At MovieTowne: like being there

Julien Neaves


Sunday, June 11th 2006


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Patrons get their faces painted at Movie Towne before the start of the Trinidad and Tobago vs Sweden match.



WATCHING the World Cup match between Trinidad's Soca Warriors and football powerhouse Sweden on the big cinema screens of MovieTowne, Invader's Bay, Port of Spain, was almost like being there.

It was how patron Barry Mungal felt. He joined more than 2,500 other fans at the cinema yesterday to watch the match on 10 movie screens. Mungal said that he really enjoyed the atmosphere and the people and planned to return. The crowd was a mixture of families with young children (possibly due to no alcohol order), couples and teenagers.

MovieTowne owner Derek Chin described the atmosphere and the large screens as stadium-like and said he was pleased with the turnout. Corporate companies such as CLICO, Republic Bank and Pizza Boys/ Coca-Cola had also bought their own VIP sections.

The beat of drums and steelpan in the concession area before the match added to the party atmosphere though most patrons were reserved in their celebrations.

There was also face painting and many children and young women walked around with red black and white stripes, stars, or the flag itself decorating their faces. One man had a patriotic coloured football painted on his forehead.

But there were no outlandish costumes and only a couple wearing some football styled caps might have gotten a second glance.

At 11:45 a.m. fans started going to their respective screens to watch the match. As it began the audience clapped and hollered as they saw their footballers coming onto the field. They also got excited when the camera showed local supporters among the ocean of Swedish yellow and blue fans.

"Look Trinis!" one fan shouted.

Two female fans near the front began a debate about goalkeeper Shaka Hislop who had replaced an injured Kelvin Jack. One said that he knew the "physics of the game" while another said he was "too old".

In general the crowd started off a bit quiet - MovieTowne patrons are not known for being the most exuberant of movie watchers- but eventually the decibels picked up. By the crowd reaction to the first shot in the 32nd minute by Carlos Edwards, you would have sworn that we had scored.

Much time was spent complaining about and booing the match's commentator who, among other statements, said that Sweden should win the game "easily" and that Trinidad Tobago football team had been written off more times than the Mexican debt.

When he commented that the Swedes had been praying to overcome this country one man said "allyuh prayers not stronger than ours".

"Lord let them win this match," a female fan had prayed aloud earlier.

In the second half they clapped when Swedish star striker Henrick Larson received a yellow card and booed when Avery John was sent off with his second. They also mocked the dismal looks of the Swedish fans who watched their "easy win" slowly slipping away.

They shouted for Stern John's shot in the 58th minute and Hislop's many saves, including a point blank shot soon after, made him a favourite for the patrons. They practically clapped every time he held the ball.

In the latter minutes of the game the tension could be cut with a chainsaw and one teenage fan said "too much pressure." It was unclear whether he was talking about the players playing or him watching.

At the end of the game and the nil/nil score there were jubilant celebrations in the cinema which peaked and mellowed. Chin said that the performance of the team augured well for the game in England and he felt very proud of them.

Female patron Jamie Serville said that it was a great match and "our boys had done well." She added that she might return to watch the rest of the matches.

The steelpan and drum band struck up again and the celebrations were a level higher with whistles and some dancing. And as patrons left the screens, to the background music of Maximus Dan's "Fighter", they all seemed to be smiling.

Trini style Carnival:


Monday, June 12 2006 (T&T Newsday)


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Germans were spellbound as this country's cultural troupes gave them a taste of a true Trini-style Carnival complete with steelband music, tassa drums and colourful costumes in Dortmund yesterday.


From early in the morning, the people of Dortmund, the city where the Soca Warriors made their historical debut on the World Cup football stage, lined the streets and the main shopping centre to take in the parade by the TT contingent.

The entire area was blocked off from traffic to accommodate the parade which was led by popular Carnival enthusiast Junior Regrello under the direction of Norbert Fullerton. Moko jumbies dressed in TT's national red,white and black costumes dominated the parade as they pranced to steelband music provided by the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force.

The display was a big hit with the Germans and while some tried to take a jump, others were busy taking photos from their cell phones and small digital cameras. Scared children screamed as the blue devils bared their teeth and tongues at them but the Jab Jabs got loud applause from the Germans every time they cracked their whips.

As expected, 2006 Panorama champions Phase II Pan Groove with arranger Len "Boogsie" Sharpe had the crowds in a frenzy as the Germans pushed to touch the national instruments and to take photos and pose with masqueraders.

Not to be outdone was the Laventille Rhythm Section which was one of the groups that had encountered money problems and a fair amount of uncertainty before heading off to the World Cup last week.

The powerful sounds from the popular band from "the hills" could have awakened any neighbourhood in bustling Dortmund as scores of eager Germans attempted to dance.

The display was fantastic, with Trinis and Germans alike having a grand time as TT not only took its football to the global limelight, but also its culture.

International press: TT simply the best



Clint Chan Tack Monday, June 12 2006
(T&T Newsday)


FROM Australia to the Americas, Trinidad and Tobago's Soca Warriors have won the minds and hearts of people with their historic draw with European soccer powerhouse Sweden in their World Cup debut in Dortmund, Germany, on Saturday. In fact, TT is now regarded by some as the best team at this year's World Cup.

Today's edition of the Australian Herald said the TT-Sweden match proved to be the "ultimate leveller" of the World Cup, showing that no difference in class exists in international football anymore.

The Australian Herald notes that with players from lesser known clubs such as Sydney FC (TT captain Dwight Yorke's current club) and San Juan Jabloteh, the Warriors were more than a match for a Swedish team boasting players from prestige clubs like Arsenal, Juventus and Barcelona. The Australian Herald added that England had cause for concern ahead of their match with the Warriors in Nuremburg on Thursday.

Yesterday's Malaysia Star said TT's draw with Sweden was a World Cup shocker and has raised the stakes for Sweden, England and Paraguay to qualify for the second round. Yesterday's Miami Herald said the TT-Sweden tie was "a massive result" for the Warriors and many had written them off ahead of the Dortmund match.

England's Guardian Unlimited newspaper on Saturday reported that the Dortmund draw had left Sweden "punch drunk" and hugely embarrassed by the Warriors.

"TT have made their intentions clear. They are not at this tournament to make up the numbers," the Guardian Unlimited said.

Yesterday's Hindustan Times of India reported that the unprecedented regional levels of interest in the TT-Sweden game had overshadowed the second Test match between the West Indies and India in St Lucia.

West Indies captain Brian Lara told the Hindustan Times that the team had decided on Saturday not to talk cricket during the lunch interval but watch the Warriors play. Lara said it was inspiring to watch his boyhood friend, Yorke, and the Warriors in action.

Yesterday's Jamaica Observer said the Warriors' draw in Dortmund has raised the regional integration hopes of Caricom leaders who will meet from July 3 to 6 in St Kitts/Nevis for the 27th Summit.

ESPN has also described the TT-Sweden draw as one of the biggest shockers in World Cup history.

In fact, ESPN's soccernet has listed the Warriors as the best team thus far at the World Cup with 28 percent of the votes.

Hosts Germany are second with 23 percent followed by Ivory Coast (18 percent), Argentina and Ecuador (15 percent).

SOCA SCARE

Zaid Mohammed, Reporting from Germany; Sports

Edit Monday, June 12 2006 (T&T Newsday)


Fans cause Warriors security panic

THREE busloads of enthusiastic fans of the Trinidad and Tobago football team triggered a security scare yesterday at the World Cup training base in Rotenburg, northern Germany.

The visit of the almost 300 fans from the Caribbean, who are on a charter and staying at hotels in Hanover, was unannounced and caused the security officials in this quaint little town to spring into frenzied action.

According to Brigadier John Sandy, who is in charge of the team's security at the World Cup, it took hurried calls to Berlin, the German capital where the FIFA Organising Committee for the World Cup is located, to give their approval for the fans to get up close with the Soca Warriors.

He said it was the first time so many spectators have been allowed to watch the Trinidad and Tobago team train at their base which is usually done under coach Leo Beenhakker behind closed doors.

Once approval was received, however, the excited fans, most wearing the national team colours, cheered on their stars. After the 90-minute training session was over, players happily posed for photographers and signed autographs.

Also among the crowd were family members of the team who grabbed the opportunity to speak in person to their loved ones since they have been secluded even before the World Cup began.

Sandy said the situation concerning the unannounced visit of the tour group was viewed seriously since the Germans want to avoid any untoward incident at all costs.

"If anything happens it could have serious repercussions. So it was necessary to get approval at the highest level," he explained.

Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday made an auspicious start to the World Cup Finals on debut, earning a courageous draw with Sweden in their opening match of Group ˜B' in Dortmund.

Soca Warriors fans totalling close to 7,000 were at the FIFA World Cup Stadium to see their team hold on for a share of the points playing with ten men in the second half after defender Avery John was sent off after being handed his second yellow card of the match for a dangerous tackle.

Yesterday, Sandy said fans can expect stepped up security for the team's next match against England in Nuremberg on June 15.

Terrorism experts have warned that matches involving England and the United States will be watched carefully because of those countries' involvement in the Iraq war. However, Sandy expressed confidence in the measures taken by the German authorities to protect the Trinidad and Tobago team and their supporters from any harm.

"I visited a security conference in Germany in March and was impressed with the level of preparedness that the local officials had put in place. They are ready for any eventuality," Sandy said yesterday.

He said the German security forces had learned much from the Palestinian terrorist attack at the Munich Olympics in 1972 when many Israeli athletes lost their lives.

"They have great experience and are determined not to let another Munich happen again," he said. He said for Trinidad and Tobago's first match on Saturday he had a chance to see the measures in place first hand and came away quite impressed.

"We had a full floor at the Dortmund hotel where the team stayed and there were security guys all around.

There were three rings of security manned by those who could recognise and those who you couldn't identify," Sandy said.

"Even the players who were reluctant to wear their security clearance were stopped and not allowed to proceed as they liked. It was all necessary for their own protection," said the top army man.

Sandy said even fans streaming into the stadium, many of them Swedish, were pulled away and taken into private quarters where they were examined and questioned.

The tight security arrangements were clearly evident around the team base in Rotenburg where uniformed police officers, including one on a trail bicycle, assisted by many stewards in bright pink fluorescent vests and other personnel in coat and tie, roamed the grounds regulating the crowd and keeping a close eye on the proceedings.

England, Soca Warriors coming (T&T Guardian)



I am just humbled by the resolve and character displayed by the Soca Warriors against Sweden in our first World Cup match. June 9 will long live on in my heart as the day the Warriors introduced themselves to the world.

Tears of joy and a very horse voice greeted me on Sunday morning as I revelled in my Trinidadian/Tobagonian heritage.

The Warriors are a team united in spirit and fellowship and no longer a team of superstar individuals, but one integrated potent force.

Like the Starship Enterprise, Capt Yorke gave the order to "raise shields" and called on the engine room to give him more power.

My god, what a show, what a show we gave the world!

Tears streamed down my face reading all the reports from Reuters to AFP. No longer will my country be written off in this tournament.

Let the halls of Buckingham Palace rumble from the beat of the tassa and congo drums. To all English fans, the Warriors are coming and at the end of the day all the king's horses and all the king's men will never underestimate the Soca Warriors again.



Gregory Richard Walker

Via e-mail

SHOWDOWN

Yorke, Beckham in cellphone text tussle

Marlon Miller Germany


Monday, June 12th 2006


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Dwight Yorke, David Beckham



LESS than 24 hours after their stunning debut against Sweden at the 2006 World Cup Finals on Saturday, Trinidad and Tobago's Soca Warriors were back in training yesterday morning here in Rotenburg, Germany.

And as the Warriors prepare for what could be their greatest World Cup challenge against England, T&T captain Dwight Yorke is looking forward to a battle against England skipper and his former Manchester United teammate, David Beckham.

With one point in the bag from their opening Group B match, Yorke is now eagerly anticipating tackling the might of England, including Beckham, come Thursday at the Franken-Stadion in Nuremberg.

"It's really exciting I'm looking forward to playing against him," he said yesterday.

Yorke and Beckham have been texting each other as they count down the days to the first-ever meeting between Trinidad and Tobago and the 1966 World Cup winners.

As expected, there was a lot of chatter and laughter amongst Yorke and his men as they practised from 10.30 a.m. (4.30 a.m. T&T time) yesterday in front of more than 300 fans from T&T, members of two tour groups travelling by bus in support of the national team at football's World Championships.

Head coach Leo Beenhakker maintained a tight ship, though, calling the players back to the middle after an unscheduled water break, the starting XI on the centre line doing sit-ups and push-ups and the rest of the squad practising crosses, the Dutchman urging greater effort from the reserves, telling assistant coach Wim Rijsbergen that some of them were "still sleeping".

The Warriors had left the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund in their bright-red FIFA-assigned team bus at around 9 p.m. (3 p.m. T&T time) on Saturday after their 0-0 draw with Sweden and arrived back at the Landaus Wachtelhof Hotel in Rotenburg near midnight.

"It was very noisy for about two hours," said Yorke of the journey from Dortmund, the T&T Soca Warriors shocking their Swedish opponents with their tenacity and holding off everything they threw at them after being reduced to ten men early in the second half when left back Avery John was sent off.

"It does feel better today," stated the captain of the result, which sent hordes of red-clad supporters from the stadium into the Fan Mile in downtown Dortmund, where they partied into the next morning.

Yorke was speaking to the Express as yesterday's practice session wrapped up just before noon, when he and all the other players went over to the western side of the Sportenlagen facility in their adopted home of Rotenburg, where they posed for photographs and signed autographs for the T&T tour groups, among them being Tobagonians Darren Orr and Dwight Campbell, who said he used to play football alongside Yorke as youths at the St Clair Coaching School, run by the T&T captain's mentor, Bertille St Clair.

Of the draw in Dortmund, Yorke said it was a "credit to the players people didn't expect us to do well.

"We were able to keep our composure and it shows the maturity of the team," pointing out that in years gone by, "we might have folded and gone under 4-0 or something.

"I think they've come a long way in the year's time since I've been here," said Yorke, named Man-of-the Match for his tremendous performance against Sweden.

He also paid tribute to Beenhakker and the coaching staff, who have been a "massive influence".

"The way we played was a credit to the staff we all put in a lot of hard work,"said the proud T&T skipper.

After yesterday's session, the team had 24 hours' free time and some of them were seen walking around Rotenburg in the afternoon, when a cultural extravaganza was staged in the town centre.

Video clips from Germany


Check out the clips folks, germans prancing and dancing to sweet steel band music and enjoying Trini Carnival in the streets of Dortmund Germany after the game was played.

ANDREWS OUT

...but Yorke's men still ready for Beckham challenge

Marlon Miller


Wednesday, June 14th 2006


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Stern John, left, chases Soca Warriors captain Dwight Yorke during a training session at Stadium Ahe, yesterday in Rotenburg, Germany. The Warriors take on England tomorrow.



T&T skipper Dwight Yorke and his Soca Warriors were dealt a critical blow yesterday, with the news that influential defender Marvin "Dog" Andrews would not be able to take any part in tomorrow's crucial World Cup Group B match against David Beckham's England here in Nuremberg.

Trainer Wayne Lawson had been hopeful that Andrews would have sufficiently recovered from his knee injury to take his place at the heart of T&T's defence against the top-ranked Englishmen, after the Glasgow Rangers player returned to training on Monday.

However, Andrews, who also sat out T&T's 0-0 opener against Sweden, failed a fitness test yesterday.

Despite this, members of the international Press corps, out in their numbers yesterday morning at the Soca Warriors' training session in Rotenburg, Germany, saw a very loose and relaxed group of players.

Skipper Yorke was creeping up on striker Stern John before a game of "tag" and everyone was laughing, while Kenwyne Jones was shadow-boxing with head coach Leo Beenhakker, then they hugged each other.

But T&T scout Mario Been kept them on their toes.

"Come on guys, concentrate," he yelled.

That did not stop Cyd Gray from flattening fellow-defender Brent Sancho in their one-on-one drills, under the supervision of assistant coach Wim Rijsbergen, as Andrews shouted: "Foul, foul, Cyd!" and raised an imaginary yellow card as he jogged by in the bright morning sunshine.

Off the field, midfielder Carlos Edwards suffered a knock on his ankle on Monday and spent the morning in the treatment room, along with goalkeeper Kelvin Jack.

Edwards did light training in the afternoon and should regain full fitness by tomorrow, but Jack has also been ruled out of the clash with England at the Franken-Stadion from noon.

At a Press conference later on, Beenhakker told reporters that Shaka Hislop, who had an outstanding game in last Saturday's goalless draw with Sweden, will be back between the posts against the English.

"He is fit, he is ready, he will start," the Dutchman said.

Beenhakker gave no hints of his defensive formation. However, with left back Avery John ruled out by a two-match suspension after being sent off against the Swedes, every fit member of the squad could not wait for the opportunity to tackle the Englishmen, none moreso than England-born Chris Birchall.

The Port Vale midfielder is looking forward to going up against Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, captain of the club Birchall's family have supported for many years.

Birchall's parents were among the Trini Posse section at the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund for the Sweden encounter and he said they had a great time, their only regret being that the T&T supporters were scattered all around the venue, otherwise they would have been able to provide a lot more concentrated vocal backing for the Soca Warriors.

"He supports me," replied Birchall, when asked who his father will be backing tomorrow, adding that Birchall senior is hoping that T&T and England will be the two teams from Group B moving on to the second round of the tournament.

Defender Ian Cox is another T&T player with an English birth certificate, along with Hislop, and he will have his eye on Manchester United man Rio Ferdinand.

In the wake of the brilliant performance against Sweden, Cox, a senior member of the national squad, said there is no chance of complacency creeping into the ranks.

"The coach won't let us get over-confident," said Cox, as he, Birchall, Gray, Jones, Sancho, John, Aurtis Whitley and Dennis Lawrence mingled amongst the media-including camera crews from England, France, Spain, Holland and T&T-at the end of their morning practice.

Sancho praised the great reaction of T&T fans, both here in Germany and back home, since Saturday's draw with Sweden.

Beenhakker and the players also paid tribute to the people of Rotenburg, their adopted German home, with residents coming out to greet the T&T team bus as it brought them back to their hotel from Dortmund past midnight on Sunday morning.

Later yesterday, T&T President George Maxwell Richards and his wife Jean, along with Minister of Sport Roger Boynes, Olympic gold medallist Hasely Crawford and T&T Football Federation president Ollie Camps, had lunch with the players and coaching staff at the Landhaus Wachtelhof Hotel.

The Soca Warriors will leave Rotenburg at 9.30 a.m. (3.30 a.m. T&T time) today for Bremen, from where they will fly to Nuremberg. They are scheduled to arrive in Nuremberg by midday, then will train at the match venue from 6 p.m. (noon T&T time).

I see Eric already coming up with the excuses to explain the trashing his part time kidnappers will face tomorrow. What they say? Licks like peas from England.

DEA praises TT in heroin ring


Saturday, June 17 2006 (T&T Newsday)


The United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), has commended the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for its role in assisting to destroy an international heroin smuggling organisation.

The investigation, which spanned a ten-month period and included joint law enforcement operations in the United States, Central and South America and Trinidad and Tobago, resulted in 22 persons being apprehended and charged.

The operation codenamed "Viva Las Vegas," which was carried out by the US Department of Justice, Organised Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), seized more than US $14 million in heroin in Trinidad and Tobago, Las Vegas, New York and Ecuador and approximately US $220,000 in cash.

The release issued by the DEA said that OCDETF worked closely with its counterparts in Trinidad and Tobago as well as Ecuador, to shut down a "far reaching importation organisation and close its drug pipeline."

The investigations revealed that couriers smuggled heroin from several foreign countries, including Ecuador, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia, Brazil and Mexico to New York for distribution.

The organisation employed more than a dozen couriers and recruiters, many of whom made multiple drug trips and were based mainly in the Las Vegas area.

The defendants if convicted, face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a US $4 million fine.

New ferry named after Soca Warriors


New ferry vessel renamed The Warrior Spirit in honour of Soca Warriors.


By Gail Alexander (T&T Guardian)


The Malta Express vessel which was recently obtained for the Tobago ferry service has been renamed "The Warrior Spirit" in honour of the T&T's Soca Warriors, Works Minister Colm Imbert confirmed yesterday.

And the Warriors' World Cup performances have so heightened T&T's profile that the Trade Ministry is mounting an investment mission to Europe as early as possible after the series"”and may even take along several Warriors and Fifa jefe Jack Warner if he wishes, Trade Minister Valley also said yesterday.

