However, up to press time last night, Caldrac were filing a complaint over the final standings of the Premiership Two competition.

The current standings in the Premiership Two competition shows that Araaguez finished on top, followed by Orangefield and Queen’s Park II. Aranguez advanced to the final as a result of winning the preliminary stage, while Queen’s Park II and Orangefield were scheduled to play at the Munroe Road Recreational Ground at 1.30 pm today for a place in the final.

It is uncertain if the match will be played today, as fourth placed Caldrac are questioning if headto- head results or net run-rate should determine the final standings.

The Premiership II final will be played on Sunday from 1.30 pm at Munroe Road.

The winners of the Queen’s Park-PowerGen encounter will tackle Merry Boys in the final on Sunday from 1.30 pm at the NCC.

Daly, one of 11 senior counsel who sought questions from the Chief Justice and JLSC on Ayers-Caesar, said yesterday the statement issued by the JLSC on Tuesday, was “little more than a confession that it failed to do independent due diligence of its own and was duped as a consequence.” “This is obvious from the core defence of the JLSC that: reasonable due diligence is satisfied by seeking an assurance that the appointee has done all that is required with respect to his/ her professional obligations to put themselves in readiness to assume duty.

“The statement tellingly reveals that after protest at the appointment of Mrs Ayers-Caesar, the JLSC then belatedly had an audit conducted of “the true state of affairs”.

Simply described the JLSC put the cart before the horse when it appointed Mrs.

Ayers-Caesar before having such an audit done,” Daly said.

“As I have always maintained how could the JLSC have sought to restore someone who allegedly duped it to the Magisterial bench? “Apparently the JLSC has now seen the light in this regard but there are still outstanding matters on which they must account with respect to that decision.

“Notably in this regard the JLSC’s statement evades the issues that arose out of such a decision.

“It is time for these members to do the honourable thing on account of their grievous failures and their initial attempt to bully right thinking persons into silence,” Daly maintained.

The group of silks are expected to meet either today or tomorrow to discuss their concerns.

DALY’S QUESTIONS
1. (a) Did Ayers-Caesar resign as Chief Magistrate when she was appointed a judge?
(b) If not, how was her employment in the magistracy determined?
(c) Is there any documentation recording the termination of her employment in the magistracy?
(d) Did the JLSC meet to consider Ayers-Caesar’s re-appointment? If so, when and who was present?

2. What is the legal basis or framework upon which the JLSC acted in effecting such “restoration” or “return “to the Magistracy?

3. Has Ayers- Caesar been restored as chief magistrate or an ordinary magistrate?

4. If as chief magistrate did the JLSC give any consideration to the legitimate expectations of other magistrates who are in line for promotion?

5. Was the position to which she was appointed advertised? Did Ayers-Caesar apply? Was she interviewed?

6. Having regard to the admission in her letter of resignation (as reported in the Press) that she failed to make full disclosure to the JLSC in relation to part-heard matters, to the extent that this may reflect on her honesty or integrity, did the JLSC give any consideration as to how this would impact on the issue of fitness for office and public confidence in the administration of justice?

7. Was any promise or inducement made to Ayers-Caesar that once she concluded her part-heard matters at the magisterial level she would once again be re-appointed to the High Court? If not, what is to be her position upon the conclusion of those matters?

Unfortunately, we let others define what being wealthy means. Bestselling author, Lisa Nichols tells us, “We see prosperous characters on television and think we know what prosperity is. We assume we have an accurate picture of the activities and luxuries that ‘rich people’ enjoy.

We listen to what our friends say, then strive to acquire those possessions THEY think are ‘necessary.’ We see reality TV shows flaunting expensive cars, monstrous homes, and megawatt jewelry – then call it “wealth.” But we never stop to think about what we ourselves ultimately want from life.” What do abundance, prosperity, riches and wealth mean to you? Recognising real wealth is what would fill your bank account. British author, Arnold Bennett tells us that “every magic morning, our purse of time is filled.” We are constantly trying to figure out how to live on what we earn.

