Laying the current demise at the feet of Cricket West Indies, Rowley said nothing proactive was being done to salvage the situation but rather, administrators were simply hoping for a “miracle” in order to turn things around.

“My perspective is that West Indies cricket is in dire trouble, in crisis, and if we are not careful, something is likely to happen in the not too distant future even though it is not being spoken about now,” Rowley told I-Sports radio programme at the weekend.

“I don’t know that the ICC (International Cricket Council) will continue to put this sub-standard West Indies team to play against the top five or six teams going forward into many more years.

“What I am frighten of is that somewhere in the not too distant future common sense will prevail at the ICC and they will create some kind of a premier league and a second division and West Indies cricket will end up in the second division because of the standard we are displaying and we will end up playing cricket against Ireland, Scotland, Kenya and Afghanistan and that is where we’re headed.” Rowley was speaking against the backdrop of the CARICOM Head of Government summit in Grenada last week when West Indies cricket emerged as one of the hot topics.

CARICOM chairman, Grenada’s Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell, used his opening speech to outline the challenges facing the sport regionally and to urge fellow leaders to find consensus on the way forward.

Rowley agreed with Mitchell that CARICOM had a vital role to play in helping to overhaul the sport especially since CWI seemed unable to find solutions to the current crisis.

“They believe that some miracle will take place and some superstar like Brian Lara or Andy Roberts will appear from the crowd and pull us back from this brink,” Rowley said candidly.

“But in the meantime we are handling large sums of money from the ICC, unearned money, and those monies are used to strengthen people who are in office, who literally dominate the game, not on the field but in their boardrooms.” The debate over West Indies cricket also appears to have caused a rift in CARICOM with Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne openly disagreeing with the regional nation grouping’s position on the “immediate dissolution” of CWI.

In a statement last week, Browne said: “Antigua and Barbuda as a matter of principle does not interfere in the internal affairs of institutions, and governments that are governed by democratically elected officials.” But in dismissing that argument, Rowley said Browne seemed to have “anchored his position on some discussion about democracy.” “We here in Trinidad and Tobago know that does not apply and that’s what in the court in Trinidad about the absence of democracy in the selection of leadership,” Rowley stressed.

He, however, conceded there was disunity among CARICOM on the contentious topic.

“I think there is tremendous confusion about the way forward,” said Rowley.

“What is happening at the level of heads at CARICOM should make it clear to the other people that the game is now and the management and the situation is threatening to destroy CARICOM itself.” (CMC)

The claim was filed yesterday morning in the San Fernando High Court.According to the application for judicial review, UNC Senator, attorney Wayne 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.Also representing Sturge are attorneys Gerald Ramdeen and Sean Sobers.

According to the claim, the CLFA refused funding to fouryear- old Shannen Luke and five year-old Terrance Chandoo on the basis that it was legally precluded from approving their parents’ application to access funding from the CLF. The CLF was established by the People’s Partnership Government – of which Persad-Bissessar led – in November 2010.

According to its mission statement, the CLF provides ‘funding for children with life-threatening medical conditions regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation; while enriching the human experience with hope, strength and joy.’ It also notes that the CLFA – which has the responsibility to operate the Fund – ensures that all eligible applicants to the fund are carefully considered by a team of highly qualified specialist doctors and medical social workers to ensure that the “Best Care Plan” is determined and carefully executed.

“The CLFA’s first priority is the well-being of the child and his/her family,” the Fund’s website says.

According to the lawsuit, both Shannen and Terrance were diagnosed with BTM at nine and eight months-old respectively. It notes that the only cure for the blood disorder is a haemopoietic cell transfusion (bone marrow transplant) which is not available in TT. Both children require monthly blood transfusions along with daily iron therapy critical for their health and survival.

Parents of the two children made arrangements to pursue haemopetic cell transfusions for their children at the Bambino Gesu Paediatric Hospital in Rome, Italy. Shannen’s parents applied to the CLFA on April 4 while Terrance’s parents applied on April 6 to access funding to cover the expenses of the operation and other expenses.

