Black Immigrant Daily News
SERIEUS!? / Ivan Cairo Armand draagt vandaag (woensdag) de scepter bij Financiën en Planning over aan een tijdelijke opvolger, want
NewsAmericasNow.com
Black Immigrant Daily News
Finance Minister Colm Imbert –
The Employers’ Consultative Association of TT (ECA) said it acknowledges government’s modest attempts to rebalance the economy while attempting to address some long-standing issues, especially in the context of continued geopolitical tensions that are affecting commodity prices, fuelling inflation globally and threatening the recovery efforts of many economies.
In a release, the ECA said some of the aspects of the budget it liked included the projected budget deficit of $1.51 billion, the lowest deficit since 2015; the efforts to improve the ease of doing business and improving the business environment, especially the SME mentorship programme; the grant fund facility administered by ExporTT; the export booster initiative; the adjustment to the VAT registration threshold; the long-term loan guarantee scheme for SMEs; digitalisation of government services; and incentives for greater use of renewable energy in various sectors, including agriculture.
“Even as we acknowledge the importance of oil and gas to our economy, economic diversification and the creation of diversified, sustainable revenue streams is equally important if we are to improve our resilience against future commodity market shocks. In this regard, we commend the ongoing support to promote the development of the nonenergy sector, such as the manufacturing tax credit (up to a maximum $50,000) for companies investing in new machinery, production lines and equipment, and the establishment of the TT Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (TTTIPA).”
It commended the government for improving access to education through adjusting criteria for accessing GATE, as it said human-capital development is essential. It welcomed the promotion of apprenticeships through the School-to-Work Apprenticeship Allowance for businesses.
The ECA said the increase in personal tax allowance from $7,000 to $7,500 will have a direct benefit on low-income earners, who will stand to be most affected by the rising cost of living owing to inflation, fuel-price adjustments and the loss of income and jobs that many experienced during the past two years.
The organisation said it was concerned about several announcements in the budget, the most immediate of which was the unavoidable hike in fuel prices.
“This will undoubtedly have a negative impact on the population, especially given that this is the second increase in 2022, coming out of a difficult pandemic period for many.
“While we understand the high cost of subsidising fuel, we must also be cognisant of the social cost when fuel prices increase.” It said access to transport was a necessity and people “will need to make further sacrifices, some with already limited resources, to absorb the cost of this increase.”
The ECA said the protracted nature of ongoing public-sector negotiations is a continued area of concern.
It also said it was concerned over the continued escalation of serious and violent crimes that continue to plague both businesses and citizens.
“There is immense fear among the business community of operating beyond certain hours, which ultimately translates into a loss of taxable revenue for the State.
“It is also not useful to develop a national tourism product if safety and security is not assured.”
It said the efficiency of the VAT refund system remains unresolved, while the modernisation of labour legislation and labour market policies seems to remain on the backburner.
The ECA said there continues to be a fundamental disconnect between the education curriculum, the skills that employers and the future of business require, and the development objectives of the Government.
It said it looked forward to much more detail on specific allocations, programmes and initiatives as the budget debate ensues and supporting documents are released.
NewsAmericasNow.com
Black Immigrant Daily News
CONSTRUCTION of the official residence for the Chief Justice is expected to begin in fiscal 2023, out of an allocation of $265.2 million put aside to build, refurbish and renovate public buildings and offices under the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) 2023.
Conceptual designs were developed and the request-for-proposal document was completed, as well as procuring a design consultancy.
Work to be undertaken in fiscal 2023 includes civil and foundation and superstructure works.
Udecott is tasked to manage the project and its website noted the project includes designing, building and outfitting super-grade housing to accommodate the Chief Justice and his family at 4 Hayes Street, St Clair, Port of Spain.
“The official residence will include living areas, sleeping quarters, study and library, prayer room, fitness centre, swimming pool and indoor and outdoor entertainment facilities befitting the Office of the Chief Justice,” its website said.
Under the PSIP 2023, the Judiciary can expect an allocation of roughly $100 million.
From that, it is expected to continue to develop and roll out its court case-management system, or TT.jim, to include the criminal, traffic, family, children, probate, civil courts and the Court of Appeal.
