In the Senate on Tuesday, during debate on the Plea Bargaining Bill, Ramdeen raised the case of a family who gave evidence in a criminal prosecution and willingly entered under the provisions of the Justice Protection Act. He reported that the accused were not convicted and the family had been sent to another Caribbean island, only to be “abanodned” by the State. He said they had since returned to this country and their lives were now in danger.

Ramdeen announced that he planned to write to the AG on the matter.

Al Rawi, speaking to Newsday yesterday in a telephone interview, confirmed that Ramdeen had written to him, but said he would not be able to discuss the details of the case.

He said, however, that justice protection was a very important agency and explained that the system involved various components, including foreign authorities.

“It is a delicate balance.” He said the agency is receiving administrative support and reform through a combined support network including the National Security Ministry and the Attorney General’s office. He explained that his office co-ordinates the criminal law division, while National Security deals with the protective side.

Al Rawi said justice protection is “not something new” and he had spoken about it in the past. He recalled that he previously reported there was one case in which the State spent $40 million on only one matter for justice protection. He said there were a lot of delays in the system and a case could go on for 17 years or more without a trial going forward.

It is something I learned the hard way as a student in Egypt decades ago. I made the mistake of forgetting that lesson last week.

I calculated that since it was likely to be a slow week, most people being away for yet more public holidays, it would make sense to attempt to deal with the various “official” outstanding tasks, such as opening a bank account, applying for my ancient mother’s pension and getting my TT passport renewed. I should have remembered which country I am in and just how poor our operating systems are.

In Cairo, after almost making myself sick trying to accomplish too much and trying to take on the bureaucracy, the likes of which I had never previously encountered, I learned that one week was necessary for each chore that involved any ministry or State agency. It is fair to say that things are only marginally better in this country.

Passport Office: Having gone the day before to enquire about what was needed to renew my passport — different from the website info — I arrived at 8.30 am but I was too late to submit my form. It was irrelevant that 7-9 am is the allotted time for submissions. On that morning too many people had come, so at 7 am they stopped taking in applications. I protested (nicely) and was asked to enter and sit “facing the wall” until the supervisor turned up.

Suddenly, I heard, “Excuse me, excuse me. You, where yuh going?” The security guard who shouted this question stood jauntily with one elbow on the counter. “Yuh not allowed in here dressed like that.” I was very well dressed, but he disagreed because my arms were uncovered. Arms are offensive in all offices of the Ministry of National Security and also at the NLCB HQ. I protested (less nicely) that some man had obviously invented that abhorrently moralistic law, since no mature woman would.

It is too long a story but I think I will get my passport in two months’ time.

As I was leaving ,an elegant woman stood screaming, feet apart, frozen as if giving birth.

The room hushed as she wailed, “Why are you all so stupid?” It was her third day there and now she was barred from collecting her passport because her arms were bare. I lent her my wrap and she was back out in five minutes.

Pension office: One overworked clerk sat behind the counter, attending to a room full of unhappy people, no application forms in sight, adding needless pressure on everyone. “Yuh have her ID?” Why would I carry my mother’s ID just to collect a form? That is the rule.

Surprised that forms are highly sensitive documents, I went home to get the ID. Another clerk copied it, completed some paperwork and gave me another form to take to the NIB office in St James. I must now return for a third time to the pension office to submit the application.

I hope my mother outlives the duration of the process.

Bank account: Two different banks are too rich to need my business: “Come back as you need an appointment,” even fully armed with required documents.

What about some poor, car-less or physically challenged person? Our service industries care not for the client or citizen but are driven by mindless, paper-driven, hierarchical systems that drain all energy from intelligent workers and turn them into automata that cannot improve anything because they cannot see what is wrong or imagine a better way.

That traumatised woman who lamented returning where bare arms offend, is right: we should cry for that loss of intelligence.

St u p id systems can only h a v e one effect.

The Prime Minister met with executive secretary of ECLAC, Alicia B?rcena and other members of the Commission’s executive team. The Prime Minister indicated that “Trinidad and Tobago has the ability to produce much more goods and services than our population can absorb and therefore it is imperative that we look towards other markets.” In addition, the Office of the Prime Minister indicated that the meeting centred on discussions on how ECLAC could partner with Trinidad and Tobago, to utilise its research capabilities to assist our country in making more data-driven decisions in the formulation of social and economic policies.

