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BACK THEN: PDP leader Watson Duke, left, and THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine before their recent falling out. FILE PHOTO –

Political commentator Ralph Maraj believes THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine may eventually sever ties with the Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP).

“It is difficult to see how Farley could continue in the PDP under (party leader Watson) Duke. He will eventually have to go his own way,” he told Newsday.

Maraj, a former government minister who served in both PNM and UNC administrations, also believes Tobagonians could go back to the polls.

“After such an overwhelming mandate, I believe that this will be utterly tragic.”

He was commenting on the ongoing public feud between Augustine and Duke overto the THA’s response to the reported plight of 27 members of the Roxborough Folk Performers who were due to perform at several events in New York ahead of Labor Day celebrations.

Duke claimed the THA, other than airfare, did not provide funds for the group to cover additional expenses. Augustine has denied this.

The PDP leader, who gave up his position as Deputy Chief Secretary last Thursday, was replaced by Secretary of Health, Wellness and Social Protection Dr Faith BYisrael.

She was sworn in on Monday at President’s House, St Ann’s after her election at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex earlier that day.

Duke, who promised to take Augustine to task for not fulfilling the mandate of the party in the THA, also accused him of corruption.

Augustine, in turn, has said he plans to sue Duke and is already consulting with his attorneys.

Duke has said he will not sit with PDP members in the chamber, but on the opposite side.

Maraj said Duke should have discussed his concerns privately with Augustine before going public.

“Things escalated to Duke firing Farley as deputy political leader and resigning as Deputy Chief Secretary of the THA.

“But I am convinced that even though Farley erred in not trying for dialogue before going public (when he announced the review of Duke’s portfolio as Deputy Chief Secretary), he would not have succeeded in satisfying Duke, who seems uncontrollable. It seems inevitable these two would have ended in serious conflict.

“It is all very sad for Tobagonians in particular and for the country.”

In light of these developments, Maraj said it is hardly likely Augustine can continue to function within the PDP, even though: “I would like him to survive this imbroglio..

“He made a most impressive start as Chief Secretary and demonstrated great promise as a politician for the entire nation.”

After BYisrael was sworn in, Augustine laid down an ambitious agenda for the THA.

He said she will be required to lead Tobago’s fight for greater autonomy, as the bill is scheduled to be debated during this parliamentary session.

Augustine also said talks are taking place on to establishing a THA presence in Trinidad at 22-24 Pembroke Street, Port of Spain. The office will fall under the purview of the Office of the Deputy Chief Secretary.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

Investigators have recovered $6M in cash following the arrest of another suspect in the $400M raw gold theft.

In addition, two motorcars have been seized.

Several persons, including two police officers, have been arrested as the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Criminal Investigations Department (CID) probes the theft of $400M in raw gold from a businesswoman.

In a brief statement issued by the Force, it was explained that the theft occurred between December 2021 and January 2022.

It was explained that the victim is a female gold dealer and over the years, she accumulated the raw gold and concealed them at a location within the confines of her home.

The suspects were contracted by the victim to conduct repairs to her home and in the process of doing same, they found the gold and they divided up the valuables amongst themselves and then they went on a “spending spree”.

Police Headquarters said several persons have already been arrested, including two subordinate officers stationed in Berbice.

Two individuals were today charged in relation to the incident.

Bhaloonauth Seegobin called ‘Krishna’, a 49-year-old contractor of Farm, East Bank Demerara; and Satrohan Seegobin caled ‘Richie’, a 24-year-old construction worker of Farm, EBD were arrested and charged jointly for the offence of simple larceny.

The two accused appeared at the Cove & John Magistrate’s Court before where the indictable charge was read to them.

Bhaloonauth Seegobin pleaded not guilty and was remanded to prison until November 1 for report and statement at the Mahaica Magistrate Court while Satrohan Seegobin pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years imprisonment.

To date, investigators have recovered a quantity of the raw gold as well as three motor vehicles: two cars and one canter.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

El gobernador Pedro Rafael Pierluisi Urrutia dijo el martes que le solicitará al presidente de los Estados Unidos, Joseph Biden, que apruebe la Declaración federal de Desastre.

“Ayer se lo adelanté al presidente, cuando hablamos por vía telefónica. Y se comprometió a darle atención expedita a nuestra solicitud”, dijo el gobernador en conferencia de prensa.

“En nuestra solicitud, específicamente, estamos pidiendo que se activen las ayudas del programa de FEMA de asistencia pública, para restablecer servicios y de asistencia individual de trabajos de emergencias, entre otros. Estamos limitando la solicitud, a este tipo de ayudas, no a los programas de FEMA para obra permanente. Para esos programas, estaremos cursando una solicitud más adelante cuando hayamos levantado el estimado de daños”, añadió.

Según el gobernador, si el presidente acoge la solicitud, la Agencia federal de Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA)  “va a estar disponible para complementar los esfuerzos del Negociado de Manejo de Emergencias, en los esfuerzos de recuperación.

“También estamos solicitando, que el gobierno federal asuma el 100 por ciento de los costos relaciones a este tipo de asistencia, por 30 días. Y luego, que asuma el 90 por ciento del costo para todas las categorías de trabajo para asistencia pública”, expresó.

De otra parte, el director ejecutivo de la Autoridad de Asesoría Financiera y Agencia Fiscal de Puerto Rico (AAFAF), Omar Marrero Díaz explicó que los alcaldes tienen acceso al Fondo de Emergencia, pero no por asignación especial, como solicitaron los presidentes de la Federación y la Asociación de Alcaldes.

“Se hace a través del COE (Centro de Operaciones de Emergencia), los funcionarios de Manejo de Emergencia y el COR3 están aquí, para ayudarlos a radicarla forma 113, que es por la cual tienen acceso al Fondo de Emergencia. La solicitud de una asignación especial directamente eso la Junta (de Control Fiscal) no lo ha aprobado, tampoco lo había aprobado en el pasado”, sostuvo Marrero Díaz.

El presidente de la Federación de Alcaldes, Gabriel Hernández Rodríguez le pidió a la Junta Fiscal una asignación por municipio de un millón de dólares. Por su parte, el presidente de la Asociación de Alcaldes,  Luis Javier Hernández Ortiz solicitó que la asignación fuera de 500 mil dólares.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

Alrededor de 100 mil clientes tienen restablecido el servicio eléctrico, informaron el lunes los portavoces de LUMA Energy.

Según los portavoces del consorcio, los clientes con servicio se encuentran en los pueblos de Toa Baja, Toa Alta, área metropolitana de San Juan, Bayamón y Corozal.

Desde el apagón general de la una de la tarde del domingo, se activaron la Unidad 1-1, 2-1 y de de Palo Seco, se energizó la línea 38,200 de 115 kilovatios, que energizó la subestación de Monacillo, se energizó la línea 38,700 de 115 kilovatios a la central eléctrica de San Juan, se energizó la XFMR auxiliar, se energizó una parte del Centro Médico y se estaba en el proceso de de la activación de las unidades 6, 7 y 9 de la central eléctrica de San Juan.

El director ejecutivo de la Autoridad de Energía Eléctrica, Josué Colón Ortiz sostuvo el proceso de entrar las plantas al sistemas seguiría con los sistemas del este y oeste, para finalmente encender las centrales del sur de AES, EcoEléctrica, Aguirre y Costa Sur.

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