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Minister Karim to Petrotrin Craft Apprentices- "talent is the new capitalism"
June 17, 2014: "We have to manage our talent, talent is the new capitalism"
This from Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training, Fazal Karim during the formal re-launch of Petrotrin's Craft Apprenticeship Programme.
A total of 75 apprentices were welcomed into the programme during the function of June 13, which took place at the State-owned oil company's Pointe-a-Pierre staff club.
Karim, who complimented the company for re-introducing the programme, also noted, that "development of a knowledge-based economy was another way of diversifying the economy".
In referring to Singapore, Karim noted that while the country possesses no natural resources, it is among the top world economies.
Khalid Hassanali, Petrotrin's President, pointed out that the company, within recent years, had experienced a ‘declining availability’ of skilled manpower in a variety of disciplines. He stated that this had significantly impacted its ability to produce supervisory staff for the company’s operations.
“It is my pleasure to be here this morning as we prepare to embark upon an initiative that will re-build the training culture and capability at Petrotrin through ongoing job instruction training by competent and experienced hands. Petrotrin, within recent times, has experienced a declining availability of competent technical manpower at the craft, technician, and operator levels. This has also significantly impacted on the quality of the supervisory manpower which draws heavily from those levels,” he stated.
Hassanali said the situation is further compounded by the new challenge of having to compete for scarce competent manpower on the international market. This, he noted, even as the local energy services sector respond to demands from other countries, who are all developing or expanding their own energy sectors regionally and internationally.
The decision to re-establish the programme was fueled due to an “inadequate supply, rising demand and competition for scarce resources, and increasingly challenging competency standards”.
The initiative, said Hassanali, was also part of the company’s five Year Strategic Plan, a key imperative of which was to “enhance workforce competencies by addressing competency gaps to ensure that all employees are in a position to meet all strategic goals.”
Also included in those priorities will be a look at leadership development, implementing a structured succession planning process, as well as implementing strategic training programmes, added Hassanali.
http://www.news.gov.tt/content/minister ... 6F6mUD-LTM
George: Contract for phone jammers in two weeks
Published:
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Kalifa Clyne
The contract for a supplier of cell phone jammers and body scanners in prisons is expected to be awarded in two weeks, says Justice Minister Emmanuel George. George made the comment during his contribution to debate of a bill to amend the Prisons Act, Criminal Offences Act and the Mental Health Act in Parliament yesterday. He was responding to comments made by Opposition MP Colm Imbert, who accused the Government of acting as though the prisons were a paradise.
Imbert questioned the Government’s neglect of issues such as riots, poor facilities, safety of security officers, the acquisition of cell phones by inmates and an alleged prison litigation conspiracy commonly referred to as “Prisongate.” George, who said most of the issues would be dealt with in the draft prison rules, which were waiting to be laid in Parliament, said Government was currently addressing many of the issues. Speaking to reporters afterwards, George said the matter was before the special tenders committee of the Ministry of National Security and the contract would soon be awarded. “We expect that shortly that contract would be awarded and when we say shortly, within a fortnight,” said George.
He said the plan was to put cell phone jammers and body scanners at the Golden Grove prison, as that was the most problematic. He said the contract for protective vests for prison officers had already been awarded. “We expect that we will get the supplies within three months and once we get them it will go to the Commissioner of Prisons and he will decide who will get these vests.” George said some of the vests were stab-proof and others were bulletproof.
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2014-06- ... -two-weeks
Couva Health Facility to be expanded
By Sue-Ann Wayow sue-ann.wayow@trinidadexpress.com
Story Created: Jun 17, 2014 at 11:31 PM ECT
Story Updated: Jun 17, 2014 at 11:31 PM ECT
A population explosion in Couva as a result of new housing projects is one of the reasons why the Couva District Health Facility will be expanded.
Chief executive officer of the South West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA), Anil Gosine, said yesterday that the emergency department at that facility saw the most number of patients in all district health facilities under the SWRHA.
A tender notice inviting contractors to bid on the expansion work has already been placed in the daily newspapers and a mandatory site visit date is scheduled for next week Monday.
Gosine said the eastern side of the hospital was being extended.
He said: “We are extending the facilities because we have more services now being offered at Couva and the number of patients at Couva is phenomenal. We needed to increase the waiting area for the services.”
Recently implemented services included dermatology, urology, psychiatry and other specialties, Gosine said.
He added: “In Couva, there is a large population growth with all the housing so we have lots more patients coming in. The emergency department at Couva is probably the highest number of patients that you will see at any district health facility.”
Most patients were rushed to the emergency department because of cardiac problems, accidents and fractures, he said.
Gosine said the SWRHA was implementing new clinics at District Health Facilities to decentralise the services at the San Fernando General Hospital.
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Cou ... 80111.html
US: TT Gov’t tackling human trafficking
By SEAN DOUGLAS Saturday, June 21 2014
“WOMEN and girls from the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Venezuela, and Colombia are subjected to sex trafficking in Trinbagonian brothels and clubs,” according to the 2014 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report published by the United States Department of State yesterday. Apparently referring to foreign persons, the report said a 2013 study showed that brothels and nightclubs recruit women and girls for the commercial sex trade and keep their passports, the latter a common indicator of human trafficking.
