The population must be commended

It is commendable – the disciplined and mature response by the population to the 18-18 political grid-lock and the unprincipled stance and drumming of war cries by the leadership and senior members of the UNC.

The hate and the poison which continue to exude from the vituperative assails by spokespersons over the weekend must not and will not precipitate confrontation on our streets. Ramnath and Rambachan are coward mice whose only recourse is to appeal to the base instincts of the least conscious of their followers. Wade’s mark is that he is an ordinary Mongrel without a stripe. The equally vituperative assails on the President of the Republic by known bigots and dividers of society must be condemned – unconditionally. They must not succeed. In 1995 when the elected Member for Tobago East, as His Excellency then was, made judgement on moral grounds and was guided by his spirituality in having Panday and the UNC ascend to the Prime Ministership and government, all was well with Mr. Robinson then. Judgements on grounds of morality and conscience, spirituality – not religion – spirituality and a sense of higher being, beyond the flesh – all of these were all acceptable and welcomed back in 1995 and Mr. Robinson was a hero then.

Today, it is the same judgement on the same grounds but with Mr. Robinson in a different position and exercising greater moral authority and with greater knowledge of the performance, the modus operandi and modus vivendi of one Basdeo Panday and his disgusting sycophants. They must be constantly reminded that the UNC government was given every opportunity to rule. It brought itself down by its own greed and corruption. It therefore has none to blame but itself. They are devoid of decent breeding. They lost because of their lack of spirituality and their non subscription to acceptable standards of morality and integrity in the conduct of our public affairs.

They succeeded in bringing almost every public office into disrepute. They must respect and leave the office of President alone. The UNC’s leadership is dishonest and vile when it claims the President’s action to be unconstitutional. The leaders of both the UNC and the PNM informed the country that they would refer the decision on who would be Prime Minister to the President’s determination and that they would abide by the President’s decisions. It is sickening the way the issue is now twisted and His Excellency maligned.

Trinidad & Tobago is unique. It is truly blessed. It might well be because the great majority of our people are decent, possess a Trinbagonian spirituality and subscribe to some reasonable moral standards. There is no other place like Trinidad & Tobago. Just think of it and juxtapose this country with any other in the world. I mean, for two whole weeks – in some political situations that is a long time – December 10^th to 24^th, this country operated on Auto Pilot – there was no leader, no government. And what made us most unique is that there was not even on Army Sargeant with the political ambition or military sagacity wanting to intervene. We are unique, spiritual, moral minded and blessed. We must not spoil this. We must not allow Basdeo, Wade, Manohar, Jack, Sat, Ganga and Suruj to spoil this.

Let more voices of substance and strength be heard in defence of the President, the Country, freedom and democracy. This is one such voice.

A Happy, Peaceful and Productive New Year 2002 are wished for in Trinidad & Tobago.

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Congratulations to Mr. Manning on his appointment.

Congratulations to Mr. Manning on his appointment. It never entered my mind that His Excellency. The President might do otherwise. Indeed, I thought it inconceivable that a defender of Justice, Peace and High Morals and Integrity, if the decision was his, would appoint Mr. Panday, Prime Minister in the aftermath of a maelstrom of allegations of corruption over the outgoing Prime Minister administration superintended.

I do know that a major section of our multi-religious population will be disappointed and some may even be moved to anger but they’d better not go beyond that because, as it is their privilege perhaps to choose corruption, malfeasance and indecency in the politics, a more than equal number of citizens consider it our right to struggle for and defend democracy and morality in the conduct of the country’s public affairs.

Mr. Manning and his PNM outfit are course not without sin but any objective and honest observer will agree that Mr. Panday and his UNC plunders have taken us too close to being the world’s most corrupt country and therefore too near to barbarism – just consider the spate of violence and criminal activity to have hit the country and the gruesomeness of the crimes.

It holds some promise that the two parties – the UNC and the PNM have agreed to a 10 Point Plan to facilitate cooperative and therefore non-confrontational and objective governance over the crucial months ahead. For the country’s sake, it is imperative that the two parties’ leaderships are committed to it. We continue to recommend the proposals submitted by the Group of Independent Unions and NGO’s to His Excellency, the President and Messrs Panday and Manning.

I witnessed via – the Television – the President’s Address to the nation and His Excellency once more epitomized the many of virtues which our moral and spiritual teachings by all our various religions inspired. He continues to be a pillar of very great strength. Seasons Greetings and God’s gracious blessings to all.

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A Word on the EBC

It was always our view that among the members of the Elections and Boundaries Commission there were to be found some honourable folks – men of strong principles and moral standing. And it has been my most considered opinion that is there was only one such person of emulative character on the EBC, he had to be Dr. Norbert Masson. Like we said last Wednesday, ‘one is encouraged by the fact that there are still many citizens of good standing and integrity in our society – men and women from walks of life who refuse to be bought by offers of office, appointments to Boards and Commissions and Diplomatic postings’. In other words, many of our decent men and women yesterday refused to be entangled in the shenanigans of the corrupt politics of our political parties and most of all the most corrupt we have ever had – the UNC. So there is hope yet for Trinidad & Tobago. And this is in spite of another rotten deal highlighted in one of today’s newspapers.

It is reported that a Construction firm owned by one of the UNC’s most prominent financiers has submitted a bill to the Defence Force for $6.7m for renovation works to the Army’s ‘cookhouse’ at Teteron Barracks. Well, this seems quite a cook up of a recipe for corruption and a violation of the public tendering system. But what is just as bad, if not worse, the previous and original promise that the renovation works would be done free of charge. Now, who in authority would have believed and accepted that? Is somebody crazy here? That is not the reason that Dhanraj has been sent for psychiatric evaluation? Dhanraj had not been responsible for the Defence Force and National Security. Even the most dotish but honest ought to know that Institutions such as the Justice, Law & Order and Defence Systems – so as to maintain and appear to be maintaining their independence – are never ever subjected to favours by private interests. The next thing is that somebody with money – however he may have come by that money is owing and/or controlling the Police or the Army. Are we mad? Who acquiesced to Mr. Galbaransingh’s ungenerous offer? An did he soberly consider the possible consequences to his acceptance of such outrageous generosity?

And why is a bill now submitted for payment for works originally intended to be done for free? Is it as a result of the pendulum on December, 10^th not swinging to 24 and instead positioning at equilibrium 18? It should still be investigated. It is important enough for a Commission of Enquiry. And just examine it a little bit further! $6.7M? To renovate one cookhouse? Up to quite recently two Secondary Schools with cost over-runs and all would have been built for that sum of money. This thing smells very fishy and looks scamp – ish.. Let us examine everything very carefully and smoke out the agents of venality in the body politic. Let us all beware of the God fathers in the Construction game and in the game of constructive football too - The stuttering but for the time being – Season’s Greetings to all ! Yelpers and the Impish Builders. Be careful on the roads. Drive Safely! Remember – accidents do not just happen, they are caused.

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We are witnessing the beginning of a new era

I think I heard a misrepresentation of the Independent Unions’ proposals this morning on TV6’s Morning Edition. We never proposed an Interim Government to be headed by a non-elected Prime Minister. The Constitution is very clear on that matter. What we did propose among other things were: That there be a Caretaker Government comprised of persons who were elected on December 10 and that in order for the issue of corruption to be dealt with and appear to be dealt with in a just manner, it would be best if the person to be appointed as Prime Minister is one who had not been a member of the last government. That should be clear. It is absolutely clear. It is abundantly clear. There is no ambiguity there except if one is cockeyed and find reasoning a difficulty. But it is obvious too that common sense is not very common.

We have also called for the resignation of all of the EBC Commissioners and the CEO and we proposed such major overhaul as is necessary to restore public confidence in the EBC and integrity in the list of electors that it provides. As a matter of fact, there is much talk about the place about voter fraud in the San Fernando West Constituency with the exchange of $500.00 the elector’s un-used ballot. One suspects that it was only out of some frustration and wanting to maintain decency and not delay the process any further that the vanquished in that constituency discontinued the request for a recount and examination of poll cards. The EBC may be necessarily involved in any hanky panky there but one hopes that it will have all unused special ballots returned to it and it is with much disappointment that one was informed that there was no agreement between Messrs Prime Minister (outgoing) and leader of the opposition to probe the EBC.

On the other hand, there is great suspicion surrounding Mervyn Assam’s demand for another recount of the Tunapuna ballots. A very strong view is that Assam is not interested in another recount from the standpoint that the election result might change? The Merv with one syllable too many to his surname is just playing the game of obstructionist to make time for many behind the scenes fandangles and kuchoor. He comes across as such a bombast.

Times ahead for the next twelve to thirty-six months will not be without difficulty whomever the President might appoint as Prime Minister. There will be many challenges to avoid further deterioration of the body politic. One is encouraged by the fact that there are many citizens of good character whom we can call to duty and on whom we may depend for a contribution to a restoration of some of the good old days value systems. The era of great emphasis on price and ignorance of values has taken us so very close to barbarism. So much crime, so many murders. There is too much corruption,

The society is too diseased, there is so much destruction and dying and death. Let us pull ourselves back from the brink. An encouraging sign is the newspaper report that there is agreement on Professor Max Richards as Speaker of the House of Representatives. Professor Richards is sure to restore dignity to the office and institution of Speaker of the Honourable House.

We pray that His Excellency the President will soon make such an appointment that will help to restore respect and dignity to the office of Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago

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As we near the end of annoying chants by the ugly and crooked.

Thank God tomorrow is Saturday and the grand finale to an otherwise long and interesting campaign in which the incumbents seem prepared to do anything and everything, including bussing the treasury so as to retain power and thereby obviate any investigation and possible prosecution of the many serious allegations of theft and corruption by the real honchos and mafia in the outgoing UNC government outfit. Those in custody on murder and corruption charges and the ones still at large on charges of misconduct in public office are ordinary professional miscreants who were no doubt operating on instructions and in cahoots with the honchos and smart foxes – some silvery and others sly. For them, these elections are really not about Old Age Pensions and an improvement in the quality of life of the people. For them, these elections are not about that. It is about having control of the keys to the jail and the treasury so that their transparent banditry continues. Tomorrow we will for another day continue to hear their chants of the "ugly and crooked’. It may even continue to midnight on Sunday.

If only all our eligible electors would abandon the influence of race and accept the ethical and moral influences of all our various religions and make a very bold decision to vote against corruption and its promoters we would perhaps be making the most powerful statement since our refusal to support the US invasion and bludgeoning of Grenada flowing the equally murderous and vile St George’s Massacre carried out by Bernard Coard and supported by former communist turned UNC candidate and staunch comprador defender of the corruption committed against the plebs. We need not call his name. We will only suggest that Mr. Boynes will confirm his own ineptitude and ineffectiveness if he loses Toco/Manzanilla except by fraud. So the point here is meant to emphasize that the removal of the corrupt and the elimination of corruption may well be a single most important contribution the improvement in our quality of life – equitably increasing Old Age Pensions, NIS Pensions, the Minimum Wage; overhauling the Social Services including Health and Education and dealing with physical infrastructure – road transport and water beyond helter skelter paving and the inelegant dropping of pipe as has been described by a once well respected advocate.

There are some people no doubt of acceptable character among the incumbents but they may well be tainted by association. An example was George Chambers in 1986. He lost the Government and his own seat quite humiliatingly – not because of George Chambers but because of his association. Incumbent Finance Minister and candidate for St Augustine is coming across as the most arrogant that Panday could find to represent the Singaporean Lee Quan Yew whom he fancies. That matched with Mr. YetMing’s seeming lack of development ideas and apparent limited book keeping abilities are perhaps more dangerous than the many wild, unstudied and expensive promises being made on the two major platforms.

I am seeing a most interesting development happening in Pointe a Pierre. It is not only because the Team unity Candidate will very seriously affect the UNC’s support there. On the ground, the constituency feels that it has had its fill with the allegations and charges against Dhanraj, they then had the North American Cowboy, Bill Chaitan dumped on them only to have his bona fides questioned. They are now not sure that they can trust the Leadership’s judgement and now this UNC Candidate they say, is not Lilias Wight. Ms. Wight they claim was truly a lady who represented Pointe a Pierre some years back. Farad Khan is young, bright and decent, he should make a good representative. We’ll thank God it’s Friday. And please have a safe, peaceful and reflective weekend. And do your Civic Duty on Monday.

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The Narrow choices of an abused electorate

Good Evening and welcome to the OWTU SPEAKS. Events occurring over the past two weeks kept me away from it and somewhat out of it – that is, this 5 –minute programme Monday, Wednesday, Friday and our campaign conducted by the Integrity Platform. I wish to thank David Abdulah for holding fort in my absence from these two activities. The countdown has started. The race to Parliament and Whitehall is truly on. There are five (5) days left to the General Elections, 2001. By next week this time there is expected to be much debate, one way or the other. 

If things go the way a decent electorate should influence them, then by this time next week some people ought to have come under suicide watches by the authorities and their Passports seized to avoid their opportunist promises of $1,000 Book Grant, $1,000 Old Age Pensions, $8 Minimum Wage are made with such exasperation in their advertised political announcements that the vampire’s desperation to retain office and power and therefore evade and avoid making a jail is very glaring.

If only the electorate will act maturely and sensibly; if only it will influence the future by affecting the present; if it will only reject the subtle and sometimes open appeals to apanjhat politics by those who would use race in the race to parliament and Whitehall; if the electorate will only commit to a subscription to acceptable moral standards and integrity in the conduct of public affairs: if it will do the decent thing by condemning and punishing corruption, then the UNC cannot and will not win next Monday’s General Election except by fraud of the nature that the Communication Workers’ Union has advised of and alerted the country to. Now, there is no intention here to unjustly offend. Of course, the Book Grant for Secondary and free books for Primary School goers are an important and too many, a necessary item.

