Trinidad & Tobago
Oil industry takes new direction
Port-of-Spain – The government last week launched two companies to take over oil production and fuel trading, successors to the State oil company Petrotrin. The two new companies were announced in press advertisements.
The new State-owned oil production company is Heritage Petroleum; the one that will import Trinidad and Tobago’s fuel needs called Paria Fuel Trading.
Heritage Petroleum is being touted by the government as “a new era in oil and gas”.
The advertisement read: “More than the infrastructure and natural resources that we will recover sustainably and profitably, our greatest assets will be our technical and operational excellence, strategic thinking and, most of all, the quality of our people. These factors will be pivotal to our success.”
It added: “By investing in proven technology and a performance-driven team of people with the best ideas, we will increase production while safely delivering positive returns, of which our nation can be proud. This is an exciting time with tremendous opportunities to create a viable future for our oil and gas exploration business, opportunities which we will seize together.”
On the other hand, Paria Fuel Trading promises to be “the future of fuel”.
Said its advertisement: “As a performance-driven company and a key player in the Trinidad and Tobago energy sector, we will ensure fuel security for the country, supplying world-class fuels for automotive, marine and aviation applications, in addition to bunkering and selling crude oil to the world.”
Petrotrin had previously said that its successor exploration and production company would have 800 employees, and the fuel trading company would employ 200 workers. Both Heritage Petroleum and Paria Fuel Trading were incorporated on October 5, and will begin attempting to recruit staff for the two new companies right away, with the recruitment process managed by HRC Associates.
Last week a Petrotrin spokesperson said the new exploration and production company, and the new fuel distribution company, are not Petrotrin companies. According to the spokesperson, “They are new businesses that will be wholly owned by the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and Petrotrin will cease operations on November 30.”
Even as the new companies were being advertised in the daily newspapers, the Oilfields Workers' Trade Union released its own advertisements to show the effect of Petrotrin's closure on retrenched workers.
In one advertisement, temporary employee Crystal Bernard said she felt betrayed. “A mother's duty is always to her children, and now the way I provide for them is being taken away. I feel betrayed, I really believed that I had a future with this company. Unemployment is already high, how are we going to survive? My vision and my hope for my family and our future in this country is now fading away,” she said.
Refinery employee Anil Bhagowtee said was hurt: “As a refinery worker for over 28 years, I have been a part of many plant upgrades and seen the construction of new plants all on par with international refineries. It really hurts me to see the kind of destructive decisions being made by my company. All the hard work and sweat put into this company by thousands of employees, for what? Nothing? 'I can't believe what I see.”
Petrotrin retiree Theophilus Henry said he was disappointed to see what was happening in the company where he had worked for 44 years: “I can't believe what I see happening to this national icon. What is going to happen to the young, qualified people who saw their future at Petrotrin? Have they really considered how this is going to affect the citizens of this country?”
On Aug 28, Petrotrin announced it was restructuring the company by closing down the refinery and terminating its 1,700 employees. It claimed the Pointe-a-Pierre refinery was losing (TT) $2 billion a year and the company needed to make an (US) $850 million bond payment in Aug 2019.
What started off as a restructuring or re-invention of the State-owned oil company quickly morphed into the closure of Petrotrin and the setting up of new entities.
Port-of-Spain – The Judiciary was just using too much paper, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi said last week as he explained why a budget allocation for office supplies to that area was increased by only (TT) $50,000.
Al-Rawi made the remark while taking questions from the Opposition during the Standing Finance Committee stage of the National Budget debate in Parliament.
The AG was asked about the nominal increase by Opposition Senator Vidia Gayadeen-Gopeesingh, who referred to an incident in September this year, where High Court Justice Frank Seepersad said he could not deliver a judgment because no paper was available.
Gayadeen-Gopeesingh questioned whether the increase in the supplies allocation was sufficient, if it was that the Judiciary was pressed for such items. The 2018-2019 allocation to the Judiciary was passed at (TT) $364,076,700.
Al-Rawi said too much paper was being used up in that area, with documents being replicated in paper where they could have been sent electronically.
However, the AG said it may be that a larger increase was needed, but the Judiciary would also be doing “less printing”, while some supplies are to be bought “on demand” and not in bulk to control wastage.
