Faces and portfolios in the 2013/7 Tobago House of Assembly (THA) administration were somewhat different from those before, but there was a dispiriting sameness in the Auditor-General’s (AuG) report of early May on the THA’s financial statement for the year ended September 30, 2015.

“An audit,” the AuG first explained, “involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statement … (It) also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statement.” He then listed several deficiencies in the THA submission: cash books, lists of paid and unpaid cheques, bank statements, payment vouchers, vote books, ledger cards etc “not produced” for audit; a difference of $20.8 million in figures given for unspent balances “not ascertained;” a sum of $2.48 million in a bank account “not disclosed;” and so on.

He also found that THA Financial Rules had not yet been laid in Parliament, despite the requirement in the 1996 THA Act that this be done within two months of the coming into force of the Act.

Further, the THA had, in his view, breached the Financial Regulations, the Financial Instructions, and directives from the Ministry of Finance in areas such as overseas travel, maintenance of a register of contracts, vote control etc.

And, in expressing an overall adverse opinion on the THA offering, he concluded that “the Financial Statement of the Assembly does not fully comply with International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS) Financial Reporting under the Cash Basis of Accounting…” The last THA financial statement before this 2015 one was for fiscal 2006; it was prepared only in early 2015. (What about the intervening years, I wonder?) That 2006 statement, on which the AuG had declined to express an opinion, was frightening enough: the THA was unable to provide, for audit examination, documents and records to account for nearly one billion dollars of taxpayers’ money. One billion! In reaction, then chief secretary Orville London requested a report on the matter. Is it ready yet? Replying in April 2015 to the AuG’s highly critical report on the 2006 statement, the THA gave the sublimely ironic assurance that it was “cognisant of its responsibilities to properly and accurately account for the public funds entrusted to it in the execution of its mandate.” (To be “cognisant of ” is one thing; to “fulfil” is another.) One of the elements of the “corrective action plan” it also put forward then was the “full adoption” by 2017 of the same IPSAS mentioned above, with which the AuG now says it is not in full compliance.

Will the THA now argue that fiscal 2017 is not yet over, and that there is still time to meet its “responsibilities?” “But none of this is new,” I wrote in an Express article of April 15, 2015, after the AuG’s report on the 2006 statement appeared.

“The AuG’s reports on the THA for 2003, 2004 and 2005 contain virtually the same language of dissatisfaction with the Assembly’s financial behaviour … Against that background, many would find it difficult to escape the conclusion that the THA has been adopting a cavalier attitude to the use of what we must always remember is the money of the Trinidad and Tobago taxpayer…and thumbing its nose at financial rules and regulations, at the AuG, and indeed at the public.

Why, it might be asked, has this been allowed to continue?” Chief Secretary Kelvin Charles has said that the AuG’s 2015 report “found no instances of fraud… or misappropriation of funds.” Such a response isn’t new, either.

In an August 2008 article, following the AuG’s report on the THA’s financial statement for fiscal 2003, I wrote: “In his remarks…on the report (THA Secretary of Finance and Enterprise Development), Dr (Anselm) London said that ‘we are very pleased that the report makes absolutely no reference to (or even vaguely suggests) fraud, … financial impropriety, or … any form of financial wrongdoing on the part of anyone anywhere in the Assembly …’” I commented as follows: “It should … be noted that what the AuG normally conducts … are purely financial audits … (not expeditions) for fraud. But (such) audits can of course indicate the possibility or probability of official misdealings as distinct from inefficiencies.

In that case, you would need a value-for-money audit and perhaps (more) as well.” In 2001 Orville London, newly in office, proposed a comprehensive audit of the THA. But last March, 16 years later, Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee flagellated the THA’s “sloppy and laissez-faire financial management.” It’s what I’ve been saying for most of those 16 years. I say also: early implementation of London’s p r o p o s a l is a crucial p r e r e q – uisite for i n t e r n a l s e l f – gov – ernment.

The traumatised victim, who is from Tobago, returned to the sister isle on Saturday night, hours after the incident, and is recieving counceling for his ordeal.

According to reports, the victim who is pursuing a law degree, travels to Trinidad every Saturday to attend classes.

On Saturday afternoon around 4 pm he exitied a taxi in Arouca and was on his way to board another taxi to take him to the Piarco International Airport, when he saw a man whom he thought looked familiar.

