Morning Edition: 01st September 2023

CCNTV6

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Transcript

00:00:00 You're having a good laugh in

00:00:06 studio, right? Sugar boy, sugar

00:00:07 boy. Good morning studio and

00:00:09 and good morning to our friends

00:00:10 in master control and um to

00:00:12 you. Thank you very much for

00:00:13 being with us uh this morning.

00:00:15 It's Friday, 1st September

00:00:17 twenty-23. I hope that you had

00:00:19 a good holiday yesterday that

00:00:21 you took some time to spend

00:00:22 with the family and you headed

00:00:23 out to the Queen's Park uh uh

00:00:25 Savannah for the Independence

00:00:26 Day celebrations and I said

00:00:28 very well there. You had the

00:00:30 good weather and so on. It's

00:00:31 always a good opportunity uh

00:00:33 for the children and and and

00:00:35 the young people and and even

00:00:36 parents uh to spend some time

00:00:38 together. So, uh let's look and

00:00:40 see what's happening in the

00:00:42 newspaper this morning. On the

00:00:44 front page, PM vows at fixed at

00:00:47 uh sixty-first Independence Day

00:00:49 celebrations. Crime fight will

00:00:51 be won and there's a smart

00:00:53 picture there of the prime

00:00:55 minister and president of the

00:00:57 republic. Christine Kangaloo,

00:00:59 top cop TTP making substantial

00:01:02 progress in unison. Coast Guard

00:01:04 members move in unison during

00:01:06 the March past at yesterday's

00:01:08 Independence Parade at the

00:01:10 Queen's Park Savannah in Port

00:01:12 of Spain. Uh and to the back

00:01:14 page, it's covered with the

00:01:17 celebrations from the

00:01:19 Independence Day Parade

00:01:20 yesterday. Large turnout, a

00:01:22 cross section of the hundreds

00:01:24 of spectators who made their

00:01:25 way to the Queen's Park

00:01:26 Savannah in Port of Spain to

00:01:28 enjoy yesterday's Independence

00:01:30 Day Parade. Alright, so a good

00:01:32 time was had by all. A safe

00:01:35 time was had by all and Lion

00:01:39 Tamers Defense Force edged

00:01:42 Golden Lion for first Caribbean

00:01:45 Championship win. Defense Force

00:01:47 were at their inefficient worst

00:01:49 in front of goal but still

00:01:52 managed to leave the Lions den

00:01:54 with a one zero victory over

00:01:56 Martinique champions Golden

00:01:57 Lion and their group a conquer

00:01:59 calf Caribbean club

00:02:00 championship match Wednesday

00:02:02 night at the star star pair

00:02:05 Alaca in Fort de France

00:02:07 Martinique. Yeah. Alright, so

00:02:10 that's some of the stories

00:02:11 making the newspaper for this

00:02:13 morning. It's time to remind

00:02:14 you about Trinbago Unite's

00:02:15 feature to participate.

00:02:16 WhatsApp your videos images to

00:02:17 7373778. So we do have this

00:02:21 image for you of a hummingbird

00:02:23 nesting at the Valencia Eco

00:02:29 Resort. Alright, very nice

00:02:33 picture there and thank you to

00:02:36 all of our viewers who continue

00:02:38 to send photographs and videos.

00:02:40 Alright, so we do have a very

00:02:41 interesting program for you

00:02:44 this morning. Of course, one of

00:02:46 the big issues being discussed

00:02:47 yesterday during the

00:02:49 Independence Day celebration is

00:02:51 this issue of crime. Of course,

00:02:52 the prime minister made a major

00:02:54 statement and also the police

00:02:55 commissioner also made a

00:02:57 statement on crime. So crime

00:02:59 continues to be one of the top

00:03:00 priorities to deal with in

00:03:02 Trinidad and Tobago. So we are

00:03:04 going to very short break. You

00:03:05 have your tea, you have your

00:03:06 coffee and something to eat.

00:03:07 We're coming back.

00:03:10 Give it to me, baby.

00:03:12 One more time.

00:03:15 All is yours, my sugar baby.

00:03:17 From neck to toe.

00:03:19 Sweet as half my foot high.

00:03:21 I wouldn't let you go.

00:03:23 Your journey of state.

00:03:26 I'm coming back. I'm coming back.

00:03:27 I'm coming back. I'm coming back.

00:03:56 by C A S L. 1 2. Here we go. A Live gives you more vitamins and minerals than leading

00:04:22 brands. Because when you start with more, you own the morning alive. Are you having

00:04:33 sore throat, fever, coughing, headache or runny nose? Take set them all cold and blue

00:04:38 day or night. Ask your pharmacist for set them all cold and blue and get back to the

00:04:42 happier you. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

00:05:09 (hip hop music playing)

00:05:12 (crying)

00:05:21 - [Guy] No son, no.

00:05:31 (cries)

00:05:33 (energetic music)

00:05:38 (crying)

00:05:40 (crying)

00:05:48 (upbeat music)

00:06:05 (upbeat music)

00:06:08 - And welcome back.

00:06:16 So we do have a lot to discuss on the program for today,

00:06:19 but let me just go through some of the stories

00:06:21 in the newspaper for you this morning.

00:06:23 President Kangaloo marks first toast to the nation,

00:06:26 celebrate success that makes us smile.

00:06:30 President Christine Kangaloo has called the country

00:06:32 to celebrate the smiles that have come with 61 years

00:06:36 as a nation.

00:06:38 Now the president drew on TNT's positives,

00:06:40 especially in culture,

00:06:41 as she raised the traditional toast to the nation

00:06:44 at the National Academy for the Performing Arts

00:06:46 in Porto, Spain yesterday.

00:06:49 And as I told you a bit earlier,

00:06:51 one of the main issues being discussed yesterday

00:06:55 was the issue of crime.

00:06:57 Top cops slams detractors and naysayers.

00:07:00 TTPS will not be intimidated.

00:07:02 Commissioner of Police, Erla Christopher,

00:07:04 has declared that the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service

00:07:06 will not be intimidated or distracted

00:07:10 in conducting its duty.

00:07:13 Also, the prime minister raised concern

00:07:16 about the crime situation yesterday

00:07:19 and gave his government's assurance also to the TTPS

00:07:23 that they will receive all of the resources

00:07:25 and also gave the assurance to members of the public

00:07:29 that something is going to be done about the situation,

00:07:32 a very dangerous challenge.

00:07:34 This was how Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley

00:07:36 yesterday described the discovery

00:07:39 that assault rifles using 3D printing technology

00:07:43 were being manufactured in this country.

00:07:45 Speaking at the TTPS's Independence Day celebration

00:07:49 at the Police Administration building

00:07:51 in Porto, Spain yesterday,

00:07:52 Rowley also noted there was a saying

00:07:58 that crime does not pay,

00:08:00 but said he no longer believed

00:08:03 that to be applicable in 2023.

00:08:06 He said we would be fooling ourselves in 2023

00:08:09 if we do not acknowledge that to a few citizens

00:08:12 in this country, a decision has been made

00:08:15 that crime could pay,

00:08:17 and it is from that thought

00:08:19 that a number of the criminal actions have flowed, yeah?

00:08:25 So again, this whole issue of crime on the front burner

00:08:30 and is being discussed,

00:08:32 is being given the priority that it deserves.

00:08:37 All right, let's see other stories

00:08:40 making the Daily Express today.

00:08:43 Trini Bourne Scholar leaves presidential post at Howard.

00:08:47 Trinidad Bourne Scholar, surgeon,

00:08:50 and Howard University administrator Wayne Frederick

00:08:54 yesterday announced that his departure

00:08:57 from his current post of president of the university,

00:09:00 Frederick assumed the office

00:09:02 at the Washington DC USA based university

00:09:04 on July 21st, 2014.

00:09:09 He stated in an Instagram post,

00:09:11 the time has come for me to bid farewell

00:09:14 as the 17th president of this extraordinary institution.

00:09:19 He said, "My heart brims

00:09:21 "with profound gratitude and humility.

00:09:24 "It has been an honor beyond words

00:09:26 "to serve the community at witness

00:09:28 "the steadfast commitment of excellence

00:09:30 "in truth and service,

00:09:32 "both in and beyond the walls of Howard.

00:09:35 "Though my role as president comes to an end,

00:09:38 "my journey with Howard does not.

00:09:40 "The legacy we've built together,

00:09:42 "the connections we've fostered,

00:09:45 "and the dreams we've shared

00:09:46 "will forever be a part of me."

00:09:49 He added, "Thank you, dear Bison family

00:09:51 "for the memories, growth, and shared aspirations.

00:09:55 "And let's embrace these new chapters of the horizon

00:09:59 "with hope, unity, and the knowledge

00:10:01 "of the spirit of Howard will forever burn bright."

00:10:05 Yeah, earlier this year,

00:10:07 Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley

00:10:09 and United States President Joe Biden

00:10:11 were awarded honorary doctorate of letters degrees

00:10:14 from the university.

00:10:16 I suspect this morning that this resignation

00:10:20 has really come to a shock to many people at the university

00:10:23 and other persons in education.

00:10:27 But the gentleman says it is time to move on.

00:10:30 So that's what he's doing at this time.

00:10:34 Yeah?

00:10:35 All right.

00:10:36 So we can move into one of the main issues

00:10:42 on the agenda for this morning on the morning edition.

00:10:46 So we are joined by Professor Roger Hussain

00:10:48 to get his perspective

00:10:50 on the 2023 Central Bank Economic Bulletin.

00:10:54 Professor, good morning.

00:10:56 - Yes, good morning, everyone,

00:10:57 and thanks for the invitation.

00:10:58 - Of course, and Professor,

00:11:00 let me just say happy Independence Day greetings to you.

00:11:04 I know it was yesterday, but it's still not late.

00:11:06 So happy Independence Day greetings to you, yeah?

00:11:11 - Yes, thank you.

00:11:12 Thank you very much for that, and I appreciate it.

00:11:14 - Yes.

00:11:14 - Do you want to go?

00:11:15 Yes, go ahead.

00:11:16 - All right, well, Professor,

00:11:18 well, I have been kind of perusing the document.

00:11:23 It's a 138-page document.

00:11:27 From what you are seeing, Professor,

00:11:30 does it show encouraging signs?

00:11:32 - It does.

00:11:35 It does show that the Trinidad and Tobago economy

00:11:39 in 2022 has a growth rate of 3%.

00:11:42 And when you look at that growth rate

00:11:44 and compare it to the years before

00:11:46 of minus 1% in the same report,

00:11:49 minus 7.7% for 2020,

00:11:53 you know, you understand, therefore,

00:11:55 you get the feel, therefore,

00:11:57 that the economic growth has returned

00:11:59 to the Trinidad and Tobago economy.

00:12:02 And with economic growth,

00:12:03 it's always important to appreciate

00:12:08 that with economic growth,

00:12:10 generally tends to come an improvement in job opportunity,

00:12:14 and there is always the benefit

00:12:16 of an improvement in fiscal revenue.

00:12:19 And if it is generated in particular by the trade sector,

00:12:22 then it could be associated

00:12:24 with an improved inflow of foreign exchange.

00:12:28 What we are seeing, though,

00:12:30 so we take that economic growth,

00:12:32 and we say thank you to the powers that be

00:12:36 that helped to generate this economic growth.

00:12:38 One thing to keep in mind, I have noticed,

00:12:42 is that the labor force participation rate

00:12:45 continues to be fairly subdued.

00:12:47 It continues to be about 55%,

00:12:51 and policymakers would have to work hard.

00:12:53 Want to characterize that, meaning to understand

00:12:56 why is the labor force participation rate so low,

00:13:00 and what can we do to improve

00:13:03 that labor force participation rate

00:13:05 as we move forward into the future?

00:13:08 - Yeah.

00:13:09 Some of the points in the bulletin,

00:13:13 domestic inflation, slowed unemployment,

00:13:16 conditions improved, the energy sector output

00:13:20 somewhat steady in first quarter.

00:13:22 So as you confirmed, Professor,

00:13:25 there are encouraging signs,

00:13:28 but what is responsible for this?

00:13:30 - Well, the improvement in economic activity

00:13:34 would have been on account of a number of factors.

00:13:36 I mean, before 2022, the economy had been going down,

00:13:40 and we were hit by COVID-19,

00:13:43 we were hit by some changes in the market for energy,

00:13:47 and as a consequence of that,

00:13:49 and a number of other factors, by 2021,

00:13:54 we were about 19% less than we were in 2015

00:13:58 in terms of economic size.

00:14:00 Now, so after you make some way down the barrel,

00:14:05 it wouldn't be that difficult to start to move upwards.

00:14:10 And with the war between Russia and Ukraine

00:14:14 and the elevated price of oil and gas therein,

00:14:17 as a consequence, the Trinidad and Tobago economy

00:14:20 did benefit from that.

00:14:23 And so we were able to realize an improvement

00:14:29 in the influence of foreign exchange

00:14:34 and the amount of economic activity in the energy sector.

00:14:38 And by extension, the Trinidad and Tobago economy benefited.

