Carib Scope

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  • Private Sector Organisation launched to unify private sector voice

    Private Sector Organisation launched to unify private sector voice

    PORT OF SPAIN – A transformative development in Trinidad and Tobago’s business landscape emerged on December 10 with the formal inauguration of the Private Sector Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago (PSOTT) at Hyatt Regency Trinidad. This groundbreaking initiative consolidates numerous chambers, industry associations, and business service organizations under a unified representative body.

    Under the leadership of Chairman Richard Lewis, former TTMA president and executive director of Label House Ltd, PSOTT’s primary mandate centers on representing private sector interests in national policy discussions. The organization will serve as a strategic bridge between business stakeholders and government policymakers, advocating for structural reforms to enhance economic competitiveness and diversification.

    During the launch ceremony, Lewis articulated the organization’s vision through a powerful analogy: “Imagine 25 different voices, each speaking passionately but often in different directions. Now envision those voices harmonized – clear, strong, and united. This represents our fundamental direction moving forward.”

    The newly established entity will maintain respect for existing business organizations’ autonomy while coordinating strategic policy positions. Immediate operational priorities include finalizing governance bylaws, establishing committee structures, forming an interim board, and developing a comprehensive three-year strategic plan with a detailed 12-month action agenda.

    Lewis emphasized the organization’s substantive purpose beyond structural formation: “This is not just about structure. It is about strength. It is about credibility. It is about impact.” The strategic plan will leverage subject matter experts from member organizations to support both PSOTT and relevant government ministries in implementing diversification initiatives.

    The launch event witnessed participation from key figures including Minister of Trade, Investment and Tourism Kama Maharaj, alongside PSOTT deputy chairman Amjad Ali. Lewis concluded with a rallying call for collective commitment to “one team, one vision, one purpose – building Trinidad and Tobago.”

  • Judge dismisses accident victim’s medical negligence claim against NCRHA

    Judge dismisses accident victim’s medical negligence claim against NCRHA

    In a significant ruling, Trinidad and Tobago’s High Court has rejected a medical negligence lawsuit against the North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA), determining that physicians at Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex provided appropriate care despite systemic healthcare challenges.

    The case involved Vern Khan, who sustained injuries in a April 2011 accident when his vehicle fell 30 feet, resulting in a fractured right arm. Khan contended that hospital staff delayed necessary surgery, provided inadequate post-operative care, and ultimately caused permanent disability in his limb.

    Justice Joan Charles delivered a comprehensive verdict after examining testimony from both Khan’s medical expert, Dr. Stephen Ramroop, and the defense’s orthopedic specialist, Dr. Anil Kumar. The court found that the 19-day interval before Khan’s May 9, 2011 surgery was medically justified given his presentation with alcohol intoxication, elevated white blood cell counts, facial nerve palsy, and depressive symptoms.

    The judgment emphasized that systemic resource limitations in public healthcare—particularly surgical scheduling delays—do not automatically constitute negligence when medical professionals adhere to established standards. Justice Charles noted that Khan’s own refusal to maintain his back-slab cast contrary to medical advice significantly contributed to his complications.

    Furthermore, the court identified inconsistencies in Khan’s testimony and dismissed his expert’s claims after identifying factual inaccuracies, including an erroneous assertion regarding post-operative X-rays. The ruling established that Khan failed to demonstrate either a breach of duty of care or a direct causal relationship between alleged negligence and his injury.

    The NCRHA received a favorable judgment with costs awarded amounting to $14,000. Legal representation featured Pavitra Ramharack and Brandon Sirju for the claimant, while Colin Blaize and Farai Hove Masaisai advocated for the health authority.

  • On Human Rights Day, JFJ flags ‘stark’ increase in security force killings

    On Human Rights Day, JFJ flags ‘stark’ increase in security force killings

    KINGSTON, Jamaica—Jamaica faces a complex public safety dichotomy as dramatically declining murder rates coincide with an alarming surge in security force-related fatalities, according to human rights advocates.

