Root and Branch Jouvay is taken from the old Jouvay tradition of masqueraders coming into town with broken-off branches or flowers on their bodies.

The band is encouraging masqueraders to hype up their floral decoration inspired by the beautiful floral adornment of the tribes of the Omo Valley in Ethiopia.

The Rebel Soldiers part of the band pays tribute to a series of iconic Caribbean resistance heroes like Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, Carib warchief Hatuey and Hatian liberator Toussaint, said a media release.

The all-inclusive jump-up package features: premium drinks; breakfast on the road, a water truck cool down to end the jump, blue and gold paint, T-shirts and more. Music on the road will be provided by two DJs.

Generation Lion’s mas camp is located at 27 Methuen Street, Woodbrook. For more info: Generation Lion Jouvay on Facebook.

The duo will come together again, tomorrow, Under The Trees at The Normandie Hotel in St Ann’s.

They will be joined by immensely talented three-time junior calypso monarch Aaron Duncan, and upcoming chutney/ soca artiste chef Jason Peru. Making a special appearance will be former national calypso monarch Gypsy (Winston Peters), all backed by The A Team Band.

Born in Tobago in 1930, Lord Nelson was a panman and calypsonian before carving out a place for himself as an innovative force in soca. He moved to the United States as a teenager. He served in the Korean War, and during his tour of duty he sang calypso, ballads and other popular material for his fellow troops. In the late 1950s Nelson began playing with a Stateside steelband, but singing eventually became his main focus.

Meeting fellow calypsonian, Mighty Duke in 1963 and later on the Mighty Sparrow, influenced Nelson to carve out a niche for himself within the calypso fraternity of the United States. Nelson’s early calypsoes exhibited a unique sound, which was strongly influenced by the American funk he was hearing.

He scored hits with songs such as Garrot Bounce, Stella, King Liar, Bald Head Rasta and Disco Daddy which were hailed by critics as innovative with Nelson being heralded as one of the best-loved calypsonians of the day. He is also credited as being the first calypsonian to introduce computerised instruments in his music.

He found a great deal of popularity, to the extent that in 1989 he won the title of Uncrowned King in a competition for off-island artistes at Trinidad’s annual Carnival.

In 1990 he signed with Shanachie, which ensured good distribution for his music, and he was able to go global with his sound.

Lord Nelson is also the uncle of another young soca/rapso artist, Mojah. Nelson, now 84-years-old, continues to perform.

At 81 years, Sparrow continues to demonstrate a knack to be able to please the rhythmic palate of an audience with ease with selections from his extensive lists of hits and favourites.

His fans have been describing him as still being a vibrant entertainer with incredible talent and unlimited skills.

However, let us not fool ourselves that this team, headed by criminologist Prof Ramesh Deosaran, former chairman of the Police Service Commission, will be wielding a “magic wand” and will thus be coming up with recommendations which will be a panacea that will remedy the long-standing and deep-seated ills of the Police Service.

I have heard it said, for example: (a) That the difficulties of the service started when prospective recruits were to possess O-Level and A-Level qualifications in order to have a chance of even being interviewed as to their suitability of being selected and, in consequence of which, the police officer has become “hide- bound” in the mold of the traditional civil servant rather than his/her being “on the beat” – a situation which has led to a divorcing of the police officer from the community to which he/she has been assigned.

(b) In the performance of his/ her duties, the police officer, being a human being, has not been encouraged to perform even normal duties conscientiously, far less to committing himself/herself to “going the extra mile,” on account of the lethargy and the slow movement in the system of the administration of justice.

© Corruption and misbehaviour in public office have become more prevalent than hitherto in the Police Service as offending officers seek an elevated lifestyle in order to “keep up with the Joneses.” (d) It has been stated officially that the Police Service numbers 8,000 officers — 6,000 full-time permanent and 2,000 Special Reserve — and that, therefore, by international standards, this country is well served in terms of numbers.

It follows, therefore, that Deosaran and his colleagues are expected to address such matters as: (1) Recruitment and the qualifications for entry into the Police Service.

(2) Organisational structure, the deployment of officers, inter- personnel relationships and responsibilities.

