The low-lying villages of Barrackpore are getting a lift from the constant flooding that has caused immense damages in the recent years. The flood eradication drive is now in full swing as workers of the Ministry of Works and Transport, Highway Division of Lengua Sub-District are working around the clock to ensure that there is no more flooding in Barrackpore.
Supervisor of this project, Mardeen Ramnarine, told Newsday that flooding will soon be a thing of the past in Barrackpore. According to Ramnarine, efforts are being made by the Ministry of Works to make Barrackpore a flood-free zone in south Trinidad. A task Ramnarine says is difficult but achievable. “We were always aware of the flooding problem in Barrackpore. But recently with the heavy rainfall that caused serious flash flooding to this area, we were immediately assigned to deal with this problem, and more so the directive was given to us to eradicate this problem of flooding totally in Barrackpore,” explained Ramnarine. “We are trying our best to dig the drains, and at the same time reconstruct walkways and pavements for a better infrastructure in this area. I believe that this project will also bring about relief for the traffic congestions experienced in and around the schools in this area,” he said.
National carrier, BWIA West Indies Airways yesterday assured the travelling public that flights were back to normal and all disrupted passengers have been accommodated on scheduled services.
According to Gail Corbie of the corporate communications department at BWIA, BWIA was the first airline to resume services out of Trinidad after airports in New York and Toronto became operational following the restoration of the power supply in North America. She said despite the fact that this disruption occurred during the peak period when resources, both human and material, were fully committed, extra services were added to New York on Sunday August 17 and to Toronto on Monday August 18, to accommodate displaced passengers. BW701 on Friday August 15 originating in Washington DC destined for Trinidad was re-routed via Toronto to pick up passengers who had been unable to travel the day before.
Corbie said contrary to reports carried in media from passengers transiting Trinidad from other countries, these passengers were facilitated a courtesy room at Piarco International Hotel to “freshen up” when such was available. Annaleen Bobb, account executive, American Airlines (AA) said all the airlines flights’ had returned to normal and that all flights were on schedule. “Everything is fine now following the power outage last week in New York.” She said AA did not have any cancelled flights and that all passengers have been taken to their respective destinations.
Masman extraordinaire, Peter Minshall received a standing ovation for the brevity and content of his acceptance speech after receiving an award at the 41st Independence Anniversary Ball held at the New York Marriott Hotel in Brooklyn, New York last Saturday night.
“I am a wonderful hybrid,” he stated quietly. “I am not African, I am not Chinese, I am not Indian. I am all of those. I am Caribbean. I’m in you and you’re in me. Thanks for the award. I am hungry, let’s eat.” Minshall’s remarks caused some 500 formally attired Trinidad and Tobago nationals resident in the United States to collectively rise to their feet and cheer loudly since it was fast approaching midnight and dinner was yet to be served. A presentation of the Trinidad and Tobago Independence Celebrations Inc (TATIC) under the patronage of this country’s Consul General to the United States Terrence Walker, the gala, black tie event paid special tribute, as well, to Jit Samaroo, ace steelband arranger; Dr Courtenay Bartholomew, Professor Emeritus of the University of the West Indies; David John, First Vice President of Information Technology at Bayerische Landesbank, New York and Grace Blake, former executive director of the Apollo Theatre Foundation and motion picture producer for over 25 years.
Among the awardees, Samaroo was the only absentee. His commemorative plaque was received by a family member who apologised for his absence, stating that he was unavoidably detained elsewhere. New York-based TATIC comprises nationals of Trinidad and Tobago and interested parties, representatives of Trinidad and Tobago Government offices, corporations and commercial enterprises who have a Trinidad and Tobago connection and a deep and abiding interest in the promotion of Trinidad and Tobago to the world. Representing the Government of Trinidad and Tobago at the function was Minister of Housing Senator Martin Joseph who, in addressing the gathering, gave an update on Government’s performance, since attaining office following the last General Election. He dealt with the topics of health, education, the Integrity Commission and crime.
In elaborating on the latter, he assured the New York-based nationals that Government “will deal with the crime situation to the satisfaction of all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.” Joseph was also Government’s representative at the 2002 edition of the event when he held the office of Minister of Public Utilities and the Environment. Also present was a contingent from clico Investment Bank, led by its chairman Andre Monteil, who is also chairman of the National Housing Authority (NHA). The Tourism and Industrial Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago (TIDCO) was represented by Denyse Geyette. Locals in attendance included musician/arranger Pelham Goddard and his wife Glenda and calypsonian Tigress (Joanne Rowley). Also seen were entertainment personalities Gil Figaro, chairman of the Sunshine Awards Programme; Orville Wright, notable musician and Chair of the Ensemble Department at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts; and Eric St Bernard, former local radio announcer now resident in New York.