    Mickel Jackson, Executive Director of Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ), acknowledged the nation’s remarkable progress in reducing homicides during her Human Rights Day address. “This year has witnessed a historic decline in murders, with projections indicating some of the lowest homicide figures in decades,” Jackson stated. “These achievements demonstrate the effectiveness of collaborative efforts between security forces and communities working to restore peace across our island.”

    However, this progress stands in stark contrast to a disturbing trend in state-involved fatalities. Official data reveals that security force-involved deaths have reached 289 as of December 8, 2025—marking the highest figure in over a decade and representing a 68 percent increase compared to the same period last year, when Jamaica recorded 172 such fatalities.

    The human rights organization has expressed serious concerns regarding transparency, accountability, and the inconsistent implementation of body-worn camera technology within security operations. Despite facing opposition, including disparaging remarks, threats, and intimidation following peaceful protests in Half-Way Tree, St. Andrew, JFJ remains committed to its advocacy mission.

    Jackson emphasized the fundamental principles enshrined in Jamaica’s Constitution, noting that the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms represents a solemn promise that human rights are inviolable and no power exists above the law. Quoting Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘Drum Major Instinct’ sermon, she called for redirecting the desire for significance into active service for justice.

    The executive director urged citizens to engage in rigorous accountability measures, including reporting violations, supporting affected families, demanding oversight, and holding authorities accountable. “Let us choose lawful force and rigorous accountability over excessive force and impunity,” Jackson advocated. “We must make human dignity the lived reality—not the exception—for every single Jamaican.”

  • Nearly 200 children conceived from sperm donor with increased cancer risk—reports

    Nearly 200 children conceived from sperm donor with increased cancer risk—reports

    A significant health and ethical dilemma has emerged in the global fertility industry following revelations by Denmark’s public broadcaster, DR. An anonymous Danish sperm donor, operating under the alias ‘Kjeld,’ was identified as an asymptomatic carrier of a rare TP53 genetic mutation, which substantially increases cancer risk. His genetic material was distributed internationally between 2006 and 2022, resulting in the conception of at least 197 children across 14 countries.

    The case came to light when Denmark’s European Sperm Bank (ESB), one of the world’s largest, received its first alert in April 2020. A child conceived through the donor’s sperm was diagnosed with cancer and found to carry the mutation. The bank initially suspended sales and conducted a screening, but the rare nature of the mutation evaded detection. Consequently, the distribution of the donor’s sperm resumed.

    It wasn’t until three years later, upon receiving a second report of another child with the mutation developing cancer, that the ESB conducted more rigorous testing. Multiple samples confirmed the donor was a healthy carrier of the gene. His sperm was permanently blocked from use in late October 2023.

    The Danish Patient Safety Authority confirmed that 99 children in Denmark were fathered by this donor, with 49 born to women residing domestically and 50 to women abroad. The ESB issued a statement clarifying the complexity of the case, noting the mutation is ‘rare and previously undescribed,’ present in only a small fraction of the donor’s sperm cells and undetectable by prior genetic screening protocols. The company emphasized that not all children conceived from this donor will carry the mutation.

    This incident highlights critical gaps in international reproductive medicine regulations. While many European nations impose limits on domestic donations—the ESB itself now caps donations at 75 families per donor—there are no binding international agreements governing the total number of children a single donor can father across borders. The ESB, which claims involvement in over 70,000 births globally in the past two decades, now faces scrutiny over its screening processes and international oversight.

  • PM on pirates, double-tap strike: TT is not judge or jury

    PM on pirates, double-tap strike: TT is not judge or jury

    Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago has declared that unregistered vessels operating in Caribbean waters will be treated as pirate ships, granting them no legal protections. This statement comes amid growing controversy over US military strikes targeting suspected drug trafficking boats in regional waters.

    Speaking to journalists outside the Red House in Port of Spain on December 9, Persad-Bissessar addressed reports of a September 2 incident where US forces allegedly struck a boat twice—a tactic known as ‘double tapping’ in military terminology—resulting in eleven fatalities. While expressing no sympathy for drug traffickers, the Prime Minister emphasized that the United States operates as a sovereign nation whose actions fall outside Trinidad and Tobago’s jurisdiction to judge.

    ‘US is a sovereign nation and they are free to exercise their sovereignty in manners they see fit,’ Persad-Bissessar stated. ‘I cannot be judge or jury here to determine whether they are right or wrong.’

