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.

In a release sent yesterday, the PCA, led by David West, said it had concluded its independent investigations into the road exercises undertaken by officers of the TT Police Service on March 23, 2015, and had made a suite of 21 recommendations.

The recommendations were sent to the DPP and the Acting Commissioner of Police and the Police Service Commission.

During the PCA investigation it recorded over one hundred and fifty statements from police officers and civilians and scrutinised hundreds of related documents.

According to the PCA release, the investigation revealed that, “There was a lack of proper supervision of junior officers by superiors which resulted in three hundred and forty-one (341) officers across Trinidad and Tobago conducting 29 roadblocks/ road exercises without the knowledge of their superior officers.” The PCA also found that, although no direct evidence was found to indicate that senior officers were alerted to plans by the junior officers to conduct these road exercises, given the amount of planning, coordination and precise execution required for their staging, it was difficult to believe that no senior officer was, in fact, made aware of the plans.

The PCA also found that the activities of the TT Police Service Social and Welfare Association (TTPSSWA) up to and including the incident were a cause for concern. According to the PCA it found that there was evidentiary support for consideration of criminal and disciplinary action to be taken against some police officers who would have participated in the exercise.

In it’s a summary the PCA recommended: 1. The strengthening of the management/ supervisory infrastructure within the police service.

2. The restructuring of the Special Branch and the country’s intelligence gathering capabilities to be more in line with global security demands/ requirements.

3. That the relationship between the TTPSSWA and the Police Service be examined.

4. That consideration be given for the institution of criminal and / or disciplinary action against some police officers, based on their conduct in the events of and surrounding March 23, 2015.

On the day of “Total policing,” 29 roadblocks were carried out without the knowledge of the Commissioner of Police.

This prompted an investigation by the Police Service, the Joint Select Committee of Parliament and the Police Complaints Authority.

Contacted yesterday, President of the Police Social and Welfare Association Acting ASP Michael Seales said the association would respond in due course but found it curious that the PCA would release such an “innuendo” without considering that members of the association would be aspiring to fill the positions of Commissioner and deputy commissioners of Police. He added that the release might be calculated to injure the chances of the candidacy of the people concerned

In Thursday’s Second Qualifier at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Munro benefitted from two dropped chances to bat from start to finish, as the Knight Riders, replying to the Amazon Warriors’ 159 runs for six wickets in their allotted 20 overs, reached 160/4 with two overs to spare.

Today, at Tarouba, the Knight Riders will oppose St Kitts/Nevis Patriots in a rematch of the First Qualifier on Tuesday (the Patriots won that clash by 38 runs to move directly into the final).

Munro was pushed up a notch to open with fellow left-hander Sunil Narine, after the experiment with William Perkins ended after just one match.

Narine fell in the first ball of the innings, leg-before to leftarm pacer Sohail Tanvir while advancing down the wicket.

Munro then struck off-spinner Steven Jacobs for three successive fours to move to 13, but he was shockingly dropped at mid-off by Roshon Primus while attempting a fourth boundary.

A couple overs later, the Amazon Warriors captain Rayad Emrit leapt high at cover but was unable to hold on to a lofted shot from Munro (when on 18) off leg-spinner Rashid Khan.

Those missed opportunities deflated the confidence of the Amazon Warriors outfit as Munro featured in a third-wicket stand of 82 with Darren Bravo to virtually guarantee the win for hosts.

Hamza Tariq, who replaced Perkins in the Knight Riders’ XI, hung around for 10 before he edged Emrit to wicket-keeper Luke Ronchi.

Darren Bravo (43 off 27 balls with two boundaries and four sixes) feasted on the spin of Jacobs and left-armer Veerasammy Permaul before he was caught on the long-off boundary.

His brother and team captain Dwayne Bravo was stumped off a leg-side wide, before Munro (51 balls, seven fours) and Denesh Ramdin (18 off 12 balls) carried the Knight Riders to the finish line, seconds before a shower fell at the venue.

