Black Immigrant Daily News

St. John’s, Antigua & Barbuda, November 22, 2022 – On Monday, November 21, 2022, The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus (UWI FIC) signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Shri Ramswaroop Memorial University, India (SRMU).

The MoU was signed during a virtual signing ceremony, which was attended by officials from both universities and members of the diplomatic corps.

The MoU was signed by the Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal of The UWI Five Islands Campus, Professor Densil A. Williams, and the Vice-Chancellor of the Shri Ramswaroop Memorial University, India, Professor Devendra Kumar Sharma.

The MOU will see the institutions collaborate on programmes in new and emerging areas at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels, as well as faculty and student exchanges.

Also, both institutions will be carrying out joint research projects in areas of local and global interest, along with organising joint international conferences, seminars, workshops, and webinars.

Speaking at Monday’s signing ceremony, Principal of The UWI Five Islands Campus, Professor Densil Williams, noted that a partnership like this benefits both institutions.

“We bring to the table significant value as our partners in India as well, and that is why I am very confident that a university partnership like this is only going to do well for our institutions.”

He stated that collaborations like these will be critical for the advancement of young institutions like the Five Islands Campus andSRMU which are on the path to finding practical and relevant solutions toglobal problems.

Vice-Chancellor of the Shri Ramswaroop Memorial University, India (SRMU), Professor Devendra Kumar Sharma stated that SRMU is excited to collaborate with The UWI on areas of mutual interest such as information technology, management, and education.

“We look forward to exploring the areas that are of benefit through our collaborative activities, research collaborations, joint degree programmes designing teaching materials, and other scientific and technological literature.”

The collaboration was initiated by the High Commissioner of India to Antigua and Barbuda, His Excellency Dr. K.J. Srinivasa, following his visit to the campus in 2021. In his remarks to the virtual ceremony, Dr. Srinivasa expressed his satisfaction with the fruit borne from deliberations through The UWI and SRMU.

“We believe that international collaboration in science and technology is crucial when it comes to addressing pressing global challenges, and this is a great example.

” Dr. Srinivasa thanked the honorary consul to Antigua and Barbuda, Mr. Vijay Tewani, as well as the staff of the High Commission for their work on the proposal to bring the two institutions together.

This agreement with SRMU is one of several MoUs signed by The UWIFive Islands Campus with international institutions, including agreements with Harvard Business School and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

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A pedestrian, right, looks on as this BMW is stalled in the floodwater at Abattoir Road, Port of Spain. – File photo by Ayanna Kinsale

THE MINISTRY of Works and Transport will continue to pump out the water currently covering parts of Abattoir Road, Port of Spain, until a permanent solution can be achieved.

Ronald Alfred, deputy permanent secretary and director of Maritime Services at the Ministry of Works and Transport, spoke with Newsday about Abattoir Road on Tuesday. He said the immediate objective is to remove the water to “alleviate the strain it is causing on the motoring public.”

Abattoir Road has seen water levels rise to almost impassable levels since last Wednesday, owing to the frequent and sometimes prolonged rain, with water backed up because the drains are clogged. Traffic entering the city from the east then backs up as a result.

“As you can see, the pump is working, and our intention is to pump the water into another pond in the area and that should (reduce) the water on the road, and then we can address the long-term solutions to the problems we’re facing,” Alfred said.

The same pumps are used to alleviate flooding on South Quay, a short distance away.

“We’re aware that there are some drains that are clogged and we will be working in the coming days to bring some relief to the public in their regard.”

The Defence Force Engineering Battalion and representatives of the Port of Spain City Corporation, including mayor Joel Martinez, were on site on Tuesday to assist with transport and equipment and offer their expertise. Works Minister Rohan Sinanan was also present.

Alfred said the main issue was the blockage of drains running along the Eastern Main Road, which carry water across the Priority Bus Route, under the Central Market, to a pumphouse at Abattoir Road.

