N Touch

Not a war for oil

The oil price has not soared quite as dramatically as it did in 1990, but since the UN Resolution 1441 was passed last November it has put on more than $10 a barrel to hit a high of over $37.

War threats, the recent Venezuelan oil strike and a particularly hard North American winter have also reduced oil stocks in the US to levels not seen since the mid-1970s. The real damage to the world economy will, however, depend on how long the oil price spike is sustained. The general rule of thumb is that if a $5 rise in the oil price is sustained for a year, worldwide economic output drops by 0.25 percent. Hardest hit are the poorest oil-importing countries, though the US, the world’s largest consumer, will also suffer.

This prospect of adverse effects on the US from war has not stemmed the tide of conspiracy theories that the Bush administration’s real motive over Iraq is to get its hands on that country’s 11 percent share of world oil reserves, the second largest after Saudi Arabia. Least plausible is the idea that the US would simply grab Iraqi oil for itself, though early on in any war it plans to seize Iraqi oil wells to preempt any sabotage by Saddam Hussein. Washington says it would keep the oil in trust for the Iraqi people; and there is no reason to believe otherwise. Less far-fetched is the possibility the US might preside over a handing out of new oil licences to US oil companies. That prospect has caused some nervousness among non-US oil companies, which have already conducted preliminary negotiations with Baghdad, pending a lifting of UN sanctions.

The US, and other oil-consuming countries, would certainly like Iraq to increase its output. The potential is there; only 24 of Iraq’s 73 oilfields are working at present. Privatisation of Iraq’s oil industry would also help boost production. But increased output would bring immediate demands from its fellow OPEC members that Iraq re-submit itself to production quotas, which it has been excused while under UN sanctions. Ideally, the US would probably like Iraq to quit OPEC. Yet it is hard to see how even a pro-US regime in Baghdad could do this without discrediting itself in the eyes of its citizens or neighbours. That in turn would be counterproductive for any US hopes to extend its influence in the Gulf on whose energy it will depend for many years. So the immediate prospect is of less rather than more oil production as a result of the Iraq crisis. This may drive prices up even further. If therefore the US persists in going to war, it should at least mitigate the damage to the world economy by being prompt to release oil from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve and urging other western governments to do the same with their stocks.

(An editied version of an editorial that appeared in the Financial Times)

The ABCs of setting high standards

It all began on Saturday 8th March 2003 when I purchased a leg of lamb – Prime New Zealand lamb the label read – from a well-established supermarket in Chaguanas. The price was $99.01 and that was all that I looked at on the label.

Shortly after treating the lamb to a generous helping of fresh local seasonings and a concoction of rosemary and dill, I checked the label to look at the weight and so to calculate the roasting time. It was then that I noticed the print that read: Frozen in May 2000: Best used by: November 2001. I pause, even in writing, for effect. I mentally checked to ensure that we are in fact in March 2003. Imagine my consternation. This leg of lamb, Sunday’s main course, had been in the freezer, somewhere between New Zealand and Trinidad for three years! Well past its prime I would think.


On Sunday morning I returned the lamb to the supermarket and the manager apologised, refunded my money and set off to remove the rest of that lot from the frozen compartment. Her assistant could only venture an explanation by saying that the suppliers must have erred in some way. The implications of this situation are as serious as they are far reaching. Had this lamb been sliced into cuts few persons would have been able to discern that it was almost two years past the date suggested for its safe use. Where are the checks and balances to protect consumers from situations like this one? Who should ultimately be blamed? These and other questions remain unanswered. There is a serious problem in our country regarding the implementation and monitoring of standards. Standards, for a wide range of goods, processes and services actually do exist, but many businesses are prepared to sacrifice quality at the altar of profit making, and sadly many consumers do not really care unless it impacts them personally.
 
