Khan wrote two letters to Gaspard requesting that he (Gaspard) invoke his powers under Section 90 of the Constitution to request the Commissioner of Police to appoint a senior officer to “conduct a thorough investigation to ascertain whether Mrs Marcia Ayers-Caesar had committed the common law offence of misbehaviour in public office.” This, he said, related to “the present constitutional crisis vis-a-vis the 53 outstanding matters left in abeyance” by Ayers-Caesar.

Khan said, a “meticulous police investigation would reveal the true facts as to who misled whom,” adding this is a “very serious matter and should not be swept under the proverbial carpet.” He said the press release issued by the Office of the Chief Justice should trigger the investigation.

Ayers-Caesar was appointed a judge on April 12 but resigned two weeks later after it was revealed she left unfinished, 53 cases.

Earlier this month, she threatened to take President Anthony Carmona and the Judicial and Legal Service Commission (JLSC) to court if she is not given her job as a judge back.

Such last-minute bulletins can cause the public to resort to rely on bulletins by non-authorised agencies, which could lead to conflicting reports and at times cause more harm than good.

What was unfortunate is that the previous administration left a gold mine to deal with natural and man-made disasters via the establishment of the National Operations Centre (NOC), which was a strong recommendation by the commission of inquiry into the attempted 1990 coup.

It stated that we need a centralised agency to ensure that all arms can coordinate in real time with each other and not work as independent bodies during natural or man-made disasters, as delay in passage of information, without a timely and appropriate response, can result in loss of property or life that could have been avoided.

Unfortunately, due to petty politics and lack of understanding, those in authority have now totally disregarded what was stated in this commission of inquiry, and watered down a critical element in national security into a sub unit of a spy agency.

One could recall the immediate State responses in Diego Martin when badly hit by floods a few years ago, because as soon as information was forwarded to the NOC it was relayed to the relevant arms in real time for a timely response.

However, due to ignorance in understanding how such a coordinating security Operations Command Centre works, it has now instead been shoved into a spying agency in the Strategic Services Agency, and we have returned to the backward system whereby one hand does not know what the other is doing.

The comical justification that the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) is in control shows how lost the administrators are, as the ODPM is not a coordinating agency and cannot coordinate or direct any other law enforcement or State agency.

The ODPM is supposed to be an arm of the NOC, whereby if there is a man-made or natural disaster, each arm of law enforcement, inclusive of army, police, coast guard, air guard, Fire Services, would have representatives.

Likewise, there would be a representative from ministries such as Local Government, Public Utilities, Works, Health, Transport, Communications, and representatives directly from the Radar Centre, Met Office, CCTV Command Centre, ODPM, TSTT , WASA, and TTE C.

They would be all under one roof, with their personal desks and accessibility to their heads and other representatives from their relevant agencies, all of which is provided for in the NOC, so there could be immediate sharing of information, collaboration, and receipt of any distress call and a timely joint response by different arms.

The ODPM cannot do this, which is why it was unable to absorb the number of calls being dispatched to it.

What made this worse is that the ODPM does not have the capacity to receive distress calls, and to give the public dozens of phone numbers was simply inappropriate.

All that was required was to inform the public that for any concern, just call 999, whereby the E999 was linked directly to the NOC, so depending on the nature of the call and the threat, it would be immediately relayed to the representatives in the NOC, be it a matter requiring immediate response, be it the Fire Services, Coast Guard, WASA, or local government.

But no. That was too straightforward, so instead what was done was to shut it all down and dismantle all of this, as well as other assets that were approved to assist in such incidents such as the UAVs, and hovercraft, solely because a previous administration established it.

Hopefully one day we would put national interest above politics.

GARY GRIFFITH via email

He made the revelation yesterday while contributing to debate on the Plea Bargaining Bill. He said TT does not have a proper system to protect people when they come forward to give evidence and called on Governemnt to look carefully at the Justice Protection Act in order fix it.

