A 19-year-old woman hid under a bed to escape a gunman who stormed into her house and sprayed bullets in her bedroom and in the bedroom of her 28-year-old relative Samuel “Sam” David during the wee hours of yesterday morning in Never Dirty, Morvant.

David was shot several times about the body while in another house his 32-year-old cousin, Adrian Gabriel, was also gunned down by same assailant.

Both victims were taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital but succumbed. The incident happened at about 2.15 am.

The young woman is said to be very traumatised and staying with relatives at an undisclosed location. She was not shot and wounded in the incident.

Speaking with the T&T Guardian yesterday at the Forensic Science Centre, David’s 74-year-old grandmother, who did not give her name, claimed her grandson’s killing stemmed from a recent chopping incident which was the subject of a court matter.

She said the chopping incident stemmed from an ongoing dispute over a parking space on a “public roadway.”

“Sam was a quiet person but he not taking any nonsense from people. He parking his car on one of the road and the next man parking his car on the other side,” the grieving grandmother said.

She lamented how times have changed from people “fighting out” issues to nowadays where people pull guns and shoot to kill. “Is a set of mad people with no values and is just because they have ‘bad boy’ friend who could kill people over nothing,” she said.

Another male relative, who wished not to be identified, called for justice, Investigating officers yesterday assured that investigations were ongoing and that there were leads into the case.

The two killings pushed the murder toll to 278.

Minister of National Security Edmund Dillon says the US$10 fee involved in the transaction to return a New York city million-dollar luxury condo to his friend Neville Piper was a standard transfer fee and not a sale price.

Sticking to his initial statement that the condo was gifted to him by Piper, Dillon said yesterday that he felt the need to “give it back” in the wake of the property dispute which developed surrounding the matter.

But in addressing calls by the Opposition to disclose how he came to sell the property for US$10, Dillon said using the word ‘sold’ was not feasible because it was a transaction involving a deed and the transfer of property, which involved a standard fee (US$10) to transfer the said property.

“It is transferred, which I did voluntarily,” Dillon said, adding the condo was a gift to him and because there was never any ill intent behind it in the first place, he merely returned it.

“Simple as that,” he added.

Dillon appeared before the New York Supreme Court on April 4 to settle the property dispute brought against him by Piper’s niece Esther Nicholls, who alleged that Dillon had sought to defraud Piper of his property and bank account. In a subsequent release, Dillon said then that there had been no finding of wrongdoing against him.

Dillon was speaking to members of the media after the Cycle 1801 graduation ceremony of the Civilian Conservation Corps’ (CCC) at the T&T Regiment Headquarters, El Socorro, yesterday. Some 749 students graduated during the ceremony.

Delivering the feature address, Dillon said a National Crime Prevention Programme will soon be launched within the 14 municipal regions in a bid to empower communities and residents and turn them away from crime, criminality and violence. Explaining it to the media after the ceremony, he said there will be three pilot areas: Central, Diego Martin and Tobago.

“Through this programme we will identify issues and challenges and work on improving communities,” he said.

During his address, Dillon also said 77 per cent of CCC graduates are employed, with 25 per cent of this being in the public sector, including the protective services.

“The remaining 52 per cent in the private sector, ten per cent represents those who are self-employed starting off their own businesses,” Dillon said.

He urged yesterday’s graduates to “remain positive and focus at all times”.

“Failure is not an option…today you were given the tools and training to make you ready for life.”

On another issue raised by the media afterwards, Dillon said he was yet to receive the full report on the social media leak of a list containing over 100 names of alleged gang members, gang leaders and their addresses and gang affiliations. He said while acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams has launched his investigations, the Ministry of National Security “has its own intelligence agencies looking at this…to identify who are the known perpetrators and gangs.”

Riot police were called to the Immigration Detention Centre (IDC) in Aripo yesterday after a “normal” demonstration by frustrated Nigerian detainees turned into a hostage-like situation.

Immigration and police officers on duty around 3.30 pm had to send out an “SOS” call to their colleagues after the group of detainees crowded the south and north corridors of the centre in protest over what they called their “unlawful detention” and inhumane conditions.

Armed with rubber bullets and tear gas, the riot police who arrived could not stop some ten Nigerians and others from Ghana and Senegal from forming a human barricade along the corridors. The Africans vowed to “stand as one” as they blocked officers from entering the main area where they were protesting.

The T&T Guardian was told two Immigration officers were confronted by the protesting group. This situation was similar to one that occurred about three days ago, where a group of Venezuelan detainees confronted Immigration officers about the same issues.

An African detainee at the IDC told the T&T Guardian via cellphone that he saw about 15 police vans arrive at the facility to restore peace.

“Some of the fellas went through the gate and we lost sight of them…it had real police…they come inside with gun and ting and rubber bullet and tear gas to use on we, but we stand as one and we block the gates so they couldn’t enter,” he said.