The issue of standards is even more complex today than it was a few decades ago. No longer do we have only to contend with national or local standards. As Robert Reich had predicted in his book ‘The Wealth of Nations’ the internationalisation of standards has caused ‘national’ concerns to become subordinate to ‘global’ concerns. Our nation cannot advance towards developed country status nor can our businesses attain global competitiveness if the quality of our products and services do not meet internationally acceptable standards and criteria.On the other hand our importers must also demand comparably high standards from international traders so that we do not become their dumping ground. Our educational standards are another area of concern. International experience shows a direct relationship between economic growth and quality higher education. In this context, Trinidad and Tobago’s mission to increase the rate of participation in tertiary education is well directed.

This country is seeking to invest more heavily in the development of a skilled, adaptable and productive workforce, capable of accelerating the pace of social and economic development. The question that begs to be answered is this: What assurances do we have about the quality of education in many of our institutions – public and private? The developed countries of the world are engaging in the transnational development of common educational standards while Trinidad and Tobago and the rest of the Caribbean have yet to implement a rigorous system of accreditation that ensures that our colleges and universities consistently produce high quality graduates. There is also the issue of international comparability. Are our graduates at the same standards as their graduates? On the issue of standards and quality it seems that there are more questions than answers at the moment. Quality is a worldwide preoccupation and we must raise the bar in all spheres of activity. Increased investment in quality improvement will also require a higher level of accountability to guarantee greater returns.
 
In the current economic climate, increased investment in quality management systems is central to competitive business performance. The renowned quality guru, Crosby, argued the direct relationship between quality improvement and increased profitability. Some businesses today seem to operate on the basis that you can only achieve one at the expense of the other. Crosby’s four absolutes of quality management, though idealistic, remain relevant today:


1. The definition: quality is conformance to customer requirements, not intrinsic goodness.
2. The system : prevention, not detection.
3. The standard : zero defects
4. The measurement: the price of non-conformance


Seen through the eyes of a talented, diverse and innovative population, Trinidad and Tobago’s future looks bright. We do not doubt that we have the combination of natural resources and people with the skills and insight to make the wealth creation and economic and social development that we all desire, a reality. What we lack are the mechanisms to enforce standards and to guarantee compliance. In an era of innovation and change, we as a nation must choose between lurking in the shadows and wallowing in potential mediocrity or standing in the spotlight and stepping up to take our rightful place on the world stage.

The views expressed in this column are not necessarily those of Guardian Life. You are invited to send your comments to guardianlife@ghl.co.tt

Energy and gas doing well, IT not so good

The Neal & Massy Group holds interests in a total of 57 companies.  Of this total only 16 companies represent joint holdings or substantial share ownership by the group, the other 41 companies are wholly owned subsidiaries of the Group.

The table below identifies the companies’ interests by location and area of business. The table is ranked by area of contribution to the annual profits for the year ending September 2002 with the best contributor being presented in the first row ie Retail Distribution and Logistics. The table allows the reader an assessment of the company’s involvement in Trinidad and Tobago and elsewhere in the region. Chairman Nazir Ahamad and CEO Bernard Dulal Whiteway agree that the year under review (October  2001 to September 2002) was difficult for the Group.

The Neal and Massy Group has emerged from the financial year October 2001 to September 2002 with a growth in profit of 3% from TT$159M to TT$164M.  This was correlated to an increase of revenue by TT$100M from TT$2.5 billion (previous year) to TT$2.6 billion. Shareholders benefited from these increases as well as the fact that Guardian Holdings Limited exchanged 15,896,844 shares in return for the sale of Neal and Massy’s insurance operations.  The resulting reduction in the share quantity combined with increased profit to result in earnings per share growing by 23% from $1.51 to $1.85 in 2002.

The Retail, Distribution and Logistics category has remained the best contributor to profit, followed by the Energy and Industrial Gases, then the Automotive Industrial Equipment and Support Services.  The Information Technology and Communications areas have not performed well and made negative contributions to the Group profit. An analysis of the CEO’s report reveals the challenges and the successes that the Group encountered during the period under review.  The salient points are presented by category for review.

Retail Distribution and Logistics.

