标签： Trinidad and Tobago

Aranjuez, long recognized as one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most critical agricultural heartlands, is bracing for projected dry conditions in the coming months, with local producers pushing for urgent government dialogue and intervention to mitigate widespread damage to crops and livelihoods.

The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS) recently updated its seasonal forecasts, placing mainland Trinidad under a drought watch for September, with northern-eastern regions of the island and the entire island of Tobago at risk of upgrading to full drought warnings by October. The agency flagged the agriculture sector as particularly vulnerable, warning that inconsistent rainfall, growing frequency of prolonged heatwaves, and plummeting soil moisture levels create significant threats to both standing crops and livestock.

During an on-the-ground visit to Aranjuez this week, multiple farmers were observed working through the scorching midday sun, deploying emergency misting and flood irrigation techniques to protect their plants from soaring temperatures that have already begun to stress vegetation.

At 3R’s Nursery, a major local seedling supplier and commercial farm, owner Sheldon Monsoon has emerged as a leading voice calling for the Ministry of Agriculture and key state agencies including the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) to launch immediate consultations with all members of the local agricultural community, including livestock rearers. The goal of these talks, Monsoon says, would be to map projected water supply shortfalls and co-develop targeted mitigation strategies ahead of the dry season.

Monsoon explained that most Aranjuez agricultural operations rely on gravity-fed channels that draw water from the Aranjuez River for irrigation. However, many of these channels have become choked with sediment and overgrown vegetation, a problem that would cut off access to water as river levels drop in coming months. Clearing these channels is a low-cost, urgent fix that would vastly improve water access for small and large producers alike, he noted.

Already, rising temperatures are taking a visible toll on a wide range of produce, from pumpkin, root vegetables, and cucumbers to sweet peppers, pimento, eggplant, hot peppers, and leaf salad greens, Monsoon added.

Veteran farmer Hassan Cambridge echoed these concerns, saying he has had to double his daily labor to keep crops healthy under the current heat stress. Cambridge supports calls for full dredging of the Aranjuez River to boost water storage and ensure enough water can flow through the cleared channels to meet farmer needs if drought conditions fully develop.

Trevor Maharaj, a local producer specializing in seasoning crops, warned that significant crop losses could ripple through to consumer prices all the way to the Christmas holiday season in 2026. Short-season crops and green seasonings including chives, multiple thyme varieties, ginger, and chadon beni are already at high risk, alongside popular vegetables for traditional dishes like choka — baigan, pumpkin, and tomatoes. Maharaj added that even tree crops popular for the upcoming Divali festival, such as mangoes, face reduced yields and higher price tags, as extreme heat causes flower drop and disrupts regular fruiting cycles.

Compounding drought and heat stress, local farmers are also battling an ongoing infestation of giant African snails, an invasive species that consumes a wide range of native and agricultural vegetation, causing additional widespread losses.

Maharaj noted that Aranjuez and surrounding communities have long struggled with inconsistent pipe-borne water access, meaning farmers cannot rely on municipal supplies as a backup if river irrigation fails. Producers are calling on responsible authorities to develop and implement a formal contingency plan to guarantee adequate water access for agricultural operations through the projected dry period.

“When farmers take major losses, consumers end up paying the price at the end of the supply chain,” Maharaj emphasized.

Beyond agricultural risks, Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Health has issued a public health advisory warning the general population about the dangers of unprotected exposure to extreme heat. The ministry notes that extended time in high temperatures can lead to heat exhaustion, and in severe unaddressed cases, progress to life-threatening heat stroke.

The advisory outlines key warning signs for public awareness: heat exhaustion typically presents with cold, pale, clammy skin, a fast weak pulse, muscle cramps, headaches, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. Heat stroke, by contrast, often brings a core body temperature of 39°C or higher, a rapid strong pulse, confusion, fainting, and vomiting, and requires immediate medical attention.

To reduce heat-related health risks, the ministry urges the public to drink ample water throughout the day, avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest hours of the day, and take regular water and shade breaks if outdoor work is unavoidable. Indoor cooling tips include closing windows and exterior shutters on sides of the building facing direct sun to trap cool air inside. The ministry also recommends wearing loose, light clothing, using broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher (reapplied per label instructions) for anyone spending time outdoors, and prioritizing time in shaded or air-conditioned spaces when possible.

The ministry closed its statement by reminding residents that extreme heat is a serious health hazard, particularly for those spending extended time outdoors or engaging in physically demanding work, and should not be underestimated.

A recent High Court ruling awarding over TT$2.5 million in damages to a former female inmate who endured sexual abuse at the hands of a serving prison officer has sparked urgent calls for a comprehensive audit of operational, administrative, and record-keeping frameworks across Trinidad and Tobago’s national prison service, according to the Prison Officers’ Association of Trinidad and Tobago (POATT).

In the wake of the landmark judgment, acting Prisons Commissioner Elvin Scanterbury has already launched an internal review into all case-related prison documentation, with plans to conduct a full line-by-line review of the court’s ruling to map the alleged sequence of events and identify any required disciplinary or policy changes.

