Section 34 Dirty Email Trail

OPPOSITION Leader Dr Keith Rowley yesterday released  an e-mail trail alleging a conspiracy meant to silence the media and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in connection with the early proclamation of Section 34.

The e-mails, which were released by Rowley during debate on his no-confidence motion against the Government, detailed a plan to tap the phone of DPP Roger Gaspard, remove him from office, and silence a Guardian reporter pursuing the Section 34 story.

Following is the e-mail trail:

EMAIL EXPOSE

[1] From: anan@gmail.com 

Date: Sat 2 Sep 2012 22:11:00 – 0400

To: kamlapb1@gmail.com

Subject: RE: Update

My lady, please relax, everything is in place, nothing to worry about. We will soon chat.

[2] Subject: Re: What’s up

To: anan@gmail.com

From: kamlapb1@gmail.com

Date: Mon, 3 Sep 2012 02:07:36 +0000

I am worried AG. I do not want this to blow up in our faces. This has to be done seamlessly.

[3] Subject: Re: Update

To: anan@gmail.com;anand@tstt.net.tt

From: kamlapb1@gmail.com

Date: Mon, 3 Sep 2012 02:15:14 +0000

How are things going with this, do you need to brief me on anything. Did you make contact yet? Will he be on board. I don’t want surprises.

[4] From: anan@gmail.com

Date: 9/06/12 22:02:45

To: kamlapb1@gmail.com

Subject: Worry not

Nothing will be traced back to you. We are always united.

[5] Subj: Monies owed

Date: 9/06/12 11:38:04 AM SA Western Standard Time

From: kamlapb1@gmail.com

To: anan@gmail.com

CC:

Are you sure everything is in place. Did you chat with the DPP and ask him about it? Try and find out. 

Btw, she says you are asking for much money.

[6] Subject: Re: Monies owed

TO: kamlapb1@gmail.com

From: anan@gmail.com

Date: 9/06/12 12:15:01

I scoff that it’s too much. We are the ones taking the risk. At the end of this I want a helipad on my roof top.

There is no price for freedom they know this. I do not know why you engage her.

I am yet to approach him, but will do soon.

[7] Subject: Re: Monies owed

To: anan@gmail.com; anand@tstt.net.tt

From: kamlapb1@gmail.com

Date: 9/06/12 12:35:45

It’s not a matter of engaging, she has done so much for us and I appreciate her. Tone down your requests and focus elsewhere for now.

[8] Subject: Re: Monies owed

To: kamlapb1@gmail.com

From: anan@gmail.com

Date:9/06/12 12:45:11

As you wish my lady, Take care and we shall chat later.

[9] From anan@gmail.com

Date: Sat, 8 Sep 2012 22:15:40-0500

To: captaingarygriffith@hotmail.com;Roodal@tstt.net.tt;surujrambacan@hotmail.com

Subject: Help needed

There’s an article a reporter from Guardian called me about involving our boys. I need you to get your feelers out there and nip the story. Call the Sunday Guardian Editor and threaten her with ads if you have too just make sure the article does not come out. Will call you later.

[10] Subject: Meeting

On Sat. Sep 8, 2012 at 10:06:05 PM, <anan@gmail.com> wrote

Call a meeting, we need to talk urgently

[11]From: kamlapb1@gmail.com

Date: Sun, 9 Sep 2012 14:51:18-0500

To: anan@gmail.com;anand@tstt.net

Subject: Guardian article

AR:

What is going? Did you see the article. I thought you had friends in the Guardian. How could this happen? Fix it.

[12] On Sun, Sep 9, 2012 at 2:51 PM, anan@gmail.com wrote:

I saw the article. Not to worry, remember Opposition supported this. That will be our defence

[13] FROM: kamlapb1@gmail.com

TO: anan@gmail.com; anand@tstt.net.tt

Sunday, September 9, 2012 10:27 PM

Deal with this mess.

Did she speak with James? You said he could be trusted. Does she have a copy?

[14] Sunday, September 9, 2012 10:30PM

James knows he cannot say anything. I doubt she has a copy. She is bluffing. I will retain him to write a letter refuting what she said. I sent out a release already. Remember everyone supported this. The PNM will loose out for allowing this to happen. Do not worry.

[15] FROM: anan@gmail.com

TO: captaingarygriffith@hotmail.com

Mon, Sep 10, 2012 at 1:33 AM

We have a problem. Things are getting heated. Need access to taps in DPP office. I want to know what his next move is. How soon can you arrange?

[16] FROM: captaingarygriffith@hotmail.com

TO: anan@gmail.com; anand@tstt.net.tt

Mon, Sep 10, 2012 at 1:40 AM

I will call SSA and get B. Ganpat is out of the country, he would be against this move. You know he leaks

[17]On Mon, Sep 10, 2012 at 6:51 AM, anan@gmail.com wrote:

I gave instructions to B to sent him Germany for two weeks. I want someone to monitor DPP for this week. He made some statements. The normal protocol applies.

[18] FROM: captaingarygriffith@hotmail.com

TO: anan@gmail.com;anand@tstt.net.tt

Mon Sep 10, 2012 at …AM

Everything is already in place in DPP office. Nothing out of the ordinary yet, Spoke with PM and she is furious

about the article. What about the reporter, tag her as well? My person..Guardian said she has a copy

of Lewis advice and is just toying with you. She does have someone in the US Embassy and is asking questions.

Last time we checked she contact Counselor to the Attorney General Channing Phillips.

Do you think someone there is feeding her?

[19] On Mon, Sep 10, 2012 at 10:51 AM, anand@tstt.co.tt wrote:

That f….. whore don’t have sh… on me. More than likely she called Thomas at the Embassy.