The Hi Lo chain of stores continues to perform well.  The new (2001) Hi Lo store at West Mall has doubled revenue performance of the old West Mall outlet without affecting sales at other branches in the North West peninsula.  The stores in other regions East-West Corridor, Central and South have all increased their revenues over the last period. The company will continue to upgrade the Hi Lo stores throughout the country and will identify and pursue new areas for expansion.

In March 2002, the Marketing and Distribution made distribution arrangements with General Mills whose brands include Betty Crocker cake mixes and granola bars. The Group has acquired HD Hopwood & Co Ltd, a Jamaican company with over 67 years of experience.  This important acquisition has strengthened the Group’s position throughout the English-speaking Caribbean.  HD Hopwood has secured new agencies including Seven Seas and Kimberley Clark to the extent that they have to expand warehouse capacity during the coming year. The shipping companies have suffered the aftermath of September 11th 2001 and remain challenged to resume their previous levels of revenue. 

Energy

During the period, the Gas Group exported carbon dioxide, acetylene and argon to new markets:  Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana.  Large volumes of nitrogen were provided for plant turnarounds and maintenance at the Point Lisas Industrial Estate. The 50/50 joint venture between Caribbean Gases Unlimited and Air Products and Chemicals Inc of the USA is contracted to Atas Methanol to install a 2810 tonnes per day air separation plant to supply oxygen, nitrogen and instrument air for the production of methanol.  The plant is under construction with a projected completion date of 1st Quarter 2004.

Future plans:

a) Expansion into other Caribbean countries and Central America
b) Introduction of new applications for existing products eg food freezing, oxygen enrichment water treatment and supply of specialty gases to a wide range of customers.

Automotive and Industrial Equipment

Neal & Massy Automotive Ltd. — Nissan, Nissan Diesel, Hyundai, Suzuki and Subaru — its leadership position in the new vehicle market.  Nissan remained the best selling brand with the Almera being the best selling model in the country. The Volkswagen brand is offered under a joint venture with Best Auto Limited and in December 2002, Neal and Massy became a 100% shareholder of City Motors, the distributor for Peugeot. After-sales service is considered a growth area and one that could be provided with a higher level of quality. Other than the dealerships, the company offers these services through the MasterServ chain. Vehicle rental and leasing operations have grown and Auto Rentals now boasts a fleet of over 800 vehicles.

Financial and Other Services

Changes were made to the Executive team of General Finance Corporation’s in response to the number of delinquent loans that were part of the company’s annual portfolio. Construction of the Rainbow Hill Development, which started three years ago, is now complete,  and most of the units were sold. The Group seems to have endorsed a policy that will see companies functioning only in the areas of their core competencies.  This is reflected in the decision that buildings owned by Group companies that are rented to third parties will be transferred to Nealco Properties for management.

Information Technology and Communications

Retrenchment at Illuminat Trinidad reflected the delay or dilution of previously approved or endorsed projects in both the private and public sector. The company launched a broad band Wireless Data Services in T&T with additional repeater sites to provide extended coverage in the islands. The investment has paid off as they are now the provider of wireless data network for one of the largest retail banks in T&T.

In February 2002, the Group acquired 100% ownership of a Barbados-based Call up center.  As a result, the company entered into a 50/50 arrangement with an international Call Center operator who brings international market access as well as operational and technical expertise to the joint venture.  This is expected to be a profitable arrangement.

Guyana

The Group has restructured its distribution company Associated Industries Limited, to accommodate the realities of Guyana’s situation – an economy with little growth or new investment, a depressed rice industry and uncertainty from political and social developments. The Communications division of CCS Guyana Ltd suffered as Guyana joins the rest of the world replacing pagers with cellular phones. The Group remains committed to enhancing its position in Guyana and seems to be focussing on the provisions of services as the way forward.

Jamaica

The Retail and Information Technology divisions have performed well in Jamaica.  Securicor (Jamaica ) has attained Dirk Services Ltd which resulted in a doubling of revenue and profit for the year. Tyre Sales Ltd, a subsidiary that provides outsource services to Goodyear is an area of concern for the Group.  The company has had a disappointing year as Goodyear tyres have been losing market share.

