Ameen: Government help for flood victims lacking

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

Kamal Ramlochan uses a scoop to put water in a tub after his house was flooded on the Arima Old Road, Arouca last Wednesday. Photo by Ayanna Kinsale

ST AUGUSTINE MP Khadijah Ameen is calling on government to provide emergency social support and urgent clean-up relief for communities affected by flooding.

She said in a press release on Monday that this help is needed as it was clear the government’s lack of foresight and proper planning left tens of thousands literally in the cold.

The UNC’s shadow rural development and local government minister made the call as she visited constituents affected by recent flooding, together with councillors of the St Augustine constituency

Ameen said it appeared the government was doing below the bare minimum to get citizens’ lives back in order and that numerous government agencies appeared to be without leadership in this crisis.

The UNC deputy chairman, who has been on the field over the last few days distributing meals and other relief items, said, “Throughout the country, thousands are despondent and broken as they are without hot meals, without key grocery items which have been lost in the flood, no medication and not even a warm mattress to rest on.”

She said what was needed urgently are hot meals and groceries for those still marooned and those whose groceries have been destroyed; assessments of homes with damaged furniture, appliances, and household items; assessments by the National Self Help Commission on homes that suffered infrastructural damage and would need minor repairs; disinfectants and manual labour to clear homes, yards and roadways of slush and silt; and removing truckloads of debris.

The MP said the absence of government agencies on the ground was reflective of the ever-widening disconnect between respective ministers who appear to not have an appreciation of the reality on the ground and the crisis citizens are facing at this time.

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Boy, 15, chopped, shot, stuffed in latrine at Golconda

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

Salisha Seebaran, speaks on the killing of Videsh Dookran, her 15-year-old grandson who was a student of Ste Madeleine Secondary School was killed and body dumped at the back of Classic Pluck Shop in Galonda. – Photo by Marvin Hamilton

THE gruesome death of schoolboy Videsh Dookran, who was chopped and shot and his body stuffed in a latrine a short distance from his Golconda home, has left relatives baffled as to the sick person or people who did it.

Dookran’s grandmother Salisha Seebaran lowered her voice and held back her tears as she asked who would want her grandson dead.

Salisha Seebaran, speaks on the killing of Videsh Dookran, her 15-year-old grandson who was a student of Ste Madeleine Secondary School was killed and body dumped at the back of Classic Pluck Shop in Galonda. – Photo by Marvin Hamilton

“Why would someone want to separate a son from his mother? He only just begun to live his life,” she told the Newsday on Monday at the Church Street, Golconda home of a relative.

She said Dookran was a Form Three student at the Ste Madeleine Secondary school, but had been suspended for fighting and was supposed to return to school on Monday morning.

“He told me he was going to school this morning,” she said explaining the fight by saying he had been provoked and retaliated.

“He said he wanted to get an education. But instead of going to school today, his mother, Devika Seebaran, had to go to the Forensic Sciences Centre to see her son’s body.”

His cousin Curt Seebaran said Dookran was tortured to death.

Curt and his grandmother Salisha Seebaran, speaks on the killing of Videsh Dookran, their 15-year-old relative who was a student of Ste Madeleine Secondary School was killed and body dumped at the back of Classic Pluck Shop in Galonda. – Marvin Hamilton

“From what we are hearing, he had two chops – one across his face and one chop on his head – and shots fired in his chest. He was stuffed in a latrine, with his broken legs sticking out.

“They real torture him. And to make sure he was dead they pumped shots into his chest and then dumped him in a latrine at an abandoned house near a pluck shop.

“What could a 15-year-old boy do to deserve this kind of torture? Cuss you? Tell you something about your mother?

“We are trying to piece this puzzle together and nothing is adding up,” Seebaran said.

“He was not involved in drugs, or guns or gangs. He liked to talk a lot, but he was not a bad person. He was always helpful.”

He said the family foundit strange that the police showed up atDookran’s mother’s home on Sunday morning to tell her of her son’s death, but by the time she got to the crime scene, his body had already been removed.

“She never got to see her son’s body. The police knew her name, where she lived and her son’s name. They showed her pictures of his body and she confirmed it was her son.

“If they knew who she was, why didn’t they come and take her to see her son’s body and identify him? And who would have tipped off the police about the body with all the relevant information?” he asked.

Police said they were tipped off by an anonymous female caller who said two of her sons, 14 and seven, were with Dookran. She said one of the brothers had a gun, shot Dookran, then dumped his body. Curt said he last saw his cousin on Saturday afternoon, at the home of a relative, where they had a cook-out. After the meal, Dookran said he was going to meet up with friends and drop off some food for another relative.

