Speaking with reporters after a function at his ministry’s headquarters at Tower C of the Port of Spain International Waterfront Centre, Khan said there is no problem with the ministry’s permanent secretary Selwyn Lashley being a member of the Petrotrin board.

He said Lashley consulted with the Head of the Public Service as to whether his presence on the board would constitute a potential conflict of interest., “From that level, he had no objection to his appointment,” Khan said. Reiterating that the board’s appointment was “a collective Cabinet decision,” Khan said Cabinet confirmed the note about the Petrotrin board at its regular weekly meeting at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s on Thursday.

Describing the members of the Petrotrin board as “very competent,” Khan said the company needs three things to improve its current circumstances.

He identified these as: proper skill sets at the managerial and senior managerial level; the right skill sets in Petrotrin’s core to effect the turnaround and, “serious new capital injection.” Saying these things form part of the new board’s mandate, Khan reiterated, “The Government does not intend to handle the day to day operations of Petrotrin.” Khan said he would speak again with the Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU) about their concerns with the new board.

However, Khan said the OWTU is acutely aware that, “the challenges are extremly grave at Petrotrin.” Noting the union is a key player in the company’s turnaround, Khan was confient that the OWTU would be willing to work with Petrotrin’s board and management.

He said it is, “in their own interest that Petrotrin be put right.” Khan also expressed optimism that this year’s revenues from the energy sector would be higher than last year’s. He hoped this would be reflected in the 2017/2018 Budget.

Sources said the budget is expected to be presented in Parliament either in the last week of September or the first week in October.

These are the suggestions that come up time and time again when citizens of TT feel aggrieved by action or inaction by the government of the day.

What happens after we take such drastic action? What are the changes we expect? Why are we not speaking about those changes now? It seems our people know what is wrong and who is to blame but seem reluctant to take the opportunity to determine the solutions or a path forward.

Over the last 15 years through the Democratic Party of TT (DPTT ) and on my personal behalf, I have been promoting a path forward for our nation. That clearly defined path found online at www.dptt.org.tt is anchored in a belief that governance must always be about service to our citizens. Our government offices must be places of comfort and efficiency, not confusion or disenchantment.

There is little to gain from protesting if we do not know what we are protesting for. We must agree on a vision for TT . The DPTT ’s vision is a good starting point for the discussion. Disagree with every aspect if necessary but for heaven’s sake let us determine where we want to be and how we plan to get there.

The DPTT ’s vision calls for a decentralised structure of government where communities are empowered to manage their infrastructure and enhance government services in the community.

It calls for structured police patrols and a new approach to community policing that promotes proactive policing as opposed to reactive policing from stations.

It calls for a new approach to conflict resolution that dismisses old court cases that clog up our courts, a system of plea bargaining, special courts and harsh penalties for all offences that threaten the lives of our citizens, and restructuring our prison system to be places rehabilitation.

The vision seeks to create new permanent jobs through community maintenance, the introduction of park rangers to secure State lands and promote eco-tourism and the employment of various new employees as we restore our heritage sites and buildings.

It envisages building a new network of roads, the integration of a light rail system with upgrades to our public transportation system and restructuring our tourism package in partnership with the private sector.

That new vision seeks to invest heavily in agriculture to not only be able to feed ourselves but to be the food basket of the Caribbean as we produce and manufacture food products for export.

It restructures our economy from a largely single-sector energy- based source of income to a multi-faceted approach that partners with our business community in tourism, agriculture, manufacturing and marine services, as well as new approaches to managing our energy sector.

We are in this nation together, one people, and our path forward must be clear. The emphasis must shift from major projects that benefit the few to projects that benefit a nation. The time has come for us to realise that simply flipping the proverbial coin each election is not the way.

The TT election coin has no tails, just heads. One of East Indian ancestry and the other of African ancestry. It is time to change the coin. Let us embrace the future together and start by agreeing on the path that can lead to a better TT . Only after agreeing on the path can we seek to agree on who will or can lead us there.

STEVE ALVAREZ via email

He said the forms to accompany the legislation will be going to Cabinet next Thursday and Cabinet will subsequently set a date for the legislation’s proclamation.

“I do consider that 26 years of discussion on the abolition of child marriages deserves some haste,” Al-Rawi told Ramdial.

However, he reminded her and other Opposition MPs, “legal operationalisation is a critical factor.” In that context, Al-Rawi said, “I make no apologies, whatsoever, for taking care and caution with the forms.” He said under the former People’s Partnership (PP) administration, forms to accompany the Proceeds of Crime Act were not prepared.

