Carib Scope

标签： Trinidad and Tobago

特立尼达和多巴哥

  • Grand Stand to be renamed for Sparrow

    Grand Stand to be renamed for Sparrow

    One of the most celebrated cultural figures in Caribbean history will now leave an indelible permanent mark on Trinidad and Tobago’s most beloved cultural hub. During an emotional memorial service held for the late iconic calypso artist Dr Slinger Francisco — universally known by his stage name The Mighty Sparrow — at Port of Spain’s National Academy for the Performing Arts, Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar made a historic announcement: the Grand Stand at Queen’s Park Savannah, the island nation’s legendary open-air cultural stage, will undergo renovations and be officially renamed to honor Sparrow’s decades of unparalleled contribution to Caribbean culture.

    Persad-Bissessar framed the naming as the most fitting tribute possible for the artist whose work transcended geographic boundaries to carry Caribbean identity across the globe. For generations, the Grand Stand has stood watch over countless cultural celebrations that define Trinidad and Tobago’s national identity; now, it will forever be linked to the man who did more than almost any other to shape that identity. “I am therefore deeply honoured to announce that the Grand Stand at the Queen’s Park Savannah will bear the name of Dr Slinger Francisco, The Mighty Sparrow. From this day forward, when Trinidad and Tobago gathers there to celebrate its culture, the name Sparrow will stand above us,” the Prime Minister told a cheering audience.

    Beyond the venue renaming, Persad-Bissessar threw her full support behind a proposal put forward by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley to add Sparrow’s powerful track “Slave” to the official curriculum of the Caribbean Examinations Council. Mottley had previously argued that integrating the song into regional education would allow every young person across the Caribbean to engage with the profound pain, historical context, and enduring message woven into its lyrics. Persad-Bissessar pledged full collaborative action across the Caribbean Community (Caricom) to turn the proposal into a reality, noting that Sparrow’s impact extended far beyond entertainment to that of educator, cultural historian, and storyteller.

    The Prime Minister shared personal reflections on Sparrow’s influence, recalling growing up listening to his tracks played on a jukebox at her mother’s roti shop. She highlighted the iconic track “Education”, whose simple memorable lyric — “Children, go to school and learn well” — carried a profound lesson about education’s ability to transform lives and lift communities out of hardship. What made Sparrow uniquely gifted, Persad-Bissessar explained, was his talent for turning complex, serious national issues into accessible, memorable messages that ordinary people could carry with them and pass down through generations. His work moved far beyond the boundaries of calypso tents, embedding itself into classrooms, family homes, and the collective consciousness of the entire region. “He entertained us, yes. But he also educated us. And in doing so, he demonstrated the true power of the calypsonian,” she said.

    Persad-Bissessar walked attendees through Sparrow’s extraordinary 70-plus year career, which launched in 1956 when his breakout hit “Jean and Dinah” earned him both the Calypso King and Road March titles shortly before Trinidad and Tobago’s independence. Over the decades, Sparrow’s catalog chronicled every facet of Caribbean life: politics, joy, prejudice, triumph, folly, heartbreak, struggle, and ambition. “For generations, Sparrow gave us laughter when we needed it, courage when we needed it, and sometimes a mirror in which we were forced to look at ourselves,” the Prime Minister said.

    Unlike many artists who gained international fame by diluting their regional identity, Sparrow remained unapologetically Caribbean throughout his global career. “He never had to become less Caribbean in order to become international,” Persad-Bissessar noted. “Sparrow taught us that the road to the world did not require us to leave ourselves behind. He proved it. And the world applauded.” His authentic voice, sharp humor, quick intelligence, irreverent perspective, and unshakable confidence carried Caribbean storytelling to audiences across every continent.

    During his lifetime, Sparrow earned no shortage of prestigious honors: the University of the West Indies awarded him an honorary Doctor of Letters, Caricom granted him the Order of the Caribbean Community, and during Persad-Bissessar’s first term as prime minister in 2014, he received Trinidad and Tobago’s highest national honor, the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Recalling the origin of his iconic stage name, Persad-Bissessar shared how Sparrow once explained he was given the humble name “Sparrow” as a young artist, and chose to add “Mighty” to it — a small act of self-definition that became one of the most recognizable names in Caribbean music.

    “While kings ruled for a period, true legends belonged to eternity,” Persad-Bissessar said. “Kings reign for a time. Legends belong to eternity. And Sparrow is now eternal.” She closed the tribute by thanking the artist for providing a soundtrack to the lives of multiple generations of Trinidadians and Tobagonians, affirming that his songs would continue to be sung, his lessons passed down, and his legacy preserved for centuries to come. “Indeed, Sparrow, rest now, you have sung your songs. You have run your race. You have made your people proud. The king has left the stage. But the song goes on,” she declared.

