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Government in the Parliament today will seek a 3-month extension of the current State Of Emergency.

The SOE ends in 4 days time.

Last week the government said the extension of the SOE is necessary in the continuing fight against COVID-19.

The government does not need a special majority to pass the motion.

But the leader of the Opposition says while she is going into todays debate in the Parliament with an open mind, the government would have some convincing to do.

Kamla Persad Bissessar questions the government’s intention to extend the State Of Emergency.

During Monday evening’s virtual report, the UNC leader said she is eager to hear the government’s justifications, but the data in the public space is not looking good.

Last week Attorney General Faris Al Rawi said the data being requested by the Opposition Leader are in the public space every weekend during the COVID media update.

And former Political Leader of the Congress Of the People Carolyn Seepersad Bachan says the SOE may be a crime prevention tool but it does not stop the spread of COVID-19.

Mr. Al Rawi said the SOE has been successful.

Mrs. Seepersad Bachan further highlighted the road blocks associated with the SOE saying they create unfair and unwarranted inconvenience to the public.

Health authorities are denying claims that a child has died after taking Pfizer vaccine.

A series of What’s App messages circulated yesterday telling of a fatality linked to the Pfizer vaccine.

Epidemiologist Dr. Avery Hinds told reporters at yesterday’s COVID-19 update that there is no truth to the viral claims.

The Pfizer vaccine is the only one approved for use on children and Trinidad and Tobago has started inoculating secondary school age children.

Dr. Hinds said the Ministry is keeping check on all issues related to children.

The Ministry of Health is reminding parents of children who have been vaccinated to report adverse events via the Ministry’s approved channels.

An organisation calling itself COVID Report TT which is inviting people to submit adverse events to its website.

Dr. Avery Hinds said members of the public should use only bonifide channels.

A warning from Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, if enough students are not vaccinated by mid September his government would do what it has to.

Yesterday Dr. Rowley again pleaded with parents and guardians to have their children vaccinated.

He was speaking at the commissioning of the San Juan Government Primary School.

Dr. Rowley said the Pfizer vaccine is here and available to children between the ages of 12 and 18, so they need to be accessed.

The Prime Minister is insisting children must be vaccinated for their own good.

Delivering the feature address Prime Minister Rowley pleaded with parents to do the right thing.

Acting Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith is defending the present policy that allows some citizens with a Firearm User’s License to own more than 1 weapon.

Speaking at a news conference yesterday, he said he had taken note of an article in the Sunday Express in which statements were made by former Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams on the issue.

He said the law provided for qualified persons who apply for a FUL to be outfitted with one, and a weapon as necessary.

As such, he said Mr. Williams’ statements were unfortunate.

The Acting Commissioner said everyone has a right to defend themselves and their families against the criminal elements.

He was speaking at the Police Administrative Building in Port of Spain.

Opposition Members of Parliament say they will approach, with an open mind, the debate on the government’s motion to extend the State Of Emergency.

However, their leader Kamla Persad Bissessar is raising questions about the government’s intention.

During last evening virtual report, the Opposition Leader said while she is eager to hear the government’s justifications, the data already in the public’s space is not looking good.

The government will tomorrow go to the Parliament seeking the 3-month extension of the SOE.

Government officials, including the Attorney General have stated there is a need for the continuing SOE to keep the COVID-19 numbers down.

Mrs. Persad Bissessar believes the government’s want is for control and power to deal with dissent.

The leader of the Opposition referred to the number of deaths and infections.

She then accused the Prime Minister of flip-flopping on the issue of a State Of Emergency and called on those against the extension to take action.

The State Of Emergency expires on the 29^th of this month.

The motion to extend does not require a special majority in the Parliament.

Rising floodwaters prove too much for some residents of St. Augustine.

Several families were evacuated from their homes.

The Member of Parliament Khadijah Ameen was up to yesterday afternoon displeased with attempts to bring relief to the people most affected.

Speaking from Piarco, Ms. Ameen said the Regional Corporation has failed.

The MP said areas in her constituency have suffered such calamities since the construction of the Curepe overpass.

