Lamenting the high dropout rate from rehabilitation programmes, the report said people running this humanitarian effort must have the necessary legal standing to act in the best interest of the socially displaced and general public. “There have been several instances where street dwellers have confronted members of the public and inflicted physical and emotional injuries.

“As such, the implementation of legislation to allow for the involuntary removal and transfer of the socially displaced to appropriate care centres or facilities must be a priority for the ministry.” The report said that in seeking amendments to the Socially Displaced Persons Act, the line ministry must mull the costs and benefits of new provisions that allow for the “involuntary removal, transfer or confinement” of the socially displaced.

“Should the policy position be in favour of a coercive approach, the modified legislation must include the necessary special-majority formula and consultation with the necessary stakeholders.” The report also said that to reduce the drop-out rate from rehabilitation programmes, any changes to legislation should allow for the “safe and timely removal of street dwellers without consent.” The report said fresh laws will complement the monitoring of the rehabilitation of people who sometimes deliberately duck such help.

“As this cohort of persons are generally considered to be ‘care avoiders,’ an appropriate legal framework to facilitate involuntary treatment and rehabilitation may well be justifiable under the circumstances.” The report quoted the concerns of formermayor of Port-of-Spain Keron Valentine.

“The mayor lamented that it is difficult to keep the city clean and safe since some street dwellers are mentally ill and attack members of the public and litter the surroundings.” However, even as the report cited the Port-of-Spain City Council saying the removal of destitutes was not one of its core functions, other agencies such as the police, courts and St Ann’s Hospital also complained of not being able to cope with them.

The report decribed a situation of “passing the buck” amongst such agencies.

The JSC related that police report the difficulties of trying to apply the law to street dwellers.

In a five-month period in 2015-2016, some 29 street dwellers were arrested in San Fernando, causing overcrowding at St Ann’s Hospital.

“The Chief Medical Officer who was also present at the hearing confirmed the adverse impact such an influx of patients had on the hospital.” After most of this cohort were held for a month, they returned to the streets because they were homeless.

The committee hoped enactment of the Socially Displaced Persons Act (maybe amended) could remedy challenges with accommodating destitutes, in jail or hospital.

“To the best of my knowledge that article contained no new information and in fact contains significant misinformation. The information that I have is that the minister did respond and I am not aware that there is any minister in the Cabinet that has put any money in any bank and did not comply with the requirements of that .

“To not comply will have consequences to that and I am not aware that there is any minister facing consequences in that area. So, I don’t know that there is anything for me to respond to.” On January 8, 2016, Robinson- Regis was reported to have walked into the Arima branch of First Citizens with cash totalling $143,800.

The minister had conducted two cash transactions — a payment to T&T Mortgage Finance Company in the sum of $60,030 via a Manager’s Cheque #70260 and a payment of $16,000 to a Visa Card. Watchdog group Fixin T&T has since called on Robinson-Regis to make public the specifics of the bank transactions she conducted on January 8, 2016.

THE expansion of the domestic agricultural sector will be the key topic of discussion between members of the Land and Physical Infrastructure Joint Select Committee (JSC) of the Parliament, when it meets with officials from the Agriculture Ministry, Caroni Green and the National Marketing and Development Corporation (Namdevco) at a public hearing at Tower D of the Port-of-Spain Internationalo Waterfront Centre tomorrow (Tuesday) from 10 am. Independent Senator Stephen Creese is the chairman of this JSC.

Caricom leaders also agreed last Friday to support the establishment of an interim Tourism Working Group that will prepare a pilot, region-wide public relations and marketing initiative and include mechanisms for financing by the private and public sector. Caricom leaders next meet in conference in Grenada from July 4 to 6.

This view was expressed in a statement issued by the Planning Ministry regarding TT’s participation in a regional project entitled, “Advancing the Nagoya Protocol in Countries of the Caribbean Region.” Planning Minister Camille Robinson-Regis recently announced this country’s participation in the project which will focus on access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilization.

The overall of the project is to determine whether TTo should become party to the Nagoya Protocol which refers to the way in which indigenous genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge may be accessed, and how the benefits resulting from their use may be shared between the entities or countries that use the resources (users) and those that provide them (providers).

The ministry said TT has considerable potential with respect to the utilisation of genetic resources, particularly as a source of genetic materials which would contribute to the stock of biological resources required for research and development by external parties. This country’s agricultural sector is likely to be the primary sector for biotechnology research as there are ready markets and a high demand for the commercialisation of bioengineered agricultural products.

Other sectors which may provide opportunities may include (but are not necessarily limited to) horticulture and the manufacture of non-timber forest products such as fabrics, dyes and pharmaceuticals.

The manufacture of organically based pesticides and biofuels remain an emerging sector for the application of biotechnology with the potential to access lucrative markets for organic agricultural produce and renewable energy respectively.

The 49-year-old Adams, who replaced Englishman Richard Pybus a month ago, resigned as coach of English county team Kent last October.

