Moontown

Aretha Welch awelch@trinidadexpress.com

Prime Minister Patrick Manning yesterday promised that Trinidad and Tobago will have a more liberal policy on immigration.

Speaking during a tour of the Tamana InTech Park at Wallerfield, he said: ’We (Trinidad and Tobago) will have a much more liberal policy on immigration in the short term so that as the jobs are created there are persons available to fill them.’

Manning was speaking about the country’s thrust to diversity the economy and the job creation that will go hand in hand with the expansion of the non-energy sector.

Under the country’s current immigrant laws, a number of foreign nationals already hold jobs at the country’s hospitals, hotels and construction sites.

Manning was addressing an audience which included ETecK president Beverly John, Minister of Trade Mariano Browne, chairman of ETecK Prof Kenneth Julien, and Wendy Fitzwilliam, vice president of Investment Promotion at ETecK.

CLOSE LOOK: University of Trinidad and Tobago students view a model of the eTeck Park at Tamana yesterday following a tour of the facility. -Photo: ANISTO ALVES

Trade officials have said that the ETecK Park is to be to the non-energy sector what the Point Lisas Industrial Estate is to oil and gas.

ETecK’s fact sheet states that over the next 12 years, (2010 to 2021) the park is projected to create 31,000 jobs.

The park will be the only science and information technology park in the West Indies and will house the headquarters of the University of Trinidad and Tobago.

Phase one of Tamana’s InTech Park will be ready for a soft opening later this year.

Manning has said that Trinidad and Tobago is embarking on a thrust to fund and develop an Information Technology and Communications and knowledge-based (ICT) cluster.

This cluster has been likened to a local, scaled-down version of the United States’s Silicon Valley.

ETecK’s communications manager Carol-Ann McKenzie said that 60 per cent of the park will be done when ETecK has a soft launch in September.

Just over 6,600 metres of leasable building space will be ready for tenants.

Forty-eight lots ranging from 0.3 to 13 acres will also be available, alongside six larger lots. (Trinidad Express)

Rhea-Simone Auguste rauguste@trinidadexpress.com

It looks like regular wooden furniture but Dr Auliana Poon doesn’t use traditional materials for her Being Sustainable line. Club chairs, tables, loungers, love seats, sofas and a wide range of furnishings, all made from recycled plastic milk bottles, were on display at the Trade and Investment Conference at the Hyatt Trinidad, Port of Spain.

’Although it’s made from recycled material, you would notice there is nothing crude about its appearance. We wanted something chic, something fresh, something stylish, while keeping it environment-friendly. This is furniture with an attitude. It comes in white, teak, mahogany, black, green, pacific blue, sunset red, tangerine and lemon shades to fit any décor you’re thinking of,’ Poon shared.

Poon said her furniture can be left outdoors, in rain or shine, all year long as it is virtually maintenance free. ’Recycled plastic milk bottles are tough and durable. They’re used for many outdoor purposes including roofing. Because of this, our line offers numerous advantages over furniture made of wood, rattan and even metal. There is no need for stripping, sanding, painting or varnishing. And it won’t rust or collect mould or mildew.’

Where did she get the idea? ’For over a decade I have been working with governments and tourism agencies around the world to help develop blueprints for sustainable tourism. At this point, sustainability is at the core of everything I do, every programme and initiative developed or recommended by my consultancy firm Tourism Intelligence International. We know the wear and tear that tourism can inflict on environments, despite its benefits,’ she noted.

’Mother Nature can damage and cause considerable wear and tear on your outdoor furniture. So after years of replacing furniture at Villa Being in Tobago, we said we wanted to make a difference. We wanted to find a long-term solution to the problem so we went in search of a product that would meet our needs. Obviously, it would have to be made of a material that would withstand the elements. At the same time however, we insisted that this material would place little pressure on the planet’s diminishing resources. In addition, the furniture would have to be stylish and very comfortable,’ Poon said.

Environmentally aware: Dr Auliana Poon, Managing Director of Tourism Intelligence International, the company behind the Being Sustainable furniture line. -Photos: STEPHEN DOOBAY

’Being Sustainable is a new business venture that perfectly expresses the philosophy that Tourism Intelligence International has long promoted to its clients. This exciting line of affordable, durable, low-maintenance yet stylic furniture is truly an example of practising what we preach,’ she added.

