“It is for that reason that I chose to initiate the CCIC Safety, Security and Sustainability Expo that the Chaguanas Chamber will hold in June of this year. This expo will highlight all the latest technology and thinking in the areas of safety and security, but it will also address issues of crime and bullying through speakers who will bring their personal stories on how they have helped to turn around crime and bullying in their own schools and towns.”

Sookhai was addressing CCIC members during its annual general meeting, held last Wednesday at the chamber’s new office at the corner of Cumberbatch Street and Main Road, Chaguanas.

Although he has been succeeded by Vishnu Charran as CCIC president, Sookhai promised to lead promotional efforts for the expo because he believes it is an important undertaking not just for the chamber, but for the entire country.

Thanking the people of Chaguanas for their “incredible support” of the chamber, Sookhai said “organisations like the Chaguanas Chamber have to shine like a beacon to society and we have to show great resolution and commitment to getting things done for our members and for our people,” Sookhai advised.

During his tenure, Sookhai was also responsible for the signing of a number of memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and establishing significant relationships with organisations like YTEPP, Servol and COSTAATT, among others. Sookhai also recently led a large delegation of Chaguanas business entities to a meeting with the Minister of Works and Transport to discuss the ongoing traffic and other issues affecting the borough.

Sookhai told the gathering that he and the CCIC had been able to achieve all they had during his tenure because of the support of the membership of the Chamber and because of the incredible support of the people of Chaguanas.

The new executive of the Chaguanas Chamber is as follows: Vishnu Charran (president); Alan Julien (vice-president); Baldath Maharaj (secretary); Trevor Joseph (treasurer); Vashty Maharaj; Liaquat Shah; Deepak Lall; Zamanath Ali; Warren Thompson; Richie Sookhai (immediate past president).

The multinational corporation was founded in Brussels, Belgium, in 1989, and is based in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. It is listed on the Stock Exchange and has a market cap of STG2.9B.

Regus TT is located at Level 2 of the Invaders Bay Tower and has 61 offices of varying sizes, 172 work stations, two meeting rooms, including a board room, and two business lounges.

Linehan said, “Our objective with this centre was to create a world class working environment where businesses, large and small could come and do what they do best. We at Regus look after the rest.”

He said the physical infrastructure was matched by impressive technical features. “We have invested heavily in a world class IT infrastructure with Cisco HP, Dell and Canon equipment. High speed Wi-Fi exists throughout the centre and dedicated data points are brought to each office with CAT6 cabling.”

Pricing is all-inclusive, covering rent, office furniture, utilities, phones and phone lines, internet and Wi-Fi, access to administrative support, help with tasks like document collation or arranging couriers, access to a printer, scanner and photocopier, kitchen amenities, office cleaning and round the clock building security. “It really is plug and play,” said Linehan. Regus clients can also access all Regus’ 3000 business lounges across the world.

Trade Minister Paula Gopee- Scoon thanked Dominic Hadeed, chairman of Domhad Properties Limited and Ralph “Bizzy” Williams of Williams Officers (Caribbean) Limited, both of whom have partnered with the Regus franchise to TT, for their investments. “That’s the kind of versatility that is needed especially to survive difficult economic times, and that is the kind of broad base thinking that we want. It is going to be single-minded as a business person but it is always good as well to ensure that you are very broad based in your operations, so I congratulate both business men on that,” the minister said.

“Trinidad and Tobago is and continue to be attractive to investors due to the following attributes. Easy access to the Americas; easy location for transhipment for exports; preferential access to the markets of CARICOM and other regional and international markets through trade agreements and arrangements with the US, Canada and the European Union; low cost energy; access to an educated, skilled and competitive labour pool; developed communications infrastructure; access to general physical centres; and more than ever the stability of the current government.”

In his annual message to shareholders and staff he said, “As our clients increasingly move online, we are quickly transforming our business to build a truly digitally-enabled relationship bank. This focus on digitalisation will ultimately help will ultimately help us realise our vision to be among the world’s most trusted and successful financial institution.”

The CEO said we were living “in an uncertain and changing world”. He pointed out that 2016 was a challenging year for the banking industry, from a subdued macroeconomic outlook to political and technological disruption.

