In a release issued yesterday, the police also called on those who may have been victims of such scams to report the matter to the nearest police station.

Reports are that those engaged in the scam create a situation where their vending carts make contact with the vehicle of an unsuspecting driver.

The scam artiste then accuses the driver of causing damage to his cart and demands money.

“The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) advises motorists that in the event an accident has occurred in the manner as described, a report should be made to the nearest police station.

The TTPS further advises against any private arrangement to settle.” Yesterday head of the Police Highway Patrol and Traffic Branch Senior Supt Baldeo Nanan, advised drivers to desist from buying items from these vendors who are operating illegally on the highway.

He said the police highway patrol officers and traffic branch will soon launch a campaign to advise drivers about these illegal acts.

In a media release on Tuesday, Petrotrin stated that the vessel will be on hire to the company for a one year period initially, while arrangements are being made for purchase of the company’s own double hull bunker barge to replace the Marabella – a single hull barge which was decommissioned in 2015 September. According to the FleetMon website, the Valme B is registered in Panama and has a dead weight of 6936 tonnes and was built in 2008. The ship’s destination was listed as Pointea- Pierre, Trinidad six days ago.

Petrotrin said the wet lease charter arrangement allows company representatives to be on board the vessel along with the vessel’s own crew to deliver bunkers to ships in local waters as well as offshore Trinidad.

It also allows for the possibility of bunker/ cargo delivery regionally.

“The resumption of bunkering operations is expected to increase Petrotrin’s revenue by moving some cargo from the international market back into the regional bunker market. Bunker deliveries are expected to commence within the first week of 2017 April.” Bunker fuel is the generic term given to any fuel poured into a ship’s bunkers to power its engines. Deep sea cargo ships typically burn the heavy, residual oil left over after gasoline, diesel and other light hydrocarbons are extracted from crude oil during the refining process

“I want to make it absolutely crystal clear that it is the intention of the Government of TT to access that US$300 million loan from the CAF at some appropriate time, within this fiscal year,” Imbert said. Saying reports of Government accessing this loan last year were wrong, Imbert said that was impossible because “to actually access that loan we have to pass this law.” He said one of the benefits in being a full member of the CAF is that TT would receive a “lot of advice and help that you get from them, in looking at projects and determining the feasibility of projects.” Imbert reminded senators that the 2016/2017 Budget’s expenditure was $52 billion, projected revenue was $46 billion and this left a projected deficit of $6 billion.

He reiterated that the Government has publicly said the deficit will be financed partially by withdrawal from the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund (HSF) and by borrowing.

He also said a benefit of accessing funding in foreign currency is assisting “with our foreign reserves position.” Imbert said the recent withdrawal of US$251 million from the HSF has increased the country’s foreign reserves by that amount and the US$300 million loan would have a similar affect on the foreign reserves.

He was speaking at a panel discussion at the University of the Southern Caribbean (USC), Maracas/St Joseph, hosted by the group USC Speak Out on Monday.

He related how uneasy he once felt as a strapping schoolboy when a female school employee kept telling him how handsome he was and how she had wished he were just a little bit older.

“I felt so uncomfortable,” Edwards said. “How do you act? This is someone I had to see everyday.” He said gender-based violence (GBV) starts in little things but develops into something worse. He said GBV could include the case of a woman who felt she had the right to rub up her body on an unwitting male. Edwards spoke about an online video-clip of a woman beating a man and angrily asking, “Who’s Sharon?” a scenario which many viewers had laughed at.

“Yet we are not seeing that as equal to a man being abusive.

“If a gay man says ‘my partner is beating me,’ the police will say ‘go from here!’ or laugh at him. He urged that the Constitution be amended to refer to gender to help both gay men and women.

Edwards lamented that while one prominent gay lobby had highlighted that two men were recently killed, probably because to their gender identity, the conversation had ended there.

Edwards later condemned Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s controversial remark that he can’t be in every woman’s bedroom to stop GBV so they should choose their men wisely.

