Present at the meeting were Permanent Secretaries at the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services, Jacinta Bailey-Sobers, and Joy Persad-Myers as well as Permanent Secretary at the Rural Development and Local Government Ministry, Desdra Bascombe, and other members of both Ministries’ executive teams.

The Task Force for Local Government Reform was also represented by several of its members.

Technical and Field Officers of both Ministries were also present.

Among the items discussed were, the objectives of the reform, the services proposed for devolution and possible challenges to the reform process. Discussions also included possible approaches to the transition of services and the legislative amendments which may be required to effect the reform as it relates to social service delivery. Other key areas identified by the Ministry representatives to be addressed included: Capacity Building/Training; Recruitment/Staffing; Accommodation; Change Management and Culture.

Both ministries agreed that there was the need for further dialogue and to continue to work together to ensure that there is a clear understanding of what is required for the transition to Local Government Reform.

The indigenous sport has been in existence for over 90 years and on Easter Monday and Tuesday, goats and their jockeys will compete for a year’s worth of bragging rights.

On Monday, the Carnbee/Mt.

Pleasant Community Council will welcome residents and visitors to its 45th Annual Sports Festival at the Mt. Pleasant Recreational Grounds from 2 pm. The goat races will serve as the main attraction, with the fleet-footed animals and their equally fast handlers thundering down the 110 meter track.

However, the day’s activity will also feature other track and field and novelty events for spectators to participate in or simply observe.

The excitement then heads to Buccoo on Tuesday as the Buccoo Community Council hosts the village’s 92nd Annual Goat and Crab Race Festival at the Buccoo Integrated Facility.

Spectators will be treated to goat races on the 100 yard grass track, along with crab racing and live entertainment.

This unique sport began in 1925 when the inventive people of Tobago sought to establish their own racing community that rivalled the happenings in established race tracks such as Santa Rosa Park in Trinidad, but didn’t require expensive horses to run.

The sport has since matured from humble beginnings on Chance Street to Rosehill, where rails were built out of bamboo and swamp wood. Now, spectators, jockeys and the four-legged competitors themselves enjoy the modern facilities at Mt. Pleasant and Buccoo where the races have found their home.

What began as a novelty sport now enjoys international recognition, and the goat races have become a traditional offering for visitors to the island during the Easter season.

With the Tobago Jazz Experience coming close on the heels of the goat racing festivities, it is no surprise that over 19,000 international arrivals were recorded between March and April of last year as visitors come by land and sea to experience the cultural and musical offerings of Tobago.

“Goat racing is such an integral part of Tobago’s heritage and an aspect of our identity that all Tobagonians should be proud of,” said Secretary of Tourism, Culture and Transportation, Councillor Nadine Stewart- Phillips.

“As we work toward fully integrating all aspects of the island’s culture into the Division’s overall tourism strategy, it is important for us to ensure signature Tobago experiences, such as goat racing, are properly maintained, preserve and showcased.” It is within this context that the Division of Tourism, Culture and Transportation lends its support to both events.

Goat racing remains a unique sport in a class of its own and The Division of Tourism, Culture and Transportation commends the Community Councils of Carnbee/Mt. Pleasant and Buccoo for their consistent and unwavering dedication to preserving this tradition, as well enhancing the island’s offerings to visitors over the Easter weekend

In a media statement, BP observed that full start-up was expected to take place over the next few months and when fully on stream, the onshore compression facility would have the “potential to deliver approximately 200 million standard cubic feet of gas per day.” “The facility is expected to improve production capacity by increasing production from low-pressure wells in bpTT’s existing acreage in the Columbus Basin using an additional inlet compressor at the Point Fortin Atlantic LNG plant,” the company stated.

BP upstream business chief executive Bernard Looney said the project had been “delivered ontime and on-budget” and formed a major part of BP’s plan to bring, “500,000 barrels a day of new production capacity online by the end of 2017 and paves the way for Juniper, our other major project startup in Trinidad and Tobago this year.” BP regional president Norman Christie said: “bpTT thanks and congratulates the government, contractors, partners and other stakeholders that came together to safely bring the TROC project to mechanical completion. The TROC project is a clear example of bpTT, the government and many key players in the oil and gas industry cooperating to improve production capacity, which will benefit both the petrochemical plants and Atlantic.