Al-Rawi made the remark while taking questions from the Opposition during the Standing Finance Committee stage of the National Budget debate in Parliament.
The AG was asked about the nominal increase by Opposition Senator Vidia Gayadeen-Gopeesingh, who referred to an incident in September this year, where High Court Justice Frank Seepersad said he could not deliver a judgment because no paper was available.
Gayadeen-Gopeesingh questioned whether the increase in the supplies allocation was sufficient, if it was that the Judiciary was pressed for such items. The 2018-2019 allocation to the Judiciary was passed at (TT) $364,076,700.
Al-Rawi said too much paper was being used up in that area, with documents being replicated in paper where they could have been sent electronically.
However, the AG said it may be that a larger increase was needed, but the Judiciary would also be doing “less printing”, while some supplies are to be bought “on demand” and not in bulk to control wastage.
Port-of-Spain – Woodford Square is being upgraded at an estimated cost of (TT) $500,000, and it includes the restoration of the Aphrodite statue and fountain, Port-of-Spain Mayor Joel Martinez said last week.
Martinez said refurbishing the Square is part of a larger goal he has for public spaces in the capital.
“When I look at our parks and squares I found that something was missing. Why do we have such monuments and we are not taking care of it?” he said.
The statue of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, and her son Eros are currently under restoration at the home of sculptor Milton Duque. The removal of the statue and is placement near the public toilets caused some concern among the public, before it was taken into Duque’s care.
Duque is working along with retired engineer Horace Watts who shared insights about the statue with the Mayor.
“I met Mr Watts and was given the history of this sculpture and I felt a proper job needed to be done on it,” Martinez said.
While the statue is being restored, the fountain is also undergoing restoration work and a stronger base is to be built. The restoration of the statute should be completed by the end of October.
Martinez also indicated the benches and tables are to be refurbished, along with the drainage in the area. A television would also be reinstalled. When the upgrade is completed the square will be opened up to 9:00 pm with increased lighting and security.
Martinez said refurbishing the Square is part of a larger goal he has for public spaces in the capital.
“When I look at our parks and squares I found that something was missing. Why do we have such monuments and we are not taking care of it?” he said.
The statue of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, and her son Eros are currently under restoration at the home of sculptor Milton Duque. The removal of the statue and is placement near the public toilets caused some concern among the public, before it was taken into Duque’s care.
Duque is working along with retired engineer Horace Watts who shared insights about the statue with the Mayor.
“I met Mr Watts and was given the history of this sculpture and I felt a proper job needed to be done on it,” Martinez said.
While the statue is being restored, the fountain is also undergoing restoration work and a stronger base is to be built. The restoration of the statute should be completed by the end of October.
Martinez also indicated the benches and tables are to be refurbished, along with the drainage in the area. A television would also be reinstalled. When the upgrade is completed the square will be opened up to 9:00 pm with increased lighting and security.
Port-of-Spain – The August 21 earthquake that rattled Trinidad and other parts of the Caribbean region damaged the administrative building of St Benedict's College, La Romaine, causing it to be abandoned. Now the block has been cordoned off while it is being repaired.
These repairs have not prevented the school from continuing to operate, an Education Ministry official said last week. St Benedict's College is one of several schools that suffered structural damage following the 6.9 magnitude tremor. Barrackpore East and West Secondary schools were also damaged, following which measures were put in place to ensure the safety of pupils and staff. Santa Maria RC Primary School with its approximately 61 pupils was relocated to office of the Moruga/Tableland Member of Parliament.
Holy Name Convert in Port-of-Spain had no class disruptions, although there was significant damage to the ceiling of the school's auditorium. Classes resumed at St Mary's Government Primary School after a damaged sewer system was repaired.
At Curepe AC Primary School, the main block was deemed unsafe and cordoned off. Classes have been relocated to other venues, which included St Mary's Parish Church Hall and St Augustine Government Primary.
Pupils at Preysal Government Primary School were relocated to the Preysal Community Centre, while classes resumed following repair work at Mucurapo East Secondary.
