaj revealed the correspondence yesterday during a press conference at the law chambers of attorney and maritime law expert Nyree Alphonso in Port-of-Spain. He said the complaint, which was also forwarded to that country’s Opposition Leader and transparency institute, centres around the absence of proper procurement procedures for a contract signed by the T&T Government with the Australian shipbuilder.

The contract was signed in July when Austal representatives came to T&T following a visit by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and a Government delegation to its headquarters earlier this year. The proposed deal is to be financed through a loan arrangement with the T&T Government.

“The Australian Government supports ethical business practices and the prosecution of those who engage in illegal practices, your office has a responsibility not only to the people of Australia but also to that of T&T to ensure that this $100 million deal was conducted in conformity with international best procurement practices,” Maharaj wrote.

Porter has acknowledged receipt of the correspondence, which was sent, last Thursday, but has not responded substantively.

Maharaj said he first became concerned when he noticed that the deal was struck without the input of government technocrats or officials from the Coast Guard.

“I ask the question if the Australian PM had visited T&T and decided to buy $100 million in pan, without any sort of expert advice, would the Australian people and Parliament be as equally as accepting as we in Trinidad have been?” he asked.

Alphonso, who has been critical of Government’s handling of the procurement of vessels for the inter-island ferry service, also raised concerns about the deal with Austal. She noted that T&T had a relationship with the company dating back to 2009 when Government ordered six patrol vessels for the Coast Guard.

“Within months of the vessels arriving here, many of them were not operational or badly operational,” she said.

Alphonso claimed the vessels had design flaws which made them unsuitable for rough seas like those between Trinidad and Tobago.

She produced a report from the New South Wales Police Force which showed that it had experienced similar issues with the Austal patrol vessels in its fleet.

In addition with the suitability of the vessels, Alphonso noted that Austal does not have a large presence in the western hemisphere.

“We are buying two Cape class 58-foot vessels and I cannot find a single country in the world who have purchased one of those vessels. Isn’t that interesting?” Alphonso said.

Noting that Austal and fellow Australian manufacturer INCAT were the only producers of fast ferries in the world, Alphonso said Government should consider the latter as the T&T Spirit and Express and other leased ferries were all produced by the latter.

“Their aesthetics value tends to be greater than an INCAT vessel, but when you are looking for a vessel to give 15 to 20 years service, I don’t think aesthetics is what you are looking for,” Alphonso said.

Under the grim skies and persistent rainfall, thousands of commuters rushed for transportation to get home as flood waters rose across the country. According to the Meteorological Service, the Adverse Weather Alert #1- Yellow Level issued at 11.15 am yesterday was expected to continue today. The adverse weather came as a result of a low-level trough that is interacting with the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ICTZ), which brings with it, chances of floods, gusty winds and landslides.

For those in the Port-of-Spain yesterday, all it took was 25 minutes of a downpour at noon for the South Quay and environs to be transformed into gushing streams and ponds. It was difficult to differentiate City Gate from the sea as flood waters rose several feet, making it difficult to see the roads and pavements. So voluminous was the runoff following the afternoon showers a section of asphalt was lifted off at the corner of the St Francois Valley Road and Waterman Road, Belmont. Motorists had little choice but to drive onto the pavement to pass.

Up to late yesterday, an engineering team from the Port-of-Spain City Corporation was assessing the damaged road.

Residents of Trou Macaque, Laventille were told that their concerns about crime and policing will have to wait as the Police Service cancel its town meeting at the Trou Macaque Community Centre, Laventille on account of the bad weather. In Diego Martin, motorists had to drive cautiously and strong winds and soggy soil almost toppled a utility pole with high tension wires onto passing vehicles.

Motorists on the Lady Young Road moved along precariously as mud covered their path. Several drivers and their passengers escaped serious injury after their vehicles skidded off the Solomon Hochoy Highway during the downpour.

Yesterday, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) issued a notice, asking citizens to delay travel for approximately 1-2 hours out of the capital city and avoid driving or walking through floods. According to the ODPM the Couva/Tabaquite, Talparo Region Corporation had the most reports of flooding as residents in Gasparillo, Williamsville, Piparo, Claxton Bay and Freeport felt to the pinch of swollen watercourses. There was also floods in the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation and minor flooding in San Fernando.

