AGP Executive Report

Oil Spill Fallout: Venezuela’s foreign minister is demanding compensation from Trinidad and Tobago over the Heritage Petroleum spill detected May 1, saying it could affect 1,625 sq km of wetland systems and harm more than 500 fishermen—while T&T’s energy minister previously called it “minor” and estimated about 10 barrels, and Venezuela says the spill’s volume, origin and type are still unclear. Local Weather Watch: A yellow high wind alert is in effect as a weak tropical wave brings breezy-to-windy conditions, heavy showers at times, and Saharan dust; gusts over 55 km/h are possible, with sea conditions expected to worsen. Conservation & Community: Tobago’s Buccoo Reef gets a children’s book spotlight aimed at building young “environmental stewards,” while older reporting continues to flag concerns around Rocky Point’s hotel development and the slow pace of Gulfstream spill compensation recovery.

Oil Spill Pressure: Venezuela’s PSUV leader Diosdado Cabello is urging Trinidad and Tobago to formally acknowledge environmental damage and compensate fishermen affected by the spill, saying the government has not answered complaints as currents could spread impacts. Coastal Conservation & Development: Tobago’s Rocky Point hotel fight is still hot—two experts previously told EMA a 200-room project is “fundamentally incompatible” with the site, even after the CEC greenlight. Weather Watch: A Yellow Level High Wind Alert is in effect for Trinidad and Tobago, with gusts over 55 km/h possible near showers and warnings to secure loose items and use caution at sea. Community & Culture: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar points to “safe spaces” for youth through grassroots football, while the National Music School is being rebuilt with recording studios planned to boost local artistes. Nature for Kids: Environmental author Katrina Khan-Roberts launches The Secret of the Arboretum on May 23, blending fairytale fun with nature and ocean literacy.

Rocky Point Hotel Clash: Tobago’s Rocky Point Marriott push is back in the spotlight after EMA’s CEC approval drew fresh fire from marine experts who said the 200-room development is “fundamentally incompatible” with the site’s vulnerability—while the Rocky Point Foundation argues the safeguards aren’t tight enough. Public Health in the Spotlight: A landmark C-19 jab injury claim has reached T&T’s high court, tied to the “Safe Zone” vaccination rules that pressured workers to comply or lose income. Creative Sector Boost: Government says the National Music School is being rebuilt and should be operational soon, alongside new recording studios and more performance platforms for local artistes. Humanitarian Leadership: TTRCS president Anne-Marie Quammie-Alleyne has died, with the society now led by an acting president. Nature & Culture: A children’s book project is bringing Buccoo Reef to young readers, aiming to turn storytelling into environmental stewardship. Weather Watch: A yellow high wind alert remains in effect as gusts may exceed 55 km/h, especially near showers and in eastern areas.

Caroni’s Scarlet Ibis Nightfall: Trinidad’s mangroves are turning crimson again as thousands of scarlet ibis return to roost each evening in the Caroni Swamp—one of the country’s most iconic wildlife spectacles. High Wind Watch: The Met Office keeps a Yellow Level High Wind Alert in place, warning gusts over 55 km/h could dislodge roofs, topple loose items, and roughen seas—especially in the east and near showers. Oil Spill Pressure: Heritage Petroleum says it’s responding to fresh oil sightings in Tarouba and is monitoring air quality, days after the Gulf of Paria spill debate continued in Parliament. Tobago School Funding: The THA is seeking $60M to start Scarborough Secondary, with consultations and tendering planned once money is secured. Regional Health Push: CARPHA wraps Mosquito Awareness Week and launches a community Instagram reel contest focused on source reduction to curb dengue and other mosquito-borne threats. Local Governance & Jobs: TTUTA and the Ministry of Education met on teacher arrears, backpay, vacancies, and school safety systems.