Speaking exclusively to local outlet *Express* on Thursday, POATT General Secretary Lester Logie acknowledged the gravity of the allegations, noting that public scrutiny of the case has already taken a significant toll on the accused officer and their family. However, he stopped short of drawing definitive conclusions, explaining that he has not yet reviewed the full court judgment to understand the legal basis for the damages award or the court’s specific factual findings.

Logie highlighted several systemic red flags raised by the case, starting with gaps in administrative accountability. “The devil is in the details. I would like to read the judgment to see exactly what the justice said,” he explained, pointing to concerns over missing or incomplete prison records and documentation that could have been critical to the court proceedings. He also questioned why the sexual assault allegations, a criminal offence under Trinidad and Tobago law, were resolved through a civil claim rather than criminal prosecution, saying, “Why this matter was not brought before [the criminal courts] beats me.”

Drawing on established prison protocol, Logie noted that the alleged incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of the morning, a window when strict movement controls are already in place. Under standard policy, inmates are not permitted to leave their cells as early as 4 a.m. unless they are assigned to work in the facility’s ration room, and all off-hours movements require pre-approval from supervisory staff, formal logging in official records, and specific key access that only senior supervisors can grant. “We have procedures in place that have a check and balance,” Logie said, adding that all relevant documentation of these protocols and movements must be fully examined as part of the internal review.

Another key point of concern for Logie is the quality of legal representation provided to the Prison Service and the accused officer during the civil proceedings. Based on his current understanding of the case, the accused officer never provided in-person testimony, and the court ruled solely on the basis of sworn affidavits submitted by both parties. “My opinion on the matter, so far, is that this matter probably wasn’t defended well,” Logie said. He added that the physical layout of prison dorms and common areas, as well as the presence of other inmates and staff on duty at the time of the alleged incident, are critical details that should have been brought forward to the court.

Logie emphasized he is not seeking to downplay or dismiss the serious sexual abuse allegations, stressing that the claims demand full, transparent investigation. He said he supports Scanterbury’s internal review and hopes the process will not only bring clarity to the current case but also identify gaps in existing policies that can be closed to prevent similar allegations and systemic failures from arising in the future.

The 2024 academic term kicked off across Trinidad and Tobago yesterday, with all 777 government-run and state-assisted schools welcoming students back following a two-month summer break. But the celebration of a new school year has been overshadowed by widespread criticism from the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA), which says dozens of institutions across the country still face serious unaddressed infrastructure and safety hazards that put students and staff at risk.

In a series of interviews and public statements released yesterday, TTUTA president Crystal Ashe outlined a litany of unresolved problems reported by educators and school leaders: widespread furniture shortages, bat infestations that create unsanitary learning conditions, faulty electrical systems, non-functional water infrastructure, and incomplete construction and repair projects that were supposed to be finished before the first day of class. Ashe emphasized that these are not minor inconveniences, but direct threats to the health and safety of every person entering school buildings.

Ashe, who previously helped collect infrastructural data for the Ministry of Education, argued that the current crisis is entirely preventable. The ministry has long maintained the School Infrastructural Management (SIM) platform, a digital system where school principals log repair needs as they arise — with some requests sitting unaddressed for years. All the information the ministry needed to prioritize and complete repairs over the vacation break was already available in the system, Ashe said, adding that ministry officials simply failed to act in a timely manner.

“The ministry dropped the ball on school preparations this term,” Ashe told TV6’s Morning Edition yesterday. He pointed to one high-profile example: crews from the Ministry of Works and Transport (MTS) only arrived at Malabar Government Primary School for the first time to start repairs this past Sunday, just one day before students were set to return to class.

Pushing back against claims that his criticism is politically motivated, Ashe said TTUTA is only stating verifiable facts to protect educators and students. He drew a clear distinction between his role as an education advocate and that of Education Minister Dr Michael Dowlath, calling on political leaders to show greater accountability. “When can we get political maturity?” Ashe asked. “Just be mature enough to say I made a mistake, I didn’t go as I planned.”

TTUTA officers conducted on-site visits to dozens of schools across the country over the past 48 hours, and their on-the-ground reporting confirms a wide range of ongoing hazards. Multiple schools including Arima Girls’ Government, Malabar Composite Secondary and Brazil Roman Catholic Primary are grappling with critical furniture shortages, while infrastructural construction drags on at Arima North Secondary. San Rafael RC Primary struggles with a broken water pump and a persistent bat infestation, and South East Port of Spain Government School still has nowhere near enough desks and chairs for teaching staff. At St Hilda’s Government School, bats have made their home in the school’s ceiling, creating ongoing health risks.

A recent electrical fire at Gloster Lodge Moravian School left affected areas of the campus still exposed and unsafe, forcing one class and its teacher to relocate to a temporary space. At Cunupia Government Primary School, ongoing flooring work in the administration wing has displaced the principal and vice principal, while multiple hazards have been documented at Fyzabad Anglican Secondary School.

