Looking forward to his contribution, Smith said, “Attaining sustainable development is vital for the people of the world.

I hope that the report will provide solutions to help the countries of the world achieve the sustainable development goals.” Before demitting office in 2016, former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed Smith and 14 others to draft the report which is due for publication in 2019.

The group was appointed after UN Member States requested the formation of an independent team to draft the report, and will continue through to the high-level political forum on sustainable development in the fall of 2019, where its report will be considered as part of the global review of progress on the 2030 Agenda.

The KPB opposition has not yet offered a valid reason for refusing to support the FATCA bill, which they had in their possession approximately three years now.

One wonders what excuse they are now concocting in order to justify non-compliance, which they have to address in a few days time. They probably have something to hide.

One feels compelled to come to the conclusion that it is only themselves they are concerned about. They have refused to put Trinidad and Tobago as number one in their order of priorities.

Fitzgeral d Griffith via email

No further maths required. Mr Saintfiet when you took the job you knew what you were getting into. There was no honeymoon period. Mr Warner is not even in the stadium.

I humbly suggest the coach quits before it gets worse. These losses are not acceptable,no how no way. These are no fete matches where you can drink and forget the score. They are documented and come back to haunt and hurt you. David,over to you. Do what is right because it is right. By the way gents,I have cancelled my tickets to Russia.

AV Rampersad Princes Town

When I look at how the traditional characters are being treated at celebratory proceedings, I am amazed at how much we, as Trinidadians, do not appreciate our rich culture.

I must say rich because Nigeria, is also very interested in adopting our type of carnival. If we were to draw from our history, the Dragon Band was “the mas”.

The Dragon Band, together with other characters was a main part of the show piece for Carnival.

Can you imagine how the creator of this dragon character, Chinee Patrick, would feel to know that his creation is being pushed aside? Additionally, how many of our schools – both primary and secondary – know the origins of our mas, as this type of culture also displays part of our heritage! What is the NCC’s plan for educating students? What about archiving and the Carnival Institute in relation to NCC’s operation? I am truly a passionate mas player, who has been playing traditional characters (namely dragon) for many years. I know that while contributing to this aspect of our carnival I have also learnt a lot. I am now expected to and is also depended upon by many to portray this character yearly. As I reflect on all the times that I have played this character on each occasion I have qualified and have been rewarded. I must admit that I have played with some who have passed on (God bless their soul).

Though it may have not been the best way to celebrate our carnival heroes I must say that I was always encouraged to further explore my creativity in returning a totally different dragon character yearly.

Having been informed that I was the winner in my category in the 2016 competition held at Adam Smith Square, I was flabbergasted when I went to the NCC headquarters and was introduced to a young man by the receptionist who took me to a back building, where he pointed out the results to me on his computer.

There was no type of formality – instead he called someone and asked the question ‘Do you have a cheque for Junior Taylor?’ He then moved me to the front building, telling me to hold on someone will be with me a while. About five minutes later a young lady came to me and asked my name and requested identification.

I obliged and was given $1,200. To me this was just (“yuh play mas – yuh win – heh look a cheque”) distasteful! How can those who continue to document our history through portrayals for carnival not be celebrated? It is a shame to even think such! Why can’t NCC bring these persons together to celebrate and discuss these performances/ portrayal as has been done in the past? I consider this non-recognition as a step in the wrong direction. Our memories for our great cultural traditions are beginning to dim and be lost with the passage of time, due to lack of appreciation and deficiency of knowledge and understanding.

JUNIOR TAYLOR BA Carnival Studies
This letter was sent to Chairman of the NCC, Kenny de Sil

If this is the statement that is worshipped by many, then why is it when we notice differences in people, they receive different treatment? To some there are factors that cannot be changed, such as race and skin complexion.

Why are people judged by these minor details? Why is it that people find interest in hating on others as a result of this? We are all beautiful souls.

The most beautiful thing of all is when, people of different cultures congregate and celebrate each other’s lives. Instead of creating wars, we as a people should join together and celebrate each other’s differences and love each other.

Sundaree Kissoon .

Via emailva

No highway must go across the Oropouche Wetland food basket.

