As part of the Ministry of Tourism’s “Stay to get away” campaign several tours were organised to take the media to various tourist destinations.

This tour was guided by Courtenay “Bush Man” Rooks, managing director of Paria Springs Tours, who created the rappelling trend at the falls.

On the way, Rooks pointed out that there was a lot of fun things to do in TT and said he has been surfing, mountain biking, hiking and bird watching every year.

The journey to Avocat began at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain. Arriving off the Arima, Blanchisseuse Road, the bus stopped at Pop’s House where the team picked up harnesses and helmets and began the physical 45-minute trek to the waterfall.

Soon, we were knee-high in the cold waters of the Marianne River, navigating through slippery rocks, logs and trees. We occasionally stopped to observe the beauty of the rainforest while Rooks pointed out intertwined trees, acting as a natural protection for the ecosystem in the event of a hurricane.

“What is fascinating about rainforests is many people think that the forest is here because of the rain, however, studies have shown that it is actually the forest which produces the rain,” Rooks said.

When we arrived at the base of the waterfall, we were greeted with a a downpour. The group strapped on their harnesses to prepare for the rappelling adventure. We began our crash course in rappelling as a rope and large tree became our practise pad. Meanwhile, Rooks hiked to the top of the 72-foot waterfall to fasten the ropes to the hooks. He had drilled and anchored hooks into the rocks himself almost two years ago after learning rappelling from a friend who teaches the technique in France.

While some were adventurous enough to climb to the top, others opted to stay at the base of the waterfall and enjoy the river experience.

The waterfall is surrounded by rocks and trees which provide a serene landscape for a relaxing swim in one of the clear shallow pools of the river. At the top, we all experienced moments of fear at the edge, while some reconsidered the adventure. Rooks was the first to rappel down the waterfall, showing the proper technique.

All anxiety was soon forgotten as one after the other we had our own rappelling adventure.

We all agreed that the first phase, which was a cautious climb down, was the most terrifying, however, after being swung under the cascading waterfall, the feeling of excitement took over. Those who were timid on their first try rushed back to the top to have another go at the rappelling experience.

The river-goers who met the team at the river were shocked to see rappelling being done and said that they wished that they could have joined in.

Rooks said he began rappelling at Avocat because he wanted people to get a different experience at the waterfalls. The youngest person to have rappelled was four while the eldest was 86.

to be headed by businessman Wilfred Espinet with Reynold Adjodhasingh as vice chairman, was chosen for its business experience as well as deep knowledge of Petrotrin. In addition to Espinet and Adjodhasingh.

the board comprises Nigel Edwards; Anthony Chan Tack; Eustace Nancis; Joel Harding; Linda Rajpaul; Randhir Rampersad and Selwyn Lashley, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs. Rowley said that Petrotrin had run up huge debts which it was unable to pay and which had to be met by the Minister of Finance at a time when the minister was struggling to meet the other expenses which he had to deal with. He said the first of these debts comes due in 2019 – U.S $850 million in one payment – and another smaller payment due shortly afterwards. He said Petrotrin’s oil production has been falling considerably and its ageing infrastructure carries the risk of safety and the possibility of leaks polluting the Gulf of Paria and the Venezuelan coastline which he said would have huge consequences. He said the company’s dated refinery is refining crude at a loss at the current level of oil prices and that because of the company’s serious financial situation.

the Minister of Finance has been forced to pay for imports of crude oil to keep the refinery operating while it is losing money on each barrel of oil that it produces.

“Moruga Locusts (Coscineuta virens) are indigenous to Trinidad but this latest surge in their numbers over Rio Claro is potentially the result of recent disturbances to forest habitats –possibly illegal land clearing, which may have triggered migration nearer to Rio Claro’s residential communities for the first time,” the ministry stated.

Environmental factors could have also contributed to this infestation. The ministry cited a warning from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization that large swarms of locusts can form as a result of climate change. This includes changes in temperature as well as torrential rain, both of which provide the ideal environment for breeding.

The difficult and often dangerous terrain in which the insects breed hampers monitoring and eradication efforts but the ministry says it has been actively monitoring locust activity for the last six months, conducting spraying exercises to eradicate the pests at “hopper” stage and sending locust control officers into the Moruga forests and other parts of southeast and south-west Trinidad to locate and destroy egg beds.

Agriculture Minister, Clarence Rambharat, “who has been on the ground in Rio Claro for weeks,” activated the ministry’s locust control team at the Nariva/ Mayaro County Office last weekend following reports that hordes of locusts had been spotted near Mora Valley.

“The team has been strengthened with personnel and equipment from across the country,” the ministry yesterday announced.

Locust Control Officer, Shastri Doon, was also immediately appointed to lead a team of ministry fumigators equipped with backpack sprayers on an exercise that is expected to continue through this weekend.

“Propoxur, the main insecticide being used in the locust spraying exercise, degrades rapidly in the environment but it is harmful to insects such as bees.

