Skip to playerSkip to main content
CCNTV6
  • 2 years ago
Transcript
00:00:00 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:00:14 And a very special good morning, Trinidad and Tobago
00:00:16 and the rest of the world.
00:00:17 I'm Marlon Hopkins.
00:00:18 And as always, welcome to The Morning Edition.
00:00:20 It's Monday, April 22, 2024.
00:00:22 And thank you very much for joining us this morning.
00:00:25 How was your weekend?
00:00:26 Well, I can tell you about my weekend.
00:00:28 I spent it inside because of the dust.
00:00:31 It was very, very bad with the Saharan dust this weekend.
00:00:35 And I know that the Met Office has been telling you
00:00:39 all about it.
00:00:40 But it was really, really bad.
00:00:42 Yeah?
00:00:42 So I spent most of the time inside,
00:00:45 locked up with the air conditioning on.
00:00:47 And that was it.
00:00:48 And I'm sure that many of you spent it that way, right?
00:00:50 But if you're going out there, especially for the younger folk
00:00:55 and also to the elderly people, you
00:00:57 have to be wearing your masks.
00:01:00 Just don't go out there because you can get very, very sick.
00:01:03 All right?
00:01:04 So I'm glad that you're joining us this morning.
00:01:07 So let's see what's happening in the Daily Express today.
00:01:10 Mom mourns death of healthy baby from bacterial infection
00:01:14 at San Fernando General Hospital.
00:01:15 My family was broken.
00:01:18 Let me read a little bit of that story for you.
00:01:20 So parents want answers from SFGH.
00:01:23 Healthy baby dies at hospital.
00:01:25 The deaths of babies from bacterial infections
00:01:28 are not confined to the neonatal intensive care
00:01:31 unit at the Port of Spain General Hospital,
00:01:34 with a couple revealing yesterday
00:01:36 that their healthy newborn baby died 15 days after being
00:01:41 admitted to the NICU at the San Fernando General Hospital.
00:01:46 All right?
00:01:46 So this situation is absolutely not going away anytime soon.
00:01:51 Online porn rings still active.
00:01:53 And you can see that on page 3 of the Daily Express today.
00:01:57 All right?
00:01:58 Let's check out some sport now.
00:01:59 Last ball thriller, Ramharak helps
00:02:02 West Indies women win second ODI.
00:02:04 Karishma Ramharak had a day to remember
00:02:07 when she followed up a penetrative spell
00:02:09 with a boundary of the last ball to hand West Indies
00:02:12 women a thrilling two-wicket win against hosts
00:02:15 Pakistan in their second ICC Women's Championship ODI
00:02:19 yesterday.
00:02:20 Ramharak got the last ball of the match
00:02:22 from pacer Fatima Sana to edge past the left of wicketkeeper
00:02:27 Najeeha Alvi to the boundary for four,
00:02:29 enabling the Caribbean side to widely celebrate
00:02:32 a successful chase of 224 for victory in the 50-over match
00:02:37 at the National Stadium.
00:02:39 All right?
00:02:40 So one of the stories there in sport.
00:02:42 All right?
00:02:43 So we do have our Trinbago Unice feature.
00:02:46 Remember that?
00:02:47 Yeah?
00:02:48 And you can call us--
00:02:50 well, not call us, but send pictures and photographs
00:02:54 and videos to that number there.
00:02:57 Yeah?
00:02:57 We do have this this morning.
00:02:58 It's a beautiful image sent to us by one of our viewers.
00:03:02 And we do appreciate it.
00:03:04 OK?
00:03:05 All right.
00:03:05 So we do have a lot for you on the program today.
00:03:07 You have your coffee, your tea, get something to eat.
00:03:11 We're coming back, everybody.
00:03:12 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:03:15, [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:03:44 Hey!
00:03:45 Hey!
00:03:47 Is that real?
00:03:48 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
00:03:50 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:03:52 [YELLING]
00:03:56 Well hit.
00:03:58 Away it goes.
00:03:59 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:04:02 That is a rejection.
00:04:04 Oh, no way!
00:04:05 Look at this.
00:04:06 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:04:10 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:04:13 Karibe Hot Cider.
00:04:21 Moments made extraordinary.
00:04:25 Are you diabetic, pre-diabetic, or at risk for diabetes?
00:04:28 You need Berberine Plus by Aja Nutrition.
00:04:31 Two doses a day keeps the blood sugar at bay.
00:04:34 Cholesterol levels in check, and your immune system strong.
00:04:37 Made with ancient Ayurvedic ingredients,
00:04:39 Berberine, Bitter Melon, and Bonobolif,
00:04:42 Berberine Plus is clinically proven
00:04:44 to improve glucose metabolism, enhance insulin sensitivity,
00:04:48 and slows glucose absorption in the gut.
00:04:51 Berberine Plus, providing a natural path to a healthier you.
00:04:54 Pick up a bottle today at Pennywise and all leading
00:04:57 pharmacies nationwide.
00:04:59 Universal Church presents Programs of Faith, 5.30
00:05:05 AM, the hour of miracles.
00:05:07 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:05:10 5 PM, it's possible.
00:05:12 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:05:17 Now on TV6.
00:05:20 [INAUDIBLE]
00:05:21 Online, yeah, what is weird?
00:05:22 Her name Larry.
00:05:24 I'm getting rid of him now.
00:05:25 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:05:28 Eh, eh.
00:05:29 [TYPING]
00:05:33 [LAUGHTER]
00:05:36 Let's take a selfie.
00:05:39 [CAMERA SHUTTER]
00:05:40 It looking good, boy.
00:05:42 I present online.
00:05:43 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:05:46 Hey, I thought you say you went to the beach with your parents.
00:05:50 Who's you?
00:05:51 It's me, Larry, from online.
00:05:55 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:05:58 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:06:02 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:06:13 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:06:16 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:06:20 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:06:23 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:06:27 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:06:30 All right, so welcome back, everyone.
00:06:31 And a very special good morning to all of you again.
00:06:34 So we are joined now by the president of the Scrap Iron
00:06:37 Dealers Association, Mr. Alan Ferguson.
00:06:40 And he's here to speak about the relaunch of Crime Talks
00:06:43 and the launch of the community initiative
00:06:45 at the Brian Lowry Promenade on Wednesday.
00:06:47 Good morning, Mr. Ferguson.
00:06:49 Good morning to you, Marlon, and good morning to your viewers
00:06:53 and your listeners.
00:06:54 Yeah, Mr. Ferguson, it's always good to speak with you.
00:06:56 This morning, we are talking about a very different issue,
00:07:00 eh, the issue of crime.
00:07:01 And I know that you all have launched
00:07:04 an initiative, Crime Talks.
00:07:06 The next meeting is going to be on the Brian Lowry Promenade
00:07:09 this Wednesday coming.
00:07:11 Yes, Marlon, what's going to be very important
00:07:15 is the community, where we start to go into the community.
00:07:20 Because you see, Marlon, a lot of time in Trinidad and Tobago,
00:07:24 we have talk, right?
00:07:26 And we need to put on our boots and go to the community,
00:07:30 because a lot of people need help.
00:07:33 What help they need?
00:07:34 Now, the government, right, have a lot of programs
00:07:39 that not really meeting the young people.
00:07:43 And when I mean meeting the young people, some of them
00:07:47 really don't have a good understanding how
00:07:49 to get into these programs.
00:07:51 And we will go into these communities
00:07:54 and find out what is the issue.
00:07:56 Because, Marlon, you can't solve the problem if you don't
00:07:58 know what is the problem, you know?
00:08:01 You need to go into the community
00:08:02 and find out what is the issues and the problem.
00:08:05 And the only way we can start to solve these problems
00:08:08 is when we go into the communities
00:08:10 and start having conversation with the youths and them.
00:08:13 And the people who are causing the problem,
00:08:16 you start to have conversation with them.
00:08:19 And how we could do that is by we going into the community
00:08:22 and getting help from all different organizations
00:08:25 and going to the community with we.
00:08:27 Because we might have people with problems.
00:08:30 We have people who have a lot of subjects and can't get work.
00:08:38 There are people who have family problems.
00:08:42 And because of the family problem,
00:08:43 it's causing a serious effect on them.
00:08:46 All these things is problem.
00:08:47 But how do you solve these problems?
00:08:50 Not by going by Krong Plaza, where they can't help you.
00:08:53 You need to go to them and talk to them.
00:08:56 So we find it is necessary.
00:08:58 After we went to Tobago, we went to Enterprise,
00:09:01 we went to Arima, we went to Grandi,
00:09:05 we went to Laramie, and we went to a lot of places.
00:09:10 We went up to Rio Claro and all too.
00:09:12 And we had conversation with them.
00:09:14 And we know what is some of the issues.
00:09:17 And when we talk about crime, crime
00:09:20 is not just people go running into the place
00:09:24 and killing people alone.
00:09:25 Because if we solve the problem, they won't go to that.
00:09:30 So this is where we need to do.
00:09:32 Try to solve some of the problem what they have.
00:09:34 And then we will see the crime start to move away.
00:09:38 But you see, we doing the same thing all the time again.
00:09:42 The same result.
00:09:43 We need to change up what we do.
00:09:45 Yeah.
00:09:46 You understand, Marlon?
00:09:47 You all have already visited certain communities.
00:09:49 How many communities you all tend to visit in the future?
00:09:54 No, Marlon.
00:09:55 This problem is for me, I could say, from Carinaz,
00:09:58 go right up to Grandi.
00:10:00 And then when you look at the south area,
00:10:02 there's a lot of communities that need help.
00:10:04 But we have been visiting communities.
00:10:08 And we have listened to what they have been telling us.
00:10:12 And when you hear some of the problems that they're having,
00:10:15 you know that this situation have
00:10:18 to solve by going to them and talking to them.
00:10:21 And you will shock to hear some of the problems
00:10:23 some of the youths are having.
00:10:25 You know, some of them are thinking about,
00:10:27 hey, these people don't want to help me.
00:10:29 These people don't want to think.
00:10:30 But they really don't understand how to get help.
00:10:34 And if we don't go into the communities and talk to them
00:10:38 and try to solve some of the problems,
00:10:41 we just spin and top and mud again.
00:10:43 And we as an organization, we find it upon ourself.
00:10:48 We have people move with us.
00:10:50 We could identify some of the good people.
00:10:55 We have Randell Field with us, Father of the Father Association.
00:10:59 Man, we have passed at that end.
00:11:00 We have a lot of people who qualify to go into these areas
00:11:05 and we just solve some of these problems.
00:11:07 Man, we can't continue, Marlon.
00:11:11 Let me say this, right?
00:11:14 We think that if we put a lot of money in the communities,
00:11:20 it will solve the problem.
00:11:21 The people mind will remain the same way.
00:11:23 We need to change the mind frame.
00:11:26 We need to change the mind frame that if you
00:11:27 want to build a family, you want to build yourself
00:11:31 by being a good person, you have to be able to think good
00:11:34 and work hard and able to help your family.
00:11:40 But when you have people thinking, listen to me,
00:11:42 them ain't give me nothing.
00:11:43 Let me go and rob them.
00:11:45 Let me go and invade their house.
00:11:47 Listen to me.
00:11:48 He gave me trouble.
00:11:49 Let me kill him.
00:11:51 All these mentality need to change.
00:11:56 - What are some of the challenges
00:11:58 that you all have seen in the communities
00:12:00 that you all have visited?
00:12:01 Because you told us just now that one of the issues
00:12:06 is that some people just don't know where
00:12:09 to access assistance from.
00:12:12 And they also feel that because of this level of hopelessness
00:12:20 that they are experiencing, that they
00:12:23 feel that they have to jump in into a life of crime.
00:12:27 What are some of the challenges?
00:12:29 - Well, one of the things that we've seen and want to do
00:12:31 is that some of them who've been successful by going to school
00:12:35 and doing all this subject, they're home still.
00:12:37 They're not getting no work.
00:12:39 So that is a little demoralizing in trying
00:12:42 to work hard to do certain things, break down too.
