The Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) is advising customers in parts of Central Trinidad who are currently experiencing an interruption in their supply, that this is due to a leaking 12-inch diameter pipeline, in the vicinity of the Preysal Flyover.
Emergency repair works are scheduled to commence at 7:00 AM today (Sunday 30th October 2022) and are expected to be completed by 3:00 PM. Affected areas include the following:
Customers are further advised that it may take up to eight (8) hours for the scheduled pipe-borne water supply to normalize to some areas after the completion of these works. For further information or assistance, customers can also contact WASA's Customer Call Centre, toll-free at 800-4420 or 800-4426. Traffic Advisory Motorists are advised that during the course of these works, there will be a temporary closure of the Northbound lane of the Uriah Butler Highway at the Preysal Flyover, with all Northbound traffic being diverted on to the Preysal Flyover. Motorists are asked to proceed with caution when approaching the jobsite and to obey the signs and instructions of Traffic Control Officers on duty. The Authority thanks the public for their co-operation and understanding during the period of disruption.
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The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS) has issued a Riverine Flood Alert (Yellow Level) for major water courses in North and Central Trinidad, mainly the Caroni, Caparo and North Oropouche Rivers. The Alert began at 7:15 AM this morning (Sunday 30th October 2022) and will remain in effect until 10:00 AM on Tuesday (1st November 2022).
According to the Met Office, after significant rainfall overnight, river levels across Northern and Central Trinidad are currently near 75% - 85% and rising. Weather conditions are currently settling, however, occasional periods of heavy rainfall can be expected over the next twenty-four (24) hours, particularly Sunday night (30th October 2022) into Monday morning (31st October 2022). This additional rainfall can continue to elevate river levels, so there remains a moderate risk to public safety, livelihood and property. Run-off will be slow at high tide times which are approximately 8:00 AM and 7:25 PM for today (Sunday 30th October 2022). The Met Office notes that we can expect partly cloudy to cloudy conditions today, with intermittent showers and periods of light rain. There is also the 60% (medium) chance of isolated thunderstorms, mainly during the afternoon and overnight. Gusty winds and street/flash flooding are likely near heavy downpours. The forecast maximum temperature today will be 30°C at both Piarco in Trinidad and Crown Point in Tobago. Citizens are advised to carefully monitor weather conditions and river/water levels. Monitor updates from official sources and plan safety measures, including emergency supplies of food and water. Do not take unnecessary risks. Follow the instructions of Government Officials. This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates. The bullet-ridden bodies of two (2) men were discovered at the Tunapuna Public Cemetery on Saturday morning (29th October 2022). The victims have been identified as 18-year-old Nirmal Ramberram and 28-year-old Elvis Hernandez, both from Prescott Lane, Tunapuna.
According to reports, Officers responded to a shooting at the Tunapuna Public Cemetery around 10:30 AM, where they observed the bodies of Ramberram and Hernandez with apparent gunshot wounds. A third person was also observed to be suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to Hospital and is said to be listed in a stable condition. There have now been 501 murders in the last ten (10) months — far surpassing the murder rate for a similar period in 2008. In that year, it took eleven (11) months to reach 500 murders. 2008 was the deadliest year in this country’s history with a total of 550 murders. With another two (2) months remaining this year, we are on track to surpass that figure. This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates. [Source: Loop] In a Media Release today (Saturday 29th October 2022) from the United National Congress (UNC), MP Rodney Charles notes there have been 501 murders so far this year. “With 501 murders in 10 months, we have far surpassed the murder rate for a similar period in 2008. In that year, it took 11 months to get to 500 murders. (2008 was the deadliest year in our history with a total of 550 murders).”
