Juhel Browne jbrowne@trinidadexpress.com

Local cricket icon Brian Charles Lara has formed an architectural firm that submitted a $44 million design for a signature pavilion for the recreational grounds in Cantaro, Santa Cruz, bearing his name.

’Lara is not being paid directly. Lara has a design firm which he put together, a design team called Brian Lara Designs and that team actually consists of architects, civil engineers, project engineers that are working as his team to put that particular facility in place,’ Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SPORTT) executive chairman Kenneth Charles told a parliamentary Joint Select Committee (JSC) yesterday.

But the design submitted by Lara’s firm has been identified as a major contributor to the two-year delay in completion of the entire facility by SPORTT director Daren Millien, even though revised plans costing $10 million less have been submitted.

’What we were anticipating was not just a $33 million price tag, but probably a substantial overrun by way of variations to complete the facility. So before we get to a situation where it is irreversible, we decided to sit with the stakeholders and the principals involved to understand what is being done and what is being conceptualised,’ Millien said.

Both Charles and Millien made their disclosures about Lara’s firm during a meeting of the JSC responsible for examining State-owned enterprises such as the Sports Company, chaired by Deputy Speaker Penelope Beckles.

When asked exactly how much Brian Lara Designs had been paid so far for its work, Charles said, ’I don’t have that information.’

Millien said when the Sport Company’s new board was installed in February 2008, the Brian Lara Recreational Grounds was already being executed.

’As it relates specifically to phase two, this sport board met the designs for a signature pavilion in circulation with a price tag of $44 million. Sportt then met with the principals of Brian Lara Designs, including Mr Brian Lara, to understand the intricacies of this signature pavilion, as there were concerns raised about the overall cost and the maintenance cost associated with this mega structure,’ Millien said.

He said once consultations on the revised design are completed, SPORTT intends to seek Cabinet approval to proceed with the signature pavilion.

Millien said the grassing of the grounds, part of phase one being carried out by a new contractor, will be completed in January and can then be used by residents while phase two is in progress. This, however, did not meet with the approval of JSC member and St Ann’s East MP, Anthony Roberts, in whose constituency the facility is being built.

’To hear that the community will not be affected, because they could use the grounds in the meantime, is certainly not good enough, Madam chairman, we want the grounds to be completed, the Sports Company to do what they are supposed to do and get out of there,’ Roberts said.

On February 23, 2007, Roberts, who was then the Social Development Minister, turned the sod with Lara for what was then announced to be a $15 million upgrade of the Brian Lara Recreational Grounds. Constituents protested the delay in the completion of the project earlier this year. (Trinidad Express)

Ria Taitt Political Editor

Public inconvenience will be kept at a reducible minimum during the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, Prime Minister Patrick Manning has promised.

In an address to the nation last evening, Manning said while some adjustments were necessary, ’these will be done with minimum dislocation to our normal daily lives during the time our guests will be present with us’.

’I give you the commitment that the Government will do all that is possible, practicable and permissible to minimise any inconvenience to our citizens,’ he said.

CHOGM is to be held here from November 27-29. Manning said 40 of the 51 active Heads of State and their delegations have confirmed their attendance thus far. Among those who will not attending is Gambia’s President, Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh, who has provoked controversy with his statement that he would kill anyone who seeks to destabilise his Government. Amidst calls from human rights groups to ban him from coming here, a release from the Minister of Foreign Affairs announced yesterday that Ousman Jammeh, Gambia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs/ International Cooperation, will now head the Gambian delegation.

Manning stressed the country’s image would be greatly enhanced by its hosting of international conferences.

’Our country will be even more than usual in the global spotlight. Every positive story of Trinidad and Tobago that emanates from this meeting will go a long way towards our international prominence, reinforcing our reputation as a progressive place where one can visit and do business … as we become more and more developed on a day-by-day basis,’ he said.

Manning confirmed that Prime Minister Lars Leokke Rasmussen, of Denmark, France President Nicolas Sarkozy, as well as Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki Moon, will be on official visits here to participate in the process. He explained that Commonwealth leaders will hold discussions, among other things, on the critical matter of climate change, mere days before a UN meeting next month in Copenhagen, Denmark on that same issue.

’We have the opportunity to positively influence its outcome. Indeed, Trinidad and Tobago is doing its utmost to advance the process that could result in a global agreement on this crucial matter … our country has been at the centre of almost frenzied activity among leading nations from both the developed and developing world, as we seek to ensure that we take the strongest possible position in preparation for the Copenhagen meeting,’ the Prime Minister stated.

The Prime Minister repeated the argument, made earlier this year when he sought to expound on the benefits of hosting the Fifth Summit of the Americas, that CHOGM would lead to increased investment.

’We feel certain that, among other benefits, as has happened in other countries that hosted the CHOGM, investment flows into our country will increase as a result of the meeting being held in Port of Spain. Indeed, we intend to capitalise on this unprecedented situation which will bring business leaders and investors from all over the globe to our country,’ he said.