00:12:44 So when you find the youths that, listen to me,
00:12:50 have people in the community too that
00:12:53 taking advantage of some of them who cannot think for their own.
00:12:57 There's a lot of them cannot think for their own.
00:12:59 But if you go and help them and say, listen to me,
00:13:04 you need to think sometimes that when somebody come to you
00:13:09 and tell you, let me go and rub this one,
00:13:12 rub a grocery, or go in somebody's house
00:13:14 and invade the house, we need to have a mind of our own
00:13:18 to know that is wrong.
00:13:19 All these things is things that we need to tell them.
00:13:22 Because some of them really--
00:13:24 let me tell you, Marlon, some of them
00:13:26 can't follow the formula.
00:13:28 And it's sad to see.
00:13:29 But we need to go and help them to follow this formula
00:13:31 to get help from the government.
00:13:33 Because the government have a lot of programs for the youth.
00:13:37 And when I take a look at it, sometimes people
00:13:39 will say, listen to me, I help in the government?
00:13:42 No, I don't have no relationship with the government.
00:13:46 But I have to speak the truth.
00:13:48 I, as a person who coming up and talking to the youth
00:13:51 and visiting them, have to speak the truth.
00:13:54 There's help for them.
00:13:55 There's help in different areas.
00:13:57 I remember growing up and hear that we couldn't use our work
00:14:01 in the bank.
00:14:02 But there's a group of people who went and make it necessary
00:14:06 for everybody to get work.
00:14:07 So if we now realize that we have
00:14:10 a problem with the community that I belongs to,
00:14:14 and most of the communities, we have
00:14:16 a problem that having an understanding of how to live
00:14:20 and how to depend and how to depend on sometimes.
00:14:25 When I was growing up, Marlon, I just
00:14:28 want to give you a little brief on this.
00:14:31 I sell bottles to help myself.
00:14:32 Because my mother died when I was 12 years.
00:14:35 My father died a year after.
00:14:36 But I didn't find to go into crime.
00:14:40 Look where I is today.
00:14:42 I didn't get locked up for stealing.
00:14:44 I didn't get locked up, and I come from the community
00:14:47 where all of them come from.
00:14:48 I didn't move out.
00:14:49 I'm still there.
00:14:50 And I am as a businessman now.
00:14:54 There's opportunity for us.
00:14:56 But we need to understand that the road ahead is a hard road.
00:15:00 But you have to sacrifice.
00:15:02 Let's zero in on some of the services
00:15:05 that you all are offering in the community.
00:15:07 Because from what we're hearing thus far,
00:15:09 you all are providing life lessons to them.
00:15:13 You all are providing some level of counseling to them.
00:15:16 You all are providing some direction to them.
00:15:19 Is it that it is the main trust when you
00:15:24 meet members of the community?
00:15:27 You see, when you speak the truth,
00:15:29 and you explain the truth, and you're not mamaguying them,
00:15:32 and you're telling them the truth,
00:15:33 you see people will trust you.
00:15:35 Because I am not about-- we're not about no mamaguy.
00:15:38 We just go to them.
00:15:39 Sometimes we send a lot of help.
00:15:43 Sometimes we have to fix people's roof.
00:15:45 Because sometimes people, when the rain falls,
00:15:48 they get wet.
00:15:49 All these things that we're doing.
00:15:51 Now, I find it all necessary after we
00:15:53 went through all this problem.
00:15:55 And we started to see the amount of problem.
00:15:57 When the industry was shut down, and we went into this community,
00:16:00 and we see all this other problem,
00:16:02 I decided with myself that I have to do something and give
00:16:06 back something to Trinidad and Tobago.
00:16:09 Because remember, I as a person, I get help.
00:16:13 The only reason why I am a businessman today
00:16:15 is because I get help from other people.
00:16:17 So we need to stop being selfish and stingy and help.
00:16:22 Because let me tell you something.
00:16:23 We need to save the youth from dying out.
00:16:27 Because this young generation, if we don't protect them,
00:16:31 and we don't go and give them guidance and stuff,
00:16:33 in this way, the youth don't want nothing.
00:16:35 The youth don't want no help.
00:16:37 Because we quickly say, the youth don't want no help.
00:16:40 The youth don't want nobody to help them.
00:16:41 They like what they're doing.
00:16:43 They like what they're doing because they don't understand.
00:16:45 If it's a little child, sometimes you're in a community.
00:16:49 And the community, when you go to look for work,
00:16:51 and you're from Lamont Hill or from the B-Town
00:16:53 or from Enterprise, you're not going to get no work.
00:16:56 And all this stigma they have on them,
00:16:58 and you realize that all this problem that they're going
00:17:00 through, you could understand why all these things are taking
00:17:03 place in the country.
00:17:04 Because if you go to get work and you can't get work
00:17:06 because you come from this community,
00:17:08 and you ain't got nothing to do, we need to help.
00:17:11 And the reason for all this is because they
00:17:14 didn't put that on themselves.
00:17:16 Because these are youths who is 18, 19 years.
00:17:19 They come and they meet the stigma on themselves.
00:17:21 And we need to understand that.
00:17:23 We need to change this way of we.
00:17:26 Let them kill out themselves.
00:17:28 Let them-- let them--
00:17:30 let them do what they're doing, and let the police kill them.
00:17:33 Mother, let me tell you something.
00:17:35 I never, never in my whole life jail this--
00:17:41 this stop crime.
00:17:43 Because if jail use a stop crime, since--
00:17:46 since we're from-- from-- since I know myself,
00:17:48 people getting locked up and coming back out
00:17:50 and going back inside.
00:17:52 Places that-- places that--
00:17:54 that crime is not like, oh, in Trinidad and Tobago,
00:17:56 they want to close down the jail because there's nobody going
00:17:59 in jail.
00:17:59 Because of how they get in the-- the-- the-- the--
00:18:02 the society makeup and the people and them
00:18:05 in the society understand that they have to work hard
00:18:08 and they have to stay away from crime.
00:18:10 And because it is a society like that, the jail will close down.
00:18:13 But how the message that you are taking to the communities,
00:18:19 how is the message being received by the communities?
00:18:23 Mother, this is one of the things
00:18:25 that I want to tell Trinidad.
00:18:27 You know what life we will change?
00:18:28 It have people that we help that-- listen to me.
00:18:31 They was involved in crime.
00:18:33 Now if you see them have their family and they're
00:18:35 building their own house, they have their own vehicle,
00:18:37 they're doing a lot of things good, you know.
00:18:39 There's a lot of things good.
00:18:40 Don't matter, you see, all this negative going on.
00:18:42 There's a lot of people changing in-- in-- in society,
00:18:46 you know.
00:18:46 But you see, sometimes when you go and you ask people for help,
00:18:50 because of the stigma, everything, and sometimes--
00:18:54 sometimes you-- you helping people
00:18:56 and you going and making all the effort to help.
00:18:58 And when you go and you talk to people sometimes,
00:19:00 because you helping people who might be involved,
00:19:03 who was involved in crime, you going--
00:19:05 you going to get stigma too, you know.
00:19:07 Because you think you must leave them alone,
00:19:09 leave the country like this.
00:19:11 And I'm going to say something to Trinidad and Tobago
00:19:13 this morning.
00:19:14 If we do fix this problem, we will-- we will--
00:19:17 we will have a problem on the own.
00:19:19 All of it.
00:19:20 Because don't matter how much money you have,
00:19:23 don't-- how much truth you're speaking,
00:19:24 don't matter what you're doing.
00:19:26 If you don't solve the problem, all the problem
00:19:28 could get worse, you know, if you leave it alone.
00:19:30 So this problem that we have with the youth and them
00:19:32 going and invade people's house and killing one another,
00:19:36 this is a problem we need to solve.
00:19:39 And how we will solve the problem?
00:19:41 How we will solve the problem?
00:19:42 By making advertising on radio and television?
00:19:44 We need to be serious about what we're doing
00:19:47 and go to the communities and help the youths and them.
00:19:50 Let's talk about this meeting on Wednesday
00:19:53 that you all are holding on the Brown Lara
00:19:55 Promenade, right?
00:19:56 In Porta, Spain.
00:19:57 What time does the meeting begin?
00:19:59 We start at 3 o'clock, Marlon.
00:20:00 And we try to end at 7 o'clock.
00:20:04 What we do also, too, we had a conversation
00:20:09 with the prison commissioner.
00:20:11 And we also asked for some of the prisoners
00:20:15 who make change in their life in jail to come out and speak
00:20:19 and let the youths know that inside the jail
00:20:22 is not a hotel and is not a place to be.
00:20:25 All this is a message we want the youths to get to know.
00:20:27 Because you see, sometimes people feel going to jail
00:20:30 is a wrong thing for them, the community.
00:20:33 The talk is, when you go in jail and you come back out,
00:20:35 it's a big ranker.
00:20:37 So we need to change that kind of thought
00:20:39 and that mind on the head that when you go in jail,
00:20:41 you went to get a work after.
00:20:45 It's a problem because your record was so bad.
00:20:47 All these are things that we need to let them know.
00:20:50 When you go and steal and you get a bad police record,
00:20:53 it damages your future.
00:20:56 So all these things we need to let them know.
00:20:58 Because some of them, because they go in jail
00:21:00 and they come back out, it's a big ranking thing.
00:21:03 We need to change that.
00:21:04 So we have a lot of good speakers.
00:21:08 We have a lot of young people who
00:21:11 join with us to show the youths that they're doing business
00:21:15 and all also.
00:21:17 They're doing things that--
00:21:19 positive things, not negative things.
00:21:21 They will talk about all of that.
00:21:23 They have people want to talk about how
00:21:26 we could make different change in the community to help.
00:21:29 There's a lot of speakers.
00:21:31 There'll be a lot of entertainment.
00:21:33 I ain't talking about the back canal entertainment.
00:21:35 I'm talking about people who--
00:21:38 Positive messages.
00:21:39 Yes.
00:21:40 That's what it's going to be until Wednesday coming here.
00:21:43 And we ask people to come out and join with me.
00:21:46 This is something that we doing one thing over and over
00:21:52 and over.
00:21:52 We're getting the same result negative.
00:21:55 I am saying to the people who in charge and the authorities,
00:21:59 listen to me.
00:22:00 Give us a chance to go to the community
00:22:02 and help the youths and them.
00:22:04 And let me make some change now.
00:22:06 Because if you're one of these people that study abroad
00:22:12 and you study and you know you're
00:22:13 this professor in criminality and in criminal,
00:22:19 you get all the chances.
00:22:20 And these are the people doing the things all the time.
00:22:22 Not that I have anything about them.
00:22:24 But I think we need to change how we do these things.
00:22:27 We cannot solve a problem if we don't know what is the problem.
00:22:30 The only way we can solve the problem
00:22:31 is by going to the community and find out what is the problem.
00:22:35 Some of we afraid to go in the community.
00:22:37 Some of we feel that if we go to the community,
00:22:39 we will get killed and we get all of these things.
00:22:41 If you're going to the community with a negative
00:22:43 and you're going to the community
00:22:45 that you don't want to help the youths
00:22:47 and you don't want to solve the problem, that is it.
00:22:49 Because we can't continue how we're going.
00:22:52 This country need to change.
00:22:54 So is it that you are going to launch on the promenade
00:22:57 on Wednesday at 3 o'clock?
00:22:58 Yes.
00:22:59 And then is it that you're going to be having
00:23:01 these meetings weekly, monthly?
00:23:03 How are you going to do it?
00:23:04 We will try to do it every fortnight.
00:23:06 We will try to do it every week.
00:23:08 But because you know everything is a cost.
00:23:09 Of course.
00:23:10 And we will watch our budget because sometimes it
00:23:14 is a burden on myself too sometimes.
00:23:16 But as I say, I only could--
00:23:19 I believe in God and I believe the only way
00:23:22 I could get my blessings is when I do good when I'm alive.
00:23:25 I cannot get my blessings when I'm dead.
00:23:27 I need to get things that I do good.
00:23:30 God will judge me now by based on things that I'm doing good.
00:23:33 So I believe that this is the time now to do good.
00:23:36 The country need people to be good.