Six days later, Shannen’s parents were told that the CLFA was legally precluded from approving the application while Terrence’s parents were told seven days later that their application was rejected.

Chairman of the CLFA Board indicated that the medical condition of BTM was not life-threatening as required by Section 19 (e) of the Children’s Life Fund Act and that the documents submitted showed that Shannen’s family had already paid the EU$158,000 in full to cover the operation and hospital stay and the CLF Act did not allow for reimbursement but ‘provides a detailed upfront application, assessment and approval process’ premised on specific criteria.

Terrence’s parents were also told the same. Both children were due to undergo surgery in May.

According to the judicial review claim, the decision to reject the applications of the two children were illegal and CLFA’s policy was irrational and unreasonable and in clear conflict with the Act.

The lawsuit also claims that the board misdirected itself when it found that BTM was not life-threatening and never gave the parents of the two children an opportunity to be heard

“This is something that TSTT takes up as a daily challenge.

TSTT’s vision – ‘To be the standard bearer for leading edge technology in Trinidad and Tobago that enriches the lives of citizens, businesses and visitors’ – perfectly embraces the goals of TIC 2017.” Stating that the convergence of business and ICT development is fundamental to driving the rapid changes in businesses and their operating models that are required for market success, Goswami continued, “It is said that data is the new oil, both in terms of data centre services and data traffic.” “These are driving better management and decision- making not just by businesses but by consumers as well. Data is creating an enabling environment for innovations in Robotics, Virtual and Augmented Reality, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Biology and Cloud Technology among other things.” Goswami expressed confidence that visitors to TIC 2017; held from July 6 to 9 at the Centre of Excellence in Macoya, would be very appreciative of what TSTT has to offer because the company places a premium on investing in future-proof technology to enable local businesses to compete more efficiently.

Goswami also assured that companies interested in setting up business in TT can have the confidence that they will access the same communications technology that is available in the developed markets of the world. One example he gave was that of the award of full ANSI/TIA-942 certification for TSTT’s Data Centre in September 2016, making it the first and only level 3 rated data centre provider in the Caribbean and Latin America.

The Tier 3 TIA-942 Certificate is a guarantee to local companies and international businesses operating locally, that TSTT’s data centre offers the highest levels of service availability, as well as a warranty that TSTT has followed the established, international, best-practice guidelines.

Goswami noted that the benefits and capabilities of TSTT’s world-class data centre include to host, store and manage mission critical data to help reduce business risks and lower costs; optimize digital assets and achieve a quicker turnover of data analytics resulting in increased productivity, profitability and growth.

Goswami added that the impact of TSTT’s 4G LTE mobile data network, the country’s first and only, which is capable of delivering data speeds of over 50 megabits per second on mobile devices.

The suspect, said to be employed by a maintenance firm that services the hospital, has been sent on leave.

The patient, Cindy Mejia, 31, a Malabar mother of four, said the incident took place last week Wednesday while she was warded at the hospital after being diagnosed with pneumonia and possible Tuberculosis. She is also suggesting victimisation because she reported the incident.

Mejia, a Land Settlement Agency employee, said her problems started on July 1 when she began experiencing chest pains and went to the EWMSC. She was examined and moved to the critical unit. She was transferred to the adult admission ward, building 18, room 306.

Recalling the incident, Mejia said, “I was in the room at 10.30 am last Wednesday when the man, wearing a blue T-shirt (with a company logo) came to tidy the room. The man was wearing a respiratory mask and asked me if I had TB, to which I replied ‘no’.” “He ripped the mask off and said, ‘These (expletive) people don’t know what they’re doing’, before he went back to the door to close it. He turned to look at me and said repeatedly, ‘aye, you know I like to have plenty sex’.” Mejia said she became shocked, frightened and confused at his utterances.

