T&T Fashion Week—branded as 2TFW—will take place on May 14-22. 

“2TFW has grown up as an event from its genesis in the island of Tobago six years ago,” said director of Designer Unites Stores (DUS), Ashley Christmas. 

Christmas, who is the founder of 2TFW, was speaking at the media launch of 2TFW 2016 at Kaiso Blues Cafe, Newtown, on May 2. 

This year, more US and UK designers will be joining their local and regional peers for the one-week happening of workshops and fashion events. 

Already on board are US based Tabii Just, Fashion Sixty4 and Bengi Jeans Co; regionally based Beckemberg Cricket Club and KBK (Jamaica); Kathleen Bailey Kreations (St Vincent) and local designers Wadada Movement and Euphoric Designs (Tobago).

2TFW will be offering a Designers Choice Award created by Candice Baccus, director of Simply Runway retail outlet, who is partnering with the fashion promoters. 

The winning designer will get to showcase their product at Simply Runway’s Grand Bazaar outlet for one month, with the hope of moving into a wholesale contract. 

Baccus said her company looks for three main goals in young designers. “As an investor, we look for product viability, an identified niche market and great customer service. We have been working with young designers with the hope that the award will help them transition from runway show to retail market sales.”

RBC is sponsoring the fashion workshops. Nicole Duke-Westfield, head of RBC’s corporate communications, said that the goal of the workshops is to help designers develop their business acumen to become entrepreneurs. 

Ashley Christmas was grateful for having RBC on board for the second year. He was also glad to see that Guardian Media is engaging for the second year, and promised that the final night would be televised live on CNC3 from 8pm on Sunday May 22. 

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Itinerary for 2TFW T&T Fashion Week

Theme: Simple Silhouette Sell

May 14: Official launch at Chacacabana Resort & Beach Club, Chaguaramas

May 16 & 17: 2TFW fashion workshops at the RBC Executive Suite, Queen’s Park Oval, St Clair

May 20: Simple Silhouettes with a Rose Fashion Show, Pigeon Point Heritage Park, Tobago

May 21: Modern Fashion at Piarco Airport

May 22: 2TFW televised live from Chacacabana Resort & Beach Club

Review by 

Reni Eddo-Lodge

The Sellout is a whirlwind of a satire with a contradictory plot. The devices are real enough to be believable, yet surreal enough to raise your eyebrows. Our protagonist is never fully named, but we are told that his surname is Me. Me is a black man who owns a farm in a poor black urban neighbourhood. Me surfs for fun, and smokes weed in the supreme court, where he ends up facing retribution for breaking some of the country’s most hallowed laws about race.

The plot is set in motion when Dickens, the city Me lives in, is surreptitiously wiped off the map, triggering an identity crisis in its residents. It just sort of disappears, and nobody is told why. 

Dickens’s slow merge with its surrounding cities hits local celebrity Hominy Jenkins particularly hard. A lovable, downtrodden Uncle Tom character, Hominy yearns for his halcyon days as the black butt of a thousand racist jokes in the 1950s kids’ TV show The Little Rascals. With Dickens gone, Hominy is nobody. Devastated, he swears that he will be Me’s slave until Dickens is back on the map. Me thinks that the way to reinstate Dickens is to segregate the city’s schools. So, a slave-owning black man working hard to bring back racial segregation. Eyebrows raised yet?

If Dickens represents blackness, then our protagonists’ unrelenting quest to re-establish its existence is about setting some clear boundaries. Following the recent public outing of Rachel Dolezal as a white American woman masquerading as black, there are understandable anxieties about blackness and authenticity. Thanks to artists such as Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar, the African American experience has gone viral. 

Beatty throws in dozens of jokes: every stereotype, rivalry and anxiety about race in the US is laid bare. No one is above criticism. The comforting social blanket of whiteness is satirised mercilessly. Black intellectuals on the left and right are exposed as fakes grasping for social power.

But there is a problem when in-jokes become jokes for everyone, which left me not knowing what to make of the book. With Beatty’s satire punching not just up, but all over the place, I’m not sure who the book is for.

I didn’t laugh out loud while reading The Sellout. It did, however, tease out a few wry smiles. In his quest to reinstate his city, the protagonist joins a dating service for cities looking for their perfect partner, and settles on twinning Dickens with the lost city of White Male Privilege, “a controversial municipality whose very existence is often denied by many (mostly privileged white males)”.

If The Sellout does anything, it successfully points not only to the problem, but all the complexities and nuances of the problem, proving that it’s not as simple as black and white. (For full review, see www.theguardian.com/books/2016/may/11/the-sellout-by-paul-beatty-review)

To mark their 125th anniversary, the T&T Field Naturalists’ Club (TTFNC) is inviting youth to celebrate T&T’s unique biodiversity through art. The TTFNC has launched a nationwide schools’ art competition for children aged five to 16. 

The theme for the art contest is the beauty and importance of our natural heritage—our native plants and animals, our protected habitats, and the value of even our smallest, often overlooked species, such as insects and fungi. 

The competition is the first in a series of events to mark this special anniversary for the club. Other activities will include an exhibition at the National Museum in Port-of-Spain, on May 20-June 18. 

The club in a release said T&T’s geography, climate and geological history, “have blessed us with an incredibly rich and diverse natural heritage. Nature is an integral part of our history and cultural heritage, and as such, the competition should engender national pride. The value of our natural heritage cannot be underestimated as it is vital for preserving natural resources and biodiversity, ensuring sustainable development, and helping mitigate the effects of climate change.” 

Younger artists (five to eight years old) are asked to consider a favourite native species, while those aged nine to 12 years are encouraged to think about important habitats on our islands. The oldest participants (13 to 16 years old) are given the club’s ancient latin motto as a starting point: “Nature is greatest in the little things.” After that, artists can take their piece in whichever direction they wish. 

Prizes in each age category include digital cameras, binoculars and wildlife guides to aid the budding wildlife enthusiast, as well as art materials. Winning schools and schools with the most entries will also be rewarded. The competition has the support of the Ministry of Education. 

Winners will be presented with their prizes at a public ceremony in July. Winning entries will be shared on social media, displayed during the club’s other birthday celebration events, and printed in the club’s quarterly magazine, The Field Naturalist. 