Imbert and Valley spoke about the impact of the Warriors' World Cup performances at yesterday's post-Cabinet media briefing.

Imbert said the Port Authority chairman had confirmed the name change for the ferry vessel to him.

"It was a most appropriate renaming of the vessel," Imbert added.

Imbert said his personal view of the T&T/England match was that T&T's Soca Warriors had had "to play 12 men..."

It was an obvious reference to the widespread local criticism of the Japanese referee who supervised Thursday's match.

Trade Minister Valley said the PNM Government will "at the appropriate time" consider what ought to be done to welcome the team back home.

He said yesterday's Cabinet session had not discussed it since Prime Minister Patrick Manning was not in T&T.

Manning was visiting several islands on a Caricom mission. He is due back this weekend .

"The Warriors have done exceeding well, so far," Valley added.

He added that the team has so heightened T&T's profile that Government was looking at mounting a trade/investment mission immediately after to Europe, Latin America and other parts of the world.

Valley said the mission would initially focus on England, Germany, Spain and France.

The trade mission hopes to get to Europe by July 10. If that target date is missed, then the next time frame would be in early October, with visits to Latin America in July or August.

Asked if the team would take along members of the Soca Warriors or Fifa's Warner, Valley at first said the concept was to have a trade contingent with various artistes.

"But that's an idea," he added on the possible involvement of the footballers and Warner.

"We can probably organise little friendly matches...and if Mr Warner wants to join the delegation I have no objection to this, especially Latin America, as he's well known there.

"I can tell you when we were pursuing the FTAA headquarters, Mr Warner was willing to assist this, having knowledge of Latin America and good friends in serious positions there.

"So I have no difficulty whatsoever in taking him along."



©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Trains to run by 2010 says Imbert


BY JUHEL BROWNE (T&T Guardian)


Commuters can expect to travel between Port-of-Spain and Curepe on the Government's much-anticipated multi-billion mass transit railway system in 2010, says Works and Transport Minister Colm Imbert yesterday.

The first tender meeting for the project is to be held on Tuesday at the Crowne Plaza.

The Port-of-Spain to Curepe route will comprise phase one of the railway system, originally set to run from the capital city to Arima.

Although he said the Government had not yet decided exactly what kind of railway system would be implemented, Imbert assured taxpayers construction on phase one would begin sometime next year.

Speaking to reporters after yesterday's post- Cabinet briefing, Imbert said the entire railway system would most likely be a combination of rail lines on and above ground.

Thirty-four contractors, six of which are based in T&T, are expected to be represented at Tuesday's tender meeting.

"We appear to be on target for the finalisation of the contract in December 2006 and we're looking at the first leg which will most likely be from Port-of-Spain to Curepe," Imbert said.

"We are hopeful that that can be completed in three years.

"We had originally looked at the first leg being Port-of-Spain to Arima but in the interest of fast-tracking the commencement of a new rail service in Trinidad we are now looking at a shorter distance in the first instance Port-of-Spain to Curepe which will also be the turning point change station as it is called for the rail system going south."




©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Warrior Spirit' to fight down Tobago prices


Ria Taitt Monday, June 19 2006 (T&T Newsday)


Picture ( dude born in St Vincent)
Colm Imbert ...Works Minister Colm Imbert expects the costs of goods in Tobago to go down in line with a decrease in transportation costs arising out of the leasing of the Warrior Spirit to service the Tobago sea bridge.



Speaking at last Friday's post-Cabinet news conference, at Whitehall, Imbert said the vessel was so large that it could hold as much cargo as the Sonia and Panorama put together. He said this should make the cost of transporting goods to Tobago cheaper.

"But we live in a free market and one can only ask the businessmen to pass on the benefits to the consumers," he said.

Having toured the vessel, Imbert vouched for the Warrior Spirit's seaworthiness, even though it was built 26 years ago. He assured the vessel appeared to be in excellent condition.

"But the proof of the pudding is in the eating," he added cautiously. The vessel began operating last Friday afternoon.

On another transport note, Imbert revealed that Government might have to reduce the scope of works to be done on the paving of the Piarco runway.

He said because of a hectic flight schedule between now and World Cup cricket next year, less hours would be available for the runway to be paved. He said Government was considering foregoing the milling process, that is, the removal of old asphalt.

As for the mass transit rail system, Imbert said 84 firms had accepted letters of interest to tender.

He said these included all the large players in design and construction of railway systems. Among these, 11 are from the US, five from Canada, two from Germany, and one each from China, England, France, India, Spain and Venezuela. Six of the firms are based in Trinidad and Tobago.

Imbert said the first leg of the system would be from Port-of-Spain to Curepe.

Curepe would also be the chain station for the branching off of the system into South Trinidad.

He hoped the Curepe line would be open in three years. He said the Government's consultant was a US-based firm "” Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade and Dougas.

Imbert said the system was still estimated to cost US$2.5 to US $3 billion.

He said because of the constraints of land space in areas like Port-of-Spain, elements of the system would have to be constructed above ground, while others would be on the ground.

˜Rose' keeps war veteran, 98, strong



Monday, June 19 2006 (T&T Newsday)


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"It is the love of Rose that keeps me strong and living long."

This was the reply of 98-year-old war veteran Ventris Milton Bishop, speaking of his second wife Rosetta, when asked how he managed to survive to two years shy of being a centenarian.

Bishop was honoured at a festive family reunion on Father's Day, yesterday, at the La Horquetta home of one of his daughters.

Born to Mary Bishop in Barbados, Bishop spent most of his early years in East Trinidad with his four brothers and two sisters. All of his siblings are now deceased, one of his sisters having lived to the age of 102.

Although he now has a slight hearing problem, Bishop still remembered his years in the military in the early 1930s when he left Trinidad to serve with the Royal Air Force in World War II and was later commended by the TT government. He recalled being a police officer under British rule and later becoming a soldier with the Trinidad Light Infantry.

After the war, Bishop decided to leave the protective services and opted for the job of a postal officer with the General Post Office delivering mail in parts of Tobago and carrying out "special deliveries" for a well known doctor at the time.

A jack-of-all-trades, as his children describe him, Bishop started his own construction company in the 1940s where he performed the duties of owner/manager, mason, carpenter and sometimes electrician. He constructed several homes around the country and was a popular choice for building jobs in his day.

Bishop later became a real estate agent and was quite successful at leasing apartments and homes for rent. He did not only gain financial success in this field but also met his future bride at his workplace, back in the 1960s.

Rosetta Roberts was a young woman searching for an apartment to end her life as a sleep-in housekeeper at a St James boarding house.

A fellow employee directed her to Bishop, whom the friend said was in the business of finding apartments for those in need.

After obtaining the apartment of her choice, Roberts then paid Bishop $5 monthly as rent. "I had no interest in a man 30 years my senior," Rosetta told Newsday. "It was because he was a real gentleman and very courteous to me, I decided to give the relationship a try," she said.

The couple later married, a second marriage for Bishop, and have been together for almost 40 years.

His children, Pearl, Yvette, Keith, Prince, Sylvia, Laura, Felicia and Milton, gave him 28 grandchildren, 31 great-grand and two great-great grandchildren.

"Daddy was a hard worker who took good care of his children, showed us how to be business people and to be independent," said his first daughter, Pearl Bishop-George, who returned to Trinidad from the US for the occasion on Father's Day. "He was never a gambler, smoker or drinker," she said.

George recalled her childhood days when her father would make home-made wine for Christmas and never refer to them as wines.

"He would instead give them names like Maracas, Arima and other parts of Trinidad, so that we would not refer to them as alcohol," she said.

Bishop's family spent Father's Day honouring him for his years of dedication and loyalty to them.

"We plan to have a big, bang celebration, should daddy live to see 100 years," said George.

$25m for R&D facility


Thursday, June 15th 2006 (T&T Express)


GOVERNMENT HAS committed $2.5 million for the pilot project, the Research and Development Facility (RDF) for its first year and moves are afoot to commit to a similar amount for the Caricom region.

Trade Minister Kenneth Valley confirmed the figure yesterday at the launch of the RDF which took place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Port of Spain.

He clarified that the facility is essentially a funding mechanism, designed to stimulate and encourage investment in new and advanced technology and innovation, through the provision of grants for corporate research and development projects.

Applicants are to be considered specifically from the non-energy sector, hence encapsulating the manufacturing and services sector. CEO of the Manufacturers Association, Natasha Mustapha Scott, highlighted the critical need for the initiative.

"Without doubt the establishment of this fund will be of great benefit to members of the manufacturing fraternity.

BWIA to name two planes after Warriors


˜Fitting tribute to keep the name flying'


By AZAD ALI (T&T Mirror)


The Soca Warriors, who created a storm at the Football World Cup final in Germany could have their name inscribed on two BWIA aircraft.

Sources say the Government is considering the name for the Airbus-340 that flies to Heathrow International Airport, London and for one of the Boeing 737 aircraft for the North American and Caribbean routes.

More than two decades ago, when beauty queen Janelle "Penny" Commissiong won the Miss Universe title, the government had named an aircraft in honour of her world achievement.

The current proposal has come at a time when BWIA recently signed a US$20 million (TT$125 million) branding campaign in London, which included marketing the national airline and a name change.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning, at a Press conference at Whitehall, Port of Spain on Tuesday evening, praised the Soca Warriors team for their efforts against Paraguay (losing 2-0), saying that their performance was a display of "dexterity, courage and warrior spirit, in an attempt to advance to the second round of the World Cup 2006 in Germany."

"The team has succeeded in making Trinidad and Tobago known in every nook and cranny of the globe," Manning said.

"The English would never forget that there is a Trinidad and Tobago and the Swedes would now be much more circumspect when they confront us in the future," he added.

England beat the Soca Warriors 2-0 in their second game, while the local side drew their first match (0-0) against Sweden.

"The naming of an aircraft that flies to London, Miami, New York and the Caribbean," would be fitting to keep the Soca Warriors name flying," the source said.

"English and Swedish football fans would have looked at the map to find out where this country is located after the Soca Warriors' performance against them," the source added.

There is another suggestion to Government that either the Adam Smith Square in Woodbrook or Victoria Square in Port of Spain should be re-named after the Warriors who put up a sterling performance to enlarge the dot that is TnT on the map and give this country worldwide exposure and international recognition in sport.
When Brian Lara eclipsed the world batting record (365 in a Test) of West Indies and Barbadian cricketer Sir Garfield Sobers more than a decade ago, a section of Independence Square was re-named the Brian Lara Promenade in honour of his great achievement.

In this instance, however, PM Manning has remained tight-lipped over what would be the rewards for the Soca Warriors.

He is expected to make the announcement at a function at Piarco Airport when the team arrives either on Friday or Saturday.

Saturday 24th June, 2006


Government spending under control - Manning


"It's in capable hands...We know what we doing."


By Anthony Wilson (T&T Guardian)


Prime Minister Patrick Manning yesterday assured T&T that there was no cause to worry about the Government's expenditure programme or the continued availability of natural gas to fuel T&T's industrialisation.

An optimistic-sounding Manning was speaking to reporters after a tour of bpTT's Ibis Deep exploration well off Trinidad's south-east coast, clearly bouyed by the creditably performance of the Soca Warriors in the 2006 football World Cup.

Responding to a question on the failure by some people to grasp the relationship between T&T's current financial success and the energy-led industrialisation, Manning said part of the reason was that the industrialisation was fueled by developments that were, literally, offshore.

This meant, according to the Prime Minister, that for many people the developments were taking place "out of sight, and therefore to them they do not exist."

Pointing to the many exploration rigs and production platforms surrounding the Ibis Deep rig, Manning told the media, "Look around.

"Were you aware that there were so many platforms offshore?

"Wherever you turn there are platforms. You were not aware of that. And therefore you worry about a shortage of natural gas. You worry about whether we can do it. And you worry about whether we have the reserves. And you worry about whether we have the revenues to sustain the ambitious development programme upon which we are embarked.

"Don't worry. What do you worry about? It's in capable hands. We know what we doing."

Asked whether foreign investors were being turned away from T&T because of concerns about natural gas availability, the Prime Minister said, "We have six projects this year"”three ammonia/methanol projects, two aluminium projects and one iron and steel. Some 19,000 people are required to build these projects at peak.

"Next year, we already have four (more) projects lined up. Do you think we have the capacity in this country to take any more at this time? That should answer your question."

Questioned on whether there was a natural gas limitation as well as a human resource limitation, Manning maintained that the limit was not the availability of natural gas, but the "capability of the country to develop."

In addition to the ten projects over the next two years, the Prime Minister also pointed out that Petrotrin was embarked on a development programme which would mean seven new plants.

"It is a tremendous amount of work, the full extent of which many people do not appreciate," said Manning.

Why PM feels you should not worry

"¢ Govt amending production sharing contracts to

increase tax revenue;

"¢ Low reserves-to-production ratio part of T&T's

"magic";

"¢ T&T not about to run out of oil and gas;

"¢ Energy majors busy looking for oil and gas;

"¢ Expenditure linked to current and potential

revenues;

"¢ T&T moving to complete the base of a modern industrial state, designed by Eric Williams 30 years ago.



©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Soca Warriors, families thankful for 'just reward'


Rohandra John


Monday, June 26th 2006 (T&T Express)



Grace Yorke, the mother of Trinidad and Tobago national football team captain Dwight Yorke, said yesterday that she was happy with the rewards Government gave to the Soca Warriors for their efforts in the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Yorke, in a telephone interview with the Express, said that she was also "very proud" that her son, like cricketer Brian Lara, was bestowed with the title of Sports Ambassador for Trinidad and Tobago.

At a grand rally held in their honor at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Saturday, Prime Minister Patrick Manning revealed that each of the 24 members of the T&T World Cup squad was to receive $1 million, made up of $750,000 in units from the Unit Trust Corporation and $250,000 in cash.

Additionally, they were awarded the nation's second highest award, the Chaconia Medal (Gold). Captain Dwight Yorke, who came out of retirement to lead the team, received $1 million in Unit Trust units and an additional $250,000 in cash.

The Express contacted a few of the Soca Warriors yesterday to find out just what they planned to do with their newly acquired wealth.

Germany-based winger Evans Wise said he was hoping "to give back to his community".

Wise, who is from Long Circular Road, St James, also said that he was interested in helping local football in his homeland by setting up football camps both in and outside of his own community and would like to put some money towards this initiative sometime in the future.

However, he said that to do this "I would of course need to get help from some organisation to set it (camps) up and get it off the ground because I might not have the skill to actually set it up and get it going. It would be nice to set up some of these football camps in the more troubled areas. I have no problem with talking to the youths and encouraging them in the sport," he said in a telephone interview.

Goalkeeper Shaka Hislop, who also spoke to the Express via telephone, said that he had not yet thought about how he what he would do with his money.

"I haven't got the chance to think about that yet. This all came as a surprise to me but it is certainly something I am going to have so sit down and think about in the days ahead."

Avery John was also delighted with Government's reward to the team.

He said: "Everything was very good. I think that the players are very happy. We have been honoured by the country, we accept it and we were also very thankful to the country for the support, the reward, the commitment that the government have pledged to the football. And we hope that in time to come they (pledge) support to not just football but sports in the country."

Brent Sancho, who also said that he was pleased with his reward, added that he was surprised at the "type of reception", that the national team had received from the country.

"It has been tremendous," he said.

Densill Theobald was also happy about his gifts.

"You couldn't ask for more it was a just reward. I have so much love for Trinidad I am just glad to be a Trinidadian," he said.

Why is Eric still celebrating the Soca Bitches failure? Do you see the US team which was knocked out in the first round also being given accolades?

Eric is borderline a fool...sorry I meant a fanatical patriot.

Deeper is sweeter


Thursday, June 29 2006 (T&T Newsday)


Ibis changes gas picture says BPTT CEO


Robert Riley, chairman and CEO, bpTT, thinks if the Ibis Deep well delivers as it should, then Trinidad and Tobago would solidify its position as a global gas player.

"It would mean new prospectivity in the Basin and increases in the total Basin resource. Other operators will then follow suit and it would be a great situation for Trinidad and Tobago to be in," he said.

He was speaking on the topic, "Operating A Successful Gas Business and Projections for the
Future the bpTT Experience" at the monthly meeting of the American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago at Movie Towne last week.

On Ibis Deep well, which is currently being drilled in the South-East Coast Consortium block in the Columbus Basin, Rily said if successful, "it will open up a brand new source of hydrocarbons for Trinidad and Tobago "” most likely gas - that could radically alter the existing reserves picture." Ibis, a consortium of companies EOG Resources, Petrotrin and NGC (National Gas Company) is looking at a target depth of about 20, 000 ft.

He said while their operations may be entering the Creaming Curve, a new phrase characterised by drilling more modest prospects "but with a high degree of confidence because of our knowledge of the Basin."

The Creaming Curve could be delayed though - but only if Ibis lives up to expectations.

The company, he said, now produces about 700 million cubic feet of gas a day for local demand and which is then sold to NGC. About 1.6 billion cubic feet is exported as liquefied natural gas ( LNG). Together, this is about 2.3 billion cubic feet a day.

The gas comes from seven fields, the largest individual producer being Cannonball field, whose three wells are delivering 740 million cubic feet of gas a day. "This kind of rate is unheard of in any other part of the BP Group," he noted.

He said the company's record of finding gas has been phenomenal: a 70% success rate, which he said, is double the international benchmark. "Our leading position in data assembly and interpretation gives us a big advantage in how we approach our work in the Trinidad offshore," he noted.

He then tackled the thorny issue of gas reserves. "What we were able to offer the market was certainly around the availability of proven gas reserves. This was a unique situation in many ways and paid off handsomely in that bpTT was the only company in a position to pledge proven reserves to Atlantic LNG's train one, which commenced production in 1999."

"A 20-year gas contract, which is how the LNG business normally works, is a very long period of time, so both we and our customers had to be very certain that we could cover it."

He said the Ibis Deep is the latest attempt to live up to the reputation of being able to deliver and the ability to be able to find gas, almost on demand.

He said the company expects to develop four new fields over the next five years. "This will help to recover the maximum amount of proven reserves and to recover some of the probable
reserves thereby maintaining our high rates of gas production to the domestic and LNG markets," he said.

On reserves, he said bpTT's case already have over 13 trillion cubic feet of proven reserves which is approximately two-thirds of the total resource base. Even without Ibis, he said bpTT is expected to produce of 500,000 barrels a day equivalent or three billion cubic feet a day of gas, for the next 20-25 years.

Exploration and the development of fields is also done in the most cost-effective way possible, he said business executives..

Their finding costs have been low in international terms, under US$1 per barrel of oil equivalent as opposed to US$2 a barrel. The development of those reserves is around US$1 per barrel while finding and development costs of US$2, which he said, was much better than the world average. Cannonball was as low as US$1.60, which was extremely good, he stressed.

Amcham president Raymond Gatcliffe said the health of the TT economy in the next 20 –30 years will largely depend on the success of the upstream companies and government working in close cooperation to discover and develop significant reserves.

"The issue of natural gas reserves is second to none," he said, noting it was significant how those reserves are used, and how the proceeds of those government revenues are invested and spent.

On local content, Rily said it is bpTT's emergence as a gas company that has provided the impetus for the design engineering and fabrication of offshore platforms in TT.

Cannonball, a pioneering effort, paved the way for Mango and Cashima, now under construction at the La Brea fabrication yard in south Trinidad. Also, the just-completed Oilbird platform for EOG Resources.

"Our thinking is that if we are always dependent on the outside world for essential assets such as platforms, then the outside world is going to influence the pace at which we develop and, indeed, the pace at which we can exploit our reserves."

"If we can do it ourselves, then we will be able to produce reserves faster."

He noted that while Cannonball and its successor platforms now being put together as "cookie cutter" design, he wants to expand local content and scale in design engineering and fabrication scale.

"We believe design engineering and fabrication can both be increased in size," he said and talked about getting into into the more petro-technical type services for the industry and taking local content to a newer level.

Warriors get $24m in cheques

Anna-Lisa Paul


Saturday, July 1st 2006 (T&T Express)




More than $24 million worth of cheques was presented to the Soca Warriors yesterday as they received the financial rewards promised to them by Prime Minister Patrick Manning for their accomplishments at this year's World Cup Finals in Germany.

Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation senior vice-president Raymond Tim Kee expressed surprise that the cheques had been prepared so quickly, as the presentation was made in under one week of Manning's promise.

