Independent senator on budget: Too soon for sigh of relief

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

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Independent Senator Amrita Deonarine

INDEPENDENT Senator Amrita Deonarine has said it was too soon to tell how the 2022/2023 budget will affect TT. She made this observation during her contribution to the budget debate in the Senate.

Referring to an earlier contribution by Finance Minister Colm Imbert, Deonarine said some people are asking whether now was the time to breathe a sigh of relief because of the measures contained in the budget.

“I would say, not quite yet.”

She praised Government for creating the Heritage Stabilisation Fund (HSF) and foreign reserves which have served TT well as buffers through challenging economic times and the covid19 pandemic.

Deonarine believed the ongoing Russian military action in Ukraine has been a blessing in disguise for TT, allowing it to gain more revenue from high oil and gas prices.

While this seems to be good news, Deonarine was concerned about whether the economy was resilient enough to take a hit of the magnitude of the pandemic or worse.

Deonarine was sceptical about the budget being pegged on oil and gas prices of US$92.50 and US$6 per mmbtu respectively.

Brent and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oils were trading on Wednesday at US$92.56 and US$87.25 per barrel respectively. Natural gas was trading at US$6.430 per mmbtu.

Deonarine said the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in its world economic outlook on October 11, had forecast global growth to slow from six per cent in 2021 to 3.2 per cent this year and reach 2.7 per cent in 2023.

She added that this was reflective of the war in Ukraine and projected economic slowdowns in the US, European countries and China, as well as the lingering effects of the pandemic.

Against the background of higher fuel and food prices, Deonarine wondered how much of the extra income that people who no longer have to pay income tax would be able to save.

In his budget presentation on September 26, Imbert said the personal income-tax exemption limit would be raised from $84,000 to $90,000 a year. This means people earning $7,500 a month or less will now be exempt from income tax and would have an additional $1.500 per year in disposable income.

She was also concerned about the $5.453 billion allocated for various grants for vulnerable people through the Social Development and Family Services Ministry.

Deonarine referred to Social Development Minister Donna Cox’s comments in the budget debate in the House on October 1 about how her ministry continues to collaborate with the police to combat fraud in accessing these grants.

Cox said, “Only recently we found cases where several adults were living in one household and were in receipt of public-assistance grants, despite owning a business, and despite the fact that they had meaningful employment.”

There were also cases where people receiving disability grants from the ministry were fully employed.

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Mark: Budget callous, wicked towards majority

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

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Opposition Senator Wade Mark. File photo/ Sureash Cholai

OPPOSITION Senator Wade Mark claimed the 2022/2023 budget has transformed Trinidad and Tobago into a false utopia for some people and in reality a place where some people are “more equal than others.”

He made this accusation during the budget debate in the Senate, while reiterating the UNC’s demand for it to be withdrawn immediately.

The House of Representatives passed the budget on Tuesday.

Reiterating the UNC’s view that the budget was callous and wicked towards the majority of the population, Mark quoted from the Book of Proverbs in the Bible to emphasise his point.

“The godly may trip several times but they will get up. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.”

Without calling any names, as he looked towards government senators sitting in front of him, with opposition senators thumping their desks in support, Mark declared, “The wicked will pay a price for this disaster on the defenceless.”

He claimed the PNM had turned TT into something out of the pages of George Orwell’s 1945 book Animal Farm, which reflected the rise of Stalinism in the Soviet Union.

“This is Animal Farm, TT style.”

As in the book, Mark accused Government of sustaining a situation in TT where a minority benefits while the majority suffers.

“Why does the PNM brutalise the poor? Poor people have feelings too.”

He scoffed at statements from government ministers about business booming in TT.

“Where? Let us know.”

He claimed that after seven years in power, both the PNM and the economy are in freefall. While this is happening, Mark said, “The government wants people to cook on coal pots.”

He asked how people would do that if they could not afford to buy basic food items.

“People can’t afford to eat three square meals a day.”

He slammed Government for failing to deal with crime.

“Murders are on track to surpass all records this year.”

