Carib Scope

作者： admin

  • Grenada’s transport system set for changes

    Grenada’s transport system set for changes

    Grenada is poised to roll out a sweeping three-year modernization of its public transportation system, with a series of interconnected upgrades that include pending bus fare increases, major terminal renovations, cashless fare processing, and new traffic congestion mitigation strategies. Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell confirmed that ongoing talks between the government, the Grenada Transport Commission (GTC), and the National Bus Association have put a bus fare increase close to final approval. Negotiators have already worked through core framework details, and only final points remain on the table: the exact percentage of the fare hike, which service routes will be affected, and the official implementation date. Once a full agreement is reached, a joint public announcement from the government and the bus association is expected in the near future.

    Terminal infrastructure across the island is also set for major improvements. The national cabinet has already approved the transfer of all existing bus terminals from their current operators to the GTC, including the St. George’s Bus Terminal currently managed by the Grenada Ports Authority. GTC Executive Director Hatuey Campbell outlined that the St. George’s facility is scheduled to undergo comprehensive upgrades starting in 2027, with planned improvements including climate-controlled waiting areas for passengers, real-time digital passenger information systems, covered bus bays to protect passengers from the elements, on-site solar power generation, and purpose-built infrastructure to support the future rollout of electric buses. Upgrades are also planned for terminals in Grenville, Sauteurs, and Carriacou, with renovation work already underway at the Grenville terminal to resolve chronic flooding issues, resurface the facility, and expand parking capacity. Plans for a proposed new terminal in Grand Anse remain on hold, however, as the government continues to evaluate the best approach to meet public transportation demand in that high-traffic area.

    In addition to infrastructure changes, the GTC is working to modernize how passengers pay for their trips. Campbell noted that the commission is currently evaluating proposals from two separate vendors to implement a systemwide cashless fare payment network, with options including reloadable contactless payment cards that would eliminate the need for exact cash change on buses. The government is also moving forward to expand overall public transportation capacity through a new partnership that could bring up to 40 new buses to the national fleet, including 20 large electric buses scheduled to arrive by 2027. A national school transportation program is also in development for a 2027 launch, building on data and lessons collected from the successful SpiceBus pilot program, which tested new operational models and transportation technology that can be scaled across the entire public transit network.

    In the short term, authorities are prioritizing improved traffic management ahead of the upcoming popular VAT-free shopping days. Campbell and Permanent Secretary Isabel Morris confirmed that additional traffic wardens will be deployed to the most congested areas, including Grand Anse, Lagoon Road, and central St. George’s, with close coordination planned with the Royal Grenada Police Force to keep traffic moving. Transportation officials also plan to run public awareness campaigns to encourage carpooling and the use of off-site parking lots outside of the most congested zones to reduce gridlock. Longer-term traffic solutions being considered include timed signalized pedestrian crossings, adjusted traffic flow patterns to reduce bottlenecks, peak-hour parking restrictions in high-density areas, and the development of new community parking lots to spread out vehicle traffic.

    All of these initiatives fall under the GTC’s 2026-2028 strategic implementation plan, which also covers expanded accessibility for disabled passengers, improved road safety standards, comprehensive fare reform, expanded electric mobility adoption, and the modernization of vehicle licensing and inspection processes. Prime Minister Mitchell emphasized that delivering on this ambitious plan will require targeted legislative updates, securing adequate financing, and close collaboration across multiple government agencies and private sector stakeholders. The plan is designed to deliver tangible, visible improvements to Grenada’s transportation network over the next 36 to 48 months, laying the groundwork for a more efficient, sustainable, and passenger-focused public transit system for years to come.

  • Clara Lionel Foundation supports Reach Within’s mission

    Clara Lionel Foundation supports Reach Within’s mission

    For nearly two decades, a Grenadian nonprofit organization has been transforming the lives of vulnerable young people across the island nation. Since its founding in 2005, Reach Within has dedicated itself to advancing the physical, emotional, and social well-being of thousands of children and adolescents who reside in residential care facilities and foster care across Grenada.

    Working hand-in-hand with the island’s Child Protection Authority (CPA), Reach Within delivers a multi-layered portfolio of support tailored to meet the unique needs of young people at every stage of their journey in the care system. For children and teens currently living in care homes, the organization offers accessible, trauma-informed healing activities that range from music and yoga to team sports and creative arts, designed to help young people process adverse experiences and build healthy coping skills. Beyond direct youth programming, Reach Within also provides specialized trauma-informed training for the caregivers and facility staff who work with these vulnerable young people on a daily basis, equipping them with the tools to support long-term healing.