He said this was not uncommon for Dookran, who usually limed in the village and returned home religiously before 9 pm.

His mother told investigators her son left home around 2 pm on Saturday to visit a relative and friends in the village. He never returned.

Curt said Dookran was threatened by a man who accused him of sending text messages to his wife.

“But that was not Videsh who was sending those texts. We found out who it is, but the man held a grudge.

“We don’t know if that grudge he was holding caused this.”

His grandmother said she did not want to accuse anyone of killing her grandson.

“I can’t believe my grandson gone. He was not a wicked boy. He was always very helpful. Anybody could call him to do something and he would do it.”

Education Ministers Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly and Lisa Morris-Julian used the ministry’s Facebook page to send their sympathy to the bereaved family.

“The former Form Three student of Ste Madeleine Secondary School met an untimely passing on October 8, 2022. The death of any young person is a loss to TT’s future. May Videsh’s soul rest in peace.”

The Homicide Bureau Region II is continuing investigations.

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Laventille murder victim’s family want warning app for dangerous areas

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

A phone displaying social media apps. Photo source: teenvogue.com

The relatives of murder victim Kyle Millar say a public warning system through a mobile app could save lives, as it would raise awareness of the dangers in various communities.

Millar, 30, from Laventille, was shot dead while waiting to pick up a relative from work in Belle Eau Road, Belmont, last Friday night.

Speaking with Newsday at the Forensic Science Centre, St James, on Monday, Millar’s relatives said he was not known to be involved in any illegal activities, so they suspected he was killed for simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Millar’s relative, who worked at a Lotto booth in Belle Eau Road, said she was counting cash before closing up for the evening when the shooting happened.

“He came to pick me up and I told him to wait on me because I was counting up some money.

“He said I would take a while to do that and that he would go to a bar across the street to buy a beer to pass the time. He said by the time he finished the beer, I would finish. “But by the time he went outside, that was it. I heard shots and that was it.”

The woman said she was deeply traumatised by Millar’s murder and did not think the neighbourhood was so dangerous that murders could happen without warning. She said she would not be returning to work after the incident.

“I’m not going back up there. How can I go back when I went outside and saw Kyle lying down bleeding out?

“I can’t stomach up there. I can’t even lie down and sleep.”

Another relative suggested a warning system similar to the one used by the Met Office to advise the public of bad weather could be used to warn people of crimes in different communities.

She said the family did not know how violent the area was, and felt regular alerts through social media platforms would sensitise the public to these dangers.

“There must be information on the area where the incident happened, the date of the incident. Without this information, innocent people would be going into places and not know the danger that is out there waiting for them.

“The residents in these communities will know, but if I’m not from around there, who is going to watch me and tell me?

“People need to hear on the news, where they can have the information readily available, to be constantly updated.”

Relatives said Millar was a mechanic and had plans to open his own bar in San Juan.

Police from the Homicide Bureau of Investigations Region I are continuing enquiries.

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Shooting, Three Vehicle Fires Among 84 SLFS Emergency Responses – St. Lucia Times News

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: St. Lucia Times News

– Advertisement –

A total of eighty four responses were made from the 7th to the 10th of  October, which included 4 motor vehicular incidents, 2 physical assaults, 1 alleged shooting and 4 fires. Three of the fires were vehicular fires.

 On Sunday October 9, at approximately 1:25 a.m., emergency personnel at the Dennery and Micoud Fire Stations responded to a call in Dennery Village for an alleged shooting incident.

The emergency medical team found two wounded individuals on the scene in the presence of police officers.

An assessment revealed that one of the individuals, a female in her late teens sustained a wound to her leg and male in his early thirties sustained a wound to his arm. The individuals were transported to the St. Jude and OKEU hospitals respectively.

– Advertisement –

 Officers at the Fire Service Headquarters responded to a motor vehicular collision which escalated to a vehicle fire on the John Compton Highway on Friday October 7 at approximately 6:40 p.m.

The crew was assisted by personnel from the Gros Islet Fire Station.

After the reported collision of two vehicles, four persons were treated on the scene and transported via ambulance to the OKEU Hospital, while the fire suppression team worked to extinguish fire in one of the vehicles involved.

The four persons were remained in a stable condition en route to the medical facility, and the fire was extinguished with no injury to persons or damage to any other property.

SOURCE: Saint Lucia Fire Service

– Advertisement –

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Governor Geneneral and Prime Minister congratulate Taiwan on it’s 111th National Day

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: NBC SVG

Governor General, Her Excellency, Dame Susan Dougan has congratulated the Republic of China, Taiwan on its 111th anniversary of the National Day of Taiwan.

