02 October

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Tobago Business Chamber: Budget may contain ‘sweeteners’ for Tobago

in Newspaper Articles, Tobago Business Chamber

Tobago Business Chamber president Martin George believes Monday’s budget presentation will contain “sweeteners” for the island, given the upcoming THA election. “I think we will see from central Government an attempt to boost their fortunes in the upcoming THA election and, of course, along with that, would come added sweeteners which would seek to entice the population in that regard. I think they will definitely try to add some things to entice and woo the voters,” he said. George said the budget must contain sustainable strategies to push Tobago’s development. “He who controls the means of production is the one who will ultimately...

02 October

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Crisis looms as PSC debacle unresolved

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in Newspaper Articles, Police Service Commission

TIME is running out for President Paula-Mae Weekes to find at least three new members to serve on the Police Service Commission (PSC) which imploded in the past fortnight with four resignations. This has been topped by the withdrawal of new nominee retired DCP Vincel Edwards on Friday to allow Weekes "the widest consideration in reconstituting the five-member commission." The Constitution says members must be qualified and experienced in law, finance, sociology or management. The President will consult the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader over nominees who then face affirmative resolution in the House of Representatives. The situation is reminiscent of the collapse of...

01 October

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New PSC members to be found as Bliss Seepersad resigns

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in Newspaper Articles, Police Service Commission

AFTER days of speculation, Bliss Seepersad on Thursday resigned as chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) which is now vacant owing to the earlier resignation of three members. This comes after the bungled appointment and suspension of Gary Griffith as acting Commissioner of Police (CoP) pending a probe into the award of firearm user's licences (FULs) by retired judge Stanley John. PSC ex-members Courtney McNish, Dr Susan Craig-James and Roger Kawalsingh were reportedly upset at Seepersad's alleged lack of consultation before suspending Griffith. The filling of the PSC with fresh nominees now takes on a certain urgency as current acting CoP Mc...

01 October

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Vincel Edwards withdraws as sole nominee to Police Service Commission

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in Newspaper Articles, Police Service Commission

RETIRED DCP Vincel Edwards has withdrawn as a nominee to the troubled Police Service Commission (PSC). A notice from President's House announced this on Friday, the day after the body was left vacant by the resignation of chairman Bliss Seepersad. Days before, three other members resigned in succession, alleging Seepersad had not consulted them when suspending Gary Griffith as acting Commissioner of Police (CoP) while Justice Stanley John investigated the issuance of firearms user's licences (FULs.) Edwards' name appearedon Thursday on the order paper of the House of Representatives for next Monday in a notification in the name of Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George, and...

01 October

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Search for new PSC as Bliss quits

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in Newspaper Articles, Police Service Commission

After days of serving as the lone member and chairman of the Police Service Commission, Bliss Seepersad resigned yesterday. Her resignation came following weeks of controversy surrounding the operations of the commission, which collapsed in less than a week. Seepersad had been the lone serving PSC member after three other commissioners resigned over issues concerning the selection of a Police Commissioner. There had been overwhelming calls for her to step down. Courtney McNish resigned last Tuesday and Dr Susan Craig-James last Saturday, leaving the PSC without a quorum. Roger Kawalsingh resigned on Monday. Yesterday, a short statement from President’s House confirmed President Paula-Mae Weekes...

22 September

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PSC member resigns amidst Griffith debacle

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in Newspaper Articles, Police Service Commission

The maelstrom of controversy surrounding the appointment of Gary Griffith to act as Commissioner of Police by the Police Service Commission (PSC) in mid-August – which was rescinded a month later by the commission in a ‘suspension’ letter to Griffith – took another eye-opening turn yesterday evening when one of the PSC’s members, Courtney McNish, handed in his resignation. McNish’s resignation came at a time when the commission already facing three lawsuits over its handling of the recruitment of the next Police Commissioner. The remaining members of the commission, which usually operates with five members, are chairman Bliss Seepersad, sociologist Dr Susan...

20 September

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George: Commission botched appointment of a CoP

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in Newspaper Articles, Police Service Commission

ATTORNEY Martin George was scathing of many players in the controversy over whether Gary Griffith should be re-instated as acting Commissioner of Police (CoP), speaking to Newsday on Sunday. His ire was directed at Griffith, the Police Service Commission and retired Justice Stanley John. George is a former member of the commission. Regarding Griffith, George questioned both his initial appointment as acting Commissioner and Griffith's argument that he was now entitled to resume that office. "If you are no longer commissioner and no longer acting commissioner, I think there are questions that ought to be raised." George queried Griffith's claim of being under...

11 September

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Former PSC chair, member say need for clarity in selection of Commissioner

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in Newspaper Articles, Police Service Commission

The former head of the Police Service Commission, Professor Ramesh Deosaran says the injunction to delay the appointment of a Police Commissioner by way of a High Court order can be useful in bringing clarity to the selection process. Deosaran was weighing in yesterday after Justice Nadia Kangaloo granted an interim injunction to former head of the Police Social and Welfare Association acting Senior Supt Anand Ramesar to block the Police Service Commission (PSC) from appointing a new Commissioner. Ramesar brought a legal challenge against the Commission for not including him in the interview process. Yesterday, Deosaran said there was widespread public confusion...

09 September

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Tobago Chamber welcomes PM’s proposed vaccine safe zones

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in Newspaper Articles, Tobago Business Chamber

The Tobago Business Chamber is in support of the announcement by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley for the introduction of “safe zones”, which would allow vaccinated people to access bars, gyms, private member clubs and in-house dining at restaurants The measure is dependent on vaccination versus infection rates. President of the business chamber, Martin George, told Loop News the Chamber was heartened by the announcement, and wish it was introduced months ago. George said: “We at the Tobago Chamber support the idea of trying to create a safe zone in Tobago, trying to create a bubble in Tobago, where you have herd immunity...

09 September

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Tobago restaurateur: In-house dining won’t work without changing curfew

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in Newspaper Articles, Tobago Business Chamber

Tobago businessman Kirton Sorias believes the Government’s plan to resume in-house dining at restaurants at the end of the month will not be successful unless the curfew hours are adjusted. During a news conference last Friday at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Blenheim, Tobago, Dr Rowley announced that bars, gyms, casinos and in-house dining will reopen for fully vaccinated patrons and employees at the end of September provided there is a significant increase in vaccinations. As of Wednesday, the THA Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development reported that a total of 19,195 people in Tobago have been partially vaccinated and...