“Though start-up will be phased, we anticipate an improvement in gas production in 2017 as a result of TROC and the planned start-up of Juniper later this year.” The plant is 100 percent funded and owned by bpTT while Atlantic LNG will serve as the operator.

The project was sanctioned in July following agreements between Atlantic, the National Gas Company and other upstream operators.

bpTT operates in 904,000 acres off Trinidad’s east coast and has 13 offshore platforms and two onshore processing facilities.

bpTT’s Juniper facility, which is expected to produce gas later this year, will take gas from the Corallita and Lantana fields located 50 miles off the south east coast of Trinidad in water-depth of approximately 360 feet. Drilling of the five sub sea Juniper wells by the Diamond Ocean Victory semi-submersible rig commenced in May 2015 and gas from Juniper will flow to the Mahogany B hub via a new ten kilometre in-field flow line which was installed in 2016.

D ead is Quincy Allen, 28, of Duncan Street.

Allen was at the corner of Nelson Street and Independence Square when a lone gunman approached him from behind and shot him once in the head.

The gunman ran off.

Allen was taken to the Port of Spain General Hospital by the Emergency Health Services but was pronounced dead on arrival.

According to reports, Allen parked his silver Nissan AD wagon at the side of the road and went to a shop to purchase an item.

While on his way back to his car, he was approached by a gunman who shot him before running off.

Shocked bystanders contacted the police and Besson Street police responded.

Up until late yesterday afternoon, homicide detectives and crime scene investigators were at the scene of the crime.

Parishioner Glenda Harris, who was in the Cathedral when the gunshots ran out, said she was unshaken by the shooting.

“I am firm in my faith. What happened was really sad but we’re not going to put our faith and our lifestyle as Christians on hold over something like this and even with the murder it’s time for us to pray now more than ever.” Officers have yet to establish a motive for the killing. Officers of the Homicide Bureau are continuing investigations.

The AG vowed to complete his analysis of the documents within the coming week. He said he will then provide his legal opinion and recommendations as to any action to be taken in respect of any wrongdoing in this matter. Al-Rawi said that “on the face of it,” the Galicia issue is deserving of attention .

In particular, Al-Rawi said the issues of proper procurement and value for money in the leasing of the Galicia are important to this country’s taxpayers .

The AG said it is a fact that the operation of the vessel from the waterfront alongside the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port-of-Spain has damaged the area and this is reflected in a claim from the hotel for millions of dollars in damages .

Al-Rawi said it is also a fact that the Galicia has never been able to operate at 100 percent since it arrived in TT. Saying the arrangement which the PP entered into to lease the Galicia was a long term arrangement without any possibility of it being changed to an interim one, Al-Rawi described it as a “transactional gun to the head.” He said because the draft of the Galicia is too large for its current berth next to the Hyatt, the Port Authority would have to spend $50 million every two years to dredge the harbour, just to berth the vessel at Queen’s Wharf. Al-Rawi said while the substitutes to replace the Galicia in the interim may be “less than ideal,” the public needs to be a little more patient and understanding .

“We inherited a terrible situation,” the AG said .

The TT Spirit, TT Express and a barge are among the options being considered to handle the cargo load of the Galicia.Two Coast Guard supply vessels are also being considered as options. Al-Rawi also said no “sane-minded businessman” would have continued to operate the arrangement which the Galicia has been working under .

Noting that tenders have been issued for a replacement cargo vessel, Al-Rawi said the best option at this time is to ensure any inconveniences that arise until a proper vessel can be obtained to take over from the Galicia. “This is a matter of logistics,” Al-Rawi said. The Galicia ends its operations on the sea bridge on April 21 .

In a telephone interview with Newsday, Sinanan said the costs of keeping the Galicia far outweighed its use.

He said the damages incurred from the mooring the vessel at the waterfront were among the reasons considered for its removal from service.

“We are looking at all the options we have available to us at this time. From what we’ve seen thus far it’s clear that it cannot remain as Trinidad and Tobago’s major cargo vessel. “The vessel was originally supposed to be berthed at Queen’s Wharf but Hyatt gave the owners of the Galicia up until the end of 2014 to keep the vessel moored at its waterfront and to this day it’s still being used by the vessel,” he said.

He also noted that loading the Galicia at the Hyatt’s waterfront often resulted in traffic congestion along Wrightson Road.