MP Charles adds, “Unless decisive, serious, intelligent and visionary action is immediately taken, there is no doubt that 2022 will become the new deadliest year. The Prime Minister boldly labelled crime as a public health emergency 4 months ago, yet nothing has been done. In fact, criminals have become more brazzen and gruesome in their activities. We have to ask, is this the Government’s crime plan? – Leave criminals to their own devices and hope that they kill each other while ignoring the innocent casualties?” The statement continued, “We have reached a point where hearing reports of 14 murders over a weekend is the new normal. How can Minister Hinds and the Acting CoP claim victory over seizures of high-powered rifles, when the masterminds bringing in those guns roam freely and undetected? Has Minister Hinds and P.M. Rowley become numb to the violent crimes occurring daily? What new crime fighting initiatives has Minister Hinds implemented since office? Where is the data to show that the Government is serious about crime?” According to the MP, “The citizenry has had enough of this Government’s distractions, tricks and broken promises. It is time for urgent action, intervention and a proper crime plan. If the Government cannot come up with its own, it need only ask and the UNC will be more than willing to give them some pointers. Something must be done so that we do not end 2022 with over 600 murders. P.M. Rowley must take responsibility for the state of TT under his watch and do the citizens a favour and fire Minister Hinds.” MP Charles concluded by saying, “It is shameful that no member of the PNM has spoken up against the flagrant mismanagement of the crime situation by the Government. Do no MPs on that side have a conscience? Have they no heart? They must know that Hinds and Rowley are doing nothing to avert the raging crime crisis. They should all make the best choice for TT and resign immediately.” [Source: UNC] UPDATE (31/10/22): The death toll has risen to 154. Authorities have launched an investigation to find out how what was supposed to be a night of celebration, turned so horribly wrong. UPDATE (4:00 PM): The death toll has reportedly reached at least 146 and climbing. An unknown number of those injured were in critical condition, according to the Associated Press (AP). At least 120 people are confirmed dead and at least 100 more were injured during Halloween celebrations in the Itaewon area of Seoul, South Korea, on Saturday night (29th October 2022), according to Fire Department Officials. According to reports, an apparent crowd crush caused the dozens of deaths and injuries. Witnesses reported a chaotic scene of partygoers cramped into narrow streets near the Itaewon station, with some trying to leave the area after a night of celebrations. Streets were so packed with people that some could not even move their limbs because of the elbow-to-elbow crowd. Many persons were unable to hear one another over the noise or call for help because of lack of a cell connection. Bodies covered in blue medical sheets were seen being carried out from a makeshift emergency site in an empty building early Sunday morning, some with just one shoe on, others barefoot.
Dozens of ambulances were lined up along the main road in Itaewon, a foreigner-friendly international district where large crowds had gathered this weekend for Halloween parties. Many of the victims were said to be in their 20s and 30s — both Korean and foreigners. The South Korean Presidential Office said President Yoon Suk-Yeol had been briefed on the incident. Yoon ordered Government Agencies to respond urgently to treat victims and review the safety measures available on-site. The Government also put out a city-wide emergency alert that was received on mobile phones. This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates. [Source: The Washington Post] Pictured Above: Suspect Roger Mohammed, 37. A 37-year-old contractor was granted bail with surety in the sum of $65,000 by Justice of the Peace (JP), Boodlal Balkaran, after being charged with fraudulent conversion totaling $32,000. Roger Mohammed is scheduled to appear at the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court on 14th December 2022.
According to Police reports, a Gasparillo man reported that between 28th October 2016 and 18th May 2019, he allegedly paid sums totalling $39,000 in cash, as down-payment to a contractor towards the supply, construction and installation of teak kitchen cupboards and granite counter tops. The works were scheduled to be completed by March 2017, however, to date the project has not started. PC Sooroojpaul of the Fraud Squad Office, San Fernando, conducted enquiries into this report, and a contractor from California was detained and subsequently charged for the offence of fraudulent conversion in the sum of $32,000. The investigation was spearheaded by Supt Ruben and supervised by Ag/Insp Seepersad and Cpl Lewis in the Central Division. High Court Judge Devindra Rampersad issued an order on Friday (28th October 2022) for Prime Minister Keith Rowley, Former Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi, Ministers Fitzgerald Hinds, Colm Imbert, Stuart Young, and Marvin Gonzales, to all appear before him in Court next month.
Justice Rampersad will be considering whether to grant an injunction to Former Police Commissioner Gary Griffith to prevent the publication of the controversial Firearm User's Licence (FUL) audit report in Parliament. Griffith has sued the Prime Minister and his Ministers, along with retired Police Officers Wellington Virgil, Raymond Craig, and Lennard Charles — who formed part of the audit team. Commenting on the news on Saturday (29th October 2022), Griffith shared the front page of a local newspaper with the story and said, in a clear dig to the Prime Minister, “To the man who loves to summon people. Hope he likes it.” Judge Rampersad has also granted Griffith permission to pursue his judicial review claim against the nine (9) persons for setting up the audit committee to investigate the Firearms Unit of the Police Service and depriving him of natural justice, while also considering laying the report in Parliament. P.M. Rowley and the others will have to appear before Judge Rampersad on 9th November 2022, when he will consider whether to grant the injunction that Griffith has asked for. Griffith has also asked the Court to order the Prime Minister and his Ministers to disclose the names of the members of the audit committee and grant declarations that the decision to commission the report infringed his rights and was illegal, unlawful and irrational, since they did not have the power to appoint the committee in the first place. He is also asking for the quashing of the report or any part of it that concerns him. The injunction he is asking for seeks to prevent the report from being published or laid in Parliament. Griffith notes that from his experience as a Former National Security Minister, he knows neither the Prime Minister nor the National Security Council had the authority to appoint anyone to investigate the operations of the Police Service, so he was therefore concerned about the legality of the appointment of the audit committee. Griffith served as Police Commissioner from 2018 to August 2021, and is represented by Senior Counsels Avory Sinanan and Larry Lalla. [Source: Newsday] Over the weekend we can expect partly cloudy to cloudy conditions at times, with light to moderate showers in varying areas and the chance of a heavy shower or thunderstorms in a few areas.
