Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance with responsibility for management of the Economic Division, Suzette Lee Chee, says State enterprises are owing Government close to $44 billion in outstanding loans.

She made the disclosure as she appeared before a Joint Select Committee for state enterprises at the International Waterfront Centre, Port-of-Spain, yesterday. The committee is chaired by Independent Senator David Small.

Lee Chee was responding to a question from JSC member Fazal Karim.

In giving a breakdown of the types of loans, Lee Chee said $25 billion was non-guaranteed and $19 billion was guaranteed. She said none of the State enterprises were in arrears nor defaulting on their loans. She indicated, however, that the Finance Ministry was working with the institutions and enterprises to reschedule payments.

Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Lisa Phillips, told the JSC the non-guarantee debts were being serviced “and at this time we do not have an issue in terms of the servicing of these debts.”

Small said the almost $25 billion non-guarantee loans were “a huge debt. It is all debt.” He said there was no issue with the $19 billion debt but the almost 25 billion was a matter of concern.

He said enterprises were “leaning to refinancing.” He noted that one of the companies which was repaying a non-guaranteed debt was Petrotrin. Noting the existing state of the national oil company, Small wanted to know what strategies were being implemented “to help Government entities manage the non-guaranteed debts. If entities start to fall off the rails, what is the plan?”

Small noted that Petrotrin was having issues with the current oil prices and the ability to generate revenue to sustain its operations

Phillips, in response, said: “Every month we receive a status report with respect to the non-guarantee debts. So we’ll be alerted early o’clock whether there are any problems (and) thus far we have had no problems with servicing the non-guaranteed debts.”

Phillips added: “We are working assiduously on refinancing if possible that (Petrotrin) debt.”

She insisted that the non-guaranteed loan repayments were “under control.”

Attorneys representing the family of a three-year-old girl, who was refused funding by the Children’s Life Fund for a major surgery in Rome, Italy, scheduled for next Tuesday, have signalled their intention to sue the board managing the fund.

Speaking a press conference at his office in Woodbrook yesterday, Opposition Senator Gerald Ramdeen announced that he had issued the Life Fund Authority an ultimatum threatening to file a lawsuit if it failed to reverse its decision in relation to Shannen Luke by tomorrow.

Central to Ramdeen’s proposed judicial review claim, is a decision by the authority on April 10, to reject Luke’s application as it found her illness to be non-life threatening.

The authority also contended that its decision was based on its policy to not honour applications made for reimbursements of medical expenses.

Describing the decision as inexplicable, Ramdeen pointed out that Section 9 of the legislation which established the fund and the authority in 2010, allowed for reimbursement payments. Responding to questions on Luke’s case raised in Parliament earlier this month, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh revealed that the fund, established by former prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, contained approximately $55 million.

“The parents would have had to wait for the application to be granted or rejected and then would have to raise the $2 million for the procedure and post-operative care. That is preposterous,” Ramdeen said.

Luke, of Brazil Village, east of Arima, was diagnosed with Beta Thalassemia Major when she was nine months old. Since then, she has been on a cocktail of medicine and has to do monthly blood transfusions. Luke is scheduled to undergo a hematopoietic cell transfusion (bone marrow transplant) at the Bambino Gesu Paediatric Hospital in Rome.

According to Ramdeen, the authority’s refusal to accept the application was partly based on the fact that her parents were able to pay the €158,000 (TT$1.2m) to the hospital for the operation to secure the date for the surgery before making their application to the authority.

The money was raised from donations, fund-raisers and from loans and a second mortgage taken out by her parents.

“The board did not consider that they have to pay for airline tickets to go to Italy. Did they not consider that the family has to stay with the child and cannot sleep on the streets. In this particular type of operation the recovery time is six to eight weeks,” Ramdeen said.

Referring to the authority’s claim that Luke’s illness is non-life threatening, Ramdeen said he had already retained the services of a qualified medical expert in the field, who was willing to challenge the finding if the lawsuit has to be filed.

Residents of Todds Road in Central Trinidad staged a fiery protest yesterday to highlight the lack of a proper water supply and deplorable roads.

They blocked the main entrance into the community that located off the Caparo Valley Brasso Road. Villagers piled tyres and other debris and set them ablaze around 6 am.

Police and the Fire Service doused the blaze which was later reignited. Councillor for the area Ryan Rampersad (Longdenville/Talparo of the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation) said the residents were fed up with the state of the roads and water supply in the area.

He said the community of around 4,000 people receive a weekly supply but the pressure was too low to reach some households. Rampersad said the roads in the community were also deplorable. He said there was also a lack of proper recreational facilities. Rampersad said while the corporation maintained recreation grounds there were no funds available to install lights and jogging tracks. He said the residents intended to continue to stage demonstrations until their pleas were heard.

Three people including an elderly man and an unidentified woman were among six road fatalities which took place at the weekend, making it the deadliest for the year, police said.

In the first instance, 38-year-old Kevin Agostini, of Guaico, Sangre Grande was killed when the car he was driving collided with another driven by Michael Samaroo, 32, of Kelly Village, Caroni.

Police said the accident took place around 4.15 am at the Mausica intersection along the Churchill Roosevelt Highway. Agostini died en route to the Arima Health Facility. Police are expected to review closed circuit camera footage to determine what happened.

The second road death took place later that night after a woman was struck while attempting to cross the Southern Main Road at Mc Bean, Couva. Police said around 11.40 pm, the woman was crossing when she was hit by a 59-year-old Freeport man. The woman is yet to be identified.

The following day, 78-year-old Albert Hernandez, of Boys Lane, D’Abadie was knocked down while trying to cross the Priority Bus Route. Police said around 5.20 am Hernandez was at the Boys Lane traffic light about to cross when he was hit by a car driven by a 24-year-old Special Reserve police officer.

