In June 2007, The Telegraph published an article in which the Bank for International Settlements pointed to a confluence of worrying signs alluding to mass issuance of new credit instruments, mounting household debt, dangerous craving for risk shown by investors and engrained imbalances in the world currency system. In addition, the paper stated clearly that the easy credit policy of the Federal Reserve and other central banks, and the failure to regulate the shadow banking system was of concern. It was felt that, sooner or later, the credit cycle will turn and default rates will begin to rise. Additionally, the levels of leverage employed in private equity transactions raised concern about their longer-term sustainability as the strategy depended on the availability of cheap funding.

One year later, in June 2008, The Telegraph warned that we might soon face challenges that were last seen during the onset of the Great Depression. Dr White, an Economist at the Bank for International Settlements, stated that the US sub-prime crisis was the “trigger”, not the cause, of the disaster.

Unless we understand the underlying causes of the almost cyclical financial systems failures, we will never understand what happened and will be unable to prevent repetition. Economic history suggests that almost every financial crisis starts with the belief that the provision of more liquidity is the answer, only for time to reveal that there were other real issues that were not addressed. The fundamental cause of the 2009 financial problems was excessive and imprudent credit growth over a long period as well as derivatives exposure.

In 2016, Central Banks started to admit that they still had not fixed the problems. Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England, said that the global economy risks becoming trapped in a low growth, low inflation, and low interest rate equilibrium. For the past seven years, growth has serially disappointed -sometimes spectacularly – as in the depths of the global financial and euro crises, often, grindingly as past debts weighed on activity.

Globally, Central Banks seem to be floundering on many key issues. The intention behind some of the decisions made after the financial crisis was to ‘break-up’ these ‘too-big-to-fail’ institutions – instead the result was that they made them bigger. Regarding mutual funds regulation, the US still uses the 1940 Investments Act and no regulator can agree on where the risks lie with these instruments and whether they even require capital. As they stumble to figure that out, the market and the instruments continue to evolve, and the Central Banks struggle to play ‘catch-up’. Another example is the use of digital currency. Globally, and even here in Trinidad, Bitcoin is used as a form of payment. The Central Banks are yet to agree on even the definition of what this is, far less to determine if and how it can be regulated. Another interesting example is the evolution of the Basel framework. This seems reactionary to financial crises and we are now at Basel 3. How many more ‘Basel’s’ before we get it right?

What about our own Central Bank? We too had to deal with our own financial crisis in 2009. At that time, questions were asked about our Central Bank dropping the ball in terms of regulatory oversight. It would almost appear that the Central Bank tends to be more reactive than proactive and as a result, fails to take a position on many issues. Does the Bank really undertake risk-based supervision? What about the failure to pass insurance legislation after ten years? What about pension legislation? Credit union legislation? What about all the out-dated guidelines? Is the Central Bank prepared to deal with the growing black market trade for US currency in Trinidad and Tobago? What about the mandate of the Central Bank regarding the protection of depositors, which appears contradictory to the existence of an almost collusive banking system that seems to practice extortion through bank fees?

Indeed, to date there has been no decision on a host of issues, a new white paper on financial sector reform, decision on the issue of a mega regulator. Is the concentration of power in the hands of a single individual heathy and appropriate for Trinidad and Tobago? There is also the issue of insurance legislation, credit union legislation, the oversight of Systemically Important Financial Institutions (SIFIs) – where is the legislation to guide this process? Have solutions been found to determine what should guide the decisions of the Governor of the Central Bank on whether monetary policy should always take priority over macro prudential regulation? Central banking globally and locally needs to get its act together.

On Friday February 10, 2017 one of our more prominent entrepreneurs, Brian Benoit launched his book and interactive website Panimation- Legends of Panerica that utilizes Steel Pan characters to tell stories of the instrument’s evolution. The Steel Pan is the most revered instrument in our twin islands as it holds a treasured place in our culture, society and history. Its rhythm is synonymous with our Carnival spirit in Panorama and greatly impacts Trinbagonian culture.

