Shifting energy


By Rory Rostant Thursday, June 21 2007(T&T Newsday Business)



BPTT CEO Robert Riley believes revenues earned by the energy sector in Trinidad and Tobago can be invested in other countries in the region, saying that stronger regional partners are needed if this country was going to reach its competitive potential.

The reality, he said, is that TT was one energy exporting country amongst 14 energy consuming countries and "will not on its own be able to realise national economic objectives, including competitiveness."

Referring to the Single Market and Economy (CSME) as an attempt to achieve economic competitiveness, Riley said revenues earned by the energy sector in TT can be invested in other countries in the region, by using its human and physical resources to develop business, agriculture, tourism and financial services.

He said to enhance its competitiveness and efficiency, stronger regional trading partners for energy exporters like TT were needed. This, he added was vital now that the old industries, sugar and banana are all but comatose; traditional preferences in Europe having been withdrawn.

There is need, he added, for greater effort to cushion the blow of the high cost of energy to the energy dependent countries, noting "mechanisms are needed to allow energy importers to utilise more of their earnings to productive and competitive investment.

"If achieved, the cooperation between energy sufficient and energy deficient countries can liberate the potential for non energy economic activities and propel the emergence of a community of strong trading partners."

He was delivering an address titled "Energy and Competitiveness in the Americas" at the Fourth OAS Private Sector Forum in Panama. The theme of his presentation was: "Energy for Development in the Americas: the Role of Public/Private partnerships."

Riley's audience included, Martín Torrijos, president of the Republic of Panama, Ernesto Gutiérrez, President, Private Sector of the Americas, José Miguel Insulza, Secretary General, Organisation of American States, (OAS), and Luis Manuel Kolster, Director of Public Policy, General Motors Latin America, Africa and Middle East.

Referring to the theme, Riley said there was a relationship between energy and competitiveness for those countries which export hydrocarbon products, and those which were energy-dependent.

He said in the first instance, countries with energy resources, like ours, are using the revenue derived from energy to develop competitive downstream industrial sectors in their economies.

But the energy deficient countries in the Caribbean were not so fortunate. "The need to purchase energy products at the prevailing high international prices is making production in those economies highly uncompetitive," he said.

"These small and energy dependent countries of the eastern Caribbean and the relatively larger Jamaica in the north are in desperate straits to meet their energy bills, make payments on ever increasing mounds of public debt and at the same time attempt to stimulate economic activity which could provide the growth required," he added.

The future looks no brighter as the International Energy Agency (IEA) is projecting that oil prices will decline only marginally to US$47 per barrel over the next decade but will then rise steadily to 2030. The indication, he said, from the IEA is for gas prices to follow the lead set by international oil prices.

"The problems of our region are the problems of energy and development worldwide: energy production is concentrated in a few countries," he noted.

As a result, investment in energy exploration therefore is a challenge private corporations operating in the Caribbean will have to confront with the governments providing the correct framework, he said.

He said the fallout effects from high energy costs and mounting public debt in the Caribbean have the potential to negatively impact on the region, noting the Caribbean is the most heavily indebted region of the world: public debt amounts to more than the 100 percent of the GDP and debt servicing payments require large annual leakage of foreign exchange needed for investment.

He said the challenge for the Caribbean is to find mechanisms that could soften the blow of high energy costs and in the process stimulate economic growth and competitiveness in the energy importing countries of the region. He said even energy exporting countries like TT were facing challenges to avoid inflationary expenditure as well as maintaining competitiveness in the energy and non energy sectors for their exports.

"The big point is that social and political stability depends heavily on getting the mix right as without it, energy and competitiveness as a facilitator of development will not have a chance," he said.

He said there now exists a highly successful partnership between the State and private sector in Trinidad and Tobago. After giving guests a history lesson on energy development in TT, Riley said, "The know how of gas transnationals has been leveraged as well as our strong balance sheets," noting LNG is now exported to the US and Atlantic LNG now exports 15 million tonnes of LNG per year with the start up from Train 4 of the plant.

Government, he said, had identified natural gas as a product to be developed for commercial use and has since laid down the policies for the utilisation and down stream development of raw materials.

Governments, he said, must not commit the past error of leaving the general population out of the discussion. "People must be made to fully understand why energy giants such as Venezuela and Mexico would want to join an association with small energy dependent countries in the Caribbean, Central and South America."

He said things have changed a lot in the relationship between the public and private sector.

"Time was when undesirable gaps were allowed to exist between the public and private sectors; when multinational corporations could be perceived to be the enemies of a State, when multinational corporations seeking competitiveness were considered exploitative."

In the Caribbean, this no longer holds true.

Riley said he believed the opportunity now exists for cooperation between the governments of Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela, and between private and public sector energy corporations to exploit the resources in the seabed between the two neighbours.

He said when TT, in cooperation with the private sector in energy, re-fashioned the taxation regime to encourage exploration and production and to increase its energy revenues, "companies like bpTT went out and explored for hydrocarbons, mined those resources and produced the resources in commercial value allowing the Government to draw down large revenues to stimulate economic development and competitiveness in the rest of the economy.

"But given that required investment in exploration and production has to rise dramatically over the next 20 years, there must be even greater levels of cooperation between private investors and governments," he said.

"The governments of the energy rich countries must inform and convince their populations about the economic wisdom of assisting small countries to become competitive trading partners."

Thursday 28th June, 2007

Transforming NP

Company CEO looks to improve service, efficiency




Michael Callender, left, CEO of National Petroleum Marketing Company Ltd, with two members of his management team: Angelita Cattine, retail sales manager, and Garnet Redwood, divisional manager of technical services.



BY SANDRA CHOUTHI(T&T Guardian)


This CEO likes to lead by example.


So how does Michael Callender of National Petroleum Marketing Company Ltd (NP) do that?

He goes to the Tragarete Road service station and pumps gas for two hours.

He wishes customers a pleasant morning or afternoon before asking how much gas they would like to get.

He did that for a couple of Saturdays for a couple of hours.

On one occasion, he got a $5 tip from "a group of about five rough-looking men."

He put it in the kitty for the employees.

"They said they like what they are getting," Callender said.

Impressed customers asked of the red-shirted attendants, "who's he?

They'd reply, "he's the CEO."

In an interview at NP's Sea Lots offices, Beetham Highway Lavantille, last Friday, Callender said of the attendants at the Tragarete Road station, "Everytime they see me, I try to do something positive to motivate them."

He said consumers can't be happy with the quality of service they get at service stations.

"We certainly are not. We also recognise that having a modern service station network is good, is important. But the quality of service that you get in a service station is equally important. You don't want to go into a brand new station and not get good service."

Part of the challenge NP executive faces comes from Cepep.

"When you have things like Cepep out there, they gravitate from having to work long hours in a service station to go outside. I'm not sure how productive they are, but they get more money."

As an option to having an attendant pump their gas, NP has installed six card readers in dispensers, known as Crind, at the Tragarete Road station.

"We are working out the interface with our bankers and with Radiant (Systems) in the United States."

Each card-reading dispenser costs $80,000.

Callender said first world service stations have moved to card reading dispensers.

"In a service station in the United States, you don't see an attendant.

"You either give your card inside or put your card into the machine, punch in $20 and pull out your card. Efficiency."

The Tragarete Road gas bar is selling more gas than expected, the chief executive said.

With wide aisles that allow easy entry and exit, the station sells 12 million litres of fuel annually. The original projection: eight million litres.

Enter the car mall

Look ahead to the introduction of acre-sized service stations that will operate like a car mall.

In other words, the gas bar will have alongside it complementary businesses.

Callender said NP will be partnering with a private entrepreneur to create a car mall later this year.

"A station like that will probably cost in the order of $12 million," he said.

"We will, in fact, have the wholesale agreement. We will have a long-term agreement with them to supply fuel, pumps and underground storage tanks. They will do the rest.

"In the future, you will see a lot of service station-type businesses getting into businesses that are complementary. You see it in the United States. It is a means of getting private sector involved."

Subsidy on diesel and gas

The annual fuel subsidy is about $2 billion, NP officials say.

Petrotrin sells NP fuel at world market prices. The subsidy goes to Petrotrin.

"We are in a price-regulated market. The price at the pump is fixed. At least for the time. I'm not too sure how long into the future that will continue, but at this time it's fixed."

Does the high price oil fetches internationally make paying the subsidy easier?

Garnet Redwood, NP's divisional manager of technical services, said most of the subsidy is paid on diesel.

"It is the lowest in the world," Redwood said, referring to the $1.50 per litre price of diesel at local service stations.

Changing the model

last year, NP sold 175 million litres of diesel mainly to transportation vehicles, maxis and taxis, said Angelita Cattine, retail sales manager.

Even though the company's two aging tug boats, which are used to transport fuels from the Petrotrin refinery at Pointe-a-Pierre, have been non-functional for the past two years, NP has been spending $15 million annually to pay up to 35 workers to do "basic maintenance" on them.

"We still have the manpower for them,"

"They will be going home shortly."

Really?

"Yes. They have been on the vessels for the last two years."

Doing what?

"Basic maintenance."

"Once they are on the water, you have some basic things to do."

Does that make sense to you?

"No. That's why we're changing that."

Callender said the Government has mandated NP, Petrotrin and the National Gas Company (NGC) to meet and discuss the laying of a pipeline from Petrotrin in Pointe-a-Pierre to a central facility somewhere south of the Caroni river.

This would involve using NGC's existing pipe path, storage and a gantry to service the north and east/west Trinidad.

Petrotrin is expected to have a new, modern gantry at the Gasparillo gate at Pointe-a-Pierre for south Trinidad's fuel needs.

The boats the NP Unity and The Enterprise are to be sold by public auction.

"Particularly with the pipeline coming within the next two years, we have received the approval of the shareholder to sell the vessels, which we are going to do very shortly, before the end of the year, and we are also going to be terminating within the next year-and-half the water transport, which moves product from Pointe-a-Pierre to Sea Lots."

NP currently pays $30 million annually to an American owned, Bahamas-based company to ship fuel from Petrotrin to Sea Lots.

"The intention is to eliminate water transport as quickly as possible."

Whither NP-operated

Quik Shoppes?

NP loses $2 million annual from its 13 Trinidad-based Quik Shoppes due to theft.

Callender said they can be profitable if it's not run by a state enterprise, but rather private entrepreneurs.

"The convenience store model is a good model that makes money if it is a private entrepreneur doing that, not a state company."

Why?

"Shrinkage. Can't control it. It's not for state enterprises. Private enterprise, where you have your people manage it. Excellent."

He said despite the installation of the latest equipment to keep track of inventory, decreasing the incident of theft is very challenging.

"We are right now making a recommendation to change the model."

Are they making a profit?

"The convenience stores? Right now? No.

"The level of loss is about $2 million a year. We are changing the model because this model does not work for us.

"The convenience stores can make a lot of money, but it is not for a state company to run. Give it to a dealer to run.

"We recognise that, we've recommended that and that's the way we are going. And it will be positive for everybody. The dealer will make money and we will make money." SC

Upgrades and remediation

State-owned National Petroleum Marketing Company Ltd (NP) is in transformation mode.

Presently, five stations are closed for upgrade.

Wrightson Road

Beetham

St Augustine

Carousel, Cocoyea

Point Fortin

Upgrade means demolition of the existing station and replacement of the underground tanks with double walled tanks of much increased capacity (10,000-15,000 gallons) and building a new modernised facility.

Nine stations will benefit from a fuel system upgrade:

NP Arouca
NP Valencia
Tabaquite
Manzanilla
Guapo
San Raphael/ Talparo
Fyzabad
Penal
Plymouth, Tobago
The upgrades to the fuel systems at Arouca and Penal are expected to be completed by month's end.

NP is awaiting clearance from the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) to begin work at the Plymouth (Tobago) and Manzanilla stations.

The Sattar service station in Princes Town is under remediation, following which, new tanks and dispensers will be installed.

NP says that the Sattar dealer is responsible for the improvement of physical building and equipment on site.

And that the dealer who owns the station next to Sattar closed it down following a robbery.

Currently underway is a full upgrade of the NP-owned Radica Persad station in Craignish Village, Princes Town.

The upgrade and remediation programme will run for three years.

NP CEO Michael Callender said, "by that time, we'd have a completely rationalised service station network which is modern and which is what the public of T&T want. It is something, as Trinidadians, I think we'll be proud of."

Callender said the upgrade is being funded by the Government.

"The dealer-owned and operated stations, we are financing that through a bank, First Citizens. We got a preferred offerer. First Citizens is doing the first tranche of financing for US $20 million.

"In the service stations we are utilising the funding for, we are not using more than $3 million a site."

Garnet Redwood, NP's divisional manager of technical services, said contractors who responded to NP's advertisement for projects submitted prices which he found to be up to ten per cent higher than expected.

Redwood said prices have been coming down lately.

"I think the competition is biting into their profit take. Competition, the number of stations we are doing and the number of contractors we are inviting on a rotational basis to bid on these jobs," Redwood said.

Caricom to look at regional ferry

Rickey Singh Bridgetown


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


picture & source
TO LAY CABLE: The Tycom Reliance vessel which docked at the Port of Port of Spain on Friday.


FINALLY, an inter-island fast ferry service could be a reality, possibly within two years, operating between Trinidad and Tobago and some of the countries of the Eastern Caribbean.

Details of the multi-million dollar project, including financing, management and initial modes of operation, with Trinidad and Tobago playing a significant role, are expected to be considered during this week's Caricom Summit at the Barbados Hilton.

Arrangements for the ferry service would be based on recommendations from a meeting last May of the Community's Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) in St Vincent and the Grenadines, according to ministerial sources.

A special committee, meeting under the chairmanship of Trinidad and Tobago, is expected to submit a report for implementation action by September, including requisitioning the construction of the ferry boat in accordance with desirable size and features.

It is envisaged to have a vessel that can accommodate between 600 and 700 passengers in air-condition comfort and capable also of carrying approximately 60 containers of various commodities.

The intra-regional ferry service, which will facilitate greater movement of people at less cost than air fares, is being given "front-burner" consideration in a new approach by Caricom leaders to be more focused on people oriented functional cooperation.

Initially, it would be a project operating from Trinidad and Tobago and along a route that covers Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines and St Lucia, with a strong likelihood also of Barbados.

The current ferry service operating between Trinidad and its sister isle, Tobago, will help provide some guidelines for what is being contemplated for the long overdue regional project.

Not since the two gift ships from Canada, Federal Palm and Federal Maple, went out of service more than 40 years ago, has there been a regular intra-regional ferry service to serve the needs of the people of the Caricom region.

In addition to sea transportation, the future of regional air transport, and specifically the future of LIAT currently moving to purchase assets of Caribbean Star, instead of an originally planned merger will also be discussed as part of an expanded agenda on functional cooperation at the summit.

The expulsion last month of two Caribbean journalists from Antigua and Barbuda Dominica's Lennox Linton and Trinidad and Tobago's Vernon Khelawan will also emerge when the Community leaders discuss an updated arrangement for free movement of skilled Caricom nationals.

High-tech passports have curbed corruption

Chief Immigration Officer:


Anna Ramdass


Wednesday, July 4th 2007(T&T Express)



Chief Immigration Officer Herman Browne has said that corruption has been curbed at the Immigration Division with the introduction of the new machine readable passport.

He made this statement at yesterday's Joint Select Committee (JSC) meeting at the Red House chaired by Independent Senator Parvatee Anmolsingh Mahabir where the Immigration Division came under public scrutiny.

Opposition Senator and JSC member Wade Mark raised the question of corruption in the Immigration Division and asked what mechanisms have been put in place to avoid a situation where a machine readable passport could be bought.

Browne explained that prior to the machine readable passport, there were instances where people attempted to apply for a passport using a fraudulent birth certificate.

He insinuated that bribes may have also been paid to workers as previously only one person was in charge of issuing a passport from the point of application.

"If someone is a Guyanese national the Immigration department should be able to detect their accent and there may have been instances where there could be assistance," said Browne.

He said with the machine readable passport it now takes up to six persons to carry out the process and each person's fingerprint is taken.

Browne added that the new electronic birth certificates allow the Immigration Division to trace the identity of a person as both systems work hand in hand.

He said although old birth certificates are still being honoured, the Immigration Division has taken the additional responsibility of applying for the new electronic birth certificate for those with old ones to ensure transparency even though the process is longer.

"We would prefer if people have the electronic birth certificates," said Browne as he also pointed out that the Immigration Division is under some pressure with staff shortages which should be remedied by year end with over 200 employees coming on board.

Browne added that although there are long lines outside the Immigration office there are some 2000 machine readable passports waiting to be picked up since January of this year.

Govt to offer health care scholarships

Anna Ramdass


Friday, July 6th 2007 (T&T Express)


source & picture
$100m to be spent: John Rahael


Cabinet has agreed to spend $100 million to offer scholarships and bursaries to heath care professionals and medical students who want to pursue further education in specialty areas of medicine.

Health Minister John Rahael disclosed this at the post-Cabinet press conference at Whitehall, Port of Spain yesterday.

He said the scholarships were bursaries and would be available for people already working in the health sector, health professionals from the general population as well as students already enrolled in post graduate studies or who have enrolled in other graduate programmes in a number of health disciplines.

Rahael stressed that the people who benefit from these bursaries and grants will be bound to a contract and have to honour a two year commitment to work in health care system of the country.

He said the contracts which already exist will be further tightened and he added that Government will also look at lucrative remuneration for specialists so they would not be forced into private practice.

Rahael said in the health ministry, the lack of human resources was the major shortcoming and with the newly established organ transplant centre and the oncology centre which is under construction, there was a great need for specialists in these facilities.

Some of the areas that scholarships and bursaries will apply are gynaecology, cardiology, neurosurgery, pathology, oncology, pediatric oncology, epidemiology, public health, environmental health, infectious disease and others.

Grants will also be given for studies in pharmacy studies, physiotherapy, lab technology, bio-medical technology, occupational therapy, counselling and more.

He said it is expected that 155 bursaries and 104 scholarships will be awarded over a three year period.

"We are preparing for the future. We are moving forward to ensure that we have the health care providers that will be required to satisfy the needs of the people," said Rahael.

'T&T Spirit' ready to set sail soon

Driselle Ramjohn


Friday, July 6th 2007(T&T Express)


picture & Source
FRESHLY PAINTED: The T&T spirit.



THE T&T SPIRIT, the country's newly purchased inter-island ferry, should make its maiden voyage between Trinidad and Tobago within the next few days, said Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (PATT) general manager Christopher Mendez on Wednesday.

The $46.5 million "wave piercing catamaran" arrived at the Port of Port of Spain on Saturday and should be ready to set sail soon as all necessary preparations for the commencement of operations are currently being taken, said Vilma Luis Cockburn, head of marketing of the PATT yesterday.

The T&T Spirit, an Australian built four-year-old fast ferry was purchased by Government earlier this year and is a former US Army Theatre Support Vessel, Spearhead (Hull 060).

It was purchased from its Delaware, United States based owners, Bollinger/Incat LLC and arrived in Trinidad from Hobart, Australia where it was refitted for passenger service after a well documented career with the US Army.

Sitting in the waters off the Port of Port of Spain, the T&T Spirit, in keeping with its name, is freshly painted in the national colours with a white hull and red and black livery on its sides.

The T&T Spirit will join the other locally owned fast ferry T&T Express on the service of the seabridge.

Mendez said that with these two vessels on the route, congestion at the Port which regard to transport between Trinidad and Tobago should be at a minimum.

These two new vessels were acquired after Cabinet granted approval to the PATT in September 2006 to obtain long term financing for the acquisition of two fast ferries for the inter-island ferry service between Trinidad and Tobago.

Works and Transport Minister Colm Imbert said that Cabinet had decided to purchase the two fast ferries instead of leasing them, resulting in projected savings over a ten year period of $200 million on the T&T Express and $100 million on T&T Spirit.

Canadian Superior spuds Victory well


Wednesday, July 4th 2007(Express Business Magazine)


Canadian Superior Energy has commenced drilling its Victory well on the Intrepid Block 5 (c) off the east coast of the island of Trinidad.

Greg Noval, Chairman of Canadian Superior Energy Inc., said, "We are very excited to commence the drilling of the Victory well approximately 60 miles (96 kilometres) off the east coast of Trinidad. The well is offsetting production from some of the biggest producing natural gas wells in the world. Thanks to a great combination of a lot of efforts from our supporters, staff, Sinopec, Maersk and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, drilling of the Victory well has commenced!"

The Victory well is being drilled for Canadian Superior with the Kan Tan IV semisub. The rig will drill a multi-well programme of three back to back exploration wells, on three separate and distinct large natural gas prospects, Victory, Bounty and Endeavour, approximately 60 miles off the east coast of Trinidad, on Canadian Superior's Intrepid Block 5 (c).

The wells will evaluate three separate large natural gas prospects, each with multi-TCF potential, that have been delineated by extensive 3D seismic that Canadian Superior has evaluated and interpreted over its "Intrepid" Block 5(c).

The Victory well has a planned Total Depth of approximately 16,870 feet (5,142 meters) and is expected to take between 80 to 100 days to drill and evaluate.

Canadian Superior is paying 2/3 of the estimated $45 million to drill the Victory well to obtain a 75 per cent producing share in the well with its financial partner Challenger Energy Corp of Calgary, Alberta, Canada paying 1/3 of the cost of the well to earn a 25 per cent production share.

T&T energy future bright


Wednesday, June 27th 2007(T&T Express Business)



TRINIDAD AND Tobago's energy future is bright, says bpTT vice president Operations Performance Unit, Robert Fryar.

The statement was made even after the energy giant spent US$80 million to drill its well, Ibis Deep, only to find no commercial accumulation of hydrocarbons.

"There are other areas where we think we can find new proven reserves of gas. We have an inventory of prospects identified for drilling and how we do it at bpTT is that we look at five or six prospects simultaneously and put them through what we call our exploration hopper, out of which we select the best candidate for drilling," Fryar said.

Fryar was one of the speakers at one of the leading energy events for the year, GazChem 2007, which took place at the Hilton, Port of Spain last week.

Their (bpTT's) plan he highlighted is to drill one exploration well a year, starting in 2008, for the next decade.

