Al Rawi said public procurement is law in Trinidad and Tobago and at Wednesday’s State Boards Corporate Governance Seminar 2017 held at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad, the Minister of Finance issued a circular stating that the Public Procurement Unit must be installed in every State enterprise and every ministry immediately so that it can go into operation by April. He said all that is required is for President Anthony Aquinas Carmona to ensure that the Procurement Regulator is hired. Al Rawi made the statement while delivering the feature address at an Economic Outlook Forum hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre.

He added that electronic monitoring for offenders is also being put into operation as an option for sentencing. He said the law allowing for this was passed some time ago but never implemented.

He said that when someone is put in prison for not paying a fine of $12,000, for example, it costs the State $25,000 per month to keep that person in jail. He said the option of using electronic monitoring is real – all that is necessary is to put an anklet on that person and he can be allowed to remain outside, reporting periodically to the police station nearest his residence and he could continue working and contributing to the support of his family. He said all that is required to put this law into operation is the equipment, and a service provider with a fibre network in the country that could do the geographical mapping to permit the tracking of the person.

Al Rawi said that with all the talk of crime and white-collar crime in the country, the major fraud case in TT is the Piarco Airport Inquiry which he said has been in the Magistrate’s Court for seventeen years and still has to go to the High Court, the Appeal Court and possibly the Privy Council. Meanwhile, he said while doing an audit at the Attorney General’s Office, he saw a strange painting on the wall and after inquiring it turned out to be repatriated assets from the other accused in the Piarco Airport case in the United States where there had already been conviction, sentences served, and assets forfeited and sent back to TT. He said it was a very expensive painting which went missing from an international artist and was found in the possession of one of the persons in the Piarco Airport case, making the point that at the same time the local case has been seventeen years in the Magistrates’ Court. Stressing that he was not attributing guilt to any party, the Attorney General said the important thing was not how many laws are passed but whether they are put into operation.

He also said that there was no need for legislation for FATCA, the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. He said it was open to TT to avoid Government involvement by having the banking sector produce the information to the United States authorities by simply asking their clients for permission to send their information. He said they could then just ask those who refused to close their accounts, but he said that in 2013 the Government of Trinidad and Tobago twice took decisions by way of Cabinet notes to sign an inter-governmental agreement and adopt the reciprocity model and by doing so committed the Government to a path which said it had to pass legislation in Parliament authorising FATCA.

Central (35 points), who have a game in hand against Defence Force, moved within two points of leaders W Connection (37 points) with just three regular games left in the 2016-17 league campaign.

Connection took charge of the two-team title chase last weekend with a 4-1 win over Defence Force while bitter Couva rivals Central slipped following their first league defeat of the season, 2-0 against the Stars.

But the Couva Sharks were prepared to bounce back from early on and grabbed the lead at the Larry Gomes Stadium through attacker Marcano who headed past Police goalkeeper Adrian Foncette in the 10th minute.

Following a volley of first half chances on either end, coach Dale Saunders’ men finally got the 2-0 cushion on the stroke of half-time, Mitchell completing Jem Gordon’s move by hitting into the far bottom corner of Foncette’s net.

Mitchell was denied another by Foncette on the hour mark, but Central, who strengthened their attempt for a third consecutive league this season with the signing of former MLS defender Julius James and the return of winger Winchester, were already leading 3-0.

Foncette’s barrier of blue shirts failed him again, and Seecharan completed a tap in from close up three minutes after the break off another Winchester cross from the right.

Foncette was lucky eight minutes from time when Marcano headed onto the crossbar, and a minute later substitute Johan Peltier struck wide off a well-placed Marcano cross as Central, who return to the Malabar venue on Saturday against Point Fortin Civic, continued their dominance.

Police, meanwhile, struggling this season without injured striker Makesi Lewis, remain slumped in seventh position on 16 points.

Coach Richard Hood’s pairing of attacking brothers Jameel and Kareem Perry up front failed to produce the goods for the Lawmen, who return to the Larry Gomes Stadium on Sunday against sixth-positioned Club Sando.