    The Prime Minister revealed that her government receives no advance notification of US military actions and does not intend to request additional information, characterizing these operations as US security matters. She articulated a firm stance on unregistered vessels: ‘Within the law, they are treated like pirates and therefore will not have the protection of others carrying a flag and identifying who they are.’

    However, maritime lawyer Nyree Alfonso offered a more nuanced perspective, noting that while unregistered vessels might be ‘up to no good,’ they aren’t necessarily pirates in the legal sense. She explained that vessel registration functions as a maritime passport, and without it, boats become ‘almost like a ghost’ without national protection.

    Alfonso acknowledged that while many might disagree with the US methodology, the results of disrupting drug trafficking networks would likely be welcomed by law-abiding citizens. She emphasized the interconnected nature of maritime crimes, noting that drug trafficking often correlates with gun running and human trafficking operations.

    The ongoing US interdiction operations have resulted in at least 87 fatalities across nearly two dozen strikes since September, highlighting the intensifying efforts to combat drug cartels operating in Caribbean and South American waters.

  • 60 homes for Christmas

    60 homes for Christmas

    MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica – In an extraordinary humanitarian response, the S Hotel has mobilized a rapid-deployment project to construct 60 one-bedroom housing units for western Jamaican residents displaced by Hurricane Melissa. With a total investment exceeding $21 million Jamaican dollars, the ‘S for Shelters’ initiative represents one of the most significant private-sector recovery efforts following the devastating storm.

    The ambitious program, driven by the Jamaican-owned hospitality brand, aims to provide safe accommodation for homeless families before Christmas celebrations begin. Hotel Manager and Brand Ambassador Andres Cope emphasized the emotional urgency behind the project: ‘This initiative resonates deeply with our core values. With Christmas approaching rapidly, ensuring our fellow Jamaicans have proper shelter becomes our paramount concern.’

    The innovative housing solution emerged after the hotel received heartfelt communications from international guests expressing concern about traveling to a disaster-affected region. ‘Our overseas clients conveyed genuine distress about visiting while Jamaicans suffered,’ Cope explained during Tuesday’s press briefing. ‘As a locally-owned establishment, we recognize our responsibility to support communities in crisis.’

    Construction teams have demonstrated remarkable efficiency, completing structures at an accelerated pace of two to three units daily. The 10×12-foot wooden houses, engineered for durability and longevity, are being assembled in the hotel’s parking lot before transportation to identified recipients. Projects Manager Tardo Nelson confirmed the buildings’ structural integrity: ‘With appropriate maintenance including regular painting and care, these shelters can provide secure housing for a decade or longer, substantially outperforming conventional board houses common in the region.’

    The identification process for beneficiaries relies on grassroots intelligence from hotel employees residing in affected parishes. This community-based approach ensures assistance reaches the most vulnerable individuals, including a paralyzed gentleman who became the first recipient after losing his entire home.

    The humanitarian endeavor has inspired active participation from international visitors. Mike Vanbuskirk, a tourist from Florida, joined construction teams personally, noting: ‘Contributing physically to Jamaica’s rebuilding process embodies compassionate tourism. Having witnessed Jamaican resilience previously, I feel privileged to participate meaningfully.’

    Other guests, including retirees Tim and Marva Joseph from Virginia, praised the hotel’s transparent crisis communication throughout the hurricane period. ‘Their consistent social media updates demonstrated unwavering resilience,’ Tim noted. ‘We maintained our reservation specifically to support this commendable recovery effort.’

    The project exemplifies growing trends in corporate social responsibility within the hospitality industry, showcasing how tourism infrastructure can directly contribute to disaster recovery while maintaining operational excellence.

  • Sygnus parks big money in Lakes Pen

    Sygnus parks big money in Lakes Pen

    Sygnus Group has significantly expanded its real estate portfolio with a strategic US$20-million investment to develop the Lakespen Industrial Park in St. Catherine, Jamaica. This major infrastructure initiative is designed to fuel the nation’s growing logistics and industrial sectors by offering secure, state-of-the-art operational spaces for businesses aiming to expand or modernize their facilities.

