TriniTuner.com | Latest Event:
Moderator: 3ne2nr Mods
2,500 CEPEP workers to get new jobs
By Andre Bagoo Tuesday, January 20 2015
AS MANY as 2,500 workers employed in the controversial Community-Based Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme are set to be “absorbed” by the private sector within a month, a move which is designed to shed expenditure and address longstanding concerns about economic productivity, Planning Minister Dr Bhoe Tewarie disclosed yesterday.
Tewarie did so as he urged the population to save and indicated that while there is no expectation of recession, the current global economic situation could last as long as two years.
Addressing reporters at a special media conference held to address questions on budget cuts in the wake of fallen oil prices, the Minister revealed that the American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (Amcham) last week pledged to facilitate the absorption of CEPEP workers.
“Amcham specifically indicated that they would be willing to take 1,500 CEPEP workers and absorb them in the private sector,” Tewarie said, at the 20th floor conference room of the Twin Towers, Independence Square, Port-of-Spain.
“We are going to pursue that to see how we can manage that transition. We have a specific commitment from Amcham.”
Additionally, Tewarie said, the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) has also made a commitment with regard to workers moving into the private sector. The minister estimated that this could affect 1,000 workers.
Strategies for shifting CEPEP/Unemployment Relief Programme (URP) workers away from the State sector into the private sector have long been discussed. Tewarie said Minister of Finance Larry Howai raised the issue in 2013.
Tewarie said the latest move will be a pilot for moving forward, suggesting deeper adjustments could be forthcoming.
“How we manage this is going to be a very important pilot for going forward, be it in 2015, 2016 or 2017, as we manage this transition into private sector absorption of what is relatively unskilled and other skilled labour which can be trained to become a part of a productivity system,” Tewarie said. On a time-frame of implementation, the Planning Minister said the Minister of Finance and the Economy Larry Howai and Minister of Housing and Urban Development Dr Roodal Moonilal were working on the issue with the chambers.
“I would think that something like that in a month or six weeks,” Tewarie said.
The budget allocation for the CEPEP programme in 2015 was $594 million. In 2014, the allocation was $536 million, while in 2013 the allocation was $584 million, according to Budget documents tabled in Parliament last year.
Tewarie took the opportunity yesterday to issue a call to the population to save.
“I would appeal to the population to save in this time and to put aside something, which will be good for the economy,” the Planning Minister said. “I would suggest that people be restrained in the way they manage their income and expenditure so that they do not affect the quality of their living and their lifestyle but one would expect caution on the frills.”
The minister issued this call as he also warned that the current economic situation might last for as long as two years.
“This is not going to last forever, but it may last a year, it may last for two years but we have to get to a point of higher productivity,” Tewarie said. “We have to get to the point of greater and more intense diversification.”
At the same time, the minister said no recession is on the horizon.
“No, we do not anticipate a recession at all,” he said.
“The whole reason for managing this in the way that we are managing it is that we do not want the kind of panic that ultimately leads to a recession.”
He said the current consultative approach of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s administration was unprecedented.
The Planning and Sustainable Development Minister further stated that $1 billion in savings could be made in the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) alone. Projects to be targeted are ones, “that would not affect the growth momentum and that would not slow the economy and that would not cut into the very low unemployment rate we have which is basically on full employment.” The projects, he said, are not cancelled, but rather deferred.
Specific projects mentioned included: the Curepe Roundabout ($180 million saved); Phase One of the Galeota port ($50 million saved); four industrial estates under the Ministry of Trade and Industry ($20 million saved). Tewarie said the estimated $7.4 billion shortfall pinpointed by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar two weeks ago would easily be made up.
Tewarie said, however, certain projects will not be cut.
“We will not sacrifice any of the projects that are job-creating and that have started already,” Tewarie said. “We will not sacrifice any of the projects that are ongoing and that will be completed or significantly advanced at this time.”
The housing programme, schools and health centres, he said, will not be affected.
http://www.newsday.co.tt/politics/0,205782.html
'Going for Gold' earns $.175m
Originally printed at http://www.trinidadexpress.com/carnival ... 39821.html
By Ria Taitt Political Editor
January 21, 2015
Government’s $5 million investment in the Going for Gold 50th Independence anniversary project produced by Machel Montano has thus far yielded a profit of $175,000, Planning Minister Dr Bhoe Tewarie told the Senate yesterday. Tewarie said Montano’s company, Going for Gold Ltd, had been paid $5 million in full by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago because it met all its obligations.
