博客

The Court of Appeal has reversed a 2023 High Court decision, mandating the State to compensate retired Coast Guard volunteer David Tannis with $346,836.05 for unpaid salary adjustments tied to his post-retirement service. Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh, alongside Justices of Appeal James Aboud and Ricky Rahim, ruled that Tannis was contractually entitled to revised pay rates negotiated for established Defence Force ranks, even though these adjustments were finalized after his volunteer service concluded. Justice Rahim, who authored the unanimous decision on November 14, emphasized that an implied contractual term linked Tannis’s remuneration to increases granted to comparable ranks in the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF), in line with a Cabinet-approved methodology established in 1980. Tannis, who served as a marine surveyor in the Volunteer Defence Force from May 24, 2004, to May 23, 2012, had his pay aligned with that of a petty officer and later a chief petty officer. However, he only received adjustments for the 2005–2007 period, with subsequent increases for 2008–2010 and 2011–2013 approved four years after his contract ended. The Appeal Court found the trial judge ‘plainly wrong’ in dismissing Tannis’s claim, noting the State’s failure to file a defense or challenge key evidence. The court highlighted that the 1980 Cabinet Minute established a methodology linking volunteer pay to TTDF rates, making it clear that Tannis should benefit from comparable pay increases. While the court rejected Tannis’s request for exemplary damages, it awarded general damages of $346,836.05 for breach of contract, with interest at 2.5% per year from June 16, 2016. The Attorney General was also ordered to cover the prescribed costs of the claim.

In a commendable move, MP Stuart Young and the Port of Spain City Corporation have stepped up to address the fallout from the shutdown of Cepep and URP programs by employing former workers in the Port of Spain North/St Ann’s West constituency and surrounding areas. This initiative not only provides these displaced individuals with a source of income but also ensures the cleanliness and maintenance of local communities. The approach mirrors a similar effort previously undertaken by Mayor Robert Parris in San Fernando. The closure of Cepep and URP has left thousands of vulnerable citizens without livelihoods, while also highlighting the critical role these workers played in maintaining public spaces. Despite assurances that local corporations would fill the gap, the reality is that overgrown vegetation and neglected areas are evident across the country. The author, Nigel Seenathsingh, emphasizes the need to focus on fundamental tasks like grass cutting before pursuing more ambitious AI-driven revitalization plans. This pragmatic approach, he argues, is essential for meaningful progress.

In a recent letter to the editor, Arthur Dash, a concerned citizen, voiced his frustration with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) and its leadership under Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro. Dash criticized Guevarro’s recent remarks referencing the ‘vengeance of moko,’ a local cultural figure, as an inappropriate response to the pervasive crime plaguing the nation. Dash argued that such rhetoric is ineffective in addressing the root causes of citizen distrust in law enforcement. He pointed out that the Police Service Act, along with the judiciary and the Director of Public Prosecutions, has failed to support Guevarro in purging the TTPS of corrupt officers involved in extortion, murder, kidnapping, human trafficking, and other serious crimes. Dash highlighted the reluctance of both citizens and police officers to report wrongdoing, citing a lack of tangible consequences for offenders. Instead, corrupt officers often face minimal penalties, such as suspension on half pay, which Dash described as an improvement rather than a punishment. The letter concluded with a stark reminder that while the police may fear the ‘vengeance of moko,’ citizens continue to live in fear of crime every day in Trinidad and Tobago.