Addressing a media conference shortly after meeting with members of the Bankers Association (BATT) at the chamber’s Camden road, Couva headquarters on Monday, Ali expressed concern that some manufacturers are users and not earners of foreign exchange. “We don’t have an issue with directives for manufacturers,” Ali said, adding, “one of our major concern is not all manufacturers are net earners of foreign exchange.” Asked if a commitment was given by the BATT regarding distribution of forex to chambers, Ali said: “we have to understand there is a serious shortage of forex. But what we are saying, because of the limited amount, we have asked the Bankers Association to look at the possibility of a fair and even distribution among our members.” BATT president and Scotia Bank (TT) head Anya Schnoor, who jointly hosted a media conference on Monday with Ali, said the banking sector is also “seeking clarification” on some of the newer policies indicated by Minister Imbert and the Central Bank.” Touching on the forex black market, Schnoor urged citizens to use the commercial banking sector to satisfy their forex requirements.

“I think as an Association we are of the belief that fair, open competition and open trade is the best way in which markets should operate within the context of Trinidad,” she said.

Schnoor added: “Yes we all know those shortages the system faces but we are also very concerned about the growing element of a market outside of the official sector.

“Recently we saw the Central Bank issue notices that it is against the law to sell and trade forex outside of authorised dealers and we want to encourage customers to abide by the regulations and make sure to allow commercial banks to use its established practices to ensure all customers are able to access as much foreix keeping in mind the decrease we have experienced across the economy over the past two to three years because of a reduction from the energy sector.” The Association is expected to host a series of workshops with Chamber members regarding bank fees and charges with the first expected to be held at the Couva Chamber. Chambers whose members attended the meeting included the Penal/Debe Chamber, Chaguanas Chamber, the Greater Tunapuna Chamber and the Siparia Chamber.

The area is now called Culture Street, but is not recognised by the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation.

When Newsday visited yesterday, police were patrolling the area but that did not stop the residents from staging their protest.

More than 20 houses were demolished on Monday morning, catching many owners by surprise.

Christopher Thomas, who has been living in the squatting area for 25 years, said residents all had electricity and pipe borne water.

Some even had cable. They produced utility bills as proof.

Ann-Marie Monlouis said her grandfather Andrew Bofithee, 85, was one of the first residents in the are when he moved in 45 years ago.

“When I came here I was cutting forest, making garden, minding cattle. I did everything for myself. I paid TTEC for two light poles, nobody give me anything, so I don’t know what they fighting for,” the elderly man said.

Timothy and Charmaine Harridan said they never received a notice about ceasing construction on their three bedroom home which was almost completed.

“We were willing to purchase the land, but nobody is giving us that opportunity. We have papers where we applied for an HDC (Housing Development Corporation) house, in fact, even before I met my wife and we been married now for 16 years,” Harridan said. “They said the house was being unoccupied, but that is not true. I used to stay here in a room that we had sealed off and my wife and two children stayed in the place we are renting. I can’t have my family staying here while construction is going on,” Harridan said.

“I took a loan from the bank and have ten years to pay it off.

Now I have to pay for something I don’t have,” he said. CeeJay Moore said he was threatened and handcuffed by police on Monday when he questioned the action they were taking. He said no explanation was given to him.

“Everybody start to beg for me.

I tell them they (police) start to cuss me in my yard, they say that this is government yard.” Housing Minister Randall Mitchell made it clear that the Lands Settlement Agency (LSA) had nothing to do with the demolition on Monday. “The LSA and HDC fall under the Ministry of Housing. The LSA had absolutely nothing to do with that demolition exercise. The LSA is not empowered to demolish any structure, legal or illegal. The LSA is a creation of statutes. It was created by the State Lands Regularisation of Tenures Act.

“The LSA’s mandate is to provide land tenure to work towards the regularisation of squatters who were found to be in occupation prior to 1998 on state lands in designated areas.

“The LSA is not empowered to do that. The demolition exercise was done by the Commissioner of State Lands and that falls under the Ministry of Agriculture.

The Commissioner of State Lands is empowered to demolish all structures on state lands,” Mitchell explained.

Attempts to reach Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat and Commissioner of State Lands Paula Drakes for comment were unsuccessful.