CARIRI’s first encounter with Brian would have been through the Idea to Innovation Programme in 2014 where CARIRI’s role was to provide ongoing technical, procurement and project monitoring support toward the year long journey to proof of concept for Brian’s Panimation project. During this period, illustrations of the characters, storyboard and the script for the fi rst episode were completed for the animated series, as well as, a 30 second trailer. While proof of concept was achieved, the question still remained, how will Panimation reach the market? The projected production cost for the pilot episode was not financially feasible for Brian and his team. The project was stuck at this point and there was uncertainty in Brian’s mind as how to move forward.

In May 2016, Brian submitted his project via CARIRI’s Idea Advisory Service (IAS) platf orm and now nine months later, his product is ready for the market.

It was established that based on market research that the more practical initial next step would be to develop and launch a storybook with an interactive website.

CARIRI has recognized that there are many persons like Brian with innovative ideas but simply do not know how to take their ideas forward. CARIRI has also recognized that many great ideas are not commercialized because of a disconnect between the idea, what the market wants and how the product or service is evaluated by the market. The Idea Advisory Service provides a platform where anyone (regardless of age, religion, job status, etc) can submit their ideas and we work with them to move their ideas forward to market.

The IAS team confidentially assesses the inventor’s ideas by determining novelty of the idea and provides advice on which intellectual property tool would be most relevant in securing the idea. In this regard, we work very closely with our Intellectual property office. In the case of Panimation, the pan characters used in the storybook and interactive website were trademarked.

The IAS Team evaluates market demand and identifies and strengthens the benefits of the idea to the target market. For the Panimation animated series, market research was conducted with over 200 persons who indicated that it was a fantastic idea to educate children by using animation, given that the target audience is 6 – 9 year olds.

The implementation of an interactive website would provide an opportunity for children to be introduced to Steelpan in a more creative, interactive and innovative way, as well as make the Pan Academy more easily accessible digitally. With assistance from CARIRI, an interactive website and animations were developed by Lab 206. The storybook will later on be aided by a mobile application with augmented reality technology and will serve as a prequel to an animated TV series.

Through creative storytelling, the children will also be taught how to be a good friend, obey their parents and elders and the importance of education. The vision for Panimation is not only to teach about steel pan and culture but also eventually be used to teach kids basic math and language skills.

The IAS team once satisfied with the proof of business offers two pathways to commercialization either via business start-ups or licensing. In Brian’s case he chose to expand his product line of his existing business and in that regard CARIRI’s Business Incubator programme off ered Brian and his team an enabling environment to benefit from our full range of business support service to aid in development and to transition his business.

Mr. Brian Benoit has found a way to embody the watchwords of CARIRI, “Innovation is Creativity being Implemented” with his local innovation Panimation- Legends of Panerica. The series is extremely appealing to youths and can enhance their interest in our National Instrument the Steel Pan. It is also very educational in nature and imparts life lessons on morals and perseverance which will serve as an inspiration for the youth of Trinidad and Tobago to become “all that they can be.” With this cultural book he shines a spot light on Steel Pan and brings it alive in many creative ways using animation.

CARIRI provides a wide range of services and faciliti es available to the inventors. At our Centre for Enterprise Development, Freeport we have our Microsoft Innovation Centre and MCentre to assist with app related ideas. Our 3D Printi ng lab provides 3D Modelling, 3D Scanning and 3D Printing services for the development of a pretotype. Our offices at St.Augustine and Macoya are equipped with product development, calibration and testing equipment needed to serve a wide range of industries.

Furthermore, CARIRI has existing networks within our reach including the World Association of Industrial and Technical Research Organizations (WAITRO) of which CARIRI is a founding member.

Over the past 20 months, the IAS Team has screened 165 ideas from various sectors – household, manufacturing, entertainment, health, mobile apps, agriculture, services and we continue to work with our inventors in moving their ideas forward. As part of CARIRI’s thrust to foster innovation and entrepreneurship, we are encouraging persons to submit their ideas to our Idea Advisory Service programme.

There is no cost attached to the submission of ideas for screening.

We know that our nation has many innovative creative minds like Brian and we ask these people to come forward.

For more information, contact: CARIRI’s Idea Advisory Service Centre for Enterprise Development, Innovation Avenue, Freeport.