In its official statement, TTUTA clarified it is not seeking confrontation with the ministry. Instead, the association says it is fulfilling its core responsibility to highlight threats to educator and student safety, and push for systemic improvements to school planning. The organization noted that the core issue is a systemic failure: most vacation repair projects started far too late to meet the reopening deadline, despite all necessary data being available through the ministry’s own infrastructure tracking system. TTUTA is calling on the ministry to move beyond just collecting data through its SIM platform, and start using that information to plan and complete repairs well in advance of future school terms.

One notable exception to the general reopening made headlines yesterday: students from Infants to Standard Two at Grant Memorial Presbyterian Primary School were relocated from the school’s original San Fernando Carib Street campus after a section of the building was deemed structurally unsafe by the Ministry of Works. For the duration of the 2024 term, these students will hold classes in a specially prepared space at St Paul’s Anglican School on Ruth Avenue, San Fernando.

In its official statement released ahead of reopening, the Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to a range of ongoing education initiatives, including the national School Nutrition Programme with updated nutrition standards, school supply and book donation drives, digital and AI-enhanced learning programs, and expanded support for students and families. The ministry also confirmed that all Form 1 students will receive their promised free laptops this term, and the S.A.F.E. Police in Schools Programme will continue its work across the country.

In response to the repair backlog, the ministry stated that all outstanding work will be completed after school hours and on weekends to avoid disrupting classes, and that all required health and safety standards will be maintained to protect students and staff.

The National Parent Teacher Association (NPTA) has echoed TTUTA’s calls for urgent action. NPTA president Walter Stewart urged the ministry to resolve all outstanding issues as quickly as possible in a WhatsApp voice note released yesterday. Stewart noted that the association is pleased the vast majority of schools were able to open on schedule, but remains deeply concerned about unaddressed hazards at a number of institutions.

Stewart confirmed that two schools — Fyzabad Anglican Primary School and Gloster Lodge Moravian Primary School — were forced to close early yesterday due to the severity of their ongoing issues. He also highlighted additional problems at Malabar Secondary, which faces furniture shortages, and schools in the Toco area, where students are grappling with transport disruptions.

TTUTA has confirmed it will continue to monitor conditions at schools across the country throughout the opening weeks of the term, and will keep advocating for safe, healthy learning environments that meet the needs of all students and educators.

A suspicious death investigation is underway in Trinidad after the body of 75-year-old Chunilal Bandoo was discovered hidden beneath two large suitcases in a storeroom of an occupied Curepe residence, according to St Joseph police.

Bandoo, a well-known lifelong resident of the area who lived alone following a recent stroke, was last spotted alive on Saturday socializing with friends, a common routine for the humor-loving retiree. Witnesses confirm he spent several hours at a popular local gathering spot near his home on Mohammed Lane, Mc Inroy Street, but never returned to his residence after the casual meetup.

When Bandoo failed to come home, concerned family members filed an official missing person report with local law enforcement. The search operation launched the following day, Sunday afternoon at 6 p.m., combining forces of the volunteer Hunters Search and Rescue Team led by Vallence Rambharat, and officers from the St Joseph Police Station, supervised by Superintendent Jaikaran and led by Corporals Goonraj and Dill. The multi-team search continued through the night and into the next morning, before investigators made the grim discovery at approximately 12:08 p.m. in a back storeroom of Bandoo’s neighbor’s occupied home.

First responders immediately cordoned off the crime scene and contacted the Homicide Bureau to take over the investigation. Crime scene technicians processed the area and collected multiple pieces of evidence for forensic testing. While investigators have noted visible marks on Bandoo’s body, they have stressed that an official post-mortem examination, scheduled for this week at the Forensic Science Centre in Federation Park, will be required to confirm the exact cause and manner of death.

Local residents who knew Bandoo described him as a friendly, outgoing community favorite who often spent afternoons socializing, sharing jokes and drinking beer with neighbors. He had survived a stroke in recent months, and while he had not fully recovered, he remained mobile and independent, living alone in his home. His only immediate family member, a daughter who currently resides in the United States, has already been notified of his death and is expected to travel back to Trinidad to make arrangements.

Multiple odd details have emerged from witness accounts that have left local residents with unanswered questions. After Bandoo went missing, his personal clothing—including a three-quarter length pants, a T-shirt, and slippers—were left at the front yard gathering spot where he was last seen. Witness accounts confirm the clothing was first moved to Bandoo’s family before being returned to the front of the property where his body was ultimately found, then later discarded on the side of the road after the yard gate was locked.

Most notably, neighbors say the storeroom where Bandoo’s body was found is kept locked with a heavy padlock, located at the far back of the large residential yard, hundreds of feet from the front area where Bandoo was socializing. “So the police said he cannot go there for himself. They say that somebody would have had to put him there,” one neighbor explained, confirming local suspicions that foul play may be involved. Two large suitcases were found stacked directly on top of Bandoo’s body, further deepening community concern.

While residents have raised questions about the suspicious circumstances of Bandoo’s death, they have said they remain patient waiting for official conclusions from the police investigation and forensic autopsy. As of press time, St Joseph police have not released any additional updates on potential suspects or motives in the case.