In America, the president wants to know why they are not winning the war in Afghanistan. He wants to fire his top serving general. In TT , we are worrying about the possibility of making some money to stave off retrenchment by squeezing it out of pure stone.

Did every single trade union member, at the end the demonstration, get the feeling of deeper and lasting respect from members of the on looking public? May we never forget how the world was saved by the combined allied invasion on the real D day, June 6, 1944.

Lynette Joseph Diego Martin

Garbage-clogged waterways won’t stop pumps from de-watering flood zones. So that’s another reason to use pumps to counter flooding problems.

The fact is the seemingly innocent act of paving the ground is singularly the greatest ally of flooding. Paving the ground seals it off from absorbing water.

This is where pumps can rescue society from its self-wounding. Coating sponge with waterproof material and paving earth with water resistant material will result in sponge and earth being unable to absorb water.

Blaming flooding on largely dumping and clogged waterways has its place but, there’s more to flooding than just blocking waterways. Flooding is due also to failing to supplement waterways with mechanical assistance for example, using water pumps. There are supplementary pumping devices designed to separate garbage from water, capturing the debris before it adds to the flooding.

Also, people can refrain from being lazy and remove debris from waterways once spotted.

When it rains the whole country braces for the effects of acts of nature as if living in the dark ages, instead of using countless available technologies to make nature yield. For too long, TT has been an anti-flood prevention country. TT , aside from keeping waterways clear of debris and garbage, complementing pumps with land paving can prevent mass flooding.

Pumps can de-water flooded cities, towns and open plains.

B Joseph via email

According to a media release, the website, www.protectedareastt.

org.tt, is intended to be “the main repository of information on forests and protected areas.” Initial information will be provided on six pilot sites, which are the Caroni Swamp, the Nariva Swamp, the Matura Forest and coastal zones, the Trinity Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, the Main Ridge Forest Reserve in Tobago and the North East Tobago Marine pilot protected area.

The website is a component under the Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago (IFPAMTT), which is a project being administered by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United States, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The information provided will reportedly include notes on the location, boundaries, legal destination, socio-economic description, wildlife assets and management of the six sites. It is expected that the website will “increase visibility” and “provide access to current and regularly updated information on species diversity in Trinidad and Tobago.” Speaking at the launch yesterday, Senior Policy Officer at FAO Caribbean, Dr Terri Raney said, the launch of the website is a “local milestone in the development of an online platform to serve as a repository of information about our natural spaces.” She added that the IFPAMTT project has highlighted important information, through surveys undertaken with people who live near the six pilot sites and “it is the hope that the website will share the information that was accessed and contribute updates” on the country’s protected areas. “The launch of the website will enable sharing of information databases with an even wider audience than the stakeholders who are currently engaged,” she said.

In his brief address yesterday, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Clarence Rambharat expressed his happiness over the news of the Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA) winning the injunction filed against them. Rambharat stated that even though the matter did not concern his ministry, he has pledged to “channel legal and other resources” to aid in CDA blocking particular operations from accessing Alcan Bay.

On the topic of hunting, Rambharat said he has written about the lack of data on hunting and its socio-economic impact indicators. He also said it is essential to “represent the views of people” in urban and rural communities.

“We must strike a balance between people earning a livelihood and sustainability in these communities,” he said.

He expressed that the technology will “make it easier” to do the protective work that needs to be done. “What really matters is our appetite for implementing and monitoring,” he said.

He added that the IFPAMTT project deals with “the generation of data” and “interaction with people who it is intended to support.” Technical Officer of the Project Coordination Unit, Celeste Chariandy, said plans are in the works to develop a “small team to learn to manage the site.”

“Have you ever known me to speak for anyone? You ever know me to speak nicely on behalf of anybody,” an angry Browne said. Adding that he was like activists Afra Raymond and Peter Permell, in demanding accountability, Browne said, “I’m not speaking on behalf of anyone!” Further, Browne also defended himself against Imbert’s criticism of his (Browne) opinion column in a newspaper. Imbert complained that Browne’s article alleged $3.5 billion in “fees” surrounding the Clico bailout, with Imbert saying this sum in fact encompasses several items such as “funding”, so that “fees” makes up just $250 million.

