Ahead of next Tuesday’s National Tripartite Advisory Council (NTAC) meeting, director of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Decent Work Team (DWT) Claudia Coenjaerts said that the Ministry of Labour has a key role to play in bringing the national tripartite constituents together and in engaging in national planning exercises.

This means, she said, when labour policy is crafted the “principles of social dialogue” must be integrated in all policy issues and not just an agenda that omits feedback from key stakeholders.

“The region as a whole understands the role of mechanisms for social dialogue, but we need to see them work harder, to influence policy that puts labour, employment and decent work at the centre. The best decisions are those that are made with both sides of the spectrum.”

Coenjaerts was speaking last Tuesday at the ILO’s breakfast meeting titled, “Getting Ready for the Future of Work,” which was held at the Hyatt Regency hotel, Dock Road, Port-of-Spain.

Referring to trends in the labour market, Coenjaerts said they were showing that there is an increase in temporary employment and that trend cannot be controlled.

She cautioned that temporary or non-standard employment should not be allowed to infringe the rights of the ordinary person.

“We cannot let it erode basic rights and protection. Instead, we should mobilise with the tripartite call, for modern, sound, balanced and well-enforced employment protective legislation.”

With temporary or non-standard employment Coenjaerts said the individual should be allowed to make the transition from one job to the next and, at the same time, it should not interfere with the company’s competitive edge.

“In Europe, they have introduced “flexicurity” where there is a balance between providing an environment that is competitive while making sure transitions people have to make to new jobs are supported and facilitated and that is where we may be able to find that balance in the fast changing world.”

She said in Jamaica, Guyana and now in T&T, the ILO had helped to set up co-operatives, and has supported unions in Barbados as well as Antigua and Barbuda to incorporate the needs of domestic workers more appropriately.

“We developed the standard contract for domestic workers and we hope we could continue to work with what we have established as a Network of Caribbean Domestic Workers Organisations or those who represent domestic workers.”

ILO has also worked with Ministry’s of Labour to take a more strategic approach to labour inspection.

Labour Minister speaks

Asked what are some of the trends in the labour sector she has seen for 2017, Labour Minister Jennifer Baptiste-Primus said, as a country, there is need to focus on increasing productivity levels.

According to Baptiste-Primus, this means there must be a “symbiotic relationship between regularity, punctuality and the quality of work of each one of us.”

Baptiste-Primus said she was confident that T&T could improve its productivity levels.

Referring to the issue of absenteeism, she suggested that there must be a programme/training for motivating employees in order to recognise their value and worth.

“Most times workers are not told how important they are in the whole machinery of the organisation or the Ministry.”

Addressing the issue of the immigration workers who did not turn up for duty on November 12, which resulted in long lines at the airport, Baptiste-Primus said she was “very disappointed” and described their actions as “unconscionable.”

She said if the workers had a problem there is a grievance procedure and it ought to have been followed in this situation.

The former trade union leader said punishing the public is not the answer to get the attention of the authorities.

“While one may understand they (the immigration officers) have concerns, and they may have a grievance, there is a grievance procedure. There is a procedure of taking things to the chief personnel officer, if there is a grievance, take it to the Ministry of Finance and then, down to the special tribunal of the Industrial Court.

“There are mechanisms to resolve these issues, and resorting to that sort of action was not in the best interest of the country, and even in the best interest of the officers. I would advise them to think very carefully before engaging in such action because if the employer were to proceed with disciplinary action the union would not be able to save them.

“The union may be in a position to represent them, but representing someone does not necessarily equate saving that person’s job,” Baptiste-Primus said.

Employers Consultative Association chimes in

Chief executive of the Employers Consultative Association, Joycelyn Francois-Opadeyi, said absenteeism is still an issue adding that based on the feedback ECA was getting from employers, absenteeism is “almost chronic.”

“I think there is a lot of work that has to be done where employees are concerned, to understand how their absence impacts productivity. At the end of the day, it’s a vicious cycle. If the productivity levels are going down then our jobs continue to be at risk, because then our companies cannot be competitive on the global market. There is need for education and information in order to change the mindset of employees.”

On the issue of the T&T Revenue Authority, Francois-Opadeyi said the issue is engaging the attention of the ECA.

“It is great to set up a revenue authority, but is it going to be effective? At the end of the day, everything comes back to productivity.”

