Tobago

TT Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) Tobago officer Bradon Roberts is concerned about the readiness of schools on the island amid the covid19 pandemic and the Ministry of Education's protocols.

But he says he is determined to work with the THA Education Division to rectify the shortcomings.

On Monday, the first day of face-to-face learning for secondary students of forms four to six preparing for exams began returning to school.

Two minor earthquakes of 3.8 magnitude occurred in Tobago one hour a part on Monday night.

The seismic activities were recorded by TT Weather Centre. Some have reported hearing a rumble before the shaking. There is no tsunami threat.

It occurred 2.72 km from Plymouth, 3.95 km from Scarborough and 9.01 km from Castara.

Information from the TT Weather Centre shows the first earthquake happened at 10.15 pm and the second at 11.15 pm. It also said both earthquakes were felt across Tobago with "one or two short jolts."

WHILE Police Commissioner Gary Griffith and Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi are making overtures to regularise PH taxis, 60 men in Tobago have had a working model for three months.

Newsday spoke with one of the drivers in the yet to be officiated association, Marlon Smart, who said the drivers got tired of being harassed by police and licensing officials “and decided to come together.”

The issue of PH taxis has been raised repeatedly for well over a decade, usually after women passengers suffer violence at the hands of drivers and other men.

The THA Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development stands ready to assist any woman who is a victim of violence.

The division issued a press release on Friday, the day after the discovery of the body of 23-year-old court clerk Andrea Bharatt was found.

Bharatt disappeared on January 29 after getting into a car in Arima which was later found to be carrying false “H” licence plates. Her body was found in the Heights of Aripo on February 4.

The release said the loss of her precious life was beyond devastating for her family and loved ones.

Senior Counsel Martin Daly is suggesting that a fresh Tobago House of Assembly (THA) election be called immediately with the existing 12 electoral districts.

The result of the January 25 THA election ended in deadlock after the People’s National Movement (PNM) and Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) each won six electoral districts.

During the assembly’s 40 years in existence, the THA election has never produced a tie.

THE draft proposal to end the impasse of the deadlock of the Tobago House of Assembly will see an amendment to create 15 seats.

Speaking at the PNM’s General Council meeting at the Government Campus on Saturday, Tobago Council leader Tracy Davidson-Celestine said after years of consultations it was agreed to change the 12 seats to 15 and Tobago have been seeking to have this done for some time.

THE 2021 TT Great Race is already getting international interest as three teams from the US have shown their willingness to compete in the annual powerboat race.

“The only thing I could tell you is that we have three boats (from the US) already requesting to come for the Great Race on August 21, but again that all depends on covid and our borders,” said Roger Bell, director of public relations and international racing at the TT Powerboat Association (TTPBA). The TT borders have been closed since March last year as people must be granted an exemption to enter.

THA Chief Secretary Ancil Dennis has explained why he asked for the resignation of three THA secretaries who did not seek re-election and were replaced, but not that of Councillor Kwesi DesVignes.

On Sunday, during a pre-recorded address, Dennis called on the secretaries to do “the right and proper thing,” but did not mention councillors.

On Monday, three secretaries – Jomo Pitt (Youth Affairs and Sports); Hayden Spencer (Food Production, Forestry, and Fisheries); and Kelvin Charles (Education, Innovation, and Energy) – resigned with immediate effect.

THE Prime Minister on Wednesday proposed Parliament amend the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Act to break the current THA deadlock after the six-six tie in the recent election.

While the THA’s incumbent executive council remains in place, the assembly cannot agree on a presiding officer to oversee the election of a chief secretary to constitute an assembly (including with four councillors) then dissolve it to return to the polls.

Political leader of the Tobago Council of the PNM Tracy Davidson-Celestine has called on the PDP’s deputy political leader Farley Augustine to bring forward any information that he has linking her to any direct involvement in the controversial zipline project.

“Clear my name – let him bring it to the police,” she said.