This, the TTMA says, will allow the process of container inspection to become as efficient as possible.

The association said it is concerned about the decision taken by the joint select committee of Parliament on July 3 to inspect 20 per cent of the units on the port and the impact it would have on the facilitation of trade for manufacturers.

“While the TTMA commends the Government on its commitment to national security, the negative impact on the ease of doing business cannot be denied. The delays caused by the increase in the percentage units assigned for inspection, coupled with the fact that the container scanners are yet to be given approval for utilisation by Customs and Excise, have made it increasingly difficult for manufacturers to meet optimum levels of exports and imports.”

Meanwhile, the TT Chamber of Commerce and Industry is urging Government and the PATT to immediately resolve the seabridge issue in the interest of the nation. The chamber is questioning the operations of the cargo vessel Cabo Star, which was also leased by Bridgemans.

On Wednesday, government announced the cancellation of the contract to Bridgemans to provide the passenger vessel Ocean Flower 2, for failure to deliver on time.

Responding yesterday to Leader of the Opposition Kamla Persad- Bissessar’s call for a police investigation into the procurement process, which she said was “a scandal of the highest order which reeks of mismanagement and corruption”, Sinanan opined, “It is strange that suddenly the former prime minister knows what is a scandal. From 2010 to 2015, she did not know what was a scandal. In this instance, she should say what is a scandal.” Any legal issue arising out of the cancellation of the vessel, he said, was being dealt with by the lawyers representing the PATT.

On whether there were any agents or middle person dealing with Bridgemans, Sinanan said, the port authority, as Government’s agent, was dealing with Bridgemans.

“What I know for sure,” he said, “is that the port authority paid nobody any commission, or finders’ fee or anything like that. As a matter of fact no money was paid on that vessel. So there is no money that the Port Authority would have had to recover.” Asked what will happen to Cabo Star’s contract if anything is found not right with the operations of Bridgemans, Sinanan said, “If there are investigations, and depending on the findings of the investigations, I am sure the port authority or the ministry will do what has to be done.” In a release issued yesterday, the chamber said, the Cabo Star “is yet to meet the projected service capabilities.” Agreeing there would be an initial three-week teething period, after some ten days in operation, the chamber said, “it is unacceptable that among other challenges, air conditioning units and wash room facilities are malfunctioning.

The cafeteria is not in operation. Cabins remain unavailable to truckers, and sailing time to Tobago is still six hours on average.” The chamber also commended PATT chairman Alison Lewis’ willingness to resign, if the PATT board is found to have failed to follow proper procurement procedures.

Calling for transparent procurement practices, the chamber called on Government, working in tandem with the PATT, to “preserve the highest principles in ensuring that our country is perceived in the best light globally by potential investors.”

This is clearly needed not only within the public sector but also the private sector. Unfortunately, our watershed legislation on anti- discrimination measures, the Equal Opportunity Act, does not provide adequate protection for persons with HIV/AIDS. It tracks a person’s status only in terms of sex, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, martial status and disability level.

There is nothing to protect an employer from mistreating an employee who is HIV positive. This is a considerable gap especially when we consider the extent of the protections offered by the legislation.

It bars discrimination not only in relation to employment, but also in education, the provision of goods and services, and even the provision of accommodation. In other words, it provides a profound shield against discrimination in all of the major facets of life.

The defects of this statute are well known. Outrageously, it has explicitly barred LGBT persons from protection by striking sexual orientation off the list. The message sent by this appalling law, therefore is this: such persons may be mistreated not only by employers, but also teachers, grocers, service- providers, and even landlords who provide accommodation.

Persons with HIV/AIDS have an even worse fate in the legislation.

Though not specifically barred from protection, they are not even mentioned. Effectively, the law regards the 11,000 persons with this condition as invisible. This new policy changes that. We await the National Monitoring and Evaluation Plan for HIV/AIDS, but in the meanwhile, we note the profound impact this policy can have in relation to the quality of life enjoyed by our daughters, sons, fathers, mothers, sisters, and brothers who are diagnosed with this disease.

True, it can be said the policy does not go far enough. And the lobby groups that are likely to make this argument would be justified in so doing. We need more than a policy, we need the strength of law and enforcement. And we need the State to overhaul the Equal Opportunity Act completely.

However, we note change in any society cannot be done in a heavy-handed manner. While there is clearly a long way to go in terms of changing attitudes in relation to HIV/AIDS, it is better that the State take a small step instead of none. Over time, this small step is likely to snowball into a bigger movement for change.

No one knows the remedy for prejudice. But when employers and employees see persons with HIV/AIDS working hard and achieving their fullest potential as human beings within the social setting, they will see first-hand what should be self-evident: We are all equal and all worthy of a space on this earth.

We hope the trade union movement will support this workplace policy measure and aggressively lobby for it to become entrenched in law. These trade unions must realise the gravity of their responsibility to ensure that all workers, no matter their status, have an equal chance to earn a living.

