Morning Edition: 01st November 2023

CCNTV6

Watch Morning Edition: 01st November 2023 - CCNTV6 on Dailymotion

Transcript

00:00:00 (upbeat music)

00:00:02 - And good morning Trinidad and Tobago, I'm Marlon Hopkinson

00:00:17 and welcome to the Morning Edition.

00:00:18 It's November 1st, 2023.

00:00:21 And as I'm just listening to the music,

00:00:24 the Christmas season has begun.

00:00:27 So I suspect you are going to be hearing a lot more

00:00:30 of the Parang, the Soka Parang and so on every morning

00:00:34 as we move into the Christmas season.

00:00:36 Let me tell you something, there was a dangerous situation

00:00:39 on the Churchill Roosevelt Highway this morning

00:00:43 just under the overpass heading west, right?

00:00:47 So picture vehicles and they are being driven

00:00:52 at a rate of let's say 70 kilometers, 80 kilometers,

00:00:56 100 kilometers, yeah?

00:00:59 And they have to swivel away from a pile of garbage

00:01:03 and that's what happened this morning.

00:01:05 I had to swivel away too and I'm sure other motorists

00:01:08 would have had to take evasive action

00:01:10 but it stemmed from one of these dump trucks

00:01:14 and it's packed with garbage at the back.

00:01:17 There is no toppling, there is no tailgate

00:01:20 and as the truck moves on, garbage is falling off the truck.

00:01:25 Yeah, so this morning there was this garbage bag

00:01:29 and it's a flash, that's all I saw, this flash.

00:01:33 So I'm driving in the middle lane

00:01:36 and all of a sudden I come upon, I stumble upon

00:01:40 as sometimes the police will say, this garbage bag

00:01:44 and garbage strewn all over the highway.

00:01:49 Just yeah, and let me tell you, you see that dark spot

00:01:54 I've been speaking about and I've been calling

00:01:56 on the Ministry of Public Utilities to address

00:01:59 from the vicinity of Cipriani Labor College

00:02:01 comes straight down, that darkened area.

00:02:05 So that's the spot that all of this garbage

00:02:08 is strewn across the highway

00:02:10 and you have to take evasive action.

00:02:13 You know, so it was a very dangerous situation.

00:02:16 Again, poor lighting, Ministry of Public Utilities,

00:02:19 TNTEC, poor lighting in the vicinity

00:02:22 of the Cipriani Labor College coming down, yeah,

00:02:26 and this garbage strewn across the highway.

00:02:28 So it was a very dangerous situation.

00:02:30 I mean, I suspect the sun is coming up now

00:02:35 and there's going to be a level of traffic,

00:02:40 but that's something that I suspect maybe

00:02:42 the Ministry of Works and Transport can make a call

00:02:47 to get that garbage removed from the highway this morning.

00:02:50 Yeah, so some of the experiences that you encounter

00:02:55 when you're coming down to work very early in the morning.

00:02:58 Let's check out the Daily Express.

00:02:59 PM promises state will hunt down criminals.

00:03:03 Earl are happy with defense force call out

00:03:06 while Hines goes after liars

00:03:10 and officers rescue trapped suspect.

00:03:13 This was an interesting story, yeah.

00:03:15 Stuck in the middle, a fire officer pulls a man to safety

00:03:18 after he became stuck between two buildings

00:03:20 along Chacon Street in Port of Spain.

00:03:22 Yesterday, five men were arrested by police officers

00:03:25 after they tried to enter a warehouse from its rooftop.

00:03:28 And the fire chief has responded.

00:03:31 He says, "Don't blame me for that, you know.

00:03:33 "You see those wooden ladders?

00:03:34 "I don't know nothing about that.

00:03:35 "That wasn't me, that was my administration."

00:03:38 So fire chief on ladder fiasco, don't blame me.

00:03:41 And Kamala, public relations plaster on crime problem.

00:03:45 And I suspect she's referring to the statement

00:03:47 issued by the prime minister yesterday.

00:03:49 To the back page now, let's take in some sport.

00:03:52 Bronze queen, Ayesha's third, or secure's third.

00:03:56 Thomas sixth in women's 100 meter final at the Panem Games.

00:04:01 Yeah, all right, some of the stories

00:04:03 in the Daily Express for you today.

00:04:05 It's time to remind you of our Trim Bagel,

00:04:08 your nice feature to participate.

00:04:10 WhatsApp your videos or images to 737-3778, yeah.

00:04:16 This is Mosquito Creek, afternoon time.

00:04:20 Yeah, that's very, very quiet, wouldn't you say,

00:04:25 for the afternoon in Mosquito Creek.

00:04:26 But a very nice picture.

00:04:28 And good morning to the person who would have sent that in.

00:04:31 Remember to put your name so that we can say

00:04:33 a very special good morning to you, yeah?

00:04:37 Okay, so we do have a packed program for you today.

00:04:41 You have the coffee, you have the tea and something to eat.

00:04:43 Well, sit down and make yourself cozy

00:04:46 because it is going to be a very interesting two hours.

00:04:50 All right, so we are coming back.

00:04:52 ♪ Now I like the way you paint up and vanish all my flaws ♪

00:04:57 ♪ Now I don't mean to hurt you but I'm tingled ♪

00:04:59 ♪ Raise my voice ♪

00:05:01 ♪ For chocolate and gingerbread ♪

00:05:02 ♪ For carols and singers everywhere ♪

00:05:04 ♪ But for the Christmas morning man ♪

00:05:06 ♪ You're always the softest ♪

00:05:08 ♪ And the days are ♪

00:05:13 - Yes, he said he would give us the contract

00:05:15 but he had to fix it up.

00:05:17 It look official now.

00:05:19 Plus we could charge them more.

00:05:21 It's not his money, it's government money.

00:05:23 - So we eat our food and he eat our food.

00:05:26 And you know nobody ain't gonna say nothing.

00:05:28 - I'm sure like me, you are tired of hearing

00:05:35 the horror stories of overspending and corrupt practices

00:05:38 by public bodies that run rampant in our country.

00:05:41 And like me, you too want to speak up

00:05:44 but you may be wondering, what can I speak up on?

00:05:47 Bribery, corruption and fraud,

00:05:52 coercive and collusive practices

00:05:54 aimed at unfairly influencing others actions.

00:05:58 Any violation of the PPDPP Act 2015

00:06:03 and or its regulations.

00:06:05 Gross mismanagement, impropriety and misconduct

00:06:08 involving the use of public funds.

00:06:11 Victimization of a whistleblower

00:06:13 or a person related to a whistleblower.

00:06:16 Any activity which undermines the OPR's mandate.

00:06:20 Now you may ask, how do I speak up?

00:06:22 Remember I told you,

00:06:25 the OPR's whistleblowing system is confidential.

00:06:27 You can remain anonymous if you wish and it's secure.

00:06:31 And you can choose to speak up

00:06:32 in one of the four following ways.

00:06:35 Like me, you may choose to use

00:06:37 the 24/7 Whistleblowers Hotline

00:06:39 which features a worldwide toll-free number

00:06:42 with no caller ID and voice messaging activation.

00:06:45 Another way you can choose to speak up

00:06:47 is in person or walk in.

00:06:49 That's right, you don't even need an appointment.

00:06:52 Simply walk in and speak in confidence

00:06:54 with the whistleblowing reporting officer

00:06:56 or designate either with or without

00:06:59 your legal representative present.

00:07:01 A third way you can choose to speak up is in writing

00:07:05 which can be either typed or written in legible handwriting

00:07:08 in English only using the designated form

00:07:11 at www.oprtt.org/whistleblower.

00:07:16 Lastly, you can choose to speak up

00:07:18 using the 24/7 online platform

00:07:21 hosted by Whistleblower Security Inc.

00:07:23 an overseas provider.

00:07:25 Here, English and non-English speakers

00:07:27 can lodge their complaint anonymously.

00:07:29 Any complaint file can only be seen

00:07:32 by the whistleblowing reporting officer.

00:07:34 This ensures that your identity is protected.

00:07:38 Now, before you speak up,

00:07:39 please read our whistleblowing guidelines thoroughly

00:07:42 at www.oprtt.org/whistleblower.

00:07:47 Now, I know that we all want a better Trinidad and Tobago,

00:07:51 but to get that, we must speak up.

00:07:53 Doing so would lead to more accountability,

00:07:55 more transparency, and less wastage of public money.

00:07:59 For more information on how you can speak up,

00:08:01 visit www.oprtt.org/whistleblower

00:08:07 or call 1-868-224-5707.

00:08:12 (upbeat music)

00:08:15 (upbeat music)

00:08:19 (upbeat music)

00:08:21 - All right, everybody, so welcome back.

00:08:40 A special good morning to all of you.

00:08:41 As I said earlier,

00:08:42 we do have a lot for you on the program today,

00:08:44 but before we do that, let's touch on a few stories

00:08:47 that in the Daily Express today,

00:08:50 Fire Chief on $1 million ladder fiasco, don't blame me.

00:08:55 Chief Fire Officer Arnold Bristow

00:08:57 is distancing himself from the fiasco

00:09:00 that saw $1 million being spent

00:09:02 to buy 20 unusable wooden ladders for the fire service.

00:09:07 Instead, he's blaming the previous person in charge

00:09:10 for the ladders, which had to be discarded.

00:09:14 Bristow previously told the Sunday Express

00:09:17 that details with respect to the purchase

00:09:19 would be disclosed.

00:09:21 So yesterday there was a protest

00:09:23 outside the fire headquarters

00:09:25 on Wrightson Road in Port of Spain.

00:09:27 There were retirees of the fire service there.

00:09:30 The Chief Fire Officer was out there

00:09:34 and he would have spoken to reporters

00:09:36 about this bacchanal concerning these wooden ladders.

00:09:41 Wooden ladders, you know, boy, wow.

00:09:43 Yeah.

00:09:45 Let's check out some other stories in the newspaper today.

00:09:48 Polygraph Bill heads back to the House.

00:09:51 The government is going back to the House of Representatives

00:09:54 with the integrity testing Polygraph Bill today

00:09:57 because it recognizes, unfortunately,

00:10:00 that some personnel in key state institutions

00:10:03 act criminally and become criminals.

00:10:07 National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hines said yesterday,

00:10:10 "We are going back with this bill

00:10:11 "in order to build the confidence of the public

00:10:14 "in these institutions so that they, the public, know

00:10:17 "that these institutions are sound, solid,

00:10:20 "and possess the requisite levels of integrity,"

00:10:22 he said in an interview with the Express yesterday.

00:10:26 And there is support for the Army call-out.

00:10:30 Various business chambers have welcomed

00:10:32 the call-out of members of the Trinidad

00:10:34 and Tobago Defense Force volunteers

00:10:36 to support the crime fight.

00:10:38 Of course, there's a lot of debate

00:10:41 about the crime situation over the past few days.

00:10:45 Yesterday, the Prime Minister would have,

00:10:49 I would think he would have sent out a statement yesterday

00:10:52 and was speaking very, very tough in that statement.

00:10:56 And we are going to be discussing that

00:10:59 in a few minutes' time.

00:11:02 So dolphins have come ashore in Tobago.

00:11:05 A small pod of dolphins beached themselves

00:11:08 along Storbay in Tobago around midday on Monday.

00:11:12 All right, so let's move on into the program.

00:11:14 So this country's crime situation

00:11:16 has taken center stage again with the murder

00:11:19 of seven men in separate incidents

00:11:21 in less than 24 hours, all right?

00:11:25 So we also, as I would have told you yesterday,

00:11:29 the Prime Minister would have made a statement

00:11:33 on the crime situation, if studio would help me,

00:11:37 and assist me this morning, yeah?

00:11:40 Okay.

00:11:42 So do we have,

00:11:44 all right, so we are trying to make a connection

00:11:52 for you here this morning with Mr. Gavin Heerer.

00:11:55 Of course, you know he's a strategic security expert,

00:11:58 and we are going to be discussing

00:12:00 the Prime Minister's statement that he released yesterday.

00:12:06 All right, so while we try to do that,

00:12:08 you know it's live television,

00:12:09 you know how things happen sometimes technically.

00:12:13 So we are working on that for you.

00:12:15 So let's get back to some of the stories in the,

00:12:18 all right, so we do have Mr. Heerer, all right?

00:12:22 So we can resume, I can resume my introduction, all right?

00:12:26 So this country's crime situation

00:12:28 has taken center stage again with the murder

00:12:30 of seven men in separate incidents in less than 24 hours.

00:12:34 So yesterday, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley said,

00:12:37 "Notwithstanding the persistent efforts

00:12:39 "of the various state machinery,

00:12:41 "the selection of violence as a way of life,

00:12:43 "the love affair, and glamorization of firearms,

00:12:46 "and the wanton disregard for human life

00:12:48 "in Trinidad and Tobago,

00:12:50 "has now gone beyond concerning to the ridiculous."

00:12:54 In a statement he said, "This intractable situation

00:12:57 "now demands that the law-abiding citizens

00:12:59 "be given the right to their peace and safety

00:13:02 "above the freedom of the lawless

00:13:04 "and the violent few who operate with impunity."