Third-positioned San Juan Jabloteh (26 points), who were virtually knocked out of the race for a top-two finish by bottomof- the-table Civic on Tuesday, will meet St.

Ann’s Rangers in the first game of a double-header at the Ato Boldon Stadium Stadium today, followed by Ma Pau Stars against Defence Force.

Newsday spoke to Johnson at the SSFL awards ceremony which took place at the National Cycling Centre in Couva.

“This year brought many achievements and titles for St Augustine Secondary, even though we faced many battles throughout the season, nothing stopped us from keeping focused and uniting as a great team,” the 18-year-old Johnson humbly expressed.

She went on to describe her emotions on being the best female player in the SSFL.

“Words cannot begin to explain how grateful I am because I could not have been named ‘best player’ if they (St.

Augustine Secondary teammates) were not surrounding me, so basically I didn’t win this award, they won it for me because they are the best players,” she declared. Johnson was also St Augustine Secondary’s vice-captain as she scored approximately 25 goals for the National Girls Intercol Champions during the 2016 season and assisted numerous goals in the process.

Tyrel Emmanuel of Shiva Boys Hindu College also paid tribute to his teammates as he stated, “I’m very pleased to win the Player of the Year award but I would not have been able to win this award without the support of the team, the fans and our school community.

“I would like to say that my success came from the players because we really wanted to win the league trophy this season and we are thankful for the outcome of us winning the league.” He also noted that to win the league, everyone on the team pulled their weight and the investment of hard work during the pre-season along with consistency was the key to rallying out the season and ending at the top of the table.

Emmanuel scored three goals during the 2016 season and was the heart of the Shiva Boys midfield as the 18-yearold maestro created endless chances and assisted several goals in their successful SSFL Premier Division title campaign.

Johnson and Emmanuel already set their next set of goals they desire to meet, in the not so distant future, as they have to keep their mental focus and emerge successors in their upcoming examinations.

They detailed the importance for them to keep on developing as players and furthermore, as citizens of the nation, it is important to develop their mental and academic side to enhance the possibility of future options, offers and marketability.

As both players are set to leave after this academic school year, they left inspiring messages for their teams as they have faith in their respective squads to recapture the titles.

2016 SSFL All-Star Teams Female: G o a l k e e p e r s – Kaydeen Jack (Diego Martin Central), Chelsea Ramnath (Fyzabad Sec), Danisha Britto (St.

Augustine Sec).

Defenders- Abigail La Rode (St. Augustine Sec), Kerice King (Tranquillity Sec), Jaasiel Forde (Bishop’s Anstey East), Tamara Johnson, Collette Morgan (Fyzabad Sec).

Midfielders- Malak Marcelle (Diego Martin Central), Denecia Prince (Fyzabad Sec), Shaunalee Govia (Tranquillity Sec), Ranea Warde (Bishop’s Anstey East), Shenieka Paul (Pleasentville Sec), Aaliyah Lynch (St. Augustine Sec).

Strikers- Asha James (Signal Hill Secondary), Celene Lorraine (Mason Hall Sec), Reanique Primus, Chantal Murrell (Bishop’s Anstey East), Adanya Phillip, Kedie Johnson (St. Augustine Sec).

Male: Goalkeepers- Desean Bowen (Trinity College Moka), Rahim Lee (Pleasentville Sec), Denzil Smith (Shiva Boys).

Defenders- Yohannes Richardson (Shiva Boys), Mylz Barrington (Pres. San’do), Derron John (St. Anthony’s College), Mickel Ravello (St. Benedict’s College), Kyle Thomas (San Juan North Sec), Zion Holder (St. Augustine Sec).

Midfielders- Jordan Riley (Pres. San’do), Akil Frank (Signal Hill Sec), Justin Sadoo (Naparima College), Quinn Rodney, Judah Garcia, Tyrel Emmanuel (Shiva Boys).

Strikers- Isaiah Lee (Naparima College), Haile Beckles (St. Anthony’s College), Junior Asson (Shiva Boys), Ronaldo Boyce (San Juan North Sec), Nion Lamy (Pres. San’do).

