Thirty eight-yearold Anand Maharaj of Chance Trace, Arima went missing on December 3 after informing his common-law wife Ria Ramsamooj he was going to lime.

Ramsamooj reported Maharaj missing on December 5.

He was wearing blue jeans, green slippers and a green T-shirt.

Meanwhile, 43-yearold Premnath Jerry was last seen on December 5 when he left his Rushworth Street, San Fernando home for work at about 10 am. His brother, Sona Jerry reported him missing on December 15.

He is of slim build and has a tattoo on his chest with the word “BOBBY” and a short hairstyle and beard.

Anyone with information is asked to call 800-TIPS or contact the police at 555, 999, 911 or any police station.

In his speech for the opening of JMMB’s newest branch as the latest addition to the SouthPark Shopping Centre on Monday evening, Carter said, “We are clear that the recent election results in the United States will have a significant future impact on the world. One of the nearer term impacts, we anticipate, points to a scenario of a potentially greater and faster upward movement in the US interest rates than previously thought. Such a rise will put pressure on local interest rates, making it challenging from a monetary policy perspective, as local rates will need to rise, so as to maintain an adequate differential with US interest rates.” Carter expressed hope in the economy despite the challenge.

“I think that many times when we look at ourselves, we say we have all the problems, and we have lots of political conversations and we say well, ‘it is time to run for the hills’. But I think when we look at what is going on and what has been going on around us internationally, certainly I get a lot of sobering comfort.” Speaking on behalf of JMMB, Carter said, “We remain committed, we believe Trinidad has tremendous opportunity, we believe Trinidad has tremendous unused and untapped capital, both TT dollars and US dollars that can be tapped and approached in a well structured way for viable new investment opportunities.

We have a tremendous, highly educated work force…that is a tremendous advantage, and in our environment it is about looking at where our strengths are and tapping into them and maximising them.” The SouthPark branch is essentially a move from the bank’s previous Marabella location under its old banner as Intercommercial Bank Limited (IBL). JMMB bought 100 percent ownership of ILB in 2013, and finally changed its name to JMMB in May of this year.

JMMB Group of companies serves customers in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Dominican Republic and has managed to increase profits over the last year. The company’s unaudited financial statements for the six month period ending September 30, 2016 show a net profit of US$16.13 million, a 68 percent increase from the same period of the previous year, and revenue earned from its locations in Trinidad and Tobago increased by 17 percent for the same period.

JMMB’s SouthPark branch occupies a prime corner in the shopping centre as its two floors and bright red logo are clearly visible to drivers entering San Fernando off of the Solomon Hochoy Highway.

Managing Director and CEO of JMMB Bank, Nigel Romany, said the bank’s promise is “to make every client interaction easy, enjoyable and empowering.” This they have ensured by placing a cosy caf? corner with a steady supply of coffee and literature for customers to enjoy while they wait to be served.

Unfortunately for Trinidad and Tobago, because of the abandonment of coconut plantations due to negative campaigns about coconut, favouring soya, and a drop in the demand for copra to make oils, Albada Beekham, Acting Director Agricultural Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries said, “we cannot even meet our demand for coconut water.” Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries at the opening of a three-day regional workshop on Coconut Product Development and Processing on Wednesday in Port-of-Spain, Beekham said that apart from the neglect of the industry, surviving coconuts were subjected to red ring disease, red palm mite and bud rot disease. “These conditions led to the low productivity we are experiencing today,” she said.

In revitalising the industry, she said the ministry has embarked on a 2016 to 2020 strategic plan that will focus on coconuts as one of the country’s major commodities, while continuing with the programme already begun to develop the coconut industry.

The rehabilitation of the industry began in 2013 with meetings of stakeholders. Training in field management, pest and disease control, and seedling production was done with EDF funding and technical assistance provided by CARDI, she said, but due to the country’s economic situation, the ministry was forced to scale down the project on a phased basis. CARDI has also assisted in the development of nurseries.

