分类： society

The Barrackpore community is reeling from the tragic shooting of 34-year-old coconut vendor Michael Seeraj, who was gunned down on October 23 while disposing of coconut shells with a worker. The incident occurred around 7:35 pm on Project Road, Ramsabad Trace, Rochard Road, Barrackpore, a location Seeraj frequented for this purpose. According to the worker, he fled the scene upon hearing multiple gunshots. Police arrived to find Seeraj unresponsive with a gunshot wound to his shoulder. He was pronounced dead at the scene by a district medical officer, and an autopsy has been ordered. Investigators discovered $2,300 in Seeraj’s pocket, but the motive behind the killing remains unclear. Homicide Region Three is actively investigating the case. Seeraj’s wife, Resha Ramdeo, 36, expressed her shock and grief, stating that she could not fathom why anyone would target her husband. Described as a hardworking and quiet man, Seeraj had turned to selling coconuts after losing his job in the scrap-iron industry in August 2022. He was in the process of building a home for his family in Pancham Trace. The community remembers him as a devoted father who frequently visited his six-year-old daughter, the ‘light of his life.’ The family is awaiting the autopsy results, expected early next week, before proceeding with funeral arrangements.

The Tobago Carnival 2024, now in its fourth edition, is poised to be the largest yet, with an unprecedented influx of visitors expected to descend on the island this weekend. Senior Superintendent of Police Earl Elie, speaking at a press conference on October 23 at the Scarborough Police Station, emphasized that safety remains the top priority for law enforcement. Elie revealed that approximately 23,000 people are anticipated to arrive via Caribbean Airlines, with additional travelers expected to come by ferry. Despite the surge in attendance, the carnival events have so far been incident-free, and authorities are optimistic this trend will continue. To manage the festivities, over 50 officers from Trinidad will join local police, alongside a significant contingent from the Defence Force, ensuring a robust security presence. Assistant Commissioner of Police Oswain Subero highlighted the collaborative efforts of the TT Police Service, the Tobago House of Assembly, and other agencies in implementing a comprehensive operational and security plan. This plan covers all aspects of carnival activities, from pre-carnival events to the main-day parades, with a focus on traffic management, crowd control, and intelligence-led policing. Subero stressed the importance of both enforcement and community engagement, noting that emergency response units and traffic departments are working in unison to ensure minimal disruptions and rapid incident response. The Tobago Carnival promises to be a vibrant celebration, underpinned by meticulous planning and a commitment to public safety.

The Ministry of Education has announced a comprehensive review of its School Supplies and Book Grant initiative, a program designed to support students in government and government-assisted primary and secondary schools. This review is part of the ministry’s broader efforts to modernize education in line with the Education Strategic Plan 2025-2030, a national framework guiding education reform over the next five years. The initiative, which provides essential learning materials to students, will not be discontinued but will be enhanced to ensure equity, efficiency, and alignment with emerging technologies, including AI-supported textbooks and adaptive digital resources. Education Minister Dr. Michael Dowlath emphasized that the review reflects a deliberate, evidence-based approach to improving education support systems. He stated, ‘Our responsibility is to ensure that every dollar spent delivers measurable improvement in student learning outcomes.’ The decision to review the program follows a period in which no allocations were made in the annual budget, prompting the ministry to seek funding through the mid-year budget process. In the 2024 cycle, approximately 27,000 applications were received, with 20,000 grants disbursed. The ministry secured funding for 20,000 grants of $1,000 each during the 2025 mid-year budget review. The current review aims to strengthen the program’s design and delivery, ensuring timely and efficient allocations that align with national education priorities. The ministry reiterated its commitment to fiscal prudence, transparency, and accountability in all education spending.

The legal community of Trinidad and Tobago came together on October 24 to honor newly appointed Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh during an impromptu special sitting of the Court of Appeal. Held at the Hall of Justice in Port of Spain, the event was attended by prominent members of the bar and senior legal professionals who lauded Boodoosingh’s humility, intellect, and unwavering commitment to justice and education. Speakers highlighted his integrity, leadership, and vision, expressing confidence that his tenure would strengthen the judiciary’s independence and efficiency. Justice of Appeal Geoffrey Henderson, a former director of public prosecutions, praised Boodoosingh’s scholarship and mentorship, calling his appointment “a circle in life.” Patricia Dindyal of the Assembly of Southern Lawyers described his elevation as “a monumental achievement,” while Anil Maraj of the Law Association emphasized his role as both a judge and a teacher. Acting DPP Sabrina Dougdeen-Jaglal and Deputy Registrar Kimberly Prescott echoed these sentiments, underscoring his dedication to justice and leadership. In his response, Chief Justice Boodoosingh acknowledged the weight of his new role, vowing to build on the foundation laid by his predecessor, retired Chief Justice Ivor Archie. He reflected on his journey from humble beginnings to the nation’s highest judicial office, crediting his family, teachers, and mentors for shaping his path. Boodoosingh also outlined his plans to collaborate with stakeholders to advance the legal system, emphasizing the importance of a strong bar to support the bench. A formal special sitting of the judiciary is scheduled for January 2026, as Archie is expected to be abroad later this year.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has likened her government’s decision to replace temporary make-work schemes like Cepep and URP with sustainable employment to ending ‘a kind of slavery.’ Speaking at the National Recruitment Drive held at the National Cycling Centre in Couva on October 23, Persad-Bissessar expressed her satisfaction in providing meaningful jobs for citizens. She emphasized that the overwhelming turnout reflected the public’s eagerness for stable employment opportunities. The Prime Minister addressed criticisms of phasing out Cepep and URP, stating that these programs offered only short-term relief and did not enable citizens to secure mortgages or fund education. She described such schemes as ‘hand-to-mouth feeding’ and vowed to create ‘real jobs for real people.’ The government plans to roll out these opportunities gradually, filling vacancies in ministries and fostering private-sector partnerships. Persad-Bissessar also highlighted the misuse of funds in previous programs, which reportedly drained billions from the Treasury and, in some cases, fueled criminal activity. Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles, however, urged the government to show compassion toward displaced workers, claiming that over 30,000 people were left jobless due to the shutdown of Cepep, URP, and the reforestation program. The recruitment drive, which concluded on October 24, received over 110,000 online applications. Officials will now review submissions and begin interviews on October 28. The initiative aims to provide employment across various sectors, including skilled and unskilled labor, engineering, and administrative roles. Persad-Bissessar visited multiple booths at the event, where ministry representatives shared application statistics. For instance, the Education Ministry received 56 applications on Thursday, bringing its total to 128. The Prime Minister reiterated her commitment to job creation, acknowledging that while not all 90,000 applicants would secure positions immediately, her administration is working diligently to fulfill its promises. The recruitment drive also extended to Princes Town, where scores of hopeful applicants gathered at the URP office. Nerue Mohammed, a long-time unemployed resident, praised the initiative, likening the previous employment struggles to ‘slavery days.’ Erica Gibbs, a former Cepep worker, welcomed the opportunity to secure a stable job as a cleaner. The drive is open to all citizens, regardless of background, offering a fresh start for recent graduates, skilled workers, and those seeking new opportunities.