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00:00:00 the world.
00:00:03 And a very special good
00:00:10 And a very special good
00:00:10 morning Trinidad and Tobago
00:00:12 and the rest of the world.
00:00:13 I'm Marlon Hopkins and as
00:00:14 always welcome to the
00:00:15 morning edition. Uh we do
00:00:16 appreciate that you join us
00:00:16 every morning. Alright? Um
00:00:19 we do have a lot for you on
00:00:20 the program today. So, I'm
00:00:21 not going to spend too much
00:00:23 time in the in the welcomes
00:00:26 or welcoming uh people this
00:00:27 morning but again, we do
00:00:29 have a lot of good news for
00:00:30 you. Uh we are focusing and
00:00:33 we are following up for you
00:00:35 uh the situation concerning
00:00:37 the MV Cabo Star. Of course,
00:00:40 that's a vessel that
00:00:41 services the people of both
00:00:43 Trinidad and Tobago with
00:00:44 with trade and so on. So, we
00:00:45 do have on the line at this
00:00:47 time, the president of the
00:00:48 Tobago Chamber of Industry
00:00:51 and Commerce. Um mister
00:00:53 Curtis Williams. Yeah, we do
00:00:55 have him on the line. Mister
00:00:57 Williams. Do we have mister
00:01:03 Williams? Alright, let's try
00:01:05 again. Mister Curtis Williams.
00:01:06 Good morning. Good morning,
00:01:09 Marlon. Are you hearing me?
00:01:10 Oh yes. Yes, we are hearing
00:01:12 you. Well, mister Williams,
00:01:13 uh very special good morning
00:01:14 to you. I understand that
00:01:15 there was a meeting to
00:01:16 discuss um what has been
00:01:18 going on with the MV uh Cabo
00:01:21 Star. What can you tell us
00:01:24 about that? What we see
00:01:27 happening is that um the
00:01:28 vessel is proceeding on dry
00:01:30 dock. Um um and start Friday
00:01:32 will be the last sailing to
00:01:34 Tobago Friday morning and um
00:01:37 and some of the members of
00:01:38 some of the the business
00:01:40 public will will will be
00:01:42 panicking and uh we just
00:01:43 trying to assure the the
00:01:45 business population that
00:01:47 things will be pretty much um
00:01:49 um soon. Um we we held talks
00:01:52 with the business community
00:01:54 earlier on this week and there
00:01:56 were a couple of press
00:01:58 releases done. Um so as to
00:02:00 show the public what will be
00:02:01 happening throughout that
00:02:03 period. Um but we still await
00:02:05 that um final word on the
00:02:06 replacement vessel which is
00:02:08 very very critical um for us
00:02:10 to know what vessel will be
00:02:11 the replacement vessel and the
00:02:13 capacity of such vessel and
00:02:14 what that vessel can do for us
00:02:16 in Tobago. Marlon, we've just
00:02:19 completed the Easter vacation.
00:02:20 It's been a busy time for us
00:02:22 but we're going to be as
00:02:24 normal as we as we would like
00:02:25 to see and we would like to
00:02:27 see a smooth transition going
00:02:29 forward. Um the vessel going on
00:02:32 dry dock um for the next um 21
00:02:34 days may brings a bit of
00:02:36 discomfort to some of our small
00:02:39 um business or owners on the
00:02:41 island. Being the fact that
00:02:42 you might not have the capacity
00:02:45 to um to store as you as we
00:02:47 would like you to or even to
00:02:49 um to purchase of a bulk cup as
00:02:51 we would like to see. Hence,
00:02:53 the reason why we wanted to get
00:02:55 the feedback from our members
00:02:57 as to the situation presently
00:02:59 and how they were able to cope
00:03:01 with it. But of course, uh
00:03:03 mister Williams, the concerns
00:03:05 of your members would have
00:03:07 stemmed from I suspect
00:03:09 experiences in the past when
00:03:11 certain vessels would go on dry
00:03:14 dock. So, what has been the
00:03:16 experience for members of the
00:03:18 business community when one of
00:03:20 the vessels went on dry dock?
00:03:22 What has been the situation?
00:03:24 Marlon and you you hit the nail
00:03:26 on the head. You're correct.
00:03:27 From experiences in the past,
00:03:29 we have seen that um the
00:03:31 reaction of the um the port
00:03:32 authority sometimes is a bit
00:03:34 tardy and hence the reason why
00:03:36 we wanted to get some feedback
00:03:37 from the port by this weekend
00:03:39 as to the replacement vessel
00:03:41 and the facts and information
00:03:43 on such vessel and ceiling
00:03:45 times and the capacity, etc.
00:03:47 Um because we haven't seen
00:03:49 anything. We saw the um the
00:03:52 the the press releases um
00:03:54 indicating that um the vessel
00:03:56 going on dry dock. We knew
00:03:57 about the vessel going on that
00:03:58 dried up all mid-January. Most
00:04:00 of us have started stocking up
00:04:02 as the case may be. But um but
00:04:04 the thing is that the crook of
00:04:06 the crop is that come mid mid
00:04:08 way through your 3 weeks or
00:04:10 maybe 2 weeks after or a week
00:04:12 before the the period ends, you
00:04:15 know, your stock levels may go
00:04:16 down and then we don't want
00:04:17 anyone to panic because we
00:04:18 don't want people trying to
00:04:20 stock up. So, what would happen
00:04:21 is that the the some of the
00:04:23 wholesalers and the suppliers
00:04:25 will um the capacity will go
00:04:26 down tremendously within the
00:04:27 first week because all of us,
00:04:29 the smaller down traders and
00:04:30 then we'll be looking to stock
00:04:32 up and by that time now, then
00:04:34 we know levels will start to go
00:04:36 beyond their your reorder level.
00:04:37 So, hence the reason why we we
00:04:39 we want the port authority to
00:04:40 come forward as early as
00:04:42 possible and let us know
00:04:44 exactly what's happening in
00:04:45 terms of the um the
00:04:47 capacity and all the details and
00:04:49 information about the
00:04:50 replacement vessel and that's
00:04:52 critical for us as we move
00:04:53 forward. Well, I see that
00:04:55 there's a statement from the
00:04:56 Inter Island Transportation
00:04:57 Corporation uh limited and it
00:05:00 speaks about alternative
00:05:01 arrangements in the absence of
00:05:04 the inter island vessel. Um it
00:05:06 says prior to the departure of
00:05:08 the MV Cabo Star, additional
00:05:10 ceilings were scheduled to
00:05:12 accommodate increased cargoes to
00:05:13 and from Tobago. It says a
00:05:15 replacement vessel will be
00:05:16 engaged to assist with the
00:05:17 transportation of cargo to and
00:05:19 from Tobago and during during
00:05:21 this period of the combo stars
00:05:23 dry docking vehicles of up to
00:05:25 7000 uh kilograms will be
00:05:27 accommodated on the Boko Reef
00:05:29 and APT James. The galleons
00:05:32 passage will be scheduled to
00:05:33 transport light vans and trucks
00:05:35 during this period. So, mister
00:05:37 Williams, judging from what I've
00:05:39 been telling you as released
00:05:41 here by the Inter Island
00:05:42 Transportation Corporation
00:05:44 Corporation Limited, uh this
00:05:48 information has not been relayed
00:05:51 to you or members of of of of
00:05:55 your chamber. Uh Marlon, that
00:05:58 information have been relayed to
00:05:59 us. It's great on paper. It
00:06:01 looks exciting on people but
00:06:03 Marlon in in theory, it's
00:06:05 great but in practical, we we
00:06:07 could have some better
00:06:08 challenges. So, Marlon, it's
00:06:10 just for us to wait and see.
00:06:11 It's a wait and see situation.
00:06:13 It's a wait and see situation.
00:06:15 Very good. But let's wait and
00:06:17 see. Come in on the first week
00:06:18 or the second week of the of the
00:06:20 dried up period and then we'll
00:06:21 be able to give you some
00:06:22 feedback as to what's
00:06:23 happening and how our levels and
00:06:25 uh on the island looks in terms
00:06:26 of construction materials, food
00:06:28 food, food, and beverage, etc.
00:06:30 As we move forward. Um uh as you
00:06:33 know, um it's it's it's 3 weeks
00:06:36 that the dried up will be and
00:06:37 it could be a bit of um
00:06:39 hindrance to some of us because
00:06:41 of the uh the uh the uh the
00:06:43 construction going forward but
00:06:44 it's a wait and see game as we
00:06:46 as we go along and we ask the
00:06:47 port authority, please give us
00:06:48 some information on that
00:06:49 replacement vessel as quickly
00:06:50 as possible so that we can make
00:06:52 it necessary planning going
00:06:53 forward. Yeah, mister Williams
00:06:55 as always, thank you very much
00:06:57 uh for our discussion this
00:06:58 morning. I know that we're
00:06:59 pressed for time. So, I do
00:07:01 appreciate the interview. Uh
00:07:02 you're allowing us this
00:07:03 interview this morning. Thank
00:07:04 you very much again. You're
00:07:06 welcome Marlon and thanks again.
00:07:08 Alright. So, let's check out to
00:07:09 the Daily Express uh today.
00:07:12 Fatal fire bomb. Koover man
00:07:14 killed in arson attack at HTC
00:07:16 home tears for Tyrone, a friend
00:07:19 of Tyrone Foster who was killed
00:07:20 yesterday in an arson attack at
00:07:22 Anand Yankaran Extension
00:07:23 Exchange. Lots Koover cries
00:07:25 outside the fire bombed house.
00:07:28 Alright and also uh prisoner
00:07:30 died of blunt force trauma and
00:07:32 I'm sure that we are going to
00:07:33 be hearing a lot more about that
00:07:35 story in the in the coming days
00:07:37 and just to touch a little bit
00:07:39 on the uh fire bomb attack,
00:07:41 neighbors try to help as man
00:07:43 killed in Molotov attack on HTC
00:07:45 home. I heard the screams a
00:07:48 third fatal attack in as many
00:07:51 weeks in a housing development
00:07:52 corporation community has
00:07:54 claimed the life of a Koover man
00:07:56 when arsonists struck at his
00:07:58 residence yesterday morning. So
00:08:00 the body of Tyrone Stefan Foster
00:08:02 twenty-five was still on fire
00:08:05 when he was taken out of the
00:08:07 housing unit on Anand Yankaran
00:08:09 Extension in Exchange Lots
00:08:12 Koover. Now, Foster was an
00:08:14 employee at uh Plip Deku
00:08:16 Terminal for almost 5 years and
00:08:19 he was pronounced dead on the
00:08:21 scene. Alright, let's check out
00:08:22 some sport now. Sunil Super KKR
00:08:28 win Narine looking to score
00:08:30 more runs in IPL. Alright, so
00:08:33 the boundary Kolkata Knight
00:08:35 Riders hits a six during their
00:08:37 Indian Premier League clash
00:08:38 against Delhi Capitals in India
00:08:41 yesterday. It's this that we're
00:08:43 speaking about. Alright. Yeah.
00:08:47 So, let me give you a little bit
00:08:49 of uh additional information.
00:08:51 Retired West Indies mystery
00:08:52 spinner, Sunil Narine was at the
00:08:55 heart of exhilarating batting
00:08:58 set up Kolkata Knight Riders
00:09:00 for a 106 run win against Delhi
00:09:02 Capitals in the Indian Premier
00:09:04 League yesterday. Alright, so
00:09:08 interesting sport, right? I know
00:09:10 you all love cricket, you know.
