Comptroller of Customs and Excise Glen Singh yesterday told the Joint Select Committee (JSC) on National Security at the Office of the Parliament that 40 per cent of containers with imports are given the green light. That percentage, he said, represents established importers who are the “captains of industry” with highly compliant companies.

Asked if he was saying that it was beyond the captains of industry to bring in illegal weapons, Singh said, he did not say so. He was told it was what he had implied.

Based on the seizure of firearms found in a container at the home of a business owner at Valsayn, Senator Wayne Sturge said it would be speculative to imply that weapons do find their way into the country through containers given the green light.

Noting that significant weapon seizures were made through Customs, he said, it was not the “small people” who bring in weapons, and it was only common sense that “it is the rich people you should be having your eyes on.” Singh said from time to time random inspections are made on containers given the green light.

Meanwhile Senior Superintendent (Armoury) Leroy Brebnor said it is a matter of interest and concern to the Police Service that 40 per cent of containers were not searched or scanned.

“That confirms and compounds the situation that we are in right now,” he said noting that ten per cent of all crimes are committed by illegal firearms.

The JSC also heard that yachties, who are permitted to carry guns at sea, would on entering port report to the police what was in their possession.

They would then lodge the guns with the police and recover them on their departure.

However, Brebnor said there was no one to stop them from going back out to sea and re-entering as they please once they would have registered their initial entry to the country.

Asked if it was illegal for police officers to operate businesses, Brebnor said permission is usually granted by the commissioner of police.

He said the Police Service was working towards eliminating “rogue” officers. He said 150 officers were before the courts. There were also some convictions, he said.

Meanwhile, Acting Commissioner of Prisons William Alexander expressed concern about reports of illegal weapons being brought into the country from Venezuela via jet skis. There is a compartment in the jet ski, he said, which could be used to hide the weapons. It is only a two hour ride from the Venezuelan coastland to TT.

Meanwhile, Acting Chief of Defence Staff Hayden Pritchard said there was need for legislation to govern the use of small engine crafts in the same way as motor vehicles are registered for use. As it is, a 13 or 14 year-old can get behind the steering wheel of an outboard engine.

Prior to the hearing the Strategic Services Agency (SSA) presented in camera, the findings of its research to the JSC on illegal weapons and their impact in the country.

SSA director George Robinson said once the research is completed, the information will be shared with the respective security agencies.

A provisional team of 23 athletes and 11 officials will represent TT at the Championships.

Other athletes can still make the TT team, as the cut off time to qualify for the World Championships is July 23.

This is the first major meet for the TT athletes since the Rio Olympics, where Keshorn Walcott got this country’s only medal.

Walcott earned his second Olympic medal when he got bronze in the men’s javelin. The team was criticised for their performance in Rio with people venting their disappointment on social media.

Carter is confident the TT athletes will bounce back from the Rio Olympics. “I am hopeful that they would have gotten over the Olympic experience and that they understand better how fickle the public could be at times,” Carter said.

“I think the Olympic experience and the disappointment that the public felt and how the athletes reacted to it would have helped them become stronger and have greater resolve going into the World Championships.

I think they will be mentally stronger.” The TT women have been in top form of late, outshining the men at the National Championships held last month at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

Michelle-Lee Ahye achieved the sprint double (100 and 200 metres) and will be seeking gold in both events, as well as the women’s 4×100-metre relay.

Carter thinks the TT athletes will compete at a high level and expects the relay teams to excel.

“I think we stand a good chance particularly in the relays.

The women have rounded into pretty good form. We looking for some positive results from Kelly-Ann (Baptiste) and Michelle-Lee (Ahye) in particular.

For the men, they have not ran extremely great times this year, but they have been fairly consistent and I think if we do the relay work I think we could feature (prominently) in the relays.” TT will participate in the women’s 4x100m relay, men’s 4x100m relay and men’s 4x400m relay.

Team TT will be without three-time Olympian Richard Thompson due to injury. Carter said this is an opportunity for someone else to take up the leadership role.

“It may be a good thing or a bad thing that Richard Thompson is not in the team. They depended on Richard for leadership for so long. They now have to search for a new leader and I think that will augur well for the team.” Carter, who will also serve as a sprints and hurdles coach, says the spiritual leadership will come from Emmanuel Callender.

