Carib Scope

标签： Trinidad and Tobago

特立尼达和多巴哥

  • Ex-Jamaican MP urges Caribbean women to prepare of the age of AI

    Ex-Jamaican MP urges Caribbean women to prepare of the age of AI

    In a powerful address at the inaugural Women in Tourism Caribbean Retreat, former Jamaican Parliament member Lisa Hanna issued a compelling call for women across the region to actively prepare for the artificial intelligence revolution and embrace professional reinvention. The landmark gathering, held November 13-16 in the Turks and Caicos Islands, brought together female tourism professionals from across the Caribbean basin for a transformative professional development experience.

    Hanna delivered her keynote message during the November 15 Brunch and Conversation event, where she emphasized the critical importance of women remaining vigilant to global geopolitical shifts while leveraging their unique ability to combine passion with pragmatic decision-making. Her address formed the centerpiece of a retreat specifically designed to explore challenges including work-life balance, navigation of male-dominated environments, leadership development, and mutual support systems among women in the industry.

    The retreat, conceptualized by Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association CEO Stacy Cox, represented the physical evolution of a virtual platform initially launched during the pandemic to recognize women driving the tourism sector forward. Participants from Dominica, Belize, Grenada, Barbados, Saint Lucia, the US Virgin Islands, The Bahamas, Jamaica, and Toronto engaged in carefully curated activities including school outreach visits, with Hanna joining delegates at the Special Needs Association Providenciales (SNAP) Centre.

    In a gesture of regional solidarity, organizers presented Hanna with a charitable donation to support relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica. The retreat’s significance was further underscored by the attendance of prominent government officials including Deputy Governor Anya Williams, Tourism Minister Zhavargo Jolly, and permanent secretary Wesley Clerveaux at the opening reception hosted at Beaches Turks and Caicos.

    Reflecting on the event’s success, Cox expressed profound satisfaction: ‘This retreat provided a space for women to remove their masks, discuss authentic life challenges, draw strength from shared experiences, and ultimately build a powerful sisterhood.’ Buoyed by its inaugural success, organizers have already announced that the Women in Tourism Caribbean Retreat will return to the Turks and Caicos Islands in November 2026.

  • UNC 28 no match for PNM 13

    UNC 28 no match for PNM 13

    For the second time in recent weeks, Trinidad and Tobago’s parliamentary proceedings have descended into acrimony as the ruling United National Congress (UNC) government abruptly terminated debate on the Finance Bill 2025, effectively silencing opposition voices. The controversial move last Friday prevented several members of the opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) from contributing to crucial financial discussions, marking a significant departure from established parliamentary conventions.

    The traditional practice in such debates involves the chief whip formally indicating speaking arrangements to the government business leader, with this information typically communicated to the Speaker of the House, Jagdeo Singh. The unilateral closure of debate while opposition members remained prepared to speak represents what critics are calling a dangerous erosion of democratic norms.

    This incident mirrors similar tactics employed during the 2025/2026 budget debate approximately one month ago, suggesting a pattern of behavior that contradicts the UNC’s previous commitments to transparency and accountability while in opposition. Political analysts note that these actions fundamentally undermine the very democratic principles that propelled the UNC into power.

    The government’s apparent reluctance to subject its financial policies to opposition scrutiny has raised questions about its confidence in handling economic matters. Despite holding a commanding majority of 28 Members of Parliament versus the PNM’s 13, the UNC appears increasingly defensive when confronting opposition financial expertise.

    Notable PNM figures including Colm Imbert (Diego Martin North/East), Brian Manning (San Fernando East), Stuart Young (Port of Spain North/St Ann’s West), Marvin Gonzales (Arouca/Lopinot), and Dominic Romain (Malabar/Musica) have consistently demonstrated superior preparedness in financial debates, frequently exposing what critics describe as governmental “political chicanery” during finance committee meetings.

    The ongoing parliamentary tensions suggest that meaningful political discourse has shifted from the parliamentary floor to what correspondent Harry Partap characterizes as “the trenches out there,” indicating diminished expectations for fair procedural treatment from the Speaker’s chair.

  • UNC 28 nomatch forPNM 13

    UNC 28 nomatch forPNM 13

    For the second time in recent weeks, Trinidad and Tobago’s parliamentary proceedings have been marked by controversy as the ruling United National Congress (UNC) government abruptly terminated debate on critical financial legislation. The Finance Bill 2025 discussion was cut short last Friday despite opposition members from the People’s National Movement (PNM) awaiting their turn to speak.

