UNITED National Congress (UNC) chairman Wade Mark said the Opposition is eagerly awaiting the laying of Canadian forensic investigator Bob Lindquist’s “doctored” report on alleged WASA corruption in Parliament. Addressing UNC supporters in Arima on Monday night, Mark said Lindquist’s report was handed to Attorney-General Glenda Morean around 10 am at Cabildo Chambers on Monday.
AG Morean told Newsday on Monday that she received Lindquist’s complete report on Friday and Prime Minister Patrick Manning would have received a copy of the report later in the day. The UNC chairman said normally in such matters, the police turn over the results of their investigations to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). He stated that he had no idea what Morean would delete from Lindquist’s report and Lindquist would never reveal the report’s contents because he was “a hired hand of the PNM”. “We await this doctored report,” Mark declared. The UNC chairman also claimed that a Solid Waste Management Company seminar at the Crowne Plaza yesterday was being used to give special instructions to some 500 CEPEP workers for next Monday’s Local Government Elections. Mark said these workers will be operating mock stations throughout the country next Monday to intimidate voters. Mark warned that the UNC will not tolerate violence against its supporters and “will organise to come to the defence of the people of Trinidad and Tobago”. The UNC chairman slammed Health Minister Colm Imbert for attacking Emergency Health Services (EHS) workers and claimed Imbert’s promises of 40 new ambulances for the EHS were nothing but cheap politicking. A UNC Senator slammed a close relative for saying the people of Central Trinidad did not want to see Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday in their areas. Panday said the UNC will write the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and other international parliamentary organisations about attitudes of House Speaker Barry Sinanan and Senate President Dr Linda Baboolal towards the UNC.
HEALTH Minister Colm Imbert dropped his own bombshell on the UNC’s “bombshell” candidate for Local Government elections, Dr Anirudh Mahabir, by refuting the Opposition candidate’s claim that he had not resigned from the Ministry of Health by producing the medico’s former letter of resignation.
The controversy arose after Minister Imbert stated on a PNM Local Government campaign platform in Cocoyea, South Trinidad last Sunday evening that Dr Mahabir had tendered his resignation to the Ministry of Health after his candidacy in the upcoming elections had been referred to the Public Service Commission (PSC). This was later refuted by Dr Mahabir, who insisted that he had not resigned from the Ministry, while acknowledging the receipt of the referral letter to the PSC from the Health Ministry. However, speaking to reporters after the commencement ceremony for the new wing at the San Fernando General Hospital yesterday, Imbert said the Local Government candidate for Cocoyea/Tarouba had tendered his letter of resignation to the Ministry since last Friday July 4. The letter, dated July 3, 2003, was addressed to the Permanent Secretary in the Health Ministry, Reynold Cooper, and was effective June 23, 2003. “That is the level of dishonesty and deception that we at the Ministry of Health have to deal with,” Imbert said as he also read from the Ministry of Health’s acceptance letter to Dr Mahabir dated July 7, 2003.
Calls to Dr Mahabir’s mobile telephone went unanswered yesterday while officials at the UNC’s San Fernando offices were hesistant to give another contact number for the candidate. The Health Minister also revealed “Government has entered into individual contract arrangements with these doctors,” adding that the doctors would be earning “a little less” than local doctors, and that, contrary to reports, Government had not entered into any third party arrangement with the Cuban Government for payment of these doctors’ salaries.
Several attempts were made to start an Indian radio station in Trinidad but the NAR Administration saw the introduction of the Macel Mahabir’s inspired 103FM on July 4th 1993. There has not been a serious review on the impact of the station on the Indian and non-Indian society. This column is a step in that that direction. It must be stated that the rationale for starting and maintaining an Indian radio station was purely economic. The impact it had on the Indian community and culture was an unexpected and indeed a most unplanned side effect.
One of the most immediate impact that has been ascribed to the first Indian radio station was the change in the political directorate. No doubt 103 FM augmented to the ground swell of popular Indian support for the 150th Indian Arrival Day Celebrations that virtually launched the political campaign of the Indian based party — the United National Congress. Psychological need of the Indian community was finally met with an all-Indian radio station. The sense of belonging and marginalised in Trinidad & Tobago’s society was reflected with the thirty minutes of Indian music on the existing radio stations. With the arrival of an exclusive Indian radio station the Indian community had truly begun to feel as an equal in Trinidadian society. The station was perceived as the ultimate act of rebellion against the non-Indian status quo. Now no advertiser can afford to omit an Indian radio station in its media mix.
