Come August 7, Nalis will unveil its PAC Lab preservation clinics and workshops at the Sangre Grance public library, at 10 am. The series of family heirloom preservation clinics will be conducted nationwide by Danielle Fraser, Nalis’ conservation librarian.

The hosting of these clinics is part of the Nalis Preservation and Conversation Lab’s (PAC) commemorative activities to mark its fifth anniversary. At the Family Heirloom Preservation Clinics, the public will be provided with one-on-one, expert advice on techniques to preserve items such as postcards, diaries, family Bibles, certificates and photographs.

A preservation workshop titled When Disaster Strikes: Emergency Salvage of Water Damaged Family Heirlooms will be held at the National Library Building, Port-of-Spain for members of the public on August 20, from 9 am to 2:30 pm. Participants will learn hands-on preservation techniques as well as methods for salvaging water-soaked, paper based records and materials. The workshop will be repeated exclusively for Nalis’ staff on August 22.

Library and Archive professionals and paraprofessionals are specially invited to attend another workshop—Dealing with Mould: Guidelines for Library and Archival Collections—on August 22 from 9 am–3:30 pm.

Participants will learn measures to prevent mould growth and actions to take should it occur within their collections. For further details or to pre-register for any of the activities, contact 624-4466 ext. 2038 or email Danielle.Fraser@nalis.gov.tt or pr.marketing@nalis.gov.tt

The Nalis PAC Lab, which was officially commissioned on July 8, 2013, celebrates its role in preserving countless library material and historical collections. As the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions’ Preservation and Conservation Regional Centre for the English-speaking Caribbean, the Lab’s core duty is to work with the Heritage Library Division in achieving its mandate to acquire, promote and preserve national heritage material. Additionally, the Lab advises public and private organisations on the care of their collections and artefacts.

More info 

Nalis Preservation and Conversation Lab’s (PAC) clinics and workshops:
August 7: Sangre Grande Public Library (10 am - noon);
August 8: Maloney Public Library (10 am - noon);
August 13: Couva Public Library (9:30 to 10:30 am);
August 14: Rio Claro Public Library (10 am - noon);
August 16: Carnegie Library, corner Prince of Wales and Coffee Streets, San Fernando (10 am - noon).

What do men want? Why do men cheat? What defines a man? These are some of the questions explored in the Focus Arts Productions’ upcoming production of Da Mans Dem, which will take place at the Little Carib Theatre, Woodbrook, on Tuesday, July 31.

Playwright Alan Charles said the play is the sequel to Love, Sax and All That Jazz, and is told from the viewpoint of three male characters, the brothers. He said: “In this offering, the brothers take centre stage and give their take on love, sex and relationships. Through the life of three buddies we get a glimpse of the male psyche as they attempt to explain what men want, Why men cheat, and what defines a man.”

Charles said both plays are written from a Christian standpoint, “to highlight some of the issues surrounding sex and relationships that the church sometimes fails to address. They were written to bring light and offer solutions to some of the challenges faced in relationships. At the same time, they also offer audiences clean wholesome quality entertainment. There is a PG13 limit attached to the production.”

The play is now in its sixth year and has been performed throughout the UK, Toronto, Barbados and Trinidad. Charles said: “The show benefits from having two casts, a UK cast and a Trini cast. Love Sax and all that Jazz is in its ninth year and, in addition to the previously named countries, has been to Grenada, St Kitts, St Vincent and Antigua.

“The upcoming show will feature the Trini cast and is directed by local actress and dancer Kimmy Stoute-Robinson. It stars Dexter Musgrave, Khadija Glasgow, Marie Guerra, Karen Richards, David Clarqe, Jamel Spring, Brandon Giroux, Fidel Guerra, Jomo Williams and Abbi-gail James-Williams.”

Charles said he hopes the audience will be uplifted and inspired by the comedy drama, and be able to use some of the sentiments in the play to strengthen their relationships if already involved or gain some invaluable insights if you are looking to get involved.

“Whenever and wherever the shows are performed audiences are thrilled and impressed. We have no doubt that our next performance at Little Carib Theatre will also have audience in tears of laughter while being inspired and uplifted” said the playwright.

(Paula Lindo—prilindo@gmail.com)

More info

Tickets cost $125 advance, $150 at the door and $100 each for groups of ten or more.
For more information call 624-4162, 387-9561 or 768-8214, email focusarts@yahoo.co.uk and find Da Mans Dem on Facebook.

T&T men’s Team Sprint trio of teenager, Nicholas Paul, Kwesi Browne and two-time Olympian Njisane Phillip doubled this country’s gold medal tally to two at the 23rd Central American and Caribbean Sporting Organisation (CACSO) Games continued in Barranquilla, Colombia, yesterday.

Overall it was a very productive day for T&T as fellow cyclists, Teneil Campbell (bronze) and rower Felice Chow (silver) also captured the first-ever medals for T&T in their respective events to push T&T’s medal haul to four, adding to the swimmer, Dylan Carter 100m freestyle gold on Friday night.

Competing in the final event at the Velodromo Alcides Nieto Patina, the trio of 19-year-old Paul, Browne, 24, and 27-year-old Phillip, riding in that order combined for a time of 43.873 seconds, a new games record, well ahead of Venezuela (44.578 secs) and Colombia (44.172 secs) which got silver and bronze respectively. Mexico was fourth in 45.774.

T&T had earlier finished with the fastest qualifying time of 44.096 ahead of the Venezuelans (45.154).

One event earlier, fellow cyclist and reigning Caribbean Road Race and Time Trial champion, Campbell finally got her historic medal on her second attempt.

Campbell, who was fourth in the women’s Road Time Trial on Friday got bronze this time out in the Women’s Scratch Race (10,000 metres/40 laps) behind Marlies Mejias of Cuba and silver medallist Lizbeth Salazar of Mexico.

The medal for 20-year-old Campbell is the first ever at the CACSO Games by a women’s cyclist for this country in their first ever appearance as well.

She will also compete in the Points Race and Omnium.

Earlier on the same track, the duo of Costa sisters, Alexi and Jessica as well as Christian Farah and Alex Bovell missed out on qualification to the Women’s Team Pursuit (4,000m) medal round.

The T&T women combined for a time of 4:51.022, a new national record, for the fifth spot.

The duo of Cuba (4:33.516) and Colombia (4:34.772) ended in the top two places and will contest the gold medal event today while Mexico (4:34.890) and Venezuela (4:43.060) will battle for the bronze medal.

