NEWS
PSA vows to take Revenue Authority matter to the Privy Council
Public Services Association (PSA) president Leroy Baptiste is vowing to take the matter of the TT Revenue Authority (TTRA) Act to the Privy Council. Baptiste said in a phone interview on Tuesday that the association’s attorneys were immediately instructed to prepare to take the matter to the final appellate court on the advice of its Senior Counsel, Anand Ramlogan. His statements were prompted by the announcement that the Court of Appeal dismissed the PSA’s challenge to the act’s implementation through one of its members, customs officer Terrisa Dhoray. Read more here
Wrecking resumes today in Port-of-Spain
From today, towing of vehicles parked illegally in the capital city will resume, this includes areas in Port-of-Spain, Woodbrook, Ariapita Avenue, St James, and the Western Main Road. Wrecking was suspended in the capital in 2020 during the COVID-19 Pandemic. But numerous complaints from commuters, taxi drivers, and some business owners about the indiscriminate parking and traffic congestion in Port-of-Spain pushed Mayor Chinua Alleyne to find a solution. “We have a responsibility to play a role in law enforcement,” he said. The revamping of towing will be spearheaded by the City Police in collaboration with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS). Read more here
POLITICS
Colm gets greenlight on T&T Revenue Authority
The Government has been given the all-clear to continue with its move to implement the long-touted T&T Revenue Authority (TTRA). Delivering a judgment yesterday, Appellate Judges Nolan Bereaux, Charmaine Pemberton and Mira Dean-Armorer dismissed an appeal brought by Public Services Association (PSA) member and customs officer Terrisa Dhoray, whose case was initially rejected by High Court Judge Westmin James in November last year. The appeal panel said, “We find no reason to depart from the findings of the first instance judge.” The outcome of the case means that the move to implement the TTRA can proceed. Although the PSA previously lost two attempts at an injunction to halt the move pending the outcome of its litigation, Finance Minister Colm Imbert had previously agreed to hold out on the move as the case was being considered by the local courts. Read more here
BUSINESS
Positives coming from bid round, says energy expert
Energy expert and chairman of the TT Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (TTEITI), Gregory McGuire, said there are positives to be taken from the shallow-water competitive bid round. The bid rounds opened on October 3, 2023, and concluded on Monday, in a closing ceremony held at the Energy Ministry's offices at Tower C, Waterfront Complex, Port of Spain. McGuire said one of the positives coming out of the bid rounds was that companies already established here and familiar with TT's geology were the companies that bid. Read more here
Farmers to share $3M agro-incentive grants
Over $3 million in grants were recently distributed to 31 farmers as part of Cycle 7 of the Agricultural Finance Support Programme (Agro-Incentive Grant). The recipients represent a diverse cross-section of the agricultural sector, including small-scale farmers and large agribusinesses. The funds will be used for various innovative projects such as state-of-the-art irrigation systems, hydroponic systems, solar panel installations, shade houses, and farm improvements to meet good agricultural practices standards, investments in new breeding stock for livestock, and advanced fishing equipment. In his address at the ministry’s head office in Chaguanas, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Kazim Hosein, emphasised the significance of this initiative, stating, "Throughout our proceedings today, you will all recognise the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries is not just funding projects. We are investing in the potential of our land, the ingenuity of our people, and the health of our nation." Read more here
REGIONAL
‘Keep Up’ – President Ali to banking sector
A STRONG call has been made by President Dr. Irfaan Ali to the banking sector, demanding greater innovation, proactivity, and adaptation to Guyana’s dynamic economic environment. This move is in response to the nation’s efforts to expand beyond its thriving oil industry. During his speech at the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Annual General Meeting (AGM), which took place at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown, President Ali underscored the vital importance of banks in capital formation and economic development.
“The banking sector has been given one of the most dynamic platforms to support capital formation in this country. Yet to date, the banking sector has not responded with the speed, efficiency, reliability, and time to exploit the opportunities that are here in Guyana,” President Ali said. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Israel's operation in Rafah doesn't cross US red lines - White House
The US does not believe Israel has launched a full-scale invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza, White House spokesman John Kirby has said. He spoke hours after Israeli forces reached the centre of the city and reportedly seized a strategically important hill overlooking the nearby border with Egypt. US President Joe Biden said this month he would limit weapons supplies to Israel if it entered the “population centres” of Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of civilians are still believed to be sheltering. Mr Kirby was also questioned about an Israeli strike and a resulting fire that killed at least 45 Palestinians – many of them women, children, or elderly – at a camp for displaced people on Sunday. Read more here
29th May 2024