标签： Trinidad and Tobago

The Trinidadian government has launched an aggressive nationwide leak detection and repair campaign following the discovery of severe long-term water system failures in the Point Lisas Industrial Estate. Minister of Public Utilities Barry Padarath has directed the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) to expand its Leak Management Programme after joint investigations revealed critical infrastructure neglect.

Over the past month, WASA has collaborated with the Point Lisas Industrial Port Development Corporation (Plipdeco) to identify 15 major leaks within the industrial estate. Technical assessments confirmed that nine of these leaks directly impact high-demand petrochemical, ammonia, methanol, steel, and gas-processing facilities. Astonishingly, some leaks have persisted for up to six years due to underground congestion and access challenges.

The cumulative effect of these failures has resulted in an estimated loss of six million imperial gallons of treated water daily—representing hundreds of millions of dollars in wasted resources. Meanwhile, communities across Central and South Trinidad have endured persistent low water pressure and rotation schedules despite this massive water loss.

Minister Padarath expressed grave concern that numerous leaks were initially reported to WASA as early as 2020 but remained unaddressed by the previous administration under the PNM government. “While citizens were asked to accept water shortages, known leaks of national significance were ignored for years,” Padarath stated. “This government has the political will to confront inherited failures, no matter how complex.”

Repair operations are currently underway for five major leaks, with work being strategically sequenced to navigate underground hazards including high-pressure gas pipelines, hydrogen and carbon dioxide manifolds, high-voltage electrical circuits, and telecommunications infrastructure. The most challenging leaks require complete shutdowns and extensive excavation, particularly one at Brechin Castle where preliminary investigations continue.

The ministry expects all repairs to be completed by the end of January. Additionally, Padarath announced through his Facebook page that WASA has established four tank farms in Penal with a combined storage capacity of 80,000 gallons, providing short to medium-term relief to the region’s water shortages.

Padarath emphasized that “leak management is part of the multi-dimensional approach to achieving our Water for All mandate. This is what responsible governance looks like: confronting inherited failures, fixing what was ignored, and putting water back where it belongs in the taps of the people of Trinidad and Tobago.”

A High Court justice will deliver a pivotal ruling on June 24 in the civil lawsuit against suspended physician Dr. Avinash Sawh, marking the culmination of a dramatic legal battle over alleged racial discrimination, workplace abuse, and medical misconduct. Justice Christopher Sieuchand fixed the decision date following two days of intensive virtual proceedings that exposed deeply contentious allegations between the parties.

The case centers on claims by former employee Chantelle Arielle Figaro, who alleges constructive dismissal, assault, battery, and breach of contract during her employment at Sawh’s Medical Associates from October 2019 to October 2020. Figaro contends the physician and his wife Allison Dass-Sawh created a hostile work environment characterized by verbal abuse, racial slurs, and withheld overtime compensation.

During cross-examination by Figaro’s attorney Prakash Ramadhar, Dr. Sawh made several startling admissions. He acknowledged breaching COVID-19 quarantine protocols by entering his medical facility around midnight, though he claimed this was solely for sanitization purposes. The doctor also conceded to using racially offensive language, describing his own behavior as ‘abhorrent’ and admitting to uttering phrases including ‘dunce niggers’ and allegations that certain individuals ‘take bribes.’

‘In moments of anger I used racial language,’ Sawh testified, though he maintained he couldn’t recall his exact wording. The courtroom heard recorded evidence from October 28, 2020, capturing Sawh’s derogatory remarks directed at Figaro following a clinic visit by her relative, a police officer.

Sawh further acknowledged that despite initially stating Figaro performed no nursing duties, she indeed undertook such responsibilities. However, he vehemently denied allegations of sexual harassment and assault, including specific claims that he slapped Figaro’s buttocks on July 31, 2020. ‘I never touched her,’ he asserted, adding he never found her attractive.

The physician also rejected claims of unsafe medical practices, insisting that while he instructed staff to administer drugs, this only occurred under his direct supervision. He dismissed allegations regarding expired medications and equipment malfunctions as ‘fabricated.’