Mark also claimed that TT is losing $5.3 billion annually because no effective public procurement legislation is in place.

He reiterated a UNC demand for a police investigation into the construction of a new building at the site of the PNM’s Balisier House headquarters in Port of Spain.

Mark claimed, “The shadow of Balisier House is looming like a modern-day Tower of Babylon.”

He accused the Government of being deaf to the pleas of ordinary people. While the PNM wants people to eat less macaroni pie and ride bicycles to work, Mark claimed, “They (PNM) have fixed themselves for life.”

While stressing that the UNC does not condone any form of violence or illegal behaviour, Mark warned the Government that if it did not reverse course, it could be setting the stage for “massive social unrest.”

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PAHO monitoring four diseases attacking the Americas

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

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PAHO director Dr Carissa Etienne. File photo/Angelo Marcelle

Dr Carissa Etienne, director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), said on Wednesday a recent outbreak of cholera in Haiti, monkeypox, covid19 and low polio vaccination rates have the entire health system of the region on alert.

Etienne spoke at a virtual conference alongside several other PAHO directors.

She said the region is under pressure from the need to invest in the health system.

While the spread of monkeypox appears to be slowing, she said more than 2,300 new cases were reported in the region last week, most in the US, but also hundreds in Brazil, Colombia and Mexico.

PAHO has begun distributing monkeypox vaccines in the region, Brazil and Chile were the first countries to receive a first batch last week.

Etienne said Trinida and Tobago is among the countries have requested monkeypox vaccines, along with The Bahamas, Belize, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Guyana, Jamaica, Panama and Peru.

She said PAHO is working with the producers to expedite delivery before the end of this year.

More than 45,000 cases of monkeypox have been recorded in the region, 95 per cent among men and 56 per cent among HIV-positive people.

“We know how to keep track of this disease. We know who is most at risk. And we know how to keep people safe from infection,” she said.

On covid19, PAHO reported 178,000 new cases last week, with downward trends.

“We continue to depend on testing and vaccination rates. More than 70 per cent of the population is already vaccinated, but ten countries and territories are still less than 40 per cent vaccinated,” Etienne said.

PAHO is concerned about the reappearance of cholera in the region. Etienne said Haiti has reported 32 new cases and 18 deaths, as well as more than 260 suspected cases, most in children between one and four. Etienne said the real figures may be much higher than those presented.

Limited access to clean water creates the perfect conditions for cholera.

Etienne said the authorities are working on setting up cholera treatment centres in the most affected areas and preventing the spread of the disease.

“We are ready to help the government with vaccines. Our region is under pressure.”

She urged countries to “work quickly with the tools we have at hand to control these four health emergencies that are occurring in the Americas.”

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Parliament passes Financial Assistance Bill, changes coming for NAU Loop Cayman Islands

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Cayman Compass

The Ministry for Investment, Innovation and Social Development said that, on Monday, October 10, 2022, the Cayman Islands Parliament passed the Financial Assistance Bill, 2022.

According to the Ministry, the bill was heralded by numerous members of Parliament as being a “landmark” piece of modern legislation that will be a foundational cornerstone of reimaging social development in the Cayman Islands.

Commenting on the Financial Assistance Bill, 2022, the Minister for Investment, Innovation and Social Development, the Hon. Andr? Ebanks, said:

The Financial Assistance Bill 2022 represents a significant accomplishment in advancing Government’s social development agenda and priorities. It provides a 21st century legislation for eligible Caymanians who are in need of Government’s financial assistance, while building in accountability and legal recourse.

When commenced, the Financial Assistance Bill 2022 will repeal the 1964 “Poor Persons Relief Act”, which effectively remained unchanged for the past 58 years. It will also (among other things):

Re-name the relevant Department – currently called the “Needs Assessment Unit” – to the “Department of Financial Assistance”. The Bill likewise defines the functions of the Department and its duties – which is a standard feature of legislationClearly outline and define, for the first time in legislation, who is eligible for Government’s financial assistance, namely: Caymanians, spouses of a Caymanian or guardians of a Caymanian dependent, all of whom must be resident on island during the time of the application and at least eight of the twelve months preceding the applicationAllow the introduction of conditions that can be attached to financial assistance, in particular for households with adult members who are able to work, so that they may be enabled to lead productive, stable livesCreate transparency and accountability for decisions, including dealing with grievances and a new appeals tribunal, as well as the protection of personal information.