The report said “human trafficking” is “the act of recruiting, harbouring, transporting, providing, or obtaining a person for compelled labour or commercial sex acts through the use of force, fraud, or coercion”. The victim need not have been moved between locations to be considered to have been trafficked, it added. The report noted that “Law enforcement officials have reported that Trinbagonian children were vulnerable to sex trafficking and forced labour, including being coerced into the selling of drugs”. Previously, the 2013 TIP Report had alleged, “Experts report Trinbagonian children were vulnerable to forced labour including forced scavenging of trash”. Yet the report also gave TT a better rating than 2013, saying, “(While) the Government of Trinidad and Tobago does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, it is making significant efforts to do so.”
“During the reporting period, the Government vigorously investigated trafficking offences and, for the first time, formally charged suspected trafficking offenders under its 2011 anti trafficking law. Officials in the Anti-Trafficking unit identified an increased number of trafficking victims and referred them for care. The Government proactively investigated government officials for trafficking-related complicity. However, it has yet to convict any individuals under its Anti-Trafficking law.” The report said economic migrants from the Caribbean and Asia (including India and China) are vulnerable to forced labour, including in domestic service and in the retail sector. Economic migrants without legal status may be exposed to exploitation and abuse, indicative of human trafficking. “As an island-nation outside the hurricane belt, Trinidad and Tobago experiences a steady flow of vessels transiting its territorial waters, some of which may be engaged in illicit and illegal activities, including forced labour in the global fishing industry.” The report said the Government is trying hard to eliminate trafficking.
On a scale ranging from “Tier 1” (countries that fully comply with the 2000 US law, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA)) to “Tier 3” (countries that are not trying hard enough to comply), the report showed that TT had improved in the past year. TT is now at “Tier 2” status (countries which do not fully comply with the TVPA’s minimum standards, but are making significant efforts to do so), up from its 2013 status on the “Tier 2 watch list” (countries not fully complying with the TVPA, but trying hard to do so, which have a “very significant” or “significantly increasing” number of victims of severe forms of trafficking, where there is little proof of efforts to combat this, and where any suggestion of improvement relies on commitments over the next year. The report recommended the prosecution of traffickers under the Trafficking in Persons Act 2011, including certain, supposed “Government officials” allegedly complicit in trafficking. The Government should give more resources to the Anti-Trafficking Unit, develop a National Action Plan and run a public awareness campaign, urged the State Department. The report hailed the 2011 Act for banning trafficking, for giving extensive protection to victims and for imposing a “sufficiently stringent” 15 year jail-term (with fines) for traffickers.
The report said in the past year the Anti-Trafficking Unit has investigated 22 alleged cases of trafficking for which 12 defendants had been charged under the 2011 Act, including three current or former “Government officials”.
All 22 cases involved foreign victims, of which three were cases of forced labour (including two cases of domestic servitude), but with most case involving suspected sex-trafficking. “Law enforcement and civil society reported that some police and immigration officers facilitated human trafficking in the country, with some ‘Government officials’ directly exploiting the victims.”
The report bemoaned that the Government has yet to convict any human trafficker, and complained that sources say that off-duty police officers provide security services for sex-trade establishments.
The report lamented that the Government did not undertake measures to reduce the demand for commercial sex, nor run a publicity campaign nor publicise its anti-trafficking efforts in 2013
http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,196571.html
US names Trini among trafficking-in-persons heroes
Story Created: Jun 21, 2014 at 12:06 AM ECT
Story Updated: Jun 21, 2014 at 12:06 AM ECT
Director of the Trinidad and Tobago Counter-Trafficking Unit, Charmaine Gandhi-Andrews, has been named one of the 2014 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report Heroes by the United States Department of State.
US Secretary of State John Kerry made the announcement yesterday as he released the 2014 TIP Report.
Gandhi-Andrews, who is in Washington to receive the award, said: “Our work has only just begun, but we are committed to the fight against human trafficking and will continue to work with the tenacity with which we started to end human trafficking in Trinidad and Tobago.”
Each year, the Department of State honours individuals around the world who have devoted their lives to the fight against human trafficking. These individuals are non-government organisation (NGO) workers, lawmakers, police officers, and concerned citizens who are committed to ending modern slavery.
They are recognised for their tireless efforts–despite resistance, opposition, and threats to their lives–to protect victims, punish offenders, and raise awareness of ongoing criminal practices in their countries and abroad.
A statement issued by the US Embassy in Port of Spain said as the first-ever director of Trinidad and Tobago’s Counter-Trafficking Unit at the Ministry of National Security, Gandhi-Andrews fundamentally changed the way the Government responds to the problem of human trafficking.
“Ms Gandhi-Andrews was for several years a leading and outspoken advocate for human trafficking legislation, which the Government ultimately implemented in January 2013. Largely due to her tireless efforts, Trinidad and Tobago now has an infrastructure in place to recognise, identify, and support victims.”
