Tobago Chamber head ‘neutral’ on sea, air bridge fare increases

/0 Comments/in /by

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

File photo: Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce president Diane Hadad – Photo by David Reid

TOBAGO Chamber of Industry and Commerce president Diane Hadad has described as “neutral,” her feeling about the government’s decision to increase fares on the sea and air bridge, effective January 1, 2023.

Delivering the 2022-2023 fiscal package in the Parliament on Monday, Finance Minister Colm Imbert announced a $50 increase in airfare (one way) for passengers travelling between Trinidad and Tobago. The fare is currently $150.

Standard fares on the sea bridge also have been increased from $50 to $75 (one way) while those in premium class have moved from $100 to $150. People above age 60 who currently travel for free on the ferries will now have to pay $25.

Hadad said she has always felt that the $50 fare on the sea bridge was too low.

“And I agree with the 60-and-over people now having to pay. But I don’t know why they are still paying only $25. That should have never been done. They need to be paying the fare. I don’t understand what is that concession about. I never did,” she told Newsday.

Noting that airfare has gone from $150 to $200, Hadad wondered if the increase will result in greater efficiency.

“I would like to know what we would be getting differently for that. Is it that we are going to have constant on-time flights? Is it that the airline is going to be operating at full and more capacity so that the island can benefit from it? Or is it just a punitive measure because nothing has changed from the Tobago side.”

Hadad said if the increase in airfare is being regarded as a measure to ensure greater efficiency and consistency, then it is likely that many people may choose to vacation in Tobago as opposed to travelling overseas.

But she said the decision to increase the fares, particularly on the sea bridge, could bring hardship for Tobagonians who do business in Trinidad fairly regularly.

“There is still the element of the Tobagonian feeling the brunt of that having to come for goods and services on the island of Trinidad. That, to me, clearly would be for the people on the island to decide how much of that are they going to tolerate in terms of what is our administration going to say about that.”

Hadad said the budget was a rehash of things she had grown accustomed to hearing.

“He (Imbert) said so much to say so little. The budget is the same, cut-and-paste, report and repeat.”

For example, she noted $300 million has again been allocated for development initiatives, $18 million for URP and $9.2 million for CEPEP.

“So the more things change, the more that remain the same.”

Hadad also observed that Imbert accused the Opposition of hindering the passage of the ‘autonomy’ bills.

“There was blame on the Opposition for the bill not passing to give Tobago more autonomy. That is just an excuse. But the bill was not in its right form to allow for any proper management.”

NewsAmericasNow.com

Stray Dogs Kill Over A Dozen Baby Turtles On Vigie Beach – St. Lucia Times News

/0 Comments/in /by

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: St. Lucia Times News

– Advertisement –

A pack of stray dogs attacked and killed over a dozen baby turtles on Vigie beach Monday, much to the alarm of local conservationists.

Fisheries Biologist Yvonne Edwin disclosed that at about 4:00 pm, the Department of Fisheries received several calls from individuals who discovered the dead turtle hatchlings along the beach.

– Advertisement –

Edwin explained that more than ten dogs roaming the beach pounced on the Hawksbill turtles as they emerged from their nest.

“The dogs attacked them. The freshness of the nest even when they emerged from that nest would cause that attraction to the dogs – being on the beach and seeing that activity in the sand,” Edwin explained.

And she told St Lucia Times that because the hatchlings are so tiny, after the dogs attack they would discover that there is nothing much to eat.

The Fisheries Biologist said some of the hatchlings were headless and without flippers.

“I collected eighteen and a half – it really was a half left behind – dead turtles. One of the persons who made the report did try to get two live ones into the water,” she disclosed.

Edwin said the dead creatures were buried and officials remained to monitor the area.

Nevertheless, they did not see any other hatchlings emerge.

The Fisheries Biologist explained that the development was a cause for concern because it is currently the nesting season when turtles visit the Vigie beach.

She also noted that after weekend beach events, people leave garbage which attracts dogs.

According to the Fisheries Department official, the stray dog issue is not new to the  Department or the National Conservation Authority (NCA).

“We have partnered with the City Council in the past years where they would have assisted in getting the dogs off the beach,” Edwin recalled.

But she noted that there had been a resurgence as people released their unwanted dogs on the beach.

“People need to be mindful that when they do not need their dogs, the beach is not the place to release them,” Edwin told St Lucia Times.

“Even more concerning is that the sea turtle population can be affected by those stray animals,” she lamented.

