After the last mega winner was announced for the draw on Saturday, November 11, the NLCB restarted the Lotto Plus jackpot at a guaranteed $2.0 million for Wednesday, November 15.

There was no winner and the prize for Saturday, November 18, was then “estimated” at $2.1 million. Again there was no winner and the new “estimated” prize for Wednesday, November 22, was $2.2 million.

Similarly, as there was no jackpot winner, the radio ads blasted that the “estimated” jackpot for Saturday, November 25, was now $2.3 million. Therefore, after four draws, the Lotto Plus jackpot was now “estimated” at $2.3 million. It meant that the prize increased by $100,000 each draw.

Lo and behold, there was one winner for this Saturday’s draw (#1702) and the NLCB winner information printout is showing that the jackpot won was $2.0 million.

After two weeks and four draws, the jackpot after being advertised as going up each draw suddenly falls back to the original prize of $2.0 million.

Is this a case of “over-estimation” or more likely a rip off of the gullible gambling public?

Had the winner been me I would have gone to NLCB’s head office with my winning ticket and my attorney.

When trust and confidence is lost, nothing will bring it back.

Over to you, NLCB. Your explanation why the supposedly increasing jackpot has been cut back is now being demanded.

Confused and feeling ripped off.

JOMO

The Government is lamenting that the country is facing a drastic shortfall of foreign exchange in particular US dollars.

This is clearly evident by the Finance Ministry curtailing the sale of US dollars to the ordinary citizen for travel and online purchasing.

One has to wait as long a one month in some cases to acquire US$1,000 from the commercial banks. However, I do not see any shortage of new vehicles in the automotive distribution centres.

The purchase of new vehicles by these agencies would consume a very huge amount of US dollars. Just take a look and one will see hundreds, if not thousands of new vehicles in their showcases and storage yards.

There is likewise, no shortage of imported food items, including luxurious items, in the supermarkets. These stocks require valuable and diminishing foreign exchange.

Yet, I and other ordinary citizens, have to be queuing up and literally begging for a few US dollars from the commercial banks.

Something does not smell right here.

DAVID JV RAGOONATH

There is a suggestion that what is needed on the Beetham is unimpeded access to the dump to rummage through garbage for the scraps of the nation. They must be able to have access to the highway so that they can vent by throwing stones at drivers that use that sector of the roadway to get to and from our capital city.

Those seeking political mileage from the Beetham incident totally ignore the stagnated water that’s in their drains, the stench from the nearby dump or the levels of poverty in the community. They ignore the danger posed by shots fired at passing cars or at law enforcement officers.

Similarly, the people who occupy vacant public housing units are seen by some as poor people in need housing for their family. Such is the view of many seeking to excuse the activities that recently caused a major disruption on the Beetham and at the Clifton Hill apartments a few days ago.

It is human nature for one to imagine the better side of human behaviour. When gun-toting men demand security money for one to work in their area rather than seek employment on the project, human nature leads one to ignore the possibility that such action is a norm in the community. When families are violently robbed, and our young men lie in pools of blood on our streets almost daily, one is tempted to blame the politicians, the economy, the church, race or gangs rather than the possibility that there are bad people with evil intent.

It is the failure to recognise evil that allowed many leaders worldwide to get away with genocide before someone or some group acts to curtail their activities. Human history has taught us that lives can be saved, and atrocities avoided if we act decisively when evil confronts us.

The Prime Minister and the Government of T&T is government for every citizen of our country regardless of race, location, education, social status or political affiliation. Their responsibility is to ensure that every citizen is free to enjoy the fruits of his labour without restriction or threat to his right to property, movement, freedom or protection under the law.

The people of the Beetham ought not to be offered silly inanities like access to the dump or highway. Instead, their communities should be protected from the noisy highway by a wall. Their stagnated water ways ought to be replaced with proper drainage. Their employment opportunities ought to be much more than a few Cepep jobs or the derivatives from scrummaging through our garbage. They ought to be respected and treated with dignity.

They, like every other citizen in T&T, must not be allowed to break the law and disrupt the lives of other citizens regardless of their economic circumstances. The message to the people of T&T must be that lawlessness will not be tolerated. It is in time like these that one’s leadership abilities is demonstrated. One may wish to recall the mantra “we love you, we care for you”.

God bless our nation.

Steve Alvarez

Our children are under attack by paedophiles who are viciously, sexually abusing them. I believe that the decline in moral and spiritual values in our society is a major contributory factor to this wickedness against our children. Our children are the most vulnerable of the demographics and are therefore facing the brunt of the attack.

Some of our citizens have become monsters and vultures and while stiff penalties and swift justice will help in dealing with the situation, uplifting our moral, ethical and spiritual qualities, must also be dealt with as a matter of urgency.

When a five-year-old is raped and ravished by a grown man and when a sixty-year-old fondles two young children who are sent to school under his care, in the words of the calypsonians, “something has happened to the soul of our nation.”

