Carib Scope

标签： Trinidad and Tobago

特立尼达和多巴哥

  • CAL flights maxed as TT Spirit repairs strain inter-island travel

    CAL flights maxed as TT Spirit repairs strain inter-island travel

    Caribbean Airlines (CAL) has announced that its domestic flight service connecting Trinidad and Tobago is currently operating at maximum capacity due to unprecedented demand. The airline issued a formal statement on December 30 clarifying that only passengers holding confirmed tickets would be guaranteed travel, with standby seating limited strictly to circumstances where space becomes available.

    This surge in air travel demand follows the complete suspension of TT Spirit ferry services, which was unexpectedly withdrawn from operation on December 29. The Trinidad and Tobago Inter-Island Transportation Company Ltd (TTIT) confirmed the vessel required urgent mechanical repairs, creating a significant transportation gap in the seabridge connection between the islands.

    Compounding the transportation crisis, the APT James ferry remains non-operational, leaving only two vessels—Buccoo Reef and Galleons Passage—to handle the entire inter-island ferry demand. Both operating ferries have implemented revised sailing schedules to accommodate the increased passenger load.

    TTIT has established a refund protocol for passengers affected by cancelled sailings, directing them to email ttitrefundquery@gmail.com for fare difference reimbursements. The company specifically noted that Premium Class seating remains unavailable on both the TT Spirit and Galleons Passage vessels, with refund processing dependent on submission of travel documentation.

    The adjusted schedules have seen Buccoo Reef undertaking additional sailings from both Port of Spain and Scarborough, while Galleons Passage has modified its morning and evening departure times. TTIT emphasized that sailing times and vessel assignments remain subject to change without advance notice, urging passengers to regularly consult the company’s official website and social media channels for real-time updates.

    Customer service representatives continue to be available at 467-5072 (Port of Spain) and 467-5330/467-5117 for passenger assistance. Caribbean Airlines confirmed that its operational teams are actively exploring feasible options to address the transportation crisis while maintaining that confirmed ticket holders will receive priority treatment.

  • Keshorn Walcott’s Golden League Athletics set for January 4 return

    Keshorn Walcott’s Golden League Athletics set for January 4 return

    The Keshorn Walcott Golden League Athletics series is set to launch its second season on January 4, 2026, commencing at the Eddie Hart Recreation Grounds in Tacarigua. This developmental circuit, named after Trinidad and Tobago’s two-time Olympic medalist and world champion javelin thrower, will continue its mission to cultivate emerging track and field talent through structured competitive opportunities.

    The 2026 season will feature a four-meet qualifying series culminating in a championship finale at the Diego Martin Sporting Complex on March 14. Utilizing a points-based league format, athletes will accumulate scores across the initial competitions, with the top eight performers in each individual event advancing to the finals.

    Competition will be organized across six age divisions: Under-9, Under-11, Under-13, Under-15, Under-17, and Under-20 categories for both male and female athletes. Following the Tacarigua opener, the circuit will proceed to Shaw Park in Tobago (January 18), Toco Secondary School Grounds (January 31), and Mahaica Sporting Complex in Point Fortin (February 14).

    The inaugural 2024-2025 season, which ran from December 2024 through March 2025, successfully prepared numerous junior athletes for the 2025 Carifta Games hosted at Hasely Crawford Stadium. Standout performers including Shian Lewis, Da Shaun Lezama, Christopher Sammy, Alex Seepersad, and Omare Thompson demonstrated their competitive readiness by capturing multiple titles in last season’s finals.

    Organizers have announced free admission to all meets, encouraging families, schools, and local communities to support the development of Trinidad and Tobago’s next generation of athletic talent. The series receives support from major sponsors including bmobile, KW Rehab Centre, Massy Foundation, and the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee, with Dasani and Powerade serving as official beverages.

    According to a league statement, ‘Golden League Athletics continues to strengthen the national athletics pipeline by providing consistent competition, exposure and motivation for young athletes,’ reinforcing its commitment to grassroots development within the sport.

  • PM: No justification for PBR fare increase

    PM: No justification for PBR fare increase

    Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has suggested potentially opening the Priority Bus Route (PBR) to all commuters, allowing maxi taxi operators to use it without fees. This proposal comes as a response to operators seeking fare increases following recent toll hikes.

    The government recently doubled the quarterly PBR toll from $300 to $600, effectively increasing daily costs from $3 to $6 for drivers. Most traffic fines were similarly doubled, and customs fee increases may drive up vehicle part prices. Some maxi taxi drivers at City Gate had proposed raising short-drop fares from $5 to $8 to offset these increased operational expenses.