Tel:(868) 299-0209 ext. 2210/2212 Email: ias@cariri.com Website: www.cariri.com

Dear AFETT,

How does one deal with a difficult manager who refuses to work with you? My manager has limited people skills and is a not a team builder. She is not willing to work with me in spite of my best efforts to work with her, and as a core member of her team, I suffer from lack of information among other problems. She actively sidetracks my projects through lengthy review times, yet I still perform my duties well and deliver results. I have been in the position for nearly two years and though my work is well regarded – even by others outside the organisation – she does not want to give me just credit. I feel she doesn’t like me and is threatened by my competence. I have discussed our relationship problems with our HR manager, my VP and company president, none of whom have taken any action. I would like to report her to the Board of the organisation for misconduct, however, I am wondering about the possible impact on my career. Would this be career suicide? What other options do I have? When should I consider legal action justified or appropriate? Help!

~ Extremely Frustrated

Dear Extremely Frustrated,

Nearly one third of all resignations are caused by poor manager–employee relationships, so your experience is by no means unique. But when you think about how much time one spends at work – approximately 76,800 hours in a lifetime of working, sometimes from age 20 to 60 – it is imperative that as many of those hours as possible are spent productively, not in anguish.

If the HR manager, VP and company president are aware of the issue but have not acted, then you are probably right in thinking that she is favoured, and going to the board would only make things worse for you, not her.

Quite frankly it sounds as if you have done all in your power to tackle the problem, and if you are not happy with the lack of resolution it seems there is little else to do but leave. However, if you choose to stay and fight it out, here are some tips that might help:

• Your manager is probably operating from her negative personality, rather than consciously trying to be difficult (yes there is a difference). She may not realise how harmful her actions are being, and that she is jeopardising her own success as well as that of others.

• This kind of behaviour usually masks deep insecurities and lack of self-esteem, so don’t get angry with her but try to help.

• Keep your own self esteem strong at all times. Don’t accept verbal abuse.

• Try to see things from her viewpoint rather than complaining or criticising. Ask questions all the time to try and discover why she is reacting in a certain way. As it seems that she is threatened by you and feeling insecure about her own job, which is manifesting itself in the destructive behaviour towards you, deal with it by reassuring her and supporting her. Turn the tables by being ?ber-positive.

• Don’t continue to push her as she will only get worse. If she seems to behave badly at specific times, for example close to deadlines or when under stress, then wait for a calmer moment to talk to her and discuss the issues.

• Consider asking HR to reassign you to a different department within the organisation.

• Legal action should really be the last resort, and I would not recommend it unless you have clear evidence of career sabotage including witnesses and written statements. If it is simply her word against yours, you may find yourself at the wrong end of the proverbial sharp stick.

If none of this works, then it really is time to look for another job.

Once you have resigned, insist on an exit interview and in the most constructive way possible, give honest and balanced feedback on why you are leaving. Recommend that the firm improve the manager’s leadership, communication and interpersonal skills through coaching and training.

With any luck both the organisation and manager will feel regret and vow to learn from their mistakes as they watch you and your talent walk out the door.

Good luck, AFETT.

AFETT is a not-for-profit organisation formed in 2002 with the goal of bringing together professional women and engaging in networking opportunities, professional training and business ideas. ASK AFETT is a column meant to address issues and concerns of professionals seeking advice to assist in progressing in their careers. Today’s response was written by AFETT member, Lara Quentrall- Thomas, founder of AFETT and chairman of Regency Recruitment & Resources Ltd. Learn more about AFETT at www.afett.com, search for AFETT Events on Facebook, follow us @AFETTEXECS on Twitter or contact us at 354-7130. Email us your career-related questions at admin.afett@gmail.com.

“At its best, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) can deliver the same quality of service, speed, and comfort as the best metro systems at a fraction of the cost, and can be implemented in a fraction of the time.” (Walter Hook, then CEO, Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), in Letter from the CEO, Sustainable Transport, January 2013). This article gives some examples of BRT systems published in the January 2013 edition. Hook visited TT in January 2014 — more about this in a subsequent article.

