There are no legal barriers preventing Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner from continuing to serve as Vice President of football’s world governing body, FIFA. This was revealed by Attorney General Anand Ramlogan at today’s post Cabinet news conference at the Office of the Prime Minister, following consultations with four prominent legal experts. He was responding to advice given by the Integrity Commission on Mr. Warner’s status, after the issue was first raised by Opposition Leader, Dr. Keith Rowley.

Former President, Sir Ellis Clarke, former Attorney General, Russell Martineau, Sir Fenton Ramsahoye, QC and Michael Bellup, QC, all advised that there is no conflict of interest or restriction preventing Mr Warner from holding both posts, noting that the FIFA post is a ceremonial one.

However, they also agreed that Mr. Warner’s duties as FIFA Vice President should in no way interfere with his obligations as Works Minister. As a result, they all agreed that it is the discretion of Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar to determine whether Mr. Warner’s duties as FIFA Vice President could adversely affect his performance as Minister of Works and Transport in the Government.

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CREDITS:

- Story compiled by Nicola Joseph using information from the Attorney General at the post Cabinet press conference.

- Photo courtesy Sunil Ramjitsingh

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO NEWS ROUNDUP FOR JUNE 18, 2010

The Trinidad and Tobago Parliament opened formally today.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced that Local Government elections will take place on July 26, 2010.

The Ministry of Community Development commissioned the 2010 version of its Handicraft Development Skills Training Programme on May 17th at various communities throughout Trinidad and Tobago. Courses in balloon decoration, soft furnishings, floral making and arranging, landscaping, crochet, mehendi art, woodcarving and airbrush painting, just to name a few, are being offered to nationals, free of charge.

Classes are held during the evening and on weekends at community centres, civic centres, churches and schools for the period of approximately three months. Each class comprises a 3-hour session. It is envisaged that at the end of these programmes participants will be equipped with new skills to become employable.

Partnering with the Ministry in this initiative is the TCL Group, which has come on board to facilitate a segment of the Landscaping course which includes the construction of stepping stones and garden walkways. This aspect of the seminar aims to educate participants on how to go about making their own stepping stones and garden walkways. TCL’s expertise provides valuable insight on making moulds, colouring and mixing techniques, placing the concrete, curing methods and maintenance of the stones and walkways.

To date, the seminars on making walkways have been held at the North Manzanilla Government school, Rambert Village in La Romain, Boos Community in Rio Claro, Fonrose Village in Tableland, Plaisance Park, Tabaquite and Siparia. Upcoming sessions are scheduled for Warrenville, Cunupia, Princes Town, Siparia and Los Bajos, Moruga and Debe.

Community members have expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to learn these new skills and are grateful to have a face to face insight on proper concrete mixing and curing techniques. At the end of the programme, each person will receive a certificate of participation and will be expected to display his/her work during a graduation exercise which will take place on the final class day.

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CREDITS:
- Story by Natalie Walters
- Photo by Vincent Ma