But he said, “Amid this uncertainty, RBC moves with a clear purpose, helping clients thrive and communities prosper. This is our north star that guides everything that we do. Our performance-focused and principles-led strategy enables us to navigate with conviction, to spot and create opportunities for our clients and ultimately to create sustainable value for shareholders.”

McKay added, “Our 2016 results demonstrate that this strategy continues to deliver success. Our record earnings of $10.5 billion were up four percent from last year.” He said the results which were delivered against the backdrop of “a challenging economic environment,” manifested how RBC continues to bring its strengths and capabilities to bear on things like “strong client relationships and an internationally respected brand together with a client-focused culture and highly-engaged employees”.

He also said the bank was well positioned given the strength of its diversification by business and by geography and its ability to effectively manage costs. He added that the bank’s strategic goals remain unchanged and it wants to be “the undisputed financial services leader,” the preferred partner to corporate, institutional and high net worth clients, as well as a leading financial services partner valued for its expertise in select global financial centres internationally.

Speaking specifically about sustainable growth, Mc Kay said in 2016 RBC maintained its number one or two market positions in all key retail categories and the institution remained the leader in business banking. He said its scale in Canada affords the bank the opportunities to leverage unrivalled digital and data insights and provide clients with an improved experience, leading to increased loyalty and improved profitability, despite the challenging macroeconomic environment.

Although the market is much smaller than that of Canada and the United States, the Caribbean played some small role and has not been left out McKay said, “We’ve continued to strengthen our retail business following our decision to exit non-core regions last year. Wherever we operate, our brand strength, breadth and scale enable us to bring the best we have to offer for the benefit of our clients.”

Praising RBC employees the world over, he said, “Our success this year (2016) would not have been possible without the dedication and professionalism of our colleagues, whose high engagement and client focus continues to drive our results. We will ensure that we evolve for uncertain times and a digital age.

“We are creating a culture that nurtures innovation and collaboration,” he added, “and is increasing fast-paced, adaptive and execution-focused, in order to meet clients’ needs. We are building a better workplace for our colleagues that harnesses diversity and inclusion and where everyone has the opportunity to realise their full potential.”

McKay said he was sure that potential was more likely to be achieved as employees take pride in working for a company that was confident in its role at building a future for clients, their families, their businesses and their communities.

“As a purpose-driven company – and as Canada’s largest corporation by market capitalisation – we understand the important role that we play in addressing societal challenges that could impact our business over time.”

He said with the focus on efficiency RBC is able to invest in reinvestment and technology in a way the others (Financial institutions) can’t. “This innovation will itself drive further efficiency, enabling us to simplify how we work and digitise our operation.” He noted that personal and commercial banking comprised 60 percent of all financial transactions that come through digital and mobile channels, excluding cash withdrawals. The insight derived from these channels helps the bank provide “an exceptional and secure experience” which is available to clients.

McKay said, “In a changing world, I’d like to thank all our clients for putting their trust in RBC. I also want to thank our colleagues whose commitment enable our ongoing success.”

The Finance Minister also informed that in 2014 the price of natural gas averaged at US$6 per MMBTU and in 2016 dipped to less than US$2 per MMBTU. It was also reported that Petrotrin had incurred losses of TT$4.2 billion between 2011 and 2016.

On two occasions and within a nine-month period, the government withdrew US$626 billion from the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund. In December 2016, the Central Bank issued TT$1billion worth of bonds on the local market and now there are plans to access a further US$300 million from Andean Corporation, a bank established in 1970 in Caracas, Venezuela.

These economic realities are pressed against continuing forex and natural gas shortages negatively affecting both energy and non-energy industries. Added to this are the recent announcements of closures of State companies, and the creeping but increasing loss of jobs in the private sector. One can therefore conclude that there is an accelerating downward spiralling in our economy.

Contributions from taxation, tourism, and other actors in the service and manufacturing sectors simply cannot offset the loss of substantial earnings from the energy industries. While we are trying to manage our economic woes, right in our backyard, energy giant ExxonMobil has discovered over a billion barrels of recoverable crude oil some 200 km offshore Guyana. Production is set to begin in 2019, with a daily estimate of 100,000 barrels. This discovery has prompted the World Bank to upgrade Guyana’s economic classification to upper middle income, thereby improving its eligibility to loans from the World Bank.