The all-Indian station proved that Indian culture could be an economic success. This perhaps was the major achievement of the first Indian radio station, as the economic viability of Indian culture was used to deny it more media space. The phenomenal economic success of the first radio station has since spawned many imitators. Ten years after the launch of the pioneering all-Indian radio station there are now six exclusively all Indian radio stations. These stations provide daily testimony that Indian culture is economically sustainable. Equally important is the fact that Indian culture can survive without the dependence of State support; this is not the case with non-Indian culture. The introduction of Indian culture on a nationally accessible radio station automatically placed Indian culture into the national mainstream. Indian culture could no long be easily ignored as it was before. To get to any of the English radio stations it was more than likely that one had to cross this Indian frequency. The sub-culture status often ascribed to Indian culture was now being shaken. The definition of what constitutes “national” or “Trinidadian” culture was now being challenged in a real manner. “National culture” which was projected as exclusively steelpan and calypso, now was challenged by Indian music and an Indian cultural expression on a national medium.
The launch of an exclusive Indian radio station also provided Indian culture on the whole with an injection of life. No longer was Indian music limited to those who bought film sound tracks from music stores. Instead Indian music was for the first time available twenty-four hours on a national medium. The Indian movie industry locally benefited immediately with a rise in movie attendance. The Indian music industry also benefited as the sales of pre-recorded tapes increased as the awareness of film soundtracks increased. The local Indian music industry also benefited tremendously with the introduction of the Indian radio stations. The chutney art-form in particular now gave a local Indian artistic expression an audience that was much larger than the traditional chutney tent. Chutney Music now became widely accessible, and as such more and more popular. In 1992 for example prior to the launch of 103 FM one Sonny Mann released a local composition that essentially failed. When however 103FM was launched the song was re-released on the station and a remixed “Loytala” became a smash hit among Indians as well as non-Indians in Trinidad & Tobago. On most Indian formatted radio stations there are now shows dedicated solely towards local Indian music.
An Indian radio station also provided a new point of pride to the Indian youth in Indian Culture. The Indian youth was being seduced by the Western and Afro-Caribbean cultures. Now today Indian Arrival Day celebrations, and Indian events held by most of the Indian music stations draw huge crowds of Indian youths. Indian culture in these stations has a new ally to preserve Indian culture for the next generation. The indigenous Indian religion of Hinduism while admirably promoted by its adherents got a newfound ally in the Indian radio station. The English formatted radio stations had a natural pro-Christian bent where Hinduism never featured in any real way. Now with the advent of an Indian radio station there was now a Pundit opening the station with morning devotions. Bhajans, and other such religious songs opened each morning broadcast. Hinduism was now being preached and explained in English to a national audience daily. Hinduism was now being explained not only to non-Indian Trinidad but more importantly to Indian Trinidad as well. Seven nights Ramayans broadcast was now introduced as a feature of the new Indian radio stations format. These religious nightly devotions were broadcast live from wherever it was being conducted. Several pundits and Hindu scholars rose in prominence within the Hindu community thanks to this type of religious broadcast.
Finally anthropologist, Dr Kumar Mahabir’s Indian book publishing in the Caribbean notes “The advent of talk shows on these radio stations has revolutionized the means of Indian public expression in the country. “The call-in segments clearly respond to the needs of their listeners and serve as a voice dedicated to the welfare of the community. The shows emerged as a direct correlation to the discriminatory experiences felt by the Indian community under a new urban-centred Afro-Creole political regime. They offer solace and solidarity to a people in political despair, and give recognition to those who are excluded from the corridors of power. In response to Afro-Creole talk show hosts, Indian call-in moderators demonstrate that they will not be cowed into silence and submission by militant voices.”
THE large number of public complaints made against policemen which have gone unattended is both disturbing and unacceptable. The Police Complaints Authority, in its fifth annual report, reveals that only 27 of the 1,141 public complaints received in the 2000 to 2001 period were investigated by the Complaints Division of the Police Service. Bemoaning this fact, PCA chairman Justice Jim Davis says: “What is disconcerting is the Division’s inability to investigate and report on these matters expeditiously.” The Authority, he notes, remains powerless in this situation and the public quite naturally loses confidence in its operations.
The situation which the PCA’s reports disclose is quite farcical, making a mockery of the Association which was set up in response to growing dissatisfaction by members of the public over the treatment meted out to them by policemen. But in retrospect no one should be surprised at these results having regard to the notorious reluctance of the Police Service to discipline itself or deal with its own problems. This has long been a major handicap in efforts to improve the Service and make it more effective. This reluctance or unwillingness has hampered the recommendations of a series of inquiries and investigations into the Service carried out over the years and is also the motive behind the government’s bid to create a Police Management Authority to replace the Service Commission.
