At that meeting, Rowley said government has a policy of trying to maintain employment levels despite fluctuating energy prices. Rowley said that compared to $30 billion borrowed between 2010 and 2015, “during a time of economic plenty”, he pointed out that his government’s borrowing of $12 billion and retention of jobs are a sign of government’s competence.

“The question is, how long can we do that if revenues continue to decline? I leave that with you,” Rowley said on Tuesday. Responding to this yesterday, Indarsingh who is the Opposition’s shadow labour minister, said Rowley’s statements was an admission that government had no plan to grow the economy and is focused on cutting expenditure and raising taxes.

“The prime minister used this conversation with the citizens at the Point Fortin constituency to lay the foundation for the dismissal of all the workers at BIR and Customs and Excise. You are looking at 3,000 people and up till today no one knows when the TT Revenue Authority will be implemented,” Indarsingh said.

“These workers, who are represented by the PSA, do not know what would be the size of the Revenue Authority, whether they will be rehired, under what terms and conditions, whether unionised, whether they could have their years of service, their pensions transferred.”

Stephon Durant, 23, of L’anse Mitan and the teenager appeared before Magistrate Adia Mohammed in the Four B Court, on a total of 11 charges, all of which were laid indictably. They were not called on to plead and Durant was granted $350,000 bail to be approved by a Clerk of the Peace III.

He is to report to the Four Roads Police Station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday between the hours of 6 am to 6 pm and is to have no contact with the victims either directly or indirectly.

His attorney Allan Anderson said Durant is a caterer for the Trinidad Hilton and Hyatt Regency and also a member of the St James Police Youth Club, who plans to get married in the near future.

The teenager was ordered remanded at the Youth Training Centre (YTC) after his attorney Kyle Fortune asked that he be sent for psychiatric evaluation.

Magistrate Mohammed initially remanded the teenager to St Ann’s Psychiatric Hospital but amended this order after being told that hospital does not have facilities to treat with minors.

She has ordered that a probation officer’s report be prepared to determine the teenager’s mental capacity after his attorney complained that he had difficulties receiving instructions from his client.

The teen’s mother also told the magistrate her son was forced to drop out of secondary school as he was a slow learner.

Durant and the teenager were jointly charged with robbing Artie’s Patties Meat Shop at Morne Coco Road, Diego Martin, on July 8, while armed, of $5,000 and a Hope of Miracle Foundation donation box, which contained $235.72.

They were also jointly charged with robbing Theresa Farell, of a Samsung S3 cellphone, valued at $4,000; Crosby’s husband Alvin Clarke, of a Samsung S6 cellphone, valued $5,000 and 3,000 in cash; Gregory O’ Shea, of a Samsung cellphone valued $5,000 and 135 cash and Kimberly Antoine of a gold and diamond wedding ring valued $4,500 and 1,000 cash.

They were also charged with assaulting Crosby – whose real name is Nicole Nathaniel Clarke, with intent to rob her.

Durant was charged by himself for being in possession of a firearm and eight rounds of .38 ammunition at Giles Street, Four Roads, Diego Martin, on July 8.

He was also charged with being in possession of 10 rounds of .38 ammunition allegedly found at 80 L’Anse Mitan, Carenage.

The teenager was charged with being in possession of a pistol and 11 rounds of nine millimetre ammunition at Giles Street, also on Saturday last. Both were ordered to return to court on July 26.

At Bruno’s funeral service at St Theresa’s RC Church in Malick, Chairman of the San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporation Anthony Roberts gave a recent example of Bruno’s dedication which occurred during Tropical Storm Bret last month.

“While people were getting off the street to be at home to secure their family this man had other ideas.

Bruno in intense back pain and not knowing what exactly was responsible for the pain, he was able to persuade his son to travel with him to deliver sand bags leading up to and even after the hour the storm was to have made landfall.

So as we bid farewell to our brother we recognize the lessons he has taught us. Commitment and dedication to duty, genuine love for ones community and talk less and do more,” he said. Bruno, 53, died on Saturday last after a brief battle with cancer. Delivering the eulogy was former MP Joseph Ross who said in the four years Bruno was a councillor, he walked the streets every day and night checking every drain and street light.

“If there are less vehicular accidents on the roads of Barataria today we must say thanks to Pernell for ensuring that we are protected by the humps he has placed on every street in Barataria. If there are young men and women and not so young as well playing in the savannahs we must say thanks for his efforts in ensuring the grounds are properly maintained at all times. He treated those grounds as though it belonged personally to him,” he said.

Among those attending the service were Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, Rural Development and Local Government Minister Kazim Hosein, Energy Minister Franklin Khan and members of the various regional corporations. Bruno was later laid to rest at the San Juan Hill cemetery.

Brennon Rampersad, 28, of Siparia is facing Justice Kathy Ann Waterman-Latchoo in the San Fernando High Court.

In opening the case to nine jurors yesterday, senior State attorney Shabanna Shah, said it was at about 3 pm on May 12, 2007, when Rampersad was driving a car along the Siparia Erin Road. In the vehicle, Craig Harrypersad, 15, was seated in the back passenger seat and the attorney said that Birsingh Gadraj, 69, was driving a truck in the opposite direction heading towards Penal.

Rampersad was driving on the left side of the road on his way to Siparia.

Shah told the judge and jury that during the trial they will hear how the car swerved onto to the extreme right and slammed into Gadraj’s truck.

Shah said that Harrypersad suffered injuries and was rushed to the San Fernando General Hospital where he died the following day.

The incident was investigated and Rampersad, who was 18 at the time, was charged with causing the death of Harrypersad by dangerous driving. There was a preliminary inquiry in the Siparia Magistrates’ court and he was committed to stand trial before a judge and jury.

