Carib Scope

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  • TEF presses ahead with nicer Negril

    TEF presses ahead with nicer Negril

    NEGRIL, Jamaica — A significant infrastructural enhancement is underway in the renowned resort town of Negril, spearheaded by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) in collaboration with the Negril Destination Assurance Council (DAC). The centerpiece of this initiative is an approved $18.7-million project to install solar-powered street lighting along Norman Manley Boulevard, a critical step toward improving public safety and nocturnal aesthetics for residents and international visitors alike.

    The project’s initial phase will serve as a proof-of-concept, focusing on a particularly dark one-kilometer stretch from the roundabout. Thirty solar lamps will be installed in this corridor, with groundwork for the lamp posts already commenced. Dr. Carey Wallace, TEF Executive Director, confirmed that the contractor expects delivery of the solar units by the end of the month, anticipating visible progress within weeks. The long-term vision is to extend this solar lighting network across the entire resort town, creating a well-lit, secure, and attractive environment.

    In a parallel development, the DAC has submitted a formal request to the TEF to replace the local police’s fleet of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), essential for beach patrols. These vehicles have suffered from premature deterioration due to the harsh marine environment, with saltwater exposure limiting their lifespan to approximately three years. Dr. Wallace acknowledged the request is under active review, with a focus on procuring more durable equipment to ensure better value for money. The proposal is slated for deliberation by the TEF board in April.

    Furthermore, the status of the separate $20-million Negril roundabout beautification project was addressed. Funded by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), the project began in June 2025 but has faced delays due to labour shortages, pushing its completion beyond the initial target of the 2025 winter tourist season into 2026. Wade Mars, TPDCo Executive Director, reported the project is approximately 85% complete, with ongoing stonework to be followed by landscaping. However, no definitive timeline for final completion was provided, with Mars stating he would need to consult the project manager for further details.

  • From coastlines to crops…

    From coastlines to crops…

    Jamaica’s groundbreaking climate adaptation initiative, the Government of Jamaica/Adaptation Fund Programme, concluded with celebratory ceremonies marking its transformative achievements. Launched in November 2012 with $10 million financing through the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), the comprehensive program successfully enhanced climate resilience across multiple sectors through three strategically designed components.

    The multifaceted approach targeted coastal protection in northeastern Jamaica, improved water and land management in vulnerable farming communities, and strengthened institutional capacity at national and local levels. Implementation involved collaboration with key agencies including the National Environment and Planning Agency, National Works Agency, Disaster Preparedness Office, Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Forestry Department, and Social Development Commission.

    Professor Dale Webber, Jamaica’s Special Envoy for Climate Change, declared the initiative a pioneering model for small island developing states (SIDS) during his keynote address. He emphasized that while scientifically grounded, the program’s success derived from tangible, visible outcomes that delivered immediate community benefits. “What has been achieved here is not just theoretical—it was practical, visible, and continues to be impactful,” Webber stated while representing portfolio minister Matthew Samuda.

    The program’s documented accomplishments include coastline stabilization protecting critical infrastructure and community assets, support for fisheries and coastal livelihoods adapting to changing marine ecosystems, and advanced reforestation improving land management practices. Capacity-building initiatives trained shelter managers and deployed a Climate Risk Atlas enabling evidence-based planning at local levels, with particular attention to gender-inclusive resilience strategies.

    Notable success stories emerged from participating communities. The Forestry Department’s private forestry program coordinator Shawnette Russell-Clennon reported significant reforestation progress with over 20,000 fruit and lumber trees planted, particularly aiding recovery from Hurricane Melissa’s devastation in October 2025. Fishermen from St Mary received climate-resilient equipment and training, including boat upgrades and emergency ramps for extreme weather conditions.

    Agricultural communities experienced substantial improvements through RADA’s technical advice and farmer peer schools. Jasmine Hyde, RADA’s zonal director for St Ann and St Mary, reported enhanced productivity, improved irrigation systems, and better land management minimizing landslides. Professor Webber concluded by calling for accelerated international climate finance processing, noting Jamaica has demonstrated institutional capacity and implementation expertise but requires expanded funding to scale successful interventions.

  • Sprint domination

    Sprint domination

    In a display of sheer athletic dominance, Wolmer’s Girls’ sprinter Natrece East delivered a career-defining performance at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships. Competing in the Class 2 Girls’ 100-meter final on Wednesday at Kingston’s National Stadium, East not only secured victory but did so in spectacular fashion, leaving her competitors trailing significantly behind her. Her record-shattering time of 11.21 seconds established a new personal best and underscored her emergence as a formidable talent in Jamaican track and field. The championship, widely regarded as the pinnacle of high school athletics in the region, witnessed one of its most impressive sprint performances in recent history as East powered through the finish line with a commanding lead. Her technical execution from the starting blocks through the acceleration phase demonstrated a level of prowess that signals significant potential for future international competitions. The victory adds another prestigious title to Wolmer’s Girls’ athletic legacy and positions East as a rising star to watch in the sport.

