分类： society

Authorities in the Southern Division are currently investigating a distressing incident involving a seven-year-old student from Gasparillo Government Primary School, who is now in critical condition at San Fernando General Hospital. The child, whose identity remains undisclosed, is receiving intensive care after sustaining a ruptured spleen. The incident reportedly occurred on the afternoon of November 12, when the boy’s mother was urgently summoned to the school following allegations that her son had been pushed on the premises. Despite the severity of the situation, the school has yet to release any additional details regarding the incident. Following the event, the child was immediately transported to the hospital’s casualty department. Upon being informed of the critical nature of the injuries, San Fernando police officers, including Cpl Matloo and PC Soogrim, promptly responded and engaged with the boy’s family. As part of their ongoing investigation, police officials visited the school on November 13 to gather further information. However, the exact circumstances surrounding the injury remain unclear, with authorities unable to confirm whether the incident occurred at the school or elsewhere. Media access to the school has been restricted, complicating efforts to obtain more information.

Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh and Urban Development Corporation (Udecott) chairman Shankar Bidaisee conducted a joint inspection of the San Fernando Supreme Court building on November 13. This visit comes after months of public disputes between Udecott and the Judiciary regarding the escalating costs, scope modifications, and accountability for delays in the renovation project. The courthouse, which has been closed since 2020, remains inactive as both parties await Cabinet approval for a revised restoration plan. Initially estimated at $12.8 million, the project’s budget has surged to $22.1 million, with construction halted after Udecott terminated the previous contractor in July. During the tour, technical teams briefed Boodoosingh and Bidaisee on the current status of the works and the necessary steps to resume procurement. Udecott has emphasized the need for reconfirmation of the project’s scope and funding from the Judiciary before re-tendering can begin. The agency warns that without these approvals, no completion date can be projected, estimating that the process will take at least a year, potentially delaying the reopening until late 2026. The Judiciary attributes the delays primarily to contractor under-performance, while Udecott points to extensive variation requests—such as termite treatment, ICT room redesigns, and bathroom and security upgrades—that expanded beyond the original mandate. These requests were made during the tenure of former Chief Justice Ivor Archie. The prolonged closure has forced the relocation of all San Fernando legal matters to the Princes Town Judicial Centre, causing significant disruptions for attorneys and litigants in the southern district. Legal professionals have repeatedly called for the restoration of in-person hearings, arguing that the delays infringe upon the public’s constitutional right to timely justice.

Customers of Trinbago Express, a shipping courier company, staged protests outside the Ministry of Trade, Investment, and Tourism in Port of Spain on November 12, urging Trade Minister Satyakama Maharaj to intervene in resolving their cargo delays. The shipments, which have been held at the Port of Port of Spain for several months, include personal items, business goods, and gifts. Demonstrations also took place in Tobago and at the New York Attorney General’s Office, with protesters chanting, ‘No cargo, no peace.’

Umar Abdullah, leader of the First Wave Movement, emphasized the anguish felt by customers both locally and in the diaspora. He called on the Ministry of Trade to act decisively, stating, ‘The Ministry cannot claim ignorance or impotence. It has the power to investigate, the authority to intervene, and the duty to act.’

Among the protesters was dual citizen Claude Beerom, who returned to Trinidad from the US with essential items, including medication. Beerom expressed frustration over the delay, noting that Trinbago Express Shipping Inc collected his items in June but has yet to deliver them. He highlighted the challenges faced by returning residents, particularly those with specific dietary and medical needs.

Trinbago Express T&T Ltd, the local arm of the company, has severed ties with its US counterpart and closed its Port of Spain office. Managing Director Lidmer Murray explained that the local company operates independently and has no control over the US operations. He cited the inability to access containers due to unpaid shipping fees as the primary reason for the closure. Murray urged Trinbago Express Shipping Inc to fulfill its financial obligations to customers.

Efforts by Newsday to contact Trade Minister Maharaj and Parliamentary Secretary Dr. Colin Neil Gosine for comment were unsuccessful.

A recent ruling by the Privy Council has exposed significant gaps in Trinidad and Tobago’s occupational safety framework, prompting calls for urgent reforms. Anna Henderson, President of the American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AmCham TT), emphasized the need for modernization during her keynote address at the 29th Annual Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) Conference in Port of Spain on November 11. The September ruling clarified that workplace safety charges must be filed within six months of an incident coming to the attention of an Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) inspector, replacing the previously assumed two-year window. While civil cases retain the longer timeframe, criminal offenses and safety breaches are now subject to the stricter six-month limit. Henderson warned that delayed prosecutions could be dismissed, placing pressure on the Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSHA) to act swiftly. She urged the full operationalization of OSHA with an independent board, stressing that unresolved cases risk eroding public trust and hinder learning from past incidents. Henderson also highlighted the role of artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and climate readiness in building resilient workplaces. She cited the corporate downfalls of Kodak, Blockbuster, and Skype as cautionary tales, emphasizing that innovation is essential for survival. The conference theme, “HSSE 360: Innovation for Resilience,” underscored the need to integrate safety and sustainability into every business decision. Henderson advocated for predictive systems using AI to anticipate risks, detect hazards in real time, and enhance decision-making. However, she cautioned that technological advancements also introduce vulnerabilities, noting that citizens lost over US$3.3 million to online fraud between October 2024 and September 2025. Henderson called for cybersecurity to be a core component of HSSE strategies, stating, “Cyber resilience is now human resilience.” She also linked corporate resilience to climate readiness, referencing the recent impact of Hurricane Melissa and urging businesses to adopt climate-smart systems and adaptive continuity plans. Henderson framed resilience as a proactive approach, encouraging companies to break down silos, empower employees, and foster cultures of trust and accountability. She concluded with a call to action, urging participants to create workplaces that protect lives, enable progress, and build a society where every citizen feels safe and valued.