We figure out how to cut here, pad there, pay less, and sometimes avoid paying at all. But how often do we really consider the wealth bestowed on each and every one of us – regardless of race or job title or amount of money in the bank – of 24 hours? As Bennett suggests – when last did you see an article on “How to live on 24 hours a day?” We say time is money but it’s a great deal more than money. If you have the time, you can earn money but you can’t buy more time. We are always thinking of how unfair life is, but with regard to time – we all get the same amount – every day! As Bennett quite rightly says: “In the realm of time no one’s richer than you.” And what about gratitude? Gratitude, according to Wallace D Wattles, American author and New Thought writer, is the state of wealth.

He says, “You cannot exercise much power without gratitude, for it is gratitude that keeps you connected with Power.” What are you grateful for right now in your life? Wallace shares that the moment we permit our mind to dwell with dissatisfaction upon things as they are, we begin to lose ground. If you focus on what’s going well, the assets you do have, the resources that are available to you right now, then you will begin to demonstrate the faith needed to expect good things. “It is necessary then, to cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” We often miss that last part.

Our attitude must be one of gratitude for everything. Nelson Mandela said, “I either win or I learn.” Be grateful for everything…we are shaped by our circumstances and our experiences, the good, the not so good and the necessary! According to an article in the English Guardian by Julian Baggini, Plato was credited with the quote, “An unexamined life is not worth living”.

It does, indeed, come from Plato’s Apology, which is a recollection of the speech Socrates gave at his trial.

Socrates is attributed with these words after choosing death rather than exile from Athens or a commitment to silence. We are so busy sometimes struggling to get by, to figuring things out that examination of our own lives seems like pure luxury. Yet it is important for us to take time to understand who we are better, and how we fit in and contribute to the whole. Julia Seton was an important figure in the development of the New Thought movement from the esotericmetaphysical point of view. In an essay titled “The Divine Use of Wealth” she says that if we seek first the kingdom of harmony, and understanding within the self, then all external things will be added to us. Basically, once we are in alignment with our true nature, then things will begin to fall into place.

Your wealth starts in your mind.

Somewhere in there you can harness the energy to take you out of a rut toward the mountain of your success… defined by you, if you truly understand and recognize, that you have all that it takes to be wealthy now! Does every day feel like you’re trying to figure things out? Discover what’s preventing you from clearly seeing your NEXT step. Send an email to possibility2profit@gmail.com to get your FREE e-guide

Among this sum, she said were $6.3 billion in revenues not realised, a $0.5 billion shortfall from the recent additional public offering (APO) of shares in FCB, plus some $0.5 billion in Property Tax that she said it is unrealistic to expect the Government to be able to collect this year. Saying the country has about 400,000 households, she said the mere 51 valuation surveyors registered at the Institute of Surveyors are insufficient to do all these assessments of Property Tax due. “I can’t see any way he (Finance Minister Colm Imbert) will get the 180 to 240 valuators needed to evaluate the property tax.” Persad-Bissessar hit back at Imbert over which government ran up the public debt the most. She said the former People’s Partnership (PP) had moved the figure from $45.4 billion (in 2010) to $76.5 billion (in 2015) but compared to this five-year period, the People’s National Movement had taken the debt to $89.1 billion in just 18 months.

“Is this sustainable, the debt-to-GDP ratio? We really are on the edge of a cliff. The Minister gave us no policy, no programme to get out.” She bemoaned that much of TT’s Public Debt was accrued by external borrowing, meaning its repayment must be by way of foreign exchange which is now in short supply.

“You (Imbert) diagnosed the problem but have not said what is the medicine to get us out of recession.” Saying Imbert has not ordered the cutting of items, she asked how he would balance the books, such as by more drawdowns from the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund.

While Moody’s had hit the Government for failing to diversify the economy, she wondered whether the Government now intends to try to literally “pay” another credit rating agency, Fitch, to get a good rating? Regarding TSTT’s purchase of Massy Technologies, she refused to believe that this deal was not known of beforehand by either Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley or Minister in the Office of Prime Minister Stuart Young even as TSTT chairman Emile Elias claimed not to have told Cabinet. She asked how Corporation Sole, Finance Minister Colm Imbert, could not know of this quarter billion dollar expenditure ($255 million) even as the country reels from a lack of medicines in public hospitals and a lack of water supply.