00:14:43 But note that the non-energy sector in particular

00:14:48 also showed some signs of growth of about 4.6% in 2022.

00:14:53 And that is critical,

00:14:55 because given the state of our natural gas production,

00:15:00 which has been declining very quickly since 2020 overall,

00:15:05 since 2010 overall,

00:15:07 any improvement in the non-energy sector,

00:15:10 which is going to have to carry a greater workload

00:15:13 and a bigger workload moving forward into the future,

00:15:16 must be well-recommended.

00:15:17 So that 4.6% recorded for non-energy economic activity

00:15:23 in 2022 is well-received.

00:15:25 - Professor, let's deal with some other points.

00:15:30 Central government's fiscal position remained in surplus,

00:15:33 headline inflation continued to decelerate.

00:15:37 For the common man, Professor,

00:15:41 could you please explain these terms to us?

00:15:45 - No, I saw when the central bank said that in the report,

00:15:50 and when I look at the data,

00:15:52 which I tend to focus on,

00:15:53 I see that for 2022 headline inflation was 8.7%.

00:15:59 8.7% year on year, I'm sorry, end of period,

00:16:06 and 5.8% average.

00:16:11 And in both cases, it was higher than in 2021

00:16:15 and higher than in 2020.

00:16:19 Now, these are high inflation numbers.

00:16:21 And what leaves me concerned

00:16:23 about these high inflation numbers

00:16:26 is that most or many people in Trinidad and Tobago

00:16:31 have fixed incomes,

00:16:33 especially the public service

00:16:36 and various arms of the public service.

00:16:39 And therefore, with rising inflation rates,

00:16:42 over time, it means that their purchasing power capability

00:16:46 has fallen.

00:16:47 In other words, people now have

00:16:50 basically the same income,

00:16:52 but the rise in the inflation rate

00:16:55 and in the overall retail price index from 2014

00:16:59 up to 2023, using the available numbers

00:17:02 from this economic bulletin,

00:17:04 tells me that people can now buy,

00:17:06 can only now buy much less than before.

00:17:11 And if I look quickly at these numbers I'm seeing here,

00:17:14 I would say that it has fallen by as much as about 18%

00:17:17 to 20% between 2014 and 2023.

00:17:21 That's a significant fall.

00:17:23 And policy makers would have to keep that in mind

00:17:26 and find ways to arrest any increases in the inflation rate

00:17:31 because once you are keeping price wages constant

00:17:34 or moderately constant,

00:17:36 then increases in the inflation rate

00:17:39 and in the retail price index

00:17:41 lead to an erosion of purchasing power capability.

00:17:46 And that is something that they have to definitely

00:17:50 keep in mind as they move forward.

00:17:54 Another thing to also consider

00:17:58 is the fiscal situation, as you mentioned.

00:18:02 And the fiscal situation, as you mentioned,

00:18:05 is one that benefited in

00:18:08 because of the increase in oil and gas prices.

00:18:11 Would we be able to maintain

00:18:15 our elevated levels of transfers and subsidies

00:18:18 if it is the fiscal situation

00:18:22 doesn't benefit from that oil and gas type of price increase?

00:18:26 So it's something that the Minister of Finance

00:18:28 would have to look closely at.

00:18:30 Can he adjust expenditures downward in any way?

00:18:35 Can he adjust revenues upwards in any way

00:18:40 so that the benefit to the fiscal position

00:18:45 is there for the Triantemego economy

00:18:48 because of endogenous internal changes

00:18:51 and not because of exogenous shocks?

00:18:53 I sent a picture of the data summary

00:18:58 from the Economic Bulletin to Nicole,

00:18:59 so maybe you can put it up for the benefit of the readers.

00:19:02 - All right, we'll try to put it up.

00:19:04 But Professor, recently there was some discussion

00:19:06 and it really came from members of the trade union movement.

00:19:09 They have been calling for an increased minimum wage to $30.

00:19:13 There has been a debate concerning that.

00:19:15 The unions have said, "Look, we can't afford that."

00:19:18 Government has said, "Look, hold your hands

00:19:20 "a little bit on it.

00:19:21 "Let's have some discussion."

00:19:22 Members of the business community have said,

00:19:24 "Well, if we even consider something like that,

00:19:28 "you may have a situation where businesses

00:19:30 "may be forced to go out of business

00:19:33 "because businesses just would not be able to afford it."

00:19:38 What's your perspective on that, Professor?

00:19:40 - So the current minimum wage is about $18 in Trinidad and Tobago.

00:19:46 - Yeah, $17 something.

00:19:47 - Right, so let's call that $18.

00:19:49 So they want an increase to $30.

00:19:52 That would be very challenging at this point in time.

00:19:55 And what I would say is that a rising tide lifts all boats.

00:20:00 And that's why it's extremely critical

00:20:03 that the government of Trinidad and Tobago

00:20:06 maintain an economic growth pathway

00:20:09 that is stable and sustainable.

00:20:12 And that's why we need to reduce transfers and subsidies

00:20:15 and increase capital injections

00:20:18 to give the economy a fighting chance

00:20:20 of having a production possibility frontier

00:20:23 that offers better economic growth opportunities to people

00:20:27 so we can increase wages in the future.

00:20:29 Right now, it would be challenging

00:20:32 to make some of those interventions

00:20:34 that the unions are specifically calling for.

00:20:37 And government would have to look at making sure

00:20:41 in the medium term that they maintain this pathway

00:20:45 of economic growth so that they could increase wages

00:20:49 in the medium term to help ease the pressure

00:20:53 that now currently rests on households

00:20:56 on account of the buildup of the retail price index

00:21:00 since 2014.

00:21:03 There are many Venezuelans

00:21:06 on the shores of the Trinidad and Tobago economy.

00:21:10 What I think we need to do is we need to register them.

00:21:13 We need to ensure that we need to insist

00:21:16 that these Venezuelans are registered.

00:21:19 And by the process of registration,

00:21:21 this will increase the probability

00:21:25 that they do not go and hide and work here and everywhere

00:21:29 in the informal sector.

00:21:31 But this would increase the probability

00:21:33 that they could be more visible

00:21:34 and work more in the formal sector

00:21:37 and therefore generate a type of economic activity

00:21:41 associated with their employment

00:21:44 that is more beneficial to the Trinidad and Tobago economy

00:21:47 and that would likely be more value-adding.

00:21:50 And so the state would have to look carefully

00:21:55 at the factors and at the options available to them

00:22:00 to continue with this economic growth pathway

00:22:02 so that we benefit from the situation

00:22:06 where a rising tide lifts all boats

00:22:09 for the people of Trinidad and Tobago.

00:22:11 - As we move into what is really the budget season here,

00:22:15 Professor, do you have any areas of concern?

00:22:19 What should we be looking for?

00:22:21 What should we expect as we move into another budget?

00:22:25 - Well, as we move into this other budget,

00:22:29 this pending budget,

00:22:31 I strongly recommend to policymakers to make crime,

00:22:35 factor crime, although it's a social area,

00:22:39 it has to be one of the number one focal areas

00:22:42 because it's very difficult in my civilian view,

00:22:46 in my simple view and my understanding of the numbers

00:22:49 to live in Trinidad and Tobago on a daily basis.

00:22:53 Too many home invasions, too much murders.

00:22:56 I mean, our murders, if it continues on this pathway

00:22:58 will reach close to 590 by the end of the year

00:23:03 if I make a linear extrapolation or thereabouts.

00:23:07 And if you add 2023, assuming that holds,

00:23:10 with 2022, it means between those two years,

00:23:14 we would have had close to 1,200 murders

00:23:17 and that would be the highest,

00:23:19 I have data going back to 1966,

00:23:21 that would be the highest two consecutive years

00:23:24 going back to 1966.

00:23:26 And what it does to some people

00:23:29 is that it stifles your interest in domestic investment.

00:23:34 It makes you want to,

00:23:36 if you do invest, put your money in areas

00:23:40 that like real estate, that no one may observe,

00:23:44 but that is not good for the long-term development

00:23:47 of the productive part of the economy.

00:23:50 And so to me, that crime,

00:23:53 and in particular two aspects of it,

00:23:55 murders and home invasions,

00:23:57 are a terrible situation in Trinidad and Tobago right now

00:24:02 and needs a doubling of effort

00:24:04 so that we bring that aspect under control

00:24:08 and very quickly so that business people

00:24:11 can have confidence and therefore invest,

00:24:13 so that households can have confidence

00:24:15 and therefore invest and not run for the hills.

00:24:19 And these type of interventions,

00:24:22 if they work and we could bring those two variables

00:24:25 under control, would we don't have improved standard

00:24:29 of living because you would be able to move about

00:24:32 and enjoy whatever little income you have.

00:24:35 And it would also lead to injections of capital

00:24:38 in the economy.

00:24:39 And at this point in time with the unemployment rate,

00:24:41 according to the report, at about 4.9% to 5%,

00:24:45 we need an injection of capital,

00:24:47 both domestic and from government and from foreign,

00:24:51 so that we can expand productive pace.

00:24:54 That's part of the problem we are seeing

00:24:56 is that we need to expand the capital injections

00:24:59 and productive space.

00:25:00 And those trends in murders and home invasions,

00:25:05 in my view, are not good for capital injections.

00:25:08 People will operate differently.

00:25:11 - Professor, up to yesterday,

00:25:13 the Prime Minister would have spoken

00:25:14 about the crime situation.

00:25:15 Also the police commissioner,

00:25:19 she also would have tried to give assurances.

00:25:22 It's not the first time we have heard assurances

00:25:25 from both the Prime Minister

00:25:27 and also the police commissioner.

00:25:29 Do you think that this message or these assurances

00:25:34 are resonating to members of the public?

00:25:36 - Well, as an economist, I like to look at output.

00:25:42 And when I look at the output

00:25:44 from the crime production function,

00:25:45 and I see even the commissioner police herself

00:25:49 announced that, I think she said last year,

00:25:51 we had 392 murders and this year so far, we are 391,

00:25:56 which means there is no change.

00:25:58 And basically it's the same thing.

00:26:00 And when you read, and sometimes people,

00:26:02 when you are on these chat groups,

00:26:03 they send these home invasion circulations,

00:26:07 but whenever the media report it,

00:26:09 you see them circulating.

00:26:11 And you see so much, just two days ago,

00:26:14 three days ago, a young young girl was raped

00:26:17 at her home after they robbed the parents.

00:26:19 And it's just too much, it's too much.

00:26:22 And people are getting frustrated.

00:26:24 Some people are getting frustrated

00:26:26 and it would affect the way that they invest

00:26:29 in human capital, in physical capital.

00:26:33 And that would be an even greater blow

00:26:36 to the Toronto-Mago economy.

00:26:38 So in my view, if we were to fight back

00:26:42 in a greater way, in the style of Guy Fawcett,

00:26:47 Gary Griffith or someone like Commander Gavin Ewer,

00:26:51 and we were to fight back and go deep

00:26:53 into these communities, we have intelligence

00:26:57 that can tell us, tells us an idea of where the hotspots,

00:26:59 where some of the guns are, we go after them

00:27:02 via a limited state of emergency

00:27:04 or like type of intervention.

00:27:06 And we send this strong, this strong message

00:27:09 that we are taking back our country.

00:27:11 And I speak as a civilian.

00:27:13 Then that's what the people want to hear.

00:27:16 We want to see a fight back that leads

00:27:18 to a dramatic decline in (indistinct)

00:27:20 that leads to a dramatic reduction in home invasion.

00:27:23 And that type of change would give confidence

00:27:27 to people who want to invest

00:27:30 or who are the margin of investing

00:27:32 and therefore work in both ways

00:27:35 for the collective benefit of Toronto-Mago

00:27:37 in the first hand by reducing crime

00:27:39 and in the second hand by increasing capital injection

00:27:42 and we all win.

00:27:43 - Yes.

00:27:44 - So to me, on this point,

00:27:47 I think it makes great economic sense, not good,

00:27:50 excellent economic sense to double our fight

00:27:54 and go after the guns, go after the criminal

00:27:58 and reduce crime visibly in terms of the announcement effect.

00:28:03 We are losing out here because of the announcement effect

00:28:06 from page of the Express, from page of the Guardian,

00:28:09 circulated media video clips.

00:28:11 If we could get some positive news there

00:28:14 by virtue of dedicated action,

00:28:17 then I think that could have influenced

00:28:20 the amount of capital injection in the economy

00:28:23 and therefore work for the cumulative benefit of all of us

00:28:27 as we get our productive activity improving.

00:28:31 - Professor Roger Hussein,

00:28:32 it's always a pleasure speaking with you, sir.

00:28:34 Thank you very much for speaking with us this morning.

00:28:37 - Thank you, take care, have a good day everyone.

00:28:38 - Bye bye.

00:28:39 Okay, so we are heading to another break.

00:28:41 We are coming back.

00:28:42 (upbeat music)

00:28:45 - Letter of the day is K.

00:28:55 K is for keeper like Nicholas Puran.

