This is a misconception that I wish to address as there are several locally-owned companies that provide commuters with the convenience and safety that a door-to-door taxi service offers. As a matter of fact, last October, I was told about Drop Taxi Service Ltd and recently I had the opportunity to utilise this provider. And my experience was without fault.

Through the Drop app, I booked my service, obtained information on my driver and the car, and tracked the service. The courteous driver picked me up at my home on time and dropped me off at my destination safely.

For me, this is the modernisation needed in our country. I envision both the “H” car drivers and services like Drop coexisting in a society where we commuters require options not only during the day, but also at night.

However, what must be examined is the legislation in place. The Government should review and strengthen the laws that govern these public transportation options versus hindering their growth and leaving us, the citizens, with the transportation woes that we face daily as we try to escape being victims of crime.

Joanne Rushworth via email

Businesses flourish in environments of safety and stability. Communities grow and countries develop when families feel safe.

TT is on the brink of anarchy. I say this with no apologies to those entrusted to govern our nation. The Judiciary is overwhelmed with cases over a decade without action, poor infrastructure, inadequate staff and no control of its budget. Our law enforcement officers are demotivated and our politicians find solace in blaming others rather than taking decisive action. In the end our citizens suffer as they face ever increasing taxes, fees and punitive regulations.

The solutions are not as difficult as one may think. Panama was in a similar position and it turned things around.

So too was Colombia.

The answer is leadership.

In Trinidad, we have the leadership. I know that I can turn things around. Of that I am sure. Our problem is that the media are as culpable as our incompetent leaders for where we are.

The vision and suggestions of people like myself have not been evaluated, questioned or reported on by the media. In addition, there seems to be a concerted effort to stifle the voices and views of the many committed to the development of TT .

Why is the Democratic Party of TT ’s (DPTT ) ten-point crime plan not evaluated? Why are the economic suggestions of the DPTT and other individuals like Mariano Brown not debated among the economic journalists? The vision that I have for TT is not going to disappear simply because the media decide to ignore my suggestions.

I will fight for TT to be a better place for our families with every bit of my strength.

If the DPTT only attracts one person, so be it; but the message of hope, strong communities through strong local government laws, structured approach to policing, the restructuring of our government model will not be compromised.

We can overcome the negatives of structured criminal activity and poor governance.

That is only possible if we find the strength to overcome our selfishness, ethnic biases and hate. Our nation is calling on all of us to save our land. Once again, I state publicly that I am willing to serve any government willing to take action towards seriously addressing our challenges.

Steve Alvarez via email

The sponsorship value of $45,000, raised through sales of Yoplait, with a percentage being donated to the Scotiabank Foundation, was presented recently to Dr Mark Pounder – Director, Scotiabank Foundation.

“At the Scotiabank Foundation, we are heartened to receive such tremendous support from companies and individuals, towards the cause. Cancer is a disease that affects so many and these funds help us conduct community cancer clinics, via the Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society.”

Kimberly Fraser- Camacho – Marketing Manager at HADCO Ltd stated, “Partnering with the Scotiabank Foundation and participating in the Scotiabank Women against Breast Cancer 5K, is more than the support of a worthy cause but a very personal commitment for HADCO Ltd. We are thrilled to continue to be a part of helping thousands of women across TT in winning their fight with Breast Cancer. Scotiabank through the Scotiabank Foundation has been a leader in advocating this cause and we couldn’t ask for a better partner.”

About Scotiabank Foundation The Scotiabank Trinidad and Tobago Foundation, a registered NGO which achieved charitable status in 2008 is dedicated to furthering the cause of community assistance in Trinidad and Tobago. Through synergistic partnerships, the Foundation seeks to be a vehicle for capacity building for communities, with particular focus on youth, in the areas of education, sport, health and community development.

The Patron of the Scotiabank Trinidad and Tobago Foundation is Zalayhar Hassanali, widow of the country’s former President Noor Hassanali who also functions as the Patron of the Scotiabank Women Against Breast Cancer Programme.

The Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts is working on developing a National Community Development Policy. On Tuesday, the Vistabella Regional Complex was the venue for the first of three consultations.

“Today’s conversation is about getting your views. You are the people who know the community best and you will know what you want to see. We will keep you informed on the progress of this policy, because we intend to take it all the way.” Mrs Angela Edwards, Permanent Secretary, Minister of Community Development, was present to give Welcoming Remarks.

According to Dr Donna Mae Knights, Policy Co-Ordinator, Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, “We have very clear objectives for these Policy Consultations.

We are working with you to review Community Development Practices among Community- Based Organisations, understand your perception of a developed community; identify and understand the major assets in your community and obtain feedback on key consideration to be addressed.”

