When she failed to return home, a Missing Person report was made to police. Checks by worried relatives and friends of the child on the weekend have turned up nothing.

Anyone with information on the whereabout of Sherry Ann is asked to contact the nearest police station.

This information was contained in a written response in the name of Finance Minister Colm Imbert which was circulated in the House of Representatives during sitting of the House last week Friday.

Jusamco had five contracts during this period. Among the other contractors listed were Seereeram Bros which had eight contracts with an approximate total value of $30 million. Another contractor, Kall Co Ltd, had seven contracts which had an approximate total of $6 million.

According to police reports, Joel Solyn was at his home at Pregnancy Lane, La Puerta, Diego Martin when four armed men stormed the premises.

His father who was nearby, heard the men shoot his son four times before making their escape. Solyn died at the scene.

Police are continuing their investigations.

The body was later removed to the Forensic Science Centre in St James where an autopsy will be done today to officially ascertain cause of death. No arrest has been made and investigations are continuing.

Speaking after the launch of the clean-up campaign in San Fernando on Saturday, Hosein said the government had to bear the cost for minor items like advertising and food for those who volunteered.

“But the volunteer contractors,” he added, “have every weekend put out at least $200,000 to $300,000, and we have over 15 contractors on board so it is costing them a lot.” Some of the 15 contractors include Junior Sammy Group of Companies, Laing Sandblasting & Painting Co, KallCo Ltd, Coosal’s Group of Companies, Namalco Group of Companies, Fides Ltd, TN Ramnauth & Company Limited, General Earth Movers Ltd, Seereeram Bros Ltd and Lakshmi Singh Transport Contractors.

Dozens of trucks from the respective contracting companies made their way around San Fernando over the weekend to remove bulk waste, tear down derelict buildings and clear drains and waterways.

Hosein said that the full cost of the campaign as well as its effectiveness, would be reported to the country via Parliament at the end of the campaign.

“What I have realised since this thing started is that it is bringing all the races together, all the political parties together, the rich and the poor. I would really like to see this continue,” Hosein said adding that a national educational campaign would be conducted in schools to foster a spirit of cleanliness among the youth.

On another issue, Minister Hosein said he has asked his Permanent Secretary to write the Regional Corporation CEOs to instruct litter wardens to start enforcing relevant laws.

“The litter wardens do work but they are not doing the amount of work they are supposed to do,” Hosein said. He continued, “Instead of working two and three hours for the day they need to be working for a full day and get the job done and they will be out there to ensure they charge the people who go against the law.” On the matter of increasing the numbers of municipal police, Hosein said that over 2,000 applications for 1,200 vacant positions were received since advertisements were put out. Interviews would be conducted over the coming weeks, he said.

In a release from attorney Alvin Pariagsingh, London-based attorney Anand Beharrylal will speak to the south-based attorneys about the law and procedure in filing and presenting appeals to the Privy Council.

Beharrylal had been presenting appeals to the Privy Council for the past 12 years in his 20 year career in private practice in London.

The release stated that for many attorneys in South Trinidad, the law and procedure for appealing to the Privy Council is still a matter only a select few is aware of. “Equally, it is a mystery the cost involved and whether there is really a need for retaining a Queen’s Council in London, or Senior Council in our local jurisdiction, to present such appeals.

The Privy Council is still the final court of appeal for Trinidad and Tobago and practitioneers are required to know procedurally how to appeal,” the release stated.

The event takes place at the conference room of the Royal Hotel, San Fernando, at 2 pm.

Attorneys interested in attending should email Pariagsingh to confirm attendance.

Al-Rawi said that in the midst of the controversy which saw Dillon at last week’s post Cabinet press briefing recant the information in the release and apologised to the nation, the National Security Minister was quite humble in keeping secret his coordination of a $837 million drug bust which was made on February 18, when four tonnes of cocaine were seized by the TT Coast Guard in conjunction with the law enforcement officers of the United States off the coast of Suriname.

Speaking at the launch of the San Fernando leg of the National Clean-Up campaign on Saturday morning, Al Rawi said, “Nearly four tonnes of cocaine were seized by the Coast Guard which was close to $1 billion worth.

And ladies and gentlemen, that does not happen by mistake. And I want to congratulate my colleague, the Minister of National Security who takes the blows on his back like a man.

“Whilst success is being bred on border lock-down for crime and criminality led by the Minister of National Security who knew the operations that were going to happen, who knew about the joint action between our coast guard and the United States, our Minister of National Security a very humble man that he is, coordinated the lockdown of our borders in a very real way by causing a stoppage of supply of drugs.” Al-Rawi said that though the drug bust was in February, it would have been premature for Dillon to speak to his leadership role until now. He praised Dillon for leading the drug bust because “locking down our borders is the way to tackle crime.” The Attorney General’s praise came days after Dillon was widely criticised for his ministry describing the extended Carnival weekend as “crime-free”, when there were sevenmurders.

Dillon later apologised for his statements, but many criticised him as being “out-of-touch” with reality.

He announced that 11 “anti- crime” bills would be laid in Parliament in the coming weeks which “will connect all the dots in a very clear fashion to the anti crime matrix which is not only in law but in operations.”

Additionally, the Acting Commissioner noted in his letter that Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley also wanted to extend his heartfelt thanks for the work carried out by members of the police service especially for their visibility and for their round the clock presence in all areas throughout the country and to preserve law and order.

The letter from the Acting Commissioner also noted that Minister of National Security Edmund Dillon was deeply moved by the efforts of the police officers in ensuring that there was not a spate of senseless killings, robberies, rapes and other serious crimes during the two days of revelry.

Over the Carnival extended weekend, seven murders were committed.

