Carib Scope

分类： society

  • Odle wins NCC’s Welcome to the Gayelle in Moruga

    Odle wins NCC’s Welcome to the Gayelle in Moruga

    In a triumphant return to competitive form, five-time national stickfighting champion O’Neil Odle emerged victorious at the inaugural National Carnival Commission’s Welcome to the Gayelle tournament. The historic event, held on January 3rd at the Moruga Multi-Purpose Youth and Sport Facility, marked a significant revival of traditional martial arts within Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural landscape.

    The competition witnessed fierce athletic displays as more than a dozen nationally-recruited contenders vied for the prestigious top prize of $10,000. Selwyn John secured second position while Terrance Marcano claimed third place in the intensely contested matches that characterized the evening’s proceedings.

    According to the Ministry of Culture and Community Development, the event exceeded organizational expectations with robust community engagement. Over 200 patrons attended the free-admission spectacle, which featured diverse entertainment segments alongside the primary competitive bouts. The ministry emphasized that the tournament series aims to strengthen and preserve the national stickfighting circuit through accessible community-based events.

    Minister Michelle Benjamin personally addressed attendees, highlighting the government’s commitment to cultural preservation. The Welcome to the Gayelle initiative represents a single-round competition format scheduled across multiple communities, combining athletic competition with cultural performances.

    Future installments are confirmed for January 10th at Debe Junction and January 17th at Constantine Park in Tunapuna. All events will commence at 7 PM local time with live streaming available through the NCC’s official YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram platforms, ensuring global accessibility to these cultural showcases.

  • Ian Alleyne gives Sando mayor deadline for apology

    Ian Alleyne gives Sando mayor deadline for apology

    Prominent television personality Ian Alleyne has initiated legal action against San Fernando Mayor Robert Parris following allegedly defamatory statements made on social media platforms. Through his legal representatives Saira Lakhan and Devi Ramnarine, Alleyne has issued a pre-action protocol letter demanding resolution by January 9 deadline.

    The dispute originates from a Facebook post published by Mayor Parris on December 11, 2025, which specifically referenced Alleyne during his legitimate journalistic coverage of a fire incident at Radica Trading Building on Cipero Street. The controversial post allegedly characterized the Crime Watch host as an ‘attention seeker’ and incorporated language described as derogatory slang within local vernacular.

    Legal counsel emphasizes that Parris, serving as both sitting mayor and ‘first citizen’ of San Fernando, possesses amplified influence that compounds the severity of such public statements. The attorneys contend that the mayor’s substantial social media presence across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn significantly expanded the dissemination of the allegedly defamatory content.

    Although the original post was subsequently removed, attorneys confirm that screenshots were captured and redistributed by prominent social media accounts, generating thousands of interactions and extending the content’s reach to international audiences. This widespread circulation allegedly resulted in substantial professional and personal consequences for Alleyne.

    The legal filing details multiple damages including reputational harm, emotional distress, loss of business opportunities during critical Christmas programming period, and negative impact on Alleyne’s family members, particularly his teenage son. Additionally, the television host reportedly declined professional engagements and media appearances due to the resulting controversy.

    The pre-action letter demands immediate cessation of defamatory statements, public apology published on the original Facebook platform, and compensation for demonstrated losses. Should Mayor Parris fail to comply by the 4 pm January 9 deadline, attorneys confirm they will file formal defamation proceedings in the High Court seeking damages and injunctive relief.

  • Mad rush to avoid fines, coconut vendor gets $19k ticket

    Mad rush to avoid fines, coconut vendor gets $19k ticket

    A dramatic surge in vehicle inspections has swept across Trinidad following the implementation of steeper penalties for driving without valid certification. Effective January 1st, fines for operating vehicles without proper inspection stickers skyrocketed from $1,000 to $2,000, triggering unprecedented demand at inspection stations nationwide.

    The overwhelming response began immediately after the increased penalties were publicized on Christmas Day. Damian Chow of Chow’s Service Bay in Sangre Grande reported inspection facilities being inundated with vehicles, particularly public service vehicles like maxis and taxis that are now eligible for certification at private stations. “This is happening across the board,” Chow confirmed, noting that many garages have implemented appointment systems and extended to seven-day operations to manage the influx.

