By Lionel Coker Tobago Regional Coordinator

32 Pages·2015·23.8 MB·English

Page 2 ISSUE 94 Friday 6th MARCH, 2015
ISSUE 94 Friday 6th MARCH, 2015 Page 3
PP Contractors in ‘Sweetheart Deal’
Just mere months be-
fore the 2015 General OUR COVER STORY BY INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER AZAD ALI
Elections, two favoured
People’s Partnership con- to businessman John Aboud, term to the end of the con-
tractors have landed a Chairman of Fouraime Ltd, struction period or for any
“sweetheart deal” of eight for a period of 30 years. This agreed extension.
acres of prime state land, lease is for the construction Aboud and Fouraime Enter-
together with a Hotel and and operation of a marina. prises Ltd can erect any new
Convention Centre at Cha- Sunshine has a copy of building at any height on the
guaramas for $30 million, the “secret” deal between the estate or on any other adjoin-
which valuators have put Chaguaramas Development ing property of the CDA in
close to $100 million. Authority (CDA) and John any manner the CDA thinks
The massive giveaway of Aboud. fit, even if doing so may ob-
prime State land at Chaguara- In February 2013, the CDA struct, affect, or interfere with
mas works out to $93.00 per issued a Request for Proposals amenity of or access to the
sq foot, which houses the Con- (RFP) for “experienced devel- property or the passage of light
vention Centre and Hotel. opers/investors for the refur- and air to the property.
This is a scandal that stinks bishment/reconstruction and Provisions have also been Dr. KEITH ROWLEY JOHN ABOUD The late Dr. ERIC
to the high heavens and what operation of the Chaguaramas made for the CDA to have at WILLIAMS
makes it worse is that there Hotel and Convention Centre no cost; owner of Treasure Queen who “The tsunami that hit Asia was in full operation and at
is at present a Cabinet Note, and the construction and op- a) at the sea, Transporta- has taken the CDA to court on in 2005, there were no deaths its peak during World War
which was passed during the eration of a marina” on lands tion Hub or Maritime Parcel the matter. in areas where there were II, there were some 30,000
era of the Patrick Manning comprising of approximately Facilities for the berthing and Small farmers have had mangrove forests compared to resident US troops based in
administration that forbids the 15.4 acres with sea frontage. storage of two vessels; 37ft their crops chopped down and those areas without coverage Chaguaramas. However, the
sale of any property at Cha- The original deadline for and 40-50 ft. respectively, be- have been forced off the land that suffered massive casual- war had ended long before the
guaramas. the submission of proposals longing to the authority and at gunpoint by hired security. ties.” The word “Chaguara- American’s lease was up.
Historians say the illegal was May 31, 2013, however passengers and/or visitors on The farmers have warned of mas” brings back memories of Dr Williams insisted that
sale to the two contractors is a this deadline was extended to these vessels shall be allowed a massive ecological disaster the late Prime Minister Dr Eric the US leave the area. After
spit in the face of this nation’s July 29, 2013. to embark and disembark from in the area if the development Williams on April 22, 1960 representations, the US gov-
history. Proponents were required them and pass through the fa- goes ahead in the manner it is leading thousands of people in ernment agreed to close the
These two contractors were to demonstrate “that they have cility and, proceeding. a march against the American Naval Base and handed over
among a couple other contrac- the qualifications, financial b) a welcome outpost facil- According to President of occupation of the area. the peninsula to the people of
tors who held a secret meeting resources and the technical ex- ity of a minimum of size of the Guave Road Farmers As- That “Walk for Chaguara- Trinidad and Tobago in 1967.
with Education Minister Dr perience in projects of similar approximately seven hundred sociation, Joseph Richardson, mas” had aroused nationalist And yet, in spite of all this
Tim Gopeesingh at Millenni- size and type as outlined in the and fifty square feet located the PP government, and Plan- sentiments and set in train a rich history Kamla Persad
um Park, Trincity a week ago. RFP.” at the entry of the premises, ning Minister Dr Bhoe Tewa- series of events that forced the Bissessar’s gov’t has today
They were also seen with The advertisement stated, where security and other in- rie have not been disclosing US to leave. It also served as a corruptly and illegally given
Housing Minister Dr Roodal “A proponent may assemble a formation shall be provided the full extent of the develop- precursor for Trinidad and To- away Chaguaramas to her two
Moonilal and Gopeesingh team to submit a proposal as a to visitors The first 10 years ment plans to the public. bago’s Independence in 1962 contractor friends for less than
popping bottles of champagne joint venture or a consortium. of the lease for the purpose of According to Richardson, according to the Newsday in peanuts.
