NEWS
Experts warned EMA about Rocky Point hotel development
Less than two months before the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) granted a Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) to Superior Hotels Ltd for a major project at Rocky Point, Tobago, two experts consulted by the EMA deemed the 200-room hotel and resort “fundamentally incompatible” with the site. Marine scientist Dr Anjani Ganase, writing on behalf of the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA), recommended a rejection of the application, while Dr Michelle Cazabon-Mannette, technical advisor at Save our Sea (SOS) Turtles Tobago, advised the EMA to consider refusing the CEC based on the significant vulnerability of the area. Their comments followed a comprehensive review of the revised environmental impact assessment (EIA) and responses to the Review and Assessment Report (RAR). Read more here
NCRHA CITES ‘SUCCESS’
THE BOARD of the North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) says it has implemented several cost-cutting measures over nine months to address major financial and operational deficiencies inherited from the previous administration which severely compromised healthcare delivery. The release on Saturday stated, “The board inherited an organisation facing severe financial constraints, widespread operational inefficiencies, non-existent maintenance programmes and broken-down medical equipment, while hundreds of millions of dollars were owed to suppliers for maintenance, medical equipment and essential services. In several instances, suppliers ceased providing goods and services to the NCRHA due to outstanding payments owed to them, resulting in shortages of critical supplies, including unavailable laboratory reagents and delays in equipment repairs.” Read more here
POLITICS
‘Silence is unacceptable’
Chief Secretary Farley Augustine says Tobagonians are “damn vex” over the “Nancy stories being peddled” in the disappearance of two-year-old Angelo Tobias-Plaza. It has been a week since the toddler was reported missing from his seaside home at Cambridge Trace, Goodwood. His mother Kalifah Tobias and her boyfriend Shannon Miller remained in police custody last night as police sought answers in the toddler’s disappearance. During post-Executive Council media briefing on Thursday, Augustine said there were more questions than answers in the incident. Read more here
BUSINESS
Pushing SME Market opportunities
The Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange Ltd (TTSE) and PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Services LTd (PwC T&T) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to bring awareness to the TTSE’s Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Market. The Stock Exchange stated that the MoU will support a greater understanding of the Initial Public Offering (IPO) process among SMEs in T&T. “The partnership reflects a shared commitment to supporting business growth, capital market development and long-term economic sustainability through increased engagement with the SME sector,” it stated. Read more here
REGIONAL
New REOs appointed
President of Guyana, Dr Irfaan Ali, has approved the appointment of a new slate of Regional Executive Officers (REOs), as the administration moves to strengthen governance and public-service delivery across the country’s 10 administrative regions. According to a statement released by government, the newly appointed REOs are expected to work closely with regional administrations, local democratic organs and communities to advance development programmes and improve the delivery of services to citizens. The appointments form part of the wider efforts to build professional, responsive, and people-centred institutions aimed at supporting inclusive development throughout Guyana. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
At least six Americans exposed to Ebola during DR Congo outbreak
At least six Americans have been exposed to the Ebola virus during a deadly outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, sources have told CBS News, the BBC's US partner. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak as an international emergency, with the DR Congo's health ministry reporting around 350 suspected cases and 91 deaths. One American is believed to have symptoms, with three others said to have faced a high-risk contact or exposure. It is unclear whether any have been infected. Read more here
18th May 2026