According to the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS), Saturday afternoon (29th October 2022) into the evening and night could see some increase in cloudiness and showers with a heavy shower or thunderstorm in some areas. Sunday, from early morning, is expected to be cloudy with showers and the chance of a thunderstorm in a few areas. After some settling by late morning there is expected to be an increase in cloudiness from the afternoon with showers in varying areas and a heavy shower or thunderstorm in a few areas. Monday becomes relatively settled but with partly cloudy to cloudy periods at times producing some showers in varying areas. The Met Office notes that the weather forecast can change, as the latest observations, data and information becomes available, “so please continue to pay close attention to the forecasts, alerts, and information issued by the TTMS.” An Adverse Weather Alert (Yellow Level) remains in effect until 3:00 PM on Saturday (29th October 2022), while a Riverine Flood Alert (Yellow Level) is in effect until 8:00 PM, also on Saturday. The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS) downgraded its Riverine Flood Alert (Orange Level) to Yellow Level at 4:15 PM this afternoon (Friday 28th October 2022). The Alert remains in effect until 8:00 PM tomorrow (Saturday 29th October 2022).
According to the Met Office, river levels peaked earlier today and are now showing signs of a downward trend. Run-off will be slow leading up to high tide at around 5:30 PM this afternoon, after which river levels will continue to fall. One or two heavy showers/thunderstorms can be expected over the next twenty-four (24) hours which can further exacerbate the situation in flooded areas. Citizens are advised to monitor weather conditions and river levels before venturing out. Avoid areas with flood waters. Monitor updates from official sources. Follow the instructions of Government Officials. Following the tragic death of a 57-year-old female Police Officer earlier this week in a vehicular accident in Gasparillo, Couva North MP Ravi Ratiram is demanding that the Government step up the repair and maintenance of the highway cable barriers throughout the country.
Media reports state that WPC Susan Duncan-Thomas, attached to the Maloney Police Station, was almost instantly killed on Wednesday night (26th October 2022) when a Nissan Navara pickup crossed the Southbound lane of the Solomon Hochoy Highway and ploughed into her vehicle, which was proceeding along the Northbound lane. The accident occurred in the vicinity of the Harmony Hall Overpass in Gasparillo, an area where there were at one time, functional protective cable barriers. In a Media Release on Friday (28th October 2022), the United National Congress (UNC) said, “Under the forward-thinking UNC/PP Government led by then Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, cable barriers were installed along several sections of the Solomon Hochoy Highway, due to the prevalence of incidents similar to that which took the life of WPC Duncan-Thomas. Since September 2015, the Rowley-led PNM has notoriously been dragging its feet in the maintenance and repair of these life-saving cable barriers.” Answering a question posed in Parliament by the Opposition in June this year with respect to the maintenance of the barriers, Minister of Works and Transport, Rohan Sinanan, responded by saying that material from the sites where the barriers are in place were being stolen. “This excuse provided by Minister Sinanan serves to underscore the Government’s lackadaisical and bureaucratic approach towards the maintenance and repair of this safety mechanism, as well as the need for more regular TTPS patrols along the nation’s highways,” the UNC said. At the recently concluded Standing Finance Committee, the Opposition again raised the issue, when MP Ratiram spoke to the issue of Government’s failure to utilize a $2 million allocation in fiscal 2022 for the ‘Provision of a Road Safety Audit.’ The Couva North MP stated that, “I would like to recommend to you that consideration be given by the Ministry to look at the danger by not attending to these barriers and when the barriers have actually been compromised from accidents, by not repairing those areas that have been compromised, it is putting motorists’ lives at risk.” The Minister responded by saying, “It’s a constant work in progress with these barriers and cables; this is a constant work and the Ministry continues to look at them and to have them on a project.” However, media articles published in January this year stated that the cable barriers along that very same Gasparillo section of the highway were to be repaired, yet from an observation of the scene of the accident earlier this week, there were no functional cable barriers in place. The Couva North MP is calling on the Government to put an end to their “Jerri-meandering of the maintenance and repair of the cable barriers along our nation’s highways and to stop risking the lives of our citizens through their uncaring incompetence.” [Source: UNC] |
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