at the Hyatt Hotel, Port of Joint ventures will be jointly rent review shall commence “What the CDA didn’t men- an article in 2010. Chaguara- Diego Martin West MP Dr
Spain after the No Confidence and severally liable for the when the Water and Amuse- tion or include in the CEC mas is also the place where the Keith Rowley had raised the
Motion debate against House performance of the Successful ment Theme Park and Mari- (certificate of environmental Treaty of Chaguaramas was matter of the illegal sale of the
Speaker Wade Mark last Fri- Proponent’s responsibilities.” time Hub opens for business, clearance) they received from signed, establishing Caricom, Convention Centre and Hotel
day. The “secret” deal was which shall be 18 months from the Environmental Manage- the Caribbean Community on at the February 20, 2015 sit-
Arvind Kalloo, of Kall signed, sealed, and delivered the commencement date of the ment Authority (EMA) was July 4, 1973, and was the loca- ting of the House of Represen-
Co and Roopchand Ramhit, to Aboud of Fouraime En- lease, or any agreed extension the 100 acres of Wetlands 55. tion charted for the creation of tatives during the Prime Min-
Managing Director of Motilal terprises Ltd by the CDA on thereof. “They claim that Wet- the capital of the West Indies ister’s Question Time.
Ramhit and Sons, were among April 14, 2014 – almost ex- Recently Moonilal’s Hous- lands 55 is just not the Cuesa Federation. Prime Minister Kamla
the few PP contractors seen actly 55 years after Williams ing Ministry had purchased River only, which is 40 feet The earliest history of Cha- Persad-Bissessar was unable
leaving a Millennium Park, March for Freedom on April the $16m Santa Rosa facility across, but the wetlands ex- guaramas dates back to Sala- to answer Rowley’s questions
Trincity, apartment following 22, 1960. from Aboud for $237m and tend over 800 metres from the doid Amerindian occupation. but promised to get the answer
a six-hour meeting with Dr The Deed was prepared by this is after government spend- Cuesa River heading east to After some 300 years of Span- and to furnish MPs with it. Up
Gopeesingh on Sunday Febru- Attorney-At-Law N. Ali on ing over $70m to renovate the the Guave Road entrance on ish rule, the British took pos- to press time, the PM had not
ary 22, 2015. 25th April, 2014, sworn before same facility. the Western Main Road and session of Trinidad in 1797. done so.
The other contractors were Commissioner of Affidavists This same Aboud has Amal- they’re shielding that from the The peninsula’s rich history But, while the government
Shane Sagar of Fides Limited, Joanne Chaitan-Forsyth on gamated Security Services Ltd public. includes a slave revolt in 1806, is selling prime State lands for
a contracting firm, and Steve 5th June 2014, and registered which company has the lucra- “If it was mentioned that and seven years later, in 1813, peanuts to family members
Rajipati of Atlantic Project on June 10th 2014, in the Min- tive multi-million dollar con- so many acres of vital eco- the invasion of Venezuela and close friends in the North,
Consultants, who is building istry of Legal Affairs. tract to transport prisoners to systems of mangroves and from Chacachacare, an island it is developing apace south of
a $25 million mansion on the The Annual rent is the courts of the land – Justice prime agricultural land would off the Chaguaramas peninsu- the Caroni River Bridge with a
greens of the Millennium Gold ($TT5,000,00.00) five million on Time -. be destroyed for housing and la, led by Venezuelan patriots. headquarters for Tertiary Edu-
Course in Trincity. Two others dollars, payable by monthly in- Several small businessmen recreational development, Because of its strategic, cation in Chaguanas, a $1.2B
of similar value are now being stalments of $TT416,667.00, who had their businesses on work could not have started geographic location, the Brit- Children’s Hospital at Couva,
built for two other contractors. which is subject to review ev- the lands at Chaguaramas for on the project.” He added, ish Government leased Cha- a $1B Campus in Debe, a Li-
Also raising eyebrows is ery 10 years. well over a decade have been “Most people don’t know that guaramas in 1941 to the US censing Office in Penal, $7.5B
the lease of the coastal areas The nominal rent is forcefully removed to make mangrove forests provide pro- Government for 99 years, for highway from Golconda to Pt
between Pier 1 and the Cha- $TT3,400 per month for 18 way for Aboud except in the tection against beach erosion, use as a naval base. By 1943 Fortin and Roads, and Bridges
guaramas Military Museum months from the start of the case of Captain Basil Joseph, storms, tsunamis, and floods. the Chaguaramas Naval Base among other projects.
Page 22 ISSUE 72 Friday 3rd OCTOBER, 2014
BEAUTY
Page 4 ISSUE 94 Friday 6th MARCH, 2015
FFoorr aallll yyoouurr Caribbean Academy of
ccoolllliissiioonn rreeppaaiirrss,, Esthetics & Electrolysis
DEVANT’S ADVISOR ON ADB BOARD!
