At the post-Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s on Thursday, the Prime Minister said the hotel is being built on Buccoo Estate and not No Man’s Land as alleged by CL Financial shareholders.

He said the law requires disposal of any assets held under the Central Bank to be done at fair market value and that what Government did. An Occidental Investments Ltd (OIL) and Oceanic Properties Ltd (OPL) report which Rowley referred to, valued the land at $174,806,775.

Rowley did not provide this information during the briefing but left a copy that report behind for reporters to look at.

Hours later on Thursday, Clico Policyholders Group chairman Peter Permell claimed the land which Rowley referred to was valued at $680 million.

Newsday yesterday obtained a signed valuation report by GA Farrell and Associates Ltd, dated August 6, 2016, on lands at Golden Grove and Shirvan Estates and Golden Grove and Shirvan Roads for Clico. The report supported Rowley’s statements and the OIL/OPL report’s valuation of the lands in question.

The GA Farrell report said the Market Approach was used determine the value of the property because, “it is judged to best reflect the interplay of buyers and sellers.” The firm said when all of the relevant factors are taken into consideration, particularly the prices being paid for properties in the area and unencumbered interest on the property, the market value of the lands, “was in the order of $170 million as at April 18, 2016.” GA Farrell said the report was done in keeping with terms and conditions agreed to by Clico on April 5, 2016. The firm said the opinion of value is based on all relevant approvals being granted from the relevant statutory authorities for the development of the site for hotels, villas, condominiums, golf course, clubhouse and restaurant. The outline approval was received, was valid for one year and has since lapsed.

After identifying crime and delays in upgrading the ANR Robinson International Airport amongst the factors that have negatively impacted on Tobago’s tourism, GA Farrell said foreign nationals must apply for a license to buy property in Tobago.

Rodriguez is the local attorney representing the interests of Belize national Fernando Olivia who successfully filed a claim in court for compensation following injuries to his bladder, sustained when Garcia performed a dance move on him while on stage. The attorney said Garcia was issued the legal letter some time last week. The letter indicated that Rodriguez and his associates will be seeking to enforce the orders made by Belizean judge, Justice Courtney Able. Rodriguez said that Garcia’s legal team have acknowledged receipt of the letter.

Garcia was performing at the Carival Overload concert in Belize in 2015, when Olivia was called on stage to aid in the singer’s onstage presentation. As he lay face up on the stage, Garcia is said to have dropped herself onto the hip of Olivia and then wined. Olivia later got up, left the stage but then complained of excrutiating pains.

Earlier this year, Justice Able ruled in favor of Olivia and ordered Garcia to pay a sum of BD$16,577 (roughly TT56,000) in compensation to Olivia. Olivia’s attorneys in Belize argued that Garcia’s performance on-stage was less of a soca dance and more like a wrestling move. Newsday attempted to contact Garcia for comment yesterday but calls to her went unanswered.

“Think positive if you want to change Enterprise. When I see young people engaged in camps such as these it speaks volume…

change only begins by changing your thoughts because your thoughts determine your actions.

You have made a positive choice to join the camp,” Dillon said at the closing ceremony for Camp Phoenix 2017 at the Enterprise Government Primary School at Homeland Gardens in Chaguanas.

The camp was a joint initiative between the Enterprise Community Council and the Police Service’s Inter Agency Task Force (IATF). The Minister commended the organisers, the children as well as parents/guardians for being part of the two-week camp.

According to organisers, the goal of the camp was to foster closer ties between law enforcement and the community in order to proactively address the spike in crime within the Central Region, specifically Enterprise.

A total of 90 residents between the age of six and 17 received certificates of participation, having completed courses in the field of self-defence, conflict resolution, etiquette and physical fitness, among others. Personnel from the protective services namely Defence Force and Police and Fire Services as well as ECC members supervised at Camp Phoenix.

Yesterday, motivational speaker Don La Foucade told the youths that the area where they are from does not make them. Instead it is they who make the area. He added that in life, it matters not where a person comes from rather it is where he/she is going. He told the children that having good manners give them an advantage in life as “good manners will open any door”. La Foucade further told them that the more one gives, the more he/she receives.

