Businessman Derek Chin is now angry and questioning an advertisement recently posted by the Urban Development Corporation of T&T Limited (UdeCOTT) for current tender requests for expressions of interest for the development of lands at Invaders Bay.

The ad recently posted gave the period of tender from July 27, 2018-August 30, 2018, with a submission deadline of August 30, 2018.

But Chin yesterday expressed shock and confusion to the T&T Guardian of this development, given the fact that since 2011 his Dachin Enterprises had proposed to the People’s Partnership administration a $1 billion Invader’s Bay Development Project—Streets of the World—for the lands.

“Has UdeCOTT decided to by-pass our previous approval of my Streets of the World Project and another’s marina by the last administration?” Chin said.

“Do we have to reapply again? Everyone knows of my vision and plan, which puts me back to square one having done all that work and spent millions.”

Chin also claimed UdeCOTT used his plan in the ad and expressed disgust.

He said he has since held talks with several stakeholders, including government officials both in the past and present administrations on the issue.

In a T&T Guardian article on September 28, 2015, Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon said she welcomed Chin’s project and added that “Government is willing to meet with him about the long-delayed project.” Gopee-Scoon had also promised a detailed review and analysis.

Yesterday, Chin detailed those plans again, saying the Streets of the World project will be a 22-acre ultimate destination theme park venue appealing to the entire Caribbean.

Officials of the Disney and Hettema Group, who specialise in uniquely-creative designs for theme parks, museums and cultural attractions, have already visited T&T and held extensive discussions with Chin on the project.

The only obstacle in the way for Chin over the years was the signing of papers to acquire ten acres of land allotted to Dachin Enterprises so that construction can begin. But with this latest UdeCOTT development, Chins admitted he was hurt.

“I only saw the ad yesterday (Friday) and it’s like a snub. Our Streets project, which everyone is aware of including yourself, was approved by the last administration and we were never declined. We were awaiting the awarding of land to do the approved project,” Chin said.

“My Street of the World plans are now in the public domain and followed the criteria for the development of these lands.

“It’s certainly not fair to now place us back to square one and others to copy and submit a similar vision.

“Same with the person who was awarded the approval for his marina development in conjunction with my project. We find it very unfair and are investigating to determine our next approach in light of the previous approval of our projects.”

Chin also wondered whether UdeCOTT’s current move was legal.

“It’s very unfair and could be illegal.”

He lamented that because of the run-around he has been getting on his project since 2011 he had since invested the money in a MovieTowne Guyana project which opens later this year. That investment was worth over $300 million.

“Trinidad lost out! As I said the Streets project would have taken this country to a totally new level and solve the tourism issue,” he said.

In a previous article in the T&T Guardian, Chin had also said he had investors lined up for the Invaders Bay project.

“Disney and Hettema are now waiting on me to get possession of the land. When that happens, I will start to bring in the investors. I have a lot of people on the side that are interested in this project, including Coca-Cola and M&M, who will both put up stores,” Chin said in a previous article published by the T&T Guardian.

One of the main attractions of the project, Chin said, will be the Main Street, a re-creation of Frederick Street, downtown Port-of-Spain, in the 1930s complete with a tram car.

Chin explained that the streets will reflect the rich culture of T&T and there will be a Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum highlighting T&T’s Carnival history, including elements of the steelpan and calypso. There are also plans for a live entertainment theatre and an aquarium featuring leatherback turtles, fish and a coral reef.

Efforts to reach UdeCOTT chairman Noel Garcia yesterday for comment were unsuccessful as calls to his cell phone went straight to voicemail.

Up to press time, UdeCOTT corporate communications manager, Roxanne Stapleton-Whyms, also did not reply to a detailed list of questions on the matter sent to her via email yesterday afternoon.

MORE ON UDECOTT’S AD

The Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (UdeCOTT) currently possesses 75.37 acres (30.5 hectares) of undeveloped, new greened, reclaimed land situated in west Trinidad along the Audrey Jeffers Highway known as Invaders Bay (hereinafter ‘the Lands’).

As part of UdeCOTT’s 21st Century Infrastructure Transformation Programme, UdeCOTT wishes to identify suitably qualified entities to submit proposals to develop the Lands in accordance with its Conceptual Development Plan.