bbuuffffiinngg,, ppoolliisshhiinngg
CERTIFICATE COURSES IN:
aanndd ccuussttoommiizziinngg
Facials
nneeeeddss eettcc
Story by SUNSHINE REPORTER Make-up
Manicure
MAon - Sm aetm 8b:e0r 0o fa tmhe B- o6a:r0d0 o pf mbeen working at the Ministry of Pedicure
PhoneD (i8r6ec8to) r4s7 o8f -t3he7 A31gr;i c2u2l-1-9F5o6o4d Production with Maharaj Waxing
Email 5tusrtaal rBzaanukt o(A@DgBm), aHile.rc-omand some other members of the
Re(cid:31)lexology
shael Ramesar, is an Advisor to UNC Youth Arm as part of a
#F1o3od2 aCnadr oPnroid Suactviaonn nMainhi sRteora dc, oCvherat rsloiecivail llmeedia propaganda Aromatherapy
CDheavagnuta Mnaahsa,r Tarj i-n riadisaindg a qnudes T-obtaeagmo for the Chaguanas West and Microdermabrasion
tions of a possible conflict of St Joseph Bye Elections and the
Laser hair removal
interestT. O BOOK YOLUocaRl G overnment Elections. He
Electrolysis
Ramesar, who is an execu- replaced Calvin James as Maha-
tive memAberD ofV theE YRoutTh AIrSm INrajG’s a dvisor in September 2014. HERSHAEL RAMESAR MinisterS DpEaV tArNeTa tmentsCALVIN JAMES KELLY BADAL
of the United National Congress Checks with the ADB head of- MAHARAJ868 678 2152 | 868 350 2600
SPACE CALL
(UNC), was appointed to the fice in Port of Spain confirmed [email protected]
ting member of the board. has not behaved as Maharaj’s politi- James said, “I applied and received
ADB board in October 2013. the information on the bank’s www.jasmineesthetics.com
868 692 6781/2 Similarly, calls to the Office of the cal agent on the board?” a $2.6 million loan from the ADB
Sources said at the time he had website that Ramesar is still a sit- Gopaul Lands Marabella
Minister of Food Production also con- “Ramesar being in the boardroom in 2012 for a commercial aquapon-
firmed that he is currently the Advisor is almost the same as having the ics facility in Carlsen Field. It was
to the Minister. minister in the boardroom.” approved and facility is functional.
This situation has raised the issue There are cases currently before It should be noted that contrary to
of whether it is not a conflict of inter- the court where persons are claiming ASTT president’s claim, Minister
est for Ramesar to hold both positions they are being politically victimized Maharaj did not influence the loan
since Maharaj is the line minister for by the ADB. approval. In fact, I was at the Minis-
the bank. “Can the independence of the try of the People when the loan was
According to a source, “If any ac- board in the decisions of whether or approved.”
tions of the board are brought into not to pursue these court matters, not Sunshine visited the Carlsen Field
question it is Ramesar to whom Ma- now be called into question?” the site several times in the last three
haraj would have to turn for advice on source asked. months and saw no signs of move-
how to act. The level of political influence on ment at the location.
Without imputing anything on Ra- the bank has now brought into fo- “Even the performance of loans
mesar’s character, who is to say that cus the presence of Kelly Badal, of such as Calvin James’ loan can
Ramesar would be fully honest about Tabaquite, on the ADB board given be questioned,” our source said,
his role in the matter or that he would the closeness between the Badal “when one considers that even
not manoeuvre things into his own fa- family and Works Minister Suruj though James did not get the ADB
vour? It could easily become a case of Rambachan and also with Couva- loan while working for Devant, he
himself unto himself or Ramesar being Tabaquite-Talparo Regional Corpo- became an advisor to the minister
a judge in his own cause.” ration (CTTRC) Chairman Henry during the term of his loan. Do you
“Additionally, while the ABD board Awong. The relationship between think any humble, little field officer
is appointed by the minister under the Awong and the Badals is such that is going to submit a negative report
ADB Act, it is not proper nor was it in- one family-member Sharyn Badal- on the advisor to the line minister?
tended for the board to be subject to or Ahyew is the secretary at Awong’s Especially when the advisor, who
perceived as being under political con- office in Tabaquite and the family is the client, also has friends on the
trol or influence. Ramesar’s position is heavily involved in Rambachan’s board – persons in the same political
on the board, while he is simultaneous- constituency executive. circles?”
ly advisor to the minister, does not lend Last year, in a public legal tussle “Even if no actual wrongdoing
to the perception of isolation or insu- between Maharaj and Agricultural has yet been done, the perception
lation from Society President Dhano Sookoo, and the possibility are not help-
undue politi- the issue of a $2.6 million ADB loan ful to the reputation of the ADB or
VACANCY cal influence. to the minister’s former advisor, the people involved and that is why
Who is to say James, found its way into affidavits. the ADB needs to be cleared of any
Ramesar is not According to a January 13, 2014 conflict of interest situations, real or
behaving as or report in the Express newspaper, perceived.”
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Page 6 ISSUE 94 Friday 6th MARCH, 2015
Sparrow waiting
on $2 million for his
TOWN memorabilia
Talk in Town is how
TALKING Government has not
yet paid Sparrow $2
million for his memorabilia,
which was acquired for a 10
year period.
Last month Culture Minister
Nicole puts
Dr Lincoln Douglas launched
the final
the Calypso King of the World
personal collection of memo-
rabilia with great fanfare at the
nail in COP’s coffin
Division of Culture, Port of
Spain.
