Traditionally, organisations which seek to provide aid to victims of domestic violence find it difficult to access needed funds, and often host multiple fund-raisers throughout the year. It is for this reason that The Shelter for Battered Women and Children (The Shelter) will launch its annual fund-raising calendar with a signature Wine and Cheese Evening hosted by Yvonne Webber, wife of the Australian High Commissioner, at the residence in Moka, Maraval.

Administrator at The Shelter, Debbie-May Jardine, said the mission of the organisation is to support those affected by domestic violence in their transition from victims to survivors to success stories. She said over the years, “The Shelter has become the leader in developing capacity to deliver a range of services necessary to transform the lives of our residents.

“Because of the protocols and systems we have developed, other shelters often rely on us for advice and guidance. The general lack of facilities and services in T&T means that The Shelter is also regularly called upon to provide a safe house to persons from other Caribbean and foreign countries, such as Albania, Gambia, Colombia, the Dominican Republic and Cuba.

“More recently, the facility has also been called upon to house victims of the growing problem of human trafficking in T&T.”

The Shelter began in 1987 as a safe haven for women and children who are victims of all forms of domestic violence, and was then known as The Samman Shelter. It was started by a group of concerned citizens before the Domestic Violence Act came into being in 1999. Jardine said demand for the services of the shelter fluctuates. “There are times when the residence is full, and times when there are maybe one or two ladies staying with us. We do not take ‘walk-in’ cases. We get the referrals from 800-SAVE, the Police Service, the Rape Crisis Centre, Children’s Authority and National Family Services, to name a few.”

As a registered charity, The Shelter is run by an executive committee of volunteers. It receives an annual subvention from the Government as well as well-wishers, but “the funds generated are usually inadequate given the growing need and the extent of the services that we currently provide and wish to provide to the victims,” Jardine said.

Webber said she became involved with the Shelter through a desire to contribute to her community by using her gifts. “I have been fortunate wherever I lived to be involved in my community. I heard about the Shelter by asking what organisations my predecessor had been involved with, and I met Elizabeth Talma-Sankar who was kind enough to share with me from her wealth of experience, and the rest is history.

“I acknowledge that the wider causes of domestic violence need to be addressed but it is essential to provide survivors with ways to begin to rebuild their lives, ways which do not make them feel even more dis-empowered. A place of refuge is an important part of this effort to help survivors take their first steps.”

Webber added that the Wine and Cheese event was conceptualised as a means of connecting with a crucial demographic. “It is important in any voluntary service organisation to think of ways of providing a variety of audiences with opportunities to strengthen our community.

“Some very creative members of the Shelter’s Board thought this type of event would be an elegant way of connecting with a demographic which is crucial as the Shelter builds on what it has learnt and tries to meet the increasing challenges of the 21st century.”

The Wine and Cheese event, which also includes a silent art auction, takes place on March 17 from 6.30 to 9.30 pm.

For more information, look for The Shelter — A Safe Haven for Victims of Domestic Violence on Facebook and visit their website www.trinidadshelter.com

LeAndra Head is a talented soprano whose powerful vocals evoke the inspired passion of soul diva Etta James and the melodic phrasings of the first lady of jazz Ella Fitzgerald, both of whom have been very influential to her musical identity.

“People say I am an old soul when they hear me sing,” LeAndra offers in a somewhat timid speaking voice that is like a mouse to the lion’s roar of her performing tone.

The daughter of professional photographer Andrea De Silva and former US Marine Corps Master Sergeant Leroy Head Jr, LeAndra has been singing practically since she could talk. When she was just three-years-old, LeAndra sang Whitney Houston’s Run to You, successfully scaling high notes even grown folks are afraid to attempt. De Silva recalls of that moment that: “Her father looked at her and said she sounded so beautiful that she was going to be a star. We knew she had a special talent because she was always singing.”

Throughout her primary school years, LeAndra’s sophisticated vocal abilities earned her best soloist honours at the popular SanFest music festival for three consecutive years. Outside of the classroom, LeAndra’s first public performance was at the popular children’s talent contest Twelve and Under. Just nine at the time, she placed second with a spellbinding rendition of Somewhere over the Rainbow”and won the Joy Caesar trophy, which is awarded to the series’ most outstanding vocalist. Host Hazel Ward-Redman immediately recognised her vocals as coming from a higher source and told her mother. “Her voice is a gift from God.”

