The three labour federations’ latest call to the PM came in the form of a letter which was hand delivered to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) in St Clair yesterday.

In the letter, the three federations described the situation in the country today as a “toxic societal cocktail”, especially with regards to the retrenchment of workers.

They lamented being unable to meet with Rowley, despite numerous attempts to do so. Rowley has urged the labour movement to return to the National Tripartite Advisory Council (NTAC) which was launched last year. Speaking outside the OPM after delivering the letter, Communication Workers Union (CWU) head Joseph Remy said, “The Prime Minister must be the one to repair the damage.” Remy reiterated the CWU’s concerns about who will benefit from the closure of the Tourism Development Corporation (TDC). He claimed the dismantling of the TDC, “is not because of any incompetence in the tourism sector.” Remy alleged the TDC’s closure is connected to the proposed Sandals resort in Tobago and,”who is going to benefit from that.” He also reiterated the union’s questions about TSTT’s acquisition of Massy Communications Ltd. Remy claimed this was the,”prelude for the Massy Group to turn around and take the cake in the telecommunications sector.” He added, “We are going to fight that right down the road because that is a dangerous thing.” JTUM leader Ancel Roget slammed Government’s handling of the Tobago seabridge fiasco. Roget said while different entities and individuals are contemplating what actions to take, Tobagonians in particular, “are suffering in silence.”

Debris was also reported swirling all around for only a few minutes, residents recalled. When it ended, galvanised sheets were hanging off electrical lines and the supply went in the Aripero, Rousillac area. “It was a nightmare I would never forget,” said mother of six Lena Dyer,55. Dyer continued, “I am speaking and my pores are raising. It only last for a short while, but I would never forget those few minutes,” said Dyer. She said at the time, she was preparing a meal in her kitchen when her roof was ripped off her house. “Just like that, my roof went off and rain started to pour inside, most of our appliances were damaged. Four years I have been living here and I have never experienced something like this,”she said. Another resident Charmine John- Williams of Iris Avenue said she felt as though she was reliving the moments of 2015, the year another storm hit the community.

John-Williams said that she now relives the nightmare as her roof was damaged for a second time.

“In 2015 I did not get any help, so I really hope to get help this time around,” John-Williams.

Chairman of the Siparia Regional Corporation Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh, together with other officials, met with affected residents to bring relief. Yesterday, officials from the Self Help Commission of the Community Development Ministry went to the community to meet with residents. Ag Chief Executive Officer Janice Phillip said her team visited the affected homes delivering application forms to the residents. She said that once the forms are filled out and submitted to Self Help, the damage would be assessed and residents could receive relief within a seven- day period. She explained that the affected residents would be given a purchase order to be taken to a hardware to be supplied with building materials.

Phillip was also accompanied by chairman Edgar Zephyrine and other officials. Tarpaulins and mattresses were also delivered to the homes of affected residents by officials from the Siparia Regional Corporation.

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.

The biennial event is one of the largest multi-sport events with 14 compulsory sports.

The TT delegation includes Darren Alfred (400 metres, 4×100 metres relay), Daniel Telesford (200m, 4x100m relay), Moriba Morain (100m, 200m and 4x100m relay) Micah Ballantyne (100m, 4x100m relay), Portius Warren (shot put) in athletics; swimmers Aleem Mohammed (10km open water, 1500m freestyle), Amira Pilgrim (50m butterfly, 50m breastroke, 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle) and Brittany Joseph, Catherine Spicer and Arun Roopnarine in table tennis.

The head of delegation is also the president of the Tertiary Sport Association of Trinidad and Tobago (TS ATT ), Ian Pritchard, while the manager is the TS ATT ’s vice-president Le-Roy Pierre. The coaches are Ian Carter (athletics) and Aleena Edwards (table-tennis), while the massage therapist is Shurlan Bonas.

Pritchard is very optimistic of the performance of the contingent.

He said, “The delegate, coaches and managers have the strongest confidence in the team because we have selected the best possible team possible team to represent the ‘red, white and black’ with distinction.”