Some items from the line can be found at the Hilton Trinidad on the Obama Terrace. But Poon is determined to take her eco-friendly ideas to the next level. She wants to go beyond furniture and expand her product range to include more items for the hospitality industry. ’We are already adding new lines of products - glassware, flatware,

towels and linen. All chosen with the same criteria in mind: elegant but hardwearing; helping to save money and Planet Earth at the same time.’

For more information and to see more of the furniture line, log on to www.being-sustainable.com or email info@being-sustainable.com. (Trinidad Express)

Soca Warriors say payment issue not settled
Kern De Freitas

The ’Soca Warriors’ are making it clear that they have not settled the matter of World Cup 2006 bonuses, currently before the local courts, and they are not going to give up.

Seven of the 13 players embroiled in the four-year legal battle held a press conference yesterday at the President’s Box of the Queen’s Park Oval- along with their London-based lawyer Mike Townley-to address what they claim are statements by Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (T&TFF) special adviser Jack Warner on the hustings that the matter has been settled.

Present yesterday at the press conference were goalkeeper Darlington FC goalkeeper Kelvin Jack, Sunderland FC striker Kenwyne Jones, USL First Division defender Atiba Charles, North East Stars FC CEO Brent Sancho, Anthony Wolfe, Aurtis Whitley and Cyd Gray.

Of the original 16 players taking legal action against the Federation, 13 are still awaiting a judgement on the matter. The UK-based arbitration body Sports Dispute Resolution Panel handed down a ruling two years ago Wednesday, that awarded the players 50 per cent of corporate receipts from the World Cup, after they took legal action against the TTFF for unpaid bonuses promised by Warner.

A day later, the Trinidad Guardian reported the results of the arbitration, which had been placed under gag order. Since September 2008, that matter has been in the local courts. The players said that after two delays, a judgement on it was expected in November last year. So far, none has been forthcoming.

DISGRUNTLED ‘WARRIORS’: Members of the 2006 “Soca Warriors” from the World Cup in Germany sit at at the head table of yesterday’s press conference at the President’s Box, Queen’s Park Oval, in Port of Spain, while their London-based lawyer Mike Townley, right, addresses the media. From left are Kelvin Jack, Atiba Charles, Brent Sancho and Kenwyne Jones. Also at the conference (not in photo) were Aurtis Whitley, Anthony Wolfe and Cyd Gray. -Photo: MICHEAL BRUCE

’There’s a phrase ’justice delayed is justice denied’. Well we have no justice. We can delay this forever (but) that means we get no justice,’ Townley told the media. Townley added that he has had no update on the case since October 2009, and has written a letter to the Chief Justice’s office. A lack of response to his letter in the coming weeks, he feels, will send the signal that ’something’s up’.

The players deny the press conference yesterday was politically motivated, despite its timing right in the heart of a heated election campaign. Townley described this as an ’appropriate’ time.

’This press conference is not about the elections,’ he stated. ’It is about us not getting paid. It has been called at this time because statements have been made that we’ve been paid and we haven’t been paid.’ The players also denied that the People’s National Movement (PNM), who are contesting the elections against Warner’s UNC coalition, are behind the conference.

But Warner has dismissed their claims as PNM tricks, and nothing more than a political tactic.

’I am in the middle of campaigning for an election, (and) if the players think they can distract me from that they are mistaken,’ Warner told the Express yesterday.

He said they had the option to settle out of court, and that ’some players accepted, some did not’.

’But I have no problem with that, I expect to see more problems than that,’ the UNC chairman added. ’That’s a PNM trick. I heard they’re bringing (Andrew) Jennings too.’

’Let them go ahead, I wish all of them luck if they believe they could politicise this and drag it into the gutter.’

Jennings is a British journalist who has on a number of occasions confronted Warner, accusing him of backroom financial dealings inside and outside of FIFA, of which Warner is a vice-president.

The players say the TTFF got $82,245,113.15 from government and $88,165,000 from corporate sponsors, and the latter is the sum they are contesting. This, they said, would amount to $1.9-$3.4 million per player.

Jack (Kelvin) called on Warner to be accountable for the World Cup funds and accused him of being ’greedy’ and ’arrogant’.

’ Mr Warner has been trying to discredit us,’ the ex-T&T custodian said. ’He has been saying we are greedy, but you tell me: who is the greedy party here. Who’s the greedy person?’ He added that Warner ’probably thinks he is above the law.’