Allison Dass-Sawh, who handled administrative and payroll matters, admitted to using obscene language in recorded conversations but claimed the evidence had been edited. She denied creating a toxic environment or forcing Figaro’s resignation, though acknowledged timesheets contradicting overtime claims weren’t included in her witness statement.

Defense witness Annalisa Ralph Sammy testified she witnessed no inappropriate behavior during the alleged assault incident, though security footage reportedly reviewed wasn’t presented in court.

Figaro seeks damages for psychological harm including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, plus loss of future earnings and reputational damage. This civil case follows Sawh’s 2023 one-week suspension by Trinidad and Tobago’s Medical Board for ‘infamous and disgraceful conduct’ related to the same incident, which sparked widespread social media outrage and calls for license revocation.

A vibrant new therapeutic facility on Ramsaran Street in Chaguanas represents a significant advancement in specialized care for children with disabilities across Central and South Trinidad. The Caribbean Kids and Families Therapy Organisation (CKFTO) has inaugurated its second satellite clinic, strategically positioned to eliminate extensive travel burdens for families previously commuting weekly from distant regions like Mayaro and Moruga to access services in St James.

This meticulously designed clinical environment features brightly colored therapy rooms equipped with soft mats, organized play materials, and specialized pediatric rehabilitation equipment. Beyond its cheerful appearance lies a professionally configured therapeutic space where children pursue developmental milestones through occupational, speech, and physiotherapy interventions, complemented by art therapy and psychoeducational assessments.

The clinic’s operational capacity received substantial enhancement through a $10,000 USD contribution from Marubeni Power International Inc, presented during a December 2025 facility walkthrough. Mo Majeed, COO and Managing Director of Caribbean Operations at Marubeni, emphasized the company’s commitment to equitable healthcare access: “Our support reflects Marubeni’s dedication to meaningful, long-term community partnerships that create tangible impact for families. We’re helping ensure children across Trinidad receive international-standard therapeutic care.”

CKFTO General Manager Krista Hamel-Smith detailed how the funding enabled procurement of specialized Cuevas Medek Exercises equipment, traditional physiotherapy tools, and sensory-friendly resources. “Our team maximizes each child’s progress within an enjoyable, evidence-based environment,” Hamel-Smith explained. “We simultaneously support the broader network through family support groups and training sessions for parents, caregivers, and educators.”

The organization’s holistic approach extends beyond clinical walls through community outreach initiatives serving migrant children and abandoned children with disabilities at Mt Hope hospital. Additional support from Price Club director Shamshad Ali and the Digicel Foundation of TT facilitated the clinic’s establishment, with CKFTO actively seeking ongoing public and corporate partnerships to sustain its mission of delivering essential care closer to patients’ homes.

The Trinidad and Tobago government has introduced stringent measures against traffic violations through the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2026, which will be presented for parliamentary debate on January 16. Attorney General John Jeremie will table the legislation that establishes severe penalties for interfering with official vehicle defect notices.

The groundbreaking legislation specifically targets 18 distinct traffic offenses, including operating vehicles without proper identification lights during nighttime hours, failing to display passenger capacity designations in taxis, and maintaining excessively smoky or noisy vehicles. When law enforcement identifies such violations, officers will attach a fixed penalty warning to the vehicle in a clearly visible location, providing offenders with either three or seven working days to rectify the defects depending on the nature of the offense.

The bill contains a crucial provision that imposes a substantial $3,000 fine on any individual who removes or interferes with the officially affixed warning notice without proper authorization. Only the driver, persons acting under the driver’s direct authority, or those legally responsible for the traffic violation may legally remove the notice after demonstrating compliance with repair requirements to police authorities.

According to the legislation’s explanatory notes, the fixed penalty warning must remain publicly displayed until all identified defects have been satisfactorily addressed. The warning document must comprehensively detail the date, time, and location of issuance; the specific legal violation; compliance deadlines; and appropriate reporting procedures for demonstrating remediation.

Failure to comply within the designated grace period automatically converts the warning into a formal fixed penalty notice, triggering financial penalties, demerit points, and potential legal consequences. The Licensing Authority receives duplicate documentation of all proceedings, ensuring comprehensive tracking of violations and compliance records.