分类： society

Tobago has taken a significant step forward in addressing its sargassum problem with the donation of specialized management equipment by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Japanese government. The handover ceremony took place on October 21 at the Shaw Park Complex, attended by THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, UNDP resident representative Ugo Blanco, and Japanese Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Akima Umezawa. Augustine highlighted the severe environmental and economic impacts of sargassum, which first appeared in Tobago East in 2011, affecting fisheries, tourism, and coastal businesses. He expressed gratitude for the investment, emphasizing that the equipment would be managed by the Tobago Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) with guidance from the Department of Environment. Augustine also noted that the donation marks the beginning of a broader effort, with plans to acquire boats and booms for further sargassum management. Allan Stewart, Director of TEMA, described the event as historic, recalling the devastating effects of sargassum on the island since 2011. He stressed the importance of capacity building for small-island developing states in the Caribbean. Ambassador Umezawa reiterated Japan’s commitment to supporting Tobago in its cleanup efforts, calling the donated tractor a symbol of cooperation. UNDP’s Ugo Blanco also emphasized the collaborative nature of the initiative, underscoring its significance for Tobago’s environmental sustainability.

The Barrackpore community is reeling from the tragic shooting of 34-year-old coconut vendor Michael Seeraj, who was gunned down on October 23 while disposing of coconut shells with a worker. The incident occurred around 7:35 pm on Project Road, Ramsabad Trace, Rochard Road, Barrackpore, a location Seeraj frequented for this purpose. According to the worker, he fled the scene upon hearing multiple gunshots. Police arrived to find Seeraj unresponsive with a gunshot wound to his shoulder. He was pronounced dead at the scene by a district medical officer, and an autopsy has been ordered. Investigators discovered $2,300 in Seeraj’s pocket, but the motive behind the killing remains unclear. Homicide Region Three is actively investigating the case. Seeraj’s wife, Resha Ramdeo, 36, expressed her shock and grief, stating that she could not fathom why anyone would target her husband. Described as a hardworking and quiet man, Seeraj had turned to selling coconuts after losing his job in the scrap-iron industry in August 2022. He was in the process of building a home for his family in Pancham Trace. The community remembers him as a devoted father who frequently visited his six-year-old daughter, the ‘light of his life.’ The family is awaiting the autopsy results, expected early next week, before proceeding with funeral arrangements.

The Tobago Carnival 2024, now in its fourth edition, is poised to be the largest yet, with an unprecedented influx of visitors expected to descend on the island this weekend. Senior Superintendent of Police Earl Elie, speaking at a press conference on October 23 at the Scarborough Police Station, emphasized that safety remains the top priority for law enforcement. Elie revealed that approximately 23,000 people are anticipated to arrive via Caribbean Airlines, with additional travelers expected to come by ferry. Despite the surge in attendance, the carnival events have so far been incident-free, and authorities are optimistic this trend will continue. To manage the festivities, over 50 officers from Trinidad will join local police, alongside a significant contingent from the Defence Force, ensuring a robust security presence. Assistant Commissioner of Police Oswain Subero highlighted the collaborative efforts of the TT Police Service, the Tobago House of Assembly, and other agencies in implementing a comprehensive operational and security plan. This plan covers all aspects of carnival activities, from pre-carnival events to the main-day parades, with a focus on traffic management, crowd control, and intelligence-led policing. Subero stressed the importance of both enforcement and community engagement, noting that emergency response units and traffic departments are working in unison to ensure minimal disruptions and rapid incident response. The Tobago Carnival promises to be a vibrant celebration, underpinned by meticulous planning and a commitment to public safety.

The Ministry of Education has announced a comprehensive review of its School Supplies and Book Grant initiative, a program designed to support students in government and government-assisted primary and secondary schools. This review is part of the ministry’s broader efforts to modernize education in line with the Education Strategic Plan 2025-2030, a national framework guiding education reform over the next five years. The initiative, which provides essential learning materials to students, will not be discontinued but will be enhanced to ensure equity, efficiency, and alignment with emerging technologies, including AI-supported textbooks and adaptive digital resources. Education Minister Dr. Michael Dowlath emphasized that the review reflects a deliberate, evidence-based approach to improving education support systems. He stated, ‘Our responsibility is to ensure that every dollar spent delivers measurable improvement in student learning outcomes.’ The decision to review the program follows a period in which no allocations were made in the annual budget, prompting the ministry to seek funding through the mid-year budget process. In the 2024 cycle, approximately 27,000 applications were received, with 20,000 grants disbursed. The ministry secured funding for 20,000 grants of $1,000 each during the 2025 mid-year budget review. The current review aims to strengthen the program’s design and delivery, ensuring timely and efficient allocations that align with national education priorities. The ministry reiterated its commitment to fiscal prudence, transparency, and accountability in all education spending.