  • T&T in recession

    T&T in recession

    In a scathing, nearly two-and-a-half-hour parliamentary address responding to the government’s 2027 national budget, Trinidad and Tobago’s Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles launched a full-scale attack on the ruling Kamla Persad-Bissessar administration, demanding the immediate resignation of Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo over allegations of economic mismanagement and deception of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    Beckles opened her argument by declaring the country is already in a recession, directly contradicting the Prime Minister’s public description of the 2027 budget as “awesome” — a label Beckles dismissed as absurd, calling the plan “awful” instead. Drawing on verified data from the country’s Central Statistical Office (CSO), Central Bank, and the Ministry of Finance’s own 2026 Review of the Economy, she pointed to a 0.5% contraction of national GDP in 2025, with a further 2.2% decline projected for 2026. By the standard definition used by leading economic outlets including Business Insider, a recession requires two consecutive periods of negative GDP growth — a threshold Beckles said the country has already met. “The data is irrefutable: Trinidad and Tobago is in a recession, and no one else is to blame but this UNC Government,” she told Parliament.

    The most serious accusation Beckles leveled against Tancoo centers on deliberate misrepresentation of economic data to the IMF. She outlined a clear discrepancy between the Finance Ministry’s 2025 Review of the Economy, which projected a 0.8% economic contraction for that year, and the IMF’s June 2026 Article IV report, which cited 0.8% growth for 2025 — a reversal Beckles said could only have come from false information provided by Tancoo to the international body. “You can’t just take a negative and turn it into a positive. Economics doesn’t work so,” she argued, labeling the discrepancy “economic fraud on the highest level.” Beckles emphasized that this deception of a global financial institution demands immediate accountability, stating, “For this deception of international proportions, the Minister of Finance should resign immediately.” She added that the minister’s refusal to step down would only confirm a willingness to continue misleading the Trinidad and Tobago public.

    Beyond misleading the IMF, Beckles accused Tancoo of orchestrating a “fake” social assistance increase that will leave roughly 30,000 low-income senior citizens with no additional financial support. While the government has widely touted a $250 monthly increase to Senior Citizens’ Grants, Public Assistance Grants, and Disability Grants, Beckles pointed out that existing rules cap combined pension income from the National Insurance System (NIS) and the Senior Citizens’ Pension at $5,500. Thousands of pensioners currently hit that ceiling — for example, those receiving $3,000 from NIS and $2,500 from the senior grant — so the promised increase will not add any money to their monthly payments.

    Beckles further highlighted a massive, simultaneous cut to overall allocations for social assistance programs that directly contradicts the government’s public promises. Per the 2027 Estimates of Recurrent Expenditure, the allocation for Senior Citizens’ Pension is set to drop from $4.6 billion in 2026 to $3.86 billion in 2027 — a $740 million, or 16%, reduction. Allocations for the Disability Grant have been cut by $73 million, while Public Assistance has seen an $18 million cut. In total, the combined cuts to these programs add up to nearly $1 billion, even as the government claims the $250 increases will only cost $555 million. “How can the Minister of Finance increase the Senior Citizens’ Grant by $250, a 7% increase, yet cut the allocation by 16%? How is this maths mathsing? It’s fake!” she said.

    Beckles also accused the ruling government of broader harms to the national economy and democratic system, including taking on unsustainable levels of debt to prop up foreign reserves, imposing crippling tax burdens on working people and private businesses, and eroding the country’s democratic institutions. She closed by warning that the conflicting budget numbers will eventually force Tancoo to return to Parliament to request additional emergency funding to cover the promised social assistance increases, which will only widen the country’s already strained fiscal deficit. “As night follows day, that minister will have to come back to Parliament to increase the allocation for Senior Citizens’ Pension, thus increasing the budget deficit,” she predicted, summing up the budget as rooted in “deceit, deception and destruction.”

  • Daughter: Daddy forged his own path

    Daughter: Daddy forged his own path

    At a state-supported funeral service held Tuesday at Port of Spain’s National Academy for the Performing Arts, Michelle Francisco, daughter of the legendary “Mighty Sparrow” Slinger Francisco, delivered a moving eulogy that blended lessons from her father’s groundbreaking career with intimate personal recollections of the man behind the global fame.

    Slinger Francisco, who earned the iconic title “Calypso King of the World,” rose from humble beginnings that many would see as a barrier to extraordinary success. Born in Grenada, he moved with his family when he was just one year old and never received any formal education beyond primary school. Rather than letting this limited access to conventional opportunity hold him back, he carved his own unique trajectory, rejecting pre-existing blueprints for success to build a legacy that transcended borders and cultures.

    During her address, Michelle Francisco directed a powerful message to young people in attendance and following the service around the world, drawing directly from her father’s life story. “There was once a little boy named Slinger Francisco, who left Grenada at just a year old. He received only a primary school education, but he had a dream. He had a creative spirit and an extraordinary passion for music,” she shared. He taught himself to play a wide range of instruments, mastered multiple languages, and nurtured a rare ability to connect with audiences across every demographic through his work. “He took what he had, believed in what he could become, and he forged his own path to become the Calypso King of the World.”

    Francisco emphasized that this journey holds a timeless lesson for generations to come: Great achievement does not require a privileged background, a preordained path, or adherence to conventional expectations. “You do not have to let your circumstances determine the limits of your dreams. Daddy did it his way, and the world will never be the same because of it,” she said.