Corporate awards were presented to Desmond Chase, community leader and activist; Mohan Jaikran of the East Indian diaspora; Winston Munroe, hardworking community leader and visionary and Mary B Walters, community leader and advocate for Trinbago causes. Last Saturday’s function began with a cocktail reception from 9 pm at which appropriate music was supplied by the Sesame Flyers Steel Orchestra. Following the awards presentation and dinner, the happy New York-based Trinis danced away until 3 am to superbly rendered soca songs from the musical aggregation Lambert and the Matadors.
WHEN Ingrid Medford thought she was dealing with policemen, she was in fact being confronted by bandits. The two men, wearing dark blue police pants and shirts, complemented by bullet-proof vests bearing the words POLICE on the front and back, came into Medford’s Gas Station at Chaguanas on Sunday morning asking to see the manager. Their subterfuge worked perfectly as none of the workers suspected they were criminals in disguise. Medford left her office, where she was checking weekend sales, to meet the two “visitors,” asking what she could do for them. The two impersonators asked about her security, indicating that they were “checking out” the area. However, something about their conduct and their purpose must have made Medford suspicious because she asked them for their idenfication badges.
And that was when the police impersonators revealed their true colours. One of them pulled out a gun and struck Medford on her neck. The two ordered her back into the office where they took close to $50,000 lying on her desk. At the same time, a third bandit, in plain clothes, ordered workers to lie on the floor, jumped over the counter and stole a quantity of money from two cash registers. On the same page in which we reported this robbery yesterday, we also also carried the story of a 27-year-old man who is charged with possession of a police and army kit together with three rounds of .38 ammunition. The Police found the police and army uniforms when they raided a house in the Diego Martin hills on Friday night. These two episodes reveal the cunning and deviousness of the criminals now preying on innocent, law-abiding citizens of our country.
The fact that bandits can obtain police uniforms and actually pose as policemen to allay suspicion and gain easy access to business places must present not only a new kind of challenge to the country’s crime fighters but also a new kind of concern and anxiety for the business community and, indeed, the general public. On the one hand, Police authorities must seek to determine how criminals are able to obtain uniforms which should be confined strictly to members of the service. We understand that where the police stores were once controlled by policemen and uniform items were stamped with the officer’s number, the stores are now managed by civilians and the practice of stamping no longer obtains. The system here may need reviewing and its security tightening.
On the other hand, how are members of the business community and public to react to police officers entering their premises and homes? How are they to know whether their visitors are genuine law enforcement officers or bandits in disguise? As Sunday’s robbery of Medford’s Gas Station shows, when a request for identification is made, it can be too late, the bandits would by then have gained entry without suspicion and, once inside, use the element of surprise to carry out their criminal mission. We have even heard reports that some kidnappers have used police uniforms to evade suspicion while grabbing their victims. Because of this trick with bogus uniforms, bona fide police officers should be immediately willing to display their identification badges on entering any private place or even have them on display when they are on investigations which involve such visits or conducting searches in public. They should be prepared to do everything to maintain the confidence of law-abiding citizens.
From all appearances, Trinidad and Tobago’s presentation to CARIFESTA VIII in Suriname will be an Afro-Trinidadian cultural representation. TT is doing grave injustice to the theme of CARIFESTA which is “Many Cultures: The Essence of Togetherness, the Spirit of the Caribbean.” It seems that tickets were handed out mainly to one section of the society. The premier show at Queen’s Hall last Friday night [15/8/03] essentially reflected this. From the title of the play, “Golden Masquerade,” at the opening, it was expected that the Indian performing artistes had to fall in line and footwork with carnival rhythms. If they wanted a free plane ride to Suriname with free hotel accommodation, they had to shed their ethnic identity and absorb the culture of Creole Carnival. Golden Masquerade was more about Creole Carnival than about multi-ethnic Trinbago; the dramatic performance not only marginalized the Indian cultural presence, but also integrated it to the point of a cultural calaloo. Non-Indian actors in fact dominated the cast with a few fringe Indians dancing to the beat of bongo drums and kalinda songs.
