Last weekend was no exception as my family and I arrived Friday night and were in the airport to return Sunday morning.

While waiting for our return flight, we decided to have breakfast in the restaurant opposite the cramped terminal. The terminal is in dire need of more seating accommodation.

I ordered a coconut bake and smoke herring, the line was long but it was worth it.

So as I sat down to salivate on this sumptuous meal, decorated with onions, tomatoes and cucumbers, an intoxicated man, attired in vest and black jeans entered the restaurant.

For about half an hour or so, customers (local and foreign) were entertained by his loud mouth, bragging, expletives and downright hooligan-type behaviour.

He responded by the name “Killa” and clearly had no consideration for the patrons.

There was no security in sight as “Killa” surely reminded tourists that Tobago was not the place to visit – given also the ubiquitous problems of air and sea transport that affects the island.

No employee of the restaurant made an effort to silence “Killa.” Our return flight landed at 1130am at Piarco – “Killa” did not really spoil my short stay in Tobago, but I cannot speak for the tourists who witnessed his obscene conduct.

Reza Abasali El Socorro

The “Calypso Spikers” started the match too relaxed and Suriname capitalised to win the first set at 25- 21 – the first set lost by TT at the tournament.

The defending champions TT rebounded soundly in the second set and raced to a 6-1 lead to close off the set at 25- 17 and tie the match at 1-1. From that point onwards there was no stopping them as they blocked better and served more aces.

They eventually won the next couple sets at 25-16, 25-14 with relative ease.

Channon Thompson led the points scoring table and Trinidad and Tobago with 20 points including 16 spikes.

She was assisted by the team’s most experienced player Krystle Esdelle with 18 points (10 spikes and five blocks). The top scorer for the match was Sandrina Hunsel of Suriname with 21 points (18 spikes and two aces).

Jamaica breezed past Guadeloupe 3-0 (25-18, 25-12, 25-19) to earn a spot in the final in their hometown against Trinidad and Tobago.

Tahleia Bishop top scored for the Jamaicans with 13 points while Amandine Mauricette chipped in seven points for Guadeloupe.

TT were hoping to win their sixth consecutive title and their seventh overall, which will be the most by any country, surpassing Barbados` six titles.

The much anticipated final showdown between Jamaica and TT was played yesterday at 7 pm (TT time) while Surname took on Guadeloupe two hours earlier.

I have been a part of the Vigil because it falls within my own concerns about the sanctity that we should associate with Emancipation Day. It has the same spiritual quality that existed within the Kwanzaa Celebration organised by the late Pastor Kwame Mohlabani (the Reverend Canon Clive Griffith) onetime rector of the St Clement’s Anglican Church, Manahambre Road.

It would be great if more of the religious faiths offer their contributions to enhance the Emancipation Day observances.

The Vigil is the brain child of the veteran calypsonian Composer (Fred Mitchell) whose is now named Baba Olu Sino Amono Ifayomi. Ten years ago, he had the calling to organise the Vigil as a call to prayer to all the African shrines. Baba visited as many of the functioning shrines as possible to encourage their participation.

The Vigil was designated not only for Trinidad and Tobago but for the diaspora as well. There have been international connections, with like-minded groups in Nigeria, USA and London. Efforts continue to connect with Haiti and other Caribbean countries which have kept the Ifa Yoruba tradition alive.

Despite existing problems, particularly with funding, the Vigil has enjoyed consistent support and participation from Chief Alagba Ifa Tayese Erin Folami (Baba Erin Folami), Chief Oludari Agbaiye of Egbe Onisin Eledumare, the National Joint Action Committee and the Emancipation Support Committee as well as Chief Baba Mokun of Eko ile Sango Osun MI l’Osa (Garth Nicholas) and Sister Akende Rudder.

Twice in the early days, the Vigil took place on Prince Street, Port of Spain, in collaboration with the Crosstown Organisation led by Mr Prescott. There were live broadcasts from the corner of Prince and George Streets and down in Petit Valley. Later, the Vigil was moved to the Massy All Stars Pan Yard, on Duke Street.

For two years Radio Station 102.1FM did a one-hour broadcast, then the broadcast stopped for about two years because of lack of funding. It was restarted at 91.1FM Talk City.

The Vigil begins at 10 pm on the night before Emancipation Day.