The TTFNC has a history of recognising the value in combining natural history and art. The club has an art group which takes members on field trips and on museum visits as locations for drawing and painting. 

Club Secretary Amy Deacon said: “This group has been very successful in encouraging members to combine their fascination with the natural world with their passion for art. The two go hand in hand extremely well. By looking at nature with an artists’ eye, you gain an even greater appreciation for its beauty and value, which is what we hope to achieve in school children through this exciting new competition.” 

Founded in 1891, the TTFNC is one of the oldest clubs in T&T, bringing together those with a shared passion for the natural world. Membership is open to all, and members enjoy monthly lectures, hikes and field trips.

Public Services Association (PSA) president Watson Duke spent the night in police custody after being detained in relation to a rape allegation made by an attorney working with his organisation. 

Accompanied by his lawyer, John Heath, Duke had surrendered to detectives of the Port-of-Spain Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at the Central Police Station, St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain, around 2 pm yesterday. 

Bombarded by a group of media personnel at the entrance to the station, a seemingly unfazed Duke promised to comment on the accusation upon his exit. 

However, after several hours, Heath came out of the station without his client, who, sources said, was detained for interrogation. 

The T&T Guardian understands that investigators had visited the PSA’s headquarters on Abercromby Street to arrest Duke yesterday morning but left empty handed as security informed them the (Duke) was at a meeting at his attorney’s office. Duke later surrendered at the station.

According to police reports, the victim, a 33-year-old attorney from Central Trinidad, claimed the incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon after Duke invited her to accompany him to a meeting at the Hyatt Regency, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain. 

Duke and the victim went to a room at the hotel, where she claimed he overpowered her and had sex with her against her will. After the incident, the victim allegedly returned with Duke to the union’s office and then went home. Hours later she reported the incident to the Cunupia Police Station. 

Speaking with the T&T Guardian on Wednesday, Duke denied any wrongdoing and claimed he was being framed by the victim. 

“My lawyers have advised me to say nothing more on the allegations but I am willing to tell you that I am certain that she has no evidence that could back up the allegations,” he said.

Police sources said yesterday investigators were attempting to complete their investigation by today in order to consult the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to determine what charges, if any, should be laid against Duke. 

ASP Ajith Persad of the Port-of-Spain CID is leading the investigation.

Alescon Comets have recently captured attention based on their rise on the domestic cricket scene and for this president of the club Dinanath Ramnarine is giving credit to the club’s ‘player focus’ approach.

Comets were the beaten finalist against Queen’s Park in the NGC T20 series recently and tomorrow they will show up at the National Cricket Centre (NCC) in Couva looking to go one better, when they meet Queen’s Park in the finals of the TTCB Premiership 50 overs series. 
In the Premiership League Comets are mid-table. 

Ramnarine the former Test leg-spinner and former president of the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) is now in charge of the club and is overseeing a purple patch for the Charlieville boys.

According to Ramnarine: “We have changed the entire philosophy of this club and it is working for us. The club is more player focussed and this has made a huge difference. You know there is always talk of talent around but without the proper structure in place, you can’t get success. We have decided to just put the proper structure in place at Comets and it has worked wonders. We are still not yet where we would like to be but we are very encouraged by the progress thus far.”

Ramnarine brought in new coach Andre Lawrence a move that has paid rich dividends. “Andre has been very good as coach of this club. He has a good rapport with the players and get them to perform. 

“We have given the players responsibility and they are part of the decision making at this club and hence having that ownership, puts them in a position to deliver.”

Ramnarine added: “We at this club have faced challenges like any other but we deal with matters in a very efficient and quick manner and don’t leave things hanging, which can lead to frustration for any club. We keep regular meetings and have strict guidelines for the players under our charge. 

“Players have mandatory regular training sessions and they are disciplined for any infraction. All in all, what we have done here is to professionalize the set up at Comets and we are now seeing the results of what that can bring.

“We have a lot more work to do and we are anxious keep at what we are doing. The captain Rayad Emrit has been excellent in his leadership and we are looking forward to him bring us titles.”

Pan stewards and officials dropped the ball last Saturday at the 16th edition of the annual Point Fortin Borough Day Celebration Pan on the Move. 

Most of the participating steelbands were hampered by disc jockeys along the route, who were hesitant to turn down the volume on their systems as the bands made their way to the review stand at Market Square. One particular DJ was guilty of this from as early as when the first band—south’s Pan Elders—commenced the trek as he continued playing loud music during the band’s performance. 

I feel that the organisers of this event need to adopt the rule of Brooklyn Labour Day organisers and have absolutely no disc jockeys along the steelband parade route, between the hours of 5 and 10 pm, the hours that Pan on the Move is held. After all, this event is billed as Pan on the Move, held in the supposed “culture capital” of “the land of the steelband.” 

Otherwise, Saturday’s event was incident-free and an enjoyable one for thousands who journeyed to the South, some from the previous day, for the morning’s J’Ouvert.

Among the steelbands that seemed to attract large crowds and create the most excitement were Massy Trinidad All Stars, bpTT Renegades, Supernovas and reigning National Panorama champion Desperadoes. 

Impressive were Trinidad All Stars and Renegades as they did “concerts on the move,” their repertoires comprising more than 30 selections.

All Stars had a very large following jumping to selections like I’ll Always Be There For You, Soca Junkie, Curry Tabanca, Is Carnival Time Again, What a Feeling, Raze, Woman on the Bass, Unknown Band, Sugar Rush, Different Me, GBM Nutron’s Scene, Disco Daddy, Adrenalin City, You Gotta Be Careful, Total Disorder and KC & The Sunshine Band’s How About A Little Love. 

Equally enticing was Renegades with a Kitchener medley, inclusive of My Pussin and Rainorama, UB40’s Falling in Love, Voice’s Cheers to Life, a Kerwin Trotman and Patrice Robert’s song, Farmer Nappy’s Big People Party, Rental and My House, Machel Montano’s Fog and Temperature, Thunder, Suck Mih Soucouyant; Bahia Girl, R&R Riddim by Blaxx, SuperBlue’s Fantastic Friday, Joey Lewis’ Pint o Wine, and Yohan Chuckaree’s Music Inside Mih Head, the band’s 2016 Panorama tune.