Speaking at a ceremony yesterday to hand over the cheques at the VIP Lounge, Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, Tim Kee appealed to the players to seek professional financial advice as "$1 million could evaporate in a quick time".

Warning the players to beware of "fancy cars as they depreciate every day", Tim Kee told them they should "look toward real estate which appreciates every day".

He issued a challenge to the corporate sector to invest in sporting events beforehand, and not after the fact, as money was needed to ensure the comfort of players, coaches and assistants before major events.

Each of the 24 members of the Soca Warrior Squad and their representatives received $1 million, comprised of $750,000 in units from the Unit Trust Corporation and $250,000 in cash.

Presenting the cheques, Sports Minister Roger Boynes assured the 16 national players who did not make the Germany squad that they would receive $250,000, made up of $200,000 in units and $50,000 in cash.

Captain Dwight Yorke, who came out of retirement to lead the team was rewarded with $1.25 million, made up of $1 million in units and $250,000 in cash.

Pledging Government's commitment to ensuring the team for World Cup 2010 in South Africa was adequately prepared, Boynes said it was necessary to set aside funds early enough to facilitate necessary training sessions both locally and abroad, as well as friendly matches with other nations.

quote:

Originally posted by Eric's_Revenge:
Warriors get $24m in cheques

Anna-Lisa Paul


Saturday, July 1st 2006 (T&T Express)




More than $24 million worth of cheques was presented to the Soca Warriors yesterday as they received the financial rewards promised to them by Prime Minister Patrick Manning for their accomplishments at this year's World Cup Finals in Germany.

Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation senior vice-president Raymond Tim Kee expressed surprise that the cheques had been prepared so quickly, as the presentation was made in under one week of Manning's promise.

Speaking at a ceremony yesterday to hand over the cheques at the VIP Lounge, Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, Tim Kee appealed to the players to seek professional financial advice as "$1 million could evaporate in a quick time".

Warning the players to beware of "fancy cars as they depreciate every day", Tim Kee told them they should "look toward real estate which appreciates every day".

He issued a challenge to the corporate sector to invest in sporting events beforehand, and not after the fact, as money was needed to ensure the comfort of players, coaches and assistants before major events.

Each of the 24 members of the Soca Warrior Squad and their representatives received $1 million, comprised of $750,000 in units from the Unit Trust Corporation and $250,000 in cash.

Presenting the cheques, Sports Minister Roger Boynes assured the 16 national players who did not make the Germany squad that they would receive $250,000, made up of $200,000 in units and $50,000 in cash.

Captain Dwight Yorke, who came out of retirement to lead the team was rewarded with $1.25 million, made up of $1 million in units and $250,000 in cash.

Pledging Government's commitment to ensuring the team for World Cup 2010 in South Africa was adequately prepared, Boynes said it was necessary to set aside funds early enough to facilitate necessary training sessions both locally and abroad, as well as friendly matches with other nations.

It is a crying shame that Manning taking hard working Indo tax payers dollars and giving it away to the Soca Bitches. And they didn't even score one goal during the world cup, ooops let me rephase that. They scored a goal for Paraguay.

PM meets Cheney to discuss drugs situation


Monday, July 3rd 2006 (T&T Express)




Patrick Manning


PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning met last week with US Vice President Dick Cheney at the White House in Washington DC to discuss the illicit drug trade and issues with regard to deportees from the US.

A statement from Whitehall in Port of Spain yesterday emphasised that knowledge and background information on deportees, and stemming the illicit trade of narcotics were of critical concern to Government during the 35-minute discussion with Cheney.

Manning stressed that the reliance on Trinidad and Tobago for the export of LNG, methanol and ammonia to the US and the number of US-based companies doing business here, brought security issues as well.

"In this context, the arrival in Trinidad and Tobago of deportees, neither with linkages into Trinidad and Tobago nor adequate background information, was discussed.

Special emphasis was also placed on stemming the illicit narco-trafficking trade and the need for appropriate arrangements to be put in place in the Eastern Caribbean countries to stamp out this expanding menace," the statement from the Office of the Prime Minister said.

Manning reiterated Government's determination to make this country a "beacon of integrity in the region as evidenced by the current prosecutions before the courts and thanked the US authorities for their assistance and cooperation to facilitate this".

It also said that the non-oil sector was of particular interest in relation to goods from Trinidad and Tobago to be permitted duty-free access upon entry into the US.

CRACKDOWN ON DEPORTEES

Manning, US Vice President meet on crime, drugs

Roxanne Stapleton


Monday, July 3rd 2006 (T&T Express)



Conrad Enill

Government has requested that the United States properly inform this country before deportees are put on aircraft bound for local shores.

It is part of a move to properly track deportees from the US many of whom are criminals-once they are flown back to Trinidad and Tobago.

Acting National Security Minister, Conrad Enill, said yesterday that in instances, deportees were touching down in Trinidad and the relevant authorities were left unaware of their true status.

Enill, who is a minister in the Ministry of Finance, has been acting for national Security Minister Martin Joseph who left Trinidad and Tobago for Antigua last week to attend a Caricom Council of Ministers responsible for national security.

Summing up talks held between Prime Minister Patrick Manning and US Vice President Dick Cheney last week at the White House in Washington DC, Enill told the Daily Express yesterday: "What we asked is, if you're sending them back, we need to know beforehand so we could track them and know where they are.

If deportees are coming, we need to be able to welcome them properly," Enill stressed.

He admitted during a telephone interview that it was known that many of the deportees who served time in US jails were coming back to Trinidad and Tobago, having had exposure to more advanced technologies in perpetrating crime.

Therefore, they posed more of a challenge for local law enforcement.

Enill said some of the measures being implemented by Government had been established to curb the propensity of narcotics and guns as well as criminal activity.

"For a long time now we've known that a significant amount of the drugs entering the US comes through Trinidad and Tobago from Latin America and we're saying to the US, help us so we could intercept the supply and stem its negative effects.

We've noticed that guns come with the drugs but the drugs leave and the guns stay, so if we could stop the drugs from coming, then by extension, we'll stop the guns too.

"That's why we've introduced the 360-degree radius- air control, ground patrols, equipment. We're trying to merge the approaches to get maximum results," he said.

Power cruising


Rory Rostant (T&T Newsday)


TT on new cruise list as Princess tweaks strategy



Princess Cruises, in the 1970s handed the cruise business a life line when its signature ship at the time, the "Love Boat," starred in a television series, winning the hearts of vacationers and burning a hole in the pockets of those yearning for something different.

More than 30 years later, Princess, one of the largest vacation companies in the world, is reconfiguring its Caribbean strategy by putting Trinidad and Tobago on its itinerary. The "Sea Princess," one of the smaller of the Princess fleet, has already commenced sailing into Trinidad and has docked in Port-of-Spain since the year began.

But TT is more than just another destination for the premier cruise line, a subsidiary of Carnival, Princess, which has made a name for itself in the upscale cruise market, is using its brand name and marketing savvy to try and lure TT vacationers who are sitting on the fence into its plush lounge.

"They are looking at TT as a port of call," said Joanne Johnson of Princess' intentions, one of the company's agent representatives based at Lazzari and Sampson in Port-of-Spain, the general service agency (GSA) that represents not only Princess Cruises but Caribbean Star, United Airlines, Avior Airlines, Marriott Hotels International and Hertz Car Rental.

GSA companies, like Lazarri and Sampson, represent those that do not have a base in Trinidad.

Princess, said Johnson, wants to convert those now sitting on the fence that a cruise must be now considered when planning any vacation. The Caribbean market is one both Princess and Royal Caribbean are keeping their eyes on as both see the region as profit centres. Just to give an idea, both companies recently launched massive floating giants "” the "Crown Princess" from Princess and "Freedom of the Seas" from Royal Caribbean.

So confident are Affonso and Johnson of Princess' potential that they have already worked out a cruise package deal with RBTT for their passengers. "RBTT likes the idea and we convinced them that there was a market for this," said Johnson.

Both agent representatives acknowledge that Princess has not been aggressive as other cruise lines in marketing and advertising but both say that this can easily change, once the TT stop works as planned.

From its modest beginnings in 1965 with a single ship cruising to Mexico, Princess has grown to become one of the premiere cruise lines in the world. "Today, its fleet carries more than a million passengers each year to more worldwide destinations than any other major line," the company's web site said. The line sails to all seven continents and calls at nearly 260 ports around the world.

Johnson's colleague, Nina Affonso, also a GSA representative, explained that Princess' competitors, Royal Caribbean and Carnival, both make stops at Barbados but they move on, leaving TT out of the loop.

The new strategy, they said, would be to add TT to the list of countries the cruise liner visits along the route, which starts in Ft Lauderdale.

She explained that while TT is on the list, passengers still have to take a flight to the US city to take the 14-day cruise that zig-zags its way through the Caribbean. The first stop is the Princess Cays, then to Tortola, St Marteen, St Lucia, Barbados, St Vincent, Trinidad, Bonair, Aruba and back to Miami. What about boarding in Trinidad? Forget it, but boarding can be done in New York and Puerto Rico and Fort Lauderdale.

According to Johnson, while passengers can book out of TT, Princess thinks that given its foray in the TT market, there might not be enough volume to warrant such a move yet.

But the feeling on the ground is that Princess will consider this, but only if Trinidad proves lucrative.

But Trinidad, unlike its other Caribbean neighbours, still has to tweak a lot of its tourism portfolio before it gets its formula right. With a gritty and grimy city staring at you from your balcony, a massive waterfront project under construction and with hardly any duty-free shopping in Port-of-Spain, Princess knows it has its work cut our for it.

But outside of TT, the cruise line is well-known, the agents said, noting that the name is well-known across the region.

The trump card though, said the agents, is that TT is the richest island in the Caribbean and given our penchant for travel, a cruise is within the reach of most people here.

Princess, they admit, is considered as being in the high end of the cruise market but they quickly dismiss this. "From the type of holidays we have booked, Trinidadians can afford it," said Affonso, noting that people here still think that a cruise is unaffordable.

Johnson said that Princess wants to build an awareness among Trinidadians that cruises can be considered an alternative vacation. "We want to try and encourage people to take a cruise," she said in an interview. They are both convinced that once one goes on a cruise, there is no going back.

She explained that they want to shatter the perception that a cruise is going to put you in debt or leave a dent in your pocket.

One big bonus, they said, is that it is a lot less hassle than taking a trip to another Caribbean island or any other place for that matter.

For one thing, passengers are picked up and dropped off at the terminal and there are no lines to get on board the ship. Once there, nothing is left to chance.

"It's like clockwork," said Johnson.

"We think we have found the correct niche," added Affonso. "We know our market. We just go out and do what we have to do."

Monday 3rd July, 2006


˜Create land from the sea'



By Yvonne Webb (T&T Guardian)


Fifty years after he first gave birth to the idea of the Point Lisas Industrial Estate, entrepreneur Robert Montano has put forward another proposal"”to create land from the sea to deal with the critical issue of space for further industrialisation.

Montano said thousands of acres of sea, the size of Tobago"”in the Gulf of Paria and the shallow western foreshore"”could be reclaimed for such use.

He said if this was done, then land now used for housing or sheer beauty would not have been to be sacrificed for the establishment of the two aluminium smelters at the Chatham and Union industrial estates.

Montano, who founded the South Chamber of Industry and Commerce in 1956, was speaking at that organisation's 50th anniversary celebration at the Paria Suite Hotel, La Romaine, on Saturday.

He was among 24 past and present presidents of the South Chamber honoured for their achievements and contribution to the country.

Among past presidents honoured was Minister in the Ministry of Trade and Industry Diane Seukeran, the only woman to hold that position.

Chamber president Rampersad Motilal described Montano as "one of the unsung hero's of T&T's post-Independence era.

"His vision, energy and dedication have left a permanent impression on this nation's economic and social landscape."

The Trinidad Publishing Company's South Bureau was also honoured by the Chamber at the gala affair attended by acting Prime Minister Dr Lenny Saith and Trade Minister Ken Valley.

Speaking on behalf of the recipients, Montano said: "T&T enjoys certain benefits very few countries have, the possibility to increase land area without going to war or distressing their neighbour.

"Nature has bestowed on us two real treasures"”our petroleum resources and the possibility of creating land from the sea," he said.

Montano challenged the young members to see the merit of such a project and begin intelligent research into the benefits that can be derived.

He cited as an example, Holland which had successfully reclaimed 25 per cent of its sea for more land space.

He said the south chamber has been at the forefront of development and saw no reason why they could not now lead the way again.

Montano said while people may think him senile, the idea had the possibility to trigger something great or even greater than the Point Lisas idea.

Saith who brought greetings on behalf of the Government disagreed that the idea was the ranting of a senile mind.

The Energy Minister said the Government had already embarked on such a project in the Otaheitie block.

He said it was one of four estates the National Energy Corporation was mandated to proceed with by the Energy subcommittee of Cabinet, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Patrick Manning, for future expansion of the industrial estates in the country.

The other three are the expansion of Point Lisas, continued development of La Brea and the Chatham estate.

"So we are with you, Sir," Saith said as he applauded the chamber for its remarkable vision and entrepreneurial spirit.

He said the Government was very pleased to build on the idea of Point Lisas which accounts for a fair portion of the country's wealth.






Robert Montano is a founding member of the PNM party

©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Saturday 8th July, 2006 (T&T Guardian)


German Chancellor praises T&T impact



German Chancellor Angela Merkel met Fifa vice president Jack Warner at a farewell function in Berlin and,according to Warner, praised T&T for its impact at the World Cup.

Also at the function was former Fifa president, Joao Havelange.who made special reference to the national flag, on what was yet another proud day for Trinidad and Tobago in Germany.

Though the Soca Warriors are back home, their name seems to have been embedded on German minds.

Chancellor Merkel and World Cup Organising Committee chief, Franz Beckenbauer, said they were delighted to have tiny T&T create such a stir.

Warner said of the, moment:

"The German Chancellor said thanks to Fifa for organising and conducting such a successful World Cup.

"She thanked Beckenbauer and the members of the LOC and when she was introduced to me, she and Beckenbauer were not short of words for Trinidad and Tobago.

"And then ,of course ,you had Joao Havelange pointing and smiling at our country's flag as it flew proudly among the 32 countries at the Chancellery," a beaming Warner said.

"The Chancellor also thanked the previous Government of Germany for having successfully laid the foundation for this event, which her new Government followed scrupulously."

Some 50,000 volunteers, security personnel and others who contributed were also thanked, including the fans who numbered 3.2 million

Fifa president Sepp Blatter was also presented with Germany's highest award.



©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Tailoring inmates for a second chance



Sunday, July 9th 2006 (T&T Express)


picture
Carlton Phillip has spent a lot of time in prison. But he isn't being punished for a crime but volunteering his time to teach inmates the art of tailoring and helping those who are released get a jump-start into their new life.

"I enjoy helping people," he told the Sunday Express during an interview last week.

The 68-year-old resident of Fort George, St James, could easily pass for a 50-year-old, and partly attributes his age defiance to swimming one hour every morning. His love for tailoring was displayed by a scissors design tie tack he wore for the interview.

Phillip had received his tutelage from the City and Guilds of London Institute and has the honour of being the only practicing tailor in Trinidad with a certificate from the institution, acclaimed for being the highest for craft. He has also observed tailoring in the US, Singapore and Hong Kong, now the mecca of tailoring.

He had taught tailoring in 18 community centres and at the John Donaldson Technical Institute for 32 years from 1966 to 1998. He noted that five students for his last five years at the institute had been awarded the President's Medal.

Because of his experience Phillip has also been moderator for tailoring for the National Examinations Council (NEC), Servol and YTEPP.

Since 1993 Phillip has voluntarily taught tailoring to more than 60 inmates in the nation's various prisons. He recalled that after he taught the prisoners at Carerra Prison he realised more could be done for them and had them enrolled to take the Tailoring Craft National Exam in 1995.

Phillip noted that he had decided to pay the $85 exam fee for each of the inmate students as the prison authorities were not inclined to do so.

He had also requested that the NEC change the institution on their national certificate from Carerra to John Donaldson external to help the prisoners get jobs.

"Where somebody supposed to go with a certificate marked Carerra?" he commented.

Phillip said that the prisoners worked more diligently and more ambitiously than his other students, possibly because they realised it was their only hope. He added that prisoners who became tailors received a level of importance and celebrity because officers would ask them to sew and mend clothing for them.

But his assistance to his inmate students did not end after they left prison. He explained that when a prisoner from his tailoring class was being released he would meet them outside the prison and transport them where they needed to go.

It was Phillip who had met Ian Seepersad and Roodal Panchoo, who had been serving time for the murder of a Piparo market vendor, when they were recently released. He noted that Panchoo had been enrolled in his tailoring class.

Phillip said that he had also assisted former inmates in finding accommodation and over the years has employed 11 to sew for his tailoring shop, the Apparel Institute in Cocorite. He explained that he did not offer all the former inmates a job but looked for those with a good attitude, who were sincere, diligent in assignments and interacted well with the other students.

For the former inmates he employed Phillip would lend them money to buy a sewing machine, a debt he noted that they have all paid back. He explained that he did not want them working "forever" in his shop but the job was to help them get started in their own tailoring career.

Phillip provided the former inmates with work and as their clientele increased he would eventually wean them off. He noted that three former inmates are assisting him currently but all his former students were welcome at his shop.

He said that some of the former inmates had gone on to own their own shops in Chaguanas, Princes Town and San Fernando which gives him a "great feeling".

"I succeed when they succeed and that is the main thing," he said.

He said that if he is in "jam" and needs to fill an order the former inmates would drop what they were doing to assist him. He added that he has no fear of them and calls them "my boys".

Phillip said that he knows half of the inmates in Carerra, his favourite prison, and would often bring them things like doubles or a toothbrush. From his past affiliation with the institute for the blind he would have a team do eye screening for the inmates and as current president of the Diabetes Association and one of seven directors of the International Diabetes Association he would carry a contingent for testing blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol.

Through his teaching Phillip has seen people who couldn't thread a needle become able to make an entire pants. One of his students had told him that "he didn't serve jail, jail served him".

Phillip said that as he helped prisoners he also helped himself and if he didn't assist in taking them off the streets they could take him "out of the world". He added that not because someone had been imprisoned meant they were the worst of society.

"I feel everybody ought to have a chance," he said.

Consul: "Italy had game plan"


Clint Chan Tack Monday, July 10 2006 (T&T Newsday)


picture
Italian diplomats: Italian Honorary Consul to TT, Steven Webster, right, and his son Mark watch the 2006 World Cup finals between Italy and France.



ITALIAN Honorary Consul to Trinidad and Tobago, Steven Webster, yesterday said Italy's victory over France in the 2006 World Cup final in Berlin will serve as a tremendous boost to Italians all over the world whose spirits had been dampened by match-fixing scandals which have rocked Italian Serie A football to the core.

Italy defeated France 5-3 on penalty kicks after the teams were deadlocked at 1-1 at the end of extra time. French captain Zinedine Zidane put Les Bleus in the lead with a seventh minute penalty but Marco Materazzi equalised for the Azzurri in the 19th minute.

Materazzi, Andrea Pirlo, Daniele de Rossi, Alessandro del Piero and Gennaro Gattuso successfully converted their spot kicks for Italy in the resulting penalty shootout. Slyvain Wiltord, Eric Abidal and Willy Sagnol were the successful penalty kickers for France.

Contacted yesterday at a tennis club in St Augustine where he had watched the game and the 2006 Wimbledon men's final, Webster told Newsday that he was happy to have witnessed a "great day for sport" which saw Italy crowned 2006 World Cup champions and Roger Federer win his fourth Wimbledon crown.

Webster said the Italians had played well throughout the tournament and deserved to win the cup. He said while their play may not always have been the best, Italy always had a plan and were adventurous to get the results they needed.

Webster said the game against France lived up to its billing but the only blemish on an otherwise great game was Zidane being sent off in the 110th minute for head butting Materrazi. He said it was unfortunate that a player of Zidane's calibre bowed out of international football this way.

Stating that Italians in TT and back home were in high spirits over the Azzurris' victory, Webster said the win could do a lot to lift the spirits of Italians who have been shocked and saddened by recent match-fixing scandals in Serie A.

Last month, 26 football officials (including referees and officials from Juventus, AC Milan, Fiorentina and Lazio) were indicted by the Italian football federation on match-fixing charges.

Juventus, Milan, Fiorentina and Lazio all run the risk of demotion to a lower league and point reductions for next season.

The tribunal formed to determine the fate of these clubs concluded its hearings last Friday. Tribunal head judge Cesare Ruperto said the verdicts could be delivered in the next three to 15 days.