Last Saturday, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) held its Hair, Make up and Nails styling competition at its headquarters on Mausica Road.

Trainees participated in the various categories competitions where they applied their skills learnt during their six-month training to be assessed and compete. Participants from all regions including Tobago were in the competition putting into practice what they were taught by their respective tutors. Massaging therapy was also part of the programme and competition. a

CCC Public Relations and Marketing Manager Roney Gollop told T&T Guardian, “the Civilian Conservation Corps programme is designed to provide skills and intervention mechanism to assist in the empowerment of socially marginalised young adults between the ages of 16 and 25 years. This is done with the intention to improve their overall quality of life through the adoption of attitudinal and behavioural changes stimulated through the catalyst of discipline. This is what we are witnessing today.”

He added that over 800 trainees are enrolled in the various disciplines offered by CCC and the Corps success in getting 91 per cent of students completing the courses and graduating. On a positive note, Gollop said he hopes to achieve 100 per cent success rate in 2018.

Gollop added that the courses offered by CCC trains the nation’s youth to be disciplined, firstly, and to assist in developing and market their hiddent talents, making them become marketable and self-sufficient.

Attending the weekend’s event were CCC Programme Director Major Cherly Richardson; Programme Director Lt Maxie Wright; Public Relations and Marketing Co-ordinator Glenroy Cox; and, Admininistration and Cosmetogoly Co-ordinator Ann Marie Daniel.

Christine Philip-Frederick showcased her Feathered Fashion Fantasy collection on Gasparee Island on Sunday evening. Feathered Fashion Fantasy is a collection of evening and cocktail wear created from recycled feathers, beads and appliqués from Carnival costumes collected by the line’s designer over the years.

With a degree in Fashion Design from New York’s prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology in 1993, Philip-Frederick currently works as a part-time Spanish teacher/translator and Fashion Designer.

Sunday’s event was the third of its kind, as the designer usually celebrates her birthday with friends as they model her designs. However, this year’s theme – Feathered Fashion Fantasy – was to emphasis more on the recycling and re-using usually discarded carnival costumes, hopefully start a tend.

Said Philip-Frederick: “People usually just throw away pieces of their costumes, or sometimes entire backpacks before they even get home from carnival because it’s slightly damaged.” She wants to show that they can be put to better use than becoming trash.

Today Alta completes the Year in Review; excerpts from the annual report which was first presented to members of Alta at the annual general meeting in November. In the past weeks the column looked at growth in students and development of Alta tutors, programmes and staff. This week the article will look at Alta Online: A Signature Initiative.

Republic Bank-sponsored Alta Online is Alta’s signature project, the most innovative product since the development of the Alta programme itself, in that it has the potential to bring reading instruction not just to Trinidad but the whole Caribbean and beyond – indeed anywhere reached by the internet.

As the application takes shape, the Alta Online team has seen where it can change to be more efficient and user-friendly. One such design improvement, already implemented, is the concept of Banks. This is where key audio, image and video files are stored and made available throughout the application. Implementation of improved design for long-term benefits has impacted the time-line in the short-term. Some application tasks that were completed and tested had to be re-worked.

Projects with the scope of Alta Online require many varied staffing resources. There has been a steep learning curve here. Being able to recruit and retain the best personnel for the job has been a challenge.

From simply being able to articulate what is required in the uncharted territory, to physical accommodation, Alta has been committed to getting it right in order to create the best possible outcome for the students.

In January, Alta employed a designated data officer to handle the overwhelming volume of content which could not be loaded by volunteers. The loss of two Data Officers in quick succession proved a temporary set-back, but the team is currently back to full strength.

A true gift to Alta Online has been IT professional and Alta tutor Sylvia Clarke. For the last year, she has been the project manager devoting many hours to Alta Online. Clarke’s years of experience running IT projects has made a huge difference to Alta Online.

The work of the extended team of Alta Online volunteers converting content for the application has continued under Alta CEO, Paula Lucie Smith’s guidance. The team remains committed to ensuring that the content, although adapted to suit delivery by smartphone or computer screen, remains true to the classroom experience of quality instruction. It is important that the final product have enough of a human presence to ensure that users do not feel as though they are going at it alone.