00:09:11 Yeah, I know you all love that
00:09:13 a lot. Alright, so remind just
00:09:15 to remind you that um um of the
00:09:19 numbers, do we have the numbers
00:09:21 for our viewers? You may say by
00:09:23 now, I should know those
00:09:24 numbers, right?
00:09:27 Right. So, um I'm talking about
00:09:30 your nice Indian bagel, your
00:09:32 nice feature, alright? So,
00:09:35 right, these are the numbers,
00:09:37 right? So, you can WhatsApp your
00:09:39 videos and images to 737-3778.
00:09:42 So, we do appreciate it,
00:09:43 alright? So, we have this for
00:09:45 you before we go to a break.
00:09:47 Yeah, this looks lovely, huh?
00:09:48 Sunset at Pigeon Point and it's
00:09:50 from Deoki Samlal Singh. Deoki,
00:09:53 a very special good morning to
00:09:55 you and thank you very much uh
00:09:57 for your photograph, alright?
00:09:59 It's another cool morning in
00:10:01 Port of Spain and I suspect all
00:10:03 of Trinidad and Tobago because
00:10:04 of the rain. Um I suspect that
00:10:06 there were some um some showers
00:10:09 overnight, alright? Be careful
00:10:11 on the roads out there. You have
00:10:13 a coffee, you have your tea, get
00:10:14 something to eat. We're coming
00:10:15 back everybody.
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00:10:56 Available in TNT Pharmacies
00:10:58 nationwide. The Ministry of
00:11:01 Sport and Community
00:11:02 Development. Seven-a-side
00:11:04 tournament heads to Tobago for
00:11:06 the final playoffs. It's all
00:11:08 happening at the Montgomery
00:11:10 Recreational Grounds, Beth-El
00:11:12 Tobago on Saturday, April 6th
00:11:14 from 2 PM. Teams will battle
00:11:16 for the final spot in the
00:11:18 qualifying rounds. Come in your
00:11:20 numbers and rep your community.
00:11:22 Registration is open but spots
00:11:24 are limited. For registration
00:11:26 details, follow us on Facebook,
00:11:28 email Red96football@gmail.com
00:11:30 or call 736-1776. It's the
00:11:34 Ministry of Sport and Community
00:11:36 Development. Seven-a-side
00:11:38 tournament. Powered by the
00:11:40 Bigger 96. Red 96.7 FM.
00:11:44 The Currup-Pentecostal Empowerment
00:11:46 Ministries International of
00:11:48 27 McDonnell Street, Currup,
00:11:50 Trinidad, West Indies presents
00:11:52 Empowerment to the World.
00:11:54 Come with us as we affect
00:11:56 humanity with the life-
00:11:58 transforming power of the
00:12:00 Gospel of Jesus Christ.
00:12:02 We invite you to sit with us and be
00:12:04 blessed.
00:12:20 No, son, no!
00:12:22 Please, no!
00:12:32 [Music]
00:12:54 [Music]
00:13:20 Alright, so welcome back everyone
00:13:22 this lovely morning in Trinidad
00:13:24 and Tobago, yeah. You may say
00:13:26 lovely, yeah, it's lovely, you
00:13:28 know, because we're here, we're
00:13:30 here, I'm looking at you, you're
00:13:32 looking at me, you know, we're
00:13:34 having a good time, right? So we
00:13:36 do have a lot for you on the
00:13:38 program today. We have a number
00:13:40 of very, very interesting
00:13:42 interviews for you, but I have
00:13:44 some time to spend with you now,
00:13:46 alright? So I want you to call
00:13:48 me on 623-1711, the extension is
00:13:50 1995. We're going to talk about
00:13:52 the Cabo Star situation that is
00:13:54 going to affect Tobago very, very
00:13:56 soon, and there are a lot of
00:13:58 other issues that we can discuss
00:14:00 in Trinidad and Tobago, alright?
00:14:02 So you're calling us on 623-1711,
00:14:04 the extension is 1995. Now, I
00:14:06 don't have a lot of minutes, yeah,
00:14:08 so if you have to call, I want
00:14:10 you to call now and speak with
00:14:12 us, alright? So here's this very
00:14:14 interesting story, I think,
00:14:16 alright? So Children's Authority
00:14:18 has been asking for applications
00:14:20 to adopt since 2015. So there
00:14:22 have been 535 applications to
00:14:24 the Children's Authority to adopt
00:14:26 a child since 2015. The Joint
00:14:28 Select Committee examining the
00:14:30 operations of the adoption unit
00:14:32 of the Children's Authority of
00:14:34 Trinidad and Tobago heard yesterday.
00:14:36 Now General Manager, Child and
00:14:38 Integration Services at the
00:14:40 Authority, Vandana Siu-Sanka-Ali,
00:14:42 said from the period 2015 to
00:14:44 date, the Authority received
00:14:46 535 applications
00:14:48 for adoption, and
00:14:50 out of that figure, only 124
00:14:52 orders were granted.
00:14:54 She said some applicants lost
00:14:56 interest during the process
00:14:58 and dropped their application.
00:15:00 The others were either approved or
00:15:02 not. She explained further that
00:15:04 226 children involved in the process
00:15:06 were already living with potential
00:15:08 parents, while the applications
00:15:10 remained active.
00:15:12 Now, Committee Chairman, Independent
00:15:14 Senator Suniti Miraj asked
00:15:16 Sanka-Ali if the population was
00:15:18 sufficiently sensitized as
00:15:20 to the options
00:15:22 parents have regarding the adoption
00:15:24 process. So Sanka-Ali
00:15:26 said, "We try to do
00:15:28 it at a hospital level so that persons
00:15:30 who are pregnant and may be at that
00:15:32 stage of considering what they want to
00:15:34 do, they are aware
00:15:36 of their options." But I'm just
00:15:38 wondering why
00:15:40 there have been so many applications and some people
00:15:42 really pulled out. Is it that
00:15:44 the process is too
00:15:46 lengthy? It is too rigid?
00:15:48 I'm just wondering. I don't know if they
00:15:50 would have spoken about that
00:15:52 yesterday, but I know that they would
00:15:54 be trying to put these children in
00:15:56 the right homes,
00:15:58 safe homes.
00:16:00 So I suspect the
00:16:02 process could be a little bit rigid.
00:16:04 So you're calling us on 623-1711.
00:16:06 The extension is
00:16:08 1995, so you can please
00:16:10 call us now.
00:16:12 Delivery truck rear-ended. Kissed driver
00:16:14 died of blunt force trauma.
00:16:16 Now the autopsy
00:16:18 done of the body of accident victim,
00:16:20 Neil Balai, concluded yesterday
00:16:22 that he died as a result of
00:16:24 multiple blunt force trauma.
00:16:26 So the soldier who is believed
00:16:28 to have caused the accident was detained
00:16:30 on the day it occurred after he
00:16:32 surrendered, but was released on Tuesday
00:16:34 pending further investigations.
00:16:36 Now the investigation
00:16:38 remains an ongoing one,
00:16:40 and a file is to be sent
00:16:42 to the Director of Public Prosecutions
00:16:44 to determine if there is enough
00:16:46 evidence to warrant
00:16:48 a charge. Alright?
00:16:50 So again, you're calling us on 623-1711.
00:16:52 The extension is 1995.
00:16:54 Powder Magazine is in the house.
00:16:56 Powder Magazine, it's always good to hear
00:16:58 from you. Yes, Mr. Marlon.
00:17:00 Good morning to you and your viewers.
00:17:02 Yes, sir. Good morning to you.
00:17:04 I continue to champion
00:17:06 the call of this government
00:17:08 to deal with crime.
00:17:10 Marlon, just yesterday
00:17:12 in an agency
00:17:14 we're not in Gaza,
00:17:16 they firebomb
00:17:18 man about two weeks ago
00:17:20 going into the harbour.
00:17:22 Big daytime. I passed there about an hour
00:17:24 before and just come out
00:17:26 with a big gun and kill
00:17:28 five people. Marlon,
00:17:30 what is going on?
00:17:32 Marlon, I live in an agency
00:17:34 come from phase two
00:17:36 and Marlon, a gunman came in here too
00:17:38 about three weeks ago
00:17:40 and I am saying I'm concerned
00:17:42 they have to do more.
00:17:44 You cannot go on the radio, on TV
00:17:46 for two hours and talking about
00:17:48 Gary Griffith and not dealing
00:17:50 with the policies of what they will do to protect us.
00:17:52 This is what is concerning, Marlon.
00:17:54 You're saying they talk about
00:17:56 Cabo Starr, but Marlon, if I'm dead, I can't
00:17:58 travel to Tobago. So I'm saying
00:18:00 you must take this
00:18:02 crime more seriously.
00:18:04 They are not dealing with this crime like it's very
00:18:06 ambitious. People are dying, school children
00:18:08 are being injured
00:18:10 in their way of going and doing normal
00:18:12 parenting what we used to do when we were young, Marlon.
00:18:14 This government is not dealing with
00:18:16 this crime seriously.
00:18:18 I blame the population for the way
00:18:20 they're numb and they're quiet
00:18:22 and they're not giving the government a pass
00:18:24 on this crime. Crime
00:18:26 is everything. You're dead, Marlon.
00:18:28 Your house, whatever you have
00:18:30 to do, makes no sense.
00:18:32 And the people are very deceitful
00:18:34 in dealing with it and how they're dealing
00:18:36 with the way the government is dealing with this crime.
00:18:38 I'm very, very concerned.
00:18:40 - Powder Magazine, as always, it's
00:18:42 always very good to hear from you and I'm sure
00:18:44 that a lot of people would agree with you
00:18:46 this morning. I know
00:18:48 in connection with these incidents
00:18:50 that have been happening at HCC
00:18:52 developments, the HCC has
00:18:54 responded and has promised to
00:18:56 deal with such
00:18:58 incidents. I suspect put
00:19:00 additional security in place
00:19:02 and so on. Alright, so you're calling us on
00:19:04 623-1711. The extension
00:19:06 is $19.95.
00:19:08 So you can please call us
00:19:10 now. Government planning official funeral
00:19:12 for de Labestie next Thursday.
00:19:14 So plans are afoot for an
00:19:16 official funeral of former
00:19:18 Chief Justice and President of the Caribbean
00:19:20 Court of Justice, Michael de Labestie.
00:19:22 The funeral service will take place
00:19:24 next Thursday, April 11.
00:19:26 Confirming the date yesterday,
00:19:28 de Labestie's widow, Simone,
00:19:30 who said
00:19:32 the funeral service will be held at the
00:19:34 Church of the Assumption Maraval
00:19:36 at around 10 a.m.
00:19:38 Alright, you're calling us on
00:19:40 623-1711. The extension
00:19:42 is $19.95. Diego Martin
00:19:44 is on the line. Diego Martin, good morning.
00:19:46 - Good morning, Marlon.
00:19:48 The National Treasure, good morning to you.
00:19:50 My point is
00:19:54 or my concern
00:19:56 has to do with when you're
00:19:58 discussing the economy
00:20:00 and you bring on
00:20:02 certain guests on your
00:20:04 program and
00:20:06 to me, they're providing
00:20:08 you and the population
00:20:10 with a bit of dishonest
00:20:12 or intellectual dishonest
00:20:14 information. How come
00:20:16 somebody who is a former energy
00:20:18 minister could be
00:20:20 poking fun and making fun
00:20:22 of the present government
00:20:24 with respect to their energy plans
00:20:26 and when he was in government
00:20:28 he gave a blight
00:20:30 to
00:20:32 his energy plan for not paying
00:20:34 taxes for what, eight or
00:20:36 nine years and the government
00:20:38 and by extension the taxpayers
00:20:40 didn't get any return
00:20:42 for that amount of
00:20:44 missing money and it is only
00:20:46 now that we are benefiting.
