According to a notice issued by the airline, flight BW 448 yesterday from Port of Spain to Barbados was cancelled as was BW 449 from Barbados to Port of Spain and BW 415 from Port of Spain to Barbados. Another flight BW 438 scheduled to fly last evening from Port of Spain to Grenada was also cancelled. The airline yesterday advised its customers to visit its website www.caribbean-airlines.com or call Caribbean Airlines Call Centres before going to the airport.

The airline says customers travelling between yesterday and today will be allowed to change or cancel their reservations without penalty once they have a confirmed ticket

Outgoing President Marvin Ramnarine gave an account of his Board’s activities in the Club’s contribution in 2016- 17 to providing relief to the underprivileged, who experience homelessness, hunger and are socially vulnerable.

He praised the female Partners in Service who supported the efforts of the male Rotarians during the past year. The Pointe-a-Pierre Rotary Club continues to be male membership supported by female counterparts who are Partners- in Service in Club activities.

Outgoing President Ramnarine also pointed out the Club’s contribution to both Gasparillo Secondary School and Union /Claxton Bay Secondary School through its outreach programmes, homeless men at Shamrock House Men’s Shelter and scores of single parent families benefitting from the hamper drive.

Principal of the Union Claxton Bay Secondary School Preston Kissoon was inducted as a Rotarian and member. Ramnarine and Partner in Service, attorney and former Young Woman of the Year 2005, Cherry Ann Rajkumar both received Paul Harris Awards for their contribution to the Rotary year 2016-2017, “Rotary Serving Humanity.” Incoming President Bobby Indar pledged to continue the charitable works of the Club and promised to make it a fun-filled year of activity.

The ceremony was attended by notable Rotarians and Partners in Service Roland and Avian Hall, Dave Sookhoo, Faizal and Dawn Saidwan.

The Master of Ceremonies was Lutch Singh and guest speaker Epidemiologist Dr Lisa Indar.

On Monday, two. weeks after the expected. completion of. maintenance work,. neither Works and. Transportation Minister. Rohan Sinanan. nor TTIT officials. could offer any information. as to when. the ferry would be. returned to service,. if ever.

Sinanan told Newsday. he was unaware. of a one-month time. frame for work to. be completed and. he could give no information. when it. would be returned to. service.

Asked if the new. passenger ferry, the. Ocean Flower 2, now. expected to arrive. in Trinidad and Tobago. next Wednesday,. would be the. only vessel operating. on the sea bridge,. Sinanan said “whatever. is required we. will put in place. If it. is that the water taxi. is required, we will. use it.”. Meanwhile, TTIT’s. chairman Charmaine. Lewis told Newsday. engine work is being. done on the TT Spirit. and while she was expecting. a report from. the engineers, she. could provide no information. as to when. the vessel will return. to the route.

TTIT’s public relations. officer, Vilma. Lewis-Cockburn told. Newsday she was unsure. about the state of. repairs of the vessel.

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The man is five feet tall and was found clad in a green T-shirt, a white vest and a grey cap. Police found the word “loverboy” tattooed on the victim’s arm. Seven spent shells were found near the body.

Officers said they were searching their fingerprint data base in the hope of making a match and getting his identity. They are also appealing to the public for assistance in identifying the victim.

The Prime Minister made this point at a news conference at Tower D of the Port-of-Spain International Waterfront Centre, following three hours of talks on this and other matters with Opposition Leader Kamla Persad- Bissessar at the same venue.

Rowley disclosed that he discussed the need to review the future of the Integrity Commission and other service commissions.

On the issue of crime, the Prime Minister said Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi will provide the Opposition with new legislative proposals about how to appoint a Commissioner of Police, while he will provide Persad-Bissessar with a report on what Government has been doing non-legislatively on crime, by the end of this month.

DPP’S SUGGESTION

Rowley said following consultations between Al-Rawi and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the AG came to him with a proposal from DPP Roger Gaspard, SC, to legislate amendments to the Summary Courts Act and Preliminary Inquiries Act, “so that the problem that now exists of people not being able to have their matters heard could be dealt with.” The Prime Minister said that Chief Justice Ivor Archie concurred with DPP Gaspard’s view. However, he added, Persad-Bissessar made it clear yesterday that, “the Opposition is not prepared to support this approach because they do not believe that approach is sound.” Rowley said Persad-Bissessar indicated that people who are affected have already begun to challenge the situation and, “whatever we legislate will be open to challenge.

