After a rotary club luncheon in Woodbrook, reporters asked Young why Mouttet was chosen to undertake the investigation.

Young replied, “Mr Mouttet is one of the stalwarts of TT.

He is someone who is very respected.” He said Mouttet is also someone Government sees “as being quite independent” and would be “a good sole investigator into what he has been asked to look into.” Young said Mouttet’s appointment does not mean Government has lost faith with the Port Authority’s board of directors. He said if Mouttet’s investigation unearths anything that warrants a police investigation, “as a government, we will send it to the police and where it needs to go.” Young said, “I would expect persons to fully participate with a Cabinet appointed investigator. If they choose not to, they will have a lot of questions to answer.” Young declined to say whether Mouttet’s findings could serve as the basis for future legal action against anyone involved in the procurement of the two vessels.

He also said at this stage, there is no cost attached to Mouttet’s engagement as an investigator.

There were also unconfirmed reports that a second employee was suspended. A senior government official confirmed Grant’s suspension and said a press release would be issued but none was received up to press time.

The development followed the Office of the Prime Minister’s (OPM) announcement that Mouttet, a former president of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, would investigate the “circumstances surrounding the procurement of the Cabo Star and the Ocean Flower II” and the charter party agreement for the vessels with the Vancouver-based BSG. Mouttet will be supported by the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs, and is due to present a report within 30 days. The OPM also released the prime minister’s letter to Mouttet, dated August 15, outlining his mandate.

Mouttet yesterday told Newsday he was asked by the prime minister to conduct the investigations and has accepted the responsibility.

“I will conduct whatever interviews are necessary from stakeholders, and collect data that exists with regards to correspondence and contracts,” he said. “I will look at the mechanisms and the systems that were in place for this process, and essentially prepare a report on those findings and submit them to the prime minister and the Cabinet.” However, Mouttet will not give advice on any course of action based on his findings.

“It won’t be within my purview to make recommendations. I will not make recommendations.

That is not part of the mandate.” With only 30 days to go, he said, he has to begin work right away. That will involve putting a plan in place over the next day or two to meet with stakeholders and make requests for documentation, he said.

The probe follows the Port Authority board’s cancellation of the contract for the Ocean Flower II for late delivery and amid reports of mechanical problems with the Cabo Star, although this contract remains in effect, in a continuation of the seabridge woes ever since the owners of the Super Fast Galicia withdrew its service in April.Former transport minister Devant Maharaj said Mouttet should “respectfully” decline the offer of sole investigator and allow the appropriate lawful body to conduct the investigation.

He said the appointment was a continuation of the public relations strategies used by Government to deflect from a critical examination of the procurement of the vessels. Mouttet is a respected businessman and should be commended for his willingness to serve the country, Maharaj said, but he does not qualify as a forensic investigator.

With many questions to answer, Maharaj said it was offensive that while the Integrity Commission was investigating the process, Rowley appointed a private citizen to do the same.

Mouttet is a leading businessman, serving as director and chief executive officer of the family- run Victor E Mouttet Limited Group.

Kevin La Fon, who scored three goals in both games, was instrumental in his team making that climb up the standings.

Last Tuesday, La Fon found the back of the net, along with Andell Allsop, to give Express FC a narrow 2-1 victory against North Oropouche.

On Sunday night, at the North Oropouche Ground, it was La Fon again who found the back of the net – with a double – as Express FC whipped El Carmen 3-0. Andel Sampson got the other goal for Express FC.

Table toppers Dragon FC suffered their second loss of the season when they fell 3-1 to Boys Town. Both Dream Team and Manzan United failed to capitalise on Dragon’s dropped points as they played to a 0-0 stalemate on Sunday evening at the Fishing Pond Recreational Ground.

In just their second victory of the campaign, El Carmen defeated SP Boys 2-1.

El Carmen struck first through Mikael De Craney’s goal in the first half, while Keedel Paul doubled the lead in the second half.

SP Boys mounted a comeback through Zion Beckles but his lone strike was not enough to prevent defeat for his team.

Alliance’s striker Irvin Reyes seem to be regaining his form as he was instrumental in rallying his team to a comfortable 4–2 victory over the slumping Alescon FC.

After conceding a goal through a well-placed strike by Anson Brachan, Alliance’s captain and striker Irvin “Squeeze” Reyes stepped up for a penalty and missed early in the first half.

However, like a true captain he rallied his troops and lead by example scoring a right footed strike from on top the 18-yard box, then set up Leonardo for an easy tap in to make it 2–1.

