Government achievement thread (PNM EDITION 2015-2025)

[16 cycles]

David, I am sure you know there is the Childrens' Hospital, Arima Hospital, Sangre Grande Hospital, Chaguanas Hospital and a host of other projects to be completed ..........

It is curious how yuh find yuh voice all of ah sudden on the Point Fortin Hospital ............. Or is retirement seeing you with little cash to travel around to see what is being done?

Arima has a "District health Facility" not a hospital - though one is being constructed....

http://www.health.gov.tt/moh-healthfaci ... aspx?rha=2

[desifemlove]

MSJ should fold, no way they getting seats soon without bigger parties' help.

[mrtrini45]

Meanwhile:

Another PNM Puppet

[De Dragon]

Deading in "graps" is an achievement?

[zoom rader]

An amazing chead, not onePNM achievement

national stress

More like Distress

[sMASH]

^^ lol

[sMASH]

Ricardo Welch added 2 new photos.
5 hrs ·

Wednesday 5th April, 2017
Ricardo "Gladiator" Welch Added Express Story By Sandhya Santoo

PUBLIC UTILITIES MINISTER HINDS--FOR 25-YEARS THERE'S A LACK OF PIPE-BORNE WATER IN LOPINOT

KIDNEY patient Annie Marajh of McDavid Road, Surrey Village, Lopinot, is a member of a community that a pipe-borne supply of water is yet to reach. Marajh, 34, a single parent, says for the past 25 years, she and other residents have made countless complaints to the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) to have waterlines laid down.

“For 25 years, I suffering to get water. I don’t know what is the hold-up for us to get water. I am a kidney patient, I need clean water every day,” she said. Marajh said she has to buy water at a cost of over $600 for a truckload.
Resident took to the streets yesterday to protest the issue, burning debris and blocking the main road, causing a back-up of traffic.
According to Marajh, the residents who were involved in the protest lived further down the street from her and have not had water for the past three months.

She said: “Just because people poor don’t mean that we have to be treated this way. People protest because they see it as a last resort. After all the while they complaining and going about the right and proper ways to voice their concerns, they now have to do something like this.”

Marajh said she was concerned that water, being an essential and basic need, was not being given to the community.

‘Waiting for years’

“Being a kidney patient means that I have to drink clean water to keep my kidneys refreshed. I drink over 12 bottles of water a day. I have to buy bottled water, plus I have to buy truck water. I not working anywhere. I am surviving off social welfare. How much money people think that is?” she said.

Marajh said she has been begging officials over the years to have a supply of water, but this has proven to be fruitless.

“I went all over. To the Member of Parliament office, to WASA, all over for them to do something. Why are they dragging their feet? I will be paying the water bill when it comes, not them. All I want is water. I begging anybody, please just give me some water,” she said.
Marajh said she also has a son who suffers with a heart condition, rendering them both unable to keep a job.

Councillor for the La Florissante/Lopinot district Christa Alexis confirmed the residents took protest action because of the lack of water supply to their community.

Alexis said she spoke to the WASA representative during last month’s council meeting where she was given the assurance that WASA was working towards fixing the problem. She said WASA conducted research and a river in the community was identified as a source for the water supply.

“WASA has been working about two months now to have a new water supply with a different water system for residents. In the interim, we at the Tunapuna/ Piarco Regional Corporation and WASA have been supplying the residents,” she said.

Alexis added just about two weeks ago, she visited the works being conducted by WASA to lay down pipes for a water supply. Up to last night, there was no official response from WASA concerning this issue.

hit it and meditate in the people parliament.

[sMASH]

What if....

PNM had promises of contracts to come from the rapid tram project. The project got stopped, but their financiers are owed a lot of money. So how to get that money?

BORROW????? to fulfill their promises to their financiers.
Make a sense???

Dunno, and all this is pure conjecture. But nothing else Make a sense.