” Rowley said the Opposition is proposing a solution be found under Section 137 of the Constitution which involves the removal of a judge from office and appointment of a tribunal as part of the process. “I am not going to advise myself on this matter,” he stated. Rowley said, “We had no agreement on that. What we did have was an agreement that the AG will consult with the Constitution and I will have to take my guidance from elsewhere. There is a lot more to be done here.” Rowley said Persad-Bissessar agreed with him that Government and the Opposition have further discussions about the process whereby judges are appointed to the High Court, “with a view to modernising the process.”

The Prime Minister said there was no discussion between Persad- Bissessar and himself about calls for Archie and other members of the JLSC to resign. He disagreed with the view advanced from some quarters that the Government should have intervened in this matter. Rowley maintained that the matter is on “in the Judiciary” and Government will have to be advised on the options available to it.

IC MUST BE REVIEWED

On the Integrity Commission (IC), Rowley said no statement he made could have contributed to citizens losing confidence in that Commission because confidence was already lost. “It is my view as the head of this government, that the Integrity Commission as an institution fit for purpose, ought to be reviewed for us to determine whether what happens now is in fact having any chance of providing what we anticipated when that body was brought into being.” He said the AG will advance to the Opposition, “positions for review of the legislation to determine whether other models can be considered in the light of the failure of our efforts to bring about what was anticipated when this commission was brought into being.” Rowley also said he told Persad- Bissessar that the purpose for which many of the service commissions came into being, might in many circumstances have been outlived.

Noting there is poor accountability and questionable performance by some of these commissions, Rowley said, “Therefore the time has come as a country, for us to review this situation.” The Prime Minister said he would write to the Canadian government about providing assistance which respect to improve the management systems in these commissions.

The cause of the fire, which investigators suspect may have started near a beauty parlor and variety store, is yet to be determined.

Damage to the area has been estimated at $100,000.

According to a police report, just before 6 pm on Sunday, a security guard on duty contacted owner Kieran Singh telling him that smoke was seen from within the mall.

The Mon Repos Fire Station was contacted.

Upon arrival, firemen quickly extinguished the blaze.

Shell-shocked relatives including father Atiba were inconsolable yesterday at the Forensic Science Centre in St James as they awaited the end of an autopsy on his son’s body.

According to reports, the Gorkin family went to the Boardwalk in Chaguaramas on Sunday afternoon.

At 5 pm, Atiba Gorkin was standing on the steps leading to the Boardwalk when he turned his back while speaking with friends. Minutes later, he realised Messi was nowhere to be seen and a frantic search was made.

Anxious relatives and friends combed the entire area searching in and around the Boardwalk and on the water’s edge but the child was not found. Relatives alerted the Coast Guard as well as the Chaguaramas Development Corporation and officers carried out searches both on land and at sea.

At 8 pm, the father made an official report of his son’s disappearance to the Carenage police.

Weeping relatives remained at the Boardwalk throughout Sunday night and yesterday morning hoping Messi would be found alive.

At 6 am, all hopes were dashed with the news that his body was found floating in the sea near Pier One, by a security guard.

Officers believe the body was pushed further out to sea by strong currents.

Residents of George Street last night lit candles and gathered at the family’s home to lend support.

“Messi was such a happy and loving child that you could not help but like him. We are all in shock over his death. But what can you do? The Lord’s ways are not ours. We just have to hold on to our faith and support the family,” said a George Street resident.

Through his tears, Atiba told Newsday he felt emotionally drained. “I am too emotional right now to say anything, please call me back later,” Atiba said while a female relative sobbed nearby, crying out Messi’s name.

“I want him back.

Why is my child, why my child,” she cried. PC Thurton of the Carenage Police Station is continuing enquiries.

Minister Rambharat was last Friday briefed on a spate of recent incidents including the poaching of wildlife, illegal sales, and illegal activities in the Caroni Bird Sanctuary.