Do a trace on her, every reporter has skeletons in their closet and post it to our FB people

Find out how the f… she quoted from something she has no access too. I want this by this evening and I want to know who is her source.

[20] FROM: captaingarygriffith@hotmail.com

TO: anan@gmail.com;anand@tstt.net.tt

Mon. Sep 10, 2012 at 11:15AM

Yes boss.

That will take the heat off a while when other things pop up. Deal with this matter AG

[21]From: kamlapb1@gmail.com>

Date: Tue, 10 Sep 2012 23:51:31 -0400

To: anan@gmail.com;anand@tstt.net.tt

Subject: RE: Urgent

The US contacted me and are f…… angry, I thought you had a hold on this

This will cause major backlash. They even threatened to black-list us. Come up with a plan AG.

[22] Subject: Re: Urgent

To: kamlapb1@gmail.com

From: anan@gmail.com; anand@tstt.net.tt

Date:Wed, 11 Sep 2012 09:21:44 +0000

Right now our best bet will be giving Gaspard a position on the bench and bring in a replacement. We could also feed our media people that Gaspard was part of the consultation at the Hall of Justice this year and he did not have a problem at the meeting. Let’s try the judge position first. 

[23] From: kamlapb1@gmail.com

Date: Wed, 11 Sep 2012 09:54:39

To: anan@gmail.com;anand@tstt.net.tt

Subject: RE: Urgent

Have a chat with Archie, let them offer him the position. Archie is normally co-operative.

[24]Subject: Re: Urgent

To: anan@gmail.com;anand@tstt.net.tt

From: kamlapb1@gmail.com

Have you dealt with the mess yet? We are getting bad press. Deal with this AG

Date: Wed, 11 Sep 2012 09:59:44

[25] Subject: Re: Urgent

To: anan@gmailcom;anand@tstt.net.tt

From: captaingarygriffith@hotmail.com

Date: Wed, 11 Sep 2012 13:00:42 -0000

How things looking? The media are having a field day, PM is angry. The US also on the case.

[26] Subject: Re: Urgent

To: captaingarygriffith@hotmail.com

From: anan@gmail.com

Date: Wed, 11 Sep 2012 14:00:22 +0000

Something is not right with that b..ch she knows too much. Did you find out her source? I was the only one who had this and she does not know Lewis. She does not know any QC, that I found out from her court colleague. She quoted things and asking questions to lawyers that no one knows.. did you find out anything on her..how are things at DPP.

[27] Subject: Re: Urgent

To: anan@gmail.com;anand@tstt.net.tt

From: captaingarygriffith@hotmail.com

Date: Wed, 11 Sep 2012 15:00

Will check with DPP status and give you a report later. The reporter does have a history. She has a file..it’s really touch and go. She was in Florida at an institution in late 2003. attempted suicide. Her family are PNM, dad was in jail and recently released. Also added some stuff and sent it to FB. They will take it from there.

[28] From: anan@gmail.com

Date: Wed, 19 Sep 2012 20:47:08

To: surujrambachan@hotmail.com

Subject: Deal with the problem

This b…ch is becoming a problem to me. I’m told she has copies of documents and possibly cheques I don’t want

to leave anything to chance. I want this dealt with. find a way. I passed info to FB and they would f… her up but that’s not enough. Do something to slow her, PM is angry I assured her things will be good. I feel like I failed.. just deal with that b…ch soon if she has what I think, then we will all be implicated.

[29] Subject: Re: Deal with problem

To: anan@gmail.com;anand@tstt.net.tt

From: surujrambachan@hotmail.com

Date: Wed, 19 Sep 2012 20:58:-2

What did you have in mind: Does she drive, walk, do you know her movements. We should meet and discuss. How soon. 

[30] Re: Deal with problem

Hide Details

From: anan@gmail.com

To: surujrambachan@hotmail.com

Message flagged

Wednesday, September 19, 2012 10.00PM

I don’t care what you do, just deal with the problem soon. Gary has the file on her . Whatever is one, let it be done through a third party. This is getting out of hand now. PM is frantic and is begging me for a distraction. I don’t think anything on Hart will provide that. I gave her the assurance that things will be ok. I also advised her to get rid of Volney, but she is weighing her options.

[31] Subject: Re: deal with problem

To: anan@gmail.com; anand@tstt.net.tt

From: surujrambachan@hotmail.com

Date: Wed 19 Sep 2012 10:08:32

She will face opposition if she even contemplates getting rid of you. But don’t worry, we will chat tomorrow and finalize plans for that girl . 

UN Blowing Their Trumpets for LGBT: Homosexuality No Disease

Picture From Facebook Profile Aimed At
Decriminalize Homosexuality

The United Nations (UN) and UNAIDS on Friday showed support to the international lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO).

In a message, UN Resident Coordinator, Richard Blewitt, praised the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for its willingness to address the issue from a “public policy perspective” when it participated in the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ Universal Periodic Review (UPR) — a process through which states hold one another accountable on their human rights records. 

“On October 7, 2011, the Government accepted a recommendation to undertake proactive policies to promote the rights of individuals regarding sexual orientation and their HIV/AIDS status,” said Blewit, noting that education and engagement were essential for building a more just and equitable society. 

“The United Nations system applauds this vision. We extend to the Government and population of Trinidad and Tobago our technical expertise to support the progress of national dialogue, policy development, social protection and accountability that are central to securing the human rights of all people, regardless of difference. As the Secretary General reiterates, we must continue working for a world of “true freedom and equality for all,” he continued. 

Blewitt noted that, in his official statement on the Day, UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, stressed that LGBT persons had been subjected to violence, treated with contempt, derision and discrimination based on their sexual orientation. “They have been made to feel anything but free and equal. For far too long, their suffering was met with silence in the halls of power,” Ki-moon said. 