"One well a year demonstrates our commitment to finding new gas to sustain what is already a world class business. According to the way in which we classify reserves, if we make discoveries with our on going exploration programme, these will be reserves that are immediately recoverable on a commercial basis," he added.

In fact, Fryar insisted that "compared to other parts of the world, we are still dealing with very large quantities of gas still in the ground".

"That's why we are still excited about the opportunities that exist and why we have an exploration programme that calls for one well a year for 10 years, and it's not just bpTT. Other companies have their own exploration programmes as well and the basin continues to attract players," he said.

"I doubt whether they would have foreseen Trinidad and Tobago in a relatively short period of time, becoming the world's largest exporter from a single site of both methanol and ammonia.

"I doubt even more whether they would have foreseen Trinidad and Tobago becoming the fifth largest exporter in the world of liquefied natural gas and the only such exporter in the whole of Latin America and the Caribbean," Fryar added.

Meanwhile, the audit of Trinidad and Tobago's petroleum reserves is complete and Government is to soon reveal its results, Energy Minister and Acting Prime Minister, Dr Lenny Saith, said at the GazChem conference.

Houston based energy consultant, Ryder Scott conducted the audit.

Saith said the audit "will give an informed picture of our natural gas reserves".

Questioned by reporters after his statement, a coy Saith refused to divulge any details, adding that he did not keep the figures at the "back of his head".

Ryder Scott also conducted an audit in 2005, which then placed this country's reserves at 34.86 tcf (trillion cubic feet).

Of this, 18.7 tcf was proven; 9.02 tcf was probable and 7.06 tcf was possible the categories in which the Society of Petroleum Engineers places gas reserves.

With a packed schedule of wells to be drilled over the next two years and proposed projects waiting in the wings to come on stream, if more oil and gas is found, many have their fingers crossed that the three Ps increase.

Eleven wells, including two onshore, are to be drilled this year at a total budgeted cost of US$234 million. And in 2008, six wells are to be drilled at a total cost of US$164 million.

Additionally, from the 2006 bid rounds, the sum of US$565 million is to be incurred from calendar 2008 on the amalgamated obligatory work programmes, Saith said.

IBL's 5-year vision


CEO Hugh Duncan looks to upgrade, grow

Hugh Vernon Wesley Duncan, who has an MBA from Concordia University and a bachelor of commerce degree from Montreal's George Williams University, has been CEO and managing director of Intercommercial Bank Ltd since December 2005.

He worked for seven years with Jamaican National Investment Company Ltd, which is now called National Investment Bank of Jamaica.

Prior to this appointment, Duncan was director of capital markets and business development at Jamaica Money Market Brokers (JMMB).

Duncan has worked extensively in the energy and financial services sectors.

He's held senior executive positions at the Jamaica Bauxite Company, the T&T Oil Company (now Petrotrin), Citibank (Trinidad) Ltd and Citibank International in Manila, where he was responsible for asset-based finance and structured trade.

He also served as FirstCaribbean International Bank's director of capital markets for the north Caribbean.



BY SANDRA CHOUTHI (Trinidad Guardian Business)



Intercommercial Bank Ltd (IBL)'s five year plan involves taking the bank from stabilisation to growth.

In repositioning itself for the future, CEO Hugh Duncan said the bank did a due diligence and realised it had to make some critical changes.

One course of action: upgrade its core banking platform, which Duncan said has been done successfully.

"It's likely that in the next 18 months, we're looking at even replacing what we have upgraded," Duncan said in an interview last Thursday at IBL's Chaguanas head office.

Sunlight streaming through a potted palm plant bathed the back of Duncan's head as he sat next to an office window.

The carpeted corporate space is tastefully furnished with dark stained wall to wall woodwork.

Owned 50:50 by the Mittal Group and Jamaica Money Market Brokers (JMMB), IBL is all about retail, corporate and commercial banking and capital markets. It services individuals, companies and some cross border transactions, particularly Jamaica.

"We facilitate trade. That is our objective. One of the more significant transactions we facilitated was the structuring of financing for the importation of cement there was a cement shortage due to contamination in the plant in Jamaica we financed, without calling names, the largest single shipment of cement, I think, into the Caribbean from China," said Duncan, 55.

Duncan didn't identify the company JMMB facilitated in importing cement to Jamaica in 2006/7 when Caribbean Cement, part of the Trinidad Cement Ltd Group, faced a quality recall issue.

Sources, though, have identified that company as Mainland International Ltd, which imported six shipments of cement of 40,000 tonnes each.

JMMB, which was started by Duncan's late sister-in-law, Joan, became a 50 per cent owner with management control of IBL in late 2004.

The Jamaica born Duncan said when Lakshmi Mittal, president and CEO of Arcelor Mittal, began IBL nine years ago, the idea was to go into private banking.

"Private banking is much more personalised banking then and now. It is not the high net worth individuals that we'd be conversing with in a separate office that you necessarily get on Wall Street or the money centres of London.

"It is personalised service that they thought would have made the difference," said Duncan, who has lived in Trinidad for 20 plus years and is married to a Tobagonian.

He said the national population branded IBL as a "community bank," given its location in the Indian based, retail trade busy borough of Chaguanas.

IBL, which has a branch in Marabella, also has visibility in Port-of-Spain through its merchant bank in the Furness Building on Wrightson Road.

The challenge in growing is finding the intellectual capital to complement plans.

Duncan admitted that it's very difficult right now to get the right skills due to a huge demand for people in the financial services sector, adding that IBL has about 95 per cent of its "people complement."

Within the last 18 months, it has hired 31 people from Citibank, Scotiabank and ICICI Bank in India.

"A lot of us have worked together before. They understand each other. Once that core team was in place, then it was easy to essentially convince good talent that there's an opportunity here for growth."

The key to attracting good people to an organisation is not just with an attractive salary package, Duncan said, but in being a credible leader.

"We subscribe to certain core values which in the recruitment process becomes part of the whole discussion and conversation, so they get to understand who we are, and that to a certain extent is derived from the success achieved by JMMB in terms of core values and living it."

IBL also addressed the difference between its average salary packages and others in the banking sector.

"There was a disparity of the salary levels between IBL and the rest of the industry. We immediately went about benchmarking, and I would say while we are not leaders, we are much closer now to the average in the industry, in some cases, higher.

"On average, we are pretty much competitive in terms of our salary offering, renumeration package.

"I think the number given to me was 20 per cent across the board. That was done last year."

He said about a third of those employees who were attracted away from other banks identified IBL's central location as an attractive reason for taking the job.

"A lot of people are looking at quality of life, so instead of heading from San Fernando to Port-of-Spain, which is taking four hours out of your life, they much prefer to look at a much closer location."

Duncan said that based on IBL's current review of the local economy, he expects T&T to maintain double digit growth, upwards of ten and 12 per cent, which he said was substantial.

"That's the kind of growth you're seeing in China, in India. Any number there could pan out. More importantly, I think for Trinidad it will be sustainable, at least for the next five years. Anything from seven to 12 per cent will be sustainable."

In saying that aluminium smelters will be crucial to this country's development, Duncan said: "The metals industry is at a high now, and I do believe in China and India, and in some of the major developing countries, even Brazil, there's going to be that continuing pull. I'm a bit bullish in terms of metals and its future."

During 2006, the Intercommercial Bank Ltd Group changed its financial year end from December 31, 2006 to March 31, to coincide with the financial year end of its 50 per cent shareholder Jamaica Money Market Brokers Ltd (JMMB).

Consequently, this analysis is based on the results of a 15-month period from January 1, 2006, to March 31.

The group achieved its eighth consecutive year of profitability, with profit after tax closing at $9.37 million, an increase of $6.30 million or 203 per cent increase over the prior year ($3.09 million).

The group's profit was negatively affected by $1.31 million, the loss realised upon the restructuring of the government of Belize bonds during the period under review.

Operating income for the group closed at $58.58 million, an increase of 76 per cent over the prior period. Major increases were in the areas of fees and commissions: an increase of 176 per cent and in foreign exchange revenue which increased by 171 per cent over 2005.

Net interest margin from loans and investments was $33.98 million, which accounted for 58 per cent of operating income, while fees and commission from retail and corporate business closed at $13.60 million; representing 23 per cent of operating income and foreign exchange income closed at $11 million, accounting for 19 per cent of operating income.

Operating expenses for the group closed at $45.94 million as at March 31, an increase of $19.75 million or 75 per cent over 2005. Operating expenses include all non interest expenses of the group excluding loan loss expenses. The increase was primarily due to expenditure incurred as a result of the group's consolidation and restructuring strategy, which was initiated in the latter part of 2004.

The group's total assets closed at $859.65 million with net growth in assets of $235.33 million or 38 per cent increase over 2005. The main area of growth for the group was in the area of cash and investments, both long and short term, which represents 51 per cent of total assets.

Investments, inclusive of treasury bills, increased by $61 million or 96 per cent, with the other significant area of growth being in the amounts due from financial institutions, which realised an increase of $104.68 million or 102 per cent.

The group shareholders' equity increased by $8.76 million as at March 31, over 2005, the main area of growth was an increase in retained earnings of $9.37 million, with distributions of retained earnings to the statutory reserve fund and general loan loss reserve.

The change in revaluation reserve included the net depreciation on the government of Belize debt security which was taken to the profit and loss account during the year. The foregoing resulted in the net increase in the group shareholders' equity from $65.04 million in 2005 to $73.85 million as at March 31.

During the year, the group wrote off loans in the amount of $4.09 million which was fully provided against in prior years. A loan loss charge of $1.61 million in additional loan provision was established through the income statement, which includes a provision for potential impairment, this amount brought total loan loss provisions to 53 per cent non-performing loan coverage.

Board of directors

Dr Noel Lyon, chairman Hugh Duncan, executive director, IBL Group CEO and managing director Elangadu S Mohan, executive director/director in charge of risk, IBL Banking Group John Kuriyan, managing director of Mittal Steel Pt Lisas Selby Wilson, economist Muni Krishna T Reddy, chairman of State Bank of Mauritius Ltd Group Keith P Duncan, group chief executive officer, JMMB Wayne Sutherland, managing director of Jamaica Venture Fund Growing the IBL brand.

The bank is looking to service "mid-tier corporates," specifically targeting those companies that service the major energy sector clients.

"There's an emergence now of many local service sector companies doing everything from providing water to meals to cutting grass."

In terms of physical expansion, Duncan said the bank is looking to apply the "hub-and-spoke, technology-driven" model that India's ICICI has successfully implemented.

Duncan believes the model can be applied to IBL's banking operations in Trinidad.

We'll have the branches and we're looking at a particular model that has been successful of having satellite sales offices supporting the branch network.

"Without necessarily locking into hard numbers at this stage, I can see from our current five-year plan that we intend to build out about five branches and they represent a number of sales offices among those branches."

Monday 9th July, 2007 (Trinidad Guardian)

President Richards to receive honorary degree in Scotland


President George Maxwell Richards left for Scotland yesterday to receive an honorary degree from the Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland.

The award is in recognition of the President's distinction in the academic discipline of Chemical Engineering as well as public service in T&T, a release said yesterday.

The statement said the university is widely recognised for its high academic standard and research in business, industry and teaching innovation at its campuses in Scotland and Dubai.

Richards has also been the recipient of honorary degrees from the Universities of Sheffield, Cambridge and UWI.

He was named Alumnus of the year by Manchester University's Institute of Science and Technology in 2003.


©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Tuesday 10th July, 2007

Hamming it up
source

Amateur radio operators prepare for disaster

An operational mobile station A close up of a suitcase radio showing the radio on the left, the antenna tuner on the right and power supply at the top of the picture.

This setup belongs to Lionel Ellis, J69KZ of St. Lucia


BY ADRIAN BOODAN (Trinidad Guardian)


When a natural disaster occurs, it remains paramount that an effective channel of communication remain open at all times. Disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes can tear down telephone and cable TV lines, topple cellphone towers, and destroy television and public radio communications towers.

One of the most effective ways of staying in touch with authorities for help is by way of radio communications. For years amateur radio enthusiasts also called HAM operators cross the globe have been involved in keeping communication channels open in times of disaster.

T&T is no different, says Eric Mackie, the president of the Emergency Communications Group of the T&T Amateur Radio Society (TTARS).

Mackie said the TTARS is a non-profit organisation that is always ready to assist in times of disaster. Citing recent examples, he said an effective line of communications was established among amateur radio operators when cell phones stopped functioning during a major tremor in the last quarter of 2006. Mackie said the TTARS also assisted emergency personnel in Grenada after hurricane Ivan tore apart that island and played a major role in setting up communications after the disaster.

In 2001, he said, he received a distress call from a yacht anchored off the coast of Venezuela. A boatman had been shot by pirates and was in trouble. Mackie said he co-ordinated a rescue exercise that involved the Venezuelan Guardia Nacional, T&T Coast Guard and the US Coast Guard.

In 2002 he was given the Golden Antenna Award in Germany by a joint Dutch German organisation that looks at the humanitarian work done by amateur radio enthusiasts around the globe.

Getting an amateur radio license is a fairly easy exercise. TTARS runs classes in Port-of-Spain and San Fernando. These classes take place once weekly and run for one year beginning in September. The cost for the classes is just $400 since the association is not about making a profit. At the end of the course, participants sit a three hour exam and upon successful completion, are issued a license and personal call sign by the telecommunications authority.

Equipment costs can start at $3,000 and reach up to $100,000 in some instances.

For the past five years amateur radio operators in T&T have been preparing themselves for disasters. From June 6-11, members of the TTARS's Emergency Communications Group (Emcomms) headed to Plymouth Tobago its fifth emergency communications exercise. The exercise also saw personnel from the T&T Defence Force getting involved.

Mackie said: "Since the inception of Emcomms, the group has travelled to remote areas of T&T and set up communications equipment and established radio contact with other radio amateurs and disaster relief organisations both nationally, regionally and in some cases, internationally as would be done in a real emergency situation.

"The Emcomms exercise as it is known, is designed to simulate the living and working conditions as would occur in a real disaster scenario. Every year a location is selected and at the start of the hurricane season we travel to the selected site. These sites are usually in remote areas and have no running water or electricity. We then set up the communications tent and then a transceiver and antenna and get on the air, establishing preliminary contact with other Hams. Then the mess tent is set up, followed by the sleeping quarters. We then set up full radio and computer equipment in the communications tent and erect a portable 30-ft tower onto which we attach the various antennas needed for the exercise."

Every piece of equipment that requires electrical power gets it either directly from 12 volt DC batteries, a 12 volt DC to 110V inverter or a 110V generator.

Mackie said: "We are entirely self-sufficient, as in a real situation there will be little if any, amenities available. "Radio amateurs are resourceful people and we train to make the best possible use of whatever is available to us. Beside having our own living and sleeping accommodation, we bring our own food and water and cook over open fires."

Mackie said once the camp is ready, radio operators start the ball rolling. He said "We test radio propagation on various frequencies at various times of day, communicating with other amateurs both near and far. Communicating does not mean just speaking with a microphone.

"With the advent of the computer, many digital modes have been developed by Hams for Hams and we can send and receive e-mail or keyboard chat with others who may be on the other side of the planet. All of this is done using a radio transceiver as the medium, rather than a telephone line.



©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Modern port facilities for the country

By Driselle Ramjohn


Wednesday, July 11th 2007 (T&T Express Business)

Picture & Source

THE FACE of all local ports are expected to change significantly in coming years as it has become increasingly important for these facilities to be up to world standards with globalisation and major increases in international trade.

For quite some time now, local ports have been plagued with problems of congestion, delays, lack of manpower, lack of space, inefficient legislation and the list can go on.

Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Christine Sahadeo said last week that this cannot continue to go on this way and that the Government has planned major changes and upgrades to the existing ports in order for them to be more efficient and more competitive globally.

Sahadeo made this statement at the first annual Caribbean Port Conference, which was held at the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business in Mont Hope last week.

One of the most significant changes expected to happen in the sector is the re-location of the Port of Port of Spain from Dock Road, Port of Spain to just east outside the city at Sea Lots.

This, she said is an issue that is constantly on the front burner for the Government. The re-location of the Port became necessary has the Government embarked on a Waterfront Project to construct a hotel, a Government Campus and other high rise building on the current land occupied by the Port of Port of Spain.

This new Sea Lots Port should be completed within the next two years, the Minister said, adding that it will be a "world class" facility.

Testing on the land for the new port location already has been done and Government is currently in the stages of getting designs for the port structure.

Another major change expected to take place for all local ports is the establishment of a National Ports Council.

This National Ports Council will replace the existing Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (PATT) in an effort to have more efficient management practices at the ports.

Speaking to the Business Express at the opening Caribbean Port Conference Christopher Mendez, general manager, PATT said, "The Port Authority is being restructured into three business units, one is the Port of Port of Spain which will handle the cargo, the other faction will handle the real estate and the third one is the Trinidad and Tobago Inter-island Transport which would be responsible for the ferry service".

"Now, the Port Authority is governed by an Act and the Port Authority has certain powers under that Act. So in order to separate the commercial entities from the legislative part of it a National Ports Council will be created," Mendez added.

The PATT general manger explained that this new entity would be responsible for the regulation of all the ports in the country and all these ports will be represented on the Council itself.

He added that the necessary legislation for the establishment of the Council currently is being drafted and should reach the point of implementation within the next one to two years.

"(The Council) will make the ports more efficient and effective because the Port of Port of Spain would now exist as a separate commercial entity and now all the ports would be able to use, all the ports in the country that is, will be able to use that entity (Council) to plan goals for the ports and really to fix your business," Mendez said.

Currently on the Port, Mendez said that new equipment have been acquired that should assist in the efficient of the Port in as early as the next six months.

This new equipment also includes a new inter-island ferry, which should begin operations within the next two weeks (T&T Spirit), security scanners to scan containers and new technological equipment, which should reduce some delays in clearing containers on the port and the need for additional manpower.

Sahadeo said, "Government is also seeking to upgrade our port facilities at the Port of Spain through the purchase of the necessary equipment to improve port operations as evidenced by the purchase of five rubber tyre cranes to speed up the movement of containers."

She added, "In addition, Government will soon acquire another inter island ferry which will serve to expand the flow of goods and commuters between Trinidad and Tobago".

The Minister went on to explain that the Point Lisas Industrial Port Development Company Limited (PLIPDECO) has adopted a two-fold strategy to improve operational efficiency and expand facilities at Point Lisas.

"PLIPDECO is focusing on developing Berth 5 and the provision of additional three hectare container storage yard adjacent to Berth 5. PLIPDECO is also proceeding with plans to develop two new Berths 6 and 7. These Berths will increase the Port's capacity to more than 800,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TUEs). this development will position Port Point Lisas as the leading commercial port in the Southern Caribbean region. These measures will undoubtedly accelerate our ability to do business and also improve our international competitiveness," Sahadeo added.

As far as other developments in the local Maritime Industry, Wayne Punnette, director, Ministry of Trade and Industry, who also addressed the Port Conference said that a new Shipping Act is also in works for the country and Minister Sahadeo said that the Government is looking at the establishment of a local ship building industry.

Punnette explained, as mentioned before, that many of the challenges faced on the Port were due to a lack of up-to-date legislation and this new Act would rectify some of these problems.

He stressed that the Government is fully aware of the need for the right legislation to mange the Ports and the industry and all these will be coming to right side many of the deficiencies experiences on all local ports today.

Problems at the Customs and Excise Division is one of these deficiencies experienced by the ports as the group has recently been reeling from a loss of human resource.

Punnette said, "A lot of skilled labour (in Customs and Excise) have left or are leaving or are close to retirement age and they are having difficulties putting new members of staff. By the time they bring in the new members, and the old one have left then we are back where we started".

He added that a new technological system called the Asycuda Plus Plus is to be put in place at Customs and this he believes will help with the manpower problem as the system will take care of a major part of the paperwork now done by Customs Officers. "Hopefully there will be less of a demand for officers. I don't know haw that will turn out We hope the system would be in place by August and we will take it from there," he added.

Dairy farming now on Govt agenda

Ariti Jankie South Bureau


Friday, July 13th 2007(T&T Express)



GOVERNMENT has added dairy farming to its National Agricultural Development Plan in an effort to increase the local production of milk.

Crop specialist at the Trinidad and Tobago Agri-Business Association (TTABA) Farouk Shah said yesterday that dairy farming had not been included in the plan which the TTABA was mandated to develop.

"Dairy farming was not initially on the programme but it is now being looked at as a viable option," he said. He said dairy farming was added to the NADP two months ago and was seen as a viable option for sugarcane farmers. "The price of milk has been increasing worldwide and we will be looking at increasing local milk production," he said.

Over 3,000 sugarcane farmers left the industry after Government withdrew its support following this year's harvest. They are waiting on a compensation package to prepare the land for other crops.

The dairy industry has suffered a serious setback in recent years, with the supply of fresh milk decreasing by over one million kilogrammes each year.

Farmers who supplied 13 million kilogrammes in 2000 sold five million last year, and are expected to supply a maximum of just four million kilogrammes this year.

More farmers are also leaving the industry.

Two large cattle farmers sold over 100 cattle to the butchers over the last month, while other small holdings have been switching over to food crop, poultry and duck farming.

Cattle Farmers Association president Chris Medford said: "We are on our death bed. If anything is to be done to save the industry, it must be done now."

He said dairy farmers had the capability and capacity to supply the country's needs. Over the past six years, he said nothing had been done to slow down the demise of the sector.

"Proposals put forward by cattle farmers have fallen on deaf ears," he said, adding that lease rental of State owned land had risen by 2,000 per cent last year. Leases were renewed after 30 years and since the lease agreement was based on the value of the land, the rental increase became unaffordable to farmers.

Medford said the Ministry of Agriculture, under Jarrette Narine, had given no support to the industry. He said milk supplied by dairy farmers was purchased by Nestle at very low prices.

Bai i must say, i admire your stamina. Wish we had some more faithful Guyanese like you are to Trinidad.

Thursday 12th July, 2007


New moves to promote local film industry



Ralph Maraj, chairman of the T&T Film Company (TTFC), back row, third from left, with the 2007 awardees of the TTFC's Production Assistance /Script Development programme.
Also in the photo are Carla Foderingham (right, front row), CEO of the TTFC, and Marina Salandy-Brown (flowers in hand), chief judge of the 2007 programme.


