08 March

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Criticisms flow over justice system
…after collapse of case against Panday, Oma, John, Galbaransingh

Calls for improvement in this country’s criminal justice system were made by senior attorneys yesterday following Monday’s collapse of the case against former prime minister Basdeo Panday and his wife, Oma Panday, former minister Carlos John and businessman Ishwar Galbaransingh. Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard SC filed a notice of discontinuance in the case against the four at the Port of Spain Magistrates’ Court, stating it had to be considered whether there was fair prospect of conviction in the matter. He told the court key witnesses were unavailable, as some had died and there was also one elderly person...

08 February

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Armour mum on return of ‘missing file’

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in Newspaper Articles

The issue of Monday’s reappearance of the Vindra Naipaul-Coolman case file and the matter of who handed it to the acting Solicitor General or who located it continues to be part of Justice Stanley John’s investigation into the matter. Attorney General Reginald Armour indicated this in the Senate yesterday following queries by UNC Senator Wade Mark who noted Monday night’s reports that the missing file was found. Mark asked where the file was found. In the Senate there was some noise from the UNC side as Armour rose to reply to Mark’s query. Armour cited the media release by John of the file...

03 February

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Business Chambers: Ferry disruptions hurting Tobago business

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in Newspaper Articles, Tobago Business Chamber

The chair of the Tobago Division of the T&T Chamber, Dianne Hadad, says disruptions with the sailing schedule of the Cabo Star—the cargo vessel servicing Tobago—are creating more hardship for small businesses trying to survive on the sister island. Hadad said the connectivity between the islands is unreliable. “Que sera, sera. We have had no sailings Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and now today,” she said. “We would have gotten the information on a daily basis. Last night I was advised that the boat is not ready or would not be able to sail today again.” “We are continuously hurt in Tobago because of the...

21 January

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Mc Donald Jacob the civilian?

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in Newspaper Articles, Police Service Commission

WITHOUT the Cabinet extending his contract for another year, acting Commissioner of Police Mc Donald Jacob will no longer be a member of the police service, with one year remaining on his contract. According to Section 75 of the Police Service Act, a first division officer retires at age 60 and can, on the approval of the President, be granted three one-year extensions. Jacob had his first extension last year, and without another will have no choice but to call it a day after 43 years of service. Newsday contacted the Office of the President on Friday afternoon and was told that last...

16 January

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Impasse over Tobago mas gets more heated

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in Newspaper Articles, Tobago Business Chamber

The debate over Carnival in Tobago is becoming more heated with a cultural activist on the island insisting that mas band leaders should not get more funds. Terrance Sandiford, former Tobago region chair of the National Carnival Bands Association (NCBA), said the money being demanded by the Tobago Band Leaders’ Association should instead be invested in Carnival in October. He said there has been wastage over the years which must end if the industry on the island is the reach its full potential. There is currently an impasse between the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) and the Tobago Band Leaders Association, whose...

09 January

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Precedent for President?
Candidates with legal background got edge over years

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in Newspaper Articles, Tobago Business Chamber

Five of the six Presidents of Trinidad and Tobago have a background in the legal sphere and with Senate President Christine Kangaloo nominated to replace the incumbent, there will once again be an officeholder with experience in the field. However, the Constitution does not place such a criteria for someone to ascend to the office. According to chapter 3, section 23 (1) of the Constitution, “A person is qualified to be nominated for election as President if, and is not so qualified unless, he is a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago of the age of thirty-five years or upwards who at the...

09 January

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Attorney George: Nothing legally wrong in Government’s choice for President

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in Newspaper Articles, Television Interviews

Tobago Business Chamber chairman and attorney Martin George says there is nothing legally wrong in the Government nominating Christine Kangaloo – President of the Senate – for President of the country. The Prime Minister announced Kangaloo as the government's choice at a press conference on Friday. The selection has been criticised by the Opposition and other political rivals as Kangaloo has had a long history as part of the ruling People's National Movement (PNM), including as a Cabinet minister. However, George said her selection was not illegal. “In fact, such a view is fortified and enshrined within our very own Constitution when one looks...

03 January

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Chamber: THA ‘rumblings’ not helping economy

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in Newspaper Articles, Tobago Business Chamber

Political instability is being linked to the poor sales by the Tobago business community over the Christmas period. Business owners have described the holiday season as grim and worrying for the island. Many retail enterprises waited in vain hoping to capitalise on the last-minute rush of shoppers. In an interview with Newsday, Tobago Business Chamber chairman Martin George said the low sales was not surprising. He said, “Apart from the challenges and difficulties nationally, based on the recovery efforts from the global pandemic and of course the rising costs – all goods and materials, the war between Ukraine and Russia which has pushed...

31 December

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Public condemns T&TEC rate hike

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in Newspaper Articles, Tobago Business Chamber

Citizens and the business community are rejecting and condemning the hike in Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) rates proposed by the Regulated Industries Commission (RIC). The RIC announced the proposed rate hikes on Tuesday, with 15 to 64 per cent increases for residential customers. Guardian Media took to the streets of Port-of-Spain to get the reactions of the people yesterday. Helen Fraser, 74, had not heard of the news but was both surprised and frustrated. “What is there for the poor people now in this hard a** time? I start to get vulgar yes. What it have for we?” Fraser said. “I find they...

06 December

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Ragoonath, George differ on impact of PDP exodus on THA

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in Newspaper Articles

UWI political scientist Dr Bishnu Ragoonath and attorney Martin George offered different views on whether or not the resignation of Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Farley Augustine and 14 other executive members of the Assembly from the Progressive Democratic Patriots meant the THA has collapsed or that fresh THA elections should be called. While there is nothing legally or constitutionally to prevent Augustine and the other executives from remaining in office until their term of office expires in 2025, Ragoonath said this development raises questions about the stability of the PDP and opens the possibility of Augustine launching a...