– Advertisement –

NewsAmericasNow.com

Chamber: Optimistic budget but fuel price increase worrying

/0 Comments/in /by

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

Cars lined up at the St Christopher’s Gas Station on Wrightson Road, Port of Spain on Monday. – Photo by Ayanna Kinsale

While the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce described the 2022-2023 budget as an optimistic one, it expressed concern over the effect the increase in fuel prices would have on the economy.

It said it understood the need to limit the fuel subsidy, but was “concerned about the impact that this will have on inflation and the population at this time.”

The finance minister announced a cap in the fuel subsidy, which resulted in a $1-per-litre increase in the price of super and premium gasoline and a 50-cent increase in diesel. The new prices for fuel are now $7.75 a litre for premium gasoline, $6.97 a litre for super gasoline, and $4.41 a litre for diesel.

The chamber highlighted some positives coming out of the budget, including a reduction in the deficit from $9 billion in 2022 to $2 billion at the start of financial year 2023. The reduction came out of a windfall due to an increase in prices in petrochemicals and hydrocarbons because of the Russia-Ukraine war.

It also welcomed the investment in agriculture, but questioned what exactly would be done for the sector.

The chamber also lauded the government for reiterating its intention to support SMEs.

“This is critical for the growth of the economy, as MSMEs account for a major portion of the private sector and the chamber welcomes the new long-term loan guarantee programme.”

The chamber also said it looks forward to the full operationalisation of the TT Revenue Authority, saying it would allow for fair and efficient revenue collection.

NewsAmericasNow.com

Scrap-iron policy gets $.6m

/0 Comments/in /by

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

A man holds a sign in protest against the six-month scrap iron ban during a motorcade from San Fernando to Port of Spain in August. – MARVIN HAMILTON

As a six-month ban continues to be enforced, Government plans to develop a policy on regulating the scrap-iron industry.

It has allocated $600,000 toward this exercise, as outlined in the initiatives of the $6.2 billion 2023 Sector Investment Programme (PSIP).

“The scrap iron industry has emerged as an important contributor to economic activity as it provides jobs, stimulates exports, generates income, earns foreign exchange and rids the environment of derelict items including scrap metal.

“The sum of $0.6 million will be allocated towards the development of a policy to strengthen the existing regulatory framework governing the scrap metal industry in TT taking into account international best practices and unique national circumstances.”

The project under the development of eco-friendly business sector is designed to achieve the following objectives:

• development of an appropriate and effective regulatory, incentive and export promotion framework for the scrap metal industry;

• improvement of the health and safety standards of the scrap metal industry;

• development of domestic, regional and international value chains for the scrap metal industry; and

• modernisation of the legislative framework governing the scrap metal industry.

In August, Government imposed the ban on the export of old and scrap iron to deal with the theft and vandalism of state and private assets. It remains in effect until February 23.

Attorney General Reginald Armour said then a regulatory framework would be drafted by November to be presented to Cabinet.

In the interim, the trade and industry and energy ministries has reviewed and granted licences to permit the handling of certain types of materials.

Scrap iron dealers and workers have protested the ban, saying being out of work meant they could not take care of their families, and even faced the closure of their yards.

NewsAmericasNow.com

Colegio de Peritos Electricistas denuncia que no están siendo considerados para energizar el País

/0 Comments/in /by

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Radio Isla TV

La presidenta del Colegio de Peritos Electricistas, Frances Berrios, dijo en el programa de Damaris Suárez de Radio Isla que dichos profesionales no están siendo considerados para restaurar el sistema eléctrico del País.

“Siguen llegando compañías externas y yo tengo peritos electricistas aquí, que también son celadores, que pueden cooperar en todo esto, no solamente con los municipios, también con las compañías que vienen”.

“Tienen que entender de que han hecho una inversión . Para entrar dentro de este registro de licitadores , tu tienes que tener licencias al día, certificaciones y cada uno de los equipos tiene que estar certificado. Sus empleados tienen que tener estas certificaciones de CPR, entre otras. Estamos hablando de que equipos de camiones, equipos de seguridad. Ellos tienen una inversión que han hecho, para estar dentro de ese registro”, concluyó.

NewsAmericasNow.com

Missing woman’s body found in drain in Carapichaima

/0 Comments/in /by

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

BOTH FOUND DEAD: Marissa Edwards, missing since September 18, was found dead in a drain in Carapichaima on Monday, a day after her boyfriend Simeon Roopchand, left, was found dead in the Tabaquite forest. –

THE search for missing 39-year-old Marissa Edwards of Freeport has ended in sorrow.

Members of the Hunters Search and Rescue Team, led Vallence Rambharat, found her body in a drain in an overgrown area along a road that connects Mc Bean Village, Couva, to Waterloo Road in Carapichaima. There are no houses nearby.