BY SANDRA CHOUTHI(Trinidad Guardian)


The Government has allocated $750,000 to promote the local film industry.

A fund has been established for filmmakers to have access to up to 50 per cent of the financing of a locally produced feature film.

The private sector stands to benefit from a 150 per cent tax reduction on expenditure for the sponsorship of film and television products of up to a maximum of $1 million.

Those are but a few of the incentives the Government has created for the development of a local film industry, said Ralph Maraj, chairman of the T&T Film Company.

Describing them as "very sweet incentives," Maraj said the Government has removed value added tax (VAT) and duties on blank DVDs and video tapes, raw film stock used by certified production companies and recorded DVDs with programme material that has been produced and mastered in T&T by nationals and permanent residents.

He said it was no wonder that Barbadian filmmaker Alison Saunders Franklyn, whose cricket film Hit for Six is being distributed throughout the Caribbean, had said that such an environment for making films exists nowhere else in the English speaking Caribbean.

Maraj said that since the TTFC was formed in 2006, it has facilitated more than 90 foreign productions in T&T.

He said not only will film permits be granted free of charge to foreign production companies, but local film and video production houses will be exempt from requiring film permits for an initial five-year period.

"We're seeking to have exempt from all duties, taxes or bonds all equipment coming into T&T for film production," Maraj said.

He was speaking at a function for the presentation of cheques to 19 awardees of the TTFC's Production Assistance/Script Development programme at MovieTowne, Invaders Bay, last week Wednesday.

Roslyn Khan Cummings, deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, said T&T was a pioneer in the English speaking Caribbean for its funding to develop television and film scripts and productions.

"We at the Ministry of Trade and Industry have a particular duty to oversee the development of the local film and television industry in collaboration with industry stakeholders," Khan Cummings said.

She said while T&T's film industry was tiny compared to Hollywood or Bollywood, even a small percentage of the global film industry's US$450 billion revenue in 2005 would translate into tremendous income for this country when it's selected as a production venue.


The cast and crew of "Dulha Mil Gaya" a Bollywood Film being shot in Trinidad and Tobago, were at the Canoe Bay Beach Resort, Tobago yesterday where they shot a wedding scene. At Centre is former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Eric's_Revenge,

Thursday 12th July, 2007

WASA worried

Utility struggles with increasing demand from industries, hotels, housing



WASA's Navet facility.
Photos courtesy WASA



Ali Ettenhadeih of Genivar shakes the hand of WASA chief executive Errol Grimes while chairman Dr Rollin Bertrand look on. Genivar was contracted to conduct a 18 month study to develop a Water and Wastewater Master Plan for T&T. Photo courtesy T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce.



BY ASHA JAVEED (Trinidad Guardian)


In the midst of upgrading its network infrastructure, the Water and Sewerage Authority's (WASA) more immediate challenge seems to be the lack of water.

One month after the rainy season began, after one of the hottest dry periods the country has faced, officials at the authority are concerned that present rainfall is not enough to fills its dams.

"As we speak now we are not seeing the rainfall that should be consistent with the rainy season. The Navet facility is worst hit and we are seeing a real reduction, not consistent with this time of the year," said Wayne Joseph, president of operations at WASA.

Joseph said reservoir capacity averaged about 30 per cent which is a significant decline from previous years.

"We are running past the mid point which is June/July and we are not seeing an increase in water. The rain is not falling. The trend is a downward trend. We are not panicking at this point in time but we are not happy. We hope that rain falls very soon to ensure that we recover for the next dry season," he said.

By 2008 dry season, WASA expects to have drilled more than 50 new wells to improve water production, and it plans to add 31 trucks to increase truck borne delivery to rural areas.

But the languishing State utility needs more than just water in its dams to provide a level of security for next year's dry season. The authority, which has been given a 15 year timeframe and approval of $27 billion to rehabilitate and extend its network, has to cater for an increasing demand from industries, hotels and new Housing Development Company (HDC) communities.

And it must meet this demand, producing 225 million gallons of water a day, by stemming the 50 per cent loss by old pipelines and leaks within the system. And while it has begun replacing pipelines, "we are not replacing it at the rate that we can have a sustained reduction in the unaccounted water. I would say it takes a lot to reduce water loss.

"Actually, as you add more production in the system, what you would find is the water loss would increase because you will increase the pressures on the pipeline and because the pipeline is already old it would leak more. Right now, we are trying to increase the output in terms of replacement of pipelines so we can reduce the losses," explained Joseph.

He said that WASA intended to hire a consultant to reduce water loss and is optimistic that in the next few years the company will be able to reduce the amount loss to ten to 20 million of gallons of water.

Industry and tourism

T&T has 19 industrial parks with eight new parks for future development. Industrial water demand is estimated at 40 million gallons a day which is expected increase. To this end, Joseph said the company was looking at water re-use. Its intent is to use water from the Beetham Wastewater Treatment facility for industrial use and divert the water which presently goes to industry to domestic use.

"Our focus is or has always been on our domestic customers but you have to bear in mind that earners of foreign exchange in this country are mainly the industry and we have to ensure that our supplies are reliable if we are to attract the best in the industry," he noted.

But he was cognizant that balancing the domestic demand with the industrial demand is a challenge. To this end, desalination plants seem like the short term and feasible option.

"We have gone out for tenders for the purchase of five small treatment plants to add the capacity of water," he noted.

WASA was redesigning its pipelines within and around PoS to cater for demand which would occur with the new multi storeyed buildings and the Hyatt.

Joseph noted that WASA needs to have a sustained as well as an alternate supply of water to cater for these buildings.

As for HDC, he explained that the increased demand meant increased production.

"We needed to purchase pipes and fittings abroad just to cater for the communities. To ensure that we do not impact on existing communities, we are going to have to put down new facilities, and a new transmission infrastructure to ensure that we continue to be good in these areas," he said.

"The thing about it is that we in the utility don't want to see ourselves as curtailing or obstructing the development of the country. We want to facilitate growth and development. The only thing we want is an improvement in the infrastructure," he said.

Desalination

Prime Minister Patrick Manning had said the country's water woes could be solved by building five desalination plants within the next three years adding that T&T needed to reduce its dependency on surface water supplies as "there is a 300 million gallon a day demand for water, at present we only produce 230 million gallons"

Joseph noted that a desalination plant will cost US$150 million, produces about 20 million gallons of water a day and could be operational in about three years time.

"The sea has an abundance of water and the technologies pointing to that direction especially if there is partnership with the Government we can reduce the cost significantly. And power is cheap in the Caribbean which is the main ingredient or cost item," he said.

"We are also looking at the possibility for areas which are very hard hit and at the extremities of the system to purchase a small desalination facility which would augment the flow during the dry season or in periods where we can't get any water in. And that should also happen within the next 18 months," he predicted.

While he doesn't view it as long term, economically feasible, he thinks it can satisfy the short term want.

Utility gets $1.2 billion
for short term projects

Prime Minister Patrick Manning had said because of the necessity to ration water only 26 per cent of the population receives a 24/7 water supply and "what we have decided to do in order to improve this is make a return to the desalination plants approach."

But to meet growing demand, the company has been given $1.2 billion to embark on short term projects which should improve its water delivery capacity next year.

Projects are:

1.The drilling of wells. In the next six to eight months, 60 wells are expected to be drilled. Five have already been completed in Penal while work continues in El Socorro, Valsayn, Tacarigua, Sangre Grande, Plum Mitan, Biche, Diego Martin, Tucker Valley, Rivers Estate and Diamond Estate.

"That was in the works for more than three years now. Actually we should have been further advanced if the funding had come on time," said Joseph.

2.The construction of three new treatment facilities at Matura, Carli Bay and Cumuto. This project, which has a two-year timeframe, is expected to increase production by about 17 million gallons of water a day.

"Plus we are developing some new sources like Mayaro or Guayaguayare and looking at other sources throughout the island that we can develop using the treatment facility that we are purchasing.

3.Pipeline projects. It is currently pursuing new pipelines in Penal, installing pipelines in Caparo Valley, Sangre Grande and along the East West corridor, in Point Fortin. WASA can also tap into its National Social Development Programme (NSDP) which seeks to build pipelines in rural which has never had water before.

Joseph estimates that the company has about 300 projects being undertaken at the same time.

And once the Master Plan of Watershed and Wastewater Management is completed by consultant Genivar in 18 months the company will prioritise projects.

"Some projects might start before the plan is completed. Maybe, by the time the plan is completed, it will have to be upgraded to a higher level," he shrugged.

In the immediate future, however, the wells which will come on stream should increase production by about 20 million gallons of water a day while three plants will in crease production by 17 million gallons a day.

New dams

Joseph's main focus is on the country's lack of storage capacity in the long term. He proposed that this can be solved by the construction of three new dams: at Talparo, Moruga and an additional dam at North Oropouche. These projects should take about five to seven years.

"If you look at the costing of water, dams provide the cheapest source of water but they take a long while to build. And the reason for having more storage capacity is that the world is looking at a multi-pronged approach to treating with the deficit over long, dry periods or droughts and what we have to do is we have to increase the capacity from just 200 days a year. But if we have a whole year of dry period then we will need to look at a storage capacity of over a year and with those dams in place we will definitely want to look at that," he stated.

Would it be enough?

Joseph was realistic. WASA has not satisfied consumer demand, he noted.

"Based on the plan we have, in about five years we should see a level of improvement in service but if we are to match the industrial growth, it would take us a little longer than that until we build the dams and I would say five to seven years. Then you would start seeing an improvement in the sustainability of supply," he said.

And while pockets of T&T do not have adequate supply of water, Joseph pointed out that the problems are not unique as water scarcity was a global phenomenon.

"Water will be considered like gold in the next century. We are fortunate in this country to not have the level of pollution that other countries have. I think the EMA has to do a good job in terms of regulating. We are concerned about contamination to our acquifers," he said.

Responsibility for proper watershed management plan lie with the Ministry of Planning and Development as it was the body responsible for giving approvals for the development of the hillside slopes.

"If the planning agency allows for the degradation of the hillslope, definitely you will have problems with your water courses so I think we have to have a second look at how approvals are given especially for hillslopes.

He is hopeful that the Regulated Industries Commission would approve a rate increase but insisted "that rates should not be increased until you have a marked improvement in the level of service. The authority has spoken a lot on improving our service rather thank talking about rates a lot.

He noted that: "The willingness to pay will improve based on the level of service and that is what we are focussing on in terms of operational efficiencies and the delivery of good quality service."

"We do have our problems collecting money and we try to. For every dollar we spend we collect only 50 cents. We are a deficit driven organisation," he stated.

500 Chinese help build TT


By LIESELLE MARAJ Sunday, July 15 2007(T&T Newsday)



No fewer than a total of 500 Chinese construction labourers are in Trinidad and Tobago at the moment but their presence here, how they live, what they do other than work, is shrouded in as much mystery as their country was once considered to be. Have they girlfriends here, or have some of them left wives behind, what part of China they are from? are just some of the other questions about these foreign labourers? Sunday Newsday tried to find some answers.

At the first stops, the Chinese Embassy, Immigration Office, even UDeCOTT, we were redirected to the contractors hiring and introducing the labourers to the local construction industry.

One Chinese firm, Shanghai Construction Group, has the contract for four of 30 plus projects currently under development by UDeCOTT.

"As has been regularly stated, Shanghai Construction Group is constructing the PoS National Academy for the Performing Arts, The Diplomatic Centre and Official Residence of the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago at La Fantasie St Ann's, the Ministry of Education Tower on St Vincent Street and will soon begin work on the San Fernando National Academy for the Performing Arts," Udecott spokesperson Danielle Jones told Sunday Newsday.

The Shanghai group is bringing in the majority of workers. Soon though there will be an addition to the number when another Chinese firm, China Jiangsu sets up shop in the local construction industry. For now, Shanghai has accommodated its employees close to projects they are working on.

Temporary structures have been set up at a site used as a car park by the Living Waters Community and the Zen nightclub on Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain, close to the PoS National Academy for the Performing Arts. Lloyd Hodgekinson of the Living Waters Community said the car park owned by UDeCOTT and both his organisation and the nightclub have arrangements "to use whatever space available."

There are two, two storey structures built in what used to be a portion of the car park. The blue and white buildings are walled in with one access gate facing the remaining portion of the carpark. In these structures are several units which house Chinese construction labourers. They can be seen late in the night observing their surroundings, reading under street lights, chatting with their colleagues or getting ready for bed.

Laundry consisting of blue overalls and underwear hangs from the ceilings of the short walkways by hangers while the yard is littered with gravel and construction tools. Although pleasant, the labourers there could not speak any English.

Another site, larger than the Frederick Street apartments could be found in Santa Cruz. There about four two storey buildings are packed tightly in a walled-in compound surrounded by trees, a large drain and other buildings.

Some workers were already home at six in the evening relaxing barebacked, just outside of the compound, on a corner, creating an all too familiar scene in this country. Others were walking around the compound getting ready for another day of hard work.

One worker there could speak English a little more fluently than his colleagues but when asked about his everyday life, he said he had to get permission from his employers, Shanghai. More workers were arriving on a transport truck. The driver of the truck said the labourers focused mainly on their work. "They work, eat, sleep and then go back to work," he said. Otherwise they watch DVDs, and count down the days until they return home, he said. There were only men at both compounds, no women or children were present.

Shanghai Construction Company could not be reached for comment.

Jones said that UDeCOTT is not at liberty to disclose or discuss and, in many cases is not privy to, the specific details of the labour contracts, with employees of contractors. Remuneration to labour, living arrangements, workforce numbers and other details, she stated, are the responsibility of the contractor and not usually disclosed by UDeCOTT.

"However, it should be noted that what has been made clear to UDeCOTT is labourers maintain living conditions that are sanitary, comfortable and safe. There have been no reports of concern or complaints to UDeCOTT from labourers in this regard and the projects are all underway with limited, if any, interruption by labour disputes," she stated,

She revealed though there are about 500 Chinese workers on all UDeCOTT projects, half of the total number of foreign workers UDeCOTT has in the country. Comparing this number to the local labour force of more than 500,000 people and the five percent unemployment rate, Jones insisted the introduction of such a small number of workers relative to the employed labour force should not be any cause for concern.

Chief Immigration Officer, Herman Browne said work permits for the Chinese construction labourers are applied for by the different companies and granted by the Ministry of National Security.

He said he was not sure how long the permits lasted, "but most work permits are for one year." He could not say how many Chinese construction labourers have been to our shores already because, "we are monitoring movement on a large scale and not necessarily targeting the Chinese construction labourers in particular."


Chinese workers at the Santa Cruz home.

Chinese workers disembarking from a truck after a hard day's work.

ALL WORK, NO PLAY: Chinese workmen head home with a smile on their faces,along St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain, last week.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Eric's_Revenge,

Tuesday 17th July, 2007(Trinidad Guardian)

Petrotrin gets US$750 million funding for gasoline upgrade


Left: Dennis Evans, managing director of Citibank Trinidad and Tobago Limited and its regional franchise, presents a token to Minister in the Ministry of Finance Conrad Enill at Thursday's ceremony at the Hilton Trinidad to commemmorate the US$750 million Citibank arranged financing. Looking on is Suresh Maharaj, Citibank's regional executive for the Caribbean and Central
America.



STATE OWNED oil company Petrotrin has accessed US$750 million from the international capital markets in order to fund its gasoline optimisation project.

The completion of the gasoline optimisation project will shift Petrotrin's production to higher value commodities which will ensure the company's continued and expanded access to its important export markets.

The financing in the form of senior secured notes as managed by Citibank and achieved a fixed coupon of six per cent for the 15 year notes.

Several speakers at Thursday's Citibank function at the Hilton said the US$750 million financing was the largest investment grade issue ever done by a company from the Caribbean.

The financing will fund the construction of five new plants at the Pointe a Pierre refinery, said Malcolm Jones, the executive chairman of Petrotrin.

He said the completion of the project will enable the company to bring cleaner and more environmentally friendly transport fuels to the regional and international markets.

The project will also lead to an increase in the finished gasoline yield of the Point-a-Pierre refinery of approximately 40 per cent. This is at the expense of unfinished gasoline and vacuum gas oil and purchased isobutanes.

The project will also cause an improvement of the quality of the gasoline pool in terms of an increase in the motor octane number and a reduction in the benzene and sulfur content.




©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Thursday 19th July, 2007(Trinidad Guardian Business)

PM pledges drop in aggregate $

Government Campus Plaza starts to take shape even as construction proceeds on its main buildings. The second 22 storey building and the Customs and Excise structure are seen from the Legal Affairs tower, against the backdrop of the Gulf of Paria. Photo: Jennifer Watson

˜Domestic cartel'

"There is a domestic cartel that seems to be controlling the price of aggregate material...We are not about to leave that where it is."
Prime Minister Patrick Manning


Prime Minister Patrick Manning has fingered a "domestic cartel," which he says is responsible for the high cost of aggregate material in T&T.

And the PM plans to deal with this by employing a Malaysian firm to partner with the Government as it seeks to stabilise the high cost of aggregate on the local market.

Manning made the announcement yesterday while standing 22 storeys high on the partially completed Ministry of Legal Affairs tower on Edward Street in Port-of-Spain.

Manning and a team of government officials attended the "topping up" ceremony at the tower, of which the Malaysian firm Sunway (Caribbean) Ltd is the main contractor.

On the "very critical aggregate supply situation" confronting the Government, Manning said he was not going to let it compromise the country's development plans.

"There is a domestic cartel that seems to be controlling the price of aggregate material...We are not about to leave that where it is," he said.

The Government has decided to make an intervention to keep prices down, Manning said.

He revealed that Sunway which he claimed was the largest quarrying company in the world would partner with the Government to manufacture construction material suited for the entire sector.

"I am not going to allow individuals to capitalise and profiteer just because the market exists," Manning said.

The PM pointed out that it was also the Government's intention to maintain the high level of national development by ensuring material was within acceptable range and reach of the national community.

He defended the Government's utilisation of foreign companies, saying the local construction sector did not prepare for development since he announced Vision 20/20 plans in the run-up to the 2000/2001 election.

"They did not make the necessary adjustments and today, as we seek to accelerate the rate of construction, we are plagued with a lot of supply problems."

He said the Government had no intention of slowing the rate and had instead opted to expand domestic capacity "to support the level of development we require."

To do that, Manning said, "we have called on the expertise of companies outside of T&T, which have demonstrated track records in a number of areas."

Managing director of Suncon Kwan Foh Kwai said yesterday Sunway (Caribbean) Ltd was a branch of Suncon and was formed almost three years ago with its headquarters in Trinidad.


reporting by URVASHI TIWARI-ROOPNARINE



Contractors Association endorses plan

Mickey Joseph, president of the T&T Contractors association, endorsed the Government's intention to partner with Sunway.

Interviewed yesterday, Joseph commended Manning for the decision but simultaneously expressed regret that the move had not been made earlier.

"Cost of construction is so high, especially for ordinary citizens," he said.

Joseph said there was a severe shortage of aggregate since local quarries had downstream interests such as asphalt and concrete work.

"The contractors use aggregate for personal purposes and sell the surplus on the public market."

He hoped that Sunway, in spite of being a construction company, would provide aggregate not only for future projects but also for the public.

Joseph said to bring almost immediate relief to the industry and reverse the trend of price increases every quarter, it was important that the project was up and running within the next three to six months. He did not think it mattered with whom the Government intended to partner.



©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Caroni land for Defence Force



Saturday, July 21 2007 (T&T Newsday)



GOVERNMENT has allocated 1,120 acres of land belonging to the former Caroni (1975) Limited to the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force for the construction of facilities for the Second Battalion of the Defence Force.

The lands will be used to construct a military hospital; a military training academy and shooting range.

The lands are located in La Romaine, Felicity, Forres Park and are presently being surveyed.

This was revealed by Minister of National Security Martin Joseph at the passing out parade for coast guard and soldiers at the heliport in Chaguaramas on Thursday evening.

Joseph, in his address, said these developments are in line with Government's philosophy that all those who serve and risk their lives to ensure the safety and security of the country, do so in an environment that facilitates their well being and success, as well as that of their families.

"Not only do we need to provide you, our soldiers and sailors with the training and tools, but we must also ensure that you are compensated properly, that you have access to adequate and affordable housing and that your family life does not unduly suffer," said Joseph.

He also revealed that Government obtained the services of a defence compensation specialist from the Canadian Ministry of Defence to undertake a salary review for the Defence Force.

The final report was submitted to the ministry earlier this year, and Joseph assured that members of the Defence Force will receive new salaries soon.


PRAYER FOR PEACE: Hundreds of soldiers from the TT Defence Force packed the Trinity Cathedral yesterday for an inter-faith service during which, prayers for peace in the country were offered.

SAFE WITH MUMMY: This female soldier from the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment holds her son during an inter-faith service at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Port-of-Spain to commemoratethe Regiment's 45th Anniversary.

˜T&T Spirit' sails on


By LEISELLE MARAJ Saturday, July 21 2007 (T&T Newsday)



The long awaited fast ferry, T&T Spirit, which is expected to replace the T&T Express on the route between Trinidad and Tobago, while the latter ship is being serviced, was finally commissioned yesterday at the Cruise Ship Complex, Port-of-Spain, then left on its maiden trip to Tobago.

The US$46.5m ship was purchased from its seller, INCAT/BOLLINGER and arrived at the Port of Port-of-Spain on June 30, a year after the vessel was inspected by Port Authority General Manager, Christopher Mendez on drydock in Australia, according to the Authority's Chairman Derek Hudson.

The Works and Transport Minister said the commissioning of the vessel, which was built in November 2002, was timely because of the high demand for sea transportation to the sister isle.

T&T Express, he said, was commissioned in December, 2006, and the acquisition of the second ferry, achieved government's goal of providing adequate capacity for inter-island travel.

The T&T Spirit, also known as the Incat 060 or TVX Spearhead is 97.2 metres in length. The vessel has an average speed of 38 knots and a passenger capacity of 900 and vehicle capacity of 180 cars.

