Kamla Persad-Bissessar Thread.

[D.H.W]

tanti have moves what wrong with alyuh 

[boss]

Anyone else get this email? Dancing Kamla!

[D.H.W]

 

[STEUPS!!]

 

[weary1969]

It have real idle people oui

[Babalawo]

lol i think they should start banning internet in trinidad now 

[Bourbon]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzWM-JV5VdU

[dinho]

Kamla blanks Bakr

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/99292684.html

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar last night turned down a request made yesterday by Jamaat-al-Muslimeen leader Imam Yasin Abu Bakr that the two meet to discuss the State's decision to sell off the assets of the organisation.

On Sunday, an advertisement was placed in the newspapers to invite interested persons to an auction of land and buildings previously owned by Bakr in several locations across Trinidad.

The ad was placed even as the Government announced on Thursday that it would launch a commission of enquiry into the attempted coup.

The State is seeking to recover a $32 million debt that resulted from the destruction of Police Headquarters during the 1990 coup attempt.

The attempted coup was led by Abu Bakr, and at least 24 people were killed before the insurgents surrendered and were later freed based on an amnesty agreement. Today is the 20th anniversary of the failed coup. (See Page 9)

Told about Abu Bakr's request for a meeting last night, Persad-Bissessar said, "I think such a meeting should be held by lawyers who will represent the Government."

She said the issue was not political, but legal.

Earlier yesterday, Persad-Bissessar responded to statements made by Bakr that the auction was "unlawful and illegal" and the planned move was a state of desperation by the new government.

Persad-Bissessar said, "This matter would best be answered by the Attorney General. But the Government has already indicated such and so the advertisement for auction would be out tomorrow."

She was still unable to say who the members of the commission of enquiry would be.

[weary1969]

lol i think they should start banning internet in trinidad now 

 

[AirMan]

Source:..http://www.trinidadexpress.com/commentaries/99525304.html

Pledges, promises and performance
By Reginald Dumas


The Local Government election is over, and with it the pledges and promises made. Actually, from what I was reading, and hearing from others, and from the little I saw on TV, there didn't seem to be many pledges and promises at all.

Rather, I had the impression of an overabundance of personality attacks from both opposing sides on each other. The scope of these attacks was even broadened to include an Independent Senator. She had given voice to what many people were saying, but now, for speaking up, she was promptly assigned membership of the other party and skewered accordingly.

We also heard about the wickedness—it must be wickedness—of the Prime Minister dancing in Jamaica, as if dancing is an activity to be viewed with Puritan, or perhaps Talibanic, horror. Perhaps Patrick Manning will have to pastor in hell for having danced with Hazel?

It was all very disappointing, and makes me unconfident about performance to come.

The truth, and we all know it, is that political parties, once in office, generally do not keep many of their electoral promises. Often they do not intend to, because they know they can't: the promises were simply cynical come-ons to attract votes. Sometimes they do intend to, but are blocked by circumstances which they didn't anticipate or which are more formidable than anticipated; reality kicks in. Remember Obama's campaign pledge to close Guantánamo quickly?

The only government I can remember offhand that delivered on what seemed like most of its promises within days of taking office was the administration of Bob Hawke in Australia in the early 1980s. Even at a distance of several thousand miles, I was left breathless by Hawke's speed.

But Hawke was an aberration; governments usually take more time in their early months. I therefore find strange the repeated PNM criticism that the PP administration isn't keeping its word. To be sure, the PP has made missteps, the bulk of them avoidable, and I have publicly expressed reservations about certain aspects of its approach and behaviour. However, can it seriously be argued that after a mere two months in office, the government should or could have fulfilled all, or most, of its manifesto promises? Kamla Persad-Bissessar is a far shrewder politician than she has been given credit for, but Bob Hawke she ain't. Continue..http://www.trinidadexpress.com/commentaries/99525304.html

[AirMan]

..doh worry I also post on different sites (sites more popular than this) .. what is in the dark will come to light..

