Police union head: Cops don’t feel safe in glass buildings

The president of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Social and Welfare Association (TTPSWA), ASP Gideon Dickson, has expressed concern over recent comments by the Prime Minister about police turning off lights and closing the doors to stations as a sign of being afraid of criminals.

He said some stations with glass frontage were a security risk to officers, as people could see inside when the lights were on at night.

On January 13, Dr Rowley spoke in Parliament during a motion on the extension of the state of emergency (SoE) that was declared on December 30.

He said from what he was told, in some districts, police have resorted to closing the doors and turning off the lights at their stations out of fear of criminals. He claimed officers stay inside, hoping the criminals do not come at them.

Dickson, however, found Rowley’s comments “startling, to say the least” and strongly disagreed with the characterisation.

The entrance to the Arima Police Station is primarly surrounded by glass. The police union says this poses a security risk at night.

Speaking to Newsday by phone on January 14, Dickson clarified that the practice of turning off lights and closing doors at some police stations has nothing to do with fear of criminals.

“We do not have that information. The lights being off and doors closed have nothing to do with the criminal elements. The lights are taken off because it is a security measure we adopt as an organisation,” Dickson said.

He explained that many police stations are in buildings surrounded by glass (some with tints), which helps with the humidity and temperature during the day, especially when the sun is out.

However, this creates safety concerns at night because those outside have an advantage when it comes to seeing inside.

He insisted that the lights were turned off at night not due to fear, but to avoid providing visibility for potential threats outside the building.

“In the night, that tint obscures the person inside’s vision. The people outside would have the upper hand in terms of seeing inside, especially if there is light inside,” Dickson said.

He explained that the decision to keep the doors closed was due to the need for air conditioning.

He said this is a “common practice” and not an indication of officers’ fear of criminal activity.

Dickson added, “If those doors are opened, some might accuse the police of abusing the facilities provided to them. Leaving doors open can cause a strain on the air-conditioning units.”

Saying the service is understaffed, Dickson added that officers are working hard despite the challenges.

“The public could do the assessment. There are 12 murders, and we are on 16 days of the SoE and 14 days of the year. This time, a year ago, two years ago, the numbers were higher. So things are happening,” he said.

“But we need to get our resources, our manpower up. We are nearing 1,500 officers short. I think the prime minister and the ministry (National Security) could do a lot more in terms of providing what is necessary for us to be sufficiently resourced.”

He renewed suggestions for SRPs to be absorbed into the regular police to strengthen the service, saying they already have the on-the-job experience.

“We are operating far from ideal. All we require is to be properly trained and sufficiently resourced.”

Calls to officials from the National Security Ministry went unanswered.

In response to the PM’s statement, CoP Erla Harewood-Christopher said it has “generated public commentary related to the operational readiness and courage of police officers in the discharge of their duty.”

She said that based on a long-standing policy police stations have three different categories, which determines the scope of services, based on their location.

The Arouca Police Station, one of many with glass frontage. Police say they turn off lights at night as a security measure. –

Harewood-Christopher said, “Based on the high demand for policing nationwide this policy was amended and all police stations were mandated to remain operational full-time, 24 hours each day, seven days per week.”

She said there are security protocols for police stations and those have been heightened during the SoE, without elaborating.

In October 2024, the Special Branch raised concerns about the safety of prosecutors at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Port of Spain if they occupied a glass building at Park and Henry Streets in the capital city.

The government spent $55 million on rent at the Park Street property since 2019, as well as on installing bulletproof windows.

However, due to ongoing security concerns – particularly because the building was located near the high-crime East Dry River area – the landlord ended the agreement, as police recommended additional security measures. The lease for the building was terminated in September 2023.

The DPP’s office is currently in the Winsure Building on Richmond Street, Port of Spain and a plan to relocate it to St Vincent Street is being considered.

In 2020, under then AG and Minister of Legal Affairs Faris Al-Rawi, a bullet from a long-range weapon pierced a window pane at the ministry at Government Campus Plaza in Port of Spain.

The bullet entered a window on the western side of the building on the third floor. It hit a cubicle nearby and lodged in it.

No one was injured.

 

Tobago chamber urges PM to take action on cops hiding from criminals

THE Tobago Business Chamber is calling on the Prime Minister to “take some decisive action” after his startling claim in the Parliament on January 13 that police officers were hiding from criminals.

Leading off the debate in the House of Representatives on a motion to approve the basis on which the state of emergency (SoE) was declared on December 30, Dr Rowley revealed he had received reports of police stations being closed because officers are afraid of being attacked by criminals.

But in a video sent to the media via WhatsApp on January 14, the chamber’s chairman Martin George described the revelation as “alarming.”

“Policemen are hiding in police stations, turning off the lights and closing the doors because they are afraid to go out and confront the bandits and the criminals out there. Now that is one of the most alarming statements we have heard coming from the head of the National Security Council and in those circumstances, we would think that a more appropriate response would be that the head of the National Security Council would ensure that heads roll in light of this revelation.”

In an apparent reference to Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher, he said,“It cannot be that you sit there as the top of the executive of the TTPS and these things are occurring under your watch and there is no accountability or responsibility. I think it is clear that the Prime Minister has to take some decisive action in that regard.”

George said National Security Ministers Fitzgerald Hinds and Keith Scotland should also address the issue.

“We think that it also goes all the way up to the question of responsibility and the question of accountability from the Ministry of National Security and the two ministers who are assigned thereto.

