However, commensurate with these legislative measures must be a review of the effectiveness of the policing of traffic offences. The new laws will only have an impact if properly enforced. A public education exercise will have to be undertaken so that all are made aware of the new provisions.

Once the provisions come into effect, obstructing a traffic warden on duty could attract a $10,000 fine and/or six months in prison, and drivers can be charged up to $7,000 for speeding using the red light camera system. Removed as offences but deemed violations will be driving without a seatbelt, which will attract a maximum fine of $8,000, and driving with a child under the age of five without a car seat, which would attract a fine of $4,000.

Amendment has also been approved to increase the penalties for driving without being the holder of a driver’s permit. The fine will be $1,500. The amended Act would also extend the power of the Licensing Authority to refuse to issue a driving permit to a person who has committed a traffic violation.

Overall, the amended Act is to introduce a demerit points system and the reform of the fixed-penalty system and related matters. Some of these measures will be implemented with additional capital expenditure.

Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi on Tuesday said the system to track speeding vehicles was already in place to some extent, just awaiting legislation to come into effect. We hope the increased fine will reduce instances of people ignoring traffic wardens who, daily, risk life and limb to do a service to the public. We agree that the current $300 fine is simply not enough of a deterrent. While the prison term was removed for drag racing on highways without the consent of the Commissioner of Police, the $2,000 fine was increased to $6,000. This is also a needed boost.

If there is one area where there is rampant indiscipline in Trinidad and Tobago, it is on our roads. Motorists drive without care for fellow drivers. They place themselves and innocent bystanders at risk by speeding and engaging in unsafe practices.

Daily, there is scant courtesy on the streets. People adopt a dog-eatdog mentality rushing to progress through roads often mired with traffic. Loud blowing of horns by impatient drivers who believe they are being kept back by the vehicle in front of them has become an order of the road, so too road rage.

Pedestrians too are bold-faced in their practices. Some recklessly cross the road (“bounce me nah” being a popular mantra) without regard for oncoming traffic, others with earplugs which make it nearly impossible to detect cars that may be on a collision course with them.

The police will have to enforce the new laws, but they too must take care not to abuse their powers when it comes to the pursuit of official business.

We are heartened road fatalities have shown signs of a 41 per cent decrease for the year so far. But too many people are still dying on the roads. According to Arrive Alive statistics, the largest segment of the population affected is the 25 to 34-year age group. Drivers, passengers and pedestrians have all been affected alike. The new provisions will have to be approved by the House of Representatives and, if they are passed, will come into effect on a date to be determined.

We hope they get the green light as soon as possible.

TT have a tally of three points from four games, in the CONCACAF Zone Final Round, and are rooted to the bottom of the six-team standings, while the US are joint fourth with Honduras with four points.

Mexico are atop the table with 10 points, followed by Costa Rica (seven points) and Panama (five points).

“We definitely need a win (today) to stay in the race,” said La Forest, during a telephone interview yesterday. “To get that win, all hands have to be on deck, all hands, from the coach (Dennis Lawrence) to the masseur. As you rightly know, the whole country have to be behind them. The players have to know that the country is behind them. Shallow, swim, deep, they have to come back here with a victory, no matter what it takes, by all means necessary.” TT are yet to win a World Cup qualifier in the US but La Forest, the ex-Defence Force forward, pointed out, “it’s like the military. You’re going to bomb a base, you have to secure your base. We have some nice experience behind (us) whereby the (defenders) are supposed to hold the back for us. But we also have tonnes of experience going forward. We have people playing in all different types of countries so (they) will have to bring their A-game to give us that victory that we so desire.

We have so many players (based overseas). Everybody have to bring their A-game.” Putting himself in Lawrence’s shoes, what strategy may he employ against the Americans today? “This is a war we’re going to fight,” he stated. “So you have to have strategies for war. Where our strengths are, in terms of the legs going forward, we have quick legs, we have people who can hold up the ball for us.

