S&P, Moody’s and Fitch are collectively known as “the Big Three” credit rating agencies in the world. Imbert said this country was given a negative outlook by Moody’s in 2014, 2015. He explained that when this is done, that agency does evaluations on an annual basis, while for countries with a stable outlook, the ratings are not done so frequently.

He said Moody’s changed TT’s outlook from negative to stable, but gave it “a downgrade to the lowest levels of investment grade.” Moody’s suggested that Government reduce expenditure by more than $10 billion per year, he said.

Reiterating that TT had suffered a severe loss of income since 2014, Imbert said, “The country’s income up to a couple years ago was $57 billion per year; it is now $37 billion.” He said Government is using strategies such as reducing expenditure, one-off sales of assets, encouraging foreign investment in the energy sector and withdrawals from the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund to close this $20 billion gap.

Imbert said S&P also upgraded the outlook from “negative” to “stable”, and while it changed the long-term investment grade from A- to BBB+, this is still a high investment- grade rating.

With S&P, Moody’s and Fitch controlling 50, 35 and 15 per cent of world ratings respectively, Imbert said he was advised,”We should also pursue ratings from Fitch.” He said this would mean that: “We have the three largest and most reputable credit agencies in the world rating TT, so there is more balanced perspective on our ratings.” Imbert added that some people believed the rating given by Moody’s was unreasonable compared to that given by S&P.

He made 104 as South-East crushed Tobago by 180 runs at Shaw Park and will now meet defending champions East Zone in the final today at the National Cricket Centre Ground in Balmain, Couva from 9.30 am.

Cooper’s innings was the foundation of his team’s massive score of 318 for eight wickets in a match reduced to 48 overs. He received solid support from Justin Gangoo who made a well-played 56, while Avinash Mahabirsingh contributed 48 and Antonio Bebe made 32.

Joshua James was the pick of the home team’s bowlers grabbing three wickets for 41 runs in eight overs while Keston Rodney took two and Daveon Shongie and David James grabbed one apiece.

Facing a mammoth target, Tobago made a credible effort with Shongie making a patient 40 and David James compiling 23, but they were dismissed for just 138 in 39.4 overs to end their 2017 campaign with their best performance in reaching the last four.

Doing the job with the ball for South-East was Mahabirsingh who claimed five wickets for 36 runs in nine overs and four balls, while Rajiv Singh (two for 21) and Michael Dindial (two for 26) also proved a handful for the Tobago batsmen.

Coach of the South- East team Faoud Bassarath said he was very pleased with the performance of his team and was very confident that his players can give East Zone a big fight in the final and claim their first Shell Inter Zone silverware of the season.

Bassarath was high in praise of Cooper who is he said had the talent and drive to play for the national senior team soon and will grab the attention of the West Indies selectors should he continue to develop and live up to expectation.

He said there were other players on the team including Gangoo, Jace Assoon and Bebe in the batting line up while Tariq Abdool, Dindial and Sherron Lewis are effective with the ball and can tilt the scales in South East’s favour against the favourites.

Expected to meet the players before the first ball are Azim Bassarath, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board, and Shell Trinidad Limited representative Kelli Marie Patel.

Her resignation came amid growing concern over unfinished cases she may have left behind in the magistracy and one day after frustrated prisoners almost rioted in the Eighth Magistrates Court in Port-of-Spain where Ayers-Caesar presided, for the last seven years.

Ayers-Caesar’s shocking resignation was announced yesterday in a statement issued on her behalf by the Judiciary’s Court Protocol and Information Department.

She said after “careful deliberation, prayer and consultation” with her family, she sought an audience with Chief Justice Ivor Archie and delivered her resignation to President Anthony Carmona at 5.30 pm yesterday.

She admitted she should have advised the Judicial and Legal Service Commission of the number of part-heard cases left on her docket and request further time to complete them before taking up the higher judicial post.

“Upon mature reflection, I am of the considered view that it would have been preferable that I advise the Judicial and Legal Service Commission of the full state of my list and request further time to bring matters to completion before confirming my readiness to assume duties as a Judge of the Supreme Court,” Ayers-Caesar said.

