Carib Scope

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  • Portvale strike amps ownership confusion, failed restructuring frustration

    Portvale strike amps ownership confusion, failed restructuring frustration

    A profound crisis of ownership and governance has plunged Barbados’s sugar industry into turmoil, culminating in a worker strike at the Portvale processing facility. Employees of the Barbados Energy and Sugar Company Inc. (BESCO) are protesting chronic mismanagement and the collapse of a government-backed initiative that promised them partial ownership of the sector.

    The core grievance stems from debilitating uncertainty regarding their actual employer. Veteran sugar boiler Cedric Eastmond, with 26 years of service, articulated the workers’ frustration, stating they lack a clear entity to address their grievances. “We need clarity that there’s a company called BESCO, that we have somebody that we can go to,” Eastmond emphasized, highlighting the absence of visible corporate leadership beyond local factory management.

    This operational ambiguity compounds the disappointment from the sudden termination of a landmark restructuring plan. Announced in January 2024 by then-Agriculture Minister Indar Weir, the model proposed a revolutionary ownership structure: Co-op Energy (55%), workers (20%), and the government (25%). The initiative, designed to replace the defunct Barbados Agricultural Management Company, established BESCO for milling and The Agricultural Business Company Ltd for agriculture. However, the government’s memorandum of understanding with Co-op Energy was abruptly terminated on August 18, 2025, shattering hopes for worker participation and leaving the industry’s future in limbo.

    Beyond ownership disputes, Eastmond detailed deep-seated operational failures. He cited rampant “favoritism,” “discrimination, and victimization” by unprofessional management, alongside a glaring lack of training programs and career development opportunities. Critical infrastructure shortcomings exacerbate losses; the factory frequently receives more cane than it can process, leading to spoilage and reduced purity in storage. Furthermore, congested storage bonds for processed sugar have forced complete production halts, as was the case last year when grinding stopped for two days because there was nowhere to store the output.

    Eastmond calls for urgent intervention, including expert technical consultants, a rigorous maintenance program, and a functional marketing system to ensure the viability of an industry that produces “the product that goes straight to the table.” The strike at Portvale is not merely about wages but represents a fundamental demand for transparency, professional governance, and a sustainable future for a historic Barbadian industry.

  • Authorities take ‘soft touch’ approach to enforcing nutrition rules

    Authorities take ‘soft touch’ approach to enforcing nutrition rules

    Barbadian education authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to a collaborative rather than punitive approach to implementing the national School Nutrition Policy, despite acknowledging significant compliance challenges. Speaking at the National Nutrition Conference on Wednesday, officials detailed their strategy of working with vendors to gradually improve food options around schools rather than imposing immediate penalties.

    Nicole Elliott, the education officer responsible for the policy implementation, clarified that authorities are not currently positioned to police or penalize vendors operating outside school gates, despite ongoing concerns about the availability of unhealthy food options. “We are not in a place where we are policing or punishing persons on the outside of schools,” Elliott stated. “However, we are there to work with them.”

    The Ministry of Education is preparing to host a vendor orientation session on April 18 designed to bridge the gap between current offerings and policy requirements. Approved suppliers have been invited to participate in the session, which will focus on improving access to compliant products and equipping vendors with techniques to transition toward healthier offerings.

    Elliott characterized the orientation as “a mediation between them and ourselves on how we would want them to help us to help the nation’s children,” emphasizing that achieving full compliance will be a gradual process requiring patience and sustained effort.

    The School Nutrition Policy, which regulates food sales both within and around school environments, has achieved partial success since implementation. Officials report approximately 85% compliance with standards relating to sugary drinks, but snack compliance remains significantly lower at around 45%.

    Elliott identified challenges beyond school compounds as a major factor, noting that “we still have the external environment that will impact the internal environment.” She emphasized that improving compliance will require enhanced coordination across multiple sectors, including increased availability of approved snack options, strengthened supply chains, and closer collaboration with the agriculture sector.

    Highlighting positive examples, Elliott pointed to schools like Ellerton that have been “growing and selling items to the community” as models that could be expanded to improve access to healthier options across the island.

    When questioned about whether the government should move beyond policy to legislation to address rising childhood obesity and non-communicable diseases, Elliott indicated authorities are not yet prepared to take a more aggressive approach. “I don’t think that we are at a point yet that we need to get to be that aggressive,” she said, noting that meaningful public health transformation “doesn’t happen in six months or one year.”