Tewarie was responding to a question in the Senate, at Tower D, International Waterfront Centre, Port of Spain, from PNM (People’s National Movement) Senator Lester Henry, who asked whether Tewarie knew at what point this significant investment would be recovered, in terms of generating any kind of revenue and profit.
Tewarie said he did not know, “but just as you didn’t think there was an album and there is one,
just so, everything will come”.
Tewarie stated the accounts showed as of 2013, $4,762,925.31 was spent to develop the project.
These expenses included band fees; fees of professional producers, global and national; subsistence; purchasing of merchandise; administrative fees; performers; dancers; costumes, etc, all related to the production of a 12-track music CD album, one documentary DVD; eight music videos; promotion of the album through launches and live performances in London, England; Miami, Florida, USA; and Trinidad.
According to Tewarie, the balance at the period end of June 2013 recorded a savings of $308,000. But he noted there were still outstanding expenses to be met by the Going For Gold Company, such as corporation taxes and VAT. He said there were also monies to be received in terms of earnings for the project, which at the present time amount to $175,000.
Tewarie said on July 18, 2012, Government entered into a $5 million contract with Going for Gold Ltd, of 39 Gordon Street, Port of Spain. The Going for Gold project was launched in celebration of the country’s 50 years of independence. Machel Montano was the executive producer of the project.
The contract was signed by the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Planning, Arlene Mc Comie, for the Government and by Michael and Elizabeth Montano, on behalf of the company.
The obligation by the company included the creation of an album; securing the commitment of local writers and producers, artistes, recording engineers and creative collaborators necessary to create the album; the production of a documentary video entitled Going for Gold, highlighting the processes involved in the creation of the album; and performances at agreed dates outlined in the contract.
Tewarie said because the company met all of its contractual obligations, the $5 million had been paid in full.
Formal Commissiong of the Hollis Trunk Main Replacement Project
(Center) The Honourable Prakash Ramadhar, Minster of Legal Affairs and Member of Parliament for St. Augustine congratulates Senator the Honourable Ganga Singh, Minister of the Environment and Water Resources, following the commissioning ceremony signaling the completion of the project. Looking on are (from Left) Eddie Hart, Former M.P. for Tunapuna, Gerard Yorke, C.E.O. WASA, Alderman Anthony Roberts, Chairman of the San Jaun/ Laventille Regional Corporation and Desmond Forde, Deputy Chairman of the Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation.
An estimated 120,000 customers in the East-West corridor are now benefitting from an improved level of service following the Water and Sewerage Authority’s (WASA) completion of the Hollis Trunk Main Replacement Project. This was revealed at the official commissioning ceremony, held on Wednesday 21st January 2015, at the Eddie Hart Grounds, Tacarigua.
Minister of the Environment and Water Resources, Senator the Honourable Ganga Singh, while delivering the feature address at the ceremony, identified WASA’s completion of the project to replace the deteriorated Hollis Trunk Main that was installed back in 1936, as a major accomplishment; one that has contributed to the Authority now supplying 73% of customers with a 24/7 supply, compared to 18% in 2010. Minster Singh went further to outline that over the last four years, the Authority has completed over 1326 pipeline projects, spanning more than 832 kilometres, at a cost of $1.2 billion. He also stated that current major projects such as the Caroni South Trunk Dualling Project and the Beetham Water Reuse Project (which will supply Pt. Lisas Industrial Estate with reuse water for industrial purposes), will deliver additional service improvements to WASA’s customers.
While delivering remarks, Minister of Legal Affairs and Member of Parliament for St. Augustine, the Honourable Prakash Ramadhar, was high in praise to WASA for the work it was doing to improve the level of service delivered to customers across the country, particularly those within his St. Augustine constituency. Alderman Anthony Roberts, Chairman of the San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporation, was also thankful to the Authority for the improved service delivered to several communities under his Corporation.