00:13:08 He says, "The current violent crime spree

00:13:10 "will not be tolerated,

00:13:12 "and the state will redouble all efforts

00:13:14 "to curtail these violent outbursts,

00:13:17 "will hunt down and disarm the perpetrators,

00:13:19 "and will make operational adjustments

00:13:22 "so that the state security services

00:13:24 "can act with dispatch against the violent cohort

00:13:27 "of the national population."

00:13:29 Weighing in on the Prime Minister's statement this morning

00:13:32 is strategic security expert,

00:13:33 Homeland Security and Safety City Operations,

00:13:37 Gavin Heerer.

00:13:38 Mr. Heerer, good morning.

00:13:39 - Hey, good morning, Marlon, and good morning.

00:13:43 - Yeah.

00:13:44 All right, so hopefully we have worked out

00:13:46 the technical problems that Mr. Heerer is hearing me.

00:13:48 - Good morning.

00:13:49 - Yeah.

00:13:50 All right, Mr. Heerer,

00:13:52 as we look at the Prime Minister's statement of yesterday,

00:13:57 of course this followed seven murders

00:14:00 in 24 hours on the weekend.

00:14:03 Also, the Prime Minister would have met

00:14:05 with heads of law enforcement yesterday.

00:14:09 Mr. Heerer, what do you think the Prime Minister

00:14:12 is trying to achieve with this meeting,

00:14:15 and also this,

00:14:16 if I do look at the language in the release,

00:14:22 some tough language he has used in that statement?

00:14:26 (papers rustling)

00:14:29 All right, so we have lost Mr. Heerer.

00:14:32 All right, so we are going to a very short break.

00:14:34 We're trying to work out these problems for you.

00:14:36 We're coming back.

00:14:37 (dramatic music)

00:14:45 (dramatic music)

00:14:49 (door clicking)

00:14:52 (dramatic music)

00:14:54 (door creaking)

00:15:02 (dramatic music)

00:15:05 (dramatic music)

00:15:18 (dramatic music)

00:15:21 - Yes, he said he will give us the contract.

00:15:47 We had to fix it up.

00:15:49 So it look official now.

00:15:51 But we inside, we just looking for a little something back.

00:15:55 You know how it is going inside of it.

00:15:56 Plus, we could charge them more.

00:15:58 It's not his money, it's government money.

00:16:01 - So, we eat our food, and he eat our food.

00:16:03 And you know nobody gonna say nothing.

00:16:06 - We've all heard of stories like these.

00:16:08 Collusion, kickbacks, overpricing, and more.

00:16:12 But what can we do?

00:16:13 It's time to speak up.

00:16:16 Now anyone can report suspected waste, fraud, or corruption

00:16:20 to the Office of Procurement Regulation.

00:16:23 The OPR's whistleblowing system is confidential,

00:16:26 as you can choose to remain anonymous,

00:16:27 or not, as you make your report.

00:16:29 And it's secure.

00:16:30 And don't worry, when you make a whistleblowing complaint,

00:16:33 you are fully protected under Section 40

00:16:36 of the Public Procurement and Disposal

00:16:38 of Public Property Act of 2015, as amended.

00:16:41 Remember, your speaking up means

00:16:43 there is more accountability, more transparency,

00:16:46 and less wastage of public money.

00:16:49 But before you speak up,

00:16:51 please read our whistleblowing guidelines

00:16:53 at www.oprtt.org/whistleblowing.

00:16:58 For more information on how to speak up,

00:16:59 call 1-868-224-5707.

00:17:04 (upbeat music)

00:17:07 (upbeat music)

00:17:10 (upbeat music)

00:17:17 (upbeat music)

00:17:20 (upbeat music)

00:17:22 (upbeat music)

00:17:25 (upbeat music)

00:17:27 - All right, so welcome back everyone.

00:17:29 So fortunately we have worked out the technical problems

00:17:32 that we have been having this morning.

00:17:34 Let's go right away to Mr. Garvin Heera,

00:17:36 Strategic Security Expert.

00:17:38 Mr. Heera, good morning.

00:17:40 - Hi, good morning Marlon,

00:17:40 and as I said, good morning to your team and studio.

00:17:43 - Yes.

00:17:44 - And good morning to all of our viewers

00:17:45 who are streaming online.

00:17:46 - All right, so Mr. Heera,

00:17:47 a number of things have happened over the past few hours.

00:17:50 Yesterday, the Prime Minister would have sent out

00:17:53 a statement, re the crime situation in Trinidad and Tobago.

00:17:58 Yesterday also, the Prime Minister would have met

00:18:01 with heads of law enforcement.

00:18:04 Also, it was announced that 100 army volunteers

00:18:08 would be called out.

00:18:09 Yeah.

00:18:10 So as you look at all of these new developments,

00:18:15 what are your views this morning?

00:18:16 - Well, my views this morning has to be one of optimism.

00:18:21 As I always said, I'm an optimist.

00:18:23 Even when you look at the spiraling crime situation

00:18:26 in Trinidad and Tobago,

00:18:27 and you look at the challenges and the crisis that we are in

00:18:29 and the mass killings and the homicides

00:18:32 and the proliferation of arms and ammunition,

00:18:34 one could easily give up.

00:18:37 One could easily throw their hands in the air, but not me.

00:18:39 I'm an optimist.

00:18:40 I think we can turn this thing around.

00:18:41 And it's good to see that there are some developments

00:18:44 on the horizon.

00:18:45 The additional reserves out of the Trinidad

00:18:49 and Tobago Defense Force,

00:18:51 the Prime Minister putting out this statement,

00:18:54 the Prime Minister's office,

00:18:55 and then of course, as you said,

00:18:57 meeting with the heads of security.

00:18:59 Regarding the TPDF reserve, it is not a new dynamic.

00:19:04 We've seen this before around Christmas,

00:19:06 around Carnival, where there's an additional manpower

00:19:10 that boosts that of the present Defense Force contingent

00:19:14 and also to support the police service.

00:19:16 And we're hoping that from that move, from that initiative,

00:19:21 I should hopefully hear that there's an alignment

00:19:25 to some sort of operations plan.

00:19:27 There's a tactical deployment of the personnel

00:19:29 and there is a robust approach.

00:19:31 This was said there in the last paragraph

00:19:33 of the Prime Minister's statement,

00:19:35 a robust approach to hunt and to bring certain activities

00:19:39 to closure and of course, to get the perpetrators

00:19:42 who are holding this country at ransom.

00:19:45 The talk that he would have had,

00:19:48 that meeting with the heads of security,

00:19:50 what else can he tell them?

00:19:51 They too are aware.

00:19:52 They have their fingers on the pulse.

00:19:53 They are seeing what is happening.

00:19:54 They are feeling the pain.

00:19:56 So I'm hoping that he spoke to them,

00:19:57 not only as a Prime Minister,

00:19:59 but he would have spoken to them as a concerned citizen

00:20:01 and spoken to them as a father.

00:20:03 And therefore there's a necessity to really riot act,

00:20:07 as we would say in common language,

00:20:08 and let them know, enough is enough and zero tolerance.

00:20:13 Let's bring this thing under control

00:20:14 for the safety and security of Trinidad and Tobago.

00:20:17 - Yeah.

00:20:18 You know, Mr. Hira, I think that the Prime Minister

00:20:20 is saying certain things,

00:20:22 but I don't know if he wants to say certain things,

00:20:25 but he's saying certain things.

00:20:27 So if we can just touch a little bit

00:20:29 on some of the things that the Prime Minister

00:20:31 would have said in his statement.

00:20:33 So he speaks about the wanton disregard

00:20:35 for human life in Trinidad and Tobago.

00:20:38 It has now gone beyond concerning to the ridiculous.

00:20:41 He also said that this intractable situation

00:20:46 now demands that the law abiding citizens

00:20:49 be given the right to their peace and safety

00:20:52 above the freedom of the lawless and the violent few

00:20:56 who operate with immunity.

00:20:59 What do you think that the Prime Minister is saying here?

00:21:02 - What the Prime Minister is saying is our entitlement

00:21:04 as law abiding citizens is to live safe,

00:21:07 live in a society, live in a country,

00:21:10 live in a community where you don't feel

00:21:14 that you are being threatened.

00:21:16 You don't feel that you're walking the edge.

00:21:17 You can freely go to social issues.

00:21:21 You can go to the supermarket.

00:21:22 You can conduct your business in a country

00:21:25 that you feel safe and secure.

00:21:27 And clearly he is communicating to his heads of security,

00:21:32 communicating to the nation

00:21:34 that I know you are not feeling safe right now.

00:21:36 It has reached home.

00:21:37 And therefore this initiative hopefully

00:21:40 is gonna turn things around and you can feel safe again

00:21:43 once more in Trinidad and Tobago.

00:21:44 It has to be a promise from the Prime Minister's office,

00:21:47 but a promise that is met and kept and supported

00:21:52 with immediate effect, with strong action.

00:21:55 Because as I said, as a country we want to see

00:21:58 and not only hear, not only read on social media statement,

00:22:01 that statement needs to be followed up

00:22:03 with immediate effect, with strong law enforcement action

00:22:07 that can bring back that safety

00:22:09 to the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.

00:22:11 We are entitled to that safety.

00:22:13 We demand that safety and a few on the glamorization

00:22:17 that he had put it or the office had put it

00:22:20 regarding arms and ammunition and killing

00:22:22 that need to be brought to a stop.

00:22:24 And therefore what we are seeing

00:22:26 is that we want to feel safe again.

00:22:28 So this is how this Trinidad and Tobago feel safe again.

00:22:31 That's the gist of the issue.

00:22:33 - Yeah, and of course the Prime Minister also says

00:22:35 the state will redouble all efforts

00:22:37 to curtail these violent outbursts,

00:22:39 will hunt down and disarm the perpetrators

00:22:42 and will make operational adjustments.

00:22:44 And of course, Mr. Hira, you did touch on it.

00:22:47 You believe that there has to be a swift action

00:22:51 to make these statements of the Prime Minister a reality,

00:22:54 to make them real.

00:22:56 But do you think at all, because some people,

00:23:00 some of the naysayers may be saying this morning,

00:23:02 well, we have heard this type of talk before

00:23:07 and it's going to be a little difficult

00:23:11 for some people in Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Hira,

00:23:13 to digest this message from the Prime Minister.

00:23:17 - Yeah, you're quite truthful.

00:23:19 Another statement, we've heard that before.

00:23:22 And that is why I'm saying we have heard that before yet,

00:23:25 but it is a good opportunity to win back some support

00:23:29 and confidence with the citizenry,

00:23:31 if what we are hearing is followed

00:23:34 and matched with strong action.

00:23:37 So we will hunt, we will take back,

00:23:40 we will bring a semblance of hope and security,

00:23:43 has to be supported with an action

00:23:45 so you feel it and not only read it.

00:23:48 And what is very, very important also,

00:23:51 outside of a statement coming out

00:23:53 of the Prime Minister's office

00:23:54 and other key state agencies and their offices,

00:23:58 is to hear a voice speaking.

00:24:00 Somebody needs to send that merit message.

00:24:03 We need to change that narrative.

00:24:05 We need to get more serious and firm

00:24:08 and therefore declare that we are coming at you,

00:24:12 declare that we are going to bring this term in,

00:24:14 declare this is our plan and operation

00:24:16 because as it is now, reading it will just be fluff.

00:24:20 Reading it will just be, I will turn the page.

00:24:22 I've heard this, I've seen this before.

00:24:24 But when you get that firm action,

00:24:26 when you get that face that represents

00:24:29 what is being said in the statement,

00:24:31 followed by the actions of our state agencies,

00:24:34 it brings the citizenry to a position of,

00:24:36 okay, then we are going to start feeling

00:24:39 a little more comforted now

00:24:40 because we are expected to see some action.

00:24:42 But at the end of it all, it may involve some disruption.

00:24:45 And if it means that your life has to be disrupted

00:24:48 for a while while we bring or we resume

00:24:51 a normalcy of confidence and control

00:24:54 and bring back that safety and security,

00:24:56 then be prepared for some disruptions.

00:24:58 But then that too has to be communicated

00:25:01 by the state agencies.

00:25:02 This is what we are about.

00:25:04 So we ask for your support.

00:25:05 This is what we are about.

00:25:06 So we ask that you work with us.

00:25:08 This is what we are about.

00:25:09 We ask that you share your information

00:25:10 and it will be treated with confidentiality.

00:25:12 We need to hear a voice.

00:25:14 We need to see a face.

00:25:16 And the narrative needs to be changed

00:25:18 of just we will do, we will do, we will do,

00:25:20 and followed up by strong action against these perpetrators.

00:25:25 - Yeah, Mr. Hira, I know that you would have said

00:25:27 that you are an eternal optimist,

00:25:29 but as you look over, let's say, the past,

00:25:32 in recent months, what has been happening

00:25:34 in Trinidad and Tobago,

00:25:36 and you have incidents where several persons

00:25:39 are being killed at one time.

00:25:44 Let's look at the situation in Belmont

00:25:46 where four persons would have been killed on the roadside,

00:25:50 and then you had three murders following hours after.

00:25:55 It gives the impression, or it may give the impression

00:26:01 to the population that things are very much out of control.

00:26:08 How does the government fight that perception

00:26:12 and make people feel safe once again?

00:26:16 - No, I agree.

00:26:17 I agree with you fully.

00:26:19 It can send a message, it is out of control.