The mid-year design and staff changes meant that Alta adjusted the timeline, so the goal for October 2017 was to produce the first three lessons in Book 1 for Level 1. Alta is proud to have achieved this major milestone in this difficult project. Testing of lessons 1-3 by the extended tutor team is complete, so the team is now set to move on to external testing. Alta Online has been a moving target, however the challenges have served as the building blocks of a product that will better meet the needs of present and future students.

Alta looks forward to launching Alta Online in the near future.

More Info

Volunteer, Donate or Sponsor-a-student. Call 624-2582 or email altapos.tt@gmail.com for more info. Keep up to date with Alta on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: ALTA TT

Admission is free this evening when Gracias A la Vida- Violeta Parra is staged at the Central Bank Auditorium from 7 pm. This event is being held in celebration of the centennial of the Chilean artiste Violeta Parra, one of the pioneers of the Chilean New Song- the Nueva Canción Chilena. The Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts and the Embassy of Chile in T&T are the producers of the concert.

This event features well-known artistes Tita Parra, grand-daughter of Violeta Parra, Greco Acuna as well as the National Symphony Steel Orchestra (NSSO) of T&T.

Founded ten years ago, the NSSO, led by Artistic Director Akua Leith, exclusively uses the Genesis pans (G-Pan). The G-Pans were developed at UWI, St Augustine by a team led by national award winner Professor Brian Copeland, UWI St Augustine Campus Principal. The ensemble represents the pinnacle of musical excellence in the arena of steelpan development.

Gracias A la Vida- Violeta Parra will further promote cultural exchanges between Chile and T&T and provide a rich cultural experience.

Admission is ticketed and for more information call 225-4030 (extension 4030).

Rain fell all day last Sunday but a handful of corporate folk turned on their heartlight to treat over 150 children to an enjoyable Christmas treat. The corporate citizens and their representatives were Bryden (Steven Welch); Hadco (Kimberly Fraser); Massy (Derek Mc Clean); Bermudez (Lisa Cumberbatch); Toppers popcorn (Alain Laquis); and, S M Jaleel (Michele Jaikaran).

The Chaguaramas Military Museum was the venue for the Children’s Christmas party hosted by Museum president/curator Linda Kelshall, Museum chairman Brian Mitchell and event coordinator Sam Salloum.

The 150-plus children from the communities of St James, Carenage, Cocorite, Diego Martin, and even beyond, turned up in the rain with their parents and they had the time of their lives.

Unlike most children bazaars and similar events, no one left empty handed as the T&T Fire Services (Chaguaramas branch) pulled up at 4 pm with not one but two Santa Clauses.

Through the evening the children played popular fair games including Hoopla, Pin the Tail on the Donkey, Bran Tub, Tin Pan Alley. They were also treated to appearances by popular comic characters like Micky and Minnie Mouse, popcorn, face-painting, cotton candy and snacks,

At the end of it all, Salloum was effusive in his gratitude to all who made Sunday a memorable one for the children.

Said Salloum, who is also a foundation member of Triniposse at the Queen’s Park Oval, said, “we thank all that gave their time in volunteering; nobody charged us a red cent. It was a good feeling for us to be able to bring smiles to the faces of these children, especially in these trying times.”

A 57-year-old Petit Valley man was questioned and released yesterday following an accident which claimed the life of pensioner Etta Reid.

According to police, the driver was heading south along the Diego Martin Highway around 5.15 am, when on nearing the traffic lights at Four Roads and Morne Coco Road, he collided with 66-year-old Reid.

The driver of the gold-coloured Nissan B13 stopped and tried to help. However, Reid died before an ambulance arrived.

Police said the driver said he swerved to avoid hitting a man who was crossing on the opposite side of the road and struck Reid.

Police warned pedestrians not to dart across highways and where available use walkovers and pedestrian assisted crossing lights.

Within hours after officials from the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), accompanied by armed soldiers and police officers, evicted illegal tenants from the Clifton Towers in east Port-of-Spain yesterday they returned to the apartment complex.

The return of the alleged illegal tenants and their families have instilled fear into the lives of the legal tenants.

Speaking with the T&T Guardian yesterday, a tenant, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the situation has reaffirmed that the HDC officials do not care about their safety.

“They don’t care about our safety. We have been asking for relocation and HDC have refused us…maybe not until one of us is killed,” the tenant said.

