Referring to the July 1990 attempted coup, Bartlett recalled that businesses burned and looted during that time “took many years…to recover.” Declaring that the “arson followed by looting” trend should not be allowed to continue, she said this was yet another reason why Government should heed the SFBA’s request for the resumption of joint army/police patrols in the city.

“This has worked over the years to contain crime but to date, we have not seen them (joint patrols). Carnival is soon upon us and we would like to have a safe carnival.” Bartlett said the SFBA therefore awaits the unveiling of a crime plan of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service “to curb this crime scourge.” “We have to uphold the law for all. The present fuss about fireworks is a good example; what obtains for one should be for all. Fireworks can be dangerous and should be treated as such…

Uphold the law, get the DNA laboratory up and running, since it would greatly assist in catching the criminals.” “We have to do better to make our country a lovely place to live,” Bartlett declared.

Newsday also spoke with President of the Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CCIC), Richie Sookhai, who said while there have been no reports of arson and looting in central Trinidad, there have been “major and minor robberies” over the Christmas season.

“We are urging our members to be extra cautious. If you can, make use of the services of armed security guards from reputable security companies, particularly when going to deposit cash in the bank,” Sookhai stated.

However, the approximately 18-member northern squad is dissatisfied with the move claiming that the location is unsuitable and not compliant with provisions in the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OSHA).

When Newsday visited the office, currently located at the Vehicle Management Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (VMCOTT) Compound, Beetham Highway, Port-of- Spain, boxes were on the floors as the officers have already packed in preparation for their move.

The officers were reluctant to speak but confirmed that they were in fact moving to St Helena.

It was said that the breeding site in El Carmen, St Helena, approximately two years ago, was rat and bat infested and, although improvements were made, it is still unsuitable for habitation.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, one source said, “That is where they placed animals when they’re brought in to the country.

It was infested and OSHA shut it down.

They started doing some work but it is still not suitable for human beings. There are officers who went there and said there is not enough bathrooms for female officers and when it rains there is constant flooding.” The Praedial Larceny Squad was established in November 2013 under the then People’s Partnership administration and was initially housed under the then Ministry of Food Production headed by Devant Maharaj. In 2015 the Praedial Larceny Squad was moved solely to the Ministry of National Security, a move which Maharaj criticised, saying it was tried before and it failed. Attempts to contact Acting Commissioner of Police, Stephen Williams, were unsuccessful.

Political grief distorts political reality. There is an impression being given that crime is the sole invention of members of the People’s National Movement.

The so-called “hot spots” are now everywhere in TT and now in so called opposition areas.

The paucity of good governance and sensible planning was the downfall of the last administration.

Arrogance has seen an exposure of the under belly of a political party that was best left unseen.

Undoubtedly, FATCA is already a death blow to the economy because of the negative messages sent to the financial world that TT is embroiled in fiscal uncertainty.

Putting out political fake news that FATCA needs to go to Joint Select Committee might well be the straw that breaks the UNC as a coherent political party.

So sad when there is no viable third political force in TT .

How can we exist without a sensible Opposition force? In a democracy the Opposition is expected to play its part and not be just a stumbling block for the sitting government to scramble over.

So sad indeed but, we live in interesting times and the government must survive.

Lynette Joseph Diego Martin

But for the Opposition this does not seem to matter.

Ordinarily, we expect opposition as part of the normal cut and thrust of politics but when denial seems to have far reaching consequences especially for ordinary people, is it too much to expect from the Opposition a more enlightened approach placing the people above the petty squabbles with the government? But this attempt to deny the Government on FATCA goes beyond the deep-rooted antagonism between both parties. It seems as if this newly acquired sense of power by the Opposition, gives added dimension to its role for it gives it some legitimacy to it as part of the governance structure when emerging from the last election, any such role for the impartial thinker would have been unthinkable considering the extent of the mismanagement and corruption which characterised its tenure in office.

Granted that, this approach to the FATCA legislation by the Opposition,holding the country to ransom as it were, is a mark of the level of thinking of the leadership, scoring cheap political points as the country goes down the drain.

Dr Errol Benjamin via email

The road is in a terrible condition with potholes everywhere which causes motorists to swerve when driving to avoid going into these holes.

This road used to be a breath taking drive with the natural beautiful greenery of the hills and a fabulous view of the sea, but it also could be a very dangerous road with the precipice on one side and the many bends in the road which prevents you from seeing oncoming traffic.

That is why the maintenance of this road is so important to avoid tragic accidents from happening.

Gerard Duval Petit Valley

When some one could gangrape a grandmother, they should fell the full brunt of the law.

When you can break into a senior citizen’s home, rob and then rape an older woman, they must feel the full brunt of the law.

