In a newspaper report recently (not Newsday), it was stated that Bravo might not be granted the required NOC due to his currently unsettled dispute with the WICB.

Bravo is currently deemed ineligible to play cricket for the West Indies or Trinidad and Tobago after calling on WICB president Dave Cameron to resign on social media. The lefthander also labelled the controversial Jamaican cricket boss a “big idiot” in an uncharacteristic outburst which followed Cameron’s assertion on Sportsmax TV that Bravo had been offered a ‘C’ retainer contract by the WICB because he was on an ‘A’ previously and not performing to that standard. Bravo said he was never on a WICB ‘A’ contract.

In an interview with ESPNcricinfo yesterday, Grave explained that Bravo’s NOC was signed “within five minutes of receiving it.” He added: “We’re not going to be withholding NOCs. There’s no future in that.” Meanwhile, wicketkeeper/ batsman Nicholas Pooran’s NOC has also been signed.

Pooran has been banned by the WICB from all cricket regionally for the year after reneging on his agreement to play for the Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the current regional fourday season and instead taking up a contract to compete in last year’s Bangladesh Premier League.

The 21-year-old Pooran was bought in the IPL auction by Mumbai Indians. WICB Chairman of Selectors, Courtney Browne, in a recent interview on Sportsmax TV, said Pooran’s NOC was signed with no problems.

Worrell, who died at age 42 on March 13, 1967 of leukaemia, became the first black captain of the West Indies in the 1950s. Along with fellow Bajans Sir Clyde Walcott and Sir Everton Weekes, the trio earned the sobriquet “The Three Ws.” Bruce Aanensen, treasurer of The Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Committee, said at a press conference at All Sport Promotions in Woodbrook, yesterday, that the committee’s goal is to keep Worrell’s legacy alive.

He said, “The Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Committee has been tireless in its efforts to promote the legacy of a man, who despite his short 42 years, made the most impactful difference in the history of West Indies cricket, Sir Frank Mortimer Worrell.

“This year we commemorate the 50th anniversary, and while we would have liked to do more, the committee has chosen two events which we feel will remind the West Indian community of the life altering work of this most Caribbean of men.” The first event, which is by invitation only, will be The Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Lecture held on March 10 at the Central Bank Auditorium in Port of Spain. Sir Everton will receive the Noble Spirit Award at the event. Sir Everton, who is now 92 years old, is the only member of “The Three Ws” still alive. Sir Clyde died at age 80 in 2006.

At this year’s lecture, the speaker will be legendary international broadcaster Sir Trevor McDonald. Sir Trevor, who joined the BBC in 1969, is a Trinidadian who became one of the United Kingdom’s leading news anchors both at the BBC and ITN for several decades. Sir Trevor will be interviewed by Newsday’s Editor in Chief Jones P Madeira.

The Sir Frank Worrell 50th anniversary commemorative dinner on March 11 will be held at the Queen’s Park Oval and is open to the public. Renowned storyteller Paul Keens Douglas and veteran calypsonian Lord Relator will provide entertainment.

The cost of the dinner is $350.

Ainsworth Harewood, chairman of The Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Committee, said there is more to Sir Frank than what he achieved on the field.

“Sir Frank was much more than a world class cricketer. He was intelligent, well educated and possessed tremendous diplomatic skills, all of which he utilised efficiently in promoting the spirit of regionalism in the game of cricket, as well as in the wider elements of the Caribbean society,” he said.

Harewood said the committee would like to inspire the younger generation through Sir Frank. “It has been the committee’s objective to draw to the attention of the region’s younger generation in particular, the story of Sir Frank’s life with the hope that individuals will be encouraged to become better athletes, and eventually leaders and role models in society.”

“The press release that was done was done in error…it couldn’t be a crime free Carnival…and it was corrected.” The minister explained, “There were crimes committed during the Carnival in certain areas.