However, there has been no new accommodation for the majority of pupils attending Forest Reserve AC School. The standard five pupils are currently being accommodated at Siparia Old Road Primary School to not fall behind with Secondary Entrance Assessment preparations. The ministry is continuing its search for other suitable venues for the remaining school population.
These repairs have not prevented the school from continuing to operate, an Education Ministry official said last week. St Benedict's College is one of several schools that suffered structural damage following the 6.9 magnitude tremor. Barrackpore East and West Secondary schools were also damaged, following which measures were put in place to ensure the safety of pupils and staff. Santa Maria RC Primary School with its approximately 61 pupils was relocated to office of the Moruga/Tableland Member of Parliament.
Holy Name Convert in Port-of-Spain had no class disruptions, although there was significant damage to the ceiling of the school's auditorium. Classes resumed at St Mary's Government Primary School after a damaged sewer system was repaired.
At Curepe AC Primary School, the main block was deemed unsafe and cordoned off. Classes have been relocated to other venues, which included St Mary's Parish Church Hall and St Augustine Government Primary.
Pupils at Preysal Government Primary School were relocated to the Preysal Community Centre, while classes resumed following repair work at Mucurapo East Secondary.
However, there has been no new accommodation for the majority of pupils attending Forest Reserve AC School. The standard five pupils are currently being accommodated at Siparia Old Road Primary School to not fall behind with Secondary Entrance Assessment preparations. The ministry is continuing its search for other suitable venues for the remaining school population.
Port-of-Spain – Pupils at St Augustine Girls' High School have called for an apology from a senior school official after claiming an incident with a student was a clear case of religious intolerance.
The incident came to light after Pundit Satyanand Maharaj made a lengthy post on social media claiming an 11-year-old Form One pupil was hauled on stage during assembly on Monday and shamed for wearing a rakhi. The rakhi is a sacred thread worn on the wrist after completing a puja, and it is a Hindu religious symbol.
Maharaj said the pupil was told that the school is a Christian one, and the item could not be worn openly and must be hidden under a watch.
“The young girl was humiliated in front of her peers, friends and teachers for just being a practising Hindu,” he posted. Maharaj called on the public to condemn the act.
He said it was similar to the recent issue where trainee teacher Nafiesa Nakhid was denied the opportunity to teach at Lakshmi Girls' Hindu College because she wore a hijab.
Maharaj accused the school of being biased against Hindus as he said Muslim pupils are allowed to wear hijabs and long pants. He said the pupil was now fearful of being in a hostile environment.
He added he would be filing an official complaint against the school to the Equal Opportunity Commission.
However, Chief Education Officer Harrilal Seecharan said the incident never occurred, and that he was assured of this by school officials. Education Minister Anthony Garcia said an investigation was conducted, and it concluded that the accusation was false, and there was no such incident at the school.
Following publication of the story, pupils at the school contacted the media, saying the incident had occurred, and that there was a “cover-up” to protect the image of the school.
One senior pupil said the ministry's investigation was simply questioning the same official who had committed the act. It was obvious the official would deny it, the student said.
The pupil called on the ministry to speak to the student body who were there and had witnessed the incident. She recounted that the entire assembly, of more than 700 pupils, was gathered in the school's hall for worship and was sitting on the floor at the time.
According to the pupil, the senior official approached the 11-year-old, instructed her to stand and put her hand in the air, and told her in a “rude and humiliating manner” to hide the rakhi with her watch as it was not allowed to be openly displayed.
It was not the first time Hindu pupils have been instructed to conceal the religious band, the pupil claimed. Another senior pupil said the student body was concerned about the incident because it showed intolerance and discrimination towards Hindu pupils.
“Muslim students are allowed to wear their hijabs. Why are Hindu students being told to hide their rakhi?” she questioned.
When contacted and told that pupils at the school were adamant that the incident did occur, Garcia said an investigation was carried out and he stands by the findings.
“I cannot base my statement on what it is alleged that the students said. The information I have is that it is totally false,” he said.
However, Secretary General of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha Sat Maharaj confirmed there was an incident at the school. He said he was contacted by school officials about it, and that it had been “blown out of proportion”.
Maharaj said the senior official was correct in asking the pupil to cover up her rakhi since it went against the dress code of the school.
