I am in total agreement with this, especially with the current state of the economy and the lack of foreign exchange.

But any level-headed person will want value for his money.

To pay $15 for six tomatoes not yet at the mature stage, $30 for an avocado picked too early, and top dollar for fruits at the point of rotting is asking too much. Our farmers, who I will always support, must realise that both parties in the trade must be satisfied.

We need each other so we must treat each other fairly.

Farmers must be willing to negotiate with the buyer. I call this good business sense and it will encourage even more customers to the fruit and vegetable stalls. Again I reinforce Rambharat’s plea to buy local but let us work together for a win-win situation.

ARNOLD GOPEESINGH via email

The company, also on the advice of its audit committee, has suspended all payments to the operator and has also been told not to pay outstanding amounts being claimed.

The committee has also concluded that the scam could not have been perpetrated without the involvement of some top management personnel of the Company.

The committee wants appropriate action against those management personnel involved in what has been described in the report as ‘fraud’ by their failure to provide proper accounting of crude oil provided by one of the company’s private lease operators to its Pointe-a- Pierre refinery.

Petrotrin is expected to initiate a full scale investigation this week on allegations that actual oil pumped from wells leased to one of its private lease operators was overstated and resulted in the Company having to pay more than US $11.5 million between January and July for oil not delivered.

Petrotrin has been strongly urged by the audit committee to recover every cent overpaid to the lease operator. It has also recommended that the $45 million being claimed for June and July not be paid until the investigation is completed.

Given the report’s findings that management personnel may have been involved, the audit committee has recommended Petrotrin seek a legal opinion as there was evidence that fraud was perpetrated.

In addition to probing the fraud, the audit committee has requested that Petrotrin now seek to accurately calculate the difference in the volume of oil the operator actually produced from the wells, and the oil actually delivered to the refinery.

It should then recover the monies from the TT$100 million payouts it made between January and July. The alleged fraud is made out in a 31-page audit report headed in part, ‘Investigation into Volume Discrepancies’ which discovered that between January and July, the testing of crude in the oil tanks inland fields drilled by the private lease operator, was inaccurately measured by Petrotrin employees for the purpose of overstating that more oil was supplied than actually produced.

The result was that Petrotrin issued inflated tickets (receipts) to the private lease operator in those seven months. Oil supplies miraculously shot up from a mere 28,628 barrels to a whopping 111,006 barrels in the seven-month period.

Petrotrin paid $100 million in the period for oil its refinery never received.

But while the report point fingers directly at a senior employee, it emphatically makes mention of six employees who have been interviewed about the various stages of the discrepancies in the measurement process of oil volumes at its tanks farms in south Trinidad.

The report pointed out that the employees who were interviewed, were more intent on seeking the interest of the lease operator in question, than “seeking the interest of Petrotrin”.

The report also alluded to a conspiracy involving middle-management and possibly professionally trained staff in the multi-million- dollar oil scam that spanned over seven months, stating that in April, the company suggested installing ‘test tanks’, “ which so far has not been done. The audit committee also stated that a particular department at Petrotrin should have been conducting individual testing of crude in the tanks, but instead, “ the department (named stated) has been relying on the operator (private lease operator’s) information”.

It was therefore easy for the operator to manipulate the well test results, the committee report stated.

Further, the report disclosed that certain supervisors at Petrotrin remained in their vehicles and allowed the private lease operator’s employee to “dip the tank”. About the senior Petrotrin employee, the audit report stated, “He was therefore a willing accomplice to defraud Petrotrin by overstating fiscalised volumes. As a result, Petrotrin was actually paying for crude oil that was never produced.” But red flags were raised at technical managerial levels at the State-owned oil company, the report stated, as to why the lease operator’s sudden increase of oil production from 70,222 barrels in March to 126,784 barrels in just a month after. A certain department gave the audit committee an explanation that the private lease operator had discovered new wells. But, the report stated, there was a sudden drop to 109, 518 barrels, but suddenly production went up significantly by 37 percent. The audit report stated that the particular department at Petrotrin did not “see this as a red flag that warranted an investigation”.

The report also notes that the company’s Joint Venture Department failed to conduct independent well testing to verify the huge increase from 60,034 barrel to 149,741 barrels, an increase of almost 150 percent in just six months. “Instead, the unverified well test information provided by the operator was accepted by Petrotrin,” the report stated.

It went on to state that several supervisors in a certain department of the company, seemed ‘comfortable’ with allowing the private lease operator to perform ‘dips’ unaccompanied, and were satisfied to simply accept the operators’ figures.

The audit committee found that some of the bulk tanks had not been calibrated and certain supervisors were found unable to calculate the volume of oil when the audit committee requested them to do so.

In light of these findings, the committee recommended in its report to Petrotrin’s president, Fitzroy Harewood, that the company seek a legal opinion, taking into account what it described as fraudulent activity that has been identified in the audit report. Payments should be withheld to the private lease operator for oil supplied to Petrotrin in the months of June and July, until such time the volume of the shortfall of oil that was not delivered, but which was invoiced for, is quantified. The report recommended that termination of the lease operator’s contract is a possibility and that overpayments for oil its’ refinery did not receive but which the company paid for from January to July, should be calculated and recovered.

