MEMBERS of the Escallier St Jerome Anglican Primary School PTA are threatening to keep their children at home if the Ministry of Education does not put steps in place to have security officers posted at the school. They are also seeking meetings with Education Minister Hazel Manning and National Security Minister Howard Chin Lee to discuss their concerns about security at the school.
PTA Vice President Deborah Downer said parents are frustrated by the lack of action from the Ministry to ensure their children’s safety. She said guards are posted at the school from 3 pm to 6 am daily but during the day when classes are in progress, there is no security. Downer said a student found a bag containing marijuana on the school compound last week and reported the incident to a teacher. “Our children are being exposed to all types of things because we cannot secure the compound. Last year a student reported that a man with a gun was standing right outside the compound calling to him. The students was smart enough not to go, but this is crazy,” she said. “Our children play outside break time, lunch time and in the evening. When are they going to do something about the situation? When one of our children gets killed on the school compound? We cannot wait till then, we want action now! “The guards are here to protect the building in the night but what about my children’s safety in the day-time? All kinds of things does happen in this area and the school is not protected in any way. We fed-up and we want something to be done now,” said Downer. The parents said they would settle for nothing less than two uniformed officers on the compound at all times, one at the front gate and one at the back.
According to Downer, there were MTS guards on shifts during the day, but this was stopped in 1999. She said inadequate security on the school’s compound is made worse by the fact that the yard is not properly fenced and is often used as a short-cut by residents in the area. Downer said early last year a project to fence the school was started, but it was halted with no explanation at the start of this school term, leaving the children at risk. Material for the project is being stolen, said one concerned parent, who warned that “by the time they are ready to complete the project, additional materials would have to be acquired.” PTA member Jervis Agard urged parents to support efforts being made to secure the school’s compound. “When we achieve our goal of safety for our children, is everybody who would gain. We want the other parents to make the sacrifice and come out and support this initiative we trying to take,” said Agard. TTUTA President Trevor Oliver and President of the National Parent Teachers Association Zena Ramatali have promised to look into the situation at the school.
A CONTINUOUS low birth rate, rise in the elderly population and the impact of HIV/AIDS on the young productive population are some of the challenges facing population planners in Trinidad and Tobago.
Planning and Development Minister Dr Keith Rowley said yesterday between 1995-2000 the population growth rate had dropped to 0.5 percent annually with the average number of children per thousand declining. Speaking at Crowne Plaza at the first of two national consultations on Trinidad and Tobago’s progress in achieving the goals of Plan of Action from the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Cairo in 1994, Rowley said the continuous low birth rate and high life expectancy levels will result in a large part of the country’s population being over 60. Senior citizens accounted for nine percent of the population in 2000 but by 2020 their population will rise to 230,000 or 15 percent. However, the overall population is expected to increase by approximately 27 percent. “The elderly population will be growing five times as fast as the overall population,” Rowley said.
The implications for welfare and pension are serious so government is working towards accelerating pension reform. Rowley said the Division of Aging under the Ministry of Social Development will monitor and evaluate the dynamic of population aging to provide information which will lead to informed decisions, especially in the areas of health and social security for the elderly. The Population Council (of the Division) has already prepared a draft Survey of Elderly in Trinidad and Tobago. Rowley said the effects of aging have become more complicated due to emigration and HIV/AIDS. This country ranks fourth among Caribbean countries with an HIV prevalence rate of one percent. Providing statistics to show the impact of the disease on the young, Rowley said 71 percent of HIV/AIDS cases were in the 20-49 age group, which also had the highest number of deaths recorded. The virus has been increasing in the 15-19 group. Between 1999-2000 there was a 45 percent increase in the number of cases registered.
He said HIV/AIDS information is crucial in the fight against the disease as it threatened social and economic stability. However, statistics on sexual and reproductive health are lacking or outdated in many areas. He said the last survey on contraceptive use was in 1987. Referring to the distribution of condoms by Advocates for Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights, Rowley said he disagreed with giving condoms to minors outside school gates as this created new problems. “Our young people need information and services that will assist them to protect their health and well being and enable them to make responsible and informed decisions and lead productive lives.” He added that youths must be told they have to accept responsibility for themselves. The Population Council is developing a research project to rectify the lack of information on sexual and reproductive health.
WORKS MINISTER Franklyn Khan admitted yesterday that the country might be “slightly more vulnerable to flooding in 2003 than in previous years”, although the Ministry expects to spend close to $100 million on preparations for the rainy season.
Khan made the comment as he gave an update on projects being undertaken by the Ministry’s Drainage Division. He explained that a long and intense dry season coupled with the large number of bushfires on the southern slopes of the Northern Range would have a major impact on the Caroni water basin. Khan said flooding occurs when a river was unable to cope with the volume of run off and management of the river basins and the catchment of the river weighed heavily on, and directly impacted, on the severity of flooding.
The Minister said that various flood alleviation projects had been ongoing since the beginning of the year, the largest of which was the Caroni River improvement work. The main aspect of this particular project will entail excavation works from the edges of the existing section, and construction of an embankment on the south bank of the river at a cost $14 million. Work is expected to begin in two weeks. The second major project will be done in the El Carmen area, while tenders are being invited for projects which will soon be starting on the Guayamare River.