The Hollis Trunk Main Replacement Project, entailed the installation of 40 kilometers of 400mm and 600mm diameter Ductile Iron transmission mains, from the Coconut Grower’s Association, Laventille, to the Hollis Reservoir, Valencia. The project commenced in May 2012 and was completed in June 2014, at a cost of TT $229M.
One of the major obstacles faced involved carrying out pipeline installation works along the highly trafficked Priority Bus Route. In an effort to minimise the inconvenience to the travelling public, works were executed at night between the hours 8:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m.
http://www.wasa.gov.tt/WASA_Media_News.html
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 165&type=1
PNM favoured party at this point
Tony Fraser
Published:Wednesday, January 21, 2015
A ruling coalition, badly splintered, burdened with the handicap of its many failures to cohere amongst its constituent elements; a government that has failed on the substantive promises of being able to begin a fundamental diversification of the economy and to break institutional criminality; a cabinet that has attracted a mountain of allegations of corruption and poor governance practices including the refusal to communicate honestly with the population; a Government that has been consistently charged for favouring its tribe and one with several ministers toting baggage; and a leader who has on occasion demonstrated that she acts only when all else fails (Warner and Roberts the most prominent examples of harbouring those who have failed to clear their names) and a cross-over electorate dissatisfied and disenchanted, are among the conclusions of this series of columns on how the parties stand six months before facing the electorate.
Out of the firing line in the manner that a government is the focus of voter expectation, the Opposition People’s National Movement stands to benefit from the negative fallout from the Government. But as analysed, whereas the party’s leadership has delivered heavy blows on the Government for alleged corruption and poor governance, it has not given the electorate much to go on as an alternatives to the policies and programmes of the moment.
Opposition Leader, Keith Rowley may have shown the ability to press the political knife into the flesh of the Government and ruling party when such has been warranted.
He has however not done so well giving substantial reasons, other than the prospect of relief from the PP/UNC, for being elected to solve the problems of a one-horse economy, having the capacity to slay the impulse to criminality of segments of the population and to replace the criminal culture with one that could re-engineer the social fabric of a wounded society.
The case of the Congress of the People is illustrative of a failure to institute “New Politics.” It is yet another disappointing end to the hope of the electorate that political groups representative of the tribes and the social classes could coalesce in the best interest of the whole. The tribes are now even more politically scattered.
Serious questions now arise as to whether this objective of ending ruinous and self-defeating party politics could ever be achieved. Maybe the social and economic coming together to solve problems must precede any attempt to defeat tribalism. In conclusion, it can be said for all of the reasons articulated and analysed over the last few weeks, the PNM must be the favoured party at this point.
That view notwithstanding the campaign when fully functional will begin to highlight the electoral possibilities at the constituency level. The runoff poll could be of significance. At this distance, the impact of a second polling in critical constituencies can only be the subject of arithmetic without politics and dynamic political behaviours being added.
If and when the legislation returns to the HOR, there is the possibility that there will be even greater antipathy to the ruling party and government for dictatorial and manipulative legislative practices for pulling the runoff measure out of their political bag of tricks. If that evolves in such a manner it could also weigh against the government for its desperate recklessness in making the legislative change outside of consulting with the electorate.
Or, as the government may be hoping, taken outside of the heat of the moment when the Bill first appeared in the Parliament and was brought to the attention of the population, there could be some measure of softening of the antagonistic position towards runoff polls by the natural opponents of the legislation. That is a calculated hope and may be the reason why the Bill has not yet returned to the HOR.
The scanning of the environment is far from being predictive and definitive of the outcome of the election whenever it is called. But the conclusions, even if they are perceived to be off-target as they surely will be seen to be by the supporters of the ruling party, and as short-changing the support for the Opposition, are really a first pass of opinion some distance away from the poll. The political leaders, perhaps when they are alone with their political conscience, should pay attention.
The column shall return to more cogent analyses when the election draws near. As to the date of the poll, typical of politicians who seek out every possible advantage given, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar will play games with giving any premature hints as to the likely date with destiny. And this is notwithstanding her articulated position of having fixed dates for election.