She criticised the Government’s diversion of $2.5 billion from the Infrastructure Development Fund (IDF) as “scandalous”. Regarding the status of the Procurement Regulator, Persad-Bissesar said she’d like to see the reported letter from President Anthony Carmona that had purportedly requested government help to recruit this official.

This was revealed by Chairman of the Trinidad Saudi Chamber of Commerce (TSCC), Umar Khan, during a recent interview with Business Day about Al Majed’s tour of real estate investment opportunities in Trinidad, St Vincent and Antigua.

Khan said the sheik, who was in Trinidad from March 21 to 26, met with the owner of a “massive estate in Las Cuevas, (who) is open to either selling the land or to being a co-developer of the proposed beach resort.” Khan said the project was brought to the attention of the sheik by InvesTT, which was key in arranging the site visit and presentations.

The 500-acre estate, Khan said, has beachfront access to Las Cuevas Bay, one of the few Blue Flag beaches in the Caribbean.

According to the Environmental Defence website, Blue Flag is a world-renowned eco-certification for beaches and marinas. A Blue Flag indicates that the beach or marina is clean and accessible; has great water quality; meets high safety standards; and is working hard to protect local shorelines and ecosystems.

Khan said the fact that the estate has Blue Flag beach front made it that much more attractive to Al Majed, who is Chairman of the Saudi Arabia headquartered Tanmiyat Investment Group (TIG).

Business Day understands Las Cuevas Properties is the company managing development of the estate.

According to the “Investment Opportunities” section of InvesTT’s website, “The Las Cuevas estate…is indeed a prime mode for the development of a high value, high quality resort.

This estate is currently privately owned by a citizen of TT. Available space for sale will include beach front property.” InvesTT gave the estate’s location as 18 km north east or a 45-minute drive from Port-of-Spain.

“The site is bounded by the North Coast road to the south and framed by the Las Cuevas Bay on the north. To the east and west of the site are rain forest foot hills of the Northern Range… It is envisioned that approximately 66 percent of the property will be developed to include roads, buildings paved areas, gardens and landscaped areas. The remaining 34 percent is expected to be retained as natural forest,” InvesTT stated on its website.

Al Majed’s March 2017 Caribbean site visits and meetings with senior government officials were arranged by the TSCC, in conjunction with the relevant local authorities.

While in Trinidad, the TIG chairman met with Trade and Industry Minister, Paula Gopee- Scoon, the ministry’s Acti ng Permanent Secretary (PS), Frances Seignoret, and several senior ministry officials.

Al Majed also met with senior officials at InvesTT, Campus Principal of The UWI St Augustine, Professor Brian Copeland, Campus Registrar Richard Saunders and with the Director of The UWI’s Office of Institutional Advancement and Internationalisation.

In addition, the sheikh met with Chairman of the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT), Noel Garcia and senior members of Garcia’s team.

Khan said, “They presented several projects to (Al Majed), including the San Fernando Waterfront Project and Invaders Bay in Port-of-Spain. They said these projects are at various stages of development, so it didn’t seem like things were completely ready but these were presented as investment opportunities.” Al Majed toured the Caribbean in late September to early October 2015, when he had initi al discussions about possible developments in Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

During his meeting with InvesTT a little over 18 months ago, arrangements were made to send the particulars of specific investment options together with information on the economy, history of political stability, and so on.

Khan said the change in government around the same time meant a change in the board of InvesTT, which caused a delay in the completion and approval of the documents.

He told Business Day that at their March 24, 2017 meeting, Gopee- Scoon “indicated that InvesTT is now fully up and ready with its new board and team. She also indicated that a lot of the documents that were promised were almost ready.

Those documents also included data on possible projects that the sheikh requested so that he could get a proper understanding of what opportunities are available in TT.” On March 22, Al Majed was the guest of honour at two events: the TSCC’s Membership Convention at Paria Suites Hotel and Convention Centre, La Romaine and immediately afterward, at the ribbon-cutting and ceremonial opening of the TSCC’s office, Southern Main Road, La Romaine. San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello and former mayor and current Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Kazim Hosein cut the ceremonial ribbon in the presence of the TSCC members, other government officials and community members.

