The decision to “formalise a Working Group” followed consultations on November 3 and 4 with representatives of more than 50 of UWI’s “education partners and international donors” at The University Inn and Conference Centre, St Augustine Circular Road, St Augustine.

The consultations stem from a Caricom meeting in July 2015, where The UWI Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, highlighted the importance of tertiary education to national and regional development.

Working with Caricom, Vice-Chancellor Beckles initiated the two days of meetings to brainstorm how partners and donors can support UWI and other institutions to better align with industry. These discussions represent a key step in UWI’s strategic agenda, with the University declaring that economic growth in the region is its top priority.

The UWI called upon international donors to invest in research in order to drive the kind of innovation necessary to create competitive industries. A University Office of Academic-Industry Partnership has also been established in order to drive this process under the theme “UWI for Economic Growth”.

Participants also agreed to prepare an action plan for presentation to Caricom’s Inter-Sessional Heads of Government Meeting in February 2017. “Charting the way forward, proposals would be aligned with the Caricom HRD2030 Strategy and its Strategic Plan to ensure a comprehensive approach to growth and development in Caricom,” the UWI stated.

Other “major outcomes” of the event included: 1) Identification of opportunities for development programmes/ projects where regional approaches are likely to be more effective and efficient; 2) The need for a survey of tertiary level institutions to determine strengths, weaknesses and areas of particular interest, and to identify the institutions that have capacity to lead programmes/ projects; and 3) Identification of capacity building required to improve implementation/aid effectiveness

However, Moses declined to express any views on what could be any changes to US immigration policy that the incoming Trump administration could make after Trump is sworn in as the 45th US President next January.

Several Caribbean nationals resident in the US, including TT nationals, have expressed concern over what their immigration status would be in the aftermath of the election. Responding to Newsday on this issue at the post-Cabinet news conference at the Office of the Prime Minister in St Clair, Moses said, “Thank you very much for the concern.

I share and empathise with the issues inherent with your question.” He added, “However, our preference would be to treat with the matter in a more circumscribed manner … meaning those relating to issues of the detainees in Venezuela.” Earlier in the briefing, Moses and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young updated reporters on efforts to bring five TT nationals detained in Venezuela back home.

Commenting on a report which alleged that Eden Charles had been removed as this country’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations in New York, Moses said, “Those are not the facts.” As another reporters asked him to clarify what he meant, Moses only said, “The underlying assumptions…I can’t bring credence to them.” However he explained that the very nature of his ministry and the various overseas missions it is connected to “necessitates staff being rotated among different missions and headquarters.” Regarding the filling of vacant posts at some of these missions, Moses said one such exercise was completed recently and information would be provided about another one to come, in the near future.

“A large majority of voters express disenchantment with the governance of the PNM at the centre and at the local level in both corporations, but they do not view the opposition United National Congress (UNC) or Congress of the People (COP) or the other minor parties in the fray as a viable alternative to the ruling party.” The NACTA poll shows a PNM sweep of the Port-of-Spain City Council and the borough of Diego Martin in the November 28 local government election.

“Similar findings are obtained in other local administrative areas as well,” said a NACTA statement yesterday.

The poll by NACTA head Dr Vishnu Bisram was done over the last three weeks by face-to-face interviews of 50 voters in Diego Martin and 185 in Port-of-Spain to reflect the demographics of the population. “Based on trends from the latest and recent polls, the PNM is projected to retain both the Port-of- Spain city municipality and the borough of Diego Martin, winning all the seats,” said Bisram.

“None of the opposition parties is polling enough votes to win any of the four aldermen seats in each local unit, giving the PNM complete control over both local governments.” He said the poll also tested support for the parties in the other 12 local government jurisdictions, with these findings to be released in a subsequent report.

The reforms would make the “common man happy” he said, which will keep the PNM in power “forever.” “To tell you how serious we are about this process he has said that when this local gov reform process goes to its natural conclusion,” said Khan who was recently appointed Energy Minister.

“The Ministry of Local Government will be retired because there will no longer be a need for the Minister of Local Government.” According to Khan, mayors and chairmen of regional corporations will have similar degrees of authority held by the Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary which means they will no longer be “reporting” to the Finance Minister but will “have a relationship with” the Minister.