IDAHO, explained Blewitt, commemorated World Health Organisation’s decision to stop classifying homosexuality as a disease or mental disorder, but a “normal variation of human sexuality.” 

UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé, said it was because of the courage of LGBT persons, the would has seen extraordinary progress against AIDS. However, the continued, stigma and discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity still drive new HIV infections and are an obstacle to treatment efforts. 

“We call on political and community leaders to cast aside discriminatory laws and social practices. The right to health belongs to everyone. Everyone should have access to HIV prevention, care, treatment and support,” said Sidibé.

Source:newsday

F Grade For PP Gov't: Three Years With Nothing to Show

“Woefully inadequate” is how political analyst Dr Winford James describes the People’s Partnership Government’s performance over the past three years. 

The Partnership Government celebrates its third year in government later this week.

“One is hard-pressed to find any areas in which they have excelled,” he said of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s three-year-old Government, which came into power promising a new kind of governance of trans­pa-ren­cy and equity for all.

“This Government offered hope on the hustings that they would do things differently, but it is either they are not able or willing to change the core; they talked about strengthening civil society but nothing was ever done,” he said. 

“The Government has been boasting of infrastructure gains such as roads and bridges, which to every government are the most visible, but I have not seen nor has the country seen any major infrastructure gains.”

The most high-profile project has been the controversial $8 billion Solomon Hochoy Highway extension to Point Fortin, but James said “there have been a lot of issues around this and one can’t speak about its completion”.

“Also, there has not been any infrastructure works in the other parts of the country, and we must now wait for the Government to say what it has achieved, but one is hard-pressed to find any areas in which they have excelled.

On the vexing issue of procurement legislation, which James said “is a matter which strikes at the heart of corruption, there has been no legislation in relation to procurement, no legislation to limit the term in office of the prime minister nor any legislation in reference to referendum”.

As part of its promise to ensure transparent and accountable governance, the Partnership’s 2010 manifesto promised to “prioritise the passing of procurement legislation and appropriate rules and regulations”.

It also promised to “establish equitable arrangements for an efficient procurement system, ensuring transparency and accoun­tability by all Government departments and State enterprises”, but Dr James pointed to the inaction of the Government on such a critical issue. 

As to the pervasive crime situation, the Tobago-born University of the West Indies (UWI) lecturer believes the Government is struggling to bring crime down, even as it uses its most draconian measures. 

“We have seen the Government’s tendency to use methods that are very draconian, for example, the State of Emergency (SoE) and now, legislation brought to the Parliament to deal with the precepting of soldiers...it has reached the stage of a reliance on using force. 

“We all agree that crime is caused by a variety of factors and force is not enough, but the question is whether they have done any kind of psychological and sociological research which speaks to the causes of crime and their solutions. I am not saying that the use of force should not be used in violent areas, but there are other root causes to crime.”

James said the Fyzabad Accord, which is the negotiated agreement between the partners that formed the Government, “was merely to steal people’s vote”.

“What have they really accomplished? As far as I can tell, their main accomplishment has been holding the Government together;  they have gone into Government maintenance. They also have a policy of favouring their own people in the offerings of contracts and employment of certain high positions, in board appointments and dis-employing people.

“The question is: where is the innovative Government? Where are the projects they have comple­ted? One is hard to find those things and, therefore, I believe the Government is woefully inade­quate. They have displayed poor decision-making and blatant support for their financiers, beyond the people’s interest.”

With regard to Tobago, James said the relationship with central government is “more of the same”, pointing out the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) has had its challenges, even under the Manning-led People’s National Move­ment (PNM) administration.

Of the burning issue of self-government for Tobago, Dr James said that London had made it clear he did not want to embroil the issue with constitutional reform. 

“He has signalled his lack of co-operation with that exercise since Tobago has had its own consultations on the issue, and even a group by the central government came up with its own bill, so it is not surprising that the Chief Secretary was not co-operative with (Cong­ress of the People political leader) Pra­kash Ramadhar.

He said given the fact the THA is controlled by the PNM, “it takes a lot of political maturity to make the relationship work”.

The quiet between the two administrations, he said, should not be taken lightly. 

“There is a certain level of quietness, but things are still seething underneath the surface, waiting to be activated. Don’t let the calm fool you,” James said.

The rest of the country takes its signals from the politicians, but lately, there has been silence, he added.

“I know before (Jack) Warner (former minister of National Security) resigned from his office, there was talk of him going to the THA to discuss security issues; I imagine his succes­sor will still do so.”

James suggested the current state of affairs showed the electorate was not behind the Partnership.

“Labour is against them, the THA is not happy, there is disaffection within their camp, civic groups are not happy and the electorate is cut off from the procedures of government,” he cited as evidence that after three years, the Government was not on a strong footing. 

Source:trinidadexpress

Jack Launches His Own Newspaper

‘Raising the bar’: Journalist Azad Ali and Jack Warner cut the ribbon
 to officially launch Warner’s Sunshine Newspaper
at Kantac Plaza, Eastern Main Road, Arouca
 on Friday night. —Photo: Ayanna Kinsale

Former minister of national security Jack Warner launched his weekly tabloid— the Trinidad and Tobago Sunshine Newspaper, in a low key ceremony, outside the newspaper’s office at Kantac Plaza, Arouca, on Friday afternoon.

Speaking with reporters on his decision to launch his own news publication Warner said it was his attempt to improve the standard of journalism by raising the bar while giving a voice to the marginalised of the country.

In his speech he said: “The Sunshine is designed with a conscience to recognise that while circulation statistics and healthy sales are critical to the life of any newspaper more important to us is the protection of people’s lives and character and the pursuit to ensure that lives are not unfairly destroyed and ruined.”

