Dookeran: More UNC people coming to COP

AKILE SIMON

Published: 8 Feb 2010

Recent developments in the UNC will see another 25 per cent of its membership coming to join the Congress of the People, according to COP leader Winston Dookeran. “We will continue to have dialogue with all political and civic groups, aimed a setting the stage for real national unity,” he said. He told the monthly national council meeting of the COP at its Operations Centre in Charlieville yesterday that one of the gatekeepers had fallen by the wayside, and whilst the other gatekeeper built tall walls, he, too, was falling apart. Dookeran said the Congress of the People would survive because it was not founded on the racial divide, but remained an all-inclusive party aimed at the total reconstruction of Trinidad and Tobago. He said the COP was moving with a greater intensity, dexterity and force to manage the affairs of T&T when the time came.

He said he saw no fallout, following the new leadership at the UNC. “There is a new enthusiasm, new vibrancy,” Dookeran said. He said that there had been discussions with the National Joint Action Committee (NJAC) on the reformation of this country's politics, and he had also sent copies of COP’s “Fixing the Politics” to Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Tobago’s TOP. He said there were three basic views under study—the battle to fix the politics in TT; the politics of change that this opportunity has given us; and moving forward as “a nation, so that we can remove ourselves from the imprisonment of the gatekeepers that have kept our modern politics in a state of siege.”

COP will commence the screening of interested candidates for the forthcoming Local Government elections, and it will resume its Meet-the-Constituency visits from Febuary 22. Additionally, the party’s national executive elections will be held on Sunday, June 6. All the posts will be up for grabs, except that of the political leader who holds office for three years, and whose term expires next year May. “It is going to be one man, one vote,” according to Roy Augustus, COP’s chairman. Additionally, there will be a special meeting of COP membership on Sunday, March 7, at the SWWTU Hall, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain. Dookeran said the COP would continue to work with all the people of T&T to improve the quality of life, security and good governance.

Now so long ago I told you all that this man ha to be the biggest cont hole I ever come across.

Everybody joining the Kamla bandwagon. Many columnists, speculators and commentators are slowly comin to the conclusion that this Kamlamania might bring about an end to the COP.

Many COP supporters have already left and even voted in the UNC internal elections.

But here comes Cont galore, living in some fockin dream world to say that 'more UNC people coming to the COP."

Wa d fock I does really be hearing. Ah mean COP supporters is your fockin bouncin head leader for real ?

We got it wrong

Hunt apologises for $2m stadium flag fiasco

by Ria Taitt Political Editor

Five months after its erection at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Gary Hunt, has finally bowed to public opinion, conceding that the $2 million flag was a grave error.

In an address to the nation last night, which focused largely on the accomplishments of his ministry, Hunt admitted that while the idea of the flag was noble, it went all wrong ’in its implementation’. Furthermore, he gave an undertaking to the country that never would this happen again.

’My fellow citizens, although the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs continues to make great strides and has enjoyed considerable success, we have not always got it right. There have been a few missteps along the way and one of these has been the construction of a national flag at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. The proposal to erect a national symbol at a facility that bears the name of our only Olympic gold medallist was a noble one but there were errors in its implementation,’ Hunt said.

’We have heard the public’s concerns and have acted appropriately. I have since directed the Sports Company to adjust its systems and policies to ensure that nothing like this occurs in the future. A national flag should never become the source of conflict and controversy and I wish to assure the national community that it will not happen again.’

This is a major turnaround for Hunt, who, at a press conference held with senior members of the Sports Company in September last year, stoutly defended the decision to erect the flag. He said then that he had received tremendous support on his Facebook on the issue.Â

But in reality, the flag has never gone down well with the population and the matter has continued to provoke criticism and has even been the subject of negative comments in calypso.

Hunt’s shift in position also comes amidst a growing sense of unease within the PNM, having regard to what has transpired within the Opposition UNC and the emergence of Kamla Persad-Bissessar as a bright new star in the political firmament.

In his address, Hunt said it was clear that the country was on the verge of a golden era of sport in Trinidad and Tobago.

’The many successes that we have enjoyed in the last two years are just the tip of the iceberg and the best is yet to come,’ he said.

He said the ministry recently finalised a comprehensive and systematic plan for the future development of sport entitled ’The Way - Pathways to Sporting Excellence’.

’I am confident that this new plan will take Trinidad and Tobago to the highest levels of international sporting glory,’ he added.

Hunt announced that the Sports Commission would be established soon and that the ’highly successful Elite Athlete Assistance Programme’ would be expanded ’to include an even larger base of talented citizens’.

In terms of youth development, Hunt said Government intends to implement 48 more sustainable community youth programmes throughout the country this year.

Saying, however, that Government recognises ’that more work needs to be done’, Hunt said, ’I wish to assure the national community that we shall not shirk this responsibility. Working together with communities, youth groups, schools, as well as our national sporting organisations, I have no doubt that we will scale even greater heights in the months and years ahead.’

