Carib Scope

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  • CPO offers NUGFW 10% hike, including non-cash options

    CPO offers NUGFW 10% hike, including non-cash options

    After more than a decade of stalled negotiations, the Trinidad and Tobago government has presented a comprehensive wage settlement package to the National Union of Government and Federated Workers (NUGFW). Chief Personnel Officer Dr. Darryl Dindial announced a 10% salary increase covering the period 2014-2019, representing a total valuation of $2.6 billion TT dollars.

    The breakthrough proposal, unveiled following January 26 negotiations in Port of Spain, combines both cash and non-cash components to address the substantial financial burden. The arrangement carries a recurring annual cost of $250 million, which authorities acknowledge was not previously budgeted for. Dr. Dindial emphasized the government’s commitment to responsible fiscal management while addressing long-outstanding worker compensation concerns.

    National Trade Union Centre (NATUC) General Secretary Michael Annisette praised the negotiation process, characterizing the discussions as a mature exchange of responsible ideas between both parties. The union leadership particularly welcomed the government’s movement from its initial 4% offer to the current 10% proposal, acknowledging the economic constraints facing the nation.

    The proposed settlement includes innovative non-cash mechanisms designed to provide immediate relief to workers while managing the government’s cash flow requirements. These arrangements may include government assumption of worker debts to state entities such as the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and TT Mortgage Finance Company, effectively converting outstanding obligations into compensated benefits.

    Union representatives indicated they would present the offer to their membership for consideration over the coming days. If accepted, implementation would likely occur following mid-year budget reviews, with payments anticipated by June or July once funding arrangements are finalized through the Ministry of Finance.
    This settlement follows a similar 10% agreement reached with the Public Servants Association in December 2025, signaling a coordinated approach to resolving long-pending public sector wage negotiations across multiple government agencies.

  • Nicholas Dillon, Joevin Jones make mas; Army clobber Rangers 9-0

    Nicholas Dillon, Joevin Jones make mas; Army clobber Rangers 9-0

    In a spectacular display of football dominance, Defence Force FC delivered a devastating 9-0 thrashing to Terminix La Horquetta Rangers during their TT Premier Football League encounter on January 25 at Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva. This commanding performance extends Defence Force’s lead at the summit of the 2025/26 table to three points as they continue their title defense campaign.

    The Army/Coast Guard combination showcased their offensive firepower through new acquisitions Nicholas Dillon and Joevin Jones, who each recorded impressive hat-tricks. The scoring onslaught began early with Jones opening the account in the 12th minute, followed by quick successive goals from central defender Jamali Garcia (16th minute) and midfielder Rivaldo Coryat (21st minute), establishing a 3-0 halftime advantage.

    The second half witnessed an equally explosive performance as Defence Force netted three additional goals within ten minutes after the restart. Dillon secured his first goal alongside contributions from Jones and playmaker Kevin ‘Nash’ Molino, pushing the scoreline to 6-0 by the 57th minute. Jones completed his hat-trick in the 61st minute, while Dillon sealed the historic victory with his third goal during second-half stoppage time.

    The match also served as an integration platform for recent defensive signings Triston Hodge and Keston Julien, who made their appearances ahead of the team’s upcoming Concacaf Champions Cup clash against Philadelphia Union commencing February 18.

    In the evening’s earlier fixture, second-placed Club Sando maintained pressure on the leaders with a narrow 1-0 victory over third-placed Miscellaneous Police FC, courtesy of Tarik Lee’s 22nd-minute strike—his ninth goal of the season.

    The TTPFL action continues on January 28 with MIC Central FC Reboot facing San Juan Jabloteh, followed by Prisons FC versus AC Port of Spain in another double-header event at Couva.

  • Digicel’s Deep Blue One strengthens Tobago network

    Digicel’s Deep Blue One strengthens Tobago network

    Digicel Trinidad and Tobago has officially activated its Deep Blue One submarine fiber-optic cable system, establishing a direct digital link between Trinidad and Tobago that promises to transform the island’s telecommunications landscape. The groundbreaking infrastructure project, announced on January 23, represents a significant advancement in Tobago’s network capabilities.

    Pieter Verkade, Chief Executive Officer of Digicel TT, emphasized the strategic importance of this development: “This enhancement to our service portfolio ensures comprehensive redundancy for our Tobago customer base across mobile, residential, entertainment, and business sectors. The result is a substantially more resilient network architecture capable of overcoming operational challenges while maintaining superior connectivity standards throughout the island.”

