Young’s appointment to that position was disclosed by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley in response to a question from Caroni Central MP Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie in the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

Bharath yesterday insisted that the decision to appoint Young to chair FGP was because of Imbert’s recent comments about considering a possible increase in gasoline prices in the Mid-Year Review and about the need for wage restraint. Bharath also claimed that while Young is competent, the FGP Committee is normally chaired by a senior politician. Other commentators on morning television and radio programmes yesterday expressed similar views. However Imbert said there was no truth in any of their comments.

“My workload was far too heavy. I needed an ease up.” When Opposition MPs insisted that the normal practice was for the Finance Minister to chair the FGP committee, the Prime Minister explained that this was not so. He advised them to speak for themselves and their own misgovernance. Rowley recalled that when he was a Cabinet minister in the former Patrick Manning administration, then Public Administration Minister, Dr Lenny Saith, chaired the FGP committee for five years and there was no issue about that.

Young, who is Portof- Spain North/St Ann’s West MP, is also Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs.

The introduction of speed guns earlier this year resulted in anecdotal evidence suggesting motorists have become more compliant with speed limits.

However, whatever impact the lidar guns have had has been limited to areas where the guns are frequently deployed.

Many drivers still observe fellow drivers speeding, driving on the shoulder and taking risks at night, whether or not a highway patrol vehicle is in sight.

In San Fernando, for example, people are still taking chances, constantly breaking red lights.

Then there are those who believe the indicator light gives them the right of way and put other drivers in danger.

In the wake of the tragic accident in Arima on Monday night, there were reports that one of the vehicles involved broke a red light. Drivers clearly underestimate the damage one single, seemingly slender breach can have.

Arima’s accident has already claimed half a dozen lives and seriously injured even more.

We are all busy in the hustle and bustle to prepare our homes, buy gifts, attend Christmas events. A similar frenzy will soon also be upon us in relation to preparations for Carnival.

Yet, what use are these festivities when people show no care for one another? Being considerate and safe is something that should happen all year. But at Christmas time it should particularly be so. No family wants to wake on Christmas morning without a loved one.

We take this opportunity to express our condolences to all the victims of Monday night’s awful accident. We call on people to show more care for one another, to remember that the priority should be remaining alive, not trying to get from here to there in the shortest possible time.

According to acting Assistant Superintendent of Police Harnarine Rampath of Traffic and Highway Patrol Branch, 124 people have died in road traffic accidents so far this year as compared to 138 for the same period in 2015.

Although the figure represents a ten percent reduction, he noted that road fatalities are unacceptably high.

“We continue to appeal to drivers and road users to practise safe responsible road use by firstly obeying the laws governing the roads and this should be regardless of the police being present, and secondly always be safe, alert and defensive in your approach to driving,” Rampath said on Wednesday.

The officer warned that the Traffic and Highway Patrol Branch has commenced its traffic law enforcement plan for the Christmas to Carnival period.

Any breach of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, as well as the Highways and Motor Vehicle Insurance Act, will be dealt with.

The Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Task Force and speed teams will be out in full force and have been given a mandate of zero tolerance; and a special roving operational unit working with officers from the Licensing Division will be conducting vehicle checks across the nation’s roadways with a special focus on large trucks and trailer units.

Drivers are advised to have driving documents in order including valid driver’s permit, valid vehicle insurance and, where applicable, ensure their vehicle has been inspected.

We remind parents and adults that children under five years must be secured in child safety seats and that it is an offence not to have children safely secured.

But it should not take threats of implementation of the law to make people act with consideration.

That requires all drivers to look into their own hearts and to act accordingly. Let goodwill prevail.

HOW LIKELY are we to be involved in a terrorist attack? In The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined, Canadian- born American cognitive scientist, psychologist, linguist and popular science writer Steven Pinker shows just how misinformed we are about terrorism.

Trying to avoid terrorism, Pinker says, can be more deadly than facing the possibility of terrorism. “You are more likely to die in a car accident driving within 12 miles than flying from New York to Los Angeles,” says Pinker. “More people die after being struck by lightning, being stung by a bee or having a fatal reaction to a peanut butter allergy than die in terrorist attacks.” So why are we so afraid of terrorism? Part of our fear comes from all those instant replays in the media.

Bombarding people with images of terrorism makes it feel ever-present.

We’re equally uninformed about who becomes a terrorist. Most of us associate terrorism with religious extremism.

