Deyalsingh also gave the assurance that steps are also underway to address problems with CT scanners at the Port-of-Spain, San Fernando and Sangre Grande General hospitals.

Referring to yesterday’s lead story in Newsday as he answered questions in the Senate, Deyalsingh declared, “We have contacted the parents with alacrity.” Deyalsingh explained that while no application was made for Shannen to the Children’s Life Fund (CLF), an application was made to the ministry’s Medical Aid Programme in February. He said the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) responded promptly to advise Shannen’s parents that an up to date medical report on Shannen’s condition was necessary. The minister explained that when the initial application was made, it had a “dated, outdated medical report” on Shannen.

However, Deyalsingh revealed, “Last week, we got the up to date medical report.” As he informed senators that Shannen’s family was advised that this report, as well as a social worker’s report were “twin requirements” that were crucial to treating with Shannen’s condition, Deyalsingh said the ministry is currently awaiting the social worker’s report.

He explained the medical report was essential in making a determination, whether an application is made to the CLF or the Medical Aid Programme.

Deyalsingh added that to date, Government has approved 40 applications to the CLF, which is well funded to the tune of $55 million.

He also said there is a maximum funding limit of $1 million under the CLF.

On CT scans, Deyalsingh said the scanner at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital had an internal electrical problem. He said the required part is in Tennesse and is, “being flown to TT tonight.” He said today a bypass will be done to get the scanner operational.

Deyalsingh said by tomorrow, the new part will be installed in the scanner, so it will be fully operational.

On the scanner at the San Fernando General Hospital, Deyalsingh said it required a new tube but the wrong part was shipped. Stating this was “no fault of the RHA,” Deyalsingh said that part was sent back and the correct part will arrive in TT next week. He said the scanner at the Sangre Grande Hospital was inoperable before the People’s National Movement (PNM) assumed office in September 2015.

The minister said requests for proposals have been issued for that scanner.

Deyalsingh said any CT scanners based at the Couva Children and Adult Hospital cannot be used in the interim at any of the three hospitals.

Explaining that such devices at the Couva Hospital are under warranty, the minister stated, “Any attempt to move a CT scanner under warranty, we will void the warranty.” Reminding senators that Government is trying to arrange a public private partnership to operate the Couva Hospital, Deyalsingh said, “Anyone having seen the facility and made an offer, would have made an offer based on equipment that they would have seen.” He said should any equipment be taken from this facility and used elsewhere, it could jeopardise Government’s efforts to get the Couva Hospital operational. The hospital was built under the former People’s Partnership government but never commissioned.

“You could imagine last night (Monday) 10.30 pm, that a gunman invaded a wake, killed a man and injured three others. Just so? So where were the police? Where was the army? The so-called post that you established in Enterprise, where were the officers?” Wade asked.

Debating the Opposition’s motion calling on Government to deal with the unacceptable levels of crime, Mark queried, “Is there a policy being promoted by this Government to allow gangs to kill out gangs in this country? ” He continued, “How come you have security personnel, army and police and Defence Force and nobody could anticipate there would have been reprisals and do nothing about it? Four persons have died so far.” On Monday night, a gunman opened fire at the wake of Sylvan Alexis, brother of dead gang leader Selwyn “Robocop” Alexis, killing one person and injuring others.

Stating crime was out of control, he said, “Sometime one wonders if there is a policy on the part of Government to instruct the security forces to have a hands-off approach in areas where criminal gangs operate in Trinidad and Tobago.” Speaking on a range of issues including the report of an investigation into Attorney General Faris Al Rawi’s children holding guns on the ranges at Camp Cumuto, Mark said, Minister of National Security Edmund Dillon statement that it could not be made public as a matter of national security after the Chief of Defence Staff of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) had said it would, “is an attempt by Government to cover up the debacle that went on at the Defence Force.” He said, “those children, who belong to this person, who has denied ownership of the children, did a wrong, broke the Firearms Act, violated the Children’s Act and should be brought to justice in those circumstances.” The minister and the TTDF, he said, “should account for that debacle that took place on that day as well. The minister is responsible for the defence force and he must have known or should have known that something was going on at Camp Cumuto. Therefore he must tell this Senate what he knows about that event involving the children of a known Attorney General of this country.” Dillon, as National Security Minister, he said, is incompetent and has to go.

“The minister has failed miserably in carrying out his responsibility to protect the citizens of this country, and must take responsibility for what is happening in the country in relation to crime,” Mark said.

While the United States Department of State Bureau of Diplomatic Security has estimated that TT has about 100 criminal gangs, he said Dillon cannot give the nation a specific number.