    Current usage patterns already demonstrate substantial engagement with the new infrastructure. Roweena Crooks, Head of Retail Sales and Operations at Digicel TT, reported: “Deep Blue One is currently transmitting multiple gigabits of live data traffic to Tobago, with the western region exhibiting the highest utilization rates. This infrastructure already supports thousands of Tobagonians in their daily digital activities including media streaming, video conferencing, remote work operations, business management, and distance learning initiatives.”

    Crooks, speaking from personal experience as a Tobagonian, highlighted the societal impact: “Reliable connectivity is fundamentally important to contemporary island life. Deep Blue One represents a substantial upgrade to Tobago’s telecommunications framework, significantly bolstering network durability and service consistency. This strategic investment substantially reduces the potential for island-wide service interruptions and provides residents with enhanced confidence in their digital connectivity both presently and for future requirements.”

    The telecommunications company’s analysis indicates rapidly increasing data consumption patterns throughout Tobago, with the western region expected to demonstrate the most accelerated growth trajectory while the eastern sector anticipates robust expansion as additional households and enterprises come online. The Deep Blue One cable system was specifically engineered to accommodate this escalating data demand, providing the necessary infrastructure foundation to support Tobago’s evolving digital ecosystem encompassing remote education, telecommuting, daily communication, and entertainment services.

  • Jafari Edwards, Peyton Winter storm to wins at Power in the Field Classic

    Jafari Edwards, Peyton Winter storm to wins at Power in the Field Classic

    While track athletes typically command the most attention at athletic competitions, the spotlight shifted decisively to field event specialists during the Wright Foundation’s Power in the Field Classic held January 24 at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain.

    The event showcased remarkable performances from emerging talents who demonstrated exceptional prowess across various disciplines. Mercury’s Jafari Edwards emerged as a double champion in the boys’ under-17 category, securing gold in both long jump with a winning leap of 6.41 meters and high jump with a clearance of 1.75 meters. His long jump victory came after a tense competition with Memphis Pioneers’ Zayne Martin, who nearly overtook him with a final attempt of 6.37 meters.

    Burnley Athletic Club’s Peyton Winter delivered a spectacular triple crown performance in the girls’ under-20 category, dominating shot put (12.91m), javelin (28.85m), and discus (35.73m). Her shot put victory was particularly notable as she outperformed Tenique Vincent, the recently crowned Female Multi-event Athlete of the Year, who managed 10.10 meters.

    Vincent later redeemed herself by claiming the girls’ under-20 high jump title with a clearance of 1.65 meters, while her twin brother Tyrique Vincent, the Male Multi-event Athlete of the Year, triumphed in the boys’ under-20 long jump with an impressive 7.07-meter effort.

    The competition also featured standout performances from Kaizen Panthers’ Kaori Robley (girls’ under-20 long jump, 5.21m), QRC Athletic Club’s La Queen Welch (girls’ under-17 high jump, 1.64m), and Ascend Athletic Club’s Daryan Boyce who edged out clubmate Nykel Gomez in a thrilling boys’ under-20 discus contest with a throw of 44.45 meters.

    These results highlight the growing depth of field event talent in Trinidad and Tobago’s athletic landscape, with multiple athletes showing potential for future regional and international success.

  • Project START launches initiative to help entrepreneurs recover after Hurricane Melissa

    Project START launches initiative to help entrepreneurs recover after Hurricane Melissa

    KINGSTON, Jamaica – In a strategic pivot from emergency relief to sustainable recovery, Project STAR has launched its comprehensive Business Re-start Initiative to assist micro and small entrepreneurs in rebuilding their livelihoods across Jamaica’s most hurricane-devastated communities. The program represents a significant shift toward long-term economic stabilization following the widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa.

    The initiative has commenced by distributing grants to nine businesses spanning critical sectors including poultry farming (encompassing both egg and chicken production), beauty services (barbers, hairstylists, nail technicians, and eyelash technicians), and a cleaning supplies manufacturing enterprise. These funds are specifically allocated for replacing damaged equipment, replenishing destroyed inventory, and resuming daily operations.

    According to Saffrey Brown, Director of Project STAR, the organization has consciously transitioned from immediate disaster response to addressing sustainable economic recovery. “Our relief efforts have now evolved toward revitalizing livelihoods and reactivating entrepreneurial activities,” Brown stated. “The hurricane completely obliterated equipment and stock for most business owners in these vulnerable communities.”

    The program is initially targeting the western parishes of Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, and St James—regions that suffered the most severe hurricane impacts. These areas have experienced substantial micro-enterprise losses, exacerbating economic fragility in already disadvantaged communities. Brown emphasized the program’s adaptive approach, noting that strategies will evolve based on emerging needs.