The final was originally carded to be played on Sunday at the same venue, but rain forced the match to be postponed. Queen’s Park are the defending 50-over champions while Merry Boys won the T20 title earlier this season.

The Parkites lost by two wickets to Central Sports in the quarterfinals of the T20 tournament. However, Queen’s Park coach David Furlonge said his players are focused ahead of today’s match. Furlonge said, “We know what it takes to win. The T20 was just a bad game that we had, you don’t have a chance to come back in a T20 game. The fellas more hungry for it now, we showed it against PowerGen in the (50-over) semifinals.” Queen’s Park crushed Powergen by 232 runs in the semifinals. The Parkites posted 365 for four, before restricting Powergen for 133/9 as spin bowler Kavesh Kantasingh was unable to bat for PowerGen.

Furlonge said, “All we need is two batsmen to fire for us. We have a long batting line up, and we just need two or three batsmen to get off and that should carry us into the 300 (region) once we bat first.

President of Merry Boys Patrick Rampersad believes the final will be a competitive contest and says his team are not favourites despite winning the T20 title. Rampersad said, “I wouldn’t say that we are favourites, but I would think that we have an opportunity just as Queen’s Park has. (Queen’s Park and Merry Boys) are the two clubs that are leading in everything in cricket in Trinidad and Tobago, in terms of the three different types of competition (T20, 50-over, three-day). I think we will start as equal partners in this match (today).” If Merry Boys win today the team can still complete the hat-trick this season. Rampersad said, “It is alive (to win the treble). It is kind of an outside chance, but it is still alive.

There is one or two scenarios that must take place, and if that happens we have a good chance of winning.”

The release then indicated that only the T&T Spirit would sail between May 12 to 14, with an amended schedule. It also said, “The normal sailing schedule will resume from Monday May 15 at 6.30 am.” In speaking with the authority’s marketing and public relations unit, it said that the vessel sailed on Monday May 15. Yesterday’s difficulties, it said, was, again, due to the Port Inner Main Engine.

The repairs were expected to be completed yesterday afternoon.

Second ranked Wilson got past sixth seed De Caires 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 in a competitive contest to advance to the semifinals. Wilson’s fellow Tobagonian Akiel Duke, who is the top seed in the draw, got a scare against seventh seed Dexter Mahase.

After losing the first set 6-2, Duke won the next two sets 6-4, 6-1 to advance.

The unseeded Joe Cadogan and third seed Richard Chung also progressed to the semifinals.

Cadogan defeated Keshan Moonasar 6-1, 6-0 and Chung was a 6-3, 7-6 winner over eighth seed Jerome Ward. In today’s semifinals Wilson will face Chung and Duke plays Cadogan.

In the veteran singles yesterday, Kendall Cuffy and Rickey Villaroel both advanced to the final with convincing semifinal round victories. Cuffy defeated Everest Simon 6-0, 6-0, while Villaroel got past Frank Ramudit 6-0, 6-0. Cuffy and Villaroel will battle in today’s final.

In the women’s doubles round robin, Lindy Ann Farrier and Keneel Teasdale outlasted Rhyse Houllier and Janay Sealy 6-0, 6-1.

The women’s singles and mixed doubles semifinals will also be played today. In the women’s singles semifinals, Shennelle Mohammed will take on Breana Stampfli and Abigail Jones faces Carlista Mohammed. Matches serve off at 5 pm today.

Here in TT, we actively support the local LGBTI community in securing the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights.

On this occasion, allow me to share below the words of Federica Mogherini, high representative of the European Union for foreign affairs and security policy/vice-president of the European Commission: “On this day, together with millions of people around the world, the EU celebrates the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

It is a timely opportunity to remind governments of their obligation to promote the universality of human rights and ensure that everyone, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation, enjoys these rights without discrimination.

“In recent years, remarkable progress has been made around the world to advance the enjoyment of all human rights by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. “Several countries have decriminalised homosexuality and others have enacted new statutes to protect individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity. None of these changes could have happened without the dedication of courageous activists working to advance equal rights for LGBTI persons.