    During the project’s groundbreaking ceremony, Berisford Grey, CEO of Sygnus Capital and company co-founder, articulated the vision behind the investment: “Our commitment stems from a firm belief that Jamaica is positioned to lead the Caribbean in logistic infrastructure development.”

    The 55.4-acre property, acquired in March 2020, will feature 34 serviced lots ranging from one to three acres after accounting for essential infrastructure. The development plan emerged from a meticulous master planning process with leading architectural consultants and a comprehensive feasibility study conducted by a renowned Washington, DC-based industrial consultancy. This study identified a substantial market demand, revealing over 1 million square feet of need for industrial warehousing space in Jamaica.

    David Cummings, Vice President and Head of Real Estate & Project Finance at Sygnus, explained how these findings shaped their strategy: “The analysis uncovered a distinct market segment comprising businesses that lack the capital to develop their own facilities. This insight drove our decision to create an industrial subdivision with ready-to-build lots.”

    The Lakespen Industrial Park will incorporate robust security measures including a 2.4-meter perimeter wall with anti-climb features, surveillance systems, and an armed security presence. Critical infrastructure enhancements feature a 70,000-gallon water reserve tank and an underground electrical distribution system—a design element that provides crucial business continuity advantages, particularly following Hurricane Melissa’s recent impact.

    Cummings emphasized: “The underground electrical system was integral to our original design, not merely a reaction to hurricane conditions.”

    With regulatory approvals secured and a construction contract awarded to China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), the project remains ahead of its original 2026 schedule. Lot handovers are now targeted for summer 2027, following Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s call to accelerate economic activity after Hurricane Melissa.

    The development forms part of Jamaica’s broader strategy to establish the Lakes Pen and Caymanas corridor as a premier logistics hub. This initiative complements adjacent projects including the Port Authority of Jamaica’s Caymanas Logistics Hub and the Urban Development Corporation’s Raintree industrial park.

    Prime Minister Holness expressed strong confidence in the development: “These strategic decisions will transform the Caymanas area into a powerful logistics hub that integrates seamlessly with Portmore.”

    The Lakespen project joins Sygnus’s growing real estate investment pipeline valued at over US$300 million, which includes developments like One Belmont. According to Grey, approximately 40% of Sygnus’s deployed capital currently invests in Jamaican projects, supported by the company’s ability to secure international investment funding. Grey further emphasized the need for greater participation from Jamaican institutional and individual investors in alternative investment markets to drive value creation across the economy.

  • Last ‘Good morning’

    Last ‘Good morning’

    The community of Bonitto Heights in Mandeville, Manchester, was plunged into profound grief on Tuesday morning following the tragic death of nine-year-old Amoya Moore, a Villa Road Primary School student struck by a garbage truck while walking to school.

    The incident occurred approximately at 7:00 AM near the child’s residence, moments after she had exchanged morning greetings with the sanitation crew. According to an eyewitness who was washing his car nearby, the tragedy unfolded as the truck descended from Bonitto Heights. The man described hearing a piercing scream before witnessing one of the truck’s sidemen running in distress. Upon rushing to the scene, he discovered Amoya fatally injured on the ground.

    Manchester law enforcement authorities promptly impounded the vehicle for technical examination at the Mandeville depot while initiating a comprehensive investigation through both the Manchester Traffic Department and Area Three Accident Investigation and Reconstruction Unit. The driver remained in police custody for questioning throughout Tuesday afternoon as officers gathered official statements.

    Villa Road Primary School Principal Brent James characterized Amoya as an exceptionally bright, respectful, and disciplined student who held special significance to him personally. “She literally fights to come and hug me each day,” James recounted, visibly emotional. “A child that had such great prospects, and for her life to just be taken away just like that is tragic.”

    The school immediately implemented crisis response protocols, with grief counselors and psychosocial support teams from the Ministry of Education’s Region Five office joining principals from three area schools to assist students and staff processing the devastating news.

    Neighbors remembered Amoya as a remarkably polite child who consistently greeted community members during her daily walks. Dean Williamson, a resident and father of two daughters, expressed the collective devastation: “It is a tragic situation and very devastating to the community. All of us are parents.”

