On Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley addressed the nation for the first time for the year. He chose to focus his address on the recently averted Oilfield Workers Trade Union strike against Petrotrin’s offer of zero, zero, zero percent for the 2011-2014/2015 negotiation period. Calling Petrotrin a “ward of the Treasury”, Rowley frankly informed the nation about the extent of Petrotrin’s $1.2 billion in taxes owed to the government, its $1.9 billion annual wage bill, its $5.8 billion debt that is set to be paid in 2019, and the company’s failure to turn borrowed funds into profits. To save Petrotrin, Rowley said that “immediate” action needed to be taken to reduce operational costs which would involve major restructuring in the company.

Though Rowley’s speech did not speak directly to job cuts, Ali believes it was clearly alluded to.

“Do not be surprised if some workers are offered an enhanced package that they would be willing to accept in order to reduce the staff at Petrotrin by a significant number,” said Ali in a telephone interview with the Newsday.

“It will pay off in the long run but they would need to find the money to pay them that package.

They cannot just sever people just so because the union will kick up a fuss.” Ali applauded Rowley’s approach to saving Petrotrin.

Also applauding the Prime Minister was President of the Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Richie Sookhai. Sookhai did not agree that Rowley was alluding to job cuts at Petrotrin, but speculated that privatisation of the Stateowned company was involved. “I believe a national conversation should start taking place about Petrotrin. We are all for the fact that privatisation brings greater efficiency and leaner operations at Petrotrin which was all alluded to.” Sookhai also said that if any restructuring of the company is to take place, it should be from the top down, not the bottom up. “Maybe some of the salaries and benefits that individuals at managerial levels make should be realised and restructured for the current economic climate so that it would be a fair share and not this large disparity between salaries amongst workers.”

In addition to the significant involvement of mobile and foot patrols by the security forces, Rowley also said directives have been issued to mobilise members of the TT Defence Force Reserves to reinforce the Police Service and the Army. Speaking on the wider issue of crime, the Prime Minister said, “We have no crime plan. We have an anti-crime plan.” Rowley, who is chairman of the National Security Council (NSC), said a major part of that anti- crime plan is improving the efficiency of the Police Service.

He explained this is why a manpower audit of the Police Service is being done. Rowley recently disclosed that the committee to perform this audit is being chaired by former Police Service Commission (PSC) chairman, Professor Ramesh Deosaran and will submit its report to Cabinet by March 31.

He also said efforts are being made to improve the information-gathering techniques used by law enforcement agencies. Rowley added that Government remains committed to an agreement made last year with the Opposition for the National Security Joint Select Committee (JSC) to be headed by an Independent senator and not by a government minister.

Public Utilities Minister Fitzgerald Hinds is the current chairman of that JSC. When Naparima MP Rodney Charles claimed a visiting professor said government ministers should not chair such committees, Rowley countered, “He does not have to deal with the under-handedness that I have to deal with.” Speaker Bridgid Annisette- George warned Charles about charging that the Opposition does not trust the Government. Annisette- George also disallowed Charles and Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal from asking about the author of the ten-point anti-crime plan which the People’s National Movement (PNM) submitted to the former People’s Partnership (PP) government, while the PP was in office.

Hart, who comfortably led this country to the hexagonal stage of World Cup qualifiers, tops the players’ short-list which also includes W Connection’s Stuart Charles-Fevrier, former England defender Terry Fenwick and Club Sando’s Angus Eve (assistant coach).

The 56-year-old Hart was fired on November 24 last year and was replaced on December 7 by Belgian Tom Saintfeit who shockingly resigned last Wednesday after only one month on the job. Saintfiet stated that a lack of support from the TT FA led him to step down a mere two months before World Cup qualifiers resume in March.

Yesterday, 23 current national players, led by spokesperson and goalie Jan-Michael Williams gave their opinion on the coaching situation, imploring the TT FA to give Hart, who was relieved of his duties after three and a half years on the job, another chance.

The letter by the national players to the TT FA stated, “We (the players) KNOW it is not our decision to make, neither is it our place to make such demands, but we – 23 current players – have pooled our knowledge, resources and ideas together to come up with a few names for your immediate consideration.” The letter added, “We can all agree that we the players have interacted with these names at some level, so we can safely say our knowledge can be used in this regard. We pledge our full support regardless of who is selected to the position, even if it is a person or persons outside of this list, as we know that we the players play an integral part in helping the team to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.” Up to 6pm yesterday, the players received no acknowledgement or response from the TT FA.

Speaking to the Newsday yesterday, Williams explained why Hart is the players’ number one candidate for the job.