Three other people died in two separate accidents.

Kevin Frederick, 24 and passenger Kerelle Nicholson, 20, both of Cocorite Road, Arima died in an accident on Sunday along the Churchill Roosevelt Highway.

The other death was Air Guardsman Sgt Christian Guevarra, 38 who was killed when the vehicle in which he was a passenger crashed into a culvert along the SS Erin Road around 5 am Saturday.

The six deaths took the road death toll to 30 for the year, 18 less than last year.

A group of hikers who were rescued by the Coast Guard after being left stranded for three hours in the dark, windy shores of Chacachacare Island are now demanding a full refund from the organisers.

They are also calling for a boycott of Adventure Seekers of T&T, the group which organised the hike last Saturday.

On its Facebook page yesterday, Adventure Seekers apologised to the patrons and promised a partial refund but their apology triggered outrage from the patrons and other people.

On the group’s Facebook page, Kern Richards said he and his girlfriend almost lost their lives. Another patron Kele Taylor said the hike was supposed to start at 5 pm but patrons were left standing from 4.45 pm to 6.15 pm as officials waited for late comers.

When they finally boarded at Crews Inn, Taylor said the boat was overcrowded.

“(There was) no safety briefing on the boat. No roll call. No issuing of life jackets. There were children on board - we were terrified,” Taylor stated.

In the midst of rough seas, the overcrowded boat began experiencing engine problems and could not berth alongside the jetty so patrons had to be lifted off.

Tiffany Dhaniram said the boat was drifting towards the rocks.

Reshma Dookhan wrote, “Throughout the entire event none of the team members communicated anything. Even when we got to the light house there was no announcements as to how long we were going to rest. I honestly felt as though we had chartered a boat and had gone to DDI (Down de Islands) by ourselves.”

Others complained that guides and first aiders were not helpful.

“Time management was an issue throughout the entire hike. We already started late, no announcements were made on arrival at the lighthouse,” Taylor wrote.

The patrons also complained that life jackets were not provided, not even to children although the sea was rough and many could not swim. Narisa Y. Mohammed said when she asked for two life jackets for her nieces she was told that they are only given in cases of emergency.

The patrons accused the Adventure Seekers of leaving them on the island until the Coast Guard came at 1 am.

Lena Montano-Bermudez said it was a Coast Guard employee who was on the hike who organised the rescue mission.

Contacted yesterday, a representative from Adventure Seekers, who only identified herself as Tinneil, said the group had been organising tours for five years.

Asked whether there were certified first aid personnel on the tours, Tenneil said yes. Asked whether patrons will be given a full refund, she said that decision has not yet been taken. Asked why patrons were not given life jackets, she said she was driving and could not answer any more questions.

Adventure Seekers responds

In an apology, Adventure Seekers said it chartered two vessels Island Prince and Island Princess for the 90 hikers but Island Prince was out on another job so everyone was allowed to board Island Princess.

“Coordinators were not informed by the captain of any issues with the Island Princess until it departed for the Chacachacare Island. We would in no way leave persons behind or simply ‘jump’ on-board another vessel knowing of mechanical issues. We can guarantee it is not a case where we knew the vessel was experiencing problems and called another,” the statement read.

“After hearing that the vessel was in distress, the captain and crew made a decision to shuttle persons already on the vessel back to Crews Inn, then to return and assist the vessel. Upon hearing this member of the Adventure Seekers group called the Coast Guard to ensure safety before our return,” the group said.

Adventure Seekers said it will be working on a compensation/package/incentive to all customers who participated.

“Details will be posted here (on Facebook) as well as patrons notified,” the group said. The hike was arranged at a cost of $200 per person and included transfers to and from the island, photography, guides and snack pack. It was supposed to last from 5 pm to 10 pm.

Property tax pressure. The Opposition United National Congress and Movement for Social Justice have slammed Government’s “rush” towards implementing the property tax and cited problems with mechanisms to handle the process.

On the flip side, as citizens work towards the May 22 deadline for submission of documents for residential properties being requested, assurance came yesterday from the Finance Ministry’s (Property Tax) Division that a minimum of documents may be accepted in that category.

Finance Minister Colm Imbert also clarified some queries arising in the matter, after the ministry on April 19 announced moves towards start of the collection exercise.

In this first phase, the ministry has called for property owners to complete a Valuation Return Form (VRF) and return that, plus supporting documents - including photos of the property - to various Valuation Divisions.

The information is for the calculation of the property’s Annual Rental Value (ARV). The tax will be based on three per cent of that ARV.

According to the ministry, residential owners are being asked to supply 13 documents. Industrial and commercial owners are being asked to supply more.

But MSJ leader David Abdulah, who cited a number of problems arising from Government’s process, said the May 22 deadline “isn’t a realistic deadline and must be altered.”

Abdulah yesterday expressed deep concern about Government’s capacity to handle the confidentiality of home owners’ information - which includes property photos - and that improper handling could see the material being used to target people for crime.

Yesterday, a spokesman handling scores of queries from the public at the Property Tax Division said owners should try to supply as many documents as possible. But if they don’t have any, they should still fill out the form, including location of the premises and its purpose, plus a phone number, the official said. The spokesman said an assessor will subsequently contact the owner to deal with the situation. Also, in the event of a minimum of documents available, they said the most useful document will be the owner’s previous property tax payment receipt (from 2009 when last payments were collected), as well as TTEC or WASA bills.

Yesterday Imbert - when asked by T&T Guardian to respond on several concerns - including the MSJ’s claim that he reneged on 2016 statements to implement the 2009 property tax levels - said: “Reliance should be placed on information provided in the 2017 Budget debate. Using outdated information from prior periods can lead to error.”