    Her position reflects the ministry’s broader philosophy, as articulated last December by Minister of Education Transformation Chad Blackman, who indicated compliance checks would prioritize guidance over punishment.

    Supporting this approach, Brian Payne, Assistant Nutrition Officer at the National Nutrition Centre, explained that government strategy has shifted away from emphasizing individual responsibility toward creating environments that make healthy choices easier. “We have moved away from this idea of individual responsibility where everything rests on the individual,” Payne stated.

    He described the School Nutrition Policy as part of a comprehensive public health strategy that includes planned restrictions on trans fats and smoking bans in public spaces. “The idea here is that we are trying to create an enabling environment so that Barbadians can actually not have to make an unhealthy choice, but the environment is conducive toward making a healthy choice,” Payne explained.

    While Barbados continues to confront high rates of non-communicable diseases and obesity, officials expressed confidence that the current policies, implemented gradually and collaboratively, will eventually reverse these troubling health trends.

  • ABLP Plans April Convention

    ABLP Plans April Convention

    The Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP), the nation’s current governing political force, has officially declared its intention to convene a significant national convention in April. This gathering is poised to serve as a pivotal platform for the party to solidify its strategic direction, address pressing national issues, and galvanize its support base ahead of future electoral considerations. Party officials have indicated that the convention will focus on critical policy reviews, leadership discussions, and the reinforcement of the ABLP’s foundational principles. The event is expected to draw key party stalwarts, delegates from various constituencies, and influential supporters. Political analysts are closely monitoring this development, viewing the convention as a crucial barometer for the party’s internal cohesion and its readiness to present a unified front. The outcomes of this assembly are anticipated to have substantial implications for the country’s political landscape in the coming months.

  • Caribe Wave tsunami exercise under way today in Antigua and Barbuda

    Caribe Wave tsunami exercise under way today in Antigua and Barbuda

    Antigua and Barbuda is actively engaging in CARIBE WAVE 26, a pivotal annual tsunami preparedness drill encompassing nations throughout the Caribbean region. This critical exercise, meticulously orchestrated by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission via the Caribbean Tsunami Warning System, serves as a comprehensive simulation to evaluate the responsiveness of governmental bodies and local communities to a hypothetical tsunami scenario. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center is instrumental in the operation, disseminating fictitious alerts to enable national agencies to rehearse the intricate processes of receiving, interpreting, and disseminating urgent warnings in a real-time context. On the domestic front, the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service is at the helm of the technical execution. Concurrently, the National Office of Disaster Services is managing the coordination of preparatory measures and potential emergency interventions. Authorities emphasize that this initiative is fundamentally designed to enhance inter-agency coordination, refine communication protocols, and sharpen decision-making capabilities. The ultimate objective is to ensure the populace is thoroughly educated and prepared to take appropriate action should a tsunami, identified as a rare yet profoundly catastrophic threat to the area, ever occur.

  • ABCAS launches poultry and crop courses to support food production

    ABCAS launches poultry and crop courses to support food production

    In a strategic move to enhance domestic food production capabilities, the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS) has unveiled two specialized short-term programs in agricultural practices. The institution’s School of Agriculture will administer both the Broiler Poultry Production and Crop Production courses, which are specifically crafted to deliver practical, applicable skills for home-based and small-scale agricultural operations.

    Department Head Andrea Edwards-Browne emphasized the comprehensive nature of the poultry curriculum, which encompasses the entire lifecycle of broiler chickens—from nurturing day-old chicks through market preparation stages. The initiative emerges against the backdrop of persistent food security challenges, particularly acute within small island developing states like Antigua and Barbuda.

    “Global food security concerns have taken on renewed significance, and for our nation, developing self-sufficiency in food production is paramount,” Edwards-Browne stated. “Our instructional approach begins with fundamental principles, guiding participants through crop initiation, effective management techniques, and final market readiness.”

    The college has structured both programs as 10-week intensive studies, with poultry classes convening on Mondays and Wednesdays while crop production sessions occur on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This scheduling framework enables simultaneous enrollment in both courses, reflecting ABCAS’s commitment to encouraging multifaceted agricultural engagement.

    These educational initiatives represent a concerted effort to stimulate community participation in agricultural sectors and expand local food output capacities, addressing both immediate food security needs and long-term sustainable development goals.