00:28:59 - No, K is for cans.

00:29:00 So the letter P is for?

00:29:02 - P is for Puran, boy.

00:29:04 P is for porn.

00:29:05 - No, no, no, no, no.

00:29:07 P is for poultry.

00:29:09 - Cans, poultry and meats limited.

00:29:11 Die what we talking about here?

00:29:12 What are you two all doing here, boy?

00:29:14 - Check out cans, poultry and meats limited

00:29:17 at their eight convenient locations nationwide

00:29:20 and look out for their weekly specials.

00:29:23 - All this traffic all over.

00:29:25 I just burning gas sitting here, yes?

00:29:27 (TV blaring)

00:29:30 (sighs)

00:29:31 I really need a bigger TV.

00:29:34 Look at this.

00:29:34 I can hardly afford the basic things anymore.

00:29:39 (sighs)

00:29:41 My paycheck don't even go five.

00:29:43 Aha, I know how I can save money.

00:29:48 - Make the right choice for you.

00:29:52 CNG, switch to savings.

00:29:55 - The communal spirit of the Best Village Competition

00:30:03 flourished under the direction

00:30:04 of the late coordinator, Joyce Wong San

00:30:06 during her tenure from 1963 to 1986.

00:30:10 She established a rapport with performers

00:30:13 ensuring that they had all they needed

00:30:15 to give their best showing.

00:30:17 Recognizing that the Best Village Competition

00:30:19 also needed community support,

00:30:21 Wong San introduced free supporters buses.

00:30:24 These were sent into the villages on performance days

00:30:28 ensuring that anyone interested

00:30:30 in seeing their community group in action

00:30:32 was able to do so.

00:30:33 Her relationship with performers

00:30:35 and community members set the standard

00:30:37 for future Best Village officers

00:30:39 who have taken up the mantle

00:30:41 working with community groups,

00:30:43 organizing events and fostering a culture

00:30:45 of collective effort to ensure success.

00:30:48 As we enter the 60th year

00:30:50 of the Prime Minister's Best Village Trophy Competition,

00:30:53 the spirit of community remains the heart of the experience.

00:30:58 (upbeat music)

00:31:04 (upbeat music)

00:31:06 - All the Republic Bank CPL Action

00:31:20 is live and exclusive on CCN TV6.

00:31:24 (upbeat music)

00:31:26 (upbeat music)

00:31:29 - And welcome back everyone.

00:31:44 So we do have a lot more for you on the program today.

00:31:48 Just to tell you that James Saunders comes in

00:31:50 at 7.30 this morning.

00:31:53 But what we can do at this time

00:31:54 is to take some of your calls.

00:31:56 Of course, it's the day after Independence Day.

00:32:00 Many of you would have gone out yesterday

00:32:01 to celebrate independence.

00:32:04 A number of statements would have also been made yesterday

00:32:06 by the Prime Minister, by the Police Commissioner,

00:32:09 re-crime.

00:32:10 So we can open up the lines and take a few calls.

00:32:12 You're calling us on 623-1711.

00:32:14 The extension is 19.95.

00:32:17 We just have a few minutes.

00:32:18 So if you wish, you can call us now.

00:32:20 Just speaking about the crime situation

00:32:22 in the Daily Express this morning.

00:32:27 And Professor Hussein would have referred

00:32:33 to some of the statements that the Police Commissioner

00:32:37 would have made yesterday.

00:32:39 So Commissioner of Police, Erla Christopher,

00:32:41 has declared that the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service

00:32:44 will not be intimidated or distracted

00:32:47 in conducting its duty.

00:32:49 Of course, yesterday she was speaking at a function,

00:32:52 at a TTPS function on Independence Day.

00:32:56 So during her address, Christopher said that for 2023,

00:33:00 there had been reductions in reports of serious crimes.

00:33:04 And there had even been an increase in the number

00:33:07 of firearms removed from the streets.

00:33:09 All right, we do have a first call.

00:33:11 Good morning, caller.

00:33:12 - Good morning, Mr. Hopkinson.

00:33:14 - Morning.

00:33:15 - I'm trying to understand for the past few years, well,

00:33:22 that no member of the opposition turned up

00:33:26 at the Independence Day celebration.

00:33:29 I'm saying if you want to lead, you have to do so by example.

00:33:33 You have to be patriotic.

00:33:35 And I think it, I wouldn't say unfortunate,

00:33:37 'cause that's a nice word to use,

00:33:39 and I have to be radio-friendly.

00:33:41 But it's really terrible when no member of the opposition

00:33:46 turned up at the Independence Day celebration.

00:33:48 Isn't that what happened?

00:33:49 - Well, sir, what I'm being told is that

00:33:50 that has changed this year,

00:33:51 and then there were a few, about two or three of them.

00:33:54 - Yeah.

00:33:55 - Okay, out of, anyway, okay, thank you.

00:33:58 A few, thank you.

00:34:00 - Yeah.

00:34:01 Someone in the studio is telling me about five of them.

00:34:04 All right, so if that has happened,

00:34:07 there is a change in position.

00:34:10 So you're calling us on 623-1711.

00:34:12 The extension is 1995.

00:34:15 You can please call us now.

00:34:18 So let me see, let me just focus on that statement

00:34:22 of the police commissioner.

00:34:24 As of the beginning of August,

00:34:26 we have seen some significant results.

00:34:28 All right, we do have another call.

00:34:30 Good morning, caller.

00:34:31 - A pleasant morning to you, Mr. Marlon Hopkinson.

00:34:34 - And to you too, sir.

00:34:36 - It's a long time in coming.

00:34:38 - Yes, it is.

00:34:39 (laughs)

00:34:40 - Here now, for time, let me press on.

00:34:43 - Yes.

00:34:45 - The major issue is not whether if the opposition

00:34:49 had appeared at the independent speed,

00:34:53 but what is important, when a commissioner could tell us

00:34:58 that murder is on the decrease,

00:35:01 and when we look at the last amount of murder had occurred,

00:35:06 I am saying this commissioner is living in speed.

00:35:09 All respect, but I'm saying,

00:35:12 if that's the way you want to look at murder and crime,

00:35:17 then I am saying that commissioner should resign

00:35:22 and put a new commissioner.

00:35:24 I thank you.

00:35:24 - All right, thank you very much.

00:35:26 Getting back to her comments,

00:35:28 as of the beginning of August,

00:35:30 we have seen some significant results.

00:35:32 Serious crimes have reduced by 11% in 2023.

00:35:36 Shootings and woundings were reduced by 67%

00:35:39 as of yesterday, August 31st,

00:35:42 and illegal firearm seizures have increased by 8%.

00:35:46 She says our intelligence machine has served us well,

00:35:50 and we've arrested 129 persons

00:35:53 in connection with home invasions.

00:35:56 I have the confidence that our strategies are working

00:36:00 and we are making strides in achieving our objectives.

00:36:03 Let's take another call.

00:36:04 Good morning, caller.

00:36:06 - Good morning, Mahalan, good morning.

00:36:08 - Good morning.

00:36:09 - Well, according to the police commissioner,

00:36:13 crime is on the downward trend.

00:36:15 If that is true, that is a very, very good indication.

00:36:19 But in my mind, and I think in the public's mind,

00:36:23 that is just a farce,

00:36:24 because I don't think they're presenting the correct figure.

00:36:28 The other thing as far as the independence rule

00:36:30 and the celebration and the attendance by the opposition,

00:36:35 I don't think that anybody should really attend

00:36:38 that, you know, Mahalan?

00:36:39 - Why is that?

00:36:40 - Because all independent institutions

00:36:44 are being challenged, disassembled, and destroyed.

00:36:49 Are we really independent, Mahalan?

00:36:52 (laughs)

00:36:54 - I hear you, I hear you.

00:36:55 But I think-

00:36:56 - Yes, yes.

00:36:57 - But I think, you know, it's a good time

00:37:03 for us as a country to reflect

00:37:07 and also to celebrate, eh?

00:37:09 Because we do have a lot to celebrate, you know?

00:37:12 - Mahalan, I hear you.

00:37:14 But the people in charge are supposed to recognize

00:37:17 in order to bring people together,

00:37:18 they have to do the correct thing.

00:37:20 What about the DSS investigation, Mahalan?

00:37:24 - Well, I suspect that is ongoing.

00:37:26 - See if you can find out something for me, brother.

00:37:28 Have a nice day.

00:37:29 - All right, thank you very much,

00:37:30 according to the police commissioner.

00:37:32 But I understand very well that to safeguard that progress,

00:37:36 we must continuously review and update our planning,

00:37:40 strategizing, and implementation

00:37:43 as we continue to be confronted by desperate,

00:37:45 dynamic, resourceful, and innovative criminal element.

00:37:50 Let's take another call.

00:37:51 Good morning, caller.

00:37:52 - Good morning.

00:37:54 - Morning.

00:37:54 - I find that here in all the problems about crime,

00:38:03 over and over, everybody talking and saying something

00:38:08 except the judiciary system.

00:38:13 The justice system, and nothing from them.

00:38:17 The jails being filled, the courthouse busy,

00:38:22 and the people still coming back out

00:38:26 and committing the same crimes.

00:38:29 And in judicial system, nothing is being said

00:38:34 or being done about them.

00:38:37 Thank you.

00:38:38 - All right, however, recognizing that the national discourse

00:38:41 would focus on the murder toll,

00:38:43 the police commissioner noted

00:38:45 that the comparative homicide rate has reduced

00:38:48 from an increase of 10% between 2021 and 2022,

00:38:52 and we are at an increase of 0%

00:38:57 for the corresponding period, 2022 to 2023.

00:39:00 Let's take another call.

00:39:01 Good morning, caller.

00:39:02 Caller.

00:39:05 - Morning.

00:39:06 - Yes, good morning.

00:39:07 - Morning, how are you?

00:39:08 - I'm good.

00:39:10 - I'm calling from Marabella.

00:39:11 - Yes.

00:39:12 - I would like you to tell us, send somebody water

00:39:15 that they were using for yesterday for us in Marabella.

00:39:19 'Cause we have no water since yesterday.

00:39:21 - What area in particular in Marabella?

00:39:24 - Taruba Road.

00:39:25 - Taruba Road.

00:39:26 So for most of yesterday, you didn't have water

00:39:29 and water has not returned to your taps this morning.

00:39:32 - Correct.

00:39:33 - All right, well, I know that the people at WASA

00:39:35 usually views are, they usually view our program.

00:39:38 So hopefully they are hearing you, sir,

00:39:40 and there's going to be a return of water

00:39:43 sometime soon today, all right?

00:39:44 Thank you very much, caller.

00:39:46 You're calling us on 623-1711.

00:39:48 The extension is 1995.

00:39:51 So the homicide rate overall in the 10 policing divisions

00:39:55 is lower than last year,

00:39:57 but it is marginally higher in only five divisions.

00:40:01 The overall increase we've experienced

00:40:03 is being driven by mostly one division,

00:40:06 the North Central Division.

00:40:08 The murder toll, according to the police commissioner

00:40:10 for this year to date is 392,

00:40:13 but same as last year, according to police figures.

00:40:16 Good morning, caller.

00:40:17 - Hi, good morning.

00:40:19 - Morning.

00:40:20 - All I want to say to the commissioner,

00:40:24 if you are not willing to recognize that there's a problem,

00:40:29 if you are not willing to accept that there's a problem,

00:40:32 you will never be able to solve it.

00:40:35 - All right, is that a comment, ma'am?

00:40:40 All right, thank you very much.

00:40:41 You're calling us on 623-1711.

00:40:43 The extension is 1995.

00:40:46 We just have a few more minutes,

00:40:47 so you can please call us now

00:40:49 to give your views on the crime situation.

00:40:51 You can even give your views

00:40:52 on how Independence Day celebrations went for you.

00:40:57 Yesterday, we can even discuss,

00:40:59 and you remember earlier this week,

00:41:01 I was speaking with the daughter of former Prime Minister,

00:41:06 Dr. Eric Williams.

00:41:08 I was speaking with Erica Williams,

00:41:09 and we were speaking about the vision

00:41:12 as to what the Prime Minister had at this time.

00:41:14 If we have kept steadfast to that vision,

00:41:18 we have moved away from our moorings.

00:41:19 Let's take another call.

00:41:21 Good morning, caller.

00:41:22 - Good morning, Marlon.

00:41:24 - Morning.

00:41:25 - You ever hear the calypso by Mighty Sparrow

00:41:30 called "Lying Excuses"?

00:41:32 - All right, you're breaking up, sir.

00:41:33 Could you repeat what you have said?

00:41:35 - You ever hear the calypso

00:41:38 by Mighty Sparrow called "Lying Excuses"?

00:41:40 - All right, yeah.

00:41:43 - You know that song?

00:41:43 - Yeah.

00:41:44 - Right, so the Prime Minister made a statement,

00:41:47 and the Commissioner made a statement,

00:41:50 and that is a very...

00:41:53 We should make a calypso on that.

00:41:55 - But what's the statement that you're concerned about?

00:41:58 - That crime, that they have a light at the end of the tunnel.