He added that through the Commonwealth Business Forum alone, for example, 800 delegates will attend and use the opportunity to build business partnerships, create trade linkages and set up commercial ventures. He noted, however, that this CHOGM was of special importance because it was been held in the midst of a global economic slowdown. (Trinidad Express)

The passage of the Tobacco Bill 2009 in the Senate is a landmark achievement for this country, the Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society stated yesterday.

In a media release, the Cancer Society thanked the Government for its commitment to the bill and senators for their support. The bill was passed in the Upper House at the Red House, Port of Spain, at 1 a.m. yesterday.

’Tobacco-control legislation is a great achievement for the society of Trinidad and Tobago. It is a clear indication that we are moving towards developed-nation status and sets us on track to achieving Vision 2020,’ the release said.

The society said all 34 countries featured on the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) ’Advanced Economies’ list had tobacco-control legislation in place. In addition, the World Bank, in their 1999 report, ’The Economies of Tobacco Control’, states tobacco-control measures within a society are a crucial health component which benefits the economic development of the entire society.

’We have joined the ranks of these nations passing the Tobacco Control Bill. The passing of comprehensive tobacco-control legislation is truly a David and Goliath success story for the people of Trinidad and Tobago,’ the release said.

The release added the tobacco industry is known internationally for their strong lobby and extreme tactics to prevent the enactment of tobacco-control legislation.

’Our small community has taken on one of the most powerful industries in the world and has won. The passing of this legislation is particularly important to the Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society as we have been fighting this for 40-plus years,’ it added. (Trinidad Express)

Ria Taitt Political Editor

health wise: With the passage of the controversial Tobacco Bill under his belt, Health Minister Jerry Narace arrives at the Red House, Port of Spain, yesterday for a meeting between the Government and Opposition on the Evidence (Amendment) Bill. -Photo: ROBERTO CODALLO

The next target for Government health policy will be sugar, according to Health Minister Jerry Narace.

In an interview with the Express yesterday, Narace said now that the Tobacco Control Bill had been passed in the Senate, Government planned to address the issue of sugar consumption, which contributes to diabetes.

Diabetes, which is a silent killer, devastates large numbers in the population. Complications resulting from diabetes include amputations and problems of the extremities, eye problems, kidney problems, sexual impotence, serious nerve and blood vessel damage and high blood pressure.

Narace said yesterday not only smoking-related diseases were growing as diabetes was now affecting one in every five persons. Cancers were increasing as well as cardiac diseases.

’I could blame it on bad public policy on sugars, fats and tobacco,’ he said.

’We are now talking to the Chamber of Commerce to see if we can get healthier snacks-move towards the reduction in sugar and to more low-calorie and high-fibre snacks.’

He said a note would be going to Cabinet where it is proposed that all Government agencies set the example and have healthy choices such as multigrain breads and fruit juices as part of public policy.

Government, he said, was also engaged in healthy community caravans which had been visiting communities to share literature, doing screening and testing and to answer questions so that people could understand how to achieve a healthier lifestyle and how important better personal health was.

During debate on the Tobacco Control Bill, several Independent senators pointed out that sugar/diabetes killed more persons in this country than smoking and was equally expensive to the healthcare system, but there was no Government policy to control the intake of sugar. They also pointed to the harmful effects of alcohol.

Narace revealed yesterday a committee had been established to address the question of alcohol use. The aim is to promote responsible drinking, he stressed, adding alcohol was also on Government’s target list.

He said the ministry also had a magazine titled Live Well, which is delivered to people’s homes. All this was part of the ’massive preventive approach and the Tobacco Control Bill is an integral part of that policy position’, he said.

The Tobacco Control Bill, which seeks to protect citizens, more specifically babies and children, from the effects of smoke, was passed at around 1.30 this morning. All the independent senators, with the exception of Basharat Ali (who abstained), voted in favour of it. The vote was 22 for/seven abstentions.

Narace said yesterday the prohibition on the sale of loose or single cigarettes had been relaxed.

’But if you want a single cigarette, the manufacturer will have to ensure that it is packaged individually with the warning labels on each package,’ he said.

’You can’t sell single cigarettes from a regular packet.’ (- See side story)

Another issue which emerged during the debate is the question of sponsor ship. The bill will allow Witco to continue sponsoring Despers (steelband), but there can be no public display or public credit for this sponsorship.

The bill also bans a person from smoking in a vehicle, including private vehicles, when a child is present or where a private childcare business or private tutoring business is conducted.

Narace, in defending the decision to ban smoking from all public places, including public transportation terminals, said smoking was found to be a contributory factor in low birth weights and learning disabilities.

He said second-hand smoke comes not only from direct inhalation but pointed out that ventilation systems did not remove all or enough of the toxic chemical in second-hand smoke to effectively protect the public. The bill also bans the display of tobacco products.

Narace stated that the ministry had long recognised that public policy directs health promotion and education activities, which are critical to the reduction of CNCDs (Chronic Non-Communicable diseases). He said the risk factors for CNCDs include tobacco use, abuse of alcohol, lack of physical activity, unhealthy diet and obesity. He said the ministry had now completed the evaluation of school meals options in Trinidad where all sources of meals to school children were assessed.

’Based on that study, we are developing nutritional and dietary guidelines to be implemented in schools,’ he said. (Trinidad Express)