The issue of Old Age Pension at $1,000 is also very relevant but does address properly the real poverty by which our senior citizens are afflicted. You see, there is no philosophical approach to dealing with the economy, the social organization of our society – support systems, the necessary overhaul of our Education System away from the breeding and nuturing of deviants and blatantly potential criminal elements. The issue of a proper minimum wage becomes an absolutely repugnant item when so opportunistically use as a political item by trade unionists themselves whose Party has been in power for the past five or is it six years? Instead promises and offers are made on these items as a means of corrupting the process and bribing the electorate. But those are the methods of the politicians whose very modus operandi is bribery and corruption.

It is really unfortunate that the electorate has such narrow choices in our electoral politics when all you hear is that one party is stealing the ideas of another. And when one hears the mouthings of some candidates one is tempted to think that we going forward falling backwards. Has anybody listened to the new blue-eyed kid on the block? Well I thought that such a grown kid would look, act and sound more sensible. Could they have found a more asinine clown that Robin Montano. I hold brief for neither a Party or any Candidate in the Elections but I expect the electorate to act sensibly and against corruption. Mr. Robin Montano should lose his deposit for stupidity. The UNC is set to lose San Fernando West, Tunapuna and Ortoire/Mayaro too. I should like Trevor Sudama to retain Oropouche. It is very interesting – the way Basdeo Panday’s UNC has been bribed and corrupted out of office and power.

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In the Aftermath of Nomination Day

Nomination Day for the December 10^th General Elections is now just three days away. The two major parties both launch their campaign officially with Rallies on Sunday. One would think that the country is now off and running for the election, but it isn’t.

There are very real concerns about the integrity of the Electoral list. These concerns are not the figment of a fertile imagination. There is just too much direct evidence of names that should be but are not on the list, and all this in a scenario where the overall numbers of electors in the constituency balance, suggesting that as some names drop off, others are being added on. The EBC, rather than acting to allay people’s concerns and to provide full public information, instead responds in an arrogant manner. Commissioners Wilson and John have done an inestimable amount of damage to the credibility of the EBC by the responses and comments to the public, via the media. Indeed, there is a greater unease about the Electoral list today than six weeks ago. The several error-riden versions of the Preliminary list that was prepared for end October and the failure of the EBC to provide the entire list of names of persons deleted from the list have only sought to heighten the anxiety of citizens. There is also the strong undercurrent that the list favours the ruling Panday UNC. All of this adds up to a volatile situation.

It is for these reasons that the Independent Trade Unions & NGO’s sought to intervene in early October by calling for a Caretaker Government for a sufficiently long enough time to ensure that the integrity of the Electoral list was to the satisfaction of all political parties and to civil society in general.

The country may well regret that we did not go that route. For one thing, a Caretaker Government would have had a limited mandate and would therefore have enabled the country to settle down and go to the polls fully confident that the result – whatever that may be – would be legitimate. On December 2000 we had a result that at least half the country did not regard as legitimate – what with allegations of voter padding and the Gipsy/Chaitan fiasco. To have a second General Elections in 12 months that will be viewed as lacking in legitimacy, could well result in a climate of continuing political instability and uncertainty.

The President would do well to examine all these issues in light of the power that he exercises under The Representation of the People Act Chapter 34(1) "Where at any time between the issue of a writ under section 33 (1) and the day appointed by the writ for the holding of a poll at any election the President is satisfied that it is expedient to do so by reason of ……….

The likelihood that the revised lists of electors for all electoral districts or for any particular electoral district will not be ready before the day appointed for holding of the poll; ………… The President may by Proclamation adjourn the holding of the poll to some other day specified in the Proclamation being not more than thirty days after the day specified in the writ".

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Divali Message to the Nation

The OWTU wishes the entire nation of Trinidad and Tobago and the Hindu community in particular a Holy and Happy Divali 

The beautiful Festival of Lights could not come at a more appropriate time for our country. Indeed, it is a reflection and affirmation of our multi cultural, multi-ethnic and multi -religious society that Divali is the first of three major religious observances to be held in  short six week period in which the entire country will participate, the others of course  being Eid and Christmas. 

The lighting of hundreds of thousands of Deyas tonight  that will glow all over our country symbolises the triumph of good over evil, enlightenment over ignorance, light over darkness, morality over immorality, truth  over dishonesty, peace over violence.

At a time when our society is so riven by the forces of evil, we more than ever need the light of Mother Lakshmi. We cite the terrible violence that has resulted in too many of our citizens being the victims of abuse and murder. We cite the blind and unthinking loyalty which some have to party and leader, placing these before nation. We cite, the pursuit  of naked self- interest  and the accumulation of obscene personal wealth at the expense of and  to the detriment  of fellow citizens. We cite the scourge of corruption and bad governance, which scourge is stalking our land like  Rawan. 

We cite the excuses and games being played with the truth as persons with whom trust has been reposed,  make a mockery of their positions and abuse their power, all in an attempt to deny that acts of wrongdoing have  been committed. 

For all these reasons, may the light of the Deya illuminate our nation. 

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 "Reasonable" and "Decency" according to the Oxford Concise Dictionary

My Concise Oxford Dictionary defines reasonable as having sound judgement; sensible; moderate; not expecting too much; ready to listen to reason; not absurd; not extortionate; tolerable.

The same dictionary describes ‘decency’ as propriety of behaviour; what is accepted as being required by good taste or delicacy; avoidance of obscene language and gestures and of undue exposure of person; respectability; requirements of respectable behaviour. The question today is – can the descriptions ‘ reasonable’ and ‘decent’ be ascribed to the characters of Messrs Basdeo Panday and the rest of his government?

The TV6 ‘People Meter Question’ last night suggested that 76% of respondents viewed the INNCOGEN issue as a corrupt deal. And this was after the ‘to-hell-with-everybody’ and arrogant responses by both Panday and Ganga Singh to querries about INNCOGEN being overhung by bankruptcy and as a consequence, its imminent sale. But that is not all. A very dishonest and most ludicrous defence of INNCOGEN was entered by the Prime Minister and the UNC-controlled Board and Management of T & T.E.C. when they said that INNCOGEN saved the Country from disastrous BLACK OUTS recently. They told a very desperate corrupted lie and impugn the worthiness and integrity of the technical operations and Management of both Powergen and T & T.E.C. itself. And they plan to exacerbate this ignominy with T & T.E.C.’s General Manager on TV6’s Morning Edition tomorrow morning – his having been instructed by T & T.E.C.’s Chairman to go there and defend the indefensible. INNCOGEN is a really hot one you see - in the current acts committed against the public purse and the country. Indeed in this current business one who understands the fundamentals of electricity will say that the corrupt dealers had no IMPEDANCE – that is – they lacked total effective resistance against the temptation to engage in malfeasance and depraved activity. They were indecent and unreasonable. And until acceptably decent and reasonable explanations are given by Panday and Ganga, will continue to hold that the INNCOGEN deal; and that those engaged in that deal, if they belonged then and still are, members of the government – they should do the country a favour and resign. But one will be engaged in wishful thinking if one would expect the indecent and unreasonable to behave with decency and reasonableness.

Next, there is the award of potentially lucrative telecommunications licences to the Gillette Group of Companies whose former principal, one Lindsay Gillette was at the time, a Minister with responsibility for the particular area of government and who is today holding down the powerful Ministry of Energy in which portfolio other questionable matters are pending. Did he or did he not find himself in a conflict of interest situation? The popular view among non-ethnic, non-rabble rousing and non-UNC dependant people of ordinary, upper and lower levels in our stratification, is that we have a government which is inclusive of all of the evil, backward, crooked and rascal tendencies that one can locate anywhere in the Caribbean. The view is that the cultural corruptness of the clique governing our national affairs is the raison’d’etre of the Lion fighter’s half of the UNC staying together, and as such it is not reasonable to expect any of them to resign. Had they possessed any scruples at all. Gopeesingh would have gone and the Speaker who was first bought for a chubby and a doubles would have vacated the chair without a hassle. But Trinidad and Tobago must decide between performance and corrupt incentives on the one hand and ethics and morality with high levels of performance on the other. The choice is clear! Join the OWTU’s Anti-Corruption March Saturday 10^th 9.00 a.m. at Pointe a Pierre Roundabout.

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05.11.01

The INNCOGEN Saga

The INNCOGEN saga continues with the Prime Minister suggesting that it did not matter that INNCOGEN was not going to be a co-generating facility but an electricity generating plant instead, according to Mr. David Perry, the Plant’s General Manager. Indeed, Mr. Perry claims that both Messrs Panday and Ganga Singh, then Public Utilities Minister were made aware that the construction of Glass and Paper factories and an Ethanol Plant were not to be, and that therefore the electricity generating entity would not be a co-generating facility. Everybody but the co-sponsors of politics and their twin defenders of malfeasance, graft and bobol has claimed that the Cabinet and the country was misled and that act of deceit and deception is today compounded by the equally false and arrogant response given by Mr. Panday. T & T.E.C.’s Management’s responses, made through paid newspaper advertisements are simply farcical and asinine. What cheaper electricity are T & T.E.C. and the country getting from INNCOGEN? How could it be cheaper if I am made to purchase something which I do not need especially if that something is above and in addition to that which I need and have already procured? Is somebody stupid here or are too many of us inebriated with Johnny Walker Blue or kakapool rum from the Distillery which we want to give to friends without insurance for the workers’ and peoples’ interest?

Do we know that the cost to T & T.E.C. and the NGC for natural gas which is INNCOGEN’s highest cost input but which the York Research Corporation, its parent company, gets for free will never be compensated for by the fact, if it is true, that T & T.E.C pays a little less for the INNCOGEN generated electricity than it pay for the Powergen supply. Let it not go un-noticed that T & T.E.C. is the majority 51% shareholder in Powergen, which ensures some return to the country to the extent of 51% of Powergen’s profits. What have we got, what will we get from INNCOGEN? No more than trinkets, some 500 years after we were first fooled with shining beads and bits of reflective glass. Except that this time around it is alleged that somebody was made a $12m man and perhaps another was bribed with shares in a Cayman Islands registered Company. Oh! How very insulting! This is so damned insulting. It is especially insulting when, in the face and in the teeth of all of this we are told that this will be the easiest of victories at the polls for a Government against whom the most charges of bobol, immorality and public thiefing have been made in the history of our nation.

It is insulting and sickeningly repulsive when the doctor type neophytes among us who have only barely emerged from their piteous states will tell us in their arrogance and puerility that corruption is not an issue even if it exists. How very insulting! Well, Trinidad & Tobago must surely demonstrate that it deserves better and that it could hardly tolerate the rascality anymore. Demonstrate your disgust on Saturday 10^th November this coming Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. at the P-a-P Roundabout.

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02.11.01

The Integrity Platform

The Integrity Platform mounted by a few Independent Trade Unions and NGO’s has had already, two (2) very successful public community meetings at the Point Fortin Civic Centre on Wednesday evening and at Majuba Junction, La Brea, last night. Those meetings were very well attended by hundreds of community residents – not rent-a-crowd participants bussed from other constituencies – hundreds of community residents who repudiate Dr. Moonilal’s bombast that "corruption, like sex is not an issue" in the election campaign. Our Integrity Platform insists that corruption to the extent that it has consumed the incumbent UNC Administration has affected adversely, the delivery of good governance to all of the citizenry of Trinidad and Tobago. We insist that the delivery of goods and services, the provision of health and education and other social services, the safety and security of the poor and unprotected – all of these areas for which government is responsible, have obviously experienced serious drawbacks as a consequence of the denial of resources to our relevant institutions to the extent of each dollar that is corruptly diverted to the benefit of the rascals with glib tongues and adhesive fingers in the government.

Roodal Moonilal’s obnoxious and highly questionable doctoral intervention on radio two days ago, has served only to confirm the culturally corrupt orientation of his outfit. The ‘gook’ of a Government Minister suggests that ‘corruption in Trinidad & Tobago is like sex’ Now, now – Mr Moonilal’s

Physiognomy suggests a characteristic of the neuter gender and perhaps denotes ignorance of sex but to claim that there is no corruption and that it is therefore not an issue is a most ludicrous denial which is itself a characteristic of the culpable and guilty. But is not my intention to waste valuable time on Dr. Minion. Let us continue to identify and focus on the INNCOGEN scandal.

T & T.E.C. and the National Gas Company have been screwed and the consequences of this will be carried by all of us for the thirty (30) years of irrevocable guarantees afforded INNERCOB and York Research Corporation by the Basdeo Panday facilitative administration. This was no ordinary transaction determined by normal business practice. The national interest was sacrificed to benefit the interest of a few. Indeed, the national interest was sold on a platter to some smartmen in short pants and other jacketed conmen. Hear the response of a former PNM carpetbagger turned UNC financier/Energy Minister. On the proposed sale of INNCOGEN. Mr. Lindsay Gillette says as he is quoted in today’s Business Guardian – "Private companies are allowed to do what they need to do. Many things happen day today in the United States – people are sold, people are bought – this is absolutely nothing at all". This is the confession of Mr. Gillette who is without the tact of what one might identify as good political acumen. In other words, Gillette is not smart enough to tell a plausible lie. Hear the man "people are bought day to day". Is Mr. Gillette saying that in the INNCOGEN deal a whole government, a Prime Minister, a Public Utilities Minister may have been bought and that T & T ‘s national interest was sold out?

Trinidad & Tobago had better wake up out of its political slumber and in the interest of peace and justice, bread and harmony send Messrs Panday, Moonilal and Gillette packing. The country deserves better. Say no to corruption and the politics of division. Demand morality in the conduct of our public affairs. Join our anti-corruption March next week Saturday November, 10 in San Fernando.

