Tag: coat of arms

Hitting a sour note

THE GOVERNMENT’S communication strategy continues to leave a lot to be desired. A good example is this month’s decision to extend the use of the former coat of arms by five years.

Through a mere legal notice dated December 18, Roger Alexander signed off on an order pushing back the deadline for the full transition to the new, steelpan-bearing emblem to January 2, 2031. The homeland security minister has responsibility for the emblems committee.

Authorised was Mr Alexander’s move by the recent amendment to the National Emblems of Trinidad and Tobago (Regulation) Act, which was passed unanimously by the PNM and UNC in January.

Notably, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, then opposition leader, supported the legislation but also stated it placed no restrictions on the making of section five orders in relation to the timeline of implementation and “the minister has free rein under this provision to keep, by order, extending time to get the job done.”

Indeed, all members of the House knew that an extension was thus possible.

Arguably, it was always asking a lot to expect the former coat of arms to be completely put to bed within the space of just one year given how prevalent it has been. So, opposition PNM claims today that the extension of time, which does not invalidate use of the new symbol concurrently, is nefarious feel off-key.

“This is a simple matter of common sense,” said Davendranath Tancoo to this newspaper on December 23. Though he initially could not provide estimates, cost savings have been cited; the government wants to allow old stock to run out. If so, this strikes us as sensible.

If anything, both the parties that passed this law can be criticised for being too unrealistic about the initial time frame.

Where the government has erred, however, is in its belief that something as meaningful as a national emblem, at a moment when our sovereignty is being put to the test, should be treated cavalierly. Why just a legal notice? A press conference was called to announce the cancellation of 2025’s Independence Day parade.

The blasé manner in which the extension was issued also hits a sour note because this is a matter which has a history, pun intended.

We strongly support the steelpan on the coat of arms. But the Keith Rowley administration did not bother to embark on any sort of wider consultation process. The removal of the Christopher Columbus ships was overdue, but other changes could have also been advanced too.

Here, the current government has missed an opportunity to show how it differs from its predecessor. Worse, it has needlessly sparked controversy by exposing itself, almost wilfully, to allegations of acting surreptitiously. Strange and unforced was this error.

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.

Tassa stands alone

JEROME TEELUCKSINGH

In August 2024, prime minister Dr Keith Rowley at a public meeting of the PNM announced a grandiose plan to make a minor change in the coat of arms. He said that a steelpan would replace the three ships.

A lecturer from UWI suggested that in addition to the steelpan, a tassa could also be included in the revised coat of arms. The UWI lecturer believed this would better represent the diversity of TT. The crude response from the former prime minister was, “Anybody saying that is either wicked, ignorant or doesn’t know the history of this country!”

The divisive instinct had once again been aroused. It seemed odd that a mere suggestion from someone who possessed neither the ethnic/race base nor the parliamentary power to change the coat of arms was being condemned. The lecturer was eager to reply but decided to remain silent. He remembered a saying of Pythagoras – “A fool is known by speech and a wise man by silence.”

Subsequently, the coat of arms debate generated a public dialogue that included politicians, columnists, letters to the editor, and social media.

The then opposition leader, Kamla Persad-Bissessar in an interview with Trinidad Guardian warned, “Many people are engrossed in debating the changes to the coat of arms and the many possible practical effects of such change. This entire political conversation, starting with the proposed changes to the coat of arms, is a tinderbox that can be ignited when emotions run high and ignorant, unscrupulous persons begin gaslighting the population.”

Not surprisingly, segments of the discussion was focused not on culture but on race/ethnicity. In one instance, a misguided activist in a letter to Newsday stated, “I was further alarmed when a UWI professor made a colossal blooper and suggested that the tassa be put on the coat of arms alongside the steelpan.”

A similar activist also sought to denigrate the view of the UWI lecturer and claimed, “the historian tends to flip-flop on these issues.”

Linda Capildeo in a letter to Newsday bemoaned the prime minister’s biased moved, “What we have now is a government prone to tribal instincts….The coat of arms is their latest victim.”

Amidst the debate, in August 2024, the Tassa Association of TT (TATT) issued a press release and noted, “…no part of the steel drum is from TT, it is a fully imported metal container that came from other countries into Trinidad,” and that “both the tassa and steelpan have seen citizens of the two main races, Africans and Indians as prolific players of
both pan and tassa.”

One of the best responses was from Varma Deyalsingh, a columnist in the Trinidad Guardian. He brilliantly highlighted other symbols or motifs in the coat of arms that were not indigenous to TT.

Rushton Paray, then a member of Parliament for the UNC, made a valid argument in a letter to Newsday, regarding the change to the coat of arms – “Removing these symbols may sanitise history and erase the contributions of both colonisers and colonised to our national story.” Randall Mitchell, then the Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, was hesitant to acknowledge the tassa and said he did not want to be part of the “dog-whistling that some find it necessary to engage in on the issue.”

Iqubal Hydal, in a letter to Newsday, in January 2025, noted, “Ships can never be a symbol of colonialism. It is the cross on the sails that epitomises Spanish colonial vestiges.” In September 2024, Hamid Ghany, a columnist in the Sunday Guardian, contended that Rowley’s decision to change the coat of arms “…will complete the cancellation of the legacy of Eric Williams in relation to national symbols.”

