Duke, speaking at a press conference at the Public Services Association (PSA) headquarters in Scarborough on Tuesday, made his call for observers as he claimed that he has information that the People’s National Movement (PNM) was conspiring to send persons to Tobago to create social and political unrest in the lead-up to the THA election with the objective of swaying votes in favour of the PNM’s Tobago Council.

“We are concerned that it does not spill over into the voting booth and affect the way persons would have already committed themselves to vote. Therefore, we are calling upon the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, I say the Government, and not the PNM, to invite Caricom observers to oversee these serious elections,” he said.

Saying that the election was of crucial importance to Tobagonians and that it should not only appear to be free and fair but be actually so.

“This year, having waited for 16 years, the Tobago people are expected and are well intended to come out and vote for the Progressive Democratic Patriots.

“We are asking that these elections be conducted with the highest level of responsibility by the Government of this country, therefore invite the Caricom group, it is not too late,” Duke said.

“It (the election) must be free and it must be fair and no one must be forced into giving any vote that they are not willing to give,” he added.

Claiming that his source of information about possible disruptions was credible, Duke said: “We cannot give out our source of information as it can incriminate persons but, what I can say is that, the information is rife that they are planning to disrupt this election because the writing is on the wall, the PDP is going to take over the THA.

“They intend to bribe people, they intend to bully people, they intend to pull down persons’ flyers and deface people’s marks of identification for the party so as to bring about a type of unrest in Tobago and turn people away from the polls,” Duke contended.

Also speaking at the press conference, PDP candidate for Goodwood/ Belle Garden, Dr Faith BYisrael called on the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) to pay attention to special voters.

“We are calling on the EBC to be very specific in identifying and making public the polling station within each electoral district where those special ballots would be placed in and counted.

“We know that it is expected, that it is required by law that those special ballots are desegregated based on electoral districts and they should be placed only within their electoral districts, to be counted on the night of election.

“We are therefore asking the EBC, please follow that process, please identify within each electoral district where the polling stations that these special ballots will be placed in, make that information public so that we are all aware of where they will be counted,” she said.

Shannon’s disappearance earlier this month and the gruesome discovery of her body traumatised not only her loved ones, but the nation.

How could a 20-year-old woman meet such a fate in the middle of a busy shopping district? Now that a person is before the court, however, it is important for the process of law to take its course. As invested as the public has been in this matter, all the people who are charged are innocent until proven guilty.

It should not be assumed that the person today behind bars has been convicted. A clear process, which involves giving an accused person a right to be heard in court, must now unfold. First there will be an inquiry, then there will be a trial.

Sadly, however, the timeline of justice is likely to be a long one given the nature of our court system.

It is hoped that truth will one day come to light, whether at a trial or elsewhere. For now we must respect the court process and also the rights of all people involved, in the hope that justice will result.

According to officers of the Police Service, members of the business community played a key role in the investigation.

Such cooperation is to be lauded.

The developments in the case involving Shannon came as Jeniece Hamilton, 15, who had been reported missing on Saturday, was found alive and well.

Both cases are reminders of the role of the public in providing information.

The investigation into the case involving Shannon involved engagement with a range of communities.

It went outside of Charlotte Street and to the environs of Port-of-Spain, including Laventille.

If there is to be a dent on crime, there needs to be a good level of cooperation with the police. But this also means the police must work to garner the trust of the public.

This is a job the police has to work on very diligently. As a New Year’s resolution for 2017, the Police Service should seek to focus on this.

In the meanwhile, as the case involving Shannon is now before the court, commentary on the matter should now focus on letting due process take place. The media should play a role in this regard.

There will be the perennial concern about excessive pre-trial publicity, though a trial – if one is called for after a preliminary inquiry – is likely to be years away.

This brings us to a related but important point, and that is the need for criminal justice reform.

Too often, high-profile cases have lingered for years – first at the investigation phase then in the court system – before trial proceedings get underway.

And also too often have we seen high-profile cases collapse after much expense and drama.

The longest, most expensive case in the country’s history – involving the murder of Vindra Naipaul-Coolman – did not result in a conviction by the jury.

Serious questions were asked about the administration of the case as well as the evidence marshalled in court.

As long as the criminal justice system remains in a state of paralysis, then developments such as Tuesday’s in relation to Shannon’s case will not have the impact of deterring criminals.

What is needed to do that is for the public to see justice done, in a fair manner, at trial, where the quality of the investigation and evidence can be laid bare for all to see.

However, it is also good to have continuity and traditions.

For almost as long as I can remember, people have bemoaned the commercialisation of Christmas, but it is reassuring that we have not abandoned this worldwide annual celebration of togetherness among all Christendom, ignoring the many contentions over its origin, correct time of year, and the word’s etymology.

Neither of the two other monotheistic religions, Islam and Judaism, deny the existence of Christ.

It is not surprising therefore that Christmas has survived, overcoming hurdles to become perhaps the biggest religio-cultural event in the world, even among Puritans.

This is not a small achievement.

It provides an excellent case study of how mass movements work and how the peripheral can eventually move to the centre if it is strategically beneficial for it to do so.

