分类： society

A violent morning collision disrupted the post-celebration calm in Sangre Grande on January 1st, resulting in significant injuries for two individuals. The incident occurred at approximately 9:05 AM when a white sedan traveling southbound on Picton Road veered out of control and collided with a concrete culvert.

The tremendous impact of metal striking concrete reverberated through the residential neighborhood, startling residents still recuperating from New Year’s Eve festivities. While the front-seat passenger managed to extricate himself from the wreckage despite sustaining a dislocated arm, the driver presented a more grave condition—unresponsive and bleeding heavily from a head wound.

Fire and emergency personnel were first on the scene, undertaking the delicate operation of extracting the trapped driver. The injured man, showing signs of disorientation, groaned in apparent agony as rescuers worked to free him. With ambulance services reportedly distant and responding from St. Augustine, first responders made the critical decision to transport the driver to Sangre Grande Hospital utilizing the tray of a pickup truck.

An ambulance ultimately reached the location nearly an hour after the initial crash, by which time both casualties had already been transported to medical facilities via alternative means. Local law enforcement has launched a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Marine conservation expert Dr. Anjani Ganase has issued a stark warning about Trinidad and Tobago’s deteriorating ocean governance, highlighting systemic failures in marine protection that threaten both ecological stability and sustainable development. Despite acceding to the Cartagena Convention’s SPAW and LBS protocols in 1986, the nation’s marine management remains critically underdeveloped, operating with fisheries legislation dating back to 1916 and leaving protected areas like Buccoo Reef effectively unregulated.

The accelerating impacts of climate change compound these administrative shortcomings, creating what Ganase describes as ‘governance inertia’ that jeopardizes food security, tourism potential, and climate resilience. The absence of comprehensive marine spatial planning undermines proposed blue economy initiatives, while unregulated tourism operations escalate safety and environmental risks. Particularly alarming is the neglect of environmentally sensitive areas—no marine zones have received official protection in Tobago, and invertebrates and plants remain excluded from protected species lists.

Ganase identifies fragmented institutional responsibility as a core problem, with jurisdiction split between the Tobago House of Assembly and Environmental Management Authority without coordinated mechanisms. This dysfunction manifests in repeatedly failed conservation legislation, including multiple iterations of the National Parks Bill, and forces government organizations to seek international funding for basic conservation duties.

The consequences are visible across coastal ecosystems: ghost fishing nets entangle marine life, algal overgrowth replaces coral reefs south of Scarborough Harbour, and plastic pollution chokes beaches after weekend gatherings. These issues represent not merely aesthetic concerns but substantial economic liabilities, with millions spent on reactive flood emergency relief that preventative waste management could mitigate.

Ganase proposes a comprehensive solution centered on establishing a single marine governance authority with enforcement capabilities, integrated waste management systems, and sustainable financing embedded in national budgets. Such reforms would position Trinidad and Tobago to develop genuine sustainable blue economy opportunities—from regulated aquaculture to eco-tourism—while fulfilling its duty as custodians of marine resources for future generations.

The path forward requires recognizing marine conservation not as an impediment to development but as its essential foundation, combining scientific research, adaptive management, and transparent stakeholder engagement to create a legacy of oceanic stewardship.

Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has launched a renewed road safety initiative coinciding with substantial increases in traffic violation penalties effective January 1, 2026. The enforcement measures come despite celebrating a notable 12% reduction in road fatalities between 2024 and 2025, with deaths decreasing from 124 to 109 annually.

Under recently amended provisions of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act’s Ninth Schedule, financial penalties for traffic offenses have escalated dramatically. High-risk violations now carry significantly heftier fines, including $6,000 for exceeding speed limits by more than 31 kilometers per hour and $10,000 for operating vehicles without proper insurance coverage.

The most severe penalties target impaired driving, with first-time DUI offenses now drawing $24,000 fines and repeat violations reaching $45,000. These amendments represent the government’s strengthened approach to enforcing road traffic regulations and compelling motorists to exercise greater vigilance.