Citizens should continue to monitor the website and social media profiles of the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service and the ODPM for weather forecasts, alerts, warnings and cancellations. Visit http://www.metoffice.gov.tt or www.odpm.gov.tt. Too much for drainage system—Works Minister

Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan said that because of global warming, the country is experiencing extreme weather in which the volume of rainfall is burdening the country’s drainage system. This, he said, was the reason for yesterday’s floods.

Sinanan added that homeowners, developers and business owners who refuse to obey Town and County Planning regulations and build on river banks, thus narrowing the watercourses, were to blame as well.He said the Ministry has completed Phase I and Phase II of its watercourse cleaning project, which accounted for the major rivers and drains. Phase III, which has begun, deals with the minor watercourses under the Ministry’s purview. He said that a study done on the drainage in Port-of-Spain between 2013 to 2016 had failed so the Ministry has embarked on a new study. In the short-term, a pilot project, in which infrastructure is being built to accommodate a drainage pump near the Port of Port-of-Spain, is underway.

If this project is successful, nine pumps will be placed from Wrightson Road to South Quay to push the flood waters out into the sea.

A 19-year-old woman was up to late yesterday assisting homicide detectives as they continued investigations into the circumstances surrounding the drowning death of her two-year-old daughter at Chaguaramas on Sunday.

According to reports, around 4 pm, the woman, of Quarry Road, San Juan, was at Williams’ Bay, Chaguaramas, with her two-year-old daughter and another toddler, when the little girl drowned.

Coast Guard officers attempted to resuscitate the child but were unsuccessful. She was taken to the St James Medical Complex, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

The incident occurred a little over a year after three-year-old Josiah “Messi” Gorkin died in similar circumstances during a family outing at the same beach.

Gorkin’s father Atiba was eventually charged with manslaughter (unlawful killing). That case is still at the preliminary inquiry stage.

Police sources said that investigators will continue to compile witness statements from those present during Sterling’s drowning and would approach the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), later this week, for advice.

Investigations are continuing.

Lifeguard warning to parents

Contacted yesterday evening, a veteran lifeguard warned parents with young children to be vigilant when visiting beaches during the school vacation period.

In a telephone interview, patrol captain at Las Cuevas Bay, Kirk Morton said that the special attention is necessary during the period as the already limited lifeguard resources were stretched by the high influx of people going to beaches.

Morton suggested that upon arriving at the beach, parents with children, as well as adults, should consult with lifeguards if there are any present.

“Normally there will be dangerous areas marked off. If you don’t understand the flags then consult the lifeguards and he or she would explain where you should and should not bathe,” he said.

Morton also warned against the use of boards and inflatables in the water these devices may cause swimmers to encounter difficulties.

A 38-year-old man, accused of stealing CNC3 television anchor Khamal Georges’ vehicle from outside the Besson Street Police Station after it was recovered following an armed robbery, last week, is expected to appear in court today.

The suspect, from Layan Hill, Belmont, was charged with stealing the car yesterday as officers of the Port-of-Spain CID led by Senior Supt Ajith Persad completed their investigation.

Hours before he was charged, the suspect took park in an identification parade linked to a separate offence.

The vehicle, a Kia Sportage SUV, was first stolen as Georges was ambushed by two gunmen as he returned to his home after attending the opening Caribbean Premier League game on Wednesday night outside his St James home.

The vehicle was eventually recovered by police at the Bath Street Plannings in Port-of-Spain, the following day.

The vehicle was impounded at the Besson Street Police Station and advised Georges to return with the certified copy of the vehicle to retrieve it.

Shortly before 6 pm, police officers at the station realised the vehicle was missing.

It was eventually recovered at Roget Place, St Barbs Road, Belmont, to following morning. The vehicle has since been returned to Georges.

An internal investigation has also been launched into the theft at the station, which is also located within a stone’s throw away from specialist police units housed at Riverside Plaza.

The suspect was charged by ASP Anderson Pariman.

A witch hunt.

That’s how suspended People’s National Movement (PNM) member Harry Ragoonanan described moves to have him face the party’s disciplinary committee to answer charges of involving alleged corrupt practices and behaviours with respect to procurement of Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) buses.

His response came minutes after acting Attorney General Fitzgerald Hinds, at a press conference, in Port-of-Spain yesterday said the PNM received information and a complaint from a citizen “about a most untoward conversation that was electronically recorded between Mr Ragoonanan and a bus supplier to the PTSC.”

Hinds said the PNM found that the contents of the recorded conversation to be “sufficiently troubling,” stating that if this matter “yields information that should gain the attention of other agencies in T&T, it most certainly will.”