[drchaos]

Ricardo Welch added 2 new photos.
5 hrs ·

Wednesday 5th April, 2017
Ricardo "Gladiator" Welch Added Express Story By Sandhya Santoo

PUBLIC UTILITIES MINISTER HINDS--FOR 25-YEARS THERE'S A LACK OF PIPE-BORNE WATER IN LOPINOT

KIDNEY patient Annie Marajh of McDavid Road, Surrey Village, Lopinot, is a member of a community that a pipe-borne supply of water is yet to reach. Marajh, 34, a single parent, says for the past 25 years, she and other residents have made countless complaints to the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) to have waterlines laid down.

“For 25 years, I suffering to get water. I don’t know what is the hold-up for us to get water. I am a kidney patient, I need clean water every day,” she said. Marajh said she has to buy water at a cost of over $600 for a truckload.
Resident took to the streets yesterday to protest the issue, burning debris and blocking the main road, causing a back-up of traffic.
According to Marajh, the residents who were involved in the protest lived further down the street from her and have not had water for the past three months.

She said: “Just because people poor don’t mean that we have to be treated this way. People protest because they see it as a last resort. After all the while they complaining and going about the right and proper ways to voice their concerns, they now have to do something like this.”

Marajh said she was concerned that water, being an essential and basic need, was not being given to the community.

‘Waiting for years’

“Being a kidney patient means that I have to drink clean water to keep my kidneys refreshed. I drink over 12 bottles of water a day. I have to buy bottled water, plus I have to buy truck water. I not working anywhere. I am surviving off social welfare. How much money people think that is?” she said.

Marajh said she has been begging officials over the years to have a supply of water, but this has proven to be fruitless.

“I went all over. To the Member of Parliament office, to WASA, all over for them to do something. Why are they dragging their feet? I will be paying the water bill when it comes, not them. All I want is water. I begging anybody, please just give me some water,” she said.
Marajh said she also has a son who suffers with a heart condition, rendering them both unable to keep a job.

Councillor for the La Florissante/Lopinot district Christa Alexis confirmed the residents took protest action because of the lack of water supply to their community.

Alexis said she spoke to the WASA representative during last month’s council meeting where she was given the assurance that WASA was working towards fixing the problem. She said WASA conducted research and a river in the community was identified as a source for the water supply.

“WASA has been working about two months now to have a new water supply with a different water system for residents. In the interim, we at the Tunapuna/ Piarco Regional Corporation and WASA have been supplying the residents,” she said.

Alexis added just about two weeks ago, she visited the works being conducted by WASA to lay down pipes for a water supply. Up to last night, there was no official response from WASA concerning this issue.

hit it and meditate in the people parliament.

This woman straight up lying .... Fluid restriction is needed in chronic kidney disease. She could die if she had 12 bottles of water a day with her condition. So is a good ting WASA helping to restricting her water intake.

Great is the PNM!

[mrtrini45]

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/20170408 ... y-contract

Cabinet rejects Port Authority offer to renew ferry contract

Published on Apr 8, 2017, 10:00 pm AST
By Ria Taitt[

THE Port Authority wrote to Inter- continental Shipping Company Ltd (ISCL) in April 2016, informing the company of its intention to renew its contract for 18 months for the Super-Fast Galicia before the Cabinet had signed off on this decision, in what appeared to be a cart-before-the-horse situation.

The Cabinet rejected the Port Authority's recommendation for the 18-month renewal period.

When the contract with ISCL came to an end in April 2016, the vessel was placed on a month-to-month contractual arrangement.

The Cabinet, having rejected the 18-month renewal proposal, appeared to have made no short-term plans for servicing the interisland seabridge.

The MV Warrior Spirit's contract expired on August 31, 2016, and that contract was not renewed.

This meant when ISCL abruptly gave two weeks' notice of the withdrawal of the Super-Fast Galicia, the Government and Port Authority were left scrambling to get vessels.