There were different levels of crime committed. It was not a crime free Carnival as such.” Dillon said, “As I alluded before…there were murders…one or two related to Carnival but there were murders throughout TT during this period (that were not related to Carnival.” The minister stressed, “What I must emphasise is that…bearing in mind the volume of people in Port-of-Spain, San Fernando, Arima…

celebrating Carnival…bearing the amount of people that were there…given the presence of law enforcement…there was some sort of deterrence.” Dillon said, “While it did not eradicate all of the crime, there were deterrents.” He opined, “It could have been worse had it not been for that strong presence of law enforcement.” I

T WAS AN ERROR

Asked how the “crime free” Carnival statement issued by his ministry was released if there was information that crime took place during Carnival, Dillon replied, “There was an error there and it was corrected. You will realise that the correction was done almost soon after.” When a reporter asked whether the statement was revised based on public pressure, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young said, “As you all…members of the media would know…when these things go out…

there are a lot of things that take place immediately after. I don’t think that is a right connotation.” Young added the National Security Ministry was standing by this correction.

In its release on March 1, the ministry said Dillon wished to thank members of the Defence and Protective Services, “for their efforts in making Carnival 2017 crime free.” The release said Dillon noted the high presence and visibility of officers on the streets during this Carnival period contributed to safer festivities and minimized crime.

Dillon extended extended sincere condolences to the family of former soldier Sgt. Dexter James, and to the family of PC Sherwin Cedeno who both passed away after separate incidents on Carnival Monday.

In the unsigned release, Dillon expressed concern over the murder of female citizens. He also expressed condolences to the family of Ambrozina Bernard and her daughter Cathy Ann Bernard, who were found dead inside a bedroom of their two-storey mansion in Siparia on Carnival Monday night.

The first release concluded by saying Dillon gave the assurance his ministry, “will continue to work unceasingly to reduce crime in TT, so as to make this country a safer place for all.” The revised release which was issued yesterday by the ministry said, Dillon thanked the Defence Force and Protective Services for their efforts, “in minimizing incidents of crime during Carnival 2017.” The amended statement said Dillon noted the high presence and visibility of officers on the streets during the Carnival period, “contributed to safer festivities and minimised crime.”

PRAISE FOR COAST GUARD

In a separate statement, the ministry said Dillon praised the Coast Guard on its recent multi-million dollar drug bust in international waters during a joint drug interdiction operation with the United States Coast Guard.

The interception took place on February 16 in international waters north of Paramaribo, off the coast of Suriname and resulted in a find of 4.2 tonnes of cocaine with an estimated street value of US$125 million ($837,000,000). The ministry said this was one of largest drug busts in the Atlantic since 1999.

The ministry said, “This successful joint operation is demonstrative of the significance of maintaining close international and regional cooperation and coordination in addressing issues related to the transshipment of illegal drugs across borders.” The ministry pledged to continue to engage our international and regional partners on strategic and cooperative initiatives in several areas consistent with efforts to mitigate against cross-border crimes.

Dillon reinforced this position at the post-Cabinet briefing.”That is based to a large extent on our relationship with the United States,” he stated. Dillon reminded reporters, “Some time ago, you would have heard me mention, we have an officer in a strategic position in a facility in the United States.” He explained.

“That has allowed us to benefit from intelligence sharing, from intelligence information.” Apart from narcotics, Dillon said this country continues to share intelligence as well with its international partners about, “arms and ammunition and other areas of security.” In commending officers from the Immigration Department for dealing with the large volume of visitors coming to TT over the Carnival period, Dillon said, “We are looking at the introduction of a kiosk…first dealing with citizens (of TT)…where citizens are allowed on entry…to straight to the kiosk…

fingerprint scan…passport scan…

and your passport picture.” Dillon said this should be implemented between now and the end of the year.

He was confident this kiosk would be operational before Carnival 2018

During the briefing, Dolly said she received a report from the National Carnival Commission (NCC) regarding a glitch during Sunday’s Dimanche Gras show and corrective action is being taken to prevent a repeat of that issue at next year’s show. After the briefing, she quashed rumours that Kenny De Silva had resigned as NCC chairman. “There is no resignation from Mr De Silva,” Gadbsy Dolly told reporters.