The end of the short-lived drama was unanimous support for the National Emblems of Trinidad and Tobago (Amendment) Bill, 2025, from both the opposition and government in the Lower House.

Leaders know they must quickly rewrite history to maintain control over gullible masses. Indeed, historical revisionism that creeps into public memory is a polite form of propaganda.

We should be open to alternative viewpoints. And, not all differing opinions should be classified as divisive. Some believe that patriotism and nationalism is guaranteed only if there is total loyalty to leaders, national symbols or anthems.

What is the status of the tassa in 2025? Does it stand alone? The tassa like the steelpan is representative of our rich cultural identity. We must embrace the tassa’s recognition and as part of our heritage.

Put pan, tassa onnew coat of arms

THE EDITOR: The decision by the new UNC government to halt the printing of currency notes with a revised coat of arms is welcomed at this time for many justifiable reasons.

Firstly is the issue of financial incompetence because the country cannot afford such an expensive change at this frugal time. TT badly needs the money to alleviate the exceptional and damaging flooding which the country is now grappling with.

Secondly, I am of the view that the coat of arms should include the two instruments which are, in my view, indigenous to TT – the steelpan and the tassa drum.

The drum that came here with the indentured labourers was not a tassa drum. That drum was a simple unrefined goat skin drum, nothing more than that.

The tassa drum in our country is of a different DNA and caters to a new orchestral expression of fantastic drumology not known anywhere in the wider world, and was refined over the years by the Indo-Trinidadian musicians, just as the steelpan was refined by the Afro-Trinidadians – no different, same khaki pants.

To put only the steelpan on the coat of arms is discriminatory and may even be considered political. The inclusion of both instruments would also help to fuse these two main diasporas to become a unified national body through a cultural art form. So why not?

I believe most people in the country would like to see this happen.

PETER S MORALLES

Cascade

Penalty for removing coat of arms ships?

THE EDITOR: It appears as though the British authorities have had enough of the low dodges and false declarations of some TT nationals and are now making it harder for us to enter their country.

Imagine that is where we have reached and we were once governed by Britain and are still a Commonwealth country. Imagine that the torch to open the Commonwealth Games was first sent to TT in the Caribbean leg and now just like that we have been dealt a slap in the face. What a paradox, and indeed a tangled web we have weaved for ourselves.

Could this be a backfire of our decision to remove Columbus’s three ships from the coat of arms and replace it with our musical instrument, the pan? Do the UK authorities see this as a further step in the direction to break all ties from what was once our closely associated “land of early governance” way back in the colonial days? If it is indeed so, then it’s a very high price to pay for a trivial act of replacing one symbol with another.

In any event, allow me the opportunity to address another connected issue on this matter of UK visa imposition. The immediate comment from Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Dr Amery Browne is that it is a “disproportionate move by the UK government in relation to the issue at hand.”

While it may be so because there is a very small group of individuals who take advantage of the visa-free travel to that country, I am compelled to ask all government ministers, “Is that the only matter within your radar that is disproportionate?”

When we talk about disproportionate distribution of resources and treatment within TT, we must also address the issues of salary hikes (one man gets an over 40 per cent wage increase while others get a meagre four per cent); property tax where different citizens with the same size houses, in the same street, have to pay varying amounts; unfair water distribution where some people get water on a 24/7 basis and others once a month; different measures of justice for the rich and privileged and another for underprivileged.

This to the extent that some never face the courts at all while others have to dig deep in their pockets to pay hefty traffic fines. Imagine you have to pay a fine of $1,000 if you make a mistake and drive up a no-entry road while another driver gets away with drunk driving because she is a police officer. That is what the ministers should look at when they want to talk about what is disproportionate and what is not.

Our lovely paradise is fast becoming a hell and we need to stop, look at what we are doing and make changes before it is too late. It is only a matter of time before other countries take a cue from the UK government and put stringent measures to keep our citizens out; even the innocent and fair-minded will be made to pay.

WKS HOSEIN

Couva

Pan now on Trinidad and Tobago’s new coat of arms

JUST four days before the Panorama finals, President Christine Kangaloo proclaimed the law to place the steelpan at the centre of the TT coat of arms.

The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts both proudly displayed the new emblem featuring the national instrument on their social media pages the same day, February 25. Kangaloo’s proclamation was published as Legal Notice Number 6, Number 1 of 2025.

A statement on the Facebook page of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts declared, “UPDATED – The Coat of Arms of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago‼️ WE ARE PROUDLY TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO! Randall Mitchell.”

The OPM Facebook page displayed the new coat of arms. It also showed a photo of the Prime Minister receiving the report from the Cabinet Appointed Committee to Review the Placement of Statues, Monuments and Signage in TT at Whitehall, Port of Spain, on February 25. The committee was chaired by Dr Rita Pemberton who was shown handing the report to Dr Rowley.

Previously, on the day of the Panorama semifinals, February 16, the Central Bank said the new emblem with the steel pan would be placed on the country’s $100 bill, and be available to the general public in September.

A bill to replace the three ships of Christopher Columbus on TT’s national coat of arms with the steelpan was passed by the House of Representatives on January 13 and by the Senate on January 21. The National Emblems of Trinidad and Tobago (Regulation)(Amendment) Bill, 2025 was piloted by Mitchell.