In the Men’s Team Pursuit (4,000m), T&T’s Kemp Orosco, Tyler Cole, veteran Adam Alexander and Jovian Gomez could only finish sixth in their qualifying event in 4:26.561, ahead of Dominican Republic (4:40.693).

Venezuela (4:06.621) and Mexico (4:08.746) will contest the gold medal while Colombia (4:09.036) and Guatemala (4:16.314) will face off for bronze.

Today, Browne and Paul will compete in heat two of the men’s Keirin event while Akil Campbell lines up in the men’s Scratch Race (15,000m)

Chow rows to historic silver

Over at Lago, Calima, in Cali, 41-year-old Olympian, Felice Chow secured T&T’s first ever women’s medal in rowing, competing in the Women’s Singles Scull contested over a distance of 2000 metres.

Chow, who competed at the Rio Olympics in 2016 crossed the finish line in nine minutes, 26.24 seconds for silver behind Cuban, Yariulvis Cobas (9:13.05 mins) while Mexico’s Naiara Arrillaga took bronze in (9:41.22 mins)

Calypso Stickwomen improve to 2-0

Teenager Shaniah De Freitas netted two goals, as T&T women’s hockey team battled past Barbados 2-1 to improve to a perfect 2-0 round-robin record at the Unidad Deportivo Pibe Valderrama.

However, it was the Barbadians who struck first in the 17th minute through Keisha Boyce after a 0-0 first quarter.

De Freitas, 18, playing in her sixth international match for the ‘Calypso Stickwomen” drew T&T level five minutes later from the penalty spot and with two minutes left in the match she was on spot to score again to earn her team a deserved win.

The win lifted the Anthony Marcano-coached team who clobbered Guatemala 12-0 on Friday to six points in Pool B, three ahead of Jamaica whom they face tomorrow. Barbados is also on three points and meets winless Guatemala in its final match.

The Jamaicans defeated Guatemala 5-0 in the other pool match yesterday.

Today, the senior men’s hockey team, coming off a 2-1 win over Cuba on Saturday meet Barbados from 5 pm. Barbados edged Jamaica 1-0 in its opener.

Carter, Romany in 50m butterfly medal hunt

USA-duo, Dylan Carter and Joshua Romany were expected to add to T&T’s medal tally last night when they contested the men’s 50 metres butterfly final at the Complejo Acautico.

The 22-year-old Carter who won the men’s 100m freestyle in a CACSO Games record of 48.95 seconds on Friday night, was in record-breaking again yesterday when he won heat five of the 50m butterfly in 23.50 seconds, to erase Guatemalan Luis Martinez’s time of 23.53 set the heat before.

Romany, also 22, had earlier won the first heat in 23.73 to have the third fastest time ahead of last night’s gold medal swim.

Two other T&T swimmers who were in action, Jabari Baptiste and David Mc Leod did not advance to their respective final.

Baptiste was fifth in heat two of the men’s 100m backstroke in 58.02 seconds and was due to swim the B-Final, while Mc Leod was seventh in heat three in 59.25.

Ping pong women make doubles exit

The T&T teams of France-based Rheann Chung and Brittany Joseph, and Linda Partap-Boodhan and Catherine Spicer were beaten in the quarterfinal round of the Women’s Table Tennis Doubles at the Centro Eventos Puerta de Oro.

Chung and Joseph first defeated Barbadians Kenday King and Janae Lewis in the last-16, 11-5, 11-6, 11-9 while Partap-Boodhan and Spicer battled past Guyana’s Chelsea Edghill and Trenace Lowe, 14-12, 10-12, 12-10, 14-12.

However, in the last-eight, Chung and Joseph went under to Guatemalans, Mabelyn Enriquez and Andrea Estrada 10-12, 11-4, 5-11, 8-11; and Partap-Boodhan and Spicer were ousted by El Salvadoreans, Emme Arias and Estefania Ramirios, 7-11, 5-11, 11-9, 7-11.

Both Spicer and Chung will now focus their attention on the knockout stage of the Women’s Singles after advancing from the round-robin group stages as second-place finishers in their three players groups with 1-1 records while Partap-Boodhan and Joseph were winless, 0-2.

T&T hopes for a squash doubles medals were dashed as the local teams in the women’s, men’s and mixed doubles were all beaten in their quarterfinals.

The T&T duo of Alexandria Yearwood and Marie-Claire Barcant were booted by Colombians Laura Perez and Maria Perez 4-11; 6-11; men’s doubles duo, Chayse Mc Quan and Nku Patrick were stopped by Bermudans, Micah Franklin and Noah Browne, 8-11, 4-11, and the mixed doubles team of Kale Wilson and Charlotte Knaggs fell to Colombians, Catalina Pelaez and Miguel Rodriguez, 6-11, 7-11.

Calypso Spikers secure quarterfinals spot

T&T women volleyballers will come up against Mexico from 8 pm tonight in the first of two quarterfinals at the Humberto Perea Coliseum. This after the Renele Forde-captain ‘Calypso Spikers’ defeated Costa Rica 25-18, 25-23, 25-16 to end with a 1-2 round-robin Pool B record.

On Saturday night, the T&T women were beaten 22-25, 19-25, 20-25 by host Colombia who got a tournament-high 27 points from Amanda Coneo. Middle blocker Sinead Jack led T&T with 14 points, while wing spiker Channon Thompson added 12, and the pair of Darlene Ramdin and Krystle Esdelle, eight apiece.

Costa Rica hands Under-20s second loss

T&T chances of advancing to the men’s football medal round competition were all but ended after a 3-2 loss to Costa Rica at the Estadio Romelio Martinez, yesterday.

Randall Leal scored twice for the Central Americans in the ninth and 23rd minute while Andres Gomez was also on target in the 15th.

For T&T, John-Paul Rochford got a 60th-minute goal to give his team some hope before Nickel Orr made it 3-2 seven minutes later.

That was as close as T&T would get as Costa Rica held on for the important three points. Last night the T&T women, beaten 5-1 by Mexico in their opener came up against Nicaragua, which defeated Haiti 3-0 on Friday. A win for T&T will keep them in the contest for a medal.

Olympian Andrew Lewis had a mixed day on Saturday as he placed second in the fourth of his Laser Radial races before a 16th placed in race five while Kelly-Ann Arrindell was fifth and ninth in race four and five respectively prior to yesterday’s events.