Former COP chairman Nicole Dyer-Griffith bemoaned the postponement, saying that COP members were getting frustrated by the repeated delay in them being able to exercise their vote but former deputy leader Sharon Gopaul-McNicols welcomed it.

Dyer-Griffith told Newsday, “There was a draft order by the justice of the High Court.

He agreed to a consent order that was submitted by Jamieson Bahadur and Kirt Francis that the election would be postponed and that the National Executive must convene on or before September 4 to consider the election date and so on. So the elections have been postponed for a second time.

“We have been calling members of all constituencies and they have been saying to us that if this election is postponed again, it shows that you all are not serious and you need to get your house in order.

And so said, so done.

“It was so important to let the election go on no matter what the outcome would have been. At least you would have been afforded the opportunity to at least have an administrative position filled because right now there is no leader, no deputy leader and no general secretary.

“Essentially, once you look at the health of the organisation, postponement of the election is a serious blow.” Dyer-Griffith said she remained very satisfied with the number of members expressing support for her campaign.

“We were calling members. The numbers on the board were so reflective of what was going to take place on Sunday,” she said.

“We conducted these polls in a very scientific manner and we were far, far ahead.

However, you know, it is what it is. We’ll see.” “I will continue with the momentum,” she added.

Dyer-Griffith said the court-ordered delay was a minor setback.

Gopaul-McNicols told Newsday, “I think it was a good decision to postpone the election because there were some clear irregularities about the candidacy of one person.” She also said an election was untenable in light of the recent mass resignation of COP officials.

“I think people realised things were unravelling and they decided to go the route of coming out of the party instead of standing and taking responsibility for the claims being made.” Newsday was unable to contact the third leadership contender, COP former chairman Carolyn Seepersad- Bachan.

Phoenix went ahead in the 10 th minute, through an own goal by Marcus Ramkhalawan, before Shaquille Ferrier responded for the hosts in the 66th.

Carlon Hughes gave Guaya a 2-1 advantage when he netted in the 75th, and he put the game beyond doubt when he struck in the 90th.

National striker Keron Clarke scored a second half treble to guide FC Santa Rosa to a 4-0 drubbing of Police at the St James Barracks.

Rashad Griffith broke the deadlock in the 72nd before Clarke got his name on the scoresheet, in the 74th, 81st and 90th.

Cunupia were also in winners’ row last Sunday, as they blanked Bethel FC 2-0 at the Mt Gomery Recreation Ground. Stevon Stoute scored both goals, in the 21st and 77th.

And Theon James found the back of the net, in the 22nd, as the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT ) pipped hosts Queen’s Park 1-0 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium’s Training Ground, Mucurapo.

Siparia Spurs and WASA played to a goalless draw at the Palo Seco Recreation Ground while the game between Defence Force and Club Sando Moruga, at the Defence Force Sports Ground in Chaguaramas, was abandoned.

In League Two action last Saturday, Prisons remained atop the standings after a narrow 2-1 win over Marabella FCC at the Youth Training Centre (YTC) Ground, Arouca.

Levi Garcia (own goal – seventh) and Barry Carrington (eighth) were on target for Prisons while Marabella pulled one back from Russel Orie (14th).

Jamal Lucas netted in the 72nd as Perseverance Ball Runners edged Central 500 Spartans 1-0 at the New Settlement Recreation Ground while Harlem Strikers defeated Youth Stars 2-1 at the Frederick Settlement Recreation Ground.

Corie Dhandoolal (seventh and 13th) got both items for Harlem, with Kevin Woodley getting the consolation for Youth Stars, from the penalty spot, in the 35th.

Weekend Fixtures – TO DAY (League Two): Youth Stars vs Petit Valley/Diego Martin United, Roxborough Complex, 5 pm; Marabella Family CC vs Harlem Strikers, Guaracara Park, 6 pm; Central 500 Spartans vs Prisons, Edinburgh 500 Recreation Ground, 7 pm; (League One): UTT vs FC Santa Rosa, O’Meara Campus, Arima, 7 pm.

