He said he will be asking the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Crime Irwin Hackshaw to update the media on the status of the matters so the public will be sensitised on how far some of them have reached. Williams was out of the country and was expected back last night.

In his absence, Deputy Commissioner of Police Harold Phillip was placed at the helm of the Police Service.

Well-placed sources said with respect to emailgate, the team assigned to investigate allegations levelled against former government ministers have already prepared the final report in which they found no evidence of criminal conduct. They said this report is now with Deputy DPP Joan Honore-Paul who is yet to give her final directions in the matter.

Sources revealed that with the marijuana find at Persad-Bissessar’s home, recommendations were made by the investigators for disciplinary action to be taken internally against some officers. It was also revealed that with respect to the Life Sport investigation, an auditing firm was hired and work is still being done.

Other high-profile investigations which include allegations against former attorney general Anand Ramlogan in the matter involving Director of the Police Complaints Authority, David West, are ongoing.

Calling for export growth, the TTMA in a statement urged the creation of an enabling environment to create a much-needed expansion of the manufacturing sector, plus greater production, employment, export and foreign exchange earnings.

The statement said Government and business sector have similar interests.

“Both the Government and the manufacturing community agree wholly that the industry needs to take the lead in the diversification drive, and the urgent acceleration of this drive is crucial.

“However, for this objective to be realised, certain measures need to be implemented to serve as a catalyst for investment in plant, machinery and operations, allowing for greater productivity and output from factory floors across the country.” The TTMA said it has proposed a priority list of items for the Government to mull for the 2017/18 fiscal package, to collaboratively help build the non-energy sector and drive diversification.

“The TTMA would like to see as many of our manufacturers competing on the global market as possible, but without the right conditions locally, it would not be possible to effectively compete with some of the most efficient world market leaders.” The TTMA’s priority list of items includes export incentives to manufacturers to help create new streams of foreign exchange revenue for our national economy.

“The TTMA emphasises that these proposed measures would serve to promote manufacturing, exporting, job creation, crime reduction and ultimately aid in the much required diversification process.

“The initiatives are not burdensome on the Government coffers (but) are cost-effective, and the benefits will undoubtedly have far reaching consequences in stimulating sustainable growth and economic activity across the country.”

The Pakistani has been an instrumental figure on the team especially as a leg break bowler.

Khan, who has taken 10 wickets in six matches, left the Caribbean earlier this week to return to Pakistan. Only Jamaica Tallawahs fast bowler Kesrick Williams (11 wickets) has more wickets than Khan (before yesterday’s Barbados Tridents/St Kitts and Nevis Patriots match).

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has cancelled No-Objection Certificates given to 13 players playing in the CPL and the English county circuit, and asked them to return to Pakistan to fulfil national and domestic commitments. Khan has also contributed runs in the middle of the order and has been brilliant fielding in the cover region.

TKR manager Colin Borde says Khan will be missed, along with the other Pakistanis. “Certainly a player of his quality is a huge loss, the Pakistanis leaving are a loss to the league,” Borde said.

However, Khan and his fellow countrymen may return to the CPL before it concludes on September 9, as discussions between the PCB and the players are currently ongoing.

Borde said the TKR squad has depth and a meeting last night was planned to address the composition of the team for today’s match.

“We have a team that gives the captain options. The coaching staff and captain will sit down tonight (yesterday).” Borde said the slow wicket in Guyana and the oppostion will influence who is selected today.

TKR lead the standings with 10 points after getting five wins and one loss thus far, and Borde said his team will not relax as the other teams can move up the standings. “There is no complacency here, we are aware of how much games we have played and the other teams are climbing the table.” After defeating St Lucia Stars in their opening contest in St Lucia, TKR played their next five matches at the Queen’s Park Oval, winning four of them.

In a preliminary assessment, he said, candidates recorded a total of 67.78 passes in Grades I, II, and III of the subject entries compared with 67 per cent in 2016.

There were also 3,257 more Grade I passes compared with last year.

“We had an increase in the number of subject entries, and we had students passing more subjects overall,” he said.

