Page 56 – Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

PM: No freedom, democracy for many in region

PRIME MINISTER Kamla Persad-Bissessar has said many people in the region do not enjoy the freedom and democracy which the people of TT do.

She made this comment in her Christmas message to the nation on December 24.

Persad-Bissessar made references to biblical quotations which focus on oppression and freedom.

First, Luke 4:18, “He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the captives and to set the oppressed free.”

Persad-Bissessar said, “As we are reminded, Jesus came into the world as ‘the true light, which gives light to everyone’ (John 1:9). From the very beginning, that light confronted oppression

She added, “Christ’s earliest days were marked by flight from a tyrant ruler, King Herod, as His family escaped violence used to preserve power (Matthew 2:13-15).”

Persad-Bissessar said this scripture shows Christ’s “life began in solidarity with the persecuted, the displaced, and the powerless.”

While TT cherishes democracy and freedom, she continued, other nations in the region are not so fortunate.

“At the same time, we remain mindful that many in our region do not share these freedoms. In neighbouring countries, populations are forced to live under repression, violence, and economic hardship.”

Persad-Bissessar identified no country by name

She said, “Tyranny and oppression have torn families apart, forcing many into refugee lives, driven from their homelands by fear and deprivation

In a post on X this week, Persad-Bissessar said, Caricom has aligned itself with the (Venezuelan President Nicolas) Maduro narco government headed by a dictator who has imprisoned or killed thousands of Venezuelans who oppose him.”

She added, “TT wants no part of that alignment, we don’t support dictatorship and drug trafficking and we don’t support Caricom in their zone of peace fakery.”

Persad-Bissessar claimed Caricom has “chosen to support the Maduro narco government through the fake zone of peace narrative which is clearly designed to get the American military to leave the Caribbean region and therefore enable Maduro to remain as dictator in Venezuela. ”

Persad-Bissessar has publicly supported the US military deployment in the region which started in August, the Trump administration’s position the deployment is an anti-narcotic exercise and US military strikes on alleged drug vessels in the Caribbean which other nations have described as extrajudicial killings.

Persad-Bissessar has defended the establishment of a US military radar in Tobago and defended US actions in the region against local and Caricom critics. She has publicly differed with other Caricom leaders about the organisation’s longstanding position that the Caribbean must be maintained as a zone of peace.

She said, “Christ’s life teaches us that true strength is found in service and that authority, without compassion, becomes oppression.”

Christmas, Persad-Bissessar continued, therefore, “is not only a celebration of birth but a call to humility, integrity, justice, and care for others.”

She said TT has begun to steady itself eight months after the UNC won the April 28 general election.

“There is renewed seriousness in public life and a stronger focus on service, responsibility, and integrity.”

Persad-Bissessar said, ” While challenges remain, there is confidence that when the welfare of the people is placed first, the future can be shaped with purpose.”

Those challenges include recent revised economic outlooks from international ratings agencies Moody’s and Standard and Poors (S&P) from stable to negative, ongoing foreign exchanges supply and demand issues and the ongoing state of emergency (SoE) which began in July and which was extended in October.

Persad-Bissessar said the values of Christmas “guide the work of this government and renew my commitment to serve with honesty, empathy, strength, and responsibility.”

Addressing a UNC fundraising Christmas dinner, in Couva, on December 13, Persad-Bissessar told party members, “Brace your back. We have a lot of work to do in the new year.”

She added, “The year ahead will be very decisive and a lot of work to be done.”

[UPDATED] Christmas Eve horror in Valsayn: Grandmother beaten to death

A VALSAYN family’s Christmas Eve preparations were transformed into a waking nightmare in the early hours of December 24, when a 68-year-old grandmother was brutally beaten to death, allegedly by a man she shared her home with.

The victim, Shaffina Hosein, of Nanan Street, Bamboo Settlement No 1, was discovered in a pool of blood after her 60-year-old companion reportedly confessed to the killing and subsequently attempted to take his own life by ingesting a poisonous substance.

The tragedy has left the tight-knit community in shock, coming at a time when families across the country were preparing for the Yuletide season. Instead of a festive morning, Hosein’s children were forced to identify her body and assist police with a homicide investigation.

A chilling confession

According to police reports, first responders arrived at the home around 12.49 am on December 24. They were met by Hosein’s 40-year-old daughter, a resident of McConney Street, Tacarigua.

The woman told officers she had been alerted by her sister, who claimed the suspect had knocked on her door in a state of agitation. The suspect, an employee of Xtra Foods Supermarket who had lived with Hosein for the past two years, allegedly told the daughter he had just killed her mother.

When police entered the house through an ajar wooden door on the eastern side of the property, they found a gruesome scene. Hosein was lying motionless on her back in a cream dress, which was soaked with blood. The suspect was found lying on the floor beside her body.

On being ordered to stand, the suspect reportedly made a spontaneous confession to the officers.

“She betrayed me: I can’t take that,” he allegedly told police. “I beat she with the bilna (rolling pin) and kill she. The messages on her phone with she and that man.”

Emergency Health Services (EHS) arrived shortly after, but Hosein showed no signs of life and was pronounced dead at the scene. While examining the suspect, paramedics noted he was vomiting and appeared physically distressed.

He admitted to drinking a poisonous substance in an apparent suicide attempt. He was rushed to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope, where he remains under police guard.

She was full of life

When Newsday visited the quiet street around 11 am, the atmosphere was sombre. Hosein’s home was being fiercely guarded by her two loyal dogs, Fatty and Whitey.

A family member, speaking on the condition of anonymity, described Hosein as a woman who defied her age. Despite being 68, relatives said she possessed a youthful energy that made her appear decades younger.

“She looked 20 or 30 years younger: she was very brisk for her age,” the relative said. “She was not some old, sickly woman. She was very self-reliant and full of life.”

The victim was a mother of five, four biological and one adopted, and a grandmother to at least six children. Residents noted since the passing of her husband, about four years earlier, Hosein had been the backbone of the household. Villagers said she continued to live there with one of her daughters before the suspect moved in two years ago.

A mother figure

Neighbours were equally devastated by the news. One man, who grew up in the area and viewed Hosein as a “mother figure,” said the village affectionately knew her as “Aunty Shaffina.”

“We grew up in front of her. She was an incredible person, quiet, humble, and always friendly. If she saw you, she would always stop to ask how you were doing. She was in such good spirits just days ago.”

He recalled seeing her on Sunday morning when she stopped to chat with his mother.

“She was happy. To find out a few minutes ago that she is gone… it is a shocker. It doesn’t feel real, especially today of all days.”

The neighbour used the tragedy to issue a plea to the public regarding domestic violence and the hidden tensions that can exist behind closed doors.

“Be very careful who you choose as your partner in life. It goes for both men and women. In today’s society, you never truly know who you are involved with until you are living in the same house. Everything might be well for a year, and then everything just changes.”

He urged those facing domestic issues to break their silence. “Protect yourself and always keep in contact with your family. If you have a problem, whether it’s domestic or not, please notify them. You don’t need to take this burden on your own. Confide in someone.”

A tragic discovery

Further down, another relative, who said she knew Hosein for 45 years, was cleaning sorrel as she prepared for Christmas Day. She described Hosein as a good, quiet person who kept to herself and did not meddle too much.

Confused by the presence of media and its questioning, she asked: “Why allyuh asking about her?”

When informed of the murder, the elderly woman became visibly distressed and had to be given several minutes to collect herself. She explained she had seen the flashing lights of the ambulance and police sirens earlier but assumed Hosein had suffered a medical emergency related to her diabetes.

The flashing lights at 1 am, she said, were “strange for Nanan Street.”

She said it was Hosein’s nephew who first noticed it but believed it to be diabetes-related.

