Come together to fight crime

TRADE AND INDUSTRY Minis-ter Ken Valley is appealing to the country to unite to fight crime. Valley, in an address at the Chairman’s Ball of the reactivated Sugar and Energy Festival at Sevilla Club, Brechin Castle, Couva, last  Saturday, urged people “to come together and fight crime and, if we do so, we will soon see a downward movement.” He said an event like the Sugar and Energy Festival had a positive effect on society as it helped  communities to unite. Valley said that Prime Minister Patrick Manning was particularly pleased with the joint effort of the Couva/Pt Lisas Chamber of Com-merce and the Couva/Tabaquite/ Talparo Regional Corporation in reinstating the sugar festival  which, he said, demonstrated cultural fusion.

Valley noted that the festival  would create an excellent arrangement  for Central Trinidad to showcase their expertise, talent and skill in the pursuit of turning the town to achieve city status. Valley told the audience he spent his boyhood growing up and getting his early education  in Couva. He said that when one saw the disaster that was taking place  in the USA caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Trinidad and Tobago must consider itself fortunate,” adding, “tough times do not last.  Tough people do.” Valley said that the main events in the Sugar and Energy Festival were scheduled for October 7, 8, and 9, and even though these were the dates set for debate on the Budget, he said he would make every effort to be part of the activities. Ferooz Khan, president of the Couva/Pt Lisas Chamber of Commerce, thanked the gathering for their tremendous response in making the first Chairman’s Ball  a huge success,  and urged  all to get involved. The festival is estimated to cost some $540,000.

During the function awards were presented to Pundit Ramdath Maharaj (community service); West Indies cricketer Denesh Ramdin, boxer Ria Ramnarine, Vivek Maharaj, who placed  second in the world in Further Maths and Solo Girdharie (culture). On October 7, there will be a children’s day at Gilbert Park, California, and during the night — the festival queen show. On  October 8 there will be a festival of drums inclusive of tassa drumming, steelband music, African drumming, moko jumbies, jab jabs, wild Indians, fancy Indians, and other old time mas characters. On the last day, October 9, there will be a bike ride, fun walk and 5K road race.