The Conceptual Development Plan includes:

• Office and Commercial Spaces

• Recreational and Entertainment Facilities

• Hotel Accommodation

• Conference and Convention Facilities

• Residential Spaces

• Marina/Ferry Terminal

n EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) REQUIREMENTS

Interested parties are invited to submit proposals for one or more areas of development. The proposals must demonstrate experience in undertaking similar development projects. The EOI submission must at a minimum include:

(i) A Letter of Introduction

(ii) The Company Profile inclusive of proof of Incorporation

(iii) A description of all senior members of the Company

(iii) A description of similar development projects undertaken by the entity

(v) Minimum of three (3) years audited financial statements or management accounts

(vi) General overview and concept for the proposed development

(vii) A description of the intended financing arrangements

Participants may associate to enhance their team but must indicate in their submissions whether their association is in the form of a Joint Venture, Consortium or Sub-Consultancy.

All members of such associations must have real and well-done inputs to the assignment and their contribution must be detailed in the submission.

UDeCOTT reserves the right to develop a shortlist of entities based on an assessment of the responses received. Interested entities are therefore required to submit a comprehensive response. Failure to so do result in exclusion from further processes.

Government will dispose of the 22-year-old T&T Express rather than spend an estimated US$7 to $10 million in drydocking services, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has said.

He made the disclosure during a tour of the T&T Coast Guard Headquarters at Staubles Bay, Chaguaramas, on Friday.

Speaking at a media conference after the tour, Rowley said at this time it was more feasible to sell the vessel “as is” rather than to take in for repair and maintenance works.

He noted that the T&T Express, which has been servicing the inter-island seabridge has “virtually” come to an end of its certifiable life. He added that too much money was already spent on it in its drydocking periods over the years since its acquisition in 2006.

“Cabinet has decided that we will dispose of the Express, as is, where is, and not spend US$7 million or US$10 million on drydocking. The resale market…the market is quite good now and it is a good time to sell it. We will not spend any money trying to bring it up to standard,” Rowley said.

He also noted that in the meantime, the Government will be looking to charter another vessel on a short-term contract until the two new fast ferries Government is moving quickly to acquire are brought in.

Rowley assured that the new fast ferries will be “state-of-the-art” and added that they should arrive in T&T by the end of 2020. He disclosed that both vessels will be bought via Australian funding through its Export Financing Investment Corps.

“These discussions are well advanced. The offer is in hand…We have the offer from the Australians to fund what we need and therefore a Cabinet decision yesterday (Thursday) put us in a position to proceed to execute this,” Rowley said.

In seeking to clear the air further on the purchase of the Galleons Passage, Rowley said brokers were looking for a fast ferry and could not find one. He added that one of the international brokers was the one who located the vessel, which was initially purchased by a Venezuelan national. The vessel he said been valued US$35 million, he said.

“It had just been built for a Venezuelan owner and he could not complete the payments so it was made available to us…the price was right and attractive…the owner just wanted to recover his money and we got it for $17 million,” Rowley said.

A Down-d-Islands outing with a group of friends on Sunday turned tragic when one of them died after falling overboard and was struck by the propellers of a boat they occupied.

The victim was identified as Nicholas Kowlessar, 42, of St Joseph Village, San Fernando. He worked as a Marine Supervisor at A.R. Singh Contractors Limited in Point Fortin.

Kowlessar was taken to the T&T Coast Guard Headquarters at Staubles Bay in Chaguaramas by his friends seeking help.

From there he was taken to the St James Infirmary by Coast Guard officers where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon.

According to a police report, Kowlessar was on a lime with friends onboard a 20-foot pirogue when they attempted to dock at Chacachacare Island.

His friends told police that he jumped out of the boat with a rope in hand to secure it to a tree but tripped and fell towards the boat’s propellers.

Speaking with Guardian Media yesterday, a close friend, who wished to remain anonymous, described Kowlessar as “an angel” who touched many lives, “he was the light of our lives and always made us all like his own family. He was a very precious soul and loved the water and a good lime down-d-islands, which was ever so often. This is a shock I don’t think many of us will overcome.” Investigations are continuing.

