POLICE believe an arrest is imminent in connection with Saturday morning’s fire which destroyed Caroni’s Industrial Relations Department at Sevilla Club, Brechin Castle, Couva.

Up to late yesterday police investigators were interrogating two young men of the district about the fire which occurred around 1 am after the two watchmen on duty at the building were accosted. The watchmen have since given statements to detectives of how they were confronted by two men, one armed with a gun, who tied them up. Police would not confirm whether or not the two are employees of Caroni. Within minutes there were two loud explosions inside the building. By the time firemen reached the scene, the roof of the building which also housed the Human Resource Department, had been gutted. Police took statements from the watchmen, who according to reports, stated that although the men who attacked them did not wear masks, the area at the time was too dark to catch a clear glimpse of their faces.

Fire officials said yesterday that the blaze was caused by an inflamable substance which appeared to have been scattered on the floor of one of the rooms. It is in one of the rooms that the VSEP offer to Caroni’s daily and monthly-paid employees are being processed on a daily basis. Of the 9,000-plus workers in the company’s employ, approximately 4,000 have signed acceptance forms for VSEP. Next week Wednesday is the deadline for submission of forms. President General of the All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers’ Trade Union, Rudy Indarsingh, told Newsday yesterday that he has since spoken to the police about the incident. “I have spoken to a senior police officer about the matter at the Couva Police Station. I have not been informed as to what led to the fire,” Indarsingh said. The union president said that he felt a deep sense of sadness and concern about the destruction of the building since Sevilla Club was a historical structure which had great significance in the sugar industry.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning sang and danced with Spiritual Baptists yesterday at Spiritual Shouter Baptist celebrations in Maloney.

Speaking after many well received performances by Baptist Choirs, Manning said, “It’s a little too soon to end that.” He then began to lead the congregation by singing, “God is a good God, Yes he is.” This marked the beginning of a medley of songs dedicated to the Prime Minister. “One of the most heroic struggles in the history of Trinidad and Tobago is that of the Shouter Baptists,” said Manning. He showered praise upon members of the Baptist faith for overcoming prejudice and other obstacles in the past. He went on to say that the perseverance of the faith should be an “inspiration to us all”. Referring to Government’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2020 the Prime Minister said, “The Spiritual Shouter Baptist movement like all other social organisations must be an important part of that national effort.”

Manning went on to highlight Government’s intention to “employ the resources of our social, religious, and cultural organisations in the transformation of Trinidad and Tobago”. He drew attention to many social ills, including poverty, substance abuse and crime. “Which organisation we might ask, is better positioned than the Spiritual Shouter Baptist movement to assist in dealing with these problems,” asked the Prime Minister rhetorically. “Yours is a story of triumph over poverty and marginalisation,” said Manning, as he praised them for their continuing efforts in liberating others from deprivation and underdevelopment. Adding to his commitment, the Prime Minister spoke of his Government’s plans to “further discuss with the movement how the movement can become more empowered to continue the invaluable work you are already doing throughout the country”.

To the delight of the audience, the Prime Minister also thanked those Spiritual Baptists who joined him at his home the night before, and said, “We enjoyed it so much that we have decided that it would be an annual event.” Former UNC Minister Trevor Sudama also addressed the gathering. “Today is a day not only of celebration but a day of reflection,” said Sudama. He focused on the rich history of the faith and their struggle against discrimination, lauding the “indomitable spirit of the Shouter Baptists over the years”. Sudama shocked many as he too joined in the singing. The congregation followed as Sudama sang,“If I had a bell, I’d ring it in the morning, I’d ring it in the evening, all over this land.” Following the presentation of gifts, the Prime Minister accepted the invitation to dance with a large gathering on the stage.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning yesterday declined comment on the alleged arson at Caroni Limited’s Human Resource Department early Saturday morning. Asked about the issue as he left the National Evangelical Spiritual Baptist Faith Archdio-cese Incorporated 7th Liberation Day celebration at City Hall, Manning referred the media to the National Security Minister. The PM said he did not have to comment on everything which happened in the country.