  • PM Browne calls for a realignment of African and Caribbean economies

    PM Browne calls for a realignment of African and Caribbean economies

    In a significant address to a Nigerian royal delegation, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne issued a powerful appeal for economic transformation across African and Caribbean nations. The Prime Minister received Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze, soon to be installed as King of Abagana Kingdom from Nigeria’s Anambra State, at his official residence.

    Browne delivered a critical analysis of what he termed ‘extractive economies’ that continue to plague both regions. He articulated how historical plundering created generational wealth in Europe while simultaneously establishing persistent poverty in Africa and the Caribbean. The Prime Minister emphasized that these nations have yet to achieve their full economic potential due to these deeply entrenched systems.

    The Antiguan leader presented a concrete example from his own administration’s experience with international banking operations. When two major Canadian banks attempted to withdraw from the region and sell their local branches externally, Browne’s government intervened decisively. Despite facing personal criticism and being labeled a ‘dictator,’ he refused to sign the necessary Vesting Orders unless the banks agreed to local ownership.

    This steadfast approach resulted in the successful sale of bank branches to local financial institutions, which have since grown substantially and now retain profits within the domestic economy. Browne framed this as emblematic of the ‘bold leadership’ required to counter special interests that resist economic sovereignty.

    The Prime Minister connected current economic challenges directly to historical injustices, noting how European powers deliberately destabilized African and Caribbean economies through slavery and colonialism. He asserted that it remains possible to redesign economic systems to transition from extractive to productive models that benefit regional populations.

    Browne expressed particular satisfaction with the Nigerian delegation’s visit and indicated his intention to reciprocate with a future visit to the Abagana Kingdom, signaling strengthened diplomatic ties between the regions.

  • PHOTOS: Roadworks Underway Across Multiple Communities in Antigua

    PHOTOS: Roadworks Underway Across Multiple Communities in Antigua

    The Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda has initiated a comprehensive road rehabilitation initiative across multiple key communities as part of its ongoing national infrastructure enhancement program. The Ministry of Works is currently executing significant roadworks in the Potters, Piccadilly, Gunthrope’s, and Lightfoot districts, marking a crucial phase in the government’s broader strategy to modernize transportation networks and improve public infrastructure.

    This infrastructure development project represents a substantial investment in the nation’s physical assets, focusing on improving road surfaces, drainage systems, and overall transportation safety. The selected areas for rehabilitation have been prioritized based on traffic volume assessments and community needs evaluations conducted by transportation authorities.

    The strategic implementation of these improvements aligns with the government’s commitment to sustainable development and economic growth through enhanced infrastructure. By addressing road conditions in these densely populated and frequently traversed areas, the Ministry aims to reduce vehicle maintenance costs for residents, decrease travel time, and improve overall accessibility to essential services and economic centers.

    Infrastructure experts note that well-maintained road networks serve as critical economic enablers, facilitating smoother commerce, tourism access, and daily commuting. The current projects demonstrate the administration’s proactive approach to maintaining public assets and investing in long-term solutions rather than temporary repairs.

    Local residents and businesses have been notified of construction schedules and potential temporary disruptions, with authorities emphasizing that short-term inconveniences will yield long-term benefits through improved road quality and enhanced safety features.

  • Damaru nieuwe directeur Anthony Nesty Sporthal, wil NIS nieuw leven inblazen

    Damaru nieuwe directeur Anthony Nesty Sporthal, wil NIS nieuw leven inblazen

    In a significant leadership transition, renowned entertainer and entrepreneur Dino ‘Damaru’ Canterburg has officially assumed the role of Director at Suriname’s Anthony Nesty Sporthal (ANS), commonly known as the National Indoor Stadium (NIS). The appointment ceremony occurred Wednesday with minimal public attention, where Canterburg formally signed the official documentation under the supervision of Sports Director Enrique Ralim, foundation board members, and staff.

    The transfer of responsibilities included a brief spiritual blessing ceremony, during which Canterburg received assurances of broad institutional support for his forthcoming initiatives. The new director immediately outlined his comprehensive vision to restore the stadium as Suriname’s premier venue for major sporting events, cultural performances, and entertainment exhibitions.

    Among his most ambitious proposals is the creation of an annual December festival inspired by the Netherlands’ Kwaku Festival, strategically timed to coincide with the return of overseas Surinamese nationals. This envisioned event would showcase the nation’s culinary diversity, musical heritage, and cultural traditions within the NIS complex.