Guests were treated to a spe-
Talk in Town is that while
cial performance at the launch
COP leader Prakash
of his famous music, private
MIGHTY SPARROW
Ramadhar is saying
pictures and numerous awards.
that the ILP is a spent force, he
People are saying that the the memorabilia in a museum.
is not seeing how his party is
“Birdie” whispered to someone People are saying it was a
crumbling and would be wiped
during the function that he has straight case of Dr Douglas rid-
out of the political landscape
not yet been paid for the memo- ing the back of the world fa-
after the general election later
rabilia, mous calypsonian to get politi-
this year.
Talk is that people who are cal mileage.
People say that COP chairman
close to Sparrow said up to a Talk in Town is that the vet-
Nicole Dyer-Griffith, who re-
few weeks ago he has not re- eran calypsonian should make
signed from the party last week
ceived a black cent. sure he gets the money before
has put the final nail in the COP’s
Government plans to place the upcoming general election.
coffin.
Talk is that Prakash is running
around like a headless chicken Crazy gets PP grant
trying to see how he can salvage NICOLE DYER GRIFFITH and PRAKASH RAMADHAR
the party before the general elec- litical strength, let him call a UNC maxi taxi bus-in crowd.
for Nation Building!
tion. public meeting and see how The Government will have to
People are saying that if many supporters will turn call out CEP workers to support
Prakash wants to show his po- out even with the help of the Prakash. People in Town are ask-
ing what Calypsonian
SAT can’t take d Rowley wine! Crazy has contributed
to Nation Building to be given
a grant, for every month for
People in Town are talking hurting his “liver string”.
one year, by the Ministry of
about how Sat Maharaj is People are saying that the Hindu
the People and Social Develop-
having nightmares since leader is not about national unity.
ment.
the photograph of PNM political Talk is that the Maha Sabha
Newly appointed Minister of
leader Dr Keith Rowley dancing leader was in an attacking mood on
the People Christine Newalloo-
with a young East Indian girl his TV programme “Maha Sabha
Hosein announced that Calyp-
surfaced after Carnival. Strikes Back”, criticizing women’s
sonians and former sports stars,
Sat came with his Mookdar on organizations for not condemning
described as “special achievers”
his tv programme on Tuesday night Dr Rowley dancing with the girl in
will receive a grant ranging from
sharing blows on former Prime the mas band Bazodee, down San
$3,000 a month to $8,000 in rec-
Minister Basdeo Panday, and ILP Fernando on Carnival Tuesday.
ognition of their contribution to Calypsoian CRAZY
leader Jack Warner who said they He described Rowley as a hard
Trinidad and Tobago.
saw nothing wrong with Rowley back man whose face showed ec-
People are asking the Minis- has sung, including “Paul Yuh
taking a wine on an Indian Gyal. stasy while the teenage girl was
ter if she has ever heard some Mudder Come,” “Nanie Wine”
He went as far as to say that winning back on him.
SAT MAHARAJ of the vulgar calypsoes Crazy “Suck meh Soucouyant” and
Panday is suffering from a tabanca But some viewers have de-
“Meh Rooster Doh Crow”. Can
since Kamla Persad-Bissessar be- scribed Sat as a dirty old man People say only perverts watch
these songs be described as na-
came Prime Minister. for macoing the “panty line” in what type of panty a woman wears.
tion building songs”.
Sat said how Indians are leaving a teacher’s outfit at his Tunpuna Some of his devotees are saying
Talk is that the Minister should
the ILP and he launched a scathing Hindu School last year. And he that Sat should get some Mook-
have asked Crazy to name three
attack on Rowley for wining on the was brave enough to come out and dar for talking about a woman
of his recent calypsoes that re-
East Indian girl, which some say is talk publicly about it. panty.
flects Nation Building and which
he can safely go to Primary
Crooked State attorney! school and sing to students.
People are saying the “hand
out” that is given to Crazy is be-
Talk in legal circles is pery that the police can’t get to put People are saying that the attorney cause he is the PP calypsonian.
about a crooked attorney handcuffs on him. is a close friend of fired Attorney Talk is that Crazy who contin-
who has been getting lu- Talk in Town is how the attor- General Anand Ramlogan and he ues to “eat ah food” from the PP
crative State briefs. ney’s name has been calling in all has made millions appearing for the government is among the enter-
People are saying that the attor- kinds of police investigations but State. Some people are saying it tainers who are being lined up to
ney name is calling in all kinds of so far he has been able to escape maybe a case of a “birds of a feath- Minister of the People sing for the UNC in the upcom-
CHRISTINE NEWALLO
underhand dealings. He is so slip- the clutches of the law. er flock together”. HOSEIN ing general election.
ISSUE 94 Friday 6th MARCH, 2015 Page 7
EDITORIAL REQUIEM FOR
PRAKASH!