“In terms of strategy, we can consolidate a bit behind to ensure that things are working out for us but, in the attacking third, we need some quick legs at all time.” A number of TT players are either based in the United States or have experience at club level in the US.

“It’s supposed to work for us because they’re seeing these players week-in, week-out,” said La Forest. “They’re supposed to know these guys strengths and weaknesses. We’re supposed to counteract on that.” He continued, “It’s not like when we used to play and coming up against America, we never used to get a chance to see these players until (the match). These modern-day players have the advantage now in terms of seeing them weekin and week-out. So I think it should work for us, once we put the heads together.” San Jose Earthquakes-based winger Cordell Cato was left out of the team for an alleged breach of team rules. La Forest commented, “in this case, the coach’s decision is final. I’m in the fraternity also. You have players out there who feel they can do things and get away with it. If you happen to let one out of the bag, the rest will look at that and say ‘(the coach) is very soft’. In this case, the coach’s decision is final.”

Dr Jacob was addressing secondary school students from Brazil, Coryal, Valencia, Matelot, Manzanilla, Toco, Guaico and Malabar who attended the ‘North Eastern Secondary Schools ICT Expo’ at the UTT O’Meara campus on May 31. The expo was hosted by CANTO (Caribbean Association of National Telecommunication Organizations), under the patronage of the Maxie Cuffie, Minister of Public Administration and Communications, and supported by bmobile.

The expo theme, “Demonstrating ICTs as a Viable Career Choice,” was geared at stimulating students to consider careers in ICT, and featured several presenters, including representatives from bmobile, UTT, and FLOW. NIHERST, iGovTT and the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago were among the companies with information booths on display.

Teresa Wankin, CANTO’s Secretary General indicated that the expo demonstrated the wide range of programmes and career choices in the field of ICT and made students more aware of the ICT-based industries that could be targeted for their career choices.

“The ICT sector is the most creative and resilient sector for employment. It is also the fastest growing sector and the only sector that combines with all disciplines. As we move toward an ICT-based knowledge society, we are living in exciting times where creativity and innovation provide entirely new ways of working, interacting and building. The future is bright for you. This expo brings you opportunities that no other generation enjoyed.” Camille Campbell, VP Marketing, TSTT explored how ICT has transformed the global landscape and has proven to be a catalyst for innovation, diversification, productivity, national development and social transformation. Indicating that trends in the job market reflect double digit growth for ICT careers, Campbell added, “At bmobile we are proud to be that catalyst in Trinidad and Tobago.

bmobile remains committed to investing in the necessary infrastructure that will allow Trinidad and Tobago’s most valuable resource, you, to realise your full potential.” Minister Cuffie noted the equalising impact of ICT on rural areas and the impact on economic growth for Trinidad and Tobago. “For developing countries like Trinidad and Tobago, ICT has the potential to increase access to and improve the relevance and quality of your education, thus presenting a potentially equalising effect in developing countries for the youths in rural areas.

Today’s event is about exposing you to the endless possibilities through technological literacy.” Dr Jacob demonstrated the numerous applications of ICT in the world of work, as well as everyday life, by using examples that included airplanes’ autopilot, logistics planning and maintenance functions, smart cars, smartphones, smart buildings, and e-health applications which allow remote consultations and surgeries from around the world. He told the attendees, “Technology is changing the world and is in everything we do today. Today is your opportunity to become well informed.” His colleague, Professor Rodney Rambally, from the UTT Centre for ICT, discussed the various UTT bachelors and masters degrees, diploma and certificate programmes available.

Guest speaker Petriann Trancoso, a Big Data and Cloud Computing Expert and Database administrator, used online shopping and the impact it was having on the local retail industry to discuss the pervasiveness of ICT in all industry sectors worldwide and the equalising effect of ICT for local businesses. She stated that local companies must compete globally to remain viable and they need ICT to do this.

