Batting first, La Romaine Secondary were restricted to 107 runs for eight wickets in their allotted 20 overs with Ryan Ramkissoon top-scoring with 22 runs while Divinci Chipawan contributed 14.

Stephon Boodoo was the main wicket-taker for the Charlieville- based ASJA Boys with four wickets for 15 runs while Joseph Mohammed captured 2/25.

In reply, ASJA Boys reached 108/6 with 1.4 overs remaining, despite figures of 2/23 from Ramkissoon. Jade Bristol led the ASJA Boys batting with 20 while Sanjay Jawahir made 14.

Today the other Senior Division semi-final will take place between Speyside Secondary and North Eastern College, from 2.30 pm, also at the National Cricket Centre.

Last evening, the first Power- Gen Intercol T20 semi-final was staged featuring 2016 winners Carapichaima East Secondary and Hillview College. The other Intercol T20 semi-final will be contested tomorrow with Naparima College facing Shiva Boys Hindu College, at the National Cricket Centre from 5.30 pm.

I concur, for it is just that if we live off the resources the State provides, such as infrastructure etc, we should pay our fair share for that upkeep.

But there are issues here, the first and foremost being one of fairness.

Is it fair for the average middle class citizen and others similarly affected to be subjected to in an increase in property tax from under $300, as in my case, to now near $1,600, an increase of over 500 percent? This begs the question as to whether the citizen should be made to prop up a now depleted Treasury arising out of mismana geme nt by inept and often corrupt politicians charged with managing the public purse.

Should this taxation of the people for revenue-making purposes become a trend, as it well might be, considering that the Government has few revenue-making structures outside the normal Public Service framework, with the exception perhaps of the National Lotteries Control Board, is this not alarming where this might lead? Possibly into a continuous stream of taxation, direct and indirect, on goods and services, penalties and the like and, for all you know, straight into our savings in the bank? This is not alarmist by any means, for the Government must find money to run the country, and in the virtual absence of same, there is only one place to turn: the people.

The Government must find creative ways other than the people to generate revenue, and a good place to start is to make a concerted effort to recover monies stolen from the Treasury and follow it up on the macro level to avoid situations like the BP fiasco and encourage investment in oil and gas-related projects and boost agricultural development.

On the community level it can help to create greater self-sufficiency by incentivising smallscale agriculture and entrepreneurship and cottage industries, minimising the reliance on the State.

Taxing the people to earn revenue as an all-embracing economic strategy, according to one British politician, is like trying to lift a bucket while you are standing in it.

DR ERROL BENJAMIN via email

The annual observance of Administrative Professionals Week provides a platform for NAAP to expose a greater number of administrative professionals to a variety of growth and developmental techniques that can readily be applied within their own work environment. It is for this reason that our association has embarked on the establishment of the Administrative Professionals Training Institute (APTI), which is expected to further provide skills and attitudinal training, required to engender the kind of critical knowledge curve for efficient office management.

Thus far, we have been able to make infrastructural adjustments to nSa House to accommodate our earning institute. All things considered, the commencement of training can be realised in September. As the premier association for Administrative Professionals in Trinidad and Tobago, NAAP is proud of its past, embraces the present and looks forward to the future.

On behalf of the Board, I personally take this opportunity to extend best wishes to all administrative professionals, on the occasion of Administrative Professionals Week 2017.

Captain Steve Benny completed a four-week resident programme at the George C Marshall European Centre for Security Studies an Germany.

Newsday understands that the course was completed in March.

A release sent by the Regiment revealed that training was conducted with regional and international counterparts which gave participants strategies on developing a better understanding of the potential tension and trade-off between conducting better and more effective operations against terrorist bodies, while respecting the rights of law-abiding citizens.