He said the 2017 Budget Statement (pages 11-13 and 43) of September 30, 2016, clarifies the issue.

“It should be noted that the Budget Statement of 2017 is the most updated statement on the implementation of the property tax,” he said.

Imbert confirmed that the annual rentable value of a house is calculated based on reasonable estimates and will depend on size, age, condition, location, access, parking, use etcetera. He said Property Tax forms must be submitted by the owner and not by anyone else - such as a valuator. If forms and assessments are done by home owners, he added, a visit from an assessor would be a must only if there is a query.

On whether landlords would pass the burden on to tenants, Imbert said, “The Government has no authority or control over rental rates for private property.”

The Budget had indicated there would be exemptions for home owners unable to afford the tax.

However, Valuation officials said yesterday that such people will still have to fill out the Valuation forms and after that a determination will be made on their case. Exemptions regarding the tax, which will apply under Section 16 (Property Tax act) include for churches, land used exclusively for churches/chapels/places of worship of any religious denomination, cemetery/burial grounds. Exemptions don’t apply to land owned by churches/religious organisations and rented/leased for purposes other than religious.

Exemptions also apply to educational properties, land belonging to the state/statutory authority, state enterprises, as well as hospitals and land owned by a foreign government or international organisation in which T&T is a member.

Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who expressed concern “about Government’s rush” to implement the tax, said the tax will have a “damaging impact on citizens.”

“The move to effect this tax is causing great concern among citizens already reeling from rising crime levels, increasing food prices, job losses and inadequate health services. It’ll cause further hardship for the unemployed, pensioners, the poor and vulnerable,” she added.

Noting her People’s Partnership government had resisted a property tax, but favoured a tax regime based on the old Land and Building taxes prior to 2010, she added, “ There’s lack of information regarding the calculation of the Annual Rental Values (ARV) for properties.

“Also, the PNM Government has failed to complete the process of local government reform, and as a result no mechanisms are in place to ensure that property tax is spent on local projects.”

The UNC is holding a series of constituency meetings from today up to May 4 to discuss the tax impact and allow citizens to voice concerns.

Today’s meeting in Penal will feature former Central Bank Governor Jwala Rambarran.

RESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS NEEDED

Previous Land & Building Taxes Receipt for property identified

Deed /RPO Certificate Of Title

Land Survey Plan or Land Area.

Site Plan

Building Plan

Rent/Lease Agreement

Completion Certificate

Town & Country Planning Approval (Status of Land).

Town & Country Planning Approved Use (Change of Use).

Photograph of exterior of the Property

Sketch Of Building

WASA Bill (no more than 3 months old)

T&TEC Bill (no more than 3 months old)

GOVT MISLED PUBLIC - MSJ

MSJ’s David Abdulah, who accused Government of misleading the public, yesterday said, “There must be some form of property tax as it’s always existed in the form of the Land and Buildings Tax. But the issue is how it’s being done, whether it will place an unfair burden on some and whether it’s just a method to raise revenue or to be part of a wider reform of local government.

“Prime Minister Keith Rowley and Finance Minister Colm Imbert must come clean on the issue. At a media conference on May 15, 2016, Mr Imbert stated the tax will be equal to the amount paid in land and building tax in 2009.”

Abdulah noted that Imbert, in April 2016, reiterated Government would seek to collect the amount payable under the old Land/Buildings Taxes for 2009 and assessments were being done to bring property rolls up to date.

“In other words, the PNM’s stated intention and commitment was to make legal provisions so that property owners/occupiers would initially pay the amount of tax they paid in 2009. (So) Government has reneged on a commitment it gave in the Parliament.

“Having heard absolutely nothing from the Minister re: property tax for many months the public suddenly saw ads in the press advising of a May 22nd deadline to submit the completed Property Valuation Return Form together with 13 supporting documents.”

Abdulah claimed citizens risked a $500 fine if they didn’t submit forms by a certain date. He cited section 7 of the Valuation of Land amendment act (act no 17/2009).

But the Finance Ministry last night stated only courts - not Government - could lay charges or invoke “fines.”

Abdulah added, “Can the Valuation Division process the more than 500,000 forms with supporting documents? Do they have requisite staff and data processing (ICT). What system is in place to cross-reference the forms submitted and the data supposedly collected by field teams?

“The PNM’s position during the local government reform consultations was the property tax should go to regional corporations. Today the cart is being put before the horse, as it seems the main driver of property tax is to raise revenue.”

MSJ also demanded:

• Imbert fulfils the Parliamentary commitment that property owners/occupiers pay the 2009 Land and Building Tax amount for 2017.

• A proper education/information process to enable property owners to comply with requirements of the Valuation of Land Act,(2009).

• That Imbert states the Valuation Division’s capacity to process all forms/supporting documents and gives a realistic deadline for the submission of same.

• That he informs T&T on the confidentiality of the information submitted to the Valuation Division (eg copies of deeds can be digitally altered to aggravate the land fraud that now abounds; estimates of property values/photos of properties can be used to target persons for robbery and other serious crimes)

• On what objective basis will the Valuation Division fairly assess the annual rental value of properties? Will there be equity of treatment for pensioners/others in difficult financial circumstances?

• That the new property tax only go into effect when local government reform is completed

• That roll out of the new property tax take place in fiscal 2018 after all necessary checks/balances are implemented.

The agent for the Super Fast Galicia, Intercontinental Shipping Limited (ICSL), last week challenged Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan claim that it had an 18-month contract to service the sea bridge to October 31, 2017.