Aviation Security: An Ukrainian aircraft carrying explosives to Libya was temporarily detained at Piarco after local police flagged undeclared cargo and security protocol breaches—then cleared to depart after inspection. Weather Watch: Trinidad and Tobago remains under a Yellow High Wind Alert, with gusts over 55 km/h possible near showers, plus rougher seas—residents are urged to secure loose items and use caution outdoors and at sea. Energy & Environment: Heritage Petroleum says it’s responding to a new oil spill sighted in Tarouba (Rangie Nanan Drive), removing contaminated soil while monitoring air quality; the update comes amid fresh scrutiny of how spills are disclosed and handled. Public Safety & Governance: The TTPS is set to expand to 10,200 officers (from 7,884), as the Government points to thin frontline numbers and rising strain. Education: The Ministry of Education met TTUTA on teacher salary arrears, backpay, vacancies, and school safety support. Economy/Business: The TTSE signed a two-year SME MoU with PwC to boost SME awareness of the IPO process and capital-raising.

Weather Watch: Trinidad and Tobago remains under a Yellow High Wind Alert as a weak tropical wave brings breezy-to-windy conditions, heavy showers, and Saharan dust. Gusts are expected to exceed 55 km/h (70% chance), especially near showers, in the east, and along elevated terrain—enough to dislodge unsecured roofs and snap tree branches, with rougher seas likely to disrupt marine activity. Public Safety & Community: Residents are being urged to secure loose outdoor items and livestock, while small craft operators should restrict activity. Education & Pay: The Ministry of Education met TTUTA on teacher salaries, backpay, vacancies, and leave processing, plus upgrades to administrative systems. Police Capacity: In Parliament, Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander announced a major TTPS expansion—sanctioned strength rising from 7,884 to 10,200 officers. Environment & Industry: Heritage Petroleum is investigating another oil spill in Tarouba, even as scrutiny continues over how spills are disclosed and handled. Governance & Economy: The TTSE signed an MoU with PwC to boost SME market awareness and understanding of the IPO process.

Mosquito fight goes social: CARPHA wrapped Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week (May 11–15) and is now pushing residents to act through a regional Instagram Reel Competition on source reduction, opening May 18 to June 12. Police staffing boost: TTPS sanctioned strength is set to rise from 7,884 to 10,200 officers, with the Minister citing a gap between “sanctioned” and daily frontline deployment. Plastics crackdown: MPs passed the Single-Use Plastics Act 2026, with phased restrictions and customs duty relief for alternatives once prohibitions begin. Oil spill pressure stays hot: Heritage Petroleum says it’s investigating a new Tarouba spill spotted May 14, even as the wider offshore spill dispute with Venezuela continues to draw fire. Tobago school funding push: THA is asking for $60M to start Scarborough Secondary construction, with consultations and tendering planned soon. High winds warning: A Yellow Level High Wind Alert runs May 15–17, urging people to secure loose items and watch marine conditions.

Oil Spill Watch: Heritage confirms a fresh oil spill response in Tarouba (Rangie Nanan Drive), with clean-up underway, soil removal in progress, and air monitoring as regulators are notified—coming days after the May 1 offshore spill dispute that has already sparked political heat. Weather & Safety: A Yellow High Wind Alert stays in effect through Sunday, with gusts likely to exceed 55 km/h in eastern areas and coastal waters—secure loose items and expect rougher seas. Tobago School Funding: The THA is asking for $60M in the mid-year budget review to start Scarborough Secondary, with consultations and tendering planned once designs are final. Teachers’ Pay Talks: MOE and TTUTA met on salaries, arrears and backpay, plus vacancies and school support systems. SME Market Boost: The TTSE and PwC sign an SME MoU to expand awareness and education around capital-raising and IPOs. Tourism Governance: Tobago officials stress continuity of solid plans beyond elections, while Rocky Point’s hotel push hinges on conditions. Public Health Tech: CARPHA reports Molbio rapid diagnostic platforms installed across 10 member states, including Trinidad and Tobago, strengthening faster outbreak detection.