Desperadoes, also with a large following in tow, chose Lewis’ Bound to Dance, People, Cheers to Life, Rebecca and Different Me, its Panorama tune. The steelband event, held in tribute to late iconic musician Joey Lewis, required steelbands to play a Lewis composition. Most bands favoured Lewis’ Bound to Dance. 

At times the track stewards seemed overwhelmed by the task at hand and perhaps in the future organisers might seek assistance from Pan Trinbago’s South Central Region in this venture?  

Soca rules Junkanoo Carnival 
T&T soca music continues to conquer new foreign lands as our artistes promote music and country. Last weekend Bunji Garlin, his wife Fay Ann Lyons and the Asylum Vikings Band were the toast of the Junkanoo Carnival in the Bahamas. The cultural ambassadors kept a mammoth crowd alive with an energetic performance, when the Bahamas National Festival Commission staged its Aftermath concert at Da Cultural Village at Arawak Cay, on Saturday. 

The event, which featured Bahamian musicians performing alongside a host of international artistes, followed the Parade of Bands through the streets of Nassau. The Vikings took the stage in the wee hours of the morning, following performances by reigning T&T International Soca Monarch Voice, Cuban hit-maker Latritza Bacallao, Canadian singer Justin Believe, and soca artiste Lyrikal, Skinny Fabulous and Ricardo Drue. 

Garlin and Viqueen Fay Ann didn’t disappoint those who waited on their performance as they proceeded to inject new life and vigour into a crowd ,that had been feeling the effect of the revelry earlier along an extra long Carnival parade route. “They tear up the stage,” one ecstatic women in the crowd was overheard saying after the performance. The show ended with a performance by Jamaica reggae sensation Tarrus Riley.

Also receiving heaps of praise from the Bahamian people was Ronnie & Caro for the costumes they produced for the Xtasy band’s presentation of Dream Of.... In fact, Ronnie & Caro have already been invited back for Junkanoo 2017. 

Mothers Overjoyed on at Kaiso Blues 
Mothers were toasted on Sunday when JVMP hosted Overjoyed...A Mothers Day Celebration at Kaiso Blues Cafe in Newtown. Pelham Goddard & Roots and a cast of excellent artistes, including Moricia Cagan, Nigel O’Connor, Natalie Yorke, Jason “Fridge” Seecharan and Carol, Carla and Caryl Jacobs, kept a packed venue captive. 

Though every vocalist was exceptional, I was particularly touched by Caryl Jacobs’ solo of Yolanda Adams’ The Prayer. Applauded throughout this item, she received a well deserved standing ovation when she completed the rendition. This young vocalist excelled with her controlled vocal range. Her mother and sister also displayed beautiful harmony as they performed Pressure, Luv Up and Carol’s Biological Clock, the latter done a cappella style. 

Yorke opened the vocal aspect of the evening, her set including I’m Glad There is You, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, Caught Up In The Rapture, My Love and Make It Easy On Yourself. She was followed by Seecharan doing Can’t Get Enough of Your Love Baby, Easy, Just The Way You Are, Ascension, and a duet with Yorke of Pharell’s Get Lucky. 

Following the Jacobs family was Nigel O’Connor who offered Forever Young, Three Times a Lady, Mother’s Love and She’s Royal. His wife to be, Cagan, looking resplendent in all white, continued to take patrons on a high as she performed Overjoyed, You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman, How Can I Love Again, Morena Osha and I’ll Always Be There For You. 

Doing a wonderful job as show host was Roots saxophonist Malcolm Boyce, while Junior Hutson rounded things off with a vote of thanks. Mothers in attendance were treated to snacks and chocolates. 

In addition to Boyce, Roots also included Jevan Ochoa, Keishorn Jack and Vonrick Maynard.

The St Lucia Zouks have announced their fixtures for the forthcoming 2016 HERO Caribbean Premier League (CPL) campaign and will open the home series of matches with an evening clash against St Kitts & Nevis Patriots on July 21.

The Zouks, who will once again include West Indies captain Darren Sammy, fellow world champion Johnson Charles as well as another local favourite Keddy Lesporis, will also feature Australia duo Michael Hussey and the world’s leading international ranked all-rounder Shane Watson.

The Australian stars will join South Africa pair David Miller and Morne Morkel, while ICC Under-19 World Cup winning off-spinning all-rounder Gidron Pope is also included.

The St Lucia based side will be coached by Stuart Williams, who was part of the West Indies backroom team that lifted the ICC World Twenty20 in India recently, while Caribbean great Sir Andy Roberts and former England, India and Sri Lanka Assistant Coach Trevor Penney will also feature in the support staff.

The opening match against the Patriots is sure to attract a large following and is one not to be missed as it will mark the launch of the newly re-named 12,400 capacity Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, previously known as the Beauséjour Stadium. Fans will also get to be a part of history for the opening of the newly-renamed Johnson Charles Stand.

Welcoming the return of CPL to his native St Lucia, Darren Sammy said: “I am hugely excited by the opportunity to lead the Zouks once more this year. We have assembled our strongest squad of players to date and we will aim to be competitive this season. It’s encouraging to see such a blend of youth and experience and I have no doubt that the team is best-placed to reach the play-offs.

“Of course, I will be hugely honoured to step out at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium and it will be a special moment for me and my family when we take on the Patriots in that opening game. I have a lot of happy memories playing in Beauséjour Stadium and hopefully this will mark a new and exciting era for St Lucia. The fans who travel will really enjoy their time there.

They will really savour the hospitality off the field, so if fans come for the Carnival, they can stay to see top quality cricket. On the field we’ll be gunning for points and to put on a show for our home support.” 

The remaining fixtures will be confirmed over the next week and tickets for all confirmed fixtures in the Caribbean and Fort Lauderdale are on sale now from www.cplt20.com.

Fixtures
St Lucia Zouks Fixtures (all times local): 21 July—St Kitts & Nevis Patriots (6pm), 23 July–Barbados Tridents (12 Midday), 24 July–Guyana Amazon Warriors (5pm), 26 July–Trinbago Knight Riders (6pm).

Former temporary Independent Senator Justin Junkere says he is standing by his vote in support of the Government on the SSA Amendment Bill on Tuesday and will vote the same way in similar situations.

