“We wish to welcome the incoming Board: Chairman – Shameer Ronnie Mohammed; Vice Chairman – Michael Quamina; Director – Vishnu Dhanpaul; Director – Enid Zephyrine; Director – Dr Chris S. Maharaj and Dennis Lalor – designated by the Government of Jamaica, who continues to serve as a Director of the Board.” CAL thanked Phillip Marshall and the former board for their dedication and service to the airline and wished them success in their future endeavours.
The company’s owner Surujdeo Parai filed a lawsuit against OAS seeking to recover outstanding fees for services it rendered in the construction of the La Brea segment of the over $7 billion project, which is still incomplete. In a ruling, Justice Devindra Rampersad ordered OAS to pay Unishore a total of $8.860 million, including costs.
The company filed the lawsuit after it had not been paid since completing its services.
Under the contract between the two parties, OAS had agreed to make payments within 30 days of the company completing works which included delivery of aggregate, and conducting road markings.
OAS had offered to pay Unishore in heavy machinery as payment but the company refused and several attempts were made to negotiate with the firm. The contract with OAS was entered into in 2013.
This is just one of several million dollar lawsuits against OAS.
OAS is no stranger to controversy as in late 2014, several executives the construction giant were indicted by Brazilian law enforcement agencies for of making bribe payments to politicians and committing administrative irregularities in several Latin American countries.
The highway project is a reportedly only a little over 50 percent complete and has been marred with controversy since it commenced in 2011.
Construction had to be delayed on several occasions due to protest action at various sites taken by the Highway Reroute Movement (HRM), who opposed it based on environmental concerns and issues with the displacement of residents, whose land had to acquired by the Government for construction.
HRM has initiated a constitutional motion challenging Government’s decision to construct the highway, which is currently before High Court Judge James Aboud and is yet to go on trial. Unishore was represented by attorneys Kelvin Ramkissoon and Leon Kalicharan while Devesh Maharaj and Associates appeared for OAS.
This error is regretted and Newsday apologises for any inconvenience caused to Mr Harewood..
The meeting was also attended by Energy Minister Franklin Khan and Labour Minister Jennifer Bapiste-Primus.
Roget later told Newsday that it was agreed to have a joint approach to try to get the State firms to reach their full potential. The agenda included aging infrastructure, management issues, safety, and falling levels of oil-production, he revealed. Roget said Rowley announced the commissioning of an Energy Task Force, to which the OWTU was committed.
Roget later declined comment on the election last Tuesday of US President-elect Donald Trump. He said an assessment has to be performed by umbrella labour organisation, the Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM) before any statement is issued on the election “The OWTU and the JTUM, we have our own assessment of that whole geo-political environment, of course, of what occurred over the last 24 hours where the pundits predicted one thing and something else happened, we have our own input to make on that but at this point in time we would not want to do that,” Roget said. “There is a lot of analysis that has to be done before we make an informed statement on the outcome of those elections, a lot that cuts across a number of boundaries and as we do that, we will inform the population and the world of our position,” he said.
“The contractors will be paid shortly so that they will resume work as quickly as possible,” he said.
Assuring protesting parents and children of the Reform Hindu Primary School, who gathered outside the Parliament in Port-of-Spain on Wednesday, that work will restart construction of the 95-percent completed new building to house their school, Garcia said that he will meet with the Education Facilities Company Limited to discuss ways and means by which the ministry could pay contractors to restart the school building programme.
Asking contractors, parents and the school community to be patient, he said, “Even if we are not in a position to pay all, we are trying our best to make partial payments and as work goes on, we will pay in full.” When he took office, he said, he found a bill of $800 million owing to contractors. “That is a huge sum.” Parents complained that the new school building on which construction began in 2014 was due for completion earlier this year. Meanwhile, they said that children and teachers have to work under humid and hot conditions, with rotting roofs, broken fences, poor toilet facilities, and rat infestation among other issues.
The said the school that was built to accommodate 100 children, was now overcrowded by 53 more students.
Asked how soon the work will restart on the new building to house Reform Hindu Primary, Garcia said, “I don’t want to give a prediction because you will hold me to it. All I can say is that we will engage with contractors to resume work as soon as possible.” Asked if he was aware of the details of the contract, Garcia who spoke against the backdrop of parents and students chanting, “We want we school, right now,” said that construction on quite a few schools stopped because of non-payment to contractors. Reform Hindu Primary was not an exception.
The contractors operated on FIDIC terms of contract, he said, one of which is to cease work if monies are not paid.