By letter dated April 21, Theresa Hadad, the attorney representing ICSL, denied the charter hire for the Galicia was extended for a further period of 18 months from May 1, 2016 to October 31, 2017. Hadad was responding to a letter dated April 20 from attorney Donna Denbow, who represented the Port Authority of T&T, which had raised the issue and called for ICSL to honour the 18-month contract or face legal action.

In her letter, a copy of which the T&T Guardian obtained, Hadad said “it is our considered position that no such contract came into existence and further that your client has for the first time only sought to advance this position by letter dated April 20, 2017.”

Hadad noted an invitation to tender dated July 26, 2016, in which ICSL participated for the charter/purchase of a cargo and passenger vessel which intended to start operation by December 1, 2016.

By virtue of that invitation, Hadad said the Minister of Works and Transport failed to enter into a charter party with ICSL. The letter noted that it was “widely reported in the media that Cabinet had rejected the 18-month extension recommended by the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (PATT) and your client took no steps to refute said reports or to assure our client in writing or otherwise that a charter party would be forthcoming.” In addition, she said Denbow’s client “specifically requested that they be invoiced on a monthly basis for the continued usage of the Super Fast Galicia and our client duly issued invoices accordingly and on a monthly basis.” Hadad also noted that Sinanan also “publicly referred to the charter of the Galicia as that of a month to month arrangement.”

In the absence of a charter party with the ministry, Hadad said “our client was unable to conclude an 18-month extension charter party with the head owners of the Super Fast Galicia.” This position, she said, was disclosed to Sinanan in meetings and telephone discussions and was detailed in a letter dated March 28, 2017, to the minister which was not responded to. Hadad said as a result of this, “our client duly provided yours with notice that the month to month arrangement would be brought to an end.”

Having served notice that the Galicia would depart on April 14, Hadad said Sinanan “met with ICSL on April 6 and raised no issue of the 18-month contract. Rather, she said the minister “specifically requested that the vessel delay her intended departure to facilitate the requirements of the national populace over the Easter weekend” and “discussions ensued as to the arrangements for redelivery of the vessel and whether an alternative vessel could be sourced by our client to replace the Galicia.”

Hadad said at a second meeting on April 10 the same issues were discussed. ICSL, she said, subsequently secured an extension of the time for the departure of the Galicia to April 21 and based on a request from Sinanan, proposed a suitable alternative vessel to Sinanan for consideration at a comparable rate of hire.

But noting that Sinanan also waged a war against ICSL in the media, Hadad said “your client is not entitled to approbater and reprobate in respect of the issue as to whether a contract has been entered into and/or is subsisting and more importantly the existence of such contract does not arise at the whim and convenience of your client in response merely to political concerns or expediency.”

She argued that if Sinanan had taken steps to “unlawfully delay or detain the Super Fast Galicia, both our client and the head owners will sustain significant losses including but not limited to another arrangement at a higher charter rate.”She added too that if Sinanan chose to go to court for interim relief, “we advise that we have our client’s instructions to attend upon same and to oppose any such application.”

The Galicia left these shores last weekend after completing its final sailing on the sea bridge.

The country’s largest business grouping, the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce, says Government must waste no time in fully engaging the business community and the wider national community on the implementation of the Property Tax.

In a statement yesterday, the T&T Chamber said with the current global decline in the price of oil and gas, it is “fully cognisant of the need for Government to find alternative sources of revenue to help close the gap created by decreased income.” However, it said while it has no problem with the re-implementation of the tax, it is of the view that Government needs to be “clear and transparent in the process.”

It recalled that when Finance Minister Colm Imbert first put the population on notice that the Property Tax would be re-introduced in his budget presentation last year, “we were adamant then, as we are now, that any measures put in place should not result in the de-incentivisation of the private sector.”

The chamber said: “Considering the urgent thrust to increase non-energy exports and to promote the manufacturing sector, a six per cent tax on industrial properties, which includes the installed cost of plant, machinery and equipment, seems counter-intuitive to the desired outcome of incentivising investment. It might also be regarded as unnecessarily burdensome.”

The chamber is also concerned that the “average home owner is currently in a quandary regarding the precise calculation of the Annual Rental Value (ARV) for their respective properties, as Government has given no clear indication regarding how this is to be done.”

It added that when one considers the fact that a significant percentage of the population comprises pensioners living off fixed incomes, “one can only hope that proper measures will be implemented for those most vulnerable in our society.”

Ironically, it said “those most vulnerable appear to now include business owners and investors straddled with a severe seven-year low regarding occupancy rates in residential and commercial properties.”

The chamber also urged Government to be “transparent in the use of the funds collected through the tax, to avoid a situation similar to that of health surcharge, where there is a strong perception that the population does not receive good value for money.”

It noted that since the announcement last week, much has been ventilated about the property tax.

“Quite justifiably, the comments are largely calls for greater clarity and the elimination of much of the ambiguity currently surrounding the process.”

In light of this, the chamber is suggesting the Ministry of Finance take the lead on cogent discussions, informational sessions and public education campaigns to ensure we are all on the same page regarding the new taxation mechanism, adding it was ready to assist.

Petrotrin is now saying that 300 barrels of oil spilled in the Guaracara River from a ruptured storage tank, but fishermen are saying oil has stretched over a five-mile radius into the Gulf of Paria.

In its first statement after the spill on Sunday the State-owned company said only 20 barrels of oil had leaked from one of its storage tanks. But the Environmental Management Authority said on Monday that 20,000 gallons (a barrel contains 42 gallons) of bunker fuel had escaped.

Dozens of species of plant and marine life have been affected by the spill which was being cleaned up yesterday with dispersants and containment booms.

Fishermen said the devastation was rampant and are fearful that the latest spill will affect fish sales.

In a statement yesterday, Petrotrin said it is continuing to contain and recover the oil spilled from Tank 70.