  • Champs 100 years ago

    Champs 100 years ago

    The 116th edition of Jamaica’s premier high school athletics championship, known as Champs, continues its legacy as a global sporting phenomenon in 2026. The competition’s rich history traces back to 1910, but the 1926 edition stands as a particularly remarkable chapter in its storied existence.

    Amid global turbulence in 1926—including the UK General Strike, Emperor Hirohito’s ascension in Japan, and technological breakthroughs like John Logie Baird’s mechanical television demonstration—Jamaican school athletics witnessed its own historic moments. Munro College spectacularly reclaimed the championship title they first won in 1920, finishing with 28 points ahead of rivals Wolmer’s Boys’ (25.5 points) and Jamaica College (21 points).

    The competition saw extraordinary individual performances, particularly from Munro’s DA ‘Alty’ Junor, who dominated four events: the 100-yard dash (10.35 seconds), 220-yard sprint (24 seconds), long jump, and 120-yard hurdles. Historical accounts from the Champs 100 book describe Junor’s hurdles victory as so decisive that competitors were only reaching the tenth hurdle as he crossed the finish line.

    Technical innovations emerged during the games, with starter Dr. F L Aris abandoning traditional starting commands due to numerous false starts in the 100-yard final. His solution—simply positioning runners and firing the gun—proved effective.

    The 1926 championship also featured Beckford and Smith High School (now St Jago High) making their debut appearance, though they failed to register any points. Another notable achievement came from H W Myers, who set a new Class One high jump record of 5 feet 11 inches, simultaneously establishing a Jamaican national record.

    Junor further demonstrated his athletic versatility by placing second in the pole vault to a teammate, cementing his reputation as Munro’s most accomplished all-round sportsman, with additional excellence in football and cricket. The era’s communication limitations were highlighted by the coach’s triumphant telegram proclaiming ‘We shall probably win’—a prediction that proved decisively accurate.

  • IMC impacting future

    IMC impacting future

    Months following their participation in the prestigious 2026 Island Music Conference held in New Kingston, students from the Alpha School of Music report transformative experiences that are fundamentally reshaping their professional aspirations and comprehension of the modern music landscape. The event, which unfolded from February 24 to 27, served as a major convergence for artists, producers, record executives, and digital media specialists from across the Caribbean and international scenes.

    With strategic sponsorship from Pepsi-Cola Jamaica, eight selected Alpha students received unparalleled access to expert-led sessions, networking opportunities with top-tier industry professionals, and direct interactions with iconic figures including international recording artist and conference chairman, Orville ‘Shaggy’ Burrell.

    Jonathan ‘Kxngdrumz’ White, a student attendee, highlighted the immense value of understanding the commercial mechanics behind the art. “Attendance was synonymous with acquiring critical knowledge about the music industry’s infrastructure,” White reflected. “It provided a rare chance to learn from its foremost architects and gain a clearer picture of its business dynamics.” He particularly emphasized the enlightenment gained from sessions on digital streaming platforms, noting a presentation by Yomi Desalu on Apple Music’s operations as exceptionally impactful for understanding global artist positioning.

    The conference’s environment facilitated meaningful dialogues beyond formal schedules. White described the significance of conversing with artists previously only encountered through social media, stating these exchanges offered genuine insights into the industry’s realities.

    Fellow student Jada Gourzong identified the discourse on artificial intelligence as a pivotal takeaway, profoundly altering her perception of music’s future trajectory. “The extensive AI discussion radically shifted my perspective on the industry’s direction,” Gourzong explained. “Its rapid evolution necessitates that we, as artists, begin adapting swiftly.” She elaborated on AI’s potential not as a replacement for human creativity, but as a collaborative tool to enhance writing, production, and sonic development.

    Dr. Joshua Chamberlain, Special Projects Manager at Alpha School of Music, underscored the conference’s role in professional maturation. “As our students evolve from scholars to practitioners, engaging with international experts solidifies their industry comprehension and uncovers their potential niches,” Chamberlain noted.

    The experience, generously supported by Pepsi, has endowed students with a refined strategic vision. Gourzong concluded that the conference provided a clearer roadmap for her career, helping to identify her unique place within the ever-changing music industry.