“Certainly an ideology of an after- life helps,” says Pinker. “Modern suicide bombing was perfected by the Tamil Tigers. They grew up in Hinduism, but the group’s ideology was secular, a ‘ghoulash’ of nationalism, romantic militarism, Marxism/ Leninism and anti-imperialism.” An after-life with or without all the virgins we’re hearing about “seldom figures prominently,” says Pinker. The perception of a great after- life could tip the scales for someone becoming a terrorist, but it can’t be the only psychological reason.

“Anthropologists found that far from being impoverished, ignorant, nihilistic or mentally ill, suicide bombers are often educated, middle class, morally engaged and free of obvious psychopathology,” Pinker writes.

One anthropologist found that the motivation often lies in something called “nepotistic altruism”.

Tamil Tigers picked their suicide bombers and then threatened to kill their families if they didn’t complete their mission. Hamas and Palestinian terrorist groups offered generous monthly stipends, lump sum payments and prestige in the community for becoming a suicide bomber.

Pinker says, “In the West Bank and Gaza, many men have trouble finding wives partly because of the polygamous society and partly because families often seek husbands for women outside of Palestine in places like Israel where they can find more prosperous Arabs.

Many families can’t pay a bride price, and men don’t have much to choose from besides parallel cousins.” Anthropologists say that 99 percent of Palestinian suicide terrorists are male, 86 percent are unmarried and 81 percent have at least six siblings.

Blowing oneself up can earn enough money to help brothers to get wives. Then there is what Pinker calls “the opportunity to join a happy band of brothers…Terrorist cells often begin as gangs of underemployed, single young men who come together in cafes, dorms, soccer clubs, barbershops or Internet chat rooms and suddenly find meaning in their lives to the new platoon.” These young men are often not really thinking about their actions.

They’re pulled into the thinking of a group.

“Young men in all societies do foolish things to prove their courage and commitment — especially in groups where individuals may do something they know is foolish because everyone else in the group thinks it is cool,” says Pinker.

Undoubtedly, commitment to the group is intensified by religion.

“It’s the feeling of immersing oneself in a calling, a vision, a purpose that is not necessarily understood by all.” And some terorrists are motivated by revenge.

They are mostly motivated by what Pinker calls “a thrilling call to action.” The simple fact is that terrorism – like all violence and crime – is a complex issue that needs to be understood and addressed on a meaningful level.

In a statement, Republic Bank’s Human Resources General Manager Anna-Mar?a Garc?a-Brooks said, “This is a tragedy of immeasurable proportions and we are at a loss for words to express our shock and sadness. We kept vigil with the rest of the nation’s concerned citizens, in the hope of a safe return of our team member.

“Our thoughts, prayers and support are with Shannon’s parents and family at this time. We have not received any further detailed information from the police, thus far, but we shall continue to work with them as needed.” Garc?a- Brooks said that the bank has initiated emotional assistance processes for staff at its Independence Square Branch, as well as for the rest of the Republic Bank family, “many of whom are inconsolable.

This is a sad day for the Republic Bank team and for our nation.” As news spread of Banfield’s murder yesterday, many took to social media to share their shock and anger. A woman said, “I don’t know what level of madness is going on in sweet Trinidad. Today I cried when I read that the young lady Shannon Banfield was found dead. I did not even know her and I broke down in tears. Where have we gone wrong as a nation? Lord, forgive them for they know not what they do. Rest in peaceful sleep angel.” Another said she was now afraid to travel to work. “I have never been to afraid to travel to work but after reading the news of Shannon Banfield. I just can’t today. I became physically sick…My head hurts, my belly pains..Jesus please return to this precious twin island state ASAP.” A few people also shared their thoughts on Banfield’s Facebook page. One woman wrote, “I am disgusted and horrified by what was done to u. I know that a conviction can’t bring u back but still I pray for speedy justice to be served. Go ahead and walk on rainbows and dance with angels. You are in God’s kingdom now.” Another woman said, “I’m so disgusted by the acts of heinous crimes against humanity, especially against people that are doing the right thing and living their lives in a honest fashion. This Angel had her whole life ahead of her, by the early start at being responsible and progressive…

THIS IS JUST UNACCEPTABLE.

Something has to be done… Lord knows. Rest in peace Shannon. Lord, please comfort her loved ones in this time of despair, grant them a place of peace.”

Police reports stated that at about 4 pm on Tuesday, residents discovered Singh’s body face down in a river at Guaracara/Tabaquite Road, Williamsville with an injury to the head.