Shortly before 8 am five vehicles, including a truck, belonging to the T&T Defence Force (TTDF) carrying soldiers and four police vehicles, also carrying armed officers, accompanied HDC officials and movers to the compound to begin the second major eviction exercise.

Illegal tenants were removed from all the four Towers, totalling 12 people.

On Wednesday, HDC officials removed the iron gate to the property. The gate was controlled by the illegal residents who often locked it and refused legal tenants entry to the compound.

Yesterday’s eviction was much more peaceful than a similar exercise done on November 23, where some of the illegal tenants clashed with police officers and tried to lock the gate on them.

One tenant pleaded for a permanent security post at the premises.

“They should have a soldier post for us here now so that when an eviction takes place the people wouldn’t have time to move back in like what they did today,” the tenant said.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, during an address to the nation last month, said some homeowners were being chased out of their homes by people who had no respect for law and order at Clifton Towers.

A single parent who had planned to apply for a loan to buy presents and goodies to make this Christmas a special one for his children is now faced with the sad prospect of being rejected.

The father, an estate constable attached to the National Maintenance Training and Security Company Limited (MTS), is blaming his predicament on his company.

Like many of his co-workers, the father has an agreement with his company to deduct any loan and/or mortgage instalments or any other deductions from his salary before it is sent to the bank and transfer the payments to the respective institutions. The workers are paid fortnightly.

However, the workers are complaining that for the past four fortnights the company has not paid the instalments.

“Our payslips are showing that the deductions are being made, but MTS is not sending the money to the institutions. So what they doing with our money?” the officer asked.

As a result, the workers have been incurring arrears and bad credit ratings.

An employee complained, “This is not the first time the company did this. Earlier this year for six fortnights our instalments were not paid, even though our payslips showed that the deductions were made. MTS eventually paid the instalments, but not the arrears.”

“The thing about it is that the company not even talking to us about this. We found out after the institutions started calling us. People have loans in the credit union and the banks, people have HDC instalments and now we cannot even get Christmas loans. This is not right and it is not fair,” another worker said.

When contacted on the issue, MTS corporate communication’s manager Adrian Raymond said the company continues to pay workers’ salaries, despite financial difficulties, and will be paying all outstanding deductions.

In a release, Raymond said, “MTS, like many organisations, has been forced to take stringent measures to manage its cash flow in light of late payments from several of its clients. The delay in the servicing of deductions was an absolute last resort action and is not at all the normal practice of the organisation.”

He said the company is in constant communication with several financial institutions to keep them principals aware of “temporary situation” as a means of ensuring some level of comfort to employees.

“Management is steadfastly working to ensure that there is a swift resolution to this issue and is committed to paying all outstanding deductions in the shortest possible time period. All outstanding deductions must and will be paid,” he said, adding the company has been communicating with employees to keep them updated and to give them the assurance the matter is receiving priority attention.

A 26-year-old homeless man who stole a tail light from a van parked in front of a police station has been jailed for 12 months.

Ramesh Gayapersad pleaded guilty to larceny when he appeared before San Fernando Senior Magistrate Cherril-Anne Antoine in the First Court on Wednesday.

Prosecutor Cleyon Seedan said on Tuesday night Gayapersad stole the tail light, valued at $2,500, from a Nissan Navara, which is an exhibit in a criminal matter. It was parked in front of the San Fernando Police Station.

PC Vishal Ramsaroop and other officers, who had noticed the crime being committed, chased after Gayapersad and held him a short distance away with the light in his hand.

“I get a wuk to steal the tail light,” he told the officers.

His criminal record revealed he had 10 previous convictions in the last ten years.

Gayapersad told the magistrate his parents died and he has been living on the streets. But the magistrate told him there were charitable organisations which assist the homeless who ask for help.

She told him he did not have to resort to stealing.

There have been 998 gang-related murders from 2010 to July of 2017, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young says.

He gave the figures as he delivered his contribution to the Anti Gang Bill in Parliament on Wednesday, after Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, during her contribution, called on the Government to tell the nation of the 1,000 citizens who were murdered in the last two years. She also wanted details on the 21 killings that occurred in the last six days and how many were gang-related.

In response to Persad-Bissessar’s query, Young said data provided by the T&T Police Service showed that there were 998 gang-related murders for the period 2010 to June of 2017. Giving a breakdown, he said in 2010 there were 75 murders and the following year the figures increased to 93, while in 2012 it jumped to 144.

