Morning Edition: 16th January 2024

CCNTV6

Watch Morning Edition: 16th January 2024 - CCNTV6 on Dailymotion

Transcript

00:00:00 (upbeat music)

00:00:02 - And a very special good morning Trinidad and Tobago.

00:00:18 I'm Marlon Hopkins and welcome to The Morning Edition.

00:00:21 It's January 16th, 2024.

00:00:23 I hope that you had a good night

00:00:25 and that you're safe and sound with us this morning.

00:00:27 Did you enjoy the showers this morning?

00:00:29 Yes, there were showers in some parts of the country.

00:00:32 So when I heard it, I just...

00:00:34 (laughs)

00:00:38 But was very careful not to enjoy it too much

00:00:41 because I had to get up a short time later

00:00:44 to come down to work, all right?

00:00:45 So we're getting some rain.

00:00:47 So that is good news for the dry season that has begun,

00:00:51 good news for farmers

00:00:53 and other people employed in that industry, yeah?

00:00:57 So a very special good morning to you again.

00:00:59 Thank you very much for joining us.

00:01:00 Let's check out to see what's happening

00:01:01 in the Daily Express.

00:01:02 So on the front page today, deadly COVID warning.

00:01:07 Calls for state of emergency,

00:01:10 full house at Crime Talks, a cross section of the audience

00:01:13 at last evening's UNC Crime Talks

00:01:15 at La Jolla Complex in St. Joseph.

00:01:17 And in set, you have the opposition leader,

00:01:19 Kamala Prasad Bissessa, right?

00:01:21 And she's fielding a question

00:01:23 as former police commissioner Gary Griffith left

00:01:26 and pathologist Professor Hubert Daisley listened.

00:01:30 And 14-year-old tried to prevent confrontation

00:01:33 between brother and killer, teenage girl shot dead.

00:01:38 All right, let's check out to see what's happening in sport.

00:01:41 Here to win, Joseph, Westernies players excited

00:01:44 as test series starts down under.

00:01:47 We're here to win two test matches.

00:01:49 We're not just here to play.

00:01:51 So we're gonna come out here and give it our very best.

00:01:55 Westernies vice captain, Elzari Joseph,

00:01:58 a stress, the positive yesterday as a side got ready

00:02:02 to take on world test champions Australia today in Adelaide.

00:02:06 So some of the stories in the Daily Express today,

00:02:09 let me just touch on that deadly COVID warning.

00:02:11 You remember earlier this week,

00:02:13 we spoke about an uptick in COVID cases,

00:02:16 but let's hear what the health minister had to say yesterday.

00:02:20 Carnival virus warning, minister urges vigilance,

00:02:23 sites launched for jabs, increased COVID-19 cases

00:02:28 and deaths locally, as well as the onset of influenza season

00:02:33 has led the health minister, Terence D. Elzing,

00:02:35 to encourage face masks, especially among the vulnerable

00:02:40 as Carnival 2024 approaches.

00:02:44 Yeah, so when you thought that we were out of it,

00:02:47 it's not yet over.

00:02:49 All right, so a very important warning there

00:02:52 from the health minister.

00:02:53 All right, it's time to remind you of our Trinbago,

00:02:56 your nice feature.

00:02:56 Remember to participate, WhatsApp your videos or images

00:02:59 to 737-3778.

00:03:02 Yeah, what do we have for our viewers this morning?

00:03:06 Yes, so this was taken at the Aranguas Savannah

00:03:10 on Monday by Brian Peters.

00:03:12 Brian, thank you very much for your photograph this morning.

00:03:15 It's a lovely picture, yeah, of that rainbow.

00:03:20 You know, it's two, yes, it looks like two rainbows.

00:03:24 One is very faint and you have the brighter rainbow there.

00:03:29 So Brian, thank you very much

00:03:30 for that double rainbow photograph.

00:03:34 Yeah, all right, and again, we do appreciate you.

00:03:37 So when you send your photographs,

00:03:39 we would like to say a very special good morning to you.

00:03:42 So please put your names, all right?

00:03:43 So we do have a packed show for you this morning.

00:03:46 Kind of chilly in studio this morning.

00:03:47 I have to get some coffee, right?

00:03:50 I hope you have your coffee

00:03:53 and you have your tea and something to eat.

00:03:55 We're coming back, everybody.

00:03:56 (upbeat music)

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00:05:17 - Universal Church presents Programs of Faith,

00:05:21 5.30am, the hour of miracles.

00:05:25 5pm, it's possible.

00:05:30 Now on TV6.

00:05:38 (upbeat music)

00:05:41 (upbeat music)

00:05:44 - I have a right to free primary school education.

00:05:49 - I have a right to be protected.

00:05:51 - I have a right to a name.

00:05:54 - I have a right to know my rights.

00:05:57 - I have a right to privacy.

00:05:59 - I have the right to express myself.

00:06:02 - I have a right to access information.

00:06:05 (upbeat music)

00:06:08 (upbeat music)

00:06:10 - Children have rights.

00:06:19 (upbeat music)

00:06:36 (upbeat music)

00:06:38 - Ah boy.

00:06:44 Feel like I'm gonna buy myself a senorita tonight.

00:06:51 - Nah, nah, nah.

00:06:52 You know you might be promoting slavery.

00:06:54 - Slavery?

00:06:55 - Mm-hmm.

00:06:56 - What are you talking about?

00:06:57 - Hey, modern day slavery or human trafficking

00:07:01 is just what some of these people just do.

00:07:04 You know some of these women were tricked to come here?

00:07:07 Some are held against their will,

00:07:11 abused and even beaten.

00:07:15 Most times the girls don't even see any of the money

00:07:18 that is paid for them.

00:07:19 Every night, they just had to come out looking nice and sexy

00:07:23 for somebody like you.

00:07:24 Human trafficking is a serious problem and a serious crime.

00:07:30 Persons who solicit commercial sex services

00:07:32 may be contributing to human trafficking.

00:07:35 A message from the Counter-Trafficking Unit

00:07:37 of the Ministry of National Security.

00:07:40 ♪ Children, they go, this is what they'll tell you ♪

00:07:42 ♪ They will tell you ♪

00:07:44 ♪ Come discover one of us ♪

00:07:46 ♪ Come discover both of us ♪

00:07:48 ♪ And why not come and discover all of us ♪

00:07:53 ♪ For together we aspire ♪

00:07:56 ♪ And together we achieve ♪

00:07:59 ♪ The way we live is hard for them to believe ♪

00:08:03 ♪ I tell you ♪

00:08:05 - All right, so welcome back everyone.

00:08:06 So as I was telling you earlier,

00:08:08 what the health minister would have said yesterday.

00:08:12 So he says that this is the season for viruses,

00:08:16 noting an uptick in COVID-19 cases globally

00:08:19 and increased cases of influenza and non-flu viruses.

00:08:24 He issued a special appeal to those

00:08:26 with elder and immunocompromised relatives

00:08:30 to use face masks to protect themselves

00:08:33 from taking the viruses home.

00:08:37 So again, it's a very serious situation

00:08:39 concerning COVID and influenza.

00:08:43 All right, so let's get right

00:08:44 or further into our program for you today.

00:08:48 You know that over the past week or so,

00:08:50 we have been focusing heavily really

00:08:54 on the issue of Tobago and autonomy,

00:08:58 Tobago and self-government.

00:09:00 But we do have on the line this morning,

00:09:02 a very busy gentleman who has taken some time this morning.

00:09:07 Yeah, he has to run an island,

00:09:09 but he has taken some time to speak with us this morning.

00:09:12 No other than chief secretary

00:09:13 in the Tobago House of Assembly, Mr. Fahli Agustin.

00:09:17 Mr. Chief secretary, we do appreciate

00:09:19 that you're taking some time to speak with us this morning.

00:09:21 Thank you again.

00:09:24 - Well, thank you for having me.

00:09:24 Good morning to you.

00:09:25 Good morning to you.

00:09:27 - Yeah.

00:09:28 All right, Mr. Agustin, let's get right into it.

00:09:31 Well, I know that at the funeral

00:09:34 of former chief secretary, Mr. Hojo Charles,

00:09:38 you did speak about this issue.

00:09:40 And also you had the prime minister speaking

00:09:43 about really responding and saying that this issue

00:09:47 of Tobago self-government, the Tobago self-government bill

00:09:50 and the Tobago Island administration bill

00:09:54 would be brought to the parliament sometime this year.

00:09:57 Your reaction, Mr. Chief secretary?

00:09:59 - Well, Tobago wants nothing

00:10:03 but to have the national parliament, central government,

00:10:07 rather discuss the bid and pass requisite legislation

00:10:12 that will allow for autonomy for Tobago.

00:10:15 What that means in simple terms is that

00:10:19 the Tobago House of Assembly will have lawmaking powers

00:10:24 with jurisdictions, jurisdiction rather specific

00:10:28 to the Tobago space and its marine space.

00:10:33 And that will allow the THA to really chart

00:10:36 the socioeconomic costs for the island in an efficient way.

00:10:41 Trinidad and Tobago joined together somewhat 144 years ago.

00:10:48 This year, and for all of the 144 years

00:10:53 that we have been together,

00:10:55 there has been sort of a clamoring

00:10:58 for there to be lawmaking function on the island of Tobago.

00:11:02 And that is because just sometimes when you're in a union,

00:11:07 you know, your needs get ignored

00:11:11 and it's not willfully ignored,

00:11:14 but your needs have to compete

00:11:16 with all the needs of the larger island.

00:11:19 And sometimes there are some simple things

00:11:21 that we can just do ourselves.

00:11:24 I'll give you a quick example.

00:11:26 Back in 2020, THA met and we passed a bill

00:11:31 unanimously meeting all members of the house.

00:11:37 I was in the minority at that time.

00:11:39 We passed a bill that will allow to be able

00:11:43 to set up marine parks, if you will.

00:11:46 And in particular, treat the marine park

00:11:49 that's in the Boko area and bring it to no man's land

00:11:52 and to protect it in a certain way.

00:11:54 Guess what?

00:11:55 We are in 2024 and that bill that we sent down

00:11:59 to the parliament has never made its way

00:12:01 to the parliament floor.

00:12:03 It has never been debated by the parliament.

00:12:06 And one can argue that the parliament

00:12:08 has more important things to debate

00:12:11 than marine parks in Tobago.

00:12:14 But for us in Tobago, something that might seem simple

00:12:18 and not as important or not a priority for the parliament

00:12:22 is a priority for us who wants

00:12:24 to have sustainable development,

00:12:27 who is into ecotourism,

00:12:28 most industries are dependent on that.

00:12:32 Now, had we gotten this autonomy,

00:12:34 then we would just pass the bill ourselves

00:12:37 and manage our marine parks

00:12:39 and our marine spaces ourselves.

00:12:41 And so the crux of the matter is Tobago

00:12:44 having the opportunity to have lawmaking functions

00:12:49 and have it in a way that allows

00:12:52 you the socioeconomic development of the island,

00:12:56 of Tobago, and that generally excludes matters

00:13:01 on foreign affairs and border security

00:13:06 and those things which we would want to see concurrence

00:13:11 in the law, in the legislation.

00:13:13 - Mr. Chief Secretary, you feel that the matter

00:13:15 has been ventilated enough.

00:13:17 Of course, it has been in the public domain

00:13:20 for a number of years now,

00:13:22 but do you feel that the matter has been ventilated enough

00:13:27 and that when parliament debates these two bills,

00:13:32 that what you envision, Mr. Chief Secretary,

00:13:36 would be achieved?

00:13:38 - Well, the matter could never really be ventilated enough

00:13:44 to be honest, but I don't know that any progressive piece

00:13:48 of legislation ever gets passed

00:13:51 after it's ventilated enough,

00:13:55 because as time progressed,

00:13:56 you will have a new generation, for example,

00:13:59 that was not a part of the initial conversations

00:14:03 and debates.

00:14:04 And so for us in Etheche, we are in the process

00:14:06 of going back and trying to target our schoolchildren,

00:14:10 our youngsters who were not part

00:14:12 of this initial conversation,

00:14:15 and certainly not part of the conversation as adults

00:14:18 when Tobago sent the proposals down

00:14:22 to the national parliament about, what, 10 years ago.

00:14:28 More than that, when we look at the two bills

00:14:32 before parliament, while intentions may be good,

00:14:37 we see that there are some glaring omissions.

00:14:42 And so what we argued when it first came up

00:14:45 is that all we need is for some amendments

00:14:49 or to the 40 parliament and the inclusion

00:14:52 of some important elements that were omitted

00:14:55 from what Tobago sent down to the parliament.

00:14:59 And once we have that, then we have, we believe,

00:15:03 a piece of legislation that is sufficient

00:15:07 and that will take Tobago to the next step.