Earlier in the briefing, Gadsby Dolly disclosed, “The Cabinet has made the decision that Calypso Rose will receive a diplomatic passport and as well…with her permission…an aircraft of our Caribbean Airlines fleet will be named for her…in recognition of her stellar achievement.” Last month, Rose became this country’s first ever artiste to win the French version of the Grammy’s — the Victoires de la Musique — after her platinum selling album Far From Home, was voted Album of the Year.

On February 24, Rose paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley at the Office of the Prime Minister in St Clair. After Rose won her award, Rowley said, “Calypso Rose has consistently delivered high quality music and entertaining performances to a wide variety of audiences during her long career.” Gadsby Dolly also said the consensus was that this year’s Carnival was both enjoyable and successful, with large turnouts of persons at various Carnival events such as the Calypso Fiesta competition in San Fernando.

On a problem at the Dimanche Gras show which resulted in no performances taking place for 90 minutes after the calypso monarch finals, the minister said the producer of the show had issued an apology for that situation.

On plans to undertake a forensic audit of Pan Trinbago, Gadsby Dolly said a commitment was given to look into this matter once Carnival was over. Stating that discussions with the relevant parties will take place, Gadsby Dolly stated, “We are going to proceed.” The minister said the post-Carnival analysis has begun and will continue,” as we look to improvements in Carnival 2018.” She said this exercise involves the Planning Ministry, Economic Development Board, the Central Statistical Office and her ministry.

Observing that no economic impact assessment has been done on Carnival “for quite a number of years,” Gadsby Dolly said the outcome of this assessment will give a better idea of what accrues to the Government, map the economic spend of Carnival, identify challenges during this year’s celebrations and inform strategies for Carnival 2018.

According to reports, the 27-year-old victim who knows the officer, made arrangements on Carnival Monday night for him to take her home. According to a police report, at about 10.55 pm the woman was at Roxborough when she met with the officer who drove her to her Plymouth apartment.

The constable reportedly told the victim he had worked all day, was a bit tired and asked that he be given an opportunity to take a rest before returning to the police station. The woman reportedly felt sorry and invited him inside and was about to prepare a sofa for him to rest when he overpowered her and bodily threw her on a bed.

The woman said she attempted to fight off the officer but he was too strong and later raped her.The officer later told the woman he had to go back to work and left the apartment.

She contacted relatives and went to the Scarborough Police Station where a report was made the woman was medically examined on Carnival Tuesday.

Senior police officers carried out enquiries and on Wednesday when the officer turned up for duties he was arrested and taken to the Scarborough Police Station where he was placed in a cell.

Police sources revealed that when he was detained, the officer protested his innocence claiming he was being “set up” and that the woman was a willing partner in the sex act.

Yesterday, Assistant Commissioner of Police Irwin Hackshaw confirmed that officers in Tobago are probing a report of rape and added that the matter is still under investigation.

He said once investigations are completed, the case file will be sent to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for a determination to be made on how to proceed with the case.

However, Presbyterian Church Moderator, the Right Reverend Annabell Lalla- Ramkhelawan disagreed with that proposal saying the Education Ministry should instead focus on getting parents to assume their parental responsibilities and send their children to school. During a media conference at the Education Ministry’s Towers, Port-of-Spain on Wednesday, Seecharan said the issue of school attendance continued to be a perennial problem due to poor turnout by students at both the primary and secondary school levels.

In a telephone interview yesterday, SDMS secretary general Satnarayan Maharaj said he had originally proposed the idea of giving the schools a week vacation due to the high levels of absenteeism by students.

“I support that completely, take the whole week for Carnival and give back the children the week in one of the holidays, either the long summer vacation or the Easter vacation,” Maharaj said.

“As a matter of fact, that was my proposal, let them take the whole week- Carnival and make it up back, cut out from one of the vacation period and ensure that the children get the same amount of school time,” he added.

Asked whether absenteeism was also a problem at SDMS schools during the Carnival week, he said: “yes, it is across the board. It is not so pronounced at Maha Sabha schools but even so, it is happening across the board because we are seeing a great reduction in attendance and normally we don’t have it.” In full agreement was ASJA president general, Haji Yacoob Ali who also said that the July/August holidays could be reduced by one week to facilitate the Carnival week holiday.