The statement said in the first year she led more than 20 investigations into suspected trafficking cases, resulting in charges filed against 12 alleged traffickers–including government officials–and uncovered a dangerous network of criminal gangs facilitating human trafficking in the Caribbean region.
In 2013, the Counter-Trafficking Unit hosted more than 20 presentations and workshops, designed to educate law enforcement, non-governmental organisations, the legal community, and students about human trafficking.
The US Embassy statement said Gandhi-Andrews, now the Deputy Chief Immigration Officer, in a short few years, has become the public face of anti-trafficking efforts in T&T, shifting the national dialogue so that it now embraces proactive efforts to combat trafficking in persons.
“As a result of these efforts, Trinidad and Tobago was upgraded from the Watch List of the report to a Tier 2 ranking. The report points out that ‘the Government of Trinidad and Tobago does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, however, it is making significant efforts to do so’.”
The report lists a number of recommendations, including the need for the authorities in Trinidad and Tobago to “prosecute cases investigated under the 2011 Trafficking in Persons Act and convict and sentence trafficking offenders, including Government officials complicit in human trafficking”.
It also wants the authorities to “devote adequate resources to the anti-trafficking unit to carry out its mandate in the investigation of trafficking crimes and the identification and protection of victims; develop a national action plan to address law enforcement efforts, victim care, and interagency co-ordination related to human trafficking crimes”. —CMC
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/US- ... 73591.html
AG: Victory for the State
Appeal Court reverses judgment in CLICO bail-out plan...
By Anna Ramdass anna.ramdass@trinidadexpress.com
Story Created: Jun 23, 2014 at 11:45 PM ECT
Story Updated: Jun 23, 2014 at 11:45 PM ECT
Attorney General Anand Ramlogan said yesterday the State has scored a victory in the Court of Appeal which found that Government’s bail-out plan for Clico policyholders was appropriate.
The Court of Appeal reversed the judgment of the High Court which had ruled that Clico policyholders of the United Policyholders Group (UPG)—represented by former attorney general Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj—were entitled to be paid the full sums of their policies.
Ramlogan, at a news conference at Cabildo Chambers in Port of Spain yesterday said the Court of Appeal judgment was a landmark one because had the High Court ruling been upheld, the State would have to find over a billion dollars to pay the policyholders.
The AG commended former finance minister Winston Dookeran and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for their leadership in the Clico bail-out plan whereby policyholders would be paid in full up to $75,000 and thereafter 20 year bonds which would be issued, interest free, for the balances outstanding.
Ramlogan explained the UPG had challenged the legality of this settlement scheme and argued that statements made by the former PNM government, that policyholders’ monies will be guaranteed in full, gave rise to a legitimate expectation that the People’s Partnership Government would honour full payments.
He said the Court of Appeal held that the statements made by the former PNM government were not sufficiently clear to give rise to any legitimate expectation and if there was any breach of such expectation, there were sufficient overriding public interest to justify this.
Ramlogan said the Court of Appeal also held that the decision involved matters of macro-economic and macro-political nature in relation to which the courts would be reluctant to interfere with Government’s decision.
“In this judgment the court has effectively upheld as lawful and rational the balancing of public funds engaged by the Government,” said Ramlogan.
Ramlogan said the judgment took note of explanations given by both Dookeran and the Prime Minister on the settlement scheme.
He said Dookeran had explained that Government’s action was based on the principle of fiscal responsibly and also on the principle of satisfying the legitimate needs to the people of this country.
Ramlogan noted further that in October 2010, Persad-Bissessar stated in Parliament that the country could not afford to spend an additional $7 billion to pay off investors in Clico and British American (BA) over a short period.
The Prime Minister had said that such a course would be fiscally irresponsible and would deprive 1.2 million citizens of this country who did not invest in CLICO or BA of much needed expenditure for infrastructure, education and security, he pointed out.
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/AG- ... 37431.html
Motor Vehicle Authority ready by September
...but will start in phases, says Cadiz
Published:
Monday, June 23, 2014
TAUREEF MOHAMMED
The Motor Vehicle Authority (MVA) will not be fully operational in September, but instead is expected to be introduced in phases, says Transport Minister Stephen Cadiz. In February, Cadiz reportedly said the MVA would be fully operational by September, following the completion of the authority’s head office at Frederick Settlement, Caroni in June. In a telephone interview with the T&T Guardian, he said the head office was expected to be completed in July and the administrative work of the authority would commence in September.
However, with regard to the transformation of the licensing system to a fully computerised system, Cadiz could not give a definite time frame. “The whole process will take some time and we continue to work to get other things in order. The infrastructural work which would include the head office at Frederick Settlement is on target to be completed by September.” He said legislative and human resource issues were outstanding.
“The ministry has signed off on the final draft, so the next step is to take it to Cabinet, then to Parliament.” “The complement of staff is in the vicinity of 700 and because we are changing over to a fully computerised licensing system, the main services required would be in the area of Information Technology (IT).”
