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The outgoing Prime Minister says, there is heavy dependence on the success of the dragon gas deal with neighbouring Venezuela.

Dr. Keith Rowley made the statement while addressing the official commemoration ceremony of the Port of Spain General Hospital Central, block yesterday.

Dr. Rowley gave a dose of the grim reality if the deal with, Venezuela is not successful.

He was critical of those who wish the deal, fails.

The Prime Minister said, there are alternatives to keeping the economy afloat…but they come with consequences.

He called on the people not to take the government’s work for granted

Dr. Keith Rowley is resigning from the position on March 16^{th .}

His replacement is the country’s energy minister Stuart Young.

The acting police commissioner is relatively pleased with the work of his officers during carnival celebrations

The festivities ended on Tuesday after what has been called a long season

Acting Commissioner Junior Benjamin said, yesterday the incidents were few.

However, he did note the two homicides recorded during the two days of revelry

The two are 18-year-old national boxer Prince Charles of Guaico Village in Sangre Grande.

He was stabbed during a confrontation with a 57-year-old man.

Sixty-eight year old Bibi Zamilla Swamber was killed at her home in Enterprise Chaguanas.

She was the owner of Swamber’s Inn.

She was found dead in the living room of her house, which was also ransacked.

Nevertheless the acting commissioner applauded the work of his officers in the days leading up to the two-day street parades.

Commissioner Benjamin also took another look at the murder statistics so far this year, when compared to last year this time.

The acting commissioner described the carnival generally safe.

Long standing member of the United National Congress, Larry Lalla resigns from the party.

Mr. Lalla’s letter is dated February 24^th, and addressed to the party’s chairman, Dave Tancoo.

Mr. Lalla explains, that he made this decision after careful consideration over the past few months.

In the letter, he says his decision follows unsuccessful attempts to advocate for change within the UNC, over the past nine years as a key reason for his departure.

Mr. Lalla outlines his efforts, saying he had pushed for change as part of the UNC loyalist’s team in 2015, part of the lotus team in 2020, and part of the united patriots team in 2024.

He says, after these repeated attempts, he concluded that he could afford no more time to his efforts in the party.

Mr. Lalla tells, newscentre five he is keeping his political options open.

He says, despite his in resignation, he is grateful for the relationships built and experiences gained during his time in the UNC.

Leader of the UNC Kamla Persad Bissessar is not too concerned, about the resignation.

She wished him well yesterday saying people are free to join or leave.

Finance Minister Colm Imbert has been selected to run for, the Diego Martin Northeast seat for the ruling peoples national movement again.

Last evening, Mr. Imbert went before the screening committee of the PNM.

When he emerged from Balisier House headquarters, there were chanting and jubilation from supporters.

In recent weeks, there was some uncertainty about his bid to serve one more term as MP.

Mr. Imbert has been representing the constituency, for the past 34 years.

The sitting MP, told the media he felt good about the selection and he vowed to make sure that his last term is his best.

Mr. Imbert also sits on the pnm’s screening committee.

Also selected last evening was incumbent MP for Diego Martin Central Symon De Nobriga.

Hans Des Vignes is also the choice of the party, for the Diego Martin West seat.

He is seeking to replace Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, as the representative.

Dr. Rowley has indicated, he is bowing out of representational politics.

Mr. Des Vignes was the front-runner from very early in the race.

Attorney at law Sanjiv Boodhu was selected to contest the Cumuto-Manzanilla seat for the ruling party as well.

Also there was screening by the united national congress for the Mayaro seat, now held by so-called dissident Rushton Paray.

Although there has been contention within the UNC over Mr. Paray’s challenge of the Kamla Persad Bissessar’s executive last year he says, he is not leaving.

Former executive member of the party, Nicholas Morris was also screened for the seat.

Other nominees screened yesterday include those for Couva North, Couva South and Caroni Central.

Mrs. Persad Bissessar said, yesterday democracy is alive and well in the party.

The new salaries of the Prime Minister, and other public officials are to become effective later this month.

The time frame has reportedly come from a circular, out of the office of the comptroller of accounts.

Reports are saying, the circular is dated January 24^th 2025.

It has gone out to permanent secretaries, heads of departments, and the chief administrator of the Tobago House of Assembly and heads of statutory bodies.

The salaries review commission 120^th report was laid in the parliament last November.

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley said then, the cabinet would accept the report and the proposed salary increases for office holders, including the members of the judiciary, the president, ministers and the opposition leader.

Yesterday the leader of the opposition Kamla Persad Bissessar said, it is obscene on the part of the government.

She said, Dr. Rowley has fixed his people before leaving office.

Mrs. Persad Bissessar and her side have been criticizing the move by the government.

Meanwhile, there are said to be leaks within the police service.

This is the view of, Acting Police Commissioner Junior Benjamin.

Responding to questions regarding illegal gun and ammunition finds, Commissioner Benjamin noted that inroads are being made, but said more can be achieved if confidential information is not disclosed.

He blamed the seepage on some of his officers.

Commissioner Benjamin made it clear, he intends to root out corruption with the TTPS and go after illegal armed persons.

The acting commissioner was a guest on the Tv6 Morning Edition programme yesterday. 

The Prime Minister is again making a sales pitch to Caricom countries particularly those experiencing hydrocarbon boosts.

Dr. Keith Rowley yesterday said, gas constraints have made things a bit difficult for the many avenues Trinidad and Tobago can offer.

He listed some of the investments made by Trinidad and Tobago over the years.

Meanwhile Dr. Rowley yesterday said, his government is expected to announce soon the preferred bidder for the refinery at Point a Pierre, which had been shut down due to the million of dollars in losses.

Three companies have been shortlisted.

He was addressing the three-day, Trinidad and Tobago energy conference organized by the energy chamber.

Dr. Rowley said with regard to the refinery bids, the first offers were found to be less than satisfactory and were aborted.

The man tipped to replace Dr. Rowley as Prime Minister when he resigns before, the next general election Stuart Young told a packed hall his party knows the sector.

Mr. Young, who is at this time the energy minister made an appeal to those in the industry.

Minister Young is expected to take the ruling, Peoples National Movement into the next general election.

The newly appointed acting police commissioner is promising a thorough investigation, into claims that a senior officer tried to pervert the course of justice.

An article published yesterday in the express newspaper says, a senior officer is accused of justice obstruction in the matter involving substantive commissioner, Erla Harewood Christopher.

Acting Commissioner Junior Benjamin, assures all the proper procedures will be followed with the guidance of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

He is confident, the DPP will give the police competent advice and ensure that the probe will be a fair one.