Dame Susan was speaking at a Special Sporting Event at the Diamond Stadium on Saturday.

https://www.nbcsvg.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/DAME-RELATIONS.mp3

In his address, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves said St. Vincent and the Grenadines continues to experience excellent relations with the Republic of China, Taiwan.

https://www.nbcsvg.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/EXCELLENT-RELATIONS.mp3

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NBC’s Special Report – Monday October 10th 2022

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: NBC SVG

Plans are being made for the hosting if the queen of calypso competition as part of activities for this country’s 43rd anniversary of independence.

Speaking at the launch of activities for independence President of the Calypsonians Association Earl “Caba” Bennet said the event was traditionally hosted during the carnival season.

Rawdica Stephen tells us more in today’s special report.

https://www.nbcsvg.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/CALYPSO-QUEENS-REPORT.mp3

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Alston Becket Cyrus awarded Honorary Doctorate

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: NBC SVG

Vincentian Calypsonian Alston Becket Cyrus returns to the State today, after he has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the West Indies.

Becket was conferred an honorary Doctor of Letters for his work as a Soca Artiste/Composer.

He received the honour at the graduation ceremony at the Five Islands campus in Antigua and Barbuda on Saturday.

Plans are place to meet Dr. Alston Beckett Cyrus at the Argyle International Airport with a welcome team in view of this great achievement.

Members of the Carnival Development Corporation and the Calypso fraternity are expected to be at the AIA.

A welcome motorcade will be held from the AIA to Beckett’s home town of Layou.

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NBC’s Covid-19 Update – Monday October 10th 2022

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: NBC SVG

Chief Health Promotion Officer in the Ministry Of Health Wellness and the Environment Shanika John is encouraging Vincentians to check with the airlines for travel protocols before traveling.

Ms.  John said many countries have eased travel restrictions but persons must conduct their research before they travel.

Rawdica Stephen tells us more in NBC’s Covid-19 update.

https://www.nbcsvg.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/COVID-19-UPDATE-628.mp3

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Brunswijk op Marrondag: ‘Eenheid, eenheid, eenheid!’

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: De Ware Tijd Online

Tekst en beeld Edwien Bodjie PARAMARIBO — “Kondee meke u bonduu ko na wan ye!” – Volk, laten we ons

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Une semaine de recrutement et d’information dans le BTP

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Martinique FranceAntilles

Pôle emploi, la Confédération de l’Artisanat et des Petites Entreprises du Bâtiment (CAPEB), la Fédération Française du Bâtiment (FFB) et la Fédération Nationale des Travaux Publics (FNTP) lancent sur tout le territoire, du 10 au 14 octobre 2022, la 2ème semaine nationale des métiers du bâtiment et des travaux publics. 

Pôle emploi, la CAPEB, la FFB et la FNTP se mobilisent pour l’emploi dans le BTP toute cette semaine. Objectif commun : mettre en avant l’attractivité de cette filière incontournable, faire connaître les formations, les métiers et faciliter les recrutements des entreprises.

À l’occasion du la 2ème semaine nationale des métiers du bâtiment et des travaux publics, une série de rencontres est prévue sur l’ensemble du territoire. 

Au niveau national, le secteur du BTP, l’un des premiers employeurs de France, représente plus d’1,5 million de salariés présents dans un peu plus de 230 000 entreprises en 2021.

Pour mieux lire le programme, téléchargez-le ici : Le programme complet

Programme

– DR

« Le secteur propose de réelles opportunités d’emploi et représente 265 000 projets de recrutement en 2022, soit une hausse de 22% par rapport à 2021. Entre le bâtiment et les travaux publics, les métiers et les conditions d’exercice sont très variés et la transition écologique ouvre vers de nouveaux besoins en compétences », indique le communiqué de presse commun à Pôle Emploi et aux organismes professionnels. 

Job-datings, découvertes des métiers, formations

À l’occasion de cette 2ème semaine des métiers du bâtiment et des travaux publics : des Job-datings, des découvertes des métiers et des formations seront proposées. 

« Dans la période que nous traversons, il est d’autant plus important d’agir pour lutter contre les difficultés de recrutement », indique Jean Bassères, directeur général de Pôle emploi. 

« Au-delà des éléments chiffrés, les Travaux Publics sont surtout un secteur porteur d’opportunités pour l’avenir, avec des métiers devenus indispensables à la transition écologique. Construire des infrastructures de mobilité et d’énergie décarbonées, adapter les territoires au changement climatique, réhabiliter les friches industrielles et restaurer les milieux naturels, c’est construire l’avenir de notre pays et être acteur pour la planète », estime, pour sa part, Bruno Cavagné, président de la FNTP. 

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