Wesley Basdeo pedals his bicycle cart slowly through the quiet streets of Felicity every day, except Saturdays. An indelible part of the area’s daily life, villagers call him “sno-cone man.”

Basdeo, 38, however, is no ordinary sno-cone vendor. He has taken upon himself the tremendous social responsibility of rescuing the village’s young children, many from underprivileged and unstable homes. To villagers, he is also social worker and pastor.

Felicity, a former rural sugar cane and rice-planting community just off the bustling town of Chaguanas, and at the edge of the Gulf of Paria, has many large houses testifying of its development.

But there are unseen pockets of poverty and in them, heart-wrenching stories of little children who never have enough to eat at home, men broken by debilitating diseases and accidents and poor mothers struggling with handicapped children. 

On a regular basis Basdeo provides food, clothing and other basic necessities, and free spiritual advice and psychological counselling to families like these. This week he spent two days distributing free sno-cones to 400 children from six preschools and the Felicity Presbyterian Primary School.

“It’s my way of giving back.”

A married father of a three-year old daughter, he has earned the respect of all in the predominantly Hindu community, even “the drugs men,” he said. Basdeo works with 50 children. He said there are 30 cases of children suffering from autism and other disabilities in Felicity.

Citing some cases of needy families, he said, “A man was living with his wife and three children with an extended family but one day they were drinking and some words were shared and they were put out the house.

“They are now renting an apartment near the Bilyah River,  close to the cremation site. The father worked off and on and we help the children.”

Another straightener and painter with nine children lost one foot to diabetes and cannot work, Basdeo said. This family also receives help from him. But he was quick to point out, “This is not a one-man effort.

“This is a collaborative effort. I get financial and other assistance from businesses in Felicity, the councillor and the school.”

Basdeo and the Felicity Community Pharmacy will give out ten hampers this Saturday. His own abusive childhood in a broken home inspired him to help children in similar circumstances, he said.

“My father didn’t want me and my stepmother used to lock the kitchen and I couldn’t get food. I went to live with my mother and my stepfather ill-treated me.

“I was shuffled around from aunt to grandmother to other relatives. I used to hang around people’s homes near lunchtime, hoping to get some food.

“My mother told me the only way I could go to school was if I worked. She bought a sno-cone bike and machine for me and I started selling sno-cones at $1 without milk and $1.50 with milk.”

By age 16, Basdeo had built his own little apartment, adjoining a relative’s home and was on his own.

“I have the best job in Felicity,” he said.

Write to My Story at letters@guardian.co.tt.

Leader of the Movement for Social Justice David Abdulah is suggesting that workers who were retrenched by steel giant ArcelorMittal last week be allowed to operate the manufacturing plant in Point Lisas on their own.

Speaking at a press conference at the MSJ office in San Fernando yesterday, Abdulah said the country is getting to a point where these ideas should be considered.

“We want to suggest that if Arcelor Mittal does not want to operate in Trinidad, then maybe the steel workers themselves should go in and occupy that plant,” Abdulah said. “And start in back up and run it in the interest of themselves and the people of T&T.”

“We are getting to that point where we have to think about that kind of arrangement.”

He was commenting on the recent retrenchment of hundreds of workers by Mittal as the company decided to shut down it’s operations in T&T.

“Close to a thousand workers were put on the breadline days before Christmas. And it’s not just them affected but their families too, about 4000 to 5000 people in total are now in a dire situation because of a decision by one of the biggest international companies in the world Mittal, which closed down it’s operations in Trinidad.”

Abdulah said the decision is a part of “new liberal economic practices” by Mittal and slammed the company for making workers pay for a downturn in the global economy.

“We want to make the point that workers must not be made to pay the price of economic circumstances by companies that are continuing to make very substantial profits globally, the ethos of big capital in particular is when they are faced with lower profits, not no profits just lower, the first thing they seek to do is cut labor to keep their profit levels high.”

He said this leads to higher payouts for shareholders and executive members of the company while workers are left to suffer.

“That is absolutely wrong, this ethos of big capital in the context of what we know as new liberal economic systems has been promoting and fostering greater inequality and inequity in societies by ensuring those at the top continue to earn huge incomes while those at the bottom lose their jobs, suffer pay cuts and wage freezes.”

He said when Mittal first came to Trinidad in the late 1980’s, the company benefitted from infrastructure and low energy and gas prices, but after ‘sucking’ T&T dry, the company has moved on.

“We have a situation where these multi-national companies come here, they get fruit like an orange, they suck it dry and when they are finished exploiting our resources and our people they then throw it away. That is what is happening here in Trinidad.”

Darius Emrith
Student, Hugh Wooding Law School

There are two circumstances where a police officer’s powers of search and seizure may arise: (i) in effecting an arrest; and (ii) in effecting a search warrant. This article focuses mainly on the search of one’s private property in effecting a search warrant. 

Generally, a search warrant is necessary for entry and search of anyone’s private premises. A search warrant may be issued to enter a building or any place to search for evidence in relation to any summary offence, as outlined in section 41 of the Summary Courts Act Chap. 4:20. The only legal way to search one’s premises, other than in effecting an arrest, is with a search warrant or the express permission of the owner.