00:26:22 It can send a message, we are spiraling.

00:26:25 I said in another place recently,

00:26:27 if we don't start dealing with this immediately,

00:26:31 Port of Spain could very well be Port-au-Prince

00:26:34 in six months to a year

00:26:35 if we don't bring this thing under control.

00:26:36 That is correct, but that is not assuming

00:26:39 a positive pessimism.

00:26:41 On the side of that, it's a very few, very few.

00:26:44 These gangsters, these guys who are renting these guns

00:26:48 and doing these shootings, a very few of them,

00:26:51 but there's a strong gang warfare taking place

00:26:54 in Trinidad and Tobago,

00:26:55 and we cannot afford to be continuing

00:26:59 that sort of narrative.

00:27:00 We can't afford to be continuing that sort of promotion

00:27:05 and giving these people the oxygen of airplay

00:27:09 and glorifying sometimes in some instances

00:27:11 in social media, what is taking place.

00:27:13 We have to start subduing that.

00:27:15 We have to start ensuring that we are sending

00:27:19 a counter message to what we are seeing.

00:27:22 And therefore, if a black SUV can pull up

00:27:26 on a residential street in any one of our communities

00:27:29 and shoot four men who are lining in a corner,

00:27:31 which is a normal cultural behavior

00:27:33 in Trinidad and Tobago, then that speaks volumes.

00:27:35 It shows that just as the release would have said,

00:27:38 and we have been saying a long time ago,

00:27:40 yet maybe two, three years back,

00:27:42 that there has been a wanton disregard for law enforcement,

00:27:46 a wanton disregard for human life.

00:27:48 It is now being evident that we will kill two, three, four.

00:27:51 So they are glorified by the way they are conducting

00:27:54 these murders and these homicides

00:27:57 with high-powered weapons.

00:27:58 That is frightening for our society.

00:28:00 And we have agencies, personnel, plans, and expertise

00:28:05 in this country that can move away that fear,

00:28:09 that can bring back hope and a semblance

00:28:11 of comfort and security.

00:28:12 And we have to assume those type of operations.

00:28:16 At this point, it cannot be conversations,

00:28:18 conversations, talks, and talks.

00:28:20 These talks need to be moved into action.

00:28:22 That's what I'm saying.

00:28:23 And therefore, that will move away

00:28:26 from the fear to a semblance of hope.

00:28:29 That is where we need to be.

00:28:30 And I'm saying this again.

00:28:32 Yes, we called out the reserves.

00:28:34 Yes, we have the TTPS and the TTDF

00:28:36 and other law enforcement agencies.

00:28:37 Maybe it is time to look at our private security networks.

00:28:41 Maybe it's time to start partnering

00:28:43 with the private security networks

00:28:45 and utilize some of the skill sets

00:28:47 and the resources that exist within the,

00:28:50 what I'll call the platform of the private security network

00:28:53 so that communities can be patrolled probably

00:28:55 by the private security network

00:28:56 who's working with the police service.

00:28:58 Maybe they can adjust the law.

00:29:00 I'm just thinking out of the box

00:29:01 where they are allowed to carry arms

00:29:03 so that the police can focus on top of the hotspots

00:29:05 and the high tension areas

00:29:07 where they can deal with certain type

00:29:08 of crime and criminality.

00:29:10 And we can have the private security network

00:29:12 looking at the communities, patrolling the communities,

00:29:14 responding to calls in the communities,

00:29:16 panic buttons probably.

00:29:17 I'm just thinking out of the box

00:29:19 because we have to get out of the box now

00:29:21 and move away from the routine operational thinking

00:29:24 to see whether we can utilize the partnership

00:29:26 of working with the private security network

00:29:28 to bring back that semblance of safety

00:29:30 and security to our nation.

00:29:31 - How do you suggest that these 100 officers be used,

00:29:36 volunteers be used?

00:29:38 - I would say that, okay, we have 100 and something reserves.

00:29:43 It's not volunteers.

00:29:44 It's a TTF reserve being called out.

00:29:47 As I said, it's a normal operational plan

00:29:49 where they are called out to support

00:29:50 and to boost command power.

00:29:51 But I'm saying it should not just be boots in the ground.

00:29:54 What we should have is an operational plan.

00:29:56 What we should have is tactical deployment.

00:29:59 What we should have is a mapping

00:30:00 of where the high crime areas is,

00:30:02 the gang activity, the drug blocks,

00:30:04 or those who are on our list, those who are wanted.

00:30:07 And we utilize the opportunity of the additional manpower

00:30:11 twinned with the intelligence.

00:30:13 And we have a mass operation that can go at these targets

00:30:16 and we can arrest people and bring them before the courts.

00:30:19 That's one aspect of it.

00:30:20 Additional to that, we should establish a gold commander

00:30:24 and an executive, an operational executive.

00:30:27 And the gold commander, the operational executive

00:30:29 should keep the nation, should keep the citizenry informed

00:30:34 with periodic media briefs through the media

00:30:37 so that we can be aware of how this new initiative

00:30:40 is working and we can also be kept abreast

00:30:42 so we can measure the initiative and evaluate

00:30:46 as for the success ability of this initiative.

00:30:49 So it should not just be boots on the ground.

00:30:51 It should be twinned with an operational plan

00:30:54 and tactical deployment and establish it

00:30:56 with a gold commander and an executive command

00:30:59 that keeps the nation updated on the success ability

00:31:02 of this initiative through the media with periodic briefs.

00:31:06 - Yeah, Gavin Heerer, it's always a pleasure

00:31:08 speaking with you, thank you very much.

00:31:10 - Thank you very much and God bless

00:31:12 and you'll have a safe one.

00:31:13 - All right, so it's time to take a quick break.

00:31:16 We're coming back.

00:31:16 ♪ Everything went up in the air ♪

00:31:18 ♪ Show them how they, show them how they ♪

00:31:20 ♪ Frontier back to jump up and away ♪

00:31:22 ♪ Old flesh and this madness in me ♪

00:31:24 ♪ Break everything went up in the air ♪

00:31:26 - You know, who would have ever believed, eh?

00:31:29 Jessica could take care of a child, eh?

00:31:32 - I know, right?

00:31:33 I'm a kinship foster parent to my nephew, Malik.

00:31:37 - Papa, you remind me of my grandmother, you know,

00:31:40 when she used to take care of my cousins.

00:31:43 - If I didn't step in, I don't know

00:31:45 where he would have ended up.

00:31:46 Plus, I get support from Children's Authority,

00:31:49 training and counseling.

00:31:52 - But Jessica, you're not married.

00:31:53 - That doesn't matter.

00:31:54 Once you have a safe home and you're related to the child,

00:31:59 you're good.

00:31:59 - So did his give you money to do this?

00:32:01 - Yeah, they do give me some money.

00:32:03 - So auntie, you could buy all of my games for me?

00:32:06 - Oh, I'm so sorry, Malik,

00:32:08 but that money's to take care of you.

00:32:10 Okay, smuggle up, smuggle up here.

00:32:13 - I will try.

00:32:14 Mommy, you can buy--

00:32:15 - No.

00:32:16 - Wait, I haven't even finished my sentence.

00:32:19 - Bought Lamborghini, you can get lamb stew for lunch.

00:32:22 - Auntie Jessica, Karuni, come when you come in,

00:32:24 'cause all I'm just doing is talk people business.

00:32:27 - (speaks in foreign language)

00:32:28 - But Mommy, the boy don't even live here.

00:32:30 - Yeah, go to your bunkers.

00:32:33 - What, bunkers?

00:32:34 Who's that?

00:32:35 I think I'm getting pretty good at this.

00:32:37 - This Christmas, get ready

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00:32:48 Journey into the heart of the season

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00:33:25 Don't miss this unforgettable celebration of unity, love,

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00:33:36 See online platforms for details.

00:33:41 - Hello everyone, I am Sharmaine Noel

00:33:44 and welcome to the program Highway of Holiness.

00:33:47 Tune in every first Sunday on CCN TV6 at 7 a.m.

00:33:52 where you will hear the very heart and mind of God.

00:33:56 God bless you.

00:33:57 (upbeat music)

00:34:01 ♪ The place for the woman and bride ♪

00:34:03 ♪ Well, are you going home last night ♪

00:34:05 ♪ Because you can't party ♪

00:34:06 ♪ People say that we cause a trouble ♪

00:34:09 ♪ Trouble, trouble ♪

00:34:10 ♪ Just for show we cause a trouble ♪

00:34:13 ♪ Trouble, trouble ♪

00:34:14 ♪ Everybody bragging for food ♪

00:34:16 ♪ Bragging for food ♪

00:34:18 - All right, so tensions are on the rise again

00:34:20 at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine campus

00:34:23 where West Indies group of university teachers

00:34:26 is again protesting over outstanding monies.

00:34:28 It says exam papers are due on Friday,

00:34:31 but they won't be submitting them.

00:34:32 We got president and UWE lecturer, Dr. Indira Rampersad

00:34:35 joins us to tell us more this morning.

00:34:38 Dr. Rampersad, good morning.

00:34:39 - Hi, good morning Marlon and good morning viewers.

00:34:42 - Yes, well, Dr. Rampersad, I suspect this is just taking

00:34:46 the protest to another level now to meet your demands.

00:34:51 - Yes, well, it's continuing protest.

00:34:53 So today, November 1st, we launch Wary Wednesday,

00:34:58 Wary Wednesday, meaning that it's a day of rest

00:35:02 and reflection, we got members asked to wear black

00:35:05 in solidarity with the cause as we know what the cause is.

00:35:09 The cause is that we find 2% to be indecent

00:35:14 and therefore we are letting our voices be heard

00:35:18 in a very silent manner today, but not on Friday.

00:35:23 However, on Friday, we would be on again,

00:35:26 a protest march, peaceful protest march at UWE,

00:35:30 the LRC Greens from midday, where we will be marching again

00:35:34 to the principal's office,

00:35:36 our members will be expected to wear red.

00:35:40 So today it's really a day of rest and reflection,

00:35:42 as I said, and our members are asked to stay

00:35:45 at their respective work stations.

00:35:47 And then, you know, they can pray and meditate,

00:35:50 read, research, relax, keep fit, engage in deep thoughts

00:35:55 and stress relief, dream of an offer of much better salaries,

00:36:00 back pay, improve benefits, you know,

00:36:04 their health and wellness is important

00:36:06 and they are very tired, they're weary, they're exhausted,

00:36:08 so they need to rest.

00:36:10 - But Dr. Rampersad, there may be some who are listening

00:36:13 to us this morning and of course the protest is continuing

00:36:17 and some of them may be wondering,

00:36:19 have the protests been working at all?

00:36:22 Has there been any movement towards your demands?

00:36:25 - Well, there have been no movement towards the demand

00:36:29 because while we had verbally rejected the remit of 2%,

00:36:34 the principal asked us to put it in writing, we did.

00:36:39 The last update we have from her is that it's gone

00:36:42 to the Ministry of Education, that's formal rejection.

00:36:46 But it was rejected, you know, it was a verbal rejection

00:36:48 and she had conveyed that to them.

00:36:51 But she asked for the formal rejection, which we did.

00:36:54 And we don't know where it's gonna go from there.

00:36:57 So if it's not gonna move, it will have to move

00:37:02 because Marlon, the exam papers, the question papers

00:37:07 are due on Friday, the 3rd of November.

00:37:11 That's the day we are marching.

00:37:13 And no, the members are saying, no increase, no exams.

00:37:20 Okay, no increase, no exams, and no increase, no grades.

00:37:25 If you don't have exams, you will not have any grades.

00:37:28 So we expect that they will do something,

00:37:30 they will have to do something about it.

00:37:33 The status quo cannot obtain.

00:37:36 The other part of this fiasco is that they are expecting

00:37:40 the university to fund any increase.

00:37:43 The campus principal is categorically stating

00:37:47 she's powerless and they don't have the capacity

00:37:50 to fund any increase.

00:37:52 But that is the battle that the campus management

00:37:55 has to fight with the government.

00:37:57 Our fight is really with the management

00:37:59 because we actually negotiate with our employer.

00:38:04 So you see the conundrum, Marlon.

00:38:06 - Of course, Dr. Rampersad, but I'm sure that

00:38:08 there are some parents and even students

00:38:11 who are going to be saying this morning,

00:38:13 but we are the ones who are paying.

00:38:15 We understand that your role,

00:38:16 maybe with the administration,

00:38:18 but if you have a situation where you're not submitting

00:38:21 exam papers, well then I suspect the argument could be

00:38:25 it is directly affecting the student.

00:38:28 - Well, if it doesn't affect the student,

00:38:31 it's not gonna have an impact.

00:38:33 Isn't that the nature of industrial action?

00:38:35 It's an unintended consequence, surely.

00:38:37 We didn't want this to happen.

00:38:41 We certainly don't want this to happen.

00:38:43 We're very committed and dedicated workers.

00:38:46 But when TNTEC decide that they're gonna shut down

00:38:50 electricity in Brutus Action and you and I get affected,

00:38:54 isn't that the same thing?

00:38:57 Such is the nature of industrial action.

00:38:59 You know, if a petrol train, which is actually shut down,

00:39:03 but when they shut down, they strike

00:39:06 and we don't get gas at the pumps.