Several of T&T’s and the Caribbean’s top soca artistes, including Machel Montano, Bunji Garlin, Fay Ann Lyons-Alvarez, Nishard M and Rupee, who were all carded to perform at one of Toronto Caribana 2018’s largest and most anticipated fete, Carnival Kingdom, were left disappointed after the mayor’s office “pulled the plug” on the event.

The decision came 20 minutes before the gates for the event were to be opened at 9 pm on Saturday, leaving thousands of party-goers angry, hurt and disappointed.

The directive came from the mayor’s office in the City of Vaughn. The event was booked for the Improve Canada Outdoor Entertainment Complex’s Parking Lot at 7250 Keele Street, Vaughn. Tickets started at CDN$65 and reached as high as CDN$180 the day before after it sold out and fans went to the black market to get them.

However, a police officer from the York Regional Police told the T&T Guardian that Saturday’s fete was cancelled because four out of five major conditions stipulated on the permit signed between the promoter and the city were breached on Friday night at another fete, Rejouvertnate, which the promoter staged at the same venue.

“The city gave them five conditions, four of which were broken so they had the permit revoked…The permit was for 2,500 (people) when about 12,000 showed up…they served alcohol past 2 am and also, they didn’t turn it off until one and a half hours after when they were supposed to turn it off,” the police officer said.

The officer explained that promoters for parties usually pay for permits according to the size of the event.

Asked how the patrons reacted when they reached the venue and were told of the cancellation, the officer replied: “They were totally upset. A lot of people spent money on hotels just to come to this event…When I came here the music was going, the lights were on…soundcheck was already done.”

Speaking with the T&T Guardian outside the venue, a group of women said they flew in from Connecticut, USA, just for the party.

“This is upsetting…what are we going to do?” they asked.

Efforts to reach the promoter for comment were unsuccessful. However, Toronto-based DJ and promoter Wade Soobrattie posted on his Facebook wall, @sosfestto, at 11.56 pm on Saturday that permits were pulled by the city just two hours before the doors opened.

“On behalf of carnival kingdom - We will be issuing refunds in 72 hours. On behalf of the entire event staff and organisers, we wish to give some explanation on tonight’s cancellation. The event had all of its permits in place and planning was priority throughout the process of presenting such an event. These permits were pulled by the city just two hours before doors opening. For reasons we don’t know at this times fully. Every event executed has been complete with smooth process and professionalism. We will be giving updates on how and when people will be refunded. We ask all to be patient and trust in our integrity and history,” the post read.

Efforts to reach some of the T&T soca artistes carded to perform for their comments yesterday were also unsuccessful as calls either went unanswered or straight to their voicemails.

However soca artiste Machel Montano said in an Instagram post: “I’m truly saddened that I was unable to perform for the fans – I never miss a show and this one was not in my, or my team’s, control. The show had sold out days in advance, a testament to the strength of the Soca and Caribbean community in Toronto.”

The 47-year-old financial manager of a manufacturing company in Caroni who was charged with embezzling $1.3 million from the company’s account was yesterday granted $300,000 bail.,

Deanna Naalini, 48, of St Augustine Circular Road, Tunapuna, yesterday appeared before a Justice of the Peace and is scheduled to appear before a magistrate in the Tunapuna Magistrates’ Court today.

According to Fraud Squad officers, the woman was slapped with 88 charges—32 offences of money laundering; 32 offences of larceny and 24 offences of falsification of accounts.

She was previously employed by TYE Manufacturing Company Limited.

A report was made by company officials to the Fraud Squad and investigations and exercises were conducted under the leadership of Snr Supt Totaram Dookhie, including ASP Ghisyawan, Sgt Cornelius Samuel, Sgt Damien Thomas and WPC April-Ann Adams. The woman was arrested on Monday.

Investigations continued and restraint orders were obtained from the High Court, freezing her bank account and seizing a Volkswagen Passat sedan, pursuant to the Proceeds of Crime Act.,

All charges were laid by Sgt Cornelius Samuel.

Mother of two Salasha Ali may have received a second miracle of life yesterday after she survived a horrid accident in which an industrial mobile welding plant ploughed into her at the side of the road in Cunupia.