00:15:10 But we are just asking that we make the inclusions

00:15:15 for those things that were inadvertently

00:15:19 or perhaps even willfully omitted earlier on,

00:15:23 have those included in the legislation,

00:15:26 tighten up the loose ends and ensure

00:15:29 that we have as perfect a piece of legislation

00:15:33 as is possible.

00:15:35 And let me just say this quickly,

00:15:37 Trinidad and Tobago is not reinventing the wheel

00:15:39 in this regard.

00:15:40 When we look around the Commonwealth

00:15:42 and by extension, the global community,

00:15:45 it's replete with examples of how power can be shared

00:15:50 and devolved even from the center.

00:15:53 You look at the United Kingdom,

00:15:55 they have the element of devolution of powers.

00:15:58 Scotland, Wales, they can pass their own laws.

00:16:02 They have rights and responsibilities concerning taxation

00:16:07 and a host of other rights

00:16:10 while being a part of this singular union.

00:16:13 St. Kitts-Nevis, they have a federation

00:16:16 while Nevis has a federal government,

00:16:21 but St. Kitts doesn't, but within their constitution,

00:16:24 there is a framework and a process

00:16:27 by which Nevis can even go to the point of succession

00:16:31 if they want.

00:16:32 And then some other jurisdictions like in Canada,

00:16:35 they have elements of a federal state.

00:16:38 So the Commonwealth of which Trinidad and Tobago

00:16:41 is a part of this is really repeated examples

00:16:44 of how power can be shared and devolved from the center.

00:16:49 And if you look at our own country

00:16:51 and what the government aims to do

00:16:55 in terms of local governmental form,

00:16:57 it is about decentralization of power

00:17:00 and bringing government closer to the people.

00:17:03 And what we have found in the Tobago context

00:17:06 is that Tobago's growth really and truly corresponded

00:17:11 with the coming on stream of the Tobago

00:17:14 House of Assembly in 1980.

00:17:16 For starters, the data we have proves

00:17:20 that Tobago only started growing its population growth

00:17:24 really took off from 1980, which is coincidental

00:17:30 to the year the Tobago House of Assembly started.

00:17:35 And so it just shows us that when government

00:17:38 is closer to the people, then there is a lot more

00:17:42 that can be delivered and people enjoy

00:17:45 a far greater quality of life

00:17:48 when government is actually closer to the people.

00:17:51 - Yeah, Mr. Chief Secretary, as I said earlier,

00:17:54 we have been having this discussion

00:17:56 on these calls for autonomy for Tobago.

00:18:01 And over the past few days,

00:18:03 we have been interviewing prominent Tobagonians.

00:18:09 And some of them have expressed concern

00:18:12 about how prepared Tobago is

00:18:16 to embrace this concept of autonomy.

00:18:19 - Well, the truth is, I think Tobago

00:18:25 is as prepared as Tobago can be.

00:18:28 The transitioning to an autonomous Tobago

00:18:33 will naturally take work and we are actually

00:18:37 putting that work into place.

00:18:39 We are preparing ourselves as if the autonomy

00:18:43 is going to come on our doorsteps.

00:18:44 And I'll give you an example.

00:18:47 Last year, we went out through a very public

00:18:52 tendering process by which the citizens of the island

00:18:57 voted on a design for a new legislative building

00:19:01 because we know that if we have autonomy,

00:19:04 then we will need certainly greater physical space

00:19:08 for our parliament, the assembly legislature,

00:19:12 as we call it, up at Joneyham Street,

00:19:14 number one Joneyham Street.

00:19:16 So we already are putting into the work schedule

00:19:19 the expansion of the building so we can accommodate

00:19:23 legislators and an expanded legislature,

00:19:26 the kind of lawmaking functions that are required,

00:19:30 that will require, for example,

00:19:32 a larger pool of staff to do hand-side recording,

00:19:36 a larger space to allow for committee meetings

00:19:40 and meetings of the house itself.

00:19:43 And so we have been preparing for this.

00:19:46 And I think it's a disservice to the people of Tobago

00:19:50 to say, well, look, this is something good

00:19:52 and it's admirable, but you're not ready yet.

00:19:55 Had we made that position as a country,

00:20:00 there would perhaps still be a Crown colony in 1962

00:20:03 when we became independent.

00:20:05 And prior to that, we had Dr. Williams

00:20:09 and Dr. Regina Papilio going over to England together

00:20:13 to say, look, we want this thing called independence.

00:20:16 As a nation, we could have argued

00:20:18 that we weren't 100% ready.

00:20:20 We didn't get all the systems in place,

00:20:23 but guess what?

00:20:24 Over time, everything fell into line.

00:20:28 And as a young country, we had challenges back then,

00:20:32 systemic challenges and things that had to be fixed.

00:20:35 That eventually spilled on in 1970,

00:20:39 but I don't think we have any regrets

00:20:42 being an independent nation.

00:20:44 Similarly, I don't think that it's fair to argue

00:20:48 that Tobago is not totally ready for this thing.

00:20:52 We are getting as ready as we can.

00:20:55 And there are things that will fall into place

00:20:58 as the autonomy rolls on year by year

00:21:02 and having the systems in place.

00:21:04 But Tobago is certainly ready.

00:21:06 We do have the talent on the island and off the island

00:21:10 because we have a very strong diaspora community.

00:21:13 In fact, a very large and talented

00:21:16 and educated diaspora community

00:21:18 that can contribute to the building up of Tobago.

00:21:21 So certainly, I think we are ready for autonomy in Tobago.

00:21:26 - Mr. Chief Secretary,

00:21:28 how do you see this entire process unfolding?

00:21:32 So, all right, the Prime Minister said

00:21:34 he gave an assurance that these two bills

00:21:36 are going to be brought to the parliament.

00:21:38 What are the other steps as you see it?

00:21:40 - I assume we have bills currently lingering in the docket.

00:21:46 So the first thing is to bring about

00:21:50 a few amendments to the bill

00:21:53 that will tidy the bills as they are.

00:21:57 And ensure that we have a much more

00:22:00 foolproof piece of legislation.

00:22:04 When that is passed,

00:22:06 then we need to set a date for proclamation.

00:22:10 And setting a date of proclamation

00:22:12 should allow for a small window for transitioning.

00:22:17 Because we wouldn't want the bills passed today

00:22:21 and proclaimed tomorrow

00:22:24 because it will mean scrambling

00:22:27 to put all the docks in a row.

00:22:30 And we just talk about being ready for it.

00:22:33 So there has to be a transitioning period.

00:22:36 Thirdly, the bills cannot take effect

00:22:42 with the current elected house as we have it.

00:22:49 So the bills taking effect will have to be commensurate

00:22:53 with the next Tobago House of Assembly election.

00:22:57 So that there will be essentially a fresh mandate

00:23:02 for the autonomy as we will have it.

00:23:07 And as that rolls out,

00:23:09 we will have the new government subsequent

00:23:13 to the next Tobago House of Assembly election,

00:23:16 which is not that far away,

00:23:18 which is essentially two years away.

00:23:21 We have commensurate with that,

00:23:24 a new government under new laws, new arrangements,

00:23:29 and that will allow for the new government

00:23:32 of the island of Tobago to be able to enact laws

00:23:36 and processes and policies that will be specific

00:23:41 to the island and the adjoining territories of Tobago.

00:23:47 And allow for the socioeconomic growth

00:23:51 and push for the island.

00:23:54 - Yeah, so you believe Mr. Chief Secretary,

00:23:57 that for Tobago to achieve its full potential,

00:24:02 it needs to get this autonomy.

00:24:06 - Absolutely, and there are two things I want to point out,

00:24:09 which is one, whenever you have an arrangement

00:24:12 whereby you have more than one territories

00:24:16 coming together to form the whole of the country,

00:24:19 you will naturally have the identity, the development,

00:24:24 the projects, the goals of the larger territory

00:24:30 trumping that of the smaller.

00:24:32 That's a natural phenomenon.

00:24:34 In our context, the phenomenon leads

00:24:38 to almost everything being trini.

00:24:41 And there is nothing wrong or bad

00:24:43 about the identity that is trini,

00:24:45 but when you are part of a smaller territory,

00:24:48 there is a critical need for your identity

00:24:52 to be recognized as part of the whole.

00:24:56 And one way to do that is empower those

00:24:59 in the smaller territory to be able

00:25:01 to chart their own course.

00:25:03 That's number one.

00:25:05 And number two, I want to assure Trinidad and Tobago

00:25:08 that this is in fact beneficial to the both islands

00:25:12 and to the development of the country as a whole.

00:25:16 We have had times, for example, in our past

00:25:20 where a strong tourism sector in Tobago

00:25:24 has provided the kind of access to foreign currency,

00:25:29 to forex, just through tourism.

00:25:34 I met with the Chamber of Commerce in Tobago last week,

00:25:39 and they were saying, look, in the days

00:25:40 when we were getting 85 plus thousand

00:25:44 international visitors, we're talking about the bankers.

00:25:47 The bankers talking about how they had so much foreign

00:25:52 currency having to pack up and send back to Trinidad

00:25:55 to be part of the system of the whole.

00:25:59 And the point I'm making is that an empowered Tobago

00:26:04 results in a stronger economy for Trinidad and Tobago.

00:26:10 We see ourselves as worthwhile contributors to the whole

00:26:15 as a part of the whole,

00:26:19 and we can make the entire society stronger.

00:26:23 We just want to be allowed to do so.

00:26:26 We don't want to have to wait inordinately long

00:26:29 because we need to do some work in our marine space

00:26:32 or to protect our forests,

00:26:35 or because there are things we need to implement socially,

00:26:39 or that there are economic decisions that we need to take,

00:26:42 and we just can't take them because we have to wait

00:26:45 on someone else to make us a priority.

00:26:47 We get a chance to prioritize ourselves,

00:26:50 and in prioritizing ourselves,

00:26:52 we put Trinidad and Tobago in a stronger economic position

00:26:57 than we now have.

00:26:58 - Yeah, Mr. Chief Secretary, recently, it was last week,

00:27:03 the Tobago House of Assembly sent out a statement

00:27:08 speaking about Tobago

00:27:12 remaining a premier tourism destination,

00:27:16 and that statement would have come out

00:27:19 following a few resignations

00:27:21 at the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited.

00:27:24 How are things improving, if I can ask?

00:27:30 - Well, there was only one resignation at the agency,

00:27:34 and that was of the chairman of the board of directors.

00:27:39 So not necessarily a worker in the agency itself,

00:27:42 but the chairman of the board,

00:27:44 who at one time acted as the executive CEO,

00:27:49 or executive chairman, rather, of the company

00:27:53 in absence of a CEO.

00:27:56 And I want to thank Ms. Edwards for her service

00:27:58 because she did do quite a bit of work for us at the agency.

00:28:04 The agency is actually not doing badly.

00:28:09 We are seeing a projection, for example,

00:28:12 from British Airways and our international clients

00:28:15 that this year, 2024, is projected to be 24% higher

00:28:20 in terms of international arrivals than last year, 2023.

00:28:26 Our 2023 figures are essentially rivaling 2018 figures,

00:28:33 and we are on course to surpassing 2019 figures,

00:28:38 which means that essentially we are returning

00:28:43 to the place where we were at pre-COVID

00:28:46 in terms of our number of international arrivals.

00:28:50 And to be able to do that after only having

00:28:53 our economy reopening in about April of 2022

00:28:57 is, in fact, a positive sign.

00:29:02 So things are indeed looking up at the agency.

00:29:07 I had the privilege of meeting with the board on Friday,

00:29:11 last week, Friday.

00:29:13 Later today, I am a part of a staff meeting at TITAL,

00:29:18 and it's not a staff meeting because there is too much room,

00:29:22 but it's a staff meeting because we are now looking

00:29:25 at how we continue the upward climb at the agency

00:29:31 and for the industry in Tobago.

00:29:33 And we are coming out of a season,

00:29:37 well, now inching out of the winter season

00:29:40 with Condor, for example,

00:29:42 and we share that Condor flight with Barbados,

00:29:45 Barbados, which is currently a stronger tourism sector.

00:29:50 And I can tell you, Tobago's arrival numbers on Condor

00:29:54 has outstripped Barbados' arrival numbers.

00:29:59 And the usual pattern is when we share flights

00:30:02 with other destinations,

00:30:04 the majority of the visitors come off

00:30:06 in the other destination, a few in Tobago.

00:30:09 Nope, it's the other way around on Condor

00:30:11 with Tobago and Barbados in that arrangement.

00:30:16 And that is a telling sign of how well the industry

00:30:21 is currently doing and that things are projected upwards

00:30:26 and we can only get better from here.

00:30:29 - Mr. Chief Secretary, I won't detain you much longer,

00:30:32 but I want to ask one more question

00:30:34 because you are dealing with a situation right now

00:30:38 in Tobago that other chief secretaries

00:30:42 have not had that problem.

