T&TEC: NO Electricity On Thursday In Parts of Port-of-Spain, Chaguaramas, Arima, Sangre Grande11/9/2024  The Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) is advising customers that planned maintenance work will affect several areas of Port-of-Spain, Chaguaramas, Arima and Sangre Grande on Thursday (12th September, 2024). This may result in loss of electricity between the hours of works.
According to T&TEC, the affected areas in Port-of-Spain, Chaguaramas, Arima and Sangre Grande are as follows: PORT-OF-SPAIN (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM)
CHAGUARAMAS (9:00 AM to 1:00 PM)
ARIMA (8:00 AM to 3:00 PM)
SANGRE GRANDE (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM)
T&TEC says it regrets the inconvenience which may be caused by these interruptions.
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 A total of three million, four hundred and four thousand, seven hundred and ninety-seven dollars and fifty-two cents ($3,404,797.52) in Home Repair Grants were distributed for fiscal 2024 under the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services’ National Social Development Programme. The Ministry hosted a brief distribution ceremony earlier today (Wednesday 11th September, 2024), at the Port-of-Spain City Corporation to present letters of approval to some of the beneficiaries.
In a Media Release, the Ministry said, “During her feature address, Minister of Social Development and Family Services, Senator the Honourable Donna Cox, indicated that the Programme, which specifically targets poor and vulnerable groups in society, is an instrumental component of the Ministry's plan to ensure that poor and vulnerable citizens throughout the country reside under habitable conditions.” She further stated that for fiscal 2024, approximately $3.5 million will be distributed to beneficiaries. According to the Minister, “As part of the National Social Development Programme, we are pleased to announce that two hundred and twenty-four (224) applications or eight hundred (800) persons have benefitted from our House Repair Programme. The cost is approximately $3.5 million for this year so far. A breakdown of the funds we are distributing today is as follows: two million, three hundred and thirty-eight thousand, two hundred and twenty-six dollars and fifty cents ($2,338,226.50) for minor house repairs; five hundred and seventy thousand, one hundred and eleven dollars and eighty cents ($570,111.80) in sanitary plumbing assistance; and four hundred and ninety-six thousand, four hundred and fifty-nine dollars and twenty-two cents ($496,459.22) in house wiring assistance. A significant portion of this funding will go toward victims of disasters, some of whom are sitting with us here today.” She also highlighted that a significant portion of this funding will be allocated to disaster victims. Additionally, she encouraged persons to take advantage of the available counselling and psychosocial support, emphasizing the importance of mental health support following a disaster. “Some persons here had their roofs blown off, others experienced infrastructure damage to their homes due to flooding and earthquakes. While you endeavor to recover from the loss of the physical infrastructure of your house, your psychosocial health is equally important. I therefore encourage you to utilize the services of our National Family Services Division if you are still in need of counselling or psychosocial support,” said Minister Cox. She further stated that adequate housing is listed as goal number 3 in the Government's Vision 2030 for the development of this country, which specifies that the Government will increase the number of households to benefit from the Home Improvement Grants to 1,500 annually, increase the number of Home Improvement Subsidies to 650 annually and increase the number of New Home Subsidies to 1,000 annually. The Media Release concluded by saying, “The National Social Development Programme is a unit in the Ministry with the core function of improving the living conditions of citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, through the provision of basic infrastructure for essential utility services. These services include minor house repair assistance, sanitary plumbing assistance, and house wiring assistance.” For further information on these grants, please visit the Ministry's website at www.social.gov.tt. 
A couple was robbed during a violent home invasion in Aranguez on Tuesday night (10th September, 2024), shortly after returning from their business — a Chinese restaurant located on the Aranguez Main Road. The man and woman are Chinese citizens.
According to reports, as the couple were entering their front door, around 9:05 PM, they were confronted by three (3) men who forced them inside and announced a robbery. The ordeal was captured on surveillance cameras as the suspects ambushed the couple outside their front door.
The bandits, all described as males of African descent, demanded money from the couple. One suspect, armed with a cutlass, tied the victims’ hands with tie-straps before the group ransacked their home.
A total of $54,000 in cash was stolen, as well as two (2) cellphones valued at a combined $10,000. The men also took the keys to the couple’s white Toyota Aqua (PDW 1107), which they used to flee the scene after terrorizing and robbing the couple. Police were subsequently notified and Officers responded to the scene, interviewed witnesses, and reviewed CCTV footage from neighbouring homes. A request was also made to the Cyber Crime Unit to track the stolen cellphones. Extensive efforts were made to locate the vehicle and suspects, without success.  The Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) is advising customers of unplanned water interruption due to a mechanical problem at Unit No. 1 at the Arouca Highlift Station.
