$47m Cove Estate kicks off


Friday, February 16th 2007(Tobago News)


The sod-turning ceremony to officially kick off the $47 million infrastructure works for the 140-acre Cove Eco-Industrial & Business Park was held on Monday.

The park is located on State land at Lowlands and is within walking distance of the southwest coastline and nestled between the end of the Crown Point International Airport and the sprawling Tobago Plantations Golf Course and its residential area.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning had said a month ago that the park was part of his Government's industrialisation programme for the country.

Finance and Enterprise Development Secretary Dr Anslem London told guests at the ceremony that the park represented the Tobago House of Assembly's initiative for the diversification of the island's economy and thereby shifting the almost total dependence on tourism.

He said given the sensitive location of the park, light manufacturing, knowledge-based, high-energy and eco-friendly commercial activities would be encouraged at the export processing zone and will also serve as a landing point for natural gas from nearby marine fields.

Dr London said the park would also serve to foster the development of entrepreneurship, generation of foreign reserve, creation of employment opportunities and the transfer of cutting-edge technology.

He said State-owned Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission had indicated its plans to establish a power generating plant at the park and staff of his Division would assist local applicants in their plans to establish businesses.

Martineau Transport and Construction Limited of Canaan won the contract to carry out the infrastructure works from several larger companies in the country.

It is promised to deliver the completed project in 18 months but Dr London said he was hoping that it would be finished in half that time by September.

Some 400 jobs are to be created at the peak of construction. eTecK is providing project management services while Trintoplan Consultant Limited is providing consultancy services. Chief Secretary Orville London who joined Dr London and eTecK's president Khalid Hassanali in turning the sod in the shadows of an old sugar mill.

Chief Secretary London described the occasion as a significant day for Tobago and urged all involved to deliver the project on time and within budget.

He lamented that within recent years the Assembly has had to face serious challenges of delivery of projects.

He disclosed that five of the 140 acres of the park would be reserved for a tourism park, while the remaining acreage would be utilised for data processing, plastics, woodworking paper packaging, agro processing and other related industries.

He said COSTATT was currently negotiating with the Assembly for a parcel of land to site its Tobago Campus, while YTEPP had already purchased one acre along the Claude Noel Highway for construction of a Tobago Campus.

London said Cove was not about providing employment but entrepreneurship and had to be seen as a pioneering site.

"What happens at Cove can be duplicated in other areas of the island. Cove must be seen as a symbol of Tobago's advent into the mainstream of industrial development," London said.

Energy BLINDSPOT


Thursday, February 22 2007


By Rory Rostant (T&T Newsday Business)

BPTT CEO and chairman Robert Riley has said Trinidad and Tobago's energy planners have to be careful not to get "so far out ahead" in planning their projects that exploration ends up lagging behind them.

He takes the view and believes that the success of Government's energy expansion programme is highly dependent on new gas finds and expressed some concern about the rapid pace at which things were being done.

In a recent interview at the launch of the code of ethics by the TT Chamber of Commerce at West Moorings, Riley was blunt in his observation, "The issue of growth depends on exploration success."

Asked whether the Government's energy programme was too ambitious, Riley said on paper it appeared so but stressed that existing gas contracts are being met.

"Like anyone one else, I do have some concerns about the pace at which projects are coming on stream," he said, when asked about the energy projects lined up by Government and which are set to come on stream.

He said the energy planners have to be careful because things don't always go as planned. "One might not end up doing the things you set out to do," he said.

"It could be somewhat of a setback," he said, responding to the issue of whether gas reserves will meet the expected demand when new projects come on line.

"Success for expansion comes with gas finds," he said. He said he has observed that Government was aggressively pushing companies in the exploration direction.

"I think Government is out there pushing it," he said of their efforts.

He said if gas exploration proves successful, it has to be carefully managed, and if not then the planners should find some way to sustain the projects lined up.

Riley said bpTT, a business unit of the energy giant, BP, was looking at rolling out its exploration programme again next year and start drilling again. The company's Ibis Deep well, after much fanfare, turned up dry last year and analysts have said that this put a spoke in the wheel of Government's plans for the energy projects.

The feeling was that Ibis' success was tied to a lot of new projects, they said. Asked about this, Riley said he felt that while the failed Ibis was going to have some impact on the intended projects it was not significant enough to derail Government's plans.

Why ? "Other people are also doing exploration," Riley said, referring to other companies in the sector and noted that bpTT was not the only company out there that was looking for gas.

During the interview, he was asked what impact the disastrous fire at the BP's oil refinery in Texas had on their local operations in Trinidad.

"You can't have an incident like that and not be impacted by it," he said. He said one just had to look at BP's share prices to see what an incident like can have on the company. BP has dismissed reports that it put profits before safety.

In the aftermath of the fire, an independent panel headed by James Baker, former US Secretary of State, was commissioned to write a report on the fire at the 2005 Texas City refinery explosion that killed 15 people and injured more than 100 others.

Riley said the Baker report, which detailed BP's deficiencies and safety shortcomings, tried to ensure that "something like Texas City never happens again."

On January 12, BP announced that CEO John Browne will step down in July, more than a year earlier than his expected retirement date. He will be replaced by Tony Hayward, currently the company's head of exploration and production. His reputation has suffered in the aftermath of the refinery explosion, oil spills and production shutdowns in Alaska, and other woes. With pressure building, Browne decided to step down.

Asked how the local outfit was affected by the fire, Riley said across the globe, CEOs of the company's business units must now outline to the BP board how safety is being catered for in their operations.

This must now be done on a monthly basis, he said, adding, "BP has gotten the message."

In bpTT's case, Riley said the company has spent some $150M to upgrade plant and equipment. The company in 2006 awarded Wood Group and Neal & Massy a five-year integrated maintenance contract to beef up its maintenance and safety on its offshore platforms.

The contract includes the provision of minor modifications and integrated maintenance services for all BP's offshore platforms and relevant upstream facilities in Trinidad.

"BP took the decision to nominate one fully integrated service provider rather than multiple service providers to improve the safety, integrity and efficiency of BP facilities, to build up a significant local integrated maintenance and modifications capability in Trinidad," a press statement from the company said. As a result, Riley said the company was prepared to deal with any major accidents at any of its sites. "We are prepared for anything," he said.

Riley said bpTT has put in place a six-point plan that ensures that safety becomes as important as any business unit of the company. The plan's priorities include conducting and taking action in the case of major accident risks assessments, implementing the new control of work and integrity management group standards as well as ensuring complete compliance with laws and regulations relevant to operations, rapidly closing out findings from past audits and ensuring the competence of teams in matters of safety and operations.

˜I don't feel good about what happened at Texas City," Riley said, noting BP responded the right way by putting place measures to deal with safety across the board. "It has made us a better and stronger company," Riley said of the Texas fire.

Asked to comment on the perception that BP sacrificed profits for safety, Riley said he did not think so. His view is that there was a "weakness" in its safety management.

"BP," he said, "is not the only company with weaknesses," he said, noting the problems experienced by BP were not unique to BP alone.
Like any other energy company, he said BP has its weaknesses. "Other companies have theirs."

He said while the Texas fire hit the company hard, what has since happened is that a lot of energy companies have been forced to look at the way they do things now.

For instance, he said the Baker report is now being used as a standard for best practice. "Other energy companies are using it to improve their operations," Riley said, noting that this was a good thing for the industry. The last thing anybody wants is another incident like Texas," he said.

He said what he would like to see happen is that other energy companies use the Texas incident as a wake-up call. He said while a lot of companies would have seen the Baker report and its sugggestions, the bottom line was not only who was going to implement its measures but doing so effectively.
"Companies must use it to improve," he said.

We have full employment in TT


By SEAN DOUGLAS Sunday, February 25 2007(T&T Newsday)



Prime Minister Patrick Manning last night boasted that his Government had brought the country to "full employment" as he said Central Statistical Office figures showed that unemployment now stands at five percent. This is the first time such a figure has been reached in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean, according to Manning.

Manning made the announcement at a political meeting in Coalmine, Sangre Grande, following a walkabout in Cumuto and Manzanilla earlier.

Manning said full employment is a technical term which means that out of everybody seeking work only five percent of those persons cannot get jobs.

He contrasted the five percent figure with the 20 percent unemployment rate when he first ever took office in 1991.

Manning said inflation in January fell to 8.6 percent, in contrast to the doom and gloom last October when it peaked at ten percent which critics warned would be the start of a slippery slope.

He anticipated a further fall in inflation for February as he recalled that $674M had been withdrawn from the economy and sterilised by bonds sold by the Central Bank to the public.

He reiterated that he was still aiming for a short-term inflation figure of seven percent and long-term rate of five percent.

He noted pockets of unemployment particularly among youngsters age 15 to 19 years old and in young women under 35 years old.

Answering critics both past and present, he told supporters to challenge the other political parties to state their plans.

He claimed that many critics of the Water Development Project have now turned into ardent supporters, as he also recalled past times when his Government has been proven right such as the liberalisation of the economy in the 1990s.
He acknowledged that change was not easy especially for nay sayers and he vowed to continue the country's industrialisation, saying that new industries such as polypropylin would supply raw materials for plastic industries not just in TT but also the Caribbean. Manning avoided any reference to smelters.

He boasted of a $420M fund to assist the Caribbean.

Declining to state the election date, he nevertheless told PNM supporters to get their house in order, ignore the criticisms from the other political parties, and work toward getting a special majority of seats in Parliament which would allow a new constitution and a new system of governance.

He claimed this was the best Carnival ever, countering criticisms about the holding of the Panorama finals at Skinner Park and of the Parade of Bands solely on the streets of Port-of-Spain rather than the big stage of Queen's Park Savannah.

The Prime Minister also boasted that food prices are now rising less steeply than before and recalling the NAR 33-3 sweep of 1996, Manning stated, "Now is payback time."

Monday 26th February, 2007 (T&T Guardian)


Atlantic LNG bids for world class status


Atlantic LNG is working on developing itself into a world-class LNG operator, the company's chief executive Oscar Prieto has said.

In a year-end report on AtlanticLNG's operations for 2006, Prieto said the company's new corporate mission was to be the benchmark for the global LNG industry in three to five years.

He said it would adopt these goals now that its decade-long construction phase was finally complete.

Prieto said the company would begin a number of technical projects and mechanical upgrades and continue to invest in training to enhance technical and professional competencies throughout the company, building staff capability in managing all aspects of LNG operations.

Prieto reported that in 2006 AtlanticLNG processed 748 billion cubic feet (bcf) of natural gas. It paid taxes totalling US$46.7 million to the Government of T&T and closed out the year with 307 loadings of LNG cargoes on behalf of Atlantic's shareholders BP, BG, Repsol YPF, Suez and NGC.

He said these shipments represented 30 per cent of T&T's exports for 2006 and 63 per cent of the cargoes were shipped to the US, 25 per cent to Europe, and the remainder to Japan, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

Prieto said the company maintained T&Ts position as supplier of an estimated 70 per cent of the total LNG imported by the US.

AtlanticLNG also continued work on the training and development of its 668-strong workforce, including hiring 80 new employees.

On October 13, 2006, AtlanticLNG achieved the milestone of loading its 1000th cargo since the start of commercial operations.

Prieto said, "throughout 2007, Atlantic will be working to complete infrastructural development projects in Point Fortin, including a recreational facility at Guapo Beach and a public swimming pool at Coronation Park.

Atlantic will also finalise the relocation of residents at our fence-line to new homes in the Southern Gardens community."




©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

TT ready for World Cup


By FRANCIS JOSEPH Monday, February 26 2007(T&T Newsday)



Trinidad and Tobago is ready to host its end of the ICC Cricket World Cup tournament.

Come March 5, the local public can see the fruits of two years of planning for the premier event to be staged in nine islands across the Caribbean in March and April.

Chevannes Harrison, Events Manager, of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) is a happy man today. After members of the LOC paid an inspection of the facilities at the Sir Frank Worrell Ground at the University of the West Indies at St Augustine on Saturday, Harrison said everything is on course for the start of the warm-up matches next Monday.

"We will be ready come match day," Harrison assured.

The first warm-up match will feature the number one team in the world, South Africa against lowly-rated Canada. In fact, South Africa will be the first team to land in Trinidad. The team arrives on Wednesday at 8.30 pm. Canada, Pakistan and Ireland arrive later in the week.

There was some concern over the arrival of the South Africans. The LOC learnt that South Africa was due in at 12.30 am on Thursday. But that would have clashed with the Airports Authority's closure of the airport to facilitate repairs to the runway.

But since then, Cricket Operations Manager Ann Brown-John learnt that the South Africans would be landing at Piarco at 8.30 pm on Wednesday.

Harrison joined the LOC 18 months ago and since then, he said the committee has been working at getting everything in place to ensure that Trinidad and Tobago is not embarrassed on the international stage.

Harrison's greatest challenge has been integration "” getting all the various committees to work together. "I have been trying to get all the key stakeholders together and integrated and that is what we have been doing over the past weeks. That means getting security to work with cricket operations, medical and venue operations. I must say, it has been a challenge over the past few weeks, but we are getting there."

In fact, Saturday's meeting at UWI was well-attended by all the stakeholders involved in the tournament. The police, under Supt Stephen Addison, came in their numbers, along with the members of the various committees "” VIP/Protocol, security, volunteers, transport, communications and marketing, and medical. The UWI security department was represented by its head, Wayne Richardson, a former police officer.

The tour of the UWI ground was facilitated by its venue operations manager, Craig Prenzler. The South Africa-Pakistan clash on March 9 has been sold out, LOC CEO Anand Daniel confirmed. He said there are a number of tickets for the other three warm-up matches.

After the tour of the facility, Harrison said everything will be ready by tomorrow. "There are one or two areas to be ironed out, but I am satisfied with UWI."

Harrison said this week will be very crucial as the LOC fine-tunes its operations ahead of the warm-up matches and the preliminary round of group stage beginning on March 15.

"Everybody involved with this project will be out this week as we conduct dry runs and drills. The last dry run takes place on Sunday, the day before the first warm-up match. There will also be a major evacuation event at the Queen's Park Oval on Saturday and this will be done by (Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management) ODPM."

Rampaul bowls TT to victory


By KERN RAMLOCHAN Monday, February 26 2007(T&T Newsday)



RAVI RAMPAUL crowned a triumphant return from injury when he bowled Trinidad and Tobago to victory yesterday against Barbados in the Carib Beer Challenge Final at Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre.

For his match haul of nine wickets for 119 runs, the young fast bowler was adjudged joint "Man-of-the-Match" with his skipper Daren Ganga who scored 120 in the first innings and a fighting 44 batting a second time.

The 49-run victory which came at the stroke of lunch yesterday, the fourth day of the scheduled five-day match, was greeted with joyous celebration by the sizeable crowd witnessing the final rites.

Rampaul had set up the expected home victory on Saturday evening when he grabbed four wickets as the Bajans chased 276 to dethrone the defending champions.

He returned yesterday morning and showed the kind of form that first indentified him as a future Test player several years ago and signalled to the West Indies selectors why he should be on the regional team for their summer tour of England.

Bowling from the River End, Rampaul's first victim yesterday was the prized scalp of Barbados skipper and first innings centurion Ryan Hinds.

He was caught at mid-on by Richard Kelly playing mistimed drive, sparking celebrations by the national team and home fans who sensed that a major stumbling block to the TT victory march had been removed.

The fall of Hinds for eight left Barbados at 135 for the loss of six wickets and cleared the way for wicketkeeper Patrick Browne to join Tino Best at the wicket.

Browne made his presence felt immediately with some lusty blows to the boundary and was quick to pounce on any loose bowling by the Trinidad and Tobago bowlers.

Spinner Amit Jaggernauth felt the full brunt of Browne's aggression as he dispatched him for several boundaries through the mid-wicket region before lofting him over the pavilion with a massive slog sweep for six.

The pair shared in entertaining partnership of 25 runs and threatened to take the initiative away from Trinidad and Tobago. But skipper Ganga soon turned to his strike bowler Rampaul and he responded with the scalp of the stubborn Best, caught by wicketkeeper Ramdin for a well-played 30 leaving Barbados at 160 for the loss of seven wickets.

The injured Alcindo Holder, batting with a runner was not as effective as in the first innings and misread a Dave Mohammed legspinner to be caught by Dwayne Bravo at first slip for ten.

It was the spinner's first wicket of the match and he struck again, bowling Browne after he had recorded another regional half-century in the previous over leaving Barbados facing certain defeat.

Rampaul would fittingly complete Trinidad and Tobago's victory when he had Cory Collymore caught off his own bowling in the last over before the lunch break.

Barbados, who thought they had been on the receiving end of some poor umpiring decisions on Saturday when TT batted, were dismissed for 226 runs in their second strike losing by 49 runs.

Afterwards Ganga praised his team and the management staff for the victory saying that the hosts had vindicated themselves after their success of last season.

"A lot of people were saying, well we could not keep up to the expectations of last season but we did. Everyone played a great part and showed that we are indeed a champion side and we aim to carry over our winning ways into the next season," said Ganga.

Trinidad and Tobago had earlier won the the KFC Cup regional limited overs tournament to add to yesterday's Carib Beer Shield.

"Man-of-the-Match" adjudicator was Larry Gomes, the former West Indies batsman nicknamed "Mr Dependable" who had no trouble in giving the award to both Rampaul and Ganga for the significant roles they played in helping TT retain the Carib Beer Challenge.


Ravi Rampaul and captain Daren Ganga.

THEY JUST could not hide their joy after Trinidad and Tobago whipped Barbados by 49 runs in the Carib Beer Challenge Final at Guaracara Park yesterday. Here, members of the victorious local team splash into the pool at Paria Suites, La Romaine, where the team stayed for several days.

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO cricket team, the 2007 Carib Beer Challenge champions, pose with their over-sized winners' cheque of US$5,000 and the Carib Beer Challenge Trophy, with the lovely Carib Girls, following their 49-run victory over Barbados in the final at Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre yesterday. Dwayne Bravo and captain Daren Ganga (front row) show their glee along with their teammates (back row, left to right) Dave Mohammed, Sherwin Ganga, Rayad Emrit, Adrian Barath, Richard Kelly, Sanjiv Gooljar, Amit Jaggernauth, Denesh Ramdin, Lendl Simmons, Ravi Rampaul and manager Omar Khan.

100,000 MORE voters

Big jump in 2007 electorate

Juhel Browne


Tuesday, February 27th 2007(T&T Express)


More than 960,000 of Trinidad and Tobago's estimated population of 1.3 million were registered to vote at the end of 2006 for the next general election.

This represents an increase of more than 100,000 over those who were eligible to vote during the last general election in 2002, and is the biggest five-year increase in voters since 1991.

The next general election is constitutionally due this year and will see the addition of five new Parliamentary seats up for grabs.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning has not yet announced the date for the next general election.

In response to questions submitted by the Express on the issue yesterday, EBC communications specialist Leslie Fitzpatrick said that as of December 20, 2006, there were 968,369 registered voters.

