Mohammed was speaking at a press conference at Diamond Motors Showroom, corner Richmond and Charles streets, Port-of-Spain.

He said although there is not a register of CNG vehicles at this time to easily access, Mohammed said the number one incentive gravitating people to use CNG vehicles is the price.

“Price is the main driver in Trinidad and Tobago and so far we have been seeing for CNG corporate customers tend to think a little more than just price, they are thinking about the carbon for print, it is less polluting, it certainly makes a very significant difference on exhaust on the nations roads and people have been picking up on that, driving behind these vehicles there is no exhaust, but at this point in time the primary motivator would be price.” After handing over the keys to two JinBei or the Golden Cup (as it is known in China) CNG Mini Bus with 100 percent OEM CNG tanks as well as a Diesel Mini Bus, all units 15 seaters, to George La Vende, president of the Private School Transport Association of T, Mohammed thanked the association for their support.

He said the purpose of the handover is to acknowledge the investment of the private sector transportation in TT and to congratulate them on their movement toward sustainable energy. Mohammed said the government will normally offer VAT free taxes, but customers are still required to pay their duties.

He said NGC and CNG itself offers a significant amount of incentives, and they are tailored at the moment around public transportation. Mohammed said they have arrangements that are on the table with PTSC, for the converting of buses, as well as arrangements with Maxi Taxi’s.

“We will give them a grant, which have been made known to the public, for big and small ones. We have incentives for conventions of exiting vehicles with Maxi Taxi. We don’t have any specific incentive for the general public because our key market right now will be the place that makes the biggest difference, which is public transportation.” He said with the availability of the JinBei models, Mohammed said he was pleased to say, the vehicle market is continuing its shift toward CNG vehicles.

“In 2014, PTSC started the movement with the purchase of 35 OEM CNG buses.

A little more than two years ago Classic Motors, picked up the momentum with the Honda City CNG model, which has had phenomenal success.”

The young TT netballers whipped Northern Ireland 51-40 in their ninth-16th place quarter- final.

Caribbean queens Jamaica, the “Sunshine Girls”, playing in the first-eighth quarter-finals, defeated Scotland 58-48.

The unbeaten Australians continued their winning ways in their first-eighth quarter-final match with a comfortable 59-39 victory over England who lost for the first time at the tournament.

The relative subsequently engaged the elderly man in a legal battle all the way to the Appeal Court, for the property. Rodney however, faced the battle headon and defended his right to live in his own property.

He was victorious both in the High and Appeal courts with the relative being told by the courts to get out.

Rodney’s troubles began in 2009 when the relative began acting aggressively towards him in the house where Rodney once lived with common-law wife Rajanie Ramgattie, 63. Rodney grew up as a child in that house which his parents left him as a gift. In an interview yesterday, Rodney said he was attacked with an iron manhole cover by the relative and beaten on both feet. So bad was the licks, Rodney said, that he was warded at San Fernando General Hospital.

Rodney, in a lawsuit filed in the High Court, San Fernando, stated that he took out a Protection Order against the relative who disconnected the electrical breaker to the house and cut the water line to a toilet. Rodney stated that he and Ramgattie were forced to leave the house.

He could not even retrieve his washing machine, ring-stove, gas tank, couch, television, wardrobe, wares, clothes and shoes.

Rodney went with officers from the Marabella Police Station but were greeted with signs nailed to coconut trees in the yard and nailed on the front of the house which read, ‘No Trespassing’ and ‘Private Property’.

Frustrated and with nowhere to live, the elderly couple stayed at an incomplete house in Penal.

Rodney went to the Legal Aid and Advisory Authority and attorney Soraya Nanan took up his plight and sent several notices to the relative to quit the property on the basis that the grandfather is the sole owner by Deed of Gift handed down by his deceased parents.

Rodney and wife Ramgattie began to wander from place to place and he became ill and could not walk without the aid of a cane. Rodney said yesterday that Ramgattie gave him strength to not only carry on but also fight for his right to live in the house.

She stood by him, he said, even when they were to the point of being destitute.

“I always told him, there is a God. God is everywhere even in the courtroom,” Ramgattie told Newsday. Attorney Nanan filed a lawsuit in 2015 against the relative and on June 8, 2016, Justice Charmaine Pemberton ruled that the relative did not file a defence in the proceedings.

She ordered him to restrain from entering Rodney’s property. Further, the relative was to cease assaulting, harassing, threatening and verbally abusing Rodney. In fact, the judge ordered him to pay costs to the grandfather.