At present one big factor in deciding the date of the poll is an answer to the question of where do energy prices go from here. Any continuing slide will surely quicken the tempo to holding the election before the real impact begins to take effect. On the contrary, if the prices hold and there is a promise of increasing revenues, the PM will surely wait to get some pre-election funding into the expenditure of the Ministry of Finance.
http://www.guardian.co.tt/columnist/201 ... arty-point
Habit7 wrote:Prior to 2010 PNM too have an achievement list that was unprecedented including balanced and surplus budgets (yet to be achieved by the PP) and they were still voted out.
What UML and those of his ilk don't realize that is building more buildings, paving more roads and giving more welfare than the last govt before you doesn't ensure victory. Ask the PNM of pre 2010 they will tell you.PNM favoured party at this point
Tony Fraser
Published:Wednesday, January 21, 2015
A ruling coalition, badly splintered, burdened with the handicap of its many failures to cohere amongst its constituent elements; a government that has failed on the substantive promises of being able to begin a fundamental diversification of the economy and to break institutional criminality; a cabinet that has attracted a mountain of allegations of corruption and poor governance practices including the refusal to communicate honestly with the population; a Government that has been consistently charged for favouring its tribe and one with several ministers toting baggage; and a leader who has on occasion demonstrated that she acts only when all else fails (Warner and Roberts the most prominent examples of harbouring those who have failed to clear their names) and a cross-over electorate dissatisfied and disenchanted, are among the conclusions of this series of columns on how the parties stand six months before facing the electorate.
Out of the firing line in the manner that a government is the focus of voter expectation, the Opposition People’s National Movement stands to benefit from the negative fallout from the Government. But as analysed, whereas the party’s leadership has delivered heavy blows on the Government for alleged corruption and poor governance, it has not given the electorate much to go on as an alternatives to the policies and programmes of the moment.
Opposition Leader, Keith Rowley may have shown the ability to press the political knife into the flesh of the Government and ruling party when such has been warranted.
He has however not done so well giving substantial reasons, other than the prospect of relief from the PP/UNC, for being elected to solve the problems of a one-horse economy, having the capacity to slay the impulse to criminality of segments of the population and to replace the criminal culture with one that could re-engineer the social fabric of a wounded society.
The case of the Congress of the People is illustrative of a failure to institute “New Politics.” It is yet another disappointing end to the hope of the electorate that political groups representative of the tribes and the social classes could coalesce in the best interest of the whole. The tribes are now even more politically scattered.
Serious questions now arise as to whether this objective of ending ruinous and self-defeating party politics could ever be achieved. Maybe the social and economic coming together to solve problems must precede any attempt to defeat tribalism. In conclusion, it can be said for all of the reasons articulated and analysed over the last few weeks, the PNM must be the favoured party at this point.
That view notwithstanding the campaign when fully functional will begin to highlight the electoral possibilities at the constituency level. The runoff poll could be of significance. At this distance, the impact of a second polling in critical constituencies can only be the subject of arithmetic without politics and dynamic political behaviours being added.
If and when the legislation returns to the HOR, there is the possibility that there will be even greater antipathy to the ruling party and government for dictatorial and manipulative legislative practices for pulling the runoff measure out of their political bag of tricks. If that evolves in such a manner it could also weigh against the government for its desperate recklessness in making the legislative change outside of consulting with the electorate.
Or, as the government may be hoping, taken outside of the heat of the moment when the Bill first appeared in the Parliament and was brought to the attention of the population, there could be some measure of softening of the antagonistic position towards runoff polls by the natural opponents of the legislation. That is a calculated hope and may be the reason why the Bill has not yet returned to the HOR.
The scanning of the environment is far from being predictive and definitive of the outcome of the election whenever it is called. But the conclusions, even if they are perceived to be off-target as they surely will be seen to be by the supporters of the ruling party, and as short-changing the support for the Opposition, are really a first pass of opinion some distance away from the poll. The political leaders, perhaps when they are alone with their political conscience, should pay attention.
The column shall return to more cogent analyses when the election draws near. As to the date of the poll, typical of politicians who seek out every possible advantage given, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar will play games with giving any premature hints as to the likely date with destiny. And this is notwithstanding her articulated position of having fixed dates for election.
