分类： society

In a significant stride toward judicial modernization, Trinidad and Tobago’s Justice Minister Devesh Maharaj conducted an inspection of the newly established Virtual Access Court Centres (VACC) at the Hall of Justice in Port of Spain on December 22. The visit served as a critical assessment of the nation’s progress in expanding public accessibility to court services through technological innovation.

Minister Maharaj was accompanied by key ministry officials including Acting Permanent Secretary Trudy Lewis, Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary Fran Chaitoo-Jacob, Senior Project Manager Nicholas Suban, and Dr. Louis Percival Anthony Nurse. The delegation received a comprehensive briefing from Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh, Court Executive Administrator Jamie Philbert, and Acting High Court Registrar Kimberly Prescott.

This collaborative initiative represents an inter-agency approach to addressing operational challenges within the judicial system. The newly constructed centers are specifically designed to provide a secure and accessible alternative to police stations for conducting virtual court proceedings, thereby alleviating the previous strain on law enforcement resources.

The development of these specialized centers emerged from concerns raised in May 2025 regarding the impracticality of hosting virtual hearings within police facilities. In response, Minister Maharaj established a working group in July 2025 to comprehensively review virtual hearing procedures. The judiciary subsequently created this dedicated facility at the Hall of Justice as a direct outcome of those deliberations.

Operational demonstrations during the visit showcased the technology’s capability to enable judicial officers to maintain complete control over proceedings, manage participant engagement, ensure proper conduct, and preserve the integrity of judicial processes in a virtual environment.

As part of the ministry’s broader digital transformation agenda, these centers will free up critical space at the Besson Street Police Station, allowing the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service to reinvigorate essential crime-fighting operations, including identification parades. The initiative represents a strategic fusion of technology and justice aimed at enhancing transparency, efficiency, and responsiveness across the entire judicial system.

The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has launched a comprehensive road safety initiative ahead of the Christmas and New Year celebrations, emphasizing collective responsibility in preventing traffic fatalities. This urgent appeal comes amidst concerning statistics revealing 106 road deaths recorded this year, representing a concerning figure compared to the same period in 2024.

Transport Minister Eli Zakour personally underscored the critical nature of road safety during this period, emphasizing that vigilance must be every road user’s “highest, non-negotiable priority.” His statement carried particular significance as it followed his recent safety assessment tour along the Solomon Hochoy Highway near the Corinth Overpass—a site where 32-year-old Arvin Williams tragically lost his life in a traffic accident just three days prior to the minister’s inspection.

The ministry’s detailed advisory outlines specific safety protocols for all road users. Motorists are instructed to strictly obey traffic signals, exercise extreme caution at pedestrian crossings and intersections, and completely avoid distracted driving practices. Public transportation operators received particular emphasis on responsible driving along the Priority Bus Route and exclusive use of designated passenger drop-off zones.

Pedestrians are advised to utilize available walkovers and marked crossings while maintaining full attention when navigating roadways. Cyclists and motorcyclists must wear protective helmets and ensure their visibility to other vehicles. These measures align with recently passed legislation in the Finance Bill (2025) that introduces stricter penalties for drunk driving, higher fines for permit violations, and enhanced consequences for reckless driving and insurance fraud.

The ministry’s overarching message emphasizes that heavier holiday traffic requires intensified safety consciousness from every citizen to prevent avoidable tragedies and preserve the joyful spirit of the season.

In a solemn operation marking the first anniversary of a devastating offshore accident, specialized divers have now accessed the waters beneath the partially collapsed Well Services Ltd Rig 110 to search for the remains of Pete Phillip. The tragic incident occurred on December 22, 2024, in the East Soldado Field, leaving Phillip unaccounted for among the 75 crew members present during the partial structural failure.

Phillip’s wife, Candacy, received official notification from the company on December 23, just one day after the anniversary. “I just wish that I get another call saying that something (remains) come up,” she emotionally told Newsday. “It’s a whole year and the family and I not seeing nothing. We can’t recover up to now. We just want a little closure.”

The recovery operation faced significant delays due to safety concerns regarding the rig’s structural instability, requiring specialized equipment to be sourced internationally. After obtaining all necessary approvals, a U.S.-based salvage company initiated a two-phase operation in November: first stabilizing the structure and removing hazardous materials, followed by the recovery of Phillip’s remains and eventual removal of the rig itself.

Company officials indicate that if initial dives prove unsuccessful, the search will continue once the entire structure is lifted from the water. Meanwhile, Phillip’s immediate family held a memorial service at their La Romaine home on the accident’s anniversary, seeking emotional closure despite the absence of physical remains.

Phillip’s sister Patricia explained the family’s perspective: “We decide we ain’t get to do the funeral and we have to do the one year, at least we can still put him at rest until we could get the last of the remains of the body… of the bones or whatever.” The emotional toll has been particularly heavy on Phillip’s five children, who continue to await resolution one year after their father’s disappearance.

