UPDATE (30/12/21): NFM has reduced the proposed increase in retail prices of its flour products after the company received swift backlash following its initial announcement. Details here. With the increasing cost of wheat and freight globally, National Flour Mills Limited (NFM) announced today (Wednesday 29th December 2021) its decision to increase the wholesale price of flour by between 15% and 22%, with a suggested increase averaging 19% on the retail price of flour to the consumer. The company said it can no longer maintain prices in the face of rising international price increases. The price increase is set to take effect on 3rd January 2021. This decision, the company said, follows several internal initiatives to improve operating efficiency and reduce processing costs in an attempt to contain expenditure and maintain the price of flour, in the face of increased supply chain costs and soaring commodity prices. Flour prices have not been adjusted since 2008. Commenting on the decision, NFM CEO lan Mitchell said: "This was by no means an easy decision, as we did everything within our control to try to hold our prices; but with the staggering increases in raw material and shipping costs, we were left with no choice but to make the adjustment. We are acutely aware of the knock-on effect that an increase in the price of flour could have in the market, but we cannot sell a product for less than it costs to produce." NFM noted that the price of Spring Wheat moved from as low as US $5.00 per bushel in 2020, to as high as US $10.91 per bushel this year, additionally, the cost of freight has increased more than 110%. The company provided a graph to illustrate the increases in the price of wheat. During the past eighteen (18) months, NFM said it sought to offset the increasing external costs by focusing on productivity measures to optimize the levels of efficiency throughout its operations. Some of these measures ultimately resulted in the company being able to reduce indirect manufacturing cost per tonne by 4% despite a reduction in work hours necessitated by the COVID-19 Pandemic curfew. The company notes that increased prices of grain and the rise in supply chain costs are affecting markets worldwide. NFM said that generally, adverse weather conditions have affected crop yields, supply chain issues have increased the cost of agricultural inputs, like fertilizers; and the overall impact of COVID-19 has caused shipping costs to skyrocket. NFM Chairman Nigel Romano said: "It's an unfortunate analogy, especially given the realities of climate change, but we have been confronted by the perfect storm — 2020 witnessed the lowest wheat yields since 2007, and the supply chain disruptions caused by the Pandemic have increased freight costs significantly, further impacting the landed cost of all grain and other material inputs. NFM is a price taker. We have no control over the landed costs of our imported raw materials, which now account for 64% of our production costs. I think the team is doing a good job improving our internal processing and driving other costs down, especially during these trying times, and we will continue to find ways to continually improve." NFM PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: 1. What sort of knock-on effect can we expect with the cost of other food items like bread, roti and doubles which use flour as a main input?
2. Should the price of wheat return to its previous levels, would NFM be prepared to reduce prices?
3. Has the Government imposed price control on NFM?
4. The price of wheat has increased more than 100%, yet NFM has only increased prices by about 19%. Is this price increase sufficient to cover the increase in costs?
5. Has NFM communicated with the other manufacturers/distributors of flour to determine what the new price should be?
6. What can we expect of NFM’s financial performance given the price increase?
7. Is there expected to be any other increases in products by NFM, where wheat or flour is also a raw material input?
8. If the cost of grain continues the upward trend is there expected to be another price increase by NFM?
9. What impact will this increase have on the cost of a basket of goods to the consumer?
10. Has the price of flour been increased in other CARICOM countries?
This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.
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The Ministry of Health will be hosting a virtual Press Conference at 11am this morning (Wednesday 29th December 2021) to update the public about the latest developments with COVID-19 in Trinidad and Tobago.
The Ministry reported 360 new cases yesterday along with sixteen (16) more unfortunate deaths. The country’s death toll has reached 2,809. There have been a record-breaking 19,003 new cases and 651 deaths so far in the month of December. Watch the live stream of the Press Conference below when it begins at 11am, courtesy of TTT.
This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.