“Because if the TTPS is under their purview, then it is a circumstance where it is clear that they ought to come forth and give some sort of explanation for this rather alarming scenario that the Prime Minister has spoken to because basically, you are saying that police officers are abdicating their duties and responsibilities. They are shirking their tasks. They are hiding from the criminals.”

“So if the police are hiding from the criminals, what does it leave for us, the ordinary citizens?” he asked.

George said it was “truly a despicable and deplorable state of affairs and we hope there will be some decisive action taken as a result.”

“Otherwise, it is clear that we want to continue doing the same things over and over and expect different results despite making no changes that are meaningful, substantial or sustainable.”

St Benedict’s lose Derrel Garcia appeal

Reigning national Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) intercol champs St Benedict’s College hit another stumbling block when the league’s appeals committee turned down their appeal in the boardroom matter involving star striker Derrel Garcia.

St Benedict’s climbed to the top of the 2024 SSFL premier division table after an unbeaten season, but their world was turned upside down on December 30 when the SSFL’s disciplinary committee stripped them of 12 points for their use of the 17-year-old Garcia, who was deemed ineligible for four matches. Fatima College, who had finished second to Benedict’s in the initial standings, profited from the points deduction to assume the top spot on the table with 38 points.

“Please be informed that the appeals committee has upheld the decision of the disciplinary committee (regarding) Derrel Garcia,” said a January 14 release from the SSFL.

“St Benedict’s College has the option to refer the matter to the arbitration committee by January 16, 2025.”

Newsday contacted Benedict’s manager Ravi Ramgoolam and asked if the school had any intentions to take the matter to arbitration. Ramgoolam said he wasn’t in a position to comment on the situation and referred Newsday to acting principal Gregory Quan Kep. Calls to Quan Kep went unanswered, along with a whatsapp message, which asked if Benedict’s would accept the appeals committee’s decision.

SSFL president Merere Gonzales said St Benedict’s had not indicated if they were willing to take the matter to arbitration.

A correspondence from the SSFL to Quan Kep said any school who refers a matter to the arbitration committee must pay a $3,000 fee. If the appeal is successful at the level of the arbitration committee, the school will be refunded.

Time will determine if Benedict’s, who were represented by attorney Christophe Brathwaite, deem it necessary to take their appeal a step further. However, the appeals committee of Rudolph Hope, Forbes Persaud and chairman Derek West felt they had enough information to reject the Benedict’s appeal which was made by Quan Kep at the hearing on January 7.

In a decision which was made on January 10 and then communicated to Benedict’s on January 13, the appeals committee said, “it unanimously agreed that St Benedict’s College failed to present sufficient information for the overturn of the decision of the disciplinary committee in this matter and therefore agreed that all sanctions applied as a consequence stand.”

In the appeal, Quan Kep opined that the report submitted by the disciplinary committee contained incorrect information regarding Garcia’s first date of attendance, thus causing the committee to arrive at an “irrational decision.” Quan Kep’s submission also claimed the SSFL’s Article 16 on player registration was vague and ambiguous, and suggested that “in the absence of clarity, no penalty should be given.”

Quan Kep also contended that there were irrelevant considerations, inequitable treatment and bias against St Benedict’s.

In response to Benedict’s claim that the disciplinary committee used incorrect information regarding Garcia’s first date of attendance, the appeals committee said the information forthcoming from an independent authority in the Ministry of Education was sufficient as it stated that Garcia only resumed attendance at the school on October 8, as verified by the attendance register at the school.

By then, Garcia, who was returning to the school after missing an entire school year due to a stint away to the Intercity Academy in Spain, had already played three league matches against San Juan North Secondary, Fatima and St Anthony’s College. He also played and scored in a 2-1 win against Queen’s Royal College on October 9. Benedict’s were punished by the SSFL for their use of Garcia in the aforementioned matches.

Article 16 of the league’s constitution states, “Students must be duly registered, according to the existing rules and regulations of the Ministry of Education and on the official roll of the school presenting the team. These students must attend classes at that school during normal school hours.”

Article 16 also states that the registration of a player must be made at least 72 hours before the start of the match in which the player is to participate in and must be done via the SSFL general secretary or the secretary of the relevant zone.

The appeals committee asserted that Article 16 was “specific in its requirements for player registration” and found Benedict’s registration of Garcia to be incomplete.

On Benedict’s claim of possible bias in the ongoing process, the appeals committee “unanimously agreed that there was no inequality of treatment and/or bias during the process of the inquiry.”

By January 16, Quan Kep and Benedict’s must decide if they want to take their boardroom battle to another level.

Furlonge denies exit as Red Force coach

RED FORCE coach David Furlonge has denied rumours of an impending exit from the national team.

“No, I’m still the coach,” he said, when asked on January 14 whether there was any merit to the rumours.

Asked if we can expect to see him on the sideline for the WI Four-Day Championships, set to bowl off on January 29, Furlonge said yes.

The Red Force begin their campaign against Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba, on January 29.

The former Queen’s Park coach had briefly stepped away from the national team during the 2024 CG United Super 50 Cup, hosted by Trinidad, from October to November, owing to a medical issue.

Asked if that health issue had been resolved, Furlonge said yes.

Rumours have been circulating that former West Indies and Red Force bowling all-rounder Rayad Emrit would be taking over from Furlonge. The former, who was assistant coach for the Super 50, took charge of the team in Furlonge’s absence during that tournament. TT lost to Barbados in the semifinals.

Emrit, 43, has coached the TT Under-17 team and had a lengthy playing career with the Red Force. He played 84 first-class matches and took 175 wickets.

He also carved out a name for himself in the T20 format, where he played 146 matches.