Ms. Tamara Ebanks, Acting Chief Officer of the Ministry of Investment, Innovation and Social Development, also remarked on the work done to get the Bill to this stage.

Ms Ebanks said:

After extensive policy and consultative work, preceded by work in the Ministry of Community Affairs, I am delighted that the Financial Assistance Bill, 2022 has been passed by the Parliament,” she said. “The Bill addresses numerous concerns brought to light in 2015 by the Office of the Auditor General. It fundamentally aligns with the Civil Service principle of improving the lives of those we serve in the Cayman Islands.

The next steps over the coming months will be the implementation of the Bill by the Ministry and the new Department of Financial Assistance (see below), to prepare for intended commencement of the Bill in Q1 2023. The Bill enables Cabinet to create accompanying regulations to govern the procedures of the Appeals Tribunal and to govern operational and practical matters such as:

The number of working days in which the Department will process complete applicationsExemptions for emergency circumstancesConsideration for transitional services (i.e. during the transitional period after employment has been obtained); andSpecific provisions with respect to varying household sizes, as well as issues related to household composition (such as older persons living with their adult children; people with disabilities) to align with the Cayman Islands Older Persons Policy and Disability Policy.

Deputy Premier the Hon. Chris Saunders was emphatic in noting that the Bill is underpinned by the principle of human dignity, and that it is “a promise made, and a promise kept.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Social Development, Ms. Heather Bodden, said, “This long overdue Bill will bring comfort to anyone who has had an issue obtaining Government’s financial assistance. It defines eligibility for the first time in law, builds in good governance, and creates transparency in the process.”

Parliamentary Secretary Katherine Ebanks-Wilks said, “We must do our part to level up our people. I commend the holistic approach to removing setbacks that prevent people from obtaining and maintaining steady employment. At the same time, the Bill will provide better value to the Government purse, by ensuring that support is not abused and creating accountability on the part of the recipients.”

Deputy Governor, the Hon. Franz Manderson, also expressed his support, stating “The Financial Assistance Bill has the potential to break the cycle of multi-generational reliance on Government’s financial assistance, giving the ability to attach conditions to financial assistance that will enable people to obtain skills and employment. I have every confidence in the continued dedication and commitment of the Civil Service leadership to enacting the Bill and making it operational, for the benefit of all of our people.”

(Source: Ministry for Investment, Innovation and Social Development)

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Apr?s des mois d’immobilisme, les USA passent ? l’action

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Le Nouvelliste

Le Secr?taire d’Etat am?ricain, Antony Blinken, dans une d?claration intitul?e <>, a annonc?, mercredi 12 octobre 2022, le d?ploiement dans les prochains jours de <>, des restrictions de visas contre des fonctionnaires ha?tiens et des individus impliqu?s dans le fonctionnement des gangs et l’appui ? la prise en charge du chol?ra.

<>, peut-on lire dans cette d?claration en anglais.

<>, selon cette d?claration.

<>, a indiqu? Blinken.

<>, a inform? le chef de la diplomatie am?ricaine.

<>, selon Blinken.

Alors qu’Ha?ti est confront? ? une r?surgence mortelle du chol?ra, des acteurs malveillants continuent ? financer et ? fomenter la violence, ainsi qu’? bloquer l’approvisionnement en carburant et l’acc?s humanitaire pour l’aide vitale. Aujourd’hui, nous annon?ons de nouvelles mesures visant ? apporter l’aide n?cessaire au peuple ha?tien et ? demander des comptes ? ceux qui continuent ? fomenter la violence, a indiqu? le secr?taire d’Etat am?ricain Antony Blinken dans une d?claration, mercredi 12 octobre 2022.

