Carib Scope

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  • Hon. Anthony Smith Mourning the Death of His Grandmother, Genevieve “Teacher Gen” Smith

    Hon. Anthony Smith Mourning the Death of His Grandmother, Genevieve “Teacher Gen” Smith

    In a moving public tribute, All Saints West Member of Parliament Anthony Smith Jr. has commemorated the extraordinary life and legacy of his grandmother, Genevieve Smith, affectionately known across Antigua and Barbuda as ‘Teacher Gen.’ Smith’s homage paints a portrait of a woman whose existence was fundamentally shaped by profound love, selfless service, and an unwavering commitment to her community.

    Addressing his constituents and the nation, the MP confessed that language falls short in capturing the immense impact his grandmother had on him, their family, and the multitude of lives she transformed. His message underscored a deep personal and communal loss, reflecting on her unparalleled devotion.

    Teacher Gen’s remarkable contributions spanned over four decades within the education sector, where she dedicated herself to shaping young minds in the classroom. Beyond her professional calling, her nurturing spirit extended to her home, where she fostered an astounding 63 children, cementing her role as a national matriarch. Her recent passing has triggered a nationwide outpouring of grief, with condolences and tributes emerging from all corners of Potters Village, All Saints West, and the broader educational fraternity.

    In his statement, Smith expressed profound gratitude for the overwhelming support and sympathy extended to his family, acknowledging it as a testament to the vast affection and respect held for his grandmother. He concluded his emotional farewell with a promise of perpetual remembrance, vowing that her spirit would endure forever in the hearts of those she touched.

    The enduring legacy of Teacher Gen—as an inspirational educator, a compassionate caregiver, and a pillar of strength—continues to echo powerfully among the generations of families she influenced, with her grandson’s tribute highlighting the profound void left in both a family and a nation.

  • Freeland Pays Tribute to ‘Teacher Gen,’ Calling Her a Pillar of Potters Village

    Freeland Pays Tribute to ‘Teacher Gen,’ Calling Her a Pillar of Potters Village

    Senator Michael Freeland has issued a formal tribute commemorating the profound impact and enduring legacy of Genevieve Smith, affectionately known throughout the community as ‘Teacher Gen.’ Hailing from Potters Village in the St. George constituency, Smith is remembered as an iconic figure whose lifelong dedication to children’s welfare and education has left an indelible mark on the region.

    In an official statement released this week, Senator Freeland expressed profound sorrow at her passing, emphasizing her remarkable four-decade career devoted to both educating and uplifting young minds. He particularly noted her extraordinary focus on supporting children with special needs and her parallel role as a foster parent, which exemplified her deep commitment to youth development.

    ‘Teacher Gen dedicated her entire life to nurturing young minds and uplifting our community,’ Freeland stated. ‘Her approach went far beyond conventional teaching—she genuinely believed in every child’s potential and worked tirelessly to help them realize it.’

    Smith’s influence extended well beyond academic instruction. Over her lifetime, she provided foster care for 63 children and offered guidance to countless others, establishing herself as a steadfast pillar of support for families throughout Potters Village. Freeland described her as ‘a true matriarch’ whose compassion and selfless service fundamentally shaped the community’s character.

    Among her lasting contributions is a scholarship established in her honor at Potters Primary School, which annually recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional promise and dedication. This initiative, Freeland noted, serves as a perpetual mechanism for perpetuating her vision and encouraging future generations.

    The senator extended his deepest condolences to Smith’s family, the Potters Zion Moravian Church, and all community members grieving her loss. He further pledged to continue advocating for the values she championed, specifically promising ongoing support for local schools and youth development programs aimed at carrying forward her mission.

    Concluding his tribute, Freeland reflected that Teacher Gen’s ‘light will continue to shine through the lives she touched,’ cementing her memory as a woman whose wisdom, love, and unwavering dedication helped define the spirit of Potters Village for generations to come.