[Jah Gol]

Dumas has been a critic of the PNM for the longest while. Not that criticsm is bad thing but some level of balance is necessary. Its kind of pathetic that he resorting to criticism of the PNM's criticism of the new government's decisions thus far.Did anybody say anything about the Prime Minister dancing anyway?
 
I'm not sure if Dumas expects the Opposition to be quiet about appointing an active politician as chairman of the PSC.What about plans to basically neglect if not mash up UTT and E-Teck ? There was no word from Dumas when the Minister of Finance rather clumsily tried to hoodwink the country.

Granted that it is foolhardy to legitmately point fingers at broken promises within two weeks office. I think Dumas is overstating that rhetoric. 

[Bourbon]

Dookeran axes Financial Centre



The vision of an International Financial Centre (IFC) in Port of Spain is over, Finance Minister Winston Dookeran said yesterday. In fact, Dookeran said the Trinidad and Tobago IFC, which was to be housed in two 26-storey towers at Wrightson Road, Port of Spain, was "an idea that never should have been born".

State special-purpose company e Teck may also be about to undergo a restructuring process, he said. The towers were part of a $2 billion international Waterfront project, which included the Hyatt Regency Trinidad hotel. Tower C and Tower D cost taxpayers $1.3 billion and were completed in 2008 by the previous People's National Movement (PNM) administration.

Discussions to turn the towers into the Caribbean headquarters of international banking and financial powerhouses, however, were stalled with the onset of the global economic meltdown, and the towers remained practically empty until government ministries started occupying several floors.

"The economics of the IFC were never there" from the time the towers were completed, Dookeran told reporters, following a luncheon address to American Chamber of Commerce members at the Hyatt Regency.

The IFC idea also faced legal challenges to make it a reality.

"The legal and taxation framework were not there," Dookeran said.

The IFC under the previous PNM government was designed to be a financial platform for international banks and finance houses, similar to IFCs in Dubai, the Middle East and Asia.

Earlier during his address, Dookeran said the IFC idea in Port of Spain should not have been created, and the new People's Partnership would now have to redesign the IFC concept as a means of increasing investment promotion. A ministry task force has been assessing options for the new IFC.

Dookeran said the ministry was exploring new options to convert the IFC into an investment-promotion entity that would actively go after investors who want to come to Trinidad and Tobago.

There is also the need for a new investment promotion vehicle because there has been a "missing link" in promoting Trinidad and Tobago since the demise of the Tourism and Industrial Development Company (Tidco), he said.

Dookeran is projecting US$2 billion worth of investments to start in the country next year, and he expects to convert the IFC into a permanent liability company to drive the investment thrust forward.

Another issue is the Evolving TecKnologies and Enterprise Development Company (e TecK), a special-purpose company set up in 2003 to develop new industries. The company says it is nearing completion of its Tamana InTech Park at Wallerfield, which will be a science and light industrial park.

Responding to questions from AmCham members, Dookeran said, "e Teck has been a sore spot not only because the building is still not complete, but the bills are starting to rise."

He said the company would be restructured in the context of investment promotion.

[Jah Gol]

Dookeran is projecting US$2 billion worth of investments to start in the country next year, and he expects to convert the IFC into a permanent liability company to drive the investment thrust forward.

Et tu Dooks ? Methinks thou dost pulleth numbers from  the atmosphere. 

[weary1969]

Dookeran is projecting US$2 billion worth of investments to start in the country next year, and he expects to convert the IFC into a permanent liability company to drive the investment thrust forward.

Et tu Dooks ? Methinks thou dost pulleth numbers from  the atmosphere. 