Children are inflicted with physical and emotional scars which stay with them for life. Because the justice system is so slow, it takes years before the victim can obtain justice and if justice delayed is justice denied, then many juvenile victims are denied justice in this country. That must be remedied, but fundamental to this is that the wicked psyche of many of our citizens must be transformed.

We must work in our homes, schools, churches and socialising institutions, to build a psyche of love in all citizens. In many instances, the church has become elitist and preaches mostly to the converted or believers.

It has to reach out and deal with all sectors of society. Church leaders must also lead and teach by example. Too often there are alleged and confirmed reports of clergy members who are paedophiles. These officials must not forget or lose their moral and spiritual moorings.

There is a dire need for the development of positive values in our society, which speak to honesty, love and spirituality. There must be a moral revival to go along with law and justice reform in T&T.

Trevor Oliver

Programme Coordinator
Moms For Literacy

A spectacular spectacle best describes Brian MacFarlane’s Christmas production, Christmas Joy – the Gift of the Drum. The concert which premiered on November 26 was a mixture of old and new, nostalgia and excitement, with dramatic lighting and pageantry in the best tradition of the famed mas-man.

MacFarlane, who was not able to attend the concert due to ill-health, sent greetings to the attendees and said the event is “proof of what we can do if we’re prepared to work hard.” He thanked the cast and directors Dr Charles Brunner, Richard Anthony Pierre and Dr Helmer Hilwig for their hard work and dedication.

The concert featured performances by Alethea Beharry, Wendell Constantine, Marlon de Bique, Anne Fridal, Lennox Gray, Kelwyn Hutcheon, Christian Mendez, Stephanie Nahous, Rosezanna Winchester, Raquel Winchester, Wendy Sheppard, Marvin Smith, Ancil Valley, a children’s choir, members of the Cascade Festival Ballet and Twin Inc.

The audience was treated to presentations of When A Child Is Born, It Came Upon A Midnight Clear, I Wonder As I Wander, All I Want For Christmas, I’m Dreaming Of A White Christmas, Driving Home For Christmas, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Deck The Halls, Kiss Me For Christmas, Oh How I Wish I Were A Child Again, It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, Laughing Children, Grownup Christmas Wish, Panis Angelicus, Ave Maria, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/O Tidings Of Comfort And Joy, O Holy Night and I Believe/Somewhere Over The Rainbow.

Of special note were the performances of Around My Christmas Tree (Laughing Children) by Lennox Gray and Kiss Me For Christmas and Oh How I Wish I Were A Child Again by Kelwyn Hutcheon, both of whom received roars of applause when they entered the stage. And, special mention must go to young Christian Mendez whose powerful voice wowed all those present.

The all-male quartet of Marvin Smith, Marlon de Bique, Wendell Constantine and Ancil Valley singing O Holy Night was breathtaking. The performance of I’m Dreaming of A White Christmas by Anne Fridal, Wendell Constantine and Ancil Valley with the choristers dressed as snowflakes, ballerinas who formed a moving flower and falling snowflakes, created a visually stunning scene.

Alethea Beharry, Stephanie Nahous, Wendy Sheppard, Raquel Winchester and the full choir, delivered a powerful pore-raising rendition of arrangements of Ave Maria that brought the audience to tears. The finale of a medley of I Believe/Somewhere Over The Rainbow featuring all performers was visually stunning and breathtakingly beautiful.

Part proceeds of the opening night went to the Children’s Ark’s project to relocate and reconstruct the Surgical Ward, including the operating theatre and dental suite, of the Princess Elizabeth Home for Handicapped Children which will cost approximately $1.6 million.

Children’s Ark Chairman Simone de la Bastide said they recently received a donation of $750,000 from PCS Nitrogen towards the project.

Christmas Joy - The Gift of the Drum continues at Queen’s Hall until December 3 at Queen’s Hall. For tickets call Queen’s Hall Box Office (624-1284, ext: 242; 772-3533 and 491-3345).

It is understandable why some families protest so fiercely against psychiatric care for relatives with mental illnesses or who are in crisis. And, it is perfectly acceptable—though naive—to expect that everyone would have sufficient interest or minimal knowledge about mental health and mental illness, or, at a minimum, have a good perspective on the matter of the mind—we each having one—and of curative interventions if illness occurs.

The truth is, most people are ignorant about the appropriate response to someone living with mental illness or experiencing a mental crisis. But there are recommended options for care.

For example, in acute situations, hospitalisation and treatment are usually the considered options, and in other less severe cases, a client/individual may need a combination of a clinician’s intervention/visit, talk-therapy, and possibly a prescribed/supervised medicinal regimen.

Still, in other circumstances people can be taught to manage their health with social interventions—therapies such as creative and visual arts, exercising, reading, spirituality and mindfulness, horticulture, or even learning.

Each of which exists on a spectrum beginning with mental wellness and going all the way to the issue of mental ill health. If we were to consider remaining well then some of the same social prescriptions for recovery are among the very activities we need. People mostly begin life with a degree of mental wellness. Keeping the balance is a constant challenge though, from childhood through pre-teens, teens and adolescence, adulthood, and ageing.