“Aerial surveys and monitoring continued this morning alongside other clean-up and recovery activities,” Petrotrin said.

The company said “Estimates from the Incident Command Centre indicate that an estimated 300 barrels had entered the sea and tidal conditions suggest that the oil is heading in a north westerly direction.”

Petrotrin said its operations personnel as well as representatives from the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries, the Environment Management Authority and other regulatory bodies were involved in recovery efforts.

“Cognisant of our responsibility to ensure the clean-up is completed in a timely manner and with minimal impact to the environment, our clean-up crews are working around the clock and a Wildlife Rehabilitation Plan has been mobilized and implemented,” the company said.

Petrotrin also said any affected animal identified will be re-rehabilitated in established centres in Trinidad. Anyone with information are asked to contact Petrotrin at 24-hour emergency contact number 658-SAFE (7233).

Chairman of the EMA Nadra Nathai- Gyan said the Oilspill Contingency Plan has been activated and the matter was being handled by the Ministry of Energy.

Asked how much oil had spilled, Nathai-Gyan said, “It is still an estimate because as far as I am aware they have not completed the audit of how much has spilled into the sea. The majority of oil that entered into the sea has moved to the west of Pointe-a-Pierre. They have confirmed the estimated amount to be 300 barrels but we are awaiting the audited amounts.”

She said the EMA has been monitoring the issue closely to ensure that the clean-up is done in the interest of the environment.

Secretary of Fishermen and Friends of the Sea Gary Aboud said Tank 20 contained 150,000 barrels of fuel oil which contains high levels of heavy metals and are toxic contaminants.

“The tank is improperly cited near to the San Fernando General Hospital and near the shoreline.

“Today Petrotrin reported 300 barrels of oil was spilt. Tank #70 has a capacity of 150,000 barrels and our reports are that it was full. Therefore where is the balance of 149,700 barrels?” Aboud asked.

Probe ordered into incident—Khan

Energy Minister Franklin Khan said last Sunday’s oil spill into the Guaracara Rivers did not flow further past Pointe-a-Pierre into any other southern areas - like Coffee Beach or La Brea - as previous spills did.

Speaking in the Senate, he said five residents had reported feeling nauseaous after the spill and were treated at the Augustus Long Hospital.

He said the spill occurred around 2.45 pm when Tank 70 at Petrotrin sprung a leak at its base. It contained 12,853 barrels of oil.

The majority of spilled oil was contained within the refinery, but some escaped into the marine environment, he said. This was skimmed and returned to the port area via barge and dispersant materials were used to protect surrounding south western areas.

Khan said the occurrence will be investigated to find out why the containment failed and to guide future asset integrity and in-house inspection frameworks. (Gail Alexander) 

Southern areas which have been without pipe-borne water for the past month should see an improvement in the next three to four days since the Water and Sewerage Authority is increasing production, Public Utilities Minister Fitzgerald Hinds said yesterday.

Hinds gave the assurance in the Senate yesterday, replying to queries from Opposition Senator Wayne Sturge on increasing complaints about lack of water in Penal and other southern areas.

There were fiery protests in Moruga and Todds Road, in Central Trinidad on Monday over bad road and infrequent water supply.

Hinds said based on dry season conditions, WASA has taken steps to redistribute available supplies to customers all over T&T.

Production has been increased at Pt Lisas Desalination plant by two million gallons daily, and at other WASA plants in Caroni, South and Tobago by 11.3 million gallons daily. Hinds said this will assist southern and other areas.

“There’ll be an impact on service in the next three to four days in these areas,” he said.

Senate President Christine Kangaloo approved an Opposition request to have the water situation debated as a matter of urgent national importance after Opposition Senator Gerald Ramdeen noted schools and usinesses have had to close early due to lack of supply.

The ban on meat products imported from Brazil has been lifted by the Ministry of Agriculture.

In a statement yesterday, the ministry said the temporary restriction on both the import and retail sale of meat products from Brazil including corned beef, chicken patties and chicken nuggets was no longer in effect.

The temporary restriction, which was imposed on March 21, was lifted following clear and unambiguous assurances from the Brazilian government yesterday that addressed outstanding food-safety concerns.

The correspondence from Brazil’s Minister of Agriculture Blairo Maggi to Minister Clarence Rambharat confirmed there had been no exports of meat products to Trinidad and Tobago from any of the processing plants under investigation by Brazilian authorities.

In his correspondence, Maggi reiterated the Brazilian government’s rigorous audit and risk-assessment protocols for its meat products as they relate to food inspection and food quality.

Following the decision to lift the restriction on Brazilian meat imports, the Ministry of Agriculture has advised the Ministry of Health to discontinue the recall of meat products imported from Brazil prior to March 21.

Importers, supermarkets and other wholesale and retail outlets are once more permitted to sell meat products imported from Brazil including corned beef, chicken patties and chicken nuggets originating from Brazil and imported into T&T prior to March 21.

Also, with immediate effect, the Ministry of Agriculture will resume issuing import permits for meat products from Brazil.

Chairman of the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation Terry Rondon says he has no intention of apologising for the demolition of four historic buildings, which he claimed were encouraging crime, being used as a dumping ground and haven for street dwellers.

The buildings—the old Warden’s Office, Fire Station, Magistrate’s Court and the Manzanilla Post Office which were blocked off with galvanise sheetings months ago—were demolished on Saturday during the corporation’s national clean-up campaign spearheaded by the Ministry of Local and Rural Development Kazim Hosein.

Hosein posted images to his Facebook page in which he is seen operating an excavator to begin demolition of one of the buildings.

However, Rondon warned if in two months’ time no restoration work is undertaken on the old Post Office building, located in the heart of Sangre Grande, that too will be flattened.