In an interview with the T&T Guardian yesterday, in response to Opposition claims he was unfit to hold the post of Independent Senator because he had been retained by the AG’s office, Junkere, whose temporary appointment has ended, said he was offered no inducements from Government for his vote. (See story below).

He said while he was offered a brief from the Office of the Attorney General, it was not from the incumbent AG Faris Al-Rawi. 

Junkere said he was “certain it was not from this present Attorney General,” adding it was in 2015 from the then AG Garvin Nicholas. He said he had not as yet submitted an invoice for that brief and was not paid either.

“Since AG Al-Rawi has taken up office I have not received any State briefs from the Attorney General’s office,” Junkere said.

He said he received “a single brief from the Office of the AG but it was given to me by the previous (PP) administration.”

He also denied receiving any State brief from the AG as an inducement to vote on the SSA Bill. 

“I have been made no offers of any favour of any kind in respect of anything,” Junkere said.

He said as a practising attorney he also felt entitled to accept a State brief. He said Ramdeen and other attorneys, like the late Dana Seetahal, SC, who was also an Independent Senator, accepted State briefs.

According to Junkere: “The only persons to fear this (SSA) bill would be the criminals and those suspected of being in serious offences.”

He said he was uncertain “why anyone else would have concerns,” adding that the public outcry seemed to be “coming loudest only from a particular quarter.”

Junkere said if he had to choose between apologising to someone for having lost his privacy, or someone who had lost a loved one in a serious offence, his choice would be clear.

“If I am asked to make a decision that could save a life as opposed to sparing someone’s sense of privacy, I think saving a life matters,” he said. 

Junkere added: “We are engulfed in a crime wave and it is not going to get better unless we do something.”

On suggestions that the bill could be improved, he said he did not think there was the time to do that. 

“We have a bill that expands the powers (of the SSA) and if made an act they can operationalise something that can assist in the fight against crime,” Junkere said. 

“If given an opportunity to do that I would support it again and again and again. If we did not have that time sensitivity and if it was not as serious as it appears to be it may be different but I stand by the decision I made and I will make it again,” he added.

Temporary Opposition Senator Gerald Ramdeen yesterday presented court documents to show that temporary Independent Senator Justin Junkere, who voted with Government on the SSA Amendment Bill in the Senate on Tuesday, was employed by the Attorney General’s office since 2015.

Speaking at a news conference at his Port-of-Spain office, Ramdeen said the information was “very disturbing” and meant Junkere should not have been allowed to serve on the Independent bench.

Junkere and another Independent Senator, Ian Roach, voted with the Government on the legislation. The Government required the support of at least one Independent Senator to secure passage.

Ramdeen claimed Junkere “remains retained on the payroll of the Attorney General while holding the position of an Independent Senator.” 

He said Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi was in serious breach of the country’s democracy by not informing the Parliament of the fact that Junkere was employed by the Office of the AG.

“We find that to be extremely, extremely disturbing for the democracy of this country,” Ramdeen said.

Junkere attended Monday’s meeting organised by Al-Rawi and the SSA director to explain concerns about the bill. Ramdeen said that latest development confirmed Al-Rawi’s unsuitability to hold office and said he must resign or be fired by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley. He said the Opposition would be writing to President Anthony Carmona, who appointed Junkere, “and we will leave it to His Excellency to do what he considers to be right and proper in the circumstances.”

He said the Opposition would also seek to determine if there was a “breach of the Integrity in Public Life Act, whether there is any remedy that resides in the powers of the President, be they constitutional or any other, that he may have.”

He said the matter would also be brought to the attention of Senate President Christine Kangaloo.

Contacted for comment afterwards, Al-Rawi said Ramdeen “has put himself into significant difficulty and has poured scorn and ridicule on his own position.”

The AG explained that Ramdeen must be aware that he (Ramdeen) is an attorney “working for me as Attorney General. He would also know that he has received more than $24 million from the Government for work that he has done, including work worth close to $18 million from the Office of the AG.”

Al-Rawi said Ramdeen was an attorney on record for the AG “and I do not recall him declaring at the point of him being sworn in anything of that nature and in the manner that he now pretends the Independent Senator should have done.”

While Ramdeen said Al-Rawi must be aware of Junkere’s employment at his ministry, the AG said he was not aware of the Independent’s employment at his ministry. 

“I wasn’t aware, I don’t recall it,” Al-Rawi added.

The AG said if the claim was true, Junkere would be no different to the position Ramdeen was in. Al-Rawi said Opposition Senator Wayne Sturge was also in a similar position, as he had benefitted from employment from the AG’s ministry or the Government. He said Sturge did not make any declaration as was being requested by Ramdeen of Junkere.

He said the issue of his resignation did not make any sense if Ramdeen’s claims were “shrouded in conflict or double standards.” 

He said the SSA Bill was passed with constitutional muscle and any challenge would be defended in court. (RL)

Executive member of the T&T Cricket Board (TTCB) Baldath Mahabir says that West Indies cricket will be poorer and quieter after the passing of legendary commentator Tony Cozier.

“My condolences go out to the family, friends and relatives of the legendary Tony Cozier on his sad passing. To persons of my genre, who were introduced to International Cricket via radio, newspapers, magazines and books, Tony Cozier was our link with the World. His dulcet tones, at midnight from Australia, or very early in the morning from England, warmed our hearts as this lone ranger, through his West Indian eyes and accent, saw and described the game for all of us who were not there to see our beloved West Indies in action.

“Cricket commentary to me, will always be measured by how good Mr. Cozier was. Cricket writing is not dissimilar. I would have not always agreed with his opinions or his positions but his style and the way he crafted his articles, made compelling reading. Tony Cozier may be the most documented and the most widely read West Indies cricket writer or sport journalist of all time.

“Later, when television brought pictures to our living room, it was Cozier who was our first International star. The Jamaican Roy Lawrence may have pipped him as the first top radio cricket commentator in the Region but Cozier made us proud on television.

“Today a number of others are trying to follow the footsteps of the great man but in these times, to be as versatile, knowledgeable, balanced, professional and prolific as Tony Cozier is nigh on impossible.