00:20:48 They are not discussing that at all.
00:20:50 The same thing is with the trade
00:20:52 union movement. They're talking about
00:20:54 the same thing about they're so
00:20:56 concerned about the poor people
00:20:58 about high prices
00:21:00 and all of that but they too are not
00:21:02 discussing and they are in the energy business
00:21:04 how come our energy
00:21:06 companies were giving a blight for eight
00:21:08 or nine years not paying taxes
00:21:10 and they never addressed that to you.
00:21:12 So this is my concern, Marlon.
00:21:14 - Alright, thank you very much.
00:21:16 I think that
00:21:18 our responsibility is to give
00:21:20 everyone a platform to
00:21:22 provide as much views
00:21:24 as possible to you
00:21:26 and at the end of the day, you
00:21:28 as a citizen of Trinidad
00:21:30 and Tobago, you will decide.
00:21:32 Alright? So I think that
00:21:34 we have
00:21:36 we have stuck
00:21:38 to what is our responsibility.
00:21:40 Alright? So you're calling us on
00:21:42 623-1711. The extension is
00:21:44 1995 so you can please
00:21:46 call us now.
00:21:48 So yesterday
00:21:50 we, and when I said we
00:21:52 as a country, said goodbye
00:21:54 to Jumbo
00:21:56 the nuts man. Pleasantville is
00:21:58 on the line. Good morning, Pleasantville.
00:22:00 - Morning, Marlon. How are you? - I'm good, sir.
00:22:02 - Marlon, I
00:22:04 you know, I hear people
00:22:06 complaining about what the government
00:22:08 is not doing and the government
00:22:10 should be doing more
00:22:12 and people are not looking in the mirror.
00:22:14 Marlon, I was pleased to hear yesterday
00:22:16 I saw a sentence where
00:22:18 somebody was sentenced to 16 years
00:22:20 for dousing his girlfriend
00:22:22 with gasoline and setting
00:22:24 her on fire. And the judge
00:22:26 in making her judgment
00:22:28 lamented that
00:22:30 this has to stop and a clear message
00:22:32 has to be sent. - Yes.
00:22:34 - And this is what we are not hearing
00:22:36 from the judiciary, Marlon.
00:22:38 It's not that the government
00:22:40 is dealing with crime.
00:22:42 What is happening now
00:22:44 is that there are people in this society
00:22:46 that throw their hands in the air and said that
00:22:48 the government are the only ones to deal
00:22:50 with crime. These criminals are coming
00:22:52 from within our community. We have
00:22:54 people who voted for members of parliament
00:22:56 and these members of parliament
00:22:58 are saying that we want these
00:23:00 people on the streets to live among us.
00:23:02 And so people
00:23:04 have to be honest and
00:23:06 see what's happening. Everybody
00:23:08 is doing their best. The police are trying
00:23:10 their best and
00:23:12 even that accident with the
00:23:14 KISS vehicle, Marlon, I'm seeing where
00:23:16 the relatives of the victim
00:23:18 is thanking
00:23:20 the person with the dashcam
00:23:22 and thanking the public for coming forward
00:23:24 and saying something.
00:23:26 And this is what we are not...
00:23:28 We live among these people
00:23:30 and these people are known
00:23:32 not just to the police, but they
00:23:34 are not saying anything
00:23:36 and expecting the government alone
00:23:38 to deal with this issue.
00:23:40 And this is wrong. Our judiciary
00:23:42 has to send a clear message.
00:23:44 We have to see more of what's
00:23:46 happening now with these sentences.
00:23:48 And these matters are taking years.
00:23:50 16 years, 20 years.
00:23:52 This has to stop, Marlon.
00:23:54 I hear your pain, sir.
00:23:58 I hear your pain. Thank you
00:24:00 very much to all of you who called in
00:24:02 to speak with me this morning. I do
00:24:04 appreciate it. We are going to a very
00:24:06 short break. And when we come back,
00:24:08 we have officials of the EBC
00:24:10 and that's going to be a very
00:24:12 interesting interview. All right?
00:24:14 So we're coming back, everybody.
00:24:16 [Music]
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00:25:12 [Music]
00:25:14 The world is
00:25:16 in crisis. Distressing
00:25:18 news are flowing from
00:25:20 every quarter in the society.
00:25:22 And the hearts of many
00:25:24 are failing them for fair.
00:25:26 However, in the midst
00:25:28 of these alarming conditions
00:25:30 come good news.
00:25:32 Jesus Christ
00:25:34 saves, keeps, and
00:25:36 satisfies. This is
00:25:38 the message of Daybreak.
00:25:40 [Music]
00:25:42 [Music]
00:25:44 [Music]
00:25:46 - Go Sonna! I come in, I do give me no attitude there.
00:25:51 - Ya, if she a no manners boy, I wish I had your touch boy.
00:25:56 - You have to groom them, first you have to target them, scope them out, see if they have low self-esteem, family problems, you know.
00:26:05 Then you move in and gain their trust.
00:26:08 - I like your glasses.
00:26:09 - After that, you fill a need. Some of them like nice things like fancy phones, hairdos, clothes, food.
00:26:17 You have ones who only looking for somebody to care and listen to their problems. You feel me?
00:26:23 What's important though, you have to isolate them from the people.
00:26:27 Let them believe it's all about you and them.
00:26:32 Then you'll get through.
00:26:34 - Nice, nice.
00:26:36 - Look who I'm writing. Try it now.
00:26:39 - A message from the Counter-Trafficking Unit of the Ministry of National Security.
00:26:52 - So I'm seeing that Mr. G's.
00:26:59 (Music)
00:27:18 - Alright, so welcome back everyone.
00:27:20 Of course I promised you two officials from the Elections and Boundaries Commission.
00:27:23 We are discussing now the National Field Verification Exercise of the EBC.
00:27:29 So we do have on the line Assistant Chief Election Officer Pamela O'Geist.
00:27:33 And we also have Corporate Communications Manager Bobby Rogers.
00:27:36 Ladies, good morning.
00:27:38 - Good morning Merlin, thank you so much for having us.
00:27:40 - Of course, alright.
00:27:42 - Thank you to all of you.
00:27:43 - Yes, thank you very much.
00:27:45 Ms. O'Geist, let's begin with you.
00:27:47 Let's speak a little bit about the National Field Verification Exercise.
00:27:52 What should we know?
00:27:54 - Well, thank you again Merlin and good morning to the viewing public.
00:27:59 The Field Verification Exercise commenced in 2023
00:28:05 and we started with the two constituencies in Tobago,
00:28:08 being Tobago East and West, and those have been completed.
00:28:12 We then rolled out to other areas in Trinidad, such as Arima, Aruka, Maloney,
00:28:18 Laventille, East Mover, Karone Central and other areas.
00:28:22 But we stopped the exercise due to the local government election.
00:28:29 But field verification is a part of the ongoing and daily activities
00:28:35 of the Elections and Boundaries Commission.
00:28:37 And case in point, when someone seeks to be registered,
00:28:41 the EBC must conduct a physical check to verify the information and address provided.
00:28:48 And that is why persons are not asked to provide proof of address.
00:28:53 Now, once we validate the information, a national ID card is then produced.
00:29:00 But what we think that the public does not appreciate is that when one applies
00:29:04 for an ID as early as age 15 and you are registered against an address,
00:29:09 and then later on in life you move off to university, you start a family,
00:29:13 and you relocate, and no one takes the time off to inform the organization
00:29:19 that you have moved. As a matter of fact, there is nothing that mandates you
00:29:23 to inform the EBC of a change in address.
00:29:26 But conducting this exercise is the only way that the EBC could do this sort of work.
00:29:32 And whereas field verification is a part of our ongoing work,
00:29:37 national field verification exercise is necessary because of the scope of the project
00:29:43 and what it means to the electoralists.
00:29:46 Yeah. Bobbie, how has the process been going? How has the exercise been going?
00:29:50 Have there been any challenges?
00:29:53 Well, there have been challenges with respect to persons not feeling secure
00:29:58 about people coming to their homes. We have to be cognizant of the era
00:30:01 in which we're living in. And therefore, people have been hesitant in responding.
00:30:05 And that's why we think it's important to liaise with you and the population
00:30:09 to let people know we want three things. To cooperate, cooperate, cooperate.
00:30:14 We want to make the distinction that the national field verification exercise
00:30:18 is not a census, nor is it a registration exercise.
00:30:23 So when people are coming to your home, they are just coming to your home
00:30:27 with the electoral list for that area and verifying that you still reside
00:30:33 at the address that you were registered at.
00:30:36 So we are really looking for people at the addresses that we have.
00:30:39 And because we know the situation with persons not trusting is so prevalent,
00:30:44 we have gone to every effort to make sure that we have our officers
00:30:47 EBC branded from literally head to toe.
00:30:51 So, I mean, we appreciate the change in the climatic conditions recently.
00:30:54 So we've branded our officers with caps, with EBC branded smocks, with umbrellas.
00:31:00 But most importantly, that identification badge.
00:31:04 And we are urging the public, if you have any hesitation at all
00:31:07 to when these officers present themselves to you at your home, please call us.
00:31:12 We have our hotline numbers. They are 785-8206 and 785-8211.
00:31:19 We also trained our officers to go off and work in pairs.
00:31:23 So we are urging them as well to continue to operate in that manner.
00:31:30 Yeah. But even in that respect, Bobby, there has to be a process.
00:31:35 So if it is that officials from the EBC are approaching members of the community,
00:31:43 there has to be a process.
00:31:45 So is it that, yes, they are going to be dressed in their official EBC uniforms,
00:31:52 if I can put it that way, but is it that they must present to the person their identification card?
00:32:02 Yes, we've made it implicitly clear that when you present yourself to your home,
00:32:06 that you do show this card, you do present this identification.
00:32:10 So persons will know that you are born in 5A, with the Elections and Boundaries Commission.
00:32:15 We are also making sure in areas where there is very high traffic that we do things like mobile
00:32:21 miking to sensitize the population as well that we are coming into your area
00:32:26 and to be mindful that these officers will be in your area while we conduct these exercises.
00:32:31 Yeah. Ms. Ogeis, let's get a little more into what the verification exercise involves.
00:32:40 Sure. So what the exercise involves, as Bobby said earlier, are these persons coming to your area.
00:32:48 Now, in addition to verifying that you still live at the address,
00:32:53 these IAROs also seek to find out, one, if you have relocated or even migrated.
00:33:00 And, of course, to get this kind of personal information,
00:33:04 we would expect that you would seek to get it from a family member.
00:33:09 As a matter of fact, we willingly accept information about persons who are deceased
00:33:14 and who would have died out of the jurisdiction of Trinidad and Tobago.
00:33:18 And this, again, helps us to purge our list. So meeting with the family members is what helps us.
00:33:26 We also use this opportunity, Marlon, to capture contact information such as email addresses,
00:33:32 telephone numbers, et cetera, which is crucial moving forward as it relates to communicating with electorate.
00:33:40 But more importantly, we recognize that we're living in a digital era,
00:33:45 and it is even more imperative that we have different means of contact.
00:33:50 But, you know, Ms. Ogeis, there may be an issue of confidentiality in that when people give to the EBC all of this information,
00:34:00 they don't want, they must be sure that the EBC is going to protect that information
00:34:06 and it doesn't find itself the information in the public domain.