Fitzpatrick said he was unable to obtain the latest update of that figure for the year so far.

The 968,389 figure represents an increase of 113,109 registered voters within the last five years, but Fitzpatrick said he could not obtain the information yesterday that would explain the reason for the spike in the electorate.

According to an EBC document, there were 875,260 registered voters in 2002, of which 609,571 or 69.64 per cent of the electorate had cast their vote in that year's general election, which went in favour of the People's National Movement.

This was the highest percentage of votes since 1961, which saw 88.11 per cent or 335,517 voters casting their vote out of a total number of 378,511 registered voters.

Fitzpatrick said the EBC has been doing everything it can to ensure that the integrity of the electoral list is not comprised.

There have been concerns raised over the past few years about voter padding-people who have moved out of an area but still voting in that area-and the names of dead people on the electoral list.

"Steps have been taken and continue to be taken with regard to trying to secure the accuracy, integrity and security of the list. You must realise that because the registration is a voluntary thing, that the electorate has a crucial responsibility in making sure that we can produce an accurate list," he said.

Fitzpatrick said when people do not give information about any moves made from one electoral district to another, or deaths in their families, that was information the EBC would not have. He said even though the EBC does its own field work, things can change overnight.

"If they don't' give the information, it means they are not helping us to update the list," Fitzpatrick said.

He said people may visit various polling stations throughout the country and check the electoral list to ensure the information is accurate. People, he added, can visit the EBC's head office on upper Frederick Street, Port of Spain, to verify their election status.

Wednesday 28th February, 2007

Sahadeo: CSO's labour statistics above board


Christine Sahadeo

A team of Swedish consultants have been retained to restructure the Central Statistical Office (CSO), acting Planning and Development Minister Christine Sahadeo has said.


reporting by Shaliza Hassanali(T&T Guardian)



ACTING Planning and Development Minister Christine Sahadeo has said that the computation of labour statistics by the CSO"”including the unemployment rate follows international accepted guidelines of the International Conference of Labour Statisticians, under the aegis of the International Labour Organisation.

The survey questionnaire is conducted every two weeks by field officers so that each month there would be two periods of information," she said.

The minister was speaking at a press conference at the Eric Williams Financial Complex yesterday, where she sought to dispel rumours that the Government was manipulating labour statistics from the CSO.

UNC Senator Wade Mark alleged on Monday that the CSO was aiding the PNM in "statistical conmanship."

Mark had accused the Government of altering the CSO's data collection component used to calculate unemployment.

Sahadeo said the trend in the unemployment rate had been steadily declining based on the genuine computation of labour statistics done by the CSO, and that the figure presented by the Government was not bogus.

Sahadeo was pleased with the preliminary unemployment figures which were announced by Prime Minister Patrick Manning over the weekend.

Sahadeo, however, pointed out that even though unemployment has been decreasing, statistics show that people between the age group of 15 and 19 continue to show the highest level of unemployment.

Notwithstanding the general declining trend, Sahadeo said "there were some regions which exhibit relatively high double digit levels of unemployment in 2005."

These are:

Nariva/Mayaro which stood at 20.4 per cent;

Point Fortin 15.1 per cent;

Victoria 10.1 per cent.

She said that in 2003, the unemployment level was 10.5 per cent. However, by 2005 it had declined to eight per cent and further declined to 6.7 per cent at the end of the fourth quarter of 2005.

"Based on data collected for the period October to November 2006, the unemployment rate dropped further to five per cent."

Sahadeo also explained that there were some major trends in employment for the period 2003 to 2005.

"The labour force participation rate increased from 61.6 per cent to 63.7 per cent, which was largely due to increased female participation in the labour force."

She said the computation of labour statistic by the CSO"”including the unemployment rate"”follows international accepted guidelines of the International Conference of Labour Statisticians, under the aegis of the International Labour Organisation.

The survey questionnaire is conducted every two weeks by field officers so that each month there would be two periods of information," she said.

Sahadeo said some highlights of the CSO's methodology and concepts dealt with the labour force, the employed and the unemployed.

She said the unemployed includes people who looked for work at some time during the three-month period preceding enumeration and who at the time of enumeration were not working or had a job but still wanted work.




©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Economists hail 5% rate


Wednesday, February 28 2007 (T&T Newsday)



TWO senior economists yesterday commended Government for initiating policies that has resulted in full employment and continued declines in inflation. However, they advised Government to keep its eye on the ball and ensure that policies in both fronts are sustainable.

During a PNM political meeting in Sangre Grande on Sunday, Prime Minister Patrick Manning announced that the latest Central Statistical Office (CSO) data showed that unemployment in the country had fallen from 5.9 percent in the final quarter of 2006 to five percent this year. Manning said this means there is full employment in TT. The Opposition UNC and Congress of the People have questioned the validity of the unemployment figures.

Caribbean Money Market Brokers senior economist Jawala Rambarran said he has no reason to dispute the accuracy of the figures which Manning referred to. He explained that an objective analysis of economic trends over the last few months would show that "we have reached full employment."

However, Rambarran and Republic Bank senior economist Dr Ronald Ramkissoon said while the economic indicators have been moving in the right direction and achieving full employment is good, "this is not the end of the story." Both men agreed that the ability to sustain the current levels of employment over the short, medium and long term is what Government now needs to examine.

They said the available data shows that the majority of the jobs which Manning referred to were created in the construction sector and from Government employment. Rambarran added that programmes such as CEPEP would have also had a role in achieving full employment. He said unless the current level of construction in the country could be maintained, it was possible that some "labour shedding" might occur and this would cause unemployment to increase again.

Ramkissoon said construction activity was tilted more in favour of public over private sector projects and the sector would have to maintain its current production levels for at least another three to four years to prevent any increase in unemployment.

In terms of increased Government employment, Ramkissoon said sustainability was also essential here. He explained that while the increase in these types of jobs was good, there also needed to be an increase in the numbers of jobs in other sectors such as agro-processing and services.

Both economists were satisfied with inflation falling to 8.6 percent last month and steps being taken by Government and the Central Bank to further reduce inflation.

TT/India trade deal by March



By CLINT CHAN TACK Wednesday, February 28 2007
(T&T Newsday)


GOVERNMENT will sign a new trade agreement with India on March 12 when this country's Far East trade and investment mission visits New Delhi, Trade and Industry Minister Ken Valley said yesterday.

Valley, who is leading the mission, spoke to Newsday via telephone in London. The mission left TT on Sunday and is scheduled to return home on March 14.

The mission will visit New Delhi and Mumbai in India, Shanghai and Beijing in China and Seoul, South Korea. Valley said the mission will be in New Delhi on March 10 and a bilateral trade investment treaty will be signed with the Indian government on March 12.

Following the visit of Indian vice-president Shri Bhairon Shekhawat Singh to the Caribbean late last year, Valley said a bilateral investment treaty would be signed when the Far East mission goes to that region.

The agreement will explore opportunities for joint ventures by companies from both countries in areas such as health and information technology. The agreement will also protect investments by business persons in either TT or India.

Valley said he was very optimistic the mission would open the way for new investments especially within the non-energy sector. He added that this country was at a critical juncture in its economic development and the Far East mission represents another dimension in ongoing efforts to diversify the economy.

Members of the mission include representatives of over 20 private sector companies representing a wide array of industries including finance, food and beverage, construction, printing and packaging and various service consultants.

In a statement on Monday, the Ministry said the mission hopes to build on the success of the European trade and investment mission last September, following TT's historic participation in the 2006 World Cup Finals in Germany. The Ministry said that mission resulted in a visit by Irish Trade and Commerce Minister Michael Ahern in January.

Thursday 1st March, 2007(T&T Guardian)


Indian industrial giant clears hurdle to Pt Lisas


The Essar Group, one of India's largest steel and energy corporations, has been granted a certificate of environmental clearance (CEC) to set up a US$1.76 billion iron and steel complex on former Caroni (1975) Ltd land at Phoenix Park.

Essar Steel Caribbean Ltd will be one of the biggest clients on an industrial estate which will occupy 3,000 acres of former sugarcane land. the plant will have a capacity of 2.5 million tonnes a year.

The new estate will be an expansion of the Point Lisas Industrial Industrial Estate, where Mittal Steel, another major Indian firm, operates the Caribbean Steel Mills.

John Jones, the National Energy Corporation's (NEC) engineering and construction supervisor, told the Guardian the new estate will be bigger than the Point Lisas Industrial Estate and south of the original estate in Couva.

A newspaper advertisement from the authority on Wednesday stated that Essar and the EMA had agreed to change a certain condition of the original CEC which had been granted.

The EMA said a consent order to this end had been filed with the Environmental Commission on February 14.

It added that an administrative record, which includes "the major environmental issue involved in the matter," was established.

Jones, commenting on the transformation of Central Trinidad's sugar cane belt, said the new industrial estate will bring better jobs with higher salaries and progress to the area.

Jones said the 3,000 acres of land had already been transferred from the Estate Management & Business Development Company (EMBD) to the NEC.

He claimed that there had already been a good response to the coming of the new industrial estate.

Westlake Chemical Corporation, a Texas-based firm, has applied to the EMA for a CEC to set up a US$1.5 billion plastics industry in the new industrial estate.

Westlake signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government in April 2006 to jointly develop a polyethylene manufacturing complex.

Westlake hopes to start construction of the new plastics plant in late 2007 and start operation in 2010.

Westlake officials have already held two public consultations with residents of Phoenix Park and promised that many jobs will be created in the industry and in services that support it.

During the consultations, Phoenix Park residents expressed fear that their village, sandwiched between the Point Lisas Industrial Estate and the proposed extension one, would be dessimated.

But Westlake said the environmental impact of the plant will be minor or nil and officials promised to observe all local environmental laws.



©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Interpol praises Manning


Thursday, March 1 2007 (T&T Newsday)



PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning has been commended by Interpol for his leadership and contribution to the region's "ground-breaking strides" in the area of security in preparation for the ICC Cricket World Cup, a release from Whitehall revealed yesterday.

Manning met with the Secretary General of Interpol Ronald Noble on Tuesday, as part of his (Noble's) tour of five of the Caribbean countries hosting the highly anticipated Cricket World Cup.

Noble told the Prime Minister that the region placed itself as a leader in security technology, having employed the use of an Interpol Database containing the names of over 13 million persons wanted by Interpol for various crimes, the release said.

According to the release Manning responded by stating: "It is turning out that it is in the area of security that the region is leaving its legacy for the Cricket World Cup and we want to take that legacy to the next level."

Noble, it added, then called on the Prime Minister to further support the region's commitment to setting trends in the area of security by continuing the use of the infrastructure put in place for the Cricket World Cup.

Noble also suggested that there may be value added to the region by establishing an Interpol Sub-Regional bureau in Trinidad and Tobago in the future.

The release noted that the use of the database had been successfully piloted in the Caribbean Single Domestic Space and that the names of visitors had been cross-referenced for matches against the Interpol Database. This technology had only been utilised previously in Switzerland, it added.


SECURITY SHAKE: Police Commissioner Trevor Paul (right) and Secretary General of Interpol Ronald Noble are all smiles at the end of a meeting yesterday to discuss security measures for Cricket World Cup.

S/Africans arrive fit and excited


By ZAID MOHAMMED Sports Editor Friday, March 2 2007(T&T Newsday)



SOUTH African cricketers, the first team to arrive in Trinidad for the historic World Cup in the Caribbean landed at Piarco early yesterday morning after a 13-hour direct flight from Johannesburg.

The team, ranked Number One in the world and led by captain Graeme Smith looked remarkably fit after the long journey across the Atlantic.

"We are happy to be part of this exciting event," Smith said as the team was accommodated in the VIP lounge where they filled out their TT Immigration landing forms.

The special charter of the South African airline SAA which brought them, did not have these forms on board.

Said Smith, "We are very proud of our Number One ranking in one day cricket but as you know there are about seven teams that can win, good teams with exciting players. We are looking forward to the competition and promise exciting cricket."

But he was cautious about predicting a clear winner. Smith, an attractive left-handed opening batsman said he hopes to use the warm-up matches at UWI, St Augustine next week to get used to the pitches and weather conditions and to make some runs.

Mickey Arthur, team manager of the Proteas, as the South Africans are known, said that despite their ranking, earned after Australia were beaten in five consecutive matches recently, the South Africans are not going into the upcoming tournament as favourites.

"I think there are about six teams that can win it. We are happy to be number one, we have worked hard for it and it was a goal for us," Arthur said. He added, however, that the top billing is worth nothing if the players do not give their best performances day in and day out in the World Cup.

Arthur said that Australia, as defending champions and on their record, are the team to beat and lists his side South Africa along with hosts West Indies, New Zealand and two teams from the sub-continent, India and Sri Lanka as the others with a very good chance of lifting the ICC World Cup.

"The West Indies are going to be very strong in their own country and Sri Lanka also. And Pakistan and India, you never really know what you're going to get. It's an open World Cup," Arthur said.

Smith said, "Over the past two years we have proved our worth in one-day cricket and hopefully within the next two months we can adapt to the conditions here and do well."

He said the South Africans were very proud of their number one ranking in one-day cricket which he described as just reward for their hard work and defeat of teams all over the world. Missing from the team arriving yesterday was main strike bowler Makahaya Ntini whose wife recently gave birth to a baby girl. He is expected to join his team-mates early next week.

Those who arrived yesterday included experienced players Jacques Kallis, Shaun Pollock and Mark Boucher. Commenting on the recent string of surprising defeats handed to the Aussies, Arthur said this should not be interpreted to mean that the Australians are a diminished force in one-day cricket.

Led by Ricky Ponting, the Australians were swept 2-0 in the Commonwealth Bank Series one-day tournament by England who they had earlier whitewashed 5-0 in the Ashes Tests.

Then New Zealand shocked their neighbours with a 3-0 whipping in the Chappell-Hadlee Series which led many commentators to believe that the Aussie World Cup defence was in shambles. However Arthur said yesterday the Aussies were understrength against New Zealand and that was the key factor in their defeat.

"You need to have your top players stay fit to win a tournament like the World Cup and we would be worried about injuries at this stage," said Arthur.

He said a main factor if South Africa were to win the World Cup would be their players peaking at the right time.

"I think that things have gone nicely for us this season and we have shown an upward curve and hopefully our planning is coming to fruition," Arthur said.

He said of particular interest to the team is the nature of the pitches which will be under close scrutiny in their upcoming warm-up matches at the Sir Frank Worrell Oval in St Augustine.

"A lot of the stadiums are new and not too many people know how they are going to play. The reports from the people that are sourced indicate that they are going to be very good wickets which is very good for us.

That is what we want. We want wickets that are true and then the best team on the day will win," Arthur said.



IMMIGRATION PROCEDURE: South African cricketers fill out their immigration forms on arrival in Trinidad and Tobago early yesterday morning at Piarco International Airport. From left are Justin Kemp, Ashwell Prince, Mark Boucher, Loots Bosman, Andre Nel and Roger Telemachus. The South Africans are here for a series of pre-World Cup warm-up matches at St Augustine.

Time after time: Loots Bosman, left, looks on as his teammate AB De Villers checks his watch probably to adjust it to local time after the South African cricket team arrived at Piarco International Airport early yesterday morning. South Africa plays warm up matches against Pakistan and Ireland at the Sir Frank Worrell Grounds, St Augustine next week in preparation for the ICC Cricket World Cup.

JANELLE COMMISSIONG-CHOW, left, Communications and Marketing Manager of the Local Organising Committee for the 2007 Cricket World Cup clarifies a point with South African player Loots Bosman when the Proteas arrived in Trinidad and Tobago early yesterday.

SOUTH AFRICA'S first ever black captain Ashwell Prince strolls into the VIP Lounge of the Piarco International Airport early yesterday when the Proteas arrived for a series of CricketWorld Cup warm-up matches.Prince, a star batsman, took over the team when present captain Graeme Smith was injured last year.

Just Mello: ICC Cricket World Cup mascot Mello relaxes after a tour of the facilities at the Sir Frank Worrell Ground, UWI, St Augustine yesterday.

In 10 years, Petrotrin coats Govt coffers



By Linda Hutchinson-Jafar Spec Thursday, March 1 2007(T&T Newsday)


Over the ten year period 1996-2006, Petrotrin has paid to government royalties and taxes amounting to TT$14.6 billion, according to Petrotrin's Executive Chairman, Malcolm Jones.

The supplemental petroleum tax alone contributed $6.0 billion, he said. As a state owned oil company and an earner of hard currency, Petrotrin's sales of foreign exchange over the last five years totaled US$534.5M (TT$3.324 billion), Jones said in a presentation during the South Chamber's annual petroleum conference last month.

In Trinidad and Tobago, where multinational energy companies seem to dominate the sector, the company seems to be quietly and steadfastly contributing to Government coffers.

Jones, whose experience in the local energy sector spans over 40 years, noted that sustained growth of any business requires investment in current operations as well as future opportunities.

Between 1996 and 2006, he said Petrotrin invested TT$8.9 billion in its business, of which $2.0 billion went into its refining operations and in 2005, it commenced the Gasoline Optimization Project which will further boost refining investment.

"This investment not only assures a supply of environmentally sensitive petroleum products, it will also guarantee the energy security that our citizens and CARICOM colleagues now take for granted," he said, in direct reference to several Caribbean countries opting to get a large supply of oil under PetroCaribe agreements and which has been undermining Petrotrin's traditional regional market.

He noted a further TT$21.9 billion went into operating expenditure with $10.1 billion representing direct incomes, he said. The remaining $10.8 billion was accounted for as expenditure on materials ($2.8 billion), contracts ($4.8 billion) and utilities ($3.8 billion).

"I leave it to the economists to calculate the multiplier effect of these income injections. Even if some of it leaked from the economy, as expenditure on imports, there is no doubt that there would have been some positive impact on the level of national income," Jones added.

"Although some may deem its contribution to Gross Domestic Product small at just under seven percent, no one doubts the profound impact it has on the economy especially the southern region," said Jones.

"It should be underscored as well that in its history, Petrotrin has unfailingly met all its obligations, even in the worst of times," Jones said. Emphasising that Petrotrin is more than a commercial entity and was rather a partner in national development, Jones drew reference to Malaysia's state company Petronas, whose role is centred around oil for development as opposed to oil development.

"Wherever there is oil in commercial quantities, oil development tends to occur. When oil development benefits the people of the producer nation, we can talk about the role of oil for development. This role involves more than contributing to government revenue as important as that is," he explained.

A key strategic thrust for Petronas, he said, is adding value to the country's crude petroleum resources through forward integration downstream of the value chain. "Like Trinidad and Tobago, the country has developed its natural gas resources for use as a clean fuel and established a thriving petrochemical complex."

Given the relationship between the company and the country, Petronas' success is Malaysia's success, he said, noting that indispensable to that success has been the development of human resource talent and capability.

