分类： society

In a significant address during Eid celebrations at the Office of the Prime Minister in St Clair, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar drew powerful parallels between the core values of Ramadan and the essential qualities of effective public service. The national leader commended government officials for their dedicated service, emphasizing how their professional contributions reflect the spiritual principles celebrated during the holy month.

Persad-Bissessar articulated the profound connection between Ramadan’s teachings and national development, stating: “Just as Ramadan teaches discipline, consistency and care for others, those same qualities are reflected in the service that you do.” She characterized public service as fundamentally vital work that, while often performed quietly, remains essential to national prosperity and citizen welfare.

The Prime Minister extended her philosophical framework to encompass Trinidad and Tobago’s celebrated multicultural identity, recalling how citizens collectively embrace diverse religious and cultural observances including Divali, Christmas, Carnival, and Eid as “shared national experiences” that strengthen social cohesion rather than separate communities.

Persad-Bissessar particularly highlighted the Muslim community’s longstanding contributions to national development through charitable works, entrepreneurial initiatives, and deep commitment to family values. She framed these contributions as essential threads in the nation’s social fabric, noting that Islamic principles of compassion and service provide crucial guidance during challenging times.

In her concluding remarks, the Prime Minister issued a compelling call to action, urging all citizens to integrate Ramadan’s spiritual lessons into their daily lives and work environments. She emphasized that the values of discipline, integrity, and compassion should transcend religious observance periods to become foundational principles for national building and global citizenship.

The address culminated with traditional Eid blessings for the Muslim community, expressing hope that their devotion would receive divine recognition and multiplied blessings.

The funeral service for contractor and businessman Danny Anthony Guerra became a platform for unity and reflection as more than 100 mourners gathered at St Francis RC Church in Sangre Grande yesterday. The emotional ceremony highlighted both Guerra’s controversial public perception and his personal legacy as remembered by those closest to him.

Marlon Grant, identifying himself as Guerra’s employee, delivered a powerful eulogy addressing the conflicting narratives surrounding the deceased businessman. “Forget the noise…stay together, stay strong,” Grant urged attendees, echoing what he described as Guerra’s characteristic command: “Aye, allyuh, let we go!” Grant shared personal experiences of Guerra as a man who embodied progress, discipline, vision, and love—qualities that contrasted with some public opinions.

The service revealed Guerra’s remarkable journey from humble beginnings selling pork to becoming a significant property developer. Through his company DG Homes, Guerra had expanded his operations from Sangre Grande to other regions including Cunupia, helping numerous individuals achieve homeownership according to Grant’s testimony.

Notable absences marked the ceremony, with several immediate family members including Guerra’s daughter Daniella—initially scheduled to speak—not in attendance. Lucy Guerra Ramroop, Guerra’s aunt, stepped in to emphasize the importance of celebrating his life and supporting his four children: Garvin, Daniella, Daniel, and another daughter.

The visual tributes spoke volumes about Guerra’s impact, with mourners—including Venezuelan migrants—wearing custom jerseys bearing his image and the words “discipline, visionary, driven.” A life-sized cardboard cutout stood vigil in the church as final respects were paid.

Following the service, a procession accompanied Guerra’s body to Turure Public Cemetery for burial. While police presence was noted nearby, the proceedings concluded without incident according to official sources.

The ceremony occurred against a complex backdrop of legal challenges and unresolved violence. Guerra had been detained last November under a Preventative Detention Order that identified him as an organized crime leader involved in arms trafficking, money laundering, and illegal quarrying. Though released in January after nearly six weeks, his life ended violently on March 13 when armed men ambushed him outside his business establishment. As of yesterday, no arrests have been made in connection with his killing.

A catastrophic fire and subsequent explosion ravaged the Mitsuda Superstore on Longdenville Old Road yesterday afternoon, causing extensive structural damage and triggering mass evacuations in the Enterprise community. The conflagration, which ignited around 12:30 p.m., resulted in multi-million dollar losses and significant collateral damage to adjacent residences.

The Trinidad and Tobago Fire Services (TTFS) Central Division responded with multiple fire tenders within minutes of notification, though firefighters noted operational challenges due to inadequate water pressure. Their coordinated efforts prevented serious injuries, although several employees and residents required medical attention for smoke inhalation.