When you can take an old woman to a lonely place, rob her and then throw her out of your vehicle, you need to feel the full brunt of the law. When your children are kidnapped and raped and sexually molested by relatives and friends and you know about it, you have to feel the full brunt of the law.

Mr Attorney General, those who have committed white-collar crime for years and are still doing so should feel the full brunt of the law too. Please Mr AG, you have to come better than that.

For all crimes committed, the perpetrators should feel the full brunt of the law. Get serious and stop playing games, the clock is ticking away and nothing is happening, too much pettiness, focus on all that is taking place in our country. No time to compromise Mr AG.

Modicia Marti n via email

Cristabel Prince via e-mail

Mr Roget, this is not true. In your procrastination, I am hearing compassion for TT in your voice.

Mr Imbert is not the only one who is bringing hardship on TT .

Zero,zero,zero, if this is so, it shows a different understanding of the economics of the day. But does he have the balls to advise, negotiate with or even to blame the entity he suspects that is causing the hardship? If he stands up he could be writing his political epitaph.

Personally Mr Imbert is a scapegoat representing all our past and present governments.

These bodies are the architecs of economic slavery for in addition to siding with the business sector, they lack innovative ways to create revenue and therefore add burden through taxes to the plight of labour. People at ground level do not have a choice and don’t mind paying taxes if they can access the services promised by the tax collectors. Are the roads smooth? Are medical services readily available in quantity and quality? Is education free to all.

Think it over Mr Roget.

Another party that is ensuring that hardship is endemic in TT is the business community.

There is this unbridled greed for increased profits. These movers and shakers of prices are able to give labour any increased wages it requests and simply offsets it with a disproportionate price increase. It is sometimes so subtle that labour is unaware that it has moved closer to the poverty line with the wage increase.

You and your union Mr Roget cannot escape blame for national hardship. To whom much is given much is expected. You are in control of the most powerful trade union in the Caribbean.

When you say jump workers don’t even ask how high or for how long. The comrades follow your dictates blindly. They too think that all they have is there “cheap labour”. Well sir, ask yourself can goods or services be provided if there is no labour? Your answer cannot fathom the depths of the power of labour and so you would not see to indulge in the cheap behaviour of a strike. But rather saw to lofty negotiations with the government and the business community.

My understanding of economic shows the following formulae: Prices = material cost + labour cost + overhead cost + profit.

Take labour out of the equation and there is no conversion of raw materials and therefore nothing to price. Overhead is a convenient classification of cost relevant to the system of costing used. Is the formulae affected by the exclusion of profits? The removal of profit impacts positively on the society by lowering prices.

Create history Mr Roget. From time immemorial negotiations were centered around controlling wages. From today onwards if the system is to persevere as a controller of wages then some restraint must also be placed on profit hearing.

Note carefully how even the acquisition of material has hidden cost of labour in it.

Attention Mr Roget and the intelligentsia of the OWTU, the price of oil has gone down. What in the formulae must change? The cost of raw materials cannot be reversed. Overhead can be reviewed, revised and decreased.

Is labour willing to settle for a smaller slice of the pie? And by now the providers of capital would have either recovered their investment or enjoyed other benefits from the redistribution of oil revenue or both and so are able to sacrifice part of the profit margin.

Comrades we are neither asking that you continue in the combative foot path of deceased Mr George Weekes nor would we like to see the union adopt the compromising position of the inept Mr Errol McLeod, the union must now congregate with eagles taking the successive governments and the business sector to new heights where power and hording of dollars and cents become subservient to caring for our fellowmen, nationalism and sharing the national wealth.

Long live the OWTU to create a shift in the paradigm, to show the pathway for more equitable distribution of the national income; to negotiate with all stakeholders in mind and to shorten the lifespan of ignorance of economics and persistent poverty.

Your tenure as a bargaining unit is long-term and one national strike will neither level the playing field nor bring any semblance of balance to the system. Change the role of the union from “Protector of Labour” to the “Rel Opposition of Economic Deprivation”.

Lennox Francis Couva

This was the word yesterday from Couva South MP Rudranath Indarsingh. He told Newsday that as far as he was aware, the Opposition has not planned any caucus for this week.

Indarsingh said once the festive period is over, he was certain that Opposition Leader Kamla Persad- Bissessar and the UNC’s National Executive will determine an appropriate date to meet.

The House of Representatives resumes its sittings on January 6 at 1.30 pm with the continuation of deliberations at the committee stage on the Tax Information Exchange Agreement Bill 2016. Yesterday in a letter to the editor, Naparima MP Rodney Charles objected to statements made by former People’s National Movement (PNM) public relations officer (PRO) Ronald Huggins about the two walkouts which the Opposition staged in the House when the FATCA legislation was being dealt with. Charles said in the second walkout on December 9, he was ejected from the House by Speaker Bridgid Annisette- George when he expressed solidarity with Persad-Bissessar after Annisette-George turned down a request by Persad-Bissessar to debate crime.