The programme consists of libation, prayers, drumming and chanting.

At midnight, Egbe Onisin Eldemire, led by Chief Oludari Agbaiye, is given half an hour to conduct the Litany. Then the Vigil broadcast links with the Saraka at the Beddoe Shrine on Toco Main Road at 1.30 am. It continues back at the broadcast point for the rest of the programme.

All Shrines are welcome to be part of the physical venue, or call in to the Radio Station. There are also pre-recorded segments.

At 4am the Vigil concludes so that the Emancipation Support Committee can start the For Day Morning Come ceremony Akende Rudder says “We have maintained in spite of the stumbling blocks. We are a resilient people. We must feel proud of who we are not just for one day and appreciate the sacrifice our Ancestors endured for our freedom”.

It is noteworthy that she also said “It must have a ritual that we do every year with family, friends and community before Emancipation morning, we are sure our Ancestors were indoors not only praying but also getting battle ready. It is hope at the end of the Night Vigil people will appreciate Emancipation Day not only to walk the streets, but to commune with each other”.

I cannot agree more.

Aiyegoro Ome, Mt Lambert

Shondell Jack, a labourer of Gill Street, Valencia was charged with the murder following instructions received from Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard, SC. After the charge was read out in court, Jack was remanded into custody as the case was adjourned.

Lake, 26, lived at Bertram Street and was found dead, with a single gunshot wound to the head at KP Lands in Valencia. Jack was charged by detective Constable Andre Lewis of the Homicide Investigations Bureau (Region II) on Saturday.

According to reports, Williams was standing at the corner of the Samuel Cooper Junction when a gunman approached him and shot him several times.

The gunman fled the scene as he slumped to the ground.

Police and emergency services were contacted, and when they responded they found Williams’ body on the roadside.

Relatives told Newsday, he was a security guard. They described him as a caring and helpful person.

“Once he knew you, he would help you out,” said one relative, “He was like a godfather to the people in the area.

He was a real cool one man, a real cool one.” An autopsy confirmed that he died from multiple gunshot wounds. Investigations are ongoing.

The owner of the premises refuses to acknowledge liability.

Yet, he is the person who consciously created a public hazard.

How can he not be liable as it was he who hired the workers and he who hired the mixer? Now I, as a law-abiding citizen, have to suffer damage to my vehicle while negligent people get to absolve themselves of any responsibility.

It is absolutely beyond me that the owner of the residence would pass it off as “unfortunate.” It was not “unfortunate” that he did not take precautions to secure the area where his construction was taking place. He neglected his responsibility.

He made a deliberate choice not to take the necessary precautions.

Unfortunate is when an accident happens despite all foreseeable precautions.

Had my window been down I would have been hit straight in my face. If my glass was not tinted, I would have had shards of glass coming straight at my face. The tint is the only thing holding the shattered pieces together.

So to the owner of the premises, congratulations.

You have shown your true character.

Because, were it not for your negligent actions, my glass would not be shattered, and I would not be out of pocket.

LEENA NANAN via email

According to reports, at about 4.45 pm, the Coast Guard vessel TTS Speyside was on routine patrol when crew sighted two vessels, the Don Miguel and Don Meke, approximately seven nautical miles off the coast of Castara Bay.

Newsday understands that when the Speyside intercepted the vessels, their crew began hauling in lines and securing fishing equipment. Both vessels were subsequently boarded and searched. Members of the Coast Guard recovered a quantity of fish and it was later revealed that the vessels were operating in Tobago waters for the past two days.

The vessels have since been lodged at the Coast Guard’s Operations Base in Scarborough pending further investigations.

A release issued by the Tobago House of Assembly yesterday said that the division intends to work closely with the Coast Guard and related agencies in establishing marine dominance and securing TT’s maritime boundaries.

Today, Emancipation Day is celebrated far and wide in countries such as Canada, South Africa and the United States of America. Some countries have even outdone us. Instead of one public holiday, Jamaica has two: August 1 and August 6; Barbados has an entire “season of emancipation” running from April 14 to August 23. About a dozen countries celebrate the holiday, though at different times of the year.

Therefore, it is somewhat worrying to see that the chairman of the Emancipation Support Committee, Khafra Kambon, has expressed concern over falling levels of respect for the holiday.