    For young adults who have aged out of the care system and face overlapping challenges including financial instability, housing insecurity, and unaddressed mental health needs, Reach Within extends critical transitional support. This includes one-on-one mentoring and professional counseling, access to food and other essential material supplies, advocacy for affordable housing, and hands-on job training to build employable skills.

    Over the past 12 months, the organization has expanded its impact through innovative skills-building initiatives, including courses in crochet craftsmanship and sustainable hydroponic farming. These hands-on programs double as entrepreneur training, giving young people the opportunity to develop marketable skills that foster independence, economic self-sufficiency, and long-term personal growth. This work not only changes individual lives but contributes to the positive development of Grenada’s next generation, aligning with the core belief that investing in youth is the foundation of a brighter, more innovative future for the entire country.

    Donnet Williams, Reach Within’s Director of Programmes, explained the core mission that drives the organization’s work. “Reach Within’s Self-Regulation and Transitional Living Programmes strive to create positive and meaningful connections and experiences for the children and youth we serve,” Williams said. “We want our young people to learn that they hold the power to dictate how their story unfolds and the direction their lives take, even after experiencing adverse childhood experiences and life’s many adversities.”

    Williams went on to highlight how the organization meets young people where they are, removing barriers to support. “Through our programmes, we meet them where they are, provide them with simple yet impactful tools, skills, resources, and a dependable support system to facilitate resilience,” she said. “Through the generosity of grant funding from the Clara Lionel Foundation, we’re able to deepen our reach and touch many more lives, giving our youth a much-needed chance to learn to thrive.”

    This expanded programming became possible thanks to a new grant partnership between Reach Within and the Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF), a global philanthropic organization dedicated to building thriving, resilient communities by empowering local community innovators to lead grassroots change. CLF funds impactful initiatives across five core priority areas: Arts & Culture, Climate Solutions, Future Generations, Health Access & Equity, and Women’s Entrepreneurship. To date, the foundation has distributed more than $100 million in grants to organizations working in the Caribbean, East Africa, and the southern United States, prioritizing communities that have historically been underserved by mainstream philanthropy.

    For Reach Within, the new funding from CLF not only expands existing programming but opens the door to reaching hundreds more vulnerable young people across Grenada, turning the vision of empowered, self-sufficient youth across the island into a tangible reality.

  • PARADISE INTERRUPTED | When the rain doesn’t come

    PARADISE INTERRUPTED | When the rain doesn’t come

    For generations, Caribbean communities have cultivated ingrained rituals of preparation for one of the most visible climate hazard: hurricanes. Every June, as storm season kicks off, households across the region automatically spring into action: flashlights are tested, emergency battery stockpiles are topped up, shelves are filled with canned goods and bottled water, trees are trimmed, drainage systems are cleared, and critical documents are secured in waterproof storage. Hurricane preparation has become woven into the cultural identity of the Caribbean. But there is another slow-onset climate threat that has never received the same cultural focus: drought. Unlike hurricanes, drought never arrives with a dramatic, named alert, blaring headlines, or hours of nonstop live coverage. It creeps in gradually, one unusually dry week after another. Rainfall becomes increasingly sparse, regional river levels drop steadily, farmers begin rationing scarce water supplies, and eventually, taps run dry one morning without warning. By the time the public and officials recognize drought as a full-blown crisis, vulnerable communities have already been living with its devastating impacts for months.

  • Dominica’s Sherdina Antoine wins regional climate story competition

    Dominica’s Sherdina Antoine wins regional climate story competition

    Against a backdrop of growing global concern over climate vulnerability in small island developing states, a young writer from Dominica has emerged as the winner of the 2026 Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) Youth Short Story Competition. Twenty-two-year-old Sherdina Antoine secured first place with her narrative *Weathering Us*, outpacing 172 competing submissions drawn from 14 different CARICOM member states across the Caribbean region.

    Notably, Dominica earned a second spot in the competition’s top 10 rankings: another local writer, Kijuana Charity Bruno, earned recognition for her work *The Reef Keepers of Anse Chaudière*, marking a strong showing for the small island nation in this regional creative initiative. The contest, which opened for submissions on July 27, 2026, was specifically designed to invite creative input from young people aged 18 to 25 who are either citizens or residents of CARICOM countries, asking them to craft stories around the theme: “Imagine a climate-secure future for the world. Inspired by the Caribbean.”