“She has sugar (diabetes), so I tell myself the ambulance must be come for she because she might be sick,” she sobbed. “I didn’t know she died. I didn’t know someone would do that to her.”

The relative added Hosein would visit her faithfully every day after church.

“She would come and she’d talk: she was a good person. I never knew her to have a problem with anybody. She was friendly with everyone.”

Regarding the suspect, the relative admitted she had never met him despite the two-year relationship.

Asked if there had been any warning signs of domestic strife, she said no one ever heard shouting from the house in the back.

“She was quiet but friendly. You barely knew people were in the back there.”

The woman lamented how Hosein had lived elsewhere for a time before returning, saying she fixed the house up herself “brick by brick, little by little.”

“If she saw a neighbour, she’d cross the yard to say hello. If she noticed someone struggling, she’d stop to ask if they were all right.”

The woman echoed the sentiments of others that Hosein was self-reliant but stressed, “No one knew if there was anything wrong behind closed doors.”

This story was originally published with the title “Valsayn woman, 68, killed by boyfriend” and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

A 68-year-old Valsayn woman was beaten to death on Christmas Eve by her lover, 60, after he went through her cellphone. The suspect then attempted to take his own life by ingesting a poisonous substance.

The deceased has been identified as Shaffina Hosein Madoo. Reports say the incident occurred around 12.49 am on December 24.

First responders arrived at the family home on Nanan Street, Bamboo #1, Valsayn. There, they met the victim’s daughter, who told officers she had been alerted to the incident by her sister.

The sister reportedly told relatives her mother’s boyfriend of two years came to her door earlier that night and confessed to killing Madoo before claiming he had “drunk poison.”

When officers entered the home, they found Madoo’s body lying on her back. The suspect, a resident of Barrackpore, was found lying on the ground next to the body.

Grande health centre closed on Christmas Day

The Eastern Regional Health Authority (ERHA) has announced that the general practitioner’s clinic at the Sangre Grande Enhanced Health Centre will be closed on Christmas Day.

It said clients can access services at the nearby Emergency Department, Sangre Grande Hospital Campus.

Services at the Sangre Grande Enhanced Health Centre will resume on December 26 at 9 am.

The ERHA apologised for any inconvenience caused, adding that it seeks to continuously provide the highest quality healthcare to clients.

Angostura Founders Reserve 1824 gets artistic with packaging

ANGOSTURA Ltd has introduced limited-edition, artistic packaging for its premium rum, Angostura Founders Reserve 1824.

In a news release on December 24, Angostura said the limited-edition packaging is available in designs from four leading TT artists – Sara Knights, Nicholas Huggins, Shawn Chong-Ashing and Bianca Peake.

The release highlighted Ashing’s and Peake’s contribution who chose to represent dance through the ages with his contribution.

“This design references the smooth flow of the nation’s culture through the depiction of a belé dancer and a masquerader.

“Bianca Peake’s exclusive design pays homage to Trinbagonian identity through her distinctive watercolour artwork, exploring our sense of self as a nation in a declaration of identity through art.”

CEO Ian Forbes said the packaging honours Angostura’s legacy and craftsmanship while embracing modern creativity.

“Each box in this limited-edition release is a collector’s item for both rum enthusiasts and connoisseurs of fine art,” Forbes said.

The limited-edition packaging is available at Angostura Solera Wines and Spirits at M6 Plaza, Chaguanas; Gopaul Lands, Marabella; Albion Energy Plaza, Port of Spain; Angostura’s head office, Laventille and East Gates Mall, Trincity. It will also be available in duty free stores from next week.

First Citizens Holdings reports $989.6 million in profits

FIRST CITIZENS Group Financial Holdings Ltd has reported a profit after tax of $989.6 million for the year ending September 30, an increase in profits for the same period last year, when it earned $956.9 million.

The financial figures come from a summary financial statement from the group for the period ending September 30, 2025.

The report said the group earned $2.1 billion in net income. It earned $2.46 billion in interest income but lost $359.9 million in interest expenses.

The group reported $54.4 million in impairment costs but got a credit impairment writeback on financial assets which contributed to the group reporting $1.3 billion in profit before taxes.

For the same period in 2024, the group earned $2.3 billion in interest income and incurred $290.5 million in interest expenses, resulting in a net income of $2 billion.

The group reported impairment costs valued at $13 million, but credit impairment writeback on financial assets was reported at $9.6 million. The impairment and the writeback contributed to a profit before tax of $1.2 billion.

First Citizens Group was one of the financial institutions that saw significant changes in its group for the year.

A new board of directors, led by Shankar Bidaisee, was elected for the group at special general meeting at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) on October 8, replacing board members who had been at the group for more than ten years.

Deputy Group CEO Jason Julien was picked as Group CEO at the end of October.

Health ministry recalls blood-pressure drug

The Ministry of Health, via its Chemistry, Food and Drug Division, has announced a voluntary recall affecting specific lots of bisoprolol fumarate and hydrochlorothiazide tablets, a generic medication used to treat hypertension.

The affected lots are 17232401 (expiring November 2025), 17232401 (expiring November 2025), 17232401 (expiring November 2025), 17240974 (expiring May 2026), 17240974 (expiring May 2026) and 17240974 (expiring May 2026).

The recall was initiated by Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc in coordination with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after routine quality testing identified a potential cross-contamination issue. Trace amounts of another drug, ezetimibe, a medication used to treat high cholesterol, were detected in reserve samples of the product, which should not have been present in the blood-pressure medication.

A total of 11,136 bottles of these products have been affected by the recall.

While FDA’s classification of this recall is Class III, indicating that exposure to the trace contaminant is not likely to cause adverse health effects, the ministry is urging appropriate precaution.

The ministry advised that people who may have purchased or are currently in possession of the affected products to discontinue use immediately and return the medication to the place of purchase.

It said anyone with health concerns should consult with their healthcare provider as patients should not abruptly stop antihypertensive medication without professional guidance.

Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Office of the Director of the Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division via email at cfdd@health.gov.tt or phone at 217-4664 ext 13101.

[UPDATED] Nightmare before Christmas as Piparo mud volcano awakens

CHRISTMAS celebrations are in limbo for some Piparo residents as the mud volcano’s activity ramped up on December 24, leaving them fearful that an eruption may be imminent.

Fedell Solomon, who lives closest to the volcano, said residents began hearing loud booms every few seconds from around 9 am. He was in Debe at the time and received a call from his mother saying the house was cracking. Returning home, he said he was shocked to discover that the laundry room behind the home had drifted several feet from the main structure to which it was once attached. Its rear wall and roof had collapsed, and the sloping ground was now about a foot lower than when he left home.

“I came home and noticed everything from back a couple of years ago now far worse than what had happened last time. The whole back is now not accessible no more. The cesspit has opened, the land has opened, everything has just cracked and mash up.”

The mud volcano last erupted in 1997, spewing mud up to 200 feet in the air and covering roads and homes. It has been relatively dormant since, showing occasional activity. Its last major burst of activity was in 2019, which cracked Solomon’s house.

The deep, intermittent booms of exploding gases were heard every few seconds. The three surrounding roads all bore signs of earth movement, with two having collapsed sections that rendered them impassable.

The only accessible route was through Panchoo Trace, which had widened in the hour Newsday was at the scene.

At least five homes were left without power as the moving earth caused a nearby utility pole to lean, bursting one of the lines into the area. TT Electricity Commission crews were on site trying to restore a supply. While there, the earth suddenly moved, tilting the pole even further, and the wires cracked through the air like whips.

Although the volcano was seen spewing chunks of mud about two feet into the air and the explosion ripping seismic instruments out of the ground, one resident, who did not want to be identified, told Newsday the activity was not an eruption but he feared one was on the horizon.

“This is the warning signs,” he said.