00:23:38 The country need people to be truthful.
00:23:40 The country need people to have good understanding of what
00:23:44 taking place in the country.
00:23:45 And if we do have a good understanding of what
00:23:49 the country is like now, then you
00:23:51 see we feel that the problem is them own alone.
00:23:53 But the problem will be true because the people
00:23:56 and them-- with the fellows and them going in and raping
00:24:00 their family and stealing their cars
00:24:03 and doing all kind of thing.
00:24:04 They're not doing that, but it's coming to you.
00:24:08 What are you going to do with the information
00:24:10 that you gather at these meetings?
00:24:13 Do you pass it on to the relevant agencies
00:24:16 within the government that are there
00:24:18 to provide assistance to people?
00:24:20 What do you do with all of that information?
00:24:22 Well, that is very important.
00:24:25 Because you see, a lot of these ministries
00:24:28 have a lot of help-- could help the youth a lot.
00:24:31 We will go to these ministries.
00:24:34 We will try to get meeting with these ministers
00:24:36 and them to show them, listen to me.
00:24:38 We have a lot of youth that need help.
00:24:40 We have the information that they name,
00:24:43 they address, and on the number, and all these things
00:24:46 that they need help.
00:24:47 We will push them to try to get help for them.
00:24:49 But that's all we could do.
00:24:51 But you see, the private sector also, too,
00:24:53 is where we're going to, because the private sector is
00:24:57 one of the places that produce a lot of work for the youth.
00:25:00 And if we change that, the way how
00:25:03 we think about Lavant Hill and how about the B-Town
00:25:06 and the Eastern Corridor and Caranat and Enterprise
00:25:10 and all these areas, if we change that--
00:25:12 because in this community, you have very good youths.
00:25:15 The community has skillful youths.
00:25:17 But how we could do this change?
00:25:19 If we still remain that, if you come from this community,
00:25:22 and that's good.
00:25:23 If we don't change that, I mean, yes, we
00:25:26 have people that don't want to change.
00:25:28 We understand that.
00:25:29 But there's a lot of people who want change.
00:25:31 And if you want change, let us give us a chance.
00:25:35 And the only way we could do that
00:25:37 is that when we go to these youths
00:25:39 and them and see that they want to change,
00:25:40 we give them the opportunity.
00:25:42 But if we don't give them the opportunity,
00:25:44 we give the other people the opportunity
00:25:46 to get them involved in crime.
00:25:48 And when we get involved in crime,
00:25:49 it makes the country more harder.
00:25:52 Because this country is a beautiful country, Maryland.
00:25:54 This country-- let me tell you something.
00:25:56 If we change up all this problem that we have with this crime,
00:25:59 the amount of--
00:26:00 when you look at Tocco and you look at South Area
00:26:03 and you look at up in Lavantale and all these nice places,
00:26:07 if we fix the problem and the youths start to--
00:26:11 we start to see all this change that's
00:26:13 taking place because some people believe
00:26:15 that we can change it, but it's a small country.
00:26:18 Let me tell you something.
00:26:19 The problem is with brothers.
00:26:20 The problem is with sisters.
00:26:22 The problem is with the uncle.
00:26:24 As we make up the community, we make up the community.
00:26:27 We could make the change.
00:26:28 We could say tomorrow, let me say,
00:26:30 we stop doing all we're doing and be helpful
00:26:33 like how we was helpful a long time.
00:26:35 This country wasn't like that.
00:26:37 We used to help one another a long time.
00:26:38 When somebody building a house, we
00:26:40 used to go and help the person build the house.
00:26:42 When we wanted money, we never used
00:26:44 to have to go to the bank to get a loan.
00:26:46 We used to just sue and help one another.
00:26:49 All these things gone out the door.
00:26:51 Why gone out the door?
00:26:52 Because everybody-- I remember when I do something wrong,
00:26:55 down the road, out the road, I get licks out the road.
00:26:58 When I reach home, it's more licks.
00:27:00 The way how the thing is now, nobody
00:27:02 don't want to interfere.
00:27:03 Nobody, nobody want-- you have a neighbor,
00:27:04 and you say, no, who's your neighbor?
00:27:06 How we could change our society like that?
00:27:08 How we could change our society when you don't
00:27:09 know who's your neighbor?
00:27:10 You're living in an apartment.
00:27:12 You still don't know who's the next door neighbor.
00:27:14 We need to change some of the things that we do in Marland.
00:27:17 And the only way we could do it, we change what we have.
00:27:20 All right, Mr. Ferguson, give us some additional information,
00:27:23 if you can, about Wednesday's meeting
00:27:26 and where people can get additional information.
00:27:30 Marland, we have a number that they could call
00:27:33 if they want to be still part-- if they
00:27:34 want to be part of our-- or help or do anything in what we're
00:27:38 doing.
00:27:38 Our number is 323-0261.
00:27:41 And I can say that number again.
00:27:42 323-0261.
00:27:46 And you could get on to us.
00:27:47 And also, you could get on to us on our page.
00:27:50 And it's the Trinidad and Tobago Scrap Iron Association.
00:27:54 We on Facebook.
00:27:55 We on TikTok.
00:27:56 We on Instagram.
00:27:58 All these things we own, and you could get help.
00:28:01 If you want, all the time, we have programs
00:28:04 that we have in all the time this week.
00:28:06 And anybody who want to be part of what we're doing
00:28:09 and find that it's a good idea, you
00:28:12 want to be part, you want to help, we ask for that.
00:28:15 Because this program that we're launching
00:28:17 is a program with plenty of people.
00:28:19 We need former teachers.
00:28:20 We need people who could counsel people.
00:28:22 Because when you go to somebody's community
00:28:24 and you hear somebody's problem-- let me tell you,
00:28:26 Marland, before I wrap up--
00:28:27 Yes.
00:28:28 A lot of these young people, sometimes,
00:28:31 it be interfere with their family.
00:28:33 All this is something that-- and they're
00:28:35 going along with their life with uncounseling.
00:28:38 All these is problem that we need to fix.
00:28:40 And if we don't fix all these problem,
00:28:42 I am seeing that this country will go down a road
00:28:44 that we will want to see it.
00:28:46 And I will address a lot of issues.
00:28:52 In my address to the meeting, I will tell them
00:28:56 how we could do certain things and what's
00:28:59 taking place in the country where crime is concerned.
00:29:01 Because we need to fix this country.
00:29:03 3 o'clock, Wednesday, Brian Lowry promenade.
00:29:07 Where on the Brian Lowry promenade?
00:29:08 We right opposite KFC.
00:29:10 All right, OK.
00:29:11 The guy with this man this morning, Mr. Ferguson.
00:29:15 As always, thank you very much for coming this morning.
00:29:18 And thank you very much for the work
00:29:20 that you and your team continue to do in the communities.
00:29:23 We wish you all the best.
00:29:25 And I thank you for having me here this morning, too.
00:29:27 All right.
00:29:28 Bye for now.
00:29:28 OK.
00:29:29 So it's time for a quick break.
00:29:30 We do have this for you.
00:29:33 Flamboyant bloom at Memorial Park.
00:29:36 We're coming back, everybody.
00:29:37 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:29:40 Cruise into pleasure.
00:30:05 Room service, may I help you?
00:30:08 Cruise into flavor.
00:30:10 Cruise into celebrations.
00:30:16 Cruise into business.
00:30:18 And in this fiscal year.
00:30:20 Cruise into the sunset.
00:30:22 Cruise in hotel and yachting center.
00:30:28 Cruise in to a whole new world.
00:30:33 Great products, low prices, experienced staff
00:30:36 can be found at one place.
00:30:37 Mega Traders Home Improvement Center,
00:30:39 building or remodeling your home.
00:30:41 It's all here, from bathroom fixtures, power tools,
00:30:44 everything for your home is at Mega Traders.
00:30:46 Rooms, tools, plumbing supplies, kitchen sinks, door locks,
00:30:49 electrical supplies, lawn and garden, barbecue grills,
00:30:52 paintbrushes, and much more.
00:30:54 Visit us at our 5,000 square foot Mega Traders limited.
00:30:57 81 Superior Street, San Fernando.
00:30:59 Call 652-4438, shop online at ebuysdt.com.
00:31:04 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:31:07 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:31:10 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:31:14 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:31:40 Inspiration through song makes our souls rejoice.
00:31:45 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:31:48 Inspiration through dance is fueled by this person.
00:31:56 Inspiration is found in the diversity of nature.
00:32:02 Inspired beautiful, direct and fast.
00:32:06 Join us every Monday morning at 8:30 AM,
00:32:09 right here on TV6 for our many moments of inspiration.
00:32:14 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:32:17 All right, so welcome back everyone.
00:32:35 So joining us now, we do have the newly elected president
00:32:38 of the Pharmacy Board in the person of Mr. Ricardo Mohamed.
00:32:42 Mr. Mohamed, good morning.
00:32:44 Good morning, Marlon.
00:32:45 It's a pleasure to be here.
00:32:47 All right, and congratulations on your election.
00:32:49 When did the election take place, Mr. Mohamed?
00:32:52 So the Pharmacy Board had elections of their council
00:32:55 members on February 29th this year.
00:33:00 And following the election of council members,
00:33:03 where we elect six council members,
00:33:05 we also, after that procedure, there
00:33:08 is something called a council meeting where
00:33:11 the six elected council members and the four appointed
00:33:14 ministry members, they sit in a meeting
00:33:17 and then someone is nominated for president
00:33:20 and a voting process takes place in there.
00:33:22 That particular part of the election
00:33:24 took part on last Thursday, Tuesday the 18th of April.
00:33:29 Mr. Mohamed, let's speak about some of the main priorities
00:33:33 of you, the president, and also the Pharmacy Board.
00:33:38 Sure.
00:33:39 So Marlon, as a lot of us know, there
00:33:43 has been a period of time where a lot of the members
00:33:45 within the Pharmacy Board felt that we weren't seeing enough
00:33:50 being done within the Pharmacy Board.
00:33:52 There are a lot of things that we needed to update,
00:33:56 regularize, and really revamp in a new form.
00:34:01 So some of my priorities moving forward as the new president
00:34:05 is to reestablish that sense of belonging
00:34:10 to the pharmacist within the profession to the board.
00:34:13 So we have to now reassess all our goals and objectives.
00:34:18 We have to know the timing of we to restructure, monitor
00:34:25 how we are going to take the board forward,
00:34:28 strengthen our governance, reestablish committees.
00:34:31 And I think reestablishment of committees
00:34:33 is one of the most important factors
00:34:35 in taking the board forward.
00:34:37 And when I say that, there are many different aspects
00:34:39 to pharmacy.
00:34:41 And we have a lot of different things to put together.
00:34:47 So for example, we need to revamp
00:34:50 our educational programs.
00:34:53 We need to monitor our regulated industries
00:34:58 and reinforce regulations, monitor pharmaceuticals,
00:35:04 importation, distribution, so at all different levels.
00:35:07 So one of the key points is that we will now
00:35:10 have to review and reassess from beginning to end,
00:35:16 establish where we are now, and look forward to what we
00:35:19 have to do for the future.
00:35:20 What have been some of the challenges over the years?
00:35:26 Well, the pharmacy profession has been faced
00:35:29 with significant challenges.
00:35:32 One of them is the access or importation
00:35:37 of pharmaceuticals into the country.
00:35:40 And we will now be engaging the different stakeholders
00:35:43 from Ministry of Health, Chemistry, Food and Drugs
00:35:48 to reestablish the protocols, double-check
00:35:54 on all registration processes, and then let's try
00:35:57 to find ways to improve every single aspect of the industry.
00:36:02 In the past, pharmacy companies have found it a little--
00:36:10 it takes a little too long sometimes
00:36:12 during the registration process.
00:36:14 So what we need to do now is to reestablish
00:36:17 what is the current situation at the different stakeholder
00:36:21 levels and see how we can find a quick resolve
00:36:25 or solutions into improving all processes,
00:36:28 especially with regards to pharmaceuticals.
00:36:31 As you know, globally now we are experiencing
00:36:33 some shortages of pharmaceuticals,
00:36:36 and it will be reported by different countries.