Where the question of effecting an arrest arises, an officer may enter premises without a warrant
a) to prevent a murder 
b) to arrest an offender who was followed into the premises
c) to prevent the commission of a crime, and 
d) to follow an offender running away from an officer

Issuing of a search warrant
A magistrate or judge issues a search warrant once a police officer satisfies the magistrate or judge that he has reasonable cause to suspect that grounds exist to justify the issue of the warrant. These grounds must be sworn on oath. There is no need to first lay a charge, but evidence obtained from the search may then be used to justify the charge.

Execution of a search warrant
A search warrant may be addressed to any police officer.  If a specific officer is named, he alone can enforce the warrant. Search warrants may be executed at any time on any day of the week. A police officer can even break down the outer door of the premises to execute the warrant, if a demand for entry has been refused.

Usually, a search warrant is executed in the presence of the occupier or, if he is absent, in the presence of any adult on the premises. The police will read the warrant to the person and after the search, the officer should endorse on the back of the warrant what was found and seized, the name of the person present and the time and date.

Seizure of property
The police can seize any items from premises they have lawfully entered, which may constitute evidence to implicate the person in some crime, even if the items are not related to the reason for the search or entry. Seized goods may be retained as long as necessary to prosecute that crime.

If the police lawfully seize property on suspicion that it was illegally obtained, they can only hold such property for a reasonable time. The police would have to show that they have reasonable grounds for believing that the property was stolen, and that its continued detention is necessary to complete their investigations. 

Illegal searches
Even if the police seize goods illegally (that is by illegal entry or by an illegally obtained warrant) they may retain them once the goods constitute evidence in relation to a crime. However the homeowner may have recourse in an action for damages. 

—This column is not legal advice. If you have a legal problem, you should consult a legal adviser.

A police constable and another man were gunned down this morning along the Aranguez Main Road.

Police investigators are currently on the scene.

According to a police report, at about 5.30 am the officer, who has only been identified as PC Ramnarine, was found slumped on the side of the pavement just outside a car while another man, who is yet to identified was found dead in the car.

Ramnarine was las assigned to the St Joseph Police Station.

A firearm was recovered at the scene and it is believed to be the officer’s gun.

Investigations are continuing.

Further details to follow. 

Four suspects have been detained in the shooting deaths of PC Russell Ramnarine and UWI engineering student, Avery Keshwar.  

Ramnarine, 24, and Avery, 22, of College Road, St Augustine, were both gunned down at around 5.15am  today,    at  Aranguez  Road,  Aranguez,  in  the  vicinity  of  a popular barbeque outlet.  

Reports are that Ramnarine, who was on duty at the time, along with a uniformed officer of the St Joseph Police Crime Patrol, were following-up on a report made by Avery of a stolen cell phone among other items. 

They accompanied the victim in an unmarked vehicle to Aranguez to meet the suspect to retrieve the stolen items.  When the suspect observed the uniformed officer seated in the vehicle, he took off on foot causing Ramnarine, who was in plainclothes, and the other officer, to leave their vehicle and give chase  along  Williams  Street,  Aranguez.  

The  uniformed  officer  continued  the  pursuit  while Ramnarine made his way back to the vehicle where Avery was still seated.  Upon  entering  the  vehicle  shots  from  the  nearby  barbeque  outlet  were  fired  at  both  men  who subsequently died at the scene. 

There was no exchange of gunfire.  

Four  persons  from  the  Aranguez  district  are  currently  assisting  Homicide  Detectives  with  the investigation.  

Four suspects were last night assisting police in their investigation into the murder of one of their colleagues and a University of the West Indies student.

Police constable Russell Ramnarine and engineering student Avery Keshwar were gunned down during the pre-dawn hours just outside a popular bar-b-que outlet in Aranguez, San Juan. However, mystery surrounded just how Ramnarine was killed, since investigating officers were wondering how he failed to get off a single shot in response to his attacker/s, who seemed to have been less than a metre away from him at the time of the attack. There was also more than one theory to the killing up to last night.

According to an official report released by the T&T Police Service ‘s (TTPS) Communications Unit, Ramnarine and Keshwar, 22, of College Road, St Augustine, were both gunned down outside the food establishment around 5.15 am.

Ramnarine, who was on duty but in plain clothes at the time, along with a uniformed officer of the St Joseph Police Crime Patrol, were said to be following up on a report made by Avery of a stolen cell phone among several other items, the release said.

The report stated that Ramnarine and the other officer had accompanied Avery in an unmarked vehicle to Aranguez to meet a suspect to retrieve the stolen items. But when the suspect observed the uniformed officer in the vehicle, he ran off. Ramnarine and the other officer came out their vehicle and chase after the suspect along Williams Street, Aranguez.

At some stage, however, Ramnarine stopped his pursuit and made his way back to the food outlet, allowing to other officer to continue the chase. However, just as Ramnarine made his way back to the vehicle, where Avery was still seated, and was about to enter it shots were fired from inside the bar-b-que outlet. Both men were hit several times and died on the spot. There was no exchange of gunfire, according to the police report.

