Yesterday during a Senate break, reporters met new Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Senator Allyson West, a taxation specialist and attorney who up to recently authored Price Waterhouse Coopers’ (PWC) annual National Budget analysis.

West said she was reticent about party politics, but sees it as a way of making a meaningful contribution towards improving TT’s tax system.

“I appreciate that it is a very difficult ministry at a difficult time in the country’s life, so I have a tough task ahead of me, but I have quite a lot of experience in the tax area that will be my focus.

So I’m really hopeful that I can make a positive difference.” Asked if the public should be fearful that she is a tax expert, West laughed and replied, “No. My objective will be to ensure that taxes are properly and fairly applied. I really want to bring the concept of ‘service’ to the tax area and ensure that we recognise, the administration recognises, that the taxpayers are our clients, so we deal with them more efficiently, we give them their refunds but we collect the taxes that are due to the Government.” Asked if she was surprised by her appointment, West replied, “Yes and no. I have known the Prime Minister (Dr Keith Rowley) for quite some time, and I do know he appreciates my knowledge in the area, so that didn’t shock me. I was hoping to avoid a political post because I have shied away from politics all my life. But he said we need to get it done, so I accepted the job.

“I’m happy with the Ministry of Finance, but the position of Senator is not something I would have gravitated towards, but I was called to serve and I decided to take up the challenge.” Asked her first priorities after being sworn in as a minister today, she replied, “I will be gathering information.

I want to see where the Board of Inland Revenue is at, what their challenges are, what their approaches are and determine what we could do differently as soon as possible. We have to consider the issue of the Revenue Authority and where that goes but in the meantime we have what we have”.

West said she believes in the idea of the Revenue Authority, but hoped for better remuneration and meritorious promotions for tax officers to stem an exodus from the public service.

Asked her message to the general public, West said many demands are made on Government, that require revenues, adding, “I’d like the taxpayers to recognise that we all have a responsibility.

If we all play our part the burden is spread more evenly.

So, for example, the issue of increasing tax rates should not arise if everybody pays the correct amount of tax.” As to her background, West said she was the tax partner at PWC. “I’m an attorney at law. I’ve spent all my life working in tax, apart from a short stint in teaching. I worked at the Board of Inland Revenue as a State Counsel involved in things like attending court, defending the board’s position and prosecuting people. I was part of the implementation team for the VAT system.

“So I had a very interesting time at the board. I really enjoyed working there. I do have a commitment to the tax system and to see it working properly.

Then I left and joined Price Waterhouse Coopers, so I saw the other side.” Asked her motivating factor to accept the ministerial post, she said, “I’ve made several comments dealing with the Board of Inland Revenue over the past 20 years or so, that things could be done so much better, could be made easier. Some of our clients want to pay as least as possible, but most people will pay a fair amount of tax but they want fair treatment. “ West said that rather than complain, she had opted to help. “I will give it my all. I’m hopeful, to make a difference for change.”

Addressing the National Centre for Persons with Disabilities’ (NCPD) annual general meeting at the San Fernando City Auditorium, Harris Promenade on Wednesday night, Seebaran- Suite said there was a need for a national registry of persons with disabilities as this figure was not known locally.

She however surmised that there was approximately 15 per cent of the population or 180,000 persons with disabilities in Trinidad and Tobago. “We have not yet mainstreamed people with disabilities in Trinidad and Tobago,” she said, adding that the educational policy did not address the specific needs of children with disabilities.

Meanwhile, NCPD chairperson Shereen Baksh described the past year as “challenging” due to the centre’s limited financial resources, its monthly commitments and a “national economy rife with downsizing and retrenchment.” “While our national economy depends heavily on the energy sector and oil prices have not yet rebounded as expected, the threat of inadequate government funding is real,” Baksh, who is legally blind, said.

He was on Wednesday sentenced to five years’ imprisonment with hard labour for his crimes.

Shairo Khan appeared before Magistrate Cheryl-Anne Antoine in the San Fernando First Court to answer charges laid against him.