There is such frailty and injury that can meet us on our journey and any of them can derail us. Derailment is a distinct possibility in each of our lives. Have you ever considered that you can find yourself in a place where your path is thwarted? Or do you live with the assurance that absolutely nothing can shift you? That mental ill health only happens to people that are weak?

Or that mental illnesses are not real but instead are just demonic issues that require religious intervention? Just suppose you experienced a mental crisis and could not make a decision for yourself, what would you want others to do for you if you were found to be at a place where you needed a doctor?

What intervention would your relatives most likely choose on your behalf? What if you wanted and needed a medical intervention and your next of kin, because of ignorance and stigma, decided that all you needed was a “bath,” even though you may become worse and in spite of the fact that an early intervention could alleviate long-term complications?

Have you ever considered that you can be in this position? No one has immunity from mental ill health. No one. These have been the contemplations offering me comradeship for the past few weeks. I have seen enough in this life to know what is possible in the realm of psychological/mental health. I have often heard exclamations at the news of someone we know experiencing a mental crisis.

The incredulity of our responses bespeaks the ignorance in which we choose to exist. The fact that we immediately begin to psychoanalyse the individual exposes an entrenched stigma.

Sometimes, in those volleys of unawareness and bigotry, I suffer the setback of feeling like people are not listening, hearing, believing, or changing. I wonder: “Do people really care about these matters of the mind or should I stop trying to educate and advocate?”

And it is not that I haven’t seen the difference these relentless toils have made over the years. I have.

But when ignorance is so loud and presumptuous, and when stigma is so prevalent and powerful that families/relatives prefer their loved ones to suffer rather than accept they need (and get them) psychiatric care, it really weighs the spirit down.

n CAROLINE C RAVELLO is a strategic communication and media professional and a public health practitioner. She holds an MA with Merit in Mass Communications (University of Leicester) and is a Master of Public Health With Distinction (The UWI). Write to: mindful.tt@gmail.com

The major focus of the third instalment of the Caribbean Dance Music (CDM) Conference on December 2 will be the launch of On Lock Records, a new record label dedicated to the promotion of Caribbean talent. The Conference promises a hands-on interactive experience where attendees will participate in the creation of a CDM track with top producers, songwriters and musicians.

CDMC founder and organiser Karilee Fifi said, On Lock Records, headed by herself and partner Kitwana “Kit” Israel, of AdvoKit Productions, will be affiliated with Sony Records and will have access to Sony’s distribution mega-machine, The Orchard. She said the label will act as an incubator and a curator for Caribbean talent. Fifi said: “Through using their digital distributor, The Orchard, we would be able to see what songs do well in what regions and which artists are doing well. Sony would then get involved, and say we’re interested in this group or this genre and we want to get behind it, whether it’s to spend marketing dollars or signing the artist themselves, that’s the roadmap.”

She added that she will be offering digital distribution for individual tracks. “I’m not trying to sign artistes yet,” she said, “because I can’t make the commitment to sign an artist as an upcoming label, I can’t put the spend behind them. I want to say this is a great track, let’s figure out the marketing promotions for this track and go from there. I think we could definitely still make waves even if it’s just song by song. Even though the label is based in Trinidad, we want to attract talent from all genres from all over the Caribbean.”

Fifi said the decision to launch the label was made after two years of conversations with Jose Abreu, senior director for Digital Business in the Latin and Iberian Regions. In a release, Abreu said, “We came across the label and found Karrilee was doing some interesting stuff with CDM so part of the opportunity we’re bringing is supporting what she is doing locally and giving it a platform so that when there are opportunities for these artistes expanding out in terms of sales, marketing, etc. SONY is here, and we want to lend support. We want to make sure that music emerging from the islands has a platform that allows persons outside of the space to be exposed to the sounds of that culture from persons from that region.”

Fifi said it’s exciting to know that a big company in the music industry is interested in partnering with a Caribbean label and supporting Caribbean talent. “It goes to show that the world right now knows that a lot of the music they’re hearing is influenced by Caribbean music so why not just come to the source and work with the people that are on the ground.”

She revealed that in the first two years of the Conference, the focus was on educating music practitioners about the business aspects of the industry. Based on feedback from her audiences, she decided to focus more on a hands-on experience.

The practitioners will get to make a CDM track live with Keshav Singh of Jus Now Productions, Kees Dieffenthaller and Aaron “Voice” St Louis, which will then be released on On Lock Records.

The Conference will also include an “Industry Talks” panel, which will include Abreu and industry names such Stef Kalloo, Michael “Tano” Montano, Jimmy October and Mark Hardy.