By Publisher - the political Assassin of COP is on his last leg
JACK WARNER
The Honourable leads. pervaded the national com-
Prakash Rama- Nowhere as he reminisces munity.
dhar has finally is there any recollection This was not by chance
driven the last nail into that the founder of the COP but rather by design as the
the coffin of the Congress broke away from the UNC UNC sought to contest
of the People (COP). because his vision encom- fiercely 21 seats so that per-
His response to the res- passed a new politics with adventure, should the COP
ignation of Nicole Dyer- higher values for the people decide to go its way, the
Griffith, not only as Chair- of Trinidad and Tobago. UNC will have sufficient
man of the COP but also as Sad to say, having tasted seats still to hold on to Gov-
a member he has exposed power, Prakash lust for it ernment.
his levels of vulnerability as has now blinded him of Having secured the 21
a leader within the People’s the greater good, which seats, it was clear that the
Partnership. is to provide a leadership, COP was not really needed
His response was one of defined by its integrity to but to give to all a semblance
compromise, one that sug- emancipate our Republic of unity, they were appor-
gested that he lacked the from this morass of evil and tioned positions, which had
strength of character to take it to a better place. quantitative value but no
stand on the principles upon The COP is dead, not be- qualitative substance.
COP Leader PRAKASH RAMADHAR NICOLE DYER GRIFFITH
which the COP was built. cause it has become unat- All the key Ministries in
In addition, one that sug- tractive but rather because post May 24, 2010 went to rial offices as well as board madhar will ever see in our type of leadership that the
gested that his raison d’être its leader lacks the vision to the UNC and, more impor- positions and as the PP collective lifetime. People’s Partnership is mor-
as leader was purely for his breathe life into what was a tantly to the Hindu cabal. continued deeper into their Without consultation, Ra- phing into in 2015?
own survival in the world of valuable political option for So Rodger Samuel became stewardship, the imbalance madhar agreed to the firing A leadership that fails to
politics. the people of this rainbow Minister of Nothing, Lin- became more exacerbated of Timothy Hamel-Smith consult with its member-
Here is Prakash, the country. coln Douglas became the than most really realized. and Gary Griffith. ship?
leader who believes that the Nicole Dyer-Griffith’s hat-wearing Moko Jumbie This is really the crux of What was the price of We all know that is the
COP on its own lacks the resignation was inevitable. Minister of Carnival and the matter. such a sacrifice? The price style of the UNC but if Win-
attractiveness to win a Gen- Here is a woman who rep- Dookeran was encouraged Dyer-Griffith’s timely is the Ministry of Justice be- ston Dookeran was told in
eral Election. resented this country with to chalk up more flyer miles resignation had nothing ing added to the portfolio 2010 that in 2015 the COP
Here is Prakash, the dignity at an international than all previous Foreign to do with the firing of her of the COP leader, Prakash would have engaged in non-
leader who believes that the beauty pageant and emerged Ministers combined. husband but the fact that the Ramadhar. participatory democracy, he
relevance of the COP only from it with her character In addition, even when COP’s already dwindling in- The fact that he agreed would have never believed.
exists within a partnership unscathed and intact. one felt that Carolyn Seep- fluence within the People’s based on the premise that However, it has hap-
with the United National Her vision for this coun- ersad-Bachan would be the Partnership was undergoing any Minister under inves- pened.
Congress (UNC). try having traversed the exception as Minister of further reduction. tigation should relinquish The truth is Dyer-Griffith
This was a leader who at many developed nations in Energy and Energy Affairs It is at this juncture that I his ministerial portfolio has done more than her fair
the beginning of his stew- the global village is one, that hope was short-lived as must agree with Ramadhar until the investigations are share for the COP. Her rise
ardship as the political lead- which offers leadership void she was quickly removed to in his twisted logic when over add to the public’s per- to the position of Chairman
er of the COP saw his par- of the corruption, nepotism, the unassuming Ministry of he described Dyer-Griffith’s ception of Prakash being was a desperate attempt to
ty’s role as watchdog over a and ungodliness that have Public Aggravation. response as emotional. bought. breathe life into the dead
political partner known for plagued us over the past The Ministry of Works Where he failed, how- Firstly, Gary Griffith was COP but alas!
its corruption. four and a half years. and Transport, the Ministry ever, was when he appended never under investigation; As political leader,
Nevertheless, today, his Her narrative has always of Local Government, the her emotions to the firing he is a witness. Prakash with his appended
values have drifted so far been consistent even when Office of the Attorney Gen- of her husband as Minister Secondly, Vasant Bharath, Ministry of Justice has most
from the moorings to which she contested the Diego eral, the Ministry of Educa- of National Security, Gary Errol McLeod and Dr. certainly decided that the
he was tied that, rather than Martin Central seat and tion, the Ministry of Hous- Griffith. Roodal Moonilal are all COP must die.
stand up for truth in the face lost to the PNM’s Amery ing and the Environment, Clearly, Ramadhar failed honourable Ministers of In the political narrative
of damning evidence, he Browne by a mere 999 the Ministry of Trade and to grasp the significance of Government who are under of Trinidad and Tobago, he
proposes an unholy com- votes. Investment, the Ministry of Dyer-Griffith’s pronounce- investigation by the police will be remembered as the
promise as long as it means She had one dream, one Food Production, the Minis- ment and her cause for an and yet there is no call by villain, the assassin who
keeping Dr. Keith Rowley vision, and one goal to see try of the Environment and emotional response, which Prakash for their resignation snuffed the life out of the
out of office. her party the Congress of Water Resources, to name a was based on the declining or their firing? COP.