At present one big factor in deciding the date of the poll is an answer to the question of where do energy prices go from here. Any continuing slide will surely quicken the tempo to holding the election before the real impact begins to take effect. On the contrary, if the prices hold and there is a promise of increasing revenues, the PM will surely wait to get some pre-election funding into the expenditure of the Ministry of Finance.
http://www.guardian.co.tt/columnist/201 ... arty-point
.
AG DUCKS
Attorney General: Anand Ramlogan
Attorney General Anand Ramlogan has refused to confirm or deny an allegation that six days before attorney David West was appointed director of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA), he asked him to withdraw his witness statement in a defamation lawsuit relating to the failed extradition involving Section 34 applicants Steve Ferguson and Ishwar Galbaransingh in exchange for him being selected for the job. The defamation lawsuit stemmed from statements Ramlogan claimed Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley made during a news conference on November 8, 2011, relating to Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh’s ruling in which he quashed the Attorney General’s decision to order the extradition of Ferguson and Galbaransingh arising out of the Piarco International Airport enquiry. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has not responded to a text message sent to her by the Sunday Express on Friday for comment on the matter. A high-ranking Government official, however, told the Sunday Express that upon receiving the text message, Persad-Bissessar expressed “alarm” over the matter and demanded answers. West is the former head of the Central Authority Unit (CAU) that falls under the purview of the office of the Attorney General. Ramlogan has not directly answered if it is true he telephoned West and requested his witness statement be withdrawn. He has neither confirmed nor denied contacting West. And, in an e-mailed response to the Sunday Express at 7.49 p.m. on Friday, Ramlogan wrote: “As you have indicated, Mr West is a witness in a case I have brought against Dr Rowley which is pending before the High Court. “It would not be proper for me to comment in the circumstances. Suffice it to say, the director of the PCA is selected and appointed by the President in his wisdom and not the Attorney General.” The following question was sent to Ramlogan by the Sunday Express: Investigations revealed that on October 31, 2014, you telephoned attorney David West asking him to withdraw his witness statement in relation to extradition matter involving Steve Ferguson and Ish Galbaransingh in exchange for him being selected as director of the PCA. Is this true? If so, why was this done? But while the questions remain unanswered, Sunday Express investigations have revealed that the AG telephoned West after midday on October 31, 2014. This call to West was the second call that was registered on his cellphone from Ramlogan on that same day (October 31). Ramlogan had telephoned West earlier on the morning of October 31, informing him he was tipped to head the PCA following the resignation of then director attorney Gillian Lucky, who accepted a judgeship in September last year. However, at the time the second telephone call was made, the Office of the President had already contacted West on the same day (October 31) scheduling a meeting with him on November 3 regarding his appointment as PCA head. Section 6 (1) of the PCA Act states the authority is to comprise a director and deputy director to be appointed by the President of T&T on the advice of both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. The Sunday Express learned both Persad-Bissessar and Rowley had agreed West was the best candidate to head the PCA, and as a result his name was submitted to the President for him to be selected for the post. West seeks legal advice Immediately following the telephone conversation with Ramlogan, West sought legal advice about the request for the witness statement in the defamation matter to be withdrawn, the Sunday Express learned. West, who was appointed director of the PCA on November 7, however, filed his witness statement at the Hall of Justice on December 19, 2014, a copy of which has been obtained by the Sunday Express. West’s phone logs show the Attorney General attempted to contact him twice on December 16—three days before the witness statement was filed. The calls went unanswered. At the time, West was in Tobago and again sought legal advice. Contacted on January 22 for comment on the information obtained by the Sunday Express, West said: “The matter is before the court and I cannot comment.” The West witness statement In his witness statement, West details a June 2010 incident surrounding the arrest of Ferguson and Galbaransingh. An excerpt from West’s witness statement reads: “The application for special leave was dismissed by the Privy Council on June 7, 2010, on the ground that they (Ferguson and Galbaransingh) did not have a right of appeal. “As was customary, I advised Inspector Williams, who was the complainant in the extradition matter, to arrest Ferguson and Galbaransingh since their bail had now ceased. “The Government had by then changed, with the claimant being appointed Attorney General in May 2010. I advised the Attorney General of my instruction to Inspector Williams. The Attorney General asked me how I could issue