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The so-called cartel claim brought by the Estate Management Business Development Company against 5 companies and several persons, including Dr. Roodal Moonilal, will go trial.

Justice James Aboud delivered the judgment yesterday.

He dismissed application by the five companies, which sought to have the court strike out the EMBD’s claim on the basis that the facts were improperly pleaded.

But the judge said someone has to explain how it is that these unusual patterns, oddities and inconsistencies can exist other than by collusion involving contractors.

Dr. Moonilal was the Minister of Housing, which was responsible for the EMBD.

The judge said the companies, which have countersued the EMBD for breach of contract, have not yet filed defenses in the substantive claim.

He said they are therefore unable to prove that the EMBD’s action against them was unwarranted.

The companies now have 14 days to appeal.

Last night, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley said the wheels of justice are turning.

At a political meeting in Sangre Grande Dr. Rowley again slammed the letter sent to the judge requesting he held his hand on delivering the judgment.

Dr. Rowley called on the people to reject the United National Congress.

For yet another night, the Prime Minister claimed the UNC continues to buy the peoples votes ahead of the election.

In Tunapuna last evening, Dr. Keith Rowley said the UNC is paying no mind to the consequences of its bold and shameless actions.

Dr. Rowley is appalled by what he has seen and again cautioned the voters.

There have been photographs circulated on social media showing people moving appliances, mattresses and other items into homes.

The pictures show La Horquetta/Talparo candidate Jerlean John and some men delivering the items.

They are said to be going to flood affected residents in the constituency.

The Police Social and Welfare Association says outstanding back pay for 379 Special Reserve Officers will be paid later this month.

President of the association Gideon Dickson on the association’s program on Tuesday made the announcement. 

Speaking on i95.5fm Mr. Dickson admitted that some meals and cola allowances are still outstanding but back pay for the SRP’s who did not receive their funds is on its way.

Mr. Dickson noted that these officers have been waiting for a very long time.

He assured them that he has been given a guarantee by the Finance Division of the police service that the payments will be made.

Last year the SRP’s highlighted a number of issues which include late payment of salaries, non-payment of back pay, lack of medical insurance and ridicule by the public and regular police officers.

A 45-year-old man charged with arson is granted bail in the sum of $100,000.

A statement from the police service says Kyle Richards, of Hubert Ranch Street, Vistabella, appeared before the Siparia Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

The unemployed Mr. Richards was arrested following a report of arson in the district on Monday.

According to the TTPS, on Saturday, the victim reported to police that a man who has relations with his daughter was allegedly seen leaving her room after it was set ablaze.

The victim, with assistance of his neighbours, managed to extinguish the fire.

An enquiry was launched but the suspect surrendered to police at the Oropouche Police Station later that day.

Mr. Richards was immediately arrested and charged with arson.

President General of the Oilfield Workers Trade Union Ancel Roget is saying a lot more now about the yet to be sealed Petrotrin deal with the government.

Yesterday Mr. Roget said all was not well with the negotiations to take over the operations and management of Petrotrin.

While the deal appeared close to completion, last weekend and again earlier this week the Energy Minister and his boss Dr. Keith Rowley expressed caution.

Ancel Roget is not buying what he sees as the flip-flopping of the government.

The OWTU’s Patriotic Energies and Technologies Company Limited is ready to take over the operations of the State oil refinery, but it looks like there will be no signing on the dotted lines before next Monday’s General Election.

Mr. Roget feels this is just what the United National Congress wants.

Energy Minister Franklyn Khan has said the government wont be bullied into signing the deal because it is a sensitive process.

Mr. Roget feels politics and votes are in the mix.

He said the deal is being deliberately interfered with. 

The Judiciary closes the 3^rd floor of the Hall of Justice in Port of Spain.

Via a statement the Judiciary says the floor was closed for deep sanitising yesterday after a member of staff, who is a secondary COVID-19 contact, was exposed to other staff at the Court of Appeal.

According to the release, the 3^rd floor of the building houses the Appeal Court Registries, the 2 Appeal Courts, the library, some judges’ chambers, including the Chief Justice’s and his conference room where virtual hearings of appeals are held.

The Judiciary said the 3^rd floor of the building, including the Appeal Court Registry and the library will remain closed, and the public will be informed as soon as further information is available.

It added that virtual hearings and electronic filing remain available for the Court of Appeal.

Last Friday, the Siparia District Court was closed until further notice as a precautionary measure as one of its staff members could have been exposed to a primary COVID-19 contact.

At the time, the Judiciary said the staff member had not been confirmed as a positive case, but the usual precautions called for the closure of the building for sanitization.

In-person hearings and activities at the building were stopped but virtual hearings continued.

The spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Trinidad and Tobago is partly being connected to bars and parties.

Technical Director at the Epidemiology Division of the Ministry of Health Dr. Avery Hinds yesterday said 2 or 3 bars are super spreaders.

At a news conference yesterday Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley also said monitoring of bars and restaurants will be stepped up.

He said the country’s protection from irresponsible people at bars means the police must enforce the laws.

Dr. Rowley said suspension of Secondary Entrance Assessment classes at primary schools has now taken out of the system the biggest risks to the population.

Dr. Hinds also said there was a spread of the virus at schools hence the decision to suspend the classes.

Dr. Rowley and his government are holding firm to the August 20^th date for the examination.

But the Prime Minister was not pleased with the stay at home instruction given to teachers by the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association.

On Tuesday the teachers union advised its members conducting SEA classes to stay at home after COVID scares at several schools.

The President of the Joint Trade Union Movement Ancel Roget uses the n-word to describe some editors at newspapers in the country.

Mr. Roget was being critical of the way the media have treated issues in the trade union movement, when he used the term, twice.

JTUM called a news conference yesterday to demand the government settles some outstanding negotiations before next Monday’s General Election.

Mr. Roget insisted the labour movement has not been showing bias in the way it has handled matters under the current Peoples National Movement administration.

According to Mr. Roget, United National Congress supporters are similar to their counterparts in the PNM, when it comes to hearing the concerns of labour.

Several trade union representatives under the umbrella of JTUM presented a list of issues, which remain unresolved in the labour movement.

The Media Association’s President, Dr. Sheila Rampersad said it is an example of infantile leadership to attack a free press, which has represented the voice of workers over the many years.

Dr. Rampersad says this is silly season not open season on journalists.