On Wednesday, baby Jayada’s body was identified at the Centre by her two paternal aunts. Following the autopsy, Ag Cpl Duncan of the Child Protection Unit (CPU) was told by pathologist Dr Hughvon Des Vignes that the initial autopsy report revealed the child died from blunt force trauma.

Pending the outcome of the tests on blood and tissue samples, Newsday was told that in the interim, Dr Des Vignes has classified the baby’s death as ‘unnatural homicide’. Yesterday, officers from Central Division teamed up with CPU’s Ag Cpl Duncan to continue investigations into the circumstances surrounding baby Jayada’s death.

Relatives of the baby are expected to be re-interviewed as well as a pharmacist and medical personnel from both the Chaguanas Health Centre and the Children’s Hospital in the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EW MSC) in Mt Hope. It was reported that on January 31, the drug melatonin was purchased and later administered to baby Jayada who was having trouble sleeping. Half an hour after the baby fell asleep and was placed on a bed, a check was made and she was found unresponsive upside down inside a clothes basket.

She was taken to the Chaguanas Health Centre and then transferred to the Children’s Hospital in Mt Hope. While at the hospital, baby Jayada was placed on a respirator. On Monday, Dr Persad carried out two tests which revealed that Jayada was clinically brain dead and a decision was made to take her off of life support.

She died minutes later.

Central Division head Ag Snr Supt Kenny Mc Intyre yesterday confirmed to Newsday that an extensive enquiry is now underway and the case file, when completed, will be sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for a final determination.

He said that issue is how to protect the more vulnerable persons in society, including women and children .

“ I think what we seen coming out of Monday, is a very very successful conversation with the Prime Minister,” Young declared. He said Rowley will contnue these conversations as planned and, “ we are very observant of the sorts of comments that were made and where the commentary is coming from.” Young said the entire Government, “from the Prime Minister go down through any person in his Cabinet” strongly denounce any form of abuse against anyone in TT .

He said there are existing and new State run protective houses for women and children in abusive relationships .

Indicating that Government is looking to improve the operations of these facilities and at continued funding for non-governmental organisations who provide the same service, Young revealed that Minister of State in the OPM is leading the charge on this front and a draft gender policy is currently attracting the attention of Cabinet’s Finance and General Purposes Committee, which he chairs .

Gadbsy Dolly said she has two daughter and a son. She explained that she and her husband have an ongoing discussion with their children about, “how a relationship should happen, how people should treat you and what defines a proper and a healthy relationship.” Saying this is a responsibility that all persons have, Gadsby Dolly said people must remember that, “life is not predictable.” She added, “That does not take away from the fact that there may be relationships where you thought things were okay and things turn out differently.” Young reiterated, “At the end of the day, we all have a duty and responsibility to look out for each other.” He said Government’s efforts to protect citizens include collaboration with law enforcement, social services and other entities .

Stressing the National Conversations will not be a talk shop, Young said, “ I can tell you as a government we are monitoring the types of questions being asked and then filtering it into, the relevant ministries and the relevant government agencies.” After indicating that some matters may be addressed on a more timely basis than others, Young stated, “We are following up on it. there is an action plan to be implemented thereafter to address these needs and questions being raised.” As he observed some of the comments about Monday’s events came from quarters who now “found their tongue,” Young said it was up to Rowley to decide whether to meet with anyone who was upset by his remarks .

He added there was no basis for anyone to call on Rowley to resign as Prime Minister because of his comments. Stating that such comments were, “not something that is even worthy of entertainment at this time,” Young declared, “He has the full support of his Cabinet.” On allegations against former Independent Senator Dr Rolf Balgobin, who is the current chairman of CL Financial, Young said this is the subject of conversation by Government but no decision has been taken .

Still, we are entitled to expect more of this essential service. Millions of dollars are pumped into the PTSC, yet the entity is accumulating debts, such as the $28 million it owes – alongside the Police Service – to the Vehicle Management Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago.