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31/10/01

Corruption Deals Abound

Will the INNCOGEN corrupt deal be made to pale into obscurity as the equally corrupt $30m Indian Rice scandal? York Research Corporation, the parent Company of INNCOGEN, was committed we were told, to putting down Glass and Paper Factories which would being much needed jobs to the Couva area. Well, after three (3) years of those promises being made and two (2) years of INNCOGEN’s operation – much to T & T.E.C.’s and the country’s disadvantage, - the only glass that we have is the one through which we continue to see how transparently corrupt the deal was, and the only paper that has materialized is the one on which the worthless deal was written. That we are today informed that INNCOGEN is up for sale and that bankruptcy looms over it, emphasizes the extent of the wuk that "Shortpant’ Singh, Paladino, "Pipeman" Singh and the Bas put down on a hapless Trinidad & Tobago. We will not let it escape us. You should not let them bamboozle you. INNCOGEN was never of any benefit to the country. It was never intended to benefit the country either. It was, plain and simple an opportunity for a DEAL! – one to benefit singular and small collective interests.

T & T.E.C. has been made to TAKE-OR-PAY to the extent of the Paladino-determined value of 95mw if electric power NGC – that is the National Gas Company has been made to carry the burden of non payment and sometimes long delayed part payment for the natural gas that it is made to supply T & T.E.C. for unward delivery to INNCOGEN for free. Yes, it sounds crazy but its true. No corrupt deal is ever without its element of madness. One might even say that that is why this particular one was concocted, signed and delivered at St Anns. The important point here is that T & T.E.C.’s burden for 95mw of electricity that it did not and still does not need, is really a burden that all citizens are made to carry. And so – non payment to the NGC is a denial of natural resource benefits to the people. But somebody becomes a $12m man and some foreign outfit creams off profits which it uses to service other contracted foreign business deals.

And you know what? We are told that there is no corruption. That must be as utterly absurd as the mouthings of the other fool who in 1986 said ‘All ah we thief’. Our current political pretenders are as scabious and scabrous as some of an earlier administration. And mind you – we are not about sciamachy here – we are not fighting with imaginary shadows. Corruption continues to eat away at the body politic of Trinidad & Tobago. It is being made a way of life in our national politics. It is what dictates that Lake Asphalt must be sold or leased to private capital. It is what is dictating the demonopolisation and dismantlement of the NGC. If these are done, when they are done – Trinidad & Tobago will stand for nothing and our people will be done. It must not happen! Corruption is an issue which must determine the outcome of the December 10 exercise. Say no to corruption and stand up for a decent and peaceful T & T. Join the Anti-Corruption Public Demonstration #2 on Saturday 10^th November in San Fernando.

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Election Promises

The things that careless politicians say and the outrageous promises that some of them make. Think about it! Just think about it – a permanent Commission of Enquiry on corruption? – and this, to come after the December 10 General Elections? Basdeo must really think that the entire electorate are dunces or worse than that – like the dotish Adesh of EMA fame or like mongrels, Dorothy and Polson. But, that he is beginning to even talk about a Commission and some kind of enquiry into corruption, is perhaps evidence of Mr Panday’s yielding to the many demands so far expressed for immediate and decisive action against widespread corruption alleged to have taken place over the past four to six years and involving many known government officials, party operatives and activists in the corporate Board Rooms and Management of State enterprises and Statutory Authorities.

If Mr. Panday is to however be seen other than an obscurant and one without cocoa in the sun, he must agree now and institute now, adhoc Commissions of Enquiry – that is: Commissions of Enquiry that will investigate now, those allegations of corruption in the RHA’s Petrotrin, Trinmar’s SouthWest Soldado, N.P. the Airport, Miss Universe Pageant, Inncogen Desalination Project and numerous others. And it is instructive that the corrupt be investigated now or we may well face the grave embarrassment of exposing members of the Parliament and Senate and even the Cabinet perhaps after they are returned – some of them to elected and appointed office. In the face of so much compelling evidence attesting to the fact, it must be with the most disgusting disrespect for his claimed 307,000 supporters specifically and the entire electorate and citizens generally that Mr. Panday would so arrogantly and dismissively respond to the charges of corruption that have dogged his UNC administration from about the middle of his first term in government.

The mamaguism in the promise of a Permanent Commission on Corruption and now the AG’s, that is the new AG’s promise that the proposed Prevention of Corruption Act will be one of the first pieces of legislation to be laid in Parliament after the December 10 general elections ought not to hold water with anybody who is thinking and honest. It must be an indictment against the Prime Minister and his government that in the face of all that has happened and continue to be perpetrated against the public interest and the poor in particular, Mr. Panday screams that there is no corruption. That is a lie and many who professed to be with testicular fortitude seem now to have lost not only their ovoid pair but their voices too no doubt as some of them play their PIP cards in their various chambers waiting for a slice in the next deal. Mr. Panday went into December 2001 General Elections with the corruption monkey on his back. Indeed on a quiet November Tuesday 2000 a dossier on Petrotrin highlighting Soldado was presented to the Prime Minister. That was before Nomination Day November 20. One remembers the Prime Minister’s response.

One consequence of that was the withdrawal by the UNC declared candidate for Arouca North. And of course, allegations of corruption in the Inncogen deal were all before that – long before that. So too was the swirling cesspool of shenanigans at the North West Regional Health Authority. So too were the cost overruns, the over invoicing and inflated charges for non-work and shoddiness at the Airport. For less than these Cabinet Ministers were made to walk and Governments have fallen. But they were in democracies where there are, even today, a subscription to the philosophy of collective responsibility and a commitment almost to morality in the conduct of public affairs. Here we seem, some of us, culturally depraved and spiritually bankrupt. Have a peaceful and happy weekend and look for our anti-corruption March on Saturday November, 10, 2001.

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22/10/01

Disaster at Techier Village

The OWTU expresses its solidarity with the residents and community of Techier village, Point Fortin in this, their hour of need. The Central Executive of the Union, led by its President General toured the affected area earlier today and expressed the Union’s support to residents, while our branch officers from the Trinmar and Point Fortin branches have been interacting with residents and community leaders from Friday evening when the blow-out first occurred.

Residents have experienced severe trauma as a result of the blow-out of a well owned by Petrotrin and operated by Tracmac under the infamous lease-out arrangement. The health of residents has been adversely affected as a result of noxious fumes and the contamination of the area by oil. There has been very serious environmental damage as well as major property damage.

We condemn the very slow response to this emergency by Petrotrin, the lease-operator Tracmac and the other government agencies like the EMA and the Ministry of Energy. We are, however, not surprised by their relative inaction.

We state this because of the fact that Petrotrin has persisted with its nefarious policy of leasing out oil-wells even in the face of overwhelming evidence that this policy is resulting in a major health safety and environment crisis as well as severe losses to the company. The OWTU has warned Petrotrin to desist from this policy. We have taken major industrial action on three occasions for this year alone, in an effort to pound some sense into the company’s management, but it seems as if stick break in dey ears!

The OWTU’s position is clear and simple. The lease-out and farm-out programmes result in poorly trained, inexperienced, under-equipped and inadequately supervised contractor outfits engaging in highly specialised oilfield work. This situation is a recipe for disaster.

In the first place the workers who are employed by these outfits have their lives and limbs put in jeopardy every work-day. Indeed, the statistics demonstrate that the vast majority of oilfield accidents and especially accidents that result in injury and/or fatality involve lease-out operators and/or other contractors. At the same time these workers are poorly paid and have inferior terms and conditions of work to permanent workers in the industry.

Secondly, the risks of an environmental disaster are also higher. The present situation at Techier Village amplifies this point. Thirdly, Petrotrin is more often than not ripped off by these operators. In many cases, the operator utilizes some of Petrotrin’s equipment, without this equipment being counted as a cost to the operator. Any supervision done by Petrotrin’s workers is likewise not counted as a cost to the operator. The operator therefore is able to artificially reduce its costs and the mirage is created that the operator can produce oil at a cheaper rate than Petrotrin.

Finally, in many instances there is outright fraud as the operator sells Petrotrin its own oil! This is done by some simple re-routing of oil-pipelines so that oil from Petrotrin’s tanks are re-routed into the tanks of the operator! It is to be noted that while some operators have been caught red-handed in this illegal activity, none has been brought to court!

Corruption is therefore the driving force behind this policy of lease-out and farm-out of producing fields and wells. After oilworkers in the producing fields took major protest action earlier this year to stop a plan to lease out a further 900 wells, the company agreed to a joint task force to examine whether the company itself could better operate the wells. The task force, which included management personnel, agreed unanimously that it would be better, from both an economic and technical and safety point of view, for the wells to be operated by the company itself.

In spite of this Petrotrin, under directions from Junior Minister, wannabe senior Minitser of energy, Bill ‘royal family’ Chaitan, has proceeded with the lease out policy. The only reason being that for every well given out, somebody will benefit personally. More than that, a major political investor wants to get his hands on the entire oilfields, and the pitch lake too.

Techier village is the result of this madness. We must stop it NOW!

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Golfing with the scalpers and slumbering with the devil.

The campaign has hardly started but mischief and confusion have begun. Mr. Mogril Polson does not seem altogether and when he speaks he most times confirms it. Almost similarly, the Archbishop lady sounded her usually disorganised self when she reported on the suspicious rendezvous, which she was supposed to have with a certain UNC FAB heavy roller.

These two complaints of offers of inducement, threats of violence, threats to murder, Mr. Polson having to sleep in the bush – these would quite easily and summarily dismissed as flashes of drama by overactive but yet idle and unproductive minds had it not been for the kind of rough tactics recently introduced into our politics – remember what they did to their own Councilor Sumairsingh – And their more recent fulminations such as – "they would be lynched if they come here" and "where they would live? In the sky?"

What we have here is hardly politics. What we have is bad talk, banditry, crookedness, spite, bribery, mamaguism, golfing with the scalpers and slumbering with the devil.

What we have here is mastery at the art of corruption and the skill of deception. And the politics if corruption is never unaccompanied. It is always attended with more corruption, violent crime and murder.

The practitioners of that kind of politics really have no limits, they have no scruples, they have no compunction and they have no class. And theirs has always been a culture of greed, grudge and corruption. And the last corrupt act is to be covered and shunted into obscurity by another corrupt act and all of them are to be shielded and, when questioned, buffered by feigned innocence and insulated by the power of office which itself is desperate fought for and sometimes itself corrupt won and held. It is not easy but there is no alternative to fighting and struggling.

Corruption in the state sector, corruption which denies the poor a meal and a place to sleep; corruption which demands that the unemployed must pay a bribe for a job and which denies the provision of more job opportunities; corruption which robs the ailing poor of the medication and health services; corruption which abrogates the Tendering Process and awards contracts to friends, cronies and financiers; corruption which puts people against people on the narrow considerations of race, ethnicity and religion; corruption which affords $12m men and proprietors of real estate in foreign lands; corruption which promotes exploitation of the unprotected; corruption which ultimately breeds violence, murder, mayhem and anarchy – must not be allowed cover under any carpet. All such corruption must be exposed and the perpetrators brought to justice.

The campaign for political office must not, will not divert our attention from examining the characters, performance and track record of those men and women in whose hands we are invited to entrust the affairs of our country and our lives and that of our children. Be identified with the demand for a better and peaceful Trinidad and Tobago!

Stand up for morality and integrity in the conduct or our Public Affairs. Join the anti-corruption Public Demonstration on Saturday November 10^th.

Have a safe weekend.

Look out for the children.

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Squelches of political bats, gremlins, leeches and venal vermins 

Jingle Bells on two successive occasions now, and within 12 months will have given way to Vampire Season, when instead of the gleeful squeals of children and young at heart parents, we are subjected to the squelches of political bats, gremlins, leeches and venal vermins on the corner, in the bamboo and in our living rooms too – via radio and television. They exploit and plunder our resources; they divide and separate our people; they mislead and work against labour; they literally steal from and rob the poor and then they want to tear themselves in two (2) at election time and cry to the masses ‘Half of me is you and the next half is yours’. They full ah theatrics – ordinary scamps, no less. They must know that the wages of sin against the poor – the ordinary Indian and African poor – is political death – never to see office again. And, corruption in the state enterprises and public sector has a very direct connection with thiefing and robbery and banditry against the poor. We must not forgive them. And it has nothing to do with race, ethnicity and religion. It has everything to do with greed, power, gluttony, corruption and promiscuity in the devil’s bed. We must exercise all of them. Let us not be influenced by their river of tears. Let them cry blood and brine.

Because death saved John and Boysie is no reason that we should let Ali Babah and his brigands escape and capture power and manipulate office to perpetuate a ‘feeding frenzy at the public trough’. They must be stopped or life in Trinidad & Tobago will be a living hell if one did not belong to the United Network of Parasites or put another way – the ‘Undemocratic Network of the Corrupt’. They twist for their own dishonest purposes the legal structure of the State Enterprise in which ownership is fiduciarially placed with the Corporation Sole. They take this to mean that Petrotrin’s resources, the resources of Trinmar, NP, First Citizens Bank, Caroni, Tanteak, Lake Asphalt, T & T.E.C., NGC, the RHA’s, MIC, MTS and all of the country’s other resources could be dealt with, rented, leased, farmed out, pilfered and otherwise exploited as if they were the private property of the boss, the clique of parasites or the party.

Trinidad & Tobago must be mobilized to stop them. The mobilization must be across lines of race, religion, geography, party affiliation and other narrow considerations. It must be mission ‘Save Trinidad and Tobago? Stand up for Peace Bread Justice and interracial solidarity. Stand up for Integrity and Morality in the conduct of our Public Affairs. Say no to Corruption! Dismiss the corrupt and malfeasant! Stand up and be counted among those who would struggle for a better, peaceful, decent, corruption free and god fearing Trinidad & Tobago. Join our Anti Corruption Public Demonstration #2 on Saturday 10^th November, 2001. All are invited and will be welcomed.