“I support the school in demanding that the children adhere to the dress code,” he said.
Maharaj said parents have a choice where to send their children to school. If they have a problem with the rules of denominational schools, then they should not send their children there.
“Just like I did at Lakshmi, if you want to come here, you follow our dress code. If you choose to come to my school as a Christian or a Muslim, you must abide by the rules that I have. You have a choice not to come,” he said.
The incident came to light after Pundit Satyanand Maharaj made a lengthy post on social media claiming an 11-year-old Form One pupil was hauled on stage during assembly on Monday and shamed for wearing a rakhi. The rakhi is a sacred thread worn on the wrist after completing a puja, and it is a Hindu religious symbol.
Maharaj said the pupil was told that the school is a Christian one, and the item could not be worn openly and must be hidden under a watch.
“The young girl was humiliated in front of her peers, friends and teachers for just being a practising Hindu,” he posted. Maharaj called on the public to condemn the act.
He said it was similar to the recent issue where trainee teacher Nafiesa Nakhid was denied the opportunity to teach at Lakshmi Girls' Hindu College because she wore a hijab.
Maharaj accused the school of being biased against Hindus as he said Muslim pupils are allowed to wear hijabs and long pants. He said the pupil was now fearful of being in a hostile environment.
He added he would be filing an official complaint against the school to the Equal Opportunity Commission.
However, Chief Education Officer Harrilal Seecharan said the incident never occurred, and that he was assured of this by school officials. Education Minister Anthony Garcia said an investigation was conducted, and it concluded that the accusation was false, and there was no such incident at the school.
Following publication of the story, pupils at the school contacted the media, saying the incident had occurred, and that there was a “cover-up” to protect the image of the school.
One senior pupil said the ministry's investigation was simply questioning the same official who had committed the act. It was obvious the official would deny it, the student said.
The pupil called on the ministry to speak to the student body who were there and had witnessed the incident. She recounted that the entire assembly, of more than 700 pupils, was gathered in the school's hall for worship and was sitting on the floor at the time.
According to the pupil, the senior official approached the 11-year-old, instructed her to stand and put her hand in the air, and told her in a “rude and humiliating manner” to hide the rakhi with her watch as it was not allowed to be openly displayed.
It was not the first time Hindu pupils have been instructed to conceal the religious band, the pupil claimed. Another senior pupil said the student body was concerned about the incident because it showed intolerance and discrimination towards Hindu pupils.
“Muslim students are allowed to wear their hijabs. Why are Hindu students being told to hide their rakhi?” she questioned.
When contacted and told that pupils at the school were adamant that the incident did occur, Garcia said an investigation was carried out and he stands by the findings.
“I cannot base my statement on what it is alleged that the students said. The information I have is that it is totally false,” he said.
However, Secretary General of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha Sat Maharaj confirmed there was an incident at the school. He said he was contacted by school officials about it, and that it had been “blown out of proportion”.
Maharaj said the senior official was correct in asking the pupil to cover up her rakhi since it went against the dress code of the school.
“I support the school in demanding that the children adhere to the dress code,” he said.
Maharaj said parents have a choice where to send their children to school. If they have a problem with the rules of denominational schools, then they should not send their children there.
“Just like I did at Lakshmi, if you want to come here, you follow our dress code. If you choose to come to my school as a Christian or a Muslim, you must abide by the rules that I have. You have a choice not to come,” he said.
PM Dr Keith Rowley
Dr Roodal Moonilall MP
Port-of-Spain – Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal last week confirmed Richard Clayton, QC, has been hired to head the defence team against a libel lawsuit filed by Prime Minister Keith Rowley. The lawsuit came after Moonilal made allegations in Parliament about Rowley and the A&V “fake oil” scandal.
Earlier this week Moonilal said Clayton is an authority in administrative law, human rights and civil liberties, and local government.
“[My] defence team will be led by Richard Clayton, Queens Counsel, and will include Anand Ramlogan, SC, and former Attorney General. Clayton will be leading the defence team, and I expect he will be in Trinidad [soon], and we will have a proper conference with him. We fear absolutely nothing concerning that lawsuit,” Moonilal said.