Solomon said he witnessed the volcano spewing mud up to 15 feet high and was taking precautions to protect his family.

“Our bags are packed and ready to leave with short notice, but the end question is leave here and go where? It’s not me alone, I can pack my bag and go somewhere. It’s a big family that we have here but we are already to move in the event that we need to but for the most part now we just looking on and hoping for the best for the Christmas.”

He lives in the house with his wife, three children and his parents.

Though ready to evacuate if needed, he was concerned about the road degradation and whether they would be able to leave the area if things escalated further.

“The road has risen about four feet, so our emergency exit…now no longer exists.”

To the east of the volcano, residents appeared to be unaffected and unbothered by the activity. Some continued cleaning for Christmas, while others were seen washing their vehicles.

Ameen: Stay away from the mud volcano

Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Khadijah Ameen has warned people not to venture into the area.

“I’m urging motorists to access wherever they’re going, try to avoid those roads being affected. I know people are very curious and they would want to go to the site to visit. We advise that you don’t do that because additional traffic could mean issues if we have a worsening situation. I am urging visitors to stay away from the area,” she said.

Ameen said the ministry has been monitoring the situation, and traffic restrictions have been implemented.

“Traffic will be restricted from Piparo Road and diverted through Hoseinee Trace. You also have Thomas Ross Road from the Princes Town side, as well as through Piparo Road from Tabaquite. Our municipal police officers are on the ground together with the police service to ensure that motorists stay away from the roads that are being affected with the cracks and so on, and it would make access in terms of if there is need for evacuation easier for the residents.”

Teams from the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation (CTTRC), the Princes Town Regional Corporation (PTRC), the Police Service, the Municipal Police Service, the Fire Service and the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure were also at the scene on December 24.

“At this time, no evacuations have been ordered. The emergency shelters have not been evacuated. From my discussions with our representatives on the ground, the residents do have relatives they prefer to go by if they need to evacuate, but if need be, we do have the Piparo Community Centre that will be activated as a shelter in case residents need it.”

Ameen said she remains in close contact with the local authorities and the emergency responders.

Princes Town MP Dr Aiyna Ali said about four houses were left stranded by a collapsed section of the Piparo road but measures were put in place to assist them.

“We ensured that the electricity and water was reconnected and we will get the road smoothed a bit, as much as we can, after we get the reports from the engineers, so at least they have one way out. We also informed them that if the volcanic activity increases, they would have to evacuate.”

Seismic assessment ongoing

A seismic team from UWI visited the site and gathered data on from instruments stationed around the volcano.

PhD candidate Kerneese Ramjarrie told Newsday that data was collected from the pressure and temperature gauges, but it still needed to be processed and interpreted back at the university. She was unable to say whether what happened that morning was an eruption or venting until the data was processed. She was optimistic that residents and authorities could receive some answers before Christmas. UWI professor of geomechanics Oshaine Blake led the seismic team.

In 2019, geoscientist Xavier Moonan warned that the conditions at the volcano mirrored those during the 1997 eruption and warned that it was only a matter of time.

This story was originally published with the title “Piparo mud volcano erupts” and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

THE Piparo mud volcano has erupted.

According to reports, the eruption took place on December 24.

Newsday understands that the Disaster Management Unit of the Couva/Tabaquite Regional Corporation is on its way to assess the situation.

This is developing story. Follow Newsday for further updates.

Princes Town couple get 29 yrs for ex-fireman's murder

A PRINCES TOWN couple who killed the woman’s previous abusive boyfriend have been sentenced to a total of 29 years for their roles in the businessman’s murder.

Dwayne Baldeo and Renee Mohammed were sentenced by Justice Mauricia Joseph-Patrick in the San Fernando High Court for the October 28, 2020, murder of Christopher Hosein.

Hosein, 45, a businessman, who resigned from the Fire Service about ten years ago, lived at St James Street in Princes Town. There, he ran his business, Expert Fire and Safety Ltd. A farmer found his burnt body near his burnt Kia Sorento in a gravel road off the M1 Tasker Road in the Ste Madeleine police district. A yellow rope was tied around Hosein’s neck, his hands were bound, and his eyes were covered with duct tape.

Police investigations quickly focused on Baldeo and Mohammed after CCTV footage, witness accounts, and forensic evidence linked them to Hosein’s apartment. A white Toyota Fielder wagon driven by Baldeo was intercepted later that day, and items belonging to the deceased were recovered. A post-mortem examination determined that Hosein died from a combination of asphyxia, inhalation of soot, burns, and blunt force trauma to the head.

Baldeo and Mohammed both pleaded guilty to murder on the basis of felony murder under a plea agreement with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The agreement followed their indictment on June 18, 2024, for Hosein’s murder of Hosein. In sentencing the two, Justice Joseph-Patrick adopted a starting point of 33 years’ imprisonment for both. Baldeo benefited from a downward adjustment of three years for his conduct while incarcerated. A further one-third reduction was applied for his guilty plea, amounting to ten years. After also taking into account time already spent on remand of almost five years, Joseph-Patrick imposed a final sentence of a little over 15 years’ imprisonment.

Baldeo was represented by Rajiv Persad, SC, and Ajesh Summesar.

Mohammed’s starting point was also reduced by three years for remorse and positive conduct in prison. An additional one-year reduction was granted in light of her background, personal history, and immaturity at the time of the offence. She was 23 at the time. A further one-third reduction for her guilty plea, amounting to nine years and eight months,was applied. After credit for time spent in custody, Mohammed received a final sentence of slightly over 14 years’ imprisonment.

She was represented by attorneys Michelle Ali and Kameika Peters of the Public Defenders’ Department.

In an affidavit placed before the court, Mohammed described a deeply troubled personal history, including childhood sexual abuse and a turbulent, on-and-off relationship with Hosein. She said aspects of that relationship caused past trauma to resurface and contributed to her emotional state at the time.

Mohammed admitted she and Baldeo were also in a tumultuous relationship. He helped her and her mother financially and with errands. She said it was never her intuition to lead him on, but she now realises she was wrong for entertaining his advances. She detailed incidents in which she alleged he had previously assaulted her, leading to serious injuries and extended hospitalisation.

According to Mohammed, after her release from hospital she moved in with Hosein due to her physical condition and financial dependence. She said she also suffered abuse by Hosein while recovering from her injuries.

She claimed that she later disclosed her experiences to Baldeo, who offered to “rough up” Hosein. She admitted accepting that offer and helping to plan the encounter, but maintained that she did not intend or expect Hosein to die.

“I understand that I was a party in the act that caused the deceased to die,” Mohammed stated, “but I had no intention or knowledge that he was going to die.”

She described the past five years in custody as “a nightmare” and expressed remorse for her actions.

When sovereignty becomes a doormat

THE EDITOR: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has declared that the US has an unquestionable right to act in its own best interests – even where those actions harm other sovereign states – and that affected countries must simply “accept the consequences.” That may sound tough. It is not law. And for a small state, it is an astonishingly reckless position to endorse.

Let us start with basics. Sovereignty does not mean “do as you please.” It never has. Since 1945, sovereignty has existed within a legal order precisely designed to restrain the strong and protect the weak. Every state’s freedom ends where another’s begins. The International Court of Justice has repeated this principle so often it is almost trite – including in cases involving the US itself.

Economic coercion, extraterritorial punishment, and policy intimidation are not expressions of sovereignty. They are violations of it. If powerful states were free to impose their preferences on others simply because they could, there would be no international law worth naming, only hierarchy.

The issue here is not whether the US may regulate its own borders. Of course it may. The issue is whether it may penalise other countries for lawful domestic policies it dislikes – such as citizenship-by-investment programmes that breach no treaty, no convention, and no rule of international law. That is not border control. It is interference, dressed up as security.

