In announcing the relaxation of immigration rules for Dominican citizens on Thursday, Rowley cited an old saying, “A house is never too small for family.” To this we add another: we can all see today, but we cannot see tomorrow. Who knows if one day the shoe will be on the other foot? As with most policy initiatives, there has been some degree of scepticism in response on social media, motivated ostensibly by concerns over security, economic considerations and even fears of voter-padding.

Yet, what has been announced is not a complete waiving of immigration rules for Dominicans – who already enjoy a special status as Caricom nationals. Rather, the measure is one which simply makes it easier for Dominicans eligible to come here and stay a little longer provided they have adequate local ties.

As for economic considerations, it cannot be in the interest of any free-market block to see fellow trade partners left to oblivion.

In the long run, it is in Trinidad and Tobago’s interest to see our markets recover from the utter devastation wrought. According to a recent estimate by the World Trade Organisation, this country is Dominica’s top trading partner in terms of volume of imports and exports (approximately 19 per cent).

Even disaster-struck Antigua stands ready to assist Dominica.

As for fears of voter-padding, that risk is a matter which is always a hypothetical possibility, whether Dominicans come or not.

We have a robust electoral system which has checks and balances and is even reviewable by the courts. These checks and balances are more than enough to allay hypothetical fears that likely have more to do with xenophobia than any genuine concern for elections at large.

We also commend all those NGOs and private business organisations that have mobilised relief efforts alongside official measures adopted by the State. Even the TT Cricket Board is organising a charity Twenty20 match featuring a Red Force XI and Regional XI to aid our Caribbean neighbours.

This degree of goodwill is a reminder of the mood that prevailed after the devastating earthquake in Haiti of 2010.

The State’s decision to facilitate schoolchildren from Dominica at local schools is also a thoughtful addition to the package of aid given.

We look forward to the rolling out of the details of all of these measures in the coming days so that citizens can quickly take steps to welcome our brothers and sisters from Dominica.

But we must remember that the hurricane season is not over yet.

While we have been lucky to escape relatively unscathed thus far, we must be prepared for the possibility of further storm activity.

Already some experts are predicting additional hurricanes, beyond that of Jose and Maria. Hurricane season runs through November 30, and it is plausible that more tropical storms might form right up to the wire, perhaps even into December.

Whether God is a Trini or not, it is always better to be prepared than not. In the face of any incoming storm, windows should be guarded, homes protected from flooding as much as possible, loose objects should be secured, appliances prepared for power outages, and home inventories prepared.

It is useful to devise a hurricane preparedness checklist for your household.

We can do all of this while we have the luxury to do so. And we can also be our brother’s keeper, knowing that one day we may find ourselves in need.

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.

Both mother and daughter were stabbed outside their South Trinidad home on Wednesday by a man after the mother petitioned the courts for a restraining order against him. Residents who assisted the woman and her child, later found the man in some bushes and gave him a sound cuttail before calling the police.

The man remains warded in a different ward at San Fernando General Hospital where his victims are also warded. Police said a decision was made to beef up security around mother and daughter and to also manage and limit the number of people allowed to visit them, after death threats were sent to the child. Police sources said that the death threats were made by associates of the male suspect who is handcuffed to the iron rails of his bed. The schoolgirl remains listed as serious but stable. The suspect was expected to appear in court next Friday when the case filed by the woman for a restraining order, was expected to be heard.

Police sources said that the man, when he is discharged from hospital, could face two charges of attempted murder as well as several charges of sexual assault against the child. The mother was stabbed in the chest and hand.

Defending team champs PSL along Pharmaco, Heatwave, Jet Blue, Raiders, Veloclub Ratisbona, Econo, RC Schwalden, Embrace The World and St Vincent and the Grenadines are the squads confirmed to compete.

PSL will be aiming to retain their title with the first and second place finishers in last year’s Stage Race as well as the 2015 winner.

Van Der Zwet of Netherlands took the 2016 four-stage competition ahead of fellow-Dutch rider Nick Stopler. The victor two years ago Jamaican Marloe Rodman is also in the PSL line up.