In their January 1 media release, TTPS emphasized that while the reduction in fatalities marks progress, each preventable death remains unacceptable. The police service urged all road users to embrace shared responsibility for safety, emphasizing that compliant drivers form the foundation of secure roadways. The appeal for immediate adherence to traffic laws includes ensuring vehicles undergo proper inspections and maintain valid insurance certification.

As Trinidad and Tobago enters the new year, law enforcement authorities emphasize that collective public cooperation remains essential to sustain the positive trend in road safety and further reduce traffic-related deaths nationwide.

The Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society is poised to commemorate a significant milestone as its Children’s Carnival prepares for its 70th anniversary celebration on February 7 at the Grand Stand Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain. This venerable event, which traces its origins to humble beginnings under a savannah tree in 1956, has evolved into the nation’s premier children’s carnival competition.

Initially conceived by Lady Beetham of The British Red Cross as a fundraising initiative, the event underwent a transformative shift five years later when the late Aubrey Adams assumed organizational leadership. His stewardship brought about the current nomenclature and established the participation age limit of 16 years that endures to this day.

The historical tapestry of Children’s Carnival includes memorable stage presentations by esteemed institutions including Holy Name Convent, Fatima College, Bishops Anstey School, the TT Police Service, the Soroptimist Club of San Fernando, and St Anthony’s College. Today, the Red Cross spectacle maintains its unique distinction as potentially the only stage event that crowns category winners, event royalty, and Band of the Year simultaneously during the same presentation.

With the 2026 theme “De real Mas, before De Big Mas. Mas with a purpose,” the organization anticipates welcoming over 3,000 costumed young participants across multiple categories. Four specialized judging panels will oversee the competition to ensure efficient proceedings and timely conclusion.

Under chairman Randal Halfhide’s leadership, the organizing committee has embarked on an ambitious dual mission: producing a carnival show of exceptional quality while fundraising for a fully equipped ambulance. Halfhide acknowledges the challenge of financing both production costs and the vehicle acquisition but emphasizes the critical need for emergency medical transportation nationwide.

“We recognize the substantial undertaking of simultaneously staging a major production and raising funds for such a costly essential,” Halfhide stated. “While achieving both objectives completely within one year may prove ambitious, we remain committed to this vital goal.”

The committee has embraced digital innovation through collaboration with technology expert Sean Powell, implementing online registration systems and exploring YouTube broadcasting capabilities to globalize the event’s reach. Halfhide expressed confidence in his team’s composition, noting “a strong new committee of young minds and experienced talents, all of whom share a genuine affection for both children and the mas tradition.”

Despite needing additional sponsorship to cover the $750,000 production budget, the committee maintains optimistic outlook. The National Carnival Commission (NCC) has provided platinum sponsorship and logistical guidance, with chairman Peter Kanhai and his team offering valuable expertise in venue utilization and event planning.

Registration for participants remains open, with information available through dedicated telephone lines. The event continues to welcome additional support for both production elements and the ambulance fundraising initiative.

In a significant modernization of civil registration services, Trinidad and Tobago has initiated a groundbreaking bedside birth registration program at San Fernando Teaching Hospital. The pilot launch coincided with new fee structures for birth and death certificates that took effect on January 1, 2026.

Land and Legal Affairs Minister Saddam Hosein defended the price adjustments, explaining that the enhanced security features of official certificates necessitate higher production costs. “When you examine the expense involved in preparing one birth certificate—incorporating specialized security elements, international printing requirements, and staff verification processes—the state has been subsidizing these documents substantially,” Hosein stated during the program’s inauguration.

Despite the increases, Minister Hosein emphasized that certificates remain partially subsidized. The government faces the challenge of balancing available resources while reducing the population’s financial burden, requiring what he described as “a very delicate balancing exercise.”

The new fee schedule, established through Legal Notice No. 480 of 2025 published on Christmas Day, modifies the Births and Deaths Registration Act. Key changes include: $40 for late registration (3-12 months after birth), $100 for registrations after one year (requiring registrar general authorization), $20 for district transfers, and $30 for correcting registry errors.