Caricom’s response was orthodox, restrained, and legally sound. It recognised US sovereignty while asking for consultation, clarity, and respect for the rule of law. That is exactly how small states are supposed to behave in a rules-based system. To dismiss this as weakness is to misunderstand how small states survive at all.

What makes this episode genuinely alarming is that it comes from a prime minister who styles herself a Senior Counsel – a title she conferred upon herself while in office. That fact alone should demand a higher standard of reasoning, not a lower one.

Instead, the thinking on display is profoundly defective. Sovereignty is misdescribed as an unlimited licence; coercion is rebranded as consequence; and international law is treated as optional etiquette. This is not a respectable disagreement about doctrine. It is a failure to grasp first principles. Such confusion would not pass muster in a competent undergraduate essay. From a self-appointed holder of silk, it is indefensible.

The irony is brutal. If the Prime Minister’s doctrine were correct – that powerful states may freely step on the toes of smaller ones in pursuit of their interests – then TT would have no protection at all. Under that logic, sanctions, blacklists, trade restrictions, and financial pressure would all be legitimate tools against us whenever we became inconvenient. Small states rely on law because power does not favour them.

Caricom is imperfect. Regional institutions always are. But undermining collective diplomacy while applauding unilateral power is not realism. It is abdication.

Sovereignty is not a doormat. And TT should stop pretending that being trampled is a sign of strength.

MOHAN RAMCHARAN

via e-mail

Petrotrin must be upgraded

THE EDITOR: When the Pointe-a-Pierre refinery was fully operational, Petrotrin supplied TT, and much of the Caribbean, with a complete suite of refined petroleum products: LPG, unleaded gasoline, jet fuel, kerosene, diesel, fuel oil, bitumen, sulphur, and base lubricants. We were self-sufficient. We were exporters. We were a regional powerhouse.

All of that ended with the 2018 shutdown.

But as the global energy landscape shifts, it is now glaringly obvious: a modernised refinery is not optional, it is a strategic necessity.

First, we have the scientific and industrial base to produce high-value derivatives from our own Pitch Lake. Lake Asphalt was already producing refined pitch and sealants for export. This is a niche, high-margin market that small countries would die to have. We have it, and we under-utilise it.

Second, any reopening of the refinery must be future-proof. That means ensuring the plant can process Guyana’s light sweet crude, now one of the hottest commodities in the hemisphere. If TT cannot refine Guyana’s crude, someone else will and profit from it.

Third, the refinery must be capable of refining Venezuelan heavy crude. Venezuelan oil is notoriously sludgy, but we sit right next door. The freight savings alone, the turnaround time for shipments, and the ability to blend or refine that crude for regional distribution would put TT back in a dominant logistical position in the Caribbean energy chain.

Instead of watching other countries seize the opportunity, we should be positioning the refinery as the Caribbean’s premier toll refiner, blending hub, and supplier of finished products.

We once supplied the entire region. We can do it again, but only if the refinery is upgraded for modern feedstock and aligned with the realities of hemispheric geopolitics.

TT has never lacked the talent, the resources, or the strategic location, only the political will.

GORDON LAUGHLIN

via e-mail

Remembering who we are

Dr Gabrielle Jamela Hosein

A PEOPLE’S aspirations can never be defeated. This is the lesson of our history.

I’ve written repeatedly about how divided we are in Trinidad and Tobago – by class, geography, race, and more. This did not start today, and it has not been helped by those in government – this, the last, or those before.

This division shows itself in a thousand ways: the abandonment of rural and south Trinidad from necessary infrastructure like access to pipe-borne water, paved roads, and completed schools, despite pleading and protest. It shows itself in statements thrown back and forth – from the racist “go back to Africa” from those believing they live in “UNC country” to those in the PNM who look at Indo-Trinidadian citizens and disparagingly “wonder if we’re living in Bangladesh or Delhi.”

We are separated by numerous systemic and historical superiorities and inequities, and everyone impatiently galleries with the little bit of power they have.

A major challenge is that what some read as racist is often not recognised or affirmed as so or is downplayed by others – though examples abound on all sides in how we debate on social media; in how we weaponise each other’s “government name;” in the eras during which we find our voices and speak out and the eras during which we don’t; and the issues we consider important or not and how we interpret them.

At times, we do not even properly understand what upsets our “other,” and we fail to focus on bridging the experiences, fears, and rhetoric that make us disagree.

Social media has made it worse because we do not have to “live good with each other” online – and typing comments is a terrible substitute for talking, but also because media and blogging culture thrives off clickbait, big reveals, echo chambers, and posts that amplify dismissiveness, disinformation, obfuscation, and a sense of threat, anger, and exclusion.

These are perilous times for public deliberation if we don’t see the urgency of crossing these divides by connecting our common ground.

Caribbean organising which crosses boundaries – bringing us together over shared concerns, whether in relation to women, artists, domestic workers, ecological destruction, agriculture, sports, or peace requires courageous engagement with those whom we consider different and, sometimes, denigrating.

It requires movements born out of the hard work of consensus-building. It requires understanding who we are such that we can see our strengths and common values and counter the modus operandi of those whose bread and butter is stoking what Professor Emerita Rhoda Reddock theorises as a politics of “competing victimhoods” and a world of vastly different and partial grasps of the same reality.

Indeed, who are we?

We are the thousands who sell in our markets each week, carrying what we have grown across the region by boat, and commonly believing that “everybody have to eat,” in putting a little extra, and in building social relationships out of economic transactions. The same people, excluded from banking, who found ways to save using sou sou hands; grounding a grassroots practice built on trust, mutuality, and shared betterment as a local ethos.

We are indigenous communities – from the Amerindians in Guyana to the Maroons of Suriname to the Garifuna of St Vincent, the Kalinago of Dominica, the Maya of Belize, and Trinidad’s First Peoples – who believe in collectivism, communal land, co-operatives, and models that counter individualism and disconnection.

We are people who believe in the arts as sites of collective and home-grown spirituality, skill, and transcendence – whether pan, tassa, dance, literature, theatre, oral traditions, and traditional forms of commemoration, masquerade and celebration that bring multi-ethnic histories to culture, sharing it so generously across our territories.

We are people who believe in care for others, as witnessed by the thousands of citizens who contribute to food, healthcare, homes, counselling and much more to those in need – whether locally amid floods or everyday poverty, or in Dominica, Cuba, Jamaica, or Haiti following disasters.

We aspire to peace. We aspire to treat each other with dignity. We aspire to regionality. We aspire to justice. In the face of political elites, multinational corporations, and Monroe Doctrine militarism, we aspire to self-determination.

We can fight each other or mediate a unity that exists around what we value and all to which we aspire. Even as no one can take these aspirations from us, no one will do the work for us, not governments, politicians, militaries, or foreign powers.

Take a breath. Find your best self. Understand well what we most must do.

Diary of a mothering worker

Entry 571

motheringworker@gmail.com

First step to ending domestic violence

‘We cannot wait until a relationship becomes toxic, until a threat is made, or until the news reports another murder-suicide to respond. By then the crisis has already taken root’

SUSAN SYLVESTER-BARKER

TT IS facing an emotional and psychological crisis that is robbing us of our citizens. How do we fix this? Can we fix this? And most importantly, where do we begin?

Our nation continues to be shaken by murder-suicide incidents involving intimate partners from every walk of life. These heartbreaking events are not isolated; they reflect a deeper, growing despair within our society. A quiet darkness is spreading, one where some individuals have come to believe that the only path to peace is to end their own lives, or, tragically, the lives of those they once claimed to love.

This is not simply a crime problem. This is a human problem. A psychological crisis. A breakdown in emotional resilience, healthy coping mechanisms, and understanding of self.