00:34:11 Well, allow me to stress at this time that all information captured will be kept in strict confidence,
00:34:19 and this information will only be used by the EBC to inform the public.
00:34:24 And so we want to inform the public that the list used by the IAROs does not contain any personal information,
00:34:33 such as one's ID card or date of birth.
00:34:38 So what the list has in essence is a photograph of the person, the address of the person,
00:34:44 and then the areas where you could identify, of course, whether the person is still at the address,
00:34:49 migrated, email address, contact information.
00:34:52 But again, to stress that all information is kept in strict confidence.
00:34:57 So then the people that you're looking for, Ms. Ogeis, are people who have reached the voting age.
00:35:04 These are the people that you want to speak with.
00:35:07 Yes. So the persons over the age of 18.
00:35:12 And it would be the same list, Marlon, if I could just add, of course, that we are to produce an annual list of electors.
00:35:21 And that has current information on registered persons.
00:35:24 And as a matter of fact, that list is continuously updated.
00:35:28 So that is the list that we then use to get this information.
00:35:33 And just to share with the public that the electorate as at the annual list of electors was 1,127,243 persons.
00:35:48 Bobby, how can members of the electorate get more information concerning this verification exercise?
00:35:58 Well, Marlon, we want persons to know, first of all, that if they need any information, they can call us at our hotlines.
00:36:05 They can check us out on our website. It's www.ebctt.com and our social media presence as well.
00:36:12 And we will also be pushing information to the public as we come into their respective areas.
00:36:17 We will also be doing mobile micing, sensitizing persons that we're coming into certain areas when we fully roll out.
00:36:26 Yeah. But Miss O'Gheast, this is, to me, a massive exercise.
00:36:31 You said that the process has already begun. But how far along are you with the exercise in interviewing so much people?
00:36:44 So we are at about 19 of the 41 that we have 19 of the 41 constituencies that we have to treat with.
00:36:54 And we intend to move forward. And as we roll out, of course, we advertise.
00:36:59 We would post out this month's proposals to apply as we roll out into the other constituencies.
00:37:05 If you'd allow me to share at this time, we did encounter some problems or issues with payments when we started.
00:37:15 And we recognize that persons were dissatisfied, not so much with the payment, how much they got, but the time that it took for us to do the payments.
00:37:26 What we stressed and will continue to stress is that the work that has that these IEROs conduct must be audited subsequent to them bringing it in.
00:37:38 And and you would appreciate the importance of that. And so that takes a little time.
00:37:43 So we recognize that we have some challenges. And as we move forward, we want to assure persons that we have put some other measures in place.
00:37:52 And once the auditors or I'm sorry, the auditing will be conducted.
00:37:57 We want to assure persons that the payments would be a little faster as we roll out.
00:38:03 Is it safe to say that thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of members of the electorate have already been interviewed?
00:38:13 Yes, you can safely say perhaps we have reached maybe about 20 percent of the electorate.
00:38:22 Is there a particular period of time or is there a deadline date by which you would like to have this exercise completed?
00:38:33 We are definitely hoping to complete this exercise, at least the field aspect, by the end of the financial, which is the end of September.
00:38:43 So there just before that time, we hope to close up that.
00:38:47 So, yes, we are working with with speed and moving forward to ensure that we get to the entire country.
00:38:56 When was the last time such a survey was conducted? Some 23 years ago, and that was in 2001.
00:39:05 And hence the need or the relevance of this national field verification survey at this time.
00:39:12 And we also remind people that this is not a census.
00:39:18 And so we are marking only the voting population.
00:39:24 All right. So we're not interested in persons under the age of 18, et cetera, or persons who are not registered at all.
00:39:31 And we want to also remind the persons that these IROs are not authorized to conduct any electoral business.
00:39:39 In other words, transfers or registration transactions.
00:39:44 But, Bobby, you get the impression that the electorate, the response has been good and they have been trying to help the EBC in this exercise here.
00:39:56 Most definitely, Marlon, because even when persons come to their homes and they are unsure, they will call us and we will verify.
00:40:03 Yes, we do have persons in the area. So please continue to give them the support and the cooperation.
00:40:08 So we have been getting calls and yes, people are cooperating with us.
00:40:13 Mr. Geist, why is an updated electoral list so important?
00:40:21 Ah, Marlon, that is the that the updated list is really important because that is really the credibility of the election and more so one that reflects accurate information.
00:40:37 And so we try, as I said, this is a continuous exercise. This is just a massive exercise.
00:40:45 But we try to ensure on a daily basis that the list is purged.
00:40:50 So persons who've transferred that is affected persons who are deceased, they are removed from the list.
00:40:57 But in essence, it is the credibility of an election that that stresses the importance of an updated list.
00:41:07 So, Bobby, is it that this is the only way that this exercise is being conducted through that personal contact?
00:41:18 Or is it that people, members of the electorate can provide information to you via other other means, other options?
00:41:28 Oh, yes, Marlon, definitely. And I'm sure you would appreciate with COVID, persons would have had family members who may have died overseas.
00:41:37 We would not be getting that information unless they tell us in person.
00:41:42 So whether we go to your home or you come in and provide the information for us, the field verification exercise isn't the only way.
00:41:49 But we can tell you it is the most efficient way because we actually have persons visiting the electorate.
00:41:57 And that way we can ensure that we have at least more persons providing us with the information because people may not necessarily have known in advance that you could come in personally and advise us about certain information.
00:42:10 Like persons who may have emigrated, persons who are now deceased.
00:42:15 So this is one way of bonafide mechanism of getting that information, but not as you asked before, the only way.
00:42:22 But you think that people feel that they really do have the responsibility to provide that sort of information to the ABC if they have left one area and have gone to another area to live?
00:42:37 Or if they have migrated, you feel that people understand their responsibility and have been willing and have been forthcoming with that sort of information?
00:42:51 Well, and that's a very good question, because in Trinidad and Tobago, we have recognized what we call an ancestral voting pattern.
00:42:59 People still are born here, so I must stay here, you know.
00:43:03 And therefore, because there isn't anything mandating persons to make that change, some persons are resistant to.
00:43:11 But by the other flip of the coin, there are persons who change address or change names daily and will call to find out what documents I need to bring in to effect this change.
00:43:21 So there is a dichotomy in the view.
00:43:23 There are some persons who take that responsibility very seriously and others who believe I'm not mandated to do it.
00:43:30 I'm not mandated to and I'm comfortable here. This is my family's home. This is where I've grown.
00:43:35 This is where people know me and I prefer to stay here.
00:43:39 So this opportunity gives people a chance as well.
00:43:43 The other thing is that people, they want to report their concerns to the EBC or they want to have a complaint or whatever it may be.
00:44:01 Are there enough or should I put it this way?
00:44:07 How many offices, that's EBC offices, are there in Trinidad and Tobago via which people can relay these concerns to the EBC?
00:44:23 Yes, we have 18 offices, but these are registration offices. And most of those queries or complaints will come into our head office and to my office in specific.
00:44:37 Marlon?
00:44:38 Yes, Bobbie, we're hearing you.
00:44:39 Yes, sorry.
00:44:40 Right, so we have 18 registration offices and sub-offices across Trinidad and Tobago.
00:44:45 But those offices are charged primarily with registration duties.
00:44:49 Now, that doesn't bar the public from coming in to report an issue, to complain, make a complaint there.
00:44:55 But issues of that nature will most likely come to my office as the communications manager.
00:45:01 And I can therefore give free to the respective offices, all the information that we've gotten and we make contact with those businesses to treat with their issues specifically.
00:45:11 Yeah. Ms. O'Gheast, recently there have been or there were some concerns about the EBC's report, the report of the EBC on the review of the constituency boundaries.
00:45:30 Is there, can you give us an update as to the status of this report?
00:45:36 Marlon, I would prefer not to comment on that at this point since it's in the public domain.
00:45:44 Yes.
00:45:45 Please forgive me.
00:45:46 All right. Bobbie, anything else you'd like to tell us about this verification exercise that we may have missed?
00:45:54 Marlon, I just want to again to encourage the public to please cooperate with our field officers when they come into your area.
00:46:01 We ask that if you have any concerns to please give us a call. Our hotline numbers again are 785-8206, 785-8211.
00:46:11 We reiterate this is not a census, nor is it a registration exercise, but please cooperate, cooperate, cooperate.
00:46:19 Yes, cooperate. Ms. O'Gheast, is there anything else you'd like to tell us?
00:46:25 Just to end what Bobbie said, and of course to assure the public that this information or the information collected again would be kept in strict confidence.
00:46:36 And so we use the words again, cooperate, cooperate, cooperate. Thank you.
00:46:40 Yes. All right, ladies. Thank you very much for speaking with us this morning. We do appreciate it.
00:46:46 Of course, we do have your contact information on the screen.
00:46:49 And we wish you all the best with this national field verification exercise. Thanks again, ladies.
00:46:55 Thanks, Marlon. Have a great one.
00:46:57 All right. All right, everybody. So we are going to have a short break. We do have this for you.
00:47:02 It's a view of a REMA from Kevin, Kevin Allain. Yeah, they're coming back, everybody.
00:47:08 Get ready for an electrifying night of entertainment.
00:47:27 John Thomas presents Showtime, a musical theater extravaganza you won't want to miss.
00:47:33 Join us at Queens Hall on April 5th and 6th for a dazzling showcase featuring Trinidad and Tobago's brightest young stars.
00:47:41 From the spellbinding magic of Wicked to the irresistible energy of Mamma Mia.
00:47:45 Be entranced by the enchanting melodies of The Little Mermaid, captivated by the showstopping numbers from The Greatest Showman.
00:47:52 And inspired from touching moments of Dear Evan Hansen. Showtime has something for everyone.
00:47:58 Get your early bird tickets now at Queens Hall box office or at Queens Hall.
00:48:03 Don't miss your chance to experience the magic of Showtime.
00:48:10 The Lions Club of REMA presents its third annual fundraising golf tournament happening Saturday, 6th April at the Millennium Lakes Golf and Country Club.
00:48:18 Cost of entry is $2,500 per team, with part proceeds benefiting the Voice of Lupus Foundation.
00:48:23 For more information, call the Lions Club of REMA at 361-5637 or email REMALionsClub@yahoo.com.
00:48:31 Info is also available from any of our authorized members.
00:48:34 It's the Lions Club of REMA's exciting third annual fundraising golf tournament. Register today.
00:48:45 [music]
00:48:55 Lift my eyes unto the hills. We only have one place to go for help. Hallelujah! So I celebrate in Jesus.
00:49:05 [music]
00:49:16 Walking to your new season.
00:49:19 [music]
00:49:24 Man to man, violence is about self-control, compassion, respect, and man's development is in three stages.
00:49:36 From animality to humanity, and from humanity to divinity.
00:49:42 Full and developed manhood is having that inner capacity.
00:49:48 The refrain from violence against women, violence against women then is a sign of a lesser manhood.
00:49:58 [music]
00:50:04 This is Mary. Mary has bills to pay and takes a chance parking in front of the building at the no parking sign.
00:50:13 Mary returns to her car and this is what happens.
00:50:18 [music]
00:50:24 Mary decides to call when she's five minutes away to let her daughter know that she is close by.
00:50:30 But Mary forgot one thing.
00:50:34 Boy, second ticket for the day. I don't know, I really don't know. Well, I tell you.
00:50:39 After two tickets, Mary just isn't paying attention to her speed.
00:50:45 [music]
00:50:59 Don't be like Mary. Obey the laws of the road. A message from the TTPS.