Nowhere in the thinking the People rise to eminence few, all delivery Ministries, sphere of influence the COP Is the Ministry of Justice In memoriam, shall I say
of Ramadhar is there that within the People’s Partner- went to the Hindu cabal. had within the People’s worth that much to Prakash? it?
possibility that the COP ship. In a word, all the hard Partnership, which contin- Thirdly, to date, Prakash, Yes I shall, Prakash’s po-
can migrate away from the She was never alone in Ministries and the Minis- ued to be facilitated by a if we are to believe Dyer- litical requiem is already be-
UNC, and re-emerge as a vi- her feeling that the COP was tries considered being the weak and decrepit, crybaby Griffith, did not even have ing scripted by the general
able option for governance slighted and ignored within ones of importance with Prakash Ramadhar. the decency to contact his voting public, as he is now
in Trinidad and Tobago. the People’s Partnership. large annual budgets were Therefore, the public’s Chairman and apprise her going down, quite predict-
Nowhere in his memory Very early in the PP’s given to the UNC. perception is that the party of the decisions to which ably, in a hearse for election
is the record chronicling the term of office the disrespect The national community has been bought for 30 he was about to enjoin the cremation with his party,
events, which led to the for- shown to the COP was the recognized the imbalance in pieces of silver and the last party. COP.
mation of the party he now common sentiment, which the distribution of ministe- 30 hours as Ag PM that Ra- Is this a foretaste of the RIP - Prakash.
Page 8 ISSUE 94 Friday 6th MARCH, 2015
MISREPRESENTATION
South Korea makes cheating legal:
DECRIMINALIZES
EXTRAMARITAL
BY ATTORNEY
AFFAIRS
REKHA
RAMJIT
South Korea’s Constitu- in prison, according to the Su-
tional Court has voted to preme Prosecutors’ Office.
strike down a longstand- Under Thursday’s ruling, any-
ing law that criminalized adul- one convicted of adultery since
The Misrepresentation Act tery. 2008 could have their charges
of Trinidad and Tobago About 53,000 South Koreans dismissed, or be eligible for a
was passed in 1986. It was have been indicted on adultery retrial, court officials told lo-
designed to deal with a rather charges since 1985, including cal media. The law was last
common occurrence of persons almost 900 last year reviewed by the Constitutional
entering into an agreement or In South Korea, it is now le- Court in 2008, when judges vot-
contract relying on a misrep- gal to be unfaithful. The coun- ed to uphold it.
resentation by the other party. In a jurisdiction there is the un- or opinions on which a non-expert try’s Constitutional Court voted Reuter’s news service report-
In such a case if representation written rule of buyer beware. In relies to enter into an agreement. Thursday to strike down a long- ed that stocks in Unidus Corp., a
can be proved in a civil court of other words, the courts expect that In a hypothetical situation of a standing law that criminalized maker of latex for condoms and
law, then the party relying on as a buyer and a party to a con- person entering into an agreement adultery. other products, shot up 15% af-
the misrepresentation may be tract, you must take precautions for the building of several hous- Seven of nine judges voted ter the ruling.
awarded monetary damages. to verify the truth of a statement ing units signs a contract for same to nullify the law on extramari- The adultery law came into the
Misrepresentation is defined as made to you before entering into having relied on the report of an tal affairs, which has been on spotlight last year when South
an assertion or manifestation by to an agreement. expert as to the suitability of the the books since 1953, calling it Korean authorities banned the
words or conduct that is not in ac- For example, the courts require proposed site for building such an unconstitutional limit on per- Korean version of the hookup
cord with the facts. that before a buyer enters into an housing units, then the expert is sonal freedom. website Ashley Madison, which
Essentially then a misrepresen- agreement to purchase land, that liable if he deliberately withheld “Even if adultery should be targets married people with the
tation is a lie or at the very least it buyer must do a title search of the information which finds the site condemned as immoral, state slogan, “Life is short, have an
is not the whole truth. land to ensure that any statement unsuitable for housing. power should not intervene in affair.”
Such a lie creates a civil liability made about the good and market- It is the expert who has told a lie individuals’ private lives,” said South Korean authorities ini-
by the party perpetrating the lie. able title by the vendor is the truth. or who has indulged in a half-truth presiding judge Park Han-Chul, tially gave Ashley Madison per-
However, before an aggrieved A similar situation arises in the and it is therefore the expert who according to the Agence France- mission to operate in March of
party can successfully bring a purchase of used vehicle. It is a must be held liable and must pay Presse news agency. last year, and the site quickly
claim in the high court that party fairly common occurrence that the the award of monetary damages if Those in favor of the law had became popular, reporting more
must prove that he relied on the lie buyer of a used vehicle suffers the any. argued that it protected families than 50,000 subscribers in its
made by the other party. consequences of failing to conduct If the lie or misrepresentation is by creating a disincentive to first week.