Picture of French fans in Paris



Picture Local Italian fans celebrate



French fans in T&T


T&T's French backers



More Italy fans celebrate

Crouch: I pulled Sancho's locks


Monday, July 10 2006 (T&T Newsday)


ENGLAND forward Peter Crouch has made a confession in the British press that he did tug the dreadlocks of Trinidad and Tobago's Brent Sancho to score the crucial first goal for his team in the World Cup match in Nuremberg, Germany on June 15.

In an interview with journalist Rob Draper of the Mail yesterday, the six-foot seven-inch tall Crouch made the confession.

The article under the headline "Oh well, at least Crouch will be strutting his stuff again" on pages four and five stated:

"Crouch also confesses that his breakthrough goal against Trinidad was lucky to be allowed. The striker was seen to tug the dreadlocks of defender Brent Sancho as he climbed to head the opener in England's 2-0 win."

The article quoted Crouch as saying "Yeah, I did it but I honestly didn't realise until after the game. It must have been instinctive. When I watched German TV that night, though, I knew. They constantly repeated it."

It appears that the incident will be on the sports pages of the British press on a regular basis similar to the Diego Maradona incident when the Argentina player handled the ball to score a crucial goal against England in a quarter-final encounter in the 1986 World Cup tournament in Mexico.

England were knocked out of the tournament after the controversial goal which is often referred to as the "Hand of God" goal. In the same newspaper an article by Patrick Collins, Chief Sports Writer in Berlin for the Mail yesterday wrote under the headline "Cheats? Talk to Shearer and Lineker."

Collins was reviewing comments by the two ex-England players concerning the England/Portugal match.

Collins wrote: "Incidentally, we haven't mentioned England's match with Trinidad and Tobago, the one in which Peter Crouch headed the crucial first goal after yanking aside the dreadlocks of defender Brent Sancho.

"I don't recall Shearer and Lineker mentioning that piece of cheating, either. Probably slipped their minds."

Trinidad and Tobago continue to get good reviews from the British press and football fans for their performance in the three match in their debut at the World Cup Finals in Germany.

Let's go camping


Monday, July 10 2006 (T&T Newsday)



Drawing and painting, ballroom and Latin dancing, mask making, war games, origami and nature trail hiking are just a few of the many ideas offered at this year's vacation camps.

Every year, thousands of students enjoy a two-month long vacation from classes, and parents find themselves seeking proper activities to keep their young ones occupied. Sometimes this task may be difficult, considering the number of vacation camps, offering numerous activities, that are currently being advertised around the country.

Children from as young as three can enjoy recreational swimming and karate whilst their teenage counterparts learn the art of swordsmanship and kayaking. The Trini Camp under the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) has promised to cater for children aged three to 13. The camp, which will open from 7.30 am daily, will offer activities such as, recreational swimming, dance, karate and indoor/outdoor games.

Tanya Roberts, after-school programme co-ordinator at the YMCA, told Newsday, at the age of three children are independent enough to use the bathroom on their own and are beginning to explore and learn new things, hence the reason the YMCA has decided to enroll campers from the pre-school age.

For those 12 to 20, the Relevant Theatre Productions has offered a camp entitled "Under the Silk Cotton Tree", designed to give young people a taste of the performing arts, through the eyes of culture. The month long camp will run daily from July 17 through August 18 and feature professionals in the performing arts including, writer Joanne Haynes, who was recently commissioned by London publisher, McMillan and won the Derek Walcott, short story competition last year and Chantal, musical extraordinaire and co-founder of the Jazz Band, Moyenne.

However, the camp for adventure-lovers would be The Nature Camp offered by Chaguaramas Development Authority, for children aged eight to 13. The totally outdoor camp will provide a variety of outdoor activities including, kayaking, nature trail hiking, visits to Gasparee caves and drumming lessons.

The Chaguaramas Military History and Aerospace Museum will be hosting a camp with several exciting areas. Among the many activities, would be swordsmanship "” the art of fencing and traditional war games, where the camp would be placed into two teams and compete for prizes.

Linda Kelshall, camp manager said two new features were added, pvc pipe craft and furniture making. She said the camp which also offers karate, fishing, swimming and art and craft would be under the direction of qualified instructors, lifeguards and specialists in the respective fields.

In addition to Spanish, origami and stilt walking, Camp Trinity will offer lessons on life's skills, which will focus on teaching teenagers about relationships, communication and guidance on dealing with adolescence.

Finally, the National Institute for Higher Education, Research and Technology (NIHERST) in collaboration with the NGC National Science Centre will be hosting over 20 one-day vacation camps in both Port-of-Spain and San Fernando. Some of the exciting activities include puppetry, making musical instruments, math blaster, animal masks and creature feature.

With so many different camps to choose from, finding the right camp, that suits both your budget and schedule can be achieved with just a few guidelines.

Anna Maria Mora, counselling psychologist and facilitator of Camp Trinity said camps should have proper supervision and a staff trained in dealing with children of different age groups. The camp should have a history of existence and a track record of providing a successful vacation camp and be stimulating, especially for teenagers who, she said, "should not be left idle."

She added, however, if the camp is just beginning, the facilitators/counsellors should have training in child care and have at least one supervisor for every ten children.

Choosing the right activity should depend on what parents want their children to become proficient in. Some parents may have children who are sports-oriented, therefore a camp offering sport activities may be a good choice, whereas, for the parent who would prefer a child good at acting or script writing, a camp in the performing arts may be best.

Mora advised that camps which enlists medical doctors or nurses on their staff and are additionally outfitted with a first aid kit on hand, would be better equipped to deal with medical emergencies.

This is especially advised for children who suffer from allergies, asthma, epilepsy or other illnesses.

Parents, she added, should take the initiative to walk around the camp facilities, to ensure that the premises are free from flammable material which may pose a fire hazard, in addition to poisonous substances, young children may be tempted to use as experiments. Parents should also look out for large pieces of wood, iron or other garbage which may attract flies or vermin and pose a health hazard.

Be sure to check the restrooms, lunch rooms or sleeping quarters (if available) to ensure they are clean and sanitary, and do not be afraid to call or drop in the camp during the day to see how children are doing.

Football colonisers


Theodore Lewis


Tuesday, July 11th 2006 (T&T Express)


This World Cup has revealed the extent to which football has now been colonised on several levels. First, the major centres of the game in the world, the great leagues and teams, are based in Europe.

Second, these teams are coached by Europeans, who have imposed a rigid, efficient style of play on the game, that consists of massive amounts of defence, control of the ball, and one - or no more than two - forwards. Goals have been scarce because of cautious play.

Because the great players from all over the world now congregate in Europe, they are all affected by this new oppressive regime of football ideas.

In the old days, Brazilian players played in Brazilian leagues. Pele played most of his career for Santos. When a Brazilian team came out, such as in 1970 in Mexico, what they played was original, not at all affected by this monstrous formula. You were at the edge of your seat, waiting to see which new talent they were going to bring out this time.

And that wait was usually rewarded, with the likes of Jairzinho or Paulo Caesar. Last World Cup we saw Ronaldinho as a raw player, this time they had gotten to him. He still plays with the greatest economy, but there is no one to play with. There is no forward line. No samba partners, just Ronaldo loafing, waiting for something.

Proof that the game has been colonised can be seen with the proliferation of European coaches standing on the sidelines for teams like Ivory Coast, Togo, Ghana, and, of course, Trinidad and Tobago.

So we have a World Cup final and semi-final, with all European teams, the great and stylish African and Latin American teams, and our team, all by the wayside.

I read a piece based on an interview with Everard Cummings, and what he said was that there is a Trinidad and Tobago style of play, and it is premised on attack. And we never got to that, because we were playing defence, with Stern John up from alone, and with the great Russell Latapy on the bench.

Everard Cummings is the greatest natural footballer we ever produced, and one of the greatest football minds. I am not against foreign coaches, I am just for local ones. For the same reason that I wanted Fr Clyde Harvey to be our Archbishop. We have to take up our beds and walk at some point.


Let me say that the only way I would leave Latapy on a bench would be if he came into the stadium in a wheelchair. Only a foreign coach, who does not understand us well, could keep Latas on ice like that. Don't get me wrong; I am not ungrateful to the coach. I am just a Trini, and I can talk if I want. No one who understands the country could leave Latapy on a bench. Everard Cummings is right; they should have played him, and that would have freed up Yorke to roam a bit more, up front with Stern John.

France got to the finals because they brought back older and wiser players-Zidane, Thuram, Makalele and Viera.

In the old days teams used to have a forward line with five men. So five forwards, three mid-fielders, a stopper, and two backs. Then they went to 4-2-4. The modern colonised game has killed off forwards and the idea of flair. Now there is one forward, who has to be serviced. The game is largely tiresome to watch now, except when the South Americans and Africans play.

These comments aside, this World Cup was just great for the country, sport always doing more than its share to sell us to the world. I felt some resentment when I heard that until the Soca Warriors, Haiti was the smallest country ever in the world cup. Our 1973 team played Haiti in Haiti, and lost having had several goals disallowed. How criminal it is that the world never got to see Warren Archibald, Everard Cummings, Jan Steadman, Leroy DeLeon, among others, on the World Cup stage.

We must not forget that prior to this year, we have had two very close calls with the World Cup. The Strike Squad was stopped by a single goal. So we are not a fluke, we are the real thing.

The question now is what do we do for an encore. I would get Gally Cummings, Russell Latapy and Dwight Yorke to form a management/coaching unit, that would be completely in charge of getting us ready for 2010. Messi from Argentina is 19 years old. Adebayor of Togo is in his early 20s. Rooney is 20. There are boys who are now 15 years old in this country, who should be playing for us the next time. That means we have to renew our efforts in the schools. That is not a job for a foreigner.


- Theodore Lewis is a professor at the University of Minnesota.

Manning defends smelter


RICHARDSON Dhalai Tuesday, July 11 2006 (T&T Newsday)


Plant compatible with environment

THE Minister of Planning and Development and not Town and Country Planning Division has the authority to approve land for development in this country.

This from Prime Minister Patrick Manning as he sought to dispel what he termed as "misinformation" surrounding the proposed ALCOA aluminium facility at Cap-de-Ville in south Trinidad.

Speaking to the media after his address to a high-powered breakfast meeting yesterday at Paria Suites in La Romaine, Manning said the smelter plant is designed to ensure maximum compatibility with the natural environment.

The breakfast meeting was attended by Community Development Minister Joan Yuille-Williams, Junior Trade and Industry Minister Diane Suekeran and Ambassador Plenipotentiary Jerry Narace. Several prominent businessmen were also in attendance.

Powerpoint presentations were made by chairman of the National Energy Task Force, Prof Kenny Julien and National Energy Corporation president Prakash Saith.

"We would never enter into something that is incompatible with the environment," Manning said, reiterating that the plant's designs were similar to other "smelter-in-the-park" designs in Brazil and Australia.

Asked by reporters to comment on a newspaper report which stated ALCOA had not yet received the necessary approval from the Town and Country Division of the Ministry of Planning and Development, Manning said that final approval for the project lay with the line Minister and not the division.

"Town and Country Planning is an advisory to the Minister of Planning and Development, and therefore Town and Country Planning is not an authority in itself," Manning said.

Manning added, "It is to the Minister of Planning and Development that you turn to when you want to find out who has permission and who doesn't.

It is the Minister who gives the permission, by law, not Town and Country Planning." During his address, Manning revealed that the National Transportation plan would be revealed by the middle of August with contracts awarded for the project by November/ December 2006.

He said that the project, which is estimated to cost TT $3.5 billion, would also include a mass transit rail system as well as a new four-lane highway extending to Debe, Penal, Fyzabad, Siparia and Point Fortin.

Citing the country's continued development, Manning said that a new city was being created in East Trinidad given E-Tech's redevelopment at Wallerfield to include a University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) and light manufacturing industries.

Foreign crude pumps Petrotrin's $1.3B


Thursday, July 6 2006 (T&T Newsday Business)


Petrotrin made a net profit of $1.3 billion from refining and marketing, making it the first time that net income exceeded the elusive $1 billion mark, officials said.

The company was able to boost its earnings and maintain crude throughput by sourcing crude from West Africa, Brazil, Venezuela and Colombia.

The figure exceeded the previous year's net income of $300 million, culminating in the seventh consecutive year of profit for refining and marketing, according to general manager, refining, Louie Forde at a presentation held recently by the Ministry of Energy. As a result, all carried forward losses have been exhausted and the refinery is paying taxes at a rate of 55 percent, he said.

The forces of demand and supply, he noted, have continued to keep prices at record high levels, noting the fiscal year under review was dominated by high prices internationally with prices averaging US$ 53 per barrel.

These record-breaking high oil prices, he said, were due mainly to strong economic growth and resultant strong demand, hurricanes Katrina and Rita, limited production and refining capacity, tight inventories and tight sweet crude markets and geopolitical supply risk and market psychology.

For refining and marketing, he said the impact was positive as Petrotrin's gross margin averaged US$7.86 a barrel for fiscal 2004/2005.

A notable achievement was the successful upgrade and turnaround of the No 8 CDU, the refinery's main crude distiller which resulted in improved yields and throughput as well as improved energy efficiency on the unit, he said.

Refining utilisation at the refinery was 71.6 percent, 18.6 percent higher than the previous year of 58.3 percent. A peak refining utilisation of 82 percent was achieved in January. Net income for the year was a profit of $1.3 billion, compared to $300 billion in the previous year.

During the year, the company, he said, continued work on several strategic initiatives to ensure the long-term viability of refining and marketing, including gasoline enhancement, gas to liquids and premium market growth.

Tuesday 11th July, 2006

Beenhakker still to decide on T&T coaching job


By Gail Alexander (T&T Guardian)


Soca Warriors' coach Leo Beenhakker, who arrives in T&T today hopes to collect his Chaconia Medal Gold and his $1 million reward from the Government during his week-long stay.

And while he's here, Beenhakker will hold final discussions with Warriors' backer Jack Warner to cement whether he will coach the team in preparation for the 2010 World Cup, team manager Bruce Aanensen also said yesterday.

Warner was due home last night from Germany, following the conclusion of the World Cup series on Sunday.

He is expected to leave T&T by Friday"”but not before announcing if Beenhakker will actually stay on with the Warriors.

During the recent homecoming celebration for the team, Prime Minister Patrick Manning had announced that Beehakker"”though not a T&T national"”will receive the Chaconia Gold and TT$1m cash for his work with the team.

Manning also invited Warner and Beenhakker to hold talks on sports development towards World Cup 2010 with the Government.

Yesterday, Aanansen said Beenhakker told him he would arrive in T&T tonight.

Aanensen added: "Mr Beenhakker is likely coming for final talks with Mr Warner on what his decision will be about continuing to coach the team. He may also have a meeting with the team.

"He didn't have a chance to see them all after T&T's last match in Germany, since they had to board the chartered flight immediately to come home for their congratulatory function.

"Mr Beenhakker has also asked me if it would be possible to make arrangements for him to receive his Chaconia medal from the Government during the week that he is here," Aanensen said.

The request was communicated to Sports Minister Roger Boynes last week, Aanensen said.

"It's now being put in the hands of Ms (Sandra) Marchak, the Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister who handled the issue with the Warriors previously," Aanensen said.

"We know the Prime Minister"”who also was involved in the initial issue"”was out of T&T last week, so we're waiting to hear if the presentation may be possible while Mr Beenhakker is here. Hopefully it will be."

A Government spokesman said yesterday that no decision had yet been taken on whether the medal and cash reward would be presented to Beenhakker while he's here this week.

They said the matter will have to go through several channels including President's House, where arrangements would be made for award of the Chaconia Gold medal.

Yesterday, a secretary at President's House said there had been no notification from the Government on the award issue.



©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Imbert: Transit Authority coming



Wednesday, July 12 2006 (T&T Newsday)



WORKS AND Transport Minister Colm Imbert yesterday revealed that legislation to establish a Transit Authority to oversee all forms of transportation could be laid in Parliament before year's end. Addressing a breakfast meeting at the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association's Barataria offices yesterday, Imbert said it was his ambition to transform his ministry from "a sleeping giant" into an entity that is fully responsive to all its constituents.

The minister said the power of such an entity would have been evident to all TT nationals who had gone to Germany to support the Soca Warriors at the recently concluded World Cup. Stating that the variety of transport solutions in Germany eliminated all forms of traffic congestion, Imbert said Goverment was actively working to getting TT up to that level.

He said that with 400,000 (new and foreign used) cars now in TT and increasing by 25,000 to 30,000 annually), Government was aggressively moving towards implementing a host of solutions to ease the perennial traffic congestion on the roads. He warned that if this was not done, TT ran the risk of being turned into "one big car park."

The minister said the rapid rail project will remove at least 100,000 cars from the road once people start using the trains because of their efficiency. "People will do that naturally. They will not be forced to do it," he stated. Again recalling the ease with which millions of people were transported in Germany during the World Cup, Imbert said TT needs to see the rail as "the lifeblood of our development thrust" as it simultaneously pursues other transport solutions.

Imbert said 34 groups (including several of the world's leading railway contractors) have already expressed interest in the project, the first pre-tender meeting was held on June 20, the second takes place on July 25 and the closing date for submissions is August 28. "We expect to contract our rail provider by year's end," the minister stated.

Imbert said work is continuing apace on the Comprehensive National Transportation Study (that will outline strategies for air, sea and land transport in TT) and the final report on the plan from the ministry's consultant Parsons Brinkerhoff Quade and Douglas will be submitted next month.

On the Uriah Butler-Churchill Roosevelt Highway Interchange, Imbert said the first phase is almost complete and bids have been invited for phase two, an elevated bridge that will take traffic from west to south. He said a contract for this phase will be awarded next month.

Imbert also said plans to establish a world standard transit authority that would be responsible for all public transport providers were proceeding apace and it was likely that the Public Transport Services Corporation would be subject to this new entity.

Noting that the National Highway Programme involves 300 km of new or upgraded road construction and 58 bridges, Imbert said 150 km of road way and 27 bridges have been completed to date. He also disclosed that the transport division of his ministry is now in the final stages of awarding a contract for a new computerised vehicle registration and licensing system at the Licencing Office in Port-of-Spain. Imbert was hopeful that this contract would be settled by the end of this month.

PM says TT ahead in the energy game


Ria Taitt Thursday, July 6 2006 (T&T Newsday)


Ibis Deep puts BP on top

An ebullient Prime Minister Patrick Manning declared that Trinidad and Tobago was ahead of the oil and gas game, as he completed his tour of bpTT's Constellation 1- Ibis Deep Well two Fridays ago.The rig, which is designed to drill to 20,564 feet to identify hydrocarbons, is fully automated and computerised.

Manning was accompanied by Energy Minister Dr Lenny Saith. Leading the tour was bpTT's chairman and CEO Robert Riley. The workforce on the Ibis Deep consists of a mix of young nationals and globally experienced expatriates.

The Prime Minister was impressed.

Among the features of the world class cyber rig are : 400 ft water capability; cantilevers up to 75 feet, accomodation for 120 persons, two recreation rooms and gyms, large deck space and load capability, hook load of 1.6 million pounds.

No wonder companies in the developed world were talking about the "Trinidad and Tobago model." Manning recalled that in the reputable Oil and Gas Journal a three platform thrust in Mexico was being heralded as very innovative.

"We have a four platform thrust in Trinidad and Tobago," he boasted.

Riley concurred, pointing out that three weeks ago officials from the Russian State Company charged with developing gas reserves, had come to Trinidad and Tobago on a fact-finding mission to understand the "Trinidad and Tobago model."

"We don't always realise that Trinidad and Tobago is recognised by countries who want to get after this product, as the leading model," he said.

Manning pointed out that "a tremendous amount of work" was going on in the energy sector in this country, to the extent that Government, in evaluating new investment proposals, has had to keep its eye on the capability of the country to accomodate further development. Saith said Trinidad and Tobago was a good place to invest in the energy sector. "We will always have more people wanting to come than we can take," he said.

"I have been to Russia and they have reserves way in excess of Trinidad and Tobago, but there are no people lining up to invest because we can sit with (foreign) companies and negotiate a win-win deal," he said.

He added that this placed Trinidad and Tobago in the fortunate position of being able to choose who it wanted.

Manning was confident that the Ibis Deep Well in which bpTT has invested US $70 million would bear fruit. But whatever the future of this history-making well, the deepest ever in the history, the future prospects of Trinidad and Tobago were bright, with the energy sector, the economic life-blood of this country generate wealth for the people and interest internationally.