“I acknowledge the concerns raised with respect to the various matters which were not completed before me as Chief Magistrate by the time of my appointment to the Bench of the Supreme Court of Justice and recognise the effect that the failure to complete these matters will invariably have on the stakeholders in the criminal justice system including accused persons, victims of crime and members of the legal profession,” she added. “I continue to regret the effect which my actions have caused on the very persons whom I strive to serve and that His Excellency the President and the Honourable Chief Justice for the confidence placed in me,” she concluded.

Ayers-Caesar began her duties as a judge on Monday in the San Fernando High Court. In her statement yesterday, she did not say what her next move will be and it is still unclear if she will immediately return to the magistracy.

On Monday, president of the Law Association Douglas Mendes SC, issued a statement expressing the council’s concern over Ayers-Caesar’s appointment and leaving behind a heavy docket of unfinished cases, mainly murder inquiries involving accused persons who are incarcerated for as much as seven years without bail as they await the completion of their matters in the lower court.

Mendes assured that the association was committed to transparency and accountability in the selection and appointment of judges by the JLSC but said the council had ‘immediate concerns about the fact that a judge was appointed and took up office leaving behind outstanding, part-heard matters.” He said the association would have sought to meet with Chief Justice Archie, the Attorney General and the Director of Public Prosecutions over the coming days “to assist in finding a workable solution.” However, Mendes said it was unfair that anyone should suffer the expense and anxiety of an avoidable repeat trial.

“The full extent of the prejudice which may have been caused is not yet known,” he said.

(See Page 8A)

The suggestion by the association was rightly made to help reduce incidents of indiscipline and violence in schools. In addition to reducing the lunch hour, corporal punishment needs to be practised on a consistent basis.

One reason to encourage use of corporal punishment is to give some power back to teachers. They often struggle to chastise students because current punishments have no power of intimidation. Without this, there will be no deterrent.

A lack of corporal punishment leaves teachers powerless to stop indiscipline and acts of violence.

Corporal punishment is a viable alternative to suspension. Children often don’t enjoy school. Suspension from school can send the wrong message that it’s a reward rather than a punishment. Using corporal punishment on a consistent basis keeps students in school and punishes them, therefore making it clear it is not a reward and that indiscipline will not be tolerated.

There is less respect for authority, politeness and good manners, and children today are ruder, wilder, more aggressive and use more bad language than before and don’t seem to care about maintaining a respectable appearance.

School are partly to blame for the current state of affairs in TT and the increased crime rates, for it is their products that are failing to come to the desired standards that society requires. Teachers are not doing enough to impart the right knowledge to children and to ensure that their behaviours are socially acceptable.

Teachers must teach children not only to be knowledgeable but to be good. It is for this reason that corporal punishment should play a major role in the school system. It must be practised regularly because of falling education standards.

Students do not know as much as they should or do not know the right things and they are failing to achieve basic skills required to earn a living when they leave school.

When students see that one of their colleagues has been rightly punished for indiscipline, they try not to do similar things in order to avoid also being punished. With corporal punishment, teachers are able to bring their students under control.

There are certain children who can only be controlled through the use of the cane.

Students who are not serious in their schoolwork should be punished so they can be pushed in the right direction to be successful.

Parents must also use corporal punishment. “The act of corporal punishment itself is different when administered by parents — parents vary in how frequently they use it, how forcefully they administer it, how emotionally aroused they are when they do it, and whether they combine it with other techniques.

Each of these qualities of corporal punishment can determine which child-mediated processes are activated, and, in turn, which outcomes may be realised,” psychologist Elizabeth Gershoff concludes.

Corporal punishment helps make children obedient, respectful, polite.

In the absence of corporal punishment, children are more likely to be indisciplined.

Corporal punishment in school makes students take their studies seriously and also helps keep the students under control.

Authorities are able to instill discipline in children through the use of corporal punishment in schools.

It makes very stubborn children submit to authority because they fear that if they don’t do the right thing they will not escape punishment.

Corporal punishment serves as a deterrent.

SIMON WRIGHT Chaguanas

In the Boys Over-18 100m, Edwards crossed the finish line in 10.70 seconds, with Onil Mitchell of Point Fortin East Secondary second in 10.93 and Renaldo Alleyne-Noriega of St Mary’s College third in 11.02.

Hackshaw, from Arima North Secondary, prevailed in the Girls Over-18 100m in a time of 12.71. Cardeisha Danzell of Arima Central Secondary was next in 12.92 and Kenesha Moses of Bishop’s High School third in 13.17.

The Championships will conclude today.