    At Suncoast Enterprises Ltd in Penal, manager Zobida Gilbert reported processing 30-35 vehicles daily, though the transition to a new digital system has revealed documentation discrepancies. Many motorists now face additional trips to the Licensing Office in Caroni to rectify typographical errors before certificates can be issued.

    The situation has created secondary challenges, with inspection stations making frequent trips to licensing offices for sticker replenishment, often encountering long queues alongside citizens addressing documentation issues. Gilbert suggested implementing dedicated lines for vehicle testing stations to improve efficiency.

    The intensified enforcement has had severe consequences for some motorists. Ravi Baboolal, a 39-year-old coconut vendor from Friendship Village, received six tickets totaling $19,000 during a traffic stop on January 4th. The citations included penalties for defective tires, unsecured load, and driving without valid insurance—a charge Baboolal vehemently disputes, presenting documentation showing coverage valid until January 29, 2026.

    Baboolal’s case highlights the disproportionate impact on working citizens, as the substantial fines exceed his annual earnings. “I cannot afford to pay $19,000,” he stated, explaining that such penalties would force him to sell his vehicle—essential to his livelihood—to settle the debt by the February 3rd deadline.

    The Owner Dealers Association has appealed to the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation for a one-to-three-month delay in implementing the new fees and penalties. Association president Reval Chattergoon cited the “increased mental stress and financial strain on citizens” resulting from the abrupt changes announced without sufficient warning or transition period.

    While acknowledging the need for road safety improvements, Chattergoon proposed alternative revenue generation methods, including vanity license plates and expanded vehicle registration programs, arguing these would provide more humane approaches to achieving the government’s objectives.

  • Broadgate main road in St Mary impassable due to landslide

    Broadgate main road in St Mary impassable due to landslide

    Residents and commuters in St. Mary, Jamaica, are facing significant travel disruptions following a major landslide that has completely blocked the Broadgate main road. The Jamaica Constabulary Force has officially declared the roadway impassable and is strongly advising the public to avoid the area entirely until further notice.

    In response to the incident, which was likely triggered by recent heavy rainfall in the region, law enforcement has implemented an immediate traffic diversion plan. Motorists are being urgently directed to utilize the Richmond main road as the primary alternative route to navigate around the affected zone. Authorities have emphasized the critical importance of exercising extreme caution while traveling through the parish, as unstable ground conditions may persist and present additional hazards.

    Emergency response teams and infrastructure crews have been deployed to assess the structural integrity of the area and initiate clearance operations. However, the full scope of the damage and the timeline for complete restoration of access remain under evaluation. The National Works Agency is coordinating with local police to manage the situation and provide real-time updates to the public as the remediation efforts progress. Officials have committed to issuing subsequent advisories as new information becomes available regarding the road’s status and the anticipated reopening.

  • Fire forces closure of Beetham Landfill

    Fire forces closure of Beetham Landfill

    Port of Spain faces an environmental emergency as a persistent blaze at the Beetham Landfill has forced authorities to indefinitely suspend operations at the facility. The fire initially ignited on the eastern sector of the landfill around 9:55 PM on January 4th, subsequently spreading to southeastern areas before firefighters managed to contain the primary outbreak by 12:30 AM the following day.

    Despite containment efforts, significant residual smoke continues to emanate from the site, creating visible pollution across Port of Spain and neighboring communities. The Port of Spain City Corporation has implemented contingency measures, redirecting all sanitation operations to the Forres Park Landfill in Claxton Bay—a substantial logistical shift requiring deployment of all available collection vehicles to manage the extended travel distance.

    State-owned waste management company Swmcol has issued public health advisories warning residents, particularly those with respiratory conditions, to exercise extreme caution when traveling near Beetham Highway and adjacent areas. The corporation has coordinated additional resources with municipal authorities to fully extinguish the smoldering waste and bring the situation under complete control.

    The incident highlights ongoing challenges in waste management infrastructure within urban Caribbean communities, with the indefinite closure posing questions about long-term solutions for the capital’s sanitation needs.

  • Anderson is the 2025 UWI Global Campus valedictorian

    Anderson is the 2025 UWI Global Campus valedictorian

    Alex Anderson, an accomplished Jamaican educator, has been selected as the valedictorian for The University of the West Indies Global Campus Class of 2025. The virtual graduation ceremony, scheduled for January 10th, will feature Anderson addressing fellow graduates from across the region.