Cricket on radio, television and print media, for me is etched in my mind, as almost the exclusive domains of the late great Tony Cozier. Gone, but never will he be forgotten,Regionally or Internationally.

“Locally, let me also extend my condolences to the family of the late Desmond Baxter, former player and long serving administrator of Trinidad & Tobago cricket. A humble, ever charming, people’s person, Desmond was a true patriot of our country and a cricketing elder who was always willing to share from his vast store house of knowledge. Surely Tony and Desmond will continue to follow the futures of our cricket from another place.”

Central-based television station, WIN TV, is said to be in dire financial difficulties and management temporarily sent home nine of its employees on Wednesday.

Speaking with the T&T Guardian, a senior employee, on the condition of strict anonymity, said since the employees were briefed on the downsizing of the company’s operations significantly many of them have been in a state of uncertainty.

Some were seen crying, while some, who knew what was coming, sent in their resignations with immediate effect.

T&T Guardian was told that Head of News, Sunil Ramdeen, resigned about two months ago, leaving Erica Ramjass as the acting Head of News.

As part of the downsizing, the remaining 12 members of staff have been informed by the chief executive officer (CEO), Hansen Narinesingh, that a shift system will be introduced; there would now be a 20-hour work week with pay cut; there will no longer be a midday news and the 7 pm newscast will now be recorded at 4 pm and broadcast at 7 pm.

Its morning programme, Sunrise, and radio news and radio station 101.1 FM will not be affected in any way.

Another employee at the station, who wished not to be identified, claimed that subsequent to the death of WIN’s owner Mohan Jaikaran in April last year, the station had been heading downhill.

The employee added that it seemed to get worse when, in February, Jaikaran’s daughter, Shantel and her mother, Indra, made a public announcement on the company’s television station, WIN TV, claiming it was being “hounded out of business.”

In the statement Shantel gave no reason for the company’s trouble but said there was a possibility of losing its licence from the Telecommunications Authority of T&T and that there were people who did not want the company to survive.

“It is from then we knew that things were not right here at the station and the future seemed hopeless. 

We remained in the dark throughout until Wednesday when they sent home the nine employees. 

“Although they said it is not permanent and that if things improved they would get back their jobs in three months time but what happens if things don’t improve? 

Yes, they said they will be given VSEP packages but we don’t even know if that is a surety. Nothing is sure right now,” the employee said. “Things are very grim, the CEO is not even talking, not even to the media. 

We are all in a sombre mood,” the employee added.

The senior employee, who spoke with the T&T Guardian, said only about $1 million was paid to the Telecommunications Authority of T&T (TATT), which was a portion of the $5 million in outstanding licensing fees owed to TATT. “We are hearing that it is just a waiting game. The management is still waiting on word from TATT with regards to the licence. 

We were told that there is a new board so maybe there is some kind of delay, we do not know. 

It is because of this delay that the station is unable to generate revenue,” the senior employee added.

BACKGROUND INFO

​On February 26, WIN Caribbean Ltd was given a few days to pay almost $5 million in outstanding licensing fees to the TATT or it will be forced to shutdown its television and radio stations. 

The company’s owner, Shantel Jaikaran, lost her application for an injunction which would have forced TATT to grant it a temporary extension of its licence while it challenged TATT’s decision not to renew it until the arrears, owed since 2011, were cleared. In a 17-page judgment, High Court Justice Vasheist Kokaram ruled he could not grant the injunction as the company had failed to raise an arguable case that TATT acted irrationally and unfairly when it made its earlier decision. 

In her application for judicial review, Jaikaran claimed TATT had informed her that the company’s non-transferable licence was not being renewed because it was in the name of her father, Mohan, who died in April last year. TATT had agreed to consider transferring the licence and recommending its renewal if the arrears were cleared. Jaikaran had claimed that she only learned of the debt after her father’s death and needed time to sell some of the company’s assets and could not meet the deadline set by the authority. She had also contended that she was in ongoing negotiations with TATT when it made its final decision and was not consulted before being informed on February 17. 

Kokaram also criticised Jaikaran for waiting on the eve of the expiration of the company’s licence to file a lawsuit and intensify negotiations with TATT, which he said should have been finalised by her father before his death. 

As part of his judgment, Kokaram also ordered that the company pay TATT’s legal fees for defending the injunction application. Efforts to reach the CEO Narinesingh for comment yesterday were unsuccessful.

Shocking and quite worrying.

That’s how Medical Chief of Staff of the Mt Hope Women’s Hospital, Dr Karen Sohan, yesterday described information which revealed “74 girls under the age of 16” gave birth at the hospital last year.

The figure came days after police opened an investigation into who was responsible for the sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl who gave birth to a baby boy on April 23 at the San Fernando General Hospital. Of this figure, Sohan said “12 girls under age of 16 had delivered” post-Carnival babies last September.

“As a social issue, this is very significant if you have 74 children under the age of 16 making a baby. The target should be the schools. Apart from when they come into the hospital to deliver, somebody must have known they were pregnant. “Therefore, we should also be addressing the issue of contraceptive. The issue here is preventing teenage pregnancy. We have to try harder, without a doubt,” Sohan said.

She said the nurses at the hospital did their part by going into schools to educate students about sex. 

“It is not a national policy. You have to depend on the individual school to invite you in. If you have 74... 16-year-olds and less you must address contraception. It is always worrying if a 16 or less gets pregnant.”

Of the 74 pregnancies, Sohan could not say how many were reported to the police. “Our doctors have been reporting. It is the law. I would have expected that all have been reported,” she added.

Yesterday, Education Minister Anthony Garcia admitted reports came to him “where principals have extended the suspension of students who have engaged in sex in the classroom. “We know that there is a problem of sexual activity among our schoolchildren. We cannot hide that fact,” he added.

Garcia said the school population was often “bombarded with sexual images” on social media, which attributed to the problem. Questioned if the ministry intended to advocate that students use contraception, Garcia said that had never entered the mind of the ministry. 

“That will require national debate. It will require discussion with parents in particular. I am not sure whether our parents will accede to such an initiative,” he said.

Head of the police Victims and Witness Support Unit Margaret Sampson-Browne said the figure was unacceptable. “I am angry and saddened because everything is happening after the fact. We have to get serious,” she added.