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For whom the bell tolls

As most of us expected, the authorities were forced by the letter rather than be influenced by the spirit of the constitution and moral suasion to dissolve the Parliament and clear the way for General Elections on December 10. And these elections are to be conducted against the background of public disquiet over perceived partiality by an Elections Commission and the integrity of the Electoral List. All of this too with the worst charges of widespread corruption ever to have been leveled against any government of Trinidad & Tobago. It will be interesting, the candidates whom the outgoing governing party by whichever name, will put up for the consideration of voters in the 36 constituencies. What is likely to be their platform? What is likely to be their position on a host of social issues affecting the country such as crime-including white collar crime such as graft and corruption?

What will they say on the corruption in the State Enterprises – Will they have a manifesto? Will they use the same of that they campaigned with last year? Would their slogan lie the same as last time – "Performance beats old talk?" I feel that no Manifesto is really necessary this time around. The electorate should select candidates on the basis of their own integrity and their sponsoring party. They should be judged on the issue of corruption. This might also eliminate the issue of race, ethnicity and religion.

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12/10/01

The snarling tantrums of the king of Chicanery

One listens to our local legal luminaries and again it seems that the country and its relevant institutions are about to be badgered into yielding to the snarling tantrums of the king of Chicanery, the despotic Grey Fox. Nobody seems impelled by conscience and rectitude anymore. And integrity and uprightness seem to have died at the "RISING OF THE SUN".

When one points to the Constitution, the supreme law of the land, another points to its inadequacy and silence and yet others remind us that the foxy boss to whose whim all are expected to pander – God forbid – expresses a view and belief that "kings make Constitutions, constitutions do not make kings." Such are the ones who deny the spirit of the law and who would even effect constitutional change – whether to party or country – without decent process.

So the Prime Mischief maker (or is it the maker of koo-choor) instructs – that’s what he has been doing to the country – he instructs the President to dissolve the Parliament and issue writs for a General Election on December 10, 2001. The President, as he is expected to do, especially in our current circumstances, requests a stay so as to ascertain the appropriateness of the instruction and that suspected institution, the EBC’s, state of readiness for a General Election. Of course the President was once again disrespectfully and disgustingly criticized and accused of being in a conspiracy – a conspiracy to undermine and remove Mr. Panday’s government from office. What arrant nonsense, ludicrousness and impertinence.

We insist that the EBC at its highest levels is suspect and does not enjoy the confidence of the people. And this is exacerbated when the Chairman of the EBC gets down into the arena as he did yesterday to say which Party is likely to have difficulties with the electoral List for Mr. Panday’s December 10th fandangle.

We insist that an Electoral List that is clean and that represents the living, where they live and where they ought to be registered to vote is the least that should be expected of a Commission and a CEO who are independent, impartial and who subscribe to the highest levels of integrity.

We insist that corruption is the issue that has brought us to this sorry situation, - corruption on a scale so wide and so deep that it can be easily detected and alphabetised as Camille Robinson-Regis reveals corruption which only Basdeo Panday denies even as it swirls around him and reduces him to the g’ohoo which regrettably he now seems to have always represented. And it sometimes appears so hopeless when one listens – as sprangs would say – to the hodge podge of vacuous rhetoric from the other opportunist who sees and presents himself as the obvious alternative.

Yet, the citizens are presented with so narrow a choice. That too no doubt suggests how dichotomic our political situation has become and therefore how easy it is for thieves and defenders of corruption to command mass support – at least among the tribe. There are those of us though who cannot and will not accept that and I emphasize that if Trinidad burn down, I living in the ashes.

We should take notice too ……. That the sinful is strengthened in his iniquitous ways when he is joined by weak men who pretend to be wise but who are with greedy palms and empty scrotums.

As the campaign heats up, whether for General Elections or not, our "Integrity Platform’ will more vigorously pursue the issue of morality in the conduct of Public Affairs. The corruption and its sponsors of the past six years will not be allowed to rest undisturbed and will not be given easy passage; the corrupt and their political defenders and sympathisers must know that graft, malfeasance, thiefing and corruption retard national performance any day and deny poor people the benefit of the state’s resources. Therefore, we shall stage another anti-corruption march within one month from now. Our theme will be "UNITE FOR PEACE, BREAD AND JUSTICE – UNITE AGAINST RACISM AND CORRUPTION". All but the corrupt will be expected to attend. The platform will not promote any Political Party but will allow all parties who are committed to the unity and interracial solidarity of our people, all who are unconditionally opposed to corruption and who will promote integrity and morality in the governance of our country, to participate.

Look out for it – we are coming to you – you are who will make the difference between Peace and Good Governance on the righteous side and anarchy and barbarism on the other.

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08/10/01

Our politics and constitutional conundrum

The State of our politics and constitutional conundrum of the past several days are now the mother of all confusion – I prefer the sophistication of the word – ‘Imbroglio’ – though the confusion is of course made more intense by a speaker who seems not too bright and a Silver Fox who very clearly has been out manoeuvred and outfoxed. His slipperiness seems to have failed him this time. Among other things, his Achilles’ heel is his bedfellows in the parasitic oligarchy and the massive cesspool of corruption swirling all around him. It seems that his own feet of clay are disintegrating in the muck. He has only himself to blame. The country, when all is clear and there is confidence in the EBC and the Electoral Lists again, the country must examine very carefully, the words words-even those that are not said, the lives and history of men and their philosophies. Some have none! The country must choose very carefully and must no longer confine itself to ‘the who’ we must put in charge but more fundamentally, it should consider what we must have as a guiding philosophy, a people’s programme for growth and development and the systems by which those who are made responsible will be themselves governed and controlled.

With all that has been unfolding over the past week and the serious questions over the integrity of certain institutions since the Nominations of November 20, 2000 and the suspect Electoral List used on December 11, 2000, the questions of transparency in the Government’s conduct of our public affairs – with all of these there should be no ease escape from a thorough investigation and scrunting by one’s flippant call on the President to dissolve the Parliament – just so – and issue writs for a General Election on December 10, 2001. Not just so. We have sought to intervene as members of the group of independent Trade Unions and NGO’s and in that regard we have communicated to all MP’s and His Excellency some proposals.

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Times are becoming more and more interesting in our twin-island republic as the sun begins to set on an era of the worst case of banditry, avarice and drunken political opportunism ever to have been perpetrated against Trinidad & Tobago. The politics are at its rottenest – deeper divisions in the society looms and violence portends – just listen to the threats of lynching and the rhetoric used to mobilize the mob. These are distractions, however to divert attention from the real issues. Notice the sleight of hand attempts to shift blame and mask the grave infractions and offences committed against the public good. Hear the half-arse attempts to redefine and clothe the parasitic oligarchy in raiments of respectability and corruption – that is the issue – corruption on a scale never before known in Trinidad & Tobago has effectively shut down government, the Executives of which cannot, must not be saved from drowning in the faecal whirlpool sunk by their own violent defecation, resulting from the colic following their gluttonous gorging at the trough.

This country has had many anxious and difficult situations but today the Republic is certainly faced with its wildest conundrum. At the moment of discussion on an approach to developing ‘ethical society’ we are at the region’s center stage, defending and even promoting perpetrators of graft and corruption and ordinary miscreants. At an earlier time there were many protests mounted against the twin evils of corruption in public affairs and alienation of major sections of the population and national community at the hands of the parasitic oligarchy. Indeed there were declarations of one’s preparedness to ‘sleep with the devil’ to rid the society of the evils. The truth is that one is in fact sleeping with the devil and has come to exacerbate the evils with an all inclusive ticket, gilt edged (US) dollar quoted. We remember the Television Series – The $6M Dollar Man with Steve Austin – I think – something of a hero and a defender of the underdog. Kids loved it – parents encouraged its viewing. Today, we have foisted upon us $12M men and intoxicated pipe-dreamers about whom we must educate our children. We have short-term, high paid contract consultants cum political executives who did not understand their contracts.

We have molar extractors who could not articulate that teeth pulling have shifted from the use of pliers to a paradigm of finely sophisticated and technologically crafted dental tools. We have a wanderer who was stutteringly recruited and who when he smelled the rat after nomination and wanted to abandon ship, demanded, and it is said, received the (US) equivalent of $2M (TT) to stay on board. We have cowboys whose knowledge of the energy sector limits them to the technique of oil prospecting with the use of the ordinary folk stick in the late 18^th century, early 19^th century days. One was even dismissed twice for ignorance and incompetence by two predecessor State Oil Companies.

With a bunch like this, unable to win on their own steam – even a village council election – with a bunch like this and without the expressed and determined concurrence of the Chief, will the corruption at NWRHA, NP South West Soldado, Petrotrin and Sundry other places be decisively dealt with? The answer is no! Therefore they should go! They must go!

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On the sate of our national politics I was moved to comment a few days ago that it is only the lame brained, the politically obtuse, the sycophantic opportunist, the racist obscurant and non-enterprising remnants of the new wave parasitic oligarchy who refuse to accept that the UNC’s corruption and mismanagement; its condonation of malfeasance and blatantly transparent immorality in the conduct of public affairs have been this country’s greatest set backs since the depression of the late 1930’s and later, those devastating hurricanes that affected us and then the 1990 July 27 coup attempt. This UNC gang of political brigands – and we mean "Team Corruption", no small group of musketeers, this gang of political brigands has demonstrated in little time and in no small way, the UNC’s unfitness for government and rulership. They are the pits, they are too repulsive, and they are beyond redemption. But they have only themselves to blame. They were given every opportunity and free passage to carve their own niche and provide good governance and the politics of inclusivity especially after the abysmal and embarrassing performance of the PNM’s political eunuch of the 1991-1995 term of the then self acclaimed putative father of the nation.

But an objective and a political assessment will reveal that nothing – absolutely nothing, has been worse and more damnable and repulsive than Basdeo Panday’s and the UNC’s brand of government and their knowing superintendency over the most sickening incidences of corruption ever to plague Trinidad & Tobago. The UNC seemed to have set out to obliterate the street-hustler record set by the notorious O’Halloran and Francis Prevatt. At least, the leadership of the country then, did not appear to overtly be protecting the perpetrators of corrupt acts. This lot is shameless and beyond redemption and they must go. They must go from government and from the State Enterprises too where they have been bleeding our natural and human resources and pilfering the public purse. People of conscience and subscribers to fair play and justice must speak out and call for action against the twin evils of corruption and dictatorship. We must take courage from the example of Retired Justice of Appeal Lennox Deyalsingh’s call to the Prime Minister to deal urgently and decisively with wide spread corruption in the governance of Trinidad & Tobago.

It is however now becoming questionable whether Mr. Panday possesses the moral authority so to do. But men and women of conscience and a measure of rectitude must make that call. More trade unionists possessing testicular fortitude and prepared to abandon racism and the dishonesty of support for favours must stand up and make that call in defence of workers and Trinidad & Tobago. Our anti-corruption March on August 29 and our Red Day on September 24 were about that.

And we expected that representatives of the Brigand would respond with retaliatory action whenever the authority of their offices would let them. The Petrotrin and Trinmar workers were just last week threatened by an obscurantist doctor, junior to a lay preacher of sorts but one who seemed ignorant to the provisions of his own contract of employment either because he was too busy and too tired – poor fellow having to work both days and nights – or he may have just been too damn dishonest in his role of collective responsibility for the public purse and national governance.

The bandits of Soldado and Pointe a Pierre, the industrial experts and quacks at large and looming large in the corruption will have their Saturday like every other HOG. These are very interesting times and by the end of the week, we too look forward to the announcement of new elections even with the bogus EBC Voters’ list. I forecast November 12 or 19.

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26/09/01

Combination of arrogance, incompetence and unabashed dishonesty 

at Petrotrin

We consider it necessary to state that the Petrotrin workers are not on strike.  Nor are the workers of Trinmar.  All of these workers are merely gathering in one common place or central locations to make it as convenient as possible for the Executive Management including the President and CEO to meet with the workers and their representative Union on a number of very crucial matters.  It is not surprising that even the Minister of Labour seems unable to get the President of Petrotrin to attend a meeting at the Ministry of Labour to which he, the President, purportedly reported a dispute. 

Quite frankly, Petrotrin’s industrial relations imbroglio today, is a combination of arrogance, incompetence and unabashed dishonesty on the part of the company’s management.  They are caught up in the vortex of some self serving, anti worker, anti-OWTU policies of the remaining members of the old Board, a few of whom are today being investigated supposedly for malfeasance.  The workers are angry and need an explanation about the Management’s intrusion into a unilateral and illegal use of the employees’ pension plan surpluses. 

The issue has to do with the now inadequate and dangerously low level of manpower staffing in the Refinery, the Producing Fields and their support services departments after an arbitrary and ill-thought-out Voluntary Separation Programme (so-called) to cut high expenses some of which could only have been caused by corruption.  And after the Voluntary Separation Programme, substantial numbers of the Temporary workers on whom much of the operations and services had become dependent were terminated and sent home.  And now as a stop gap measure, Petrotrin is procuring its necessary labour requirements through the services of labour supply-only contractors whose personnel are not only unskilled, unqualified and inexperienced in the industry but who are also covered only by the barest levels of the $7 per hour minimum wage provision and represent only one strain of our mixed national diversity.  The gross inexperience of these unorganised hands without training and direction provides for an unsafe and insecure heavy industrial work environment. 