"Its forays overseas reflect the development of the capability of its people via formal education as well as attachment to the operations of foreign partners. This investment has brought significant rewards, " said Jones.

Stating that Petrotrin shared these sentiments, the Executive Chairman noted that over the years, Petrotrin sought to develop people through a number of approaches.

"In fact, many of the companies operating in this country can attest to reaping the benefits of our investment in our people. We continue to do this, confident that we need to build the capability of our people since a well-trained workforce is essential to national development," he added.

Petrotrin's approach to people development is two pronged, according to Jones.

Firstly, investment in employees, is done through direct training locally and overseas as well as support for employee initiated training. Between 2004 and 2006 a total of TT$14.7M was expended on employee training.

In addition, Petrotrin approved employee programmes by providing TT$2.4M in educational assistance and scholarships to 151 employees.

Secondly, Jones said the role of the company was to contribute to the development of the skilled workforce; a capability that will outlive the oil and gas.

"When the oil no longer flows, the skills and knowledge of the people become the basis for the sustainable activities," he observed.

Petrotrin, he said, also provides critical support for small independent operators who produce oil and gas from stripper wells that have become uneconomical for Petrotrin but are profitable for the operators because of their lower cost structure.

In addition, Petrotrin also supports a class of operators under its farm out programme. These two groups of players add just about 6,000 barrels of oil per day increasing the volume of indigenous crude available to the refinery.

Friday 2nd March, 2007(Trinidad Guardian)


BpTT launches gas platforms


Robert Riley, chairman and chief executive of bpTT, presents a plaque to Leroy Mayers permanant secretary at the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries at a function held at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre, yesterday.

Photo: Jennifer Watson


BY ASHA JAVEED


BpTT's Mango and Cashima platforms are expected to produce two trillion cubic feet of natural gas over the next ten years.

This production level will give bpTT the capacity to sustain its gas production at the level of 500,000 barrels-a-day of oil equivalent, said chairman and chief executive Robert Riley as he formally commissioned the platforms at a function at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre yesterday.

Mango and Cashima will therefore also be serving the national need for gas production to support planned for down stream industries," he said.

Riley said the production from Mango and Cashima, which were locally constructed by Tofco at Union Estate in La Brea, is expected by late 2007.

The commissioning comes after the company's US $500 million Ibis Deep well turned up dry last year, which some analysts believe put a spoke in the wheel of Government's plans for energy projects.

The first gas output from Mango is expected by September 2007 and from Cashima by October 2007 and will add 1.5 billion standard cubic feet a day of gas to the national output.

Mango and Cashima are intended, of course, for the production of natural gas from fields of the same names. As our existing gas fields decline, we need new ones to meet the demands of the domestic and LNG markets," he noted.

Reserves in Mango and Cashima have been earmarked for that purpose, amounting roughly to about three trillion cubic feet both platforms will each have six development wells initially, with production of around 800 million cubic feet a day each," he said.

Riley said construction cost of Mango was US$350 million, while Cashima, which has a longer pipeline to its processing hub at the existing Amherstia platform, will come out at around US$530 million.

Riley explained that two contract rigs, Constellation and Monitor, will be drilling the Mango and Cashima wells, respectively. Cashima was designed to send its gas to a new hub at Amherstia.

Centering gas production around a single processing hub has always had its risks. With Amherstia joining the Cassia B as an additional one billion cubic feet a day hub, we will now have much greater flexibility to manage any operational hiccups that may develop in the future," said Riley.

By building the Mango and Cashima simultaneously, we believe we have helped to accelerate the learning process among all concerned. When you move seamlessly from one project to another you tend to capture the lessons better. It's al about efficiency and getting to the point where productivity becomes optimal," he said.



©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Friday 2nd March, 2007(Trinidad Guardian)


Govt approves TT-Venezuela unitisation pact


Cabinet has approved the long awaited framework agreement for unitisation of hydrocarbon reserves between T&T and Venezuela, Energy Minister Lenny Saith said yesterday.

It has the potential to be another LNG train," Saith added of the initiative

It is the first such cross-border initiative in the Americas and one of only eight worldwide, he also said.

The next step will be for Prime Minister Patrick Manning and Venzuelan president Hugo Chavez to sign a treaty to effect the agreement.

The cross-border framework plan has been in the works since 2003 when T&T and Venezuela began expediting the initiative via steering committees and legal teams.

The first area involved in the joint project is the Lorand Manatee field which contains 10 trillion cubic feet of reserves 27 per cent of which belongs to T&T, Saith said.

Saith said the legal team established this month has examined the situation.

The draft treaty focuses on general provisions, exploitation of cross-border hydrocarbon resources, committee for implementing the treaty, the applicable law and final provisions.

The treaty provides for determination and allocation of the volumes of reserves, the way in which costs and benefits from the unitisation will be distributed and construction, operation and use of installations related to the project.

The agreement also provides for construction of a cross-border pipeline.

Each state will continue to exercise civil, administrative and criminal jurisdiction over the various areas that fall within the treaty.

Parties will settle disputes by negotiation through the respective steering teams and a ministerial committee from each country. The ministerial teams, for instance, will decide what the states will do with the gas reserves.

While the agreement will have indefinite life, it can be terminated by any party.

Once its provisions come into force, both states will begin discussions on how to commercialise the reserves of the Lorand Manatee field.

(GA)

©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Friday 2nd March, 2007(Trinidad Guardian)

New power plant for Sea Lots

Saith: PoS power station to close in 2009


Energy Minister Dr Lenny Saith responds to questions from journalists at yesterday's post-Cabinet press briefing at Whitehall.

Photo: Andre Alexander

FUTURE POWER

Retire POS power station in 2009
Build new power station in Sea Lots by 2009
Build new 60 megawatt dual power station in Tobago.


National Gas Company to develop proposals for supplying natural gas to Tobago by 2008 to supply plant and for other uses.


BY GAIL ALEXANDER


The Port-of-Spain power station will be decommissioned in 2009 and replaced by a new one to be built that year at Sea Lots, Energy Minister Lenny Saith said yesterday.

Addressing journalists at the weekly Whitehall media briefing, Saith listed this among several new power generation projects to be undertaken in T&T.

Saith noted the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Energy which Cabinet approved at its meeting yesterday.

The recommendations focused on ways of increasing T&T's electricity supply to meet the country's 18,000 to 22,000-megawatt anticipated power demand up to the year 2016.

The team looked at how T&T will deal with electricity generation in the next seven to eight years, including the future of the ageing Port-of-Spain power station.

Saith said T&T's total demand for power generation is now about 1,190 megawatts.

The team based its projections on three scenarios: the first involving normal growth among residential, industrial and commercial consumers, the second assuming this normal growth with additional industrial development and the third projecting deterioration of all plants.

He said the first scenario would see an increased demand to 1,721megawatts by 2016.

The second would involve a growth demand to 1,832 megawatts and the third to 2,232megawatts by the year 2016.

Saith said:

With this in mind and looking at the stages of the various existing plants in POS, Penal and Trinity (Inncogen ), the team made various recommendations to satisfy the demand in any situation ahead."

As a result the following decisions were agreed on:

Retiring the PoS power station when the power purchase agreement with Petrotrin expires at the end of 2009.

Construction of a new PoS power plant tentatively at Sea Lots by the end of 2009 with a generation capacity of 250 megawatts.

Installing a 60 megawatt dual power station in Tobago.

National Gas Company to submit proposals for getting natural gas to Tobago by 2008 for this plant and for other uses in Tobago.

TTEC will negotiate with Trinity Power (formerly Inncogen) for additional 140 megawatt of associated generating for combined cycle.

At Pt Lisas, negotiations with Powergen to convert single cycle generating units to combined cycle to yield an additional 104 megawatts.

TTEC to negotiate for purchase of additional 430mw from the surplus generated at Alutrint smelter plant

Saith could not give the cost of these initiatives.

There is also an offer from Indian steel giant Essar for a power plant as part of their steel complex.

Saith said Alcoa's proposed smelter will have little left over to supply TTEC.


©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Saturday 3rd March, 2007

Graduate collects degree after 60 years


Winston Dindial shows off his degree from Howard University.

BY ADRIAN BOODAN (T&T Guardian)


SIXTY YEARS after earning a bachelor of science from Howard University in the United States, 83-year-old Winston Dindial collected his degree on February 23.

Dindial related his intriguing story to the Guardian when we paid a visit to his quaint home at the end of a narrow track called Dindial Mews in Cunupia on Monday.

Dindial was relaxing in his living room filled with antique teak furniture, well placed under a high, varnished board ceiling where he proudly showed off the document he waited six decades to get his hands on.

The certificate was hand-delivered in its blue jacket by Michael N Dupigny, another Howard graduate from Trinidad and Tobago. Dindial's support for his French wife in her appointment to the then newly formed United Nations played the critical role in him not attending his graduation ceremony on August 13, 1946.

Stepping down memory lane, Dindial said he ventured to study in the US when he was prevented from studying hydraulic engineering as a consequence of the efforts of Adolph Hitler in 1939.

Dindial was born in 1924. His grandparents had come to Trinidad and Tobago as young people and had brought large parcels of lands after indentureship where they planted cocoa and tonka beans for export to the United Kingdom. "Cocoa was fetching a good price, making our lives very comfortable. However, petroleum has always been the king of industries, so Dutch Royal Shell built the (then) largest oil refining plant in Curacao, known as the CPIM."

He said Shell required English speaking workers even though most of their crude at that time was sourced in Venezuela. Dindial said his father had a good knowledge of T&T's oil industry and formed a transport company that was hired by Shell. Dindial's family relocated to Curacao, where the official language was Dutch.

While in Curacao, Dindial attended the St Thomas College, where he studied German and Dutch. He said the Dutch were the masters when it came to water management.

"I wanted to study hydraulic engineering after graduation. Unfortunately, Adolph Hitler attacked Danzig in 1939, which started WWII. Curacao is a little dry island. There are no agricultural activities. Fresh food was brought in from Venezuela on three mast schooners and processed grocery items came from Holland.

"German submarines were sinking enemy ships in the Atlantic ocean, hence the American presence in Trinidad and Tobago. Strapped for food for its citizens, the Curacao government asked all non citizens to leave while the going was good." Dindial said his family returned to T&T where he attended St Mary's College and graduated in 1943.

"All European nations where Caribbean students went to study were asked not to come at all. They were accepting person who had credentials which could help the war efforts. The universities in those countries suffered from the lack of students in the social sciences. Able bodied men 18 years and older had to join the military services."

Dindial said he joined the government chemistry division on Frederick Street. At that time, the chief chemist was Guyanese Bunny Davis. "I did a lot of forensic analysis involving quite a few arsenic poisoning cases, the favourite poison at the time."

Dindial said he eyed the US as the solution to his education problem. Because of the military draft in the US during WWII, many universities suffered low attendances. Howard University in Washington, DC, mandated Dr Eric Williams, who later became T&T's first prime minister, to seek out and select students from the region to study at Howard.

"Dr Williams selected me, one of the many hundreds of Caribbean students who were shut out of Europe." Dindial said that, after enrolling at Howard he even taught freshman chemistry for two successive summer school programmes. However, because of a twist of fate, Dindial was unable to accept his degree in 1946 because his French bride, Fulviee Pouget, was roped into the staff of the then-newly-formed United Nations."

He continued, "My wife was born on the outskirts of Paris and was working in her embassy at Washington. Staffing the English section of the UN was easy, but French presented a problem.

France was badly damaged by the war and the population was still putting together the pieces. As such, my wife was recruited to join the French staff, she had to be in New York at the time of my graduation and she had no intention of going to New York without me. She was adamant about this.

"I reasoned that I had accomplished the start of my career and she was now starting hers in the largest international organisation in the world and I should not stand in her way. I went north to the UN and Dr Williams went south to join the Caribbean Commission and to later become the first PM of Trinidad and Tobago."

Dindial divorced Pouget in the early 1960s and married a Spaniard, Zoila Ortiz, in 1968. Dindial said he was contacted by Howard through Carolyn Williams, the secretary of the university, when he was on the Internet looking for information in January.

Arrangements were made to have the certificate delivered to him.

Dindial has three children and holds a doctorate in science. He holds joint US patent with two German scientists dealing with distillation with the use of ultrasonic waves and has written for several publications. Clearly, the lack of the degree in hand didn't slow him down much.



©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Protect children of the nation


By SEETA PERSAD Monday, March 5 2007(T&T Newsday)


Amidst the festive celebration of Phagwa or Holi, at the Tunapuna Hindu School yesterday, His excellency the President of TT George Maxwell Richards called on adults to protect the children of the nation.

"Do not abandon your womb. Parents and other elders, I exhort you not to abandon your role and your authority regardless of the pressure that seeks to have you do otherwise. Our children need the security of your determined leadership," he said.

As thousands of children attached to the Maha Sabha Schools were seen roaming about freely throwing abeer (red liquid) on each other, the President spoke about the freedom enjoyed by the people of this country.

He said that while "we seek to embrace the different aspects of the culture of TT," in other parts of the world this is not so.

"We have the sad example of Rwanda, Bosnia, Herzogovina, Iraq and Darfur in the Sudan to name but four geographic areas, where intolerance has led to the most horrendous crimes against humanity. Millions heave died and millions of others, having been dislocated through wars, have no hope of returning to their homes," he said.

He lamented the sad fact of children being born into situations of conflict and slavery, in which some of them even die, in this the 21st Century.

"They do not have the freedom to enjoy as we enjoy as we are enjoying today," he added.

He told the Phagwa crowd that the atmosphere of this festival is infectious and magnetic and there are many non devotees who are drawn by the spirit of the camaraderie and family that pervade.

Secretary General of the Maha Sabha, Sat Maharaj who chaired this programme recognised the presence of MP for Caroni East Ganga Singh in the audience. Singh created an uproar when he sprayed SWMCOL's chairman Ray Brathwaite with abeer. This follows Friday's Parliament session where Singh slammed Brathwaite on the CEPEP projects .

President of the Maha Sabha Thirbhawon Seegobin, addressed the function saying Phagwa unites people from all walks of life.

The Indian High Commissioner to TT, Jagit Singh Sapra in his address said that he was happy to mark the beginning of spring and the religious festival of Phagwa in TT.

Students of the various Maha Sabha schools took turns in doing chowtal (Hindi folk song) on stage as President Richards looked on. The president took the time to visit the Maha Sabha's radio station 102.7 FM - Jagriti. He complimented the Maha Sabha saying that he hopes that it expands in the field of communication.

The Hindu Festival of Phagwa in TT: In celebration of Phagwa 2007, His excellency George Maxwell Richards sprays abeer on the kids at Tunapuna Hindu School yesterday morning.

Children Sing: Students of the Tunapuna Hindu School singing the National Anthem to start Phagwa celebrations at the school's grounds yesterday.

Friday 9th March, 2007(Trinidad Guardian)

Indian bank coming to T&T


Trade and Industry Minister Ken Valley presents the letter communicating the Central Bank's approval for the Bank of Baroda to begin operations in T&T to Dr Anil K Khandelwal, chairman and managing director of the bank, during a ceremony in Mumbai, India. Valley is leading a trade and investment mission to the Far East.



After nearly three years of negotiations, the Central Bank has given the green light for India's Bank of Baroda to operate in T&T.

Trade and Industry Minister Ken Valley, who is in India on a trade and investment mission, yesterday presented the letter of approval to the bank's top executives.

Dr Anil Khandelwal, the bank's chairman and managing director, said he expected the agreement to open up new trade and investment opportunities for Indian and T&T businessmen.

According to a Trade and Industry Ministry news release, Khandelwal "saw T&T as the Singapore of the West and urged his customers to visit this country to explore business opportunities".

He added that his bank's strategy was to build sustainability in the local economy.

At the ceremony, Valley said part of the Government's diversification thrust was to transform T&T into the region's financial hub.

He also noted that T&T had a highly evolved financial sector.

Valley alluded to several local financial institutions owning operations in Central America and other Caribbean islands.

Apart from expressing interest in T&T, the Bank of Baroda has 60 offices in 21 countries including the Bahamas, New York, Guyana, London, Brussels and Dubai.

According to the release, the Bank of Baroda has "vast, multi-specialised international experience in project finance, international trade finance, loan syndications, retail finance and SME lending.



©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

$100,000 for anti-domestic violence group



By MALISSA LARA Friday, March 9 2007(T&T Newsday)



GOVERNMENT has promised $100,000 in financial help to the TT Coalition Against Domestic Violence. This was revealed by Minister in the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs Eulalie James during International Women's Day (IWD) celebrations at the Brian Lara Promenade in Port-of-Spain yesterday.

As James made the announcement, coalition head Diana Mahabir-Wyatt became very emotional and covered her mouth as she looked on in amazement. She then loudly exclaimed her thanks and appreciation.

Wyatt's organisation, the Rape Crisis Society and the Men Against Violence Against Women (MAVAW), all received awards of recognition for work in the civil society. It was mentioned that MAVAW is actively working at building the first transitional home for men.

Commenting on the donation, Wyatt said she was very happy that the child line can be kept open.

She added that a lot of children would be dead now, if it was not for this child line. She stated that it was unfortunate that "some women feel when they have been beaten, they are less than other women."

The donation was not the only highlight of the day as during the IWD launch, the promenade was turned into a constant thoroughfare of women from various organisations. There were three varied cultural items such as a gospel song that told women to "keep their head up", a monologue that depicted a woman's struggle in domestic violence and some dancers.

James delivered the feature address and said that "violence against women is an issue often covered by a veil of denial." She stressed on the importance of this year's theme: "Ending Impunity For Violence Against Women And Girls."

In her address, James highlighted that in 2001, 11.2 percent of murders were the result of domestic violence and there were 572 reported cases of incest and rape. The minister said that in addition to the many initiatives created to protect and help women, a programme focusing on defining masculine excellence has been developed and has been successful. She mentioned that the gender policy is still in the process of being complete and she hopes that the final draft would be accepted.

The IWD celebrations flowed into a street parade from the promenade, up Henry Street, across Duke Street and down Frederick Street.


OH WOW!: Diana Mahabir-Wyatt of the Coalition Against Domestic Violence reacts to the news that the organisation would receive $100,000 from the Culture and Community Development Ministry which was announced by Minister in the Ministry of Culture and Community Eulalie James yesterday during International Women's Day celebrations on the Brian Lara Promenade in Port-of-Spain.

FEMALE DIVER: Lee Ann Brown, one of the three women divers of the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard carries her oxygen tank toward one of the display tents on the Promenade.

WOMAN TO WOMAN: Three-year-old, Atiya Hendrickson (right) plays with a tractor's gears on the Brian Lara Promenade yesterday, during the International Women's Day celebrations while a woman soldier takes a rest.

TO THEIR OWN DRUM: A policewoman adjusts her stripes as policewomen attached to the south-western and central divisions march along Court Street, San Fernando, yesterday to commemorate International Women's Day.