Onboard facilities include, a cafe/restaurant, bar, VIP accommodation, two big screen high definition televisions, a sick bay, an information desk, bathrooms and specially designed ramp accessibility for the physically challenged, outdoor seating and smoking area, a no smoking cabin, wireless access communication, trailers for storage of vendors' goods and prisoner accommodation.

The vessel was purchased by the government from proceeds of fixed rate bonds, facilitated by the Citigroup Global Markets Inc, through the initiative of Citibank Trinidad and Tobago.


NEW FERRY: The new fast ferry on the inter-island route, the US$45.6m, T&T Spirit.

The captain, Denis Barry.

POINT OF VIEW: members of TT's press corps watch the TT Express fast ferry making its way to Tobago prior to the champagne ceremony commissioning the newest inter-island fast ferry TT Spirit yesterday at the Cruise Ship Complex. The TT Spirit will replace the TT Express on the current schedule when it goes off route for servicing.

Eudine caged: Tobago East MP Eudine Job-Davis smiles through the secured gate of the holding cell located on board the newest fast ferry, the TT Spirit commissioned yesterday at the Cruise Ship Complex, Port-of-Spain.

Udecott assets grow to $4B



By Clint Chan Tack Thursday, July 19 2007
(T&T Newsday)


THE Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago's (Udecott) asset base has grown almost 200 percent from 2005 to 2006, increasing from $2.5 billion to $4.1 billion last year.

Coupled with its financial growth, Udecott Chairman Calder Hart said the company continues to adhere rigidly to the highest levels of transparency, accountability, value for money and on time delivery on all of the projects within its portfolio.

Recently, Udecott and First Caribbean International Bank dismissed a newspaper report which claimed there was a $1.8 billion overrun on the Port-of-Spain International Waterfront Project. Both companies provided detailed documents showing that the project was within time and on budget. The documents also explained the type of financing used for the project and the numbers involved to support this argument.

Government also said there was no cost overrun on the project during last Friday's sitting of the House of Representatives. Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar said the UNC was not satisfied with these explanations and wanted an immediate audit to be done on the project.

In a statement contained in Udecott's 2006 Annual Report, Hart said success in the company's construction activity over the last year was also reflected in its financial performance, with its asset base growing by 61 percent from 2005 to 2006. He also said Udecott experienced a 45 percent increase in income, a 19 percent increase in net profitability and a 71 percent expansion in its development work in progress.

With specific reference to the waterfront project, Hart said Udecott secured US$176M in bridge financing from First Caribbean International Bank and Financial Corporation Ltd for the project in 2006. He said this low cost bridge financing structure was recently awarded the Deal of the Year 2006 Trinidad and Tobago by the Financial Times Group and The Banker magazine.

Hart explained that to meet the challenges faced as a result of the conditions experienced in the local financial sector, Udecott strategically shifted its focus to secure project financing on competitive terms "without the requirement of a Government Guarantee or a Government Letter of Comfort."

The Udecott chairman said the waterfront project was the "pioneer project" for this type of financing initiative and early this year, the bridge facility was taken out by a long term facility of US$375M that was launched and oversubscribed on the US private placement market.

He added that Udecott's construction and development initiatives, pursuant to Government's development policies, "continue to attract and stimulate interest from experienced global contractors and consultants possessing considerable experience and international experience in high-rise construction."

Hart said the local construction sector faced several challenges over the last financial year, despite the buoyancy of the economy and national unemployment falling to five percent. He identified inflationary pressures and their impact on key construction commodities such as structural steel and cement as some of the most significant challenges faced by the sector.

Hart also said the increased levels of State and private sector construction activity, and the remuneration packages being offered in the sector, have resulted in many construction firms having challenges in "attracting and retaining quality professional staff and in ensuring a continuous and consistent labour force with minimal turnover."

Both the TT Contractors Association and the Joint Consultative Council for the construction industry have raised these concerns on numerous occasions.

Hart said Udecott was trying to address this issue through its graduate training programme and similar initiatives that are being offered by the company or consultants or contractors that are involved in Udecott projects.

Most crazy people carry on a conversation with themselves. You are doing a good job, brother, I pity you, fool!!

quote:

Originally posted by Ramakant_p:
Most crazy people carry on a conversation with themselves. You are doing a good job, brother, I pity you, fool!!

Rama them Female Trini commandos getting yuh "me am fryten"

quote:

Originally posted by Eric's_Revenge:

quote:

Originally posted by Ramakant_p:
Most crazy people carry on a conversation with themselves. You are doing a good job, brother, I pity you, fool!!

Rama them Female Trini commandos getting yuh "me am fryten"

They are there to entetain only and you know it.

Victory for Disabled


Saturday, July 21 2007 (T&T Newsday)



PRESIDENT of the local branch of Disabled People International, (DPI), George Daniel, yesterday won a historic constitutional motion against the judicial arm of the State for violating his constitutional right to liberty.

The landmark decision was handed down by High Court Judge Justice Nolan Bereaux at the San Fernando High Court.

Daniel had filed his constitutional motion on March 8, 2005, in which he claimed he was unable to access the Hall of Justice, Port-of-Spain, because of the long flight of steps at the front of the building, which made it difficult for persons in wheelchairs to be pulled up the steps backwards.

At a media briefing at attorney Anand Ramlogan's Harris Street, San Fernando office, Daniel said there was no wheelchair ramp to provide access to, or cater for persons with disabilities and contended that this made the building inaccessible to a substantial minority group that needed the protection of the law.

He said the denial of access meant that disabled persons could not meaningfully participate in the justice system, Daniel explained, adding that differently abled persons could not serve as jurors, attend court, give evidence or simply visit to listen to a particular case.

"This was so because the witness box was too small to accommodate a wheelchair while the jury service did not cater for persons with disabilities and the washroom facilities at the Hall of Justice were also problematic," he said.

Daniel had argued that the Judiciary had taken far too long to rectify the problem despite several complaints. He invited architects to submit design solutions to accommodate persons with disabilities at the Hall of Justice.

He said this had been in pipeline for over a year and a half with no serious remedial action plan and no visible physical work to alter the existing designs.

Daniel's attorney, Ramlogan asked the court for an order directing the State to break down the steps at the front of the Hall of justice with a view to redesigning and reconstructing the same to cater for wheelchair bound citizens.

Eric, heard that Pandey still kicking butts!!

What's this with the Unification of the UNC??

quote:

Originally posted by Ramakant_p:
Eric, heard that Pandey still kicking butts!!

Check my "T&T in General election mode" thread. the only butt panday kicks is his sychopants around him.

quote:

Originally posted by Eric's_Revenge:

quote:

Originally posted by Ramakant_p:
Eric, heard that Pandey still kicking butts!!

Check my "T&T in General election mode" thread. the only butt panday kicks is his sychopants around him.

So! he is doing his job?? After he gets rid of them, he will turn his attention to the PNM. heard that Manning is scared of the UNIFICATION of the UNC..

Keeping out the ungodly

Andy Johnson


Sunday, July 22nd 2007 (T&T Express)



"The Caribbean, this report said, became the first region in the world to integrate a national and regional border control structure with the help of a global database provided by Interpol".


SOME 50 persons from a single village in Nigeria applied in March this year for the special Caricom visa, ostensibly to travel to Trinidad and Tobago. They were denied their request.

Also on March 16, immigration officers at Barbados' Grantley Adams International airport intercepted a man with a passport that had, on examination, been reported lost or stolen.

He was taken aside and interrogated, during which he said the passport had been his, and that it had never been reported lost or stolen.

He identified himself as a Nigerian, but was in possession of documents claiming Venezuelan citizenship where he reported living for seven years.

The man was arrested, and denied entry. These were among the illustrations coming out of the analysis of information emerging from the security system put in place for the ICC Cricket world Cup staged between early March and the end of April in the Caribbean, elements of which Caribbean governments are now seeking to retain.

Information coming out of that analysis reveals that a total of 48,000 visa applications were submitted from persons claiming intentions to travel to the Caribbean during the period of the Cricket World Cup.

Of that number 43,311 visas were issued and there were 1,692 rejections. Several of the applicants, however, were issued with special travel documents, coming under designated categories of persons who did not require visas for travel to the countries involved.

Trinidad and Tobago was among nine countries hosting matches during this tournament.

Dominica was not among those countries, but agreed to join in those member states which implemented a Single Domestic Space arrangement that made for easy travel during the period.

That system came to an end on May 15, the tournament having closed with the final game at Kensington Oval in Barbados on April 28.

But officials from Caricom member states who worked on putting it in place, with the assistance of officials from such countries as Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, have since been discussing ways and means by which elements of the programme should be kept permanently in place.

"The system saved us big losses," one Trinidad and Tobago government official said in an interview with the Express, echoing sentiments expressed by Prime Minister Patrick Manning who addressed a meeting here on the subject in early June.

Sub-titled "The Caribbean: The first region to be connected", the security arrangements for the CWC were the subject of an overview contained in an update on terrorism, technology and security presented to a US congressional hearing in Washington DC in late May.

The Caribbean, this report said, became the first region in the world to integrate a national and regional border control structure with the help of a global database provided by Interpol.

Part of this system involved the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS), through which suspect visa applicants and actual travellers were identified for scrutiny and interrogation.

In the course of the period of the Cricket World Cup more than 400 hits were made against the security system, in which persons on international travel watch lists were placed under surveillance of one kind or another.

This is how the 50 persons from Nigeria were identified as coming from a single village. Officials believe they were part of an ongoing international racket in human trafficking.

In another case, a Russia born man with economic citizenship in Grenada was intercepted. That citizenship was revoked and he was deported.

He had been wanted by interpol on charges arising out of allegations over fraud amounting to some $50 million US.

Along with human trafficking, officials in the region say fraudulent travel involves an increasing incidence of identity fraud, a world wide phenomenon which has lost or stolen passports as a central element of its operation.

Persons involved in the international terrorist network either as recruiters or as operatives work almost exclusively with fake travel documents.

Thanking the governments, law enforcement and other security officials in the region for the Cricket World Cup security and safety arrangements, American counter terrorism matches officials said the results were "nothing short of amazing, and are worthy of recognition by the US and indeed all countries."

In all the years prior to the period under review Interpol databases picked up 1,218 passenger searches, it was learnt.

Once the system kicked in for the CWC, there were 45,000 searches during the first month, and by the end of the tournament there were close to 500,000 searches, resulting in 126 instances in which persons with suspect or fraudulent documents or on wanted lists were picked up.

When Caricom leaders gathered in Washington DC in mid-June for the special summit with US President George W Bush, the issue of counter-terrorism and security was among those matters which figured prominently in the talks.

Following this, the issue was also high on the agenda at the regular summit of Caricom Heads of Government, in Barbados during the first week of July.

That country's deputy Prime Minister Mia Mottley was a key figure in negotiating and structuring the arrangements put in place for the Cricket world Cup.

She has since been reported as having requested additional staff from Interpol to ensure that the Caribbean's Joint Regional Communications Centre could continue its work. This centre was created for the CWC and is continuing its work.

At the Barbados meeting the leaders attempted to settle existing differences over which countries should be kept on the list for the Caricom Visa and which should be taken off.

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St Vincent and the Grenadines is said to favour an arrangement which removes visa requirements for Cubans coming to this part of the region, but the Jamaica government is a hold out among others, over fears of a flood of Cubans because of the close proximity between both countries.

There are disagreements also, over the question of the treatment of Haitians. Jamaica again, and the Bahamas are among those governments which harbour great anxieties here as well.

These matters will again form the basis of reports and recommendations to be put before the Heads, during a special summit on health, scheduled to take place in Port of Spain sometime in September.

71 foreign women held

Army, cops raid Sando hotel

Richard Charan


Monday, July 23rd 2007(T&T Express)




Army and police officers hiding behind masks and carrying machine guns broke into a hotel at San Fernando and arrested 71 foreign women believed to be working there as prostitutes.

The raid on a six-building complex of apartments and a club resembled that of a law enforcement operation against terrorists, witnesses said.

The arrests came two weeks after 21 women were taken by police from the Villa Capri hotel.

Three of those woman pleaded guilty in court to illegally entering Trinidad and confessed to being prostitutes working at the business.

In a statement, the National Security Ministry said the arrests of the women who are from the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Suriname, Colombia, and Guyana were part of the effort to combat human and drug trafficking into the country.

Three women held at the hotel are locals and were released from police custody.

Eleven days ago, the US State Department released its Trafficking in Persons 2007 Report, which named those four South American countries, among others, as being involved in the trafficking of women for sexual exploitation.

Police took no chances Saturday night.

A helicopter with search lights hovered, as 100 officers from the Defence Force, Inter Agency Task Force, Special Anti Crime Unit, and Immigration Department, encircled the buildings.

They brought three drug sniffing dogs and were accompanied by British officers.

Police took away stacks of documents relating to the women and the finances of the business.

Customers tried jumping fences, and women screamed and yelled in Spanish as two buses and 20 unmarked SUVs and pick up vans belonging to law enforcement pulled up at Elizabeth Street, Marabella, San Fernando at 9.15 p.m.

More than 100 men were taken from the club, with hands behind their heads, and kept for two hours in the buses before they were set free.

Police also questioned the hotel's owner Cecil Sydney, who is bedridden and lives on the compound with his wife and children.

For seven hours, hooded police and immigration officers fingerprinted and photographed the women.

Police searched the buildings, ransacked bedrooms and ordered the women to collect their travel documents and clothing.

Surrounding streets were cordoned off, and residents kept indoors.

Chief Immigration Officer Herman Brown, who oversaw the raids, said sex workers were entering Trinidad in record numbers.

He said there was a greater effort now to protect the borders.

He said the women will be charged with illegally entering Trinidad.

On November 25, South American women were arrested at the Santa Maria Hotel, at Bagna Trace, Chase Village.

They pleaded guilty to illegally entering Trinidad by fishing pirogue along Trinidad's gulf coast.

They all said they were working as prostitutes. All were sent to prison and later deported.

The women said they worked as prostitutes to support destitute families back home.


Colombians charged: Colombia nationals Bir Bany Diaz Zapata,are taken by police to the San Fernando Magistrates Court yesterday to answer the charge of entering the country illegally.

Colombians charged: Luz Aida Pulgarin Castillo, right and Alexa Juliana Villamizar, centre, are taken by police to the San Fernando Magistrates Court yesterday to answer the charge of entering the country illegally.

US submarine docks in Chaguaramas

Gyasi Gonzales


Monday, July 23rd 2007(T&T Express)



THE nuclear powered attack submarine USS Albuquerque sailed into the Chaguaramas port yesterday for a "liberty call" to Trinidad and Tobago.

It is a Los Angeles class sub and its crew, of 12 officers and 115 enlisted men, will be engaged not in war, but to paint the Rainbow Rescue shelter at Belmont.

The submarine, which carries Tomahawk cruise missiles which were used with resounding success in the first Gulf War in 1991 was part of a larger group called the USS Theodore Roosevelt battle group in 1999.

It was while participating in a six month Mediterranean tour, the submarine fired a total of ten Tomahawks into Serb controlled Yugoslavia.

The LA class submarine was developed during the Cold War era as a hunter to counter the threat posed by the then Soviet Union's own attack submarine.

The Soviet attack strength lay in its numbers.

The Americans depended on technological superiority and although the USS Albuquerque is a 25 year old submarine, it has been outfitted to meet the demand of the increasingly non-conventional battlefields.


These sailors will start cussing blue murder when they realise that many hookers have been deported or are in jail.......

STOLEN CAR SCAM

Japanese track foreign used vehicles to T&T market

Driselle Ramjohn and Gyasi Gonzales


Monday, July 23rd 2007(T&T Express)


JAPANESE investigators are in Trinidad and Tobago to clamp down on the trafficking of stolen cars from Japan, which are being sold to local drivers as foreign used vehicles.

Japanese insurance firms have sent a representative to this country, who is being assisted by local attorneys to recover vehicles which were seized by local police in 2004.

The vehicles are believed to have been stolen in Japan, the Ministry of the Attorney General said in published notice yesterday.

The 16 vehicles recovered include a Honda CRV, a Toyota Rav-4, Prado and Landcruiser, as well as five Mazda RX-8s and one Mazda Altezza and are stored opposite the Police Traffic Branch on the Beetham Highway in Port of Spain.

The ministry said that police officers of the Stolen Vehicles Squad and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service seized motor vehicles based on information received from Interpol and the Japanese police that the vehicles were stolen in Japan and shipped to this country.

Local owners have been given until August 3 to show why the vehicles should not be returned to Japan.

An officer at the Stolen Vehicle Squad told the Express yesterday: "If the Japanese insurance company decides to recover the cars they will have to either sell it here in Trinidad (to recover their loss) or send them back to Japan."

The cars were stolen in Japan and sent to Trinidad with different chassis numbers.

A number of Japanese insurance companies requested the assistance of the Stolen Vehicles Squad through the Japanese Embassy and they were able to get a list of the vehicles believed to have been stolen.

Local law enforcement examined the cars. When the vehicles landed in Trinidad with false chassis numbers, unsuspecting customers did not know anything, the police said.

Local law enforcement officers only started carrying out enquiries after reports began emanating out of Japan around 2004 and the investigation has been ongoing since.

Police said that if the Trinidad agent (foreign-used car dealer) bought the car believing it to be legitimate when it fact it was not, he would have to be reimbursed by his Japanese agent.

Attorney Om Lalla who is representing the foreign insurance firms said for several years, hundreds of vehicles stolen in Japan have been sold to other countries around the world, with Trinidad and Tobago receiving a huge percentage.

"In many cases the documents were falsified by the people who steal the cars in foreign countries to facilitate the entry into other countries. Customs (and Excise) does not make investigations into whether cars are stolen or not. Once certain documents are presented they will be allowed into the country," Lalla said.

The unfortunate thing is a lot of innocent people in Trinidad will buy the cars not knowing that they are stolen, Lalla said, adding that a circumstance like this warrants the government to look at the foreign used market closely.

Minister of Trade and Industry Kenneth Valley, the line minister for the foreign used car industry, said yesterday that the government will look at the issue in detail and also look at putting the necessary legislation in place to protect the public from this type of fraudulent activity.

President of the foreign used cars association Inshan Ishmael did not return phone calls for comment yesterday.

-with reporting by Kristy Ramnarine

T&T military trains with US naval crew

Kim Boodram


Thursday, July 26th 2007(T&T Express)


picture & source
trainer: Major General Glen Spears.


Local military forces have spent this week training with crew members of the submarine USS Albuquerque, which pulled into port in Trinidad on Sunday.

"While we are here she will be doing some training," said Major General Glen Spears, Deputy Commander for the United States Southern Command.

He was speaking on Monday evening at a reception at the CrewsInn docks at Chaguaramas.

The event was attended by Labour Minister Danny Montano and his wife, Rosemund.

Spears said the training sessions were "an exchange of information" and would continue until tomorrow, when the vessel leaves Trinidad.

The Southern Command is the division of the US Navy responsible for affairs in the Caribbean region.

The vessel is a Los Angeles class submarine and is in the second largest size range.

It carries a crew of 135 and is the second vessel in the United States Navy to be named after Albuquerque, New Mexico.

It was launched on March 13, 1982 and saw action in 1999 while participating in a six month Mediterranean cruise as a part of the USS Theodore Roosevelt battle group.

She fired ten Tomahawk (TLAM) cruise missiles at targets in Serb-controlled Yugoslavia, setting records for the number of TLAMs fired from a Flight-I 688 class submarine, as well as the shortest time from tasking to firing on target.

This earned her the nickname of "Sure Shot".

The crew of the USS Albuquerque also volunteered to give a new coat of paint to the Rainbow Rescue shelter at Belmont this week.

The Express was told that it was customary for crews to take part in a community relations event at different ports.

Major General Spears was also asked if the submarine's visit had anything to do with the approaching July 27 anniversary of the 1990 attempted coup or any other perceived terrorist threats to US interests in or out of the region.

"No, this is purely coincidental," he said. "The business of the Albuquerque here is part of normal naval training.

"I want to say also that this visit is also a celebration of the already strong ties we have with Trinidad and Tobago. The camaraderie we have with Trinidad and Tobago is important and we continue to learn from it."

Rahael launches CDAP card



By DENISE BALGOBIN Thursday, July 26 2007(T&T Newsday)



AS ONE OF the objectives of providing quality healthcare for citizens, the Ministry of Health launched a new TT Card for participants in the Chronic Disease Assistance Programme (CDAP) yesterday.

Deviating from his prepared speech, Health Minister John Rahael urged patients in attendance at the Crowne Plaza Hotel ballroom to adopt healthier lifestyles and encourage others to do the same.

He also called on citizens to avoid becoming a victim of Type II Diabetes by eating healthier foods, not smoking and generally taking care of their health.

"Citizens with these conditions are already receiving free medication under this programme and now, with this card, there will be less waiting time for prescriptions to be filled at medical counters," Rahael stated. He added that there are more than 300,000 citizens, with a total of 240 pharmacies across TT (out of 425 registered) participating in the CDAP programme.

Giving details on the new card was Richard Robinson, Nipdec Project Manager, the delivery partner (distributing cards) in the new programme. He stated that all the information on the card would be personalised for the card user.

"Multiple prescriptions will be stored on the card which is usable at any of the participating pharmacies. There is also a secure method to report and monitor on the dispensation of medications," he stated.

The TT Card for CDAP is described as a "National Smart Card" which will contain all the patient's information on a secure magnetic strip.


CARD CARRIER: Health Minister John Rahael (left) presents a commemorative card to NIPDEC's Artie Whittington during the Ministry's launch of the health care Smart Card at Crowne Plaza, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain on Tuesday.

From Morvant to the Pentagon




CW5 Gordon sitting on one of Saddam Hussein's thrones.


By Zen Dionne Jarrette(Trinidad Guardian)


From Morvant all the way to the Pentagon, Rainier Gordon's life has been nothing short of a whirlwind.

This Trinidadian, and father of three daughters, has a string of distinctions following his name that are too numerous to mention.

He's jumped out of airplanes, been trained in many military disciplines, and has been to Iraq, Kuwait, Macedonia, South Korea, Germany and Alaska.

And he recently returned home for his high school reunion at Tranquillity Government Secondary, holding court over a bevy of women who wanted to know what makes the tall man of few words tick.