We recall, for example, the O’Dowd investigation into allegations of drug trafficking and corruption in the Service in 1993 as a result of which some 300 recommendations to improve the service were made but, as far as we know, only a few were ever implemented. The seven officers who were charged with offences stemming from the O’Dowd report were later freed. And the team of local officers who were mandated to carry on the investigation after O’Dowd returned to London was subsequently disbanded. But something at least should be done to deal with the mamaguy of having set up a mechanism to deal with public complaints about policemen which does not work. That 27 out of 1,141 complaints lodged with the PCA between 2000 and 2001 were actually investigated and reported on is ridiculous and shows an unfortunate level of disregard by members of the Service for the public which they are paid to protect and serve. Indeed, this kind of non-action would only serve to strengthen the feeling that exists among certain policemen that they could treat members of the public with scant regard or even abusively and get away with it.
It may well be that a fair percentage of these complaints are petty and frivolous, filed by persons who may not understand the functions and responsibilities of police officers on duty. But many of them may also be genuine reports of victimising encounters with policemen which ought to be investigated. It should now be clear that it is a waste of time to depend on the Complaints Division to do their job. The PCA chairman has suggested a solution to this problem which we feel should be given favourable consideration; that is to change the PCA Act to allow the Authority to conduct its own investigations. His recommendation: “Amend the existing legislation to remove involvement by the Police Complaints Division and to allow the PCA to fully and independently undertake the responsibilities.” According to Justice Davis, this alternative has been successfully adopted in other jurisdictions including the UK. It may be more attractive to “a mistrustful public that cringes at the thought of “police investigating its own.” We tend to agree.
THE EDITOR: In response to the growing demand of thousands of pensioners for better NIS pensions, I have established an NIS hotline at 758-5382, an email address at nisttconsultant@yahoo.com and a website with 10 steps for all persons to begin checking to confirm whether all of their NIS payments are promptly entered in their NIS accounts.
Since 1972, thousands of teachers, public servants, bank employees, nurses, doctors, office workers, lawyers, accountants, university lecturers and professors, and workers who are trade union members, factory, weekly and daily paid workers, persons have paid thousands of dollars over the past 31 years.
Yet as this generation retires and needs pensions to keep up to the standard of living and quality of life which they worked hard to achieve, they are now discovering upon retirement, that all of the payments by their employers are not recorded in their computerised accounts for the past 31 years. Today, over 800,000 persons, taxpayers and employers are concerned about getting proper NIS pensions and payments when they retire. The problems of retirees is for the past 31 years, that they failed to check on the NIS every three months, so that they would ensure that their payments were entered in their accounts. It is the responsibility of each person who pays NIS to visit the NIS office every three months to ensure that his or her accounts are up to date, and not to wait for 20 or 31 years and then to check on the NIS and expect that all of their payments were promptly and correctly entered into their NIS accounts.
As to correct actuarial investment value of their pensions, that is another technical high-finance matter which must be done by experts in monetary cybernetics, actuarial mathematics and computer science. But the first steps must be immediately completed by every person paying NIS if he or she must be able to get the correct actuarial calculation by experts as myself who have been professionally trained in these areas of expertise from 1968 to 2003.
WINSTON GANNESINGH
Monetary Cybernetician and Global Internet Webmaster
THE EDITOR: One of the most unsettling aspects of living within the boundaries of contemporary society is that of being faced with the wide brush of discrimination. From Hitler’s Jewish Holocaust to the US Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s and to the ethnically charged politics of Afro and Indo Trinidad, people of different mores and ethics are easily and often cast among groups for which they sometimes have little of no affinity.
Take the recent decision by NALIS to unilaterally ban all students of some secondary schools from attending the spanking new National Library in Port-of-Spain. First, how can NALIS be certain that the students that are causing the problems do in fact attend these schools? In this day it is nothing for boys and girls to borrow/buy the uniform of any secondary school and impersonate their students. If NALIS can indeed prove that the perpetrators, whose actions so moved them to this drastic step of ‘tarring’ the entire student body of the named schools, were indeed bona fide students then why not simply ban these individuals.