However, a senior police officer assigned to a special unit, who did not want to be identified, gave the T&T Guardian another theory suggesting the attack may have also been a hit on Ramnarine, as he was a main witness against several other police officers currently before the courts charged with a criminal offence. He said the incident had left many of them shocked and with the “chills” to know that the possibility exists that Ramnarine was killed (allegedly by one of his own colleagues.

“This is scary to know, because in reality it means that it could happen again to any one of us! I don ‘t even want to think along that way but sadly, that ‘s the information that has been spreading around the police service, that he was a key witness against some police officers (it is alleged),” the officer said.

Ramnarine was sworn in as an officer on October 8, 2014, and was the son of acting Corporal Ronald Ramnarine of the Maloney Police Station.

Speaking at her Guaico, Tamana home yesterday, Ramnarine ‘s mother, Sharmilla, said her son was enrolled as a Special Reserve Police Officer about two years ago and was absorbed into the TTPS as a constable just over a year ago. She said her son was first assigned to the Sangre Grande Police Station and was transferred some months ago to the St Joseph Police Station. She described her son as a friendly and outspoken person and one who was always on the go.

“He never had anything bad to say about anybody. He was also a family guy and loved his family and his cousins,” the distressed mother told the T&T Guardian.

She said one of Ramnarine ‘s younger sisters, Shania, celebrated her 18th birthday yesterday.

“He was the first of four children,” Sharmilla said, as she explained that she was too distraught to speak further about her son.

An eyewitness, who did not want to be identified, claimed that when the incident occurred police officers were seen running through adjacent streets. He also alleged that the four people arrested were randomly taken from their private properties by the cops.

“Those police lie because no one from the bar-b-que place was arrested. No security, nobody. The police just take up four men from around the area,” the eyewitness said.

He also alleged that a number of spent shells were found in a garbage heap close to where the bodies were found.

Officers were still at the scene of the crime last night collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses. The area around the business remained cordoned off and a tent was set up opposite. Officers on the scene said they were also seeking to source CCTV footage from the business and nearby properties.

Acting Snr Supt Oswald Cudjoe, of the Homicide Bureau of Investigations, is spearheading investigations.

Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams yesterday joined with other officers in extending condolences to the family and loved ones of Ramnarine and Avery.

The decomposing body found stuffed inside a plastic barrel last Thursday was identified yesterday as that of missing security guard Carol Gopaul.

Speaking with the media at the Forensic Science Centre, St James, yesterday, Gopaul ‘s husband, Saheed, said he blamed relatives in the woman ‘s death.

“I went by Ian Alleyne on Thursday and when I come home them was lighting candle for wake and saying it good she dead. I report she was missing and them saying she dead. They never liked her for me and was always cussing her,” Gopaul said.

The distraught man, who cried uncontrollably during the interview, said he wanted justice for his wife, who was beaten, stabbed, according to the autopsy.

According to the reports, St Joseph Police found Gopaul ‘s body stuffed in a blue barrel around 4.30 pm when they responded to a report from a resident of a stench in the area. The barrel with Gopaul ‘s body was placed at the side of the road next to others used by residents to dispose of garbage.

In an unrelated matter, the uncle of Chaitram Tokai, 45, who was killed Sunday afternoon outside his home, said he believed the killing of his nephew was linked to the disappearance of another relative two years ago.

According Francois Baptiste, who also spoke outside the FSC, Tokai, a father of two, was constantly threatened in recent times and had made several reports to police.

Baptiste said Tokai was a good person who “was like salt”. He said, however, that he believed he would get justice as he got assurances from Crime Watch host Ian Alleyne that the murder would be solved soon.

According to police reports, Tokai was crossing the road to go home around 2.45 pm when a gunman approached and shot. The gunman escaped in a silver Nissan Tiida. 

Homicide Bureau officers are investigating both killings.

In awarding Tunapuna pillow vendor Wayne Clarke $170,000 for malicious prosecution, justice Frank Seepersad said errant police officers should be made to pay for damages they cost the State.

“Errant officers who abuse their authority should be made personally liable for the damages awarded due to their unauthorised and unlawful conduct,” Seepersad said as he chastised the police for the wrongful arrest of Clarke, who spent 13 days in jail before he could access bail on a charge of insulting language in 2012.

Seepersad said the matter had caused extreme disquiet in the mind of the court as it was an example of a gross abuse of office. 

He warned that police officers were not a law unto themselves and cannot allow their personal hurt to affect the discharge of their duty. He said there were too many instances where any challenge to an officer’s authority was met with obscene or annoying language and resisting arrest charges. 

The court awarded Clarke $140,000 as general damages and $30,000 as exemplary damages, and the State was ordered to pay cost in the matter. The case stemmed from a July 2012 incident when Clarke, 56, of Tunapuna, was accused of selling pillows on the pavement of Tunapuna in July 2012 by WPC Thomas-Hernandez. 