Now the ex-WI captain, who served as deputy to Lara from 1999-2000, is tasked with the role of helping to resurrect the fortunes of the game regionally.

Asked if Adams can help spark a turnaround in WI cricket, Lara, speaking during the launch of his island-wide Cricket Tour at the Barataria Oval on Thursday, jokingly replied, “as long as he doesn’t take it like his batting, very defensive.” Lara stressed, “I think Jimmy’s got to be very authoritative in terms of his approach and get what he needs if he thinks he’s going to make a difference in West Indies cricket. I’m banking on him.

“I know Jimmy since youth days and he’s very knowledgeable, but a bit reserved. I’m hoping that (he sees) his job as something that he has to really pioneer a move for change in West Indies cricket.” As far as the regional game is concerned, Lara made it clear that “talent in the Caribbean has never been an issue.” He said, “what it is, is bridging that gap between being a talented teenager and what the West Indies have created in terms of a support. We don’t have that professionalism in West Indies where you can take the talent and make sure that when they can get to the international level, that it’s ready to go. We see people in Australia and England, and they take mediocre talent and all of a sudden they’re on the world stage and doing very well. I say it all the time, we take great talent and make it mediocre.” About his expectations for the forthcoming home series against England (three One Day Internationals) and Pakistan (two T20 Internationals, three ODIs and three Tests), Lara noted, “I really don’t focus on results in terms of West Indies cricket, even when I played, I’ve struggled a bit to get a lot of victories. So it (was) all about identifying that moment when I feel we’ve made that turn around the corner.” He added, “a win here or there is not important to me. I want to see a lot more consistency in our cricket.

So that is what I’ll be looking for.” The batting legend also touched on the infamous Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba. “It’s been 10 years,” he said.

“Work stopped on it for the past five or so years. I know the present Government made a statement that this has to finish. Presently, what I see, it looks amazing. But facilities around Trinidad and Tobago always start off looking very good.

“What I’m more concerned is how self-sufficient it’s going to be. How dependent in Government it would be and that’s my main focus. The actual structure is one thing but bringing life to it is another,” Lara ended.

Lara, along with the Trinidad and Tobago Amateur Boxing Association, hosted many boxing events at Lara’s residence last year leading up to the 2016 Olympics.

Super heavyweight boxer Paul, who was TT’s only boxer at the 2016 Olympics, will headline tomorrow’s boxing card where TT will square off against Jamaica in six bouts.

Paul will battle Jamaican Ricardo Brown in a 91+kilogramme contest.

In other fights on the night, Jessie Beckles (TT) will fight Ricardo Carter (Jamaica) in a 60kg bout, Aaron Prince (TT) squares off against Janathan Hanson in a 75kg bout and Romell Lezama (TT) will face Damion Williams in a 69kg contest. Also, Michael Alexander (TT) will compete against Marvin Shea in a 64kg fight, and Brandon Dennis (TT) will duke it out against Ian Darby in a 85kg bout.

There will be two local bouts on the card, as Nyrell Hosien faces Kevin Ramdeo and Tyron St Clair tackles Tyron Thomas.

Lawrence have been training extensively for this fight, with a routine consisting of six-mile runs (inclusive of wind sprints) daily, weights training, wood chopping with effects and free weights. And, during the next fortnight, the 29-year-old will have frequent sparring partners, as he continues preparations for the first defence of the title which he won last January, after defeating Nigel “Cow” Edwards in Siparia. Lawrence’s manager Boxu Potts, in a media release, stated, “as we are preparing Sheldon for this fight, we are not leaving anything to chance. We know De Clou has been to the ring on 16 occasions and was successful in 13 of the 16 (bouts) so we are treating him as a very formidable opponent.” Potts added, “we are very aware (that) we are going in De Clou backyard in Guyana so we are definitely moving with neutral judges — one from Venezuela, one from Guyana and the other from Trinidad.”

There were 70 women participating, with 17 foreign players from a number of countries such as Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Suriname and Curacao.

Mackenzie, a Trinidad and Tobago golfer, shot rounds of 79 and 76 to finish with an overall score of 155 to win the top crown on the day. Mackenzie took advantage of the absence of Ysabelle Lawrence, who won the title in 2015 and 2016. Finishing second yesterday was Yeji Lee (TT ) with 160 after shooting rounds of 76 and 84, while Karina Matabadal (TT ) was third with 170 after rounds of 86 and 84.

Browne’s fifth place finish was the highest ever finish by a Trinidad and Tobago cyclist in the men’s keirin event at the UCI World Cup. Winning the event was Colombian Fabian Puerta, Frenchman Francois Pervis was second and Tomas Babek of Czech Republic was third.

Earlier, Browne was second in his first round heat behind Andrii Vynokurov of Ukraine.

Browne was also second in his semifinal race.

Yesterday, Browne was scheduled to compete in the men’s sprint.