The Prime Minister holds the view that the data from ECLAC will be useful in helping this country to make the economic changes that create an environment where everyone can enjoy the best possible standard of living.

A number of concerns arise from these statements. In the first instance, we must be forgiven for asking what has happened to the work that we thought was being undertaken by the Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB). Were they not mandated to develop an economic plan for the country? Was this ever presented to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet? Was it presented and rejected? What was the role of the draft diversification roadmap reported in the daily newspapers on March 26, 2017? What has happened to the notion of an economic plan? Have we abandoned it? What does “ECLAC using its research to expand our economic base” mean? Is it that ECLAC will provide studies to assist with the drive to diversify our economy? So far very little use has been made of studies for any government decisions. What has happened to the Carnival Study? Has this been started? Has any impact analysis been conducted? Are any local consultants being utilised to provide studies to guide any economic decisions over the last year and six months? Has the quality of the work of local consultants been sub-standard? What about the quality of the work coming out of EDAB? Has EDAB produced less than satisfactory work? Has Terrence Farrell been sidelined? If so, who has replaced him? Of course, it appears that the data coming out from ECLAC is viewed as far more reliable. What about the Cabinet approved committee to guide the restructuring and transition of the Central Statistical Office to the National Statistical Institute? Is the failure of this committee to produce a cohesive and unified report the act that forced the Prime Minister to abandon all hope of a National Statistical Institute to produce data for policy decisions? These are all troubling because it appears to sideline the domestic capability and seemingly value only that which is foreign. The Prime Minister once again seems to be suggesting that home grown solutions are not possible. One wonders if there has simply been an abandonment of long-term planning. Instead, short-term projects that can be implemented and completed within the next three years are given emphasis.

The question then remains – is the focus on short-term planning the best approach to address and come up with solutions for the long-term economic problems facing us? The ball is squarely in the court of the Honourable Prime Minister.

In a letter to newspaper editors yesterday, Lalla said the recent imbroglio surrounding the facts and circumstances of the appointment of the former chief magistrate to the High Court and the subsequent cancellation of that appointments “have raised serious questions of procedural impropriety and gross dereliction of duty on the part of both the Judicial and Legal Service Commission (JLSC) and the Chief Justice (CJ).” In the opinion, Lalla, a former head of the public service, the letters of former chief magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar challenging the constitutionality and/or legality of her removal as a judge have “further exacerbated the gravity and magnitude of the debacle.” He said the Chief Justice ought to have known of his “enormous responsibility” for the administration of justice, while the JLSC was expected to “observe the principles of fairness and procedural propriety” when appointing judges.

“It would seem, however, that both the JLSC and the CJ have been in breach of their respective roles and functions and in view of the gravity and magnitude of the issues both the CJ and members of the JLSC should cease functioning in their respective capacities.” He also said there was a perception on the part of citizens that the procedure, criteria and/or mechanisms used by the JLSC for determining suitability for the appointment of judges were designed for the elimination of candidates who were not favourites of the powers that be. “That perception, however, may not be without justification since it has been established that the psychometric system, written examination and the awarding of marks at interviews as the process for the determination of suitability for appointments are not predictive of a person’s on-the-job performance, particularly since each of those criteria has manifest limitations.

Moreover, it has been held by the highest court of our land that marks in interviews do not determine an officer’s competence for on the job performance or promotion,” he said.

Gordon has been training in the US with Lawrence “Boogie” Johnson over the past eight months and he is hoping the new training programme will bear fruit.

Gordon said, “At the Open Championships this weekend I just plan to jump-start my season a little bit more because I have not raced that much this year. This weekend is actually a guide to see where my body is at after adjusting to a new culture – a new training programme in the United States.” Gordon’s most memorable moment came at the 2013 World Championships when he won gold in the 400m hurdles.

Unfortunately, the 25 year old has been plagued with injury since then. In 2015, he had surgery on his lower abdominals and last year suffered back problems.

Gordon said those health issues, along with a lack of support for local athletes, have made his career challenging. “I won the world title in 2013. I faced some difficulties over the last couple years adjusting to a new body. (Other things) have to be taken into to account, the lack of support for the athletes here has made things a lot more difficult. We really don’t have that ease to say that we completely stress free.” Gordon knows the competition this weekend will be keen. He is especially looking forward to competing against Kern Alexis who Gordon described as a talented athlete.