00:30:45 And what I'm speaking about, Mr. Chief Secretary,

00:30:47 is this spike that we are seeing in crime in Tobago

00:30:52 and more so the murders and violent crimes.

00:30:56 Have you been assured that,

00:31:01 because I know that this is going to impact,

00:31:05 it could impact on the tourism product.

00:31:08 Judging from what we are seeing,

00:31:12 and we have also seen in the past few weeks

00:31:16 an increase in security in Tobago.

00:31:21 Are you satisfied by some of the measures

00:31:24 that have been put in place to deal

00:31:27 with this situation of crime?

00:31:28 - Well, I am actually, as a fact,

00:31:32 I'm actually only the second chief secretary

00:31:35 to have to deal with an increase in crime.

00:31:39 Like we see now, last year we surpassed,

00:31:43 or we bypassed our top number for murder,

00:31:48 so to speak, by one.

00:31:52 And so it happened once in our history before,

00:31:55 and we are insistent on it not happening again.

00:31:59 Nonetheless, the trajectory in terms of the number

00:32:03 of murders have been up, and it is worrisome.

00:32:07 The question of whether I am satisfied,

00:32:10 and the answer is no, I am not totally satisfied

00:32:14 that we have done all that we can.

00:32:16 Yes, there has been a significant increase

00:32:20 in policing on the island, and I'm very happy

00:32:24 to have worked along with the TTPS and ACP Hazel

00:32:28 in that regard.

00:32:29 As a matter of fact, we had our first murder

00:32:32 for the year on New Year's Day.

00:32:35 It was the only one for the year,

00:32:38 and after that murder on New Year's Day,

00:32:40 I called Mr. Hazel, we met, he went through

00:32:44 some of the strategies with me,

00:32:47 and I looked at how the THA can support,

00:32:50 and so we are supporting that increase

00:32:53 in manpower on the island of Tobago.

00:32:55 We have to do some work in terms of intelligence,

00:32:59 and gathering of intelligence, and how we respond to that.

00:33:03 We also have to do some work on greater social cohesion.

00:33:07 I have reached out, I've started reaching out

00:33:10 to the social institutions on the island,

00:33:13 such as the churches, and the youth clubs,

00:33:16 sports clubs, and so on, because they are

00:33:20 our arsenal in the fight against crime,

00:33:23 because they are very much vital

00:33:26 in ensuring we maintain that social cohesion

00:33:30 that we once had.

00:33:31 And I see crime as a problem that we all

00:33:36 have to grapple with as a country.

00:33:38 And from where I sit, although I'm saying

00:33:41 I'm not satisfied, I'm not just saying

00:33:45 I'm not satisfied in the efforts of the TTPS,

00:33:49 I'm also saying that I am not satisfied

00:33:52 that we, the government, we, the community,

00:33:55 we, the churches, we, the youth groups,

00:33:58 and the sports clubs, that we as a collective

00:34:02 have done enough, and so this year,

00:34:05 our intention is to do even more.

00:34:08 We will not relent until we see

00:34:11 that we are able to protect our people,

00:34:13 and our young people, and that we are able

00:34:15 to steer them away from a life of crime.

00:34:19 And whether we like it or not,

00:34:20 the life of crime is comparatively attractive

00:34:25 to our young people, and we have to get out there

00:34:29 and ensure that the positives are much more attractive

00:34:33 than the negative.

00:34:34 We have to remove the COVID prestige

00:34:38 attached to our life of crime,

00:34:40 especially for our young men,

00:34:43 and ensure that we walk them down,

00:34:46 or walk them up a different path

00:34:49 than the one they are going down now.

00:34:50 So no, to answer you short, I am not satisfied.

00:34:54 I think we can do more, and we are doing more,

00:35:00 and we are rolling out strategies

00:35:03 that include the business community,

00:35:05 the TTPS, and other social institutions.

00:35:08 We are rolling out strategies on the island

00:35:11 that will ensure that Tobago remains a safe place.

00:35:14 We are, in fact, still a very safe community.

00:35:19 We have had very large events on the island.

00:35:24 For example, the carnival that happened in October last year

00:35:28 is still perhaps one of the safest carnivals worldwide.

00:35:33 We had not a single incident of crime,

00:35:36 not a bottle pelt to disturb anything,

00:35:39 and that tells you that we still have the capacity

00:35:42 as an island to have safe events

00:35:46 and to host our visitors safely.

00:35:49 We have not had crimes against visitors to the island,

00:35:53 and we are thankful for that,

00:35:55 and we want to ensure that that remains the case in 2024,

00:36:00 and that 2024 is an even safer year than 2023.

00:36:05 - Yes, Mr. Chief Secretary,

00:36:08 it was a pleasure speaking with you today.

00:36:09 Thank you for taking our questions on all of these issues.

00:36:13 I felt it was very important to the people of Tobago,

00:36:16 so we do appreciate it.

00:36:18 Thank you again, Mr. Chief Secretary.

00:36:20 - Thank you for having me.

00:36:21 Have a good day, Mr. Nancy Bago.

00:36:23 - Bye for now, all right?

00:36:24 We are going to a very short break, everybody.

00:36:26 We're coming back.

00:36:27 This is from Boko.

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00:37:09 That means clean, well-maintained,

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00:37:32 (upbeat music)

00:37:58 - "Beyond the Tape," weekdays at 5.30 p.m.

00:38:01 ♪ Lauren say it's cold out in New York City ♪

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00:38:19 ♪ I need a little runaway ♪

00:38:21 - All right, so welcome back.

00:38:22 You caught me dancing there.

00:38:23 All right, so we're talking about the economy now,

00:38:25 and on the line at this time we have economist,

00:38:27 Dr. Indira Sajeevan.

00:38:30 Doctor, good morning.

00:38:31 - To you, and let me start by saying a very happy,

00:38:35 well, happy new year to all your listeners and to yourself.

00:38:40 - Yeah.

00:38:40 Dr. Sajeevan, always thank you very much for joining us,

00:38:43 and happy new year to you too.

00:38:46 Doctor, as we, let's reflect a little bit on 2023,

00:38:51 and if we could, your forecast, as it were, for 2020,

00:38:57 for 2024.

00:38:59 As we reflect on 2023, what is your impression?

00:39:02 - Well, 2023, and we'll now start in 2024,

00:39:07 my impression is that we are operating in an economy

00:39:11 that seems to be operating by and large on remote control.

00:39:16 There doesn't seem to be a clear direction,

00:39:18 clear purpose in terms of where the country is going.

00:39:21 I know there's a lot of emphasis being placed

00:39:24 by the government on securing a deal with Venezuela

00:39:28 with respect to the Dragan deal,

00:39:30 but it seems to be the only area of major focus

00:39:35 in terms of securing the economic future

00:39:37 of Trinidad and Tobago.

00:39:39 And given all that has taken place globally,

00:39:41 given the movement towards, the accelerated movement

00:39:46 towards alternative energies, et cetera,

00:39:49 while it is important that we pursue this measure

00:39:53 in order to continue the survival of our energy sector,

00:39:58 it is also important that there is a significant effort

00:40:03 at shifting the economy into other areas

00:40:07 where economic activity can be generated,

00:40:09 where jobs can be generated,

00:40:11 where foreign exchange can be generated,

00:40:13 and I feel that's not sufficiently being done in that regard.

00:40:16 And then, of course, there is the big boogie in the room,

00:40:18 which is crime, and that continues to dominate

00:40:21 the landscape, and unfortunately,

00:40:25 when crime continues to be as bad as it is in Trinidad

00:40:30 and continues to worsen every day,

00:40:33 that significantly affects the economic prospects

00:40:36 for a country, as we have already seen.

00:40:38 Major countries like Canada and the US

00:40:40 have put out advisories advising their people,

00:40:43 and those are all major sources of tourist arrivals,

00:40:47 for example, and they have put out advisories

00:40:50 indicating to persons that they should avoid the country

00:40:54 in the first instance, and if they are here,

00:40:57 then the particular areas that they should avoid.

00:41:00 Those things are not good signals.

00:41:03 That's the kind of signals that we want

00:41:05 if we want to grow this economy.

00:41:07 - And you know, the data, I believe,

00:41:10 at the end of last year,

00:41:12 or I believe it was during the budget presentation,

00:41:15 it was said that our earnings, a lot of it still,

00:41:19 come from the energy sector.

00:41:21 We are still very much dependent on the energy sector.

00:41:25 The government also spoke about some movement

00:41:27 in the non-energy sector, but you know,

00:41:31 I think that, I don't know if you'll agree with me,

00:41:34 but this conversation has gone on for so long

00:41:38 about diversification and about opportunities

00:41:42 in the non-energy sector.

00:41:44 What has been holding us back, Dr. Sejewan?

00:41:49 - Oil and gas has been holding us back,

00:41:51 and as long as we continue to believe

00:41:53 that all roads must lead to there,

00:41:55 we really will not take the issue of diversification

00:41:58 beyond that seriously.

00:42:00 And you talked about there was some uptick

00:42:04 in the non-energy sector

00:42:06 at the time of the reading of the budget.

00:42:08 The ironic thing is that uptick really comes by and large

00:42:11 from the petrochemical sector,

00:42:13 which not so long ago was part of the energy sector.

00:42:15 And in fact, it's a sustainability.

00:42:19 It relies on a supply of natural gas

00:42:24 because it needs natural gas in order for the petrochemical

00:42:27 plants, the ammonia plants, the methanol plants, et cetera,

00:42:30 to be able to operate.

00:42:32 And right now we have a situation where,

00:42:35 for the last couple of years,

00:42:37 annually the projected expectation

00:42:41 with respect to natural gas has fallen,

00:42:44 has been higher than the actual gas

00:42:48 that has actually come to market.

00:42:50 And that trend is continuing,

00:42:53 certainly based on the natural gas

00:42:55 that we have in Trinidad and Tobago.

00:42:57 You know, we have the capacity to produce

00:43:00 4.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas.

00:43:07 We are currently producing about 2.5.

00:43:10 We have an infrastructure,

00:43:11 we have a set of plants that need that 4.2

00:43:16 in order to be able to operate at full capacity.

00:43:20 And they are now getting 2.5.

00:43:22 So no wonder we've seen the shutdown of Trin1.

00:43:24 We have seen some of the petrochemical plants

00:43:28 actually being shut down.

00:43:30 And having a source,

00:43:31 what's the word I'm looking for?

00:43:35 Having a confirmed source of natural gas

00:43:38 is extremely important for these plants

00:43:41 to continue to operate.

00:43:42 In the current time, they are benefiting

00:43:45 since the start of the Ukrainian-Russian war,

00:43:48 they have been benefiting from the fact

00:43:50 that the prices of commodities

00:43:52 are relatively high and stable.

00:43:54 And because of that,

00:43:56 even though they are operating

00:43:57 significantly below capacity,

00:43:59 they are able to survive in the current scenario.

00:44:02 But what happens if the price

00:44:05 on the international market suddenly declines?

00:44:07 The shortfall in the supply of natural gas

00:44:10 is going to significantly impact the sector.

00:44:13 And in fact, our growth will impact government's revenue,

00:44:16 it will impact our foreign exchange situation.

00:44:18 These are real things.

00:44:19 And it is not that we only knew

00:44:23 in the last couple of years that this would happen.

00:44:24 We always knew that natural gas is a finite resource.

00:44:27 And while we had it,

00:44:29 we had a responsibility to use the largest from this

00:44:34 in order to diversify the economy.

00:44:36 Other countries have done it.

00:44:37 Dubai, case in point,

00:44:38 have used the opportunity

00:44:41 to take the benefit from being an energy economy

00:44:46 to diversify the economy

00:44:49 so that they are not as dependent as we are

00:44:52 and continue to be on natural gas.

00:44:54 And this is why the drag and deal with Venezuela

00:44:57 is so critical without it we are in real trouble,

00:45:01 because there are no signs on the horizon

00:45:03 that there is new sources of natural gas

00:45:08 and significant sources of natural gas

00:45:10 that will be coming from within our own environment.

00:45:14 And therefore we need the drag and gas, natural gas

00:45:19 in order to continue or prolong the life

00:45:23 of our natural gas sector

00:45:27 of our petrochemical industry.

00:45:29 - But how does a small country like Trinidad and Tobago

00:45:32 become more attractive to the investor?

00:45:38 And I put that in light of what is happening,

00:45:41 let's say in Guyana, what is happening in Suriname,

00:45:45 what is happening, let's say Silicon Valley in the US.

00:45:50 And we may want industrial estates such as, or e-tech parks.

00:45:56 So how does little Trinidad and Tobago say to the world,

00:46:01 "Come here, here's the place to be,

00:46:03 not there, not this place and that place."

00:46:07 - You know, the ironic thing is we might be small,

00:46:09 but in the period between 2000 and 2010,

00:46:11 we were the place to invest.

00:46:13 You know, there was no shortage of foreign exchange,

00:46:16 there was no shortage of investors

00:46:17 falling over themselves in order to come,

00:46:19 because we had natural gas, we had a basis.

