09 January

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

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...

26 November

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Collapse of Ramlogan/Ramdeen case ‘a fiasco’, ‘mockery of justice system’—legal expert

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in Newspaper Articles

‘A mockery of the justice system’ is how attorney-at-law Martin George is describing the decision to discontinue the corruption charges case against former Attorney General Anand Ramlogan, SC, and former Opposition Senator Gerald Ramdeen. The legal fee kickback case against the men collapsed after Jamaica-born British King’s Counsel Vincent Nelson declined to begin his testimony in the duo’s preliminary inquiry. “When you gave him these guarantees and these immunities, you ought to have ensured that whatever deal you were making was an airtight and a watertight deal that would guarantee that you would get your end,” Martin George points out. The attorney-at-law says...

26 November

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Covid19 regulations charges against 26 dropped

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in Newspaper Articles

TWENTY-six people held a year ago for breaching covid19 regulations at a private party in Valsayn have been discharged by a Tunapuna magistrate, as the police were unable to prosecute the matter. The 26 were charged in May 2021 for breaching covid19 regulations after being arrested at a house at Real Spring. On Friday, the group, represented by attorney Martin George, appeared before senior magistrate Wendy Dougdeen-Bally. In submissions to the court, George complained about the length of time since charges were laid, leaving his clients yet to go on trial. He contended the charges against the 26 should be dismissed. George also complained...

25 November

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Stakeholders: Cruise ships will help revive Tobago’s economy

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in Newspaper Articles, Tobago Business Chamber

TOURISM stakeholders are optimistic that the return of cruise ships to Tobago will help revive the island’s economy After an absence of more than two and a half years, owing to the covid19 pandemic, cruise ships resumed sailings to Tobago on Sunday with the arrival of the Silver Moon. The vessel, of Silverseas Cruises, docked at the Scarborough Port at 7.30 am with 538 passengers, on its maiden voyage to Tobago. On Monday, another ship, Rhapsody of the Seas, arrived with approximately 2,500 passengers. Former Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association (THTA) president Rene Seepersadsingh hailed the return of cruise ships. “Tobago is a tourism destination...

15 November

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Morris asks THA: What’s the plan to tackle crime?

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in Newspaper Articles, Tobago Business Chamber

THA Minority Leader Kelvon Morris has called on the THA executive to state its plans to address the rise in gun violence on the island. Morris was speaking on Monday, two days after SRP Kyle Lashley became the island's tenth murder victim. There were seven murders in 2021. The PNM assemblyman said the latest killing was of great concern to him. Police said Lashley, 26, who last worked at the Crown Point Police Station, was with friends at around 7.10 pm, at Providence Road in Les Coteaux when a black Kia Cerato stopped alongside them, and two gunmen got out. One snatched Lashley's...

31 October

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Tobago hoteliers, chamber: Carnival a resounding success

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in Newspaper Articles, Tobago Business Chamber

TOBAGO Hotel and Tourism Association vice-president Carol-Ann Birchwood-James has described the island’s inaugural carnival as a resounding success. Although the figures are still being tabulated, she said a preliminary report from the association’s members on Friday showed the accommodation sector had an 85 per cent occupancy rate. That figure, she said, was expected to climb to about 90 per cent for the carnival weekend. “Once people come and you have it safe and there are no big incidents, and you have hotels at 85 per cent and climbing, it must be a success. It is not a success if people ain’t come and...