He accused senior national coach Russell Latapy and ex-captain Dwight Yorke of abandoning the team, who had played as a ’unit’ in Germany, pointing out that they were two of the more vocal players at the beginning of the standoff.

’Why didn’t they stand up with us as senior players?’ he asked.

Sancho also said the players’ current stand has become about more than money. He related that in his time as a footballer, he had heard a lot of ’shocking’ stories about players being victimised in the 1970s and 1980s.

’If we have to be the martyrs for this then so be it. But at the end of the day, this (intimidation) has to stop.’ (Trinidad Express)

Joel Julien joel.julien@trinidadexpress.com

BEWARE of dirty political tricks this week, Esther Le Gendre, the People’s National Movement (PNM) candidate for Tunapuna, warned party supporters on Thursday night.

’Ladies and gentlemen, this is dirty-trick week and you need to keep your wits about you. This week you can expect to see and hear all manner of things. Do not allow yourselves to be sidetracked,’ Le Gendre told supporters during the PNM’s political rally at Macoya on Thursday night.

These increased attacks would be caused by the fact that the opposition coalition is steadily losing support, Le Gendre said.

’You will hear attacks on your party and your MPs (Members of Parliament) left and right. Don’t get tie up. Money flowing like water as they trying to buy your votes, because they cannot win it from you with reasoned appeal,’ she said.

’But tell them you not for sale, tell them you are not for sale. These are the actions of desperate people who in the matter of days have seen the tide begin to turn. The PNM is on the crest of a wave that will carry us straight back to Parliament, straight back to government,’ Le Gendre said.

Platform partners: PNM candidate for Tunapuna, Esther Le Gendre, right, and for St Joseph, Kennedy Swaratsingh, at the party meeting.

Le Gendre compared the population’s flirtation with the People’s Partnership as that of a man being enticed by a La Diablesse.

’For a few weeks Trinidad and Tobago was like a man at the crossroads at night. He see the beautiful woman standing by the roadside, beckoning in a nice yellow dress, and she hairdo up like Hillary Clinton, and she face white like a billboard. And she whispers seductively ’You Will Rise’. And you know man, man arising to take the bait. But then something tell him take a closer look. And what he see? A cowfoot manifesto,’ she said.

’He light a match. He pull out a PNM manifesto. And poof! The woman gone. If she only catch him she woulda pop he neck. Man gone back home. So welcome back, all of you. if you ever left,’ Le Gendre told the crowd. (Trinidad Express)

67% of survey in Diego Martin West choose candidate as the best PNM leader if party loses the election
Sixty-seven per cent of a survey conducted last week by political scientist Dr Selwyn Ryan in Diego Martin West have chosen Dr Keith Rowley as the best PNM leader if the party loses the election on Monday.

The survey sample was made up of 999 persons, 60 per cent of whom were “Afro”, 22 per cent were “mixed”, 12% per cent Indo, and “other” eight per cent. The survey was conducted on May 14 and 15 and was commissioned by Dr Keith Rowley.

Following are other findings by Ryan:

1. Prime Minister Patrick Manning’s leadership style and handling of the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT) constituted a heavy drag on the PNM. Sixty per cent of those who were switching their vote said they were doing so because of one or another reason related to Manning. Most of the complaints relate to his handling of UDeCOTT. Most (75 per cent) of those who said they were switching their vote were persons of African descent. These were mainly people who had voted for the PNM or Rowley in 2007.

2. There was a high level of indecision among PNM voters. Fourteen per cent were undecided and 12 per cent refused to say how they would vote.

3. There was not much net swing between the two parties. Seventy-seven per cent of those who voted for Rowley in 2007 said they were voting for him in 2010.

Thirteen per cent were crossing over to COP. Seventy six per cent of those who voted for the COP’s Rocky Garcia in 2007 were voting for him again while 8 per cent said they would vote for Rowley. The net swing to Rowley was five per cent.

4. Forty-eight per cent of the sample expected the PNM to win the election.

5. Sixty-seven per cent of the those interviewed regard Rowley as the best person to lead the PNM should the PNM falter and lose the election.