And it was Reyes who again found the net to take his team into the break with a 3-1 cushion.

Sherwin Mulzac making it 4–1 before Alescon FC’s Dorian Robinson pulled one back.

Gremio suffered heavy backto- back defeats – 5-2 to North Oropouche on Thursday night and 4-0 by Fishing Pond Youths on Sunday night.

Persad, executive sales representative of PV’s Adult Care Suppliers Limited – a retailer of adult diapers and adult briefs, has partnered with Belgian suppliers of adult and baby diapers, Nateen, to make high quality adult diapers available locally.

She told Newsday yesterday it is her hope that people become more understanding about caring for the elderly who suffer with urinary incontinence and need to wear adult diapers.

“Different health issues can cause incontinence,” Persad said.

“Incontinence in this country is heavily on the rise and it can be caused by different lifestyle habits – diabetes, kidney failure or just natural old age.” She said the wearing of adult diapers receives a negative reaction from some people.

“The proper term for it is disposable brief. Either that or adult diaper or adult brief.” Persad said calling them “Pampers” only adds to the demeaning stigma attached to wearing adult diapers.

She said people who wear them do not feel comfortable doing so because of that. She said many people are ashamed to purchase adult diapers and would hide to do so.

However, from her work with geriatric patients, Persad said people are a “little more open” in geriatric homes.

Nateen’s Latin America manager Gustavo Massagli said incontinence and the wearing of adult diapers are simply consequences of life and anyone can eventually have the need to use them.

Massagli said the increase of incontinence globally is as a result of a growing aging population and other lifestyle issues. He said Nateen, a combination of the words “natural” and “green”, is creating “more breathable” diapers which will go a long way in improving incontinence care.

“There are diapers that you have to change eight to 12 times a day because they emit heat and don’t absorb. Nateen diapers absorb up to 5.8 litres of liquid.” He said the diapers have a super absorbent polymer that absorbs liquid and keeps the top layer dry so there is no discomfort for the wearer and can be worn longer.

Massagli said the materials used are 80 per cent biodegradable and help avoid rashes. He said the company’s goal is to have their products made from 100 per cent biodegradable material.

Though the adult care industry is sensitive, Persad believes it is not handled with the extra care required.

V

Making the bold move from corporate Canada to the unpredictable adventures of an entrepreneur in a foreign market was not easy, but while attending university, 35-year-old Akit met Kirk Budhram, a Trini national and they became friend and eventually co-founders of Poutinôis.

“We launched our business on January 2, 2016 at the first official Carnival fete for the season, Tribe Ice. That’s when our crazy adventure started.

Our poutine is authentic to what Canadians would consider a real poutine. It is fresh cut fries, cheddar cheese curds and topped with brown gravy.

That is an original poutine.

We try to educate people that if it doesn’t have cheese curds or fresh cut fries then it’s just cheesy fries. While this might sound like a nominal detail it makes a world of difference in the final product. The beauty is that there are many ways to customise our poutine to the diverse taste of Trinidad and Tobago. Currently we have different flavoured cheese curds, meat toppings and vegetable toppings. Our Trini twists are toppings like geera chicken and then combine it with our tropical salsa (tomatoes, chadon beni, red onions, pineapple) which is a growing favourite.

We even try to do limited toppings during various religious holidays. For instance, we had a saltfish buljol topping for Lent.” The business is currently located in Curepe, but it takes poutines throughout the country via pop ups, special events and catering. Poutinôis offers customers an assortment of poutines, catering to meat lovers, vegetarians and the health-conscious. The poutines come in two sizes; the beaver (small) and the grizzly (large) and customers can choose from a variety of toppings.

They can even create their own poutine to match their taste. And with the thousands of followers Poutinôis has gathered on social media, Akit is convinced that poutine is something that has great potential in TT and that the market has room for other things.

“Yes, we started with poutines but there are other global foods that we want Trinis to try without ever having to leave their shores. There are unique desserts, beverages and snacks we have bold visions! I think poutine has the potential and the right ingredients to make it as big as the gyros trend.

Gyro was already a popular food in Canada years before it got to Trinidad, and then it took a while to gain popularity and has since created a whole segment on its own with a gyro stand on every corner.

This is my vision for poutine but what is satisfying is that it’s something made accessible to Trinidad, being a true foodie capital.” So how did the idea for Poutinôis come about? “My grandfather immigrated to Trinidad from China then had my father who was born in Trinidad, but moved as a young adult to pursue schooling overseas and ended up staying in Montreal to have kids,” Akit said.