In a statement, HWO president Brenda Gopeesingh said, “It is more than five years that the HWO began advocating tirelessly to have the minimum age for marriage across all the Marriage Acts raised to 18 for all citizens with an exception under strict checks and balances for those 16 to 18 years old.” During debate on the bill, Opposition Senator Wade Mark said the United National Congress (UNC) supported this position.

According to Gopeesingh, “This advocacy, at its core, has been based on protecting girls from the predatory sexual behaviour of grown men, and on removing marriage as ‘an option’ for them to shield themselves from the legal consequences of statutory rape.” Noting comments made by Independent Senator Sophia Chote SC in last week’s debate on the bill, Gopeesingh said, “The fact that no one voted against the Bill is proof that the issue is not the need to amend the existing law to raise the age of marriage for girls and boys to 18, but rather providing in special circumstances (not necessarily pregnancy) for a procedure for exemptions as is the case in the Romeo clause of the Children Act.” She claimed the Marriage Act currently allows a 16 year old to marry without parental consent.

“Changing the Act to make it impossible to marry unless she is 18 and over, takes that right away and does not even give the option of marrying with parental consent,” Gopeesingh stated.

She added, “We also note that no measures have been put in place to address this removal of an existing right.” Gopeesingh also said the HWO was concerned about what it described as the “tactical” move used by Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi to remove the required clause identifying the bill as one requiring a three-fifths majority so that it may be passed by a simple majority.

The bill is now before the House of Representatives.

In a release, the Shelter said the legislation does not directly have an effect on reducing domestic violence and abuse.

However, the Shelter continued, it does create the space and opportunity to encourage young girls to pursue their entitlement to pursue their entitlement to realise their potential, their ambitions and gain self-independence.

“As a society, we will not tolerate, condone give licences to those bent on nurturing the decay we see happening all around us,” the Shelter said.

Stating that it does not challenge or disrespect religious practice, the Shelter said it makes the point to avoid wherever possible,”reinforcing negative culturally embedded notions that if he could do it then I could do it too.”

Dionne Ligoure, the company’s Communications manager said the “wet lease” arrangement is nothing new to the airline industry and this lease was being done at no cost to taxpayers. She, however, did not give any particulars about the lease.

The first ATR – 9Y-TTA is in the hangar after its ninth engine problem.

The ATR company has sent engineers to see if the problems which affect the engine can be found. That particular aircraft is five years old, having arrived at Piarco International in November 2011.

According to new chairman, Shameez Ronnie Mohammed, the company after discussions with its team of lawyers is now looking at its legal options in the matter. He told this to a recent Joint Select Committee (JSC) on State Enterprises, but no further details were available.

The company is going that route because very regularly the domestic service is either delayed or cancelled because of aircraft repairs. Whenever this occurs CAL is forced to press its retuning jets into service to move passengers between Trinidad and Tobago. Over the recently concluded weekends of Christmas and New Year’s dozens of jet flights were used to transport passengers.

This heavy use of the company’s jets on the domestic service has brought the cost factor to the forefront.

Chairman Mohammed told the JSC that it was time to look at the heavily subsidised fares on the Tobago service, the only route on CAL’s system that is subsidised. Government gives $100 for every $300 ticket sold on the airbridge, when the fare itself should be in the vicinity of $700- $800.

The chairman told the JSC they had sent some proposals to the government, which included the fare structure and some ancillary charges and were awaiting an answer from the authorities. Some of these recommendations include a charge for excess baggage; flight date changes and a “no show” charge.

He said that while the airline was committed “to provide the support and the mandate that we have been charged with in providing that service”, the airline was exploring measures that would increase its revenue stream without interfering with the current $300 fare.

While chairman Mohammed insists that the domestic route remains unprofitable for the company, statistics show that the airline is still losing money on other routes.

However, he said the POS – JFK route is showing signs of a turnaround and that he expects a profit by 2018.

Meanwhile arrangements are still being made for the repatriation of more than $50 million owed the airline by Venezuela.

“We do believe in 2018 we should be able to break even. Our numbers indicate that 2016 was better than 2015. Our numbers suggest that 2017 would be better than 2016 and therefore we remain hopeful that by 2018 CAL perhaps would no longer be a burden on the taxpayer,” he said.

Although Mohammed told the JSC he preferred not to detail CAL’s financial performance for 2016 since the airline’s accounts for that period have not been audited, it must be noted that figures for several years preceding have not been made public

De Jeun?sse, which means “youthfulness” in French Creole was created in 2013 by the sisters and is aimed at “maintaining youthful skin the natural way.” The company has come a long way since its inception and now includes Shenelle’s husband, Dwayne Fife, who provides the raw material, transport and moulds.