PSL will have on board three more Dutch competitors Twan Brussellman, Peter Schulting and Martin Kelderman as well American Trevor Connor and Canadian Alex Bhugal.

Pharmaco will be spearheaded by former multiple champion and Tobago-born veteran Emile Abraham who is the lone local rider in the seven-member lineup.

He is joined by Americans Ben Kema, Winston David, Parker Kyser and Corey Davis. Guyana’s Raymauth Jeffrey is the seventh rider. Abraham, the 2007 Pan American Games Road Race silver medallist, will be riding in the event for the first time since 2015 when he announced his retirement from national team duties.

The Atlanta, USA based rider has been enjoying much success in the Masters Category in the US.

Top ace rider Njisane Phillip is the leading name on Jet Blue.

The two-time Olympian will be joined by fellow locals Lorenzo Orosco, Varun Maharah and stand-out junior Tyler Cole. Antigua and Barbudan Jyme Bridges and Romello Crawford of Guyana will also wear the colours of Jet Blue.

Raiders will rely on the 2015 (Adderly Cruz Colon of the Dominican Republic) and 2013 (Dennis Ramirez-Colombia) Tour winners. Alexander brothers, Joshua and Adams, are the lone local riders in the eight-member team.

Veloclub Ratisbona and RC Schwalben will feature all-German teams while Embrace the World will feature four Germans and one Swiss rider.

Argentine Jose Luis Rivera, Colombian Jhoan Sabatian Caicedo, Andres Camilo Pedroza and Christian Torres, American Arian Kaini and Ben Foster and Denmark’s Amid Pederson will ride for Econo. St Vincent and Grenadines outfit will include three Vincentians and one St Lucian.

Chairman of the TICC Jeffrey Charles is describing this year’s field as extremely competitive given the quality of riders on the teams.

“This the first time in a while that all the teams have at least one top rider who can win the (UCI 1.2) Tour (of Tobago). This is one of the most competitive in many years,” he said.

Abraham arrived in Trinidad on Thursday and Van Der Zwet was expected yesterday afternoon.

Rodman is due in Tobago on Tuesday.

John-Williams said Deokiesingh tendered his resignation with immediate effect but he was unable to say what prompted him to do so.

Adding that Deokiesingh was on two months vacation at the time of his resignation, John-Williams said his departure will not impede the functioning of the board.

Minister of Energy and Energy Industries, Franklin Khan has reportedly confirmed that Deokiesingh tendered his resignation earlier this week.

His resignation came amidst an investigation by Petrotrin into allegations first made by Opposition Leader, Kamla Persad-Bissessar at a Monday night meeting of the United National Congress that a lease operator supplying crude oil to the State oil company, Petrotrin, had defrauded the company of almost $100 million.

My company is no longer a member of the ECA and Nancoo does not speak on my behalf.

As Gabriel Faria, CEO of the TT Chamber of Industry and Commerce, stated, every business has its own circumstances and some may be hiring and some may be forced to reduce staff.

Faria therefore acted responsibly in stating that the Chamber could not and would not make a similar commitment.

It is high time the labour movement understands that businesses do not set out to retrench. Labour is a valuable resource and the cost of replacing or retraining employees is extremely high.

Most responsible businesses value their employees very highly.

Unfortunately, there are times when, for the company to survive, sacrifices must be made.

If the labour movement is so concerned about unemployment, and if it so knowledgeable about running businesses, then why don’t the unions invest their own money and some of the dues and strike funds they supposedly have accumulated in starting their own businesses? Once again I urge the responsible business associations to join together and make public their recommendations as to how they see labour legislation having to be changed and updated for the good of the country.

The private sector has invested its own money in the creation of businesses that are the employers of this country. We are the employers and we will run our businesses the best we can. Unless they are prepared to guarantee my debts to the bank and suppliers, no ECA president or union leader is going to tell me how to run my business.