YEPPPPPP

[Bourbon]

Govt halts OJTs

The brake has been put on the recruitment of On-the-Job Training Programme trainees until the start of the new fiscal year in October. Sunday Guardian understands the move comes as a result of a $12 million deficit on the programme’s budgetary allocation. The programme was allocated $155 million for the period 2009/2010 for the recruitment of 10,000 personnel. However, data obtained by Sunday Guardian from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education under which OJT falls, revealed that total expenditure to date is $167,565,728.03. Contacted on the issue the relevant minister Fazal Karim says that the programme is not being scrapped but admits that the budget is strained.

“I want to state categorically that absolutely no directives were given for OJT to stop. The programme is currently being reviewed and definitely going to be improved. What has happened is that as we are moving to the end of the fiscal year. The budgetary quota has been reduced. We cannot have people working and not receiving any salary,” Karim said. As a result the deficit, Sunday Guardian learned, has caused the ministry to review department budgets to assist with the payment of salaries and reimbursements to companies.
The ministry reimburses companies 50 per cent of the approved stipend. Payments vary from $2,000 to $5,000 depending on the level of certification.

Sunday Guardian understands up to last Friday OJT trainees had not received monies. The OJT programme caters to students between the ages of 16 and 35 aiming to provide them with the necessary training for the job market. Since its inception in 2002, the database of OJT has been bombarded with over 90,000 applications from students all seeking training to enter the job market. A total of 62,000 have successfully received training from the programme so far, with an additional 10,000 students enrolling every year. However, the halt of the OJT programme has raised concerns among some students seeking employment. The students claimed that they were informed by education officials the programme had been scrapped until 2011 because of lack of funding.

“Many of us were turned away from education offices in south and central Trinidad when we went to collect applications forms. Nobody knows what exactly is going on. One person said directives were given for scrapping until next year, while another person is saying that there is no money to continue the programme. “If you do not have work experience you cannot get a job anywhere? So, we need to know exactly what is going on?” one student’s concern.

OJT to be upgraded
Meanwhile, Karim said his ministry is currently considering certifying trainees participating in the programme. He said the implementation of the T&T National Vocational Qualification unit is going to set up to assist with upgrading the move. “Trainees now entering the system are going to be assessed and evaluated. At the end of the apprenticeship they will receive certificates that will be recognised by other institutions and companies. No longer will trainees be leaving empty handed but they will be certified in their required field.” On the issue of the teaching-assistants programme being relocated to the education ministry, Karim said no decision has been made. “The issue is still being reviewed.”

Two weeks ago Minister of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education Fazal Karim said suggestions were made for the OJT teacher-training programme be removed from his portfolio to ensure proper training is available. Only recently OJT implemented a Life Skills Training component to the programme. The programme is geared at equipping students with goal-setting, communication skills, personal and financial management and responsible social behaviour.

[Babalawo]

hard luck youths. too bad half of them couldnt/didnt vote

[Bourbon]

hard luck youths. too bad half of them couldnt/didnt vote

Trust me. A lot of dem did. De question is for who.

[Jah Gol]

OJT has a knack for mucking up so first people thought it was an administrative error. Word got out that the Ministry of Finance did not release sufficient funds to pay all OJTs. I heard that they switch from a quarterly disbursement to a monthly one with the change in government. The way OJT works is they have to check time sheets to calculate stipends. They're really anal about it but they would usually dock pay for days lost in the previous month. So generally funds would be available, payments would go out and any errors would be corrected by the next month. I suspect that there will a contraction of the programme or these problems will continue.

In terms of the 'upgrades' the Minister spoke about actually already exists. That is Assessment and Certification for trainees who complete the programme. They're just bringing it under the TTNVQ.

[D.H.W]

hard luck youths. too bad half of them couldnt/didnt vote

Trust me. A lot of dem did. De question is for who.

PP

[weary1969]

hard luck youths. too bad half of them couldnt/didnt vote

Trust me. A lot of dem did. De question is for who.

PP

Obviouslyt they wanted 2 rise

[Bourbon]

US Embassy official 'farse and out of place'




PUBLIC Affairs Officer at the United States Embassy, Matthew Cassetta, is "farse and out of place", says Sport and Youth Affairs Minister, Anil Roberts.