“Of course we do not propose to compromise the integrity of journalism which is founded on the publication of truth,” he added.

Warner, who holds the position of chairman at Sunshine, said to ensure that the highest standard of journalism is maintained by his publication, every article that goes into the paper will first have to get his stamp of approval.

The current staff at the publication is ten and includes editor Anthony “Lexo” Alexis and news editor Azad Ali. 

 Warner said he also has plans to get a radio and television licence at some point in the future.

Asked about start-up costs Warner declined to comment but boasted that his staff members were being fantastically paid with profit sharing packages.

 The first issue of the publication, expected on Friday, will be printed by the Guardian newspaper. Eventually the company wants to get its own printing press, Warner said.  

Source:trinidadexpress

The ‘betrayal’ of Tobago: People’s Partnership three years later

Side by side and together, not one behind the other,” was the promise of hope held out by the People’s Partnership Government to Tobago when it rolled into office on May 24, 2010, signalling the intent of a more equal relationship between both islands, built on mutual respect. 

Page 63 of its Prosperity for All Manifesto 2010 was clear in its mandate about the kind of relationship it wanted to forge with Tobago, one in which “the people of Tobago would have a major role in determining their present and future development”.

The manifesto, which would have got the blessings of alliance member the Tobago Organisation of the People’s (TOP) Ashworth Jack, a frontline advocate for greater autonomy for Tobago, went a step further and promised to “revisit the provisions of the Tobago House of Assembly Act, and in particular, the Fifth Schedule with a view to granting greater autonomy and responsibility to the people of Tobago over matters that directly impact on Tobago”.

From May 2010 onward, Jack, whose party won the two Tobago seats, quickly became the Partnership’s bridge for unity between the central government and Tobago —a position, it could be argued, that seemed to assume more political importance to the Government, than the Assembly or its Chief Secretary Orville London. 

In fact, London constantly complained about a lack of respect shown to his administration, which he felt was being sidelined by the current Government. 

That was until January this year, when the TOP was obliterated by the People’s National Movement (PNM) at the polls 12-nil, with Jack also losing his own Mason Hall/Providence/Moriah seat and his prominence in the alliance.

Now, five months later, little is heard from Jack, whose own integrity had come under scrutiny in the lead-up to the elections, after questions were raised about who funded his multi-million-dollar house in Tobago, on lands which, at the time, he did not fully own.

Jack has vehemently denied his mansion was built by United National Congress (UNC) party financiers, but to this day, has failed to silence his critics

In the aftermath of Jack’s demise and, by extension, the People’s Partnership’s inability to win the THA elections, the relationship between the THA and the Partnership cooled even further.

Chief Secretary London told the Sunday Express recently, “It has deteriorated and from almost every aspect has regressed.” 

“Disappointment and frustration” are the two words he used to describe it. 

London said he had hoped even though the PNM had lost the gene­ral election in 2010, the Partnership would have nurtured a kind relationship that was in sync with its election promises and manifesto. 

“More so because the People’s Partnership Government won both Tobago seats and the two MPs had actually campaigned on the basis of championing the Tobago cause, but over the last three years, I think that most Tobagonians would agree the situation from almost every aspect has regressed. 

“What is most alarming is that some of the fundamental tenets that should underpin the authority of THA have been threatened and eroded in a manner unparalleled between two institutions,” he said, admitting there has always been tension between central government and the THA. But for the most part, he said the THA was maintained and respected.

London pointed to systematic attempts by the Partnership to undermine the authority of the THA and frustrate works of the institutions and those charged with the responsibilities for Tobago

“In the early years, there was almost a contempt for the Assembly and its officials, evidenced in a number of ways, including the moves by some ministers to introduce policies and programmes in Tobago without meaningful interaction with the THA.

“As well there were a number of things which Tobagonians fought hard for, including representation on boards, etc, which have been eroded, and I don’t think that central government was sensitive to these things.

“The people’s frustration grew and the results were shown in the election. Even the campaign itself was an obscene, blatant attempt to buy support in Tobago. 

“Tobago people rejected this, of course. I would have thought that after this a greater effort would have been made for collaboration and a greater degree of synergy, but this is not the case.”

London said while some ministers were making an effort, for the most part, the fundamentals have not changed. 

“The most obvious is the way in which they would have dealt with question of internal self-government,” he said.

“Tobagonians have made their intent known to the Cabinet. They are aware that central government came up with their own bill for Cabinet for debate and that the Opposition and the THA and Tobagonians have voiced their concerns over this and against certain clauses in the bill.

The issue of internal government was the most important issue in the entire campaign, which even the Prime Minister referred to as a referendum on her leadership and that of the Government.”

London said he found it quite “disturbing” that the Prime Minister was now saying internal self-government was now being taken up by the constitutional reform exercise, spearheaded by Legal Affairs Minister Prakash Ramadhar. 

“We see this as a betrayal. After all the work done, not just by the THA but by a team set up by the Prime Minister, after there has been so much agreement on most of the issues of greater autonomy for Tobago, and after so much pre-election hype, we are now going to get involved in a very unpredictable process of constitutional reform.

“I have asked for the two teams to meet and for there to be some kind of consensus, so that when the matter reaches the Parliament, the debate would be amenable to a resolution,” he said, adding that he is yet to receive a response. 

London is fearful that the issue would collapse into a process that has no predictable end to it.

Adding he is no “pessimist”, London reiterated there are some ministers and Government officials who are relating to the THA in a manner that is allowing the objectives to be achieved.

“I want to suggest that there is still time to do necessary introspection and take action to review the present relationship. I am heartened by the Prime Minister’s acceptance of my recommendation for quarterly meetings. I intend to write to her within the week, requesting a date for the next meeting and setting out those issues which I consider critical.