The highest gang-related murders recorded, Young said, occurred in 2013, with 197, while the People’s Partnership government was in power. In 2014 the figures dropped to 142, while in 2015 there was one less murder with 141. In 2016, Young said the murders declined to 127. The murder toll at the time of Young’s response was 466 for the year.

He said of the 41 constituencies in T&T, the most murders occurred in his constituency, saying his constituents have been asking for the support of this legislation so the police can tackle criminality and gangs.

Young said Persad-Bissessar as prime minister in 2011 and former attorney general Anand Ramlogan called a state of emergency and rounded up people, “carted them off and incarcerated them. They never gave the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago an explanation.”

He said those people who were incarcerated “are suing the state and suing us for our taxpayers’ dollars in damages. This is costing us tens of millions of dollars in damages.”

Young said while the Opposition had indicated they will not support the bill, the PP government discontinued a lot of the crime-fighting initiatives that were working. He said one of the helicopters that was used in the fight against crime was converted to a VIP helicopter and used as a shuttle service at the cost of taxpayers.

The UNC eventually refused to support the bill after debate went into early yesterday morning.

Vidya Deokiesingh, the Petrotrin employee named in an internal audit into the so-called fake oil scandal is back at work on the job after a two-month absence.

Well placed sources at the State-oil company told the T&T Guardian that Deokiesingh has been transferred out of the Exploration and Production Department to the Maintenance Department.

Deokiesingh had submitted leave to the company in September.

Only this week Opposition Senator Wade Mark called on Petrotrin’s Human Resource Manager Neil Derrick to explain how Deokiesingh was promoted from being a Hospitality Officer to the company’s Exploration and Production Unit, where he was responsible for “determining how much money is paid for oil sent to the company.”

An internal audit report in August revealed that Petrotrin paid $80 million for hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil which it did not receive.

Employees who spoke with the T&T Guardian expressed shock and surprise that Deokiesingh was back on the job.

Some senior officials said they were unaware that he had returned to work, while others said they did not even know he had not been on the job. Petrotrin’s HR Manager could not be reached for comment.

But Petrotrin officials told the Guardian that proper process has to be followed in dealing with all matters in the interest of the company. Union officials say procedures for discipline are well documented in the collective bargaining agreement.

The Guardian understands that Petrotrin’s HR department had written to Deokiesingh informing him that he was under investigation and detailing the reasons for the investigation and asking him to come in and answer the questions, in keeping with good industrial relations practice. But he never did.

When the Guardian contacted Deokiesingh he requested that the newspaper reporter call him back but subsequent calls to his mobile phone went unanswered.

Bridgeman’s Services Group is defending itself against statements made in Parliament by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley saying they could not “believe these statements are being made after all the work that has gone into determining the facts of the procurement process.”

Bridgeman’s Vice President Andrew Purdey has also disclosed that Bridgeman’s originally offered the Cabo Star to the Port at a cost of US$18,500 per day for three years and the Ocean Flower at a daily rate of US$17,000 for three years. But the offers were “scrapped by the Port for a short one-year term.”

The one-year lease for the Cabo Star is at a daily rate of US$22,000 and the Ocean Flower 2 was originally contracted at a daily rate of US$26,000 that contract was subsequently cancelled.

Responding to questions in the Parliament on Wednesday, Rowley said the contract for the Cabo Star was made “under duress—meaning that pertinent information was hidden from the Port and the same thing was done with the Ocean Flower 2 by the same company.”

The Prime Minister said “pertinent information” had been withheld in a “deliberate way, so as to facilitate the selection of the Cabo Star.”

In response, Bridgeman’s Vice President Andrew Purdey told the T&T Guardian: “It is truly disheartening after all we’ve been through to read this today. It’s an absolutely hopeless situation.”

He said the company had “volunteered at every request, by every authority, to show up and provide detailed factual accounts of every contact with the Port Authority as it relates to the two ships we have under contract. We could not have been more transparent, and to now see these media statements. We solved an emergency situation and took a huge financial risk in the process to deliver ships for the seabridge problem, and this is what we get in return.”

He said it was “categorically inaccurate and false that Bridgeman’s purposely withheld any information. We responded to an emergency situation presented to us by the port, everyone with authority at the port and its board was very well informed and we proceeded in alignment with the contracts in place.”