Al-Rawi said this resulted in the PP’s own AG, “now in private practice, sue the State for the lack of availability of forms.” He said this led to the payment of damages by the country’s taxpayers.

CAL, in a statement yesterday, advised that due to damage to the St Martin Airport, it was re-routing Flight 456 on Sunday to avoid the hurricane-hit island.

Instead of Flight 456 passing through St Martin/St Maarten, it will fly directly from Port of Spain to Kingston.

Likewise Flight 457 the same day will also fly directly from Kingston to Port of Spain, avoiding St Martin.

“Please be advised that St Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport remains closed due to significant damage from Hurricane Irma.” The statement said affected passengers travelling today could change or cancel their reservations without penalty subject to conditions, chiefly that they had a confirmed ticket issued before September 9.

The statement said passengers travelling between September 6 to September 15 to destinations affected by hurricane Irma (namely St Maarten, Antigua, Bahamas, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Orlando) would have all penalties waived once re-booking for the same cabin.

“Passengers must make these changes or request refunds on or before September 30,” the statement said.

CAL advised passengers to visit their web-site, and check their flight status before going to the airport, or to call the CAL call centres for further details.

The Amazon Warriors posted a score of 159 runs for six wickets in their mandatory 20 overs with the Knight Riders responding with 160/4 in 18 overs, with Colin Munro hitting an unbeaten 57.

However, Munro was dropped twice – a sitter on 13 by Roshon Primus at mid-off off Steven Jacobs and on 18 by Emrit at cover off Rashid Khan.

“(I) felt like 159 was a good total to defend but our catching didn’t help us out,” said Emrit after the contest. “It was probably one of our worst nights. Even our ground fielding wasn’t up to it.” Emrit, who took over the mantle of captaincy from New Zealand’s Martin Guptill midway during the tournament, noted, “It was just one of our bad days. I’ve got to put it behind us.

“It’s been tough (as captain) but I’m one to accept the challenge. We had to win our last five games and it’s taken a toll. Still think we had done satisfactorily with 159.”

He explained, “Alexandrov would be expected to come back if his evidence is required in court.” Young added, “Someone stopping being in their position does not negate them going to court.” The minister did not expand on his comment about former ministers going to court. Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal has threatened legal action against Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley for comments which Rowley made at a news conference at Piarco International Airport last week, before leaving for a medical check-up in California.

Rowley said Moonilal may have questions to answer regarding the alleged mishandling of more than $400 million at the Estate Management and Business Development Company Limited (EMBD) in August 2015.

Moonilal was the EMBD’s line minister at that time.

Young said Alexandrov is not performing any autopsies at this time.

He said Dr Hughvon Des Vignes is currently doing autopsies at the Forensic Sciences Centre and Dr Eslyn Mc- Donald-Boris will be joining him fully from October 21.

Young said Boris has made herself available to assist in the interim.

In response to another question, Young said the Police Service has acquired a total of 1,591 vehicles from 2010 to 2016.

The recent revelations of the ferry fiasco have brought no comfort to the Prime Minister as the conduct of senior administration officials is now in question.

The admission by the vice president of Bridgeman’s that his company is in possession of two irrevocable letters of credit (which can only be voided by his company) for his vessels gives the impression that they have already been paid.

This is contrary to the port/ ministry assurance that this transaction has not cost the Government a cent.

This disaster, as horrendous as it seems to be, will no doubt pale into insignificance with the brewing Sandals scandal. It is said a government official has been incessantly communicating with officials of Sandals to influence them to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) by September 15.

This official must tell the population what are the terms and conditions of this MOU, which Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley will want to use as his great success in the upcoming Budget.

The official must say whether the Government will be guaranteeing a loan of more than US$500 million, or $3.5 billion, for the construction of the 800- room resort.

The official must also reveal the amount of mangrove and wetlands which will be affected to construct a state-of-the-industry golf course.

The official must also indicate whether Sandals demanded the construction of a new airport to service the complex and who are the landowners surrounding the new airport.

This government official must quantify the amount of tax concessions to the group over a 25- year period, given the information that Sandals will not be using any of its monetary resources.

And finally, for now, the official must indicate if Sandals/ Beaches qualified from an open tender process or whether it is the favoured choice of the Government.

We eagerly await September 15.

MARGARET MOHAMMED Penal

Trinidad’s latest art studio owner Reah Lee Sing has partnered with the WIA for its 21st annual flagship art exhibition.

WIA president and artist Michelle Tappin-Davis and two other exhibitors, Stacy Phillip and Yvette Simon welcomed me to the exhibition which began August 29 and ends today. The theme, Thread, is symbolising “We are women in art –the thread that links the past to the future.” The 53 pieces from 22 artists were accepted via a jurying and curating process conducted by Ethiopian-born artist Turunesh Raymond. The displays range from oil, acrylic, watercolour, dry media, textile, jewelry, mixed media, quilling, to wire bending and ceramics.