She said many of those girls got pregnant by their fathers and grandfathers. “Why are the perpetrators walking free?” she asked.

Outside of this figure, Sampson-Browne said she knew of a 12-year-old girl who was pregnant with her second child. “We have no evidence of these reports (74). The Child Protection Unit must be informed about this. 

That information should have reached our unit and an aggressive kind of investigation should have taken place. It’s time some of those caregivers come to the police in handcuffs,” she added. 

This country’s men and women teams endured a tough first day at the FIVB Beach Volleyball Under-21 World Championship in Lucerne, Switzerland, yesterday losing all three of their main draw pool round-robin pool matches combined.

In the men’s 32-team draw of eight pools, Toco-duo, Kareem Thomas and Tevin Edwards were swept aside by Venezuelans Jose Gregorio Gomez and Rolando Hernandez 11-21, 14-21 in Pool C .

They play France’s Arnaud Loiseau and Arnaud Gauthier-Rat, and Austrians Moritz Pristaud-Telsnigg and Felix Friedle, today from 4.50am and 10.40am (TT time) respectively.

The Austraians won their clash with their French rivals 18-21, 21-16, 15-13 in the other pool match played.

The T&T women’s pairing of Nicolette De Mille and Canada-born Taija Thomas had a brutal opener as they were crushed by China’s Jiali Chen and Jiaomei Li 4-21, 4-21 in Pool C and then, by Russians, Nadezda Makroguzova and Svetlana Kholomina 8-21, 11-21.

They will end round-robin play versus Poland’s Martyna Kloda and Agata Trybula today from 6.30 am (T&T time) in a match that will determine the other team to advance to the main draw knockout field of 24 from the pool.

This after the Russians won 21-12, 21-9 against Kloda and Trybula while the latter were also beaten by Li and Chen 21-16, 15-21, 9-15.

At the end of round-robin play today, the best three ranked teams in each pool (24 teams) will advance to the next phase of single elimination until the bronze and gold medal matches.

Former chief executive officer of the Estate Management Business Development Company Ltd (EMBDC), Seebalack Singh, has been awarded more than $.5 million in compensation in a libel lawsuit brought against the Trinidad Express.

In delivering the 51-page judgment in the San Fernando High Court yesterday, Justice Frank Seepersad was critical of the standard of journalism in T&T.

Singh, through his attorney Prakash Deonarine, filed the lawsuit in relation to two investigative stories published on April 22, 2013 and June 30, 2013 which suggested some wrongdoing on his part which resulted in his resignation. 

Singh, who subsequently lost his job at the First Citizens Bank where he began working after resigning from EMBDC, sued the newspaper, an editor and two senior journalists who wrote the articles. The defendants argued the matters in the articles were of significant public interest and they met the standards of responsible journalism. 

Describing the actions of one of the reporters as reckless, the judge found the journalists “failed to discharge the onerous obligation that rested on their shoulders as investigative journalists and their focus was on character assassination and scandal.”

Seepersad said: “Character assassination should never be the focal point of any investigative piece of journalism.” 

In awarding $450,000 plus interest in aggravated and general damages, the judge said he considered the allegations against Singh were grave and impacted in a material way on his integrity, honour, professional competence and his reputation. Saying “more likely than not,” the first article was the reason why he lost his job at the bank, the judge also awarded $100,000 in exemplary damages. Singh was also awarded costs.

Attorney Faarees Hosein, who represented the defendants, asked for a 21-day stay of execution which was granted.

The body of a man who escaped from a police cell was found yesterday off Mausica Road, D’Abadie, wrapped in plastic. 

Police were alerted of the body by relatives of Peter Solaiman to a bushy area near Chai’s Exotic Fish Farm around 10 am.

Investigators said they were unsure how Solaiman was killed and an autopsy was scheduled at the Forensic Science Centre, St James, today.

Solaiman, 26, squeezed through the food tray area of a holding cell on November 9 last year at the Central Police Station, St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain, hours before he was scheduled to appear before a magistrate charged with being a gang member and possession of a bulletproof vest. 

He sneaked past police officers who only found out he was missing when they went to take him to court.

In another incident, relatives of taxi-driver Anthony Superville, 57, of Cane Farm, Trincity, believe the charred remains found on a pyre of tyres at Windy Hill, Arouca, on Tuesday is that of Superville. 

The relatives went to the Forensic Science Centre yesterday with dental records in an attempt to confirm his identity.

Superville was reported missing last Friday. Eight people, police said, were held on Wednesday and are being questioned in relation to that crime.

In a separate incident, police responded to a report on Wednesday after the discovery of the skeletal remains of a human were found in some bushes just off Sellier Street, Wallerfield. 

The former People’s Partnership administration’s URP social programme hired 300 people as “area foremen” because they were the parents of children with cerebral palsy although there was no evidence they were at work, acting Prime Minister Colm Imbert has said.

“It’s a very strange arrangement, where you had these people being paid every fortnight as area foremen but not associated with any project, working on any gang and with no evidence they were at work,” he added at yesterday’s post-Cabinet media briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister, St Clair.

He revealed one of the names listed was that of a “famous person”, but admitted Government didn’t know if it was just someone with the same name. The T&T Guardian learned the name is similar to that of a female personality who was involved in PP’s now defunct Life Sport programme.

The situation was revealed in an audit of government departments, Imbert said.

“It was a methodology used by the previous government to give these people money on a monthly basis. It makes no sense to give the money for not performing work. There’s a difference between a salary — money paid for services — and a grant, which is given without expectation of work... this shouldn’t have been hidden under URP’s payroll,” he said.

Saying it was odd, Imbert added that a few names were associated with special schools but others lacked information and in some it was possible the person listed was not the parent of a child.

Works Minister Fitzgerald Hinds said the arrangement cost $3.1 million annually over August 2011 to very recently. He said it would be determined if there was fraud or a matter to attract a “different intervention.”

Imbert said the arrangement would be transferred to Social Development for case-by-case scrutiny, to assist those who need help, via disability/public assistance grant, and determine if there had been any duplication on social development listings.

Contacted yesterday, former PP social development minister Christine Hosein said she met the “area foreman” arrangement when she entered the ministry and it was started under former minister Glenn Ramadharsingh.