Truck driver Birsingh was not called to give evidence yesterday.

Waterman-Latchoo was told that he suffers from Alzheimers.

The deposition which contained his evidence given in the magistrates’ court, was read to the jury and it stated that when he saw the car “open” wide on the bend, it started to swerve. Birsingh pulled to the left and stopped.

The car continue swerving and stopped under the truck, the jury heard from disposition.

The trial continues today

Gomez-Miller’s appointment is with effect from July 13 for a period of one year.

She takes over from Wendy Ho Sing who served in the same posts from June 5, 2015 to July 7.

The CBTT said during “the transition period” until Gomez- Miller’s appointment, Neil Dingwall, special advisor to the CBTT governor, served as non-executive chairman of the CLICO and BAT boards.

Gomez-Miller is a certified internal auditor and certified risk management assurance professional, with more than 30 years of internal auditing experience in the energy and state sectors, at the professional and senior executive levels.

“She is also a chartered certified accountant and fellow member of the United Kingdom’s Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Trinidad and Tobago (ICATT).

Mrs Gomez-Miller has had a successful career culminating in her retirement from the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited Group of Companies, in the capacity of Group Chief Audit Executive. She is widely recognised as a risk management expert within the internal auditing profession,” the CBTT stated

Leave was automatically granted to attorney Wayne Sturge who, on behalf of the families of four-year-old Shannen Luke and five year-old Terrance Chandoo, is seeking to challenge the decision of the CLFA to refuse funding on the basis that it was legally precluded from approving the applications to access funding from the Children’s Life Fund.

At yesterday’s start of the first hearing of the matter which was filed last week, Senior Counsel Reginald Armour, who leads a team of attorneys for the attorney general, said to Justice Nadia Kangaloo that his client was not objecting to the application for leave for judicial review.

He agreed the issue in the claim was “an important” one but urged that they approach it carefully and prudently in the public’s interest as it may serve to guide future decisions of the CLFA.

Persad-Bissessar said the agreement by the State to not oppose the application was “welcome news” since the issue relating to the interpretation of the powers of the CLFA under the CLF Act to reimburse applicants from the fund was one of “great national importance.” She also disclosed the two children – fouryear- old Shannen Luke and five year-old Terrance Chandoo – were in Italy receiving treatment and the move by the State to not reject the application would be of “great comfort to those families.” Sturge is to file his application before the State responds and the issue of whether the affidavits of Drs Ramesh Mathura and Steve Smith, which were filed in support of the application, could stand as expert evidence.

Those issues will be dealt with at a later stage as Armour said he needed to receive full instructions from his client.

According to the judicial review claim, Sturge, as the claimant in the matter, is seeking to have the court review the policy of the CLFA to not allow for reimbursements of medical expenses incurred by applicants to the fund.

Sturge is also asking the court to review an interpretation of the CLFA’s board that the medical condition of Beta Thalassemia Major (BTM) was not a life threatening disease to receive funding from the fund.

The CLF was established by the People’s Partnership government, led by Persad-Bissessar, in November 2010.

Shannen and Terrance were diagnosed with BTM at nine and eight months-old respectively.

The only cure is a haemopoietic cell transfusion (bone marrow transplant) which is not available locally. Both children require monthly blood transfusions along with daily iron therapy critical for their health and survival

Carmona praised McDonald- Grant following her swearing in at the Office of the President in St Ann’s. As he listed her academic and professional criteria, Carmona told McDonald-Grant that her acceptance of this post was part of a, “continuing saga of genuine public service.” Noting that Sir Trevor is her brother and has, “distinguished himself in no small measure in international journalism”, the President said McDonald-Grant’s willingness to serve should not come as a surprise to anyone.

After he disclosed that Sir Trevor has been someone he admired for many years, Carmona observed, “In fact, at the BBC he became the benchmark by which others will judge.” The President said he has it from certified sources that Sir Trevor often tells people that he is from TT. Recalling that veteran CNN journalist Jim Clancy was the feature speaker at a recent event hosted by the Media Association, Carmona asked, “Why didn’t they bring Sir Trevor?” However, he said Clancy identified with Sir Trevor’s mantra of a, “sense of adherence to truth” in journalism.

The President was certain that Sir Trevor often felt, “a sense of angst when he hears this concept or ascription to what can only be deemed as lies.” While this may be described as “fake news” by some people, Carmona bluntly stated, “A lie is a lie, it is not fake news.” Carmona also felt that Sir Trevor and TT-born British recording artist Billy Ocean were two individuals who are, “ worthy of the highest national accolade we could perhaps possibly give” The President told Statutory Authorities Appeal Board chairperson, retired Justice Annestine Sealy, that he was confident the board was “further fortified” to carry out its duties on behalf of the population, with McDonald- Grant’s appointment.

Surgeons told 32-year-old Nigel Bhola’s relatives they will have to wait to see if the reattached hand will function. A source said because Bhola lost a lot of blood and because of the length of time it took to get him to the hospital, there may be little hope of the other hand being reattached.

Police said yesterday Bhola is still at the Intensive Care Unit of the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in critical but stable condition.

Investigators who attempted to interview Bhola on Monday were advised to speak with his doctors before any interview can be done.

On Saturday at about 1.30pm Bhola and a man had an argument over a piece of land which the two of them were hired to clear.

The deal to cut the grass fell through and Bhola allegedly blamed the man for the loss of the contract.

It is alleged Bhola went to the man’s home at Bagatelle in San Juan and dealt him a blow to the head with the flat side of the cutlass.

The cutlass fell to the ground and the man allegedly took the cutlass, ran after Bhola and chopped off his hands. Bhola fell to ground and was taken to the hospital. The suspect remained in hiding up to yesterday.

“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.

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.