Carib Scope

分类： society

  • $3,000 fine for interfering with road penalty warning

    $3,000 fine for interfering with road penalty warning

    The Trinidad and Tobago government has introduced stringent measures against traffic violations through the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2026, which will be presented for parliamentary debate on January 16. Attorney General John Jeremie will table the legislation that establishes severe penalties for interfering with official vehicle defect notices.

    The groundbreaking legislation specifically targets 18 distinct traffic offenses, including operating vehicles without proper identification lights during nighttime hours, failing to display passenger capacity designations in taxis, and maintaining excessively smoky or noisy vehicles. When law enforcement identifies such violations, officers will attach a fixed penalty warning to the vehicle in a clearly visible location, providing offenders with either three or seven working days to rectify the defects depending on the nature of the offense.

    The bill contains a crucial provision that imposes a substantial $3,000 fine on any individual who removes or interferes with the officially affixed warning notice without proper authorization. Only the driver, persons acting under the driver’s direct authority, or those legally responsible for the traffic violation may legally remove the notice after demonstrating compliance with repair requirements to police authorities.

    According to the legislation’s explanatory notes, the fixed penalty warning must remain publicly displayed until all identified defects have been satisfactorily addressed. The warning document must comprehensively detail the date, time, and location of issuance; the specific legal violation; compliance deadlines; and appropriate reporting procedures for demonstrating remediation.

    Failure to comply within the designated grace period automatically converts the warning into a formal fixed penalty notice, triggering financial penalties, demerit points, and potential legal consequences. The Licensing Authority receives duplicate documentation of all proceedings, ensuring comprehensive tracking of violations and compliance records.

  • ASCU presents $25,000 to BATCE Steel Orchestra

    ASCU presents $25,000 to BATCE Steel Orchestra

    In a significant demonstration of corporate social responsibility, Aero Services Credit Union (ASCU) has reinforced its commitment to cultural development by awarding a $25,000 sponsorship to the Bishop Anstey and Trinity College East (BATCE) Steel Orchestra. This contribution represents the second installment of a comprehensive three-year funding initiative designed to foster youth development and preserve cultural traditions within the community.

    The formal handover ceremony witnessed participation from key stakeholders, including ASCU’s newly appointed General Manager Richard Allan and Board of Directors Secretary Lyndon Byer. The event commenced with welcoming remarks from Brian Wickham, Head of Administration at BATCE, who emphasized the profound significance of the partnership extending beyond mere financial assistance.

    Byer articulated ASCU’s philosophical approach to community investment, stating: “Our engagement with Trinity College East and Bishop Anstey has been immensely rewarding. When this opportunity emerged in late 2024, we immediately recognized the critical importance of investing in our community’s youth. Witnessing the extraordinary dedication and artistic talent of these students continually reaffirms the value of this collaboration.”

    The sponsorship framework forms part of ASCU’s strategic long-term vision for community enrichment. Both educational staff and student musicians expressed profound gratitude for the support, which directly enhances the orchestra’s developmental capabilities and creates vital opportunities for young artists to refine their skills and achieve artistic excellence.

    This initiative directly operationalizes ASCU’s foundational motto, ‘Enriching the Quality of Life of its Members,’ demonstrating the institution’s dedication to strengthening community bonds through sustained, meaningful engagement and support of cultural education.

  • Andros fish fry razed as no firetruck came

    Andros fish fry razed as no firetruck came

    A devastating pre-dawn blaze completely destroyed the Nicholls Town Fish Fry on Andros Island yesterday, revealing systemic failures in emergency response capabilities throughout The Bahamas. Local residents resorted to desperate bucket brigades using seawater as they confronted the rapidly spreading fire without functional firefighting equipment.

    The conflagration erupted around 6am, transforming the tranquil morning into scenes of chaos as community members shouted warnings and scrambled to contain the advancing flames. Powerful winds propelled the fire from one wooden stall to another, overwhelming the improvised efforts of locals. By the time the fire exhausted its fuel, the entire commercial area lay in ruins—leaving business owners staring in disbelief at the smoldering remains of their livelihoods.