Maharaj called for greater detection of murder and advised that the Commissioner of Police be allocated a dedicated team of properly vetted detectives who would work on solving murders with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the US and Scotland Yard in the UK.

Such a recommendation is to be welcomed because the question of prevention ultimately rests with the issue of deterrence. If people are not held accountable for their actions and if society does not see the perpetrators being put to justice, then no amount of legal reform will dissuade killers.

While the Police Service and the Ministry of National Security have been allocated billions in resources, it is clear that the system of criminal justice has been overwhelmed since the mid-2000s. The detectives have not been able to keep up, the officers have not been able to keep up and the courts have been swamped.

Legislative reform such as the abolition of the preliminary inquiry and a new option to elect to trial by judge could work with certain safeguards in place. But it will all be to no avail unless the police are able to solve the crimes and to place people under charge. The FBI and Scotland Yard have the capacity.

Perhaps this is one issue that can be raised by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley in talks with US President Donald Trump.

However, one caveat must be expressed. Any form of outside assistance should focus on being sustainable. It must build capacity and not just be a flash-in-the-pan intervention. It must also be a serious exercise and not one for people seeking the sun and the sea and rich relocation/risk stipends. Some of the other proposals are also worthy of consideration. However, on the issue of hanging, we note perhaps the time has come for a reopening of the debate on whether capital punishment should be on our law books.

The issue is contentious, contrary to the impression given in some arenas.

It is a human rights issue, not just a legal one. Can the State morally justify killing a human being as a punishment for killing another human being? The law of the land is clear. It allows the death penalty in theory in certain cases. That law, however, equally allows certain safeguards that have meant there has been no hanging in practice. When both the administrations of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and his predecessor Kamla Persad-Bissessar say “hanging is the law”, they effectively say nothing.

For the same law that authorises hanging also prevents it by enshrining certain legal procedures and the authority of certain case law.

If the State adopts the narrow view that hanging is to be implemented, it must however be emphasised that such a move should only come after substantial reforms are implemented.

Once a life is taken it cannot be brought back.

There is widespread suspicion that there is corruption within the criminal justice system, that actors can be tainted, that people can be wrongly accused. If the State wants to take up the power to kill people, it had better make sure it has rooted out bad-apple police officers, enshrined more transparent judicial disciplinary procedures and bolstered the appeals process.

The Police Service is adamant that part of the problem it is encountering is the lack of people coming forward to give information. But in this climate of endless bloodshed and violence, reaching the innermost recesses of our homes, who can blame witnesses for being fearful? Some outside help might be a useful remedy.

But the Government now proposes to increase the national debt by borrowing US$50 million to improve the Toco Road and to construct port facilities in Toco.

Are these projects among our priorities? Last year was said to be the toughest year for our economy since 1986. Estimated government revenue for 2016/2017 is $47.4 billion and estimated expenditure $53.4 billion, a deficit of $6 billion.

Our country cannot operate without collecting the revenues due from income tax, corporate tax, value added tax, house and building tax and without a significant reduction in subsidies. But is tax collection being vigorously pursued? Unfortunately, it appears to me that many people are successfully evading paying taxes, with those who pay subsidising the lifestyles of those who don’t pay.

Income tax and property tax in the UK, the US and Canada are quite substantial and are important sources of revenue for the Treasury.

Here are the income tax rates payable on high incomes in some selected countries: In Canada the rate for income between $140,389 and $200,000 is 29 percent; over $200,000 it is 33 percent. The personal income tax rate in Jamaica stands at 25 percent.

In Barbados the rate is 17.5 percent on the first Bds$35,000 of taxable income, and 35 percent thereafter.

In Grenada residents earning more than EC$60,000 pay a 30 percent rate. In the US the tax payable by high income earners is 39.6 percent.

In the UK, on incomes of 43,001- 150,000 pounds sterling, the rate is 40 percent and over 150,000 pounds it is 45 percent.

In Australia incomes over A$180,000 attract a rate of 49 percent.

In Trinidad and Tobago, after a tax-free personal allowance of $72,000, a flat rate of 30 percent is applicable whether the taxable income is $73,000 or $1,000,000 or more.

The Minister of Finance has said the fuel subsidy had cost the country $31 billion during the last ten years and has been a significant drain on our financial resources.

From 2000 to 2014, the subsidy averaged $3.5 billion annually and when the oil price exceeded US$100 a barrel the subsidy exceeded $6 billion annually. Even after the adjustment in domestic fuel prices in November 2015, the subsidy remained close to $600 million.