“We cannot simply seek to take more from those sectors of the economy that are already producing and contributing. We have to allow those sectors to grow, and we have to create new sectors that would drive economic growth. To do that we have to redefine our roles,” he explained.
Tewarie was speaking on Wednesday, day two of AMCHAM’s 20th Annual Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE ) Conference and Exhibition, held at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad. This year’s theme is “Innovative HSSE Strategies for Today’s Challenges.” More than 300 professionals from the local business community, public sector, regulatory agencies and non-governmental organizations attended.
The two-day conference will include a number of Technical Sessions, and Panel Discussions.
He said the Government’s role is to facilitate, and the private sector’s role is to advocate and to find ways to match capital with good investment opportunities.
Tewarie noted that they are committed to do that as long as there are consultation, and collaboration, “As we interact with the National Tripartite committee and other fora with Government and Labour we believe that there are enough people who understand the situation and committed to Trinidad and Tobago to ensure that we can come out of our current challenge.” He said the exhibition provides opportunities for companies to share information and promote services to HSE professionals and the wider public. “It is also why we embarked on the National Youth Productivity Forum (NYPF), which provides a forum for young people to critically discuss pertinent issues. This year they discuss tolerance and next year the theme will be centered on the education curriculum and how teaching is delivered,” he explained
IN THE aftermath of Tuesday’s US presidential election won by Republican candidate Donald Trump, the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES ) of the University of the West Indies (UWI) will host a forum on the “US presidential election 2016: Where do we go from here?” The forum takes place on November 18 at 10 am in Lecture Room 1, Institute of International Relations, UWI St Augustine Campus. Among the issues to be discussed are: Does it really matter who won? Have we entered into a new era in US political campaigning? Will pre-election concerns about internal unrest and world-wide conflagration materialise? How will US-Caribbean relations be affected and what does it all mean for the immigrant population in the US, in particular the Caribbean diaspora?
with apology: Colm’s wife paid $7.5M”. Williams- Imbert is a director of Bolt and the wife of Finance Minister Colm Imbert.
On Monday, Imbert initiated legal action against Singh and the Express regarding the same article.
In a signed letter dated November 8 (Tuesday), Stephanie Moe of Fitzwilliam, Stone, Furness- Smith and Morgan law chambers told Singh that the firm has been instructed by Bolt and Williams-Imbert to request that Singh make “a full and unequivocal public retraction and apology” to be approved by the firm.
Moe said Singh is also requested to give an undertaking not to repeat the allegations made in her article.
Referring to the allegations contained in the article, Moe said the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) did not pay $7.5 million to Bolt in April 2016 and the sum paid to Bolt at that time was $102,489.75. Bolt did not receive two consultancy contracts from the HDC in 2004.
The company received one in July 2004 from the National Housing Authority (NHA) following a competitive tendering process and another in 2006 from the HDC. Moe said to the best of Bolt’s understanding, the HDC selected it for the 2006 contract based on its past performance and work history with the HDC.
She further stated that the 2004 and 2006 contracts between Bolt and the HDC were not, as far as Bolt and Williams- Imbert are aware, “procured by or tainted with any wrongdoing on the part of Bolt, Mrs Williams-Imbert or anyone else for that matter. At all material times, the fees charged by Bolt for services rendered by in it relation to these contracts, “fell within the acceptable range of fees charged by comparable service providers in the industry.” Moe said Imbert, “is not now and has never been a director, officer, employee or shareholder of Bolt.
She stated that that no time did Williams-Imbert, any other officer, employee or shareholder of Bolt engage in any conduct designed to influence Imbert to release funds to the HDC for the purpose of the HDC satisfying its payment obligations to Bolt. Moe added that the HDC’s public statement made it clear that none of the monies paid to Bolt by the HDC in respect of the sums due and owing under the 2004 and 2006 contracts were paid as a result of any action on the part of Imbert designed to favour Bolt.
After telling Singh that she failed to make proper enquiries to Bolt and Williams-Imbert on events dating some 12 years ago and did not give them ample opportunity to respond, Moe said such conduct falls well below the standard of acceptable journalism. She drew Singh’s attention to a High Court ruling on May 12 of this year in which Justice Frank Seepersad awarded $100,000 in damages against the Trinidad Express. With respect to that matter, Moe said Justice Seepersad observed that the Express and certain journalists connected to it, had engaged in reprehensible conduct in publishing certain defamatory articles and, moreover, that such conduct on their part warranted punishment. Moe told Singh that the firm expects to hear from her without delay and if a satisfactory reply is not received within 14 days of receipt of this letter, Bolt and Williams-Imbert, “will take such steps as they may be advised.”