On Wednesday, an autopsy report stated that his death was as a result of blunt cranio-cerebral trauma consistent with a fall. As such, police investigators believe Singh tripped on an object, hit his head and then fell into the river. Cpl Barran of the Princes Town Police Station is spearheading investigations.

Chairing yesterday’s Joint Select Committee (JSC) on National Security at Tower D, Port-of-Spain, Hinds said the trio remain suspended but no action has yet come from the State.

The case went to a disciplinary tribunal on August 16 but after one member resigned in October, the Public Services Commission voided the tribunal on December 6, with a fresh one due to be named.

Lamenting this “horrific timeline”, Hinds added, “Worse, the DPA (Director of Public Administration) has told us that these disciplinary tribunal hearings are three to five years.” The JSC also asked if any decision, by the Prison Service, to allow inmates out to do personal transactions, is governed by a written policy or if favouritism is practised.

Opposition Senator and member of the committee, Wayne Sturge, lamented that the Prison Service denied a non-violent Laventille father, Jerome Henry – remanded for negligence in the accidental drowning of his son, Josiah – from attending the funeral, but that a remanded prison officer charged with killing his wife was let out to do a bank transaction in full view of the public.

Worse, the officer’s presence in the bank occurred in the absence of any uniformed police officer (but guarded by plainclothes prison officers) and came as a shock to two of the murder victim’s relatives who also happened to be in the bank.

The committee learnt that no other adult inmate has been afforded such a privilege in the past year, and that the accused officer has actually been let out, accompanied by prison officers, to do personal transactions on three separate occasions. Given the possible security risks involving the remanded officer, several JSC members expressed shock that his visit occurred on the peak month-end time of Friday November 25, just ahead of the last Local Government election.

While Acting Prisons Commissioner, Cecil Duke, had disallowed Henry to attend the funeral of his son, he allowed Henry to view the body at a funeral home.

Prisons Commissioner, Sterling Stewart, said he would have let Henry attend the funeral. The JSC consisted of Hinds, Sturge, Point Fortin MP Nicole Olliviere, Government Senator Michael Coppin, Senate Deputy President Nigel De Freitas, and Independent Senator Taurel Shrikissoon. The Prisons Service top brass present included Stewart; Asst Commissioner, Dennis Pulchan; Chief Welfare Officer, Hayden Walcott; and Senior Supt Carlos Corrapse.

That’s how president of the Downtown Owners and Merchants Association (DOMA) Gregory Aboud described the discovery yesterday of the body 20-year-old Shannon Banfield, hidden under some boxes in a storage area of the Charlotte Street, Port-of-Spain branch of IAM and Company (IAM).

“We would like to express our condolences to the family of Ms Shannon Banfield. We cannot imagine the horror that they must be feeling now. We think of all of the women of Trinidad and Tobago, of the terror which is being perpetrated on our girls and women, a terror which has been growing. (Yesterday’s) discovery is a stain, not only on the city of PoS but also on our nation at large; our women are not free to walk the streets, to go to shops to make a purchase, to go the corner to take a taxis,” Aboud lamented.

Declaring that TT citizens are “allowing our society to become more and more dangerous,” Aboud also claimed there is “evidence that criminals have become bullies of our society, that they choose the easiest targets, such as Chinese business people.” The DOMA head added that the shocking murder of this young woman only added to “the evidence” that criminals are becoming bullies of our society.

Speaking with Newsday the following day, the young woman’s mother Sherry-Ann Lopez said Banfield was deeply religious and never slept out.

“She is not a person to stay out and she was always at home.

She is also active in the Seven Day Adventist Church.

Anywhere she has to go we will drop her or her friends might sometimes give her a lift because she do not like to be out in the road especially in the night. She always gives accountability for her whereabouts,” Lopez said.