    Hailing from Montego Bay, St. James, Anderson brings eight years of primary school teaching experience to his new honor. His educational philosophy centers on transformative, student-focused approaches that foster confidence, curiosity, and academic excellence. Before pursuing his Bachelor of Education in Educational Leadership and Management at UWI Global Campus, Anderson earned a psychology degree from Canada’s University of Waterloo in 2012.

    Anderson’s teaching methodology transcends conventional academic metrics, emphasizing the development of critical thinking skills essential for success beyond classroom walls. He balances full-time teaching with academic rigor and family responsibilities, embodying perseverance and resilience—qualities he attributes to Walter Elliot’s philosophy about perseverance consisting of ‘many short races one after the other.’

    Beyond his professional accomplishments, Anderson maintains diverse personal interests including football, travel, music, and culinary arts—a passion nurtured alongside his mother in their family kitchen. His Christian faith profoundly influences both his personal and professional life, guided by principles from Philippians 2:3-4 emphasizing humility, compassion, and purposeful living.

    Dr. Francis O. Severin, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UWI Global Campus, expressed particular satisfaction that an educator received this recognition, noting it serves as motivation for teachers and education professionals whose contributions often go unrecognized despite being fundamental to student development.

    The university’s Senior Management Team has extended congratulations for Anderson’s academic achievement and best wishes for his future endeavors. The virtual ceremony will be broadcast on January 10th at 6:00 PM EC time through multiple platforms including UWItv.global, Facebook Live, and Flow EVO channels.

  • First group of 2026 seasonal agricultural workers depart for Canada

    First group of 2026 seasonal agricultural workers depart for Canada

    Jamaica has commenced its 2026 seasonal agricultural program with the inaugural departure of 182 workers to Canada, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s overseas employment initiatives. The send-off ceremony, held at Kingston’s Overseas Employment Centre, was presided over by Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr., who emphasized the program’s transformative impact on Jamaican families and national economic resilience.

    Minister Charles characterized the event as more than a mere departure, describing it as ‘a continuation of a proud legacy built on discipline, integrity, and hard work.’ Official statistics reveal that since January 1, 2025, over 15,000 Jamaicans have secured overseas employment in Canada and the United States, exceeding previous annual figures.

    The current cohort includes 97 workers who departed Tuesday with an additional 85 scheduled for Wednesday travel. These agricultural specialists will be dispersed across multiple Canadian provinces—Ontario, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland—where they will dedicate eight months to greenhouse operations and fruit and vegetable cultivation.

    A noteworthy 90% of the group consists of returning workers, indicating strong employer satisfaction and the program’s sustained success. The ceremony was attended by Canadian High Commissioner Mark Berman, alongside senior ministry officials and media representatives.

    Minister Charles highlighted the program’s particular importance following Hurricane Melissa, which has compromised housing and livelihoods throughout Jamaica. ‘Overseas employment provides stability, dignity, and a pathway for families to rebuild during this recovery period,’ he affirmed.

    As Jamaica approaches the 60th anniversary of the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme in 2026, the government reaffirmed its commitment to both preserving the program’s integrity and implementing modernizations for future sustainability. Workers were urged to maintain health and safety protocols, support fellow team members, and uphold Jamaica’s reputation for excellence.

  • Sykes on the warpath

    Sykes on the warpath

    In a striking address during Monday’s judicial swearing-in ceremony at King’s House in St. Andrew, Chief Justice Bryan Sykes delivered a blistering critique of Jamaica’s deteriorating court infrastructure and systemic inefficiencies plaguing the justice system. Speaking with unusual candor, Justice Sykes challenged the island’s political leadership to experience firsthand the substandard working conditions that judges and court staff endure daily.

    The Chief Justice pointedly remarked that aside from the recently refurbished Court of Appeal building in downtown Kingston, no Jamaican court facility meets standards that Justice Minister Delroy Chuck or Permanent Secretary Grace Ann Stewart McFarlane would willingly occupy. Drawing on biblical principles of reciprocity, Sykes emphasized that those allocating resources should consider whether they themselves would work under such conditions.

    Despite these challenges, Sykes highlighted extraordinary efforts by judiciary personnel, particularly at Kingston’s Traffic Court, where judges have been working evenings until 8:00 or 9:00 PM and weekends to eliminate case backlogs. Their dedication has positioned the Traffic Court to become ‘backlog-free’ for the first time in memory—a remarkable achievement given the facility’s limitations.