Currently De Jeun?sse produces moisturising face and body soaps, body butters and wood wick candles from a unique combination of raw material found locally. The soap line consists of five soaps: Hibiscus and Noni; Morning Brew; Caribbean Spice; Meek and Mild and Turmeric and Lemon.

“The hibiscus is a natural botox and the noni has youthful properties to help make the skin look younger,” explained Shenelle.

The Morning Brew rejuvenates and helps tighten and tone the skin, and contains coffee to help reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Caribbean Spice is infused with cinnamon, nutmeg and paprika, making it highly exfoliating to get rid of dead skin cells. Meek and Mild has locally produced carrots which is specifically created scentless for the sensitive skin of toddlers, and Turmeric and Lemon helps in removing dark spots and exfoliates the skin.

What sets De Jeun?sse apart from other natural brands is that seed paper is included in each soap so customers also get the opportunity to create their own kitchen and flower gardens.

Shenelle, 25, who plays a key role in every aspect of the business said “A batch of 24 takes one hour to make and we try to support local producers by purchasing raw material right here in Trinidad and Tobago.” One of the long-term goals is to turn De Jeun?sse into a full-time business, and the team has continuously sought to place the company in a better position by taking several courses from the Ministry of Community Development in bath and body, soap, spa and candle making.

When asked by Business Day about the company’s future business endeavours Shenelle said, “We need to branch out at home first before expanding. Our hope for the future is to expand our product lines to lip balms, body scrubs and charcoal soap and to widen its reach in Trinidad and Tobago, export to the Caribbean and eventually internationally.” Their clientele has grown from family members, to coworkers and people they have met through networking over the three years in the Caribbean and abroad. Persistence and passion are fundamental aspects of De Jeun?sse, as 20-year-old Jenelle lamented that through their challenges there were a lot of rewarding times.

Dwayne noted that anything that is worth it, would take some effort. De Jeun?sse also does customisation upon request for specific colours and fragrances, as well as matching gift sets.

De Jeun?sse can be contacted via email dejeunessebb@outlook.com.

For the busy entrepreneur, our three-month Business Hatchery Programme is readily divided into two Programmes, each six weeks in duration.

All entrepreneurs are supported by group workshops, peer review sessions and weekly one-on-one business coaching. We also host an integrated workshop segment with experts in trademark, copyright and patents from the Intellectual Property Office, Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs.

Business Hatchery Smart Start Programme In our Smart Start Programme, we work with early stage entrepreneurs in helping them navigate through customer validation and market research and strategies, to validate customers’ ‘pain points’ and define their target market.

Business Hatchery Connect Programme In our Connect Programme, we facilitate entrepreneurs’ practical application of accounting and finance, the business model discovery process and business pitch development.

Over the course of three months, our programme stretches entrepreneurs to reach outside their comfort zones, engage with prospective customers, and rigorously test their market assumptions and projections.

Our upcoming Business Hatchery events to support entrepreneurs’ development include: Launch It (February 4: 1:30-3:30pm and February 9: 4-6pm) Our Signature Business Hatchery Programme (April) Recruitment continues at our Launch It event and interested entrepreneurs are invited to submit an online application at http://www.cedcariri.com/ hatchery With a network of mentors and entrepreneurs, as well as a combination of facilitative workshops and evaluative business coaching, CARIRI’s Business Hatchery team welcomes all start-ups, irrespective of business sector.

Our vision is to be Trinidad and Tobago’s premier platform for business start-ups, in building a community of entrepreneurs who go on to discover and innovate sustainable solutions that improve lives, connect people and stimulate change.

There was a time when you had to go to a calypso tent or wait for the “ole” mas competitions to hear and see some of the best jokes, skits and comedy of the season, but no longer.

Comedy shows have become part of the Carnival calendar and with that in mind, Spektakula Promotions is giving patrons a chance to forget some of their worries with its Karnival Komedy Spektakula.

The show will feature some of the favourite comedians delivering their funniest jokes.

The superstars of comedy on the cast include Nikki Crosby, Errol Fabien, Tommy Joseph, Leary Joseph, Crazy Contagious Crew, D Saint, Louis Antoine, Nutslanding, Peter Joseph, Damien Melville and Wendell.

Karnival Komedy Spektakula takes place over five nights at venues across the country, beginning tomorrow, at North Eastern College, Sangre Grande, then moving to Trinity College East Auditorium, Trincity, on Saturday and on January 29 at Centre Pointe Mall, Chaguanas.

On February 10, Karnival Komedy goes to the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), Port-of-Spain and on February 11, at the Naparima Bowl, San Fernando Two patrons can enter on one ticket.