00:42:03 - Okay.

00:42:03 - That Marlon, the crime has outraged us.

00:42:06 - Well, you don't have to tell me that, eh?

00:42:10 - That song that Mighty Sparrow sang

00:42:13 reminds me of these two characters

00:42:15 that we have in lead positions.

00:42:16 - But let me ask you something, right?

00:42:18 But if you do have a Police Commissioner,

00:42:20 and you do have a Prime Minister,

00:42:22 and you do have a National Security Minister,

00:42:24 and I'm just talking about whoever

00:42:27 these office holders are,

00:42:29 you don't expect people in such positions

00:42:31 to come out and say, "Hey, things bad, boy.

00:42:34 "It doesn't look good," you know?

00:42:35 So they have to keep on giving assurances.

00:42:38 Wouldn't you agree?

00:42:39 - Your caller before said,

00:42:41 "If the Commissioner cannot accept the fact

00:42:44 "that there's a problem, how can we move forward?"

00:42:47 We have a problem.

00:42:48 China's a paradise, you know,

00:42:49 but we have a problem, and we're spoiling it.

00:42:52 And these characters will not accept,

00:42:55 and if they can't do the job, Marlon,

00:42:58 just, oh, God, let me go on now.

00:43:00 If you're working in corporate,

00:43:03 and they cannot do the job,

00:43:05 boy, how much longer you'll keep here?

00:43:07 - I hear you, sir.

00:43:08 Thank you very much.

00:43:09 Listen, we are going to a very short break here,

00:43:11 but we are continuing with your calls.

00:43:13 So just make a note of the numbers,

00:43:15 623-1711, the extension is 1995.

00:43:19 It's the day after Independence Day, everybody.

00:43:22 61st anniversary, we're coming back.

00:43:25 ♪ Carried an insight ♪

00:43:28 ♪ Enjoyed day or night ♪

00:43:30 ♪ Carried an insight ♪

00:43:33 ♪ Girl, you just dynamite ♪

00:43:34 - This is--

00:43:35 - The First LEGO League is a hands-on

00:43:37 STEM learning robotics program

00:43:39 designed to inspire young children

00:43:41 through fun challenges and competitions

00:43:44 using LEGO educational bricks.

00:43:46 - Research has shown that playing with LEGO

00:43:48 helps children develop spatial skills

00:43:50 for STEM-related tasks.

00:43:52 (children cheering)

00:43:54 - We firmly believe that initiatives

00:43:56 like the First LEGO League are instrumental

00:43:59 in nurturing young talent

00:44:00 and enabling them to explore their potential.

00:44:03 For more info, visit nehurst.gov.tt.

00:44:07 ♪ I just feel alive ♪

00:44:11 ♪ One, two, three, four ♪

00:44:16 ♪ All right now ♪

00:44:20 ♪ Oh, oh, I got that lifestyle ♪

00:44:22 ♪ I'm fierce as hell ♪

00:44:25 ♪ That brand new top model ♪

00:44:27 ♪ That high speed fast throttle ♪

00:44:29 ♪ Living it up, you know I don't even care ♪

00:44:33 ♪ That I've been turning heads ♪

00:44:35 ♪ What all the kids said ♪

00:44:38 ♪ 'Cause all I got is what I am and I'm on fire ♪

00:44:42 ♪ What you want is what I am ♪

00:44:43 ♪ Baby, that's fine ♪

00:44:46 ♪ Living it up, you know I don't even care ♪

00:44:50 ♪ What all the kids said ♪

00:44:52 - Dogs, great companions.

00:44:55 Bad bobbers.

00:44:58 Some things are better left to the professionals.

00:45:03 (buzzer buzzing)

00:45:07 Plumbing problems?

00:45:09 Don't guess.

00:45:11 Call Plumbing Solutions at 628-4646.

00:45:15 Proud to be serving Trinidad and Tobago for over 20 years.

00:45:19 We do it all.

00:45:21 Maintenance and repairs, new construction,

00:45:24 sewer lines, inspection, drain cleaning, leak detection.

00:45:29 We are licensed and insured.

00:45:33 So call Plumbing Solutions at 628-4646.

00:45:37 (upbeat music)

00:45:40 - That's what you call power in the music, boy.

00:45:52 You're calling us on 623-1711.

00:45:54 The extension is 1995.

00:45:56 If I can just touch on some of the things

00:45:58 that the Prime Minister would have said

00:46:00 in his Independence Day address.

00:46:02 All right, so we are taking your call

00:46:03 and then I'll try to discuss this a little later.

00:46:06 Caller, good morning.

00:46:07 - Yes, good morning.

00:46:08 - Morning.

00:46:09 - I could remember the last,

00:46:14 well, I don't know how much of them attended,

00:46:17 but what Attorney General from the opposition party

00:46:21 had said is that they were not attending

00:46:24 because they didn't have TASA.

00:46:26 - They didn't have what?

00:46:28 - They didn't have, although he said that

00:46:30 they could not attend because they don't have TASA.

00:46:33 - Okay.

00:46:34 - That is what he had said.

00:46:35 And Mr. Mallon, I want to ask, request something.

00:46:39 Mr. Wainhead.

00:46:40 - Yeah.

00:46:41 - I don't know if you can arrange an interview

00:46:43 with Mr. Wainhead to speak on crime

00:46:45 and the issuance of firearms.

00:46:48 Mr. Wainhead seems to be very, very opposed to that.

00:46:51 I don't know if you can arrange that.

00:46:53 That would be very interesting.

00:46:54 - All right, well, I know that Mr. Wainhead,

00:46:59 he has thrown his hat into the ring

00:47:02 for the post of police commissioner a few years ago.

00:47:06 So it's always interesting to hear from him.

00:47:10 For those who don't remember, that's Watchman,

00:47:12 Calypsonian Watchman.

00:47:14 So you're calling us on 623-1711.

00:47:17 The extension is 1995, so the lines are free.

00:47:21 So you can please call us now.

00:47:24 So just some of the statements the prime minister

00:47:27 would have made in his Independence Day address.

00:47:31 Another significant, all right, let me take this one.

00:47:34 Within recent times, our nation has experienced

00:47:36 some ups and downs, particularly the menace

00:47:39 of increasing levels of crime, drugs, and violence,

00:47:42 alongside the personal trauma that many suffer

00:47:45 from the still lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,

00:47:50 both of which are among our general areas of concern.

00:47:53 Let's return to our lines.

00:47:55 Good morning, caller.

00:47:57 - Hello, good morning.

00:47:58 Happy Independence Day.

00:48:00 - Morning.

00:48:00 - Happy Independence Day.

00:48:02 - And to you too, sir.

00:48:03 - I'm very proud to see the parade yesterday

00:48:08 and all the military soldiers parade

00:48:12 and the young people that take part in the parade.

00:48:16 It gives me a little hope that young people,

00:48:20 you know, have a future.

00:48:23 I would like to see the general public

00:48:25 and we need to be more mature and to be leaders.

00:48:29 As you can remember, in terms of crime or whatever,

00:48:33 it was when Mr. Mone was around, we had BLMP,

00:48:38 we had SSE, we had the hope of setting up

00:48:44 OPVs around the coastline.

00:48:48 We had hope for relocation.

00:48:50 We had hope for enhanced surveillance and everything.

00:48:55 And in one five-year, everything was dismantled

00:49:00 and the public, once people's in charge,

00:49:05 now are arrested for a moment,

00:49:08 saying it is their responsibility and all the consequences.

00:49:13 But when you choose leaders that are not,

00:49:16 don't have the country at heart

00:49:19 and don't have the people at heart,

00:49:22 things go awry and some other people

00:49:27 will not try to pull back.

00:49:29 So the question you have to get out with Eric,

00:49:32 well, if Eric Williams, who is still with us,

00:49:37 I think he's been eroded

00:49:40 with a very minute part of the original purpose,

00:49:48 but we need to find a claim of that vision to bring it back.

00:49:53 - All right.

00:49:54 You're calling us on 623-1711.

00:49:55 The extension is 1995

00:49:57 as it relates to the national security apparatus.

00:50:00 I know that some of the things from Mr. Manning's regime

00:50:05 from that time, I know that some of those things

00:50:08 are still in place.

00:50:09 And I think sometimes the waters get very, very muddy

00:50:14 by certain persons who may give information

00:50:19 to meet their own agenda.

00:50:20 But I know for a fact that some of those mechanisms

00:50:23 are still in place.

00:50:25 Let's take another call.

00:50:26 You're calling us on 623-1711.

00:50:27 The extension is 1995.

00:50:29 Caller, good morning.

00:50:31 - Yes, good morning, Maya.

00:50:33 This is a concern I have-

00:50:37 - Caller, could you speak up a little bit

00:50:38 so that we can hear you?

00:50:40 - Yes.

00:50:41 What I'm saying is, this is a contribution I'm making.

00:50:45 - Yes.

00:50:46 - Now, a certain religious organization in the East-

00:50:51 - Caller, we're losing you.

00:50:58 - Why are you losing me?

00:51:00 I am saying that a religious organization in the East

00:51:06 called on certain parishioners to donate money

00:51:11 to the school, to the class, to the chair and the desk.

00:51:19 Why would they call the parishioners to donate money

00:51:25 for a chair and a desk?

00:51:28 And they are saying the government is too slow

00:51:31 in sending money to them.

00:51:33 I'm trying to be sincere.

00:51:35 They should actually go to the corporate persons

00:51:40 in society and call on them.

00:51:42 - All right.

00:51:44 Thank you very much.

00:51:45 We do have time for one more call.

00:51:47 You're calling us on 623-1711.

00:51:50 The extension is 1995, so the lines are free.

00:51:53 So you can please call us now.

00:51:57 Another point of the Prime Minister,

00:51:58 he says another significant area

00:51:59 is the recent local government elections,

00:52:02 which in conclusion may be offering us

00:52:05 something interesting insights into the mindset

00:52:07 of some citizens and probably the mood of our republic.

00:52:11 Let's take another call.

00:52:13 Good morning, caller.

00:52:14 - Good morning.

00:52:17 - Good morning.

00:52:18 - Good morning, Marlon.

00:52:19 It's a pleasure to hear you

00:52:22 and speak on behalf of Toronto Bagel.

00:52:25 - Go ahead, ma'am.

00:52:28 - And you have a voice for the little children, right?

00:52:30 Because I find the (indistinct)

00:52:34 was well attended by the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago

00:52:39 that still going through the toil and torment

00:52:42 of what is going on in Trinidad.

00:52:44 And they came out in their numbers, right?

00:52:47 I see a breath, walking together,

00:52:50 understanding what is going on, enjoying the culture, right?

00:52:54 It was well attended, very well attended.

00:52:59 - All right, thank you very much.

00:53:01 We just have time for maybe one more call again.

00:53:03 You're calling us on 623-1711.

00:53:05 The extension is 1995.

00:53:10 We legislators must now acknowledge

00:53:12 that there are many citizens who do feel marginalized

00:53:15 and even so alienated that they see their lives

00:53:19 as having little value to the majority.

00:53:22 We need to reach out to them by giving them hope

00:53:24 and the very real prospects of a better tomorrow,

00:53:27 the words there of the prime minister.

00:53:28 Let's take our last call.

00:53:30 Good morning, caller.

00:53:31 Caller, good morning.

00:53:34 The caller doesn't wanna speak with me.

00:53:38 - Good morning, Marlon.

00:53:39 - Good morning.

00:53:41 - And good morning to Trinidad and Tobago.

00:53:43 - Yes.

00:53:44 - I just have one point.

00:53:45 Once the police pulled the bandits, the murderers,

00:53:51 the thieves, the people who are disturbing us,

00:53:56 and the magistrates let them go,

00:53:58 the legal system lets them go,

00:54:01 and they are being recitaled.

00:54:03 The police have to go back and look for these same bandits.

00:54:06 And we are complaining about crime?

00:54:08 Let us complain about the judiciary.

00:54:11 Let us fix the judiciary.

00:54:13 Something is wrong there.

00:54:14 The lawyers are making money.

00:54:17 The bandits are making money.

00:54:18 Crime is a profitable business.

00:54:22 For who?

00:54:24 The lawyers.

00:54:26 The judges.

00:54:27 There was a case some years ago.

00:54:30 If you don't have magistrate,

00:54:35 you have no law, but you have no crime.

00:54:41 If they don't let them go,

00:54:43 so the magistrates letting them go.

00:54:46 And we complaining about the commissioner police?

00:54:48 - Well, I suspect the argument is going to be, sir,

00:54:53 in that there are laws,

00:54:55 and the magistrates and the judges

00:54:57 are using the laws that are available to them.

00:55:01 All right, that's gonna be it for our calls for today.

00:55:06 Thank you to all of you who would have called in earlier.

00:55:09 We do appreciate your views.

00:55:10 We are going to a very short break.

00:55:11 We're coming back.

00:55:12 (upbeat music)

00:55:17 - Good morning.

00:55:20 I am Melissa Boucher with your news to the hour.