00:51:06 [music]
00:51:11 [speaking Spanish]
00:51:17 Shut up! I've had enough of all of you. You ungrateful...
00:51:22 I've had enough of you. You took us from our countries and now false pretends have us working day and night like slaves and expect us to be grateful?
00:51:30 You promised us $15 an hour and you pay us much less than that. And now you want to take our money from us for poor salaries?
00:51:36 [music]
00:51:41 Just allow us to leave. Please, give us our passports and allow us to leave.
00:51:47 You good for nothings are free to leave.
00:51:50 If you step one foot out of here, I will cede that immigration sends you back to whatever hell you came from.
00:52:02 If you know of or suspect human trafficking activity, call the counter-trafficking hotline at 800-4CTU or 800-4288.
00:52:12 Human trafficking is a crime. Identify it. Report it. Stop it.
00:52:17 A message from the Counter-Trafficking Unit of the Ministry of National Security.
00:52:22 [music]
00:52:25 Welcome to O2N Lifestyle, where we unravel the stories of those who at first glance may seem worlds apart, yet share an unspoken connection.
00:52:34 Different parts, different worlds.
00:52:37 Look at that smile from DJ Bravo.
00:52:39 Miss Maracas Valley, Asha Abrams.
00:52:42 [music]
00:52:49 May you be inspired to embrace change, seek joy within, and recognize that common thread that continues to bind us all.
00:52:56 O2N Lifestyle.
00:52:58 Where we unravel the stories that connect us all.
00:53:01 [music]
00:53:10 [music]
00:53:17 Good morning. I am Anselm Gibbs with a news update.
00:53:22 An autopsy has found that murder accused Sherilyn Brown died from multiple blunt force trauma, during which she also sustained head injuries.
00:53:33 It is alleged that Brown was among a group of inmates who created a disturbance at the Port of Spain prison on March 26.
00:53:42 That incident led to five inmates and 17 prison officers requiring medical treatment.
00:53:50 Authorities are working to neutralize bees at Palmis Park, San Fernando, after multiple people were recently stung and hospitalized.
00:54:01 At least one hive was sprayed by the Ministry of Agriculture on Wednesday.
00:54:07 When it comes to the trees or the bees, preservation of the trees, preservation of the bees, preservation of human life in terms of the value chain, value order.
00:54:17 So in this instance, this is preservation of human life, which is paramount.
00:54:22 And then on the second set of the scale would be looking at the bees and the trees.
00:54:28 So basically this is what it's about and we really appreciate the effort to abate but not to eradicate.
00:54:35 [music]
00:54:37 And in the weather forecast, mainly sunny and breezy weather can be expected.
00:54:42 These conditions will be interrupted at times by occasional cloudy patches and light to moderate showers, mostly near hilly areas.
00:54:51 Seas are moderate in open waters with swells ranging from one and a half to two meters in height and may occasionally become choppy.
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00:56:14 Inspiration through song makes our souls rejoice.
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00:56:30 Inspiration is found in the diversity of nature.
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00:56:36 Inspired word of heart, direct from the past.
00:56:39 Join us every Monday morning at 8.30am right here on TV6 for our many moments of inspiration.
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00:57:01 [laughter]
00:57:03 [music]
00:57:04 Let's take a selfie.
00:57:06 [camera shutter]
00:57:07 It looking good boy. I'm putting it online.
00:57:11 [music]
00:57:13 Hey, I thought you said you went to the beach with your parents.
00:57:17 Who's you?
00:57:18 It's me, Larry, from online.
00:57:23 [music]
00:57:51 Alright, so welcome back everyone. So we are continuing our program this morning.
00:57:57 Of course you know that the public consultations on constitutional reform, they have begun, alright?
00:58:04 So we do have on the line this morning, Chairman of the National Advisory Committee on Constitutional Reform, Mr. Birendra Senanan.
00:58:14 Mr. Senanan, good morning. Thank you very much for joining us.
00:58:17 Good morning to you.
00:58:19 Yes. Mr. Senanan, let's get right into it. How have the consultations been going thus far?
00:58:27 So far we have had two public meetings. One in Sangre Grandi and one in Point Forte last night.
00:58:38 In Sangre Grandi we've had a very good crowd. Also in Point Forte last night.
00:58:45 The crowds are averaging about 50 to 60, which is quite good in the circumstance.
00:58:53 How many consultations do you all expect to have and is it going to be spread all over Trinidad and Tobago?
00:59:01 Yes. What we're going to do is this. We have divided the consultations by municipalities.
00:59:08 So there are 14 municipalities in Trinidad and we are doing Tobago East and West.
00:59:15 We've done two so far and we have the rest to do, which we hope to finish by the second week in May.
00:59:25 And how are these consultations going to be held? Is it that they're going to be held once per week, twice per week, four per month?
00:59:32 How are they going to be held?
00:59:34 We are trying to have at least one per week. Sometimes we'll have two per week.
00:59:41 Yes. Mr. Sinanan, what sort of information are you looking for at these public consultations?
00:59:49 OK. So our mandate is to canvas the widest public in Trinidad and Tobago.
00:59:55 So that includes virtually everybody, NGOs, you know, everybody.
01:00:04 What we're looking for is firstly to get people to indicate to us what they think is necessary to change, to have change in the constitution.
01:00:18 So the problem we are experiencing so far is that a lot of people are not aware of what is in the constitution and even how it affects them.
01:00:29 So that's a challenge we're seeing. So one of the exercises we are on is to educate the people what the constitution is about.
01:00:37 So that's the first step. Secondly, it's to get their views.
01:00:43 So the constitution affects everybody in some way. In the constitution, you have things like the service commissions, the authorities,
01:00:54 and somewhere along the line, people are affected by the work of those service commissions and the judiciary.
01:01:01 Everything that's in the constitution affects the citizens in one way or the other.
01:01:06 So what we're trying to do is to get people to react. How is the constitution affecting them in their daily lives?
01:01:13 What they would like to see. So far, we are getting views on the CCJ in Sandy Grandy.
01:01:21 When that issue was raised, it funny enough, I won't say it's funny enough, it raised it.
01:01:28 It was a claim by the audience. Everybody started to clap when that issue was raised.
01:01:35 We have issues of the police being raised. The actions of the police is another major issue people are raising.
01:01:44 Now you have the commission, the police service commission. So all these service commissions have to be attended to.
01:01:53 But you think that members of the public who have attended the consultations, do you think that they have been spot on?
01:02:00 Or is it that you think that very important issues, they may be missing?
01:02:09 No, they have actually been very spot on. What we've got so far is not to underestimate the intelligence of the ordinary man.
01:02:17 The ordinary man is quite intelligent about what's going on in the country and to some extent how the constitution,
01:02:24 he doesn't understand how the constitution affects him. But when you point out to him certain aspects of the constitution,
01:02:30 then he can relate to that. So we are getting positive feedback.
01:02:35 But how do you, because this is not only a very important exercise, but you need,
01:02:45 it's an exercise where you want the mass population to participate.
01:02:52 And if you're saying, well, we're seeing about 50 or 60 people at the consultations, of course, as you alluded to earlier,
01:03:01 that is a challenge and you have to do something in order to attract more people to the consultation.
01:03:10 Is that a concern to you? Yes, it has been a concern.
01:03:16 Apart from the consultations, meeting the public, we have invited the population to submit written submissions.
01:03:27 So far, we've had over 200 written submissions and we expect to receive more.
01:03:34 We have given a deadline of around the middle of this month for written submissions.
01:03:39 So apart from the consultations, we are also meeting with what we call constitutional and legal experts.
01:03:48 For example, today we have Justice Peter Jamada is coming on at 11 o'clock.
01:03:54 Then we meet Mr. Russell Martino, constitutional expert, legal expert.
01:04:00 So we are meeting experts and getting their views and their input.
01:04:06 We also intend to meet shortly with other stakeholders, i.e. people like psychologists, people involved with the youth, with crime.
01:04:18 We want to capture everybody in this exercise.
01:04:22 Yeah. So there has to be this mass participation, wider participation for this exercise to work well, right?
01:04:31 Well, it has to be. We are, in fact, constrained by the time limit.
01:04:36 We had three months to we have three months to produce a report.
01:04:41 We were appointed on in late January, started to work immediately thereafter.
01:04:49 Now, we are about the fifth incarnation of reviewing the Constitution.
01:04:56 You had the wooden constitution, the hair tally, the Ramadha, principles of fairness.
01:05:04 We've had several of them before. This is the fifth attempt at constitutional reform.
01:05:10 And we do have an excellent committee working on this aspect of the constitutional reform.
01:05:20 And we do hope to keep our deadline to produce a report.
01:05:26 So we are getting good, positive feedback. As I said, we've had written submissions.
01:05:33 We are interviewing experts. And the idea now is to go to the public and get the what you call the everyday man, the general public, to get their views.
01:05:44 Yeah. And I'm glad that you spoke about how many times it was attempted in the past, Mr. Sinanan, because some people may be a bit pessimistic.
01:05:54 And they would have said, well, in the past, there have been many attempts. We're trying again.
01:06:01 What what is different this time around? Well, let's put it this way.
01:06:08 This time around, we have a committee that is dedicated to do its work.
01:06:15 Remember, in the in the previous attempts at constitutional reform, we didn't have things like social media.
01:06:25 The communication medium has been widened so that we think it's going to make a difference.
01:06:33 Because in 1974 and thereafter, it's only until the 80s that the world has opened up in a meaningful way and people are reacting.
01:06:44 At the end of the day, it is for the people, the general public to want change.
01:06:53 And they can telegraph that change to the powers that be, the powers that be being the government of power.
01:06:59 So if the people telegraph to the government that, look, yes, we want a CCG and we don't want to retain the Privy Council, it will happen.
01:07:11 Any government would not go against the wishes of the people. To do that could be political suicide.
01:07:18 What is interesting about this particular exercise at this time, it is coming virtually perhaps about a year ahead of the general elections.
01:07:29 So one may ask, well, why did the prime minister do this a year before a general election?
01:07:35 If it is that he doesn't intend to do something about it, because it could be negative.
01:07:41 If we do all this work, they receive a report, we go to a national consultation and nothing happens.
01:07:50 That could be, you know, some political trouble there.
01:07:55 So I believe the government is genuine in its attempt to do something about the Constitution.
01:08:03 And I base that views just on the politics of it.
01:08:08 And to me, it was curious if he didn't want to do it, why raise that issue now in virtually the last year of your office?
01:08:16 So to me, that tells me that the government is serious about doing something about the Constitution.
01:08:22 It has to change. The aspects of the Constitution that need changing.
01:08:27 Yeah. And that's very strong assurances you have given us, Mr. Sinanan, because as you know, in Trinidad and Tobago,
01:08:34 there are reports and reports and reports and reports. And we talk and we talk and we talk.
01:08:39 So, as I said, those are very strong assurances there. But after the report, what's the next step?
01:08:48 OK. After we submit our report to the prime minister, presumably they will discuss it at the parliament level.
01:08:56 I'm sorry, at the cabinet level. And then he's going to convene a national consultation on the Constitution.
01:09:06 What I'm hoping for and what the committee is hoping for is that we don't want to centralize that just in Port of Spain.
01:09:13 The country is not Port of Spain only. So, for example, it's our recommendation, certainly mine for the time being.
01:09:21 And I'm not the committee's recommendation at this point. My recommendation will be for the consultation,
01:09:28 have it throughout the country, not only in Port of Spain. So, we look at population centers and have the consultation there.
