Carib Scope

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  • JPS meets with St Elizabeth councillors

    JPS meets with St Elizabeth councillors

    Local government representatives in St Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica, are engaged in critical discussions with the nation’s primary electricity provider, Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), seeking concrete timelines for restoring power to communities still without electricity nearly three months after Hurricane Melissa’s devastation.

    The high-stakes meeting, convened in Santa Cruz and attended by JPS Chief Executive Officer Hugh Grant, follows the utility company’s previous refusal to address media inquiries. Councillor Christopher Williams (Jamaica Labour Party, Santa Cruz division) expressed cautious optimism, noting that JPS had requested detailed information about affected communities earlier this week. “We have furnished JPS with that information, so today we are expecting to get some timeline from them,” Williams stated.

    Significant areas remain without power across multiple divisions, including critical infrastructure such as the Santa Cruz Infirmary on Institution Drive. The Santa Cruz division alone reports outages in Rocky Hill, Park Mountain, Good Hope, Abraham, Burnt Ground, New River, and Brighton. Similarly, Councillor Donovan Pagon (People’s National Party, Braes River division) identified Braes River, Elim, Red Ground, George’s Valley, Grosmond, and sections of Wilton, Southampton, and Northampton as still awaiting restoration.

    Residents have been burdened by substantial generator costs, creating mounting pressure on local representatives. Williams acknowledged the growing frustration among constituents, emphasizing that any delay beyond the end of January would be “disheartening.”

    The closed-door negotiations occur against the backdrop of national restoration statistics presented to Parliament by Energy Minister Daryl Vaz. According to official figures, 491,000 of the original 542,000 customers who lost power during the October 28, 2025 hurricane have been reconnected, representing approximately 92-93% national restoration. However, the remaining 51,000 disconnected customers are concentrated in hard-hit regions like St Elizabeth, where infrastructure damage was most severe.

  • Chutney Soca Monarch semi-finals head to Port of Spain for the first time

    Chutney Soca Monarch semi-finals head to Port of Spain for the first time

    The Chutney Soca Monarch competition enters a new era as organizers announce the semi-final round will be held at Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain for the first time in its history. This landmark change for Carnival 2026 marks a significant departure from previous editions, bringing the preliminary competition to the nation’s capital on January 30th.

    Three-time champion KI Persad makes a highly anticipated return after a decade-long absence, seeking an unprecedented fourth title in the competition. The veteran performer joins 32 other qualified artists who will compete for a spot in the February 8th finals at Skinner Park in San Fernando.

    Defending champion Machel Montano, who captured the 2025 crown with his collaborative hit ‘Pepper Vine’ featuring chutney legend Drupatee Ramgoonai and Lady Lava, will return to protect his title. However, 2025 CSM Queen Reshma Ramlal (Warrior Princess) has announced she will not defend her crown, expressing gratitude for her previous victory alongside Montano.

    Organizers Southex implemented a revamped selection process this year, conducting live in-person screenings at GM Labs with documented proceedings that will feature in a 30-minute finals preview. The competition roster includes notable qualifiers such as 2023 winner Ricardo ‘Daddy Chinee’ Melville, top female artists Rasika Dindial and Lady Lava, and a reserved wildcard entry that brings the total semi-final competitors to 34 artists.

    The event enjoys substantial sponsorship support from the National Carnival Commission, Guardian Media Network, and multiple beverage brands, with free admission offered to the public for the semi-final round at Flava Food Village.

  • No defensive driving certification needed for under 25s

    No defensive driving certification needed for under 25s

    The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has officially refuted circulating social media allegations suggesting that drivers under age 25 face substantial penalties for lacking defensive driving certification. In an official statement dated January 14, the ministry clarified that no such regulatory framework exists within Trinidad and Tobago’s legal system.

    Contrary to viral online misinformation, the ministry emphasized that neither the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act nor any subsidiary legislation contains provisions mandating defensive driving courses as a prerequisite for insurance acquisition or retention for young motorists. The purported $10,000 penalty for non-compliance was categorically dismissed as baseless speculation without legal foundation.

