Carib Scope

标签： Trinidad and Tobago

特立尼达和多巴哥

  • TSTT shelves $49m call centre deal

    TSTT shelves $49m call centre deal

    A planned $49 million three-year digital call centre contract at state-owned Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) has been suddenly suspended, triggering an internal review and sparking questions about the departure of the firm’s former acting chief executive. The deal, which had already been awarded to Diego Martin-based Humming Bird Holdings Ltd, was scrapped after concerns emerged that the entire procurement and approval process was completed without any formal review or sign-off from TSTT’s board of directors, according to industry sources close to the ongoing investigation.

    The abrupt cancellation of the contract came shortly after TSTT’s board made the decision not to renew the acting appointment of former CEO Keino Cox, whose tenure ended two weeks prior. When asked whether the irregular call centre procurement played a role in the board’s decision not to retain Cox, Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath confirmed that the contract issue was among the factors the board considered during its deliberations on Cox’s performance. Following Cox’s departure, the board appointed Reza Hosein to step into the role as acting CEO.

    Multiple attempts by the *Sunday Express* to secure a direct comment from Cox last week resulted in a delayed response. After initially noting he was traveling outside of the country, Cox directed all media queries to TSTT’s communications team lead Janelle David, who in turn referred questions to TSTT chairman Kern Dass. In an official statement responding to the *Sunday Express*’s questions, Dass confirmed that the proposed call centre agreement was never presented to the full board for review by the outgoing management team.

    Dass added that the board has launched an immediate full review into the procurement process and all surrounding circumstances of the award. “Once this review is concluded, TSTT will be positioned to share additional operational details,” he said, noting that the board intends to submit its finalized findings to the public utilities ministry and any other relevant regulatory authorities once the probe is complete.

    Senior TSTT insiders with direct knowledge of the procurement timeline shared that the process launched in November of last year as a selective tender, with four companies submitting formal proposals for the project: Amplia, Humming Bird Holdings Ltd, Concepts and Services, and Rayanna Boucher. Midway through the evaluation process, insiders said, the tender was unexpectedly converted to a single-source selection, with Humming Bird Holdings ultimately named the winning bidder following a final evaluation completed in April of this year. None of the other three bidders were selected for the contract: Boucher and Concepts and Services were eliminated during earlier stages of evaluation, while Amplia did not receive a favorable assessment from the management team leading the process.

    Documents reviewed by the *Sunday Express* confirm that a formal letter of offer for the three-year digital call centre contract was issued to Humming Bird Holdings, and the firm’s chief executive Nandani Varsha Bidaisee has already signed the document to accept the terms. Public corporate registry records show the company is registered to an apartment at Victoria Keys 8D Tower 3 in Diego Martin, with Merle Bidaisee listed as the second co-director. Until July last year, Rudra Bidaisee — a licensing officer at the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) who shares the same registered address — also served as a director of the firm, a role he held for 12 years before stepping down.

    Minister Padarath confirmed last week that he had requested full corporate details on Humming Bird Holdings from the national company register, and that the information was recently provided to his office. He also confirmed that official notification has been sent to Humming Bird Holdings advising that all proposed arrangements with TSTT have been suspended immediately, pending the outcome of the full investigation into the procurement process.

  • $2.39m debt case: T&TEC sues Scotland

    $2.39m debt case: T&TEC sues Scotland

    A high-stakes legal battle has emerged in Trinidad and Tobago, where the state-owned Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) has launched formal High Court proceedings against Senior Counsel Keith Scotland—now a sitting government minister—and junior attorney Keisha Kydd-Hannibal over catastrophic missteps in a $2.39 million corporate debt recovery case. The utility, which is seeking millions in compensatory and punitive damages, accuses the legal team of procedural failure, professional misconduct, and deception that left its long-sought claim permanently time-barred earlier this year.

    T&TEC first retained Scotland, practicing through his Virtus Chambers, in November 2022 to pursue unpaid electricity charges totaling $2,392,220.11 from local food manufacturer Flavorite Foods Ltd, along with accumulated interest and legal costs. According to T&TEC’s August 27 Statement of Case, led by former attorney general Anand Ramlogan SC, what followed was a cascade of unreported procedural errors and false misrepresentations that ultimately erased the utility’s legal right to recover the debt when the statutory limitation period expired in January 2025.