The TSCC has maintained an office in St Augustine since 2012, which is strictly for administrative purposes. The La Romaine office, formally opened on April 10, is where the TSCC can “interface with the public and promote its activities,” Khan explained.

Khan said the convention “looked at the importance of Trinidad- Saudi relations and examined opportunities for increasing trade and foreign direct investment.

We also looked at the Caribbean region as well as the Gulf region; there are lots of opportunities for collaboration.” Speakers at the convention included former Acting Director of the Institute of International Relations at The UWI, Professor Anthony Peter Gonzales and Seignoret, who spoke on behalf of Minister Gopee-Scoon.

Gonzales pointed out that while relations between Latin American countries and the Gulf States – Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait – “have grown in the last few years to an unprecedented level,” the Caribbean has continued to rely on traditional sources of income. These six states form the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

He noted that, “(Despite) the decline of the world oil price and the effect of the 2008 financial crisis, the Gulf States sti ll possess significant holdings, and have been perceived to be part of the wider shift of economic leverage from west to east and from the market to the state in the allocation of capital.

The GCC Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) are among the largest in the world with an appetite for direct investments, including infrastructure investments.” “TT and the Caribbean can no longer ignore this… Like Latin America, they need to enlarge and diversify their pool of foreign direct investment (FDI) in order to reduce fluctuations. All of this is in sync with the desire of the Gulf States to maximise investment returns.

Their SWFs have enhanced their traditional investment approaches by increasing direct investments, increasing their exposure to selective emerging markets and diversifying their portfolio across industries.” Gonzales also pointed out that Latin America and the Gulf States “rely on each other for essential products, such as food and agricultural produce from Latin America and hydrocarbons and fertiliser” from the six States.

He said this process, supported by governments in both regions, has contributed to the diversification of trade links between Latin America and the Gulf States.

While trade with Brazil, “accounts for the majority of trade between Latin America and the GCC,” Gonzales argued that, “CARICOM countries such as Guyana, Surinam and Belize along with other Latin American countries could offer opportunities for diversification.” Meanwhile Seignoret applauded the TSCC for “its commitment to strengthening the commercial relationship between the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from which local counterparts can become more dynamic and innovative, take new risks in seeking out new markets and ultimately, build competitiveness and become net earners of foreign exchange.” She added, “The continued people to- people contact between both countries will augur well for building awareness of the many possibilities which exist in the sphere of trade and investment.” The Acting PS noted that Saudi Arabia’s exports to TT are primarily machinery, plastics, citrus peel, edible fruits and nuts while our exports include “articles of plastic, essential oils and cosmetics.” Other speakers at the event included the Mayor Regrello, Dr Aleem Mohammed, CEO of SM Jaleel, and Ricky Amar.

On March 20, 2017, Al Majed flew to Antigua where he accepted an invitation to meet with Prime Minister (PM), Gaston Browne.

Khan told Business Day the two “talked about one of the top investment projects going on right now in Antigua. One of our Trinidad-based TSCC members is building a condo-style luxury hotel – The Labahia Hotel Resort and Condominiums (Labahia). It’s going to be approximately 200 rooms with a conference facility.” Khan said that the revised estimated project cost is between US $70 million and $100 million however an article on the Caribbean Journal website, “New Resort Project Launches in Antigua”, put the figure at $52 million. Set in the Friars Hill area of Antigua, Caribbean Journal reported that Labahia “is being developed by Adams Investment Management and the government of Antigua and Barbuda.” “It is the brainchild of TT-based developers Imtiyaz Adam and Farman Ramjohn, and will include 120 one and two-bedroom, full-furnished luxury condominiums and several penthouse suites. The resort project will include a 24,000-square-foot conference facility, restaurants, a gym, tennis courts, shops and an Olympic swimming pool,” the website stated.