The relative filed an appeal on the ground that the judge erred in law and her orders should therefore be set aside. Faced with a fresh battle at the Appeal Court, Rodney again turned to the Legal Aid Authority and again found a saviour in attorney Nanan.

She defended Rodney before Appellate judge Nolan Bereaux in the Hall of Justice, Port of Spain. “I used to take the bus on the Wharf. Me and Rajanie. We go up to Port of Spain for the case everytime it called and we come back down.” When the case came before Justice Bereaux, he dismissed Rodney’s relative’s appeal of Justice Pemberton’s ruling. Rodney will therefore be allowed to go in the house, but yesterday, he told the Newsday that he made an attempt to enter the property, it was guarded by people he did not know.

“I went to take back my house, but imagine he is still living there. I am ailing now and at least I want to live out the rest of my life in peace and with a little happiness,” Rodney said. Attorney Nanan said that she would take steps to enforce the Court of Appeal judgment

Because of legal requirements, there can be no death certificate issued, without a birth being registered and a certificate issued.

And with no death certificate, no funeral and disposal of the body can be done.

Only on Thursday evening, medical doctor Ronald Budhooram, 60, was released from police custody in relation to the find in the freezer compartment of a fridge on Monday.

On the morning of July 1 and at seven months into her pregnancy, Cindy Gail Sooknanan, 22, gave birth to her son in a wagon in the driveway of relatives’ home at Chatoor Avenue, Fyzabad.

After the newborn was delivered, Sooknanan of Sewlal Trace, Fyzabad told police she dropped off the child in the care of a doctor.

Sooknanan and her boyfriend Kimraj Jorai subsequently learnt that the child had died and assumed the body was taken to hospital to be kept at the morgue.

But when a party of police officers from Homicide Bureau Region III and Mon Repos CID searched the doctor’s office, they discovered the tiny body secured in a black plastic bag.

They then detained Budhooram on Monday.

Forensic pathologist Dr Valerie Alexandrov performed an autopsy on Tuesday and concluded the baby died of complications arising out of being born prematurely.

On Thursday Budhooram was released from the San Fernando CID shortly after his attorney Subhas Panday filed a writ of habeas corpus in the San Fernando High Court.

And even if she decides to stay home and write her memoirs there is no guarantee any of her aspiring successors could replicate her popularity within the UNC.

She is the only queen. There are no other females in the party with her charisma. Not a single one.

The males of the old brigade, all of them bar none, are past their sell-by date for various reasons.

The new young and upcoming UNC men with more than average IQ are stuck on the senatorial benches for the time being.

They could jump high, they could jump low. They could say this, they could say that. Until the queen gets around to deciding her next move in an interesting life, all who vex could stay vex.

With these few words I will remove myself from UNC people business. But in the long run, she may really have to go.

LYNETTE JOSEPH Diego Martin

The San Juan Kings rewrote the history books, yet again, in the just concluded league by becoming champions of all three (Under- 13, Under-15 and Under-17) divisions for a third consecutive time and it didn’t come a surprise the club topped the awards ceremony.

Nathaniel James, Jabloteh’s U-13 star striker, led with the division’s MVP, Most Outstanding Forward and Most Goals awards. Jabloteh’s Tyrell Wiley and Emmanuel John received the awards for Most Outstanding U-15 Midfielder and Most Outstanding U-17 Goalkeeper respectively.

James’ 40 goals in all divisions (39 for the U-13s and one for the U-15s) in 2017 also stands a new Youth Pro League record, smashing the amounts achieved previously by players such as current Honduras-based forward Jerrel Britto a decade ago, and 2016 U-13 top-scorer, Justin Araujo-Wilson.

Araujo-Wilson, of SKHY FC—the adopted youth club of Defence Force, was also a standout among those honoured on Thursday.

The now, almost- 6-foot, Under-15 forward received the division’s MVP, Most Outstanding Forward and Most Goals (14) awards while W Connection’s Jevaughn Humphrey got the awards for Most Outstanding Forward and Most Goals in the Under- 17s. Che Benny, who is currently away on trial at Sweden’s Allmänna Idrottsklubben (AIK), was named the U-17 MVP.

“It’s a great feeling to motivate you to work harder each year and become the best that you can be, so that you can try to do better the next season and the season after that,” said Araujo-Wilson on receiving another top-scorer award.

“I’m working on becoming a professional player,” continued the Fatima College and Trinidad and Tobago Under-15 footballer.