    The first debt recovery claim, filed in December 2022, was automatically struck from the court’s docket after Scotland’s team failed to submit a proof of service affidavit and move for default judgment, per T&TEC’s allegations. Rather than disclosing the dismissal to the utility, T&TEC claims Scotland intentionally misrepresented that the original claim had been voluntarily withdrawn and re-filed—a false statement he knew was untrue by September 2023 at the latest. Scotland acknowledged in pre-action correspondence that he instructed Kydd-Hannibal to re-file the claim and pursue default judgment if Flavorite Foods failed to mount a defense, court documents state.

    A second claim was filed in October 2023 without T&TEC’s formal approval. Over the course of 2024, the utility says it was repeatedly told an application for default judgment was already pending before the court, when in reality no such application was ever submitted. By August 11, 2024, the second claim was also automatically struck out for inactivity, a development T&TEC was never informed of. A third, unauthorised claim filed later in 2024 was never properly served on the defendant and was also automatically dismissed in August 2025, again with no notification to T&TEC.

    T&TEC holds Scotland personally liable for the failures, arguing that he was the only attorney formally retained under a written retainer agreement, and he bore ultimate responsibility for overseeing all litigation activity. The utility alleges he failed to monitor court deadlines, ensure proper filing and service of claims, pursue default judgment, and keep T&TEC updated on the true status of the proceedings. Critically, when Scotland was appointed to government in August 2024 and ceased private legal practice, he failed to complete an orderly, transparent handover of the active case to new counsel, leaving T&TEC in the dark about the collapsed claims.

    In addition to claims of breach of contract and professional negligence, T&TEC has advanced an alternative claim of deceit centered on the false representation that the first claim was withdrawn and re-filed. The utility argues Scotland knew the first claim had already been struck out, yet either made, approved, or allowed the false statement to stand without correction. If the court finds Scotland did not make the misrepresentation himself, T&TEC argues Kydd-Hannibal did so falsely.

    Scotland has forcefully denied all allegations through his legal team, pushing back against T&TEC’s narrative. He admits to drafting the original claim form and statement of case, and acknowledges learning the first claim was automatically struck out, before advising the matter be re-filed. However, he claims Kydd-Hannibal subsequently informed him the second claim had been properly served, no defense had been filed, and the default judgment application had been fully prepared. Scotland says when he joined the government in August 2024, he notified T&TEC he could no longer practice and proposed handing the full file to Kydd-Hannibal, who he claims was separately retained by the utility as instructing counsel. He also denies any involvement in or knowledge of the third unauthorised claim.

    T&TEC rejects both Scotland’s claims of a separate retainer for Kydd-Hannibal and his assertion that the lawsuit is motivated by political gain. The utility notes the only written retainer agreement was issued directly to Scotland, with no separate agreement for Kydd-Hannibal, and says its legal action is rooted in the written contract and Scotland’s own acknowledged role in the litigation.

    The full scope of the procedural failure only came to light for T&TEC in 2026, by which point the limitation period for bringing a new debt recovery claim had long expired. T&TEC argues that if it had been informed of the failures earlier, it could have hired new counsel and taken immediate steps to preserve its claim. The utility is now seeking damages equal to the full $2.39 million value of the lost debt claim, plus $300,000 plus value-added tax to cover investigative and remedial legal costs, as well as aggravated and exemplary damages. It has asked the High Court to grant full relief for breach of contract, negligence, or alternative claims of deceit and misrepresentation, plus accrued interest and legal costs.

  • ‘Put our nation first’

    ‘Put our nation first’

    Ahead of Trinidad and Tobago’s 64th Independence Day celebration, a cross-section of the nation’s top religious leaders have shared unvarnished reflections on the country’s post-independence journey, balancing praise for hard-won democratic gains with pointed calls to address deep-seated social, economic and political fractures. The question of what successive governments have gotten right, where they have fallen short, and what path the nation should take next dominated the conversation, with some leaders opting to decline direct judgment on governing performance while others offered frank assessments of the country’s current state.