He said the PM should have been more empathetic since a man during the courting phase will rarely show his bad side which may be unearthed later.

Further, unforeseen circumstances occur over time that can bring out negatives, such as a man losing his job in a recession.

“We shouldn’t be victim blaming or victim shaming.”

The owner of the vessel has given the Government two weeks notice which effectively ends a month-to-month rental arrangement and will remove the ship from the sea bridge on April 14.

Speaking at an emergency media conference at the chamber’s Scarborough office on Monday evening, head of the Inter-island Transport Committee Dianne Hadad said the body will be looking at its legal options to safeguard private- sector interests.

“This has been a little too much for too long, and if we add to that the Land Licence Act that has been implemented and multiply it, I can imagine that many people will be sitting behind bars for the losses that we would have incurred as a private sector,” she said.

Hadad called on Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan to enter into urgent negotiations to replace the Superfast Galicia, the only cargo boat operating between the two islands.

“It is about time that we get something, and something that works for Tobago and the business community. Sadly, we seem to be in a position where we are accustomed to being reactive, so it is only when something happens then the whole of Trinidad and Tobago wakes up,” she said.

Hadad dismissed the idea of using a barge to transport goods between the islands as inappropriate owing to its open design, which leaves its contents exposed to the elements. She said she had been told by Trinidad suppliers that the barge was not a viable option.

“They indicated quite clearly their goods are not going on a barge, because they are taking no losses with regard to rusted caps and that sort of exposure that takes places coming across the salt water. This has happened years ago. We have experienced this.

and many companies had some serious losses when we attempted to use the barges, and rusty caps were a real problem by the time the goods got here.

“Further to that, offloading the barge is usually a serious problem – the port, the hours – and I am not sure why Tobago must continue to work hours that Trinidadians either party or sleep.” Chamber chairman Demi John Cruickshank said his team was only made aware of the removal of the Superfast Galicia from the sea bridge on Sunday by newspaper reports.

“We are very, very disappointed that a move like this happened and the stakeholders were not called before we read this on the media.

The Superfast Galicia coming out of service in Tobago will not primarily affect the Tobago businesses, it will directly affect the people of Tobago,” Cruickshank contended.

He said chamber members had said they would not be using a barge for the transportation of goods and services between the islands, and the last time Tobago was in such a crisis with the ferries was in 1939, when the option of a barge was offered.

“The chairman (of the chamber) then refused a barge to bring goods to Tobago. In 2017, this chairman is refusing any barge to bring any goods for anybody in Tobago. It is totally unacceptable.”

The organisation said the PNM manifesto, which had been adopted as national Government policy, stated that “the PNM will waste no time addressing this very important issue. We will move swiftly to make the necessary improvements to the Public Procurement Act in order to remove loopholes, limitations and weakness that currently exist in the legislation, and, in consultation with all stakeholders, establish and implement a realistic timetable for the full implementation of the Act.” The organisation said that in the 2016-2017 budget, Finance Minister Colm Imbert said it was Government’s intention to operationalise the new public procurement system in 2017.

The minister had added that they expected that the procurement regulator and the Board of Procurement Regulation would be appointed and all required public procurement units would be established within six months. The group said as a major stakeholder, it has not been called to service, despite the minister’s assurance that they would be included in the process.

“Our collective goal is to reduce avenues for corruption and wastage of public funds. We would have preferred not to have to go public with our concerns.

To this end, the PSCSG wrote the Minister of Finance on two occasions – August 3, 2016, and February 3, 2017, outlining a way forward. To date, the PSCSG has not been afforded the courtesy of a response,” the group said.

The organisation said it wrote to the minister on April 3 drawing to his attention its concerns.

The group said it was crucial that a regulator and deputy regulator be appointed in a transparent manner.

In their Round One Match Day Five contest against Police at the St James Barracks on Sunday, Jabloteh pipped hosts Police by a 1-0 margin.