Fifi said the aim is to “discuss the local music industry, see how people feel about the support or lack thereof for artists outside the soca industry and come up with a strategy.” There will also be a presentation for a Caribbean streaming platform called Radial which focuses on Caribbean content. The final session involves a demo review session where a panel will review demos which have been sent in by local talent, and the winner will be released on On Lock Records. Interested persons are asked to send their demos to demos@onlockrecords.com

The Conference takes place on December 2 at the Cipriani College of Labour between 10 am and 4 pm at a cost of $250. For more details check out the Caribbean Dance Music Conference 2017 on Facebook, email cdmgeneration@gmail.com, and call 756 4732.

A perfect blend of “callaloo and dhal” is how Chef Jason (Jason Peru) refers to his new Chutney Soca release for the 2018 Carnival, Live Meh Life.

“We tried to put new flavours in the composition,” he said of the fusion of old soca and new age chutney flavours simmering together in the work written by Tempo (Rowan Lewis), and produced by Maha Studios (Rishi Mahato and Kris Persad (KI), and his father Errol Peru. The song was launched earlier this month on all major radio frequencies.

Peru said the selection, which speaks of the many vices man encounters during his lifetime, was not written primarily for competition, as its purpose is also for people to enjoy and appreciate the contributions performing artistes make to the rich musical tapestry of T&T.

“I am a travelling and television chef who travels across the globe,” said Peru. “However, singing also helps my brand as a chef, as when I travel to do my cooking, I am able to represent music also. So people see me as not just a chef, but a bona fide, all-round entertainer.”

Peru graduated from the T&T Hospitality & Tourism Institute (TTHTI ) in 2004 with his Associate In Sciences Degree in Culinary Management. He was awarded three scholarships to attend Johnson & Wales University in Miami to further his education. It was there he attained his Associate Degree in Culinary Arts and his Bachelor of Science Degree in Culinary Arts. He graduated with Golden Quill Honours and maintained Dean’s List honours throughout his tenure at Johnson & Wales University.

While attending university, Peru worked at The Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Miami, as a hot line chef. He was then offered a Chef De Partie position at the celebrity famed restaurant, Karu & Y Lounge, Miami. It was there he worked with his mentor, Chef Alberto Cabrera, where they catered to stars such as P Diddy, Shaquille O’Neil, Gloria Estefan, Al Pacino and Jennifer Lopez, to name a few. Peru also managed to work part-time as a personal chef for clients and also a sauté chef in Pompano Beach Florida.

“As far as singing and performing are concerned, I do this when time allows,” he said. “Singing is something I love, like a hobby. And despite my bubbling personality, I am a very constructive individual, and it’s easy for people to misconstrue my stage personna with what I am in real life.”

Peru said he is on a journey to build a template for what a true entertainment and showbiz chef should be. He is seeking to create a brand and a name for himself that would inspire others to follow in his footsteps.

His previous Chutney-soca contributions include Bubble With Me, Lock Down and Rice.

KEVON FELMINE

kevon.felmine@guardian.co.tt

Even though it's been over a month since widespread floods brought hardship to thousands of families, the effects are still being felt by many.

This is the reason why residents of Avocat, Fyzabad were grateful for the Bankers Association's (BATT) $400,000 donation to flood-affected communities throughout Trinidad.

Yesterday, BATT started its distribution of food hampers, mattresses, refrigerators and stoves in the farming community.

This will be followed by distributions in the Mayaro/Rio Claro, Tunapuna/Piarco and San Juan/Laventille regional corporation districts.

BATT treasurer Darryl White said they will be distributing 500 mattresses, 1000 hampers and dozens of appliances.

He said quite often in cases of floods, when the water subsides, the news cycle ends and people forget about the victims.

While flooding has become common, he said when livestock and crops are destroyed, it affects the economic cycle of a community.

"In our instance, certainly the news cycle does not end and we want to keep a focus on those communities that are affected, the families that are affected and help everybody get back on their feet again in some small way," White said.

Fyzabad MP Dr Lackram Bodoe said approximately 200 residents in the Avocat area were affected by the flood.

Bodoe said the area was only accessible by boat for several days.

He said he was happy that the problem has not been forgotten.

While life was improving for the residents, he believes it would take some time before normalcy is returned.

Therefore, he called on Government to expedite flood relief as residents would like to have a cheerful Christmas.

"There was both psychological and emotional trauma from these floods and the physical damage that took place. There is still the need for small appliances, furniture and things like that," Bodoe said.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry has reacted with disappointment to the pronouncements of the Kelvin Mahabir, Chief Executive Officer of the National Flour Mills Limited (NFM) in the November 29, 2017 Business Express on the possible increase in the prices of flour products by the Company.

In a statement yesterday, the Ministry called Mahabir's action "wholly unacceptable."

The Trade Minister stated that over the years the Government, largely through the Ministry of Trade and Industry, has been diligent at maintaining a facilitative working relationship with NFM as evident by the numerous dialogues and support provided on matters.

"As such, the public dissemination of the likelihood of an increase in flour prices without any prior discussion is wholly unacceptable." the release stated

The Trade Ministry said the published unaudited financial statements of NFM for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 showed that the Company attained a net after profit of $22.55 million in comparison to $26.26 million for the same period in 2016.