The camp was first of two in the community. The second, also geared at providing a positive environment and activities for youths, begins on August 7 and ends August 18. The camp is mainly funded via the corporate support of Phoenix Park Gas Processors Ltd, TSTT, Republic Bank and the US Embassy alongside small business within Enterprise.

In 2017, we commemorate more than 170 years of the abolition of enslavement and 210 years since the trade in human beings was legally stopped in the British colonies in 1807. Today, Beckles points out there are some 200 million people of African heritage all around the world. Ideally, this should constitute a force strong enough to move away from the implications of the word “diaspora,” that of being outside of the continent of Africa; that of being creole or not “pure” African.

For people of African heritage, their collective history was recreated because of the illegal and immoral trade. It is well documented that languages, tribal customs and socio-cultural traditions were separated and demonised as part of a deliberate plan to destabilise and demoralise Africans. Transported to other countries mainly in the Caribbean, and central and southern America, the enslaved welded together their various spiritual and other customs, creating a new paradigm for survival.

Importantly, across the Caribbean, the enslaved fought tirelessly to destabilise the barbaric system that lasted for hundreds of years. Dr Eric Williams was one of the first scholars to draw attention to the fact that economics was a key element in rethinking the trade, but it occurred to me the other day, what would have happened if our ancestors did not fight? Would slavery still exist? It does not bear contemplating.

After emancipation, there were several attempts to symbolically unite the African diaspora. The Negritude movement, for instance, investigated African cultures through art, literature, and music. Pan Africanism represented by noted activists and intellectuals from TT, and Black Power in the 1970s, all sought to deal with issues of personhood.

But as Prof Beckles admitted, we are still some distance from becoming that global Africa he envisions.

The realities of migration, detribalisation, fundamental Christianity, political corruption and social inequity plague the African continent today. Continental economies continue to be dependent on foreign investment, exposing themselves to demands that have more to do with benefitting corporations, than people.

Worse, it appears that the indoctrination from enslavement and colonialism was too effective.

At one stage, the Portuguese were the largest exporters of enslaved peoples, pillaging countries along the western coast of Africa, down to Angola. Today, Beckles points out that Angola is one of the largest single investors in the economy of Portugal. In diaspora, we too face challenges of diminished selfworth and residual trauma from the untreated effects of enslavement.

Preoccupations with skin colour and western perceptions of beauty provide the backdrop to persistent inequities in predominantly African populations.

Family life needs to be repaired, along with a return to ancient values of child-rearing and community building. Our economies are floundering for reasons similar to what is experienced on the continent, but also because we persistently refuse to really work together for economic and social stability.

For me, the only way to create Beckles’ global Africa is to first emancipate ourselves from the stubborn shackles of mental slavery.

Of course, the question is how do traumatised people even begin this process. It is a conundrum that must be addressed as a matter of urgency, but at least emancipation celebrations that draw attention to the many positives and achievements are a good place to start.

Dara Healy is a performance a r t – ist and founder of the N G O , the Ind i g e – n o u s Creative A r t s Network – ICAN

“Since diabetes is a major cause of blindness and consuming too much sugar could lead to diabetes.

A patient suffering from diabetes could develop diabetic retinopathy which could lead to complete blindness.” Suratt said diabetic retinopathy affects blood vessels in the light-sensitive tissue called the retina that lines the back of the eye, and is the common cause of vision loss among people with diabetes.

Sankat, a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, who took up the position in February, was officially installed in a ceremony on July 27 at the St John’s Anglican Cathedral of Belize, Belize, that included an academic procession and musical interludes that included an ensemble by UWI academic and conductor Jessel Murray.

Murray had performed an ensemble in 2008 at Sankat’s installation as principal and pro vice-chancellor of UWI St Augustine Campus.

A UB release said that Sankat was installed by the university’s board of trustees’ chairman Harrison Pilgrim. Belize Governor General Sir Colville Young robed him with his new academic gown.

