Imbert said the PP agreed to an increased financial contribution to the CDB by way of a Cabinet note dated February 26, 2015.

After advising new parliamentarians to, “Familarise themselves” with matters which occurred in the past when their party was in office, Imbert declared, “This government does not renege on agreements made with international bodies unlike other governments before us.” He explained this was important for the “Credibility and integrity” of TT. Imbert said Government is looking at scheduling payment of this contribution over a four-year period. Government MPs thumped their desks as Imbert reiterated, “We intend to abide by the decision of the former UNC (United National Congress) government to make this contribution to the CDB, as difficult as it may be because we are responsible.” Referring to a Trinidad Express newspaper article which said unnamed sources alleged that bpTT made energy discoveries in two of its fields, Imbert said premature statements on such matters were inappropriate because they can affect the share price of the company. He noted that bpTT’s parent company BP is listed on the international stock exchange.

After indicating bpTT will make a formal statement on this matter soon, Imbert disclosed that consultations have been ongoing with energy sector stakeholders about possible changes to this country’s oil and gas fiscal regime. He said that by Friday, he should receive feedback from a high-powered team handling these consultations about what modifications could be made to the regime.

Responding to a question in the House yesterday, he stated, “ One can’t encourage people to give evidence of impropriety and not deal with it in a fair and even handed fashion.” At the same time, he said not all information provided by whistleblowers should be treated as fact, until proper investigations are done.

The AG said while some provide information under lawful circumstances, others may do so in breach of their terms of contract or oath of office.

This may be tantamount to a breach of statutory declaration for which the penalty is similar to perjury.

Bay Ferries held the contract to service the TT Spirit and TT Express fast ferries.

Speaking in the House of Representatives, Sinanan said the company’s contract included a monthly management fee of US$90,000 and a monthly operational fee of US$250,000. Sinanan is awaiting a report from the Port Authority about maintenance issues regarding the Spirit and Express.

He said the Authority is in the process of identifying vessels to replace both vessels and once identified, these vessels will be subjected to pre-charter condition survey inspection by Lloyds of London. Cabinet will then make a final decision. The minister said no cost was incurred regarding procuring of the Atlantic Provider and Trinity Transporter, for use on the domestic seabridge.

These vessels were procured after the Super Fast Galicia, acquired under the former People’s Partnership (PP) government, was pulled off the seabridge in April.

However he added, “Notwithstanding my refusal to associate with his allegations, an audit is in progress.” Imbert said his ministry is handling the audit but he could not say when it would be completed.

Al-Rawi said the investigation is being partly conducted by his ministry, contingent upon the outcome of an investigation being conducted by the Finance Ministry’s Central Audit CommitteeUnit into EFCL.

“When that matter is brought conclusion, all the matters will be taken,” he stated. Al-Rawi explained that in the event there is a recommendation for prosecution or action, “the key will be to ensure the correct action is taken and that one does prejudice the action that can be taken. He said this was relevant to any consideration of making details of the investigation public.

The AG said he attended an emergency meeting of the EFCL board and was not summoned to attend any meeting as alleged in certain media reports. Al-Rawi said he spoke with Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and Education Minister Anthony Garcia when the allegations were made.

He said there are two dimensions to address, the first being to vindicate people if there has been no wrongdoing; and the second, to ensure there is propriety and due process in the event that wrong doing has in fact occurred.

The power of the President under this subsection may be exercised by him either before or after the person is charged with any offence and before he is convicted thereof.”

RICHARD WM THOMAS Five Rivers, Arouca

In a ruling which will pave the way for the accounting body to hold its members accountable in accordance with international accounting standards, Justice Devindra Rampersad dismissed Seeteram’s judicial review claim against ICATT and ordered that the disciplinary proceedings which were put on hold proceed as the disciplinary tribunal sees fit.

The judge also held that “all things being considered” there was “no compelling reason” why it would be unfair for ICATT’s disciplinary tribunal to proceed to hear the complaints against Seeteram.

“Mere delay, anxiety and dismay is not sufficient in this instance where public interest weighs heavily in favour of having the matter properly ventilated especially in light of an explanation put forward by the respondent (ICATT’s investigating Committee),” the judge said.

Seeteram in his claim sought to have the court quash the decision of the committee to convene a disciplinary tribunal to examine his professional conduct .