STUART DALGLIESH Diego Martin

According to a police report, at about 7 am, Goorachan parked his vehicle in the parking lot of the health facility. As he walked towards the health centre, a man confronted Goorachan and gunned him down. Eyewitnesses said the gunshots caused people at the centre to scamper. The killer escaped in a car which sped off along Grant Street.

Goorachan worked at the health facility for the past two years. Police were yesterday viewing CCTV footage which recorded the murder. Goorachan’s grandmother Olive Goorachan, 80, who lives in Mayaro said news of the murder had left her heartbroken.

“I still can’t believe it. He lived in Barrackpore and only two months ago came to visit me.

I was so happy, I did not know it would have been the last time I would be seeing him,” she said.

Goorachan said she could not understand why someone would want to kill her grandson. “He was a nice boy, hard working and respectable. I just don’t understand who would do this and why. Four years ago, Goorachan’s father died from heart failure. Olive said the crime situation has gone from bad to worse. Goorachan was an only child.

Another relative said Goorachan had his entire future ahead of him.

“He had plans of starting a selling and buying car business which he often spoke about. We were told the killer did not take anything from him (Goorachan) so it is a clear this was a ‘hit’. But why,” the relative asked.

Yesterday, the two constables, assigned to the Besson Street Police Station, remained in custody and were still being interviewed by officers of the Organised Crime Narcotics And Firearms Bureau (OCNFB). Sources revealed that the constables’ homes in Laventille were searched on Tuesday night and again on Wednesday but nothing illegal was found. It is alleged that the two officers left the Port-of- Spain CID on Tuesday claiming that they were going on enquiries. The officers then allegedly picked up a 24-yearold El Socorro man in a marked Police-issued Xtrail and took him to the South Western Peninsula .

While in the district, the El Socorro man allegedly collected four crocus bags containing high-grade marijuana that allegedly came from Venezuela, three hand guns with ammunition and a quantity of alcohol .

The items were placed in the vehicle and were supposed to be transported to El Socorro for packaging and sale .

However, officers of the South Western Division Task Force, led by Sgt Shaheed Ali and acting on a tip-off, attempted to stop the vehicle in Cedros shortly after 5 pm on Tuesday .

A roadblock was then put in place in Rousillac and the vehicle was stopped .

The police vehicle was searched, the drugs guns and alcohol were found and the two constables, along with the 24-year-old man, were taken into custody.Senior police officers, led by ACP Crime Irwin Hackshaw, condemned the alleged actions of the officers and said they had brought the Police Service into disrepute .

His comments were echoed by President of the Police Social and Welfare Association, Acting ASP Michael Seales .

Yesterday, sources at the OCNFB said they were now working on information that police vehicles were being used to transport drugs from the South Western Division to El Socorro for an extended period .

They added that, based on information received, a very senior officer was aware of the alleged illicit operation and supported the actions of some junior officers including the two constables detained on Tuesday .

A decree nisi is a court order that does not have any force unless a particular condition is met.

Once the condition is met, the ruling becomes a decree absolute (rule absolute) and is binding.

Archie gave a brief outline of statistics at the ceremonial opening of the 2017/2018 law term on Monday.

More detailed statistics will be made available when the Judiciary’s annual report is ready in a month or two.

Archie said, “In the final analysis, although this is not the only nor is it necessarily the best way of judging the effectiveness of a judiciary, public perception is influenced by disposition rates.” In the High Court Criminal Division raw data shows an eight per cent increase of indictments over the previous year and the highest total over the past six consecutive law terms.

“However, it takes five years on average to dispose of 70 per cent of matters filed in any given year, which does not compare favourably with civil matters,” Archie said.

He said he looked forward to increased use of plea-bargaining and trials without jury now that the latter is on the statute books.

Samlal’s white Nissan panel van was missing from his premises.

On Wednesday, acting on the advice of the Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions George Busby, WPC Janelle Ransome of the Homicide Investigations Bureau (Region III), laid the charge of murder against Ranoo, also known as Ronnie Ranoo. He was expected to appear before a magistrate in the San Fernando Court yesterday.