At a press conference held yesterday at the Ministry of Education head office, Port of Spain, Seecharan said, a total of 21,533 candidates wrote the CSE C exams including candidates from government schools, government-assisted, private schools, and private candidates.

A total of 33 subjects with a combined total of 109,273 subject entries were written. This represented an increase from 2016 which had 106,016 subject entries.

Overall the pass rate for 16 subjects was better than last year, Seecharan said, with over 70 per cent passes in 22 of the 33 subjects.

The subjects include additional mathematics, agricultural science (single and double awards), biology, economics, electronic document preparation and management, English A, family resource and management, food and nutrition, French, information technology, industrial technology, music, office administration, physical education and sport, principles of accounts, principles of business, religious education, technical drawing and theatre arts.

In 2017, a total of 57.92 per cent or 7,698 candidates obtained five subjects and more compared with 58.1 per cent or 7,380 candidates in 2016.

Obtaining five subjects and more in mathematics and English A were 52.2 per cent or 6,833 candidates compared with 53.7 per cent or 6,684 candidates for last year.

Seecharan said there was a small increase in English A with 73.03 per cent passes this year compared with 72 per cent last year. In mathematics, the percentage pass was 53 per cent compared with 54 per cent last year.

In the comparisons, Seecharan said, “Two things stood out. We had more students entering more subjects. We had more grade ones this year compared to 2016.” On not naming the top students in both CSE C and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) as yet, Seecharan said, they cannot be named until the period of review, when students can challenged their grades, has expired.

In terms of scholarships to be awarded based on the CAPE results, he said, the Caribbean Examinations Council will have to merge data from units one and two to determine the top students.

This will also be determined after the period of review.

The ministry, he said, expects that to be ready sometime during the second or third week of September.

“We will then be in a position to identify the top candidates in CSE C and CAPE,” he said.

Ramcharan Ramlokan, 49, of Ramkalliah Trace, Kanhai Road South, Barrackpore told Newsday the prosthetic leg he was using is broken and worn out and was causing him great discomfort in his leg and spine. “The crack in the false leg cut my foot and it got infected,” he said. “The doctor put me on antibiotics.” Ramlokan was born with spina bifida occulta.

According to the National Health Services in the United Kingdom, spina bifida is when a baby’s spine and spinal cord does not develop properly in the womb, causing a gap in the spine. Spina bifida occulta is the most common and mildest type of spina bifida.

Symptoms may include weakness or total paralysis of the legs, bowel incontinence and urinary incontinence. He was born with a severe form of club foot and required a right below the knee amputation.

Club foot is a condition where the affected foot and calf are often smaller than usual and the skin and soft tissues are short and underdeveloped.

The cost of the right prosthetic limb is $21,000 and one left short leg calliper boots is $6,000. Ramlokan has to wear a certain type of boots as he develops ulcers in his left from regular shoes. Further to these complications his bladder was removed in 1999 and he has one kidney. He uses urostomy bags (external bags for urine) which cost $1000 per month.

He said tearfully, “I cannot do anything as I want. It gets to me sometimes. This is a hard life.” He has been seeking assistance since 2014 through the Ministry of Social Development.

Ramlokan said, “I get a run around from the Ministry of Social Development.

Every time I go they keep telling me they waiting on approval.” He said since 2015 the funding he has received from the State to pay for his urostomy bags has been cut. Ramlokhan lives alone and has no children. He receives public assistance and a disability grant which totals approximately $2210 a month. Ramlokhan has a bicycle which uses to move around.

He said he has a kitchen garden to help him cut down on his food bill. When asked if he has planned any way to raise funds he said, “I have donation sheets and I am planning on doing a curry que.” He is hoping people would support the venture. Ramlokhan is pleading with citizens to give whatever assistance they can. He has a message to those who are in some sort of difficulty. “Do not give up in life because you have a problem.

Always try to motivate yourself and move forward. Don’t let a problem keep you down.” He can be contacted at 292- 1809 or 784-9495.