At the commission of inquiry into the collapse of CL Financial’s insurance arm, CLICO and the HCU, Seetaram, in 2012, testified that he failed to disclose a $150 million consolidated loss at an annual general meeting; concealed a $31 million loss among “prior adjustments” in the 2005 accounts; back-dated audited accounts and rushed preparing accounts — represented as fully audited accounts — upon the request of former HCU president Harry Harnarine.

He later denied he cooked the books, but blamed a typist for a crucial oversight on the HCU books.

Seetaram was the auditor appointed to look into HCU’s accounts following its collapse.

His explanation was rejected by lone commissioner, chairman Sir Anthony Colman, who in his report which was tabled in Parliament, noted that his testimony resulted in a disciplinary probe by a committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, after former minister Mariano Browne made a complaint calling for an investigation into Seetaram’s conduct.

An investigation committee was set up by ICATT which later found a prima facie case had been made out against the accountant and a disciplinary committee was established.

Changes were also made to Clause Five of the bill on the issue of forefeiture of security.

The students discussed the issue of squatting and weather squatters should be made to pay it.

Yesterday, the team walked away with the grand prize of $3,000 in cash, a trophy, gold medals, and Ipad Pro tablets for each team participant, while St Augustine Girls’ High School came in second place and North Gate College placing third.

Sixteen secondary schools across Trinidad and Tobago participated in the competition by debating against each other on illegal squatting in TT.

Speaking at finals of the competition, held at the Government Plaza Auditorium, Richmond Street, Port-of-Spain, Acting Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Marion Hayes told the students they were now armed with more information about the issue of illegal squatting, and encouraged them to act on it, and do what is right for the TT.

“Work with us to spread the message so that your generation and future generations can live with the assurance that our natural spaces will be here for a very long time for us to enjoy.

I am sure we have some future leaders and future change agents in our midst here today, and I look forward to you being part of more public awareness efforts of this nature.” Hayes noted that there are now 55,000 families who are illegally occupying state lands and the figure amounts to roughly 200,000 people.

She said an additional 1,000 new structures are being added to the landscape every year.

“While those who are occupying state land and those who encourage its manifestation, may believe that this seemingly innocuous act is just a ‘means to an end’ to provide shelters for families in need, the story doesn’t end there.

As you would have realised through your research for this debate, there are far reaching environmental, societal and infrastructural implications that are deep and which go past the average eyes.” Hayes said the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and the LSA, intends to engage other state agencies with a view to forging stronger strategic partnerships to curb further land grabbing.

She said the Government understands that shelter is important and what a comfortable home can provide for a family. “Our goal at the Ministry has always been and will continue to be, to create opportunities for deserving families, primarily the low and lower-middle income earners.

This is our policy directive, which we follow. We want everyone to lead decent, dignified and rewarding lives and we will continue to do our part to ensure that shelter remains a vital part of that equation.”

The company said this dry-docking is mandatory to ensure optimum performance and expressed regret to customers for any inconvenience caused .

During the period, major work will be undertaken to the vessel’s main engine and engine generators among other regular shipyard work .

All works are estimated to be completed within 30 days and the vessel is expected to resume operations by July 7 .

In the absence of the TT Spirit, the inter- island service will be operated by the TT Express and the Water Taxi, Paria Bullet, as follows: WATER TAXI Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, from PoS at 6 am and from Scarborough at 4 pm .

TT EXPRESS Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from PoS at 4 pm and from Scarborough at 6.30 am; Wednesdays, rom PoS at 12 noon and from Scarborough at 6.30 am and; Sundays, from PoS at 3 pm and from Scarborough at 9.30 am

With all the mayhem taking place at the port recently, it was revealed that the contract for the maintenance of the ferries with the original Canadian firm handling both the T&T Spirit and the T&T Express had been terminated and the contract given to a local firm about a year or two ago.

I think a strong case can be made to show that since the change over, the boats’ performances have deteriorated markedly, both in terms of the longer times taken to get to Tobago (no longer two and a half hours) and the downtime of the boats, which seem to be constantly in need of repair and are unavailable for sailing.

It’s pretty obvious that the Port Authority needs to quickly rehire the Canadians to ensure the boats once again perform in a satisfactory way, which will redound to the benefit of all stakeholders.

I don’t have access to all the facts but it makes no sense to say money was saved by going local if the local firm is incapable of handling the situation.

C RODRIGUEZ via email