Dry season has officially started

THE Met Office has officially declared the start of the 2025 dry season.

In a release on January 14, it said the dry season started on January 14 and may run until May.

“At this time, the atmosphere over the region has transitioned to its drier state following a gradual transition from the wet into the dry season,” the release said.

The dry season, it said, occurs once the following “synoptic features” are observed:

  • The intensification and equatorward migration of the North Atlantic sub-tropical high-pressure cell;
  • Strengthened trade-wind inversion (west Africa, central tropical Atlantic and eastern Caribbean);
  • Upper-level westerly winds and
  • Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) in its southernmost position across the tropical Atlantic Ocean.

The Met Office said, “During early January, the climatic patterns and features (a relatively weak North Atlantic Sub-Tropical Pressure cell and strong upper-level easterly winds) had delayed the full formation of the dry season.

“There has been an observed reduction in the frequency of showery and/or rainy weather over Trinidad and Tobago during the last few weeks resulting from dry season synoptic features, such as passing mid-latitude frontal systems inducing moist low-level perturbations over the region.”

During the dry season, people can expect reduced moisture, increased atmospheric stability, fewer deep clouds, less frequent rainfall events, warm days and cool nights, and a general shift in the surface wind direction to mostly easterlies to north easterlies.

The Met Office said relevant agencies and ministries should take measures to mitigate the potential impacts of the dry season.

The public, it said, should conserve, store and manage water in a sustainable manner.

People should refrain from burning rubbish in grassy or forested areas during the dry season.

However, the Met Office said, that although the dry season experiences significantly reduced rainfall amounts as compared to the wet season, it is not devoid of rainfall.

These rainfall events are not expected to be a result of wet-season systems such as the ITCZ, tropical waves, or tropical cyclone activity but from dry season synoptic features such as the passage of induced moist low-level perturbations from mid-latitude frontal systems and convergence bands of clouds over the region.

There is likely to be some rainfall from January-March.

“The recently declared weak La Niña in the central tropical Pacific Ocean is expected to positively influence rain-producing synoptic features in the dry season and therefore enhance rainfall totals mostly in the early season months of January-March and less so in April and May,” the release said.

Initial wetter-than-usual and warmer-than-usual conditions during January, February and March may result in:

  • Less vegetative stress due to relatively less surface dryness;
  • A positive impact on surface and groundwater recharge and stream flow rates;
  • An increase in the breeding areas for insect vectors such as mosquitoes due to uncovered water storage devices and water pooling in drains, low-lying areas and roof guttering;
  • A decrease in the potential for bush, forest and landfill fires, especially during January-March.

Privy Council upholds bail in murder cases

The Privy Council has upheld the Court of Appeal’s decision on the right to appeal from the High Court for bail in murder cases.

In a ruling on January 14, Lords Reed, Lloyd-Jones, Hamblen, Leggatt and Lady Simler dismissed the appeal of a soldier charged with killing his two-year-old daughter and wounding her uncle in December 2017.

Two appeals on the appellate court’s jurisdiction to hear an appeal from the High Court in bail for murder cases were before the apex court.

The other was the appeal of six policemen who had been charged with the murders of three Moruga friends but they were eventually acquitted rendering their appeal moot.

Kerros Martin was refused bail by the High Court in June 2022. This application followed the landmark ruling of the Court of Appeal which held that the 1994 Bail Act was unconstitutional and paved the way for bail to be granted to individuals charged with murder.

The 1994 act was amended in 2024 and it permits a judge or master of the High Court to grant bail to an individual charged with murder where they can show “exceptional circumstances” to justify the granting of bail. It also introduced a right of appeal to the Court of Appeal where a person is refused or granted bail by a judge of the High Court.

Martin’s appeal for bail was dismissed by the appellate court in May 2023, and he appealed to the Privy Council.

Although the law lords ruled on the merits of Martin’s appeal, they noted that the Bail (Amendment) Act of 2024, established a new regime for bail applications, including a statutory right of appeal, but its retrospective application remains unresolved.

“Given that the 2024 act confers a new right to apply to the High Court for bail, with a right of appeal, which is equally available to those who applied for bail before the 2024 act came into force as to those who had not done so, it is difficult to discern the need or justification for construing the act in the retrospective manner contended for.”

Lord Hamblen, who wrote the decision, also agreed with submissions from the State’s lead attorney, Rishi Dass, SC, that the High Court had not determined if Martin had met the test of “exceptional circumstances” to justify a grant of bail.

Hamblen noted, “The 2024 act creates a new and different regime governing the grant of bail in murder cases.

“In circumstances where the matter has not been considered or addressed by the Court of Appeal, it would not be appropriate for the board to do so.”

In ruling on the merits of the arguments in Martin’s appeal, Lord Hamblen held that the Court of Appeal, under the 1994 act, lacked the jurisdiction under the Constitution to hear appeals from High Court bail decisions for murder charges.

It was argued by Martin’s lead attorney Anand Ramlogan, SC, that section 108(c) of the Constitution provided a right of appeal from the High Court. The argument was supported by the Law Association, led by Douglas Mendes, SC.

The Privy Council rejected the section 108(c) argument, saying, “Despite the able presentation of their submissions by Mr Ramlogan and Mr Mendes, the Board is unable to accept them.”

Lord Hamblen gave six reasons for not accepting them.

He noted that the section applied to decisions involving constitutional questions, not routine judicial determinations like bail decisions and the appellant’s interpretation would improperly extend constitutional appeal rights to numerous routine cases.