"There are so many platforms offshore. People are worrying about a shortage of gas, they are worried about whether we have the reserves, they are worried about whether we have the revenues to embark on our ambitious development programme. There is no need for worry. Trinidad and Tobago is in capable hands. We know what we are doing," Manning assured.

The Prime Minister had one regret though - that because much of the activity in the oil and gas sector was going on off-shore and out of sight, many people did not appreciate the link between that and the economy of the Trinidad and Tobago.

20 hurt


picture
Contractors view the mountain of twisted scaffolding at the Customs and Excise Building construction site on Wrightson Road, Port of Spain, yesterday after it collapsed and injured 20 workmen.



Julien Neaves


Thursday, July 13th 2006 (T&T Express)




WHAT began as a regular day at work for 20 construction workers turned tragic yesterday, when the approximately eight-storey scaffolding they were working on tumbled and crashed to the ground.

The accident occurred around 11 a.m. at the site for the new Customs and Excise Building on Wrightson Road, Port of Spain, while the workers were installing windows, solar panelling and a canopy on the building.

According to a release from the Ministry of Labour, 15 of the workers were warded at health institutions in Port of Spain and five others were treated and discharged. One of the injured workers was undergoing surgery last evening, 11 were resting comfortably and they had no specific information on the condition of the other two.

The Ministry said preliminary reports from their industrial safety officer, Jeffrey Millington, indicate that the workers were wearing fall protection devices, which helped reduce the level of injuries.

The Ministry noted that prior to the incident, Labour Minister Danny Montano had requested that the Factory Inspectorate visit all government construction sites and noted that inspection confirmed there were safety management systems in place at the site of the accident.

Veronica Mason, a vendor near the site, told the Daily Express that at the time of the accident, she recalled hearing a loud noise.

"From the time I open my eyes I only see men coming down," she said.

She noted that the men were strapped down with safety harnesses and as they fell they were frantically attempting to free themselves. At the site the scaffolding was a large mess of wood and pipes scattered on the construction floor.

Members of Fire Service, police, EHS and Global Medical Response of T&T were on the scene soon after the accident and periodically, injured workers were transported to the hospital in ambulances.

The Ministry noted that Government Emergency Services responded within 15 minutes of the accident and the Canine (K9) Unit of the Police Service also assisted in ensuring that no workers were buried in the rubble and not identified.

The project is under the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT) as part of the Richmond Street Complex and the contractors are NH International Caribbean Ltd (NHIC).

NHIC managing director Emile Elias told the Daily Express that engineers and the company's general manager were on the site for several hours yesterday, trying to assess the reason for the accident, and investigations would be continuing.

"We still don't know what the reason was and we haven't ruled out anything yet," he noted.

Elias reported that the scaffolding was made in England and erected by local firm Safeway Access Scaffolding (SASSL). He noted that there were safety officers on site and the supervising engineers also had safety inspectors who conduct regular inspections.

"We are very surprised that this has happened, but we have to get to the bottom of it and when we do we will take the best action we can," he said.

Elias reported that many, if not all of the injured workers were employed by specialist sub-contractors Abel and Mobalite Ltd.

He said there was an appropriate insurance policy in place for the workers, and added that the professionals would ensure everyone who required compensation would get it.

Elias reported that all work had been stopped yesterday and the site has been shut down. He said they hope to resume work tomorrow, once they are satisfied everything in perfect order.

A representative from UDeCOTT told the media that an investigation would be launched into the accident, but work would not continue on the scaffolding that crashed.

Thursday 13th July, 2006

SEC gets a makeover


Picture
Photo: Dilip Singh

BY ASHA JAVEED (T&T Guardian)


What's the tougher challenge"”managing 15 month-old triplets or doing a makeover of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)?

Terrence Clarke, the new managing director of the SEC, gets up about 5 am to help change and feed his two sons and a daughter before heading off the office.

It's a routine which he's developed.

At the SEC, however, he's trying to create a new routine. While the SEC has been around since 1997 it has not been a powerful force in the local market, he said in an interview on Monday. That should change soon.

Taking care of his triplets Jaden, Jonah and Taylor is his life's commitment but he expects by next year people will be more aware of his work at the SEC.

Clarke was appointed managing director in February and since then he's been on a mission. He has engaged stakeholders in the industry in a meeting which introduced the Collective Investment Schemes Guidelines, which should govern the mutual fund industry. He is currently engaging stakeholders in financial institutions about the SEC's proposed underwriting guidelines.

And while the work has begun, there's still more ahead.

Clarke's office, on the second floor of the new building on Dundonald Street in Port-of-Spain, is bare of any decoration save a photograph of his wife and children, Clarke admitted that the job was a challenge particularly since there was no real communication with the public.

But if you can get ready, dress three children under two and tuck them all in car seats just to take an evening drive, communication seems like a small feat.

Making contact is not enough, it's about being relevant in the investor's mind, he said.

"I was approached for this job and I thought it was a challenge and an opportunity to give something back," said Clarke, who left as head of Scotia's merchant banking operations to take up the position.

He formerly worked in Scotia's corporate banking unit, RBTT Merchant Bank and RBTT Bank.

"The SEC has always been necessary because when I was at Scotia I would be calling up for information on funds and there was always this accessibility. That is what I want people to be aware of."

When asked whether this was the progressive career path which he had envisioned for himself, he quickly said, "No."

But the enthusiasm with which he has embraced the job has been an about face, "This is a much broader issue than just running down deals. I actually feel like I am doing something."

He wants to change the image of the SEC to be a consumer-friendly, investor-focused organisation rather than just a regulatory body.

"All securities need regulations and anyone who invests should have contact with the SEC. The Securities Industry Act of 1995 states that we are in charge of all securities, mutual funds, bonds and the stock exchange. A lot of people are investing but people are not fully aware of their rights."

The first step came when they moved away from their 12th floor offices in the Central Bank and set up offices on Dundonald Street with a walk-in library for investors. Clarke said he intends to add ten more employees to the existing 45-member staff complement as there were areas, such as compliance, which needed to be beefed up.

Clarke explained to the Business Guardian that nothing had changed with the SEC except that the number of funds it governs has grown significantly as well as their value.

"The market has changed and this also has to do with the growth in the economy. There is more money in the country and more money to invest. People realised that they had money in the bank which was not generating interest so they took it and invested it into mutual funds which saw a sharp increase in the industry."

The Central Bank 2005's Annual Economic Survey noted that mutual funds continue to perform strongly such that, by the end of last year, funds under management ($31.3 billion) stood just slightly below deposits in the banking system ($32.9 billion).

"The mutual funds industry experienced a marked slowdown in growth in 2005 with aggregate funds under management increasing by 16 per cent to $31.3 billion. By comparison, mutual funds grew by 38.2 per cent and 37.8 per cent in 2004 and 2003, respectively, and by average of 44.2 per cent over the last five years," the report noted.

Clarke said people are investing but not everyone is fully educated to what they are investing in, whether it be an income and growth fund or a money market fund.

And it is this area which the SEC is really focusing on"”its new marketing strategy.

"What we want to have is an investor education programme where we hope to teach people on what's available in the market, how to define funds which will work better for them. We want to have a stronger relationship with the market and generate dialogue."

This, he said, has become necessary to protect investor's rights.

He explained that while there was 34 local mutual funds in the market, there was 31 foreign funds for which there was no information available and that left investors open to risk.

He said the SEC had sought to rectify this situation by having the mutual fund managers present up-to-date information with the hope of keeping a better database of information at its library.

"The library aspect of the SEC is important because we want people to know that our doors are always open and we want to have as much information available for people to access so they are able to make sound investments decisions."

He expects the dialogue which he began with stakeholders would be maintained on a quarterly basis as it was a map to see where they would like to see the industry headed.




©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Govt may opt out of BWIA


Monday, July 17th 2006 (T&T Express)


Government is contemplating ultimately taking itself out of the BWIA equation entirely and have the cash strapped airline run as a private sector entity.

This was revealed by the vice chairman of the PNM John Donaldson at a press conference at Balisier House, Port of Spain yesterday.

Donaldson and Prime Minister Patrick Manning told the General Council that discussions were ongoing with respect to national airline BWIA.

Government had stated earlier that it had intended to restructure and revamp the airline and a committee headed by businessman Arthur Lok Jack was to submit a report on how this was to be done.

In his national budget presentation last year Prime Minister Patrick Manning had said that BWIA would be restructured and millions of dollars would be pumped through Government taking an equity stake.

Public Administration Minister Dr Lenny Saith had said that Government was committed to making BWIA a priority and the responsibilty of implementing the new business plan would be placed in the hands of Peter Davies, BWIA's chief executive officer.

However, discussions are still ongoing and the future of BWIA is still uncertain.

Tuesday 18th July, 2006


Moody's upgrades T&T (Guardian)


Moody's Investors Service has upgraded T&T's foreign currency bond rating to Baa1 from Baa2 in light of continued improvement in the country's external position and declining debt ratios.

The action, was consistent with Moody's general view that foreign and domestic currency government bond ratings should be more closely aligned. To that end, the local currency bond rating was affirmed at Baa1, the rating agency said in a statement on Thursday.

"T&T's external payments position is especially impressive in light of continued growth in energy exports and sizeable foreign direct investment.

"The resulting accumulation of foreign exchange reserves has consolidated T&Ts already strong net external creditor position," said Moody's Alessandra Alecci.

As a result of the energy windfall, the analyst explained, key external indicators have placed T&T in a favorable position compared to other similarly-rated, energy-producing countries.

Diversification within the energy sector should help sustain export growth in coming years, which should lead to further improvement in the country's external position, the rating agency said. Despite the upgrade, according to Moody's, T&T may face important challenges in the future.

"In particular, we have found that the marked rise in primary expenditures could complicate a fiscal adjustment"”if one became necessary. Moreover, the implementation of the capital programme by public entities outside of the central government poses risks to expenditure restraint, which is an essential component of macroeconomic stability." said Alecci.

She added that continued prudent management of the energy windfall will be required to maintain external competitiveness and to ensure that the country is well equipped to face a possible downturn in the energy cycle.

The foreign-currency country ceiling for bonds was upgraded to A1 from A2, and the foreign currency country ceiling for bank deposits was upgraded to Baa1/P-2 from Baa2/P-3.

T&T's local-currency deposit ceiling remains at A1 and the local-currency guideline, which represents the highest possible rating that could be assigned to obligors denominated in local currency within the country, remains at Aa3. The outlook on all the ratings is stable.



©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

By allowing the US government to kidnap Roger Khan, the T&T government shows total contemp for the government and people of Guyana and the Caricom..

ESCAPE FROM LEBANON

Govt moves to evacuate 30 Trinis trapped in war-torn nation

Louis B Homer South Bureau


Wednesday, July 19th 2006 (T&T Express)


Picture
David Nakhid...areas around his home hit by random bombings.


Some 30 Trinidadians of Lebanese descent, including the Lebanese Honorary Consul in Trinidad, Ameer Haidar, were yesterday trying to get out of war-torn Lebanon.

Haidar, 38, his wife Gina, 40, and their four children-Jessica, George, Peter and Jenifer-arrived in Lebanon on July 8, for a one-month holiday.

The Haidars were forced to cut short their vacation because of Israel's bombing of Lebanon over the past week to get at Hezbollah militants.

Haidar spoke yesterday to a relative in Trinidad, saying that the bombing had subsided and he was making arrangements to return to Trinidad.

Thousands of people from other countries were also fleeing Lebanon.

David Nahous, a friend of the Haidars, said there were other families who would like to return to Trinidad but he was not in a position to give details of their whereabouts in Lebanon.

Albert Hadeed, former honorary counsul for Syria in Trinidad, said he had made arrangements for another Trinidadian, Amal Mansoor, who was trying to get out of Lebanon.

Hadeed said: "I advised him to go to Syria right away because Syria has opened its borders to all those trying to get out of Lebanon."

Hadeed said from conversations he had with a brother living in Lebanon, he was told that the situation was "very bad".

He added: "Most of those people from Trinidad who had gone across heard of the problems and many of them got out of the country before the bombing escalated."

Other Trinidadians said to be trying to get out of Lebanon were Nina and Natasha Tommy who live in Beirut, Margo Aboud of Bayshore, Port of Spain, Claudette, Alfred and Donald Fakoury, also of Bayshore.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had mobilised Trinidad's High Commissioner in London, Glenda Morean-Phillip, who was said to be in contact with Haidar's brother Jean in an attempt to co-ordinate efforts to locate and evacuate Trinidad and Tobago nationals who wanted to leave Lebanon.

The ministry said it was "aware of three nationals who wish to be evacuated and every attempt is being made to find other nationals who wish to leave".

Several countries including the United States have been evacuating their nationals from Lebanon.

Thousands have been moved through Cyprus since the Israeli attacks began.

Former national footballer David Nakhid, in a telephone interview with the Express from Lebanon, said that he had not yet heard about the ministry's efforts to evacuate citizens from the country but predicted that it would be done through the British Consul.

Nakhid reported that he and his family were currently living at their second home atop a mountain.

He said that though they were confined, they were trying to make the best of it.

He noted that most areas around his location had been hit by the random bombings.

"There's nowhere peaceful for the moment," he said.

On the prospect of returning to Trinidad, Nakhid said that like everyone else, he would like to go somewhere that had no bombing.

He expressed hope that in the next couple of days there would be a cease-fire or that the attacks of the Israelis would be repelled by the Lebanese army or Hezbollah fighters.

$23m in security cameras for PoS, Sando


Wednesday, July 19th 2006(T&T Express)


National Security Minister Martin Joseph has said that $23 million will be spent on the first phase of the project to install security cameras in Port of Spain and San Fernando.

Martin made the statement yesterday during the Senate sitting in response to a question by Opposition Senator Wade Mark.

Joseph said permanent CCTV systems will be put in place at all business districts.

This included downtown Port of Spain, Park Street to Independence Square and Richmond street to Charlotte street.

Cameras will also be installed in San Fernando at High Street, from the bus terminus to Coffee Street, City Hall, the police station and the hospital.

Joseph said the first phase will cover the installation and coordination of the transmission power supply as well as the training of staff. He said the tendering process will take place both locally and abroad.

Mark questioned Joseph as to whether or not the blimps were still necessary as the cameras could be seen as a substitute for the airships.

Joseph responded that he would not divulge any information dealing with such issues of national security.

New gas find off TT


Thursday, July 20 2006(T&T Newsday)


THE BRITISH Gas group and its US energy partner Chevron Texaco yesterday announced the delivery of the first natural gas from its Dolphin Deep marine oilfield to onshore facilities at Beachfield on the south-east coast of Trinidad.

In a statement yesterday BG said Dolphin Deep is located 83 kilometres off the south-east coast of Trinidad in the East Coast Marine area. Gas production from the two wells in this field is expected to reach a maximum rate of 250 million standard cubic feet per day and will be delivered to the Atlantic LNG plant in Point Fortin via new 95 kilometre pipelines at Beachfield and the 76 kilometre onshore cross island pipeline.

BG's executive vice-president (North America, Caribbean and Global LNG) Martin Houston said bringing Dolphin Deep onstream is a major achievement for the BG group and Chevron Texaco. "Gas from this development will feed some of BG group's supply rights in Atlantic LNG which continues to be a leading supplier of LNG to the USA," Houston stated. TT is currently the leading supplier of LNG to the United States, accounting for at least 80 percent of LNG imports into the US market.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning has held discussions with US president George W Bush and US vice-president Dick Cheney about TT's importance as a reliable energy supplier to the US and the potential impact which Venezuela's Petro Caribe initiative could have on Caricom countries.

Trinis want to join Lebanon exodus

Louis B Homer South Bureau


Thursday, July 20th 2006(T&T Express)


As a mass exodus of people continued in Lebanon yesterday, it was uncertain if Trinidad and Tobago nationals in Beirut would be accommodated on the British destroyer HMS Gloucester.

Up to late evening, the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission in London was not sure of the number of T&T nationals visiting or living in Beirut.

Ashton Forde, information attache at the High Commission told the Express that at the latest count, they were advised that there were only three people asking to return to T&T.

The three were identified as members of the Fakoury and Mansoor families.

"But we are still awaiting word from the Lebanese Consul in Trinidad, Ameer Haidar," Forde said.

Haidar is at present in Tripoli, a town in northern Lebanon.

First Secretary at the Commission, Colin Connolly, has been appointed to work with the British Foreign Office and the Commonwealth Office to help T&T nationals who wanted to get out of Lebanon, the Express was told.

"So far we have not heard from Mr Haidar but we expect to find space on the British warship to move our nationals out of the country," Forde said.

The Haidars were forced to cut short their month-long holiday because of widespread bombing of Lebanon by Israel over the past week to get at Hezbollah militants.

Efforts were being made by Albert Hadeed, former honorary consul for Syria in T&T, to assist in the return of T&T nationals.

Hadeed said he received a call yesterday morning from a member of the Fakoury family in Beirut concerning their plight and he advised him to get in touch with the British Embassy.

"But if they cannot reach them I told them they should go to Syria which has opened its doors to other nationalities affected," Hadeed said.

T&T nationals are among thousands seeking to flee Lebanon since the bombings started.

British officials were reported to have said that T&T nationals would be taken by ship to Cyprus, where they could stay at military bases.

Smartcards for poor from August 1



Friday, July 21st 2006(T&T Express)


From August 1, some 20,000 Smartcards will be distributed throughout the country to help people who are living below the poverty line.

However, Social Development Minister Anthony Roberts says there are no guarantees that the cards would not be used to purchase alcohol and cigarettes.

At yesterday's post-Cabinet press conference at Whitehall, Port of Spain Roberts said to ensure these cards are not used to buy alcohol and cigarettes, a Memorandum of Agreement was drawn up between Government and supermarket owners to ensure this.

He said this still could not be monitored 100 per cent and there were no guarantees. However, he did warn that if the businesses or the card holder is caught, then both parties would be cut off from the programme.

The Smartcards, or debit card, which looks just like a bank card but in national colours, will be given to persons whose income does not enable them to provide basic foodstuff for their family and themselves.

The Smartcard is to replace the SHARE programme.

Roberts explained, however, that if a person has received food from the SHARE programme, it does not qualify them for a Smartcard. He said there are in fact people on the SHARE programme who do not qualify to be on that programme.

The Smartcard will be distributed based on the size of the family. If there is a family of three and under, they will be entitled to a $300 Smartcard, a four-five member family will receive a $400 Smartcard and a family with six or more will be entitled to a $500 Smartcard.

He said the cards are ready and would be distributed to people who have qualified at this stage of the process.He added that 40 basic food items have been listed that a Smartcard holder can purchase.

RIC wants assurance from Mirant


Friday, July 21st 2006(T&T Express)


AS the statutory body that regulates activities affecting customers' electricity rates, the Regulated Industries Commission (RIC) wants an assurance on the future of PowerGen as Mirant, a 39 per cent stakeholder, recently announced its intention to sell international businesses in the Caribbean.

Mirant made the announcement last week saying that its intention to sell international businesses in the Caribbean is part of its strategic plan to enhance shareholder value.

Mirant, the Atlanta based, independent power generation company, operates in integrated asset management and energy marketing and produces and sells electricity in the United States, the Caribbean and the Philippines.

RIC, in a statement issued yesterday expressed concern on the possible sale of PowerGen interests, especially since it also recently announced a 208MW expansion project, "which Mirant was expected to invest US$39 million as its share and this project is backed by a 30 year Power Purchase Agreement".

The statement added, "According to the Power Purchase Agreement, where a key stakeholder (Mirant) decides to sell, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of its vested interest in PowerGen, Mirant must notify the other investors (T&TEC with 51 per cent and bpTT with ten per cent) in writing prior to the sale, of the terms of the proposed sale, the assignment or transfer and grant either investors the right to purchase".

The RIC said that as regulators in the industry, if there is to be an impact on consumer rates, their prior review and approval is required.

It added that the panel will continue to monitor the situation in the interest of consumers.

To recover from PetroCaribe losses


Clint Chan Tack Thursday, July 20 2006


Petrotrin targets US markets (T&T Newsday)


"Taken from our B U S I N E S S section."



STATE OIL company Petrotrin is aiming to penetrate markets in the United States in order to make up for markets it could lose in the region as a result of Venezuela's PetroCaribe initiative.

In making these disclosures at a parliamentary joint select committee meeting at the Red House on Tuesday, Petrotrin officials said the US$650 million upgrade of its Pointe-a-Pierre refinery was vital for the company's survival and the nation would see increased energy revenues of US$113 million annually once that upgrade is complete.