The feedback from some of the participants showed that the expo was appreciated. Gail Pierre-Ashing, a guidance officer at Brazil Secondary said the expo was quite informative. “This gave the students the opportunity to broaden their perspective beyond the traditional choices and to include ICT as one of their career options. I also enjoyed visiting the booths which presented more in-depth exposure to some of the topics discussed.” One of her Form Three students, Treangelo Gayah, agreed and said, “I want to be a PE teacher and ICT has a lot of relevance in this field so this expo was quite educational.” Form Four Valencia Secondary student, Kemone Perez, added, “I learnt about the different aspects of ICT in everyday life and how many different jobs are available. I am a business student but this expo made me more interested in the ICT

In their ruling, which upheld the appeals of the Commissioner of Valuations and Attorney General, Justices of Appeal Peter Jamadar, Gregory Smith and Judith Jones ruled unanimously that neither interim orders by Justice Seepersad, should have been granted.

In setting aside the two orders, the judges said the public interest would best be served if the voluntary nature of the exercise (submission of the VRFs and supporting documents) was made known. They further ordered that the collection of VRFs could continue only after the first publication of a notice by the Commission, in the three dailies over a period of three weeks and at all Valuation Offices in the country where persons are required to go to submit their documents.

In their ruling, the judges also made it clear the data collection exercise (submission of VRFs) was the statutory responsibility of the Commissioner of Valuations alone. They also reiterated that the court’s order did not impact the future exercise of the Commissioner’s other lawful powers.

In their oral summary, delivered by Justice Jamadar, the judges unanimously held that even though the first order of Justice Seepersad on May 19, expired on May 31 and was ‘spent’, he (Justice Seepersad) was plainly wrong to order it. They said although he cited the correct law, Seepersad did not apply it properly.

They also held that he should not have heard the application of former UNC senator Devant Maharaj ex-parte, as no reason was advanced by him (Maharaj) as to why notice could not have been given to the Commissioner, even as the time for the response to the pre action letter had not yet expired.

The judges also found that the second interim order, granted on May 31, which was to continue until June 27, should not have been granted because there was no written application before the court, supported by evidence.

They said Justice Seepersad failed to give the State an opportunity to put in evidence.

Maharaj challenged the legality of the property tax and Justice Seepersad had set the matters for trial on September 19, at the Port of Spain Supreme Court and September 21 at the San Fernando Supreme Court.

The former UNC senator challenged the legality of Section 6(1) of the Valuation of Land Act 18 of 1969, which commanded every landowner to file a return form, failing which it empowered the Commissioner to notify the owner that he was required to file, failing which he may be liable to conviction.

It was the contention of lawyers led by Senior Counsel Russell Martineau and Deborah Peake, who represented the Commissioner at the appeal, that the exercise of submitting VRFs was always voluntary. Speaking to the media, Maharaj said he was not disillusioned by the court’s ruling, saying the court reinforced the position that the submission of the VRFs is voluntary, contrary to what was being said that it was compulsory and had to be carried out by a particular deadline.

He repeated his call to homeowners to exercise their voluntary option and not submit the forms. Maharaj was represented by a team of attorneys led by former attorney general Anand Ramlogan, SC. The Commissioner was also represented by Ravi Heffes-Doon and Zelicia Haynes-Soo Hon while the AG was represented by Fyard Hosein, SC, Rishi Dass and Sasha Bridgemohansingh.

There was an initial deadline to submit the VRFs by May 22 and this was extended to June 5, by government. According to the Property Tax Act the payment of property taxes is due on March 31 of each year.

The Opposition has raised concerns over implementing the tax during an already uncertain financial period for citizens, asking why the property tax was being implemented during this tough economic period.

History is not on the side of the visitors but coach Dennis Lawrence has, from day one on the job, stressed to his players that they “must write their own history”.

“It’s right there in our hands for the taking. We must show how much we want it. This team, the players, must write their own history,” Lawrence said.