At a US$45 a barrel oil price, Imbert said the subsidy would increase to $850 million and at US$50 a barrel the subsidy would exceed $1 billion.

On April 8, 2016, the date of the minister’s statement, the oil price was US$39.72 a barrel. Since October 10, 2016, the price has exceeded US$50 a barrel and thus an increase in the subsidy.

The current subsidised prices of $3.38 a litre for super gasoline and $2 a litre for diesel continue to be lower that the prices for these commodities in many First World countries. In TT a litre of bottled water costs more than gasoline.

Meanwhile, the subsidised round-trip airfare between TT has remained unchanged at $300 since 1994 while the true cost of the trip is between $600 and $700 a person.

With an estimated 800,000 passengers annually, a moderate fare increase of $50 for a one -way trip will increase CAL’s revenue by $40 million annually. How many items or services are there with the same selling price for 23 years? A minimal increase of $50 on a one-way ticket is justifiable in this country where a litre of coconut water costs $40.

W h a t will the taxi fare from Portof- Spain to Toco be?

A threat to this effect was also made in a voice note that circulated widely on social media.

And while residents are bracing for further bloodshed, some are praising the Unruly ISIS for seeking to wipe out all males in the Alexis clan. In the voice note, a male voice claiming to be that of an Enterprise resident shared his perspective on the killing of the Alexis brothers.

“Them fellas not going to stop…

remember my words. Them fellas going to kill every male family member pertaining to the Alexis family. Every single one. They will flush out (name called) and buss he head. They will save (another relative) for last. They want him to hurt (sic),” the voice stated.

The voice note began circulating yesterday hours after Dillon Grant was shot dead in Enterprise.

Businessman and reputed gang-leader Selwyn “Robocop” Alexis was shot dead on July 17, at his car wash off Freedom Street.

Customer Kevin Escayg, 43, and another man, Thomas “Hamza” Sharpe, also died in that shooting.

On December 4, Alexis’ brother Mervyn, 46, was shot dead along Railway Road in Enterprise. On Friday last, a third sibling, Sylvan Alexis, 60, was shot and killed at Francois Street. In the voice note, the resident accused Alexis (Robocop) also referred to as Omar of underestimating the Unruly ISIS gang, saying this was his “biggest mistake”. Even before the “war”, plans were afoot to “whack” (kill) Alexis, the voice stated. Robocop was referred to as the, “last of the Mohicans.” “Them fellas and them want to dead on the scene. That is a glory for them, that is martyrdom for them. It’s a different ball game.

People don’t understand because they are not from that kind of mindset. But I understand clear, clear, clear. It sad to say, I giving them kudos for how they are drilling (killing), they are drilling like beast (sic),” the voice note stated.

If there are 100 people who can drill like them, the man said, law enforcement will be in for problems.

Police sources said they are aware of several voice notes pertaining to violence and lawlessness in Enterprise and the police cyber-crime unit is investigating these voice notes.

Later in the sitting, Independent Senator Dr Dhanayshar Mahabir called on the media to stop focusing on stories about, “the man with the gun”, or, “the boy who is dead”, in communities such as Enterprise.

Dillon’s announcement came in the wake of fiery street protests in Enterprise last Friday following the murder of 60-year old Sylvan Alexis, the older brother of Selwyn “Robocop” Alexis, who was murdered in Enterprise last year. Between Friday last and yesterday, four persons were murdered in Enterprise.

“The Government believes a more direct and strategic approach is required to deal with what is now going on in the Enterprise area,” Dillon said.

After explaining a principle of warfare which calls for confrontation of force at the right time and place, Dillon – a former head of the Defence Force – declared, “This government believes that time is now. The place is Enterprise and the force will be one of utilising all agencies of national security to deal with issues in that area.” “The NSC has in fact taken a decision to construct a police station in the middle of the Enterprise area in the shortest possible time. That decision will see a police station occupied by both police and members of the Defence Force to deal with issues of gang warfare,” Dillon said.

He reminded Senators that in response to crime and violence in Laventille, the police and army established a presence at Soogrim Trace, following which, levels of violence in that area dropped significantly.

As he reiterated Government’s commitment to curbing crime, Dillon slammed the former People’s Partnership (PP) government for dismantling several key entities of the national security apparatus between 2010 to 2015.

After identifying the Special Anti-Crime Unit (SAUTT) and the Strategic Services Agency (SSA) as two such entities, Dillon said the People’s National Movement (PNM) is not an “irresponsible government” and will do all that is required, “even if we have to do it alone”, to curb crime.

He said while the offshore patrol vessels which the PNM was trying to obtain, could remain at sea for 28 days, Damen naval vessels acquired by the PP, could only do so for 12 days.