Some 146 member organisations are currently in Delhi, India for the triennium event which brings together the main decision- making body of WAGGGS.

The 3 representatives of Trinidad and Tobago are: Jacqueline Dolly — Chief Commissioner (as Head Delegate), Amy Charran — Young Leader (as Youth Delegate) and Laurel Lezama- Lee Sing — Council Member (as Observer).

WAGGGS is the world’s largest international, voluntary movement for girls and young women.

There are over ten million girls in 146 countries, and over 4,000 members in Trinidad and Tobago.

A statement from the GGATT said the organisation encouraged and supported girls and young women to develop their full potential as leaders and active citizens of the world.

Salvary-Doyle’s body was taken to Guadeloupe for an autopsy was then expected to be flown back to Trinidad for burial.

The grandmother of six was seeking shelter during the hurricane when she and her grandson were swept away in the flood waters.

W hen contacted yestterday, Antigua and Barbuda Foreign Affairs Minister Charles Fernandez said Salvary-Doyle’s return for her final farewell would be delayed for at least a couple of days since the helicopter that was being used during evacuation left around midday on Saturday for maintenance.

“We were planning to return her body Monday or Tuesday and of course we have this threat from Tropical Storm Maria so everything had to be put on hold,” Fernandez said.

In light of the possibility that Tropical Storm Maria may hit the islands again, the minister said by tomorrow they would decide whether to open shelters, depending on TS Maria’s path.

Asked if the islands were equipped to handle another storm ater Irma’s devastation, Fernandez said: “Nobody is ever really equipped for a storm or a hurricane, but we have a lot of relief for Barbuda and we are allowing them in a limited capacity to travel back and forth. We are going to try and make it the best we can. I think we will be pretty much okay for now, I don’t know what the storm will bring depending on how devastating it is that is another story. We are as prepared as we can be I think,” he said Previously Fernandez had stated that they had received more than enough relief supplies from several countries, but they were looking for financial aid to rebuild Barbuda which was amlsot totally torn apart.

However, he said it did not have to be just money, but building materials.

“We have gotten some committments even if it is not financial because we are looking at rebuilding, so we think it would be appropriate to give building materials. We have a number of people who have come in and are committed to help rebuild our hospital and the schools so that is what we are doing so nobody has to put money and they are not sure how the money would end up “We are quite prepared to say look, you don’t have to put money.

You can send building materisals, you can work through your organisation to rebuild the schools. We don’t want anybody to feel we just want the money to put in the bank and probably be misued. We also have an accounting firm to account for all supplies coming from the National Office of Disaster Services.

The director went publicly on television Saturday night and gave the assurance that everything is being accounted for, and he is quite confident that all the protocols necessary for transparency would be adhered to,” Fernandez said.

He spoke at an Opposition Media Briefing held at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition in Port of Spain yesterday.

Lee said: “The UNC condemns any resort to violence and moreso the unwarranted attacks to prevent the media from performing their role in society.” He also expressed the wish to see the wrongdoers subjected to the fullest extent of the law.

On the Petrotrin issue, Lee said that in addition to the Tobago Sea bridge, the purchase of Massy communications and the proposed construction of the Sandals Hotel are all rooted in the type of leadership of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley. Lee called on government to state the true position of these scandals, and also questioned if there was a cover up in the sea bridge matter.

The Land and Physical Infrastructure Joint Select Committee (JSC) will hold hearings today and Wednesday at Tower D, as it continues its inquiry into the domestic ferry service. Rowley is the among several people scheduled to appear before the JSC at today’s hearing which begins from 2 pm.

At last Friday’s sitting of the House of Representatives, Rowley confirmed he received the report from Cabinet appointed investigator Christian Mouttet into the circumstances surrounding the procurement of the Ocean Flower 2 and the Cabo Star vessels for the seabridge. Rowley said he will reserve his comments on the findings of the report and his own views about the procurement of the vessels, when he appears before the JSC.

He is also expected to present the report to the JSC.

I say this because we are lucky to have an outstanding regional literature festival and a prestigious literary contest that features Caribbean literature. In case you haven’t noticed, international publishers are not exactly rushing to publish Caribbean literature.

Occasionally, we hit the literary jackpot with a novel like A History of Seven Killings by Jamaican writer Marlon James, which won the Booker Prize, but all in all, it is difficult to build a canon of Caribbean literature because foreign publishers don’t want to take a chance on new, Caribbean writers.

The simple truth is that foreign publishers don’t want to take chances our our literature because they say not enough books sell in the Caribbean. The books that foreign publishers often do publish, turn out to be watered down versions of Caribbean culture to meet the needs of a foreign audience with a penchant for viewing the Caribbean as an exotic playground.

The CODE Burt Awards are particularly important because they feature Young Adult (YA) literature for readers 12 to 18. These awards provide teens with books where they can see themselves in their own setting. This literary award keep that love for literature alive in that crucial period between childhood and adulthood.

If we lose readers in the YA age group, they are often lost to the world of books forever.