The victim told police that he was approached by a man who told him that he was going to Tobago but needed to go to his apartment to change, and asked the law student to accompany him to his apartment so he could freshen up before they both departed to the airport.

The law student said because the man looked familiar he did not feel that there was anything sinister about the invitation to go to the suspect’s apartment.

According to the victim, when arriving to the apartment a short distance away from the Arouca taxi stand the man placed a knife at his neck, and ordered him to perform oral sex.

He said that following the act, he was then buggered for close to ten minutes.

Following the two rape acts the student was allowed to leave. He made his way to the Arouca Police Station where the matter was reported.

The victim was taken to the St Joseph Health Centre where he was examined by DMO Dr Gopaul, and a medical certificate obtained. Police officers then took the victim back to the Arouca area where a search was carried out at the apartment where the rape act took place, and a 31-year-old Guyanese national arrested.

The suspect was taken back to the Arouca Police Station and was expected to be placed on an identification parade yesterday for the two rape acts as well as other criminal acts reported by victims.

The law student was expected to return to the country yesterday to attend the identification parade.

Sources say that the man was inconsolable following the incident.

Investigatons are continuing.

In a recent conversation with director Gale Tyson Newsday was told that the organisation was established in 2014 with the motto “moving with purpose”. Positive Motion conducts three main events annually. In June the organisation has a concert entitled C.O.M.E (Children of Multi-faceted Experiences).

In which children perform and the organisation raises funds for our July/August holidays.

The second activity is a Character Values live-in camp. At this camp, there is a strong emphasis on the six pillars of good character trustworthiness, responsibility, respect, fairness, caring and good citizenship with spirituality and motivational sessions to complete the character values curriculum for camp.

The campers also experience a variety of constructive recreational type activities and an educational field trip. The third event is a Christmas poetry competition and treat where a poem is written by parent and child and presented by the child. The competition seeks to inspire parents and children to work together in composing a poem. The organisation uses the methodology of acting, singing, and other performing arts to promote character in children.

“We have a learning through play strategy,” said Tyson “Everything we teach at Positive Motion, there is a game or a fun time attached to it so that it is more palatable to younger minds.” Tyson, who has performed at high levels in the country said that she is familiar with what is required to perform the perfect piece, and she teaches these methods to every child that comes under her care. Her organisation was originally based in El Socorro and was intended to be specifically for the children in her area. However, the organisation grew so large that she had to move her practice to the Malick Youth Facility.

“I felt like there were children out there that need to be taught what I know, and it can assist with building this country and keeping children away from crime,” Tyson said.

She added that her programme is so flexible that it is able to treat with character development in adults as well.

Despite not having a proper base of operations the organisation is still continuing with its goal of developing children’s character through performing arts. This year, their camp will be held in Maraval, with children coming from as far as San Fernando to attend. The organisation is also making preparations for this year’s Christmas show.

“I want people to know that this organisation is open to all children in the country,” Tyson said, “but right now, we need a home”

My initial thought was that the Port of Spain City Corporation and Mayor Joel Martinez chose Queen Street because Commissiong is a “queen of the universe.” But what she needs is a street yet to be named. Not Queen Street. Must we continue to devalue our history? The corporation should also consider that all the businesses, residences, and even the mosque on Queen Street will have to change addresses.

How about renaming Victoria Square, or the Queen’s Park Savannah, or part of Long Circular Road — from Patna Street to the Western Main Road — after Commissiong? There are new housing developments being built and I am sure the developers would have Commissiong in their thoughts.

GREGORY J NEPTUNE Port of Spain

In a statement issued on the weekend, the ministry refuted claims in the electronic media that the decision by six leading courier companies to withdraw their lawsuit over the OPT on Friday may have been influenced by fear of victimisation in the companies obtaining foreign exchange.

“This is a ludicrous suggestion because the persons who purchase goods online do so using their personal credit cards through the commercial banks, and these personal credit cards are not in any way connected to the courier companies.

“Further, the very suggestion that courier companies might be victimised in some way is reprehensible because the Ministry of Finance is not in any way involved in the distribution of foreign exchange to courier companies. Foreign exchange is distributed by the commercial banks,” the ministry said.

The ministry added that the companies withdrew their lawsuit on the strength of the detailed written submissions filed by the Ministry and the Office of the Attorney General in the High Court. “Clearly, the courier companies realised that they had no case with respect to the Government’s legitimate right to vary or impose taxes in order to generate revenue to service the needs of the general population and the country at large,” the statement said.