Broadway becomes Broadgate Place


Friday, March 9 2007(T&T Newsday)


The city skyline is about to be improved by one more multi storey tower in Transcorp's Broadgate Place on Broadway, Port of Spain.

The 26-storey office tower is a-30-month project carded to start in June, 2007.

The French company Bouygues Batiment which is building the Waterfront Project has been contracted by Transcorp Credit Union (TUC) to construct Broadgate Place.

The 26-storey tower is estimated to cost $800M and a special purpose company Transcorp Development Company Limited hopes to have a sod turning ceremony by mid March. Demolition of the mostly abandoned buildings at 6, 8, and 10 Broadway and 3-5 Henry Street started earlier this month and is expected to continue for the next three weeks.

Transcorp Development does not have permission to do demolition works during the day so site clearing is done at night. According to a source, "Work begins at 6 pm and runs until 3.00 am."

To get Broadgate Place off and running properties were acquired from Charran's Bookstore, the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and the Bowen family.

KFC at the corner of Broadway and Independence Square South and Maraj & Sons Limited situated at the corner of Broadway and South Quay will remain.

TCU is a 95 percent share holder in the project while Fire Services Credit Union owns the other five percent.

this trini thread plenty popular

does i mean they got plenty register trinis here
or plenty guyanese living in tt

New study software for SEA students

By Ruth Osman


Wednesday, March 7th 2007(T&T Express)


Thanks to two new software programmes, students can now prepare for the English and Math SEA exams on their computers.

Aries Technologies Incorporated, a Barbados-based company, last week launched Mathematics and English for 11+ at the Crown Plaza Hotel.

The package, which has enjoyed success on the Barbados market, was launched with the endorsement of the Ministry of Education.

Besides practice questions in various categories, the programmes boast: progress charts which provide an overview of the child's performance; a scratch pad for working out problems; exam tips; and sample SEA exams.

The ministry's curriculum officer for Mathematics, Shereen Khan, in her speech at the launching ceremony, said the package could not have come at a more opportune time.

"Aries Technologies has come at a time when the ministry is implementing a number of initiatives to ensure that schools are fully prepared to meet the increased demands for integrating technology across the curriculum," she said.

One of these initiatives, the installment of computers in primary schools across the country, will be done in conjunction with Aries Technologies so that the software is installed simultaneously.

Managing Director of Aries Technologies, Gillian Hassell, announced that the home version of the software would be available exclusively at all Nigel R Khan Bookseller locations from Saturday, March 3.

Sponsorship by bpTT, Republic Bank, Guardian General Insurance Limited and Guardian Life of the Caribbean, has subsidized the cost of the home edition, reducing it from $250 to $120.

quote:

Originally posted by Obie:
this trini thread plenty popular

does i mean they got plenty register trinis here
or plenty guyanese living in tt

No I think you are quite mistaken, or just being "crafty" with your assumtions.

My only intention was to help fight lies with the TRUTH.

And at the same time shame the Pee Pee Pee fanatics.

'Toon Boom' to build animation industry in T&T

By Kim Boodram


Wednesday, March 7th 2007


Picture&Source
Joan Vogelsang. Photos: Anisto Alves



Cute characters, gorgeous money. And how convenient: an international animation company servicing a multi-billion dollar industry with a 'Trini' for a CEO.

Joan Vogelsang, head of Toon Boom is looking to T&T for further expansion of the animation industry, an ever-growing part of the international film world.

As large US based studios continue to look for the next best place to outsource services, Vogelsang is eager to bring piece of the pie back home. She sees potential here, where hundreds of students with a desire to be part of the technological age are desperate for the next level.

Vogelsang is confident of the abilities of local 'techies' and artists, whose counterparts in countries like Japan, India, the Phillipines and Latin America are raking in the profits from an entertainment hungry world.

Toon Boom's CEO was in Trinidad last week to confer with, hopefully, future investors. She told Business Express that Toon Boom does not intend to fail in building an industry here.

"Until you have an industry, you can't make money," Vogelsang reasoned. "The global animation market is worth around $45 billion and is expected to increase to between $50 and $70 billion next year.

"Trinidad can definitely be part of this. Two significant advantages that this country has over others where studios outsource is the acceptable time difference with North America and that fact that the people speak English."

While we reap oil and gas royalties and look for new investments of booming profits, Vogelsang feels that truly futuristic endeavours should include industries like this. Technology must form part of the overall outlook.

The making of a film industry

By Kimberly Mackhan


Wednesday, February 28th 2007(T&T Express Business section)


Picture & Source
Michael Mosca


Trinidad and Tobago's growing film production industry has the capability to generate millions of dollars in revenue for the local economy.

According to Trinidad and Tobago Film Company (TTFC) Limited Chief Executive Officer, Carla Foderingham, film and television projects in both Trinidad and Tobago could help to boost sales in the television, radio, publishing, film, music and advertising industries as well as fuel the transformation of local industries such as the hotel industry and food catering services.

"Trinidad and Tobago was one of the first local authorities in the Caribbean to recognise the economic and promotional benefits of filming and the need to promote the country further for use as a location.

"We have continued to build on our excellent reputation of being a film friendly country. I'm thrilled that investment for the past year continues to grow, it is between $2.5 million to $3 million, but I believe that we can do better," said Foderingham.

"The originality and quality of films produced in Trinidad and Tobago needs to keep pace with and equal to world recognised standards. The potential is enormous and we look forward to greater collaborations in the private sector. It is great news for our country and also great news for the local film industry."

She explained that Government was taking the lead in developing a local film industry and that it had recently approved a comprehensive incentives package to help expand the film industry in Trinidad and Tobago.

This included a feature film fund, a 150 per cent tax concession for the sponsorship of films and television programmes and a production expenditure rebate of between 12.5 per cent and 50 per cent that could be claimed by local and foreign film companies producing films in Trinidad and Tobago.

Foderingham added that the TTFC also administered the only dedicated film fund in the English speaking Caribbean.

She noted that the Script Development and Production Assistance Programme had approved 10 projects between 2004-2005 and 22 in 2005-2006, and for the period 2006-2007 the organisation had received 44 applications.

She also indicated that the programme offered grants for script development, marketing and production assistance for short films, documentaries, animation, television series and feature films.

Foderingham stressed that the TTFC employed judges from the Caribbean as well as local persons with international expertise. She said that the organisation had established a monitoring and evaluation committee to oversee the individual projects and provided mentoring as well as professional advice.

Foderingham agreed to be interviewed by the Business Express after a press conference to facilitate renowned Canadian-based executive producer Michael Mosca at the TTFC headquarters in Bretton Hall, Port of Spain last week.

Mosca has teamed up with Montreal-born screenplay writer for "Soca Annie", Annie Tabaz, to record the feature film on location in Trinidad.

His company, Island Films, is working in collaboration with the TTFC to produce the movie.

Mosca, who's company, Equinoxe Films, served as a distributor for movies such as Passion of Christ, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Karate Dog and Babel also has expressed interest in shooting a Canadian television series in Trinidad.

He already has begun to scout locations for shooting "Soca Annie" and the movie is expected to get under way in September.

Mosca said: "Creating a real (film) industry (in Trinidad and Tobago) does not mean that you have to have all the My Big Fat Greek Wedding coming out of here. But one of the advantages of having such a relaxed industry is that you get to look back at the mistakes of others and pick up."

But, until then, Foderingham believes that a successful film industry in Trinidad and Tobago cannot move forward fruitfully without the improvement of basic amenities such as "more quality accommodation at reasonable prices".

She said that the TTFC had set its sights on the creation of packages that would facilitate transport costs (both airline and taxi fares) and board and lodging fees to foreign production crews that had embarked on film and television projects in Trinidad and Tobago.

TT woos India for more investment


Sunday, March 11 2007(T&T Newsday)


DELHI: The twin islands of Trinidad and Tobago are seeking increased investment from India by forging deeper cooperation in trade and commerce.

"We have come here to entice your investors to Trinidad and Tobago," Kenneth C Valley, minister of trade and industry of Trinidad and Tobago, said here yesterday.

Valley is leading a business delegation of over 70 members to India.

"We want your manufacturers to locate their base in India, by which they can have access to other bigger markets of US and Latin America," Valley told a conference organised by the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO).

The petroleum based economy of Trinidad and Tobago, whose GDP (gross domestic product) is over 12 percent, wants India to invest in their energy sector, tourism, steel, food processing, information and communication technology (ICT) among others.

Adding that the current export to Trinidad and Tobago from India has crossed $67M, Subhash Mittal, convener, committee on export promotion, FIEO, said, "We need to take this figure to billions of dollars."

Pundit Maniedeo Persad, Trinidad and Tobago's High Commissioner to India, said, "We may not be a significant destination for exports but we can give access to other bigger markets of the US, Canada and Latin America."
According to Persad, India's Essar Steel has entered into an agreement to invest $1.26 billion to set up a plant in the archipelagic nation. He also informed that the Bank of Baroda would be establishing its offices there.

"Indian investors can set up their establishments there on their own or they can also enter into joint-venture partnerships with companies there," Persad said.

He also said 70 percent of LNG (liquefied natural gas) of the US comes from the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago which also exports 40 percent of the world's ammonia gas.

It is also one of the leading suppliers of ethanol, a toxic chemical compound.

According to the delegation, some of the big global business conglomerates that have invested in Trinidad and Tobago are, Microsoft, IBM, British Airways, Hyundai, Digicel and Citigroup and among others.

RIDING SHOTGUN


By SEAN DOUGLAS Thursday, March 8 2007 (T&T Newsday)


MINISTER of Energy, Dr Lenny Saith, is glowing over the treaty between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela to jointly exploit their shared Loran gas-field, holding ten trillion cubic feet proven reserves.

"This is the first cross-border unitisation treaty in the Americas, and there are only eight such treaties that exist worldwide," he said.

"Once we sign this treaty then we can begin to work on developing the first field that we are looking at which is the Loran-Manatee Field which is estimated to hold ten trillion cubic feet of proven reserves of gas, 27 percent of which belongs to Trinidad and Tobago, roughly 2.6 or 2.7 trillion cubic feet," he said.

Unitisation means that the gas-field, straddling the two countries' maritime border, is explored as a single unit. Saith said Trinidad and Tobago in this case is entitled to a 27 percent share of the reserves. Pressed as to how TT might use its share of the gas, he said both countries had to agree together on how the gas was to be used as a single unit.

"It has the potential to be another train on LNG but both parties have to agree that is what they want to do with it." he said.

He emphasised TT's "share" of the gas will not be separated from Venezuela's share, but that both would be utilised together.

"It's a field so the gas has to be treated as a unit; that's why it's called unitisation. So it's not that we could take 27 percent of the gas and do what we want with it, because you have to drill, you have to put pipelines to where it's going to be used.

Therefore commercially you find a way of agreeing as both parties how you would use the gas. When it gets into the pipeline you can't separate what is ˜Trinidad's gas and what is ˜Venezuelan gas'".

He said he was being very cautious not to make any unilateral statements as to how the unitised gas is to be used.

Saith ducked questions as to how TT's share of these gas reserves would be utilised saying that such comments would be improper at this stage. He said the treaty was merely a framework agreement between both countries, and specific details could progressively be filled in later.

The agreement was jointly developed by representatives of both governments, namely a Steering Committee established in August 2003 and a legal sub-committee established on February 8, 2007.

"That legal team has been able after nine meetings to develop a framework agreement that has been initialled by both sides," Saith said.

He said the treaty deals with the determination and allocation of the volumes of gas; the distribution of costs and benefits; the construction and operation installations for exploration and of cross-border pipeline : "If you are getting the gas out it needs to be in a manner that is coordinated and agreed upon."

He said Prime Minister Patrick Manning has been authorised to soon sign the treaty after which detailed negotiations will be held to decide how to develop the Loran-Manatee Field including how to develop the field and commercialise the gas present.

"We will have to decide what do we do with the gas, how do we commercialise it? I'm not going to prejudge what that is," he said at a Cabinet press briefing last week.

Saith declined to say if the TT Government wants the gas reserves will be used to process liquid natural gas (LNG) in Trinidad, as was being done by Atlantic LNG at Point Fortin.

"I'm not going to prejudge. This is a partnership. It would be the wishes of both sides as to what is the best way to utilise this gas.

"We have an open mind. We want to hear what our partners would say. Our objective of course would be to maximise the monetary value of the gas," the energy minister, said.

Tobago hotels fully booked for Plymouth Jazz Fest


BY MARISSA WILLIAMS Tobago B Sunday, March 11 2007 (T&T Newsday)



MOST major hotels and bed and breakfast establishments in Tobago are reporting 100 percent bookings for next month's Plymouth Jazz Festival.

Only in its third year of existence, the event has attracted top international artistes including Sting, Patti LaBelle, Natalie Cole, Kenny "Baby Face" Edmonds and Stevie Wonder. This year's line up includes Sir Elton John, Rev Al Green, Earth Wind and Fire, Gladys Knight, Mary J Blige, Beres Hammond, Sean Paul and Heather Headley who will be performing alongside the cream of the local crop.

The steelpan has also been included in this year's show and will be featured on all three nights.

Almost immediately after the acts were announced in October, hotels began receiving bookings for the event. Rene Seepersadsingh, president of the Tobago Hotel Association, said the event has caught on well since last year and there was certainly an increase in international enquiries.

CEO of CL Communications, Anthony Maharaj, told Sunday Newsday because of strategic marketing by the company and the Tourism Division of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), the Festival has made inroads into the US market.

Maharaj said online purchases have been made by visitors from the United Kingdom, Europe, United States and the Caribbean. However, Trinidad patrons continue to dominate the purchases.

Maharaj has promised a show that will more than compensate for the increase in ticket prices. High tech additions, such as a revolving stage straight out of Los Angeles and digital soundboards will improve the show's quality, he said.

The stage, brought in by Rent-a-Amp, is expected to make artistes' changes easier and less time consuming. Previously, there were long "intermissions" while the bands changed.

Maharaj said organisers have visited the venue at the Plymouth Recreation ground over the past three weekends and have started groundwork in an effort to correct problems that developed last year.

Vendors at the event will undergo three professional training sessions over the next few weeks on how to treat with the public, personal attire and price setting.

Maharaj said he was in full agreement with patrons at last year's show who complained about the prices they had to pay for food.

He said while he had no problem with the vendors making a profit, the prices were turning away customers.

Commenting on the prices of tickets which go on sale at nationwide venues from tomorrow, Maharaj said given the calibre of the artistes contracted to appear it was difficult to set the prices any lower than they already were.

"Like everything else, the ticket prices have gone up this year. The cost of this show is more than the $32M spent last year and we are already doing this show at an extremely reasonable price.

"There is nothing more we can actually do to assist locals because there is a very high cost to put a cast like this together.

"Maybe now that they know the event is an annual thing, they could start saving towards it," he said.

quote:

time shame the Pee Pee Pee fanatics

lol. well u r doing a great job

quote:

MOST major hotels and bed and breakfast establishments in Tobago are reporting 100 percent bookings for next month's Plymouth Jazz Festival.

Only in its third year of existence, the event has attracted top international artistes including Sting, Patti LaBelle, Natalie Cole, Kenny "Baby Face" Edmonds and Stevie Wonder. This year's line up includes Sir Elton John, Rev Al Green, Earth Wind and Fire, Gladys Knight, Mary J Blige, Beres Hammond, Sean Paul and Heather Headley who will be performing alongside the cream of the local crop.

The steelpan has also been included in this year's show and will be featured on all three nights.

Eric_R,

Yo ah "pra pa" show of pun ab-be bhai Nah worry ab-be time ah come soon

TT, Guinea seal energy deal


Monday, March 12 2007(T&T Newsday)


TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO and Equitorial Guinea have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for natural gas business development cooperation. Equitorial Guinea is a West African nation located between Cameroon and Gabon.

The MOU was signed at the Nalis building in Port-of-Spain on Thursday and represents the first step in Government's initiative to provide local energy expertise to some countries in West Africa.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning first announced this initiative last year and reiterated it when he attended the Eighth Annual Meeting of the African Union in Ethiopia in January.

Energy Minister Dr Lenny Saith signed the MOU on Government's behalf while his Equatorial Guinea counterpart Atanasio Ela Ntugu Nsa did the honours for his country.

In a statement, the Ministry of Energy said a TT team will visit Equitorial Guinea in the next three months to identify specific projects for cooperation under the MOU.

The MOU is the result of bilateral meetings between both nations over the last three years. The agreement provides the framework for both governments to hold further talks on the development of natural gas projects in either this country or Equitorial Guinea.

Both nations will cooperate in:

the provision of technical assistance for the growth and development of a natural gas sector and related industries; the conversion of natural gas to petrochemical products and fuels; the pricing, trading, storage and shipment of petrochemical-based products; business development and industrial growth initiatives; the development of industrial estates, infrastructure and ports and human resource development.

Tuesday 13th March, 2007

E-auction best bet


Minister in the Ministry of Finance Christine Sahadeo, right, shares a light moment with Natalie Neeley of Perfect Commerce service providers during a seminar on the e-auction process at the Trinidad Hilton, Port-of-Spain yesterday.

Photo: Wendy-Ann Duncan



BY SHERWIN LONG (Trinidad Guardian)


With T&T's state enterprises purchasing an estimated $30 billion in goods and services annually, the Government is positioning online auctioning to boost transparency in its procurement process.

Minister in the Ministry of Finance Christine Sahadeo gave this assurance yesterday during an e-auction seminar held at the Hilton Trinidad, Port-of-Spain.

Sahadeo described e-procurement as the most transparent procurement regime to date.

"It makes the tendering process more efficient and transparent and guarantees value for money," she said. "Companies have reported as much as 25 per cent to 30 per cent savings on their procurement costs."

Over the past year and a half special interest groups in the construction sector have constantly criticised Government's procurement procedures.

One of their main grouses is the long time it is taking Government to lay the white paper on public sector procurement reform in Parliament.

Sahadeo revealed that the Government has received several new recommendations and inputs that must be reviewed before the white paper becomes law.

She did not say how much longer it would be until the white paper is laid in Parliament.

However, she championed e-auctioning and cited examples of local state enterprise companies benefiting such as WASA, the Telecommunications Authority of T&T and YARA.

She noted that WASA has saved over US $4 million through e-auction events.

Leslie Figaro, WASA's general manager of corporate services, said since July 2006 the company has saved six per cent on computers and 25 per cent on pipes and fittings for its infrastructure development thrust.

Sahadeo assured that local suppliers would not be eliminated from supplying state enterprises and said training would be provided for them on the e-auction process.

During the seminar, senior executives from service providers such as PA Consulting Group, Perfect Commerce, Ariba and SAP gave demonstrations of the e-auction process.