    Nearly all leaders joined in consensus on the country’s most significant achievements over 64 years of independence: the steady preservation of democratic governance and meaningful progress expanding access to education, healthcare and national infrastructure. Many highlighted that the ability to maintain a functioning democratic system, with guaranteed freedoms of speech, movement, religion and fair elections, represents a major milestone after emerging from colonial rule. As the Inter-Religious Organisation president Dr. Ellis Burris noted, successive governments have successfully transitioned away from colonial rule and sustained a people-centered democracy that allows all citizens to openly express their views.

    Beyond institutional gains, leaders celebrated the nation’s wealth of high-achieving citizens, who have earned global recognition in fields ranging from academia and athletics to arts and culture. Roman Catholic Archbishop Fr. Jason Gordon noted that Trinidadians’ stellar performances in track and field, football and scholarly pursuits give the nation ample reason for pride, echoing a sentiment shared across all participating religious groups.

    Despite these highlights, leaders were unified in identifying pressing challenges that have gone unaddressed 64 years on, as well as core priorities for the nation moving forward. The most consistent call across all responses was a push for greater national unity, with leaders urging citizens and politicians alike to set aside divisions along racial, religious and partisan lines to prioritize the collective good of the country.

    Gordon framed this as the nation’s defining unfinished task: “Two races were given their freedom, but it did not automatically build a nation. The challenge is to put Mother Trinidad ahead of our tribal and ancestral preferences. It’s about time 1.3 million people stop co-existing and start to become a people.” He added that individual gain-seeking has undermined nation-building, noting that rising wealth will only deepen divides without a shared commitment to equitable institutional development. Gordon also pointed to deep unaddressed problems: rising violent crime, persistent unemployment, growing poverty, a failing justice system, and the dire plight of unhoused residents scattered across Port of Spain after the closure of the city’s only homeless shelter. He also called for sweeping reform of an education system that has failed to serve large swathes of the population, while acknowledging positive recent steps including the Mercy Committee’s prisoner pardons and ongoing prison reform efforts.

    Bishop Claude Berkley of the Anglican Diocese echoed the focus on unity as the central test for future governments, noting that uniting the nation’s multi-ethnic, multi-religious population remains the greatest governance challenge. “Historically, all the peoples have worked to build this cosmopolitan nation. We all have a stake in it. I encourage patriotism and love of country,” he said, declining to label specific government actions as successes or failures and instead urging continued collaboration through difficult times.

    Bishop Dr. Victor Gill of Redemption Christian Centre added that while successive governments have maintained relative national prosperity that positions Trinidad and Tobago as the commercial heart of the Caribbean, major failures include the breakdown of the judiciary, repeated delays in bringing criminals to justice, unnecessary cultural changes including the removal of the Trinity Cross symbol and renaming of the nation’s highest honor, and crippling political polarization that has left voters consistently dividing along racial and partisan lines rather than supporting policies that benefit the entire nation.

    Tobago Hindu Society president Pulwathy Beepath offered a more measured assessment, noting that while governments have made mistakes, they have kept the nation united and are taking meaningful steps to address pressing issues, including expanding education grants for low-income children ahead of the new school year and rolling out new community police posts that she hopes will curb rising crime. She called for expanded outreach to vulnerable groups including elders, single mothers and at-risk children, and voiced a core independence wish for an end to the wave of violent home invasions that have terrorized communities.

    The sharpest critique of government performance came from Imam Alimool Rahim of Masjid ul-Raheem in Mayaro, who argued that low-income and marginalized communities have been largely forgotten after 64 years of independence. Rahim pointed to unfulfilled promises of basic infrastructure including pipe-borne water in long-underserved areas, deplorable road conditions that damage residents’ vehicles, inadequate equipment and medication in public hospitals that has led to preventable deaths, and unfair treatment of senior citizens whose pensions and benefits fail to meet basic needs. “Almighty God has blessed us with so many resources, yet we still have so much poverty and pain,” he said, questioning the longstanding political promise of “better days” that have yet to arrive for many citizens.

    On emerging technological issues, Burris offered guidance on the growing use of artificial intelligence in public administration, urging leaders to treat AI as a supportive tool rather than a core governing pillar. “We should not lean heavily on AI. It should not be allowed to run the country. Instead, it should give support to individuals and organisations,” he said, adding that a core priority moving forward must be building economic stability that delivers shared prosperity for all citizens.