    She also shared one of her father’s most memorable pieces of advice, a signature twist on a familiar proverb that reflected his pragmatic, resilient approach to life. While many advise turning lemons into lemonade when hardship strikes, she recalled, Sparrow offered a different perspective: “if life hands you lemons, don’t cry about it, and don’t waste your time trying to make lemonade. … Mich, move on and make yourself some lime juice.” This guidance, she noted, reminds us that while no one can control every event that shapes their lives, every person holds power over how they choose to respond to setbacks.

    Beyond the global acclaim that made Sparrow a household name across continents, Francisco painted a portrait of a warm, playful, and deeply devoted father whose family made the quiet sacrifice of sharing him with millions of adoring fans. “Today, I want to tell you about someone the world may not have known quite the same way. Today, I want to tell you about Slinger Francisco, the father. I was the epitome of daddy’s little girl,” she said.

    She recalled childhood moments that revealed her father’s steady, unwavering support: whenever she fell ill, felt upset, or faced frustration, she would insist her mother track down her father no matter where in the world he was touring or what time zone he was in. “I would not rest until she found my daddy, and I could still hear his deep voice: ‘Mich, what’s wrong?’ Those words always made me feel that no matter how far away he was, my dad was there for me. He can fix everything and anything.”

    Francisco added that she and her siblings understood from an early age that their father’s gift belonged to the world as much as it belonged to them. “We had to share him with millions of people who loved him, admired him, and found something of themselves in his music. He had a gift that transcended backgrounds, ethnicity, age, and culture. Through his music, he made people laugh, he made people cry, reflect, question, and learn. He gave a voice to so many, and he brought people together.”

  • Perenco under OSHA probe

    Perenco under OSHA probe

    A workplace accident at one of Perenco’s offshore drilling operations has triggered a full safety audit across the company’s regional assets, with regulators launching a deep dive into crane certification and operational protocols after a structural failure left a worker injured.

    The incident unfolded at approximately 4 p.m. local time Wednesday at the Samaan Alpha Drilling Field, part of Perenco’s Teak, Samaan and Poui (TSP) offshore oil and gas complex. During routine lifting operations, the crane involved unexpectedly detached from its mounting pedestal. Perenco confirmed the details of the mechanical failure in an email correspondence with the Express Thursday morning, noting that the detachment occurred during standard work activity.

    Immediately following the accident, Perenco activated its formal emergency response protocol, mobilizing personnel stationed on the platform and nearby support vessels to contain the situation. The stranded crane operator was successfully retrieved without additional harm, and the injured worker was evacuated to onshore medical facilities for urgent assessment. The worker has since been released from care, according to official statements from both OSHA and Perenco. In response to the incident, the company has voluntarily paused all crane operations across its entire TSP portfolio while initial assessments are completed.

    The Occupational Safety and Health Authority and Agency (OSHA) Inspectorate, the national body charged with overseeing workplace safety, confirmed it has launched a formal ongoing investigation into the root causes of the accident. In a public statement released Wednesday, OSHA outlined that the scope of the probe extends far beyond the immediate incident site: investigators will conduct comprehensive desktop audits of operational documentation, review the job descriptions and training requirements for all crane operators working across the TSP fields, and validate the certification status of every crane in operation at the three sites. This wider review is designed to identify systemic gaps that could lead to similar accidents in the future, mitigating broader risk across the complex.

    OSHA emphasized that it is too early in the investigative process to draw conclusions about what caused the crane failure, what contributing factors may have been at play, or whether any violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act have occurred. All final determinations will be rooted exclusively in the evidence collected and findings from the ongoing probe, the agency said. It also reaffirmed its commitment to conducting the investigation independently, impartially, and in line with its statutory mandate, noting that further updates will be released only when appropriate and without compromising the investigation’s integrity.

    In a separate statement released the same day as OSHA’s announcement, the Ministry of Labour, Small and Micro Enterprise Development said that line minister Leroy Baptiste had personally expressed concern over the incident and extended well wishes to the injured worker for a full and fast recovery. The ministry also reiterated its longstanding commitment to holding employers accountable for meeting their legal obligations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, Chapter 88:08, and ensuring that adequate protections are in place to prevent worker harm.

    OSHA used the occasion of the incident to issue a reminder to all employers across high-risk industries of their core responsibilities under national safety legislation. The law requires employers to provide and continuously maintain safe, healthy working environments where reasonably practicable. This mandate includes implementing robust work systems, proactive risk management measures, safe and well-maintained equipment and plant, and formal emergency response arrangements to address workplace accidents when they occur.

  • Eight classrooms destroyed in school fire

    Eight classrooms destroyed in school fire

    A destructive out-of-hours blaze has torn through Canaan Presbyterian Primary School in Duncan Village, San Fernando, leaving eight infant classrooms completely destroyed and forcing an immediate full closure of the campus that serves 439 students and 23 employees. The fire broke out in the early hours of yesterday, triggering a rapid emergency response that local fire officials have praised for limiting the spread of damage to only the northern wing of the 60-year-old single-story facility.

    According to Assistant Chief Fire Officer Lalchan Arjoon, head of the local Southern Division, the Mon Repos Fire Station divisional headquarters received the first emergency alert of the structural fire at approximately 4:16 a.m. Response teams were mobilized instantly and reached the school site within five minutes of the call. Arjoon commended his crew’s fast action, noting that firefighters successfully contained the blaze to the northern section that houses the school’s infant program, and fully extinguished the fire within 60 minutes of arrival, stopping it from reaching other parts of the campus.

