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Trinidad and Tobago braces for tropical cyclone

This country’s population is in a state of readiness for more rain in the coming days. 

Heavy showers were experienced across the country yesterday, due to the passage of a tropical wave, which forced the MET office to issue an Adverse Weather Alert “Yellow Level”. 

The alert took effect at 8am yesterday but has since been lifted. 

The MET office is also monitoring another tropical wave, which moved off the west coast of Africa yesterday. 

In between these 2 systems is yet another, dubbed Invest 94l, which experts believe could reach the Lesser Antilles as a strong tropical storm sometime tomorrow afternoon into evening. 

With the country likely to be impacted by 3 weather systems in succession, Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Faris Al-Rawi is urging citizens to prepare now. 

Speaking at a news conference yesterday, Mr. Al-Rawi said his government has already taken steps to mitigate what might happen. 

Minister Al-Rawi stated that Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, who is in the US, triggered full activity and acting Prime Minister, Colm Imbert, has since met with the relevant Ministers to ensure preparation ahead of any weather event. 

Also addressing yesterday’s news conference was acting National Security Minister and Minister of Public Utilities, Marvin Gonzales. 

He assured that all utilities are on high alert but had some advice for persons in east Trinidad regarding their water supply. 

Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan said his Ministry is also playing its part. 

Head of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management retired Major General Rodney Smart urged residents to channel trouble reports through their Regional Cooperation. 

He urged caution to people living in flood prone areas. 

At 6pm yesterday the strong tropical wave dubbed 94l was said to be 1,000 miles east southeast of the Windward Islands and continues to show signs of development. 

Environmental conditions are also favourable for further development and a tropical depression could form during the early to middle part of this week. 

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SEA results to be made available online

Parents of students, who wrote the Secondary Entrance Assessment, will now be able to access their child’s results online.

The S.E.A. Online Portal was launched yesterday.

Permanent Secretary Lenore Baptiste Simmons launched the new system at the Ministry of Education

Mrs. Baptiste Simmons said the results would also be available in hardcopy.

The PS assured the portal is secure.

Thousands of students wrote the S.E.A in March this year. The results are expected to be released soon.

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Commission of Enquiry in Paria Trading tragedy sees a resignation

Minister of Energy Stuart Young

A resignation from the Commission of Enquiry into the Paria Fuel Trading Company tragedy.

Minister of Energy Stuart Young says Justice Dennis Morrison has tendered his resignation.

Minister Young made the announcement yesterday during the post cabinet news briefing.

Minister Young gave a brief history of the new Chairman and assured that this will not impact the start of hearings.

The C.O.E appointed on April 22nd, was initiated following the deaths of LMCS divers Fazal Kurban, Rishi Nagassar, Yusuf Henry, and Kazim Ali Jr. at Paria’s Pointe-a-Pierre facility.

A 5th diver, Christopher Boodram, was the lone survivor.

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A division of the office of Deputy Chief Secretary to be opened

Chief Secretary Farley Augustine

The ruling Progressive Democratic Patriots in Tobago is setting up an office of Deputy Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly.

This is a first for Tobago.

The announcement came as Chief Secretary Farley Augustine delivered a $3.97 billion dollar Budget yesterday.

He said among the responsibilities of the office would be the issue of autonomy for Tobago.

He also announced a Tobago outpost will be located in Port of Spain.

Mr. Augustine revisited the Finance Minister’s mid-year Budget.

He said the island is unfairly treated and it was a breach of law.

Addressing the Chamber, Chief Secretary Augustine told of some of the gains of his administration.

He also called for the determination of the island’s Maritime boundaries and a review of the energy revenue sharing agreement between the islands.

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Trade Minister calls on retailers to have a heart, as price gouging seems evident

Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee Scoon

The almost immediate rise in the cost of flour and other food items is causing some concern for the Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee Scoon.

She is calling on shop and supermarket owners to have a heart and think about the consumer.

Yesterday the Minister again listed all the factors, which have led to higher prices locally and globally.

But she insisted price gouging and other unfair tagging would not be tolerated.

She said the Consumer Affairs Division would be monitoring these prices closely.

Speaking during the Post Cabinet News Conference yesterday, Mrs. Gopie-Scoon assured the population will be addressed on relief to the vulnerable in 2 weeks.

