TTMA IN THE NEWS
Crime is hurting the bottom line say business leaders
The seemingly unrelenting crime epidemic reflected in the 500-plus homicide toll for the year to date, violent robberies and other disturbing untoward incidents which continue unabated call for “urgent and critical intervention from the Government led by the Prime Minister” and the Minister of National Security to bring it under control, the T&T Chamber says. And the TTMA is describing the crime situation as one that is in dire need of attention, “as has been the case for some time.” Crime is also forcing businesses to shell out large sums to make costly investments in modern security systems and even to pay for extra security guards. Read more here
NEWS
No water for thousands as WASA cleans up several flooded plants
As many citizens have started to realise, heavy rains do not necessarily equate to a better water supply. TT once again faced the wrath of flooding between Wednesday and Thursday, and thousands were also left without pipe-borne water after surface-water treatment plants started shutting down, particularly in the north, east and in Tobago. Increasingly often, communities which receive pipe-borne water from treatment plants fed by surface water, especially rivers, are left with flooded yards and dry taps after a few hours of heavy rain. Read more here
Criminologist: Mentality of criminals changed
“Girl, 10, among eight wounded in Barataria shootout,” “Two infants wounded in Sangre Grande mass shooting” and “Children, 9 & 11, shot in head, chest.” These are just some of the headlines that have rocked T&T this year. Fortunately, these children did not lose their lives. Nine-year-old Jomol Modeste and Nazim Owen, aged three, weren’t so lucky. They were both shot dead as gunmen targeted the adults around them. According to police statistics, six children have been murdered for the year— one girl and five boys. At least half of them were shot dead. In the last 10 years, 150 children were murdered. Read more here
POLITICS
Imbert outlines Clico Investment Fund distribution
Finance Minister Colm Imbert said distribution of shares and bonds to Clico unitholders will begin in January 2022, after the termination of the Clico Investment Fund (CIF) on January 2, 2023. In the Senate on Tuesday, Imbert gave a breakdown of the status of the fund, which was established by the government in 2012 to redeem the 11-to-20-year series of bonds issued to holders of short-term investment products sold by Colonial Life Insurance Company (Clico) and British American Insurance Company. Read more here
Minister Browne bids farewell to outgoing Colombian ambassador
Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Amery Brown bid farewell to outgoing Colombian Ambassador Martha Cecilia Piñilla-Perdomo during a courtesy call today. During the meeting minister Browne noted the success of Ambassador Piñilla-Perdomo in deepening the cooperation and relations between the two countries. Read more here
BUSINESS
National Energy’s profits increase
The National Energy Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (National Energy) recorded an after-tax profit of $70.96 million and revenues of $342.78 million in 2021. In its annual report, published yesterday, National Energy said, “This was achieved as we continued to focus on synergies, cost optimisation, and operational efficiency which have successfully cushioned the impact of cost escalation. We will continue our efforts on our integrated strategy and work with centres of excellence within the NGC Group, as we continue our growth and sustainability goals through these unprecedented times.” Read more here
REGIONAL
Cheaper electricity imminent
President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Thursday, announced that Cabinet has given its no objection to CH/4Lindsayca for the construction of a 300-megawatt gas-to-power plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara. The Head of State made this announcement via a live-streamed video message following a Cabinet meeting on Thursday afternoon. He related that CH4/Lindsayca was ranked number one to construct the 300 MW combined cycle power plant and natural gas liquids (NGL) plant at Wales. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
US election: Trump tears into rising Republican rival DeSantis
Ex-US President Donald Trump has lashed out at Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, as the simmering rivalry between the two top Republicans boiled over. Mr Trump belittled his former political apprentice as an "average" governor, lacking in "loyalty". Mr DeSantis, 44, won re-election in a landslide in Tuesday's midterms, sealing his status as the Republican party's brightest rising star. He is widely expected to run for the party's 2024 White House nomination. But Mr Trump, 76, looks increasingly likely to stand in his way. The former president - who has a massive campaign war chest and remains hugely popular with the party's base - would be a formidable opponent for Mr DeSantis, or any other Republican who dares challenge him. Read more here
11th November 2022