In defending his decision, Rondon said he has no regrets of ripping down the antiquated buildings which were over a century old and had become a health and safety hazard to burgesses.

Rondon said for 17 years talks have been ongoing to restore the historic buildings which never got off the ground.

As a result, he said council along with the corporation’s building and health inspectors and building engineers took the decision to have them demolished since last year, even though the National Trust of T&T and social group Friends of Sangre Grande had pleaded with the corporation since 2015 to preserve the sites.

He said the corporation published in the newspapers its intention to tear down the buildings.

“On a regular basis we received reports that those buildings smelt of human filth left there by homeless people. What was most disturbing was that rape had been committed in these buildings as well. The dilapidated structures encouraged vagrancy and posed as a health and safety hazard to pedestrians and motorists. Many times the vagrants lit things in the buildings, which threatened other buildings. I could not sit down when we have a clean up campaign in the corporation and allow this one to pass by. I have no regrets of demolishing the buildings, nor would I apologise.”

In removing the debris from the old warden’s office, Rondon said they discovered human bones.

Rondon said TTPost gave the corporation permission to destroy the old Manzanilla Post Office since the building was no longer structurally sound.

“When we did what we had to do now everybody objecting. But I know we are within our rights to do the demolition. I am not here to destroy... but these buildings had to go. It was a disaster waiting to happen,” Rondon said.

By June, Rondon said if no restoration is undertaken on “the old Post Office Building that too will be demolished as well. I am serious about that.”

SADDENED BY DECISION

Chairman of the National Trust of T&T Margaret Mc Dowall in a statement yesterday expressed sadness that yet another demolition had taken place, ostensibly with the blessing of the State.

She said the Warden’s Office, built in 1909 signalled of rise of prominence of the town of Sangre Grande as a major service centre.

“Despite neglect the building was sound and could have continued to play a significant role in serving and enhancing the town centre for another century. A clean-up campaign as this was billed to be, would have only needed to remove a tree, which had been allowed to grow into one side of the building,” the release said.

Having met Rondon in 2015, after the Concerned Citizens of Sangre Grande were warned of threats to demolish the old Post Office, Mc Dowall stated a tour was conducted and they outlined the process that needed to be followed regarding these buildings.

Since then, the National Trust continued to communicate with the corporation informing Rondon that its organisation had published its intention to list the Post Office and the Warden’s Office in the Gazette.

Mc Dowall applauded TTPost who is working with the community to revitalise the old Post Office building which has been found to be structurally sound.

“Demolishing buildings to make up for wanton neglect and disinterest is not a logical solution,” the release stated.

In a telephone interview, Mc Dowall said while she understood Rondon’s concerns, “At the same time the residents felt connected to the buildings, especially the old Post Office.”

A labourer who was caught sporting a bullet casing as a pendant and wearing a camouflage short pants landed him a night in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Clarence Lezama, 59, of Claxton Bay apologised for his actions when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Cherril-Anne Antoine in the San Fernando First Court.

He pleaded guilty to having in his possession a spent 5.56 round of ammunition and clothing resembling an item used by members of the military.

Court prosecutor Cleyon Seedan said around 1.30 pm, PC Noyan and other officers were in a marked police vehicle patrolling along Hermitage Road, Macaulay Village, Claxton Bay when they saw Lezama standing on the side of the road dressed in a camouflage pants.

When Noyan confronted him about wearing the pants, Lezama said, “Boss, I sorry.” Seedan said the officer then searched Lezama and observed the brass bullet attached to a string hanging from his neck.

In court yesterday, Lezama claimed he found the spent shell in Claxton Bay.

In relation to the pants, Lezama said his boss brought it for him from Miami four or five years ago.

However, Lezama told the magistrate he was aware that wearing camouflage clothing resembling the army’s uniform was against the law. Noting that he had three convictions in the past ten years, the magistrate said: “All your fashion seems to be against the law. You had a chain with a spent shell and a camouflage pants.”

She fined him $500 or 30 days in jail on each offence.

He has to pay one of the fines immediately and the other fine in a month.

The magistrate ordered that the items be destroyed.

Former workers of Brazilian construction firm, Construtora OAS, who are owed salaries, severance and fringe benefits because of queries of their working contracts, may still get their dues.

Chairman of NIDCO, Herbert George said once their names could be verified from the bundle of documents left by OAS, the company which had been hired to construct the $7.2 b Solomon Hochoy Highway extension to Pt Fortin, they will get their cheques.

The company’s contract was subsequently terminated after it failed to complete work on time.

However, relatives of workers who died after the company’s contract was terminated, might not be so lucky. George said they will not get a cent unless they produce a letter of administration to NIDCO proving they were in charge of the deceased person’s estate.

Since Friday, NIDCO has been paying the entire severance payment and 50 per cent of fringe benefits to workers, which amount to $28.7 million.

In an interview on Monday, George said it was reasonable to ask for such documents because NIDCO had an obligation to verify whether contracts were genuine before making a payout. He admitted that some workers had been turned away for failing to produce an original I Owe You (IOU), from OAS which acknowledged the debt owed.

“The OAS logo is red and some of them have submitted documents with black logos which indicate it was copied. In some cases the signature was questioned. When we get these documents, we will go through the bundles and see if there is a duplicate. Once we have done so, we will honour the payments but we will have to verify before we pay,” George said.

He added that NIDCO was not out to deny anyone their just dues.

“Our aim is not to deny anyone but we have to be shrewd and be careful so that we are not taken advantage of. Information must be genuine,” George said.

He noted that much of the difficulties was caused because NIDCO was never privy to the contract OAS had with workers.