The PTSC is a statutory body governed by the Public Transport Service Act Chapter 48:02. Under Section 8 of the Act, the corporation is mandated “to provide a safe, adequate and economic public transportation system, adapted to the needs of the country.” Yet, clearly the PTSC has not been “economic” over the last five decades.

In response to questioning from members of a Parliament committee, PTSC Chairman Edwin Gooding said it would take some time before the corporation could produce a profit. He said the more immediate objective of the company is to slowly wean itself off the Government subventions on which it currently depends, get new buses and improve service on its routes.

It’s hard to believe it now, but at one stage buses were incredibly popular. With the decline of rail the bus became the “great vehicle of public transportation” all over Trinidad. This, despite the rapid rise of the car.

The establishment of the PTSC arose out of the report of a working party on bus transport in Trinidad and Tobago appointed by the Government on November 21, 1964. It was comprised of senior government officials and representatives of the trade unions concerned. As a result of their findings on December 2, 1964, the Government decided that public (or State) ownership of the bus transport industry should take effect from January 1, 1965. Yet, five decades later, State ownership has reaped few rewards.

In contrast to Trinidad and Tobago, many other countries have privatised their bus service. So much so that in 2010 in the UK, the State criticised the private companies running buses over profiteering.

This, perhaps, is the reality which State ownership is meant to prevent.

The fact is public transportation is still an essential service. Though buses are now eclipsed by cars, a large proportion of the population still depends on the buses to take them to school, work and to pursue various activities. This is particularly so in rural areas still inflected by the dynamics of the unequal allocation of resources in the country.

As such, the PTSC performs a noble service in a situation where it is doubted it would be sustained if placed in purely private hands.

That is not to say there might be some model of private ownership that might work. For instance, the PTSC could seek to consolidate its presence within urban areas by taking advantage of the fact that some people would prefer to take a bus instead of taking on the hassle and responsibility of car ownership.

If commuters were given a choice between a fast, efficient, well-designed bus network and driving themselves in hours of traffic, they are likely to chose buses. For this to happen, there must be a substantial change in our understanding of the PTSC.

It must no longer be perceived as a service for the outliers and the elderly.

It must be placed at the centre of our urban pulse.

Needless to say, all of this assumes proper systems and procedures are in place at the PTSC and that it is effectively managed. Yet, there have been many complaints about problems with the stock of buses and the leakage of funds.

It’s time to redesign the PTSC and to get it back on the road. Assuming the service is environmentally friendly and efficient, it can play a part in our sustainable development.

Too many people in government flippantly dismiss the issues that plague this country. Crime — including domestic violence — is at the top of that list. Crime is written off as a problem because of gangs or women who choose the wrong men.

I am deeply disturbed and deeply saddened — not to mention outraged — over the Prime Minister’s comments because he of all people should show concern for this country and demand solutions for problems.

When everyone — including the leader of a nation — is unwilling to acknowledge a problem, take responsibility for it and work towards a solution, a nation can do nothing but sink further and further into the abyss of ignorance.

Prime Minister Rowley’s statement, which clearly says women are responsible for their own violence because of the men they are choosing, is an example of how people in this country shift blame so that they do not have to own up to the responsibility of their jobs. Ministries in this country spend most of their time playing political ping pong.

Instead of callously dismissing this nation’s problems and putting the blame on victims — which is something no one should ever do — Prime Minister Rowley should be asking some important questions.

Let me list some for you:
1. What are we doing to make education more relevant so that students learn how to handle stress, anger, disappointment and rejection?
2. What are we doing in schools to teach students about positive, personal relationships?
3. How do our schools teach young men to treat women, and how do adults in society model that behaviour for young men?
4. How do we teach students confidence and self-reliance? And how do we use literature in our English classes to help students deal with their feelings?
5. How do schools teach conflict resolution?
6. How do schools teach students to deal with bullies and violence in school?
7. How does the Police Service deal with domestic violence? Do police take reports and follow up on them or do they just passively wait for crimes to occur?
8. Do police help victims of domestic violence to feel protected by the police?
9. How effective are social services in this country?
10. And here’s the million-dollar question you could have asked, Dr Rowley, “Why are so many women in this country the victims of violence, and what can I, as the Prime Minister do to stop it?