    Early beneficiaries have reported transformative impacts. Levario White, a barber from Salt Spring, St James, described receiving his second grant as “critical to recovery,” expressing excitement about business improvement prospects. Beauty service providers like hairdresser Amisha Wright highlighted how the support arrived at a crucial juncture, enabling her to upgrade equipment and attract more customers. Wright revealed aspirations to pursue professional certification and eventually establish a salon chain.

    For poultry farmer Nickoy Brady, also from Salt Spring, the storm destroyed his coop and killed numerous chickens, paralyzing his livelihood. Project STAR’s intervention provided what he called “a lifeline,” allowing him to restart operations and restore family income. “This support means everything—it’s how I provide for my family,” Brady shared.

    Project STAR is prioritizing entrepreneurs who previously completed the organization’s entrepreneurship training, particularly those involved in food security sectors. “Accelerating community self-sufficiency in food production is absolutely essential,” Brown explained regarding this strategic focus.

    The organization plans to progressively expand the initiative over coming weeks and months, with ambitions to directly support at least 300 micro and small entrepreneurs through grants, tools, materials, and mentorship. Broader objectives include reactivating local value chains across food, craft, services, and manufacturing sectors while promoting disaster-resilient business models and strengthening local economic networks.

    As Jamaica progresses beyond the immediate emergency phase, Project STAR maintains its commitment to income generation and long-term community resilience. Brown confirmed the organization’s sustained focus on “revitalizing existing enterprises and supporting new entrepreneurs requiring alternative income sources” through the Livelihood Re-start Initiative, ultimately aiming to rebuild economic security and enhance community resilience in Hurricane Melissa’s aftermath.

  • Agriculture ministry launches initiatives to address crop surplus

    Agriculture ministry launches initiatives to address crop surplus

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In response to a significant surplus of key agricultural products, Jamaica’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining has unveiled a comprehensive strategy to stabilize markets and support local farmers. Portfolio Minister Floyd Green announced the initiative during a press briefing at the ministry’s Hope Gardens headquarters, highlighting exceptional yields of sweet potatoes, carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, Pak Choy, yellow squash, cauliflower, zucchini, and string beans that have created market imbalances.

    The ministry’s approach centers on three primary interventions: expanded market access, value-added processing, and enhanced storage infrastructure. Weekly farmers’ markets are being established across the island with organizational support from the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) and the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS). The inaugural market took place on January 23, with transportation assistance provided to ensure farmer participation.

    Concurrently, the ministry is engaging agro-processors to transform excess produce into juices, concentrates, and other value-added products. A buy-back program reminiscent of COVID-19 pandemic measures is in final development stages, where the government will purchase directly from farmers for redistribution.

    Critical infrastructure developments include three cold-storage facilities scheduled for operational rollout. The Flagaman facility in St Elizabeth, featuring two renewable-powered 20-foot containers, becomes operational within three weeks. The Essex Valley facility launches in early February with capacity for 22 containers of fresh produce, while the Kirkvine facility in Manchester will be completed in the next financial quarter.

  • Second Jamaican signs up for Enhanced Games

    Second Jamaican signs up for Enhanced Games

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaican track athlete Denae McFarlane has officially committed to participate in the inaugural Enhanced Games, marking the second Jamaican competitor to join the controversial sporting event scheduled for May 24 in Las Vegas. McFarlane’s participation was confirmed through the Games’ official Instagram announcement, which revealed five new athletes across track and field and swimming disciplines.

    The Enhanced Games, which openly permits athletes to use performance-enhancing substances, has generated significant controversy within the international sports community. McFarlane joins fellow Jamaican sprinter Shockoria Wallace, who became the nation’s first athlete to sign with the competition several weeks prior.

    Notable additions to the roster include Guyanese track athlete Jasmine Abrams and swimmers Antani Ivanov (Bulgaria), Miguel De Lara Ojeda (Mexico), and Emily Barclay (Great Britain). The event will be hosted at Resorts World Las Vegas, with organizers promising substantial financial incentives, including world record bonuses reaching $1 million.

    The competition’s radical approach to doping has drawn vehement opposition from major sporting bodies including World Athletics and World Aquatics. These organizations have implemented bylaws prohibiting athletes who participate in unsanctioned events that permit banned substances from competing in their officially recognized competitions. The Enhanced Games positions itself as an elite sports competition and performance products company, challenging conventional anti-doping protocols that govern traditional athletic competitions.