The Central Bank said, “The adjusted Coat of Arms (replacement of the ships with the steelpan) has been integrated into the design at no additional cost.”

The new coat of arms was designed by artist Gillian Bishop and has provoked much public discussion and comment, some for and some against the change.

$100 bill with new coat of arms by September

THE updated coat of arms featuring the steelpan will be featured on $100 polymer notes from September. The Central Bank said the change was integrated at no additional cost.

The new design was done by jeweller and artist Gillian Bishop and was approved in January.

A golden tenor steelpan and two pansticks replaced the three ships representing those of Italian explorer Christopher Columbus.

Many have publicly criticised the design, the cost of which has not yet been publicised.

In a newspaper advertisement and notice on social media on February 16, the Central Bank said other changes include a larger security strip.

The 2025 series, it said will incorporate” recent banknote technology with, among other things, the birds of paradise in iridescent ink in a larger see-through window with holographic elements.”

The old series (2019) of $100 polymer notes will remain legal tender.

The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago released an update on the $100 banknote. – Photo courtesy Central Bank

Saved from our own ‘Boaty McBoatface’

THE EDITOR: With regard to the recent outcry raised on the unveiling of our republic’s updated coat of arms, I have sat on the sidelines long enough and I believe the time is now right for me to share my two cents.

To begin, I would like to acknowledge the work of the very talented artist Gillian Bishop. As one of our very own, she is as deserving of the brief as she is of the credit and kudos that she is entitled to.

To be called upon to build upon the work of the legendary Carlisle Chang would have been daunting enough for most, if not all of her contemporaries.

But to open oneself up to the criticism of a nation of experts has surely moved the task from being Herculean in nature to Sisyphean: a thankless and unending labour at best. Who would have thought that there were so many graphic designers and art critics in our number?

As the old saying goes, you can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time. To wit, when was the last time we got everyone in this country to agree, unreservedly, to anything? If there’s one thing that we are not short of here in TT, it’s opinions.

The suggestions therefore that the redesign should have been done as part of a national competition, and/or that the final design be the subject of a national poll, both border on the absurd.

Human nature, being what it is, would have reduced either suggestion to an unseemly, never-ending farce. I am immediately reminded of a public vote conducted in 2016 by the National Environment Research Council of Great Britain for the naming of its then new £200 million polar research vessel. At the end of that process, an overwhelming majority of Britons thought that there was no better name for the ship than Boaty McBoatface.

From my experience, chaos is the natural result of any attempt at group think or management by committee. It’s what happens when too many cooks get into the kitchen: the broth inevitably gets spoiled.

We should therefore be grateful to the Cabinet for having spared us the ignominy of our own national Boaty McBoatface moment. Or at the very least, the embarrassment of a long, drawn-out and expensive process that invites criticism regardless of the outcome.

In any event, it is only a matter of time until the memories of this episode of our national soap opera becomes as “invisible” as three ships hidden in plain sight.

G ELIAS

Cascade

Towards a second edition of republic

THE EDITOR: Next year TT enters its 50th year as a republic. Our past experiences clearly show that there is an urgent need for meaningful constitutional revision.

More importantly, based on the most recent events as unfolding in the public domain as they relate to the executive, administrative and judicial arms of governance, serious amendments are required in order to repair the many dysfunctions in the system.

The recent adjustment to our coat of arms is but one small step. May I propose that in lieu of this piecemeal approach that the exercise be undertaken holistically. The confluence of the constitutional reform committee’s report with the several scandalous events in all arms of governance provides us an opportunity to devise an appropriate document that will reflect our collective hopes and aspirations for a second edition of our renewed Republic of TT.

This second republic may even require radical changes in our Constitution, anthem, coat of arms, etc, but can ultimately provide a better fit and drastically reduce the commentary that continually arises as a consequence of our current approach.

SAMUEL B HOWARD

St Joseph

A PNM culture of arrogance, disrespect

THE EDITOR: Gillian Bishop’s dismissive attitude toward well-meaning, professional critiques of her flawed design for TT’s new coat of arms is nothing short of disgraceful.

Her arrogant remark, “I don’t care,” in response to legitimate concerns from professional artists and graphic designers is not only unprofessional, but reflects an unacceptable level of disregard for the voices of citizens.

This kind of contemptuous attitude is part of the culture fostered by the PNM under the leadership of Keith Rowley and Stuart Young.

For the last ten years, the PNM has repeatedly treated the population with disdain, imposing hardships on the majority of citizens, while making the rich richer, and laughing at the struggles of ordinary citizens, chuckling that we “haven’t rioted yet.”

Take, for instance, the 47 per cent salary hike and $1 million backpay awarded to the Prime Minister while public sector workers are sternly offered a mere four per cent increase.

Or consider Young’s shocking behaviour when he “steupsed” into a reporter’s microphone after being questioned about his controversial decision to “gift” a firearm to the police.

These are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of arrogance, selfishness, entitlement, and disrespect.

The choice of Bishop, with her offensive regard for citizens’ views, fits squarely into this culture.

The PNM’s governance has been marked by a decade of destruction, where incompetence, self-interest, and contempt for the people have run rampant. The result has been a population alienated, disillusioned, and denied a voice, while everything in the country has gone backward.