The Prime Minister needs to take a tougher stand on crime and violence and he must set an example for all of those people working under him. There are many ways he could have shown empathy and concern for a major problem in this country, and there are many ways he could have modelled appropriate behaviour for public servants who feel no compunction to do their jobs.

Domestic violence and the spate of crimes targeting women do not require crude, callous and dismissive statements. Problems like crime don’t materialise out of a vacuum. Problems stem from larger issues in society, and they don’t get solved when no one who should be dealing with these issues — including the Prime Minister — are willing to take responsibility for them.

Police last evening continued the search for a man who fondled two sisters, aged eight and nine, while sitting with them and looking at a pornographic movie, at his home. The act happened last Friday and the girls’ parents are thanking their lucky stars that their daughters were not raped.

According to reports, the sisters were told to go to the home of their ‘uncle’ (the neigbour) who would supervise them while they (the mother and father) went out. The sisters were sitting with the man when at 8.30 pm, he turned on a television set and began to look at a pornographic movie.

The man began to fondle both girls, telling them he wanted to do to them, the same thing a man was doing to a woman in the porn movie. The girls, police were told later, begged the man to stop and said they would tell their parents, when they went back home. The man threatened to beat the girls.

At this point, the victims’ parents returned home and came to the predator’s house calling out his name. The man quickly turned off the television and warned the girls not to say anything to their parents. The girls then left the house and immediately told their parents what happened.

The shocked parents immediately contacted the St James police and lodged a report. Officers of the Child Protection Unit (CPU) were contacted and when officers visited the suspect’s house, he was nowhere to be seen. Police sources said an arrest is expected to be made soon. The sisters were medically examined and it was determined no sexual penetration took place. They are receiving counselling.

Police yesterday called on parents and guardians to use care when giving the title ‘uncle’ or ‘aunt’ to an adult friend or acquaintance, since in the eyes of an impressionable and naive child, such a term to a non-family member, suggests a level of trust.

Officers said children must be taught from early that not everyone who is friendly or known to their parent or adult relative, is to be considered an ‘uncle’ or ‘aunt’ by them (the child/children).

“The term ‘uncle’ or ‘aunt’ suggests to a child, especially a pre-teen child, that this person who is not a member of my family can still be trusted as if they were. Too often we are seeing these ‘aunts’ and ‘uncle’ taking advantage of children, once they gain the child’s trust. Parents must understand that now time is different to long time, when any adult whether family or not, was expected to seek a child’s interest as if they were related to that child…as if they were really an aunt or uncle,” a police source said. Investigations are continuing.

Addressing the post-Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s, Gadsby Dolly said, “I would like the public to know that this in no way affects Carnival. Everything has been put in place for Carnival and we are expecting a very successful and enjoyable event.”

Based on the turnout at calypso tents and the various panyards so far, Gadsby Dolly stated, “It seems Carnival is being well enjoyed by the public and we expect this matter, whatever the outcome, will not affect that to any extent and we look forward to a wonderful Carnival.”

On the issue of allocation of money to various Carnival stakeholders, the minister said, “There will never be a time that everybody is happy with everything, because the world is not perfect.” Gadsby Dolly observed that even in better economic circumstances, there are those who are, “not satisfied at that time either.”

She said the nation’s current economic circumstances require people to make the most of what is available to them. Gadsby Dolly said people need to be open to change and, “restructuring of the way we do things.” She added that Government stands ready to support Chutney Soca and all the different genres, “as we go forward.”

Speaking later, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young said, “government has not given money to the organisers for prize money.” He added it was up to organisers of particular events and not Government, to decide “as an enterprise” what quantum of money is allocated towards prizes. Regarding the building currently occupied by the Trinidad Theatre Workshop (TTW), Gadsby Dolly said, “At this time there is no crisis to be averted.”

Indicating there were conversations with Public Administration and Communications Minister Maxie Cuffie about identifying new accommodations for the TTW, she explained, “The issue is that building is up for sale. It is not that they are being put out of the building, they do have a lease until this June.” She said there is no issue at this time regarding the use of the TTW’s current location.