T&T’s Samantha Wallace and her New South Wales Swifts hopes of advancing to the Suncorp Netball League semifinals faded after a 57-57 with Magpies Netball at Hisense Arena, Australia on Saturday.

Coming off the back off four straight losses, 24-year-old Wallace and the Swifts were hungry for a win, but instead, they walked away with a tie and their path to the top four too far gone.

A second-year player with the Swifts, goal shoot Wallace started off well and scored 11 of her 12 attempts to hand her team an 18-14 first quarter lead.

As the second quarter commenced, the physicality in the Swifts goal circle increased, with both England international, goal attack Helen Housby and Wallace taking some hard knocks to the ground.

Towards the end of the quarter, the home to close the gap, at 26- 28, winning the bonus point for taking the quarter, 12-10.

At the start of the third quarter, Wallace who added six goals to her tally from seven attempts was replaced by Sophie Garbin as the Swifts attack slowed down, with Magpies finishing off their passes a lot cleaner.

The home side took a one-goal lead but a call on Kim Ravaillion delaying the centre pass got them back 39-37.

Caitlin Thwaites took a shot on the buzzer but she missed, giving the bonus point to the Swifts (16- 15) with the score 44-41.

The fourth quarter was a seasaw tussle as the momentum was swinging for both sides. As the clock wound down and the scores were levelled and the pressure increased.

Housby and wing attack Paige Hadley both got an intercept each, and centre court Maddy Proud took a hard tumble that took her off the court, but Sharni Layton got the ball back to level the score 55 a-piece with one minute to play.

Right before the final buzzer, Magpies’ goal attack Erin Bell sunk a high-pressure shot to draw the game 57-57 and take home the bonus point.

Wallace ended with 17 goals from 19 attempts to take her season tally to 357 goals from 398 attempts while Housby added 19 from 22 attempts, and Garbin, 21 from 22.

Thwaites who was named the Nissan “Most Valuable Player of the match had a match-high 31 goals 34 attempts, and Bell, 21 from 27.

With the draw results, Swift’s record improved to 5-1-6 from 12 matches, for 41 points, 14 out of joint fourth spot held by Queensland Firebirds and Sunshine Coast Lightning with two rounds of matches left. West Coast Fever leads the eight-team table with a 9-0-3 record and 63 points, two ahead of Giants Netball (8-1-3) while Melbourne Vixens (8-0-4) and Queensland Firebirds (7-0-5) are next with 56 and 55 points, respectively.

Magpies Netball is seventh with a 3-1-8 mark and 38 points while winless Adelaide Thunderbird (0- 0-12) occupies the last place with four points.

Former national youth player, Ryan Stewart bagged a double to lead FC Santa Rosa to a comfortable 5-0 mauling of Matura ReUnited in the T&T Super League on Saturday.

Kevon Cornwall opened the scoring for FC Santa Rosa as early as the ninth minute at the Guaya Recreation Ground while Stewart, formerly of Guaya United, netted his first in the 24th for a 2-0 lead at the half time interval.

Two minutes after the restart, Kheelon Mitchell made it 3-0 before Stewart completed his double in the 56th followed by a 92nd-minute strike from Giovanni Abraham to complete the one-sided contest to climb to the fourth spot with 12 points from seven matches, four adrift of leaders Queen’s Park Cricket Club who were in action yesterday.

Up at the University of T&T Ground, O’Meara Road, Arima, Andre Mohammed netted two quick second-half items to earn visitors, Prison Service a 3-2 triumph over UTT.

In-form Nathan Julien handed Prison Service a 1-0 lead at the half thanks to his 40th-minute strike. However, two minutes into the second-half, national futsal player Cyrano Glenn drew UTT level, only for Mohammed to hammer home goals in the 61st and 63rd minute to give his team a 3-1 cushion.

With five minutes left, Shaquille Nesbitt converted a penalty for UTT, but Prison managed to hold on for the valuable three points to move to fifth with ten.

In the two other matches played yesterday, Club Sando Cultural Roots United and San Fernando Giants battled to a 1-1 draw at Dibe Recreation Ground, Long Circular while Petit Valley Diego Martin and Metal X Erin FC ended goalless at St Anthony’s College Ground, Morne Coco Road, Westmoorings.

Results

SATURDAY

Club Sando 1 (Jamal Burke 45th) vs San Fernando Giants 1 (Keston Grant 45th)

FC Santa Rosa 5 (Ryan Stewart 24th, 56th, Kevon Cornwall 9th, Kheelon Mitchell 47th, Giovanni Abraham 92nd) vs Matura ReUnited 0

Prison Service 3 (Andre Mohammed 61st, 63rd, Nathan Julien 40th) vs UTT 2 (Cyrano Glenn 47th, Shaquille Nesbitt 85th pen)

Petit Valley Diego Martin Utd 0 vs Erin FC 0

Standings

CURRENT T&T SUPER LEAGUE STANDINGS
TEAMS...........................P...W...D....L...GF...GA PTS
1. QPCC.................................6..... 5.... 1.... 0.....16.... 6....16
2. Cunupia FC......................6..... 4.... 2.... 0.....15.... 5....14
3. Matura ReUnited...........7..... 4.... 1.... 2.....12... 14...13
4. FC Santa Rosa.................7..... 4.... 0.... 3.....15.... 7....12
5. Prisons Service...............7..... 2.... 4.... 1...... 9...... 9....10
6. Guaya Utd.......................6..... 2.... 3.... 1.....11.... 6......9
7. Police FC..........................6..... 2.... 3.... 1...... 5...... 6......9
8. UTT....................................7..... 2.... 2.... 3...... 8..... 11.....8
9. RSSR FC............................6..... 2.... 2.... 2...... 7...... 6......8
10. Erin FC............................7..... 1.... 3.... 3...... 9..... 10.....6
11. Club Sando Cultural...7..... 1.... 2.... 4...... 5..... 10.....5
12. San F’do Giants............7..... 0.... 5.... 2...... 5..... 12.....5
13. Bethel Utd.....................6..... 0.... 3.... 3...... 4..... 12.....3
14. P.V.D.M Utd....................7..... 0.... 3.... 4...... 3..... 10.....3

Out-of-favour national midfielder Ataulla Guerra continued his impressive scoring form in the United Soccer League with Charleston Battery when he scored the game’s lone goal that gave his team a 1-0 win over Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Saturday.