She said the man came over to her bed head, repeating that he liked plenty sex and she raised her voice, commanding him to leave. Mejia said the man who earlier emptied the garbage, had a bag in his hand which he placed at the bed head and she felt he intended to use it as a weapon against her.

Mejia said when the man left, she ran out of the room and went to the nurse’s station where she told officials of the incident. She said a nurse waved her away and told her, ‘look go back to your room.’ Mejia said she reported the matter to the Quality Assurance Department and was transferred to the Caura Hospital on Saturday.

Mejia says she is now being told all her bloodwork and files from the hospital have disappeared.

Mejia was still warded at the Lily Suite, bed 13, of Caura Hospital up to yesterday. She says she will now have to be warded for another week or more to await the results of new tests much to the inconvenience of her four children and husband.

Mejia claimed that while being transported to Caura one of the nurses who was in the ambulance tried to stop her from talking on her phone about the incident by slapping her hand causing her cell phone to fall and break.

She said that after being housed at Caura hospital she called the Quality Assurance Hospital at the EWMSC and reported all her concerns to a Ms Browne, of that department. Mejia believes that she was transferred to the Caura because of the incident at Mount Hope and has decided to seek legal redress.

Newsday contacted Ms Browne of the Quality Assurance Department of the EWMSC who confirmed that a report was lodged by Mejia and the matter is being investigated.

Mejia said she decided to go public with the information because she believes women should be protected and called on the Ministry of Health to beef up security at hospitals. Newsday contacted CEO of the EWMSC Davlyn Thomas who also confirmed that an investigation has been launched.

“The allegation is serious enough to warrant an investigation and I am particularly concerned about the well-being of the patient so I am now doing some follow-up checks to find out about her blood work and records and where they are at this time,” Thomas said. He added that every attempt will be made to deal with the matter expeditiously.

Newsday also contacted the cleaning company with which the suspect is believed to be employed and was told that the manager will respond “in due course.” Yesterday an official of the maintenance company with which the suspect is employed confirmed that the he has been sent on leave pending further investigations.

But nothing seems to be working, so I might as well give it a go myself.

That was my thought processes anyway, particularly since, notwithstanding all the new criminal legislation passed in Parliament — stiffer penalties, changing of National Security Ministers, and even changing of governments — there still hasn’t been any abatement in the crime situation.

Rather, what we have continued to witness over the years is a rising crime rate with even more brutal and senseless murders, including the recent killing of a 13-year-old boy and his caregiver, and the abuse of a 22-monthold baby. Not even our churches have been spared, with Fr Clyde Harvey being robbed and tiedup, barely escaping death himself.

And then came reports of a 30-year-old Chaguanas man being charged with committing sexual offences against a six-yearold boy at a popular church.

Well, in my search for answers, I very deliberately viewed the recent sitting of the Parliament’s Joint Select Committee on National Security, as all the national security “top brass” were either present or well represented.

Certainly, therefore, the answers to this crime epidemic would be flushed out by these well paid and respected professionals, and sure enough before long there were answers.

Originating from a two-part question posed by the committee’s chairman, Fitzgerald Hinds, each representative casually conceded that insufficient earnest, energy and effort were being placed by their organisations into the “gun trade epidemic” facing TT . Further, they noted their inability to vouch for the integrity of their officers.

While this casual and complacent acknowledgement of the sad state of affairs was mind-blowing, making me wonder if they or their families live here or are affected by the crime situation, it also elucidated some key solutions.

That is, the clear need for not just suitably qualified people at the helm of these key national security agencies, but managers who are anxious, result-oriented and committed to ensuring that their officers, charged with our safety and security, understand the importance of providing the required earnest energy and effort if there is to be any abatement in the current crime situation, along with the routine and random “integrity test” (polygraph) as suggested by the chairman.

ANDRE PHILLIP via email

The previous administration gave a person well known to the police for all the wrong reasons, a contract to build a police station.