We praise Minister Baptiste-Primus and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Ayanna Webster- Roy for boldly supporting this measure and urge the State – including the Parliament – to not let the people down. We must not merely treat the symptoms of illhealth.

Over time, we must eradicate the disease of discrimination completely.

The investigations include one incident posted on social media showing a dispute between an officer and a female driver over the wrecking of her vehicle.

There have been numerous complaints over the way motor vehicles are wrecked, particularly in Port of Spain.

The PCA says the complaints are about the failure of police officers accompanying wreckers to make efforts to locate the drivers of vehicles before they are towed away and that police officers prefer to wreck the vehicles rather than charge the driver the appropriate fine.

The PCA has reminded police officers that as long as the driver is on the scene they can issue a ticket and release the vehicle even if it has been picked up by the wrecker but has not been removed from its location.

However, similarly, drivers are reminded that their vehicle can be removed by the wrecker if the driver is not found after a search of the area.

Nigel “Dufu” Mayers, 40; Nick “Skinnies” Noriega and Miguel Roberts appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Maria Busby Earle-Caddle. Their attorney Wayne Sturge was absent and the accused men were informed that their matter would have to be restarted. The row began when prosecuting attorney Danielle Thompson said she was in receipt of the court transcripts and indicated they were prepared to restart the matter and urged the court to do so as the defence attorney was not present.

On hearing this, Mayers and Noriega began shouting, saying to restart the case would not only be unusual but also unfair. They cited the seven years spent languishing in prison while the case remains undetermined. The men began hurling insults at court officers who attempted to restore order in the courtroom.

Earle-Caddle told the men that since their legal counsel was not present, the matter would have to be restarted. Officers later removed the men from the holding cell to the prisoner’s bay before the situation grew out of hand.

This follows similar outbursts by the trio in June.

In Sturge’s absence, attorneys Danielle Rampersad and Joseph Sookhoo represented the men.

Sookhoo later said an application has been filed against the High Court for abuse of power.

Mayers and Noriega were arrested in connection with the murder of shopkeeper Shirley Thomas at her businessplace in Morvant seven years ago.

Bibby, the former project manager of the Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society, received an outpouring of love from friends, family and well-wishers at Lucy Joyce Blackman International Foundations’ (LBJ Foundation) fund-raising dinner held in her honour on August 5, at Lions’ Civic Centre, Port of Spain. Bibby was first diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer in January of 2015.

The evening, full of food, dancing and fun, saw local stars such as Marcia Miranda and Terry Seales serenading Bibby.

The well-supported fund-raiser included cancer survivors and their families, along with a number of sponsors and people whose lives Bibby touched. Seated directly in front of the stage with her family, Bibby encouraged the audience to, “Get up and shake a leg please, for me,” to the musical performances by the family band, Moore’s Music Productions.

The cancer-fighter encouraged, “Many people fear cancer but with a lot of positivity, go out there, be strong… don’t be afraid of it, it’s curable, because there is one big man who knows what and how to cure it, and that’s God… I am here and I am truly alive.” Many were moved as singer Marcia Miranda dedicated her performance of Bette Midler’s Wind Beneath My Wings to Bibby. Miranda, also a cancer survivor, said, “Paula helped me when I was down.” In the true spirit of celebration, Miranda sang songs such as the Electric Slide, getting the audience on their feet and in front of the stage. Bibby thanked Miranda and described her as a “beautiful spirit,” who is “really my saviour, you are the reason I am alive because I helped you and believe me, you certainly helped me too.” Ingrid Blackman-Arrastia of the LJB Foundation said, “The Cancer Society and Paula directly have always been a help to us from inception.

She was instrumental to our development.

She is like our mum and has a heart of gold so it was a natural decision to organise this fund-raiser.” In a few words shared to the audience, Blackman- Arrastia warmed the crowd by saying, “The one thing that unites us all is that little word, L O V E.” The Lucy Joyce Blackman Foundation is a global non-profit charity created by the children of Lucy Joyce Blackman to honour her death and her life’s message of love and charity.

Their motto of “charity begins at home” closely aligns with Bibby’s, which states, “If I can help someone as I tarry along, then my living is not in vain.”

While the new platinum blonde hair colour is among them, he says there is more. The soca star, who has given hits such as Different Me, is bringing a different kind of sound to the table. The artiste recently released two singles called Remember this Wine and Call Yuh, which he labels as dancehall and island pop, respectively.

Borneo spoke to Newsday at its Chacon Street office on August 8, saying that his inspiration came from “what was needed in the industry.” “The music has been limited for some time now. After Carnival, all artistes don’t do much music. There are some artistes who do but not much.” He says he wants to produce music that goes beyond the Carnival period, “wants soca to become a mainstream sound and wants people to understand the vibe being delivered.”