In a Media Release on Tuesday (28th December 2021), Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar said the Attorney General’s latest debacle proves “the Rowley regime needs mandatory truth serum.” Police detained 100 persons who were onboard the “Ocean Pelican” vessel in Chaguaramas on Boxing Day (Sunday 26th December 2021). The group was processed and subsequently released pending further enquiries. The organizer of the event is said to be Adrian Scoon, the son of Minister of Trade and Industry, Paula Gopee-Scoon. Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Faris Al-Rawi, issued a statement of clarification on Tuesday regarding his alleged involvement in the matter, denying he offered any legal advice to Mr. Scoon about how to bypass the Public Health Regulations. In her Media Release, Mrs. Persad-Bissessar said, “During the past 6 years, there has been no shortage of ways in which Attorney General Faris Al Rawi has debased himself and the once-respected office he holds. However, Al Rawi’s latest debacle surely seals his fate as the most unethical Attorney General in our nation’s history.” She continued, “It is simply appalling that while Keith Rowley has now resorted to threatening public servants to either accept mandatory vaccination or unemployment, his Attorney General Faris Al Rawi is simultaneously providing personal advice to well-connected PNM individuals on how to circumvent the Government's own COVID-19 protocols.” The Opposition Leader said that in this instance, “Al Rawi allegedly advised the son of Minister Paula Gopee Scoon, Adrian Scoon, on a way to bypass COVID-19 regulations so as to throw a fete on a boat by declaring it to be a floating restaurant. This Government continues to lie and spin their way through this pandemic while placing the lives and livelihoods of our citizens in increasing jeopardy.” She went on to point out, “What is truly pitiful is that the Attorney General is steadfastly denying this took place even though there is documentary proof of Adrian Scoon writing to Terrance Deyalsingh saying he has converted his boat (Ocean Pelican) to a restaurant and is acting on advice from the Attorney General. The fact that our COVID-19 infection and death rates continue to skyrocket unchecked, makes this latest act by Al Rawi a sickening betrayal of the public which elected him to act in their best interests.” Mrs. Persad-Bissessar added, “Unlike hundreds of thousands of Public Servants and the hundreds of thousands who have suffered during the economic lockdowns, Faris Al Rawi won't be worrying over his job after his outrageous behaviour. Keith Rowley will continue to turn a blind eye to all acts of, lies, misbehaviour, corruption, and malfeasance within his Cabinet. Our nation is facing a crisis that is being made worse by a Rowley Government that has no fear in telling bold-faced lies to the public to cover their tracks.” Her Media Release concluded by saying, “I advise Keith Rowley before he threatens and berates any more workers for failing to support mandatory COVID-19 vaccination, he and his Ministers should subscribe to the idea of ‘mandatory truth-telling’ for themselves.” This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.
In a Media Release on Tuesday (28th December 2021), the Ministry of Works and Transport is advising the public that the validity of 2021 Priority Bus Route (PBR) Permits will expire on Friday 31st December 2021.
As such, the Ministry said members of the public are reminded that unauthorized use of the Priority Bus Route will result in the issue of a Fixed Penalty Notice in the amount of $2,000 and six (6) Demerit Points. Authorised holders of Permits are advised to adhere to and pay particular attention to the conditions stipulated on PBR Permits to avoid being fined. The Ministry thanks the public for its usual cooperation. The Ministry of Health revealed in its daily COVID-19 update this afternoon (Tuesday 28th December 2021) that there are 360 new COVID-19 cases in Trinidad and Tobago plus sixteen (16) additional deaths. These new patients will be processed for admission at the discretion of the CMOHs.