What can this mean for Trinidad and Tobago? Firstly, Guyana has no refinery capabilities but is now assessing the feasibility of building one. At the recently held Guyana Oil and Gas Conference Petrotrin’s VP Refining and Marketing, Astor Harris suggested that Petrotrin has the capacity to refine Guyana’s crude by reducing its importation of international crude in preference to Guyana’s production, which from all accounts would be economically feasible.

We also know that this year Guyana will start building an onshore US$500 million oil and gas facility to facilitate separation and testing of oil and gas, expected to create 600 new jobs in the short and medium term. This project should be of interest to Trinidad and Tobago, particularly the recently appointed Restructuring Committee whose members are to examine Petrotrin’s operation.

It is my view that our human capital assets at Petrotrin and the wider energy sector possess the capabilities to be active players in this first project. Is there a plan to exploit this opportunity? We need to beat the iron while it is hot or we may be left behind although we are so geographically close to Guyana.

Already FURGO, an international company established in the Netherlands has formed an alliance with Ground Structures Consultants Ltd to facilitate training of Guyanese citizens and to support local economic development. They provide geo-intelligence and asset integrity solutions for large constructions, infrastructure and natural resources.

Such an arrangement, I am sure, must be based on formal arrangements between the Guyana government and these extra-regional service providers. This therefore raises two important questions:

1. Where is the renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the governments of TT and Guyana for technical cooperation and support?

2. Does the arrangement with FURGO constitute a breach of the CARICOM Treaty which provides preferential mechanisms between Member States for the supply of goods and services?

With my limited knowledge of the oil and gas business, we could probably do well in outsourcing our energy-based skills and reengineer the use of our refinery, to ensure Petrotrin’s long-term sustainability. This, I am sure must be at the forefront of the members of the Restructuring Committee as well as the leadership of the OWTU.

Supporting the people of Guyana through our business development and technical expertise should not be limited to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago alone. It is obvious that private sector capital from TT will be more than useful in exploring energy development opportunities in Guyana. Such capital explorations will be bolstered by the fact that it will accompanied with the prerequisite human resource skills and know-how from a well-experienced work-pool. In this regard, it was indeed refreshing to observe Massy Energy’s presence at last week’s Oil and Gas Conference.

Our government and private sector must proactively and aggressively capitalise on the opportunities Guyana now presents. Although this will result in an outflow of human capital, I am confident that at this time we possess the resources to accommodate such intellectual outflows. Indeed, this could well be a timely and opportune development right on our doorstep with both Guyana and Surinam as Trinidad has a surplus of trained skilled process operators, who, in many instances are head-hunted internationally.

There are many big players in the international market who can offer the Guyanese government much more access and support. The question therefore is can the government and private sector in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago work together so that both countries achieve a win-win for the region as members of CARICOM?

King was addressing a youth forum on Tuesday hosted by the Caribbean Youth Development Network at the University of the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine.

She cautioned that parenting is not something to enter into lightly.

Saying that the family is the cell of the body of society, King said, “When parents fail, societies and institutions fail. The quality of parenting impacts on the quality of our people.” She said parents must produce good people who can work well with others and so make the world a better place. King lamented that little is being done by other entities such as the State to address the “huge crater” that exists in people-making.

King asked the audience if any of them had perfect parents.

No one raised their hand.

“Very few parents feel they are good enough or adequate,” she remarked. “They did the best they could. Parents are not magically made perfect when they have a child.” However she advised those aspiring to be parents to remain authentic, even by embracing their imperfections.

“Admitting to others, including your children, that you have your doubts and that you just don’t know is authentic.” She urged those youngsters who eventually opt to become parents to give prominence to creating good people from their offspring.

Alternatively there is no shame in not having children, she said.

“If you chose to become a parent, give it the humongous amount of time it requires.

There’s nothing more important than raising good people.” King urged more State help towards parenting such as better maternity and paternity leave like some foreign countries. “When parents thrive, societies and organisations will thrive.” She advised the youngsters to find their purpose in life which, she said, is not easy to do.

“Whatever you are doing, find something in it that you like and give it your best. Then you begin to get a sense of what excites you, what floats your boat. Try different things. Listen to what people are telling you. If you’re stuck, it’s time to move on.” She urged youngsters to aim to show their parents that they can ultimately pay their bills.

If pursuing something offbeat, youngsters should create a good case to sell the idea to their parents. “Parents want the best for their kids and to know that you’ll be okay when they’re not around.”