He explained that this meant that no minister had the power to intervene on decisions made by Councillors for their corporations. When funds are allocated, the council now will have the autonomy to decide how it is spent. “When the council decides we are going to pave roads A, B and C, there is no minister that could intervene and say don’t pave roads A, B and C (but) pave roads E,G and H instead.” Khan announced that corporations will now be held accountable by the Auditor General on a yearly basis. He also said the Integrity in Public Life Act will be expanded to include the Chief Executive Officers of Corporations and some lower ranking members of administration because most of the accusations of corruption were made against them.

The reforms would make the “common man happy” he said, which will keep the PNM in power “forever.” “To tell you how serious we are about this process he has said that when this local gov reform process goes to its natural conclusion,” said Khan who was recently appointed Energy Minister.

“The Ministry of Local Government will be retired because there will no longer be a need for the Minister of Local Government.” According to Khan, mayors and chairmen of regional corporations will have similar degrees of authority held by the Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary which means they will no longer be “reporting” to the Finance Minister but will “have a relationship with” the Minister.

He explained that this meant that no minister had the power to intervene on decisions made by Councillors for their corporations. When funds are allocated, the council now will have the autonomy to decide how it is spent. “When the council decides we are going to pave roads A, B and C, there is no minister that could intervene and say don’t pave roads A, B and C (but) pave roads E,G and H instead.” Khan announced that corporations will now be held accountable by the Auditor General on a yearly basis. He also said the Integrity in Public Life Act will be expanded to include the Chief Executive Officers of Corporations and some lower ranking members of administration because most of the accusations of corruption were made against them.

Responding to a question about how to solve these problems to ensure a smooth business link between Trinidad and Tobago, Gopee-Scoon replied, “I think its certainly more than business.

Trinidad and Tobago is one country. The Prime Minister is taking a special interest in this.” Rowley, who is also the Diego Martin West MP, is from Mason Hall in Tobago.

Gopee-Scoon also indicated that the Tourism Ministry and other entites are also looking at these longstanding issues, “especially if we are going to be focusing on Tobago to increase our revenue.” Against this background, she reiterated, “There is special interest, targeted interest at this time on improving the transport between Trinidad and Tobago.” Providing an update on the trade mission she led to Cuba last week, Gopee-Scoon said it was “largely successful” and her Cuban counterpart has given a commitment to attend the next Trade and Investment Convention (TIC) to be held in this country next year.

She said seven local companies are currently on the ground in Cuba which is an excellent market with 11 million persons.

Gopee-Scoon also said local companies have expressed interest in investing in the Marion Economic Zone in Cuba.

Gopee-Scoon also said Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh is looking at the possibility of importing drugs from Cuba and one local business landed an agreement to send 52 containers of goods to Cuba between now and December.While in Cuba, Gopee-Scoon said she was fortunate to meet with Haitian Commerce Minister Jessy C. Petit-Fr?re who wants to visit TT next year.

Gopee-Scoon said she would be discussing this with Rowley and local businesses are interested in investing in Haiti as well, which has a market of nine million persons. Earlier in the briefing, Acting Attorney General Stuart Young reconfirmed that Haitian student Luxon Saint-Herve can stay in TT, after a High Court judge ordered so on Monday in the San Fernando Supreme Court.

Relating the sequence of events and the intervention of his ministry in the matter, Young said, “A decision had been made and there was no threat of the student being deported. It was a satisfactory outcome.” Gopee-Scoon also said Venzuela has made three purchases of manufactured goods from TT under a trade arrangment between the two countries in May. She disclosed that a trade mission could be going to Venezuela next year and the South American nation also provided investment opportunities for local manufacturers, in the context of ongoing TT-Venezuela energy talks.

One hundred and fifteen thousand dollars raised from the 2016 CIBC FirstCaribbean Walk for the Cure will fund this initiative, with an initial period from November 9th to December 13th.

CIBC FirstCaribbean will also be donating TT$50,000 directly to Vitas House Hospice to advance the care of its cancer patients. Additionally, TT$6,450 will be donated to The Foundation for the Enhancement and Enrichment of Life (FEEL) in honour of Mr. Roy Cape, who participated in this year’s Walk for the Cure to share his own experience and help raise awareness of the importance of prostate cancer screening.

With prostate cancer leading cancer mortality among men in Trinidad and Tobago, CIBC FirstCaribbean devoted this year’s edition of its annual Walk for the Cure to raising awareness and funds for the critical cause. The event took place on Sunday 2nd October at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain.