that instruction without telling him; he advised me that only he could make the request to the police. “He then instructed me to rescind my instruction, which I did. As a result, Ferguson and Galbaransingh were not immediately arrested; this occurred on June 15, 2010, approximately one week after the said decision of the Privy Council.” West also recalled an instance where attorney Kelvin Ramkissoon who was retained to lead him (West) for the Attorney General in the extradition matter did not object to bail being granted to Ferguson and Galbaransingh. “To my surprise, at the hearing Ramkissoon again took the novel and different position of neutrality on the issue of bail; he informed the judge (Justice Malcolm Holdip) that we were there to assist the court with the principles of bail. “I informed Ramkissoon that it was standard practice of the CAU to object to bail; consequent to the discussion which occurred between Ramkissoon and myself, I understood that he was acting on instructions from the Attorney General. “The judge, however, refused bail. After the hearing the Attorney General had a conversation with me and instructed me not to get involved in the Piarco extradition matter again,” West wrote. West, however, said notwithstanding the instruction, he continued to pay attention and follow the progress of the Piarco extradition matter. His statement continued: “On or around October 8, 2010, some two and half months after the Privy Council refused special leave to appeal on the habeas corpus application, the Attorney General issued the warrant for the return of Ferguson and Galbaransingh to the United States. “I also observed, from my reading the daily newspapers around that time that the Attorney General also issued a press release. “I was surprised at the timing of the press release given that from my said experience with the CAU, the invariable practice has been to issue any such press release after the extradition was completed, not before, that is to say after the fugitive had been removed from the jurisdiction of T&T.” On Ramlogan’s decision not to appeal Justice Boodoosingh’s ruling, West wrote: “From my reading of the judge’s decision, I observed that at paragraph 135 of his judgment, the judge stated that the Attorney General had not advanced any evidence to suggest that there existed a settled practice of discontinuing local charges if the fugitive is extradited. “I am able to say from my said experience of working in the CAU that the DPP has in the past agreed in extradition matters to the discontinuation of local charges so that the extradition could proceed and that evidence of that practice exists among the records of the unit.” Why Ramlogan didn’t appeal Boodoosingh’s ruling Ramlogan had come under fire from several quarters for his decision not to appeal the ruling. But he gave reasons for his decision in his 55-page witness statement that has also been obtained by the Sunday Express. An excerpt from his statement reads: “When the judgment was delivered, I sought and obtained legal advice as to whether I should appeal the decision of the court. “Based on the advice which I received I did not do so. “However, my decision in not doing so was not only predicated or guided by the advice which I received. I took into consideration a number of matters and spoke to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on the issue of having Ferguson and Galbaransingh tried in T&T and how soon this could be done.” He further added: “In fact, I recall meeting with the DPP on two occasions relative to this matter. The first was when I received the representations made by Ferguson and Galbaransingh. “I also met with him on a second occasion before I decided whether or not to surrender Galbaransingh and Ferguson. I wanted to determine the exact status of the proceedings in the preliminary enquiry. “After discussions with the DPP, I formed the distinct impression that the outstanding preliminary enquiry was extremely near in completion.” Ramlogan said in deciding whether to appeal the ruling, he considered his (Boodoosingh’s) judicial declaration the forum for the trial of Ferguson and Galbaransingh was T&T. The Attorney General said judicial statements made by Court of Appeal Judges Wendell Kangaloo and Allan Mendonca were also given consideration. “I therefore considered that when the indictment of these people is laid by the DPP, there can be a special court (such as the type done for trial of Dole Chadee and others at Chaguaramas in 1996) and that where possible, the Attorney General would assist in facilitating resources for this purpose,” Ramlogan said. Rowley stands firm Meanwhile, Rowley is standing firm by his position that Ramlogan had not sought or advanced the public interest in the conduct of the legal proceedings involving Ferguson and Galbaransingh. In his witness statement, Rowley said his concerns were based on the Attorney General’s legal team representing the interest of the State and his handling and defence of the extradition order. “I therefore considered it my duty and responsibility as Leader of the Opposition to inform the public what the claimant was required to do as Attorney General in dealing with the extradition of Ferguson and Galbaransingh, and that, as Attorney General he was ultimately accountable for the loss which the State suffered in those legal proceedings because of the way that he had handled the extradition matter,” an excerpt from his witness statement read.