Petrotrin executive chairman Malcolm Jones told the committee that economic reasons aside, the refinery upgrade was a must "for the continuance of Petrotrin" because of the challenges posed by PetroCaribe. Petrotrin's marketing manager Ken Allum supported Jones' view, indicating that PetroCaribe may cause the company to lose some of its markets in Caricom.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning held discussions with US Vice-President Dick Cheney in Washington DC last month on PetroCaribe's impact on Caricom and other matters of mutual interest.

Noting that there is currently a shortage of gasoline in the US market, Allum explained that this was why Petrotrin was currently upgrading its refinery in order to produce a higher blend of petroleum products that would be able to penetrate all global markets.

Company president (operations) Wayne Bertrand said once the upgrade is completed Petrotrin's revenues could increase by US$113 million per year. Bertrand added that as of the end of May, Petrotrin recorded a profit of $964 million.

Jones indicated that while Petrotrin's profits had increased from $1.5 billion in 2004 to $3.6 billion in 2005, there remained room for improvement.

He also spoke about the company's plans to construct a US$125 million gas-to-liquids plant at its Pointe-a-Pierre refinery.

CARIRI signs food and beverage MOU


Saturday, July 22 2006(T&T Newsday)


A MEMORANDUM of Understanding (MOU) between the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI) was signed yesterday after Cabinet approved a $2.7 million strategic plan for development of the Food and Beverage Industry to improve the industry's international viability.

The MOU was signed by CARIRI CEO Liaquat Ali Shah and the Ministry's Permanent Secretary Edwina Leacock. It was witnessed by Ministry Industry Specialist Richard Ramsawak and CARIRI's business services unit leader Megnath Gosein at the ministry's office at Riverside Plaza, Port-of Spain.

Leacock said this was part of Government's thrust to diversify and get into new sustainable sectors apart from the finite energy industry, the nation's main financial resource.

The food and beverage industry was selected along with six other key, non-energy industry areas as they were aggressive in their development, have substantial resource bases and have potential for competitive advantage in the international trading environment.

The other industries are: fish and fish processing, music and entertainment, film, print and packaging, yachting and merchant marine.

Leacock stated that CARIRI was chosen to sign the memorandum with the ministry as, "it is CARIRI's strength in these areas, CARIRI can in fact provide the level of expertise that we (Government) would want for certain projects."

According to Ali Shah, the first step to be taken in developing the industry is updating standards and legislation to improve food safety and quality and development of a bond between public and private food and beverage sectors.

Follow-up steps to be taken are development of increased level of market intelligence to increase export market opportunities, introduction of incentives linking primary production to value-added processing to maximise local/regional input into the value chain, increase of technical support for product and technological development to enhance international competitiveness and the establishment of a system of registration and mandatory certification of food importers, processors and distributers to improve food safety and quality.

This is expected to last for two years after which other agencies involved in the food and beverage industry would be expected to continue the industry's development.

The local food and beverage industry is represented in the international arena by players such as SM Jaleel, Bermudez, National Canners, Bermudez Biscuit Company Limited, Chief Brand Products, Fernandes Distillers and KC Confectionary.

The companies expected to benefit from the efforts of CARIRI and the ministry are small scale enterprises among them juice processors, seasoning and condiment manufacturers and nuts and channa bottlers who function primarily within the local and regional marketplace.

TT economy robust but curb spending


Saturday, July 22 2006(T&T Newday)


Oil-and gas-rich Trinidad and Tobago's economy is strong but could overheat unless the Caribbean nation's government slashes public spending, a senior official from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said yesterday.

Caroline Atkinson, the IMF's deputy director of the western hemisphere, said Trinidad and Tobago's economy was set to accelerate this year, with growth projected to exceed 12 percent, but she warned, the Patrick Manning-led government should reduce public spending to curb inflation and take pressure off the local labour market.

Atkinson, who made her observations in that country's capital Port-of-Spain at the end of a two-week fact-finding mission, said the country had a historic opportunity to use energy profits to set itself on a path toward a higher living standards for its citizens.

Trinidad and Tobago, with a 20 percent trade surplus, has experienced 12 years of continuous economic growth, according to the Ministry of Finance. Unemployment was 6.7 percent as of December and the annual inflation rate was approaching eight percent in May.

The IMF official lauded Trinidad and Tobago for its creation of a stabilization fund, in which the country was depositing excess energy profits for use when oil and gas prices decline.

The fund, which was started over three years ago with some US$25,000 has grown to reach US$900 million in deposits. (AP)

Giving birth to death

Hospital challenge to reduce number of stillbirths

Rohandra John


Sunday, July 23rd 2006 (T&T Express)


One year after they joined hands in marriage, Ann and Joe Smith were preparing to welcome their first child into the world.

The Guyanese couple were eager to become parents and could not wait to behold their newborn.

But about four months into her pregnancy, Ann who was suffering from severe hypertension, had to be hospitilised.

The doctors decided to keep her at the hospital so that they could monitor her blood-pressure which they tried feverishly to keep under control.

But despite their best efforts Ann's blood pressure rose steadily, impacting negatively on her pregnancy.

The doctors moved to induce labour when she was just seven months into her pregnancy but Ann experienced difficulty in conceiving and they had to perform an emergency Caesarian section.

But her precious baby was delivered dead.

Ann, who was heavily sedated during the operation was not aware she had given birth to a stillborn and when the doctors later informed her, it was a hard pill to swallow.

The loss was devastating to the couple .

They had wanted more than anything else to walk out of the hospital with their firstborn but it was not to be.

Ann is just one out of hundreds of women, of various race and backgrounds across the globe who, for one reason or the other, may give birth to a stillborn child. The experience is often one that is extremely painful and which at times leaves them in a state of depression for days on end.

Each year 10.7 million children under the age of five years die-four million during the first four weeks of life. Another 3.3 million are still born, an on-line report from the "New England Journal of Medicine," or (NEJM) stated.

And these are only the official reports; in the less developed countries which account for 98 per cent of reported neonatal deaths and 97 per cent of reported stillbirths, these births and deaths are not always registered, the report stated.

A stillbirth is classified by most in the medical community as the death of a fetus at or beyond 20 week's gestation.

Stillbirths may be due to injuries, illnesses (such as toxemia), infections or catastrophic events (such as hemorrhage or cardiac arrest) in the mother or the fetus. Problems with the uterus (such as placental detachment, poor placental function, or restricted uterine growth) can be dangerous to the fetus. (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus).

The highest neonatal mortality rates and rates of stillbirth occur in sub-Saharan Africa followed by Asia and Latin America, NEJM reported.

In this country the still-birth rate, according to senior obstetricians and neologists at the main public health institutions, is still relatively high.

Dr Petronella Manning-Alleyne , head of the Neonatal Unit at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital, said that from since about 1982 "we have been clocking, all these years, a stillbirth rate of about 15 per one thousand. This has not changed," Dr Manning-Alleyne said that "one of the major reasons for that significant birth rate was the fact that we were not able to monitor babies properly (in the womb) because we did not have sufficient fetal monitors."

She noted that without the foetal machines doctors were unable to quickly pick up on any problems that may have developed with the baby in the womb so that appropriate action could be taken to help save its life.

She said that the hospital was only recently furnished with new foetal machines which would likely help them "bring down" the still birth figures as doctors would be in a better position to monitor the baby's progress and to identify any problems during pregnancy. "We are anticipating that in the near future we would be able to change that (current stillbirth rate)," she said.

At the San Fernando General Hospital, Dr Jehan Ali, Head Obstetrician and Gynecologist, said that there has been a steady increase in the still birth-rate in the southern region. He said that the stillbirth rate at the hospital has been climbing since 2003 , shortly after the hospital was forced to close down its anti-natal care Clinic Community Outreach programme due to the lack of Staff.

Dr Ali said that the stillbirth rate at the hospital was now in the region of 21 per thousand deliveries. He said that the hospital had managed to bring down its stillbirth figures in 1999,when the community programme was operational "because under this programme we were able to go out in deferent districts to meet and treat with a lot of the high-risk pregnancy cases. We were able to give them the necessary treatment and anti-natal care which they required to come through with the pregnancy. And the programme infact helped to bring down the still birth figures," he said.

Dr Ali said however that although the programme proved to be successful, "we could not continue to run the clinics because of limited staff. I asked (SWRHA) for more staff to operate at the clinic and didn't get any and it was impossible to handle all those patients alone or with limited staff so that it had to be closed down."

He said that the San-Fernando General has had to struggle with keeping down its stillbirth rate over the years as they were not provided with proper functional fetal machines which would have helped us "identify problems with the baby and act on it early enough. They (government) ) took very long to give us those machines. We have been requested those machine since Colm Imbert was the Minister of Health, but it was only about two weeks ago that we got the machines. "

He acknowledged that mothers needed to be provided with good obstetric care so as to reduce the risk of stillbirth. But he said that the relevant authorities must also join hands with health care providers in reducing still-births in this country by providing health institutions with the necessary equipment and facilities needed to administer good obstetric care.

Ann had to wait six years before she could experience the joy of giving birth to a live baby girl.

Although she got pregnant for a second time in 1977, after giving birth to a stillborn in 1974, Ann suffered a miscarriage and again the couple were plunged into despair. "My husband thought we should give up," she said in a telephone interview. "He said to me that he would prefer to have a wife than having a child without a mother. I thought it was so considerate of him to say that . He did not have to have a child to prove his manly ego. He was very supportive of me," she recalled.

When she became pregnant for the third time in 1979, Ann suffered the same problems with her hypertension, which had a tendency to worsen during pregnancy. Just as in the case of her first pregnancy doctors once again moved to deliver the baby when she was just seven months.

But this time the baby survived and the couple were overjoyed.

"It was so wonderful," she said "she was such a precious bundle of joy," despite two unsuccessful pregnancies, Ann said she had never given up hope.

Ann who is an evangelist and also a teacher by profession said that her faith in God was what helped her to cope with her ordeal and gave her the strength to "get over it and move on".

And while they were satisfied with their one and only child, Joe and Ann however opened up their home to several less fortunate children, over the years. Though not formally adopting them they clothed, fed and showered them with love.

Ann encouraged other women who would have had a similar experience to rely on their faith and "trust God" inorder to develop the strength needed to overcome "in your situation and move on with your lives".


These are not the real names of the persons in this story. Sobriquets have been used to protect their identity.

Alcoa partners with Bechtel

Driselle Ramjohn


Saturday, July 22nd 2006 (T&T Express Business)


ALCOA has selected international corporation, Bechtel as principal partner to participate in the completion of current feasibility studies associated with the proposed aluminium smelter project at Cap-de-Ville.

The company made the announcement in a release issued yesterday.

The feasibility studies for the construction of the aluminium smelter plant should be completed by the end of the year.

The release said, "Bechtel is currently constructing Alcoa's newest aluminium facility in Iceland".

"If the Cap-de-Ville smelter proceeds, it will incorporate similar design and environment, health and safety performance standards as those being incorporated in the Icelandic smelter," it added.

Alcoa came one step closer to its much debated aluminium smelter earlier this week when the Environmental Management Authority accepted the company's application for a Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC).

Alcoa lodged its application for the CEC in March amidst numerous protests from residents of surrounding communities and environmental groups concerned about the possible health risks associated with the aluminum smelters.

The acceptance of the application will result in the development by the EMA, of a Terms of Reference for completion of comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed site, which is expected in less than 20 days.

'T&T must open banking sector'

FCB launches financial centre

Driselle Ramjohn


Thursday, July 13th 2006 (T&T Express)


OPENING the domestic market to international banks and strengthening the capital market may be necessary steps in achieving Government's goal to establish Trinidad and Tobago as an International Financial Centre (IFC) for the hemisphere.

This from Central Bank Governor Ewart Williams speaking to the Express at the official opening of the First Citizens Bank Financial Centre at Movie Towne on Wednesday evening.

Williams was responding to a statement from Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Christine Sahadeo who delivered the feature address at the Financial Centre opening ceremony.

She said, "the Government has agreed to set up an implementation framework for the establishment of Trinidad and Tobago as an International Financial Centre (IFC), as against an Off-shore Banking Centre, by September 2007".

"We are a main financier for the entire Caribbean. Our local institutions are the main shareholders for financial institutions throughout the Caribbean. All our banks and insurance companies have important presence throughout the Caribbean, so we are well on our way to being a financial centre for the region," said Williams.

"What we are trying to do now is to be the financial centre, not only for the region, but for the hemisphere, for the Pan-Caribbean area," he added.

The Central Bank Governor said geographic location, strong financial institutions, strong external reserve position, very good legal framework and high level of competency in financial matters lend to the country's ability to become a financial centre.

The spirit of the seventies

Celebrated economist rallies today's youth...

Michael Mondezie


Sunday, July 16th 2006 (T&T Express)



The time is at hand for the youth of this country to take an active interest in the economic, social and cultural planning and development of the nation, says Austrian-born veteran economist Prof Kari Levitt.

Levitt, who served as a special adviser to the Ministry of Planning and Development during the late 1960s into the early 1970s, says the young people of this nation should follow the model set by young leaders during the 1970s who united their peers to form a unanimous voice which impacted on national decision making.

"I think people my age and even those 20 years younger are waiting for the young people in this country, particularly those who had the privilege of tertiary education, to concern themselves with the state of the country and indeed the state of the region as a whole," she said during a candid interview on Wednesday.

"It is really up to the younger generation to effect change. It was a younger generation in the 1970's that made the difference."

The former UWI and McGill University lecturer says "injustice and inequity" is at an all time high in T&T as the increased revenue gained from energy resources is being circulated among an elite sect of the population.

"A lot of buildings are going up and a lot of money is being made by somebody," Levitt said, her eyes widening as she spoke.

"During the first energy boom things was not like that. I don't know the reason for it but it is something that warrants investigation and research because now things are grossly inequitable and unjust."

She said despite popular belief the money gained during the first energy boom in the 1970s was properly invested.

"People like to say the money was wasted but that was not true at all, quite a lot of good things came out of that," she said.

"They built up the Point Lisas development, hospitals and Government offices such as the Twin Towers and it seemed to me at that time more of the prosperity was shared among the people because a lot of it trickled down."

Despite unprecedented increases in the price of energy resources globally, the present situation is quite different as little or no benefits are being accrued by the wider population she says.

"Today we have energy resources and money at a much bigger scale than there was in the 1970s and early 1980s but it seems to me that now virtually nothing is coming down to the ordinary people and the wealth is accumulating in a relatively small section of the population," she said.

It's a scenario that is consistent with the lack of proper planning and development by Governments throughout the region Levitt said.

Her latest publication, Reclaiming Development, independent thought and Caribbean community, which she launched last week, beckons for the region's people to wake up and ensure their governments refocus on the fundamentals of sustainable development.

"How can you at this stage in 2006 have a lot of places in T&T without water? That to me is totally unacceptable, it's just wrong," she said.

"When I say reclaiming development I really mean that there was a time when development was a good word but today it seems to mean putting up buildings or housing development or it has just gone off the agenda all together and finance and money have just replaced this idea of inclusive social, economic and cultural development."

She says her book, which is essentially a collection of speeches and studies written during her time as a lecturer at UWI, Mona campus in Jamaica calls for a unification of the whole Caribbean in order to gain economic strength on the world market.

"We have to look past the English-speaking Caribbean. When we say Caribbean we should include the Spanish- and French-speaking islands to form some unity on an economic, cultural and political level," she said.

She said Caribbean unification, not the mistake of following the lead of the US economy, should be the way forward for the region.

"The implicit model of the US as what we want to be is quite misconceived," she said.

"As Lloyd Best and those of his generation have said, you have to build on what you have. This country is blessed with talent, look at the Soca Warriors, some simple fellas playing football and they won the hearts of the whole world, not for the football but for the way this country put itself forward."

She said while the government was on the right track by investing heavily in academic education at all levels more needs to be done.

"I am really happy with these investments but what about investing more in the people.

We need to recognise the value of our people. We don't even have a proper concert hall for the arts. There seems to be a lack of understanding by those in authority as to the value of our people. That is the problem," she reiterated.

While Levitt admitted she doesn't possess all the answer to achieve first world status she insisted constructive dialogue is the only way forward.

"I don't have all the answers, but these questions must be asked in order to bring about equitable and inclusive economic, social and cultural development," she concluded.



I'am in full agreement with her observations..

Canadian compensation specialist coming


NEWSDAY REPORTERS Monday, July 24 2006


THE NATIONAL Security Ministry has enlisted the services of a Canadian Defence Compensation specialist to help with final negotiations of Defence Force salaries before the end of the year.

The announcement was made by National Security Minister Martin Joseph at the 44th Anniversary parade of the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment (TTR) at Teteron Barracks yesterday.

The TTR celebrated the event with an array of displays which included a spectacular band display by the TTR Band, a tactical display, a drive past showcasing nine of the TTR's vehicles and a march past of TTR detachments.

In his address, Joseph said Cabinet approved an interim increase in salaries for Defence Force personnel in February, pending the outcome of a salary review exercise. The interim increase ranged from six percent to 28 percent across the various ranks.

Joseph said the Canadian government agreed to provide the services of the compensation expert who will arrive in TT in a matter of days to assist in the exercise. "I expect completion of this issue by the end of the year for the latest," he said. The minister added that in response to the strategic demands placed on security forces under the ministry due to the changing security environment,

the National Security Council had approved the transfer of 1,120 acres of lands belonging to the former Caroni (1975) Ltd to the TT Defence Force (TTDF), which will be used to facilitate the constructions of facilities for the Second Battalion of the TTDF, establishment of the Support and Service Battalion of the TT Army and the Military Hospital and for the establishment of a Military Training Academy including the construction of a shooting range.

Joseph referred to Paul Bender, Defence Specialist from Canada, who had conducted a retention planning exercise and subsquently endorsed the recommendation of the TTDF to increase the present force establishment by 161 personnel across the force. The recommendations, he said, had been approved by the National Security Council. "These (recommendations) will be submitted to Cabinet this week for its consideration and anticipated approval," added Joseph.

Colonel Roland Maunday, Commanding Officer of the TTR in his address outlined several training and development programmes members of the TTR participated in within the last year, highlighting the International Counter Terrorism Bomb Disposal Course which was held in England in March and April.

Maunday added that in September, the first cohort of 60 Corporals will commence classes with the School of Continuing Studies for the Certificate in Leadership. This, he said, were means by which, "soldiers could gain formal education to complement their military schooling and the practical experiences they gain as military professionals."

Perfect vacation right here in T&T


Monday, July 24 2006(T&T Newsday)



NOW that the much anticipated vacation period is here students finally have the leisure time that was missing from their hectic schedules during the school term. The problem now facing these students and their parents is how to occupy this long stretch of time. Not everyone has the resources needed to pursue a vacation outside of Trinidad and Tobago but that does not mean that they cannot find adventure, relaxation and entertainment within the shores of our beautiful twin island.

Our country is full of places to visit and things to do, some rank among the popular and some have remained hidden treasures. The holiday period provides an ideal opportunity to explore the country's rich natural resources. The Tourism Development Company's (TDC) website makes some useful suggestions about the places and activities that are worthy of attention.

A hike is an excellent way to see the sights that may not be readily accessible and Trinidad and Tobago have a selection of trails that are of merit.

The Paria River runs from the mountains of the Northern Range out to the Caribbean Sea, hikers frequent the river's mouth because of its lovely waterfall. This pristine setting can be accessed after approximately a 90-minute walk from the coastal village of Blanchisseuse, which you can get to by driving along the North Coast Road.

To get to the start of the trail, that will take you to Salybia and Rio Seco you need to drive to Valencia, to a bridge that passes over the Salybia River. Make the first left after this bridge and you will soon find a small track to your right this is where your walk will begin. Unless you are used to these trails, it is always a good idea to make your initial hike with a guide because some of the routes can be tricky.

Tobago has a few lovely hiking trails, there is a trail along the island's north coast that starts at Castara and takes you all the way through to Englishman's Bay (about a day's worth of walking) and then on to the village of Charlotteville. Along the way, you will find large bird populations that will be worth the walk. Argyle Waterfall is also an easy trek that rewards you with a beautiful waterfall to swim in.