The team will leave Trinidad on July 26 to attend a pre-camp at Brunel University in London, before going to the Games Village on August 1.

Speaking about the importance of the pre camp, Carter said, “The pre-camps are important particularly for the team to jell and because we have not been competing as teams in the relays. The pre-camp helps us prepare the relay teams for competition.” TT TEAM Women: Michelle-Lee Ahye (100m, 200m, 4x100m), Kelly- Ann Baptiste (100m, 4x100m), Khalifa St Fort (100m, 4x100m), Semoy Hackett (100m, 200m, 4x100m), Kayelle Clarke (200m, 4x100m), Kamaria Durant (4x100m), Domonique Williams (400m), Sparkle McKnight (400m hurdles).

Men: Emmanuel Callender (100m, 4x100m), Keston Bledman (100m, 4x100m), Jereem Richards (200m, 4x400m), Kyle Greaux (200m, 4x100m), Lalonde Gordon (400m, 4x400m), Machel Cedenio (400m, 4x400m), Reubin Walters (110m hurdles), Mikel Thomas (110m hurdles), Keshorn Walcott (javelin), Rondell Sorillo (4x100m), Moriba Morain (4x100m), Dan-Neil Telesford (4x100m), Renny Quow (4x400m), Jarrin Solomon (4x400m), Joshua St Clair (4x400m).

Officials: Dexter Voison (manager), Ian Carter (sprint and hurdles coach, head coach), Ismael Lopez-Mastrapa (throws), Charles Joseph (sprints), Gunness Persad (sprints), Ken Barton (sprints), Anyl Gopeesingh (doctor), Akila Gomez (physio therapist), Shurland Bonas (massage therapist), Nicole Fuentes (massage therapist), Anthony Walcott (massage therapist).

TIC 2017 opens on Thursday and runs until Sunday at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya.

The association also said yesterday that its membership readily came forward to donate more than 400 hampers “which they envisioned would be essential in such a critical period for those affected.” To date, hampers have been distributed to people living in areas such as Caparo, Endeavour, Las Lomas, Rio Claro and Brasil.

“However the process has not curtailed, as members continue to be moved to send assistance,” the association said.

TTMA president Christopher Alcazar said, “While it is devastating to see the damage after the storm, it is heart-warming to see the manufacturing community rally together.

I think this response is important to note not as a PR initiative but rather what should be highlighted is that it is up to us all as a community of ‘Trinbagonians’ to lend a helping hand to those who need it.

The TTMA secretariat thanked all who assisted in its relief effort but said special mention had to be made of the companies “who answered the call immediately and without reservation”.

These include National Flour Mills, Premium Products, VEMCO, Nestle Trinidad, Dumore Enterprises, Langston Roach Industries, S.M. Jaleel & Company, Trinidad Tissues, Associated Brands, John Dickenson & Company (W.I.), CGA, Happi Products, Ace Printery Fed-Traders, Albrosco, Global Marketing Enterprises, Angostura, Caribbean Packaging Industries, Bermudez Biscuit Company and the staff of NGC.

She first tried to kill herself at 13.

Her fight to win that battle is documented in her book The Pathological Liar Within (the enemy).

Initially, what became her book was a suicide note. In the blurb, she says, “I started writing this book not because I felt inspired, but because I was tired. Tired of life. It was meant to be my suicide letter. Today, as I write the synopsis for this book, I’m in awe of the transformational grace of Yahweh. I could have never (sic) imagined that I would ever be in this position.” Henry, 32, from Barataria, told Newsday, “All of this started from as far back as I could remember. It just took different stages.

“The biggest thing back then was my size.

It started with my size, and because it was so much of a focus, in school that was all I could focus on, and so it showed in my academics. I did not do well in school at all. That was another factor…because I was not doing well in school, the thoughts of being stupid and dumb started to play in my head.” For many women, Head of Psychiatry at the Northwest Regional Health Authority (NWRHA) Dr Gerard Hutchinson said in emailed responses, body image is extremely important in terms of their self-image and self-esteem.

People are teased, he said, about being too big or too skinny, although, he added, “the limits are now changing as more people become obese.” He said that body image problems could also occur after children were sexually abused, such issues often led to eating disorders, depression and even suicide.