“On my visits to Trinidad and Tobago I noticed that Trinis love food specifically when it comes to taste and they always like something different. This is where poutine as a product made sense, since any Trini who visited Canada have already heard of poutine so that helped with awareness. My corporate experience in the food service industry helped make the transition less daunting.” Akit graduated from Concordia University with a major in economics and minor in business.

“While my educational background is in economics, I knew that I had a passion for business while connecting with consumers, so I pursued a career in brand management.” He told Newsday he and his business partner have a vision for the company that could include other ambitious entrepreneurs.

“We are also seeking to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs/investors to help continue expanding on the Poutinôis vision.” Poutinôis can be found on Facebook and Instagram by searching @poutinois Email: Edwin.Akit@poutinois.com

While all is not well on the political, judicial, economic and social fronts, I am always happy when our sporting and cultural heroes do TT proud on the local, regional and international stages.

To cut a long story short, I congratulate all our athletes who represented the red, white and black at the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London, England.

We had some outstanding performances from Jereem “The Dream” Richards who awakened me from “beping” with a bronze medal in the 200 metres final.

The man was finishing like a ton of bricks. Jereem came back to strike gold with our 4×400 metres men — Jarrin Solomon, Machel Cedenio and Lalonde Gordon.

What a joy! The world has to take that in its rookung.

Several athletes have complained about funding problems which must be rectified by the authorities as we head for Tokoyo 2020.

Two of my favourite athletes, Michelle Lee Ahye and Keshorn “Toco Boy” Walcott, did not medal, so I say to them and all the others — keep the faith and forget the armchair critics.

KEITH ANDERSON via email

It was a greeting which began with a formal presentation of the sprinter to the media at the airport’s VIP Lounge followed by an open meeting with the public which produced a Carnival-like atmosphere for the athlete.

It was a joyous and emotional occasion, for not only Richards and his family, but also the numerous Government officials, fans and well-wishers in attendance.

Richards, from New Village in Point Fortin, was welcomed by his mother Yvette Wilson and sister Brittney Richards at the VIP Lounge.

“I wanted to dedicate this year to her in track and field and bring back this medal for her,” said the 23-year-old of his mother.

Also greeting Richards were Minister of Sport Daryll Smith, Point Fortin’s Member of Parliament (MP) and National Security Minister Edmund Dillon, TTOC (Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee) president Brian Lewis and chairman of the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SPORTT) Dinanath Ramnarine.

Richards was full of gratitude, thanking his family and, by extension, Trinidad and Tobago, for their undying support. He is also hopeful for a continued support of track and field.

“We have a lot of good athletes coming up and we really need and deserve the support of Trinidad and Tobago, not just when we get to major championships but in the stadiums for senior champs and the track meets,” he said.

Richards expressed his views on his World Championships performance saying, “ I would say that my World Championship experience was a great one. I’ve been having a really good year. God has really blessed me this year and my prayers and my family’s prayers have been answered because I worked so hard last year after the Olympics. And, to achieve so much this year, it’s overwhelming but at the same time to know that I prayed for something and it actually came through you know that God is real and He works in mysterious ways.”

Richards also extended his appreciation towards the medical staff, the team staff and the coaches who played a vital part in his success in the Championships.

Lewis lauded the efforts of every single athlete at the Games. “We undervalue and under-appreciate how much effort it takes to stand at the top of that podium.”

He noted the great demands and expectations now set for the athletes and encouraged them to use their experiences at London to motivate them onwards to greater success.

Minister Smith emphasised the importance of acknowledging the progress made, as at the last World Championships in 2015, in Beijing, China, “we had four people in the final, and now, we have five.”

He asked for the patience and support of Trinidad and Tobago. “We need this kind of positivity in the country, especially among our young people,” Smith said.

And the Sports Minister also took the time to thank non-Governmental organisations for the role they play in supporting local sport.

“I think it is an expression that the labour movement feels excluded from the political processes,” Panday said. “But the answer is, and it is more deeper than boycott, they must get political power.

He was speaking with reporters after the installation of a new executive of the Penal/Debe Chamber of Commerce at Fun Splash Water Park, Debe on Wednesday last week.

Panday recalled it was during his 1995- 2001 term in office he had introduced a concept known as “tripartitism” in which members of labour, business and government would sit on state boards and solve any problems which may hinder the efficient operations of the various enterprises.