The digital registration system demonstrated its efficiency with the nation’s first New Year’s Day baby, Brandon Ace Hezekiah Peters. Registrar officials used smart tablets to input information directly at the mother’s bedside, producing a signed birth certificate within approximately thirty minutes—a process that previously required multiple steps and potential full-day commitments.

Health Minister Dr. Lackram Bodoe indicated that the South West Regional Health Authority’s technological infrastructure made San Fernando General Hospital the ideal testing ground. Following successful implementation, the program will expand to all regional health authorities.

New parents expressed overwhelming approval for the streamlined process. Carla Blackman, mother of the first registered infant, noted the dramatic improvement from previous experiences where “both parents might need to take a full day off work.” First-time father Ryan Ramcharran, whose wife delivered twins, praised the system as a “first-world experience” that eliminates lengthy queues and waiting periods.

The Trinidadian government has initiated contingency plans for potential resident relocations following alarming scientific assessments of the Piparo mud volcano. Minister of Land and Legal Affairs Saddam Hosein has publicly committed departmental resources to assist the threatened community, where recent volcanic activity has caused significant infrastructure damage and displacement.

Scientific analysis conducted by a University of the West Indies research team reveals concerning developments. Led by Professor Oshaine Blake and PhD candidate Kerneese Ramjarrie, the investigation confirms unprecedented volcanic activity with mounting pressure and northwestward mud flow from the main vent. The Christmas Eve eruption event resulted in roadway collapses, utility disruptions, and partial destruction of multiple residences.

Minister Hosein, speaking during the bedside birth registration program launch at San Fernando General Hospital, acknowledged the troubling timing of the disaster during holiday celebrations. While formal relocation discussions remain preliminary, the minister guaranteed coordinated action through the Land Settlement Agency and Housing Ministry should evacuation become necessary. “I am giving the undertaking that we will mobilize resources,” Hosein assured residents, emphasizing available land resources for rebuilding despite non-immediate solutions.

Local responses reflect divided perspectives. Sixty-five-year-old Kim Seeberan has arranged alternative accommodation in Chaguanas, while Fedell Solomon has relocated his three young daughters after his laundry facility suffered partial destruction. Sybil Badall and her family express willingness to evacuate if conditions deteriorate further.

Works and Infrastructure Minister Jearlean John, after December 31 site evaluation, noted most residents prefer remaining despite risks. The government maintains continuous coordination between ministerial departments and Princes Town MP Dr. Aiyna Ali while monitoring the evolving geological threat.

In a significant humanitarian development, Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Homeland Security has announced a comprehensive migrant regularization initiative that has been enthusiastically received by advocacy organizations working with immigrant communities. The program, established under the Immigration (Exemption from Work Permit) (Immigrants) Order 2025, will provide registrant cards valid from January 1 through September 30, 2026.

Andreina Briceño Ventura-Brown, director of the La Casita Hispanic Cultural Centre, characterized the announcement as a transformative opportunity for thousands of migrants residing in Trinidad and Tobago. “We are genuinely heartened to learn that the migration registration program will recommence,” Ventura-Brown stated in her December 30 interview with Newsday. “This initiative extends beyond previously regularized individuals to encompass all migrants, granting them legal authorization to reside and seek employment within the country.”

The policy shift addresses longstanding uncertainties within migrant communities, particularly Venezuelans who constitute a substantial portion of Trinidad and Tobago’s immigrant population. Ventura-Brown emphasized that the regularization provides crucial clarity and stability for families, noting that children will now receive formal recognition and educational access previously constrained by irregular status.

Remarkably, the program demonstrates inclusive regional consideration, extending protections to citizens from fourteen different nationalities including Cubans, Dominicans, and Jamaicans. This comprehensive approach reflects strategic governance thinking that reimagines immigration as an economic opportunity rather than solely a security concern.