The five women and three men and their guests embarked on a cruise from Florida to Cozumel, Mexico and Belize City, Belize aboard the Regent Seven Seas Mariner in January, as part of their reward for exceptional performance in the areas of leadership, sales, management and process improvement.

They joined hundreds of other winners in the group’s Achievers’ programme from across the CIBC global network, in addition to several senior officers of the bank’s parent company.

CIBC First Caribbean said the celebrations continued recently in Barbados, when the top performers were given a red carpet welcome and meet-andgreet at the bank’s regional headquarters, the Michael Mansoor Building in Warrens, to start a weekend of further celebration with the bank’s senior executives led by CEO, Gary Brown.

Brown said the winners were the best of the best for the bank, and praised them for their commitment and contribution to CIBC FirstCaribbean’s success.

“These continue to be challenging times in a lot of our markets and relationships with our clients are what will distinguish us from the competition.

We continue to build our business, one client at a time and each of these Achievers has proved that client relationships are paramount.” Brown added, “I have stressed to our people that we should all be doing something each and every day to positively affect the client experience and that we should all come to work knowing that our clients are pretty much the only reason we have for coming in each day. Through our brand promise we have committed to deliver for our clients, to ensure we are there for them when they need us. Our winners are fine examples of our bank doing that.” An awards dinner at Champers Restaurant on Barbados’ south coast as well as an island tour with lunch at the historic Sunbury Plantation capped the weekend of celebrations.

The winners were as follows: 1) The Bahamas: Lorraine Johnson, Branch Manager for exemplary leadership, Sonia Rutherford, Senior Corporate Manager, for outstanding sales.

2) Barbados: Karen Bannister, Sales Specialist, outstanding sales, Gregory Blackman, Manager, Sales and Business Development, exemplary leadership, Sheldene Pinder, Platinum Relationship Manager, outstanding sales.

3) Cayman Islands: Dallas Neatham, Private Banker for outstanding relationship management.

4) Jamaica: Shaune Sewell, Sales Specialist, outstanding sales, Regional Head Office: Graeme Best, Systems Analyst, for process improvement.

This year’s symposium, sponsored by Flow, is entitled “Far from Finished”.

Paralympic swimmer Shanntol Ince, former world boxing champion Ria Ramnarine and shot put Olympic finalist Cleopatra Borel, all spent time with students on Day Two of the symposium.

Borel, talking about “The Pain Barrier” said, “Today my message was not to be afraid of the pain you are experiencing and know that pain is a feedback. Pain lets you know that you are working hard, you are pushing towards a goal and one of the students said ‘no pain, no gain,’ and basically I wanted to let them know you endure some pain now and you are going to get the gains in the end.” Borel, asked to compare competing at major events and delivering motivational speeches, said, “Each compliments the other.

I can bring a message to these young people today, because of what I achieved as an athlete and because of my experience as an athlete I have a message to deliver.” Ince, discussing the topic “Against The Tide” said, “My message was to speak to the youth here about overcoming obstacles.

Challenges will come their way, but it is up to them to really and truly pursue and persist and be confident in their abilities to achieve their goals and dreams.” Ince said she enjoyed listening to Borel and Ramnarine. “It was really amazing coming here today and seeing Cleopatra Borel and Ria Ramnarine. Hearing their stories on how they persisted and the dedication and hard work that has gotten them to the level that they have been able to reach.” Ramnarine’s presentation was called “In a Man’s World.” The Secondary Schools Leadership Symposium will continue today and end tomorrow.

Noting criticisms of how government has handled the Galicia issue, Sinanan said the vessel arrived in 2014 under the then People’s Partnership (PP) government.

“The Super Fast not only a question of money. The challenge with the Super Fast is infrastructure,” he explained. Stating the Galicia has been berthed alongside the Hyatt Regency Hotel, for the last three years, Sinanan said the PP failed to build proper berthing facilities for the vessel during its time in office.

“I have a letter from the Hyatt now claiming damages,” he revealed. The minister also said trucks had transport cargo from one end of the port to the Hyatt to load on the Galicia. In addition, he said a barge and tug also had to be rented at a daily cost of US$1,500, to load cargo on to the Galicia. He claimed a study showed the Galicia failed five out of seven requirements, yet it was still acquired.