Another issue is the denial of benefits such as VP and inequitable treatment to temporary workers some of whom have been employed on a temporary basis from 3-9 months per year for as many as twenty-five years.  Yet another issue is the deliberate run down of plant and equipment and uneconomical operation resources so as to make them artificially unviable and therefore easy for passage to the auction block for divestment, lease and farm out arrangements.  The objective here being to favour the political investor.  Workers have however determined that if Petrotrin will not own and operate our oil wells, producing fields, refining and ancillary facilities in the interest of the country then nobody else will own and operate them. 

The list of issues is long. It contains such matters as the regularisation of the Petrotrin Housing Programme; the relocation of the resident workers at Abyssinia, Guayaguayare; Abrogation of the Collective Agreement through the issue of individual fixed term contracts of employment; filling vacancies and the safety of operation at #6 Berth and the Marine and Harbours division at Pointe a Pierre; the threat to job security and the erosion of terms and conditions of employment at Trinmar where the corruption is alive and kicking in the boating and marine transport services.  Even at this time we await the engagement of the principal executives of Petrotrin in meaningful and result oriented dialogue to effect a return to normalcy. Ours is the objective to ensure that Petrotrin not only survives but that it also succeeds. 

We appeal that those with the authority will allow good sense and sober judgement to prevail. 

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24/09/01

Everyday revelation of some new act of corruption 

On the 25th Anniversary of our Republican status as a nation, I am sure that one would have preferred to have had the undisturbed opportunity to objectively evaluate where we have come from and what we have achieved since political independence in 1962 and republicanism since 1976. But instead of enjoying that privilege we have had the peace breached by acts of terrorism in New York and Washington and the drums of war against the perpetrators of those vicious, dastardly and murderous acts. Also, we have had here at home, we have had the quiet and tranquility of our honky dory existence disturbed by an almost everyday revelation of some new act of corruption  - North West Regional Health Authority, National Petroleum Marketing Company, Caroni (1975) Limited, Trinmar’s South West Soldado Redevelopment, Maintenance Training and Security (MTS), T&TEC, Petrotrin, Whitehall Refurbishment, National Library, Tanteak - the list is so long and together we are talking about many, many millions of dollars here. And as if that were not enough talk about a $12m Kensington flat re-emerges with photograph and all. We heard of that since 1999 around the same time that one was questioning the rationale behind the construction of the Inncogen Power Plant and we remember then that the flat was said to have been acquired at a cost of three million pounds - the equivalent of $30 million (TT). But that is not all. We had heard too of another flat somewhere in Oxford and yet another multi-million property in Toronto and we thought that it had to be a heartless crook who would make O’Hollaran’s and Prevatt’s loot combined, look like savings in the longtime Penny Bank. And what is most annoying is the suggestion by those primordial and shameless twats in the party that it okay to be corrupt because them fellas had done it too. “Is we time now to tief.”  And the same vagabonds took offence to Transparency International ranking T&T  - nay Trinidad at #31 in the pecking order of the World’s most corrupt countries—they should change that to read—’most corrupt Governments’. And to some it is most amazing that there would be doubts as to where $50,000 (US) of party contributions would have gone and to what use.

The Attorney General’s disclosures in the Budget debate are most instructive. One would think if one were driven to be unreasonable and even unkind that what we have here in control is not government but a cabal made up of Ali baba and a team of brigands. Has anybody checked how much food has been stolen from the mouths of the poor? How much has been denied public servants and ordinary workers by the extent of the corruption so far detailed and still being counted? And spokespersons for official society condemn the actions of the Petrotrin, Trinmar, LNG Construction and Drilling Contractor workers in defence of their job security and decent terms and conditions of employment? Well, I’ll tell you what! We heed the advice of the Hon. A.G. that the Tanteak and Rum Distillery deals are null and void. We call for the immediate resumption of Tanteak’s operations and the re-engagement of all of  those Tanteak Workers whom the Government / Clico Alliance recently sent home. 

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07/09/01

Struggle for the command of the tribe and the parasitic oligarchy

Politics is not for the faint hearted.  And if one is to be involved in the politics of trickery, the politics which accept corruption, gross immorality and deception as normal and defensible, then one is expected to be of harder stuff than cry babies. 

I looked at poor Unanan Persad and felt sorry – not for him – for his family, who may well be quite innocent and be oblivious too to the cut throat, murderous decadence that now passes for politics and for which only Panday, Ramesh, Unanan, Baksh and the rest of them must be blamed and condemned.  Indeed, there really is no politics other than the one being attempted by Ramesh Maharaj and which is receiving the support of the gullible and unthinking and which ought not to go unquestioned.  And the Party is over.  What we are witnessing is a struggle for the command of the tribe and the parasitic oligarchy will in any case come first because they will feed and breed more parasites. 

Trinidad, not Tobago – Trinidad is a big disaster waiting and about to happen.  It will happen.  It is as sure as the sun will set.  The Budget presentation next Friday will not prevent it, that might only postpone it – for a while.  Today’s Express Opinion captures it and warns against it.  It says ‘In this period of uncertainty, if not volatility, the chances of violent action and reaction cannot be ruled out as supporters of both sides in the UNC fall-out become embroiled in the tensions of the time” 

The Country has been for sometime without good governance.  It is today, without the discipline required at the level of government.  This lot has failed and has perhaps gone beyond redemption.  And they will fight- they will not and cannot behave otherwise. Indisciplined princes will not make good kings.  Corrupt kings do not cultivate noble princes.  And there comes the time when they turn on each other for command of their subjects and jesters.  And the pig dances a jig for a fig.  I mean no offence but my father once had a pig which we called big snout Mervyn.  And the Dog runs away with the bone from which the parasites had eaten all the meat. 

Again, I agree with the Express – ‘the state of uncertainty and portending volatility in the realm of our governance cannot be allowed to continue for much longer so the PM is therefore urged to announce a date for new elections now.  The voter’s list should take little time to be cleaned up.  Just have the EBC undo that which was done last year. 

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05/09/01

Turn of Political Events 

Last evening, it looked so much like another crude comic presentation – what with Mervyn Assam’s face with a bland but pain filled expression of a constipated defecation. If it were not a lot more than serio-comical, I would have suggested that I be awakened when it was over.  But it was serious business and it was real and it has happened here! It seems that the party is over or is it a palace coup or a ‘constitutional coup d’etat’?  Are there hostages?  Is it just a big hoax? – another diversionary tactic to avoid and deny the real issues?  The issue of corruption?  The garage sale of the family jewels, the national patrimony – to the political investors? 

What about investors (and we mean the legitimate ones local and foreign with risk capital) what about those investors’ confidence in the economy state of governance and political stability of Trinidad & Tobago?  Last Wednesday’s Independence and anti-corruption march by some Unions and NGO’s was condemned by both head of Government and minion back pocket Unionists alike, as being negative and debilitating on the country’s stability and investor confidence in the economy.  We are certain that investors are more likely to be concerned with the instability caused by cheating such as is being carried out by Labour Supply Contractors engaged in Marine Drilling for BP, corruption such as at the Airport Project, NWRHA, SW Soldado, NP, PRT and all those other areas where corruption is known to have taken place.  And of course, investor confidence is particularly shaken by evidence of fighting and internecine warfare within the Party and Government. 

But absolutely nobody should be surprise at our turn of political events.  One could have seen it coming – it was bound to happen.  Like the old people would say ‘it was like goat shit on the hill waiting for a breeze to scatter it’.  And there is this view, this very strong suspicion that the bussing up has a lot to do with the corruption that some would wish to sweep under the carpet.  How terrible?  Imagine the shame and disgrace of seeing your government exhibiting the same behaviour associated with a gang of thieves bussing up over their loot.  And the pained Anglo-Saxton bemoans our being watched by the world.  Well, we have news for him.  The world has long been watching us. Indeed for some years now, the rest of the Caribbean and further afield have been watching and laughing at our bunch of over-gorged, ill mannered, uncultured, philosophically devoid mimics and their sycophants in government. 

That is bad.  But you know what is even worse? – I shall put it as I got it – A viewer commented on TV6 news just a few weeks ago – that he had observed two damning tragedies in Trinidad & Tobago’s politics – first the current PM and second, the leader of the opposition.  But I should leave that alone – They say when elephants fight it is the ground that suffers and cockroach should avoid fowl business. 

And as I go let me announce that registration our CLR James Educational Institute CXC and A Level Classes are ongoing and classes reopen and September 17^th. 

Have a good evening now – stay focused, stand firm and be positive.

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On the eve of August 31st

Wednesday 29, two days away from now, we anticipate a powerful showing of the people making a profound statement on the state of affairs and lack of good governance affecting the workers, the unemployed, the youth, the poor, the alienated and ordinary citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. Having satisfied all of the conditions and criteria prescribed in the law and a subset of regulations, we were always confident that the Commissioner of Police will grant permission to conduct our public demonstration. Indeed, earlier today, we received the COP approval in writing. Our Public March will be peaceful but with determination as we protest the corruption pervading the State enterprises, the dismantling and privatisation of Caroni (1975) Ltd, Petrotrin, the Health Services, TSTT, Tanteak, Lake Asphalt, Trinmar, T & T.E.C., the Agricultural Development Bank, National Petroleum (NP), NGC, WASA and the total disregard and even contempt by this government for moral principle, decency and integrity in the conduct of the country’s public affairs.

Our Public Demonstration beginning at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, the day after tomorrow, is not politically affiliated or party sponsored. Nor is it organized to promote anybody’s campaign for the Prime Ministership of the Country as was foolishly suggested by an ETP (UNC) minion in one of the dailies one day last week.

Our Demonstration is therefore open to all, whatever your Party or Trade Union affiliation. You are invited, if you are disgusted with the developing culture of graft, malfeasance and corruption that is the practice in all Government Agencies, Statutory Bodies and State Enterprises. You are invited, if you are opposed to the destruction of the State Sector. You are invited and will be welcomed if you are for a subscription to a culture of morality, integrity and decency in the conduct of public affairs.

You are invited and will be welcomed if are for the true independence of our country in which the national patrimony is not auctioned off to the political investors. You are invited to participate if you oppose the corruption that takes money away from buying medicine and much needed equipment that the Health Sector needs to save lives. Come if you deprecate the corruption which robs of money that could provide better schools. Come if you are unemployed as a result of $$M going in some individuals’ bank account here or abroad instead of creating work for you. You are invited to join in a stand against corruption which result in contracts going to friends of the party and the political investors. Come join with us to stop the Corrpution now.

We will congregate for our 9 a.m. start on the Eastern Main Road between the areas west of the School of Continuing Studies and the corner of the short street leading to the Carib Brewery Compound. This will be the first of public activities since Labour Day to sensitize the citizenry on the major issues affecting the country, and the peaceful and orderly conduct of the affairs of the state.

These activities are organised by Independent Trade Unions – The Fire Services Assoc., the Prison Officers Assoc., the Sugar Industry Staff Association, the Contractors & General Workers’ Trade Union; the Steel Workers’ Union of T & T the Islandwide Canefarmers Association, the Communication Workers Union, the Public Services Association, the Assoc., of the Technical Allied & Supervisory Staff at Caroni, the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union and NGO’s – Fishermen and Friends of the Sea, T & T Revolutionary Youth Movement and two other Community Organisations.We will demonstrate for Peace, Bread and Justice. And you are invited to participate.

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If we are reading it correctly, General Elections have already been determined as a means by which the Panday Administration might escape the ignominy of a Privy Council defeat for his UNC and the exacerbation of its unfitness to rule by the strong clouds of corruption overhanging it and the public sparring, slapping and spitting in each others face by the most principal of its leadership. General Elections – snap or with the expectation and preparedness of the other side of our political dichotomy – will be held for the latest November 4^th or 11^th 2001.

Why this forecast? Well Ralph Maraj is not a crazy man. He is not a dishonest man. We do not think that he is a dishonorable person and therefore we could not see him accepting a repeat in 2001 of the embarrassment meted out to him by Manning in 1994. Then, he told Manning what to do with his Ministerial Portfolio, returned his instrument of appointment and walked. That was man! He then went home according to his own statement. He went unto his own and it seems that they received him not! Or – he must prove the point. He, if only for his own self respect, could not accept the ignominy of being defrocked and almost cashiered and just go home, out of Naparima and suck his thumb. Surely, he must be more than that. And we believe that he is genuinely disturbed by his government’s refusal to deal headlong, objectively and decisively with the corruption in which many of its members, agents and functionaries are involved.

Ralph must walk and rise even above Manning’s selfish disposition against Elections being called now. Like the Road Safety advertisement that is attracting all motorist’s attention – Ralph should hear – "Please Mr. Politician, we know that you too must earn a means of livelihood for yourself and your family but surely you can do so while subscribing to moral principles and integrity in the conduct of public affairs.

Mr. Ramesh Maharaj too – the Attorney General must show how serious and sincere he was in all of his talk about people power vs money power. At the level of the Cabinet and the Government he seemed to have been the only one to have challenged the stranglehold of the parasitic oligarchy to whom the patrimony is being divested for a song and a promise of many years of imbibition of liquids from the Caroni Rum Distillery. For his challenge to those whom the Gods first make mad and their being pointed to the Teak fields, Canefields, Oilfields and Lake Asphalt fields to find the suckers and souccouyants – he has had his portfolio altered – punishment for being farse and challenging the authority of the chief.

The Bas is saying in other words – there is one man in the house of the setting sun, and when he talks no damn dog barks. In the meanwhile the rape of the national patrimony, the corruption and theifing in the State Sector continues unabated.

Some of us, Independent Unions, Youth and Women’s Organisations, NGO’s, Community Organisations and Patriotic citizens demand an end to the malfeasance, immoral and corrupt activities to stop. We call for a public enquiry into the charges of corruption and mismanagement of the State Sector. We make our statement on these and other national issues next Wednesday 29^th August, 2001. Join us in our public demonstration beginning at 9:00a.m. at the Mount Hope Medical Sciences Complex.