The course also looked into the ideologies and operations of terrorist cells and how to counteract them. Benny was also recognised for his work in the Manoeuvre Captains Career Course. The release said that Benny competed against top US Marines and Army Ranges and excelled in all areas of the course. He was commended by Deputy Commander of US SOUTHCOM, Lieutenant General Joseph P DiSalvo for winning the overall top seminar award on this programme. “Captain Benny’s performance and high calibre of professionalism is demonstrative of the Officers, Men and Women of the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment and the wider Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force.” the release said.

During this period of intellectual growth, development and advancement, students are not only taught academic and technical vocational skills; but educators, parents, religious leaders, and others seek to implement good moral values, principles, and discipline which are critical elements in shaping character.

In today’s society contributory factors such as technology, peers, and family members may probably play a major role in influencing their decisions. Today’s article will focus on nutrition during adolescence.

Teens’ health Perhaps you might agree that adolescence is an exciting time, but somewhat challenging period in human development. According to authors Dr Kathleen Mahan and Sylvia Escott-Stump, adolescents experience rapid growth and development that you cannot help but notice; it affects physical and psychosocial health.

“The changes in cognitive and emotional functioning aid them in becoming more independent as they mature. Within this period being accepted by their friends, sharing opinions, and peers become at times much more important than cherished family values; such behaviours tend to create conflicts between teens and their parents or family members, and even others in authority. Examples of psychological changes noted from early to late adolescence can include, but should not be limited to preoccupation with body size, shape, and body image; strong peer influence; expanded cognitive ability, including abstract reasoning; social, emotional, and financial independence becomes more pronounced; usually develop their own set of core values, to guide their moral, ethical, and health-related decisions.” Overall, good nutrition is also essential during this period of development in maintaining one’s nutritional status. But, the psychosocial development of adolescents may positively or negatively impact their health.

For during adolescence, some may be obsessed with body image and possibly choose to restrict calories by consuming too little, avoiding nutritious foods, or even skipping meals regularly because of the fear of weight gain; as well as even engaging in exercise for lengthy periods of time during the day. These eating habits tend to impact health and in some cases weight control behaviours may contribute to eating disorders.

Example of eating disorders include, anorexia nervosa — characterised by the following: refusing to maintain normal body weight, always seeing oneself as overweight even if they are not; intense fear of weight gain; distortion of body image; and amenorrhoea (absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycles) in postmenarcheal females.

Another is bulimia nervosa – the illness is characterised by a repetition of binge eating episodes after which the individual might engage in purging, self-induced vomiting, and the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, enemas or even non-purging behaviours such as fasting or participating in excessive exercise. Whatever the case, eating disorders can affect the health of children, teens, and adults; you should note if these eating behaviours exist, scheduled a visit with your medical doctor and follow his/her medical advice.

Taking a look at food habits Considering all of the above mentioned points, you can conclude that adolescents’ dietary intakes can vary due to several influencing factors, of which when examined may not necessarily be the best. Generally, good dietary practices among this specific target population may be affected by skipping a meal or two, excessive snacking (these snacks are usually high in fat, sugar, and salt), greater consumption of sugary beverages, the availability of income within the home to buy food, decrease influence of members of household and greater influence of peers on food choices, increase exposure to social media, sometimes employment outside the home with the increase in discretionary spending capacity, and the increase in responsibilities in the home having to care for younger siblings or even parents and/or grandparents leaving them with very little time to consume their meals Making changes Moreover, a balanced diet adequate in the macro and micronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins and minerals, and water) will aid in helping teens to meet their daily nutritional requirements.

Therefore to support growth and development healthy eating habits are beneficial, contributing to healthy bones, skin, energy levels, and boost the immune system; while lowering potential risk for dental caries, eating disorders, constipation, malnutrition, and iron deficiency anaemia (US Department of Health and Human Services and US Department of Agriculture, 2005).

When planning meals, meal managers should incorporate the ideas of adolescents and other persons within the household, and make available snacks that are nutritious and delicious e.g. yogurt, granola, fruit pieces, veggie sticks with dip, fruit smoothie, milk shakes, mini muffins, pizza pieces, trail mix, popcorn, crackers with peanut butter or cheese, sandwiches, mini roti, etc. Add to the meal plan fruits, vegetables, peas and beans, and foods from the staples and foods from animals food groups.

