标签： Trinidad and Tobago

Two months into the government’s initiative to deploy police officers to ‘high-risk’ schools, the program’s effectiveness remains under scrutiny. This measure was introduced to combat the escalating trend of school violence, but its outcomes have been inconsistent. While the Education Minister has noted a decline in suspensions, school principals report varying levels of success. Some schools have seen improved student discipline, while others have experienced minimal reductions in violence. The lack of clear guidelines defining the role and responsibilities of police officers in schools has emerged as a significant concern. Principals, who are legally accountable for school safety, cannot directly supervise or instruct these officers, creating ambiguity in their operational framework. Additionally, the inexperience of newly trained special reserve officers in handling the unique dynamics of school environments has hindered their effectiveness. Addressing the root causes of school violence, such as socio-economic factors and community normalization of abuse, remains critical. While initial assessments suggest some progress, stakeholders emphasize the need for continuous dialogue and program refinement to address these deep-seated issues.

The murder of Sylvan ‘Lawah’ Boodan, a 58-year-old businessman from Jeffers Crossing, Tabaquite Road, has left the community of Rio Claro in shock. Boodan was fatally shot on the morning of November 3 at R. Baldeosingh Services Ltd (RBSL), a construction company along San Pedro Road, Poole Village. While police investigators have yet to determine a motive, relatives suspect the killing may be linked to an unresolved obeah debt.

Boodan, who owned Gloria Bar on the ground floor of his residence, also worked as a straightener and painter at RBSL. Reports indicate that on the day of the incident, he was called out by name by a man near his car. After a brief exchange, a single gunshot was heard, and the gunman fled the scene. Boodan collapsed and died in front of his car.

A relative revealed that the family believes the murder could be connected to a dispute involving unpaid services to an ‘obeah man’ earlier this year. The dispute reportedly began in July when the alleged spiritual advisor claimed Boodan owed money for services performed against a woman. The woman allegedly reported an ‘obeah death threat’ to the police in August but did not receive a receipt for her complaint.

Boodan lived on the same compound with his ex-wife, Gloria, and other relatives. The couple, who were divorced, had no children together. Their divorce settlement was finalized in court on September 26. Relatives described Boodan as a hardworking and respected man with no known enemies in the area.

A villager who witnessed the aftermath of the shooting reported seeing a masked man running along San Pedro Road with what appeared to be a gun. The villager expressed disappointment that police did not immediately pursue the suspect. Officers later conducted a search but failed to locate the killer.

Residents of San Pedro expressed disbelief over the incident, stating that such violence is uncommon in their community. Investigations by the Rio Claro police station, Eastern Division units, and the Homicide Bureau of Investigations (Region II) are ongoing.

Christopher Boodram, the sole survivor of the 2022 Paria Fuel diving tragedy, has filed an amended claim in the High Court, accusing Paria Fuel Trading Co Ltd and LMCS Ltd of negligence in the incident that claimed the lives of four of his colleagues. Boodram, 39, sought permission to revise his statement of case on October 24, following new medical reports diagnosing him with post-concussion syndrome, spinal injuries, and chronic neurological and sexual dysfunction resulting from the accident. His application was supported by an orthopedic report from Dr. Rishi Jagdeo, dated October 22.

The tragic event occurred on February 25, 2022, when Boodram and four other divers—Kazim Ali Jr, Yusuf Henry, Rishi Nagassar, and Fyzal Kurban—were performing maintenance on a 30-inch underwater pipeline at Berth 6, Pointe-a-Pierre. They were suddenly sucked into the pipeline by a powerful differential pressure event known as Delta P. Boodram, who spent nearly four hours trapped in the dark, oil-filled pipeline, was the only one to survive.

In his claim, Boodram alleges that both Paria and LMCS failed to identify and mitigate the risk of a Delta P event, provide proper safety equipment, or establish an emergency response plan. He also accuses Paria of obstructing rescue efforts by volunteers and LMCS divers. Boodram’s legal team, led by Senior Counsel Anand Ramlogan, argues that both companies breached their duty of care. They cite findings from the commission of enquiry (CoE) report issued by chairman Jerome Lynch, KC, in November 2023, which highlighted ambiguous instructions and poor oversight by both companies as contributing factors to the deaths.

Boodram, who was rescued by diver Ronald Ramoutar after defying a no-dive order, continues to suffer from severe physical and psychological injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, speech impairment, and an 80% permanent partial disability. He is seeking general and special damages, including loss of earnings estimated at $438,927.45, as well as aggravated damages for emotional distress and alleged mistreatment post-incident.

The court has ordered Boodram to file and serve his amended statement of case by November 10, with the defendants’ amended defences due by November 20. The case is set for a management conference on May 5, 2026, presided over by Justice Christopher Sieuchand. Separate claims by Vanessa Kussie, the widow of diver Rishi Nagassar, and ancillary proceedings between LMCS and Paria are also part of the matter, with each company attempting to shift full liability to the other.

LMCS has consistently denied responsibility, asserting that Paria was to blame for both the unsafe conditions and the failure to conduct a timely rescue. The company’s lawyers argue that Paria is guilty of gross negligence based on evidence presented to the CoE. Meanwhile, both companies and their executives face separate OSHA charges and ongoing proceedings under the Workmen’s Compensation Act.

Attorney Prakash Ramadhar, representing the families of Kurban and Henry, has proposed an ex gratia payment of $5 million to each family. Former Prime Minister Stuart Young had announced a $1 million ex gratia payment for each family and Boodram before the April 28 general election, but as of November, the payments remain unresolved due to legal and logistical issues. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has expressed commitment to compensation but emphasized the need to address legal complications first.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, during her inaugural official visit to Tobago, unveiled a comprehensive plan to revitalize the island’s education system and create new opportunities for its youth. Speaking at Signal Hill Secondary School on November 4, she emphasized her government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring no child is left behind, regardless of their circumstances. The Prime Minister’s visit marked a significant moment, as it was her first official trip to Tobago since assuming office in April. Addressing a diverse audience of students, including those from primary, secondary, early childhood, and special needs schools, Persad-Bissessar announced several key initiatives. She pledged support for the Signal Hill Secondary Cultural Group to perform in an African country next year, a promise that resonated deeply with the students. Additionally, she revealed that every Form One student at the school would receive a laptop under the government’s Digital Learning Initiative by the end of the academic year. Reflecting on her own humble beginnings, Persad-Bissessar shared personal anecdotes about her childhood in Siparia, where she walked barefoot to school on muddy roads. She credited her mother’s belief in education as a transformative force for her success. The Prime Minister also outlined plans to strengthen early childhood education, including training 500 teachers in AI-supported lesson planning to foster innovation in classrooms. She highlighted the importance of reviving the laptop program, which had been discontinued, and stressed its critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic. Persad-Bissessar further emphasized expanded opportunities in tertiary and vocational education through institutions like the University of Trinidad and Tobago and the College of Science, Technology, and Applied Arts. She also reaffirmed her commitment to special needs education, pledging to revive the national network of enrichment centers for children with disabilities. In her closing remarks, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude to parents and teachers for their dedication and vowed that Tobago would never be overlooked again. Quoting Nelson Mandela, she underscored the importance of investing in children as a reflection of society’s soul.