©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Thursday 8th March, 2007

AIC Group to unveil new management team

˜We are here to stay,' says Michael Lee Chin


Jamaican-born Canadian billionaire investor Michael Lee Chin exudes confidence during an interview at the 20 Stone Street, Port-of-Spain offices of his stockbroking firm, AIC Securities Ltd, part of the AIC Financial Group in Trinidad.
PHOTO: WENDY-ANN DUNCAN


BY VERNE BURNETT (Trinidad Guardian)


JAMAICA-BORN CANADIAN billionaire investor Michael Lee Chin's AIC Financial Group is on the brink of announcing new top management appointments for its operations in Trinidad, Lee Chin said on Tuesday in Port-of-Spain.

He was in Trinidad for the second time within four weeks, on this trip to shore up the company's reputation in the wake of any perceived damage done to his local interests by an on going investigative series in the Express newspaper.

Lee Chin said the appointment of a new CEO will be announced "in the immediate future, possibly by the end of the week" and the public would be "pleasantly surprised" by his choice to head the operation.

Two articles published so far in the Express series noted the fast turnover of high-level executives from the company, alleged multiple missteps, repeated violations of securities industry regulations and Central Bank of T&T reporting requirements as well as huge and mounting losses at the Lee Chin AIC business.

Lee Chin said "we only need one good person," adding that the company had been looking at candidates for a while and wanted to ensure that the next CEO is the right person.

The next person has to be the right person," Lee Chin said. "We don't want to put this organisation through any more vibrations."

He said the local operation had not represented "the true AIC values," admitting that it was partly the fault of the AIC head office "for not inculcating the organisation enough so that the values could be assimilated." He said it was also partly due to the company trying to grow too quickly.

When we hired initially we were top heavy and really took on too much top management in too short a period."

AIC officials have admitted the group lost US$100 million so far on its local operations, not the US$150 million claimed by the newspaper.

Lee Chin said much of these losses related to investments in emerging market bonds which he said were made by the local management without his knowledge. He said he accepted the blame for not being aware of these investments.

I heard after the fact, that our Trinidadian operation was investing in emerging markets bonds, Belize bonds, Brazilian bonds, etc.

So my first reaction when I heard that was: what do we know about Belize? Do we understand Belize? Do we understand Brazil? Where is our Belizean expertise? Where is our Brazilian expertise? We didn't have that. But yet they were investing in those regions, which is tantamount to speculation.

So immediately my command was: get out of it. Unwind it. There were losses and the losses are the ones you are still seeing here today."

Lee Chin said philosophically, "Our attitude (now) is that if you are going to be in the business for the long term centuries it is a different perspective than if you are short term in your thinking. And if you are building a business that is going to be everlasting in terms of centuries, you realise that initially you have to go through a gestation period. You will not get it right in terms of management the first time. Only if you are lucky. We have not been lucky."

He said there was a similar gestation period at National Commercial Bank of Jamaica which he said is now a phenomenal success.

Although critical of the Express articles, Lee Chin was less interested in quarrelling with the details of the articles and more interested in stressing that the matters they reported were "history."

Conceding that mistakes were made in the company's entry into the local financial sector, Lee Chin said he had fixed those mistakes.

To avoid a repeat of the past, he vowed to spend more time in Trinidad in future to guide the local operations and involve himself in major decisions and policy matters. He would not say how much time he will be able to spend in this country, adding only that, "I spend my time where I am needed, where the challenges are."

Lee Chin also reaffirmed his commitment to doing business in T&T, stating that the losses suffered by his company AIC Financial Group are part of the normal course of doing business.

It is not unusual for any business. You don't necessarily get it right the first time, but what you should be judged on is your behaviour when the hurricane comes. That's what you judge: the character, your attitude, the credibility of the entity. Do they just pack up shop and run or do they say ˜Okay...let us get it right.' "

According to Lee Chin, "I see Trinidad as a wonderful opportunity to do business. We came here because we saw the opportunities to do business and we came here because we saw that there was a cosy cartel in the financial services industry. That cosy cartel, with consolidation is going to become more cosy, because consolidation means that you have less players.

We saw an opportunity to bring competition to Trinidad, to the marketplace, to keep everybody on their toes."

He maintained, "And what is important is that we are here to stay. We are not going anywhere. Our Trinidadian subsidiary is owned 100 per cent by AIC and I am the 98 per cent shareholder.

All the losses, they are my losses! I eat them! I don't share them with anybody. So I have to do what is best to survive. That is the ultimate incentive."

I am the one who is eating those losses."


©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

La Divina Pastora


By RICHARDSON DHALAI Monday, March 19 2007(T&T Newsday)



SHROUDED in mystery, the La Divina Pastora statue of Siparia has not only had a significant impact on rural South Trinidad, but also on wider society where her impact can be measured through contributions in the areas of history, theology and anthropology.

Veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of La Divina Pastora, or the Divine Shepherdess, was brought to Siparia by a group of Catholic Capuchin missionaries who chose the area because it was a traditional meeting place of the Orinoco Indians.

But the origin of the La Divina Pastora statue, which is bronze coloured, standing 100 cm in height, is carefully dressed and decorated with gold and silver jewellery, flowers and rosaries, is shrouded in mystery, with many myths surrounding how it came to be placed in Siparia.

However, according to local historian, Theresa Noel, the impact of the La Divina Pastora on local society cannot be understated since the statue is venerated by not only Catholics during the feast days, but by Hindus who also perform pilgrimages to the Church on Holy Thursday and Good Friday.

Noel presented her findings during a panel discussion titled, "La Divina Pastora, Mother of all Peoples" at the La Divina Pastora RC Church, Siparia, last Thursday.

Other presenters included theologian Fr John Theodore and anthropolgist, Alison McLetchie.

Noel, whose paper was titled "A history of devotions of La Divina Pastora," traced the church's intercession to the Virgin Mary to Seville, Spain, in 1703.

She said Capuchin monks took the tradition to Venezuela in 1715 and later to Trinidad with the establishment of a mission in Siparia. The Feast of La Divina Pastora took the form of a Mass, a procession through the streets of Siparia, benediction, followed by "merry-making".

She said with the arrival of East Indian indentured labourers, another distinct celebration was started with hundreds of Hindus making a pilgrimage to the parish hall to the statue which they called "Soparee Mai" or the Mother of Siparia during the Holy Week where Hindus offer prayers, infant boys are given their first haircut and the hair, in addition to money, rice and flowers, are offered to Soparee Mai. Their celebrations became known as "Soparee Mai Ke Mela."

Noel said Chinese immigrants also developed a devotion to La Divina Pastora in the 1850s, and actively participated during the fete days by playing San Chee and Mah Jong.

Fr Theodore, who spoke on the inter-religious dimension of the La Divina Pastora, said the church had undergone an evolution in their views of non-Christian celebrations using Christian saints and places of worship.

He said while the Church had previously viewed non Christian traditions with condemnation, the church had now adopted a more open attitude to the non-Christian religions. He said the Catholic Church now saw non Christian religions as another means of gaining the right position with God.

Meanwhile, McLethie, who holds a Masters degree in anthropology from Georgia University in the US, spoke on the social, historical and cultural perspective of the celebrations.

She said pilgrims to the La Divina Pastora shrine viewed themselves not as Hindu or Catholic, East Indian or African, but as Trinidadians and who believed the La Divina Pastora was for everyone.

Touching on the political divide within society, she said devotees also recognised the divisions between the political parties and "the corruption within them," but were also fully cognizant of who their neighbours were and who they were able to depend on in times of trouble.

The La Divina Pastora procession and Mass will take place on April 29, from 10am.


The statue of La Divina Pastora.

Fr John Theodore addresses parishioners during last Thursday's discussion on "La Divina Pastora Mother of all Peoples," at the La Divina Pastora RC Church, Siparia.

Hindu pundit Raviji listens attentively during the discussion at the La Divina Pastora RC Church Siparia, on Thursday.

˜Excellent Titans' win Dragonboat Festival



Monday, March 19 2007(T&T Guardian)



HUNDREDS yesterday attended the Charity Dragonboat Festival at the Kayak Centre, Chaguaramas, in which organisers hoped to raise over $250,000 in funds.

Organised by Sociatbank in partnership with United Way Trinidad and Tobago, the event in aid of Scotiabank˜s Women Against Breast Cancer took on a picnic atmosphere as 25 teams from the corporate sector competed in the Festival which got underway at 8 am.

The teams consisted of 22 members, including 20 partners, one helms man and one drummer who all rowed against the wind and the water's choppy current to secure a place in the grand finals.

Some teams opted to participate with women only in significance and support of breast cancer survivors and women who are battling the disease.

At the end of the heats, four teams made it to the finals. Excellent Stores "Excellent Titans" placed first, Scotia Bank "Fire Dragons" second, Chinese Associations' "CATT Aquaholics" edged in third place and United Way "Trail Blazers" in fourth place.

In the women's category, Magnificent Magnolias rowed in first position, Sign Wave "Shark Fin Dumplings" came in second, Guardian Holdings "OAR Struct" in third position and RBTT in fourth.

Besides the races, there were also give-aways and local entertainment from various groups including Clico Shiv Shakti Dancers, Starlift Steel Orchestra and "Rhythmika", a group from the School of Rhythmic Gymnastics.


SEA DRAGONS: Several Chinese Dragon boats go neck and neck in yesterday's final race of the Scotiabank Women Against Breast Cancer and United Ways' Trinidad and Tobago Dragon Boat Festival in Chaguaramas.

Manning in Latin talks for new refinery

Roxanne Stapleton


Thursday, March 22nd 2007(T&T Express)



PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning has proposed to two South American countries that they partner with Trinidad and Tobago to build a new 250,000 barrel per day refinery in Trinidad.

Speaking yesterday at the second instalment of the BG Trinidad and Tobago Energy Luncheon Series at the Hilton, Port of Spain, Manning said he made the proposal to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Tuesday and to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva two weeks ago during the 19th summit of the Rio Group in Guyana.

This country's lone refinery, Petrotrin, which is located at Pointe-a-Pierre, is currently being upgraded to the tune of US$850 million.

"We will seek to attract to Trinidad and Tobago a second refinery of about 250,000 barrels per day capacity, which will also have the capacity to treat with the crude oil coming out of the current refinery in Pointe-a-Pierre.

"When I spoke to the President of Brazil in Guyana two weeks ago, we discussed this matter and, in fact, a Brazilian mission has already come here in pursuance of that and other issues.

"Yesterday, the proposal was put to the Government of Venezuela to partner with us to construct here a 250,000 barrel a day refinery, among other things," Manning said.

Meanwhile, of his meeting with Chavez on Tuesday in Venezuela, Manning said that a comprehensive memorandum of understanding has been advanced with the Venezuelans, for collaboration between Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago in energy development.

"We have agreed to study it and President Chavez has agreed to come to Trinidad about mid-April to sign whatever arises out of technical discussions that will follow that MOU.

"At the same time, we have been invited to attend a gas forum that Venezuela is convening in Margarita around April 16 and 17, which we will attend," he added.

Manning said that the two states now have to agree on the unitisation of intermediary fields (straddling our borders) and use of those reserves, beginning with Loran-Manatee, which has reserves of about 10 trillion cubic feet.

"This is the particular field in respect of which we felt there was an opportunity for Jamaica to get LNG and specific proposal of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, Loran-Manatee be developed, gas and produced in Trinidad and Tobago and form the basis of a new LNG train, Train X, ensuring that Jamaica is able to get 160 million cubic feet per day out of that train, as is their requirement for expansion of their aluminium manufacturing facilities, which incidentally some of which will be exported to Trinidad for utilisation in a smelter by the company Alcoa," Manning said.

He also spoke of the this country's changing status as dominant energy supplier to the region, given the existence of the PetroCaribe agreement.

Manning said that since a number of countries in the region have signed unique arrangements with Venezuela which threaten to displace Trinidad and Tobago as the dominant supplier of petroleum products to the region, it can no longer accept responsibility for guaranteeing energy security for the region.

Transplant surgery offering new hope

Louis B Homer South Bureau


Thursday, March 22nd 2007(T&T Express)



People in need of transplants for kidney and eye diseases may now have the operations in Trinidad done by highly specialised health care personnel using state-of-the- art equipment.

With the passing of recent legislation, the National Organ Donor Programme, which is based at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex at Mt Hope, has made the operations possible in Trinidad.

The development, it was said yesterday, has meant that many patients no longer need to travel abroad for operations involving kidney and corneal transplants.

Several patients suffering with kidney diseases, in recent years, have travelled to countries such as Pakistan for kidney transplants, but Dr Lesley Roberts, medical director of the National Organ Transplant Unit, said: "In harvesting body parts from donors, especially kidneys, the goal is to improve the quality of life for the patients with end-stage renal disease."

Roberts, who was speaking at a community meeting of the unit at the Pleasantville Health Centre, Pleasantville, San Fernando, on Tuesday night, said there were no costs involved in the donor programme.

"Transplant agencies pay any costs associated with recovery of organs and tissues from donors," she said.

"Initially, kidneys are the only organs to be covered under the National Organ Transplant Pro-gramme, simply because more people require kidney transplants. The other tissue that can be donated is the cornea, but eventually the programme will be extended to include hearts, pancreas, lungs and livers," noted Roberts.

Franka Maharaj, a recent recipient of a transplanted kidney, in her testimonial, told of what the unit has meant to her.

She said she used to have dialysis twice a week, blood tests every other week, and doctor's visits once a month.

"Dialysis was not an easy task for me-it was horrible. I was sick after every treatment, with severe headaches, body pains and high fevers.

"By the time I felt better it was time for another dialysis treatment," Maharaj said.

She said: "It was difficult for me to function as a mother. But last year my sister volunteered to donate one of her kidneys to me and I had the transplant in June."

There is hope for kidney patients as long as there are people willing to donate body parts, it was pointed out.

"In the case of a kidney donation, it can come from someone who is alive, so long as the donor is in good health," said Roberts.

She said the decision to become a living donor should be voluntary and free from internal or family pressures.

People who are willing to donate one of their kidneys will have to undergo certain tests before the operation is carried out.

Thursday 22nd March, 2007

Four stateowned firms to be merged

Single energy corp coming


SuperCorp

State energy companies to be merged.

International energy corporation to be formed.

Stakeholders agreement pending.

Global company required for local competition.


BY ASHA JAVEED (Trinidad Guardian)


Four state-owned energy companies"”Petrotrin, National Energy Corporation (NEC), National Gas Company (NGC) and National Petroleum Marketing Company Ltd (NP) will soon be merged to form an international energy corporation.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning said this was where the future direction of the energy sector is headed, but hinges on the agreement of stakeholders in the state enterprises.

The time has come when T&T has to consider integrating its oil industry with the establishment of an integrated oil company that goes international," he said.

He said the first meeting of stakeholders should take place within the next three months.

While I do not want to prejudice the outcome of the deliberations, this is one idea whose time may well have come," he told energy executives at a luncheon hosted by British Gas at the Hilton Trinidad yesterday.

He also said the time had come to put more elaborate arrangements in place in T&T to ensure an appropriate tax take.

Minister in the Ministry of Finance Conrad Enill said, "If we have to compete globally, we need to have a company of a particular size.

The only way you can do that is to bring all resources together in a particular place and then try and get global resources," he said.

When we looked at all the countries which were doing this Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Russia the model that they are using is that the state company has become a dominant company, almost to the size of a BG or a bp.

An integrated state company will have that kind of mass and that level of expertise.

One global company...What do you require to be globally competitive?

You have to get people from all over the world and be able to operate a company that can set up subsidiaries in jurisdictions where you have interest where you want to protect your market.

That's the kind of company you are talking about Owned by the state."

Manning said such a company came with risks the risk of irresponsible trade union activity which could affect the company's image.

The bigger the state enterprise gets the more dangerous a state enterprise can become and that is why in many of the countries in which that model has been followed, they report to a head of Government.

T&T is now reaching the position where we are going to have to consider that very carefully," Enill said.

It is an idea for proper consideration in the direction which we ought to go."


©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Thursday 22nd March, 2007

Chavez to visit T&T in April

Manning: Jamaica to get LNG from "Train X"


Prime Minister Patrick Manning, left, and Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez listen to Trinidad and Tobago's National Anthem during a welcoming ceremony at Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas, Tuesday.

AP photo


BY ASHA JAVEED(Trinidad Guardian)


Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez is due to visit T&T in mid-April, Prime Minister Patrick Manning disclosed yesterday.

Fresh from a visit to Caracas on Tuesday during which he met with Chavez, Manning said the meeting was "very interesting, to put it mildly."

The Prime Minister was delivering the feature address at yesterday's energy Luncheon Meeting hosted by British Gas at the ballroom of the Trinidad Hilton and Conference Centre.

He noted that the first unitisation agreement in the Western Hemisphere was signed between T&T and Venezuela on Tuesday night arising out of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in 2003.

"What now has to happen is we have to agree to the unitisation of specific fields like Loran Manatee which has reserves of 10 trillion cubic feet and we had to agree on the use (to which) the reserves will be put," he said.

He said reserves from the Loran Manatee field will provide an opportunity for Jamaica to receive Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and Chavez signed an MOU on March 13 for the supply by Venezuela of 160 million cubic feet of LNG per day to Jamaica to facilitate the expansion of power generation and the bauxite alumina sector.

Manning said the gas that will be produced from the Loran Manatee field will form the basis of a new LNG Train X, "ensuring that Jamaica is able to get 160 million cubic feet a day out of that train as a requirement for the expansion of their aluminimum manufacturing facility, some of which will be exported to Trinidad for utilisation in a smelter contemplated by Alcoa."



ENERGY TALKS: Prime Minister Patrick Manning (left) has a chat with British Gas Group chairman Sir Robert Wilson during a British Gas energy luncheon at the Hilton Trinidad, St Ann's yesterday.

Yo Eric!

I noticed McNichols refused to testify against the CJ, so they dropped all charges against im. Arising out of this Panday also won is appeal. Dunno but it seems like there might ave been some undue bias / political influence behind these prosecution ? So ow come dis bit a himpotant himformation slipped beneath you radar?

MOPPING up MONEY


Thursday, March 22 2007 (T&T Newsday)



For the Central Bank, 2006 was a tale of mopping up excess money caused by government spending. "With buoyant energy revenues, government expenditure continued to rise sharply and the the level of liquidity in the financial system remained high largely due to the ongoing domestic fiscal injections," according to the bank in its 2006 annual report.

For the fiscal year 2006, the non-energy fiscal deficit amounted to $11,587.6M or 10.1 percent of GDP, compared to $9,352.7M or 4.6 percent of GDP in fiscal year 2005.

The impact was seen on inflation. "The rapid rate of economic growth and the high level of government expenditures, in the context of declining spare capacity resulted in a sharp rise in inflationary pressures," the bank said.

Monetary policy was tightened in the financial year 2006 with a steady increase in the repo rate, intensified open market activity and other liquidity absorption initiatives, the bank said.

But the pick-up in inflationary pressures was the major policy concern in 2006, said the bank.

On a year-on-year basis to September 2006, headline inflation stood at 9.6 percent compared with 6.9 percent a year earlier. "The price of food was the major contributor to this expansion, increasing by 27.4 percent year on year to September 2006.