    Preliminary investigations have narrowed the origin of the fire to the void space between the building’s galvanized iron roof and plywood ceiling, though official probes are still underway to confirm the exact starting point and root cause of the blaze. A security guard was on overnight patrol at the school when the fire started, and Arjoon confirmed that investigators have not uncovered any evidence to suggest the fire was deliberately set by an outside party. Around 120 younger students are enrolled in the damaged infant department.

    Arjoon outlined two potential paths forward for the school once investigations conclude: cordoning off the destroyed northern wing to resume classes in the untouched areas of the campus, or securing alternative temporary accommodation for displaced students. He also used the incident to issue a public safety reminder for property owners, school administrators, and business operators to prioritize regular maintenance of electrical infrastructure, urging that all systems be inspected by certified electricians and that circuits never be overloaded.

    In an official statement released yesterday, the Presbyterian Primary Schools’ Board of Education confirmed the campus closure and ongoing investigations into the fire’s cause and full damage extent. The board asked all members of the school community and members of the public to avoid entering the school compound to ensure emergency personnel and arson investigators can work without obstruction or safety risks. “The safety and well-being of students, teachers and support staff remain central to decisions regarding the resumption of classes,” the board’s statement read.

    Parents and guardians were directed to contact their children’s classroom teachers directly for real-time updates on when school operations will resume. The Presbyterian Church of Trinidad and Tobago also released a statement thanking emergency response teams for their rapid work and acknowledging the patience and cooperation of the affected school community.

    When local media outlet Express visited the site yesterday morning, dozens of anxious parents and faculty gathered outside the school gates, watching on as fire officials documented and assessed the damage. One relative of a Standard Two student at the school expressed frustration over the disruption, noting the new academic year had begun less than two months prior. “It is very unfortunate this happened, especially since school started less than two months ago and now the education of the children may be affected. The Ministry of Education needs to adhere to the fire preventive safety measures at the school,” they said.

    Trinidad’s Ministry of Education released a formal statement affirming its commitment to protecting the welfare of all students and staff affected by the fire, adding that it is prioritizing the implementation of all necessary measures to return to normal, safe operations as quickly as possible. The ministry confirmed that access to the Canaan Presbyterian Primary campus will remain restricted until the Fire Service grants full clearance, with a full damage assessment report due to be released by October 21.

    To minimize disruption to students’ learning, the Ministry announced it is collaborating with school administration and the Presbyterian Primary Schools’ Board of Education to organize the distribution of school assignments for students between Monday and Wednesday. Full details of the learning arrangement will be shared with parents and guardians via the school’s existing official communication channels.

  • State should facilitate, not operate

    State should facilitate, not operate

    Two leading economists in Trinidad and Tobago have thrown their support behind the government’s newly announced plan to divest key underperforming state-owned commercial assets, arguing the policy shift will strengthen public finances, unlock economic growth, and redefine the state’s core role in the national economy. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar recently confirmed the government will launch a request for proposal process to sell off three high-profile assets: Hilton Trinidad, Tobago’s Magdalena Grand Beach and Golf Resort, and National Quarries.

    Leading macroeconomist Dr Indera Sagewan framed the divestment decision as a pragmatic recognition of the state’s core mandate: to govern, regulate, and enable inclusive growth, rather than tie up public capital in inefficient, uncompetitive commercial ventures. In a written response shared with local media outlet Express, she noted that continued public operation of commercial entities, particularly in hospitality and industrial management, places an unnecessary and unsustainable strain on public coffers and taxpayers.

    “Divesting these assets frees the state from the constant burden of covering operational losses and funding capital-intensive upgrades that could be better handled by private stakeholders,” Sagewan explained. “Those redirected public funds can then be channeled into high-priority social and economic infrastructure, from universal healthcare and public education to national security and foundational investment projects that benefit all citizens.”

    Sagewan added that the private sector is uniquely positioned to revitalize these state assets, with the capacity to inject fresh working capital, adopt modern data-driven management frameworks, and integrate cutting-edge operational technologies that public entities often struggle to access. “Transferring these businesses to experienced private operators will unlock their true commercial potential, lift overall productivity, and drive long-term, sustainable profitability,” she said.

    Specifically, she noted that handing control of Hilton Trinidad and the Magdalena Grand to specialized local or international hospitality investors will deliver a meaningful upgrade to Trinidad and Tobago’s national tourism product. Paired with the already announced $500 million new Marriott resort development at Rocky Point, Sagewan said the divestment policy creates a supportive environment for sustained job creation and meaningful economic diversification away from the country’s historical reliance on energy exports.

    While Sagewan endorsed the divestment strategy’s core goals, she emphasized that robust transparency and unwavering accountability are non-negotiable to ensure the public reaps the full benefits of the sales. Without strict independent oversight, she warned, the process opens the door to opaque backroom deals and cronyism, which can result in valuable public assets being sold at below-market rates to well-connected political insiders at the public’s expense.