The charges read to Khan alleged that on June 18, he broke into his uncle’s house at Sumiah Trace, Debe and stole gold jewelry and other items, together valued $42,425. Another charge read that he had in his possession 1.7 grammes of cocaine. Court prosecutor Cleyon Seedan told the court that on June 17, Khan’s uncle secured his house and left. The uncle returned hours later to find his house broken into and a check revealed a gold ID band, gold chain, cutlass and a gas tank were missing.

The victim made a report to police and Constable Trevor Rampersad conducted investigations. On June 26, while on mobile patrol, PC Rampersad arrested Khan who was seen in a car that was proceeding along Sumiah Trace.

Khan was searched and the drugs found in his pants pocket.

Khan confessed to PC Rampersad that he broke into his uncle’s house and stole the items. Khan, who was unrepresented, told the magistrate that he started using drugs at the age of 12 when it was introduced to him by a cousin.

He also told the magistrate that he dropped out of primary school while in Standard Four. Khan said he stole the items to purchase drugs. The court also heard that in 2014, Khan was sentenced to 12 months for larceny of a dwelling house.

In 2015 he was also charged with house breaking. His criminal record also showed he has four previous convictions. He told the magistrate that when he wakes up in the morning, he goes for a smoke.“You need some kind of reali ty check,” Magistrate Antoine said. On the charge of possession of cocaine, Khan was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment with hard labour and on the charge of house breaking and larceny he was sentenced to five years.

The sentences are to run concurrently.

It is this vibrancy and colour which would flow through Qurux Africa 3 Under the Trees at the Hotel Normandie, St Ann’s on Sunday. Qurux Africa 3 is a part of the Emancipation Support Committee’s (ECS) major events.

Athaliah Samuel, Miss Trinidad and Tobago 2012 is the event’s headline model.

The ECS is working with fashion and entertainment company, Fashion Focus to manage and produce Qurux Africa. They have been partnering for the past two years on the event.

As the committee celebrates its 25th anniversary, it sees the show as an avenue to highlight the richness of African culture and identity.

Its executive director, Zakiya Uzoma Wadada said: “With 25 years of commitment to the development of the African consciousness in Trinidad and Tobago – we see this show as an opportunity to reach our brothers and sisters allowing them to see themselves in the best possible light.” Michael Christopher, lead consultant for Qurux Africa said: “One of the main goals of Fashion Focus is to create an innovative angle on the presentation of fashion, one that is more fluid, dynamic and engaging.

Shows like this allow the patron to enjoy a show, select items that appeal to them and purchase items at the pop-up shop. There will be a variety of styles, evening wear, business, casual both male and female and even a kids’ line.” Patrons could look forward to a celebratory anniversary presentation entitled Thanksgiving by Robert Young of The Cloth.

Valmiki Maharaj of The Lost Tribe is also scheduled do a special presentation. Other creative presentations are also expected from local designers Andre Lovelace of The Nubian Experience, Deron Attzs Designs, Donna Pemberton, Afrikan Ark Jewelry by Johan Mohamed and Mahogany Stuff. The latest Ghanian fashion is going to be displayed through designers Josephine Hayford of Haylooks and Faustina Ansong. Both designers have participated in the Emancipation festival for many years and continue to provide the latest in African fashion to TT. After the show, the outfits could be directly purchased from the designers while checking out the available pop-up booths. Traditional accessories such as headwraps, jewelry, handbags and craft would also be available.

Activities begin at 4pm with a cocktail reception followed by the African and African-inspired presentations.

For more info: 628-5008 or info@emancipationtt.org, www.

emancipationtt.com or on Facebook at Emancipation Support Committee-ESC.

Partap was found guilty of refusing to subject himself to a breathalyser test and was fined $5,000 by then Chief Magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar.

Having lost his appeal, Partap will now have to pay the fine and will have a conviction recorded against him.

In their written ruling, Justices of Appeal Alice Yorke-Soo Hon and Mark Mohammed said it appeared from the evidence the former minister, who is an attorney, “knew that the police officers were requesting a specimen of breath from him for a breath test.” They also held that the police who arrested Partap “bent over backwards to accommodate him”.

Yorke-Soo Hon delivered the unanimous ruling.

Partap’s attorneys contended that there was no statutory authority for field sobriety testing and refusal to take the test could not be illegal.

According to other evidence presented at his trial, police claimed they saw Partap drinking from a bottle of alcohol while leaving the nightclub.