    Across all reflections, leaders closed by calling for shared collective action, greater compassion for vulnerable populations, and renewed commitment to putting national interest above individual or partisan gain, extending blessings to the twin-island nation ahead of its 64th independence celebration.

  • Police ready for anything

    Police ready for anything

    For the first time since a 2024 cancellation driven by national security fears, Trinidad and Tobago is poised to host its full traditional 64th Independence Day celebrations on Monday, with law enforcement and defense officials confirming robust security plans are in place following a updated threat assessment that rated potential risks as “very low”.

    Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) Commissioner Allister Guevarro announced the force’s preparedness to address any unforeseen situation during the national holiday, speaking to reporters Saturday following a full dress rehearsal at Port of Spain’s Queen’s Park Savannah, the traditional event venue. In total, 222 uniformed officers will be deployed directly to the main Independence Day parade, with more than 400 additional personnel assigned to contingency response and support roles across all event sites.

    Last year’s holiday looked drastically different: the national government scrapped the customary military parade, official state functions, and public fireworks displays after declaring a national state of emergency. The Ministry of Homeland Security justified the move with intelligence indicating a concrete threat to senior state officials, law enforcement personnel, and gathered crowds at the Savannah venue. To replace the canceled celebrations, officials hosted a National Day of Prayer and Reflection, and only permitted limited silent private fireworks displays. The 2024 cancellation was also projected to cut $2.6 million in public spending, with savings redirected to national crime-fighting initiatives — a decision that drew sharp criticism from Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles, who questioned the government’s conflicting security messaging after the Prime Minister claimed just days earlier that citizens were safer than ever.

    Looking ahead to Monday’s events, Guevarro confirmed officers will be posted along the entire ceremonial parade route and at the evening cultural festival, with all traffic and parking rules enforced under two formal legal notices. Legal Notice 671 governs road and parking restrictions for the Independence Day parade, while Legal Notice 661 covers overlapping restrictions for ongoing Caribbean Premier League (CPL) cricket matches being held in the city this week. Restrictions vary by location and event, Guevarro emphasized, with the entire Savannah closed to all parking from 6 a.m. Monday through 2 a.m. Tuesday. He added that on-site officers will manage all traffic flow, and urged motorists and attendees to comply with all direction from personnel to avoid disruptions.

    TTPS’s security strategy for the celebrations centers on three core pillars: professionalism, visible presence, and event facilitation. Guevarro moved to reassure the public that all branches of national security are fully positioned to deliver one of the safest Independence Day parades in the nation’s recent history. Deputy Commissioner Suzette Martin, Gold Commander for the event, added that all entry and exit points to the Savannah will be strictly managed by law enforcement, and reminded attendees to check official TTPS communications and the full text of the legal notices for up-to-date details on restriction timelines for both Independence Day events and CPL matches.

    The Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force has already completed its final parade rehearsal, which continued uninterrupted even amid heavy rainfall Saturday. All armed and unarmed detachments took part in the practice run, said Defence Force public relations officer Lieutenant Sherron Manswell. This year marks a break from tradition: Chief of Defence Staff Commodore Don Polo will serve as parade commander, leading the procession on horseback, a role that has historically been filled by officers from other Defence Force formations. President Christine Kangaloo, the nation’s Commander-in-Chief, will formally inspect the parade, which will also include contingents from national protective services, youth organizations, and volunteer groups. Manswell framed the inclusive procession as a visible demonstration of national unity, saying the event offers an opportunity to share the nation’s story and its independent legacy with all citizens.

    Following the parade, the Ministry of Culture and Community Development will host a public cultural program at the Savannah starting at 5 p.m., featuring a dedicated children’s zone, performances from local artists, and family-friendly entertainment. Public fireworks displays will be held in Port of Spain at 6 p.m. and in San Fernando at 8 p.m. Ministry communications strategist Jerome Lewis urged attendees to plan ahead, comply with parking rules, follow law enforcement direction, and monitor updates on road closures to avoid traffic delays.

    Guevarro emphasized that this year’s celebrations are designed to bring together national security bodies and the Trinidad and Tobago public. His message for the nation ahead of the holiday centered on collective unity: “One celebration, unity of the national security forces, unity in Trinidad and Tobago.”