For Henry, her battle with weight constantly fed the “lies” in her head. She said, over time, those “lies” became bigger. “My biggest desire and dream for myself was to be a mother and a wife. That was it there for me. The thought of a career wasn’t high in my head because I thought I was stupid. I thought the way I could contribute to society was by putting everything I had into a husband and into children. Impacting their lives and then looking at them and have them impact society.” Henry had hoped that all of this would have happened by the time she was 24, but it did not.

“When those ages came around and I realised, ‘Okay, so everything I thought I would have – because in my mind I was taking the easy way out by just wanting a husband and children – did not happen,’ I was like, ‘So what now’? “I had no plan B and from there the destructive behaviour and self-sabotage kicked in to high gear and it just started getting out of control.” Her battle with what she defined as the “lies within” began even before that: she recalled having similar thoughts at 19 after being told she needed minor surgery and developed hypochondria.

“I would look at my body and couldn’t find anything to love at all,” she said.

Notions of ideal body weight, Hutchinson said, were fuelled by media. Media reflected what is worthy of approval, especially now, “with the celebrity/reality TV culture, and cosmetic surgery and photoshop”. There is always a search for perfection though what is valued is changing, he added.

The five-feet six-inches Henry at 27, weighed 350 pounds and her attempts at weight-loss were unsuccessful. She tried numerous diets and exercise regimes such as zumba but they did not work.

“I was also an emotional eater, so when [weight loss] did not work I would then drown myself in food. After that the cycle of feeling so guilty for overeating, I would start to cry.” To combat body image issues, Hutchinson said, women needed to develop their self-worth through education, by supporting each other, and by developing their personalities as well as their bodies.

This also applied to men as well and recognising that taking care of their bodies is fundamental to good health as well.

Despite all the internal turmoil she felt, those around her knew nothing.

“All of this was happening and no one around me knew anything, because on the flip side I am always the person who is always smiling, always have positive things to say…I knew what I should have been thinking, I knew all of what I said to myself was a lie, but I had no control over it.” She recalled often lying on the floor crying at night, then drying her tears as soon as anyone visited her.

Her mother Sharon Henry-Superville said she was unaware of the depth of her daughter’s struggle. She knew Henry had an issue with her weight, but not how much it hurt her. Describing Shemelia as her world, Henry-Superville said she would have been more pained by what her daughter was going through if she knew.

Shemelia is Superville-Henry’s only child and she lives with her mother.

Meanwhile, says Henry, “Thoughts of suicide [were] in my mind 24/7 for years. My waking up was like, ‘How am I going to survive today?’” “Suicide was my normal. After a while it became too much and I could not pretend any longer.” When she attempted suicide at 27 she began to write. “On that final time that is when I started to write…so it was not anything coherent. I wrote ‘fat, ugly, stupid, dumb’ and things like that, because it was so overwhelming, I could not form sentences. But it was intended to be a letter to explain to my mother that she did nothing wrong and it was all me.” The impact of such issues were often seen, societally, in abusive relationships that are condoned because of body image issues, Hutchinson said. He added problems between parents and children over body image issues with children sometimes using eating disorders were also seen as a result.

“Health problems –current exponential increase in diabetes among the young. Increases in bullying and online relationships where people can create identities and hide their body image issues,” he said, were also problems developed as a result of body image issues.

But Henry instead took her challenges and turned them into a positive. She said,“After writing that – and I have no idea what prompted this – I started writing the answers, responses [to what I wrote]…like if someone came to me and said they were tired of life. I began writing what I would have said to them.

“While writing that I calmed down…a few days after, the feeling came back again, and again I started writing a letter. That happened a few times. One day I looked at my laptop and I had written 23 pages. Writing a book was nowhere on the agenda for me, I am someone who did not do well in school…spelling is the hardest thing for me, so writing a book was not for me. But I thought, this is probably the one opportunity to help someone…I wanted to be that for someone else and I said, ‘Let me attempt to turn this into a book and leave it for someone’.” Today Henry continues her exercise regime and has become vegan.

Henry also credited her newfound strength to God. She attends a family-based Adventist church. She has not sought medical help, but believes that God has and will continue to help her get over it.

Her 83-page book was self-published and is available from Henry at 779-3025 or zariakc@gmail.

com.

A JouvayFest group recently travelled to the West African country where team members met with and presented snapshots of the proposed J’Ouvert/Carnival performance. Witnessing the presentation were officials of Marche des Arts du Spectacle Africain (MASA ) Market and Festival for African Performing Arts; the director general of the Palais De La Culture; the commissioner general of the town of Bonoua; the director of culture, sport and tourism and the professor of sociology at the University of Cocody.