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Implosion or Explosion

It is not unlikely that my June 19, 2001 Labour Day forecast of an explosion-taking place in Trinidad and Tobago will come to pass. Of course, on June 20^th, the next day, those whose corns and perhaps even jiggers that I may have stepped on were quick and vituperative in their response. They identified me with insurrectionists, anarchists, dinosaur communists and elements propagating disorder and discord. I was even catergorised as being among the drug mafia wanting to overthrow the rule of law - and you know what - I did not instruct my lawyers to take action to clear my name and have the foul mouthed in high office pay for their slander and libelous outrages. I allowed all of their excesses and indiscretions to pass as instances of desperation by ones who have either become drunk with power or are powered by drunkenness.

But June 19^th is a mere 2 months gone and evidence of the explosion is more discernible and it could not be existing in a more appropriate place. Call it an implosion if you wish. It is the same thing reversed. Whichever way, there are serious consequences when a Prime Minister and his Attorney General are at such serious loggerheads that they shoot barbs at each other - publicly. And you know what - their disagreements have to do with power and control and how that power and that control will have an effect on a protection of a peoples’ interest against the corruption pervading the entire State Sector and entrenchment of the really economically powerful in the Party and the control of the State.

Seems to me that one wants to sweep corruption under the carpet so as to continue his occupation of office with whichever perk that goes with it.
The other believes that his succession to that office depends on how he uses the anti- corruption card - and on this he no doubt has the goods on all of his political bedfellows, Party financiers, cronies, bagmen, carpetbaggers, judases, corbeaux, soucanyants, suckers of blood; nectar and other fluids in the teak fields, the sugarcane fields, the oilfields, in the Hotel rooms with FW Oil in Miami, in the domestic fuels market among those sourcing campaign funds – man - all over the place - it seems wherever the Sun Rises.

I agree with the Rottweiler - call the damn elections - and settle the score – But wait - deal with the corruption in NWRHA, NP, Petrotrin, Trinmar and every where else.

We are marching against it on August. 29^th Join us - Join Patriotic Citizens wanting to free T&T.

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08-08-01

MASS PRIVATISATION  RAMPAGE OF STATE ENTERPRISES

Last day we suggested that corruption in the state enterprises and public services sector was facilitatedly compounded by the organisation, reporting relationships and legal structure of the state enterprises themselves, and that the present legal structure of the state enterprise is that it is owned by Corporation Sole.

The practice is that the Boards of the State Enterprises account to their particular Ministers and not to the Parliament. This is most disagreeable – it is wrong. Recent privatisations – 1992 to the present – have demonstrated that the Parliament and consequently, the people, were treated with contempt and even deceived by either a lack of information or disrespectful misinformation.

An objective examination of the forced privatisation of T & TEC’s Generation facilitates will tell us how hard we were all hit in 1994 and as a consequence, the disadvantages which we are realising today and that will continue for at least another nine (9) years. But that is not all, T & TEC’s Gas Supply and Power Purchase burdens occasioned by that privatisation (and there are still many unanswered questions about it) – have been very seriously exacerbated by the UNC’s very recent deal with INNCOGEN.

Consider the Tanteak 49% Sale to a political investor for some TT $21.4m. Consider it not from the standpoint that 250 workers have been separated from their means of livelihood – more than that – Tanteak is to be seen as the organisation in which all of Trinidad’s Forest Products – all of our rich forestry is vested. Imagine that – half, 49% of all of that gone for $21.4m. With what do we compare our Green Gold – perhaps our billions upon billions of dollars (US dollars) worth of black gold – half of it gone for $21.4 m (TT). We must of course be deeply concerned with what now certainly appears to be the garage sale of the remaining state owned assets.

There seems to be an inordinate and vulgar haste to Lease and Farm Out more of Petrotrin’s Oil Wells and acreages, even in violation of an agreement recently struck with the Unions.

At Caroni (1975) Limited valuable lands are being sold at below market in what is nothing short of acts of nepotism. At the same time there is an initiative by powerful corporate interests with dominant influence in the ruling party to buy Caroni’s most valuable Rum Distillery and associated stocks of aged Rums for a drunkard’s song. The plan is to break the Company up into so-called Strategic Business Units as a forerunner to its privatisation.

Petrotrin is going ahead with a number of joint venture arrangements resulting in an effective dismantling and privatisation of the Company. The plans to demonopolise the domestic fuels market and the telecommunications sector will lead to the destruction of NP and TSTT. The corruption associated with all these are obviously adding to their negative impact on job security and a deleterious effect on the national interest and economy.

Decision-making is skewed; high handed and spawned on the basis of expediency and as said earlier facilitates wrong doing. There should be instead, Participatory Democracy in the process.

The Corporation Sole legislation should be amended so that no decisions – to privatise, divest, to demonopolise etc. can be made by the Minister or the Cabinet acting on its own. Parliament must give its approval or otherwise since the government is really just the trustee of the assets on behalf of all the shareholders – the citizens. The legislation ought to reflect the trusteeship or fiduciary relationship. It should be explicitly legislated that it is to Parliament that the Board and Management of the State Enterprises are accountable.

It should be emphasised too that for Parliament to exercise its responsibility to the citizenry with respect to the oversight of the state sector, there should be a Parliamentary Oversight Committee structured not as the Joint Select Committees or the Public Enterprises Accounts Committee. Rather it should be like the US Congressional Committees with power to subpoena witness and evidence. Public hearings must be part of the process of accountability and citizens must have access to put their case on key issues before the parliament.

Say no to any further privatisation without Constitution Reform and People’s Participation! STOP the immorality in the conduct of public affairs.

If you love T & T and are against corruption prepare to march. August 29^th is coming.

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The Official End of Institutionalised Crookedness - August 29th is the date

Corruption in high places has always been a feature of our national and local government level politics. But prior to state ownership of anything, the corruption seemed to have been limited to a bribe here and an otherwise difficult to come by possession there, to the public official or politician who would facilitate the statutory and business requirements of the investor and owner of capital. And even then, the public official and politician in power would have hidden to do his thing and if caught or even sufficiently suspected, he demonstrated some remorse, compunction, and shame. Today, the paradigm has shifted. It is more than bribe taking. Today, it involves selling out of the state’s possessions, the national patrimony. It involves theifing – yes, thiefing not small time pilfering – it is big time thiefing. And they proclaim transparency. Their doctrine precludes remorse, compunction, and shame. To them, it is cool to thief for all to see. And to them it is not a sin to thief the public’s goods and resources and thereby deny the less fortunate food and other necessities. On the contrary, to them, a sin, sometimes punishable by death, is committed by the ones who complain about and are prepared to take action against the corruption. Why else did they kill Hansraj Sumairsingh? One might even ask, why else would they attempt to intimidate Minister Ralph Maharaj with threats first of all to bring about his political demise?

The more things change, it’s the worse they become sometimes. One remembers the time when a Prime Minister signalled an end to his contract with the people when he said – ‘I am the Boss, when I talk no damn dog bark.’ That was Mr. Arrogant himself and almost of equal height threatening the people yet hardly appearing to be drunk with power or powered by drunkenness.

Today, another Prime Minister screams once, "Don’t resign, bring the evidence," – and then screeches – who want to resign, resign! And we hold the view that this Prime Minister’s screams and screeches are as a result of the pressures brought about by the strong and widespread allegations of corruption against his government. His slim majority does not provide the potential for him to be drunk with power and there were no indications of his performance being powered by drunkenness.

But the corruption seems to be throughout the state enterprises and public services sector. And this is facilitatedly compounded by the organisation, reporting relationship and legal structure of the State Enterprise. The present Legal structure of the state enterprise is that it is owned by Corporation Sole.

This has been taken to its logical conclusion by successive governments to mean that the assets of the enterprise could be dealt with by a single Minister or his representative Chairman of the Board however he chooses, as if they were his private property, often without even the full Cabinet being aware of all details. In the case of the Energy Sector we have seen too much and continue to see the manipulation, misuse and abuse of the States’ and peoples’ resources by corrupt politicians, party activists, bagmen, cronies and shameless and perverted carpet baggers.

Decision-making in the State Enterprises Sector is skewed, high handed and is often spawned on the cases of expediency and facilitates wrong doing. Too much have already gone wrong. We must clean up the Aegean Stables before the rouges thief the stables too.

Organised labour led by Independent Unions have at long last decided to say and do something about it. You too must intervene if you love T & T and are disgusted with the damn crookedness.

August 29^th is the date.

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Prime Ministers Response to Appeal Courts Decision

There should be little surprise at Mr. Panday’s treatment of the Appeal Court and its decision in the Chaitan/Peters constitutional matter. Mr. Panday was simply being himself whenever he perceives that he is coming out of the game losing some of his marbles. He would also lash out at everybody and anything that oppose him or that seem to be his enemy – real or perceived. His Trademark rumbustious public displays are also usually intended to distract and divert attention from the more crisis and damning issues. The issue of massive corruption by UNC activists, bagmen, cronies and carpet baggers throughout the State Enterprises and Social Services Sector must not be swept aside under the Prime Minister’s Carpet by the fulminations of a desperate demagogue losing grip in a mire of malfeasance committed by regular political grafters – each of them vying to be the choice of the parasitic oligarchy.

Two (2) days ago, Wednesday, Emancipation Day and perhaps at a most inappropriate time, I commented preliminarily on Basdeo Panday’s broadside against the Court and everybody else from a rampant at the SWWTU Hall. Many requests were made for me to repeat those comments – I do so now with some minor but necessary amendments: -

I felt very sorry for Basdeo Panday. His response to the Appeal Court’s decision was very un-Prime Ministerial – indeed, it was in our view, most contemptuous. It was as bad if not worse that the AG’s attack on Justice Archie at an earlier stage not long ago. It could be a most awkward thing I suppose, to bring an AG or a Prime Minister before the Court for CONTEMPT.

The silver fox’s performance in acting out this one, and before such a large sell out audience was poor and disgustingly sub-standard – it might be that the stage has grown too modern and sophisticated for this political dinosaur’s theatrics.

I thought that Mr. Prime Minister was going off his rockers when he screamed his response to Ralph Maharaj’s appeal to decency in dealing with the many allegations of corruption hurled against the government. The Bas substantiated all that may have been intended when it was first said, "the God’s first send mad those whom they wish to destroy." And I contend at the risk of being controversial and even being branded again – that Prince Machaveli was not suggesting any African or Baptist God or the distasteful and condemnable incantations by two (2) individuals at Whitehall last week. The prime Minister attacked the Court, the Judiciary and its independence, independent Trade Unions and their Leaders and even those members of his government who have expressed their embarrassment by the many allegations of official complicity with corrupt practices.

And we should like to know which humours Panday suggests would have him investigate the OWTU every Monday morning? What Prime Ministerial impertinence? Mr. Panday must know that the OWTU can stand any, any, scrutiny by whoever. The OWTU is second to none as an example of good organisation, transparency and accountability. And should Mr. Panday want to investigate Unions at all, he would do well to start with those whose independence has been compromised. He should start with the Union, which he led up to only recently.

And Mr. Panday will not fool any rational and sober thinking person that all he hears are rumours of corruption.

v The $30m Rice scandal is no rumour – it is fact and the firm that carried out the audit was victimised.

v The Airport cost overruns caused by corrupt practices; double invoicing etc. was no rumour.

v The INNCOGEN deal that up to today is saddling T & TEC is no rumour.

v The SWRA scandal is no rumour.

v Petrotrin, Trinmar South West Soldado are not rumours that have just accidentally reached the PM’s ear. Even before the Elections of December 2000, Mr. Panday was informed and asked to rein in the rogue elephants.

v The happenings at MTS and NIPDEC are not idle rumours.

v NP is no idle rumour – The corruption there is as open as the convenience stores.

Sadly, Mr. Panday’s antics and rambunctious behaviour last Tuesday evening, revealed all that a Prime Minister should not be.

Poor former Comrade – all seems to be collapsing around him and I feel sorry – I feel very sorry for him but we will not allow the corruption to be swept aside or under the carpet – August 29 is coming. Have a peaceful and enjoyable weekend.

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Happy Emancipation Day to All!

Yesterday, I felt very sorry for Basdeo Panday. His response to the Appeal Court’s decision was very un-Prime Ministerial – indeed it is our view that it was most contemptuous. The silver fox is not acting out this one properly at all – it must be that the stage has grown too modern and sophisticated for this political dinosaur’s theatrics.

I thought too that Mr. Panday was going crazy when he screamed his response to Ralph Maharaj’s appeal to decency in dealing with the many allegations of corruption against this government. The Bas epitomized everything in the saying that "the God’s first send man those whom they wish to destroy." I pray that the Gods will spare Mr. Panday so that the people may deal with him.

The Prime Minister attacked the Court, the Judicial system and its independence, Independent Trade Unions and their leaders and even those members of his government who have expressed embarrassment with the many allegations of official complicity in corrupt practices. And I should like to know which rumours Basdeo Panday suggests would have him investigate the OWTU every Monday Morning. I am sure that the PSA will speak for itself but Mr.Panday must know that the OWTU can stand any, any, we mean scrutiny by whoever. If Mr. Panday would like to investigate Unions in this country, he would do well to start with those whose independence has been compromised. Let him investigate the Union, which he led recently, and others, which do his bidding even against the interest of their members.

And Mr. Panday will not fool any thinking person that all he hears are rumours of corruption.