This represented a 23 percent decline in profitability and was due as it is understood mainly to a fall in revenue from animal feeds.

In addition, the profitability of NFM was also notably affected by the expenses incurred in the upgrade on its plant and equipment towards increasing production and achieving an internationally recognized safe quality food certification.

NFM, notwithstanding has still been able to meet its financial obligations and maintain a satisfactory cash flow position.

In this regard, the Minister has mandated that the Company place specific emphasis on penetrating foreign markets, new product development, reviewing hedging policies, improving cost structure by revising contractual arrangements and process efficiencies in all of its the business segments.

With that as the context the release added: "The Government is mindful of NFM’s responsibility to all its shareholders to be profitable. However, given the widespread implications that will undoubtedly arise, price adjustments will not be supported at this time."

Overall Market activity resulted from trading in 16 securities of which 5 advanced, 4 declined and 7 traded firm.

Trading activity on the First Tier Market registered a volume of 50,441 shares crossing the floor of the Exchange valued at $552,095.15.

Guardian Holdings was the volume leader with 13,670 shares changing hands for a value of $224,651.00, followed by NCB Financial Group with a volume of 10,300 shares being traded for $61,800.00.

Prestige Holdings contributed 9,131 shares with a value of $98,158.25, while Trinidad Cement Limited added 7,929 shares valued at $31,319.55.

Guardian Holdings registered the day's largest gain, increasing $0.57 to end the day at $16.43.

Conversely, Republic Financial Holdings registered the day's largest decline, falling $1.17 to close at $100.52.

Clico Investment Fund was the only active security on the Mutual Fund Market, posting a volume of 47 shares valued at $987.00.

Clico Investment Fund remained at $21.00.

Judgment in a lawsuit challenging the selection process for which Carnival bands representative should be on the board of the National Carnival Commission (NCC) is expected to be delivered one month before next year’s celebrations.

High Court Judge Joan Charles set a date of January 10, after she issued deadlines for the filing of additional submissions in the case brought by the T&T Carnival Bands Association (TTCBA) against Community Development, Culture and the Arts Minister Nyan Gadsby-Dolly earlier this year.

While attorneys for both parties had already filed their submissions to facilitate a judgment before the start of the Carnival season, TTCBA rival organisation, the National Carnival Bands Association (NCBA) recently filed an application to be added as a defendant in the claim.

The application was granted on Tuesday as neither of the other parties raised objections.

Charles said: “They (NCBA) are part of the entire structure and it would only be fair for me to hear what everybody has to say and then make a decision.”

In their lawsuit, the TTCBA is challenging Gadsby-Dolly’s decision to appoint NCBA president David Lopez to NCC’s board for six months in January.

The TTCBA contends that the decision is unfair as it was made while discussions were taking place over which body was “most representative of Carnival bands.”

The NCC’s legislation only states that the body with the designation should be represented on its board but does not name either of the associations.

The TTCBA is also contending that Gadsby-Dolly’s decision was illegal as she is only able to make two-year appointments to commission’s board under the NCC Act.

The group, which claims to have more members than the NCBA, is seeking an order compelling Gadsby-Dolly to have consultations on the issue of representation and for her to come to a final decision on the issue.

Gadsby-Dolly has agreed to refrain from making further appointments until the lawsuit before Charles is determined.

The TTCBA is being represented by Shiv Sharma and Vivek Lakhan-Joseph, while Justin Phelps and Anthony Vieira are representing the NCBA.

A 26-year-old man who admitted to killing a businessman and stealing his car over a decade ago has been sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Nicholas Khan received the sentence from High Court Judge Hayden St Clair-Douglas in the Port-of-Spain High Court on Tuesday, almost 11 months after he had pleaded guilty to killing 53-year-old Ricky Mohammed.

Khan was initially charged with Mohammed’s murder but was able to plead guilty under the felony-murder rule.

Under the rule, judges are allowed to waive the mandatory death sentence for murder and accept guilty pleas in circumstances where a death occurred during the commission of a lesser criminal offence, usually robbery.

Khan is expected to be released in nine years and eight months as he was given a one-third discount for his guilty plea and the time he spent on remand was deducted from his sentence.

St Clair-Douglas also shaved off three years from Khan sentence because the prisoner had expressed remorse for his actions and had been described as a model prisoner by prison officials.

He noted that since entering the prison system at age 17, Khan was able to obtain several education qualifications and was involved in counselling fellow prisoners.

Mohammed was killed on October 17, 2007, during a robbery.

Khan claimed that he and a friend, who was never arrested by police, went to rob Mohammed but the victim resisted.

Mohammed’s relatives found his body in his upholstery shop located along the Southern Main Road in Curepe after he failed to return home from work the previous evening. His Toyota Corolla was missing.

An autopsy revealed that Mohammed was bludgeoned to death with an industrial stapler.