The ceremony was blessed by Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Belize, the Rt Rev Philip S Wright. Among those present were government ministers and elected public officials, members of the diplomatic community, and representatives of the UWI, and representatives of UB students, staff, and alumni.

Sankat, an engineer by training spoke of his priorities for the transformation of the university.

Sankat said, it was imperative that national universities in small developing countries be supported in their roles because of the challenges they face in fragile economies. He said they also needed to be creative themselves so as to enhance and sustain human and national development.

“I hope that I will be able, as your leader, to bring the knowledge resident at the university to shape, and develop a pathway for Belize’s development through leadership, research, creativity and innovation and altogether bringing service and engagement to the people of Belize,” he said.

Losses at Fareed Baksh Hardware and Construction Company of Cumuto Road North, Barrackpore have so far been estimated at $5 million. Investigators say not only did the stock in the hardware go up in flames, but a number of high end vehicles parked on the compound were destroyed.

According to a police report, at 6 pm, smoke was seen coming from inside the hardware store and an alarm was raised. Appliances from the Princes Town Fire Station and Mon Repos Sub Station responded. They were able to bring the blaze under control and confine it to the hardware area.

Six vehicles, three cars including a Porsche Cayenne and an Mazda X5, a panel van and two pick-up vans were also destroyed.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined. Yesterday officers from the Fire Prevention Department (South) visited the scene in search of clues. Barrackpore police is investigating.

On July 24 I went to a store to make purchases using my card. It turned out it had expired the previous month.

So I proceeded to my home branch in Arima to collect the new one. Just like I have been doing for the past 13 years.

The teller told me my expired card was not up for renewal — because I was not using it often enough. The last time I made a purchase was in February. That is the most flimsy excuse I have ever heard.

I returned home and called the Credit Card Centre.

The rep took my number and promised to call me to straighten out the problem.

Hours later no one had called.

I again phoned the centre and spoke to another person. She also took my number and promised to call. Again no return call. I called a third time.

This rep had me holding on for about 30 minutes. I hung up in frustration.

I called again next morning.

I was told the bank is changing from the Caribbean Miles Master to a Visa Platinum card. But she checked to see why I had not received a renewal notice. She came back with the same excuse — I had not used the card since February.

Prior to this there was no correspondence indicating there has been a change in policy. The excuse is without merit since I know another client (my son), who lives in the US, and used his card only twice during the two years living abroad and his is up for renewal.

I have been a long-standing customer with this bank.

I have had the credit card for over 13 years. Records will show that I have always paid on time. As a result I consider myself a good customer.

Further, I am due to travel on August 3 and with no available foreign currency and no credit card I am in a bind.

This treatment is unfair and unwarranted.

HEATHER-ANN BOXILL Arouca

The ceremony will be held at an Emancipation Day openhouse event which will take place at the office of the National Action Cultural Committee (NACC), 40 Duke Street, Port of Spain, on August 1.

A number of artistes are expected to perform at this historic event, including nine-time Road March King, SuperBlue, former calypso monarchs, Karene Asche and Duane O’Connor, 2017 National Calypso Queen, Sasha Ann Moses and People’s Calypsonian, Bro Valentino.

The Stars of Stars Dance Troupe, the Guanapo Police Youth Club Drummers and the Sapophonics Steel Orchestra will also be in attendance among other groups.

According to a police report at about 9.50 pm, Kern Moore, 36, of Powder Magazine in Cocorite experienced mechanical problems with his vehicle near the John John Towers.

Moore was trying to repair the vehicle when he was approached by a man unknown to him who began asking him about the whereabouts of certain people in the John John area. When Moore told the man he was not from the area and did not know any of the people, the man began making threats at Moore who turned and ran. On reaching the River Side Plaza which houses the Police Service’s Homicide Investigations Bureau, Moore fell as he was shot in the right leg.

A second man, Meshach Quamina, 21, of East Dry River who was walking nearby was also shot in the leg.

Officers on duty at the Bureau later took the men to the Port of Spain General Hospital where they were treated and kept overnight. No arrest has been made and investigations are ongoing.