To limit the impact of these toxic chemicals on the wider environment,” the ministry says it has “opted, at this time, for ground spraying rather than aerial spraying to control the swarms over Rio Claro.” Farmers and residents of Rio Claro, Ecclesville and surrounding areas were advised that getting the locusts under control may take longer as a result of the targeted and controlled use of insecticides.

The ministry continued, “For months, County Officer, Florencia Beckles, has been coordinating the locust control response in the south-east with other ministry technocrats who believe Moruga Locust swarms may be evolving in their migration patterns. “For one thing, where the locusts once showed heightened activity at roughly seven-year intervals, since 2012, swarms have attacked or threatened leafy vegetation almost annually.

This has formed part of a broader discussion with farmers and residents at a series of public awareness seminars hosted by the ministry throughout the country over the past two years.” Minister Rambharat said while the locusts “are nesting deeper into the forests, making it more difficult to eradicate them,” the ministry was intensifying its efforts this nesting season–September to November–” to control the population and target the egg beds.” The ministry is assuring the wider public that although Moruga Locusts can cause significant destruction to farmland, apart from being a nuisance, they pose no direct threat to human health.

Rennie Siew and Naruba Roodal were arrested and charged on Tuesday after a raid at their home at Union Village, Couva. Police said, at about 5.30 pm members of the Central Division Task Force executed a search warrant at the couple’s home where they allegedly found one Glock pistol, one 9 mm pistol and 28 rounds of 9 mm ammunition.

They also allegedly found 13 packets of marijuana with a street value of $58,000. PC Anand Kumar laid the charges. Siew and Roodal were expected to appear before a magistrate in the Couva court yesterday.

Newsday was told Garrick is scheduled to return to work in 2019 and will continue working for just over three months before he proceeds on pre-retirement leave.

Newsday understands when Garrick was informed he was being sent on all his leave and the reasons for doing so, he fell ill and was taken to hospital by colleagues.

Doctors treated Garrick for high blood pressure and he was allowed to return home.

Well-placed sources told Newsday the Special Branch is supposed to do background checks on people to be sworn in as government ministers, senators and even people that fill top positions in embassies and consulates in foreign countries.

According to information reaching Newsday, Le Hunte’s name was given to the Special Branch for background checks and it was not revealed to the prime minister that he was also a citizen of Ghana.

On Monday, Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams sent Garrick on leave and Sen Supt Austin Lee was transferred to the South Western Division.

Contacted yesterday, Garrick told Newsday: “I do not wish to say anything at this time.” Questioned further by Newsday if he was told by Williams why he was sent on leave, Garrick said: “I do not wish to share any information.” Le Hunte’s appointment was revoked earlier this week after the Office of the Prime Minister learnt he was a citizen of Ghana.

He was re-appointed on Thursday night having revoked his Ghanian citizenship

For this exhibition, he has drawn inspiration from his archives and produced striking pieces in oils, the medium he favoured in his early development as an artist.

Bryden believes these paintings to be some of his best work and is pleased to still have the drive to create and be relevant in a pastime he loves so much, said a media release.

The exhibition will also feature pieces on loan from his family’s private collection, many of which have never been displayed in public. Limited edition prints of Bryden’s watercolours will be available for purchase. Journey Through The Past will open at 5pm on Friday, and will be held at the Art Society of Trinidad and Tobago, Federation Park. To encourage a more diversified ownership of his paintings, Bryden will have a silent auction on selected pieces, with a blind bidding process, which will conclude with last bids on September 15 at 3 pm.

Part proceeds from winning bids in excess of their base price will be donated to the All Saints Gordon Home for Senior Citizens.

The exhibition will continue until September 15, from 10am to 5pm daily.

Therefore, commentators will now be calling for the selection of any person, especially from their respective territory and the result will be name-calling, such as territorial bias and insularity.

There are presently, questions about the number of Barbadian cricketers on the WI tour of England, chosen by a Barbadian-led selection panel, according to the commentators. But Eldine Baptiste, Travis Dowlin and Lockhart Sebastien (three of four) are not Barbadians. As usual, no one suggests alternatives and, better yet, who should be removed from the team.

Without any criteria, such as the need to participate in the regional tournaments, these competitions will now be neglected and relegated to non-importance.

While two cricketers have jumped to immediately accept the opportunity to return to West Indies colours in the one-day format, others have declined until they have sufficient practice in the one-day game.

As the post-mortem continues following the First Test match loss in England, commentators, both regional and foreign, are quick to put forward names of players without recalling the last time they have played in a four/ five-day match — Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Darren Sammy.

Again I ask, which selector, a serious true selector, is willing to select players who have not played in that format of the sport within recent time? Further, why is the director of cricket, Jimmy Adams, and the lead coach, Stuart Law, and the captain, Jason Holder, not part of the selection panel? In fact, the director of cricket and the lead coach should be leading the selection panel, which should comprise of the sub-coaches, the captain and maybe others, if necessary.

And now that the West Indies has won the Second Test match, jump on the win wagon.

But remember, we still have an issue with the hierarchy of Cricket West Indies starting from Dave Cameron. After the First Test loss, Dr Allen Sammy of the TT Cricket Board stated that Cameron was not on the field of play and should not be blamed for the loss.