He also noted that the framers of the Constitution could not intend for ordinary decisions in civil or criminal cases to create automatic rights of appeal to higher courts.

“If, for present purposes, one regards the rights under section 4(a) (which includes the right to property) as being free-standing then there will be very many civil and criminal proceedings which impact them. “There will also be very many cases where the jurisdiction to determine such cases lies with the High Court.

“On the appellants’ case, in all such proceedings, the Constitution is conferring a right of appeal.

“…It is improbable that a purpose of the Constitution is to ensure a right of appeal to the Privy Council in sentencing or indeed bail application cases.”

Also appearing for the state was Sasha Sukhram. UK attorney Kate Temple-Made and Mohammud Jaamae Hafeez-Baig appeared with Ramlogan for Martin and Peter Carter and Lindsay Webb appeared with Mendes for the Law Association.

In a release, the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs said the ruling established there is no separate constitutional jurisdiction for the Court of Appeal to entertain such appeals.

“The right of appeal on murder charges is limited to that which is provided under the Bail Act, as amended in 2024 to require the applicant for bail to show exceptional circumstances.

“The Bail (Amendment) Act, 2024 significantly enhanced judicial oversight in bail processes for serious offences, particularly murder, by allowing applications under strict conditions, enabling appeals on bail decisions and imposing stricter restrictions for repeat offenders and those involved with firearms.”

Janae De Gannes leaps to long jump personal best for Baylor

TRINIDAD and Tobago athlete Janae De Gannes seems to be settling down at Baylor University in Texas, leaping to a silver medal in the women’s long jump event in her debut for the school at the 2025 Texas A&M McFerrin 12 Degree Invite at the Texas A&M-RA Murray Fasken 38 Indoor Track at College Station, Texas.

De Gannes, who won gold at the Carifta Games last year, won silver with a 6.34-metre effort on January 10. It was an indoor personal best (PB) for De Gannes.

Her personal best in outdoor competition is 6.50m.

It is the ninth-best performance in the NCAA Division One this season.

De Gannes, a freshman at Baylor, was a star athlete before leaving to attend university. The Tobago-born athlete represented Concordia and Bishop Anstey High School in Port of Spain.

National coach Wendell Williams has also been instrumental in guiding De Gannes in her career.

Winning gold was another Baylor athlete as senior Alexis Brown leaped 6.66m. Finishing third was Arizona State senior Alexia Schofield (6.32m). It was a battle between Baylor and Arizona State for the podium places as Arizona’s Alexandria Johnson was fourth with a 6.14m jump.

Soldiers arrest three men for gun, ganja in Tobago

SOLDIERS held three men from Signal Hill during a roadblock in Harmony Hall, Mt Grace, on January 13.

Acting on information, the army men, who have powers of arrest during the current state of emergency, held an exercise between 10 am and 11.15 am.

They army men stopped a car, which was occupied by a 29-year-old driver and two men, ages 24 and 22.

The soldiers recovered one firearm, ten rounds of ammunition, camouflage clothing, a quantity of marijuana and an undisclosed sum of cash.

Investigations are continuing.

Al-Rawi: $20m to fix landslip near Shore of Peace

RURAL Development and Local Government Minister Faris Al-Rawi and Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan spent time responding to questions from opposition MPs about infrastructure projects during a sitting of the House of Representatives on January 13.

In response to a question from Fyzabad MP Dr Lackram Bodoe, Al-Rawi said the Siparia Borough Corporation (SBC) failed to do the work required to address a landslip near the Shore of Peace at Mosquito Creek.

Al-Rawi said concerns were raised last January about the landslip when former prime minister Basdeo Panday was cremated there.

Families gather to witness the cremations of their relatives at the Shore of Peace Cremation Site at Mosquito Creek, San Fernando. – File photo

He added the SBC has jurisdiction over the Shore of Peace.

Al-Rawi said the ministry intervened and the Rural Development Company has estimated it would cost approximately $20.5 million to fix the landslip.

The company has invited tenders to entities willing to undertake the work.

Sinanan said funding has been identified under the ministry’s PURE programme to do rehabilitation work at Calcutta No 1 Road from the Calcutta Tunnel to Kurban Junction, with the supporting drainage infrastructure.”

While tenders will be invited next month, he continued, the ministry will do temporary patchwork on the road so drivers can continue to use it.

Tourism secretary: Store Bay redevelopment project begins in July

BARRING any unforeseen developments, Secretary of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation Tashia Burris said the first phase of the Store Bay redevelopment project should begin in July.

Last September, vendors at the Store Bay Beach Facility called on the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) to clear the air about their plans for the popular spot after rumours circulated about a grand redevelopment project for the area.

The division had denied having any concrete plan for the area, saying consultation with stakeholders was ongoing.

A vendor, who had spoke to Newsday at that time, said he and others had received an invitation to a couple of stakeholder meetings hosted by the division on July 16 and 25, but was unimpressed.

The plan, he said then, included a mega swimming pool and a proposed name change to Store Bay Beach Club.

Speaking to reporters before the recommissioning of the Fort King George lighthouse on January 13, Burris claimed stakeholders were pleased with the second set of designs presented by the division.

“The last consultation that we had, we got some agreement from the persons present…, softened the first set of designs a little bit, took back the user feedback, and that informed what the second designs looked like. There was agreement that they would prefer that second option versus the first one that was presented to them,” she said.

Alvin Jones signs one-year deal with Honduras’ CD Real Sociedad

SOCA Warriors right back Alvin Jones said he’s looking to improve and take his game to the next level after sealing a one-year deal with Honduran top-flight team Club Deportivo Real Sociedad. The deal was confirmed by the TT Football Association (TTFA) on January 13.

