Sixty Muslim pilgrims left yesterday afternoon on a Caribbean Airlines flight to Toronto where they would have spent a night before departing on a 13-hour flight to Saudi Arabia. Before leaving, their family members hugged and cried with them while some prayed for their safe return.

Caribbean Hajj Limited’s group leader Samir Hosein said a total of 300 pilgrims were expected to make the journey. He said the only challenge he had this year was that members of his group did not get their Canadian visas, so an alternate route was planned for them.

He said in his group there were many first timers and every year he tries his best to ensure everyone is comfortable.

“Because they are in a foreign land, we have to try and make it as homely as possible for them,” he said.

Hosein said this trip was a very important one as it was one of the five pillars of Islam.

“They are, believing there is no God but Allah and Muhammed is his messenger; giving zakat, praying, fasting in the month of Ramadan and making the Hajj – once you have good health, strength and the wealth,” he said.

The trip, Hosein said, is over three weeks and they will return on September 12 at about 4.40 am. Newsday spoke to a few people who were making the trip for the first time. They expressed that they were going through a range of emotions.

Sherida Mohammed of Warrenville fought back tears as she said she was leaving her three children, ages 25, 22 and nine.

“I’m a bit worried to leave them but they will be with my mom and dad. On the other hand I’m happy because I would be fulfilling all the wishes of my religion so it’s an experience of a lifetime.

I am looking forward to it,” she said. Annie Khan said she was excited but at the same time was sad because she was leaving her family.

“It’s a mix of emotions. I’m excited because I’m following one of the pillars of Islam and you’re also going with expectations that your Hajj will be an accepted Hajj and just being the closest you are to Allah. At the same time, it’s sad because with Hajj you never know if Allah will send you back…it’s a happy/sad moment,” she said.

She said making this trip was very important.

“Once you have completed the Hajj you have done your best towards Allah in fulfilling that pillar of Islam. You put everything that you have learnt and practice from the time you are born until this time in your life, it all comes together now,” she said.

Addressing a news conference at his party’s San Fernando headquarters yesterday, Abdulah took issue with the appointment of businessman Christian Mouttet by the prime minister to investigate the ferry fiasco.

He described the appointment as “spectacular failure.” “He (Mouttet) has absolutely no power to investigate anything,” Abdulah said. “He has no legal authority to summon anybody as a witness, to get any documents, to go into any office and take away computers, to access email information.” He told reporters commissions of inquiry over the years have failed to bring perpetrators to justice.

“So that it is clear to see nobody does the time in Trinidad and Tobago,” Abdullah said, adding that when a commission of inquiry is appointed it takes weeks and months to be completed in addition to the enormous costs to the taxpayers.

He said the only people who benefit from this are the lawyers who are hired to investigate these matters.

Abdulah said it makes no sense reporting matters to the police since they have a track record of zero per cent of success with respect to investigating white collar crime.

He cited the 2015 matter in which former attorney general Anand Ramlogan is being investigated for witness tampering with regard to Police Complaints Authority director David West and, two years later, the police were only now seeking to question Ramlogan.

He listed “prisongate” and “emailgate” as issues which had been dragging on in the public domain with no end in sight.

Abdulah also cited the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) which makes reports of suspicious transactions amounting to billions of dollars in corruption and money laundering and so on.

“Not a single person has been reported as a result of the FIU reports,” he said, adding that this unit provided information to the police service and they had not been able to bring prosecution or closure to any of these matters.

In light of the failure of these institutions, Abdulah is proposing that Government establish special prosecutors who would have sole responsibility for managing the gathering of evidence with respect to white-collar crime and corruption.

A special prosecutors office, according to Abdulah, should be equipped with well-trained police officers and be given a budget to hire international forensic investigators or auditors who knew how to “follow the money” across Trinidad and Tobago or wherever the money might end up.

He recalled that this method was not new to this country saying the late Desmond Allum was appointed as a special prosecutor and he had made headway with regard to the Scott drug inquiry where charges were brought against former commissioner of police Randolph Boroughs.

He also said that another special prosecutor was Karl Hudson Phillips who dealt with the Piarco Airport project and this led to people in the US being arrested and made to serve time. In this case, money was recovered and returned to T&T because of this special prosecutor.

If a female, all the better.

Women seem to get more done.

China has bridges that are over 100 miles long, with 26 miles being over water. Louisiana in the US also has one about the same length over water.

Tobago is just 19 miles off the northeast coast of Trinidad. We can ask China to build a bridge for us and charge us a toll for about 50 years.

That’s a short time in the life of a country. Or we can pay for the bridge with half of what we are being charged for the two ferry boats.

China can also put a fast train alongside the bridge to carry heavy goods as well as people.

Our problems would be over — no more boats and no more corruption with that sea bridge.

Which reminds me that the Cabo Star is like a slow boat to China.

GARY DE FREITAS via email

The toddler, who is on life-support at the Intensive Care Unit of the Eric Williams Medical Science Centre in Mt Hope, has a slim chance of survival doctors say.