He was brought before the Tunapuna Magistrate’s Court where he was charged with, exposing for sale, goods and same that were projected over a footpath, contrary to Section 64(1) (d) of the Summary Offences Act. He was also charged with willfully obstructing the free passageway of the street without lawful authority or excuse, contrary to Section 50 (1) of the Highways Act.

Clarke pleaded guilty to the first offence but denied the second. The sitting magistrates ordered that 22 confiscated pillows be donated to the Cyril Ross Children’s Home. Clarke claimed that some time later, he visited the home to ensure the pillows were delivered but learned that they had only received 11. 

On April 24, 2012, he reported to the Tunapuna Police Station that the magistrate’s order was not obeyed and half the pillows were missing.

Six days later, while leaving the Tunapuna Administrative Complex, he claimed that Thomas-Hernandez approached him and in an intimidating and angry tone, said “oh so you calling me a thief, well you under arrest. He was charged with using insulting language to the annoyance of persons contrary to Section 49 of the Summary Courts Act.

When he appeared before a Tunapuna magistrate on June 1, 2012, he was granted $10,000 bail but was remanded in custody for 13 days. On the November 19 trial date, Thomas-Hernandez failed to show, leading the case being dismissed for want of prosecution. In his malicious arrest suit, Clarke claimed that he suffered inconvenience, distress, loss and damage.

The State denied the claims and argued that the magistrate had ordered that the pillows be taken to two homes: The Cyril Ross Children’s Home and St Finbar’s Home. However, Thomas-Hernandez was unable to deliver the pillows to St Finbar’s Home in Diego Martin and instead gave it to the St Margaret’s Children’s Home in Malabar. 

The defence also charged that it was Clarke who shouted at Thomas-Hernandez in a loud and aggressive voice that “you is a pillow thief. Allyuh police does thief too much.” The defendant and another officer arrested Clarke and took him the station where he was later charged.

With the court accepting Clarke’s case in its entirety, Seepersad said described the matter as an abuse of office, warning that police officers were not above the law. He said the ethos of the police service has to evolve and the service has to be radically transformed to attract the highest calibre of applicants.

For this to happened, he said the renumeration and conditions of employment have to be revisited and a no tolerance approach be adopted against errant officers. 

“The nation depends on the police to implement the law, to protect and to serve. When, as in this case, an officer acts out of malice and abuses the power of the office by instituting a matter without merit, the public's confidence in the administration of justice is severely compromised. If the citizens have no faith and respect in the police then lawlessness will prevail.

“It is a travesty that taxpayers’ money, money which should be spent on infrastructure, health and education, has to be spent on satisfying court judgments when the process of the much needed reform of the police service is being considered,” Seepersad said.

Central Bank Governor Jwala Rambarran will likely challenge any unjustified move against him, it was confirmed yesterday

And at least one big business enterprise — Massy — which was threatening legal action on Rambarran’s recent revelations about T&T’s mega Forex users, is on hold, clearly awaiting action from Government on Rambarran.

Expectation of moves against the governor have been developing following last weekend’s scathing statements by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley on Rambarran’s modus operandi.

Rambarran had been negatively spotlighted on the Forex shortage issue and for announcing a recession without telling Government first. The situation was further inflamed after he revealed who was consuming the most Forex in T&T, particularly big businesses. Reaction came in the form of several businesses’ complaint to Finance Minister Colm Imbert, alleging Rambarran “may have been in breach of the Central Bank Act”. T&T’s Chamber of Commerce expressed similar sentiments. Imbert advised his legal team to examine whether there was indeed a breach. 

Government has been stockpiling legal advice on the situation. Imbert last week updated Cabinet on advice received. Cabinet reportedly sought advice on whether Rambarran’s revelations constituted “misconduct in relation to his duties.”

The Central Bank Act (section 12) outlines ten grounds that can be used to terminate the appointment of a Governor, deputy Governor or director. Section 12 (e), allows the President to terminate appointments if the person is “guilty of misconduct in relation to his duties.”

It was reported Cabinet also sought legal advice on whether the President has the discretion to reject, modify or delay a Cabinet directive on the governor’s termination. Cabinet was advised the convention is that heads of state obey the wishes of the Government of the day. 

Following last week’s Cabinet meeting where the issue was discussed, Rowley, last Saturday, said the situation was diminishing public confidence in the Bank’s ability to conduct the public’s business in finance and diminishing public confidence in Rambarran. He added if the Government allows this to continue unimpeded, it will diminish the population’s confidence in the Government also.

Rowley noted laws governing conduct of Central Bank affairs and that Imbert was examining if Rambarran breached that. He said if Rambarran “ends up” being removed, it would be because of his “own series of reckless, illegal actions.” 

Government has subsequently been mum on if it can work with Rambarran or is prepared to continue to. 

Yesterday, Central Bank communication officer Charlene Ramdhanie had no comment when the T&T Guardian asked about Rambarran’s response to Rowley’s statement, whether he was receiving legal advice on the matter and other aspects.

Amid businesses’ complaints, Massy president Gervais Warner, had claimed Rambarran’s disclosure, was a breach of confidentiality and added they were exploring legal options in the matter. He said the company ‘s legal advisers found Rambarran “really shouldn’t have disclosed the information. Warner claimed some parts of Central Bank law was breached and he would “sit back and wait to see what officials do about this.”