The 30-year-old Jones has been a regular in Trinidad and Tobago’s men’s national football team since debuting under Stephen Hart in 2014 and has amassed over 50 caps.

Most recently, Jones enjoyed spells with Club Sando and Miscellaneous Police FC in the TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) – helping the latter to a runner-up finish in the league behind AC PoS last season.

“This move is about prioritising my growth as a footballer and giving myself the best opportunity to improve both mentally and physically,” Jones told TTFA media.

“While playing in the TTPFL has been an important part of my journey, I’ve realised that I need to challenge myself in a different environment to take the next step in my career.”

With the Soca Warriors in the middle of their 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying campaign, Jones said it’s an important period.

“This year 2025 is a crucial year for me personally and for TT football. To give myself the best chance of contributing to the national team, this move will help me regain confidence at a higher level. I’m excited for this new chapter and I’m committed to working hard to achieve my goals, one of which is to see TT football progress and get to another World Cup.”

Jones said the competitiveness and quality of the Honduran league is a good standard and is eager for the challenge ahead.

“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Police FC and Club Sando for the opportunities they have given to me,” said Jones, who first shot into the spotlight with a stint at W Connection.

“These clubs played a significant role in my development and I will always value the lessons and experience I gained during my time with them.”

On the international scene for TT, Jones is best-known for his hard-tackling style, bombing runs down the right flank and his powerful right-footed shots. Two of Jones’ best moments have come against Concacaf giants USA, as he scored a long range goal against them in a Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying win in 2017, to go along with a spectacular free kick goal in the 2023/24 Concacaf Nations League campaign.

Sociedad finished bottom of the Liga Nacional de Honduras table in the Apertura season to close off 2024. Sociedad will begin their Clausura campaign against Apertura champs FC Motagua on January 19.

Union Hall Utd win Shahdon Winchester Foundation U-15 tournament

DAVID SCARLETT

UNION Hall United were crowned champions of the Shahdon Winchester Foundation annual football tournament at Skinner Park, San Fernando, last Saturday.

The foundation was founded in 2021, two years after the untimely passing of Winchester, the former Naparima College, W Connection and national footballer who died in a vehicular accident in 2019.

Winchester and three of his friends were killed in a crash along the Solomon Hochoy Highway near Gasparillo. He was 27 years old.

The competition was the fifth edition of the initiative, but the first of its kind having shifted from an adult round-robin tournament in the previous four years to an under-15 fixture on this occasion.

Union Hall United impressively went unbeaten in the five-team tournament without conceding a single goal. They overcame Dunstan Williams Soccer Academy (nine points), Penal Is Love (six points), Carrot Shed Football Team (three points) and Victoria Football Academy (zero points).

Lana Winchester, Shahdon’s mother, told Newsday that the foundation saw its vision come to life by providing a platform for young footballers to do what they love.

She said, “Watching the youths take the field brought back memories of Shahdon taking part in numerous youth tournaments years ago.

“The event was a success – better than we expected. We look forward to continued support, as this is just the beginning of what the Shahdon Winchester Foundation has to offer.”

Although they finished second, Dunstan Williams Soccer Academy had the top scorer of the competition as O’Shea Watson won the golden boot with four goals.

Union Hall’s Samuel Belfon and Stephon Richards of Carrot Shed were both one goal short of Watson’s tally with three goals each.

The highly anticipated exhibition match between the “Naps” Old Boys and “Pres” Old Boys was the showpiece event following the tournament.

The match served to honour Winchester (Naparima College) and former national player Akeem Adams (Presentation College). The latter died from complications after he suffered a massive heart attack in his apartment in Hungary, where he was playing for Ferencváros. He was 22.

The players also commemorated Gary Prescott, one of Shahdon’s former Naparima College coaches, who died in 2021.

Naparima featured some of Winchester’s former team-mates such as Nigel Wright, Jayson Joseph, Anthony Parris, Dwayne Edwards and Amale Quashie.

Action in the Shahdon Winchester Foundation under-15 football tournament. – Photo courtesy Kimberly Boodram

Representing Pres – the Akeem Adams XI – were Prison Service FC’s Weslie John, Andre Benjamin, Stephon Campbell, Arvid Applewhite, Tristan Khan and former TT U-20 striker Juma Clarence.

In true fete-match fashion, the showdown was played in thirds rather than halves.

The game proved to be a rollercoaster. Naps went 1-0 up courtesy a Dwayne Edwards penalty early in the first third. However, Pres rapidly recovered and scored thrice in quick succession through Tristan Khan and a brace from Juma Clarence to take a 3-1 lead into the first interval.

Naps responded strongly in the second third and a quick-fire double from Dwight Charles brought the Shahdon Winchester XI level at 3-3. The Naps Old Boys then regained their lead via a cheeky finish from Luke Sankarlal near to the end of the second portion of the match as Naps led 4-3 with one third remaining.

Naparima could not maintain their lead in the last period, though. A clumsy foul at the top of the penalty area with 15 minutes to play proved costly as Clarence punished Naps once again to bag a hat-trick.

In the late minutes of the match, Naparima earned a penalty kick when Steven Joseph was tripped by the onrushing Pres goalkeeper Dr Carl Spencer. But the shot-stopper redeemed himself in dramatic fashion as he made a crucial save to deny Dwayne Edwards a second goal from the penalty mark.

The score was 4-4 at full-time and, though rivals on the pitch, both sets of players celebrated the result in honour of their fallen schoolmates.