    However, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar criticized this proposed fare increase, noting the additional $3 daily cost represents “the price of a small Coca Cola.” She emphasized that taxpayers currently subsidize tens of millions in maintenance costs for road markings, traffic lights, road surfaces, drainage, street lighting, City Gate facilities, security, and the PBR unit itself.

    The Prime Minister stated, “I’m maybe willing to give the association total control of the entire bus route if they are willing to take over all the costs.” She added that opening the route to all vehicles would eliminate fees for maxi taxis entirely.

    In separate remarks, Persad-Bissessar defended her administration’s record, asserting Trinidad and Tobago was “better off under UNC” leadership. She cited progress in public safety and economic revitalization foundations while accusing opponents of seeking “exchange where they become the new beneficiaries of corruption and disorder.” She further criticized the opposing PNM party for insufficiently supporting its core constituents.

  • Fyzabad Elite Metronomes cop Southern Sports 30-over crown

    Fyzabad Elite Metronomes cop Southern Sports 30-over crown

    Fyzabad Elite Metronomes emerged triumphant in the 2025 Southern Sports Premier Sunday League 30-Over championship, securing a decisive 69-run victory against Independence Sports Club in a day/night finale at Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba on December 21.

    The match was defined by an explosive batting performance from Fyzabad’s top-order batsman Miguel Heeraman, who delivered a spectacular 132 runs from just 66 deliveries. His innings, featuring 13 boundaries and seven sixes, formed the foundation of Fyzabad’s imposing total of 266/7. He received substantial support from opener Shazard Manshoor, who contributed a solid 63 runs, while Keshava Ramphal added 39 from 37 balls.

    Independence Sports Club’s bowling attack struggled to contain Fyzabad’s aggressive batting lineup, with captain Roman Singh emerging as the most successful bowler with figures of 3/56.

    In response, Independence’s chase was led by opener Vivek Gadraj, who fought valiantly with 74 runs from 61 balls. However, the team failed to build meaningful partnerships around him. Ravi Seetaram remained unbeaten on 30 and Akil Joseph added 23, but Independence ultimately fell short at 197/8 from their allotted overs.

    The bowling hero for Fyzabad was Sherwin Lutchman, whose exceptional spell of 6/31 dismantled Independence’s batting order and played a pivotal role in securing the championship. Lutchman’s precision bowling effectively stifled Independence’s progress throughout their innings.

    Looking ahead, the Southern Sports Cricket League has announced preparations for its 20th anniversary season in 2026, featuring division two, three, and four competitions alongside the Saturday T20 League. The Sunday League is scheduled to commence on February 1, with a grand meeting planned for January 13 where the 2026 rule book and registration forms will be distributed to participating clubs.

  • Squatters move into family’s HDC home

    Squatters move into family’s HDC home

    A Trinidadian family’s four-year wait for their government-subsidized home culminated in a shocking discovery on December 29 when they found strangers decorating and preparing to occupy their Housing Development Corporation (HDC) property in Riverside South, Corinth. The couple, who requested anonymity, immediately contacted law enforcement after being alerted by concerned neighbors about unauthorized activity at their townhouse unit.

    Upon arrival with police, the family discovered their allocated home had been altered with installed curtains and wall modifications. Officers encountered three women occupying not only their unit but two adjacent properties as well. Law enforcement directed the unauthorized occupants to vacate immediately and secured the premises, though official charges remain unconfirmed.

    This incident occurred amidst controversial public statements from HDC Chairman Feeroz Khan regarding potential regularization of squatters in vacant state housing. Housing Minister David Lee subsequently distanced himself from these remarks, claiming no knowledge of such initiatives.

    The affected family had initially paid their down payment in November 2020, enduring a protracted administrative process that required repeated document submissions and valuation updates. During this period, their unit’s cost escalated from $600,000 to $750,000 TT dollars. Their perseverance included significant personal sacrifice, including the loss of their vehicle during flood conditions while attending a mandatory HDC meeting.

    Following the break-in, the family urgently visited HDC offices with police documentation. After tense negotiations, officials provided keys under a rent-to-own arrangement despite outstanding paperwork. The unit transferred with existing utility debts totaling approximately $595 TT dollars, which the family accepted to secure immediate occupancy.

    The emotional toll was profound, with the husband experiencing uncharacteristic rage and the wife describing overwhelming heartbreak. They emphasize their decision to publicize this ordeal aims to highlight vulnerabilities faced by legally allocated homeowners amid ambiguous housing policies. The family now occupies the property continuously as a preventive measure against further occupation attempts.