But in response Chairman of the Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corpration Kwesi Robinson said action was being taken to deal with the situation.

He spoke after a meeting on the flooding yesterday.

Chairman Robinson said the effort would continue as waters subside.

And clean up operations continued in several areas after heavy rains caused by an active Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone.

The authorities told of significant floods and major landslides in some communities.

Yesterday several communities remained under water and the Rural Development Ministry says in one region there have been 65 reports of floods and landslides.

Coordinator at the Ministry Jerry David says St. Helena and Kelly Village have been badly affected by yesterday’s showers.

Mr. David said in the south there have been incidents as well, and one senior citizens home is in danger.

He is grateful there have been no injuries.

And the Meteorological Service has lowered its weather alert level from yellow to green as of Thursday afternoon, but is warning the public that riverine flooding remains under a relatively high alert.

An update on the MET Office’s website reported that while the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) has settled, there were some areas still affected by flood waters, as Trinidad remains under orange alert for flooding.

The public is advised to use caution in areas with floodwaters. 

A Tunapuna policewoman is charged with 11 counts of money laundering and one count of larceny of $405,995.

Thirty-six-year-old WPC Kennisha Henry, was granted $200,000 bail by a Justice Of the Peace on Thursday.

She is expected to appear before a Magistrate on October 6^th.

The police, in a statement say its Finance Branch and Fraud Squad arrested WPC Henry after a joint investigation.

The investigation revealed she allegedly received a cheque payment in error.

She allegedly signed for and received a government-issued cheque in the sum of $264,843.19.

The cheque represented arrears of salaries and allowances, for the period 2009 to 2016, which were withheld from her while she was on suspension.

Police said further enquiries revealed the Finance Branch credited $518,174.20 to Henry’s bank account, on November 20^th, 2020, of which $505,897.64 was deemed as arrears on salaries and allowances.

In December 2020, the Finance Branch detected that an error was made, in an attempted to correct it, it is alleged Henry was told, verbally and in writing, about the mistake and arrangements were made to repay the funds.

However, this was not done.

Come Wednesday government will attempt to obtain an extension of the State Of Emergency, which expires on the 29^th of this month.

The Keith Rowley administration wants a 3-month extension, which takes the SOE to November.

Parliament will be convened from its recess next Wednesday to approve the motion, which is to be moved by Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley.

The country has been under a State Of Emergency since May 15^th when President Paula-Mae Weekes declared it.

On May 24^th, a motion was brought to the parliament to extend the SOE for 3 months.

That was passed with a simple majority vote in the House of Representatives only.

The Express Newspaper quotes Attorney General Faris Al Rawi as saying the Cabinet met yesterday and decided to extend the SOE.

Already leader of the Opposition Kamla Persad Bissessar is not pleased.

She wants scientific data to be provided to the people, which would support the extension.

Mrs. Persad Bissessar is concerned about the impact of the SOE on an already struggling economy.

She says her side has to caucus on the matter.

She says once again the government is falling down on the job, and acting in a vikey-vie, ad hoc, way.

Mrs. Persad Bissessar feels the effects on the eco­no­my must be taken into consideration.

Come tomorrow government will be seeking to vaccinate the nation’s children ages 12 to 18.

The program begins at 8am but Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh reminds parents that they must give the green light for their children to receive the Pfizer vaccine.

The Minister adds that once inoculated, this will assist in maintaining social distancing.

At yesterday’s COVID-19 media update Minister Deyalsingh outlined the sites to be utilised.

The Minister also outlined the locations in central and south Trinidad.

Minister Deyalsingh further noted that areas in Tobago would be announced soon.

But Opposition Leader is accusing the government of bias in its arrangements. 

Kamla Persad Bissessar is not pleased with the selection of vaccination sites, which would facilitate children.

At her party’s virtual report last evening, Mrs. Persad Bissessar said the government is discriminating in setting up the sites.

She believes there is a lack of equity in the process. 

Once again Mrs. Persad Bissessar is claiming the government is making a mess of vaccine deployment.

She wants the Prime Minister to intervene.

The leader of the United National Congress said making the sites accessible would make it easier for people who may have their doubts about the vaccines to get inoculated.