He said while cutting cost was an important factor in withdrawing the Galicia, he said it was also important to secure an appropriate replacement in the long-term.

“We’re reviewing all the options at our disposal. The cargo vessel is very important to both Trinidad and Tobago, more so to Tobago,” he said.

He also said he understood the concerns of the Tobago Chamber of Commerce of a barge replacing the Galicia when it is taken off the sea bridge roster on April 21.

“I too have my concerns about the barge, but a barge is just an option and it is really my last option,” he admitted.

He said the barge will be operational and it was the choice of Tobago businessmen to put cargo on it or not.

While many will be frolicking at the beach or flying kites at the Queen’s Park Savannah, officers will be out in full force, according to police officials who spoke at the weekly police press briefing at Police Administration Building in Port-of-Spain on Wednesday.

Officers have planned extensive anti-crime operations in all nine divisions across the nation.

These include road-blocks, stop and search, DUI and speed exercises.

Tobago Divisional Head Snr Supt Joanne Archie advised people visiting the sister isle to obey the law and avoid spending the weekend in a cell.

“We will be out in our numbers to ensure all who use the roads — be it pedestrian or motorist — do so in a safe environment,” Archie said. “We are asking visitors and residents not to throw caution to the wind. We will be there not to give people a hard time, but to ensure they are safe during the holiday period on the island.” Assistant Commissioner of Police Irwin Hackshaw added that police will be making checks on camps across the nation and there will be patrols on the beach. He said there will be a heightened police presence in all communities and advised the public to apply all precautions, ensure their valuables are secured and when possible, to travel in groups.

We urge all to exercise care on the road and to engage in responsible practices. The long weekend will see much merriment and persons should avoid drinking and driving and be mindful of the speed limit.

Persons at home, too, must take care. It is important to be vigilant against hazards like bush fires and to ensure children are adequately supervised.

We have duties to ourselves and to our families and wider communities.

We must comply with measures that are in place to contain us in any excesses.

For example, swimmers should obey the instructions of lifeguards, which includes respecting the placement of red warning flags along the shore.

They should also avoid alcohol consumption if swimming and make themselves aware of high and rip tides and of the potential for currents. All children on beaches should be properly accounted for.

It is important to also implore the State to fulfil its obligation to all agencies. Not only must individuals be safe, but the officers who are deployed to protect and serve must also be given adequate resources to do their job.

The State has an over-arching role of ensuring that it conducts quality audits to ensure that taxpayers money is being used effectively. Not only does this mean making sure budget allocations are large enough and are deployed in a timely fashion.

It also means taking a longterm look at how measures are working and seeking out higher standards. Constantly.

Finally, we turn to the message at the heart of this Easter season. For Christians, Easter is a moment when the figure of Jesus Christ is commemorated.

Believers hold that Christ, after being crucified, rose and ascended into heaven to save mankind.

The message is one of hope and of transcendence; of the need to remember the bigger picture in all things and to appreciate life. We invite all, non-believers and believers alike, to rise to the occasion, take time over the holiday to reflect on the state of the nation and to think of ways in which we can act to improve this country for the good of all.

According to one interpretation, “God is saying that he has given Jeremiah many gifts, and he doesn’t need to be afraid. God knows Jeremiah; he was born for the role that is being prescribed for him.” As Sister Hudlin described Catholic practices surrounding the birth of a child, she echoed the beliefs common to other religious traditions in TT. For instance, Hindus speak of the child coming to Earth with a sense of destiny, Muslims place emphasis on the “purpose that the child must serve” in his or her community, while practitioners of Ifa/Orisa believe children choose their parents, in line with what they have come to Earth to achieve.

Ancient cultures believe that the way we come into life is important.

The practice of home births guided by midwives was very much a part of our community practice.

It is slowly disappearing as we increasingly give birth in medical institutions, but Sister Hudlin, a midwife for many years, believes more home births should be encouraged.

“Often, men are very emotional and grateful for being able to witness the birth of their child.” After listening to her and other elders talk about their birth traditions at Renegades panyard, I smiled to see recent reports of a father from Mayo Village who helped deliver his daughter while waiting on the ambulance.

Although he admitted he was scared, he believes more men should witness the birth of their children to get a better idea of what women go through and foster increased mutual respect between the sexes.