The 30-year-old Laventille-born Guerra, who has not represented T&T in close to a year got the decisive item in the 88th minute at the Highmark Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

It was his second goal in as many matches which ranks him joint leaguebest with 11 so far in his 2018 campaign. Fellow T&T internationals, midfielder Neveal Hackshaw and defender Leland Archer, also featured for the entire match for Charleston which stays second on the table in the Eastern Conference with 35 points from 20 matches, nine behind England-born T&T defender Justin Hoyte’s Cincinnati, which has played a match more. The 33-year-old Hoyte was an unused substitute in Cincinnati’s 2-1 win over New York Red Bulls II to extend its unbeaten run to nine matches.

Riverhounds are third with 34 points from 18 matches, one more than Canada-born T&t goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh’s defending champions, Louisville City FC, 4-1 victors against Charlotte Independence.

Ranjitsingh was the in goal for the entire match for the winners while national midfielder Kevan George also played the entire encounter for Charlotte Independence, and Cordell Cato was replaced at the halftime interval, failing to add to his eight goals on the season.

The defeat left in ninth spot with 27 points from 21 matches, level Ottawa Fury and Nashville, and one behind, Indy Eleven, the club of national defender Carlyle Mitchell and striker Nathan Lewis.

Mitchell was in his team’s line-up in a 3-1 loss at Tampa Bay Rowdies, while Lewis was not included in the match-day squad.

In other matches, Tobago- born Jamal Jack and his Colorado Springs whipped Tulsa Roughnecks 4-2; defender Shannon Gomez helped Sacramento Republic to a 1-1 draw with OKC Energy; Mekeil Williams and his Richmond Kickers also battled to a 1-1 draw with Atlanta United II, while Andre Fortune watched from the bench as his North Carolina spanked Aikim Andrews’ Toronto FC II, 3-1.

The decision on December 2, 2010 of awarding Russia hosting rights for the 21st FIFA World Cup (2018) raised a number of questions. While there were the usual concerns of the infrastructural works- such as completion of new stadiums and upgrades —there were anxieties relating to security issues.

The security issues ranged from potential threats from the Islamic State and other Islamist radicals; Russian hooligans especially after their disruptive behaviour at Euro 2016 in France; spillover fighting between Russia and Ukraine and racism and xenophobia toward non-whites.

However, by the time referee Nestor Pitana blew the final whistle to end the 21st World Cup crowning France champions, Russia had already proven that all the pre-tournament concerns never saw the light of day.

According to Putin, the World Cup “helped break many stereotypes about Russia,” and “People have seen that Russia is a hospitable country, and will leave with the best feelings and memories… and will come again many times.”

My two weeks in Russia during the World Cup bears testimony to Putin’s words.

The tournament operating systems allowed for effective checks and balances especially as it related to security concerns but at the same time not infringing upon the rights of fans. If there were any issues it was dealt with in a palatable and timely manner.

It was amazing to see how the large crowds the Kazan Sporting Arena (42,000) and Luzhniki stadium (81,000) were managed before, during and after the game without undue delays, fuss and ado.

From the entry at the Sheremetyevo (SVO) airport, the hospitality provided was very satisfying.

The immigration system catered for the FAN ID visa entry into Russia and as such there were not any undue questions and hassle.

The same treatment was extended on match days in the metros and buses. The reliability of the trains and buses to and from the games was also pleasing.

Information booths were strategically placed at the main tourists’ centres such as Red Square with young persons speaking at least Russian and English providing important information about maps, the transport system, and getting around to see landmark places such as St Basil’s Cathedral; the Kremlin; Lenin’s mausoleum, the GUM, Karl Marx monument and the UNESCO heritage sites in Kazan to name a few.

Overall the Russian people were very welcoming whether it was in the tourist centres, the metros, and malls.

None of the Russians I chatted with sadly had any idea of Trinidad and Tobago and its location. "

However, they were interested in finding out more and the opportunity was taken to market the country and the region. Russia 2018 was memorable and it was worth the sports tourism experience. It is a place I will definitely like to revisit.

“I don’t feel it is necessary to know exactly what I am. The main interest in life and work is to become someone else that you were not in the beginning.” —Michel Foucault

PROVIDENCE, Guyana – Hamstrung by a slow pitch, West Indies failed to fire, and Bangladesh, led by their most capped opener Tamim Iqbal and most capped bowler Mashrafe Mortaza, won the first One-day International by 48 runs yesterday.

With the Guyana National Stadium pitch in stark contrast to the surfaces they have exploited throughout the last 1 ? months in Tests against Sri Lanka and this opponent, the Windies bowlers gained slow bounce and little movement, to the delight of the Bangladeshi batsmen, and Tamim collected his 10th One-day International hundred, an unbeaten 130, to anchor his side to 279 for four in 50 overs after they chose to bat.

The home team’s batsmen however, failed to adjust to the conditions and though there were periodic explosions from the bat, the resolve required was absent and they limped to 231 for nine in 50 overs with Mortaza using his vast experience to hurdle out 4-37 from 10 overs.

Before it was over, Shimron Hetmyer increased his value with a typically flamboyant 52 from 78 balls that included five fours, veteran Chris Gayle gathered 40 before he was run out just when it looked like he was getting into gear, and Alzarri Joseph and hometown boy Devendra Bishoo, both finished on 29, providing some tail-end entertainment in an unbroken last-wicket stand of 59.

The result meant the visitors take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series which continues on Wednesday under the lights at the same venue before it concludes three days later at Warner Park in St. Kitts.

Apart from the pitch, West Indies were let down by sloppy fielding, and Tamim survived an early chance to plunder 10 fours and three from 160 balls to lead the charge for the tourists.

Four clear misses and a number of close calls blotted the Windies’ copy-book, paving the way for a 207-run stand between Tamim and Shakib-Al-Hasan, whose 97 from 121 balls included just six fours.

Entering the final stages, the host still seemed to have a rein on things with Bangladesh 211 for two, but Mushifqur Rahim arrived to blast a quick-fire 30 and put on 54 in 21 balls with Tamim to add meat to their team’s total.

West Indies failed to get a flourishing start from Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis to put early pressure on their opponents in the chase, and gradually Bangladesh tightened the screws with steady bowling.