“Higer is a firm that provides buses to PTSC out of China. This conversation was recorded on June 1, 2016. This most revealing and troubling conversation that was recorded raised serious issues for us in the PNM because, after all, Mr Ragoonanan is a senior party member and at the time held office as chairman of the Oropouche West constituency of the PNM,” Hinds said.

Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young, who also attended the conference, said when they talk about forensic work being done and recordings “they immediately start a conversation with a suggestion that it is the State apparatus for interception being used. I want to put this to bed before it starts.”

Young said the recording was done by an individual outside of T&T.

Like Hinds, Young, the recently-appointed National Security Minister, stated that the recording was “most troubling and suggestions of corrupt practices and behaviours with respect to procurement at PTSC was the content of that recorded conversation.”

Hinds said the contents of the electronic recording was raised at the PNM’s general council previously.

“The general council of the PNM took a decision that that complaint should be referred, in accordance with our party’s constitution, to the investigations committee of the PNM.”

Having been so referred, Hinds said the committee began its work where they arranged three meetings to which Ragoonanan was invited “so that his voice and position would be heard” in keeping with the principles of natural justice.

“He refused to show up on two occasions and on the third occasion did not show up but sent a legal representative. Left with little other choice and having heard his representative, the investigations committee continued its work and finalised its report and the matter moved in accordance with the party’s constitution to the disciplinary committee of the PNM which will hold a meeting on Thursday next.”

At this meeting, Hinds said Ragoonanan will be invited.

Ragoonanan said he was notified via the telephone yesterday that he had to appear before the committee chaired by Camille Robinson-Regis and team of PNMites on Thursday at 6 pm. He said he will attend with his attorney.

He said the PNM was on a “witch hunt,” and he has no idea what they were speaking about.

“I have no information about that tape. Where is the tape all this time? Months ago I asked them for a copy of the tape and they have not responded. They expect me to answer to it now.”

He said the PNM was trying to bring his name into disrepute because of what he has been revealing about the seabridge fiasco.

Ragoonanan said on the last hearing he sent his attorney but the committee refused his representation.

“I will attend and clear my name with my attorney. If they don’t want my attorney present, I will not attend.”

Hinds said he had to suffer the agony of seeing Ragoonanan joining with UNC activist Devant Maharaj and attorney Nyree Alfonso on Sunday, each of them speaking as a marine expert into the purchase of two new Coast Guard vessels from Austal.

Hinds said legal action will also be initiated against Alfonso shortly.

Young also revealed that Government has commenced legal action against Intercontinental Shipping “for what they did in relation to the Super Fast Galicia.” Young said the Government had sued for “$8 to $10 million in damages against Intercontinental Shipping.”

He also dismissed claims that the deal had been signed for two new vessels from the Coast Guard costing US$35m each. Young said those claims were premature.

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, Aug 13, CMC – Cephas Cooper scored an unbeaten 40 runs in his second inning at the crease which gave T&T a ten-wicket win over Jamaica on the final day of the third round of matches in the Regional Under-19 Championship at the Arnos Vale Stadium yesterday.

After bowling out Jamaica for 190 on the first day and replying with an even 400 for two declared, a lead of 210, Jamaica put on an improved batting display in its second inning posting 297 with Kirk McKenzie recording a 129.

In the end, posted 58 without loss to win the contest.

Scores:

JAMAICA 190 for nine decl. (Ricardo McIntosh 56, Raewin Senior 23; Rivaldo Ramlogan 3-35, Justyn Gangoo 2-23) and 297 (Kirk McKenzie 129, Raewin Senior 27; Avinash Mahabirsingh 5-90)

T&T 400 for two decl. (Cephas Cooper 173 not out, Navin Bidaisee 93, Leonardo Julien 56, Christian Thurton 36 not out) and 58 without loss (Cephas Cooper 40 not out)

Barbados beat Guyana by three wickets

Scores:

GUYANA 203 (Kevelon Anderson 71, Joshua Persaud 39, Kevin Sinclair 33; Camarie Boyce 3-27, Nyeem Young 2-47) and 142 (Kevelon Anderson 44, Sachin Singh 37, Javid Karim 31; Nyeem Young 4-6, Camarie Boyce 3-43)