(3) Disciplinary procedures etc.

(4) Of course, matters relating to the quality of prospective officers and their promotion (or otherwise) will need to be addressed.

In light of the foregoing, I am constrained to direct attention to the character, as a police officer, of a man whom I would classify as a “model” police officer. I refer to Senior Superintendent Nunez Wilberforce Dennis who departed this life recently at the age of 80. A man who never forgot his humble beginnings, he rose through the ranks by way of: (a) His unstinting devotion and commitment to his office.

(b) His personal decency and respectful disposition.

© Most important, his community spirit which led him to know the area to which he was assigned as well as its people, in particular, which thus enabled him to establish that bond of mutual respect and confidence and interface which, inter alia, are necessary for successful policing.

Errol OC Cupid Trincity, Tacarigua

I am hoping the Minister of Education is planning to meet with principals of the private secondary schools where students are placed following the SE A results.

These private schools receive $1,200 a term for each student placed by the Ministry of Education.

That figure is woefully inadequate since the actual instructional cost per student is between $3,500 and $4,500 a term, depending on the school.

The ministry should look at increasing the fees paid for students placed at private secondary schools, and consideration should be given to make the payments retroactive to a mutually acceptable date.

Ian Green Couva

Maharaj was called as a witness as a constitutional claim filed by environmentalist Dr Wayne Kublalsingh and the HRM on August 3, 2012, continued in the Port-of-Spain High Court before Justice James Aboud.

In the claim, Kublalsingh and the HRM contend that Government contravened their rights to, “life, security, enjoyment of property, freedom of expression and freedom of association”, by building the highway without consulting them properly. Among its contentions, Kublalsingh and the group are seeking a declaration that the alleged actions of former National Security Minister Jack Warner and a group of soldiers in destroying their Debe protest camp and arresting Kublalsingh and some of the group’s members on June 27, 2012, were illegal.

Under cross-examination by Senior Counsel Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, who is lead co-counsel for Kublalsingh and the HRM, the former CDS, who was present at the protest camp along with former national security minister Jack Warner, and others, also said he did not consider he had a duty to seek legal advice on the legality of a direction by the minister for the army to go to the site.

Maharaj (K) also said he could not recall Dr Kublalsingh protesting against the army’s presence that day. He also could not recall the specific details regarding the activities that took place on the morning of June 27, 2012.

In answer to a suggestion by Maharaj that orders were given to soldiers to remove Kublalsingh from the site, the former CDS said because he was not in charge of the operation, there were, “likely to be orders issued by the officer in charge to his subordinates on the conduct of the operation.” Also testifying was one of the police officers who arrested Kublalsingh.

PC Daniel Gerald denied assertions that the environmentalist was dragged after he was handcuffed and his arms placed behind his back.

Gerald admitted to seeing Warner and Maharaj (K) that morning but he could not say if the former minister gave any instruction to a soldier.

Further cross-examination continues when the trial resumes on March 29.

Also expected to testify at the trial is Warner.

As part of their claim, Kublalsingh and the HRM contend they had a legitimate expectation that the Government would have abided by the findings of a study done by the Joint Consultative Council for the Construction Industry (JCC) led by former Independent Senator Dr James Armstrong.

Work on the Point Fortin Highway have come to a halt and its main contractor Brazilian firm Construtora OAS was fired from the $7 billion project last year. The Government is currently seeking a new contractor for the project.

Representing the Attorney General are Russell Martineau, SC, Deborah Peake, SC, along with Kelvin Ramkissoon and Shastri Roberts. Senior Counsel Fyard Hosein, Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj SC, Anil Maraj and Rishi Dass are representing Kublalsingh and the Re- Route Movement.

In fact, current economic conditions might present a huge opportunity for expansion.

He gave this insight to students on Monday at Scotiabank Insights, a motivational programme of the bank, held at The Teaching and Learning Complex at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine campus.

Professor Ramroop said businesses can do this by looking for markets abroad, using his own company Maurice Sedwell, on London’s famous Savile Row as an example.