00:46:22 If you do not have a ready supply of natural gas

00:46:24 with it that will span a period of 10 to 15 years,

00:46:28 because it's a huge investment,

00:46:30 then there is not a reason for investment

00:46:34 in this particular sector.

00:46:35 And that's where the focus was and continues to be.

00:46:39 You know, you ask about Guyana,

00:46:40 Guyana right now, it is the country that had

00:46:44 such a significant supply of oil

00:46:49 that it is the place where investment is going.

00:46:54 There is a need for infrastructure,

00:46:56 for significant human capital

00:46:58 in order to be able to exploit Guyana.

00:47:01 So Guyana's oil industry is at the infant stage,

00:47:06 and so there's a lot of opportunity

00:47:09 that citizens can see going forward,

00:47:11 whereas in the case of Trinidad and Tobago,

00:47:13 we are at the very mature stage.

00:47:15 And there are no signs and signals

00:47:17 that there are sufficient reasons

00:47:19 for investment to come in.

00:47:20 Because why would an investor come in

00:47:22 to set up a new petrochemical plant in Trinidad

00:47:24 when they can't get the supply of natural gas

00:47:27 that they require in order to be able to produce

00:47:29 and export and earn revenue?

00:47:31 So that is the kind of rationale.

00:47:36 Places like Silicon Valley that you talk about,

00:47:38 I mean, the whole issue of technology and IT and AI,

00:47:42 that is where the world is more and more going.

00:47:45 And all our traditional industries are being driven

00:47:49 by the kind of technological advancements

00:47:52 that are taking place.

00:47:53 So obviously, the areas that are pushing the,

00:47:58 you know, leading charge with respect to these areas

00:48:02 are obviously going to be the ones that are thriving.

00:48:05 But, you know, we have to, as a country,

00:48:08 we have to take some time, we have to take stock,

00:48:10 because there are low-hanging fruits

00:48:13 that we can focus in on outside of the energy sector

00:48:17 that can attract investment into Trinidad and Tobago.

00:48:22 The whole maritime services sector is an important one.

00:48:25 We have heard about it time and time again,

00:48:28 but we have continued to fail to do sufficient

00:48:31 in order to give it the kind of fill-up it needs

00:48:34 in order for it to grow.

00:48:35 We're talking about ship repairs.

00:48:37 We're talking about yachting industry.

00:48:40 You know, we have the basis

00:48:41 to have a thriving yachting industry,

00:48:44 and that is a growing in the global market space.

00:48:47 The yachting industry is growing significantly,

00:48:49 but yet we are not doing sufficient

00:48:52 from a policy perspective, from a legislative perspective,

00:48:56 from a red-tape, a bureaucratic perspective.

00:48:59 We're not clearing up sufficiently the pathway

00:49:03 that is going to attract the investment

00:49:06 or even the yachts to come in, for example,

00:49:10 the investments to come into our maritime services industry.

00:49:14 We're simply not doing so.

00:49:16 Agriculture continues to be an area

00:49:18 that we are not focusing in the way we need to.

00:49:21 We talk about it as a priority.

00:49:23 We talk about food security as a priority.

00:49:26 But when you look at the budgetary allocation,

00:49:28 and you know I'm a broken record

00:49:30 when it comes to lamenting this,

00:49:32 the budgetary allocation does not match

00:49:34 with the goal of wanting to become

00:49:36 a more and more food-secure nation,

00:49:39 a nation where we are producing more

00:49:40 of what we can consume as well as being able to produce

00:49:43 to be able to export.

00:49:45 There are a lot of initiatives that are happening

00:49:47 at an individual level,

00:49:48 but if the state would have become more involved

00:49:52 and create more of a clear direction for agriculture,

00:49:57 for agriculture that is not based

00:49:59 on old breakback type of methodology,

00:50:04 but it is based on technology.

00:50:07 And that is, again, where agriculture is going globally.

00:50:10 Things like vertical farming, indoor farming,

00:50:12 where small islands with small space,

00:50:14 and we need to focus in on those areas.

00:50:17 We have, like I said, individual persons

00:50:19 that are doing things,

00:50:20 like I went to Nitty Grocery last night,

00:50:22 yes, for example,

00:50:23 and I saw in the shelves mushrooms,

00:50:27 I think it's an octopus-shaped mushroom

00:50:30 that is being locally produced on the shelf.

00:50:32 We have a lot of fresh mushrooms

00:50:33 that traditionally we imported

00:50:34 that are being produced here.

00:50:36 What are we doing in order to be able

00:50:38 to support those who are involved in this

00:50:43 to be able to produce it at a larger scale,

00:50:44 not just in domestic market,

00:50:46 but for an export market?

00:50:47 What are we doing in order to promote value-adding?

00:50:51 Manufacturing is another area,

00:50:53 not in the traditional areas,

00:50:56 but in areas that we need to focus in on.

00:50:59 So, for example, in the United States,

00:51:01 I recall one of the links,

00:51:03 the idea of recovery to the whole issue

00:51:08 of the demand for the environment,

00:51:10 and provided significant fiscal incentive

00:51:14 for manufacturing to convert

00:51:16 from traditional energy sources

00:51:20 to renewable energy sources.

00:51:22 That in itself could be a huge fillip

00:51:24 to the country,

00:51:26 because you could create significant job opportunities

00:51:29 as you incentivize the entire manufacturing sector

00:51:32 to move into alternative sources of energy.

00:51:36 But that would require us,

00:51:37 we've taken a look at the incentives

00:51:39 that are on the books with respect to solar energy,

00:51:42 for example, and making it a lot more attractive

00:51:45 for that kind of investment to take place.

00:51:48 - Yeah.

00:51:49 Dr. Sajuan, we just have a few minutes again,

00:51:53 and you did speak on the issue,

00:51:55 you did touch on the issue of crime a little earlier.

00:51:58 How important is a safe and secure country

00:52:06 for the investor?

00:52:13 - Well, it's extremely important,

00:52:15 because remember, an investor is concerned

00:52:19 about the safety and security of their equipment,

00:52:22 of the physical infrastructure that they put in place,

00:52:25 the human capital that they put in place,

00:52:27 and their money, most important.

00:52:29 So if crime continues to be as it is,

00:52:32 that is a disincentive.

00:52:34 They are concerned with the cost of doing business.

00:52:36 Crime increases the cost of doing business.

00:52:39 And we're not just talking about foreign investors,

00:52:41 we're talking about local investors as well.

00:52:43 And you know, one of the challenge,

00:52:44 and we are not doing enough to really understand it,

00:52:47 right now, I will wager a strong bet

00:52:51 that a lot of our indigenous investors,

00:52:55 I'm talking about homegrown investors,

00:52:57 have done a lot in terms of moving their investments

00:53:02 away from Trinidad and Tobago,

00:53:03 where they continue to maintain investment,

00:53:06 they already, I am sure, have exit strategies

00:53:08 to move things out of Trinidad and Tobago.

00:53:11 And we have been lamenting for years now

00:53:13 why we're not having an increase

00:53:16 in domestic investments.

00:53:20 We're simply not an attractive investment destination

00:53:24 at this moment in time.

00:53:25 So if we're not attractive to our own investors,

00:53:28 how then can we become attractive to foreign investors?

00:53:31 So the inflow of foreign direct investment

00:53:34 to Trinidad and Tobago has been on the decline.

00:53:36 It is not happening in the way that we need it to happen.

00:53:40 And crime is a major factor that is affecting that.

00:53:44 Crime also affects our human capital.

00:53:46 You know, if you can't have quality of life,

00:53:49 then you're going to look for it elsewhere.

00:53:52 So the brain drain that we are suffering in this moment,

00:53:56 and I think it is at an all-time high.

00:53:59 Again, we are not generating the data

00:54:02 in order to be able to actually clearly say what it is,

00:54:06 but in my view, it is at an all-time high.

00:54:09 Young professionals are seeking opportunities elsewhere.

00:54:12 So we are investing in training our young persons,

00:54:16 but then one, there's no job opportunities for them.

00:54:20 And secondly, the issue of safety and security

00:54:23 is a major issue,

00:54:24 and therefore they are looking for opportunities elsewhere.

00:54:26 Not just our young professionals,

00:54:28 but our professionals that have years and years of experience

00:54:32 and we need them here.

00:54:33 We really need them here if we are to grow this economy.

00:54:36 But safety and security is paramount,

00:54:38 and therefore they too are making the decision

00:54:40 to go elsewhere.

00:54:41 We need to be able to stem that,

00:54:43 to stem all of that we need to address the issue of crime.

00:54:47 And, you know, it appears as if those in authority

00:54:52 don't seem to be interested in getting it under control

00:54:56 because the measures that we are seeing

00:54:59 and we're hearing about

00:55:00 are certainly not getting the job done.

00:55:02 So much more is needed.

00:55:04 And as a people, we need to take the responsibility

00:55:08 of demanding this of our leaders.

00:55:10 And I see that we are scared, we are complacent,

00:55:14 and therefore people prefer to stay within their homes,

00:55:18 be jailed within the confines of their homes,

00:55:21 and still not be safe

00:55:22 because the issue of home invasion has increased so much.

00:55:26 So there is no sense of safety

00:55:28 regardless of where you are in Trinidad and Tobago.

00:55:30 But elsewhere in the world,

00:55:32 people would have taken to the streets,

00:55:34 they would have been demanding more.

00:55:35 But we don't seem to be a society

00:55:37 that are in the business

00:55:39 of really holding our leaders to account.

00:55:41 - Yeah.

00:55:43 Dr. Sajeevan, thank you very much for speaking with us today.

00:55:46 You have given us much food for thought.

00:55:49 And we thank you for that.

00:55:51 And I'm sure that we will speak to you again

00:55:53 sometime during this year.

00:55:55 I don't know if I wished you a happy new year,

00:55:58 but if I didn't, well, happy new year, doctor.

00:56:01 It's always good to speak with you.

00:56:02 Bye for now.

00:56:03 - Bye, thank you.

00:56:04 You did wish me happy new year, thank you.

00:56:06 - Bye-bye.

00:56:07 - Okay, so we are going to a very short break.

00:56:09 We are coming back.

00:56:10 (upbeat music)

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00:56:45 (upbeat music)

00:56:47 (upbeat music)

00:56:50 (upbeat music)

00:56:51 - Give us a call at 235-5479.

00:56:55 (upbeat music)

00:56:56 ♪ Community Hospital of Seventh-Day Adventist ♪

00:57:01 ♪ Where good private healthcare is affordable ♪

00:57:06 (upbeat music)

00:57:08 ♪ Do you remember ♪

00:57:16 ♪ When we fell in love ♪

00:57:18 ♪ I remember, don't worry ♪

00:57:22 ♪ Do you remember ♪

00:57:25 ♪ How it all began ♪

00:57:27 ♪ How could I ever forget it's the first time ♪

00:57:31 ♪ Do you remember ♪

00:57:33 ♪ I could feel it coming in the air ♪

00:57:36 ♪ Coming in the air ♪

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00:57:41 ♪ Remember me ♪

00:57:45 ♪ Do you remember it ♪

00:57:47 ♪ Hold on ♪

00:57:48 ♪ When we fell in love ♪

00:57:49 ♪ Do you remember it's time ♪

00:57:51 ♪ How could I ever forget it ♪

00:57:54 ♪ Do you remember ♪

00:57:56 ♪ Hold on ♪

00:57:56 ♪ When we fell in love ♪

00:57:58 ♪ Do you remember it's time ♪

00:58:00 ♪ How could I ever forget it ♪

00:58:02 ♪ Do you remember it's time ♪

00:58:04 ♪ Hold on ♪

00:58:05 ♪ When we fell in love ♪

00:58:08 (upbeat music)

00:58:11 - Good morning, I am Ansel Gibbs with a news update.

00:58:19 Police are investigating a shooting in San Fernando,

00:58:22 which has left one man dead.

00:58:25 The victim has been identified

00:58:27 as 30 year old Renarco Payer from Pleasantville.

00:58:31 Police say the shooting happened on Monday afternoon

00:58:34 at the corner of Lejean and Funrose streets.

00:58:37 According to investigators, Payer was in a car

00:58:41 when gunmen in another car chased him and opened fire.

00:58:45 He was shot multiple times and died at the scene.

00:58:50 The THA's tourism secretary is apologizing

00:58:53 to service providers in Tobago,

00:58:55 who are still owed monies

00:58:56 from the Tobago Heritage Festival,

00:58:59 which was held last July.

00:59:01 - After the recent proclamation

00:59:03 of the procurement legislation,

00:59:05 a number of additional things have been done

00:59:07 to ensure that we came within the ambit of the law.

00:59:12 So the processing of the payments

00:59:14 took a little bit longer than we anticipated.

00:59:17 We also had some staff changes.