00:36:39 And we have to ensure that the board takes an active role
00:36:44 in ensuring that we get the necessary pharmaceuticals
00:36:49 that are needed here to maintain health care in this country.
00:36:53 But you know, Mr. Mohamed, in recent times--
00:36:56 and I saw it being reported in the media recently--
00:37:00 apparently there are-- as being reported--
00:37:04 there are stumbling blocks being put in the way
00:37:10 of small pharmacies in Trinidad and Tobago
00:37:14 by some of the bigger ones.
00:37:16 Is that an issue for you?
00:37:19 Firstly, can you confirm that, that that is happening,
00:37:22 and is that an issue for the new president and the board?
00:37:27 Well, let me look at that in a different perspective.
00:37:32 So yes, we have big companies that--
00:37:38 that would tend to have, we would say,
00:37:41 maybe a mild advantage, maybe financially and otherwise.
00:37:45 But we have to closely monitor
00:37:48 the distribution of pharmaceuticals
00:37:50 and how it's equally distributed throughout the country
00:37:55 and with regards to the smaller enterprises.
00:37:58 So for example, we have to look at Fairtrade.
00:38:02 And Fairtrade is an important factor
00:38:05 in ensuring that all pharmacies have access
00:38:08 to pharmaceuticals on a regular basis
00:38:11 and not maybe one person being to buy up the entire stock
00:38:14 and nobody else gets.
00:38:16 So there are shortcomings in every single industry.
00:38:20 I think my role moving forward is to bridge the gap
00:38:23 between everyone so that we have a little more evening
00:38:26 out of the playing field, as we would say,
00:38:29 and really look forward to taking pharmaceutical care
00:38:33 in this country to a different level.
00:38:35 So we have to look at what is trending globally,
00:38:38 what we will need to do to improve
00:38:41 in every single sector of this industry,
00:38:44 whether it's from importation to distribution,
00:38:47 patient management, and ensuring now
00:38:50 that patients are able to access pharmaceuticals
00:38:54 that are also--which we also have to review costing
00:38:59 and seeing how best we can achieve a goal
00:39:02 to get pharmaceuticals at a more cost-effective rate
00:39:07 for the consumer and for the patient.
00:39:10 I know that a few months ago there was also an issue.
00:39:13 There was a great debate concerning
00:39:16 what some pharmacies deemed as expired drugs
00:39:21 and what other people in the industry deemed as expired drugs.
00:39:25 So there was this big debate whether you can use
00:39:28 these expired medication and so on.
00:39:32 Is that also something that you are going to look at?
00:39:36 Yes. So every responsible pharmacist--
00:39:40 and you don't become responsible pharmacists overnight.
00:39:43 So there's a procedure. You graduate from school.
00:39:45 You have to do your internship.
00:39:47 You have to practice for approximately a year,
00:39:50 and then you become a responsible pharmacist
00:39:52 where you work on your own.
00:39:54 Now, every responsible pharmacist is trained
00:39:56 in that manner whereby they know what they need to do
00:40:00 with regards to drugs, especially, for example,
00:40:03 monitoring expiry.
00:40:05 That's a major thing in every single pharmacy.
00:40:07 Now, I can safely say that 99.99% of pharmacists--
00:40:12 and they really engage in really good practice.
00:40:14 Now, I'm not saying that you may not have a bad apple here or there.
00:40:17 And like in every other industry,
00:40:19 that's why we have to have all these regulations and so on.
00:40:22 The most important factor is that our pharmacists
00:40:26 in Trinidad and Tobago go beyond the limit
00:40:29 to really try to help the current health care situation
00:40:32 in this country.
00:40:34 And we all know that we may not have the current best,
00:40:36 but we have to work towards a common goal
00:40:38 to achieve the best.
00:40:40 Monitoring expiries is very important.
00:40:43 When we have an expiry date on a particular pharmaceutical,
00:40:47 most companies have expiry policies and return policies.
00:40:51 So most of the times, these drugs will be taken on a month,
00:40:54 two months, three months, sometimes four months
00:40:57 before the expiry date to be returned to the company
00:41:00 so that you get reimbursement.
00:41:02 And it is in good practice.
00:41:04 And if every pharmacist practices any way that they were taught,
00:41:08 we all sometimes-- as we pick up the box,
00:41:10 sometimes we do basic checks, check the expiry,
00:41:13 verify the strength of the drug, et cetera.
00:41:16 So expiries in most companies are very few.
00:41:20 For those who engage in wrongful practices,
00:41:25 we will be updating our regulatory stance on many things,
00:41:29 and we will be monitoring how we practice going forward.
00:41:33 Our main objective really is to improve the practice
00:41:37 throughout every single pharmaceutical sector in this country.
00:41:42 So even if we have to engage and collaborate with all stakeholders,
00:41:47 review all regulatory updates,
00:41:50 and make sure that these guidelines are enforced,
00:41:52 all these are things that we now have to reassess, replan.
00:41:56 And I think moving forward with the team that I have,
00:41:59 we will be able to do an excellent job taking the practice forward.
00:42:04 I know that there have been also issues between pharmacies
00:42:09 and also the chemistry, food, and drug division.
00:42:14 So again, we have to re-communicate this standpoint.
00:42:18 I think one of the issues we have to look at
00:42:21 is the regulation of drugs and registration.
00:42:26 I am looking forward to sending correspondence to chemistry,
00:42:29 food and drugs, and the Ministry of Health
00:42:33 so that we can meet and rediscuss ways
00:42:36 in which we can take the profession forward.
00:42:39 We have to look at staffing at those institutions.
00:42:42 Do they have enough staff?
00:42:44 Is the staff capable of doing what is necessary within a timely manner?
00:42:48 So we always have to put the time factor in,
00:42:51 because sometimes there may be delays,
00:42:54 sometimes the request for the types of documents that might be needed,
00:42:58 we may have to review that as well.
00:43:00 Our main goal is to ensure that safety for the patients
00:43:05 and the customers at pharmacies is of the utmost importance right now.
00:43:10 It has always been a number one priority for all pharmacies,
00:43:13 is safety for all patients.
00:43:15 So we do agree that yes, we have to have regulations
00:43:19 and we have to go through registration processes,
00:43:22 but these must now be upgraded
00:43:24 so that these things are done in a timely manner.
00:43:27 You cannot expect, let's say for example,
00:43:30 a pharmacy A wants to register a drug in a country
00:43:34 and it's taking months to do that.
00:43:36 Your suppliers abroad will not even understand
00:43:39 or begin to comprehend why this is taking months, etc.
00:43:42 So we have to review the entire process.
00:43:45 We are looking for positive engagement
00:43:48 between the pharmacy board and all stakeholders.
00:43:51 I think we are all here to help each other.
00:43:53 Our team is ready to take these necessary steps forward
00:43:57 so that we can reduce the bureaucratic processes,
00:44:00 improve in all forms and fashion
00:44:04 where the regulatory bodies are concerned
00:44:07 so that things are now done in a lot more timely manner.
00:44:10 Yeah. Speak to the issue of the expertise of pharmacists
00:44:17 and the education of pharmacists in Trinidad and Tobago
00:44:21 to treat persons.
00:44:23 Sure. So many years ago,
00:44:27 pharmacists would have earned a diploma
00:44:30 at their educational institution.
00:44:33 This has been changed
00:44:35 and the first set of degree programs
00:44:38 would have started in Trinidad and Tobago
00:44:40 somewhere around the year of 1994-1995.
00:44:43 From then, all the students that were graduating
00:44:48 from the University of the West Indies
00:44:50 obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy.
00:44:54 Now graduating with a Pharmacy degree
00:44:57 is just one aspect of achieving the goal.
00:45:00 When you graduate at the university,
00:45:02 you now have to do a pre-registration program
00:45:06 at the pharmacy board and at a respective pharmacy
00:45:09 so that you know after completing
00:45:11 that specific training afterwards.
00:45:13 So it's like an internship.
00:45:15 And after doing that internship under a responsible pharmacist,
00:45:18 then that pharmacist becomes registered to practice.
00:45:21 Now what happens during that process?
00:45:24 When at the university level,
00:45:26 pharmacists are trained in different aspects
00:45:29 of pharmaceutical care, patient counseling.
00:45:33 They do a certain degree of medicinal practice
00:45:39 within their first year at the university.
00:45:41 The program has changed over the years.
00:45:43 For example, when I was part of the first set of degree programs
00:45:47 in the early '90s-- sorry, the late '90s,
00:45:51 we had a lot of intensive work done in the medical field.
00:45:55 We actually had to write the medical exam after three years.
00:45:58 These things have been changed because at that time
00:46:00 the workload was really heavy.
00:46:02 Improvements have been made.
00:46:04 The workload has been reduced a lot with the medical aspect,
00:46:07 engaging more with the pharmaceutical aspect.
00:46:10 So students go through an extensive program
00:46:13 in doing patient care and patient counseling,
00:46:18 and they have to document a certain number of patients,
00:46:21 et cetera, before they can graduate.
00:46:23 So the program is very extensive.
00:46:26 I know at pharmacy school they are doing a very good job
00:46:29 in trying to bring graduates out with the proper knowledge
00:46:33 and attitudes towards the practice.
00:46:35 And then ethics within the industry is also a very crucial part.
00:46:39 So all of these things are taught to pharmacists
00:46:42 so that when we come out there,
00:46:44 we can provide health care at a different level.
00:46:47 Yes, there are things that are within the realm of pharmacists,
00:46:51 and there are things that pharmacists need to recommend patients
00:46:54 to go visit their doctor and not try to play doctor at this time.
00:46:58 Yeah.
00:46:59 Mr. Mohamed, but how have pharmacies and pharmacists
00:47:06 have embraced technological developments?
00:47:10 Because as you know, Mr. Mohamed, I know some establishments
00:47:15 owned by, you know, small families.
00:47:18 You know, sometimes they have one staff member
00:47:21 and sometimes you go in there and it looks dimly lit
00:47:23 and it looks, you know, like it has not managed to embrace
00:47:29 these times of technology and so on.
00:47:32 So, and earlier you did speak about monitoring,
00:47:37 but how have these smaller pharmacies embraced technological advancements
00:47:42 and so on?
00:47:44 And Marlon, that's a very good question.
00:47:46 And you're right, it has a lot to do with regulations moving forward.
00:47:50 Now, digitalization of this industry is very, very important.
00:47:55 Part of my plan moving forward is to establish a technology
00:48:01 and digitalization committee.
00:48:04 Now, what we really want to establish is that there are guidelines
00:48:08 as to what a pharmacy should have.
00:48:12 And you're right, proper lighting.
00:48:15 There is guidelines as to how to set up your dispensary and so on.
00:48:19 Now, there are things that we need to improve on.
00:48:23 We have to also work in accordance to the law and what is regulated.
00:48:28 So, for example, we need to have our premises clean.
00:48:32 We need to have it properly lit, dispensary properly demarcated
00:48:38 and ensuring that we have the correct staffing and whatnot.
00:48:42 Now, moving forward with technology is very important.
00:48:45 One of the aims is to try to help persons to understand, one,
00:48:50 the importance of digitalization.
00:48:52 We have to stay in alignment with what is happening in the personal countries.
00:48:58 Now, many persons--and we are probably still--let's say the older pharmacists
00:49:04 sometimes might be a little opposed to some of the digitalization process,
00:49:08 but many of the older ones are pro-digitalization.
00:49:11 So sometimes we may have to re-establish some training programs,
00:49:15 and I think we have to look at costing of digitalization.
00:49:19 So, for example, in order to try to create now, moving forward,
00:49:23 a much more effective health care system and communication with any different stakeholders,
00:49:30 we have to now look at the advancement of e-prescriptions, being able to do deliveries,
00:49:38 someone going online, visiting an online pharmacy, doing maybe a virtual talk to pharmacy,
00:49:44 making their purchases, et cetera.
00:49:46 But then now we have to have the legislation now to support this.
00:49:50 So, yes, we will be re-establishing our legal committee
00:49:54 and being able to twin both of them together.