A storm system, which was described by residents as a tornado, did damage to at least a dozen homes and disrupted the provision of basic utilities.

“In a minute or two it did all this destruction in the bedroom and toilet area,” said resident Elvis Harricharan. “To experience something like this was really unbelievable.” But believe it or not, the reality is this type of intense, localised weather is a facet of the overall meteorological profile of Trinidad and Tobago.

The advent of the hurricane season rightly focuses attention on preparation for major storm activity. Tropical storms and hurricanes have proven devastating in territories directly affected by them.

But outside of these major storms, do we take the possibility of bad weather seriously? What the events on Thursday demonstrate is that even smaller, freak storms can do tremendous damage. They can pose a threat to life and limb. They can damage infrastructure and leave families homeless.

Therefore, authorities and communities must also take these matters seriously. We must never lose sight of the fact that during the hurricane season there is the potential for dangerous bad weather to occur.

This means local government corporations should always be ready to offer assistance where merited.

We hope the citizens of Oropouche affected by the storm are able to secure shelter and provisions during this time of need.

Siparia Regional Corporation chairman Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh was at the scene on Thursday. But the corporation must do more than simply make appearances and telephone calls.

Each regional corporation should have emergency facilities in place to offer immediate support to any family affected by a natural disaster.

Further, assistance which has been made available in the form of home repair grants should be quickly and efficiently processed.

These smaller storms are good barometers of readiness for the larger storm systems which we have luckily managed to escape thus far. If damage is being done to households due to localised systems, then we must question whether the housing stock is adequately shored up to withstand bigger threats.

There needs to be a clear and consistent building code which safeguards human life and property. Such a code must be a guideline to all constructions and should also be regularly refreshed to ensure changes in circumstances take place.

It is clear that some codes and practices do exist within the construction and engineering sectors.

Yet, one of the issues raised at two inquiries into public construction projects – the Uff inquiry and the Las Alturas inquiry – is the extent to which there is uniform compliance.

There are serious doubts as to whether the local Town and Country Planning agencies are able to work effectively and consistently throughout all communities.

The economics of house ownership, as well as the proliferation of unplanned housing communities, have made these matters all the more complex.

Citizens would, therefore, do well to be mindful of the need for sound building practices.

And also for the need to be prepared for any eventuality, even the storms between storms.

If “eating ah food” (being paid for doing nothing) is nation building, we got a long way to go.

What has been happening is that those given the job to guide our youths are grandstanding, using terms like “I prepared a paper on that.” Paper on shelves and not implemented is a waste of time. It becomes garbage.

Our education system is a complete failure as most of our children go to school but do not participate in schooling. Teachers must take some responsibility for this as absenteeism is the name of the game.

And they can be at that school for a year and not know the children or the culture of the community.

How sad.

For our country to progress we must be committed, be true Trinis to the bone.

ATHELSTON CLINTON Arima

Fans will have the option of purchasing a ticket to be in either of the three party sections that will be created with a closer vantage point to the playing pitch with entertainment and drinks inclusive options.

The three party groups the TT FA have teamed up with are Fantasy and Entice, Warrior Posse by Winerboy Entertainment and the Illusions Family.

Fans can purchase tickets for the respective groups immediately.

Warrior Posse tickets will be available at All Out Restaurant, Queen’s Park Oval and Cellmates (opposite Medford Gas Station, Chaguanas) while for Fantasy and Entice, interested persons can call 221-4966 or any Fantasy/Entice committee member and Illusions Family can be reached at 708-5183 and 320 7024.

Patrons purchasing their tickets from these sections will also access the TT versus Jamaica Friendly at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on August 24 for free, using the same ticket. The TT FA will also create a Fan Zone just inside the main entrance to the venue in collaboration with Teqball Trinidad and Tobago.

Teqball which is already globally popular, is a new and revolutionary sports equipment that took over two years’ testing and research to eventually develop its final innovative and sophisticated shape.

Teqball’s rules and guidelines makes it fun and mentally challenging as it also improves player’s skill level, first touch, stamina and confidence.