Agriculture Minister John Rahael sees no reason for concern as a result of the fire at Caroni 1975 Limited’s Human Resource Department and Industrial Relations Department at Sevilla House on Saturday.

According to the Minister when contacted yesterday, the action taken by the two suspected vigilante arsonists should not in any way hinder the present process. When asked what his personal thoughts were on the circumstances, he replied, “The management is dealing with the issue.” The fire destroyed a major portion of the building but according to senior officials at Caroni 1975 Ltd none of the VSEP documents were destroyed by the blaze.

A SUNDAY afternoon spear-fishing expedition in Blanchisseuse ended in tragedy when an Arima man was brought to shore dead, after being pulled into deep water by a large fish which he shot with his speargun.

Police investigating the death of Lennox De Gale, 45, an employee of the Works and Transport Ministry, suspect he got into difficulties after being pulled into deep waters by a large fish which he had speared. De Gale, of Thomasos Terrace, Arima had gone to Blanchisseuse with his friend Jerome James, of Cocorite Road, Arima. According to reports, the two went to a popular diving and fishing area called Matachapu Point. Around 2 pm, they dived into the sea with spearguns. Neither was wearing any scuba gear. De Gale is believed to have shot a fish with his speargun, whose arrow is attached to the speargun with a length of cord.

The wounded fish swam into deeper water pulling De Gale along. Seeing his friend struggling in 30 feet of water, James dived down and pulled a limp De Gale to the surface. James later hailed a passing fishing boat and around 3.30 pm, De Gale was brought to shore dead. The fish he had shot was not caught. A report was made to the Blanchisseuse Police Station and PC Nolan Solomon and party visited the scene. DMO Dr Maharaj arrived shortly, viewed the body and ordered it removed to the Port-of-Spain Mortuary where an autopsy will be done today. PC Solomon is continuing investigations.

SAN FERNANDO businessman Rabindranath Maharaj was robbed on Saturday night at his home during which his ten-year-old daughter was struck with one of the bandits’ gun.

The incident happened around 9:15 pm when Maharaj, 46, his wife, Joy, 41 and their two daughters were about to drive into their garage at Soogrim Street, Gulf View, La Romaine. According to police reports, Joy alighted from their Lexus station wagon to open the gate but as she did so, she saw two men walked briskly towards her husband, who was sitting behind the steering wheel. The report stated that the men pointed guns at Maharaj and ordered him out the vehicle. One of his daughters, Sherry, 13, who was also in the wagon, remained in the vehicle, police said. Police said that the men ordered Maharaj to lie flat on the road in front his house and ordered he hand over a pouch he was carrying.

The pouch, the report stated, contained several thousand dollars. Reports are that the amount could have been more than $10,000. The men then proceeded to relieve Maharaj of two gold chains and a ring, the report stated. The men also took clothing valued $350 and a bag containing medicine. Joy told Newsday yesterday that by the time she open the gate for her husband to drive in, she spotted the men approaching. The woman said she stood by the opened gate with her daughter Shanada in shock as the bandits robbed her husband, who was still lying on the road. Joy told Newsday that before she could raise an alarm, one of the bandits pounced on her and tried to snatch Shanada. A struggle ensued during which the bandit placed a gun at the child’s chin. Joy, still upset by the ordeal yesterday when Newsday visited, said she slapped the man’s hand. The gun butt, she added, struck Shanada in the cheek.

Yesterday, Shanada’s cheek appeared bruised. Joy said that the bandit proceeded to snatch a bag she was holding in which more money and two sets of keys. Joy said the men fled on foot and apparently escaped in a waiting car. The woman said that during the ordeal, as her husband lay on the road and the bandits’ attempt to grab her daughter, the children began to scream. Their cries alerted neighbours who rushed to the family’s assistance. Within minutes, a joint team of police and army personnel arrived on the scene. Maharaj told New-sday yesterday that the family had been robbed for the fifth time in the past few years and “I just fed-up”. An angry Maharaj vowed: “If I had a firearm licence those men would have been dead.” PCs Santlal and Maharaj of the San Fernando Police Station are conducting inquiries.