Rio’s first world class BRT corridor, Ligeir?o Transoeste, opened in June 2012, and as of October 2012 it covered 40 km. Running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, it offers express and local services on comfortable, air-conditioned articulated buses, each with capacity for 140 people. The express service has cut the 40 km traditional journey from about two and a half hours to an average of 54 minutes. The 29 stations currently in operation are comfortable and weather protected. All stations are staffed by friendly attendants, security, and cleaning crews. One of the system’s most advantageous features is the off-board fare payment, which allows passengers to pay before boarding the bus and gain significant time savings for their journey. An integrated ticket fare of the equivalent of US$1.30 allows the passenger to use up to two feeder buses and the BRT within a two-hour period, allowing them to use one ticket for the entire trip.

Over 65,000 Rio residents use the BRT system daily, and many have seen their commute time cut by more than half. As further stations are launched along the line and additional buses added to the fleet, an average of over 110,000 daily users is expected by the end of this year.

One of the most important features that allows a BRT system to reach its full potential and provide urban mobility improvements is how well integrated the system is with other modes of transport.

Cleveland, Ohio’s 11-km BRT corridor is one of the highest quality BRT corridors in the US. It is known as the Health Line, it was named for its route on Euclid Avenue from Cleveland’s central business district to several large institutions including Cleveland State University and St Vincent’s Hospital. The BRT buses are all hybrid electric articulated buses.

Off-board fare collection, along with a team of inspectors, keeps the buses moving quickly and fare evasion to a minimum. There are four stations located along the central median in the downtown areas, which are shared by buses going in both directions. The system has reliable two-minute headways in the peak hour, five-minute headways off-peak, and operates all night. Stations and buses are very attractive and have a unifying look and branding.

Can something like this not be creatively applied to our urban places in Port-of-Spain, in association with consideration for peripheral park-and-ride facilities?

Johannesburg, South Africa, is a city where the dominant form of public transport on all major corridors is the informal minibus-taxi, similar to our maxi-taxis. In 2006, the city political leaders approved BRT as the choice for future mass transit investments. Discussions with minibus-taxi industry leaders had some fundamental questions:

• Can you get individual, informal minibus-taxi owners to switch to running a very modern bus company?

• Would they be able to maintain the buses and keep the system running efficiently?

• Would they make the loan repayments for the bus financing?

With the help of technical advisors chosen by the minibus-taxi owners, and paid for by the city, these owners had formed taxi operator investment companies (TOICs), one for each of the nine minibus-taxi associations to which the owners belonged. Owners were entitled to buy one share in a TOIC for each taxi they took off the first phase routes and cancelling its operating licence. Each had to invest into the company equity, the equivalent to the amount of money government pays for the scrapping of old minibus-taxis.

The city set up the new company called PioTrans to reflect “the pioneering steps of the taxi operators who have decided to transform and grow into the fully-fledged public transport operator as part of the public transport transformation process in the city and South Africa”. Loan financing was arranged, and while the company was responsible for repaying the loans to the Brazilian Export Credit Agency, the City of Johannesburg was ultimately liable. The bus contract is performance-based, with a schedule of offences and penalties, which enables compliance and monitoring. The city sets the service schedule, and through its control room and GPS devices on the buses and in the system, monitor and ensure that services are operated as required. The city also has access to the company’s monthly management accounts and the agendas, minutes and documentation for meetings of the board of directors and shareholders.

Can something like this not be creatively applied to our current unmanaged, informal transit operations?

(To be continued.)

Sancho has been living on the ground floor of Building 2, Olera Heights, San Fernando since August 2009 and ever since then, her bedroom and kitchen floods every time it rains.

“I have to dip out buckets of water from the apartment,” Sancho wrote in a letter to the HDC’s rental department on January 6.

Sancho blames the constant flooding for the death of her sister who died from a stroke.

“Many times my sister (who was ill) and I would get up and put our feet in the water, but this did not work out for her. She got a stroke and passed away.” As for Sancho, her arthritis worsens each day as she sometimes has to walk in the cold water at night and on mornings when she wakes up to use the bathroom.

She said there is mould growing on the walls and it is so bad that workmen refused to clean the room for fear of falling ill. Rats and cockroaches, said Sancho, also invade her kitchen at night, exacerbating her concerns about her health.