One main character included Anansi. He could have easily been complemented with the Indian folklore figure of Satchuli or Birbal. After all, the theme of CARIFESTA VIII is “Many Cultures: The Spirit of Togetherness.” The motifs of J’Ouvert were evoked in the absence of Divali, Ramlila and Hosay. The tamboo bamboo was more audible that the dhantal – a metal percussion instrument played by the lone Sagar Sookraj. The dholak drum – the national symbol of Suriname – suffered the same fate in the country performance of “all ah we is one.” When Guyana’s dictator Forbes Burnham first thought of CARIFESTA in 1972, he envisioned a meeting point for kindred spirits, a blending of creative forces bringing together the cream of the artists in the region and providing them with a stage. The aim of CARIFESTA today remains the same as yesterday — it is to create, develop and foster further unity within the CARICOM countries via cultural exchanges.
This year Trinidad and Tobago is spending about ten million dollars and chartering a BWIA airplane to take a local contingent to Suriname. All expenses are being paid by the Government such as airfare, hotel accommodation, meals and insurance for all delegates. For many on the trip, it will be a joy ride to a foreign country for a free holiday. Sitting in first class will be Selwyn Cudjoe, a Trinidadian visitor with US citizenship. There are only two Indian-based cultural organisations out of 15 in the TT organizing committee for CARIFESTA. These two organisations are Chutney Foundation of Trinidad and Tobago (CFTT) represented by Dr Vijay Ramlal and the National Cultural Council for Indian Culture (NCIC) represented by Ms Rosemarie Dipnarine. By its very mandate, the CFTT can only represent chutney artists at the show. It was therefore expected that the all-embracing NCIC would have sent a more vocal and assertive spokesperson to the meeting to represent the various forms of Indian culture in Trinidad. Yet the NCIC selected a non-performing representative to go to Suriname. The role of two Indian groups is to help organise the Trinidad contingent — in particular sourcing of Indian cultural artists, ornaments, photographs, paintings, and instruments. The role of these two organisations has been relegated to curry-dressing.
Why is one of two Indian organising groups being discriminated against? Why is one of 15 groups selected to go to Suriname? Where is the substance and support for the rhetoric of “many cultures” and “cultural diversity” and “one people”? Why has Cabinet selected only two Indian cultural groups as part of the country’s organising committee? What criteria were used in the selection? Why was the Maha Sabha’s Baal Vikaas representative left out? For those who do not know, Baal Vikaas is a grand children’s cultural showcase staged since 1983. It has been organised and presented on a scale larger than Best Village to this day without any Government funding. It is indeed a sight to behold to see ancient oral texts being rolled out from the mouths of babes, and songs and dances being performed by adults of the future. It is unpardonable that the National Phagwa Council and the National Ramleela Committee have been left out of the organising committee. The dholak (drum) is a central musical instrument in the chowtal ensemble, and it is the national symbol — like our steelband is to us — of Suriname! It is a national grief and disgrace to know that our national dholak champion is not going to Suriname. The largest ethnic group in Suriname are Indians (called Hindustanis), and the largest religious following are Hindus.
We must ask the Cabinet, Ministry of Culture’s Mr Efebo Wilkinson and CARIFESTA’s Director Mr Eric Butler where is the Hosay, Ramleela or Pichakaaree representative on the organising committee? On the organising committee and going to Suriname or sending a representative are members of the Emancipation Support Committee, Trinidad Art Society, Prime Minister’s Best Village Committee, TIDCO, the Calypsonians Association (TUCO), Carnival Commission (NCBA), Dance Association (NDATT), National Museum, National Library (NALIS), Philatelic Society, Jacqui House of Fashion, Horticultural Society, Parang Association, Tobago House of Assembly, Santa Rosa Carib Society, and such myriad groups. Why isn’t a cultural ambassador and promoter like Mr Ajeet Praimsingh on the organising committee? Where is the spokesman for the annual road show, Mere Desh? Where is the representative of the enduring Mastana Bahar?
THE EDITOR: As a proud citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, I write this letter and ask you to publish it. I am asking the women from all the services to come forward to say enough is enough with sexual harassment, abuse and victimisation. I know of individuals who were employed with the Ministry of National Security for a year. Finally those individuals’ dream came true when they were accepted in the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force. When they entered sexual advances were made to them from certain senior and junior officers. They declined to have sex with these officers, and were forced to leave under the condition of implied indiscipline, insubordination and being medically unfit etc.