Core inflation, which excludes the volatile food component, had also increased to 3.9 percent compared to 2.6 percent in September 2005.

Private sector credit expansion by the consolidated financial system slowed in the twelve months to August 2006 to 12.5 percent from 15.7 percent, reflecting the cumulative impact of the monetary policy tightening measures undertaken by the bank.

The bank progressively tightened its monetary policy stance throughout the year. In the nine months to September 2006, the repo rate was increased eight times, each by 25 basis points taking the rate from 6.0 percent in December 2005 to 8.0 percent at September 2006.

"This has led to an upward shift in the level of interest rates," the bank said, noting it also intensified its open market operations during the year, issuing a net amount of $1,476.6M in treasury bills and notes.

With liquidity running high, the bank said it had to adopt a number of additional measures to help contain excess liquidity. In December 2005, commercial banks were requested to hold $1.0 billion in an interest-bearing deposit at the Bank and in June 2006 the banks made an additional deposit of $500.M In October 2006, the bank re-introduced a temporary secondary reserve requirement of two percent of commercial banks' prescribed liabilities and which withdrew a further $539M from the financial system. As excess liquidity continued despite increases in the repo rate, the bank signalled its intention to utilise government bonds. The first of these bonds, issued in December 2006, had a maturity of eight years and a coupon of 7.0 percent. A total of $700.0M was withdrawn in this issue.

In the context of strong economic growth and very liquid conditions, there was significant demand in the foreign exchange market throughout the year. Although the commercial banks' purchases from the public grew by five percent in the year to September 2006, this was not enough to satisfy the public demand. In order to maintain stability, the bank intervened more actively in the market. Over the year, the bank, it its report said it sold net US$1.054M to authorised dealers, up from US$545M in the previous year.

Commercial banks' sales to the public grew by eight percent to US$3,827M while purchases grew by five percent to US$2,752 million, according to the bank.

An analysis of the demand showed that there was higher spending on imports as well as continued portfolio diversification by the private sector, it was noted and regional bond market placements were lower than in the previous year falling to an estimated US$103M from US$492M in the year to September, 2005.

Largely because of the increase in activity in the energy sector as well as high oil and gas prices, the external current account surplus is estimated to have increased to 28.7 percent of GDP, the bank said, noting the sizeable current account surplus contributed to an increase in official reserves of US$849.8m.

As at the end of September 2006, the net international reserves (excluding the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund) stood at US$5.2 billion representing, about nine months of import cover.

Construction begins on municipal complex

Ariti Jankie South Bureau


Friday, March 23rd 2007(T&T Express)


Local Government Minister Rennie Dumas and Chaguanas Mayor Surujrattan Rambachan turned the sod to start the construction of a new Chaguanas Municipal Complex on Wednesday.

The complex will house a chamber for council meetings, an auditorium and offices for all the councillors and aldermen.

Dumas said Government had allocated $30 million to build nine new municipal complexes and upgrade four existing buildings. He said the new and upgraded administrative buildings were part of a reform initiative aimed at regional development for sustainable communities. He said provisions were being made for local government operations and systems to become more efficient and effective.

New buildings will be constructed at Penal/Debe, San Juan/Laventille, Princes Town, Arima Borough, Mayaro/Rio Claro, Sangre Grande, Siparia, Tunapuna and Chaguanas regional corporations. The four complexes to be upgraded include Point Fortin and Couva/ Tabaquite/ Talparo Regional Corporations and the San Fernando and Port of Spain City Corporations.

The project is to be undertaken by the Urban Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT).

British Gas hails TT's fight against corruption


By Clint Chan Tack Friday, March 23 2007(T&T Newsday)


BRITISH GAS Group chairman Sir Robert Wilson said Trinidad and Tobago is a role model to other nations in the international community in the fight against corruption, especially where management of its natural resources are concerned.

Addressing a British Gas energy luncheon at the Hilton Trinidad on Wednesday, Wilson said nations blessed with natural resources were often challenged to find ways to translate that wealth into a diversified economy that will serve future generations of their citizens.

"This is easier said than done. We hear all too often of the so called resources curse, where resource rich countries squander their opportunities through corruption and maladministration," Wilson said. However the British Gas chairman said this problem does not arise in TT's case and was due in large measure to the anti-corruption stance taken by Prime Minister Patrick Manning and the Government.

"Your unequivocal stance on issues of corruption really does mark you out in the international community, making TT a model for others to emulate," Wilson stated. Stating that he and the entire British Gas board do not make regular overseas trips to foreign jurisdictions where the company operates, Wilson said the board felt it necessary to do so on this occasion. He said this was due to TT's impressive track record over the last ten years in building up its gas industry.

Wilson, who started his professional career as an economist, said he was equally impressed with Government's efforts to diversify the economy and British Gas was willing to partner with Government to help it achieve its national development goals.

The Prime Minister said TT and Venezuela have signed a gas unitisation treaty to develop gas fields which straddle their maritime border. He said a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for wider areas of energy cooperation has been proposed to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Chavez would be coming to TT in mid-April to sign whatever agreement eventually arises from that MOU.

The Prime Minister said his trip last month to Africa generated significant interest amongst African Union nations for energy partnerships with this country. He said a meeting of African energy ministers is being planned for TT later this year to determine how best this country could assist those countries.

Friday 23rd March, 2007

Pension plans can put more in stock market


BY SHERWIN LONG (Trinidad Guardian)


In an effort to revive T&T's faltering stock market, Government has decided to increase the amount pension plan providers can invest in equity holdings from 50 per cent to 70 per cent of their total assets.

Minister in the Ministry of Finance Conrad Enill unveiled the plan yesterday during the post Cabinet news conference held at Whitehall, Port-of-Spain.

Enill did not anticipate any shocks to the local stock market as a result of the new proposal and noted that the move will make $1.5 billion from these funds available for equity investment.

In the short term (for equity investments) you would have dips but in the longer term it would be trending upwards," he said. "This proposal simply reflects the reality of that investment profile. Remember this is a pension fund."

Enill cited a study performed by the Government and the Central Bank.

The study looked at the 37 funds which account for 85 per cent of the total equity investment of pension funds.

Enill said a previous Government exercise showed that "as a consequence of pension funds having to write their business down, $700 million was taken off the market."

He said there would be rules requiring pension funds to have investment managers and plans.

From the study, Enill said some plans were not operating in the expected manner.

A pension plan and pension fund is a fund that has significant long term maturities and there are very specific rules by which these funds must operate," he warned.

Enill also laid down the guidelines to pension fund administrators.

He said there were now mechanisms to deal with any abuse of laws governing pension funds.

All plans with a surplus of 50 per cent or less of pension liabilities remain subject to the current rules," he said. "Plans with a funding ratio in excess of 150 per cent will be allowed to invest in equities beyond the 50 per cent limit."

The legislation is now before the Chief Parliamentary Council who are drafting it for parliamentary debate. With the advent of the Caricom Single Market, Enill also noted that Government was looking at cross listing with other Caribbean markets.

On Tuesday, in an interview, Bourse Securities managing director Subhas Ramkhelawan noted that in 2006 the stock market was down by 9 per cent.

He also made a call for the 50 per cent limit placed on brokerages to be raised.

©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Friday 23rd March, 2007

Otaheite island moves closer to reality


Prakash Saith president of the National Energy Corporation discusses the NEC's planned offshore industrial island planned for Otaheite with past president of the South Trinidad Chamber of Industry and Commerce
Bobby Montano during yesterday's Energy Luncheon at Cara Suites Hotel, St margaret's village, Claxton Bay.

Photo :Rishi Ragoonath

Otaheite update

Government will award contract next week for design of artificial island.

Government yet to get EMA approval.

Anti-smelter group vows to continue protest action.


BY SASCHA WILSON (Trinidad Guardian)


GOVERNMENT's proposed artificial industrial island off Otaheite will move closer to becoming a reality next week when Government is expected to award a contract to an international firm to begin designing the island.

Prakash Saith president of the National Energy Corporation of T&T admitted, though, that the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) is yet to grant approval for the project.

Addressing the issue of ALCOA building its aluminium smelter plant on the island, Saith said Government is yet to make a decision on that, as Government has not yet identified any tenants for the island.

Saith was delivering the feature address at an energy luncheon, hosted by the South Chamber of Industry and Commerce at Cara Suites Hotel in St Margaret's Village, Claxton Bay.

He said that in November 2006, Government invited tenders from top international firms around the world for the design of the island. Tenders were closed in February and after the contract is awarded next week, Government will be "proceeding as quickly as it could with its plans."

He also said that the NEC wanted to create the island on a phased basis, he said the corporation expected the site to be completed within four years of the approval being granted by the EMA.



©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Friday 23rd March, 2007

T&T, BG to study Natural gas future


Acting Minister of Energy and Energy Industries Pennelope Beckles joins BG group chief executive officer Frank Chapman yesterday in signing an agreement between Government and BG to provide for a joint study to determine the future of this country's LNG business. The agreement was signed at BG's headquarters at 5 St Clair Avenue, Port-Of-Spain. Photo:Jennifer Watson


BY ASHA JAVEED (Trinidad Guardian)


British Gas (BG) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Government for a joint study to determine the way forward for a new export train of Liquefied Natural gas (LNG).

The 18-month study will be headed by BG chief of staff Derek Hudson, and will be conducted in Houston and T&T. The first meeting with the ministry is set for next week at which the parties will set up guidelines for the establishment of the project panel and the working groups.

Hudson said the governance structure of "Train X", the further development of the LNG industry, will evolve as part of the study. He said the team, made up of BG and Ministry of Energy officials, will operate "like starting with an open book."

The intent of the study is to open up new possibilities for T&T's gas to reach markets.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Patrick Manning noted that the first unitisation agreement in the Western Hemisphere was signed between T&T and Venezuela on Tuesday night following talks in Caracas between himself and Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez. He said the agreement was the outcome of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in 2003.

Manning said the gas that will be produced from the Loran Manatee field will form the basis of a new LNG Train X and the field, which has reserves of 10 trillion cubic feet, will provide an opportunity for Jamaica to receive Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

We wish to be seen differently to other players in that we are thinking strongly to understand the local agenda and we are trying to align with them," said Frank Chapman, BG chief executive.

He noted that the company had just signed a Heads of Agreement with the National Gas Company (NGC) to commit a further 1.2 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas to the local market which would mark their third billion dollars of investment here.

He noted that BG was in a strong position to facilitate Government access and the agreement would address how BG and Government would work together to aggregate demand and conversely, aggregate supply.

Our ambition in this study is to demonstrate how these arrangements work and to look at new and more effective ways of accessing markets and also joining participation between industry and government in those new arrangements," said Chapman.

Acting Energy Minister, Penelope Beckles, noted that BG's proposal for the development of another LNG Train came closet to the Government's objectives because it addressed participation along the length of the LNG value chain.

"This project will require significant investment in terms of finance, business expertise and market knowledge. The Government is therefore open to proposals from other interested parties who may which to participate in this venture once a business decision has been made," she said.

As we contemplate this additional train, we expect to duplicate the successes of the past. What's more, as we venture into new areas of business along the LNG value train that take us even closer to the final consumer, we expect to gain even greater returns from the industry as well as expand the level of expertise of our nationals in the global LNG business," she added.



©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Little fish, big money

By Carolyn Kissoon


Wednesday, March 21st 2007(T&T Express)


It will not only bring about a revolution in the aquaculture industry, but create a sense of security for people living in rural communities across the country.

Projections indicate that tilapia cultivation will create jobs, improve foreign exchange, provide food security and even reduce rural to urban migration.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources as part of its Agricultural Sector Reform Programme commissioned a team to conduct a competitive analysis of 10 major non-traditional exported and produced commodities in Trinidad and Tobago and to advise on the structure for agribusiness development. Tilapia cultivation was high on the list.

Although investigations revealed that farmers were likely to experience a deficit in the first few years of cultivation, the long term rewards were tremendous. By all indications, tilapia cultivation proved to be a viable business venture.

Herman Lee King, chairman of the Tilapia Commodity Committee (TCC), said his organisation's aim was to find suitable farmers and train them to become good managers of tilapia farms.

"We want to take a person with a piece of land and train him so he can learn to manage the farm effectively. We want to take him through the entire process of setting up the farm and to also supply him with technical assistance," he said.

Lee King said the only requirements for registration were land and a good water source. An efficient farmer would incur a production cost of about $6 a pound and bank a price of $13 a pound at the market. Tilapia fish is of the same quality as king fish, red fish and cavali, he said.

The TCC stated that dollar for dollar, investment in energy created less than one fifteenth the number of jobs as investment in agriculture. Therefore, investment in agriculture was the key to poverty eradication.

A project size of 500 acres of water fully established will create 4,000 jobs, while it will generate an estimated $100 million a year in additional foreign exchange from exports to the North American and European markets, TCC said.

The committee added that in the face of rising costs of food imports, increased revenue from the energy sector is more wisely spent on creating greater national food security, producing 130,000 metric tonnes of tilapia in year five of the programme.

The TCC Tilapia Industry Planning Project stated that farmers' initial investment would be about $60,000 to $85,000. It was estimated that in the first three years of cultivation farmers would experience a deficit. But an efficient farmer can derive 702,000 pounds of tilapia in the first year. By the fifth year, the farmer would be able to produce 18,992,188 pounds and in the seventh year 37,984,375 pounds.

There are already several small tilapia farmers. Capildeo Barrath, president of the Aquaculture Association of Trinidad and Tobago, has set up one of the largest tilapia farms in the country, rearing thousands of fingerlings. He said during a meeting that the AATT recorded about 200 farmers who have some kind of interest in rearing tilapia.

However, farmers are faced with a major problem they have little knowledge on how effective and profitable the business is, he said.

Lee King said the industry will only develop with Government's support.

He said efforts were being made for farmers to be assisted through the Agriculture Development Bank.

Lee King recently attended the World Aqua Culture Conference at San Antonio, where he made contacts for development of the industry. "I always attend these meetings to keep up to date on the industry. It was quite clear that over the past four years technology has changed rapidly," he said.

He said in modern tilapia farms the fishes were kept in a controlled environment, where everything was computerised. "If you go to pond one and press a button everything goes wireless to the computer. The computer tells the farmer exactly what to do. It tells the farmer whether the fishes were being overfed or underfed. When there is too much food in the water it will clog the pond. The computer also will tell him exactly how to keep the correct weight of fish in the tank," he said.

Lee King said that since there were no developed farms in Trinidad, farmers now have the opportunity to follow the right path. "We can learn from the mistakes made by those farmers in the European markets and do it properly from the start," he said.

The TCC said they also would assist farmers to cross the many hurdles they may encounter which included finding suitable land with quality water, developing appropriate skills and developing an acceptance of tilapia locally as a viable alternative to sea food.

Only residents need apply at this mall

By Louis B Homer


Wednesday, March 21st 2007 (T&T Express)



Last November, Prime Minister Patrick Manning officially opened the first state owned shopping mall in Pleasantville, San Fernando, under the umbrella of the Housing Development Corporation.

It is a mall with a difference: All the shops are to be run by residents, providing the people of Pleasantville and Corinth with opportunities to become entrepreneurs in a wide range of investments.

Built in an area to serve some 5,000 people, it has a ready market for householders living in some 1,500 houses constructed by the HDC.

It is the second attempt at developing Pleasantville as an holistic community, complete with a shopping centre, health and sporting facilities.

The first attempt was made more than 20 years ago when a credit union established a large shopping mall which went under after three years.

Ironically, it is on the same site that the new multi million dollar plaza has been built.

Called "The Village Plaza at Pleasantville" it is designed to foster a community entrepreneurial spirit among residents who are principally from Pleasantville, Corinth, Victoria, Cross Crossing and Union Hall.

The only businesspeople who will be allotted shop space are those living in the catchment area, from Pleasantville to Corinth, which is made up of either two bedroom houses or high rise apartments.

The plaza consists of 50 small shops, about 5 ,000 square feet in area, a mini grocery, post office, pharmacy, bar and lounge, bakery and a mini hardware.

So far, about 50 per cent of the available shops are occupied, but according to mall manager Steven Brodber, who is attached to the HDC, interviews already have been conducted with prospective tenants, "and it is only a matter of time for them to move in to the shops."

Next month a fast food outlet with a menu of mainly local foods will be opened near the sunken amphitheatre.

"None of the major fast food outlets will be allowed to ply their goods at that venue," Brodber said.

He stressed: "The Plaza was designed to give people in the area the opportunity to get into business. They are to develop communities through entrepreneurship."

Last year, the HDC arranged a training programme for would be business people. "We want to ensure that those who occupy the shops are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to carry on a successful business," Brodber said.

The training session was conducted by the National Entrepreneurship Development Company (NEDCO) and YTEPP (Youth Training and Employment Partnership Programme).

Brodber said a space has been allocated to young leaders who wanted to discuss business opportunities in and out of the plaza environment.

Tenants of the mall are subject to stringent rules governing the use of common areas, such as the corridors and wash rooms, emergency management and fire safety, security, general housekeeping and the use of all utilities.

The average rental to carry a shop is $1,000 a month. "Maintenance fee is included in the rental, and marketing of the plaza," Brodber said.

He said the HDC was "very concerned" about the environment and the question of noise pollution.

"Noise pollution will be regulated by the management. Tenants have been advised through their contracts that no musical instrument, loudspeaker, tape recorder, gramophone, wireless, television set or other equipment or apparatus which produces sound shall be played or used in the store so that it could be heard in adjoining stores in the common areas."

One of the tenants, who asked for anonymity, described the initiative as one with a positive future. "It has potential for the future and if the tenants are serious they can do some serious business here."

She said a few of the things that were lacking were "seating accommodation in open spaces and proper signs on the premises."

Already there is a tenants association to represent shop owners. The association has held several meetings with the HDC concerning improvements and plans to ensure that the plaza will provide the needs of the immediate community and realise its aim to produce a whole new group of entrepreneurs.

Monday 26th March, 2007

TTPost soon to deliver food

From left, Simone Farmer, Barbadian postal expert Herbert Niles, Willis Mills, Minister of Public Utilities and the Environment Pennelope Beckles, and New Zealand postal consultant Ray Philpott. Photo: Ian Gooding


BY IAN GOODING(Trinidad Guardian)


Consumers will soon be able to do their supermarket shopping online and have their foodstuff delivered straight to their doorsteps by TTPost. That was one of the initiatives announced by TTPost managing director Colin Lucas last Friday at the fifth and final public consultation on the Postal Sector Policy at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Wrightson Road.

He also said that within weeks TTPost will be embarking on its own consultations with the public to get feedback on problems they now experience with the postal service.

Lucas said that the advantage of TTPost was its wide network of outlets and it planned to leverage this to unleash the potential of the company.

The week long consultations (five in all) were staged to invite public comments on the Draft Postal Sector Policy prepared by New Zealand consultant Raymond Philpott and facilitated by Barbadian postal expert Herbert Niles.

