JUST four days before the Panorama finals, President Christine Kangaloo proclaimed the law to place the steelpan at the centre of the TT coat of arms.
The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts both proudly displayed the new emblem featuring the national instrument on their social media pages the same day, February 25. Kangaloo's proclamation was published as Legal Notice Number 6, Number 1 of 2025.
A statement on the Facebook page of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts declared, "UPDATED - The Coat of Arms of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago‼️ WE ARE PROUDLY TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO! Randall Mitchell."
The OPM Facebook page displayed the new coat of arms. It also showed a photo of the Prime Minister receiving the report from the Cabinet Appointed Committee to Review the Placement of Statues, Monuments and Signage in TT at Whitehall, Port of Spain, on February 25. The committee was chaired by Dr Rita Pemberton who was shown handing the report to Dr Rowley.
Previously, on the day of the Panorama semifinals, February 16, the Central Bank said the new emblem with the steel pan would be placed on the country's $100 bill, and be available to the general public in September.

A bill to replace the three ships of Christopher Columbus on TT's national coat of arms with the steelpan was passed by the House of Representatives on January 13 and by the Senate on January 21. The National Emblems of Trinidad and Tobago (Regulation)(Amendment) Bill, 2025 was piloted by Mitchell.
The Central Bank said, "The adjusted Coat of Arms (replacement of the ships with the steelpan) has been integrated into the design at no additional cost."
The new coat of arms was designed by artist Gillian Bishop and has provoked much public discussion and comment, some for and some against the change.
(Source: Newsday, Feb 26, 2025)

The Prime Minister will step down on March 16.
Dr Rowley was speaking at the commissioning of the O’Meara Road upgrade project at the Ministry of Works and Transport, O’Meara Road, Arima on February 26.
He first announced his intention to step down as Prime Minister at a press conference on January 3.
At that time, he said, “I said to this country, I will not be doing that again, and I meant it, and I have kept it.
“I also said that I have brought into the political arena a number of young people who had served at that time, one term. Many of them are still in government about to complete their second term, experienced, some of them with nine or ten years approximately of service in the government.


“So the government and people of Trinidad and Tobago have a cadre of people, mainly young people, who came into public service, with all its warts and are prepared to take this country forward.”
Rowley, who turns 76 in October, has served 45 years in public life.
On January 6, Rowley named Energy Minister Stuart Young as his successor.
He said Young received the support from the PNM's parliamentary caucus after a retreat in Tobago.
“Once a vacancy arises with respect to the appointment of a prime minister, it falls to the President to respond to that by making an appointment on the person, who, in the President’s view, commands the majority in the House,” Rowley said on January 7.
“So we, as a caucus, as a PNM in the house (of Representatives), we discussed at length and in the end, we came up with a situation where the entire PNM caucus is in support of Member of Parliament Stuart Young, MP for Port of Spain North/St Ann’s West. And we are very pleased to announce that the promise of a smooth transition is going according to plan.”
Rowley said on January 3 he will not be seeking re-election as the PNM's candidate for the Diego Martin West constituency in this year's general election.
On February 17, the PNM's screening committee chose broadcaster Hans Des Vignes to succeed Rowley.
About Dr Keith Rowley


Here are some highlights of Dr Rowley's 45 years in public life:
Enters politics in 1981, unsuccessfully contests Tobago West seat in that year's general election.
Opposition Senator from 1987-1990.
First elected Diego Martin West MP in 1991.
Agriculture Minister – January 13, 1992-Oct 6, 1995.
Planning and Development Minister – December 2001-November 2003.
Housing Minister – November 2003-November 2007.
Accused in 2003 of having material moved from the Scarborough Hospital Project to the Landate private housing development project in Mason Hall, Tobago. Subsequently cleared of all claims and allegations.
Trade and Industry Minister – November 2007-April 2008.

Fired from Cabinet in April 2008, by then prime minister Patrick Manning over concerns about corruption at Udecott and for allegedly engaging in "wajang behaviour."
September 2004 – Accused of being involved in a "teacup" brawl in Parliament's lounge with then UNC MP Chandresh Sharma.
May 2010 – Opposition Leader after PNM's defeat in that year's election. Later elected PNM political leader.
September 2015 – Elected prime minister.
August 2020 – Re-elected prime minister.
January 2025 – Announces retirement from electoral politics.
(Source: Newsday, Feb 26, 2025)