SELECTED RESULTS Boys Under-18 100m: 1.Timothy Frederick (Vessigny Secondary) 10.79 sec; 2.Don Roberts (Trinity East) 11.17; 3.Shomari Crawford (Tunapuna Secondary) 11.28.

Girls Under-18 100m: 1.Caitlin Ragoonanan (North Eastern) 12.43; 2.Mackenzy Baptiste (North Eastern) and Mykael Ann Julien (Point Fortin East) 12.54.

Boys Over-18 400m: 1.Zidane Martin (Chaguanas North) 48.57; 2.Daniel Gibbs (Mucurapo East) 48.93; 3.Terry Frederick (Naparima) 49.04.

Girls Over-18 400m: 1.Kershel McIntyre (St James Sec) 1:00.00; 2.Reguell Richards (Fyzabad Sec) 1:05.39; 3.Junecia Inniss (Scarborough Sec) 1:06.86.

Boys Under-18 400m: 1.Tyshawn Gray (Speyside High) 49.44; 2.Mark Hamilton (Gasparillo Sec) 51.88; 3.Aaron Cardinez (St Benedict’s) 52.25.

Girls Under-18 400m: 1.Joanna Rogers (St Francois) 57.28; 2.Dianne Hamilton (Moruga Sec) 59.50; 3.Cheziah Phillip (Toco Sec) 1:00.17.

Girls Under-18 long jump: 1. Antonia Sealy (Cedros Sec) 5.53m; 2.Kerneka Waldron (Toco Sec) 4.73m; 3.Faith Tinto (Toco Sec) 4.68m.

Boys Over-18 high jump: 1.Omari Benoit (UWI Sixth Form Tobago) 1.90m; 2.Tariqu Dann (Toco), Andrew Nicholas (Toco Sec) and Franklyn Stanislaus (Bishop’s High) 1.85m.

Girls Over-18 shot put: 1.Akidah Briggs (Toco Sec) 11.85m; 2.Alleta George (Roxborough Sec) 8.11m.

The CNG Vehicle Management System (CVMS), launched on April 25 at the Hyatt Regency, Portof- Spain, will require installation of a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag near to the CNG filling port on your natural gas vehicle.

Then, once the CNG nozzle is brought within a few centimetres of the CNG filling port on your vehicle, electronic verification takes place. If the vehicle’s CNG system is valid; the CNG kit and tank was inspected and if need be, tested, according to the manufacturer’s requirements, the dispensing of CNG will take place. If not, or if the system has been tampered with, CNG will be denied.

NGC CNG President Curtis Mohammed, said the RFID tag will cost between TT $250 and $300. Phase One of the CVMS will see the CVMS installed on the more than 150 CNG vehicles that belong to the National Gas Company (NGC) Group.

After installation, the CVMS on these vehicles will be tested over a three-month period before Phase Two begins – national implementation.

Mohammed assured that “even when this system is implemented nationally, existing CNG users will have a grace period to get their vehicles compliant.” What’s the benefit of the CVMS? Mohammed said it would enforce compliance for CNG kit installations and periodic re-inspections, because without an up-to-date inspection, your vehicle “will simply be denied CNG at all NGC CNG stations.” In addition, the system “can conceivably evolve to offer cashless transactions, promotional offers, fleet management and integration with other fuel types.”

The committee has held over 20 meetings the last being on Tuesday.

Sources revealed that an initial audit has so far revealed while there are 7,500 police officers on record, only 4,500 are on active duty, with the rest on sick leave, vacation leave, suspension, study leave and other types of leave.

The committee has already provided Rowley and Minister of National Security Edmund Dillon with a status report on its work.

The Terms of Reference of the committee are to help improve the police service by examining if the existing manpower is adequate in both quantity and quality, to serve the country’s public safety and national security requirements.

The committee was also given authority to look at municipal police, estate constables, special reserve police and even private security firms to see the extent to which they could be of assistance, so that they could assist in partnering with the police. This could be achieved through legislative reform.

A lot of ground has been covered, sources said, and the team has entered the data collection stage. Committee members have been having regular consultations with Security Minister Dillon. At the end of the audit, the committee is expected to submit its report to the Prime Minister which would include whatever recommendations deemed necessary to improve the service.

Contacted yesterday for comment on the status of the Manpower Audit being carried out, Chairman Deosaran said, “neither myself nor the committee will be prepared to speak publicly on the work in progress.” Newsday understands Deosaran will be visiting Aruba next to address a Caribbean Commissioners of Police conference in which the main theme will be dealing with organised crime.