He said he bought the company in 1988 but in the early 1990s, the UK went into a deep recession, almost a depression and that is when he expanded his business by looking for customers and markets abroad.

He said that at the time the company was only exporting one or two percent but now it exports 70 percent of suits to customers in 60 countries. He made the point that his suits are luxury items, high quality bespoke suits costing ?6,000 each (TT$60,000). “They are expensive but are affordable for people who can afford it.” Ramroop, originally from Maingot Road in Tunapuna, migrated to the United Kingdom at 17 to pursue his dream of becoming a master tailor. At the event, he detailed many problems encountered getting started in the trade both as a young man in TT and in London before breaking into the exclusive “tailoring mile” – Savile Row – as a black person.

He told the students, some of whom came from Servol’s Beetham Life Centre, that they should never give up their dreams despite whatever problems they might encounter.

Eventually he did succeed in getting a job with one of the tailoring businesses on the street and went on to buy the shop, becoming the first black man to own a business on Savile Row. Ramroop was honoured by the Queen with an Order of the British Empire (OBE ) in 2008. He told his youthful audience that if they have the confidence, passion and will to succeed they should think of themselves as a business.

He said all the people who had turned him down before he succeeded, were actually preparing him for his future. “Anyone who says ‘no’ to you is driving you on,” he said.

Entertainer and radio host Rodell Cumberbatch, who is also Chief Executive Officer of his own production company, Blu Moon Productions, also made a presentation on his achievements and served as Master of Ceremonies for the event.

Members voted 2:1 in support of a resolution to revise the Rules and Regulations for the first time in the Institute’s 46-year history.

Established by an Act of Parliament, ICATT has responsibility for the regulation of the accounting profession, the development and ethical performance of its membership.

ICATT president Pria Narinesingh described the outcome as a ‘great day and an important change’ for the accountancy profession in Trinidad and Tobago.

In the lead up to the EGM and in the face of feedback raised by some of the Institute’s 1,400 members, the President maintained that the new rules and regulations are more comprehensive and a must do to comply with international requirements. “The new rules promote transparency and accountability and improve ICATT’s ability to regulate and discipline members.

Overall, the change is a big win for the public and its right to a high quality professional service when members are called to a higher standard of performance,” she said. Among the major changes is the definition of just who is considered to be an accountant in public practice.

The updated definition is now internationally aligned and the regulatory net of the Institute has been widened.

ICATT will be changing its infrastructure to better support all members needs through these changes and beyond. In addition, the processes and procedures for the licensing of members to practice have been strengthened.

A Licensing Committee will be formed to grant, amend and renew Practising and Auditing Certificates and the process will be more rigorous.

Disciplinary proceedings have also been updated and Professional Indemnity Insurance cover for members in practice will be required to protect both the public and the firm. The new rules will take effect from January 1 of 2018.

During the launch, held at the VIP Lounge, MovieTowne, the Bank met with clients and key partners to discuss how the youth programme has evolved and how they could get involved. Joining White were Rob Johnston, CEO Caribbean Banking; Amos Herai, Head HR; Biz Mukerji, Chief Risk Officer; Erin Barton, WE’s Chief Development Officer and members of the WE coordinating team.

White said that given the socio-economic challenges facing so many youths, programmes like Young Leaders and WE Schools provide avenues for young people to make positive change in their lives and impact their communities.

RBC and WE have been in partnership in Canada since 2012, promoting service learning and community engagement among youth through integrated, schoolsbased programmes.

Over the past three years, the partnership has included TT through RBC’s annual Leadership Conference where hundreds of students from secondary schools attended leadership development activities.

“Our partnership with the WE team has led to the formation of WE Schools/ Young Leaders, which broadens the scope and reach of our Young Leaders programme.

For more than 30 years, the Young Leaders programme has impacted the lives of thousands and while we don’t know the exact numbers, everywhere you go in this country you are sure to find a former Young Leader,” White said.

The opportunity to expand the programme is one the Bank willingly embraced, he added, saying, “This is where we see our higher purpose, making an impact on young lives.

We also encourage our corporate partners to join us on this journey.” Temporary Independent Senator Nikolai Edwards who has joined the WE Schools, coordinating in Trinidad, said the programme can make a difference in the lives of my young people.