“That’s my dream, and I won’t stop until it happens.” Winning another Most Goals award, however, came a shock to the talented forward, who missed more than half his team’s outings due to training and competition with the national U-15 team.

Araujo-Wilson also praised the achieve- ment of new record scorer of a season, Nathan James, saying, “Nathaniel is an amazing young player, scoring 40 goals this season, and I can tell he has a great future in the Pro League and international football also.” Jabloteh secured the 2017 U-15 crown, with two games to spare, on June 25, and a week later (July 2), secured the U-17 title on the penultimate day. And on the final day, last Sunday, held off a sterling challenge by Police FC to record a staggering triple three-peat.

Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene applauded Jabloteh on “possibly (an) unassailable achievement”.

The former Trinidad and Tobago footballer and coach told the players present, “Even though some of you don’t receive awards, you are all winners just by participating and making a decision to improve yourself.” “I knew this Flow Youth Pro League was going to be a thrilling season,” said Cindy- Ann Gatt, director of marketing at Flow.

She added, “When Flow signed up to be become a partner with the Youth Pro League we didn’t anticipate just how rewarding this would be. As a partner, the Youth Pro League has elevated Flow not just from the perspective of brand visibility, but the partnership has reinforced our passion for sport and youth and the development of both areas.”

Flow Youth Pro League 2017 awards:

Overall Team of the Year – San Juan Jabloteh

Under-13 Division Champions – San Juan Jabloteh

Runners-up – Police FC Third place – W Connection

Coach of the Year – Dave Weekes (San Juan Jabloteh)

Most Valuable Player – Nathaniel James (San Juan Jabloteh)

Most Goals – Nathaniel James (39) (San Juan Jabloteh)

Most Outstanding Goalkeeper – Jessiah Hercules (Police FC)

Most Outstanding Defender – Joshua Kesney (Club Sando)

Most Outstanding Midfielder – Molik Khan (W Connection)

Most Outstanding Forward – Nathaniel James (San Juan Jabloteh)

Under-15 Division Champions – San Juan Jabloteh

Runners-up – W Connection

Third place – Point Fortin Civic

Coach of the Year – Andre Morales (San Juan Jabloteh)

Most Valuable Player – Justin Araujo-Wilson (Defence Force)

Most Goals – Justin Araujo- Wilson (14 goals) (Defence Force)

Most Outstanding Goalkeeper – Jasse Aguillera (Point Fortin Civic)

Most Outstanding Defender – Jabari Lee (W Connection)

Most Outstanding Midfielder – Tyrell Wiley (San Juan Jabloteh)

Most Outstanding Forward – Justin Araujo-Wilson (Defence Force)

Under-17 Division Champions – San Juan Jabloteh

Runners-up – North East Stars

Third place – W Connection

Coach of the Year – Gilbert Bateau (San Juan Jabloteh)

Most Valuable Player – Che Benny (St. Ann’s Rangers)

Most Goals – Jevaughn Humphrey (10 goals) (W Connection)

Most Outstanding Goalkeeper – Emmanuel John (San Juan Jabloteh)

Most Outstanding Defender – Tyrike Andrews (W Connection)

Most Outstanding Midfielder – Jesse Williams (St Ann’s Rangers)

Most Outstanding Forward – Jevaughn Humphrey (W Connection)

Special Awards Youth Match Commissioner of the Year – Cassie Moore

Team Administrator of the Year – Debbie-Ann Harewood

Outstanding Contribution to Youth Football – Jerry Hospedales (San Juan Jabloteh chairman)

Outstanding Contribution to Youth Football – Leonson Lewis (W Connection U13 coach)

Outstanding Contribution to Youth Football – Gilbert Bateau (San Juan Jabloteh U17 coach)

Outstanding Contribution to Youth Football – Dave Weekes (San Juan Jabloteh U13 coach)

Outstanding Contribution to Youth Football – Phillip Fraser (San Juan Jabloteh team administrator).

Government sources yesterday confirmed this. On July 10, Rowley wrote to Persad-Bissessar requesting “a private meeting for preliminary discussion on selected matters of national interest.” While no agenda has been announced for the meeting, reports claim that crime, the economy and the imbroligio involving the Judicial and Legal Services Commission (JLSC) could be some of the topics Rowley and Persad- Bissessar discuss. The Prime Minister proposed that the meeting take place between July 12 and July 19 in a suitable room at the Parliament since Parliament is currently in recess.