Winchester’s mother appreciated the support of the Old Boys and everyone who made the event a success.

“(This) clearly proves that the game of football is being kept alive in the memory of Shahdon and others who would have left memorable imprints on the field.

“I saw a lot of tears streaming down faces during the day, especially for the Naps vs Pres thriller, which turned out, technically, to be a reunion.”

At the end of the day’s events, Winchester’s daughter Ada-xyli Winchester, who led the Old Boys from the players’ tunnel onto the field, said, “I am proud of my daddy.”

 

Court unfreezes attorney’s account as $m lawsuit withdrawn

ATTORNEY Varun Debideen can now access funds in his bank account as a Tacarigua-based company seeking to recover $7 million paid to a contractor for a construction project that did not materialise has withdrawn its claim against him.

The trial was expected to start on January 13, however, it was rescheduled and on January 14, attorneys for Advance Hose and Marketing Ltd, of Ridgewood Heights informed Justice Frank Seepersad that the claim against Debideen was being withdrawn as the parties agreed on a compromised position.

Details of the agreement were not given in court.

Seepersad then lifted the freezing order, he imposed on November 1, 2023, on Debideen’s account.

The trial will now proceed against contractor Cordell Philbert, Debideen’s former client Joash Ramjattan and his company Za Limity Engineering Consultancy, on February 10.

Advanced Hose initially filed its claim against six people and two banks, seeking to recover $7 million. The company’s claims against two of them and the banks were previously discontinued.

Lawyers for Advanced Hose claimed that on July 19, 2023, their client transferred the money to Philbert, of Royal Palm Gardens, Malabar, Arima, for a potential construction project in Guyana.

The company claimed that Philbert did not perform his contractual obligations and it sought to recover the funds it had advanced.

Advance Hose is represented by attorneys Jagdeo Singh, Leon Kalicharan and Karina Singh.

Keera Bazzey represents Philbert; Narendra Latchman and Andrew Ramsubeik represent Ramjattan and his company.

King’s Counsel Tom Richards, Kent Samlal, Umesh Maharaj and Narissa Bala represented Debideen.

AG: Gun amnesty provision to be deleted from SoE regulations

REGULATION 11 of the Emergency Powers Regulations 2024, which purportedly imposed a gun amnesty, will be removed by the end of the week.

This was the response to an objection raised by attorney Gerald Ramdeen.

Chamber director of the Attorney General’s Secretariat Solange de Souza on January 14 confirmed plans to remove the provision, which permits the government to declare a gun amnesty.

De Souza said the regulation merely authorised the declaration of an amnesty and was never operationalised. She said it mirrored similar provisions in earlier emergency regulations in 1990 and 2011.

De Souza said the removal would be approved this week and take effect in the next four days.

“As we noted in our earlier letter…Regulation 11 merely purported to give a power to order an amnesty which power was never exercised.

“In this regard, it reflected similar such powers which had been given by earlier regulations issued during periods of public emergency, namely, the Emergency Powers Regulations 1990 and 2011.

“The Attorney General has advised the Cabinet that Regulation 11, though not operationalised, should in any event be removed from the regulations.”

Ramdeen had issued a pre-action protocol letter on January 6, challenging Regulation 11, which provided immunity from prosecution for individuals surrendering guns, ammunition, or explosives during a prescribed amnesty period.

A day later, De Souza asked Ramdeen to hold his hand on filing a legal claim until the Government obtained advice from senior counsel to determine the merits of the proposed challenge and any necessary remedial measures “to ensure the constitutionality of the intended amnesty.”

De Souza also said Regulation 11 was not yet in operation, as the prescribed period had not yet been determined. She also said no action would be taken to activate the regulation until a response was provided.

On January 12, National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds said the gun amnesty was never the Government’s policy.

Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar raised the issue of the legality of a gun amnesty on January 13, during her contribution to the debate on an extension of the state of emergency (SoE) in the Parliament.

The SoE has been extended for three months, to April 14.

It was declared on December 30, in response to “imminent gang-related reprisal attacks, involving the use of high-calibre weapons and a resulting threat to public safety.”

The Prime Minister told the Parliament on January 13, “We’re taking note of the fact that the President (Christine Kangaloo) has been convinced by the government that gang warfare has been imminent.

“Gang warfare action had been taken, and retaliation was the expected action…more deaths, more mayhem was to be expected, and therefore governmental authority had to intervene, if not to bring sobriety, but to bring some element of increased and improved law enforcement to the lawless.”

MSJ to sit out 2025 general election

THE Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) will not contest the 2025 general election, political leader David Abdulah announced on January 14.

Speaking during a press conference at the Royal Hotel, San Fernando, Abdulah said instead, the party would focus on building and strengthening itself for another election to take hold of the government.

“We do not believe we are in a position to do so in 2025, and therefore we would focus on our own building.”

This, he said, would include growing the party’s membership, sourcing sustainable funding and improving communication, among other things.

While the party will be absent from ballots in this election, he said the party would continue to beat the ground.

Abdulah said the entrance of the Gary Griffith-led National Transformation Alliance and the Mickela Panday-led Patriotic Front into this year’s race did not factor into the party’s decision to sit out the election.

Two homes destroyed by fire in Corinth

A FIRE That broke out at the home of a pensioner in Ste Madeleine early on January 14 quickly spread to a neighbouring house, destroying both homes and leaving four people homeless.

The fire started around 2.20 am at the residence of Rasheeda “Smoothie” Mohammed, 67, on First Street in Corinth Settlement.