He slammed the Opposition for stalling the process of appointing a new Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioner.

He said the Opposition remains uncooperative on several pieces of legislation being driven by his ministry and the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs, to improve the criminal justice system.

According to a police report, PC Jasanie Davis crashed her cycle into the red band maxi at about 1 pm while riding along the PBR near Constantine Park Tunapuna.

The driver of the maxi taxi escaped with minor injuries. Investigations are continuing.

Shannen’s family needs to raise more than $700,000 to fund a critical medical procedure that could save her life.

Shannen suffers from thalassemia major, a blood related disorder which requires a monthly blood transfusion.

The family has since mortgaged their home as part of fund-raising activities.

The Rotary Club has stepped in to assist the parents in raising $250,000.

Speaking to Newsday yesterday, President of the Rotary Club of Chaguanas Michael Ibrahim said the response to the article has been significant and it shows there is more good than evil in the country.

“People from all over contacted us wanting to help Shannen and that is significant. This shows that there are so many good people among us that I cannot understand at all the level of crime in the country now and the level of hurt that our people have to be faced with. The kind of goodness I have seen really has to be protected.

We have more good than evil prevailing and something has to be done to separate the evil so we can preserve the goodness of soceity,” he said.

He said the Rotary Club will continue to look after children in society and to protect them as much as they can.

According to the Thalassemia Foundation of Canada’s website children born with thalassemia major usually develop symptoms of severe anaemia within the first year of life.

Minister in the Ministry of Education Dr Lovell Francis said the boy will receive whatever treatment he needs.

“(We have decided) to remove him from the school because the situation might be too tenuous to keep him there,” Francis told Newsday yesterday.

There were allegations that the boy was sexually suggestive towards female classmates and physically violent towards both students and teachers. His alleged behaviour sparked protests last week with parents of other students calling for him to be removed from the school and given the “professional help” they believe he needs.

The ministry responded by first referring him to the Student Support Services Division (SSSD) and promised to provide an “aide” to work with him in the school. This prompted another protest. The parents said these methods had already been used without success since the student’s enrolment in 2015.

Education Minister Anthony Garcia was asked in Parliament on Friday last by Princes Town MP Barry Padarath to account for the Ministry’s response. Garcia said the student was diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder which is characterised by, among other things, a refusal to follow directions and unwillingness to compromise or negotiate with others, including peers.

Frustrated parents once again set fire to tyres and blocked roads from as early as 5.30 am yesterday.

“If you know this child has a mental problem, why you sending this child in a school with 140 children?” asked Savitri Persad, interim president of the PTA.

“Our school is not a mental institution, it is a school for children to come and learn, to come and interact with children. We want him out of the school.” By noon, a decision was made.

Francis said the boy would be removed and put in the care of the SSSD.

“If the boy’s case is so severe that the SSSD cannot deal with it themselves, we will look into getting him whatever outside help he needs.” Asked whether the boy was suspended or expelled and how long the treatment would last, Francis said, “We are just saying that he will be removed to get treatment. I cannot say for certain how long this would last. We would leave that to the experts to decide.” Parish priest of St Theresa’s RC Church and manager of the Santa Rita RC school Fr Glyn Jemmott said he was not directly responsible for the school since his position as manager is a moral one. However, he said “This matter has been allowed to go on for too long. I think somewhere along the line, whether it is the Catholic Education Board of Management, whether it is the government, whether it is the teachers themselves, this matter could and should have been dealt with. The way things are now is the result of somebody not acting effectively and with right judgement.” Jemmot said though many may think it is the responsibility of the church to have the boy removed from the school, he thinks otherwise.

“There are two ways to approach a situation like this. One is what may be considered to be the efficient and bureaucratic way, the next way is one of patience and compassion and that can only happen if one has a vocation to do so.”

Garcia made the announcement after he and Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley visited the St Barbs Government Primary School at Mentor Alley, Upper Laventille Road, Laventille.

“I was reluctant to say more because it is a child and I did not want to give adverse publicity to the child,” Garcia said.

“But because of the way it was carried in the media, it is important for me to clear the air. The child came to school armed with a weapon.” Garcia said all principals in government schools have a circular to follow on what must be done. He said teachers are advised that once a child comes to school with a weapon, he or she must be suspended.

When asked if the suspended student provoked the fight, Garcia said, “I don’t want to go into that. All I am saying is the child was suspended because she had a fault of the rules of the school by coming to the school armed with a weapon. We had a meeting with the parents, teachers, the community police, and senior officials.

After further discussion of all the issues, that was the course of action that all of us agreed upon.”