LeAndra won the St James We Beat festival’s amateur night competition in 2004, beating several adult contestants. One entertainment journalist expressed amazement at LeAndra’s capabilities and wrote: “LeAndra absolutely blew away 11 contenders; she was not only flawless in pitch but spanned the gorge between pre-pubescence and maturity, delivering an adult song with such completeness of understanding and mood that adults fawned over her.”

An old spirit within a young body

At the San Fernando Jazz Festival that year also, she shared the stage with world renowned South African performer Hugh Masekela among other celebrated international acts, and dazzled the crowd with her soulful rendition of Etta James’ signature hit At Last. It was a memorable moment for the young artiste who recalled: “After my performance, as I was going to get something to drink, two men came up to me and said that I was talented and that I had an old spirit in me. Then they started to pray with me; I was both scared and amused.”

Indian Classical musician Mungal Patasar says of LeAndra that “her great, great, voice will take her where she needs to go”, while Patricia Meschino, a contributor to Billboard Magazine, described her as “inspiring, able to communicate emotions that are well beyond her years; she possesses the ability to sing anything.”

LeAndra took a break from performing in her early teens but reignited her passion in earnest four years ago. On a trip to New York in March 2013, she sang at an open mic event at the popular Sugar Bar in Manhattan which is owned by American duo Ashford and Simpson, and was immediately asked to return to do her own set on another night, performing to rapturous applause from a completely full house.

In August that year, she achieved probably the pinnacle of her performing career thus far, when she was chosen by the American production company, Living Arts International Inc, to take part in the opera Porgy and Bess in Budapest, Hungary, where she was the youngest member of the cast.

LeAndra received an “honourable mention” when she took part in the Trinidad and Tobago Classical Music Development Foundation’s 2015 opera competition for her performance of Les Berceaux and Batti Batti O Bel Masetto.

When the opportunity came to share the stage with sister Tylah Head at the National Music Festival in 2017, they claimed the Anne Fridal cup for Operatic Duet and she also won best folk choir performance with the UTT choir, where she sang the solo. She graduated from the university that year with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in music with specialisation in voice.

LeAndra has also performed back-up vocals for local calypsonians Shadow and Chuck Gordon and her vocals featured in the song Missing You performed by classmate Tammico “SpiceY” Moore, achieving a semi-final place in the calypso monarch show in 2017. This year she sang back up vocals for Helon Francis who won the National Calypso Monarch crown. More recently, LeAndra formed part of the J9 vocal quartet led by Jeanine Ruiz billed to perform at next Saturday’s Jazz Artists on the Greens event, at Wasa Grounds, St Joseph.

“I really have no preferences in music. I like singing and listening to all genres but I don’t want to be classified as any ‘type’ of singer. I’m a vocalist and I do what I like,” she says matter-of-factly. “I want to be versatile and creative in using what I’ve learned in new ways.”

LeAndra’s studies at the UTT included voice training in classical music which has endeared her to operatic singers Maria Callas, Anna Moffo, Jesse Norman and Leontyne Price to name a few. But the musical identity of this young artists has also been shaped by such familiar names as John Mayer, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Amy Winehouse, Adele and the group Coldplay. She does “look up to” Adele for the fact that she has maintained a unique style and does not fit into the conventional norms of a pop star.

“Her style of singing, her persona on and off stage and just about everything about her is unique. She does not have to release an album every year to stay relevant. I truly admire that she only makes music when she has something to say. That is truly uncommon.”

Police are now searching for a group of men who kidnapped a couple soon after they returned to their Carapichaima home from a birthday celebration dinner last night.

Lutchmin Rampersad was released by the couple’s abductors hours after they were grabbed at 11 pm and a ransom demand of $30,000 was made for her husband Terrance, 52. The woman was told her husband would be released once the money was paid and warned that she should not alert police. However, her husband later escaped his adductors in Penal.

According to police sources, sometime after 11 pm the couple arrived at their Orange Field Road home in their SUV when a silver car stopped behind them. As Rampersad came out his vehicle he noticed the men coming up their driveway. He attempted to warn his wife but was ambushed by the men.