  • Regering zet eerste SRD 20 miljoen in Woningbouwfonds

    Regering zet eerste SRD 20 miljoen in Woningbouwfonds

    Suriname has officially activated its National Housing Fund following a presidential decree by President Jennifer Simons, marking a significant advancement in the nation’s social development agenda. The initiative, established under the National Housing Fund Act (S.B. 2019 no. 142), became operational on December 10, 2025, with an initial capital injection of SRD 20 million.

    The fund represents the government’s central financial mechanism for affordable housing construction, renovation programs, and sustainable housing projects. Although the legislation was originally passed by the National Assembly on November 21, 2019, its implementation had been pending until now. This delay-free activation finally provides Suriname with a consolidated and sustainable financing framework for its housing sector.

    Key operational aspects of the fund include:
    – Establishment of transparent governance structures and management protocols
    – Consolidation of public and private financial resources
    – Provision of long-term financing options for housing development projects
    – Implementation of rigorous accountability measures for fund allocation and expenditure

    The initial SRD 20 million allocation serves as seed capital for a multi-year program, with a larger second infusion planned for 2026. This strategic approach aims to revitalize the national housing policy while expanding access to affordable, quality housing. Additionally, the fund will facilitate renovation of aging residential facilities and specifically target improvement of living conditions in vulnerable neighborhoods.

    Administrative responsibility has been assigned to the Minister of Finance & Planning and the Minister of Social Affairs and Public Housing. These officials will oversee the fund’s operationalization, develop implementation regulations, and ensure transparent financial management.

    This formalization represents a crucial step in modernizing Suriname’s housing policy, creating a structural investment mechanism during a period of increasing housing affordability challenges and growing renovation needs across the nation.

  • Prevo Cinemall and Waitukubuli Artist Association dream up ‘Christmas in Paradise’

    Prevo Cinemall and Waitukubuli Artist Association dream up ‘Christmas in Paradise’

    The Waitukubuli Artist Association, in partnership with The Prevo Cinemall, has transformed its acclaimed group exhibition into a seasonal spectacle titled “Christmas in Paradise.” This festive continuation builds upon the original showcase, “Paradise of Colours and Expressions,” which received overwhelming public acclaim. The reimagined exhibition now integrates the cultural warmth and rhythmic spirit of Dominican Christmas traditions within its vibrant display of artistic creativity.

    Featured artists include nationally revered figures such as Lennox Honychurch, Earl Etienne, Michael Lees, Edward Collins, and Lowell ‘OMtNI’ Royer. Their collective works blend traditional motifs with contemporary interpretations, evoking the magical atmosphere of the holiday season in paradise.

    Beyond static displays, the exhibition offers dynamic public engagements including free general admission with optional donations. Scheduled events encompass “Lyrics Under the Stars”—a musical and poetic tribute to Jimmy Cliff—children’s Christmas face painting, and educational workshops covering calligraphy and papier-mâché techniques conducted by local artisans including Jenae Bell and Margaux LaRocque. Additional highlights include portrait sketching sessions and intimate “Meet the Artist” opportunities, notably with Sandra Vivas.

    The exhibition is hosted at Prevo Cinemall’s Middle Passage venue, operating from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday through Saturday, from December 13, 2025, until January 10, 2026. Select special events require nominal fees, while general viewing remains complimentary.

  • Smith Condemns Personal Attacks on His Family During Budget Debate

    Smith Condemns Personal Attacks on His Family During Budget Debate

    In a compelling address to Parliament during the Budget Debate, Agriculture Minister and All Saints West MP Anthony Smith issued a stern condemnation of the increasingly personal nature of political criticisms, specifically targeting attacks directed at his family members. The minister articulated his deep concern over the blurring of lines between legitimate scrutiny of public officials and unjustifiable intrusions into private lives of those unrelated to governmental affairs.