UML wrote:More worrying is someone, not the government, spying on the AG and the head of the PCA and releasing the info to the media!! Who else do they give national security information too?
Did it ever occur to you that it is someone within the government itself who is leaking the information? If what is being alleged against the AG is actually true, and there is proof of that, then perhaps that person wants to see the people breaking the law brought to justice.
Senator the Honourable Anand Ramlogan
The following question was emailed to me by an Express reporter on Friday seeking a response:
"Investigations revealed that on October 31, 2014 you telephoned attorney David West asking him to withdraw his witness statement in relation to the extradition matter involving Steve Ferguson and Ish Galbaransingh in exchange for him being selected as director of the Police Complaints Authority. Is this true? If so, why was this done?"
Whilst I was, and remain reluctant to comment on a matter in which I am the claimant that is awaiting trial before the High Court, I wish to categorically refute and deny the allegation that I asked PCA Chairman David West to withdraw his witness statement during a telephone conversation which allegedly took place on October 31st, 2014 or at any time thereafter. I was only aware that Mr West had filed a witness statement in this case when it was served on my Attorneys on December 22nd, 2014. The said witness statement had in fact been filed in court a mere two days before.
It is impossible for me to have asked Mr West on October 31, 2014 to withdraw a witness statement which only came into existence almost two months later. I could not have possibly asked Mr West to not give evidence against me in favour of Dr Rowleys defence in exchange for him being appointed Chairman of the PCA as this appointment is made by the President of the country and not the AG. This is similar to the allegation in the fraudulent emailgate where it is alleged that I was going to remove the DPP by appointing him a judge. That power, of course, lies in with the Judicial and Legal Services Commission which is chaired by the Chief Justice and I could not possibly make such an offer, far less a promise, that I was powerless to deliver.
An issue is being raised almost 3 months after the alleged conversation and two months after Mr West was appointed Chairman of the PCA. If, as is alleged, Mr West immediately sought proper legal advice as alleged, no doubt he would have been advised to report the matter to the Integrity Commission and the Commissioner of Police instead of remaining silent. The fact remains however, Mr West filed and served his witness statement and my case is awaiting trial.
The carefully selected parts of the evidence in my case that was published does not tell the entire story. At trial, the truth will emerge under cross examination and set me free. I pray and wait in hope for the judiciary to give me my day in court so that justice can be done. I am confident that the truth will set me free.
I remain extremely concerned that a newspaper can claim to have gained access to a citizen's private phone records and wish to remind the media of the provisions of the Interception of Private Communications Act which makes it a criminal offence to intercept private communications. Only law enforcement agencies are allowed to do this with proper authorisation. We must not sacrifice the rule of law on the altar of political or journalistic expediency.
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php? ... 2076252206
Why no visas for Pakistanis?
Story Created: Jan 19, 2015 at 8:12 PM ECT
Story Updated: Jan 19, 2015 at 8:12 PM ECT
I am appalled at the news report that Trinidad and Tobago has removed the visa requirement for Pakistani citizens.
Pakistan is widely regarded as a base for terrorism affecting India, Afganistan and elsewhere.
With what has just been happening in Europe there is going to be serious scrutiny of all travellers.
Apparently from March 1, Trinidad and Tobago is going to be allowed visa-free access to the European Schengen Area, a privilege we have been seeking for years. Let’s not lose this.
Pakistanis could now easily come here, get hold of a T&T passport and get extraordinary access to this region, the UK and Europe.
We have been trying to get Canada to drop visa requirements for us...forget it.
Only six countries in the world allow visa free travel for Pakistanis, four of which are in the Caribbean...Haiti, Dominica, St Vincent and The Grenadines and now T&T.
Even Saudi Arabia, Iran and Zimbabwe require visas. Pakistanis need a visa to visit neighbouring India.
This development is going to put born Trinis under undeserved scrutiny.
We need to re-visit this mistake.
Dr David Salinger
via e-mail
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/letters/ ... 86471.html
Habit7 wrote:Why no visas for Pakistanis?
Story Created: Jan 19, 2015 at 8:12 PM ECT
Story Updated: Jan 19, 2015 at 8:12 PM ECT
I am appalled at the news report that Trinidad and Tobago has removed the visa requirement for Pakistani citizens.