6. Most of Rowley’s support came from the Afro element which broke 62-24 for Rowley and Garcia respectively. The mixed element broke 46-36 for Rowley while the “other” group broke 28-62 for Garcia. (Trinidad Express)

1. Which Party did People want to See Form the Government?

2. Which Party/Candidate Voting For?

3. To Those Voting for PNM/Rowley: Reasons for so doing: Three Choices

4. Main reason for Supporting Rowley

5. Party Voted for in 2007

6. Reasons for switching parties

7. Expected to Win Election

8. Best PNM Leader if PNM Loses Election

Former Commissioner of Police Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin at RJR’s Editor’s Forum, May 21. - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer

Arthur Hall, Senior Staff Reporter

FORMER POLICE Commissioner, Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin, dropped a bombshell yesterday when he declared that the highest echelons of the force had indeed authorised a constable to give United States authorities wiretapped information on alleged gang lord Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke.

Lewin’s revelation contradicted months of insistence by the Golding administration that John Doe - the mystery cop - had operated without state sanction.

Responding to questions at an RJR news forum, Lewin dubbed the anonymous cop ‘Constable Red Herring’, an apparent jab at the Government, suggesting focus on the constable was a distraction from the major issue: the charges of drug trafficking and gunrunning by Coke.

“Constable Red Herring did his duty with the full knowledge and approval of his chain of command,” Lewin said, as a pregnant pause engulfed the conference room.

stands by actions

The former top cop - who assumed office shortly after the court approved the four warrants to intercept the communications of Coke - defended the constable, who the Government has insisted should face criminal charges.

“I’m satisfied that all actions taken (by the constable) were in compliance with Jamaican laws and the necessary protocols, and I stand by and defend those actions,” added Lewin.

For almost nine months, the Government has argued that by passing the wiretapped information to the Americans, the constable breached the Interception of Communications Act and left the authorities with no choice but to refuse to sign the extradition request for Coke.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who presented the Government’s arguments, had demanded that the US reveal the identity of the policeman so that he could face prosecution - if he is in Jamaica - or that he be extradited from the US if he was there.

Early this week, the Government changed its tune and signed the extradition request, but Golding has not indicated what led to the about-turn, and if the police constable was still wanted to face the court.

However, Lewin told journalists that he would take a dim view of any effort to extradite the constable.

While refusing to be drawn further into the Dudus extradition controversy, Lewin expressed confidence in the police force to execute the arrest warrant for Coke.

However, Lewin, who spent approximately two years as police chief before leaving office last November, blamed politics for the problems related to the extradition request.

“All that is taking place now better be a defining moment. I really did not want to digress into this but we must look from whence all problems come: the political architecture,” Lewin said.

“The whole political architecture is rotten, it is on shifting sand … and politicians cannot fix it, we have to do it … . So I hope that all that is taking place now is a wake-up call and a defining moment that we can’t go on like this,” added Lewin. (Jamaica Gleaner)

THE POLICE High Command and the Jamaican Bar Association have issued appeals to the residents of Tivoli Gardens and Denham Town to remove the blockades erected on several roads in the area.

Most entrances to the two communities have been blocked since Monday when news came that the Government had decided to sign the extradition request for West Kingston strongman Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke.

The residents have argued that the barricades were erected to prevent the security forces from swarming their community and engaging in random acts of violence.

But yesterday, the police sought to persuade the residents that they had no plan to unleash terror in the communities.

“The desire of the security forces is to maintain and uphold the law. The security forces have no desire to engage in any armed conflict … and will continue to exercise restraint and perform its duties in a professional manner,” the Police High Command said in a release.

“The police are reminding all citizens that the setting-up of barricades is illegal, as the security forces must have unfettered access to pursue their lawful duties in any community in Jamaica,” added the High Command.

For its part, the Bar Association said it was concerned about the roadblocks and the demonstrations.

“We call on all those involved to immediately cease any such illegal activities that undoubtedly threaten the rule of law and infringe the rights of other citizens.”

The association noted that the extradition proceedings against Coke were going forward within the provisions of the law and urged his supporters to confine their challenges to the courts.

In the meantime, the Bar Association noted that several questions remained on the Manatt, Phelps & Phillips issue despite the recent statement by Prime Minister Bruce Golding, and called on those involved to provide the nation with full disclosure. (Jamaica Gleaner)

WITH MORE THAN $4.5 million owed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), that health care institution is taking steps to encourage people in arrears, to settle their debts.

This was revealed yesterday by Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Senator Irene Sandiford-Garner, who reiterated that the QEH would be pursuing debtors.

Hospital Director Dexter James had a few months ago indicated that his administrators would go after the debtors.