In a letter to the T&T Guardian last year concerning the MVA, former Minister of Transport and Works Colm Imbert said: “The first phase of the new drivers permits and vehicle inspection system, comprising inspection and licensing of new vehicles and a fully computerised database, using the technology, proven systems and experience of the Province of Nova Scotia was in fact due for commencement in the second half of 2010, after the election. The full implementation of the project was scheduled for 2011.”
Asked to respond to those in the Opposition who said the project should have been completed by 2011, Cadiz said, “I’m not too sure if the original framers understood fully what a project like this entailed. There are other countries that have taken even longer to implement a project like this.”
Road works in Caroni
Major road works have been ongoing in and around Frederick Settlement to accommodate the increase in traffic that is expected with the opening of the MVA’s head office in September. Project Manager Hayden Philip said the work would be done in two phases:
• Phase 1: The construction of a dual carriageway which would link roundabouts at Washington Junction and Frederick Settlement. This phase is expected to be completed in September.
• Phase 2: The expansion of the current main Southern Main Road between TYE and the roundabout at the Caroni Bridge to a dual carriageway.
Residents in the area said they were looking forward to the developments in the area. Stephen Kangal, former Deputy High Commissioner to Canada who lives in Caroni Village, said the building of the MVA and major roadways through Caroni Village, Frederick Settlement, and La Paille Village would revive the area, which was once a hub of activities. “Through these developments, they’re bringing back the impact the area once had in the 1930s with the sugar factory and in the 1960s as a railway town.”
“We are looking forward to the benefits that would come with the opening of the licensing office here and the new roadways: Easier access to the airport for people from South, the increase in value of land, less traffic, and more employment opportunities.” Another resident said: “We are thankful for the balanced approach that the Government is taking with regard to development. The area has been neglected and marginalised for years, so we are very happy that something is being done.
Gurudutt Haresh Maharaj, one of the pundits in the area, said he was happy for the new roadways in the area but was concerned that the land used by the local mosque and temple for parking was being converted to a roadway. “While they are doing their work, if they can fix and cordon off an area for the mosque, temple, and church to use for parking we will be very happy because as it is now the only space that we could have used for parking is no longer there.”
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2014-06- ... -september
T&T ranked 51st in 'Good Country' index
Story Created: Jun 24, 2014 at 4:39 PM ECT
Story Updated: Jun 24, 2014 at 4:39 PM ECT
Study ranks T&T 51st on 'Good Country' index that measures nations' contribution to humanity. Jamaica ranked 45th. No other Caribbean country is included in the list of 125 countries
According to the study:
* The UK is the best country for its contribution to science and technology
* Outside of western Europe and English-speaking world, Costa Rica is highest
* Western Europe is the 'goodest part of the world', with nine of the top 10 countries
The first ever Good Country Index, which ranks countries by combining 35 separate indicators from the United Nations, the World Bank and other international institutions, revealed the results.
Ireland is the best country in the world because it has made the greatest contributions to humanity and the planet, according to the survey.
The Nordic region, Ireland, was regarded to have made a collective contribution to humanity and the planet - outdoing any other part of the world.
The US came 21st in a ranking that was dragged down by poor scores on international peace and security, followed by Costa Rica which came in at 22nd place, while Chile took 24th place.
The best African nation was given to Kenya that has contributed most to the planet, at 26th place, and was the only country on the continent to break into the top 30.
To create the list, researchers considered the size of a country's economy, and then assessed its global contributions to science and technology, culture, international peace and security, world order, the planet and climate, prosperity and equality, and the health and well-being of humanity.
Respected policy adviser Simon Anholt, who designed the survey, said that the survey was not intended to “name and shame” or make moral judgments about countries, but rather to recognise the importance of contributing to the greater good in a globalised society and spark debate about what the purpose of a country is.
http://www.tv6tnt.com/news/TT-ranked-51 ... 61741.html
RASC wrote:R O F L
UML talking to himself!
#pnmtillahdeadblinders
UML wrote:
The pnm spin doctors would say we never had so many gun in the country before
>? The_Honourable wrote:But first, here's the rundown of the right to recall bill.
NEW MP RECALL LAW READY
By Andre Bagoo Sunday, June 29 2014
A DRAFT bill proposing a new mechanism for the recall of Members of Parliament has been completed by the Ministry of the Attorney General and is due to be tabled at Cabinet within coming weeks, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said last week.
In an interview with Sunday Newsday, the Prime Minister disclosed that she had been informed by Attorney General Anand Ramlogan that the legislation had been completed.
“The bill has been prepared and is ready to be tabled at Cabinet for approval,” Persad-Bissessar said. “Once approved by the Cabinet the bill will be tabled at the earliest possible opportunity. It may be tabled in time for the current session or the next. If the legislation is tabled in time for the current session and the session lapses we will ensure that it is returned in the next session.”
The Prime Minister, for the first time, divulged details of how a right of recall of MP s could work. She stated the provisions of the new law will be triggered by a process involving constituents in a given constituency signing a petition. If an adequate proportion of that constituency calls for an MP to be recalled the matter would then be that the MP would face recall from the seat, triggering a bye-election once less than four years have elapsed within the Parliament term.