There are no female officers they could have confided in, because they themselves were past victims of these sick men. And they would have been victimised again when promotion time comes up. To make matters worse, there was not even one senior female officer to appeal to. There are only female corporals and privates, many of whom cannot help themselves from being victimised by senior male officers. Just imagine up to this day they are slaves getting paid. It hurts to know that these men have female relatives such as mothers, wives, daughters, nieces etc. But as the saying goes what goes around comes around. What are they to do when they are the sole breadwinners of their families? Why must these sick men try to take bread from their mouths?
They as women are being victimised for trying to be good law-abiding citizens. They are expected to defend their country from all the criminal elements in the nation which they are proud to do, and at the same time the ones within the Defence Force who try to lower their self-esteem, demoralise and make them victims. Editor, some officers in the Defence Force only want sexual favours, and if they do get it, they invite their friends, like a free for all house party. Why must these young women go through this to say that they are soldiers? Sorry, they will not live their dreams of becoming a soldier because they would not succumb to these sick men. The saddest thing is the Chief of Defence Force and the Minister of National Security do not have a clue about what is going on, and they are the ones in charge of security in this nation. If their home is not in order, how could this country ever be in order. After you have published this letter Editor, I sincerely hope a thorough investigation takes place to prevent this form of harassment.
PHYLLIS SIMMONS
Barataria
THE EDITOR: The editorial published in the Sunday Newsday of August 17, 2003 accuses the Attorney General of contradicting herself and suggests her comments on the Integrity Commission have been misleading. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Attorney General’s position on the Integrity Commission has been consistent throughout her tenure. Prior to the post-Caribbean press conference of Thursday August 14, the Attorney General’s only position on the Integrity Commission was that Cabinet was considering proposals for strengthening anti-corruption legislation following the report of UK consultant Bernard de Speville.
At no time has the Attorney General stated that the Integrity Commission would be scrapped. Your editorial accuses the government of “actually moving to scrap the Commission and replace it with a new organisation under the same name, one which will require new legislation in any case.” What the Attorney General did in fact announce was the Cabinet decision to keep the Integrity Commission and widen its powers, in keeping with the recommendations of Mr de Speville.
POLICY AND MEDIA RESEARCH UNIT
Ministry of the Attorney General
THE EDITOR: Businesses are now recording significant decreases in sales which proprietors blame on the conversion of citizens to introverts with serious crime-related phobias. This revelation comes despite reports of an additional one thousand police officers to the service and a new anti-crime strategy that appears to have procured “tangible” arrests. However, trends suggest that quick bail postings and brief incarcerations are frustrating punitive efforts. Early on the new crime-fighting agenda must be migration to more modern and effective concepts in lieu of archaic mentalities and procedures that are now dogmatic and loquacious. Quite recently, witnesses to a “hold up” were asked to identify the robber at a police station. They were expected to do this with complete disregard for their right of anonymity, patented by being in the same room as the line up of possible suspects. Witnesses were called one at a time and asked to state their names within hearing distance of the suspects.
Most were told to point out the perpetrator while at least one witness was required to state both his name and address then invited to actually touch the criminal to secure a positive identification. So that the entire process was incongruous not to mention asinine and downright dangerous to the citizens who were willing to come forward in the name of justice. Surely, most folks would be horrified to learn that this Jurassic practice still exists today. Needless to say that the transgressor went free since no one relishes falling prey to bullets in the dark — to be a statistic. You will agree that if he was identified and arraigned as a result, safety concerns would loom over that brave witness once the accused was bailed out, as is often the case. Does it take a rocket scientist to deduce why decent folks seldom come forward with information and provide evidence to solve crimes? Another opportunity for improvement within the police service lies in the empowerment of all officers — an analogy based on the fact that workers who perceive their input as important to their employer, conform to model employees. Affording cops a “say” in policy making or policy change will breed and solidify loyalty and wellbeing within the ranks of the service. One way to achieve this is by implementing an “Ideas Programme.”