En ce moment m?me, notre personnel est sur le terrain en Ha?ti, travaillant aux c?t?s des travailleurs de la sant? ha?tiens et des ONG pour r?pondre ? l’?pid?mie de chol?ra et fournir des soins ? ceux qui en ont besoin. Nous allons acc?l?rer l’acheminement de l’aide humanitaire suppl?mentaire ? la population ha?tienne, peut-on lire dans cette d?claration.

R?agir ? cet article

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National Consultation On Food Security Ends – St. Lucia Times News

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: St. Lucia Times News

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by Anicia Antoine

The agriculture sector has been dealing with a number of persistent issues, such as its legal and policy framework, disorganized market structures, and an increase in food imports, which is further exacerbated by climate change, high input costs, and decreased investments in production and marketing.

To address these issues, the Saint Lucia Marketing Board, in collaboration with the “WUSC (World University Service of Canada) Caribbean” and the Taiwan Technical Mission, recently hosted a national consultation on food security dubbed “Can Helen Feed Herself?”

The consultation sought to reduce the high level of fragmentation and homogeneity in production and marketing within the agricultural sector.

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Ambassador of the Republic of China, Taiwan to Saint Lucia, H.E. Peter Chia-yen Chen says access to sufficient amounts of safe and nutritious food remains key to sustainable livelihoods and the promotion of good health, remaining adamant that his government will continue to work with the Government of Saint Lucia and all partners to support food security initiatives on the island.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Rural Development, Hon. Alfred Prospere says that this latest intervention by the Saint Lucia Marketing Board, WUSC and the Taiwan ICDF bringing together all stakeholders of the agri-food industry in a national consultation on food security is timely as the Agriculture Ministry continues to move discourse in the direction of establishing and implementing agreed-upon production action plans, while also enhancing strategic linkages between agriculture and other sectors.

Minister Prospere continues to underscore the importance of food security to Saint Lucia saying that increased consumption of locally produced crops is contingent on  greater local production.

The Ministry of Agriculture is at the juncture of realigning institutional, legal, and policy frameworks that shape the sector, and continues to forge connections between industry stakeholders.

SOURCE: Ministry of Agriculture

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The Newest Royalton CHIC Resort Will Open in Antigua

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Black Immigrant Daily News

News Americas, TORONTO, Oct. 12, 2022: Following the vibrant success of the Royalton CHIC Resorts concept in Cancun and Punta Cana, Blue Diamond Resorts is proud to announce the opening of Royalton CHIC Antigua in late 2023 on the idyllic Dickenson Bay Beach, Antigua.

This new 227 room five-star beachfront resort will bring a unique adults-only social vacation experience to this Caribbean region where singles, couples, friends and groups can party their way. Conveniently located only eighteen minutes from V. C. Bird International Airport, this completely renovated resort will be full of vivacious offerings making it the ultimate destination for adult getaways.

“Whether for relaxation or a lively luxury beach getaway, the Party Your Way concept that Royalton CHIC Antigua will bring to this region is unique within the All-Inclusive segment,” says Jordi Pelfort, President of Hotels and Resorts at Sunwing Travel Group. “We have been committed in delivering groundbreaking experiences to our guests and Royalton CHIC Antigua will be no exception. We are thrilled about what this new property will mean for Antigua, as well as the Caribbean region.”

Discerning travelers can expect day-to-night activities available such as themed pool parties and DJ sets, as well as a range of gourmet dining experiences including five fascinating bars with mixology and six reservation-free dining restaurants. Should guests choose to experience peak relaxation instead, Royalton CHIC Antigua will present multiple opportunities to satisfy that craving, including lounging beneath the sun, sipping handcrafted cocktails beside the serene beachfront pool, or getting pampered at Royalton CHIC’s world-class spa.

A distinct feature of this property will be an overwater themed restaurant, exclusive to Royalton CHIC Antigua. This restaurant will be constructed over the sea, providing guests with a diningtainment concept, a mix between entertainment and dining.