The compound’s destruction represents both an economic and community tragedy, housing not only grocery and household goods sections but also agricultural supplies and wholesale operations. The subsequent explosion shattered windows in surrounding homes, particularly affecting Jack Street residents who were forcibly evacuated—including children, elderly citizens, and an individual with special needs.

Local resident Wendell Grimshaw reported comprehensive damage to his property, noting the psychological impact on his children from the blast. The incident evoked traumatic memories of a similar 2021 fire at Seumeds Ltd. on Citrus Drive, raising concerns about fire safety protocols in commercial-residential border zones.

Employees expressed profound grief over the destruction, with one 42-year-old staff member highlighting the potential unemployment crisis for single mothers employed at the establishment. The superstore’s absence creates an economic vacuum, previously generating substantial commercial traffic that benefited adjacent small businesses like food vendor Charmaine Alleyne’s operation.

Mitsuda management addressed the disaster through an official Facebook statement, emphasizing employee safety and community resilience: “With your continued support, we will rebuild and come back stronger than ever.” The company confirmed its St. Augustine branch remains operational during recovery efforts.

Concurrently, TTFS issued urgent public advisories against unauthorized burning during the ongoing dry season, noting repeated bush fire responses in Citrus Drive and Ragoonanan Road areas. Fire officials emphasized that discarded cigarettes, glass bottles magnifying sunlight, and deliberate rubbish burning pose severe community threats through airborne embers and rapid fire spread.

Disaster Management Unit chair Brenda John coordinated municipal support for affected residents as firefighting operations continued past nightfall, with reignited flames requiring additional tender deployments and medical standby services.

A distressing incident of animal abandonment has exposed the severe pressures facing Trinidad and Tobago’s primary animal welfare organization. On Tuesday, the Trinidad and Tobago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (TTSPCA) discovered eight puppies and three adult dogs abandoned outside their compound, with several puppies thrown over the gate and one dog tied directly to the fence.

Operations Manager Sarah Agostini revealed this event represents an escalating pattern of animals being dumped at their facility. Through social media communications, the TTSPCA urgently appealed to the public: “Please, do not dump animals. If you are struggling, come in and talk to us. We will always try to help or guide you.”

The organization emphasized the life-threatening dangers of such abandonments, noting that roaming dogs in the area could easily have attacked or killed the vulnerable animals. While relieved these particular animals were found safe, officials warned the situation could have ended tragically.

Agostini detailed the ongoing challenges in a telephone interview, explaining that abandonment methods include both tying animals to fences and literally throwing them over gates. The shelter is currently attempting to rescue one dog that has evaded capture for two weeks despite regular feeding attempts.

The crisis extends beyond immediate animal welfare concerns. According to Agostini, the TTSPCA faces overwhelming systemic challenges due to the complete absence of operational government pound facilities or dog-catching units for approximately five to seven years. As the only open-admission shelter in Trinidad and Tobago, they shoulder the burden of stray and unwanted animals without government subsidies or consistent funding.

The facility currently houses approximately 40 cats and 120 dogs and puppies, operating at strict capacity limits to avoid overcrowding. Agostini revealed the organization has received only three government subventions in ten years, primarily allocated for infrastructural repairs rather than daily operations.

Compounding these problems, promised animal welfare regulations developed in 2019 have failed to materialize, leaving enforcement mechanisms weak and ineffective. The TTSPCA attempts to provide alternatives through partnerships with the Animal Welfare Network, offering food supplies, veterinary treatment, and social media adoption campaigns.

Agostini identified spaying and neutering as critical prevention measures, citing partnerships with local businesses like Donut Boys for reduced-cost initiatives. However, she characterized these efforts as “a drop in the ocean” given the scale of unwanted animals. Educational programs in primary and secondary schools aim to address root causes by teaching future generations about animal cruelty prevention.

The operations manager concluded that the crisis extends beyond her organization, affecting all rescue groups and NGOs involved in animal welfare throughout Trinidad and Tobago, with lack of legislative enforcement and systemic support remaining fundamental obstacles.