NEWS
Stakeholders on Dragon gas deal: KISS OF LIFE FOR TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
The extension of the licence issued by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for Trinidad and Tobago to access natural gas from the Dragon gas field in Venezuela and the ability to pay for that gas in different ways was welcomed with a mix of optimism and calls for Government to move expeditiously to seize this opportunity. Among those commenting were former government ministers Vasant Bharath and Kevin Ramnarine, energy analyst Gregory McGuire, UWI economist Dr Vaalmiki Arjoon, Greater San Fernando Chamber of Commerce president Kiran Singh, the American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham) and the Confederation of Regional Business Chambers (CRBC). Energy Minister Stuart Young announced the extension of the licence to October 31, 2025, at a news conference at the Port of Spain International Waterfront Centre on Tuesday. Read more here
Man, woman shot while driving through St Augustine
A 36-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman were shot while travelling through St Augustine Wednesday night. Police said the couple was travelling in a grey Nissan B14, around 9.30 pm on College Road, near a shop when they heard gunshots. After driving a short distance away, the man felt a burning sensation on both hands and realised he was bleeding; while the woman felt a pain to the side of her head. The man called a nearby relative who drove the bleeding couple to the hospital. The man was treated for gunshot wounds to fingers on both hands while the woman was grazed by bullets to her head and the right side of her face. Both man and woman are in stable condition as of Thursday morning. Read more here
POLITICS
Public Administration Minister hopes for work-from-home policy in 2024
Public Administration Minister Allyson West hopes a draft work-from-home (WFH) policy can be produced in fiscal 2024. She expressed this hope before the Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives approved a $681,331,924 budgetary allocation for her ministry. West said a request for proposals (RFP) was issued to parties interested in developing a WFH policy. She told MPs there was a successful response to that RFP, and a draft policy could hopefully be developed within the next fiscal year. At a committee meeting last October, Planning and Development Minister Pennelope Beckles-Robinson said Government continues to look at the feasibility of a WFH policy. Read more here
Venezuela’s government and US-backed faction of the opposition agree to work on electoral conditions
Venezuela’s government and a faction of the opposition formally agreed Tuesday to work together to reach a series of basic conditions for the next presidential election, including scheduling the contest for the second half of 2024. Their accord was part of a partial agreement that is expected to trigger some relief from economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. government on President Nicolás Maduro’s administration. It came just five days before the opposition holds a primary to pick its candidate for the 2024 presidential election. The signing of the agreement demonstrated notable progress in a negotiation process marked by fits and starts over the past two years, but it also showed how far apart the two sides remain on what constitutes fair electoral conditions. Two provisions of the agreement could affect the government’s tactic of banning some of its loudest critics from seeking office, including the frontrunner in Sunday’s presidential primary. Yet neither provision spells out a clear path for a candidate to overcome a ban. Read more here
BUSINESS
Tobago hoteliers: 50% occupancy rate for carnival
With Tobago’s carnival just over a week away, the island’s accommodation sector is reporting varying occupancy rates, depending on the type of establishment. But at this point it is unclear whether the bookings reflect actual numbers of people coming to Tobago to play mas and party, as opposed to those providing services for various entities associated with carnival, Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association (THTA) president Alpha Lorde said. “Some hotels are showing an increase in occupancy with an average amongst members of about 50 per cent,” he said in a brief WhatsApp message on Wednesday. But he quickly pointed out, “Some of this occupancy is not directly related to revellers but is supported by institutions providing services to the carnival.” Read more here
Yara gets US$93M in 3 years for operating Tringen
Majority state-owned ammonia producer Tringen (Trinidad Nitrogen Ltd) reimbursed the company’s minority shareholder, Norway’s Yara, a total of $624.05 million (US$93.13 million) in the last three years for the management and operation of Tringen’s two ammonia plants on the Point Lisas Industrial Estate. Fifty-one per cent of Tringen is owned by publicly listed National Enterprises Ltd (NEL) and 49 per cent by Yara Caribbean (2002) Ltd, which wholly owns Yara Trinidad, the company that contracted the management and operating agreement with Tringen. Under that agreement, Tringen reimburses Yara Trinidad for all direct costs and 90 per cent of the total indirect costs incurred in carrying out its obligations, according to information contained in Tringen’s 2022 and 2021 financial statements. The Tringen audits were conducted by Ernst & Young Services Ltd (EY). Read more here
REGIONAL
Guyana ‘on guard’ amid increased Venezuelan military presence at border
Amid social media reports of the mobilisation of increased personnel and execution of military exercises by Venezuelan troops in close vicinity to Guyana’s borders, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that the country remains ‘on guard’ and has shared the increased military activities by Venezuela taking place on its border with the Caribbean Community (CARlCOM) and other international partners. In a statement on Wednesday evening, the Ministry said: The Government wishes to advise that every piece of information is taken seriously and is being examined in detail. The Guyana Defence Force has also been reviewing these reports.”According to the statement, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation requested an explanation of the Venezuelan Ambassador who claimed that the mobilisation of troops was geared towards curbing illegal mining operations. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Naga Munchetty told to suck it up over extreme menstrual problems
BBC presenter Naga Munchetty has told a committee of MPs that doctors told her to suck it up after she experienced extreme menstrual health problems. Ms Munchetty and TV personality Vicky Pattison said GPs had repeatedly called their gynaecological symptoms "normal". Both turned to private healthcare to have their conditions treated. The pair were giving evidence to the Women and Equalities Committee as part of an inquiry into women's reproductive health. Earlier this year, Ms Munchetty revealed she had adenomyosis, which affects the womb, but called the process of being diagnosed "infuriating". She had suffered debilitating symptoms, including excruciating pain and heavy menstrual bleeding, since her teens, with her husband even calling an ambulance because of the pain, she told the committee. Read more here
19th October 2023