Mouttet expressed his concerns, which is his right, and that seems to have offended certain people.

For too long most of us have avoided expressing our concerns publicly for fear of reprisal, no doubt. But where has this taken us? We have all seen, to put it bluntly, the deterioration of life in TT for which we are all to blame.

So come on people, let us cast aside these shackles of fear and express our true feelings on matters that concern us. It can only make us better people and a stronger nation.

Well done, Mouttet, for your action has shown that you have left the pack of sheep behind.

C Peters via email

Addressing workers prior to entering the Ministry of Labour’s St James Street, San Fernando yesterday, Roget pointed out that the union was prepared to bypass the Industrial Court and had already prepared “legal” strike notices to serve on the company should conciliatory talks at the Ministry fail to reach an acceptable agreement.

“We are not prepared to waste time going backward and forward in any meeting, we are prepared to listen, we are prepared to have them respond and if their response is not satisfactory, we are prepared to shut the blasted place down,” Roget said.

“And when we do that we will be doing it legally and therefore we call upon them to do the responsible thing and get their mandate and their instructions from wherever they need to get it and have these negotiations resolved,” he said.

“We have already prepared the strike notice and only waiting on the appropriate time, not too long from now to serve strike notice on the Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago in the interest of all the workers that work there,” he added.

Roget said, “If this is not resolved, we are not prepared to send these to the Court, we are prepared to take strike action, that is our right and we will exercise that right very soon.” He pointed out that while workers had not received any salary increases for some six years said these same workers were responsible for providing the fuel to power the nation.

“You can have vehicles on the road, you can have diesel, you can have jet fuel, these workers produce that, we are saying the workers ought to be treated with some level of respect and dignity,” he said, adding, “the company has offered six digits- zero, zero, zero, zero, zero, zero.” “The last time we checked, all those zeros cannot buy anything, they cannot deal with the rising cost of living and it certainly cannot address the worker morale and the productivity issues which is so badly needed throughout the country and Petrotrin in particular,” he said. “We want to warn the country- prepare for strike because if this does not resolve itself, Christmas or no Christmas, we are going to shut the place down,” he said. Asked how much the union was asking for, Roget said, “a reasonable rate and certainly zero is far from reasonable.” A senior Petrotrin official said the company would issue a statement outlining it position.

He said it is time to stop playing politics with important matters.

He said, “I see that the Bankers Association and the business community have taken the Opposition to task and I believe rightly so because I do not believe that this bill needs to go to a Joint Select Committee.

It is not such a technical bill that it needs significant input from the technocrats and even if it did, that expertise is available to the Opposition without having to go to the Joint Select Committee. This piece of legislation is far too important and critical to Trinidad and Tobago.” Last Friday, representatives of five of the country’s major business organisations called on the Government and the Opposition to put aside political wrangling and pass the FATCA legislation.

At a news conference at Scotiabank’s headquarters at the corner of Park and Richmond Streets, Port-of-Spain, they all stressed the urgency of passing the legislation by the new deadline – the end of February 2017. President of the Bankers Association, Anya Schnoor said the association discussed this issue with the previous government from 2012 to 2014 when the then government accepted the intergovernmental agreement (IGA) 1 option and entered into an “agreement in substance” with the US Treasury Service, starting the process toward passage of the FACTA bill. Schnoor dismissed claims by Opposition Leader Kamla Persad- Bissessar that there is no deadline for the passage of the legislation and that the Government was merely scaremongering when it said the bill must be passed by the end of February.

The business groups were meeting with the Opposition directly yesterday to try to persuade it to drop its demand that the bill go to a Joint Select Committee and support the Government in the speedy passage of the legislation.

The ten employees of the Me Asia Restaurant at the corner of Maraval and Tragarete roads in Portof- Spain were rounded-up shortly after 2 pm.

According to reports, CTU officers __ acting on information and accompanied by police officers, officers from the Immigration Department and Public Health Inspectorate surrounded the restaurant and began the process of detaining four females and six males, all nationals of China. At the time of the raid, some of the foreigners were in the kitchen area while others who serving customers.