Affected areas are as follows:
WASA notes that restoration is expected by 4:00 PM on Friday afternoon (13th September, 2024). The Authority thanks customers for their patience and understanding.  The Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) is advising customers in Chaguaramas that it has become necessary to interrupt the supply of electricity in the following areas on Thursday (12th September, 2024):
CHAGUARAMAS (9:00 AM to 1:00 PM)
T&TEC said this outage is necessary to conduct emergency repairs at the Chaguaramas Substation and regrets any inconvenience caused by this unplanned outage. Please be guided accordingly.  The Captain of a vessel will appear before the Chief Immigration Officer to answer thirty-four (34) breaches: seventeen (17) for transporting persons without a Passport and a further seventeen (17) for transporting persons without a Visa.
The charges stem from an incident where the Coastal Support Unit (CSU) intercepted a vessel off the North coast of Trinidad and the detention of twenty (20) individuals. According to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), at approximately 5:30 AM on Monday (9th September, 2024), the CSU received information regarding a person of interest spotted in the First Boca/Monos Island coastal area. Officers PC Valley and PC Mason responded immediately and around 6:00 AM, the CSU Officers intercepted a 28-foot pirogue, South of the Second Boca. The vessel bore no name or registration number and was occupied by twenty (20) individuals. Among those detained were three (3) adult Trinidadian males from Carenage: a 29-year-old, a 32-year-old, and a 27-year-old, the vessel's Captain, a Private in the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment. The remaining seventeen (17) occupants appeared to be foreign nationals, consisting of eleven (11) men, three (3) women, one (1) male child, and two (2) female children. None of these individuals were carrying travel documents. Although no illegal items were found on board, Officers seized TT $11,420 and US $20 in cash, along with two (2) bottles of alcohol, a market bag containing crabs, and a cooler with guavas. Following the initial detention at Coast Guard Headquarters at Staubles Bay, twelve (12) persons were released on an Order of Supervision, while five (5) persons were detained and sent to the Immigration Detention Centre. Enquiries are continuing.  The Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) said it “takes note of certain statements made by former Minister Mr. Mariano Browne” on the TV6 Morning Edition program on Tuesday (10th September, 2024).
In a News Release today (Wednesday 11th September, 2024), WASA said, “Mr. Browne is quoted as saying ‘...utility rates which are pegged to property prices and rates...so I think that utility rates, certainly in the case of WASA, rates are going to go up whether we like it or not...’ The Water and Sewerage Authority wishes to clarify to the public that the issue of rate increases is a matter for determination in the manner prescribed under the Regulated Industries Commission Act, Chap. 54:73.” The Authority added, “The Regulated Industries Commission (RIC) has the mandate under its Act to, inter alia, establish the principles and methodologies by which service providers determine rates for services, with which the Water and Sewerage Authority is obligated to comply. Any link made to an increase in water and sewerage rates being pegged to the current adjustments to property tax has no basis as the Authority cannot operate to impose increased rates and charges outside of the process under the RIC Act.” More on this as it becomes available. 
A man is dead and another person wounded following a shooting incident in Parlatuvier, Tobago, early this morning (Wednesday 11th September, 2024), as the island’s murder toll continues to climb. The deceased has been identified as Alvin Daniel, aka ‘Sargie,’ a resident of Parlatuvier.
According to reports, Daniel and a woman were sitting in a car, around 4:00 AM, when gunmen drove up and opened fire. He was taken to the Roxborough General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
This latest killing brings the murder toll on the island to twenty-two (22) for the year, so far. Investigations are continuing. More on this as it becomes available. [Source: CNC3]  The Ministry of Works and Transport is advising the public that there will be a temporary road closure along Jerningham Railway Road, between Elohim Road and Pina Extension, Cunupia. These works will commence on Saturday 14th September, 2024 and is expected to be completed on Monday 16th September, 2024. This has become necessary to facilitate pipeline relocation works.
Alternative access routes to be utilized are as follows:
Hours of Work: 24 Hours The Ministry is reminding the public that there will be frequent movement of heavy equipment along the roadway which may result in dust, noise and restrictions to roadside parking. Considering the above, motorists are advised to comply with the following:
The Ministry said it regrets any inconvenience caused and thanks the public for its continued co-operation. For further information, please visit the Ministry’s website (www.mowt.gov.tt) or call the Programme for Upgrading Roads Efficiency (PURE) Unit at 638-2350 or 675-4052.  According to the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS), we can expect fair periods, interrupted by partly cloudy conditions today (Wednesday 11th September, 2024), associated with scattered light to moderate showers, near, but not confined to, Western and hilly areas. There is a medium to high (40% - 80%) chance some of these showers could become heavy and/or thundery. Tonight will be mostly fair and cool except for some isolated showery interruptions.
The Met Office notes that in the vicinity of heavy showers and/or thunderstorms, expect gusty winds, street and/or flash flooding and also ponding in areas so prone. The forecast maximum temperature today will be 34°C at Piarco in Trinidad and 32°C at Crown Point in Tobago. Seas are moderate with waves 1m to 1.5m in open waters and below 1m but at times choppy near heavy showers and thunderstorms in sheltered areas. Please continue to pay attention to the latest forecasts, alerts, and information issued by the TTMS. |