TT cannot continue on this path. The time has come to demand accountability, reject this toxic culture of arrogance, and work toward real change.

The people of this country deserve leaders and representatives who listen, respect the views of ordinary people and independent experts, and work for the good of the nation – not those who shrug off criticism with a dismissive “I don’t care.”

Enough is enough. We must rid ourselves of this failed leadership and rebuild our nation with integrity, competence, and respect for every citizen.

DARREN GARNER

via e-mail

Leave the cocrico alone

When I moved to Tobago in 2012, I lived on the coast, in Goodwood, on a somewhat forested property.

It was in that peaceful, verdant paradise, with sweet birdsong and wind from the sea, that I first encountered the raucous squawking that heralded dawn, dusk, and, sometimes, random moments throughout the day…“Ka-ka-ra-kaaaaaaaaa!”

The call of the cocrico (scientifically known as the rufous-vented chachalaca) is somewhat unspellable. I have seen various attempts online. The aforementioned phonetic endeavour is from UWI’s Online Guide to the Animals of Trinidad and Tobago.

The spelling of the cocrico’s call on the Tobago Beyond Facebook page is “ka-ka-riko-ka-ka-riko” – closer to the sound of its name.

Living with cocricos around me in Goodwood, I developed a fondness for them, mainly through observing their clumsy movements and amusing characteristics. I loved how they flew, in a way that (like bumblebees) seemed to defy physics. They were such heavy-looking creatures, soaring with unexpected elegance across short distances from tree to tree. Their landing was often awkward – descending on branches that dipped and bent under the sudden weight, wings flapping to establish balance.

They would sit in surrounding trees eating a roundish green fruit (I’m unsure of its name), making a big mess on the terracotta tiles around the house.

I noted they were social birds, often in groups, in what appeared to be closely-knit family units. Often two large birds (mother and father) had children in tow (known scientifically as a family group). Social behaviour is crucial to the development of younger cocricos, who are guided and protected by their elders until they are adults.

In quiet moments, the cocricos would sit together in community, peacefully discussing who knows what, in soft, sweet, chirping tones reminiscent of the pleasant, comforting clucking of chickens. Their bonded flocks are known to stay together – a sign of loyalty, I would say.

Curious by nature, with tiny heads tilted atop cumbersome bodies, they often seemed to be observing me too.

Some might call them ugly or boring, in the way that (I have been told) people in Tobago generally find brown pothounds “too common” and therefore unattractive and of little value. Just as pigeons are, in some places, referred to as “rats of the sky,” perhaps cocricos can be seen as “pothounds of the sky” – common, brown, scavenging creatures, generally unwanted and misunderstood because they are viewed as “pests.”

Owing to habitat loss and hunting, cocricos are a vulnerable species; it is illegal to harm them according to the Conservation of Wildlife Act. Unfortunately, however, some farmers shoot them, as a means of “crop protection.”

I marvel at the fact that a bird considered a destructive “pest” is not only protected but has also been given the honour of being the “national” bird of Tobago. An admirable accomplishment.

In recent news, the Tobago Business Chamber chairman described the cocrico as “a destructive pest,” “an awful creature,” with “no redeeming features.” He lamented that this “unacceptable bird” was not removed, along with Columbus’s ships, from TT’s coat of arms. He expressed disappointment that the Prime Minister, a son of Tobago soil, had not seen fit to do Tobagonians a service by replacing the bird with “something proper” like the hummingbird. (NB: Of which there are already two on the emblem)

The chairman said the cocrico “serves no useful purpose,” but this is inaccurate. For one, the primarily fruit-eating cocrico is an important seed-dispenser in our ecosystem.

It is also a unique conversational piece and national curio for tourists.

Too much time and energy (and, soon, money) have been wasted on the redesign of the national coat of arms – complaining about and amending “offensive” elements. Do we even need a coat of arms? There are more pressing national aspects requiring our attention and action for betterment.

Instead of considering the cocrico a “pest” on the national emblem, change the perspective and see it positively.

What deeper symbolism could it convey to us as a “national bird”?

The cocrico calls for us to better ourselves by embracing some of its admirable qualities and characteristics mentioned above – its loyalty, bonding closely as families, forming strong, harmonious communities: looking out for each other and giving the young ones proper guidance until adulthood. These qualities, once proudly heralded as pillars of Tobago life, are being destroyed by the real pests – crime, guns, drugs and the insidious influence of gang culture.

With its capacity for loyalty, natural kinship and communal solidarity, I say the cocrico is the national emblem’s most important and guiding symbol.

Patriotism more than symbols

THE EDITOR: The decision to redesign TT’s coat of arms by replacing the three ships with the steelpan has sparked widespread debate. Beyond the costs of implementing such a change, one must ask: Does this change truly inspire an increase in patriotism?

As children of TT, we are raised with a clear path in mind – go to school, earn an education, and eventually contribute to society. For many, the Trinidadian dream was simple yet fulfilling – work hard, secure a degree, buy a house, start a family, and enjoy the fruits of your labour. But that dream, once attainable, now feels increasingly out of reach.

