The update comes from the National Security Ministry, which is providing air and maritime support to Dominica following the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria earlier this week.

The ministry said National Security Minister, Edmund Dillon, “wishes to thank all those who have responded to the national relief efforts and encourages continued contributions as our emergency support agencies render assistance to Dominica.” The food aid was delivered to the island on Thursday (September 21) by Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG) vessel, TTS Moruga (CG 27) while “members of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) moved 14,000 pounds of relief supplies from St Lucia to Dominica” via the NHSL.

“TTDF personnel have been on the ground in Dominica providing support in the areas of relief distribution, search and rescue and medivac assistance.” The ministry added that here in TT, “the collection drive for relief items continues” at: Cruise Ship Complex, Dock Road, Port of Spain; Foundation for the Enhancement and Enrichment of Lives (FEEL) Warehouse, Warehouse 22, Fernandes Industrial Centre, Eastern Main Road Laventille; Trinidad and Tobago Postal Corporation (TTPost) Corporate Post Shops and all other locations previously identified by the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM).

Minister in the OPM, Stuart Young made the announcement on Thursday at the weekly post-Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s. Young said the conversation will be chaired by Prime Minister Keith Rowley and there will be a detailed presentation by the Finance Ministry on the state of the country’s economy.

He said the forum will also see presentations by members of the business community, the labour movement and other stakeholder groups in the country.

Finance Minister Colm Imbert will present what is widely expected to be an austerity budget in the House of Representatives on October 2 at 1.30 pm. The current parliamentary session has been prorogued and the new session opens on September 29.

However, he said, technological innovations applied outside of the oil and natural gas sector can bring cost reductions and growth underpinnings the economy requires. He made these points on Thursday while addressing a group of stakeholders from the business community at a panel discussion on leveraging technology in a changing landscape, at the Chamber Building in Westmoorings.

“But there’s a small catch. These applied efforts require not just the right gateways, but the right companies with the right risk appetite to find those avenues.” Seeterram said Cable and Wireless Business, Hub Box, D’Market Movers, a company involved the online food and shopping business, Term Finance – a company which offers an online loan facility and Wi-Pay – offering an online payment platform, have come through the other side of these gateways in the Caribbean market space via foresight in identifying and taking action on a necessary disruption.

He said disruptions are opportunities, only if pursued proactively, and in the developing and changing world of technology, the burning question may very well now be, “How does my business gain the capacity to take the necessary action?” “ Would you rather endure the pain and challenge of playing catch up? Or, would you rather leverage disruption from early in the game? I am quite sure you have the correct answer to that question.” Seeterram said they have recognised that disruptions are opportunities as opposed to being someone else’s problem that will soon become theirs in the competitive landscape.

He said due to initiatives like theirs, other leaders in their respective sectors in TT and the Caribbean are now being pressed by the greater sense of urgency to transform.

“Innovations such as cloud and open source technology have allowed these start-ups to scale rapidly with limited capital investment. Many of these start-ups do not need to bear the infrastructural costs many companies would have needed before…and now they are competing with them.” In an economy such as TT’s, which is in the throes of change, Seeterram said the winners and losers of today may not be the same as tomorrow.

He said the difference between the two is separated by perseverance, continuous learning and the humility to fail forward, “because that’s the stuff, the winners of tomorrow are made of.” Seeterram said the theme of the panel discussion represents the TT Chamber’s effort in hosting transformative sessions in support of progressive, cutting-edge business initiatives to encourage the private sector to help build a diversified economy.

“Go to school and do well, work hard to achieve your goals because you cannot be successful in life if you do not put in the hard work.

You cannot be successful in your studies by playing games and watching a lot of television,” Duncan advised students at a ceremony in her honour at the school.

Duncan, who passed for her first choice St Joseph Convent, Port of Spain, said she felt very proud and honoured.

“I want to encourage others that despite what challenges you may have, keep working hard because I did not reach here by watching plenty of TV. I worked very hard and I am thankful for the support from my aunt Renna Duncan.

“My aunt played a magnificent role in my studies and dedicated all her time and energy to help prepare me for the SE A exam. I must also praise and thank my teacher Miss Miranda Sakawat.” Interim Rector of the Holy Trinity and the school’s manager Carl Williams said it is an important time for the school and thanks must be given to God for its achievements.

He boasted that every year, St Catherine’s places in the top 20 overall in the SE A. “This year we have a student who placed first in Port of Spain and environs and 16th nationwide. It is an appropriate time to give thanks and celebrate.

“I believe parents are disciplined at this time to know the importance of education for their children and it is important to have a principal who is always thoughtful,” Williams said. He added that the annual award ceremony gives students an incentive to work harder as they prepare for their exams.

“Some people may refuse to go to the courts to resolve issues. One of the spouses may not have enough money to pay a lawyer to fast track the matter so there are several issues and I don’t think we should just jump and arrive at a conclusion to what the Chief Justice said. Let us do a comprehensive research that is required.” Dottin continued, “I think we need to do a lot more research before we arrive at conclusions.

There is a shift in values.

We continue to experience a cultural shift in values but, I believe that cultural shift continues to hurt us.” Dottin said that he is seeing more and more single parents in society and a lot of young people are out of control.

He said there has been a significant increase in the acceptance of responsibility by churches and counsellors.

“I know a number of churches have been involved.

Our church has a marriage enrichment programme that is seeking to bring families together…”

The budget, he added, is already a done deal and won’t be influenced by such a debate.

Maharaj, in a press release, said Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young’s disclosure of the discussion is “a political mamaguy” that insults the population’s intelligence.