    This incident represents the second catastrophic loss for numerous vendors who previously suffered damage during Hurricane Matthew in 2016. The complete absence of insurance coverage compounds their financial devastation. Nadia Sweeting of Sweeting’s Wabbie Palace revealed she had invested over $100,000 in a nearly completed three-level stall that was weeks from opening. ‘I haven’t sold one bottle of water yet,’ she lamented, having planned to leave her yacht club job to operate the family business full-time.

    The tragedy has ignited renewed scrutiny of fire service preparedness nationwide. Recent fires across New Providence, Grand Bahama, and Exuma have consistently highlighted operational deficiencies in fire response capabilities. In each instance, communities have been forced to improvise with inadequate resources when critical fire engines were non-operational.

    North Andros MP Leonardo Lightbourne acknowledged the area’s fire engine was inoperable but could not specify the defective component. When questioned about whether functional equipment might have contained the blaze, he dismissed the speculation as ‘neither here nor there’ while emphasizing the need for proper emergency infrastructure.

    The human toll extends beyond financial ruin. Seventy-six-year-old Birgie Jones, operating at the Fish Fry for four decades, saw her personally rebuilt stall destroyed despite neighbors’ attempts to save it. Marlyin Grant reported her husband sustained injuries from repeated trips into the sea with buckets, while expressing fears about immediate family hunger without business income.

    Opposition candidate Carlton Bowleg criticized the government’s failure to address known equipment shortages despite allocated constituency funds. He revealed North Andros previously maintained two fire engines, with one rendered inoperable following an accident.

    All affected vendors expressed determination to rebuild despite the catastrophe, while unanimously stressing that without operational fire protection, the community remains perilously vulnerable to repeated disasters.

  • BITU mourns passing of Christopher Bovell

    BITU mourns passing of Christopher Bovell

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s labor community is mourning the passing of Christopher Bovell, a revered legal mind and dedicated trustee of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU), who passed away recently after decades of service to workers’ rights.

    The BITU, one of Jamaica’s most influential trade organizations, announced Bovell’s death with profound sorrow, highlighting his exceptional contributions to union governance and legal advocacy. Though he retired from his position as attorney-at-law earlier this year, Bovell maintained his role as trustee and remained actively involved in ensuring the union’s operational integrity and stability until his final days.

    Known affectionately as a ‘gentle giant,’ Bovell earned widespread respect for his composed demeanor, principled guidance, and meticulous approach to legal and organizational matters. His advisory style was characterized by fairness, unwavering ethical standards, and a profound commitment to the rule of law—qualities that garnered admiration from multiple generations of union leaders and members.

    BITU President-General Senator Kavan Gayle, CD, commemorated Bovell’s legacy, stating, ‘Christopher Bovell epitomized integrity, professionalism, and quiet strength. His advice was consistently thoughtful, rooted in principle, and reflected a deep respect for both legal norms and the dignity of working people. The union has lost not only a brilliant legal advisor but a cherished guardian of our core values.’

    The union also emphasized Bovell’s relentless advocacy for transparency, accountability, and staff welfare, noting his vital role in protecting the institution’s interests and advancing its mission.

    In an official statement, the BITU leadership, staff, and membership expressed heartfelt condolences to Bovell’s family, friends, and colleagues, celebrating what they termed ‘a life of service well lived.’ His enduring impact on Jamaica’s labor movement ensures that his legacy will continue to inspire future advocacy efforts and governance standards.

    Bovell is remembered not only for his professional excellence but also for his profound dedication to the advancement of workers’ rights across Jamaica.

  • Maintenance service and hardware property gutted by fire in Negril

    Maintenance service and hardware property gutted by fire in Negril

    A significant fire emergency unfolded Tuesday evening in the popular tourist destination of Negril, Jamaica, as a commercial building housing a maintenance service and hardware store became fully engulfed in flames. The blaze, reported to local authorities and media outlets around 6:45 PM, erupted on Norman Manley Boulevard, a major thoroughfare locally known as Beach Road.

    Fire and rescue services were promptly dispatched to the scene and are actively engaged in containing the inferno. While the precise cause and exact time of ignition remain under investigation, initial reports confirm a critical silver lining: no serious injuries or fatalities have been reported from the incident. The rapid response of emergency personnel helped prevent a human tragedy amidst the substantial property damage.