They testified that Partap got into his SUV, turned on the flashing blue lights and attempted to drive away before they stopped him.

Police claimed Partap refused several requests to submit to a breathalyser test as he said he would wait to speak to acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams and his lawyer.

Partap was eventually taken to the Belmont Police Station.

He was fired from Cabinet by then Prime Minister Kamla Persad- Bissessar after he was charged.

The two appellate judges said once the language used by the police satisfied the request for a specimen of breath then it mattered not that the request may not have included the exact words or phrase as provided within the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act.

“A request for a person to submit to a field sobriety test is the same as a request for a breath test, they being one and the same under the Act,” Yorke-Soo Hon said.

In Partap’s case, she said each refusal by the former minister to submit to the test “amounted to an offence under Section 80B of the Act.” “Even if the arrested person finally complies and provides a breath specimen, he may still be charged for failing to do so previously,” she held.

“The appellant stated categorically that he was not willing to take the test. He, therefore, failed to provide a specimen of breath without reasonable cause and was correctly charged for the commission of the offence,” she noted.

The judge also warned that the breach of a right to prompt legal advice will “generally have no bearing on the obligation to provide a specimen of breath.” “Police officers in the execution of their duties cannot wait indefinitely for a person suspected of exceeding the prescribed limit of alcohol consumption to await advice or consultation with his attorney.

“In such circumstances, time is a crucial factor and the length of time that has elapsed between the initial request for the specimen and the actual testing may well affect the specimen and the purpose of the legislation to safeguard road users may be defeated,” she said.

Partap was represented by attorney Ravi Rajcoomar while Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions George Busby argued the appeal on behalf of Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams.

“It’s totally unacceptable that someone would retire at 60 and not get their pension and gratuity until (say) 63. My objective,” Dhanpaul told the PAC, “is that you retire today and you get your pension tomorrow. (This) is something I’ve been discussing with the Treasury Division.

“There’s no reason why at least 50 percent of the gratuity of every pensioner cannot be paid the next day after retirement, because the Treasury is fully aware of what the 100 percent should look like…I think if we can solve that, it would be a significant breakthrough as far as the provision of pension when necessary for the retired public servant.” Asked by Independent Senator Jennifer Raffoul, to provide some time frames for measures to improve the pension system, Dhanpaul said the ministry is working on “fixing the IT (information technology)” involved in pension data collection.

He gave the example of a 40-year-old public servant being able to go online and find out how much pension they would get upon retirement.

“The perfect situation is that you are 40-yearsold and you can go online and know, on your date of retirement, what your pension would look like. That’s the perfect system. I would like to get there within a time frame of maybe two years.

“Right now, we’re working on an IT system within the Pension Division of the Treasury to track files. Unfortunately, the Treasury does not operate independently.

We have to depend on the other ministries and when there are delays in other ministries, you have delays at the Treasury Division.” Dhanpaul then asked the Deputy Comptroller of Accounts in the Treasury Division, Karen Seebaran-Timothy, to elaborate on what he had just said. “As PS indicated, we do rely on other ministries and departments to submit reliable and accurate information (but) often times, it is not so. What we have done in the interim, though, is work assiduously and closely with each ministry and department by establishing liaison officers so that we have communication on a direct basis” which has reduced the need for internal memos.

Seebaran-Timothy said the Treasury Division has also “re-engineered” its internal processes to make them “a little more efficient” as well as reduced some time frames internally.

“We’ve also re-assigned staff from other sections and branches, so that we have more assistance in the pensions management branch. We’re also taking a closer look at full automation,” Seebaran- Timothy told the PAC.

Some of the allowances for the period 2014 to 2016 affects officers at the Inter Agency Task Force, Guard and Emergency Branch, community policing, Financial Intelligence Bureau, Sergeants and Inspectors in charge of stations, police assigned to Government Ministers, Professional Standards Bureau, officers sitting on tribunals, motorcyclists, Breathalyser Technicians, Detectives Polygraph Examiners.

These include officers in the First and Second Division, the Association and the absorption of Special Reserve Police .