Advocates have been calling for stronger support for domestic violence victims, for open conversations from the ground up, real conversations that can shift mindsets and produce lasting change for both victims and perpetrators. But to create meaningful impact we must start at the root: the internal emotional and biological forces driving people toward hopelessness, rage, and destruction.

To understand how we reached this point, we must first understand ourselves. Human beings are emotional, biological, and psychological creatures. Our choices, reactions, and relationships are shaped not only by upbringing or circumstance, but by powerful internal systems that most people know very little about.

When a person experiences rejection, fear, abandonment, stress, or emotional overwhelm, the brain shifts into survival mode. Chemicals such as dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, cortisol, and hormones like testosterone and estrogen begin influencing how we perceive reality.

Without proper emotional awareness, these internal reactions can cause:

• distorted thinking

• irrational decisions

• intense attachment to the wrong people

• dependency disguised as love

• fear interpreted as betrayal

• hopelessness that feels inescapable

When these emotions go unmanaged and unaddressed, they can escalate into destructive behaviour – toward oneself or toward others. This is how conflict becomes violence, and how emotional collapse becomes tragedy.

We must no longer treat emotional health as optional. It is essential to our survival as a people.

Why our approach is not working

We cannot wait until a relationship becomes toxic, until a threat is made, or until the news reports another murder-suicide to respond. By then the crisis has already taken root.

Our society often focuses on punishment, blame, and shame. But we rarely focus on prevention, on education, on teaching people how the mind works, how to manage feelings, how to regulate the body under stress, or how to recognise the signs of emotional unravelling.

Victims frequently do not understand the warning signs. Perpetrators often do not understand their own triggers. Families see changes but don’t know how to intervene. Communities observe suffering but do not know where to send people for help.

This is not a failure of character. This is a failure of knowledge.

Understanding the root: Emotional and biological triggers

When individuals are emotionally wounded or carrying unprocessed trauma, they may interpret everyday events through the lens of fear, shame, or insecurity. A simple disagreement becomes a threat. A break-up becomes abandonment. A partner’s independence becomes disrespect.

For individuals with narcissistic behaviours or traits:

• control feels like safety

• dominance feels like stability

• validation feels like oxygen

• and losing a partner feels like psychological death

This is why some respond with rage, violence, or self-destruction when they lose control of the relationship. This is not an excuse; it is a warning of a deeper emotional imbalance that must be addressed earlier.

If we do not understand these dynamics, how can we ever intervene effectively?

So where do we begin?

We begin by acknowledging that this crisis cannot be solved through law enforcement alone. We must empower our citizens with knowledge, the kind of knowledge that can reshape lives.

We need:

1. Emotional literacy in schools and communities:
Teach children, teenagers, and adults how their brain works, how emotions influence choices, and how to regulate themselves.

2. Trauma-informed programmes for victims and perpetrators: Both sides need guidance, support, and skilled intervention.

3. Safe, accessible support systems: Confidential, affordable, stigma-free avenues where people can seek help before a crisis unfolds.

4. Conversations that break shame and silence: If people are not aware of or cannot talk about their emotional struggles, they cannot heal from them.

5. National campaigns that focus on prevention, not reaction: The real solution is not after the tragedy; it is in the education we provide long before. Educate the horse while in the stable, not when it leaves and is galloping wild trampling on everyone in it’s path.

A nation cannot heal if its people do not understand themselves

We are losing sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, and partners because our people do not know how to navigate their inner world. They are emotionally overwhelmed, biologically dysregulated, and psychologically unprepared for the pressures of modern life and relationships.

Until we address this, until we teach people why they feel what they feel, why they think what they think, and how to cope in healthy ways, the cycle will continue.

Until we teach them a different way to live, with purpose, peace and self-love, we will continue to be emotionally imprisoned, generation after generation.

It doesn’t have to be this way. This can change. And it begins with awareness. It begins with education. It begins with us.

Let’s have that conversation now, for the greater good of our people.

Susan Sylvester-Barker is a consultant on narcissistic abuse (ttnawh@gmail.com)

Friendship

THE EDITOR: In this world of increasing political, economic, and social turmoil, let us be thankful for our friends and reach out to others in friendship.

Following is my poem titled Friendship:

Friendship is a warm smile in the chaos of a busy day

Tenderness when things don’t seem to go our way

It’s welcomed rain to wilting flowers

Talks that are soothing, though they go on for hours

It’s silence in this increasingly noisy world

A connection we feel in our soul

It’s many thoughtful things:

Going out for coffee or tea

Discussing novels or poetry

Praying together

Being amazed by synchronicity

Sharing a meal

Walks in nature

Admiring trees

Looking for rainbows

Enjoying the salty ocean breeze

Friendship is sacred

It offers support, joy, and a beautiful sense of ease.

RENUKA RIA MARAJ

via e-mail

Road to nowhere

CHRISTIAN Adams, 38, and Teresa Alleyne-Adams, 38, are not household names. But they should be.

On a bright afternoon in May 2023, the Tobago couple were on their way to pick up their children when disaster struck.

Their white Suzuki was pinned by a dump truck that had collided with other vehicles and overturned along the Claude Noel Highway. Mr Adams, a firefighter, and his wife, a civil servant, were declared dead at the scene.

The tragedy had a sequel days later, when a relative, who had flown into Tobago to attend the Adams’ funeral, drowned during his visit.

After all of this, a man was charged and a dangerous driving trial was set. Yet, on December 17, the case collapsed – prosecutors informed Justice Nalini Singh that no further evidence would be adduced. The driver walked free.

Not only should the tragic road traffic accident that left the Adams’ three children orphans haunt this country, but the abrupt and unsatisfactory end of the trial should be a mark of shame.

Two years after the events in question, and on the eve of Christmas, the family has been left not only with their grief but with the terrible uncertainty as to whether anyone might ever face justice.

When the couple died in 2023, the matter became, for a moment, a cause célèbre.

Farley Augustine, the Chief Secretary, attended the funeral. Ancil Dennis, his predecessor, appeared at a memorial. THA officials pledged to “take care of the children” left behind by the couple, who were known simply as Chris and Terry, and who were described by those closest to them as being completely devoted to their offspring and to their faith in God.

It was a seven-day wonder.

None of the 2023 publicity prevented this month’s stinging and upsetting outcome in the trial at the Scarborough High Court.

The trial had been in progress for three days. Witnesses had testified and been cross-examined. But the prosecutor then abruptly stated there was no reasonable prospect of a conviction. He invoked both the prosecutorial code and a directive from the Office of the DPP.

Why did it take two years for authorities to glean there was not enough to carry on a trial?

Was a coroner’s inquest the way to go?

Here is how the accident that killed the couple is described in an account from a relative published on the website of road safety group Arrive Alive: “When a negligent driver was veering off the highway in Tobago because she was on her phone, a truck driver had to swerve to avoid her.”

Is there any truth in this?

And will the country, and more importantly the children left behind, ever know?

The Grinch steals Trinidad and Tobago’s heart this Christmas

BAVINA SOOKDEO

For many in Trinidad and Tobago, How the Grinch Stole Christmas is no longer just a movie – it’s becoming reality. In supermarkets, malls, offices and Christmas treats across the country, it isn’t Santa Claus or even the elves drawing the biggest crowds. The star of the season is the green, mischievous, heart-once-two-sizes-too-small icon himself: Mr Grinch. And in TT, he’s managing to steal Christmas in an entirely new way.

But what if we told you that beneath one of TT’s most popular Grinch costumes is someone you might never expect – a woman?

Thirty-three-year-old San Fernando resident Ayanna – who prefers to keep an air of mystery by withholding her last name as part of her Grinch persona – a wife, mother of two and manager by day, becomes an entirely different creature the moment she steps into the suit.

