分类： society

The Trinidadian government has launched an aggressive nationwide leak detection and repair campaign following the discovery of severe long-term water system failures in the Point Lisas Industrial Estate. Minister of Public Utilities Barry Padarath has directed the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) to expand its Leak Management Programme after joint investigations revealed critical infrastructure neglect.

Over the past month, WASA has collaborated with the Point Lisas Industrial Port Development Corporation (Plipdeco) to identify 15 major leaks within the industrial estate. Technical assessments confirmed that nine of these leaks directly impact high-demand petrochemical, ammonia, methanol, steel, and gas-processing facilities. Astonishingly, some leaks have persisted for up to six years due to underground congestion and access challenges.

The cumulative effect of these failures has resulted in an estimated loss of six million imperial gallons of treated water daily—representing hundreds of millions of dollars in wasted resources. Meanwhile, communities across Central and South Trinidad have endured persistent low water pressure and rotation schedules despite this massive water loss.

Minister Padarath expressed grave concern that numerous leaks were initially reported to WASA as early as 2020 but remained unaddressed by the previous administration under the PNM government. “While citizens were asked to accept water shortages, known leaks of national significance were ignored for years,” Padarath stated. “This government has the political will to confront inherited failures, no matter how complex.”

Repair operations are currently underway for five major leaks, with work being strategically sequenced to navigate underground hazards including high-pressure gas pipelines, hydrogen and carbon dioxide manifolds, high-voltage electrical circuits, and telecommunications infrastructure. The most challenging leaks require complete shutdowns and extensive excavation, particularly one at Brechin Castle where preliminary investigations continue.

The ministry expects all repairs to be completed by the end of January. Additionally, Padarath announced through his Facebook page that WASA has established four tank farms in Penal with a combined storage capacity of 80,000 gallons, providing short to medium-term relief to the region’s water shortages.

Padarath emphasized that “leak management is part of the multi-dimensional approach to achieving our Water for All mandate. This is what responsible governance looks like: confronting inherited failures, fixing what was ignored, and putting water back where it belongs in the taps of the people of Trinidad and Tobago.”

A High Court justice will deliver a pivotal ruling on June 24 in the civil lawsuit against suspended physician Dr. Avinash Sawh, marking the culmination of a dramatic legal battle over alleged racial discrimination, workplace abuse, and medical misconduct. Justice Christopher Sieuchand fixed the decision date following two days of intensive virtual proceedings that exposed deeply contentious allegations between the parties.

The case centers on claims by former employee Chantelle Arielle Figaro, who alleges constructive dismissal, assault, battery, and breach of contract during her employment at Sawh’s Medical Associates from October 2019 to October 2020. Figaro contends the physician and his wife Allison Dass-Sawh created a hostile work environment characterized by verbal abuse, racial slurs, and withheld overtime compensation.

During cross-examination by Figaro’s attorney Prakash Ramadhar, Dr. Sawh made several startling admissions. He acknowledged breaching COVID-19 quarantine protocols by entering his medical facility around midnight, though he claimed this was solely for sanitization purposes. The doctor also conceded to using racially offensive language, describing his own behavior as ‘abhorrent’ and admitting to uttering phrases including ‘dunce niggers’ and allegations that certain individuals ‘take bribes.’

‘In moments of anger I used racial language,’ Sawh testified, though he maintained he couldn’t recall his exact wording. The courtroom heard recorded evidence from October 28, 2020, capturing Sawh’s derogatory remarks directed at Figaro following a clinic visit by her relative, a police officer.

Sawh further acknowledged that despite initially stating Figaro performed no nursing duties, she indeed undertook such responsibilities. However, he vehemently denied allegations of sexual harassment and assault, including specific claims that he slapped Figaro’s buttocks on July 31, 2020. ‘I never touched her,’ he asserted, adding he never found her attractive.

The physician also rejected claims of unsafe medical practices, insisting that while he instructed staff to administer drugs, this only occurred under his direct supervision. He dismissed allegations regarding expired medications and equipment malfunctions as ‘fabricated.’

Allison Dass-Sawh, who handled administrative and payroll matters, admitted to using obscene language in recorded conversations but claimed the evidence had been edited. She denied creating a toxic environment or forcing Figaro’s resignation, though acknowledged timesheets contradicting overtime claims weren’t included in her witness statement.

Defense witness Annalisa Ralph Sammy testified she witnessed no inappropriate behavior during the alleged assault incident, though security footage reportedly reviewed wasn’t presented in court.

Figaro seeks damages for psychological harm including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, plus loss of future earnings and reputational damage. This civil case follows Sawh’s 2023 one-week suspension by Trinidad and Tobago’s Medical Board for ‘infamous and disgraceful conduct’ related to the same incident, which sparked widespread social media outrage and calls for license revocation.

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.

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.

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.