    This procedural maneuver represents a significant departure from established parliamentary conventions, where the chief whip typically communicates speaking arrangements to both government business leaders and the Speaker. The unexpected closure of debate has raised serious concerns about democratic transparency within the nation’s highest legislative body.

    The current administration’s actions mirror similar tactics employed during the 2025/2026 budget debate approximately one month prior. These developments appear particularly contradictory given the UNC’s historical emphasis on governmental accountability while previously serving in opposition roles.

    Political analysts suggest these maneuvers indicate the UNC’s apparent reluctance to subject its financial policies to rigorous opposition scrutiny. Despite holding a substantial majority with 28 Members of Parliament versus the PNM’s 13 representatives, the governing party appears cautious when confronting the opposition’s financially astute members.

    The PNM’s effective performance during last month’s finance committee meeting, where they challenged numerous governmental financial approaches, may have contributed to the UNC’s defensive parliamentary strategy. Prominent PNM figures including Colm Imbert (Diego Martin North/East), Brian Manning (San Fernando East), Stuart Young (Port of Spain North/St Ann’s West), Marvin Gonzales (Arouca/Lopinot) and Dominic Romain (Malabar/Musica) have demonstrated particular proficiency in financial matters.

    Observers note that the ongoing parliamentary tensions reflect deeper political divisions, with the opposition receiving no procedural assistance from the Speaker’s chair, effectively shifting the political battleground beyond the parliamentary floor.

  • Deal with garbage collector seeking doubles

    Deal with garbage collector seeking doubles

    A troubling pattern of solicitation by garbage collection personnel has emerged in Mount Hope, Trinidad, prompting serious community concerns about professional conduct in municipal services. The issue gained attention following a resident’s detailed account published in Newsday’s Letters to Editor section.

    The situation presents a stark contrast to the traditional appreciation for sanitation workers, recently celebrated in Scrunter’s 2025 parang musical tribute honoring garbage collectors’ contributions to community welfare.

    According to Linus F Didier, a local resident, incidents of improper solicitation have occurred multiple times. On the Sunday preceding Divali celebrations, while garbage collection was rescheduled due to the holiday, a collector allegedly approached residents requesting money “to buy a doubles” while visibly holding a half-consumed beer bottle. When ignored, the individual proceeded to make similar requests to female neighbors.

    This was not an isolated occurrence. Several months earlier, around 5:15 AM, the same individual reportedly solicited funds “to buy some tea” from residents. These incidents stand in sharp contrast to the previously excellent service record maintained by retired crew members who served the Mt Hope area for years without such complaints.

    The community has expressed particular concern about the safety implications, especially for female residents approached by sanitation workers during collection hours. The incidents have raised questions about worker supervision and professional standards within the contracted services.

    Residents are calling for intervention from the San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporation, urging officials to address these issues with their contractors while still acknowledging the valuable service provided by ethical garbage collectors throughout Trinidad and Tobago.

  • Deal with garbagecollectorseekingdoubles

    Deal with garbagecollectorseekingdoubles

    A resident of Mt Hope has raised serious concerns about the conduct of newly appointed garbage collectors serving the community, highlighting a stark contrast with previous service providers. In a letter to the editor, Linus F Didier detailed multiple unsettling encounters with sanitation workers employed by a contractor for the San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporation.

    The most recent incident occurred on the Sunday preceding Divali celebrations, when a garbage collector approached the resident while holding a half-consumed bottle of beer and explicitly requested “$20 to buy a doubles.” When ignored, the worker proceeded to make the same monetary solicitation to a female neighbor, creating what the author described as an “incredibly disconcerting” situation, particularly for the woman involved.

    This was not an isolated occurrence. Several months earlier, around 5:15 in the morning, the same individual had approached the resident seeking money “to buy some tea.” These incidents represent a dramatic departure from the previously excellent service standards maintained by retired crew members who had served the Mt Hope area for years.

    The letter writer contrasted these experiences with Scrunter’s 2025 parang tribute to garbage collectors, which celebrates their valuable contributions to society. While expressing overall appreciation for sanitation workers’ essential services, the author called on the regional corporation to address the contractor’s personnel issues promptly.

    The correspondence concludes with holiday greetings to all garbage collectors throughout Trinidad and Tobago, acknowledging their important work while emphasizing the need for professional conduct during service operations.

  • PNM stalwart ‘Ferdie’ Ferreira dies

    PNM stalwart ‘Ferdie’ Ferreira dies

    The political landscape of Trinidad and Tobago has been diminished by the passing of Ferdinand “Ferdie” Ferreira, a foundational figure within the People’s National Movement (PNM) and former key advisor to the nation’s inaugural Prime Minister Dr. Eric Williams. Ferreira passed away on Thursday at the age of 93, leaving behind a legacy of profound political service.