Director general of MASA Prof Yacouba Konata said: “I like the fact that JouvayFest are from the diaspora and want to come to Cote D’Ivoire to showcase the Trinidad and Tobago culture. We are committed to make this happen.” This sentiment was echoed by Madame Prof Toure Diabate- Tenin, Knight of the Order of Merit who said: “This is a great opportunity to build a sustainable cultural relationship between Cote d’Ivoire and Trinidad and Tobago.” Award-winning pannist Dane Gulston together with Dirk Harewood – percussionist and assistant musical director, performed selections of their repertoire which completely mesmerised the dignitaries and audiences who all exclaimed that it was absolutely magical, said a media release.

Gultson said: “Being in Africa was a great spiritual experience that will stay with me forever. I’m an excited musician and can’t wait to carry my talent and Trinidad culture to the people of Abidjan.” At a press conference hosted by Radiodiffusion- T?l?vision Ivoirienne, the Head of Alliance Francaise Zie Coulibaly said: “It’s the first time I have ever seen and heard a steelpan.

I would love for it to be introduced to our schools, and strongly want the Trinidad and Tobago Cultural Ministry to help bring steelpan to Abidjan.” The Ivorian Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has invited JouveyFest to be a main feature at its Caribbean Day celebration.

The ministry has formally asked the group to return to tutor the youngsters in Abidjan in all things carnival, thereby taking the cultural expression full circle from its original African roots to the Caribbean, North America, Europe and now, back home to Africa.

For more info:: www.

jouvayfest.com info@ jouvayfest.com

Mahindra “Pa” Moonsammy, 25, of Petit Caf? Road was stabbed twice in the chest and back on Sunday afternoon by a 20-year-old man, the victim’s family said.

Moonsammy, the killer and several other young men were liming at a car wash situated just across the road from the victim’s home. Although none of the men worked at the car wash, residents said this was the usual liming spot for the men who sometimes in the past, quarrelled among themselves at the carwash.

Police said that at about 5 pm, a verbal disagreement escalated when Moonsammy approached his debtor to have the $140 repaid.

For his queries and the argument that ensued, Moonsammy was stabbed twice in the chest and as he turned to run, was stabbed twice in the back. He walked to his nearby house, blood soaking his vest while the attacker ran off.

Moonsammy was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital where he died while receiving treatment.

“Boy, Pa was my real bredren from long time,” said the owner of the car wash, where the stabbing occurred.

He asked to remain anonymous out of fear for his life since the 20-year-old attacker remained at large.

“The last thing I know, Pa went to make punch for us. He brought the punch for us to drink and I left for a little bit. When I came back, is all this madness I hear take place.

I couldn’t believe it. I can’t believe he died for just $140. That is small money.” Neighbours said the suspect was new to the area, having only lived there for about three months in an apartment paid for by his grandmother.

“We don’t know him very well,” said a neighbour.

“But he is a little troubled because his mother is bed-ridden and I think he got a call the other day that his sister was going mad.” Moonsammy’s family was in deep shock yesterday, struggling to come to terms with his murder.

“I don’t even know how to feel as yet,” said sister Saraswatee Moonsammy. “That is something you never expect would happen.

He was a very respectable boy.” Investigations are being led by Constable Rahim of the Homicide Investigations Bureau (Region III) alongside Sgt Elvin and Constable Noyan.

At a news conference last Thursday, Roget claimed that the restructuring committee set up by the Government to restructure Petrotrin was a ruse and they were instead “surreptitiously” moving to sell off the company’s assets. However Energy Minister Franklin Khan, in a media conference last week said, “The Ministry of Energy is not putting Petrotrin’s acreage for bid. Petrotrin has its acreage. It has a responsibility to develop its acreage and also has a responsibility to its shareholder, the people of Trinidad and Tobago to run a profitable enterprise.”

But, in a show of solidarity with its brother union, Maharaj applauded the actions of the OWTU saying the nation’s patrimony “must be protected at all costs and not sold off to private companies looking to make a quick profit at the expense and detriment of our country.”