  • Ghanaian foreign minister visits Bob Marley Museum as he wraps up working visit to Jamaica

    Ghanaian foreign minister visits Bob Marley Museum as he wraps up working visit to Jamaica

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Ghana’s top diplomat Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa concluded his three-day official visit to Jamaica with a symbolic tour of the iconic Bob Marley Museum in St. Andrew on Monday, highlighting the cultural dimension of bilateral relations between the two nations.

    The Ghanaian Foreign Minister was accompanied during the cultural excursion by Jamaican State Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Senator Abka Fitz-Henley, alongside members of the Ghanaian delegation. The museum visit represented a deliberate emphasis on the cultural connections that underpin the diplomatic relationship between the African nation and the Caribbean island.

    Senator Fitz-Henley characterized the diplomatic interactions with Minister Ablakwa as profoundly insightful. In his social media commentary, Fitz-Henley noted the Ghanaian minister’s specific interest in experiencing Jamaica’s musical heritage, particularly through the Bob Marley Museum, recognizing Jamaica’s significant global cultural influence.

    The Jamaican minister elaborated on the historical foundations of the bilateral relationship, pointing to deep-rooted historical and cultural connections that have transformed into a contemporary partnership marked by substantial diplomatic cooperation and mutual international support. Fitz-Henley emphasized that Minister Ablakwa’s visit to Kingston has undoubtedly reinforced these existing bonds.

    Prior to the cultural engagement, Minister Ablakwa participated in high-level bilateral discussions led by Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Foreign Minister Senator Kamina Johnson-Smith. These talks focused on strengthening diplomatic and economic cooperation between the two nations.

    The Ghanaian delegation departed Jamaica from Norman Manley International Airport on Monday afternoon, concluding a visit that balanced formal diplomatic meetings with cultural appreciation, signaling a comprehensive approach to international relations.

  • Alyssa James opens at the AO Juniors

    Alyssa James opens at the AO Juniors

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaican tennis prodigy Alyssa James, the Caribbean’s premier junior women’s player, is poised for a landmark moment in her burgeoning career as she prepares for her inaugural Junior Grand Slam appearance. The 17-year-old sensation will commence her campaign at the Australian Open junior championships on Monday evening, Jamaica time, squaring off against a formidable opponent: the tournament’s second-seeded Jana Kovakova from the Czech Republic.

    James’s journey to this prestigious stage has been nothing short of remarkable. Over the past year, she has orchestrated a stunning ascent up the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Junior rankings, catapulting nearly 90 positions to secure her current standing at World No. 65. This dramatic climb underscores her rapid development and competitive prowess on the international circuit.

    The young athlete’s breakthrough season in 2025 served as a powerful testament to her potential. Her impressive resume from the year includes a runner-up finish at the illustrious Orange Bowl tournament, one of the most respected events in junior tennis. Furthermore, James demonstrated remarkable consistency and skill by capturing an impressive haul of nine titles across both singles and doubles disciplines—four in singles and five in doubles—solidifying her status as a versatile and dominant force.

    This debut at a Grand Slam event marks a significant milestone not only for James personally but also for Jamaican tennis, representing a rare and celebrated achievement for athletes from the region. Her participation brings heightened visibility to Caribbean tennis talent on one of the sport’s grandest global platforms.

  • Fire management software rollout major 2025 achievement – JFB

    Fire management software rollout major 2025 achievement – JFB

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s fire service has entered a new era of digital transformation with the complete rollout of an advanced fire management software system, heralded as one of its most significant accomplishments for 2025.

    Fire Commissioner Stewart Beckford, in an exclusive January 23 interview with JIS News at his Kingston headquarters, revealed that after several years of development and refinement, the sophisticated software platform has now been fully integrated into daily operations.

    The cutting-edge system represents a substantial technological leap forward for the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), enabling real-time tracking of emergency vehicles and establishing a centralized digital repository for critical data including building inspection records and vehicle maintenance histories. These functions were previously managed through manual, paper-based processes.

    Commissioner Beckford emphasized the transformative impact of the new technology: ‘This software fundamentally enhances our operational efficiency and response capabilities. After extensive testing and refinement, we now have a robust system that streamlines our core functions and provides valuable data-driven insights.’

    The software implementation forms a crucial component of the JFB’s broader strategic initiative to bolster emergency preparedness and improve service delivery across Jamaica. This technological upgrade comes at a pivotal time, as the Brigade responded to 21,699 emergency calls throughout 2025—representing a notable 13.7 percent increase compared to the previous year’s call volume.

    Official statistics reveal that of these incidents, 11,048 constituted legitimate fire emergencies while 1,787 were confirmed as malicious false alarms, underscoring both the increasing demand for fire services and the challenges of emergency response management.