It is well known on the ground that certain politicians were in the back pocket of suspicious people.

In 2007, when I asked any young man, age nine-13, what he aspired to be, nine out of 10 would tell me they want to be a police officer, a plumber or an electrician. Now when I ask this same age group what they aspire to be, they say they want to be “a gangster, a gunman.” In 2015, I questioned a young man of 13 with mother’s milk still on his face as to why he wants to be a gangster.

He answered very matter- of-factly, “I seeing (name called) getting government contracts that allow him to have cars, girls, gold and guns.” He added, “Miss, you know how many politicians they able to talk to and I see police drive up and have drinks with them — Hennessy and Moet. When I get big, I want to be like him.” I wasn’t surprised by his answer.

I was saddened that because of government policy, generations are aspiring to be like their hero — a murderer, a menace, a “community leader.” We call on police officers to do more, but in reality, what can they do? Police themselves feel demoralised, especially since these “community leaders” have just as much power as the politicians, and therefore become untouchable.

It is a moral imperative to ensure that, whichever political party is in power, a better job is done to separate it from “community leaders” — no contracts, no friendships.

This can be a first step in tackling the crime situation plaguing our society.

KELLI COOMBS via email

Paul tried to run away but was shot several time in the back by the assailant who then ran off.

Police were called in and Paul, who was barely alive at that point, was taken to the Arima Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival by Dr Ramsahai. Investigators recovered six spent shells and one ‘live’ round of ammunition at the scene.

In an unrelated incident, the body of a 68-year-old man was found in a house in D’Abadie early yesterday morning. According to reports neighbours detected a foul stench coming from one of the nearby houses and notified police. Officers visited the scene and broke into the front door of the house.

Officers noticed blood on the walls and discovered the decomposing body of 68-year-old Clive Barkley. Barkley is said to have lived alone at the house. Foul play is not suspected to be the cause of the death. Officers of the Eastern Division are conducting enquiries.

A police report stated that Samlal of Boisierre Trace, Gran Couva died instantly yesterday when the pick-up van he was driving, veered off the south bound lane of the Solomon Hochoy Highway in the vicinity of the Ato Boldon Stadium and ended up in some bushes. The accident happened just after one o’clock yesterday and caused a huge traffic pile up. Cpl Charles of the Freeport Police Station is investigating.

Potts is calling on the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, the Sport Company of TT and the TT Boxing Board to look at the Mexico module and make a decision on where they want to take boxing in TT .

Potts says the new boxing module in Mexico allows the Government to have full control of how funds are allocated for the sport.

Potts said, “Mexico recently took a decision to disassociate themselves from the AIBA (International Boxing Association) affiliated organisation in their country. The Sports Minister in Mexico made a decision to take the funding from the AIBA affiliated organisation and put it under his Ministry, so he could apportion the budget to create the growth and development for boxers in Mexico.” Mexico is a powerhouse in boxing, claiming numerous Olympic medals.

Potts said the WBC decided to get involved in amateur boxing because they don’t like the state the sport is in. “The WBC has made a conscious decision to get involved in amateur boxing in a big way to assist the youths of the world. We know we would have gotten some resistance from AIBA, but that is what is expected and that is what they are supposed to do. They have controlled boxing into the state that it is in today.

With that said a lot of Sport Ministers around the world are being fooled into believing that AIBA is the sole entity that could get boxers to the Olympics.” Giving his opinion on what else can de done to help boxing locally, Potts said, “We need to hold training courses, we need to certify coaches, the coaches that are certified must be put in schools to work alongside the PE (Physical Education) teachers.”

Being the second time she has been fired does not make it easier to accept.

We are all led to believe that her decision to be photographed next to President Anthony Carmona with a so-called “community leader,” Cedric “Burkie” Burke, was the reason for her dismissal. I wonder if he was a so-called “close male relative” if the Prime Minister would have acted differently?

THELMA JOSEPH La Brea