标签： Trinidad and Tobago

Ten Trinidad and Tobago non-governmental organizations have secured substantial funding through the Digicel Foundation’s Extraordinary Projects Impacting Communities (EPIC) grant program, receiving $100,000 each to implement transformative initiatives over the next 12-16 months. The funding, generously sponsored by Shell, marks the ninth edition of this community empowerment program focused on driving progress in digitalization, environmental sustainability, and community development.

At a partnership unveiling event held at Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain on December 3, Shell’s Managing LNG Counsel Shaista Ali emphasized the profound impact of community-led sustainability initiatives. “When communities lead sustainability initiatives, the impact excels far beyond any project—it becomes a legacy,” Ali stated. “Together, these areas reflect the kind of future we want to help shape: healthy, innovative, resilient, and environmentally conscious, where people feel empowered to create lasting change.”

The selected projects demonstrate remarkable diversity and innovation. The Holistic Autism Intervention program by the Southern Muslim Institute for Learning and Enrichment will provide specialized speech, behavior, and art therapy for autistic children experiencing developmental delays. Meanwhile, the Fyzabad United Football Club is developing a mobile, solar-powered homework and life skills center housed within a refurbished 20-foot shipping container, complete with computer facilities, internet access, and dedicated tutoring spaces.

Childline received funding to modernize its data management platform, enhancing its capacity to document and support children in distress. Sewa International TT will implement a solar-powered, multi-purpose energy system in Piarco to power health fairs and blood drives. Other beneficiaries include the Mayaro-based community agri-business hub developed by Sisters Uplifting Sisters, the TT Scouts Association’s school bench initiative, and the Bovell Cancer Diabetes Association’s digital hub for medical education.

The Trinidad and Tobago Chest and Heart Association’s virtual reality youth health hub promises to create an engaging, technology-driven educational space where young people can learn about the impacts of smoking and vaping through immersive VR experiences. Additional recipients include Sapphire Miriam’s community after-school center in Chaguanas and Barataria Anglican Primary School’s digital lab and child safety project.

Digicel Foundation Board Chair Desha Clifford revealed the impressive scale of the foundation’s three-year partnership with Shell, noting that over $3 billion has been invested to date. “We have supported 160 projects across Trinidad and Tobago, touching the lives of over 88,000 people,” Clifford announced. “This represents more than $56 million in sustainable community development. These numbers tell a powerful story of change and perseverance.”

Martel Waldron, Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Sport and Community Development, expressed government endorsement for the program, noting that these initiatives align perfectly with the national mandate to build stronger communities, empower NGOs, and support sustainable development across the nation.

The Contractors and General Workers Trade Union (CGWTU) has issued an urgent demand for immediate cash payments of outstanding wages to its members employed at the San Fernando City Corporation. Union president Ermine De Bique-Meade delivered a forceful address during a December 4th press conference at the union’s Rushworth Street headquarters, setting a definitive deadline of December 22nd for settlement of all arrears.

De Bique-Meade directly appealed to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for intervention, emphasizing the critical timing ahead of the holiday season. The demanded payments stem from collective bargaining agreements covering periods 2014-2017 and 2017-2019, which were formally signed on April 24th under the previous administration, just days before the United National Congress (UNC) assumed power following the April 28th general elections.

The union leader referenced Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo’s October 13th budget presentation commitment to ratify several public sector agreements, including those affecting municipal workers. Drawing parallels to the Public Services Association’s recent successful negotiation for $3.8 billion in back pay, De Bique-Meade insisted on similar cash disbursements rather than deferred payment arrangements, declaring, ‘Cash! Cash! Cash! Nothing else than cash because you can’t take anything else to the grocery!’

In a notable strategic move, De Bique-Meade highlighted the union’s yellow branding—matching the UNC’s party colors—and reminded officials of their pre-election collaboration. ‘This colour sat around the table and had discussions with him,’ she stated, adding, ‘When you all needed us, we were there! We need you all now!’

The union president confirmed that approximately 800 municipal workers are affected by the delayed payments. While expressing confidence in the Prime Minister’s willingness to ‘do the right thing,’ De Bique-Meade acknowledged that only the current state of emergency provisions prevented immediate street protests, suggesting the union would otherwise have been ‘outside Parliament’ demonstrating.

In a powerful demonstration of cultural solidarity, Trinidad and Tobago’s President Christine Kangaloo has declared the President’s House a permanent home for the national steelpan instrument. The announcement came during the inaugural Steelpan Royale: An Evening of Elegance event held December 3 at the official presidential residence in St. Ann’s, addressing growing concerns over diminished state support for the traditional art form.

The event, which assembled diplomats, regional leaders, industry captains, and cultural icons, served as both an artistic showcase and political statement. President Kangaloo emphasized the steelpan’s global stature and versatility, noting its capacity to ‘command any stage, anywhere in the world.’ Her remarks carried particular significance as five steelbands recently lost sponsorship from state energy companies, creating financial uncertainty within the community preparing for Carnival 2026’s costly Panorama competitions.