“The Minister of Finance has spoken to me about a meeting to discuss issues about tourism; and there have been meetings between some of the secretaries and ministers of Housing and Tourism, so I believe that there is the opportunity for improved relations over the next couple of years,” he said.

London pointed out that consecutive administrations have discriminated against the THA in the past, but feels “we have an opportunity now to go down in history as the administration that has brought to the people, the type of relationship for which they have been striving for years. 

“I want to have a relationship that is not adversarial. We will always be political rivals, but there is a lot of room for meaningful collaboration.”

He added, “After three years, we are nowhere close to that because there is still the perception that the THA must be kept in its place, and once that is the perception on the part of so many decision makers at national level, this promise of ‘side by side’ is just another platitude.”

 The term so far...

• The first “misstep” was the Prime Minister’s appointment of Reshmi Ramnarine to head the Security Intelligence Agency.

• Ill-conceived state of emergency.

• Two Cabinet reshuffles in three years.

• Firing of six ministers—May King, Minister of Planning; Health Minister Therese Baptiste-Cornelis; Colin Partap, Minister in the Ministry of National Security; Herbert Volney, Minister of Justice; Nan Ramgoolam, Minister of Public Administration; John Sandy, Minister of National Security; Verna St Rose Greaves, Minis­ter of Gender, Youth and Child Development; Minister in the Minister of National Security Subhas Panday.

• Minister of National Security and Chairman of the UNC Jack Warner resigns from the party and his Chaguanas West seat.

• PM faces vote of no confidence.

• AG faces vote of no confidence.

• ...Now the People’s Partnership Government to face vote of no confidence.

• MSJ breaks with the party.

• COP continues to grumble.

• Crime continues to rock T&T.

• Section 34 fiasco caused a Round Table arrangement between opposing forces: PNM, labour, NGOs.

• Government faced crushing defeat at the polls in the THA elections.

• Tobago and PP Government still on shaky ground over self-government.

• By-election in Chaguanas West seat

• Local Government elections due before or by October 2013

• At times, rocky media relations.

Ramlogan Seeks To Have Rowley Declared Bankrupt over 12000 $

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan is seeking to have Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley be declared bankrupt by the courts for not paying him sums owed from a court order.

Last week, Ramlogan initiated court proceedings against Rowley to recover the $12,000 owed to him from a court order made by Justice Andre des Vignes on January 14.  

Ramlogan’s lawyer, Rachael Jaggernauth, had written to Rowley’s attorney, Senator Faris Al-Rawi on four occasions in a bid to have the sum settled since the order.

In March 2012, Ramlogan had issued a pre-action protocol letter to Rowley objecting to a statement he made that the AG had given over 50 per cent of the State’s legal briefs to his former law firm.  

Ramlogan denied the allegation and countered that he had not given a single State brief to his law firm. 

  

Ramlogan contends that Rowley has failed to pay the judgment debt for approximately five months. 

 The AG noted the Constitution disqualifies any citizen from serving in Parliament if he is bankrupt and if Rowley is declared bankrupt he would be barred by the Constitution from serving as an MP and consequently as Leader of the Opposition.  

The AG’s legal move, which was filed last Friday, comes two days before the House of Representatives debates a Rowley-initiated motion of no confidence against the Government.

The AG has had three defamation lawsuits against the Opposition Leader. 

Ramlogan challenged statements made by Rowley, which allegedly implied that there was some collusion between the AG and the High Court on the judicial review case based on statements filed by businessmen Steve Ferguson and Ish Galbaransingh seeking to quash Ramlogan’s decision to extradite them to face trial in the United States. 

In April Justice Harris ordered Rowley to pay Ramlogan legal costs but Rowley successfully appealed this Order and was given a reprieve on two-thirds of those costs which are yet to be assessed.

The Opposition Leader also has to defend a third set of defamation proceedings brought by the Attorney General based on his statements that Ramlogan had abused his powers as the Attorney General to seek private banking information details about citizens.  That claim was filed on February 18 but no defence has been filed to date. 

A three-month extension was granted to Rowley to file his defence.  

Source: trinidadexpress

THA Wants Share of Housing Loan From Central Government

Secretary of Settlements and Labour,
Assemblyman Huey Cadette.

The Tobago House of Assembly (THA) wants a share of any housing loan acquired by government and to have the opportunity to finance off budget funding for housing projects in Tobago. These are some of the issues raised at a recent meeting between Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal and THA Secretary of Settlements and Labour Assemblyman Huey Cadette.

Cadette told Wednesday's post Executive Council media briefing that the issues will be part of a memorandum of understanding now being drafted by technocrats of the ministry and his division.

The THA is currently on a $140 million housing thrust using funds from its savings and part of its parliamentary allocation and was hoping to share in the US$50 million housing loan the central government recently obtained from the Inter American Development Bank (IDB).

He said the loan was for squatter regularisation, improvement of the housing stock, capacity building and institutional strengthening. However, he added, the Assembly wanted part of the loan for capacity building, support for its housing grants programme and for equipment and technical support for the implementation of the housing programme.

Cadette said funding for a Tobago housing programme should come from off budget sources and the Ministry of Finance had committed itself to develop a position paper with recommendations on this and also identify sources of funding available to the Assembly when approval was granted to it to obtain loans.

The housing programme was being project managed by the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) whose CEO Jearlean John was present at the meeting and MTS.

He said the meeting also discussed the need to have a level of stringent oversight on its housing projects to ensure the timely delivery of units with the quality required. He said a joint team will be appointed to address long outstanding issues dating back to the former national housing authority including leases and mortgage payments.