He said he wrote to the Attorney General over the loss of life of three people and added, “it is an extremely distubring fact that we have to deal with as a country that we can have eight police officers charged before the court on murder of three civilians.

That is something that should send shivers up everybody’s spine.” He said there was another case which he planned to bring to the Attorney General’s attention where a family willingly entered under the provisions of the Justice Protection Act and gave evidence in a matter but, the accused were not convicted.

He said after the family risked their lives, they “were taken from Trinidad and sent to another Caribbean island, (and) were just abandoned by the State.” He continued: “And they have returned to Trinidad, their lives are at risk, their children are at risk and they don’t know what to do.

And if that is the experience…that other persons see as the experience of persons who assist in the prosecution of crime, one understands why the Director of Public Prosecutions would say we have a serious problem in getting persons to come forward and give evidence.” He said there was a shortage of judges in the country and reported that fellow Opposition Senator Wayne Sturge, through a Freedom of Information application, had found out that a High Court judge was on three years no pay leave and had been granted two more. “How could that ever be right? On what basis could this decision be made.” On crime in general, he said there was a small group of people that control the criminal industry in this country. “And we have to wipe them out.

Whether it be by legislation or prosecution.

We have to join together and wipe out this so our country can get back to the state it was before.” Ramdeen also called for: cautionary statements taken by police to be monitored by an independent body; the categorisation of murders; a forensic data officer for each police division; scholarships in the field of forensic science and forensic pathology; and to clean up the corrupt police service and prison service.

“All the shelters were ready and fully equipped to provide accommodation for those who might have been in distress. There were a number of corporate citizens also willing to help and we have been in touch with them on a consistent basis.” He continued, “I only heard about some trees had fallen and that was taken care of by our emergency crew.” Martinez said that while monitoring the after-effects of the storm via social media, it appeared that South Trinidad bore the brunt of Bret’s ferocity. “I am seeing some pictures coming in that shows South Trinidad and the east coast looked to have sustained the most damage from this storm.

“We have also assisted the Sangre Grande Corporation who asked for equipment. We deployed some equipment to Sangre Grande,” the mayor said. He said the Ministry of Local Government is coordinating with all mayors to reach out to others are in distress.

For many it was a case of déjà vu.

In 1993, another tropical storm, also named Bret, hit Trinidad. On that occasion, we were also spared major damage. In sharp contrast that storm went on to kill about 200 people in neighbouring Venezuela and Latin America. We are not yet sure what will come of Bret’s second coming. But what we are sure of is that several matters should cause us to be concerned about our readiness for any future storm and the changing weather patterns around us.

None can take comfort in the fact that Bret developed with alarming speed. The system strengthened into a tropical storm on Monday afternoon and since this was prior to June 22, it will now go down in history as the earliest named storm to form in this part of the Atlantic since official records were kept in 1851. Clearly, while much progress has been made in terms of weather tracking, systems are becoming more unpredictable. Officials should be lauded for placing the country under a tropical storm alert at the earliest possible opportunity.

However, there appears to have been some problems regarding the coordination of information with respect to school closures, commercial activities, and the Public Service. Over the course of 24 hours on Monday several entities held disparate press conferences and issued a drip feed of press releases giving the public information about what would happen yesterday. It should not fall to individual entities to close operations at their discretion when the Government has issued a tropical storm warning. There should be a clear protocol — to be followed by both the public and the private sectors — once an official State entity has made the determination the country should be under a tropical storm watch.

Such a protocol will mean once the country is put on alert, then schools will be closed in the event shelters are needed and business operations shut down to safeguard life and limb and to allow people to also safeguard their own property or seek safety.

Provision should also be made if this eventuality occurs on a public holiday. There must be an effective communications strategy in place.

In a mark of how much has changed since 1993, for Bret’s second coming many were able to turn to social media. Luckily there was no break in power or Internet coverage.

As the system approached, most received messages from the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management as well as videos which were circulated showing the bad conditions on the coast.