The musical program featured extraordinary performances by pan legends Ray Holman, Len ‘Boogsie’ Sharpe, and Natasha Joseph, who demonstrated the instrument’s remarkable expressive range through solo selections. Their repertoire spanned Christmas classics including ‘Deck the Halls,’ ‘I’ll Be Home for Christmas,’ and ‘Little Drummer Boy,’ before transitioning into spirited collaborations featuring soca parang favorites like Baron’s ‘Come Go’ and Scrunter’s ‘Ma Jeffrey.’

The evening culminated with The Lydians choir, under Dr. Edward Cumberbatch’s direction, delivering a show-stopping finale that merged a tassa-infused arrangement of the ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ with a stirring rendition of ‘Nessun Dorma,’ earning multiple standing ovations. With musical direction by maestro Pelham Goddard, the event reaffirmed the steelpan’s dual identity as both national treasure and global artistic force.

As guests departed, President Kangaloo and her husband Kerwyn Garcia personally thanked attendees, extending seasonal greetings while reinforcing the message that despite funding challenges, the steelpan—born from struggle and creativity—remains firmly positioned at the nation’s highest seat of office.

Trinidad and Tobago confronts a recurring pattern of structural vulnerability as moderate wind events continue to cause catastrophic roof failures across the nation. Over the past decade, increasingly severe weather phenomena—including torrential rains, flash flooding, and powerful windstorms—have exposed critical deficiencies in residential construction practices, particularly within the informal housing sector.

The core issue lies in inadequate anchorage systems connecting roof structures to supporting walls. Investigations reveal that entire roof assemblies—including framing, rafters, purlins, and sheeting—are frequently detached during wind events far below hurricane intensity. This systematic failure points to fundamental engineering flaws rather than exceptional weather conditions.

Financial implications for affected families are devastating. While replacing individual roofing sheets might cost a few thousand dollars, complete roof reconstruction ranges from $40,000 to $90,000—economically crippling sums for working-class households. The cyclical nature of damage and reconstruction without improved standards creates a perpetual burden on communities.

Despite existing technical solutions outlined in the TT Bureau of Standards’ TTS 599:2006 guidelines, implementation remains critically limited. The informal construction sector—comprising small-scale contractors and self-built homes—often operates without formal engineering supervision, relying on experiential knowledge rather than scientific principles.

A multi-faceted solution framework proposes: 1) Comprehensive public education on wind-resistant design principles, 2) Institutional collaboration between disaster management agencies and engineering associations, 3) Community-level outreach through hardware stores and municipal offices, 4) Enhanced enforcement of building standards, and 5) Professional certification programs for contractors.

As climate change intensifies wind patterns, the urgency for structural resilience becomes increasingly pressing. Proper roof anchorage represents not merely technical compliance but fundamental disaster preparedness—protecting families, preserving economic stability, and strengthening national resilience against future climate challenges.

In a significant judicial development, the High Court has authorized acting principal Nisha Thomas to legally contest her exclusion from a promotion process, despite her unequivocal possession of the required academic credentials. Justice Frank Seepersad presided over the case on December 4, delivering a ruling that not only grants leave for judicial review but also extends the application deadline while casting serious doubt on the rationality of the Teaching Service Commission’s (TSC) position.

The court’s intervention includes an interim injunction that prohibits the TSC from making any permanent appointment to the principal position at the Sixth Form Government Polytechnic Institute in St James until at least December 15, when the matter will receive further judicial consideration.

According to court documents, Thomas applied for the principal (secondary) position in April 2024 following the Ministry of Education’s public invitation for candidates. The established criteria mandated at least eight years of post-diploma teaching experience, two years of service as vice principal, a bachelor’s degree in a specialty subject, and a valid teaching certificate.

Thomas, an educator since 1990 who has held the substantive post of head of department since 2013 (a position requiring a bachelor’s degree), presented compelling credentials. She earned her BA in History from the University of the West Indies in 1994 and has been serving as acting principal of the same institution since August 2021 through TSC appointment.

The controversy emerged when the TSC notified Thomas in August that she was deemed ineligible for consideration, claiming she did not possess “a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognised university.” This determination persisted despite her documented academic history and professional trajectory. Thomas explained that she had misplaced her original degree certificate during a previous master’s program application and consequently did not upload it, assuming the TSC already maintained evidence of her qualifications from her head of department appointment.

When Thomas sought clarification in late August, commission officials reportedly stated that even a replacement certificate would not alter her eligibility status due to the closed application window. This position was maintained despite her submission of a replacement certificate from UWI and her disclosure of both bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

The Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) intervened twice on her behalf, noting that other applicants had experienced similar documentation transmission issues. Court documents revealed that one acting vice principal in south Trinidad who initially faced comparable obstacles was eventually interviewed.

Thomas’s legal team, comprising attorneys Ian Roach, Anthony Bullock, and Alatashe Girvan, argues that the TSC’s decision appears irrational, relies on unsupported assumptions, fails to consider relevant information, and denies their client a fair hearing. They emphasize that “there could be no reasonable dispute that she had the qualification” and note the limited number of vacant principal positions available.

The applicant seeks formal declarations that her legitimate expectation to be considered was breached, orders to quash both TSC decisions, and mandates requiring the commission to reassess her eligibility and schedule an interview.