The $30m Rice Scandal is nor rumour – it is fact and the firm that did the audit was victimised. The Airport cost overruns caused by corrupt practices; double invoicing etc. was no rumour. Inncogen deal and the saddling of T & TEC was no rumour. The issue of corruption in South West Soldado and other Trinmar and Petrotrin issues are not rumours that have just reached the PM’s ear. Even before the General Elections of December 2000, Mr Panday was informed and asked to intervene on those issues.

Sadly, his antics and rumbustious display yesterday, revealed everything that a Good Prime Minister should not be. Poor former Comrade – he is losing everything and as I said I feel sorry for him.

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White Elephant at National Petroleum

It is not surprising – the way Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan responds to the NP workers’ and their Union’s demands for a most thorough investigation into alleged questionable goings-on at NP. Nobody wants to shut down NP. Indeed, the action, which the workers and the OWTU propose to take, is really pre-emptive, it is action, which we intend would prevent the shut down of NP by the policies and practices of runaway horses and rogue elephants. And there is absolutely no gender bias intended in this battle against corruption in the people’s enterprises – Petrotrin, Trinmar, NP, Health Authorities, Airports, etc. The emphasis is not on the gender of the elephant – male or female – slim or fat – as a matter of fact – there is never a slim elephant. Emphasis for us is on whether the elephant is a rogue or is as honest as a mirror. The NP Chairman may wish to take a very good look at herself and have if she can, the belief, if she has nothing to hide, that the mirror will not crack.

As I read, on the weekend, Carolyn’s bombastic responses, I recalled her exact opposite. Gene Miles was an astoundingly beautiful woman and she was honest. Gene Miles sought to expose all in the Gas Station Racket and the involvement of the Fat Rogue Elephant then, Johnny O’Halloran. The NP Chairman, it is well known and can be seen, is no Gene Miles but the least that she could do is shut up an allow an unfettered probe into her State owned National Petroleum Marketing Company. Shutting her mouth is perhaps a tremendous challenge for the lady Chairman. I remember too, during another battle with the workers and the Union about 2 years ago, she was reprimanded by the then Minister for talking too much and out of turn and with very little sense. He said she didn’t know when to keep her mouth shut. He must have known what he was talking about.

Over the weekend, the OWTU met in Annual Conference deliberated upon and decided many important issues affecting the Union. The Annual Conference of Delegates is the supreme governing authority of the OWTU and comprises the Central Executive, the General Council and one delegate representing every 50 financial members – 242 accredited officers and delegates were entitled to participate and vote at this 62^nd Annual Conference. Among the most major issues determined by the Conference are: (1) The Conference’s unanimous adoption of the General Council’s Report for the period June 1, 2000 to May 31^st, 2001; the unanimous acceptance of the Auditor’s Report and Financial statements for the Year Ended 31^st December 2000. These statements revealed a well organised and properly run Union with a Balance Sheet showing total funds of near $20m, as at December 31^st, 2000 Year End Income Statement of $7.8m and Expenditure of $6.9 m resulting in an operating surplus of $928,000.

The Conference also unanimously approved the Budget Proposals for the Year 2002 with estimated revenues of $7.1 m and expenditures of $6.9 m. and gave the Green Light to the General Council to proceed with plans to implement an estimated $35m Eco-Tourism and indigenous Hospitality Project at the Union’s 305 acre Cambleton Estate in Charlotteville, Tobago.

And of course we debated the issues of Employment, Job security, Enterprise expansion and Competitiveness in a globalised scenario. We concentrated on Petrotrin, Trinmar, NP, Tanteak, Manufacturing and T & TEC. We found that most major among the weaknesses in these vital and basic areas of our economy are Mismanagement, nepotism, obscene political interference and massive corruption. The Conference of Delegates decided unanimously that the OWTU would go on an immediate war footing against corruption and malfeasance in the State Enterprises and Public Sectors of Trinidad and Tobago.

The Conference resolved that action would be taken culminating with a disciplined, mass public activity in the capital city on Wednesday August 29^th. And that only those who condone and promote the sins of corruption and malfeasance will stand in the way of the public’s expression of disgust with these malpractices.

On the occasion of emancipation Day 2001, the OWTU extends solidarity greetings and best wishes for the freedom and liberation of all workers and our people who continue to be exploited through the evils of corruption, the politics of division, economic denial and discrimination of any kind. Unite to struggle. There is no choice but to struggle.

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Our Annual Conference of Delegates

This weekend the OWTU meets in its 62^nd Annual Conference of Delegates. The Conference of Delegates is the highest governing authority of the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union.

On Friday evening we have the formal opening at which important addresses are to be delivered – an Address by the Union’s President General and the Feature Address by a specially selected guest speaker. This year’s feature address will be delivered by Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine of the Working Peoples’ Alliance of Guyana and Dr. Roopnaraine’s theme, selected by us, is "Transforming the Post Colonial, Post Independence State and Politics in Plural Caribbean Societies especially in the Era of Globalisation."

Given the current situation with our local politics, the serious questions and issues about development and the challenges posed by international capital’s globalisation, we suspect that Rupert Roopnaraine, with his own live experiences with Guyana’s own backward politics, will visit the need for a new model of Governance in plural Caribbean Societies. We anticipate that his piece will be very interesting, and informative. The Annual Conference at its closed business sessions beginning at 9.00 a.m. on Saturday will receive and consider the General Council’s Report for the period August 2000 to July 2001, the Union’s Audited Accounts and Financial Statements for the year ended December 31^st 2000 and debate our Budget for the year January 1^st to December 31^st, 2002. These are really the most major Statutory business of the Conference. And of course we will examine the State of the Union and the State of Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago and determine the kind of intervention that a Union such as the OWTU must make.

We are of course expected to say more and do something about the issues of the sell-out of the national patrimony, the lack of accountability, the corruption etc.

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16 - 07- 01

Thieves sing their Mantra 

It is sickening how corruption seems to be becoming the mantra of those engaged in public life in Trinidad and Tobago. Satan may well deem here to be the extreme of the hell that is his natural habitat substantiating why he would hardly spend no more than one night at a time in bed with his favourite Trinidad politician consort. Heaven help us man! It is a damning hell of a situation and all you hear is "Take it to the Police", at the same time that the political predators seek to exact more and more control over the police, the law and the justice system.

Indeed, nobody is safe from these crooks and vagabonds holding high office and disguised in the cloak or respectability. They are culturally corrupt and they will not stop thieving until there is no more to steal. Theirs is a doctrine which is the exact opposite to the one which taught and instructed so many of us that we should cast our gold and silver in the waters of the river and that is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to go to heaven. Their doctrine suggests that they will be relegated to the fires of hell if they held office and had opportunities but failed to exploit such office and opportunities, by any means necessary, to become rich. And that is why they have no shame or compunction about their acts, even when they are caught of thieving, bribery or other vile means of material gain. Whether these acts constitute corruption at our Community Health Centres or the Regional Health Authorities; the Award of Contracts for the refurbishment of White Hall; Airport Development; the construction of NP Service stations and convenience stores; the supply of goods and services to government departments and statutory agencies; the upgrade and modernisation of plant and equipment owned by the state; oilfield reactivation and development; electrification programmes; road development; development of physical and social infrastructure: whatever – there must be an opportunity to steal. O’Hallaran, Prevatt and the other pioneers of the art are today seen as Boy Scout pilferers.

I was away all of last week – I had gone to Washington to observe and witness the first of my two daughter’s defence of her dissertation for the PHD in Mathematics – this was at Howard University. Oh she successfully defended her thesis – she is now Dr. Sharon Elizabeth Jillian Mc Leod – I came back to office today only to learn that an Area Manager of T & TEC, whose managerial ability is suspect, whose relationship with contractors and the contract system leaves many questions to be unanswered, whose management procedures have violated NIS, PAYE and Health Surcharge provisions – a man who is deemed the Melochivic of T & TEC, because he is one of them – is being transferred on promotion to the Executive Management of the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission. This man is very anti union but is known to have campaigned for certain pretenders to the leadership of the OWTU in its 1999 Executive Elections – they write regularly in the pages of the Press under particular pseudonyms of course. They are many who sleep with the devil. And I am expected not to say anything about an explosion of morals and social issues. Let them go to hell.

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06 -07- 01

The MV Galbaransingh leaving Port of Spain at one-ish 

We read with great interest, the Government’s move to acquire lands in Charlotteville, Tobago to establish an industrial port there. And we feel that this is not without a connection with government’s continuing interest in wresting from the people of Toco, substantial ocean-front for establishing a playground for those of its rich, high flying and licentious friends, financiers and cronies.

We welcome and support the position signalled by Charlotteville residents that they would have none of it. Like the people of Toco, Charlotteville residents are expressing serious concerns about the deleterious effects that the government’s plans will have on Charlotteville’s fishing and tourism activities and its pristine environment. One is certain that the residents of Charlotteville are not opposed to any planned development which will improve the physical, economic and social infrastructure of their community – a development which includes an upgrade of the fishing facilities and related infrastructure and a preoccupation – an obsession if one wishes – with the maintenance of Charlotteville’s eco systems – its naturalness and yet unspoilt beauty. And of course, the residents of that community must be involved in all of the processes as stakeholders and beneficiaries of such development.

One is also certain however, that the central political administration is really not guided by any philosophy, any arrangement of policies, which put people, all of the people first. Theirs is an approach with a penchant for vaps – (and I remember the announcement of a 1,000 room hotel some where in the middle of Caroni’s canes) and an underpinning of unashamed venality.

But it is not our intention this evening to engage in much of that kind of talk. There is already too much about scandal at the North West Regional Health Authority and with its former Chairman claiming immunity – perhaps correctly so – but is another jurisdiction from which we have copied everything else and which at least visually, subscribes to a higher degree of morality in the conduct of public affairs and collective responsibility – not only would the former Chairman resign or be fired from the Senate, the Minister with responsibility for the particular functional area will also resign or be given marching orders.

There has been plenty talk and much to read about the bacchanal at the National Carnival Commission and the liquor bill totalling some $180,000. Now, that was plenty gazool, plenty liquor just for about 400 guests, half of whom, because of religious and health reasons did not drink anymore than unsweetened fruit cocktail. So much liquor? One suspects that the real drinkers were hitting it even before Carnival – such was the mood that between hiccups they could have so brazenly talked about pipes, their sizes and schedules on the election campaign platform last December. It is said when the wine is in, the wit is out.

But back to the proposal to develop an industrial port at Charlotteville! What industrial activities are contemplated here? It is interesting to find out.

I remember when a similar development for Toco was being debated – I pictured a ferry service which would replace the one now in operation: The MV Galbaransingh leaving Port of Spain at one-ish and the MF Stutter Jack departing Scarborough via Charlotteville at at T T – Two.

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OWTU SPEAKS JUNE 25

NERVOUSNESS AND FRIGHT AS MC LEOD CHARGES OF CORRUPTION & QUESTIONABLE DEALINGS

There have been quite a few angry, some nervous and even frightened responses to some statements that I made at last Tuesday’s Labour Day Celebrations at Fyzabad. Of course some threats have been made and warnings issued but I have also had advices to be careful, and consolatory expressions and solidarity from many people. Among the advices, which I received, was that my planned media conference be postponed.

I did not anticipate that so many folks accustomed to fighting with lions would become so nervous over just another charge of corruption and suspect and questionable dealings. After all, their hides, some would claim, were expected to be thicker than is now being exposed. I suspect strongly that their hysterical response is due mainly to the exposure of a weak underbelly made more vulnerable by the convulsions within the party. It is felt also that the screaming and near desperate response may well also be as a result of the failure in Arima and the massive and tremendous success that was Fyzabad. Let me hasten then to say that my allusion to an explosion taking place is not a wish in the thinking of an antichrist, terrorist, criminal, insurrectionist or any such societal aberrant. I am no antichrist – I am no terrorist or criminal. But yes, I can smell the imminence of an explosion waiting to take place. I did not plant the detonators nor do I plan to ignite and trigger them. If I am asked I will say that the ingredients for the explosion – the divisions in the society that have been exacerbated over the past six (6) years, the politics of deception and dishonesty, the transparency of government corruption and naked nepotism, cronyism and discrimination by race, ethnicity and religion – all of these detonators for an explosion have been planted by Mr. Panday’s UNC. On the matter of corruption in the handling of issues concerning Trinmar and Petrotrin – I am tempted, without being disrespectful, to steups at and treat the Prime Minister’s response with the contempt that it deserves. It is not for me to investigate and gather evidence on anything for Mr. Panday or Mr. Maharaj. As a matter of fact, the Prime Minister was made aware of the situation last November when he promised that after the December 11 the General Elections he would address the issues of Rogue Elephants and renegade tendencies in the Board Rooms and at the Corporate leadership of our State corporations that are the jewels in our national crown. The PM’s vacillation and prevarication on important and fundamental matters affecting the body politic do not surprise us. But what does one expect from someone like Mr. Panday.

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OWTU SPEAKS JUNE 18

A POEM ON LABOURS' EVE

Tomorrow morning before ‘bad’ wife wake as Bennett Berkeley, a retired colleague would say, at 5.30, scores of road runners and walkers too will assemble outside the OWTU's Paramount Building on Circular Road, San Fernando to answer the Starter’s pistol for the OWTU’s Annual Labour Day Butler Classics road races which comprise a 20 K run, a 20K walk and a 5K for juniors 15 years and under. This event tomorrow Labour Day has become a Premier item on the national and immediate Caricom regional sporting calendar over the 19 years since its inauguration in 1972. Pamenos Ballantyne of St. Vincent and the Grenadines will be going after his 4^th consecutive victory in the event tomorrow against challenges from runners coming in from Gaudeloupe, Barbados, Guyana and of course our own local top athletes. Persons involved in the organisation and management of the sport of DISTANCE RUNNING. Estimate that some 600 or so participants are expected to turn up for tomorrow’s 20K Marathon and Walking race. All our pre Labour Day events have been resounding successes. The Calypso competition held last Friday exposed a wealth of talent that can challenge many a big name in the art form. This competition was won by Hezekiah Joseph employed at Trinidad Cement Limited. Pan on the Move on Saturday evening injected a life and a vibe into Fyzabad’s Charlie King Junction, which only the scintillating melodies from the oil drum, effected by the mastery of our pan player musicians can do. The whole of Fyzabad, Siparia and environs gathered at the Junction to hear and dance with Laventille Serenaders, Rio Claro Koskeros, Arima All Stars, Trinidad Nostalgic, Jah Roots, Petrotrin Delatones and Fonclaire. The Fyzo Pan Parade was a boss event that can only grow and, that like Labour Day and Fyzabad, are here to stay. We thank Pan Trinbago very sincerely for its collaboration.

The Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service yesterday followed closely on the back wheels of the 50 or so cyclists who competed in the Rienzi Cycling Classics across the South Western Peninsular – San Fernando into Point Fortin into Buenos Aires, Erin, Palo Seco, Santa Flora, Fyzabad. The Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation came together with the OWTU to put on this other come to stay event.

And as we thanked the Almighty for Butler, Rienzi, Elma Francois, Jim Barrette, the patriots of 1937, Weekes and the more recent contributors to our cause, yesterday noon time, we broke bread and ate with God’s children of Fyzabad and guided by the spiritual elders at that service, we lifted our eyes unto the hills from whence cometh our help. And last night a most successful Ms. Labour Day 2001 Pageant was showcased by a Ms Labour Day Production Team of Misses Tricia Ryan, Anika Forrester and Charlene Bobb – Three enterprising young women of the Fyzabad community. We do not walk alone. So tomorrow after the Butler Classic Road Races, we go to Butler’s Grave side and perform a Wreath Laying Ceremony at 8.15 a.m. At 8.45 a similar ritual will be conducted at the spot where La Brea Charles was shot mistakenly for the Chief Servant.

At 9.15 a.m. we then assembly at Avocat Junction – TICFA, PSA, CWU, SWUTT, TTUTA, NPSA, Fire Services Association, Prisons Officers Association, OWTU, Community, Youth Women’s Organisations and NGO’s – for the 5 mile march to Charlie King Junction. Our Labour Day Rally and Addresses on the issues affecting the country and our people will commence immediately thereafter.

And then we will have a Cultural Explosion featuring masters of the art of Calypso that identifies with the struggle – Black Stalin, Prowler, Kommander, Candice Paul and other top performers including Massive Gosine, the National Chutney Champion 2001 and a very special guest appearance by the world famous South African Kings and Queens of Dance and Drama, the up Hondo Lwe Africa Dance Company. Now! Tell me! With all of this, which working man or woman, unemployed youth, conscious citizen, proponent of change for a better Trinidad and Tobago will find himself anywhere else but in Fyzabad? I am sure that all will want to be there to help rekindle the spirit of 1937 – struggling against racism, government corruption, deception and neo colonialism and agitating, organising, educating for Peace, Bread and Justice!

"Trouble in Arima

With dem Party boys from Couva

But is struggle down in Fyzo

When we do we thing tomorrow."

"Trouble in Arima

Struggle down in Fyzo

Is the Party in the Borough

And the workers down in Fyzo"

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OWTU SPEAKS JUNE 15, 2001  

VISIT TO LABOURS MECCA - 2001

 Butler Day, June 19^th more popularly called Labour Day, cannot be genuinely celebrated anywhere else but in Fyzabad.  There is no excuse, there could be no honest reason – no properly informed General Council of anything that resembles labour – will claim a threat of violence, and do so maliciously, to take labour day anywhere else.  The hustlers repudiate Fyzabad because they will not perhaps cannot face the truth.  But wherever they choose to go – Arima, Couva or Tocpita – their lies, their half-truths, their betrayals will haunt them.  They behave no better than the most ordinary pimps and prostitutes. 

They will sell their souls for an appointment here, a trip and a lap dog mamaguism there.  One of them, James something or the other is like a dog barking for his supper – Councillor belonging to the governing party in 1993 betraying labour and today Senator belonging to the governing party continuing to bray and betray.  Their doings too shall pass. 

On June 19^th next Tuesday all Roads lead to Labour’s Mecca – the seat of the general strike and insurrection by the people in 1937 – the birth place of the Modern Trade Union and the Butler Movement – all roads lead to Fyzabad.

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OWTU SPEAKS JUNE 06, 2001

ALL ROADS LEAD TO THE SEAT OF THE FIRST GENERAL STRIKE

Come June 19^th all roads lead to Fyzabad. Trade Unions independent of employer, the government and the party, have resolved that they could not really be any where else but Fyzabad – the shrine, the holy ground where the Battle Cry was first sounded by organised labour against colonialism and the evils, crimes and corruption of capital. These independent Unions are joined this year by a number of NGOs, Youth, Women and Community Organisations in Fyzabad as we rekindle the spirit of 1937 – Agitating, Educating and Organising for Peace, Bread and Justice.

There really is nowhere else to be, if one is serious, concerned about, affected by the issues at the workplace, the issue of unemployment, the issues of crime, violence, corruption, the socio-economic issues, matters of governance and myriad other issues affecting the peace and stability of our country. Fyzabad it is! Last Sunday morning, I went to the Marabella Market – Yes I prefer the open air shopping and the relaxed and friendly atmosphere that Marabella offers – and a young woman hailed out to me in a tone that revealed a hint of angry disappointment – "Mr. Mc Leod what nonsense am hearing about Labour Day Celebrations in Arima? I not going to that, all yuh crazy? But Fyzabad is where the thing should be. I not going to Arima!"

I responded – "My dear, I am not going to Arima either. I don’t know that there is anything in Arima on June 19^th. Indeed, Arima too will be in Fyzabad on that day. After all where else will one be but in Fyzabad? The true defenders of workers’ rights, freedom and democracy, the independent thinkers and fearless fighters are in Fyzabad on June 19^th – we are not crazy". Neither will our Labour Day 2001 be a big fete not at all.

Not with Public Service jobs being threatened. Not with Job Security in Oil, Energy and Manufacturing being threatened due to divestment and Free Trade! Not with our democracy under threat! Not with Education and Health in Crisis! Not with the spate of crime and violence stalking the land! Not with our women and children at such dangerous risks!

Not without communities – Sea Lots, Las Cuevas, Toco, Point Fortin, Santa Flora, Fyzabad, La Brea under threat! Not with TSTT under the gun! Not with the Prisons, Fire Services, Police Service under threat! Not with all the thieving and corruption running rampant across the land.

Labour Day is about serious business. It is about reviewing where we have come from evaluating where we are and mapping out the course as to where we want to be. It is about sounding the battle cry. It is about mobilising the troops for the continuing struggle for Peace, Bread and Justice.

All roads lead to the seat of the first General Strike and insurrection by the people in 1937. All roads lead to Fyzabad on June 19^th. Don’t leave home for anywhere else.

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OWTU SPEAKS JUNE 01

THE SUSPENSION OF MP ROWLEY

 It is not amazing at all, the defecation on the good order and democracy that are supposed to characterise the Parliament.  It would seem that the Lower House must be identified with much lower standards of parliamentary management and speaker ship.  Like a doctor is expected to be a learned person, so too a speaker ought to be knowledgeable of his responsibility and functions and make articulate utterances in an ordinary voice.  He would sound unqualified and foolish therefore when he might have talked about Standing Order Forty Three point three – with the “th” in “Three” perhaps stuck in the roof of his mouth or in the bow of the tree in nearby Woodford Square.  The poor man sounded like a neophyte without class, standing or order. 

And then the Speaker puts the question which he, in the exercise of some stupid neo-colonial practice, had requested the leader of Government business to propose – ‘Honourable Members, the question is that the Member for Diego Martin West be suspended from this Honourable House.  As many as are of that opinion say “Aye” – as many as are of the contrary opinion say ‘No’.  The ‘ayes’ have it.  The Honourable Member is hereby suspended from this Honourable House”.  What arrant nonsense!  Sometime in the late 1970’s the Calypsonian sang ‘They kicksing in Parliament’.  With the defecation happening all over the place these days, the Calypsonian will sing. ‘They sitting in Parliament’ without there necessarily being any misprint of the lyrics.  And it is in all of this mess that the Private Sector Minister of Finance and Planning threatens Public Servants with job cuts in the Public Service.  And even some sycophants fail to be surprised by their Union-hearted Prime Minister’s support for the position indicated by his finance minister.  But should anybody be surprised?  After all, the chosen and anointed one for the position of Deputy Political Leader did not hide it.  He could not hide it.  He said that Government is private sector driven.  That means – it must mean that the Government is private sector driven.  That means – it must mean that the Government is private capital propelled.  It means certainly that we are governed and our resources superintended over and manipulated by private sector interests that will not settle for a simple juxtaposition with the public good and the national interest.  It is a private sector capital interest that is intent on promoting itself and subjugating the workers, the people and the national interest.  It is the parasitic oligarchy, which has enjoined many who were yesterday labouring against it today add to the pain and suffering of those who labour.  It is private sector capital that drove the deal to divest interests in TANTEAK and retrench the 240 workers employed there.  It is private sector capital that is driving divestment of Caroni’s profit making Rum Distillery. It is private sector interests, politically invested, that are driving the decisions to mash up Petrotrin and other State owned enterprises. 

It is private individual greed for capital that mortgaged T & TEC to the purchase of an unnecessary 195 MW of INNCONGEN power production. 

It is private individual greed for finance capital that fed the parasitic corruption associated with the New Airport cost overruns.  It is private individual greed for money and finance capital that have put Trinmar in the serious predicament in which it has found itself. 

The scandal there ranged from bagmen and party operatives receiving between sums of $500,000 to clear upper grade property indebtedness to many millions in party financing and the procurement of luxury apartments here and abroad.

And there is more – much more. 

But I sense that a show down is coming.  A show down between Money Power and People Power.  We will insist, and no two-mouthed pontificator will mamaguy us, we insist that People Power will not be replaced by money power. 

And the thieving and indecent defecating and abuse of power and authority too shall come to pass. 

And on Labour Day, June 19^th the defenders of Peace, Bread, Justice, Fairplay and Democracy shall congregate at the Shrine of the Trade Union Movement and Labour in Fyzabad.

Have a great weekend now! 

Peace, Solidarity and Love.   

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OWTU SPEAKS 2001 MAY 23   

UNC EXECUTIVE ELECTIONS

By June 3^rd and depending on which way the pendulum seems to be swinging between the aspirants to top political office, all of the elements identifying the true character of the governing party will be exposed.  It is their nature to be indisciplined and warlike.  The heart of the UNC is big business, its soul, its mantra is race, religion and ethnicity.  Calls for election combatants to be noble and dignified and for the campaign to be with dignity and decorum are hollow and the pontificators making such calls clearly do not possess the moral authority and competence to do so.  Not after all of their years of gutter politics and appeals to race and other base instincts.  In that regard, it is not difficult to imagine Sudama gaining some support on grounds of association, as he protests charges or irrelevance to the politics of Trinidad and Tobago.  After all the sexagenarian, Trevor, is younger and spent all of his gutter politics years in the trenches with the political leader.  So the poor fella feels betrayed.  – Hear him -  “these people too damn farse.  It is the blasted truth – they must know they place”. 

It could well be that the Honourable Trevor Sudama and his fellow Party defenders, Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, Wade Mark and Sadiq Baksh themselves do not understand the politics of big business – they buy their way into and control everything!  Or is the problem Carlos John’s race and blackness?  Would the response be different if CL Financial’s representative was Mr. Mosaib-Ali instead or say Mr. Galbaransingh for instance?  After all, were Sudama, Ramesh, Wade, Ralph and others of their ilk present at Cabinet when it was decided to sell off the Caroni Rum Distillery, Lake Asphalt, the Chagaramas Convention Centre, more of BWIA, Tanteak, the potentially Gas rich and high condensate yielding Pelican operations at Trintomar.  Where were they when T & T.E.C. was mortgaged to Inncogen.  Were they present and what were their positions if any, on the divestment of Caroni Limited, the sell off of 900 of Petrotrin’s economically viable oil wells, the plan to farm out the Galeota (Trin Tes) operations, the decision to divest 49% of Trinmar to a joint venture partner and have that full owned and tremendously profitable state asset. 

Seems to us that there must be a rethink on these issues because we will not take it so.  There will be no further threat to our jobs at Petrotrin and Trinmar without resistance.  As we speak, we have before us an official notice from the CEO of Tanteak announcing the retrenchment of all of the workers to facilitate restructuring and the entry of CL Financial.  Where was  Sudama, Minister of Planning and then holding the important portfolio of Minister of Agriculture when it was decided to sell State assets including thousands of acres of Forest Products to the outfit represented in the Government by Carlos John’s CL Financial?  And what is his position on the other business represented in the Government?  Anyone with an understanding of race, class and gender too in the politics of Trinidad and Tobago will expect John to be vanquished because of race and Kamla to fail too because the dominant religion in the UNC’s hierarchy is also biased against women for positions of leadership.  Of course all of this can be different with the direct and personal intervention of the anointed but ailing leader. 

He swears that in his breast there still beats the heart of a Trade Unionist.  If asked, the Human Rights contender for the deputy leadership, might well give the opinion that the man is committing perjury.  What does one say about the worthiness of a mechanical ticker when the real living thing in the chests of the 240 Tanteak workers and in the chests of their spouses and children.  And the Party boys in Labour will continue the pappy show and masquerade in Arima.  The true defenders of the workers’ and peoples’ interests will be in that place where the struggle was born and which in  which its soul and spirit still resides.  We’ll be in Fyzabad.

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