Mashrafe Mortaza celebrates taking a wicket with teammates. (CWI Media photo/Randy Brooks of Brooks Latouche Photography)

Lewis was caught at mid-off off Mortaza for 17, slicing a drive in the ninth over and Shai Hope departed for six after he failed to review a dubious lbw decision when he played across the line to a delivery from Rubel Hossain in the 13th over to leave West Indies 41 for two.

Windies immediate past and immediate future stars Chris Gayle and Shimron Hetmyer came together and looked to be setting a foundation for a charge to the finish.

Gayle however, was run out in the 22nd over, when Hetmyer failed to respond to his call for a single to short third man, leaving West Indies 81 for three – and the innings lost momentum from this point onwards.

Hetmyer reached his 50 from 70 balls with a single to long-on off Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s off-spin in the 33rd over, but he nor the rest of the batting could demystify the Bangladesh bowling and crumbled before Joseph joined Bishoo for a little fun.

Earlier, West Indies conceded dropped Tamim on 17 and Shakib survived three chances, as they built a foundation for their side, after Jason Holder had Anamul Haque caught at second slip for a third-ball duck in the second over.

The Windies bowled with such discipline early on, Bangladesh got their first boundary, when Russell conceded the three in the ninth over to Tamim.

Tamim Iqbal drives into the off-side during his 130 not out. (CWI Media photo/Randy Brooks of Brooks Latouche Photography)

But this also precipitated a period in which the fielders failed the bowlers, as Ashley Nurse put down Tamim, on 17, at cover in the 11th over; Nurse too, bowling his off-spin, suffered, when an under-edge from Shakib, on 15, deflected from the thigh of wicketkeeper Shai Hope and flew past Chris Gayle at slip, and next over, Joseph had the same batsman, on the same score, dropped for a second time, when Gayle, again at slip, parried a shoulder-high chance.

The hosts did not get a sniff of a chance again until Shimron Hetmyer, fielding at fine leg, muffed a simple chance, when Shakib, on 84, top-edged a sweep at a delivery from Bishoo in the 39th over.

Bishoo however, was rewarded for his persistence, when he removed Shakib with Hetmyer this time holding onto a skier at deep mid-wicket from a top-edged slop/sweep in the 45th over. Tamim reached his 100 from 146 balls.

SCOREBOAR

West Indies vs Bangladesh – 1st ODI
BANGLADESH (maximum 50 overs)
Tamim Iqbal not out ........................................130
Anamul Haque c Nurse b Holder....................... 0
Shakib-Al-Hasan c Hetmyer b Bishoo ............97
Sabbir Rahman st Hope b Bishoo ......................3
Mushfiqur Rahim c Bishoo b Russell ..............30
Mahmudullah not out ..........................................4
Extras (lb7, w8) ...................................................15
TOTAL (4 wkts, 50 overs)................................ 279
Mosaddek Hossain,
Mashrafe Mortaza,
Mehidy Hasan,
Mustafizur Rahman,
Rubel Hossain did not bat
Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-208, 3-221, 4-275
Bowling: Russell 9-0-62-1 (w2);
Holder 9-0-47-1 (w1);
Joseph 10-0-57-0;
Nurse 10-0-39-0;
Bishoo 10-0-52-2 (w5);
Mohammed 2-0-15-0
WEST INDIES
(target: 280 off 50 overs)
C Gayle run out (Mahmudullah/Hossain)..... 40
E Lewis c Mahmudullah b Mortaza ................17
S Hope lbw b Hossain........................................... 6
S Hetmyer c Hasan b Rahman .........................52
J Mohammed st Rahim b Hasan .....................10
J Holder c Hossain b Mortaza.......................... 17
R Powell c wkpr Rahim b Rahman .....................0
A Russell c Mahmudullah b Mortaza............. 13
A Nurse c Mahmudullah b Mortaza.................. 7
D Bishoo not out .................................................29
A Joseph not out................................................. 29
Extras (b4, lb1, w6)............................................ 11
TOTAL (9 wkts, 50 overs) ................................231
Fall of wickets: 1-27, 2-41, 3-81, 4-111, 5-141, 6-141, 7-151, 8-163, 9-172
Bowling: Mortaza 10-1-37-4;
Miraz 10-0-37-1;
Hossain 8-0-52-1 (w1);
Hossain 7-0-22-0 (w1);
Rahman 8-0-35-2;
Hasan 7-0-43-0 (w4)
Result: Bangladesh won by 48 runs
Series: Bangladesh lead three-match series 1-0
Player-of-the-Match: Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh)
Umpires: J Wilson, S Ravi (India)
TV Replays umpire: R Illingworth (England)
Match referee: C Broad
Reserve umpire: G Brathwaite (CMC)

Bring it on! That was the response from attorney Nyree Alfonso yesterday, in response to Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi who has vowed to take legal action against her for her knowledge and opportunity in the tendering process of the Galicia.

In a telephone interview, Alfonso said was waiting with bated breath on the AG’s move.

“I also have the most astounding position from the Government that when invited to make enquiry as to where the Government’s funds were sent to which is the owners of the vessel they indicated that they had no intention of making that inquiry.”

Alfonso said the number of times her name was called by Al-Rawi’s at the press conference leaves her to believe that they wanted to muzzle her.

At Sunday’s press conference, Alfonso said she highlighted some observations based on documentation the Government released in response to Senator Wade Mark’s motion in the Senate.

“I think I hit a raw nerve where everybody came out singing my name. Don’t shoot the messenger. Listen to the message. No political fire was pelted at anyone. It was clinical and professional.”

She said if the AG plans to take legal action: “I hope they know I will certainly be responding in a manner where I call other people to account for what I think is politically motivated.”

Alfonso insisted that she has nothing to hide.

“If you want to perpetuate the attempt to silence me by bringing litigation just understand I welcome vindication in the place where I work. Bring it on. I would be vindicated. I have instructed my attorney to find a pathway to bring litigation against these people and their attorneys because they have no evidence…because if you do that it is politically motivated.”

She said every time she brings issues regarding the Ocean Flower, Cabo Star and now Galleons Passage: “I am attacked.”

Alfonso said she was surprised after three years, the Galicia issue was now being brought to the fore.

“What manner of fairy dust are these honourable ministers thinking that I have in my back pocket that I can sprinkle in the Port Authority when I am exiting.”

The National Infrastructure Development Company (Nidco) is toying with the idea of sailing the Galleons Passage free of charge to Tobago.