00:59:19 We had changes of administrator in between the process

00:59:22 and that would have added to the delays.

00:59:24 However, we're at the place right now

00:59:26 where we are in the process of finalizing the payments

00:59:30 and we should be able to make all payments

00:59:32 by the end of this month.

00:59:33 (upbeat music)

00:59:35 - And in the weather forecast, the islands can expect

00:59:39 a few shower spells,

00:59:40 particularly during the early morning and afternoon hours,

00:59:43 which will interrupt mostly sunny and breezy conditions.

00:59:48 Winds may gust at times,

00:59:50 especially in showers or heavy downpours.

00:59:53 Meanwhile, seas remain moderate.

00:59:56 Conditions may become occasionally rough

00:59:59 in Northeastern areas of Tobago

01:00:01 and occasionally choppy elsewhere.

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01:00:37 - How advertising and news benefits brands.

01:00:47 All post-art exposure behaviors

01:00:48 show significant positive lift

01:00:50 for everything from brand website visits

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01:00:55 Advertising and news works.

01:00:57 ♪ I'm moving ♪

01:01:08 ♪ Moving forward every day ♪

01:01:11 ♪ Jesus ♪

01:01:13 ♪ I just let him lead the way ♪

01:01:15 ♪ Every second, every minute, every hour of the day ♪

01:01:20 ♪ With Jesus every day ♪

01:01:25 ♪ 24/7 ♪

01:01:26 ♪ With Jesus every day ♪

01:01:29 ♪ I'm moving ♪

01:01:34 ♪ With Jesus ♪

01:01:36 ♪ I'm moving ♪

01:01:38 ♪ With Jesus every day ♪

01:01:40 - Skill, online here with this weirdo named Larry.

01:01:44 I getting rid of him now.

01:01:45 Eh eh.

01:01:50 (laughing)

01:01:56 Let's take a selfie.

01:01:58 It looking good, boy.

01:02:02 I present online.

01:02:03 - Hey, I thought you say you went to the beach

01:02:09 with your parents.

01:02:10 - Who's you?

01:02:11 - It's me, Larry.

01:02:14 From online.

01:02:15 ♪ You're charming, you're charming ♪

01:02:32 ♪ Oh, just this baby, girl ♪

01:02:35 ♪ You're sweet and I'm sweet ♪

01:02:37 ♪ So give me that, give me you ♪

01:02:38 - All right, so welcome back, everyone.

01:02:39 So the University of the West Indies,

01:02:41 St. Augustine campus has decided to embark on

01:02:46 a one-year interdisciplinary,

01:02:54 come on, Prompter, help me here,

01:02:56 MSc in Climate Studies.

01:02:57 To tell us more is Dr. Keron Niles,

01:03:01 PhD lecturer, Institute of International Relations.

01:03:04 Good morning, Dr. Niles.

01:03:06 - Good morning, Trinidad and Tobago.

01:03:09 Good morning to you, sir.

01:03:10 - Yeah, Dr. Niles.

01:03:12 All right, well, please tell us about this course of study

01:03:15 and why is it so important?

01:03:17 - Climate change is an existential threat.

01:03:22 And what that means is climate change

01:03:24 could end things for everyone.

01:03:27 It is also what we refer to as a threat multiplier.

01:03:30 So things that are already bad can become much worse.

01:03:36 So if you think about water scarcity for an example,

01:03:41 in some parts of the world where water may be

01:03:44 really, really, really scarce,

01:03:46 where people have to really watch their consumption,

01:03:51 droughts are gonna be made worse by climate change,

01:03:56 which are gonna make rivers dry up even more,

01:03:58 and therefore it's gonna multiply that threat.

01:04:01 The same thing happens here in the Caribbean

01:04:03 where we're gonna be seeing more frequent

01:04:06 and more powerful hurricanes, for example,

01:04:11 that multiplies threats.

01:04:13 So we see this as a critical issue.

01:04:18 And as such, we're responding.

01:04:21 We need to empower the next generation.

01:04:23 We need to empower this generation

01:04:27 to combat climate change.

01:04:29 It's no longer a theoretical issue.

01:04:33 If you live in the Caribbean, which we all do,

01:04:36 we'd appreciate this.

01:04:39 So it's about time, and we see this as an urgent need.

01:04:44 So this is about upskilling ourselves with the knowledge

01:04:49 across several strands,

01:04:51 across several disciplines, I should say,

01:04:54 so that we can all respond knowledgeably

01:04:59 to this ongoing threat.

01:05:02 - But you know, Dr. Niles, you think that people,

01:05:06 and we can speak about in the Caribbean,

01:05:09 in Trinidad and Tobago, and internationally,

01:05:12 you think that they have started to believe

01:05:16 that climate change is real?

01:05:18 Because up to a few years ago, Dr. Niles,

01:05:21 it was seen as a Nancy story,

01:05:24 this thing about climate change.

01:05:26 You think that people are seeing and believing now?

01:05:32 - Yeah, I think people are becoming more responsive.

01:05:37 I don't really, so here's what I think.

01:05:39 I don't feel like the issue really is anymore,

01:05:43 is this thing a reality?

01:05:46 I feel like the issue is now,

01:05:47 who is going to pay to do something about it?

01:05:51 Who's gonna pay to make the changes that we need to make?

01:05:55 So here's a wonderful example

01:05:56 that Trinidad and Tobago might be able to identify with.

01:06:00 We need to conserve more energy,

01:06:03 which means you need an economic incentive

01:06:08 to conserve more energy.

01:06:10 Well, electricity tariffs may have been too low,

01:06:14 and they might need to increase.

01:06:18 Look at what happened when we said,

01:06:21 "Oh, it might be time to increase electricity tariffs."

01:06:24 If you put the economic reasons aside,

01:06:27 there is a very valid reason,

01:06:30 an environmental reason why you should remove subsidies,

01:06:35 for example, from water, from waste,

01:06:40 and from, well, not all these subsidies are waste,

01:06:44 but from water, certainly, and from electricity, certainly.

01:06:48 We need to remove some of those subsidies

01:06:50 in order to incentivize and to create incentives

01:06:53 in the marketplace for more efficient use

01:06:56 of those utilities.

01:06:57 However, if I tell somebody

01:07:00 that this is actually gonna benefit the planet,

01:07:03 they're gonna say, "Oh, I have to pay for this."

01:07:06 That's a problem.

01:07:08 So I don't think the issue really is

01:07:11 that people have a challenge

01:07:14 accepting the science as much.

01:07:16 The science, more than 2,000 scientists

01:07:20 have come together and said, "This is a problem."

01:07:22 I don't feel like people have a problem

01:07:23 with the science, listen to me.

01:07:25 People have a problem with the politics.

01:07:27 - Why is it that climate change,

01:07:33 or us believing in climate change,

01:07:38 is so important to countries such as us in the Caribbean,

01:07:43 with such fragile economies,

01:07:47 and with many of us really placing most of our focus

01:07:54 on the tourism sector?

01:07:57 - So let's put it this way.

01:08:01 No one has had real difficulty believing in gravity

01:08:06 because a belief in gravity does not,

01:08:11 as a matter of fact, if you ask somebody

01:08:13 if you believe in gravity,

01:08:14 they look at you like you're a madman.

01:08:16 So, but the issue I have with believing in gravity

01:08:21 is because that doesn't require any change from you.

01:08:25 Understanding the realities of climate change

01:08:29 requires action.

01:08:31 And some of those actions,

01:08:32 some of those changes are painful changes,

01:08:35 such as paying more for electricity and paying more.

01:08:39 And as it relates to tourism, for example,

01:08:47 the reason why that might be a painful adjustment

01:08:52 is because to get the tourists here right now,

01:08:57 they have to take high emissions flights,

01:09:02 like high emissions, long haul flights

01:09:05 from our target markets,

01:09:07 which is usually the US or Canada or Europe,

01:09:11 particularly the UK.

01:09:14 The emissions that they have to,

01:09:17 those tourists have to put to get here

01:09:20 are now under scrutiny.

01:09:22 So what many of the tourists are choosing to do

01:09:25 is stay home or stay within their region.

01:09:29 And instead of an American couple or family deciding,

01:09:34 you know what, I need to take that exotic trip

01:09:36 to the Caribbean,

01:09:38 they might say, well, maybe let's do Niagara Falls.

01:09:41 You know, maybe let's go to a part of the US

01:09:43 that we've never seen before,

01:09:45 particularly if they're conscious about the impact

01:09:49 of their vacation on the planet.

01:09:51 What does that do to us?

01:09:54 So that's part of the discussion for us.

01:09:59 And so what happens when you're working in a hotel

01:10:04 and someone says to you, this is a problem,

01:10:08 this is an issue.

01:10:10 And so the issue is your livelihood.

01:10:12 You know, if your livelihood was under threat,

01:10:15 if you worked in the oil and gas sector, for example,

01:10:20 and you hear people saying,

01:10:21 we need to shut this industry down, what would happen?

01:10:24 So I often ask my students,

01:10:26 how many of you all believe that we need to end

01:10:29 these fossil fuels?

01:10:30 And many of them raise their hand.

01:10:31 I said, how many of you are our parents

01:10:33 working in these companies?

01:10:35 Nobody raised their hand.

01:10:39 I said, would you still feel the same way

01:10:44 if it meant that you're not getting any allowance?

01:10:47 If it means you had to give up all the parties

01:10:50 for this kind of work, 'cause you had to save

01:10:52 and you had to work?

01:10:53 People's opinions change when their lifestyle is threatened.

01:10:57 - Dr. Niles, let's focus a little bit more

01:11:04 on this course of study, climate studies.

01:11:08 What are some of the components that students

01:11:12 who enroll into this program,

01:11:17 what are some of the components

01:11:18 that they are going to receive education in?

01:11:21 - So the science of climate change is where we begin.

01:11:26 So even though I teach on climate policy,

01:11:30 which is the more controversial things

01:11:33 that we've been talking about.

01:11:34 - Yeah, of course.

01:11:37 - I teach more on the policy and the economics,

01:11:39 but we begin with the science.

01:11:43 You can't make policy about something

01:11:44 that you don't understand,

01:11:45 or rather you shouldn't make policy

01:11:48 about something you don't understand,

01:11:49 basically, or fundamentally, we should say.

01:11:52 So we begin with the science of climate change.

01:11:55 Then we talk about, we move quite simply

01:11:58 onto the politics and the economics of climate change.

01:12:01 And then one of the other core components

01:12:03 of the course is communicating about climate change.

01:12:07 So interacting with the media

01:12:09 as it relates to climate change.

01:12:11 Like how do we actually speak about climate impacts

01:12:15 and the science itself in useful ways

01:12:19 so that everyone can understand?

01:12:21 And then from there, we have what we call,

01:12:25 we're gonna be introducing what we call specialization.

01:12:27 Some people call them concentrations.

01:12:29 It doesn't matter what you call them,

01:12:31 but essentially these are areas

01:12:34 in which you can specialize, for want of a better word.

01:12:38 You can focus more energy on.

01:12:40 So there's climate change and health,

01:12:42 climate change and, well, we can say climate change and law,

01:12:46 but it's actually climate justice is what we're calling that.

01:12:49 You can focus on climate change and energy,

01:12:55 climate change and food security.

01:12:57 And those are the concentrations

01:13:00 that would allow students to focus a bit more

01:13:03 on areas of interest.

01:13:05 So that thing that might be really important to them.

01:13:09 We also do climate change on coastlines as well.

01:13:12 So, and another, the final specialization

01:13:16 would be climate change and sports and tourism.

01:13:19 So that question that you just asked,

01:13:22 we focus on those as well.

01:13:24 - How long is the course of study?

01:13:26 - One year, just one year of your time.

01:13:31 For those of you that have less time,

01:13:33 you can take three months

01:13:36 and you can leave with a postgraduate certificate.

01:13:39 And if you wanna do a bit more,

01:13:45 you can take two semesters,

01:13:49 which is essentially six months.

01:13:51 So semester one and semester two,

01:13:55 and you can leave with a postgraduate diploma.

01:13:59 If you want the entire master's,

01:14:02 you can do the entire year with us,

01:14:03 which includes what is a fraction of the summer break,

01:14:08 like summer vacation with us.

01:14:09 So you spend semester one, semester two and summer

01:14:12 and that will equate to the entire master's.

01:14:15 - Yeah, and people who are interested,

01:14:18 have a few more days to register for the course?

01:14:21 - They do, they do, yes.

01:14:25 Please avail yourselves of the opportunity.

01:14:27 You have about one more week to register.

01:14:29 Classes, we've already kicked off.

01:14:30 We're ready to go.

01:14:31 Many of the classes, the university as a whole,

01:14:35 begins, classes begin next week.

01:14:39 But this course, it's new, trying something different.

01:14:43 Students have already begun learning this week.