While his workers were being herded into the TTPS bus, the owner identified only as ‘Chet’ protested vehemently, asking the officers in broken English if they had any warrant giving them the right to take away the ten. When the officers continued to escort his workers into the bus, Chet threatened legal action insisting that all his employees are legally working in TT and should not be subjected to this action.

As a result of the raid, the restaurant’s operations ceased for the day and some customers who paid for food and were waiting, had to be refunded. Some of the detainees began shouting as they spoke in Chinese. The ten were taken to the CTU offices on Abercromby Street in Port-of-Spain, where they are expected to be interviewed by an interpreter employed at the Unit.

Sources revealed that several Chinese restaurants throughout the country have been employing scab labour and officers of the CTU are of the opinion that some of the persons working in restaurants and casinos were brought to TT illegally and kept in deplorable and inhumane conditions.

Contacted for comment, ‘Chet’ told Newsday, “the police came without warrant and I am going to the Police Station to find out about my workers.

They all here legally…they have done nothing wrong and I have to seek their welfare.” The National Security Ministry, in a press release, advised that investigations are underway, “to ascertain labour exploitation, immigration and other breaches at the Me Asia Cantonese Restaurant on Ariapita Avenue.” The release added that the CTU was assisted by PoS police, the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF), Public Health Inspectors and Labour Inspectors.

The release noted the CTU is interviewing several foreign Asian nationals with respect to possible labour exploitation under the TT Trafficking in Persons Act.

Other agencies are also conducting interviews on possible public health violations.

While indicating that new duties on imported wine will take effect from New Year’s Day, Imbert told Senators, “Cabinet decided to waive the application of the duties until December 31, to allow businesses who import wine prior to the Cabinet decision, to retail it at the old subsidy.” He said this decision was taken following representation by groups and individuals in the business community. The minister further indicated that in the past, importers of boxed wine enojyed the benefit of, “an almost zero duty” because they did not pass the benefits on to consumers. “So Cabinet took the decision to regularise this situation and make the duty on wine, the same for all types of wine,” Imbert said. Noting that a free market situation exists in this country, Imbert said, “So the Cabinet took the decision to regularise this situation and make the duty on wine, the same for all types of wine.”

Delivering the main address yesterday at the opening of the police station, Rowley said, “That is why the crime plan of this Government is to work with the police from the National Security Council level to the municipal police. The objective is to provide support and resources, recruit the best for the service, get rid of those who are unfit to serve and strengthen the service with new talent. If we stay in the jobs, we believe we can in the fight.

That is our plan.” Statistics cited earlier by National Security Minister Edmund Dillon, that there was a 14 percent drop in serious crimes this year, from last year’s stats, PM Rowley said these statistics would come to nought if people still feel a sense of insecurity where they live, work and gather.

“It is not the statistics of last year, number versus this year’s number, that will give us the comfort that we are looking for. I have not heard statistics that put the elements of fear of crime in any numerical way,” he said.

“Until we bring down the element fear of crime and criminality in all our communities, the society will not accept that we are in fact making the kind of progress that we expect.” On walking in Portof- Spain or any community in the country, he said, “The one thing we cannot do is to allow imps to believe they have control of any street or any quarter in this country.” The police cannot accept that, he said, and Government will not accept it.

While the police service has its job cut out, Rowley said that people must also be accountable to themselves.

“When a family member can walk in full public view of another family member and gun down a junior, that is not something that the police can prevent,” he said adding that it becomes a tragedy for the police to prosecute. The work of the police, he said, can only get easier if society’s behaviour improves along the way.

He emphasised that the biggest job the police have, is to restore the trust of the national community and to get them to understand that the police need their cooperation to carry out their duties.

“Without that the police work will become virtually impossible,” he said.

Lopez sprinkled flower petals on the pavement outside Pennywise.