Persad-Bissessar also said the Elections and Boundaries would play a crucial role. She said the EBC would be called upon to confirm that each signatory to a recall petition is, in fact, a bona fide constituent of the constituency in question.
“The EBC would be an essential check and balance to ensure that each name on the petition is valid,” the Prime Minister said. Cabinet is to deliberate on what proportion of the constituency would be required to sign the petition though 10 per cent is currently proposed.
The right of recall of MPs was promised by Persad-Bissessar during the 2010 general election campaign.
The Constitution Reform Commission, in its December 2013 report, focused on the issue of how MPs performances would be evaluated.
“The right of recall of elected parliamentarians was also proposed to the Commission,” the report states. “This was advanced in the context of the measurement of the performance of MPs, and there was some discussion among Commissioners about how one could actually measure the performance of the MP.”
The report continued, “It was noted that the Salaries Review Commission has regarded the job of an MP who does not hold any ministerial portfolio as being a part-time one. This raised the issue of whether the job of the MP could be a full-time one. A fundamental issue to be resolved is whether elected MPs should also be appointed Ministers or should be elected to serve constituencies alone.”
The report states, “The Commission considered the issue of the right of recall of a sitting MP in the context that the MP ought to be afforded the opportunity to have a period of service before being placed in a position to be judged on that service ahead of the end of the parliamentary term for which he/she was elected. Elected MPs being judged on their service to their constituencies may not get equality of treatment as some of them are Ministers and others not.”
“This will create an uneven field for adequate assessment. It was also noted by the Commission that there already exists in the Constitution a provision for the right of MPs to be recalled by the leaders of the parties on whose ticket they were elected if they should resign from, or be expelled by, such party,” the report stated.
The completion of legislation on the recall of MPs comes amid moves by Parliament to improve the terms and conditions of MP s and Senators.
An MP’s pension bill tabled this month proposes an increase retirement allowances for MPs — in some cases tripling it. That bill also widens the scheme to include the unelected Senators; makes it easier to qualify for an allowance and introduces, for the first time, a “termination benefit” for MPs voted out of office after a general election. That legislation returns to the Senate on July 8 after the Government last week announced that it would not pass the bill until all opinions are voiced in the Senate. The Government also proposed to refer the matter to a Special Select Committee of the Senate and to abide by that committee’s recommendations, if the Senators called for such a move.
Source: http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,196916.html
The_Honourable wrote:BUT
The Opposition PNM Says It Will Not Support The Bill To Recall
By NewsPower On June 30, 2014.
Political leader of the People’s National Movement, Dr. Keith Rowley reveals that his party will not be supporting the Bill to Recall.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar recently said a draft bill proposing a new mechanism for the recall of Members of Parliament has been completed by the Office of the Attorney General.
She added that the bill is due to be tabled in the Cabinet within the coming weeks.
However, Dr. Rowley said the bill will not receive any support from the opposition.
Audio Clip 1 - He said he sees it as an election ploy and if government was serious they would have brought the bill sooner: http://news.power102fm.com/wp-content/u ... CALL-1.mp3
Audio Clip 2 - Dr. Rowley said such a bill would create instability within the Political landscape: http://news.power102fm.com/wp-content/u ... CALL-2.mp3
Audio Clip 3 - http://news.power102fm.com/wp-content/u ... CALL-3.mp3
Source: http://news.power102fm.com/?p=21515
Pure helps Works Minister save $250m
Published:
Monday, June 30, 2014
Camille Clarke
Minister of Works and Infrastructure Surujrattan Rambachan says 98 bridges located throughout T&T are in dire need of reconstruction. Speaking at the opening of the D’Abadie Bridge which is located between Bon Air and Maloney Junctions, Rambachan said the 80-year-old bridge had been reconstructed by the Programme for Upgrading Roads Efficiency (Pure) at a cost of cost $19.7 million.
He said Pure, a specialised unit that emerged out of the restructuring of the Highway Division in 2012, has saved his ministry an estimated $250 million which could be used to build 20 other bridges. He said there are 62 other bridges were earmarked for reconstruction. “If you take this money and average a bridge at $12 million, you could build 20 bridges. That is a tremendous value and I thank PURE for their sacrifices,” the minister said.
“There are 3000 bridges that are the responsibility of Local Government. In 2012, we assessment across the country and discovered that 98 bridges needed to be fully reconstructed because there was major structural deterioration. Lopinot/Bon Air West MP Lincoln Douglas said his constituents will be happy to know there about significant amount of development taking place in the community. Villagers said they were grateful for the bridge and had waited a long time for it to be refurbished.