“The Nigerians, about ten of them, were just outside the gate and the police gone with them. We are afraid now as to what may happen to them.”

A Venezuelan detainee said many of them were also beaten during the incident.

“It has too much problem in here…they want to lock all we in one room with no breathing space and no water. We will die.”

An Immigration officer, who did want to be identified, confirmed that senior Immigration officials were later called out to the facility along with the police, who subsequently took ten Nigerians into custody.

The detainees were taken to the Arima Police Station, but up to press time no charges had been laid against them.

In the previous incident earlier this week, seven Venezuelan nationals allegedly confronted guards at the facility over their delayed detention and poor treatment. That incident had already forced a heightened police presence at the facility.

One of the Venezuelan detainees, through an attorney, sent a message to the T&T Guardian saying they were only trying to highlight their mistreatment at the facility and the fact that their matters were dragging along through the courts.

The detainee alleged they were beaten, denied medication, given spoilt food and only one bottle of water a day at the facility.

Last month, the Venezuelans at the centre staged a hunger strike to protest for their freedom.

A video circulated on social media on May 30 meanwhile showed the Venezuelans at the centre standing united singing their national anthem in a form of protest. They are seeking either asylum or the opportunity to be returned to their homeland.

On August 18, 2017, Cuban refugee Yoandri Avila Cruz threatened to sue the Immigration Division for his unlawful detention at the IDC since March 2017. In a pre-action protocol letter sent to acting Chief Immigration Officer Charmaine Gandhi-Andrews, attorneys representing Cruz called on the division to justify his lengthy detention.

Cruz’s lawyer Elena de Silva contended his continued detention was unlawful. She has blamed the division’s delay in processing his application for refugee status for her client’s continued detention.

Efforts to reach Minister of National Security Edmund Dillon last evening were unsuccessful as calls to his cell phone went unanswered.

Calls to the Chief Immigration Officer Gandhi-Andrews went straight to voicemail, but she is said to be currently out of the country on training.

A well-known gang member from Central was fatally shot by police on Wednesday during a high-speed chase along the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway.

According to a police report, at about 4 pm police officers, who were conducting enquiries in the Preysal area, spotted Keon Moore driving a car. Police said Moore was wanted man

The report stated that the officers attempted to stop Moore but he drove off and entered the highway heading south.

The police gave chase and were allegedly shot at in the vicinity of the Children’s Hospital. The officers returned fire, causing Moore to lose control of the vehicle, which crashed into the median cables.

Moore, who was shot several times, was taken to the Couva District Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police said Moore, who was well-known to them as a gang member of the Unruly Isis gang, was wanted in connection for several shootings, woundings and robberies in the Central Division.

Police officers said a 9mm Glock pistol and ammunition were recovered at the scene.

However, close relatives of Moore claimed that police officers had marked him for death and believed that it was impossible for him to shoot at the police while driving.

Asked why he was marked for death, a relative, who wished not to be identified, said: “Other people wanted him dead and we believe that police who are (alleged) friends from the other side wipe him out. They have their reasons, yes, but justice will come.”

Investigations are continuing.

Officers from the Professional Standards Bureau (PSB) have launched an investigation into the shooting death of Keon Moore, 24, of Crown Trace, Enterprise, along the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway on Wednesday.

The investigation was prompted by a fiery protest from Crown trace residents yesterday, which was sparked by the release of a video posted on social media yesterday which showed the police shooting incident.

The 14-second video, which did not capture the entire incident, showed the point where Moore was seen running away and an officer dressed in a tactical uniform crossing the median’s cable while shooting at him.

The sound gunshots from the police’s high-powered guns were also heard coming in the clip.

The video also reached the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) and has also prompted head David West to launch an independent investigation.

Speaking with the T&T Guardian yesterday, West made a call for the person who took the video to go to the PCA’s office at Level 24, Tower D International Waterfront Centre 1A Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain. (See editorial on Page A15)

“We are going to begin investigating the matter forthwith. We would like for the person to come to handover the original from his phone or whatever device he/she used. We are also calling on other motorists and/or eyewitnesses to come forward so that we can get help in our investigations,” West said.

The video prompted Moore’s relatives and friends to take to the streets at Crown Trace and Tobago Road, Chaguanas, in protest yesterday.

The protest action at both locations, which began at about 4 pm and 5 pm respectively, caused gridlock traffic along the Southern Main Road. Motorists were advised via Whats App messages to take alternative routes because of the protest.

The angry residents, including close friends, associates and family members, placed debris across the roadways and set fires.

However, in quick time, truckloads of army personnel and police officers from the nearby Lion’s Gate joint police/army post arrived and were able to restore order.

Fire Appliances from the Chaguanas Fire Station also responded and extinguished the fires and removed the debris.

One of Moore’s relatives told the T&T Guardian that they want the police officers to own up.