Yet, despite the efforts to convince all and sundry that the threat was real, there were reports that some people ignored rough-sea warnings and still headed out.

While these people remained attached to the idea of going to work, others did not need convincing that they should stay indoors.

Indeed, it was never very realistic to expect – as Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley seems to have expected – public servants and workers to turn out to work yesterday in the wake of all the serious warnings that had been issued, as well as the changing variables which we have come to expect with our weather patterns. Many took the opportunity to take back the Labour Day holiday they were deprived of on Monday. Some even resorted to “storm fetes.” Still, it is far better we get an extra holiday than citizens be placed at risk once there are grounds to believe they may be. While there needs to be tighter communications, we commend all the efforts made by the State officials and express gratitude for life and limb.

This is according to Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries Clarence Rambharat who yesterday urged farmers and fisherfolk to secure their livestock and marine assets following the announcement by the meteorological service that Trinidad and Tobago has been placed under a tropical storm warning.

“I am pleading with farmers and fisherfolk to take this warning seriously and take the necessary precautions.

Fishermen need to secure their boats and stow gear on land and farmers need to act now to shelter or evacuate farm animals,” he said.

While it was still too early to forecast the precise severity of the weather, he said, agriculture and fishing interests face higher risks and uncertainties even in mild tropical storm systems.

“There is only so much you can do with serious weather but paying attention to the bulletins and moving quickly to secure your assets will help reduce losses for farmers and livestock producers.”

They come to the fore with all sorts of foolishness. Things they hope to get mileage from, when there’s absolutely nothing to gain .

The latest attempt at gaining political mileage comes from Dr Roodal Moonilal, over some foolishness the opposition calls “Armygate.” What is that? But there he was, publicly calling out the Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier General Rodney Smart, now on vacation, and acting Chief of Defence Staff Hayden Pritchard, on a political platform, in connection with “posh houses” and the compromising of the investigations by the Defence Force with respect to the handling of high-powered weapons by the children of Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi .

It is so stupid that the UNC is trying to attach the Attorney General to whatever investigation is taking place. Is the AG under any investigation? What did he do “wrong” that he has to be “protected” with “posh houses.” Weren’t the apartments on the open market for citizens of this country to purchase, once they can afford them? Well that’s how they were bought by these two men .

How transparent was the UNC dealings with the distribution of houses when in government? There were a multitude of allegations of corruption, nepotism and many activities without transparency under the UNC-led PP government .

Moonilal should just be humble and quiet instead of coming to the public with stupidness .

This UNC is a political entity which was removed from office because of the way members behaved between 2010 and 2015 .

Their behaviour upset a majority of citizens, who saw to their demise in 2015. But somehow today they act as if there’s no remorse whatsoever. Now in Opposition, they continue to disgust the public even more with their rantings, day after day, as if they’re angels .

Do they really believe they are more popular today than in 2015? I think the media should do us (them as well) a favour and give them less attention, if they are to save face and to keep our blood pressure down .

GARVIN WALTERS

Unlike 2015, when heavily armed police physically removed him from the podium in Charlie King junction, Duke took to the stage near Avocat Junction. But he did not address the hundreds of workers.

Instead, PSA general secretary Gorgonia Auguste spoke briefly and noted she was honoured to be there.

Auguste added that together trade unions shall be a force to be reckoned. She vowed that unions shall fight for whatever is right. Trade unions celebrated 80 years of militant union representation and for the first time at Avocat Junction, union leaders addressed the crowd there followed by a second address at Charlie King Junction at Fyzabad.

A total of 17 leaders from united labour movement addressed the gathering all of whom charged that workers are being under attack and the movement will continue to fight for the rights of workers. The movement comprises of the Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM), the National Trade Union Centre (NATUC) and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions and NGOs (FITUN).

MODERN DAY SLAVERY President of the Banking, Insurance and General Workers Union (BIGWU) Vincent Cabrera accused both Government and the Opposition of failing to support the working class.