01:14:46 So by all means, take this opportunity to register now,

01:14:50 because I mean, it's an urgent problem,

01:14:53 urgent action is required, and so we've got them going.

01:14:57 - Yeah, Dr. Niles, anything else you'd like to add

01:14:59 before you leave us this morning?

01:15:01 - I think this is one way of betting on yourself.

01:15:08 You would have heard people in the media,

01:15:12 you would have heard, hopefully, persons in your family

01:15:15 talk about this climate change thing.

01:15:18 And some of you all listening to me right now

01:15:20 may have even been affected by things like flooding,

01:15:24 active inundation, or even by some of the hurricanes

01:15:29 that have passed through this region.

01:15:31 This is an opportunity for you to make a difference.

01:15:37 I am under no illusion that any one of us

01:15:43 can turn this thing around.

01:15:45 Even a small country like Trinidad and Tobago

01:15:50 can make a difference.

01:15:52 We cannot do so alone, but we can make a difference.

01:15:57 And the ability to do that begins with individual action.

01:16:03 This is a platform that allows the individual to step up.

01:16:09 Because in order to take that action,

01:16:16 you need to have the knowledge required.

01:16:19 And so, and a deep understanding of somebody

01:16:22 with very complex issues involved

01:16:25 in tackling climate change.

01:16:28 This is what this course of study,

01:16:31 whether you take the postgraduate diploma,

01:16:33 you take the postgraduate certificate,

01:16:34 or you take the entire master's,

01:16:36 is that this course of study allows you

01:16:40 to step up to the problem yourself.

01:16:42 And it doesn't matter what you feel that background,

01:16:44 or what your area of research is,

01:16:48 what your first degree is in.

01:16:51 I started off in social sciences,

01:16:53 went and got a master's degree in law,

01:16:57 and then moved to the department of physics.

01:17:00 It is possible to transition between fields,

01:17:02 and several of our students are journalists,

01:17:05 several students are scientists.

01:17:06 Wherever you're coming from,

01:17:09 whatever angle you're taking,

01:17:12 this is a challenge that affects everybody,

01:17:13 and action from all quarters is required.

01:17:17 - Yeah, Dr. Carol Niles, since you put it that way,

01:17:20 I suspect you are going to get an increase in applications.

01:17:23 But Dr. Niles, it was a pleasure speaking

01:17:25 with you this morning.

01:17:26 Thank you very much for the information.

01:17:28 All the best.

01:17:29 - Thank you so much for your time.

01:17:30 Thanks for having me.

01:17:31 - All right, bye for now.

01:17:32 So we do have another break for you,

01:17:34 but we do have also this image.

01:17:35 It's of an orchid, orchids in bloom in Chagones,

01:17:40 and it comes from Paula.

01:17:42 Good morning, Paula.

01:17:43 (upbeat music)

01:17:45 (singing in foreign language)

01:17:49 - If you could see what the future holds,

01:17:58 you'd see that while things change, you've still got it.

01:18:03 You are strong, resilient, inspiring,

01:18:08 and you will be defined by time.

01:18:11 You'll own every minute of it,

01:18:14 because you were made for more.

01:18:18 Discover how alive multivitamins by Nature's Way

01:18:21 help you age vibrantly.

01:18:24 - Universal Church presents Programs of Faith,

01:18:28 5.30am, the hour of miracles.

01:18:32 5pm, it's possible.

01:18:42 Now on TV6.

01:19:08 (singing in foreign language)

01:19:12 - All right, so welcome back, everyone.

01:19:24 So I know that I have been focusing really

01:19:27 on this story concerning COVID, right?

01:19:29 But I think it's very important.

01:19:31 So allow me the opportunity to share

01:19:33 some further information or additional information with you.

01:19:37 So the health minister, Terence D. Elsing said,

01:19:41 nine people were currently in hospital

01:19:43 and five people had died from COVID-19

01:19:46 since the last update on December 26, 2023.

01:19:51 The minister noted TNT currently has no vaccines

01:19:55 as it has destroyed 795,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine,

01:20:00 which had expired last September.

01:20:06 He said the government was trying to procure more vaccines,

01:20:09 but said this was not easy as batches are sold

01:20:13 in specific and large amounts by different companies.

01:20:17 Furthermore, D. Elsing said the products were dumped

01:20:20 because people were not seeking the vaccine anymore.

01:20:24 He said he has started to notice that more people

01:20:28 were wearing masks since last December.

01:20:31 And this was one of the best things we can do now.

01:20:34 Once your immune system is compromised,

01:20:37 I think the prudent thing to do now is to wear a mask.

01:20:42 So we're back to mask wearing, okay?

01:20:45 Sergeant Ansel Ford is here with us.

01:20:51 Sergeant, I know you are mask man, you know,

01:20:55 I'm not seeing the mask this morning.

01:20:57 - Man, don't worry.

01:20:58 As soon as I leave studio, I'll put on a mask.

01:21:01 - Yeah? - Yes, yes, yes.

01:21:02 - So Sergeant, it's good to always have you here.

01:21:05 What do you have for us today?

01:21:06 - Morning, Marlon, morning, Senator DeVico.

01:21:08 All right, Marlon, last week we launched our SMART campaign.

01:21:12 - Yes.

01:21:13 - In terms of advising persons, we can evolve.

01:21:17 SMART, the acronym means Safety Measures

01:21:19 Aimed at Reducing Threats.

01:21:21 We dealt with several issues last week,

01:21:24 from parenting to drinking, alcohol, driving,

01:21:28 parking, FUL management.

01:21:31 This morning, we want to speak on a sensitive issue, right?

01:21:35 We're dealing with our women folk again.

01:21:38 And in terms of being SMART,

01:21:41 we want to speak to our women folk

01:21:44 in terms of safeguarding themselves from being attacked

01:21:49 or even being sexually assaulted, right?

01:21:54 So we're advising all women,

01:21:58 as much as you are into the festive season,

01:22:02 partying and these things,

01:22:04 we want you to refrain as much as possible

01:22:07 from meeting strangers, persons who you never met before.

01:22:11 Let us say, to meet them in some isolated area, right?

01:22:17 Ideally, if you are meeting someone

01:22:20 that you never met before, meet them in a public place.

01:22:24 If you are in a function with your friends

01:22:28 and you happen to meet someone,

01:22:30 do not leave the environment

01:22:34 where you are with your friends

01:22:35 to go to some private place for that individual.

01:22:38 It is not safe, all right?

01:22:41 Inform your friends, inform your relatives

01:22:44 of your whereabouts, if it is you're going anywhere, right?

01:22:49 Additionally, Marlon, if you have to travel,

01:22:53 make the necessary arrangements

01:22:57 that you can get there safely

01:22:59 and at the same time, return home safely.

01:23:03 If it is that you drove yourself,

01:23:05 wherever you are parked,

01:23:07 whilst it is you are going towards a vehicle,

01:23:10 scan your environment.

01:23:13 If you see anything that worries you,

01:23:16 ideally do not continue to go to your vehicle.

01:23:19 Have your keys in your hand.

01:23:21 Don't wait till you reach your vehicle

01:23:23 and know you're not searching in your handbag

01:23:25 or so to get your keys, all right?

01:23:28 Have it in your hand so you can actually open your vehicle,

01:23:31 get into your vehicle, and when you get into your vehicle,

01:23:33 lock your door.

01:23:34 - Immediately. - Immediately.

01:23:36 Don't chance it to do anything else

01:23:38 other than lock your door

01:23:39 and then say about starting

01:23:41 and going to your particular point.

01:23:44 Now, Marlon, around carnival,

01:23:48 there is this feature in terms of sexual offenses.

01:23:55 So, if there is a sexual offense taking place,

01:23:59 be it rape, all right,

01:24:03 or if not rape,

01:24:05 that it was not with the consent of the person

01:24:11 or consent may have been withdrawn

01:24:15 even during, all right?

01:24:19 So, Marlon, whether it is due to the festive feelings,

01:24:24 music, drugs, or a bit of promiscuity, all right,

01:24:29 we want to speak to our men, all right?

01:24:32 Firstly, it's an appeal to all men.

01:24:37 Let us maintain the respect for women folk,

01:24:42 notwithstanding the festive season, all right,

01:24:46 and understanding that if it is that you, the male,

01:24:52 comes upon this female,

01:24:54 and you're speaking about adults,

01:24:56 persons over the age of 18 years,

01:24:59 and by whatever means

01:25:03 other than consensual,

01:25:06 that is, the adult female consents

01:25:10 to sexual intercourse,

01:25:12 if you were to engage in such an act,

01:25:17 you would be committing the offense.

01:25:19 You would be committing the offense of rape,

01:25:23 a very serious offense,

01:25:26 the penalty of which is life imprisonment, all right?

01:25:31 Now, Marlon, whilst as we speak of the issue of consent,

01:25:36 we need to understand that consent

01:25:42 can also be conditional in terms of

01:25:47 there are certain things that the law speaks to,

01:25:49 that while you think you have consent,

01:25:54 under the law, you do not have consent, all right?

01:25:57 So let us look at it.

01:25:59 Under Section 4(1) of the Sexual Offenses Act,

01:26:03 it says that a person commits the offense of rape

01:26:08 when he has sexual intercourse with another person,

01:26:11 the complainant, without the consent of the complainant,

01:26:15 where he knows that the complainant

01:26:17 does not consent to the intercourse,

01:26:20 or he's reckless as to whether the complainant consents.

01:26:23 4(1)(b), sorry, goes on to say,

01:26:29 or with the consent of the complainant,

01:26:32 where the consent is extorted by threat

01:26:36 or fear of bodily harm to the complainant or to another.

01:26:41 So the person was not free

01:26:46 in terms of agreeing to--

01:26:51 - To do or being forced.

01:26:52 - They were being forced, right?

01:26:54 Either due to threat to themselves

01:26:56 or threat of harm to somebody else, right?

01:26:59 They were under some form of duress.

01:27:02 Additionally, Marlon,

01:27:04 is obtained by person hitting someone else.

01:27:09 So the person would have consented,

01:27:12 believing that you, the male, was someone else, right?

01:27:17 You may ask under what conditions this can happen, right?

01:27:24 Ideally, Marlon, it may happen in a situation

01:27:27 where someone is sleeping.

01:27:31 - Okay, yeah.

01:27:32 - Yes, and you gain entry into their room,

01:27:36 as the case may be, and under darkness,

01:27:39 they assume that you might have been their husband

01:27:41 or their boyfriend, and you did not inform otherwise,

01:27:46 and it led to a sexual engagement.

01:27:52 That is not consent.

01:27:53 Additionally, Marlon, is obtained by false

01:27:57 or fraudulent representation as to the nature

01:27:59 of the intercourse.

01:28:00 This more or less speaks to, let us say,

01:28:02 a medical situation or some health provider

01:28:05 where it is you are told that what is being done, right,

01:28:09 is under the disguise of some medical requirement

01:28:12 as opposed to what is actually a procedure required,

01:28:17 and is obtained by unlawfully detaining the complainant.

01:28:20 So the person is held against their will,

01:28:24 and in order to be set free, they consent to it, right?

01:28:29 So whilst the law speaks

01:28:30 about these particular scenarios here,

01:28:32 we are having a conversation as it relates

01:28:34 to the festive season, the carnival season,

01:28:37 and what may happen, and we want to advise our men

01:28:41 that the penalty for rape, all right,

01:28:45 and section four, two says,

01:28:47 a person who commits the offense of rape is liable

01:28:49 on conviction to imprisonment for life

01:28:52 and any other punishment which may be imposed by law,

01:28:56 except that is if the complainant is under the age

01:29:02 of 12 years, then that life, right,

01:29:07 it can be worse than life, I'm just saying, right?

01:29:11 Life is understood to be a certain amount

01:29:13 of years imprisonment as opposed to your natural life, right?

01:29:16 B, the offense is committed by two

01:29:19 or more persons acting in concert,

01:29:21 or with the assistance or in the presence of a third person.

01:29:26 The offense is committed in particular heinous circumstances.

01:29:29 The complainant was pregnant at the time of the offense

01:29:32 and the accused knew that the complainant was pregnant,

01:29:36 or the accused has previously been convicted

01:29:38 of the offense of rape, he shall be liable

01:29:41 to imprisonment for his natural life.

01:29:43 So those instances I spoke of before,

01:29:45 that is natural life as opposed to the life sentence,

01:29:49 which one understands to be about 20 to 25 years

01:29:52 imprisonment, right?

01:29:53 Now, consent must be a conscious,

01:29:58 a conscious decision free, free of any constraints

01:30:03 or duress that somebody may be under

01:30:08 in order to make that decision.

01:30:10 - Or even impairment.

01:30:11 - Well, I'm getting to that, Marlon, right?

01:30:13 We look at, could someone at any particular age

01:30:18 give consent?

01:30:19 No, the law says that a person below the age of 16 years

01:30:24 cannot give consent because of,

01:30:27 you're looking at the maturity of the mind,

01:30:30 understanding what consent means, right?

