Let international firms pay in US$

He was speaking at a swearing- in ceremony of Ainsworth Mohammed as a member of the Port Authority board at the Office of the President, St Ann’s.

Carmona said it was a great appointment because of Mohammed’s financial acumen.

“The reality is that we have a lot of national organisations that simply need to make money.

For far too long we have allowed persons to pay peppercorn rates at the Port Authority and we need to stop that.

In fact, when dealing with international firms, they need to pay in US dollars and not TT dollars,” he said.

Carmona also suggested that the possibilities of the yachting industry should be looked at.

“I hope one day that maybe, and I’m not encroaching on government policy because I am a humanitarian, we can have massive yachts parked alongside that entire Sea Lots area. There will be great prosperity for all in that particular area and it can start with the Port Authority.” Speaking with reporters after, Mohammed said with his area of expertise in management, he trusts he would be able to bring that to the fore to the benefit of the board and the country as a whole.

Also sworn in yesterday was Justice Roger Hamel-Smith as a member of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission and Commodore Anthony Stafford Franklin as a member of the Police Service Commission.

Carmona commended all for their commitment to public service.

“It’s not going to be a straight road. You are going to get the slings and the arrows but you are armoured with intellect and integrity to make decisions that you feel are fair and reasonable according to your training, your experience and your sense of doing right and ensuring that wrong is not committed.

Continue to rally, TT is a fantastic place.

Yes we have issues, yes we have problems, we hold the crucible of the world’s transformation in our hands and we must not drop that crucible. It resides in the heart, the mind and soul of every citizen of Trinidad and Tobago.”