The team found the woman’s body at 5.45 pm on Monday and alerted the police.

Central Division and Homicide Bureau of Investigation (Region III) police visited the scene and gathered evidence. On Sunday, the same search group found the body of Edwards’ boyfriend Simeon Roopchand, 51, in Tabaquite.

He was a suspect in her disappearance. He is believed to have died by suicide. A cutlass and a cell phone were found near his body in the forested area.

Edwards, who worked as an administrative clerk at the UWI’s Faculty of Medicine, went missing on September 18. After she disappeared, Edwards’ relatives confronted Roopchand.

Roopchand claimed he dropped Edwards off on the Solomon Hochoy Highway later that night, after they had gone liming. He too, was later reported missing to police.

Autopsies are set for this week at the Forensic Sciences Centre in St James. Investigations are ongoing.

NewsAmericasNow.com

Top 10 takeaways from budget 2023

/0 Comments/in /by

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

Finance Minister Colm Imbert with Energy Minister Stuart Young and Communications Minister Symon de Nobriga leave parliament after the budget reading on Monday. Photo by Sureash Cholai

On Monday, Finance Minister Colm Imbert read the 2023 budget in Parliament.

Here are some of the main takeaways:

Fuel prices to increase

NEW PRICES

Diesel – $4.41 per litre

Super – $6.97 per litre

Premium – $ 7.75 per litre

Kerosene – $4.41 per litre

No wage negotiations for public-sector workers 

Imbert said the proposed four per cent increase in wages recently offered to public sector workers is the best the government can do.

“The government stands ready to make good on our offer as soon as it is accepted.”

Airfare, ferry fares to increase

One-way flights to/from Tobago will cost $200

Senior citizens can no longer travel free on inter-island ferries and will pay $25 for a one-way ticket

Standard ferry tickets will now cost $50 one way and premium will now cost $150 one way

One-time transport grant

Given the increase in fuel prices, airfare and the inter-island ferry fares, all recipients of social grants will get a one-time transport grant of $1,000.

Personal income tax exemption limit increases

Those earning $7,500 or less a month will no longer have to pay income tax

20,000 healthcare workers to get extra $$

A total of $210 million will be distributed to over 20,000 healthcare workers.

Changes to GATE again

$50 million will be spent on expanding the GATE programme, as well as a structured remedial education programme to help students affected by covid19.

GATE will be available to students, in good standing, enrolled in institutions and accredited programmes if they have completed an initial programme of study including a diploma or associate degree or the N1 level at UWI, and wish to upgrade to a bachelor’s degree.

Technical vocational education and training (TVET) students who have already accessed GATE for lower level TVET qualifications will now qualify for GATE for level four and level five programmes that lead to an advanced diploma or bachelor’s degree.

HDC to benefit from loans, restructure further  

A total of $1.5 billion will be provided to allow the corporation to “refocus on its mandate to construct affordable housing.”

Imbert said $500 million will be used to complete stalled or existing projects, another $500 million to pay debts owed to contractors and suppliers, and $500 million for constructing new housing units.

The HDC will be split into three entities: TT HDC Construction Company, the TT HDC Facilities Management Company Ltd and the TT HDC Asset Management Company Ltd

Tobago gets more $$

Last year, Tobago was allocated $2.357 billion.

This year, it will receive $2.521 billion.

Government to assist reopening of tourism, creative sector

Government will reimburse innovators and entrepreneurs in the sectors with 50 per cent of their investment, up to a maximum of $50,000.

Government has invested $600 million in the hotel industry, with three new hotel brands that will add over 300 rooms to the stock: Comfort Inn and Suites at Orange Hill, Tobago, The Brix Hotel by Marriott and Radisson Blu in Port of Spain, which will open in the second quarter of 2023.

NewsAmericasNow.com

PSA ready to sign off on Imbert’s wage offer

/0 Comments/in /by

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

PSA President Leroy Baptiste Photo by Sureash Cholai

INSISTING the figures given by Finance Minister Colm Imbert for the public-sector wage negotiations are “grossly inflated,” president of the Public Services Association (PSA) Leroy Baptiste said nevertheless, he is ready to sign off on what was offered on Monday.

“I have listened to the figures bandied about by the Ministry of Finance as it relates to the cost of settlement of negotiations. Let me be clear, I dispute those figures. Those figures are completely misleading. They are grossly inflated.”

But, Baptiste said, “The figures Imbert has touted as to what it would cost to settle negotiations with the PSA is an increase in the annual expenditure of $500 million and the total back pay to settle with my people is $2.4 billion up to June 2023. I am comfortable with that.