TO M ORRO W (League One): Club Sando Moruga vs Bethel United, Grand Chemin Recreation Ground, Moruga; Defence Force vs Guaya United, Defence Force Sports Field, Chaguaramas; Cunupia FC vs Queen’s Park, Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima, 4 pm; WASA vs Police, WASA Ground, St Joseph, 4.30 pm; 1976 Phoenix FC vs Siparia Spurs, Canaan/ Bon Accord Recreation Ground, 5 pm.

Last year’s roadshow had sought to promote the twin island State as a culturally rich vacation destination, and also gave both the travel trade and consumers a chance to get more information on tour operators, accommodation, restaurants and experiences that would mutually enhance their stay.

For the visiting group that stayed at Coblentz Inn Boutique Hotel in Cascade, Port of Spain, they enjoyed a one day tour of Tobago, a visit to the Gasparee Caves, Paramin, the La Brea Pitch Lake and the National Academy for the Performing Arts.

At the group’s farewell dinner, Tourism Minister, Shamfa Cudjoe, shared her vision for the tourism industry and highlighted why the Ministry fully supported the roadshow from last year.

“The economic benefits to be derived through inter-island tourism is manifold, especially as it pertains to retaining foreign exchange within the Caribbean region, as well as sustainability of the tourism sector.” The Minister also stated that initiatives such as the French Caribbean Roadshow are important in setting the foundation for new and emerging markets, and also underscored the importance of public–private partnerships to the growth and development of the tourism sector.

The visiting group expressed pleasure at the hospitality and professional service extended to them and has promised to return for Carnival 2018.

Chase was the West Indies best bowler, finishing with four for 113 in 26.2 overs as England declared on 514 for eight in the first innings.

Cook scored 243, while West Indies closed on 44/1 in reply.

Chase was happy to get wickets but felt he was expensive. “It is always good getting wickets. I was lucky enough to get four in the day but I thought I was a little bit to expensive for that stage of the game. I thought my length was a bit short to Cook and that was my main error for me today,” Chase said.

Chase said he grew in confidence the more he bowled which saw him grab the wicket of Cook. “At one point I just tried to contain him (Cook). I was not thinking of getting the wicket, but I grew in confidence in my bowling and I was feeling a bit better and I guess that worked for me.” West Indies will be batting today to stay alive in the match and Chase believes the batsmen are confident after scoring heavily in the warmup match. “The batting is full of confidence although we lost that early wicket. Tomorrow in the sunshine we will look to do our best.” Rain ended play early yesterday but Chase believes that the West Indies would have done well in the closing session. “The guys were batting well, we were quite confident that they (Kieran Powell and Kyle Hope) would have brought us to the end of play. The rain came and we can’t do anything about that. We just look forward to tomorrow.”

This year’s 49th edition seemed uncertain for the past few weeks as Carib, which has been the title sponsor for the past 16 years, pulled their sponsorship, while numerous other hurdles threatened to sink the annual inter island power boat competition.

An intervention by the Minister of National Security Edmund Dillon earlier this week, ordered the Strategic Services Agency (SSA) to provide helicopters to oversee the safety of the event.

Initially, the Trinidad and Tobago Powerboat Association (TTP BA) did not receive any confirmation from the company that they will grant their services for the event.

Roger Bell, a director on the TTP BA, confirmed yesterday that divers will be on coastguard boats during the race along with patrol boats. However, he said there was no confirmation from SSA that divers will be available for the helicopters.

A new winner will be crowned and a new course will also be used this year. Last year’s champion Paramount will not compete in this year’s edition having failed to compete in any of the TTP – BA qualifying regattas this year, while the race will end in Store Bay as opposed to Scarborough which has been the finish point the past few years.

Bell, despite the setbacks, said he was always confident the race would take place this year.

“I was just asked a question if we had hurdles because of sponsorship and safety. But quite frankly our only hurdle for the race this year was the divers.