Additionally, “I am eager to hear Dr Rowley in the witness box on this matter. Apart from that, I will like to read the foundation of such a claim given the legal, constitutional, and political interest in this matter.”
Moonilal said he also took note of a newspaper report indicating the cheques involved in the alleged financial transaction he raised involving A&V Drilling appear to be fraudulent.
“It may well be that there are people out there printing cheque books with machines that can stamp the monies, and of course counterfeit documents. They have monetary instruments that are being peddled which are counterfeit, so following my statement in the Parliament, we have already reaped something positive.”
Moonilal said if the cheques are fake, then there was still room for criminal charges against fraudsters.
“The matters are not connected directly to the Prime Minister, but if it is fake it suggests there is a counterfeit ring out there doing some dastardly acts, and that by itself is a serious criminal offence. If someone is signing off cheques and peddling off cheques as if it belongs to companies in question then this is a serious matter,” he said.
Noting pieces of the puzzle were coming together, Moonilal said the Financial Intelligence Unit, police, and other international agencies should look into the matter. He reiterated that all evidence related to the fake oil scandal must be preserved, and all those implicated should be charged.
Meanwhile, Rowley last week called for an apology and a retraction from Moonilal.
In a pre-action protocol letter on October 12, Rowley stated he wanted a written undertaking from Moonilal to “not to repeat the allegations complained of in any forum whatever and wherever”.
Rowley also indicated he wanted “payment of a substantial sum in damages (including aggravated and exemplary damages)” as well as payment of his legal costs.
The letter was signed by Rowley’s attorney, Michael Quamina, and warned that Moonilal had until October 26 to respond. It added failure to comply with the terms within the timeframe would result in the activation of legal proceedings.
The letter detailed the statements made inside the Parliament, and cited four instances where Moonilal referenced what was said while he was in public. During his budget contribution on October 9, Moonilal alleged Rowley was involved in questionable financial transactions, along with Vidya Deokiesingh, a Petrotrin employee implicated in the (TT) $100 million “fake oil” scandal.
According to Quamina, those words that were uttered by Moonilal both inside and outside of the Parliament contained “false and defamatory statements” about Rowley.
Added Quamina: “I further hold the view that the statements made by you outside of the Parliament amount in law, to an adoption, confirmation and re-publication of your contribution in Parliament, and will therefore be actionable under the law of defamation in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.”
Also, “The words used by you obviously mean and/or are to be understood to mean in their natural and ordinary and/or inferential meaning and/or by way of innuendo and were plainly intended by you to mean that my client, the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, is engaging, or has engaged, in corrupt acts and is the beneficiary of illicit and/or corrupt payments from A&V Oil and Gas Limited, its affiliates, principals and associates.”
Earlier this week Moonilal said Clayton is an authority in administrative law, human rights and civil liberties, and local government.
“[My] defence team will be led by Richard Clayton, Queens Counsel, and will include Anand Ramlogan, SC, and former Attorney General. Clayton will be leading the defence team, and I expect he will be in Trinidad [soon], and we will have a proper conference with him. We fear absolutely nothing concerning that lawsuit,” Moonilal said.
Additionally, “I am eager to hear Dr Rowley in the witness box on this matter. Apart from that, I will like to read the foundation of such a claim given the legal, constitutional, and political interest in this matter.”
Moonilal said he also took note of a newspaper report indicating the cheques involved in the alleged financial transaction he raised involving A&V Drilling appear to be fraudulent.
“It may well be that there are people out there printing cheque books with machines that can stamp the monies, and of course counterfeit documents. They have monetary instruments that are being peddled which are counterfeit, so following my statement in the Parliament, we have already reaped something positive.”
Moonilal said if the cheques are fake, then there was still room for criminal charges against fraudsters.
“The matters are not connected directly to the Prime Minister, but if it is fake it suggests there is a counterfeit ring out there doing some dastardly acts, and that by itself is a serious criminal offence. If someone is signing off cheques and peddling off cheques as if it belongs to companies in question then this is a serious matter,” he said.
Noting pieces of the puzzle were coming together, Moonilal said the Financial Intelligence Unit, police, and other international agencies should look into the matter. He reiterated that all evidence related to the fake oil scandal must be preserved, and all those implicated should be charged.