Meanwhile, shop steward of the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union Hosein Mohammed accused NIDCO of making things difficult for the workers. Mohammed, a father of four, said many workers had received IOU’s with a black logo.

“The signature was a scanned signature not an original signature. That is what we got from OAS yet NIDCO saying those documents cannot work,” Hosein said. He added that the wife of a deceased worker did not have $3,000 to get a letter of administration.

“What they are asking for is totally ridiculous. It is one hurdle after the next for us. It is disheartening that we are getting only 30 to 35 per cent of what is owed to us,” Mohammed said.

Told that NIDCO did not intend to make a second payment, Mohammed said this is against the law.

“According to the industrial law, once an entity decides to start to pay, they have to pay the total figure owed. There are certain brackets under the industrial law act and once they take responsibility to pay, they are mandated by law to pay. If they decide not to pay they are breaking the law,” Mohammed said.

Roughly 300 workers were expected to collect cheques on Monday. Yesterday was the last day that NIDCO will be on site.

A Sangre Grande construction company has won a lawsuit against the T&T Police Service for impounding its excavator for more than a year without criminal charges being laid.

Justice Frank Seepersad, presiding in the Port-of-Spain High Court yesterday, said the police failed to justify why it took so long to complete an investigation while keeping the $650,000 Caterpillar excavator in impound.

Seepersad ordered that the State pay Vigai and Vijay Contracting Company Ltd compensation for loss of use of the equipment as well as other damages. Total compensation is to be assessed by a High Court Master but the company is expected to receive more that $1 million in compensation as it claimed the equipment was being rented at a daily rate of $3,000.

The company is also seeking compensation for depreciation of the equipment as it claimed it was stored in unsatisfactory conditions by the police.

The court heard that the equipment was seized on February 4, 2016, by Sangre Grande police officers who claimed it might have been stolen.

In his judgment, Seepersad noted that the company provided evidence it was the owner of the equipment while the police were unable to show what evidence, if any, their investigations had unearthed.

“There must be a reasonable balance between the constitutional right of citizens to enjoy their property and the State’s right to detain property,” he said.

Seepersad, who described the police’s action as inordinate and unreasonable, ordered that the equipment be returned within 24 hours.

A hearing for assessment of damages is set for May 15.

The company was represented by Gerald Ramdeen.

While the Opposition UNC has not yet decided how it will represent the myriad concerns of constituents on the property tax, a legal challenge has not been ruled out.

This was confirmed yesterday by Opposition whip David Lee.

“We know there are many, many concerns throughout T&T on this tax—having regard to how it’s being implemented in a rushed manner—and not just among our constituents,” Lee added as UNC constituencies continued to meet with experts to assess the tax’s impact.

“We’re still holding final meetings with constituencies on it and arising from all our consultations, we’ll caucus on findings and should be able to announce how we’ll respond to the matter very soon.”

Lee said the majority of consultations should conclude by early next week.

The Opposition announced a blitz of consultations from yesterday featuring experts’ views on the impact of the tax. Former Central Bank governor Jwala Rambarran spoke last night at the Opposition leader’s Siparia forum.

Tonight former Trade Minister Vasant Bharath will speak at Cumuto/Manzanilla MP Christine Newallo- Hosein’s consultation at Sangre Grande.

Yesterday, UNC MP Barry Padarath called on Government to let the population decide whether they want the tax or not, through a national referendum.

“Several countries have put the power in the hands of the people on important and controversial decisions like these. A referendum would strengthen our democracy and empower citizens to contribute to the decision making process that affects their lives.”

“The announcement of the imposition of the tax has become a worrisome, traumatic experience for many who are still in the dark on how it would be assessed and calculated. A national referendum would give a voice to a voiceless, weary population on this issue and provide opportunity for citizens to be educated on the implications and the mechanics of tax collection.”

The Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CCIC), the Couva Point Lisas Chamber of Commerce and the Penal/Debe Chamber of Commerce are calling on government to defer implementation of the property tax until next year.

The Chambers say the business community is reeling as a result of the rising cost of doing business and with growing unemployment in the country, it would be unfair to impose the tax at this time.

The three Chambers met on Wednesday to discuss the issue and expressed concern at the hasty implementation of the tax and the requirements stipulated on the form which they said “cannot be fulfilled before May 22nd, 2017 deadline.”

In a joint statement business groups said they are apprehensive given the uncertainty regarding the stipulated rates and believe that the Government should host a series of consultations to educate the population on the implementation process and the assessment of land and property.

While they say they have no objection to the implementation of the property tax, the Chambers said Government must acknowledge that Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s) are barely surviving owing to the rising cost of doing business, and the imposition of other taxes such as business levy, green fund levy, NIS, gas increase, unavailability of foreign exchange and vat on food items.

They said they would “prefer if the Government would defer the implementation of the property tax until next year, when more information can be provided to the public and some relief given to the general population as a result of the other tax impositions over the past months and the increased unemployment rate in our Country.”

The Chambers make it clear they have no objection to the property tax, but “firmly believe that such a drastic increase would cause unease amongst the population who are already struggling given the downturn in the economy.”

They suggest that government should apply an incremental increase over the next three years, which can be afforded by citizens.

The Chambers also said they would like to see some transparency regarding the allocation of the funds derived from the property tax and how it is to be used for development.”

Several inmates, mostly murder accused, had to be removed from the Port-of-Spain Eighth Magistrate’s Court yesterday, after they began shouting and cursing after realising their matters could possibly be restarted due to the recent departure of former chief magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar.

The inmates were fuelled by six men who, on leaving the courtroom, began shouting that they were being denied of justice after they were given an adjournment date. The six men are jointly charged with murder and had been before Ayers-Caesar, who is now a High Court judge.

