According to him 82 per cent of Trinidad and Tobago private firms were in decline. Meanwhile in the last eight years, this country’s average growth rate was -.01 per cent.

Khadan said many, moreover, many in this country appeared undisturbed because they are expecting energy prices to go back up. “We presume that the energy sector will recover and normalise the status quo. A status quo that is highly uncompetitive, highly uncompetitive and highly inefficient.” He said however that energy prices were liable to remain depressed over the next five years.

Moreover, he maintained that the role government has played in the economy has to change.

“Providing job opportunities, providing subsidies and social programmes targeted at various sectors of the population, support of inefficient public enterprises, just to name a few. These things can continue no longer. And this reality needs to set in quickly.” Khadan said that what was needed was new ways to generate growth outside of the energy sector. Most including government turned to the private sector to fill this role, particularly when things were bad in the economy.However, Khadan argues that in its present form, the private sector is hardly able to do that.

“It could, if it were dynamic, employment generating, innovative and export oriented. But it is not,” he said. Khadan said currently, only 14 per cent of firms were exporters, only 5 per cent of firms had an innovation department and they spend less on it than other firms across the region. He also noted that TT private sector firms spent seven times more on security.

Meanwhile, senior management at private sector companies were likely to spend as much as 10 per cent of their time dealing with government bureaucracy in pushing through important works and projects.

“If you extrapolate that out to a year, the average firm would lose over 26 working days of senior management’s time dealing with bureaucracy.” As a result, Khadan said it was therefore no surprise that private sector investment is a quarter of what it is in other small economies across the Caribbean.

If the country’s economy was to thrive, then private sector firms needed to urgently change its mindset concluded Khadan.

“What the private sector needs is a more pro-business environment characterized by incentives and disincentives toward one characterized as dynamic, innovative and export oriented. For the private sector to become that key player in the economy, it doesn’t need lecturers nor to be given lectures,” he said.

During a panel discussion, subsequent to the presentation by Dr Khadan, participants, InvesTT chair, Moonilal Lalchan, Chamber president, Ronald Hinds, Professor Avinash Persaud and former TTMA president, Andrew Aleong, elaborated other problems that the private sector had in becoming what government and the country needed it to be.

These issues included the overvalued foreign exchange rate and the challenges presented to the private sector by it, the mismatch between the supply and demand components of labour and the mistrust between the private and the public sectors.

You see, a hospital is not just a building or even its equipment.

To function it requires scores of doctors, hundreds of nurses, nurses’ helpers, cleaners, pharmacists, administrators etc.

A one-off spending to complete infrastructure is one thing.

However, opening the hospital commits one to hundreds of millions of dollars in recurrent expenditure year after year from now on.

In the case of the academy, the sum for running that facility would prove to be significantly lower.

Not only that, it has the capacity to generate income that would help pay for itself. That’s the real reason the hospital remains closed while the academy has been opened.

ANISA GRANT via email

The following day it was completely withdrawn from service to undertake repair works to its Port Inner Main Engine.

PATT said “the required critical parts” arrived in the country later that night and the technical crew “worked assiduously to return the vessel to service” yesterday (Wednesday). The TT Express was therefore scheduled to set sail at 1.45 pm from Port-of-Spain for Scarborough.

Meanwhile, the TT Spirit developed problems with its electrical systems on the same day; Tuesday, that the TT Express had been withdrawn from service to have its engine issues rectified.

PATT yesterday said that repair work on the TT Spirit “commenced immediately (on Tuesday) to ensure that the vessel met its scheduled 4 pm commitment.” “Unfortunately, the repairs were not completed as planned and the vessel was unable to make its return crossing to Tobago. This situation adversely impacted on passengers, as there were persons who could not return to their homes and family.” PATT then reiterated that withdrawing both vessels from service “was necessary” and that, in keeping with its mandate to provide efficient and reliable inter-island transport services, passengers can be assured that at all times, “the best decisions will always be made to ensure that the service is not compromised and that our passengers are safe during the voyage.”

Brasnell said when TTEC was made aware of the resident’s situation on May 11, it contacted Strake Village pensioner Oma Sandy on that same day to get details of the defective street lights which resulted in near total darkness on the street in the village at night.

“Repairs have been scheduled for the next available date for work in that area, which is the first week in June,” Brasnell assured yesterday.

Last week, residents called on TTEC to repair four defective street lights in their area.

Negmawah is a French Creole word that means “runaway slave.” Access to get there is from the Maracas North Coast Road and the downhill walk to the beach will take an hour. The return journey to the top of the mountain is uphill and moderately challenging. The trail descends to the left-hand side of the bay, where a small cove is located and over the rocks, leads to the beach.

The Cedula De-Population of 1783 invited French farmers to come to Trinidad and develop the country by establishing estates.

Most of the places in the vicinity of Negmawah still have French names like Pechon Cove, Mal D’Estomac, and Saut D’eau. There is no one alive to relate its history, but villagers pass on its name.