The THA's $140 million housing thrust includes the construction of 239 units at Adventure Phase II that will have Town Houses, Duplexes, Apartment Buildings and some single units; the development of 200 service lots at the THA-acquired Courland Estate, 50 service lots at Belle Garden Phase II and 60 service lots at Adelphi Estate.

Source:THAnews

20.4 Million $ Lotto Winner From South Trinidad

Long lines as people in Trinidad line up to play the largest jack
pot for the lotto plus. 20.4 Million

One lucky person in South last night won the whopping $20.4 million Lotto jackpot.

The winning ticket—3, 15, 19, 25, 32 Powerball: 9—was bought from agent Kamla Bhookal at 20 Circular Road, Ste Madeleine at 10.23 a.m. yesterday.

Three winners who picked five numbers without the powerball each won $36,590.48.

The lines were long and the faces hopeful yesterday, as citizens in downtown Port of Spain took time to make a play for the roll-over Lotto jackpot that was up to last night estimated at over $20 million.

It was one of the busiest days in recent memories for Lotto vendors, with some saying that most of their regulars chose to spend all their money on Lotto, while neglecting their usual gambles on such daily games as Play Whe and Cash Pot.

“There were plenty, plenty new people,” said one Frederick Street vendor.

“All kind of people, bank workers, teachers, business people. That is a lot of money, who wouldn’t want to carry that home?

“But a lot of the regulars who would spend a $20 on Play Whe didn’t bother with that and spend their money on Lotto instead.”

And the good intentions among the players were all very similar. Most said they would immediately secure the future of their families through the purchase of land or the building of homes and the setting up of various businesses.

There were also lots of pledges to charity, a few promises to build homes for disenfranchised persons, children, the elderly and the disabled.

“The most important thing is to thank God and to give back,” said one player, who professed to having bought a ticket every day since last week Thursday, when the monster jackpot began to roll over.

Source: trinidadexpress

London: Tobago must keep self-govt on front burner

Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly Orville London has assured Tobagonians that the issue of internal self-government for Tobago will be kept on the front burner.

“We cannot allow the issue of internal self-government for Tobago to be forgotten at any level... so when our Prime Minister very casually and matter-of-factedly gets up and tells the public that the Tobago bill will go the way of all other bills when the Parliament is prorogued and will lapse, you know what that means, end of play for that,” he told a packed Argyle Community Centre in the third Face-to-Face session in the Assembly’s democratisation process last Friday.

London said Tobagonians cannot allow themselves to be misled by the Prime Minister and the central government because it was the same Prime Minister who stood up on platforms throughout the length and breadth of Tobago and told Tobagonians the issue of internal self-government was maybe the sole issue on which the election was to be won.

“She said this is a referendum for Tobago and because they lost the election it was suddenly not important again,” London added.

London said it was the most important issue facing Tobago at this point in time...just as it was the most important issue before the election it was the most important issue after the election.

“Well if it is not important to them, then we have got to send a signal that it is important to us. This is not an Orville London story, it is not an assembly story, it is not a political party story, it is a Tobago people story and therefore how this story plays out will depend on Tobagonians.”

The Chief Secretary said too many people in authority operated on the premise that people forget, this thing about nine-day wonders...there were people whose political careers were staked and based on that premise. “T&T is a nine-day society, so it is all right, they will make noise, they will gallery and they will forget.”

London said the dangerous aspect of what the Prime Minister told reporters last week was that the process of self-government for Tobago had been taken over by the process of constitutional reform.

“You all understand the implications of that. What she is telling us in Tobago is that our fate with respect to internal self-government is going to depend on whether the Government is able to pass all of the Constitution for all of the people, so a process that started five years ago where we have engaged Tobagonians, where we have decided exactly what we want, where we have reached the point of having the bills and let us debate that, she is saying that it should be commingled with the Constitution reform process.

“Now tell me are we as Tobagonians going to sit and allow that to happen because all of us know what happens when you try as we are trying to do in T&T to reform an entire Constitution. Sometimes that takes decades, sometimes that takes generations. This constitutional reform process is so complicated that even the most casual observer must come to the conclusion that it eh go happen now, it might not happen in any of our time,” London said.

He said what the Prime Minister was telling Tobagonians was that after all that they did in the last five years they must sit down and quietly say wait on the writers of the Constitution. “I have nothing against constitutional reform and I think Tobagonians must get involved in it,” he stressed.

Source:trinidadexpress

Scarborough Library Staff Move to New Building Next Month

After more than 10 years of waiting, staff of the Scarborough Regional Library are expected to occupy the new building in downtown Scarborough next month, Education, Youth Affairs and Sport secretary Gary Melville disclosed.

He said the building was more than 95 per cent complete and furniture and equipment are expected to be in  place in time for the staff who currently occupy an annex to the Signal Hill Secondary School following earthquake damage to the old building some years ago. 

The new library will also have a science centre. The Roxborough Library will be expanded and an automated library service will be introduced at all libraries.

Melville, who presented plans last Friday for his division at the Face-to-Face session in the democratisation process at the Argyle Community Centre, also disclosed that a new school for the deaf and hearing-impaired will commence shortly, while the Happy Haven School for the physically challenged will be expanded.

In addition a new Scarborough RC Primary School is to be built later this year in lower Scarborough and a new Scarborough Secondary School is to be built at a new site. 

Melville also disclosed that the Technical/Vocational labs at the Roxborough and Signal Hill Secondary Schools are to be upgraded while proposals were being considered to establish a technical/vocational academy.

He said primary schools are to be fitted with new computer labs and pupils will be introduced to a new broader based curriculum.

Melville said there were challenges facing teacher training, recruitment and retention. However, he said, the division was well on its way to playing its part in the education of Tobagonians.