Depending on the outcome of the talks between Rowley and Persad-Bissessar, there is a possibility that Parliament could be reconvened if both of them agree on the need to treat with any urgent legislative matter.

This meeting was roundly criticised by OWTU and JTUM leader Ancel Roget earlier this week when he slammed PM Rowley for extending an invitation to the Opposition Leader but not meeting with the trade union movement to discuss urgent matters despite an MOU being in place to facilitate such meetings between the PNM and the labour front.

According to reports, Trevor Ross was driving his vehicle east along the highway when nearing Grand Bazaar his car developed mechanical problems and he parked it on the shoulder.

While Ross repairing the car at 5.50 am, he was struck by a van heading in an easterly direction and his body dragged for 20 feet under the van. The driver later stopped and on seeing Ross’ body, alerted the St Joseph police.

Officers went to the scene along with a District Medical Officer and the body of Ross was ordered removed to the mortuary.

The driver was interviewed and gave a statement to officers.

Investigations are continuing.

He made the clarification at yesterday’s post Cabinet press briefing at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s.

He wanted to assure investors that no action is being taken against Clico, noting, “There’s a big difference between Clico and CL Financial.” Imbert took the opportunity to assure that Government had injected $23 billion (and counting) in the bailout of Clico and CLF. On the due liquidation of CLF he said, “We had to protect the public purse.” Asked about reports of the lowest official reserves since 2010, he assured that the country has nine months of import cover, comparing this to Barbados which has just about a month. He said the country’s annual foreign exchange needs are about US$7 billion, which can be funded from current reserves.

Asked about public servants’ fears for their salaries, Imbert said, “Every month I do what is necessary to ensure public servants are paid.” Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young stepped in to claim that Public Service Association (PSA) president Watson Duke was irresponsible in creating an atmosphere of fear among public servants.

On property tax, Imbert promised to email reporters the number of persons who have voluntarily given their information to the State.

Young said a Cabinet sub-committee has given Cabinet its recommendations on a report by a committee chaired by Energy Ministry permanent secretary Selwyn Lashley on the future of Petrotrin. He expects a Cabinet decision on Petrotrin’s future by the first week in August.

Regarding a trip to China by Sport Minister Darryl Smith, Young said he was not aware of queries posted online about funding of the trip, but said Cabinet approved it weeks ago.

Young said that “maybe”, the trip was being paid for by the Government of China.

“On July 12, at 1.30 pm, I became another crime statistic,” Duke-Westfield wrote. She recounted pulling into the driveway of her home in West Trinidad when a vehicle also pulled up nearby. Thinking it was someone who had come to her husband, Duke-Westfield said she did not pay close attention.

“By the time I realised what was happening, the young man had already jumped out of the car and was knocking the driver side window with his gun.

‘Get out, get out!’ I saw the gun.

I will never forget the gun. It was silver, looked like new. I hurriedly got out of the car, he pointed the gun at the back of my head and said: ‘Go so, go so!’ “I did as he commanded and headed to the house. In the split second that this happened, Julien (her husband) came to the gallery and was stopped in his tracks by a second gunman who was getting into the passenger seat. I never saw that second gunman until we watched the scene on our cameras later on.

I was shaking. We both hurried into the house and closed the door as I watched the two men speed off with my car, handbag, laptop and other belongings that were in my car,” Duke-Westfield wrote.

She said the bandits got her Coach handbag, iPhone and three favourite pairs of work shoes. She expressed thanks for being unhurt during the ordeal.

“I am thankful to be alive, that they didn’t shove me in the car and drive off, that the second gunman didn’t shoot at Julien as he ran out to the gallery.

I am thankful.

“But I am damn angry that I, like so many of you, are sitting ducks in a society where the ‘have nots’ have better firearms than the police! Yesterday, I felt the Syrian man was right, I was the buffer for the rich against the angry, criminal poor. They can’t get to the Sabgas but they can get to me easily,” Duke-Westfield wrote, alluding to the recent and controversial ‘most powerful in society’ claim by business magnate Mario Sabga-Aboud aired in the Anthony Bordain CNN documentary series, which carried a segment on TT cuisine and life.

Another Syrian Trini who was speaking to Bordain in the documentary, spoke about the middle class being the buffer that protects the ‘haves’ from the criminal ‘have nots’ and expressing concern that this ‘buffer’ was currently shrinking.

After a firestorm of condemnation for the ‘most powerful’ claim, Sabga-Aboud publicly apologised to the nation. Western Division Police along with the Cyber Crime Unit are conducting investigations into the Duke-Westfield robbery.