"As a minister here to serve the people, if the media asks me a question, I choose to answer, I choose not to say no comment...because the media represents the views of the people," he said.

Roberts was speaking at a press conference at the ministry's head office in Port of Spain yesterday in response to criticisms by Casseta that he followed the wrong protocol in his response to an Express reporter who approached him after he spoke to someone protesting about the embassy's visa system.

On Sunday, Roberts told the Express that the US Embassy should give citizens a better explanation for denying them visas.

And yesterday, Casseta was quoted in the Guardian as saying that Roberts should have followed protocol and sent a diplomatic note regarding any complaints.

"I couched my statement very carefully and followed protocols, in fact after our swearing in, the first minister I spoke to was Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Surujrattan Rambachan, and I shared with him my concerns and it was enunciated by the protestor there on the Promenade on Emancipation Day," Roberts said yesterday.

Additionally, Roberts said the issue was discussed in Cabinet and the Minister of Foreign Affairs has started negotiations and discussions with the relevant officials.

"Now it seems as if people did not hear that part, but I then went on to say in my own capacity as Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs that I know of cases involving two athletes...furthermore I have made many requests through writing letters and diplomatic notes and not once have I received a note saying 'minister we have received your letter'," he said.

As such, a visibly annoyed Roberts called on Cassetta to explain why he in turn chose to address the issue via the very media.

"Because I would suggest to him that he is a guest in this country. No one elected him...and I think the official from the embassy is farse and out of place to be discussing in the newspaper that a minister of government in this country is out of place to be asking him anything. So I think the shoe is on the other foot and he should read his diplomatic manual before commenting," he said.

Calls to the Embassy yesterday afternoon to get Cassetta to respond proved futile as he had already left and no other official wanted to comment.

A July 2009 report compiled by the Office of the Inspector General in the US Department of State with regard to the operations of the embassy located in Trinidad and Tobago has stated that once a individual meets the requirement for a visa they cannot be turned down nor can someone be turned down if in the past they have had a US visa.

The report can be viewed by logging on to www.oig.state.gov



 

Between dis and the extradition..i wondering wha de hell going on.

[Bakes]

I following this thing past couple days and Roberts is ah c**t... he moving like ah real country bookie come to town.  The US official correct, you as a big Minister doh go to the newspapers to complain about what going on at the US Embassy.  The man was right in saying that there are proper protocols in place for raising such grievances when the source fo those grievances is a government Minister. 

As for Cassetta commenting in the newspaper, perhaps he should have said there are proper channels for conversation between us and the TnT Government, but he not attacking government procedures in the press the way that Roberts is.  Guest or not he right to dress back Roberts.  Roberts is a low-level functionary... Ministry of Sport eh no big portfolio fuh him to be carrying on swell-headed like that.  In the end whomever the US decide to admit into their country, and how they go about it is their business... we eh have to like it.

[Brownsugar]

I miss the opening salvo so I didn't hear exactly what Anil said and in what forum (I think it was at an Emancipation function and the media asked him a question....but like I said I eh see or hear for mih self).  But yes Bakes ah feel ah want to agree with yuh on this one.  There is a time and place for everything.....he and Calamity Cornelis need to know when to uuuummm......."shut up".

I find Anil should spend he time commenting on Jackie boy/TTFF vs. players, dat right up he alley......

[Jah Gol]

Roberts has the deft touch of a young elephant. I don't expect anything more from a man who believes talking loud is the same as making sense.

[Dutty]

Roberts has the deft touch of a young elephant. I don't expect anything more from a man who believes talking loud is the same as making sense.

Indeed!

Expect plenty more calamities from this fellah, he so since fatima days.

[weary1969]

Roberts has the deft touch of a young elephant. I don't expect anything more from a man who believes talking loud is the same as making sense.