BARBADOS 214 (Nico Reifer 69, Matthew Forde 35 not out, Kadeem Alleyne 35, Jaden Edmund 28, Mekhail Marshall 21; Kelvin Umroa 5-83) and 134 for seven (Nico Reifer 39, Shian Brathwaite 22; Kelvin Umroa 5-51)

Leewards won by four wickets

WINDWARD ISLANDS 115 all out (Johnel Eugene 34, Jeron Noel 22; Uri Smith 3-11, Zawandi White 2-25, Elroy Francis 2-31) and 98 (Kimani Melius 30; Elroy Francis 5-23)

LEEWARD ISLANDS 156 (Demari Benta 54, Elroy Francis 52, Lincoln Durand 5-35, Simeon Gerson 3-37) and 60 for four (Mikyle Louis 31; Micah Joseph 2-24)

Not so, Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Keith Rowley is getting flack from some PNMites for referring to certain members as “imps” at last Sunday’s PNM Family Day function—and for making reference to mosques in his speech.

Rowley at PNM’s Family Day, in Chaguanas, reportedly attacked—among others—someone whom he referred to as a particular “imps who spent the last four years before elections going to every mosque in T&T” saying Rowley was against Muslims. He said that person now wanted to contest party office.

He also waded into other members about making statements about him, adding he had to protect PNM from “imps” entering the party’s executive to run it.

Rowley spoke after last Sunday’s exclusive Guardian Media story on the postponement of the party election—from September 16 to September 30—and that several former frontline PNM members and ministers intend challenging the incumbent team managing PNM.

Rowley said he is defending the leadership of the party and has a full slate.

However, one challenger Dane Wilson asked, “Exactly who was Dr Rowley referring to as ‘imps’? This is a disturbing trend—his fixation on issues relating to the Muslim community. Instead of bringing religion or race into the election, he should instead account for his current executive’s stewardship and explain whether disciplinary processes like (suspended member) Harry Ragoonanan’s have been completed or why PNM has not had an education officer for months.”

Wilson, who is challenging PNM’s Ronald Huggins for social media officer, said he supports Rowley as the leader.

“And my leader’s right—there are ‘imps’ in the party: on the current executive and Cabinet. I fully support him having his slate and I’m extremely grateful he introduced the one-man/one-vote system for our elections as PNM’s membership is much smarter and educated and will vote their mind,” Wilson said.

Former minister in finance Mariano Browne who intends contesting a senior post also queried Rowley’s “imps” remark. Browne who was among prospective challengers who were warmly received at the Family Day shook hands with Rowley at the function.

“The PNM’s a democratic institution so I expect basic respect for common things will hold. But why is the leader so afraid of competition and diplomacy in the internal elections that he has to put up a slate and deem as ‘imps’, fellow members who may be against his slate?” Browne asked.

“However, I would understand why Dr Rowley would feel people are stabbing him in the back. That’s probably how (former leader) Patrick Manning would have felt when there was talk during the 2010 PNM general election campaign of ‘time for court-martial later on’”.

Indications, so far, suggest that several of the 15-plus incumbents are expected to defend their posts including senior officers like chairman Franklin Khan, vice chairman Camille Robinson-Regis, labour relations officer Jennifer Baptiste-Primus, PNM sources hinted.

They noted Public Utilities Minister Robert Le Hunte’s name has been called concerning treasurer—held by Dr Lester Henry—and other frontline posts.

Incumbent assistant general secretary Daniel Dookie is tipped to contest the general secretary’s post, in which he has been acting since after Ashton Ford’s tenure, they added. Other incumbents expected to contest include youth officer Chinua Alleyne and operations officer Irene Hinds.

A July 25, internal memo from acting secretary Dookie confirmed the poll was being shifted from September 16 to September 30 due to the September 16, CPL tournament final.

Prospective nominees have been told the initial nomination submission process has, therefore, been shifted from this week to September 3- 7. Yesterday, Balisier House officials said forms are available from now.

radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt

Instead of building a new $3 million animal shelter in San Fernando to keep stray animals, vice president of Animals Alive Jowelle De Souza is suggesting that the money be used to expand the existing Animals Alive sanctuary in South Oropouche.

She is also hoping that part of the $3 million can be used to embark on a mass educational campaign to advise citizens to spay, neuter and care for their pets. For those who neglect and abuse their pets, De Souza hopes the Government could impose stiffer fines.

Speaking ahead of her planned meeting with Local Government Minister Kazim Hosein at San Fernando City Hall today, De Souza said instead of building another pound, the Government could utilise the five-acre plot owned by Animals Alive to re-home stray animals.