“This apartment is unsuitable for me to live because sooner or later I will be crippled,” wrote Sancho. She said she would be grateful to be relocated to the vacant HDC building just opposite her own as long as she is saved the nightmare of living on another ground floor.

Contacted for comment yesterday, HDC’s corporate communication’s manager Maurisa Findlay said she would investigate Sancho’s complaints today before commenting.

Yorke won ahead of Luis Sebastian Weekes of Barbados (2:11.18) and John Bodden of Cayman Islands (2:11.42). The 15-17 age group swimmer has won the 50m, 100m and 200m fly in this meet, a feat which he also accomplished in 2015. In addition to Yorke’s victory, two other swimmers mounted the top of the medal rostrum in the 200m butterfly. In the 13-14 girls Jahmia Harley stopped the clock on a personal best 2:31.18 to win gold ahead of the Guadeloupe duo of Lucia Francois (2:33.62) and Anouk Kamoise (2:34.48).

Jada Chai won the 15-17 girls event in 2:30.75 with compatriot Vrisnelit Faure taking silver in 2:31.59, with both athletes achieving personal bests. Albury Higgs of the Bahamas was third (2:31.85).

Gabriela Donahue continued a golden form, winning her fourth individual gold of the meet. The victrix in the 13-14 50m backstroke, 50m butterfly and 200m breaststroke, added the 50m breast to the list, in a new national record of 34.31, smashing her old record of 35.29.

The silver medal went to Will-Insha Marie Jules-Marthe of Martinique (34.35) with Guadeloupe’s Farah Sheikboudhou (35.19) taking bronze.

After a silver in the 50m fly on Sunday, and a silver in the 2016 15-17 CARIFTA 50m breast, Jeron Thompson splashed gold on Monday evening in the 15-17 50m breast in 29.23 seconds. Thompson edged the Bahamian Izaak Bastian into second (29.39), with Allan Badian of Martinique getting the bronze (30.10).

TT ’s 13-14’s golden girls of Jada Chatoor, Regan Allen, Gabriela Donahue and Jahmia Harley won the 800m free relay in 9:04.15 comfortably ahead of Cayman Islands (9:09.35) and Guadeloupe (9:10.23). However, the TT team have slipped to fourth on the overall standings with 455.5 points.

The CARIFTA Swimming Championships will conclude today.

In related news, Trinidad and Tobago have been granted the rights to host the 2019 CARIFTA Swimming and Water Polo Championships, according a post on the Amateur Swimming Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ASATT )’s Facebook page.

The attorneys are expected to file civil papers and apply for a fiat for prosecution, attorney at law Keith Scotland, one of the attorneys representing Le Blanc told Newsday.

Le Blanc sustained injuries to his head after being hit by a bottle after he had performed at Palm Court, a popular night spot in Georgetown early Sunday morning. He received 22 stitches to the injuries.

Another of his lawyers, Gideon Mc Master, in a press release assured the “perpetrators of this heinous and unprovoked assault” that “we have ascertained their identities and will invoke the full legal apparatus against them, including vigorous pursuit of criminal and civil litigation, to ensure that justice is served.” Mc Master said after performing, Le Blanc was standing in a nearby car park with his manager and some other persons when the driver of a vehicle reversed into them.

Another occupant of the vehicle exited and threw a glass object, with force, at Le Blanc injuring him.

Le Blanc is represented by attorneys at law Mc Master, Joel Roper and Scotland.

Scotland, who was called to the bar in Guyana, said they were making arrangements to visit Guyana to engage local attorneys, with whom they have been in contact, on the matter.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Police Force Public Relations Office told Newsday police were investigating the incident but, no one had been arrested.

Newsday was told the police interviewed several persons and some of the interviewees are disputing initial eyewitnesses account.

A source in Georgetown familiar with the night spot and the men involved in the fracas told Newsday, “Nothing will come out of it because the man who brandished the gun is in the habit of doing so, and the police have done nothing about it.” The source said the man is also reputed to be “a money man with drug connections and money rules.” The man who “lashed Benjai”, the source said, “is a thug of the drugs man.” Another source also told this newspaper that the man who injured Le Blanc is a “former wanted man.” Asked how Le Blanc was coping with the injuries, Scotland said, “Mr Le Blanc is a survivor but it can’t be business as usual. He is at home – very shaken up.”