The number of new cases represents a 105.71% increase in reported cases from yesterday. The number of new deaths matches the lowest for the month (16 also on 9th December 2021). The Ministry provided the following information about the latest deaths:
There have been a record-breaking 19,003 new cases and 651 deaths so far in the month of December. The Ministry reported 175 new cases yesterday plus twenty-five (25) more unfortunate deaths. The country’s death toll has crossed the 2,800 mark, at 2,809. T&T’s total positive cases now rises to 90,364 with 16,503 being active cases. A total of 71,052 patients have recovered from the virus to date. 15,505 persons are in home self-isolation and there are twenty-three (23) persons in total at State quarantine facilities. A total of 659,477 persons have been partially vaccinated with a first dose and 664,699 have been fully vaccinated (including single-dose Johnson & Johnson). 66,979 persons in total have taken an additional primary dose and booster. The percentage of patients in the parallel healthcare system who are NOT fully vaccinated is 87.5% (based on data from 22nd July - 8th December 2021). The Ministry states that the number of positive cases reported reflects the samples taken during a 4-day period between 24th - 27th December 2021 and not the last twenty-four (24) hours. The Ministry also notes that there are currently 484 COVID-19 positive patients being treated at Hospitals with twenty-three (23) in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and twenty-two (22) in the High Dependency Unit (HDU). 154 patients are in step-down/transition facilities across T&T. This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates. UPDATE: Minister of Trade and Industry, Paula Gopee-Scoon, has distanced herself from any involvement regarding her son Adrian Scoon’s use of the “Ocean Pelican” vessel as a Safe Zone for the controversial event. When asked for comment by the media, she said, “Not at all, as you said, it’s my son, he’s an adult and I am not prepared to comment on that at all.” Police detained 100 persons who were onboard the “Ocean Pelican” vessel in Chaguaramas on Boxing Day (Sunday 26th December 2021). The group was processed and subsequently released pending further enquiries. The organizer of the event is said to be Adrian Scoon, the son of Minister of Trade and Industry, Paula Gopee-Scoon. According to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), between 5:30pm and 9:30pm on Sunday, Officers received reports related to activity on a boat in the vicinity of The Anchorage. A check of the vessel (Ocean Pelican) revealed there were 100 persons onboard, including the boat’s owner. They were all detained, processed, and released. Consultations were held with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and Sgt (Ag.) Adams is continuing investigations to determine if there were any breaches of the Public Health Regulations. In the event that they were, the TTPS said these persons will be proceeded against by means of summons. The exercise was co-ordinated by Snr Supt Kelvern Thompson, Supt Henry, ASP Beard, and spearheaded by Insp Ramjattan and Sgt (Ag.) Adams. It included Officers of the Western Division Task Force (WDTF), Special Patrol Unit, Marine Unit, Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA) Police, and personnel from the Crime Scene Unit and Criminal Investigations Department (CID). Spokesperson for the Pleasure Boat Association, Stephan Mc Comie, said he was unsure of the details of the incident. “It was an exercise carried out by Carenage Police Station with respect to a breach of the Public Health Ordinance because the Pelican is not considered a Safe Zone so there was a misunderstanding there, within the agreement to rent the boat at the point in time.” He noted that the vessel did not leave the mariner but remained docked throughout the event. He said the vessel has a special restaurant license but it is not a Safe Zone. Mc Comie said the Association would meet on Tuesday (28th December 2021) to further discuss the incident. Meanwhile, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Faris Al-Rawi, issued a statement of clarification on Tuesday regarding his alleged involvement in the matter. The Attorney General said he has taken note of an article appearing on Page 7 of Tuesday’s Express Newspaper, written by Denyse Renne under the heading "Loophole for party boat - Police raid Boxing Day event". Al-Rawi points out that in this article, Ms. Renne states, alongside a large picture of himself, "A SENIOR LEGAL ADVISER in the Office of the Attorney General is said to have advised organizers of a loop hole in the Public Health Ordinance which enabled over 100 patrons and popular soca singers to assemble on board a pleasure craft converted into a ‘floating restaurant’ on Sunday." According to Al-Rawi, Ms. Renne then goes on to state that businessman Adrian Scoon wrote to Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh on 26th December 2021 stating he (Scoon) “wish to convert our vessel into a floating restaurant and, more importantly, a Safe Zone" The correspondence to Minister Deyalsingh