With the Galicia's last sailing on Good Friday, a peak time for traffic between the two islands, the Government announced on Thursday it is looking to military vessels, as well as vessels used by the oil and gas sector, to service the route.

Consensus or no consensus?



On April 8, 2016, the Port Autho­rity's management and “the board representative” attended a meeting with the Ministry of Works and Transport and recommended that the Charter Hire for the MV Super-Fast Galicia be renewed at the daily rate of 14,750 euros for 18 months, spanning May 1, 2016, to October 31, 2017. There was complete consensus at this meeting among all the parties present, according to a document signed by PATT acting general manager Charmaine Lewis, dated February 4, 2017, “PATT wrote to ISCL conveying the offer on behalf of the MOWT” on April 27, 2016, Lewis said in the same document.

And, on the same day—April 27, 2016—ISCL wrote back, indicating their acceptance.

This, notwithstanding the fact the matter still had to receive the approval of Cabinet.

Interestingly, des­pite the “consensus” at the April 8 meeting and despite the fact the Port management wrote to ISCL, making the offer of the contract renewal on April 27, the then-PATT chairman, Christine Sahadeo, sent corres­pondence to then-minister Fitzgerald Hinds which appeared to contradict the position of the Port management.

In her April 27 letter, Sahadeo noted the commissioners were advised the Government (Ministry of Works) “had approved the renewal of the Charter Party for the MV Super Fast Galicia for 18 months commencing from May 1, 2016, to October 31, 2017”.

“The board is duly cognisant of the authority of the GOTT to renew this contract with ISCL as the aforementioned entities are the parties to the Charter Party Agreement. However, as the board has strategic oversight for the Trinidad and Tobago Inter-island Transport Company Limited, a series of detailed reports were forwarded to the Ministry of Works and Transport, which highlighted the authority's concerns with the renewal of the MV Super Fast Galicia”.

Sahadeo continued: “The authority indicated to the line ministry its non-recommendation of the renewal of the vessel”.

Sahadeo stated the renewal of the contract had to be considered in the context of whether or not Government was prepared to commit $49.2 million to create a proper docking space.

“As you are aware, the dredging of the Queen's Wharf with attendant works is at the cost of TT$49.24 million, which is required for the operational efficiencies and effectiveness of the MV Super Fast Galicia. The board is willing to support the renewal of the Charter Party with the concomitant funding of the capital expenditure of TT$49.24 million,” Sahadeo stated.

Sources said the board eventually agreed to the 18-month renewal.



Draft Cabinet note



The proposal for an 18-month renewal undoubtedly had the full support of the Port Authority's management.

In a memo dated May 11, 2016, from then manager/CEO of PATT Leon Grant to the corporate secretary, Grant reiterated the 18-month renewal was accepted by the “parties to the contract”.

Grant said the services of the MV Super-Fast Galicia “has been retained via offer and acceptance by parties to the contract for an 18-month period from May 2016 to October 31, 2017, at a rate of euro 14,750 daily. Her full carrying capacity will be realised with the dredging of Queen's Wharf”.

“The authority, on April 27, 2016, indicated same to the line ministry and forwarded the relevant Draft Cabinet Note (aimed at seeking the approval of the Cabinet for the renewal of the contract) and gave the line ministry its support for both initiatives,” Grant stated.

As previously stated, this recommendation was turned down.

By December 20, 2016, ISCL wrote to new Works Minister Rohan Sinanan (who replaced Hinds in November 2016), stating if the company was awarded a “long-term contract—five years, it was willing to offer a reduced rate of 14,400 euros for the first two years and, thereafter, an incremental increase of three per cent per annum on each remaining year of the contract.

Sinanan indicated this week that Government was not prepared to agree to a five-year contract.

Boat gone



By January 25, 2017, the board was informed of the decision of the vessel's owners to “reflag” the vessel and withdraw it from service.