    Founded to elevate youth voices on critical climate issues, the competition provides a dedicated platform for emerging Caribbean writers to share their perspectives on climate change, community resilience, and the kind of sustainable future they envision for their region. Alongside Antoine’s win, the final results name Priya Ramdeo of Trinidad and Tobago as second place winner for her story *Mas For The Living Sea*, who will take home a tablet as her prize. Third place went to Kaitlyn Griffith of Barbados for *The Coastline of Tomorrow*, with a Kindle awarded as the prize for this placement. Antoine’s first-place prize is a cutting-edge MacBook Neo.

    Danelle De Coteau-Campbell, Head of Communications at the CCCCC, highlighted that both the volume and creative quality of this year’s submissions made clear how deeply young people across the Caribbean care about the climate future of their home region. “We were encouraged by the response to this competition, with 173 young people from across 14 Member States sharing their perspectives on what a climate-resilient future could mean for our region,” De Coteau-Campbell shared in an official press statement. “Beyond the number of submissions, what stood out was the thought, creativity, and awareness reflected in the stories. Young people are not only experiencing the realities of climate change; they also have important perspectives on the future we are working to build. Through this competition, we wanted to create a space for those perspectives to be expressed and amplified.”

    The full list of remaining top 10 finalists includes four additional writers from Trinidad and Tobago—Rayn Cooper for *A Road Trip of Change*, Priya Jaggernath for *The Panyard that Saved the World*, Aaliyah Bruce for *What I Used To Be*, and Venus Abass for *The Weather in Her Hands*—alongside Jadique Edwards of Barbados for *FEE FI FO FUM* and Philecia Chambers of Jamaica for *A City Beneath The Heat*. All 10 finalists will receive formal recognition, custom certificates, and official CCCCC promotional packages, with their work featured across the centre’s official website and social media channels. The top five stories will receive further distribution: they will be published on the CCCCC’s public platform caribbeanclimate.org and adapted into professionally produced audio versions to expand their reach.

    Submissions to the 2026 competition arrived from all 14 participating CARICOM member states: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. To ensure fair and expert evaluation, the CCCCC assembled a diverse judging panel made up of respected figures from Caribbean literature and cultural sectors. Panel members included Barbadian writer and creative producer Ayesha GibsonGill; Cindy Allman, Jamaican book reviewer and founder of #ReadCaribbean Month; Belizean author and educator David Nicolas Ruiz; Dike Noel, Manager of Communications at the CARICOM Secretariat; and Montserratian-Barbadian writer, arts educator and academic Dr Yvonne Weekes.

  • Hodges Bay Resident Calls for Removal of Vehicle Abandoned on Road

    Hodges Bay Resident Calls for Removal of Vehicle Abandoned on Road

    A public appeal from Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne is drawing attention to a dangerous traffic hazard that has sat along a popular Hodges Bay roadway for nearly a week. The prime minister took to public channels this week to issue a direct request to the owner of the illegally parked, abandoned vehicle, warning that the car’s position poses serious risks to passing motorists and pedestrians.\n\nBrowne clarified in his public statement that the vehicle is not parked in a legal, designated spot, instead sitting partially in the active travel lane — a placement that he says creates unnecessary danger for anyone using the roadway. “This vehicle has been abandoned in Hodges Bay for about a week. It’s parked practically in the middle of the road, representing a traffic hazard,” Browne wrote in his public post.\n\nIn a straightforward, polite appeal, the prime minister called on the registered owner to prioritize moving the vehicle as quickly as possible to eliminate the hazard. “Can the owner please remove this vehicle soonest? Thank you,” he said. The public call to action was accompanied by a photograph that confirms the vehicle’s problematic placement, showing it partially protruding into the roadway right next to a local residential property. Local residents and regular commuters on the route have been quick to echo the prime minister’s concerns, noting that the abandoned car reduces road space and could easily lead to a collision, especially during periods of high traffic or low light conditions.

  • Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited announces demission of office by Director Lisa Taylor, Deputy Chairman

    Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited announces demission of office by Director Lisa Taylor, Deputy Chairman

    After 16 years of dedicated service to the institution, the Board of Directors of Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited has confirmed that Deputy Chairman Lisa Taylor will step down from her position as a board director, effective September 30, 2026.