Asked about Al Majed’s potential role in the project, Khan said the sheikh “visited the construction site and held talks with Imtiyaz Adam and immediately got on board; he wanted to see how he could form a business relationship (with the existing project owners).” The TIG chairman also met that day with Antigua’s Minister of Tourism, Economic Development Investment and Energy, Asot Michael.

From Antigua, Al Majed flew to St Vincent, a visit arranged by the TSCC “in close collaboration with PM of St Vincent, Dr Ralph Gonsalves. The Saudi delegation was received by the Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Regional Integration, Sir Louis Hilton Straker,” Khan said.

The delegation also met with St Vincent’s Minister of Economic Planning, Sustainable Development, Industry, Information and Labour, Camillo Gonsalves and with Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Rural Transformation, Saboto Caesar. Al Majed and company looked at several sites for real estate development projects that day but the one they settled on for further negotiation was the now decommissioned airport, located about eight minutes’ drive from the capital, Kingstown.

The ET Joshua Airport, located in Arnos Vale, was decommissioned after the Argyle International Airport opened on February 14, 2017.

“It’s in a good location, with ocean front, with a lot of land for new development. The sheikh is interested in the feasibility of doing a development project at the old airport. His style is very modern.

He’s interested in doing a complete master plan for the area, which would feature a mixed-use development with lots of landscaping,” Khan told Business Day. Asked about time lines to sign contracts for this development, he said this “would be determined by how fast we continue to move because at the first meeting, everything went well.” “Now correspondence has to be sent back and forth. So it depends on how fast communication goes.

These projects could be short-term, they could be medium-term, but it is going to be the entire site. It could take four to five years very easily,” Khan said.

At the end of Al Majed’s seven-day trip, “a framework for negotiating TIG’s business interests in the Caribbean was agreed to,” Khan shared, “because he had identified the projects and some of the Caribbean business expertise that he will rely on to pursue these negotiations since he’s not living here.” Khan told Business Day that a lot of work has to be done to finalise the various investment opportunities which Al Majed chose to purse.

Some 16 Government Senators voted “for” (plus Independent Senator Paul Richards), six Opposition Senators voted “against”, while seven Independent Senators abstained .

Earlier, Finance Minister Colm Imbert sought to address concerns in his wrap up speech before the vote was taken .

Refuting claims of undue influence by his ministry on recruitment of a Procurement Regulator, he said the Procurement Act states that the President of the Republic appoints the post holder, after consulting the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader .

“We have pegged the regulator’s salary at $50,000, so it is more or less the same as the salary of a High Court judge.” The Senate resumes on Monday at 1.30 pm .

The man, who was wearing jeans and a jersey, appeared to be of mixed descent with a plaited hairstyle.

Up to press time, the identity of the body remained unknown. The body was taken to the Forensic Science Centre, St James where once formal identification is made, an autopsy will be done to ascertain cause of death. Police said it appears he was shot to the back of the head. Up to press time, the murder toll stood at 183 compared to 163 for the corresponding period last year. Up to yesterday, there were 13 murders recorded for this month.

He said drafting procedures must be legislated to take into consideration the needs of all citizens, especially those who may require additional structures to aid them in their everyday lives.

“It is the Hallmark of a civilised society that they place great consideration on the requirements of those who are at a disadvantage,” said Carmona.

He also suggested a collaborative effort between the Transport and Port Authority Boards as they both share the objective of increasing ease of accessibility between and around the islands.

Carmona reminded the members that they are tasked with the sole mission of building our country from the ground up and they must all times heed that call to put aside personal interests and myopic views which can blur the vision of a larger goal of nation building The Transport Board was sworn in by Carmona on May 5, at the Office of the President in St Ann’s. Members of the Board are Stein Carrington, Dave Baijoo, Dr Jacqueline Huggins and Roy Andrew Lloyd.

Kollywood meets the Western-style romantic comedy in the colourful musical Madly in Love.

The film centres on Devan, a young Tamil man raised in Switzerland, who wants to fulfil his father’s wish of an arranged marriage.

However, a few days before the traditional nuptials to his Sri Lankan bride-to-be are to take place, Devan meets Leo, a European woman, with whom he falls for head over heels.