The couple was taken and bundled into their SUV by one of the men, who then drove off with them. They were then transferred to another vehicle along the southbound lane of the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway and their SUV left abandoned. Rampersad's vehicle was later recovered by police.

The couple was then driven to a bushy area in Gran Couva where Rampersad's wife was released. It is believed Rampersad was moved from Gran Couva to another area unknown in Penal before he managed to escape. He crawled through a bushy area while the kidnappers searched for him and eventually flagged down a passing vehicle along the M2 Ring Road just after 5 am and was take to the nearest police station.

Up to this time, officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad are at the Rampersads’ residence and are continuing investigations.

President of the T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) Brian Lewis paid tribute to the work of the the Rotary Club of Port-of-Spain (POS) for their outstanding contribution to Sport, Education and building the social fabric of T&T.

He said, “When one looks at a Games of this magnitude you have to realise how many children are touched by this type of event. Mr (Kelvin) Nancoo stated that some 800 children participate in these Games every year.

"What about those who came out with their schools, the parents and supporters to view this championship. To do this for 30 years is simply fantastic."

Lewis was speaking at the launch of the 30th annual Rotary Club Port of Spain District Games at the Rotary Club’s office, Goodwill Industries, Woodbrook on Tuesday.

The Rotary Club Port-of-Spain and Environs Games which will be held at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain next Friday (March 23) from 8.30 am.

According to chief organiser Kelvin Nancoo, “To sponsor for a year is good, to sponsor for five years is excellent but to continue sponsoring a Games for 30 years is something worth savouring.

“Thanks again to the Rotary Club of Port-of-Spain and we look forward to your continued co-operation for another 30 years.”

The West ‘B’ Zone will be defending its title this year and they will be facing a strong test from POS Central and POS East Zones. In all, eight zones will be involved.

Nancoo listed a number of present and past national athletes who were involved in previous Rotary District Games, including former World 400-metre hurdles champion Jehue Gordon, national men's sprint champion Richard Thompson, national sprint queen Michelle-Lee Ahye, Olympic medallist Marc Burns, Pilar McShine, Cleavon Dillon and Alena Brooks.

This event have engaged a number of sponsors including First Citizens, Oasis, Republic Bank, Atlantic, Massy Foundation and Pan American Life Insurance Group.

The T&T Hockey Board (T&THB) Outdoor season will finally flick off on Sunday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo with the opening day tournament from 8 am.

This will come as a big relief to local players after the 2017 season was cancelled due to the unavailability of the National Hockey Centre in Tacarigua, mainly due to an unsuitable player surface.

Speaking last month, T&THB Honourary Secretary, Reyah Richardson noted that with the late start to the 2018 season the T&THB was ideally hopeful of completing two rounds of hockey in each of the men and women Championship Division, Trinity Division, Under-19 Division and the Mixed Veterans’

When action gets going with a seven-a-side half-field format, Queen’s Park Cricket Club men and Paragon women will be going after their fourth and third straight Opening Day Tournament titles respectively.

Ten teams are expected to compete in the men and six in the women’s competition on Sunday with the help of sponsors, the Sport Company of T&T (SporTT), Blue Waters, Pro Sport Caribbean, and Subway.

The participating teams include QPCC, Fatima, Carib, Paragon, Notre Dame, Malvern, Petrotrin, Shape, Police and Defence Force (men), and among the women Shandy Carib Magnolias, Paragon, Harvard Checkers, Ventures, Police, Notre Dame and Malvern.

During the regular season, teams will compete in the Open Men and Women Divisions as well as the Under-19s, Trinity (Second Division) and Mixed Veterans.

Today, primary schools players will take centre stage when the T&T Hockey Board Primary Schools One Day Tournament comes off at the Hasely Crawford Stadium from 8am (Friday March 16) until 2pm.

The seven-a-side side tournament will feature a total of 15 teams in the boys and girls categories.

However, defending boys’ champions, St Joseph Boys’ R.C, will not be making an appearance in this year’s competition leaving Sujo’s, last year’s runners up, Dunross Preparatory and Diego Martin Government to vie for the coveted title.

Dunross and Diego Martin faced each other in the third and fourth place play-off match last year which ended in a draw (0-0) before going into penalty shoot outs where Dunross defeated Diego Martin 2 -0.