Late on Saturday nights, it was stated on a couple of online posts that Clarke managed to get a passport which would have enabled him to leave with the squad today for Ecuador.

However, in the TT FA’s Facebook page yesterday, it was reported, “TT FA media (officer Shaun Fuentes) said that (today) the TT FA will approach (an unnamed immigration) office with further attempts to get Clarke’s passport in time for the Ecuador trip.”

Harrysingh-Carmona also called for proper food labelling legislation, saying there must be more visual and real information on eating healthy.

“We must not glamorise bad eating habits and unhealthy lifestyles. Legislation must, therefore, be in place to ensure that all foods sold are properly labelled in terms of fat content, cholesterol level and calories.

They must form part of the advertisements on radio, television and social media so that informed choices can be made by the public,” she said.

Harrysingh-Carmona made the suggestion on Saturday while delivering the feature address at the opening ceremony of a two-day children’s camp hosted by the Diabetes Association of Trinidad and Tobago (DATT).

The association hosted the event at the Preysal Secondary School at Couva.

Emphasing that there is need to devise innovative ways and means of arresting this health crisis in the Caribbean, she added it was why she promotes the child advocate model as a means of trying to push and encourage the message of a healthy lifestyle. The child and not an adult, Harrysingh-Carmona said, becomes the messenger among his/her peer group.

She urged coordinators and facilitators of the camp to ignite in the child that kind of child advocacy so that the youngster can spread messages of good health, well-being and exercise.

“The child advocate can warn his parents, friends and schoolmates about improper eating habits that can lead to diabetes and other health issues.

An informed child advocate can, therefore, trigger a veritable health revolution in the society at large,” she said.

Harr ysingh-Carmona is the patron of DATT, a non-profit organisation.

Those in attendance were President Carmona; Health Minister, Terrence Deyalsingh; DATT’s President Praimraj Boodram; and First VP Andrew Dhanoo (symposium chair).

She said too many persons in the country were hospitalised due to diabetes, which accounts for 28 percent of patients.

“Amputations because of diabetes mellitus are simply too high,” she added.

“Prevention starts at home, in the kitchens and in the lunch kits of our children. Our local cuisine can be a mind field given our obsession with oil, lard, butter, MSG and our well-known Siamese twins- salt and sugar,” Harrysingh-Carmona said.

However, she acknowledged that one can eat ‘local’ and still eat healthily.

“Our advocacy can, therefore, involve influencing the manufacturing world to do the right thing through legislative means because collaboration on such entities like issues of health has not proven to be very successful,” she told the gathering.

To the children of the camp, Harrysingh- Carmona encouraged them to maintain their focus in their advocacy against unhealthy lifestyles and non-communicable diseases. She publicly thanked Deyalsingh and the authorities for listening and hearing the cries of DATT and mandating the exclusion of drinks and juices with high sugar content from all cafeterias in schools.

Pledging her support to the association, Harrysingh congratulated members for their genuine and selfless volunteerism aimed at creating better lives for those who are vulnerable.

The association will host an expo from September 29- 30 at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya. The aim of this event is to bridge the gap between health care providers and the public. Organisers promise a healthy and delicious food options in a fun atmosphere in IN ORDER to grow its Food Zone.

Dr Polson-Edwards was speaking at the opening of a two-day technical and policy forum for laboratory directors from 19 English and Dutch speaking public health laboratories across the region.

The aim of the forum was to share activities, achievements and strategic priorities, inform of technical laboratory advances, and exchange lessons-learned from the most-affected countries. The meeting discussed and sought to establish consensus on regional and country- specific needs and action plans for laboratory preparedness and technical capacity development training, with specific focus on the Zika Virus and other outbreak prone diseases.

Dr Polson-Edwards highlighted CARPHA’s role in assisting member states to strengthen capacity in the testing of arboviral diseases, especially in response to the recent Zika outbreak. She underscored the function of laboratories in the long-term development of the Roadmap for Regional Health Security, not only for diagnosis of new and emerging pathogens, but also in areas of biosafety and biosecurity.

Clinical environments are highly pressurised and healthcare professionals are constantly having to deal with life and death, pain, despair and grief. They are also susceptible to other occupational stressors such as poor management practices; unkempt physical spaces; substandard or malfunctioning equipment; fear of culpability for negligence of care –all of which will impact on the quality and standard of service provided.