In a significant legal development, the High Court of Trinidad and Tobago has authorized retired city assessor Heidi Henry to pursue judicial review proceedings against the San Fernando City Corporation over its failure to properly calculate her pension and gratuity entitlements.

Justice Frank Seepersad granted leave for Henry to challenge what her legal team characterizes as the corporation’s unlawful disregard of a 2020 High Court ruling that established her right to equal treatment with her counterpart at the Port of Spain City Corporation. The court had previously determined she should receive pension and gratuity calculations based on salary range 59D.

The controversy stems from the corporation’s alleged failure to implement Justice Kevin Ramcharan’s April 2020 decision, which found Henry’s right to equality of treatment by a public authority had been violated. Despite this judicial mandate, the corporation reportedly calculated her benefits at the lower salary range 41E.

Henry, who dedicated 39 years of service to the corporation before retiring in June 2023, asserts that the organization was fully aware of its obligations long before her retirement. Upon leaving her position, she received only a reduced interim pension of $3,500 without her gratuity payment.

Legal correspondence from March 2024 indicated the corporation was quantifying and auditing her benefits, but subsequent communications revealed the maintained position of calculating at the lower salary range. Henry’s legal representatives argue this constitutes a direct violation of court orders and breaches principles of procedural fairness.

The case, which will next be heard on February 9, 2026, seeks orders compelling the corporation to recalculate and pay all owed amounts according to the correct salary classification. Attorneys Kingsley Walesby and Sunil Gopaul Gosine are representing Henry in this matter that highlights ongoing challenges in public sector pension administration.

The Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) has issued a strong condemnation of all sexual misconduct by educators against students, emphasizing that schools must remain secure environments for children. This declaration came in response to disturbing findings published in the 2024 Teaching Service Commission (TSC) annual report, which documented 16 separate allegations involving five different teachers across the nation’s educational system.

According to the TSC report, which prompted Newsday’s December 18 investigation titled “Probe into touchy teachers,” the allegations reveal a troubling pattern of misconduct. One primary school teacher faced five distinct abuse allegations, while another primary educator was accused in two separate cases, and a third faced one allegation of sexual misconduct. At the secondary level, one teacher was implicated in a single case, while another secondary educator confronted four separate misconduct matters. The report did not clarify whether multiple allegations against individual teachers involved repeated abuse of single victims or multiple victims.

TTUTA President Crystal Ashe articulated the union’s position, stating, “Our schools are and should always be safe zones for all who occupy them, including students.” While acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations, the teachers’ association refrained from commenting on specific cases currently under review by the TSC. The union emphasized its confidence in existing legal mechanisms and the collaborative efforts between the Teaching Service Commission and the Ministry of Education to properly address such incidents.

The association has urged all TSC members to strictly comply with legal requirements, particularly emphasizing the thorough and timely reporting of all sexual misconduct cases. “Our students are our future leaders,” the statement concluded, “and we all should work together to keep them safe.” Notably, none of the five accused teachers have faced criminal proceedings to date, with all matters remaining within the TSC’s administrative jurisdiction.

The Trinidad and Tobago Postal Corporation (TTPost) has issued an official security alert warning citizens about an elaborate fraud scheme targeting individuals awaiting US visas. The national postal service confirmed receiving multiple reports concerning fraudulent communications where scammers impersonate TTPost representatives to demand unauthorized payments for passport collection services.

In a formal December 23rd Facebook announcement, TTPost emphasized that these sophisticated phishing attempts—conducted through phone calls and digital messages—are completely illegitimate and have no affiliation with the government-operated postal service. The corporation explicitly stated that it never solicits or collects payments for US visa-containing passport retrieval, nor does it charge for standard courier deliveries or Track Pak services unless previously arranged through proper authorized channels.

According to the official advisory, passports containing US visas can typically be collected without charge at designated TTPost facilities, provided recipients appear in person. The only exception applies when applicants specifically requested and pre-paid for alternative delivery options during their visa application process.

TTPost is implementing enhanced security protocols to combat these fraudulent activities and has urged the public to exercise extreme caution. Customers receiving suspicious communications should immediately verify authenticity through TTPost’s official contact points. The organization further encouraged reporting any suspected fraud attempts to both TTPost and relevant law enforcement authorities.

For verification and assistance, TTPost provided its authentic contact details: Customer Service Department at 774-1065, 773-6098, or 773-6104; WhatsApp communications at (868) 774-0715; email at customer.service@ttpost.gov.tt; and official website www.ttpost.net. Authorized collection centers include the Woodbrook location at 177 Tragarete Road, Port of Spain, and the Caroline Building at 36 Wilson Road in Scarborough, Tobago.