She said it was not meant that the parents had to do work. She said the programme was started since such parents didn’t qualify under the public assistance/disability criteria. She said she had visited homes of some “area foremen and could vouch they were bona fide cases.

“The PNM doesn’t take time to try to understand any system. They only want to pass off everything the PP did as waste and corrupt,” she added. 

Calls to Ramdharsingh were not immediately answered.

14,000 Venezuelans

come in five months

Imbert also said yesterday the number of Venezuelans entering T&T via legal air/sea ports of entry has significantly increased over previous years’ level of 300-400 a month, to the current level of about 3,000 people monthly.

“... A tremendous increase in the numbers entering... but at this time, 99 per cent return home,” he added.

Imbert said the National Security Ministry told him preliminary figures showed 14,000 Venezuelans arriving in T&T between January and May 2016. Of this number, 43 had not returned to Venezuela. 

He said he was surprised by the numbers and asked for it to be doubled checked. However, he said most came to trade, buy things to take back home and buy US dollars. He said Cedros was a lawful port.

“Immigration is looking for the 43 that didn’t return but (Immigration) seems to have the matter under control... it seems most of them are observing the law and returning... the matter isn’t one to red flag but to keep an eye on,” he added.

He said T&T and Venezuela have an arrangement where nationals of each state could enter for 90 days on visitors’ visas. He said people did not need to enter illegally but became illegal if they overstayed their time.

The Opposition will be keeping an eye on President Anthony Carmona to see if he will exert the powers he believes he has as it relates to the Strategic Services Agency (Amendment) Bill 2016 being assented to on the basis of a simple majority.

The controversial bill, which was passed in the Senate earlier this week with the help of two Independent Senators Hugh Ian Roach and Justin Junkere, still has to be assented by the President. 

Tabaquite MP Dr Suruj Rambachan said yesterday he was dissatisfied that the Government pressed ahead with the legislation in its current form, despite objections by seven Independent Senators and civil society groups which asked for more consultations, checks and balances.

“Is this the way the PNM intends to govern for the rest of their term?” Rambachan asked. He said the two Independents who voted with the PNM ought to be reminded that their responsibility was far more than they appeared to appreciate. 

“In the past, one of those two senators left great doubts about rationality,” he said.

Acknowledging that the Independent bench ought not to frustrate the Government, he insisted they must also take heed of the fact that they represented the public interest on the basis of being appointed by the President, who in his own right is guardian of the public interest. 

“Such is the trust which the people have placed in the President,” Rambachan said, referencing his inaugural speech at his swearing-in ceremony when he alluded to powers he had and powers some thought he did not have.

Rambachan said the insinuation was that the President was not as powerless as one may think and questioned whether he would give assent to the bill on the basis of a simple majority when so many wanted a joint select committee to tighten the controls and protect the public interest. 

He drew a parallel with the action of the late prime minister and president ANR Robinson in appointing Patrick Manning as Prime Minister over the incumbent Basdeo Panday during the 18/18 tie.

“The late ANR Robinson also used moral and spiritual grounds to remove a PM, who, though there was a 18/18 situation had gotten the majority of votes.”

Rambachan said citizens really did not know what had happened to their privacy with the passage of this bill and while the public was disappointed, they remained quiet, because of their respect for majority rule.

“But they have noted the disrespect and arrogance of the PNM on this matter just concluded. They will speak at the right time,” Rambachan added.

A Guyanese woman is calling for an investigation into Ste Madeleine Police Station officers over their handling of a 17-year-old schoolgirl who was reportedly abandoned by her mother this week. 

Rhonda Daniels said she was introduced to the teenager while visiting the police station on Monday afternoon. 

“I walked into the station and saw her sitting next to the front desk. I spoke to an officer and they told me her mother had put her out of their house and she had nowhere to go,” Daniels said. 

Daniels said after having a brief conversation with the girl, the female officer asked her if she was willing to allow her to spend a night at her home in Gasparillo.

The mother of three said she contacted the teen’s mother that evening and she (the mother) refused to allow the teen to return home. 

“She said her daughter was giving trouble since she turned 16 and she decided to put her out after she broke a television set at their home over the weekend.

“I can’t believe a mother could be so heartless,” an emotional Daniels said. 

The hairdresser claimed that since taking in the teenager, she contacted police several times for them to intervene between the mother and daughter.

“I can’t afford to have her live with me permanently but I won’t just throw her out on the street,” Daniels said. 

She said she contacted officials from the Children’s Authority on Wednesday for their intervention in the teenager’s case. 

“They sounded very concerned but they said the case needs to be referred to them by the police,” Daniels said. 

She said she wanted to highlight the issue as she was frustrated by the constant inaction by police and felt that public exposure of her plight may prompt them to take the case seriously. 

“I just want what is best for the child and for her to find a safe home and for her to complete her education,” Daniels said.

MELBOURNE—Cricket Australia has paid tribute to the late Tony Cozier, highlighting his key role in the ground-breaking World Series Cricket staged here during the late 1970s. Cozier, the preeminent cricket broadcaster and print journalist, died in his native Barbados on Wednesday following a brief hospitalisation. He was 75.

“Like generations before me I had the great privilege of listening to Tony Cozier bring Caribbean cricket to millions of Australians,” CA’s chief executive, James Sutherland, said.

“His mellow West Indian accent, astute observations and clever turn of phrase added to the colour and excitement of Caribbean tours to Australia.

“Tony was also a pioneer as a founding commentator of World Series Cricket, when the game lit up with day-night matches, changing cricket forever.”

Cozier’s career spanned nearly six decades, in which time he became widely acclaimed as the ‘voice of West Indies cricket’. His first international commentary stint came on Australia’s 1965 tour of the Caribbean, and he went on to work for nearly every major international media entity, including ABC and Channel Nine here.

He was also a member of BBC’s popular radio cricket commentary programme, Test Match Special, and featured prominently during England’s tour of the Caribbean last year.

“As an informative and colourful journalist he kept the cricket world abreast of a diverse and exotic region which has so embraced the game,” Sutherland continued.

“Tony will be sadly missed around the world, including by many former and current Australian cricketers and fans who held deep affection for him and his commentary talents.

“The thoughts of the Australian cricket community are with his family and many friends at this sad time.”