“Tell the Minister of Finance I want to sign that. Forget the four per cent offer. I want it in black and white.

“He says $500 million annual increase of expenditure – tick, I want that and I want $2.4 billion to settle arrears for the 15,000 public officers I represent.

“I would sit down and work out the formula, how that is to be distributed to my members, with the Chief Personnel Officer. Just let me sign.”

If Imbert read it into Monday’s budget, Baptiste said, “It means it is there for me. It is there for my members.”

In his seventh budget presentation on Monday, Imbert dubbed the PSA’s counter-offer unsustainable. unrealistic and equivalent to the annual national budget.

He said government’s four per cent offer, to settle negotiations from 2014-2019 for the mainstream public service, although challenging, is both practical and equitable.

He said it is the best Government can do at this time and it stands ready to make good on its offer once accepted. If trade unions, however, choose the Industrial Court approach, they would ask for these matters to be expedited.

Central to the efficient functioning of the public service, he pointed out, is the establishment of a fair and equitable compensation system for public-sector employees.

The approach to achieving this objective, he insisted, must be careful and consistent with the availability of resources.

“No responsible government can contemplate bankrupting the entire country simply to appease a portion of the labour force.”

The Amalgamated Workers Union hasaccepted the offer and Imbert is hopeful others will follow suit.

“It must be emphasised that the additional annual recurrent cost of our offer is approximately $500 million. It should be noted, if this offer is extended to the wider state sector, the additional cost will almost double to approximately $1 billion a year.

“The back pay that we have accrued to June 2023 from our offer, for just the mainstream public service, is $2.4 billion. This will increase to $4.6 billion if the entire state sector is included,” Imbert argueed.

As difficult as these amounts will be to accommodate, he gave a commitment to find the money and make the required payments promptly.

He warned, “Any more than this will wreck the economy, not just for the same public servants but for everyone else.

“By way of example, the counter-offer made by the PSA is unsustainable. The PSA has countered the four per cent with a demand for 19 per cent increase in salary for the three-year period 2014-2016. It is only one half of the period of our offer. If accepted this would cost $15.8 billion in arrears up to June 2023.

“The additional annual recurrent cost will be $1.8 billion.

“If the PSA offer is extended to the wider state sector, $30.3 billion in back pay would be required up to June 2023. The additional annual recurrent cost will be $3.4 billion.”

Imbert said these calculations do not take into account the second period of negotiations for 2017-2019, which if agreed to, could create a back-pay requirement of $50 billion, equivalent to the total national expenditure.

“Clearly these are not serious counter-proposals. They may sound good to encourage marches or threats, but I am certain the leaders know the facts, the reality and what is doable.

“It should be obvious that demands of this nature cannot be met. Anyone who believes that the country can afford this level of expenditure – $50 billion – they simply would not be realistic.”

NewsAmericasNow.com

HERO CPL 2022: Teams confident ahead of Playoffs

/0 Comments/in /by

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana
The four captains that will be leading their troops on Tuesday and Wednesday with hopes of grabbing a spot in the Hero CPL 2022 Final set for Friday, September 30, 22022 at the National Stadium, Providence

Playoff fever will hit Guyana tomorrow – Tuesday, September 27,2022 – as the 2022 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) heads into the nail-biting, back end of the tournament.

With the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) qualifying alongside the Barbados Royals, St Lucia Kings and Jamaica Tallawahs, the teams are promising their ‘A’ game at the Playoffs matches set for Tuesday and Wednesday.

Those assertions were made earlier this morning, as the top four captains gathered at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Center, to share expectations and thoughts on their team’s performance in the tournament thus far.

“Things been great. 8 games out of 10, you know, I think the boys have been playing some great cricket. Just unfortunate we lost the game last night, we really wanted win the game to go into the playoffs with some momentum, but I think the guys have been awesome,” Barbados Royals Captain, Kyle Mayers shared.

He added, “They’re still in the game, very high spirited and ready to go for tomorrow.”

On the other hand, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Captain Shimron Hetmyer, explained, “The start wasn’t what we expect as a team as well, but I think, the guys, when the got back to Guyana, their spirits were much higher than I expected and they’re ready to go, with the crowds.”

“As I say, the twelfth man really plays a part. So, I think having the crowds here and knowing the conditions as well as we do, I think the guys are really, really up to the challenge, they’re been playing fantastic cricket for the past four games, its just for us to continue,” he further shared about the crowd at home.