Yesterday after the T&T Guardian contacted Warner’s office on whether Massy was proceeding with legal options, spokesperson Candice Ali replied via email,“ Mr Warner has confirmed that at this time Massy will not be discussing the matter further.” 

he didn’t reply whether Massy would be proceeding with legal action at all.

On whether the Chamber would initiate any legal action against Rambarran, Chamber president Robert Trestrail said, “Not at all. We’re an association, our name wasn’t called in (revelations). The Chamber articulated its view and we’ve noted the comments of others- (but) our view hasn’t changed.”

Yesterday the T&T Guardian was told Rambarran is “calm, and confident,” watching the situation and would likely challenge any “unjustified move against him made on a shallow basis,” and against the independent office of governor. 

Information also is that the situation was being monitored to see if any move develops over “coming weeks.”

There is speculation former Central Bank deputy governor Terrence Farrell may be among frontliners for the post if Rambarran is removed.

Two members of the protective services appeared before different Port-of-Spain magistrates yesterday. A Coast Guard officer charged with unlawfully killing a child and a soldier charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. 

In the drunk driving matter 32-year-old Jason Scipio pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Magistrate Rehana Ali. 

Scipio, of Emerald Drive, Diamond Vale, Diego Martin, had an alcohol level of 42 micrograms of alcohol for every 100 millilitres of breath. 

The legal limit is 35. The test was conducted some three hours after he allegedly knocked down 63-year-old Hilton Joseph who was attempting to cross the Western Main Road, St James, around 6 pm on Saturday. Scipio, an instructor at Tetron Barracks will re-appear in court on December 22.

In the second court matter, 33-year-old Emile Garraway was not called on to enter a plea when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar. 

Garraway was granted $150,000 bail after no objections were made. Garraway was ordered to surrender his passport and report to the Arouca Police Station every Monday and Thursday between 6 am and 6 pm. 

Garraway, who is represented by Israel Khan SC and Karunaa Bisramsingh is charged with the unlawful killing of 23-month-old Khristha Knutt on December 7. 

Khristha, who would have turned two in January, was reportedly discovered unresponsive after which there was a botched attempt to resuscitate her with an electrical fan cord..

While she was noticeably absent from her child’s funeral last Friday, Tiffany Rawlins, Khristha’s mother was present in court yesterday when her boyfriend appeared. 

The few other relatives in the courtroom sat in silence as the charge was read and bail granted. 

He will re-appear on January 11 next year.

The most recent example of strange nightclub policies may erupt into a demonstration this Friday night at the chic Aria Lounge at the corner of Fitt street and Ariapita Avenue in Port-of-Spain, as men in high heels and women in “unfemale clothing” gather to protest an act of perceived club discrimination last Friday against a young woman.

The gathering may be a test, of sorts, of the upscale club’s possibly sexist admission policies. The two small protest groups are unrelated and decided independently to act.

Last Friday night, Aria Lounge nightclub staff denied the “ladies only free entry 9.30—10 pm” policy to a female club patron, Shannon Jacob-Gomes, because, according to Jacob-Gomes in an outraged comment she posted to her facebook page on Saturday, the club said she was “projecting the image of a man” and therefore had to pay a man’s admission fee. She was dressed in pants and flat dress shoes.

Jacob-Gomes is a young accountant and UWI graduate who is a woman. She was not dressing for shock value, just according to how she felt comfortable, which happened to not involve any miniskirts, dresses, or high heels. She met the club’s standards for the male dress code but not for the female dress code. The club did not deny her entry; just requested that she pay the male admission price of $120. She found it discriminatory, and said so to the club staff and later, on a public Facebook post.

Aria’s dress code is unclear, but the Internet news site LoopTT in a Sunday December 13, 15.33 post, quoted Aria management as stating:

“We do not allow women into the club who are not dressed in elegantly casual attire which includes no flats, casual wear or shirts. We do not allow men into the club who are dressed in 3/4 shorts, slippers, T-shirts or hats. Ms Gomes attempted to enter the club wearing male clothing and we did not deny her entry, however, she must pay the relevant costs as it will attribute to a male dressed in male clothing…The sole purpose being that, we cannot deny another female entry for wearing flats and in the same breath let Ms Gomes wear flats and obtain entry.”

When the T&T Guardian called Aria Lounge yesterday to clarify their position on the incident, they said: “I don’t think we have anything to say about that.”

Jacob-Gomes described her experience with Aria admission staff last Friday on her Facebook Page as follows: “She (the Aria admissions staff member) reiterated that because I do not ‘project the image of a female in heels/flats’, she cannot and will not allow me free access to Aria because I am ‘not a normal girl’ and since I project the image of a man, she has to charge me the male price. She stated that if I do not portray the image of a female I cannot reap the benefits of being a female. She stated that I was in breach of their dress code.”

Jacob-Gomes said she deserves a public apology “from Aria’s management for the discrimination and embarrassment encountered last night. I never felt so blatantly disrespected in a known public organisation as this before.” An Aria staff member has since apologised on social media.