Sponsorship is business, the negotiations broke down and Carib decided to walk away from it.

We’ve moved on, it is the Trinidad and Tobago Great Race, it is a national event and it is a race for the people,” he said.

Bell said the racers know that a lot of people look forward to the Great Race – especially the people of Tobago. “The racers are excited and they don’t want to disappoint the fans. The hoteliers were very, very concerned and that is one of the reasons the racers decided they wanted the race to go on. They (hoteliers) were calling us saying they was going to be cancellations. There are five boats from Tobago in tomorrow’s (today’s) event that are already in Trinidad and they have a massive fan base in Tobago.” A-Class (130 miles per hour) boats Ironman and Cat Killer are among the favourites to take the title this year.

Driver of Cat Killer, Donald Webster, who was Paramount’s throttleman last year, said, “I don’t think there really have any boats that will prevent us from winning. The boat is super fast and it is set up for the rough,” he said. Webster said a concern for the boats is the equipment performing at a high standard throughout the race.

Guy Costa of Ironman is confident ahead of the race, declaring “Ironman is ready to go. We really confident that this year we stand a good chance, so they might have to be watching out for us.” Other boats will line up in the B Class (120 mph), C Class (110 mph), D Class (95 mph), E Class (80 mph), F Class (70 mph) and the G Class (60 mph).

Urged on by the partisan home crowd, TT ’s first win on Day 1 came from Leon Cassie in the Men’s U-17 Singles competition, as he rolled over his Bajan opponent 21-16, 21-10 in 19 minutes.

Cassie recently returned from the Pan Am Junior Badminton Championships in Canada, and has been making steady progress on the national scene.

The unseeded Cassie, however, later succumbed to the No.

7 ranked Peruvian, Diego Subauste Tokumura, 21 -17, 21-13 in his following match.

His cousin Sandhya Cassie was also in the winning column as she defeated her Bajan counterpart Krystal Clark 21- 11, 21-11.

But Sandhya also did not have an answer, in her following round, for the guile and power of the more experienced player in Paula La Torre Regal from Peru.

The Peruvians, who came with a strong contingent at this year’s CAREBACO, again proved the nemesis as Cassie lost out to Regal 21-5, 21-6.

The four top seeds in the Women’s Singles competition all advanced to the third round, which included Nairobi Abigail Jimenez and Bermary Polanco, both of the Dominican Republic, and Peruvians Fernanda Saponara Rivva and Paula La Torre Regal.

In the Men’s U-19 Singles, Diego Mini also representing Peru, advanced to the quarter- finals along with Cesar Adonis Brito of the Dominican Republic and Italian Giovanni Toti.

Renaldo Sinanan started his campaign with a competitive Men’s U-19 match when he took on Suriname’s Jascha Admodikromo 21-16 21-17.

In the Men’s Doubles, Sinanan and his partner Stefano Bedasie were taken to three sets but they eventually defeated the Barbadian pair of Kody King and Gavin Robinson.

The pair seemed determined to keep TT ’s flag flying high as they recovered from a dropped first set to win a hard 19-21, 21- 16, 21-17.

TT ’s Aleem Ali and Mikael Joachim were also taken to three sets, before eliminating their Bajan rivals in Aaron Godding and Nicholas Sobers, fighting hard in the three setter 21-12 8-21 21-18.

Sinanan did not fare as well in the Mixed Doubles as both him and his partner, Nelida Bedasie, lost in a close three set match to cousins Leon Cassie and Sandhya Cassie 21-19 17- 21 21-18. Nathaniel Khillawan and Ralitsa Wong had an easier passage to the next round, getting past the duo of Nicholas Sobers and Robyn Sobers, representing Barbados 21-10 21-12.

Last evening Team TTO was in action up until, battling in the Men’s and Women’s Singles as well as the Men’s, Women’s and Mixed Doubles events.

Play resumes today 5 pm at the NRC where Team TTO will be seeking more wins during the CAREBACO U-19 International.