Portside February 2014 - Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago

February 2014
Exciting Calypso and Ole Mas
Competition 2014
Port Calypso Monarch, Lennox Sampson, during his performance
Deputy Chairman Suresh Gangapersad welcomes the crowd
The 14th of February was not only the international
day of love (Valentine’s Day) but it also shared this
special date with the Port’s Annual Calypso and Ole
mas Competition 2014 event, held at the Cruise
Ship Complex. Hundreds of persons came out to
be entertained by the talented and creative
employees who took part in the event. Also in
attendance was Deputy Chairman Suresh
Gangapersad, who welcomed the crowd. Others
who came to enjoy the show included:
Commissioner Patricia Herry, Ag. GM/CEO Sharon
Mark, and Ag. CEO PPOS Trudy Gill-Conlon.
There were 15 contestants, with genres of calypso
ranging from kaiso to soca to even chutney-soca.
Four performances were exceptionally outstanding,
in the judges’ opinion. In first place was Lennox
Sampson from the mechanical garage with his
calypso ‘Death Penalty’. In second place was IT’s
Julius Leacock with his chutney-soca ‘De Bullhorn’.
nd
IT Department’s Julius Leacock in 2 place, with his saucy dancers
Third place winner, Sherwin Edwards, gets into his rendition
Other special prizes presented were: Most
Humorous, copped by Hafeez Mohammed with his
calypso titled ‘Sing Fuh We”, Highest Placed
Female, won by Aisha Lashley-Farrell of the Cargo
Accounts Department and first time Chutney Soca
Monarch won by Julius Leacock.
th
Heston Blake, 4 place winner, enjoying his time on stage
In third place was Sherwin Edwards of the Port
Police with his calypso ‘Beautify’ - and in fourth
place was Heston Blake who also won the Soca
Monarch title with his song ‘No Gangster Man’.
Ole Mas winning band, Ministry of Internal Affairs
After the performances the crowd was further
entertained by local Soca Artiste, Benjai. This was
followed by the Ole Mas Competition where the
Basement Crew, narrated by Dishon Maurice, took
first prize with their performance called ‘Ministry
of Internal Affairs’. In second place was a
presentation by the Barrel Shop entitled ‘It’s Ah
Ledge’.
Hafeez Mohammed, winner of Most Humorous prize
All-in-all the event was exciting and well-enjoyed,
highlighting the artistic talents of port employees in
the form of song and ‘street theatre’- accompanied
by the Fire Services Band. Yet another event filled
with good times, some picong and camaraderie.
PORT IS PRESENT AT CAREER FAIR
The Port Authority was well represented at the
recently concluded Ministry of Education (St.
George District) Career Fairs, held at the University
Aisha Lashley-Farrell, Highest Placed Female winner, in costume for
her performance
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of Trinidad and Tobago, Arima Campus, on 5th
February and at the Centre of Excellence over the
period February 18th and 19th.
CHRISTMAS VOUCHERS FOR EMPLOYEES
Commissioner Patricia Herry presents voucher to Delecia Matthew
Presenters speaking with students at the Port Booth
The fair catered to students of Forms 3, 5 and 6
and the Port's presentations were well-received by
both students and teachers alike. Representing the
Port Authority were Sheldon Smith of the Crane
Maintenance Department, Lorne Sandy of the
Insurance Department, Sieunarine Babwah and
Claydon Wyllie of the Marine Division, Pearl
Valdez-Narcis of the Public Relations Department
and Sherry-Ann Greenidge-Brewster of the
Marketing Department.
The facilitators of the programme - the Ministry of
Education and the National Training Academy,
were high in praise for the 'mentoring' approach
that was chosen by the Port's presenters to the
students, and even indicated their interest for the
PATT to be a part of future events of a similar
nature.
Employees received a surprise token of
appreciation for the Christmas season. This was a
welcomed gesture which was initiated by the Board
of the Port Authority, as a way of acknowledging
and expressing thanks for the efforts and
dedication of port employees for the past year.
In total, 1613 employees were eligible to receive
Hi-Lo vouchers in the amount of $300 each. The
criteria used for eligibility were:
 Daily paid employees who worked for more
than 1080 hours during the period 1st
January 2013 to 31st October 2013.
 Monthly paid employees who had worked
for at least six months during the period 1st
January to 31st October 2013
This was a pleasant surprise for most employees,
who used the vouchers to supplement their
Christmas spending.
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CRUISE PASSENGERS GET A GLIMPSE OF
TRINI CARNIVAL
GERRY IS SECOND IN AEROBICS BURN-OUT
Gerard Richards poses with his trophies won over the years
The majestic Crown Princess at the Cruise Ship Complex
From one Caribbean paradise to another - the
Crown Princess anchored at Port of Spain on
February 21st, bringing 3080 passengers from their
recent visit to Barbados. It was the second largest
vessel scheduled to visit Trinidad for the 2013/2014
cruise season and all was in place to welcome her.
Upon arrival, passengers were given a taste of
Carnival as the quayside was decorated by
renowned Carnival Bandleader, Brian McFarlane.
The sounds of the Steelpan greeted them, and
although they were one week early for the
‘Greatest Show on Earth’, they were still able to get
a glimpse of the celebrations and to enjoy some
soca music and traditional Carnival characters, such
as Blue Devils and Moko Jumbies.
From a group of 200 entrants, Gerard 'Fitness'
Richards placed second in the Fire Services Aerobic
Burn-Out, held at the Fire Services Headquarters on
February 10th.
The contest attracted competitors from the
Protective Services such as the Army, Police, Fire
Services and Prisons, as well as representatives of
some of the country's top gyms.
Richards, who flew the Port Authority flag with
pride, is well known in the aerobics arena having
won several competitions over the past years. In
1995 he placed second in the National
Competition.
The T&T Tourist Transport Services Association
reported that all maxi taxis were booked for the
day, with 1738 passengers going on various tours
on the island. The vessel departed at 4:00pm
destined for Recife, Brazil.
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