Rocky Point conditions: Tobago’s Chief Secretary Farley Augustine says the $500m Rocky Point hotel-and-resort only gets his support if four conditions are met—starting with the THA being actively involved so the socio-cultural and environmental landscape isn’t destroyed, as critics warn the scale could harm fragile reef and green space. Tourism beyond party politics: THA Tourism Secretary Zorisha Hackett argues Tobago’s tourism success depends on building plans so solid they survive government changes, with knowledge transfer from technocrats to public servants. Water stress, even with rains: WASA reports reduced production at North Oropouche and Quare plants due to critically low river levels, echoing wider Caribbean drought pressures. Virtual assets regulation: The TTSEC urges “discipline, credibility, and clarity” as Trinidad moves into implementation of the Virtual Assets and Virtual Asset Service Providers Act. Derelict vehicles crackdown: Port-of-Spain City Corporation issues litter orders to remove abandoned vehicles under the Litter Act.

Utility Commission Race: Ten candidates are chasing two seats on Georgia’s powerful Public Service Commission, with early voting already underway—another reminder that who regulates electricity and gas can shape bills and emissions. Tobago Loss: George Stanley Beard, a tourism and heritage champion who helped shape the island’s conservation agenda, has died at 79. Water Stress: Even with the wet season arriving, WASA says reduced river flows are cutting production at key treatment plants, leaving some communities still urged to conserve. Oil Spill Politics: Trinidad says it has no policy requiring public statements on small spills, after Venezuela’s latest push reignited the dispute. Digital Finance Push: TTSEC is urging “discipline, credibility and clarity” as Trinidad moves into implementation of its virtual assets and VASP licensing framework. Public Safety: Port-of-Spain is warning owners to remove derelict vehicles or face council action. Health Tech: CARPHA has completed Molbio rapid testing rollouts across 10 member states, including Trinidad and Tobago.

Holy Name Convent Probe: The Port of Spain school board has launched an independent investigation into allegations against newly appointed principal Sr Renee Hall after a petition topped 1,000 signatures, with the board stressing student well-being and due process. Water Reality Check: Rains have arrived, but WASA says reduced output at the North Oropouche and Quare treatment plants is still forcing water conservation in parts of North-East Trinidad, echoing wider Caribbean drought pressures. Regional Health Boost: CARPHA says Molbio rapid diagnostic platforms are now installed across 10 member states, including T&T, strengthening faster detection for threats from malaria to TB. Oil Spill Politics: In Parliament, Energy Minister Roodal Moonilal said there’s no policy requiring public statements on “small” spills, after Venezuela’s latest complaints. Digital Finance Push: TTSEC is urging “discipline, credibility and clarity” as T&T moves to implement its virtual assets and VASP licensing framework. Public Safety: Port-of-Spain City Corporation issued litter orders targeting derelict vehicles, warning it can remove and dispose of them if owners don’t act. Community & Inclusion: CAISO launched “Growing Spaces” to support vulnerable LGBTQI+ people through wellness, food security and healing programmes.

Oil Spill Accountability: In Parliament, Energy Minister Roodal Moonilal said T&T has no policy requiring public statements on “small” offshore spills, citing a May 1 “tier one” classification and noting the ministry only spoke after Venezuela’s May 9 diplomatic communiqué. Digital Finance Discipline: TTSEC CEO Kester Guy urged “discipline, credibility and clarity” as T&T moves to implement its Virtual Assets and VASPs Act, with licensing and oversight now in place. Security Demand Shifts: Local security firms say clients are increasingly asking for prevention, real-time monitoring and coordinated response—not just standalone guards. Public Cleanliness Push: Port-of-Spain City Corporation issued orders to remove derelict vehicles under the Litter Act. Skills for Transition: Engineers are expected to be in high demand for national revitalisation and the energy transition, with TVET and university pathways being linked. Crime Watch: Police warned about Facebook Marketplace robberies and urged use of Safe Exchange Zones.

