分类： society

In a landmark achievement for environmental journalism, the Wild Tobago column has reached its 500th installment with a special expedition to Trinidad’s Icacos wetlands. This ongoing series, initiated in July 2016 by coral reef ecologist Dr. Anjani Ganase during her PhD studies in Australia, has evolved into a platform for scientific communication and environmental advocacy across Trinidad and Tobago.

The commemorative feature brought together Dr. Ganase and acclaimed birder Faraaz Abdool for a pre-dawn journey to the southwestern tip of Trinidad. Their mission: to document the spectacular biodiversity of the Icacos wetlands at sunrise. The team witnessed an extraordinary natural performance as the sky transformed through shades of yellow, salmon, pink, and blue, while the wetland came alive with avian activity.

Abdool described the sensory experience: ‘As the first light touched the horizon, the dawn chorus began. Carib Grackles jostled for position in swamp ferns, yellow-hooded blackbirds gathered in smaller groups, and yellow-chinned spinetails created a rattling soundtrack.’ The experience turned dramatic when a large spectacled caiman emerged with deep bellows and rhythmic grunts, performing mating displays accompanied by ‘dancing water’ phenomena known as Faraday waves.

The team observed over 50 scarlet ibis whirling overhead, ospreys patiently waiting for prey, wattled jacanas foraging at water’s edge, and common gallinules taking clumsy flight. Despite signage declaring the area protected, the birds’ furtive behavior suggested ongoing human disturbance.

The expedition continued to Pointe-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust, where conservation efforts have successfully reintroduced Muscovy ducks hunted to extinction on the islands. The trust represents a beacon of conservation education, complemented by the Freebird Restaurant offering world-class meals with local ingredients.

Dr. Ganase reflected on the column’s advocacy role, particularly in challenging government plans to develop the country’s only marine protected area for resort construction. She expressed concern about current threats to Mt Irvine Reef from hotel and housing development, noting that marine ecosystems already face climate change impacts while basic management measures remain unimplemented.

The feature concludes with an invitation to all citizens to undertake their own Wild Tobago journeys, emphasizing that appreciation and respect for natural spaces can foster greater community consciousness and care for both environment and fellow inhabitants.

Dr. Stephen Ramroop, former CEO of Trinidad and Tobago’s Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM), has issued a stark warning regarding the nation’s preparedness for major disasters. In a recent editorial, Ramroop contends that the country remains critically unprepared for significant hazard impacts, despite observable warning signs demonstrated through recent traffic crises.

The assessment follows severe traffic incidents on September 8 that paralyzed the Beetham Highway, creating cascading consequences throughout the transportation network. Commuters endured excessive delays exceeding six hours, resulting in missed medical appointments for critical conditions including cancer treatments and post-operative care, numerous missed flights, and widespread physical discomfort among stranded travelers.

Ramroop emphasizes that these incidents serve as measurable indicators within disaster risk management assessment frameworks. He poses a compelling hypothetical: had an earthquake struck during similar peak traffic periods, the consequences would have extended beyond a single highway to affect multiple transportation arteries simultaneously.

The former disaster management executive identifies fundamental deficiencies in the national response framework, noting insufficient coordination between multiple sectors including transport, homeland security, infrastructure, defense, and local government. He specifically calls for revitalization of the National Operations Centre (NOC) beyond its current crime-fighting mandate to encompass comprehensive emergency management.

Ramroop proposes integrated technological solutions including automated smart roadblocks with sensor connectivity, unified automatic number plate recognition systems, AI-driven traffic analytics capable of predicting congestion patterns, and drone surveillance for real-time situational awareness. Operational improvements recommended include dynamic lane control systems, queue warning mechanisms, variable speed limits, and enhanced communication protocols utilizing V2X technology.

Additionally, he advocates for improved crisis communication strategies incorporating social media alerts, alternative route recommendations, and welfare assistance programs for stranded motorists requiring essential supplies such as water, food, and medication.

The commentary concludes with an urgent recommendation to reconfigure the NOC to include ODPM and other agencies operational during the 2012-2015 period, emphasizing that comprehensive disaster readiness requires multi-sectoral coordination rather than isolated police responsibility.

A dramatic prison escape attempt at Port of Spain Prison ended in failure on January 21 when inmate Travis Curtis was apprehended just minutes after his bold dash for freedom. According to an official statement released by the Prison Service at 3:20 PM, the incident unfolded at approximately 10:00 AM when Curtis scaled the western perimeter wall along Pembroke Street.

The escape proved short-lived as coordinated efforts between Port of Spain Prison officers and the specialized Emergency Response Unit resulted in Curtis’s recapture at approximately 10:18 AM near Abercromby Street in the capital. The rapid response demonstrated exceptional operational coordination between prison authorities and security forces.

Authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the escape incident, examining whether additional charges will be filed against Curtis for escaping lawful custody. The Prison Service publicly commended the responding officers for their vigilance and professional conduct during the operation, while also acknowledging the cooperation received from members of the public.

The Prison Service indicated that further updates regarding the incident would be provided as the investigation progresses and more information becomes available.

A devoted reader has expressed profound disappointment upon learning about the imminent shutdown of Newsday, marking the end of a 32-year legacy in Trinidad and Tobago’s media landscape. In a heartfelt letter to the editor, the reader identified as C Denoon acknowledged the newspaper’s pivotal role in keeping citizens informed about local, regional, and international developments.

The correspondence, submitted via email, highlighted the publication’s significance as a platform for public discourse, noting personal gratitude for having multiple letters published over the years. The reader characterized Newsday as an institutional pillar within the nation’s media ecosystem, emphasizing its contribution to an informed citizenry.

While expressing sadness about the closure, the author acknowledged the inevitability of such transitions, stating that goodbyes remain an unavoidable aspect of life. The message concluded with a simple yet poignant farewell to the publication that had served Trinidad and Tobago for more than three decades.

The closure represents a significant shift in the country’s media environment, removing a long-standing voice that had provided news coverage and commentary across multiple domains including politics, social issues, and international affairs.

Belmont-based independent mas band Vulgar Fraction is poised to introduce its groundbreaking 2026 Carnival presentation titled ‘TantiBlak’ through two significant events scheduled for January 21 and 28. Both gatherings will convene at 24 Erthig Road, Belmont commencing at 6:30 pm, featuring a live discussion and official band launch respectively.

According to founder and creative director Robert Young, TantiBlak represents an innovative cultural synthesis that channels the anti-anti-blackness movement through the symbolic Caribbean figure of the Tantie—a revered icon embodying care, truth, and resistance. This conceptual framework extends beyond mere opposition to racism, embracing a broader practice of refusal and reimagining societal structures.

The philosophical foundation positions Blackness not as a racial category but as a dynamic condition of becoming—characterized by fluidity, incompletion, and boundless potential. This perspective acknowledges how Blackness is shaped through historical loss, survival mechanisms, cultural improvisation, and the courage to transcend externally imposed limitations.

Young explains the conceptual origin: ‘The terminology emerged from contemplating our collective response to anti-blackness, which we term anti-anti-blackness. The phonetic resonance between ‘anti’ and ‘aunty’ naturally evolved into Tantie—the reassuring figure who affirms self-worth while teaching resistance without self-erasure.’

Vulgar Fraction deliberately grounds this global discourse in Caribbean vernacular through Carnival expressions, making complex theoretical concepts accessible through masquerade, kaiso, and local cultural frameworks. The project examines how blackness transcends identity politics, functioning as an experimental space that raises fundamental questions about power dynamics, historical erasure, and how marginalized communities navigate dominant systems.

Citing philosopher Bayo Akomolafe’s concept of cracks as spaces where new worlds are rehearsed, Young emphasizes: ‘We’re fascinated by the crack not as weakness but as intelligence—precisely where the Tantie demonstrates her resilience through strategic adaptation and skillful navigation of challenging circumstances.’

The band’s aesthetic approach will feature layered black textures creating simultaneous sensations of menace and intimacy. ‘I want the presentation to feel unsettling yet affirming,’ Young notes, ‘inviting participants to confront internalized anti-blackness while reflecting on self-definition and protection.’

The January 21 live talk will feature cultural practitioners Camille Quamina, Omari Ashby, and mental health professional Shivonne DuBarry. The band launch culminates in a procession led by moko jumbie king Adrian ‘Daddy Jumbie’ Young accompanied by Egbe Omo Oni Isese drummers, with presentations by researcher Abeo Jackson and cultural creative Marva Newton. A post-Carnival discussion featuring Professor Kevin Adonis Brown is scheduled for February.

The Ministry of Culture and Community Development has unveiled a significant new initiative designed to provide sustained support for the nation’s cultural pioneers and veterans. Announced by Minister Michelle Benjamin, the program specifically targets those individuals who have played foundational roles in shaping the country’s cultural identity.

This comprehensive support framework aims to ensure that cultural icons and practitioners receive meaningful assistance during difficult periods, addressing concerns about their welfare and recognition. The initiative represents a formal commitment to protecting those who have contributed substantially to the nation’s cultural heritage.

The announcement, which featured Minister Benjamin alongside renowned calypso legend Timothy ‘Baron’ Watkins, has been welcomed as a necessary step in honoring cultural contributors. According to the ministry’s statement, the program will focus on three primary objectives: recognizing artistic achievements, securing the well-being of aging artists, and preserving their legacies for future generations.

In a letter to the editor, commentator Gerald Agostini praised the initiative as “long overdue” and expressed hope that the support system would remain in place for years to come. The program addresses growing concerns about the welfare of aging cultural figures who have historically received inadequate institutional support despite their significant contributions to national identity.