None. What happened to the proverbial Tobago food basket? The Aranguez food basket? The Caroni food basket? You want to fragment and destroy this one too? Get serious. Food, in an era of foreign exchange shortage, loss of incomes, the rising cost of food, global warming, austerity, is our ultimate defence against poverty, hunger.

Dr James Armstrong is an urban planner. He and nineteen independent experts were paid one million dollars for what? To write a review of Debe to Mon Desir. They wrote that no works should proceed on this highway until a proper study was done, to understand the hydrology of this area, the social impact, the ecological impact. They stated that the certificate which the government gave itself, one month before the 2010 general elections was flawed, bogus. The Institute of Marine Affairs also did a report on Debe to Mon Desir.

A highway across this wetland would fragment it, lead to squatting and urban sprawl, leading to loss of connectivity for human and animal life.

Dr Pramenath Narinesingh in his report said we have no grasp of the food web of this wetland, which a highway would fragment. Dr Narinesingh is a UWI engineer, a hydrologist. This is in line with the warnings of the Head of the Water Resource Agency at WASA, the Met Office, and the EMA’s own technical team. The international bankers, the Inter-American Development Bank reported on this project, saying it was over-designed and over-costed.

They refused to fund it.

The food basket of the 105,000 acres wetland has existed since the time of the Amerindians. This is where Banwari man was found. It was a rich source of agricultural production for the French, Spanish, British, Africans, and today’s peoples.

Most of the food in the Debe, Siparia, Penal markets, and the hundreds of stalls in the area come from this hydrodynamic area. The destruction, in this regard, of over 150 homes, over13 businesses, some multi billion, over 119 farms, and buildings of worship, is a national crime.

This Wetland economy is a flagship commercial and food producing economy. We have to build connector links on it, not a full-fledged, five-interchange, barrier, embankment.

We are saying complete the San Fernando to Pt Fortin highway, which has collapsed and is in a mess. And connect the Debe interchange through Debe, Penal, San Francique to Siparia North. At the level of the existing roads. That is, ten minutes from any of the junctions to it, in these towns, to the Solomon Hochoy Highway.

This will save us billions.

Wayne Kublalsngh The Highway Re-route Movement

It pains me to think that this government has the audacity to attempt to pull wool over the general population’s eyes.

That episode with the OWTU has to be the biggest sham in recent times. It was a cleverly orchestrated diversion from the everyday ills that beset the society.Murders, lack of foreign exchange, FATCA et al no longer hugged the headlines.It was all Roget and Colm. The dynamic duo! But, alas any sensible Trini would have read the signs. We go into panic buying very easily,but on this one occasion there were no long lines at the pumps. So, Colm and Roget, I nominate for a special Oscar.Take five Roget! To Roget’s credit,he has identified some important facts that should be noted and acted upon. Square pegs in round holes, political patronage, gross mismanagement and hefty payments to so called technocrats at the Company. I also agree with the suggestion by one of the opposition members-allow the workers to become shareholders. In that way the workers have vested interest.

Also I believe that structures should be established to keep the refinery running should a genuine strike be called.I know it was publicised that the Company had a plan in place but maybe they can improve on that.Remember hindsight is 20/20 vision.

Sahadeo Ragoonanan via email

“The Swiss Air aircraft that is on lease for the next two months is being fully funded by ATR as a consequence of their aircraft not being able to fly,” CAL chairman Shameer Mohammed told the Joint Select Committee inquiring into State Enterprises on Monday.

The Swift Air aircraft will operate on the domestic air bridge between Trinidad and Tobago from January 7 to March.

Responding to the performance of CAL’s five ATRs, Mohammed said that 9YTTA and 9YTT Delta had been out of service with 9YTT D due to be back in service shortly.

Due to the shortfall in service of the aircraft which were bought in 2011 at a cost of $200 million, Mohammed said that ATR North America despatched a team to Trinidad to look at the aircraft.

“The engineers identified an air inflow issue in the 9YTTD. We are hopeful that the aircraft having undergone a successful test flight on Saturday will be back in service shortly,” he said.

Meanwhile, a decision was taken to ground 9YTTA, he said, after a series of fire warnings during flights.