Will cultural differences and ingrained traditions derail the course of true love? Time: 8.30 pm Rating: PG13 Also showing: Phantom Boy (11am, PG13), A Moving Image (1.15pm, PG13), Kenau (3.30pm, PG13), Angel of Budapest (6pm, 18+)

Swallows and amazons in Tobago The European Film Festival (EFF) is off to the islands for today’s film of the day – Swallows and Amazons, an enchanting adventure where everything is possible.

But when adventure meets danger, foes must become allies for the greater good. Follow the thrilling journey of these children as they unite to save the day, at MovieTowne, Tobago.

While on holiday in the Lake District, siblings John, Susan, Tatty and Roger Walker set sail on a boat named Swallow and discover an island. Soon they realise the island has already been claimed by sisters Nancy and Peggy Blackett, who have their own vessel called the Amazon.

When their mysterious uncle Jim is taken captive, the Walkers put aside their rivalry with the Blacketts and the children all band together on a mission to discover what happened to him.

Screening : May 11 Time: 8 pm Venue: MovieTowne, Tobago Also showing: OSS 117: Lost in Rio (3pm, 18+), Ruch and Norie (5.30pm, G)

I read a feature in this publication, on an organisation in Trinidad and Tobago whose primary objective is to promote happiness. This organisation hosts a number of ‘pay it forward’ initiatives including, the distribution of free breakfast, etc, with the only remit being that you do something positive for someone else. The lines for the giveaway gestures are usually extremely long; one wonders just how many of those in the receiving lines, actually pay it forward with some attendant act of kindness .

Happiness is serious business, and the ethos has become less synonymous with the work environment. In fact, despite the numerous metrics that have been presented to demonstrate a clear correlation between the creation of a ‘happy’ and supportive work environment, and an increased work output, this ‘happy’ work environment still eludes much of the workforce .

Alternately, though in small number, you will find the workplace, where every effort is placed in creating a happy work environment, however, the employees’ production rate and levels of enthusiasm are anything but reflective of the efforts being made .

Bhutan, a tiny and remote Kingdom in the Himalayas, believes that the pursuit of happiness for its citizenry is its main goal. The Bhutanese Government became so serious about its citizenry’s happiness that they enshrined this goal in their country’s constitution. Accordingly, the Government rejected the use of GDP has the sole measurement of the country’s progress, and instead developed, and championed a new approach to the measurement of progress, called Gross National Happiness, which includes the measurement of the spiritual, physical, social and environmental health of its citizens and natural environment .

[Source, Islam today] .

The concept of Gross National Happiness, according to the description provided by this Kingdom, presents the citizen as the nucleus of development. The audacity of this tiny Kingdom, to recognize and appreciate that true development begins and ends with the citizenry, their development, their holistic approach to life and living, and further, to the recognition that the Nation succeeds, when its citizens flourish. Such a concept can easily be replicated within the business environment – how many of our organizations, can attest to the tangible connect between their PBT [Profit before tax], and their employees happiness index? If one were to align this concept to Trinidad and Tobago, and to measure the happiness index of its people, I would be completely interested to note the result. This is why organizations like ReTHINK, based in Trinidad, is so important to be integrated into our landscape. It forces us to re-think the way we do business, as well as questioning, what is the nucleus that drives our development – are people our priority? Forward thinking organisations have begun to recognise that the most important resource is the human element, and have invested in social support programmes such as Employee Assistance Programme initiatives. However, even with the employment of EAP Services, how many actually utilise these services and all they have to offer? Or do they employ the most basic package of counselling and support only when need be? The Governments of Dubai, India and Ecuador have also recognized the development of the happiness index should be in alignment with other national metrics, and as such, have also developed and instituted Ministries of Happiness in their respective countries. The objective of these Ministries has been articulated as developed to align and drive Government policy to create social good and satisfaction. In the United Arab Emirates, the Ministry of Happiness is based on a Government that has extended its focus on developing the skills of its people in addition to the provision of goods and services .

The business of happiness has also become globally recognized by the United Nations with the identification of World Happiness Day, which is commemorated on March 20 .