One can only imagine the significance of Negmawah as a hideout for the runaway slaves. The torture of slavery, to labour 12 hours a day, seven days a week, whipped and unpaid for an entire lifetime. There is something sentimental about Negmawah – the enchanted stillness in the forest.

On Saturday, Fitness Walkers explore Negmawah Beach.

Assembly: 7 am at the Morne Coco Road Gas Station Maraval.

Hiking time: an hour downhill and one-and-a-half-hours uphill return.

Rated: 4-5 moderately challenging.

Except in lawless Trinidad and Tobago.

At the Police Service weekly press briefing yesterday at Police Administration Building in Portof- Spain, it was revealed that in the five months of this year, over $7 million worth of fines were paid to the State by motorists charged for one offence — speeding. This in addition to millions more paid for other road traffic violations including drunk driving.

The statistic was revealed by Acting Assistant Superintendent (Ag ASP) Kissoon Badloo of the Traffic Patrol Branch, who together with police spokesman Ag ASP Michael Pierre, chaired the meeting. Badloo said that over 7,000 speeding tickets were issued to errant motorists across the twin-island nation.

He praised officers for their diligence in lying in wait with speed gun in hand to catch speeding motorists along all major highways and roads. In total, so far for this year, fines worth $7,445,000 were paid by persons charged for speeding.

At $1,000 per speeding ticket, that works out to 7,445 tickets being issued, Badloo said. The speed limit on major roads is 80 km.

In addition to speeding, 259 motorists were charged for driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI).

“Statistics reveal that 514 voluntary tests were performed at sober zones outside fetes and other such events such as the Point Fortin Borough Day Celebration. As of May 16, the Traffic and Highway patrol branch carried out over 5,000 tests for breath alcohol readings, in which 773 persons were found to be above the accepted level of 35 micrograms,” Badloo said.

He added that there was a 37 percent decline in road fatalities as a result of accidents compared to the corresponding period last year. Despite this decline however, he said the Highway and Patrol Branch remains committed to their role in preventing road fatalities by engaging in a number of education initiatives and safety awareness campaigns.

“The rainy season is also upon us, we also urge vehicle owners/ drivers to ensure that your brakes are in proper order, your wind shield wipers are functional, tyres are good and not smooth and that all lights are functional,” the officer said.

As he concluded debate on the bill, Imbert said Moore’s statements reflected a lack of understanding of the established budgetary process in TT and how Tobago’s appropriation is determined. Moore, who is the Tobago Forwards party leader, is also a former justice minister in the former People’s Partnership (PP) government.

“The arrangements for appropriation to Tobago are fixed in law,” Imbert reminded senators. He said there have been occasions in the past where even though the actual budget expenditure is reduced, the appropriation to Tobago is unaffected.

As he reiterated that expenditure in the 2016/2017 budget could be less that the $53 billion that was projected, Imbert said, “Tobago gets its original allocation as if the actual expenditure was the original $53 billion.” Earlier in the debate, Sinanan observed that Moore never asked the PP why proper arrangements were never put in place for the Super Fast Galicia to operate on the domestic seabridge. “Why not question your government? Why six months, not for a year?” he asked her. Government senators thumped their desks as Sinanan declared there have been no corruption allegations against any government minister in the 19 months that the PNM has been in office.

However he observed that in the PP’s first 19 months, “You could write a book on allegations.” Sinanan reminded senators that the new driver’s permit was launched in Tobago. He said when he assumed office last November, he discovered plans for a Sea Lots walkover which were made in 2013 but never implemented, though the PP was in government from May 2010 to September 2015.

“Nobody saw it fit to build the overpass,” he lamented. Recalling that the Curepe Interchange “brought down” the PP, Sinanan said Government was doing the project properly and the tenders would close on June 7. He also said the Solomon Hochoy Highway Extension Project will be restarted and will not stop until it reaches Point Fortin.

Work is also continuing apace on designs for the Valencia to Toco Highway and consultations on the Toco fast ferry port are ongoing, he said, promising all of these projects will be done “without any corruption.”

I also extend my condolences to the calypso fraternity and sisterhood who have lost one of their champions.

Personally, I felt very touched when Lutalo Masimba, Brother Resistance, the president of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation, offered his condolences to me and the members of the National Joint Action Committee (NJAC) and the National Action Cultural Committee (NACC) because, in Resistance’s words, the organisations and I had lost a wonderful friend.

I knew Brigo had been ailing.

Last week I took out his self-published book, The People’s Cultural Book, and read it again. The picture on the cover was Brigo holding the keys of the city which were given to him by the Port-of- Spain Corporation in 1989.

Brigo had dedicated the book “to all the people who made this book possible, to the People’s Cultural Theatre and all the charities and people who help me from time to time. And Paula.” He also dedicated the book “to all my brothers and sisters in the calypso world…Let’s all come together and stand strong for calypso and the arts and culture of our lands.” I place all this on record because Brigo was dedicated to calypso with a passion that was indefinable.