reads, "Dear Minister Deyalsingh, we at the Ocean Pelican are writing to inform you that we have attained our Restaurant and Bar Licence and wish to convert our vessel into a floating restaurant and, more importantly, as a Safe Zone. On advice from the Honourable AG Faris Al-Rawi, we ensure you that our vessel will remain docked and will not sail so as to adhere to the Public Health Ordinance Regulations. We emphasise that we plan on observing all protocols that constitute a Safe Zone during this period." The Attorney General notes that the article is alongside a box entitled "Questions for AG" where three (3) questions “which do NOT relate to the above are posed to the AG and are answered as quoted.” For the “record and for the sake of accuracy and clarity,” the AG provided the following information which he said he “would happily have disclosed to Ms. Renne” had she bothered to ask: 1. Mr. Adrian Scoon who is very well known to the AG, called many weeks ago to ask a general question about the Public Health Regulations and party boats and the AG specifically informed him to put his enquires to the Minister of Health and/or Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts. The AG specifically cautioned Mr. Scoon to ensure that whatever he does, he must strictly observe the law, as there are no exceptions. 2. The AG gave NO legal advice to Mr. Scoon whatsoever. 3. The AG NEVER saw, nor did he authorize, the letter referred to in the article which was supposedly written to the Minister of Health. 4. Mr. Scoon's general enquiries of the AG were, as are all general enquiries of that nature, redirected to the relevant line Ministries where appropriate. Al-Rawi added that Mr. Scoon offered his apology on Tuesday morning and he (Scoon) specifically acknowledged that “no legal advice was given by the AG and stated that he regretted the inconvenience caused.” The statement from the Attorney General concluded by the saying, “The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is the proper entity to advise the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service on any matters in relation to the incident which is the subject of Ms. Renne's article. The AG has no remit in this matter, and will leave the law to follow its natural course.” Commissioner of Police, Mc Donald Jacob, said the Police Service was being extremely cautious in its approach to this matter, and is still awaiting advice from the DPP on how to proceed. This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.
In a Media Release on Monday (27th December 2021), the Ministry of National Security says it remains steadfast in its commitment to support the work of the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, via the use of some recently acquired modern security equipment and technology in the execution of border security operations.
The Ministry states that over the last seventy-two (72) hours, the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, responding to alerts from this country's Coastal Radar System, intercepted two (2) vessels carrying Venezuelan nationals attempting to enter Trinidad and Tobago illegally. In the first incident, which took place at approximately 12:05am on 24th December 2021, one of the recently commissioned Cape Class Patrol Boats, the TTS Scarborough, was on patrol, when it detected a boat attempting to cross the border on the Southern Coast of Trinidad. A chase ensued and the vessel was intercepted approximately 3.5 Nautical Miles South of the village of Palo Seco. Twenty (20) Venezuelan nationals were detained in this incident along with an unnamed pirogue. The second incident occurred at 12:36pm later that same day, when a Trinidad-registered pirogue was detected crossing the border close to Chacachacare Island in the North West of Trinidad. The vessel was intercepted and it was discovered that there were twenty-three (23) Venezuelan nationals on board. The Ministry notes that with the support of the Trinidad and Tobago Immigration Division and through co-ordination with the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, all of the detained persons, along with some others who were already in custody, were processed and a repatriation exercise carried out safely on Monday morning (27th December 2021). The Ministry says it commends the men and women of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, and in particular, the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard “on their efficient use of the Coastal Radar System, in tandem with the recently acquired Cape Class vessels, to ensure the continued protection of the borders of Trinidad and Tobago.” The Ministry took the opportunity to extend best wishes to the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, “particularly all members of the protective services and law enforcement agencies, in general.” The Ministry of Health is advising the population that this evening, Monday 27th December 2021, six (6) additional cases of the COVID-19 Omicron Variant of Concern (VOC) were confirmed. Therefore, to date, Trinidad and Tobago has confirmed eleven (11) cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant.