01:09:38 Because, you know, people living in Rio Claro, Mearo, wouldn't necessarily want to come to Port of Spain to air their views.
01:09:48 That need to be listened to. So, at the consultation, I will certainly be recommending that we go nationwide and also in Tobago.
01:10:00 We don't expect people from Tobago to come to Trinidad to consult, to give their views on the Constitution at a national consultancy.
01:10:11 It sounds like a lengthy process, Mr. Sinanan. We have the public consultations, national consultations.
01:10:18 It is a lengthy process. The advantage we have here is that we are not reinventing the wheel.
01:10:24 We've had four attempts at this before and they are very useful recommendations in those four previous reports.
01:10:32 So, what we are doing or what we have started to do, and perhaps almost complete the exercise, is looking at all those previous reports
01:10:42 and collating them to see how they are relevant in today's Trinidad and Tobago.
01:10:48 So, to some extent, the time frame that we've been given was short. A lot of the work has been done before.
01:10:57 It's really to collate that work and see how it is relevant to life in Trinidad and Tobago today.
01:11:05 Mr. Sinanan, where can people share their concerns and information with you? What are the options?
01:11:13 We have a website, constitutionalreform2024.gov.tt.
01:11:21 We have invited the public and all this is in the press, both radio and TV.
01:11:29 We have flyers going out to different public offices. Incidentally, it's not only limited to Trinidad and Tobago.
01:11:41 We have engaged our embassies and high commissions abroad to inform the diaspora to contribute.
01:11:50 We have given them all the information necessary for them to be able to contribute.
01:11:54 So, the link, the websites are available and people are contributing.
01:12:01 As I said, we have so far over 200 written submissions.
01:12:06 We do have your contact information for you, Mr. Sinanan.
01:12:11 Anything else you would like to tell us before you leave us this morning, sir?
01:12:14 Yes, I want to appeal to the general public to let your voices be heard.
01:12:22 It is no good talking about, flippantly about constitutional reform.
01:12:27 Ever so often, you know, the public say, well, we need to reform the constitution.
01:12:33 But a lot of the public doesn't have an idea what it is they want.
01:12:37 They talk about constitutional reform.
01:12:40 So, one of the things coming out of some of these town hall meetings is that the constitution should be in all schools.
01:12:48 It should be a subject like in the old days when you had civic classes.
01:12:53 The subject was civics in Trinidad and Tobago, years gone by.
01:12:58 So, we're hoping that that would be one of the things that would come out of this whole exercise.
01:13:03 So, yes, we want to appeal to the public. It's your country, your voice, your constitution.
01:13:10 You can make the difference and we are appealing to you to make that difference.
01:13:14 Yeah, Mr. Sinanan, it was a pleasure speaking with you. Thank you very much, sir.
01:13:18 Thank you very much, Marlon.
01:13:19 All right, bye for now.
01:13:20 Okay, so we are going to a very short break, everybody. We're coming back.
01:13:24 [Music]
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01:13:59 Plenty of people wonder how different they would be if they had a more supportive family.
01:14:07 Not dragging them down or always saying something negative.
01:14:10 Don't be that parent now.
01:14:13 Providing support for your child can help them feel confident and capable.
01:14:21 This includes offering help when needed, praising the efforts and cheering them on.
01:14:27 Never stop being their biggest cheerleaders in good times and in bad times.
01:14:32 At the end of the day, do your best and let your children know you have their back.
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01:14:43 Letter of the Day. S. Supportive.
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01:14:52 Fellas, things in Toronto and Tobago, you know, can be frustrating.
01:14:56 And we have the right as human beings, as males, to be angry sometimes, to be frustrated sometimes, to be jealous.
01:15:04 It's all natural, it's all normal.
01:15:06 But what we don't have the right to do is to be abusive towards our partners.
01:15:11 We have daughters, we have mothers, we have female friends.
01:15:16 We wouldn't want abuse to be a part of their lives.
01:15:20 So why make it a part of our lives?
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01:15:28 My...
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01:15:59 Alright everybody, so welcome back.
01:16:02 So we are talking golf now, right? Yeah, we're talking about golf.
01:16:06 So we do have on the line this time, Matt Sherris-Rampersad, Matt's secretary at the St. Madeleine Golf Club.
01:16:13 And we also have Liam Bryden, defending champion, to tell us about the 2024 St. Madeleine Golf Club Open.
01:16:20 Alright, so we do have Liam. Liam, good morning.
01:16:23 Hi, good morning.
01:16:25 Yeah, well Liam, let's talk about, because you are the defending champion, let's talk about how this, how has this experience been for you?
01:16:38 Well, winning any tournament is always a great experience.
01:16:42 Last year was my first time playing in the St. Madeleine Open.
01:16:46 And it's a very challenging course.
01:16:49 And it really tests your mental side of the game.
01:16:54 But as I said before, winning any tournament is always great.
01:17:00 And I'm looking forward to playing this year as well.
01:17:04 So when compared to other courses, how does it match up?
01:17:10 How does the competition match up?
01:17:13 So the competition, entry and die is always quite similar.
01:17:18 Because it's a lot of the same people you see every year.
01:17:21 But the course is extremely different to any course in Trinidad.
01:17:25 And the reason why I really like the course is because it shows different characteristics to what I normally play on.
01:17:33 But I really do have fun and enjoy playing St. Madeleine.
01:17:38 And I can't wait to tee it up again.
01:17:40 Yeah. And let me tell you, Liam, I mean, we're speaking about golf, but a lot of us don't know too much about golf, you know.
01:17:47 So when you're speaking about, you know, differences at the St. Madeleine Golf Club opening,
01:17:53 we have to be a little more specific because a lot of us don't know about golf.
01:17:58 Yeah, Liam. All right. So let's speak to Mr. Sherris Rampersad.
01:18:03 Mr. Rampersad, good morning.
01:18:05 Hi.
01:18:07 So we do have him there. All right.
01:18:09 So what's in store for the golf club opening, Mr. Rampersad?
01:18:16 Well, the tournament will take place the first week in May.
01:18:20 So that will be on the weekend of the third, fourth and fifth.
01:18:25 It is a three day tournament for two of the six flight that will be participating.
01:18:30 So we have six different categories. So on Friday, we have the professionals that will be playing.
01:18:37 They alone will be participating and competing for prize money, for cash, for NTT dollars.
01:18:44 So the current purse basis, the number of entrants we have thus far is 15,000 NTT dollars.
01:18:52 So the winner last year, which was Chris Richards, Sr., he won five thousand dollars out of the 15.
01:19:00 The championship players will also play on Friday, which would include Liam and myself.
01:19:07 And the purpose of the championship players playing these games is for the in order to gain world amateur ranking points.
01:19:18 And that will make you eligible for national selection as well as exemptions to play in tournaments on an international level.
01:19:27 Yeah. So it's a golf club open we're speaking about it, just as you have the other open.
01:19:32 It's open. All right.
01:19:34 But Mr. Rampersad, let's talk a little bit about what has the response been thus far,
01:19:45 because I'm sure this is not the first time that you are having this competition.
01:19:52 Of course. So this is the fourth year we are having this.
01:19:57 And last year we had approximately five participants.
01:20:04 And usually separate and apart from the professionals championship category, we have the first flight, second flight, third flight, as well as a ladies category.
01:20:17 But they would only participate only on Saturday and Sunday.
01:20:22 So we have a wide field that will be categorized in those six areas.
01:20:28 Yeah. Liam, I want to speak a little bit about how competitions such as these prepare you for, let's say,
01:20:40 and really fine tunes your skills for, let's say, other type competitions.
01:20:48 Let's speak about the importance of competition, such as as the St. Madeleine Golf Club Open.
01:20:56 So what Trinidad has introduced to the game of golf is what Charis was talking about, the world ranking points.
01:21:04 So each open tournament from each club mostly time has world ranking points that we play for that we can build up so we could play tournaments away.
01:21:16 We get invited to tournaments away. So there's always something on the line for us.
01:21:19 Even if we're not winning the tournament, we still need to put out our best finish.
01:21:23 So we gather these points, as many points as we can, so we can become lower ranked in the world ranking.
01:21:30 As to how it prepares us, I mean, any tournament you play and prepares you for tournaments, the more tournaments you play,
01:21:37 the better feel you have playing these competitions, the more experience you can gain.
01:21:43 For me, I've been playing tournaments for a long time, and I can tell you this.
01:21:48 Every tournament I play, I take it like it's the biggest tournament in the world.
01:21:51 I try my hardest. I always want to do better with myself.
01:21:57 But yeah, especially this tournament, I think it's about six tournaments a year we have that has world ranking points, five or six.
01:22:05 So each of those tournaments are extremely important to Trinidad Golf.
01:22:10 Yeah. Cheris, have more and more people you think been participating in golf?
01:22:17 As I shared with Liam a little earlier, that yes, we know about golf,
01:22:24 but I think it is something that we know about it, but we don't know a lot of things about it.
01:22:31 So it's very, very new to some of us. But do you think that a lot of people are coming along?
01:22:40 Yes, correct. The Trinidad and Tobago Golf Association, the president, Mr. Wayne Batiste,
01:22:46 as well as the Stephen Hayes Foundation, which is controlled by Mrs. Marilyn Eames.
01:22:53 They have set out and embark on a program where they have engaged a lot of schools that is neighboring to most golf courses in Trinidad.
01:23:02 And they have started a program called SNAG, which is an acronym for Starting New at Golf.
01:23:09 And typically golf is a relatively difficult game to learn initially.
01:23:14 And these SNAG sets are clubs that are considerably bigger with larger balls and easier targets.
01:23:22 So it builds the confidence very easily for children as well as adults to pick up the game quickly.
01:23:28 And it doesn't necessarily mean that you need a golf course.
01:23:32 So sometimes we take the gears and equipment to the schools and we can set up and simulate a golf course in their field or gymnasium.
01:23:44 And they will get an idea of what golf is and an introduction to golf.
01:23:48 From there, the interest of the children and the support from the parents, they would then further get them involved in golf on the course itself.
01:24:02 Currently in St. Madeline, we have an Easter golf camp for juniors from 18 years and younger.
01:24:09 And we constantly advertise these camps as well as beginner programs for adults as well, quite regularly.
01:24:17 And we send it out on our social media platform and we get quite a favorable response.
01:24:23 Yeah. So, Sherris, I think it is safe to say that you have seen improvements over the year.
01:24:29 You have seen greater participation by people and a structure is being put in place to attract more people to the sport.
01:24:39 Yes, of course.
01:24:41 Liam, you are the defending champion. So what can we expect from you, Liam? You are going to win again?
01:24:50 Hopefully. I don't like to go into any tournaments with expectations.
01:24:56 I think over the years I have gone to tournaments with expectations that have not played well.
01:25:00 So I am going to try something different and just try to have fun.
01:25:04 I love the course already, so I just have to have fun and hopefully I do the same as last year.
01:25:10 Yeah, that's a good approach, Liam. Sherris, anything else you'd like to tell us before you leave us this morning?
01:25:16 I just want to give a special thank you to the few sponsors we have so far.
01:25:20 So, NGC, the Ashnard Foundation, Southern Seals, they have contributed tremendously to the cause.
01:25:30 We are still open for more sponsorship, whether it be from individuals or other businesses or companies.
01:25:39 So it could make it a lot easier as well as probably make the prizes a little more attractive to get more participants into the tournament.
01:25:49 Yeah. Gentlemen, it was a pleasure speaking with you all. Thank you very much and we wish you all the best for the St. Madeleine Golf Club Open. Bye for now.