Also expected to continue in fiscal 2023 is the expansion of the Judiciary’s suite of e-services.
In fiscal 2023, an overall PSIP allocation of $6,164.3 million is proposed for implementing programmes and projects from which the Judiciary’s $100 million comes.
In the last fiscal year, equipment was bought for the police service to facilitate virtual courts. From an allocation of $67.3 million, final outfitting works, which included installing furniture, appliances and carpentry, were 90 per cent complete at the Judiciary’s facilities in Tobago.
As it accounted for court facilities, the PSIP noted virtual access customer centres (VACC) were established at the criminal investigations departments of the police service, at the Mayaro and Rio Claro magistrates’ court and UTT campus in Arima to the tune of $4.8 million.
Construction of three jury courts began in 2022 and is at varying degrees of completion, with one 90 per cent complete and the two others 75 per cent complete, with outfitting being done.
The PSIP also said conceptual designs for the accommodation of the criminal division at the Hall of Justice started, with expenditure of $400,000.
Also in fiscal 2022, the Judiciary continued reconfiguring its video-conferencing centre at the Golden Grove Prison. Costs amounted to $1 million.
Preparatory work for the establishment of the Arima Family Court also began in the last fiscal year, with $2.3 million being used to complete the designs and procure construction materials.
The PSIP said $78.4 will be set aside for the Judiciary to “divisionalise and differentiate case-flow management between family and children, criminal and civil processes.”
With the Judiciary’s civil division moving to Tower D and renamed the Waterfront Judicial Centre, work on the Hall of Justice, as a centre of criminal justice, will continue.
An allocation of $5 million has been set aside to reform the building to accommodate the criminal division and supplementary works will include installing structural and life safety systems, air fans, a water pump and an upgrade of the generator. The PSIP caters for an investment of $1 million for the Hall of Justice in Tobago and $5 million to modify district courts to accommodate specialised court services, including small claims/petty civil, coroner’s, sexual offences and drug treatment courts.
The district courts in Mayaro, Tobago, Rio Claro, Point Fortin, Tunapuna, Couva and Chaguanas will benefit from upgrades, and $8.4 million was set aside for the Port of Spain district court for various upgrades there, including a new paint job.
In 2023, $7.3 million will be provided for continued renovation at the San Fernando Supreme Court and $2 million for expanding and rehabilitating the Siparia district court.
A further $3 million will be provided to the Family Court to expand its services; establish a court in Arima; expand the Port of Spain court; complete the Tobago court; and upgrade the infrastructure of all the courts.
The same amount will be invested in the Children’s Courts in Fyzabad, Port of Spain and Tobago and$1.5 million will be allocated to establish drug treatment courts throughout TT and training for judicial officers.
Some $7 million will also be provided to improve the Judiciary’s delivery of services to its customers by developing facilities for jury trials; designing and operating VACCs; establishing customer-care booths, kiosks and mobile facilities; developing a call centre and e-customer service access and information portal; and establishing virtual customer service interfaces for the High Courts.
Although not part of the Judiciary’s allocation, the Equal Opportunity Tribunal (EOT) was not left out of the 2023 PSIP, which says customising and outfitting a building for it are expected in the new fiscal year. The building will be appropriately designed and outfitted to provide for existing staff as well as anticipated staff increases.
The PSIP also caters for continued work at the office of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs (AGLA),with the outfitting of the DPP’s offices in San Fernando; the district registrar’s offices and the Legal Aid and Advisory Authority.
Tower C of the International Waterfront Centre, Wrightson Road, Port of Spain, will also be outfitted to facilitate the relocation of the civil law department of the AGLA. The registrar general’s department in San Fernando will move to Gulf City, La Romaine.
NewsAmericasNow.com
Black Immigrant Daily News
Former head of the Public Service Reginald Dumas.
RETIRED head of the public service Reginald Dumas has advised the THA to establish a small board of people “considered impartial” to review contracts awarded for development initiatives in Tobago.
He gave the advice on Tuesday in response to concerns raised recently about the granting of contracts to Trinidad contractors within the past few months.