The Amazon Warriors, who were sent in to bat first, were kept in check by useful bowling by the Knight Riders.

Tanvir (eight) was leg-before sweeping at Narine and Ronchi (23) lost his leg-stump as he played all over to a slower ball from Dwayne Bravo.

Opener Chadwick Walton struck three sixes in his 31-ball 37 before he was stumped by Ramdin off Narine, while Jason Mohammed (10) slashed at one from pacer Javon Searles to Yasir Shah at extra cover.

Shah came into the Knight Riders team at the expense of fellow Pakistan leg-spinner Shadab Khan, who returned home to fulfil national commitments.

Gajanand Singh (39 off 25 balls with three sixes and one four) and Primus (35 not out off 18 balls with four fours and a six) accelerated the scoring in the latter overs, but fast bowler Ronsford Beaton, in the final over of the innings, removed Singh and fellow left-hander Assad Fudadin off successive balls.

The incident arose when Newsday visited Alexandrov at his office at the centre yesterday for a brief interview on his career and experiences in TT.

Less than ten minutes into speaking however, Director of Forensics at the centre Arlette Lewis, interrupted the meeting and ordered reporters to leave the office as media were not allowed inside the facility, due to “security concerns”.

However, Alexandrov would not accept that excuse and questioned Lewis’ motives for wanting the reporters out of the office, saying the interview was not about the centre specifically, but about his own personal experiences as a medical practitioner in TT.

“Do I need you to give me permission to talk about my personal life and my personal experieces and plans? Why do I have to talk to them outside of my office. It’s not the secret service, it’s not the CIA, they are not in the firearm lab or the DNA lab, they are in my office.

I’m not going to provide them with any information pertaining to forensics.

They are asking me about my resignation and I am free.” Lewis said that while she was not opposed to Alexandrov giving the interview, she said that it would have to be done outside the compound, however, Alexandrov continued to question her wanting the interview outside his office adding that in the past other media have entered the facility without hinderence.

“Who gave information to a newspaper that on Monday due to your intervention that the crisis was resolved in the matter. What intervention are they referring to?” Lewis said that in order for the interview to take place, it would have to be outside of his office.

Alexandrov further dismissed Lewis’ concerns as “spy paranoia”.

The first match of the double header started at 3 pm where reigning central champions Carapichaima East Secondary School edged Fatima 2-0 on a soggy field. Defending Champions, Shiva Boys College battled south rivals Naparima College (Naps) in the second game of the evening and eked out three points in a battling affair which ended 2-1 in their favour.

Naps started on the front foot, pressuring the former champions from the opening whistle.

Midfielder Jeron Pantor rocked the crossbar for Naps as he latched onto a bouncing loose ball at the edge of the area in the sixth minute and fired a cannon but saw his shot rebound back into play with the ‘keeper beaten. However, against the run of play, it was the defending champions who found the back of the net in the 14th minute after Junior Asson smashed home in the six yard box from a low corner delivered by Ronaldo Edwards.

Both teams tried to control the middle of the park as they battled endlessly for possession.

Pantor should have equalised in the 28th minute when he got a golden opportunity after Shadeon Arthur’s cross eluded the entire defence, however, he tried to lay off the ball for his teammate but miscued his pass.

On the resulting counterattack Shiva’s captain, Judah Garcia, unleashed a powerful shot but it was marvellously defended by his opposite, Rondell Payne, as he dived in front of the bullet for his goalkeeper. Halftime saw Shiva Boys leading 1-0 at the break.

After the interval, Naps were awarded a free-kick in the 72nd minute just outside the box and Kodel Frontin made no mistake with a curling effort tipped in by the diving Shiva goalie. Naps gained momentum and were looking for the winner, however, it was a similar tale from the first half as Shiva snatched a goal on a counter attack in the 77th.

Shiva’s Tyrel Emmanuel got past defender Rushawn Murphy and slipped the ball into the path of Jude Phillip who made no mistake from the six yard box with the winner.