​Few may have heard of Aubrey “Bolo” Christopher and his family, but they were among the first Chinese Trinidadians to bring out Carnival bands and to be involved with Calypso. Nicknamed after his favorite bread roll, Bolo came from a family of ten children of Richard Christopher, a Chinese shop owner and businessman and his Venezuelan wife, Narcisa Rodriquez. The family lived on top of their shop at 7 Nelson St. near Tamarind Square. The shop was a grocery and variety store and had a large back yard which was to become a place to hang out for young people who lived in the area.
Bolo was an inquisitive and innovative child who liked to tinker and make things. He made his own bicycle for instance and toys for his siblings to play with. From the age of 11, he began to get dressed up for the Carnival and to play banjo for the bands he took part in.
Between 1927 to 1939, Bolo and his older brothers, Choy Yin and Chin Yu brought out small bands from their home. His mother, Narcisa and his sisters sewed all the costumes, while Choy Yin could make head pieces. A neighbourhood friend, Manzi Lai, would also help out until he too, began bringing out costume bands on his own.
The boys began organizing calypso competitions every Carnival in tent they would set up in the back yard of the shop. Bolo could play several instruments and even composed Calypsos for others as he preferred not to sing.
Bolo was also an athlete, a cyclist who represented Trinidad at his peak. He opened a bike shop which made and sold bikes, and when this business fell off , he began repairing and selling radios. The shop was also importing and selling records and this would lead him to open a small recording studio at the shop. One day, he was asked to help a young calypsonian to record a song called “Yankee Gone”, that had been repurposed from an advertising jingle he had written for Salvatori stores. Bolo liked the tune and pushed the radio stations to play it. It was better known as “Jean and Dinah” and the singer composer was Sparrow.
Richard Christopher, Bolo’s father, never told his family his Chinese name, nor shared much about his early life. When I interviewed Bolo’s sole surviving sibling, a 93 year old sister, Tentie, she said she regretted not taking the trouble to find out. I asked if there was a family plot at the cemetery and there, on one of the headstones, I found the family name in Chinese characters, it is Huang. (Source: Robert Lee, Angelo Bissessarsingh's Virtual Museum of T&T) 

​MINISTER of Tourism, Culture and the Arts Randall Mitchell is expecting more tourists to visit TT for Carnival,based on the number of airline flights and cruiseship arrivals. He said so at the launch of the John Cupid Carnival Village, at Queen's Park Savanah, Port of Spain, on the night of February 7.
"The encouraging growth and success of this Carnival Village can be measured in the numbers of patrons who pass through its entrance to experience the events held here.
He said in Carnival 2023, the National Carnival Commission recorded 70,000 patrons visiting the Carnival Village and in 2024, the patronage increased to 100,000.
Mitchell expected Carnival Village this year to exceed 100,000 patrons.
Themed, No Place Like Home, he said Carnival 2025 was shaping up to be one of the most exciting and expansive celebrations in TT's history. "We have already seen a remarkable increase in the number of events, with between 300 to 400 Carnival events and fetes scheduled to take place.
"This year, we have 410 more aircraft arriving to TT from international destinations from February 1 to the first week of March. Therefore, we expect more visitors here during the season."
Mitchell expected visitor spend to surpass the $640 million spent in 2024.
"This visitor spend will provide a great economic stimulus to all involved in the Carnival celebrations, from the accommodation providers, promoters, artistes, taxi drivers, and vendors."
He said Carnival patrons have expressed their thrill and excitement at the variety and quality of events being hosted this season, and he was sure this Carnival would be one to remember. "The impact of this Carnival village will no doubt contribute to success of the season at large."
Mitchell said the Carnival Village exemplified the diversity of Carnival and the variety of all its layers, offering something for everyone. "There will be over 40 vendors selling a range of products, including craft items, tasty cuisine and clothing.
"We are surely in for an unforgettable experience with twenty events covering a wide range of our Carnival music genres from extempo to chutney to calypso and soca."
He encouraged all to come out to support local entertainers and artisans. "Their work is indeed the heartbeat of our cultural industry."
Mitchell said the Government and his ministry remained unwavering in their commitment to supporting local creatives, and ensuring their contributions were recognised, celebrated, and sustained for generations to come.
He espoused the educational benefits of the Carnival Village.
"As in previous years, we are pleased to welcome students on specially designated days to be part of the entertainment.
"This initiative not only immerses young minds in the richness of our culture, but also nurtures the next generation of creatives and cultural ambassadors."
The experiences and networking opportunities they gain will broaden their perspectives, inspire their creativity and instill a deep appreciation for TT's cultural heritage.
"Additionally, as our cruiseship season progresses, we are set to welcome six cruiseships during the period February- March, including the epic carnival experience on the Rhapsody of the Seas, Royal Caribbean, which will be docked for five days at the port of Port-of-Spain, bringing 2,396 passengers eager to revel in our Carnival festivities.
"Recognising the importance of these visitors to our tourism industry, we have tailored special days within the village to ensure that they too, can immerse themselves in our celebrations."
He said a top priority was ensuring safety for all.
"We have put specific measures in place to safeguard both our citizens and visitors alike, ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience for everyone attending the John Cupid Carnival Village."
Mitchell thanked all who had made Carnival 2025 possible, including and organisations the National Carnival Commission, the Regional Carnival Unit and the Carnival Institute, plus the security services for their tireless efforts in bringing the Carnival Village 2025 to fruition.
"Your dedication to excellence and your passion for preserving and elevating our culture do not go unnoticed."
Guests were treated to performances by traditional Carnival characters – screaming jabs jabs, cavorting blue devils, voluptuous dame lorraines, and pierrot grenades.
At one stage, fantastic moko mumbles towered high and danced in time to the fiery notes from a lively tassa band. The happy show was emceed by Darryl Mendoza and Oscar B.
Gospel artiste Jaron Nurse kicked off the musical performances.
Darryl "Farmer Nappy" Henry had guests singing along to his song, How I feeling?
Orlando Octave, Rikki Jai, Freetown Collective and Squeezy Rankin all gave performances keenly lapped up by patrons. ​(Source: Sean Douglas Newsday )