Focus is currently on the east coast of Trinidad where coconuts are being grown. At present, she said, farmers were introducing new planting material to either replace aged plants, or inter planting. While emphasis will be placed on the continuation of last year’s work, the characterisation and collection of varieties, Beekham said, “we will be assessing the local varieties to determine the types most suited for water and other coconut products to guide production.” As part of the ministry’s 2016 to 2020 strategic plan, she said, the ministry was looking to improve on tissue culture techniques, and guidelines for the movement of germ plasm as farmers want to import other varieties. In the interim, the ministry, she said, was encouraging farmers to multiply their best varieties and distribute them until strategies could be mapped out to import other varieties. The EDF is providing a US$35,000 grant for the development of local nurseries, and will provide a further US$35,000 for integrated pest management.

“We have quite a lot of street dwellers in San Juan/Laventille particularly in the Croisee,” he said.

He was speaking with Newsday on Wednesday following the San Juan/ Laventille Regional Corporation Swearing-In Ceremony held at the Barataria Community Centre.

Roberts pointed out that he was a former Social Development Minister and “unfortunately when one minister leaves and another one comes, he feels that he has to reinvent the wheel”. He said that they had done “quite a lot of work” when he was minister to deal with the issue of homelessness. He explained that they had done a detailed survey and categorised them into those involved in drugs, mentally ill and senior citizens who were homeless.

“Because you can’t use one big brush to paint all, to deal with the problem,” he said.

He recalled that they were seeking to remove the mentally ill from the St Ann’s Psychiatric Hospital who did not belong there, expand the Piparo Empowerment Centre for those on drugs and build housing for the homeless and senior citizens.

“So that there was a plan to deal with the situation. You know people tell you ‘go and pick up the vagrant’.

But to pick up the vagrants you have to be able to place them properly and take care of them because they are our citizens who find themselves in an unfortunate situation.

So there was a plan and nobody followed it after I left. So we are grappling with that situation,” he said.

Returning to the corporation he said that previously as chairman both he and the CEO met with the Permanent Secretary in the Social Development Ministry to discuss an approach as to how to deal with vagrants in the community.

“And we started that discussion and those discussions must continue.

I t is a new Government now and we again have to start that discussion,” he said.

During his address he reported that they have cleared the streets of the illegal practice of vending allowing vehicular access throughout the streets.

He stressed that there will be “absolutely no vending” on the verges or streets of San Juan/ Laventille.

“This municipality will not be a shanty,” he declared. At the ceremony, both Roberts and vice chairman Richard Walcott were uncontested. The other aldermen announced were Nazeemool Mohammed and Sudhir Sagramsingh.

This is in keeping with a court order according to the Concerned Residents of Cunupia (CROC) who had objected to the construction of the plant from its inception due to health and environmental concerns.

“This decision and subsequent removal of the plant should serve as an inspiration to all of Trinidad and Tobago to stand firm and stand up for your rights in the face of all challenges,” CROC secretary Ramdath Ramcharitar said on Thursday.

“Good sense must prevail in all public office decisions and laws need to be upheld, not overlooked for the interests of a few,” he said.

The removal of the batching plant was in compliance with the order of Justice Mira Dean-Amorer in the matter between Pundit Rameshwar Maharaj and CROC versus the Minister of Planning and Sustainable Development.

Ramcharitar said that the plant’s removal brings to a close a fiveyear battle with the regulatory agencies that regularised the status of the plant. He noted, however, that CROC was still waiting on the Court of Appeal’s decision in the matter versus the Environmental Management Agency (EMA).

Prior to moving to the courts, CROC had sought the assistance of the former People’s Partnership government and the relevant State agencies to stop the operations of the batching and stone crushing plant.

Designed to cater to smaller companies and departments of larger enterprises, this initiative allows these entities to buy tables at the party hosted by the Hyatt instead of having to host entire events individually.

The number of participants continues to grow and a fun time was had by all in attendance with memorable performances from: Natasha Benjamin, Clarita En La Mansion, Jason “Fridge” Seecharan and Wade “Tim Starr” Christian among others.

Patrons were also treated to authentic Christmas dishes, including: beef and vegetarian pastelles, ham and turkey, pigeon peas and rice as well as black cake, fresh fruits and sorrel beverages

University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) student, Will Lee, 19 years old, and Jada Renales, a 17 year old form six student at Holy Cross College, claimed five awards between them both as they stole the show on the night. The teens noted that sacrifices had to be made in order to reach this stage of their amateur careers and both agreed that the work has only just begun.