“Is kill they kill the boy…we didn’t have to see the video to know that. Since yesterday (Thursday) I tell you (T&T Guardian) that it was impossible for him to shoot at the police. Watch how the boy running for he life and they take him down like an animal hunted in the bush.

“We want justice now…all them police must go…they must pay. If they wanted him come and arrest him and go with him, not to murder him,” the relative added.

A senior officer from the Central Division, who wished not to be named, told the T&T Guardian that seniors had also launched an investigation after seeing the video.

The officers, the senior added, “will hopefully be identified and called in for questioning to say what exactly took place. The video is in the possession of seniors and it is engaging the attention it deserves.”

Chaguanas East MP Fazal Karim also expressed concern over the matter and promised to meet with residents “to continue dialogue with the police and residents to address their concerns.”

Karim also called on the Minister of National Security Edmund Dillon to honour his promise to the people of Enterprise and construct a police station in the area and “to increase the joint police/army patrols immediately and bring a sense of peace and calm in the community.”

According to a police report, at about 4 pm on Wednesday police officers, who were conducting enquiries in the Preysal area, spotted Moore driving a car.

The report said the officers attempted to stop Moore but he drove off and entered the highway heading south.

The police chased after him and were allegedly shot at near the Couva Children’s Hospital.

The officers returned fire, causing Moore to lose control of the vehicle and crash into the median cables.

Moore then ran out of the vehicle allegedly still shooting at police. They returned fire and he was hit several times.

He was taken to the Couva District Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police described Moore as a well-known senior gang member of the Unruly Isis gang who was wanted in connection with several shootings and other gang-related activities.|

However, residents yesterday disputed the police’s claims.

Immigration Officers yesterday said that while the situation at the Immigration Detention Centre (IDC) in Aripo is a very sensitive one they added that “their hands are tied” with respect to speeding up the repatriation process.

In fact, some officers claimed that they are not even being briefed by the acting Chief Immigration Officer, Charmaine Ghandi-Andrews, as to the status of the repatriation process of all nationals at the IDC.

“We are told that it is up to the Government to have the detainees repatriated and we are being told that it is too expensive of a procedure and that the Government can’t afford it,” one officer, who wished not to be identified, said

He added that because illegal immigrants are being detained and brought into the system almost on a daily basis, the recently refurbished centre is “already overcrowded.”

Over the years, there have been cries that detainees’ rights are being violated at the IDC.

In the past week, on two separate occasions, frustrated detainees including Africans, Venezuelans and Europeans have attempted to protest in a bid to voice their disgust over the system, inhumane conditions and inhumane treatment by the relevant authorities.

The detainees, through their respective attorneys, have claimed that they are denied water, good food and medication.

On Thursday, some 10 Nigerian detainees, who staged a protest and confronted two Immigration Officers were arrested by police officers.

Up to late yesterday, it was not confirmed as to whether or not any charges were laid against them.

Minister of National Security, Edmund Dillon, on Wednesday assured the T&T Guardian that he will attempt to find out about an incident that occurred earlier this week involving seven Venezuelans who were also engage in protest and confrontation with officers.

Attempts to reach him again on the issue following Wednesday’s incident proved futile.

Gandhi-Andrews is currently out of the country on training and could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Officers recovered a grenade among other weapons during an anti-crime exercise in Laventille on Friday night.

According to a police report, at about 11 pm officers from the Inter-Agency Task Force acting on information received went to an abandoned lot at upper Wharton Street.

During a search, the officers found a grenade, a 12-gauge shotgun and an extended magazine loaded with 15 rounds of .308mm ammunition and 132 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

No arrests were made but officers are asking the public to contact them at 555, 999 or 800-TIPS if they can help them with identifying the persons who his the arms there.

Investigations are continuing.

In an unrelated incident, members of the public heading into and out of Chaguaramas yesterday endured a two-hour traffic gridlock following an accident involving a diesel tanker and a car.

Reports indicate that around 10.30 am, Joseph Stevens, of Gasparillo, was attempting to negotiate a bend along the Western Main Road, near Big Yard, when there was a collision with a car driven by Jamal Blake, of San Juan.

Stevens was driving a tractor-trailer hauling diesel and was heading east, while Blake was heading west. The gas line on Stevens trailer was damaged, causing the fuel in his tank to leak onto the roadway.

Police confirmed the gridlock was caused because they were forced to stop traffic from following freely through the area because it was dangerous for other motorists and commuters. Fire officers from the Chaguaramas Fire Department eventually washed down the roadway.

Investigations are continuing by the Carenage Police Station.

Minister of National Security Edmund Dillon is today admitting that there are major issues affecting the smooth running of the Immigration Detention Centre in Aripo, chief among them being the repatriation of detainees who have been there for several years.

In a release yesterday in response to two separate incidents involving detainees at the facility last week, Dillon said the IDC has encountered challenges in repatriating detainees.

“Many continue to refuse to provide accurate identification information such as their name, country of birth and their travel documents. Some, as well, have raised legal challenges against their repatriation,” Dillon said.