The Port management, in February, 2017, proposed that ISCL be given the three-year contract, with an option for a two-year renewal, after taking in account the “negative backlash from having no cargo vessel to service the seabridge”, which would be a “source of embarrassment to the GORTT and the authority” and the fact that sourcing a new vessel would require some time.

“Given the current constraints, management deems this to be the most appropriate course of action,” manager Charmaine Lewis stated.

Government however did not agree with this position.

“I went to the Cabinet and it was not willing to sign off on a five-year contract,” Sinanan stated.

He added Government was not prepared to have anyone hold it “to ransom”.

He said he was concerned 14 days, notice was given, which was to take effect from Easter Friday.

“But that will not shake us, it will make us stronger in ensuring that nobody holds this country to ransom,” Sinanan said.

The THA also supported Government, with THA Chief Secretary Kelvin Charles describing a five-year lease as “blackmail”.

[mrtrini45]

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/20170408 ... ia-pullout

HOW THE SHIP SANK *
Who's to blame for 'Galicia' pullout: Cabinet or Port?

Published on Apr 8, 2017, 10:00 pm AST
By Denyse Renne

ISSUES regarding the re­tention of the MV Super- Fast Galicia had been brewing since last year, with then-chairman of the Port Autho­rity of Trinidad and Tobago (PATT) Christine Sa­- hadeo being at the centre.

A three-page letter obtained by the Sunday Express, written by former acting chief executive officer Leon Grant, was sent to then-Works and Transport minister Fitzgerald Hinds, complaining about the conduct of Sahadeo and her constant interference in board affairs, which included extending the tenure of the Galicia.

Asked for comment yesterday on the allegations, Sahadeo said: “The minister has already addressed this issue, what is the issue?”

Asked whether she was aware of Grant's letter, she said: “Several letters were written. I don't know about any letter by Mr Grant to the minister in that regard at all. The board would have communicated with the minister regarding the issues, and in order to keep the Galicia, they required dredging which would cost $49 million, and the only way we could have continued was that the dredging be approved and that was the issue. If you had to keep the Galicia for it to be operationally efficient and do what it had to do, then the dredging would have to be incurred at a cost of $49 million and that would have been the cost to the country.”

[sMASH]

the ferry service is important, but not so much that they need to take any proposal offered to them. they could negotiate to get good value for money. it isnt a matter of life an death.

and who ever want them to take it at any price, let the ticket price pay for the service. leave my damn taxes out of it. i dont use it so why should i pay for it.

[sMASH]

^^how is that mode of thinking helping anything. let the people do the work they have to do.

[$h@dy]

Former PNM nominee charged with $.5 million fraud
...to remain in prison custody

AN Arouca woman who was among those screened for the People's National Movement (PNM) candidate for the Arouca/Maloney Constituency in the 2007 general election was on Monday granted $450,000 when she appeared before a Port of Spain magistrate accused of stealing close to $.5 million from several people over a two-year-period.

But even though bail was granted to 40-year-old Rose Maria Smith, who also goes by the name Rose Howai, of Cedar Drive, Arouca, on the matters to be heard in the Port of Spain Court, she will spend at least until next Wednesday in prison custody since bail was denied on the matters to be heard in the Arima Court.

Smith, who was charged by Fraud Squad officers, appeared before Magistrate Cheron Raphael in the Eleventh Court charged with the larceny offences which supposedly took place between March 2014 and September 2016 in the Piarco, Maloney, Arouca, Port of Spain and San Juan areas.

She is accused of stealing the sums of $33,415, $24,595, $74,400, $25,000, 178,660, $93,000, $24,770 and US$3,391, a grand total of approximately $477,580.

When she appeared before the magistrate shortly before 11 a.m., Smith pleaded not guilty to the offences which were alleged to have taken place in Port of Spain and San Juan. On the matters that allegedly took place in Maloney, Arouca and Piarco, she was not called upon to plead as they were laid indictably.