About Blue Diamond Resorts

Blue Diamond Resorts encompasses over 45 properties, exceeding 18,000 rooms in eight countries located in the most popular holiday destinations in the Caribbean. Its nine leading hotel brands include the Award-winning, All-In Luxury® Royalton Luxury Resorts, where Everyone is Family. Whether guests come as friends, parents, kids, couples, weddings, corporate or incentive retreats, or solo travelers everyone is family in these properties that personalized services and signature amenities including All-In Connectivity, DreamBed, and the Sports Event Guarantee. To refocus on valued relationships and friendships, Hideaway at Royalton offers an adults-only experience with exclusive dining and preferred accommodations to enhance Togetherness among their guests. Party Your Way at Royalton CHIC Resorts, an adults-only vibrant and effervescent all-inclusive brand to revel in the unexpected. Mystique by Royalton is Miles from Ordinary, offering their visitors to connect with their surroundings in a boutique-style resort collection full of endless beauty and hip vibes. In Jamaica, Grand Lido Negril offers guests over the age of 21, a unique and all-inclusive Au Naturel vacation along with a secluded shore for the utmost privacy. Memories Resorts & Spa offers a vacation designed whether you’re planning a family vacation, reuniting with friends, or just have a relaxing time with your significant other, while Starfish Resorts provides amazing value breathtaking surroundings, and rich culture and heritage. Planet Hollywood Hotels & Resorts invites guests to Vacation Like A Star with an engaging and interactive experience, plus famous pop culture items from iconic movies, music, and sports while Planet Hollywood Adult Scene will turn your adults-only vacation into the center of fascination and attention with glam and exclusivity.

To learn more about Blue Diamond Resorts, please visit www.bluediamondresorts.com/

About Royalton CHIC Resorts

Royalton CHIC Resorts offers adults-only vibrant and effervescent all-inclusive experiences to Party Your Way and revel in the unexpected. Located in popular Caribbean destinations such as Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and Cancun, Mexico, this new adults-only generation of all-inclusive concept delivers unprecedented experiences in which luxury and fun meet in each idyllic location. Choose between relaxing and treating yourself or partying and having fun, party your way.

Ideal for couples, groups, singles or friends, including modern rooms and suites featuring All-In Luxury, the premium DreamBed, a variety of culinary offerings, All-In Connectivity and exclusivity through the Diamond Club category. Guests can choose between relaxing and treating themselves in the spa or enjoy the resort’s unique events and theme parties at signature locations.

For more information about Royalton CHIC Resorts, visit www.royaltonresorts.com 

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Opposition says they played a key role in Bush’s final resignation Loop Cayman Islands

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Cayman Compass
Loop News

48 minutes ago

Leader of the Opposition, Roy McTaggart

The Leader of the Opposition, Roy McTaggart, issued a statement today regarding the moving up of the timeframe for the effective resignation of McKeeva Bush as Speaker of Parliament. In his statement, Mr McTaggart indicated that the private member’s motion for a vote of no confidence brought by him played a key role in this happening.

The full statement of Mr McTaggart is set out below.

I was heartened this morning to learn that Mr Bush has finally done the right thing and vacated the Speaker’s chair. I have no doubt that the combined pressure brought by my and MP Barbara Conolly’s motion on a lack of confidence in the Speaker, together with the Opposition’s boycott of Parliament and insistence that the Speaker step down immediately, played a key role in Mr Bush being forced out of the Speaker’s chair. This is certainly in the best interest of the Country and the Parliament.

The Opposition wishes Mr Bush and his family well and look forward to working with the new Speaker when Parliament next meets and Mr Bush’s successor is elected.

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Imbert tells Senate: Many benefits in the budget

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

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Finance Minister Colm Imbert

FINANCE Minister Colm Imbert did not understand why some people do not see anything beneficial in the 2022/2023 budget. He addressed this as he opened the budget debate in the Senate on Wednesday.

The House of Representatives passed the budget on Wednesday by a vote of 21 to 19.