“In addition, some countries are not always willing to land deportees in transition, which creates difficulties in sourcing cost-effective landing routes that would allow for their eventual return home. This contributes to delays in repatriating many detainees, particularly those from far off destinations.”

He, however, assured that the situation at the IDC “is under control, following protest action taken by a small group of detainees”.

He also assured the ministry is working assiduously to make arrangements to repatriate detainees to their homeland, as well as improve living conditions at the facility.

Over the past few months, the ministry spent more than $1 million on the refurbishment, upgrade and outfitting of the facility, he said. He said he was also working “closely with foreign missions and embassies in order to secure the true identity of the detainees so that the Government of T&T can repatriate them to their country of birth in the shortest possible time”.

Meanwhile, Venezuelan detainees at the IDC are desperately calling for compassion by the authorities, as some of them claim to be very ill and in desperate need of the necessary medical care.

Statistics reaching the Sunday Guardian reveal that currently there are at least 57 Venezuelan nationals awaiting repatriation, including 27 women.

One of the female detainees told the Sunday Guardian she had a disability and in need of special treatment.

“I came to T&T as a medical refugee seeking medical treatment for my condition and I was held from a house by the police and put in here. The only thing is I applied for asylum and still I am here facing deportation. I cannot sleep because of the strong pains and I am not being treated…I’m going to die in here.”

Another, a male detainee, said his wife has cancer and his 19-year-old son suffers from epilepsy.

“I came here and applied for asylum but I confess I bring my wife and son illegally in here for medical treatment and now all of us are detained,” he said.

“It is 15 days now and my wife has not gotten any cancer treatment and they only give she Panadol and no doctor. My son having seizures and only Panadol…no doctor.”

Another male detainee said he suffers from a kidney condition that has him urinating blood.

“They only giving me Panadol. I applied for asylum and still detained in here waiting for an official from the UNHCR to visit me.”

Last week in two separate incidents, detainees staged protests to highlight their frustration at the slow repatriation process. Immigration officers were allegedly confronted during one of them and last Thursday, riot police were called in to quell a riot started by African detainees. About ten African were taken into police custody and subsequently charged following that incident.

Police are investigating what they described as another gang-related murder that took place just after midnight yesterday in Morvant.

According to a police report, Tarique Finley, 20, of Councilman Circular, Sixth Avenue, Malick, Barataria, was at Vegas in Morvant when he was approached by a gunman and shot dead.

Police said Finley, who was also called Rico and Monster, was well known to them as he was a member of the Rasta City gang.

Finley’s killing has taken the murder toll to 283 so far for the year.

In an unrelated incident, police mistakenly shot a taxi driver who had moments before managed to wrestle a gun away from a bandit who held him up and robbed him.

Police said at about 1 am, 39-year-old taxi driver Kurt Short was in his taxi with two occupants when they announced a hold-up as he was approaching Erica Street along the Eastern Main Road in Laventille.

Police said there was a struggle in which Short was shot in the back and abdomen. However, he still managed to wrestle the gun away from his attacker.

By then the assailants were escaping in his Nissan Tiida and he fired shots at the vehicle.

However, police responding to the scene, mistook him for the aggressor and also shot him in the shoulder.

The wounded man was taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where he was treated and warded in a stable condition.

Investigations are continuing.

Robberies and home invasions are on the increase throughout the country in recent times and especially in Central Trinidad and while police promise heightened patrols to reduce instances of attacks by bandits, they are advising people to install alarm systems and other security measures as well.

Over a four-day period, bandits ran rampant in St Helena, striking three businesses and making off with thousands of dollars in cash and other valuables. Residents and business owners have since called on the police to also increase their strength in the area to match the influx.

In Freeport, Carapichaima and Couva there have also been several home invasions in which bandits have resorted to using technology, including cell phone and internet service jammers and metal detectors, to carry out their jobs.

Recently, officers of the Freeport Police Station were able to arrest six bandits in connection with two separate home invasions in the area.

Taking heed to the calls for an intervention yesterday, Central Division’s ASP Wayne Mystar assured that police patrols “will be beefed up”.

“The T&T Police Service, we have a concerted strategy and plan for heavy police patrols and police presence to make sure incidents like these are lessened,” he told the T&T Guardian yesterday.

He, however, advised home-owners and business people to implement extra security and safety measures at their respective places.

“I am asking persons to install alarm systems, extra deadbolts, make sure windows are secured and do not leave doors and windows open unnecessarily.”

On this note, the T&T Guardian was told of a new technology that enables “invisible” markings to be placed valuables which can be detected for up to seven days after they are stolen. This new technology, called “Artificial DNA”, can lead to successful prosecutions.
In a recent breakthrough last Thursday, a female domestic worker was arrested for theft of $15,000 in cash. The woman, who was arrested and charged, is expected to appear before a Couva magistrate this week.