00:39:09 All the consumers are affected.

00:39:12 So such is the nature of industrial action.

00:39:14 It has to be radical in order to bring some action.

00:39:18 We are hoping a good sense will prevail

00:39:20 among the powers that be.

00:39:22 And that they are going to increase this remit

00:39:25 so that we can get something reasonable,

00:39:28 something acceptable, and we can move forward.

00:39:30 We were hoping that it would be short and sweet,

00:39:32 but that is not happening.

00:39:33 It's now becoming quite delayed.

00:39:35 It's a protracted dispute, as we would say.

00:39:38 And you know, we would have to do what we have to do

00:39:40 to ensure a better remit.

00:39:42 - Yeah.

00:39:44 I don't mean to belabor the point,

00:39:45 but I want to ask one more question on this matter.

00:39:49 Is there any other option by Wigott except protest?

00:39:53 - Well, you start to protest initially

00:39:58 because what you do, Marlon, you negotiate.

00:40:01 So protest is not the first thing.

00:40:03 - Of course.

00:40:04 - You don't protest first because, you know,

00:40:05 it's a basically a radical move.

00:40:08 You are, and we are calling for shutdown

00:40:11 of all the systems and operations in the UE.

00:40:14 So the basics are taking place at the UE,

00:40:17 but we know our members,

00:40:18 many did not attend the graduation ceremony.

00:40:20 The graduation did go off

00:40:21 because our members are not critical to that process,

00:40:25 meaning that in their presence there,

00:40:27 they have to prepare the students for graduation

00:40:30 throughout the year.

00:40:31 But, you know, we have been negotiating,

00:40:34 which is actually the first stage of the process.

00:40:36 And the negotiations are not going anywhere.

00:40:39 So it's reached a deadlock.

00:40:42 And when it reaches a deadlock,

00:40:43 then you start to take action.

00:40:46 You know, thereafter there would be other avenues,

00:40:48 you know, that we can go,

00:40:49 probably consolation or whatever.

00:40:51 So we are given this some chance,

00:40:54 and we are hoping that we'll get some traction.

00:40:57 And if not, then there will be other avenues to explore.

00:41:01 - Do the students and parents

00:41:04 understand the reason for your protest?

00:41:07 They do understand the reason for the inconvenience

00:41:10 and so on.

00:41:11 So my question is,

00:41:12 are you getting the support of parents and students?

00:41:17 And even teachers, yeah?

00:41:19 Your members? - Well, we are hoping so,

00:41:21 because like I said, every parent out there,

00:41:24 and some of our students themselves are working,

00:41:26 and they are also feeling the pinch

00:41:28 because the government's not been giving a good remit

00:41:32 to most of the other unions.

00:41:34 The PSA has not settled, as we know,

00:41:36 the OWTU has not settled,

00:41:38 and they are the two biggest unions in the country.

00:41:42 Everyone out there is feeling this rise in cost of living.

00:41:45 I'm sure you are as well, Marlon,

00:41:47 this rise in cost of living,

00:41:49 as well as the inflation,

00:41:52 because we are on 2014 salaries.

00:41:55 We are not on par with our sister campuses

00:41:58 at Cave Hill and Mona, Barbados and Jamaica.

00:42:01 And so, you know, it's reached a stage

00:42:04 where the members just find that enough is enough.

00:42:08 They can't handle any more, you know,

00:42:10 and it's time to do something about it.

00:42:13 I'm telling you, it's now 10 years.

00:42:15 It's now 10 years, we are on 2014 salaries.

00:42:19 Something has to give.

00:42:21 - Yeah, and Dr. Rampersad, how do you break this deadlock?

00:42:25 Would you support some type of mediation?

00:42:28 I don't know, I'm just asking.

00:42:30 - We are welcoming any move, any overtures,

00:42:34 any positive overtures.

00:42:35 We have left the lines of communication open

00:42:38 with the management who we negotiate with.

00:42:41 We have been in touch with the management.

00:42:43 We had long meetings with the management.

00:42:46 They keep saying their hands are tied

00:42:48 because the government expect them to fund any increases.

00:42:52 They can't even fund the 2%,

00:42:54 much more for any other increases.

00:42:56 We have rejected the 2% anyway.

00:42:59 So this is deadlock at all levels.

00:43:02 This is deadlock between us and the management.

00:43:05 And it's also deadlock between the management

00:43:09 and the government because it's not going forward.

00:43:11 - Yeah, does the government have a role at all, you think?

00:43:14 - The government has a critical role.

00:43:17 The government funds all the other contributing territories

00:43:20 of the UEE, Barbados, Jamaica, Antigua, you name it.

00:43:24 They have been funding their salary increases,

00:43:27 their back pay, their benefits, allowances.

00:43:29 And Trinidad and Tobago government

00:43:31 has been doing it as well for a long time.

00:43:34 So we don't know what is happening this round.

00:43:37 It's a very, very strange occurrence for us.

00:43:40 - Yeah, but has there been any overture?

00:43:44 Has there been any attempt by the government

00:43:46 to intervene in this matter?

00:43:48 - Well, it's not a question of intervention.

00:43:51 It's a question of they have a critical role.

00:43:53 The line ministry is the ministry of education.

00:43:58 That is the line ministry

00:43:59 whom the university management, the campus management

00:44:03 has traditionally engaged.

00:44:06 However, they are not making headway

00:44:09 in getting the government to budge.

00:44:11 And the principal has still been trying to get a meeting

00:44:14 with the minister of finance since June or July.

00:44:19 And she was promised that in August

00:44:21 and that didn't happen.

00:44:21 And Marlon, we are now in October, November.

00:44:25 Today's the 1st of November, yes.

00:44:27 November 9th, May, it's been launched today.

00:44:29 - Yes, Dr. Rampersad, what's the next step by WGAT

00:44:32 and how do you see all of this playing out,

00:44:34 let's say in the next few weeks?

00:44:37 - Well, I think it's going to be worrying

00:44:40 for everyone concerned.

00:44:42 The students are going to be concerned about their exams

00:44:44 because if we don't submit papers, question papers

00:44:48 on Friday, the 3rd of November,

00:44:50 the exams can be in jeopardy.

00:44:52 The conflict, the dispute is now escalated

00:44:55 until we get something coming,

00:44:58 something better coming from the government

00:45:01 and from the government to the management,

00:45:03 from management to the staff.

00:45:06 - Yeah, Dr. Rampersad, it's always a pleasure

00:45:08 speaking with you.

00:45:09 Thank you very much for speaking with us this morning.

00:45:11 - Thank you so much for having me, Marlon,

00:45:13 and have a great day.

00:45:14 - All right, so it's time for another break.

00:45:17 We do have this image for you.

00:45:18 It's from Shanice Charles of the Valencia River.

00:45:22 Yeah, looks good for a dip.

00:45:23 We're coming back.

00:45:24 (upbeat music)

00:45:27 (children screaming)

00:45:47 (upbeat music)

00:45:50 - This Diwali, let the divine lights of the dears

00:46:06 bring victory over darkness into your life.

00:46:08 Happy Diwali to all.

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00:46:45 - Port of Spain, get ready.

00:46:46 Bacchanal bubble and bad behavior is here at Napa

00:46:50 for two nights only on Saturday the 4th of November

00:46:52 at 8 30 PM and Sunday the 5th at 6 30 PM.

00:46:55 - Henry stole $2 million.

00:46:56 - Nice guy and he's the host.

00:46:57 - The hilarious Bacchanal bubble and bad behavior.

00:47:00 It's the comedy event of the year.

00:47:02 Port of Spain, Napa.

00:47:03 Don't miss.

00:47:04 - Police. - Police.

00:47:05 - Sergeant Alexander Rogers, Port of Spain CID.

00:47:06 - Tickets available at our usual outlets.

00:47:08 Check social media and press for further details.

00:47:11 - More police. - What?

00:47:12 - Detective Sergeant Hayward, Columbia Police.

00:47:14 - Oh God.

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00:47:34 (upbeat music)

00:47:39 (speaking in foreign language)

00:47:43 - Beyond the Tape, weekdays at 5.30 p.m.

00:48:06 (upbeat music)

00:48:09 - All right, everybody.

00:48:20 So it's time to take some calls from you.

00:48:23 So you're calling us on 623-1711.

00:48:25 The extension is 19.95.

00:48:26 We just have a few more minutes.

00:48:28 We are going to take some calls.

00:48:29 We are going to take the seven o'clock news headlines

00:48:32 and then we'll open back the lines to you all.

00:48:35 A number of things happening in Trinidad

00:48:36 and Tobago that we want to hear your views on.

00:48:39 So you can call us now on 623-1711.

00:48:42 The extension is 19.95.

00:48:45 These numbers are working again.

00:48:47 All right, let's look at some of the stories

00:48:50 making the news today.

00:48:51 COP welcomes volunteers.

00:48:53 Police Commissioner, Erla Christopher is welcoming

00:48:56 the 100 Defense Force Reserve officers

00:48:59 who have been called out to assist

00:49:01 with law enforcement operations, right?

00:49:05 In a voice note sent to various arms of the media yesterday,

00:49:08 Christopher said, "The TTPS has a history of collaboration

00:49:12 with the TTDF in several areas,

00:49:14 including the availability of personnel

00:49:17 to support the initiatives of this police service."

00:49:22 Yeah, Rio Claro is our first call this morning.

00:49:25 Good morning, Rio Claro.

00:49:27 - Hey, how are you?

00:49:28 - I'm good.

00:49:30 - Yeah, man.

00:49:30 Hey, I'm calling to ask you,

00:49:31 I've been here all this morning,

00:49:33 I'm calling to ask you about the incident,

00:49:35 private police force, that's what you said?

00:49:39 - Studio, could you raise the audio for me?

00:49:42 Let me hear what the gentleman is saying.

00:49:44 Rio Claro, repeat what you would have said.

00:49:47 - Yeah, I was joining this morning, I was here,

00:49:51 I was here in Cavanera talking about private police force.

00:49:55 - It's not private police force,

00:49:58 but I think he was referring to

00:50:02 other persons in the security sector,

00:50:05 if I can put it that way.

00:50:06 He believes there's a rule for them.

00:50:08 - Other persons in the security sector,

00:50:11 you know what it is, transport, or like,

00:50:14 I could say, because what he meant to say was like,

00:50:18 so like a security company being enacted like a police

00:50:23 to provide, to undertake police duties around the country,

00:50:28 that is what I'm supposed to be saying?

00:50:30 - Well, I don't know that that is a new suggestion,

00:50:33 you know, I mean, we have heard it during talk

00:50:36 about the role of security companies

00:50:39 and the role of the citizen, all in that context.

00:50:42 So it has been a feeling that everyone has a role to play

00:50:46 in the fight against crime.

00:50:47 - But I don't think that is a wise move

00:50:51 in putting private businesses in charge of police

00:50:55 in the country.

00:50:57 We already have a police force,

00:50:58 if we need more policing,

00:51:00 we have more police personnel,

00:51:03 because I'm putting up an allegiance to the country.

00:51:06 If I have private police force,

00:51:08 they will be to an allegiance to a businessman.

00:51:11 That is the wrong way to go for--

00:51:13 - Well, I don't know, I think in the way

00:51:15 that you have described, I don't know that he has described

00:51:18 it that way, a private police force.

00:51:21 Of course, there are, to even think about something like that

00:51:26 a number of things have to be put in place.

00:51:28 But I don't know that that is the way

00:51:29 that he suggested for that to work.

00:51:32 Yeah.

00:51:33 All right, so you're calling us on 623-1711,

00:51:36 the extension is 1995.

00:51:39 So you can please call us now.

00:51:42 The chambers are also welcoming the initiative,

00:51:45 support for the army call out various business chambers

00:51:49 have welcomed the call out of members of the Trinidad

00:51:52 to Bagel Defense Force volunteers

00:51:54 to support the crime fight.

00:51:56 However, they do have some concerns.

00:51:59 All right, we do have another call.

00:52:00 Good morning, caller.

00:52:02 - Good morning.

00:52:03 - Good morning.

00:52:04 - I'm concerned about this private security bill

00:52:08 and the treatment of private security officers currently.

00:52:14 - Go ahead, we're listening.

00:52:18 - Yeah, the hours of work, some of them work

00:52:23 without relief to three shifts.

00:52:26 We need to look at the rights of these workers.

00:52:31 They have no rights currently.

00:52:33 - But is there not an estate police association, sir?

00:52:36 - The estate police don't cover those people.

00:52:39 - All right, okay.

00:52:40 - Yeah, what we're talking about,

00:52:43 the estate police officer totally different.

00:52:46 - All right, I suspect estate would be like

00:52:49 officers attached to WASA, Air Force Authority.

00:52:52 - Correct. - Organizations such as that.

00:52:54 Right, yes.

00:52:55 Okay, well, I suspect you are a member of a security firm,

00:53:01 an employee of a security firm.

00:53:05 - No, I'm a member of the protective service.

00:53:08 - Okay, all right, okay.

00:53:10 But you do have concerns about the conditions

00:53:14 that officers operate on.

00:53:15 - Yes, I attended a symposium hosted by the industrial court

00:53:21 in Ochantabego at the high ups this year.

00:53:25 And one of the presenters was from Jamaica

00:53:31 and he highlighted the issues these people facing

00:53:36 and it will be coming here soon.