This nutrition activity can be done at anytime, and though quite easy, you will find that it can give a quick overview indicating if your diet is balanced, which food groups are well represented, portion sizes, and the nutrients frequently consumed in large quantities, and those in minimal amounts.

Having knowledge of the good sources of nutrients, you will be able to determine the best sources of carbohydrates, fats, protein, minerals (e.g. calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, etc.), and vitamins (e.g. vitamins B group, C, D, E, and K). For example, people who usually omit milk, yogurt, cheese, nuts and seeds, fortified soy milk, and dark green leafy vegetables from their diet should note that they are more than likely not consuming adequate calcium and phosphorous.

Then over period of time a lack of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D in the diet may probably result in rickets in children, osteomalacia (soft bones likely to bow or fracture, resulting from a deficiency of vitamin D in which there is a defect in the bone building process) and osteoporosis (referred to as porous bones or weak and brittle bones that can easily fracture; these fractures commonly occur in hip, spine or wrist) in adults, and tetany. From this you can conclude that there are consequences associated with the lack of calcium, vitamin D, and the other bone building nutrients.

The importance of bone building nutrients Calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium work together in the formation of bone and maintaining the skeletal structure of the body; however, vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, and phosphorus.

You should keep in mind that bones and teeth contain at least 99 percent of the body’s calcium, while the other one percent is distributed in body fluids (intracellular and extracellular fluids). Also, besides building strong bones and teeth, calcium aids in muscle contraction, transmission of nerve impulses, blood clotting, cellular processes, regulation of the heart rhythm, and enzyme activation. Given its significant role, persons need calcium throughout the life cycle e.g.

infants, school-aged children, adolescents, pregnant and lactating women, adults, and senior citizens. Increase needs for calcium noted during growth, pregnancy, lactation and calcium-deficient states, and also during levels of exercise which results in high bone density, enhance calcium absorption.

In addition, the other functions for phosphorus and magnesium include – aids in maintaining acid- base balance fluids, and essential for nerve activity, respectively.

Practical approach Therefore, in order to maintain one’s nutritional status, always aim to include the best sources of calcium – milk and milk products (cheese, yogurt), seafood (salmon and sardines with edible bones); besides the foods from animals listed, you can also get calcium from plant sources which include dasheen leaves (callaloo bush), pak choi, broccoli, collard greens, cauliflower, kale, turnip, dried beans and legume products (e.g.

tofu), dried fruits, fortified soy milk, fortified orange juice, almond nuts, sesame seeds, etc.

While meats and grains are poor sources; as well as, veggies such as spinach, rhubarb, and Swiss chard are also poor sources, as they contain large amounts oxalic acid which binds calcium and prevents its absorption. Good sources of phosphorus include: milk and milk products, seeds and nuts, meats; and magnesium: dried beans, tofu, peanuts, potatoes, dark green leafy vegetables, milk, bread, ready-to-eat cereals.

Nutrition experts Kathleen Mahan and Sylvia Escott-Stump also documented that several factors may influence bioavailability and hence the absorption of calcium in the body; such as low levels of vitamin D or probably insufficient exposure to sunlight might decrease calcium absorption among older adults. Also, the inefficiency of skin production of vitamin D in older adults is somewhat lower compared to that of younger individuals.

Working with the menu For meal planning, the meal manager should include these sources of the aforementioned nutrients for meals and snacks; for example sandwiches with cheese spread, yogurt, a glass of cold milk plain or flavoured, almond nuts and raisins, cheese biscuits or curls. Breakfast – one small orange or half cup fortified orange juice, one small bowl cornmeal porridge with milk and raisins, one slice toast with vegetables and shredded cheese.

Lunch – two small pieces baked chicken with gravy, two pot spoons vegetable rice, one pot spoon pink beans, one pot spoon callaloo, half cup fortified orange juice. Dinner – one hops bread, one cheese vegetable omelet, one cup yogurt with fruit pieces. These are just a few examples of how to add good sources of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium to your daily meal plan. Note, you are selecting foods from the Caribbean Food Groups to achieve your goal, and still continue to have balanced meals.