Ali, 30, was standing at her vegetable stall at the side of Chin Chin Road when the heavy plant was thrown from the tray of a three-tonne truck which overturned as the driver took a bend.

Although she was alive at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex last evening, Ali was said to be in a “bad state” and up to press time was in the A&E department undergoing several tests.

Her 11-year-old daughter, who was also struck by the equipment, was also lucky after sustaining a minor injury to one of her eyes. She was treated at the Accident and Emergency Depart (A&E) of the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mount Hope and subsequently discharged.

During an interview hours after the incident, Ali’s husband, Michael Sookwah, 51, said just seconds before tragedy struck he was standing at his wife’s side, where the three of them had just packed out ochroes, pommecythere, lemon and lime to sell on a table.

“I had just walked away from Salasha and her daughter when I saw this van speeding coming. In a split second I heard the brakes of the van bawling and as he take the corner I saw when this machine just pitch out from the tray and hit my wife and daughter. The machine landed on her right side, pinning she to the ground,” a worried Sookwah recalled.

Sookwah said his wife sustained a broken leg and hand along with other injuries to her right-side and head.

“She badly off from what I see,” Sookwah said with tears in his eyes.

He added that the driver of the van, on realising what had taken place, stopped and reversed the vehicle to where his wife lay on the side of the road.

“He came out and helped us lift the machine from off of her, but up to now he never said a word to us. Not even anyone from the company the man working for has even tried to contact us.”

The three-tonne truck, TDG 3594, sported the company’s name in a banner fixed on its windscreen. The vehicle belongs to a construction company which is owned by a villager, bystanders said.

Sookwah said he and his wife do gardening and it was normal for them to put stalls along the road to sell their produce. He, however, noted that they had just recently decided to set up at the spot where the incident occurred.

“We come there about two weeks now and we have always been careful,” he said.

Sookwah scolded the driver of the vehicle for speeding and for not securing the heavy equipment.

“He wrong for speeding, especially around corners. If that was tied the entire van would have flipped but it pitch from the van. I just want to see my wife come back good and she gets compensation. I want to see that man in police custody and charged by the police.”

Eyewitness to the incident Foster Antoine, said he was willing to testify in any case which may go before the court. He noted that at that particular corner a lot of drivers tend to speed.

“How much time I will see speeding around this corner and how much time I will be saving people. I live around this corner and I see the van coming and I shout ‘clear’ but it was too late. The woman get pinned down and break leg, hand, ribs and neck,” he said.

“Them people trying to make an honest dollar. Now what will become of her?”

The T&T Guardian understands that the driver was questioned by police investigators and subsequently released.

Officers of the Cunupia Police Station are continuing investigations.

Some 35 Rio Claro East Secondary students have now been graded in Principles of Business and Principles of Accounts by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) and the majority of them received passes.

This was confirmed yesterday by the Ministry of Education chief education officer Harrilal Seecharan at a media conference at the ministry’s Port-of-Spain headquarters.

In commending CXC for their quick response to the issue, Seecharan said according to a preliminary report received on Monday, it was found that the samples of the students’ work were not done. He, however, added that the respective marks for both subjects were completed and the marks uploaded and their “ungraded” status was revised.

“The other requirement, which is following the submission of the marks, where samples of students’ work needed to be uploaded to CXC for the moderation was not done and hence the reason for students receiving ungraded in those two subjects,” Seecharan said.

“Fortunately for us, copies of those SBAs, the samples, were lodged in the exam section,” he added.

Seecharan said the ministry contacted CXC on Tuesday morning on the issue and by Thursday they got a response “where students’ grades were adjusted based on the samples submitted.”

In terms of who is to be held culpable for what happened, Seecharan said that is currently under investigation.

“Based on the preliminary report and following due process, in terms of clearly establishing what transpired at the level of the school for the non-submission and confirmation of those results and based on that…we would decide what is the next step.”\

Education Minister Anthony Garcia interjected, saying the ministry has established clear guidelines and procedures for SBAs which are prepared at the level of the school.

“Something happened where confirmation was not done…but there is always the possibility of human error.”

When asked if disciplinary action can be taken against the teacher or principal if the error was on their part, Garcia replied: “It is at the preliminary stage and at this stage I cannot say if anyone is culpable, but if it arises certainly we will move to the next stage but I cannot say at this point in time. We can only contemplate that if there is evidence.”