This initiative will invite any employee within the police service to contrive ideas or proposals geared at improvements to systems, procedures, processes, comfort levels, tactical manoeuvres — whatever. Officers will submit their ideas to a specially established Ideas Committee, which will conduct evaluations in the context of practicality, cost and overall benefit/s, thus informing the decision to adopt, defer or reject any idea. Once an idea is adopted and implemented, a suitable award must be given to the relevant officer in recognition of his or her achievement. In any event, officers must be advised of the committee’s decision regarding their idea. Suffice to say, this incentive promotes a “win-win-win” situation — an improved police service nurtured by capable cops that translates to a safer TT. It should be noted that the Ideas Programme is being strongly proposed by virtue of its success in other institutions and because trends do not suggest of its existence, let alone its enforcement, within the police service. Sadly, too much time has been already wasted — too many have dragged their feet for too long. Mr Chin Lee and Mr Snaggs, now is the time to multi-task and implement.
DEXTER J RIGSBY
Mt Lambert
THE EDITOR: Some months ago, with trepidation and a sense of impending international relations conflict, I read the news of a proposal to construct a Trinidad and Tobago to Guadeloupe Caribbean gas pipeline. Good, I thought, except for certain likely international relations ‘stop-corks.’ Moments later, in my kitchen (the hub of workday morning activity in my home), I was discussing with my wife and adult children the implications of such a move for Trinidad and Tobago’s relations with (i) other West Indian nation islands, (ii) the United States of America and (iii) Venezuela. I was convinced then (and I remain unmoved in that view) that a rocky international relations road was suddenly spread out before the people of Trinidad and Tobago. One only has to acknowledge the vastly differing degrees of power-broking capacity and world influence wielded by each of the countries that I’ve named, as well as mull over recent diplomatic manoeuvrings, to foresee interesting times ahead.
The USA had lauded the idea (and had even suggested that the pipeline could extend to Florida!) Prior to the Venezuelan government’s positioning of itself to be a part of the venture. Marry that truth to the then extant and continuing alliance postures and the inevitability of nightmarish international relations condrum in our near future pierces my imagination. The “postures” to which I refer include (but are not exclusive to) the USA’s stance in the just past (?) Venezuelan internal unrest; Venezuela/Cuba ties; USA/Cuba (non-) ties; increased interaction between Trinidad and Tobago and Cuba; Trinidad and Tobago’s direct and deliberate energy aid to Venezuela some months ago and the awkward unilateral-ism still enveloping International Criminal Court issues. Stage set?! So….open Act 1. Venezuelan’s President Chavez and Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Manning have met and agreements are being signed.
Somebody’s move next! How may we expect the USA to respond to a pipeline ever full of Venez-uela/Trinidad and Tobago’s gas going to …where? What, if any are the implications of a Trinidad and Tobago/Venezuela partnership for already existing agreements between Trinidad and Tobago and oil/gas multinationals in which the United States of America has vested interests? Will Trinidad and Tobago’s ‘sovereignty’ be compromised? What varied cultural impacts will ensue and are we, as a people being prepared systematically for it all through information sharing and nation-wide consultation? Or are the relevant issues, in fact, not significant enough to warrant serious concerns about anything at all? While we await the next move, not knowing from whence it will come or what form it will take, perhaps the competent authority can arrange to publicise details of those agreements. Doing so will not diminish the shocking feelings I experienced upon having the news of such a meaningful ‘treaty’ (or set of treaties) spring out at me Stephen King-like from the political ether. However, knowledge of what has been agreed will allow me to better prepare my significant others and myself for whatever lies ahead. Father be with us.
ALDEN FRIDAY
Palmiste
THE EDITOR: Many people do not realise that a common-law relationship is contrary to the principle of the true and living God. Legislation has been passed for persons in common-law unions to, after a number of years, enjoy certain benefits as the legally married and I believe that this has encouraged more ‘shacking up.’ I am not judging you, but I have noticed that many traumatic occurrences take place in these ‘families.’ Mr Editor, you would know that in many instances of domestic violence, the parties are in a common-law relationship, I read them. I’m not saying that husbands and wives don’t have their troubles too, but they are more prevalent with the unmarried.
I conclude by pointing you to the Word of God which says in Hebrews 13:4 ‘Marriage is honourable and the bed undefiled,’ and 1st Corinthians 6, verse 9-10 says ‘know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God? Be not deceived, neither fornicators, nor idolators, nor adulterers, nor effeminate (that is, perverts and homosexuals), nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners shall inherit the Kingdom of God.’
Please take heed.
GERTRUDE EDWARDS
Tacarigua