Kyle Thomas found the back of the net in the 82nd minute to guarantee their fourth win in five matches.

W Connection stayed in second place after a comfortable 2-0 win over Point Fortin Civic at the Mahaica Oval, Point Fortin.

Mark Ramdeen broke the deadlock for Connection in the 43rd and Josiah King put the game beyond Point Fortin’s reach in the 88th.

Morvant Caledonia United strolled to a 5-1 victory over Club Sando at the St Joseph Recreation Ground. Ethan Bonaparte netted a pair, in the 27th and 65th, while Dwight Yorke (34th), Carlon Salvary (57th) and Ackeem Mason (85th) chipped in with one apiece. Akeal Pierre (71st) pulled one back for Club Sando.

North East Stars were also big winners, brushing aside Defence Force 5-2 at the Arima Municipal Stadium. Finding the back of the net for North East Stars were Jaydon Prowell (14th), Elisha Garcia (20th), Kobe Douglas (21st), John- Paul Rochford (78th) and Jeremiah Jobe (90th), while Alexi George (34th) and Jakeem Mc- Neil (40th) replied for Defence Force.

Emmanuel Cumberbatch got on the scoresheet twice as St Ann’s Rangers hammered point-less Central FC 4-0 at the Trinity College Ground in Moka, Maraval.

Cumberbatch netted in the 39th and 44th minutes, with Che Benny (25th) and Kesean St Rose (63rd) contributing one apiece. Round One Match Day Six action will be contested on April 9.

Other Results – Round One Match Day Five – Under-13 Division – At Trinity College Ground, Moka: CENTRAL FC (5) – Giovanni Warner 8th; Daylon Riley 14th; Kyle Ramdoo 28th; Abdul-Quddoos Hypolite 32nd; Romario Nelson 33rd vs ST ANN’S RANGERS (1) – Ajani Andrews 48th.

At St James Barracks: POLICE (3) – Nathaniel Carrim 17th, 23rd; Jayden Moore vs SAN JUAN JABLOTEH (2) – James Nathaniel 27th, 35th.

At Mahaica Oval, Point Fortin: W CONNECTION (2) – Shakeem Williams 15th; Molik Khan 60th vs POINT FORTIN CIVIC (0).

At St Joseph Recreation Ground: CLUB SANDO (8) – Kaylon Ayres 10th; Jalon Brereton 19th, 55th; Anthony Williams 38th, 40th; own goals 41st, 45th; Tyrique Lucas 68th vs MORVANT CALEDONIA UNITED (0).

At Arima Municipal Stadium: DEFENCE FORCE (2) – Joshua Mason 3rd, 69th vs NORTH EAST STARS (1) – Terron Miller 25th.

Under-15 Division – At Trinity College Ground, Moka: ST ANN’S RANGERS (5) – Darius Douglas 12th, 47th, 77th; Keron Manswell 13th, 65th vs CENTRAL FC (1).

At St James Barracks: POLICE (2) – Jaden Andrews 53rd; Jamali Nichols 59th vs SAN JUAN JABLOTEH (0).

At Mahaica Oval, Point Fortin: POINT FORTIN CIVIC (1) – Mordecai Brown 19th vs W CONNECTION (0).

At St Joseph Recreation Ground: MORVANT CALEDONIA UNITED (3) – Xavier Le Blanc 32nd; Jahkeem Sanchez 44th; Jardel Mitchell 59th vs CLUB SANDO (3) – Kalel Agard 20th, 58th; Ephrim Brown 35th.

At Arima Municipal Stadium: DEFENCE FORCE (3) – Justin Araujo-Wilson 27th, 78th; Aiden Marcano 69th vs NORTH EAST STARS (1) – Omari Adams 47th.

Rescheduled Matches (March 30) – Under-13 Division – At San Juan North Secondary Ground: SAN JUAN JABLOTEH (2) – Kanye Baker 7th; Odele Larrier vs W CONNECTION (2) – Shakeem Williams 22nd; Molik Khan 40th.