In the earlier game, it was the central hosts, Caps, who emerged victorious over Fatima 2-0.

Caps’ first goal came in the 28th minute after their no. 9, Kevon Williams, burst down the left wing then cut inside on his right and slotted the ball past the ‘keeper on the far post.

Fatima had chances to level the scores before the half when their captain, Stephon Marcano, whipped a ball across the face of the goal in the 35th minute but the ball just strolled past everyone in the six yard box. Two minutes later Marcano created another opportunity, this time for himself, when he travelled with the ball into Caps’ box but his shot went just wide of the post. Caps went into the tunnel leading 1-0 at the half.

Caps doubled their lead in the 74th minute when Elijah King got on the end of a cross whipped in by Theophilus Bourne, from the left. There was no further change to the scoreline as the central hosts held on for the win.

Speaking to Newsday after the victory, King said, “It feels really great to get on the score-sheet as my grandmother and family was in the stands supporting. It was really important to win the game and get a solid start to the season. Everyone on the team is like brothers and even though the field was heavy, everyone played their part as we are looking to carry this momentum onto the next match and hopefully win the division. We can only keep getting better moving forward.”

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

A short while later, they executed a search warrant at his home at Kumarsingh Street, Gordon Village, Tortuga and also discovered a further 24 packets of compressed marijuana and 100 rounds of 9 mm ammunition.

Police said the drugs seized had an estimated street value of $129,000.

The suspect was subsequently charged by Sgt Ali of the Couva CID with possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking and possession of ammunition . According to a police report, at about 8.30 pm on Thursday, Ali along with Cpls Harriot and Duncan and officers of the Gran Couva Police Station were conducting a roadblock exercise at Indian Trail, Gran Couva when they had cause to stop and search the vehicle driven by the suspect. He was expected to appear in the Couva Magistrates’ Court yesterday

Over 300 cyclists from Europe, North America, South America and all of the Caribbean will converge on this island paradise for five days of the Caribbean’s biggest sporting exhibition of endurance, skill and speed.

Riders will be tested to their limits as they confront the sweltering tropical conditions and brutal terrain when they circumnavigate the island’s spectacular coastline in the feature event, the UCI Accredited Tour of Tobago.

It is also the only such event in the region that has the full backing of the Geneva- based UCI — the world governing body for cycling.

The Cycling Classic will also feature two days of exciting Mountain Bike Racing through the picturesque trails of Tobago’s pristine rain forest reserve The TICC will celebrate its 31st anniversary in 2017 which is a significant milestone, validating the prominence and the sustainability of this event.

On this occasion, the TICC organisers will be looking to stage an event that will be unsurpassed in terms of competition, participation and viewership.

The prime objective is to promote and boost sport and sport tourism activities in Tobago with daily video recaps on social media and live stream broadcast to an extensive worldwide audience.

“When any organization partners with the TICC, it is committing itself to delivering realistic relevance and value to the millions of followers who see the TICC as synonymous with any top rated international sporting event,” a press release yesterday stated.

“What makes this event so popular among the foreign and local participants is not so much the fact that it is the only race in the region from which they can accrue UCI points to improve their world ranking but more-so of the festive- like atmosphere that surrounds the entire week-long event.”

This was announced yesterday by the US Embassy in Port of Spain, which said the agreement to do so is “in line with (both countries’) deep and expanding programme of security and law enforcement cooperation.” The agreement provides for the continued security presence of In-Flight Security Officers (IFSOs); more commonly known as Air Marshals in the US, between the TT and the US. Air Marshals are security officers deployed on aircraft for the purpose of carrying out duties pursuant to aviation security.

The US Embassy said, “The renewed commitment will ensure that the US and TT continue to be on the forefront of the latest methodologies and security concepts. More importantly, this agreement allows the US and TT to continue to be part of an evolving joint global strategy to thwart terrorism in the civil aviation community now and into the future.”

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.