00:49:57 Being able to do prescriptions from the doctor's office and digitalization
00:50:02 from city pharmacies, being able to monitor stock digitally, ordering stock digitally.
00:50:08 So digitalization is on the forefront of the things that we need to do.
00:50:13 I think we will re-establish those committees to do the education programs for digitalization
00:50:18 and try to really encourage everybody to get digitalized within probably the next two years.
00:50:24 Yeah. Mr. Mohamed, we just have about 30 seconds again,
00:50:27 but how do people get in contact with the pharmacy board if they want to?
00:50:33 All right. So currently we have sent out to our entire membership our pharmacy board email.
00:50:41 Yes. Currently right now we are just double checking.
00:50:45 We have a new phone number, which we would be sending out to all membership and publishing very soon.
00:50:52 So we have phone numbers, emails and so on that we'll be sending out.
00:50:57 We'll be re-establishing our Web pages and whatnot.
00:51:00 Right now I'm in the process of revamping and reassessing what needs to be done.
00:51:07 So by the end of this week, we're going to be disseminating a lot of information,
00:51:11 contact information, numbers for the council, members of the council, new office phone numbers, etc.
00:51:19 Yeah. Mr. Mohamed, again, congratulations.
00:51:22 And thank you very much for speaking with us this morning, sir.
00:51:25 Thank you very much, Marlon. I'll be looking forward to future engagements.
00:51:29 Of course. Of course, Mr. Mohamed, I can promise you that. Bye for now.
00:51:33 We are going to a very short break, everybody. We're coming back.
00:51:43 Plumbing problems. Don't guess. Call plumbing solutions at 628-4646.
00:51:51 Proud to be serving Trinidad and Tobago for over 20 years. We do it all.
00:51:57 Maintenance and repairs, new construction, sewer lines, inspection, drain cleaning, leak detection.
00:52:07 We are licensed and insured. So call plumbing solutions at 628-4646.
00:52:16 Things don't always go as expected. Be ready with TrinRi for auto, home, business and group life.
00:52:23 Call us at 800-TRIN or visit TrinRi.com today.
00:52:27 Huge insurance premium. Pay your premiums bit by bit with FlexiPay from TrinRi.
00:52:32 For more manageable auto, home and commercial insurance payments, call us at 800-TRIN or visit TrinRi.com today.
00:52:39 TrinRi. Premier insurance coverage for less.
00:52:44 Slavery. A terrible time in our history.
00:52:48 The kidnapping, buying and selling of people for profit.
00:52:52 The exploitation of another human being.
00:52:55 It still exists today. It has a new name.
00:52:58 Human trafficking.
00:53:00 Anyone can be a victim.
00:53:02 There is forced labour.
00:53:05 Sexual exploitation and domestic servitude.
00:53:09 Human trafficking is a worldwide problem and an emerging concern for us here in Trinidad and Tobago.
00:53:17 If you know of or suspect human trafficking activity, call the counter trafficking hotline at 800-4CTU or 800-4288.
00:53:28 Human trafficking is a crime.
00:53:31 Identify it. Report it. Stop it.
00:53:34 A message from the Counter Trafficking Unit of the Ministry of National Security.
00:53:39 This time check is brought to you by Flow.
00:53:42 Rediscover Flow at discoverflow.co.
00:53:45 Flow. Inspired by you.
00:53:48 [Music]
00:53:56 Good morning. I am Shirlan Ramsubag with the news update.
00:54:01 A team from the Pan American Health Organization arrived in Trinidad on Sunday.
00:54:06 TV6 News has been reliably informed that the PAHO team comprises five people.
00:54:12 They are expected to meet with officials from the Ministry of Health today,
00:54:16 after which their investigation would commence into what caused the deaths
00:54:21 at the new natal intensive care unit at the Port of Spain General Hospital.
00:54:26 Seven babies died at the NICU between April 2 and April 9.
00:54:31 Initial tests found three bacteria present.
00:54:35 A source of spread has not been identified and it is anticipated that the investigation would provide answers
00:54:42 to some of the questions that are at this time being asked.
00:54:49 Meanwhile, Freedom Law Chambers has sent another pre-action protocol letter
00:54:54 to the Northwest Regional Health Authority,
00:54:57 this time alleging negligence in the death of baby Amelia Williams
00:55:02 at the Port of Spain General Hospital on April 2, 2024.
00:55:07 And former United National Congress member of Parliament, Tim Gopising,
00:55:15 says the government's failure to open the Cuva Children's Hospital is based on unfounded excuses.
00:55:22 We asked them why they're not opening. They said they don't have enough doctors.
00:55:28 And when there were 300 to 400 young doctors waiting for employment,
00:55:33 Minister de Alcing told a lie. He lied to the country.
00:55:38 And when he was further asked why, he said that they want to go and work in remote areas.
00:55:44 Up to today, 300 to 400 young doctors are still unemployed.
00:55:49 He said the UNC was also told that the Health Ministry was also awaiting a Welsh report
00:55:56 before the hospital could be opened.
00:55:59 It took two years to bring a report. So, 2016, 2017, 2018, the report comes.
00:56:06 The report says two things. Get a partner to help run the Cuva unit, the Cuva Hospital,
00:56:16 and of course bring in a medical school.
00:56:20 Eight years later, nearly nine years later, nobody wants to partner with this government
00:56:27 to run the Cuva Pediatric Hospital.
00:56:33 And no offshore medical school has come to Trinidad or wants to come to Trinidad.
00:56:38 We're hearing things now about the University of the West Indies
00:56:41 talking about bringing an offshore medical school. Nine years later.
00:56:45 [Music]
00:56:50 Now for a look at the weather.
00:56:52 Today is expected to be dull, hazy, and breezy with one or two early morning and late afternoon showers.
00:56:59 The temperatures are expected to get up to 34 degrees Celsius in Trinidad and 33 degrees Celsius in Tobago.
00:57:08 [Music]
00:57:15 The TV6 Daily Health Tip is brought to you by OmegaXL.
00:57:22 I'm Dr. Dubey and I'd like to talk to you about multiple sclerosis.
00:57:28 So, multiple sclerosis, what is it?
00:57:31 Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune degenerative disease of the central nervous system.
00:57:38 And what this means is that the brain and spinal cord and nerve tissues, over time,
00:57:43 it begins to become destroyed and replaced by scar tissue or what we know as plaque.
00:57:49 As a result, these nerves, they don't function as optimally or as normally as they should.
00:57:55 And multiple sclerosis can affect anyone at any age.
00:57:59 But usually presents in someone who's between 20 to 50 years old and it tends to be a pain.
00:58:05 [Music]
00:58:07 Now because your brain is connected to the nerves at the back of the eyes,
00:58:11 this means that multiple sclerosis can actually affect your eyes.
00:58:15 And what would this patient present with?
00:58:17 So usually they may present with one-sided severe ache or pain within one eye
00:58:23 and that may travel to the back of the eye.
00:58:26 It may even progress on to the other eye.
00:58:29 And this would be accompanied by a decrease in their vision, a decrease in their color vision,
00:58:34 a decrease in their contrast sensitivity,
00:58:37 and even some defects in their field of vision that have not been there before.
00:58:42 And this is called optic neuritis or inflammation of the optic nerve.
00:58:47 And aside from the optic neuritis, the inflammation may even extend to other parts of the back of the eye
00:58:53 and even may cause the eye to abnormally move or abnormally rotate.
00:58:57 You may even find it may be skewed to a certain direction.
00:59:00 You can't move the eyes to other directions.
00:59:03 [Music]
00:59:11 The treatment of multiple sclerosis, it tends to range from like steroids, IV treatment,
00:59:17 disease modifying agents, and even lifestyle modification factors.
00:59:22 It's co-managed with neurologists.
00:59:24 [Music]
00:59:26 All in all, this means that even if you don't have multiple sclerosis,
00:59:30 you should get screened or you should get your eyes checked regularly by not only your optometrist,
00:59:36 but by your ophthalmologist.
00:59:38 And even have a low threshold for seeing as if you notice any drops in your vision
00:59:43 that have not been there before, any change in your color that you're not accustomed to,
00:59:48 or any pain in the eyes that you're not comfortable with, simply see us and we'll sort it out.
00:59:54 So all in all, happy World Landmass Week and take care.
00:59:57 [Music]
01:00:05 Nature's Way Alive Kids Gummies are multivitamin gummies meant to support the development of children's bodies
01:00:11 like their bones, muscles, joints, brain, heart, and also their immune health.
01:00:16 Choose Alive Kids Gummies by Nature's Way because they deserve it.
01:00:21 The Small Gold Championship goes to the Televised Rounds.
01:00:25 It's the Ministry of Sport and Community Development's 7-a-side tournament,
01:00:30 powered by Red 96.7 FM. Eight teams will compete in the quarterfinal rounds.
01:00:37 Organutes, Team Ricochet, Moxman FC, Wolfpack FC, Southside Hustlers, Love and Life,
01:00:45 Who Is Next, and Ramasre Brothers.
01:00:48 All the action will be live on TV6 on April 27th from 5 p.m. at Skinner Park, San Fernando,
01:00:54 with Team Activated 4.
01:00:56 Who will be the 2024 champion? Come out and rep your community.
01:01:01 Fun and entertainment with Red 96.7 FM DJs and radio personalities.
01:01:06 It's the Ministry of Sport and Community Development's 7-a-side tournament.
01:01:11 [Music]
01:01:16 This thing is about to break for you.
01:01:20 When I was in Gethsemane, he dragged that tire called Salvation for Man.
01:01:27 Lift my eyes unto the hills.
01:01:30 We only have one place to go for help.
01:01:33 Hallelujah!
01:01:35 So I celebrate in Jesus.
01:01:38 [Music]
01:01:48 Welcome to your new season.
01:01:52 [Music]
01:02:21 [Music]
01:02:43 All right, good morning everybody and welcome back.
01:02:45 I hope that you all are having a good day.
01:02:47 All right, so joining us now, we do have on the line Dale Luchman,
01:02:51 VP of Customer Experience at Ramps Logistics,
01:02:54 and also Aryan Raj, General Manager, Rentals Division at D'Amour Enterprises Limited,
01:02:59 to tell us more about the Offshore Technology Conference and Trinidad and Tobago Pavilion.
01:03:05 Gentlemen, good morning. Thank you very much for joining us.
01:03:08 Good morning, Marlon. Good morning, viewers.
01:03:10 Thank you for having us on the TV6 show as usual.
01:03:13 Of course, gentlemen.
01:03:14 Well, Dale, let's begin with you.
01:03:16 Let's speak a little bit about this Offshore Technology Conference.
01:03:20 Yes.
01:03:21 So the Offshore Technology Conference, as the name implies,
01:03:24 kind of focuses on offshore and supply chain technology specific to the oil and gas industry.
01:03:31 It has been a growing conference for a number of decades in the U.S.
01:03:36 It takes place in Houston annually in May, around the first or second week of May.
01:03:41 This year in particular, it's between the 6th and the 9th of May.
01:03:45 And what we've realized around logistics being a supply chain company,
01:03:49 especially in the oil and gas sector, you know, a lot of the decisions were being made in Houston.
01:03:55 So back in 2015, 2016, when the prospects in Guyana and so forth had opened up,
01:04:00 a lot of the meetings that had to happen regarding those contracts
01:04:05 and possible collaborations were happening in Houston.
01:04:08 So our team traveled back and forth.
01:04:10 We got wind of this conference.
01:04:12 We started attending, and Houston is really the hub for the major oil and gas decisions in the Caribbean
01:04:18 as well as the Gulf of Mexico.
01:04:21 We opened an office there in 2017, and then, you know, we've been frequent attendees of the conference.
01:04:28 And in 2019, we decided to have our first ever booth at the conference
01:04:33 and throw a Caribbean cocktail night event.
01:04:36 The pandemic then happened, and then, you know, 2022 we returned.
01:04:41 2023 we returned.
01:04:43 We had a booth.