    The Chief Justice revealed that expansion plans for the South Camp Road court building had been halted after engineers discovered the existing structure couldn’t support an additional floor. He warned that temporary accommodations consistently become permanent solutions, citing the Family Court in western Jamaica where staff who joined fresh from high school have now reached retirement age while still operating from a plaza.

    Budgetary autonomy emerged as a central concern, with Sykes questioning why the justice ministry maintains control over significant portions of the judiciary’s budget despite earlier promises of reform. This control affects practical matters like power supply, where the ministry’s insistence on solar power alone—without backup generators—ignores practical realities demonstrated during Hurricane Melissa last October, when generators proved essential after solar panels sustained damage.

    Despite these systemic challenges, Sykes celebrated the judiciary’s achievements: parish courts maintain under three percent net backlog, the Court of Appeal delivers 56 judgments for every 10 reserved, and structural reforms are underway in Supreme Court registries with Finance Ministry support. These changes will implement a docket system where judges, masters, and staff work in dedicated case management teams.

    The ceremony saw several judicial promotions: Justices Lorna Shelly Williams and Caroline Tie Powell to act as Court of Appeal judges; Chief Parish Court Judge Chester Crooks and Judge Kamar Henry Anderson to act as Supreme Court puisne judges; and Christine McNiel and Yvette Miller appointed acting masters-in-chamber. These acting positions extend through March 27, 2026.

  • NWC team steps in to support flood-hit care home in St James

    NWC team steps in to support flood-hit care home in St James

    In an extraordinary display of community spirit, maintenance personnel from Jamaica’s National Water Commission (NWC) have channeled their year-end celebration funds toward disaster recovery efforts at a vulnerable elderly care facility. The Ultimate Care Centre in Catherine Hall, St. James, which suffered catastrophic flooding during Hurricane Melissa, became the beneficiary of this redirected corporate generosity.

    The eastern maintenance team’s contribution included vital supplies such as drinking water, adult hygiene products, cleaning equipment, bedding materials, and essential household goods. This support arrived at a critical juncture for the care home, whose ground level was submerged under nearly six feet of floodwater that destroyed furnishings and operational equipment.

    Ann Bolt, Acting Community Relations Manager for the eastern region, commended her staff’s selfless decision during the donation ceremony. She characterized the maintenance personnel as the organization’s ‘heartbeat’ and emphasized their voluntary choice to prioritize community welfare over personal celebration following the hurricane’s devastation.

    Care center proprietor Lorna Bogle conveyed profound appreciation for the unexpected assistance, noting that the contribution would extend beyond the facility to help other affected community members. The gesture has infused renewed optimism among residents and caregivers alike, demonstrating how collective action and empathy can powerfully address crisis situations.

    The NWC’s initiative establishes a notable precedent for corporate social responsibility, illustrating how reallocating resources can generate substantial positive impact when communities face natural disasters and humanitarian challenges.

  • Leading by example

    Leading by example

    In an unprecedented open letter to Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Eli Zakour, former Works and Transport Minister Dr. Jack A. Warner has raised significant concerns about the implementation of recent 100% traffic fine increases. While expressing admiration for Minister Zakour’s courage in implementing unpopular measures, the 82-year-old former official questioned the Christmas night announcement timing that many perceived as a ‘Grinch who stole Christmas’ moment.

    The correspondence, published in Newsday, acknowledges the necessity of addressing Trinidad and Tobago’s alarming road safety crisis but emphasizes the critical need for comprehensive enforcement strategies. Dr. Warner highlights the growing ‘bounce me nah’ pedestrian culture where jaywalking while distracted by mobile devices has become endemic, creating hazardous conditions for both pedestrians and motorists alike.

    Most notably, the former minister demands transparency regarding government vehicle roadworthiness, specifically questioning whether the state’s extensive fleet—including ministerial SUVs, NP tankers, T&TEC, WASA, TSTT vehicles, emergency services, and military transports—will undergo the same rigorous inspections now mandated for private citizens. Warner emphasizes that public confidence hinges on equal application of regulations across all sectors, stating that the state must lead by example through full accountability and transparency.

    The seasoned statesman concluded with recommendations for balanced enforcement, suggesting that pedestrian education and consistent standards across government and civilian vehicles must complement financial penalties to achieve meaningful road safety reform.