The question was posed yesterday to Nidco’s chairman Herbert George following a press conference yesterday at the Ministry of Works and Transport headquarters, Port-of-Spain, as he dispelled continuous reports that the vessel was unsafe to service the seabridge.

The issue was raised last week by president of the Transport Division of the Tobago Chamber Diane Hadad who proposed that in an effort to restore confidence on the seabridge, Government should give consideration to “having the first couple of sailing free,” to the public. This Hadad said would serve as a gift to passengers.

George said: “We have toyed with the idea. We have not decided on it. We have run it by the port people because they will be responsible for operating the service. We will provide the vessel and they will operate it. Yes, I have heard it spoken about more and more. There seems to be more traction in that.”

George could not say when the Galleons Passage will make its first sail to Tobago, stating that there were a number of issues that still needed to be sorted out.

He insisted that the vessel survived three hurricanes while enroute from China to T&T, while it obtained its class certification and passed its inspections tests.

He admitted that while the vessel was on its way to Trinidad there was an oil leak and an accident that resulted in its propellers, shafts, bearings and seals on three of the boat’s engines being damaged which had to be changed.

“Nobody is trying to hide anything,” George said.

On Sunday, members of the Opposition at a press conference argued that the vessel was likely to take six hours from Trinidad to Tobago. Questioned if this was true, George replied “this is a simple arithmetic problem. If the vessel has to travel at 91 nautical miles and it can go 22 knots how long will it take? The SEA people (students) could answer that.”

This means the vessel is likely to take over four hours. Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan said the Galleons Passage is a regular ferry.

He said a decision will be taken this week “whether we will continue the dry docking or get rid of the T&T Express and bring in a third vessel immediately.”

Sinanan said there would be three vessels operating the inter-island ferry service, the T&T Spirit, T&T Express and Galleons Passage. 

Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi has vowed to take legal action against attorney Nyree Alfonso for breach of fiduciary duty, stating that she used her knowledge and opportunity in the tendering process of the Super Fast Galicia for her own personal gains.

Al-Rawi made his position clear at a press conference at the Ministry of Works and Transport, Port of Spain, which was attended by Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan and National Infrastructure Development Company chairman Herbert George.

The AG was responding to a press conference held on Sunday by Alfonso, UNC Senator Saddam Hosein, sacked Port Authority of T&T (PATT) acting general manager Charmaine Lewis and UNC activist Devant Maharaj who raised concerns about the safety of the Galleons Passage.

Insisting that the vessel is safe for passenger use, Al-Rawi brought the media up to speed with two course of legal actions which have been commenced.

While legal action has been taken against Intercontinental Shipping Services Ltd (ICSL) last year for breach of contract for the withdrawal of the Galicia on April 21, 2017, the AG said “action has been flagged and will be commenced against Nyree Dawn Alfonso (NDA) and company for alleged breach of fiduciary duty specifically to the procurement of the Galicia.”

As for Lewis, he said, she has questions to answer in relation to the request for the extension of the Galicia managed under her tenure.

“It is therefore imperative in the round that you consider the information which is being drip fed to you in a scandalous fashion by spokesperson for the UNC. Be careful of saboteurs. Because if you would go this far out of your way to deprecate a process that is transparent, then be careful about the potential of sabotage.”

Al-Rawi said those who have been ill-speaking the Galleons Passage “have had action flagged to be taken against them or who have been the subject of disciplinary action leading to dismissal from office.”

The AG said there was an exchange of pre- action protocol correspondence among the PATT, Ministry of Works and Transport, the AG’s office, attorney for ICSL and Nyree Alfonso, who is represented by attorney Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj who has since responded to the pre- action protocol.“In the course of passing correspondence between attorneys, Ms Alfonso was put upon notice of the Government’s stated intention to commence legal action against her specifically for breach of fiduciary duty.”

The breach focused specifically, Al-Rawi said on Alfonso “using her knowledge and opportunity of the tender process made known to her in her capacity as attorney-at-law for PATT for her own personal gain and that of her appointed agent ICSL.”

He said Alfonso was hired by PATT on or about December 30, 2013 seeking her advice with respect to the continued operation and termination of the MV Warrior Spirit.

Al-Rawi said Alfonso was also retained to locate a short term vessel for the Warrior Spirt and in the course of that retention she identified five vessels among them being the Galicia which Leon Grant identified as the preferred vessel.

Grant who was dismissed as T&T Inter-island Transport CEO, the AG said has been the subject of action by PATT in relation to his suppression of evidence concerning the Cabo Star.

He said nine people were invited to participate in the tender process. Of the nine only NDA was not involved in ship leasing business.

In evidence before a JSC, Al-Rawi said Alfonso claimed that she told PATT that she should not have been invited as a tenderer.

“However, she later admitted that she had responded to the invitation and in fact appointed an agent in the person of ICSL. The basis by which ICSL submitted its bid was on the express disclosure that it was acting as the agent for Ms Alfonso’s company,” Al-Rawi said.

The AG said Alfonso submitted an invoice of over $800,000 in expenditure. On March 6, 2014, he said PATT’s board considered the selective tenderers report and recommended the Galicia for six months of service.

“That contract morphed into a 12 month contract and then that contract continued from time-to-time resulting in payments of close to $150 million in expenditure for the Galicia.”

In summary, Al-Rawi said there was a square breach of fiduciary on Alfonso’s part.

“It is the view of attorneys for several entities for the Government that you cannot sit as a beneficiary for a tender via your agent whilst providing advice to the PATT on the very issue. These are very serious issues.”

Two sons of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Harold Phillip have pleaded not guilty to marijuana trafficking.

Kenwyn and Kelon Phillip entered the pleas when they appeared before Senior Magistrate Debra Quintyne in the Tunapuna Magistrates Court yesterday.

During the hearing, Quintyne raised issues with the bail bonds that the siblings granted by a Justice of the Peace after their arrests last Friday.

While Quintyne did not reveal details of the bonds or her specific concerns over them, she did inquire whether the two persons, who took their bail, were present.

After being informed that they were not, Quintyne adjourned the case to tomorrow to give the brothers an opportunity to bring the individuals to court.

The siblings, ages 31 and 25, were allowed to enter pleas as the charge was laid summarily as opposed to indictably, which means that it is to be determined by a magistrate instead of by a High Court judge and jury after a preliminary inquiry.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Act, persons convicted on indictment face a $100,000 fine or up to three times the street value of the drugs (whichever is greater) and between 25 years to life in prison.