01:04:44 We had an event, and, you know, Dumont and a few others jumped on board and partnered with us
01:04:49 to not just make it about RAMS representing, but we really tried to encompass
01:04:54 and include as many energy services companies from Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean
01:05:00 at the Offshore Technology Conference.
01:05:02 Yeah.
01:05:03 Arian, what does a conference such as this hold for a company such as yours?
01:05:09 What sort of opportunities are you looking for?
01:05:15 Arian, you're hearing me?
01:05:16 Yeah.
01:05:19 Go ahead, Arian.
01:05:20 We're listening.
01:05:22 Oh, he's gone?
01:05:24 All right.
01:05:25 We need to reestablish our connection with him.
01:05:29 But Dale, let's speak about that.
01:05:31 He's back with us.
01:05:33 Arian, you're back with us?
01:05:36 All right.
01:05:37 So the question I'm asking Arian, a conference such as this, let's speak about the opportunities it holds
01:05:45 for a company such as yours.
01:05:48 Sure.
01:05:49 So as Dale mentioned, the hub for Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean really sits at the Houston
01:05:55 in terms of international players, right?
01:05:58 So with regard to OTC, we have over 30,000 persons that are attending this conference annually.
01:06:06 All right.
01:06:11 I think that we're having some difficulty there.
01:06:13 We're going to try to work out that.
01:06:15 But, Dale, let's speak about the opportunities for businesses.
01:06:20 About 100 countries.
01:06:21 So if I was at Zuma, the opportunity --
01:06:27 All right.
01:06:28 I'm not sure if Arian is hearing us.
01:06:30 Arian, we are going to reestablish that connection there because it is giving us some issues.
01:06:35 But, Dale, let's speak about some of the opportunities for local companies at this conference.
01:06:42 100%, Marlon.
01:06:44 So as I mentioned, being there, we realized all the subcontractors, when you talk about the Schlumbergers,
01:06:52 the Hallybutons, the Subsys7s, even the operators, the VPs, the shells, everyone, everyone is there.
01:06:58 What we realized in 2019 as well, which was our first bolt of actually having a presence at the conference besides attending,
01:07:07 we see countries having a pavilion.
01:07:10 There was Ghana.
01:07:11 There's been Brazil, Argentina, so many different countries over the years.
01:07:16 And what they tend to do is that they were showcasing a lot of their energy services companies
01:07:21 and all of the different players that can benefit, attract investments, attract new ways to do things, technology partnerships, and so forth.
01:07:30 So post-pandemic, you know, given we had that time to plan, is where we decided that, you know, hey,
01:07:37 who do we work with in Trinidad that can benefit, that can help to scale up their operations?
01:07:42 And we reached out to a few of our partners and vendors that we normally use, customers like the Dumo team,
01:07:48 like Caribbean Airlines, like El Dorado Offshore.
01:07:52 And we got together and we said, guys, we had a booth last year.
01:07:56 It was really good.
01:07:57 Let's split this booth into four because, you know, it's a costly venture, you know, and it's U.S. dollars.
01:08:03 It's a massive trade show.
01:08:05 So we came together and we saw great benefits.
01:08:09 And even from the public sector, you know, you had people like Heritage and so forth attending.
01:08:14 And they were at our booth and that's where they facilitated their meetings.
01:08:18 So we just continued to grow it from strength to strength and open up.
01:08:21 And, you know, we're very happy that in 2024, through the partnership with the National Energy Corporation, that, you know, Dr. Paltrow and I have jumped on board.
01:08:29 And for the first time in Trinidad and Tobago's history and the OTC history, we're actually going to have our first ever country pavilion at the OTC conference.
01:08:39 Yeah. All right. Has Arion rejoined us?
01:08:45 All right, Arion, you're hearing me? Yes, I'm hearing you.
01:08:49 All right. Good. So let's speak about, as I asked earlier, what are some of the what are you what is your company looking forward to as it relates to this conference?
01:09:00 Sure. So as I mentioned before, I apologize for the internet connection.
01:09:04 Of course, it seems to be dipping. So for us as a local entity in Trinidad and Tobago, with over 40 years experience,
01:09:11 this conference gives us the opportunity to be present to a wider sector of energy persons with about 30,000 persons attending the conference at Houston,
01:09:22 as well as it also gives us access to over 100 countries.
01:09:25 So in terms of access to additional technologies that we can bring to Trinidad and Tobago,
01:09:30 as well as it also gives us a platform to demonstrate the strength and resilience of that Umo has developed over the 40 years of experience in Trinidad and Tobago,
01:09:39 that we now sit on an international platform such as the OTC and showcase our talent and experience.
01:09:46 Yeah. But Dale, from what I'm hearing you saying, Dale, is that doesn't the conference really enable you to have direct contact with stakeholders in the industry?
01:10:03 And because of that, you now can nurture relationships with all of these companies.
01:10:12 100 percent, Marlon. I mean, securing meetings without having a face to the name and, you know,
01:10:19 cold calling an email from a tiny little Caribbean like Trinidad and Tobago, you know, to these major players, you don't necessarily get that leverage.
01:10:27 But by being there, what we've realized over the years, you have executives, you have the supply chain guys, you have the business development guys,
01:10:35 all the right players from all the major global companies and even countries. They're all there at this conference in a significant way.
01:10:44 So you have three D's to make strong relationships and contact. But as I mentioned, and as Arianne hinted, you know, partnerships, new products that do more can offer.
01:10:53 There's the opportunities there because people are showcasing their things, partnerships, as well as investment to the country for exploration and other energy services.
01:11:03 Yeah. Arianne, let's speak a little bit about Dumor Enterprises and your division, specifically rentals division at Dumor Enterprises Limited.
01:11:15 What sort of services do you provide?
01:11:19 Sure. So from a holistic approach from Dumor Enterprises, so we have the rental division with more corporate fleet rentals for personally requiring vehicles to run on their fleets,
01:11:30 as well as we have a heavy transport division where we do heavy haulages of 20 foot, 40 foot containers, forklifts, etc.
01:11:38 And our bigger arm of the business, I would say, is around the nuts and bolts, a gasket section, that's typically called the oil and industrial supply services division.
01:11:48 What we have opportunity is regarding the innovation aspect is our ability on the do talks arm of our business where we can, we provide services, bull talking, bull tensioning.
01:11:58 We have RV services and it's typically around oil and gas sector of Toronto and Tobago.
01:12:04 We have also now moved to the construction side where we were recently doing some bull talking and tensioning on the construction side of the business industry and regarding the Tobago airport services.
01:12:17 Yeah. Dale, but at this conference, you're really rubbing shoulders with some massive, massive companies in this industry.
01:12:30 Is there an interest by what you would call these big companies to work with small companies such as yours from the Caribbean?
01:12:41 Of course, especially, I mean, Trinidad and Tobago is not an unknown name to these guys in the energy sector.
01:12:49 They know of our potential as a country. They know that we have the right knowledge, expertise and country.
01:12:57 And over the years, and I'm talking like, you know, pre-COVID, you know, the attention would have been when we attended working in Trinidad and Tobago in terms of when we have conversations with these guys.
01:13:08 That conversation kind of progressed to where they're investing, they're entering or scaling up their operations in Guyana.
01:13:17 And the conversations then moved for how do we move things between Trinidad and Guyana because they already had a lot of assets here because of oil and gas production and so forth over the years.
01:13:29 So how do we rotate these assets right there between these two countries and make the most of our assets that are two countries a short distance apart, right, and moving the assets in between.
01:13:40 And now, you know, they're talking about, okay, as we continue to scale up, given the amount of work in Guyana, given that, you know, the prospects in Trinidad with Dragonfield and so forth,
01:13:49 how then do we use Trinidad and Tobago subcontractors, energy services companies like ourselves and all the many others to bring expertise for partnerships as vendors and so forth.
01:14:01 So that's where the conversation currently centers around.
01:14:04 There's also big talks around Suriname as well.
01:14:07 And again, Trinidad still has a critical role to play in, apart from our oil and gas sector, the fact that we are still seen as that energy services hub as well as logistics hub where things move from the Trinidad and Tobago shore bases to the various countries, Guyana, Suriname, et cetera, within the region.
01:14:28 Yeah.
01:14:29 Arion, of course, we discussed that one of the big reasons that you all are participating in this conference is to foster links and rub shoulders with some of the international partners in this industry out there.
01:14:45 But, Arion, what is your company trying to achieve by being a part of this conference?
01:14:52 Sure.
01:14:53 I can say that at Dumo, we are proud to be part of a pioneering team that's really propelling the energy services sector industry beyond the Trinidad and the Caribbean Beach, right?
01:15:04 Because we want to be part of that team that is really broadening the awareness of what talent and services that exist in Trinidad and Tobago, as Dave would have alluded to.
01:15:14 For us at Dumo Enterprises, we are part of a continuous improvement.
01:15:17 And what we see, and I think Dale probably alluded to it already, is that all of us as energy services organization, that the supply currently outweighs the demand for services.
01:15:29 Whilst we applaud the government and the operator organizations increasing the demand side, we also constantly ask ourselves, how do we increase that demand for ourselves?
01:15:40 And the opportunity here exists whereby our ability to be present and connect, as I mentioned before, the 3,000 persons in about 100 countries, creates that potential for us.
01:15:51 Harnessing about our 40 years of competency and workforce allows us to showcase that.
01:15:59 We believe now is the time to showcase our capacity on an international platform, which is part of our growth trajectory for Dumo Enterprises.
01:16:06 It also allows us to demonstrate the Trinidad and Tobago culture and compassion for humanity.
01:16:13 And it also allows us to understand the technologies, because we have continents all over the world, from Asia, Africa, etc.
01:16:23 And we are very excited to be part of that conference, where we can rub shoulders, connect, understand technologies, understand what we can bring to Trinidad and Tobago, what we can also export from Trinidad and Tobago.
01:16:36 Because the fact is that we are in a space where the demand for the continuous good of services continues to shrink.
01:16:44 And we now need to take that platform beyond Trinidad and Tobago and see what else exists out there.
01:16:50 Is it safe to say, because of your participation, your company's participation in the conference in the past, that it has paid off?
01:16:59 Definitely. The growth we've seen, I mean, because of our involvement there, you know, is where we saw the opportunities and it encouraged us to open an office in Houston.
01:17:08 Then we expanded that office into Mexico because of opportunities from the conference.
01:17:12 And it really pivoted us in a good position with the prospect in Guyana as well as Suriname.
01:17:19 Yeah. Arian, judging from what Dale has told us, that is the place to be, right?
01:17:25 Yes, guys, it's a place to connect, a place for growth and for really local companies.
01:17:32 We continue to ask you guys to continue to partner. We are proud to be part of the team pushing forward the energy services sector of Trinidad and Tobago on a different level.
01:17:42 And we are thankful to RAMS and the rest of the organization who are partaking in the OTC conference this year.
01:17:47 Yeah. Dale, anything else you'd like to tell us before you leave us this morning?
01:17:51 So, I mean, it's going to be an exciting three days. And of course, we're going to push the updates back to you and the TV6 team.
01:17:56 I just want to say, you know, people can look forward to other companies such as Qualitech Machining Services, IOCL, Tembladora Energy Logistics, El Dorado Offshore,
01:18:06 Dumo, RAMS and, of course, National Energy in that pavilion, which is going to be the first ever Trinidad and Tobago pavilion for the Offshore Technology Conference.
01:18:16 And as Arian hinted, we can't just represent at the conference. We're going to have a cocktail night, but not the usual cocktail night.
01:18:22 We're going to give them a real Trinbago experience with some Caribbean Angostura rum double tazza in Houston.
01:18:30 Yeah. Gentlemen, you're always sure I can't come with you all here. But gentlemen, it was a pleasure.
01:18:35 We need coverage. Gentlemen, it was a pleasure speaking with you all this morning.
01:18:40 Thank you very much. And we wish you all the best at the conference for you all. Yeah. Bye for now.
01:18:46 OK. So we are going to a break.
01:18:50 But before that, let me tell you, we are going to be opening up the lines to you.
01:18:54 You're calling us on six to three, 1711. The extension is nineteen ninety five.
01:18:59 We have this image for you. It's from Andrew Phillip.
