Rambharat made the statement yesterday while speaking to reporters at the closing ceremony of the Technical Cooperation Project for Latin America and the Caribbean held at the Hyatt Regency, Port of Spain.

He said in light of declining oil and gas prices, agriculture remains a viable means of revenue and urged citizens to support local farmers however they can.

“Trinidadians and Tobagonians need to make a decision as to whether they want to support local farmers or whether they want to support people growing fruits and vegetables in countries that they don’t know and they don’t see the production or the farmers.” Rambharat said while the economic downturn has affected everyone, the ministry continues to work closely with farmers to ensure optimal value for products productivity at a price everyone can afford.

“You will go to all the markets and see there is fresh fruit and vegetables available for sale are zero rated, which means that its not trapped in Value Added Tax. We are able to work with farmers to keep the prices at the level that consumers can buy.” Asked what his expectations were for the mid year budget, he said he was not at liberty to divulge what specific requests were made, but said he was prepared to work with whatever was allocated to him, for the betterment of farmers.

At the scene at 6th Avenue, relatives told Newsday Walker came out from prison in May after serving a sentence for gun and ammunition-related charges.

They said he was known for his criminal behaviour.

“That boy never listened. He was a pest. I loved him, and he was a very loving person to me, but he was a pest.” At about 7.15 am, Walker and three men, dressed in CEPEP uniforms, entered the supermarket and announced a holdup.

They snatched cash from the register but, before they could escape, someone with a licensed firearm challenged them and a shootout ensued. Walker was shot and he died at the scene.

The man who shot him was also wounded and taken to hospital where he is said to be in critical condition.

One of Walker’s relatives said she wants to apologise to the owners of the supermarket but she does not know how they would react.

“If they lash out at me it would hurt me even more. I was tired of telling him about this bad-boy life he was living. How could you shoot a man and take what is not yours?” The relative told Newsday Walker had a troubled life since his mother died in his arms when he was six years old.

Since then he had been taken care of by other family members but slowly got into a life of crime

When the House sat last Friday, the Opposition refused to support both motions.

This resulted in two tied votes, as Government and Opposition each had 17 MPs present in the Parliament Chamber.

Speaker Bridgid Annisette- George exercised her casting vote in both situations, voting with the Government.

Annisette-George also voted with the Government a third time when the Opposition refused to support the House’s adjournment to Friday.

Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi and Leader of Government Business Camille Robinson-Regis said the Opposition’s actions were dictated by the fact that both sides had equal numbers of MPs.

Robinson-Regis said both bills do not require special majorities for passage.

Government is expected to have all its MPs, with the exception of La Horquetta/ Talparo MP Maxie Cuffie, in the House on Friday.

Cuffie is recuperating at St Clair Medical Centre after experiencing a medical episode last Tuesday.

Friday’s sitting will also see Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley field questions from the Opposition in Prime Minister’s Questions, which happens at the second sitting of the House every month.

The Public Administration and Appropriations Joint Select Committee (JSC), which is chaired by Annisette-George, held an in-camera meeting yesterday at Tower D of the Portof- Spain International Waterfront Centre. Tomorrow, the National Security JSC will hold a symposium on the private security industry in TT in the J Hamilton Maurice Room at Tower D from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm.

In a statement, Maharaj asked what made his complaint unpatriotic and “even traitor-like.” Asking whether citizens were not allowed to question the actions of the Government or use constitutional provisions to investigate national issues, Maharaj claimed Young’s reaction “is deeply disturbing for the freedom of expression in our democratic society.” Maharaj agreed with Young about the proposal for the construction of a Sandals Resort in Tobago being at the initial stage and no decision being taken on the project. However, Maharaj claimed Young did not indicate how Sandals was selected in the first place.

He asked if this process differed from one taken by the Urban Development Corporation of TT when it employed a transparent and public request for proposal for a Port of Spain hotel.

This hotel is being proposed for the site of the former agriculture ministry in St Clair.

Maharaj said while Young said Government had publicly committed from the onset to provide full details about this project, “The public is still awaiting these details.” He reiterated that all his complaint did was ask for an investigation into how Sandals was selected, “as it appeared to be hand-picked by the administration without any procurement processes.”

EACH individual on the face of this God-blessed earth possesses some of the most unique physical characteristics – and for this only, we need to appreciate each other instead of jeering and engaging in negative conversations and the creation of negative vibes.

No physical image is perfect and therefore it is always advisable to work within the limited resources that are available to assist in embellishing your image.

Unfortunately, complaints of body shaming, and women seemingly joking at the looks of others have been coming to the doors of the International Women’s Resource Network quite frequently.

