NEWS
Port: Fixed-container scanner fully operational
The Port of Port of Spain says its fixed-container scanner is fully operational. In a newspaper advertisement in the daily newspapers on Sunday, the Port said it was the only seaport in TT with a fully operational fixed-container scanner. It said the scanner, a $25 million Nuctech Linea Accelerator X-ray scanner and detection system, was acquired by grant funding from China and commissioned on September 12, 2014. The Port said the Customs and Excise Division was the “stipulated entity,” under the laws of TT, to conduct inspections of commercial cargo and personal goods passing through any seaport. Read more here
HDC allays fears of toppling electricity pole at Real Springs
The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) is seeking to assure residents of Real Spring, Valsayn, that there is little to fear over the integrity of two electricity poles carrying high-tension wires on the western side of the estate. Residents were yesterday fearful that recent flooding had eroded the land around the poles and that another flood in the area could cause them to collapse. “This poses a real danger already as it is because one of the poles is actually leaning. Every time the water comes up over the river bank it is taking a piece of the land. This flood was the worst so far and if this kind of flooding happens again it can be worse and those poles can go with the land and waters causing grave danger,” one resident said. However, the HDC sent a crew to take a look at the poles yesterday and was able to assure the residents that their fears were not warranted at this time. Read more here
POLITICS
Rowley at PNM 50th convention: 'Corrupt and worthless officers' to be weeded out
The Prime Minister's address at the People's National Movement's (PNM) 50th annual convention took a mostly sombre, almost hostile tone. Dr Keith Rowley spoke at length about the party and government's achievements, recent and historic, Rowley also focused extensively on the opposition, and major problems affecting society. While Rowley minced no words when describing the country's reality, he said the government's fight against the number-one problem, crime, was not over. Read more here
PNM results today; Imbert tells defeated candidates to ‘come again’
Those who didn’t win in yesterday’s People’s National Movement’s (PNM’s) internal elections should “come again”. This was the advice extended by outgoing PNM chairman, Finance Minister Colm Imbert when he addressed delegates and observers at yesterday’s morning segment of the PNM’s 50th convention at the Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain. The results will be announced today, Imbert told the convention. The third and final day of voting in the PNM’s internal election took place from 8 am to 1 pm. Speaking in the morning ahead of the results, Imbert noted the number of candidates in the election. He said it was quite a keenly contested one. Read more here
BUSINESS
Central Bank Governor says things are looking up for T&T
Expect good things in 2023. This from Central Bank Governor Dr Alvin Hilaire who shared some insights exclusively with the Sunday Business Guardian during the Bankers’ Association of T&T’s (BATT) 25th anniversary celebration which was held at the Hilton Hotel recently. According to Hilaire things have been looking up for this country. “We are working on our projections now. So far, things look very positive in a number of areas so we expect good things in 2023. We are refining our projections now. We just had the (International Monetary Fund) IMF here. We will have our Monetary Policy announcement at the end of December so we will be in a better position in the next couple of weeks to be more definitive,” Hilaire said. Read more here
bpTT to invest US$800m in T&T next year
BP is expected to invest approximately US$800 million into Trinidad and Tobago in 2023, according to bpTT president David Campbell. Speaking Friday to the media at a luncheon at bpTT’s box located at Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, Campbell said the company invested about US$3.4 billion in T&T between 2018 and 2022. Read more here
REGIONAL
‘We are building a prosperous country’
‘TIS the Yuletide season, and as Guyanese celebrate this beloved holiday, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips sought to assure them that there is indeed much to celebrate, as the government is working diligently to create a prosperous country for all. Prime Minister Phillips spoke moments before the enormous Christmas Tree at Rahaman’s Park, Houston, Georgetown, was lit on Sunday night. Addressing scores of Georgetown and lower East Bank residents eagerly awaiting the illumination of the iconic tree, the Prime Minister posited that Guyana is undergoing a period of exponential development. And according to him, the Christmas season and year-end period present an opportunity to reflect on the strides that were made this year. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Ukraine war: Oil prices rise as cap on Russian crude kicks in
Oil prices have risen amid concerns that a new cap on the price of Russian crude could disrupt global supplies in the coming months. A separate decision by major oil-producing countries to keep cutting how much they produce to prop up prices has also fuelled the rise. The price of Brent crude oil rose by almost 2% on Monday to $87.25 a barrel. But this is still well below the highs seen after Russia invaded Ukraine. Higher oil prices tend to push up petrol prices and the cost of living which, in the UK, is rising at its fastest pace in 41 years. Read more here
5th December 2022