“The problem with Petrotrin is not the Union or Workforce, it is the Management of the Company and the proper implementation of policies and systems to prevent wastage, corruption and ensure proper maintenance of all facilities,” Maharaj stated. He continued: “The selling off of the assets of Petrotrin and the privatisation of the company will be a blow not only to our national pride and our economic welfare, but we have to ensure that certain key Public Utilities and Industries always remain in the hands of the people of Trinidad and Tobago.”

“In addition, full support must be given to Mr. Roget because we must never again allow any group of workers in this country to suffer the pain, misery and frustration, that the workers of Caroni (1975) Ltd faced when the sugar workers were forcibly retrenched and thousands lost their jobs and the steel workers when ArcelorMittal Steel Company wound up, throwing hundreds on the breadline,” he stated.

He added the prime minister acted in a “no-nonsense” manner given questions and concerns which arose over a guest at McDonald’s swearing in ceremony last Friday.

Asked whether she should consider resigning as an MP after her second dismissal from the Cabinet, Basdeo said, “No, she was elected as an MP which is up to her and her constituents to determine her future as to whether they want her to remain so.

“But the point about that is, clearly she has been fired as a minister from a ministerial portfolio.

And if she has been fired for the reasons we are speculating she has been fired for, the association that she has, it is hardly likely she will come back as a minister in this term.” Asked about Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s calls for a new election, he said, “Well every opposition leader, that is their role and function. They are to call on the government to call fresh election.”

The statement said the results would be released in schools from about 10 am. It said that students or their parents will receive a Student’s Performance Report, Placement Slip and the SE A Information Booklet containing, “Frequently Asked Questions regarding SE A.” Mayor of Arima Lisa Morris-Julian and the entire Arima Borough Council yesterday extended congratulations to all students who will today receive results. The council also applauded the efforts of all parents, guardians, teachers and principals whose diligence and persistence it said will give rise to another generation of quality citizens.

Mayor Morris-Julian encouraged all students to feel proud that they have successfully completed one part of life’s journey. She said the result of this examination often overshadowed an otherwise joyful school experience. However, regardless of the outcome,the mayor and council are encouraging students to rejoice and prepare to enter an exciting period of life as a Secondary School student.

Maharaj’s attorneys, led by former attorney general Anand Ramlogan, SC, yesterday argued for conditional leave on the basis that the appellate court judges who struck down the two interim orders of Justice Frank Seepersad, which put the collection of the valuation return forms (VRFs) commonly called the property tax forms on hold, was wrong to do so.

Ramlogan argued that it was an exceptional case which affected all property and land owners and it was wrong for the appellate court to overturn Seepersad’s ruling. Justices of Appeal Peter Jamadar, Gregory Smith and Judith Jones on June 7 ruled unanimously that neither interim order granted by Seepersad should have been granted.

In her counter arguments, attorney Deborah Peake, SC, who represents the commissioner of valuations said Maharaj in his application sought clarification which was provided to him.

She said there was no need to seek interim relief to restrain what the commissioner had made clear in his response to Maharaj’s pre action protocol letter that the submission of VRFs were voluntary.

In their ruling yesterday, Justices Jamadar, Smith and Charmaine Pemberton held that there were no live issues remaining for interim relief to be granted in the practical or jurisprudential sense.

“These appeals are now academic… There are no genuinely disputable issues,” Jamadar said. Maharaj was advised of his right to apply directly to the Privy Council for special leave if he so desires.

He was also ordered to pay the commissioner’s legal costs. Maharaj is challenging the legality of the property tax and Seepersad has set the substantive matters for trial on September 19 at the Port-of-Spain Supreme Court and September 21 at the San Fernando Supreme Court. Finance Minister Colm Imbert in May announced that government was in the final stages of recruiting 180 field assessors and 15 supervisors for the valuation division for the field work. He said on completion of the valuation roll update, homeowners will receive a notice with details of the tax payable and “only then, actual tax collection will commence.” According to the Property Tax Act the payment of property taxes is due on March 31 of each year.

Since the announcement by Government of a resumption of payment of property taxes (which was previously land and building taxes), hundreds of property owners lined the streets outside Government offices in San Fernando, Siparia, Point Fortin, Chaguanas, Tobago and other venues trying to file documents.

The collection of property taxes is expected to raise about $500 million in revenue for the Government. The Opposition raised concerns over implementing the tax during an already uncertain financial period for citizens, asking why the property tax was being implemented during this tough economic period.