Meanwhile, Rowley last week called for an apology and a retraction from Moonilal.
In a pre-action protocol letter on October 12, Rowley stated he wanted a written undertaking from Moonilal to “not to repeat the allegations complained of in any forum whatever and wherever”.
Rowley also indicated he wanted “payment of a substantial sum in damages (including aggravated and exemplary damages)” as well as payment of his legal costs.
The letter was signed by Rowley’s attorney, Michael Quamina, and warned that Moonilal had until October 26 to respond. It added failure to comply with the terms within the timeframe would result in the activation of legal proceedings.
The letter detailed the statements made inside the Parliament, and cited four instances where Moonilal referenced what was said while he was in public. During his budget contribution on October 9, Moonilal alleged Rowley was involved in questionable financial transactions, along with Vidya Deokiesingh, a Petrotrin employee implicated in the (TT) $100 million “fake oil” scandal.
According to Quamina, those words that were uttered by Moonilal both inside and outside of the Parliament contained “false and defamatory statements” about Rowley.
Added Quamina: “I further hold the view that the statements made by you outside of the Parliament amount in law, to an adoption, confirmation and re-publication of your contribution in Parliament, and will therefore be actionable under the law of defamation in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.”
Also, “The words used by you obviously mean and/or are to be understood to mean in their natural and ordinary and/or inferential meaning and/or by way of innuendo and were plainly intended by you to mean that my client, the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, is engaging, or has engaged, in corrupt acts and is the beneficiary of illicit and/or corrupt payments from A&V Oil and Gas Limited, its affiliates, principals and associates.”
Port-of-Spain – Residents intervened last week after two bandits robbed a doubles vendor in Fyzabad, apprehending and immobilising the thieves until police arrived.
According to a police report at about 10:30 am last Wednesday, the owner of Johnny’s Doubles at Massahood Junction in Fyzabad was well into morning sales when two men posing as customers announced a hold-up. The thieves ordered the vendor to hand over his sales, and then took off with the cash. However, the vendor raised an alarm, which residents took up, shouting to the fleeing bandits to stop.
According to an eyewitness, a female resident gave chase, screaming, “Allyuh stop them bandits!” as she followed the fleeing men. This vigilant resident was quickly joined by neighbours, who overtook and captured both men.
Police discovered the morning’s sales from the doubles vendor in the pockets of the apprehended men before taking them to the Fyzabad station.
However, another doubles vendor did not escape the wrath of four men who were dissatisfied with the service they received. The result was vendor Avinash Singh had to be hospitalised with serious injuries after he was beaten and stabbed in the head with a broken bottle.
The incident occurred around 5:00 am at the Open Shops on the corner of Cunapo Southern Main Road and Eastern Main Road in Sangre Grande.
According to police reports, Singh was attending to other customers when four men approached his doubles box and placed an order. However, Singh did not attend to the men right away, and instead continued with requests made by other patrons.
According to the report, the men then became impatient and began questioning the vendor on why their order was being ignored. Police said Singh informed the men they had to wait their turn. The men then attacked him, beating him about the body. One attacker used a beer bottle, which he hit Singh with several times on the head. When the bottle broke, the attacker used it to stab Singh on the head. The four men fled.
Eye-witnesses did not intervene this time, and instead contacted police and the Emergency Health Services. The seriously wounded man was taken to Sangre Grande District Hospital and later transferred to Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex. Singh’s attackers are yet to be apprehended, either by residents, or the police.
According to a police report at about 10:30 am last Wednesday, the owner of Johnny’s Doubles at Massahood Junction in Fyzabad was well into morning sales when two men posing as customers announced a hold-up. The thieves ordered the vendor to hand over his sales, and then took off with the cash. However, the vendor raised an alarm, which residents took up, shouting to the fleeing bandits to stop.
According to an eyewitness, a female resident gave chase, screaming, “Allyuh stop them bandits!” as she followed the fleeing men. This vigilant resident was quickly joined by neighbours, who overtook and captured both men.
Police discovered the morning’s sales from the doubles vendor in the pockets of the apprehended men before taking them to the Fyzabad station.