Gary Isaac Hunt now realise that?

Wa really happen is that some PNM syco teef half of that money and dey fock well know who it is.

He should push ah flag in the Colombian oman who threaten we here.

End of UNC Monday Night forum

By AZARD ALI and RICHARDSON DHALAI Monday, February 8 2010

DESPITE her painful injury, UNC political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar launches a “Meet the Constituency tour” tonight in the heartland of former political leader Basdeo Panday’s Couva North constituency.

The meeting replaces the traditional UNC Monday Night Forum — which was conceptualised by Panday — to sensitise UNC supporters every Monday on national issues. The forum, however, has not been held since the UNC announced internal elections in early December last year.

Panday told Newsday yesterday that he has not been invited to tonight’s Meet-the-Constituency tour although he is Opposition Leader and the Couva North MP. The tour will begin at the Chandernagore Presbyterian School from 6 pm. Panday had voted in that school in the January 24 elections, but lost to Persad-Bissessar by over 12,000 votes for political leadership of the UNC. Yesterday, he said: “I have not been invited, but I will see how the meeting develops.”

Asked whether he will launch his own parallel meetings, Panday said that it all depends on how the new meetings of the newly-elected UNC executive fare. “I will see how they develop and if it becomes necessary then I will, or, I will not,” Panday said.

Neither Persad-Bissessar nor new party chairman Jack Warner were available last night to comment on why Panday had not been invited to tonight’s meeting in his own constituency.

The discontinuation of the Monday Night forum further widens the ongoing rift between Panday and the newly-elected executive led by Persad-Bissessar.

But pressed for a comment on tonight’s launch which is in the Couva North constituency heartland, Warner, who is UNC chairman, stated, “We, this new executive, never had a Monday Night Forum. That was a Panday initiative. This new executive will not be having any Monday Night Forum.

Kamla will instead be going into the constituencies and meeting the people and getting first hand information on their problems.”

A release issued yesterday by Warner stated, “We wish to announce that the party’s leadership ‘Meet the constituents tour’, shall commence on Monday February 8, in the Couva North constituency, at the Chandernagore Presbyterian School from 6 pm.” “These meetings are intended to be an ongoing exercise as we seek to construct the bridge between the people and the leadership.

It is our answer to the call to bring people closer to the governance.” Persad-Bissessar, who was injured when she fell in the Parliament chamber on Friday, will be the feature speaker. She spent yesterday resting at her home in Siparia for most of the day.

Asked yesterday whether he will bow to Warner’s request to allow Persad-Bissessar to become Opposition Leader, by no later than next Wednesday, Panday said: “The office is not something to hand over. I can’t hand over any office. If they have a letter they should send it to the President who will appoint a new leader of the Opposition. As it is now, I have not being informed by the president.”

It really look like Jack Warner take over this fockin party now yes.

Another nigga. Ah mean dis fockin party going to mash up now. Kamla cyah open she cont and talk.

Why JAck have to be making all the statements? Why Jack obsessed wid getting rid of Panday ? Why he have to talk to the MP's?

Something smelling fishy.

WASA starts rationing

THE WATER and Sewerage Authority (WASA) yesterday announced a national rationing plan in order to conserve the country’s dwindling water reserves, saying it was the only way to ensure customers have at least a supply they could survive on during what seems a tough dry season ahead.

Also, as of Wednesday morning, there will be nationwide restrictions on water use. Customers found breaking these restrictions, which fall under the Water and Sewerage Act, will face fines of at least $80 or $90 per offence.

Repeat offenders who leave sprinklers on excessively, religiously wash their cars with hoses, and refuse to take responsibility for their actions where water conservation is concerned will be further penalised, WASA corporate lawyer, Dion Abdool, said at a press conference at the company’s St Joseph headquarters yesterday.

The restrictions will be published in the press before they take full effect tomorrow, WASA officials said. The authority’s police will be on patrol once the restrictions are in effect.

WASA officials said given the low rainfall levels of last year, and further dry conditions this year, water will be redistributed from areas with regular supplies to those with irregular supplies.

’There will be a redistribution of water,’ WASA CEO Dr Jim Lee Young said.

We started with a dry wet season ... the levels in our reservoir are lower than they should be for this time of year. And we still have to enter the harshest part of the dry season.’

He said total rainfall for January was just over 30 mm, more than 40 mm less than the Meteorological Office had previously predicted. He explained that ’certain areas of Trinidad are blessed with water’.

’We will start moving water from those areas, for example the north-west part of Trinidad, and sending it to areas with less,’ he said.

He said water from areas like the Diego Martin and Tucker Valley area will be moved eastwards. Lee Young said this would then displace water from the Caroni area and the displaced water will run further into WASA’s system and be fed to other areas within the network.