He added that many labour laws that are keeping back the working class. He also highlighted some the plights of workers in the banking industry and described working at Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) as, “The best example of modern day slavery.” He recalled that after waiting six years, the union received recognition and obtained a certificate, “yet RBC gone for judicial review.” “They are daily paying for Senior Counsel and using the High Court as a shield to protect itself against the workers. Tobago workers told them to go to hell.

The trade union leaders cannot do it alone,” Cabrera said. He charged that Republic Bank Ltd made over a billion dollars in profit but is offering, “A measly six percent to its workers.” “Exploitation did not end with Emancipation. Exploitation did not end with the end of Indentureship,” Cabrera said. Unlike previous years, when music truck accompanied workers in the march from Avocat to Fyzabad, that was not so yesterday as police claimed no permission was given.

To the police, Cabrera said they are the sons and daughters of working people and must learn to respect working people and learn join with them. However, he placed blame on senior police officers whom he said gave the instruction to ban the music trucks. The lack of music did not stop workers from dancing and singing during the march.

Petrotrin Cadet Force provided entertainment in addition to there being rhythm sections and moko jumbies all under the watchful gaze of police officers.

SANITATION WORKERS DISRESPECTED President of the Industrial General and Sanitation Workers Union Robert Benacia, in his address, told the gathering that SWMCOL and all other sanitation workers in the country have always been treated with total disrespect. This although they are classified as workers of essential service.

“We risk our health and lives performing extremely hazardous job which exposes us to the indiscriminate dumping of all manner of hazardous waste especially those that work at the dumps.” Government after government continues to pay lip service to the already exploded time bombs at the three major dumps in Trinidad and one in Tobago, Benacia said.

“For over 50 years, radioactive waste, poisons, dead and diseased animals and numerous other hazardous materials have been dumped, putting us all at risk. Government failed to make waste management a priority,” Benacia added He quoted from a 2014 report by the ILO which stated that an estimated 15,000 chemicals are in use and another 2,000 produced each year of which approximately, half causes cancer.

BUFF FOR UNION LEADERS Also speaking was Michael Prentice of the Amalgamated Workers Union who said he wasn’t there for cosmetic reasons and had some strong words for union leaders as well.

“We are not only fighting forces outside but inside also.

Once bitten, twice shy. I don’t want to be bitten twice, who vex loss. George Weekes, (Tubal Uriah ‘Buzz’) Butler and (Adrian Cola) Rienzi must be turning in their graves today to see what we are passing off for trade union leaders. We must not sit back as trade union leaders.

JTUM is in for a sale,” Prentice said. JTUM leader Ancel Roget was the master of ceremonies at Avocat Junction.

President of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA) Lynsley Doodhai called on Government to begin wage negotiations now for the 2014/2017 period as well as for the Education Ministry to, “sort out the mess of EFCL.” President of the Sheep and Goat Farmers Association Shiraz Khan encouraged the nation to support local farmers by consuming more local products.

“That’s ok as all is fair is love and war, especially when it comes to culture. Because it is a war meant to see who can do better,” she said, adding that her ministry fully supports this secondary school competition festival as it promotes the youths in art and culture of TT.

She went on to say that we face difficult time in world today and TT is not exempted from that.

“Being involved in culture gives us that gravitas that allows us to be resilient and helps us to overcome times when we can get depressed,” she said, noting that Sanfest helps the participating students to excel in the arts and this brings promise of greater things to come in the future. Dr Gadby Dolly made the trip to south on Saturday evening to opened the 2017 NGC’s Sanfest competition at the council on Circular Road, San Fernando. Director of Sanfest 2017, Avion Crooks said that Sanfest is celebrating its 47 years and the initial objective remains to present a forum for the many cultural groups and individual performers to showcase their talents in a safe and nurturing environment. “While competition is inherent in the human spirit, the ideal of Sanfest was to introduce a stage where southerners could perform our traditional dances, stories of our heritage, skills in recitation and various musical abilities in an entertaining and collegial environment,” she said. She noted that the council forms a financial partnership with the National Gas Company of TT in 2003, and the their involvement with the festival has grown from strength to strength. “NGC has done and continues to do, what we believe all business organisations should do – invest in the greatest resource of our country, our youth, in a tangible and sustainable way,” she said.