Defence attorney Herbert Charles made and application for bail saying his client had a fixed place of abode and would not abscond if bail was granted. He admitted however, that the woman has a matter pending before the Arima Court for impersonating an attorney. He added that his client was a former secretary of government minister and attorney Peter Taylor and also had siblings who are members of the protective services.

In 2007, after being selected to contest the Arouca/Maloney seat, Smith was arrested and charged by Fraud Squad detectives for allegedly defrauding five people of a total of $733,020. Charles stated however that those charges have since been dismissed.

She has since filed action in the High Court against the State for defamation of character stemming from the charges.

In response to the application for bail, police prosecutor Sgt Joseph Logan objected to bail saying that Smith provided officers with a particular address which she claimed to be the location where she lived but when checks were made, the owner of the house, Smith ex-husband informed the officers she no longer resided there. Logan went on to say that as a condition of the bail bond on the charge of impersonating an attorney, Smith was required to report to Arouca police weekly but never did so since first appearing in court last October. Since then she never again attended court and officers were unable to locate her. It was only last Wednesday that she was arrested close to the High Court in Port of Spain, he said.

Charles however, contended that the reporting conditions on that matter was removed and this was why his client never presented herself to Arouca police.

After listening to submissions from both sides, Magistrate Raphael granted the bail bond on the Port of Spain matters but refused bail on the other.

“The Arima Court will deal with bail for the matters before it,” said Raphael.

As a condition of her bail, Smith is required to report to Arouca officers every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. She will next appear in the Port of Spain Court on May 5 and the Arima Court on April 19.

Source: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/20170410 ... lion-fraud

[Dizzy28]

^Well Arouca/Maloney is the seat of Camille Robinson Regis!!!
Financial impropriety is probably a prerequisite thing for politicians wanting to representing there.

[De Dragon]

^Well Arouca/Maloney is the seat of Camille Robinson Regis!!!
Financial impropriety is probably a prerequisite thing for politicians wanting to representing there.

And wigs and stupid looking glasses...............

[Mark!]

^Well Arouca/Maloney is the seat of Camille Robinson Regis!!!
Financial impropriety is probably a prerequisite thing for politicians wanting to representing there.

And wigs and stupid looking glasses...............

BAHAHAHAH is BESS WEAVE YUH TALKING 'BOUT DEY?

[bluesclues]

Ricardo Welch added 2 new photos.
5 hrs ·

Wednesday 5th April, 2017
Ricardo "Gladiator" Welch Added Express Story By Sandhya Santoo

PUBLIC UTILITIES MINISTER HINDS--FOR 25-YEARS THERE'S A LACK OF PIPE-BORNE WATER IN LOPINOT

KIDNEY patient Annie Marajh of McDavid Road, Surrey Village, Lopinot, is a member of a community that a pipe-borne supply of water is yet to reach. Marajh, 34, a single parent, says for the past 25 years, she and other residents have made countless complaints to the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) to have waterlines laid down.

“For 25 years, I suffering to get water. I don’t know what is the hold-up for us to get water. I am a kidney patient, I need clean water every day,” she said. Marajh said she has to buy water at a cost of over $600 for a truckload.
Resident took to the streets yesterday to protest the issue, burning debris and blocking the main road, causing a back-up of traffic.
According to Marajh, the residents who were involved in the protest lived further down the street from her and have not had water for the past three months.

She said: “Just because people poor don’t mean that we have to be treated this way. People protest because they see it as a last resort. After all the while they complaining and going about the right and proper ways to voice their concerns, they now have to do something like this.”

Marajh said she was concerned that water, being an essential and basic need, was not being given to the community.

‘Waiting for years’

“Being a kidney patient means that I have to drink clean water to keep my kidneys refreshed. I drink over 12 bottles of water a day. I have to buy bottled water, plus I have to buy truck water. I not working anywhere. I am surviving off social welfare. How much money people think that is?” she said.