The letter pointed out that it were it not for the commitment of officers, the public would not have been able to enjoy the Carnival the way they did and he asked that the commitment displayed be continued in the coming months.

Despite the kudos expressed by the Acting Commissioner to police officers, the Police Social Welfare Association questioned the rationale for the long working hours officers were forced to endure during the Carnival period, stating that officers were “overworked and very tired.” Association President Inspector Michael Seales said while officers are glad to keep the criminal elements at bay, they are also human and feel tired like any ordinary human being. He believes the Carnival work hours could have been broken up or shortened. He said that this matter will be discussed with the Acting CoP so that better arrangements could be made for next year’s Carnival.

Inspector Seales said that the Association was heartened to learn that the Acting CoP, the Prime Minister and the Minister of National Security had taken time to commend the ranks for “their exceptionally good work”, during Carnival.

Young told Newsday, “The recent call between the President of the United States and Prime Minister Rowley was not as a result of the lobbyist firm as has been clearly stated before.” He continued, “Therefore the attempts to link any cost to the public to that call taking place are simply disengenous and misleading.” Young confirmed that Government had hired The DC Group, “as its lobbyist firm.” Young did not comment on the figure of US$1.2 million per annum for a two year period, which the firm was reportedly hired for. Newsday understands this could form the basis of a question to be raised in the House of Representatives today. Checks by Newsday of the US Justice Department’s website found no documents involving any agreement between the DC Group and the Government there, as mentioned in the Guardian’s article. Young explained that during debate on the Tax Information Exchange Agreements (TIEA) Bill 2016 in the House two weeks ago, Rowley, “spelt out some of the reasons” why it is necessary to promote trade, security and business interests on behalf of the citizens of TT.” He indicated this is why it was necessary to have a lobbyist firm working for the Government of TT in Washington DC. “The lobbyist firm has been working with the Government of TT in fulfilling its mandate,” Young stated.

He added that, “The Government will continue to work for TT in building and maintaining the country’s relationships with the United States and other countries.

During debate on the TIEA Bill in the House on February 23, Rowley said, “I was home on the weekend (of February 18-19) and I was informed that the President of the United States would like to speak to me.” The Prime Minister continued, “It had nothing to do with our lobbyist and it did not cost TT a cent.” Rowley said, “The President of the United States understands that TT, is a country that the United States holds very dearly for good reason. The US is our major trading partner and we are a leader in Caricom.” Confirming at that Government has a lobbyist, Rowley stated, “I spent nine months trying to get the Central Tenders Board to hire a lobbyist because we need a lobbyist.” He explained that this country needed a lobbyist in Washington DC, “because our interests need to be protected and we need people to speak for us and push and open doors in the correct place so that we are not harmed by accident.” Stating Government engaged the services of the lobbyist long before the Foreign Accounts Tax Compliance Act (FACTA), Rowley said allegations that a lobbyist was paid US$1 million to arrange the telephone conversation he had with Trump, “is a deliberation misrepresentation of an untruth.” Rowley reiterated, “So when we hire a lobbyist whether it costs a million or half a million dollars it is to protect the interests of the people of TT.”

Garcia gave this statement as he responded to a question in the House of Representatives.

In response to another question, Garcia said statutory approvals from certain entities were not obtained to facilitate the opening of the early childhood care and education centre at Dass Trace in Penal.

Saying the problem began under the former People’s Partnership (PP) government and was not corrected by the time the PP demitted office in September 2015, Garcia explained his ministry is working to get those approvals with a view to setting a date to open the centre.

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh, in reply to a question put to him last Friday, said the post of Director of Women’s Health is one that is approved by Cabinet.

He said talks are ongoing with the Chief Personnel Officer to fill that position and an adhoc committee has been established under the Chief Medical Officer to deal with the duties normally handled by that office holder.

Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan said works to repair a sinkhole in South Oropouche are underway and will be completed in the shortest possible time.

She made the comment following a tour of the company’s operations located on the O’Meara Industrial Estate in Arima. The visit included a tour of the plant and a presentation by the executive team on the operations of the business. Accompanying the minister were Norris Herbert, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry; John Tang Yian, Chairman, EXIMBank; Brian Awang, CEO, EXIMBank; and Grand Bay officials.

Kevin Marcilliat, Managing Director and CEO at the company said, “We are proud that we are creating and pioneering an industry in Trinidad, as we continue to invest and grow and prosper in this business.” He said Grand Bay Paper Products Limited’s vision is “to become the leaders in manufacturing, marketing and service with the highest quality products” and currently operates in 25 markets with 400 members of staff.

In addition to getting recent orders to supply its products to Cuba, a company executive said Grand Bay had just begun penetration of the Haitian market and was exploring other French speaking markets in the region. Also accompanying the minister was Minister of Agriculture, Lands and Fisheries, Clarence Rambharat; who was interested in “an important by-product for use in agriculture,” produced by the company. He told journalists that “in Trinidad and Tobago we suffer with poor quality soil (so) farmers invest a lot of money to purchase lime to increase the yields and the productivity of the soils; and Grand Bay Paper Products is considering the use of a calcium carbonate byproduct of the paper manufacturing process on agricultural lands.” The paper sludge can boost soil productivity for farmers; provide benefits as a fertilizer, using the inherent fibres made of cellulose, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and calcium. Its moisture retention capability can also be another benefit. He said that the ministry believed that “it is viable and we are moving to the stage of testing and to determine whether it will work and moreso if it meets all the environmental criteria in terms of environmental quality and the way it will interact with the water table and water courses.” He added that it is a “good opportunity for the farmers and makes an excellent case for recycling.”