So, when he was presented with a rhythm from fellow artiste, Erphaan Alves and was introduced to a song done by Abdiel Matamora, he decided this gave him the perfect opportunity to try the new genres.

“When I got the music, I was ‘let us see if we could try something’ and the music also inspired me to go something after Carnival.” Borneo says the songs came to him “right after Carnival” and after hearing the song from Alves he knew that it was the right vibe for the song and felt a “summer” release would be best.

For him, the new fusion presents the best opportunity for soca becoming more of a main stream sound. “Because of the fusion, people could understand the music that we’re trying to deliver. They could understand the vibe, the happiness that comes out of the music…” Ultimately, he hopes to one day create greater fusions with artistes such as dancehall legends Beenie Man (Anthony Moses Davis) and Alkaline (Earlan Bartley). He hopes as well to do chutney fusions and work with artistes such as Ravi B (Ravi Bissambhar) and Rikki Jai (Samraj Jaimungal).

While some people believe the change in sound might affect his fan base, he says the reception to the songs’ performances indicates that it is widening. “It is still soca. It is not a label.

I have never wanted to be classed as an artiste who has a label of one genre. You have to be versatile. Artiste is a word which means you do different things.

Sometimes we could get comfortable in our zones…Machel (Montano) did not do one thing. He experimented with many different genres…” Borneo says for artistes, especially at different points in their careers, “experimenting” was necessary. He admits it was difficult for him to transition to the other genres of music, as he tried to ensure people understood what he was doing.

“I am not trying to be like anyone. The songs are still 5Satr Akil,” he said.

While Borneo intends to dabble in other forms of music in the future, at his core, soca would always remain. He has already begun working on his tracks for Carnival 2018. One track, With You, is set to be released next month.

Ramnarine was addressing the graduating class of the MIC Career Tech Stem programme at the Pleasantville MIC Technology Centre on Wednesday morning. A total of 80 students from the Penal and Pleasantville MIC centres graduated from the programme.

The programme, which was conducted for the second year, was geared at introducing students between the ages of 13 to 17 to vocational activities such as welding, plumbing, mechanical, electrical and more. The four-week programme started on July 3 and was hosted at six MIC institutions.

Ramnarine told Newsday 364 students would graduate from the programme across the country. “We want to show the youths that academics and vocational skills could be married together and assist them with choosing the right career paths,” he said.

Ramnarine said while many may say the market is saturated, there is a need for people with technical skills. He said the programme was also an opportunity for youths to get involved in something positive during the vacation period. “There are too many opportunities, not just at MIC but at different technical institutions for youths not to be idle. Please I am pleading with the youths to take advantage of all these opportunities.”

He was speaking on Wednesday at the launch of the orientation programme for deputy permanent secretaries at Courtyard by Marriott, Port-of- Spain.

He told them they were entering the leadership of the public service at a time of compelling change when it was beginning to see the kind of change the public has long been demanding.

One example was the ability of some ministries to initiate the recruitment process for peculiar positions rather than the positions being filled by the Public Service Commission.

Cuffie said, “That means if you happen to be placed in the Ministries of Energy and Energy Industries, Public Administration and Communications, Rural Development and Local Government, Office of the Prime Minister, Community Development, Culture and the Arts, Finance, Works and Transport and Labour and Small Enterprise Development, you can no longer blame the Public Service Commission for your ministry’s failure to recruit persons to fill the listed peculiar positions that are critical to your Ministry.” He said they were also entering the position at a time of great financial and societal challenges.

“Never before have we been called upon to do so much with so little.

“As the financial demands being made on the government continues to expand, its ability to meet them continues to contract,” he said. He said the last time the Public Service embarked on a similar exercise for enhancing career and succession management it cost $730,000 and was held at the Hyatt Regency over eight days using external consultants.

“Today we are using mainly internal resources and we are at the Marriott but I have every confidence that the training you will get today will leave you better prepared for the challenges you will face than any of your predecessors,” Cuffie said.

“This time you were very much involved in preparing the needs assessment of the programme so that the critical areas and competencies were, to a large extent, determined by you and your development needs.”

He jointly hosted “Breakthrough strategy for a sustainable nation” at the Arthur Lok Jack Centre, Mount Hope in collaboration with that institution.

He said squatters and middle class people should be helped to access land that also would serve to give them a stake in this society and so help to stabilise it.

Tewarie said no confidence exists because there is no clear economic direction, and no trust exists of the nation’s politicians who are not seen to mean what they say. He said globally people are revolting against privilege and exclusion, as they want a role to be a part of implementing things. He said in this country people can also try to set the agenda for their country’s development.

Earlier Tewarie lamented the prevalence of an entrenched criminal class which he alleged is protected by police and politicians and maybe even the Judiciary.

He said these criminals are involved in debt collection and the provision of security services.

Saying crime is an economic burden on this society, he urged, “Eliminate the secret alliances that make crime possible.”