Browne said he had got the $3.5 billion figure from the Government’s own affidavits and called on Imbert to give a complete breakdown, including any arranger’s fee paid.

“I didn’t make it up. It’s your numbers,” Browne charged.

Browne said that the State, in its current control of Clico, is a trustee of taxpayers funds but is “plundering the company” in a clear breach of its duty of care.

He alleged that Government was trying to represent a $100 billion company as being worth a mere $23 billion.

These are just a few of the many private businesses that not only create employment for thousands of our citizens but contribute to our national wealth through taxes and foreign exchange income from tourists.

One would think that any government faced with a reduction of income from traditional sources in the energy sector will do everything possible to encourage private sector investment and development. The reality is that doing business in TT is not easy.

Security is a major challenge. It is almost impossible for most business personnel to access legal firearms for personal protection while criminals buy and sell guns and ammunition without fear of repercussion – this is despite being targeted for robbery and kidnappings. Daily, it is not uncommon for one to spend four hours in traffic.

There is only one narrow roadway from Westmoorings to Chaguaramas, where the headquarters of our military and our major marinas are located.

There is limited access to the coastline along the south and north of Trinidad.

Water supply is intermittent and it is illegal to access water from rivers or wells without permission from the water authority.

Legally accessing alternative sources of water is not only bureaucratically burdensome but expensive.

Accessing government services is a major hurdle. It is common for one to spend over four hours to complete a vehicle transaction at the licensing office. Similar lengths of time are usually required to submit forms for taxation, government insurance services, registration of businesses and accessing banking facilities. Agricultural access roads are few and there are very little incentives for food production and food processing.

The days of government accessing easy money from the energy sector are over. The new economic reality challenges us to support multiple sectors of business.

This new economic climate must be anchored in a new vision, one where the businessman is a partner and friend and not a person to be taxed and stifled. This new path requires a new network of roads, a light rail system owned and operated in partnership with the business community and a licensing structure that minimises the time one spend doing vehicular transactions.

Business personnel who meet the requirements for legal firearms should be given a permit without having to wait years for response to their application.

Agriculture must once again be a major player in earning foreign exchange.

WASA should change their regulations regarding accessing underground water and water from river tributaries.

In general, our laws and regulations need to be modernised to support a renewed energy and drive towards building a better TT – one that encourages partnership with our business community.

God Bless Our Nation.

Steve Alvarez via email

Consultations involving wide-ranging stakeholders drawn from the public and private sectors, civil society, Caricom institutions, and academia, will also be held in Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States sub-region.

Two days of discussions will be held in each country starting in Barbados from August 3 and 4. The discussions will be held in Guyana on August 7 and 8; Jamaica on August 14 and 15; St Lucia on August 17 and 18 and in TT on August 21 and 22.

Under review are the Draft Caribbean Community Environment and Natural Resources Policy Framework, and First Environmental and Natural Resources Action Plan of the Caribbean Community Environment and Natural Resources Policy Framework (July 2017-June 2022).

The draft policy proposes a structure for environmental and natural resources management in Caricom, balancing the need to exploit the land, air, water and oceans for economic development while maintaining healthy environments in member states. The action plan is the first step to implement the policy.

The policy framework, a Caricom Secretariat release said, has its genesis in a 2008 decision of ministers of environment at the 25th Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) — Environment. The secretariat was mandated to mobilise resources to proceed with the development of the policy framework. The secretariat has since conducted assessments of the environmental governance structure of member states, examined the environmental dimensions of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, and held a number of regional consultations.

These served as the basis for the design of the draft policy and action plan.

This current round of discussion, the release said, is important to advance the process towards presenting the policy framework to the Caricom ministers of environment.

Successful implementation will be based on regional ownership of the policy and “a collective regional response will also be required to promote the prudent, rational management and conservation of the region’s environmental, and natural resources, the policy envisions,” the release said.

In a media release yesterday, the federation noted that today’s event marks the culmination of nation-wide mobilisation efforts over the past few weeks as the nation’s “working-class joins together to send a resounding message that austerity measures, the threat of privatisation, and the trampling of those who labour will no longer be tolerated.” The event is expected to bring the “action and fervour of Labour Day to Port of Spain as the working-class declares loud and clear that rule by a minority elite-class will never engender equality in Trinidad and Tobago.” Workers and trade unionists are expected to assemble at 1.30 pm at the Brian Lara Promenade, where Union leaders are expected to deliver “solidarity greetings” before the march begins.