Barbados and the OECS

Arrow Developers Ltd are poised for growth as the company has recommenced its land development program and has a number of lots to sell in the new year.  The Call center joint venture is growing and Securicor (B’dos) has made inroads into the aviation security screening business which will auger well for its future growth. In keeping with the policy of core competencies, Geddes Grant Barbados has sold its travel agency and transferred its shipping business to the Group’s partner Barbados Shipping and Trade. The companies in the OECS have not performed well during the year.  CCS Dominica was sold during the year as well as 60% of Trimarg in the French West Indies.

Students among 15 hurt in South crash

FIFTEEN persons, including nine school children were injured yesterday afternoon  when a maxi-taxi and a car collided at the Henry and Brown Street intersection, San Fernando.

Firemen had to use a hydraulic-cutting machine called ‘the jaws of life’ to cut the five occupants from the mangled wreckage of the car. Up to late yesterday, the occupants of the car and a construction worker were warded at the San Fernando General Hospital in serious condition. The injured persons from the maxi-taxi suffered minor injuries, although some were kept at hospital overnight for observation. Up to late yesterday, the names of just six of the injured persons were released since the rest were still receiving emergency treatment. The victims identified are Joel Hosein, Brian Bruce, Kevin Garcia, Keyon Noel, Colin Renee and Clement Walker.

According to police reports, at around 3.30 pm, the 24-seater maxi-taxi driven by Elvis Ramkissoon, 29, of La Romaine, was transporting pupils of St Benedicts College, La Romaine to San Fernando and was proceeding north along Henry Street. On reaching the intersection at Brown Street, a white Toyota Cressida collided with the maxi. The car slammed into an iron railing at the side of the road, while the maxi-taxi spun around and landed on its broadside. Steel-bender Clemont Walker, 49, of St Clement Village, Ste Madeleine, who was standing on the side of the road near a construction site, was struck by the maxi-taxi and thrown into a three-foot deep drain.

An eyewitness told Newsday one of the occupants of the car was pinned in the back seat and firemen had to cut the hood to get him and other occupants out. Ramkissoon, who suffered only minor injuries, said all he remembered was the maxi-taxi spinning and landing on its side. Visiting the scene were DFO Alexis, ADFO Tajudeen and others from the San Fernando Fire Department, as well as Cpl Ramnanan of the San Fernando Traffic Branch, who is continuing investigations.

Star witness relates how Sumairsingh was killed

ELLIOT HYPOLITE yesterday told a judge and jury that Dhanraj Singh ordered: “Ah want Hansraj dead!”

Called as the star witness by the State in the San Fernando First Assize Court, Hypolite, also known as “Abdullah” gave an account of how the former Local Government Minister hired him and two other men to kill Sumairsingh, former chairman of the Rio Claro/Mayaro regional Corporation. It was a job for which, he testified, Singh personally handed him $7,000 in cash. Hypolite also told the court how Singh invited him at his home in Williamsville where he showed him guns in a bag.

It was around mid-morning yesterday when British Queen’s Counsel and lead prosecutor, Sir Timothy Cassel, announced Hypolite as the State’s next witness. There was silence in the packed courtroom as a Marshall escorted Hypolite to the witness box. The former member of the Jamaat al Muslimeen took the oath on a copy of the Koran to speak the truth. Cassel’s first question to Hypolite was concise — were you present when Sumairsingh (Hansraj) was killed. “Yes Sir!” Hypolite, wearing a plaid shirt and khaki trousers, answered. After the formalities of how he was prosecuted and subsequently pardoned for the killing, Cassel asked Hypolite if he knew Singh.

The State is alleging that Singh contracted Hypolite to kill Sumairsingh at the latter’s beach house in Mayaro between December 30, 1999 and January 1, 2000. Hypolite said he first met Singh in September, 1999 at the Tunapuna Regional Corporation offices. He was welding burglar proofing then, he said, when he and Singh introduced themselves. And Singh’s first words to him, Hypolite told the judge and jury, was: “I have a job for you.” I asked what kinda job and he said “to deal with a man”. Singh, sitting in the dock, often smiled at Hypolite’s answers. Hypolite, lead by Cassel, took the judge and jury through the events which led to Sumairsingh’s killing, an act which he said, he participated in. Hypolite said he next met Singh at the opening ceremony of the Rum Bond on the Eastern Main Road in late December, 1999, where the witness said, Government officials had attended. There, Singh also spoke to another man whom Hypolite identified as Steve Cummings alias “Chen”.