The race, to be run over 1800 metrs at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, on November 26 has attrqacted this year’s Derby winner Academy Award, winner of the 2014 running of the blue riband event Momentum, 2013 winner Bigman In Town and the 2012 champion Free Passage.
It will be the first race for Bigman In Town who will be returning from injury, while Headline News will be facing the starter for only the second time after he too is recovering from injury.
Included in the field will be this year’s Derby runner-up King Arthur, fourth Black Onyx, pre-race favourite and disappointing Crown The King who was fifth War Brigade seventh and Magical Victory who was 10th in the 14-runner field.
When third nominations were taken for the race, connections paid up for 12 horses, with both Dark Treasure and Wall Street being withdrawn.
A total of $12,600 have been collected in nomination fees to date. And a final fee of $600 becomes due and payable at the time of entry.
Meanwhile, trainer Bobby Persad felt the wrath of the Arima Race Club stewards on Saturday last.
He was fined a total of $700. The ARC hit Persad with a $500 fine for not producing Eagle Landing for Lasix, $50 each for the late arrival of War Council, Indian Medicine, Sweet Genius and She Is A Princess into the parade ring.
Eight jockeys were also fined $50 each for their late arrival into the parade ring – Brian Boodramsingh, Romario Hernandez, Jovika Boodramsingh, Dillon Khelawan, Naim Samaroo, and apprentices Ridge Balgobin, Tristan Phillip and Lenny A Seecharan Here are the horses for which nomination fees were paid for the Caribbean Champion Stakes:
C A R I B B E A N CHAMPION ST A KES (GRADE 1) W.I. BRED HORS ES 3 Y.O. AND OVER – 1800 METRES
A C A D E M Y AWARD; BIGMAN IN TO WN; BLACK ONYX; CRAMERS RULE; CRO WN THE KING; FREE PASSAGE; HEADLINE NEWS; KING ARTHUR; MAGICAL VICTOR Y; MAN TO COME MOMENTUM; WAR BRIGADE.
Chasing 50 for victory, D Boss Team fell just short as they were dismissed for 47. Peters finished with impressive bowling figures of five wickets for nine runs while Nicholas Edwards was also instrumental with the ball, taking 2/4. Kris Samlal top scored with 14 for D Boss Team.
Earlier, Chris Pattia cracked an unbeaten 23 and Nicholas Edwards contributed 12 to lead New Recruits to 49/7 while batting first.
Stephon Bassie (3/6), Safraz Ali (2/9), Terry Ramnarine (2/9) all bowled well to contain the New Recruits batsmen.
SUMMARISED SCORES: New Recruits 49/7 (Chris Pattia 23 not out, Nicholas Edwards 12, Stephon Bassie 3/6, Safraz Ali 2/9, Terry Ramnarine 2/9) vs D Boss Team 47 (Kris Samlal 14, Damian Peters 5/9, Nicholas Edwards 2/4) New Recruits won by two runs.
Masjid-Ul-Nur 39 (Neil Singh 2/5, Nicholas Ramlakhan 2/10) vs Big Show Allstars 40/3 (5.2 overs) (Valmiki Deonarine 19, Aravinda Dookie 2/9) Big Show Allstars won by six wickets.
Home Boys 60/7 (Alden Daniel 15, Jahron Alfred 13, Nicholas Mohammed 2/12, Viraaj Singh 2/16) vs Invaders United 52/5 (Lyndell Nelson 2/4, Sunil Sanasie 2/11) Home Boys won by eight runs.
Amigos 50/6 (Christopher John 15, Keon Isaac 2/9, Kadeem Williams 2/11) vs Sample 6 – 51/1 (5.1 overs) (Deepak Kumar 24 not out, Richard Ali 15 not out) Sample 6 won by nine wickets.
Sample 6 – 88/4 (Kadeem Williams 30, Avian Meijas 20) vs Mischief Makers 61/7 (Akash Cassie 14, Keon Isaac 2/6, Kadeem Williams 2/7) Sample 6 won by 27 runs.
Wreckin Crew 30 (Neishal Harrilal 2/0, Denzel Dhannesar 2/0) vs La Vega 33/6 (6.2 overs) (Kareem Ali 2/5, Ricky Ramnanan 2/7) La Vega won by four wickets.
Dark Horse 55 (Avinash Cassie 14, Isaac Kennedy 2/2, Aaron Dass 2/5) vs Kamachi Kitchen Krew 56/6 (9.1 overs) (Amit Rampersad 32 not out, Isaac Kennedy 12, Rick Cassie 2/12) Kamachi Kitchen Krew won by four wickets.
*Team Sport defeated Outkast by default.