00:53:38 - Yes, all right, thank you very much, sir.

00:53:42 All right, so we do have another break.

00:53:45 We are going to the seven o'clock news headlines.

00:53:47 We're coming back with some more of your calls.

00:53:51 (upbeat music)

00:53:54 - I am Anzal Gibbs with a news update.

00:54:01 As the meta tool in TNT continues to increase,

00:54:05 Prime Minister Rowley,

00:54:06 the head of the National Security Council,

00:54:09 meets with the leadership of the protective services.

00:54:12 Meanwhile, the president has called out 100 members

00:54:16 of the volunteer defense force.

00:54:19 - The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service

00:54:20 has a history of collaboration

00:54:22 with the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force in several areas

00:54:26 and for the availability of personnel

00:54:28 to support the initiatives of the service.

00:54:30 The TTPS welcomes the initiative provided for

00:54:34 in the legal notice issued by her excellency,

00:54:37 the president of the Republic,

00:54:39 for the additional manpower to supplement the officers

00:54:42 of the TTPS as we intensify our operations

00:54:46 in preparation for the critical period

00:54:49 of Christmas in the carnival.

00:54:51 - Retired fire officers protested on Tuesday,

00:54:57 calling on the chief fire officer

00:54:59 to pay outstanding meal and housing allowances.

00:55:03 The fire chief says he's following up with officials

00:55:06 at the Ministry of National Security

00:55:09 on paying the retirees.

00:55:12 - Yes, that will have to be done,

00:55:13 whether or not we like it or not.

00:55:15 I mean, these people are owed the money,

00:55:18 but it's an exorbitant sum,

00:55:21 but that will need to be approved

00:55:23 and the payment will have to be done.

00:55:24 - If there was an estimated payment, what would it be?

00:55:28 - We're looking at the vicinity of about,

00:55:30 the last check would have been about $14.5 million.

00:55:32 - And in the weather forecast,

00:55:36 the islands can expect a few partly cloudy spells

00:55:39 to interrupt long sunny conditions

00:55:42 with showers in different areas.

00:55:44 There's a medium chance of isolated thunderstorm activity,

00:55:48 especially during the afternoon hours

00:55:51 and concentrated across parts of Western

00:55:54 and hilly areas in Trinidad.

00:55:57 Heading offshore, well, northerly swell effects

00:55:59 are no longer affecting the coastlines

00:56:02 of Trinidad and Tobago.

00:56:04 Seas during this time will remain steady

00:56:06 between one and 1.2 meters

00:56:09 with near calm conditions in sheltered areas.

00:56:12 (upbeat music)

00:56:15 (upbeat music)

00:56:18 (upbeat music)

00:56:21 (upbeat music)

00:56:23 (upbeat music)

00:56:52 - Trinidad and Tobago Carnival 2024,

00:56:55 the launch event is coming.

00:56:57 Join us for this epic cultural explosion

00:57:02 on Saturday, 4th November from 3 p.m.

00:57:04 at the Queens Park Savannah.

00:57:05 Bring the entire family.

00:57:07 It's absolutely free.

00:57:10 Dear Carnival, it's time to come back home.

00:57:14 A production of the National Carnival Commission

00:57:16 of Trinidad and Tobago

00:57:17 in collaboration with Tuco, Pantrin Bago and TTCBA.

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00:57:42 ♪ Do you remember ♪

00:57:43 ♪ I can feel it coming in the air ♪

00:57:47 ♪ Coming in the air ♪

00:57:49 ♪ Coming in the air tonight ♪

00:57:54 ♪ Do you remember ♪

00:57:57 ♪ Who don't ♪

00:57:58 ♪ When we had a lot ♪

00:58:00 ♪ Do you remember the time ♪

00:58:02 ♪ I'm alive and I love the way ♪

00:58:04 ♪ Do you remember ♪

00:58:06 ♪ Who don't ♪

00:58:07 ♪ When we had a lot ♪

00:58:09 ♪ Do you remember the time ♪

00:58:11 ♪ I'm alive and I love the way ♪

00:58:13 ♪ Do you remember the time ♪

00:58:15 ♪ Who don't ♪

00:58:16 ♪ When we had a lot ♪

00:58:18 ♪ I'm moving ♪

00:58:20 ♪ Moving forward every day ♪

00:58:23 ♪ Jesus ♪

00:58:25 ♪ I just let him lead the way ♪

00:58:27 ♪ Every second, every minute, every hour of the day ♪

00:58:32 ♪ I'm moving ♪

00:58:34 ♪ With Jesus every day ♪

00:58:36 ♪ 24/7, 24/7 ♪

00:58:38 ♪ With Jesus every day ♪

00:58:40 ♪ 24/7, 24/7 ♪

00:58:44 ♪ I'm moving ♪

00:58:44 ♪ 24/7, 24/7 ♪

00:58:46 ♪ With Jesus ♪

00:58:48 ♪ I'm moving ♪

00:58:49 ♪ 24/7, 24/7 ♪

00:58:50 ♪ With Jesus every day ♪

00:58:53 ♪ I stay home with you ♪

00:58:56 ♪ All the chores I have been to do ♪

00:58:59 ♪ I tired of the complaining ♪

00:59:02 ♪ The constant tongue lashing ♪

00:59:04 ♪ So when they come for me ♪

00:59:06 ♪ I want you go with me ♪

00:59:09 ♪ Where you're ♪

00:59:10 ♪ Then you go see ♪

00:59:11 ♪ Don't be paranoid about me ♪

00:59:13 ♪ Where you're ♪

00:59:14 ♪ Don't you go know ♪

00:59:16 ♪ Why I love me ♪

00:59:16 ♪ I'm a paranoid boy ♪

00:59:17 - Yeah boy, barren boy, sweet boy, yeah?

00:59:19 (laughs)

00:59:21 Thank you for the Parang music this morning.

00:59:23 As I said, the Christmas season has begun

00:59:25 on the morning edition,

00:59:26 so you're gonna be hearing a lot more of that.

00:59:29 All right, so we are continuing with your calls.

00:59:31 We do have a lot more on the program for you today,

00:59:34 a lot, at least three more interviews,

00:59:36 very interesting interviews,

00:59:38 and a lot of beneficial information for you.

00:59:42 However, in the meantime, let's take a few more calls.

00:59:45 You're calling us on 623-1711.

00:59:47 The extension is 1995.

00:59:51 All right, let me just touch on another story.

00:59:54 Hindu school ransacked, cash taken.

00:59:57 An office at Reform Hindu School in Williamsville

01:00:00 was broken into and ransacked

01:00:02 after it was secured on Monday afternoon.

01:00:05 Money was taken.

01:00:06 Let's take another call.

01:00:07 Good morning, caller.

01:00:08 Caller, good morning.

01:00:11 - Hello? - Yes.

01:00:13 - Hello? - Yes.

01:00:14 - Caller? - Yes.

01:00:15 - Turn on the volume on your television set if it's up,

01:00:18 'cause we're getting a feedback.

01:00:20 - You're hearing me now?

01:00:24 - Yes, but I'm hearing you twice, twice.

01:00:27 So you need to turn on the volume on your television set

01:00:31 and listen to me on the phone.

01:00:32 - You're hearing me now?

01:00:34 - All right, go ahead.

01:00:35 - Yeah, all this initiative with the,

01:00:39 with this president and the soul and so forth, okay?

01:00:43 Right, what about the president call the prime minister

01:00:48 and the opposition to have dialogue,

01:00:50 to call about crime?

01:00:52 What about that?

01:00:54 - Well, you remember they--

01:00:55 - Someone's going through the window.

01:00:59 - You remember they had promised that after the,

01:01:02 the budget debate, after the budget was passed,

01:01:05 that they would engage in such talks.

01:01:08 So we're just waiting now for the talks to begin.

01:01:13 - No, that is good enough.

01:01:14 They have president,

01:01:16 a president put that in the situation where he confused,

01:01:21 how come something so important was not well-done,

01:01:24 to ignore, come and ignore them.

01:01:26 How he come with the initiative to da-da-da-da-da.

01:01:28 That is bullshit.

01:01:30 - Call her, call her, call her.

01:01:32 All right, we understand, we understand.

01:01:35 All right, call her, that's gonna be

01:01:37 for your contribution this morning.

01:01:39 So we understand how frustrated you are

01:01:42 about the crime situation.

01:01:43 We do understand that.

01:01:44 I would like to tell all callers,

01:01:47 please practice some restraint.

01:01:50 We do understand how emotional you could be,

01:01:53 but I don't know that the talks are not on.

01:01:57 For the past few weeks,

01:01:57 we've been hearing from both sides,

01:02:00 what they, how they expect the talks to go,

01:02:03 who should be a part of the talks,

01:02:04 who should not be a part of the talks,

01:02:05 but we know that the talks are still on.

01:02:07 So we are going to have to have a little more patience.

01:02:10 All right, let's take another call.

01:02:12 Good morning, caller.

01:02:13 - Good morning, madam.

01:02:14 - Morning, morning.

01:02:15 - These people, Hindu people,

01:02:21 their intent is to blame people of other religions.

01:02:27 This could be an inside job.

01:02:30 If somebody gets disenchanted with their own religion

01:02:36 or their own church, they could do that.

01:02:39 It happens to Baptist church, it happens to Catholic church,

01:02:43 it happens to every religion.

01:02:44 - Yes, you're right.

01:02:45 - You understand?

01:02:46 - Yes.

01:02:47 - And they get that.

01:02:48 I see people coming in a Catholic church

01:02:51 right down the road in Red Hill.

01:02:54 Two Saturdays, and they sit down in the church,

01:02:59 and they wait because the church will take up

01:03:02 on everything and rob the church.

01:03:05 So it has to be Hindus.

01:03:08 People who is not Hindus doing these things,

01:03:13 they have to stop blaming people

01:03:15 because it happens everywhere.

01:03:17 - Yeah.

01:03:18 - Okay.

01:03:19 - Well, as I said earlier this week,

01:03:21 I think that our leaders, religious leaders,

01:03:26 they are viewing these matters

01:03:29 as not acts of religious intolerance,

01:03:34 but really some troublemakers,

01:03:37 some people who are just, they're delinquent, they're wild.

01:03:41 So it's not a particular religion against another religion.

01:03:46 So I'm glad it is being seen in that context.

01:03:50 We have another call.

01:03:51 Good morning, caller.

01:03:52 Caller?

01:03:55 - Hello, good morning.

01:03:56 - Yes, good morning.

01:03:57 - Morning, sir.

01:03:59 Is it, I just want to confirm something, sir.

01:04:02 Is it, when the UN, she was in power a few years ago,

01:04:06 it wasn't the same prime minister who said,

01:04:09 if you can't get, see what the crime situation,

01:04:12 you have to get out?

01:04:13 - Go ahead, I'm listening.

01:04:16 - Yeah, well, I think he's a part of the problem now.

01:04:21 So we, the country has to do something, man.

01:04:25 This thing is getting terrible in this place.

01:04:27 You can't go to your own house now.

01:04:31 You know, so that's what I had to say, sir.

01:04:33 - All right, well, thank you very much.

01:04:34 Well, from my experience with this whole crime situation

01:04:38 and my knowledge about it,

01:04:39 this situation has been going on for many, many years.

01:04:43 As I have said at another place,

01:04:46 to me, this whole problem would have taken

01:04:49 maybe about 30 years to reach where it has, we are now at.

01:04:54 So we have been calling for a quick response

01:04:59 and rightly so to deal with the crime situation.

01:05:02 But if a situation would have taken 30 years to develop,

01:05:06 I don't know if we are going to,

01:05:10 or we can expect a solution overnight.

01:05:13 Yeah, unless it's something really draconian.

01:05:17 Let's take another call.

01:05:18 Good morning, caller.

01:05:19 - Hello? - Yes, good morning.

01:05:23 - Good morning. - Yes.

01:05:26 I would like to find out about back pay pertaining,

01:05:31 especially to MPS security section.

01:05:35 Because from my understanding up to now,

01:05:38 no word has been given as to the union

01:05:42 signing for back pay security.

01:05:44 All right, and this is outstanding.

01:05:49 The cleaning department signed

01:05:52 and they got back pay current after they signed

01:05:56 and we have from since 2016, self-outstarted.

01:06:01 And then what I'm hearing is they wanted to sign for us

01:06:06 for 2% for one cycle and the next cycle,

01:06:11 but the first cycle, no percent,

01:06:13 second cycle, 2%, and the third cycle,

01:06:17 which is coming to current year, this year, 2%.

01:06:21 That is not 4%.

01:06:22 So how come they are treating us the same?

01:06:25 - But are you all represented by a union, a trade union?

01:06:29 - There is a union represented,

01:06:31 but for some reason, there's a breakdown.

01:06:33 I don't know what is the problem

01:06:35 or why we are getting a different agreement.

01:06:38 - All right.

01:06:39 Well, to me, I mean, you are members of the union.

01:06:44 You are paying dues to the union.

01:06:47 So you have to put the union to work.

01:06:50 You're still there?

01:06:51 All right.

01:06:52 You're calling us on, oh, we do have another call.

01:06:53 Good morning, caller.

01:06:55 - Good morning, Marlon.