And if I had to allay anyone’s doubts, I want to recall the information about Brigo that was written in a magazine published when the NACC held the Uncrowned Kings Competition on May 27, 1989, at the Jean Pierre Complex, Port-of-Spain.

Nine artistes competed — Funny, Valentino, Nelson, Superior, Brigo, Explainer, Mudada and Conqueror. Smiley, Creole and Almanac also sang but did not compete and the special guest was Ras Shorty I. At the end of the competition, Brigo, Mudada, Nelson and Funny were declared the joint winners.

Here is what we then wrote about Brigo, who we had called “the family man:” “The story of Brigo mirrors the evolution of the art form of calypso in almost exact detail. Born July 1, 1940, Brigo… was the first of 13 children who knew hardship so intimately, that it became his constant companion and, ultimately, the driving force behind his commitment and success. Life yielded only very grudgingly, the kudos which both he and his beloved art form have received to date.

“The story of this artiste, whose early performances were at age seven at school concerts, is that of having to survive in the early years, by making the rounds of restaurants along Maracas Beach, entertaining the tourists in search of surf and sand. His first week’s salary was an unforgettable $1.50.

“The year 1962 was as much a coming of age for Brigo as it was for the country at large, for in that year, he assumed the mantle of professional calypsonian at the Lodge, situated at the corner of Duke and George Streets, Portof- Spain. One of his most memorable achievements in tent life was when, in 1966, he won the tent competition over such greats as Melody, Blakie and Cristo.

“During his long and colourful career, Brigo was a semi-finalist on seven occasions — 68, 69, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76 — and was selected for the finals on three occasions — 1972, 1973, and 1974.

Controversy and dissatisfaction prompted his withdrawal from the Calypso Monarch competition, finding satisfaction instead in increasing public performances, which for him was a welcome replacement for ‘the Big Yard.’ “Brigo’s performances are such as to continuously evoke laughter from his audience and at the same time admiration.

The performances … of Limbo Break, Love in the Cemetery, After Carnival, and Lemme Go are marked by a bulging eye delivery which often reduces his audience to hysterics.

“Over the many years Brigo has appeared at many tents including Victory, Kingdom of the Wizards, CDC, Spektakular Forum and BUCKs Promotions. He also established and ran his own tent, the Cultural Theatre, for three years.” At the conclusion of the article, the NACC said, “That refusal to quit, while publicly demonstrating his undying love for the art form of calypso, marks him, most deservedly, as a king, albeit uncrowned. He has often outdanced, outsung, outperformed … many. Long after the annals of our history are recorded, those extra-large eyes and expressive features will continue to bear testimony to a talent that has refused to be harnessed.” Mama Popo, rest in peace.

AIYEGORO OME Mt Lambert

Guatemala, Guadeloupe and TT were the only three teams participating in the playoff of 100 boards, at 50 per day. The TT women won the round-robin contest and played Guadeloupe in the two-day finals, of another 100 boards. And the TT team prevailed, with a 289-200 result .

According to TT captain Howard, “our team (were) not able to play in the pairs tournament because we arrived too late for the start of the game, but Denise and myself were allowed to drop into the consolation segment where we won gold medals .

“Our team should have been going to the World Tournament, which is called the Venice Cup, in Lyon (from) August 12-26 2017, but we did not meet the qualification as a pair was not sent to Poland last year

Accepting letters of credence from Bangladesh’s newly accredited non-resident High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago Mizanur Rahman on Tuesday, at the Office of the President in St Ann’s, Carmona said Bangladesh has sent through the United Nations, peacekeeping troops worldwide to help restore order where there was international disorder or natural disasters.

Rahman, who has been a public servant for 30 years, is based in Canada.

Thanking Bangladesh for the peacekeeping role it has played in the Caribbean region by sending troops to Haiti, Carmona said, they have helped in restoring democracy and the rule of law in the country and by extension the region.

Bangladesh, formerly a part of Pakistan and known as East Pakistan, came into being in 1971, after a split and bitter war with Pakistan.

It was important, Carmona said, to stress the importance of being a global villager in a world of globalisation when the concept of globalisation was beginning to shift and where unilateralism was engaging the major countries of the world. Using the experience of the United Kingdom exiting the European Union, he said, “You see what is happening in the United States of America.” He continued, “Sometimes you wonder if we are reverting to the law of the jungle. Each man to himself. But I hope not, because as a global villager, you have a responsibility to be concerned with the business of other countries.” He commended the President and Prime Minister of Bangladesh for the key role of women in the governance of their society. He noted that Bangladesh has been governed by women prime ministers with the current woman prime minister serving a third term.

That country’s governance structure, which allows for 70 women at the minimum to hold seats in the country’s 300-seat parliament, he said, should be emulated in TT and the wider Caribbean. Both Carmona and Rahman said that Bangladesh and TT have much to offer each other in many fields, but particularly in energy, sports, culture and the arts.