On summary conviction, persons face a $50,000 fine or up to three times the street value of the drugs (whichever is greater) and 10 years imprisonment.

Under the legislation, all drug trafficking charges are to be laid indictably.

However, section 7A of the legislation gives the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) the discretion to elect to proceed with matters summarily provided that the preliminary inquiry has begun and an accused person consents.

The brothers were arrested at their home around 7 am last Friday as officers of the Northern Division Task Force (NDTF) executed a search warrant at their home at National Avenue, Mt Hope. Police allegedly found 1.5 kilos of marijuana during the search.

DCP Phillip was the Police Service Commission (PSC) second preferred candidate for the post of Commissioner of Police.

However, like top-pick DCP Deodat Dulalchan, his nomination has been rejected by Parliament, which has taken issue with the recruitment process used by the PSC.

The Police Service Commission (PSC) is hoping to submit another nomination for the post of Commissioner of Police to President Paula Mae Weekes this week.

PSC chairman Bliss Seepersad told the T&T Guardian yesterday that the commission will hold its statutory meeting this week. “We are trying to meet and deal with the process as quickly as possible,” Seepersad said in an interview yesterday.

Asked whether there were any other candidates on the list apart from Gary Griffith, Seepersad declined further comment saying there had been “too much” in the public domain already.

Last week, one of the candidates for the post of Commissioner of Police, Wayne Hayde, wrote to the PSC demanding that his name be put on the Merit List.

The commission has been seeking legal action on the matter, but Seepersad declined to say whether any name other than that of Griffith is on the list.

Hayde was one of two candidates originally ruled out by the PSC under the chairmanship of Seepersad because of his age.

Hayde is contending that age was not a factor when the notice for application for the post went out nor was it an issue when he was interviewed on two occasions.

Another person ruled out because of age is Glen Hackett.

So far three nominations from the PSC in the persons of Dulalchan, Phillip and Williams have already been rejected by the Parliament.

Dulalchan and Phillip were rejected on the grounds that they did not apply for the job of Commissioner but of Deputy Commissioner.

Williams was described by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley as a “victim of the system.”

Rowley told the Parliament last Friday “with the best analysis in the world with the best marking of the score, I think we in Trinidad and Tobago must conclude that the fight against crime is not where we would like it to be,” the PM said as he thanked Williams for his service.

The Prime Minister did, however, indicate that “there are others on the Merit List who may find favour with this house.”

Williams, whose nomination was rejected by the Parliament last Friday told the Guardian he continues to do his duty. “It’s all exciting going right to the end of my stay in the Police Service,” he said.

Williams said when you join the service “you stay professional and the country requires that you commit yourself in a professional manner and build it up to the best of your ability.”

But he said, “The Police Service does not stand on its own and that is what sometimes we fail to recognise but at this point in time it’s really all up to the decision makers to make their decisions and they have made their decision so I have no difficulty with whatever decisions are made.”

Williams will proceed on 10 days’ vacation leave in August before going on pre-retirement leave in September which he says will take him to “the end of my working life in the Police Service. I retire on August 7, 2020.”

The acting commissioner declined comment on reports that Griffith may be the next Commissioner saying “I will not comment on who may be chosen.”

Whoever is chosen, he said, “I will have to hand over. That’s how it is in the Police Service.”

The Police Social and Welfare Association has expressed its own concerns about Griffith being selected but Williams said “they have their view point and they are entitled to represent the view point of the membership.”

Yesterday, President of the Association Michael Seales told the T&T Guardian that the Police Service is “demoralised and more than just being demoralised they feel marginalised and maligned.”

Seales said, “You cannot ask an officer to be a career officer and then they can’t reach the pinnacle of their careers, that is really an insult,” he said as he explained that a police officer like any other worker in any organisation “would expect to work their way to the top once they get the opportunity to do so and to take advantage of those opportunities.”

First Division senior officers are due to meet tomorrow (Wednesday) and Seales said “whatever mandate they give to me I will represent their mandate.

He said at tomorrow’s meeting officers will have the “opportunity to air their views on how this has impacted them.”

The Law Association will have to wait a little while longer to find out if it can resume its investigation into misconduct allegations levelled against embattled Chief Justice Ivor Archie.

Five Law Lords of the Privy Council yesterday reserved judgment in Archie’s appeal in which he is challenging the decision of three of his colleagues to dismiss his lawsuit over the investigation.

However, an abrupt end to the hearing at the United Kingdom’s Supreme Court in London, England, had some attorneys questioning whether the panel had already made up its mind.

Archie’s lawyers Phillip Havers, QC, and newly appointed Senior Counsel Ian Benjamin spent a little over two hours addressing the panel before they took a break.

Senior Counsel Christopher Hamel-Smith was expected to respond to their submissions when the court resumed but was later informed that his contribution was not required.

“Mr Hamel-Smith, despite the eloquence of Mr Havers and Mr Benjamin, the Board has given this matter careful consideration over the short adjournment and has reached the conclusion that we don’t need to call upon you. We will now take time to consider the reasons for that announcement which we will let you know as soon as we possibly can,” Baroness Brenda Hale, who led the panel, said.

Some legal sources, who spoke to the T&T Guardian, suggested that the statement from the panel could be interpreted to mean that it (the panel) saw no merit in the appeal and hence did not need further submissions from the association. Others suggested that it could mean that it had no legal issues to be resolved due to alleged changes in the association’s stance on the investigation.

Whatever the reason, it will only be revealed when the panel gives its judgment on a date that its to be announced by it.

During yesterday’s hearing, Havers submitted that the investigation was unlawful as it mimicked the process for the removal of a judge under S137 of the Constitution.

Under the section, the President appoints a tribunal after misconduct allegations against a CJ or judge are referred by the Prime Minister.

The tribunal, which includes a chairman and at least two other members, all with appellate judicial experience in Commonwealth jurisdictions, will then investigate. The tribunal reports to the Privy Council, which then gives the President recommendations on what action, if any, should be taken.

Havers pointed out that the association had repeatedly claimed that the investigation was to determine if allegations, made against Archie in a series of newspaper reports, last year, were true and if so to hold him accountable.

However, he noted that in its submissions in the appeal, the association is alleging that the investigation was not a fact-finding mission and was merely to determine if the allegations were sufficient to refer to the Prime Minister, as required under the constitution.