Speaking following a donation of equipment and supplies to the QEH by Barbadians living in the United Kingdom, Sandiford-Garner stated: “Barbadians, who know that they owe the Queen Elizabeth Hospital money. . . . we will be actively and aggressively pursuing the debt owed.”

She added: “I think it is unconscionable that our people would have the benefit of one of the best, if not the best, general hospital in the Eastern Caribbean, and leave that institution and not pay their debt. I know there have been reports that some people have attempted to pay and their money has not been accepted. That is debatable. But, if that is the case, we would wish you to come back and pay the QEH the money owed.”

Explaining that it was a significant amount of money owed to the QEH, Sandiford-Garner indicated the hospital would be seeking payment dating from 2005 onwards, in the first instance.

She stressed: We have taken steps to alert our debt collectors and we will also be using the avenue of the mass media to find those whom we do know owe.

“Because there are some people who would have come to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and accessed services and they would not have given their correct addresses, which makes it difficult to find them.

“These things are happening in this island, and we have reached the point where we are saying there is zero tolerance level now for you coming here and exiting and not paying. We are also putting systems in place to ensure in the not-too-distant future that when you do come to the QEH and you are going to access services which you have to pay for, you will pay before you receive those services.

“Just as you cannot check into a hotel and check out without paying, the QEH is moving to the stage where we will have a revenue generation system which indicates that when you come, you pay for the services rendered.” (BGIS) (Nation News)

THERE WILL be three battles at Bushy Park on July 25 for the rebranded Soca Royale, with the overall winner driving home a brand new car.

And officials of the National Cultural Foundation insist that the planned contest between the winners of the Sweet Soca and Party Monarch competitions will not be battling on an uneven playing field.

The winner will be chosen through a combination of texting (40 per cent) and scores from the judges (60 per cent).

A question was raised as to the fairness of such a competition, given the different tempo stipulations for the two competitions and the fact that the Sweet Soca was for artistes who would normally not qualify for the Party Monarch.

But festival coordinator David Jordan told the SATURDAY SUN it would come down to the popularity of the song.

He added that it was entirely possible for the slower song to win the contest.

While not going into too many details, Jordan said the contest was an attempt to make the event more exciting.

“Hopefully, there are two and not one person winning both. One person could still win both technically, if they have two separate songs.

“Create a hype and excitement around the face-off between the two of them, culminating in the prize being a wonderful and exciting car,” Jordan explained.

Unlike last year, competitors will be unable to enter the same song for both competitions. According to the rules, a song vying for the Sweet Soca must be a maximum of 125 beats per minute, while the Party Monarch must be 126 and higher. (YB) (Nation News)

ST LUCIA is going to all lengths to ensure that the 20th edition of the St Lucia Jazz Festival in 2011 is memorable.

Speaking to the SATURDAY SUN after the just concluded festival, Minister of Tourism Alan Chastanet said they were going to be exploring several options.

“I think what we’re going to try to do is take the best of what we’ve had over the past 20 years. So it’s actually to sit down and review this particular festival, look at the things that worked very very well,” he explained.

While he had not yet spoken with the stakeholders, he said the possibility of starting the festival on a Thursday was something that would have to be considered. From last year the Thursday show was known as the world jazz night.

He said the “straight ahead” jazz in intimate settings had worked “extremely well” this year and would continue.

Fridays have evolved as nostalgic night, while Saturday has been traditionally R&B and Sundays a mixture. In recent years an artiste from the Caribbean has been closing the festival.

With increasing interest from the French-speaking neighbours in Martinique and Dominica, Chastanet said they would be looking to develop the shows in Soufriere as a Creole Jazz Festival.

“So we’re actually going to be visiting Dominica this year to see their Creole Festival and would like to make that week as big as the Dominican Creole Festival with all the people who will be in for the Jazz festival up here in Castries.

The total cost of the festival is in the vicinity of $US4.5 million dollars. About $2 million is contributed by the Government to develop the festival.

There was a huge influx of visitors in St Lucia this year for the Jazz Festival and T20 cricket and Chasanet said they tweaked the lineup for the festival to focus on the Caribbean market, when the bookings started to pour in.

With so many activities going on in the country and the large number of visitors, Chastanet said the security services had been very visible and commended all involved for their vigilance. He estimated that between 5 000 and 6 000 people were in St Lucia specifically for cricket and jazz. (YB)(Nation News)