He is currently a Chief Warrant Officer 5 Maintainance with the US Army. This means the 50 year old oversees all the military's equipment including tanks, Bradleys, which is a tank that shoots bullets, and Hummers among many others.

"Anything the military's got I'm supposed to be the technician able to fix it," he explained.

"At this position, I'm the readiness officer for the equipment."

This distinction is made even more of one because of the fact that he is not only a black man, but a Trinidadian. He estimates there are only 250 Trinbagonians in the US Army. Only three have ever made CW5.

"There are hardly any black ones and then add in being from Trinidad!" he exclaimed.

He first wanted to be a pilot, but a few turns in a flight simulator took care of that. He then concentrated on keeping his feet firmly on the ground, and now none of the army's ground equipment is unknown to him.

He did not do well in school locally, and even thought of himself as a dunce at one time, especially because he didn't pass Common Entrance, but when he joined the military all that changed.

He went to night school to get his associate's degree, then went on to get a Human Resource Management Bachelor's degree with a minor in Homeland Security. He is currently doing his Masters in Procurement and Acquisition Management. And all this success he credits to his grandmother.

Gordon's mother died when he was ten. His father was a labourer on the port and did his best to take care of the five children. When his maternal grandmother stepped in, he was introduced to the word "discipline" up close and personal. Cooking, cleaning, washing and self-sufficiency were all taught in short order.

"Once you have that sort of organisation I just felt good about the military," he said.

And her legacy is his success, which she lived to see, having only passed away in October 2006 at age 98.

His road to the actual army began in Tranquillity Secondary when he joined cadets. An ex cadet who was in the US Army came to lecture at school and upon hearing his words, Gordon knew what he wanted to do.

"My stepmother was US resident and offered for me to come up in the States and join the full army instead of just regiment," he said.

So when he finished secondary school, it was off to Uncle Sam.

One might ask why he would go off to serve in someone else's military, rather than stay and defend his own country, and Gordon has his views very straight on that topic.

"I learned to view the US as our big brother," Gordon said.

He cites that in the aftermath of Hurricane Flora the US provided assistance and says that no matter what happens around the world, Uncle Sam usually appears and wants to help. It was this global spirit that appealed to Gordon.

And as for the current ire heaped upon the US Army in certain parts of the world because of the war in Iraq, Gordon says this doesn't affect him.

"When we go off to fight war, we going off to do a mission so we don't see it in the sense of how people view it. We just go to do the mission we are trained to do," he states.

He has seen war torn Iraq, where he helped to assimilate troops who were going into battle.

"I was what they call an ˜L&O'"”a logisitics officer," he explained.

"I was that officer that would make sure and find out everything they need to do to get supplies and equipment in the safest way possible."

He has toured Saddam Hussein's palaces and seen the devastation the Iraqi people suffered first hand. All this makes him believe in the army's mission more than ever.

"I'm always proud to be in the uniform," he said.

"I usually don't get to hear the negative."

The only time he ever experienced some disdain was in Germany.

"The Germans have problems with Bush!" he said.

But this has been par for the course in his 30 years in the US millitary.

Now, after being a CW5 for only three years, he is ready to retire.

"My body is worn out," he said.

Unbeknownst to him, he had a stroke in 2006 when his grandmother died. At first he thought the physical effects were due to grief, but when they persisted after her funeral, a doctor found out it was a stroke.

He saw that as his signal to take a rest.

But retiring does not mean stopping to Gordon. One of the plans he is currently making is to return home and give back. He wants to work with the local cadets and help develop the system.

He recently donated a trumpet to the Tranquillity cadets and is working on getting them more instruments.

He has read about National Security Minister Martin Joseph's plans to put a cadet force in every school and thinks this is a good initiative for him to get involved in.

"In any avenue that leadership is needed and I can be of assistance I will help in any capacity I can help," Gordon declared.

The one lesson he learned in his 30 years of being in the US Army is one he states simply.

"Everyone should feel blessed to be from a place like Trinidad and Tobago."



Chief Warrant Officer 5 Rainier Gordon.



©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company

A century from oil

By Energy Correspondent


Wednesday, July 25th 2007(Trinidad Express)
source


Next year 2008, the oil industry in Trinidad and Tobago will mark 100 years of commercial production. This is an extremely significant milestone for a country that owes so much of its development to the hydrocarbon industry.

Five months before the start of this epic anniversary, we have heard of no plans to mark this occasion. Of course, we should not be surprised. This is Trinidad and Tobago, the land of Fete. We still have Emancipation, Independence, Republic, Divali, Christmas with Paramin parang, and perhaps even Carnival to go before we can be distracted by the commemoration of some mundane anniversary.

When we add the forthcoming general elections to the mix, we can be pretty certain that nothing will be done until it is too late. By then, we will be treated to the usual unimaginative cultural events and meaningless speeches.

I remain hopeful, however that someone somewhere has been given a mandate to plan an appropriate commemoration at the national level. I am therefore being proactive and wish to offer some preliminary thoughts on some projects that should form part of the 100th anniversary commemoration.

Trinidad and Tobago is one of the oldest oil producing countries in the world. In fact, a good case has been made for Trinidad as the site of the first oil well. Interest in Trinidad's hydrocarbon resources was stirred by the presence of the Pitch Lake, first discovered by Walter Raleigh in 1595.

This vast seemingly bottomless pit of asphalt was the subject of much geological investigation in the early 19th century. As a result of some of the pioneering work, the Merrimac Company in 1857 drilled a well to a depth of about 280 ft, and produced oil from it.

This was a full two years before Drake's well in Pennsylvania, which is widely recognised as the start of the modern oil industry. Merrimac's well is also before the 1858 efforts of James Miller Williams in Oil Springs Ontario, which the Canadians claim was in fact the first oil producing well.

Commercial production, however did not commence until 1908 with a concentration of successful wells drilled by one Beeby Thompson and Trinidad Oilfields Limited in Parrylands near Point Fortin. These fields provided the crude oil for the establishment of the refinery in Point Fortin in 1912. (For a brief history of the early industry visit.www.gstt.org/history).

These wonderful little stories are of course unknown to the vast majority of Trinidad and Tobago. If nothing else, the 100th anniversary provides us with an opportunity to blow our trumpet.

Events and activities commemorating of the 100th anniversary should meet the twin objectives of recognition and education. A few interesting projects come to mind immediately. The first is the upgrade and preservation of all the significant historic sites. These may subsequently form part of the system of National Heritage Parks. Wouldn't it be fascinating to see the site of the Merrimac well with appropriate signage and documentation authenticating its claim as the world's first?

Others may be added such as the Rust well in Guayaguayare or the most prolific well ever and the longest producing well? The historic sites could become important stops on an "historical tour of the oil industry" which can be made mandatory for all children. This should be done in parallel with the documentation of the supporting evidence. Projects of this nature could provide both temporary and permanent jobs for scores of young people. With the right management these historic assets, when completed, can become useful sources of foreign exchange.

I anticipate that appropriate recognition will be given to the descendants of some of the early pioneers: Darwant, Rust, Thompson and others whose names resonate in the early history. I also expect TTPOST, to issue a commemorative stamp and the schools, both primary and secondary, to be an essay writing competition to mark the occasion.

Most importantly, this is an opportune moment in history to take stock of where we have reached, identify the gaps and develop strategies to close them. We have journeyed from an industry that was completely dominated by foreign multinationals to one in which the National Oil Company became a major player.

The last ten years has seen the resurgence of foreign capital against a background of relative stagnation within the state enterprise. Another important question to be addressed is the progress made, if any, with respect to technology and technological capability among nationals in the industry.

In other words, what has happened to the innovative spirit of the early pioneers? The 100th birthday provides another opportunity for national non-partisan dialogue on the future the industry. Would the authorities wake up in time? Or would it pass like the famous Brighton Bucket?

energyczartt@yahoo.com

Eric,

At this rate, you will break Nuff's record by 2008

Saith: Plan for methanol to produce electricity


Louis B Homer South Bureau


Saturday, July 28th 2007(T&T Express)


source & picture
energy talks: Minister of Energy Lenny Saith, left, and Erwin Keuter, member of the executive board, MAN Ferrostaal AG, in conversation at the Methanol to Power commissioning ceremony at the Point Lisas Industrial Estate on Wednesday.



An experiment to use methanol to generate electricity at major plants operating in Trinidad has been commissioned by Energy Minister Lenny Saith.

It is aimed at reducing the cost of electricity at the plants.

The experiment is a joint venture between the University of Trinidad and Tobago and Methanol Holdings Trinidad Ltd at Point Lisas.

Commissioning the Methanol to Power site at Point Lisas, Couva, on Wednesday, Saith said the project was mandated to produce results in two years.

"The 8.39 megawatt demonstration power plant at Point Lisas will use methanol as a fuel to generate electricity over a two year period for two of Methanol Holdings (Trinidad) Ltd's existing plants using a specially modified standard gas turbine," he said.

Saith said the project "fitted securely into Government's vision of using the energy sector to provide a platform for the development of local enterprise and the capital market".

He said Government viewed the initiative as one which was in keeping with its downstream policy in the petrochemical sector.

If the experiment is a success it will provide the technology for utilisation of methanol (which is derived from natural gas) as a fuel and will establish a chemical specification for fuel grade methanol, Saith said.

He noted that UTT's involvement in the project was in keeping with the recent Natural Gas Institute of Americas curriculum in the research arm of the institute.

As for the benefits that could accrue to the Caribbean region, Saith said: "Since Caricom is dependent on fuel oil for power generation, this initiative could provide a cheaper source of energy."

He said the use of methanol in the generation of electricity could prove to be a cheaper source.

"While natural gas presents a viable cheaper alternative, the infrastructure necessary for its transportation requires a huge capital investment, either in pipeline network for unprocessed natural gas, or the use of tankers with the necessary regasification facilities at the receiving end."

Saith said methanol to power was an initiative that met the Government's policy in ensuring that its downstream policy is carried out in the petrochemical industry.

He challenged other companies to follow the footsteps of MHTL.

Energy sector help sought from T&T


Anna-Lisa Paul


Tuesday, July 31st 2007(T&T Express)


The government of Uganda is interested in acquiring the help of local experts in the development of their oil and gas sector, as a recent discovery of an oil field producing up to 100,000 barrels of oil per day will help to boost their economy.

This was stated by Uganda's Foreign Affairs Minister, Sam Kutesa, at a news conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Port of Spain yesterday.

Kutesa said his government was very much interested in the development of the country's oil and gas sector, but that they were also mindful of falling prey to the "Dutch syndrome".

He said while his country will be focusing on developing the energy sector, they will be careful not to neglect other sectors such as agriculture.

Kutesa met with Foreign Affairs Minister Arnold Piggott as a prelude to the arrival today of the President of the Republic of Uganda, Youweri Museveni. Both Kutesa and Museveni are expected to participate in Emancipation celebrations from July 31 to August 2.

Revealing that a delegation from Trinidad and Tobago will be visiting Uganda in August to look at properties, Piggott said Government was in the midst of establishing an office of the High Commissioner in Uganda, and that this would be done before the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting to be held in Uganda in November.

Boasting that Uganda is working overtime to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country by continuing to educate people, Kutesa said he was not concerned about crime statistics in Trinidad and Tobago, as these could be found everywhere.

Pan greeting for Uganda's Prez


Wednesday, August 1 2007(T&T Newsday)



PRESIDENT of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was met by Prime Minister Patrick Manning and Cabinet colleagues as he landed at Piarco International airport yesterday for a three day visit to Trinidad and Tobago to attend Emancipation celebrations.

His plane touched down at 10.58 am after a one hour delay. President Museveni, followed by his wife Janet Museveni, disembarked to be greeted by Manning and his wife Hazel Manning. Museveni then took the salute from a regimental honour guard, with soldiers presenting arms. As the Defence Force Band played the national anthems of Uganda and Trinidad and Tobago, Museveni inspected the guard.

The Ugandan President was introduced by Manning to the Cabinet Ministers present who included John Jeremie, Dr Lenny Saith, Martin Joseph, Joan Yuille Williams, John Rahael, Danny Montano, Anthony Roberts, Jarrette Narine and Rennie Dumas.

Museveni got a taste of Trinidad and Tobago culture including Pleasantville Folk Performers and Skiffle Bunch Steel Orchestra from Manning's San Fernando hometown. Manning led Museveni and his retinue for a closer look at steelpans, with Museveni peering over the top of a tenor pan to see how it worked, even with the players in full swing playing a fast and jazzy version of "He's got the whole world in His hands." A Pierrot Grenade, Dame Lorraine, Book Man, Jab Jabs, Red Indians, bats and fancy sailors pranced to Destra's "Bonnie and Clyde" played by Skiffle Bunch. Mrs Museveni seemed amused by the Dame Lorraine.

An hour after Museveni's landing, he and Manning were driven away in one of the Prime Minister's cars, and the other contingent members left in convoy. Museveni will today attend the Canboulay Parade at the Brian Lara Promenade, visit Point Lisas Industrial Estate and attend an Emancipation Day dinner hosted by President Richards, while tomorrow he meets with Manning at Whitehall.


DOUBLE COUPLE: Prime Minister Patrick Manning (2nd from left) shakes hands with Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni moments after he arrived in the country for a three-day State visit. At left is Manning's wife Hazel while at right is Museveni's wife Janet.

ON TRINI SOIL: Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni waves as he leaves Piarco International Airport moments after he arrived in a private jet for a brief state visit to this country on the occasion of Emancipation Day celebrations.

Nova Scotia talks green industry opportunities with T&T



Wednesday, August 1st 2007(T&T Express Business)



Sustainable manufacturing with an emphasis on green industry is the new frontier for business, and the province of Nova Scotia, Canada is offering its expertise in these areas to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to facilitate developing the necessary legislative and supporting framework.

Nova Scotia's Minister for Environment and Labour, Mark Parent, headed a delegation which visited Minister of Trade and Industry, Kenneth Valley and senior Ministry technical officers, to discuss how local business and industry can maximize opportunities in the new wave of green industry, as more and more international firms and consumers are demanding earth friendly products.

Traditionally, many have viewed environmental concerns as conflicting with business and industrial growth, but latest trends in economic development indicate that these issues can be successfully merged to benefit all concerned in terms of profit making, economic development and safety for the planet.

According to Valley, the visit of the Nova Scotia team has come at a most appropriate time, since the recently concluded Trade and Investment Conference hosted a session on sustainable manufacturing for the local and regional business community to understand latest trends in this area and identify opportunities for investment utilising waste and green mechanisms, thereby reducing the effect of waste on the environment while simultaneously maximizing returns.

Over the years, the province of Nova Scotia has created successful mechanisms for waste reduction and utilisation of waste as a resource in the economy. The emphasis is on sustainable competitiveness for business, whereby resources are utilised, depleted and then replenished to ensure long term capital gain.

With a philosophical understanding of environmental health and its connection to economic growth, the province is focussed on environmental governance and has developed government institutions that are appropriate for this focus. In fact in 1995, the provincial government set a goal of diverting waste to reduce the number of landfills by 50 percent by 2005. This environmental success has promoted economic growth within the province for both the public and private sectors.

According to Minister Parent, their approach is not just about waste reduction but utilisation of waste across the economy, i.e. generating greater productivity by getting more inputs into the economic system.

Currently, Nova Scotia and Trinidad and Tobago have an existing Memorandum of Understanding, which both parties will be reviewing to see where the areas of co-operation can be extended, and the relationship deepened.

Wednesday 8th August, 2007

Kidney donor creates history in Caribbean



Patrick De Matas, right, husband of the first cadaveric kidney transplant donor in the English speaking southern Caribbean, Jacqueline De Matas, and their son Kyle, listen to praises lauded on their loved one at yesterday's news conference at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope. Photos: Lester Forde



BY CAROL MATROO



Jacqueline De Matas never wanted fame or recognition when she was alive, but she received that and much more when her soul departed this earth.

A former bank manager, De Matas, 48, suffered an aneurysm last week Sunday from which she never recovered.

After she was pronounced brain dead three days later, De Matas' gifts to two ailing citizens of this country would forever etch her name in T&T's history books.

It was always De Matas' wish, after she died, to donate her kidneys to people suffering from end stage renal failure (kidney failure).

And, that wish came true when two recipients received her kidneys during two separate operations at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope, last week Thursday.

She became the first cadaveric kidney transplant donor in the English speaking southern Caribbean.

Health Minister John Rahael, during a news conference held at Amphitheatre C at the complex yesterday, praised the De Matas family for their generosity and selfless giving that improved the life of at least one person.

One of the operations was unsuccessful as the recipient's body rejected the kidney. The individual will continue to receive dialysis until another suitable donor is found.

The other person was still in recovery and "doing well," according to head of the National Organ Transplant Unit Dr Leslie Roberts.

Rahael said: "We honour our sister who has passed away...her husband Patrick, her son Kyle. No amount of words can really express how, as Minister of Health and on behalf of the Ministry of Health and the North West Regional Health Authority and the National Organ Transplant Unit, how humbled we are for Jackie's wish to donate her kidneys so that two people could have had an opportunity to enjoy a better quality of life.

"We hold you up as a family who will always be remembered and your name will go on in history as the first deceased donor that came forward. Without your support we would not have been able to do it," Rahael told the father and son who present during the conference.

However, Patrick insisted that they only did what his wife wanted.

"Her personality was always to reach out to people. She had an open heart and always embraced people, so doing this came like natural to us.

"We were glad that we were able to help someone else. We are not looking...or Jackie would not have looked for fame. We just wanted to do something nice to help somebody, in her style. We hope everything goes all right," he said.

Patrick said it was not necessary for the recipients to contact his family.

"We just wish them well... and we know somewhere, in somebody, life continues for Jackie," he said humbly.

Wednesday 8th August, 2007

Govt to borrow from IDB

US$250m for health, highways


Acting Minister of Planning and Development Christine Sahadeo, right, makes a point to new IDB president Luis Alberto Moreno, second from right, as Education Minister Hazel Manning, second from left, and IDB executive director Jerry Butler look on, during a luncheon held at the Ministry of Planning and Development yesterday. Also in the background is IDB representative William Robinson. Photo: Shirley Bahadur

Where the money goes

US$120 million will be used to fund the National Highway Programme.

US$134 million will be used to fund the Health Sector Reform Programme.



Government is set to borrow some US$250 million from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to fund two major projects.

The money according to acting Minister of Planning and Development Christine Sahadeo would be used to facilitate Government's national highway and health sector reform programmes.

She made the announcement yesterday during a press conference held at the Ministry of Planning and Development in Port-of-Spain.

The approved amount to be borrowed for the National Highway Programme was said to be US$120 million, while the Health Sector Reform Programme would cost US$134 million.

Sahadeo said the National Highway Programme would ensure the expansion of highways in the country. It would also target period maintenance and rehabilitation of roads and bridges, trunk roads expansion and stabilisation of failed slopes.

The Health Sector Reform Programme, meanwhile, entails expanding and upgrading the infrastructure of six hospitals and eight district health facilities, and strengthening of the five Regional Health Authorities.

The minister said in addition to these two programmes, there were other programmes being undertaken by the Government and funded by the IDB secondary education modernisation (US$105m), second stage settlements (US$32m), trade sector support (US$5m) and public sector reform initiation (US$5m) programmes.

Sahadeo held talks with president of the IDB Luis Alberto Moreno to discuss initiatives to improve the country's security.

"The bank hopes to support issues of security," Moreno said.

He also said the IDB was "here to follow Government initiatives," as well as to lend support for the upcoming Fifth Summit of the Americas.

Meanwhile, Sahadeo was optimistic that the infrastructure would be completed in time for the Fifth Summit of the Americas to be held in 2009.

She said, "I am confident that the projects will be completed, in fact, even before the summit is to be held."

The summit was an initiative of the former US president Bill Clinton's administration in 1994, to bring a higher level of corporation to the nations of the Americas.

The theme for the summit has not yet been determined.

It would be the first time the summit will be held in a Caribbean nation.

Reporting by Kyle Jeremiah



©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company

Little 'Chess Tiger'


By VERDEL BISHOP Wednesday, August 8 2007(T&T Newsday)



Ronnie Nelson is known as the Caribbean "Chess Tiger." However, the eight year old can easily be called the next Grand Master of Chess. The two time National under eight and ten champion, represented Trinidad and Tobago at the Central American and Caribbean Games, taking gold with a clear six wins to attain the title of Candidate Master, according to World Chess Federation Regulations (FIDE).

When asked about his successes Ronnie responded, "I am a gifted child. I remember my first game. I was four years old and I was very happy to learn the game. I won that game and since then I started to practise and I got better and better."

Some may question whether chess makes kids smart or whether smart kids like chess, but the answer is simple and Ronnie clears it all up. He is a smart kid who likes chess. The little "Chess Tiger" started his basic lesson in chess at just four years old, learning the concept of the game in the short space of two hours.

A month later he entered the competitive arena, taking an early win at the YMCA junior competition, hosted by Trinidad and Tobago Chess Association (TTCA). He continued to set a trail of wins at many local competitions, always placing among the top three.

Learning to play chess helps children visualise, analyse and concentrate. Unlike so many games played by younger children, chess is not a game of luck, but one that requires players to make purposeful, well thought out decisions.

Ronnie's father and chess coach Ronnie Nelson Sr, agrees that the relationship between chess and acquiring math, reading and critical thinking skills is fairly strong.

"If Ronnie was not playing chess, academics would have been harder for him," said Nelson. Nelson makes it quite clear that he is a father first before he's a coach, however, and there is no conflict of interest in coaching his son. "Ronnie practises three times a week and he juggles academics and chess quite well. It is very expensive to have a coach for Ronnie. It would cost at least $300 an hour or more for coaching. I use a computer software to teach him, which is quite simple to use," he said.

The software Nelson employs for his son is the best on the market and is known for producing the best in the field of chess. Fritz 9 is a chess program that lets you meticulously analyse your own abilities as well as those of some of the elite grand masters and other notable players.

The software allows you to analyse a game during and after play.