THE TT Chamber of Industry and Commerce is being called on to state whether or not it is in agreement with recent statements attributed to two prominent businessmen that there is an anti-business bias at the Industrial Court. President of the Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM) Ancel Roget yesterday asked, “What is the Chamber’s position in this regard? Is (businessman) echoing the sentiment of the Chamber and of all of those with responsibility to speak up but who are remaining silent?” Standing in the rain outside the Chamber’s offices in Westmoorings, surrounded by about 25 men and women from various JTUM member unions, Roget warned that the Chamber cannot remain silent on these “reckless (and) calculated” statements.
“We are with a different approach. We will intensify this action and we might very well be back here with thousands of workers (who) are impacted by such a statement,” Roget warned.
This past Tuesday, while standing outside the St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain entrance of the Court, Roget issued a call to Attorney General (AG) Faris Al-Rawi and others to speak out against the businessmen’s remarks.
He reiterated this on Thursday, this time also calling on President Anthony Carmona, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, the Law Association of TT and the Judiciary, to denounce the remarks.
“We call on (them) to come out in strong condemnation against this unbridled frontal attack on the independence of the Industrial Court, its judges and also (against) lumping in the trade unions in some sort of collusion against business,” Roget stated.
He later warned that unless the Chamber and others “do not come out in condemnation and bring contempt of court proceedings against (the businessmen) for this action,” JTUM would intensify its actions.
“We have a number of events planned, of which we are not at liberty to discuss (yet) but rest assured, we will not rest until justice is served in this particular issue,” the JTUM leader declared

Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister (Gender and Child Affairs), Ayanna Webster-Roy made these disclosures yesterday at a forum titled “Democratic Dialogue: How to Institutionalise Gender Equity Issues Nationally” held at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Westmoorings.

“This is a great opportunity for us to reflect on our relationship with human rights as individuals, as members of social and cultural groups and as a society,” Webster- Roy said. “It is time to reflect on the worth of our humanity as well as the humanity of others especially those different from us and those who are vulnerable.” She added, “As we work towards expanding knowledge of human rights and building meaningful dialogue on the issue, it is crucial that we establish one central, foundational fact – human rights are the rights guaranteed to us just because we are human. There are no other qualifying criteria.” Webster-Roy explained that the forum posses a challenge for a diverse society such as TT and is something to be proud of but, in reality, this diversity has a darker side.

She said, “If we agree that our aim is a rights-based society, we must also agree that we have a long way to go.

If we understand that the effective guarantee of human rights is essential for our development goals, we must also understand the importance of open and honest dialogue.

It is in this light that the Office of the Prime Minister (Gender and Child Affairs) understands its role.” Webster-Roy said Government’s effort to secure and provide for children is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, as they realise the value in complying with international standards for the treatment and welfare of children.

Also, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, Richard Blewitt, said based on the latest World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2016, Trinidad and Tobago ranked 44 out of the 136 countries, eight places lower than its 2013 ranking of 36.

He said TT has made significant strides in making gender equity a critical aspect of its socio-economic development and there have been significant legal advancements with the establishment of laws dealing with the prevention, punishment and eradication of violence against women and children.

“For example, the Family Proceedings Act 2004, which defines legal procedures for family matters and the Miscellaneous Provision (Maternity Protection and Servants) Act 2012, which increased maternity leave from 13 to 14 weeks.” He added, “Many women and girls are still being left behind in key areas. For example, in the areas of economic participation and opportunities, women’s access to financial services and other assets, vulnerability to violence and access to policy making positions.” Blewitt said he hoped that the dialogue will catalyse continued strategic action toward achieving gender equity in the coming year.

Brooks said the Group’s after-tax profits slipped from $4,478 million in 2014 to $561 million in 2015. He said individual performances of the NGC’s subsidiaries varied. Parent company NGC reported an after- tax profit of $605 million compared to $3,084 million in 2014.

Phoenix Park Gas Processors Ltd (PPGPL) also reported a decline in earnings from $166.6 million in 2014 to $55 million in 2014 to $55 million last year.

Brooks said, “Both regressions in profitability were directly linked to depressed commodity prices.” He observed that in contrast, the National Energy Corporation generated profits of $67.9 million in 2015 which was eight percent higher than its profits in 2014. TT NGL also reported increased earning in 2015 of $402.8 million. Brooks said this was a significant improvement over a loss of $804.2 million which occurred in 2014.

He said in 2015, NGC recorded two significant impairment challenges.

The first related to NGC’s holdings in Angostura assets. The second came from the $1 billion related to the controversial Beetham Wastewater Reuse Project that was initiated under the former People’s Partnership (PP) government.

Brooks said the board believed this was, “an ill-conceived project inconsistent with NGC’s core business.” He added the relevant contract has been terminated and the project is being reviewed by the new board which was appointed last September.

Looking ahead, Brooks identified opportunities for joint venture projects in Africa, Latin America and Caricom; growing local markets and building capacity across the NGC Group as some of the initiatives which the Group is pursuing.