00:55:23 Head of the National Security Council

00:55:25 and Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley

00:55:27 has made a commitment to law enforcement officers

00:55:29 who put their lives on the line for the country's security.

00:55:33 - I want to give you the assurance

00:55:35 that you have the full support of the government

00:55:39 and people of Trinidad and Tobago.

00:55:42 - During Independence Day celebrations on Thursday,

00:55:45 the Prime Minister said,

00:55:46 "Previously, the point of worry with illegal guns

00:55:49 making their way onto the streets

00:55:51 was the country's porous borders,

00:55:53 as trafficking in firearms was more or less

00:55:55 the only means by which that happened."

00:55:57 - That changed last week, or is it this week,

00:56:01 when we discover that people in our country

00:56:05 are innovative enough to be using the modern technology

00:56:09 to generate the manufacture of firearms

00:56:13 in Trinidad and Tobago.

00:56:15 That's just a new challenge,

00:56:17 a very, very insidious one,

00:56:19 and a very, very dangerous one.

00:56:23 - In her Independence Day address

00:56:24 at the Police Admin Building,

00:56:26 Commissioner of Police, Ullo Christopher,

00:56:28 maintained confidence in police crime-fighting methods.

00:56:32 - As at the beginning of August,

00:56:34 we have seen some significant results.

00:56:36 And I can say from now,

00:56:39 the comparative homicide rate has reduced

00:56:44 from an increase of 10%.

00:56:48 We are now at an increase of zero

00:56:51 over the corresponding period.

00:56:54 - Meanwhile, the top cop has come under fire

00:56:57 from former Police Commissioner, Gary Griffith,

00:56:59 based on the statistics she gave on the homicide rate

00:57:02 from 2022 to 2023.

00:57:05 He calls Christopher's statement ludicrous.

00:57:08 - She is virtually patting herself on her shoulder,

00:57:11 claiming success shows exactly why we are

00:57:13 in the state that we are in.

00:57:15 We have the same number of murders this year to last year.

00:57:18 And she says, because of that,

00:57:19 it means that there is no longer an increase in crime.

00:57:22 And she sees this as success.

00:57:24 - It's now time for a look at your weather forecast.

00:57:27 Conditions today are expected to be partly cloudy

00:57:30 with few periods of showers.

00:57:32 There is also a medium chance

00:57:33 of isolated thunderstorm activity.

00:57:36 Nighttime will be generally fair,

00:57:38 apart from lingering showers over a few areas.

00:57:42 As for the temperature, you can expect that to get up

00:57:45 to a warm 31 degrees Celsius in Trinidad

00:57:48 and also 31 degrees Celsius in Tobago.

00:57:51 (upbeat music)

00:57:57 (radio chatter)

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00:58:05 (wind blowing)

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00:58:15 (upbeat music)

00:58:18 (upbeat music)

00:58:48 - St. Giveny, where women's health care

00:58:50 is not one of the things we do, it's the only thing.

00:58:53 St. Giveny Women's Hospital,

00:58:55 proud partners of the inaugural Women's CPL.

00:58:58 - It's our biggest summer sale.

00:59:00 Seaview Optical, get a pair of complete eyewear for 5.95

00:59:04 and get a second pair free.

00:59:05 Also get a pair of single vision transition

00:59:08 anti-glare lenses with frame for 13.99

00:59:11 and a second pair 50% off.

00:59:13 Visit Seaview Optical.

00:59:17 - Things don't always go as expected.

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00:59:23 and group life.

00:59:24 Call us at 800-TRIN or visit trinree.com today.

00:59:27 Huge insurance premium.

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00:59:37 Call us at 800-TRIN or visit trinree.com today.

00:59:40 TrinRee, premier insurance coverage for less.

00:59:45 The biggest party in sport is back.

00:59:48 CPL and WCPL return with more action than ever before.

00:59:53 - Are you kidding me?

00:59:56 - Watch the biggest names in cricket battle it out

00:59:59 in the race for glory.

01:00:00 Get your tickets now at cplt20.com or at the box office.

01:00:08 Join the party.

01:00:11 Experience cricket played louder.

01:00:14 - Hello everyone, I am Sharmaine Noel

01:00:17 and welcome to the program Highway of Holiness.

01:00:20 Tune in every first Sunday on CCN TV6 at 7 a.m.

01:00:25 where you will hear the very heart and mind of God.

01:00:30 God bless you.

01:00:30 (upbeat music)

01:00:35 - And welcome back.

01:00:43 We are now joined by Mr. Lennox Tusa,

01:00:45 CEO, Deacon, Cultural Advocate and Revolutionary.

01:00:50 Mr. Tusa.

01:00:51 - I know that's the one you like.

01:00:53 (laughing)

01:00:54 - Mr. Tusa, good morning.

01:00:55 He's here to speak about his book.

01:00:58 Let's take a shot of that.

01:00:59 An Unlikely Success Story.

01:01:03 Mr. Tusa, let's speak about the book.

01:01:05 - What is there to say about the book?

01:01:07 The book came about because the late Earl Pilgrim

01:01:12 insisted that I had something that I should be sharing

01:01:15 with the nation, particularly the youth.

01:01:17 And when I agreed to, after a couple of years

01:01:23 of plug in by Earl, we agreed that we'd start it

01:01:27 after carnival and Earl passed away.

01:01:29 - Yes.

01:01:30 - And I said in fairness to Earl,

01:01:32 I think we should still get this book up and running.

01:01:35 And I spoke with Tony Fraser and Tony said,

01:01:36 of course, we must do it.

01:01:39 So we decided to go into it because Earl felt that

01:01:43 my life was a good example for other young people

01:01:49 coming growing up.

01:01:49 I didn't come from the nice little family circle

01:01:54 with the father and mother being present

01:01:56 and I reckon thing.

01:01:57 I grew up with my grandmother.

01:02:00 And one of the biggest heartbreak for me

01:02:06 was not getting an exhibition.

01:02:08 At that time it was called exhibition.

01:02:10 - Yes.

01:02:11 - Because a number of the teachers felt that I was safe

01:02:14 for St. Mary's.

01:02:16 I also felt so.

01:02:19 So when I didn't get that,

01:02:21 that was like the end of the world for me.

01:02:23 You know?

01:02:24 And then I was moving around from my grandmother

01:02:27 in Dundon Street to my mother in St. James

01:02:30 and then the family moved to East Dry River.

01:02:33 You know?

01:02:35 - So how does one pick up themselves from that?

01:02:38 Because if you're saying you didn't get the opportunity

01:02:40 with the exhibition, how do you pick up yourself?

01:02:42 - That is what we're coming to now.

01:02:44 You know, the question when you talk about East Dry River,

01:02:48 you move to East Dry River,

01:02:51 could anything good come out of Nazareth?

01:02:53 You know?

01:02:54 But East Dry River was a turning point for me.

01:02:56 I met my wife and plain man, plain fast now,

01:03:02 she became pregnant.

01:03:05 No job.

01:03:07 And I spoke, I was in City Syncopator Steel Orchestra

01:03:10 and I spoke to the foreman at the Nestle warehouse,

01:03:13 Rufus Galston, and I told him, I said,

01:03:16 "Listen, I have a baby, I need a job."

01:03:18 And he said, "Well, if anything come up, I'll remember you."

01:03:22 And then one Friday evening while playing football

01:03:24 down in the Dry River, he leaned over the river wall

01:03:27 and said, "Lenox, come up the road for seven o'clock

01:03:30 Monday morning."

01:03:31 So he conked me in.

01:03:33 And here was I trying to push Saturday and Sunday

01:03:35 out the way to make sure Monday come quick.

01:03:37 I got a job in the warehouse,

01:03:42 things coming, cases coming from the port,

01:03:46 packing them up, loading them up high.

01:03:48 And I told myself,

01:03:51 you see from here, something had to happen.

01:03:55 Something definitely had to happen.

01:03:56 And I got a breakthrough as a sales assistant.

01:04:01 And that was it.

01:04:03 There was no turning back after that.

01:04:05 I became a salesman, then a sales supervisor.

01:04:08 And I kept moving on,

01:04:11 taking every little course that came up.

01:04:13 When I saw a course at UWE, afternoon time,

01:04:17 five to seven, check that out.

01:04:19 Wherever there was opportunity, I moved to better myself.

01:04:23 Because I not only had a baby, they're mine,

01:04:25 but one of my dreams was to have a family.

01:04:28 I like something about our, I like our family,

01:04:30 look, mother, father, children.

01:04:32 - You like that structure.

01:04:33 - Yes, and I told myself, look,

01:04:36 you gotta have a family, you gotta work towards that.

01:04:39 And my wife was all for it.

01:04:40 And we thank God that he blessed us

01:04:44 with some fantastic children,

01:04:48 and grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

01:04:50 This we want to use as a guide for young men.

01:04:57 I indicated that I'm going to,

01:05:00 I'm prepared to go to my school first,

01:05:02 Richmond Street Boys,

01:05:04 but I'm prepared to visit a lot of other schools.

01:05:06 So let young men know that if you didn't make it

01:05:10 the first time, it's not the end of the world.

01:05:11 - And let me tell you, that is very important

01:05:13 in today's Trinidad and Tobago.

01:05:14 - Oh, definitely.

01:05:15 - And I suspect today's world,

01:05:17 but I see that you have 31 chapters here.

01:05:20 - Mm-hmm.

01:05:21 - "At the Opening of My Eyes,"

01:05:23 "My Scolding But Caring Grandmother."

01:05:25 That chapter sounds like my grandmother.

01:05:28 "Teenage Years," "The Challenges,"

01:05:30 "Beyond the Beautiful Game,"

01:05:32 "From Truck Loader to Marketing Manager,"

01:05:34 "Proud of My Husband's Progress," Nestle.

01:05:37 Is it a sort of, not only to show your experiences,

01:05:43 but it is an attempt, it could be viewed as a roadmap

01:05:48 as to how to succeed.

01:05:49 - Correct.

01:05:50 - And not to give up.

01:05:51 - Correct.

01:05:52 It really is not about my success,

01:05:55 the arrow pointing at me.

01:05:56 It is indicating to young men that regardless of what,

01:06:01 regardless of what, there's an opportunity

01:06:03 awaiting you out there.

01:06:04 Have some faith in God.

01:06:06 Have some faith in God,

01:06:08 because He's the creator of all things.

01:06:11 And your door will open.

01:06:13 If you keep pushing hard enough, your door will open.

01:06:16 Too many young men these days,

01:06:18 as it doesn't happen for them,

01:06:20 they declare war on society because they didn't get this.

01:06:24 But sometime you don't get a mango,

01:06:25 but you end up getting a banana.

01:06:27 And you have to be ready for that.

01:06:30 - Work with it.

01:06:31 - Yeah, work that banana into a banana split or whatever.

01:06:35 - A banana bread.

01:06:36 - Banana bread, make it happen.

01:06:38 - Yeah.

01:06:39 - You know?

01:06:40 And that is, when I look at some of the news

01:06:43 that we come by every night,

01:06:46 17 years old, 15 years old, 14 years old,

01:06:49 there's a whole lot of life ahead of you.

01:06:52 - But how do you reverse that trend, Mr. Tuse?

01:06:56 - Well, I suppose that there are other people out there

01:06:58 like me who might be willing to jump in

01:07:00 and try and make it happen.

01:07:02 I am willing to talk with the youth

01:07:05 and let them know that you don't give up, you know?

01:07:09 Because I could have sat back

01:07:11 and with my little job in the warehouse and stay there,

01:07:16 you know, but that wasn't where I was destined to be.

01:07:19 - How long did it take to compile this?

01:07:22 - About a year and a half.

01:07:24 - Yeah.

01:07:25 - Yeah, to put this stuff together.

01:07:27 - Where can persons get this book?

01:07:29 - It's presently, my wife will be laughing now,

01:07:33 we're presently out of stock.

01:07:35 - You're presently out of stock?

01:07:37 - That's the truth, you know?

01:07:39 And we have people here who are going back to North America

01:07:41 who want to take it with them, you know?

01:07:43 Presently, living water community

01:07:48 and book specialists on Thunderland Street.

01:07:50 By this time next week,

01:07:53 we'll have two other people on board,

01:07:56 but we have some books.

01:07:57 You don't want them on board now

01:07:58 because you have no books to sell.

01:08:00 - Yeah.

01:08:00 - But we have some more books available, you know?

01:08:03 I would like to take this opportunity

01:08:05 to thank the people out there who really made this happen.

01:08:09 You know, people who really fasted it,

01:08:12 those who bought more than one,

01:08:13 those who sent it off to their relatives.

01:08:16 I'd really like to say a big hearty thank you.

01:08:18 Those who supported the project,

01:08:20 because at one point in time,

01:08:22 the project got a little bit pricey.

01:08:24 And people came in and said,

01:08:27 "You know this had to happen?"

01:08:28 'Cause I was prepared to share,

01:08:30 but they said, "No, no way.

01:08:31 "We're going with this one."

01:08:33 So I am extremely grateful to them.