Speaking to Newsday, Senior Male and Senior Player of the Year, Will Lee expressed “It takes a lot out of you and your time but it’s about putting in the hard work, especially during the pressing times, staying committed and remaining focused on the task at hand, whether it is a match on the court or an exam in the classroom.” Lee recently started UTT in September and he is looking forward to continuing his rich vein of form in 2017.

“During the semester, my training days got reduced to two days per week, from the usual three days, to accommodate the additional workload, however, the national championships are set for January, so this year, there would be no break for Christmas as I would continue training hard.” Lee set out major goals for next year as he anticipates himself winning every local tournament that he enters while still doing well academically.

Jada Renales has the unique situation of having a coach present almost all the time. Jada, the daughter of Shuttle Force head coach Derwin Renales, elaborated on her experiences of having her father mentoring her both in her professional career and personal life. “It is tough sometimes having a coach as your father because sometimes rest is needed, but there is always a moment where that extra motivation to guide me on the correct path shows up at any given time.” However, she stated that if it was not for his guidance, she would not be able to reap the success she has achieved thus far. Jada won the Under 19 female category and also walked away with the Junior Female Player of the Year award.

“While it is challenging to maintain good grades in school and keeping the performance level high on the court, I would have to continue prioritising my time in order to properly develop and see how successful 2017 would be for me,” she said.

The president of the TTBA, Rahul Rampersad, detailed their accomplishments and, by extension, that of the association as he dubbed 2016 as the most successful year in the history of badminton in Trinidad and Tobago. “This year has been a year of progressive growth.

In January we had one athlete ranked internationally, and today, we have seven athletes with world rankings in different disciplines after their participation in only two tournaments, so we know that these athletes have more to offer in the future.” Rampersad went to discuss some of the plans for 2017. “We hope to introduce new projects as well as revive some of the older ones such as the National Badminton League, which is now carded to begin in February 2017. Also, collaboration with the Ministry of Education to revive the Secondary Schools League and seeking the inclusion of Badminton into the Trinidad and Tobago Paralympic Committee’s programme,” expressed an enthusiastic Rampersad. The TTBA plan to on host the 2017 Caribbean Badminton Championships (CAREBACO) in August, and the president views this as an opportunity which would allow the full complement of athletes to participate and, by extension, enhance the publicity for the sport.

At a press conference, after the walkout, the UNC accused the PNM of engaging in ‘thuggery’ to wrest control of the corporation which is deadlocked with equal numbers of PNM and UNC councillors and aldermen. (See story below) The walkout led to fresh uncertainty over the who has control of the corporation as the UNC hinted at the possibility of legal action against the PNM. As UNC members voiced objection to Rondon chairing of the process, he angrily waved a document entitled ‘Answers to possible Questions’, saying he had every right to take charge of proceedings and to use a casting vote to break a tie and so ensure his own continuation in office as chairman.

The UNC team’s walk-out was spurred by UNC Senator Gerald Ramdeen who was sitting in the audience and who rose and loudly declared, “Guys, we are not taking part in this. Let’s go!” He was joined in the walkout of UNC councillors and aldermen by Cumuto/ Manzanilla MP Christine Newallo-Hosein.

The PNM was ‘lawyered up’ as the party’s attorney Michael Quamina sat in the audience.

Nearby, Government heavyweight ministers Finance Minister Colm Imbert, Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan, Local Government Minister Kazim Hosein and others sat and took in the proceedings. The ceremony began with Rondon’s honeyed words of peace and love, but ended with him loudly berating the UNC members of council as they walked out, borrowing from Minister Imbert’s utterances of “come inside”, in the House of Representatives to UNC MPs during a similar walkout earlier in the week.

Earlier, on the agenda was for the eighth elected councillor, the PNM’s Elizabeth Wharton, to be sworn in, followed by two appointed aldermen for the PNM (Cuthbert Pierre and Daneille Marshall-Piper) and two UNC aldermen (Sookdeo Bidaisee and Videsh Ramsingh).