“Great obstacles remain in many places around the globe. Discrimination and violence against LGBTI persons are still widespread.

Engaging in same-sex relations is considered a crime in more than 70 countries and could even lead to the death penalty in some. The EU condemns discrimination and violence against LGBTI individuals in the strongest possible terms.

“The EU is funding projects worldwide aimed at improving LGBTI organisations’ visibility and acceptance, enhancing their dialogue with authorities to change laws, combating homophobia, and protecting LGBTI persons from violence. Support is also given to training, information and legal support to LGBTI persons and civil society organisations.

“In June 2016, the council adopted for the first time conclusions on LGBTI equality responding to the commission’s list of actions on this issue. The EU will continue working with all partners to advance the human rights of all people regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity.”

AAD BIESEBROEK ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union to TT

They set fire to tyres and pieces of logs which they used to block the Eastern Main Road leading into the capital near Angostura; on the Lady Young Road near Massy Motors; and near the office of their Member of Parliament, Adrian Leonce.

“We are people too! Why we can’t be treated as other citizens from other communities who have access to basic utilities? We need work! Look how long we have no water in the village,” a resident shouted. There were reports that when police arrived on the scene to maintain law and order, they were greeted by gunshots.

The fires were set as early as five in the morning at the main entrance to Lady Young Road from the Eastern Main Road. A resident, who gave his name as Nyron, said the residents had had enough and warned government not to assume that come the next general election, “Morvant will automatically be ‘red and ready’,” alluding to the PNM’s campaign slogan in the 2015 election.

The protest caused a massive pile-up of traffic on the Eastern Main Road for several hours leading the Works and Transport Ministry to open the Priority Bus Route (PBR) to regular traffic from the Abattoir to Morvant Junction near Toyota, to ease congestion.

THIS IS JUST THE START In an interview on Radio i95.5FM, Morvant community activist Garth Christopher warned that the protest action was “only the beginning” as for too long, residents have been ignored.

He said the water woes and lack of employment opportunities were only part of the myriad of problems facing Morvant.

“We are the only community in our country that have been neglected consistently. This is the big picture. Specifically, we have water problems, we have drainage problems, we have unemployment problems, we have infrastructure and underdevelopment…

The government is spending money all over the place, saying they don’t have, but yet still they spending money all over the place.

“It is time the government start taking we the people of Morvant, Laventille and Laventille East and the East/West Corridor seriously.” On the same radio station, MP Leonce said he was “currently working” with government to address the concerns and bring relief to residents.

“Some of the young guys are upset that they can’t get jobs.

Over the weekend we had a walk with the Minister of Works and there are going to be some opportunities with employment. If we bring in some small projects, the small contractors in the area can get some work, rather than the large projects where a few people can be employed,” Leonce said.

A TT Police Service release stated officers from the North Eastern Division Task Force; PoS Division, Guard and Emergency Branch, Inter-Agency Task Force and Traffic Branch responded to reports of the protest at 5 am.

Debris was strewn across Lady Young Road, Lady Young Avenue, Coconut Drive, Seventh Avenue, Malick and Second Caledonia, the police said. Police were able to quell the protest, allowing the Fire Services and personnel from the San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporation to clear the roadways. Ag Snr Supt Surendra Sagramsingh of North Eastern Division denied earlier reports of shots fired when police arrived.
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Charles claimed that Finance Minister Colm Imbert had nothing of substance to report in the review and that recent ratings by Standard and Poors and Moody’s show “this government has no plan.” He said the Government refused “to answer direct policy-related questions because they simply cannot admit their inability to take this country forward.”

A recent study by the British Medical Journal found that those who stuck to closer to the Japanese dietary guidelines – a diet high in grains and vegetables, with moderate amounts of animal products and soy but minimal dairy and fruit – had a reduced risk of dying early and from heart disease or stroke. As their diet is traditionally high in soy and fish this may also play a significant role in this reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. The Japanese also have the lowest rates of obesity amongst men and women as well as long life expectancy.

Okinawa, in southernmost Japan, has the highest number of centenarians in the world as well as the lowest risk of age-related diseases (for example diabetes, cancer, arthritis and Alzheimer’s). This has partly been attributed to their traditional Japanese diet, which is low in calories and saturated fat yet high in nutrients, especially phytonutrients such as antioxidants and flavonoids, found in different coloured vegetables.