  • Keshorn, Bertrand are TTOC’s best; Wallace, Marchan cop junior awards for 2025

    Keshorn, Bertrand are TTOC’s best; Wallace, Marchan cop junior awards for 2025

    In a glittering ceremony at Queen’s Hall in Port of Spain on December 29, Olympic legend Keshorn Walcott secured the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee’s (TTOC) Sportsman of the Year award, culminating a remarkable season of athletic excellence. The 32-year-old javelin specialist, already a two-time Olympic medalist, added another prestigious accolade to his collection following his sensational gold medal performance at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

    Walcott’s championship-winning throw of 88.16 meters demonstrated his dominance in the field events, capping a year of consistent performances that included multiple throws exceeding 80 meters on the Diamond League circuit. His victory in Tokyo was particularly sweet given his injury-forced absence from the 2023 World Championships in Hungary, making this achievement a story of athletic redemption.

    On the women’s side, sprint sensation Leah Bertrand maintained her reign as Trinidad and Tobago’s premier female athlete, capturing the Sportswoman of the Year title for the second consecutive year. The rising track star achieved personal bests of 10.92 seconds in the 100-meter and 22.54 in the 200-meter events throughout the season, while successfully defending her national 100-meter title in August.

    The awards ceremony also celebrated other standout performers including sprinter Jereem Richards, who received the Sports Personality of the Year honor after setting a national record of 43.72 seconds in the 400-meter event at the World Championships. Cyclist Nicholas Paul enjoyed another successful year with multiple Pan American titles, while emerging talents Makaira Wallace and Jaden Marchan claimed Junior Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year awards respectively.

    The evening recognized both established champions and rising stars, highlighting Trinidad and Tobago’s continued excellence across multiple sporting disciplines on the international stage.

  • Less first-class cricket leads to less mental strength

    Less first-class cricket leads to less mental strength

    The 1960/61 West Indies tour of Australia marked a transformative moment in cricket history, fundamentally altering the sport’s trajectory despite the Caribbean side’s 2-1 series defeat. This landmark engagement—featuring Test cricket’s first-ever tied match—rejuvenated public interest through the visitors’ electrifying style of play, contrasting sharply with the monotonous ‘Battle of the Snooze’ between Australia and England just two years prior.

    Captain Frank Worrell’s commitment to ‘natural West Indian cricket’ captivated Australian audiences to such extent that hundreds of thousands lined Melbourne’s streets to bid farewell to what became the most celebrated touring team in the nation’s cricketing history. This unprecedented popularity directly influenced England’s cricketing authorities to implement radical structural changes when welcoming the West Indies in 1963.

    Facing financial instability in county cricket, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) overhauled its system by accelerating West Indies’ return tour to 1966 instead of 1971 and introducing twin summer tours. The most significant reform came in 1968 with the abolition of archaic residency rules, permitting counties to employ two overseas players who could simultaneously represent their home nations. Thirteen of seventeen counties initially recruited West Indian talent, leveraging their attractive playing style to boost attendance and financial viability.

    This historical context highlights a stark contrast with contemporary challenges. Today’s Caribbean batsmen demonstrate diminished technical proficiency and mental resilience, attributes traditionally cultivated through first-class cricket’s rigorous demands. The T20 format’s dominance has created a generation unfamiliar with prolonged concentration against varied bowling strategies, where batsmen face temporary bowling threats rather than sustained tactical examinations.

    The foundational principles of batsmanship—developed through two-innings cricket where discipline and technique are paramount—are being eroded by excessive T20 exposure. Where Sir Frank Worrell’s team elevated cricket through artistic excellence, current development pathways prioritize explosive brevity over enduring craftsmanship, resulting in weakened batting fundamentals across West Indian cricket.

  • TTFA president Kieron Edwards: We regained corporate, government trust in 2025

    TTFA president Kieron Edwards: We regained corporate, government trust in 2025

    In a transformative year for Caribbean football, Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) President Kieron Edwards has revealed how stringent financial reforms became the cornerstone of the organization’s dramatic resurgence in 2025. Through implementing rigorous transparency measures and strategic governance changes, the association successfully restored both corporate and governmental confidence in its operations.

    Edwards, speaking in a year-end interview with TTFA media on December 28, emphasized that his administration deliberately structured the executive board with financial expertise at its core. The strategic inclusion of multiple chartered accountants signaled the association’s commitment to fiscal responsibility from the highest levels of leadership.

    A pivotal development involved partnering with FIFA to install a dedicated financial consultant within the organization. This collaboration established a comprehensive audit system that ensures absolute accountability for all incoming funds. Corporate sponsors now receive detailed pre-investment expenditure plans and post-utilization reports, creating unprecedented transparency in how football funding is managed.