“Many of the artists wear many hats, but are all essentially creatives. My goal is to provide encouragement to hone their technical skills to achieve greater success through the joys of earning a living through art,” said Tappin-Davis. “For me success is happiness and I believe that one is truly happy when they are doing what they love and doing it well. We also want to inspire younger artists to pursue excellence in their craft through workshops, plein air (outdoor) sessions and community/volunteer projects.” Some full-time artists such as Marsha Trepte of Weecreate Concepts Ltd and Beverly Fitzwilliam-Harries told Newsday that in order for art to be sustainable the entrepreneurs must work in multiple creative genres and it is a necessity to have a joint income especially in these economic times.

“As an organisation, we are also working on finding a space to call our own to host meetings, workshops and exhibitions, as well as sourcing funding for our projects as an NGO. Enrolling in WIA is a way to share costs in order to exhibit and market their work collectively, since the art is curated and prevents the artists’ work from getting lost in a crowd.

Marketing efforts are also multiplied by its 100-plus members,” Tappin- Davis said.

WIA recently introduced associate membership for students 18 years and up, as well as for both genders who are indirectly affiliated with art/artists. “Our intention is not to separate women from their families and loved ones, since we need the support.” Other artists whose work are on display are Aneesha Baldeosingh, Delia Brathwaite, Sonia Alexis, Keomi Serrette, Adele Bynoe, Reita Antoine, Reah Lee Sing, Leona Fabien, Greta Michelle Joachim, Sahfyhr, Jennifer Chichester, Judith Shaw, Marrissa Richards, Virginia Pacifique Marshall, Ayodele Roseman, Eleanor Belix, Kathy Farabi, Liana Mottley and the late Valerie Belgrave’s Art for the People.

The challenge trophy for most outstanding work was awarded to retired primary school principal Virginia Pacifique-Marshall for her paintings Smoke Ceremony and Water Ritual.

Education Minister, Anthony Garcia, responded to the protest on Monday, the first day of school, when over 200 students protested in front of the school gates demanding that the school be completed.

At a press conference yesterday at the Education Towers in Port-of- Spain, Garcia said, “I understand the concern of the parents in that they want to ensure that the new school is built.

We have some problems that we are trying to rectify.

A major problem is the contractor himself has stopped work on that project.” He stressed that while the Ministry worked to “iron out the challenges,” the students were being housed in a building in Tunapuna and were receiving an education.

With respect to reports that school guidance counsellors had not been paid in two months and were staying away from work because of years of non-payment of outstanding allowances, Garcia said the reports in the press were “totally inaccurate.” Dr Lovell Francis, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education said that he toured schools in Tableland on Thursday and had a discussion with South Eastern guidance counsellors who were conducting a cluster meeting.

“There was no indication of any kind they had ever stayed away from work or there was any kind of a boycott.

That report is totally in error.” He also denied reports of counsellors not being paid for two months but admitted that some had been paid late due to administration issues within the Ministry.

At 6 pm, Trini Revellers will unveil some 12 sections of its Carnival 2018 presentation: Harold Sally Saldenah – The Legend at St Mary’s College, Pembroke Street, Port of Spain.

The band in effect will be paying tribute to Saldenah, by taking some of the late masman’s presentations that created great effect in years gone by. Among them, We Mas have class (1985), Mexico 1519 – 1521 (1964), Psychedelic Latin America (1969), Atlantis: Land of seven cities (1970), Fantasy in Jewels (1972), Sun Kingdom of the Amazons (1974), Pacific Paradise (1965), Epic of the Zulus (1967), Fashionable Sailors from Paris (1973), Norse Gods and Vikings (1956), El Dorado, City of Gold (1968) and Imperial Rome 44BC to 96AD (1955). Later that night at 10.30 pm, Legacy will also present its Carnival 2018 presentation: We Jammin’ Still at VAS Lounge, on Rust Street, St. Clair.

Legacy’s presentation will celebrate the indomitable spirit and joie de vivre of the people of TT.

Bandleader Mike Antoine said: “This is a gift, to be able to rise in the face of challenges and to find humour and joy in our everyday and sometimes humdrum lives.” On Saturday, Legacy’s line-up of costumes will be unveiled with a live display of sections with themes such as Spirit, Joy, Freedom, Festival and Soca Party. There will also entertainment with music by popular radio DJs giving patrons a glimpse of what to expect from Legacy on the road