This also includes phytoestrogens, or plantbased oestrogens, that may help protect against hormone-dependent cancers, such as breast cancer.

What is the traditional diet? The Japanese diet isn’t that dissimilar to a traditional Chinese diet, with rice, cooked and pickled vegetables, fish and meat being staple choices. However, because Japan is actually a group of islands (all 6,582 of them), its residents consume a lot more fish compared to other Asian countries.

They also eat raw fish in sushi and sahimi, plus a lot of pickled, fermented and smoked foods.

Soy beans, usually in the form of tofu or fresh edamame, are another key part of the Japanese diet, along with other beans such as aduki.

Increasingly, fermented foods are being shown to support a healthy digestive system. Fermented soy bean products such as miso and natto are staples of the Japanese diet. Natto is traditionally consumed at breakfast and has a probiotic action that has been shown to help reduce IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and may help blood clotting.

The Japanese also consume a wide variety of vegetables, both land and sea vegetables such as seaweed, which is packed full of health-boosting minerals, and may help to reduce blood pressure.

Fruit is often consumed with breakfast or as a dessert, especially Fuji apples, tangerines and persimmons.

BROWN spaghetti keeps you fuller for longer –team it with healthy greens flavoured with garlic, chilli and lemon.

Wholewheat pasta with broccoli and almonds 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 1 red chilli, deseeded and sliced (add extra chilli if you like) 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 250g wholewheat spaghetti 300g thin-stemmed broccoli, cut into pieces zest 1 lemon 25g flaked toasted almond Parmesan shavings (or vegetarian alternative), to serve Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large frying pan. Add the chilli and garlic, and cook on a low heat until golden.

Remove from the heat.

Add the pasta to the water and cook following pack instructions.

In the final 4 mins of cooking, add the broccoli. Once cooked, drain and tip into the garlic pan. Add the lemon zest and almonds, and toss together well. Serve in bowls, topped with Parmesan shavings.

Indeed, a Pandora’s box has now been opened up into the patently unsatisfactory nature in which the citizenry has been allowed to exist for much too long.

Let me say that the matter involving former chief magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar is not within the purview of lawyers only, as appears thus far, but concerns the whole citizenry.

Why should the goodly woman (and indeed any magistrate or judge for that matter) be constrained to have, at any point in time, within his or her dossier a residue of unfinished cases numbering as many as 50? Also, why should any legal practitioner, however adept (more especially a defence attorney), be allowed to have within his or her brief a number of matters such as could be handled satisfactorily, without the need for undue adjournments on account of a preoccupation elsewhere — a situation which, judging from utterances reported, would convey the impression that these attorneys do not consider their actions to be a contributory factor to the mess in which the administration of justice finds itself ? In any event, we are a society in which a culture of lethargy seems to thrive.

The “crime” committed by the chief justice and the Judicial and Legal Service Commission (JLSC) is said to be their failure to take due cognizance of the fact that the former chief magistrate would have had such a large dossier of unfinished cases prior to her being appointed and, subsequently, taking the oath of office as a judge of the High Court.

What seems to have been left to conjecture, thus far, is an authoritative account as to whether business left unfinished by one judicial officer can legally be dealt with by another, given particular circumstances. What if a presiding officer dies in office? Perhaps a look at other jurisdictions will assist in this determination.

Needless to say, the situation dealt with herein impinges on the Prison Service and the Remand Yard, in particular. It also has serious implications for the career path of individuals who may have been appointed to the Magistracy.

These are but a few of the issues which impinge on the tardiness in which our courts, at all levels, find themselves. And I venture to proffer that removal of the chief justice and the JLSC from office will on no account bring about the deep-seated changes required in the systems and procedures and which are the root causes of the problems and the negative features and restrictive practices in the administration of justice, thereby resulting in the snail’s pace and even obstructionist manner in which matters before our courts at all levels tend to be dealt with.

In the circumstances, the President should appoint a commission of enquiry to review urgently and report expeditiously on the administration of justice in TT .

ERROL OC CUPID Tacarigua