The man behind this new technology is Rolston De Couteau, of Pro-line Audio and Security Systems. He told the T&T Guardian of the recent capture of the perpetrator using the technology.

“In this case, the notes were marked and what no one knew was that the markings are transferable and remain invisible for up to seven days. So the woman was searched and $6,000 was found in her handbag and despite denying that she stole the money, the technology was used it and it showed the markings on the notes, her hands and handbag. This was done in the presence of police officers.”

De Couteau admitted that because of the increase in robberies, a lot of home-owners and business people are gravitating to upgrading existing security surveillance cameras, installing good quality systems as first-time installations and are now looking towards “delving in the artificial DNA technology.” He said packages start as low as $200 for people to have their valuables, including electronic items, phones, cars, jewellery and cash notes, marked.

However, he suggested that people use an alarm system as their primary system.

“This would trigger a loud sound which would ward off intruders…when this is done then you can install camera systems and to complement this you can also use the artificial DNA. But the sound alarm is advisable at this time for people who cannot really afford.”

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) and regional corporations are expected to coordinate clean-up exercises today if the weather allows, after heavy torrential rainfall over the weekend, especially over the last 24 hours and yesterday afternoon, caused flash flooding in several areas across T&T.

An official at the T&T Meteorological Office said the heavy showers were as a result of a tropical wave passing over the island.

Up to press time there were reports of flooding along the southbound lane of the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway, after the Claxton Bay flyover, before the Chase Village flyover on the northbound lane, Freeport, Couva, Carapichaima, Chaguanas, St Augustine, Breezy Heights in Mount Hope, along the Lady Young Road in Morvant, downtown Port-of-Spain, Wrightson Road, Cocorite and Diego Martin.

At about 4 pm, meteorologist Akil Nancoo, in an update, said that overnight and into today, T&T and the remainder of the Lesser Antilles will remain partly cloudy to cloudy with intermittent light to moderate showers. He added that there is the medium chance of a few heavy and thundery showers accompanied by gusty winds and continued street and flash flooding.

The T&T Guardian was told that the head of the Office of Disaster Preparedness Management, Neville Wint, was up to press time coordinating relief efforts with several municipal corporations, especially the Princes Town and Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporations, as areas there were said to be adversely affected by the heavy rains and floods.

At about 6.30 pm yesterday, the Diego Martin River was beginning to overflow its banks near Sinai Street in Petit Valley.

Several people also took to social media to post videos of flooding where they were, in particular, downtown Port-of-Spain, Woodbrook and Diego Martin.

A resident at the Mount Hope Housing Development Corporation’s (HDC) Breezy Heights, who wished not to be named, said her apartment was flooded out.

“All inside our kitchen is water and all the walls water coming in. This is usually the case every time it rains and the rainy season is upon us,” she said.

“I have made several reports to HDC and to the Breezy Heights Management Company and they are yet to do something. It is frustrating.”

ODPM officials have urged drivers to exercise caution when driving on wet roads.

“Exercise caution along wet roads and prepare for possible flash flooding during the rainy season. Reduce your speeds on the wet roads! Slow down!” the ODPM said.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS AFFECTED
PERSONS CAN CALL

Diego Martin Regional Corporation - 800-DMRC (3672)
San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporation - 800-SLRC (7572)
Arima Borough Corporation - 800-2ABC (2222)
Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation - 800-TPRC (8272)
Port-of-Spain City Corporation - 800-PSCC (7722)
Sangre Grande Regional Corporation - 800-SGRC (7472)
Chaguanas Borough Corporation - 800-DCBC (3222)
Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation - 800-CTTC (2882)
Mayaro/Rio Claro Regional Corporation - 800-4MRC (4672)
Princes Town Regional Corporation - 800-PTRC (7872)
Point Fortin Borough Corporation - 800-PFBC (7322)
San Fernando City Corporation - 800-SCDU (7238)
Penal/Debe Regional Corporation - 800-PDRC (7372)
Siparia Regional Corporation - 800-4SRC (4772)

A 16-year-old boy and another unidentified man were shot and wounded by unknown gunmen while in an area referred to as Africa in Laventille, yesterday.

According to a police report, around 2 pm police officers from the Port-of-Spain Inter-Agency Task Force responded to a shooting at John John, Laventille.

There they found the teenager and another man wounded.

The names of the victims were not released for security reasons, however, Guardian Media was told that the teenager is warded in critical condition at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital.

The other man, police said, was shot in one of his knees.

Police were not able to determine a motive for the shooting.

A white Hyundai Elantra believed to be used in the shooting was later found abandoned at Pashley Street, Laventille. Police officers recovered several spent shells in the vehicle.

A team of officers from the Crime Scene Unit were up to late yesterday examining the vehicle.

Investigations are continuing.