Stephanie Leitch, an outspoken feminist writer and activist, has issued a “Call to action” this week via her Facebook page to all T&T women. It reads, in part:

“We cannot allow nightclubs in T&T to tell women they are—not women, not real women, not a ‘normal’ woman, not woman enough, too male, or exist too far left of femininity for the sexualisation of the male gaze (as is our duty). I invite all women to join us on Friday December 18 to stage a protest outside the Aria nightclub on Ariapita Avenue at 10 pm. We will wear our most unfemale clothing to disguise our femininity...We will not stand for body policing, gender policing, body shaming or discrimination of any kind.”

Activist Ian Royer, a marketing professional, commented: “I have worked in the bar industry before; I was general manager for More Vino for two years. While managers have the right to refuse admission, what is not acceptable is the way they did it. 

Attorney Martin George said, “Was there doubt about Jacob-Gomes’ gender? If so, did the club ask to see her ID? If her ID proved she was female, then the club would really have no reason to deny her access to the ‘females free 9.30-10 pm’ policy, unless it was on some other basis such as not meeting a dress code, but they would have to clearly show how she breached that dress code and it should be some publicised code and can’t be applied capriciously or wantonly nor in a discriminatory manner so that if it is applied it must be applied evenly across the board.”

Another attorney, Douglas Mendes, expressed his private opinion on the matter:

“Aria clearly has unresolved issues about gender and sexual orientation. If women are not allowed in without heels, then Ms Jacob-Gomes should have been denied entry altogether. But they couldn’t do that because they would run afoul of their declared policy of not discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation. So they agreed to let her in, but only if she paid the male price of entry. But that in itself was discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation because it denied Ms Jacob-Gomes the right to express herself without penalty and assumptions made about her sexual orientation.

He added: “There is also this contradiction. The fact that she was not denied entry means that Aria was satisfied that she was elegantly dressed, just not as a woman, which constituted an overly narrow view of what a women needs to wear to be elegant. It suggests that in Aria’s view, a woman wearing flats is not sexy, and therefore not female enough. Aria would do well just to require simply that all patrons dress elegantly without imposing different standards for men and women.”

Roland Roopnarine, the Barrackpore man who was driving along M2 Ring Road on Sunday when he lost control of his car and crashed into a van, does not know his brother died in the crash.

Roland’s brother, Hansraj Roopnarine, 43, died on the spot when Roland’s car crashed into a pickup van.

The T&T Guardian spoke to the men’s younger brother, Randy Roopnarine yesterday.

Randy said the autopsy on Hansraj’s body showed he died from multiple internal injuries.

“Hansraj had multiple injuries and internal damages,” Randy said. “But Roland doesn’t know he died yet, we are trying not to distress him by letting him find out yet.”

“He is in and out of consciousness all the time.”

He said although Roland is now stable at hospital, doctors had to remove his spleen which was ruptured in the accident and work on repairing his left lung which was punctured.

Randy said Hansraj’s funeral service will be done on either Thursday or Friday. 

But Randy is now calling on the Ministry of Works to do something about the condition of the stretch of road where Hansraj lost his life.

“With them, it was not drinking and driving and it was not speeding,” he said. “Something is wrong with that stretch of road. I believe if they dredge up the road the way they did on the Mosquito Creek, we would see a reduction in road deaths there.”

Former head of the public service Reginald Dumas says Central Bank Governor Jwala Rambarran should have attempted to balance the right to know with the need to prevent potential damage to the economy before make certain announcements about the use of foreign exchange in the country recently.

Dumas said that in a statement issued to the T&T Guardian yesterday on the controversy.

“The question is you have to balance the public right to know with against any potential damage that will be done to the country by such revelations,” he said.

The former diplomat said when requesting foreign investments “and the people outside get the impression that you are revealing information that they would not have revealed in their country, and that this had led to friction between the Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance, then these people outside may think twice about wishing to invest in T&T or to look at their dealing with T&T with a different eye.”

Rambarran had revealed the names of companies which use the most foreign exchange in T&T. He also said the country was in “official recession” following four quarters of negative growth.

The T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce has commented adversely about Rambarran’s statements. Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley said at the weekend the Government has to act to protect citizens.

Rowley denied a claim by Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar that the Government was attempting to hound Rambarran out of office. Rowley said the governor’s position was “untenable.”

“One does not wish a situation in which the Governor considers himself an entity that is not responsible to the welfare of the country, and should work in isolation from the govt. The Government and the bank must work together and this public spat between the government and bank is not helping the country,” Dumas added.

Dumas insisted: “One cannot operate independently of the other with a barrier between the two. That is an absurdity and would lead to difficulty for the country.”

He said: “So that even if the Governor doesn't have to get the permission of the minister to make that statement one would have expected that he would have at least sent a copy of the statement in advance to the Minister of Finance.”

Imbert said in Parliament that he asked for statement the day before it was to be made and his request was rejected by Rambarran. “I find this a little strange,” Dumas said.