01:19:02 Andrew, a very special good morning to you. And thank you very much for your photograph.
01:19:06 We're coming back with your calls, everybody.
01:19:35 Nears and show Trinidad and Tobago bring to you the first Lego League National Robotics on April 27.
01:19:42 We head to the National Cycling Belligerent in Cuba. Action starts nine a.m.
01:19:47 And admission is absolutely free. This year's theme is Masterpiece.
01:19:51 Brace yourself for an action packed day filled with a mind blowing robotics competition where cutting edge technology comes alive.
01:19:59 We've also got giveaways galore, technology boots to ignite your curiosity and a multitude of activities that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
01:20:07 It's not just an event. It's an adventure for the whole family.
01:20:11 The Trinidad Express e-paper is rated triple A adaptable, accessible and available.
01:20:18 Download it for all your Android or iOS devices and enjoy bonus pictures and video with select stories.
01:20:24 Get news, sports, weather, lifestyle articles and more translated into 11 languages with a convenient voice reader function for when you're on the go.
01:20:34 Set up customized alerts for the content you want and never miss a story with access to past editions at any time.
01:20:41 Plus, it's affordable and easy to use.
01:20:44 So what are you waiting for? Subscribe through the Android or iOS app store or visit digital.trinidadexpress.com today.
01:20:53 [Music]
01:21:21 [Music]
01:21:49 Maybe you could afford to pay up to $22,500 in fines and lose your license permanently.
01:21:57 No? Then don't drink and drive.
01:22:01 A message from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
01:22:05 [Music]
01:22:27 All right, so welcome back. You're calling us now on 623-1711.
01:22:31 The extension is 1995, so we just have a few more minutes to take your call, so you can please call us now.
01:22:37 We do have a lot to discuss in Trinidad and Tobago.
01:22:40 Many things happened on the weekend, but I just want to start off with a story in the Express this morning, and it remains a troubling story to me, a troubling incidence to me.
01:22:51 I don't know how you would feel about it, but you can call us and we can speak about that if you'd like.
01:22:56 Again, you're calling us on 623-1711.
01:22:58 The extension is 1995.
01:23:00 So more than a year since the Express first...
01:23:03 We have a call? All right, let's take a call. Good morning, caller.
01:23:06 A pleasant morning to you, Mr. Hopkinson.
01:23:09 Is this Tabakit?
01:23:10 Oh, yes, that's right.
01:23:12 Tabakit is in the house. Good morning, Tabakit.
01:23:14 A pleasant morning to you, Mr. Hopkinson.
01:23:16 Yes.
01:23:17 You had an interview this morning with the president of the Scrap Iron Dealers Association.
01:23:23 Right.
01:23:24 Mr. Ferguson.
01:23:25 Now, while I support him, I have a pertinent question to ask.
01:23:32 You have 41 members of parliament, and in every constituency, you have coordinators.
01:23:41 The big question here, whether or not if they're doing the job.
01:23:46 And if they're doing the job, the coordinator should have data on all these young people.
01:23:53 And right away, what it tells me this morning, these people are sleeping on the job, Mr. Hopkinson.
01:24:00 Listen, you have staff in every constituency.
01:24:05 And they're supposed to know the constituency, know the people in the constituents.
01:24:10 And I am saying the failure of the member of parliament, that is why Mr. Ferguson and Randall Fields and you name it,
01:24:20 have to now go to the community.
01:24:23 And that is the question this morning was raised all over my head.
01:24:27 I'm saying, but wait now, we paid 41, there is staff.
01:24:33 And Mr. Hopkinson, the question remained this morning, then where is the data from the members of parliament?
01:24:41 Mr. Hopkinson, I don't know if you're aware.
01:24:45 In every constituency, you could have approximately a six coordinator, because you know you have some constituency is very large.
01:24:54 So they have the data.
01:24:56 I am saying for Christ's sake, or you get to work and help the people.
01:25:01 Tabakit out and all.
01:25:02 Tabakit, thank you very much.
01:25:04 Thank you very much for your comments this morning.
01:25:06 I do agree with them.
01:25:08 Of course, Tabakit, there's a lot of snoring all across Trinidad and Tobago, you know, people getting paid.
01:25:13 You go into every department, you will hear snoring, snoring all over the place, right?
01:25:20 Yeah. More than a year since we expressed first reported on the sinister underbelly of online sexual predator groups that target and exploit children, young women and adults.
01:25:29 Many are still active and appear to be further emboldened by an apparent lack of police action.
01:25:36 All right. So you're calling us on 63 1711.
01:25:38 The extension, it's 1995.
01:25:41 All right. We have a call. Good morning, caller.
01:25:43 Good morning. Good morning.
01:25:44 Mr. Marlin and to all your beautiful listeners.
01:25:46 Morning.
01:25:48 I want to talk about the collapse of the constitutional bill for the DCP on Friday.
01:25:56 All right. Right.
01:25:59 One of the issues that the government basically wanted to do is to make it easy to appoint.
01:26:08 The question that arose from the opposition side, why they would be avoiding scrutiny.
01:26:16 I mean, they said the opposition said, bring it to Parliament and we will discuss it openly.
01:26:21 So everybody will see what's going on.
01:26:24 The other thing the government has said was saying we think parliamentary time.
01:26:30 And I want to juxtapose that with two issues happening in Parliament.
01:26:35 Now, you have in the Senate a debate on the COI, Commission of Inquiry, the one to modify that.
01:26:45 And I am saying why you want to modify it, because they have several COI, several deliverables.
01:26:53 That has to be basically fleshed out and is not being fleshed out.
01:26:58 A critical case, an example, is the procurement legislation. Everybody passes and all of a sudden they mash it up.
01:27:07 Okay. The other issue is, as I said, was two issues, is the Commission of Inquiry for the highway with Justice Vento.
01:27:16 Now, they're using Parliament time to use it to investigate that in a Joint Select Committee.
01:27:22 So it tells me someone or somebody in leadership is not telling us the truth as to why they're doing it.
01:27:31 And I want to suggest something this morning.
01:27:34 All those people, including the AG and the Prime Minister, before they make any public statement, must, you know what to do?
01:27:42 Notify, you know, notary, say he had a notary statement, a notary vice-president from the nursing gate issue.
01:27:54 I want the Prime Minister, the AG, and the extension cabinet to notify their tongue.
01:28:00 Let us hear truth from their tongues. Go and have a nice morning.
01:28:04 Thank you very much, sir. You know the problem that we have in Trinidad and Tobago?
01:28:08 Everything is muddied with politics.
01:28:12 And that's why programs such as these and people having the debates and we getting people in the know to speak about certain issues,
01:28:22 so that you can really get a neutral view.
01:28:25 But as you know, in Trinidad and Tobago, from the time the politician touches it, it's problems.
01:28:30 It's being, it is skewed.
01:28:36 That is just my view, my personal view.
01:28:38 Anytime they touch it, the neutrality of the issue goes through the door.
01:28:43 Because everything else that they say, it's all about politics.
01:28:48 You're calling us on 623-1711. The extension, it's 1995. Caller, good morning.
01:28:53 Yeah, good morning.
01:28:55 Yes.
01:28:56 I'm calling again. I'm really concerned.
01:29:01 I don't think the media is covering it as they should.
01:29:06 I don't like the reaction of the ministers, of the opposition, of the government.
01:29:12 I believe it's because it's too late for people to know that the major victims, I was in town just recently, not far from you,
01:29:20 from your establishment, and you shot, real gunshots, like they spray you on the war field, you know,
01:29:28 or maybe in the meat or something. That's happened in our city. That is unacceptable.
01:29:34 That should be up. That should be up.
01:29:36 I'm very, very disappointed with how the media, how your media is delivering crime, crime is the number one issue.
01:29:43 That is under the guarantee of life, right for life.
01:29:47 It is number one issue.
01:29:49 And Trinidad is not a place like Ecuador, Somalia, Colombia, where you have places where the government is controlling people, cannot go.
01:29:57 This is a government where every constituency, we have constituencies, we have operating government, right to Trinidad to be.
01:30:05 So therefore, there's no excuse for this level of crime, and it should be dealt with as a number one issue by you, the media,
01:30:12 the trade union, and the government, and the opposition. That is not happening.
01:30:17 And I'm very upset that we're going through this.
01:30:20 Well, sir, I congratulate you for that, that you're very much concerned about the crime situation in Trinidad and Tobago,
01:30:27 because let me tell you something. There are a lot of people who don't care, you know.
01:30:32 And as I've said, you know, there is one people experience Trinidad and Tobago in very many different ways.
01:30:43 So some of the challenges, some of the threats that normal people experience every day as it relates to crime, that is not happening to other people.
01:30:55 So because of that, they just don't understand.
01:30:59 But, you know, there's a saying, who's in the kitchen knows the heat, how does it go?
01:31:06 Who feels it knows it. Yeah.
01:31:08 So I think there's not a holistic understanding as to crime in Trinidad and Tobago, because sometimes we just see it as them.
01:31:19 So it's them and us on this side. You're calling us on 623-1711.
01:31:23 The extension is 1995.
01:31:27 And I think that we have lost respect for life in Trinidad and Tobago.
01:31:32 And sometimes we just see an incident as just a number. Oh, well, that's just 178 murders for the year and so on.
01:31:40 So that doesn't affect me in any way. And that is the that is the feeling that many of us have.
01:31:47 I mean, I've spoken about crime for many years, over 10 years. Yeah.
01:31:51 On Beyond the Tape. Yeah. Over 10 years. Yeah. You're calling. We have a call. Good morning, caller.
01:31:57 Good morning, good morning. Morning.
01:32:02 I want to touch a little bit on the UNCPO school in terms of the internal election.
01:32:07 Go ahead. And what is being voiced by the initial Rambly?
01:32:13 You know, you have been saying that Kamala has been on a losing streak.
01:32:16 Yes, she started on a losing streak, but did you follow the team?
01:32:20 She has been winning, you know, gaining some momentum. If you look from the local government election coming up, she has been making inroads.
01:32:29 So seemingly the population is getting back a little bit of confidence.
01:32:35 It wouldn't happen overnight. And especially with the PNM and the propaganda, it's an awfully difficult job.
01:32:43 State resources at hand. You understand what I'm saying? We look at Mailgate and we look at the damages that are being done, that has been done.
01:32:53 Because at Mailgate, and I hear the Prime Minister talking the other day.
01:32:58 You remember how long he held that information about the planned murder of a journalist?
01:33:06 Close to his chest, as much as six months, and then he re-revealed it. You know, and I hear him complaining the other day.
01:33:14 But let me go back to dinner Rambly. And so Kamala has been making some, the opposition has been making some inroads.
01:33:22 But the Prime Minister, nobody is mentioning this, has been losing ground.
01:33:27 He has been decimated in Tobago. And the UNC would have gained a lot of traction and inroads in some country.
01:33:37 But the problem with Mr. Rambly and companies is that the quest for power, my brother.
01:33:44 But, but, but, but Kamala, we have discussed this issue so much over the past week or two.
01:33:52 And of course, the UNC says this is, this is nothing big concerning the internal elections.
01:34:01 And my difficulty in trying to understand the situation is if the elections are constitutionally due, I believe in June, then why not call the election?
01:34:13 Marlon, I agree with you. I also support that. Don't, don't think I am, you know, defending that anyway.
01:34:21 But I'm putting the facts on the table that they have been making inroads.
01:34:26 But you see in the quest for power, Marlon, you make irrational decisions.
01:34:30 If you want to see a man, the true colors of a man, given some power, you know, as you would have seen with the Prime Minister.
01:34:37 But Prime example, Prime example, we're not closing down Petro Trim, you understand.
01:34:43 All right. Thank you very much. We do have time for one more call. No more calls? That's it?
01:34:49 All right. Thank you very much for all of your calls this morning. Highly spirited calls, I must say.
01:34:55 Thank you very much. We are going to a very short break. We have this image for you.
01:34:58 It's sent to us by Ronald Daniel. Yeah, we're coming back, everybody.
01:35:04 I don't know. She is.