He claimed Huggins’ comments represent, “the kind of knee jerk and not well thought out commentary that passes for comprehensive analysis in our country.” Saying he supports the passage of the FATCA legislation and has no financial accounts in the United States or any other country, Charles declared, “I am fully compliant with the Integrity Commission and so are all Opposition MPs.” He also said the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), “already exists to deal with the exchange of suspicious financial transactions involving US and TT citizens.” On December 22, Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs, Stuart Young, disclosed that for this year, the FIU has reported that 182 nationals may be involved in financing the activities of terrorist organisations such as the Islamic State (ISIS). The FIU’s report is expected to be laid in Parliament on January 6. Young is the current PNM PRO.

Charles reiterated the Opposition’s position for the FATCA legislation to be sent to a joint select committee (JSC). The Banker Association, the American Chamber of Commerce and other business groups have agreed with the Government’s position that a JSC is not required to treat with the legislation.

Denmark: Danes literally leap into the New Year by jumping off chairs at midnight. This tradition aims to dispel bad spirits and usher in good luck. Danes also toss plates and glasses against the doors to relatives’ homes.

Estonia: A largely bygone tradition, Estonians used to eat seven meals on New Year’s Day. This custom brought good luck and prosperity (not to mention a great deal of food) for the next year. In contemporary times, Estonians have abandoned this tradition for alcohol-based parties. Oh well.

Finland: The Finnish people cast molten tin into water and observe the shape of the metal after it hardens. They believe this can determine the coming year’s events.

An animal shape forecasts food, a heart shape signifies love, etc.

Switzerland: The Swiss do the unthinkable at midnight by tossing ice cream onto the floor. This act symbolizes a coming year of abundance.

Thailand: At the annual Songkran festival, the world’s largest water fight takes place.

The tradition takes place during Thailand’s hottest time of the year, so it’s both fun and practical. Passerby are fair game for water guns, hoses, and buckets of water.

Peru: During the Takanakuy Festival, the citizens of this small village voluntarily enter into fist fights to end unfinished business.

The goal of this tradition is to leave arguments in the old year and start the next year fresh.

South Africa: Especially in Johannesburg, South Africans follow a tradition of chucking old appliances out the nearest open window.

Panama: According to tradition, effigies of famous people are burned in New Year’s bonfires.

Effigies are meant to represent the past, and burning them wards off ghosts of the old year. These figures can range from politicians like Fidel Castro or George W Bush to the Toy Story characters.

Colombia: Those Colombians who wish to travel in the next year carry their suitcases around the block on New Year’s Eve.

Scotland: The tradition of “first-footing” is strong throughout the country. According to lore, every first person to cross a home’s threshold must bring a gift of good luck. The best luck of all, naturally, arrives through a gift of whiskey.

Chile: Families follow the tradition of spending the night in cemeteries in order to feel close to those relatives who have passed into the afterlife.

Bolivia: For good luck, Bolivians insert coins into their baked goods. The people who find the coins (either) receive good luck (or broken teeth) in the coming year.

Belarus: Unmarried women gather together to play games that predict weddings for the coming year. Such games include scavenger hunts for bread and rings; another game involves releasing a rooster to see which women can woo it to their pile of corn first.

South America: In many countries, partygoers will don coloured underwear according to their hopes for the new year. One wears yellow to wish for prosperity, and red is for those looking for love.

Ireland: Perhaps in a fit of drunkenness (too much Guinness, mate), the Irish rid the coming year of evil spirits by banging bread loaves against walls.

Siberia: In one of the weirder (and more dangerous) traditions on this list, Siberian men hop into frozen lakes while holding tree trunks.

Philippines: The display of round fruits and other foods (which represent coins) is thought to bring luck and prosperity for families. The tradition of wearing polka dots follows the same line of thought.

Spain: Those who quickly eat 12 grapes at midnight will enjoy good luck for the entirety of the next year.

Japan: The Japanese have many traditions. They wear costumes for the coming year’s zodiac animal (2015’s sign is that of the sheep). They also ring bells 108 times to signify the Buddhist belief in cleanliness. Finally, good luck comes to those who smile as the year changes over.

Puerto Rico: In much of the country, citizens believe throwing water out of windows will ward off evil spirits.

France: Here’s the best tradition of all. The French enjoy eating a large stack of pancakes (or crepes) on New Year’s Day. (This act is not to be confused with the official French Pancake Day, which arrives on Febuary 2.)