When the House last sat on February 13, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley moved a motion to ensure that the joint select committee (JSC) dealing with bill would complete its work and report to the House on Thursday. The bill is essential for TT being compliant with the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) of the United States.

The Opposition, which has so far refused to support the legislation, supported the motion advanced by Rowley. The Prime Minister moved that in accordance with Standing Order 42 (16) that an amendment proposed by Tabaquite MP Dr Suruj Rambachan and seconded by Chaguanas West MP Ganga Singh, be further amended to allow the JSC’s report on the bill to be committed to a committee of the entire House for the purpose of considering a new Clause 29.

This amendment was seconded by Leader of Government Business in the House, Camille Robinson-Regis.

Newsday was informed that once the report and the bill are approved by the House on Thursday, it would satisfy the requirement to pass the bill before month end. When the Senate last sat on February 14, it approved a motion giving the JSC until Thursday to complete its work and to accept its report at that time as an interim one.

The bill requires a three-fifths majority for passage in the House (25 votes) and in the Senate (19 votes). There is no sitting of the Senate scheduled so far for this week but it may sit shortly after Carnival to deal with the bill.

On Sunday, US President had a telephone conversation with Rowley at 4.40 pm. A statement issued by Press Secretary to the Prime Minister, Arlene Gorin George, indicated that Rowley and Trump spoke about a number of issues of mutual interest to TT and the US. Rowley and Trump agreed that both of their administrations, “would continue working together on matters including security and trade.” Sunday’s statement concluded, “It was acknowledged that both countries have had a close working relationship which will continue to be strengthened.” The Prime Minister’s conversation with Trump came three days before the House sits to deal again with the FATCA issue and 24 hours after he returned from the Caricom Heads of Government Meeting in Guyana, where FATCA was a major issue on the agenda.

At a news conference at the Piarco International Airport on Saturday, Rowley said Caricom leaders are seeking to approach the Trump Administration in with a view to eliminating the threat posed to regional banking systems as a result of non-compliance with FATCA).

Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar wrote to Trump in January, asking whether FATCA will be repealed.

On February 13, Finance Minister Colm Imbert said his last communication with the US Government indicated that the Trump Administration is not repealing FATCA.

“The vector has passed from snail to human by contact with the snail’s mucous or by eating improperly cooked snail meat,” the ministry said.

Symptoms of eosinophilic meningitis include headache, neck pain, visual disturbances and hyperesthesias.

The giant African snail has reddish-brown and yellowish stripes running lengthwise along its shell and can grow to be about eight inches long. An adult giant African snail usually has five or more whorls; circles, compared to local snails which have five or less.

The giant African snail is found in the Diego Martin Valley, Carenage, Invaders Bay; behind MovieTowne and the Courtyard by Marriott hotel, as well as in Maraval, Aranjuez, Orange Grove, St.

Joseph Village, San Fernando, Chase Village and Chaguanas.

The snail feeds on over 500 species of plants. Where fruit and vegetable plants are not present, they would feed on ornamentals.

The giant African snail can live for approximately 9 years.

They begin laying eggs at five to six months old. Individual snails produce from ten to 500 eggs, averaging 300 to 1,000 eggs in three to four batches yearly.

The snail is nocturnal and extremely sensitive to high rates of evaporation.

“Therefore they would be more mobile during the cool hours of the early morning, late evening and during the night. On days which are overcast they can also be seen,” the Agriculture Ministry stated.

What is used to get rid of the giant African snail? “Bait; molluscicide, is applied in areas where the presence of the giant African snail is evident or known to be infested. The bait is used to attract and kill the snails. Also used is thiovin, which is sprayed where eggs and juveniles are present.

The snails are then picked up by a gloved hand; either by residents and/or the ministry’s Eradication Team.

Snails collected are destroyed through incineration.” If you find the giant African snail, using a glove or plastic bag, hold the snail by its shell and place it in an enclosed container then call the ministry’s Hotline (646-6284).

You can also email a photo of the snail and information about its location to snailreport@ gmail.com