  • Officers find 14 phones, 285 packs of cigarettes at MSP

    Officers find 14 phones, 285 packs of cigarettes at MSP

    In a pre-dawn targeted search operation launched on intelligence tip-offs about drone-fueled contraband smuggling, officers from the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service (TTPrS) seized a large cache of prohibited items from the country’s Maximum Security Prison (MSP) early Friday. The operation, carried out by the service’s elite Emergency Response Unit (ERU) starting around 3 a.m., focused on the B and M Divisions of the high-security facility, where officers recovered an extensive list of banned goods. Among the seized items were 14 mobile phones, 285 packs of cigarettes, one sealed box of Big Bambu wrapping paper, two digital scales, a cellphone charger, four homemade improvised weapons, a cellphone screen replacement, a brown-handled screwdriver, two pairs of headsets, and a pair of scissors. The largest single seizure by weight was 2,055 grams of plant-based material suspected to be marijuana, commonly known as ganja. All recovered contraband has been secured as authorities continue their probe into the smuggling ring, with ongoing support from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS). TTPrS officials confirmed that multiple inmates are facing formal charges as the investigation progresses. Acting Commissioner of Prisons Elvin Scanterbury publicly praised the ERU officers involved in the operation, highlighting their unwavering dedication, sharp vigilance, and commitment to upholding institutional security. In an official statement, Scanterbury reaffirmed the TTPrS’s long-standing goal to maintain a secure, contraband-free environment across all of the nation’s correctional facilities. He also noted that smuggling attempts remain persistent, with bad actors continuously developing new tactics—including leveraging modern technology such as drones—to bypass layered security protocols. The TTPrS emphasizes that it relies on a proactive strategy combining intelligence-driven operations, upgraded security infrastructure, and targeted search exercises to detect, block, and disrupt the flow of illegal goods into its facilities. To strengthen these efforts, the service has issued a public appeal for community assistance in protecting the integrity and security of Trinidad and Tobago’s correctional system. Any member of the public with information related to contraband trafficking or unauthorized introduction of prohibited items into prisons is encouraged to contact the TTPrS confidential hotline at 800-PRSN (7776), or submit tips directly to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.

  • TOO LATE

    TOO LATE

    As the 2024 new school term approaches, a wave of frustration has swept across parents of school-aged children, who are criticizing Trinidad and Tobago’s Education Ministry over its delayed processing of the School Supplies and Book Grant, a targeted assistance program designed to support low-income and vulnerable families with educational costs. The ministry made its announcement last Thursday, revealing that it had wrapped up the initial review phase for all 45,953 submitted applications for the grant, and has now moved into the final eligibility verification stage to ensure funding reaches the families that need it most. Under the current timeline, the ministry projects that it will complete verification for roughly 10,000 applications by the end of the day this Friday, with the remaining 35,953 applications set to be finalized by September 2, just five days before the new term kicks off on September 7. That narrow timeline has left many parents who counted on the grant to cover book and supply costs in a lurch, forcing them to dig into their own limited savings to purchase required materials weeks before they will hear if they qualify for assistance. Karen Alleyne, a customer service representative and parent connected to a grant applicant, shared her family’s experience with local outlet Express: “While the grant itself is a wonderful support for struggling families, this rollout is far too late. My cousin ended up scrambling to pull together the money to buy books after waiting months for any update, and we never received any email or official feedback on our application status.” Alleyne added that she had not seen widespread conversation about the ministry’s recent announcement among other parent groups in her community. For Lawrence Sookhoo, a security guard whose daughter is set to enter First Form at Barataria Secondary School this term, the long wait for a grant response left him no choice but to use money set aside in his informal rotating savings group, locally called a sou sou, to cover the cost of his daughter’s books. “Education is non-negotiable, so I just bought the books my child needs, regardless of the grant,” Sookhoo explained, noting that he had grown exhausted of waiting for an update on his application. One parent who requested anonymity shared that they had already spent roughly $2,000 on school materials, having already abandoned any hope of receiving government assistance ahead of the term. They added that they felt particular sympathy for workers who lost their jobs with the CEPEP and URP government employment programs, many of whom were counting on the grant to ease their financial strain. An anonymous educator echoed parent frustrations, emphasizing that the processing delay creates unnecessary hardship, especially for single-parent households that often operate on tight budgets. “This should have been finalized months ago, well before the term started,” the educator said. Local bookseller David Ramcharan noted that his store is now preparing for a chaotic last-minute rush of parents once grant approvals go through, even though most families have already purchased their required books ahead of the term. “From what I understand, around 20,000 approved parents will receive roughly $1,000 in cash directly deposited to their bank accounts,” Ramcharan explained. “The announcement was just made, so we haven’t seen any shift in sales yet, but we’re bracing for a surge once funds hit accounts.” Ramcharan added that his store has already processed smaller education vouchers from other government bodies and state-owned entities, including the National Gas Company, but that those have not moved the needle on overall sales so far this year. “Up to this point, sales are pretty much on par with last year, with no major increase,” he said. “We stocked all required books on time, so we’re ready for whatever last-minute demand comes our way.” This is not the first time the timeline of the School Supplies and Book Grant has drawn political scrutiny. Former Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, who currently serves as Member of Parliament for St Ann’s East, first raised questions about delayed grant processing ahead of the previous year’s school term, signaling that timeline issues have plagued the program for multiple cycles.