“In the players opinion, I think we obviously let him down, I think we should have operated in a more professional manner.

We think obviously he is the best man for the job or one of the best candidates for the job and we will like to get him back on board,” Williams said matter-of-factly.

During the latter portion of Hart’s tenure as coach, there were reports of indiscipline cropping up within the squad with the TT FA having to fine players as well as ban midfielder Kevin Molino for a couple matches. The team also had a poor 2016 with several defeats including a 1-0 loss to Haiti in a Copa America Centenario and two World Cup qualifying defeats vs Costa Rica (2-0) and Honduras (3-1).

Williams said the team is still optimistic they can qualify for the World Cup. “The dream is still alive obviously and I think we know as players that we have a lot of work to do.” St Lucian-born Charles-Fevrier has been coaching W Connection in the TT Pro League since 1999 winning numerous titles including five Pro League titles and five Caribbean Club championships.

English-born Fenwick has similar experience to Fevrier in the Pro League as a coach, having successful stints with both San Juan Jabloteh and Central FC including three Pro League titles with squads comprising mostly local players.

Former national player Eve worked as an assistant coach with Fenwick at San Juan Jabloteh.

He is currently the head coach of Club Sando in the Pro League and also coaches Naparima College.

The charges were formalised at the Port-of-Spain Magistrates Court on Thursday and the investigator will proceed by way of a summons which must be served on both Insp Alexander and PC Mieres and they will appear in court subsequently.

It was alleged that on July 12, officers went to Santa Cruz Old Road where an altercation took place with contractor Christopher Charles, over ownership of land. Charles later made a report to police and also went to the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) which began an investigation. After several months of intense investigations, the case file was completed and forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard SC on Thursday, who instructed that the charges be laid.

Efforts yesterday to reach Insp Alexander on the matter proved futile as all calls to his cell phone went unanswered. Yesterday on the Beyond The Tape show, a sombre co-host Marlan Hopkinson announced ‘live’ that Insp Alexander would not be on the programme but expressed confidence that his co-host would return “soon”. Substituting for Insp Alexander yesterday was Ag Snr Supt (Tobago) Joanne Archie. It is not known if she would continue on the programme in Alexander’s absence.

ALLEYNE OVERJOYED On the competing crime talk show Crime Watch, aired on Synergy TV and hosted by Ian Alleyne, there was joy as Alleyne used music and quoted Scripture profusely as he made ‘mas’ on Alexander, his former co-host when Crime Watch was aired on TV6 in 2011. Last February, Insp Alexander arrested and charged Alleyne for resisting arrest and using obscene language.

This case is still pending before the courts.

“I am still standing! There may be weeping in the night, but joy cometh in the morning,” Alexander exclaimed as the majority of yesterday’s show was dedicated to the charges laid against Insp Alexander.

Alleyne also used video footage showing him being arrested by Insp Alexander last year.

Retired Snr Supt Johnny Abraham, also called in on the Crime Watch programme to weigh in on the laying of charges on Alexander.

‘IT’S A BIG BLOW’ Commenting yesterday on the laying of the charges, Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams said the ‘Beyond the Tape’ show which is a production of the TT Police Service will continue despite Alexander being charged. He spoke at the launch of a new driver’s permit at the Ministry of Works and Transport office in Port-of- Spain. “Getting a suitable replacement for Inspector Alexander is not an easy thing. It is a challenge and it will take a period of time to work through. But we will be continuing with the programme. It is a fantastic programme and one which gives the police service an opportunity to engage with the public, share information, get feedback from the public…

so it is a useful programme for us,” Williams said.

He said that the credibility of the TT Police Service suffered a blow by the laying of charges against Insp Alexander, who through the Beyond The Tape series, had become the public face of the TT Police Service’s fight against crime.

Secretary of the Police Social Welfare Association (PSWA) Ag ASP Anand Ramesar said, “this development is most unfortunate both for the officer and the Service, given the fact that this officer was charged with the responsibility of improving the image of the Service.”

The victims have been identified as Dexter Williams, 43, and Lloyd Johnson 31. Relatives yesterday said the two brothers may have been murdered by persons who wanted to gain access to their house which was located in an area of Laventille being fought over by two rival criminal gangs.

Relatives added that they are prepared to do whatever they have to in order to protect their home where they all grew up.

“These gunmen have been after that house for the longest while,” said a relative who did not want to be publicly identified. “My mother and stepfather worked hard to build that house. All my siblings, my children and my grandchildren were born and grew up in that house. And these men want to take it during their turf war. If is the house that they want, they will not get it! We will do what we have to do to protect our home,” the relative said.