With all council members sworn in, it was then time to elect a chairman and then a vice-chairman. However, UNC Councillor Nirmal Singh rose on a point of order to object to Rondon’s continued chairmanship of proceedings.

Rondon lost his cool, shouting, “I am the chairman here! I beg of all of you. Let’s do it right!” UNC Councillor Kennrick Suepaul rose on a point of order to also object to Rondon’s chairmanship, saying, “I”ll not sit in this council! Show me which part of the Act you are entitled to proceed”.

Rondon replied by waving the ‘Answers to possible Questions’ document and citing Section 15(2) of the Municipal Corporation Act, adding, “Let’s do it right!” UNC Councillor Kenwin Phillip asked for an adjournment of the sitting, to let him seek legal counsel, but PNM members laughed loudly at this. Rondon chided, “We’ll spin while the people suffer.

Let’s not play. This is serious business.” Rondon invited nominations for a presiding officer of the proceedings to elect a corporation chairman.

The PNM nominated Alderman Cuthbert Pierre while the UNC nominated Councillor Nirmal Singh. When votes were tallied for each nominee the result was a tie. Rondon then declared that he was going to use a purported second vote or casting vote to break the tie, in the PNM’s favour.

Ramdeen in the audience shot up: “It has no second vote!” He then led a mass walkout of UNC members of the council saying, “Guys, we are not taking part in this. Let’s go!” An angry Rondon slammed the UNC and Ramdeen. “You are not to disrespect my meeting! You be careful! You could imagine putting these people into power? They can’t stand up to the truth!” In the absence of UNC members of council, proceedings continued, at which those present agreed to the election of Rondon as chairman and councillor Simone Gill as vice chairman.

This means no one is in custody for the murder of the 20-yearold woman whose body was found stuffed on a shelf behind boxes in a room on the third floor of the IAM & Co store, Charlotte Street in Portof- Spain.

Contacted for comment yesterday Seecharan’s attorney Larry Williams said that investigations into both matters for which his client was detained are still continuing and he hopes that the public would not judge Seecharan negatively, since he was questioned and there was not enough evidence to charge him for any crime.

“I believe that more than 50 percent of the nation has already convicted Seecharan without a trial and while he may have been found guilty in the court of public opinion I hope that people are smart enough to let police do their investigation and not jump to any conclusions.” Williams told Newsday yesterday.

Larry lashed out at some newspaper reports, saying the negative press had brought unnecessary distress to Seecharan and his family. He said that while what was printed in some papers was enough to convict his client, the evidence that he saw from police during Seecharan’s interrogation, was not enough to bring charges.

Seecharan was first arrested along with an 18-year-old man in relation to Banfield’s death but both were later released.

However, hours after the first release, Seecharan was detained again for questioning in relation to a bunch of keys which was found in his possession. Williams said his client who was frustrated and dejected while in police custody was understandably elated and relieved on being released.

“My client has no intent to sue the state or pursue any action,” said Williams, “he is just happy that this is over with and he hopes that police do not lock him up again. I am happy that the police did the right thing, seeing that they did not have sufficient evidence to charge anyone.” Yesterday, on being released, Seecharan told reporters that he was relieved to be once again a free man.

“I am just relieved this is over…I had nothing to do with this (Banfield’s murder),” Seecharan said.

Residents in Seecharan’s neighbourhood in St Helena yesterday told Newsday that Seecharan was a quiet person who kept to himself.

Banfield was found dead two Thursdays ago after relatives reported her missing three days prior. An autopsy revealed that she was smothered. She was laid to rest on Tuesday.

The notice said that Nomination Day for the THA election will be on January 3.

Only last month, THA Chief Secretary, Orville London, issued a statement to correct what he said was “false and misleading information” being circulated by some political parties in the island that the date for the election was not being released because of influence from Trinidad. London said that contrary to the false information being circulated, under the THA Act, “The President, after consultation with the Prime Minister and the Chief Secretary, shall fix the date of a primary election, which date shall not be earlier than expiration of two months after the dissolution of the Assembly nor later than the expiration of three months after that dissolution”.