  • Leacock holds ‘frank’ talks in Taiwan about hospital delay

    Leacock holds ‘frank’ talks in Taiwan about hospital delay

    St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Deputy Prime Minister St. Clair Leacock has confirmed holding substantive talks with Taiwanese officials regarding significant construction delays plaguing the Arnos Vale hospital project, a major infrastructure initiative funded through Taiwanese financial assistance. The high-level discussions occurred during Leacock’s official diplomatic visit to Taipei last week.

    Addressing the media in Kingstown upon his return, Deputy PM Leacock revealed the project is now approximately twelve months behind its original completion schedule. The delay has worsened since his New Democratic Party (NDP) assumed governance in November 2025, at which point the project was already eight months behind.

    The hospital’s development is financed by a substantial US$125 million loan agreement secured from Taiwan in 2024 by the preceding Unity Labour Party (ULP) administration. A significant portion of these funds, approximately US$78 million, was specifically allocated for the medical facility’s construction.

    Initially conceptualized as a 134-bed acute referral hospital, the project was awarded to Overseas Engineering & Construction Co. (OECC), a Taiwanese construction firm. The groundbreaking ceremony in October 2024 set an ambitious 32-month completion timeline. While the ULP government planned to retain maternity and pediatric services at Kingstown’s Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, the current NDP government has committed to integrating these specialized wards into the new Arnos Vale facility, effectively transforming it into a comprehensive general hospital.

    During the Taipei meetings, Leacock’s delegation engaged with Taiwan’s Department for Overseas Investment Development Corporation, a government-backed entity specializing in international infrastructure development and economic cooperation. The department, through its subsidiary OECC, plays a pivotal role in executing infrastructure projects within Taiwan’s diplomatic partner nations.

    The Deputy Prime Minister characterized the dialogue as “frank but fruitful,” emphasizing both parties reached a clear mutual understanding regarding project perspectives and the NDP government’s unwavering commitment to delivering a cutting-edge medical facility to the Vincentian populace. The goal remains completion as close to, or even ahead of, the adjusted timeline.

    While withholding specific details, Leacock confirmed his participation in critical meetings involving health ministry officials, project consultants, and the construction contractors. He stressed the government forcefully communicated the necessity of resolving all outstanding issues to eliminate delays and expedite progress. The urgency stems not merely from political sensitivity but from the fundamental right of citizens to access affordable, available, and modern healthcare infrastructure.

    Taiwanese consultants acknowledged certain challenges and are expected to visit St. Vincent shortly for continued discussions with the Health Minister and Prime Minister to address pressing project urgencies. Leacock’s delegation included key government figures, underscoring the mission’s importance: Shevern John, Minister of Social Welfare and Community Empowerment; Lavern King, Minister of State for Education and Digital Transformation; and the Deputy PM’s wife, Margaret Leacock.

  • Roseau City Council elections show strong turnout in most wards, with Ward Three lagging

    Roseau City Council elections show strong turnout in most wards, with Ward Three lagging

    Final results from the Roseau City Council elections have unveiled significant disparities in civic participation across the city’s four electoral districts. While three wards demonstrated robust voter engagement exceeding 10% turnout, Ward Three recorded a strikingly low participation rate that diverged from the overall pattern.

    In Ward One, 488 ballots were cast, constituting 10.33% of eligible voters, with male voters (57.17%) outnumbering females (42.83%). Ermine Royer emerged victorious with 208 votes, closely followed by Moeshia Joseph with 194 votes.

    Ward Two witnessed the second-highest participation citywide, with 542 voters representing 11.62% of the electorate. Female voters predominated at 54.42%, while Paloma Mark secured a commanding lead with 305 votes against Henry Jno Baptiste’s 233.

    The most concerning statistics emerged from Ward Three, where merely 119 voters—a meager 4.8% of eligible constituents—participated in the democratic process. Women comprised over two-thirds of the voters in this district, with Quincy Angol receiving 91 votes and Michael Moreau obtaining 74.

    Ward Four recorded the highest absolute voter count with 583 ballots cast, equivalent to 11.64% turnout. Female participation again exceeded male participation (53.69% versus 46.3%), and Lucy Belle Matthew achieved a decisive victory with 418 votes.

    The Electoral Office characterized overall civic engagement as generally strong, noting that three of four wards surpassed the 10% participation threshold. However, officials acknowledged Ward Three’s anomalously low turnout as a notable exception requiring further analysis to understand the underlying causes of voter disengagement in that specific district.