01:08:36 - Yes.

01:08:37 - I hope to go back to Richmond Street Boys

01:08:40 in the next couple of weeks.

01:08:41 Next week, I want to go there and talk with the principal

01:08:43 and go in there and talk to the young men

01:08:46 and let them know that there's a wide world out there

01:08:49 waiting for them.

01:08:50 - Yeah.

01:08:51 - There are a lot of challenges.

01:08:51 There will always be challenges,

01:08:53 but you had to be ready to run with the horses.

01:08:56 And let me tell you, Mr. Tusa,

01:08:57 that's the right age where you're targeting.

01:09:00 - That is why, and being,

01:09:04 Richmond Street being my only real school,

01:09:07 I thought that that was the best place to start.

01:09:09 - Yeah.

01:09:10 - You know?

01:09:10 - Mr. Tusa, anything else you'd like to tell us

01:09:12 before you leave us this morning?

01:09:14 - Well, I would like to thank all those who contributed,

01:09:16 particularly my family, my wife and daughters,

01:09:21 and colleagues of mine who thought

01:09:26 that they should make some contribution to it.

01:09:29 They made it possible, you know?

01:09:32 And I would really like to say a special thank you to them.

01:09:37 Because I expect that this is going to make some progress

01:09:42 and help some young people

01:09:43 because they are desperately in need of help.

01:09:47 Desperately.

01:09:48 When you look at the news, you tremble.

01:09:51 These young people, they have not begun to live life as yet.

01:09:55 - Yes.

01:09:56 - You understand?

01:09:57 So we have a responsibility,

01:09:59 which I have another colleague who's prepared

01:10:03 to ride that bus with me and move from one place to another

01:10:08 and talk to these young men

01:10:09 and try and get them involved, you know?

01:10:13 Let them know that there's a lot of living out there

01:10:14 to be done, a lot of work to do.

01:10:17 And they have a contribution to make.

01:10:19 - Mr. Tusa, I like the message.

01:10:21 It's always a pleasure speaking with you.

01:10:22 Thank you very much.

01:10:23 - Thank you, my friend.

01:10:24 - Thank you for your continued contribution

01:10:27 to Trinidad and Tobago over the years and even up to today.

01:10:31 - Yep.

01:10:32 - Yeah? - Yep.

01:10:33 - You all want to talk about national treasure, look.

01:10:35 Leonard Tusa is there.

01:10:37 All right, so hope to see you

01:10:38 and speak to you sometime soon.

01:10:40 All the best.

01:10:41 - Thank you for having me. - In the meantime.

01:10:42 All right, bye for now.

01:10:43 Okay, so we are going to another break.

01:10:45 We do have this image for you.

01:10:46 It's from Marsha Barrington.

01:10:48 It's of a sunset in Marabella.

01:10:51 We're coming back.

01:10:52 (upbeat music)

01:10:54 ♪ When she really out to get you ♪

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01:11:25 (upbeat music)

01:11:27 - Food.

01:11:41 - What I found about it, it's like a Jamaican word.

01:11:43 It's very Klein.

01:11:44 - Drama.

01:11:45 - When I went in there, it was crazy.

01:11:47 Chris had one job, cook a fish, Chris.

01:11:50 - Verdict.

01:11:51 - It could go either way.

01:11:52 - Six countries sent their best chefs to plead their case.

01:11:55 Who will take home the $10,000 award?

01:11:59 All rise for the Maggie Food Court Caribbean, season three.

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01:12:45 (upbeat music)

01:12:48 - Yes, Gil, online here with this weirdo named Larry.

01:12:54 I getting rid of him now.

01:12:55 Eh, eh.

01:13:00 (laughing)

01:13:05 Let's take a selfie.

01:13:08 It looking good, boy.

01:13:12 I'm putting it online.

01:13:13 (upbeat music)

01:13:16 Hey, I thought you say went to the beach with your parents.

01:13:20 - Who's you?

01:13:21 - It's me, Larry, from online.

01:13:25 (upbeat music)

01:13:27 ♪ Old place called mine ♪

01:13:42 ♪ Every day is a hustle and a bustle ♪

01:13:43 ♪ Everybody right now caught in the jostle ♪

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01:13:48 ♪ But the space rhyme, rhyme ♪

01:13:49 ♪ Everybody in a jam, in a jam ♪

01:13:50 - All right, so welcome back.

01:13:51 So we are talking now with,

01:13:53 I would like to call this lady a local legend,

01:13:57 Carla Gonzales.

01:14:00 Ms. Gonzales.

01:14:01 - Yes.

01:14:03 - All right. - Good morning.

01:14:05 - And for people my age,

01:14:08 I remember Ms. Gonzales looking at you

01:14:11 and at that time, you seemed like

01:14:14 you had just gotten out of school,

01:14:15 but I remember you from "No Boundaries"

01:14:19 and I remember you being involved in Calypso

01:14:22 and I remember being you involved in Soca

01:14:25 and Soca bands over the years.

01:14:27 And I'm sure that a lot of the Calypsos and Soca

01:14:32 that we know of today,

01:14:34 you would have done backup on a lot of them, yeah?

01:14:39 - Soca and Soca Paran.

01:14:42 So most of your Soca Paran that we hear for Christmas,

01:14:47 I'm singing on those, almost all Barron.

01:14:50 Everything on Barron between 1990

01:14:55 and just before "Spanish Woman."

01:14:59 That's my voice singing on that.

01:15:00 I mean, it's Barron, Kitchener, Ricky Jack,

01:15:05 singing Sandra, just pretty much everybody.

01:15:09 - Yeah.

01:15:10 - But of course my first discipline was dance

01:15:13 and I actually won 12 and under as a dancer.

01:15:17 - Yeah.

01:15:17 - The original 12 and under.

01:15:18 - Yeah, and all of this is not to give your age,

01:15:22 Ms. Gonzales, but it's to show the contribution

01:15:26 that you would have made over the years.

01:15:29 I know that you all are having a concert

01:15:31 that there have been some recent challenges.

01:15:34 Please tell us about it.

01:15:37 - Yes, I'm having a concert, a benefit concert this evening.

01:15:42 The name of it is "Juarezi"

01:15:43 and it's happening at Queens Hall.

01:15:45 The doors open at 6.30 p.m.

01:15:49 and the kind of entertainment that is in store for you all.

01:15:53 Oh my God.

01:15:54 You can give us even alphabet.

01:15:57 - You're impressed.

01:15:58 - I'm impressed, even the word for it,

01:16:03 because they have every genre from rap to calypso,

01:16:08 samba, reggae, R&B, jazz.

01:16:11 I mean, it has everything that you could possibly hope for.

01:16:14 But the reason that I'm having this concert is,

01:16:17 as I said before, my first discipline was dance.

01:16:19 And during my last dance production that I was involved in,

01:16:23 I had a partial hip dislocation.

01:16:25 And unfortunately, as we get better in life,

01:16:32 the old injuries tend to come back up and say,

01:16:35 "Hey, remember me?"

01:16:37 So I, at this point now, have to replace my hip.

01:16:42 And unfortunately, most entertainers

01:16:47 do not have medical insurance.

01:16:50 So, I mean, I have life insurance for sure, you know,

01:16:55 but it's not something that we will talk about.

01:17:00 The importance of it rather, to have medical insurance.

01:17:04 So now I just have to raise the money

01:17:06 and go and get a new hip,

01:17:08 so I could be back to doing what I know how to do.

01:17:11 - Yeah.

01:17:12 So it has put, really, it has impacted on really your life,

01:17:17 because as I said, we know you from dancing

01:17:23 and acting at a very young age.

01:17:26 - Yeah, it is challenging at times,

01:17:30 because other than dance, I love to walk.

01:17:33 And according to a decision,

01:17:36 they said, "Oh, you have zero cartilage in that hip,

01:17:39 it's just bone on bone grinding there."

01:17:41 I was like, "Ah, yeah."

01:17:44 And because of how painful it is,

01:17:47 I now have to walk with a cane.

01:17:50 I cannot walk long distances,

01:17:54 because it is so painful.

01:17:55 Because it is so painful,

01:17:57 and it also makes me extremely exhausted.

01:18:01 - Yeah.

01:18:02 - So it's something that is necessary.

01:18:06 It is another journey that I have to embark on,

01:18:11 but I'm willing to do it,

01:18:14 so that I can be back to the comfort

01:18:19 and the surety of when I step on stage,

01:18:24 I feel safe enough that I'm not going to stumble.

01:18:27 - Yes.

01:18:28 - Or need to hold on to somebody or hold on to something,

01:18:32 because it was, occasionally it just give out on me.

01:18:37 - What's the cost of the surgery?

01:18:39 How much money do you have to raise?

01:18:41 - I'm looking at about $150,000.

01:18:47 And I say that because it's the surgery,

01:18:51 but I also have to have the aftercare.

01:18:53 So I'm going to need to have a nurse

01:18:58 for at least the first week or two.

01:19:01 Then I'm going to have to have physiotherapy,

01:19:04 which will be every day for a month.

01:19:08 And a set of other little things

01:19:11 that have to happen along the way,

01:19:13 all the tests, all the free surgery tests

01:19:17 that have to be done.

01:19:18 So I mean, I've been doing it,

01:19:22 but such big ticket items.

01:19:27 Yeah, I just need to have the benefit concept.

01:19:31 And the funny thing about it is I was just going along,

01:19:33 you know, hop along as some of my friends told me, you know,

01:19:38 and James Elston and Adrian Silbert,

01:19:41 saw the kind of pain I was in

01:19:44 when I was producing a show for them,

01:19:46 the Born to Shine show with Dean and Carla last December.

01:19:50 And they're like, Carla, just do a show.

01:19:52 Do a show, we will perform.

01:19:54 We will perform, we will help.

01:19:56 - So I suspect the response has been good thus far.

01:19:59 - It has been overwhelmingly good.

01:20:05 - Yeah.

01:20:06 - I mean, from up to yesterday,

01:20:09 now I also transitioned into production as well

01:20:14 and producing.

01:20:15 And instead of me being the complete producer

01:20:20 and manning the production itself,

01:20:26 my production team literally informed me,

01:20:29 oh yeah, so as of Monday, as of Monday, God,

01:20:32 as of Monday, you're no longer on production.

01:20:34 You need to see about you.

01:20:36 - Studio, if we can again, just put up the details

01:20:40 as we come to the end of our interview with Ms. Gonzalez.

01:20:44 Yeah, so Ms. Gonzalez, we are putting up back

01:20:46 the details for you.

01:20:48 So it's today at 7.30 PM, Queens Hall.

01:20:52 There is still some time to get some of the,

01:20:56 yeah, some time to still get the tickets.

01:20:58 - Main auditorium performances start at 7.30,

01:21:02 but entertainment starts from in the lobby.

01:21:05 As soon as you walk in,

01:21:07 you're gonna be filled with entertainment.

01:21:09 - Ms. Gonzalez, thank you very much

01:21:11 for speaking with us this morning.

01:21:13 We wish you all the best with your concert this evening

01:21:17 and hopefully you get the response that you need.

01:21:20 Bye for now, take care.

01:21:22 - Thank you, take care.

01:21:24 - Bye-bye.

01:21:25 Okay, so that's gonna be it for me on the program for today.

01:21:29 It's Friday, everybody.

01:21:30 I'll see you right back here on Monday morning at six o'clock.

01:21:34 James Saunders comes up next.

01:21:35 Bye-bye, everybody.

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01:26:07 - All right, roll the tape.

01:26:12 Let's get this show on the road.

01:26:14 I forgot my horn this morning.

01:26:15 I'll promise to get it back

01:26:17 as the CPL continues full swing in Barbados.

01:26:20 And while you were away, the Chumbago Knight Riders,

01:26:23 well, they were hard at play picking up their second win

01:26:25 of the competition on the road.

01:26:27 Well, the Massey Women's CPL also got going

01:26:29 with some exciting action, which we will discuss.

01:26:32 And as usual, we go behind the scenes

01:26:34 to see what the teams are up to.

01:26:36 Promise, that's gonna be good.

01:26:38 It's gonna be a fantastic Friday here

01:26:40 on the "Bowl Them All" cricket show.

01:26:41 ♪ Bow them all down my boys ♪

01:26:44 ♪ Yeah, the teams can't touch me ♪

01:26:46 ♪ 'Cause we're bowling 'em all ♪

01:26:47 ♪ That's what we're bowling ♪

01:26:49 - All right, ready, set, let's go.

01:26:51 As the Barbados Royals shook off their hefty defeat

01:26:54 to the Chumbago Knight Riders

01:26:55 and they returned to winning ways

01:26:56 to beat the reigning champions, Jamaica Talawas,

01:26:59 by six wickets at Kensington Oval.

01:27:01 Well, the Royals won the toss and opted to field first.

01:27:04 And well, that proved to be an inspired decision

01:27:06 in the early passages of the game.

01:27:08 - Out to deep point, Will Hull to strike early.

01:27:16 He does strike early.

01:27:17 - Mid-off in play.