The funds donated to Vitas House will cover 50 percent of the costs of both the digital rectal examination and blood test which comprise the prostate cancer screening, and usually costs TT$300 at the Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society.

This offer is available to men over the age of 40 who opt to take both tests at the same time.

Additionally, CIBC FirstCaribbean will pay 75% of biopsy costs for patients in need of assistance, as determined by the Cancer Society.

Anthony Seeraj, Managing Director of CIBC FirstCaribbean’s local operation, emphasised the necessity of men safeguarding their health and wellness.

“Without a doubt, prostate cancer is a deadly threat affecting our entire male population in Trinidad and Tobago,” he said.

“This is an issue which we must treat with urgency, and CIBC FirstCaribbean is proud to advance our impact by raising awareness and providing tangible assistance to encourage prostate cancer screening. One of the focuses of our organisation is ensuring the health and wellness of the communities we serve, so we are privileged to partner with Vitas House on this critical initiative,” he added.

Lilia Mootoo, General Manager of Vitas House Hospice Trinidad and Tobago noted the significance of CIBC FirstCaribbean’s support. “CIBC First- Caribbean has been a steadfast supporter of Vitas House over the years, assisting us in our aim of delivering quality care to our patients,” she remarked.

“It is imperative that citizens are made aware of the great risk they are facing by not getting tested for certain cancers. By establishing this initiative which will provide much needed opportunities for prostate cancer testing, and shining a light on the gravity of the issue, CIBC First- Caribbean is helping to fill a crucial gap. I hope as many people as possible take advantage of this important service,” she said.

The Office of the Prime Minister issued this clarification to statements made by Rowley at a People’s National Movement (PNM) political meeting in Point Fortin on Wednesday night.

The PNM election bandwagon will be in Charlie King Junction, Fyzabad on November 12 for another in its series of public meetings for this month’s Local Government Elections.

This meeting begins at 7.30 pm and Rowley will be the feature speaker.

MATT also in its release, extended “empathy” to the recently fired media workers, stating it stands in solidarity with these ex-workers and is prepared to help in any way that it can.

“…While many businesses in Trinidad and Tobago are experiencing sharp declines in revenue, the news and broadcasting business model is doubly affected by flourishing social media alternatives.

The impact of social media on the bottom line was to be expected; negative impact on the traditional advertising model has been observed globally over several years,” MATT said in the release.

What has been equally apparent, the release added, is the painfully slow and piecemeal approach taken by management at national media houses to invest in new strategies, training and technology to more effectively prepare for the inevitable.

“Workers who now face the breadline might well be justified in feeling that this latest round of retrenchment (by the Express and TV6) might have been mitigated by more progressive and timely interventions.” MATT said it is urging the local media to adhere to “industrial relations best practice” and offer retrenched workers financial assistance and counseling.

Lewis, with the support of Republic Bank Limited, conducted the sailing camp with the aim of exposing the young people, to the rudiments of sailing, while being provided with both theoretical and practical sailing techniques. A total of 40 children from within the community of Point Fortin, La Brea and environs, participated in the camp. The sailing weekend was sponsored by Republic Bank, under its flagship Social Investment Umbrella – The Power to Make a Difference Programme.

Lewis added that the excited children showed dedication and commitment from the onset and that propelled him even further to work with them. The participants ranged from eight to 15 years of age.

“Some came with the determination to learn, while others came to perfect their skills in sailing,” Lewis said, adding that it was heart-warming to see how many of them came by themselves with no parents accompanying them.

“They just made it to the beach for the entire weekend to sail,” he declared. Endorsing Lewis’ sentiments, the Bank’s Social Investment Officer Nadia Williams said the Bank’s vision behind this camp was to provide an avenue where the participants can perfect their craft.

“The camp was one in which the children received life-long lessons in discipline, building their character and realising their truest potential. We see camps such as these as a means of assisting them to become the best that they can be at a sport they totally enjoy and love,” Williams said.

Last Sunday, the camp concluded with a prize giving ceremony where all the participants were presented with tokens for their efforts.

Republic Bank was pleased, for the second time, to have partnered with Andrew Lewis to offer these sailing camps to the young people of Vessigny and surrounding areas and wishes them all the best