It is unimaginable that NALIS has a membership system in place and could not simply enforce a ban that would apply to any individual caught breaking the rules of the library. What is the message that is being sent to the youths of today when such a high profile organisation whose very existence is to promote learning with sharing of knowledge seeks to brand negatively in such a wholesale manner? When the Police harass the rasta head because he is rasta, is it any different? When the Indians in Central/South Trinidad believe that only afro-Trinidadian men would want to rape their girlfriends, wives, daughters, sisters and mothers, is this not the same? When all who run for public office are deemed to be smart men and crooks, where does it stop? What is even more disturbing is that NALIS did not call in the officials from the schools — who were guilty with no hope of being proved innocent — and discuss the nature of the infractions and arrive at possible positive actions rather than what can only be deemed a heavy handed approach to a basic problem. Three years ago officials at NALIS were asked to consider the ramifications of having a costly monument that could only realistically serve PoS and its environs? Why not put the money into developing regional library resources and the provision of information via information technology? The rationale of their response that every capital city deserves a national library may be debatable; however, this vision presupposes open access to the knowledge and history contained in the Library for all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago — especially our youth.
To so summarily restrict a student population (a junior secondary may have as many as 1,800+ student s of some 7,000 students flies in the face of common decency and indicates an unwillingness to mete out punishment to the guilty when it is so easy to condemn the innocent. Unfortunately, this is a constant aspect of life in Trinidad and Tobago where we so easily generalise our opinions and then cannot justify them to anyone other than ourselves. Come on NALIS, locate the perpetrators, ban them from the Library and let the innocent who you say have need of your services back into their National Library.
LOUIS R HERNANDEZ
Diego Martin
THE EDITOR: Please allow me the space in your column to appeal to the people of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and by extension the Caribbean to continue to assist Jennifer Mitchell at this hour of need.
As you are aware, Jennifer Mitchell is the victim of the maxi taxi accident which horrendously disfigured her face eight years ago. Through the kind contributions of the people and visitors of Trinidad and Tobago, both locally and abroad, Jennifer was able to have some surgery done at the Richmond Virginia Reconstruction Surgery Centre.
To date discussions are being held concerning Jennifer’s upper jaw. Dr Wornom suggested that if Dr Schneider operated on Jennifer’s upper jaw, it might interfere with the procedures done to her nose area. He suggested that the following be done.
(A) The insertion of two brackets to stabilise the upper jaw instead of moving it forward and (b) reduce the lower jaw around the chin area to make the jaws even.
Dr Wornom indicated that Jennifer’s case is very technical due to the extent of the injuries and he would not like to see us looking for perfection and having to do it all over again. He will consult with Dr Schneider before and during the dental work. He also suggested that the dental work be completed before they proceed with Jennifer’s Right Eye Socket implants. This will give the tissues more time to heal around the right side of the face.
The fact is there are no more available funds to facilitate these surgeries. I hereby appeal to all of you to rejoin us in our attempt to financially assist Jennifer in accomplishing this task.
For ease of reference, contributions can be made to the following Bank Accounts: Bank of Nova Scotia — 4000274; Republic Bank — 770447543531; Unit Trust — 2502215-2
All our efforts will be lost without you. Please give generously.
WENDY FIGARO
HACKETT (771-7024) for
People Who Care Organisation and
PRONTO (People Reaching Out Now To Others)
People Reaching Out Now To Others (PRONTO)
PRONTO is a group of people who believe that life makes more sense when you are helping someone who has more problems than you do. We believe good relations come from helping one another and we do it out of love for our fellow man. We believe that giving something back is one of the ways we say thank you to the many who have added to our lives. We cannot repay these people, but we can pass the goodness along by stretching out our hands and making an offering of our time and energy to make a difference to someone.
Each of us can make a contribution to the good of society (someone in need) in whole or in part, whether we are rich or poor. We are doing this not to make a name for ourselves or to earn great rewards, but because it inspires and energises us. We want to be remembered as people who gave back more than was received. We believe true fulfillment in life is not what is accomplished but who benefits from it. We believe it is not what you do not have that makes or keeps us poor, it is what we do with what we have that opens the door to more. We believe God won’t ask what you did to help yourself, but he’ll ask what you did to help others.
We believe all things are possible through the Lord and He always delivers.
Contacts: Waveney Lee Singh 778-6088 and Wendy Figaro Hackett 771-8024
THE EDITOR: I agree. Wild on Trinidad and Tobago was pretty awful! Let’s try to remind ourselves that it was just one point of view, a selective depiction of Carnival that targetted a specific audience.
Yes, it was badly produced and misrepresentative, for all of the reasons expressed in the media over the last week. But when we continue, by default, to allow the foreign media to be the sole purveyors of our “national identity”, how can we expect to determine the way in which we are viewed internationally? They will continue to present us as they see fit and we will continue to be seen as a drug-riddled, AIDS-infested, violent country, harbouring terrorists with a Carnival mentality. (I think that covers the media exposure we’ve received in the last year or so). This is just one of the many arguments put forward by a network of local producers and film makers for the last 25 years. The national economic benefits associated with the creation of a genuine film and television industry, and our desire to create programming from our rich, diverse heritage and points of view, continue to be largely disregarded by both the State and private enterprise.