Source: trinidadexpress

PNM lead THA Celebrates First 100 days in Office

Despite complaints about funding from the Central Government, the Orville London led THA proudly boasted about its achievements for the first 100 days in office. After claiming all 12 seats in the January 21, THA election, the new administration has gone full speed ahead with its programmes in all Divisions.

Secretary of Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Hilton Sandy has led the charge with over seventy projects in road repairs, community centre repairs, lighting of sports grounds, drainage and upgrades to a number of schools. No doubt there would have been collaboration with the other Divisions for these projects to be done. The lighting of sports grounds for example must have had some input from the Sports Division while the work on community centres has been done in coordination with the Division of Community Development and Culture.

The Division of Health and Social Services led by the experienced Claudia Groome-Duke has impacted in a wide array of areas. Counseling and work in domestic violence, healthy lifestyles, chronic disease, garbage collection and efforts to eradicate mosquito and other insects, plus preparation work to deal with drug addiction, are all highlighted in the THA’s first 100 days in office. The addition of 75 workers to the staff of Health and Social Services is another plus for the Division during the first 100 days of this THA administration. The Gary Melville and Jomo Pitt led Division of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports have projected the launch of the Lalonde Gordon Sport Fund with one million dollars. The Division’s training for students in leadership and self esteem, assistance to Carifta Games athletes and assistance to sports organisations and athletes, are again all stand outs in terms of the first 100 days of the THA.

The THA has also given financial assistance to a wide range of individuals and organisations such as calypso Tents, steelbands, church organisations, the Song Fest, Dream Event, Shinya Toppin and Good Friday; all received $100,000 while $280,000 was granted to Pete Gray’s Print Media House, Franz Job, Just More Vibes and Hush Ultra, among others.

At the same time, the Tracy Davidson-Celestine led Tourism Division launched a six-month institutional strengthening and capacity building Strategic Plan Programme for Bread and Breakfast Association. A new campaign to promote Tobago’s tourism was directed at the Canadian market in March while 50 Nigerian students were taken in at the Hospitality and Tourism Institute in Tobago.

Additionally 390 Tobagonians benefitted from the one million dollars distributed by the THA’s Home Improvement Fund. Forty nine Tobagonians in business benefitted from the $900,000 paid out while the much anticipated Cove Eco Industrial Park had its first tenant. These are only a sample of the achievements of the Orville London led PNM THA in their first 100 days in office.

Source:tobagonews

Blue Marlin Weighing 1005.9 lbs Caught in Tobago Fishing Tournament

Angler Brendan Bernard yesterday caught a Blue Marlin weighing 1005.9 lbs, the largest Blue Marlin catch on record in a locally-based game fishing tournament. 

The previous record was 890 pounder caught five years ago.

Bernard was a member of the team aboard ‘Predator’ participating in the Tobago International Game Fishing Tournament which took place between May 9 and 12.

For landing Blue Marlin weighing more than 1,000 lbs, Bernard and four fellow anglers have won a Mercedes Benz. The boat was captained by Brendan Farfan and included anglers Peter Reid, Simon Bernard and Michael Rostant.

The tournament began in 1995 at Pigeon Point, Tobago. 

Now relocated to the north end of Tobago in Charlotteville, the Tobago International Game Fishing Tournament pulls in anglers from from the Caribbean to North and South America, and Europe. 

This year 18 teams participated in the international division and 41 teams in the local division.

Source: trinidadexpress

Exorcism for Plymouth School Girls Coming:‘Outside’ help being sought for ‘possessed’ girls

An Assembly official has taken up the plight of several young school girls, who have been under the influence of “dark spirits” following an alleged grave-yard invocation in Plymouth recently. 

The official called Tobago News expressing grave concerns about the situation that has sent tongues wagging around the tightly-knitted village community of Plymouth and the rest of the island. “These girls have not experienced any relief despite the intervention of several church pastors,” noted the official. “We need to seek help for them from outside of Tobago,” declared the official. 

Tobago News investigations revealed that the girls are students of two secondary schools in the island. 

“The teaching staffs at these schools have been under a lot of pressure, whenever the girls act up with their supernatural antics,” said a school source. Most times the teachers have to go into prayer vigils to deal with the situation before the rampaging girls are taken away,” disclosed the source. 

Tobago News was told that it was possible for several spirits to come up during the alleged invocation process for a particular spirit. “If this happens then the person responsible may not have any control over these additional spirits hence the present problems,” said a very knowledgeable source. Tobago News was told that efforts are underway to bring up a well-known spiritual healer to address the current situation.

Source:Tobagonews

Colin Hazel: Touts on the Prowl at Argyle Water Fall

Touts who have strategically placed themselves in front of the Argyle waterfall entrance are said to be posing a threat to tourists because residents are of the opinion that they are infringing on the functionality of a well-known attraction that the eastern-side of the island has to offer. Chairman of the cooperative, Collis Hazel is fed-up with the poor involvement from the police force in this matter. He told Tobago News the touts have begun to give the waterfall and its workers a bad name. The Argyle Waterfall, an established place of business operates under the Division of Tourism. It has been effectively functioning for the last fifteen years. 

To the employees and the Board of Trustees, it is known as the cooperative. It is an organization that is welcoming to visitors from all parts of the world. Nevertheless, they have been battling for many years with the issues of touts and the impeding threat the practice poses to business and the visitors to the falls. In the recent past, a visitor and his family to the falls were accosted at the entrance by a tout. The tout convinced them to take a tour with him and later charged them a price of $360 TT; but price for a visitor to the falls is: non-resident $40TT and resident $30TT. There have been other incidents of tourist being taken to the falls through the back entrance and left on their own. “One couple came back from the falls fearful, the wife sat in the vehicle afraid to come out,” said manager of the falls Inga Beckles.