National Flour Mills announced a hike in the price of flour on Tuesday.

On Wednesday the second largest provider of flour, Nutrimix also announced price increases.

Meanwhile the Kiss Baking Company has increased the price of its bread by 11%.

The price increase will take effect from July 1st.

In a statement today the company says the 33% price increase announced by National Flour Mills will severely impact the company, as flour is its primary raw material. 

The company states that following a review of all raw material inputs and making every effort to minimize the impact, it has no choice but to increase the price of bread. 

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Another flour provider announces price hikes

Another local provider of flour has announced price hikes.

On the heels of the National Flourmills announcement, Nutrimix says its prices on the brands country pride and premium will be increased between ten and 33%.

The new prices come into effect next Monday.

Nutrimix is the second largest flour provider in the country.

Just as NFM, Nutrimix has also cited the conflict in Ukraine, bad weather and the curtailment of exports as reasons for the hike.

In the Parliament yesterday Chief Whip David Lee asked the Trade Minister how her government intends to buffer the price increases.

Minister Paula Gopie-Scoon said Trinidad and Tobago is not alone in this regard but help is coming.

Meanwhile there are fears that the price increases will reverberate in all sectors using flour.

Pressed to say how the increase in flour prices affects the price of its bread, Kiss Baking Company Limited in a written response, says it is currently reviewing all costs.

Further, Kiss says it is committed to doing everything to minimize the unavoidable impact that the increase in the price of flour will have on its prices.    

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Man gunned down in Chaguanas said to be known gang leader

An alleged gang leader is gunned down less than a year after he and two other men were freed of murder.

He has been identified as David Junior “Abdul Malik” Nesbitt.

Reports say the incident took place at a house along Walters Lane, Bhagaloo Street, Enterprise, Chaguanas, around 9 o’clock last night.

Newscenter 5 understands Mr. Nesbit was at home with his wife when armed stormed the house and opened fire on them.

Mr. Nesbit was hit several times about his body.

He died at the scene.

The woman was wounded and is said to be warded at hospital.

Officers of the Central Division Task Force, Gang and Intelligence Unit and the Region 3 Homicide Bureau of Investigations visited the scene.

Investigations are now underway.

Senior Magistrate Rajendra Narine discharged Mr. Nesbitt, Adrian “Cudjoe” Clarke and Malcolm Quintin on a murder charge after he upheld no-case submissions presented by their attorneys in October 2021.

The men were accused of shooting to death amos dick, at the corner of mano street and postman drive in enterprise, chaguanas, on october 17, 2015.

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President of Police Social and Welfare Association believes his team deserves a next term

Police Social and Welfare Association ASP Gideon Dickson

The incumbent President of the Police Social and Welfare Association ASP Gideon Dickson believes his team deserves another term in office.

He says his team, Prime, has done a great job since assuming office.

Speaking with Newscenter 5 yesterday ASP Dickson said he is proud of his team and what they have accomplished.

However another team, Police Empowerment Party contesting the polls told us yesterday there are concerns.

Contesting the post of President Nigel Williams said the voters’ list remains an issue.

Meanwhile another presidential hopeful for the Fortitudinous Integrity and Transparency Party, Dale Ray, told us his team is all about the membership of the police service.

A total of 6 teams are contesting various positions in the election, which is scheduled to be held next week Monday.

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Chief Secretary Farley Augustine to deliver first budget today

Chief Secretary Farley Augustine

Today is budget day in Tobago. 

It will be the first for the Progressive Democratic Patriots since it assumed office 6 months ago.

Chief Secretary Farley Augustine will deliver the package, as Secretary for Finance.

He has promised a package with a difference.

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Finance Minister says steps are afoot to implement electronic payments for public service

Finance Minister Colm Imbert says steps are afoot to implement electronic payment for the public service.

This after Opposition Senator Wade Mark challenged the government on an Inter American Development Bank loan to do same.

Debate began yesterday in the Senate on the Bills of Exchange Amendment Bill 2022.

It seeks to facilitate electronic processing of cheques by commercial banks cutting the waiting time in half.

In his contribution Senator Mark asked about the loan.

But in response Finance Minister Colm Imbert would say it was a complex issue.

Mr. Mark would blame the government for its reliance on the checking system.

Minister Imbert said changes are coming.

The Bill was passed after going before a committee of the whole.

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