Standing before the ruins of her home, Mohammed recalled hearing neighbours shouting for her to get out. At first, she mistook the cracking sounds for an intruder trying to break in.

At left, 67-year-old Rasheeda Mohammed and Ena Harry, 61, lost their homes to a fire at First Street, Corinth Settlement, Ste Madeleine on January 14. Four people are now homeless. – Photo by Lincoln Holder

“I was in bed looking for my cellphone to call relatives when I started smelling smoke,” she told Newsday. “That’s when I realised the house was on fire.”

Fortunately, she managed to escape unharmed but was unable to save any of her belongings.

The fire quickly spread to the neighbouring house, which was home to Ena Harry, 61, her husband Ramsamooge Harry, 63, and their 29-year-old grandson. The fire left the family homeless.

Ena Harry said she was awakened by people calling out to Mohammed. She immediately alerted her husband.

Ena Harry, 61, and her husband Ramsamooge lost their home to a fire at First Street, Corinth Settlement, Ste Madeleine on January 14. – Photo by Lincoln Holder

“Her whole house was already engulfed, so I told him to try to save ours first,” Ena recalled. “The fire officers came and started spraying water on her house.”

She believed that since Mohammed’s house was already destroyed, the officers should have focused more on her home.

Ramsamooge Harry said he lost three of his pet bullfinches in the fire.

Councillor for Corinth/Cedar Hill Shawn Premchand visited the affected families and pledged to follow up with the disaster management unit of the Princes Town Regional Corporation.

He also shared a post on social media seeking assistance for the victims.

A man walks through the burnt remains of two houses destroyed by fire at First Street, Corinth Settlement, Ste Madeleine on January 14. – Photo by Lincoln Holder

“We kindly ask for your support in helping these families during this difficult time,” Premchand wrote on Facebook. “Any help toward their recovery would be greatly appreciated.”

Premchand also emphasised the importance of government help, particularly through the Social Development Ministry and the National Commission for Self-Help.

He called on authorities to expedite the processing of grants to assist those in immediate need, noting that many victims of past disasters are still waiting for support.

The cost of the damage to the homes and personal property has not yet been determined.

Ste Madeleine police and Mon Repos fire officers are investigating.

 

House agrees SoE extension for three months

THE House of Representatives on January 13 agreed to a government motion to extend the current state of emergency (SoE) for three months after its proclamation last month.

The motion was moved by the Prime Minister, who also made a brief wind-up speech in which he appealed to the Opposition as reasonable individuals to support it.

When Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George put it to the vote, no voices were raised in opposition to the motion, which needed a simple majority in the elected House alone to be approved.

The SoE was proclaimed by President Christine Kangaloo on December 30, with the general public being notified by a statement on social media and via a later news conference by then-acting attorney general Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young and Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds.

Reporters were told that after a man was shot dead outside Besson Street Police Station, Port of Spain, and five people were shot dead at Prizgar Lands, Laventille, the police had information that reprisal killings were expected and rival gangs had access to high-powered assault firearms. The SoE, giving the police more powers, was meant to avert retaliation.

The motion before MPs said the President can proclaim an SoE under the Constitution (section 8 (1)), that in the first instance the SoE will run for 15 days (section 9(2)), and that the House may extend it for a period of up to three months, with extensions in sum not exceeding six months (section 10 (1)).

In the House, those who spoke on the SoE motion were Rowley, Barataria/San Juan MP Saddam Hosein, Young, Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal, Hinds, Tabaquite MP Anita Haynes, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Minister of Local Government Faris Al-Rawi, Couva South MP Rudranath Indarsingh and Naparima MP Rodney Charles.

Tobago’s iconic Fort King George lighthouse refurbished

AFTER being out of commission for more than two decades, the lighthouse at historic Fort King George, Scarborough, Tobago, has been refurbished.

The iconic structure, one of the island’s most prominent landmarks, was handed over to the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) during a recommissioning ceremony on January 13.

The project, which was managed by the Eco-Industrial Development Company of Tobago (E-IDCOT), is being done in two phases.

The first phase, which has been completed, includes the refurbishment of the lighthouse and beacon while phase two, which is yet to begin, involves the construction of an observation deck. A new beacon is expected to be installed in February.

Delivering the feature address, Chief Secretary Farley Augustine said the establishment of a Department of Antiquities within the Division of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation was deliberate.

“I have a serious concern, and that is why the Department of Antiquities was formed. I have a concern that we just may not know what we have in so far as our artefacts.

“And that if we don’t know what we actually have, then it means that it’s easy for somebody to come in here, pick up something, put it in a suitcase – because some valuable artefacts can fit in a pocket – and go away with it, and no one will ever know that that which was of great value was once lodged somewhere on the island,” he said.

Augustine said a part of the department’s work involves doing an inventory of the artefacts across the island, “to protect and catalogue them and use it as a marketing tool on the island and see how best we can monetise our artefactual assets.”

[UPDATED] Design for new coat of arms approved

A design for the new coat of arms has been chosen – it depicts a golden tenor pan and two sticks.

The final version was chosen from among several submissions by artist Gillian Bishop.

On January 13, Parliament approved the National Emblems of Trinidad and Tobago (Regulation) (Amendment) Bill, 2025, to give legal effect for the change.

The redesign will remove the depiction of the three ships – Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria – used by Italian explorer Christopher Columbus at the base of the coat of arms. ”

Pan Trinbago president Beverley Ramsey-Moore said the type of pan used on the coat of arms is a tenor pan with two pan sticks.