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2014-06- ... -save-250m
Chemical wrote:Well done Repsol.
http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditi ... 7X20140703
http://www.guardian.co.tt/business/2014 ... w-oil-find
Repsol has discovered hydrocarbons in its Teak Bravo North (TB14) well in the Teak Samaan Poui (TSP) block offshore T&T, east of the island of Trinidad, the company confirmed in an e-mail yesterday. “This discovery, made in an extension of the existing Teak field, has an estimated 40 million barrels of oil in place,” the company said. “The TB14 well was tested flowing at 1,200 barrels of oil per day of good quality crude and is on production. This find is in addition to the successful completion of the Teak field development well TB13, which began producing from May 2014. For the last three years, Repsol has exceeded its internal resource addition targets outlined in its global 2012-2016 strategic plan.”
This find in the TB14 well has upgraded the northern portion of the Teak B field that was not known to exist before,. The new area is estimated to contain more than 40 million barrels of oil which increases the field’s current reserves, adds new production and extends its productive life, the company said. Repsol operates the field with a 70 per cent interest, partnered by co-venturers Petroleum Company of T&T (Petrotrin) and the National Gas Company of T&T (NGC), with a 15 per cent participation each. “I am happy to receive news of Repsol’s success,” said Energy and Energy Affairs Minister Kevin Ramnarine when asked for comment. “These new reserves are already being produced and are adding to the national numbers. In the last three years, we have succeeded in arresting the decline in oil production which started in 2006.
“There is a lot more to be done. However, arresting the decline in itself is an achievement. Repsol’s success is due to a range of factors that include the changes in the fiscal regime in 2010 to 2014.” Repsol and its partners are carrying out a two-rig drilling campaign aimed at adding new resources and production to the TSP fields, which have been producing since the 1970s. TB14 well was tested flowing at 1,200 barrels of oil per day of light crude oil. Prior to this, the first well in the 2014 drilling campaign, TB13, was drilled and is currently flowing at a rate of 1,384 barrels of oil per day of light crude oil. “This incremental volume from TB13 and TB14 represents a significant increase of 25 per cent from the current TSP production,” Repsol said. The two-rig drilling campaign was made possible due to recent revised fiscal regime incentives implemented by the government of T&T, which has resulted in increased rig activity, additional new production and new reserves.
“The company currently has a two-rig drilling programme using the Seadrill West Freedom and the Rowan Gorilla III,” Ramnarine confirmed. “Repsol and its partners continue to work in the area and expect to carry on drilling during the current year and also in the following years,” the company said. Repsol has been investing in T&T since 1995 and currently holds rights over the TSP block and other offshore exploration and production blocks. Its production in the country averaged 135,046 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) last year, representing 39 per cent of company’s total production. Repsol has boosted its exploratory activity in the last few years with significant success, with more than 50 discoveries since 2008, including some of the world’s largest finds in the period. In 2013, Repsol posted the highest reserve replacement rate amongst its peers at 275 per cent, which also exceeded the company’s internal reserve addition targets for a third consecutive year to reach a total 1.515 billion barrels of oil equivalent.
PM settles Warriors bonus dispute
By MIRANDA LA ROSE Tuesday, July 8 2014
click on pic to zoom in
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Eight years after they were promised a bonus for their appearance at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, 13 members of the Soca Warriors will be paid the outstanding balance of US$1.3 million.
“I have given instructions to the Minister of Finance (Larry Howai) to make provision for the outstanding US$1.3 million to be made available to these heroes,” Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced yesterday.
“This payment is to be made,” Persad-Bissessar said “without prejudice to any rights and remedies already accrued, or, which may accrue to the Soca Warriors.”
She made the announcement at the Diplomatic Centre , St Ann’s in the presence of seven of the players, including Brent Sancho who has been leading a legal battle to be paid the sums owed them. The other Soca Warriors members present were Cyd Gray, David Atiba Charles, Stern John, Cornell Glen, Anton Wolfe, and Aurtis Whitley.
While Government was under no legal obligation to make any payment to the players, Persad-Bissessar said, “we are not unmindful of the long and protracted legal battles waged by these football heroes of ours, and the situation today is that the players are still owed and entitled to a payment from an entity in the TTFF (Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation) that is unlikely to be in a position to pay.”
Recalling that in 2006, the Soca Warriors joined the world’s best in Germany, she said, “For eight months, from qualification in Bahrain in November 2005 to the end of the World Cup in June 2006 our nation soared with pride with the efforts of our team.”
When TT - the smallest nation ever - qualified for the mega sporting event, she said, “It was a moment that unified us like never before.”
“They healed every national wound, bridged every divide, and brought us together across all boundaries, there were no political, social, religious or ethnic differences, we acclaimed ourselves and embraced each other in a celebration of genuine patriotic pride,” she said.
However, the failure to honour a promised bonus marred all that went on before and a legal battle ensued.
The judgement in the arbitration that followed, she noted was that the players were entitled to 50 percent of the net profits TTFF derived from “the Road to Germany 2006 campaign.”
The sum was settled as US$3 million dollars, but to date the TTFF has only paid the players US$1.7 million dollars.
After consulting with members of Cabinet, including Attorney General Anand Ramlogan and Howai, Persad-Bissessar said, Government agreed to pay the balance owed.
She spoke shortly before leaving for a visit to Brazil with her grandson. “I want to assure you,” she said “that not one cent of Government’s money is being used for this private visit.”
