标签： Trinidad and Tobago

A Philippine family of seven endured a harrowing ordeal when six armed men invaded their home in the early hours of November 4, just meters away from the Prime Minister’s residence. The attackers, who claimed to be police officers, tied up the family, beat them, and ransacked their property, leaving them traumatized and seeking justice. Vijay Ragoonanan, 53, the family patriarch, sustained severe injuries to his eye and lip during the assault. The incident has reignited discussions about the proposed stand-your-ground legislation, which the family now supports as a means of self-defense. Ragoonanan, a farmer who built his home through decades of hard work, expressed his shock and disbelief, stating that he had always felt safe in the community until this brutal attack. The family, now living in fear, has appealed for assistance to secure their home and recover from the financial and emotional toll of the invasion. Police investigations are ongoing, but the family remains hopeful for stronger legal protections and the ability to defend themselves in the future.

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has unveiled an ambitious ‘Revitalisation Blueprint’ aimed at transforming the nation’s historic prison facilities into vibrant cultural, economic, and residential spaces. The plan, launched on November 6, was presented to private sector representatives and diplomats at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s, signaling a call for both local and foreign investment.

Central to the initiative is the consolidation of all prisoners and select justice facilities into a state-of-the-art 500-acre Tamana Prison Campus, designed to house 6,000 inmates. This move is projected to save the State $60 million annually. The campus will feature a youth/juvenile detention center, agricultural facilities, training programs, and maximum-security units, all focused on education, reform, and reintegration. According to the TT Global Hub website, the project reflects the government’s commitment to fostering a fairer, more compassionate society.

Under the plan, the historic Carrera Prison Island will be redeveloped into a 75-room luxury resort, while the Port of Spain Prison will be transformed into an exhibition and event hall named ‘Dem Boyz Jail,’ inspired by the lyrics of the Mighty Shadow. The facility will include classrooms for artist education and workshops. The land currently occupied by the Golden Grove Prison will be repurposed for housing developments, featuring single-family homes, high-rise apartments, and townhouses.

In addition to these transformations, the government proposed the creation of a National Security Complex in Mt Hope to centralize national security operations. A South West Security Hub in Cedros will house the Coast Guard, Customs, and Immigration teams, with upgrades planned for the Coast Guard’s Staubles Bay and Teteron Barracks. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar described the initiative as a ‘bold modernization agenda’ essential for national security and economic growth. Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander also emphasized efforts to strengthen the TT Police Service by filling vacancies to combat crime effectively.

The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) has announced it will confer honorary doctoral degrees on three exceptional individuals during its 2025 graduation ceremony. The event, scheduled for November 18 at the Lord Kitchener Auditorium, National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port-of-Spain, will also recognize Gilman Figaro as an honorary distinguished fellow. The honorary doctorates will be awarded to Peter Elias (Doctor of Fine Arts), Israel Khan, SC (Doctor of Laws), and Jamwant Maharaj (Doctor of Science). Additionally, UTT will confer seven Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in education, entrepreneurship, commercial studies, and health administration. The ceremony will celebrate approximately 1,500 graduates across disciplines such as engineering, arts, sports, and fashion. UTT Chancellor President Christine Kangaloo will preside over the event. Peter Elias, a renowned fashion designer with over 30 years of experience, has significantly contributed to Caribbean culture through his work in Carnival design and the Miss Trinidad and Tobago Pageant. Israel Khan, a prominent legal figure, has served as president of the Criminal Bar Association of TT and is recognized for his contributions to international criminal law. Jamwant Maharaj, affectionately known as the ‘Chemistry Raja,’ has made significant strides in education through his publications and teaching. Gilman Figaro, a celebrated Caribbean cultural icon, has enriched the region’s artistic landscape through music, poetry, and dance.

Heritage Petroleum Co Ltd has taken swift action to address a hydrocarbon leak at a private residence in Massahood, Fyzabad, relocating a family as a precautionary measure. The incident, which occurred on November 7, prompted the company to dispatch its emergency response team to assess and manage the situation. Investigations by the company’s Incident Management Team (IMT) revealed a minor leak along a 12-inch trunk pipeline, partially located beneath an unauthorized, occupied structure. The pipeline has since been secured with plugs and clamps. In a statement, Heritage Petroleum emphasized that the family was relocated to a suitable and convenient alternate accommodation while cleanup and restoration efforts are underway. The IMT remains on-site, conducting air quality monitoring and additional assessments to ensure safety. Representatives from the company’s community relations team and the Fyzabad MP’s office visited the site to oversee the response. The Environmental Management Authority and the Ministry of Energy were also informed of the incident, with Heritage Petroleum committed to providing ongoing updates as necessary.

On November 6, members of the TT Aggregate Producers Alliance (TTAPA) staged a protest at National Quarries Ltd in Turure, Sangre Grande, calling for urgent government intervention to address what they describe as a ‘crippling’ regulatory vacuum. The protest, closely monitored by police, saw the arrest of at least one individual for disorderly conduct. TTAPA President Nigel Tenia led the demonstration, accusing the state-owned National Quarries of operating without a valid processing licence under the Minerals Act of 2000. Tenia emphasized that the alliance’s 24 members unanimously decided to suspend operations earlier this week to raise public awareness and protect themselves from potential criminal charges. He highlighted the sector’s precarious position, noting that legitimate operators are technically in breach of the law due to the absence of processing licences. Tenia called on Energy Minister Roodal Moonilal, Works and Infrastructure Minister Jearlean John, and Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro to investigate National Quarries’ licensing status and enforce regulations uniformly across the industry. Moonilal later issued a statement acknowledging receipt of TTAPA’s October 28 letter but denied the group’s claim that no company has obtained a processing licence. The Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI) asserted that it has granted numerous licences in recent years and has actively engaged with operators to address licensing concerns. However, the ministry did not specify which companies hold licences or address TTAPA’s allegation that National Quarries continues to operate without one. TTAPA warned that the licensing impasse threatens thousands of jobs and could delay national construction projects, as the sector remains ‘suffocated by bureaucracy.’ The protest is set to continue until the government resolves the 25-year licensing void.

A family of ten from Williamsville, left homeless after a devastating fire destroyed their two-storey home on Pooran Street on November 4, is expressing profound gratitude for the outpouring of public support. Elaine Mohammed, the 53-year-old matriarch and a cancer survivor, shared her heartfelt appreciation for the community’s generosity in an interview with Newsday on November 7. The family has already received essential grocery items and clothing from kind-hearted individuals. ‘I am grateful to all the people who reached out to us. Even if it is only one brick, we would be thankful, because if 100 people give one brick, that’s 100 bricks,’ Mohammed said. Despite the challenges, the family remains hopeful of rebuilding their home. Mohammed, who is unable to work due to her age and health condition, emphasized her reliance on faith and community support. Her husband, Kamaludin, is set to retire next month at the age of 60. The family, including their young grandchildren, is currently staying in a cramped room at the back of the damaged house. The fire, which broke out on the first floor while the family was on the ground floor, left them with nothing. Mohammed, overwhelmed by the incident, experienced a spike in her blood sugar and blood pressure, requiring emergency medical attention. ‘I was stressed. I had to be taken to the hospital because of my sugar and blood pressure,’ she recalled. Despite her health scare, Mohammed discharged herself to be with her family. The prompt response of the Mon Repos Fire Station contained the flames, but the family lost everything. Local officials, including Princes Town MP Aniya Ali and councillor Vincent Raghoo, visited the family to offer support. Those willing to assist can contact the family at 355-4449.