“We should have a small board looking at contracts that are awarded, because this has come up recently.
“It is all very well to have a forensic audit into certain things that the previous administration (PNM) did. But then the previous administration has lashed back and accused the PDP of doing the same thing,” he told Newsday.
Dumas suggested the establishment of what he called a small citizens’ body from outside the THA to review contracts being considered for award.
“The board will make the recommendations, because the decision rests with the executive council on whether such a contract should be awarded, and if so, to whom.”
He alluded to a recent allegation about a roofing company that was awarded a contract to construct roads.
“When you hear things like that, it raises a few questions, and I have not heard anything from the chief secretary on this matter. I would like to hear from him if this is true.
“And if it is, what is he going to do about it, because it is clearly a misuse, on the face of it, of taxpayers’ money.”
Dumas said the work of the board must not be about party politics but the development of the island.
He also called on the PDP-led THA to begin a series of public consultations with Tobagonians to discuss the island’s development. He said since the party won the December 6, 2021, THA elections and formed the THA, the members of the assembly have not met with the people.
Dumas said the assembly’s $2.521 billion allocation could be a good starting point for the discussions.
“I would like to see a consultation between the administration and the people of Tobago in a series of community meetings so they could hear suggestions, proposals in relation to the development of Tobago and how they might use the money more creatively and productively what they have received from central government,” he told Newsday.
After Finance Minister Colm Imbert’s presentation of the $57.6 billion budget in the Parliament on Monday, Chief Secretary Farley Augustine said he was disappointed with Tobago’s allocation, as the THA had requested $3.97 billion in its June presentation.
Augustine said an increased allocation would have allowed the THA to pursue more projects.
Instead, he said the bulk of the allocation will again be used for recurrent expenditure – paying salaries and general upkeep of the THA divisions.
Of Tobago’s $2.521 billion allocation, $2.194 billion was set aside for recurrent expenditure, $300 million for the THA’s development programme, $18 million for URP and $9.2 million for CEPEP.
NewsAmericasNow.com
Black Immigrant Daily News
Ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) on Tuesday arrested two males after a quantity of marijuana and a firearm were found in a speed boat they were travelling in along the Manarabisi Canal, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
CANU said its officers intercepted the vessel, which two adult males and a minor occupied.
A subsequent search of the boat was conducted in the presence of the occupants, which led to the discovery of several parcels of suspected narcotics and one shotgun with 16 live cartridges.
The narcotics and firearm found in the suspects’ boat
The two adult suspects – Suraj Singh, 30, lot 69 Section B, No.72 Village, Corentyne, and Mourice Vansluytman, 55, of lot 18 Section A, No.70 Village, Corentyne – were arrested and escorted to CANU headquarters along with the suspected narcotics and shotgun with ammunition.
The narcotics tested positive for cannabis and had a total weight of 126 kg (277.7 lbs).
Investigations are ongoing.
According to CANU, this operation is part of its efforts to reduce the flow of narcotics being trafficked out of the Berbice river district to Suriname. The officers carried out surveillance activities in several main drainage canals in the Corentyne district, which lasted for a period of two days.
NewsAmericasNow.com
Black Immigrant Daily News
A car is now completely destroyed after bursting into flames on the Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) in the wee hours of today.
The incident occurred at Adventure, along the access road leading into the Black Bush Polder. The fire was reported at 00:20h.
The Mercedes sports model Mazda was owned by Gaffoor of Good Hope, East Coast Demerara.
Divisional Fife Officer, Clive McDonald, said a unit from the Rose Hall Town Fire Station responded and was able to put out the blaze but not before the vehicle was already burnt beyond identification.
He gave the cause of the fire as a faulty electrical wire, which he pointed out sparked and ignited flammable vapours.
NewsAmericasNow.com
Black Immigrant Daily News
– Advertisement –
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett has hailed the CARICOM Interactive Marketplace and Suspension Procedure (CIMSuPro) launch.
And she has urged suppliers and buyers of CARICOM originating goods to register on the online platform.
Barnett said Monday’s launch of CIMSuPro marks an essential milestone in the evolution of how trade and business can and will be conducted in the Community.
