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Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Faris Al Rawi insists, the property tax will benefit all.

But an opposition member promises to axe it if elected.

In the parliament yesterday Mr. Al Rawi said, it was the united national congress that initially supported the tax.

But opposition member for St. Augustine Khadija Ameen did not agree.

The former attorney general said, already millions of dollars are available to the boroughs and corporations.

Ms. Ameen pledged her side would axe the tax if elected.

They were contributing to debate on the 2024/2025 budget in the Parliament.

Claims from the opposition leader regarding paedophilia in the ruling, Peoples National Movement are dismissed by, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley.

He says, if Kamla Persad-Bissessar knows who they are, she should name them.

It was during her official response to the government’s 59.74 billion dollar budget presentation last Friday, in the parliament Mrs. Persad-Bissessar stop short of calling names.

The Prime Minister says, if Mrs. Persad Bissessar has proof she should call names.

Speaking to the media via whats app last Saturday Dr. Rowley said, since  Mrs. Persad- Bissessar knows enough about that, to raise it as part of a national budget debate,  he  would not dignify this disgraceful act of desperation with a comment until she identifies the perpetrators.

He said until then, he will dismiss her and the disgusting allegation with the contempt they both deserve.

Police are promising a thorough investigation into the suspected suicide of, 15 year old Jayden Lalchan.

Jayden’s parents have said, he was bullied at school and this would have led to his death.

Assistant commissioner of police wayne mystar says bullying is against the law and the boy’s death is being probed.

ACP mystar says, statements have been taken from people close to jayden including his parents and teachers.

At their home on broomage road princes town yesterday the boy’s parents Roshan and Fareeda Lalchan insisted they lost him to bullying.

Jayden was a form four student of the St. Sephen’s College.

His mother is reported as saying, the bullying started when Jayden was in form one.

Police officers from the central division are in custody, as investigations continue into the alleged kidnapping of a used car dealer in Cunupia.

The arrests, made by officers from the professional standards bureau and the anti-kidnapping unit yesterday, came after a police vehicle suspected of being involved in the crime was impounded the day before.

Two of the three officers in question are from the Caroni police station.

One out of the three officers is currently assisting investigators in locating the missing victim, identified as Sachel Kungebeharry.

Mr. Kungebeharry was allegedly abducted on September 25th, when the car he was travelling in was stopped by a marked police vehicle.

Three men, two dressed in tactical police uniforms, forced Mr. Kungebeharry into the police vehicle, while two others accompanying him were left unharmed.

It is alleged that a ransom of $500,000 was paid for Mr. Kungebeharry’s release on September 29^th.

Up to yesterday he was still listed as missing.

A petition is launched to have Colm Imbert removed as finance minister, over his reported failure to implement the marijuana legislation.

Hosted on change.org the Namza Muller led petition is addressed to President Christine Kangaloo and to date has amassed over 600 signatures.

Speaking with Newscentre Five yesterday Ms. Muller said, it is an industry waiting to happen.

She said, it is the hope those in authority hear the pleas of the people.

Ms. Muller contended that, citizens are enduring tremendous hardship because of the management of the public purse by minister Imbert.

A 79-year-old cancer patient is jailed for the sexual assault, of a 14-year-old girl one year ago.

Lloyd Williams of Cedros is stricken with stage four cancer.

Justice Lisa Rmsumair-Hinds told Mr. Williams yesterday, the sentence was appropriate for the predatory conduct.

The judge pointed out that neither the man’s age, nor his disease had deterred him from raping the girl.

Mr. Williams was living at the home of a relative in west Trinidad, when he committed the crime.

His reason for staying at the location was to ease his transportation woes to and from the oncology clinic at the St. James hospital.

Justice Ramsumair Hinds noted that Mr. Williams had pulled the girl into the house, and threatened to kill her if she screamed.

After carrying out the act, which lasted for about 50 seconds, he offered her money to stop her from crying.

The judge said, she found herself terribly discomforted by the medical condition of the prisoner, but she could not ignore that this prisoner was diseased with cancer and was quite old when he raped the girl.

Mr. Williams’ attorneys, Delicia Helwig-Robertson and Avionne Bruno-Mason had asked that a non-custodial sentence, be imposed on their client, but this was rejected by the judge.

Government announces that property tax collection has already accrued over, 91 million dollars.

Minister Imbert said, yesterday the government has done everything possible to be fair and despite what he describes as propaganda being spread by the opposition UNC, there is nothing to fear with regard to the tax.

The finance minister said, persons would soon be able to do cashless transactions.

He said, this would be implemented on or before October 31^st.   

Finance Minister Colm Imbert presents, a 59.74 billion dollar national budget for fiscal year 2024/2025.

In his more than 5 hour-long presentations yesterday, Mr. Imbert delivered his 10^th fiscal package under the theme steadfast and resolute, forging pathways to prosperity.

He pegged the budget on an oil price of 77 U.S. dollars per barrel.

He is hoping to raise over 54 billions dollars in revenue.

The finance minister said, the non-oil sector is expected to contribute the largest amount to projected revenues.

He said the fiscal deficit is estimated at just over 5.5 billion dollar, which he says, is well within international standards.

In the break down of the budgetary allocations, education once again takes the largest share followed by health then national security.

The Tobago house of assembly is allocated close to $3 billion dollars, and Mr. Imbert says, it represents an increase over 20% of the last budgetary allocation.

According to Mr. Imbert, his administration has given the THA the largest budgetary allocation than any other administration.

And Mr. Imbert has big plans for Tobago, particularly the Magdalena Grand Hotel.

He says, government intends to offer the hotel for sale or lease, and to develop a 5 star internationally brand hotel on the island.

Six individuals are convicted and sentenced for illegal entry into Trinidad and Tobago.

They appeared before senior magistrate, her worship Armina Deonarinesingh, at the San Fernando 3rd magistrate court.

A TTPS release says the individuals, all of a foreign nationality, were charged on Thursday and after pleading guilty to the offences, were remanded until their sentencing on Friday.

The court convicted the six and fined them $5,000 dollars each.

The release says in default of payment, they each would serve 30 days of simple imprisonment.

They were given two weeks to pay the fine. The TTPS says, it will continue to collaborate with relevant authorities to ensure the safety and security of the nation by preventing unlawful entry and addressing such offences with the seriousness they deserve.