On December 8, Shannon’s body was found on a shelf in a room on the third floor of the IAM & Co Ltd warehouse store on Charlotte Street. An autopsy confirmed murder as cause of death was given as Shannon being smothered. Outside the IAM & Co store, which remained closed, Lopez sprinkled flower petals and placed a teddy bear on the pavement.

She told Newsday that the march was not the end of Shannon’s cause as a foundation in her name has been established. “I think things went really good today and I’m happy that people came out to support us. This is not going to be the end of it. We have to continue to fight for justice for Shannon and all the children who have gone missing,” Lopez said.

Asked where she gets her strength from to continue in the days and weeks after her daughter’s murder, Lopez looked skyward.

“From God. He gives me strength.

Everything that Shannon would have wanted is what I am doing for her. She has given me and He (God) has given me that strength, because we believe that with God nothing is impossible.” Shoppers, vendors and store-workers of downtown warmly greeted the marchers, even joining in to shout the slogan, “We want justice!” Preaching over a loudspeaker, Pastor Clive Dottin said the march must be a tipping point to set hearts on fire to take back the nation from criminality. “Shannon was a pure girl, a diamond,” he said.

To date no charge has been brought in the case as Shannon’s killer continues to walk free.

It is proper to focus on the level of detection in Trinidad. But we must also ask if enough has been done to adequately arm Tobago with the tools it needs to keep its house safe.

Undoubtedly, Trinidad has descended into a horrific situation whereby murders remain high, and the police and courts seem unable to keep up. However, the focus on the situation in Trinidad has perhaps allowed the alarming situation in Tobago to go unnoticed.

According to the chairman of the Tobago chapter of the Chamber of Commerce, Demi-John Cruickshank, the situation has become “an imminent threat to the business community and the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago overall.” His assessment of the situation came earlier this month after a closeddoor meeting with police officers of the Tobago Division. That meeting was called after various members of the business community in Tobago in recent weeks became the targets of crime, some of them by men with guns.

Cruickshank identified the longstanding issue of a lack of scanners at the ports of entry to Tobago as a major point of contention in attempting to stem crime on the island.

Holding a similar view was Tedd Grieg, member of the Chamber and president of the Tobago Hospitality and Tour Operators Association.

“I am of the belief that the perpetrators have knowledge that there are no scanners on the port and therefore it is an easy target to get the guns across,” he said. The Chamber has also called for increased police patrols at hotspots and more community engagement.

But there is some doubt that these kinds of measures are adequate.

For political leader of the Tobago Forwards, Christlyn Moore, the situation points to the underlying need for a radical reallocation of resources.

Speaking last Friday at a political rally ahead of the January 23 Tobago House of Assembly election, Moore called for a separate, dedicated police service for Tobago. She said Tobago’s robbery situation is so bad the island leads the country in robberies.

“All over the island, business people are giving up businesses because of crime,” Moore said. “When all the resources for solving crime, when all crime plans must be devised in Port-of-Spain, the Minister of National Security has his foot and toe and his hand in everything for Tobago. What this means is a Tobago that has been left behind because he is in Port-of-Spain and we are in Scarborough.” She further implored, “Cut the Police Service navel string. Cut off the navel string in Port-of-Spain and let us mind our own business, we big enough.” We find some merit in this argument.

Like any centralised system, efficiencies are lost when overall decision-making is done remotely by way of a central command.

However, it must be emphasised that the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service operates by divisions and the top cop, the Police Commissioner, does not micromanage each.

Rather, there is a chain of command and a line of accountability.

It is also true that crime is now global and inter-related. What happens in one district or country has repercussions all over and what is needed is not a system of independent silos, but collaboration.

Where Moore is likely to be more correct, however, is in the need for more specialised resources to be applied to the island.

A dedicated police force, operating within the specific cultural, social and historical context of Tobago, may enjoy advantages that the current system does not afford.

Therefore, it is time to discuss this option.

This call is supported by the literature and the authorities very often publicly echo this sentiment in their quest to ensure that schools are successful.

Unfortunately, this message is contradicted by the instructions that emanate from the Ministry of Education, with the net result being frustration and exasperation experienced by school administrators.