  • Most CDAP drugs accessible

    Most CDAP drugs accessible

    Public health officials in Trinidad and Tobago are moving to resolve ongoing supply gaps for chronic disease and cancer medications distributed through the country’s Chronic Disease Assistance Programme (CDAP), Health Minister Dr Lackram Bodoe has confirmed. In a recent statement responding to mounting public concerns, the minister stressed that the vast majority of prescription drugs covered under the public health programme remain fully accessible to patients who rely on the scheme for ongoing care.

    Over the past several weeks, patients and their family members have renewed public outcry over repeated stockouts at public health facilities and registered CDAP dispensing pharmacies, with critical drugs for chronic conditions and cancer treatment among those affected by unavailability. These complaints have reignited broader questions about the stability of the nation’s pharmaceutical supply chain and the speed at which depleted stocks of life-saving medications are replenished.

    Speaking to local outlet *Express* in response to media queries, Bodoe reaffirmed that ensuring a steady, adequate supply of necessary medications is one of the current government’s top public health priorities. “I have taken note of some complaints in the public domain regarding shortages of medication,” Bodoe shared via phone.

    The minister added that systemic challenges around procurement and supply chain management were already in place when he assumed leadership of the Ministry of Health, but that incremental, consistent progress is being made to shore up processes. This includes enhanced oversight of existing contractual agreements with the National Procurement and Disposal End User Corporation (Nipdec), the public body responsible for pharmaceutical procurement in the country. Bodoe also noted that regional health authorities have been granted autonomy to resolve immediate shortages through emergency, ad hoc purchasing arrangements. “Steps are being taken to address those medicines identified as short in supply,” he said.

    Issues with pharmaceutical availability and procurement are not new for Trinidad and Tobago’s public health system, with recurring disruptions stretching back years. During a 2024 parliamentary enquiry by the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee into the sufficiency of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical supplies, lawmakers learned that of the 526 operating pharmacies across the country, only 231 held official authorization to dispense CDAP medications. At that time, an additional 46 pharmacies were in the process of completing CDAP registration, and the hearing also raised multiple red flags around drug supply and inventory management.

    Prior to taking on the role of Health Minister, Bodoe — then an opposition member of the parliamentary committee — highlighted complaints from pharmacy owners that many CDAP-supplied drugs arrived with only a short window remaining before expiration. Nipdec officials responded at the time that the official standard required a minimum of 18 months of shelf life for all delivered medications.

    Shortly after assuming the health portfolio in July 2025, Bodoe announced that a full systemic review of CDAP had been finalized, with proposed reform plans currently under consideration by the Cabinet. Key proposed changes include expanding the programme’s coverage to include more medications and lowering cost burdens for participating pharmacies that dispense CDAP drugs to patients.

    Public concern around procurement inefficiencies and pharmaceutical waste has grown in recent months. In December 2025, Bodoe disclosed that roughly $80 million worth of medications had expired before they could be used over a 10-year period. The revelation prompted Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to order Nipdec to produce a full public report on pharmaceutical storage protocols nationwide. The government has also signaled it plans to open up the market by increasing the number of licensed pharmaceutical importers and suppliers, a move intended to boost market competition and drive down prescription drug costs for public health programmes and patients.