For those who strive for an education and achieve it, the reality waiting for them is disheartening. Finding a job is a daunting challenge. The cost of living continues to soar, and owning a home on an average salary is nearly impossible.

Many are forced to rent, living pay cheque to pay cheque, with no financial room to build a better future. Worse still, even the act of commuting to work – an essential part of survival – comes with the looming threat of robbery or other crime.

Consider the hours spent in traffic on congested highways, where people waste precious time simply trying to get to and from work. It’s a vicious cycle of working to survive rather than thriving.

The Trinidadian dream is fading, and no symbolic change, however meaningful, will reignite patriotism in a generation that feels disillusioned and disconnected.

This loss of hope is deeply saddening, given how much TT has to offer. Our rich culture, vibrant heritage, and breathtaking landscapes should be sources of immense pride. Yet these treasures are overshadowed by poor leadership and misguided decisions.

Ask any average university graduate about their five-year plan and the likely response will be to leave the country. For many, TT no longer feels like a land of opportunity. That in itself is heartbreaking.

To truly inspire patriotism, we must address the systemic issues plaguing our nation. A redesigned coat of arms cannot fix what is broken. Only when leadership prioritises the needs of its people – creating opportunities, ensuring safety, and nurturing a sustainable future – can the spirit of TT be truly revived.

JOSHUA RAMNARINE

via e-mail

Mitchell slams UNC as coat of arms bill passed in Senate

TOURISM, Culture and the Arts Minister Randall Mitchell has told the opposition UNC to forget about elections and learn to put the national interest before itsown partisan political agenda.

He made this point before the Senate passed the National Emblems of Trinidad and Tobago (Regulation) (Amendment) Bill, 2025 without amendments on January 21.

The bill allowed for the replacement of illustrations representing ships led by Italian explorer Christopher Columbus with the national instrument, the steelpan.

The House of Representatives passed the bill on January 11.

The bill will now go to President Christine Kangaloo for assent and will subsequently be proclaimed into law.

As he concluded debate on the bill, Mitchell said it was unfortunate the UNC was blinded by its own political agenda and engaged in shameless politicking during the debate.

“All they focused about is elections. Forget elections, this is about the national identity of all of us in TT.”

Mitchell said the UNC’s complaints about the Prime Minister speaking about the proposal to replace the ships with the an at a PNM annual convention last August had no substance.

He added it is a fact that whether in opposition or in government, major national issues and government policies are discussed in PNM conventions.

Mitchell said the same thing happened with established, serious political parties in the US, UK and Jamaica when they hold their conventions.

“We (PNM) make no apologies about that. They (UNC) don’t have any conventions. Them does have curry-duck lime and cookout.”

Mitchell said the UNC misunderstood what the National Emblems Committee did. He reminded senators it is a committee which falls under the National Security Ministry and advises the National Security Minister on national emblems and symbols.

Mitchell said the minister and by extension the cabinet determine policies on these matters, acting on the committee’s advice.

He said it was wrong for anyone to claim government usurped the role of the committee, which is “fully populated.”

Mitchell said government has taken measures to identify the pan as unique to TT by securing an important intellectual property tool called a geographic indicator.

“We went to the UN and got the geographical indicator protection.”

He told senators this will ensure that worldwide, the steelpan is known to be unique to TT and made to a particular standard.

Mitchell said while the UNC boasted about giving money to Pan Trinbago in 2014-2015 while in government, nothing came out of that.

He praised the work of Pan Trinbago president Beverley Ramsey-Moore to put the organisation on a solid footing and help to promote pan’s growth.

While Pan Trinbago was given land in Trincity to build a headquarters under the 1995-2001 UNC government, Mitchell said problems with the lease prevented that project from getting off the ground.

He reminded UNC senators that party leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar had oversight of that matter as legal affairs minister in the Basdeo Panday cabinet.

In response to a contribution by Independent Senator Anthony Vieira, Mitchell said the change to the coat of arms was not depriving any group of its heritage.

He repeated the change was to remove painful colonial vestiges of the past.

Mitchell said some of these things which the ships represented included the introduction of disease and slavery into the Caribbean.

He added this does not compare with the positive contributions made to TT’s development over time by many ethnic groups.

Mitchell said he did a DNA test recently and learnt he had some Portuguese ancestry.

He suggested Vieira had similar ancestry, with his ancestors coming to TT as indentured labourers or merchants from Madeira.

Mitchell: Coat of arms represents nation’s soul

TOURISM, Culture and the Arts Minister Randall Mitchell says a coat of arms “represents the soul of a country.”

He made this comment when he opened debate on the National Emblems of Trinidad and Tobago (Regulation) (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

The bill allowed for the replacement of illustrations representing ships led by Italian explorer Christopher Columbus with the national instrument, the steelpan.

The House of Representatives passed the bill on January 11.

Mitchell repeated the genesis of the bill was a response by government to the “decades-long clarion calls of our citizens clamouring for the removal of painful colonial vestiges of our past.”

He reminded senators that last August, the Prime Minister announced government’s intention to bring legislation to Parliament to amend the coat of arms to replace the ships with the steelpan.

Mitchell said the legislation, once passed and proclaimed into law, allows for the current coat of arms to be used until January 1, 2026. He added this would give government ministries and other agencies sufficient time to transition to the new one, in instances where it is a physical fixture.

