PUPILS and teachers attending the Corinth Teachers College yesterday morning were greeted with the horrific sight of the body of a young woman dumped on the side of the roadway.
Homicide detectives are seeking the assistance of the public in identifying the woman, whom they believed was raped before being strangled by her killer/s. The victim was described as a small built woman of East Indian descent, approximately five feet four inches tall, and police estimated her to be around 25 years of age. She was found clad in a white vest, blue “rustic” jeans, a pair of black and red sneakers. She was also wearing a pair of diamond-studded earrings. Detectives were unsure whether the woman may have been strangled with a blue bandana found tied around her neck. A small cut and a trickle of blood and scratches along her arms were the only signs of violence.
Ste Madeleine police said they were alerted around 6.30 am by an anonymous telephone call and detectives suspect the girl had not been killed long before that time. The body was taken to the San Fernando Mortuary and anyone knowing information about the victim is asked to contact the San Fernando Homicide office or the San Fernando CID. Leading the police officers at the scene were Senior Superintendant Jemott, ASP Dyo Mohammed, ASP Stephen Dhilpaul, Ag Inspector Terry Khan and investigating officer, Sgt Parasram. Up to late yesterday, police sources said that no one had contacted them regarding information on the dead woman. Sources also told Newsday that the body was fingerprinted and officers were still comparing the prints with those in their Computer Data Base.
Students attending classes in dentistry, pharmacology and medicine were questioned by police officers yesterday, as a probe into the fire at a UWI office at the EWMSC continued.
Fire officers returned to the scene of a fire which broke out at 8.43 am on Sunday at Building 39, Eric Williams Medical Science Complex which houses a UWI office. Fire officers told Newsday that they are convinced that the fire was deliberately set. A disgruntled student is believed to have deliberately set the fire to destroy records at the UWI office which deals with UWI students rental accomodation. Police officers who are also investigating the arson said that they have received reports that some students in medicine, veterinary medicine, phamacology and dentistry have not been paying rent and the fire was set to destroy records. Newsday learned that although the office was firebombed some records were not destroyed in the fire.
Public Utilites Minister Rennie Dumas created quite a stir as he responded to a question filed by Barataria/San Juan MP on the number, date and exact location of the Dead Dogs that were retrieved by the Dead Animal Retrieval Team (DART) of CEPEP.
Dumas said over the period December 2002 and May 2003, 233 carcasses were retrieved, comprising 195 dogs and 38 cats. Dumas said that details of the dates and exact location were lodged with the Clerk of the House. He added, with a straight face, that it should be noted that apart from the carcasses collected by DART, numerous others were retrieved by CEPEP. “A tabulation was not done but an attempt will be made to do so in the future,” he said, causing an uproar on both the Government and Opposition benches. Above the noise, Opposition MP Roodal Moonilal could be heard asking jocularly whether any rotweillers were caught.
The UNC MP added: “The Minister seems to know more about dogs than what goes on in WASA”. A detailed document of which each dog was later retrieved was released to the media. The Priority Bus Route, the Uriah Butler Highway, the Beetham Highway, Churchill Roosevelt Highway, the Eastern and Western Main Roads were among the popular locations where dogs were found.
PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning yesterday announced that anti-bribery clauses are included in all agreements forming part of a contract signed last Thursday between Government and Atlantic LNG’s (ALNG) shareholders to begin construction of ALNG Train Four in August 2003. While informing Parliament that Train Four will see billions of dollars flowing into the nation’s coffers and numerous economic spin-off benefits, the Prime Minister said these clauses were inserted “to make the future of this country as secure as possible” and “will void the contract if improper payments are ever detected”.
Manning hailed the contract as “far superior to all other agreements so far achieved in the natural gas sector”, maximising “in an unprecedented manner” the returns to Trinidad and Tobago from the exploitation of its energy reserves. The Prime Minister said with a daily production capacity of 800 million cubic feet, Train Four will be the largest LNG train in the world and starting in 2008 will earn direct revenue of $1.02 billion annually for the contract’s duration, while Government’s total take at the well-head will average $1.07 million annually at an estimated US gas price of $3.50 per million british thermal gas units (btu). “If that gas price goes to $4.50, then that figure goes to $.183 million a year. Gas prices in the US are now of the order of $6.00 per million btu,” Manning added. He revealed that ALNG’s shareholders will have no tax holiday with all taxes being paid to the business levy, green levy, land and building and other corporate taxes. Manning said the latter are projected to exceed those from Trains Two and Three by 10 cents per million btu of LNG produced. He further disclosed that Bptt will provide a free supply of natural gas to Train Four from 2003 to 2017, after which a ten percent royalty rate comes into force. Manning explained that this will provide greater flexibility in the establishment of electricity-intensive industries such as an aluminum smelter, and revealed that Government is currently considering a major proposal in this regard.