She continues to shift in and out of consciousness and her parents have been told they should prepare for the worst.

A woman reportedly punched the child in her stomach and back several times on August 12 when she was left in her care by the child’s 42-year-old father.

It is alleged the assault was witnessed by the suspect’s teenaged daughter who has already been interviewed by the police.

When the child complained of feeling unwell, her father took her to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex on Sunday where an examination revealed the child’s colon had been ruptured as a result of blunt force trauma.

Emergency surgery was carried out but the injuries were so extensive, the child’s condition was deemed critical and a decision is yet to be made on whether to take her off the life support machine.

Yesterday her parents remained at the ICU praying non-stop for her recovery, but at the same time demanding swift justice.

Police told Newsday yesterday after yesterday’s interview with the main suspect, they will approach the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for directions in the matter. The suspect has vehemently denied that she assaulted the child and claimed the child fell and was constipated.

Students were expected to access their results from the Caribbean and Examination Council (CXC) website on Friday at 10 pm, however, the site crashed which left many frustrated.

Several students did not access their results until Saturday afternoon.

In a release issued yesterday, the Ministry of Education said it was aware of the challenges experienced by students and was working diligently with CXC in Barbados to rectify the situation.

The ministry said Garcia acknowledged an understanding of the importance of these results for students to continue on their academic journey, either to sixth form or tertiary education.

The ministry said candidates who wrote CAPE were able to access their results on Friday while most CSE C candidates were able to access their results on Saturday.

The ministry also sought to clarify that it does not manage the websites for release of CXC results as those portals were managed by CXC, and any challenges that nationals faced in accessing their results are communicated to the council by the ministry

It was a virtual final with City Hall in second spot on 14 points and needing a victory against league leaders Transport and Cleansing on 16 points. Anthony Husbands was the hero, scoring a brace to lead City Hall to the narrow victory. N’kosi Raphael also got on the score sheet for City Hall, while Nicholas Solomon and Andy Charles scored for Transport and Cleansing.

St James Division leapfrogged Transport and Cleansing into second spot with a 6-0 victory over Public Health. The knockout competition will start today at Nelson Mandela Park.

SCORES: Round Seven (Final) Round – St James Medical 2 (Stephan Gunn, Tevin Figaro) vs Western Division 1 (Akinola Paul); Central/Eastern 10 (Tikeste Jules 3, Akeem Young 2, Jabari Bruce, Dillon Murrel, Yevan Rajpaul, Ysama Young, Kibwe Petterson) vs Central Market 0; City Hall 3 (Anthony Husbands 2, N’Kosi Raphael) vs Transport and Cleansing 2 (Nicholas Solomon, Andy Charles); St James Division 6 (Marvin Harper, Mi chael Harris, Kalim Young, Keston Williams, Sekou Long-Kujufi, Aton Thomas) vs Public Health 0.

Round Six: Western Division 3 (Devon Jack 2, Asim Faltine) vs Central Market 1 (Arnold Sherry); City Hall 2 (N’Kosi Raphael, Nkosi Telemaque) vs St James Division 2 (Kevon Frederick); Transport and Cleansing vs St James Medical – Transport and Cleansing won by default; Central/ Eastern 1 (Akeem Young) vs Public Health 0.

KNOCKOUT FIXTURES: City Hall vs Central Market, Today, 5 pm St James Division vs Western Division, Tuesday, 5 pm Transport and Cleansing vs Public Health, Wednesday, 5 pm Central/Eastern vs St James Medical, Thursday, 5 pm.

But while many will see a glimmer of hope in the commensurate improvement of domestic gas production, that should not dissuade us from taking steps to diversify the economy.

All our eggs cannot be in one basket.

Juniper is BP’s first sub-sea field development in Trinidad and is located 80 km off the south-east coast in water approximately 110 metres deep.

The platform produces gas from the Corallita and Lantana fields. It is BPTT’s 14th offshore platform in Trinidad and its sixth to be constructed at the fabrication yard in La Brea.

According to Energy Minister Franklin Khan, the project represents an investment of approximately US$ 2 billion (TT$ 12.6 billion) by BPTT.

Juniper will have a gas production capacity of 590 million standard cubic feet per day (mscfd) augmenting BPTTs gas production which was boosted in April with the start of the Trinidad Onshore Compression Project (TROC). The TROC has provided incremental gas volumes of approximately 100 mscfd.

Both projects will assist in alleviating the current gas shortfall.

And there may be more to come.

Khan said there are ongoing discussions with the company on development plans for recently announced gas discoveries in BPTT’s offshore, Macadamia and Savannah field.

The gas reserves are estimated at two trillion cubic feet. To monetise these and other resources, BPTT will invest approximately US$5 billion (TT$31.5) over the next five years.

These developments represent significant investments in the local economy. They further help bolster the revenue streams needed to fund vital public projects.

However, much work remains to be done when it comes to the State’s checks and controls on the petrochemical sector.