The situation with the touts has become increasingly difficult to deal with as a few of the touts are reported to be regularly hurling threats that would endanger their lives. “There has been physical dealing,” said assistant manager Lanville Toppin. The touts are relentless with their dealings and find many ways to persuade visitors to go with them. Most of the touts trick visitors into believing that they are workers of the cooperative. The management of the falls told Tobago News that the battle for tourists has grown more aggressive, citing one incident when a tourist was grabbed by the arm and pulled away by a tout.

“The police are of very little help, I make that abundantly clear,” Hazel said. There were times when the workers called the police for help and they did not respond. Hazel went on to say that at times, the workers would have to say that a tourist was chopped in order for the police to respond. He said letters have been sent to the authorities for help but there has still no change.

Workers of the Argyle Waterfall are asking for help from both the police and the Tobago House of Assembly (THA). “The issue is going on too long and it is bringing a threat to our tourists,” said Ken Webster, Vice Chairman of the Co-operative. They are asking that some form of security be provided to help get rid of the touts.

Source:Tobagonews

Freak Accident Kills Six Year Old Boy In Tobago

A freak accident in Tobago has claimed the life of six-year-old Eric Gittens of Maraval, Trinidad.

Eric was vacationing in Tobago with his mother at Turtle Beach Hotel when tragedy struck. An autopsy is to be performed today to determine the cause of death.

According to police reports, around 5 p.m. on Friday, Eric, a first year student of St Andrews Prep School in Maraval, was around the poolside of the hotel kneeling on a chair when a concrete slab flipped up from the table, struck him to his head, pinning him to the ground.

His mother, 47-year-old Susan Gittens, screamed for help and was assisted in the removal of the slab.

Eric was then rushed to Scarborough General Hospital but it was too late, as he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The Express was told the hotel’s general manager, Leslie Amadee, could not assist at the moment as he was not on the compound.

The Gittens family checked out of the hotel following the incident.

Old Grange and Scarborough Homicide officers are continuing investigations into the incident.

Source:Trinidadexpress

Tobago Top Cops: Getting Tough On Rising Crime

Serious crimes are up in Tobago and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Tobago) Heflin George and Senior Superintendent Garfield Moore say the war to send the cri­minals packing is on.

George is disappointed with the upsurge among a population of more than 55,000 in Tobago and said his officers will do what it takes to reverse the negative trend. 

Some of the crime hot spots in Tobago are Bethel, Glen Road, Low­­er Scarborough, Blenheim, Sou Sou Lands, Canaan Bon Accord and Plymouth.

“We have some serious concerns about serious crimes in Tobago, especially break-ins and lar­ce­ny, robberies, as the case may be,” George said on Friday.

In 2009, Tobago was at the bottom of the statistics in crime, out of nine Police Service divisions in Trinidad and Tobago. 

But now, Tobago stands at number seven.

Senior Superintendent Moore called this an indictment on the service which must be changed.

He said delinquent officers will feel the full brunt of the law if found guilty of assisting criminals. 

And he insisted that police brutality reports were being investigated.

“I am aware some of those reports are outstanding, but the reports are not going to be swept below the table. We will investigate them to ensure if any wrong-doing comes to our knowledge that the appropriate action is taken,” Moore said.

The lawmen said though it was a daunting task, all was not lost as community police patrols had been stepped up, additional training for the police was ongoing and closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in Tobago were fully operational.

No criminal will be allowed to slip through the cracks, they said. 

Additionally, there is also co-op­eration between Tobago police and the Citizens Security Programme, and senior officers pro­mised within the next two months, citizens can expect significant results in the fight against crime. 

Source:trinidadexpress

Government’s shake-ups and reshuffles

• “Misstep” No 1: Prime Minister’s appointment of Reshmi Ramnarine to head the Strategic Intelligence Agency (SIA)

• Two Cabinet reshuffles in three years

• Firing of six ministers—Mary King, Minister of Planning; Therese Baptiste-Cornelis; Collin Partap, Minister in the Ministry of National Security; Herbert Volney, Minister of Justice; Nan Ramgoolam, Minister of Public Administration; John Sandy, Minister of National Security; Verna St Rose Greaves, Minister of Gender, Youth and Child Develop­ment; Minister in the Minister of National Security Subhas Panday 

• Minister of National Security and chairman of the United National Congress (UNC) Jack Warner resigns from the party and his Chaguanas West seat

• PM faces vote of no-confidence

• Attorney General faces vote of no-confidence

• Now, the Government to face vote of no-confidence

• Continuing rumblings in the coalition Government

• Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) breaks with the party

• Congress of the People (COP) continues to grumble

• Crime continues to rock Trinidad and Tobago

• Section 34 fiasco caused a roundtable arrangement between opposing forces: People’s National Movement (PNM), labour and non-governmental organisations (NGOs)

• Partnership Government faced crushing defeat at the polls in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections 

• Tobago and Government still on shaky ground over self-government

• By-election in Chaguanas West seat

• Local government election due before or by October 2013

• At times, rocky media relations.

Source:trinidadexpress

NO BACK PAY YET FOR TOBAGONIANS

The 9,000 monthly and daily-paid employees of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) that are due arrears in their salary for the period 2008 to 2010 will have to wait a little longer due to the non receipt of funding from the Central Government.

The Assembly which was promised the funding this month only received $83 million of the approximate $350 million needed to make the payment to all the workers. The arrears of salary are as a result of new industrial agreements signed by the unions and the government Chief Personnel Officer.

Chief Secretary Orville London said on Wednesday that contrary to what was being said the Assembly did not have the funds and did not want to create confusion by paying some of the workers. He said the Minister of Finance has promised to source the addition funds as early as possible in order to settle the debt.

Meanwhile, Tobagonians continue to wait for their monies which continue to lose value as the days go by.