    Senior government officials including Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie, Education State Minister Rhoda Moy Crawford, and the National Solid Waste Management Authority issued separate statements extending official condolences to the family and school community. Crawford, who represents Manchester Central and attended Villa Road Primary herself, announced plans to visit both the school and grieving family, simultaneously urging enhanced road safety awareness among all users.

  • GUIDING HAND

    GUIDING HAND

    Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have announced a groundbreaking transition for West Indian cricket star Andre Russell, who will assume the newly created role of ‘power coach’ following his retirement from the Indian Premier League. The Jamaican all-rounder, after 12 remarkable seasons in the world’s premier T20 franchise league, has chosen to conclude his playing career while remaining with the franchise in a strategic coaching capacity.

    Russell’s decision marks his second retirement announcement this year, having previously stepped away from international cricket with the West Indies in July. The 37-year-old athlete, who spent 11 seasons with KKR and contributed significantly to their championship victories in 2014 and 2024, could have entered next week’s IPL draft after not being retained by the franchise. However, following extensive discussions with KKR ownership, Russell embraced this innovative career shift ahead of the 2026 season.

    KKR CEO Venky Mysore, who has managed franchise transitions for 15 years, revealed that Russell’s new position represents a strategic evolution rather than a conventional retirement. ‘Very rarely do players feel like they are done,’ Mysore told ESPNcricinfo. ‘He’s probably right that he still has cricket left in him, but he also realized by the time 2026 IPL comes around, he’ll be 38. He’s a natural athlete, but body and age do catch up.’

    Russell’s legacy with KKR remains extraordinary – as one of only two players in IPL history to achieve the double of 2,000 runs and 100 wickets, he accumulated nearly 2,600 runs and over 120 wickets while earning MVP honors in 2015 and 2019. His new coaching role will leverage his exceptional skills in finishing games, power hitting, and athletic fielding – attributes that inspired the ‘power coach’ terminology that Mysore specifically developed for this position.

    The transition represents a growing trend among West Indian cricketers, with Russell joining contemporaries Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo who have similarly moved into coaching roles within the IPL following their playing retirements. Despite concluding his IPL playing career, Russell maintains his contract with Knight Riders ownership across other global leagues, including the Caribbean Premier League with Trinbago.

  • Look to Guyana for feedstock to save forex

    Look to Guyana for feedstock to save forex

    A compelling public letter from Fazir Khan of St Augustine has sounded an urgent alarm regarding Trinidad and Tobago’s substantial foreign exchange expenditures on poultry feed imports, calling for strategic regional collaboration with neighboring Guyana.

    The communication highlights recent disclosures by Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo revealing that poultry-sector companies accessed over US$150 million in forex reserves between 2020 and mid-2025. This staggering investment in imported feedstock represents a significant drain on the nation’s limited foreign currency resources.

    The analysis identifies a transformative opportunity emerging within the Caribbean Community. Guyana has achieved remarkable agricultural progress, cultivating approximately 12,000 acres of corn and soya in 2024 with ambitious expansion targets of 25,000-30,000 acres by 2025-2026. This development positions Guyana to achieve self-sufficiency in livestock feed while generating surplus grains for export to fellow Caricom nations.

    The core argument questions whether Trinidad’s major poultry integrators, feed millers, agricultural experts, mechanical engineers, and relevant government agencies have initiated formal engagement with Guyanese authorities. Such collaboration could secure long-term supply arrangements for Guyanese corn and soya, potentially priced to gradually reduce Trinidad’s forex exposure.

    Concurrently, the letter urges immediate assessment of Trinidad’s readiness for this regional transition, including evaluation of port facilities, storage capacity, handling capabilities, quality assurance protocols, and necessary legislative or contractual modifications to facilitate trade diversification from distant suppliers to a Caricom partner.

    The conclusion emphasizes that meaningful forex conservation requires more than routine reassurances. It demands a coordinated regional strategy where both private sector and government entities collaborate to transform Guyana’s emerging agricultural production into a stable, cost-effective, intra-Caricom supply chain for poultry feed, ultimately reducing risk and enhancing regional food security.