On another issue, Garcia said a number of schools had sustained damage during Tuesday’s 6.9 earthquake and have been put on a priority list by the structural engineer at the Ministry of Works. However, he said the ministry could not say how many schools would have to undergo corrective works until they get a completed report.

He speculated that based on the report, there could be delays in the reopening of some schools at the start of the new school term.

La Horquetta/Talparo MP Maxie Cuffie broke down in tears yesterday, as he made his first official public appearance before his constituents at an interfaith service held for him at the La Horquetta Regional Complex.

After much praise and worshipping of God and giving thanks, Cuffie dismissed claims that he was brain dead which surfaced during his rehabilitation period, saying, “I was not brain dead but I’m born again.”

Cuffie, who sounded as though he had a very slight slur, shared a bit of his experience, emphasising how scary the passage of the period was.

He said when he suffered the first stroke and was taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital they had no medication, which is usually available at all public hospitals, to reverse strokes.

“They checked the other hospitals and none. Because of an arrangement with St Clair, they had it, but before they applied the medication they needed to do tests to see if I would survive it,” Cuffie said.

Joined at that time on stage by his wife, Hermia, she said prayers went up before a decision was made for him to undergo the tests.

“I looked at my head and my brain was looking like it was outside my head. I had to go to the US for rehab,” Cuffie added.

Breaking down in tears, Cuffie said it hurt him inside when he heard about the horrible comments people were making about him and the petition that went around for his removal “from serving his constituents and the country.”

Hermia said in the first week of her husband’s rehabilitation in Washington, Cuffie had a “second episode” where there was a strange shaking of his head. This also led to a second surgery, she revealed.

Cuffie proudly mentioned that when he pulled through, he and his wife renewed their marital vows.

Minister of Trade and Industry Paula Gopee-Scoon, in her brief address at the event, thanked God for Cuffie’s return.

“He is a very courageous and respectable man. Maxie gave contributions in Cabinet and is always a team player and a gentleman around the table,” she said.

“Maxie is a miracle in front of us. Thank God for you.”

One of Cuffie’s doctors, who monitored his progress from beginning to end, was Strokes and Diabetes Specialist Dr Jerry Antoine. Antoine, who has been working abroad for the past 45 years but is originally from Arima, said he was contacted by Cuffie at about midnight some months ago.

“Strokes and diabetes are devastating in this country...I have seen miracles in action,” he told the gathering.

Earlier, Cuffie, his wife and Gopie-Scoon entered the hall at 4.38 pm. As he entered there were shouts of “Welcome back” and “God bless you.” But there were even shouts of “Dead man Alive” and “Miraculous Maxie”.

Cuffie returned to T&T on July 26 after his eight-month stay in Washington for rehabilitation and neurosurgery following a stroke last September. He had received surgery locally before going to Washington last November for further medical attention. Cuffie had neurosurgery in May and after completing physiotherapy was cleared to travel back home.

Cuffie is expected to return to Parliament when the current mid-year recess ends next month and also return to work at his new post of Minister in Public Administration. He was given that post when the ministry was split between Marlene McDonald (Public Administration) and Stuart Young (Communication) in June.

Also present at last evening’s function were several of Cuffie’s colleagues, including MPs Ancil Antoine (D’abadie/Omeara) and Nicole Olliviere (La Brea) and Sangre Grande Regional Corporation chairman Terry Rondon.

A 24-year-old Valencia man, who was charged with robbery with aggression and possession of marijuana, has been fined $18,000 by an Arima magistrate.

Keyon Le Blanc, of LP 117 Oropouche Main Road, was given one month to pay after he appeared in court last week.

The court heard that on August 22, 2018, Le Blanc was arrested for robbery with aggravation.

The incident allegedly occurred on July 23, 2018, at the Food Chain Mini Mart, Pinto Main Road, Arima.

He was placed on an identification parade on August 24, 2018, at the La Horquetta Police Station and was positively identified.

He was subsequently charged by Cpl Kerry Ramkissoon of the CID Pinto. Also involved in the arrest was WPC Smith, who also charged Le Blanc for having one pound of marijuana in his possession.