    The incident has drawn significant local attention due to the building’s location in a bustling area central to Negril’s commerce and tourism. The full extent of the structural and inventory damage is yet to be determined as firefighters continue their operations to fully extinguish the blaze and secure the premises.

  • Trial against Dr Avinash Sawh begins

    Trial against Dr Avinash Sawh begins

    A landmark civil trial commenced in the High Court this week involving Dr. Avinash Sawh, the physician suspended in 2023 for racially insensitive comments, facing multiple allegations from former employee Chantelle Figaro. Presided over by Justice Christopher Sieuchand, the proceedings target Dr. Sawh, his wife Allison Dass-Sawh, and their medical practice, Sawh’s Medical Associates.

    Figaro’s lawsuit alleges constructive dismissal, assault and battery, breach of contract, and significant damages stemming from her employment between October 2019 and October 2020. During detailed testimony, Figaro described a toxic work environment where she endured verbal abuse, racial slurs, and psychological intimidation that ultimately forced her resignation.

    “I reached a breaking point after repeated attempts to address his behavior,” Figaro testified, revealing that Dr. Sawh made derogatory comments about her deceased father and created an atmosphere of constant fear. She acknowledged not filing police reports at the time due to apprehension about his temper.

    The defense, led by attorney Mario Merritt, challenged Figaro’s credibility, suggesting she remained employed only to obtain professional certification. Figaro firmly rejected this characterization.

    Adding complexity to the case, former employee Dr. Danielle Stewart testified about hearing concerning telephone conversations but admitted not intervening due to the power dynamics. “This was my first job, I didn’t feel emboldened enough to confront him,” she stated, acknowledging she should have reported unethical practices including medication date tampering.

    Dr. Sawh’s testimony took surprising turns as he admitted to using derogatory language but claimed such incidents were rare. He denied threatening employees or sending inappropriate messages, suggesting potential AI manipulation or forgery of electronic evidence. Notably, he acknowledged not reporting these alleged fabrications to authorities or including them in his initial witness statement.

    The case reveals broader issues in workplace dynamics and professional accountability within medical establishments, with Figaro seeking compensation for psychological harm, lost earnings, and reputational damage resulting from the alleged misconduct.

  • Welder mowed down in Manchester hit-and-run

    Welder mowed down in Manchester hit-and-run

    MANCHESTER, Jamaica — A fatal hit-and-run incident on the Chudleigh main road in Manchester has resulted in the death of a local welder, prompting an intensive investigation by local authorities. The victim has been identified as Mark Sinclair, a resident of the Struan district, who succumbed to injuries sustained during the early hours of Wednesday.

    According to official police reports, the tragic event occurred at approximately 12:30 am when Sinclair was walking along the roadway. An unidentified vehicle struck the pedestrian and fled the scene without stopping to render assistance or identify themselves. Emergency services were notified, but Sinclair’s injuries proved fatal.

    The Manchester traffic department, in collaboration with the Area Three Accident Investigation and Reconstruction Unit, has launched a comprehensive probe into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Investigators are examining forensic evidence from the scene and seeking eyewitness accounts to identify the responsible vehicle and driver.

    This incident highlights growing concerns about road safety and hit-and-run accidents in the region. Local authorities have reiterated their commitment to apprehending those responsible and ensuring justice for victims and their families.

  • UHWI calls in fraud squad

    UHWI calls in fraud squad

    A devastating audit from Jamaica’s Auditor General’s Department (AGD) has exposed systemic corruption at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), revealing massive procurement violations and fraudulent misuse of tax-exempt privileges that cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. The hospital’s board has now reported these findings to police fraud investigators and Jamaica Customs following the official tabling of the report in Parliament.

    The comprehensive audit, covering fiscal years 2019-2020 through 2024-2025, uncovered what investigators termed “considerable deficiencies” in the hospital’s governance, procurement, and contract management systems. These failures, the AGD warned, created significant corruption risks that could ultimately compromise the institution’s ability to deliver quality healthcare services if not urgently addressed.

    Among the most damaging findings was UHWI’s systematic abuse of its tax-exempt status to import goods for four private companies. Customs records showed items including office furniture, laundry equipment, and medical supplies falsely declared as hospital imports but actually acquired by private entities. This scheme resulted in $23.1 million in losses, with over $20 million in unpaid import duties constituting clear violations of Jamaica’s Customs Act.