In one incident, a Ministry of Agriculture patrol boat came into contact with a privately owned boat in a prohibited area of the Caroni Swamp. At the time, the patrol boat was reportedly in pursuit of another vessel also within the prohibited area.

In light of the serious nature of poaching in the Caroni Swamp, in particular, threats to the Scarlet Ibis and flamingo birds, Minister Rambharat at once requested the help of the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and directed game wardens from the Ministry to increase patrols and seize all poached game and wildlife.

Following its investigations, Minister Rambharat has also asked the Coast Guard to review current arrangements for securing the Caroni Bird Sanctuary and make recommendations for improvement. The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries will prosecute illegal traders to the full extent of the law.

In a media release Cuffie said in his short years Matthews made his mark in the media and entertainment world. “His lyrics of his 2017 Carnival hit are enduring and wise words for Trinidad and Tobago, especially the young people Devon sought to inspire. He has been described as a loyal friend who was selfless. I pray for comfort for his family in their time of grief,” Cuffie said in the release.

Matthews, a soca artiste, radio and television personality, was a member of the RED 96.7 FM family.

He died suddenly on Saturday night after performing at Tribe’s Carnival band launch. The 36-yearold hosted the “Affairs of the Heart” radio talk show and placed third in this year’s Soca Monarch with his hit ‘D Journey Remix (Make it).’ In extending condolences to Holder’s family, Cuffie said the media has lost a colleague who will be remembered for her outgoing and vivacious personality.

“In their time of bereavement, may Carlet’s family find peace knowing that her time on this earth was well-spent, making a difference in the lives of others.” Holder was diagnosed with Lupus and lost her battle with the disease on Saturday afternoon. She worked at various media houses including Synergy TV and the Government Information Services Ltd (GISL).

In many ways, the meeting is a repeat of history. A similar meeting took place last year.

And long before the current Government administration, the Office of the Prime Minister has often hosted the Opposition.

Indeed, a similar exercise was undertaken by Persad-Bissessar during her tenure as prime minister.

And before both Rowley and Persad-Bissessar, several prime ministers have held meetings with Opposition legislators to agree on new provisions being passed in Parliament.

Unfortunately, when it comes to Government-Opposition collaboration, the record of achievement has been fairly dismal in recent times. The anti- gang legislation, the rules governing the selection of a Police Commissioner and even the infamous Section 34 law were all passed with bipartisan support, some as a direct result of Government and Opposition meetings.

Former PNM prime minister Patrick Manning famously trashed the laws governing the selection of a police commissioner which had been promulgated during his tenure, saying they represented “compromise” positions having come out of collaboration with the UNC.

The timing of Manning’s reappraisal of the law (his government had just rejected the Police Service Commission’s top choice for commissioner — Stephen Williams) distracted from the truth of its substance: a High Court judge eventually struck down portions of the law years later and today few disagree that it remains unsatisfactory.

Is it really the case that when legislators cooperate the resulting measures are more likely to be defective? In theory, listening to the views of others who do not have to toe your line enhances decision- making. Any government will always have expert advice at its disposal, but the wider its pool of expertise the better.

Still, it is also clear that when the stakes are high and both sides have much to lose, compromises will result in a loss of quality. There is something called objection for objection sake and it is not conductive to good law.

But without an adversarial process, it is also the case that hidden flaws may not come to light. It is the job of Opposition and Independent legislators to be extremely vigilant on behalf of the population as a whole.

What matters most is that the politicians realise there is a time and a place for collaboration as opposed to theatrics. Both sides must also be fully committed and must not, years after the fact, then engage in a revision of history to suit the current political climate.

The agenda for the meeting has given us some encouraging signs. We truly hope progress can be made on campaign finance reform, a matter left in abeyance by the Persad-Bissessar regime after five years. It is also encouraging that the Prime Minister has returned to the fore his plan for a code of conduct for parliamentarians, a matter that is urgently required given the faltering of the Integrity Commission and the matter of the management of constituency office funds and employment practices across the floor.

Crime, however, remains the most pressing matter and should also be on the agenda, whether special majority matter or no.

We need, by 3.30 pm today when this meeting ends, some real results.