After the Second Test win, Cameron also was not on the field of play. Following the win, let them accept the kudos for the win but Cameron and others must go and must go now for West Indies cricket to improve.

But as we scramble to try to gain automatic selection for the 2019 World Cup, we will descend into permanent (not temporary) mayhem, forgetting about organised plans, if such exist, for development programmes.

Maybe, just maybe, one step forward, if we can get around the corner, but definitely three steps backwards.

PHILIP AYOUNG-CHEE via email

Officers contacted the Police Social and Welfare Association yesterday and complained bitterly about the situation.

Officers claimed that they heard, through informed sources, that their seniors were given the directive to roster officers to work at the football match as part of normal duties and that no extra duty allowances would be paid to them.

Officers were advised by the Police Social and Welfare Association to carry out their duties in the interest of the public and the matter would be dealt with at a later date.

One officer suggested yesterday that if the police officers were to work for free, then the public should not be charged to enter the venue.

Yesterday, secretary of the association, Assistant Superintendent Anand Ramesar said, “Any action that details police officers to work at private functions that are run by organisations other than those that are controlled by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago goes against the law as it relates to police officers working extra duties.

“On the heels of that, it has been brought to the attention of the association that police officers were detailed to work at the Ato Boldon Stadium for a football match between Trinidad and Tobago, and Honduras.

“That is causing some concern among the membership of the association.” “In previous times this has been under the umbrella of extra duties, however in this situation it is being advised that officers are being detailed to work at this event. The question is whether the Trinidad and Tobago football association is a Government body.

This is a question to be answered and if it is no then the directive goes against all which requires that events requiring police officers are to be acquired through extra duties.” Ramesar also noted that the association was doing all that was required to maintain law and order. However, he pointed out the requirement for extra police officers was not sitting well with the association.

He said, “We understand that this situation is a result of a political directive and we are calling on Minister Dillon to say whether this came from his office.”

Doldron, a proprietor of Cemetery Street in La Brea, died shortly before 5 am yesterday while being treated at the intensive care unit of the San Fernando General Hospital, police said.

According to police reports, at about 6 pm on Wednesday, Doldron was liming inside Diane’s Bar at Blitz Village, Pleasantville when two gunmen entered and announced a robbery.

One of the men snatched a gold chain from Doldron’s neck and a struggle ensued. His accomplice shot Doldron in his abdomen. The men then fled the scene with the chain.

Doldron, also known as Ladder Boss and Papy, was taken to the hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. Police said a bullet remained lodged near his spine.

Sgt Corneal, Cpl Mohammed and PCs Lee Lum and Matloo of the Mon Repos Police Station visited the scene and conducted investigations.

Homicide Bureau (Region III) based in San Fernando is continuing investigations.

Among those scheduled to appear during the course of three hearings scheduled by the JSC are Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan; Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Kelvin Charles; former transport minister Stephen Cadiz; Bridgemans Services Group vice-president Andrew Purdey and THA Minority Leader Watson Duke. Two of the hearings will take place on September 4 and 5 at Tower D of the Portof- Spain International Waterfront Centre.

Both of these hearings begin at 1 pm The third hearing will take place at the Victor E Bruce Financial Complex in Scarborough on September 6. In the case of this hearing, the discussions on the seabridge start at 1 pm. At 9 am on September 6, the JSC will hold an enquiry on the state of agriculture and fisheries in Tobago at the complex.

All of these hearings take place before the resumption of Parliament with a sitting of the House of Representatives scheduled for September 8. The sitting will not be a ceremonial one as the Parliament is returning from its mid-year recess. According to a statement issued yesterday by the Parliament, 36 people are scheduled to appear before the JSC at Tower D on September 4 and 5.

The Parliament said on September 4 the JSC would see Permanent Secretary from the Works and Transport Ministry Sonia Francis-Yearwood and other ministry officials; Port Authority chairman Alison Lewis and the authority’s current board; former Port chairman Christine Sahadeo and members of the former port board; and TV6 reporter Mark Bassant.

On September 5, the JSC will interview Sinanan; Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Fitzgerald Hinds; Cadiz; Purdey; Seamen and Waterfront Workers Trade Union president Michael Annisette; Intercontinental Shipping Limited managing director John Powell; representatives of the TT Inter-Island Transport Company; Ken Shipping and Marine Services Limited managing director Lester Kenny; marine consultant Alfred McMillan and attorney Nyree Alfonso.

Charles and Duke will feature among the 11 people to appear before the JSC in Scarborough.

On Monday, Duke swam for about an hour in the waters between Tobago and Toco to protest the problems on the seabridge.

Former Tobago Chamber of Commerce president Dianne Hadad; members of the Inter-Isle Truckers and Traders Association and members of the Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association are also scheduled to appear before the JSC in Scarborough on September 6.

After these hearings, the JSC will compile a report which will be sent to the House for debate. Sinanan will have a certain time period within which to accept or reject the recommendations of the JSC which is chaired by Independent Senator Stephen Creese.