He must prove that it was that a title search for a vehicle being found out by the aggrieved party cheat, while opponents called it However, regulators pulled
lie or half-truth that caused him to purchased. Banks have frequently before the contract is executed, an unjust intrusion by the state the plug the following month.
enter into the agreement or at the repossessed vehicles as they are then the aggrieved party has a into private matters. In a statement at the time, the
very least was a major factor that entitled to do if the vehicle is sold right to rescind the contract. In any South Korean city, it is Korean Communications Stan-
he considered before entering into whilst the previous owner has an Such rescission is designed to not hard to spot signs of infidel- dards Commission called Ash-
the agreement. outstanding mortgage for which return the parties to the positions ity. ley Madison a threat to “relevant
The aggrieved party must go the vehicle is the collateral. they held before entering into the Clustered around any train or laws aimed to protect healthy
further and prove that the maker The maker of a statement that contract. Such a rescission is valid bus station are “love motels” sexual morals, marriage bonds
of the statement knew that he was turns out to be a lie cannot rely on only if the statement or lie was ma- whose customers include people and family life.”
relying on that statement and with- a claim that telling that lie was un- terial or critical to the agreement. having affairs and privacy-seek- Ashley Madison then argued
out that statement; he would not intentional or that he was ignorant A lie that does not materially af- ing young couples who still live that its website was merely a
have entered into the agreement. of the fact that the statement he fect the contract or which was not with their parents. forum for the exchange of in-
The aggrieved must show that made was a lie. relied on is insufficient to justify The law called for sentences formation and not for any illegal
court that he believed that state- If he makes the statement with a rescission. of up to two years in prison. acts.
ment and that he was relying on conscious ignorance of the truth or There seems to be in recent Adultery cases were only heard “I obviously don’t want to
the factual correctness of that if he showed a reckless disregard times a proliferation of con artistes when a spouse filed a complaint, take credit for the court coming
statement to have caused the ex- for the truth, he is still liable. Igno- in all occupations for whom mis- and could be withdrawn at any to recognize the archaic nature
ecution of the agreement. rance is no excuse. representations are a part of daily time by that spouse. of the law,” Ashley Madison
The aggrieved party must also A person entering into an agree- life in the discharge of their obli- According to data from the Chief Executive Noel Wider-
prove to the court that as a result ment must believe that the state- gations. court, 53,000 South Koreans man said in an email.
of entering into the agreement he ments being made by him are When those misrepresentations have been indicted on adultery “But I am positive that Ash-
has suffered financial loss before statements of truth, more so when cause loss to a party who entered charges since 1985, including ley Madison’s presence in South
an award of monetary damages he knows that the other party to into an agreement based on reli- almost 900 last year. Korea forced at least a look in
can be made to him. the agreement is relying on those ance of those misrepresentations, Few of them ever served time the mirror and review.
The aggrieved party has a duty statements. a claim in the Supreme Court is
to show that it was reasonable and Misrepresentations and the duty always an option.
justified for him to have relied on to ensure such misrepresentations Whilst there is that recourse,
the statements made to him by the are not made extend to experts perhaps prudence, such recourse
other party to the agreement. such as lawyers, doctors, accoun- is often costly and time consum-
This is perhaps the most diffi- tants, and engineers. ing. Perhaps we are now a society
cult aspect to the criteria required These experts have a duty to in which dishonesty has become
for a successful claim for misrep- make disclosure of material or im- the norm and where mistrust in all
resentation. portant facts when giving advice transactions merits extra vigilance.
LISTEN TO REKHA ON 95.5FM
ON FRIDAYS 7PM 8PM
to
FOR THE HOUR OF TRUTH
Park Han-chul, center, President of South Korea’s
Constitutional Court, sits with other
E.mail: [email protected] judges before rendering a decision on the country’s
anti-adultery law in Seoul on Feb. 26.
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Page 10 ISSUE 94 Friday 6th MARCH, 2015
Unbelievable Mega Scarborough Projects:
$1 BILLION IN COST
OVER-RUNS
By Lionel Coker
Tobago Regional months later, the very school- of the upgrade is $120 mil-
Coordinator children heard the DIPU lion. However, according
When I read and Secretary Hilton Sandy say- to my source, they have
ing that the Library was not actually said that because a
saw on my tele-
quite complete. One year figure under $90 million is
vision how the
later, (in June 2014), Mr. more politically palatable
Secretary in the Division
Melville, as DIPU Secretary to the people of Tobago, it
of Infrastructure and Pub-
again promised school chil- was decided that $80 mil-
lic Utilities (DIPU), Gary
dren that the Library would lion is the figure that would
Melville attributed the $86
be ready in time for the open- be quoted as the estimated
Million “secured” for road
ing of the new school year in cost.
paving to the shrewd fi- this brazen-faced oxymoron Tobago News of Wednesday
September 2014. September I am never one to give the
nancial management of the speaks of shrewd financial 11th 2015.