01:30:34 The law is saying that that person under that age

01:30:37 may not have a full appreciation

01:30:40 of what consent actually means

01:30:42 in terms of the given consent.

01:30:45 Somebody who has a mental health issue,

01:30:48 so you're mentally impaired.

01:30:50 You cannot make a proper decision

01:30:53 understanding all the circumstances or consequences

01:30:56 of such a decision.

01:30:58 Notwithstanding, Marlon, where consent was given,

01:31:04 so you met someone and you all hit it off,

01:31:08 and at some point in time, it reached a sexual encounter.

01:31:11 The woman has the right to say stop.

01:31:17 - No is no.

01:31:21 - The consent is now withdrawn.

01:31:24 And if it is that you, the male, continue believing

01:31:29 that I must finish, you are now committing

01:31:34 the offense of rape.

01:31:36 And if it is, Marlon, that the female consents

01:31:41 to being intimate with you,

01:31:43 and your friends happen to come into the room

01:31:50 and feel that they have consent as well,

01:31:54 they do not have consent.

01:31:56 And if it is that they were to engage

01:31:58 in a sexual encounter with a female,

01:32:00 they are committing the offense of rape as well.

01:32:02 These are serious, serious matters, Marlon,

01:32:06 because consent was not given to the other persons.

01:32:10 Marlon, we have the situation where persons feel

01:32:15 that it is okay to put a drug or a substance

01:32:22 in drink or foodstuff and give it to someone,

01:32:27 and later on take advantage of that person

01:32:32 because they have no control of themselves

01:32:36 because of the drug that you may have given to them.

01:32:39 Right, Marlon?

01:32:40 That amongst an offense, and under the Offenses

01:32:46 Against the Persons Act, Chapter 1108,

01:32:50 and I will read particularly for persons

01:32:52 to understand what the law says.

01:32:53 Section 16 of the Offenses Against the Persons Act,

01:32:59 1108 says, "Any person who unlawfully applies

01:33:03 "or administers to or causes to be taken by

01:33:07 "or attempts to apply or administer to

01:33:10 "or attempts to cause to be administered to

01:33:13 "or taken by any person, any chloroform,

01:33:18 "laudanum, or other stupefying or overpowering drug,

01:33:23 "matter or thing, with intent in any such case thereby,

01:33:27 "to enable himself or any other person to commit,

01:33:32 "or with intent in any such cases thereby,

01:33:36 "to assist any other person in committing

01:33:38 "any indictable offense, is liable

01:33:41 "to imprisonment for 15 years."

01:33:44 So Marlon, the persons who think that they are being witty

01:33:49 and wishes to administer a drug

01:33:55 to take control of a person, and in particular case,

01:34:00 we are speaking about spiking someone's drink,

01:34:04 putting ecstasy in someone's drink, right?

01:34:07 And then you have control over them,

01:34:09 you are committing a serious offense,

01:34:11 to which your penalty is 15 years imprisonment.

01:34:14 But you may have one incident,

01:34:17 and because of what transpired,

01:34:21 you may have one individual,

01:34:23 and I'm speaking about the perpetrator,

01:34:25 facing a number of charges, not so?

01:34:28 - Yes, yes, definitely Marlon.

01:34:30 So why is this we look at the issue in terms of rape?

01:34:35 Rape is one offense.

01:34:37 We are now looking at the issue of administering

01:34:39 a drug or a substance, which is a separate offense.

01:34:42 The act of committing that rape,

01:34:47 you may have detained the person unlawfully, right?

01:34:51 We are also looking at the unlawfully detention.

01:34:54 You may have sexually assaulted the person

01:34:58 other than rape, we're talking about

01:35:00 grievous sexual assault, right?

01:35:02 And stemming from that isolated incident,

01:35:07 there are several charges that could follow.

01:35:11 And to take a very serious position on it,

01:35:15 the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service

01:35:18 will not spear you in terms of the charges

01:35:20 to be laid against you,

01:35:22 provided that there's the evidence to establish it.

01:35:25 So as much as we are going into the carnival season,

01:35:30 we are taking the proactive approach to one,

01:35:35 to sensitize members of the public, all and sundry,

01:35:40 to speak particularly to our women folk

01:35:42 in terms of making smart decisions.

01:35:44 Likewise, our male counterparts

01:35:47 in making smart decisions, all right?

01:35:50 And if it is that you decide you're going to do otherwise,

01:35:54 you expose yourself to the risk, right?

01:35:58 As well as the consequences, that is the sanctions in law.

01:36:02 So Marlon, we want to have a safe carnival season.

01:36:07 - Yes.

01:36:08 - This is the build up to it.

01:36:09 And having dealt with several aspects

01:36:12 in terms of safety so far,

01:36:15 we continue with the campaign,

01:36:16 hoping that we would be able to impact

01:36:19 on persons altogether.

01:36:22 Marlon, previously we spoke of the need

01:36:26 to ensure that the children are taken care of, right?

01:36:30 And there are offenses as it relates--

01:36:32 - Sergeant, we just have about one minute again.

01:36:34 - Sure.

01:36:34 There are offenses as it relates to children.

01:36:38 And again, to our adult male, adult female,

01:36:43 the issue of sexual touching of a child,

01:36:47 sexual grooming of a child,

01:36:49 sexual penetration of a child.

01:36:52 We would like for persons to understand

01:36:54 that they have a duty of care

01:36:57 as it relates to our children.

01:36:59 And parents, you have a responsibility

01:37:01 to ensure that your children are taken care of

01:37:04 in your absence.

01:37:05 So, Mr. Marlon, thank you very much.

01:37:08 And we hope that these tips, they reach home

01:37:11 and we have a safe carnival season onwards.

01:37:14 - And those tips better reach home, you know,

01:37:16 because some of you are facing jail, yeah?

01:37:18 During the carnival and after the carnival.

01:37:20 Sergeant and them, gotta come and look for you.

01:37:22 Leave the people daughters alone, all right?

01:37:26 Sergeant, thank you very much.

01:37:27 - Most welcome.

01:37:28 - We'll be back, everybody.

01:37:29 (laughing)

01:37:31 ♪ I know where you from, Miss Lady ♪

01:37:33 ♪ I don't forget the time you were down there ♪

01:37:35 ♪ I know you're not the ♪

01:37:39 - Cruise into pleasure.

01:37:41 - Room service, may I help you?

01:37:43 - Cruise into flavor.

01:37:46 - Mm.

01:37:47 - Cruise into celebrations.

01:37:51 (crowd cheering)

01:37:52 - Cruise into business.

01:37:53 - And in this fiscal year.

01:37:55 - Cruise into the sunset.

01:37:58 (upbeat music)

01:38:00 - Cruise in hotel and yachting center.

01:38:04 - Cruise in to a whole new world.

01:38:07 - Hot 1983 and JMMB Bank are ready to burn.

01:38:14 We're back at the spacious Movie Town car park

01:38:17 in Port of Spain every Tuesday and Thursday at 4 p.m.

01:38:21 Get, get back, back, back.

01:38:22 Carnival burn.

01:38:24 (upbeat music)

01:38:26 Burn.

01:38:28 Six days of real endurance and fitness

01:38:31 from the fun and experienced instructors.

01:38:34 ♪ Let me see your waffle money ♪

01:38:37 And all hosted by the awesome Hot 93 DJs and personalities.

01:38:41 Walk with your team and come sweat and vibe with us.

01:38:46 - You don't have no shame in crying,

01:38:50 no matter your age or sex,

01:38:53 or laughing and kicksing for that matter.

01:38:56 It's when we keep things in,

01:38:58 then the pressure does start.

01:39:01 You need to express yourself.

01:39:03 Establish a safe and non-judgmental environment

01:39:11 in your home and family circle.

01:39:15 Your child should feel comfortable,

01:39:18 not afraid to discuss their feelings with you.

01:39:22 Be open expressing your feelings

01:39:25 as well in open and honest conversation.

01:39:28 Always respect each other's emotions.

01:39:32 At the end of the day, do your best as parents.

01:39:38 Share if you found this useful.

01:39:41 Like and follow our profile for more parenting tips.

01:39:46 The letter of the day is F for feelings.

01:39:49 ♪ Nobody to ride with ♪

01:39:53 ♪ But if you call me ghostly boy ♪

01:39:55 ♪ I guarantee ♪

01:39:57 ♪ If you hold me from the 13th ♪

01:40:00 ♪ You will get me on reroll ♪

01:40:04 ♪ Every time you speak to call me ♪

01:40:07 ♪ It's another body dog ♪

01:40:11 ♪ You gon' make me miss me fun ♪

01:40:14 ♪ I'll take it in front ♪

01:40:15 ♪ I'm gonna be talking to you ♪

01:40:18 ♪ I hear this section of talk ♪

01:40:20 ♪ I can't wait to talk back and grow ♪

01:40:23 ♪ I'm gonna be talking to you ♪

01:40:26 ♪ Hey, can't talk till we stop ♪

01:40:27 - All right, so that's a voice there of Crystal Charles,

01:40:31 soca artist and entertainer.

01:40:34 She's also called Cece and the Steam Queen.

01:40:37 Steam Queen, good morning,

01:40:38 and thank you very much for coming.

01:40:40 - Thank you for having me.

01:40:41 - So tell us about the contribution

01:40:42 that you have for this season here.

01:40:44 - Okay, so we have this beautiful song called

01:40:46 "Born on the Watcher" here in the background.

01:40:49 It's basically about your friends and them left you.

01:40:52 You know, it's carnival time

01:40:53 and everybody just anxious to get there on time.

01:40:55 And then when I talk into my hubby,

01:40:57 hubby, like he wanna play a game, video games,

01:41:00 he wanna Netflix and chill.

01:41:01 And I like, you know what?

01:41:02 My mother tell me that I born alone

01:41:04 and I don't need nobody.

01:41:05 So I'm like, well, if only they want to roll out,

01:41:07 if only they want to leave me, fine.

01:41:08 I born by myself, I born alone.

01:41:10 - But how your friends what, less of?

01:41:11 - If they what, less again?

01:41:13 Oh my God.

01:41:13 - Let's hear a little bit more of the song, Crystal,

01:41:16 and if you wish to join in and give us some vocals,

01:41:20 we'd appreciate it, right?

01:41:21 - Sure.

01:41:22 ♪ I want to bounce up on you ♪

01:41:25 ♪ Take contact, love you, Snapchat ♪

01:41:27 ♪ I just want to lose all control ♪

01:41:30 ♪ Once we bounce up, we go late ♪

01:41:31 ♪ Once we bounce up, we go drink ♪

01:41:33 ♪ Once we bounce up, we go feel ♪

01:41:35 ♪ We getting a girl ♪

01:41:38 ♪ Say we go pop ♪

01:41:40 ♪ We go jump ♪

01:41:41 ♪ You better don't send no drunk ♪

01:41:43 ♪ I born alone ♪

01:41:47 ♪ Every time you're sick to come here ♪

01:41:51 ♪ Is another party done ♪

01:41:54 ♪ You gon' make me miss my son ♪

01:41:57 ♪ I take it in front ♪

01:41:59 ♪ I'm gonna be there for you ♪

01:42:02 - Crystal, that's some high notes there, you know, girl.

01:42:04 So tell us, who wrote the song, you?

01:42:06 - It was written by me.

01:42:07 It's my first song that I actually wrote, so.

01:42:10 With the coaching of Colonel Roberts, big up, Kitsch.

01:42:12 - Right.

01:42:13 So is it, well, from what I'm seeing here in your bio,

01:42:18 it's not the first time that you would have had songs

01:42:23 and more soca songs out, right?

01:42:27 - Correct.

01:42:28 - It's not the first time. - It's not the first time.

01:42:29 - You have been at it for a number of years now.

01:42:32 When did this journey begin?

01:42:34 - It actually started in 2008,

01:42:36 with Synergy Soca Star, season four.

01:42:39 And then after that, I had a song in 2010 called Steam,

01:42:43 featuring Ben Jai and Colonel Roberts.

01:42:45 That would have been the hit song

01:42:47 that stamped my name all over Trinidad and Tobago

01:42:50 and the world.

01:42:51 And then I took a break.

01:42:53 I went out on a cruise ship.

01:42:54 I was working on a cruise ship.

01:42:55 And then I did a song in 2016, went back to the cruise ship,

01:42:58 and then I resigned last year.

01:43:00 I'm like, I'm done, I had enough.

01:43:03 I miss my music, I just wanna solely do music.

01:43:05 Just music, yeah.

01:43:07 - So this song, is it only one song you have for us

01:43:09 this year?

01:43:10 - Yes, this season is too short to be releasing

01:43:12 a million and one songs.

01:43:13 - All right, so you have released it already.

01:43:15 - Yes, it's released already.

01:43:17 - What's the response been thus far?