I have witnessed serious shortcomings at various clinical care institutions both in the UK and in Trinidad and Tobago, and staff have lamented that even though they raise concerns with senior management their voices go unheard.

This deep-seated frustration with the systemic failures and their sense of disillusionment is notable by the impact it has on their overall well-being. To quote a healthcare professional, “it’s a case of shut up and put up with the mess and hope and pray for the patients because if not it will drive me insane”. Another asked: “How can we be expected to deliver a first-class service in a third-rate environment and it not affect us.” The fact of the matter is that healthcare personnel are psychologically, emotionally and cognitively diverse and as such will have different reactions to situations.

But, working in an environment where there are processes which are counter-productive to health and healing (even amongst the most resilient person) will eventually impinge on their ability to deliver the level of service expected.

Let me share some of the challenges raised by the staff at Port of Spain General, San Fernando and Mt Hope Hospitals: Lack of mandatory tools of the trade – equipment malfunctioning due to lack of maintenance Poor communication –illegibility of referral letters and prescriptions, language and cultural barriers Inefficient procurement processes for acquiring equipment, supplies and stationary Inadequate human resources and consequential overwork Occupational safety and health violations – exposure to unsafe situations with risks to cross-infections, receiving abuse, threats and physical violence Working in physical spaces with vermin infestations, broken air-conditioning and unusable furniture Ineffective organisational practices – management failings, nepotism, interpersonal conflicts, lack of training and development, low morale, incompetence Unrealistic patient demands and expectations –hostility, emotional exhaustion Sub-standard records management system – patient documentation, test results, and images consistently being lost Breaches of confidentiality – fear of disclosure of their own health status From discussions with personnel who have been shouted at, rushed off their feet, feel undervalued, are mentally and physically exhausted and in some instances are in a job where there is a mismatch between their personality, skills and the role they perform, it is evident that not only do these issues affect the quality of their work, but they have a bearing on their health and wellness.

Studies in the UK found that 61 per cent of healthcare professionals expressed feelings of stress most of the time, and that they are also prone to increased levels of depression, anxiety, suicide, and have greater rates of substance misuse.

Such findings ought not to be overlooked because all employers have a duty of care for their staff, and if the work environment is not conducive to staff wellness it should be addressed because staff is the most valuable resource within an organisation.

In TT there is a culture of non-disclosure when it comes to mental health mainly due to stigma and discrimination, but the reality is that health care personnel work in environments with heightened occupational and psychosocial stressors that increases their chances of physical and psychological distress and the knock-on effect of not addressing those stressors is the potential for life-threatening clinical errors to occur.

If healthcare institutions are serious about adhering to quality assurance standards and fulfilling their duty of care to patients and employees, then the voices of the staff who wish to discuss the challenges they endure should be listened to. The benefits of having a motivated and empowered workforce should not be underestimated, so taking account of their concerns will be a step in the right direction that can invariably boost morale, improve communication, reduce absenteeism/presenteeism and lead to improved job outputs and outcomes – a win/win situation for all.

Dr Yansie Rolston FRSA is a UKbased disability and mental health specialist advisor. She is a social strategist and trainer who works internationally at various levels of government, business and civil society.

Contact her at yr@efficacyeva.com

So far, Garcia has done his part, completing a week of training and earning selection on the 19- man squad that will leave today for Guayaquil to take on Ecuador in an international friendly on Wednesday.

Garcia hails from a footballing family, as his younger brother Levi is a national winger who plays for AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch Eredivisie, while his eldest brother Daniel played with TT EC at the Pro League level. Another brother, Judah, is a member of Shiva Boys High School’s successful 2016 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Premier Division champs and a national youth team player.

“It’s been a good week of preparation for us,” Garcia said, in an interview on the TT FA (TT Football Association) website. “The step up has been good. We’ve all worked hard and tried to follow the instructions of the coach.

“I’ve had a chance to be around the training before and now this is another opportunity for me to really make a good impression because I’d love to get a look for the World Cup qualifying games in September,” Garcia added.

“The current squad has a lot of local-based players so we are all trying to push for selection and take on board everything the coaches are passing on in the sessions. There’s a lot for us to absorb in these sessions and it’s really getting us in good shape for international football.

The level is different,” Garcia noted