In the girls’ competition, defending champions, Mucurapo Girls’ RC will be confident about retaining their title for a fourth consecutive year. Sponsors for this tournament are the Sport Company of T&T (SporTT), Blue Waters, Pro Sport Caribbean, and Subway.

It is time the police in T&T acknowledge the fact that when placing a restraining order the man should be closely monitored. The order could mean certain death for some women. This tardiness in following up on complaints makes our police seem unprofessional.

Is this the T&T police view? Women are chattel. Women should show obedience. Women should be happy that a man even looks in their direction. If you cannot get your act together, we the police have no time to do it for you. There are more important cases than domestic violence.

We all appear appear to exist in a time warp regarding the perniciousness of domestic violence. Over the last ten years, how many women in T&T have been murdered after placing restraining orders? The numbers are escalating and homicide figures are greatly “enhanced” when a significant number of murders of women are added to the statistics.

I take no pleasure in reiterating that many males in T&T appear emotionally/mentally unstable. The word “No” is translated to read “shame.” This country is small. There is nowhere to run, nowhere to hide from a man who feels scorned. A tabanca easily translates into “justifiable” homicide.

Disrespectful of me? No. Not when women are viewed as collateral damage. The real disrespect is asking the police for help and none is forthcoming.

You cannot ask the dead how they feel about being disrespected.

Lynette Joseph
Diego Martin

As a former teacher, I am totally disappointed over the decision by the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) to encourage teachers to resist efforts by the Ministry of Education to ensure clinical supervision is conducted in our schools.

On March, 9, 2018 I read in total amazement an article where TTUTA took a decision to advise its members against writing lesson plans/notes of lessons. This is one of the most ridiculous and backward steps ever taken in the history of the union.

It proves that TTUTA is not committed to improving the quality of education for students and the professional development of its members/teachers.

A teacher’s lesson plan is a guide for organising his/her materials and for the purpose of helping students achieve the intended learning outcomes. Therefore this decision by TTUTA is like a builder constructing a house without a building plan.

Lesson planning is a creative process and there are many important benefits of this activity. Good planning allows for more effective teaching and learning and also for teachers to evaluate their own knowledge with regard to the content to be taught.

Finally, I find it very troubling that TTUTA is also telling even Assistant Teachers that they have no obligation to write lesson plans/notes of lesson. This is definitely a recipe for mediocrity and a lowering of the education standards. TTUTA is very much aware that teacher training institutions place great emphasis on lesson planning and writing, especially for beginning teachers.

Mary Bramble

Water and steel at Plaza

Every seat in Fiesta Plaza, MovieTowne, was occupied last Saturday night when Caribbean Steelband Connextion (CSC) Ensemble performed at the free productions staged on Wednesdays and weekends.

Despite three intermittent downpours, the music never stopped and the audience stoically remained captive as the band performed its ten-item repertoire, no doubt an indication that the music being performed was good. Inclement weather has never ruined a show at Fiesta Plaza in its ten years of producing free entertainment to the public, a fact that was confirmed by manager Heathcliff West.

Wearing outfit designed by Lauren Peters, the Belmont-based had patrons tapping their feet and enthusiastically applauding every selection played. The ensemble’s 90-minute set included Morning Dance, Lean On, Waiting in Vain, Havana, Skankin’ Sweat, Los Cubanos, Despacito, A Train, Erphaan Alves Overdue, and a soca medley of hits off the Upendo and Folklore riddims.

Camoy Edwards provided vocals on the evening and making a guest appearance was Carlton “Zanda” Alexander, Panorama arranger of Desperadoes Steel Orchestra, on keyboards.

The CSC Ensemble is not your run-of-the-mill pan aggregation as the group created some history last year when it won rave reviews for its performances at the 2017 Astana Expo, Kazakhstan, establishing itself as the first T&T steelband to perform in this part of the world.

This evening CSC will be starring on Ariapita Avenue, Woodbrook when a video is made of the ensemble.

Big show of the weekend

All roads lead to St Joseph tomorrow evening when Production One Limited stages the 16th edition of Jazz Artists on the Greens (JAOTG) at Wasa Grounds. Barbadian saxophonist Elan Trotman will be a featured artiste and he makes his Greens debut along with a new cast of young professionals including Adan Hagley, J9Quartet featuring Jeanine Ruiz, and Tony Paul (Anthony Woodroffe, Jr)-led ensemble of JAOTG All Stars doing a tribute performance of hit music by American composer, and default Trinidadian, Ralph MacDonald called Jam On The Groove. One can expect guest performances, as well as the usual ambience that makes for an evening of music and liming.