    The breakdown revealed staggering specifics: $28 million in laundry equipment imported for Private Company 1 created $6.6 million in revenue losses; $40.6 million in office furniture and medical equipment benefited Private Companies 2 and 3; while 40 waste bins valued at $6.6 million were imported for Private Company 4, which then sold them back to UHWI for $11 million.

    Equally troubling were procurement irregularities involving 51 contracts totaling $521 million awarded to 10 contractors and one consultant without proper documentation. The audit found no evidence that these transactions met standards for transparency, accountability, or value for money. Particularly egregious were “after-the-fact” procurement processes where suppliers were invited to bid for goods and services already delivered, corrupting the competitive process entirely.

    In response, the UHWI board has initiated a comprehensive review of all procurement systems, mandated regularisation or suspension of affected arrangements, and reinforced oversight mechanisms. CEO Dr. Kevin Allen has been granted three months leave to facilitate independent investigations, with Eric Hosin, former Guardian Life Jamaica CEO, appointed as interim leader.

    The hospital management has acknowledged these practices violated public trust and procurement laws, confirming they’ve ceased facilitating imports for private entities. However, the scale of mismanagement suggests a long road to accountability and reform lies ahead for Jamaica’s premier medical institution.

  • Seymour: Four child deaths ‘too many, too soon’

    Seymour: Four child deaths ‘too many, too soon’

    A series of tragic child fatalities across the Bahamas has triggered urgent calls for enhanced national safety protocols and collective societal responsibility. Senator Maxine Seymour, serving as Shadow Minister for Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, has issued a solemn appeal for national introspection following four separate child deaths occurring within the first two weeks of January.

    The most recent incident involved a five-year-old boy who drowned in Murphy Town, Abaco, on Monday. According to police reports, the child was reported missing shortly after 1 PM and was subsequently discovered unresponsive in seawater along a back road. Despite rescue efforts by a concerned citizen and rapid transportation via Emergency Medical Services, the boy was pronounced dead before 3 PM.

    This tragedy marks the fourth juvenile death recorded since the beginning of the year. On January 1, a seven-year-old Pinewood Gardens girl died after allegedly ingesting a food product at a residence. Just two days later, a three-year-old Nassau Village girl passed away after falling ill at home, while that same day, a ten-year-old boy collapsed while playing in a Blackwood, Eleuthera park and could not be resuscitated.

    Senator Seymour, emphasizing her perspective as both a mother and grandmother, stated these deaths ‘sit heavily’ with her, noting that no family should begin a new year with such profound grief. She clarified that her comments were not aimed at assigning blame but rather at emphasizing shared community obligation toward child protection.

    The opposition legislator highlighted the critical need for strengthened public awareness campaigns, improved community support systems, and consistent implementation of safety practices. She specifically advocated for expanded access to first-aid and CPR training throughout communities, asserting that children deserve a nation where their safety isn’t left to chance.

    Senator Seymour further called for transparent and expedited investigations into each death, including the prompt release of autopsy findings. She emphasized that information serves as a powerful tool for prevention, helping families achieve closure while enabling society to identify and address systemic failures.

    Concluding her remarks, the senator extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, expressing hope that they might feel the supportive embrace of a nation mourning alongside them.

  • No defensive driving certification needed for under 25s

    No defensive driving certification needed for under 25s

    The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has officially refuted circulating social media allegations suggesting that drivers under age 25 face substantial penalties for lacking defensive driving certification. In an official statement dated January 14, the ministry clarified that no such regulatory framework exists within Trinidad and Tobago’s legal system.

    Contrary to viral online misinformation, the ministry emphasized that neither the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act nor any subsidiary legislation contains provisions mandating defensive driving courses as a prerequisite for insurance acquisition or retention for young motorists. The purported $10,000 penalty for non-compliance was categorically dismissed as baseless speculation without legal foundation.

    Authorities have issued renewed calls for public vigilance against digital misinformation, urging citizens to consult exclusively official government communication channels for verified information regarding transportation policies and regulatory requirements. This incident highlights ongoing challenges governments face in combating the rapid spread of unverified claims through social media platforms, particularly those involving financial penalties that could cause unnecessary public concern.