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A promise of new equipment for the fire service in 3 weeks time.

The National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds last night admitted that several fire stations are lacking equipment.

The issue of inadequate equipment at fire stations across the country is back on the front burner after the tragic deaths of 42-year-old Kemba Morris and her 8-year-old daughter Zaya at their Siparia home last Sunday.

On TV6 news last evening Minister Hinds expressed sadness at the passing of the 2.

The Minister said it is unfortunate that the fire tender attached to the Siparia station was undergoing repairs at the time of the deadly incident.

The Minister admitted there is a lack of tenders but could not say how many are needed at stations across the country.

A man is shot and killed in Barrackpore.

He has been identified as Curtis Thomas also known as Coutou.

Reports say the incident took place at Bouccad Trace around 10:40pm last night.

Residents say they heard several explosions and called the police.

It is said when officers arrived they found the body of Mr. Thomas with several bullet wounds.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

And a man is gunned down in Cocorite.

He has been identified as Brendon Barbaste.

Reports say that incident took place at water hole after 5pm yesterday afternoon.

Newscenter 5 understands Mr. Barbaste he was approached by an armed man who opened fire, hitting him in the chest.

The suspect then ran off.

Investigations are continuing.

An assurance to consumers from the President of the Super-Markets Association, that food prices will come down.

Rajiv Diptee’s statement follows a recent report from the central statically office, which notes a fall in headline inflation to 8.3 per cent in January 2023, compared with 8.7 per cent a month earlier.

However, the CSO says food inflation remained unchanged at 17.3 per cent.

Mr. Diptee, however, says he expected costs to lower, and assured when this happens, consumers will benefit.

But he notes that it will take some time for it to trickle down to the consumer.

He explains that import costs from the U.S and Europe have been leveling off, but energy prices and other factors remain high.

Mr. Diptee says these costs will have an effect on the consumer.

Mr. Diptee was speaking on the morning Edition program on Tv6 yesterday.

He believes once costs continues to level off consumers would see food prices decreasing on the shelves soon.

Meanwhile the opposition United National Congress describes the situation as insanely worrisome

MP Couva South Rudranath said the CSO report reflects a portion of the economic hardship, that workers across the country have been experiencing.

He says it is a clear indication of how challenging it has become for average families to put basic food on their tables.

Mr. Indarsingh says these hardships will be intensified by the imminent increases in electricity rates

He says these figures given by the retail price index are a clear indication of how vexatious, any further increases in electricity rates, food, and transportation would be.

There is a new deadline given to children’s homes, which have not been licensed.

Government announced a new date for the proclamation of, The Children’s Community Residences Foster Care And Nurseries Act.

The Act was expected to be proclaimed on, March 31st 2023.

The decision to extend the deadline was taken after some children’s homes did not meet the licensing requirements

And the Gender & Child Affairs Minister says it would do children more harm than good if proclamation takes place at this time.

Some thirteen children’s homes have been given an extension of, three months to get their act together.

A virtual news conference yesterday Minister of Gender And Child Affairs Ayanna Webster-Roy announced a new date.

Government had promised a decision on the proclamation of Sections 3 (1) And (2), and 17 Of The Children’s Community Residences, Foster Care And Nurseries Act By March 31st

But Minister Webster Roy said 13 homes in operation are still unregistered.

She assured the children are being well taken care of.

The Minister assured the public that the homes are consistently being monitored by the Children’s Authority to ensure the safety and well being of the children.

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley says last Sunday was another painful day for the country.

Dr. Rowley says his heart goes out to the family.

He is promising to continue to improve the ability and infrastructure, to minimize the frequency of such occurrences.

He calls on members of the public to review their construction designs to allow for escape in an emergency.

Some reports say burglar proofing trapped the mother and daughter, where their bodies were found in the kitchen area.

Dr. Rowley says burglar proofing has sadly become essential, but now maybe a good time to review all individual situations. To allow for improvements without compromising the security aspects of the locked bars.

A Venezuelan man is stabbed to death in Princes Town.

He is 28-year-old Owell Lester Gonzalez Valasquez.

It is said he was involved in an altercation yesterday morning and was found unresponsive along the Naparima Mayaro Road, New Grant.

Police say Mr. Valasquez was stabbed several times in the chest.

He was pronounced dead at the Princes Town District Hospital.

The burglar proofing installed to keep out bandits is believed to have worked against a mother, and daughter who perished in a blaze at their Siparia home.

The bodies of Kemba Morris and her 8 year old daughter Zaya Morris, were found amid the burnt rubble at this home yesterday.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer South Ansar Ali said there was no word yet as to what caused the blaze.

He said officers met the building alight when they responded to the call.

Acfo Ali also said fire officers are expected to return to the scene to determine the cause of the blaze.

He also had some words of caution for homeowners.

Last Wednesday an elderly man said to be in his 70’s  died in a fire in Chatham.

Ezekiel Juba’s remains were found in the living room of his burnt out house.

Police are seeking public assistance in identifying the woman found along the north coast road.

Her decomposing body was found in a garbage bag.

Reports say the bag was secured with duct tape.A motorist yesterday in the Maracas district made the gruesome find. The police were contacted.

The woman is yet to be identified.

Anyone with information is being asked to contact the nearest police station.