At a young age, Ronnie has had quite a bit of international exposure and has played among the best of the best. He participated in HB Global Chess Challenge in Minnesota, Minneapolis, where he competed among the best in the world, and had the opportunity to meet seven times International Master, Josh Waitzkin, Grand Master Maurice Ashley and one of the youngest World's Grand Master, Nikamura and IM Dr Daaim Shabazz of the Chess Drum. He was also highlighted on the front page of the Star Tribune in Minneapolis after taking two wins against his senior competitors.

A sportsman's journey is never without struggles. The next step is to get Ronnie a personal laptop so he can practise his games on his own and sponsorship for up coming tournaments. "We are focussing on sponsorship to get him to a tournament in Barbados and next on the agenda are two tournaments in Miami which are the Winter Tournament and the Orange Bowl Chess Tournament," Nelson said.

Ronnie is able to overcome the obstacles that he encounters from time to time with the support of his family. "My family supports me all the way, my aunts are always with me, always teaching me so I don't have anything to worry about," the chess master said.

Trinidad and Tobago Chess Star Ronnie Nelson not only obtained a Candidate Master and Gold at the CAC. Champion of Chess but has created history as one of the youngest chessist to bring home gold for his country at such a prestigious tournament and will always be remembered as the player who took the gold from the top players from Colombia who had to settle for silver and bronze respectively. Ronnie notably thanks his sponsors and family for aiding him in achieving such a feat.


Ronnie Nelson receiving his gold medal. At the left is Ruben Navarro and right Alejandra Renteria both of Colombia.

El Salvador: Buy food from us


Thursday, August 9 2007(T&T Newsday)



YET ANOTHER country has come forward with an offer to supply food products to Trinidad and Tobago.

Minister of Economy of El Salvador, Yolanda Mayora de Gavidia, speaking at the launch of the Caricom/Central America trade negotiations yesterday, told reporters that El Salvador will offer itself as an alternative food trade partner with Caricom.

"We can trade food with you. We buy oil and gasolene from Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela... anywhere it's not an ideological issue, it's a trade issue.

"We also buy I think propane, fertilisers, from Trinidad and Tobago and some other products," she said.

De Gavidia said El Salvador is looking to expand its trade with the region to include more textiles, cement, sugar, industrial and fish products.

"Central America offers a huge market of around 40 million people and we are very complimentary economies with Caricom.I think having a free trade agreement is compulsory... there is no choice in this globalised world it's a must and we understood this as a region and that's why we're here."

The launch took place at Crowne Plaza, Port-of-Spain.


El Salvador Minister of Economy Yolanda Mayora de Gavidia.

Look for more gas

Experts urge:

Juhel Browne


Sunday, August 12th 2007(T&T Express)



Two energy experts say the next set of exploration for natural gas will be critical as an audit shows there are only enough reserves to last until 2019.

Gregory McGuire, a lecturer of energy economics at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine campus said yesterday the audit figures do not necessarily spell doom for the economy.

McGuire, however, said it definitely shows the need for more exploration.

"This year is critical in so far as a number of new areas are being explored and there is a lot of optimism about it. My eyes are really on the new exploration," McGuire said.

He said that ideally, this country would need finds that average about 1.2 trillion cubic feet of gas per year, given an existing rate of usage of 1.3 tcf per year.

McGuire noted only two fifths of the marine areas in Trinidad and Tobago has been fully explored, and like, Paul, was confident gas will be found.

Energy Minister Dr Lenny Saith said Friday that the existing production rate is 3.9 billion cubic feet (bcf) per day and the projected production rate for the next 12 years is now set at 4.5 (bcf) per day.

Energy consultant Tony Paul, the managing director of Caribbean Energy Specialists also said the audit shows the need for more exploration, as the amount of reserves already identified and now in use has been on the decline.

"What worries me is the slow pace at which the lower categories (of gas) possible and probable have not really increased but actually decline and that really speaks to people doing more geological work, more exploration," Paul said.

Energy Ministry data included in its presentation on the gas audit at a press conference led by Energy Minister Dr Lenny Saith on Friday, showed that there has been no successful exploration of wells since 2004 which saw a 100 per cent replacement in reserves.

Energy Ministry senior energy analyst Stephen Cupid said Friday that last there are 17 new wells to be drilled in the next 15 months.

Nine were carded in that over the last seven years or so the track record does not show a good performance in exploration," Paul said.

He said that while it was good that the Government was reviewing its fiscal regime for the high risk deep water exploration to encourage more activity, he said this must be accompanied by the relevant monitoring of the work done by the relevant energy companies to "hold them accountable".

McGuire said it was too early to speculate what impact the data would have on the existing liquified natural gas (LNG) and other industrial plants that use natural gas but said the audit has raised one important issue.

"The need as a country to begin to think about how it is going to survive when oil and gas is done," he said.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning at a meeting in his San Fernando East constituency, yesterday, was insistent in his assurance that "oil and gas in Trinidad and Tobago is not about to run out" and that the country was well placed to continue its rate of development.

New airport to cost US$50m


Friday, August 10th 2007(Tobago News)



The first phase of the new Crown Point International airport is going to cost taxpayers a tidy US$50 million.

The project is not expected to get going until next year. However, in the interim the Airports Authority is spending an estimated $6 million on temporary measures to bring relief to airport users.

Construction of the temporary facilities has begun and is expected to be completed in time for the start of the 2007/2008 tourist season, which starts on December 15.

Workmen from the authority are constructing alternative accommodation for the two car rental businesses on the western side of the present terminal and offices for the authority's staff on the eastern side.

The terminal building will be extended 60 feet westward to accommodate the domestic travellers and the space vacated by the present domestic hall and the airports authority staff will be turned into an incoming and out going terminal for international passengers.

The immigration and custom areas will be expanded while a luggage conveyor belt will be installed to the full length of the hall.

The conveyor belt has already been paid for and was expected to arrive in Tobago by the end of October.

Tourism and Transport Secretary Neil Wilson told the Tobago News on Monday that the additional space would ease the congestion experienced by the international travellers.

He admitted that like other Caribbean destinations, Tobago had experienced an 8 to 9 per cent drop in visitor arrivals from the United States.

He said this was so for a number of factors the Far East had begun to rebound and visitors who came to the Caribbean were now willing to go back there, the US currency had lost some of its value and people were moving to the Far East where they would get more for their dollar, and the passport and visa restrictions on US citizens.

Wilson said the terrorist attacks in the United Kingdom had compounded the problem since travellers were opting to remain at home. He said the experts were predicting a drop in spending by travellers by some $2.1 billion and the loss of 190,000 jobs worldwide.

However, he said, all was not loss since there was an improved cruise ship season up ahead from October to April. He disclosed that so far indications were that 44 vessels would be calling, bringing an estimated 45,000 visitors.

Wilson stated that the Assembly's new cruise ship agent in Miami had successfully negotiated with the Royal Caribbean Line to make four calls to Scarborough, while the Princess Line will have 10 calls. In addition, the Carnival Cruise Line had scheduled its vessel, the Carnival Destiny to make a five day call at Scarborough for the 2008 Jazz Festival.

The vessel will arrive on April 24 and leave on April 28 with about 2,000 passengers.

Wilson said a total of 397,746 international and domestic travellers had visited Tobago between January and June this year. Of this amount 50 per cent came by the fast ferry, 39 per cent by domestic flights, 9 per cent by international flights and 2 per cent by cruise ships.

He said April and May recorded the highest month of travel, with 74,726 coming in April and 71,465 in May.

PM: Tobago to become energy island of the Caribbean


Friday, August 10th 2007 (Tobago News)


Prime Minister Patrick Manning has said that Tobago was soon to become the energy island of the Caribbean. He said planning for this has been in the works way back in 1975 under former Prime Minister Dr. Eric Williams.

However, Manning told PNM party supporters at the Roxborough Composite School on Saturday that this will only materialise following consultation with the people of Tobago.

He also noted that a major international energy conference would be held in Port of Spain on Monday and Tuesday, adding that a similar conference took place in Tobago in the 1970s under Dr. Williams.

Manning boasted that Trinidad and Tobago continued to be the main supplier of liquefied natural gas to the United States, with just under 70 per cent of all their imported LNG, between 55 per cent and 65 per cent of their ammonia imports, and 77 per cent of methanol imports.

Expanding on the future energy plans for Tobago, he said there would be gas available at the new Cove Eco and Business Park through 10 inch pipeline to be built from the Angostura Field off East Trinidad. This he said will not only supply Tobago but also Barbados. In fact the Prime Minister said Tobago has been identified as the exporter of gas to the region.

Manning said there were also plans to set up an integrated oil company dealing with all energy resources similar to Kuwait, Nigeria, Venezuela, Iraq and Iran.

He added that despite all this the Government would keep Tobago green.

He assured that in the very near future, not only the infrastructural look of the island of Tobago would be changed, but also in the area of energy.

Also speaking at the meeting was Tobago East MP Eudine Job Davis who spoke of the need for prayer in this election season.

Tuesday 14th August, 2007

Experts concerned about super company

As Manning opens energy conference


BY ASHA JAVEED(Trinidad Guardian)


Government is advancing its agenda to create a super energy company despite deep reservations among key officials in the various state energy companies.

At a two day conference being hosted by the Government at the Hilton, stakeholders expressed concern about a possible merger of the state entities and the power which it would give it's chairman.

The energy conference is intended "to chart the future course of the development of our country's vitally important energy sector.

"First of all, it comes in the midst of several major initiatives already being pursued by the Government of T&T, to re-focus the petroleum industry, and provide for growth and development within the energy sector," said Prime Minister Patrick Manning at the opening of the event yesterday. Manning is chairing the conference which will conclude today.

The morning session consisted of profiles and updates by all the state companies Petrotrin, National Gas Company (NGC), National Energy Corporation, T&T National Petroleum Marketing Company Limited, Lake Asphalt, T&TEC and the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries.

At the end of the morning session, Manning concluded: "What seems to emerge from all of this, is whether the industry as it is now structured certainly the state's involvement in it has the right corporate structure. Is the structure right, or is it not...is an issue which I would like to give thought to and a matter on which I would like us to come to some sort of conclusion before we conclude our deliberations tomorrow."

Manning first proposed the creation of a super energy company at a British Gas luncheon in April where he was the guest speaker. He said the company would allow T&T to look for international markets. A stakeholder meeting was supposed to have been held in June.

At today's session, Abd Rahim Mahmood of Malaysia's Petronas and Odd Mange Instefjord of Norway's Statoil are expected to make presentations in a session titled, "Review of Models and Experiences in the Management of the Energy Sector Worldwide".

Manning said, "The aim of the Government of T&T through this conference, is to arrive at a broad consensus about energy policy direction for our country through the involvement of all our key stakeholders.

"The Government is very clear that by itself, attraction of foreign investment cannot produce adequate amounts of energy security, environmental quality and economic development. The Government's energy policy is now focused on the important tasks of improving and broadening our access to competitive markets and being a facilitator that will drive the further development of the T&T energy sector," he said.

He noted that T&T ought to take account of concerns expressed by Petrotrin's executive chairman Malcolm Jones, that there was a shortage of professional skills in the industry.



©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company

Tuesday 14th August, 2007

BpTT CEO:

No doomsday scenarios


Robert Riley

"We are producing more barrels a day than we have ever had. We have more nationals involved in the industry and we are improving the local content."


BY ASHA JAVEED (Trinidad Guardian)



Chief executive of bpTT Robert Riley, said yesterday he did not see a doomsday scenario in the result of the Ryder Scott Hydrocarbon Audit which concluded the country has 12 years of proven natural gas reserves.

"These things are snapshots. They move up and down," he said when approached for his comment on the audit at the Government organised two day energy conference being held at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre.

"I do not see a doomsday scenario at all. I am investing, just in the next five to six years, US$5 billion in T&T to sustain my 500,000 barrels. And over the next ten years, I am projecting similar levels of investment. I expect to fill all of my contracts to full term. My contracts are 25 year-plus contracts so we can't be running out in 10-11 years just on that basis," he said.

Riley said that it is the best time for the industry in its 100 year history.

"We are producing more barrels a day than we have ever had. We have more nationals involved in the industry and we are improving the local content," he said.

As for his expectation of the conference, Riley said it was time for a "good quiet reflection."

"We've already seen today that there are opportunities just among the state companies for what I would argue is better co-ordination, scale opportunities. Not everybody needs to be doing everything and that costs money and that brings inefficiency," he said.

He supported Prime Minister Patrick Manning's view that it was now an opportunity for stability.

"This energy industry has been going very fast and as a result some of it has become un-co-ordinated. And I think there is an opportunity to make full alignment through the value chain of the future. I think the future is big and strong and I think the opportunity now is to optimise that future and to sustain that future," he said.



©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company

Confidence over reserves

Petrotrin, bptt to invest US$6.2b in exploration

Juhel Browne


Tuesday, August 14th 2007(T&T Express)




Both bpTT and Petrotrin are so confident about the nation's oil and natural gas reserves that they will be investing a total of US$6.2 billion in the energy sector over the next five to six years.

The top executives of both companies made the announcement yesterday as Prime Minister Patrick Manning called on the country to "have some faith" with regard to the vital energy sector.

All three spoke on the issue during a two day energy conference at the Hilton Trinidad hotel that began yesterday, in the wake of an audit by Houston based firm Ryder Scott which found that this country only has 12 years of gas reserves left based on existing and projected production rates.

The conference which is being hosted by the Government is entitled "Future Development of the Energy Sector of Trinidad and Tobago."

During his address at the event, Manning made no specific reference to the Ryder Scott audit but said that as the nation stands on the cusp of a new century of involvement in the energy business, "the future looks bright."

He added: "To the many nay-sayers, I say broaden your horizons, think positively and have some faith. You know, in the Bible at Matthew chapter six, verses 25 to 33, there is a saying of "oh ye of little faith'. In that context, they are words of encouragement, not words of condemnation."

Speaking to reporters yesterday, bpTT chief executive officer Robert Riley also said that although he had not yet seen a copy of the audit report, bpTT's data shows that there are plenty of oil and gas reserves to be explored.

"I don't see a doomsday scenario at all. Look I am investing, you know, just in the next five to six years US$5 billion in Trinidad and Tobago to sustain my 500,000 barrels (of oil equivalent a day) and other the next ten years, I am projecting very similar levels of investment," Riley said.

He said he expects bpTT to fulfil all of its supply contracts which average at least 25 years to their full term.

"So it can't be running out in ten or eleven years, just on that basis," Riley said of the gas reserves.

During his presentation at the conference, Petrotrin executive chairman Malcolm Jones said the State owned exploration, production and refining company also sees a positive oil and gas reserve picture.

"We have looked at the future and we note that in E&P (exploration and production) as you see, we've gone to expend probably about $7 billion (US$1.2 billion) over the next five years, consisting mainly of exploration, seismic work, development drilling," Jones said.

In addition to its oil activities, Petrotrin has a 19.5 per cent share in North Coast Marine Area Gas Development which has allowed it to participate in the Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) market.

The other investors include British Gas of Trinidad and Tobago, Eni and PetroCanada.

Petrotrin, according to its website, is also seeking to acquire solely or in partnership gas reserves on the Western peninsula of Trinidad.

Jones said LNG has contributed significantly to Petrotrin's operations between 2004 and 2006.

"You would note that the prices have increased considerably and, in fact, LNG has contributed roughly about 20 per cent of our net revenue," he said.

Saturday 18th August, 2007

Foreign direct investment good for TT economy


The Business Environment Survey 2007 questioned respondents on:

Openness and accountability.

Business enablers and outlook.

Policy framework.


The Commonwealth Business Council (CBC) has suggested that the T&T Government deal with what it called "the paradox of labour shortage and high unemployment" existing together.

The recommendation is contained in the council's soon to be released Business Environment Survey 2007.

The survey concluded that T&T's economy is strong and has gained impetus from foreign direct investment.

Dr Mohan Kaul, director general of the CBC said, "Prudent economic policy and efforts to remove subsidies to state enterprises have been key elements in providing fiscal strength and stimulus for reform."

The council concluded that this country's economy has remained one of the largest and most dynamic in the Caribbean, but said labour shortages, crime and adequate infrastructure need to be addressed.

According to the survey, "The most improved factors in the business environment in T&T are a free media and good industrial relations."

Respondents said they wanted to have better government to business relations. They expressed concern that meetings tended to be about policy dissemination, rather than what policies should be put in place.

The survey involved 1,387 companies in 33 countries, more than in previous years and had a higher level of respondents than previous years. It covered a broad cross section of sectors, size of companies and geographic regions.

Among its other findings it concluded that public administration in T&T was good and was ranked very well even though the private sector wished for a reduction in bureaucracy. It said reliable justice could play a bigger role on issues pertaining to the speed of processes and reinforcement of consumer rights.

It added that T&T's infrastructure was adequate and has been maintained, however, respondents expressed the need for rehabilitation of roads and ports to keep them at a high standard.

It made several recommendations for Government action to attract investment and provide a favourable environment for business:

Rehabilitating infrastructure, particularly roads and construction of new road networks;

Increasing measures to reduce corruption and imposing harsher sanctions on offenders; and

Reviewing business regulation particularly for customs and excise and the financial sector.

The survey commended the Government for the creation of the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund in 2006 which is aimed at saving and investing surplus revenues from petroleum to be used for the development of the country's population. It said that "if invested and managed properly, the fund will raise the living standards of present day and future generations."




©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Tuesday 21th August, 2007



Rapid rail contract awarded





Cabinet ministers were in full attendance in the chamber of the House of Representatives yesterday, paying rapt attention as Prime Minister Patrick Manning delivered his 2007/2008 budget.


Photo: Karla Ramoo


BY ASHA JAVEED (Trinidad Guardian)


Trinitrain, led by Bouygues Travaux Publics, has been awarded the contract for the construction of the $7 billion Rapid Rail project.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning made the announcement as he explained the Government's plans to alleviate the country's traffic woes as he delivered the 2007-2008 budget in Parliament yesterday.

The Government and special interest groups have been engaged in a war of words over the project which lead to the establishment of a Ministerial Committee to oversee the procurement process. The Ministerial Committee was supported by a technical team comprised of senior public servants and technocrats.

Manning pointed out that the process has taken over a year with the final two companies being Trinitrain and T3 Group led by Vinci Construction.

He said after a thorough examination by the National Infrastructure Development Company and the Technical Team including technical considerations, price and contractual terms and a review by the Ministerial Committe, the Trinitrain offer was accepted.

Bouygues is the contractor in charge of the billion dollar waterfront project and has recently been awarded the contract to build the 26 storey Transcorp Credit Union tower on South Quay, Port-of-Spain.

"The project is to be implemented through the National Infrastructure Development Company and will be developed through a Design Build Operate Maintain contract. The first phase of the project will commence in the new fiscal year and will be completed in five to six years time," said Manning.

"Mr Speaker, suffice it to say that the rapid rail system will provide unparalled mobility and will be the backbone of Trinidad's transportation system when completed," he said.


©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

2 firms in new bid to find gas

Juhel Browne



Friday, August 17th 2007(T&T Express Business)



Two upstream energy companies have agreed to begin a new round of exploration for natural gas in Trinidad and Tobago, as an audit showed there are only enough local reserves to last until 2019.

British Gas International (BG) announced yesterday it had signed an "farm in agreement" with Canada based Canadian Superior Energy Inc, (SNG) for Block 5(c), which is located 85 kilometres off the east coast of Trinidad.

A farm in agreement allows for the holder of an exploration right to assign a portion of its interest to another company who "farms in" in exchange for a certain amount of expenditure or the performance of specific activities.

BG's announcement came just two days after executives from several upstream companies called on the Government to provide better fiscal incentives for deepwater exploration.

Among those who did so was BG executive vice president Martin Houston who said at a Government sponsored energy conference on Tuesday that "there must be of course more appropriate incentives to promote exploration".

"Under the terms of the agreement, BG has taken a 30 per cent working interest in the Block 5(c) Production Sharing Contract. The terms of the agreement are subject to Government approval," BG said.

Although Houston had called for better incentives for deepwater exploration on Tuesday, he said in the BG statement issued yesterday that during the energy conference the company has reiterated its commitment to Trinidad and Tobago.

"And today's agreement is further evidence that we are continuing to explore new opportunities to grow the resources of the country. Block 5(c) lies adjacent to our acreage in the East Coast Marine Area (ECMA) and has the potential for cost effective development using existing infrastructure," Houston said.

BG said the first well of its current three-well programme is now being drilled on the Victory No.1 prospect on Block 5(c).

The ECMA operated by BG contains four natural gas fields: Dolphin Deep, Starfish and Manatee.

The first three, Dolphin, Dolphin Deep and Starfish provide gas to the Natural Gas Company and Atlantic LNG trains 3 and 4 respectively.

"The Manatee field was discovered in January 2005 by BG Group and partner Chevron and is part of a cross border accumulation that stretches into neighbouring Venezuela. The Manatee 1 well indicated gross reserves of between 1.3 and 1.6 trillion cubic feet of gas on the Trinidadian side of the border. Monetisation options for this gas are being reviewed," BG said.

Priya Seeram, 5, a National Awardee



Monday, September 3 2007(T&T Newsday)



THE broad, innocent smile on the face of five year old Priya Seeram is no indication of the horror and trauma she faced when at only age four, she ran along a road in Moruga seeking help from someone, anyone, after her cousin Candice Beharry was kidnapped.

A year after the incident, the petite youngster stood before President George Maxwell Richards, who had to stoop to pin a Humming Bird Medal (Bronze) for "Gallantry," during the National Awards last Friday at the Prime Minister's Official Residence and Diplomatic Centre.

Relaxing at home yesterday, still glowing with pride over "shaking hands with the President and getting kissed by the Prime Minister," the youngster sat down all businesslike to be interviewed at her south Trinidad home. She remembers vividly the incident which took place on September 3, 2006.

Priya said that her parents always told her that she must always seek help whenever she saw something "bad" happening. "My daddy always tell me that anytime I see something bad happening, go and try to get help. And when I saw the bad people take my cousin and push her in a car, I said ˜I must save Candice'," Priya said.

Proud parents Suresh and Ghanmatie stood nearby looking at Priya with a mixture of admiration and love. Prior to the interview, the family had just returned from a funeral service.

Her childish innocence was apparent when asked to explain the significance of her getting a National Award, she could not. Asked about the details of the kidnapping incident, however, all innocence was gone the serious, thoughtful aspect of her personality came to the fore.