    The financial overhaul produced tangible results, with the TTFA securing major sponsorship agreements from prominent national companies including National Gas Company, bmobile, KFC, Stag, and Sunshine Snacks for the 2025-2026 period.

    Concurrently, the association fostered strengthened government relations, engaging promptly with newly appointed Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Phillip Watts following the April 28 government transition. This proactive approach yielded significant policy achievements, most notably the rapid passage of the ‘grandparent law’ that expands national team eligibility criteria.

    Infrastructure improvements complemented these administrative advances, with the Hasely Crawford Stadium’s home dressing room undergoing complete refurbishment. Edwards characterized these collective developments as ushering in ‘a new era of professionalism’ that positions Trinidad and Tobago football for sustained success in the modern sporting landscape.

  • PM defends taxes: Every pot to stand on its own bottom

    PM defends taxes: Every pot to stand on its own bottom

    Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has mounted a vigorous defense of her government’s controversial tax reforms while delivering a stark assessment of Trinidad and Tobago’s social condition, characterizing the nation as a “lawless dump” in response to opposition criticism.

    The political leader articulated a philosophy of fiscal self-sufficiency, asserting that citizens should directly bear the costs of services they utilize rather than relying on collective taxation. “It is time for every pot to stand on its own bottom,” Persad-Bissessar declared, emphasizing her belief that taxpayers’ money should exclusively benefit those contributing rather than subsidizing services for others.

    Recent implementations include doubled bus-route toll fees, increased birth and death registration charges, and heightened customs fees—measures the Prime Minister justified as essential for governmental entities to achieve operational self-sufficiency. She challenged opposition claims from PNM leader Pennelope Beckles, who warned citizens to prepare for “economic hardship” and identified taxation as the government’s dominant theme leading toward 2026 elections.

    Persad-Bissessar provided pointed examples: “Why should a teacher from Mayaro pay taxes to subsidize bus route maintenance when he doesn’t use it? If you use the bus route, you should pay for it.” She extended this logic to birth registration—”If you make children, you should pay to register them”—and customs fees for importers seeking profit.

    Regarding the extended state of emergency, the Prime Minister adopted an unusually permissive stance: “Everyone is free to do what they want. The SoE is not restricting anyone. Feel free to drive recklessly and kill yourself if you want, feel free to encourage your children to smoke ganja and drink rum if you want.”

    The political leader accused the PNM of neglecting their own constituencies, citing poor garbage collection services despite available funding and describing opposition strongholds as areas with the highest murder rates, unemployment, and poorest infrastructure. “The PNM has never cared about their own supporters,” she stated.

    Persad-Bissessar concluded with a bleak national assessment: “The country is a lawless dump. And everyone contributed to it. That’s the truth,” while maintaining her commitment to improving conditions for law-abiding citizens across political affiliations.

  • High price of fiscal incompetence

    High price of fiscal incompetence

    The Trinidad and Tobago administration under Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has unveiled a controversial fiscal strategy that critics are labeling as governance through punitive taxation rather than effective policy solutions. Effective January 1, 2026, the government will implement severe increases in traffic penalties—a move the Prime Minister justifies by citing public “lawlessness” and alleged “sub-par intelligence levels” among citizens.

    This policy reversal marks a stark departure from the administration’s previous stance. While in opposition, Persad-Bissessar vehemently criticized the former government’s demerit system as creating “hardship,” subsequently dismantling the mechanism upon taking office. The return of traffic chaos has now prompted a response that doubles fines rather than addressing infrastructure or transportation system deficiencies.

    Transport Minister Eli Zakour defends the measures as necessary for road safety, though conspicuously absent is any comprehensive mass transit plan or modernization initiative. Concurrently, Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo has enacted Legal Notices 472 and 473, dramatically increasing customs fees through what the government terms “modernization” efforts.

    The most significant impact falls upon public transport operators, with maxi taxi tolls for the Priority Bus Route doubling to $600 quarterly without prior consultation. Route Two president Brenton Knights confirms that this unilateral decision signals the end of the “honeymoon phase” between transporters and the administration.

    These revenue-generation measures unfold against a troubling economic backdrop: Consolidated Energy Ltd has been downgraded to CCC+ junk-bond status, a $224 million debt maturity approaches, and natural gas supplies show only marginal improvements. Rather than addressing these fundamental economic challenges, the government has chosen to implement widespread fee increases that will inevitably raise consumer prices across all sectors.

    The Prime Minister’s Christmas message emphasizing “compassion” and “service” stands in stark contrast to policies that critics argue demonstrate creative bankruptcy in governance. The administration appears to be taxing citizens into compliance rather than governing them through effective leadership and strategic economic planning.