Williams and Johnson were described as hard working men.

Williams, a mason had his left arm severed during an altercation several years ago yet he continued to work despite his disability.

Johnson, a welder by trade and father of a ten-year-old boy.

Rachel Ramkissoon, 16, was a student of North Eastern College and lived in Talparo.

According to reports, at about 1.30 pm yesterday, residents of the Balata Terrace in San Raphael were passing through a track, when they came across the body.

A report was made to the police and up to press time, officers were still at the scene where the teen’s body was found. While police were processing the scene at 6.30 pm, Ramkissoon’s parents made their way to the San Raphael station and reported that she had left home yesterday morning for school but never returned home. Officers, on getting a description of the teen, took the parents to the scene where they positively identified Ramkissoon’s body.

Police sources said they are viewing the girl’s death as suspicious but will await the result of an autopsy to be done Monday at the Forensic Science Centre in St James to ascertain if she was murdered, committed suicide or died of natural causes

Responding to questions in the House of Representatives from Opposition MPs on Petrotrin, Rowley said, “There are no terms and conditions involved or payments or contracts.” Referring to the address he delivered to the nation on Wednesday about Petrotrin, the PM added, “This is a question of getting proper advice and we will consult widely…

looking at possibilities.” He said the report which Mottley and these experts will compile has not yet gone to Cabinet.

Indicating that should happen in the “very near future,” Rowley said there are no plans to either make that report public or lay it in Parliament. He explained the contents of the report are really meant to guide the decisions of Cabinet with respect to Petrotrin.

In response to a question from Barataria/ San Juan MP, Dr Fuad Khan, Rowley said he mentioned in his address that Petrotrin is expected to fund the interim five percent wage increase it agreed to with the Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU).

He added this would involve some kind of cost cutting exercises by the company. Stating this was a matter for Petrotrin’s board and management to decide upon, Rowley said, “I am not aware that Petrotrin has no money.” As a multi-billion dollar enterprise, the Prime Minister explained, “It is not a question of having no money, it is how the money is spent and what the money is spent on.” On whether there would be any negative impact for Petrotrin workers as a result of the interim settlement for the 2011 to 2014 collective bargaining period, including job losses, Rowley recalled the former Kamla Persad-Bissessar administration boasted of settling, “all outstanding agreements.” As the then Opposition, Rowley said the People’s National Movement (PNM), “kept asking, which of these matters is it that you have settled.” Rowley said he presumed that the 2011 to 2014 period was settled by the former administration. In his address to the nation, Rowley said the former government offered the OWTU a zero-zero-zero wage proposal and this was why the matter ended up in the Industrial Court. Rowley also hoped the Gas Master Plan should be laid in Parliament by March 31.

Temple leader, Ramesh Persad- Maharaj, complained that the music video by artiste Rick “Island Boy Rick J” Jacob is a violation of the sanctity of the temple and more broadly of worship by Hindus and others. Saying the site was used without permission, he accused the artiste of mischief in shooting the video and called on him to withdraw it from online websites and to apologise.

Persad-Maharaj suggested the making of such a music video at a holy site could constitute a criminal act. We note the Larceny Act (section 26) that says anyone who “breaks and enters” a place of worship and “commits any arrestable offence therein” is guilty of sacrilege and is liable to ten years imprisonment.

Yesterday, Newsday could find no trace of the offending video, with an online link to it simply ending in a “content unavailable” message, suggesting it has in fact been taken down, a wise move in our opinion.

Otherwise a quick online search on YouTube shows Jacob’s repertoire of party music (covering the genres of dance, chutney and soca) plus rap music, but nothing that one would associate with religious contemplation/ worship.

The TT Constitution in section 4 protects “race, origin, colour, religion or sex” plus human rights and freedoms including the right to property and freedom of thought and expression”.

Clearly there maybe occasions of competing rights, as with this artiste promoting his music video, but causing offence to the temple.

It seems that precisely because of the multi-ethnic character of Trinidad and Tobago, we as a people can end up taking things for granted and sometimes be flippant and even disrespectful to each other’s religions.

We must guard against such.

Jam-and-wine songs by whatever name have no place in a place of worship, even as we mull what would the reaction be if a saucy soca song were ever filmed inside the Roman Catholic or Anglican Cathedral? The message of reckless abandon portrayed in such videos is completely at odds with the values of humility, responsibility and contemplation espoused by religious faiths at their places of worship.

Further, holy sites must be respected as places of gravitas, where the most vital rites of life are performed such as marriages and funerals. While the splendor of religious sites such as Milan Cathedral may lead their being seen as historical and aesthetic landmarks as of themselves, clearly their underlying character is that they are places of worship.