Newsday understands that under the new proposals to the CPO, the Association is now asking for: Hot Spot Allowances, for officers patrolling areas such as Laventille, Enterprise, Beetham, and other hot spot areas; polygraph examiners allowance; allowance for officers who perform duties as interpreters; special clothing allowance for officers who are required to be formally attired while carrying out duties with officials; special allowances for officers of the Professional Standards Bureau as well as the Police Complaints Unit, as well as an allowance for officers who carry out duties of judicial officers in tribunals, and officers who provide duties as emergency medical technicians; as well as a breathalyser allowance; as well as special responsibility allowance, the Association is also asking an allowance for officers who are qualified crime analysts among other allowances.

Yesterday, Secretary of the Police Social and Welfare Association Acting ASP Anand Ramesar, the chief negotiator for the police confirmed to Newsday that “these allowances are included in the new proposals and that whilst the association remains very confident that there is justification for officers to be paid an allowance for these special duties performed, and the value proposed is based on sound compensation principles, it is concerning that at this stage the CPO has not indicated whether or not the management of the TTPS has been consulted.

A ward at the St Jude’s Home for girls is among two teens reported missing in separate incidents over the weekend. The two missing people have been identified as 16-year-old Mariella Alleng and 14-year-old Angelina Ravello.

Mariella Alleng, who was identified as the ward at the home, was last seen near the Carenage Fish Market, at about 5.15 pm on Saturday last. She was reported missing on Sunday by her mother Juliet Joseph.

Mariella has been described as being of East Indian descent, standing at five feet, seven inches tall, with a medium build, brown complexion and long black hair.

Angelina Ravello was last seen at her John Lane Extension, D’Abadie, home on Saturday. She was reported missing at the Arima Police

NGC said the GNT was here to learn more about TT’s oil and gas industry, as the East African nation seeks to develop its unexploited offshore gas reserves amidst a slow-moving economic growth and low commodity prices.

In a release issued yesterday, NGC said, “The appeal of Tanzania’s 53.2 trillion cubic feet of recoverable natural gas resources has brought intense competition among the global energy players.” NGC explained that Tanzania’s government, through its ministry of energy and minerals, has “opened discussions with International Oil Companies (IOCs) for the negotiation of a Host Government Agreement (HGA), with a view to developing an LNG project.” “Discussions began in September 2016 and the government of Tanzania constituted the GNT to meet with negotiating teams for the IOCs. To date, the IOCs and GNT have agreed to develop a term sheet separately in order to start negotiations which will develop the HGA.” The purpose of the June 28 visit to NGC’s Point Lisas head office was to “help the (GNT) team acquire knowledge and experience which will help to modify and develop a better term sheet.” NGC President, Mark Loquan and NGC Vice-President, Gas Transmission and Distribution, Ronald Adams, delivered a presentation to the GNT, “which spoke to both the NGC Group and NGC’s interest in LNG.” Also representing NGC Group were Verlier Quan Vie, Senior Manager, Commercial, NGC and Alvin Dookie, Vice-President, Business Development at Phoenix Park Gas Processors Limited.

NGC said Loquan noted that these study tours are important to NGC, as they cemented NGC’s new strategy – transforming its business, growing along the value chain, moving into other jurisdictions and becoming a global player through strategic partnerships.

NGC also expressed an interest in promoting not only itself but Trinidad’s service sector and academic institutions, “if value could be created in Tanzania’s critical stages of development.” NGC added, “The GNT expressed great interest in the gas model used in Trinidad, issues with respect to development of the gas model, infrastructural development for gas distribution and other elements such as LNG production, royalties and fiscal terms which in Trinidad are set by the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries.” The GNT team was led by Professor James Mdoe, acting permanent secretary in Tanzania’s ministry of energy and minerals, who “thanked NGC for sharing its experience and extended an invitation to visit Tanzania.”

Ottley, 35, who has been an SRP for the past five years and was last assigned to the Mon Repos Police Station, pleaded not guilty to both charged before Senior Magistrate Cherril-Anne Antoine. The charges as read out in court state that Ottley of Golconda, used obscene language and resisted Constable Utam Ramdass, in the execution of his duty, at the San Fernando By-Pass near the roundabout, at about 3 am yesterday.

PC Ramdass of the Southern Division Task Force laid the charges.