Encouraging investment in mega projects without adequately bolstering of systems in the Ministry of Energy to ensure proper auditing of output levels and receipt of taxation revenues is like encouraging more people to deposit their precious jewels in a bank without hiring enough security staff. It is reckless. And it is bad business.

Aside from the systems that are supposed to regulate the sector, there is also the matter of the long-term problems posed by the fossil fuel industry.

There are economic and moral reasons why Trinidad and Tobago should wean itself off of gas and oil. If it is not yet clear enough that being too dependent on one basket of commodities, then we do not know what else it will take for the message to sink through. The resources are here, yes, and until they are depleted we might as well harness them.

Yet, we have future generations to think about, generations that will need to be assured they will have a basic standard of living guaranteed so as to be able to flourish.

Having an economy precariously perched on global prices that fluctuate due to developments beyond our control is not in the interest of citizens.

The problem of climate change has also made the need to be more conscious about the environment even more urgent.

Though natural gas is cleaner than coal and oil, it still has an impact on the atmosphere.

Why are we not focusing on projects involving solar and wind power? Juniper’s rise will provide a boost. But come next term, when Finance Minister Colm Imbert has to present his new budget, he will still not have an easy task.

Gopeesingh contrasted this state of affairs with the ministry under his tenure when the staffing of the Student Support Services Division was increased from 250 to 700 employees.

Education Minister Anthony Garcia told Newsday most such contracts had ended and some staff will be re-hired.

“We are in the process to renew the contracts of those whose performance has been satisfactory,” Garcia said.

“We took the note to Cabinet which approved it.” He could not say how many staff will be rehired and how many let go, but said this is a function of the ministry’s human resource department and will depend on employees’ individual performance appraisals.

Gopeesingh also queried recent statements by Garcia that all schools will be re-opened on time for the new school year. He alleged Garcia said the same thing last year but that shortly after schools had re-opened many were immediately shut again for repairs.

“More than 25 schools then remained closed for a significant time, some exceeding one term.

So Minister Garcia’s statement must be taken with a pinch of salt.” Querying whether repairs are underway, Gopeesingh added, “Given the amount of contractors who remain unpaid, it will be interesting to see who they get to do the work.” He said $1.2 billion is still owed. He lamented that out of the school construction begun under his tenure, the Government had left 78 schools unfinished, many now in decay and ruins.

Garcia in reply told Newsday that he was standing by remarks made last Friday. “The EFCL’s (Educational Facilities Company Limited’s) Ricardo Valdez’s view was that all is on stream for all schools to be re-open on time.”

Pierre’s gown, titled Enigma, was a tribute to the wire and steel benders in Laventille and was created by Kareem Henry and Sharon Phillips. The beautiful gown was reminiscent of the blossoming youths of Laventille as she moved gracefully across the stage.

On Saturday, the National Academy for the Performing Arts in Port of Spain was filled to capacity as patrons were eager to see which of the 16 queens would walk away with the title at the Prime Minister’s Best Village Trophy Competition Finals hosted by the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts. Competitors donned spectacular gowns created by some of the best local designers.

Using materials such as black eyes peas and dhal to represent racial integration, to gowns that glowed in the dark with shells, sand, seaweed and embellished mesh, the queens spared nothing in their attempt to wow the judges..

Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly said, “The spirit of community arts is alive and well. Through the years this competition has seen the passion and unwavering commitment of communities throughout Trinidad and Tobago and I say thank you for your dedication, passion and diligence.” In an interview with Newsday on her victory, Pierre said, “In the moment I was overwhelmed because a lot of work and planning went into this, but at the same time I was filled with gratitude.” Pierre is a full-time student pursuing a degree in Theatre Arts and Carnival Studies at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine.

“Although I live in El Dorado, I do a lot of work with the North West Laventille Cultural Movement.

As Miss La Reine Rive 2017, I hope the Ministry uses me to inspire young people in any way possible.” In second place was Cavel Gordon from Tobago who took first place in the categories of Best Talent and Self-Expression.

Rhesa Chan from Victoria West came in third with Cherisse Ealie of St George West in fourth place. Ealie was also the winner of the Best Evening Gown prize.

Fifth and sixth place respectively went to Nadiola Shadia Brasnell of Tobago and Kadine Edwards of St George East.

Police investigating the circumstances surrounding his death believe that his murder stemmed from a domestic dispute over land.

According to reports, the male relative arrived at the house which he shared with his stepfather Fitzgerald Basant and called out to him. When he got no response, the man pried open a door to a bedroom and saw Basant in a pool of blood.

The male relative called police and members of the Matelot Police Station along with Region 2 Homicide officers went to the scene with DMO Dr Bridgelal who ordered that the body be taken to the Forensic Science Centre in St James for an autopsy.

Newsday was told Basant was originally from St Vincent but has been living in Matelot for over 20 years.

Up until yesterday the murder toll for the year stood at 302 with 22 murders committed in the month of August.