ANSA McAL marks 125th year

The service began promptly at 10 am with an elaborate procession into the church, led by St James Tassa Group. The procession included members of the St Mary’s College First Trinidad Sea Scouts bearing the flags of various ANSA McAL companies, as well as performers from the Sharda School of Dance, religious officials and heads of the ANSA McAL Group.

Dignitaries at the service included former TT President Sir Ellis Clarke, Scotiabank Managing Director Richard Young, FIFA Vice President Austin Jack Warner, former UNC senator Sadiq Baksh and Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation for the Enhancement and Enrichment of Life (FEEL) Clive Pantin.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Ansa McAL group, A Norman Sabga told the gathering’ “I am deeply grateful for your presence here today. We could not have celebrated the 125th anniversary in a more fitting way than by giving thanks to God for his many blessings.” Sabga said he was certain there was no one living in TT who had not used at least one of the many products and services the group provides. He said that fact was a “privilege we do not take lightly.”

Sabga said ANSA McAL would make it their duty to effect change as much as possible. He stressed that the group would continue to strive to be at the top of their game. Monsignor Michel de Verteuil commended Sabga and the other members of the congregation for taking the time to give thanks for Ansa McAL’s many successes, saying that in recent times people were less willing to offer thanks to others for their successes. “It is a sign of true wisdom when we know a certain truth of life that there is one greater than we are before whose goodness we stand,” he said.

Gerry Brooks, Ansa McAL’s Chief Operating Officer, who also spoke at the service, quoted American businessman Joel Barker saying, “Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision is merely passing the time but vision with action can change the world.”

The service ended with a stirring rendition of Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus, performed by ANSA McAL Choir under the direction of Lorraine Granderson.