Fireworks JSC

The TT Police service received one complaint about fireworks over the independence period and 24 over Divali, and although these are “minimal,” police find it difficult to corroborate these reports because no one comes forward to corroborate them.

“The people who make these complaints are relatives and neighbours and that’s the problem we continue to have. Most of the calls are anonymous,” Deputy Commissioner of Police for Operations, Deodat Dulalchan, told a parliamentary joint select committee convened yesterday to discuss the impact of fireworks on public health.

Dulalchan was responding to a question from committee member Esmonde Forde, who noted the reports to police on record seemed so few, even though, to him, the number of people who complained via different channels, for example on the media or to their members of Parliament, was significant.

Dulalchan added that, while rain might have played a part in limiting the use of fireworks in Trinidad for Divali, the TTPS had also stepped up its public relations, increasing patrols, and dedicating press briefings and releases solely on safe fireworks use. Fireworks in TT are governed by the Explosives Act, which is over 100 years old, and that needs to be upgraded to reflect international best practice, Andre Abraham, managing director of FireOne Fireworks, told the JSC.

His company, the biggest licensed importer and distributor of pyrotechnics in the country, has adopted the US regulations for safety in handling and sales, he said, because there are some elements that just aren’t covered in the local law. Pressed by the commission about some of the regulations he thought should govern the industry, Abraham agreed there should be set times for use, which would also help law enforcement monitor use better.

He also suggested stronger and more detailed fines. Abraham was asked by chairman of the committee Dr Dhaneshyar Mahabir to submit a list of recommendations to the panel for consideration.

Mahabir also chastised the police for not using the law better, saying it was not completely archaic and there were some elements the police could still act on.