On the other hand, at home you can also enhance the nutritional value of foods. This can be done in various ways, such as adding milk (either powdered or liquid), yogurt, grated cheese and shredded vegetables to bread, bake, muffins, biscuits, crushed ground provision or starchy fruits (breadfruit, green banana, etc.).

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

Prisoners contacted Newsday, from behind bars, to complain that “large, nasty” rats are everywhere including in the eating areas, in cells, in bathrooms, in the kitchen, in the prison officers’ quarters…even in prisoner’s beds. Videos recorded by Remand Yard, Golden Grove, Arouca prisoners on their cellular phones were sent to Newsday showing the rodents going about their business.

Prisoners said the problem of rats has always existed, but since late last year the infestation has grown worse. The rats have become bold, prisoners said, and are out and about at nights when prisoners are asleep and prison officers are off-duty.

Newsday understands that years ago, a contract was given to a local pest eradication company to exterminate the rodents and that company undertook a major fumigation of prisons.

However, the contract has since expired and with the latest rat infestation, executives of the prison authorities sent tenders for companies to bid for a new contract. While that process is underway, the rats are multiplying at a rapid rate, putting both prisoners and prison officers at risk.

Newsday understands prisoners now have to wash out their cells daily and clear their beds of faeces. President of the Prison Officers Association Ceron Richards confirmed that the association has received numerous complaints of rat droppings on desks, chairs, on bunk beds in prison officers’ dormitories and elsewhere.

He lashed the government, saying the rat issue, like several other problems plaguing the prison system, have been put on the back burner and in the meantime the infestation worsens and a health and safety problem is growing. Richards said that health and safety apart, the issue is fast becoming a human rights one.

“The government of Trinidad and Tobago is putting prison officers and inmates’ lives at risk.

Our association has received complaints from prison officers and prisoners, of rats infesting various prisons. The complaints have come from the Port-of- Spain Gaol, Golden Grove in Arouca and other facilities.

“Calls for help on this issue, just like our pleas for stab-proof vests and CCTV cameras to be installed are being ignored and in some cases bogged down by bureaucracy. The government knows they are dealing with prisoners who cannot leave the prisons and prison officers, who are too devoted to walk off the job. So we (prisoners and prison officers) have to take what we get. The only thing consistent with the State is their excuses and the fact that they are not dealing with this and other problems,” Richards said.

There is a fear that both prisoners and prison officers could fall ill from rat-borne diseases including Leptospirosis, which is spread via rat urine and which is dangerous in that if not treated, can lead to kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure, respiratory distress and death.

Rat-Bite Fever is also a common disease, which could be transmitted through a bite, scratch or contact with a dead rat. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, headaches, muscle and joint pain, and rash. This disease could also be fatal if left unchecked. Attempts to reach Minister of National Security Edmund Dillon and Commissioner of Prisons Sterling Stewart, yesterday for comment, proved futile.

Colin Clarke, 28, of Cunupia, who was assigned to Camp Ogden in Long Circular, St James, appeared before Senior Magistrate Nanette Forde-John in the Four A Court, charged with attempting to export a prohibited substance, namely 1.853 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in 24 packages, on April 12, through DHL courier service in El Socorro.

The charge was laid under Section 154 of the Customs Act. He was granted bail in the sum of $300,000 or an alternative of $75,000 cash bail on that charge.

Clarke, who was represented by attorneys Collin Partap and Irshard Ali, was also charged with knowingly concealing a prohibited substance, namely one package of cocaine, on April 12, at Cunupia.

That charge was laid contrary to Section 213 ( c) of the Customs Act. He also faces a charge of possession of 50 rounds of ammunition on April 12, at Cunupia. He was not granted bail on the second and third charge for which he will appear before a Chaguanas Magistrate today. He returns to court on May 11 on the Section 154 charge.

Also appearing separately before Senior Magistrate Forde- John was Charline Giles, 24, of Savannah Terrace, Diego Martin, who was charged with trafficking 1.853 kilogrammes of cocaine on April 12 at El Socorro.

She too was granted bail in the sum of $300,000 or a cash alternative of $75,000 bail.

Giles was represented by defence attorney Richard Clarke-Willis and will return to court on May 11.