    Opposition Leader and PNM political head Pennelope Beckles-Robinson confirmed the news in a heartfelt tribute shared on her official Facebook page. Her statement, issued on December 11th, framed Ferreira’s death not just as a party loss, but as a national moment of reflection. “As we mourn the passing of Ferdinand ‘Ferdie’ Ferreira,” she wrote, “we take solace in knowing that a life lived in service, integrity and devotion is honoured by God Himself.” She described him as now being “at rest, free from the cares of this world and embraced by the everlasting peace of our Heavenly Father.”

    Beckles-Robinson, who serves as the Member of Parliament for Arima, elaborated on Ferreira’s immense historical significance. Born in 1932 on Dundonald Street in Port of Spain, Ferreira was revered as one of the nation’s preeminent political archivists. His expertise was unparalleled; he was one of the few individuals who could speak with definitive authority on the entire arc of Trinidad and Tobago’s political evolution. His deep knowledge encompassed the PNM’s founding principles, its philosophical underpinnings, and its intricate history, as well as the broader political narrative of the nation, spanning both the pre-colonial and post-colonial eras. His death, she noted, represents a “profound loss” for the country’s institutional memory and political heritage.

  • No work, no pay, no mercy: Bloody maths of a broken economy

    No work, no pay, no mercy: Bloody maths of a broken economy

    Trinidad and Tobago faces a severe crime crisis directly linked to economic deterioration and mass layoffs, creating what observers describe as a domino effect of violence and desperation. As the holiday season approaches, the stark contrast between official pronouncements and street-level reality grows increasingly apparent.

    The connection between economic hardship and criminal activity has become undeniable. Recent incidents illustrate how unemployment and financial desperation are driving ordinary citizens toward extreme measures. In Aranguez, a robber wearing a construction worker’s reflective vest—symbolizing the vanished honest labor market—assaulted a 68-year-old pastor for $100,000. This incident exemplifies how traditional tools of trade have been replaced by firearms as means of survival.

    The crime wave affects all socioeconomic levels. While high-profile cases like the kidnapping of Derek Tardieu and his wife Claribel for a $2.5 million ransom capture headlines, ordinary citizens face equally terrifying circumstances. On Caroni Savannah Road, a 64-year-old taxi driver was choked and carjacked by three assailants, demonstrating what commentators describe as ‘the poor preying on the poor’ in a desperate struggle for survival.

    Criticism mounts against official responses to the crisis. Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro’s recent assertion that there was ‘no resurgence’ of kidnappings appears contradicted by multiple incidents. Many accuse authorities of manipulating crime statistics rather than addressing root causes. The practice of ‘cooking the books’ on crime data does little to comfort terrified residents who experience the violence firsthand.

    The situation represents what analysts term a ‘pressure cooker’ effect: mass layoffs provide the ignition, unemployment generates the heat, and criminal explosions result. As economic opportunities vanish, individuals facing family responsibilities and bills increasingly turn to desperate measures, creating a cycle of violence that official statistics fail to capture adequately.

    The Christmas season, traditionally marked by celebration and parang music, now unfolds against a backdrop of fear and economic anxiety. The government’s proclaimed resilience rings hollow for those navigating streets where economic collapse has rewritten the social contract and transformed former workers into potential threats.

  • Pensioner perishes in Belmont house fire

    Pensioner perishes in Belmont house fire

    A devastating early morning fire in Belmont has claimed the life of 75-year-old pensioner Alphonso Simmons. The tragic incident occurred at approximately 5:15 AM on December 11th at the victim’s two-story residence on Waterman Road.

    According to official reports, the blaze was confined to a single room within the residential structure, though the concentrated intensity proved fatal for the elderly occupant. Fire response teams contained the emergency to the affected area, preventing further structural damage to the property.

    Family members revealed that Simmons had been experiencing declining health and lived independently despite his condition. Of his seven children, only one routinely visited to provide care and assistance to the aging patriarch. A close relative, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the investigation, described Simmons as a beloved family figure and expressed profound shock at his sudden passing.

    Local authorities from the Belmont Police Department have launched a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal fire. While preliminary findings suggest no immediate evidence of foul play, investigators are meticulously examining all potential causes, including electrical faults, accidental ignition sources, or health-related incidents that might have precipitated the tragedy.