    Taylor first joined the bank’s board as a director in 2010, and rose to the position of Deputy Chairman in 2021. Throughout her 16-year tenure, she has been widely recognized for making significant, high-impact contributions to the bank’s corporate governance framework and the implementation of rigorous, prudent oversight practices. In her role as Deputy Chairman, she consistently provided robust strategic and operational support to the Board Chair, and was instrumental in strengthening the board’s overall leadership capacity and advancing sound, data-driven decision-making processes across all levels of governance.

    Beyond her executive responsibilities as Deputy Chairman, Taylor also chaired several key standing committees of the board, including the Risk and Compliance Committee and the Governance and Human Resources Committee. In these leadership roles, she brought deep expertise to board deliberations on critical organizational priorities, ranging from long-term strategic direction and enterprise risk management to regulatory compliance and ongoing governance refinement.

    Current Board Chair Darryl Brathwaite issued a formal statement acknowledging Taylor’s legacy of service, saying, “Lisa Taylor has served this bank with unwavering commitment and exceptional professionalism throughout her tenure, and the entire board is deeply grateful for every contribution she has made. On behalf of the board, senior management, all staff, and our shareholders, I extend our sincerest gratitude to Lisa, and we wish her nothing but success in all her future pursuits.”

    The bank has noted that the process to select a new director is already in its early stages, and an official announcement of the appointment will be made once all internal selection protocols and required regulatory approvals have been completed. The board reiterated its thanks to Taylor for her 16 years of exceptional, dedicated service to the organization, and expressed confidence that the foundations she helped build will support the bank’s continued growth and stability for years to come.

  • Belize, Japan Finalise $1.3 Million Donation of Seven Fire Trucks

    Belize, Japan Finalise $1.3 Million Donation of Seven Fire Trucks

    On October 1, 2026, Belize and Japan marked a key milestone in bilateral cooperation by formalizing a grant agreement that will deliver seven new fire trucks to the Belize National Fire Service. The official signing ceremony was held at the Belmopan Fire Station this Tuesday, capping off a months-long application and review process that began when Belize first submitted its request for emergency infrastructure support.

    Valued at approximately 1.3 million Belize dollars, the fleet of new fire response vehicles is scheduled to arrive in the Central American nation by the end of 2026, when a large-scale public handover event will be held to commemorate the donation. Once received, the trucks will be deployed across five of Belize’s districts to fill critical gaps in emergency coverage: Corozal, Orange Walk, Belize District, Cayo, and Stann Creek. Within Belize District, the new vehicles will strengthen response capacity in high-need areas including Belize City, Ladyville, and the popular island destination of Caye Caulker. The trucks allocated to Cayo District will serve the capital city of Belmopan, while the Stann Creek unit will support operations in Dangriga.

    Beyond the physical equipment, the partnership includes specialized technical training for Belizean fire personnel, scheduled to take place in January 2027. The training program is designed to equip local first responders with the specialized skills needed to operate and maintain the new vehicles, ensuring the donation delivers long-term value to communities across the country.

    Rolando Zetina, Chief Executive Officer of Belize’s Ministry of the Public Service, Disaster Risk Management and Enterprise, emphasized that the agreement extends far beyond the delivery of new equipment. In remarks at the signing ceremony, Zetina framed the donation as a reinforcement of the deep, decades-long diplomatic and cooperative ties between the two nations. “This occasion represents not only the receiving of seven fire trucks but also the strengthening of the longstanding relationship between Belize and Japan, built over more than four decades of diplomatic relations and cooperation,” Zetina said. “Over the years, that partnership has resulted in countless projects and initiatives that have made a tangible difference in the lives of everyday Belizeans.”

    Ryōsuke Yamakura, Japan’s Ambassador to Belize, highlighted that the initiative reflects a people-centered partnership between the two nations. “These fire trucks represent an investment in life-saving resources, faster emergency response, and peace of mind for families and local businesses,” Ambassador Yamakura explained. “This is support from the Japanese people to the Belizean people, rather than from the Japanese government to the Belizean government.”

    For the Belize National Fire Service, the donation addresses long-standing needs for updated emergency equipment, allowing first responders to cut response times and better protect communities and critical infrastructure across the country. The planned arrival of the fleet by the end of 2026 is expected to markedly improve the service’s operational capacity ahead of the 2027 hurricane season, a high-risk period for the Caribbean nation.

