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In La Brea, on a platform of the Peoples National Movement, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley says his government remains committed to the Energy Sector.

Last night he slammed the previous government’s handling of what is a critical sector for the country.

He said the claims of the United National Congress that the Energy Sector has collapsed under his stewardship, cannot be taken seriously.

Dr. Rowley recalled that as Prime Minister and Chairman of the Cabinet appointed Energy Committee, Kamla Persad Bissessar was absent from 20 meetings.

He said the leader of the UNC is not a good morning person hence her absence from last Sunday’s National Day of Prayer.

Dr. Rowley then issued words of caution to voters who will go to the polls next week.

The Prime Minister said PNM governments have always brought development to communities like La Brea and others cannot be trusted with a the rich resources.

Nafeeza Mohammed tells the Prime Minister he needs to get some help for his political treatment of women.

Ms. Mohammed last night took issue with a statement reportedly made by Dr. Keith Rowley in Chaguanas east on Monday.

According to the former Executive Member of the Peoples National Movement, said Dr. Rowley insulted her by claiming she begged for the job as a Senior Legal Adviser to the Office of the Prime Minister.

Ms. Mohammed was speaking during an intervention on a program of the opposition United National Congress last evening.

She said Dr. Rowley and Camille Robinson Regis have surprised her by some of their public utterances.

The former PNM Executive Member and Senator, last night endorsed the UNC’s candidate in Barataria/San Juan, Saddam Hussein.

There is a possibility that teachers may not go out to work until the new school term begins.

The Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association is suggesting that all schools be closed the S.E.A. preparations go online.

President Antonia De-Freitas says the suggestions were made at a meeting with the Ministry of Education earlier this week.

She says recent COVID scares at primary schools and the increasing number of cases in the country is enough to keep students and teachers home.

Mrs. De Freitas is further advising that some degree of caution be used.

As of yesterday, a total of 11 schools were closed for sanitization, following possible COVID-19 exposures.

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley is claiming persons linked to the opposition United National Congress are trying to interfere with the rulings of judges on matters before them.

Last night Dr. Rowley told of efforts by persons to get the judges to hold their hands on delivering rulings before the August 10^th General Election.

Dr. Rowley called no names but he had a question for the Law Association.

The Prime Minister was at a meeting of his Peoples National Movement in Chaguanas east, where he said the attempts are only for people on the side of the UNC.

He reminded his audience that justice is supposed to be blind therefore it sees no individual or position, just the matters which are to be adjudicated on.

Six days before the poll, one political party says the Elections and Boundaries Commission has made a serious error in the printing of its symbol.

The Progressives say the symbol on the ballot paper is incorrect.

Political Leader, Nicolai Edwards says the EBC is yet to explain the error.

Speaking with Newscenter 5 this morning, Mr. Edwards expressed concern and said the situation can confuse people, particularly in the San Fernando west constituency.

But the Corporate Communications Manager at the EBC Bobbie Lee Rogers told Newscenter 5 this morning; it is too late for anything to be done.

She said Mr. Edwards and his party had two opportunities to recognise the error and now that window is closed.

Mr. Edwards is the party’s candidate in San Fernando west.

He is going up against the Peoples National Movement’s Faris Al Rawi, the United National Congress’ Sean Sobers, Progressive Empowerment Party’s Benison Jagesar and the National Party’s Valmickie Ramsingh.

The Minister of National Security explains why no returning national has as yet been quarantined in Tobago. 

Within recent weeks there have been calls from Tobagonians abroad to be allowed to return to Tobago where they can be quarantined instead of doing so in Trinidad. 

On the Eye on Dependency programme on i95.5fm last Sunday, Minister Stuart Young explained there are challenges associated with such a move. 

Nevertheless Minister Young said he remains open to Tobagonians quarantining in Tobago in the future. 

Minister Young also said repatriation flights from the United States should commence this week. 

Teachers are being advised by their representing union to stay at home until the reopening of school in September.

The Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association is specifically talking to its members who are preparing Standard 5 students for the Secondary Entrance Assessment.

TTUTA President Antonia De Freitas has held discussions with the Education Ministry yesterday where concerns over face-to-face classes, given the rise in COVID-19 cases, were ventilated.

She says following the talks the Ministry was adamant that the SEA will be held on August 20^th and preparation classes will continue.

Mrs. De. Freitas says holding virtual classes is an option.

Mrs. De Freitas says its better to be safe than sorry.

A total of 11 schools have so far been closed for sanitization, following possible COVID-19 exposures.

Schools from the south, east, central and north are listed closed because of the COVID threat.

The County Medical Officers in several districts have advised principals of the schools to close and some have recommended quarantine at home for 14 days.

Ten new cases of the coronavirus are recorded in Trinidad and Tobago overnight.

The total number of infections now stands at 192.

One hundred and thirty-five people have recovered and are no longer in State care.

In its latest bulletin the Ministry of Health says 7 of the new cases are contacts of recently positive patients.

The origin of the other 3 cases is being investigated.

The 10 new cases come hours after Health Minister Terrance Deyalsingh dismissed talk that the virus is raging.

The number of samples submitted to the Caribbean Public Health Agency and the University of the West Indies for testing, is 8,766.

Political Analyst Indira Rampersad says the election poll conducted by Nigel Henry does not reflect the nuances of constituencies.

She says while the poll puts the ruling People’s National Movement in the lead by 5% it is only the view of some people.

She tells Newscenter 5, a poll should be done in the swing constituencies, where the vote really counts.

Dr. Rampersad said the undecided voters are a critical group.

She also noted that respondents do not always tell the truth.

Yesterday Deputy Political Leader of the PNM Fitzgerald Hinds said he was shocked by the results and believes the party should be ahead by at least 25%.