Body shaming comes from different places including self-criticism as well as negative criticisms and/or comments from others either verbally, through social media platforms or other forms of written messages. Individuals with low self-esteem are mostly affected and usually possess the least amount of strength to respond. Because our lives are filled and/or occupied with a myriad of important issues both at domestic and professional levels, responding to body shaming should be at the bottom of the list.

Low self-esteem and self-confidence are usually the major factors that influence people to engage in body shaming. Whilst some parts of the physical structure of both yourself and/or others may not always be pleasing to the eye, we must be forever thankful for life and refrain from continuously complaining, shaming or even responding to the socalled recommendations from others. Despite its levels of manifestation, body shaming often leads to contrast and immortalises the idea that people should be judged primarily by their physical features.

Whether you engage in body shaming others or you are victim, you should immediately begin your transitioning journey into a new horizon, start by identifying with messages that promote body acceptance, selflove and self-confidence; this provides you with the power to remove negative energies from within.

Love and appreciate your body just the way it is and also appreciate others for who they are, just see love and appreciation when you look at yourself and others; come out from your emotional closets and see the world as a place where you can co-exist comfortably despite the challenges and unavoidable odds. Stand tall and stride with blooming confidence at all times; keep looking at yourself in the mirror and proclaim that you love yourself and you are beautiful.

Remove the inner enemy that keeps reminding you that you are not beautiful and instead invite an inner friend who can strengthen your resolve. Finally, just continue to thank God for creating a unique you.

Sandrine Rattan is a communications/ branding consultant, author and president of the International Women’s Resource Network (IWRN) Contact: thecorporatesuitett@gmail.

com or intlwomensresourcenetwork@ gmail.com or contact 283-0318.

However, I would like to play devil’s advocate and present an opposing view based on the testimony of the ministry’s permanent secretary, Sonia Francis Yearwood.

After listening to the PS, I believe the ministry acted in the most appropriate manner given the circumstances.

In response to the question posed by committee member Darryl Smith, Yearwood explains that the ministry was well aware of the urgency to secure the two vessels to maintain passenger and cargo service between the two islands.

She began by citing a previous occasion when the ministry was in a similar predicament to obtain a sea vessel and sought approval of Cabinet through the regular channels. She recounted that the process took so long that by the time the final approval was given, the vessel for which they sought approval was no longer available.

Resolved not to allow for reoccurrence, ministry officials saw the need to significantly expedite the approval process for acquiring the Cabo Star and Ocean Flower 2. She explained (and I think the nation should be aware) that such a process exists for critical times that a ministry requires speedy approval to carry out requests of significant national importance before a normal sitting of Cabinet and they followed those procedures to a T.

She then outlined that the ministry submitted the appropriate documentation to the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs and obtained sign-off. They then sought independent legal counsel and got sign-off in terms of that opinion. Documents were submitted to the Prime Minister and got approval, were submitted for ratification to Cabinet and in so doing the Ministry of Works and Transport went through the proper channels to obtain legitimate approval.

So, I’m not quite so sure that the popular opinion for the hour presenting the ministry as the culprit in violating procedure is as viable as many voices are making it out to be. In any case, the committee resumes on September 18. Let’s hope the proper documents are submitted and the permanent secretary’s testimony holds true.

CAMERON PAUL Tunapuna

According to reportsm police officers of the IATF were on patrol on 13th Street, Beetham at about 12.35 pm yesterday when they noticed three men. The men scattered as soon as they saw the police.

Police continued on their patrol, and saw one of the men who fled earlier on 11th street. They attempted to engage the man once more, and the man drew a firearm and pointed it at them, ready to fire.

Police officer fired on the man and he was wounded. As he slumped to the ground, police attempted to pick the man up and take him to hospital, but a group of people swarmed the injured man.

During the commotion, gunshots rang out and police officers were forced to retreat, and call for back-up. While doing so they saw the mob of people taking the wounded man away.

Well placed sources in the TTPS have confirmed that the incident took place, and added that police are now on the lookout for the man who remains at large up to presstime.

This is the second time in weeks that police had a confrontation with people believed to be Beetham residents. Late last month, angry residents began throwing debris onto the Beetham Highway after a confrontation with police. In that incident, residents claimed they were being unfairly targeted by police officers patrolling the area.

Along with blocking the road, residents were seen making threats to police officers.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Irwin Hackshaw spoke out against the earlier incident, saying that threats to police officers will not be tolerated, and that people who engage in such activities would be flushed out and brought to justice.