Attorney Cedric Neptune represented the accused whom he said is also employed with the National Maintenance Training and Security Company Ltd (MTS). He added that Ottley has no previous conviction and no pending court matters.

Court prosecutor Sgt Denzil Alexander said a State attorney will be appointed to prosecute. Magistrate Antoine granted the accused $10,000 own bail to cover both charges and adjourned the case to September 20.

In another court case, bartender Kimberly Roberts, 33, appeared before Antoine charged with three offences namely disorderly conduct, using obscene language and resisting arrest. PC Avidesh Narine charged Roberts who is a mother of one and who yesterday pleaded not guilty. Magistrate Antoine granted Roberts, who appeared with no lawyer yesterday, $15,000 bail and adjourned the matter.

Last night police and soldiers were still in the Beetham Estate which was locked down for several hours, after calls from the kidnappers to Laing’s relatives were traced to that area. No arrest was made up to press time. After being released, Laing was taken by police to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mt Hope.

Obeying specific instructions, a male relative dropped off $30,000 along a track in Phase 1, Beetham Estate at 8 am. On dropping off the money, persons in the track instructed the relative to, “stand by for another call from us.” Hours later, the relative drove to Barataria and dropped off a bag containing $240,000 on the pavement near TATECO (Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission) Credit Union. At 5 pm, Laing was freed.

Hours earlier, at 3 am, Laing, 54, of St Joseph Village in San Fernando pulled up outside the Circular Road, San Fernando bakery he owns and operates. As he got out of his Mercedes Benz sedan, several men overpowered the businessman and forced him into another car which sped off. At 4 am, when employees arrived and found the bakery still locked and Laing’s car’s engine idling, a report was made to the police.

PRAYERS AND FEARS As news of Laing’s kidnapping spread, friends and well-wishers including San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello, pleaded with the kidnappers to release the businessman.

Regrello told Newsday, “I have known the Puff n’ Stuff establishment for years and_Laing has made significant contributions to Vistabella community. He has employed a lot of people over the years. Today, I make a special appeal to his abductors, please take into consideration that he is a charitable man.

You can call Gregory any hour, he is quick to respond and assist anyone in need of help.” A friend of Laing, posted a message to the kidnappers on Facebook. ‘To the kidnappers of Mr Gregory Laing: You have in your hold a genuine, kind and generous human being who has over many years put his resources and time into programs and civic institutions for the benefit and development of youth.

‘Those who mostly gained from it have been you, the most underprivileged among us. Gregory and his family have funded and sponsored from basketball tournaments to educational programs. Gregory is a different kind of privileged citizen.

He is the kind of man who did not just sponsor programs, but is always there to support.

‘In a city of selfish capitalists (San Fernando) where almost all the business owners open their businesses at 8am and close shop at 5pm and head out of town, you have in your hold a man who always gives back to this town, and who always reaches back to bring someone along. This makes no sense. Use reason. We can’t afford to lose one of the very few people who genuinely cares about people like you. I understand the climate and times we face in this country, but Gregory Laing is part of the solution. Don’t be your own worst enemy. Do the right thing. Let no harm come to this man.’

BEETHAM LOCKDOWN While Laing was in his captors’ custody, his bakery remained opened but workers remained tight-lipped. Customers however discussed the kidnapping among themselves. Family members did not speak to reporters. Newsday was told their private security detail has been strengthened. Persons close to family said Laing’s relatives were in a state of shock at his kidnapping.

Investigations were led by ACP Irwin Hackshaw, Ag ACP Radcliff Boxhill and ASP Ajith Persad.

While Laing was still unaccounted for, police swooped down in the Beetham Estate and with the assistance of soldiers, blocked off all roads leading into and out of the area. They began a systematic door-to-door search for him.

Several persons were interrogated.

Officers also went to areas in Picton Road, Laventille where several houses were also searched.

When officers got confirmation that Laing was freed, the lockdown of Beetham Estate remained in force as officers continued their search, this time of suspects. ACP Hackshaw last night thanked members of the public who assisted police in their investigations and said that after Laing is medical examined (and treated if need be) he would be interviewed by investigators in the hope that he can give information that could assist in their investigations.

(Additional reporting by CECILY ASSON