$ 60,000 Monthly for Dr. London.

Dr. London, Former Secretary of Finance THA

Dr. Anslem London has rescinded his decision to bow out of public life after indicating in the recently concluded election that he was not interested to continue public service at the end of his last four-year term. However,  an article in Tobago News indicated taht Dr. London has been re-hired as an Advisor to the newly appointed Secretary of Finance Assemblyman Joel Jack,one of his juniors in his last four year term. 

This move by the current administration is consistent with patterns set previously. Charman Neil Wilson, returned  as an Advisor to the then Secretary of Tourism Oswald Williams after he had bowed out at the end of two consecutive terms as councillor and Secretary of the said division.

Wilson’s remuneration package, which was quoted in US dollars amounted to over $70 000, according to figures released in response to a question from the Minority Opposition in the House at the time.

Orville London, Chief Secretary of THA indicated to the media house that any questions to the matter should be directed to Dr. London. However, Dr London refused to comment on the matter.

The media was able to ascertain a response from Secretary of Finance, Joel Jack. Mr. Jack stated that Dr. London’s appointment was approved by the Executive Council recently, and that he was rehired as the Senior Consultant at the Division for a period of two years with effect from February 1. He indicated that  Dr. London would benefit from a monthly retainer of $60,000, which is a flat rate with no allowances attached.  According to Jack, the figure of $60,000 was recommended by HRC Consultants, a management company which specializes in Human Resources. The final figure was negotiated by the Administrator in the Division of Finance. The company, he said, indicated that the salary commensurate with Dr. London’s qualifications would be in the vicinity of $90,000 monthly.

The Secretary noted that Dr London has four university degrees, including a PhD in Economics, with specialization in Monetary Economics and International Trade and Finance and a M.Sc. in Finance and Financial Law. Dr London also has extensive experience in various fields, including development policies, banking and finance, financial law, macroeconomics, monetary economics, international trade and finance and business development.

Kamla can't stop complex

Dr. Anselm London 

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has no power to halt the construction of the multi-million-dollar Administrative complex in Tobago — in fact, work has started, says Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Finance Secretary Dr Anselm London.

Yesterday, London personally visited the Ministry of Finance's Port of Spain office where he handed over 225 pages of documents to the permanent secretary of Finance Minister Larry Howai relating to the contract to Milshirv for the construction of the Administrative complex.

London said the documents would show the borrow lease own transfer (BOLT) arrangement between the THA and Milshirv was above board.

Persad-Bissesar, in October had called for the project to be stopped pending investigations as she raised concerns over the transparency of the BOLT arrangement.

Questioned on the Prime Minister's call, London responded, "The Prime Minister calls for many things, the Prime Minister has no authority so to do".

As for the status of the project, London said, "You will have to speak to the developers, I think work has begun on the project but any further details you will have to talk to them".

According to the BOLT agreement with respect to the transaction-the THA had purchased a three acres of land for some $12 million from Dankett Ltd — a company with ties to PNM member John Rahael. The THA then leased the land to Milshirv at $10 annually for 199 years.

Milshirv agreed to construct the administration complex at a cost of some $143 million and then lease it to the THA at $1.2 million monthly for a period of 20 years following which, or at three-year intervals during the period, the THA would take ownership of the administrative complex at an overall cost of some $320 million.

Yesterday, speaking to the media after delivering the documents to the Finance Ministry, London said THA Chief Secretary Orville London nor the THA has any obligation whatsoever to provide documents to the Minister.

"But, we live in Trinidad and Tobago, my country and given all the public hoopla about this project we thought as a reasonable institution we will make this document available," he said.

He said the THA is also willing to comply with any request made by the Integrity Commission for documents.

Questioned on concerns raised by Justice Minister Christlyn Moore on the impropriety of THA audited accounts and missing millions, London said, "I normally do not respond to statements of that kind, the lady should practise law...let me simply say to you that we in the Tobago House of Assembly are subjected to the same set of rules as Ministries in Trinidad and Tobago".

"In the context of every report by every Auditor General would it not have been nicer and more complete had she read the responses of the Tobago House of Assembly to every query...similar queries were made in the very office of the Prime Minister of whom you speak, in the very office of the Minister for Development," he added.

London said all "administrative slippages" were addressed by the THA.

He pointed out that international rating agency — Moody's had given the THA a positive rating just a few weeks ago.

Asked if he was confident, given the position he held, that the accounts of the THA were above board, London said, "Oh absolutely, and if you don't take my word for it, ask Moody's."

Moore had also accused the PNM THA of stirring a racial divide in Tobago — telling people that Indians will take over the sister isle if they vote for the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP).

Said London, "She may be a better prognosticator than many of us, I come from Trinidad and Tobago the country where every creed and race has an equal place, I am not going to get into that kind of racial dirt...we are citizens of Trinidad and Tobago and we stand firm to protect the ethos upon which this country was built, I am not going to take that bait, at all."

reproduced from express Trinidad. 