    Canterburg acknowledged the facility’s current challenges, prioritizing immediate renovation of the deteriorated flooring system that has drawn complaints from event organizers. ‘Quality infrastructure begins with a solid foundation, particularly for athletic activities,’ he stated. Subsequent phases will address audience seating areas and sanitation facilities.

    Emphasizing collective effort, the new director appealed to national unity: ‘Suriname, we must accomplish this together. Let us restore the era of packed stands during futsal tournaments and school performances. By 2030, we should proudly declare: Mission accomplished—this is truly our national indoor stadium.’

  • Hunt on for ‘family friend’

    Hunt on for ‘family friend’

    The tranquil community of Cedros, Granville, has been shattered by the brutal murder of 28-year-old Rashme Deoajit, a beloved local cricketer found slain in her Tat Trace residence on Tuesday afternoon. The victim was discovered by her brother with fatal stab wounds and her throat slit, in what investigators describe as a deeply personal crime.

    According to homicide reports, the primary suspect is a male acquaintance whom Deoajit had generously allowed to stay at her home despite his impoverished circumstances. The investigation reveals that on Monday evening, Deoajit, her brother, and the suspect had been socializing with alcohol at her residence before moving to a friend’s nearby home around 6 p.m. Witnesses reported seeing Deoajit and the suspect engaged in a heated argument approximately two hours later, after which they departed together.

    The tragedy unfolded the following day when Deoajit’s brother became concerned after receiving no response to his calls at her locked home. Forcing entry through a window, he made the horrific discovery of his sister’s blood-soaked body in her bedroom, prompting immediate alarm among family members who contacted authorities.

    Deoajit’s grieving father, Sookraj Deoajit, emotionally recounted his daughter’s compassionate nature, revealing she had taken in the suspect—a friend of her cousin—simply because he had nowhere else to go. ‘She was soft-hearted,’ he wept, using his affectionate nickname ‘Pumpkin’ for his daughter. The father confirmed there was no romantic relationship between them, with the suspect merely performing household chores while Deoajit worked as a sales merchandiser.

    The family’s devastation is compounded by the loss of a talented athlete who represented Cedros Secondary School and numerous cricket clubs nationwide, earning widespread respect for her sportsmanship. Her mother, Savita Deoajit, joined calls for justice, urging authorities to address escalating violent crime while remembering recent beach outings with her daughter.

    In response to the tragedy, the bereaved father has demanded the reinstatement of capital punishment for murder convictions, arguing that taxpayer funds should not support incarcerated violent offenders while crimes continue unchecked. The case has drawn disturbing parallels to other recent murders of young women, highlighting growing community concerns about safety and judicial effectiveness.

  • Warns Quarry faces 16 money laundering charges

    Warns Quarry faces 16 money laundering charges

    A subsidiary of the Warner Group conglomerate is confronting sixteen distinct money laundering charges following an extensive financial investigation into suspected illegal quarrying operations. Law enforcement officials disclosed in a recent press statement that Warns Quarry Company Ltd faced these criminal allegations after receiving formal guidance from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

    Court documents reveal that initial complaints were formally submitted on March 5th, with summonses subsequently delivered to company director Allan Warner at his Woodbrook residence this past Wednesday. The judicial proceedings have been calendared for April 27th, marking the next phase in this developing legal confrontation.

    Investigative authorities indicate these charges represent a single component within a broader examination of purportedly unlawful quarrying activities, with particular forensic attention directed toward financial transactions and fund movements allegedly connected to these operations. This development amplifies existing legal challenges for the Warner Group, a diversified corporation with substantial investments across construction, quarrying, and real estate sectors.

    The current money laundering case emerges alongside previously instituted legal actions against the conglomerate. In a separate 2022 proceeding, 74-year-old Allan Warner, his son Aluko Warner, and multiple associates faced charges of processing mineral aggregates without mandatory licensing, constituting violations under the Minerals Act. Warner voluntarily surrendered to authorities accompanied by legal counsel and secured release after posting $100,000 bail with surety. That case continues pending review at the Arima Magistrates’ Court.

    Those earlier allegations originated from police operations at a Wallerfield processing facility where law enforcement reportedly discovered operational machinery lacking required regulatory approvals. Beyond criminal proceedings, Warner Group entities have pursued litigation within the High Court challenging regulatory interventions by state agencies, including enforcement actions and compliance mandates affecting quarrying operations.