Glass bottles have, once again, been banned by Cabinet during Carnival.
The ban was first introduced in 2020, but it was since 2012 that then Port of Spain mayor Louis Lee Sing had been advocating for the ban.
The Carnival (Prohibition of Glass Bottles) Regulations, 2025, say from 4 am on March 3 to midnight on March 4, only “authorised” people can have, serve or drink from a glass bottle within 100 metres of a Carnival event in a public place.
The only public place glass bottles will be allowed is at the beach.
Authorised people include those holding a licence under the Liquor Licences Act; anyone holding a special event licence issued under the Special Event Order, 2025; a vendor holding a food badge; a server of a band registered under the Carnival Regulations, 2025; and on duty employees a Municipal Corporation; the CEPEP Company Ltd; TT Solid Waste Management Company Ltd or an employee of a manufacturer or distributor of beverages in glass bottles.
Any unauthorised person found with a glass bottle will be fined $1,000 and spend up to six months in jail.
(Source:  Janelle De Souza Newsday)

Source: Elizabeth Gonzales Guardian Tobago Correspondent 
On February 7, 2024, Tobago’s coastline was devastated when a barge capsized, spilling thousands of gallons of fuel into the sea. The disaster hit the island hard—environmentally, economically, and socially.
One year later, Tobagonians are reflecting on how the disaster changed the island.
Thick oil covered the shore in a matter of minutes after the Gulfstream barge overturned and crashed just off the coast of Cove, spewing bunker fuel. It was the beginning of months of recovery.
The spill was catastrophic, choking marine life and suffocating the island’s economy, incurring a $76 million bill.
The oil spread quickly, coating Lambeau Bay, lining the Scarborough shoreline, and breaching the protected mangroves.
Containment boons were used at the Scarborough Port and around the wreckage to contain the spill.
The spill didn’t just affect the environment—two schools, Scarborough Secondary and Lambeau Anglican, had to close because of air quality concerns.
The Tobago Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) said it took 196 days to contain 60,000 barrels of oil waste and 23,000 cubic yards of material waste to restore the island. It took 77 days to remove the wreckage.
One year later, fisherman Edwin Ramkissoon said life hasn’t been the same. His vessel, Fishers of Men, was trapped in the oil.
It took days to recover the vessel safely, but it was damaged and covered in fuel. To date, he’s still trying to get back on his feet.
Ramkissoon said: “Up to now, I don’t know what to say. It’s like a nightmare still haunting me.”
He is among a group waiting to process claims through the International Oil Spill Compensation Fund. Until that happens, he is surviving on handouts and favors.
He said he feels forgotten.
“My boat needs repairs. My engine—I have to get a new one because it’s not working so well. I need to paint over my boat as well because it still has oil stains and cracks from when they were bringing it up,” he said.
Chief Secretary Farley Augustine said the disaster proves Tobago can go through hell and come out strong.
At a press conference two weeks ago, Augustine gave a breakdown of the spill’s expenses.
“For me, the biggest takeaway from the crisis is that Tobago has the ability to go through hell and come out with a slice of heaven,” he said.
Augustine said the THA is working to capature Tobago’s response to the disaster in a special documentary.
Just days before the anniversary, hydrocarbons resurfaced but were quickly contained. TEMA director Allan Stewart said this might continue throughout the year.
“It is factual that there is sunken oil and as a result, it may resurface from time to time. When it resurfaces, we just have to do what we have to do in terms of mopping up.”
Marine expert Alvin Douglas predicts a full recovery of Tobago’s marine life—particularly the damage done to a reef during the crash—could take a lifetime.