“Since Government assumed office they have been lamenting the state of the economy they inherited, instead of dealing with the economic challenges,” Maharaj said.

“So what else new will they be adding to the national debate on the economy other than showing their incompetence to deal with the challenges? Is not the budget address by the Minister of Finance presumed to treat with these fundamental issues?” Maharaj said that as a former public servant and cabinet minister, he knew that, at this stage, the budget was virtually, “cast in concrete.” Budget documents, his release added, had already been printed and some agencies already had an idea of their anticipated allocations.

Projected revenue streams had been factored into projected expenditure in PSIP (public sector investment programmes), recurrent expenses, developmental projects, etc.

Budget consultations and planning began as early as April and it was at that point that any serious consultation should have been conducted.

Every public servant in the Ministry of Finance knows this fact, so this last-minute consultation is a farce, Maharaj said.

He wondered if participants at this consultation were to suggest some truly innovative idea, would Government “burn the already- printed budget documents” and have public officers rework the figures to fit these new ideas.

Angela Ramjattan, a ward at the Christ Child Convalescent Home in Diego Martin, was last seen at her Diego Martin school last Thursday, at about 2.45 pm.

She was last seen wearing her school uniform – a white shirt and a plaid skirt. Ramjattan is five foot two inches tall with a brown complexion and black hair.

She is of East Indian descent.

People with information on her whereabouts can contact the police at any station or dial 999, 555, 911 or 800-TIPS.

In a press release, the Ministry of Tourism said the upgrade work will be completed by the end of December.

Due to the collapse of a roof and the consequential need to ensure the safety of beach users, the bathroom facilities on the beach have been closed, and the main car parking facility is no longer available to the public.

In the interim, temporary washrooms have been constructed by the National Infrastructure Development Company Limited (NIDCO) for use by the public and the vendors near the main lifeguard building.

The Ministry has been liaising with the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) to ensure a consistent water supply is maintained and a janitorial service provider is in place to maintain these temporary facilities, the release stated.

The ministry said the upgrade works include road works, upgrade of drainage and car park facilities are being executed by the Programme for Upgrading Roads Efficiency Unit (PURE), of the Ministry of Works and Transport.

The developmental works at Maracas Beach are being done in phases to alleviate any possible disruption and inconvenience to general North Coast traffic, patrons, vendors and the Maracas community at large.

Speaking at the San Fernando ASJA Mosque during ‘juma’ prayers, Sulaimani saluted Rowley’s stance saying people are duty- bound to help and especially those in the Muslim community, even if it meant people having to facilitate a family in Dominica in their respective homes .

“People do not have food, drinking water and their houses have been destroyed,” Sulaimani told the congregation. He called on Muslims to begin putting together their Zakaat to send to Dominicans and they must be at the forefront in initiating such a drive .

“Muslims must not be holy only during the month of Ramadaan .

What has happened to our neighbours, is a test for us. Or, it is a punishment depending how we look at it from an Islamic perspective .

It is public knowledge that some of these islands are filled with lewed activities, for tourists. They commit sin. But, it also serves as a test for us here, for we are not to blame others, but reform others using the best way,” Sulaimani said .

The mosque was packed to capacity and included Local Government Minister Kazim Hosein, former House Speaker Nizam Mohammed, Justice Robin Mohammed and retired judge Shahfeyei Shah .

Sulaimani said that the calamities that befall some, is a test of faith for those who have not yet been affected by hunger, thirst and the forces of nature .

“Nationals of this country must never lull themselves into a false sense of security, in believing the winds will not destroy us, for we are told as Muslims, to seek refuge from the evil of the winds and the very water which cleanse us.” With this in mind, Sulaimani said, Rowley made a bold declaration for nationals of this country to sponsor a family, relative or friend they may know who have lost their home in Dominica .

“That is why I salute the prime minister. Let us not play politics with this. The prime minister understands the effect on the one who gives, at a time, to the one who is in need.”

Commissiong made the call during her keynote address at Government Campus Plaza on Richmond Street, urging the city corporation, business owners and public to keep the city’s rich cultural legacy alive by preserving historic buildings and sites for future generations.

“I yearn, not just for the past but for the future of Port of Spain, the preservation of historical sites in and around our town and the revitalisation of Carnival and culture in the city,” she said. “Recently I was asked, what I would like the street to be called? I would like it to be called the cleanest street in TT.” Recalling her youth growing up on Oxford Street in uptown Port of Spain, she said that while her middle-class upbringing was in stark contrast to those in socially depressed inner cities, she envisioned a brighter future for all of Port of Spain and reaffirmed her commitment to making this a reality.

“In my mind’s eye, I see the Savannah lush and green. I see Belmont, I see Woodbrook, I see St James as integrated communities, vibrant and alive, clean and the entire metropolis a haven for a revitalised, year-round tourism industry and if I can, in any way, contribute to this vision, I stand ready, willing and able.” Mayor Joel Martinez praised Commissiong for her contribution to local culture and identity and said the renaming exercise was the beginning of new projects under local government reform. “Our intentions are to preserve the history of our city whilst embracing and recognizing one of our very own with this honour.

In this instance the re-naming of Queen Street is multifaceted and commemorative, as this will set the stage for the development of the city’s landscape and infrastructure, whilst preserving our history.” Just before the renaming ceremony, a Carnival-like atmosphere engulfed Queen Street, as throngs of spectators gathered to show their support and admiration for the woman many affectionately referred to as “Penny” as she stopped to greet her fans, beginning at the Piccadilly Greens in east Port of Spain.