Tobago Begs For Money.

THA Chief Secretary, Orville London

Release the 100 million that was allocated for the Health Sector, is the cry of THA Chief Secretary Orville London. In what can be a last attempt, the Chief Secretary has called on the new Minister of Finance Larry Howai to indicate when and if the funds would be release to Tobago.

The THA indicated that the allocation was approved to fund the completion of the new Scarborough General Hospital which was scheduled to be fully commissioned in September.

This has been another attempt amid futile attempts by London as well Finance and Enterprise Development Secretary Dr Anselm London and Secretary of Health and Social Services Claudia Groome-Duke in an effort to get the money released.

During the first phase of the commissioning of the hospital, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had indicated that her People's Partnership Government would provide the resources needed to have the it (Hospital) fully commissioned by September. However, with just mere few months to the end of the fiscal year, the possibility of THA receiving this fund looks as an every increasing impossibility. 

"Chief Secretary London and Dr London have both insisted that if the $100 million was not received within the fiscal year, the Central Government will be in breach of the THA Act and the Dispute Resolution Commission's DRC) ruling that the THA must receive between 4.03 per cent and 6.9 per cent of the national budget. The parliamentary allocation for the THA in fiscal 2012 was $3.1 billion," the release added. 

The questions to be answered are what is the London administration going to do with the monies given that they only have few months to spend it?  Is the PP Government starving the THA from legitimate funds as they did to the Hochoy led Administration in a bid to have an advantage in the January Election? Thus, the motive for the release or a stay in the release must be interrogated and the answers must be forthcoming. Moreover, the claim of a breach of the THA act and the Dispute Resolution Commission (DRC) sounds plausibly, and as such the PP government should avoid this at all cost, as this action could set a dangerous precedence.  

Tobago Vendors In Danger

Business Outlook Conference
 Mt. Irvin Hotel, Tobago

If you are familiar with the operations of any small vendor plying their trade from Tobago, then you must be aware that they must journey weekly to Trinidad, in order to purchase goods to meet the demands of their customers. As such, the security risk involved in doing business is enormously exacerbated. 

On Friday, one of our young Tobago  entrepreneur was brutally murder as he attempted to purchase goods to restock his business for the coming week. Sadden as I am, the reality is, there remains a looming danger for every small business person in Tobago, who must engage in doing business in Trinidad. Because Tobago's survival depends heavily on Trinidad, small and large business must go through the added risk of doing physical business in Trinidad thus, proprietors are exposed weekly to the criminal elements of the sister isle.

In all this, the Tobago House of Assembly's (THA) Business Development Unit (BDU) churns out hard cold cash in an effort to 're-define' Tobago's business environment through financial assistance and training. However, no one have seemingly informed these young enthusiastic business owners that safety and security must remain paramount if they are to enjoy the fruits of their labor. It is there evident that there is a growing need to educate these business personnel about security management whether on the ground, electronic or otherwise.  Of-course, THA cannot be blamed for the death of any recipient, however, if you're 'dishing out handouts' that range in the thousands, then one must take the responsibility to educate these said recipients in being more prudent and 'business smart' in an effort to protect their lives and their businesses.  

Furthermore, they must be encouraged to join together and lobby for insurance and other protection among other things. Moreover, they should be further swayed in combining similar small businesses to form associations and partnerships which can result in them becoming more dynamic and stronger than a single proprietor. This move, by all means, can  reduce the risk of doing business on a single person basis  and can eliminated or minimized the potential of them being victims of serious crimes. 

It is at this stage needless to say that Tobago businesses and business men remains at a disadvantage. Therefore,  no effort should be spared in affording them peace-of-mind and safety in conducting their trade. After all, they are the bread basket of our island and must be protected from these vicious criminal elements. 

Victor E. Bruce Financial Complex Opened

On Monday June 18th the Victor E. Bruce Financial Complex was formally opened. The gala event was hosted by the Secretary of Finance and Enterprise Development in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA).  In what was viewed as an auspicious occasion, Tobagonians was made to wait  seven (7) long years for the promised of the Financial Complex to be fulfilled. The 103 million dollars, four story building, is the idol and the new face of the island's capital Scarborough. Indeed, the building is the epiphany of modern working conditions, including sick bays for members of staff should any one fall ill, supervised study room for  children of staff of the division to help with home work and many other modern luxuries. Notably missing was the Minority Leader of the Tobago Organisation of the People, as he believes that there is nothing to celebrate. Although the time frame of delivery should be questioned, we should take pride in this new achievement.  Lets Celebrate if we can. 

Attendees, Chief Secretary of Tobago House of Assembly Orville London, Secretary of Finance and Enterprise Development Dr. Anslem London, Governor of the Central Bank Ewart Williams, and former Chief Secretary Hochoy Charles, Other Secretaries of the Tobago House of Assembly.

written by O.J.Noel

19th June 2012.