  • ‘Take it to the police’

    ‘Take it to the police’

    A brewing internal conflict within Trinidad and Tobago’s main opposition party, the People’s National Movement (PNM), took center stage this week as Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles addressed public claims of inaction on alleged corruption from sitting San Fernando East MP Brian Manning. Speaking at a formal press briefing held at her Port of Spain office, Beckles confirmed she held a constructive, productive meeting with Manning earlier the same day, but chose not to disclose specific details of their closed-door discussion to reporters.

    Manning recently went public with criticism, claiming Beckles had been reluctant to confront suspected corrupt actors within the party’s ranks, in the wake of a public split between the MP and his now-resigned San Fernando East constituency executive. In her response, Beckles pushed back against claims that she or the party bear primary responsibility for investigating criminal allegations of corruption. She emphasized that she is not a law enforcement official, and that the PNM operates according to its longstanding internal constitutional procedures, which cannot be bypassed for public pressure.

    “If at any time there is any allegation of wrongdoing, of any corruption by anybody as it relates to the PNM, if a person is making such an allegation and you have the evidence, you must take it to the police,” Beckles reiterated during the briefing. She stressed that accusations alone do not equal a finding of guilt, and that all party members retain the fundamental right to due process and a fair hearing. While she noted that parties can review allegations brought forward to them per internal rules, Beckles made clear that the PNM lacks the statutory authority to conduct formal criminal investigations into corruption claims.

    Beckles pushed back against growing criticism of her leadership style in handling the ongoing rift, noting that the PNM, a 70-year-old established political institution, is bound by its own constitution that requires sensitive internal matters to be handled through established channels rather than public spectacle. “Not everything which is happening in the PNM will be aired in the public,” she said, adding that she is choosing to focus on pressing policy issues affecting the national population rather than engaging in internal drama or unsubstantiated rumors. She also committed that the party would protect the integrity of members found to be innocent of any wrongdoing.

    Addressing recent public speculation around a US$187,000 condominium purchased in Florida’s Broward County, which local Homeland Security Minister Roger Brown previously referenced when he stated public fund corruption allegations belong with police investigators, Beckles denied having any knowledge of who owns the property. She clarified that the core question is not ownership itself, but whether the property was acquired through illicit corrupt means, a question that falls to law enforcement to resolve, not the political party.

    Beckles confirmed that the annual general meeting for the San Fernando East PNM constituency has been postponed, while AGMs for other PNM constituencies across the country are already underway. Internal party processes have been initiated to address the conflict, she said, but details of those processes will not be released publicly per party rules. She also confirmed that the entire former San Fernando East constituency executive chose to resign of their own accord, as they determined that step was in their best interest. On the topic of former Education Minister Hazel Manning, Brian Manning’s relative, who is seeking a position on the new constituency executive, Beckles said she has no objections, noting Hazel Manning’s decades of experience and commitment to the party.

    When asked whether the PNM would consider requesting Brian Manning’s resignation over his decision to air internal party disputes publicly, Beckles dismissed the question, reaffirming the party’s longstanding norm of not washing internal dirty linen in public. She did acknowledge, however, that shifting political norms, particularly the rise of social media, have changed how internal party conflicts play out in the public space.

  • Padarath confirms hike in WASA fees

    Padarath confirms hike in WASA fees

    A contentious 100% to 700% fee increase for core services at Trinidad and Tobago’s Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) has ignited a fierce political dispute, with the opposition calling for high-level resignations and the governing side defending the move as a long-overdue modernization effort. The revised charges, applied to services delivered by WASA’s Infrastructure and Compliance Department, took effect on July 1, 2024 (corrected from the original 2026 transcript error), bringing long-unupdated rates in line with current operational costs, according to Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath. These one-time fees cover regulatory inspections, design reviews, and approvals for new residential, commercial, and industrial water and wastewater connections, as well as plumbing and pool infrastructure work, a service area that had not seen rate adjustments since the 1980s, Padarath confirmed.