    To guard against this erosion of public trust, Sagewan said every stage of the divestment process – from initial independent asset valuation through the final competitive bidding stage – must be open to third-party auditing, bound by strict public disclosure requirements, and documented with a clear, verifiable paper trail. She called for the implementation of an unassailable public procurement framework that eliminates corruption risks and guarantees a level playing field for all potential investors. By opening the process to open, competitive international bidding rather than relying on closed, selective direct negotiations, the government can ensure it secures full market value for assets while neutralizing risks of bribery and bid-rigging, she added.

    “By stepping back from direct commercial operations that are better left to the private sector, the government is positioning Trinidad and Tobago as a modern, market-driven economy focused on building long-term global competitiveness,” Sagewan said.

    Fellow economist Dr Vaalmikki Arjoon echoed Sagewan’s support, noting that private ownership will deliver more efficient and productive management of these assets, unlock untapped economic value, and strengthen strained national public finances. Arjoon argued that given the country’s ongoing fiscal constraints, continuing to pour public funds into chronically underperforming state entities makes little economic sense when competing priorities – from healthcare to education to critical infrastructure – are in urgent need of additional investment.

    “The goal of divestment is not simply to generate one-time revenue from asset sales,” Arjoon explained. “It is to eliminate the recurring drain on public finances from these underperforming assets, free up limited public resources, and create greater fiscal space for the state to make productive, public-facing investments that benefit all Trinidadians and Tobagonians.”

    Arjoon pointed out that private investment will not only improve asset productivity but can also expand operational capacity, create long-term sustainable jobs, boost national tax revenues, and increase foreign exchange earnings – particularly through the tourism and industrial port sectors. These long-term economic benefits, he emphasized, will deliver far more value to the national economy than the one-time proceeds from the asset sales.

    National Quarries, Arjoon noted, is a particularly compelling case for divestment, given years of sustained financial instability and poor performance. Between 2020 and 2025, the state-owned entity accumulated a total of $135.8 million in losses, and received $154.57 million in taxpayer-funded government subventions between 2022 and 2025. As of 2021, its liabilities exceeded total assets by roughly $162 million, and the entity has a long history of inadequate financial reporting practices. Most notably, its production cost structure is fundamentally unsustainable: it costs approximately $397 per tonne to produce sand and gravel aggregate, but the product is sold for just $135 to $152 per tonne. Private management, Arjoon argued, can introduce stronger commercial discipline, optimize equipment utilization, improve maintenance and procurement processes, and cut excessive production costs. Eliminating the recurring annual subventions for National Quarries will free up millions in public funds for other urgent national priorities, he added.

    For the La Brea Industrial Development Company (LABIDCO), Arjoon noted that its industrial estate and port facilities play a critical role in Trinidad and Tobago’s energy sector, but the asset requires major capital investments to reach its full potential. Dredging work, quayside expansion, and broader infrastructure upgrades are needed to boost the port’s capacity and position it as a more competitive multi-use facility. A specialized private investor can bring the required capital, advanced technology, global industry connections, and operational expertise to attract more port customers and expand activity. This would also reduce ongoing demands on the national energy company NGC’s budget for port infrastructure maintenance, freeing up additional public funds, Arjoon noted. For this asset, Arjoon suggested a strategic equity partnership could be a strong option, allowing NGC to retain a partial ownership stake while still leveraging private sector capabilities.

    Both of the country’s flagship hospitality assets earmarked for divestment face long-standing financial challenges, Arjoon added. The Magdalena Grand has struggled for years with low occupancy rates and repeated requests for public funding to cover maintenance and upgrades, while Hilton Trinidad requires substantial capital investment in refurbishments to meet the international brand’s required quality standards. In fiscal year 2024 alone, the government spent $47.11 million on Hilton’s mandatory Property Improvement Plan, and both hotels have been supported by government-backed borrowing arrangements. Bringing in experienced private hospitality investors will shift the burden of future large capital upgrades away from taxpayers, and give the private owner incentive to modernize facilities, boost occupancy rates, and deliver higher returns.

    Like Sagewan, Arjoon emphasized the critical need to ensure assets are not sold below their fair market value. He recommended that all assets undergo independent valuation that accounts for underlying land value, existing infrastructure, projected future earnings, and price signals from competitive bidding.

    “The success of this divestment program should not be measured by how much upfront revenue the government raises,” Arjoon concluded. “It should be measured by how much it reduces the burden on taxpayers, strengthens public finances, and generates new private investment, quality jobs, and sustainable economic value. The core objective must be to turn chronically underperforming public assets into productive contributors to national development, rather than allowing them to remain a constant drain on our country’s scarce resources.”

  • Sparrow’s last show

    Sparrow’s last show

    The Caribbean region and the global calypso community are preparing to say a formal goodbye to one of the most iconic figures in Caribbean musical history, Slinger Francisco — universally known by his stage name The Mighty Sparrow — with a star-studded national farewell ceremony being held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on the day after public viewing.

    The centerpiece of the memorial service is a massive musical tribute that brings together the biggest names in Trinidad and Tobago’s entertainment industry, all gathering to honor the 91-year-old “Calypso King of the World,” who passed away on September 27 following a short illness at a New York hospital. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who awarded Sparrow the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, during her first term in office, is set to deliver a keynote tribute at the event. She is also expected to unveil new government initiatives to preserve and celebrate Sparrow’s transformative contributions to Trinidad and Tobago and broader Caribbean culture for future generations.

