View Point

In a few months, I shall cross another threshold of ageing, scoring seventy years of life and officially transitioning into the status of “old geezer.” The dawning of a new year set me thinking about the past and the future, although I know I have fewer years ahead of me …

Once again I am unable, on the opening Sunday of a new year, to write in a positive mood, even though last year, 2015, was a fulfilling year for me, as I waded deeper into the very positive, but under resourced, world of arts and entertainment: assisting in getting St …

The escalating confrontation between the Mayor of Port of Spain and food entrepreneurs at the Queen’s Park Savannah is only the latest example of the historic refusal to recognise, validate and support enterprise and initiative emerging from within the people’s sector. It is undeniable that the mushrooming food court en …

Afra Raymond resigning from JCC is no trivial matter, yet it is surprising how social media comments, and corner talk are missing the heart of the issue. The implications for the future of governance and transparency in Trinidad and Tobago is at serious risk when a reasonable request for transparency …

I am surprised that so many people are surprised by the termination of services—firing, suspension, the euphemistically-couched “sent on administrative leave”—of several senior government officials, the most prominent being Governor of the Central Bank, Jwala Rambarran. Clearing the politically-constructed State-stables of partisan appointees is a ritual that occurs every time …

Trinidad and Tobago author and historian, Angelo Bissessarsingh, passed away this morning—according to a Trinidad Guardian report—after battling for two years with pancreatic cancer. The following column on Bissessarsingh and his value to the two island republic was written by columnist Sunity Maharaj on 27 December 2015: That he is still …

For the record, yes we can. We can chew chewing gum and walk. We can calculate the implications of dipping into the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund and compute our chances of surviving three hours on high heels. Yes, we can. The idea that there are more serious things to address …

Central Bank governor Jwala Rambarran was the unlikeliest man to kick the hornets’ nest. But that he did when he named the firms that used the most foreign exchange—or forex—over the past three years. Amidst a cacophony of complaints from businesses and individuals about being denied adequate sums of forex …

Last Wednesday, amidst much ceremony but little pomp, Major-General Kenrick Maharaj took his last parade as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and proceeded into retirement, one month short of his 56th birthday. Brigadier Rodney Smart was named as the new CDS. Presumably, some other adjustments were made, or will soon be …

Just when we most need our leaders to stand together and assume their joint responsibility for guiding T&T through the rough waters of an economic downturn, we get instead a fireworks display of cheap shots. Hostile relations between a Dr Keith Rowley-led Government and the Governor of the Central Bank …

Civic watch group, Fixin’ T&T has reiterated its stance that Central Bank governor Jwala Rambarran must leave his post immediately and rejected any suggested that his impasse with Minister of Finance Colm Imbert could be resolved behind closed doors. Fixin’ T&T insisted that Rambarran no longer has the confidence of …

Rafael “Raf” Robertson, a Trinidadian pianist, composer, arranger, teacher and producer, with over 40 years of international experience, passed away on Friday 4 December 2015. His funeral will take place on Friday 11 December 2015 at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, 30A Abercromby Street, Port of Spain from 1.30 pm. The proceeding is …