Purdey said: “the Port selected the two ships with all of the pertinent and technical information they asked for, never was any information withheld.”

He said they were requested by the Port to submit a conditions survey and financial statements, which they did. Those tenders were subsequently scrapped and a Cabinet committee has now been mandated to look for a ferry. (RS)

Chairman of the Manpower Audit Committee into the T&T Police Service (TTPS), Prof Ramesh Deosaran, yesterday said the alliances between politicians, gang leaders and community leaders have been undermining the operations and morale of the TTPS.

Deosaran said because of such relationships, the gang leaders feel so empowered they even challenge the police in executing their duty.

He made the revelations before a Joint Select Committee (JSC) on National Security at the Parliament, Port-of-Spain.

In his opening remarks to JSC chairman Fitzgerald Hinds, Deosaran admitted the TTPS, which has a strength of 7,800, was faced with a number of deficiencies, among them corruption, indiscipline, low detection rate, favouritism and low morale.

Deosaran said there was need for a serious review of the alliances between politicians, gang members and so-called community leaders.

“The issue is serious enough. With that kind of alliance you create an evil monster that has turned into a Frankenstein, which puts the security services and the public generally on the defensive by these so-called gang leaders and community leaders.”

He said we know what has been happening from one government to the next “to be bold enough to put this troublesome issue on the agenda, because it does subvert effective policing. The police become caught in the middle of this horrendous growing Frankenstein.”

Hinds asked Deosaran to explain how the relationship between politicians and gang leaders affects policing.

“When you have these alliances, for example, in the specific case of engineering certain contracts for appeasing potential or current criminals, I think let the police investigate a crime committed by any one of such criminals. The police either get side-tracked or obstructed in several ways. That is, you are entering into a terrain that is almost untouchable,” he said.

Deosaran said it was surprising that such alliances could have been organised for such a long time.

Also addressing the committee, ACP Harold Phillip said historically there has always been a degree of perception that gang leaders are rewarded with government contracts.

“They (gang leaders) seem to have resources to allow them to continue being involved in criminal activities. They invest quite a substantial number of their resources into criminal activities,” said Phillip, as he supported Deosaran.

Deosaran said while the public’s general complaint was that the police do not respond to emergency calls, there was need to improve the public’s trust and confidence.

“But the more troubling demand that we have to face now as people representing the public, especially Parliamentarians, is how to improve public confidence in the police service. If that confidence is not improved, as low as it is now…disturbingly so, you would not get evidence for your court cases, you would not get an effective community policing programme and so on. The negative views and opinions about the police service must be attended to.”

Preliminary investigations into Wednesday’s $5.5 million heist at the Piarco International Airport have revealed employees there may have had support from co-conspirators with military training, police said yesterday. Up to last evening, seven people initially detained for questioning in relation to the robbery remained in custody.

Police sources said two of the detainees, who are security personnel, are believed to hold the key to them making a major breakthrough in the case, which is now deemed “high-profile.”

The source added that they got information that people currently enrolled in the T&T Defence Force teamed up with ex-army personnel and criminal elements from the Maracas/St Joseph area to carry out the heist, which they said was planned over the past four to six months.

Investigators received information that “strange” people were seen loitering in and around the cargo loading area where the robbery took place for several weeks before Wednesday’s heist.

“Information was given that no security personnel from the Airports Authority frequenting that particular area, at any given day or at any given time, carried any licensed firearm…so any one loitering observing the operations and the security precincts would observe this closely,” the police source said.

“It is said that strange people not coming there to clear cargo were seen hanging around within the past four months, some were notified to the police, also when strange vehicles were seen reports were also made…there is the theory that these people may have been scoping out the scene and operations - all in the planning of this well-executed robbery,” the source added.

The next step for investigators is to request surveillance footage from businesses and homes in the area, within a certain distance at all access points to the airport’s perimeter, in the hope of finding other clues to solve the case.

On Wednesday at about 11.25 am, the thieves struck at the cargo loading area along the Golden Grove Road, Piarco, as the money was being transferred from an Amalgamated Security vehicle to be loaded onto a Caribbean Airlines plane.