Philpott said that while the postal service had undergone a successful transformation it was now entering a second phase to implement the Developing Market Model.

Minister of Public Utilities and the Environment Pennelope Beckles, who attended four of the five consultations, said that they were extensively advertised and the Draft Policy was published in the daily newspapers to give the public the opportunity to comment and make recommendations on the various aspects of the proposed policy. She said this was necessary to ensure that the final document represented a consensus on the "way forward on the development of a vibrant first class postal sector in Trinidad and Tobago."

One of the main features of the policy will be the introduction of a regulator. It is proposed, as outlined in the Vision 2020 document, that the Regulated Industries Commission will assume responsibility for regulation of the postal sector.

It will have a primary duty to protect the interests of all consumers, regulate prices for the products and services, regulate the postal sector within the framework laid down by the government, monitor performance standards of entities in the sector, and prepare market reports, among other things.

The final policy document is expected to go before Cabinet within two months.



©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

T&T on steady growth track

By Roxanne Stapleton


Wednesday, March 21st 2007(T&T Express)



IN TWO weeks Health Minister, John Rahael will reveal Government's plan for a massive overhaul of the Health Sector, Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Conrad Enill told Business Express last Friday.

Enill, who has begun work on Trinidad and Tobago's fiscal mid year review which will speak to what was presented in the 2006/7 budget, said that the overhaul is to take place come what may, adding that Government has budgeted for this major project.

"Minister of Health, John Rahael will be speaking to that in two weeks, where there is a plan, where we've improved the conceptual design of the health sector for overhaul of the entire system.

"We've already improved it and we have to do a launch of it.

"We're also in the middle of transitioning from a system of Central Government health workers and Regional Health Authorities, merging them into one body, with the focus of improving health service delivery."

Turning to the ever consuming inflation rate, which dropped to 8.6 per cent in January, after peaking at 10 per cent last October, then down to 9.6 per cent and 9.1 per cent, asked whether Government is on target to meet its medium term projection of seven per cent and longer term of five per cent, Enill answered in the positive.

He said that to the extent that human behaviour responds in the way they expect it to be, the answer is yes.

"Inflation is not only about Government, it is also about individuals making particular choices and therefore if consumers continue to be vigilant in their spending and we have continued efficiencies and productivity within the system, then the equation holds true.

"What the Government does is to facilitate the macro economic environment, so for instance if there are issues with supply side conditions in the country, what we do is to put in place mechanisms to facilitate access to goods and services, as we have done with reduction of VAT, the set up of farmers' markets through work with NAMDEVCO, so we could bring farmers and consumers in one place, thereby reducing costs to retailers and the other intervention was our public education strategy, which gave people information that allows them to make more appropriate choices and once these continue it is our view, it will continue to trend downwards.

"We also dealt with the monetary side we have taken out just under $1 billion from the system, through bonds and this has tightened liquidity to an extent, which means that dollars which would have been available for consumption have gone into savings, therefore the pressure on goods and services and the pressure on demand for dollars have been reduced as well."

And on public service collective agreement negotiations, when just two weeks ago the PSA (Public Services Association) secured 24 per cent increase for union members, he said that was not the case.

Enill clarified that it is not a 24 per cent increase, but rather an increase of 15 per cent, adjusted by certain classifications within the public service, as a result of public service "market information being out of sync".

"What we decided to do was to not put public officers in an inferior position to the rest of the economy and therefore decided to intervene in certain ranges to bring them to the level where we would not lose masses of people in the same job to others who pay higher.

"When that was done, we basically settled on 15 per cent. It is going to cost the Government a little more than 15 per cent, but the actual increase to the public service without the adjustment is 15 per cent.

"The adjustment would have had to take place in any case, in the context of the ongoing exercise we're doing with job evaluation and ensuring they are market competitive."

Of Article IV Consultations coming in October and based on what the IMF (International Monetary Fund), indicated last year, the economic tenets it said Government ought to look at, Enill highlighted that adjustments were made and they are on stream given the suggestions made.

"They told the Government that they were a little bit concerned about expenditure.

"At the end of last year, whereas we planned to have balanced budget after putting away money in the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund (HSF), we still remained with an unexpended allocation of about $1.5 billion.

"What that basically will prove, as we've said in the past is that allocation which is what we do at budget time does not necessarily equate to expenditure.

"They had concerns about the interim nature of the HSF, and now there are rules we're at the stage where once the legislation is proclaimed that will become a thing of the past.

"On the basis of expenditure in 2007, we went in with less expenditure than in 2006, so that has served in helping to bring inflation down.

"The IMF then, also indicated that inflation would have to be looked at, on that occasion it was creeping upwards, it is now creeping downwards.

"Our unemployment rate is now at five per cent, so that the economy is going to have different challenges than what we had, when we got into discussions on Article IV Consultations last year.

"Their issues will continue to focus on stability and sustainability and from where we sit on the basis of the production profile we have, those are issues we can easily manage from our framework."

And on working with manufacturers to improve Trinidad and Tobago's Competitive Index standings, he said that Government always looks at Trinidad and Tobago in terms of its competitiveness with its trading partners, adding that they are trying to create improved efficiency.

"The VAT registration process which had some 21 steps, we've now broken it down to four steps.

"In terms of Customs and Excise, we've instituted a technical team and all the technical resources required to move the technological systems forward to actual implementation.

"At the level of both ports (Port of Spain and Pt Lisas), we've sat down with stakeholders and we've taken some decisions certainly at the level of Customs, in terms of speeding up the processing of containers on the basis of a different system to get improved efficiency and cost effectiveness."

Questioned as to Government's move to place private sector talent at the helm of a number of state enterprises to ensure a high level of functionality and results, he indicated that they have reaped positive results.

"One of the things that we know is that foreign energy companies are subjected to the highest levels of transparency and scrutiny because they have to operate in some instances in the US jurisdictions which are stringent.

"And they have to conduct themselves in such a way that whatever actions they take, as a result of their fiduciary responsibility in dealing with the companies to which they are assigned don't violate any international standards.

"So when we take someone from an energy sector company to work for us, we recognise that their standards for accountability and transparency are extremely high in keeping with international standards.

"Secondly, they bring a kind of understanding of matters to the table that are not often presented, within a framework of the global environment and that continues to work well and we can see the results in port operations.

"There are also good results in other areas we have this expertise for instance in UTT and BWIA now Caribbean Airlines.

"In so far as what the Prime Minister talked about in agriculture, that is also working as well though we're not where we want to be in terms of the finalisation of it, but there's another team headed by Minister Ken Valley who are actively dealing with the issues we identified."

Asked to speak to the drop in the poverty level, he added: "The number for a long time in terms of people living in poverty was very high, 35 to 40 per cent in that region.

"When you examine poverty in its nakedness, it really is about individuals who are unable to access food on the table.

"What the reduction in the Poverty Index basically says is that a lot more people are actually able to get food on their tables.

"Those who oppose us, talk about the means by which people are able to get food on the table they're arguing stating that CEPEP and URP are not sustainable.

"When we measured poverty on the last occasion the same parameters we used then we use now.

"Are we satisfied with the 17 per cent no we're not. It has improved from before but we're not satisfied with staying at that mark.

"We've taken it a step further by ensuring that every citizen right now who is interested in an education, we will pay for it.

"Secondly, any individual who is interested in a job can access it.

"We have social interventions and basic programmes for persons with challenges, are socially displaced, single parents or who may not be interested in higher education," Enill said.

'Watchman' gets top UN position


Gregory Lal-Beharie


Monday, March 26th 2007(T&T Express)


picture & Source
newly appointed: Wayne Hayde



Calypsonian Watchman, attorney-at-law and police officer, Corporal Wayne Hayde, has landed a top job with the United Nations, after working at some of the worlds hotspots with the UN for the past nine years.

Hayde remained a police officer after being granted special leave in 1998, to join a UN team in Rwanda investigating the 1994 genocide of an estimated 800,000 people in 100 days. At the same time, he became a Canadian resident.

Corporal Hayde, who turned 50 last January, joined the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service in 1975, on the same day as Minister in the ministry of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds, who also became an attorney. They have remained good friends.

He returned to Trinidad on Monday to file for his retirement from the Police Service, and told the Express he credits his success to the training he received from the service here. He pointed out that he would willingly take a pay cut from his new job if invited to be this country's next Police Commissioner.

"Once it's understood that my experience and qualifications is equivalent or better than anybody they could get from a foreign country.

"The assumption should not be that because I was born here, I should be treated as having less ability," Hayde said of any opportunity he could get to serve the country again.

Hayde said he had put his calypso career on hold over the years. However, he said he was disappointed with his fellow calypsonians who had become biased.

"Everyone seems to have lost their voices. Calypsonian who would smash other parties seem to give one political party far more favours. It gives the impression you're one sided."

Hayde has been appointed the UN's Chief of the Conduct and Discipline Unit for the Middle East region. He will be based in Cyprus.

Following his posting in Rwanda with the UN's International Criminal Tribunal, where he served as a witness support officer ensuring witnesses to the killings were given the necessary protection and support, he was posted to East Timor in 2000.

He said during his time there he was adviser to four police commissioners, two from Portugal, one from Canada and one from Australia. He also assisted in drafting regulations for the new police service there, and laws relating to firearms and road traffic regulations. Hayde said he also became the adviser to the East Timor prosecutor general and trained local prosecutors, especially in the dealing with transnational crime in human trafficking and terrorism.

Hayde left Trinidad yesterday.

Canadian firm to oversee US$24m cancer centre

Julien Neaves


Wednesday, March 28th 2007(T&T Express)



LOCAL cancer patients will soon be receiving top class treatment with the construction of the US$24 million state-of-the-art National Oncology Centre (NOC), after the Ministry of Health signed a construction manager's contract with Canadian company EllisDon for the project.

After signing the deal at the ministry's Park Street, Port of Spain, office yesterday, Health Minister John Rahael said the company would be responsible for overseeing the construction of the centre and stressed they are not contractors, architects or consultants.

The company will, among other duties, control and monitor costs, assist with the selection of contractors, and ensure compliance with health and safety, environmental laws and building regulations.

Rahael said EllisDon was one of the leading construction management companies in North America and has built many oncology buildings and centres and was the preferred international tenderer.

The centre will be built on the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC) compound in Mt Hope and will be integrated with it. Rahael said the sod turning ceremony will be next month and the scheduled time of completion is 30 months, with the NOC up and running ten months after that.

He noted that the team at the centre of the project would be made up mostly of locals and that the ministry was currently soliciting staff from all over the world.

He said the ministry had been targeting locals in the UK specifically, because they will soon find it very difficult to get a job in the UK or have their contracts renewed because EU citizens will be receiving preference over them under new employment practice law. He said the ministry is also offering a number of bonded oncology scholarships to ensure personnel for the centre.

The project started in October 2004 and is being implemented by a local project team working with Canadian firm Comprehensive Care International.

The NOC and the National Oncology Programme (NOP) are being developed as part of a government to government arrangement between this country and Canada. Senior trade commissioner for the High Commission for Canada, Joshusa Hodgson, told the gathering that both countries have previously collaborated in a number of medical training programmes.

"This project itself is a great example of how our countries can work together to achieve a great accomplishment," he said.

Thursday 29th March, 2007

Caribbean Airlines, British Airways launch London flights


From left, Dr Oliver King, British Airways' senior vice president Latin America and the Caribbean talks with Conrad Enill, minister in the Ministry of Finance, BA Captain Fred Peters and acting British High Commissioner Geoff Patton at the Piarco International Airport yesterday at the formal launch of BA's codeshare service with Caribbean Airlines. Photos: Keith Matthews



BY ASHA JAVEED(Trinidad Guardian)


After a 13-year long absence from the Piarco runway, British Airways' return flight to T&T touched down at 3:40 yesterday afternoon.

The flight, carrying more than 150 passengers, was the first in a codeshare agreement between British Airways (BA) and Caribbean Airlines.

British Airways last served Port-of-Spain in 1994 but it currently operates three flights weekly from Crown Point.

Dr Oliver King BA's senior vice president Latin America and the Caribbean expressed hope that the route would be profitable this time around. He said a feasibility study conducted a few months ago suggested that now would be a good time to re-enter the market because the economy was growing.

"We need to make sure we are making money on the route," he said.

He explained that profitability was determined by a combination of factors; "you need to get the right mix between the business and the economy cabins, you need to be charging the right price and you need to be factoring that against your cost base. The largest single factor we have is our fuel cost."

He noted that fuel prices have been favourable within the past few months but that BA had to scale down services to incorporate the T&T route while maintaining its Tobago route.

He noted that one of the Caribbean's ongoing challenge was to attract tourism traffic.

"The Caribbean has enormous advantage in terms of sunshine, beaches... its beauty is well known. But compared to places like the Middle East and Dubai, which have invested heavily in creating a tourism product for customers based in Europe, and for the Caribbean its been slightly out of vogue as a tourism destination.

"And we see the challenge of trying to maintain our operation. We have a partnership with governments across the islands to promote tourism because its in both our interests but it has to be recognised that the region competes," said King.

Caribbean Airlines' chief executive Peter Davies had said the local airline could no longer afford to operate the London route because of cost and conditions relating to the aircraft.

The code-sharing deal with British Airways between Port-of-Spain and Gatwick began yesterday.



©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

850 hotel rooms by 2008


Friday, March 30 2007(T&T Newsday)



TOURISM MINISTER Howard Chin Lee on Wednesday revealed the number of available hotel rooms will double with the construction of new hotels and the addition of new rooms to existing hotels.

Speaking at a cocktail reception at the Hilton to commemorate the return of British Airways (BA) to the Trinidad air route, Chin Lee said at least four hotels will be opened before the middle of next year.

The 23-storey, 428 room Hyatt Regency Trinidad, which forms part of the Waterfront Development Project will formally open its doors in December. The 88-room Holiday Inn Express in Trincity is scheduled to open in May.

A 144-room Cara Suites at the Piarco International Airport Hotel and Conference Centre and a 150-room Carlton Savannah Hotel in St Ann's are both expected to open by the middle of next year.

"It is my understanding that two other hotels are planned for development at Piarco International Airport and other hotels are under active consideration for Port-of-Spain, Chaguanas and parts of Southern Trinidad," Chin Lee said.

Hilton Hotel, he said, is presently undergoing a $.25 billion in upgrades and will open 40 new rooms by the end of this year. Chin Lee added that there are also plans to add 200 more rooms in a further expansion of that hotel.

Cara Suites in Claxton Bay will soon commence construction of 50 additional rooms and an 11,000 square foot conference centre.

He said BAs return to Trinidad airspace, in addition to the increase in hotel rooms, will prove beneficial to the tourism sector.

"We must ensure that as we add these new rooms, we have sufficient high quality airlift in place," he said. "The two go hand in hand."

He added that with the expansion of the hotel industry, other airlines are contemplating adding Port-of-Spain to their flight schedules. He explained that Panamanian Copa Airlines plans to fly to Port-of-Spain from Panama City while Delta Airlines will fly nonstop from its base in Atlanta, USA to Tobago from December.

Chin Lee expressed confidence that BA will succeed the second time around due to a large number of persons coming to Trinidad from the UK.

BA returned to Trinidad on Wednesday after a 13 year absence, establishing a route from Gatwick, London, stopping over in Barbados then to Piarco. The first flight was a Boeing 777 aircraft which landed in Piarco at 3.37 pm on Wednesday.



REUNION JACK: Two British Airways (BA) models, Christiane Steel (left) and Kevin De Freitas pose for a photograph on Wednesday following BA's first flight of its resumed service to Piarco International Airport.

$3b to be spent on youth programmes


Monday, April 2nd 2007 (T&T Express)


Some $3 billion will be spent by the State on programmes aimed at improving the lives of young people as part of the war on crime.

Of that amount, Prime Minster Patrick Manning said "$132 million will be spent on providing real opportunities for youth at risk within our communities."

Manning did so during a televised address as he announced the start of a series of public consultations on crime later this month.

He noted that no matter how efficient, policing alone would not solve the crime problem.

"We must therefore also expand opportunities in training and economic activities for our young people, some of whom, without social and economic support, fall victim into the trap of criminal activity," Manning said.

He said that it was with great satisfaction that his administration started to implement the Citizen Security Programme.

"Three point six billion dollars ($3.6 billion) will be spent over the next four years on social projects aimed at improving the lives of young people," Manning said.

These social programmes and other issues are to be explored during the Government's public consultations on crime.

"We must continue to strive for the more caring, cohesive and productive society that we want in Trinidad and Tobago," Manning said.

In doing so, however, he made it clear the social programmes geared toward the nation's youth will be operating in tandem with initiatives meant to improve law enforcement capacity.

Penal, Siparia, Fyzabad added to rapid rail route

Juhel Browne


Monday, April 2nd 2007(T&T Newsday)



Penal, Siparia and Fyzabad are now to be included on the route of the Government's $6 billion rapid rail project.

Works and Transport Minister Colm Imbert said that a contractor is expected to selected to do the job by May, 2007, as the first leg of the rail system is set to operate from Chaguanas to Port of Spain.

Imbert made the announcements during a ruling People's National Movement (PNM) public meeting at the Chaguanas RC Primary School, Saturday evening as the party continues to gear up for the next General Election, the date of which is yet to be announced.

"The railway solution is a long term solution. It's gonna take three to four years before the first leg, which coincidentally is the Chaguanas to Port of Spain leg. That is the leg we have decided has the most traffic on it and has the most demand," Imbert said.

At first he said that the rapid rail would have "a stop obviously in the Chaguanas area" before announcing the decision on its first leg from the borough to Port of Spain.

With regard to the southern leg of the rapid rail system, it was originally expected to end in San Fernando.

"In discussions with the Prime Minister, he has pointed out to me the need to continue further south into the industrial areas of Penal and Siparia and Fyzabad and so on and it is certainly feasible because of the large population settlements in those areas," Imbert said.

He also said the level of economic and industrial activity in these areas was an additional reason why the rapid rail southern leg should continue past San Fernando.

Imbert said negotiations for the selection of a contractor for the project began on March 26, and were in the final stages.

There are two bidding consortiums, both French, now competing for the job, Vinci Construction Grand Projects and Bouygues Travaux Publics.

"We expect that within the next month or so we will be able to select a contractor for our railway project and within a couple of months mobilisation will begin," Imbert said.

Palm Wavers Take to the Streets


Monday, April 2 2007 (T&T Newsday)


Scores of parishoners took part in the traditional Palm Sunday procession in Port-of-Spain which began at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Indepen-dence Square yesterday.

Faithful parishioners gathered at the Cathedral for a short service, which was officiated by Asst Pastor Wendell Jones on behalf of Parish Priest Fr Cuthbert Alexander.

The procession proceeded, along George Street and Prince Street to Laventille Road, where parishioners gathered at the Moravian Church before being joined by the Salvation Army, Hanover Methodist Church, St John Baptist Church, Greyfriars Church as they made their way to the Holy Trinity Cathedral.