Cummings, according to the State, is the man who shot Sumairsingh but he has since been killed. Hypolite told the court that he hardly knew Cummings. “After speaking to ‘Chen’, I spoke to Dhanraj Singh separately where I ask him what he really want done.” Hypolite then said: “He told me he wanted Hansraj dead. He laughed and I laughed. I told him he would have to give me some money. He said to come home to collect the money.”

Hypolite often smiled as he testified, looking directly at Cassel and avoiding eye contact with Singh, sitting in the dock. Karl Hudson-Phillips, QC, defending Singh, took notes as the witness continued before a packed public gallery. Hypolite was then asked about his visit to Singh’s home. He described the house at Hardbargain, Williamsville and Hypolite said Dhanraj led him into an office. Singh, Hypolite testified, told him who Sumairsingh was after which the former Local Government minister “told me he wanted us to kill Sumairsingh”. Hypolite added: “He told me I could meet Sumairsingh at the corporation.”

Hypolite then told the court that he asked Singh how much he would pay and the accused told him that “Chen” wanted $500,000. “He told me he find that too high. He went and check some money and give me $2,000,” Hypolite testified. Hypolite then went on to tell the court that before he left Singh’s home, the accused called him back and showed him three guns. “The guns was in an office bag”, Hypolite said. Singh had promised to give “Chen” the guns, he added, after he (Hypolite) had first located Sumairsingh in Rio Claro in order carry out the killing.

It was around mid-December when Hypolite tried to locate Singh but was unsuccessful. But it was after Christmas in 1999, Hypolite said, he “Chen” and another man went in pursuit of Sumairsingh. Hypolite gave an account of the night they pulled up in a red Mazda in front Sumairsingh’s Rio Claro home and how they came close to confronting the deceased. That night they did not kill Sumairsingh. Cassel then asked what next happened? Hypolite replied: “I went to the accused (Singh) office in Tunapuna the next day and he was in a bad mood and serious face. He told me ‘you boys really soft; really jokey. He slam his hands on the desk. He went on to say we miss Sumairsingh last night. He told me he going to fix it right this time.”

Hypolite then told the court that Singh told him that he was going to arrange for Sumairsingh to go to his beach house. He  said Singh described the house and its location at Eccles Road, Mayaro. Before he left, Hypolite said, Singh told him “not to miss this time”. Hypolite then described how the killing took place at the beach house. Hypolite said that it was Old Year’s Day (December 31) when he, after a telephone conversation, met “Chen” at Chaguanas.

In the car, he added, was the “unknown” man. It was around 6 pm that day when they all proceeded to Mayaro. Hypolite testified that he found the house but they noticed people and heard music at the beach house. They all proceeded to the beach area where, Hypolite said, they remained for about 45 minutes. And when they returned to the house, Hypolite said he put on a black sweater and tied his face with a handkerchief. “Chen”, the witness said, had a mask.  Hypolite said that he had a nine-millimetre semi-automatic pistol, while “Chen’s” gun was a .38 revolver.  They both entered the house and “Chen”, Hypolite said, “suddenly placed his finger at his lips “like he had seen somebody”. The witness said he suddenly heard two explosions. Hypolite said that he grabbed a cell phone from a table and asked by Cassel why he did that, the witness answered: “So that he would not call the police.” He was shown the cell phone which he positively identified.

Hypolite said that the only time he knew Sumairsingh was dead was when he read it in the newspaper the following day. Hypolite told the court that after the police interviewed him about the murder in early January, he went to look for Singh at Kent House, Maraval where the former minister had an office. “Chen” was at the office as well, he added. Hypolite then testified: “Dhanraj said let things cool down a bit. I left the country in March and returned in September.” Hypolite testified that he visited Singh’s home and asked for money. “He came out of the house to meet me. I told him I want to get the money and he told me wait at the office,” Hypolite said.