01:27:22 Laurie Evans takes a stunning catch.

01:27:25 Pulled away.

01:27:28 That's powerful enough to fly all the way

01:27:31 for a Republic Bank maximum.

01:27:33 That is a brilliant shot.

01:27:37 A Republic Bank maximum to get to 50.

01:27:41 Look at the innovation.

01:27:44 That is a shot of the day.

01:27:46 That will be it.

01:27:49 His first CPL and T20 half century.

01:27:56 Beautifully played and there it is.

01:27:59 He's gonna save Robb many more pain

01:28:02 because Hull has done the trick here.

01:28:04 - Well, the Barbados looking good.

01:28:08 And well, I'll tell you who's looking better,

01:28:10 St. Lucia, as we roll up the standings

01:28:11 and see how the teams line up.

01:28:13 And the St. Lucia Kings continue to hang on

01:28:15 to the top spot with six points.

01:28:17 But below them, that's where things get interesting

01:28:19 because net run rate is what separates the next four teams

01:28:23 from the two that are in the top spot.

01:28:25 And that's where the two are.

01:28:27 Look at that, all on five points.

01:28:30 Amazon Warriors in second,

01:28:31 the Chumbago Knight Riders in third,

01:28:34 Jamaica Tallawas in fourth, would you believe that?

01:28:36 Barbados Royals as well in fifth,

01:28:39 also all on five points.

01:28:41 And well, the St. Kingston Needless Patriots,

01:28:44 they've just got the two points.

01:28:48 And that is from two real affected matches.

01:28:51 As I mentioned earlier in the show,

01:28:52 the women's CPL started yesterday

01:28:55 and with a scintillating match.

01:28:57 And the Chumbago Knight Riders,

01:28:58 they took a rest, but the Barbados Royals

01:29:00 and the Ghana Amazon Warriors women, they were in action.

01:29:03 - This ball, match one of the Massey Women's CPL 2023.

01:29:07 Bounce on offer.

01:29:12 - 50 for Sophie Devine.

01:29:20 - First game of this Massey Women's CPL.

01:29:22 It's brilliant to see someone get a 50.

01:29:25 She'd be looking for more.

01:29:26 - And that's it.

01:29:29 It's a done it with a boundary at full six.

01:29:32 - Hits a straight back.

01:29:40 And Haley Mathews and picks up the first boundary.

01:29:43 - The Warriors exploit.

01:29:44 - Oh, that's a gorgeous shot.

01:29:47 Down on one knee.

01:29:49 (crowd cheering)

01:29:51 - Ideal and deserved for Burns.

01:30:00 What a magnificent win.

01:30:02 - What a match.

01:30:04 And early on the Barbados Royals,

01:30:06 well, they get a chance to jump up the points table.

01:30:08 They get two points for their win

01:30:11 over the Ghana Amazon Warriors.

01:30:13 Of course, the Chumbago Knight Riders are yet to play.

01:30:15 Of course, this weekend is where all of the action

01:30:17 will be happening.

01:30:18 And we will be keeping our eyes to see just

01:30:21 how that pans out.

01:30:23 Well, we saw the men, we saw the women,

01:30:25 and let's go behind the scenes though

01:30:27 to see what's happening with the fans.

01:30:29 (upbeat music)

01:30:32 (upbeat music)

01:30:42 (upbeat music)

01:30:44 (upbeat music)

01:30:47 - All the fans having a blast.

01:31:13 Wish, made me wish I was in Barbados right now.

01:31:16 I'm so jealous right now.

01:31:18 All right, we take a break,

01:31:19 but first let's check out the TV6 app

01:31:21 where you can watch live CPL matches,

01:31:23 chat with CPL fans, stay up to date on CPL news,

01:31:26 get notifications and pretty much watch the CPL.

01:31:29 We've got it for you in the palm of your hands.

01:31:32 And a reminder that our ticket giveaway,

01:31:36 well, that is gonna be happening early next week.

01:31:39 So you gotta follow our app,

01:31:41 check out the show and find all the information.

01:31:43 We take a pause, come back with more.

01:31:45 (upbeat music)

01:31:48 (air horn blaring)

01:31:58 (upbeat music)

01:32:03 (upbeat music)

01:32:05 (upbeat music)

01:32:28 (upbeat music)

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01:32:41 (upbeat music)

01:32:52 (air horn blaring)

01:32:58 (upbeat music)

01:33:01 (upbeat music)

01:33:04 (upbeat music)

01:33:32 - No matter where the game is played,

01:33:34 there's some things you always need.

01:33:37 A bat,

01:33:37 ball,

01:33:40 a wicket,

01:33:41 and plenty of ice cold refreshment.

01:33:44 Enjoy the cricket with Angus Tour Chill,

01:33:48 the official refreshment partner

01:33:50 of the Republic Bank CPL T20.

01:33:53 Angus Tour Chill.

01:33:55 Chill, play, lime.

01:34:01 The excitement,

01:34:03 the pride,

01:34:05 the celebration.

01:34:10 When we come together for sport,

01:34:25 we do it like no one else.

01:34:27 (upbeat music)

01:34:30 (upbeat music)

01:34:42 - Welcome back to the show

01:34:47 and we get set to head to one of our analysts

01:34:50 that we've got with us this morning.

01:34:52 But first, we've got a internet meme to check out

01:34:56 and I tell you what,

01:34:58 the internet remains undefeated.

01:35:01 (laughing)

01:35:03 Well, appropriately done,

01:35:05 signifying the blowout win for the Chumbigo Knight Riders

01:35:09 against the Barbados Royals.

01:35:11 And well, who better than Will Smith?

01:35:14 Internet remains undefeated.

01:35:16 Well, in with me is a man who has been having too much fun

01:35:20 in Barbados at the moment,

01:35:22 our cricket analyst, John Ramsing, of course.

01:35:24 Now we witnessed all of the action taking place,

01:35:26 two days of action,

01:35:27 including the women's CPL taking place in Barbados.

01:35:30 And I've got John with me.

01:35:31 I woke him up this morning, John.

01:35:33 I literally took you straight out of bed, did I?

01:35:35 - No, it's fine, James.

01:35:38 It's kind of like a workation.

01:35:41 You're working, but you're still having some fun.

01:35:43 So it's all part of the game.

01:35:44 - John, everybody here back in Trinidad,

01:35:47 we're absolutely jealous of you at the moment.

01:35:50 But I know that you didn't have a chance

01:35:52 to have breakfast yet this morning.

01:35:54 So I appreciate the time that you're taking to chat with me.

01:35:56 But lots of good stuff on the menu in Barbados so far.

01:36:00 We saw TKR beating the Royals.

01:36:02 We saw the Royals getting revenge yesterday.

01:36:04 And of course the women's CPL taking place.

01:36:07 What's the buzz like on the ground in Barbados?

01:36:10 - Yeah, it's all happening.

01:36:11 It's movements.

01:36:12 You know, I don't want to say movements.

01:36:14 I'm using that word loosely

01:36:16 because it's gyrating beyond the stands.

01:36:19 - Oh boy.

01:36:20 - Because CPL, yeah, CPL is back to the,

01:36:23 again, there's an oval since 2019.

01:36:25 So it means that persons are expecting to have a good time.

01:36:28 They've been seeing what's been happening

01:36:29 around the rest of the Caribbean.

01:36:31 And now that it's here in Barbados,

01:36:33 everybody coming out, gravitating,

01:36:35 and showing pretty much the rest of the region

01:36:38 what they were missing in Barbados beyond the boundaries.

01:36:41 But on the field, you mentioned it.

01:36:43 I just want to say happy anniversary,

01:36:45 happy independence anniversary to all of Trinidad and Tobago.

01:36:49 - Oh, thank you so much.

01:36:51 - You're welcome.

01:36:52 - And TKR, both of Barbados Royals, was 61.

01:36:56 And ironically, it was 61 years of independence.

01:36:59 Look at that.

01:36:59 - I did not even look at it that way, John Ramsay.

01:37:01 Thanks so much.

01:37:02 I was 30 years old when I figured that out.

01:37:05 (laughs)

01:37:06 - It happened, right?

01:37:08 And that was a heavy defeat for the Barbados Royals.

01:37:11 We got some news from the dressing room.

01:37:15 Trevor Penny, the head coach,

01:37:17 had to lift the guys after that one, you know,

01:37:19 because the Royals were so deflated.

01:37:21 The spectators and so on, they as well,

01:37:24 had their say as we were leaving the venue.

01:37:27 You know, a little bit of the Bijan accent

01:37:29 that you could pick up.

01:37:30 It was words of disgust.

01:37:32 They were dissatisfied with the players' performance.

01:37:35 You know, they're saying many things about the team,

01:37:38 but they still showed up last night

01:37:40 and they managed to support, and the team bounced back.

01:37:43 The big defending champions, the Jamaican Taroas.

01:37:46 So the Royal Royals may be a bit hot and cold.

01:37:49 The fans are coming out supporting,

01:37:51 and over the weekend, Saturday, Sunday,

01:37:53 could be important as well.

01:37:55 Because if you look at it point-stable,

01:37:56 the way it's stacked up now,

01:37:58 all the teams are bunched up there.

01:37:59 Just one point separating the St. Lucia Kings

01:38:02 from the chasing pack,

01:38:04 except for the bottom where the Patriots are on two points,

01:38:06 everybody else on five points.

01:38:08 So just a good game,

01:38:10 and that's exactly what you're gonna be seeing.

01:38:13 So it's really opened up the tournament nicely,

01:38:15 the Barbados leg,

01:38:17 and the weather continues to be very good.

01:38:19 The ground is in immaculate shape.

01:38:21 So everything is perfect for cricketers here in Barbados.

01:38:25 - I'm glad you mentioned the weather,

01:38:26 because that was, I couldn't say,

01:38:28 and I spoke to Stacey-Anne King on Wednesday,

01:38:31 and she mentioned that there was some overnight rain,

01:38:33 and all of a sudden, everybody panicked.

01:38:35 But the weather, it continues,

01:38:37 the forecast continues to be good.

01:38:39 - Yeah, it was strange,

01:38:41 because Tuesday, the fourth eve of the opening match,

01:38:45 lots of rain in Barbados and the island.

01:38:49 Wednesday morning as well,

01:38:50 and even a sharp shower Wednesday afternoon.

01:38:52 But in the evening, it was as if it was never happening.

01:38:55 It was as if they were ready for cricket for a long time.

01:38:58 And it showed the preparedness of the venue.

01:39:00 They were getting ready for a long time for CPL.

01:39:04 So the drains around the ground,

01:39:06 and in the venue as well, were all cleared,

01:39:09 just in case of any backlog.

01:39:10 And then, of course, the grounds, it just looks sweet.

01:39:13 The kids know it's ready for cricket,

01:39:16 and I'm sure that the players,

01:39:17 they're having a good time as well.

01:39:19 - Well, such a majestic venue, the Kensington Oval.

01:39:22 Let's talk about some of the big stories coming out,

01:39:24 of course, after the lost Tundego Knight, right,

01:39:27 as the Barbados Royals bouncing back.

01:39:30 What was the fan reaction like on the ground?

01:39:33 Was there any effect from the first defeat to TKR,

01:39:37 to coming back and playing the Jamaica Talawas?

01:39:41 - The first effect we've seen

01:39:42 is that spectators were reluctant to show up.

01:39:46 But somehow, everything in Barbados

01:39:48 has been 10 minutes away.

01:39:49 When the team started to do well last night,

01:39:51 the crowd started to build up in anticipation of a victory.

01:39:55 And then they came to celebrate that victory.

01:39:57 They came in time for that victory.

01:39:59 And you hear the buzz again.

01:40:01 You can see, of course, when we're leaving the venue,

01:40:03 they're not walking with their heads down.

01:40:06 They're actually moving in rhythm.

01:40:07 They're dancing, they're enjoying themselves.

01:40:09 And they're speaking again in that Barbadian accent

01:40:12 that is difficult to understand to someone who's not...

01:40:14 Particularly when they're excited.

01:40:16 - That's what I'm saying.

01:40:18 So, yeah, something in their hands here,

01:40:20 and the next thing, you know, and it's all fun.

01:40:23 So they're expecting again.

01:40:25 And that's what cricket does to you.

01:40:26 You tend to forget what happened previously

01:40:28 and remember the most recent.

01:40:30 So that's what they're going to be looking at now.

01:40:32 And they have another big game coming up.

01:40:34 They take on the St. Lucia Kings.

01:40:37 And the Kings have been on top of the table for a long time.

01:40:39 They've had four matches at home.

01:40:41 They got some points, not from winning necessarily,

01:40:44 but they also get two points from beating the TKRs.

01:40:47 And that will give them a lot of confidence.

01:40:50 And that game, the next game,

01:40:51 Barbados Royals against St. Lucia Kings,

01:40:53 can really settle this table nicely

01:40:55 and see who will actually be moving up and down.

01:40:58 The guy and Amazon Warriors tomorrow morning

01:41:01 take on the Patriots.

01:41:02 That is another big game for the table.