Upon his return, Rowley will temporarily take up the Public Administrations and Communications portfolio as the regular line minister Maxie Cuffie recuperates from a medical episode which he had last Tuesday (September 5). Sources close to Cuffie said he is recuperating at St Clair Medical Centre and his family, “wishes its privacy.” A statement issued by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) yesterday said Rowley completed his medical examination in the United States and will return home early tomorrow morning. The Prime Minister, who went for his medical check-up in California, was due to return home today, with his connecting flight to TT being in Miami.

However Miami International Airport has been closed due to the passage of Hurricane Irma. As a result of this, Rowley’s return flight has been diverted away from Miami.

The Prime Minister will now arrive early tomorrow morning via a Caribbean Airlines flight through New York. There are no plans for Rowley to hold any press conference at Piarco International Airport upon his return. The Prime Minister held a briefing before he left the country on September 1.

Sources told Newsday that since Cuffie fell ill, the administrative functions of the Public Administration and Communications Ministry are being handled by the OPM.

When Rowley returns, he is expected to, “attend to further interim arrangements for that portfolio.” Earlier this year, Rowley temporarily handled the Public Utilities Ministry after Port-of-Spain South MP Marlene Mc Donald was initially appointed to the post and fired shortly afterwards.

was fired several months ago.

Former banker Robert Le Hunte was appointed to the post on August 31. Le Hunte was first appointed on August 24 but his appointment was subsequently revoked after questions arose as to whether he had Ghanaian citizenship. On August 31, Le Hunte took full responsibility for the “communications glitch” which caused the initial confusion.

He apologised to Rowley and the nation.

Le Hunte will take his oath as a senator, whenever next the Senate sits.

This was revealed Friday by Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) Dr June Soomer as she addressed the opening ceremony of the 26th Meeting of the Special Committee for Transport held at the ACS Secretariat, Sweet Briar Road, St.Clair. Soomer said that up to Friday morning, aircraft left Venezuela for St Lucia to collect supplies for Antigua and Barbuda.

She said the Cuban government is also sending a group of technical people to the region although Cuba has also been affected by the hurricane.

She said that the prime minister of St Lucia is coordinating efforts to provide relief to the countries ravaged by Hurricane Irma and specifically asked that the countries of the ACS be involved in the relief efforts.

Soomer said that ACS member states Mexico and Guatemala have suffered major earthquakes, in the case of Mexico it was the biggest earthquake to hit the country since 1985, and there are tsunami warnings for all the countries in Central America: Panama, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. “And so our prayers are with them also as they are with the people of the region who have gone through this disaster caused by Hurricane Irma and quickly to be followed by Jose.” She said that St Maarten, an associate member state of the ACS is also under severe pressure and will receive assistance from Cuba as well.

She said that while the rapid response to the disaster will save a lot of lives, “I am always concerned about the post-disaster period because it is a time when there are lots of debris and so we have to work also with these countries to help them to clean up very quickly and return to normalcy.” She said the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is doing “a tremendous job” in helping with relief efforts and commended the organisation for its assistance, adding that the ACS looks forward to continuing to help all its member states and associate member states in their time of need. Soomer said the ACS was also assisting countries which are not even members of the organisation, such as the British Virgin Islands (BVI) which suffered “tremendous loss”. She said that although the BVI will be getting help from the British Government, the territory is one of “our sister countries and we want to help.” Also addressing the opening ceremony was this country’s Minister of Works and Transport, Rohan Sinanan, who said that while each of the islands of the Caribbean spend huge sums of money promoting tourism, they can gain much more if they commit themselves to developing and strengthening travel in the region, including making interisland movement and trade cheaper, more easily accessible and more enjoyable by providing a better service.

Recognising this, Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) is waiving change fees for customers with confirmed tickets for travel during the period September 5 to October 31, 2017.

In announcing the news; which affected travellers surely welcomed, CAL said extended its “deepest concern and empathy to those affected by the hurricanes in the region, which are impacting our operation, causing several flights to be cancelled.” Hence CAL’s decision “to minimise inconvenience” by allowing persons whose travel plans are impacted by the hurricanes to rebook without change fees, subject to the four conditions.

“Waiver of all fees for tickets rebooked in the same cabin, for travel up to October 31, 2017; It is mandatory that customers contact CAL before the scheduled date of travel; Full refund of fare paid, for travel up to October 31, 2017. The refund must be requested by September 30, 2017; and All changes must be made through CAL Call Centres or at CAL Ticket Offices,” the airline stated.

It is important to note that these waivers are only applicable to travel to or from specific airports.

Namely: the Miami, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale international airports in Florida; the VC Bird International Airport in Antigua, the Princess Juliana International Airport in St. Maarten; and the Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau, Bahamas.