NEWS
State ordered to pay over $1.8M
A decision to transfer six men on remand to a dilapidated and overcrowded building at the Maximum Security Prison in Arouca is set to cost the State more than $1.8 million. In a judgment delivered last week, High Court Judge Devindra Rampersad upheld the men’s claims challenging their transfer and the conditions in which they were detained. Justice Rampersad awarded each man between $248,000 and $374,500 in compensation, based on the length of time he spent in the building before being transferred. One of the men, Stefon Austin, died in custody while the case was pending. His mother was substituted as a claimant and will receive his compensation. On July 24, 2021, Austin, Ayokie Charles, Kerry Valentino, Brent Johnson, Joshua Janet and Darrel Dias were transferred to the Wayne Jackson Building, also known as Building 13, at the prison. Read more here
Homeless and helpless
Several areas of Port of Spain are seeing growing concentrations of people living on the streets, with the situation particularly visible along Upper Henry Street, Prince Street, Upper Charlotte Street and Chacon Street. As the Express walked through the capital, groups of socially displaced people were seen occupying sidewalks and public spaces, including areas outside Republic Bank and Royal Bank branches at Independence Square and South Quay. Read more here
POLITICS
Portfolio realignment seen as
The Prime Minister’s decision to reassign responsibilities among ministers has drawn mixed reactions. Some view it as a routine administrative adjustment, while others see it as a signal of the Government’s political and policy priorities. Former energy minister Kevin Ramnarine said the changes should not be seen as unusual or as a Cabinet reshuffle. “That’s par for the course in the five-year cycle of a government,” Ramnarine said, noting that governments often realign responsibilities to better achieve their objectives. “It’s not a Cabinet reshuffle; it’s just a reassignment of portfolios.” Ramnarine dismissed suggestions that ministers whose responsibilities had changed were being sidelined or demoted, arguing that their substantive portfolios remained unchanged. “The ministers continue to hold their substantive portfolios,” he said. “I don’t agree with those persons, and I don’t see it like that.” Read more here
BUSINESS
Analysts call for exchange rate review
With the Government preparing to deliver its national budget next week Monday, amid persistent foreign exchange shortages, economists and a business leader are urging policymakers to confront one of the country’s most difficult economic questions: whether the T&T dollar remains appropriately valued. While some have called for an objective assessment of the exchange rate, businesses warn that devaluation alone would not resolve the chronic shortage of US dollars and could instead increase the cost of food, medicine and other essential imports. Read more here
RFHL founding director Callender retires
DAWN Callender, one of the founding directors of Republic Financial Holdings Ltd (RFHL), has retired from the board of the financial services group. Her retirement took effect on October 1, according to a notice filed under Section 64(1)(b) of the Securities Act 2012. Callender was appointed to the board of Republic Bank Ltd in October 2011, succeeding Dr Marjorie Thorpe, who retired from the board on September 30, 2011. At the time of her appointment, Callender was director of Finance and Risk Management at The Power Generation Company of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd. Read more here
REGIONAL
Abu Zaman, Kathy Smith head inaugural Guyana Development Bank Board
The Guyana Development Bank now has its first Board of Directors, with Abu Zaman as Chairman and Kathy Smith as Deputy Chairperson. The seven-member board takes office as the Bank begins operations today. Zaman brings more than a decade of senior leadership in Retail and Small Business Banking. He is currently Chief Administrative Officer of ENet, Chairman of the Small Business Council, and Chairman of the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee of the Natural Resource Fund. His experience covers executive leadership, governance, financial services, institutional oversight and small business development. He holds an MBA in Leadership and Innovation and a bachelor’s degree in management. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Spanish PM Sánchez calls early election after housing protests
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called an early election for 29 November after recent defeats on legislation aimed at addressing the country's housing crisis. Speculation about a snap electionhad been building over the weekend after parliament rejected two decree laws put forward by the minority government to protect tenants in the rental market. The eviction of an 87-year-old woman from her home after she was unable to afford a sharp rent rise has sparked nationwide protests and increased pressure for housing reform. Read more here
5th October 2026