Like all yuh 4get dis is d country where a fella name Sugar Aloes say Robbie take down d cock and put up a dragon and meh man Patrick instruct Imbert in d death of nite 2 take down d dragon and put up a dove. In TNT u eh have 2 b loud just say sumting more than once and is gospel.

[Bakes]

Allyuh should take a look at the OIG report they going on about in the press... very informative.  It shows the difference between a progressive country and... TnT.  Imagine the government self have ah independent body to investigate and criticize it's agencies to ensure efficiency and adherence to laws.  This only underscores the American diplomat's position... Trinidad on the other hand have a vaille-qui-vaille way of doing things.  Some nobody Minister of Sport taking it upon heself to criticize a foreign government, when that is the role of either the Minister of Foreign Affairs or the Executive himself.  You don't criticize an ally government in the press you pursue it thru the diplomatic channels.

Besides, the  OIG report made it clear that the ills it describes occurred under Roy Austin's watch, and are largely the product of his personal meddling in Embassy protocol and processes.  To turn around and criticize the Embassy (and by extension the US State Department/Government- circa page 28) is poor form... especially when they made it clear that they are about the business of trying to correct past errors.

People should really take a look at the report and see for themselves how the problems (particularly as it relates to the Public Relations and Visa Issuance offices) deteriorated under Bush Vincentian stooge, Roy Austin.

[Jah Gol]

THE United States Embassy should give citizens of this country a better explanation for denying them visas, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Anil Roberts said yesterday.
Speaking with the Express during the re-enactment of the Declaration of Emancipation on the Brian Lara Promenade, Port of Spain yesterday, Roberts said he agreed with some of the issues raised by a man who carried two placards objecting to the US visa policy.
"As citizen we want a good relationship with the US, we are friends, we are trading partners but really and truly more explanation should be given to citizens as to why they are being denied," Roberts said.
The protester Addil Abdullah, who said that he did not want a US visa, held placards during the emancipation celebrations in Port of Spain.
Roberts, who was near Abdullah as he stood in the crowd, told Abdullah that he agreed with some of the things he was saying and added that he hoped that the citizens would not line up in the "hot sun" waiting for a US visa either.
Roberts referred to two incidents involving sporting personnel -- national footballer Sean de Silva and former national high jumper Janille Prime -- both of whom were denied visas to enter the United States to continue their studies.
"These things are very worrisome, it appears that there is no clear policy that we could understand," Roberts said adding that the Minister of Foreign Affairs Surujrattan Rambachan would have talks with them (the US Embassy) "with a view of getting some sort of clarity".
Rambachan, in a telephone interview, yesterday said that it is the "right of a country to deny entrants" adding that the right sort of conversation must take place and continue to take place between the United States and Trinidad and Tobago.
He added that since assuming office in May, 18 students seeking to further their education in the United States sought his help in acquiring visas after they were denied by the American Embassy.
Abdullah's protest come on the heels of last weeks visit by Assistant Secretary of State for the Western Hemisphere, Dr Arturo Valenzuela.
During his three-day visit, Valenzuela said that about 70 per cent of the 36,000 visa applications each year from Trinidad and Tobago nationals are approved.
Public Affairs Officer of the US Embassy Matthew Cassetta said yesterday that there are no plans to change the US visa policy.

 Aug 2, 2010
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/99738779.html

[Jah Gol]

Sports Minister Anil Roberts makes no apologies, for publicly calling on the U.S. embassy to give reasons for rejecting some visa applications.

The Minister says he was responding to questions posed by the media during Emancipation Day celebrations in Port of Spain.

Mr. Robert’s public questioning of the U.S. embassy’s visa policy has been criticised by spokesman Matthew Cassettas who said the minister should follow diplomatic processes.

He said he told reporters Foreign Affairs Minister Surujrattan Rambachan was apprised of the situation and was dealing with it.

Minister Roberts said he has nothing to apologise for and will always speak out for the people.

http://www.i955fm.com/News.aspx?id=8942

3rd August 2010.