Newsday had reported Ministry deputy permanent secretary, Ian Ramadhin, saying that coaches would be paid after the Ministry’s completion of its Regularisation Study, ordered by a parliamentary committee to regularise the coaches’ statuses.

However, yesterday one hockey coach told Newsday that it is now three weeks into January and they have not been paid.

“It is depressing.

People are leaving their positions because they are not being paid. We are big people and we have bills to pay like anybody else,” the coach explained. The source said this state of affairs will harm sport. “We are getting the runaround all the time, ‘Yes, you’ll get paid’, but we have got nothing.

At Christmas, everyone was eating turkey and ham, but we were eating Crix and cheese,” he lamented.

The source said coaches are doing yeoman service in both social alleviation and identifying new talent to reach the highest levels, adding that the Ministry’s focus must not be on only funding the country’s elite athletes.

Ramadhin told Newday, “This is a priority matter on the front burner for the Sports Division to look at all of the coaches.” He hoped it will be resolved this month, for payments to be made to coaches “sometime in February”.

Ramadhin told Newsday that this matter affects coaches of all sports and coaches hired under various types of arrangement, such as by the Ministry, or by local communities or by the National Governing Bodies of various sports.

He said relevant documents have been submitted and are now being reviewed and tweaked.

After being set a victory target of 248 runs, the Parkites, national triple crown champions, celebrated a three-wicket victory when they replied with 252 for the loss of seven wickets in 48.2 overs.

The Parkites received solid contributions from skipper Justin Guillen 34 (one six, three fours), Jeremy Solozano 39 (six fours), Yannic Cariah 31, Darren Bravo 31 off 54 balls, Daron Cruickshank 36 not out, Nicholas Pooran 15 and Akeal Hosein 30 not out.

Guillen and Solozano provided the platform for the victory when they fashioned a useful 59-run first wicket stand in 12.6 overs.

Their positive start was followed up by the Cariah/Darren Bravo tandem that shared a 59-run third wicket partnership while Cruickshank and Akeal Hosein forged the winning unbroken eight-wicket partnership worth 48 invaluable runs.

In their haste to overpower the national team, Hosein, who will play for the Leewards Hurricanes in the Super50; was the dominant partner and smashed two huge sixes and three fours off 16 deliveries.

Khary Pierre and Imran Khan claimed two wickets each for 51 and 38 runs respectively.

Earlier, the TT Red Force, having been sent in to bat first on an easy-paced track, were bowled out for 247 in 49.3 overs.

Newcomer Nicholas Alexis topscored with 71 (1×6 and 4x4s off 105 balls), Jason Mohammed made 47 (1×6 and 3x4s off 57 balls) and Yannick Ottley 37 retired (not out) were the principal scorers for the Red Force.

Mohammed and Alexis had shared an 87-run fourth wicket partnership and revived the Red Force after they were reduced to 64 for three after 15.1 overs.

Alexis and Yannick Ottley added a further 73 runs for the fifth wicket.

But their efforts went unrewarded when the Parkites rallied under floodlights to register a thrilling victory with ten deliveries remaining.

Kevon Cooper (2 wickets for 21 runs from 6 overs) and Jevon Searles (3 for 36 from 5.3 overs) were the main wicket-takers for QPCC.

Shannon Gabriel, regular newball bowler for the TT Red Force was allowed to play for QPCC, his hometown club.

And he was responsible for removing Red Force’s reliable opener Kyle Hope, caught wicketkeeper Joshua DeSilva; for 26.

His final analysis was 4-0-18-1.

A victory for the Red Force would have been the right tonic and a great morale-booster for the Super50 which gets underway next week Tuesday.

But as defending champions and with their full-strength team, the TT Red Force will be striving to secure a hat-trick of Super50 crowns after having celebrated success in 2015 and 2016 when the series was staged in Trinidad and Tobago.

Marketing manager of the Pandemic Squad, John-Michael Alibocas pledged his allegiance and support to Garcia and revealed that the marketing strategy for her brand this year was to show off her “amazing talent and versatility” by “exploring different markets simultaneously”.