Encourage adequate water intake throughout the diet; the recommendation – six to eight glasses per day in plain or flavoured form with fresh fruit pieces.

Limit concentrated sweets, and foods high in fat and salt.

Also to help teens make good food choices cafeteria operators can make available healthy food choices, and vending machines should have a variety of nutritious snacks.

Claudette Mitchell, PhD, RD – Assistant Professor, University of the Southern Caribbean, School of Science, Technology, and Allied Health.

Government’s approach to “this crucial issue”, OWTU acting president general Carlton Gibson said in a release, “seems void of the priority and urgency that the situation desperately needs.” Gibson is acting for Ancel Roget, who is attending an IndustriALL Global Union executive meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.

Without restructuring, Gibson said, Petrotrin would continue to be burdened with poor management decisions, and with a governance structure that has repeatedly proven to be “a colossal failure.” With Government’s “business-as-usual approach” to Petrotrin’s management, Gibson said, “We again run the risk of other catastrophic failures with costly and deadly consequences” for the company, the environment and the country.

OWTU had warned for several years, he said, that the failures of Petrotrin’s various managers and directors would inevitably lead to problems that would result in financial loss, environmental dangers, and even the loss of lives and limbs.

He said the seepage of gallons of bunker fuel from Petrotrin’s refinery into the Guaracara River on Sunday from a ruptured storage tank “has given full credence to our claim that poor leadership decisions continue to plague this most important state enterprise.” OWTU has always highlighted the critical need, he said, to improve and adequately maintain the refinery’s infrastructure, including pipelines, storage tanks, and plant equipment to better maximise the company’s profit margins. The OWTU had always argued that Petrotrin’s current management structure had not been working in its own interest or the country’s.

Gibson recalled that before the December 17, 2013 oil spill, which affected communities along the coastline of the southwestern peninsula and which was one of the worst ecological disasters in the country’s history, OWTU publicly raised concerns about the pending disaster and “subsequent cover-up in the aftermath.” The concerns were presented in writing to the President, the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, and Independent Senators, he said, and the OWTU had warned that if the concerns were not urgently addressed, Petrotrin would run the risk of another major oil spill. Unfortunately, said Gibson, neither management nor the board expressed the willingness to deal immediately with this ever-emerging crisis.

Babwah, who will turn 40 later this year, struck 72 and grabbed two for 16 in four overs to lead Central Sports to a 41-run win over Trinidad and Tobago Prisons Service in round two of group three.

Babwah’s knock guided Central Sports to 165 for nine batting first.

Kamil Pooran pitched in with 32, while Johnathan Singh (3/25) and Javed Boodram (3/32) both took three wickets for Prisons.

In reply, Prisons could only muster 124/7 with Ricardo Sam scoring 37, while Deens Baird contributed 23. Babwah restricted the Prisons batsmen along with Rakesh Maharaj (2/24). Central Sports defeated Cane Farm by three wickets in round one. Round three of the group stage will be played tomorrow.

SUMMARISED SCORES: JAILAL ENTERPRISE VICTORIA 171/5 (H Mitchell 39, Andrae Bryce 34, Kareem Hamilton 2/30) vs MOOSAI 111 (16.2 overs) (A Daniel 32, Q Williams 17, Sanjiv Gooljar 3/12, V Rampersad 3/19) Victoria won by 60 runs.

QUEEN’S PARK TWO 118 (Namir Suepaul 30, D Drakes 28 not out, Keon Isaac 3/26, Aneil Kanhai 3/15) vs MERRY BOYS 122/3 (12 overs) (Isaiah Rajah 49 not out, Amir Jangoo 32) Merry Boys won seven wickets.

