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The Ministry of Social Development and Family Services spends approximately five billion dollars per year, on social support systems.

The Minister says, there is an increase in the number of people depending on such support every year.

Donna Cox says, her Ministry is getting ready to launch a national register of vulnerable people in 2024.

The Minister says, this will help meet the needs of those who are truly vulnerable and avoid abuse.

According to Minister Cox the registry, will help weed out those no longer in need.

She says, the ultimate goal is to decrease the number of people dependent on the state.

There has been a murder in Arima.

The victim is Elliot Chance.

Mr. Chance was shot dead, just after seven o’clock last evening at Tumpuna road.

Details of the circumstances surrounding the killing are not yet released.

Meanwhile, the man fatally stabbed in Port of Spain has been identified.

He is 24 year old Marcus Edwards.

He was from Laventille Road East Dry River In Port Of Spain.

Mr. Edwards was found in a pool of blood last Saturday morning, along Cockerton Street in Port of Spain.

He was taken to the Port of Spain general hospital where he died just before midday

Police say, a Toyota Fielder registered to Mr. Edwards was recovered at 17th street Beetham Gardens after the stabbing.

The vehicle was taken to the Besson Street police station.

It was processed by crime scene investigators and according to police workable prints were found.

There are no motives yet for the killing.

An assurance from Angostura Limited that business operations, including sales, will continue as normal following a fire at its premises.

In a release the company says, the fire on Friday did damage to an area of its premises that does not involve the main rum production area.

It says, the area affected was one of the botanical storage areas for bitters production.

The release says staff on duty at the time worked tirelessly and assiduously to curtail the spread of the fire.

The company thanks Chief Fireofficer, Mr Arnold Bristo, and his dedicated team for their sterling effort to contain the fire.

It says, they extend deepest gratitude to the dedicated employees, and the brave firefighters whose efficiency and quick response ensured the safety of everyone involved.

The release says, their commitment to safety and professionalism in the face of adversity is truly commendable.

Angostura says, its production processes remain unaffected, and assures customers and partners of their commitment to uninterrupted service.

It says, as they continue to investigate, their priority remains to be the safety of employees and the community.

Four-year-old Amir Williams has been shot and wounded during an attack on his father.

29-year-old Shaquille Williams was killed in the attack on Tuesday evening.

Mr. Williams was liming in the yard of his Gilkes Street, Four Roads, Diego Martin home, at around 6pm when two armed men stormed the premises. 

Reports say during a confrontation, the suspects shot at Mr. Williams

He tried to get away from the scene but was pursued by the suspects and shot along Louis Street.

At the time he was close to his son Amir Williams.

The child was wounded during the attack.

Amir was up to yesterday afternoon, in a stable condition.

Paria Commission of Enquiry Chairman Jerome Lynch, K.C expresses disappointment that no-one offered financial assistance to the families of the divers involved in the Paria pipeline  tragedy.

The final report into the demise of rishi Nagassar, Kazim Ali Jr, Fyzal Kurban, Yusuf Henry and the survival of Christopher Boodram, is to be delivered to president Christine Kangaloo today.  

Mr Nagassar, Ali, Kurban, Henry and Boodram, were sucked into a 30-inch underwater pipeline belonging to Paria Fuel Trading Co Ltd, on which they were doing maintenance work.

Only Mr. Boodram survived.

The accident occurred on February 25th, 2022.

During a virtual media briefing yesterday, K.C lynch lamented that even as the families were suffering initial shock and hardship, there was no acceptance of responsibility from any quarter and no assistance. 

The commission chairman said, there was a lack of humanity on all sides.

As K.C Lynch closed his press briefing, he responded to questions  from one of the widows in the tragedy.  

Mrs. Coosi wanted to know why the report is being made privy, to persons who are not family members.

The Paria Commission of Enquiry exercise lasted 21 months at a cost 15.5 million dollars.

And attorney at law Prakash Ramadhar represents the families of the dead.

Yesterday he called for the report to be made public.

As he made his statement Mr. Ramadhar was flanked by some of the men’s families.

Minister of Housing and Urban Development Camille Robinson Regis, is promising over three thousand new houses in the coming year from.

She says, this is the blueprint of her Ministry.

Yesterday, the Trinidad and Tobago Housing Development Corporation hosted a random selection draw.

Two hundred and fifty applicants are now one step closer to becoming homeowners.

Applicants were chosen for homes in the Bon Air North, Oasis Greens, Carlton place and Cypress Hills developments as well as Lakeview Bungalows.

Minister Robinson-Regis delivered the feature address.

She told of the plans saying, this will span various programmes and initiatives.

The Minister told of the accomplishments of the HDC over the last year.

Those chosen have been on the HDC’s housing application fulfillment system for over ten years.