Ayers-Caesar was supposed to have ruled on a submission made by the men’s attorneys before leaving for the High Court posting. The case had been ongoing for the past seven years and was nearing completion with 59 witnesses listed.

The case also had changes in the prosecutorial team, as the complainant in the mater changed three times because of retirements from the department.

Preliminary inquiries for murder cases usually take three to five years to complete and another three to five years before it reaches the High Court.

After the six men received their adjourned dates and were leaving the courtroom they stamped and shouted and cursed as they were being led to the cell downstairs the courtrooms.

As they left the courtroom the men shouted: “All yuh doh care about f---g we! This is not no f---g justice!”

While shouting their objection to the adjournment, other inmates in the prisoners’ dock in the courtroom began cursing and had to be forcibly removed from the courtroom by officers.

Downstairs, the men could be heard cursing and shouting while their matters were being adjourned in their absence.

Up to the closing of the courthouse, none of the inmates who were cursing had been charged with using obscene language or resisting arrest although some were regarded as being “unruly”.

Officers of the Court and Process Branch, who are responsible for the inmates while at court, said they understood the frustration of the men and thus opted not to charge them. They denied that the men were beaten as had been suggested in some reports which surfaced yesterday.

Since her elevation to the High Court on April 12, it had been suggested that all Ayers-Caesar’s unfinished matters would now have to re-started by another magistrate.

The issue was raised by attorneys and Opposition senators Gerald Ramdeen and Wayne Sturge last week, after Ramdeen had initially suggested that Ayers-Caesar should have completed all her matters before moving on, since this could place more burden on the already stressed system.

Also addressing the situation in a press release on Monday, Law Association president Douglas Mendes SC said they will be seeking to meet with Chief Justice Ivor Archie, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi and Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard “to assist in finding a workable solution.”

Valuator Afra Raymond is advising citizens to “not panic” about the property tax and there is no need for citizens to pay a valuator to assess their property.

While there is widespread panic and public concern about the list of information requested from property owners Raymond said “it is just that a request and not a requirement.”

Raymond is advising citizens to fill out the basic information required for the form, “name, address, property address, phone number, email address and if you have a bill for the old land and building tax there is an assessment number on it, that is a unique number which will lead officials to your file.”

There are also concerns that officers may visit the property to verify the information but Raymond said that would only be triggered “if you do not submit the form or if the information on your form does not match other persons in the same area, then they could send someone to look at your property.”

The penalty under the law for failing to submit the form by the deadline date is $500. He is advising citizens to submit their forms.

Both Raymond and President of the Real Estate Association Sally Singh said they have no issue with the property tax.

Singh said “property tax is natural and is done in most countries. We have no problem with the property tax.”

She said people who are purchasing properties know that they need to get all the documents in hand “to ensure they meet all the requirements to send in.”

Singh said there have been questions from a lot of people who are unsure how to assess the rental value of their property, “that is a major concern because nobody wants to defraud the government. They want to do what is right, but they do not know what is the best assessment for the property.”

She said an “option is for people to get private valuator, but not everybody can afford that.”

Raymond said “there is no need to get your own private valuation.”

Raymond said there is a lot of information on the Ministry of Finance website where citizens can also fill out the form online to meet the May 22nd deadline.

Chartered Valuation Surveyors GA Farrell & Associates Ltd has also taken to Facebook to assist people. The company said “with lots of misinformation and confusion surrounding the property tax, we continue with our efforts to provide clarification to our Facebook page visitors with a series of posts.”

It noted that one of the most asked questions is — “How will I determine the value of my property?

The company refers to the Ministry of Finance website which states that the technical and professional staff of the valuation division is responsible for valuing all properties. The Valuation Return Form is simply a way to aid the division in making the valuation. The rental value you put on your form is simply your best (honest) estimate of the rental value.

The accompanying documents (as many of those requested on the form that you have available) will also assist the division in making an accurate valuation.”

Raymond said once the valuation is completed the Commissioner of Valuations will “issue a notice of assessment, so for example they would say John Doe you live at Mango Street your property tax is $1,500, you have 30 days to object. If no objection is lodged after 30 days it is accepted and that is what you will pay.”

At a time when oil and gas prices are stunted, Petrotrin is facing the risk of being penalised in light of last Sunday’s spill which has begun to exact financial loses and pose environmental dangers.

Sunday’s spill into the Guaracara River and the Gulf of Paria, has also raised more questions than answers from the former Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine and the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) which represents workers at this institution. 

Three years ago the State-owned energy company was ordered to pay some $20 million in fines for breaches of its Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC).

Ramnarine called on Petrotrin to clarify conflicting reports as to the size and extent of last Sunday’s oil spill and to say why the tender process for the construction of bund walls for high risk storage tanks in the refinery was stopped in 2016.

Bund walls contain the contents of tanks in the event of a rupture. 

In its initial report, Petrotrin reported that 20 barrels had leaked from a ruptured storage tank at its Pointe-a-Pierre Refinery. Later, the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) in a release said it had been informed by the company 20,000 gallons of bunker fuel had escaped. Petrotrin is now quantifying the figure as 300 barrels which leaked from the tank.

A portion of the fuel was not contained and recovered but has made its way into the Gulf of Paria, is said to be travelling in a westerly direction and fishermen claim their livelihood is once more threatened by Petrotrin.

Education and Research officer of the OWTU Ozzi Warwick questioned when was the last time the storage tanks were inspected and if there are others are waiting to crack. 

Warwick said the union has been severely criticised for industrial actions taken in the past because of safety issue but said there is no joy from being proven right. He recalled threats to fire President General Ancel Roget in 2015, when he was hauled before the Court for publicly highlighting the poor state of infrastructure and bad management at Petrotrin.