Jazz Artists on the Greens is scheduled to begin at 5 pm, and gates will be opened at 3 pm. Patrons are advised to walk with their blankets, collapsible chairs, picnic baskets and small coolers and come with an attitude that says one is here to enjoy great music, great ambience, great company.

In other jazz news, in her first full length performance of 2018, jazz vocalist Bri Celestin is presenting Pure Imagination on Thursday, March 29, at Kaiso Blues Cafe, 85 Woodford Street, Newtown, at 7.30 pm.

Her special guests include Kaiso Jazz icon Clive Zanda and guitarist Dean Williams. A quartet of superb musicians will also be performing and includes Tony Paul (Anthony Woodroffe) on flute/sax; Rodney Alexander (bass); Ron Clarke (keyboards); and, Shaquille Noel (drums).

Tickets, priced at 150, are available at Kaiso Blues Cafe.

Cro Cro beats ‘em

Former National Calypso Monarch Cro Cro (Weston Rawlins) is the winner of the TUCO/FCL 2018 People’s Choice Award. Tuco will present the diminutive bard with his award this morning at the NLCB Room, Queens’ Park Oval, Woodbrook at 10 am.

Cro Cro has won the National Calypso Monarch title on four occasions and is also a pass Independence Calypso Monarch.

New watering hole in the city

Excitement is brewing in anticipation of the new restaurant, bar and entertainment centre coming soon to 13 Cipriani Boulevard, in the heart of Port-of-Spain. The grand opening of Nigel’s on the Boulevard is scheduled for Friday, March 23, at 6pm.

Master Chef Nigel Newallo Singh’s dream has finally become a reality which was to open a venue where a cuisine of local and International dishes will be served and live entertainment, buzz off the walls of the new venue. Next Friday, local performers will entertain with sounds of kaiso, jazz, pan and other genres of musical or dramatic interpretations.

At the grand opening a presentation of the mounted caricature done by cartoonist Keith “Keithos” Anderson will be presented to ace pianist Ralph Davies, and a presentation will also be made to master comedian/CNC3 television show host Sunny Bling, both contributors to the art and cultural entertainment of T&T.

The reception starts at 6 pm and the public is invited. Musicians are encouraged to attend and walk with their instruments for a jam session during the course of the evening. Anne Fridal will host the evening’s proceedings.

Family fun time in the East

On March, 24, the Ball Park, formerly Marvin Lee Stadium, is the venue for the Guardian Media Fete 5 Family Day. Scheduled to begin at 9 am, it promises to be an evening of fun for the entire family, with a Kids Zone, fun zone, and a good lime for all staff and their family. Folks are encouraged to walk with their coolers and vybz to the GML staffers playing football and other skills, with entertainers on stage from 2 pm.

Each team will be allowed a maximum of eight members, one captain and one hype-man/woman. Seven members of each team MUST participate in the drills. Each team MUST have a hype-man/woman.

So, on March 24, come along and meet and cheer your favourite personalities of CNC3, including Sunny Bling, Ancil “Blaze” Isaac, Morning Brew’s Hema Ramkissoon and weather girl Seegonie Mohammed; GML’s five radio frequencies, inclusive of Vibe 105.1FM and Slam 100.5FM, T&T Guardian journalists and staffers from other arms of GML.

In a move to strengthen the business and entrepreneurial skills of local filmmakers, the trinidad + tobago film festival (ttff) is partnering with the British Council, to continue its film industry development programme.

This stage of training takes place on March 23-25 and will bring together 15 experienced filmmakers for a three-day workshop on project proposal writing and pitching.

The workshop is designed to support filmmakers in developing a clear understanding of what investors are looking for, and the crucial business skills of proposal writing and presentations. In addition, they will get an opportunity to strengthen their delivery and pitching skills.

The programme is a continuation of the Festival’s partnership with the British Council, that began in 2017 with training for filmmakers and writers in screenwriting and script development.

The workshop will be led by Peter Ansorge, Head of Short Courses and Part-time Diplomas at the National Film and Television School (NFTS), in the UK.

