ST. LUCIA: The process of relocating all animal farms should be completed by Friday, April 22.
Parents and students attending the Augier Combined School are informed that the school will reopen on Monday, April 25.
The Ministry of Education had to delay the re-opening of the school due to ongoing work being undertaken by the Ministries of Health and Agriculture, and Invest St. Lucia to relocate all animal farms in the vicinity of the Augier Combined School.
The process of relocating all of the farms should be completed by Friday, April 22; however, the largest chicken farm in the area has been relocated.
The Ministry of Education wishes to thank the Hon. Prime Minister and by extension the Cabinet of Ministers as well as Invest St. Lucia for the leadership and support provided in this matter.
The Ministry of Education is also grateful to the students, staff and parents of students of the Augier Combined School for their understanding and patience as they await the resumption of classes.
The Ministry believes that the measures taken will bring about a lasting solution to the problem of school disruption caused by the odor of the animal farms.
Augier Combined reopens April 25
Sea Turtle Nesting
ST. LUCIA: In an effort to ensure the survival of the sea turtle population observers should stay well out of sight, avoid using lights, and avoid handling or touching the eggs.
The Department of Fisheries informs the public of the sea turtle nesting period from March 1 to Nov. 30, 2016. Members of the public are reminded that no one should interfere with any nesting sea turtle.
In an effort to ensure the survival of the sea turtle population, anyone who notices
a nesting sea turtle should adhere to the following guidelines: stay well out of sight; avoid using lights; do not handle or touch the eggs; keep all pets away, especially dogs.
The public is further advised that any interference with sea turtles during the nesting period is prohibited. Anyone caught interfering with nesting sea turtles or in possession of sea turtle meat or eggs is liable to a maximum fine of EC$5000.
The public is encouraged to contact the Department of Fisheries for more information and report all observations of sea turtle nesting activity by calling telephone number 758.468.4135 or 758.725.1722.
Sea Egg Fishery Closed
ST. LUCIA: The fishery had previously been closed for six years due to low populations.
The Department of Fisheries wishes to remind and advise the general public that the sea egg fishery is currently closed.
In accordance with Section 36 of the Fisheries Regulations Cap (7.15), when the sea egg fishery is closed, no one shall disturb, damage, take from the fishery waters, have in his or her possession, purchase, expose for sale, or sell any sea egg.
The department has received several reports of illegal harvesting of sea eggs and strongly urges members of the public to desist from purchasing sea eggs during the closed period.
The last open sea egg fishery period was in Oct. 2015 for seven days. The fishery had previously been closed for six years due to low populations. It is therefore imperative that regulations governing the sea egg fishery be upheld in order to allow for the stock to replenish before the fishery can be reopened.
Anyone who contravenes the sea egg regulations can be liable to a maximum fine of EC$5000 for each offence.
For additional information contact the Department of Fisheries at 758.468.4143/4141 or call the nearest police station to report illegal activity.
The 2016 Prime Minister’s Charity Golf Classic is launched
TRINIDAD: April 19, 2016: Dr the Honourable Keith Rowley on Monday April 18, launched the 2016 edition of the Prime Minister’s Charity Golf Classic (PMCGC) at the Diplomatic Centre.
The tournament takes place on Saturday May 7 at Moka, Maraval.
The PMCGC is a registered company which has kept the tournament at the forefront of Trinidad and Tobago’s charity events and this year celebrates its 20th anniversary. Some 60 teams have already registered to participate in the Golf Classic. Themed “All Fore Charity”, the proceeds of the tournament will, once again, be donated to our vulnerable citizens, especially the nation’s children, to assist with medical treatment and other financial assistance.
The Prime Minister congratulated the organisers and sponsors of the Golf Classic for their strong sense of volunteerism and commitment to improving the lives of the less fortunate members of our society.
Over the years the PMCGC has assisted several Homes, NGOs and individuals including the Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society, the Autistic Society, the Tobago AIDS Society, the Haiti Relief Fund and also provided hurricane relief to the citizens of Grenada.
TTPS to present the members of Team Vanguards
TRINIDAD: April 19, 2016: As part of the run-up to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Services Social Welfare Association elections scheduled to be held on Monday 27th June 2016, the TTPS are set to present the members of Team Vanguards.
Vanguards will be officially launching their campaign for the leadership of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Services Social Welfare Association in a quest to offer quality representation to the men and women who protect and serve with pride.
The TTPSSWA is the representing body for police officers and is responsible for various functions including wage negotiations, legal matters involving officers, promotion issues and the day to day welfare of officers whilst on duty among other things.
The launch of Team Vanguards will be held at the Police Credit Union, 61 Tenth Street Barataria from 2:00 pm.
The media is invited to cover this event.
Petrotrin’s Performance Update – April 2016
TRINIDAD: April 20, 2016: For the first half of the 2015/2016 fiscal year, State-owned Petrotrin has been focused on improvements in its operations despite the ongoing decline in world crude oil prices and reduced refinery margins.
Given that Petrotrin is an integrated oil company, one very valuable area of improvement is the consistently good performance of the Pointe-a-Pierre Refinery. In fact, the refinery has been operating at throughput levels above 140,000 barrels per day over the past four months. This has provided the Company with much needed revenue and the opportunity to strengthen our supply position in the markets.