According to reports, officers from the Warrant Section in the Sangre Grande Police Station, led by Cpl Garcia and including PCs Kheerai, Smith and Cortez received information and went into a track about half mile into a forested area where they saw a makeshift camp and found Clifton Moses asleep.

He was arrested and handcuffed by officers who took him back to the Sangre Grande Police Station. He is expected to be charged with escaping lawful custody and assaulting a police officer.

On Tuesday at 1 pm, Moses who was awaiting transportation to be taken back to Remand Yard in the Golden Grove prisons, Arouca managed to escape from the cell at the police station.

He pushed down a police officer and ran out of the station.

Moses was on remand after being unable to raise bail for charges of house breaking and larceny.

He appeared in the Sangre Grande Magistrates’ court on Tuesday, hours before his escape.

The 120-strong police constable strength was approved yesterday in the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court. A Liquor Licence application came up before Senior Magistrate Nanette Forde-John, in which attorney Ravi Diptee submitted on behalf of show promoter George Singh, that such a strength was not necessarily needed.

Diptee said that despite the scaling down of prizes for the 11 artistes in this year’s final, attendance is expected to be in the thousands. At last year’s final, 111 police constables were on hand. Court prosecutor Cleyon Seedan announced that the police had no objection to the licence and that the total number of police constables would be 120; 16 corporals; eight sergeants and four inspectors. There will be 26 firemen together with senior fire officers.

The teachers decided to take this action hoping that police presence near the school could be heightened.

The teachers began calling in sick on Wednesday and yesterday, only a handful attended classes. Newsday was told if the police presence increases, classes would resume as normal next Monday. On Tuesday, a 14-yearold Form Three student was making her way to school and being late, decided to take a short-cut to reach the school faster. This proved a bad decision as she was accosted by a group of men who robbed her of a cell phone and money. While they were robbing her, the men threatened to rape the schoolgirl who was fondled by her attackers. A passer-by who saw what was happening, raised an alarm causing the men to flee.

The weeping child was accompanied to the school where a report was made to teachers.

School sources said a police presence initiated some time ago in and around the school have dwindled. Only last week, another student was robbed near the school.

Officials of the TT Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) yesterday said they were aware of the actions of the SE PoS teachers adding that similar action was taken two years ago when teachers felt their personal safety was compromised.

As a result, Port-of-Spain police began to conduct patrols around the school and a mobile patrol unit was in place every morning before classes and in the afternoon when classes ended.

Ministry of Education officials yesterday met with police to have in increased presence at the school to ensure the students and teachers’ safety.

Contacted for comment, a senior police source promised that patrols will be increased in the area.

The petition dated February 6, addressed to Pt Fortin Mayor Abdon Mason, states there is a major backlog for surgery with an exceptionally long waiting list, with patients having to travel to San Fernando General to undergo basic surgery.

The group also noted there was no paediatrician based at the Pt Fortin hospital while there was also severe damage to the roof of the operating theatre and less than adequate facilities in the maternity ward.

However, the SWRHA pointed out that the surgical team at Area Hospital Point Fortin specialised in Gynaecology and Obstetrics surgeries only, with the average waiting time for surgeries being one month and these surgeries performed by Clinical Head Dr Sylvan Pierre. “As customary, patients are referred to the San Fernando General Hospital for surgeries of other specialities.

The San Fernando General Hospital is fully equipped to manage these surgical procedures,” the SWRHA stated.

The SWRHA also stated that a paediatrician was expected to assume duties by mid-March 2017 and, in the interim, a paediatrician was present at the Point Fortin hospital clinic on the first and third Mondays of every month.

“Also several staff members have also received neo-natal training in order to address any concerns at delivery.

This allows us to continually provide Paediatric services to our clients in the Point Fortin Community,” the SWRHA added. “The Area Hospital’s Maternity Ward was recently refurbished and the Operating Theatre’s roof was repaired in the 2014.

Ceiling works were also done in 2015,” the SWRHA stated.