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From right, President, Greater San Fernando Area Chamber of Commerce, Kiran Singh, Massy Motors Senior Vice-President Jean-Pierre duCoudary and San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello, looks on as Massy Motors Lead Technician Randal Ramdass explains the engine of a Volvo XC90 vehicle, at the launch of Massy Motors, Gulf View, San Fernando branch on Thursday. Photo by Angelo Marcelle

PRESIDENT of the Greater San Fernando Chamber Kiran Singh has welcomed the expansion of Massy Motors into the city as a sign of confidence in the local economy.

Massy Motors Everything Automative opened its second location at Gulf View, La Romaine on Thursday morning.

The first outlet, with state-of-the art technology, for every brand of vehicle, opened in Maraval in January and a third is expected before the end of the year in Arima.

Singh said the brand’s expansion fits in with the Chamber’s tagline of bringing business back to San Fernando.

“We look at San Fernando as the new mecca for business development in the country,” Singh said, noting the recent expansion of Rattan’s and Penny Wise on Lower High Street.

Massy Motors, Gulf View, San Fernando branch was officially open last week Photo by Angelo Marcelle

He said both businesses brought back some economic life to the city, post-pandemic, and had acted as an impetus for smaller investors who are developing on the periphery of San Fernando.

The Gulf View location, he said is ideal, given the road network being developed as part of the San Fernando Waterfront Development, which would soon alleviate traffic congestion.

“It is great to see Massy expanding in San Fernando, which has had roots for decades through Neal and Massy.

Singh challenged Massy Motors to consider Sunday opening for many customers who are only off on that one day. San Fernando mayor Junia Regrello embraced Singh’s suggestion.

Like Singh, Regrello noted the onslaught of covid, which he described as the most disruptive economic, health and social experience of the last 100 years, amd which he said halted an incredible upward swing in the development San Fernando was experiencing.

Massy Motors Senior Vice-President Jean-Pierre duCoudary, at the launch of Massy Motors, Gulf View, San Fernando branch on Thursday. Photo by Angelo Marcelle

Although several businesses defied the challenges and expanded, Regrello recognised the Massy Group’s initiative to be a forerunner in reigniting the economy of the city.

“San Fernando has long been recognised as the gateway to the south.”

With its diverse population, stable, localised economy, and being rated as having a high standard of living and education, Regrello declared, “San Fernando is ready and open for business.”

Describing Massy’s timing is impeccable and locking in with the developmental plans for the city, Regrello said he had no doubt the company would integrate into the new wave of development, using the latest technology, and rolling out electric vehicles in the near future.

“I see a future where your San Fernando branch engages in public-private partnerships with both the city and government in better integrating this new green tech to positively impact our environment and our economy.”

Massy Motors Senior Vice-President Jean-Pierre duCoudary, San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello and President, Greater San Fernando Area Chamber of Commerce, Kiran Singh cut a ribbon to officially open Massy Motors, Gulf View, San Fernando branch on Thursday. Photo by Angelo Marcelle

Senior vice president Jean-Pierre du Coudray said the company is very excited about the opening of this second branch, as Massy always had a vision of entering into the retail automotive business in TT.

He said the response and feedback of customer service in Maraval has been positive and has exceeded expectations. In terms of sales and revenue, the company’s forecast has been surpassed.

“It has given us the energy and confidence to go ahead with our strategy,” du Coudray said, vowing that the service offered in Maraval will be replicated in San Fernando.

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The San Fernando General Hospital.

THE remaining two police constables who were hospitalised after an accident in Tarouba two weeks ago have been discharged.

One had head injuries which caused nerve damage, and the other had to have an arm amputated.

Acting Snr Supt of the Southern Division Richard Smith said within the next two days, a decision will be made on charges to be laid.

On August 28 at around 10.30 am, PCs Nicholas Li, Grayson Edwards, Jesse St John and Akido Clovis were leaving Tarouba after working at the FOC (Festival of Colour): Colours of Pandora fete at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

Reports said the officers were in a white panel van at the intersection of the Brian Lara Stadium Road and Gasparillo Bypass Road when a car driven by civilian, Tesfa DeFour, collided with it. DeFour also had a friend in the passenger seat of his vehicle, identified only as “Shane.”

The van flipped, throwing two police officers out.

DeFour and Shane had minor injuries and were allowed to leave after being medically examined at the scene, but all the police were taken to the San Fernando General Hospital.

On August 30, police told Newsday St John and Clovis had been discharged and Edwards and Li were still at hospital.

At a press conference at the Police Administration Building in Port of Spain on Thursday, Smith said Li, who had head injuries, was discharged on Tuesday.

Edwards, he said, unfortunately suffered the worst injuries, and his right arm had to be amputated. He was discharged on September 8.

Smith said, “Inquiries will continue into that road-traffic accident and the file is now in the possession of our legal officer.”