As clean up operations to remove tonnes of debris and slush got underway yesterday, in the aftermath of Sunday’s flash floods in downtown Port-of-Spain, Minister of Works Rohan Sinanan is promising relief as the testing of a pump to clear city drains commenced yesterday.

The pump, which will be located just outside the Port of Port-of-Spain, will pull the water from the city’s underground drains into the Gulf of Paria. If this testing is successful, according to the Minister, at least four pumps will be used at strategic locations to prevent widespread flooding in the capital city.

“The tender will close this week or by next week for the latest and once this is successful, we will have at least three to four more pumps,” Sinanan said. He blamed Sunday’s disaster on the volume of rain dumped by the passing tropical wave.

“That rain fell more than three hours and it was significant and once you get that amount of rainfall in that space of time it is going to cause a challenge with the underground drains,” the minister said.

He, however, noted that recently a robotic camera was sent underground and received images which showed that some of the underground drains were blocked from the foundations of newly-constructed buildings in the city.

“So we are hoping that this exercise with the pumps works even at high tides, and once it works we will ramp it up and have at least three to four pumps installed,” Sinanan said.

As a result of the flooding, three schools in North: Morvant Anglican Primary, St Francois Girls’ College and St Crispin’s Anglican Primary were closed yesterday, the Education Ministry confirmed. Ministry officials said there were no major damage and schools will be reopened today.

There were also reports of fallen trees in Tunapuna, Port-of- Spain and Diego Martin.

Speaking with Guardian Media yesterday, Arima Mayor Lisa Morris-Julien confirmed that the corporation had received several reports of fallen trees but admitted that they did not have the necessary equipment or machinery to remove them. She assured affected residents that once they cut and clear the trees, the corporation would remove the branches free of charge.

An official from the Diego Martin Regional Corporation said that the Diego Martin River did not burst its bank yesterday but noted there was flooding in some areas. “We had no serious reports of homes flooded out but we had workers out there to help wash down and remove debris,” the official added.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Health stated that “all public health facilities are up and running after Sunday’s flash floods in parts of north and central Trinidad.”

Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) came under criticism yesterday for breaching its own recruitment policy.

With the safety of passengers and security in mind, the Joint Select Committee (JSC) on State Enterprises chaired by David Small, in its Fifth Report, has strongly recommended that the airline restart the process for all positions which were filled without conducting background security checks on applicants.

CAL’s chief executive officer Garvin Medera was also accused by committee member Wade Mark of ignoring, violating and breaching a number of policies.

“We cannot in 2018, ignore in a world where we have experienced acts of terrorism and for a company’s CEO to do so, it is the height of reckless conduct and behaviour and this CEO ought to be taken to task on this particular point,” Mark said.

JSC member, Fazal Karim admitted that the matter was previously brought up with CAL and added that he believes that they had sufficient time to ensure background checks are done.

Karim recommended that CAL should indicate to the committee who are the employees or what positions in which background checks are still pending, “and whether they are on the job, because we would not like to think that if anything happens untoward on the compound or in the air that we will lament this may have been one of the opportunities caused as a result of not doing or not having these background checks.”

Small said CAL’s new management is conducting a review of that policy to establish which positions would need security checks.

“They have flouted their own policy and hired persons adverse to their own policies and we have recommended that simply you would have to restart the process,” Small said. He however, left the mechanics to do such up to the airline.

Karim said that the JSC is also concerned that the recent recruitment and selection process engaged by CAL to recruit people to its management team without adhering to proper and established procedure. He disclosed that the number of new managers, about six, are former employees of Digicel T&T, “the former employer of the incumbent CEO at CAL.”

“The fact that the incumbent CEO sat on the interview panel that interviewed persons from Digicel, which is an obvious conflict of interest and breach of good human resource practice,” Karim said.

An additional area of concern identified by the JSC was CAL’s “continued practice” of seeking overseas pilots “without seeming to make an effort to establish whether any local pilots could be sourced.”

It was also disclosed that according to submissions received dated May 11, 2018, as at April 30, 2018, CAL owed an outstanding sum of $193.3 million to the T&T Airports Authority.

Contact for a response, CAL’s head of corporate communications Dionne Ligoure said that CAL is awaiting receipt of the official report from the Joint Select Committee.

“Once the report is received and reviewed the airline will be in a position to respond to your questions,” Ligoure said.

A week after an Enterprise man was shot dead by police officers along the Solomon Hochoy Highway, in Couva, another man from the same district was killed by police during a pre-dawn raid.

Shortly after 2 am, a party of police officers went to a house at Mano Trace to execute a search warrant for arms and ammunition.

Police said when the officers approached the house they were allegedly greeted by gunfire.

They returned fire striking Dillon Matthews, also known as Ben 10, several times.

He died on the scene. Police said they recovered a loaded 9mm pistol at the scene.

However, Matthews’ relatives are calling on police officers to provide proof that he shot them.

The relatives claimed that Matthews was “ambushed by the police.”