01:25:59 Thank you.
01:26:00 Alright, so we are going to a very short break. We do have this for you. It's a sunset from Maloney Gardens and it's from Roslyn.
01:26:08 We're coming back, everybody.
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01:27:16 [Music]
01:27:35 [Music]
01:28:04 [Music]
01:28:07 Alright, so welcome back everyone. So we're talking about now, Let Her Play, Dance Nation, Break Dancing and Hip Hop, which is an initiative of the Ministry of Sports.
01:28:17 So to share with us all of the information concerning this initiative, we do have Hislan Paul, Physical Education and Sport Officer 1 at the Ministry of Sport and Community Development.
01:28:28 And we also have Shakir Griffith, Dancer and Choreographer. Thank you very much for coming this morning.
01:28:35 Thank you, good morning.
01:28:36 Hislan, let's begin with you. Tell us about this exercise, this initiative.
01:28:40 Okay, well, the Let Her Play initiative is one where we encourage women and girls to become a lot more active physically. And the initiative was really booted from just women just being a little more relaxed.
01:28:58 And we wanted women and girls to, as the title said, Let Her Play. We wanted them to experience physical activity in a unique way so that they wouldn't shy away from physical activities.
01:29:15 Most women shy away from it. And so we wanted to create some unique activities, what we call non-traditional sporting activities.
01:29:24 It's not the traditional cricket, football, netball. And so one of those activities is dance.
01:29:30 Yes.
01:29:31 Yes. And so we are having our Let Her Play Dance Nation, breaking and hip hop.
01:29:37 And this particular dance genre for this segment of this year, because we had dance last year and we did a lot of salsa and what we call Spanish type, you know, dance moves.
01:29:53 So this year we are...
01:29:54 We forget in dance.
01:29:55 Yes, yes, Latin dance. So this year we want to focus on hip hop, that hip hop genre. And it's because this year the Olympic Games will have that as one of the sporting activities for the first time.
01:30:08 Yeah.
01:30:09 Yes.
01:30:10 Shaquille, let's talk about your participation here in the program.
01:30:14 So I was hired as the choreographer. Honestly, it is something that I do. I teach dancing on a regular. And being able to educate and actually do something that's fun and it's like a workout as well too.
01:30:32 Because it's a lot of flow work happening, a lot of coordination happening, a lot of trips and stuff happening. And when I was contacted, like, you know, you have this particular set of skills and you like to use them. And Michael Keku, here I am. So I can't wait to just dive in.
01:30:53 Yeah.
01:30:54 Hazelan, let's talk a little bit about how this initiative, you all are going to roll out this initiative.
01:31:00 OK, well, the initiative is going to roll out in cycles and we are going to be in three locations for this year.
01:31:08 So this our first cycle starts on Saturday and it's going to run for six sessions at the Hastie Crawford Stadium. We will be at the VIP lounge. Then we move to Central at the National Aquatic Center, the lounge that they have in that location.
01:31:26 And then we go down to the Southern Indoor Facility at Pleasantville. So we are at three locations. So those who are living in Deep South, don't worry, we are coming. Those who are living in Central, don't worry, we are coming.
01:31:42 The sessions are free. All right. And so we want our girls, particularly because the our age category for this particular genre is those who are 10 to 25. All right. So I am looking for those who will want to become dance athletes, actually.
01:32:01 Right. Yeah. So is there still time for people to register?
01:32:07 The registration is open. I left it open for a little while. Right. For those who want to capture cycle one. But we are going to be having our cycle two and cycle three. So those who miss cycle one, there's always cycle two and cycle three.
01:32:21 But they're going to have to get to the location. Yeah. Yes. How many people are you catering for? We are catering for about 60 girls. Yeah. 60 girls. And we really hope that, you know, we realize a lot of people sign up, but they don't show up.
01:32:39 And I want people to show up. You know, this is an initiative. This is for you as women and girls. This is for us. One of the things that our goal in this is that physical activity.
01:32:53 You know, it is going to be fun. It's going to be exciting. But one of the things that they are going to learn a new style of dancing and they're going to learn the different techniques. And I really want our girls to come out, learn something new.
01:33:09 Put that in your learning bank. And who knows where that could take you in the future. Right. Shakira, let's talk a little bit about your role. So is it going to be mental? Is it going to be coach? What is it really going to be like?
01:33:26 I believe it's both. It can be many different things. So people can look up to you in many ways like, oh my gosh, I want to be just like you when I get older. And no, remember we say in Let's Play, we have a guy teaching.
01:33:39 Right. I realize that. But with that being said, I have been coaching many girls schools such as St. Joe's Convent. I'm a hip hop chair coach there. And I'm able to understand what bodies can do.
01:33:54 So you don't make them do much more than they can, but you still push them to be able to execute certain movements. So with any Let's Play activity, we want to make sure that the girls understand how to do proper push ups, coordination, foundation of breakdancing, which would have been 1970s style came out.
01:34:16 And in the Olympics, we have like 15 male and female participants that will be competing all over the world. And we have female breakdancers in training as well, too. Not much, but we like to have much more, you know, much more girls actually going onto the floor and spin on their head or doing windmills and you know, all these different crazy things, you know.
01:34:35 And it's an acrobatic sport as well, too. So you get to learn how to do freezes, be freeze, how to do headstands, how to properly execute certain things when you go to an event or in a competition, because most competition asks for this genre.
01:34:51 And as a hip hop international, there's a breakdancing part where you need to at least have 30 seconds of that style in your piece. So if I'm able to execute that and bring that to life, then I'll be successful in my, you know.
01:35:06 So it's really a whole program has been worked out, right?
01:35:09 Yes, it's a program and we are looking forward to having it continue. We want the population to know that this is something that is available for your girls.
01:35:25 And one of the things that we have more or less a little, you know, thing in Trinidad is that sports is not a career.
01:35:37 And I tell people, I say, listen, there is no athlete in Trinidad and Tobago more traveled than any other person.
01:35:45 There's no doctor who is more traveled than an athlete in Trinidad and Tobago.
01:35:49 And we want our girls to experience all that is available in this program and what it can do for them in the future.
01:36:01 See themselves as a dance athlete, see yourself as someone who you may not be able to do, become an athlete, but you could be able to become a dancer.
01:36:12 And those type of skills, there are persons who are making money from those skills.
01:36:18 So don't shy your teenage girl or your young child who is interested in becoming a dancer or sport dance athlete.
01:36:29 Don't discourage them. You know, we are making the avenue available and send them out.
01:36:35 Yeah. But Shakiri, this is a viable option, right?
01:36:38 It is. It definitely is.
01:36:39 I mean, we have seen these marathon type dancing competitions abroad. So it's a viable option for them.
01:36:46 Can you imagine as a dancer, seeing them break dancing in the Olympics?
01:36:51 Yeah.
01:36:52 That was like goosebumps. It's like, finally, it's been recognized as in Red Bull BC does it.
01:36:57 Now the Olympic has been able to broadcast it.
01:37:00 So as Messiaen-Alan said, don't shy away your child from trying something new.
01:37:06 You know, maybe something like, wow, I didn't know my child could do this.
01:37:09 But just give them the opportunity because it's free.
01:37:11 You know, it's available. It's there. It's going to be in different sectors.
01:37:15 So I can't wait to share my knowledge when it comes to that.
01:37:19 Isla, I have 30 seconds. Anything else you'd like to tell us?
01:37:22 I would like to tell Trinidad and Tobago, go to our Facebook page, sign up your daughter.
01:37:30 We have until 11.59 p.m. tonight, I've given them because we start on Saturday.
01:37:37 So I have to make sure that everyone is email contacted.
01:37:41 OK. And really come out and enjoy what we have.
01:37:45 The Ministry of Sport and Community Development is offering with this program, Dance Nation, you know, breaking and hip hop.
01:37:52 Yeah. Isla and Shakir, thank you very much for coming this morning.
01:37:56 All right. We are going to very short break, everybody. We're coming back.
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01:38:53 I'm moving, moving forward every day. I just let him lead the way. Every hour of the day.
01:39:09 Jesus. Morning. Morning. Listen, I notice something.
01:39:33 You know, the man is a person up and down in front of you with a set of women.
01:39:40 I really know there's some women living there, you know, and they can't even say as much as good morning.
01:39:44 Well, listen, I wonder if this human trafficking you think is that.
01:39:49 So how can you spot and identify perpetrators and victims of trafficking?
01:39:54 Many victims are found living and working together in the same place and sleep in shared and inappropriate spaces.
01:40:01 Victims work excessively long hours. They often sleep in the daytime and work long nights.
01:40:06 They are often escorted everywhere they go and may appear to be malnourished.
01:40:11 They may show signs of physical abuse, drug and alcohol use, and may also pay withdrawn, fearful or intimidated.
01:40:19 Victims who are migrants are often not in possession of their identity or immigration documents and have irregular immigration status.
01:40:26 Perpetrators can be male or female and may appear to be managing or controlling the victims.
01:40:32 And they may even at times appear to be the victim's best friend, boyfriend or employer.
01:40:39 We are the counter trafficking unit of the Ministry of National Security, Trinidad and Tobago, safeguarding human life.
01:40:50 Woman was the object of discussion. A question was asked by the captain behind.
01:41:00 Who woman is woman for Pan Man? Some of them decide nice woman, while others decide thick woman.
01:41:10 But the Iron Man made us to understand.
01:41:15 Welcome back everyone. So we are talking about now Pantopia, the music of Ray Holman.
01:41:21 With us live on set this morning, we do have Mr. Roel Gibbons, producer and we do have also Mr. Jamal Glynn.
01:41:29 And let me tell you, Mr. Glynn is a music therapist. So we'll have to find out a little more about that.
01:41:35 But Mr. Gibbons, it's always a pleasure to speak with you.
01:41:38 And let me tell you why, because I know that you have spent so much of your life really committed to the culture of Trinidad and Tobago
01:41:49 and the arts of Trinidad and Tobago and really passing on your knowledge to a lot of young people that you would have touched over the years.
01:41:56 So that's why I prefaced my preamble in that way, because you're a gentleman that really you need to pay tribute to.
01:42:06 And we do appreciate you here, Mr. Gibbons.
01:42:09 Thank you very much, Marlon.
01:42:11 All right. So let's talk about Pantopia. And of course, it's really a tribute, right?
01:42:18 It's a tribute to Ray Holman. Ray, for two reasons.
01:42:23 One, of course, Ray has this, Holman has this repertoire of music.
01:42:28 I mean, he's really our most prolific composer outside of the strict calypso realm, that is.
01:42:36 So he has this. And of course, he's been recognized by the University of the West Indies about two years ago.
01:42:43 He's also celebrating his 80th birthday this month in April.
01:42:47 So we felt this was a good time to put together this tribute to him.
01:42:52 That was important for me because I've always felt that, you know, it's one thing, yes, to receive accolades,
01:43:00 formal accolades from the institutions that we have.
01:43:03 But it's another thing for us to immerse ourselves in the work that people do in the arts.
01:43:12 And we wanted to take his music outside of the panorama field.
01:43:18 People appreciate him in panorama and so on. But what is the meaning of this music?
01:43:23 What does it bring to our lives, our everyday lives?
01:43:26 We wanted us to think, people to think about that and to experience it in the way in which we can put it together in theater.
01:43:32 So that's what we do. That's what Canberra has been doing for years, you know, in different genres and so on.
01:43:37 But we are focusing on Ray now for this particular period.
01:43:41 Mr. Glynn, tell us about your participation in this project here.