Commenting on the recession issue, Dumas said the last quarter of the year had not ended as yet “so the question must arise, which quarter was the governor referring to. The point is that the current quarter is not yet ended.”

Dumas said “one would have expected that he would have waited until the current quarter was ended and then make a statement,” adding the Rambarran “would have to indicate to us what he was referring to, because what he said was not to my mind clear enough.”

Dumas said it was the population that was largely responsible for the foreign exchange situation. 

While it is all very well to point fingers at this firm and that firm , we also have to bear in mind that these firms are doing this because of our desires. It is our desires that are bringing foreign goods.”

He said firms were also exporting products and consequently bringing in foreign exchange.

“To a large extend the outflow of foreign exchange is the fault of the population, which has acquired an appetite for foreign goods that are not necessary for our existence. There is also a responsibility on the part of the population to cut back on a number of the purchases it makes that involve foreign exchange.”

Members of the Carnival fraternity involved in the art of costume making could be severely affected as they prepare for next year’s presentations following a fire which destroyed a warehouse belonging to Samaroo’s Group of Companies at Boundary Road, San Juan.

The blaze, which was said to have started just after 3 am yesterday, destroyed stock valued at more than $10 million.

Among the supplies that went up in flames were feathers, beads, spandex, stockings and fabrics which were recently brought into the country and housed at the company’s newest premises which they moved into on May 1.

Managing director Steve Samaroo yesterday described the fire as “a blow to the Carnival industry.”

Concerned how the loss would impact their loyal customers, Samaroo assured that they would not be increasing the prices of available stock.

However, he did express fears that competitive suppliers would use this tragedy to profit as they in-turn might increase their prices.

Explaining that the early-morning fire had begun at Joseph Nahous and Company Limited warehouse, situated next door to them, Samaroo said despite the efforts of fire officers to prevent it from spreading, his warehouse was razed.

Seeking to assure the 20 affected employees that they would not be out of a job for Christmas, Samaroo said the other branches at San Fernando and MovieTowne would continue to operate as normal as they still “had stock at other warehouses.”

Although the San Juan warehouse was completely destroyed, Samaroo stressed that the retail business which was set up at the front of the building remained intact but they would be closed for the remainder of the week while they seek to clean up and do general house-keeping.

Upset over the impact on the local and regional industries, Samaroo said while “It would be difficult to replenish stock due to the short Carnival season,” the company was expecting goods shortly “which were on the water.”

Citing the difficulty in obtaining foreign exchange to purchase supplies initially, Samaroo said he doesn’t expect this problem would be resolved quickly, which would make it harder now to purchase additional supplies on short notice.

However, he said he was now forced to locate a suitable warehouse to store the expected goods which should arrive in the country shortly.

Meanwhile, owner of Joseph Nahous and Company Limited warehouse where the fire initially began, businessman Michael Nahous said he was first alerted by a watchman around 3.30 am that there had been an explosion at the facility following an electricity outage.

While Nahous operations were affected, at least five other companies who were renting from him suffered a blow.

They include US Appliances, Compasses Garments, Just For Hair, Norman Industries and Freezy Beverages.

Estimating losses between $30 and $40 million, Nahous said 15 employees were affected.

Operating at that location for the past 20 years, Nahous said he was in a similar position as Samaroo as he too, had stock at the port for which he urgently needed to find a warehouse to store the items.

Up to 2 pm yesterday, fire officers who responded to the initial call about the fire, had yet to returned to their respective stations.

Officials at the scene were unable to confirm the cause but revealed that appliances from the Wrightson Road Headquarters, Tunapuna and San Juan Fire Stations had responded and were assisted by the Water and Sewerage Authority who provided trucks with water to supplement fire-fighting efforts.

The story of the two schoolchildren forced to do homework under street lights touched off a huge response from Guardian readers.

We reported on the plight of the Hablal family of Grass Trace, Flanagin Town, in Central in the Sunday Guardian.

The Hablals, known to be the poorest family in Flanagin, live without electricity and pipe-borne water and with only limited food in an old one-bedroom wooden hovel. Many people got in touch to offer to help them at Christmas time. 

Others took things into their own hands, and showed up Monday and yesterday with good and other gifts for the family.

Harriette Hablal said yesterday three trucks brought them hampers after the publication of the story and she received a number of calls from people promising to make donations. 

T&T Guardian has also received a large number of responses through social media and via email. We are seeking the help of social charities and services to properly manage the offers. While we do that, and if you want to help, please get in touch with us at email address letters@guardian.co.tt, and put HABLAL DONATION in the title box. We will direct you, properly, how to help them.

Harriette said: “It warms my heart to know people still care so much.”

President of the Penal/Debe Chamber of Commerce Shiva Roopnarine has appealed for Government intervention to reduce the high level of imports into the country.

In brief remarks at the group’s Christmas Dinner and Awards on Friday, Roopnarine added that the Penal/Debe region needs “more factory shelves, more industrial estates.”

“The 20 year road to diversifying our country must start now. We are a creative, innovative and imaginative people and maybe in this present climate we might be given a chance to grow,” he said.