At Eddie Hart Ground, Tacarigua: CENTRAL FC (13) – Giovanni Warner 16th, 65th; Abdul-Quddoos Hypolite 19th, 27th, 48th, 51st; Romario Nelson 21st; Kyle Phillips 29th, 35th, 46th, 55th; Jakeem Lewis 32nd; Jahaem Bailey 70th vs MORVANT CALEDONIA UNITED (0).

Under-15 Division – At San Juan North Secondary Ground: SAN JUAN JABLOTEH (4) – Josiah Edwards 16th, 73rd, 88th; Nickell Alexander 34th vs W CONNECTION (1) – Jabari Lee 64th.

At Eddie Hart Ground, Tacarigua: MORVANT CALEDONIA UNITED (3) vs CENTRAL FC (0) by default.

Under-17 Division – At San Juan North Secondary Ground: SAN JUAN JABLOTEH (3) – Trevin Thomas 42nd; Kerdell Sween 44th; Jodel Brown 78th vs W CONNECTION (1) – Symron Wiseman 18th.

At Eddie Hart Ground, Tacarigua: MORVANT CALEDONIA UNITED (3) – Dwight Yorke 53rd; Akeem Mason 62nd, 63rd vs CENTRAL FC (0).

The event is hosted by Southampton Wheelers Cycle Club in recognition of the late Hilton ‘Barracuda’ Mitchell who rode for the Club in 1958 at Southern Games.

Major events at the meet include the 500m, Match Sprint and Individual Pursuit.

‘Barracuda’, a former top international cyclist, had his cycling career curtailed prematurely after a wall fell on him at his home in 1959 and he became paralysed. ‘Barracuda’ subsequently represented the country with distinction at the Paraplegic Games in Jamaica, Mexico, Canada, Argentina and Scotland.

He said he got his nickname because he was an excellent swimmer as a youth. ‘Barracuda’ passed away in 2014 and his family and the Club have agreed to keep his name attached to the event so as to commemorate his outstanding contribution to cycling and sport in the country.

The Barracuda Track League, this year, is honouring Winston ‘Charlie’ Attong, a top Southampton cyclist who was at the peak of his career in the 1960s and early 1970s. Charlie, as he has been customarily known in the cycling fraternity, represented this country with distinction in several international competitions all across the globe, including Commonwealth Games, Pan American Games, World Championships and the 1972 Munich Olympics. Charlie and Robert ‘Junior’ Farrell, both Southampton Wheelers Cyclists at the time, remain the only local duo to race in the Tandem event in a major international meeting – the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Scotland. Using a tandem bike for the first time on race day, the local duo finished 4th in the event. This weekend’s 500m, Elite 1&2 races at the Barracuda Track League will be named in honour of Charlie.

This year, like in 2016, the club is using the opportunity to honour several other prominent club figures who performed with distinction in the national and international arenas or who contributed significantly to the club over the years.

The Barracuda Track League is positioned immediately before the Easter International Grand Prix so that the cyclists are approaching top form, with the event being used as the final selection criteria for cyclists vying to represent the country at the Easter meeting.

Top in-form Elite riders expected to compete include Njisane Phillip, Quincy Alexander, Keron Bramble, Kwesi Browne, Jabari Whiteman, Jude Codrington, Gavin Nero, Joshua and Adam Alexander, Sheldon Ranjit.

Among the women, top performances are expected from Tennille Campbell, Dominique Lovell, Christianne Farah, Dhalia Palmer and Cheyenne Awai.

The meet is being organised through the support of the National Lotteries Control Board, the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago, Trinweld Contracting Services Limited, First Citizen’s Sports Foundation, Massy Technologies Info Com, Petrotrin, Plipdeco, the San Fernando City Corporation and the Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation.