St Clair-Douglas sentenced Khan to seven years in prison for stealing Mohammed’s car but ordered that that sentence run concurrently with the 30-year sentence.

In passing the sentence, St Clair-Douglas said there were no eyewitnesses to the crime and it was unclear what had transpired in Mohammed’s store.

“It cannot be stated it was a significant violent attack,” St Clair-Douglas said.

However, he noted that Mohammed’s murder had caused significant trauma to his wife and two children.

Constable LeVon Sylvester reportedly told his colleagues on Tuesday night that he had no idea he was assisting alleged fraudster Vicky Boodram in escaping from legal custody when he picked her up at the Women’s Prison in Golden Grove on Monday.

Northern Division officers arrested their colleague at his Santa Rosa, Arima home through his cell phone signal around 11 pm, and he initially told them he was unaware he was being sought for interrogation in connection with Boodram’s escape.

Sylvester was still being interrogated by officers from the Professional Standards Bureau last night.

From what they had been able to piece together up to yesterday, around 4.30 pm Monday Sylvester picked up SRP Lisa Navarro at her Arouca home and told her she was needed to secure the release of an inmate at a female prison. The two arrived at the Women’s Prison in a marked Nissan X-trail around 5.15 pm and presented prisons officers with what appeared to be a court order requesting that Boodram appear before a Tunapuna magistrate.

After receiving the request, prison officers contacted their superior, a warrants officer, and informed him of the situation and were given the green light to release Boodram into the care of the police. After collecting Boodram, Navarro was dropped off at her home and both Sylvester and Boodram left.

According to CCTV footage, Sylvester parked the police vehicle at the back of the Tunapuna Police Station sometime after 6 pm and left. There was no signs of Boodram.

Navarro reported to work at the Tunapuna Police Station and was arrested on Tuesday morning. Sometime between Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning, however, someone also contacted the prison and said Boodram had secured bail.

The prison service became concerned when no documentation affirming this was presented. Boodram was scheduled to appear before both Port-of-Spain and Siparia Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday. Her Port-of-Spain matters have been adjourned to next month.

It was alleged that both Boodram and a male companion arrived at the Siparia Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, where she told a clerk she had been granted bail and has not been seen since.

The homes of the two officers and Boodram’s were searched yesterday. Police said they also interviewed some people outside the prison and police officers and are looking for others.

Court officials told the T&T Guardian yesterday that the official request for an inmate to be released is made through documents that are stamped with the necessary court rubber-stamp and Judiciary letterhead, but noted these can be easily duplicated.

A prison official yesterday said every time an inmate is released or received, police officers escorting the prisoner present documentation stating the inmate has has to appear in court or has been returned to prison.

The official said they have been requesting an integrated system between the courts, police and prisons for a seamless transition, but that has not been forthcoming. The prison officer added that the only time a prison officer escorts a prisoner to court is when he has been convicted on one matter and has a pending matter before the courts.

A media release from the Prison Officers’ Association yesterday said the prison keeps “remandees” on the request of the court until otherwise instructed, adding it is the police service which is responsible for transporting inmates to and from court.

“This incident provides an opportunity to look at how the courts, prison and police manage these offenders, especially in the area of how they communicate. In these modern times, with a great number of technological advancements in offender management, we need to get our collective acts together,” the release said.

“Management of these very important agencies/organisations on behalf of the people of Trinidad and Tobago can no longer be business as usual.

“The continued apparent one dimensional approach to addressing crime and criminality continues to do us a disservice.

“We would like to see this particular incident crystalise efforts to bring us to the point in recognising the criminal justice system is to be managed as one unit and not separate entities competing for limited resources, believing one is more important than the other.”

Prison officers at the Women’s Prison in Arouca have to shoulder some blame over the escape of accused fraudster Vicky Boodram, a senior police officer at the Court and Process Branch said yesterday.

Speaking with the T&T Guardian under a condition of anonymity, the officer claimed checks and balances in the prisoner transport procedure could have prevented Boodram’s escape on Monday.

The officer said whenever accused persons were remanded into custody by magistrates or judges, remand warrants are issued. The warrants, which contain the date on which they are due to reappear in court, are handed over to prison officials when the accused are taken to the remand facility.

“When we go to collect them we do not go with any documents. The prison would give us a list of the prisoners who they have to come to court on that day,” the officer said, as he explained the prison list was complied through remand warrants it received.

“The only time we go with another document to collect them is when a magistrate brings up the matter and gives a replacement warrant for them to come to court.”

The officer said if the two police officers accused of assisting Boodram had presented documents, the prison officers had a responsibility to verify their authenticity.

“If they (the police) produce a remand or replacement warrant you have to know from who it came from.

“You mean to tell me that you just let her go and everybody knows there is no night court here?” the officer said.

Contacted yesterday, a popular criminal defence attorney also raised questions over the incident based on his experience in court, prison and police procedure.

“That whole situation sounds weird...It sounds like a case of prison and police officer collusion to me,” the attorney said.