“As soon as I put the Grinch costume on, I become Mr Grinch,” said Ayanna who works for Fancy Events. “I try to engage with kids as much as possible – making them laugh is the high point of any job.”

Becoming The Grinch

Her costume-character journey began while she was studying at the UWI for a BSc in industrial chemistry. She took on mascot work for extra income. But the Grinch? That was personal. Ayanna is a self-proclaimed superfan of actor Jim Carrey, whose portrayal of the Grinch inspired her entire act. “I am a huge Jim Carrey fan,” she beamed. “He has been one of my favourite actors since I was a child. The Grinch came into play because I wanted to try to embody him, his attitude and comedic genius.”

However, playing the Grinch takes more than a costume and a bad attitude – it requires craft. Ayanna explained that she practices the voice, the sneer, the swagger. “I do practice runs imitating the voice, mannerisms and the unique style of the Grinch” she related. “I ensure that I hydrate.”

A typical gig would involve mentally preparing herself for the character as it requires a sort of personality switch and she ensures she uses the washroom before suiting up. “I stretch as embodying Mr Grinch is a lot of physical activity,” she laughed.

Her boss, Maxwell Pusey of Fancy Events, counsels her about how the character is supposed to be portrayed. Additionally, she participated in an acting class as a child and that has helped her tremendously.

“This is where I get to be really silly and a little naughty,” she said. “I pretend to take the presents from children, play with them, take as many posed photos as possible with both parents and kids.”

The Grinch brings a unique mix of humour, surprise and playful mischief that both adults and children instantly recognise and enjoy. –

But by far, the most important part of the Grinch’s job is knowing when to walk away. “Not every child responds well to him…I have to read the crowd and kids’ reaction to seeing the character” explained Ayanna. “Once I notice that a child is willing to engage, I go ahead and play games with them, create humorous situations and of course, behave with a little naughty whimsy.”

Adults, however, are another story. They love the Grinch. “They laugh when they see him performing his naughty tricks. A lot of grown-ups appreciate taking gag pictures with him.”

And sometimes, the encounters go far deeper. Passionate about special needs children, Ayanna recalled, “Recently an autistic child met my Grinch and she clung to me for most of the day. It really touched me to know that my character was the highlight of her entire day.”

Asked about the hardest part of performing as the Grinch, Ayanna admitted that it is the same as with any other character – ensuring that you do not break character in front of your child clients. “This takes away from the wonder that kids possess,” she stated.

But when she actually breaks character, most people are delighted. “Most of the time people aren’t aware that it’s a lady in the costume” Ayanna laughed. “They’re pleasantly surprised to see me when I do break character and it is always a shocker as I’m a bit ‘unladylike’ seeing as the character requires a masculine touch.”

The most enjoyable part said Ayanna is “being able to not be this serious individual that my day-to-day life requires.”

Asked how she manages all her roles – mother, manager, Grinch – Ayanna said, “My job is very flexible as it requires a lot of self-management and it also helps that I’m extremely good at getting through paperwork.”

Stealing hearts and presents

So why is the Grinch trending in TT? According to Ayanna, the Grinch’s ascent is simple: balance. “Just as Santa Claus is an important and influential figure at Christmas, the Grinch is as well,” she said. “There needs to be a balance between good and, well… mischievous.”

According to Pusey the demand for the Grinch has exploded. “This year, we’ve seen a significant increase in demand for the Grinch compared to previous years,” he shared. “More clients are requesting the character for both private and corporate events.”

Fancy Events introduced the Grinch four years ago as part of its Christmas lineup, and the decision was intentional.

“The Grinch brings a unique mix of humour, surprise and playful mischief that both adults and children instantly recognise and enjoy,” Pusey said. “By adding the Grinch to our offerings, we aimed to bring a new level of creativity and excitement to our holiday experiences…”

Staying in character is one of the hardest part of portraying The Grinch. – Photo courtesy Fancy Events

Pusey explained that another major factor behind the surge in popularity is the evolution of the Grinch’s image. He noted that the character is no longer viewed as a villain, but instead as a fun, energetic and entertaining figure – one who brings humour and excitement wherever he appears. This shift, he said, has made the Grinch even more appealing and highly sought after for holiday events.

Social media has also contributed to the surge. “Videos and photos of the Grinch in action are highly shareable and entertaining which increases visibility and interest among clients,” Pusey explained.

But what about the Santa Claus? Is his popularity declining? Posed with this question, Pusey reassured, “Santa is still the main character and remains the most requested for events.” However, he admitted, “Most clients now prefer to book both Santa and the Grinch together, as the combination brings a fun contrast, Santa with his gifts and cheer, and the Grinch adding mischief by “stealing” them. This playful dynamic creates more excitement, humour, and engagement for both children and adults.”

This duo has become a hit at corporate parties, malls, and family gatherings and Pusey believes the trend is here to stay. “We see the Grinch becoming a permanent part of TT’s Christmas entertainment. He won’t replace Santa but will join him, adding humour and a playful twist, mischief, and a playful twist that makes holiday events even more memorable” said Pusey.

For Ayanna, the magic goes beyond entertainment. “I am a strong believer in laughter as medicine,” she said. “I love making families laugh and create memories. My personal mission while being any mascot is ‘As fun as possible.’”

And with the Grinch now stealing hearts – and Christmas presents – across the country, it is certain that this mischievous fellow has found a home in TT.

Boxers Eyed George, Tianna Guy land wins at Ronald Wilson Memorial in Barbados

Trinidad and Tobago boxers Eyed George and Tianna Guy both registered victories when the Ronald Wilson Memorial was hosted by the Barbados Boxing Association at the Graydon Sealy Secondary School in Bridgetown, Barbados on December 19.

The Ronald Wilson Memorial saw as many as seven fights on the card, with three of those fights involving schoolboy bouts, which saw fighters from gyms such as Downes Gym, Four Hill Gym and Shaka School.

In the women’s welterweight division (65 kg), Guy saw off the challenge from Bajan Tiffany Delice in the second of three rounds. From the opening bell, Guy showed her intent by landing a clean combination of jabs and punches, which threw Delice off her game. After the first round, Guy kept up the pressure early in the second round, with the referee being forced to stop the contest to give the Trinidadian boxer the victory.

In another fight, which saw a TT fighter up against a Bajan counterpart, George got the better of Kemara Stuart in their 80+ kg heavyweight bout. In what was a rematch of the pair’s tussle at Golden Fist Promotions’ Fight Night II event in Petit Valley just last month, George showed her mettle to once again get the better of Stuart in the highly-anticipated matchup via a unanimous decision.

Among the schoolboy bouts, there were wins for Shaka School’s Malachi Estwick and Jaden Shorte, as well as Four Hill’s Damarie Jack. There were also wins on the night for the Guadeloupe pair Gueliann Mirre and Ethan Procrain in their respective light middle and welterweight classes against Bajan opponents Jaquan Grant and Nathan Walcott.

Cedar Grove Private School celebrates with A Christmas to Remember

Cedar Grove Private School’s 2025 Christmas concert truly lived up to its name – A Christmas to Remember – leaving hearts warmed and spirits lifted as the school community came together to celebrate the season and the close of the academic year.

Held on December 9 at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA), the concert unfolded as a joyful showcase of talent, featuring performances from every level of the school. From wide-eyed and some yawning preschoolers taking their first steps on stage – to confident fifth graders marking their final bow at Cedar Grove.

Family and friends filled the auditorium as students celebrated the birth of Christ through a charming blend of traditional and modern music, dance and drama. The evening flowed effortlessly, reflecting the school’s long-standing commitment to the visual and performing arts as a vital part of learning.