The Prime Minister also said the agreement allows for 80 percent extraction of ethane from Train Four and coupled with ethane extraction from the other three trains will lay the foundation for an ethylene plant with an annual production capacity of 800,000 metric tonnes. Manning said employment in the construction of Train Four will peak at 2,400 persons next year and agreement has been reached for all construction and design work to take place locally and for there to be increased local added value on the project. He said the expanded ALNG plant will supply seven destinations (including the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico), the NGC will build a 56 inch pipeline in support of the project and convert gas from Vermillion-Petrotrin’s onshore wells into LNG and a new company will be created within ALNG’s corporate structure to ensure full payment of taxation from Train Four’s revenues. However, no sooner had Manning taken his seat than Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar warned that the rosy picture he painted would come to nought if the ruling PNM continued with its alleged squandermania. She refused to allow Manning to interject on a point of order, saying he had cut into her speaking time to deliver his statement. “I will not give way,” Persad-Bissessar declared.
Government’s decision to implement the 67th Report of the Salaries Review Commission which recommended increases in the salaries of ministers and other public officers was cited as one of the factors which caused government spending to rise $742 million over budget.
Another factor is the US $100 million allocated to the Caribbean Court of Justice. Trinidad and Tobago is to contribute the “lion share” to the maintenance of this court, Minister in the Minister of Finance Ken Valley told Parliament yesterday. Trinidad and Tobago would be making the largest contribution to the US $100 million fund- $31.6 million. Jamaica is being asked to contribute $28.7 million, Barbados $13.5 million, Guyana $8.8 million, Belize $3.7 million, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and St Vincent were being asked to contribute $2.2 million each. The Fund is a one-off payment which will be managed by the Caribbean Development Bank. He said the “noblesse oblige” principle (privilege entails responsibility) was being employed since Trinidad and Tobago, was a major beneficiary and was the best economy in the Caribbean.
Valley was speaking on the motion to adopt the Report of the House Committee on proposals for the Supplementation and Variation of the 2003 Appropriation. He said the major items of expenditure included establishment of the Caribbean Court of Justice – $199 million, settlement of arrears and implementation of the Report of the SRC- $184.6 million, increased appropriation to the Tobago House of Assembly for the 3year tourism plan – $18.3 million, annual subsidy to BWIA to replace revenue as a result of the decision to reduce the airfare on the airbridge- $20 million and an increase in the PSIP- $142. million. Valley said there was additional expenditure with respect to the social programme. He said “given the Opposition’s criticisms to what is happening in crime” they should be happy to hear this since “this is the real answer to the crime issue.”
Valley said there was also $40 million to maintain government’s equity in PLIPDECO and $16.9 million in support for the purchase of tickets on BWIA to support Government’s Latin American thrust. In the first phase, Costa Rica, Cuba and the Dominican Republic would be targed. He said the inaugural flight to Cuba takes place on June 24. Valley said government’s revenues of VAT saw a reduction as a result of the level of refund. By the end of April Government had spent $1.5 billion in VAT refund, having taken a decision to clear the backlog which was left by the previous administration. As a result of the Variation and Supplementation of its Appropriation, Government’s new budget deficit would be $568.353 million (.89 per cent of GDP) as opposed to the original deficit which was $618 million (1 per cent of GDP). The motion is seeking approval to increase Government spending for the 2002/2003 Budget by $742 million as well as to vary 50.3 million- move money from one item of expenditure to another.
The Tobago House of Assembly (THA) has now called in two experts to deal with “the intensity of indiscriminate logging activities and the adverse effect on the Tobago environment.”
In the wake of public concern over the destruction of the island’s forests, the THA recently imposed a moratorium on logging activities on the island and has now appointed Professor John Spence and Irwin Joseph to investigate and make recommendations for “a system that could ensure optimum sustainable yield of timber in Tobago.” A preliminary report by the consultants has recommended that loggers be granted an extension of two weeks to complete removal of logs on the ground.
The THA has accepted the recommendation and has issued a release stating that persons in possession of removal permits should have them extended to allow for the removal of these logs in accordance with the existing laws and regulations or to contact the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment. The two consultants began meeting with stakeholders today.
EVEN after 40 years in the business, Dionne Warwick undoubtedly remains unchallenged as the “First Lady of Pop”.
At the Centre of Excellence in Macoya, Tunapuna, last Sunday night the five-time Grammy Award winner gave a full house of patrons a taste of her signature singing style and timeless songs that won her a place in Billboard’s records as the second most charted female of the past 40 years. Occasion was the staging of “Divas In Concert” presented by Spektakula Promotions in collaboration with Courts and the Guardian that featured, in addition to Warwick as the star attraction, performances by local female entertainers Mavis John, Faye Alibocas, Denyse Plummer and reigning National Calypso Monarch Singing Sandra (Sandra Des Vignes).