    Minister Smith contextualized his remarks within recent political controversies, including the duty-free debacle, noting that discourse had degenerated into deeply personal territory. He emphasized that while public officials must accept professional accountability, family members who hold no political office should remain outside the bounds of political criticism. The minister described these attacks as both hurtful and fundamentally unjustified, creating collateral damage beyond the political sphere.

    Expanding his critique to broader political culture, Smith highlighted a perceptible decline in the quality of public discourse. He warned that when political debate transforms into personal confrontation, it loses substantive value and erodes mutual respect essential for democratic governance. The minister called for a recalibration of political discussions toward matters of policy, governance transparency, and ministerial performance—the legitimate domains of political accountability.

    In his concluding appeal, Smith urged cross-party collaboration to maintain focus on factual and issue-based debate, explicitly requesting that colleagues refrain from targeting family members in future political exchanges. His intervention represents a significant parliamentary moment addressing the ethics of political engagement and the protection of private individuals from public scrutiny.

  • Official opening of Bonair Bridge: A symbol of progress for St Mark

    Official opening of Bonair Bridge: A symbol of progress for St Mark

    Grenada has achieved a landmark infrastructure advancement with the official commissioning of the Bonair Bridge in St Mark parish, a project realized through strategic collaboration between the Government of Grenada and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). This initiative, executed under the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) Cycle X Programme, replaces an obsolete Bailey bridge with a modern, climate-resilient structure designed to withstand environmental challenges.

    The newly constructed bridge spans 16.2 meters in length and 8.4 meters in width, featuring reinforced concrete girder construction, dual sidewalks with handrails, comprehensive river training works, retaining walls, and gabion basket protection. These engineering enhancements significantly improve water flow capacity and flood mitigation capabilities, ensuring reliable community access during severe weather events.

    Despite design modifications that caused minor delays, the project demonstrated exceptional fiscal management. With an approved budget of EC$2.33 million, the actual expenditure totaled just EC$1.9 million, completing the project within budget while maintaining the highest engineering standards. The construction timeline extended from November 1, 2023, to May 31, 2025, encompassing 579 days of development.

    From inception, the project embraced community-centered design principles. Residents, business owners, and local leaders actively participated in consultations and design discussions, ensuring the infrastructure directly addresses local needs. The collaborative effort involved Gilbert & Partners Engineering Co. Ltd. as contractors, FDL Consult Inc. as consultants, and supervision by the Rural Development Unit within the Ministry of Economic Development, Planning and Cooperatives.

    The bridge delivers transformative benefits including reliable connectivity between Bonair, Victoria, Diamond Estate and neighboring communities, reduced transportation costs, enhanced climate resilience, improved agricultural transport efficiency, business growth opportunities, increased property values, and better access to essential services. While fully operational, minor finishing works including landscaping and signage will be completed in the coming weeks.

    O’Reilly Lewis, CDB’s Director of Projects, commended the partnership during the handover ceremony, highlighting the project as a model of sustainable development achieved through government-partner-community collaboration. The BNTF program, active since 1979, has impacted over 3 million people across the Caribbean region through community-led development initiatives funded by the Special Development Fund and beneficiary governments.

  • EcoShores Marks a Year of Major Community Impact Across Antigua and the Caribbean

    EcoShores Marks a Year of Major Community Impact Across Antigua and the Caribbean

    The EcoShores Sustainable Futures Network (ESFN) concludes 2025 with extraordinary achievements in community-driven environmental and social programming across Antigua and Barbuda and the broader Caribbean region. This transformative year marked a significant advancement in the organization’s mission to build equitable, resilient futures through grassroots empowerment and ecological stewardship.

    Under the leadership of Portfolio Manager Britney McDonald, ESFN implemented thirteen groundbreaking initiatives that translated community input into tangible action. The organization’s philosophy centers on deep listening and proactive response to local needs, creating programs that address both environmental conservation and social welfare simultaneously.

    Among the year’s flagship accomplishments was the Endeavour Publication, which gained substantial regional traction by amplifying stories of climate activism, conservation efforts, and youth empowerment. The platform demonstrated how creative storytelling can influence policy decisions and inspire cross-island resilience.