    Minister of Culture and Community Development Michelle Benjamin shared details of the public-facing plans with local outlet the Express, noting that seating capacity at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) — the primary venue for the ceremony — is strictly limited. To ensure all who wish to pay their respects can participate, Benjamin extended an invitation to the general public to line the route of the funeral procession along Frederick Street, or gather at the Queen’s Park Savannah Grand Stand to watch the proceedings. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be broadcast live on local networks TTT and WACK TV, with real-time updates posted to the Ministry of Culture’s social media channels.

    “Sparrow never short-changed Trinidad and Tobago, and Trinidad and Tobago will not short-change him, but we will do so responsibly and transparently,” Benjamin emphasized, adding that over more than seven decades, Sparrow provided the defining soundtrack for the nation, and the ceremony is the country’s chance to give back to the legend that gave so much to it.

    Procession logistics are already fully coordinated: the service procession will depart Independence Square at 10 a.m. en route to NAPA, where top soca artists Machel Montano and Destra Garcia will lead the roster of tribute performers, alongside performances by local steel orchestras, traditional Moko Jumbie stilt walkers, and classic mas performers. Benjamin stressed that every element of the ceremony has been curated with input and full approval from the Francisco family, with no detail finalized without their explicit blessing.

    For Benjamin, the responsibility of organizing the tribute has been a deeply meaningful experience. “This moment is far bigger than me. Sparrow belongs to Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean and the world, and it has been a humbling and deeply fulfilling experience to help the nation honour him,” she said. “I am grateful to the Honourable Prime Minister and the Francisco family for entrusting me with this duty. Above all, my hope is that we have honoured the wishes of the Francisco family, as they deserve.”

    The celebration of Sparrow’s life and enduring legacy will draw an extraordinary roster of dignitaries, reflecting his global impact. Attendees include regional heads of government, former national presidents, cabinet ministers, diplomatic representatives from around the world, leading cultural icons, and hundreds of members of the regional entertainment community. Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley will join official delegations from The Bahamas and Grenada at the event, alongside local dignitaries including Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles, former presidents Anthony Carmona and Paula-Mae Weekes, and former prime minister Dr Keith Rowley. The diplomatic contingent will be led by Venezuela’s Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Alvaro Enrique Alvarez Cordero, alongside heads of all foreign missions accredited to the country.

    Beyond Montano and Garcia, the lineup of featured performers includes a who’s who of Caribbean music: SuperBlue (Austin Lyons), Shurwayway Winchester, Aaron Duncan, Chuck Gordon, Kurt Allen, and Crazy (Edwin Ayoung) are among the dozens of artists set to take part, all honoring Sparrow’s decades-long influence on calypso and Caribbean cultural identity.

    The formal ceremony will kick off with a performance of the national anthem by the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Trinidad and Tobago, followed by welcome remarks from hosts Rhea Roopchansingh and Mark Anthony, and an opening blessing by Monsignor Martin Sirju. Musical reflections will open with a performance of the classic “My Way” by Karen Francisco, with “Only a Fool Breaks His Own Heart” performed by a member of the Francisco family alongside Samuel Thomas Jr.

    Benjamin will deliver a tribute on behalf of Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural sector, highlighting Sparrow’s role in bringing calypso from a regional folk tradition to a globally recognized art form. The eulogy will be delivered by Sparrow’s daughter, Michelle Francisco, while his granddaughter, Ashley Hutchinson, will present an original poem written in his honor. A special retrospective video titled *The Mighty Sparrow and His Legacy* will then screen, tracing the legend’s decades-long life, career, and trailblazing achievements.

    After Destra Garcia performs *Eye on the Sparrow*, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar will deliver her official tribute, before the ceremony transitions into the marquee all-star musical celebration. Standout performances in the segment include SuperBlue’s rendition of “Joy in My Soul,” Crazy’s take on “Memories,” a group performance from Ta’zyah O’Connor and Shurwayne Winchester, Sheldon Reid’s interpretation of Sparrow’s iconic “Slave,” and Zachary Ransome and Aaron Duncan’s performance of “Education.” Chuck Gordon will perform “Federation,” Kurt Allen will deliver “Soca Pressure,” and Sean Daniel will close the individual performances with “Tell St Peter.”

    The entire farewell ceremony will culminate in a celebratory medley performed by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Band, bringing the tribute to a close through the iconic songs that defined Sparrow’s extraordinary career and cemented his place as one of the 20th century’s most influential cultural figures.

  • Sammy exits RFHL 3 months before new post

    Sammy exits RFHL 3 months before new post

    In a sudden shakeup at one of Trinidad and Tobago’s largest financial institutions, long-serving executive Richard Sammy has departed Republic Financial Holdings Ltd (RFHL) just 90 days before he was set to assume the role of president and chief executive officer, bringing an 18-year tenure with the group to an unexpected close. RFHL confirmed the exit in an official announcement Thursday, noting that Sammy left the organization on the prior Wednesday.

