NEWS
Tobago recruitment for cruise line on Thursday
The recruitment drive will continue in Tobago for nationals to work on the cruise ship line Royal Caribbean International. This follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the regional VP, government relations, for Royal Caribbean Group Wendy McDonald and Tourism Minister Randall Mitchell in Port of Spain on May 23. Read more here
WASA appoints new acting CEO
The Water and Sewage Authority (WASA) has appointed a new acting chief executive officer, after an investigation found its former acting CEO was guilty of interfering with a list of bad paying companies that was supposed to be made public. This was confirmed by Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales, who said yesterday that former CEO Sherland Sheppard has been relegated back to his senior management position at the authority and Kelvin Romain has been appointed to act as CEO. Sheppard, who was previously on unpaid leave, has been sent on 50 days vacation leave. Read more here
POLITICS
Haynes: Violence spilling out of schoolyards on to streets
Tabaquite MP Anita Haynes has said with school violence out of the schoolyards and into the streets, more is needed from the Ministry of Education to address the issue. She said in a statement, “The ministry must introduce proactive measures and implement targeted interventions to address school indiscipline and violence. “This also includes specific plans for high-risk schools in addition to a violent incident protocol to minimise risks of trauma to the student population.” Read more here
Minister supports stopping scrap iron exports if necessary
Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales says he completely supports the Trinidad and Tobago Scrap Iron Dealers’ Association’s (TTSIDA) call for a temporary ban on copper exports. Speaking during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Lopinot Water Treatment Plant yesterday, Gonzales said aggressive action needs to be taken to stop the theft of TSTT cables, Water and Sewage Authority (WASA) fixtures and manhole covers. On Monday, the TTSIDA appealed to the Ministry of Trade and Industry to temporarily ban the export of copper, saying it was the only way to stop the thefts that have become rampant across the country. Read more here
BUSINESS
Contractors want their millions
Contractors in Tobago, who are owed millions of dollars from the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), had a meeting with Chief Secretary Farley Augustine and Division of Infrastructure Secretary Trevor James, on Monday. The meeting was held at the Division of Finance headquarters in Scarborough. This was confirmed by one contractor who spoke to the Express following the meeting. Read more here
REGIONAL
Boost in jobs, support for small businesses
More than $830M has been invested in Region Five to create jobs, support small-business development and provide assistance to farmers through the supply of free fertilisers to them. Though announcing on a previous visit that some 1,000 part-time jobs will be provided to residents of the region, Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo in a follow-up outreach on Tuesday said that this number will increase due to the high number of applicants for the programme. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Paris woman condemns police for friend's fatal shooting
A young woman who saw her friend fatally shot by police in Paris at the weekend has said there was no need for them to open fire. Inès, 21, and her friend Rayana were passengers in a car when the driver ignored a police order to stop. Rayana's death has prompted a political row over violence by security forces. The friends had accepted a ride home after meeting the driver in a nightclub. She said: "I'm angry because police could have acted differently." Read more here
8th June 2022