The witness said that at Singh’s office in Marabella, he was handed $5,000 by the accused who told him that his (Singh) name was being called in connection with the murder. Hypolite said he demanded $60,000 from Singh. But the witness said that he and Singh made arrangements to meet several times but the latter never turned up. Cassel completed leading evidence from Hypolite at the lunch break after which, the star witness was subjected to intense cross-examination by Hudson-Phillips. Hypolite said that the first two occasions he spoke to Singh in connection with “a job”, he hadn’t a clue what the job was about.  He admitted to Hudson-Phillips of proceeding to assassinate Sumairsingh, without knowing who the “strange man” was. Hypolite will face further cross-examination when hearing continues this morning.

Shot gunman found hiding in mangrove

A LONE gunman who shot at police officers while being pursued, was shot in the left leg and ran into the mangrove just off the Beetham Highway, where he attempted to hide. After a 30 minute search by about 100 heavily armed police officers, the suspect was held.

However, police officers were unable to locate the suspect’s gun up to late yesterday. The 22-year-old man, of Phase Four, Beetham Estate, was undergoing emergency surgery at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital. The drama started around 9.30 am yesterday when officers from the Port-of-Spain Divisional Task Force were on patrol at Beetham Estate. They began following a car with five occupants. In the vicinity of Servol, the car stopped and a man who was seated in the front passenger seat came out and began running into the nearby mangrove. Officers gave chase and the man began firing at the police. They returned fire and the gunman was shot in the right leg and groin. He escaped in the mangrove.

Officers of the Emergency Health Services were contacted and the area around the mangrove was cordoned off by more than 100 police officers from the Guard and Emergency Branch, the Port-of-Spain CID, the Port-of-Spain Division, and officers of the North-Eastern Division. After a half an hour search the injured suspect was found. He was taken to hospital under heavy police guard. His condition was listed as critical. Police said he was wanted for a series of robberies along the East/West Corridor. The four other occupants of the car were taken to the Besson Street Police Station where they were questioned. The driver of the car claimed he was working PH in Laventille when he picked up the suspect. He said it was the first time he saw the man.

The three other occupants of the car also denied knowing the suspect and claimed they were just passengers in the car. A large contingent of officers, assisted by tracker dogs and the Police Helicopter Unit began combing the mangrove for the gun used by the suspect. This activity attracted scores of curious onlookers and traffic came to a virtual standstill along the highway. ACP Crime Oswyn Allard, Snr Supt Reyes, Ag Supt Denoon, Inspector Ramnarine and others visited the scene.

Key witness denies ‘horn’ claims

DEFENCE attorneys in the Clint Huggins murder trial sought yesterday to describe key State witness Swarsatee Maharaj as a promiscuous woman who was “horning” her common-law husband Leslie Huggins with his cousin Arnold Huggins. Maharaj emphatically denied this suggestion  on several occasions. She also denied being a “party girl”.

Arnold’s attorney, Ian Stuart Brook, suggested that Maharaj wanted Arnold and had spent a lot of money on him. Brook claimed Maharaj even gave Arnold $25,000 to buy a van, paid for Arnold’s child birthday party and provided him with spending money. “Anything he wanted you provided. You even paid him to stay with you … but you had been rebuffed by him. He took all your money and when you wanted him back, he said no.”  Brook claimed the relationship went sour because Maharaj allegedly tore up a photograph of Arnold’s one-year-old son, Ryan, whose birthday party she had sponsored. Brook further claimed that when Arnold came into the room and saw the pieces of the torn photograph he threw a cup of warm or hot tea on Maharaj. However, Brook did not offer or solicit a reason for Maharaj’s alleged action. 