On documents such as ID cards and drivers permits which bear the current coat of arms and are renewed over periods of time, Mitchell said, “These can be dealt with by the Minister of National Security by prescribing a further date by order by which the former coat of arms would be valid and legal on these documents.”

He said that could be done to minimise any wasted cost or disruption to citizens “having to immediately go to these offices to return and update these documents.”

Mitchell said a similar approach could be taken to maintaining the former coat of arms on birth certificates for a certain period.

Digital images of the current coat of arms, he continued, can be changed almost immediately once the legislation is proclaimed.

“Placing the steelpan on our coat of arms can only be seen as a powerful way to honour Trinidad and Tobago’s identity and history.”

He said the pan is an indigenous invention and “the only percussive acoustic musical instrument invented and developed in the 20th century.”

While government has more pressing matters at hand, Mitchell said, “It does not mean that government must not get on with other matters under its remit and responsibility.”

He added he could not accept an argument that every single musical instrument which was brought into TT over the years could be placed on the coat of arms to replace Columbus’s ships.

Mitchell repeated it is an undisputed fact the steelpan was invented and developed in TT.

Mark criticises coat of arms redesign process

OPPOSITION Senator Wade Mark questioned the process by which the new design for the coat of arms was commissioned during a sitting of the Senate on January 21 as it debated the National Emblems of Trinidad and Tobago (Regulation) (Amendment) Bill.

While Mark said he was not opposed to a redesign of the coat of arms, he called the process “flawed.”

He noted Tourism, Culture and Arts Minister Randall Mitchell did not appoint a national emblems committee to advise on the redesigning of the coat of arms. He said that placed the government in breach of the law as the National Emblems of TT (regulation) Act said the committee should act in an advisory role in the designing of national emblems.

“Why would a government choose to take this initiative but not bring it to the appropriate body to contemplate, to analyse, to engage and to consult with the population before it was finally issued?”

Mark also questioned the way the announcement of the change to the coat of arms was made.

The Prime Minister made the announcement at a special PNM party convention held at the National Academy of the Performing Arts (NAPA) on August 18.

“The Prime Minister of our nation made this dramatic announcement at a partisan event,” Mark noted.

“This is the coat of arms, and it belongs to all of the citizens of our nation. But here it is we are going to redesign it and how do we know about this? The Prime Minister, at the end of a conference of the PNM, announced to the nation that he’s going to get rid of the three ships of Columbus.

“Isn’t that a partisan approach?

“If we are going to make any changes to the coat of arms it must have national approval, it must have national involvement. Not an emperor from on high announcing it to the nation.”

Mark also took note of the criticism the design received saying the backlash could have been avoided if the process had been more collaborative.

“Had there been more involvement and collaboration, we would have had a better product today.”

Shackles of colonialism

THE EDITOR: The steelpan, the national instrument of TT, has been promoted by government to replace the ships of Columbus on the coat of arms. A signature to the removal of “colonial vestiges.”

Ships can never be a symbol of colonialism. It is the cross on the sails that epitomises Spanish colonial vestiges. Perhaps we will now see the removal of the cross on the chains that shackle the necks of some of our Members of Parliament.

IQUBAL HYDAL

Felicity

Mixed views on new coat of arms design

The newly updated national coat of arms continued to draw both criticism and praise the day after it was revealed by the Communications Ministry on January 19.

The coat of arms was designed by jeweller and designer Gillan Bishop, who had designed the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago medal and the Medal for the Development of Women. The Prime Minister announced her selection on August 29.

She presented at least seven designs to the Cabinet, from which one was chosen and presented to Parliament.

The National Emblems of Trinidad and Tobago (Regulation) (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which allowed the replacement of illustrations representing ships led by explorer Christopher Columbus with the national instrument, the steelpan, was unanimously passed in the Lower House on January 13.

The coat of arms now features the image of a gold pan and pansticks where Columbus’s ships once were.

One person who praised the new design was historian Prof Bridget Brereton, who said she found it attractive.

“I personally have no problem with the new design. I think Ms Bishop has done exactly what she was required/asked to do, that is, replace the three ships with a visually attractive steelpan, etc. I think it achieved what the Prime Minister wanted to achieve. I think she should be congratulated.

“I have read a few letters in the daily papers that said the steelpan shouldn’t be gold, but that’s not the point. It’s not supposed to be a literal rendition of a steelpan, it is heraldic, part of heraldry, so it didn’t bother me that it was gold.”

Asked what she thought of comments that colonial elements such as the helmet and ship’s wheel remained on the coat of arms, she said,

“There could have been an effort to redesign the whole thing, but the decision was made to have a much more limited design, which I assume would be much less difficult and costly.”

Brereton said she assumed it would be gradually phased into use, in the same way new currency notes are gradually phased in, as there are many coats of arms to be replaced on stationery, buildings, etc.

Social media critiques came fast and furious, with people asking whether a graphic designer would not have been a better choice. Others said the placement of the pansticks, which point straight down, made the image look like a lollipop.

Others asked why public input had not been sought on the final design.

Graphic designer Ayrid Chandler, in a blog post titled TT’s Coat of Arms Redesign: My 2 Cents, said it could be argued that a country’s coat of arms is part of its visual identity, telling others how it sees itself, what’s important and how to be treated.