01:06:56 Good morning.

01:06:57 - Morning.

01:06:58 - What bothers me is that we're in a crisis situation.

01:07:02 - Yes.

01:07:02 - And you have minds like Gavin Hera

01:07:05 and Gary Griffith on the sideline

01:07:10 who are two experts in the field of crime control.

01:07:14 They have proven it in the past.

01:07:17 And I don't know why we're,

01:07:18 is either you're pregnant or you're not pregnant.

01:07:21 You can't be half pregnant.

01:07:23 Is either you want to deal with it

01:07:25 or you don't want to deal with it.

01:07:26 - Yeah.

01:07:27 - Because I remember when the INAR got into power,

01:07:31 one of the first thing that they instituted

01:07:34 sell sites with soldiers all over the country.

01:07:38 From Point 14 to Blanche Chez,

01:07:42 to Paria, Point 14, everywhere had a place

01:07:46 that were housing soldiers that did joint patrol

01:07:50 with the police in the division.

01:07:53 You understand what I'm saying, Marlon?

01:07:54 - Yep.

01:07:55 - So I don't think that this regime is capable

01:08:00 or willing to deal with the crime situation in this country.

01:08:04 It's just a farce, my brother.

01:08:06 You're scabbing out 123 people.

01:08:09 Marlon, you try to scatter that over to Nidara and Tobago

01:08:12 and see what you end up with.

01:08:14 - I hear you.

01:08:16 But I think that, and this is for any and every government,

01:08:21 as a government, or governments cannot take the position

01:08:27 to throw up their hands.

01:08:28 They have to try to provide a measure of relief

01:08:33 to the citizenry, right?

01:08:36 And you can't have any government coming out

01:08:39 and saying, well, we have given up, right?

01:08:41 So governments will keep on trying and trying and trying

01:08:45 until they do get the results.

01:08:48 But this has been going on for a number of years.

01:08:52 And I don't really wanna talk about the politicians.

01:08:55 I wanna talk about the population,

01:08:57 because I think that we as a population

01:08:59 have had a very hands-off approach

01:09:01 and have said over the years, well, let the politicians,

01:09:05 let the politicians govern

01:09:06 and deal with the crime situation,

01:09:08 when I think your voices need to,

01:09:11 needed to be heard a little more, right?

01:09:14 So you're calling us on 623-1711.

01:09:16 The extension is 1995, yeah?

01:09:21 So it's, I mean, it's good to see that crime

01:09:24 is on the front burner again, right?

01:09:28 Because you know how we are in this country,

01:09:29 really a nine-day wonder.

01:09:31 We speak about something now and then there's a lull, yeah?

01:09:35 Let's take another call.

01:09:36 Good morning, caller.

01:09:38 - Good morning, Marlon.

01:09:39 - Yes, morning.

01:09:40 - Yes, sir, now it's been a week

01:09:44 since that remarkable judgment of the court

01:09:47 concerning the noise.

01:09:51 - Oh, yes.

01:09:52 - I am yet waiting to hear something from our commissioner.

01:09:57 I just saw where she is happy

01:09:59 that the president did what she did.

01:10:01 - Yes.

01:10:02 - But she has nothing.

01:10:04 By now, one would have expected

01:10:07 that she would have sent out the decree

01:10:09 to all police stations, letting them know,

01:10:12 okay, now is the time,

01:10:14 you all are supposed to deal with it in this way.

01:10:17 And most of all, what should be happening now, Marlon,

01:10:20 is that police should have started since last week

01:10:23 going to these bars and areas and speaking to people,

01:10:27 warning them, letting them know that, hello,

01:10:29 you all were able to get away with something for a long time

01:10:32 and it's now going to be dealt with,

01:10:34 so if you all put on your own.

01:10:36 - So let me also say something to you

01:10:39 because you have been at the forefront

01:10:42 championing this cause for something to be done

01:10:45 about noise pollution.

01:10:46 So we have been hearing noise from you

01:10:48 and I'm saying noise in a good way,

01:10:50 but what about like-minded persons such as you?

01:10:54 Where's the noise coming from

01:10:57 when it comes to this noise pollution problem?

01:11:00 - Yeah, Marlon, I am part of the group.

01:11:02 - You're part of the group, but what is the group saying?

01:11:05 We're not hearing the noise from the group.

01:11:07 - Yes, and I have had discussions with the heads.

01:11:11 I'm not nowhere near the heads,

01:11:14 but I would have had discussions with the heads

01:11:17 who have been telling me that they are doing other things.

01:11:20 All right, I am doing what I can on my side,

01:11:23 but they are doing other things.

01:11:24 But Marlon, we are being ignored.

01:11:25 And Marlon, you know, worse yet,

01:11:28 I find civic-minded citizens are very silent on this

01:11:33 and I can't understand why.

01:11:35 You know, they are very silent

01:11:36 and we don't seem to be getting support from general public,

01:11:41 if you understand what I mean.

01:11:42 And I find that sort of disturbing.

01:11:45 And I am also a bit disappointed with the media as a whole.

01:11:49 - Really?

01:11:50 But we have been supporting you all the way.

01:11:53 - No, no, no, don't get me wrong.

01:11:55 I'm talking about the media as a whole, not TV6.

01:11:58 Not just TV6, the media as a whole,

01:12:00 because somebody should be...

01:12:03 There are three people, Marlon, there are three people.

01:12:07 There are three people that the media is not questioning.

01:12:12 One is the police commissioner,

01:12:14 two is the transport commissioner,

01:12:16 and three, which is the most important,

01:12:19 is the attorney general.

01:12:20 Nobody is speaking to these people on this issue

01:12:22 and I have a problem with that.

01:12:24 I really have a problem with that.

01:12:25 You understand?

01:12:26 I'm not blaming TV6 alone,

01:12:30 or the express alone.

01:12:31 I'm talking about in general, the media.

01:12:33 The media is not questioning.

01:12:34 These three people I just called,

01:12:36 they need to be questioned.

01:12:38 - Well, what I would have expected from your organization,

01:12:41 your group of people,

01:12:43 is that they would have penned letters to the commissioner

01:12:46 and the EMA and even media houses

01:12:50 expressing your concern about the situation.

01:12:54 - Well, Marlon, I think everybody knows by now, you know.

01:12:57 But I understand what you're saying.

01:12:59 - Yes.

01:13:00 - I understand what you're saying,

01:13:01 but I just feel the media has a level of clout

01:13:04 that even we, as a group of 3,000 plus, don't have.

01:13:08 You know what I mean?

01:13:09 - Wait, wait, wait, wait.

01:13:10 You're telling me 3,000 of you all are in this group?

01:13:13 - Yes, when I joined the group,

01:13:15 it was 1,000 something.

01:13:16 Now it's 3,000 plus.

01:13:18 Yeah, imagine that.

01:13:19 And we are being ignored.

01:13:21 But if I was at the,

01:13:22 because they know exactly what we are facing, Marlon.

01:13:24 Marlon, the group is on Facebook.

01:13:26 And anyone who has access--

01:13:27 - You're telling us 3,000 people are in this group.

01:13:32 And you know what?

01:13:33 So you're telling me we're not hearing

01:13:35 the 2,999 other persons, we're only hearing you?

01:13:39 - I'm doing my part, as I said.

01:13:42 I can't tell you other people what to do.

01:13:45 - Well, all right.

01:13:46 All right, well, as you know, we're here to assist.

01:13:49 Hopefully we hear from the 2,999 other persons, yeah?

01:13:54 But we thank you for the work that you have been doing.

01:13:56 We do have time for another call, yeah?

01:13:58 You have the caller?

01:14:02 All right, so you're calling us on 623-1711.

01:14:05 All right, we do have the call.

01:14:07 Good morning, caller.

01:14:08 - Good morning, caller.

01:14:09 - Yes.

01:14:09 - Marlon, good morning.

01:14:10 - Morning.

01:14:11 - Morning.

01:14:12 What I see you doing is diverting all the attention

01:14:16 from the authorities that are having this place ill.

01:14:19 In that kind of way, and you're telling people to do,

01:14:23 but we don't give you a...

01:14:25 - When we do, when they have a group petition,

01:14:30 whatever the case may be,

01:14:31 it's not just the authorities.

01:14:32 - All right, what exactly are we speaking about?

01:14:35 What issue are you directly speaking about?

01:14:37 - Any kind of issue that's in the country, Marlon.

01:14:39 - Right.

01:14:40 - We as reporters, the media,

01:14:45 we just kind of divert our attention

01:14:50 from the government and the authorities

01:14:52 and the ones in power to make the change.

01:14:55 And we just be telling the people to do and do and do,

01:14:59 but nothing has been met.

01:15:01 It's a kind of shutdown on the citizens.

01:15:03 No matter what we look,

01:15:04 the caller just now saying there are 3,000 people in the group.

01:15:08 Who hearing him?

01:15:08 They keep pushing for us to do and do,

01:15:12 but the attention is on the authorities, it's not me.

01:15:15 - But you don't believe,

01:15:17 you don't believe there is strength in numbers?

01:15:20 You don't believe that?

01:15:21 - Yes and no.

01:15:22 - Yes.

01:15:23 - Maybe numbers come out that have the forces to shut us down.

01:15:26 The forces not there to really serve us, you know?

01:15:29 - Well, I--

01:15:31 - I see you kind of deflecting your attention

01:15:34 on the real problem.

01:15:36 The problem is not we doing as a people.

01:15:39 The problem is the ones in power.

01:15:42 - Well--

01:15:42 - And me, they just always, always deflect that.

01:15:45 - Well, I don't know that to be true.

01:15:47 I don't have to explain my position.

01:15:50 My history, I've been around a while

01:15:53 and I think my work can speak for myself.

01:15:56 You know, I've been very vociferous

01:15:59 concerning certain matters.

01:16:01 So I don't have to repeat, you know,

01:16:03 what I have done and continue to do.

01:16:07 But I do believe, yeah, there are people,

01:16:11 everyone in authority, they do have a responsibility

01:16:15 to serve this country in the way that the citizenry

01:16:19 would like them to be served.

01:16:20 But also, let us not discount the power

01:16:25 that the citizen has, all right?

01:16:27 So it's time for a quick break.

01:16:29 We do have this sunrise for you over the Western Peninsula.

01:16:33 We're coming back.

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01:18:22 Don't miss this unforgettable celebration of unity,

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01:18:52 However, in the midst of these alarming conditions

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01:19:37 - Join us every Monday morning at 8.30 a.m.

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01:19:46 (upbeat music)

01:19:48 - Thing is about to break for you.

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01:20:21 - Walk into your new season.

01:20:25 (upbeat music)

01:20:27 - More barren folia boy, barren in all your prepping

01:20:44 this morning, eh?

01:20:45 So the Civilian Conservation Corps will be hosting

01:20:48 a graduation for approximately 900 trainees.

01:20:51 We do have with us this morning, Major David Benjamin.

01:20:55 He's the director of Specialized Youth Services Program.

01:20:59 Major, thank you very much for coming this morning.

01:21:01 - Thank you very much, Marlon.

01:21:02 Nice to be with you and with your viewers.

01:21:05 - Yeah, well, Major, we have a lot to talk about

01:21:07 in a very limited time.

01:21:08 So we know about the graduation ceremony.

01:21:11 We're talking about new intake

01:21:13 and we're speaking about

01:21:15 my lot also.

01:21:18 - Correct.

01:21:19 - All right, so Major,

01:21:20 Major, you guide us this morning.

01:21:22 Any topic you wanna deal with first, you go to that.

01:21:25 - So the Trinidad and Bego Defense Force

01:21:28 and I'm a Defense Force Reservist.

01:21:30 So you see the reserves have been called out, right?

01:21:32 And we do youth intervention work

01:21:37 alongside the Ministry of Youth Development

01:21:39 and National Service.

01:21:41 So the programs that the MyDNS has worked,

01:21:45 has asked the Defense Force to manage on their behalf,

01:21:49 the Civilian Conservation Corps Program,

01:21:51 the MILAT Program, Military-Led Academic Training.

01:21:54 And we've just been reassigned the MIPATH Program,

01:21:57 which is the Technical Vocational Brother Program

01:22:00 to the CXC MILAT Program.

01:22:04 CCC is still there, still with us, right?

01:22:09 We've been able to increase our numbers from 800

01:22:11 last year to 900 this year.

01:22:15 And I'm proud to say that our retainance rate has increased

01:22:20 because this year we are graduating approximately 825

01:22:24 of the 900 persons that started.

01:22:26 - Yeah.

01:22:27 - And that to us is a phenomenal accomplishment.

01:22:30 Us being able to engage our young people

01:22:33 in worthwhile career building activities.

01:22:38 We consider Civilian Conservation Corps

01:22:40 as a bridging program,

01:22:41 getting persons back on their pathway towards success.

01:22:45 And we offer 26 varied trade and skills within the program,

01:22:50 in addition to life skills development,

01:22:55 in addition to citizenship training,

01:22:59 national service training,

01:23:02 all under the leadership and the guidance

01:23:06 of the personnel from the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force.

01:23:09 Retired personnel,

01:23:10 as well as serving personnel of the Defense Force.