This dilemma is even more acute regarding government secondary schools. The latest case in point relates to the release of funds for schools. Following the closing of accounts on July 15, schools were forced to function without monies in their vote until December 1. For almost six months school administrators were forced to magically keep their schools open and running smoothly without any money.

Before the closing of accounts, administrators must therefore ensure that they procure sufficient supplies and resources to ensure the smooth running of their respective schools for most of the first term, since one cannot predict when monies will be released.

Unfortunately, this arrangement does not cater for emergencies.

While every effort is made to ensure that plant and machinery are serviced before the closing of accounts, there is always the possibility of emergency malfunction that can even force the school plant to close. When these situations occur administrators have to wait on the Ministry of Education to mobilise the services of the Education Facilities Company Ltd. No wonder so many schools are forced to close their doors when sewer, plumbing, electrical and air conditioning systems malfunction.

Financial regulations issued by the ministry also strictly forbid schools from entering into any credit arrangements with suppliers of goods/services while there is no money in the vote. In addition to the need to ensure that the school plant is up and running and able to deliver curriculum, schools are extolled to participate in competitions approved by the Ministry of Education during the period September- December.

Participation in these competitions necessitates transportation of students throughout the country as well as outfitting them with necessary uniforms and equipment, and payment of coaches.

Guess what, principals and schools have to fund these activities without money.

The latest release from the Ministry of Education was accompanied by strict financial guidelines which now include a requirement for schools to obtain three quotations for every purchase of goods/ services through the school vote.

In essence, if a light bulb has to be changed in a school, the school has to ensure that it obtains three quotations from suppliers before such an invoice can be approved.

This represents a deviation from the past whereby purchases under $50,000 could have been approved without the need for three quotations.

This new instruction will undoubtedly place principals and school administrators in a very difficult situation. This change was made without the courtesy of any consultation with school officials.

Is this the best recipe for the delivery of quality education? How can the authorities reasonably ask principals to take charge and manage their respective schools with such draconian financial systems? How can schools prepare students to meet School Based Assessment requirements of practical subjects such as food and nutrition when during the September term foodstuff needed to do practicals cannot be purchased? Surely the Minister of Education as a former principal should be aware of this dilemma and take the necessary steps to ensure that school administrators are relieved of this unfair burden. Mr Minister, while there is need for accountability, there must be reason in the application of rules.

There is urgent need for consultation with school administrators on this matter.

The latest attack took place at about 1. 45 am yesterday at Sookhoo Supermarket Limited and Liquor Store located along Union Road in Marabella. According to police, owner Dave Sookhoo, 56, was asleep in his home at the back of the supermarket. At the time he was in company with other relatives, all of whom were awakened by explosions and the smell of smoke.

Upon checking, they discovered three vehicles on fire namely a Hyundai H1 (TCM 3031), a BMW X4 SUV (PDJ 8298) and a Mazda 3 sedan (PDJ 7579) which were parked in front of the building/ supermarket. The vehicles, which belonged to the Sookhoo family, had an estimated total value of over $750,000. The concrete walls at the front of the supermarket had visible scorch marks.

Police investigators together with fire officials responded within minutes and contained the fire. They said that arsonists fire-bombed the vehicles possibly with the hope flames would spread to the supermarket so as to allow access for looting. However the arsonists left empty- handed as the businessplace itself was not broken into.

No one was injured in the attack and Cpl Harrygin of the Marabella Police Station is continuing investigations. Last week Monday, arsonists set fire to ‘Benefit the People Supermarket’ off the Eastern Main Road, Barataria. A video posted to social media showed men and women unashamedly walking out of the smouldering business with several items.

On Sunday, shortly after 2 am, just days after the San Juan Business Association warned its members of an emerging trend of arson followed by looting, arsonists attacked D&J Budget Mart Limited warehouse (D&J Warehouse) on Prizgar Road in San Juan. Prompt response of neighbours and fire fighters saved the building from burning and its contents from being stolen.