Indicating the Galicia was only supposed to operate for six months but the lease was extended repeatedly under the PP, Sinanan said, “All of these are questions which somebody has to answer.” Reiterating that the Galicia will continue to operate on the domestic sea bridge until April 21, Sinanan said it was unfortunate that the Tobago Chamber of Commerce was rejecting all options being advanced to fill the gap when the Galicia departs, “ without putting a suggestion on the table.”

The passengers arrived with tickets in hand for a 6.30 am sailing, but were told to sit and wait.

Hours and hours later, with no vessel in sight, frustration gave way to anger as some passengers loudly demanded to know what was really going on. Newsday was told there was a 6.30 am sailing of the TT Spirit from Tobago to Trinidad.

The TT Express did not operate yesterday because it was completing a ‘survey’.

The non-sailing from Trinidad resulted in many people abandoning all hope of a trip to Tobago yesterday and hiring maxis to take them back to their respective homes. Some said they left as far as Toco and Chaguanas to reach Port-of-Spain, only to waste an entire day waiting for the TT Express, which never arrived.

Many said yesterday’s experience was courtesy the authorities giving scant courtesy to paying customers, as they would have known in advance the TT Express would be off the route and should have made contingency plans such as an alternative ferry to service the sea bridge or, at the very least, inform them via all media formats that the vessel would not be in operation, so they would not waste their time and energy.

The Port Authority and Inter- Island Transportation Co. Ltd (TTIT) said in respective statements, that both vessels would be operating as normal from today.

Additionally, the water taxi would operate to/from Tobago over the extended Easter weekend.

An official of TT Inter-Island Transportation Co Ltd said it had announced, via sms and radio ads, that there would only be two sailings yesterday — one at 6.30 am leaving Scarborough and the other at 4 pm, leaving Port-of-Spain. The announcement was not carried in the print media, the official admitted.

It was clear by the hundreds gathered, the advisory was not heard by many.

Members of a family, who asked not to be identified, said they were heading to Tobago for vacation and were at the terminal since 4 am.

“We hungry, tired and frustrated,” said a member of the family of eight.

Stranded passenger Crystal Furlonge of Woodbrook, knocked the poor service of terminal officials saying an announcement should have been made at specific intervals that the TT Express was off the route for the day and there would be one trip at 4 pm, so as to allow passengers to make arrangements to get back home rather than sit in ignorance and wait all day hoping for the arrival of the TT Express.

“The transportation system between the two islands needs to be more fluid…there should have been an alternative, cheaper charter,” Furlonge said.

Meanwhile, chairperson of the Inter-Island Committee Diana Hadad was an angry woman yesterday at the way commuters who depend on the Tobago ferry were treated.

Hadad said she was not the one to ask how the people and their businesses were affected as they were unable to get their goods across to the sister isle.

“You have to ask the people how they are suffering, how it is affecting them. They have trucks backed up all the way from Wrightson Road, but cannot get on the other boat because that boat is full. I think you all need to go down to the Port, see what is happening and what is going on with those people.

The media needs to go out there and get cracking. This is serious business.

“They are human beings out there who are being treated like cattle. You have enough trucks there to fill another boat and there is no boat, and it happened yesterday, too. You need to ask them how they feel. Where is the boat they sold you a ticket for? Where is the minister who said technically, to hell with you, you getting a barge anyway? We need to reach the people,” Hadad said.

They appeared before deputy Chief Magistrate Nanette Forde- John in the Seventh Magistrates’ Court in Port-of-Spain. The five, who are in their early 20s, were remanded overnight to the Regiment barracks at Teteron, Chaguaramas until they access bail today.

They were also brought to the courthouse, without handcuffs, by a TT Regiment van and accompanied by several senior Regiment officers in court. The five were charged by Cpl Ricardo Nicome of the Carenage Police and will reappear in court on May 9. Officer cadets are persons chosen by the Defence Force to train at Teteron, and after a certain period, they graduate as soldiers.

It has been alleged that on October 29, a female officer cadet was with five male colleagues when they decided to take a swim at the Crows Nest Jetty at Teteron in Chaguaramas. According to reports, the victim was seated on a rock and shortly before 8 pm, she decided to return to the jetty to proceed to her quarters when she was raped by her colleagues, who allegedly took turns in committing the act.