Meanwhile, St Lucia Kings’ Captain, Faf du Plesis, had words of praises for the surface at Providence.

He said, “I think the only difference, so far, is obviously that extra game that you could’ve played. There’re four strong teams in the competition, really impressed with how the wicket’s been playing. I think it’s, my experience from the past years, it’s a nice cricket wicket, setup for what would be quarterfinals and semifinals over the next two days.”

Additionally, Jamaica Tallawahs Captain was quick to admit his team’s faults while looking ahead.

“I think it’s been a up and down season for us as a franchise but having said that, I think the guys have played some really good cricket in patches. The guys are up for the challenge and are looking forward to what the finals weekend brings,” Powell remarked.

The JT Captain added, “It’s basically the business end of the competition and its time for us to possibly bring our ‘A’ game and I think the guys are chomping at the bit to do that.”

Closer to home, the GAW Captain Shimron Hetmyer is focused on maintaining positive vibes in his camp. This, of course, means that the captain is not trying to create pressure situations for his players, especially regarding form ahead of the all-important clash tomorrow.

“As it is, we basically back our players regardless of if they get runs today, they get runs tomorrow, whenever they do or even if they don’t, we still back the players,” the GAW Captain explained.

He added, “We try as much to give them that energy, give them that support that they would need from us, even if they want to go early and hit a few balls, we’ll find a way to get that done. I think that’s all you have to do as management to make sure that you support all your players and make sure that they’re as comfortable as possible to succeed.”

The Amazon Warriors and the Barbados Royals will lock horns in Qualifier 1 tomorrow beginning at 10am or 10:00h, where the winner will head straight to Friday’s Hero CPL Final.

At 7pm or 19:00h, the Tallawahs and the Kings will battle to stay alive in Eliminator 1. Then, on Wednesday night, the winner of Eliminator 1 will play the loser of Qualifier 1 for a shot at the Final.

Tickets for the playoff games are still available and can be purchased at the GAW Box Office, at 233-234 Camp Street, Georgetown.

NewsAmericasNow.com

Hilaire Calls For Patience, Promises Road Repairs Will Be Done – St. Lucia Times News

/0 Comments/in /by

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: St. Lucia Times News

– Advertisement –

Amidst a barrage of opposition United Workers Party (UWP) criticism over the state of Saint Lucia’s roads, Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire has indicated that the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) administration will address the matter.

And he called on Saint Lucians to be patient in an interview with reporters on Monday on the sidelines of a meeting of the Cabinet.

“Road repair will be done. There is a national road rehabilitation programme that will be undertaken,” the Castries South MP observed.

He noted that the rains have been relentless and there has not been a break for some of the work to start.

– Advertisement –

He told reporters that potholing and road maintenance are regular features.

“It is annoying and all of us – every single person, minister, bus driver, everyone is annoyed when you have to be going into potholes and the potholes are filled with water. Trust me, it’s an annoyance for everybody,” Hilaire declared.

“This is not even political, but the truth is and the reality is as soon as we get some respite some of the work will start,” the Minister stated.

In addition, he explained that the government was ensuring that it has all the resources to do a national programme.

He explained that there was supposed to have been a lockbox with monies collected from the fuel taxes.

In this regard, Hilaire recalled that in the last few months fuel prices have been very high.

“When we found the key for the lockbox there was nothing in the lockbox, so there’s actually no money for us to start the road rehabilitation programme and it’s still a wonder where all the lockbox money went to,” the Castries South MP said.

Nevertheless, he told reporters that Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Philip J. Pierre has been doing ‘quite a lot’ to ensure resources will be available to start the national road rehabilitation programme throughout Saint Lucia.

“So there would be different communities starting at different times. But once we start getting a little respite from the rain, we should be starting some of the road rehabilitation works,” Hilaire said.

In this regard, he called on Saint Lucians to be patient and bear with the government.

“We really have no control over the rains. We have no control over the materials and supplies that are needed – they have to be imported from overseas. But we are aware of the issue. We too are annoyed and frustrated by the state of the roads like all Saint Lucians,” he said.

“I am also pleased to announce that we had started rehabilitation of the Barre St Joseph main road. I think the last time that road was touched was thirty-five years ago I was told,” Hilaire told reporters.

He also said the Marigot, Marchand, and Vieux Fort roads were undergoing rehabilitation but the work stopped due to the rains.

“On the one hand we have a tremendous work programme going on that has been affected by the rains and of course, the regular road maintenance has also been affected. But we will get on course, and we will deal with this issue,” Hilaire promised.

Headline photo: Stock image

– Advertisement –

NewsAmericasNow.com