Each year from September to November, she says, the council witnesses the coming together of excited, anxious, passionate and often perspiring people, bringing the product of hours of training and rehearsal to a stage that I hope is warmly accepting and nurturing. This year Sanfest pays tribute to Calypso Rose, (Linda McArtha Monica Sandy- Lewis) by having her music form the body of work featured in our pan competition.

This year the council honours Torrence Mohammed whom is a recipient of the Medal of Merit in 1976. Mohammed has worked steadfastly in areas such as Best Village, in theatre and drama, in Carifesta. He served the community of San Fernando as a Deputy Mayor and he is a former chairman of the San Fernando Arts Council and the National Dance Association.

Crooks mentioned the Mr and Miss Sanfest which offer opportunities for overall growth and development of students in the performing arts. “Students must be concerned with building elaborate portfolios showing their involvement with activities other than academics,” Crooks said, adding that they at the council have long come to understand that holistic education builds a better world citizen and a more socially adaptive person.

Employers, she says are interested now in an employee’s understanding of fair play, competition, beauty in design, team work and passion. This , she noted is difficult to teach in the classroom but that is the foundation of the festival.

Over 250 million children live in areas affected by armed conflict.

Each year approximately 70 million children are hit by natural disasters.

Many of the estimated 168 million children engaged in child labour live in conflict and disaster affected areas. Children also make up more than half of the approximately 65 million people presently displaced by war.

Conflicts and disasters inadvertently push millions of children into child labour or into the hands of human traffickers. This continues to be a global embarrassment in a world that has made so many strides in technological advancements and improvements in the overall quality of life.

However, the continued unequal distribution of the global wealth and the greed that characterises those in positions of power and authority continue to marginalise ever increasing numbers of people globally.

Child labour is rooted in poverty and the lack of decent work for adults. This is further compounded by an increased absence of social protection and the failure of public policies to ensure that all children enjoy their fundamental right to education, with internally displaced children, refugees and unaccompanied minors being particularly vulnerable.

Restrictions imposed by host governments preventing refugee children from enrolling in schools and hindering adult refugees from working, ensure that in some circumstances parents have to rely on their children for survival.

In some countries, children of illegal immigrants are prevented from going to school and are often forced to work in deplorable conditions to ensure the survival of the family.While in Trinidad and Tobago these extreme circumstances do not exist, there are instances of child labour rooted in poverty and social marginalisation that we cannot ignore. A recent survey by the Ministry of Labour and Small Enterprise Development reveal that there are a number of children who are forced to work in our markets and in the agricultural sector.

There are also pockets of children involved in commercial sexual exploitation sometimes as a result of human trafficking. It is a stark reflection of the inability of our social support network to treat with vulnerable and at-risk children.

Thankfully, our government signed onto the Declaration of the Regional Initiative: Latin America and the Caribbean Free of Child labour.

Education International (EI) along with 14 education unions in Europe has established a programme to make the right to an education of refugee and asylum- seeking children a reality. It renews its call for all governments to ensure that there is provision for free, compulsory, quality public education for all children in safe environments at least to the minimum age of employment.

Governments should also take concerted action to ensure that those not presently enrolled in school are reached. It reiterates its call for adequate investments in education and in social protection systems commensurate with national needs.

EI further insists that governments remove all costs (direct and indirect) of education and put in place incentive programmes to promote school attendance. There must also be a transitional approach from schooling into decent work programmes. Education and training are key drivers of social and economic development and they require focused investment.

In many countries, however, the schools that are available to the poor and vulnerable are under-resourced and inadequate to cater to those who need it the most. Global pressure must be placed on those governments that are not doing enough to end child labour in its worst forms.