“And the new government took it over but they don’t understand it. They think businessmen and labour and government should sit down around a table and talk…no, no, no, it is not that at all.

“In the State corporations, we would appoint a businessman, we’ll appoint a government representative and we’ll appoint labour. So when there is a problem in the business, they are not coming to the government, they are there to solve the problem themselves,” he said, adding, “The PNM does not understand the concept of tripartitism and that’s why they are in trouble with the labour movement.” Meanwhile, in a hard-hitting maiden address, incoming Chamber president Rampersad Sieuraj said the chamber could not sit idly by and allow the nation to become a failed state and called on members to send their proposals for the 2017/2018 budget so they could be included in their proposals to the minister of finance.

“Can anyone say with confidence that they have confidence in the economy of Trinidad and Tobago?” he asked.

He said the Chamber would raise such issues as crime and its consequential cost to businesses as well as the inability to access foreign exchange by small and medium sized businesses while large businesses seemed to have no such problem in accessing forex.

He said such projects such as the UWI Debe campus, the Penal fire station and the Shiva Boys and Parvati Girls Hindi Colleges had to be completed as this would stimulate growth in the region.

Cricketers in recent times, including a number of West Indies players, have been bringing their personalities to cricket which has resulted in some colourful bats.

In this year’s Caribbean Premier League, Brathwaite’s red bat has gotten attention from spectators. The bat is an example of the colour which Brathwaite, the current WI T20 captain, is bringing to the game through his brand Trident Sports.

During an interview at the Hilton Hotel, St Ann’s yesterday, Brathwaite said, “The Caribbean is always denoted with flair and the outside-the-box fan. Cricket for the past 100 years have only used the willow bats. Chris (Gayle) had a gold bat, (Andre) Russell had a black bat.

From time to time we just go with a colour that matches the team.

It just brings a different element to the cricket and that is what Trident Sports wants to bring.” Brathwaite said having a unique style helped him develop the idea. “Trident Sports started in 2009 while I was in Ireland.

I wanted some custom equipment for myself while being a professional in the Irish League. I was always the type of person that liked my own look and my stuff custom.” Brathwaite said one of his Indian teammates in Ireland introduced him to a manufacturer in India, and Trident Sports was created. Trident Sports also has cricket apparel such as gloves and pads.

Brathwaite recalled that he would experiment with his own equipment, which also helped him come up with the idea of Trident Sports.

“I had a bat that my dad bought, and as the stickers came off and it became worn I had it cleaned up and then I started to draw on it and that was my brand.

So I ran with the idea and Trident Sports was born. In 2014 we rebranded and we took the brand to new heights.” A number of West Indies cricketers have used Trident Sports equipment including Deandra Dottin, Hayley Matthews, Alzarri Joseph, Sunil Ambris, Anderson Phillip and Raymon Reifer.

Trident Sports has given back to charitable organisations in Barbados, and Brathwaite says the rest of the Caribbean will benefit as Trident Sports is a Caribbean brand. “We want to be seen internationally as a Caribbean brand, and in that regard we need to have the support of the Caribbean basically. We intend to continue to give back. We have done so in Barbados from inception really. Loads of charitable organisations we have donated to.” The Barbados Pride and Brathwaite’s former primary school in Barbados have benefitted from Trident Sports sponsorship.

Pan Trinbago president Keith Diaz expressed hope the event would promote appreciation for the national instrument and knowledge about its past. When asked about the choice of location, he said, “We realise every person passing by stops to watch…women, children, those on their way to work.” The exhibition showcased the craftsmanship of pans made here from the early 1950s to present. Previously, the country imported drums but the exhibition highlighted a new variety of patented pans specially made here which Diaz described as “our inventions, made from scratch”. He also explained there is a great difference between regular drums and the new pans which are louder, more powerful and more durable because of the difference in steel used. He gave the example that that the 27-inch drum has the volume of three pans.

He hinted of other differences but said, “We can’t reveal all the secrets. Experimentation is going on in T&T right now but there is more to come in the pan world”.

The exhibition was a journey through pan history with special established boards displaying designs by pioneers such as Anthony Williams, Ellie Mannette and Bertie Marshall straight up to present innovators like inventor of the G-Pan, Dr Brian Copeland.

Diaz said, “The history should be taught in a great and more effective way in this country.

People outside want this (steel pan) more than us.” The exhibition is hosted annually during Pan Month in August and two more events are scheduled for Friday at Harris Promenade, San Fernando and August 25 in Arima.