01:23:12 So we think that the opportunities for young people,

01:23:15 we are talking with the Ministry of Education right now

01:23:20 in terms of coming up with strategies to assist them

01:23:23 with persons who are deemed out of control,

01:23:26 persons who are deemed beyond control,

01:23:30 as they will see within the discipline matrix

01:23:33 of the education system,

01:23:35 to work with the Ministry of Education and MyDNS

01:23:40 to come up with a strategy through the MILAD program,

01:23:42 through the CCC program and myPATH,

01:23:45 to assist persons who may not be as well aligned

01:23:50 for the traditional education system

01:23:54 as it may apply to them.

01:23:56 - Yes, so you provide alignment.

01:23:58 - Well, we hope to be one of the resources

01:24:01 that the ministry can use to assist those young people

01:24:05 to find their way.

01:24:05 Because it is clear that traditional education

01:24:10 doesn't fit with everyone.

01:24:13 Some persons need other kinds of encouragement,

01:24:15 other kinds of guidance.

01:24:17 What we provide is a regulated environment

01:24:20 so that persons understand that discipline

01:24:22 and obedience and instruction is part of what is required

01:24:27 to exist in today's society.

01:24:30 So the following of rules,

01:24:31 the following of procedures,

01:24:34 as well as systems and adherence to systems

01:24:39 is part of your education,

01:24:40 is part of you becoming a better person.

01:24:43 - Yeah, and I'm sure that you would have seen

01:24:46 the transformation among the young people

01:24:50 that you all have charge over.

01:24:53 - Definitely.

01:24:54 - Have they been embracing

01:24:58 what you all have been imparting to them?

01:25:01 - Certainly, because what we use is a holistic approach.

01:25:04 Some people believe that because we are military,

01:25:06 we may come with a sort of clandestine approach,

01:25:09 but our trainers have been involved in recruit training.

01:25:13 We've worked with recruits.

01:25:15 And that recruit training,

01:25:16 by dint of the experience of that process,

01:25:20 we understand that you have to build characters.

01:25:23 And in building characters,

01:25:25 you're able to imbue change of behavior.

01:25:30 Not everyone may approach a situation in the same way.

01:25:35 So we find the mentor-mentee alignment

01:25:40 that is best suited to the individual

01:25:42 and would help that individual to thrive in the situation.

01:25:46 So we may be fighting with someone

01:25:50 to get five O levels or six O levels,

01:25:53 but the person is not cut out for that

01:25:55 and may not be focused in that direction.

01:25:59 So there are other options.

01:26:00 There are several other options.

01:26:01 So what we try to do is to match the person

01:26:04 with the best possible direction and option

01:26:06 so that they can thrive.

01:26:07 - There may be the perception, you know, major,

01:26:11 that CCC is for the troubled youth.

01:26:14 Is that perception correct?

01:26:16 - It's not, it's not.

01:26:18 The Civilian Conservation Corps is for persons,

01:26:21 for any person who has not been successful

01:26:24 in the traditional education system, right?

01:26:28 What that program does is it allows persons

01:26:31 to get certification in a variety of skill areas

01:26:36 that they can realign themselves

01:26:39 and find their way back on track.

01:26:41 So for me, it's a second chance program, right?

01:26:44 So yes, we have persons who might have had a brush

01:26:49 with the law.

01:26:50 Yes, we have persons who might display

01:26:53 levels of indiscipline,

01:26:54 but we also have very disciplined young people

01:26:56 who come to the program.

01:26:57 But who may have an educational challenge.

01:27:00 They may have a social challenge

01:27:04 in terms of the support system in their family,

01:27:06 not being able to give them the tools required

01:27:10 to be successful.

01:27:11 - But has there been a buy-in,

01:27:13 let's say from the wider community,

01:27:15 that when a person, a student,

01:27:20 if I can put it that way,

01:27:21 from the CCC approaches an employer,

01:27:24 gives them this certificate,

01:27:25 is there a buy-in from members of the public

01:27:27 like that this person is trained,

01:27:29 this person is competent, capable,

01:27:32 and can provide the service that they're offering?

01:27:34 - It's growing.

01:27:35 It's not perfect.

01:27:36 - Yes.

01:27:37 - It's growing.

01:27:38 We have introduced over the last two years

01:27:41 an apprenticeship program.

01:27:42 And at the end of our skills training,

01:27:44 four months of skills training program,

01:27:46 all programs in CCC are CVQ level one approved.

01:27:51 That means a person can take the certificate

01:27:53 and they can go regionally, internationally, locally,

01:27:56 and become employed because it's CVQ,

01:27:58 Caribbean Vocational Certification,

01:28:00 and TT and VQ certified.

01:28:02 That is a good entry point.

01:28:07 - Yes.

01:28:07 - So we have partnered with a number of organizations.

01:28:10 So Massey is one of the organizations

01:28:12 we've partnered with,

01:28:13 Vemcut, Hyatt have taken persons

01:28:17 who graduated with culinary arts skills.

01:28:21 Massey has taken 30 persons on an apprenticeship

01:28:24 for auto mechanics.

01:28:26 Vemcut has been one of our excellent partners over the years.

01:28:30 They've taken probably close to about 10 persons,

01:28:33 in their various plants.

01:28:36 So we have organizations that are working with us.

01:28:40 We want more organizations to work with us, certainly.

01:28:42 Right, and this is why I'm here this morning

01:28:45 to speak to John Public about giving persons

01:28:48 from the Civilian Conservation Corps,

01:28:50 my lot and my part, the opportunities,

01:28:52 because us training them

01:28:54 is only one stage of their development.

01:28:56 Them having an employment to sustain themselves

01:29:01 or having an opportunity to sustain themselves

01:29:03 is really the full circle.

01:29:05 - It's really a marathon.

01:29:07 - It is, it is.

01:29:08 We pass the baton to other individuals

01:29:12 who have the resources, who have,

01:29:14 of course, we're gonna try to work on them

01:29:17 becoming their own entrepreneurs as well.

01:29:18 - Yes.

01:29:19 - So it's not only working for persons,

01:29:21 but it's also developing that entrepreneurial spirit.

01:29:25 And through the Ministry of Youth Development

01:29:26 and National Service,

01:29:27 we have also been able to imbue some of those training areas

01:29:32 for entrepreneurship through NETCO

01:29:35 and other organizations.

01:29:36 - Major, tell us about the opportunity

01:29:38 for the CCC's new intake.

01:29:43 - So we have proposed to the Minister

01:29:47 that we increased the number of students incrementally.

01:29:52 And Minister has also given me a mandate

01:29:55 to try to have other locations open.

01:29:59 Right now we have 1,000 that we're looking at.

01:30:05 Already we have close to 2,500 applications.

01:30:09 But what that means is that there is a demand.

01:30:12 What we try to do is to choose the persons

01:30:15 who are most in need of the program.

01:30:18 So not everyone will get an opportunity,

01:30:21 but it's those persons who are most needy of the program

01:30:24 that we will be able to accommodate.

01:30:28 But in the long run,

01:30:29 the intent is to widen the scope of the program,

01:30:32 to increase the number of locations

01:30:34 and the access to the program.

01:30:36 - So the new round of training begins when?

01:30:39 - In the middle of January,

01:30:41 15th of January is when we're looking at.

01:30:43 - Yes.

01:30:43 - We will be going for 10 months.

01:30:45 - Right.

01:30:46 - From January 15th.

01:30:48 - But at this time, is there any room for people to register?

01:30:53 - We are still accepting applications.

01:30:55 Applications never close.

01:30:56 - Yes.

01:30:57 - What we do is if someone is not accepted at this time,

01:31:01 we roll over.

01:31:02 And remember, what we're looking for is the persons

01:31:05 who best suit or best fit the program.

01:31:07 - All right.

01:31:08 Major, we just have about 30 seconds.

01:31:09 How can people register for the CCC if they'd like to?

01:31:13 - So TT Connect, you go to TT Connect

01:31:16 and you could download the registration form

01:31:18 and you complete it.

01:31:19 It could be uploaded there as well.

01:31:21 You go to the Ministry of Youth Development

01:31:23 and Youth Development and National Services website,

01:31:26 and you will see the links for CCC, for MyLab, for MyPath.

01:31:30 You can apply through that portal as well.

01:31:33 - Yeah.

01:31:34 Major Benjamin, thank you very much.

01:31:35 And thank you very much for your continuous contributions.

01:31:39 Thank you.

01:31:39 - Thank you very much.

01:31:40 - Okay, so we are going to a very short break.

01:31:42 We're coming back.

01:31:43 (upbeat music)

01:31:45 (upbeat music)

01:31:48 (upbeat music)

01:31:50 (upbeat music)

01:31:54 (upbeat music)

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01:32:26 (upbeat music)

01:32:28 (upbeat music)

01:32:40 (upbeat music)

01:32:43 - Inspiration through song makes our souls rejoice.

01:33:01 ♪ Go out and tell the world of Jesus ♪

01:33:06 ♪ Tell of the wondrous things he does ♪

01:33:09 - Inspiration through dance is fueled by the spirit.

01:33:12 ♪ The wildest breath the gospel people can't imagine ♪

01:33:14 - Inspiration is found in the diversity of nature.

01:33:18 ♪ Go tell the world of Jesus ♪

01:33:19 - Inspired word of God, directs the past.

01:33:23 - Join us every Monday morning at 8.30 AM,

01:33:26 right here on TV6 for our many moments of inspiration.

01:33:30 - Skill, online here with this weirdo named Larry.

01:33:35 I'm getting rid of him now.

01:33:36 (soft music)

01:33:39 (laughing)

01:33:42 - Let's take a selfie.

01:33:49 - It looking good boy.

01:33:53 I present online.

01:33:54 - Hey, I thought you say you went to the beach

01:34:00 with your parents.

01:34:01 - Who's you?

01:34:02 - It's me, Larry.

01:34:05 - From online.

01:34:07 (soft music)

01:34:09 ♪ We don't match enough to get you ♪

01:34:25 ♪ And keep falling behind the sun ♪

01:34:29 - All right, so welcome back everyone.

01:34:31 So we are talking about the College Fair 2023

01:34:34 and we are joined in studio this morning

01:34:36 by Mr. Eli Levine,

01:34:38 US Embassy Assistant Public Affairs Officer.

01:34:40 Mr. Levine, thank you very much for coming.

01:34:42 - Good morning, thank you for having me.

01:34:43 - Well, I know Mr. Levine,

01:34:45 this is a very popular event, you know,

01:34:47 that we in Trinidad and Tobago look forward to every year.

01:34:50 Please tell us about it.

01:34:52 - Yeah, so the College Fair, as you mentioned,

01:34:53 is a huge event here.

01:34:55 Last year we had over 7,000 students, parents,

01:34:58 and guidance counselors come through.

01:35:00 This year we'll have over 20 US colleges and universities

01:35:03 alongside our Canadian partners

01:35:05 and some of our local institutions as well.

01:35:08 Those who register will be able to come in,

01:35:10 talk to college reps,

01:35:12 attend informational sessions on applying for college,

01:35:15 applying or filling out your application,

01:35:18 getting a student visa,

01:35:20 and all that important stuff,

01:35:21 and then get to see a bit about

01:35:23 what it means to study in the United States.

01:35:24 - Yeah, what's the criteria that people should have

01:35:28 to apply for this opportunity?

01:35:30 - So the fair is open to everyone,

01:35:33 but obviously the target audience is undergraduate level.

01:35:36 So these are students who will be thinking about

01:35:40 heading off to college in the next year.

01:35:42 They'll have to look into taking

01:35:44 potentially some standardized testing,

01:35:46 like the SAT or ACT.

01:35:49 But the really great thing about this fair

01:35:51 is that if you aren't exactly sure about what you need,

01:35:53 we have a ton of information sessions,

01:35:55 and these reps are there to provide you specific information

01:35:58 related to the programs you're interested in

01:36:00 about how to prepare

01:36:01 and how to submit a really good application.

01:36:03 - Yeah, and these opportunities are for how many students?

01:36:07 - So the fair itself is not specified

01:36:12 for a certain number of students,

01:36:13 but it's reps from the US colleges

01:36:16 will be there to talk about degree programs

01:36:18 that are open to everyone in theory.

01:36:20 So you just have to fill out the application,

01:36:22 submit an application,

01:36:24 and then the college will make a decision

01:36:25 as to whether or not to admit you.

01:36:27 And then if you're admitted,

01:36:28 then there's no necessary limit on the number of students.

01:36:32 - Yeah, and you know,

01:36:33 from covering the fair over the years,

01:36:38 we in the media, on the surface,

01:36:39 it looks to be very, very successful.

01:36:42 Tell us about the success of the fair.

01:36:44 - Yeah, it's an amazing experience.

01:36:47 There are over, as I mentioned,

01:36:49 7,000 people came through last year.

01:36:52 We're actually over that number now

01:36:54 in registrations for this year.

01:36:56 We have about 2,000 people for each session.

01:36:58 So we have a morning session and an afternoon session

01:37:01 on both Saturday and Sunday.

01:37:02 It's important that people register

01:37:04 for those specific sessions

01:37:05 and then come at the session that they registered for.

01:37:08 But yeah, we see thousands of students every year.

01:37:11 And then a lot of students end up in the United States

01:37:15 studying every year,

01:37:16 and we love to hear about their experience.

01:37:17 - And would you say a large part of them are successful?