Government documentation indicates the registration process will enhance data collection mechanisms and migrant population management while maintaining provisions for deporting individuals identified as security risks or law violators. Ventura-Brown praised these balanced measures, noting they enable migrants to “live with dignity rather than perpetual survival mode.”

The digital-first announcement methodology—published exclusively through official ministry channels without ministerial press conference—initially raised questions about ceremonial gravitas but ultimately proved effective given migrant communities’ established practice of monitoring government social media platforms. “For the community,” Ventura-Brown observed, “official digital publication itself represents meaningful institutional change.”

While acknowledging residual policy uncertainties within immigrant circles, the cultural center director expressed confidence in the government’s evolving approach. She suggested the regularization recognizes migrants’ economic contributions to Trinidad and Tobago, transforming them from perceived resource burdens into documented workforce participants whose productivity already benefits numerous local enterprises.

The initiative emerges as a pragmatic response to demographic realities, with Ventura-Brown characterizing it as “a very wonderful way to try to get an order to work” that benefits both national security interests and humanitarian considerations.

A transformative fortune has descended upon a fortunate Trinidadian citizen who secured the multimillion-dollar LottoPlus jackpot on New Year’s Eve. The life-changing winning ticket was procured from the National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB) outlet situated at St Margaret’s Junction in Claxton Bay on December 31st.

The National Lotteries Control Board officially confirmed the monumental win through a press communication issued on January 1st, 2026. The announcement revealed that the staggering prize amount totaled $6,444,024.06, instantly catapulting the anonymous winner into millionaire status at the dawn of the new year.

The combination that unlocked this substantial fortune consisted of the primary numbers 16, 20, 29, 31, and 34, complemented by the crucial Powerball number 7. This numerical sequence proved to be the key to financial transformation for the lucky ticket holder.

Meanwhile, the NLCB has announced the continuation of its lucrative Lotto Plus offerings with a guaranteed $2 million jackpot scheduled for drawing on December 3rd at 8:30 PM. This ongoing opportunity ensures that the prospect of instant wealth remains accessible to lottery participants across Trinidad and Tobago.

The latest winner joins an exclusive group of jackpot recipients who have experienced sudden wealth through the national lottery system, highlighting the life-altering potential that these games represent for ordinary citizens.

In a significant judicial rebuke of military administrative practices, High Court Justice Kevin Ramcharan has delivered a landmark ruling condemning the unlawful treatment of Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard officer Lieutenant (Naval) Chevon Diaz. The January 2nd decision found that flawed performance evaluations and unsubstantiated allegations regarding a missing weapon were improperly utilized to obstruct Diaz’s career advancement.

The court determined that Diaz was wrongfully denied promotion to acting lieutenant commander despite his 18 years of service, with junior officers being elevated ahead of him in violation of established protocols. Justice Ramcharan’s 50-page judgment exposed critical flaws in the state’s evidence, particularly scrutinizing the affidavit testimony of then-Coast Guard commanding officer Captain Don Polo (now Chief of Defence Staff), which the court described as repeatedly claiming ignorance regarding matters directly within his purview.

The ruling centered on a 2018 incident involving a missing firearm, which had been used to justify negative performance assessments. The court established that Diaz held no command responsibility for the vessel when the weapon disappeared and that another crew member was actually responsible. With no formal finding of guilt against Diaz, the judge declared that his seniority could not legally be affected by these allegations.

Justice Ramcharan’s decision mandated that Diaz should have received his promotion to acting lieutenant commander on September 15, 2017—exactly six years after his appointment as lieutenant—with substantive rank advancement following on September 15, 2020. The court additionally ordered reconsideration of Diaz’s eligibility for the Efficiency Medal, requiring assessment based solely on relevant factors rather than the improperly cited weapons incident.

The state was ordered to pay $175,000 in damages—$100,000 as compensatory damages and $75,000 as vindicatory damages—plus 2.5% annual interest from the claim date until judgment. The ruling also included costs and multiple declaratory orders rectifying Diaz’s promotion timeline and service record.