    In a press conference held at the Office of the Opposition Leader in Port of Spain on Tuesday, former Public Utilities Minister and Opposition MP Marvin Gonzales slammed the government for what he called an underhanded, unconsulted rate hike that imposes new financial strain on already burdened Trinbagonian residents. Gonzales, who shared documentation of the new fee structure with reporters, pointed out that while outdated rates are still listed on WASA’s public website, in-person customers are now being charged the dramatically higher rates with no advance warning to consumers, industry stakeholders, or elected opposition representatives. Specific increases range from a 100% jump for commercial/institutional swimming pool connections (rising from TT$1,000 to TT$2,000) to a staggering 700% increase for multi-family residential per-unit connection inspections, from TT$150 to TT$1,200. Other hikes include a 650% increase for commercial unit inspections (TT$200 to TT$1,500), a 300% increase for industrial connections (TT$450 to TT$1,800), and a 260% rise for residential swimming pool connections (TT$500 to TT$1,800).

    Gonzales accused the ruling government of “acting in the dark of night”, framing the unannounced fee increase as part of a broader pattern of quiet hikes to government service fees and traffic fines that shift greater cost burdens to households. The opposition has formally called for Padarath’s immediate resignation, alongside the full removal of WASA’s board of directors and executive management team, over the lack of public consultation and transparency around the changes.

    Padarath rejected these accusations in comments to the Trinidad Express, denying any secrecy around the adjustment and stressing the new rates have been published on all WASA service forms as of the July 1 effective date. He emphasized that the fees are one-time charges, not recurring costs to customers, and that updating the decades-old fee structure is a critical step to modernize WASA’s overall operations. The revised rates, he argued, will boost operational efficiency in the Infrastructure and Compliance Department and reduce long-term operating expenditures for the state-owned utility. In a sharp counterattack on Gonzales, Padarath dismissed the opposition’s criticism as a distraction from ongoing internal political infighting within the main opposition People’s National Movement (PNM), claiming the former minister was acting as a “bacchanalist” (provocateur) to draw attention away from a contested internal party battle for the San Fernando East constituency seat.

  • Water spouts high from Maraval pothole

    Water spouts high from Maraval pothole

    Commuters traveling along Saddle Road in Maraval, Trinidad, faced unexpected navigation challenges on Thursday, when a nearly 3-foot-wide pothole began forcing pressurized water several feet into the air, creating a major road hazard that slowed travel through the area. Situated just past the popular Monique’s Guest House, the unstable crater has forced drivers to approach the stretch with extreme caution, with many coming to a full stop to yield to oncoming traffic before maneuvering around the damage to avoid costly tire and undercarriage repairs to their vehicles. When local newspaper Trinidad Express visited the troubled site Thursday afternoon, the water spout remained active, drawing the attention of frustrated commuters and long-time local residents.

    Local residents confirm this is not a new problem: the combination of burst water infrastructure and worsening pothole damage has plagued the corridor for months, with repeated failed repair attempts. Taniel Davis, a Maraval resident who lives just a short distance from the damaged stretch of road, explained that crews from the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) have patched the site multiple times, but the issue keeps reemerging shortly after work is completed. According to Davis, the patch jobs fail to hold up under the weight of regular heavy goods vehicle traffic, which repeatedly ruptures the underlying water main and creates a new pothole each time. “WASA would fix it, but anytime a heavy truck drives over it, the main would burst again and then another hole develops,” Davis told the Express. A local employee who works near the site echoed Davis’ frustration, confirming the hazard has been growing worse for months with no permanent resolution.

    The dangerous state of Saddle Road has also become a point of political friction, with opposition MP Colm Imbert, who represents the Diego Martin North-East constituency that includes the road, publicly calling out the current national government over its failure to address the issue. In a post to his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Imbert said he has been raising alarms over the “atrocious condition” of Saddle Road with the sitting administration for more than a year, noting that both unaddressed potholes and WASA water leaks have been left unattended for months. During an opposition press conference held the same day the water-gushing pothole was reported, Imbert doubled down on his criticism, labeling the hole a dangerous “crater” and also highlighting separate complaints of overgrown vegetation reaching six feet high in parts of his constituency. Imbert added that the scale of the hazard was unprecedented, noting he had never seen a problem this bad in the 45 years he has represented the area.

    In response to requests for comment from the Express, Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath acknowledged the issue Thursday. While Padarath said he had not yet seen Imbert’s public social media post about the pothole, he pledged to immediately reach out directly to WASA leadership to alert the agency to the hazard and coordinate a response.