Speaking at the launch he said: “We started off with the Bashy riddim and a song called ‘Waistline Killer’ which is bashment soca. Then we released the ‘Technically’ with Farmer Nappy which is more groovy and what her fans are accustomed to hearing from her. Then we went into afro-soca with the song, ‘Closer’ – that’s also inviting her fans to get closer to her and following that we have ‘Run Road’ which is more dancehall soca and we just released her power soca, ‘Destra vs Lucy’… At the end of the day, Destra is the queen of the genre and therefore the best person to explore all these different markets.” Radio personality, Whitney Husbands served as the master of ceremonies, as director and co-founder of the fan support group known as “BakaNation – Team Destra”, Allister Ross expressed confidence in Garcia’s musical releases this season and volunteered full support for the promotion of her grand event as well.

“We have members located in different countries all over the world who are Destra fans,” he explained, “so we keep track of her music, appearances, outfits, etc and promote her songs and videos. I would like her to thank her for embracing us and for inviting me here to represent on behalf of all of her fans and supporters – it is indeed an honour and a pleasure for me.” Dressed in a curve-hugging black dress, Garcia was introduced as both a mother and a businesswoman, in addition to being one of the foremost female performers in the land.

She explained the reasons behind and apologised for the last-minute cancellation of last year’s concert and promised that the upcoming festival would make up for the lost opportunity.

“The whole idea behind this event is for me to have a place in Carnival where my fans from around the world can be sure to see me and experience my style and of course my music. I think I was a bit over-zealous last year and didn’t realise how bad a state our economy was in at the time, so I was forced to cancel it in the end but we learn from our mistakes and I have grown and now realise that as much as I may be good at multi-tasking, when it comes to this kind of enterprise, I can’t try to be the star and be the promoter and be the sales manager and graphic designer and everything else. I have a very good team around me now, so I have to trust in them to do their parts and focus on executing my role to the best of my ability.” Garcia also launched her latest investment on the night, the “House of Bacchanal”, which is a complex complete with offices, a recording studio, a loft for herself and band members to relax when compelled to overnight in Port-of- Spain and even a mini-venue/performance space at the back.

“This was really Brian’s work,” she gushed as she gave credit to her long-time partner and producer, “and I’m so amazed and proud of him for designing and managing this project from start to finish. We bought the property a few years ago, but it was Brian who had the vision of what it could become and he made sure to oversee it personally in order to create what you see here tonight.” For Garcia, who once battled with the tremendous and life-changing decision of leaving her day job to focus on music full-time, the last 16 years have justified her initial choice and she has been blessed with numerous hit singles, awards, endorsements and a family of people that support her and keep her grounded, while lifting her to new heights whenever she is faced with life’s challenges.

“I’m really thankful and I feel really blessed to be in this position now,” she revealed. “I remember I entered my first singing competition when I was just nine-years-old and I loved it and instantly became addicted to the stage. I had my doubt about the soca industry at first because it was difficult for women to succeed in this market, but 16 years later, I can say for sure that I persevered and I made my mark and I made it work! It definitely wasn’t easy at all and I faced many ups and downs along the way, but I’m still standing here today and I have my whole family with me and we continue to grow together in love and in music

That band led by patriarch Jessy Lessey will play “67” by Aldwyn “Kitchener” Roberts.

It is the first of nine bands listed in the region to perform before a four-person panel at 7 pm, however, only four will play tonight, as the other five have been scheduled to go through their paces tomorrow night at their respective panyards from 2 pm.

Rio Claro Koskeros, playing “ Johnny” by Robin Imanshah/Gary Dore, and arranged by Kenny Pascall will be first to play tomorrow.

The competition continues on January 22, and January 23 in the Eastern Region from 3 pm.

A total of 19 bands in the Eastern Region will be judged in their panyards, beginning with North Eastern All Stars doing “Melosian Rhapsody” composed by Winsford “Joker” Devine, sung by the Baron (Timothy Watkins) and arranged by Leston Paul.