    The organization’s conservation work expanded significantly with enhanced sea turtle protection programs in Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica. These efforts involved close collaboration with local communities, rangers, and conservation networks to safeguard nesting habitats and monitor endangered species.

    ESFN’s innovative Regenerative Tourism Project forged deeper connections between visitors and local ecosystems while directly contributing to conservation initiatives. This approach transformed tourism from a passive activity into an engaged, educational experience that benefits both communities and the environment.

    The network maintained its commitment to social support through targeted programs addressing gender equity, including specialized initiatives for Black men and boys. The Community Swim Programme provided essential survival skills while fostering youth connections to marine environments, creating a foundation for future environmental leadership.

    Professional development received significant attention through the Expeditioner Programme, which equipped four exceptional young people with hands-on experience in project management, environmental conservation, finance, disaster relief, and advocacy. This initiative ensures the next generation of Caribbean leaders possesses the skills necessary to drive sustainable development.

    Financial empowerment emerged as another critical focus area with the Build Your Future Financial Literacy Workshop, which will expand into an extended virtual series in 2026 accompanied by practical workbooks for families and youth.

    ESFN also strengthened regional civil society by providing communications, proposal development, and grant writing support to over ten organizations across the Caribbean. These efforts advanced initiatives in cultural heritage, sustainable finance, and climate-resilient infrastructure.

    The Climate and Care Campaign brought heightened awareness to the gendered impacts of climate change, with plans to expand into on-the-ground programs supporting vulnerable groups through capacity-building and resilience planning in 2026.

    As ESFN looks toward the new year, the organization has committed to expanding environmental research, scaling regenerative tourism experiences, deepening financial education offerings, growing conservation networks, and maintaining community voices at the core of all operations.

  • LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Inter-Caribbean Airways and Inter-Caribbean Tourism – a fatal alliance

    LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Inter-Caribbean Airways and Inter-Caribbean Tourism – a fatal alliance

    A severe crisis in regional air connectivity is threatening the economic foundation of Caribbean tourism, according to a detailed account from traveler Anthony E. Le Blanc. The analysis presents a stark contrast between the historical service of the defunct LIAT and the current operations of its predominant replacement, Inter-Caribbean Airways.

    While LIAT was known for occasional minor delays, the carrier maintained a reputation for overall reliability and affordability. In sharp contrast, Inter-Caribbean Airways has established what the author describes as a near-guarantee of significant delays or outright cancellations. These disruptions frequently extend from several hours into multiple days, creating monumental complications for travelers with tight schedules.

    The consequences of these operational failures are both immediate and severe. Passengers routinely face financial losses from forfeited hotel and car rental reservations, miss critical business meetings, and even fail to attend important family events like funerals. Unlike traditional carriers that assume responsibility for passenger welfare during extended delays, Inter-Caribbean Airways reportedly avoids covering expenses for additional airport transportation, accommodation, or any form of compensation for incurred losses.

    The economic impact extends beyond individual travelers to affect the entire region’s productivity. Airports have transformed into unproductive waiting areas where significant economic potential is lost. Most alarmingly, the credibility of inter-Caribbean travel itself has been severely damaged, dealing what the author characterizes as a ‘near fatal blow’ to regional tourism over the past two years.

    The commentary highlights Caribbean Airlines as a notable exception, describing its service as ‘a breath of fresh air’ and suggesting that expanded operations from this carrier could help salvage the region’s vital tourism industry from the operational onslaught of Inter-Caribbean Airways.

    The author concludes that unless Inter-Caribbean Airways is compelled to bear the financial costs of the inconveniences it creates, the perception of reliable regional air transport will continue to deteriorate, with lasting consequences for the Caribbean economy.