In a release, Ramsey-Moore hailed the decision as a monumental moment in TT’s history.

“The inclusion of the steelpan on the national coat of arms is a defining moment for our nation. It symbolises the resilience, ingenuity and unity of our people. Born from struggle, the steelpan has become a beacon of TT’s cultural legacy and innovation. This is a moment for every citizen to stand tall and proud.”

During the debate, Tourism, Culture and the Arts Minister Randall Mitchell said the old coat of arms can be used until January 1, 2026, once the act is assented to and proclaimed by the President. Mitchell said the change was made because of public calls to decolonise the symbols of TT. Mitchell said the proposal for the change was formalised by the Cabinet in August 2024. Local jeweller and artist Bishop was asked to develop the new design.

“After a thorough review and thoughtful consideration of all designs, the Pan Trinbago team is pleased to express our enthusiastic agreement with design number seven. We are particularly heartened that this design features the steelpan alongside its iconic two-pan sticks. This inclusion celebrates the steelpan’s role as the national musical instrument of TT, symbolising the creativity and indomitable spirit of our people,” Mitchell said, quoting from a Pan Trinbago letter.

Mitchell said the transitional period will be until January 1, 2026, which meant there would be no great or disruptive urgency to change the old coat of arms.

“There will be no mad scramble. There will be no need for citizens to desperately line up at government offices to replace the old coat of arms. In a case where the coat of arms is in digital forms and online, it can be replaced in documents such as official correspondence and other paraphernalia with immediate effect, easily and at minimal cost.”

“Where the coat of arms is in the form of physical installations, eg on government buildings, the bill provides for a period of transition, where all government agencies can now plan and budget in the upcoming appropriation bill, in the upcoming months, for changes that will need to be put in place by January 1, 2026.”

Moruga/Tableland MP Michelle Benjamin said the opposition was only informed about the bill at 2.40 pm on January 10, and told that it would be added to the Order Paper on January 13. The Opposition was only given additional information about the bill at 4 pm on January 13.

“I apologise to the members of Pan Trinbago present in the gallery as the members on this side were invested in the state of emergency debate. I apologise that pan is not being treated in the way it should be treated,” she said, noting the unpreparedness of the Opposition for the debate.

“How does the issue before us today improve the lives of our people? How does it address the struggles of our pan players who continue to fight for survival in a system that overlooks their existence? Symbolism cannot replace substance.

“Pan players are only celebrated during the Carnival season. The government could have come here today and itemised how they intend to improve the lack of institutional support.”

Benjamin asked for a definitive cost of changing the coat of arms. She said the country was left in limbo as there was not a final date given for the changeover of ID cards and other documents.

The Prime Minister said the government could not count on the support of the opposition even in such a unifying matter.

“Any MP saying they needed extended notice to be able to decide whether they will support the modernisation of our emblem could not be serious, especially since this issue has been around since last August (2024) and to come and say you were ambushed and therefore have nothing useful to say is really not a serious contribution.”

He said over the years the government had come to realise symbols and symbolism matter and the steelpan represents all of TT.

Rowley said steelpan players were honoured outside of Carnival and were embodiments of the country’s watchwords of discipline, tolerance and production.

Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar asked when the bill would be proclaimed. She called for the coat of arms in the House of Representatives to be changed first. She said the opposition supported the change.

“I want to place on record that we fully support this amended bill. It is long in coming but the day has come and we welcome that day.”

This story was originally published with the title “National Emblems Bill passed” and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

THE National Emblems of Trinidad and Tobago (Regulation) (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was passed in the Parliament on January 13.

Tourism, Culture and the Arts Minister Randall Mitchell said the old coat of arms can be used until January 1, 2026, once the act is assented to and proclaimed by the President.

Speaking during debate on the bill late on Monday night, Mitchell said the bill amends Part I of the schedule to the National Emblems of TT (Regulation) Act.

“This clause amends the description of the coat of arms of TT by deleting the reference in the base of the arms to ‘three ships of the period of Christopher Columbus also gold the sails set proper’ and substituting that the base of the coat of arms will now contain ‘a gold steelpan and its iconic two pan sticks, also gold.’”

Mitchell said the proposal for the change was formalised in August 2024 by cabinet, which agreed jeweller and artist Gillian Bishop would be engaged to develop the new design. He said she was asked to prepare renderings of the coat of arms to be considered by the cabinet and taken to Parliament.

He said the consideration and endorsement of Pan Trinbago was sought on the design and received in November 2024.

Mitchell said the transitional period will last until January 1, 2026, which meant there would be no great or disruptive urgency to change the old coat of arms to the new one.

Pan Trinbago president Beverley Ramsey-Moore hailed the decision as a monumental moment in TT’s history.

“The inclusion of the steelpan on the national coat of arms is a defining moment for our nation. It symbolises the resilience, ingenuity and unity of our people. Born from struggle, the steelpan has become a beacon of TT’s cultural legacy and innovation. This is a moment for every citizen to stand tall and proud,” she said in a news release on January 14.

Jones P Madeira funeral on January 16

THE funeral for celebrated journalist Jones P Madeira will take place on January 16 at the Santa Rosa Roman Catholic Church on Woodford Street, Arima, at 2.00 pm.

A private cremation will follow.

Madeira, 80, died at the Mt Hope Medical Sciences Complex at 3.33 pm on January 10.

“He was ailing for some time and had been hospitalised for the past week as he battled a number of very serious medical conditions,” his family said in a statement.

Madeira is described as a selfless legend by his family, while colleagues remember a kind, committed man who led an exemplary life.