    Authorities have issued renewed calls for public vigilance against digital misinformation, urging citizens to consult exclusively official government communication channels for verified information regarding transportation policies and regulatory requirements. This incident highlights ongoing challenges governments face in combating the rapid spread of unverified claims through social media platforms, particularly those involving financial penalties that could cause unnecessary public concern.

  • Bank chief slams Davis over ‘uninformed’ food vat removal

    Bank chief slams Davis over ‘uninformed’ food vat removal

    A leading Bahamian banking executive has launched a scathing critique of the government’s recent decision to eliminate Value-Added Tax (VAT) on unprepared grocery items, characterizing the policy shift as a politically motivated maneuver that jeopardizes fiscal stability. Gowon Bowe, Chairman of the Clearing Banks Association and CEO of Fidelity Bank, denounced the move as “an uninformed and understudied exercise” that prioritizes popular appeal over economic responsibility.

    Bowe challenged the policy’s fundamental design, highlighting its failure to target relief toward lower-income households. He noted that high-income earners would receive identical tax benefits as those most severely impacted by rising living costs, describing the approach as a crude “hacksaw” solution rather than a precision “scalpel.” The banking executive questioned the policy’s consistency with the Davis administration’s previous criticisms of VAT exemptions under the prior government, which international financial institutions had found to reduce revenue collection efficiency while increasing administrative burdens.

    The financial expert raised concerns about inevitable revenue shortfalls, warning that the government would eventually need to recover lost funds through alternative tax measures. He characterized taxation as a “zero-sum game” where exemptions in one sector necessitate increases elsewhere. Bowe particularly criticized the timing alongside the reintroduction of the RISE program, which effectively increases Social Security contributions through tax collection rebalancing.

    Regarding practical impact, Bowe calculated that a $100 grocery bill would only yield a $10 saving from VAT removal—a marginal benefit that fails to offset escalating costs in fuel, utilities, and other essential services. He argued that true economic relief requires targeted measures rather than broad-based tax cuts that provide negligible assistance to those experiencing severe financial strain.

    The banking chairman concluded that the decision exemplified a pattern of policy-making through “popular vote rather than studied analysis,” undermining The Bahamas’ post-COVID economic recovery and long-term growth prospects. He urged policymakers to focus on consolidating economic gains rather than distributing them prematurely through fiscally irresponsible measures.

  • Auditor General’s UHWI findings confirm ministerial oversight failure — Dr Dawes

    Auditor General’s UHWI findings confirm ministerial oversight failure — Dr Dawes

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — A damning report from Jamaica’s Auditor General has uncovered severe procurement breaches and misuse of tax-exempt status at the University Hospital of the West Indies, revealing systemic governance failures within the nation’s public health system that have cost taxpayers millions.

    Opposition Health and Wellness spokesperson Dr. Alfred Dawes has declared the findings confirm a persistent pattern of administrative negligence and failed oversight. “For more than a year, I have consistently raised concerns about procurement practices across the Ministry of Health and Wellness and its agencies,” stated Dr. Dawes on Wednesday. “Each time, those warnings were dismissed, with the minister assuring the country that systems were sound. The Auditor General has now confirmed this was untrue.”

    The audit revealed that hundreds of millions of dollars were committed without basic documentation, directly contradicting repeated public assurances from Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton that procurement rules were being followed. This follows a familiar pattern of irregularities, including the Integrity Commission’s earlier exposure of an improper $80 million payment to Market Me and the acquisition of a $31 million drill for Bustamante Hospital for Children—a transaction publicly praised by the minister despite its procedural flaws.

    Dr. Dawes dismissed government attempts to attribute these failures to previous administrations as implausible. “This Government has been in office for nearly a decade, with full parliamentary majority and control of the public health system. After three consecutive terms, excuses about inherited weaknesses lack credibility,” he asserted.

    The consequences extend beyond financial waste, directly impacting healthcare delivery. “When procurement systems fail, hospitals go without essential equipment, services deteriorate, healthcare workers are left unsupported, and patients ultimately pay the price,” Dr. Dawes emphasized. “This is how a health system is driven into crisis—not by chance, but by poor governance and failed political oversight.”