An airport security reportedly stopped the Amalgamated officers from completing the loading process onto a cargo bin due to a security concern. This period allowed four masked men armed with high-powered rifles and dressed in army fatigue to exit a heavily tinted Toyota Hilux pick-up, licensed TDN7020. The men ordered those around to lie face down on the ground. The gunmen then loaded the cash onto the pick-up and escaped with the loot. The getaway vehicle was found parked at Building 1A, Oropune Gardens, Piarco, about an hour after the incident.

Hilborough ticks enough boxes, and it certainly wont be a surprise if Mick Channon’s charge causes one, in the nine-runner Novice Stakes over seven furlongs of Chelmsford polytrack tonight; I’m always on the look out for a good-priced opportunity!

That’s the only way to make betting pay by creating a situation, making things happen, as one did on football pitches all those years ago, finding space.

When goalmouths became crowded my objective was to be in space where the ball might just ricochet out of the blue from a melee; ‘bang’ was my reply with so many ‘unexpected’ clear shots from a centre forward who concentrated 100%.

Alongside at inside left, and a real ‘feeder’, was Barry Lineker, father of Gary!

Years later Gary admitted in his book he scored so often by virtue of ‘attacking space’ and I’ve often wondered how that theory came about!

Coincidentally twice-raced Hilborough is trained my Mick Channon, prolific goal-scoring England International and smashing chap to boot; remember his chivalrous, cavalier style, which thrilled terraces all over Europe?

Even nowadays Mick ‘never takes his eye off the ball’ and victory for Hilborough would be immensely satisfying; he must hold this Makfi colt in high regard to run him at Newmarket five weeks ago.

‘Newmarket maidens’ are by design the toughest on this planet but Mick never stands on ceremony; Channon loves to have a crack, but Hilborough was drawn completely on the wrong side in the race won by highly-regarded Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned, Maghaweer, our 7/2 nap!

Hilborough finished sixth (of 14!) beaten six lengths; a splendid effort, that is really solid form.

John Gosden and William Haggas are represented by Court House and Imperial Red, respectively; both need to improve because you can bet Hilborough will and, hopefully, this is third time lucky!

Karjini, one of seven ‘decs’ for a shallow-looking 3-y-o Maiden Stakes over six furlongs, faces what should be a simple task given the time-handicap marks achieved when trained by Simon Crisford who submitted his charge to the Newmarket horses-in-training sale, October.

‘Rookie’ Archie, who has done so well this year, now trains Karjini and a long absence isn’t at issue; he’ll be ready! Course and distance winner Red Stripes looks a ‘stea’ in the opening Apprentice Handicap over five furlongs, mount of Holie Doyle; don’t oppose!

Outstanding Trinidad and Tobago allround cricketer Rayad Emrit has been commended for his resilience and perseverance after being called up to represent the West Indies in a T20 series against New Zealand.

The 36-year-old right-handed batsman is a penetrative seamer who has captained his native Trinidad and Tobago in regional competition.

President of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board Azim Bassarath said that Emrit’s admirable qualities has enabled him to overcome obstacles that would prove insurmountable for many others.

“Despite his obvious national talent, leadership, and punishing work ethic, Emrit is only now being recognized for his match-winning qualities which he has demonstrated over and over again for the Red Force since making his debut in 2003,” said Bassarath.

“The entire Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board and the cricket community are elated that Rayad has been chosen to play for the West Indies and we are certain that he will do us all proud doing what he does best, which is giving more than 100 per cent on the field,” said Bassarath.

Emrit, who has played just the two ODIs for the West Indies, has represented various T20 franchises, even leading the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the latest edition of the Caribbean Premier League.

He is currently participating in the Bangladesh Premier League where he represents the Chittagong Vikings and has also plied his trade in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

In 104 T20s, he has 118 wickets, averaging just over 20 and a fairly economical rate of 7.17 per over, apart from scoring 268 valuable runs.

Also included in the T20 squad are fellow T&T players Samuel Badree, Jason Mohammed, Sunil Narine and Kieron Pollard.

The first ODI of the three-match series will be played on December 20 in Whangerei.

T20I SQUAD

Carlos Brathwaite (captain), Samuel Badree, Ronsford Beaton, Rayad Emrit, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Jason Mohammed, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Rovman Powell, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Chadwick Walton, Kesrick Williams
January 3: 3rd T20I - Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

ITINERARY

T20I series
December 29: 1st T20I - Saxton Oval, Nelson
January 1: 2nd T20I - Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

T&T Red Force threw away a good start to end the opening day of their CWI PCL clash against the Jamaica Scorpions on 243 all out at Sabina Park in Jamaica, yesterday.