He said there were four warning indicators, but no fire or no evidence of fire in any of the engines.

“We felt that the frequency of that occurring poses a risk and therefore we have grounded that aircraft,” he said. It was in that context, he said, that ATR was summoned to Trinidad to provide CAL with a plan to identify what was wrong with the aircraft.

As an airline, he said that CAL’s safety record was first and foremost and there was no room for error.

Asked what recourse CAL had to recover its investments, Mohammed said, “persons at CAL found it fit to waive their rights to sue the manufacturer.” The issues with the aircraft began in 2015.

Noting that the situation was totally unacceptable and needed to be looked at with some level of urgency, he said, “We have obtained a legal opinion from our attorneys in London and we are looking at all possible options that are available to the airline for whatever course of action deemed necessary.” CAL vice chairman Michael Quamina said that the contract that existed between CAL and ATR provided for a three-year warranty period, which in his view was “too short.” In exchange for getting the three-year warranty, he said, “the contract waived certain rights thereafter.

We are at present exploring the legality of that waiver in an effort to see what avenues are available to us in so far as recourse is concerned in relation to the concerns of the airline.” Some of ATRs top engineers were in the country recently for a substantial period of time looking at the aircraft, he said, adding that a senior technical staff will be permanently based in Trinidad at CAL’s request.

“None of the passengers on that flight got their luggage.

Baggage staff at Piarco said no luggage came in and told us to fill out a form so that when LIAT does send them over, we could be contacted to come collect our luggage. Up to (Monday) morning, they still had no information on when the luggage would arrive,” a clearly frustrated James told Newsday.

“I went to Piarco on Sunday and spoke with the LIAT check in staff but they weren’t very helpful. They said since they would have to call the Baggage Section and ask about the missing luggage, best I call the Baggage staff myself and find out. I did that and they told me they didn’t know when the bags would be sent from St Vincent.” James and his wife arrived home in Trinidad at about 2 pm on Saturday last on Leeward Islands Air Transport (LIAT) flight LI 771 after a three-week holiday in the land of his birth, St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Apart from the luggage left behind without any explanation from LIAT, James told Newsday he was disappointed by the lack of customer service from the airline’s representatives at the check in counter at Piarco.

“A lady at LIAT’s check in counter said to call the baggage section because they would have to do the same thing, best if I call and speak to baggage directly and then come back to them. After the Baggage Section said they had no information, I went back to the LIAT counter, where the same lady told me she can’t do anything.

I said ‘But you are LIAT’s representatives here and you should check on it’, (to which) she said they (counter staff) are not responsible.” Newsday tried, unsuccessfully, to speak with a LIAT representative and with someone in the Baggage Section at Piarco on Monday.

Subsequently, an email was sent to the relevant departments at LIAT about James’ query.

At 4.40 pm on Monday, LIAT’s Customer Relations Department replied, “We have redirected your email to the Commercial Department for their direct response to you regarding your queries.” As of press time yesterday, LIAT’s Commercial Department had not responded to Newsday’s questions about the luggage.

He was one of the first medical practitioners to set up a private dialysis unit at his Kavanagh Street office in St Clair.

Referred to as “a rarity in Anglicanism” by Father Carl Williams – Interim Rector of The Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity in Port-of- Spain where, Williams said “this caring, gentle and compassionate man whose heart was in Anglicanism, worshipped and served faithfully as Dean & Rector’s Warden for years until resigning due to illness. I made him Dean and Rector’s Warden Emeritus. Dr Patrick treated all people with great respect and never said no to anybody no matter who it was.” One of his colleagues, Dr Leslie Roberts, also a nephrologist, added “he was a complete gentleman and was this way in everything that he did.” His aunt, well-known social worker, Nesta Patrick, remarked on “how good and God-fearing he was. He was excellent as a person and doctor because he loved people.” Patrick is predeceased by his wife Angela, and parents Dr Leslie Patrick and Cynthia Patrick. He is survived by two sons, Michael and Christopher, three grandchildren, sisters Pamela and Angela and brother David.

The funeral takes place on January 17 at 8 am at the Trinity Cathedral, Abercromby Street, Portof- Spain.