Community Action: Unicomer and United Way T&T teamed up with 70-plus volunteers to spruce up Edinburgh Government Primary in Chaguanas—fresh paint, landscaping, and the removal of old tyres to make the school frontage cleaner and safer. Public Safety: TTPS is warning people again after a Facebook Marketplace robbery on May 11 in Laventille left a victim $7,000 poorer in cash plus high-value items, urging use of Safe Exchange Zones like police stations and CCTV-lit public spots. Skills for Sustainability: UTT used APETT’s 2026 conference to push engineers toward a more connected education-to-industry path for a sustainable, resilient future. Health & Environment: CARPHA’s Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week is driving source-reduction action ahead of the rainy season, while EMA continues defending its Rocky Point Tobago hotel clearance as a science-led process with added coastal protections. Ongoing Dispute: Venezuela’s continued complaints about a Gulf of Paria oil spill keep the cross-border environmental fight in the spotlight.

Oil Spill Diplomacy: Trinidad and Tobago says an offshore Gulf of Paria spill detected May 1 was stopped the same day and is “not visible,” while Venezuela insists there were “serious” environmental risks to mangroves, wetlands, marine life and fishing areas—fueling fresh diplomatic friction. Tobago Development Watch: The EMA is defending its Certificate of Environmental Clearance for a $500m, 200-room Rocky Point hotel, saying it followed a science-led review and added protections like a much larger coastal setback and reef/turtle safeguards—after critics raised alarms about impacts on a nearby reef. Mosquito Control Push: CARPHA launched Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week in Trinidad, urging “source reduction” to cut dengue, zika and other mosquito-borne threats as the rainy season ramps up. Community & Industry: Digicel Foundation and Shell TT backed 2026 EPIC Grants for local projects, while TTMA welcomed the Brechin Castle agro-processing facility as a boost for farmers, SMEs and food security. Regional Health & Policy: Education Minister Dr Michael Dowlath says school violence needs a national, coordinated response beyond discipline rules.

Oil Spill Diplomacy: Venezuela says it’s keeping “permanent monitoring” after an alleged hydrocarbon spill linked to Trinidad and Tobago’s Heritage field, with an emergency specialist team now heading to the Heritage oil spill site; Local Response: Trinidad’s Energy Minister insists the spill was stopped, repaired and is “not visible,” while officials say communication with Caracas continues; Environmental Governance: In Tobago, the EMA is defending its approval of a $500M Rocky Point hotel, saying its CEC followed a science-driven review and added protections like a much larger coastal setback and reef/turtle safeguards; Public Health Push: CARPHA and local schools are driving Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week 2026 with a clear message: stop disease transmission by removing breeding sites; Youth & Sport: A new critique links abuse of power in sport leadership to frustration, youth violence and gang culture—raising pressure for better governance.

Rocky Point Fight: The EMA has defended its green light for a $500M hotel project in Tobago, saying the Certificate of Environmental Clearance followed technical review, agency consultations, and conditions covering hydrology, marine ecology, drainage, wastewater, coastal processes, lighting, archaeology, climate resilience and socio-economics—after residents and Rocky Point Foundation founder Duane Kenny raised alarms about impacts on a “fragile reef.” Oil Spill Tension: Energy Minister Roodal Moonilal insists there was “no secrecy” over a May 1 offshore spill, saying it was minor and contained quickly, while Venezuela continues to warn of serious environmental damage and has pressed for information and reparations. Mosquito Alert: CARPHA launched Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week 2026 in Trinidad, urging “Clean Up Today, Keep Mosquitoes Away” as dengue, chikungunya, zika and malaria strain health systems ahead of the rainy season. Health & Safety: Education Minister Michael Dowlath says school violence needs a coordinated national response beyond the Revised Code of Conduct. Regional Links: India’s Jaishankar highlighted deeper T&T cooperation on digital, pharma, energy and renewables.