    The community of Belmont has expressed collective grief over the loss of another senior resident, raising concerns about elderly safety and support systems for aging individuals living alone. Social services organizations have highlighted the importance of regular wellness checks for solitary elderly citizens, particularly those with documented health concerns.

    As the investigation continues, funeral arrangements for Mr. Simmons are pending completion of necessary forensic procedures. The family has requested privacy during this period of mourning while acknowledging the support received from neighbors and community members.

  • Business Outlook Index at end of 2025: Short-term strain, cautious optimism for the future

    Business Outlook Index at end of 2025: Short-term strain, cautious optimism for the future

    A comprehensive business survey reveals Trinidad and Tobago’s private sector is navigating significant short-term challenges while maintaining guarded optimism for medium-term recovery. The Q4 2025 Business Outlook Index, jointly compiled by the TT Chamber of Industry and Commerce and Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business and released December 10, presents a complex picture of an economy in transition.

    The data indicates substantial current pressures, with 54% of executives reporting worsened financial performance over the past six months. Only 3% of businesses described their performance as “much better” compared to the beginning of the year, while 43% reported some improvement. The survey reveals stark sectoral variations: while administrative and support services saw 100% of respondents reporting better conditions, the agricultural sector experienced universal deterioration with 100% reporting worse conditions.

    The energy sector emerged as particularly challenged, with over 66% of respondents noting deteriorated economic conditions. Conversely, accommodation and food services showed remarkable resilience with 75% reporting improved conditions (50% better, 25% much better). Construction and manufacturing displayed mixed signals, with 45% and 54.55% respectively reporting better conditions.

    Significant uncertainty surrounds government policy impacts, with 24% of businesses unsure which areas would benefit from current policies. Only 17% anticipated enhanced public-private collaboration, while 16% predicted better foreign exchange access and 14% expected improved ease of doing business.

    The recent 100% excise duty increase on alcohol announced in the October budget has dramatically altered hiring intentions in the food and beverage sector. Pre-announcement, 75% of accommodation and food service businesses planned hiring within 6-12 months. Post-announcement, 40% anticipate employment decreases within six months, while 50% expect reductions within twelve months.

    Despite these challenges, businesses maintain medium-term confidence. The global economic outlook shows improvement from negative to positive over the next year, reflecting expectations of easing inflation, recovering energy demand, and improved logistical conditions. The chamber notes that for an energy-exporting nation like Trinidad and Tobago, improved global prospects typically translate to enhanced business confidence.

    The report concludes that while current conditions remain challenging, businesses view these as cyclical rather than permanent. The chamber recommends strengthened public-private dialogue to reduce policy uncertainty and support sector-specific adjustments following recent fiscal changes.

  • Inspired fireworks law

    Inspired fireworks law

    In a remarkable display of cross-party cooperation, Trinidad and Tobago’s Parliament has achieved a legislative breakthrough with the unanimous passage of comprehensive fireworks regulations. The newly enacted law, which amends the Summary Offences Act, represents a significant shift in the nation’s approach to pyrotechnic management after years of deliberation.

    The legislation establishes precise temporal restrictions for fireworks usage, permitting discharges exclusively during Old Year’s Night celebrations around midnight and on public holidays between 8 pm and 9 pm. The law designates extensive protection zones surrounding hospitals, zoos, animal shelters, agricultural facilities, forest reserves, national parks, and airports where fireworks are entirely prohibited.

    A revolutionary provision empowers citizens to actively participate in enforcement by legally authorizing them to record unauthorized fireworks discharges using mobile devices. This digitally captured evidence will be admissible in judicial proceedings, eliminating the requirement for law enforcement to witness violations directly.

    The regulatory scope has been substantially expanded to include various pyrotechnic devices such as crackers, while introducing first-time oversight of toy fireworks and noise-reducing variants. Access to permits will be restricted exclusively to adults, reflecting the legislation’s emphasis on responsible usage.

    The legislative process demonstrated exceptional political collaboration, with the governing UNC administration accepting amendments proposed by opposition PNM representatives. This consensus-built legislation originated from a Law Reform Commission document dating back to April 2020, transcending multiple governmental administrations.

    Implementation will commence following official proclamation by the Cabinet, allowing time for comprehensive public education initiatives and coordination with fireworks industry stakeholders. Additional government agencies including the Environmental Management Authority, Fire Service, and municipal corporations will be integrated into the enforcement framework under recently adopted amendments.

    While the legislation addresses discharge regulations rather than sales governance, and excludes certain sensitive locations like police stations and prisons from protection, it establishes a foundational framework for future refinement. The act’s successful passage provides a template for productive parliamentary cooperation in the nation’s 13th Parliament.