01:35:08 The place that God told you.
01:35:11 So you say we'll say we'll say.
01:35:13 We'll do what you do.
01:35:17 I must get through.
01:35:19 Yeah, I love you.
01:35:20 Show me that.
01:35:21 Why?
01:35:22 Turn around.
01:35:23 Hello.
01:35:25 Hello.
01:35:26 Hello.
01:35:27 Yeah.
01:35:28 So get out of.
01:35:29 The choice is clear. The TV six news is the number one news broadcast and the most watched program in TNT, including all cable programming with over 50 percent more eyeballs than the closest competitor advertisers trust the TV six news to deliver their message to their target audience.
01:35:47 Competitive rates ensure the biggest bang for buck and the authority and reputation of the newscast help to build and maintain trust in your brand.
01:35:55 So regardless of the size of your business, the choice is clear.
01:36:00 TV six news delivers results.
01:36:06 On Saturday, April 27th, the atmosphere in Black Rock, Tobago will be filled with a sweet sound of jazz.
01:36:25 As black sugars and starfish to big over set beach front jazz from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
01:36:41 A premium drinks inclusive featuring a patient sexophonist, a tour of the Trinidad Top Jazz Ensemble, a line with Bonnet, Bigfoot, Tobago, Songstress, kind of just added veteran jazz guitarist Michael Boothman, Hannah, Hannah, Bridget, new sensation Rose.
01:37:03 Backed by the Beachfront Jazz Project led by Emmy Fortune Beach Front Jazz, all part of the Tobago Jazz and Music Weekend.
01:37:12 Get your tickets now at Cache Porta, Spain, Trent City, Eastgate, Gulf City, Malta, Trinidad, Lowlands Mall in Tobago and Jenkin Day Spa, Woodbrook and Tobago.
01:37:22 Call 681-1516 or 627-4141.
01:37:40 Black Rock, Tobago.
01:37:59 >> Welcome back, everyone.
01:38:11 The Little Carib Theater presents a musical dialogue in celebration of Indian arrival day.
01:38:18 To tell us more, we have Dr. Sharda Pattisar and Ruth Osmond.
01:38:22 Good morning, ladies.
01:38:24 Thank you very much for joining us this morning.
01:38:26 >> Good morning.
01:38:29 >> Yeah.
01:38:31 Well, ladies, first allow me to address Dr. Sharda Pattisar, who is also a senator, but she's not speaking in that capacity this morning.
01:38:41 So Dr. Pattisar, let's get into the event that we're speaking about this morning.
01:38:48 It's a musical dialogue in celebration of Indian arrival day.
01:38:56 >> Okay.
01:38:58 So it's a concert scripted as a dialogue with this piece.
01:39:06 So what you will expect from the performances would be a mixture of traditional Indian folk, classical, that sort of thing, that moves into the future.
01:39:23 So that's a brief synopsis.
01:39:27 >> Yeah.
01:39:29 Ruth, tell us about your participation here, Ruth.
01:39:33 >> Well, given the introduction that Dr. Pattisar just gave, I suppose I come in at the fusion part.
01:39:44 As you know, I'm a singer/songwriter, primarily in Caribbean jazz, in that genre.
01:39:53 Even though I'm what Chileans call Dogla, I have primarily practiced my art in jazz.
01:40:04 So I'm just happy to be part of the team that Sharda threw to do this production.
01:40:14 And I'm looking forward to that sort of fusion that she talked about.
01:40:24 And the movement, the conversation from legacy and tradition into who we are now, into the intertwining of those elements, and then into, you know, future.
01:40:33 It's going to be a good one.
01:40:35 >> Yeah.
01:40:37 >> Dr. Pattisar, let's talk about a little bit as to how you all would have come up with this event.
01:40:47 What are you all trying to achieve by this event?
01:40:57 >> For me, it's really questioning the meaning of arrival.
01:41:05 In my mind, it's inevitable that where people migrate to diaspora, they begin to at some point move away from clusters into sort of having that conversation with the space.
01:41:23 And we see it a lot in the way that we make music.
01:41:29 And I think that's a good example, if imported, you know, rhythms from other cultures here.
01:41:41 Chutney, soca, all of them.
01:41:46 So, yeah, that's the thinking behind it.
01:41:51 It also questions what it means to be Indian in this space as well.
01:41:59 What does it mean to be Trinidadian?
01:42:02 So those are some of the questions that guide the performances.
01:42:08 >> Yeah.
01:42:10 >> So, while there are a lot of similarities between us, there are a lot of differences, too, but there's still a lot to be known about each other and to share and have greater opportunities to share experiences, right?
01:42:30 >> Yes.
01:42:56 >> So, I think that's a good description of it, Dr. Patisa, to have this conversation.
01:43:04 So, Ruth, I want to hear what we can expect from you during this conversation, you know.
01:43:14 >> Well, Sharda and I started collaborating about a little over a year ago.
01:43:22 And we've had some really good experiences along with other musicians, jazz musicians, percussionists, guitar.
01:43:34 And so I am looking forward to the continuation of the journey because for me, for us, that's really what it is.
01:43:41 It's an understanding that something magical happens when you get on stage.
01:43:47 One of the things that I love about what we've done together is it's not tokenism, you know.
01:43:53 It's not, oh, well, you have to have a pan here.
01:43:57 Or, oh, well, you know, you should have TASA because you need to represent this particular -- it goes beyond just representation.
01:44:07 It's an opportunity to really collaborate.
01:44:17 It's an opportunity to really explore, which is really dialogue and the conversation idea that Sharda would have spoken about comes in, right?
01:44:21 So I am looking forward to more of that exploration.
01:44:27 I'm looking forward to an authentic, honest dialogue and movement and creating something beautiful together.
01:44:33 >> But Dr. Patisa, why the name Samvada?
01:44:38 >> Samvada means a musical dialogue.
01:44:41 >> Simple as that, Dr. Patisa.
01:44:46 You see, I'm being educated here this morning, Dr. Patisa.
01:44:50 But I want to -- and, Studio, could you please put up the graphic that we do have?
01:44:57 >> Yeah, I think that, as Dr. Patisa and Ruth, I think that while some people may be familiar with some of the artists, but some may not be familiar with them.
01:45:10 So I just want to go through, as we speak about the artists, what we can expect from them.
01:45:23 >> Okay, so we have the Evelyn Heart Academy, which is under the directorship of Alana Rocha, who is a partner to a dance firm.
01:45:39 She's also one of two of the inaugural artists in residence at the Central Bank.
01:45:50 So she's bringing to this that form of dance, which then moves into a sort of fusion bit.
01:46:01 Then we have Susan and Rana Mohip, who are pretty well-known.
01:46:06 Susan, most people know her as Baby Susan from the Samba Hardies.
01:46:11 So she's bringing to this Kathak, as well as folk, Bollywood, that sort of thing.
01:46:20 Rana, who is her husband, is a vocalist.
01:46:23 So he's also going to showcase parts of the Indian music.
01:46:31 We have Terence Shaw, who is a jazz guitarist, pretty well-known as well.
01:46:37 Ruth, of course, who is a singer-songwriter, and most recently the 2023 winner of the Ghana Prize for Literature, for poetry.
01:46:50 And there is the UTT Percussion Studio with their students, which I thought would be a very nice addition to this, because this is under the directorship of my brother and Reddy Aliok.
01:47:10 So that's pretty much a cast.
01:47:16 And then there's someone called Dr. Sharada Patisar.
01:47:21 Don't forget that person.
01:47:23 Right, right, right. I forget.
01:47:28 Ruth says I always forget myself.
01:47:30 So I am bringing to this my background in classical Indian music, but some original compositions mixed with maybe one or two covers from the local landscape.
01:47:47 Yeah. All right, Ruth.
01:47:50 Is there any additional information that you'd like to give us?
01:47:55 Tickets. Sharada, correct me if I'm wrong.
01:48:00 Tickets can be purchased from the Little Carib, right?
01:48:06 You can call them.
01:48:08 Tickets cost $200.
01:48:11 The show starts at 6 p.m. at the Little Carib Theatre on May 11.
01:48:18 And we have to thank NGC.
01:48:21 NGC is the primary sponsor for the event.
01:48:26 I'm just looking forward. I'm just looking forward to, you know, the opportunity for exploration.
01:48:33 I think I think like at a time like this in Trinidad and Tobago, but really in the region and globally, we're looking for new ways of interpreting the landscape, right?
01:48:45 We're looking for new myths, for new stories, for new narratives.
01:48:50 And Sharada is spearheading this particular one, this particular opportunity.
01:48:55 And I'm looking forward to it, the opportunity to create magic with disparate influences and elements and artists.
01:49:03 Yeah.
01:49:05 And Dr. Patisa, when someone leaves this event, what do you think that they should they should leave with?
01:49:14 I take a sense of euphoria, firstly.
01:49:21 I think also a sense of possibilities that exists.
01:49:28 Yeah. Dr. Patisa, you want people to leave with euphoria from Little Carib Theatre.
01:49:34 There's going to be a carnival in Woodbrook, right?
01:49:38 Ladies, it was a pleasure speaking with you all this morning.
01:49:42 If there's anything else, some additional information you'd like to share with us, you can do so now.
01:49:49 Yeah, I think that's it.
01:49:54 But we hope to see people.
01:49:58 It's going to be perfect, judging from the concerts that we've done so far.
01:50:06 Yeah. Dr. Patisa, Ruth, it's always a pleasure speaking with you all.
01:50:11 Thank you very much. We wish you all the best for your event.
01:50:15 Thanks for having me.
01:50:16 All right. Bye for now.
01:50:18 We're going to a very short break. We're coming back, everybody.
01:50:21 [MUSIC]
01:50:25 Get the picture with the Express Classifieds.
01:50:28 When you list your vehicle for sale with us, you can now include a photo with your booking at no extra cost.
01:50:34 Take advantage of this offer and increase the impact of your ad on your potential buyers.
01:50:39 It's absolutely free, and it's only in the number one classifieds publication in D&T.
01:50:44 So call or visit us today and get the picture with the Express Classifieds.
01:50:49 Consider it sold.
01:50:53 It's crystal clear. Say football. Say 12th Man. Say TV6.
01:50:59 It's Champions League time.
01:51:01 Tension is building in all the best leagues in the world, and the heat is on.
01:51:08 Number one, numero uno, number one sports show just got better.
01:51:13 More surprises and a few shocks in football with Andre Aro Batiste every Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. on TV6.
01:51:21 [MUSIC]
01:51:25 Brought to you by Coca-Cola.
01:51:28 Inspiration through song makes our souls rejoice.
01:51:33 [MUSIC]
01:51:39 Inspiration through dance is fueled by the spirit.
01:51:44 Inspiration is found in the diversity of the athletes.
01:51:50 Inspired beautiful, direct and positive.
01:51:54 Join us every Monday morning at 8:30 a.m. right here on TV6 for our many moments of inspiration.
01:52:02 [MUSIC]
01:52:20 All right, so welcome back, everyone.
01:52:22 So I have ten seconds.
01:52:23 So survivors, that's the important ring, still alive, right?
01:52:26 So survivors among hundreds who are being extorted, stalked, harassed and threatened by their unknown assailants on social networking platforms like Telegram, Discord and WhatsApp, right?
01:52:37 Imagine that.
01:52:38 And all it may take is that you put up a picture, maybe you're playing mass and so on, and all of a sudden someone takes the picture, put it up on a porn site.
01:52:45 All of a sudden you're a porn star, yeah?
01:52:48 So it's still going on in Trinidad and Tobago, all right?
01:52:51 Talk to your children, talk to your children and make sure that nothing like that is happening to them.
01:52:57 So that's going to do it for our program for today.
01:53:00 We leave you with this.
01:53:02 We have this image for you.
01:53:04 The most photographed spot in Manzanilla from Isiba Small.
01:53:08 Isiba, thank you.
01:53:09 That's a beautiful picture, Isiba.
01:53:11 Thank you very much for that photograph.
01:53:13 See you tomorrow, everybody.
01:53:14 Bye for now.
01:53:15 [Music]