ALESCON COMETS 152/4 (Steven Katwaroo 48, Rayad Emrit 25 not out, Devendra Krishna 1/15) vs Courts Orangefield 148/8 (Shemroy Barrington 46, Trevon Griffith 42, Kenroy Williams 3/23, Imran Khan 2/20) Comets won by four runs.

CANE FARM 179/3 (Alcindo Holder 70, Romel Nanan 43, Gabriel Blackwell 2/26) vs TABLELAND 162/7 (Al Small 61, Keaton Mahabir 29, Anthony Simmons 2/43, Tevon Jadoo 2/38) Cane Farm won by 17 runs.

CALDRAC 133/8 (Eugene La Fleur 32, Allen Laurent 24, Anderson Phillip 2/15, Jyd Goolie 2/21, Yannick Ottley 2/35) vs CLARKE ROAD 134/1 (17 overs) (Adrian Ali 59 not out, Kyle Hope 35) Clarke Road won by nine wickets.

POWERGEN 185/6 (Evin Lewis 69, Jason Mohammed 34, Antonio Singh 2/35, Jevon George 2/38) vs F&E DIAMIOND 111/7 (Michael Collins 25, Dwayne Charles 25, Delroy Johnson 3/9, Mark Deyal 3/20) Powergen won by 74 runs.

ARANGUEZ 103/7 (19.4 overs) (Safraz Laloo 26, Khary Pierre 2/5, Terrance Hinds 2/15) vs QUEEN’S PARK ONE 104/2 (13.5 overs) (Justin Guillen 37 not out, Akeal Hosein 28 not out) Queen’s Park won by eight wickets.

“Ma Pau is extremely pleased to announce that it has reached agreement with the owners of Aria Nightclub on Ariapita Avenue, Woodbrook to reopen Ma Pau as soon as the statutory permits and permissions are gained from relevant authorities that supervise Members Clubs.” Ma Pau said its management is “working feverishly” with the authorities to allow an early opening which will allow the continued employment of its staff.

This was announced in an April 24 statement which also noted that although the March 26 fire resulted in a “devastating loss”, the almost 200 staff members employed there were kept on the payroll and re-assigned to other Ma Pau locations.

“This has been a tremendous strain on the business,” Ma Pau said. It also said it appreciates the support of many customers “as it tries to keep paying the huge salary bill.” Ma Pau assured that it would continue to make this sacrifice “in such hard economic times and will continue to be part of the community until it has no money left.” Noting that “most members club workers come from underprivileged areas and that they are an example to others in their areas to work hard and honestly,” Ma Pau said it will continue to support communities with its charitable interventions, as its employees are from these communities.

He added that WASA is, “increasing production at its Caroni and Hollis water treatment plants and Hillsborough water treatment plant in Tobago by approximately 11.3 million gallons daily.” In this context, Hinds said, “WASA will be taking steps to re-distribute available supplies to meet demands to customers all over TT, including Penal and the area referred to by my friend.” Saying this was part of Government’s strategy to ensure a more equitable and sustainable water supply to all communities in the country, Hinds said, “It is expected there will be an impact on service within the next three or four days in these areas.

Hinds also said WASA will be issuing its list of revised water schedules this week and citizens are advised to institute water conservation measures, “for the remainder of the dry season.” Senate President Christine Kangaloo subsequently approved a request by Opposition Senator Gerald Ramdeen to debate the water shortage in certain communities in TT as a matter on the adjournment of the Senate.

Vehicle owners who came to conduct business such as transferring vehicle ownership and renewing driver’s permits met a locked front door. Inniss Edwards, who came from Point Fortin, lamented that he wasted time and money to get to the office which he did not know, was closed for the day.

“Imagine hundreds of people pass through this office on a daily basis and today the doors are shut,” Edwards said, adding that the Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan should investigate this closure.

Another affected person said it was hard to believe that Licensing Office has no water tanks to store water and ensure a back-up supply when there is no pipeborne water. Licensing officers refused to comment on the situation and stayed put behind the closed doors.