Ansorge has previously worked for the BBC as a Script Editor and Producer in the Drama Department, and for the UK’s Channel 4 as Head of Drama for television series and serials and as a Commissioning Editor for fiction, helping to create the Film On 4 strand. At the NFTS he developed and runs the popular Writing The Pilot and TV Drama: Creating The Bible courses. He has published two books on stage and screenwriting, Disrupting The Spectacle (Pitman) and From Liverpool to Los Angeles, (Faber).

The NFTS is considered to be one of the world’s leading film and TV schools and a recognised centre of excellence. Established in 1971, the School offers post-graduate degrees, diplomas and short courses in specialist disciplines including Animation Direction, Cinematography, Fiction Direction, Documentary Direction, Film Programming and Curation, Digital Effects, Games Design and TV Entertainment.

FILM WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS

Kevin Adams
Jamil Agard
Jeffrey Alleyne
Shea Best
Maya Cozier
Christopher Din Chong
Sonja Dumas
Janine Mendes Franco
Jian Hennings
Sean Hodgkinson
Juliette McCawley
Teneille Newallo
Jared Prima
Sophie Walcott
Dainia Wright

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP PARTNERS

The trinidad+tobago film festival (ttff) celebrates films from and about the Caribbean and its diaspora, as well as from world cinema, through an annual festival and year-round screenings. In addition, the ttff seeks to facilitate the growth of Caribbean cinema by offering a wide-ranging industry programme and networking opportunities.
The British Council creates international opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries and builds trust between them worldwide. We are a Royal Charter charity, established as the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relation

Joyce Thompson 66 Christian Drive, Plaisance Park, Pointe- A- Pierre Departed this Life on 11TH MARCH 2018 At the age of: 85 years She will lovingly be remembered as the: HUS-BAND OF: Oswald MOTHER OF: Wendell DAUGHTER OF: Fitzroy & Alma Durity GRANDMOTHER OF: Amaiya, Aiden, Jhamari & Jh’Dayne SISTER OF: Sylvia, Joseph & Victoria RELATIVE OF: Thompson’s, Durity’s & La Caille’s The Funeral Service for the late Joyce Thompson has been en-trusted to David Guides Funeral Services and will take place on Saturday 17TH MARCH, 2018 at 2:00pm at the Our Lady Anglican Church, Plaisance Park. Followed by a burial at the Claxton Bay Public Cemetery All Enquires can be made at David Guide Funeral Services Phone: (868) 636-2435 / Email: dgfuneralservices@gmail.com

COZIER, HIltOn Lionel at age 92, on March 10th 2018 in Mon-treal, Quebec, Canada. Survived by wife Grace Callender, and children Valerie, David, Deirdre and Nancy and grandchildren Rowenna and Nathaniel Cozier-Weismuller, and Vincent, Maya and Naomi Cozier-Lefebvre all of Quebec, Canada, his brother Basil (Carol) and sisters Eileen Alexis and Yvonne Jack. Predeceased by parents Evelyn and Edric Cozier and by his brother Reginald. Memorial Service Sunday March 18th 2018, in Montreal, Canada.

JEAN FORD: Wife of Oliver Ford, Mother of: Wayne Headley, Peter(deceased), Vanessa Ford Edwards, Richard, Robert and Heather. Grandmother of: Six(6). Great Grandmother of: eight 8). Funeral will take place, Friday 16th March, 2018 at 1pm, Jehovah Witness Kingdom Hall between Gokool and Cemetery Street Diego Mar-tin. Thence to the Carenage Cemetery, School Street, Carenage.

Trading activity on the First Tier Market registered a volume of 422,297 shares crossing the floor of the Exchange valued at $12,064,007.67. JMMB Group Ltd was the volume leader with 253,010 shares changing hands for a value of $495,253.77, followed by The West Indian Tobaco Company Ltd with a volume of 99,742 shares being traded for $8,832,154.10.

Trinidad & Tobago NGL Ltd contributed 23,609 shares with a value of $661,622.97, while Scotiabank Trinidad & Tobago Ltd added 16,032 shares valued at $1,002,000.00.

The West Indian Tobaco Company Ltd registered the day’s largest gain, increasing $0.05 to end the day at $88.55.

Conversely, NCB Financial Group Ltd registered the day’s largest decline, falling $0.03 to close at $6.50.

