NEWS
Route 2 maxi taxi operators confronting multiple issues
Route 2 Maxi Taxi Association PRO Jason McMillan said while many people have fixated on the operators’ call for their bus route passes, they are also asking for the Ministry to look at two other issues which are vexing the membership at this time. McMillan said the call for maxi taxi operators to be able to pass their bus route passes to their next of kin stems from the need for financial viability for their families should they pass away or become incapacitated. He said due to the cost of purchasing a maxi taxi, which he claimed could reach up to $1 million, the maxi owner's families also made the sacrifice to pay for the vehicle. Read more here
Shortage of school safety officers worries teachers, TTUTA
There are concerns about an increase in school violence, as over two dozen school safety officers are out of work after their contracts were not renewed. This has led to a shortage of officers at schools around the country. Speaking under the condition of anonymity due to a fear of victimisation, some officers said their contracts with the Ministry of Education (MoE) expired on February 2, 2024, with no word on their renewals. According to the MoE’s website, these officers who are posted at Government-run secondary schools are tasked with, “contributing to the establishment and maintenance of a safe, tranquil and disciplined school environment and by extension, the community.” Guardian Media was reliably informed that their duties encompass intervening during school fights, monitoring student indiscipline, responding to emergencies, patrolling the school compound and conducting a risk assessment of dangerous situations in and around the school. Read more here
POLITICS
UNC, NTA leaders spar over 'tribal politics'
Months after the National Transformation Alliance's (NTA) collaboration with the United National Congress (UNC) for the local government elections, the two parties' leaders appear to have fallen out over the role of smaller parties. UNC leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, speaking at the UNC's cottage meeting on Monday night, said the party welcomes entities and individuals seeking to join forces to unseat the ruling People's National Movement (PNM) government. But she said their vision must align with the UNC's and “bring something to the table.” She said the party's supporters will not be disrespected by other parties or called sheep by those wishing to piggyback on the party's support base and resources. Read more here
BUSINESS
FAO workshop addresses climate challenges
Tony Rojas Gil, general director of projects in Mexico and the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID), said a strategic framework is needed to address climate challenges in the Caribbean. He was speaking at the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) two-day virtual workshop on climate finance through the Resilient Caribbean Initiative. The FAO’s workshop titled, Adapting Caribbean Food Systems to Climate Change – Challenges, Solutions and Investment Opportunities, kicked off on February 27, with FAO addressing issues concerning climate change and food security. Rojas Gil said while the initiative started in 2018, it was re-established in 2020. “This webinar is looking to be a catalyst for projects,” he said. Read more here
Investment in EVs to reduce emissions in T&T
The partnership between former Trinidad and Tobago cricketers Dinanath Ramnarine and Kieron Pollard has signed an agreement with the Washington-based IDB Lab for the investment of reimbursable and non-reimbursable financing in their start-up, GoElectricTT. “IDB Lab, the innovation and venture laboratory of the Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group), will invest reimbursable and non-reimbursable financing in the start-up GoElectricTT to launch a new business model that aims to catalyse the adoption of electric vehicles in Trinidad and Tobago,” a release stated. Read more here
REGIONAL
US praises Guyana’s dedication to environmental sustainability
As Guyana advances towards economic prosperity through careful management of its energy sector, the nation has been praised by the United States for its balance between economic growth and environmental sustainability. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US envoy to the United Nations, during a press conference at the US Embassy on Monday, commended President Dr Irfaan Ali and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government for its commitment to the environment. She led the US delegation to the 46th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, and during her stay, she met with President Ali and other senior officials. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Valencia fire: Grenfell-style cladding fear after blaze
Families bereaved by the Grenfell Tower fire have laid flowers at the building in Valencia that was destroyed in last week's fatal blaze. Meeting emergency responders, they said there were direct parallels between the 2017 disaster in London and the fire in Spain, in which 10 people died. Construction pictures suggest the cladding used on the building may be of a type now banned in the UK. The manufacturer Alucoil has been contacted for a response. Three people affected by the Grenfell fire travelled to Valencia to show solidarity to those who died, along with two people who were impacted by a fire at apartments in Milan in 2021. Read more here
28th February 2024