Arnold, Leslie and Junior Phillip are before Justice Alice York Soo-Hon in the Port-of Spain Third Criminal Court charged with the murder of Clint Huggins on February 20, 1996. Clint was the main witness against Dole Chadee and his gang for murder. Leslie is being defended by Keith Scotland and Dawn Mohan and Phillip by Osbourne Charles SC instructed by Christilyn Moore. Prosecutors are Wayne Rajbansie and Natasha George. Maharaj said she never had an intimate relationship with Arnold or ever referred to him as her common-law husband. But it came out in evidence that Maharaj had taken out a restraining order against Arnold and on that document she had described him as her common-law husband. She was not asked why the order was taken out, but she claimed it was the  easiest way to get the order.

The court also heard that Maharaj lived with Leslie for about six months and sometime after the killing of Clint, she found out Leslie was “horning” her and she moved out and went to live at Arnold’s mother, Merle, at Matura. Maharaj said she spent about a week there then moved in with her friend Shalisa at Mulchan Street, Sangre Grande. Under cross-examination by Scotland, Maharaj admitted that on January 1, 1997, she got engaged to Phillip, the man whom she claimed had contributed to  Clint’s murder by beating him  on the head with a piece of wood.

Earlier in cross-examination by Brook, Maharaj denied that she “cut a deal with anyone” or that immunity from all criminal offences committed by her was “dangled” before her in exchange for her testimony against the three accused. She admitted she had a case pending for stealing a pig. She also admitted that on an occasion when Arnold was driving her car and crashed,  she lied to the police by claiming she was the driver. She said she lied because Arnold did not have his driving permit with him. She also admitted she has a son who lives with his father Dennis Sookraj. She refuted the suggestion that the child does not live with her because she was a “party girl”. She said at the time she thought the child would get better care at the home of his father.

Khan: Former President lived in decaying house

FORMER President Arthur NR Robinson, spent his six years in office, living in a presidential mansion that was in a serious state of disrepair. This was revealed yesterday by Works and Transport Minister Franklin Khan who also confirmed that Robinson’s successor, Max Richards, will not be able to occupy President’s House for at least two years.

Speaking with reporters at the St George East Stockpile, Beetham, Khan said: “The President’s House itself is classified as a historic building. The house is in extreme disrepair both architecturally, aesthetically and structurally. Probably more so structurally.” The Minister then revealed: “A large part of it is unhabitable. In fact the former President had not been using significant parts of the house.” He confirmed that the adjacent cottage is being renovated to accommodate President Richards and his family.

Khan added that those renovations will be finished by May and “from May it is estimated that the repairs, a lot of which will be structural repairs of the presidential mansion will take about two years”. The Minister said a consultant was being brought in to do a damage assessment on President’s House, after which there will be a final costing. “A significant part of the costing is not so much the structural work, but in restoring it to its original pristine condition because the architecture has to remain intact,” Khan said. The former President has moved to an undisclosed location until work on his Ellerslie Park, St Clair home is completed.

Boxing Board three months overdue

THE MINISTRY of Sport and Youth Affairs has been harshly criticised and accused of grinding local boxing into the dust.

The scathing comments were made yesterday by top international match-maker Buxo Potts, who once again reiterated his call for the naming of a Boxing Board which is more than three months overdue. “As a promoter, I am becoming frustrated. And I can speak for the boxers also who have been deprived of an honest day’s work in the ring since last November,” said an angry Potts yesterday. He accused Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Roger Boynes of pussy-footing with the naming of a new Boxing Board of Control to administer the sport.

The three-year term of office of the last board, headed by interim chairman Dr Calvin Inalsingh ended last December, and although Minister Boynes has repeatedly promised to announce new officials, no such development has taken place. “The lackadaisical attitude towards the sport is hurting everyone concerned. It is always a concern for us when all other sports are treated differently from boxing,” said Potts. The former jockey said plans have already been drawn up with Cecil Forde of Richford  Promotions and Chaguanas-based Bharath Ramoutar to stage several professional cards, but they have been stymied by the absence of a functioning Boxing Board. “We have promising welterweight Floyd Trumpet who needs a warm-up before a title fight as well as young female boxer Ria Ramnarine who also needs to work her way up to a championship contest but can’t because of the problem,” said Potts.