“Instead of using up land space in the city and building another animal pound, why not forget the pound and do an investment with Animals Alive instead?” she asked.

“We can set up more buildings for the animals at our sanctuary and we could invest that money in an education drive to spay and neuter.”

Currently, the sanctuary at Ralph Narine Trace has 385 stray animals. There is already a staff and the sanctuary is run using funds from corporate citizens and animal lovers. De Souza said the Government should also advise the citizenry about the penalties for dumping their animals.

“We want to encourage the minister to partner with us. We need an advertisement drive to remind people of the need to spay, neuter and care for their animals. De Souza said she also hoped to meet with incoming Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith to discuss the enforcement of existing laws to protect animals.

“We will be mounting a campaign for fines to be increased. The fine for dumping dogs should be increased. We will also be campaigning for the media to help us in our efforts to educate the public about spaying and neutering,” De Souza said.

She added that the new pound will cater for the stray animals in San Fernando but questioned what will happen to the stray animals in other parts of the country.

President Paula-Mae Weekes has paid tribute to the late Nobel Laureate Sir Vidia Naipaul who died at his home in England on Saturday.

The full text of her statement follows:

I join with all citizens of T&T in extending sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Sir Vidia Naipaul, who passed away in England on Saturday at the age of 85.

Sir Vidia was a renowned author and literary giant whose success helped to inspire entire generations of Caribbean writers. His masterful storytelling captivated his audiences and infused them with a love of reading.

Many of his stories, in which we recognised ourselves, have been set for study by Caribbean students, awakening in them the realisation that great writers could come from among us and emboldening them to follow along the path.

Without doubt, Sir Vidia was an immensely gifted purveyor of truths, with an unparalleled ability to capture the vagaries of life in a post-colonial society. His passion for literature was reflected in the intensity of his many works which routinely challenged the status quo. His often unsparing analyses provided millions of people around the world with a glimpse into his formative years in Trinidad and subsequent life in England.

Sir Vidia’s achievements reflected his work ethic and talent for writing, winning the Booker Prize in 1971 and the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2001.

Though we mourn his passing, we celebrate his undisputed legacy and significant contribution to the literary landscape of T&T. His voice will continue to be heard through his enduring and well-loved literary masterpieces.

Three men are currently in police custody for the fatal stabbing of Garfield Pickering who was killed in Blanchisseuse on Saturday after he confronted a group that illegally entered a beach house there.

According to reports, around 6 am, Pickering, 47, left his family’s Blanchisseuse home to check on a beach house he manages in the area.

When Pickering entered the beach house he saw a group of people already there.

He called the beach house’s owner to confirm whether he had given the group permission to be there. The owner said he did not and Pickering approached the group and asked them to leave.

A scuffle ensued and Pickering was stabbed repeatedly with an icepick.

He ran out of the beach house and collapsed on the roadway. A passerby took him to the Blanchisseuse Police Station.

Pickering was taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

A relative, who requested anonymity, said it was disheartening to know that Pickering was killed when he went to do an “honest day’s work”. Pickering was described as a “family man”.

Investigations are continuing.

LUNSFORD STANISLAW GIBSON of 12 Fondes Amandes Road, St. Anns: 11th October, 1933– 4th August, 2018.

He was the husband of the late Ivis Gibson, Founder of Families In Action. Lunsford is survived by his 5 children: Michele, Karen, Danielle, David & John Gibson.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday 16th August, 2018 at 9:00am at St. Anns R.C. Church, St. Anns, Port of Spain and followed by cremation.

For enquiries; call C&B: 625-1170. To send condolences please visit our website www.clarkandbat-too.com

CUDJOE, SHIRLEY passed away peacfully on Thursday 2nd August, 2018.

Daughter of the late Mildred Perry. Wife of David Cudjoe Sr. Mother of Carla Cudjoe, David Cudjoe Jr. and Abiola Cudjoe. Grandmother of Jerome Charl

es, Reginald Cud-joe, Nichelle Blackman, Naomi Cudjoe, Jahliya Cudjoe and Risa Augustin. Funeral service takes place on Thursday 16th August, 2018 at 10:00am at St. John’s R.C. Church, Diego Martin and thence to the Lapeyrouse Cemetery. For enquiries; call C&B: 625-1170.

To send condolences please visit our website www.clarkandbat-too.com