On June 27, Keon Moore was shot during an alleged shootout with police along the highway near the Children’s Hospital. A video that later surfaced on social media showing Moore running and a police officer crossing the cable barriers while shooting at him.

The video sparked outrage by family and residents of Crown Trace and Tobago Road prompting them to stage fiery protests last Friday.

Moore’s relatives claimed that Moore had received death threats from police recently.

The Police Complaints Authority and the Professional Standards Bureau have since launched independent investigations into that incident.

An autopsy is expected to be done today on Matthews’ body at the Forensic Centre in St James.

Hours after 33-year-old Nevin Alexander was killed while at his job site in Barataria, the sound of heavy gunfire, believed to be from high-powered weapons, was heard in Beetham Gardens.

The sound of gunshots sent students and teachers at the nearby Success/Laventille Secondary School scampering for safety.

According to a police report, at about 7.30 pm Alexander, who is employed as a labourer with the San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporation was at his job site at Twelfth Street in Barataria when a silver Nissan Tiida drove alongside him and stopped.

Police said its occupants opened fire, hitting him several times to the upper body.

Alexander slumped in the drain that he was cleaning and died. Alexander lived at Beetham Gardens.

Police believe that the murder was gang-related, however, were yet to determine a motive.

Alexander’s relatives believe that he was killed because of where he lived.

“People may think he into gangs and is a gang member but you cannot kill somebody because of where they live and whom you think they associate with.

“Not because you live in the Beetham you are a gangster,” the relative added.

Police said that at around midday teachers at the school reported hearing several gunshots. Initially, they thought gunmen had run onto the school compound and opened fire. However, police officers from the Port-of-Spain Inter-Agency Task Force who responded confirmed that gunshots were fired in Beetham community, which is located south of the school.

Police believe that the firing off of gunshots may have been “related” to Alexander’s murder as a sign of “grief” and “respect.”

A teacher at the school, who asked not to be identified, said that the school is situated in the “heart of gangland.”

“Every day we hear gunshots ringing out from all around. Sometimes it’s so normal that there is no reaction towards it but today it sounded so close as if the gunmen were actually in the school.

“We couldn’t tell what direction they were coming from. It was a frightening experience.”

“It seems as though this gang war will never end because is Laventille against Beetham and John John against Beverly Hills and we caught in the middle of it. Our lives are at risk every day, including the children,” the teacher added.

Investigations are continuing.

The bereaved family of murdered Aranguez taxi driver Balliram Balgobin has saluted the 70-plus taxi drivers who yesterday staged a silent protest in solidarity and for increased safety and security measures for them.

Yesterday from as early as 6 am, taxi drivers from the Aranguez Taxi Association, together with those who ply the Don Miguel/Aranguez route, lined their vehicles along the taxi stand at Railway Road in San Juan. They stood in silent protest and solidarity over the cold-blooded murder of their colleague and over the increasing robberies and carjackings in the area.

Speaking with the T&T Guardian, association president Ramchandra Temal said they are calling for the immediate installation of CCTV surveillance cameras on the taxi stand. About 800 people, including students, commute on a daily basis on that route alone, he said. He added that they have met several times with the T&T Police Service’s Traffic Branch and asked for the installation cameras as a deterrent security measure.

“But to date nothing yet and look what has happened…at least if the cameras were there the police could have looked at the footage and see who were the four men that entered the taxi.”

Balgobin, 55, was killed during a carjacking at about 4 pm on Wednesday. The incident took place at Ali Drive, which is located two streets away from where he lived. Police said he was attacked by a robber who posed as a passenger to steal his car, a Nissan Tiida. He was a retired soldier from the T&T Defence Force and the father of three — two sons and a daughter.

Temal described Balgobin as a quiet man.

“He was so humble and quiet. All of us knew him well and knew him to be quite a good man. He was also well known in the community.”

Commuter Andre Lewis told the T&T Guardian that although he was stranded for almost two hours because of the protest, supported the taxi driver’s stance.

“If this is what it takes for them to be heard and for their concerns to be addressed, well so be it. I can’t argue or be vex because crime has gone out of control and people suffering.”

Another commuter, who wished not to be identified, said all of T&T should stand up to crime.

“I find people too quiet, but wait until the killing reach in their house…just now it will the rate it going. I can’t vex nah. The police and the Government don’t care and not doing nothing.”

Balgobin’s son, Andrew, told the T&T Guardian that he and his family were touched by the actions of his father’s taxi driver colleagues.

“We respect them and respect what they have done on behalf of my father. It shows you how respected my dad was and we respect them for standing in solidarity,” Andrew said.

He added that people in the community are scared because of the rising crime.

“They are scared and these drivers are also standing in fear for their safety. Something needs to be done for people to feel safe again.”

Andrew said his family is praying for justice in the interim.

Public relations officer of the San Juan Business Association, Abrahim Ali, in extending condolences to the Balgobin family, called on acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams to “give the taxi drivers what they are calling for.”