However, another doubles vendor did not escape the wrath of four men who were dissatisfied with the service they received. The result was vendor Avinash Singh had to be hospitalised with serious injuries after he was beaten and stabbed in the head with a broken bottle.
The incident occurred around 5:00 am at the Open Shops on the corner of Cunapo Southern Main Road and Eastern Main Road in Sangre Grande.
According to police reports, Singh was attending to other customers when four men approached his doubles box and placed an order. However, Singh did not attend to the men right away, and instead continued with requests made by other patrons.
According to the report, the men then became impatient and began questioning the vendor on why their order was being ignored. Police said Singh informed the men they had to wait their turn. The men then attacked him, beating him about the body. One attacker used a beer bottle, which he hit Singh with several times on the head. When the bottle broke, the attacker used it to stab Singh on the head. The four men fled.
Eye-witnesses did not intervene this time, and instead contacted police and the Emergency Health Services. The seriously wounded man was taken to Sangre Grande District Hospital and later transferred to Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex. Singh’s attackers are yet to be apprehended, either by residents, or the police.
Port-of-Spain – Randy Glasgow, chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Promoters Association last week called on San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello to rename Skinner Park as Black Stalin Park, or a similar name, in honour of iconic Calypsonian, Leroy ‘Black Stalin’ Calliste.
Glasgow’s call was made following statements made by Regrello about the name of the Sundar Popo Auditorium of the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts. Regrello said had he his way, auditorium would have been named after Stalin, and not Popo. The comment caused furor, with Popo’s family incensed over the statement, as were residents in San Fernando.
“Regrello’s statement was misunderstood. I believe what he really meant was that the auditorium should have been twinned and named after both icons, Sundar Popo and Stalin. I know Regrello and he has always been a dedicated supporter of all aspects of our culture and all peoples of Trinidad and Tobago,” Glasgow said.
Glasgow pointed out that Stalin and Popo were close friends, so having the two facilities that are across the road from one another respectively named after each other makes good sense. Glasgow said he understands that people will say Skinner Park is a sporting facility, and should therefore be named after a sporting personality should there be a name change. However, he believes Black Stalin deserves such an honour as well.
“We have many facilities named after sporting heroes. Skinner Park is also a cultural hub being the home of the National Calypso Monarch semi-finals, Calypso Fiesta, and other major cultural activities. Stalin lives close to Skinner Park, which is another good reason for it to carrsy his name,” he said.
Glasgow added: “Skinner Park is not even named after a sportsman anyway. It was named after a former general manager of a sugar factory named S.G. Skinner. I’m still researching this, so I don’t know if it was he who gave the land to the people of San Fernando or that it was named after him for another reason. The important thing is, renaming the entire facility or the new stand after Stalin will be a fitting tribute to the calypso and cultural legend.”
Glasgow’s call was made following statements made by Regrello about the name of the Sundar Popo Auditorium of the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts. Regrello said had he his way, auditorium would have been named after Stalin, and not Popo. The comment caused furor, with Popo’s family incensed over the statement, as were residents in San Fernando.
“Regrello’s statement was misunderstood. I believe what he really meant was that the auditorium should have been twinned and named after both icons, Sundar Popo and Stalin. I know Regrello and he has always been a dedicated supporter of all aspects of our culture and all peoples of Trinidad and Tobago,” Glasgow said.
Glasgow pointed out that Stalin and Popo were close friends, so having the two facilities that are across the road from one another respectively named after each other makes good sense. Glasgow said he understands that people will say Skinner Park is a sporting facility, and should therefore be named after a sporting personality should there be a name change. However, he believes Black Stalin deserves such an honour as well.
“We have many facilities named after sporting heroes. Skinner Park is also a cultural hub being the home of the National Calypso Monarch semi-finals, Calypso Fiesta, and other major cultural activities. Stalin lives close to Skinner Park, which is another good reason for it to carrsy his name,” he said.
Glasgow added: “Skinner Park is not even named after a sportsman anyway. It was named after a former general manager of a sugar factory named S.G. Skinner. I’m still researching this, so I don’t know if it was he who gave the land to the people of San Fernando or that it was named after him for another reason. The important thing is, renaming the entire facility or the new stand after Stalin will be a fitting tribute to the calypso and cultural legend.”