If you believe that every empire builds on the ruins and foundation of what preceded it, no one could argue with you because the physical proof of that is everywhere to be seen.

Many of us accept that the Holy Roman Empire cleverly took on all the pagan customs and traditions of the various tribes and nations it captured in the bid to increase its size. The job then was to make those beliefs and habits Christian by renaming and explaining them in the scriptures, spiritually transcending all borders.

The Prophet Muhammad was doing something very similar when in the process of building the Muslim faith he told the many nomadic tribes of what we now call Saudi Arabia to bring the effigies of their gods and place them in the Kaaba — then a pagan place of worship — and made that the focal point of a single religion and of one great God, Allah. From there that empire grew.

In Spain there are many examples of where the Catholic Spanish monarchs built churches using the very stones and foundation of Muslim places of worship, easing the conversion of subjects from Islam to Catholicism after 400 years of Muslim rule in Andalucia.

The popularity of Christmas may have waxed and waned but it was a useful tool to keep in the arsenal of empire and leaders because at the heart of the celebration of Christmas is a very affecting story of duty, sacrifice, transformation, belief, love and all the elements of what being a human being is about, from birth to death and beyond.

Christmas also has its universal symbol — the tree, and that very special sharing of gifts that we do not feel very compelled by during the rest of the year that also requires personal effort from all of us, but acting in unison, as the three kings did.

Of course, business has capitalised on this, as it must, and has reinforced Christmas as an event.

The writer who probably did most to popularise Christmas was Charles Dickens. His A Christmas Carol characters “Scrooge” and “Tiny Tim” have found their way into our lexicon. Although Dickens wrote it in the expectation of making some good money, the story stresses that Christmas is about the generosity of the human heart and not about being Scrooge-like about wealth.

The religious have given up protesting that Jesus Christ never did ask us to celebrate His birth, but rather His suffering and death in order to save us. Yet, people everywhere see this time of year as a symbol of salvation and hope that the legendary birth promises.

On Christmas morning when you open your presents and do all the same things that you have done before, be thankful for traditions and pity those who have none.

H a p p y Christmas to everyone

In that respect, they said they “continue to support the independence and smooth operations of the ICTT.” AmCham, the Energy Chamber, the TTCSI and the TTMA said they also recognise that, as with all institutions, the ICTT “must evolve over time to deal with the social, economic and technological demands of the society.”

“It is how we effect those changes that will prove our maturity and development as a society,” they added. The four business groups then stated their commitment to seeking the best way forward, “and as such, expect vigorous and unfettered debate on issues of national importance.”

“In a democratic country where freedom of speech is our right, passionate discourse amongst citizens should not only be expected but encouraged as we collectively explore solutions for our problems.We will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure that our country becomes even more competitive, that individual rights are protected and that we create opportunities for dialogue.

” Nowhere in their statement did the four mention a specific person or group who may have questioned their commitment to the independence of the ICTT.

The following day at about 8 am, security officers made a check on the school’s compound and discovered the computer room broken into. Several computers equipped with monitors and keyboards, together valued $58,000, were missing.

According to police investigators, the thieves gained entry into the room by cutting steel burglar proofing. Only on Friday last, the school closed for the Christmas holidays. An arrest is yet to be made and officers of the Mon Repos Police Station are investigating

Officers also carried out a search of the Beetham Gardens, for a well-known gang leader but he was not found. On Tuesday, officers led by Assistant Superintendent Ajith Persad, carried out a search of a house in Morvant and detained five in connection with the theft. Yesterday, a joint team of officers from the Port-of-Spain CID, Central Division, the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) and others, led by Senior Superintendent Boxhill and ASP Persad, locked down Hellyard in Beetham from 4 am and combed the area for the stolen televisions.

Last Thursday, Stephen Singh a manager at Central Warehousing Complex, owned by the Hyatt Regency Hotel, on Warren Road, Bejucal secured the warehouse and left. He returned the following day only to discover 200 television sets and thousands of pieces of fine art missing from the warehouse. Singh contacted officers of the Central Division, who recovered workable prints from the scene, this led to the swift action taken by officers.

Sources from within the restaurant yesterday denied that of any of it employees, local or immigrant, are being mistreated by management of the restaurant.

They also denied having any knowledge of management being told to close their doors until health and safety concerns have been addressed.

Sources told Newsday yesterday, that all workers, said to have been detained for questioning, were present and accounted for.

They said the restaurant opened its doors at its regular time and all employees arrived at work as they usually did.

One staff member admitted that employees were questioned by investigators as the restaurant was searched.

According to earlier reports the management of the Ariapita Avenue, Port-of-Spain branch of the restaurant was warned earlier to keep the establishment closed until they were able to comply with certain health and safety regulations of which they were in violation.

TTUTA is also calling on him to recommend to the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) to discontinue the disciplinary proceedings against the teachers on grounds of victimisation .