Priya said she was walking along a road with her cousin Candice at about mid morning on September 03, 2006 when a car pulled alongside them and a man jumped out of the car and grabbed Candice.

"I began to run quickly. I was frightened," Priya related as she reflexively held her teddy bear tighter as she related the ordeal. Priya said she ran until she met a group of men repairing a wooden bridge.

"I told the men that bad men were taking away Candice. They took me home and I told my papa what happened," Priya said. Together with other villagers worried relatives searched the area and found Candice abandoned in some bushes. Had Priya not raised an alarm, Candice's kidnappers would most probably not have abandoned her.

"I feel good about rescuing Candice," Priya said. "That's what you do when you see bad things happening... you go and help the person." The ordeal has brought Priya and Candice even closer.

Not willing to be photographed, Candice told Newsday: "I am very proud of Priya for having achieved the Humming Bird medal. I thank her still, for what she did. Priya is like a sister to me."

But family members attribute the child's bravery, to her parents. "Priya's father would always tell her that whenever she sees something bad happing, she must get help. I think that was instilled in her," Candice said.

Candice pinned the medal on Priya's t-shirt in the living room of the family home. She said that she was eager to start the new school term today to tell her friends.


A HERO'S SMILE: Priya Seeram with her smile that is more stunning and beautiful than the Humming Bird Medal (Bronze) she displays, awarded to her, for 'Gallantry' during the National Awards over the weekend.

Credit unions swipe debit card


Thursday, September 6 2007(T&T Newsday)


Credit union members will soon enjoy the advantages of their own international VISA co-branded debit card.

Jointly launched by Unit Trust Corporation (UTC) and LinCU Limited, the card is designed to give the 500,000 odd members of credit unions throughout Trinidad and Tobago, the convenience of an electronic payment solution.

In 2003 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the UTC and the founding shareholders of LinCU Ltd Rhand Credit Union Co-operative Society Limited, Teachers Credit Union Co-operative Society Limited, TECU Credit Union Co-operative Society Limited, and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Credit Union Co-operative Society Limited with a view to developing an International Visa Co-branded Debit Card to meet the needs of the credit union movement. LinCU Limited was formed in 2005, specifically to be the sole supplier of financial services, and data systems and services to the Credit Union Movement by leveraging human and technological resources to deliver client focussed products and services.

According to Mark Aggerholm, General Manager, LinCU Limited, "this product is groundbreaking as it provides a turnkey solution to all credit unions in Trinidad and Tobago regardless of their size and technical capabilities."

The debit card empowers credit union members by providing them 24 hour access to their funds at ATMs or at merchants' point of sale terminals anywhere in the world where the VISA symbol is displayed. A limited pilot programme was launched recently for the debit card at Rhand, Teachers, TECU and Police credit unions.

Now loading: Port prowess



Thursday, September 6 2007 (T&T Newsday)



Government's plan to construct a new state-of-the art containerised Port of Port-of-Spain along the waterfront at Sea Lots is a welcome one. Not only will it boost our economic status and facilitate the speedier turn around of vessels, it will also allow for a greater volume of exports at appreciably lower costs and make the exported products that more competitive on the international market.

In turn, lowered costs will not merely allow the port to retain the existing trans shipment cargo levels but to expand them as well. And, along with the Port of Point Lisas, it should make Trinidad and Tobago the premier trans shipment centre in the Southern Caribbean.

Construction of the new state of the art port, announced by Minister of Finance, Prime Minister Patrick Manning in his Budget Speech on August 20, is expected to start by the third quarter of 2008 and "be fully operational by the third quarter of 2010".

Selection of a Development Manager for the planned new port is expected to take place shortly, Mr Manning disclosed, and Requests for Proposals for the design and construction of the new port, which will replace the existing 70 year old facility off Wrightson Road, are to be invited in the first quarter of next year.

The emphasis placed by the Minister of Finance on the around the corner containerised port being a state of the art facility is an indication that Government is looking at and intent on employing the latest cargo handling technology in use today.

The proposed port will be a vast improvement on the present Port of Port-of-Spain, after all the days of brute manpower is all but passe. This new port rules out, hopefully, the possibility of excess labour and ought to sharply reduce the cost of cargo handling. A cheaper operating port means a ripple effect on lower cost of goods for consumers.

Although details the number of container berths planned, and actual size of the new port, for instance were not forthcoming in Finance Minister Manning's Budget presentation, the port will bring immense changes to the city. A lot of great cities were built around ports and with the Waterfront Project in tow, there is no reason why the capital city can't be put on the global trade map. But with such a port comes niggling questions? How is it going to fit into POS given that more vehicles will be making their way into and out of the port? How is it going to impact on traffic and its connection the rapid rail service ? Nonetheless, the new port promises to be the most advanced in the Southern Caribbean, including South American countries which are members of the Association of Caribbean States.

Planning for the new port should include new roads to and from the area, linked to the Beetham Highway and/or to the Churchill/Roosevelt Highway, to facilitate easy access and exit of the containerised cargo. It must be well planned or we face port chaos.

Electronic tags for parolees



By RHONDOR DOWLAT Tuesday, September 18 2007(T&T Newsday)



PRISONERS eligible for parole when the system is introduced will be electronically tagged to monitor their movements in a bid to prevent them from carrying out any acts of crime.

Minister in the Ministry of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds revealed this yesterday during his feature address at the launch of the Prison Initiative 2007-2008 Empowerment Programme, under Carleden Empowerment Resource Associates. The launch took place at the Chapel of the Maximum Security Prison in Arouca.

Hinds said prisoners who are out on parole would be able to be managed by law enforcement officers. He said the prisoners most likely to qualify for parole would be those convicted of traffic offences, persons who committed minor crimes and first time offenders.

He, however, revealed that eligible prisoners would be assessed. "When the parole system is introduced this will of course help with the overcrowding in the nation's prisons," Hinds stated.

Hinds said in 2001 a task force on penal reform had recommended that the parole system be introduced.

In 2002, he added that the Government accepted and appointed a 13 member Parole Advisory Committee.

This committee, he said, studied parole systems in the United Kingdom, United States and Canada for two years and had made recommendations that would be suitable locally. He said a report was handed to him about one month ago for review. "The report will also be submitted to the Attorney General and when the policy is finalised, it will then go to the Parliament for the implementation of the necessary legislation," Hinds said.


Hands up: Maximum Security Prison inmates, including those from the Women's Prison, raise their hands during yesterday's launch of the Prison Initiative 2007 - 2008 Empowerment Programme at Maximum Security Prison, Arouca.

Tuesday 18th September, 2007(Trinidad Guardian)


T&T in new bid for foreign investment


T&T is poised to become the next "economic hot spot" says Government's latest investment promotion campaign, and companies from around the world, including China, are being invited to join in making this a reality.

The new programme entitled, "We are Next," is intended to increase investment, particularly in the country's non energy sectors.

It was unveiled last week before thousands of businesses people at the at the 11th China International Fair for Investment and Trade in Xiamen, China. The fair is the only investment promotion event in China and one of the largest of its kind in the world. Local government officials from all 31 mainland Chinese provinces and 12,650 overseas visitors from 113 countries attended the fair last year.

A high level T&T delegation including Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry Margaret Parillon and senior officials of the ministry as well as private sector representatives are attending the fair in the hope of attracting business to this country.

The "We are Next" campaign promotes T&T as being poised to become the next economic hot spot, "adhering to aggressive investment promotion principles grounded in diversifying the economy away from energy into more sustainable sectors."

According to a statement from the Evolving Tecknologies and Enterprise Development Company (e Teck), "The initiative promotes T&T as a nation full of investment potential, open to partner with the right companies, and ready to support business from around the world."

Also with the delegation, Patricia Khan, e Teck's managear investment promotion said, "Not ignoring energy but moving into more sustainable sectors will be the key to our success in diversifying the economy."

She added: "We need to be very proactive in making these changes happen, among them, making it easier for local and foreign investors to engage in good business practices."

The campaign is being used in advertisements in such prestigious international business publications as The Economist, The Wall Street Journal and The Financial Times. The advertisements depict T&T as taking its place among countries like Dubai and Singapore which were once at a similar developing stage before becoming economic powerhouses.

After concluding their representation at the fair, some members of the mission joined another T&T delegation, including Port of Spain Mayor Murchison Brown, which headed to South Korea for the formal signing of a Sister City agreement twinning Port-of-Spain with the South Korean city of Yeosu. The twinning agreement was to be signed at a two day ceremony ending today.


We are Next

According to e Teck: "We Are Next...is a confident statement of purpose, placing T&T squarely alongside other global players that have ascended to become diversified economic powers.

Its first person plural "we" is personal and inviting, focusing on the country's most powerful asset its people while implicitly communicating the idea of partnership, beckoning the reader to join in the country's forward momentum. Its optimistic and future focused tone suggests urgency.



©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Eric I have some opulent pictures of the PMs hosue in Trinidad.

I will post them.

quote:

Originally posted by Nuff:
Eric I have some opulent pictures of the PMs hosue in Trinidad.

I will post them.

They are FAKES produced by the Indo oppositon for the purposes of mischief....

Thursday 13th September, 2007


Renaissance living



With Home Construction Ltd's One Woodbrook Place over budget, developers of this super luxurious apartment building assures its tenants that there will be no cost overruns at the Shorelands complex Our cost for every day that we are delayed for a non claim related issue could be US$30,000. Everyday you delay now is a delay at the end.


BY SANDRA CHOUTHI(Trinidad Guardian Business)



Buyers of units at The Renaissance the 74 unit luxury apartment building under construction at Shorelands are worried that increases in the final price of Home Construction Ltd's (HCL) One Woodbrook Place complex will affect the entire real estate market.

In an interview published in the August 16 Business Guardian, HCL's CEO Michael Fifi said One Woodbrook Place was overdue and overbudget due to labour shortages and increases in material costs.

Responding to challenges most contractors are facing today, Jason Lindsay, a development economist with Amera Caribbean Development Ltd, the developers of the Shorelands project, said, "We have been reading a lot of what is happening in the construction industry and the problems people are having to manage cost. Buyers into Shorelands are wondering if Amera are having similar problems."

He said the Amera constructed Briar Place on Sweet Briar Road, St Clair, was on budget but a little behind schedule.

"Right now all developers have the same challenges: everybody is trying to come in on time and on budget.

"We changed a couple of critical things during the design and that probably led to the extension. We changed the cladding design."

Lindsay, who has a degree in economics and finance management, said developers can no longer come in on the cheapest budget and try to squeeze on time.

"You could have done this five, maybe ten years ago; now you can't."

He said the Shorelands developers had to decide whether to use steel or concrete for the project which is financed by First International Caribbean Bank/RBTT: they settled on steel.

While steel is more expensive, the developers could more reliably obtain steel than concrete.

"We were advised by everybody and their lawyer to go with brickwork, blockwork, go with a concrete structure."

They chose steel because they couldn't risk other contractors' work being delayed because of the unavailability of concrete.

"The steel has to be so far ahead for the other contractors to start for reasons of safety and logistics of pouring concrete."

Amera and the McGill Group also decided to lock contractors into a fixed price contract for steel, which is being fabricated in Venezuela and Canada.

Lindsay said a project coming in on time and on budget largely depends on how a developer manages his relationship with his contractor.

One day's delay can be costly for the developer.

"Our cost for every day that we are delayed for a non claim related issue could be US$30,000. Every day you delay now is a delay at the end.

"If this day will cost me a day at the end of the project, then that day will be the interest on the full amount of the loans run, which is a little less than US$30,000, but if you build that up with your other factors in the formula, it could end up being US$30,000 or more a day."

Lindsay said the larger contractors are giving preference to government jobs, adding that the Government, unlike private sector developers, doesn't suffer from loss of revenue.

"Every month that I finish a project late, I'm losing that revenue from my tenants."

The original cost of The Renaissance was $422 million.

That has been revised to $466 million.

"The budget went up because of inflation," Lindsay said. "We tried to package out and lock into fixed price contracts, but the truth is these are really extraordinary times in construction.

"A contractor would rather release a job than be held to his original terms. And we could not have locked into some of the deals when we wanted to for one reason or another."

Purchasers of units at The Renaissance will live in the very lap of luxury, enjoying elegant staircases, well appointed designer kitchens, valet parking and concierge services.

Pure opulence

Twenty five luxury apartments at Shorelands, The Renaissance, were sold in six days.

None was advertised.

Buyers some of them CEOs of publicly listed companies found out by word of mouth that the apartments were for sale.

Nealco Properties, a member of the Neal and Massy Group of Companies, is the primary broker of The Renaissance, which is being developed by Amera Caribbean Development Ltd and the McGill Group.

The notice board at the construction site officially lists the developer as Shorelands CMC Ltd.

Thirty five of the 74 apartments have so far been sold to "names that you'd recognise," said Jason Lindsay, development economist with Amera.

He said a confidentiality clause signed by each buyer prevented him from disclosing the identities of these captains of industry.

The project offers two , three and four bedroom apartments. The two bedroom units comprise 2,700 square feet and are priced at $2,400 a square foot.

Similar sized apartments at One Woodbrook Place are between $2,000 and $2,100 a square foot.

The Renaissance's two bedroom unit (Rembrandt) started at $5 million, but a 30 per cent increase has put that at just over $7 million.

The three bedroom (Dante) apartments are $8 million.

The four bedroom (Da Vinci) ones are going for between $10 million and $11 million.

Two of the eight penthouses have been sold, four are not for sale.

Four of the penthouses Michelangelo have 360 degree views of the Gulf of Paria.

Buyers have so far paid down 20 per cent of the final cost. Purchase agreements include a 15 per cent inflation rate. Lindsay said if the figure goes above that, buyers have the option to stay or leave.

Lindsay described The Renaissance as luxury living.

"The kitchens are from Germany," he said. "We visited their factory in Germany and they are impressive, to say the least."

Counter tops will be of marble and granite.

Project managers are Bovis Lend Lease, which is constructing an A grade 26 storey commercial office tower in Kuala Lumpur.

"Bovis is the biggest contractor and manager on the east coast of the US," Lindsay said. "We needed somebody who could do this with their eyes closed."

A DVD of the project, accompanied by big movie screen type soundtrack, shows the lower apartments of the two buildings in a coffee brown, the middle ones in olive, and a deeper shade of olive for the higher units. A winding staircase leads to the bedrooms.

The wine coloured hardcover brochure lists such features as secure access controlled elevators.

That's a fancy way of saying the elevator opens to your apartment door.

Living at The Renaissance will also come with valet parking and concierge services.

"The Renaissance at Shorelands is a superb ensemble of contemporary living spaces, incorporating every luxury you could desire. A place of beauty, security, serenity and opulence," the brochure read. Sandra Chouthi




Architect:
Fullerton Diaz Architects, Inc, Florida.

Interior designer:

Nick Luaces Design Associates

of Florida.

Landscape architect:

Talma Mill Studios Ltd, Florida.

About Jason Lindsay...

Jason Lindsay development economist, Amera Caribbean Development Ltd.


Photo: SHIRLEY BAHADUR

At 34, Jason Lindsay is a development economist with Amera Caribbean Development Ltd, a member of the Rahael group of companies.

He has a BSc in finance management and an economics degree from East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania.

His tertiary education does not end there.

The young achiever also has a masters in development finance from Redding University.

He worked briefly at Dun and Bradstreet"”the world's leading source of commercial information and insight on businesses.

"I was fortunate to end up in the right place at the right time.

"I was an accounts co-ordinator.

"They outsource...big companies like American Airlines, IBM, different areas of their business.

"I would manage the accounts of DHL, IBM, their client issues, financial issues as well as some logistics."

He credited a combination of experience and opportunity that allowed him to progress as fast as he had.

As the son of an electrical engineer, Lindsay said, "When you have engineering parentage, it's difficult to avoid logic and the sequencing."

On returning from studying abroad, Lindsay worked with the National Insurance Property Development Company (Nipdec) as a project analyst on pre construction sites.

He told the story of how he landed that job.

Then general manager Noel Garcia walked in as Lindsay was being interviewed by Margaret Thompson, then manager of business development.

"Garcia comes in screaming about a problem which, coincidentally, was a mathematical problem. Some of the line items in the budget weren't working out. We worked out the problem.

"I got a job that was not the job that I went in for: project officer. I ended up being the project analyst. I went up."

After five years with Nipdec, Lindsay took a ten week break and headed for South America; his maternal grandparents are Venezuelan.

On his return, he got a call from Joseph Rahael, managing director of Amera. Rahael is the son of Health Minister John Rahael.

Today, Lindsay also represents Amera's 50/50 partnership with the McGill Group Jeffrey Guillen and Richard Woodruff for the 74-unit luxury apartment Shorelands project, The Renaissance. SC

Russian Bear targets T&T's LNG plant


By Raffique Shah


Wednesday, September 12th 2007


picture & source
Energy Minister Dr Lenny Saith.



LOCAL bpTT officials have strenuously denied it. BP international spokesmen have skirted the issue. But it is difficult to dismiss numerous reports in authoritative publications that suggest BP will offer Russia's Gazprom, the world's biggest natural gas company, part of its 38 per cent stakes in Trinidad's Atlantic LNG.

Speculation is that Gazprom, which controls 25 per cent of gas piped to Western Europe, an even higher percentage of gas that fuels East European countries, and a significant portion of Japan's huge gas imports, wants to get a toehold in the US market. And it sees Atlantic LNG, which supplies 65 per cent of the US liquefied natural gas requirements, as the perfect vehicle.

The story has its genesis in a duel between state owned Gazprom and the TNK BP consortium that spent billions of dollars developing a productive gas field in Kovykta, East Siberia. Because the field promises to be a lucrative one, TNK BP resisted Gazprom's threat to revoke the consortium's license.

On June 22, the two parties signed a memorandum of understanding with Gazprom and agreed to sell their 63 per cent interest in the Kovykta field for US$900 million.

BP indicated it would also sell its 50 per cent interest in East Siberian Gas Co, a company constructing a regional gasification project.

Later, reports in Russia's Novosti press, as well as in Forbes magazine, Business Week, the Times of London, PricewaterhouseCoopers and several other reputable publications, stated that BP was ready to set up a joint venture with Gazprom and, as quoted from Novosti: "...contribute its stake in an LNG plant in Trinidad and Tobago. If the deal is signed, Gazprom may become one of the largest LNG suppliers to the United States."

It quoted a Gazprom spokesman as confirming the report. And Valery Nesterov of Troika Dialog investment company said: "BP's shares in ALNG are highly liquid assets with a profitable market. He added that in 2006 the US imported 16.25 billion cubic metres (bcm) of LNG, of which 10.85bcm came from Atlantic LNG.

Forbes magazine (August 23rd) alluded to the transactions between BP and Gazprom. It said (inter alia): "After the Kremlin allowed BP the option of acquiring a minority stake in the coveted Kovykta gas fields, the two companies announced a US$3 billion global venture, though they did not provide specifics. The article continued: "Therefore BP's Kovykta deal is quite an achievement and one it will have to repay in kind. And what could be better than giving Gazprom access to the lucrative US market?

The Caribbean country of Trinidad and Tobago is the biggest supplier of liquefied natural gas to the US, supplying 65.5 per cent of the 16.56bcm that are consumed by the country every year. Though Gazprom has been making steady inroads into Europe, sparking concerns that the continent could become too dependent on Russia for its energy supplies, it has had no opportunities until now in the US"

Forbes continued: "A spokesman for BP said the company was in 'ongoing discussions with Gazprom' as part of the deal reached over Kovykta. 'We said then that we would discuss cooperation on future developments and would be looking at everything we have in our portfolio.' He said that the company would not comment on the current rumours, adding that BP 'had ruled nothing in and nothing out.'"

Meanwhile, bpTT's Media and Communications Advisor, Luis Araujo, told Business Express: "There have been reports circulating in the international media about Gazprom and BP's interests in Trinidad. This unconfirmed article with information attributed to an unnamed source was first reported in the Vedomosti newspaper in Moscow. BP considers the story to be pure speculation and, as such, does not comment on speculation or rumours."

And Energy Minister Dr Lenny Saith, who indicated he'd had no information on any such "deal" from BP, said the company would first have to seek leave from government. "In the energy sector, even major shareholders must seek leave from government for any of their shares to be transferred to another company. Government must approve such transaction." He proffered: "But I don't see why Gazprom would want to come here to get a toehold on the US LNG market. It's the biggest company in the world, and it has massive operations off Russia's east coast, which is close to America's west coast. It can simply use gas from those fields to break into the US market."

But BP's CEO Tony Hayward told a UK newspaper of the company's joint venture with Gazprom: "We will initially be looking for projects of at least $3 billion, but the potential for further growth could be very significant. This historic agreement lays the ground for powerful co-operation between BP, TNK-BP and Gazprom." Dr Hayward said the companies would immediately set up a joint steering group to look for suitable investment options "across all geographies."

"Our firm aim is to establish a venture that is strategic and long term, with mutual benefits for the companies, both inside and outside Russia."

The BP-Gazprom joint venture agreement was signed at a Kremlin ceremony overseen by First Deputy Prime Minister and Gazprom chairman Dmitry Medvedev, who is a leading contender to succeed President Vladimir Putin. Putin has stepped up the drive to bring oil and gas reserves back into the folds of the state as his presidential term approaches its end (March 2008). There must be political ramifications to any sale of BP shares in Atlantic LNG to Gazprom, especially since relations between Washington and Moscow have cooled considerably after President Bush announced a decision to deploy a missile defence system in Poland and several other countries close to Russia's border.

What remains in question is whether or not BP will go ahead and shed some of its shares to Gazprom, and if the Trinidad and Tobago Government would approve of it. Cash laden Gazprom may be eyeing Atlantic LNG not simply to continue supplying the latter's current end product to the USA, but with a view to expanding production significantly.

Recently, Prime Minister Patrick Manning announced that "Train X", an addition to ALNG's four trains, will not be built at this time. This came even before the Ryder Scott report pointed to limited gas reserves in this country. Gazprom, if it does get a slice of ALNG, will more than likely look to Venezuela for gas supplies to the Point Fortin based plant to boost production, hence supply to the USA. Presidents Putin and Hugo Chavez share warm relations.