The beach is always an option for relaxation and a fun-filled day. Our country is fortunate enough to have beaches littered across its landscape. On the north west coast there is Carenage Bay, Macqueripe Beach and Scotland Bay. The North Coast offers Maracas Bay, Las Cuevas, Blanchisseuse, Grande Riviere and Toco Bay. On the north east coast there are Balandra Bay and Salybia and on the South East Coast Manzanilla and Mayaro. In Tobago there is Store Bay, Pigeon Point, Sandy Point, Buccoo Reef, Mount Irvine Bay, Nylon Pool, Stonehaven Bay Castara Bay, Englishman's Bay and Parlatuvier.

If your interest is bird watching you can do so in Trinidad at Asa Wright Nature Centre, located along the Arima-Blanchisseuse main road, the Pointe-a-Pierre Wild Fowl Trust, which can be found in the southland and the Caroni Bird Sanctuary which is refuge to the Scarlet Ibis.

Braso Seco, located in Trinidad's Northern Range, is a premium ecotourism destination due to an abundance of diverse and rare plant and animal life as well as various nature trails and hiking options. This site is also one of the few vantage points for bird watchers wishing to catch a glance of the of the endangered pawi or piping guan.

If you are in Tobago and want to bird watch, Tobago's beautiful but elusive mot mot is sometimes spotted at the Grafton Caledonia Sanctuary, which was once part of the original Grafton estate, and has now been given to the people of Tobago as a nature conservatory.

Tobago's protected rain forest area in Main Ridge and the Little Tobago Island reserve are also home to many rare bird species.

According to the TDC's website our islands are a great place to go on a cave exploration. Most of Trinidad's Northern Range comprises of limestone caves. An easy access point to see these limestone caves is the Sea Caves at Las Cuevas Beach. The heavily forested mountains rise to just over 3,000 ft. and this causes cave exploration to become harder the higher you go. Aripo is a lovely place to start cave exploration but it is always a good idea to go with a trained, experienced guide. This way, you can ensure that you do not get lost and will be able to enjoy the experience of the oil birds.

Dunstan's Cave, located on the Asa Wright Nature Reserve property, also houses an oil bird colony, but visitor access is restricted to twice a week with a guide from the centre. The cave itself is made of igneous rock and is quite an interesting trek.

Gasparee Caves, which lies below the ground on the island of Gaspar Grande, off Trinidad's north-west coast is also a must see. The caves were once used by pirates and smugglers to secure their stolen treasures.

For those who love water, kayaking is a sport that is quickly gaining popularity. You can rent a kayak at the Kayak Centre in Chaguaramas and paddle all the way ˜down the islands.' However if you prefer a gentle paddle then the trip through the Nariva Swamp will be perfect. In Tobago, you can paddle for about an hour across to Little Tobago Island, which is the breeding ground for many protected birds. Once there, you can spend the day hiking, bird watching and enjoying the ambience.

The world's second largest natural deposit of pitch can be found right here in Trinidad at the Pitch Lake in La Brea. Several water filled fissures or sulfur pools which are said to have therapeutic benefits to bathers can be found at this site. There are tour guides available at the site to ensure that you maximise your enjoyment of the visit to the Pitch Lake.

The Public Transport Service Corporation is still offering its "Know your Country" tours and members of the public can get more information about booking tours from the company's Marketing Department. The tours feature a "Round the Town" tour that operates in both Port-of Spain and San Fernando.

There is an extensive tour guide operator's list available on the TDC's website and a useful list of accommodation throughout the country.

Several websites have information about interesting things to do in Trinidad and Tobago. Our country offers a wide selection of affordable yet exhilarating places to go and pleasurable activities. Now that the time is available take the chance to discover somewhere new and create memorable experiences.



http://www.socawarriorstt.com/static/tourismvideo.htm


Check out these great short video clips and the websites has other video clips just feel free to explore the site.(many of the football matches)

New Academy enhances SAUTT's crime offensive


By KIRK PERREIRA (T&T Mirror)


GOVERNMENT is hoping the newly-commissioned Specialist Crime Academy in Cumuto will enhance the ability of the Tobago Police Service and the Special Anti-Crime Unit of Trinidad and Tobago (SAUTT) to curb incidents of crime.

This new law enforcement initiative was revealed by Minister of National Security, Senator Martin Joseph, at the official launch of the Specialist Crime Academy, an arm of the SAUTT, adjacent to the Defence Force Cumuto Barracks last Friday.

"The opening of this Specialist Crime Academy speaks directly to the strides that this Government has made towards a more professional and co-ordinated learning programme for the Law Enforcement Agencies of this country," Joseph told the gathering for the official launch.

"It represents a further strengthening of the supportive links between the Police and the Anti-Crime Unit.

"The Unit was established in 2003, with the need to enhance law enforcement operations in.

"Its objective is to provide support to the Police Service, which is the primary and indispensable agency responsible for this nation's fight against crime.

"In that regard, the Unit is similar to other Task Force organisations that provide support to the established crime-fighting agencies in international arenas.

"As you are already aware, a major objective of the transformation of the Police Service is ensuring that the public is served by a more accountable, responsible, competent, better equipped and professionally enhanced organisation.

"Training is an essential component to achieving this objective, as it will provide officers with new skills, competencies and attitudes to enhance job performance.

"As we have learnt from our international counterparts, in-depth training in modern day crime fighting techniques will surely prove a useful tool for law enforcement as they seek to reduce crime from our nation."

Joseph said the establishment of the Specialist Crime Academy will be a welcome addition to the traditional avenues for training for the Police Service and it also represents a significant investment by the government in its drive to curb the incidence of crime in TnT.

In the first instance, Joseph revealed, the Academy addresses the needs of the Special Anti-Crime Unit.

However, professional development training and specialist investigative training for the entire Police Service will also be conducted at the academy.

The National Security Minister then added: "...One of the areas to be addressed through the Academy is the availability of specialised investigators who possess the necessary training and background in the technical aspects of investigation, investigative interviewing and forensic training.

"There were already a few individuals who received training abroad and were therefore equipped with the specialist training necessary to bring our law enforcement's investigative team to a higher standard.

"And, there were some other officers with some hands-on training provided by more experienced members of staff.

"I therefore expect that the number of specialised investigators available to the Police Service and the Special Anti-Crime Unit in the fight against crime will increase tremendously as the Academy begins its operations."

Joseph said before the Academy was developed and designed, a number of training facilities were visited and evaluated in the United Kingdom and United States, including the London Metropolitan Police Crime Academy, the FBI Training Academy and the DEA Training Academy at Quantico, Virginia, and the National Specialist Law Enforcement Centre at Cambridge, England.

The National Security Minister expressed confidence that the government's latest law enforcement initiative will be able to match similar training facilities in the world.

"One of the key strategic aims of the Specialist Crime Academy is to maintain and expand links with recognised academic institutions," Joseph stated.

"This is being done to ensure the accreditation of its training, to improve its standard and enhance the professional status of its investigators.

"It is anticipated that personnel trained at this academy will become the nucleus of a new breed of law enforcement officers that are academically qualified, technically skilled, professionally competent and highly motivated."

Wednesday 26th July, 2006

Beenhakker says: Thank you, T&T


picture
After being overlooked for the national award, Fifa vice-president Jack Warner gets an up close and personal look at the Chaconia Gold medal presented to former national coach Leo Beenhakker yesterday, at the President's House. Looking on are newly-appointed national coach, Wim Rijsbergen (right) and Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Roger Boynes.
Photo: Karla Ramoo



By Gail Alexander

Former Soca Warriors coach Leo Beenhakker says he will always be available to T&T since this country has become an important part of his heart.

The usually solemn coach, who sometimes wore tense expressions during the Warriors' recent World Cup performances, was all smiles yesterday, as he received the Chaconia Gold medal from President George Maxwell Richards.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning last month announced Beenhakker would receive the medal and $1 million in cash from the Government for his meritorious work with the national team and his contribution to T&T.

On hand at President's House to witness the award of the medal were TTFF head Oliver Camps and other TTFF officials as well as Fifa vice-president and Warriors' financial backer Jack Warner and his wife.

Warner went to the awards function straight from the launching of his book From Zero to Hero which took place earlier at Crowne Plaza.

Beenhakker was subsequently presented with the $1m cheque by Sports Minister Roger Boynes at another function at The Queen's Park Oval.

Dressed in a beige suite with a red tie for the President's House function, Beenhakker, after receiving the medal from President Richards, said: "I am very honoured and very proud."

He added: "This award means a lot to me as it is the most important part of recognising the effort we made with the players and staff members and in putting this beautiful country on the map of the world.

"It is my wish that this continues and that T&T can show for the next two years its ability and talent. I will always be available because T&T has been an important part of my heart."

Beenhakker quipped to Richards that he had hoped to express some of his sentiments in Dutch since the President had once indicated he had studied in Holland.

But "Dutch is a language kind of like Japanese after happy hour," he said, with a laugh and stuck to expressing his appreciation in English.

Richards said he was sure that Beenhakker was not leaving T&T for good or permanently.

"He will be with us from time to time in his new capacity as technical adviser of the team," Richards added.

Beenhakker said there was little in the way of advice he could pass on to his successor since Wim Wijsbergen already has a wealth of experience and knowledge.

"I don't have to give him any advice because he is well-prepared for the job. We've worked already several years together and he's been totally involved in the situation in T&T and with the players, so he'll go along the lines we were working at and I'm sure he'll do a great job."

Warner said he hoped the recent developments in football would encourage T&T to look at sports as being much more than it was viewed before and in terms of what it can to improve the youths and T&T's culture.

Warner said: "If I had the money I would put up a billboard of the Soca Warriors in every village in T&T to inspire the youngsters.

"As Prime Minister Patrick Manning has said, sports can do much more for T&T than any politician could do," Warner added.







©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Wednesday 26th July, 2006


Government committed to US$2.5B rapid-rail


picture
Rudin Austin, from left, president of Nidco, David Brash, chairman of Nidco, Minister Colm Imbert hold discussions at the Rapid-Rail pre-tender meeting yesterday.

Photo: Ian Gooding



By Ian Gooding

Government is committed to the building of the rapid-rail project, said Minister of Works Colm Imbert yesterday.

At US$2.5 billion, the project will be the most expensive investment in the country's history except for Atlantic LNG,

Imbert was at the time addressed a gathering of potential international bidders at the second pre-tender meeting at the Crowne Plaza.

"The scope of the project has been approved, global costs have been approved and the time-line for the implementation has been approved and, most recently, the evaluation process, the criteria, the methodology and exactly how the country will go about selecting the contractor and proceeding with the implementation of the project," Imbert said

The National Infrastructure Development Company (Nidco) was appointed the contractor and the executing agency of the project. Jerry Selby was recently appointed the Project Director of Nidco.

Imbert said that the government decided not to include a requirement for financing in the request for proposals as this would complicate the issue. The RFP was confined to technical issues.

"However, the government would not be aversed to financing proposals but these would have to be separate and apart from a completed proposals document," he stated. "Anybody is free to make a proposal with respect to the financing of the project."

He wanted to know from the bidders what level of assurance they would need from the government in order to remove any questions they might have about the financing of the project.

"But I want to emphasise that the project will be financed by the government through the Ministry of Finance with a sovereign guarantee," he said.

Imbert said that 82 companies had initially showed an interest in the project but that was now around 30, including all of the major construction companies in the world.

Project Director Selby said that the project was on schedule and would stay on track. He said that "D-Day" for the final submittal of proposals would be August 28 and that the final contract would be awarded in December of this year.



©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Fleeing Lebanon


Thursday, July 27 2006(T&T Newsday)


Every time 21-year-old Andrea Haddad hears an airplane flying over her house near Piarco International Airport, she gets fearful. Haddad returned to Trinidad from Lebanon last Friday night where she experienced her first war. She is still traumatised.

Israel recently began bombing Lebanon in a vicious war with the country's Hezbollah guerrillas.

At her home Tuesday, Haddad recalled living in a Christian neighbourhood in north Beruit, where residents felt the tremors from bombings miles away.

"I was in a building that overlooked other cities on which bombs were falling from airplanes flying low. They were like small atomic bombs and, three seconds after, you would hear the explosion, and the entire building I was in, which was miles away, would shake," said Haddad.

Whenever the bombings stopped, Haddad would become uneasy, wondering where would be the next target. When she arrived in TT, Haddad felt relieved but when the first plane flew over her house, she got the same fearful feeling she had in Lebanon, all over again.

"I'm still fearful. When I hear the planes flying over the house, I get scared," she admitted. Haddad recounted how she ended up living in Lebanon and her attempts to flee the war-ravaged land she had come to love as a second home.

Her father, Ghandi, is a Lebanese citizen who came to live in TT 40 years ago and married Indra, a Trinidadian. After high school, Haddad decided to go back to the land of her father's birth to study communications at a Lebanese/American university. She is also an American citizen. "We had the occasional bomb, nothing much to worry about," Haddad recalled about her stay in Lebanon over the last three years.

"Hezbollah is a violent group known for starting unwanted things." But after war broke out in the country recently, she was forced to re-arrange her life. "After the war started, I realised I could no longer attend university in Lebanon and I had to go and get my transcripts. I had to drive through streets where I used to pass by for icecream, or where I would go to clubs. But it all gone. Nothing was left."

She left Lebanon, without her dad, on the overcrowded American ship, Orient Queen, last Wednesday and described the experience as bitter sweet. Her father left on a British warship, Destroyer, and they were to meet in Cyrpus.

"I shared a cabin with three Lebanese/American girls and we were comfortable. But I saw them tanning in the sun on the deck and wondered. I was being separated from my second home and people I had grown to love. I was going to safety but I felt pain because I was leaving the people of Lebanon behind to endure suffering from the war." Haddad had another scare on her way back, she couldn't locate her father. "When I reached Cyprus, I couldn't find my dad anywhere. I wanted to know if he was alright but had no means of communication with him." From Cyrpus, she reached London at 9 pm Thursday and still couldn't locate her father.

"I had my dad's roaming cell, and my mom, Indra, back in Trinidad, had been communicating with me. She freaked out when I told her I couldn't find my father." Haddad made it through the night and Friday morning booked a flight to Trinidad.

"Then, my mom called and said my dad had just reached London from Cyprus. We left together for Trinidad and reached home Friday night," she said. For Ghandi Haddad, it was the second time he was running from a war in Lebanon. Ghandi, 55, still weak from his open heart surgery, boarded the Destroyer, which left Lebanon for Cyprus last Tuesday evening.

Asked how two wars have changed his outlook on life, Ghandi, a Christian, said, "Life is nice. Just being away from the war is nice. Sweet Trinidad. They have so much trouble here. They don't know how sweet it is." But Ghandi, too, now feels fearful whenever he hears an airplane flying over his house in East Trinidad.

Indra, his wife, was in Trinidad when the war broke out but also went through a terrible ordeal. She sought help to get them evacuated. "I wrote a letter to the Ministry of External (Foreign) Affairs, contacted the US State Department, and the British Embassy," Indra recounted. "I was very scared for my husband and my daughter. I was scared she might get hit from a bomb going to the embassy or the university. But God answers prayers," Indra said.

Billion $$ facelift for Sando


Thursday, July 27 2006 (T&T Newsday)


DEVELOPMENTAL plans for San Fernando could see a massive transformation of the industrial capital over the next 18 months to the tune of US$ 12 billion. In revealing this, South Trinidad Chamber of Industry and Commerce (STCIC) CEO, Dr Thackwray Driver, told a business luncheon on Tuesday that Government has proposed 11 new heavy industrial plants for South Trinidad. Driver announced that construction of the plants would expand from the Point Lisas Industrial Estate to the proposed Cap-de-Ville/Chatham estate in the south-west.

Driver said: "There are massive implications for education and training, if we are to have a workforce in place that is able to take advantage of the opportunities presented by this development."

Delivering the feature address, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Planning Development, Joseph Howard, said that the massive construction project was part of Government's vision to make Trinidad and Tobago a fully developed country by the year 2020. Howard noted that it was possible that the pace of urban redevelopment taking place in San Fernando, could surpass Port-of-Spain.

He said: "The five development plans contained in the Vision 2020 National Strategic Development Plan, outline the framework within which specific targets would be achieved." Howard added that while developmental plans have been prepared, some of the first projects will lead the total package for South.

These projects include: the Waterfront development at King's Wharf; construction at Chancery Lane Complex and Harris Promenade; refurbishment and upgrade at Naparima Bowl and Transit Hub at King's Wharf; Centre for the Performing Arts.

Friday 28th July, 2006

Government to focus on highways in '07


BY GAIL ALEXANDER (Trinidad Guardian)


Three expressway projects, costing billions of dollars each, will be undertaken during 2007, connecting points in south, east and north Trinidad, Works and Transport Minister Colm Imbert says.

Speaking during yesterday's post-Cabinet media briefing, Imbert said the three projects would make it easy to move between points involved in the project in half-an-hour.

One project costing more than $2 billion, he estimated, would link Point Fortin to San Fernando, skirting the Siparia forest reserve and Oropouche Lagoon.

A second project, costing $1 billion-plus, will link East San Fernando to Mayaro via Princes Town.

Imbert said studies had shown that more than 50,000 vehicles travelled between Princes Town and San Fernando daily.

Tenders for these projects will be issued this year.

The third project"”costing several hundred million dollars"”will continue the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway, linking Port-of-Spain to Sangre Grande and Manzanilla.

While it will cost billions, Imbert said the highway construction programme was necessary, since the current traffic congestion would lead increasingly to more delays, loss of productivity and retardation of T&T's economic growth.

He said a French investment team advised recently that T&T needed to focus on its infrastructure and utilities to be able to develop.

He added that the projects would involve foreign input, since local contractors had been stretched to capacity recently.

Work will be done on a design/finance/construct basis, and maintained by the contractor before being handed to the State.

The magnitude of the projects"”and the proposed mass transport system also in the works"”will also require special oversight management capabilities in order for the Government to ensure it received value for its money.

Imbert said this might be provided by specialist engineers.

He said such persons were being sought among T&T nationals overseas.

One such expert with experience in railway systems had already been recruited from overseas.

Government would seek other T&T and West Indian nationals based overseas, Imbert said, before seeking others on the open market.

On other matters, Imbert also said solutions to flooding in downtown Port-of-Spain were being handled via the short-term measure of upgraded pumps at Sea Lots and the long-term measure of retention ponds to trap flood waters from St Ann's and Maraval Rivers.



©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Govt pledges US$30,000 to Lebanon


Saturday, July 29th 2006 (T&T Express)


The Government of this country has pledged a total of US$30,000 to provide assistance to the people of war-torn Lebanon.

A release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday informed that the funds would be channelled through the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which launched the Lebanon flash appeal on Monday, following a plea by Lebanon Prime Minister Fuad Siniora for international humanitarian assistance.

According to the release, there was also an appeal from the Non Aligned Movement (NAM) for the international community and donor countries to assist and provide humanitarian aid to Lebanon.

Anthony David Edghill, counselor/deputy permanent representative at the permanent mission of this country to the United Nations, New York, in a statement during the launch of the flash appeal, expressed this country's concern over the escalating violence in Lebanon.

He said Trinidad and Tobago shares a great affinity with the people of Lebanon, as the Lebanese community, though constituting a minority of our population, continues to make a sterling contribution to the political, economic and cultural life of this country.

A celebration of the human spirit

Minister praises Emancipation


Wayne Bowman


Saturday, July 29th 2006(T&T Express)


picture
Roraima Gutierrez of Venezuelan Afro/Latin group Tambore dances during their performance at "Sheboka-The Gathering" on the opening night of the Lidj Yasu Omowale Village at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain.



Trinidad and Tobago should, as a nation, celebrate Emancipation regardless of ethnic heritage, because it is a celebration of the human spirit and man's determination to triumph and, just as well, his capacity for success against any level of human travail.

This was the sentiment expressed by Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, Joan Yuille-Williams, as she delivered the feature address at Thursday's official opening of the Lidj Yasu Omowale Village at the Hasely Crawford Stadium for Emancipation celebrations 2006.

Yuille-Williams said citizens must appreciate the struggles of those courageous men and women who fought against chattel slavery, understanding that it is important to celebrate abolition here in Trinidad and Tobago, where so many races and ethnic groups are represented.

"The role of our emancipation celebrations is not merely to enliven us through entertainment, but also, and far more importantly, to enlighten us through knowledge and information, and the exploration of the experiences and culture of the African-descended in our population," she said.

"But there are positive implications for all in the society. It is important that we celebrate emancipation. It is the celebration of the human struggle. It is the celebration of the human spirit. And it is important to acknowledge and cherish those signal and defining moments in our history when, out of the epic struggle of the Afro-descended community, and the strident efforts of the courageous and enlightened everywhere, mankind was able to put a stop to the worst excesses in human exploitation and degradation, thereby ensuring that at no point in the future would slavery be tolerated and encouraged."