In a statement yesterday, president Lynsley Doodhai said TTUTA, at last Saturday’s general council meeting, considered the teachers’ issue and concluded that the “matter points to victimisation of association officials for pursuance of trade union rights and safety and health in the workplace.” The teachers, including TTUTA’s staff representative, stayed away from school on TTUTA’s advice to teachers not to occupy the school building which had “serious” electrical problems identified in a report dated November 11, 2015 by the “Electrical Inspectorate.” Directions were given to have the problems remedied by a “Licensed Electrical Contractor.” Disciplinary proceedings were subsequently instituted against them .

According to Doodhai, the proceedings which have been going on for over five years, has had numerous delays, and a change in the chairman of the disciplinary tribunal due to TTUTA’s objections .

Coming out of the general council meeting, he said, TTUTA was mandated to seek an urgent meeting with Garcia to request that the ministry discontinue the disciplinary proceedings against the teachers .

TTUTA views the ministry’s actions, he said, as spiteful and oppressive noting that the teachers have been denied every opportunity for promotion and their increments have been affected. Doodhai said that financial institutions view doing business with them as risky .

In a release, Rambachan referred to a recent $1 billion bond issue which, he said, was borrowed to finance recurrent expenditure.

Rambachan said this shows the Government has no clear strategy as to how to manage the current economic and financial situation facing the country.

“The increasing levels of borrowing to finance recurrent expenditure on the premise that the country will, in the future, earn enough to pay these debts is a dangerous high-risk strategy which places the future of the country and the prosperity of citizens in serious jeopardy,” he argued. Rambachan also claimed the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) has done nothing since assuming office in September 2015 to reassure the population that, “ earnings in the future, outside of oil and gas, are going to be increased, not even in tourism, which has been showing substantial declines in Tobago.” According to Rambachan, “ Every economist will tell you that borrowing medium to long-term to pay off recurrent expenditure is a strategy fraught with risks since money used to repay recurrent expenditure do not earn money like money invested in capital assets which have long-term earnings potential.” He warned that financial management strategies, which rely on increased borrowings, do several things including pushing the debt to GDP (Gross Domestic Product) into the critical area about 65 percent and “driving us even closer to the dreaded IMF (International Monetary Fund).” Rambachan also warned the risk of devaluation, “is now real,” there are prospects for more unemployment and a threat of social instability in the country. He declared, “The Government itself has become like a vehicle which has ‘shut TABAQUITE MP Dr Surujrattan Rambachan yesterday accused Government of “throwing caution to the wind” by engaging in, what he described as, reckless borrowing.

In a release, Rambachan referred to a recent $1 billion bond issue which, he said, was borrowed to finance recurrent expenditure.

Rambachan said this shows the Government has no clear strategy as to how to manage the current economic and financial situation facing the country.

“The increasing levels of borrowing to finance recurrent expenditure on the premise that the country will, in the future, earn enough to pay these debts is a dangerous high-risk strategy which places the future of the country and the prosperity of citizens in serious jeopardy,” he argued. Rambachan also claimed the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) has done nothing since assuming office in September 2015 to reassure the population that, “ earnings in the future, outside of oil and gas, are going to be increased, not even in tourism, which has been showing substantial declines in Tobago.” According to Rambachan, “ Every economist will tell you that borrowing medium to long-term to pay off recurrent expenditure is a strategy fraught with risks since money used to repay recurrent expenditure do not earn money like money invested in capital assets which have long-term earnings potential.” He warned that financial management strategies, which rely on increased borrowings, do several things including pushing the debt to GDP (Gross Domestic Product) into the critical area about 65 percent and “driving us even closer to the dreaded IMF (International Monetary Fund).” Rambachan also warned the risk of devaluation, “is now real,” there are prospects for more unemployment and a threat of social instability in the country. He declared, “The Government itself has become like a vehicle which has ‘shut down’ with the driver and occupants waiting for someone to come and give it a push.”

Rowley spoke with the media after a book signing at the RIK Book Store in Long Circular Mall on Tuesday.

The Opposition believes, he said, “that if they do not cooperate, then they believe that mayhem will take place in the country and, in that mayhem, their position would be improved and they might have the opportunity of getting back into office.” He said, “You might find that difficult to believe. I don’t.” Rowley said he will not be “surprised at all if the Opposition manages to create mayhem in the country that would flow from them not using their vote to protect the country’s interest.

Whether you like it or not, that is it.” He said when one hears Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar voicing her opinion on the issue, “You have to ask yourself ‘Why is she saying that. Why is she doing that? And why are they risking the country’s future?’” Persad-Bissessar knew of the requirements since 2013 when she was in office, he said adding that she did not do anything then, neither in 2014 nor in 2015.

“We missed the first deadline.

We got an extension for a second deadline and this woman is here on television telling the nation that the sky would not fall in,” he said.

He continued, “As far as the Opposition is concerned, the Government is fear mongering and is crying wolf. I know she knows better than that.” The Opposition has been calling on Government to take the Tax Information Exchange Bill, commonly referred to as the FATCA bill to a Joint Select Committee.

Government has debated the bill in the Parliament and taken it to the Committee Stage, but the Opposition is still not satisfied with amendments made to it.