01:43:18 - It has been amazing.

01:43:20 The feedback, like all my fans, they're like,

01:43:23 "Sissy, where you been all this time?

01:43:24 We miss you."

01:43:25 You know, and they're like, "Oh my gosh, your song is same."

01:43:28 I'm like, "Oh, thank you."

01:43:30 You know, I'm very flattered.

01:43:31 And all the DJs and them has been giving me a lot of love.

01:43:33 So big up everyone, all the radio stations

01:43:36 playing my music.

01:43:37 - Yeah.

01:43:37 So is it, Crystal, Sissy, Steam Queen.

01:43:42 So is it that we are going to be seeing you

01:43:45 on stages for the carnival season?

01:43:48 - Well, hopefully, I'm waiting on my manager to arrive.

01:43:50 He's currently in New York.

01:43:51 So he is putting everything together.

01:43:53 In the meantime, I'm just prepping myself

01:43:55 with band users and stuff like that.

01:43:57 - Yeah, yeah.

01:43:59 - But yes, you will be seeing me, definitely.

01:44:01 - Yeah.

01:44:03 - So is it that you dabble in soca alone,

01:44:08 or is it that you dabble in other genres of music?

01:44:13 - Well, at the moment, I'm currently doing just soca,

01:44:15 but I can actually sing anything.

01:44:17 I started off singing in church, you know,

01:44:19 and I love reggae.

01:44:20 - That's where it starts.

01:44:21 So sometimes you're in the church.

01:44:23 - So I love slows, I love R&B.

01:44:25 So yeah.

01:44:26 We'll see, don't worry.

01:44:28 After carnival, I have a lot coming.

01:44:30 I'm working on a little dance on soca.

01:44:32 So I can look out for that after the carnival.

01:44:34 - Yeah.

01:44:35 So you said that you have left the job on the cruise ship.

01:44:39 So is it that you have taken a serious position now

01:44:44 that, "Hey, this is what I want to do."

01:44:47 So we can look forward to you being a mainstay

01:44:51 in the soca industry.

01:44:53 We can start looking to you for more contributions,

01:44:57 music, songs. - Most definitely, yes.

01:44:58 Yes, most definitely.

01:45:00 'Cause a lot of my friends and people who know

01:45:02 I work on a cruise ship for six years,

01:45:04 they'll be like, "You're not going back on a cruise ship."

01:45:06 I'm like, "If I do go back on a cruise ship,

01:45:08 "it's to perform for Uber Soca, or as a guest,

01:45:12 "not as a crew member."

01:45:13 I love the cruise ship industry,

01:45:15 but I really, I contributed a lot to them

01:45:18 and I just was like, "That's it.

01:45:20 "I just want to focus on my music."

01:45:21 So they can definitely look out for a lot more from me.

01:45:24 There's no more breaks, guys.

01:45:26 I'm not taking no more breaks, no more breaks.

01:45:29 Sisi is back for good.

01:45:31 - Yeah.

01:45:31 And, well, I suspect, Crystal,

01:45:36 that it is an opportune time too,

01:45:38 because I think that so many young artists

01:45:43 are seeing the soca industry as a viable one,

01:45:47 one where you can make a good living and have a good life.

01:45:51 - I wouldn't say that.

01:45:54 I mean, they would think that,

01:45:56 but it's not as easy as you think.

01:45:58 You know, it's a lot of work.

01:46:01 And you have to be passionate about your music.

01:46:04 I mean, there are a couple artists who just say,

01:46:06 "Oh, this is easy money.

01:46:07 "Let me just sing anything and try to make a money."

01:46:10 No, it's not about that.

01:46:11 It's about being passionate about your music,

01:46:13 because you would face a lot of obstacles.

01:46:15 And if you're not mentally and emotionally ready for it,

01:46:18 you would fall.

01:46:19 You know, you really have to be passionate about your music

01:46:22 to push through.

01:46:24 - What inspires you?

01:46:25 - What inspires me or who inspires me?

01:46:28 - Well, 'cause you're both.

01:46:28 - What inspires me?

01:46:29 My daughter inspires me.

01:46:30 Yeah, I'm a single parent.

01:46:33 And as I say, I started in church.

01:46:35 And growing up in church,

01:46:37 it was always about, you know,

01:46:38 well, she's been in love.

01:46:39 And then when you're on TV,

01:46:41 you're seeing all these things.

01:46:44 Church is not happy with these things.

01:46:46 And I just kind of filter out on it.

01:46:49 And then after that,

01:46:49 I just started doing talent shows in school.

01:46:52 And I came like third, I came like second.

01:46:55 And my friends, and I'm like,

01:46:56 oh my God, Sissy, you can be a big star.

01:46:58 Come on, you can do this.

01:46:59 And everyone has been so supportive from a very young age.

01:47:03 You know, but, and I am inspired by Nadia Batson.

01:47:07 Big up, Nadia.

01:47:08 And all the female artists out there.

01:47:10 Patrice Roberts, I love her to death.

01:47:12 Big up, Patrice.

01:47:14 - Yeah.

01:47:15 Well, Sissy, I'm looking at your bio here,

01:47:18 and I wonder if I'm seeing a trend, you know.

01:47:21 I'm seeing jam made for carnival.

01:47:23 - Oh my God.

01:47:24 - I'm seeing "Wide Down Low."

01:47:27 I'm seeing "What You Want Tonight."

01:47:29 - "What You Want Tonight" is actually a chutney soka.

01:47:32 - I'm seeing "Dreamer."

01:47:34 - "Dreamer," that's a party song.

01:47:35 - I'm seeing "Steam."

01:47:36 I'm seeing "Daisy Day."

01:47:38 - Oh my God, "Daisy Day."

01:47:39 Oh, Jesus.

01:47:40 (laughing)

01:47:41 "Daisy Day" is real pressure.

01:47:42 - I'm seeing "Soka, I Love You."

01:47:44 All right.

01:47:45 "Party Behind Me."

01:47:47 - Everything on YouTube, by the way.

01:47:48 - "Party Behind Me."

01:47:49 - "Party Behind Me," that was written by Super Blue.

01:47:51 - Really?

01:47:52 - Yes, "Party Behind Me."

01:47:53 That was a power soka.

01:47:55 I made it to the semi-final soka monarch with that song.

01:47:57 - Yeah?

01:47:58 - Yeah.

01:47:59 - So let me see.

01:48:00 So that was in 2014, right?

01:48:03 - Yes, yes.

01:48:04 - And then "Carnival Day."

01:48:07 All right.

01:48:08 Well, Cece, what's next for you?

01:48:13 - Oh my gosh, what is next?

01:48:14 Okay, so I just released the music video for "Born Alone."

01:48:17 - Right, do we have it at all?

01:48:19 - Oh boy.

01:48:20 I don't know, but some people are getting problems.

01:48:22 - We're trying to get it.

01:48:23 - We're trying to get it.

01:48:24 So I hope you guys get that.

01:48:25 After that, I don't wanna say out everything.

01:48:30 - You don't want to cut out of the bag.

01:48:32 - Yes, I don't wanna say, but oh my gosh, guys,

01:48:34 just look out for me, follow me on my handles.

01:48:36 You know, Cece Born Alone, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook.

01:48:39 Just follow me and keep up.

01:48:42 If you can, keep up.

01:48:43 I can barely keep up right now.

01:48:45 But there's a lot coming.

01:48:46 - Well, that's good.

01:48:47 That's good, Cece.

01:48:48 It tells me that you as an artist is growing

01:48:52 and the career is growing.

01:48:54 So that's good.

01:48:55 - It is.

01:48:56 - If you're tired, during this time here,

01:49:00 well, that's good too.

01:49:01 - I'm tired.

01:49:02 - Yeah?

01:49:03 - I'm very tired.

01:49:03 - So, well, Cece, we want to wish you all the best.

01:49:06 Anything else you'd like to tell us before you leave us?

01:49:08 And studio, you can give us a bit more of Cece's song.

01:49:12 - Okay, so I just wanna say thanks to everyone.

01:49:14 Thank you for having me.

01:49:16 Special thanks to Shot Master G and Buddy Rock.

01:49:20 They did the production on this one.

01:49:22 On my Meccano marker, right?

01:49:24 I recorded it there.

01:49:26 Guys, I'm so, so grateful to all the DJs

01:49:29 who has been showing me love.

01:49:30 Trust me, my heart is so warm.

01:49:32 I feel so good.

01:49:34 Thank God for life.

01:49:36 Life right now is unpredictable.

01:49:38 So just keep looking out for Cece, guys.

01:49:41 I'm taking the industry by storm right now.

01:49:43 (laughing)

01:49:45 - Oh, they look Cece, Steam Queen.

01:49:47 - For bookings, you can reach Kevin, Steven, okay?

01:49:51 Just check on my handles, you'll see all his information.

01:49:53 - You have a phone number by which people can reach you?

01:49:55 - His phone number is on my page, not mine, I'm sorry.

01:50:00 (laughing)

01:50:02 I think that was a big mistake.

01:50:03 - You don't want any unwanted calls.

01:50:05 Cece, we wish you all the best.

01:50:08 We wish you all the best for this season

01:50:09 and we wish you all the best in the future.

01:50:11 Congratulations again on a good song.

01:50:14 - Thank you so much, thank you.

01:50:16 - All right, bye for now.

01:50:17 So it's time for another break, everybody.

01:50:18 We're coming back.

01:50:19 (upbeat music)

01:50:22 - Green Dot continues to deliver internet connectivity

01:50:42 to a wide range of communities in Trinidad.

01:50:45 With our combination fiber and wireless network,

01:50:47 you get the service you need wherever you live.

01:50:50 Stream your favorite shows, enjoy online tuition,

01:50:53 stay in touch with your work team

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01:50:56 with internet service at a price you can afford.

01:50:58 As communities continue to grow, we continue to deliver.

01:51:01 Call 224GDOT or visit gd.tt today.

01:51:05 Green Dot, improving and simplifying lives.

01:51:08 ♪ Don't call it a comeback ♪

01:51:15 ♪ 12th Man, 12th Man, 12th Man ♪

01:51:18 ♪ Oh, gives you all ♪

01:51:20 ♪ Saves you all the time ♪

01:51:22 ♪ Gives you the best football in the world ♪

01:51:25 ♪ Passionate, impulsive, dedicated ♪

01:51:28 ♪ Decisive, loyal, sincere ♪

01:51:31 ♪ All the 12th Man attributes ♪

01:51:35 ♪ Join Andre Errol Batiste on TV6 ♪

01:51:38 ♪ For the 12th Man season four ♪

01:51:44 - Brought to you by Tiger Tanks and Coca-Cola.

01:51:47 - I have rights.

01:51:53 - I have rights.

01:51:55 - You have rights.

01:51:56 - We all have rights.

01:51:59 - He has rights.

01:52:01 - She has rights.

01:52:03 - All children have rights.

01:52:04 - My parents and my guardians should know all my rights.

01:52:11 - Our government should ensure that we enjoy our rights.

01:52:14 - Children have rights.

01:52:24 ♪ Don't bother when we on the roadway ♪

01:52:32 ♪ We like we own way ♪

01:52:34 ♪ And the freedom in we DNA ♪

01:52:39 ♪ And every hand raise ♪

01:52:41 ♪ We make a one raise ♪

01:52:43 ♪ It's only one stage ♪

01:52:45 ♪ This is the purpose ♪

01:52:47 ♪ Look where we are ♪

01:52:49 ♪ Greatest gonna rise ♪

01:52:50 - All right, a very productive morning, everyone.

01:52:54 Thank you very much for your viewership again.

01:52:55 At this time, let me say a special good morning

01:52:57 to Shelly Villalva.

01:52:59 She works with us here at TV6.

01:53:01 Her son is 10 years old, I believe today.

01:53:05 So happy birthday to him.

01:53:08 Yeah, smile, it would have been good

01:53:10 if Shelly would have provided the name.

01:53:13 All right, so Shelly and your son,

01:53:16 have a good day, all right?

01:53:20 And happy 10th birthday to Shelly's son, all right?

01:53:25 Okay, so that's gonna do it for our program for today.

01:53:28 We have some interesting things for you, you know,

01:53:31 at the end of this week, so look out for that.

01:53:33 I'm not gonna tell you, you just have to keep it here.

01:53:36 All right, so Emmy Prime comes up this evening

01:53:38 and in the meantime, we leave you with this image.

01:53:40 It's from Sharon Singh from Tortuga.

01:53:44 It's of a sunrise.

01:53:47 Sharon, good morning and thank you very much.

01:53:49 See you tomorrow, everybody.

01:53:51 (upbeat music)

01:53:53 (upbeat music)

01:53:56 (upbeat music)

01:53:58 (upbeat music)

01:54:01 (upbeat music)

01:54:04 (upbeat music)

01:54:06 (upbeat music)

01:54:09 (upbeat music)

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