    Calling for independent accountability measures, Dr. Dawes stressed that the public cannot trust internal reviews conducted by the same leadership that presided over these failures. “A system cannot credibly investigate itself. A committee appointed by the minister to examine wrongdoing within a system he oversees is like a man on trial choosing his own jury. Jamaicans deserve independent scrutiny, meaningful reform, and accountability that prioritizes patients and public funds.”

  • Police seize gun in Manchester

    Police seize gun in Manchester

    MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Law enforcement authorities in Manchester successfully recovered an illegal firearm during an early morning operation in the Belretiro district on Wednesday. The seizure occurred approximately at 12:30 a.m. following a police intervention targeting suspicious individuals.

    According to Superintendent Carey Duncan, head of the Manchester police division, officers attempted to apprehend two men whose behavior aroused suspicion in the area. The individuals fled upon police approach, initiating a pursuit through the district. Despite the suspects successfully evading capture, law enforcement personnel conducted a thorough search of the immediate vicinity.

    The subsequent inspection yielded significant results: authorities discovered a 9mm semi-automatic pistol equipped with a magazine containing six live rounds of ammunition. The weapon was found abandoned in the area where the suspects had been observed, indicating they may have discarded it during their escape attempt.

    Superintendent Duncan, through an official audio release, confirmed the operational details and emphasized the continued efforts of Jamaican police to remove illegal weapons from circulation. The seizure represents another step in ongoing initiatives to combat gun-related violence and enhance public safety across Manchester parishes.

    Police investigations continue as authorities work to identify and locate the two individuals connected to the firearm.

  • All schools have reopened — Education Ministry

    All schools have reopened — Education Ministry

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s education system has successfully resumed operations across all 1,010 schools nationwide following the disruption caused by Hurricane Melissa. Chief Education Officer Terry-Ann Thomas-Gayle confirmed the comprehensive reopening during a post-Cabinet press briefing held Wednesday.

    The educational restoration encompasses all 446 institutions located within the three regions most affected by the hurricane. These include region three (covering St. Ann and Trelawny parishes), region four (including Hanover, St. James, and Westmoreland), and region five (encompassing Manchester and St. Elizabeth).

    Detailed operational data reveals varied learning modalities across the affected regions. In region three, 109 schools have returned to full face-to-face instruction while 14 institutions have implemented rotational schedules to facilitate recovery efforts. Region four shows 127 schools operating with traditional in-person learning alongside 37 utilizing rotational systems. Region five reports 135 schools conducting normal face-to-face classes with only seven maintaining rotational arrangements.

    Thomas-Gayle emphasized the ministry’s precautionary approach, stating: ‘Our reopening policy prioritized safety above all considerations. We maintained close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness to guarantee that all learning environments met safety standards for operational readiness.’

    The education official acknowledged ongoing challenges, noting that infrastructure repairs, electrical system restoration, power supply continuity, and water tank replacements remain priority areas requiring continued attention from ministry teams.

  • Government to expand crime-fighting powers when Parliament resumes

    Government to expand crime-fighting powers when Parliament resumes

    The Trinidad and Tobago government is moving forward with comprehensive legislative measures designed to combat violent crime while demonstrating responsiveness to public concerns regarding traffic enforcement. Attorney General John Jeremie outlined the administration’s priorities during a United National Congress (UNC) media briefing on January 14, detailing three significant pieces of legislation scheduled for parliamentary consideration in the coming weeks.

    The centerpiece of the government’s security agenda is the Special Zones of Operations Bill, a targeted approach to addressing crime hotspots without implementing nationwide emergency powers. This legislation emerges from lessons learned during previous states of emergency, particularly the successful disruption of communication channels between incarcerated gang leaders and their external networks. Attorney General Jeremie emphasized that these previous interventions produced measurable results, citing substantial reductions in homicides, shootings, and other violent crimes. The proposed framework would establish clearly defined procedures, judicial oversight mechanisms, and time limitations to ensure proportional responses to security threats.