In the case of the Caparo river, which normally impacted on the flooding situation in the Chaguanas area, Khan said the Ministry had just completed a project to divert some of the outflow to the Honda River. “This project is about 85 percent complete, and it should be completed in the coming weeks ahead,” he said. The Works Minister conceded that current desilting works would not be enough to ease the threat of flooding, adding that “the ultimate solution there is is the construction of the Mamoral Dam, for which designs have already been completed, and is estimated to cost $110 million.” Funding for this project is still being sourced, he said.
The Ministry has been cleaning, desilting and grading several water-courses, as well as constructing embankments in St Helena, Kelly Village, El Carmen, Bamboo #1, Marabella, Cipero, Diego Martin, Arima, Biche, Mayaro, St Joseph, Arouca, Beetham and Toco. Khan said his Ministry was liaising with the Ministry of Local Government, which is responsible for cleaning minor water-courses and had also enlisted the help of CEPEP for some flood alleviation projects. “If we have a normal year of rainfall, with the amount of work we have been doing in drainage, I will be quietly optimistic that we would not see the catastrophe we had in November 2002,” he said.
Commenting on claims by Head of the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) Colonel Dave Williams that a lack of funds was hindering that agency’s preparations for emergency situations during the rainy season, Khan pointed out that, “NEMA is an emergency response unit, and only comes into action if a disaster takes place.” “If I do my work well and if God is good to us during the rainy season, there will be no role for NEMA later on, and I don’t want NEMA to jump the gun, they should be prepared for any emergency in Trinidad and Tobago,” Khan added. Khan admitted that he did not know what NEMA’s budget looked like or if “they were starving for funds” but he insisted that there was sufficient time for the agency to plan in the event of major flooding in October or November.
CASTRIES: Jamaican opener Wavell Hinds, who has impressed many with his all-round capabilities in limited overs cricket, has been recalled to the One-Day International side for today’s third match against Australia in St Lucia.
Hinds was drafted into the side to replace the injured Shiv Chanderpaul, who underwent surgery for a broken finger. He was left out of the original 15-man squad, which has been reduced to 14 for the St Lucia match. In addition to Chanderpaul, wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs and pacer Jermaine Lawson have also been withdrawn from the original 15-man squad. The recall of Hinds gives the selectors another option at the top of the order after a strange bit of experimenting with the opening pair during the back-to-back matches in Jamaica. Hinds has also proven to be a useful medium pace bowler.
BEAUSEJOUR: West Indies cricket captain Brian Lara said yesterday he’s looking to his top batsmen to neutralise Australia’s fast bowlers and to clinch a win against the world champions in the third One-Day International.
“The main thing is to try and lose as little wickets as possible in the first 15 overs,” Lara said. “We’ll be looking to stop that, and it will depend on a lot of our runs coming in the middle overs and to the end.” Australia are leading the series 2-0 after back-to-back victories in Jamaica last week. The wins stretched the visitors’ record winning streak to 19 matches.
The West Indies were bowled out for 163 in their eight-wicket loss in the second match after losing their first four wickets for 50. “You sort of handicap yourself when you lose early wickets,” Lara said. Lara insisted that his batsmen were ready to improve on their performances from Jamaica and inspire a much-needed victory. “You don’t want them to go 3-0 heading to Trinidad (for the next matches),” Lara said. “It’s a situation where we have to pull it back —- for the cricket side of things, but also from the psychological side.” He said the team had a good week in Antigua, followed by a bad one in Jamaica.
Australia will rest two key players, wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist and pace ace Brett Lee. Michael Clarke and Nathan Hauritz are included for their first international outings on the tour. Right-handed batsman Clarke will slip into the middle order with Jimmy Maher promoted to open the innings in Gilchrist’s absence. Hauritz, an off-spinning all-rounder, will share the slow bowling duties with left-arm wrist spinner Brad Hogg.
The squads:
West Indies: Brian Lara (captain), Ramnaresh Sarwan (vice-captain), Chris Gayle, Devon Smith, Marlon Samuels, Ricardo Powell, Carlton Baugh, Omari Banks, Vasbert Drakes, Mervyn Dillon, Corey Collymore, David Bernard, Wavell Hinds, Ryan Hurley.
Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist (vice-captain), Matthew Hayden, Darren Lehmann, Jimmy Maher, Andrew Symonds, Michael Bevan, Ian Harvey, Brad Hogg, Andy Bichel, Jason Gillespie, Brett Lee, Michael Clarke, Glenn McGrath, Nathan Hauritz.
Umpires: David Shepherd (England), Billy Doctrove (Dominica).
DEFENCE FORCE will be looking for thier first points in both the senior and Under-20 divisions of the T&T Pro League in third round action today.
Under-20 matches will kick off at 5 pm with the seniors taking to the field two hours later. The Army-Coast Guard combination was defeated by W Connection and Joe Public in their opening two rounds of play, and would face an equally tough task against CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo. Jabloteh’s U-20 unit have only collected one point from their two matches so far while the senior team — defending national champs —- are second on the standings after a 1-1 draw against Joe Public and a 3-2 win over South Starworld Strikers. And Jabloteh are tipped to win both matches, especially since Defence Force’s senior line-up has lacked their spark following the departure of national striker Jason Scotland.
