The Great African Scandal (Video)
Robert Beckford visits Ghana to investigate the hidden costs of rice, chocolate and gold and why, 50 years after independence, a country so rich in natural resources is one of the poorest in the world... Continue to Video
Gaffoor avoids clean sweep It took ten full months, but President George Maxwell Richards was finally able, yesterday, to swear in a new Integrity Commission, in which only former Industrial Court member, Gladys Gaffoor, survived the debacle of 2009.
Kamla: Max did not consult me LEADER of the Opposition, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, cast doubt on the validity of the appointment of the fifth member of the Integrity Commission, Seunarine Jookhoo, saying she was not properly consulted on him.
Manning declares war A war is on between Government and some elements of the construction sector, and some "soldiers" may fall, Prime Minister Patrick Manning declares.
PM: Govt in construction 'war' Without calling the name of the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd (UDeCOTT), Prime Minister Patrick Manning sent the message last night that the company was responsible for the development of the nation, as Government continues to battle challenges with the local construction sector.
'You're not welcome!' AN ANGRY pensioner yesterday held on to the shoulders of Prime Minister Patrick Manning as he chased him off his property, after the Prime Minister entered the man's premises un-welcomed, during a walkabout of the St Joseph constituency.
Rowley takes on Imbert In his final submissions to the Uff Commission of Enquiry, former Housing Minister, Dr Keith Rowley, has taken offence to what he called inaccuracies coming from the present Minister of Works and Transport, Colm Imbert.
Probe $20m Road As new Integrity Commission sworn in, Kamla queries two UDeCOTT directors Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has wasted no time in bringing two matters requiring their urgent attention. Hours after their swearing-in at the President's House yesterday, Persad-Bissessar drafted two letters on conflict of interest issues involving UDeCOTT board members, Deputy Chairman Krishna Bahadoorsingh and Michael Annisette.
'I have nothing to hide' Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar's new claims of a conflict of interest against another Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT) director over the construction of an access road to a private housing development, are groundless, UDeCOTT deputy chairman, Dr Krishna Bahadoorsingh, says.
Jearlean has yet to meet board members Deputy chairman of the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT), Dr Krishna Bahadoorsingh, said yesterday there were 'no pressing issues' to be brought before new UDeCOTT chairman-designate Jearlean John.
Dick-Forde ducks media One week after saying that UDeCOTT executive chairman Calder Hart was hounded out of office and that the country should feel ashamed of this act, line Minister for the State enterprise, Emily Gaynor Dick-Forde, yesterday ducked the media to avoid any questions on the controversial issue.
Gopee-Scoon: T&T's image untarnished Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paula Gopee-Scoon, says the country's international image will not be tarnished by the fact that the regional and international community has now latched on to the corruption allegations which are being waged against former UDeCOTT executive chairman Calder Hart.
Imbert's politics of mass distraction The tirade unleashed by Works and Transport Minister Colm Imbert against the media is a straight case of the minister "sitting on the river stone and talking the river bad," in the words of the old Jamaican saying.
Buying NAPA in bag That Government could have proceeded to have the designs and construction done by strangers and aliens, and without a single input from the local Arts community brings bitter memories of the debacle of the Mount Hope Hospital, designed and built by French consortia without any reference to local needs, local expertise and local services and materials. And that was completed in 1986, just as the then PNM Government was going out of power, in the wake of a massive "foreign-driven" construction programme riddled with waste incompetence and corruption.
NAPA troubles President PRESIDENT George Maxwell Richards has expressed concern over reports of faulty facilities at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port-of-Spain and has gone so far as to hold a meeting with the Artists Coalition of Trinidad and Tobago (ACTT) on the issue, Newsday has learnt.
MATT replies today to Imbert's claim The Media Association of T&T (MATT) is expected to issue a statement today in response to Works and Transport Minster Colm Imbert's remarks that the media are not balanced in their reporting.
Brian Manning backs down Brian Manning son of Prime Minister Patrick Manning yesterday opted to pay $30,000 in costs rather than go through a seven-day High Court civil trial against talk show host Anil Roberts and Gayelle TV.
Manning's son withdraws slander suit against Gayelle Brian Manning, son of Prime Minister Patrick Manning, yesterday withdrew a libel and slander suit against sports commentator, Anil "Spalk" Roberts, Gayelle Television, and US basketball agent Nixon Dyall. Apart from withdrawing the case, Manning has to pay $30,000 in costs for the failed case.
Pay for river water IN THE midst of a harsh dry season, the country's farmers are being asked to pay a fee to state utility Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) to extract water from rivers, streams and other water courses to water their crops.
Bottled water trade in jeopardy Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) is considering suspending the licences of the six major water bottling companies in T&T, according to a source at the utility.
The caimans come out About two dozen caimans made their way to the banks of the Petrotrin lake at Pointe-a-Pierre on Sunday, as the water levels went down because of the ongoing dry season. The caimans, some measuring over six feet in length, were seen basking on the muddied banks around 5 pm. Several people who were on the Petrotrin compound stopped to look at the reptiles.
Caricom to work on plan for water management The Caribbean Community (Caricom) Heads of Government have recommended convening a meeting to formalise water management in the region, Foreign Affairs Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon has said.
Thirsty cattle invade Debe homes Herds of cattle, in search of water and grass, are causing havoc in Gandhi Village, Debe, chasing residents, trampling crops and invading houses.
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