“In my personal view, I think this would be the better thing to do and decrease the holidays at summer time so they can have an additional school week before the break for the August vacation,” Ali said.

However, he said absenteeism was more prevalent at government schools as opposed to denominational schools.

“It’s always better with us because the religious denominational schools have never had the problems of the government schools,” he said. Meanwhile, former Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh said the proposal was one he had attempted to implement during his tenure but which had been met with strong opposition by stakeholders.

But sadly, little seems to have been done to capitalise on the attention.

Instead, there is the feeling that of all the years Bolt could have chosen to visit, this was one of the worst.

All around, there have been complaints that Carnival was simply underwhelming. So much so that National Carnival Commission Chairman Kenny De Silva was forced to confirm yesterday that he will be leaving the post once litigation matters in relation to this year’s events are concluded.

Notwithstanding this, we congratulate all of the winners of the major titles.

Ronnie and Caro’s second Band of the Year title is a reminder of what can be achieved by all bandleaders.

Ronnie and Caro always have a clear theme and make an effort to put on a dramatic presentation.

They have proven that relative newcomers can scale the heights of recognition once reached by George Bailey and Peter Minshall, to the extent that even veteran masmen like Brian MacFarlane can be eclipsed on the tally sheets.

The Road March went as expected to Ultimate Rejects led by MX Prime with Full Extreme. The song also broke the record for the most plays, surpassing SuperBlue’s Fantastic Friday. Last year’s champion, Machel Montano, had to settle for a distant second place, though he also copped third.

The victory of Full Extreme perhaps is a sign of the frustration being experienced by the citizenry.

With lines like, “The city could burn down — we jamming still,” it has been variously interpreted as satirical and uplifting: a sign of Trini resilience.

“We do care about the state of things in our country,” remarked Anya Ayoung-Chee in a Newsday interview in relation to the song.

“And we believe we can build on our history of activism in this region and stand up as individuals for what we imagine to be a better society.” If the song is about apathy and myopia, it has also clearly inspired activism, including on Ayoung- Chee’s part. But none captured the true essence of Carnival 2017 better than Roman Catholic Archbishop Joseph Harris.

“My dear friends, these two months of the year 2017 have been the bloodiest in our history,” he observed once the dust had settled on Ash Wednesday. “The recession has hit us with ensuing job losses and the gap between rich and poor widening every day. While some of us live very well, an increasing number of people, many of them our relatives and friends, are finding it extremely difficult to make ends meet.” Indeed, it is hard not to regard the Carnival 2017 festivities as one massive bubble in which people attempted, in vain, to hide from the realities facing our nation. True, this country has faced tough times before. And yes, Carnival has been regarded as a national catharsis, a moment when the nation breathes and finds what is joyful in life once more.

But this merry-go-round routine is getting stale. After a while, one cannot help but question how useful Carnival is to a society which is struggling in the most basic of things: safety, security, healthcare, environment and economic prosperity.

Our law enforcement agencies are yet to solve the murder of Asami Nagakiya, found dead one year ago in her Carnival costume.

Was this year’s Carnival a time for reflection? Did it refresh us as we resume the struggle to build our society? Or was it one massive logistical and cultural waste of time? It is for citizens to decide. Meanwhile, students have once more turned up absent on Ash Wednesday, perhaps needing a break from all of the merriment. But was the Greatest Show on Earth really merry this year?

Something. Anything.

The environment. The work ethic. The deteriorating sense of morality. Crime. Choose something.

Today, I’m going to tackle the work ethic once again. Why, may I ask, in this Internet age must we still be tortured by lackadaisical, lollygagging public servants who make us wait in senseless lines for the sole purpose of destroying any semblance of patriotism that we can muster on a good day? Why must we line up at 5 am to get into the Immigration Office, and why does it take months to get an appointment? Government could save a lot of money, foster confidence and create a sense of pride in this country if it would only put people in high places who cared about solving the asinine delays that plague the Public Service.

The Licensing Office would be a good place to start.