An inconsolable Salasha Ali says her life will never be the same in the wake of Friday’s accident in which industrial equipment fell off a truck and almost crushed her to death. While she thanked God for saving her life yesterday, Ali, 30, said she fears the injuries she sustained will never heal 100 per cent.

Strong enough to speak despite being in excruciating pains in her bed at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC), Ali cried: “I thank God for life but my whole life just gone in front of my eyes. I will never be the same again. How will I take care of my two children, they need me…my husband needs me. Will I ever live my life normal again?”

Ali sustained a broken right arm and is expected to undergo reconstructive surgery on it next Tuesday.

“I was told that my bones cannot mend back on its own due to the extent of damages. My arm was shattered.”

Her pelvic bone is also severely damaged causing numbness in the legs and she received injuries to her head and spine.

Ali was unable to move any part of her body on the right side yesterday and broke down in tears as she recalled the moments just before the industrial welding plant flew off a three-tonne truck and landed on her along Chin Chin Road in Cunupia. Ali’s 12-year-old daughter Saleena also sustained minor injuries during the incident

Ali yesterday said she believes she had died on the scene for a moment and shared her “outer body experience.”

“I had now pack out the table and as I bend down to see about the ochroes I had in a box and I hear something and when I look up this huge thing hit me. I didn’t know anything after that, except that my soul came out and I saw my two children bawling and crying for me,” Ali said.

“I remember seeing a big white flash and just like that, I felt my body jolted and like my soul snap back into my body. I remembered opening my eyes but not being able to see clearly in front of me. I was not myself…ever since I am in so much pain…too much to bear.”

Ali said this week she was supposed to buy things for the children ahead of the reopening of school next week.

“I am a poor person and my family is very poor but I work very hard and more hard to see my children off to school and getting their education. I have no money. My daughter, although she got an injury to the eye, she is crying out for pain all over her body every night. I can only watch them through the window here (referring to the ward), I cannot even hug my children.”

Ali said she the owner of the construction company whose truck was involved in the accident had visited her and offered grocery items.

“I don’t want that…what could that do for me right now? My life destroyed. I need to be properly well compensated. The driver should be held responsible and should be in jail. The driver never even come to see me…nothing,” Ali lamented.

Ali’s husband, Michael Sookwah, yesterday met with his attorney to seek legal advice.

“We want justice. My wife crying too much and I can’t sit and do nothing.”The T&T Guardian understands that the truck driver, who is said to be in his early 20s, was only recently employed with the company.

Efforts to reach the company’s owner yesterday were unsuccessful as he did not return calls. Officers of the Cunupia Police Station are continuing investigations.

The Port-of-Spain General Hospital (POSGH) has begun readmitting patients but to its North Block following the full evacuation of the Central Block after last Tuesday’s 6.9 earthquake.

This was yesterday confirmed by North-West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA) CEO Wendy Ali.

Speaking with the T&T Guardian Ali, however, stated that bed space is very limited at the institution.

“Patients who come to the Accident and Emergency, we are stabilising who we can and the patients who really need to be admitted will be admitted to the North Block,” Ali said.

“However, with the limited bed space, some patients will be transferred to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex and they will be transported from PoSGH to there, along with their medical records, blood samples, investigative files, etcetera.”

Ali said so far the interim process had been smooth but said she was relieved with last evening’s re-commencement of patient admittance.

Last Thursday, Ali said they were looking for 250 beds for the relocation of the patients who were warded in the Central Block when the massive quake struck last week. Yesterday, however, she explained that number decreased to 122 as some of the other patients were subsequently discharged.

“So, fortunately, we were able to accommodate the relocation of those patients to the North Block and did not have to look to other RHAs.”

With regards to the Central Block’s pending restorative works, Ali said they are still awaiting the structural report from the Urban Development Corporation of T&T (UDeCoTT) before they proceed. Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh has already announced that the Government is moving forward with a new 500-bed facility to replace the Central Block.

Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith said yesterday that in one-year’s time the Police Service will be more efficient and effective.

And President Paula-Mae Weekes said she intends to hold him to the deadline.

Griffith was speaking at the Independence Day function hosted by the T&T Police Service (TTPS) at Police Administration Building, in Port-of-Spain after the parade in the Queen’s Park Savannah.