In times gone by, the rituals attendant with home births were meticulous and fascinatingly complicated, grounded in a mixture of Christian beliefs and the healing power of herbs.

Eintou Springer describes it this way, “The cord cut, baby is handed over to the elderly female relative to be bathed in warm water and dressed.

The baby is carefully fed tea made from the young leaves of the lime tree … to clean out the baby’s stomach and promote sound sleep.

“The prepared sachet of indigo blue and asafoetida is pinned onto the little vest and baby is placed on the bed on which is an open Bible with a pair of scissors across it. These things combine to give protection against the dreaded mal d’yeux.” There were rituals for the mother, too, involving castor oil, hog plum bush and caraille to clean out her womb and intimate parts.

Interestingly, in the Muslim tradition it is expected that the father would be present at the birth of the child. According to the imam from the mosque on the corner of Prince and Nelson Streets, prayers are whispered in the ears of the child to “write on the mind of the child before anyone else does.” Rituals such as shaving the child’s head and the sacrifice of a goat or sheep are important parts of the Muslim tradition.

This weekend the world will be focused on the powerful legacy of one child whose sense of purpose still resonates, thousands of years after his own humble birth.

My grandmother, who taught us the importance of mothers in raising children to understand their purpose, loved this season.

I close this series with her in mind, and thinking how urgently our nation needs to embrace the practices we have explored. As Psalms 127:3 says, “Children are a blessing from the Lord; the fruit of the womb a reward.” Dara Healy is a performance artist and founder of the NGO, the Indigenous Creative Arts Network – ICAN.

Fr Christopher Lumsden made the statement yesterday morning during his brief address atop Calvary Hill, Covigne Road, Diego Martin after a joint procession of St John’s Roman Catholic Church and St Michael’s All Angels Anglican Church through the streets of Diamond Vale, Diego Martin.

“As he (Jesus) looks upon the world, he is in pain. He sees his sons and his daughters, their lives being snuffed out through crime and violence. He sees the murders, he sees the rapes, he sees the abuse of children, he sees the abuse of his body because we are all part of this body of Christ,” said Lumsden.

He stressed that the procession, which began around 6.30 am at St Michael’s Church on Wendy Fitzwilliam Boulevard, Diego Martin, was not just an ordinary walk or an outing. He said what they did as they said the stations of the cross, sang hymns and prayed, was to walk with Jesus and experience his suffering in their hearts.

He said Good Friday was not a day of celebration or one of fun but a solemn day of prayer and reflection.

Therefore he asked them, young and old, to put aside some time to reflect and recognise that Jesus suffered for all mankind so that they could have life and live it to the full.

Lumsden encouraged the parishioners to inspect their own lives and see how they nailed Jesus to the cross by their sins and how they could remove those sins from Jesus.

Councillor for Diamond Vale, Keron Seebaran, a parishioner of St John’s who participated in the procession, told Newsday the annual event was special because it brought both churches together.

“It is important, not only because it recognises the sacrifice Jesus made for us, but because it encourages community spirit and brings people together in spirituality,” he said.

The sinkhole appeared on Thursday and a portion of the road collapsed as a result.

The National Infrastructure Development Company (NIDCO) and the Ministry of Works and Transport yesterday blamed the collapse on the incompletion of the Point Fortin to San Fernando highway.

When Newsday visited the site of the sinkhole yesterday morning, smoke was still emanating from a two-foot hole which opened up on the roadway.

NIDCO’s project manager Dennis Harricharan said a bushfire at the side of the road burnt a high density polyethene (a type of plastic) culvert that runs along the length of the road.

“These culverts in this area are in an incomplete state,” said Harricharan.

“That means they are susceptible to wash-out and in this case, a fire and the fire has burned the top surface of the culvert and caused the road to collapse.” Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan said when similar culverts, used for the run-off of excess water to prevent flooding, are built and completed, they are capped with a concrete structure at the end.

However, after the bankrupt Brazilian company, OAS Construtora abandoned the work on the highway extension the culvert was left open.

The affected section of the road was closed off to avoid the risk of it caving in further.

Traffic was redirected to St Mary’s Village Main Road and Oropouche Road.

Sinanan said workers were mobilised to repair the damage and it was expected to be completed by late yesterday.