Imbert reminded senators there were 23 fiscal measures in the budget.

“If I’m going to be dispassionate about it, of the 23 fiscal measures, two involve the increase in fines for certain things…three actually…which I think no one would want to contradict.”

He listed these as illegal quarrying, theft of scrap metal and theft of timber from state plantations. Imbert said Government is looking at increasing the fines for illegal quarrying, illegal state timbering and theft of scrap iron.

“All of the other measures are benefits, and somehow, in the discourse on the 2022/2023 budget, all the benefits that are in the budget seem to have been clothed in a lot of contentious debate.”

On this basis, Imbert felt it important to remind the population of some benefits.

The first was increasing the personal income-tax exemption limit from $84,000 to $90,000 a year. Imbert reminded senators this means all individuals earning $7,500 a month or less will now be exempt from income tax.

This meant they would have an additional $1,500 a year in disposable income in their pockets.

“Therefore the multiplier effect comes into play.”

While these measures will result in a decline in government revenue of $450 million, Imbert said, “We expect the effect on GDP (Gross Domestic Product) could be as much as double that.”

But he added this was theory. “You have to see how these things work out in practice.”

To combat climate change and boost domestic agriculture production, Imbert said the budget offers rebates of up to $25,000 for implementing renewable energy, such as solar and wind energy, for approved agricultural holdings.

“To encourage farmers and other agricultural producers, agro-processors and so on, to use solar energy for lighting and maybe energy for the machinery and so on, they were given a rebate of $25,000.”

Imbert said the subsidy for the Housing and Village Improvement Programme could improve the quality of housing for many people. The subsidy ranges from $145,000 to $175,000 for housing improvement work in different geographical areas.

Imbert also said the budget places significant emphasis on infrastructure in fiscal 2023. The newly formed Secondary Road Improvement Company, under the Rural Development and Local Government Ministry, will be one of the entities undertaking infrastructural work in the next fiscal year.

Imbert recalled a similar entity existed in the 1970s.

“We thought there should be a focus on secondary roads and local roads. So we created this secondary roads company with a specific mandate to think, to focus on local roads and secondary roads.”

The company has been allocated $200 million for fiscal 2023.

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Ramdeen wants back his laptops, phones from police

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

Gerald Ramdeen. File photo –

EX-UNC senator Gerald Ramdeen is threatening to take the police to court for the return of several items they seized when they searched his home and offices in May 2019.

On Wednesday, his attorney, Dayadai Harripaul, wrote to the acting Police Commissioner.

She said the searches were done on May 1, 2019 – the day before Ramdeen and former attorney general Anand Ramlogan,SC, were slapped with three corruption charges in an alleged legal-fees kickback conspiracy.

Ramdeen’s Palmiste apartment and his law offices in San Fernando and Woodbrook were searched by the Anti-Corruption Bureau.

Harripaul said electronic items including computers, laptops, iPads and cellphones were taken, and although the police were told the items contained privileged material, they said it was for Ramdeen to prove that.

“Despite my client’s request for a copy of the search warrant, a copy was not provided to him,” she also said.

Harripaul said on May 9, 2019, she requested the items: a Macbook Air laptop; an iPad; a Digicel cellphone; a Scotiabank transaction record receipt; a digital vault; a Royal Bank chequebook in Ramdeen’s name; a Dell laptop, a Lenovo laptop and two other devices.

Harripaul quoted the law on police powers to detain property and said the legal principles were clear and lead to “only one conclusion: that the items taken ought to have been returned forthwith.”

She said on Monday the criminal prosecution against her client was discontinued, so “the continued detention of my client’s property is illegal and unlawful.”

“My client has been deprived of his property for in excess of three years and I now call upon you to forthwith immediately return my client’s property failing which proceedings will be commenced in the High Court for the forthwith return of same.”

She said her client contended that the police had no lawful basis for keeping the items.

Acting Commissioner McDonald Jacob was given until 4 pm on Friday to respond or Ramdeen will go to court for orders to have his belongings returned.

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