The structure of Teqball table, aligned with the rules, does not allow luck or chance to interfere with the game; players can only rely on their skills and abilities.

wFans will have the opportunity to win attractive giveaways at the Fan Zone. Match kick off time on September 1 is 8pm.

In fact, there may even be a fifth investigation — by the Police Service and the Fraud Squad in particular. Of course, there will be duplication across all of these investigations but it cannot be helped if we are to go ahead with each of them.

It is justified, for example, for the Port Authority to conduct its own internal investigation.

It will need to know if there were systemic failures that facilitated any wrongdoing and where corrective interventions are needed.

The Integrity Commission’s probe may be statutory-based. If a formal request was made, then it has to do what it must. Similarly, the investigation by the joint select committee of Parliament may be legally enshrined once a request is made.

The Prime Minister and/or line minister are also entitled to launch an investigation into this very public matter.

Whether it should be one person or a team conducting this investigation is entirely up to him as well as who are the investigator(s).

However, it would be much wiser for the PM to have an investigation team rather than a one-person investigator.

One investigator, like anybody else, will have his/her own prejudices and can be accused of all kinds of biasness.

It will also be more publicly accepted if a three-member team at least, be used for these very public investigations.

More heads are better than one on these highly controversial matters and you don’t want to be accused later on of having a one-man show.

The PM should quickly add appropriate people and create a team.

It will be interesting for the public to know what the terms of reference for each of these investigations are so that we will know what can be expected.

Of course, the ultimate aim is to find out if any wrongdoings were committed, by whom, why and how, and what actions should be taken.

The public has a keen interest in this matter, especially as it involves public funds so we need to be kept in the loop. The findings should not be hidden away from us especially as the issue involves possibly hundreds of millions of dollars.

IAN RAMDHANIE via email

A High Court judge in San Fernando yesterday agreed that the elections should be postponed.

This, after Justice Ricky Rahim began hearing an injunction filed by a COP member on Thursday against the holding of the elections, on the grounds that there was no national executive committee in the party due to the number of resignations that took place this week.

Interim political leader Dr Anirudh Mahabir, general secretary Clyde Weatherhead and deputy political leader Lorraine Pouchet all resigned on Tuesday.

The contenders for the political leader post in the elections are Nicole Dyer-Griffith, who was present in court, former PP government minister Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan and the party’s former chairman, Sharon Gopaul- McNicols.

Already engaging the High Court is a lawsuit filed by the COP member Kirt Francis on August 7, against Dyer- Griffith’s being fit to contest the post due to her not being a member in good standing, having rejoined the party in February. The hearing of that lawsuit has not yet been assigned to a judge.

At yesterday’s hearing, Justice Rahim urged attorney Lester Chariah for Francis; attorney Christian Chandler representing Dyer-Griffith and attorneys David Mark Kidney and Wayne Beharry representing chairman Jamieson Bahadur to discuss the issue with a view to arriving at an amicable resolution.

The injunction was filed against Bahadur but Christian’s appearance with Dyer-Griffith yesterday, was for seeking the court’s permission to have her joined as an interested party to the proceedings.

This was granted.

The case was stood down for the attorneys to talk and all except for Chandler consented to postpone the elections.

Justice Rahim said the court must ask the objective question of whether the risk of injustice to Dyer-Griffith is greater than the claimant who, on affidavit, pleaded that he represented 42,000 COP members.

Rahim said that the issues raised in the substantive lawsuit was of greater interest to the general membership of the party than any individual claim to political office.

“The claim lies with ensuring the constitution of the party is fulfilled and that office holders are legitimately accepted,” Rahim said.

“The court considers the hardships of interested third party (Dyer- Griffith) and is not persuaded that these are greater than the injustice of the claimants.” He went on to state that all but one member of the election committee had resigned which rendered the managing of an election impossible.

Dyer-Griffith’s attorney did not sign the order which mandates that the election for political leader of the COP is hereby postponed.

The order further states that the national executive of the COP will meet on or before September 4 and that the national executive shall consider the applications for membership of the 35 members who resigned.