Speaking on behalf of the 13 players, an emotional Sancho said he was overwhelmed and Government’s decision meant “more than any of us can describe.”
He recalled that when they returned to Piarco from Germany they were greeted as heroes.
“We didn’t expect asking for what we were promised to be met with eight years of humiliation, torment, blacklisting and even in some cases career loss,” he said.
While many had turned their backs on them and ignored their pleas, he said they had finally been heard.
Expressing thanks to the team members who endured the legal battles over the years and to Persad-Bissessar and her Government, Sancho said, “We recognise that the government has no legal obligation to assist us, yet chose to do so through this gesture.”
Asked whether the 2006 Soca Warriors will drop their legal battles, now that Government has paid the outstanding debt, Sancho said, “While this money is important for us, we still feel there is unfinished business. We intend to push on. We have suffered for a very, very long time.”
The legal battle will continue, he said in the hope that they can repay Government.
Meanwhile, TTFA president Raymond Tim Kee told Newsday he was “extremely pleased that Government has come through now. We requested that assistance so that football can breathe somewhat.”
The TTFA, he said began discussions with the Office of the Prime Minister for Government to pay the outstanding balance about six months ago and followed up in writing. He said they last met two weeks ago.
Asked whether the payment means that the TTFA does not owe the players anymore, Tim Kee said, “That is what we have been requesting, that Government pay on behalf of the TTFA.”
On assuming the TTFA presidency, he said, he acknowledged that the former players were owed the bonus promised by the old dispensation. After an issue was made out of it, he said, “We paid them what we could. We sought help from CONCACAF.”
Having run bankrupt, he said the TTFA sought Government’s assistance.
The 13 TT players: Brent Sancho, Stern John, Cyd Gray, David Atiba Charles, Cornell Glen, Anthony Wolfe, Aurtis Whitley, Kenwyne Jones, Evans Wise, Collin Samuel, Shaka Hislop, Kelvin Jack and Avery John.
http://www.newsday.co.tt/sport/0,197342.html
Austrian firm nominated to build Point hospital
By Anna Ramdass anna.ramdass@trinidadexpress.com
Story Created: Jun 25, 2014 at 10:26 PM ECT
Story Updated: Jun 25, 2014 at 10:26 PM ECT
Austrian engineering company Vamed has been nominated for the execution of the Point Fortin hospital says Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan.
Khan was responding to a question on the Order Paper from Point Fortin MP Paul Gopee-Scoon at the Parliament Chamber, International Waterfront Centre, Port of Spain, yesterday.
Khan said construction on the hospital will begin at the end of the year or early 2015.
Khan said construction equipment for the hospital was approved by Cabinet in August 2013 and a Government-to-Government arrangement was entered into with Austria to construct the hospital.
He said the Austrian government advised that Vamed Engineering was nominated for execution of the project.
Khan said UDeCOTT has already completed a due diligence exercise and both the Health Ministry and the South West Regional Health Authority held a series of meetings with Vamed Engineering in February this year.
He said a functional and architectural concept was presented for the hospital.
Khan said geo-technical reports, cadastral and topographic surveys have already been completed and application for a certificate of environmental clearance was submitted to the Environmental Management Authority (EMA).
The minister said Vamed submitted its cost proposal to UDeCOTT as the project developer for approval by its board.
He said once the UDeCOTT board approves, Cabinet approval will then be sought for a total estimated budget for construction and equipment.
Subject to Cabinet approval, Khan said it was expected that Vamed will be given its contract next month and following that it may take four to six months for a detailed construction design to be completed.
He said construction was therefore earmarked to begin at the end of the year or early next year.
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Aus ... 80401.html
GUNS POUR IN
359 seized by police in 6 months
By By Anika Gumbs CCN Senior Multimedia Investigative Journalist
Story Created: Jul 12, 2014 at 9:01 PM ECT
Story Updated: Jul 12, 2014 at 9:01 PM ECT
SEVERAL high-powered rifles are among the cache of 359 guns that have either been smuggled into Trinidad and Tobago along its coastal boarders or were locally built by cold-blooded killers over the last six months.
Sunday Express investigations uncovered that the guns, along with thousands of rounds of ammunition, were seized during raids and police exercises.
In some instances the illegal firearms were found after shoot-outs between police and civilians.
The gun, however, that was used to murder Senior Counsel Dana Seetahal on May 4, remains on the streets in the hands of killers.
Seetahal, one of the State prosecutors in the Vindra Naipaul-Coolman trial was in her Volkswagen SUV proceeding north along Hamilton Holder Street, Woodbrook, when a Nissan Wingroad car pulled alongside, and her killer shot the former Independent Senator several times.
Crime scene detectives found several 5.62 shells at the scene where Seetahal was murdered.
Seetahal’s murder, like many others, remains unsolved as the murder toll for the year up to yesterday climbed to 234.
The Sunday Express learned that several of the illegal guns were used in murders, robberies, burglaries and shooting incidents.
According to the Police Service serious crime statistics, a total of 255 woundings and shootings have occurred for the year.
