Finance, General T&T, Media, Parliament, People's Partnership, PNM, Politics, UNC

Imbert: PP raided NGC of $14b cash

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…Used Green and Unemployment Funds as collateral

By Richard Lord
December 05, 2015 – guardian.co.tt

Colm ImbertFinance Minister Colm Imbert says the former PP government raided the National Gas Company (NGC) of almost $14 billion in cash. He made the claim while presenting three motions for debate in the House of Representatives yesterday.

The motions seek to increase the ceiling for government borrowing by $50 billion under the Development Loans Act, External Loans Act and the Guarantee of Loans (Companies) Act.
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Elections, General T&T, People's Partnership, PNM, Politics, UNC

Judges split on petitions appeal

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By Derek Achong
December 01, 2015 – guardian.co.tt

United National CongressThree of the country’s most senior judges have failed to come to an agreement over whether the United National Congress (UNC) has conclusive proof that its defeat in September’s general election was due to a one-hour extension in voting, in order to secure a re-election.

Delivering its judgment in the appeal brought by the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) and the People’ National Movement (PNM) at the Hall of Justice, Port-of-Spain, yesterday, the appeal panel, led by Chief Justice Ivor Archie, was split two to one, as it ruled that the UNC had met the requirements required for preliminary approval of the petitions.
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Finance, General T&T, PNM, Politics

Sending the wrong signals

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By Raffique Shah
November 30, 2015

Raffique ShahIf “Santa Colm” assures the populace that their Christmas will be bright, not blue, then we have no reason to doubt the man.

After all, Acting Prime Minister Colm Imbert is the substantive Minister of Finance, in which capacity he has access to data and information pertaining to the state of the economy, especially Government’s revenues and expenditures, that you and I will not see.
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Elections, General T&T, Media, Opposition Party, Politics, UNC

UNC wracked by internal strife

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By Renuka Singh
November 28, 2015 – guardian.co.tt

United National CongressFresh internal conflict is threatening to break the United National Congress (UNC) apart in the build up to internal elections. With just days to go before the party elects its leader, the mostly clean campaign has suddenly turned nasty as one would-be deputy leader was threatened for taking sides against incumbent Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
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Culture, General T&T, Hindu, India, Religion, Schools

Hindus observe Kartik Snaan

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By Seeta Persad
November 26, 2015 – newsday.co.tt

Kartik SnaanHINDUS across the country yesterday observed the religious event of Kartik with many going to the beach or river to hold pujas (prayers) and pray.

All Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS) run schools were closed to allow for entire families to pray together. Kartik Snaan is the name given for the months of October/November in the Hindu calendar. During this holy time Nav Ratri, Divali and Ramleela are observed and celebrated.
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General T&T, Media, PNM, Politics, UNC

SIS’ billion dollar contract terminated by NGC

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Daily Express
November 24, 2015 – trinidadexpress.com

NGCThe National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (NGC) has terminated its contract with Super Industrial Services Limited (SIS) for the construction of the $1 billion Beetham Water Recycling Plant. The decision was taken after SIS said it was unable to continue with the controversial project.

The following is the statement issued by the NGC on Tuesday –
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General T&T, Media, Parliament

Shocking TTEC $612M loss

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Newsday Editorial
November 24, 2015 – newsday.co.tt

T&TECTHREE years after the fact, Parliament has only this month received the annual report of the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (TTEC) for 2013.

That alone would be unsatisfactory were it not for the fact that the picture painted in the report is — to use an appropriate word — shocking.
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COP, Culture, Elections, General T&T, Opposition Party, People's Partnership, PNM, Politics, UNC

The last ‘pahalwan’

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By Raffique Shah
November 23, 2015

Raffique ShahThe battle for leadership of the UNC has ignited a discussion on leadership in a broader context, with the party’s founder, Basdeo Panday, weighing in on the issue.

According to my columnist colleague Sheila Rampersad, Panday told her that Indians tend to seek a “pahalwan”-Hindi for warrior, strongman-to lead them. Sheila cited Panday himself as an example of the phenomenon. In 1973, he succeeded Bhadase Maharaj as leader of the sugar workers’ union, and in 1977 he succeeded in transforming the only organic inter-racial party ever (my view…I was a co-founder), the ULF, into an Indian party.
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Crime in T&T, Media, PNM, Politics

NO MORE UPSCALE HDC HOMES

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By JANELLE DE SOUZA
November 22 2015 – newsday.co.tt

PP WILL BE BACKThe Housing Development Corporation (HDC) will no longer build high-end housing units.

Instead, any future construction would be of more affordable units that meet the needs of the majority of applicants.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley made the statement at the new Chaconia Crescent development, Four Roads, Diego Martin, yesterday during his feature address at the distribution ceremony of 120 keys for units at Chaconia Crescent as well as for Greenvale Park in La Horquetta.
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Culture, General T&T, International, Media, Religion, Syria, Violence

Islamic Front leader on T&T fighters in Syria

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‘I nearly joined Isis’

By Shaliza Hassanali
November 22, 2015 – guardian.co.tt

Umar Abdullah, leader of Waajihatul Islaamiyyah, also known as The Islamic FrontThirteen years after Umar Abdullah, leader of Waajihatul Islaamiyyah, also known as The Islamic Front, was sought by US and British Intelligence for supporting al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and jihad (holy war), he has admitted that he almost joined the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis) as a frontline fighter.
Continue reading Islamic Front leader on T&T fighters in Syria →