He explained that in situations where a judge or magistrate varies a remanded person’s bail in their absence, the Prisons Service is informed directly by the Supreme Court Registry or the Clerk of the Peace at a Magistrate’s Court.

“If there is something that happened in your absence, then the Registrar or Clerk of the Peace faxes a copy to the Welfare Department of the Prisons Service.

“When they receive the fax copy, then a Justice of the Peace can come to the jail and process the bail,” the attorney said.

He also questioned whether a writ of habeas corpus was used in Boodram’s escape and if so, why it was accepted by prison officers. Under the writ, a High Court Judge orders that a detained person be brought before a court by their detainer, who is called upon to justify their continued detention.

Under the process, which is regularly employed by persons who are detained by police for lengthy periods without being charged, the head of the body detaining the person is served with the court documents and is required to get their agents to transport the individual for the hearing.

Habeas corpus applications are rarely granted in absentia, with judges waiting for the person to be brought before them before making final orders that they be released.

If the correct process was used in Boodram’s case, the Commissioner of Prisons would have had to be informed and would have had to retain attorneys to explain her continued detention.

“The jail operates on official documents. The police have no say in a jail.

“When they want to see a man for a murder enquiry, they are subject to prison rules on supervision that apply to anyone else,” the attorney said.

The mother of escapee Vicky Boodram wants her daughter to surrender to the police.

Still reeling in shock at her Gambal Street, Siparia home yesterday, Indra Lall said the incident had left her upset and hurt.

“This is worst than the first time (Boodram’s arrest),” said Lall as she wiped her tears away.

Sitting on a chair in her gallery facing the roadway, Lall said since her daughter’s incarceration she sits there every day hoping in vain to see her daughter walk through the gate. However, Lall does not expect that Boodram will ever come home or call her.

“Vicky is too smart for that,” said the mother.

Lall said she had no idea where her daughter could be hiding, but felt it would make no sense making a public appeal to her daughter, whom she described as stubborn.

Asked what she would say to her daughter if she made an appeal, she said: “I will tell her to turn herself in because it is a worse matter. There is no good thing about it. What more can I say, but is if she would heed.”

Lall has been visiting Boodram at least once a month in prison since her incarceration last year. Recalling her last visit with Boodram last month, she said her daughter was her usual self and gave no hint that she was planning an escape.

“She was very normal. Vicky is Vicky, whatever pain she going through she will not show it,” she said. She said she learned about Boodram’s escape through a news report.

“What I see on the the news yesterday, it throw me back against the wall. It was terrible,” Lall said, adding she was concerned about her daughter’s safety, especially with the police searching for her.

“I am concerned but what can I say. It is left in God’s hands, whatever happen so be it. There is nothing I can do. I cannot hold anybody hand. I don’t know whose hands to hold,” said Lall.

Saying the situation with her daughter had taken a toll on her health, she said just three months ago her husband Ramdass Boodram died after suffering a stroke.

However, Lall said the police had not yet contacted her up to the time she was speaking to the T&T Guardian.

In what has been hailed as the greatest escape in the country’s history, Boodram, who is facing over 170 fraud and money laundering charges, walked out of the Women’s Prison at Golden Grove, Arouca, with two police officers on Monday evening and never returned.

The T&T Prison Service has since stated that around 5.15 pm, Boodram was “legitimately handed” over to WPC Navarro and PC Sylvester after they presented a court note from the Tunapuna Magistrates’ Court ordering her appearance. After all protocols and procedures were followed, the release stated, Boodram was released into the officers’ care.

Former senator Allyson Baksh says she resigned from the Senate because of “family commitments,” but declined to answer any more questions on the issue.

“That is all I am prepared to say,” Baksh told the T&T Guardian yesterday.

Baksh tendered her resignation to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley on Monday. Rowley accepted it and thanked her for her service and contribution to the Senate.

Baksh was appointed shortly after the September 2015 general election and was a member of the Joint Select Committee on State Enterprises.

Her replacement in the Senate, Ronald Huggins, is also her replacement on the JSC. Among the state enterprises which fall under the ambit of the committee is Petrotrin.

Baksh sat in at a meeting of the committee in 2016, when Petrotrin officials appeared to answer questions.

Baksh is the daughter of Haniff Nazim Baksh, the owner A and V Oil and Gas Drilling, which has the contract to supply oil to Petrotrin from the Catshill Field.

An internal audit report at the state oil company showed that for the period January to June this year Petrotrin overpaid the company to the tune of $80 million for oil which it did not receive.

The findings of the internal audit have since been confirmed by Canadian Forensic Audit Consultant Kroll.

International oil and gas Consultant Gaffney Cline also confirmed that the field in question did not have the capacity to supply the amount of oil which it was alleged had been supplied and which Petrotrin paid for.

Opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who had made the Petrotrin internal audit report into the sale of oil by A&V to Petrotrin public in August, had called on Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley to remove Baksh from the Senate. Last weekend, Persad-Bissessar renewed her call for Baksh to go.