01:41:04 The Warriors, they're looking clinical at the moment

01:41:06 with some tweaks that can look the final unit

01:41:09 that they want to look.

01:41:10 But the Patriots, with nothing to lose,

01:41:13 will have to come back hard.

01:41:15 And they can actually play sports at this tournament.

01:41:18 Coming from the bottom, nothing to lose

01:41:20 can be the surprise element.

01:41:21 Now, you mentioned that the table and the movement

01:41:24 on the table is very close there.

01:41:26 But in terms of runs scoring, we saw the first 100,

01:41:29 as well the first century being scored by Martin Goptil.

01:41:33 How special was that moment, you thought?

01:41:36 It was really spectacular to watch in the first place.

01:41:39 He started a bit slow, just got his eyes in.

01:41:42 And then after that, he started to play real cricket shots.

01:41:46 There was no slugging.

01:41:47 He did not lose his shape.

01:41:49 He just hit every ball on his merit.

01:41:51 And this ground, I tell you, with these bats these days,

01:41:54 it's not this ground, not too big.

01:41:55 It's a big venue.

01:41:57 But with the bats and the timing and the preparation

01:41:59 of cricketers, Martin Goptil made it look really special.

01:42:03 And I think it was good for him.

01:42:05 It is his sixth T20 domestic 100.

01:42:08 And he really cherished that one.

01:42:10 He's been off the boil for a while.

01:42:12 Dumped from his international side, picked up in CPL,

01:42:16 had a scratchy start.

01:42:18 And many were saying that his pass is best.

01:42:20 And he has answered them with the bat.

01:42:22 That was really special to see.

01:42:24 And then I'm sure you're going to talk about the Kiwi 100

01:42:27 that we saw yesterday with Sophie Divine.

01:42:29 - Yeah. - Yeah.

01:42:30 She just took Martin Goptil, carried her bat for 100.

01:42:35 Martin Goptil was in a winning cause this time.

01:42:38 Sophie Divine came in second.

01:42:42 Yeah, yeah.

01:42:43 So on the women's CPL, of course, starting,

01:42:45 how was that received?

01:42:47 Are the fans embracing it so far?

01:42:51 So there were not a lot of spectators for many reasons.

01:42:55 The women's game, I was very surprised,

01:42:57 it's not being promoted as it should be, that's one.

01:43:00 And second, it's a day game.

01:43:03 So lots of persons were saying that mostly the spectators,

01:43:07 the cricket fans, the diehards are at work.

01:43:10 But they will come out a bit later on

01:43:11 to support CPL generally,

01:43:13 but just couldn't do a day match and a night match, right?

01:43:17 So some spectators showed up and they were there cheering loudly

01:43:22 because it was a good innings, first of all,

01:43:25 from Sophie Divine, so they were cheering on that innings.

01:43:27 And then that run changed, the Barbell is Royals women,

01:43:30 the home side looking royal in pink,

01:43:32 looking real pretty and doing the job.

01:43:35 And when everyone was scored coming down towards the end,

01:43:38 you can hear loud cheers as if it was a packed house.

01:43:41 And that's the effect of cricket.

01:43:43 And I would love to see more persons coming to support women's cricket,

01:43:46 because it's growing, it is the fastest-growing sport in the world, right?

01:43:51 So you need to have that support as well.

01:43:53 It's really a good move from CPL

01:43:55 to have the massive women's CPL playing alongside the men's,

01:43:59 a much longer tournament than last year.

01:44:01 Last year was just one game against each other,

01:44:04 and then the top two played the final.

01:44:05 This time they've doubled it,

01:44:07 three matches against Kensington Oval,

01:44:09 where the Royals have played two of those three.

01:44:11 In fact, they're playing all three, sorry.

01:44:13 And then they go on to the Queen's Park Oval,

01:44:16 where the defending champions, TKR women,

01:44:19 will be hosting the Amazon Warriors and the Royals.

01:44:21 Then they go down to the Brian Larkin Academy.

01:44:23 The final is going to be held on Sunday.

01:44:25 So that really is an opportunity as well

01:44:27 for spectators to come out down south,

01:44:29 internet to be able to support another mega-tournament history.

01:44:33 And if spectators can come out, it's always been said,

01:44:36 if you can see the support in numbers,

01:44:39 it's going to be easy for a next tournament like that to be sold.

01:44:43 And that's what you want. You want personal support.

01:44:45 The game, you can see from the scores,

01:44:47 you can see from the level of play,

01:44:49 that it is a high-intensity game.

01:44:51 They are prepared well,

01:44:52 and they know exactly where they want to go.

01:44:55 These players, they're Globe trotters as well, just like the men.

01:44:57 So their game is right up there,

01:45:00 but we just need to have it pretty much on par

01:45:02 in terms of everything, promotion,

01:45:05 everything that you see - TV rights, radio rights, everything.

01:45:08 Well, John, thank you so much,

01:45:09 and we thank you for keeping us abreast of all that is going on in Barbados.

01:45:14 Now, John, I apologise for taking you out of bed this morning,

01:45:17 but the good news is that you're first in line for the buffet.

01:45:20 I recommend the flying fish bruschette.

01:45:23 All right, that is John Rousing,

01:45:25 cricket analyst out of Guyana in Barbados at the moment,

01:45:29 covering the CPL.

01:45:30 It's time now for our Sunshine Moment.

01:45:33 (APPLAUSE)

01:45:35 (MUSIC)

01:45:37 (MUSIC)

01:45:40 (MUSIC)

01:45:42 (MUSIC)

01:45:44 (MUSIC)

01:46:13 Oh, you caught me there walking up as the Barbadian Seahawks.

01:46:17 Don't forget, for all the exclusive action,

01:46:19 check out our website at cplt20.com and tv6tnt.com

01:46:24 to get all of the CPL action,

01:46:26 and of course, our scheduling information and tickets.

01:46:28 I don't have any tickets, all right?

01:46:30 Check the website, schedule, check the website,

01:46:33 and you're going to get all the stuff at the bottom of your screen.

01:46:36 We take a pause, and when we come back,

01:46:38 I promise I've got some more good stuff coming up for you

01:46:40 on the Bowling Mount Cricket Show.

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01:48:06 (MUSIC)

01:48:13 When strong pain strikes, I take Panadol Ultra.

01:48:17 That relieves fast, five types of tough pain.

01:48:21 That's when I feel my pain starting to fade,

01:48:25 and I'm going back to myself.

01:48:27 Panadol, releases starts here.

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01:49:21 Tell you what, I'm so missing my horn this morning,

01:49:27 I'm just going to have a sip of tea to wake me up.

01:49:31 Usually that horn does the job.

01:49:33 I promise I'll bring it back next Monday.

01:49:36 Well, tell you what, we also went behind the scenes

01:49:39 having some exclusive chats as well.

01:49:41 While I was in St. Lucia covering the CPL,

01:49:43 I managed to have a chat with Danny Morrison,

01:49:46 who happens to be one of the voices of the CPL.

01:49:48 And we did air part one,

01:49:50 but here is part two of that interview.

01:49:53 46 clicks, and it's off midland leg,

01:49:56 and smoked on the cover.

01:49:59 Oh, take a bow, AB.

01:50:01 You think of Bumble Lloyd, you know,

01:50:03 the great David Lloyd, who's now in his mid-70s.

01:50:05 And yet what he brought to it,

01:50:07 and I often listened to him when he was on Sky,

01:50:09 and even then, you know, beefy both of them,

01:50:11 gave him a bit of a hard time,

01:50:12 "Have you taken your pills today, Bumble?"

01:50:15 Because we're a little bit more eclectic

01:50:17 and a little bit the other end of the scale,

01:50:19 I just think that brings a different flavour.

01:50:21 And so I think people can either gravitate to that,

01:50:24 and if we were all the same, it would be a bit bland, right?

01:50:27 So I just think for a lot of us that are a bit different

01:50:29 and a bit hyped and a bit amped,

01:50:31 it just brings a little bit more colour.

01:50:33 What do you think are your top three tips

01:50:35 for any aspiring young commentators out there?

01:50:38 What would you say are the top three things

01:50:40 that they must have to become a Danny Morrison, perhaps?

01:50:43 Well, I think you've got to love what you do in terms of the game.

01:50:46 So you love the game, and you've obviously got to have a bit of knowledge

01:50:49 and be cricket-centric about the game.

01:50:51 And also, I think your own style, you work out what your talent is.

01:50:56 Like I think of Marley Richards,

01:50:57 who did a bit with us in the last couple of years.

01:50:59 So, beautiful voice, different pace, different tone,

01:51:03 and again, that's not bad, that's what it is.

01:51:05 And now we've got Nikhil Uttamchandani.

01:51:08 So he, again, is a little bit more journalist,

01:51:11 but he likes to get up and think,

01:51:13 and I think you've got to have a strong voice.

01:51:15 Otherwise, also, you realise too, you get drowned out by the music.

01:51:18 So all of that sort of stuff is a very different light and shade

01:51:22 to, say, doing Test match cricket or even 50-over cricket.

01:51:25 So you need to get up at the right times.

01:51:27 And so I think for someone taking it on,

01:51:29 they've just got to simply love it and embrace it and be a sponge,

01:51:34 want to learn.

01:51:35 And radio, I mean, radio for a lot of us is a great medium,

01:51:38 and you can have more conversation around that.

01:51:41 You're not dictated to so much by television's editorial medium and all of that.

01:51:46 So in terms of that, I think for a lot of youngsters,

01:51:49 if they can get into radio first and go with that and love that,

01:51:52 then other things can lead on.

01:51:54 Before I let you go, what would you want your legacy to be in commentary,

01:51:58 and particularly the CPL, what legacy do you want to leave?

01:52:02 Well, I just think having a great time and I think embracing the people,

01:52:05 because that's what it's about.

01:52:06 And I think fundamentally you don't forget what the game's about.

01:52:10 You've got the fans, and the fans dictate that.

01:52:12 Like, we've had COVID, right?

01:52:14 If you don't have any fans, man, you notice what a tough job it is.

01:52:17 And so we felt that massively in 2020 and '21.

01:52:20 So they make it.

01:52:22 And I think here, a bit spoiled, really, because you can.

01:52:26 Everyone dresses up.

01:52:27 Carnival, there's history and the culture of that side of it.

01:52:30 So clearly, hello, I've embraced that.

01:52:33 And so have the others.

01:52:35 Like, Pommy Mbanga was here for the first time.

01:52:37 He loves that.

01:52:38 The music gets in your blood.

01:52:40 And I suppose the same would say, for instance, on the other side,

01:52:43 the IPL, which a lot of noise.

01:52:45 Their passion for the game is huge as well.

01:52:48 So, again, different.

01:52:50 But for me, at CPL, legacy would have to be a whole heap of love and passion.

01:52:56 Danny, thanks so much, man.

01:52:57 [INAUDIBLE]

01:52:59 [LAUGHTER]

01:53:01 It's for more.

01:53:03 Don't bother running.

01:53:04 It's for the double A's.

01:53:06 Danny Morrison.

01:53:07 All right, look at that.

01:53:09 St. Lucia Kings at the top of the standings.

01:53:11 Just one point.

01:53:12 But of course, look at that.

01:53:13 They also played a match more than the second and third.

01:53:17 But below, again, is where it gets interesting.

01:53:20 The remaining four teams, they are all on five points.

01:53:23 And this weekend's matches certainly would shuffle that deck better than any

01:53:27 all-fours pack that you've ever played with.

01:53:29 All right, coming up this Saturday, I spoke about this weekend.

01:53:32 Amazon Warriors are going to be taking on the Patriots.

01:53:35 That's the first match tomorrow morning.

01:53:37 It gets going early.

01:53:38 And the women's CPL match is going to sneak somewhere in between there,

01:53:42 where the Royals are going to be taking on the defending champions,

01:53:45 the Trinidago Knight Riders.

01:53:46 And then, in the evening, the Royals come back again against the top of the

01:53:51 table, St. Lucia Kings.

01:53:53 Are the Kings going to fall?

01:53:55 Barbados Royals are going to be the Kingmakers.

01:53:58 Well, you've got to stick around to find out.

01:54:01 Well, Dwayne Bravo, well, he's brought out a CPL song, of course,

01:54:06 which we premiered right here on our show.

01:54:09 And it seems in true song class fashion,

01:54:11 the Jamaica Talawas have answered back.

01:54:13 And they've got a song of their very own.

01:54:15 So, as we close out today, I'll leave you with the new song by De'Anni.

01:54:20 And it's an answer back to Dwayne Bravo, well, so to speak.

01:54:23 It's "The Bowl 'Em Out" cricket show.

01:54:25 [MUSIC - DWAYNE BRAVO, "THE BOWL 'EM OUT"]

01:54:47 [MUSIC - DWAYNE BRAVO, "THE BOWL 'EM OUT"]

01:55:07 This segment was brought to you by Republic Bank,

01:55:10 title sponsor and official bank of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League.

01:55:14 [MUSIC - DWAYNE BRAVO, "THE BOWL 'EM OUT"]

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