He also said Anthony Sinclair is thinking about migrating to England, while Kevin Placide may throw in the towel on a budding career because of the lack of opportunities in the local ring occasioned by the non-appointment of a new board. Potts said the minister must immediately name a new board comprised of persons who can contribute meaningfully to the sport and who have the sweet science at heart. He cautioned Boynes about self-seekers and political appointees whom he said will contribute to the problems of the sport and not produce positive results. “Boxing has brought so much fame and glory to this country. Yet we have to be begging for everything. It is a great shame that this has to happen,” said Potts.

He said a reflection of the sorry state which the absence of a board has plunged the sport into is reflected in the programme of the upcoming visit Knock Out Games which is organised by the World Boxing Association. “Imagine Dr Gilbert Mendoza, head of the WBA is coming for the games and there will be no boxing card on show. This is just ridiculous,” said Potts. He questioned the benefits of this country’s affiliation with the WBA and called for an audit of the funds and contributions made by the WBA for promotions and events in Trinidad and Tobago. “There is a lot that is wrong in the sport that needs fixing. The start is with a competent Boxing Board which the ministry seems not to be in a hurry to deal with. But the time is now or never,” said Potts. Efforts to contact ministry officials for a response yesterday proved futile.

Kuei Tung not taking part

FORMER Finance Minister Brian Kuei Tung will not take part in the Commission of Inquiry into the Piarco Airport Project because of the criminal charges pending against him.

Kuei Tung’s decision not to take part was announced yesterday at the 107th sitting of the inquiry, where he appeared for the first time. Following the adjournment of the sitting, Kuei Tung told reporters it was his constitutional right to remain silent. He said: “I have nothing to add to the inquiry and I cannot due to the fact that I have charges over my head as I am before the magistrates court.”   Kuei Tung said that anything he said at the inquiry might be self incriminating, therefore it was not necessary for him to appear before the Commission. He said by issuing summonses for him to appear, the Commission was suggesting “they have their own agenda”.

Prior to this Kuei Tung’s new attorney, Leon Gokool, attempted on several occasions to submit arguments about the legality of the two summonses issued to Kuei Tung. He was stopped by Chairman Clinton Bernard who sternly told him the Commission’s only concern was whether he was ready to question the nine witnesses who were present. Bernard advised Gokool that if the summonses were good or bad, he could take the issue elsewhere — file for judicial review — because the Commission was not entertaining submissions.

During the 20 minute exchange between Bernard and Gokool, lead attorney for the Commission, Theodore Guerra, SC, observed that there was a pattern emerging which was intended to delay the conclusion of the Inquiry. Guerra said he hated to think that Gokool, a most junior attorney, was “being used in the ‘cats paw’ by his seniors to do their work”. Guerra urged the Commission to tell Gokool to either “put up or shut up”. Gokool objected, saying Guerra was out of line to suggest he was being used and called on him to apologise for trying to lower his standards. Gokool stressed it was Kuei Tung’s right to hire an attorney of his choice. Kuei Tung later told reporters his change of attorney from Reginald Armour to Gokool was no game but because of economic reasons. 

When Gokool announced at the sitting that Kuei Tung would not be taking part in either questioning witnesses, giving evidence or being questioned, Bernard commented: “That’s the best thing you have said so far.”  Gokool said Kuei Tung should be told of his right to remain silent, but Bernard reminded him that such a course would be adopted only if he was asked a question. Bernard later apologised for “being so strong”, saying too often the Commission had been asked for adjournments and had heard charges of being unfair. Gokool responded that if the claim was repeated frequently there might be some truth to it.

Before the adjournment, Bernard put into evidence through paralegal Mercedes Gabriel, when the summonses were issued. He also refused to relieve Gokool, insisting that he had to hear what was being put into evidence. Gokool refused to look at the summonses and a newspaper article which quoted Kuei Tung as saying he had received the summonses, but not the transcripts and said: “We are not taking part”.

The inquiry will continue today at 9.30 am when former NIPDEC Chairman Edward Bayley is expected to question witnesses who implicated him.