Russia has, by far, the biggest gas reserves in the world-6,112tcf, followed way behind by Iran (971tcf) and Qatar (911tcf). With Gazprom controlling almost all of that country's gas fields, installations, ports and related facilities, it is the biggest gas entity in the world. But expanding into LNG production and distribution is becoming increasingly expensive. Plant costs have gone up by over 50 per cent within recent times, and specialised ships needed to transport the 161 degrees Celsius cargoes have doubled in cost.

Recently, Qatar, the second biggest LNG producer and exporter in the world (after Indonesia), acquired 30 such vessels. This would ensure Qatar's capability to deliver its ever-increasing volumes of LNG to the biggest importer in the world, Japan, and the "new giants on the block", China and India.

Trinidad and Tobago will soon encounter some competition on the US market as Peru and Bolivia move to establish LNG plants and terminals. The USA has five LNG import facilities (re-gasification terminals) in operation and three more are currently under construction in the Gulf of Mexico. The USA's current import capacity stands at 1.6 trillion cubic feet per year. A PwC 2007 report on the future of LNG states: "Trade in natural gas has outpaced overall natural gas trade. It is predicted to rise to 37 to 38 per cent of all natural gas crossing national borders by 2020.

If the BP-Gazprom deal with the former's ALNG shares comes to pass, it would signal a new meaning to "globalisation". It would also signal the first foray into this part of the world by "the Russian bear". Is Trinidad and Tobago ready to embrace the "bear" or be embraced by it? We should soon find out.

Heritage Fund set for record highs


Louis B Homer South Bureau



Friday, September 21st 2007(T&T Express)


Increasing investments in the non energy sector could propel the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund to record heights in the next 12 years, it was said yesterday.

The forecast is based on a recent study by the International Monetary Fund.

Central Bank governor Ewart Williams said the study suggested that "given the expected trend in oil prices over the next two decades the fund could build up assets of up to US$40 billion by 2020".

He said the prediction by the IMF was a "fairly conservative figure since it assumes a rate of return on investment of four per cent which is considered average for sovereign funds".

Williams said the current non energy fiscal deficit was 15 per cent and to achieve the fiscal objective of US$40 billion, the non energy deficit should drop to ten per cent of the Gross Domestic Product.

Williams, who was addressing the South Trinidad Chamber of Industry and Commerce's annual general meeting at Cara Suites, Claxton Bay, said the HSF Act, which was approved by Parliament in March, was consistent with the best practice legislation for sovereign wealth funds.

He said the legislation provided for "clear deposit and withdrawal rules that incorporate checks and balances and a number of provisions to ensure adequate transparency and accountability".

New electronic system for safer cheque payments



Driselle Ramjohn


Tuesday, September 18th 2007 (T&T Express)



A NEW electronic payment system for the banking sector has been established to reduce the risk associated with the cheque payment system.

It took effect yesterday.

Under this new system it will cost $100 to deposit a cheque valued at $500,000 and over at any bank.

This charge does not apply to Government cheques.

The system was established by the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago in conjunction with all local commercial banks.

In a published notice yesterday the Bankers Association of Trinidad and Tobago explained that despite to increase in the payment for goods and service being done by electronic means, that is debit cards, credit cards and wire transfers, the majority of payments, especially larger value payments are still made by cheques, certified and personal.

"Generally invisible to most customers, the cheque payment system is not without inefficiencies which ultimately affect you the consumer whether as an individual or business entity," the Association said.

Some of these inefficiencies include cheque fraud and uncertainty of payment, cheques taking time to clear and the inconvenience and expense to the person receiving a returned or bounced cheque.

The new system will allow people to have same day access to payment values made to them when the payment is being made using the new "Safe tt" system.

Interest begins to accrue immediately on deposits made this way.

The other feature of the system "Tansach" is designed for payments below $500,000 and allows companies to make or receive payments electronically among banks with access to funds and interest available the day after the payment is made.

Regardless of amount, a cheque deposited at a bank which is drawn on another bank will not be accessible until after it is cleared, which may take up to four days and not generate credit interest until the day after it is deposited.

Interchange on track

By Juhel Browne


Wednesday, September 19th 2007(T&T Express)


picture & source
Works and Transport Minister Colm Imbert at the sod turning ceremony for the Uriah Buttler/ Churchill Roosevelt Highways interchange earlier this year. Photo:Micheal Bruce



Phase two of the Interchange at the intersection of the Uriah Butler and Solomon Hochoy highways is now about $10 million under budget and on schedule, says Works and Transport Minister Colm Imbert.

Phase two or Package B which was originally set to cost $321 million and has been awarded to the French contractor Vinci Construction Grands Projects which led a consortium in an unsuccessful bid for the $15 billion Trinidad Rapid Rail Project (TRRP).

The sod turning ceremony for this phase of the Interchange project was held on February 7 and Imbert was among those in attendance.

Phase two includes the construction of the west to south ramp, with a major, steel structure spanning the Churchill Roosevelt and Uriah Butler Highways.

Pile driving works are now ongoing for the large piers that will support the main bridge for the Interchange.

Phase two also includes the construction of a new, diamond interchange, and service roads at the Bamboo Intersection.

"From all of the information I have they are on schedule and below the originally contracted sum at this point in time, by a sum of approximately $10 million," Imbert said in interview.

He said this has occurred even though there has been an increase in the cost of steel and other items for the project because there were savings in the earthworks and construction.

"When you balance the savings against the increase, the net effect is a reduction in the cost of the project from $321 million to $310 million. At this time, we do not foresee any cost overruns or any delays."

In his 2008 Budget presentation in the Parliament on August 20, Prime Minister and Finance Minister Patrick Manning said phase two of the Interchange project was on time and within budget and it was scheduled to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Manning said construction of road diversions is in progress to allow the project to proceed with minimal impact on commuters, and pile driving has commenced for the main abutments for the elevated bridge structure which will allow traffic to flow from West to South without conflicting with traffic from East to West.

On its website, the National Infrastructure Development Company (NIDCO), the State owned special purpose enterprise that is managing the Interchange project said that the aim of phase two is to allow people to drive freely from west to south Trinidad.

"One of the main components of this package is a 45 feet high, 600 metre long bridge over the Churchill Roosevelt Highway and Uriah Butler Highway, in addition to works at the Bamboo interchange. The bridge will run from the San Juan River Bridge to Grand Bazaar," the NIDCO website states.

"Its height will facilitate the construction of an overpass separating the east west and northbound phase of the Interchange. The expected outcome is that traffic at this intersection will be reduced by 50 per cent since 50 per cent of the traffic congestion at this intersection is caused by people driving to South Trinidad."

Imbert said last week that pile driving for phase two began about one month ago for the main bridge structure that goes over the intersection as part of the Interchange.

He said that on top of the abutments there will be piers which help support the bridge.

The high cost of safe parking

Spanking new Parkade to open soon


By Kimoy Leon Sing and Jensen LaVende



Wednesday, September 19th 2007 (T&T Express)


picture & source
The Government Campus Plaza Parkade, complete but still closed to the public. Photos: Kenrick Bobb



MOTORISTS coming into downtown Port of Spain say they are not sure they can fork out $400 a month to park at the government's spanking new facility The Government Campus Plaza Parkade.

Parkade, the newest and largest parking facility, located on Richmond Street, can accommodate 1,600 vehicles. Construction work began in June 2004 and was completed on December 2006. But, almost a year after completion the facility is not yet opened to the public.

And as some car park rates creep upward taxi drivers and motorists still say they would prefer to battle police and tow trucks and park in abandon lots to avoid the stress of looking for a parking spot in Port of Spain.

Anand Boodram, 30, a taxi driver working the Sangre Grande to Arima route said parking rates in Port of Spain are just not reasonable. In fact another taxi driver confessed that there were private car owners who park on the stand to escape the horror of finding a safe place to park.

Not all agree with Boodram however, and are looking forward to the opening the facility.

Parkade which is seven stories high, comes equipped with 64 fire extinguisher systems, two entrances and exits and boasts of being the safest parking area in the country. The two exits would be on Queen and Richmond streets and two entrances on Edward and Queen streets. It would include bathrooms on all floors and would be designed to cater for the needs of disabled citizens.

Tricia Henry Corporate Communications Specialist Urban Development Corporation of T&T (UDeCOTT) said that a regular monthly and reserved rate will not be made available until all 1,600 parking spaces are opened for use and after all utilities have been installed on Richmond Street. The hourly rate will be $5 while the daily rate will be $40. The Port of Spain Cathedral also offers parking accommodations at the same hourly rates.

Carol Duprey, has worked there for the past 12 years, said the rates have remained constant for the last three years. "It does not matter if another parking facility sets up, we want to supply a service to the citizens, it is not another business venture for us,"she said.

Speaking to the Business Express an attendant of South Quay Car Park said," I have been working here for the past two years and since that time, the rate has gone up twice."

Gregory Aboud, president of the Downtown Owners and Merchants Association, (DOMA) said the idea of the Parkade provides tremendous convenience for city workers. He said the idea of turning the Salvatori Building into a multi parking facility among other things, would be a good one.

"The additional capacity of Parkade would certainly assists those few, willing to park and walk long distances to the shopping district," he added.

The question being asked by motorist is, "how would Parkade benefit us?"

Henry said only 800 parking spaces would be available at the Parkade to members of the public.

As Port of Spain continually develops and with the recent construction of governmental and private organizations the need for adequate parking has become essential. Henry believes Parkade would indeed offer some form of relief to the public when it come on stream.

Just when is that?

Henry couldn't say exactly but word around town is that drivers should begin ramping up the new parking facility on October 1.

Royal Bank expands in Caribbean with $2.2B
acquisition


Last Updated: Tuesday, October 2, 2007 | 4:14 PM ET

CBC News


Royal Bank of Canada confirmed Tuesday it plans to buy RBTT Financial Group of Trinidad and Tobago in a deal worth about $2.2 billion.

Royal wants to combine RBTT, formerly the Royal Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, with its existing Caribbean operations, creating a network with 130 branches and $13.7 billion US in assets in 18 countries.

Royal said the move marks its return to Trinidad and Tobago after it had operations there from 1902 to 1987.

RBTT shareholders will get $40 (Trinidad and Tobago) per share, with 60 per cent in cash and the remaining 40 per cent in Royal Bank shares.

The board of directors of RBTT approved the offer and recommended that shareholders accept it.

"This is a transformational acquisition for RBC in the Caribbean, one that extends our reach into many important markets, notably Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and the Dutch Caribbean," said Peter Armenio, RBC's head of U.S. and International Banking.

Shares of Royal Bank of Canada gained 60 cents, finishing at $56.53 on the TSX.

Ministry probes rapid rail bribe claims


Tuesday, September 25th 2007(T&T Express)


An investigation is under way to determine whether anyone in the National Infrastructure Development Co (Nidco) received any bribes to influence the selection of the preferred bidder for phase one of the $15 billion Trinidad Rapid Rail Project.

Works and Transport Minister Colm Imbert said the Ministry has been looking into allegations made by Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar that three senior Nidco officials were paid inducements during the tender evaluation process.

That process resulted in the consortium led by French contractor Bouygues Travaux Publics being approved as the preferred bidder for phase one of the TRRP.

In an exclusive interview with the Express, Imbert said Persad Bissessar's allegations were being investigated, even though he said in the Parliament on September 3 that the tender evaluation process made it "virtually impossible" for anyone involved to have received an inducement.

Imbert, as he had done in the Parliament, called on Persad Bissessar to provide the names of the officials in Nidco who she alleged had received bribes.

"We're checking but in the absence of her providing the information what are we supposed to check? We don't know who it is. We don't know how they take the alleged inducement," Imbert said.

He said that he was yet to see any of the documents Persad Bissessar said were proof that her allegations were true.

"She spoke about bank accounts. Well, where are these bank accounts, you know. So, we're not taking it on this point in time," Imbert said.

He said that despite the lack of any evidence provided by Persad Bissessar to support her allegations, the Ministry is keeping its eyes open.

"We will want to be sure that everything is correct but there is no concrete evidence of anything yet," Imbert said.

He said once the Government confirms the Bouygues consortium submitted a complaint bid, "did not falsify anything and there is no bribery involved", the contract for phase one would be finalised at the end of next month, with the work to be conducted over the following 18 month period.


Juhel Browne

New health initiative launched


CEDRIC CONNOR, senior manager, planning and development, UTT, left, and PROF KENNETH JULIEN, chairman of the board of governors and president UTT, centre, applaud PRIME MINISTER PATRICK MANNING following his launch of the T&T Health Sciences Initiative Web site at the Crowne Plaza hotel, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain, yesterday. Photo: Jennifer Watson


BY RHONDA KRYSTAL RAMBALLY


JOHNS HOPKINS Medicine International (JHMI) is to join the T&T Government, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education and the University of T&T (UTT) to form the T&T Health Sciences Initiative (TTHSI).

The initiative was officially launched yesterday at the San Fernando Room, Crowne Plaza hotel, Wrightson Road, Port-of Spain.

The programme is aimed at advancing medicine and health sciences in T&T and other countries in the region, with the JHMI providing administrative and organisational support services, technical assistance, advisory services and clinical and scientific expertise.

The project will focus on academic and research programmes, specialty and clinical programmes and infrastructure and management programmes.

Minister of Health John Rahael called the launch "a red letter day for the delivery of health care to the people of T&T."

He said the launch of the TTHSI would see the country "revolutionising the health sector in keeping with the vision of what our Government shares, of a people empowered to live healthier and consequently, more productive, happier and longer lives."

Prime Minister Patrick Manning, who delivered the feature address, praised JHMI's reputation as a world class medical institution, adding, "T&T has been able to benefit immeasurably from the tremendously wide ranging expertise provided by this most renowned institution."

He added that the TTHSI will design a replacement facility for the Port-of-Spain General Hospital and the establishment of a "brand new hospital in Central Trinidad."

Professor Kenneth Julien, chairman of the board of governors and president of the University of Trinidad & Tobago (UTT), and PM Manning later launched the TTHSI Web site www.tthsi.org.tt

About JHMI

For more than a century, Johns Hopkins Medicine International has set a standard of excellence in medical education, research and clinical care to fulfill its mission of improving the health of the local community and the world.

In 2007, the Johns Hopkins Hospital was ranked the number one hospital in America by the US newsmagazine US News & World Report for the 17th consecutive year.

T&T Health Sciences Initiative (TTHSI)

Specific Projects

Academic and Research Programme:

A Masters in Health Administration (UTT), which started this month.

Professional courses in management development for personnel in the Ministry of Health and the regional health authorities (RHAs).

Establishment of the Caribbean Herbal Research Institute (CAHMRI).

Enhanced Nursing Education and Medical Education.

Specialty and Clinical Programmes:

Expansion of cardiovascular services at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC).

An intention to improve screening procedures for diabetics and to provide additional technologies for the early identification of complications associated with the disease

Expanded training for health care personnel at the community level.

A proposal is soon expected to establish a mechanism for mandatory new born hearing screening.

Training of personnel to identify hearing problems and rehabilitate those already affected.

Infrastructure and management programmes:

Development of a master plan for the Port-of-Spain replacement hospital.

A new hospital in Central Trinidad.

Management system reviews at the San Fernando General Hospital and the EWSMC.

Expected outcomes include:

clinical, administrative and educational plans,

performance incentives,

management structures and,

regulatory requirements.



©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Towards a Healthier nation

Caldeo Sookram


Tuesday, October 2nd 2007(T&T Express)


picture
pumping iron: Minister Conrad Enill demonstrates his skills on the gym equipment. - PHOTOS: MICHEAL BRUCE


Friday September 28 was a significant day in the history of the Ministry of Finance. It was the official opening of its Health and Fitness Centre.

"Choose to Change, Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle," was the motto of the centre.

Conrad Enill, Minister in the Ministry of Finance, addressed staff members, cut the ribbon and demonstrated his skills in using some of the equipment at the gym facility.

In his address, Minister Enill said there were 145,000 persons accessing medication in the country at present.

"That resulted," he said, "in people not taking care of themselves."

"There are things in life you can't replace. Health," he added, "is something you can never replace. Health is most important in most matters. The challenge is to find time for ourselves. Use some of your time to maintain a healthy lifestyle."

The minister then urged staff, "Go with the programme. Take yourself seriously. Aim at excellence. That is what Vision 2020 is all about a healthy lifestyle. The quality of life that we have can always improve."

The objectives of the fitness centre are to set health and wellness goals, develop healthy eating habits, develop a fitness routine, maintain a healthy lifestyle and relieve stress. said the minister.

Thereafter, Minister Enill led the gathering to the gym, located downstairs of the Central Bank building, where he cut the ribbon to open the new facilities.

Much to the surprise of many, Minister Enill took turns in using different equipment.

Then, everybody returned to the courtyard of the Central Bank again.

There was an aerobic display followed by an exhibition by bodybuilders Richard and Carla.

When Richard appeared, the "oohs" and "aahs" from female members of the audience never stopped until they departed.

"That is the promise held for you when you join the gym," advised the chairperson.

Local group H2O Phlo provided some musical entertainment.

Arabia, anyone?

Michael Mondezie


Wednesday, October 3rd 2007(T&T Express)


picture
JUS GRILLIN': Sabry, left and Khaled show their skill on the grill.



A taste of Arabia, that's what the Hilton Trinidad is giving diners this week at their Middle Eastern Food Festival Flavours of Arabia.

Two Egyptian Chefs have been flown in for the occasion and mas man Brain Mc Farlene has employed some impressive Middle Eastern style décor to transform the hotel's Pool Terrace restaurant into a sheik's palace.

A large bronzed Arabian styled archway has been installed at the entrance to the restaurant and gold and maroon coloured drapes have been hung from the ceiling above the dining tables to give the place an authentic Middle Eastern feel. The tables have also been set with Arabian styled linen and the waitress and waiters outfitted in Middle Eastern garb.

Chefs Ahmed Farag Souror Khaled and Essmat Sabry, both of the Hilton Cairo in Egypt, will prepare a series of signature Middle Eastern dishes nightly at the festival that ends on Saturday.

"I have eight different dishes planed so diners will be served something new each night.

"We're both happy to be here and have planned well to showcase the cuisine of our part of the world," Khaled said excitedly during a brief interview before dinner.

The visiting chefs worked in tandem with the hotel's kitchen staff to prepare a mouth watering feast for the opening night of the festival on Thursday.

Their Lebanese stuffed chicken called Dajaj Mashi, lamb casserole called Fatta and Saudi Rice (Aroz Saudi) were quite popular among diners. *

"The Dajaj Mashi is very famous in Egypt. It is unusual because the stuffing for the chicken is rice and it is served with vegetables," Sabry explained following diner.

He said he wasn't sure what the reaction would be to the Saudi Rice, which is mixture of rice, raisins and Middle Eastern spices.

"It is a bit sweet so I wasn't sure how it would be accepted here, but people keep returning so it's a good sign," he joked.

President George Maxwell Richards was among those returning for a second helping at the buffet on opening night.

Both chefs seemed genuinely pleased to receive the President's approval.

"We explained to him what everything is and he said it was tasty so we're happy," Sabry said.

George Chakra and his band kept guests entertained with a medley of Arabian music. Chakra later downed his instruments to execute a traditional Arabic dance with a belly dancer.

The real thrill, however, came when the belly dancer strutted her stuff across the restaurant much to the amusement of guests including president Richards, who indulged in a little jig with the dancer.


*One of my favorites also!

Library's 'Tale-a-thon' excites kids

Kelisha Bello


Thursday, September 13th 2007(T&T Express)



ENTHRALLED: Rapso artiste Brother Resistance grabs the attention of the children as he tells them a tale of Anansi.



STORYTELLING at the National Library last Saturday was a "big thing", with many children and parents present. The first storyteller for the morning was Zalayhar Hassanali, wife of former president, the late Noor Hassanali, who gave an informative tale on the legend of the humming bird.

The 'Tale-a-thon'-a morning of telling children stories, one after the next was the brainchild of children's librarian Denyse Gonzales, director Public Libraries Division. She told the Express they decided to invite storytellers and members of the community along with parents.

Gonzales said all the storytellers were "willing and happy" to do it for free. "Storytelling is a critical part of literacy. We read and listen. It is the oral tradition."

Singer Mavis John gave a rousing performance as she opened her piece in song, calling on the children and parents in the audience to keep time by clapping. She read a local story by author Lynette Commissiong entitled "Mind me good now".

Calypsonian Brigo (Samuel Abraham) sang his classic, "Don't beat mama popo", and said that calypso tells a story in rhythm and rhyme. He described calypso as telling a story to music.

Actress/writer Lylah Persad grabbed the attention of all present with her story, "One man's garbage is another man's treasure".

Persad wrote the story after she accepted the invitation to the Tale-a-thon and got an actor to play the main character, Tommy.

She said, "I think this is an excellent programme. It helps children to read and listen. In case they miss the story, children pick up on the little things. I always try to give a message."

Building on the momentum created by storyteller Taharqua Obika, Lutalo Masimba, better known as Brother Resistance, said that any book should be a "big thing" because reading is essential to life. The children enjoyed the Anansi tale, with several youngsters surrounding the artiste to look at the colourful pictures.

Errol Fabien, another storyteller, said, "We need to have many more programmes like this throughout communities. People need to come out, we need to expose our children." He thought that the format should have given the stories in smaller bites with more folk stories to incorporate ethnicity.

One grandparent present, Moy Belgrave of Westmoorings, said, "Every month I bring my three grandchildren to the library. I brought my grand-daughter because I thought that it would be good for the child. I enjoyed the programme thoroughly and there should be more events like this. My mother used to tell us stories when we were small and I enjoyed it."

During a break in the performances, Chloe Rollock, an 11-year-old pupil of Maria Regina Grade School, said of the Tale-a-thon, "I like it a lot. My friends are here. I liked the one with Anansi."

Hamanan Hoolasie, eight, a Standard Three pupil of La Pastora Government Primary School, said, "I came to borrow books but I think that this is very good, exciting."

Librarian Gonzales said, "We are really happy with the turnout. The library is a place where things happen. There are no 'be quiet' signs around here for a reason. Every Saturday we hope to have programmes."