“Somewhere along in that system, we have some blockages at this time that, in addition to the rain, have caused the situation we have at this time.”

He said it was difficult to estimate when the drains will be cleared.

“I would like it to reach a reasonable level by around 4 pm when the public begin to traverse.

“The intention here is really to relieve the immediate issues for the public,” Alfred said.

No timeline was given for the “long-term solutions” or clearing the clogged drain.

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Kimalee Larmond John

DONOVAN Mitchell, mayor of Mandeville in Jamaica and chairman of the Manchester Municipal Corporation, is becoming uneasy, as his niece Kimalee Larmond John remains missing in Trinidad.

She was last seen on November 19.

A police report said John, a 32-year-old security guard with Umbrella Security Services, left her home at Orange Field, Chase Village, Chaguanas, around 5.40 am to go to work at a warehouse complex on Mission Road, Freeport.

John usually took five minutes to get to the Southern Main Road and then another five minutes to reach St Mary’s Junction, Freeport.

The morning she went missing, a company vehicle was waiting to pick her up at the junction.

Relatives said she told the driver she was on her way, but never showed up.

Speaking to Newsday by phone, Mitchell said the family wasn’t doing well.

“We are losing hope. As the days go by it’s becoming a little bit painful and stressful. We are losing hope. The tears are beginning to fall as time proceeds.”

He said he hadn’t spoken to John in a while.

“But when she was in Jamaica I spent time with her.

“I’ve been to Trinidad a few times on business and I really know what is happening. It’s a concern for us at this time, especially her father. He is having a lot of ifs and buts.

He said he had not spoken with the TT police, but the family ws in contact with them and he had been talking to the Jamaican high commissioner.

He said he was also in contact with alderman and chairman of the TT Association of Local Government Authorities Anthony Roberts, as well as the Hunters Search and Rescue Team.

“They have been doing work and giving us whatever information they have.”

John’s sister Shinelle Stewart pleaded with anyone with information to come forward.

“She’s extremely driven and hardworking, (and) would not be the type of person to just run off leaving her responsibilities. Also, pleading to the public that if they know or have any information, please contact the police or the rescue team led by captain Vallance.”

She said John never told her about any grievances with anyone and it was unlike her to disappear without a trace.

“She’s never stated to me personally that anyone was threatening her, based on our last few conversations.”

John’s husband, who is Trinidadian, is devastated and has been in constant contact with her family since John went missing, Stewart said.

“The last time I spoke to my sister on the phone was on Sunday the 13th of November.

“Kim lived in Trinidad for roughly six years. She has always been consistent with work and all her goals, and has never …thought of running away.

“Her family and friends are currently in agony and so much pain, because we know her character and how hard she works for the things she has, and building relationships with close ones around her. She is not deserving of this, and because we know this, we are left heartbroken and almost speechless.”

Stewart said she is concerned by the police’s lack of urgency in searching for John.

“Now that the media has brought the news to everyone, the police are now forced to push the case much more efficiently.”

Anyone with information can call the Freeport Police Station at 673-0026 or, 999, 555, 911, 800-TIPS, or contact any police station.

Information can also be given through the TTPS app.

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Following the operation conducted by the Bicycle Patrol Unit (Castries), on Thursday, November 17, 2022, where a 9mm pistol and four (4) rounds of ammunition were recovered, three individuals have been formally charged.

Twenty-nine (29) year old, Kevin Anatole of Morne Du Don, thirty (30) year old Jose Fontenelle of Morne Du Don and twenty-eight (28) year old Emile Emmanuel were charged for unlawful Possession of Firearm and Ammunition.

The three defendants were accompanied to the First District Court, where Emile Emmanuel and Kevin Anatole were remanded to the Bordelais Correctional Facility, until December 9, 2022, for further case management.

Jose Fontenelle was granted bail in the sum of $15,000.00 cash or suitable surety.

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SOURCE: Royal Saint Lucia Police Force. Headline photo (Stock image)

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