W Connection will be vying for their third straight win among the seniors when they host Arima Fire at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva. With St Lucian striker Earl Jean back in its attack, Connection have tallied a maximum six points after a 1-0 triumph over Defence Force and a 3-0 hammering of “the Stallions” Caledonia AIA. Under-20 leaders Starworld Strikers will host reigning champs Joe Public at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella, followed by the clash between both senior teams. At the Palo Seco Recreation Ground, South West Institute of Football (SWIF) meet Caledonia while North East Stars and Tobago United square off at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima.
LONDON: Former West Indies fast bowler Eldine Baptiste has been released from custody after tests revealed he did not import cocaine into Britain, a customs official said yesterday.
Baptiste, 43, was detained after arriving at Gatwick Airport near London on Sunday after a flight from his native Antigua. Initial tests on golf balls he was carrying showed traces of cocaine and he was arrested as part of regular procedures, a customs spokeswoman said. “More in-depth tests have shown that no cocaine was found,” said the spokeswoman, speaking on customary condition of anonymity. “Immediate arrangements are being made for his release.” Antigua and Barbuda High Commissioner, Sir Ronald Sanders, called it a major blunder. “I cannot tell you how angry I am when he has been made to suffer so,” Sanders told The Associated Press. “If the balls had not been retested, he could have gone to jail for 10 years.
“It’s totally unacceptable and I will urge him to do something about it.” Baptiste had appeared in Crawley Magistrates’ Court on Monday charged with attempting to import cocaine and was remanded in custody. Baptiste was a member of the West Indies Test and one-day teams from 1983 to 1990. He won each of the ten Test matches he was involved in, taking 16 wickets at an average of 35.18 each. He is currently coach of South African domestic club KwaZulu-Natal. He was in Antigua for the fourth West Indies Test against Australia. Baptiste is a candidate to succeed Gus Logie as West Indies coach. Baptiste has also played domestic cricket with South Africa’s Eastern Province, England’s Kent and Northamptonshire and the Leeward Islands in the West Indies.
DREADLOCKED cyclist Azikiwe Kellar will be aiming for his third successive title in the kilometre event as the 2003 National Championships pedal off at the Arima Velodrome today from 7 pm.
But Kellar would not have things his own way on the track, as he is expected to face a tough challenge from brother Ako, “2002 Cyclist of the Year” Elisha Greene, Clinton Grant and Ray Phillips. Christopher Sellier will bid for his second straight gold in the juniors’ kilometre time trial, but will have to withstand the likes of Adam Alexander and Haseem McLean. National Over-40 king Richard Ramchand, Gregory Dandrade and Pedro Castellano are in line for the veterans’ kilo crown. Cyclists will use the championships, which will continue at the Arima venue this weekend, to book their places on the national team for the World “B” Cycling Championships in Switzerland in July.
ZURICH: World football’s governing body said yesterday they have suspended Antigua from all international matches.
FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren told The Associated Press that the move to ban the island nation followed a request from CONCACAF, football’s confederation for North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Herren said CONCACAF had informed FIFA that Antiguan football was in the grip of “a power struggle that is preventing the association from functioning properly.” He did not elaborate.
The FIFA decision means the Antiguan national team — currently ranked No 158 in FIFA’s 204-nation standings — is barred from all competitive and friendly matches. The ruling also affects Antigua’s football clubs. The Antiguan association also loses their right to vote at CONCACAF and FIFA meetings and are cut out of financial aid programmes that the international bodies offer many smaller football nations. Herren said a joint delegation of FIFA and CONCACAF officials would travel to Antigua next month to “assess the situation and define a plan of action with all the parties involved.”
KINGSTON: Jamaica’s national team will benefit from the presence of striker Onandi Lowe in Sunday’s international friendly against Nigeria, the country’s football federation said.
The power forward has not played for Jamaica since February, when he scored in a 1-2 home loss to the United States. The Jamaica Football Federation announced in a statement yesterday that he would rejoin the squad for the friendly in Kingston. Lowe, who has scored 20 goals in 68 appearances for Jamaica, spent most of this season playing for Rushden and Diamonds in the English Third Division, helping the team gain promotion to the Second Division. Sunday’s match is the Reggae Boyz’ third against the Nigerians in a year. In May 2002, Nigeria defeated them 1-0 in London, while the teams drew 0-0 in Lagos in November.
Lowe’s Rushden and Diamonds strike partner, Paul Hall, is also in the squad with seven other players who play in the English leagues. Defender Tyrone Marshall of the Los Angeles Galaxy and midfielder Andrew Williams of the Chicago Fire were also named to the team, which is preparing for the Gold Cup tournament in the United States and Mexico City in July. In other recent matches, Jamaica played to a 0-0 draw with South Africa in Cape Town on April 30, and lost 1-2 to English Premier League team Birmingham City in London on May 14.