She said in 1962, artist Carlisle Chang was hired, but not paid, to design the coat of arms as part of a British tradition, with his sketch being sent to London to be properly illustrated by a heraldic artist in the style of all other coats of arms.

She said in 2024, after the pan got the recognition as the national instrument, was recognised internationally and given a world day, the current government announced that Columbus’s ships would be replaced by the pan on the coat of arms, hiring Gillian Bishop to do the redesign. She said the new coat of arms was presented two months later.

“To say I’m disappointed is an understatement. Jewellery and national awards are three-dimensional and the skill required to work with translating an idea into an object is quite different from the skills required to render a flat design that has to be used at multiple scales and formats with multiple agencies, to represent a country.

“I have deep respect for both artists who have worked to bring our coat of arms to light. I also have an issue with our country not understanding the importance of our identity and not going about the process the right way. Our national identity isn’t something that should be rushed. And it’s definitely not as simple as removing some ships and adding a newly appointed national instrument.”

Chandler said not all artists or designers did all types of design.

“If we’re only looking at the rendering of the cost of arms, an illustrator who can vectorise their work with clean lines is required to recreate the coat of arms. A coat of arms is a symmetrical thing, so the use of a grid system is needed. An understanding of colour and contrast is needed so that when the coat of arms gets embroidered on polos (polo shirts) or printed on signage outside government buildings, it is still clear and legible and most importantly, recognisable.”

She also addressed the issue of the colonial elements, and even the shape a coat of arms could take.

“The whole concept of a coat of arms is a British (sic), colonial tradition and other countries have designed theirs to be void of the traditional elements like the shield, helmet and plumes which are all heretic symbols. A rebranding discovery session would’ve highlighted these things.

Chandler said this was a missed opportunity and a reminder that although TT had been independent for over 60 years, the country was still in its infancy when it comes to understanding its people and treating the creative industry with the respect and understanding it deserves.

“This new coat of arms represents a long overdue step in the right direction. Is it poorly executed, absolutely, but as a creative and a citizen I’ve learned to focus on the good parts and just hope for the best, even when it feels like there’s no hope.”

[UPDATED] Tobago chamber: Remove awful cocrico from coat of arms

TOBAGO Business Chamber chairman Martin George has expressed grave disappointment with the updated version of the coat of arms, which was passed recently in the House of Representatives.

In a video released to the media on January 20, George said he had no issue with the steelpan replacing the three ships used by explorer Christopher Columbus, but felt the cocrico, one of the two national birds, should also have been removed.

George said if changes are being made, then all necessary amendments should happen now.

“There is absolutely no need to keep this destructive pest on our coat of arms. There is no redeeming feature to this creature,” he said.

“We of the Tobago Business Chamber wish to express our great disappointment that our Prime Minister, who is from Tobago, did not see it fit to also make an important change to the coat of arms. Since we are doing changes to the coat of arms we might as well do so now.

“This awful, and I make no apologies for saying so, unacceptable bird called the cocrico that graces our coat of arms, and which is designated as the bird of Tobago – it is an awful creature. It’s destructive, it’s loud, it’s raucous, it’s noisy, it serves no useful purpose, and yet it is a protected bird.”

He suggested the hummingbird take the place of the cocrico.

“Why didn’t Dr Rowley use this opportunity as a Tobagonian to do a service to Tobagonians to remove this bird and put something proper there instead – even if it’s the hummingbird?”

George said he was proud to see the steelpan on the coat of arms, congratulating the people and the government of TT on its inclusion.

Tobago Business Chamber head Martin George –

“This was something that was long overdue. The coat of arms is a representation of your country, it’s a representation of your nation. In 2025 it certainly does not appear appropriate that we retain those three ships of Columbus. The steelpan is much more representative and is a positive and forward-thinking step for us to have taken.”

He said in the last few years, there have been tremendous strides made with respect to the instrument.

“In 2023 the UN declared (August 11) World Steelpan Day. We saw in 2024 the government declaring steelpan being the national instrument. Then in 2025 the steelpan on the coat of arms, and I think it’s something we can all feel justifiably proud of.”

He said when you check online or do any research about the steelpan, it’s intrinsically linked to TT as being the origin of steelpan, “despite what some other Caribbean islands might want to claim.”

He said the late calypsonian Merchant would be feeling “some sort of pride in the great beyond where he is, because we remember years ago when he sang Pan in Danger. But we have turned that corner and are out of danger.”

This story has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

TOBAGO Business Chamber chairman Martin George has expressed grave disappointment with the updated version of the coat of arms, which was passed recently in the House of Representatives.

George said if changes are being made, then all necessary amendments should happen now.

“There is absolutely no need to keep this destructive pest on our coat of arms. There is no redeeming feature to this creature,” he said.

“This awful, and I make no apologies for saying so, unacceptable bird called the cocrico that graces our coat of arms, and which is designated as the bird of Tobago. It is an awful creature. It’s destructive, it’s loud, it’s raucous, it’s noisy, it serves no useful purpose, and yet it is a protected bird.”

He suggested the hummingbird take the place of the cocrico.

“Why didn’t Dr Rowley use this opportunity as a Tobagonian to do a service to Tobagonians to remove this bird and put something proper there instead – even if it’s the hummingbird?”