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The Government of Guyana plans to go ahead with the much-anticipated auction of the oil blocks by the end of this month, with the new model Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) being developed expected to guide participating companies at the auction on what fiscal terms to expect.

This was announced by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, in his recent interview on a local radio show. According to Jagdeo, the new model PSA is still a work in progress, but will be important as part of the package offered to companies when the auction starts.

“We’re working on a new PSA… there are three variables that we are utilising that will govern the new PSA. The first has to do with the company’s legitimate expectation that if they invest money, they should get a decent return on their investment. Two, leaving in the new PSA enough incentives to accelerate exploration and production. And three, a greater share of the benefits for the Government.”

“So, we’re currently working on the discussion paper to be completed soon. As part of the auction, we will launch later this month. We’re hoping we can launch it, but it will run for several months and maybe conclude in January/February, next year,” Jagdeo explained.Jagdeo further pointed out that the new PSA would tell companies what they can get if they take part in the auction. The Vice President explained that they will also be doing comparisons between varying countries and what their profit-sharing take is.

“We have to have a new PSA to tell people what they’re going to get if they come in on this auction. We’ve now started the study where we’re looking at the spectrum on take by different countries. Some countries are on the lower end and countries like Norway and others, they can get as much as 75 per cent of the total take. Right now, we’re getting just over 50 per cent of the total take.”

“So, where we move from, between 50, 52, 59, whatever you define it as, moving to a higher point, will be determined by those variables. And then, through a combination of adjustments on royalties, maybe profit sharing, and the taxes, we will achieve that,” the Vice President also explained.

Government has been saying it is considering going to auction for relinquished and unexplored oil blocks by September of this year. The auction is expected to attract global interest, although experts have warned that it is important to balance the PSA’s fiscal terms.

During a recent visit to Guyana, Norwegian consultancy Rystad Energy Vice President Shreiner Parker had noted that while Guyana will get interest from around the globe when it goes out to auction its oil blocks, getting the financial terms of the blocks right would be very important. He had given the example of Brazil.

“In recent years, they’ve had unsuccessful bid rounds. Even though Brazil is an extremely important source of offshore production globally, they were unable to attract the interest that they wanted, because the fiscal regimes were too onerous. And they were asking for too much.

“So, the balance that Guyana will have to strike on these new blocks is understanding that we’re no longer going to have the Stabroek fiscal regime. We are a petroleum province. Yet at the same time we cannot expect that it’s a guaranteed success that every hole poked into the ground will produce oil. So, getting that fiscal regime correct is going to be paramount to attracting interest globally.”

When asked if Guyana doing its own 3D seismic survey of the remaining blocks to establish the value of the blocks would help Guyana’s chances, he noted that while it could be of interest, it may not be necessary. As he put it, Guyana is already a hot story.

Guyana has long been expected to go out and auction oil blocks, both untapped and relinquished, by September. There are relinquishment clauses, which are typically included in contracts so that companies can relinquish a portion of the block when the renewable period is up, thereby allowing other companies to buy into the respective blocks.

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Describing it as “one of the most shocking decisions I have ever witnessed in my brief career at the Bar”, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, has signalled his intention to appeal the decision of High Court Judge Brassington Reynolds to strike out his action to repossess river frontage sold to BK Marine.

Back in February of this year, Nandlall, on behalf of the Government, had filed a Statement of Claim (SoC) seeking to overturn the controversial sale of the plot of land to BK Marine which was made under the previous A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government.

BK Marine is a subsidiary of BK International, which is owned by Brian Tiwarie.Apart from BK Marine, the other respondents were Finance Minister under the APNU/AFC Government, Winston Jordan; the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL); NICIL’s former Head, Colvin Heath-London and the Deeds Registrar. But the latter three did not partake in the litigation.

Justice Reynolds on Tuesday dismissed the SoC on finding that while the Attorney General is authorised to bring an action for misfeasance in public office against Jordan, he did not, in the case at bar, satisfy the elements of the tort.Referencing a plethora of case law, the High Court Judge held that the pleadings in Nandlall’s Affidavit in Support were misconceived, and, therefore, ruled that the Claim was an abuse of the court’s process, before striking it out. As such, he awarded costs in the sum of $2 million each to Jordan and BK Marine.

Dissatisfied with the entirety of the Judge’s ruling, Nandlall on Tuesday said he would file an appeal against it before the six-week stipulated timeframe. BK Marine was represented by Senior Counsel Edward Luckhoo.

Jordan had asked for the Claim to be dismissed on the ground that it discloses no cause of action and is misconceived. The former Government Minister had also asked for the lawsuit to be thrown out as an abuse of the court’s process, as it is politically motivated and actuated by bad faith, vindictiveness, and spite and constitutes an abuse of power, was frivolous and vexatious, and/or scandalous.