According to Kambon, business owners are not paying enough homage: they should close stores on the holiday, he insists, to allow events such as the annual parade to proceed unhindered.

These businesses close for other holidays, he says, and not for Emancipation Day.

These arguments would be convincing were it not for two important considerations. Firstly, as a small nation we have a disproportionately large number of holidays which pose a genuine threat to productivity levels.

Secondly, many businesses in fact do open on other holidays.

Though closed on Christmas Day, that holiday is unique as it is always followed immediately by another holiday: Boxing Day, a day on which some businesses open.

Businesses should be free to do what they must to earn the income needed to pay staff, to contribute to the economy and to provide much needed goods and services from a population that travels a great deal and purchases many products online instead of locally.

That said, we can always do better. If it is true that employees are hindered from participating from events, then their unions should take these matters up.

There should also be collaboration and cooperation between businesses and local corporation bodies to ensure the smooth flow of traffic so that events commemorating the holiday and business activity can co-exist in harmony.

After all, this is one of the messages behind the holiday: the harmony between all groups in society. Today, many take for granted freedoms that were fought for not only by black people but also white abolitionists.

The Slavery Abolition Act 1833 came into came into force the following year, on August 1, 1834. Only slaves below the age of six were freed. Former slaves over the age of six were re-designated as apprentices and were required to work 40 hours per week, without pay, as part of “compensation” to their former owners. Full emancipation was only achieved on midnight, July 31, 1838.

While Emancipation Day is locally used to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people of African descent, it is also used to observe the abolition of serfdom or other forms of servitude abroad. This is not a holiday that is of importance to only one sector of society. Freedom is something we are all deserving of.

Not only is Emancipation Day a reminder of our history, it is a paean to our diversity and a symbol of the importance of doing what is right. Today, we reflect on the past and look forward to a future, mindful of the need to be vigilant as we protect the ideals that underline a free dem

Munro, who contributed valuable runs for the Knight Riders last season, led the Knight Riders to 214 runs for eight wickets.

The left-handed Kiwi struck seven fours and nine sixes in his 46-ball knock.

Darren Bravo also showed some form leading up to the tournament.

Darren, who will be available for the entire 2017 CPL, struck 48 retired, slamming three fours and four sixes in a 21-ball innings. Darren only played four matches last year because of West Indies duty. Ex- West Indies captain and wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin pitched in with 19. TKR pace bowler Javon Searles, playing for the TT CB XI snatched two wickets for 21 runs, while Philton Williams took 3/12 in two overs.

In reply, TKR player Hamza Tariq slammed 68 off 36 balls as the Board XI posted 199/5 in 20 overs. The Canadian Tariq, who struck four fours and six sixes, was ably supported by Amir Jangoo who scored 51. Jangoo struck nine fours and one six in his 30-ball knock. TKR captain Dwayne Bravo grabbed 2/47 in four overs.

TKR will play the opening match of the 2017 CPL against the St Lucia Stars at 9 pm on Friday in St Lucia.

SUMMAR I S E D SCOR ES – TRINBAGO KNIGHT RIDERS 214/8 (Colin Munro 100, Darren Bravo 48 retired, Denesh Ramdin 19; Javon Searles 2/21, Philton Williams 3/12) vs TT CB XI 199/5 (Hamza Tariq 68, Amir Jangoo 51; Dwayne Bravo 2/47). TKR won by 15 runs.

The report noted that excessive bureaucracy has led to half of all complaints being dismissed on the ground of, ‘inconclusive evidence’.

And as allegations of abuse increase, especially with the advent of social media showing clear cut evidence of violence meted out to the elderly, successive governments have never instituted any investigations into how these private geriatric homes are operated with a view to ensuring the elderly are treated in a humane manner.

In fact, queries arise over which government agency should oversee these homes, with the report revealing that a grand total of six inspectors are tasked with monitoring the close to 200 registered private geriatric homes in the country. The claims of an increase in abuse against the elderly are contained in the third report by the Joint Select Committee (JSC) on Social Services and Public Administration, which was recently laid in Parliament.

The report listed five types of abuse occurring at geriatric homes. These are Neglect – Failure to meet basic needs such as food, clothing, and medical care; Physical – Infliction bodily harm and or injury; Financial Abuse – Illegal misuse or siphoning of an older person’s money, assets or property; Emotional/ Psychological Abuse – Harm inflicted on the emotional self-worth of the older person (eg name-calling or denigration); and Sexual Abuse – Engagement in sexual acts without consent.