For the previous period – 2014/2015 fiscal – the Company recorded a loss, primarily as a result of the precipitous fall in market prices, which, together with depressed refinery margins resulted in lower revenue and significant negative accounting adjustments for inventory.
The Company continues to focus on achieving sustainable operations and in this regard particular attention is being placed on:
- Achieving a “beyond compliance” safety culture
- Improving the integrity of assets
- Operating a cost effective business, and
- Re-establishing a competent workforce.
To date these efforts have contributed to Standard & Poor‟s Rating Services (S&P) recent affirmation of Petrotrin‟s long term corporate credit and senior unsecured debt ratings as „BB‟ with a stable outlook and
the Company‟s stand-alone credit profile (SACP) as „b-„ whilst the Company‟s business risk was adjusted to “vulnerable‟ from “weak‟. Petrotrin continues to engage all its stakeholders to focus on strengthening its business and position in the industry.
Rural Development Ministry seeking to adopt THA model of local government
TRINIDAD: April 20, 2016: The Tobago House of Assembly (THA) has a wealth of experience which can be brought to bear on the current local government transformation process now on in Trinidad.
The Ministry is seeking to borrow elements of the THA model to enhance local Government structure and operations in Trinidad.
He told participants when the committee met with THA representatives at the Victor E Bruce Financial Complex in Scarborough that Tobago’s local government machinery and service delivery systems have progressed well beyond that of Trinidad, largely due to the local government reforms and the social contract between the THA and the people of Tobago.
He noted that like many communities across Trinidad, Tobago had to come to the Central Government for just about everything until this changed by new legislation which was passed in 1996.
Khan added that this legislation gives the Assembly the authority and autonomy to inform and manage many aspects of its own affairs and development. This has led to advancements like the Tobago Emergency Management Authority (TEMA), the distribution of medical alert devices to 520 persons in five years, and improved social service delivery.
He said the aim is to give local government bodies a level of autonomy and executive authority similar to that of the THA.
In welcoming members of the technical committee from Trinidad, THA Chief Secretary Orville London said the Assembly welcomes the opportunity to share their experiences.
However, he cautioned that “this exercise is not going to be a panacea for the challenges that we face in local government” and warned that “decentralisation will not automatically lead to transformation”.
London said decentralisation can cause further problems if it is not implemented properly. He stated that there are three phases of the process to consider: enacting the legislation, implementing it, and also enhancing delivery. The Chief Secretary said each phase is linked with the other.
He explained: “You have got to have legislation which is implementable legislation, and in order to implement you have got to enhance delivery.”
“From our experience you have got to bear in mind the realities of politics and you have got to have legislation which would protect the weak against the stronger regardless of the circumstances.”
Prime Minister receives courtesy call from US Ambassador
TRINIDAD: April 20, 2016: Prime Minister, Dr the Honourable Keith Rowley, received a courtesy call on Tuesday 19th April, 2016, from the new United States Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, Ambassador John L Estrada, at the Prime Minister’s Diplomatic Centre Office, La Fantaisie St Ann’s.
Accompanying the Ambassador was Deputy Chief of Mission Ms Margaret B Diop of the US Embassy. Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, the Honourable Stuart Young was also in attendance during the visit.
Ambassador Estrada was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, and emigrated with his family to the United States at the age of 14. He is married to Dr. Elizabeth Anne Cote Estrada, and is the father of their daughters, Eva and Marie.
T&T Boxing Board appointed
TRINIDAD: April 20, 2016: Members of the Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Board of Control were presented with their instruments of appointment on April 18, 2016 at the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, Port of Spain.
The Board members are: Dr. Barry Ishmael (Chairman), Dr Rochelle Mohammed, Simon De Nobriega, Terry Young and Cleopatra Borel.
Ishmael, along with fellow Board members were presented with their instruments of appointment at the Conference Room, Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, Port of Spain yesterday. All board members were present at the ceremony with the exception of Borel, Trinidad and Tobago’s 2015 Sportswoman of the Year who is currently on a training assignment in Cuba. Borel is due to return to Trinidad and Tobago at the end of this month, when she will receive her instrument of appointment.
Speaking to members of the media on his appointment, Dr. Ishmael, an attorney at law, promised that his board would be transparent and make decisions through consultation.
Borel is the sole athlete on the Board of Directors.
ILO Director-General pays courtesy call on Labour Minister
TRINIDAD: April 20, 2016: Minister of Labour and Small Enterprise Development, Senator the Honourable Jennifer Baptiste-Primus was paid a courtesy call by the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Director-General, Mr. Guy Ryder on Monday April 18, 2016. This visit was part of his scheduled meetings
with several stakeholders in Government, as well as the labour and employer sectors.
Minister Baptiste-Primus apprised the Director-General and his team of the current activities that the Ministry has been engaged in and highlighted the sound relationship already had with the local ILO contingent.
Mr. Ryder and his team aired several issues that had been raised with him by the labour fraction. The Minister was presented with a copy of the ILO Convention 173, a convention which Mr. Ryder deemed apt for the current economic situation.
The meeting proved very productive as the ILO reiterated its commitment to support Government and its policies in relation to labour issues.