Some 1,220 robberies and 1,114 burglaries have also taken place.
Only last year a United States District Court identified Trinidad and Tobago as a transshipment point to smuggle guns, drugs and terrorists during the high profile court matter involving Dino Bouterse, son of Suriname President Desi Bouterse.
And the long range patrol vessels (LRPV) that are expected to boost maritime security measures have not yet arrived in T&T from China.
During an official State visit in February, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced that China agreed to deliver a LRPV to increase maritime border security in the shortest possible time.
Government took a decision in 2011 to cancel the offshore patrol vessels (OPV) order claiming that the vessels bore defects and there was a breach in the contractual agreement relating to the timeframe for delivery.
Griffith: Maritime wall
being built
Contacted on Friday, National Security Minister Gary Griffith confirmed to the Sunday Express that during January to June police seized 359 illegal guns.
Acknowledging that the issue was a very serious matter, Griffith said: “A new border protection naval operational plan will involve Coast Guard installations implemented around the island, with fast patrol interceptors assigned specifically to each installation, and this will ensure that the country will now be properly secured, which could not have been done by one OPV simply patrolling 100 miles off our east coast, as this is not where the majority of drug and weapon smuggling is taking place.”
He continued: “The major concern is the illegal entry of drugs, weapons, ammunition and immigrants into our shores and 90-metre vessels are not the best avenues to disrupt such illegal activities.
The Gulf of Paria is approximately 40 miles from the north to the south and this is the area where the drugs are entering the country, as well as on the south coast which is 20 miles to the border at the widest.”
Griffith said a three-prong naval operational plan is being devised to combat the illicit firearm and drug trade.
The plan which, Griffith said, will be co-ordinated from the National Security Operations Centre (NSOC) comprises:
• The Interceptors—this would be the internal line of maritime security whereby, from the several strategically placed Coast Guard installations, they would patrol the bays, coastal areas and shore lines up to four miles out at sea.
• Fast Patrol Crafts—Comprises six such vessels that would patrol T&T territorial waters from territorial waters six miles to 12 miles from our shoreline.
• LRPV—these vessels would be 60 – 75 metres in length, and would patrol from 12 miles to 200 miles from our coast, mostly the north and east coast. This would provide security for the country’s exclusive economic zone, and protect our resources in this zone, just outside territorial waters.
“This is a more viable option to secure our nation’s shores, not by having three OPVs with poor manoeuvring capability and mostly stationed miles off our coast, but by virtually locking down our coastline by installing at least 12 strategically placed Coast Guard installations around T&T.
Each installation will have two fast patrol interceptors with high speed capability patrolling 24-hours per day or in a position to be on immediate stand-by,” Griffith said.
Coastal borders, Griffith said, would be given a further boost by the four Augusta Westland Twin Engine multipurpose helicopters.
Griffith said: “The helicopters would patrol our shorelines and work alongside the Coast Guard installations and 24 interceptor vessels patrolling our waters, as well as the six fast patrol crafts and the LRPV patrolling the north and east coast.
“Hovercraft would also be acquired to patrol the low waters and the Gulf of Paria close to the shoreline.
“Additionally, unmanned aerial vehicles would also be patrolling the coastline.
“This will ensure not just a major deterrent to stop the illegal drug trade and illegal entry of weapons and immigrants, but also provide the assistance to citizens and fishermen who are being attacked by pirates and to vessels and crew in distress around the coastline.”
The cost of maintenance for such installations and vessels, Griffith said, was minuscule when compared to maintaining three OPVs.
Griffith said only recently the security corporation agreement with Venezuela and Colombia was renewed and allows a systematic approach in acquiring intelligence from South America.
The agreement, Griffith said, would assist in possible covert and overt operations involving illegal entry of weapons, drugs or human trafficking.
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Dan ... 96421.html
RASC wrote:How many more years again of this?
RASC wrote:I think uml more delusional than Manning pre 2010 results if he things this govt will return.
j.o.e wrote:^^^ Yall can't read a play at all...who really owed the Warriors the money and where did it go? ...I don't want to derail the thread but you asked for an answer. The Courts have already stated that Jack Warner stole the money....so the Gov't repaying the debt simply means now that JW stole OUR money!! Congrats!
j.o.e wrote:^^^ Yall can't read a play at all...who really owed the Warriors the money and where did it go? ...I don't want to derail the thread but you asked for an answer. The Courts have already stated that Jack Warner stole the money....so the Gov't repaying the debt simply means now that JW stole OUR money!! Congrats!
Dizzy28 wrote:j.o.e wrote:^^^ Yall can't read a play at all...who really owed the Warriors the money and where did it go? ...I don't want to derail the thread but you asked for an answer. The Courts have already stated that Jack Warner stole the money....so the Gov't repaying the debt simply means now that JW stole OUR money!! Congrats!
Can you point where the courts said JW stole the money? (Link, newspapers article etc) I never recalled seeing that anywhere. I do recall the judge advising the TTFA to initiate legal action against JW when he did not produce the documents asked of him.
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