  • Nicholas Pushes Back on Opposition’s ‘Unlimited Rooftop Solar’ Proposal, Warns of Risks to APUA

    Nicholas Pushes Back on Opposition’s ‘Unlimited Rooftop Solar’ Proposal, Warns of Risks to APUA

    In a robust defense of the government’s energy strategy during the Budget Debate, Information Technology Minister Melford Nicholas issued a stern warning against adopting the Opposition’s proposal for unlimited rooftop solar installations. Nicholas characterized the policy push as economically dangerous and technically unviable, emphasizing that such unrestricted solar expansion would jeopardize both grid stability and the financial viability of the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA).

    The Minister revealed that the Opposition Leader had advocated for homeowners to install solar systems reaching 25-30 kilowatts without restrictions. Nicholas systematically dismantled this proposition, highlighting APUA’s binding long-term agreement with Antigua Power Company extending through 2031. This contractual obligation, coupled with the utility’s requirement to maintain consistent power availability regardless of weather conditions, makes uncontrolled solar integration fundamentally problematic.

    Nicholas presented compelling financial data, noting that approximately 67% of APUA’s revenue is allocated to fuel purchases for electricity generation. A sudden influx of oversized private solar systems would create unpredictable power flows into the grid, potentially leaving the utility unable to meet its financial commitments. The Minister painted a vivid picture of the technical challenges: abundant daytime solar generation followed by dramatic nighttime drops would force APUA to maintain full conventional generation capacity regardless of solar availability.

    As a responsible alternative, Nicholas detailed the government’s measured approach to renewable energy adoption. APUA has already implemented a program allowing household systems up to 5 kilowatts, including necessary inverter and battery storage components. This cap, far from being arbitrary, was established based on comprehensive technical assessments to ensure grid reliability while enabling consumer access to clean energy.

    The government’s strategy extends beyond residential solar, with Nicholas highlighting ongoing utility-scale green energy initiatives. These include collaboration with the International Solar Alliance and financing discussions through the Green Climate Fund. The Minister emphasized that Antigua’s energy transformation requires addressing the fundamental challenge of its $200 million annual fuel expenditure, noting that meaningful electricity cost reduction demands structural changes in power generation.

    Pointing to Barbuda’s successful renewable integration experience, where fuel savings have already demonstrated tangible benefits, Nicholas expressed confidence in replicating these results across Antigua through controlled expansion. The government’s balanced approach seeks to harmonize household participation in renewable energy with maintaining national grid security, combining regulated rooftop installations with strategic large-scale investments as the most realistic path toward a sustainable energy future.

  • Derelict vehicle removal continues across Dominica

    Derelict vehicle removal continues across Dominica

    The Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF), in partnership with the Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation (DSWMC), has escalated its nationwide campaign to remove derelict vehicles from public spaces. This coordinated initiative targets abandoned automobiles across ten strategic locations identified as priority zones for cleanup operations.

    Authorities have conducted systematic tagging operations in Bath Estate, Stockfarm, Under the Canefield Cliff, St. Aroment, Tarish Pit, Cocoa Bottom, Morne Daniel, Trafalgar, Wotten Waven, and Bellevue Chopin. These areas have been identified as containing significant numbers of vehicles that pose environmental and safety concerns.

    Official communications from the CDPF emphasize that vehicle owners must immediately remove their abandoned properties. The government has established clear consequences for non-compliance, including substantial financial penalties and compulsory removal operations conducted at the owner’s expense. Law enforcement officials have affirmed their commitment to rigorous enforcement of municipal regulations regarding public space maintenance.

    Community engagement forms a crucial component of this initiative. The joint statement appealed to citizens’ civic responsibility, stating: ‘Let’s work together to keep our communities clean, safe, and beautiful.’ This campaign represents part of broader environmental and urban renewal efforts across the island nation, addressing both aesthetic concerns and potential public health implications associated with abandoned vehicles.

    The ongoing operation demonstrates the government’s multi-agency approach to urban management, combining law enforcement capabilities with waste management expertise to address complex municipal challenges.