“In a World Championships (year) everybody wants to make the team. At the end of the day, whoever wants it the most, probably might get it because it is tough right now.” Despite the lack of financial support, Gordon is always excited to compete at home. “It is always good to come in front your home crowd. Just seeing your family in the stands screaming for you, your friends, the people who care about you the most. The fans, the loyal supporters it is always great.”

Andreas, who manages Evolution Timing and Event Management Ltd, has vast experience in the managing of Multi-Sport events which was the main part of his portfolio at the TTT F, and he was also the man behind the Federation’s School Series.

The new five-event Multi- Sport Series will comprise of two Duathlons on the Diego Martin Highway (when it is closed for the ‘Keep Fit Program’ on Sunday mornings), two Aquathlons at Las Cuevas Beach and a triathlon at a location yet to be disclosed.

“We are looking at different venues, with the main feature of having a super-fast course that would allow drafting for a thrillingly memorable race,” Andreas said.

The Series will have an overall prize purse of close to $60,000 with the male and female winners each receiving $8,000.

Each race also has prize money for the top five finishers in each gender. There are two races in each event including a Sprint Distance race for athletes 16 and over, and a Super Sprint Distance race for athletes 12-15.

Sponsors have already committed to this exciting venture with Petroleum Sales and Services, SignWave and AS Brydens procuring Bronze Status. G4S along with Pluming Solutions have signed on as preferred suppliers while Blue Waters is also on board hydrating the athletes.

The first Duathlon will take place on July 2 at 6.15 am on the Diego Martin Highway, with the second race, an Aquathlon, following on August 6 at 7am in Las Cuevas.

The other races are carded for October 2017 and January 2018 with the Triathlon and Grand Finale prize-giving to be held on February 25, the second Sunday after Carnival.

Registration is already open for the first Race at www.evolutiontiming.

net and information can be obtained from Andreas or Derrick or via email at multisportseries@ evolutiontiming.net

He said the ODPM must abide by International Best Practices and is stocked with blankets, tarpaulin, cots, cleaning tools and aids, shovels and barrels, sandbags and other items.

He said because Regional Corporations are among the first responders to any disaster, there is a process where people have to fill out forms when requesting items.

There is an accountability process and regional corporations must account for what they take from the ODPM to distribute to citizens.

He pointed out that persons seeking assistance can call the ODPM’s hotline 511 and calls will be directed to the Municipal Regional Corporation in the person’s district.

Captain Wint reminded that it is the duty of the first responders to inform people in distress what they can be provided with based on their needs assessment. Yesterday, Capt Wint and members of the ODPM conducted an aerial survey of flood-hit areas in St Helena, Piarco, Penal, Debe and Pt Fortin.

“The next step is to work with Regional Corporations doing damage assessment and determining needs and resources to be sent to the burgesses.” Wint noted that there are still areas under water saying that Penal and Debe were badly affected by floods.

With regard to complaints that there are areas still without pipeborne water and electricity, Capt Wint said in these areas roads are impassable and WASA and TTEC crews have to wait until flood waters recede so as to access affected areas to carry out repairs to damaged water and electrical infrastructure. Until then, it’s a waiting game.

On Wednesday Former Minister of National Security Captain Gary Griffith criticised the current administration claiming that if the National Operations Centre (NOC) had not been sidelined and merged into the SSA, that body could have been used more effectively in coordinating efforts in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Bret.

Yesterday, Capt Wint said the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), which falls under the ODPM, is doing the same work as the NOC was doing and he commended the efforts of officials at the NEOC.

He reminded that personnel from the Defence Force, Police, Fire, TSTT, WASA, TTEC, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Works and Ministry of Social Development are all coordinating the disaster relief efforts in the aftermath of Bret.

The minister toured the school yesterday and said a fence which had been torn down by the storm would be immediately rebuilt, because the principal had told him the school was in a high-risk area.

Garcia said he intended to treat the matter as an emergency and would contact the Education Facilities Company to deal with it as soon as he returned to his office.

He also praised the Electricity Commission (T&TEC) for doing a tremendous job in replacing a pole which had fallen during the storm and had left the school without electricity as well as internet connectivity.

He said the T&TEC crew had worked through the night to replace the pole and was still there at the time of his visit yesterday morning.

He said as soon as the T&TEC crew was finished, a crew from FLOW would begin work to restore internet service, and he had been assured the electricity supply would be restored by the end of the day.

He said a number of other schools were also affected by the storm: Todds Road RC; Brazil RC; Mundo Nuevo RC; and the San Rafael RC primary schools.