The T&T boys second in the standings reached 170 for three before losing their last seven wickets for the addition of 73 runs. The Scorpions at the close were 16 without loss.

T&T got off to a good start thanks to the inform Amir Jangoo and Jeremy Solozano. Jangoo went for 39 and Ewart Nicholson took over and batted beautifully in getting a half century of just 62 balls. While Jangoo and Solozano were at the crease, the T&T Red Force was in control but the fall of Nicholson for 50 led to a collapse.

The left handed Solozano who looked on control for most of his knock finally fell for 68 and despite 29 from Tion Webster, the T&T Red Force could not build on the early good work.

Medium pacer Durval Green continued his fine season with 4/45, while part time spinner John Campbell snared 4/40.

Volcanoes crash for 117

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Guyana Jaguars, replying to Windward Islands Volcanoes’ first innings of 117, were 78 for two at the close on the opening day of their sixth round match in the Regional Four-Day Championship at the Guyana National Stadium, yesterday.

SCORES

RED FORCE 243 (Jeremy Solozano 62, Ewart Nicholson 50, Amir Jangoo 39, Tion Webster 29; John Campbell 4-40, Derval Green 4-45)
SCORPIONS 16 without loss

SCORES

VOLCANOES 117 (Tyrone Theophile 33, Dennis Smith 20; Veerasammy Permaul 5-40, Gudakesh Motie 2-11, Sherfane Rutherford 2-27)
JAGUARS 78 for two (Chandrapaul Hemray 29, Tagenarine Chanderpaul 27 not out; Sherman Lewis 2-32)

The T&T Boxing Board of Control, being led by Attorney Barry Ishmael, has come under attack from a few boxing promoters, particularly Bharrath Ramoutar, for its reluctance to provide financial assistance for the sport’s development.

Ramoutar, a long standing coach and promoter at Fine Line Fight Club, has accused the Board of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on activities such as a boxing symposium for Women and a Pink Gloves Fitness Programme that appeared to have benefited its members only, rather than the sport. Ramoutar told Guardian Media Sports the board has not spent a single cent on professional boxing since its inception back in 2015, disregarding section 17(e) of its Act which explains the way funds of the board are to be used.

It states “In making grants or donations to any amateur boxing associations or in the furtherance of professional boxing, or to such charitable objects as it may think fit.”

“From the monies spent on the Symposium for Women in the sport at the highly priced Hotel Marriott, only two recognized fighters attended last year, while the entire boxing fraternity stayed away as a silent form of protest to what is happening. It tells you that there is a clear disconnect between the board and the fraternity” Ramoutar said.

Like many other sports, boxing was hard-hit by the ongoing economic crisis as its team for the Caribbean Championship in St Lucia next week has had to remain at home due to lack of funding. Bharrath said the blame for this must be placed squarely at the hands of the board, due to its bad spend over the past year or two.

He described the board as ‘wicked’, saying not only does its members not attend cards, but have refused to assist the same Women boxers that it held the symposium for.

In response Ishmael directed promoters and other stakeholders to Section Three of the Act which states- “(1) No member of the Board shall be interested in the administration or executive of any promoting body or professional boxing (2) No member of the Board shall be interested in any promoter or receive payment of any kind from such promoter or promoting bodies. (3) Any member of the Board disregarding the provisions of this section shall cease to be a member of the Board.”

According to the local boxing boss, previous boards may have acted illegally by providing funds to promoters but his will not.

He said it was because of this and other questionable practices in the past that his board has had to clear huge debts, as well as source additional funding from government to pay National Insurance for its members, as it was not paid in the past.

Ishmael made it clear the board is a regulatory body and not to provide funding for athletes to go to the Olympics or for professional cards, and directed promoters to seek funding from the Sport Company of T&T or the Ministry of Sports.

From a minimal budget the board has to date, done a Level One and Two programme to certify coaches, referees and judges at a cost of $90, 000: provided grants and equipment to gyms and has sought to increase the participation of women in the sport through the fitness and pink gloves programmes. Ishmael said due to the lack of funding his board has been literally running on fumes and has been struggling to stay afloat.

WALTER ALIBEY