In addition to a court order to repossess the lands, the Attorney General had claimed damages of more than $300 million against Jordan and NICIL for loss and damages suffered as a result of negligence and/or breach of the duty; loss and damages suffered as a result of conspiracy and/or breach of the duty; and loss and damages suffered as a result of a breach of fiduciary duty. He had further claimed damages in excess of $100 million for misfeasance in public office committed by Jordan. He had also claimed another $100 million in damages for loss and damages suffered as a result of fraud allegedly committed by Jordan and the other respondents.

Nandlall was seeking to have the sale of the lands at Water Street or Mudlots 1 and 2; Lot F of Mudlot 3 and Lots A, B and D, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown be declared illegal, unlawful, null, void, repugnant and contrary to public policy.

According to the Attorney General, the lands were first leased to Tiwarie, the owner of BK International Limited, on December 4, 2006, by NICIL. There were certain conditions upon which the 20-year lease was granted with the option to purchase for $110 million which was conditional, he had said in the lawsuit.

BK Marine, he explained, was required to construct works of an investment plan within four years of approval by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council.

For US$6 million, the works were scheduled to be done within 12-36 months, and some 300 persons were to gain employment at the end.

But BK Marine, Nandlall submitted, failed to complete the works and as such, lost the option to purchase the property. Moreover, he said BK Marine had agreed to pay an annual rent of $10 million with monthly instalments of $833,333 plus tax commencing immediately upon signing, and all rates and taxes.

Nandlall, in court documents, had deposed that as of March 2017, BK Marine had owed $81,360,158 in lease rental fees, interests included. Another $6,372,156 was owed for property taxes. According to Nandlall, BK Marine had written NICIL in 2009 claiming that its breach of the lease agreement was a result of the global financial crisis, and requested an amendment to the business plan.

In October 2011, NICIL agreed to transfer the property to the company at the sale price of $110 million once the revised business plan was completed, Nandlall added. But this too was conditional; BK Marine had to settle the arrears of the lease payment among other obligations. He had deposed that the purported Deed of Amendment was never executed and in 2013, NICIL sued BK International after it remained in possession of the lands without paying the agreed rental fees.

However, after the change of Government in 2015, rather than pursuing the claim for arrears or terminate the lease agreement for breaches, the Attorney General pointed out, NICIL under the APNU/AFC Administration went ahead and sold the property to BK Marine in 2017. The sale price was $202,602,759.

“The property was sold at a gross undervalue and way below market value in relation to comparable and competitive facilities of a similar nature, form, and usage which was sold consistent with the market value,” Nandlall had contended.

According to him, “NICIL acted recklessly and without obtaining a Certificate of Value for the property in order to ascertain the current market value”.

Considering this, the Attorney General had asked the High Court to declare that BK Marine was unjustly enriched by approximately $5 billion, which is the true representation of the value of the property. Among other things, he was also seeking to have the transport (Transport No. 634 of 2020) for the lands set aside.

Meanwhile, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, Jordan is facing a criminal charge for misconduct in public office over the sale of those same lands to BK Marine. He has been released on $3 million bail pending the hearing and determination of a trial. He was first arraigned before a Magistrate on December 28, 2021.

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Nacido el 18 de agosto de 1934, en el barrio San Antón, en Carolina, Puerto Rico, Roberto Enrique Clemente Walker jugó 18 temporadas en las Grandes Ligas de Béisbol (MLB, por sus siglas en inglés) para los Piratas de Pittsburgh, y se convirtió en una de las figuras más icónicas y legendarias de la isla del encanto.

Por 18 temporadas, Clemente deleitó a los fanáticos de Pittsburgh y los puertorriqueños con su habilidad de bateo, su atrevida forma de correr las bases y su fuerte brazo para lanzar como jardinero derecho. Sin embargo, el fenecido pelotero no firmó su primer contrato profesional con los Piratas, pues fueron los Dodgers de Brooklyn quienes le ofrecieron al puertorriqueño, con solo 19 años, su primer contrato como un agente libre internacional. Asimismo, en el acuerdo, fue incluido un bono de $10 mil para el jugador, una cifra bastante alta en el 1954. Clemente fue enviado, en la temporada del 1954, a la Triple A y jugó 87 partidos por los Royals de Montreal, equipo de la Triple A afiliado a Brooklyn. No obstante, por una regla de la MLB que estipulaba que todos los jugadores que obtuvieran un bono de más de $4 mil tenían que ser enviados directamente a un equipo de las Grandes Ligas, por tanto, los Dodgers perdieron al boricua.