[UPDATED] Pan Trinbago backs coat of arms with steelpan, social-media users knock design

MELISSA DOUGHTY and LAUREL WILLIAMS

THE updated national coat of arms that was recently passed in the House of Representatives was officially unveiled on January 19 in a post on social media by the Ministry of Communications.

The National Emblems of Trinidad and Tobago (Regulation) (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which allowed for the replacement of illustrations representing ships led by explorer Christopher Columbus, with the national instrument, the steelpan, was unanimously passed in the Lower House on January 13.

The coat of arms now features the image of a gold steelpan and pansticks where Columbus’ ships once were.

Piloting the bill, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts Randall Mitchell said, “Government’s proposal was made in direct response to the loud and decades-long clarion calls of our citizens clamouring for the removal of painful colonial vestiges of our past.”

The Prime Minister concurred during his contribution, saying, “Symbolism matters. It’s not a question of either/or; we can have it all. We can have symbols, we can have jobs, we can have food. But at the end of the day, symbolism matters.”

He said replacing the ships with the national instrument shows that “pan has reached the highest heights in TT.”

He added, “…but the symbol says that we don’t accept what you think of us and if, when we came here, we picked up the pan that used to carry oil and hit it in a way that we discovered that we could make music, and we now make the magic that comes out of the steelband, then we should be proud to say that we claim that on our coat of arms and not the misrepresentation of (Columbus’ ships)”

The bill will be read and debated in the Upper House (Senate). Once passed in the Upper House, it will then proceed to be proclaimed by the President after which it will become law.

In an interview with Newsday on January 19, Pan Trinbago president Beverley Ramsey-Moore said her organisation was extremely proud.

She said, “This is a big moment in TT and we need to focus on the positives much more. The media houses and so on need to focus on the positive things that would inspire a nation.

“In two years’ time, we were able to accomplish so much from an instrument that was born out of resistance, struggle and resilience, that the UN has given us a day that we could observe World Steelpan Day, then having pan formally declared in TT and now having it on the coat of arms.”

Ramsey-Moore said it was amazing to see the Government and Opposition uniting to support pan.

“We need much more of that in TT, much more of that spirit of unity and love. That is what pan brings. Pan is happy music,” she said.

The work of the pan executive catapulted the love and respect the pan body now receives from the public, she said.

Ramsey-Moore emphasised the steelpan’s power to unify the nation. She said, “The steelpan is inclusive and unifying, especially during Carnival, Panorama, and other cultural celebrations. Beyond its cultural significance, it represents a thriving industry, with tuners, arrangers, and manufacturers exporting their skills globally. This is a moment to celebrate and continue building our legacy.”

She said the younger generations connect more deeply with the steelpan than with colonial symbols, making this amendment a forward-looking decision for the nation’s future.

While some people and organisations have embraced the change, others have criticised the design, with mixed responses on social media ranging from amusement to confusion.

Many social media users took to platforms to share their opinions, with some mocking the design.

One Facebook user believed the pan looked more like a shield than the national instrument, while another remarked it looked like a hot doubles.

Another said, “The steelpan looks like a lollipop.”

A user added: “I could have volunteered to do that for free.”

Others chimed in to bash “whoever” was responsible for the new look, accusing the person of having “absolutely no graphic designing knowledge and understanding of basic principles of design.”

Others expressed frustration over the removal of the ships without understanding the rationale behind the redesign, questioning, “What is the point of just taking the ships out?”

Some expressed concerns about the cost of the redesign and suggested the money spent could have been used for other purposes , such as improving infrastructure and health care.

Social media users also seemed genuinely baffled, asking, “What I want to know: is this a joke? Is this a draft? Did someone use AI to generate this? Or should they have used AI?”

Another said, “From an art point of view, the steelpan literally looks and feels like it was forced onto the design, rather than properly integrated. The colour does not match, the lighting doesn’t match…”

Despite the negative feedback, there were also a few positive comments appreciating the inclusion of the steelpan as a representation of the nation’s culture.

This story was originally published with the title “Coat of arms with steelpan unveiled after Lower House approval” and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

THE updated national coat of arms that was recently passed in the House of Representatives was officially unveiled on January 19 in a post on social media by the Ministry of Communications.

The National Emblems of Trinidad and Tobago (Regulation) (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which allowed for the replacement of illustrations representing ships led by explorer Christopher Columbus with the national instrument, the steelpan, was unanimously passed in the Lower House on January 13.

The coat of arms now features the image of a gold steelpan and pan sticks where Columbus’s ships once were.

In piloting the bill, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts Randall Mitchell said, “Government’s proposal was made in direct response to the loud and decades-long clarion calls of our citizens clamouring for the removal of painful colonial vestiges of our past.”

The Prime Minister concurred during his contribution in Parliament, saying, “Symbolism matters. It’s not a question of either/or; we can have it all. We can have symbols, we can have jobs, we can have food. But at the end of the day, symbolism matters.”

He said replacing the ships with the national instrument showed “pan has reached the highest heights in TT.”

The bill will be read and debated in the Upper House (Senate). Once passed in the Upper House, it will then proceed to be proclaimed by the President, after which it will become law.

[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.