A public rally, reminiscent of what takes place on June 19, is expected to take place on the Brian Lara Promenade from 4 to 6 p.m. The march, which will proceed along streets such as Henry and Oxford, begins and ends in front of FCB, Independence Square.

She has also appeared in Ripley’s Believe it or Not. Mandela let down her locks for the audience and gave them a little history about her “baby”. She has been growing her hair for 31 years and the longest lock measures 92 feet in length. All together it weighs over 40 pounds. She says she never was interested in any world record, but saw her hair as spiritual.

The record came years later. Mandela also has her own line of hair products.

The event was organised by TUCO’s Hospitality Committee, and held at its Business Unit courtyard, Jerningham Avenue, Belmont. It featured a fashion show of African wear from designers Claire Hutchinson, Prindela’s, Norma Clarke and Garcia’s Africa House. There was also a cultural section with African drumming.

Patrons were treated to traditional African dishes while viewing the fashion show.

Except that, without seeking to minimise the woman’s predicament, it mirrors what other persons are faced with all the time, whether they are guilty of a crime or not.

It is a frightening thought that by itself should turn anyone away from a life of crime, but is clearly no deterrent, as the crime statistics demonstrate. What is responsible for the terrifying conditions existing in jails and prisons and detention centres in the country, with the many billions of dollars spent on this area of governance annually? Every person who has been arrested and held in such conditions should be entitled to compensation for having to undergo such inhumane treatment, whether guilty or not.

The conditions described in the lawsuit should exist nowhere in the world; they belong in the 19th century, and even then would have been considered unacceptable.

The Minister of National Security should get on the case of whichever officer of his Ministry is responsible for dealing with this problem and ensure that it is corrected post haste. Sorry, I forgot, this is Trinidad and Tobago, there is no one responsible.

Karan Mahabirsingh Carapichaima

The league leaders had to wait until the 85th minute to break the deadlock, in their Round Eight encounter, with Shaquille Ferrier finding the back of the net.

And, two minutes later, Beville Joseph got his name on the scoresheet to guarantee full points for Guaya, in front of their elated fans at the Guayaguayare Recreation Ground.

Second placed Defence Force registered a 3-2 win over WASA, in the latter game of a double-header at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.

Corey Rivers (27th), Dexter Thornhill (52nd) and Michael Edwards (89th) were the goal-getters for the Army/Coast Guard combination, after Michael- Lee Celestine (19th) and Dwight Crichlow (26th) gave WASA an early twogoal advantage.

Hosts 1976 Phoenix FC rallied from a goal down to edge Club Sando Moruga 2-1 at the Canaan/ Bon Accord Recreation Ground. Kyle Morgan netted for Club Sando Moruga after 11 minutes before Leandro Williams equalised three minutes later.

The game seemed destined to end in a draw before James Thomas converted a 90th minute penalty to gave the home team full points.

Kevaughn John struck in the 25th as Queen’s Park defeated Siparia Spurs 1-0 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium Training Field, Mucurapo while, in the earlier game at Couva, Cunupia FC and the University of Trinidad and Tobago battled to a 1-1 draw, with Michael Darko (Cunupia) and Isaiah Mejias (UTT) the goal-scorers.

Bethel United and Police played to a goalless draw at the Mt Gomery Recreation Ground.

Central 500 Spartans returned to the top spot of League Two with a narrow 1-0 win over table-proppers Marabella FCC at Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre.

Ryan Frederick was on target for the visitors, in the 27th.

Overnight leaders Prisons FC fell to a 2-0 loss to Petit Valley/ Diego Martin United at the Diego Martin North Secondary School Ground, with ex-Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Keron “Ball Pest” Cummings scoring in the seventh and 73rd.

And, at the Mt Gomery Recreation Ground, Youth Stars edged Perseverance Ball Runners 2-1. Kevon Woodley (18th) and Hakeem Legall (35th) gave Youth Stars a 2-nil halftime lead, before Deon O’Garro pulled one back, from the penalty spot, in the 88th.