Upper KG sings their little hearts out. – Yvonne Webb

It was the youngest performers, however, who stole many of the hearts. When a few forgot the words to their songs, they made up for it with infectious enthusiasm, beaming smiles and delightfully spontaneous dance moves that sent waves of laughter and applause through the audience. Dressed in colourful Christmas costumes – Santa hats, angels and elves among them – the children added an extra sprinkle of magic to the night.

Head boy Kiran Mahabir and Head girl Kaithlyn Heeralal, guided the evening’s programme with confidence and poise.

In the absence of Government Ministers Dr Roodal Moonilal and Sean Sobers, both parents of students at the school, greetings were delivered by their wives, Natasha Moonilal and Kristin Sobers.

Steelpan club members perform Oh Holy Night. – Yvonne Webb

Natasha explained that both ministers were in Parliament debating fireworks legislation aimed at protecting children, the elderly and pets – legislation that was ultimately passed. She also shared Christmas wishes of peace and happiness and encouraged the audience to remember vulnerable and underprivileged families during the season.

Kristin reflected on the magic of Christmas as seen through a child’s eyes, thanking the teachers and staff who help students discover their talents and reminding all that children lie at the very heart of the Christmas celebration.

School supervisor II Dr Roydon Rampersad praised the students’ performances and described 2025 as a standout year for Cedar Grove. He highlighted the school’s academic achievement with its ninth-place ranking among approximately 550 schools nationwide according to the results of the 2025 Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) examinations, placing it in the top 0.016 per cent of schools in Trinidad and Tobago. He reminded the audience that Christmas is a time to reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ and to carry messages of love, joy and hope into the new year.

Grade five final performance of Cantando Gloria. – Yvonne Webb

Throughout the evening, proud parents eagerly turned photographers and videographers, capturing memories as their young musicians, dancers and singers made their debut or returned for another much-anticipated performance.

Principal Dillan Daniel thanked families and friends for sharing in the celebration of joy, togetherness and faith, and reminded all of the Christmas call to be one another’s keeper.

The performances were as varied as they were memorable. The Senior Dance Club offered a graceful rendition of Ave Maria, while the Junior Dance Club brought energy to the stage with Carol of the Bells. Pre-K one delighted with Jingle Bells, followed by Pre-K two’s Merry Christmas Everyone. Grade four drew laughter with the musical comedy A Christmas to Remember, while the keyboard club performed a festive medley and the steelpan club delivered a stirring O Holy Night.

Students of the Junior Dance Club perform to Carol of the Bells. – Yvonne Webb

Grade one presented Christmas Callaloo, Upper Kindergarten charmed with Favourite Things and Laughing Children.

The evening closed on a touching note with the grade five students making their final Christmas concert appearance before preparing for the SEA examinations and moving to a secondary school in 2026. They bade farewell in vibrant red costumes with the parang favourite Cantando Gloria – a fitting and heartfelt end to a truly memorable celebration.

Only love for Tobago: James Baird hopes to help Phoenix rise again

IT’S been a topsy-turvy start for Scottish-born coach James Baird as the newly-appointed coach of TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) club 1976 FC Phoenix, as a debut 2-1 victory over fellow strugglers Point Fortin Civic on December 14 was followed up by a 4-1 defeat to FC Eagles on December 21. The latter win took Eagles from 12th to 11th on the 12-team TTPFL table, with Phoenix’s six-point haul from nine matches seeing them just two points above the former team in tenth.

This year has been an intriguing one to say the least for the 42-year-old Baird, as the former goalkeeper briefly came out of retirement to play for British Virgin Islands team Wolues FC in the Caribbean Football Union Club Shield in July, with a coaching stint with Eagles just helping the latter club avoid a bottom-place finish in the 2024/25 TTPFL season just weeks before.

And after Phoenix endured a shaky start to the season under coach Delroy Patterson, Baird received a call from his good friend Terry Williams, Phoenix president and technical director, who asked him to come on board and help steady the ship for the Tobago-based club, which is now in their third season in the TTPFL top flight.

Baird’s playing career saw him featuring for clubs across his native Scotland, Iceland, the US and TT, while his international coaching experience has included gigs with countries such as the BVI, Turks and Caicos and the TT women’s team, which saw him being appointed as a goalkeeper coach in 2021.

Baird has been living in TT for roughly a decade. And having tied the knot in Tobago, Baird says the island holds a special place in his heart. From a professional perspective, he wants to repay the good faith that was extended to him when he joined then-TT Pro League team Tobago United back in 2007.

“Tobago means a lot to me. To coach a Tobago team is something special to me,” Baird told Newsday during an interview on December 20. “They gave me an opportunity in my career when I was having a down spell, and it can kinda put my career back on course.”

Having copped the TTPFL tier two title in 2023, Phoenix started their inaugural tier one season in a wobbly fashion before registering a solid sixth-place finish in the 2023/24 campaign.

In the subsequent 2024/25 season, Phoenix played the entire campaign without any home games and finished ninth on 18 points.

Baird said setting the team’s stalls for a lofty finish will be a tough ask for the current season. However, the former Guaya United coach believes the team and island have enough tools to make a run their fans will be proud of.

“My goal would be a mid-table finish this season. I do believe we can get a lot better, but we have to wait to see what’s going to happen in the transfer window in a few weeks,” Baird said. “If we could get a little extra in, I think we could make a push for mid-table, and then next season, if we could get a few extra guys in, I really think this team could push. We’re the only team from Tobago. And it will be good for Tobago, but also for Trinidad, for Tobago to have a team that’s competitive and can challenge from over here.”

He said Phoenix need to be able to produce a brand and quality which will attract interest from beyond Tobago’s shores as well.

“Being the sole team from Tobago and coming in a situation where they are near the bottom of the league, it will be a bit hard to attract players initially because of the distance. But again, that’s up to the team to show we can do it and start going up the table, and people will start to look at it as a realistic option. It’s just about creating that environment for people to see.”

In his eyes, there hasn’t been much of a gap between Phoenix and the teams they have played thus far this season, and he said the onus is on him to instill that belief, which will then translate to on-field performances.

“Like I told the players, I don’t think they really believe how good they are. And some of them are excellent players,” Baird said, pointing to players such as defender Jeremiah Bristol, midfielder Antonio Pantin, veteran Trevin Caesar and forward Teejay Cadiz, who scored his league-leading eighth goal of the season versus Eagles at the Mahaica Sporting Complex in Point Fortin on December 21.

“The team has virtually played everybody, and from what I’ve seen, there’s nobody who has beaten us badly. And I think the games have just been one goal here or there. I think it’s about being creative in that environment and getting the players to enjoy what they’re doing…the players are very open, and we’ve had a lot of conversations. I think that’s going to help us going forward.”

Though he has initially been contracted for this season, Baird believes the Phoenix project could really take flight in a couple of seasons, once given the chance. He may be a goalkeeper by trade, but Baird says he has a lot more to offer than his experience between the uprights.

“I always like to stay away from the stigma of being a goalkeeping coach because I like the tactical side a lot more than that. Yes, I was a goalkeeper, but I kinda got attracted to the tactical side of the game. I like to try to motivate, and I like to get my teams to play aggressive, high-energy and high-intensity football.”

With their originally scheduled Boxing Day clash with Caledonia now postponed, Phoenix and Baird will now look to 2026 to possibly turn their season around.

Basketball Fan TT brings cheer with 3×3 Christmas Cup

The NGO Basketball Fan TT is hoping to bring cheer, positive energy and high-quality basketball to Arouca when the 2025 3×3 Christmas Cup Basketball competition is held at the Bon Air Basketball Court on December 26 (Boxing Day). The action is scheduled to tip off at 4 pm, with the organisers hoping for the number of participating teams to hit double-digits after six teams took part in last year’s tournament.