The Ministry provided the following information about these six (6) new cases:
The Ministry states that as a result of their positive COVID-19 results, all patients have been isolated. The patients will remain in isolation until they meet the enhanced discharge criteria for persons with COVID-19 Variants of Concern. Additionally, contacts of the positive Omicron COVID-19 cases have been quarantined. The presence of the Omicron variants were confirmed via gene sequencing at the laboratory of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), to date 108 countries have confirmed cases of the Omicron Variant of Concern. Research has suggested that this variant is more easily spread from person to person as compared to previous variants but further information is needed on its impact on persons who contract this variant. The Ministry is reminding the population of the importance of being vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus as soon as possible. Additionally, members of the public are reminded to follow all of the recommended personal health protective measures, even if they are fully vaccinated:
The Ministry notes that, “WHO-approved COVID-19 vaccines are safe, they are effective and they are available in Trinidad and Tobago.” The public is encouraged to visit the Ministry of Health's website (www.health.gov.tt) as well as the social media pages of the Ministry of Health and the Regional Health Authorities for further information on COVID-19 vaccination. This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates. Health authorities in the United States on Monday (27th December 2021) shortened the recommended time for isolation for asymptomatic Americans with COVID-19 to five (5) days from the previous guidance of ten (10) days. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also said that people who test positive after quarantining should follow five (5) days of wearing a mask when around others. The CDC noted last week that the Omicron variant already accounts for 73% of U.S. infections. The CDC on Monday also gave guidance for people who are unvaccinated or are more than six (6) months out from their second mRNA dose or more than two (2) months after the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and not yet boosted. It recommended quarantine for those persons for five (5) days followed by strict mask use for an additional six (6) days. Meanwhile, individuals who have received their booster shot do not need to quarantine following an exposure, but should wear a mask for ten (10) days, the CDC said. Breakthrough infections are rising among the fully vaccinated U.S. population, including those who have had a third booster shot. However, Omicron appears to be causing milder symptoms in those people, some of whom have no symptoms at all. White House Medical Adviser, Anthony Fauci, told CNN last week that reducing the CDC’s 10-day quarantine recommendation would help asymptomatic people return to work or school, with proper precautions. This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates. [Source: Reuters]
The Ministry of Health revealed in its daily COVID-19 update this afternoon (Monday 27th December 2021) that there are 175 new COVID-19 cases in Trinidad and Tobago plus twenty-five (25) additional deaths. These new patients will be processed for admission at the discretion of the CMOHs.
The number of new cases is the lowest since 5th November 2021 (140) and represents a 62.37% decrease in reported cases from yesterday. This is the third consecutive day in which cases have been below 500. It should be noted that due to the holidays, we can expect lower than usual positive case numbers as there may be reduced sample processing during this time. The Ministry provided the following information about the latest deaths:
There have been a record-breaking 18,643 new cases and 635 deaths so far in the month of December. The Ministry reported 465 new cases yesterday plus thirty (30) more unfortunate deaths. The country’s death toll has increased to 2,793. T&T’s total positive cases now crosses the 90,000 mark, at 90,004, with 16,723 being active cases. A total of 70,488 patients have recovered from the virus to date. 15,900 persons are in home self-isolation and there are sixty (60) persons in total at State quarantine facilities. A total of 659,477 persons have been partially vaccinated with a first dose and 664,699 have been fully vaccinated (including single-dose Johnson & Johnson). 66,979 persons in total have taken an additional primary dose and booster. The percentage of patients in the parallel healthcare system who are NOT fully vaccinated is 87.5% (based on data from 22nd July - 8th December 2021). The Ministry states that the number of positive cases reported reflects the samples taken during a 4-day period between 23rd - 26th December 2021 and not the last twenty-four (24) hours. The Ministry also notes that there are currently 478 COVID-19 positive patients being treated at Hospitals with twenty-four (24) in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and seventeen (17) in the High Dependency Unit (HDU). 170 patients are in step-down/transition facilities across T&T. This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates. |
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