As in the present case, this must never be forgotten.

While each of us is free to accept or reject religion(s), we do so in our own personal capacity, but without offending anyone else’s credo.

Indications are of a vigorous debate now underway on social media in which many persons are publicly pointing out just how unnecessary it was for the artiste to make his music video at a site where it would cause offence to many.

We trust that even in the headiness of youth, the artiste will take on board the wise and cautionary advice being proffered.

Trinidad and Tobago can boast of tolerance and harmony to the extent of having an Inter Religious Organisation (IRO) that over the years in the main has been well-regarded and supportive of ecumenism. We don’t expect any future change in our tolerant national character, but vigilance must be maintained to ensure respect for places of worship of all faiths

And not like the Hollywood film of the same name that just broke records for winning Golden Globe awards.

As I stared at the photos of the ‘Jouvert’ costumes, I experienced the familiar unpleasant sensation that when it comes to our Carnival, some of us operate in a clear historical space while others function in a world of their own creation.

The outfits, revealing, skin tight and in need of imagination, featured black and white stripes remarkably similar to the T&T flag. Expectedly, debate exploded regarding the legality of the ‘designs’, even as the people who came up with the clothes protested they had broken no laws.

However, for me, isn’t the crucial issue the fact that the costumes have absolutely nothing at all to do with our early morning Carnival ritual? Jouvert is not ‘a celebration of the darker side of life’ as one website contends. It is also not about the ‘start of the bacchanal of Carnival’ or about how dirty you get. Rather, this practice of greeting the start of Carnival at 4am is about ancestral reverence, that is, paying homage to the memory of the former enslaved and those who fought for the Carnival, sometimes with their lives, by engaging in a ritual of remembrance.

Historically, the covering of the body with mud and other substances such as roucou, a natural red dye used by First Peoples, is also associated with warriorhood and preparation for battle.

Practitioners of indigenous belief systems choose early in the morning to communicate with the gods, the forces of the earth and the universe because they trust that this is the most potent time to offer prayers and realign ourselves and our space.

Our Jouvert ritual, our way of calling on positive energies, is the process by which we cover ourselves in mud — just mud, not paint or chocolate or any such invention. Mud is created by the mixing of earth and water, two substances vital to our survival.

The covering of the body is reminiscent of the ancient rituals of the Orishas as practised and preserved by the Yoruba and the other peoples of Africa who came here.

Professor Hollis Liverpool has noted the emergence of the Jouvert from around 1900. Subsequently, various elements entered the celebration, such as ‘ole mask’ or ‘ole mas’, where ordinary people parodied or laughed at the elite. In time, the practice of wearing ‘anything from a towel, torn pyjamas, crocus bag suits’ also infiltrated.

Soon all classes participated in this ‘ritual of rebellion’ where they used the culture to demonstrate against inequalities in society. Later, our pan, forged through the same spirituality, joined the ritual.

Cultural advocates are of the conviction that Carnival can be one of the key vehicles of transformation in our society.

I stared at the clothes some more and thought of Senior Gomez, Kitch, George Bailey, Winston ‘Spree’ Simon, Jit Samaroo, Beryl Mc Burnie and others throughout time who consciously used their craft to carve out a creative and intellectual space through the Carnival and Folk Arts.

But it appears that it was not enough.

Jouvert is a very serious, spiritual activity that signals the start of our Carnival. Our Festival was born out of struggle, sacrifice and rebellion, notably the 1881 riots which ensured that we have our celebration today.

We continue to ignore and trivialise these cultural traditions, losing opportunities to enrich and empower our society.

We need to get out of ‘la la land’ before the illusion completely replaces what is real.

D a r a Healy is a perform a n c e artist and founder of the NGO, the Indigenous Creative Arts Network – ICAN.

CAL’s chairman was asked a question as to what is the real cost of a ticket to Tobago.” Rowley said the chairman, during a joint select committee (JSC) public hearing this week, indicated that the cost was between $600 to $700.

However Rowley said all parliamentarians know that passengers only pay $300 per ticket on the domestic air bridge and this has been so for years. “So in fact there is a $300 subsidy on each ticket and there is nothing else that can be ascribed to the chairman of CAL to ponder,” Rowley said. The Prime Minister gave the assurance, “This Government has no intention at this time to make any fare increase.” However Rowley indicated that attention will be paid to persons, “who have been making bookings for convenience and making block bookings and not turning up at the airport…inconveniencing other travellers and wasting seats on the plane.” He said such persons may in future have to pay a cost for the inconvenience they cause to other passengers and the airline.