TT have not scored a goal against the hosts on US soil since the 1996 Gold Cup – a double by Arnold Dwarika in a 3-2 defeat. And the last time TT secured a point away to the US in a World Cup qualifier was in May 1989 when Hutson Charles’ last gasp equaliser earned a 1-1 draw in California.

In 23 meetings since 1982, TT have won only twice, both in Port of Spain, lost 17 and drawn four.

“We are always considered the underdogs when we come up against the United States moreso because of the results but the only way to begin changing that concept is by turning the tables and we have another chance to start this come (today),” said captain Kenwyne Jones.

“The history is rich between the two teams and while they have gone on to play in more World Cups and are a much bigger country that we are, I think that when it comes to stepping onto the same field, anything is possible. We have the right mentality and with the right approach and desire, we have demonstrated that a result is not beyond us,” added the Atlanta United FC striker.

TT has a injury-free compliment of players with US-based handful of Kevin Molino, Joevin Jones, Kevan George, Mekeil Williams and Kenwyne Jones all ready to produce the goods along with Shahdon Winchester, Daneil Cyrus, Jamille Boatswain, Hughtun Hector, Radanfah Abu Bakr, goalkeepers Jan Michael Williams and Marvin Phillip.

Veteran Carlos Edwards has lots of memories when it comes to battling the Americans.

“The rivalry is a long one from since I was a kid in 1989 to then coming up against them maybe five or six times in World Cup qualifying football as a player,” said the evergreen wing-back. “Every game is different but I don’t think the occasion is one that can easily get the better of us.

“Hometown advantage is always critical but we know what we are here for and it’s a level playing field from the opening whistle. What we have to do is finish the game with more of everything, more energy, more legs, and more points,” Edwards added.

Seattle Sounders’ Joevin Jones will be up against club teammate Clint Dempsey and he’s ready for the face-to-face battle.

“Clint is a really good player.

We are teammates at Seattle but in this game we’re on opposite ends. I think our players will have to keep an eye on him because he could be dangerous.

But generally, I’m focused on playing my game and doing well,” Joevin Jones noted.

“We have never won here in the US but I think if we stay focused we can get a good result.

The key to playing in the conditions is getting the lungs opened up early. As the game progresses I think both teams will have challenges but it’s all about who can last the full 90 (minutes),” Jones ended.

The Police Service, in statements to the media yesterday, said the exercises were conducted between Tuesday and yesterday.

Police also found firearms and ammunition. A 30-year-old man was arrested during one of the raids.

Police officers from the Moruga police station found and seized a pump action shotgun and 3.86 kilogrammes of marijuana with an estimated street value of $38,600.

They were on patrol when they went to a camp in a forested area off Shorty Street, Bois Jean Jean, Moruga. As they arrived they saw three men running away.

When police searched the camp, they found a 12-gauge shotgun and the marijuana.

Two guns, ammunition and 15 grammes of marijuana were found in Blanchisseuse and Morvant by members of the North Eastern Division Task Force on Tuesday.

Acting on information, the police went to a forested area off Paria Main Road, Blanchisseuse where they found 15 kilogrammes of marijuana.

Then they went to Nine Storeys, Almond Drive Morvant, where they found a .38 revolver, a .9mm pistol, four rounds of ammunition, 1.4 kilogrammes of marijuana and 11 grammes of cocaine with an estimated street value of $ 16,500.

In Diego Martin on Tuesday, they found 62.4 grammes of marijuana while searching abandoned houses on Sparrow Drive and Simeon Road. In Maraval between 8 pm on Tuesday and 1 am yesterday, a search warrant was executed at the home of a 30-year-old man. Some 32 grammes of marijuana was found.

The man was arrested and charged and was expected to appear before a Port of Spain magistrate yesterday.

The 67-year-old Burrell passed away on Tuesday in the United States, where he had been a patient at John Hopkins Cancer Treatment Center in Baltimore, Maryland.