01:43:44 I have a really interesting character that I play, Mr. Hardgill. I'm the sponsor of the Steep Arm.
01:43:50 I bring something different, something to help the guys and they go forward.
01:43:56 I see some future, so I want to sponsor them. And it's a really interesting character.
01:44:01 Now, to reach to that point was a journey.
01:44:05 There was a, because I'm a Steep Arm player mainly and trained to be a music therapist,
01:44:10 so being in theater posed some challenges.
01:44:14 So I'm really delighted to be here and I thank Mr. Gibbons and Canberra Productions for the opportunity to be part of the cast.
01:44:22 And we look forward to delivering on Friday the 5th of April.
01:44:29 But Mr. Gibbons, what are you trying to achieve via this production here?
01:44:35 Well, an appreciation, not only of Ray Hallman and the music that he has given us,
01:44:44 but also an appreciation of two other things, of steel band, generally, because we go into the history of steel band.
01:44:51 And I think that again, that is something that we take for granted.
01:44:54 You know, we hear Pan, it's ours and so on, but what do we know about it?
01:44:58 You know, that's one of the questions that the play asks.
01:45:02 And most importantly, really, an appreciation of ourselves, our own capacity as a people,
01:45:10 because of the fact that we have created Pan.
01:45:13 Let's not forget that. We've created and what does that mean?
01:45:16 We only ask ourselves that question and then further, therefore, what can it mean for us now?
01:45:21 And I'm not only talking about whether it brings in money and so on.
01:45:24 That's one part of it and that's very important.
01:45:26 But what does, what can it mean in terms of our own capacity to recreate ourselves, as it were,
01:45:31 to innovate, to push the definition of who we are further, what we can be?
01:45:38 Those are the kinds of questions that we explore in this production.
01:45:42 Yeah. So it's going to be a mixture of Pan and theatre.
01:45:47 Yeah. Well, that's the interesting thing, you know, as Jamal is saying,
01:45:52 he comes from a Pan background, he's an expert Pan player and so on.
01:45:56 And it's set in the Pan yard.
01:46:00 So we had to cast the play primarily among people who can play.
01:46:05 Yes. Right. You had to be able to play. That was the first requirement.
01:46:09 And then, of course, now we, the players are now required to sing.
01:46:15 And they have beautiful voices, some of them, really beautiful voices, you know.
01:46:20 And act and dance, right, move as well.
01:46:24 So it's really an exploration of this beautiful talent that we have among ourselves.
01:46:30 So what's in addition, we have visual arts as well.
01:46:34 We have like a stage set and it's really lovely to see all the arts come together in this production.
01:46:43 It's revitalizing, reinvigorating. It's really something that touches you deeply.
01:46:54 And it'd be useful when the audience come, they're going to get an opportunity to engage in an integral way.
01:47:02 So we really do look forward, the cast look forward to performing on this weekend.
01:47:10 That was a good point. Very good. I'm glad that Jamal had reminded me about that.
01:47:13 Because the set is done by an artist, right, Greer Jones Woodham.
01:47:18 She's a fabulous artist of fabric work and so on.
01:47:21 And she's created a set for us and it really transports the audience.
01:47:25 As Jamal is saying, once you get there.
01:47:28 Yeah. And the venue?
01:47:29 The venue is Phase Two, Pan yard. Yeah. That's the thing.
01:47:33 It's a play about Pan. It's set in a steel barnyard and it's actually set within Phase Two, Pan yard.
01:47:42 So it's a new kind of experience.
01:47:44 Not that we haven't done plays in Pan yards before.
01:47:47 That's part of the history of my work.
01:47:50 But this is new for Phase Two and I think it will be new for a lot of the audience.
01:47:55 At what time?
01:47:57 It's the show on Fridays and Saturdays.
01:48:00 We run for two weekends, starting Friday. That's tomorrow.
01:48:04 Yes, it is.
01:48:05 It's a pawn game, Mr. Gibbons.
01:48:09 Starting tomorrow. This weekend, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
01:48:13 On Fridays and Saturdays it's at 7 p.m. On Sundays at 6 p.m.
01:48:17 And then we run the following week as well.
01:48:19 We finish on the 14th.
01:48:21 And tickets can be had from a number of bookstores.
01:48:25 Metropolitan Bookstore here in Port of Spain.
01:48:27 Keith Kahn's in San Fernando.
01:48:29 And the Blue Edition in Tunapuna.
01:48:32 And of course also online.
01:48:34 But people can call me.
01:48:37 355-0966 for information and for bookings of tickets.
01:48:44 What's the cost?
01:48:45 The cost is $300.
01:48:47 I mean if people want to pay more we're happy to accept it.
01:48:49 You're accepting donation.
01:48:51 Yes, we do.
01:48:52 But our bottom line is $300.
01:48:54 Yeah.
01:48:55 Mr. Glenn?
01:48:56 I would like to say Mr. Gibbons is a stalwart.
01:49:07 And I've been part of DCFA.
01:49:10 And to see where in the earlier days they weren't the opportunities for musicians to get trained.
01:49:18 Or to get qualified.
01:49:20 And now we see in Form 5 CXC you have music exams.
01:49:26 GCSE.
01:49:27 You know like CXC exams.
01:49:29 So O-Levels.
01:49:30 So we see a lot of -- we have an influx of amazing musicians coming out from the school background.
01:49:37 And in the play we have a dynamic of different age ranges.
01:49:43 So we get to have like a melting pot.
01:49:46 And just to add on to the history of the play.
01:49:50 Of a certain time in the '70s when it was really difficult.
01:49:54 And Steve Pan had to think about how to move forward.
01:49:59 How to help society move forward.
01:50:02 And we see a lot of that happening now in Trinidad society.
01:50:06 But we need a little more support for that to move even further.
01:50:11 Yeah.
01:50:12 So are we going to see Mr. Holman somewhere?
01:50:15 That's the surprise?
01:50:17 Yeah.
01:50:18 It's going to be a surprise.
01:50:20 But most definitely he will be there.
01:50:23 Yeah.
01:50:24 You know you --
01:50:25 And you'll see Mr. Holman.
01:50:27 And you'll see other players.
01:50:29 We have a byline.
01:50:31 Walk with his sticks.
01:50:32 Yes.
01:50:33 So we are encouraging people who -- players who know Ray Holman's music.
01:50:39 To come and play something.
01:50:40 Right?
01:50:41 Because Can Gulia's production, our productions have always been participatory.
01:50:45 Right?
01:50:46 We invite people to come and sing and so on.
01:50:48 And in this case we invite people to come and play.
01:50:50 Walk with your sticks.
01:50:51 Yeah.
01:50:52 And come and play a bit of Holman.
01:50:55 So you have the participation of the patrons too.
01:50:57 Yes.
01:50:58 But you had to know how to play Pan.
01:51:00 You'll play a coming down there.
01:51:02 Not necessarily.
01:51:03 We're still supporting.
01:51:05 Still trying to figure it out.
01:51:07 Yeah.
01:51:08 We're supporters.
01:51:09 Yeah, yeah, yeah.
01:51:10 We support you.
01:51:11 Yeah?
01:51:12 Yeah.
01:51:13 Mr. Gibbons was -- he told me that -- and I said it at the beginning of the interview.
01:51:18 Tell us about this music therapist.
01:51:20 All right.
01:51:21 So music therapy is a scientific-based practice.
01:51:26 And it's fairly new to Trinidad.
01:51:28 Yeah.
01:51:29 So I'm assigned to psychiatry.
01:51:33 So I work under the Northwest Regional Health Authority.
01:51:36 Yeah.
01:51:37 So just to tell you a little bit about music therapy.
01:51:40 Music therapy is nonverbal communication.
01:51:45 Right.
01:51:46 And we get a chance to help patients who experience challenges, negative symptoms in psychiatry.
01:51:55 Music therapies are add-on to standard care.
01:51:58 Standard care meaning psychotherapy or psycho or pharmacotreatment.
01:52:06 So we get to help a person move from point A to point B.
01:52:13 Because sometimes the medication mightn't help the patient.
01:52:17 Or the talk mightn't -- they mightn't be able to communicate.
01:52:20 Or to find out what's going on with the patient.
01:52:22 So they refer them to music therapy.
01:52:26 And what's interesting about the play, just to tie it in, is that all the arts come together.
01:52:32 So we need more creative arts therapists within the system.
01:52:37 Because our society is a very creative society.
01:52:42 And we need more trained professionals to come and help our citizens.
01:52:46 And help them process challenges within their lives.
01:52:51 Help them feel a little more supported.
01:52:53 Help them rebuild their confidence.
01:52:56 And just develop that trust moving forward.
01:52:59 And I do that within the hospital setting.
01:53:02 >> That is so key, what he said there.
01:53:05 Because of the fact that we are primarily a music culture.
01:53:09 >> Yes.
01:53:10 >> And we have not yet come to terms with what that means.
01:53:14 You know, and how we can -- and therefore, having not come to terms with that, it means that when people are gifted with all this talent, what do you do with it?
01:53:24 Those who are fortunate might be able to go abroad, some people study and whatnot.
01:53:29 But a lot of people don't have those opportunities.
01:53:31 And therefore, what do they do with it?
01:53:33 And in some cases, it can work against them.
01:53:36 They have it.
01:53:37 They don't know what to do.
01:53:39 They go on some kind of drug or something, whatever.
01:53:42 You know?
01:53:43 And we've got to create a more empathetic society.
01:53:48 And a more conscious society.
01:53:50 A more conscious society of who we are and what we could be.
01:53:53 >> Yeah.
01:53:54 Mr. Gibbons, just remind people of the early information that you have given us, where they can get the tickets, the venue, time.
01:54:02 >> Right.
01:54:03 So the production is happening, the performances are happening at phase 2, beginning tomorrow for the weekend.
01:54:10 We play -- we begin at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
01:54:14 And at 6 p.m. on Sundays.
01:54:16 Runs for two weekends.
01:54:17 Tickets are available online at eTickets.
01:54:20 And physically at the Blue Edition in Tunapuna, Metropolitan Bookshop here in Port of Spain, Aria Peter Avenue.
01:54:29 Keith Cannes Bookshop in San Fernando.
01:54:32 And you can call my number, 355-0966 for bookings.
01:54:38 Or 343-7713.
01:54:41 That's Canvilee's number.
01:54:42 >> Yeah.
01:54:43 Gentlemen, thank you very much for coming again -- well, this morning.
01:54:46 And again, Mr. Gibbons, thank you for your contribution that you have made to this country and so many people in this society.
01:54:54 >> Thank you so much.
01:54:55 >> Thank you very much again.
01:54:56 >> I hope to see you there tomorrow.
01:54:57 >> Yeah.
01:54:58 >> I can't play pan.
01:54:59 I'm up a distance.
01:55:00 >> You'll make it.
01:55:01 >> Mr. Giddens, it was a pleasure speaking with you.
01:55:03 >> Same here.
01:55:04 >> All right.
01:55:05 We wish you all the best.
01:55:06 >> Thanks for having us.
01:55:07 >> Okay.
01:55:08 So that's going to do it for our show for today.
01:55:09 In the meantime, we leave you with this image.
01:55:10 What is it called?
01:55:12 A Rufus crab hawk.
01:55:13 Yeah.
01:55:14 It's a Rufus crab hawk, you know.
01:55:16 And we also have a setting moon.
01:55:19 See you tomorrow, everybody.
01:55:20 Bye for now.
01:55:21 [ Music ]
01:55:47 (upbeat music)