In the keynote address at the function, Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Trade and Industry, said “despite the current economic situation the Government will continue to provide exemptions for a range of businesses as this will ensure that businesses continue to thrive easily and become competitive as far as foreign input is concerned.”

She said for many years there had been talk about diversifying the T&T economy and it is now time to put that talk into action.

“Looking at the downturn in the economy as business people now is a time for business introspection. It is a time to look at your businesses to see if there are better and smarter ways to operate. 

“Generally, you should consider simplifying your business operations and reducing your expenses so that you can operate more profitably,” Gopee-Scoon said.

She assured that Government will continue to listen, collaborate and work with the business community in developing sectors for diversification and providing incentives and opportunities for business growth and development.

Also speaking at the event was Karlene Roach, deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Industry. 

She said: “At this critical time, where the price of oil is hovering below US$40 per barrel and commodity markets across the globe have taken a hit, entrepreneurship is especially important to our country’s survival and growth.”

The burnt bodies of two people were found last night as police responded to a fire at Woodford Lodge, Chaguanas.
Details are still sketchy but police said they were unable to determine gender or ethnicity of the two victims due to the intensity of the fire.
The bodies were found lying on top of each other in the back seat of a car which was deliberately set afire, police said.
Police officers, from the nearby Chaguanas Police Station, along with the fire officers responded to a report of a car on fire and made the grisly find when the flames were extinguished shortly after midnight.
The bodies were removed to the Forensic Science Centre but no one has yet come forward to identify the victims, police said.
Investigations are continuing.

Police have identified the two bodies which were found burnt in a car at Woodford Lodge, Chaguanas on Monday night as Christopher Ramsawak, 27, and Gabrielle Sohan, 21, both of Preysal.
According to a police report, at about midnight police officers, along with the fire officers, responded to a report of a car on fire at the facility, located a short distance from the Chaguanas Police Station.
When the flames were extinguished the bodies were found lying in the back seat of a Honda car.
The bodies were removed to the Forensic Science Centre where they were positively identified.
Police are yet to determine a motive for the gruesome double murder.
Investigations are continuing.

Although the Ministry of Health began rolling out its public education campaign on the Zika virus one month ago, officials are urging the public to educate themselves once again about the H1N1 virus which has so far claimed five lives. 

Speaking yesterday on condition of anonymity, officials called on citizens to play their part in stemming the spread of both viruses by adopting the strictest hygiene measures possible.

The H1N1 virus, which is also commonly called swine flu, spreads from person to person, either by inhaling the virus or by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus, then touching the mouth or nose. Infected droplets are also expelled into the air through coughing or sneezing.

Described as highly contagious, swine flu cases have been reported in the US, Mexico, Canada, Germany, Israel, New Zealand, Spain and the UK.

Admitting that swine flu can worsen the health of persons suffering with chronic diseases, such as asthma and heart failure, one doctor explained  it was very important to ascertain the cause of death in patients who contracted the virus before declaring the person died as a result of swine flu.

Contacted around 3 pm yesterday, Medical Chief of Staff at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope, Dr Andy Bhagwandass said he was still awaiting a report relating to the person who was said to have died as a result of swine flu.

Reports indicate the person died at the hospital between Monday and Tuesday, and that two of the attendant doctors had also contracted the virus. Unwilling to divulge the dead person’s gender, age or identity, Bhagwandass cited doctor/patient confidentiality as the reason for his reluctance.

Asked to provide an update on the two doctors, he said: "They are doing good and are at home recovering." He again refused to make their identities known.

Pressed to say if he had received the report relative to a female patient who had recently given birth and was also receiving treatment for the virus, Bhagwandass, up to 2.30 pm yesterday said: "I haven't gotten the file yet." 

Asked if an autopsy had been performed on the deceased patient to determine the cause of death, Bhagwandass again declined to answer. Meanwhile, officials at the ministry have urged the public not to panic but to remain vigilant and mindful of the symptoms of swine flu.

Employees of the Solid Waste Management Company Limited (SWMCOL) have agreed to continue working as they wait to meet with Public Utilities Minister Ancil Antoine next week.

Speaking yesterday, president of the Industrial General and Sanitation Workers Union, Robert Benacia, said the decision was taken following Monday’s meeting with Labour Minister Jennifer Baptiste-Primus.

The Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM) led the contingent of union heads into the meeting which took place in Port-of-Spain. Benacia said while the union’s members have been asked to desist from embarking on industrial action right now, it still remained a strong possibility which was heavily dependent on the outcome of next week’s meeting.

Revealing that no date had yet been set for the meeting with Antoine, Benacia said: “It is very unlikely that Government will pay the money but we are hoping that something will change between now and next week.”

Workers at the country’s largest provider of waste management and environmental protection services have warned that operations could be severely affected if government failed to pay the $9.5 million back pay owed to them. The union represents approximately 200 present and former employees.

The collective bargaining agreement was signed on June 5 with officials of the previous People’s Partnership administration, for the period 2011 to 2013. The payment of the outstanding arrears was promised by November 30.

Benacia said the JTUM was scheduled to meet next Tuesday and that following their meeting with Antoine, they would be in a better position to advise what the next course of action would be.