In the Under-20 male category, Antoine got assistance from Ashton Ramsarran, who notched 10 points, while Evan Trim led the scoring for St Mary’s with nine points. East Mucurapo had a narrow 16-13 lead at the halftime interval.

In the Under-15 section, QRC overturned a 23-19 halftime deficit to defeat International School of Port of Spain 37-31. Nwadike Felix was a one-man wrecking crew for QRC with 29 points, while for the International School, Ayden Hadeed scored 10 points and Zak Wiggins seven.

Also in the Under-15 division, Belmont Boys had a 20-0 default victory over Malick.

South East Port of Spain, in the lone Open Female contest, got past East Mucurapo 19-14.

Grace Peru was the leading scorer for South East with 12 while Mercedes Alexander delivered 11 for Mucurapo, who were atop by an 8-4 margin at the half

Phoenix Preysal and Technocrats finished the tournament with 21 points from 10 matches, but Preysal topped the standings by virtue of a superior net run rate of plus-2.45, compared to Technocrats’ plus-1.38.

At the Inshan Ali Park, hosts Preysal blazed their way to 324 runs for four wickets in 37 overs with West Indies players Britney Cooper and Merissa Aguilliera leading the way with 117 not out and 76 respectively.

Reniece Boyce contributed 48 and Felicia Walters 35 for Preysal, while Shanmatie Nowrang got three wickets for 78 runs for Players Sports Club.

The visitors were never in the hunt for the huge target, as they were only able to muster 63/6 in 37 overs. Nadia Mohammed had an unbeaten 15 while Shania Abdool made 14 and Le-Sean Ben 11. Saha Amkersingh, Shenelle Lord, Neeta Boodhai, Walters and Samantha Bissoon each claimed one wicket for Preysal.

Also on Sunday, Moosai Sports got the better of Hibiscus Ladies by six wickets at the Bamboo Recreation Ground.

Hibiscus posted 141/9 in 46 overs, courtesy of an unbeaten 32 from Caniesha Isaac, 25 from Rachel Vincent and 21 from Rosalie Dolabaille. Amanda Samaroo claimed 4/28 and Karishma Ramharack 2/20 for Moosai Sports.

In response, Leeann Kirby made an unbeaten 50 and Ramharack was at the other end on 37 as Moosai Sports reached 143/4 in 38.4 overs.

Kamara Ragoobar got 20 for Moosai while Shanice Pascall copped 2/23 for Hibiscus. The other scheduled game on Sunday saw Technocrats earn a default victory over Cricket Lovers at the Pinto Road Recreation Ground, Arima.

Other Results – Round Nine (March 26) – At Bamboo Number Two Recreation Ground: MOOS AI SPORTS 142 (47.1 overs) – Karishma Ramharack 35, Kirbyina Alexander 33, Alia Joseph 21, Amanda Samaroo 20; Stephanie Ragoonath 4/29, Kajol Dalgir 3/26 vs TECHNOCRATS 74 (39.4 overs) – Stacy Ann King 26, Gaitri Seetahal 14; Leeann Kirby 3/15, Karishma Ramharack 2/6, Kamara Ragoobar 2/15.

Moosai Sports won by 68 runs.

At La Horquetta Ground: PR EYSAL PHOENIX 242/7 (46 overs) – Britney Cooper 113, Merissa Aguilliera 41 not out; Allison Collins 3/38, Caniesha Isaac 3/59 vs HIBISCUS LADIES 148 (38.4 overs) – Rachel Vincent 80; Samantha Bissoon 3/26, Renelle Dookie 2/27. Preysal Phoenix won by 94 runs.

At Naparima Recreation Ground: PLAYERS SPORTS 306/2 (33 overs) – Alisa Mohammed 160 not out, Anisa Mohammed 40 not out, Shania Abdool 33, Onika Alexander 20 vs CRICKET LOVERS 156/5 (33 overs) – Nicole George 34, Ariel Gomez 31; Shanmatie Nowrang 2/32. Players Sports won by 150 runs.