The Members of the committee are Ag DCP Harold Phillip, ACP Erla Christopher, retired Permanent Secretary Jacqueline Wilson, attorney Allan Meiguel, security management consultant Dr Levi Guy-Obiakor Ag ASP Anand Ramesar.

“It is true that Darren has initiated legal action against us,” WICB chief executive Johnny Grave told ESP Ncricinfo. “It has come as a surprise as I was under the impression we had agreed a way back for him. I’m very disappointed and yes, a bit frustrated.” Bravo has not played for the West Indies since having his match contract cancelled last November prior to the tri-nation series with Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. His contract was cancelled after calling WICB president a Dave Cameron a “big idiot” on Twitter after the Jamaican said Bravo was not performing while on a WICB ‘A’ retainer contract and was subsequently demoted to tier ‘C’ to motivate him to improve.

Bravo said he has never been offered an ‘A’ contract.

His lawyer yesterday argued that no one contacted Bravo or his lawyers prior to the publishing of the article which resulted in “omissions and mischaracterisations in this piece.” It was explained that subsequent to the termination of Bravo’s match contract last year, Bravo’s attorneys wrote to the WICB on the 22nd, November 2016, while following the stipulations in his match tour contract which mandated a series of steps to be taken prior to the commencement of legal proceedings.

It was immediately put forward to the WICB by Bravo’s attorneys that the Board’s actions were considered unlawful and he was claiming loss and damage and submitted a report on the matter as required.

“Following the exchange of reports on the matter, a meeting of the parties and their representatives was convened and a number of issues and possible resolution discussed. The present Chief Executive Officer was not part of any of the above interactions but did become involved subsequently and proposed a possible settlement of the matter on the 9th March, 2017 which was four-pronged in construct.

“While agreement could be reached on three of these conditions, the issue of damages remained and on the 11th April, 2017 Mr Bravo’s attorneys so informed the WICB’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Johnny Grave in writing.

Mr Grave never responded to Mr Bravo’s counsel’s letter of 11th April ,2017 but has made statements that have been published in the press without the full context of the matter which serves to create further issues.” The press release yesterday indicated that Bravo will continue to pursue his dispute with the WICB as is necessary with respect for the process which mandates a possible eleven step engagement ( that includes mediation and arbitration) and which has reached stage four and after consideration of the WICB’s Chief Executive Officer’s actions and comments which may have cast this matter in a different light .

I humbly recommend that Talk City 91.1 FM be transformed into Culture Radio 91.1 FM promoting non-stop calypso, pan, chutney, local pop, rapso, and other forms of music in TT .

We have a rich history of music but the trend on the airwaves is only talk, talk and more talk until you fall asleep. Let “culture radio” make the difference as a public service.

KEITH ANDERSON via email

Justice Mira Dean-Armorer earlier this month found that Williams, Devon Welch and Juliet Davy defamed Welch in 2010 by labelling him as gay and being guilty of extortion during radio programmes they hosted called The War Room and The Ground Report.

Dean-Armorer acknowledged that this society has not yet evolved to be indifferent or acceptant to alternative sexual orientations.

She said a person’s sexual orientation cannot be of public interest as she dismissed the fair comment defence of the radio hosts.

In his notice of appeal filed by attorney Michael Rooplal, Williams contends that the judge erred in fact and law when she found that he uttered words defamatory of Welch.

He also insists that there was no evidence that he defamed his competitor.

Another of Williams’ grounds for challenging the judge’s decision is that the issue of homosexuality was no longer a taboo topic in T&T’s society, therefore any imputation regarding the sexual orientation of Welch was not defamatory.

At the trial, Williams, Michael Kerr and Lennox Smith gave evidence concerning Welch’s sexual orientation.

Williams also testified that he was the subject of sexual advances by Welch on a number of occasions.

In his appeal, Williams said, given his evidence as well as the testimony of Smith and Kerr, he discharged the legal onus placed on him to prove that Welch was a homosexual. He further argued that Welch failed to provide any evidence of specific damage to his career or reputation to justify the award of $70,000.

Williams has also applied to the Court of Appeal for a stay of execution of Dean-Armorer’s order which comes up for hearing on June 12. No date has yet been fixed for the appeal.