In a statement, the ministry said other schools affected were Mayo RC Primary and Rousillac Hindu Primary School, where some of the galvanised sheets on the roof were blown off.

The statement added that the Kanhai Presbyterian Primary School and St Helena’s SDMS Hindu School were cut off by flooded access roads, although the school buildings themselves were not affected. However, the minister hoped that all the flood-affected schools would be re-opened by today.

The ministry also said the Valencia South Government Primary School and Manzanilla Government Secondary School were being used as shelters for displaced families and would remain closed today.

Last week, I wrote about the ‘staycation’ experience and how it can be just as effective as any other form of vacation during the upcoming school leave period. As such, I received feedback on many experiences that may negatively impact the outdoor experience. So, for Joy, Kim, Tonya, Sean and the others who contacted me, I hope this helps.

Many people utilise public transport, be it because of choice, or circumstance, whatever the case, the use of public transport should not result in a rise in commuters’ stress levels. When traveling in a public taxi that can hold up to five people including the driver, it is important to remember that each passenger would remit the same or similar amount to the next. As such, be courteous and try not to spread your legs to become an encumbrance on the passengers on either side of you. Remember you are in a tight space and people’s sense will be easily peaked by offensive odours.

Be mindful of this.

Many times, on my way to and from work, my ears are assailed by extremely loud sounds (supposed to be music) emanating from within the spaces of maxi taxis (mini buses/ vans) transporting young men and women to and from school. Please remember, not only is the sound of excessively loud music a distraction to others, but it also negatively impacts the younger passengers within the taxis. The possibility of noise-induced hearing-loss is a very real possibility.

Many of my indicators for these pieces emanate within airports and the surrounding environments.

And similarly, earlier this week, while awaiting a flight into Trinidad, a gentleman who had not successfully made it on a ‘standby’ flight, became extremely irate and began using the foulest of language.

Looking around me, I noticed several children of varied ages within earshot of this gentleman’s tirade. A few of the parents removed their children from the scenario; however, others seemed not that bothered. The point being, when we wonder about the various degrees of breakdown we are witnessing in our society, such stems from these scenarios where we simply have little to no respect for those around us. While it is completely understandable that sometimes outbursts may not be controllable, for goodness sake let us at least attempt to recognise we all have a responsibility to guard our children and what they are exposed to.

This also includes the matter of respecting the environment in our shared spaces. I am terribly affected by the smell of cigarette smoke. As a result, I try to avoid places where I am ‘trapped’ within the boundaries of second-hand smoke. Respecting the environment and those who many not wish to introduce secondhand smoke into their lungs, is certainly high on the list of public space etiquette. Many public spaces have identified areas for people to smoke in peace. However, in the absence of such an identified space, please have some consideration for those around you who may not wish to inhale your output.

I offer these thoughts for consideration, based on the numerous instances and examples I receive about the lack of consideration by a few. The point remains: we all live and operate in a small space, how about us attempting to ensure we take a few of these thoughts into consideration, simply because it’s the humane thing to do.

NGC, in a statement issued earlier this week, said both companies have “reached an agreement for a continued gas supply to the domestic market from 2019, following the execution of a gas supply contract for new reserves.” The signing took place on June 14 at EOG’s offices on Sweet Briar Road, St Clair, Port-of-Spain.

EOG is a key supplier of domestic gas to the petrochemical sector while NGC is already being a partner with EOG in the South East Coast Consortium (SECC) Offshore Block.

Describing the negotiations as tough yet exceptional, NGC president, Mark Loquan, said having an agreement in place “paves the way for increased collaboration for both companies to stimulate increased gas production to the domestic market…Both companies can now get down to the business of collaborating on the development of smaller fields and creating further benefit along the value chain for Trinidad and Tobago (TT).” Loquan also thanked the commercial and legal teams at EOG and NGC as well as the NGC board “and all involved, for their hard work and professional approach in reaching this major milestone; not only in the context of a good working history, but also for the future of our energy sector.” EOG’s managing director, George Vieira, was quoted as saying “EOG is grateful to NGC for negotiating in good faith as this charts the course for future investment and partnership opportunities.” NGC said while Loquan could not speak to specific details of the contract; in terms of volume and time, he did say this “milestone” illustrated the company’s new strategic direction and its mission of becoming a global player through strategic partnerships locally, regionally and internationally.