    According to local reporting from The Express, Sammy’s departure was not the result of a forced termination or voluntary resignation, but rather a mutually agreed separation between the executive and RFHL leadership. Sammy was one of three group vice presidents appointed in 2022, and was tapped by the organization on January 30 to succeed outgoing CEO Nigel Baptiste, with his leadership transition scheduled to take effect on January 1.

    Following Sammy’s exit, the group has named fellow vice president Karen Yip Chuck as the incoming president and CEO, set to take office on the same scheduled January 1 date, pending final approval from financial regulators. Yip Chuck currently also holds the position of president at the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce, a role she assumed in late April.

    In a public statement released Thursday, Sammy expressed gratitude for his nearly two decades with the organization and extended well wishes to the group moving forward. “I treasure the strong relationships I have built with our customers, the executive leadership, and the entire Republic family,” Sammy said. “It has been my privilege to serve and I wish the Group every success in the future.”

    RFHL chairman Yashmid Karamath praised Sammy’s tenure, highlighting his commitment to the firm’s core values. “Richard is a man of unquestionable integrity. Throughout his 18-year career with Republic he has been guided by his deeply rooted values and the best interests of the Group,” Karamath said. “We wish him the very best as he moves forward to a bright future.”

    Outgoing CEO Nigel Baptiste echoed that praise in a circular sent to all RFHL staff Thursday, noting that Sammy joined the group on March 1, 2006, and calling his tenure “outstanding.” “During his 18-year career with our Group, Richard has served the Group with unquestionable integrity and unwavering passion,” Baptiste said. “He has, at every turn, been guided by the best interests of the Group, serving selflessly as an ambassador for the organisation’s core values.”
    Baptiste emphasized that Sammy’s work had been instrumental in driving RFHL’s expansion and performance across local, regional, and international markets, adding that the executive had prioritized supporting employees, customers, and the group’s long-term sustainability initiatives. “On behalf of the board of directors and our entire wider RFHL family, I would like to personally thank Richard for his tremendous contribution and wish him the very best as he moves forward to a bright future,” Baptiste added.

    Sammy’s departure comes amid a broader wave of leadership changes across Trinidad and Tobago’s major banking sector, as the government revises its oversight of state-linked holdings in the financial industry. Public records from RFHL’s most recent annual report list the National Investment Fund Holding Company Ltd as the firm’s largest single shareholder, holding a 29.92% stake, while the National Insurance Board (NIB) held an 18.81% stake prior to last month.

    Just four weeks before Sammy’s exit, NIB increased its stake in RFHL to 21.5% after purchasing an additional 4.43 million shares. If the National Investment Fund’s shareholding has not changed, the two state-backed entities together hold a controlling majority stake in the financial group.

    Last year, Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo announced a series of board overhauls for two of the country’s largest lenders: First Citizens Bank and Republic Bank Ltd, a subsidiary of RFHL. The changes included replacing a majority of sitting directors at Republic Bank. Since that announcement, both institutions have seen senior executive turnover.

    Most recently, Jason Julien stepped down as group CEO of First Citizens on August 31. Julien, 50, had assumed the top role in October 2025 following the retirement of predecessor Karen Darbasie, after serving as deputy CEO starting in 2015. Sana Ragbir has since been appointed acting CEO to lead First Citizens on an interim basis.

  • UP, UP AND AWAY

    UP, UP AND AWAY

    Following the release of the 2027 national budget, the government of Trinidad and Tobago has unveiled its annual Public Sector Investment Programme, detailing hundreds of millions in planned spending to upgrade two critical public sectors: national security and education. The multi-billion-dollar investment framework includes targeted allocations that will reshape core capabilities for the country’s security agencies and bring long-overdue upgrades to educational infrastructure across the nation.

    For the Trinidad and Tobago Air Guard, a $5 million allocation has been earmarked to launch a dedicated military Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Unit, a cornerstone investment in the country’s border security and intelligence gathering efforts. This funding forms part of a broader $9.7 million package designated for infrastructure and equipment upgrades at the Ulric Cross Air Station, scheduled for disbursement during the 2027 fiscal year. According to official program documentation, the new UAV unit will significantly boost the Air Guard’s core operational capacities, including intelligence gathering, wide-area surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance missions, strengthening the country’s ability to monitor territorial waters and respond to national security threats.

    The national government is also directing substantial investment to upgrade the country’s forensic science capabilities. The Trinidad and Tobago Forensic Science Centre will receive $1 million in initial funding to acquire a suite of advanced analytical equipment, headlined by a high-resolution scanning electron microscope designed to improve the detection of gunshot residue at crime scenes, and an automated drugs-of-abuse testing system for toxicology screenings. Additional planned purchases include a mobile C-arm digital X-ray machine, a mass spectrometer, a Maxwell RSC 48 nucleic acid extraction instrument, and a gas chromatograph outfitted with dual mass spectrometry and nitrogen phosphorus detection for complex forensic analysis. A further $2 million has been allocated to advance the construction of a new forensic laboratory and pathology facility, covering remaining design work, project management fees contracted to the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT), consultancy services for contract administration, statutory approvals, engineering reviews, and ongoing technical support. Another $1 million will fund modifications to the existing Forensic Science Centre campus, including the purchase of a custom-built refrigerated mortuary container and associated civil, mechanical, and electrical infrastructure upgrades. Completing the security sector allocations, the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service has been assigned $25.4 million to support ongoing infrastructure projects and operational programs in 2027.