“The difficulty the respondent has is that is not what the evidence shows,” Havers said.

Asked by Lord Jonathan Sumption over whether the procedure adopted by the association was similar to the work of journalists, Havers said yes but noted that the association’s exercise would command more public interest.

“There is no restriction to free speech or freedom of the press, nor are judges above public scrutiny,” Havers said as he alleged that the investigation had a devastating effect on Archie’s professional reputation.

Questioned by Sumption on what action the association could take besides referring the allegations, Havers suggested that its members may pass a motion of no confidence in him as done last year following the fiasco caused by the short-lived judicial appointment of former chief magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar.

“There is no reason why they should not do that,” Sumption said. Havers agreed.

Lords Robert Reed, Brian Kerr and Nicholas Wilson also sat on the appeal panel.

Archie was also represented by John Jeremie, SC, and Kerwyn Garcia. The association was also represented by Jason Mootoo, Rishi Dass and Robin Otway.

Principals of private secondary schools have met their commitment and have supplied Finance Minister Colm Imbert with documentary evidence of the cost of running their schools including “private information with respect to the private students intake and how much the private parents pay.”

Spokesman for the Association of Private Secondary Schools Anthony Mc Collin, acting vice principal of the Corpus Christi College, told the T&T Guardian that the information was sent to Imbert via email on Sunday and “I personally dropped a hard copy off to the Ministry of Finance this morning (yesterday).”

The request for the document with the breakdown of how the association arrived at $5700 and the additional information was requested by Imbert at a meeting last Thursday with the association.

Imbert was accompanied to that meeting by Education Minister Anthony Garcia and Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat.

Another meeting is scheduled for this Friday, but Imbert told the principals that Garcia will not be present at this week’s talks since he is proceeding on vacation, “but that’s okay,” Imbert is reported to have said.

Yesterday, Mc Collin said, “Garcia’s presence or absence is of no real concern to me at this point in time.”

According to Mc Collin, Imbert indicated that “he has been given the mandate to settle this issue as quickly and efficiently as possible, so I take it that since the Minister of Education should have had to brief Mr Imbert on what our discussions would have been prior to his intervention and since it is in the hands of this committee which would have been set up by the Prime Minister, Garcia’s absence is therefore not significant.”

Mc Collin said principals are “just going to wait and see what happens.”

He said they have had the discussions “back and forth,” and the principals have submitted all information required. “I think hope for me is something dried up at this stage, I just continue to wait and see what happens,” he said.

Private schools have warned they may be forced to close their doors if the issue of the fee increase is not settled.

Mc Collin explained that when the arrangement started in the late 1990’s it was on the basis of the schools taking in 14- plus students.

The majority of students at that time were private, which left the schools room to negotiate with private parents to increase fees.

Even though the fee paid by the Government at that time was “not adequate,” Mc Collin said the difference was made up by the school’s ability to enrol more private students.

Today more than 90 per cent of the student population at private secondary schools are placed there by the Government.

Because the Government pays $1,200, Mc Collin said the schools can no longer negotiate with private parents who are clamouring against the fees they currently pay, “because they are saying why must we pay such a substantial amount when there are children sitting in the same classroom with the private students who are getting the same opportunities for education at much less. So clearly that has put us in a difficult situation.”

Mc Collin said in some cases private students pay four times what the Government is paying per child per term. The figures have been given to the Finance Minister as requested.

Mc Collin made it clear that contrary to what the Government may think “we are not trying to dig out anybody’s eyes, but the reality is that we have been under paid since the contract started with $750 which was never the cost to educate a child.

Mc Collin said it was unfair “the school compounds are being used without a rent being paid and the Government pays for nothing.”

The private schools through the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Ssventh Day Adventist Boards pay for the upkeep of the schools, all the material the students need and security. Annually, he said the schools are millions of dollars in the red because they virtually subsidise the cost of education for the government students.

Mc Collin said up to yesterday payments for the last school term were still outstanding, and with their July pay date of July 28 approaching they are hoping that they will get the outstanding payment owed to them by the end of this week.

Public Utilities Minister Robert Le Hunte says a holistic, multi-pronged, approach is required to successfully tackle the problems facing the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA).

He was speaking at a meeting of the Board of Directors of the utility held recently at the Ministry’s head office in St Clair.

To bring short-term relief, the Minister discussed with the members of the Board a plan, which if properly executed could reduce the demand and supply imbalance over a two-year period. This plan he says will require an investment of approximately $2.4 m.

According to a release from the Public Utilities Ministry, the Minister identified a number of areas of WASA that needed critical attention.

These, he said, include but are not limited to: increased water production and storage; rectifying the transmission issues by repairing aged infrastructure in order to reduce the levels of non-revenue water; the collection of outstanding receivables; and metering and water conservation awareness.

Le Hunte laments, that as a country Trinidad and Tobago is not in a water deficit position, but a significant portion of the water produced is lost through leaks caused by ageing infrastructure and illegal connections.

The Minister noted that fixing the ageing infrastructure will require significant investment, and hinted it may even mean having some level of private sector involvement.

He urged the Board to explore all avenues to increase production and to adopt a more aggressive approach aimed at reducing the number of leaks in WASA’s distribution system.

Le Hunte also cited some other areas of improvement that the Board needs to addressed immediately. One of these is the utility’s communication with its customers which he described as unsatisfactory and totally unacceptable.

Former UNC government Minister Carlos John has appeared in court charged with drunk driving.

John pleaded guilty to the charge when he appeared before Magistrate Duane Murray in the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

According to the evidence that was read in court after his guilty plea, John was charged after being involved in a car accident on Sunday night.

John was driving his Range Rover SUV along Saddle Road in Maraval when a Nissan Caravan panel van crashed into his vehicle near to Massy Stores.

John drove to the Maraval Police Station to make a report and was asked to undergo a breathalyser test after police officers noticed a strong scent of alcohol on his breath.

John recorded a reading of 79 microgrammes for every 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35. He was released on $500 bail at the police station and was ordered to appear in court yesterday morning.

During the hearing, John’s lawyers requested an adjournment to make submissions on the appropriate sentence for their client.

Murray agreed and adjourned the case to September 7.

John entered politics in 1996 and held posts on several State boards including the National Carnival Commission (NCC). He contested several general elections and briefly held the post of Minister of Infrastructure Development and Local Government.