THE hunt continues for two bandits who on Saturday night relieved a security guard of his firearm which they shot him with before escaping. The guard remains warded at hospital.

According to police reports, around 7 pm Estate Constable Kenny Small, of Pegasus Security Services, was on guard duty at Archie’s Supermarket in Cantaro Extention, Santa Cruz. Two men entered the supermarket, one walked to the back while the other stood at the front. The bandit who was at the back of the supermarket walked up to the security guard and locked his neck. His accomplice at the front later tried to relieve Small of his service revolver. During a struggle, one of the bandits managed to get hold of Small’s .38 revolver and a shot was fired, with Small being hit in the right side of his chest. As he slumped to the ground, the bandits ran off.

The bleeding man was taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery and up to late yesterday, remained warded in stable condition. North-Eastern Division police who were on road-block duties responded to a wireless report on the shooting and cordoned off the area around the supermarket where they carried out a futile search for the bandits. Visiting the scene were Insp Dave Hilaire, Cpl Anand Ramjit and others. Up to late yesterday no arrests had been made and Cpl Ramjit of the Santa Cruz police is continuing investigations.

The Accident and Emergency Department of the San Fernando General Hospital will operate on an emergency only basis.

Many senior and junior doctors of the hospital failed to turn up for duty again yesterday, causing the hospital to go into emergency mode. The action by doctors has resulted in 20 patients having to be sent from the hospital to private doctors in the area. Hospital management offered assurance that those presently warded at the hospital will continue to be taken care of as usual. Doctors stayed away on Saturday as well, with several calling in to say they were sick and would be unable to come to work.

Minister of Health Colm Imbert indicated that he would not get involved in the issue. This hands-off approach by the Minister is as a result of accusations that he engaged in micro-management on previous occasions. Yesterday was the third day that doctors have stayed away form work and the situation comes as the Ministry has identified 80 Cuban health/care workers, including doctors and nurses, as suitable candidates for jobs in the local health sector. The North West Regional Health Authority previously released a statement, saying that only emergency cases would be dealt with at the Paediatric and Adult hospitals at Mt Hope.

NEWLY APPOINTED President Maxwell Richards  yesterday congratulated the Pastor and members of the Woodbrook Pentecostal Church on their proposed Church Complex, which promises to seat over 3,000 persons upon completion. The complex, which is being constructed at Gallus Street, Woodbrook, is expected to be constructed at an estimated cost of almost $23 million.

While giving a report on the project, Apostle Turnel J Nelson explained that the building will comprise an auditorium that will be able to seat over 3,000 persons including mezzanine and balcony seating,  two dedicated conference rooms with a seating capacity of 350, four multi-purpose conference rooms with lower capacities, basement parking, state-of-the-art electronic system, a three level administrative annex at the rear and a video and audio production facilities. In addition a satellite system will allow the option for live church services to be broadcast from the Complex to viewers around the world.

Nelson explained that the structural cost is an estimated $18-$20 million dollars with an additional 2.5 million for furnishings. Nelson explained that the initial stage of the project has already been funded and they are now “aggressively pursuing other efforts to raise the necessary financing for the other phases of the project”. Nelson also called on the corporate community to assist with funding the project. He noted that the government has enunciated their vision of making Trinidad and Tobago a developed country by the year 2020 and pointed out that the church complex will complement the efforts of the government in this regard, while providing a place where the youth of the nation could be exposed to teachings that will strengthen the spiritual, moral and social fabric of the society.

While delivering the address at the function Richards pointed out that one cannot escape the bombardment of our minds with negative influences and reminded that the church had a role to play in bringing positive influences to the members of its congregation and the world at large. He encouraged the church to continue the work they were doing and congratulated them on the project. He also pointed out that “more things are wrought by prayer than this world could dream of”. The complex is being constructed by a team of consultants including CEP Limited, Urban Architectural Systems Limited, ENCO, R Cecil Davis Enterprises Limited and CMG Professional Services.