22 May

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Deosaran calls selection of CoP ‘worst system in the world’

Former Police Service Commission (PolSC) chairman, Prof Ramesh Deosaran, says Parliament should return to the 2006 model allowing it to appoint a Commissioner of Police (CoP), while the prime minister retains veto power. Speaking on the issue yesterday, Deosaran agreed with Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley that the current system did not lend itself to creating best practices. Deosaran described it as the “worst system in the world, noting it was convoluted, expensive, caused confusion and was a lengthy process which could be delayed.” He said even Rowley agreed the system was a mistake. Therefore, he called for bravery in Parliament to...

21 May

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George: Tobago Chamber willing to develop young people, curb crime.

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CHAIRMAN of the Tobago Business Chamber Martin George says he is willing to work with the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) to create jobs in an effort to curb crime on the island. On May 17, THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine held a media conference to address the recent upsurge of murders in Tobago. He said the administration would provide opportunities for young people to find employment within the private sector. He said, “We will look at the registering of all unemployed persons in communities with the aim of ascertaining their core skills, capabilities, and training option needs. While we are doing...

17 May

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Mixed views from Tobago business groups to THA reshuffle

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The Tobago Chamber of Commerce believes the changes in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Executive Council might help the economy get better, which would be good for businesses in Tobago. However, the island’s other business chamber said the reshuffle was a waste. On Monday seven THA members were reassigned with one secretary demoted and replaced by an assistant secretary. Chief Secretary Farley Augustine also announced that he will step down as Finance Secretary. Community Development and Sport Secretary Terance Baynes was moved to the Infrastructure Division as an assistant secretary and appointed deputy presiding officer. He will receive his instrument of...

15 May

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CoP now has an executive team to work with—Williams

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Former acting police commissioner Stephen Williams says now that Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher has a full complement of deputies to assist her, judging her performance going forward will be more impartial. In a telephone interview with Guardian Media yesterday, Williams said policing was a team effort, and for her first year, she was without confirmed deputies and even acting deputies. Earlier this year, Parliament approved the positions of Deputy Commissioner of Police for Junior Benjamin, Suzette Martin, and Natasha George. “The organisation has a whole new executive leadership team just installed. It is not about one person; it is about a team. It...

10 May

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INEQUITY IN CIVIL LAWSUITS

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https://youtu.be/oW0E0KASJoI ...

09 May

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Chambers, Minority endorse THA e-tender platform

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TOBAGO stakeholders have welcomed the e-tender software platform being adopted by the Tobago House of Assembly. On Tuesday, THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine launched an e-tender sensitisation initiative at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex. The initiative, he said is targeted at vendors, suppliers and contractors to change the way they tender for jobs and projects in the THA. The assembly is partnering with Emerging Services and Innovation (TSTT) to roll out the initiative. Speaking with Newsday on May 8, Head of the Tobago Division of the TT Industry of Chamber and Commerce Curtis Williams gave the initiative a thumbs up. “I endorse it 101...

08 May

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High Court upholds Prisons Commissioner’s challenge of promotions

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Acting Prisons Commissioner Deopersad Ramoutar has won another round of litigation against the Public Service Commission (PSC) over the filling of senior vacancies in the T&T Prison Service. In a judgment on Monday, High Court Judge Nadia Kangaloo upheld Ramoutar’s lawsuit, in which he challenged a decision by the PSC to “skip ranks” by seeking to fill the position of deputy commissioner without first addressing vacancies at the lower ranks of senior superintendent and assistant commissioner. Ramoutar, who has been acting in a position four times higher than his substantive rank of superintendent for more than two years, claimed the PSC breached...

06 May

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SHOULD THE NWRHA PAY FOR A FOREIGN EXPERT?

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https://youtu.be/F6Zx30C3ESE ...

06 May

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George: THA not liable in shark attack

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Attorney-at-law Martin George said the shark attack suffered by British tourist Peter Smith was an isolated event and does not open up the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) to liability. George, the chairman of the Tobago Business Chamber, said the High Court had previously found the THA liable for injuries suffered by Yanik Quesnel and Spanish national Ana Carolina Barry-Laso, who suffered cuts and broken bones from a passing pirogue’s propeller blades at Pigeon Point, Tobago, in 2007. Quesnel had to use a wheelchair following the mishap, while Barry-Laso walked with a limp. In her ruling, Justice Judith Jones found that the...

23 April

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George: Easier to appoint a President than Police Commissioner

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Attorney and former Police Service Commission member Martin George, says the Opposition has valid concerns about the selection process of the acting commissioner of police and deputy police commissioners. On Friday, the Opposition rejected the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, which sought to allow the Police Service Commission (PolSC) to appoint acting commissioners without the approval of the House of Representatives. George, who spoke on the issue during an interview on CNC3’s The Morning Brew yesterday, said concerns by the Opposition that someone who is not on the merit list could be appointed are justified. “If it is you are talking specifically about pulling persons from the merit list, that...