  • Dominican consul honours Antigua-based businessman for cultural leadership

    Dominican consul honours Antigua-based businessman for cultural leadership

    In a significant ceremony recognizing cultural advocacy, the Dominican Republic’s Consul General has bestowed formal recognition upon prominent businessman Alex Martinez and his organization for their exceptional contributions to preserving Spanish Independence traditions and Dominican cultural heritage in Antonia and Barbuda. The prestigious award acknowledges Mr. Martinez’s pivotal role in enhancing bilateral cultural connections within the Caribbean nation while ensuring Dominican traditions remain vibrant among diaspora communities.

    Consul General Julio Cesar Mateo Baez, during the official presentation, commended Martinez’s visionary leadership and his remarkable ability to inspire collective action toward cultural preservation. The diplomat emphasized how Martinez’s initiatives have cultivated unprecedented levels of unity and cultural pride within the Dominican community residing in the twin-island nation, creating meaningful bridges between Dominican heritage and local Caribbean culture.

    In his acceptance remarks, Martinez characterized cultural support as both a profound personal passion and a civic responsibility. The honored businessman articulated his commitment to sustaining these efforts, vowing to continue developing programs that would ensure Dominican cultural traditions endure for future generations. His work has particularly focused on maintaining cultural visibility through organized celebrations, educational initiatives, and community engagement programs that highlight Dominican history and customs.

  • LIVE from 11AM: Press Conference with Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit 25th March 2026

    LIVE from 11AM: Press Conference with Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit 25th March 2026

    Technical Advisory for Live Stream Viewers – A specialized troubleshooting protocol has been issued for audiences attempting to access scheduled live video content. The advisory specifically addresses connectivity issues that may arise during scheduled 11:00 AM broadcasts.

    The streaming infrastructure employs real-time video delivery systems that require stable internet connectivity and periodic page refreshing under certain technical conditions. Viewers encountering blank video players or error messages at the scheduled broadcast time are advised to initiate browser refresh procedures to reestablish connection with the content delivery network.

    This technical guidance applies specifically to scheduled live events commencing at or after the 11:00 AM timeframe across various time zones. The recommendation to refresh browser sessions represents standard practice for resolving temporary connectivity interruptions that may occur between client devices and streaming servers.

    Content delivery platforms typically employ adaptive bitrate streaming technology that automatically adjusts video quality based on available bandwidth. The refresh procedure helps reinitialize this handshake process between the viewer’s device and the media servers, ensuring optimal playback quality once the live feed becomes active.

    Viewers should note that pre-broadcast placeholder images or blank video players are normal during the pre-stream initialization phase. The complete live video feed will automatically populate the viewing interface once the broadcast commences and the streaming encoders activate the signal transmission.

  • Dominica to take on Guyana and Sint Marteen in CONCACAF series

    Dominica to take on Guyana and Sint Marteen in CONCACAF series

    The Dominica Senior Men’s National Football Team has introduced five debutants to its roster as it prepares for critical matches in the Concacaf Series this week. Interim head coach Kurt Herd has selected an 18-member squad featuring both fresh talent and experienced players for matches against Guyana and Sint Maarten.

    The team will face Guyana on Friday, March 27th at 3:00 PM at Estadio Cibao in Santiago de los Caballeros, followed by a match against Sint Maarten on Monday, March 30th at 6:00 PM at the same venue. These matches represent Dominica’s first international fixtures since November 2025, when the team suffered two defeats during the tournament’s first leg in St. Kitts.

    Notable newcomers include We United midfielder Jahlil Alexander, Middleham United striker Clemson Isaac, National Under-20 players Dwight Eloi and Nicholas Harve, and US-based Titus Sandy Jnr, who currently plays with MLS side Orlando City FC. The squad also includes three overseas-based players, adding international experience to the lineup.

    The complete 18-man roster consists of: Donte Newton, Dwight Eloi, Nick Anthony, Savio Anselm, Jervanie Xavier, Antawn Larocque, Clemson Isaac, Marcus Bredas, Eustace Marshall, Titus Sandy Jnr, Nicholas Harve, Troy Jules, Audel Laville, Briel Thomas, Javid George, Lyan Edwards, Dhamario Challenger, and Jahlil Alexander.

    Coach Herd leads the technical staff with Oris Mills serving as assistant coach. The support team includes team manager Kelvin Benjamin, medic Clevon Vidal, goalkeeper coach Courtney Challenger, equipment manager Reginald Darroux, team doctor Dr. Curtis St. John, and media officer Garvin Richards.

    The team’s media officer has released an audio interview with Coach Herd, providing additional insights into the team’s preparation and strategy for the upcoming matches.