Books help us to determine our place in society and indeed the world. They help us resolve the conflicts in our lives, and they provide a sense of pride in who we are. If we don’t support Caribbean literature and the CODE Burt Awards, then we risk losing our literary voice in this world.

So, today I proudly introduce you to the 2016 CODE’s Burt Award-winning books for Caribbean literature in their winning order: 1. Dreams Beyond the Shore by Tamika Gibson (Trinidad and Tobago) 2. Girlcott by Florenz Webbe Maxwell (Bermuda) 3. The Protector’s Pledge by Danielle Y C McClean (Trinidad and Tobago) Over the next three weeks I will present a book review on each one of the winning books, which are now available in book stores. I must confess that am excited about Girlcott because it is historical fiction, which is quite popular with YA readers, and because it had been submitted when I was a CODE Burt Award head judge three years ago. Even back then, I felt Girlcott should have been in the top four finalists.

Also, writers should take note that Dreams Beyond the Shore and Girlcott were unpublished manuscripts when they were submitted to the CODE Burt Awards.

They are now published by Blouse and Skirt Books based in Jamaica.

Aspiring writers should go on line and check out the CODE Burt awards. Submissions to the contest are due in October.

Winners have the satisfaction of seeing their books distributed in schools throughout the Caribbean because each book is guaranteed sales of at least 2,500 copies.

There is no way to fully explain the importance of the Burt Awards and the NGC Bocas Lit Fest. Together, they serve as our lifeline to the world of literature.

Rotich defended the men’s and overall title in 14 minutes and 39 seconds which was more than a minute ahead of the second place finisher Cleveland Thomas of Guyana (15:46), and Shirvan Baboolal, was the first local runner to finish in 15:47. Veteran local runner Curtis Cox was fourth in 16:01.

Rotich, who was pleased with the organisation of the event, described the course as good. He noted that his next race will be in Texas, United States later this year.

Chebwogen was 16th overall, but captured the women’s crown in 16:59. Grenadian Kenisha Pascal was a distant second in 18:09 and Sarah De Freitas copped bronze in 19

Joined by their parents, teachers, friends and peers from other schools, the students walked from their school on La Pique Hill, along Pointe-a-Pierre Road, Circular Road, Royal Road, Coffee Street, Mucurapo Street, and back to their school, spreading the message of non-violence.Principal Caroline Bally-Gosine who led the procession of mainly Forms One to Upper Six girls expressed her pleasure at the turnout on the second week of the school term. It was only last week the students decided to stage the walk which was themed, “Make a difference, stop the violence.” Bally-Gosine said, “We wanted to make a statement to stop all forms of violence. Domestic violence, where there is spousal abuse, children abuse, violence in the streets, bar fights, fights for little or nothing.” She said that the theme was chosen not because it is topical, “but because violence affects almost every family.” Bally-Gosine said she hopes that the walk would have the effect of increasing awareness, especially among the San Fernando community.

“We work hard to teach our girls that nobody, male, female, child, adult, should be subjected to any kind of violence. This society should be one where every citizen is able to walk freely, to do your business, exercise, live as you want to live without fear.

Fear is pervading almost every aspect of society now,” she said.

Following the walk, the school was transformed into a health clinic, where past students who are medical doctors, returned to the school to conduct vision screening, blood pressure and glucose testing, along with representatives from the diabetes association. One parent, Dr Carol Ann Ramlakhan, was also on hand to conduct dental testing and offer advice, while Dr Sunil Persad and his wife, Dr Vanessa Harry, spoke to women on health issues

De Silva was verbally and physically attacked on Friday on assignment in the Penal district.

He was assigned to interview the owner of A & V Oil and Gas Limited, Nazim Baksh.

De Silva was attacked by someone who he later identified as a police officer and a report of the attack was made to officers of the Penal Police Station. De Silva also sought medical attention.

Following the assault, Acting Police Commissioner Harold Phillip assigned Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Anthony Bucchan and ASP Hunte to carry out an investigation into the assault by beating.

De Silva is also expected to be questioned by the two senior officers as part of the ongoing probe. The police officer is reportedly related to a businessman who is at the centre of the controversy.

The same team of officers are also expected to interview the same officer in connection with the assault by beating of a TV6 cameraman on Wednesday.

The businessman is also expected to be questioned on the incidents involving the media personnel.

At about 1 am, Prince was a short distance from a bar on Bertrand Street, San Fernando, when a car drove by and one of the its occupants pulled out a gun a fired a shot. Prince was hit in the chest.

Relatives said there was an argument at the bar earlier but Prince was not involved.

“He (Prince) was minding his own business and happened to be standing where this man fired a shot. He was killed innocently and everyone is hurting to know what happened. Shackah did not deserve this,” the relative said.

“I don’t know who the bullet was meant for but we are 100 per cent sure it was not meant for Shackah.” She said crime was now out of control.

“When you watch the news and you see family of people who were murdered crying, you feel sorry, but now crime is on your doorsteps you don’t know what to do. I never would have thought I would have to say goodbye to him in this way,”she said.

Prince was also a father of a seven- year-old boy. He was described as a humble, hardworking family man and was expected to get married in December. The murder toll for the year now stands at 343.