De esta forma, los Piratas, quienes habían finalizado en la última posición de la Liga Nacional, seleccionaron a Clemente bajo la Regla 5 del Draft y comenzó su legendario legado en Pittsburgh. En su tiempo con el equipo, Clemente ganó 12 guantes de oro consecutivos, premio otorgado al mejor jardinero en cada posición. De igual manera, obtuvo el título de bateo de la Liga Nacional, en 1961, 1964, 1965 y 1967. Al finalizar su carrera, el boricua promedió, desde el diamante, .317 de bateo. Como si fuera poco, el carolinense fue seleccionado al Juego de Estrellas 15 veces; fue Jugador Más Valioso de la Liga Nacional, en 1966; y dos veces campeón de las Grandes Ligas.

Sin duda, Clemente fue un pionero cuando se habla de la representación caribeña y latinoamericana, pues, además de haber sido un destacado defensor de los derechos humanos en contra el racismo, fue el primer caribeño y latino en ganar una Serie Mundial en una posición inicial, el premio de Jugador Más Valioso de la Liga Nacional, el galardón de Jugador Más Valioso de una Serie Mundial y en ser admitido al Salón de la Fama del Béisbol.

Estadísticamente hablando,  el puertorriqueño dejó su nombre plasmado en los libros de récords, pues forma parte del prestigioso club de jugadores que han conectado tres mil hits. Solo 32 jugadores, en la historia, han bateado tres mil hits o más.

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A pesar de todos sus logros, donde Roberto Clemente más se destacó no fue en el campo, sino en su labor humanitaria. El fenecido pelotero estuvo involucrado en obras de caridad para países latinoamericanos y el Caribe durante las temporadas bajas, pues entregaba usualmente comida y equipo béisbol a los más necesitados. Asimismo, trabajó para promover mayor accesibilidad e igualdad para los latinos dentro y fuera del béisbol. Además, albergaba clínicas gratuitas de béisbol para niños de escasos recursos. Lamentablemente, en uno de sus intentos de ayudar a los más necesitados, el legendario pelotero falleció el 31 de diciembre de 1972 cuando abordaba un avión con artículos de primera necesidad en ruta a Nicaragua, pues el país latinoamericano había sido estremecido por un terremoto de magnitud 6.1 que terminó con la vida de alrededor de cinco mil personas.

Por esta razón, desde el 1972, las Grandes Ligas de Béisbol han otorgado anualmente el Premio Roberto Clemente al jugador que se destaque por sus contribuciones caritativas a la comunidad.

Desde el 2002, la MLB ha celebrado el Día de Roberto Clemente. Posterior a la trágica muerte del pelotero, familiares y fanáticos de Clemente han realizado una campaña para que las Grandes Ligas retiren de por vida el número 21 del fenecido pelotero, honor que solo se le ha otorgado al número 42 de Jackie Robinson.

No obstante, de acuerdo a El Vocero, la posición de las Grandes Ligas continúa firme y el número de Clemente no será retirado de por vida.

“Major League han sido bien claros que ellos no tienen interés de retirar el número”, expresó Luis Roberto Clemente, uno de los hijos del legendario pelotero, a El Vocero.

Pese a la posición de la MLB sobre el retiro de por vida del número 21, la ciudad de Pittsburgh no ha olvidado a Roberto Clemente, tras casi medio siglo de su muerte. En Pittsburgh, han construido un museo en honor a la memoria del boricua y le asignaron el nombre del fenecido pelotero a un puente de la ciudad. Pero, ahora dicho puente también llevará el nombre de la viuda del legendario pelotero, Vera Zabala, quien falleció en el 2019, tras conversaciones entre los hijos de Clemente y el Condado de Allegheny.

Foto suministrada por Wikimedia

“He dedicado toda mi vida a honrar el legado de papá, a través de mamá. Ahora, luego de conocer cómo dedicó toda su vida a ello y la pasión que tenía por hacerlo, creo que es el momento adecuado para honrar el legado de ambos. Mi mamá hizo tanto y es hora de que la gente conozca quién era Vera Clemente”, afirmó Luis Roberto Clemente.

Por su parte, Vera Zabala fue presidenta de la Fundación Roberto Clemente y embajadora de diversas iniciativas de las Grandes Ligas. Asimismo, fundó la Ciudad Deportiva Roberto Clemente, instalación de educación deportiva, en Carolina, Puerto Rico. Además, estableció una clínica de salud, en Nicaragua, en honor a su esposo.

El Día de Roberto Clemente comenzó, el pasado lunes, con una actividad, en el PNC Park, a beneficio de una academia de béisbol en Haití. Asimismo, ayer martes hubo otra actividad de recaudación de fondos a beneficio de una entidad sin fines de lucro en Pittsburgh.

De igual modo, ayer, 13 de septiembre, los 30 nominados al Premio Roberto Clemente fueron anunciados. Asimismo, hoy, Día de Roberto Clemente, todos los jugadores de los Piratas, personal de ascendencia puertorriqueña, nominados y ganadores del Premio Roberto Clemente tendrán la oportunidad de tener hoy, en sus espaldas, el número 21.

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