The Lidj Omowale Village is open daily until Emancipation Day on Tuesday, when the venue will host a day-long rally featuring performances by cultural groups from across Trinidad and Tobago.

Thursday's opening included a performance by a Venezuelan group known as Tambore Primo, which performed Afro-Latin music as well as salsa that got members of the audience dancing in their seats.

Coming from Belize via New York was the Garifuna International Band, which comprises descendants of the Garifune or Black Caribs from the island of St Vincent.

Garifuna International delivered a repertoire of punta music, which is a blend of French, African, European and Caribbean rhythms and melodies.

Also performing at the opening were the Signal Hill Alumni Choir, National Steel Orchestra, Hands Of Rhythm Percussion Ensemble, Brian London, Brother Valentino, Luta and others.

Makeba's marriage to Kwame Ture


JOAN RAMPERSAD Monday, July 31 2006 (T&T Newsday)


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MAriam Makeba (right,) lends an ear to Faith Doreen Radebe (left)
South African High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago.



SOUTH AFRICAN singer Mariam Makeba, affectionately known as "Mama Africa" has been chosen by the Emancipation Support Committee (ESC) to be the recipient of its third Hemley Sylvester Award for excellence. This was was presented to Professor Abdoulaye Wade, President of Senegal in 2004, and last year to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, President of Nigeria.


This was stated by Asha Khambon yesterday, during the press conference held at the Courtyard Marriott to present the icon of South African music.

Makeba, who is in Trinidad for the Emancipation Day celebrations entered the conference with the aid of a walking stick. She spoke at length about her African people, especially the children, with an abundance of concern about them losing their sense of Africaness to Western cultures.

Now at 74, she said she's been travelling since the 1950s performing, and even though her heart wants to go on, her bones are telling her "uh uh," so she's decided to slow down and try to perform for special occasions and for very special money.

Makeba then told of her "Makeba Centre for Girls" and her intention to work more with them. "A German company wants to build more homes like it so that is what I want to concentrate on when I'm home and not singing." She lamented the fact that even though South Africa has a national flag, blacks still have to fight for economic independence.

Makeba also stated that given what the black South African young girls have to go through to support themselves, she speaks to them every day and advises them, "Think before you leap because HIV/Aids doesn't discriminate."

Mama Africa has used her international acclaim to speak out on the rights of women and children particularly those suffering from abuse, incest and HIV/Aids.

She said she also tells the girls, "Don't be like me, I was married twice. Don't do that!"

This prompted the question about her marriage to Trinidadian Stokeley Carmichael, who was later known as Kwame Ture, to which she answered, "That's the best marriage I ever had; and we remained friends after it. I liked him because he was true to his beliefs, and he never sold out up till his death. He was the one who introduced the word Afro American. He was very smart."

During the conference too, Makeba couldn't help but sing a song that she said she always did when she felt alone. She said afterwards, "I love to sing; from since a little girl, they never asked me twice to sing. I am happiest when I'm singing."

The Grammy Award Winner who last performed in Trinidad in 1964, will grace the stage at the Lidj Yasu Omowale Village at the Hasely Crawford Stadium tonight, at a mega concert billed as "In A Night Of African Royalty."

Makeba will perform with her band for the entire second half of the show, that features in the first half local entertainers Ella Andall and Singing Sandra

US$.5m bail for American businessman

Charged with fraud in Piarco Airport Project

Hayden Mills


Tuesday, August 1st 2006


AMERICAN businessman Eduardo Hillman-Waller, who is before the local and United States courts on fraud charges arising out of the Piarco Airport Development Project, was on Friday granted US$500,000 bail on charges of obstructing justice and witness tampering.

He was arrested on July 25 in Miami, Florida, by the Immigration, Customs and Excise offices of the US Department of Homeland Security on a joint operation with the Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago.

After being detained by Miami officials, he appeared for his bail hearing on Friday.

Conditions were attached to his bail where he was ordered to be confined to his home. He was also ordered to wear an electronic monitoring device.

The Express understands that he has been remanded at a Miami prison and is currently awaiting his bail to be posted.

On March 16, a United States Federal Grand Jury upgraded an indictment and listed 84 criminal charges against Hillman-Waller and seven other businessmen and two companies involved in the construction of the $1.6 billion New Piarco Airport Development Project in an attempt to recover US$33.5 million.

The US indictment charged former government minister Brian Kuei Tung, former Maritime executive Steve Ferguson, local businessman Ishwar Galbaransingh and a local company headed by Galbaransingh -Northern Construction Ltd.

Others named were president of the Florida-based Calmaquip Engineering Corporation-American Raul Gutierrez Jr, Calmaquip Engineering Corporation, Hillman-Waller of the now defunct Miami-based Birk and Hillman Inc, Calmaquip directors Armando Paz and Rene Diaz de Villegas, Aruba national Richard Lacle and Colombian Leonardo Arturo Mora-Rodriguez.

Birk Hillman Inc served as consultants in the project while Calmaquip provided specialised equipment.

Hillman-Waller, 71, of Coral Gables, Florida, is also before Port of Spain Magistrate Ejenny Espinet charged with conspiring to defraud the Airports Authority, Government and the public by falsely pretending that the award of the contracts during the construction of the $1.6 billion new Piarco Airport project was honest, competitive and fair.

He is before Espinet along with business partner Ronald Birk, Gutierrez, former works minister and Opposition senator Sadiq Baksh, Kuei Tung, Galbaransingh, NCL's financial director Amrith Maharaj, Ferguson, former chairmen of the Airports Authority Ameer Edoo and Tyrone Gopee, Ministry of Works client representative Peter Cateau, Northern Construction Ltd and Calmaquip Engineering Corporation and the three Maritime Financial Group companies-Maritime (Life) Caribbean Ltd, Maritime General Insurance Company Ltd and Fidelity Finance and Leasing Company Ltd.

He is now charged with:

-conspiracy to knowingly and corruptly endeavour to persuade other people to withhold testimony, records and objects relating to the US federal proceedings;

-knowingly and corruptly endeavouring to persuade Mora-Rodriguez to withhold testimony, records and objects relating to local proceedings;

-knowingly and corruptly persuading and attempting to corruptly persuade Mora-Rodriguez, with intent to cause and induce Mora-Rodriguez to alter, destroy, mutilate and conceal objects with intent to impair the objects' integrity and availability for use in the local proceedings; and

-knowingly and corruptly persuading and attempting to persuade Mora-Rodriguez and another person with intent to influence the said persons' testimony with respect the US trial where Gutierrez and others are the defendants.

Tuesday 1st August, 2006

Roberts: Don't abuse TT Card


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Social Development Minister Anthony Roberts, left, presents president of the Supermarkets' Association Heeranand Maharaj with a debit card as the first phase of the Smart Card programme, during its launch at Crowne Plaza, Port-of-Spain, yesterday. Photo: Karla Ramoo



BY COREY CONNELLY

Government will frown on any approach which will make citizens become totally dependent on the state, Social Development Minister Anthony Roberts says.

He made the statement while delivering the keynote address at the launch of the TT Card Conditional Cash Transfer Programme at Crowne Plaza, Port-of-Spain, yesterday.

The Smart Card initiative, which was first announced by Prime Minister Patrick Manning in last year's budget presentation, is meant to give recipients the ability to purchase basic food items and assist with poverty reduction in the country.

It has replaced the SHARE programme, which has been in existence for some 13 years.

Yesterday's launch saw the first phase of programme's implementation with the introduction of a debit card (TT Card), which would allow beneficiaries to choose from 40 prescribed food items.

The card becomes operational from today.

Roberts' comment came as he noted that beneficiaries would enjoy a two-year stint in the programme and will not be allowed to continue except in special circumstances.

Extensions would only be granted in special cases such as old age and severe medical condition, he added.

The minister said that while recipients are in possession of the card they would be required to participate in skills training programmes to ensure that they become self-sufficient.

"We will not condone or further encourage the dependency syndrome," Roberts told his audience, which included president of the Supermarkets' Association Heeranand Maharaj and First Citizens' CEO Larry Howai.

"We are not in the business of giving handouts. What we are doing is extending a helping hand to those among us who require the help to help themselves."

Roberts also sounded a warning for those who may seek to abuse the programme.

"While the Government is fully immersed in helping those in need, the Government will have an absolute zero tolerance to those who wish to abuse this effort at social protection," he said.

"And I state categorically that it is totally out of the question that the TT Card be used for the purchase of tobacco or alcohol.

"Under no circumstances should alcohol and tobacco products be purchased with a TT Card."

Roberts said that cardholders who attempt to purchase these products with the TT Card will be eliminated from the programme.

"I give the assurance that any attempt at abusing this TT Card will not be tolerated," he said.

Eligibility will be determined by a means test to be administered by the Ministry of Social Development.

Families with three members or less will receive $300 per month.

Families with four or five members will receive $400 per month.

Families with six or more members will receive $500 per month.

Terminals have been installed at some 112 groceries throughout T&T.



©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

TT gets back Category I status


SEAN DOUGLAS Friday, August 4 2006(T&T Newsday)


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GRATEFUL HANDSHAKE: Prime Minister Patrick Manning, left, thrilled over this country getting back Category I status, heartily shakes hands with US FAA...



PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning said it took a lot of hard work for Trinidad and Tobago to be returned to the Category I status of the local civil aviation service as awarded by the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) last August.

A happy Manning told this to the gathering at Wednesday's awards ceremony of the TT Civil Aviation Authority at Crowne Plaza Port-of-Spain.

"No one can underestimate the importance of a properly functioning civil aviation system within any country in providing transportation linkages to key financial and commerical centres of the world," Manning said.

He added that there is a strong correlation between air trafic and economic development. In Trinidad and Tobago, he said, air links served our increasing industrial, financial, commercial and tourism sectors.

The international transport industry, he said, is extremely sensitive to safety and security in airports, airlines and operating systems. He recalled that in 2001, the International Civil Aviation Organisation had downgraded Trinidad and Tobago from category one (which he said signals compliance with international standards) to category two which signals non-compliance.

"There were immediate consequences one of which was the negative impact on BWIA, our national airline." BWIA was significantly curtailed in its connections with the most important area in the world.

"One of the significant setbacks was that BWIA could not now expand its operations by adding any new airlines or new destinations to its US operations."

He said he understood the extremely hard work it had taken to get TT to regain Category One status. Hailing the achievement, he said: "We were back to where we belong returning from where we should never have gone in the first place." Earlier FAA director Marion Blakely said Category One status would bring economic benefits for Trinidad and Tobago. She said TT had joined a group of 100 countries and alliances that held Category One status.

CAA director-general Ramesh Lutchmedial recalled the hard work done by staff to achieve Category One status including creating thousands of pages of regulations, training manuals and a Civil Aviation Act.

Minister of Works and Transport Colm Imbert said the Barbados Government has requested that the Caribbean creates a "single domestic space" for Cricket World Cup 2007 so that as soon as an international traveller lands at their first airport, from then on he can travel the Caribbean being regarded as a domestic traveller as he proceeds.

CAA chairman Major-General Ralph Brown effused that his staff were now being sought by East African countries.

US warship to service Tobago


Friday, August 4 2006 (T&T Newsday)



A US Army military vessel which saw action in Iraq and Afghanistan is to service the Tobago seabridge. Works and Transport Minister Colm Imbert, told yesterday's post-Cabinet news briefing Government will buy two fast-ferries.

These vessels are The Lynx which is already wet-leased on the local seabridge and INCAT 060 which had been converted to serve the US Army, according to Imbert. INCAT 060, according to the website of Australian shipbuilders Incat, is a wave-piercing catamaran which now serves as a "Theatre Support Vessel "” 1st Experimental" (TSV-1X) named The Spearhead.

INCAT 060 has reportedly conducted 117 missions in "Operation Enduring Freedom" against Al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan and "Operation Iraqi Freedom" against Saddam Hussein in Iraq, travelling some 67,236 miles in total transporting troops and supplies (see globalsecurity.org website).

Imbert said INCAT 060 will now have to be modified from its current configuration as a troop carrier for the US military and create an open plan layout before entering service in Trinidad and Tobago waters.

He said Cabinet approved the purchase of The Lynx at a cost of US$20 million, plus INCAT 060, which is the sister vessel to The Cat which had previously served the seabridge, at a cost of US$46 million. INCAT 060, named as the 60th vessel built by the Incat shipyard of Tasmania, is currently in Australia.

Imbert said that by purchasing these vessels instead of leasing them, over the next ten years Trinidad and Tobago could save TT$200 million on the Lynx and TT$100 million on INCAT 060. "Cabinet did a detailed ten-year cost analysis of purchase versus leasing, and the savings are in the hundreds of millions of dollars".

The Lynx is nine years old and INCAT 060 is four years old, said Imbert, and each is expected to give Trinidad and Tobago some ten years of future service after which they will respectively be pulled out of service and sold.
He said the INCAT fast-ferries, such as The Lynx and The Cat, had proven their worthiness to handle the waters between Trinidad and Tobago.

Buying two INCAT vessels, he said, would create synergies in terms of spare parts, technical knowledge and maintenance.

Friday 4th August, 2006

Disaster relief to cost Govt $235m


Revised plan includes providing T&TEC with portable generating units and upgrading WASA services.


By Valdeen Shears-Neptune


Government is set to spend $235 million in the next four years upgrading this country's disaster preparedness plan.

This was announced by Minister of Public Utilities Pennelope Beckles, during yesterday's post- Cabinet news conference at Whitehall.

Beckles said her ministry had previously announced that at least $130 million was needed to facilitate the upgrading of both T&TEC and Water and Sewerage Authority.

She said this was revised after information obtained during the recent American Hurricane Conference and also because of reported global changes.

The programme, she said, would be carried out in two phases, the first of which had already been implemented.

"In terms of the first phase, the majority of the funds has already been allocated for nine trailer-mounted generators with inter-connectivity.

"With the revised plan, more activity is expected, more planning in terms of infrastructure."

The revised system caters for a back-up control room, which is expected to cost Government $2.5 million, as well as the establishment of staging sites to allow for less time spent getting crews back and forth to remote areas.

These sites will cost Government $500,000 a year to maintain.

Beckles also itemised an increased quantity of electricity spares and emergency supplies, recalling Hurricane Ivan and the shortages encountered then.

As a result, she said, Government planned to stock up on key supplies such as spare poles, conductors, transformers and connectors, specifically for disaster restoration efforts.

Beckles estimated costs at $60 million, while the cost of warehousing was expected to be almost $4 million.

Construction of two safe buildings in Charlotteville, Tobago, and along the north coast to cater for T&TEC operations, will also allow for the conversion of a power generating plant in Penal.




©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Friday 4th August, 2006

Six Trinis still in Lebanon


Five nationals were evacuated, but six have taken refuge in north Lebanon.


BY JUHEL BROWNE

At least six T&T nationals have chosen to stay in Lebanon despite the worsening cross border conflict between the Hezbollah guerrillas in the south of the country and Israel.

Foreign Affairs Minister Knowlson Gift made the disclosure during an exclusive interview after yesterday's post-Cabinet news conference at Whitehall.

When the fighting between Hezbollah and Israel began 22 days ago, Gift had then confirmed that five T&T nationals had officially requested to be evacuated from Lebanon.

Gift said yesterday that the official number of citizens in Lebanon, based on the information obtained by T&T's Honorary Consul there, was higher than originally estimated.

"We got a list that was many more than five," Gift said.

"There were probably about ten or 11, but a number of them were not interested in leaving. They said they would go further north, northern Lebanon, where it was safer. And we left our lines of communication entirely open...Whenever they want to leave, we will see to their evacuation."

Most of the Israeli air strikes and ground troop assaults have occurred in southern Lebanon where Hezbollah is based.

Gift said all five T&T nationals who said they wanted to leave Lebanon were evacuated by the British military as part of an arrangement that T&T High Commissioner to the UK Glenda Morean-Phillips struck with the British government.

"Some went to Cyprus, and Turkey was also a hub as an alternative...It really was not a direct jump from Lebanon to London," Gift said.

"The fact is they were all evacuated."

When asked whether any of the evacuated nationals returned to T&T, Gift said: "I understand that a relative of one of them returned to Trinidad."

Gift referred the Guardian to the Foreign Affairs Ministry for further clarification.

Contacted yesterday, a Ministry spokesman said, "There was one person who did come to Trinidad."

However, the spokesman did not identify the person.

The spokesman also said all of the T&T nationals who were evacuated from Lebanon ended up in Cyprus where four out of the five evacuees remain.

"They just wanted to get to a safe place as soon as the situation normalised," the spokesman said.



©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Seafood board takes over

Kim Boodram


Saturday, August 5th 2006 (T&T Express)


A Board of directors has been officially appointed to the newly-formed Sea Food Industries Development Company Limited.

The letters were handed out yesterday by Minister in Ministry of Finance, Christine Sahadeo, at the Eric Williams Finance Building, Independence Square, Port of Spain. In handing out the appointments, Sahadeo said the experience and expertise of the people on the board should mean that things will happen for the local fishing industry.

The company mandate states that it will be responsible for "achieving sustainable utilisation of the resources, creating a profitable, competitive and innovative sector, developing an appropriate Governance framework for the modernisation of the sector and for the empowerment of coastal fishing communities".

"The mandate is quite large," Sahadeo said, adding that she feels the board will be able to make "a lot things happen in a short space of time".

Newly-appointed chairman, Bruno Maharaj, told Sahadeo that implementation is crucial to the company's success.

Maharaj, who has spent his life in the industry, said the fishing community has always longed for a company such as this.

"We longed for the day when the stakeholders themselves would drive the industry," Maharaj said. "But implementation is very important. You hear of a lot of projects being started and they are hardly ever completed, with implementation being one of the problems."

President of the Fisherfolks Organisation of Tobago, Charles James, said his organisation welcomes the improvements that the company should bring to the fishing industry.

"We have actually been going around to some of the beaches," James said, "And in some of them the conditions are just awful."

The company is yet to locate an office, but Sahadeo has suggested that the board take a look at units from Caroni (1975) Limited.

Govt: Inflation not a problem

No need to curb spending

Driselle Ramjohn


Friday, August 4th 2006 (T&T Express Business)


DESPITE mounting concerns on escalating inflation, Government is confident that the problem is being dealt with appropriately and has no intention of significantly reducing expenditure in the upcoming budget.

This from Minister in the Ministry of Finance Conrad Enill speaking at yesterday's post-Cabinet press conference at Whitehall, Port of Spain.

Earlier this week, leading economist and University of the West Indies lecturer Dr Dhanayshar Mahabir told the Daily Express that the Central Bank must "up its tempo" and engage in drastic open market operations to successfully combat escalating inflation as current methods prove to be ineffective.

However, Enill explained that the Central Bank's incremental increase in the Repo rate, by 25 basis points, which in turn pushed up interest rates and other measures employed have been effective in fighting inflation as excess liquidity is being "mopped up".

"Basically, what people have said is that we are doing the correct things. Maybe they believe that we should be scaling it differently. However, we are looking at a number of things, one is how to condition the population so that they understand the issue and that is why it is going at the present rate," Enill said.

"We (the Government) are also looking at some supply side considerations because our view is that if we create more supply then we will be able to bring down the price of goods," the Minister added.

Enill explained that the Government has acknowledged that there is "an issue with supply" and that it is "working very quickly to bring more supply on board" through the mechanisms like the reduction of duties, the removal of CET (common external tariff) on goods and the alternative sourcing of goods that are in short supply.

The Minister said that despite claims that Government expenditure is significantly contributing to increased inflationary pressures in the economy, the Government is operating within its capacity and understands that there will be some inflationary spikes as the move towards developed nation status by 2020.

He added that expenditure depends on revenue and as long as revenues allow, the Government will continue in the same direction of current expenditure.

Enill added that Government has done extensive research in ensuring that drawbacks are kept to a minimum and that the problem of inflation is being handled.

In his post-Cabinet presentation, Enill said that every year the Government is involved in a number of exercises designed specifically to determine "where we are and what are some of the issues we need to deal with in the context of our economy".

He announced that after the annual Moody's Investors Service Ratings Review, which assess the local economy, the country's foreign currency government bonds rating which was Baa2 was upgraded one notch to Baa1.

Moody's attributed this upgrade to the country's continued improvements in its external position and declining debt ratios, Enill said.

He added that foreign currency bank deposits rating also was upgraded one notch from Baa2 to Baa1.