    Education emerges as the largest recipient of public investment in the 2027 program, with total allocations for school improvements and digital learning exceeding $300 million. The Ministry of Public Utilities will receive $311.1 million to lead the national Vacation Repair Programme and Emergency Repair Programme for public schools, with a new inter-ministerial memorandum of understanding planned between the Ministry of Public Utilities and the Ministry of Education to formalize a coordinated delivery framework for the projects. An additional $70 million has been assigned to the Resilient Schools Infrastructure Programme, which will launch reconstruction, modernization, or expansion work on seven aging school facilities in 2027. The four-year initiative targets infrastructure upgrades for 24 high-need schools across the country, with initial seed funding provided through a concessional loan agreement with the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean.

    To advance the government’s digital education transformation agenda, $100 million has been allocated under the national Acquisition and Delivery of Laptops and Tablets project to purchase devices and accessories for distribution to students and teaching staff across the public education system. The broader Digital Education Programme receives a total allocation of $115 million, including $10 million for expanding broadband and wireless connectivity in public schools and $5 million to upgrade the Ministry of Education’s core server infrastructure, including the purchase of a new network-attached storage server to support the ministry’s data management and cybersecurity platforms. A further $85 million is designated to fund national and additional merit-based scholarships for students who achieve qualifying results on Advanced Level examinations.

    At the primary education level, $23 million is allocated for new construction and upgrading projects, covering outstanding payment obligations for the air-conditioned Marabella Girls’ and Boys’ Primary Schools, completion of Block C at Curepe Presbyterian Primary School, and remaining payments for ongoing work at San Juan Boys’ Government Primary School. An additional $15 million will fund targeted improvements, refurbishment, and extension works at primary schools across the country, addressing critical needs including electrical system upgrades, sewer repairs, plumbing fixes, flooring replacement, and ceiling and roofing repairs. For public secondary schools, $10 million has been allocated to cover similar refurbishment and extension projects to address aging infrastructure gaps.

  • State sheds ‘loss-making’ firms

    State sheds ‘loss-making’ firms

    The government of Trinidad and Tobago is moving forward with plans to offload three underperforming state-owned commercial assets, with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar confirming that requests for proposals (RFPs) for the divestment of Hilton Trinidad, Tobago’s Magdalena Grand Beach and Golf Resort, and National Quarries Ltd will be issued in the near term. Persad-Bissessar announced the policy push during a sod-turning ceremony for a new $500 million Marriott Resort at Tobago’s Rocky Point, explaining that public finances can no longer sustain companies that consistently drain taxpayer funds without turning a profit.

    Persad-Bissessar noted that the state has a well-documented poor track record of running profitable commercial enterprises, framing the planned divestments as a logical step to shift these assets into private hands, where new ownership can inject capital, restructure operations, and restore profitability. “We can’t keep using taxpayer dollars to keep them afloat,” she emphasized. “The private sector can take them over, restructure, invest and make them profitable. The Government has to be removed from some of these loss-making companies for them to become profitable.”

    In line with this strategy, the prime minister pointed to the dire financial state of the entities up for sale to justify the move. She highlighted that National Quarries currently spends $350 to produce each unit of aggregate, only to sell it for $150 – a loss-making model she described as indefensible. For the Magdalena Grand Beach and Golf Resort, low tourist occupancy has already forced management to furlough up to 50 workers for at least one month, with Persad-Bissessar acknowledging the property has fallen into significant disrepair. She also aligned with Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Farley Augustine’s position that “the business of Government is not in running hotels”, confirming that early investor outreach for the Hilton Trinidad divestment has already taken place. While LABIDCO, the La Brea-based development entity, has been flagged as a potential future divestment, the prime minister confirmed it remains under active review and has not been added to the immediate sales list.

    Persad-Bissessar drew a clear distinction between these commercial assets and the state-owned Guaracara Refinery at Pointe-a-Pierre, which the government has ruled out for divestment. She explained the refinery holds unique strategic importance, explaining it is “directly connected to our energy security and national security priorities”, a status the three assets marked for sale do not share. The government is currently advancing plans for a phased restart of the refinery while evaluating investment proposals from interested private partners, outlining a divestment framework that separates strategically critical national assets from commercial operations that can be better run by the private sector.

    Notably, the prime minister declined to share key details of the planned sales, including the valuation of the assets, asking price for potential buyers, pre-qualification requirements for bidders, or whether the government will retain a minority stake in any of the companies after the divestment process.

    The announcement has already drawn pushback from organized labor. The Communication Workers Union (CWU), which represents workers at Hilton Trinidad, released a statement voicing grave concern over the proposed sale. The union noted that workers at the hotel only recently emerged from a period of uncertainty over the property’s future, and are now facing another round of untransparent speculation with no clear assurances for their livelihoods. CWU Secretary General Joanne Ogeer demanded the government provide full clarity on how the sale will impact existing jobs, collective bargaining rights, employee accrued benefits, and the continuity of employment for all staff under any new ownership or management structure. Just last month, the government signed a new six-month management agreement for Hilton Trinidad that secured jobs for more than 300 existing employees.