He also called for the introduction of joint army/police patrols throughout the area, including Barataria and El Socorro.

“When there is that heightened police and soldier presence patrolling round the clock it will serve as a deterrent to the criminals. The people will feel safe too,” Ali said.

“It is important in alleviating the crime situation because it will have a negative impact on the economy. People need to travel to go to work and to go shopping.”

Funeral arrangements are yet to be made.

Standing Orders of The Parliament ought to be changed so that senior public officials who are found to be unethical and displaying inappropriate conduct and behaviour can be referred by the Parliament to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Committee member of the Joint Select Committee of The Parliament on State Enterprises Wade Mark made the call last week during a media conference where findings of three reports were disclosed.

Mark’s suggestion came on the heels of the JSC’s chairman David Small’s statement that “increasingly” T&T is witnessing embarrassing or potentially unethical behaviour from people in senior positions in state enterprises.

Small said while chairing the JSC on State Enterprises he has observed a pattern of incidences or challenges where accountability seemed to be questionable or not too clear. “People who are in charge of state resources doesn’t seem to understand that those resources belong to the people and they should apply an appropriate duty of care in managing those resources...we try not to cast aspersions, but you get the view sometimes that people feel entitled to be able to do what they want to do with state resources.”

With respect to the State Enterprises Performance Monitoring Manual, Small explained that while the manual itself is a guiding document, entities are expected to apply the rules and procedures in there.

However, he said “a lot of times entities seem to ignore it,” and “they act like it does not exist and do their own thing.”

To address this, Mark recommended that they advance to Parliament the need to translate the manual to a legal instrument with appropriate sanctions and penalties for violations of breaches.

Small said as it stands now, the JSCs can at least put on public record some of the misdeeds or the poor decisions that are being taken by parties inside of the state enterprises.

“But it requires a holistic approach in order to fix these problems. The committee can only go so far in identifying what the problems are, recommend things that can be done to fix those problems, but it requires a holistic approach to fix the whole system,” Small said.

Staff at the University of T&T (UTT) are bracing for more retrenchment notices to be served today. Dismissal notices are expected to be served by UTT president Sarim Al-Zubaidy at the Agora Campus in Chaguanas in the second phase of a mass retrenchment exercise at the institution.

Officials from the Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU) told the T&T Guardian financial discussions are expected to take place today from 10 am at the campus.

On June 29, Al-Zubaidy confirmed that the secondment contracts of five employees will not be renewed. Four of the affected were told of the decision.

In a letter to staff, Al-Zubaidy reiterated that during UTT’s restructuring exercise, academic staff had been assessed on their teaching load, research and community service.

“These persons have the option to return to their substantive positions from the organisation from which they were seconded ,” he said, insisting that the UTT has not fired any staff.

“There are staff members who have been separated/retrenched by the university, and as such, an employee who is separated or retrenched is not the same as someone who is fired. Separation or retrenchment occurs due to many factors including overstaffing and redundancy.

“Secondment is not unique to UTT and the decision not to renew these contracts have been taken in the overall interest of the university,” he said.

Prison officers are calling for immediate medical intervention to stop the spread of a “scabies like” disease among inmates at the Maximum Security Prison (MSP) in Arouca.

There are concerns about ten inmates in the MSP’s foreign division who have developed a serious rash. Prisoners of different nationalities are housed in that section of the facility—60 inmates in Division K and more than 20 in Division A.

A prison officer, who spoke to the T&T Guardian on condition of anonymity, said the majority of the inmates are Venezuelan nationals and there are concerns that the rash might be infectious and spread to other sections of the prison, as well as to staff.

He said some of the inmates have also developed a “nasty cold and coughing.”

“The inmates are lending each other clothes. They come into the prison with the clothes . . . vest and pants, or whatever and the local inmates try to reach out by giving them clothes and they all share the clothes given to them,” the officer said.

“We are calling for quarantine, treatment and sanitisation to be done now for the safety of the wider population of inmates and for us, as officers, who leave here on a daily basis to go home to our families,” he said.

Prisons Commissioner Gerard Wilson confirmed that during routine rounds yesterday morning the prisons’ infirmary officer observed six Spanish-speaking inmates with a rash. He said as a precautionary measure, the inmates have been placed in the Infirmary until they can be attended to by the prison medical officer.

“The doctor will determine whether it’s scabies, shingles or some other dermatological complaint,” Wilson said, adding that the affected inmates share items of clothing.

President of the Prison Officers Association (POA) Ceron Richards said in the past there have been outbreaks of various diseases among the prison population, including tuberculosis, chicken pox and scabies, so the current situation is “not out of the ordinary.”

However, he is concerned about a shortage of toiletries and cleaning products to sanitise the facility.

“The prisons have not been getting the adequate amount of toiletries and cleaning supplies of late. All that will create additional problems in the prison service,” he said.