Last year’s joint winners, Marsicans will play at number ten on the day, with Trinidad East Side Symphony performing in the cellar position on January 23.

The judging process will take place over two days with the first 12 bands playing on Sunday from 3 pm, and the other seven on Monday starting at 6.30 pm with St Thomas Silver Stars doing “Sugar Bum” by Aldwyn Roberts.

January 20 – 7 pm

1. Band – …………………………………….Selection – …………….. Composer – …………….. Arranger

2. Jah Roots…………………………………Sixty Seven…………….. Aldwyn Roberts………… Band Team

3. La Romaine Super Vibes……………Full Extreme……………. Ultimate Rejects……….. Garvin Williams/……….

Hudson Henry

4. Highlighters………………………………Fete……………………….. Lyons………………………. Jason Farell

5. Shades In Steel…………………………Showdown (Band Meets Band)…………………… Machel Montano/Xtatic

Dante Pantin

January 21 – 2 pm

5. Rio Claro Koskeros……………………Johnny…………………… Imanshah/Gary Dore…. Kenny Pascall

6. Kings Row Retro Riddum……………Judith…………………….. Owen Reyes Johnson.Aquil Arrindell

7. Edinburgh 500 Steel Ensemble……Don’t Stop This Party.. Rupert “Swallow” Philo.Andre Bolden

8. New Age Trendsetters………………..Nani Wine………………. Eddie Ayoung/Austin Lyons…………………………

Myles Phillip/Curtis Jones

9. Pan Angels……………………………….Signal To Lara…………. Austin Lyons…………….. Junior Jackman

January 22 – 3 pm

1. North Eastern All Stars……………….Melosian Rhapsody…. Winsford Devine……….. Leston Paul

2. Star Sapphire……………………………Fire Down Below……… Len Sharpe………………. Patrick Moreno

3. East Phonics…………………………….Teaser……………………. Alston “Becket” Cyrus… Gary Raymond

4. Pan Stereonett………………………….Shakin’ It………………… Ronnie McIntosh……….. Anslem Campbell

5. Brazil RX4………………………………..Kaka Roach……………. Aldwyn Roberts………… Akil Browne

6 .Magic Notes Rebirth…………………..Tell Me Why……………. Winsford Devine……….. Rishi Depoosingh/Jerome

Jones

7. Pan on the Move……………………….Oh God, Oh God……… Winsford Devine/Edwin Ayoung…………………..

Joseph Rivers

8. Trinidad Nostalgic………………………Flag Party……………….. Austin Lyons…………….. Amrit Samaroo

9. Nu Pioneers Pan Groove……………Drive It……………………. Edwin Ayoung…………… Shaun & Simon Marcano

10. Marsicans……………………………….Thunder………………….. Kelvin Pope……………… Marlon White

11. Arima All Stars…………………………Get Something & Wave……………………………… Austin Lyons……………

Brian Austin

12. Pan Elites………………………………Hammer…………………. David Rudder……………. Kevin Guishard

January 23 – 6:30 pm

13. St Thomas Silver Stars……………..Sugar Bum……………… Roberts

14. TT Prison Service…………………….Nah Do Dat…………….. Iwer George……………… Terrence Sealy

15. Pan Jammers………………………….Different Me…………….. Jovan Jone………………. Robert Tobitt

16. Chord Masters…………………………

17. San Juan All Stars……………………Dore/Robin Imanshah.Atiba Joseph

18. Platinum…………………………………This Party Is It…………. Christopher Herbert…… Natasha Joseph

19. Trinidad East Side Symphony……Pan In Danger…………. Franklyn Williams……… Jerod Lett/Sheldon

We have found out the hard way that English-speaking good coaches are not cheap and cheap English-speaking coaches are not good.

Russell Latapy and Dennis Lawrence are no longer potential contenders. Good players do not make good coaches. Diego Maradona is the best example for the world to see.

Latapy had his chance as a coach but there was no Latapy legacy. Lawrence took us to the World Cup as a player but that is about it.