She observed that the online platform creates a digital ‘Marketplace’ where regional buyers and sellers of regionally produced goods can contact and “contract” each other directly.
– Advertisement –
“It also introduces the potential for improving the efficiency in processing applications for a suspension of the Common External Tariff (CET),” the CARICOM Secretary-General stated.
According to Barnett, while the CARICOM Secretariat will continue to consult with Member States directly on requests for suspensions, the CIMSuPro portal will provide an essential source of information for reviewing all requests.
She asserted that CIMSuPro could become a processing platform for such requests over time.
In addition, Barnett said for any market, including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), to function efficiently, information on trading opportunities must be available.
“As we push for increased regional production and supply of goods, especially food items to replace our high and nsustainable dependence on imports, putting information on the availability of CARICOM inputs for manufacturers, as well as finished CARICOM products at the fingertips of regional buyers is absolutely important,” the CARICOM official declared.
She recalled that external shocks from the COVID-19 pandemic, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and climate change have made building resilience in regional economies even more critical.
And amid global uncertainties, Barnett explained that CARICOM Heads of Government had redoubled their commitment to the CSME as the best option for building economic resilience and safeguarding the welfare, gains, and standard of living of the people of the Region.
“One area that presents great opportunity for increased regional production and import substitution is agri-food products. Over US$3.7 billion in agri-food products was imported into the Region in 2018. To expand regional production and supply to reduce this import bill, producers and buyers must have access to market information in good time and in a user-friendly manner – the CIMSuPRO will provide this,” she noted.
– Advertisement –
NewsAmericasNow.com
Black Immigrant Daily News
La presidenta ejecutiva de la Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AAA), ingeniera Doriel Pagán Crespo, actualizó hoy, miércoles, la información sobre el estatus del servicio de agua potable, tras el paso del huracán Fiona por Puerto Rico y anunció ajustes a la factura de los abonados.
Sobre el estado del servicio de agua potable, Pagán Crespo informó en comunicación escrita que, “continuamos trabajando de manera ininterrumpida para lograr el restablecimiento total del servicio de agua potable para todos nuestros clientes. Nos mantenemos ejecutando todos los planes de respuesta a través de las cinco regiones con el fin de llevar agua potable a todos los clientes. De igual forma, nos mantenemos monitoreando los generadores instalados en nuestras instalaciones críticas para mantener la estabilidad del suplido, aún ante la falta de servicio eléctrico. Actualmente, un 90.28 por ciento de nuestros clientes cuentan con servicio de agua potable, lo que equivale a 1,198,721 clientes. Progresivamente, la AAA incrementará el porcentaje para lograr la estabilización total del sistema”.
Por otra parte, debido a la intermitencia en el servicio tras el evento atmosférico, de manera proactiva, la AAA aplicará un ajuste en la factura de los abonados de un 100 por ciento durante el período de facturación del 18 al 25 de septiembre de 2022.
“Luego del paso del huracán Fiona, varios de nuestros sistemas y plantas de filtración estuvieron fuera de operación por las tomas obstruidas a causa de las fuertes crecientes y falta del servicio eléctrico. Es por esta razón que se realizará el ajuste a todos nuestros clientes residenciales y comerciales que lo verán reflejado en su próxima factura. Este ajuste será equivalente al 13 por ciento de su factura de un período normal de 60 días”, explicó la funcionaria.
Para los clientes residenciales que tengan un consumo en el cargo base de 10 metros cúbicos, utilizando el ejemplo de que la factura mensual sea de $28.15, el crédito será de $3.66. De igual forma, para un cliente residencial promedio con un consumo de 11 a 12 metros cúbicos y cuya factura mensual es de $36.16, se acreditará un total de $4.70.
“Como parte de los esfuerzos de asistencia al cliente que brindamos, los abonados tendrán la alternativa de utilizar los servicios a través de la oficina virtual que está disponible 24 horas y el centro telefónico a través del (787)-620-2482 en su horario de 6:00 de la mañana a 11:00 de la noche, así como los establecimientos registrados para realizar pagos, como lo son las estaciones de pago autorizadas alrededor de toda la isla”, informó Pagan Crespo.