A December 22 Basketball Fan TT release said, “Christmas Cup 2025 goes beyond basketball. It is a powerful expression of togetherness, generosity and hope, using sport as a vehicle to uplift communities during the Christmas season.

“This signature event blends competitive sport, festive celebration and meaningful community impact, creating an unforgettable experience for players, families and supporters alike.”

With its mission geared towards the development of 3×3 basketball in TT and the wider region, Basketball Fan TT said the “Christmas Cup reflects the organisation’s mission to make basketball accessible, inclusive and transformative. Through sport, Basketball Fan TT continues to create safe spaces for youth development, positive social interaction and community empowerment.”

Last year, the Three Wise Men team, which featured household names on the local circuit such as Jason Friday, Tyrik Singh and Jelani Valley took home the Christmas Cup. However, national player and Basketball Fan TT president Moriba De Freitas said winning is not the be all and end all of the initiative.

“This event is about more than wins and losses,” De Freitas said, via the release. “Christmas Cup is about giving back, inspiring belief and reminding our communities of the power of unity. Basketball is the spark, but community is the flame.”

The release said this year’s Christmas Cup will also serve as a platform for corporate partners, community organisations and volunteers to come together in spreading holiday cheer and joy through activations and on-site engagement, with charitable donations also being welcomed. Basketball Fan TT says the Christmas Cup stands as a beacon of what is possible when sport, service and passion come together.

Stakeholders slam 5-year delay for steelpan coat of arms: Upset over pan ‘disrespect’

PAN TRINBAGO, the world governing body for the steelpan, has expressed its “deep disappointment” over the government’s decision to extend the use of the former coat of arms until January 2, 2031.

The decision, contained in Legal Notice No. 468, has been condemned by the opposition as secretive, unnecessary, and politically motivated.

In a news release on December 23, Pan Trinbago president Beverley Ramsey-Moore said the delay contradicts the spirit of unity shown earlier this year when the House of Representatives moved to replace the three ships.

She said the announcement comes as a surprise.

“We are deeply disappointed. Both the government and opposition stood shoulder to shoulder in full support of the amendment. It was debated, scrutinised, passed, assented to, and proclaimed.”

She said to now defer the implementation to 2031 sends an unfortunate message, not only to the steelpan community, but to every citizen who celebrated this long-awaited moment of national pride.

Ramsey-Moore said the organisation championed the initial move as a vital step in post-colonial transformation, arguing the steelpan represents the “ingenuity of resilience” of the people.

She emphasised Pan Trinbago’s stance is “not adversarial,” but the organisation has a responsibility to protect the legacy of the instrument.

“Despite political differences, to step back now risks undermining the cultural progress we have made and diminishes the significance of the steelpan to our national identity.

The move to include the pan on the coat of arms followed a string of recent milestones, Ramsey-Moore added, stressing the pan is more than just a symbol: it is a global industry and a cultural bridge.

“Delaying implementation to 2031 is not in alignment with the spirit of unity and progress demonstrated when the bill was unanimously passed.”

The extension is authorised under Section 5(2) of the National Emblems of Trinidad and Tobago (Regulation) (Amendment) Act, 2025, which allows the minister to prescribe a later date for continued use of the former emblem.

While the steelpan symbolises national pride, resilience, and cultural identity, the government determined it was “expedient” to delay full implementation of the new coat of arms for an additional five years.

Newsday contacted Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo via WhatsApp to inquire about the potential savings from the deferral and how those funds would be reallocated.

He said “There is no postponement; both coats of arms have been in use since the new coat of arms have been approved. What was done is out a definite deadline by which the transition must be done. This is a simple matter of common sense.”

The minister did not respond when asked for the cost to update the country’s currency to the new design.

In January, during debate in the Lower House, former prime minister Dr Keith Rowley said the cost to change the emblem would be “minimal.”

He argued the transition avoids waste by replacing items only as needed: for example, existing passports will remain in use until renewal. Rowley said, the only significant expense is updating digital templates, which modern technology makes inexpensive.

When the government transitioned the national currency to polymer in 2019, the Central Bank’s 2020 Annual Report noted printing costs surged by 58 per cent during that fiscal year, totalling $78.77 million for the issuance of new notes.

The $100 bill first transitioned from cotton to polymer, followed by the gradual phased transition of the $1, $5, $10, and $20 denominations.

‘Mysterious legal notice’

Opposition Chief Whip Marvin Gonzales, in a Facebook post on December 23, questioned both the timing and rationale behind the extension.

In a strongly worded statement, Gonzales posed a series of pointed questions directed at the government.

“Why has the new coat of arms disturbed the sensitivity of the government?” he asked.

“Why did the national instrument offend this country’s leadership so deeply that, in the midst of Christmas preparations, a mysterious legal notice was quietly published delaying its use?”

Gonzales further questioned when Cabinet approved the decision and why it was not announced through a press release or press conference. “Why does the government believe the people of TT are fools?”

He also linked the decision to wider concerns about state support for culture, questioning whether it was the reason why sponsorship of major steelbands has been denied or suspended.

“This is now the latest blatant attack on a cultural symbol of our national community. This country is being led by extremist hatred and dark revenge. But the longest rope has an end.”

Former prime minister and energy minister Stuart Young also denounced the extension, describing it as yet another blow to the steelpan and national culture.

Young accused the government of acting without transparency, calling it “another strike on the national instrument”, and accused the government of issuing an order in the dark and without any transparency whilst delaying the adoption of the steelpan.

He argued the decision could not be viewed in isolation, pointing to what he described as a pattern of hostility toward pan culture since May 2025.

“The UNC has instructed the cancellation of sponsorship for many steelbands throughout the country. This is a calculated policy being executed against pan and all of its positives.”

He also linked the issue to other recent government actions affecting the cultural sector, including decisions announced via social media regarding Carnival events, venue cancellations without consultation, reduced sponsorship, and increased alcohol prices.

“I condemn these decisions without fear of contradiction. Our sweet pan and our Carnival culture will survive, because they are a movement of the people, for the people,” he concluded.

Concerns over sponsorship intensified in September when steelpan players in the south and central regions were left angered after state-owned National Gas Company (NGC) withdrew sponsorship from three steelbands. NGC also pulled support from Pan Trinbago.

In a termination letter dated September 3 to the Couva Joylanders executive manager, NGC cited Article 7(b) of its January 1, 2023 agreement, which allowed termination “for convenience.”

The letter said while NGC valued the relationship, it was re-evaluating existing contracts and determined continuation was no longer viable. The band was given seven days’ notice, with termination taking effect on September 11.

A similar letter was sent to Pan Trinbago saying under Article 4.3 of the agreement, no further disbursement of funds would occur after September 11, and unused funds were to be returned within 30 days.

Former minister of culture Randall Mitchell also strongly criticised the extension, using social media to express his outrage. In a Facebook post, Mitchell wrote the government “must really hate the steelpan, those who invented it, and its contribution to our national identity.”

Mitchell lamented in January the parliament unanimously voted to remove Christopher Columbus’s ships, a symbol he says represents colonial brutality.

“Now in government, the UNC has issued a legal order allowing the old coat of arms with Columbus’ ships to be used for another five years, until January 2031 – without public consultation or explanation, and quietly during the Christmas season.”

Mitchell described a pattern of decisions he believes demonstrates a disdain for the steelpan movement, including the withdrawal of state sponsorship for steelbands, confusion surrounding Schools Panorama, inadequate Panorama funding, and the absence of funding for World Steelpan Day celebrations.

Taken together, Mitchell said, these actions reinforce public concern that “the steelpan and the steelpan movement are under attack by the Kamla Persad-Bissessar government.”

He also posed unanswered questions to the administration regarding its justification, the financial cost implications, and why it would extend the use of the old emblem at all if they supported the inclusion of the steelpan.