In her debut visit to the TTPS’ Administration Building, to raise a toast to the nation, Weekes said that T&T is in a “slip of trouble” and urged all present to do their respective part to “reverse our present course.”

“I ask you please to go forward with boundless faith in our destiny, understanding fully that boundless faith without works could achieve absolutely nothing and there is no stagnant and static situation. If we are not going forward we will be going backwards,” Weekes said.

Moments before, Griffith, who was dressed in his ceremonial police uniform, assured that all will be done, “required by law,” to protect this country. He also assured “steadfast leadership, strategic management and accountability.”

“I would like to reveal a birthday gift to this nation…I give a promise to you today that one year from now, by God’s grace and will, by our 57th anniversary, the TTPS will be a more efficient and effective service,” Griffith said.

Also present at the reception were also Chief Justice Ivor Archie, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and his wife, Sharon, and the Minister of National Security Stuart Young.

Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) president general Ancel Roget is rejecting Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s offer of the sale of Petrotrin refinery to the union, as well as the attractive severance and early retirement packages for workers over 50 who will be affected by the impending shutdown.

In an immediate response to Rowley’s address to the nation last evening, Roget said the union felt “vindicated” by the PM’s words.

“We are vindicated because we knew that the plan was to sell the refinery,” Roget said.

However, he said the union never wanted to own the refinery.

“We are patriots and we know that the refinery belongs to the people. It does not belong in the hands of a private owner, even if that owner is the union,” he said.

The union, with support from almost 20 other trade unions, is expected to deliver a letter to Rowley today offering an alternative plan of action for the refinery.

In a television interview last evening as well, Roget also questioned some of the figures quoted by Rowley and promised that he will be challenging it in the upcoming days. He also said claims by Rowley that the union refused to meet with Government were untrue and insisted that there should be public consultations on Petrotrin’s future, specifically on the decision to shut down the refinery.

Also commenting last evening was former energy minister Kevin Ramnarine, who said he strongly believes nothing is wrong with considering a public-private partnership approach to the refinery going forward.

Saying the refinery remains a strategic asset, Ramnarine said a number of the plants that were built as part of the Gasoline Optimization Programme are still relatively new and were completed in 2013. He added that the Cat Cracker was upgraded and that work was completed in 2014 and certified by Lloyd’s, so Government could find a company willing to take over the refinery.

“I think it is possible to find reputable companies with the requisite capital and expertise who will be willing to partner with the Government to make the refinery viable,” Ramnarine said.

“Also, as I have indicated there will be an impact on the contractors and the energy service companies that depended on the expenditure of the refinery to support their business.”

Ramnarine speculated that more will be heard on the issue in the coming weeks and in the upcoming budget debate.

T&T soca artiste Olatunji Yearwood has made it through to the next round of the United Kingdom’s X Factor show after delivering a very energetic performance of his hit “Bodyline” on one of the UK’s main competitive stages yesterday.

Yearwood, 33, who was described as a “superstar” and who won the Soca Groovy Monarch/International Soca Monarch in 2015, wowed the judges – Simon Cowell, Louis Tomlinson, Robbie Williams and his wife Ayda Field – with his energetic performance, which he did in the company of two dancers.

In the intro video leading up to his audition, Yearwood said he loves the UK and has been “coming up and down” since he was 15 years old as he has family there. He indicated that he thought the X Factor was the best stage to promote soca music worldwide. Yearwood ended the brief video clipping with his famous “Tadow” chant.

Giving a “footwork” teaser as he walked out on stage, Yearwood, dressed in a mustard-coloured jacket suit, hyped up the crowd by getting them to chant after him “Whoa…whoa.”

When Bodyline started playing, Yearwood was joined onstage by the two female dancers, who also gave exuberating dance moves that shook their entire bodyline.

Yearwood ended his performance with an “I love you” and received a standing ovation.

Cowell, in delivering the last needed vote, said: “It’s exactly the kind of act I love finding on a show like this…you have 4,500 yeses.”

Yearwood’s success at this first round, which aired live at about 3 pm local time yesterday, quickly went viral on social media with scores of people expressing pride and wishing him all the best in the remainder of the competition.