“We are deeply saddened and shocked to hear about Captain Burrell’s passing. His enthusiasm for life and football was admirable.

We are with his family in thoughts and prayers during this trying period,” John-Williams said.

“His passing is a sad loss for football. Captain Burrell played a significant role in football in Jamaica for several years and dedicated a significant part of his life towards the development of the game there. He was a Jamaican stalwart.

“We in Trinidad and Tobago held a longstanding relationship with ‘Captain’, sharing the same vision for taking the game to greater heights in the region.

His name was synonymous with the term Reggae Boyz. And he played a significant role in Jamaican football, having also served in various positions in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), CONCACAF and FIFA. May his soul rest in peace,” John-Williams stated.

Instead, the Government should use the money that goes to the subsidy in another way to start diversifying the economy and to create jobs for all. It should give tax breaks, reduce electricity rates and provide incentives in the following areas: Manufacturing: This will result in increased produce for the local market and for export, thereby bringing in foreign currency.

Agriculture: Farmers will be able to grow all types of food with the aim of feeding the nation, exporting and reducing the food import bill.

Recycling: With glass, metal, plastic, paper, wood, etc converted into reusable materials we would be doing our part to save the environment.

Tourism: The government must encourage all forms — fishing, hiking, bird watching, sports etc. Cabanas/hotels/ restaurants should be built on our mountains and nearer to beaches and rivers.

We have to stop this dependency on handouts.

We must take pride in obtaining an education, getting a job, saving to own a home and paying our expenses.

Creating jobs for everyone is the answer, which will happen if we go in the direction outlined above. Now is the time to use the money to diversify the economy away from gas, oil, and subsidies.

PATRICIA BLADES via email

The Ninth Actuarial Review warned that from 2019-2020, assets will rapidly decrease and the NIS funds will be completely depleted in 2029-2030 if nothing is modified in terms of contributions or benefits.

Interestingly, according to the 8th Actuarial Review, NIS assets would have increased until 2027-28 and would have then started to decrease.

It was projected that the fund would be depleted in financial year 2039-40.

Therefore, it would appear that in the three years between the Eighth and Ninth Actuarial Reviews, the rate of depletion of the funds increased by ten years. Would this mean that, if no changes are made, we can assume by the Tenth Actuarial Review, the projected depletion would be in 2019? The obvious next question is – how did we reach to this point? There are people who are making statements that the public should not panic – assurances are being given to the public that the NIB is wellmanaged, well-governed, transparent and accountable. There is much evidence to suggest otherwise, and citizens who are currently making NIS contributions, and who may not be able to receive any benefits, must demand some answers. We need to evaluate the NIB based on competence of the Board, as well as the operational efficiency and the financial health of the institution.

Actuarial reviews would have had to be undertaken over the life of the establishment and is an instrument that is intended to allow the government to understand the financial state of the NIB and is a fundamental tool in ensuring the financial sustainability of the scheme. The actuaries have made recommendations after each of the nine reviews. Have these recommendations been adopted by the NIB? Has the government been made aware of these recommendations and the implications of not implementing them? Would the government have been willing to raise contributions to the NIS as would have been necessary to ensure the viability of the fund if it threatened a loss of votes? According to the actuaries, it would be necessary to implement a mechanism that would force the adjustment of the contribution rate at regular intervals. However, the scheme’s adjustments are conditional on the willingness of the government to pass the law to introduce those changes.

What about the operational efficiency of the NIB? Does the NIB receive contributions for 100% of the employer population? If not why not? The record management is critical for an institution such as the NIB. Is it efficient? Is there a competent record system? Are the records of the contributions available and accurate? How many citizens either at retirement or even earlier have to battle with NIB over the number of contributions made? It stands to reason if the records of the contributions are inaccurate then the benefits will be inaccurate and funds available for investment will be inaccurate; how then is the investment portfolio being effectively managed?.