Clico Investment Fund was the only active security on the Mutual Fund Market, posting a volume of 18,800 shares valued at $378,030.00. Clico Investment Fund advanced by $0.01 to end at $20.11. Bourse Brazil Latin Fund remained at $8.40. Calypso Macro Index Fund remained at $20.48. Fortress Caribbean Property Fund Ltd SCC - Development Fund remained at $0.67. Fortress Caribbean Property Fund Ltd SCC - Value Fund remained at $1.70. Praetorian Property Mutual Fund remained at $3.05.

The Second Tier Market did not witness any activity. Mora Ven Holdings Ltd remained at $14.49.

Financial literacy is a key component of the entire apparatus for consumer protection. And a financially educated society will bring together its financial resources to produce a stronger economy, which is particularly important given the tough economic climate.

This was the view of Central Bank Governor Alvin Hilaire during the National Financial Education Committee launch at the Central Bank, Port-of-Spain, on Monday.

“When you look at consumer protection and education within the form of a major apparatus there must four pillars, firstly knowledge, including knowing the product and the risks. Then there is transparency and market conduct.

“Clearly, the individual does not work alone and we want to make sure there is transparency in how the products are unveiled. It is no use being given a long, long form that nobody understands and that everyone can’t relate to,” Hilaire said.

He said there was a need for “ethical financial institutions” which are able to not only prevent matters but to operate in good faith.

“We want financial institutions to not only explain the products but to conduct themselves according to the highest ethical standards,” Hilaire said.

He said redress was also a significant aspect, adding that in other countries there was the availability of a fair trading commission.

“This is something we don’t have, so we need to work on these things to make sure that things don’t fall through the cracks. When you have an educated public it creates and awareness so you do not have a problem in the end,” he said.

Financial Services Ombudsman Dominic Stoddard, who also spoke, said an estimated 21 per cent of T&T’s population remained unbanked.

“Our financial literacy survey found that 44 per cent of the population have low financial capabilities,” Stoddard said.

He said financial capability was measured according to three dimensions, including one’s ability to make ends meet, planning ahead for one’s financial future and knowledge of financial products and services.

“As a country we need to re-examine our relationship with money. Financial literacy is a life skill that you don’t just pick up along the way. Most of us adults would have wished from an early age we had an opportunity to lean about money and to develop responsible financial behaviour,” Stoddard said.

He said from 2017 to date they had held sessions with over 5000 people across the age spectrum and geography throughout T&T, but this was still insufficient.

“There is a deep and pervasive negative view of the financial sector. I see almost 1000 complaints annually, most of which could have been avoided had the public been properly informed, had the benefit of a financial literacy session and had the confidence to ask appropriate questions,” Stoddard said.

The committee comprises the Bankers’ Association of T&T (BATT), Central Bank’s National Financial Literacy Programme, T&T Credit Union League, Association of T&T Insurance Companies, Tobago House of Assembly’s Financial Literacy Secretariat, Securities and Exchange Commission of T&T and the T&T Stock Exchange.

It is time for the T&T Police Service to say why it has been unable to fully test and implement a body camera programme for officers across all divisions. Announced with much fanfare last July, its test phase usage appears to have been very sparing for the most part.

But in the wake of the latest police killings in Morvant of Obika Roberts and Nkosi Mitlan on Wednesday night, we wonder whether there is any real conviction to carry through with a nationwide launch.

Not that we hold any brief for these men, since from all reports they had criminal records and were wanted for several crimes, including murder. However, members of the community protested following the incident and offered a different account of what transpired—a situation which has occurred in several such cases in other communities before.

While there are always two sides to a story, it should always be the TTPS’ aim to equip itself with the necessary tools to ensure the proper investigation of all matters, including, in this case, whether the men were engaged in a shootout with them when they were killed.

The Police Social and Welfare Association has fully supported the initiative for body cams. The question now seems to be whether the police executive is fully convinced it is critical to their ability to not only fight crime but to highlight possible misbehaviour in office by officers themselves.

Ominous sign from ministry

The action by the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries to reclaim the Felicity land which was granted to DCP Deodat Dulalchan is an ominous sign. It follows on another decision recently to send home three employees pending a probe by the Public Service Commission into the procedure which saw Dulalchan gaining access to the land in the first place, at the expense of legitimate farmers who were already occupying it.