    Concurrently, the government is proposing amendments to the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act following significant public feedback regarding recently increased fines and penalties. Jeremie acknowledged the administration had ‘listened to the voices raised in the national community’ and now plans to implement a system of mandatory warnings for certain traffic infractions. This recalibration maintains the government’s commitment to road safety while incorporating what Jeremie characterized as ‘the level of humanity this government is known for.’

    Additionally, lawmakers will consider adjustments to the Tobago House of Assembly Act in response to the Tobago People’s Party’s recent electoral victory. The proposed amendment would expand the number of secretaries and increase quorum requirements for conducting official Assembly business. Jeremie described this legislation as concise and anticipated bipartisan support for its passage.

  • Gov’t to launch shelter recovery programme

    Gov’t to launch shelter recovery programme

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican government has unveiled a major initiative to address housing devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, with Prime Minister Andrew Holness scheduled to officially launch the Shelter Recovery Programme (SRP) this Thursday. The program represents a coordinated national effort to deliver reconstruction and rehabilitation assistance to households severely impacted by the late October storm.

    Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr. announced the comprehensive initiative Wednesday following a Cabinet meeting, describing the SRP as an “overarching, umbrella program” that will consolidate all government support mechanisms for affected families. The program specifically targets restoration of damaged housing infrastructure through a collaborative framework between the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Office of the Prime Minister.

    Charles Jr. emphasized the deliberate nature of this government response, noting that the SRP is designed to provide both immediate emergency relief and sustainable recovery support to Jamaican citizens. Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28, 2025, causing significant damage across the island nation and displacing numerous residents. The program’s implementation marks a critical phase in Jamaica’s disaster recovery efforts, focusing on long-term housing solutions rather than temporary measures.

    The Shelter Recovery Programme signifies one of the most substantial post-hurricane reconstruction initiatives recently undertaken by the Jamaican government, reflecting an integrated approach to disaster management and social welfare support for vulnerable populations affected by natural disasters.

  • Seymour: Four child deaths ‘too many, too soon’

    Seymour: Four child deaths ‘too many, too soon’

    A series of tragic child fatalities across the Bahamas has triggered urgent calls for enhanced national safety protocols and collective societal responsibility. Senator Maxine Seymour, serving as Shadow Minister for Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, has issued a solemn appeal for national introspection following four separate child deaths occurring within the first two weeks of January.

    The most recent incident involved a five-year-old boy who drowned in Murphy Town, Abaco, on Monday. According to police reports, the child was reported missing shortly after 1 PM and was subsequently discovered unresponsive in seawater along a back road. Despite rescue efforts by a concerned citizen and rapid transportation via Emergency Medical Services, the boy was pronounced dead before 3 PM.

    This tragedy marks the fourth juvenile death recorded since the beginning of the year. On January 1, a seven-year-old Pinewood Gardens girl died after allegedly ingesting a food product at a residence. Just two days later, a three-year-old Nassau Village girl passed away after falling ill at home, while that same day, a ten-year-old boy collapsed while playing in a Blackwood, Eleuthera park and could not be resuscitated.

    Senator Seymour, emphasizing her perspective as both a mother and grandmother, stated these deaths ‘sit heavily’ with her, noting that no family should begin a new year with such profound grief. She clarified that her comments were not aimed at assigning blame but rather at emphasizing shared community obligation toward child protection.

    The opposition legislator highlighted the critical need for strengthened public awareness campaigns, improved community support systems, and consistent implementation of safety practices. She specifically advocated for expanded access to first-aid and CPR training throughout communities, asserting that children deserve a nation where their safety isn’t left to chance.

    Senator Seymour further called for transparent and expedited investigations into each death, including the prompt release of autopsy findings. She emphasized that information serves as a powerful tool for prevention, helping families achieve closure while enabling society to identify and address systemic failures.

    Concluding her remarks, the senator extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, expressing hope that they might feel the supportive embrace of a nation mourning alongside them.