The next area for discussion is the financial health of the institution and with that investment decisions that the NIB would make. We need to ask then about the NIB spending $37 million to acquire the property housing Apsara and Thamnak Thai restaurants in Port-of-Spain and promptly leasing it back to the owners at $96,000 a month for ten years. Interestingly, the property was valued at $16.5 million. In addition, $5 million was spent on repairs to the building. We must also inquire as to whether the financial performance of the company is reported to the Minister of Finance? What about any shortfall in benefits versus contributions received? Who pays the difference? Is it the NIB or the government? If it is the NIB and there are no more funds, can the government afford to fund a deficit? Finally, according to the Fit and Proper Guideline issued by the Central Bank, the Board of Directors must consider character, competence and financial soundness when assessing key personnel for employment within the organisation.

But what does the Central Bank mean by competence? According to the Guideline a person must demonstrate the competence and ability to understand the technical requirements of the business, the inherent risks therein, and the management processes required to conduct its operations effectively.

The technical requirements of the NIB would therefore include an understanding of business, finance, investments and other aspects of managing a national social security scheme. Is a background in law then, considered sufficient to steer a billion-dollar financial institution that citizens depend heavily on? What is the Minister doing to address all the deficiencies at the NIB that are becoming ever more apparent? Where are the Board in all of this? Certainly, they must be aware that all failures of the institution will ultimately be theirs.

In 2015, the US agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions 26 to 28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025 as part of the Paris deal.

The Rhodium Group estimates that under Trump’s policies, US emissions will now most likely fall just 15 to 19 percent below 2005 levels by 2025. In addition, the US promised $3 billion in aid to poorer countries to assist them increase clean energy and adjust to droughts, sea-level rise, and other global warming disasters. The Obama administration contributed $1 billion thus far, as have other wealthy nations. But Trump has promised to terminate all future payments; one possible result is for developing nations in Africa and Asia to be less enthusiastic to deal with their emissions.

It has to be admitted that before President Trump’s announcement, those efforts of curbing emissions and strengthening those pledges with the expectations of escaping catastrophic warming were not being met. In fact, the total current pledges place the earth on track to warm three degrees Celsius or more above pre-industrial levels, an outcome with a far greater risk of destabilising ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica, higher sea-level rise, more destructive heat waves and droughts, and the loss of vital ecosystems like coral reefs.

Global warming, brought on by the release of carbon dioxide, methane, soot, and other pollutants into the atmosphere act like a blanket, trapping the sun’s heat and causing the planet to warm.

Data reveals that 2000 to 2009 was hotter than any other decade in the past 1,300 years. Higher temperatures are worsening many types of disasters, including storms, heat waves, floods, and droughts, events with which we in the Caribbean are all too familiar.

The increasing occurrence of droughts, intense storms, and floods we’re seeing as our warming atmosphere holds — and then dumps — more moisture, poses risks to public health and safety, too. Heavier rains cause streams, rivers, and lakes to overflow, which damages life and property, contaminates drinking water, creates hazardous-material spills, and promotes mould infestation and unhealthy air. A warmer, wetter world is also a boon for foodborne and waterborne illnesses and disease-carrying insects such as mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks.

All these have costs which have afflicted us in the Caribbean, from Zika to powerful hurricanes.

The Government of Guyana has projected that improved sea and river defenses and drainage systems costs could exceed US$1 billion.

This figure includes the costs of activities ranging from building and reinforcing levées and seawalls to flood-proofing health clinics.

In damages alone the Caribbean suffered just under US$2 billion dollars in damage from selected natural disasters between 2000 and 2012.

The Caribbean needs to first understand what the potential costs are from this one decision by the US. In addition, they need to cost what is required to upgrade their infrastructure and buildings to address more severe natural disasters: all this as the most indebted countries in the world.

One act from a “friend” – the US – will affect every facet of life and impose huge costs on us.