ABUSE SHOWN ON FACEBOOK

The report includes the record of the JSC’s sitting of November 16, 2016, where deep insight was given by Dr Jennifer Rouse, Director of the Division of Aging (DOA) of the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services. She said that in 2016, the DOA received 156 complaints, of which 100 cases were “compliance issues” and 56 were specific complaints of abuse.

Table 2 of the report said that out of all 156 complaints, 88 investigations were completed, 47 were in progress, 20 were inconclusive and just one case was sent to the police, after a video of a woman standing on an elderly male patient was posted onto Facebook prompting a public outcry.

“That one case that you saw with the police that was listed, that was the one that made the media where the care-giver had her foot on the chest of the elderly gentleman in a home,” Rouse told the JSC. Rouse gave the JSC the outcome of the 56 complaints of abuse. She said ten complaints were probed and deemed to be unfounded, while 25 complaints were still in progress, meaning they were partially or wholly verified and the home is being regulated for compliance so as to ensure no recurrence.

However she raised eyebrows when revealing that delays in investigation is a main reason why half of complaints of abuse ended up deemed inconclusive. “Twenty of those cases were inconclusive, in that the claims could neither be verified nor debunked,” Rouse related.

“Because what has happened to us, when the report is made, let us say we got a report that a person had physical abuse and there were bruises. Many times when the report is lodged at the division and a month or more has passed and we go in to investigate, there is no sign or evidence of that bruise.

15 COMPLAINTS A MONTH

“It might have healed or whatever and we cannot verify or debunk that something went awry. So as a result we call those kinds of cases inconclusive.” Rouse said the DOA does follow ups, especially with more than one complaint is made against a given home. “We realize that this was just not a one off and we will follow up on that. But again, manpower does not allow us the latitude to really respond to all in respective times because of the frequency.” Rouse revealed that the DOA on average gets 15 complaints of elderly abuse per month, most coming from the community rather than geriatric homes.

D’Abadie/O’Meara MP Ancil Antoine asked how the DOA reports back its findings of elderly abuse to the Ministry of Health and how does that ministry respond? Rouse replied, “Some of the cases we have had to use the community police and then a report is generated for our files and we send a copy, so that the Ministry of Health knows what is happening, so that in their routine investigations of those homes, they also do a check to ensure that there was follow up, there is something remedial in place to avoid a recurrence.

That is the most that is done as present.” When Antoine asked if the Ministry of Social Development has any way to know if the Health Ministry takes action against these homes, Rouse replied, “No, not at this point.” Ministry of Social Development permanent secretary Jacinta Bailey-Sobers added, “That is out of our jurisdiction.” She said that the Private Hospitals Act states that privately-run homes for the elderly are defined as hospitals and so fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health. Ministry of National Security parliamentary secretary Glenda Jennings-Smith, insisted that if an assault takes place at a geriatric home, the police must be notified.

CASES UNDERREPORTED

Rouse said, “A lot of the cases of elder abuse are under-reported, because we are relying on the trust that the home-owner will be ethical and follow the instructions and do it right, but some out of them out of fear, if they know that they are not in compliance in some other way, they will not just call the division or call the police.

“So we find that there is a tension there, and right now it is the neighbours, if they hear screaming or they hear noises at night, or they find out – they hear different sounds, they call us, but it is a very delicate area.” The JSC Report had several recommendations.

These included a proper delineation of responsibility between the Health Ministry and the Social Development Ministry, both streamline their efforts, and both be more proactive in monitoring all geriatric homes.

The Homes for Older Persons (HOP) Act 2007 must allow the line ministry to order the cessation of operations at homes under investigations. The JSC wanted more inspectors hired and more regular visits of geriatric homes.

The Act must empower the relevant ministry to inspect without permission any geriatric homes that do not have a licence.

The report suggested the use of CCTV equipment in geriatric facilities to monitor activities and deter staff from committing acts of abuse against residents. The JSC urged the creation of an Elder Justice Roadmap that states how to recognize, prevent and address elder abuse, and establish a hotline and other mechanisms to receive anonymous tipoffs of abuse.