Pakistan is widely regarded as a base for terrorism affecting India, Afganistan and elsewhere.
With what has just been happening in Europe there is going to be serious scrutiny of all travellers.
Apparently from March 1, Trinidad and Tobago is going to be allowed visa-free access to the European Schengen Area, a privilege we have been seeking for years. Let’s not lose this.
Pakistanis could now easily come here, get hold of a T&T passport and get extraordinary access to this region, the UK and Europe.
We have been trying to get Canada to drop visa requirements for us...forget it.
Only six countries in the world allow visa free travel for Pakistanis, four of which are in the Caribbean...Haiti, Dominica, St Vincent and The Grenadines and now T&T.
Even Saudi Arabia, Iran and Zimbabwe require visas. Pakistanis need a visa to visit neighbouring India.
This development is going to put born Trinis under undeserved scrutiny.
We need to re-visit this mistake.
Dr David Salinger
via e-mail
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/letters/ ... 86471.html
Furthering trade and investment possibilities with the Taliban?
New Sunlong CNG buses hit the roads
Reshma Ragoonath
Published:
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
The long-awaited compressed natural gas (CNG) powered Sunlong buses have finally hit the streets, even though the Public Transport Service Company (PTSC) is still awaiting approval for its refuelling station.
On Friday Carl Ramdeo, deputy general manager of PTSC, marketing and communications, in a telephone interview, said all 35 buses, purchased at a cost of $38 million from China last year, were added to the corporation’s routes.
He said 20 of the buses were added to the routes last Thursday and the remaining 15 were put into circulation on Friday.
“The buses will be running East to West and North to South. The fares for using the buses will be the same fares between $4 and $6, depending on the route. The fees did not change,” he said.
He said the buses, five articulated, 15 regular large and 15 medium-sized, all have on-board cameras for safety.
Ramdeo said PTSC was still waiting for final approval from the National Gas Company on its CNG refuelling station at South Quay.
In the interim, he said, PTSC was using private CNG refuelling stations.
NGC, he said, was sorting out the paper work with the fuelling station.
“We anticipate that within another week we should have the refuelling station at PTSC ready but in the meantime we are using the private fuelling stations,” he added.
Ramdeo said the response from the public about the new buses had been pleasing.
“The feedback has been very, very good in terms of the seating, the capacity.
“People are happy that there are cameras on board and they are able to see the speed in kilometres that the driver is driving at.
“It is a really good experience a lot of commuters,” Ramdeo added.
He said the buses were very powerful with the CNG fuel and they were very efficient.
CNG-powered buses use a cleaner fuel which will be more cost effective for maintenance.
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2015-01- ... -hit-roads
Habit7 wrote:Why no visas for Pakistanis?
Story Created: Jan 19, 2015 at 8:12 PM ECT
Story Updated: Jan 19, 2015 at 8:12 PM ECT
I am appalled at the news report that Trinidad and Tobago has removed the visa requirement for Pakistani citizens.
Pakistan is widely regarded as a base for terrorism affecting India, Afganistan and elsewhere.
With what has just been happening in Europe there is going to be serious scrutiny of all travellers.
Apparently from March 1, Trinidad and Tobago is going to be allowed visa-free access to the European Schengen Area, a privilege we have been seeking for years. Let’s not lose this.
Pakistanis could now easily come here, get hold of a T&T passport and get extraordinary access to this region, the UK and Europe.
We have been trying to get Canada to drop visa requirements for us...forget it.
Only six countries in the world allow visa free travel for Pakistanis, four of which are in the Caribbean...Haiti, Dominica, St Vincent and The Grenadines and now T&T.
Even Saudi Arabia, Iran and Zimbabwe require visas. Pakistanis need a visa to visit neighbouring India.
This development is going to put born Trinis under undeserved scrutiny.
We need to re-visit this mistake.
Dr David Salinger
via e-mail
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/letters/ ... 86471.html
Furthering trade and investment possibilities with the Taliban?
Return to “Ole talk and more Ole talk”
Users browsing this forum: Duane 3NE 2NR, Google Adsense [Bot] and 34 guests