Nota relacionada: AAA anuncia ajustes a la factura
agua potable Autoridad de Acueductos Alcantarillados (AAA) destacadas Doriel Pagán huracán Fiona noticias
NewsAmericasNow.com
Black Immigrant Daily News
La presidenta del Centro Unido de Detallistas, Lourdes M. Aponte Rodríguez, indicó que permanecen inoperantes el 44 por ciento de los comercios asociados a su organización a 10 días del paso del huracán Fiona.
“Todos nos hemos afectado en nuestro 100 x 35. Eso es una realidad. Pero, obviamente, ha habido unas áreas mucho más impactadas y todos sabemos que es en la zona del suroeste. Yo te podría decir que el 44 por ciento de los socios que pertenecen al Centro Unido no están operando actualmente, y pertenecen a la zona suroeste”, lo que implica cerca de 2 mil socios, informó Aponte Rodríguez.
La líder indicó que la falta de luz, agua y diésel, cuya entrega se ha visto afectada debido a problemas en la distribución, son los que mantienen clausurados los negocios.
“El escenario está bastante complejo. Y, obviamente, la asistencia no está llegando. Una vez más, el sector privado cargamos sobre los hombros ese compromiso que tenemos, no solamente con nuestros pequeños y medianos comerciantes que, realmente, representan el 80 por ciento de esa base”, expresó Aponte Rodríguez al resaltar que hay gente para trabajar, pero que la situación en la reducción de personal, aparte de que hay muchas personas que no están en condiciones aptas para laborar debido a la emergencia, agravan la situación.
Aunque no tiene una cifra exacta, expresó que “estamos hablando de miles de millones. Las pérdidas van a ser bien significativas […] Esto lo que ha traído consigo ha sido un colapso mayor […] O nos unimos todos como grupo, y marchamos por el bien de lo que nosotros queremos, que es tener una reconstrucción inmediata y que el sector comercial pueda operar de inmediato… Son muchos los que dependen de ese pequeño comerciante, de esa panadería del pueblo de la esquina”, finalizó la empresaria al clamar, una vez más, por acción gubernamental y describir a LUMA Energy, encargada de transmisión y distribución del servicio eléctrico, como un huracán de categoría indefinida.
[embedded content]
[embedded content]
NewsAmericasNow.com
Black Immigrant Daily News
El presidente de la Comisión de Gobierno en el Senado, Ramón Ruiz Nieves, hizo un llamado a la Cámara de Representantes para dar paso al Proyecto del Senado 465, para crear una reserva de celadores, puesto que ayer se colgó la Resolución Conjunta del Senado 344 para que el Gobierno active empleados de múltiples dependencias o agencias, incluida la Autoridad de Energía Eléctrica (AEE), en emergencias como la experimentada tras el huracán Fiona.
Ayer, la R. C. 344 no pasó en la cámara alta por la ausencia de legisladores, mientras que el portavoz novoprogresista, Carmelo Ríos, la calificó como “inoficiosa”, aunque loable.
“En julio se aprobó en el Senado el 465 y cruzó la Cámara”, expresó el legislador Ruiz Nieves, quien destacó que debido a que el proyecto se estancó en un momento dado, la senadora Migdalia González Arroyo radicó la R. C. 344 para atender el P. del S. 465 y, tras discutirse la resolución, ayer se votó por ella, mas no pasó al llegar con 13 votos de 14 que se necesitaban.
Ruiz Nieves indicó que no es importante cuál de las dos se apruebe, sino que haya un avance en el tema, puesto que la importancia redunda en que los celadores bajo la AEE son los que conocen el sistema.
“Ellos están hábiles, están dispuestos ahí […] Hay celadores pidiendo a la Autoridad de Edificios Públicos, a Educación y Obras Públicas que les den licencias sin sueldo para irse con empresas privadas porque quieren cooperar en restablecer el sistema eléctrico en Puerto Rico”, finalizó el senador.
Ahora, se espera que el P. del S. 465 sea aprobado en la Cámara de Representantes.
[embedded content]
NewsAmericasNow.com