Citizens will no doubt eagerly await the outcome of this probe and more, importantly, to see whether justice will be served if it is proven the process was unfair and whether action will be taken against those responsible

Kudos to SLWAproceeded

This newspaper would like to commend the Syrian Lebanese Women’s Association for its Feed the Need Initiative. Launched in November last year, the programme seeks to provide food for those in need. The SLWA has partnered with 32 restaurants and food outlets in this drive, which has so far yielded $32,000. We, in turn, ask the public to support this worthy initiative.

In one high forum at least, there was resolution of a matter yesterday.

Though probably not to the satisfaction of UNC MP Rudy Indarsingh who last week complained of a tiff with PNM’s Anthony Garcia.

House Speaker Brigid Annisette-George yesterday blanked Indarsingh’s request for the matter to be probed by Parliament’s privileges team. Prior to that, Government MPs’ only concern on the matter involved picong.

“Garcia, look yuh partner!” PNM’s Darryl Smith motioned to Opposition benches.

“I go hide under the table when I see you,” Indarsingh said (to no one in particular.)

Both Garcia and Indarsingh, however, did their professional best when Garcia replied to a query from Indarsingh later.

Issues in other high quarters haven’t been so easily resolved. Continued contention over Chief Justice Ivor Archie’s aborted sabbatical and planned vacation—has seen Government inserted into the scenario, heading for the courts to interpret the sabbatical; and with added new concern whether Archie’s vacation meets law.

Archie recently bowed to pressure on the sabbatical in the interest of not having authorities fight over it, following looming standoff between Prime Minister Keith Rowley and President Anthony Carmona. This, after Carmona upheld the sabbatical leave which Rowley queried.

Whether Archie intuited the possible fallout of pressing on with sabbatical in such circumstances is anyone’s guess. Timing of his vacation announcement and shift from sabbatical—a day before Cabinet—was however, on point heading off potential negative outcome. Rowley on Thursday said, “Had he (Archie) proceeded there would have been consequences of one kind or another.”

Archie’s stated hope the matter would be clarified in his absence is materialising; though Government has resorted to court, ahead of possible use of sabbatical by him, and also because of conflicting information on it from legal advisers for the PM and the Attorney-General.

AG Faris Al-Rawi was conspicuously absent from among other ministers at Thursday’s briefing where Rowley revealed the two differing sets of advice.

Herein, the matter is “unfolding” (as Rowley said), hardly ended with Archie’s shift to vacation. For all its arguments on the sabbatical, that Government’s resorted to court—ironically CJ’s jurisdiction where it’s also minefielded by opinions for and against him—indicates their word isn’t the last on the sabbatical, referenced in the Salaries Review Commission’s 98th report.

Legal sources cite Cabinet Note 495 (February 13, 14) showing the PP cabinet “agreed to accept the report’s recommendations,” save on Parliamentary offices. They argue the principle of collective responsibility binds future Cabinets and if the Cabinet had power to reverse SRC’s report, the Parliamentary approval it obtained would seem mere rubber-stamping.

While Rowley’s been anxious to show his Government’s adherence to the law, Government is now a major player in the matter, and its handling—including on the separation of powers between executive, judiciary and legislature—is up for as much scrutiny as on Archie or Carmona.

Holding implication for Government’s political stocks, any failure/fumble on a matter of such magnitude could taint the rest of PNM’s 29-month tenure—and beyond.

Probably hence Government’s cautiousness including on Opposition “advice” to invoke Section 137 of the Constitution concerning probe of a chief justice.

Archie who’s faced challenges in other quarters (besting the Law Association) has said his leave was for study, rest and reflection. What the latter could result in ahead, remains to unfold.

Carmona’s ending his tenure ironically with test of the power he may or may not have on the sabbatical—harking back to his 2013 debut statement, “Powers you think I have, I do not. Powers you think I do not have, I do.”

His was a term marked with controversy—from shushing PNM’s Marlene McDonald and PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar during his first Parliament address to issues concerning appointments, spending and accommodation.

Yesterday, Carmona’s staff hosted a party for him. Some leave with him Monday, sources added. Priority future plan for him include spending family time.

Whether President-elect Paula-Mae Weekes’ may have take up the baton on the CJ’s issue remains ahead.