Stating quite clearly that she preferred to be referred to as an icon or legend instead of diva, which she said was usually reserved for the world of opera, the versatile entertainer was unable to convince her fans otherwise in delivering an hour and a half of classics songs that undeniably qualified her to be awarded the accolade. Relaxed, in sync with her band of professional musicians, and establishing early rapport with the audience, Warwick easily turned back the hands of time and generated high levels of joy with a superb showcase of the string of songs people all over the world have come to know and love that fashioned her into an international star.
She opened with “Close To You,” and followed with others that included “Don’t Make Me Over,” “A House Is Not A Home,” “I’ll Never Love This Way Again,” “Message To Michael,” “I Need Your Love,” “Alfie,” “Do You Know The Way To San Jose,” “Brazil,” “What The World Needs Now Is Love” and “That’s What Friends Are For.” She delivered the latter with her son, Dave Elliot, whom she had introduced earlier, as a surprise guest, to offer “Say A Little Prayer For You.” Appearing in fine form and voice, Elliot was an instant hit with the audience. Warwick’s son, however, was not the only offspring to share the stage with his mother that night. Soul/jazz singer Mavis John, in her session, brought her son Jason on stage to share in presentation of her signature selection, “You Are What Love Is.”
With brilliant musical accompaniment from the band Wayne Bruno and the Rapid Response, John, appearing after Alibocas and Plummer had warmed up the audience, gave her naturally smooth performances to, as well, “I Am A Believer,” “Morena Osha,” and “Lifeline.” Newcomer and Miss World representative Faye Alibocas had the distinction of opening the programme and winning instant fans with her commendable interpretations of “First Time I Saw Your Face” and “Too Good To Be True.” Plummer’s professionally executed three-song repertoire included the infectious “Nah Leaving,” while Sandra showed off the power of her voice and in the process may have surprised many with her well-chosen selections that included “Trade Winds,” “My Living Shall Not Be In Vain” and “He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother.” All present agreed it was an evening of fine performances by the all-female cast, especially that of the living legend, Dionne Warwick, a brilliant gem that gets brighter every year.
IN A BLACK FRIDAY freak accident, an 18-year-old youth was killed after a stone propelled by the blades of a brush cutter struck him in the abdomen. Shovan Boodoosingh, of Jeffers Crossing, Tabaquite Road, Rio Claro, died one day after languishing in pain at the San Fernando General Hospital.
An autopsy performed yesterday revealed that Boodoosingh died after his intestines ruptured. Police sources said around midday last Friday, Boodoosingh was assisting Raj Ramnanan, 25, a tractor operator, on a job at Picton Taska Road, off Lalbeharry Trace, Barrackpore, when the clutch operating the brush cutter stopped working. According to reports, Shovan was standing about 100 feet away from the tractor while Ramnanan was trying to fix the clutch which seemed to be stuck. After a few minutes, Ramnanan was successful and the blades started to move again. However, the blades hit a stone which pitched into the air and struck the teenager on the left side of his abdomen. Boodoosingh clutched his stomach in pain and screamed for assistace. He was taken to San Fernando General Hospital where he was admitted to Ward 4. He died the following morning. The report was only made to the police yesterday. Ag Cpl Rampersad of the Barrackpore police is continuing investigations.
NO evidence was yesterday taken at the Commission of Inquiry into the Piarco airport development project because of the death of one of the attorneys father and the failure of a witness to appear. Scheduled to appear yesterday were Deputy Registrar Francis Sandy, the Ministry of Works and Transport client representative Peter Cateau and former Airports Authority (AA) Security Manager, Dennis John.
John however failed to show up on a summons which was served on him last Friday. He was to be questioned by the Commission’s lead attorney Theodore Guerra, SC. John’s attorney Sean Cazabon also failed to appear. Cazabon was supposed to question Cateau based on evidence Cateau gave relating to John. Sandy was advised to return today because Margaret Rose, one of the Commission’s attorney who was leading evidence from him, was absent yesterday due to the funeral of her father who died last week. The inquiry will resume today at 9.30 am.
DPP Geoffrey Henderson was present in the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court yesterday “in support” of a young State attorney who was harshly criticised by attorney Clyde Crevelle.
While in court earlier this month, Crevelle made reference to State attorney Nirana Parsan saying,“It is better she learns how to prosecute!” and, “The lady is stupid to say that this is hearsay!” Crevelle was cautioned by Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls regarding his statements. The Magistrate also pointed out that the objections made by Parsan were well founded. When the case was called yesterday, Henderson sat alongside the young prosecutor. Henderson told the Newsday, “You may speculate that I am here in support of my attorney, who as you reported had a hard time with Mr Crevelle.” There was no similar confrontation between the attorneys yesterday.
