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Ramesh Dookhoo of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), however, disagreed that the matter was complex. He said it is simply a matter of amending Trinidadian laws.

Similarly, the GMSA’s Vice President, Rafeek Khan expressed frustration at the “long standing issue and debate.”

He mulled whether the issue should be elevated to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) because of unsuccessful attempts at resolving the issue at the level of CARICOM’s Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED).

For context, Trinidad and Tobago’s honey, bees and bee products are guided by the island’s age-old Food and Drug Act of 1960 and Beekeeping and Bee products Act of 1935.

And as per the country’s Beekeeping and Bee Products Act, only honey originating from the Windward and Leeward Islands can be transhipped there.

The country initially restricted the importation of honey from Grenada and other Caribbean countries over concerns of a potentially disastrous disease of honey bees, the American Foulbrood disease.

Grenada took the issue to COTED in 2013 and the Council decided that Trinidad’s denial of market access was in violation of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, CARICOM’s central treaty. And Trinidad was directed to lift the prohibition on the import and transshipment of honey, based on reports.

Still, the problem exists.

And Dr. Ononaiwu said one of the reasons the issue has been described as complex is because it intersects with sanitary and phytosanitary concerns.

Essentially, these measures are quarantine and biosecurity measures implemented by countries to help safeguards against the spread of pests or diseases that may be in agricultural products.

Dookhoo accepted that these concerns are what countries should be wary of but believes the time is long past for a resolution to the honey transshipment issue.

This notice is also being made one month ahead of schedule to ensure persons and businesses make requisite changes where necessary: persons travelling out of the country at the time of the closure, those with doctors’ appointments and other important engagements, etc., are being urged to note these changes.

Minister Edghill, says the government understands the significance of this replacement and is committed to seeing this project through, as this new retractor which spans 170 feet long and 40 feet wide and is valued at $1.2 billion, will result in a much smoother operation (retractability) in the future, which will also enable wider vessels to pass through the channel.

The Minister is appealing to commuters and businesses for their understanding and support during these three days of closure of the bridge, as the replacement of span nine cannot be done while traffic is flowing.

Last year September, span nine was damaged when the Panamanian flagged vessel, MV Tradewinds Passion crashed into the bridge during a retraction period and rendered the bridge inoperable for several days.

Since then, that damaged section of the bridge had to be repaired several times, while plans were being made to replace the unit altogether.
Repairs to span nine were undertaken by a local company, Industrial Fabrications Inc (InFab), which was completed in late 2022. In May this year, span nine was transported from the dockyard to the bridge for the perfect time and tide for installation.

Jason Holder then came to join Roston Chase, who was batting well in the midst of the carnage at the other end, and the pair looked comfortable, adding a further 37 runs before Holder fell for 19 in the 41st over.

Keemo Paul then came and went for just one before Chase’s resistance was ended for 44 to leave the West Indies on the brink at 224-9 in the 43rd over.

With the score on 233 in the 45th over, Alzarri Joseph chipped a ball to Sikandar Raza at short mid-wicket to confirm the 35-run win for Zimbabwe.

Tendai Chatara led the way with the ball with 3-52 off 9.4 overs while Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava and Sikandar Raza all took two wickets, each.

Both teams have already advanced to the Super 6 stage. Zimbabwe will play the USA in their last group game on Monday while, on the same day, the West Indies will face the Netherlands. (Sportsmax)

The man was taken to the hospital at about 03:00 hrs, complaining of chest pains and intense heart palpitations. A doctor on duty and with nurses responded to the emergency.

Dr. Persaud was informed that at some point, the nurses tried to get his vitals but couldn’t because he reportedly fainted and fell to the ground. His weight proved a challenge for the team to get him onto bed. As such, the doctor attended to him on the ground.

“They attempted multiple resuscitation sessions and one was successful but others weren’t,” Dr Persaud said.

He added that the protocol is for all deaths to be reported. Notably, the concerns raised warrants an investigation into the circumstances and service offered.

“We’re getting the report from all the personal who are involved with this patient at Diamond and I am also awaiting a report from the family member so that I can get their side together.

“Then we will look at it and then decide what necessary action we have to take,” he said.

An autopsy has not yet been completed.