Cozier was married to Jillian and had two children, Craig and Natalie.

CMC

A month from the 10th anniversary of T&T’s World Cup appearance in Germany, Dwight Yorke has identified leading T&T at the finals as his biggest achievement.

There has always been debate on whether winning the treble, including the UEFA Champions League with Manchester United in 1999 was top of his list, but Yorke, during a trip to New York last week as part of his United Ambassador role with Andy Cole, said that Germany was his biggest moment.

“They’re totally different,” he said comparing his days with Manchester United and T&T. Yorke was speaking while at New York’s Gotham Hall with a bunch of United fans from the US for a television viewing of a United versus Norwich City Premiership fixture.

“My highlight was playing for my country at a very tender age, and my biggest achievement was when we qualified for the World Cup in 2006. After all these years of trying to do that and finally doing it at the end of my career, it was the most rewarding thing ever to happen, not just to me but to our country,” Yorke said. 

“We’d been trying so hard to do that for so many years. Qualifying for the World Cup in 2006—put the treble year aside—that has to go down as one of the biggest achievements in my playing career, just seeing the joy and excitement of bringing our people together. 

“That was amazing. To walk out there in Germany and lead that team out—to feel what you felt for your country was sensational.”

Yorke is in Mexico City this week as he lined up alongside a host of stars like Ronaldinho and Figo for a FIFA Legends versus Mexico All Stars match as part of the FIFA Congress events. Yorke scored in a 9-8 win for the FIFA legends.

Sandy looks to follow Caesar, Cyrus
 
North East Stars Tobago-born Central Midfielder Shane Sandy wants to be another player after Dwight Yorke and Daneil Cyrus to play in a FIFA Under 20 World Cup for this country.

Sandy, a former Naparima College player, is currently in training with the 30-man under 20 squad ahead of the Caribbean Football Union leg of the under 20 world qualifiers next month in Trinidad. T&T is grouped with Guadeloupe, St Lucia and Turks and Caicos.

“This is my first national team call up and it’s a wonderful feeling. I just have to keep working hard. Everyone knows when to laugh and when to work hard. We are improving our team chemistry. Coach Williams is a possession-based coach and he stresses a lot on fitness. I know what it is to be on a winning team having enjoyed success with “Naps” at the Premiership level so now my focus is keep winning with the national team,” said Sandy. 

The 19-year-old spoke about his admiration for players from Tobago, having grew up in Plymouth, same hometown as Cyrus.

“I look up to players like Trevin Caesar and Keon Daniel. I want to reach somewhere in the game like they have. Up to yesterday after W Connection won, Cyrus was speaking to me. He keeps telling me to just keep working hard, run, run, run as much as you can and keep learning. 

“That is my drive – to keep focused and keep a high work rate. Hopefully it takes me where I want to be,” Sandy added.

U-20s willing to work hard
 
The current group of national under 20 men footballers are committed to putting in the extra work that is required to take them to a World Cup level. This is the feeling of national under 20 men’s team head coach Brian Williams.

Williams, a former Senior Team defender who has been employed at Petrotrin and also served in a coaching capacity at DirecTV W Connection, has been preparing the team alongside assistant coach Kerry Jamerson and goalkeeper coach Ross Russell for the past few weeks. 

T&T will stage the opening group phase of the Caribbean qualifiers next month alongside St Lucia, Guadeloupe and Turks and Caicos. The 2017 FIFA Under 20 World Cup will be played in South Korea.

“Right now the season for a lot of the players who play in the Pro League is coming to an end and one tends to see a difference in the approach of the players after a season but the bunch that we have in camp have been doing the extras and showing that commitment,” said Williams.

“We have a group that has quality. We saw some players in Tobago also and we also have a few overseas-based players that will bring something to the team. Generally their attitude has been good and there is that willingness to put in the extra work as we look towards cutting the final squad for the competition,” Williams added.

Shaun Fuentes
Dir. of Communications
Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
(868) 681 5429 (mobile) 623 9500 (office)
www.TTFootball.Org
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Not a day goes by without Machel Cedenio having thoughts of securing a place in the T&T contingent heading to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, scheduled for August, and ultimately securing gold.

But even as those images occupy his mind, the champion quarter-miler knows he has crucial adjustments to make to his strength and conditioning training to produce the results required to attain his intended champion feat.

“I run fast, but I’m weak,” Cedenio told the T&T Guardian. “I am not as strong as I think I was based on the test they did (at the Michael Johnson Performance Centre). What we did, we went back to the drawing board, re-evaluating certain stuff so I could do better.”

Cedenio was one of nine local elite athletes admitted to a one-week High Performance Summit at the Michael Johnson Performance (MJP) Centre at its World Training Centre in McKinney, Texas, last November.

Jarrin Solomon, Richard Thompson, Kelly-Ann Baptiste, Michelle-Lee Ahye, Semoy Hackett, Mikel Thomas, Emmanuel Callender and Wayne Davis, were the other athletes enrolled in the T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC)/ bpTT sponsored programme designed as part of this country’s Rio medal push.

He applauded the TTOC’s decision and firmly believes the decision meant officials at the TTOC believed in him.

“I am not the kind of person to count my chickens before they have hatched!  So, I’ll just pray, work hard every day! Yes, once I put my mind to anything, I’ll try my best to achieve it. We (my coach Lance Brauman and I) talk about the Olympics every day. He wants me to go out there and win a medal. Once my coach believes in me, I can more than believe in myself to win a gold medal,” said Cedenio.  

“I’m a medal hopeful. So you know once they believe in me it’s good.  I think going out was there was the best thing T&T could do for an athlete. It’s really amazing that you can learn your whole sport in a week. With hard work and dedication anything is possible. Once you put your mind to it, you can achieve it.   I learnt that sport has no age barrier. You can be 20 and win an Olympic gold. Just try hard, focus, stay in school and have fun.”

Cedenio was amazed by the type of equipment available at MJP to scientifically test athletes’ strength, fitness and endurance, whether it was by slowing down their running motion or quickening it. He expressed delight that programmes at MJP targeted the mental well-being of its clients and also prepared them for their interactions with the media.

The MJP Summit, therefore, in his view was vital for T&T medal hopefuls, heading to Rio.