  • Ti Vilaj Kwéyòl-‘Tout Biten Domnik set for October 19-22

    Ti Vilaj Kwéyòl-‘Tout Biten Domnik set for October 19-22

    Dominica is preparing to host its fifth annual celebration of indigenous Creole heritage this October, when the lush grounds of the Dominica Botanic Gardens will be reimagined as a lively, immersive Creole village for the Ti Vilaj Kwéyòl festival, themed “Tout Biten Domnik”. Running from October 19 through 22, 2026, the four-day cultural gathering will bring every facet of local Dominican life to the forefront, offering attendees a full sensory experience of authentic Creole tradition.

    Originally launched in October 2022, Ti Vilaj Kwéyòl was created to replace the long-running annual Creole in the Park (CITP) event, which previously served as the lead-in to the globally acclaimed World Creole Music Festival (WCMF). This year’s iteration is far more than a simple market or performance series, according to event organizers who officially announced the festival details at a media launch held earlier this Wednesday.

    Gloria Joseph, Permanent Secretary in Dominica’s Ministry of Labour, Public Service Reform, Social Partnership Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development, framed the 2026 festival as the starting point for a national conversation about Dominican identity, rooted in the island’s cultural touchstones. “Today marks the beginning of an intentional island-wide conversation about who we are as a people through our food or language or music or craft or stories,” Joseph stated during the launch address.

    She emphasized that the festival acts as a living showcase of Dominican Creole identity in advance of the World Creole Music Festival, designed to highlight the depth and breadth of the nation’s cultural heritage for both local residents and international audiences. “It is a living, vivid expression of our Dominican identity ahead of the world-renowned World Creole Music Festival, designed to showcase the depth and diversity of our Creole heritage, our culture, to both locals and to the world,” Joseph explained.

    Tying the event to Dominica’s broader national independence theme of “Our Journey, Our Legacy, Our Future”, Joseph noted that Ti Vilaj Kwéyòl serves as a communal space to reflect on the nation’s history, celebrate its current vibrant culture, and collectively plan for its future. “As we come here this morning, under the independence theme, our journey, our legacy, our future, Ti Vilaj Kwéyòl becomes a space where we honor our past, celebrate our present and imagine our future together,” she said.

    More than 90 local entrepreneurs across a wide range of sectors will have the opportunity to display and sell their handcrafted goods and services at the festival. The immersive village will feature stalls offering traditional Dominican cuisine, locally produced beverages, handmade crafts, fine art, homemade artisanal products, native plants, and dozens of other uniquely Dominican goods. Attendees will also enjoy continuous live music, cultural performances, and hands-on demonstrations of traditional skills throughout the event’s run.

    The festival will operate daily from 12:00 noon to 8:00 PM, and Joseph extended an open invitation to all residents and visitors to attend the celebration, encouraging attendees to support local creators and enjoy the full cultural experience. She invited everyone to join in this celebration, “to patronize, to just have a great time.”

  • SVG’s cruise calls set to surge with 100 more calls this season

    SVG’s cruise calls set to surge with 100 more calls this season

    The Caribbean nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is on track to see a substantial surge in cruise ship calls for the upcoming travel season, with officials projecting growth from roughly 250 annual visits to over 350. This uptick comes as part of a broad government-led strategy to upgrade visitor amenities, expand tourism’s economic footprint across all islands, and strengthen the country’s position in the competitive global cruise market.

  • MISSING: Appeal for Help Locating Jemima Morrissey Jackson

    MISSING: Appeal for Help Locating Jemima Morrissey Jackson

    Law enforcement officials in Antigua have issued an urgent public appeal for assistance in tracking down Jemima Morrissey Jackson, a woman who has been officially reported missing to local authorities.

    According to the official missing person bulletin released by authorities, the last confirmed location of Jackson was at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, the main public hospital on the island. Investigators have released key identifying details to help members of the public recognize Jackson: she stands approximately 5 feet 2 inches tall, and was last documented wearing a pair of bright orange sweatpants paired with a long-sleeve pink plaid shirt.

    The bulletin also notes that Jackson lives with bipolar disorder, a detail officials shared to help the public understand any potential vulnerability the missing woman may face while unaccounted for. Notably, the official notice does not include a specific date or time frame for when Jackson was last observed at the medical centre, leaving a key gap in the publicly released details of the case.

    Authorities are urging any person who has spotted Jackson in recent days, or who holds any information that could help confirm her current whereabouts, to reach out to local police immediately. Even small, seemingly insignificant tips could help investigators bring the missing woman back to safety quickly.