01:37:20 - Yeah, we hear from our college reps all the time

01:37:23 about the high caliber and excellent performances

01:37:26 of our Caribbean students,

01:37:27 particularly in Trinidad and Tobago.

01:37:29 And that's why so many colleges

01:37:31 are excited to come down here every year.

01:37:33 Particularly since COVID,

01:37:35 they're really excited to be able to

01:37:37 make that in-person trip now

01:37:39 and constantly talk to us about how great

01:37:42 they see Caribbean students,

01:37:43 and particularly in Trinidad and Tobago,

01:37:44 how well they do.

01:37:45 - All right, and is there still an opportunity to register?

01:37:48 - Yes, so if you head over to our website,

01:37:50 tt.usembassy.gov,

01:37:52 you will find information on how to register.

01:37:55 And then in addition, if you head over

01:37:56 to our social media sites,

01:37:57 you know, we're @usntt on Instagram,

01:38:00 there will be links for you to register.

01:38:02 It's free, but you do have to register

01:38:04 either for the morning or afternoon session

01:38:06 on either Saturday or Sunday.

01:38:08 And it's really important that you show up

01:38:10 at that specific time.

01:38:11 - Yeah, what are the dates for the fair?

01:38:13 - November 4th and 5th,

01:38:14 this weekend at the Hilton in Port of Spain.

01:38:16 - Yeah, at what time?

01:38:17 - So the first morning session is from 10 to 1,

01:38:20 and then the afternoon session is from 3 to 6,

01:38:22 and on both days.

01:38:23 - Yeah, and let's speak a little bit about

01:38:25 how is the events for the day,

01:38:31 how is this going to roll out?

01:38:33 So as you're saying, on the first day,

01:38:35 it begins at 10 and goes until one o'clock,

01:38:38 and then on the second day at 3 p.m. until 6 p.m.

01:38:41 How is this going to roll out on the day itself?

01:38:44 - Yeah, so the reps will be in a room for the entire time.

01:38:48 And so you'll have an opportunity to interact with them,

01:38:51 like get brochures,

01:38:52 hear about the programs they have available.

01:38:54 And then simultaneously,

01:38:56 we'll be having breakout sessions along the side.

01:38:58 And so there will be a program there,

01:39:00 you can see what sessions are most important to you.

01:39:03 We have ones from our consular folks

01:39:04 talking about student visas,

01:39:06 which is obviously always a very important question.

01:39:08 I'm paying for school

01:39:11 on the importance of community colleges.

01:39:14 And so you can go to those information sessions if you want,

01:39:17 or you could go talk to the reps.

01:39:18 And so one of the great things about this

01:39:20 is you can kind of pick and choose

01:39:22 as to what best suits your needs.

01:39:24 - Yeah, Mr. Levine,

01:39:25 anything else you'd like to tell us

01:39:26 before you leave us this morning?

01:39:28 - Just one last comment is that I'll add,

01:39:31 one of the most amazing things

01:39:32 about studying in the United States

01:39:33 is the diversity of institutions that we have on offer,

01:39:36 and you'll see that at the college fair.

01:39:37 We'll have small community colleges

01:39:39 that offer two-year programs at a more affordable rate,

01:39:41 as well as large research universities.

01:39:44 And these provide each student

01:39:46 with a really unique experience.

01:39:48 And if you are able to tailor down

01:39:50 what it is you wanna study,

01:39:51 you can find a school that will fit those needs.

01:39:53 And so come to the college fair.

01:39:56 It's free.

01:39:56 It's on November 4th and 5th at the Hilton Port of Spain,

01:39:59 and we're looking forward to seeing all the students,

01:40:02 parents, teachers, guidance counselors,

01:40:03 and everyone interested in studying in the US.

01:40:06 - All right, thank you very much, Mr. Levine.

01:40:07 Thank you very much for the information this morning.

01:40:10 All right, so it's time for another break.

01:40:12 We are coming back.

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01:43:46 - All right, so welcome back everyone.

01:43:51 So we are now joined by international doctors,

01:43:54 Dr. Nanya Kalu and Dr. Salvatore Elias-Ferraro

01:43:58 to talk about the herpes zoster vaccine.

01:44:01 Now herpes zoster is commonly called shingles

01:44:04 and is a painful disease that is estimated

01:44:07 to affect one in three people during their lifetime.

01:44:11 Doctors, good morning and thank you very much for coming.

01:44:13 - Thank you.

01:44:14 - Yeah, Dr. Kalu, let's define for people

01:44:18 and let's speak a little bit about the herpes zoster.

01:44:23 - Thank you very much.

01:44:23 So herpes zoster is a disease that is caused

01:44:28 by the reactivation of a virus known

01:44:31 as the varicella zoster virus.

01:44:34 It's the same virus that causes chickenpox

01:44:36 and it causes a number of problems in the body.

01:44:40 One typically seen as a rash that occurs

01:44:43 on one part of the body that is very painful

01:44:46 and it has other complications,

01:44:49 especially pain that continues to last

01:44:51 over a period of time.

01:44:53 - Yeah, and Dr. Ferraro, how is this spread?

01:44:56 - Well, this is spread, we have to be exposed

01:45:01 to the virus and the primary infection used

01:45:06 to be chickenpox that we used to have as we are children.

01:45:10 And then this virus go to the latin C

01:45:13 in the dorsal root ganglia and stay there long life.

01:45:17 So you don't know you have the virus,

01:45:19 but you have latin C virus.

01:45:21 Depending then, as you become older

01:45:24 or you have an immunosuppressant condition,

01:45:27 this virus is able to reactivate.

01:45:30 And when it reactivate, you will have the rash and the pain.

01:45:34 - So Dr. Kalu, then the question is,

01:45:37 how does an individual prevent themselves

01:45:41 from getting herpes?

01:45:43 - That's a very good question.

01:45:45 Like he just explained, the virus which we contract

01:45:49 when we're children stays latent in the body.

01:45:52 So it's estimated that over 90% of adults

01:45:56 already have this virus.

01:45:58 If you were exposed to the virus as a child

01:46:00 and had chickenpox as a child, so the virus is latent.

01:46:04 But with the vaccine, the vaccine

01:46:06 that prevents the reactivation,

01:46:08 you are able to prevent the virus

01:46:11 from manifesting as hepizosterone.

01:46:14 So there are preventative measures that you can take

01:46:17 like a vaccine that is able to prevent that reactivation.

01:46:21 For people who were never exposed to chickenpox

01:46:24 and do not have that virus in them,

01:46:26 it is important that they also prevent the virus as well.

01:46:30 - Yeah, all right.

01:46:31 So let me ask another question.

01:46:33 Just like, excuse me, when it came to COVID,

01:46:40 we said to people, look, you should sanitize your hands

01:46:43 and you should wear your masks.

01:46:46 So is it that herpes is spread by touch?

01:46:51 - So herpes zoster, shingles, is not spread by touch.

01:46:56 But for people who have never been exposed to the virus,

01:47:01 you can contact it through touch

01:47:04 for people who are not immune.

01:47:06 So it's important that precautions like hand washing

01:47:09 is very critical, especially for older people

01:47:12 or people who do not have their immune system

01:47:16 are not robust enough to mount a defense.

01:47:19 So yes, hand washing is important,

01:47:21 but it's not spread through, it's not airborne.

01:47:25 And like I mentioned, which is important,

01:47:28 people who already have the virus in them,

01:47:31 you cannot spread herpes zoster by touch.

01:47:35 - Yeah.

01:47:36 Dr. Floraro, you know, when we speak about vaccine

01:47:40 in these times, it's a very bad word for some people.

01:47:45 Let's speak a little bit about the importance

01:47:48 of the vaccine, the efficacy of the vaccine

01:47:53 and how safe are the vaccines.

01:47:57 - First of all, I would like to say that

01:48:00 after general mention like the water,

01:48:06 vaccine has been one of the most important

01:48:09 public health tools that we have implemented

01:48:12 during the last decade.

01:48:14 In this particular case of this recombinant zoster vaccine,

01:48:19 the trials, clinical trial that by other hand

01:48:24 has been developed to many years.

01:48:27 We have more than 30 year at this moment

01:48:31 following patients that were enrolled

01:48:34 in different clinical trials.

01:48:37 So the vaccine efficacy is high.

01:48:39 - Yes.

01:48:40 - And this is a vaccine that has been approved

01:48:42 for people above 50 year of age

01:48:44 and for people above 18 with at risk of herpes zoster

01:48:50 like people who are going to be immunosuppressed

01:48:54 due to any specific condition.

01:48:58 So in these two case, or in the particular case

01:49:01 of people above 50, the vaccine efficacy

01:49:05 have been above 97% of efficacy preventing the disease.

01:49:10 - Yeah, Dr. Kalu, how important is it to take the vaccine?

01:49:15 - It is a very important preventative measure.

01:49:20 Just understanding that people are at risk

01:49:24 and especially the complications of herpes zoster.

01:49:28 Down the line, we're talking about very severe pain

01:49:32 called post-herpetic neuralgia,

01:49:35 which occurs in about 10 to 18% of people

01:49:38 who develop herpes zoster.

01:49:41 So it's really important, especially also

01:49:44 as we increase in age, people 50 and above

01:49:48 as the demographic changes,

01:49:51 it's really important to prevent this disease.

01:49:54 And like you mentioned, people with immunocompromising

01:49:57 conditions also, it's important to prevent it.

01:49:59 - But does the vaccine cure herpes

01:50:03 or is it just always talking you lying there?

01:50:07 - Right, so it's not curative.

01:50:10 The virus is latent.

01:50:12 What the vaccine does is to prevent the reactivation

01:50:17 of this virus, which is already latent and dormant

01:50:21 and doesn't cause any problem except it reactivates.

01:50:24 So the vaccine helps to keep the virus in

01:50:27 and it does not reactivate.

01:50:29 - Dr. Ferraro, what has been your experience

01:50:33 in Trinidad and Tobago, re-herpes?

01:50:36 And when I speak about your experience, cases.

01:50:39 Are there a lot of cases of herpes every year?

01:50:43 - Yeah, well, this is a very important question.

01:50:46 Yes, this is a non-notificable disease.

01:50:51 - Yes.

01:50:52 - And also it's a under-reported disease

01:50:54 because many patients when they have the disease,

01:50:56 they don't seek medical advice.

01:50:59 Many times they just out-medicate

01:51:01 or they ask to anyone how to treat.

01:51:05 So we don't have data, specific data for Trinidad,

01:51:09 but we have data for the rest of the world.

01:51:12 And this data has been consistent.

01:51:14 It's very similar across the world.

01:51:16 So the incident would be around, for someone above 50,

01:51:20 that would be the main indication of this vaccine

01:51:23 is between five to six cases per 1,000 people per year.

01:51:28 That's mean to make it easier to understand

01:51:34 that around 30% of people above 50 year of age,

01:51:38 they would have a risk to have herpes zoster.

01:51:42 - Yeah.

01:51:42 And Dr. Akalu, where can eligible adults

01:51:46 in Trinidad and Tobago get the vaccine?

01:51:48 - So what I would advise people

01:51:53 is to talk to their local doctor,

01:51:56 as well as their pharmacists.

01:51:58 I believe it's available in all the places

01:52:01 where people can get vaccines.

01:52:03 But it's important for them to discuss

01:52:05 with their doctors and their pharmacists

01:52:08 as to the availability of this vaccine.

01:52:10 - Yeah.

01:52:11 And we did speak, and we touched on the fact

01:52:14 that children can pick up herpes zoster.

01:52:19 Is there also a vaccine for children?

01:52:23 - So to rephrase that a little bit, yes.

01:52:28 It typically shows up in older adults as you age.

01:52:32 - Yes.

01:52:32 - People younger than 50 can have it,

01:52:35 herpes zoster, but it's not very common.

01:52:38 What children have is chickenpox,

01:52:41 which is due to the same virus that causes herpes zoster.

01:52:45 There is a vaccine that is able to prevent chickenpox

01:52:50 in children, but this is not the same vaccine

01:52:53 that we're talking about, which is a vaccine

01:52:55 for herpes zoster, typically showing up in older adults.

01:52:58 - Yeah.

01:52:59 Gentlemen, doctors, we have really run out of time.

01:53:01 Anything else you'd like to tell us

01:53:03 before you leave us this morning, doctor?

01:53:04 - Sure, absolutely.

01:53:05 Herpes zoster is a disease that affects people,

01:53:10 commonly 50 years and above, as well as people

01:53:13 who have immunocompromised and condition.

01:53:15 It's very critical that people receive protection

01:53:19 in the form of vaccination against this disease.

01:53:21 - Yeah.

01:53:22 Dr. Kalu, Dr. Ferraro, thank you very much

01:53:24 for coming this morning.

01:53:25 We do appreciate the information that you have given us.

01:53:27 - Thank you.

01:53:28 - Okay.

01:53:29 Well, that is gonna do it for the program for today.

01:53:32 Thank you to all of those who we spoke to this morning

01:53:35 and all of our viewers.

01:53:37 Just to tell you that we do have this for you,

01:53:42 an image, sunrise from Sham, Sahara.

01:53:45 See you tomorrow, everybody.

01:53:47 Bye-bye.

01:53:47 (upbeat music)

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01:53:57 ♪ This time ♪

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