Marajh said she has been begging officials over the years to have a supply of water, but this has proven to be fruitless.

“I went all over. To the Member of Parliament office, to WASA, all over for them to do something. Why are they dragging their feet? I will be paying the water bill when it comes, not them. All I want is water. I begging anybody, please just give me some water,” she said.
Marajh said she also has a son who suffers with a heart condition, rendering them both unable to keep a job.

Councillor for the La Florissante/Lopinot district Christa Alexis confirmed the residents took protest action because of the lack of water supply to their community.

Alexis said she spoke to the WASA representative during last month’s council meeting where she was given the assurance that WASA was working towards fixing the problem. She said WASA conducted research and a river in the community was identified as a source for the water supply.

“WASA has been working about two months now to have a new water supply with a different water system for residents. In the interim, we at the Tunapuna/ Piarco Regional Corporation and WASA have been supplying the residents,” she said.

Alexis added just about two weeks ago, she visited the works being conducted by WASA to lay down pipes for a water supply. Up to last night, there was no official response from WASA concerning this issue.

hit it and meditate in the people parliament.

Them chairs like they too comfortable. Will have to exchange them for plastic chairs so any who fall asleep fall and break dey arse one time.

[De Dragon]

Don't worry, Scarfy says he is ok, and there will be other oil platforms.

[toyolink]

Presently too many critical contracts and agreements have been and are being allowed to expire in preference to looking to shift blame to others.
Urgency in action and commitment to deadlines just don't seem to be the order of the day.
Kinda reminds me of ..........Nero twiddling his thumb whilst Rome being allowed to burn.
Come-on 18 months in and just hellish results with a seta 'bluffing'.

[matr1x]

I hope when election time rolls around people remember the ones who gave family contracts to finish a stupid stadium, sent hundreds on the breadline, allowed crime to run rampant, allowed the children hospital to remain closed, and hired contractors to damage the road and say that landslip cause it to fail..

[zoom rader]

I hope when election time rolls around people remember the ones who gave family contracts to finish a stupid stadium, sent hundreds on the breadline, allowed crime to run rampant, allowed the children hospital to remain closed, and hired contractors to damage the road and say that landslip cause it to fail..

Once it's PNM they turn a blind eye

[De Dragon]

I hope when election time rolls around people remember the ones who gave family contracts to finish a stupid stadium, sent hundreds on the breadline, allowed crime to run rampant, allowed the children hospital to remain closed, and hired contractors to damage the road and say that landslip cause it to fail..

Once it's PNM they turn a blind eye

Yes, they comfort themselves in the knowledge that it is WTN, stupidly not realizing that that time will never reach or extend to them.

[bluesclues]

Gasping for oil and gas

[rspann]

This thread not suppose to be a Government achievement thread?

[matr1x]

This thread not suppose to be a Government achievement thread?

We ent riot yet counts?

[sMASH]

i think police cracked down on money embezzlement in st. james police station...
they got M4 MeOH plant 4 more months of gas.
they reiterated the promise of BPTT to invest $1B per year for the next five years.
revenue from traffic violations, like speeding wrecking, tint, fogs, lights, etc..
revenue from property tax.
revenue from VAT on books.
revenue from reduced subsidy from fuels. (no riot yet)
revenue from reduced staffing at ministries and state enterprises.
turn-around to functional restoration of the patrick manning stadium.
vacation spending was able to be maintained despite tightening of belts.(indicative of stability)
stronger economic ties with neighbors, viz venezuela and guyana... always helpful to have friendly neighbors.

[drchaos]

I think their greatest achievement is the skill at which they spin.

They gone higher than spin doctor ... We looking at Spin wizards here.

[sMASH]

ngc says that t&tec owes them money, so look out for current bill to go up....

$3.2 billion or so,,, so, there's that.

[The_Honourable]

Achievement?