Currently before Cabinet is a Master Plan for the film and television industry. TIDCO spearheaded the creation of the document after intensive consultation with industry stakeholders and together we have produced a comprehensive and attainable proposal for the development of the local industry. This needs to be passed, in its entirety, with a budget, and the incentives legislated. Without State support and the proper framework, film and video professionals will continue to struggle, the programme ideas will remain on paper and our national identity will continue to be defined by the foreign media. If we let this happen, it means giving up the right to be angry about programmes like Wild On.
CHERISE D’ABADIE
Producer
cherise@wow.net
PERSAD ROOPLAL is no longer chief executive officer of the Arima Race Club.
This was confirmed yesterday by ARC president Gerard Ferreira who said the management committee of the ARC decided to sever ties with Rooplal on June 30 “in an amicable way.” Ferreira, the outgoing Mayor of San Fernando who was recently elected president of the ARC claimed his organisation had fulfilled their part of the bargain and said Rooplal was paid off according to his contractual agreement. He however failed to disclose the figure attached to the “golden handshake.” Rooplal replaced Jamaican-born Chris Armond, who left to take up a similar but more lucrative post at the Garrison Savannah in Barbados.
Soon after taking up his appointment, Rooplal began introducing cost-cutting and strict security measures at the centralised racing plant at Arima. He was a stickler for discipline and accountability and because of this he was disliked by some workers. His policies were thought to be too forceful and high-handed and he also did not find favour with some major stakeholders in the industry. And one owner who did not see eye-to-eye with Rooplal promised to sponsor a full day’s racing as soon as he left. Rooplal’s autocratic style infuriated grooms, trainers, owners and members of staff. While a few people claimed that some of the measure taken were for the betterment of the industry, most were in favour of the decision taken by the management committee of the ARC to dismiss him.
The void left by Rooplal is currently being filled by Ferreia and vice-president John O’Brien. Ferreira said, yesterday, “John and myself will share the workload before a decision could be made on what kind of qualification would be needed for the post, or whether the human resourses exist at the club.”
CELEBRATION TIME and Honor Bound will carry topweight in the two handicap events framed on the Arima Race Club Day 21 card at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, on Saturday.
Celebration Time, who ran a blinder to fill the runner-up spot behind Top Of The Class in the CLICO Midsummer Classic has been allotted 56.5 kilos in his event, while Honor Bound who has raced sparingly this season was handed the 57.5 kilos for his assignment over 1100-metres on the turf course. Celebration Time who represents the youngest generation in the 1750 metres for West Indian bred three-year-olds and over has been asked to hand out three kilos to nearest rival Isle Be There and as much as 10 to Sweet Laura Lee. In the other Handicap weights were allotted for both courses. The dash which attracted 13 runners will see Honor Bound spotting In Swinger one kilo and bottomweight Emelda M 13 on the turf. But should heavy showers force a switch to the main course the Kenneth De Silva trainee will tote the same weight but will give 3.5 kilos to his closest rival and 13 to his cellar weighted opponent.
Following are the entries and weights for the two handicaps:
RACE 5: W.I BRED 3 Y.O WINNERS AND W.I BRED 4 Y.O AND OVER NON-WINNERS OF THREE RACES – 1750 METRES.
1. CELEBRATION TIME – 56.5, 2. ISLE BE THERE – 53.5, 3. DUE DILLIGENCE – 52.5, 4. FRESH HONEY – 50, 5. BOUND TO DOT COM – 49, 6. WILD LIFE – 48, 7. FRESH MANDATE – 47.5, 8. SWEET LAURA LEE – 46.5.
RACE 7: RESTRICTED HANDICAP – W.I BRED 3 Y.O & OVER WINNERS AND IMPORTED 3 Y.O & OVER – 1100 METRES.
1. HONOR BOUND – 57 (57), 2. IN SWINGER – 56 (53.5), 3. SPLITTING IMAGE – 55 (55), 4. BITE DE BULLET – 53.5 (53.5) , 5. SEA SPIDER – 53 (48.5), 6. THE gUV’NOR – 52.5 (52.5), 7. GAME hIGH – 52 (55.5), 7. QUEEN’S BAND – 51.5 (50), 8. BAJAN CONNECTION – 51.5 (51.5), 9. POLITICS – 49.5 (48.5), 9. NANDO – 49 (49), 10. PATTIE’S NO ANGEL – 48.5 (48.5), 11. BAZODEE GAL – 48.5 (48.5), 12. JOINT VENTURE – 46.5 (46.5), 13. EMELDA M – 44 (44).