Archbishop Edward Gilbert during the traditional "Blessing of the Palms" at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception yesterday.

CUTIES: These two cuties from the Second Year Infants class of the Scarborough Methodist School were all smiles as they took centre stage during the Easter Bonnet parade recently. Students from the First and Second Year Infants classes strutted the creative designs by their parents.

Palm Girl: Eighteen month-old-Mikayla Kowlessar holds her palm at yesterday's Palm Sunday Mass at the Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church Harris Promenade, San Fernando.

HEADS UP: Khareem Thom, Alyssa Ross, Renee Fraser, Omari Adams and Ruelle Benjamin of the First Year Infants class of the Scarborough Methodist School show off their Easter Bonnet creations during the parade at the school recently. Teachers were highly impressed by the creativity of the parents who made the Easter hats and baskets from items such as paper, bristol board and styrotex bowls.

PALM SMILES: Scores of Christians took to the streets of Port-of-Spain yesterday to celebrate the traditional Palm Sunday processions, to mark the start of Holy Week for Christians throughout the world.

Tuesday 3rd April, 2007(Trinidad Guardian)


E-Teck complex start of second industrial drive


Prime Minister Patrick Manning says the start of construction of the e-Teck flagship complex at Wallerfield marks the beginning of the country's second industrial revolution.

He said development of the Point Lisas Industrial Estate and the nation's diversification into natural gas, iron and steel, ammonia, urea and methanol was T&T's first industrial revolution.

Manning made the comment during a ceremony at which he laid the foundation stone to mark the start of construction of the complex. "This will see the realisation of our industrial revolution in terms of the non-oil sector."

He said it would lead to the creation and development of new sectors such as merchant marine, printing and packaging, music and entertainment and yachting.

"This is the newest industrial centre in T&T, at which new non-oil industries are going to be developed, so that in respect of these industries T&T will take its rightful place in the world regarding any of the products and services to be developed here, in much the same way as we have already done in respect of natural gas, ammonia, urea and methanol and so on."

Manning said e-Teck had responsibility for all aspects of the development of the non-energy sector.

"The long-desired path to outright economic diversification is now firmly in our grasp, and the Government is extremely confident about the rapid industrial development that will now take place in the non-oil sector and in the industrial zone; so much so that, in light of our full employment situation, the Government believes that it is now necessary to review our position on immigration.

"We are determined to press ahead for the fullest development of the Caribbean Single Economy and trade liberalisation within our region and in the external context."

He expressed the certainty that the Government's Vision 2020 objectives would be achieved long before 2020.

Manning said construction of the Tamana InTeck Park represented a reversal of history.



©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

T&T gets top credit rating

Roxanne Stapleton

Thursday, April 5th 2007(T&T Express)


TRINIDAD AND Tobago has been assigned the highest credit worthiness rating by the Caribbean Information and Credit Rating Services (CariCRIS), Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Conrad Enill, disclosed yesterday.

This country has been assigned AAA on both its Foreign Currency and Local Currency Ratings, based on CariCRIS' regional and national rating scales respectively, he said.

Enill boasted that these latest results follow other favourable ratings from international agencies Standard and Poor's and Moody's.

"According to Cari-CRIS, the ratings on the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago reflect its superior external liquidity, sharply reduced net public debt and increased fiscal flexibility, resulting from a robust macroeconomic performance for just over a decade," Enill said.

Meanwhile, Enill who spoke at a press conference at his Port of Spain offices yesterday, said Government had negotiated with a number of Caribbean and South American countries "government to government", for the importation of food in bulk, based on favourable landed costs.

This was being done as a supplement to the development of agriculture lots on Caroni lands and agriculture policy agreements with Cubans, which should come on stream in two to eight months.

Barbados gets deadline to okay natural gas from T&T


Friday, April 6th 2007 (Tobago News)


Barbados has until the end of this month to decide whether it wants to import natural gas from Trinidad and Tobago via pipeline, according to Dr Trevor Byer, one of the directors of the Eastern Caribbean Gas Pipeline Company (ECGPC) in a recent interview with the Barbados Nation newspaper.

The pipeline is designed to deliver gas from Tobago to Barbados, St Lucia, Martinique, Guadeloupe and Dominica for oil substitution in their economies, with the power generation sector being the largest user.

Byer said the deadline for Barbados had arisen because the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago (NGC) needed to know by the end of April the amount of natural gas it would have to transport in its new pipeline to Tobago from the natural gas fields south of the island.

He noted that since the NGC pipeline would supply gas both to the ECGPC and to its other customers, the design and size of its pipeline depended also on gas requirements for the ECGPC pipeline from Tobago to the five northern islands.

Phase I of the ECGPC pipeline is planned as the Tobago to Barbados section, with Phase 2 from Barbados to St Lucia, Martinique, Guadeloupe and Dominica.

Major investors in the project are Guardian Holdings Limited (GHL) and the Trinidad and Tobago Unit Trust Corporation (UTC), with the NGC an investor with minority interest and Intra-Caribbean Gas Pipeline Company, the project's initiator, also with a minority stake.

General manager of the Barbados National Oil Company (BNOC), said two options available to Barbados for transporting natural gas to that island were being evaluated the underwater pipeline and compressed natural gas (CNG) on a barge. However, he could not say when Barbados would decide on which process, noting that it was a major decision.

Trinis take over Tobago


BY MARISSA WILLIAMS Tobago Friday, April 6 2007


Tobago will surely sink this weekend," joked a passerby as crowds swarmed through Scarborough yesterday.

Even as he made this observation, The Cat fast ferry off loaded another couple hundred passengers.

Tobagonians, it is believed, should be accustomed to the barrage of visitors and endless traffic lines that have become synonymous with Easter in Tobago.

However, the season seems to have become more popular than the August school holidays.

Trinidadians make up a large number of the visitors while there has been a considerable number of returning residents and European visitors as well.

However, president of the Tobago Hotel Association, Rene Seepersadsingh, told Newsday that Tobago recorded its slowest March in many years in terms of tourist arrivals.

Seepersadsingh said despite previous optimism, the ICC Cricket World Cup and the visa sanctions, did cause a big drop in the arrival figure.

He noted as well that because of the close proximity between the Annual Buccoo Easter Goat Race and the Plymouth Jazz Festival, the jazz festival has taken some of the excitement away from the annual Easter celebrations and suggested new arrangements would need to be made in order to capitalise on both activities.

Seepersadsingh said while a number of the foreign visitors would be staying on for the jazz festival, those who are leaving would be replaced by a fresh set.

Even so, visitors have a range of activities from which to choose this weekend, starting with the SandBox Entertainment "Driver" concert at Pigeon Point, featuring Jamaican Grammy-award winning reggae artiste, Buju Banton, who will perform with his Shiloh band in his second appearance in Tobago.

The third annual Caribbean Spring Bling concert also takes place over three days at various venues to be announced with Jamaican reggae artiste, Hawk Eye, and a list of other Jamaican and local artistes. And of course, there are several "smaller limes," including several retro parties featuring King Papa Rocky.

The annual X-Treme Promotions car show takes place at the Dwight Yorke Stadium on Easter Sunday.

The activities prelude the annual Mt Pleasant sports day on Easter Monday and the 82nd Annual Buccoo Easter Goat Race Festival that takes place on Easter Tuesday that has been dubbed the highlight of the long weekend.


On arrival: Passengers disembark from The Cat at the Scarborough port, Tobago yesterday, as scores of Trinidadians sailed over for the Easter weekend.

Hose down: Lifeguard patrol captain Mukesh Jodhan cleans a jet ski at Maracas Bay yesterday after taking it for a ride in the sea. Lifeguards will be out in full force at the beach where large crowds are expected over the long Easter weekend.

Passion of Christ at the Hollows


By MARK LAWRENCE Saturday, April 7 2007(T&T Newsday)



FOR THE first time in recent memory, the re-enactment of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ was held at the Hollows in the Queen's Park Savannah on Good Friday when members of the St Amry's RC Church staged the production complete with menacing Roman soldiers yesterday.

Whips cracked, candles burned and people wailed as Christ, depicted by Paul Williams, marched battered and bruised to his crucifixion at Calvary during the St Mary's RC Church's re-enactment of the 14 stations of the cross.

The activities began at the Church on George Cabral Street in St James at approximately 4.40 am. The large procession consisting of scores of church members walked, clapped and sang along with the church choir through Patna Street, St James, Long Circular Road, Federation Park St Clair and onto the Hollows at the Queen's Park Savannah via Saddle Road.

The procession was met by a sophisticated theatrical presentation as they entered the Savannah at 6 am. Williams dressed in a white robe stood looking to the heavens at a tree stump to the centre of the "Hollows" while at the eastern end a group of several "Roman soldiers" dressed in red and gold armour bearing flaming staffs and spears stood waiting. Near the "soldiers", women wailed as they mourned the impending crucifixion.

Problems with the sound system prevented the reading of the first station while the "Roman soldiers" approached ˜Jesus' and in the company of Judas, he (Jesus) was arrested, beaten and condemned to death.

Members of the crowd gasped as actors wielded whips which they cracked in the air violently while the mourners wailed. At each Station of the Cross, certain devout members of the crowd kneeled and made the sign of the cross while others held candles and prayed.

Carrying the large cross on his shoulder, Williams with thorns around his head, collapsed and was met by his weeping mother The Virgin Mary (portrayed by Chantal Singh) during the fourth station. Members of the congregation, experiencing the event in such a dramatic fashion for the first time, had to be told to move away from the characters. One woman who failed to heed the warning was startled by a sudden crack of a "Roman" soldier's whip and she exclaimed "Jesus!" which led to loud laughter.

The re-enactment saw the characters walking around the entire "Hollows" and eventually using the incline near to Stollmeyer's Castle, Queen's Park West to depict the uphill trek to Calvary.

Many children could be seen pointing at the characters and debating who was playing which role.

Church officials were unwilling to reveal the total cost of theatrical production but said that it was "quite costly."

The cost was highlighted by one announcer after the event and a public appeal was made for "contributions" to be made by willing persons.


SURROUNDED: Jesus Christ (portrayed by Paul Williams) lies on the ground and is surrounded by the menacing spears of "Roman" soldiers during a re-enactment of the Crucifixion staged by parishioners of St Mary's RC Church in St James. The production was held at The Hollows in the Queen's Park Savannah yesterday.

SURROUNDED: Jesus Christ (portrayed by Paul Williams) lies on the ground and is surrounded by the menacing spears of "Roman" soldiers during a re-enactment of the Crucifixion staged by parishioners of St Mary's RC Church in St James. The production was held at The Hollows in the Queen's Park Savannah yesterday.

WEEPING FOR JESUS: A parishioner in the role of one of several women who wept as Jesus passed by, took on her role literally as she shed real tears yesterday.


THE AGONY AND THE GLORY: Paul Williams, portraying Jesus Christ, depicts Christ's death on the Cross during Good Friday re-enactment of the Stations of the Cross by members of the St Mary's RC Church at the Hollows in Queen's Park Savannah yesterday.

PoS Corporation Easter Bonnet Parade

Monday 9th April, 2007

Tight security at Siparia church for Good Friday


A young woman pays homage to a garlanded and bedecked statue of Soparie Mai, during celebrations at La Divina Pastora RC Church, Siparia, on Friday. Photos: Tony Howell



BY RADHICA SOOKRAJ(T&T Guardian)

Over 100 police officers kept watch on Good Friday as hundreds of people went to the La Divina Pastora Church in Siparia to pay homage to the statue of La Divina Pastora.

The officers were stationed at strategic locations inside and outside the church. Supt Gabriel Christopher said officers had been detailed to keep watch at the event to prevent any occurrences of crime.

Around 10 am, officers of the Siparia Divisional Task Force, led by Insp Innis Minors intercepted a car outside the church and executed a search but found nothing.

Officers patrolled in and around the churchyard.

Police said hundreds of dollars flowed through the church each season as offerings were given to the divine mother. The statue is known as Soparie Mai by the Hindus, who see her as a reincarnation of the Hindu goddess mother Kali.

One Hindu, Kamla Balram said she came from Felicity to pay homage to the divine shepherdess.

"I am a Hindu but I still pray to the mother because my ancestors came here to pray. I respect all religions so I do not see a problem with worshipping in a Christian church," Balram said.

Meanwhile, another worshipper Margaret Mahabir said she offered prayers to the statue to get help for her children.

"My children are going through some difficulties, they are drinking and fighting and I believe that the divine mother will help us," Mahabir said.

Catholics also came to the church to give alms.

Raphael Parsons said: "Each year we choose a place to give charity and this year we came to Siparia because of the numbers of poor people who have gathered here."

The back of the church was flooded with destitute people, some dressed in tattered clothing. They sat on the ground with arms outstretched begging for food and money.

One crippled man, Ramesh Persad, said he was injured in an accident several years ago.

"I came here to see what I can get because times tough for me," Persad said.

Several mothers also came to the church to give their children their first haircut.

Barber Moonilal Ramjattan said the children were given a piece of silver to hold during the trim so that they could be prosperous in their academic studies.

©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited


STAY STILL: Veron Rampersad sits still as he gets a Good Friday haircut at the Siparia RC School. Thousands converged in Siparia for the annual "Soparee Mai" observations yesterday.

Nice pics of the kids there Eric.
Do me a favo though, take it easy with the resposting of some of the articles.
Slow it down a bit.
Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by amral:
Nice pics of the kids there Eric.
Do me a favo though, take it easy with the resposting of some of the articles.
Slow it down a bit.
Thanks

Thanks Admin.. some of his postings are way over the top and irrelevant vis-a-vis Guyana's political issues. You are very tolerant, maybe move them to another thread e.g Caricom Countries.

I differ a bit here. Eric is a long-standing member of this board and I think he should continue to post his pieces on Trinidad & Tobago. But to ease up on space (especially the photos) he can just post the link.

Eris should be allowed to continue...Louie should be banned

This is the first time I am posting on this thread. Eric is generating lots of traffic and intersest. Hence, he should be allowed to stay here, but could cut back on some postings by just posting the link(s).

quote:

Originally posted by amral:
Nice pics of the kids there Eric.
Do me a favo though, take it easy with the resposting of some of the articles.
Slow it down a bit.
Thanks

Ok I think you're right it was a bit too much in the pics etc.

sorry all.

quote:

Originally posted by Eric's_Revenge:

quote:

Originally posted by amral:
Nice pics of the kids there Eric.
Do me a favo though, take it easy with the resposting of some of the articles.
Slow it down a bit.
Thanks

Ok I think you're right it was a bit too much in the pics etc.

sorry all.

Eric,
I like the pics. You don't have to ease up. Just post the links.

Manning: UTT a pillar of Govt's goals for Education


By RIA TAITT Wednesday, April 11 2007 (T&T Newsday)


The University of Trinidad and Tobago Signature Complex symbolises the strengthening and acceleration of Trinidad and Tobago's march to becoming a fully industrialised country, Prime Minister Patrick Manning said yesterday.

He was speaking at the start of construction of the UTT Complex in Tamana Intech Park, Wallerfield. Among those present at the ceremony was President George Maxwell Richards.

Manning noted that the percentage of students accessing tertiary education had risen from 12 percent to 34 percent in the last five years. Government was targetting 60 percent by 2015, he said.

Manning however said that Government was not only concentrating on education at the upper levels, but was intervening at the early childhood, primary, post primary and secondary levels, improving, regulating and monitoring standards.

He said much was being said about the quality of teaching and lecturing which is being delivered today and, some of it was less than flattering. He said Government, recognising that there was a need to review approaches to pedagogy, teaching and the creative learning process, had brought the Valsayn and Corinth Teachers' Colleges under the umbrella of the UTT.

Manning said if he had a charge to lay before the UTT today it would be that its education must "sparkle."

"Indeed it must become a national beacon which draws our people to create, to innovate and learn from the diversity of their roots as they take their rightful place on the information super highway," the Prime Minister said.

Manning said if the education offered at UTT cast a wide enough net, "we shall be able to link competence to traditional natural resources, both human and environmental for the lifelong benefit of all of us."

Tertiary Education Minister Mustapha Abdul-Hamid said Government anticipated that in five years time the demand for UTT graduates would be higher than the demand for any other graduate, especially in the field of engineering.

Abdul Hamid lauded President and Chairman of the UTT Board, Ken Julien. "I know that the Professor might be looking forward to going home and taking care of his ducks and chickens," he said. But, he added, Government had turned to and relied on Julien's brilliance, which was a critical necessity at this stage of the country's development.

Abdul-Hamid said Government had addressed the issues of capacity, affordability, excellence, relevance and accessibility, all in a single institution the UTT.

Giving hints that Government appeared to favour the UTT over UWI, the Minister said Government expected UTT to become the leading university in the English-speaking Caribbean and to blossom into one of the premiere institutions in the Western Hemisphere.

Julien said the first phase of the UTT Signature Complex was expected to be completed in two years. It would consist of the creation of 17 buildings on 222,000 square feet and would include a library, laboratory facilities and lecture rooms. He said designs for the student village which would house 1,000 students were to be completed soon. This, he said, would ensure that UTT facilities would be available to students from all over Trinidad and Tobago "without the inhibiting factor of transport."

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Thursday 12th April, 2007

Piggott: "T&T to become diplomatic capital of the region"


El Salvador opens embassy in T&T.

Envoy Francisco Lainez hails T&T as The Gate of the Caribbean.


BY COREY CONNELLY(T&T Guardian)


T&T is well on its way to becoming the diplomatic capital of the region, says Foreign Affairs Minister Arnold Piggott.

He made the declaration yesterday while addressing the inauguration of the El Salvador Embassy at Long Circular Road in St James.

The move is aimed at deepening diplomatic relations with El Salvador and other Caricom territories.

"Since my assumption of office (six months ago), I have had the distinct pleasure to witness the establishment of two other diplomatic missions in Port-of-Spain"”that of the Kingdom of Spain in November 2006 and the Republic of South Africa in December 2006," he said during the simple function.

"These developments provide tangible evidence that T&T is undoubtedly becoming the diplomatic capital of the Caribbean."

Noting that T&T had shown consecutive economic growth over the past six years, Piggott said the country was also aiming to become the transhipment and financial capital of the region.

He said late prime minister Dr Eric Williams had laid the foundation for the progress currently taking place in the country.

As if taking a cue from Piggott, El Salvador Foreign Affairs Minister Francisco Lainez hailed T&T as The Gate for the Caribbean.

Lainez, in brief remarks, said members of the embassy were already committed to strengthening ties between his country and T&T.

"The resulting co-operation between our two governments will show itself everyday in ways big and small, in support to programmes to enhance bilateral tourism; in the joint ventures that our business people will form; in joint programmes that utilise vibrant culture of both countries; in mutual support in international forums and in promoting mutually beneficial business and trade," he said.

Lainez, who signed a visa waiver as well as a technical and cultural agreement with T&T during his brief stay, also expressed hope that both countries would work together on bilateral and multilateral matters.

©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited


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