The TT FA in its wisdom or lack of has narrowed the choice down to three. We cannot choose from who we do not have before us.

Stuart Charles-Fevrier has had his bite of the mango already.

He was unsuccessful as a national coach. No one can debate his success as a club coach. However there is a big gap between club and country football.

Terry Fenwick is a successful Pro-League coach. Again, club and country football are two different cups of tea. A case of a big fish in a small pond.

Francisco Maturana has been here in 2008-2009. As a World Cup coach he enjoyed a fair amount of success with Colombia.

Note well he had players like Carlos Valderama and Rene Higuita.

He was a good coach with a great team.

We have two objectives at present.

One is qualification for the Russia World Cup and two, developing a team for future World Cups. Russia is a long distance away but not impossible.

We can have Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and still fail to qualify because of our indiscipline. Discipline off the field builds discipline on the field.

Look at our players’ attitude during interviews and compare it to any other country’s. We come up woefully short.

Country is first, second and third. Let us arrive at a verdict with which we will all be happy.

Maturana coach, Everald “Gally” Cummings assistant coach.

TT FA, do the right thing. Winning is not everything; it is the only thing.

AV RAMPERSAD Princes Town

I was then a young activist who was inspired by the then PSA president, Jennifer Baptiste- Primus, who taught me an invaluable lesson during that and many other struggles — that the job of president requires commitment of a high order.

Today I am a very concerned member of the PSA who has been keenly observing current PSA president Watson Duke’s consistency which should be of grave importance to the people of Tobago on the eve of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) election, as well as every public officer.

Anyone who is seriously interested in leading any organisation must be prepared to serve before wanting to lead. Such an individual should at least have a proven track record of service, experience and commitment in the organisation of which he wishes to lead. I have learnt this critical lesson the hard way.

While Duke is actively pursuing his dream of becoming the Chief Secretary of the THA, I waited patiently to see what comment/ statement he or his executive would have made regarding the collective period of 2014- 2016 that concluded last December 31.

Are members of the PSA/Public Service aware of the contents of any proposals submitted to the Chief Personnel Officer on their behalf? Were they included/ consulted in the drafting of any proposals if they were indeed submitted? While Duke is campaigning in Tobago, the public must ask how ethical it is for an employee to access a no-pay facility to work fulltime in his representing union from his employer and take leave to pursue a post that will, if he is successful, also require him to be employed on a full-time basis.

While Duke is campaigning, the workers of the Water and Sewerage Authority and other departments/ministries have indicated they have not had any section elections or they are not aware of whom their representatives are since he became president.

Should that information be accurate it would indicate a breach of the constitution of the PSA and a total disrespect to the fundamental and democratic principles of trade unionism.

While Duke is campaigning, several Public Service officers are still temporary despite being employed for many years. Many Public Service officers are acting in higher posts and are not being confirmed despite receiving positive appraisals of their performance.

What is our union doing to address these? While Duke is campaigning, many Public Service officers are working under adverse conditions and have dropped out of the PSA following the raising of dues by 100 percent.

The least any leader can do in an organisation is to build on and improve what they met, not abandon the mission in midair.

Can you imagine going to Tobago via airplane on vacation and while in midair the pilot decides to jump out the plane, because he had a dream he could fly?

Oral A Saunders via email

The Prime Minister and his Government need to stop marking time and get on with the job.

Over a year has passed. It’s time to stop blaming the previous administration.

The PM must clean house if he has to, but get on with the job. Now.

Many of the organisations that must play a significant part in our diversification thrusts are without permanent CEOs/presidents and/or board of directors. All of these are without CEOs — Tourism Development Company, National Export Facilitation Organisation of TT , Investment Promotion Agency, Evolving TecKnologies and Enterprise Development Company Ltd, TT International Financial Centre, TT Creative Industries Company Ltd.

I’m sure that there are many others without CEOs or boards; this is really unacceptable. The diversification of our economy is no longer wanted, it is now needed.

Appoint the necessary boards and CEOs and let’s get on with the job of taking our beautiful country out of this recession.

Calvin Ross Diego Martin