So let me tell you what inspired this particular column.

On Ash Wednesday, my daughter Ijanaya and I wasted almost two good hours at the port trying to get tickets to Tobago for the middle of April.

Two women were selling tickets, and of course they kept taking passengers who were buying tickets for the noon sailing that day. Just why people have to wait to buy tickets at the last minute, I don’t know, but there you have it.

Meanwhile, the organised people around us who were trying to come early to buy tickets in advance — way in advance in our case — have to stand around like mooks. There’s no one to help us. We have to suck it up for all of the late, unorganised people.

My guess was we’d wait in line only to find out tickets were sold out.

I thought about going to the information booth, but I couldn’t get near the window because passengers with many bags blocked the window.

I walked over to another window and asked a man, “What do you have in place to wait on people who are trying to buy tickets for another day?” In the rudest manner possible — what is new in a government office? — the man says, “We’re only dealing with the noon sailing.” Well, guess what, mister, there’s a such thing in this world as planning and service. Not at the port, but it does exist somewhere.

When we finally get to the window and ask for tickets for April 17, the woman says, “We don’t have a schedule yet for April.” Really? Lady, people can go on Expedia and book tickets to Timbuktu for a year from now, and people in Trinidad can’t book a ferry six weeks in advance to Tobago. Poor. Very poor.

Then, the port lady had the audacity to tell us to check the website. Once again, lady, your website is a desert of information.

When we complained about standing in line for over an hour to get nowhere in our quest for tickets, she had the gall to ask us why we didn’t go to the information window? Lady, you have no order inside the port. We couldn’t get close to it because travellers were blocking it.

And so I ask you, dear readers, “Why can’t we go online and buy tickets to go to Tobago? Why can’t we feel part of the Internet age? Why do we put up with awful service? Tell me, why? I can’t help but feel that if everyone c o m – plained a b o u t the serv i c e we get in this country t h i n g s w o u l d have to change.

Confirmation that she was murdered was made during an autopsy on Ash Wednesday at the Forensic Science Centre in St James. Hosein sustained multiple head injuries.

At about 8 am on Saturday, a tilapia farmer found Hosein’s body face down in one of his ponds located off St John’s Road, near Brothers Road in Rio Claro. She had been hog-tied.

The body was subsequently fished out of the pond and identified by relatives. Hosein of Reserve Road off Pascall Road in Piparo was a mother of three and was employed with the Community-based Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme (CEPEP) and also worked as a hairdresser.

She left home for work last week Friday and when she failed to return home, her son Sheik Hosein went in search of her on the assumption she may have been stranded for transportation.

His search ended at about 3 am on Saturday and a few hours later he lodged a Missing Person report at Princes Town Police Station.

Sources indicated that on Friday, Hosein withdrew three months’ worth of pension cheques, which amounted to over $10,000, from the bank.

That money remains unaccounted for. PC Gillard of the Homicide Investigations Bureau Region II is continuing investigations.

One of the suspects who escaped custody and was later recaptured, was charged with larceny of a handcuff.

He and his accomplice were also charged with robbery of a cell phone and firearm-related offences. In the first incident, it was reported that at 4.30 am on Carnival Saturday, Cpl Thompson, PC Maharaj, PC Seegobin and officers of La Brea CID responded to a report of robbery in which Jay Patrick was shot at and relieved of his cellphone by three men whom he had offered a lift.

The report stated that on reaching Three Hands in La Brea, Patrick exited his vehicle to urinate when he was shot at and his phone taken away. The men escaped but were subsequently held in nearby bushes. One man is still at large but police said an arrest is imminent. It was reported that while placing a handcuffed suspect into the police vehicle, he kicked PC Seegobin and escaped.

He was subsequently arrested at his home. On Carnival Monday, during J’Ouvert celebrations, PCs Francois was bitten on his hand and Seegobin who was attacked on Saturday, was this time beaten with a piece of wood when the officers attempted to restore order among an unruly crowd of revellers.

Charges were laid by W/Sgt Taitt, Cpl Thompson and PC Maharaj. All three suspects are expected to appear before a Point Fortin magistrate today.