But during the third ‘Conversations with the Prime Minister’ in September, Rowley had defended Baksh in the wake of calls for her to go at the height of the fake oil scandal.

But well-placed sources told the T&T Guardian yesterday that shortly after both Nazim Baksh and his son in law, Corporal Billy Ramsundar, appeared in court on November 10, charged with an incident involving T&T Guardian photographer Kristian de Silva, Rowley, who had previously admitted to being a close friend of Baksh, decided that there was need to act.

The T&T Guardian was told a member of Cabinet with close ties to the Baksh family was directed to have a discussion with her to get her to tender her resignation. She initially refused. But the resignation letter was subsequently sent to Rowley on November 27.

Government officials yesterday told the T&T Guardian they had “no comment” on the resignation, saying “that was a call for the leader, he appoints and none of us know when it will be taken away.”

Opposition Senator Gerald Ramdeen on Tuesday expressed concern that Petrotrin also appeared to be taking “too long” to deal with the matter.

Yesterday, however, Petrotrin chairman Wilson Espinet told the Guardian the board was not going to sweep anything under the carpet.

He said: “We are mindful of the fact that process is more important in this case than being right or wrong. You will appreciate while this may have public interest. My bigger interest in Petrotrin is to ensure that we don’t lose money.”

The TT&T Football Referees Association (TTFRA) recently decided not to appoint any of their referees to games involving Santa Rosa FC due to the behaviour of their headcoach and his assistant.

As far as the TTFRA was concerned, the abusive and insulting attitude to the match officials during the match vs Guaya Utd simply went too far and they demanded action be taken.

They also insisted that the Headcoach apologise and remove a Facebook post where the club allegedly questioned the integrity of Tobago referees.

Both Santa Rosa officials were reported by the referee to the relevant authorities i.e. T&T Football Association (TTFA), TTFRA and the T&T Super League (TTSL).

Meanwhile, the headcoach apologised and removed the Facebook post, however, the TTRFA felt that the incident was being swept under the carpet by the TTSL.

The disciplinary committee of the TTSL then met and suspended both coaches for a match and issued a $1,000 fine to each party.

This decision did not sit well with the TTFRA because the boycott of games continued.

I’d like to make it clear that no referee leaves their home to service football and expects to be verbally abused, and that behaviour is wholly unacceptable and has no place in football. However, the TTFRA cannot determine if a fine is too severe or the punishment is not satisfactory.

The referees did their job and reported the indiscretion of the club officials.

The buck stops there. Perhaps, if they do not agree with the punishment, that should have been taken up in another forum, not by stopping the football.

The TTFRA decided that they were going to flex their muscles and show the TTSL that no games can play without match officials. Immediately, they were being accused of holding the TTSL to ransom. Referees worldwide are now being put under tremendous pressure with the advent of television cameras and every decision is replayed and slowed down so it can be analysed.

We have it right here now with the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) and the live games on Sportsmax/CNC3.

We also see managers in the English Premier league often complaining about the officials and when they step out of line, they are dealt with by the league and the matter is closed.

Therefore it is such a pity that this situation went back and forth for weeks and the governing body for the sport, the TTFA, made no efforts until now to step in to mediate the problem, because it was obvious there was one. Words were exchanged for almost three weeks with no solution to the matter. The Santa Rosa officials are questioning the standard of refereeing in the country which in response, the TTFRA is acknowledging the need for support. But the important question remains – whose decision is it to support the development of referees in T&T? It falls at the feet of the TTFA.

Referees in T&T have complained for years about late payments not from the TTSL, but from the TTFA.

We expect professionalism, but referees go without being paid for months, sometimes years! I also understand that they are owed wages from a particular league (run by a promoter) since 2016.

Their travel allowance policy is also in the dark ages. But when a referee makes a mistake, they suddenly become public enemy #1.

I myself am not a Saint as when I coached Carib FC in the East Zone, I was dismissed from the technical area by a referee as I felt he was totally incompetent. But at the end of the day, we need to all work together to help improve, so that our football will improve.

We must never forget that referees remain a part of football. I understand the calls by the Santa Rosa FC Headcoach for the standard of refereeing to improve, but it can only improve if we all take an active role and just as how we assist with the development of youth players, we have to assist with the development of the TTFRA.
The TTFRA needs support as if they don’t have access to what they need to train their referees, and have them protected from all external agents (fans included), these problems will continue.

Meanwhile, it is extremely heartening to see so many young referees in the Pro League, TTSL and SSFL, but if they are not guided properly and assisted at a young age, they may not last.

Being a match official requires both physical and mental strength and the TTFRA must have the resources to push its young referees to reach the FIFA level.

Come on for the good of the game, let’s all put our heads together and move the game forward as if we say we are true administrators and here to serve the game, then prove it; because at the moment, a lot of those that call themselves administrators simply seek self-promotion.

Colin Murray