2014 came, and it went and Chief Secretary the benefit
Executive Council, I imme- management, one wonders According to the article,
the Library remained closed. of the doubt, because his-
diately said to myself that what wrong have we the headlined SCARBOR-
So embarrassed was the torically, every time I have
his time in “exile” recently people of Tobago done to be OUGH LIBRARY OPENS
Chief Secretary that he weighed him in the bal- Secretary GARY
did very little to bring him inflicted with this Executive FEBRUARY 23. It states, MELVILLE
himself started to issue up- ances, he usually comes up
closer to reality. Council? among other things that in
dates on the Library instead wanting. However, today
Having just witnessed the It is my respectful view May 2013, whilst Mr. Mel- of that hazardous single lane
of Gary Melville because, I am going to err on the
openings of two incomplete that this Secretary needs ville was Secretary of Edu- three year temporary bridge
many (especially our school side of caution and invite
mega projects (the Cultural to have his head examined cation, he promised school- until the shrewd managerial
children) believed nothing the Chief Secretary and
Complex and the Scarbor- since it is crystal clear that children publicly that the skills of the Executive Coun-
Melville said as they asso- his beloved son Hon. Gary
ough Library) which were he is allergic to the truth and Library would be opened in cil kicks in again (since the
ciated his moving lips with Melville (or should I say his
under construction for over continues to suffer from seri- June 2013. June 2013 passed shrewd management seems
untruths. blue eyed boy in whom he
10 years. And chalked up $1 ous credibility issues as evi- and nothing happened. to be a seasonal thing)?
The Library was finally is always pleased) to sign
Billion in cost over-runs, yet denced when one reads the In September 2013, three What about the Crane cur-
opened, and though many a “Lock Box Agreement”
rently parked at the site that
of the island’s children were on the price quoted. I am
has been idle for the last
Cultural Complex never fortunate to have ac- willing to add a further 5%
three years yet incurring a
cess to it, thank God many of which will carry the figure
daily rental?
our grandchildren would, by up to $84 million, and chal-
What about the unbeliev-
the time the library becomes lenge them to say to the
ably high monthly rental
operational and fully coordi- people of Tobago that the
that is alleged to be paid to
nated with the modern times. proposed projects will be
a prominent Lambeau fam-
Today, we have the very completed within budget.”
ily for the spot on which the
Secretary gloating and bray- These words were written by
makeshift bridge sits?
ing about shrewd manage- yours truly one year ago.
Would money be falling
ment by the Executive Coun- According to the Secre-
like Manna to foot these bills
cil. tary, the works are a con-
or would they be charged to
Interestingly, the new tinuation of works started
us taxpayers?
figure quoted is $6 Million last year, yet he is speaking
One wonders why can’t
more than the $80 Million, about an $86 Million that
Secretary Melville just come
which was quoted one year has just been secured. Is he
clean, (even it is for this
ago for the same 68 projects saying that the road paving
once)?
by this same Secretary. which took place last year is
As I end, if this cocktail
For what it’s worth, I will to be paid for from the “now
of lunacy, buffoonery, idi-
like to turn the attention secured $86 Million, or is it
ocy, delusion, and percep-
of my readers to the first $86 Million plus last year’s
tual impairment on the part
two paragraphs of my col- figures?” If the truth were
of Secretary Gary Melville
umn in the Tobago News of told, the true cost always
is normal, then we the rest
Sunday March 30th 2014. stood at $120 Million.
Scarborough Library of Tobago need to go into
The heading of the column It is clear that in addition
discovery, recovery, either
was $80M PLUS $40M to being deceptive, the Sec-
uncover or take some time
EQUALS $120 M. It reads retary is playing smart with
out as the goodly Secretary
“When I heard of the plans foolishness as Corbeaux
apparently did recently.
of the Secretary of the Di- continue to feast on his co-
Then, and only then, may
vision of Infrastructure matose conscience.
we be able to see “eye to
and Public Utilities Hon. My next question to the
eye” with him and be in
Gary Melville to carry out Secretary, is it by accident
touch with the “reality” of
road improvement works that despite the financial
this great pretender who is
across the island at a cost challenges in the country,
definitely on a planet of his
of 80 million dollars, I im- money fell like Manna from
own.
mediately asked myself heaven to pay for road pav-
In the meantime, we the
why it’s so hard for some ing but none to complete the
people of Tobago being of
politicians to just level with Lambeau Bridge which lies
sound, sober and clear minds
the people. I can afford to south of the Abattoir?
hereby seek protection from
say this because I was in- Is he telling Tobagonians
the Almighty against Gary
formed by an impeccable that we must resign our-
Melville and the “shrewd”
source that the true cost selves to the indefinite use
Executive Council.