The CEO said while WASA has its job to do, citizens also had to do their part in conserving water for everyone in the country by fixing things like leaking pipes and rotting tank floats.

’We are now asking our customers to respond,’ he said.

Company chairman, Shafeek Sultan-Khan, also said customers could soon expect to get WASA meters. ’We are going into universal metering,’ he said.

While Sultan-Khan said WASA had its own share of fixing to do, he said once people had meters on their homes they would be more willing to fix leaks quickly and save water more efficiently.

These setta PNM fockin niggas spend out all the money blingin on fancy fockin building and now crunch time, it eh have no water.

How come niggas cyah think that hard times will come and the first priority is to provide people with basic things to fockin live.

Nah, build big big fancy building and teef out the fockin money, gove Calder Hart to tote out for you.

Now the money done we have to suffer. Somebody should bull Mannning in he bottom.

Ramesh: Kamla should rethink chief whip

Tabaquite MP Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj is hoping that UNC leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar reconsiders the process of the appointment of chief whip. Maharaj said he received a call from Persad-Bissessar last Thursday asking for proposals for a chief whip. “I told her that is was my view that she ought not to change the status quo until she got a consensus of all the Members of Parliament.” Last Friday, Maharaj said he was surprised to see that Persad-Bissessar appointed Jack Warner as chief whip. Maharaj said he later found out that some of his colleagues were never consulted on the matter. “I am hoping that sister Kamla would reconsider this matter with the members because as a party in Parliament we should try and stay together. I am prepared to help.” Unless there is a consensus, Maharaj said the UNC can lead to problems in Parliament. “I think errors can be corrected and Mr Warner has a large heart. I am sure that whatever happened would be in the interest of Parliament.” (SH)

Well is either one out of 2 things.

Ah hoping is ah fas one she pull on Jack for em to take he own toti and fock he self or either he fock she wid it.

I dunno why dem suckin up to this fockin con artiste.

Ravi B crowned youngest Chutney Soca Monarch

RAVI BISSEMBHAR is the 2010 Chutney Soca Monarch. He was declared winner before a mammoth crowd at Skinner Park, San Fernando, early yesterday morning.

At age 27, the popular chutney artiste, whose stage name is Ravi B, is the youngest winner in the history of the 15-year competition.

Singing “You Know Ah Was ah Drinker”, Ravi B made a dramatic entry on stage at 10.15 pm carried on a sofa by members the bmobile Shiv Shakti Dance Company. He was accompanied during the performance, which was filled with dance and drama, by Barbadian soca star Allison Hinds and his sister, popular chutney singer Nisha Bissembhar.

The new Chutney Soca Monarch credits popular music producer Big Rich, (Zaheer Khan) of the Pungulungs Factory for his success.

“He is the mastermind behind this song. I was just lucky to get this sweet melody and rhythm from Big Rich,” he said.

The song was written by Kevin Kissoon, of Piarco, who gave the lyrics to Big Rich. The producer then chose the music and experimented with various singers.

“Ravi has a youthful and playful disposition. I believe the melody and lyrics suited his personality,” Big Rich said he celebrated the song’s success early yesterday morning.

The new monarch, who is booked to perform every day until Carnival Monarch, has won $200,000 in cash.

In winning the title, he edged out a favourite in the competition, Rikki Jai, a former monarch, who had to settle for the second prize of $100,000. Jai’s song “Barman” has been ruling the airwaves in the recent weeks and has earned him a spot in the finals of the International

Groovy Soca Monarch.

In third place was newcomer, Moses Charles, 21, with his composition “Indrani”. Since the release of the song, Moses has been in big demand to perform at fetes and is booked for the biggest chutney shows of the season.

“I know people enjoyed the song but coming up against the big names in chutney was really a nerve wracking affair,” he admitted.

Charles also credits Big Rich for helping him develop the hit song.

“Although I was responsible for choosing the music to go with my song, Big Rich polished the tune to a certain perfection so it became an instant hit,” Moses said.

Big Rich had a hand in the three top songs in the competition and worked on 11 of the songs in the finals, including Omadath Maharaj’s “The Night Before the War”. Maharaj, who performed the military-style song accompanied by the Primala Dance Company, placed fifth.

Another newcomer, and the youngest competitor, Kris Persad, 20, placed fourth with “Sunita”. Persad, son of veteran musician Veerendra Persad, rode on stage on a white horse much to the delight of the crowd.

In sixth place was Lalchan “Hunter” Babwah, who sang. “Puncheon”. Defending champion Kenneth Salick did not place among the top six in the competition.

These fockin dumb ass coolies cyah even sing ah fokin song about something else beside RUM.

This chutney ting goin from fockin bad to worse. All yuh should say thank god George SIngh is Lenny Saith family and he ha good contact for big prize money.

These conts illeterate yes!