Carib Scope

作者： admin

  • The UWI warns public about fake website using university’s name

    The UWI warns public about fake website using university’s name

    The University of the West Indies (UWI), a leading regional higher education institution spanning multiple Caribbean nations, has issued an urgent public warning to prospective students, institutional partners and community members after uncovering a sophisticated fraudulent website that impersonates the university.

    In an official press release published by the institution, UWI officials confirmed that the unauthorized platform has been misappropriating the university’s official name, branding and visual identity without permission to deceive users into believing it is an official UWI digital resource. The institution emphasized that the fake site holds no endorsement, authorization, or affiliation with the legitimate university in any capacity.

    A key point of concern raised by UWI is the fake website’s inclusion of an interactive form that collects sensitive personal data from unsuspecting visitors. The university clarified that it does not receive any of the information submitted through this fraudulent platform, including full names, email contact details, telephone numbers and other personally identifiable information.

    As a proactive protective measure, UWI is advising any individual who has already interacted with the fake site to exercise extreme vigilance against any unsolicited follow-up communications, including emails, phone calls or messages that falsely claim to originate from the university. The institution has urged the public not to share additional personal or financial information in response to unvetted requests, and to confirm the authenticity of all purported UWI communications through the university’s verified official channels.

    According to the press release, all legitimate information about UWI’s academic programs, admissions processes and institutional partnership opportunities is exclusively hosted on the university’s verified official websites: these include dedicated platforms for the Mona Campus in Jamaica, the St. Augustine Campus in Trinidad and Tobago, the Cave Hill Campus in Barbados, the Five Islands Campus in Antigua and Barbuda, the UWI Global Campus, and the institution’s Regional Headquarters website.

    UWI has already activated a coordinated, multi-pronged response to resolve the incident and mitigate harm. Steps taken so far include reporting the fraudulent activity to international cybercrime watchdogs and relevant law enforcement agencies, pursuing both legal and technical avenues to have the fake website permanently taken offline, and collaborating with digital and industry partners to limit potential damage to users and the institution’s reputation.

    Members of the public who have visited the fraudulent site or hold information that could support the investigation into the scam are invited to contact UWI’s official response team at [email protected]. The institution reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to safeguarding its students, partners and institutional standing, and stated it will continue implementing all necessary measures to fully address this cyber fraud incident.

  • Wijngaarde: Excuses moeten leiden tot kennis en bewustwording

    Wijngaarde: Excuses moeten leiden tot kennis en bewustwording

    As the Feydrasi fu Afrikan Srananman (Federation of Afro-Surinamese People) marks its 30th anniversary, its founding president Iwan Wijngaarde reflects on three decades of advocacy for addressing the intergenerational harms of the transatlantic slave trade, arguing that official apologies for historical slavery are a critical starting point — but never an endpoint.

    The federation was founded in 1996, when a coalition of Afro-Surinamese community groups and individual activists came together out of shared deep concern: for generations, the Afro-Surinamese community had faced systemic social, economic, and political marginalization that traced directly back to the legacy of slavery. Organizing a cohesive leadership structure proved challenging in the early days, with no volunteers stepping forward to lead the new coalition before an elder member nominated Wijngaarde to take on the role.

    The early years were defined by grassroots pioneering. To keep the organization financially stable, members ran fundraising events and sold homemade food to cover operating costs. Over time, the federation grew into Suriname’s leading organizer of public commemoration events, educational lectures, and cultural programming centered on Afro-Surinamese identity, historical awareness, and equity, rather than solely focusing on past trauma.

    One of the federation’s earliest milestones was hosting prominent American activist Louis Farrakhan just months after its founding. It also established enduring annual community traditions, most notably Blakaman Dey, later renamed Black Civilization Day, held every first Sunday of January. The holiday is designed to let the community start each new year by centering their own cultural heritage, carrying that identity and traditions forward through the rest of the year.

    Wijngaarde has been clear that apologies from institutions and governments for slavery must be paired with sustained action, not treated as a solution in themselves. He emphasizes that apologies must include clear explanation of why they are necessary, and points to the harmful framing of emancipation in 1863, when formerly enslaved people were pressured to thank their former enslavers and colonial authorities during post-emancipation thanksgiving services. He also notes that abolition was only achieved through widespread resistance by enslaved people, a history that has often been erased from mainstream narratives.

    Wijngaarde argues that religious institutions, particularly the Christian church, have a unique responsibility to participate in the healing process. The church played an active role in erasing Afro-Surinamese cultural identity during the colonial and slavery eras, he says, and now must contribute to the rehumanization of the Afro-Surinamese community by acknowledging this historical role.

    Over 30 years, the federation has expanded its programming to honor the full spectrum of Afro-Surinamese and Black resistance history. It leads annual commemorations of freedom fighters Kodjo, Mentor, and Present; honors 18th-century Maroon warrior Boni on Boni Dey; and holds public remembrances of the 1757 Tempati Uprising, the 1791 Haitian Revolution, and M’ma Seri, an enslaved woman tortured and killed by her enslaver in 1743. Every December, it organizes the national Switiwatra ritual cleansing herbal bath, a traditional practice adapted from small-scale plantation and family ceremonies that has grown into a major public event since the federation took over its organization in 2014. The federation also hosts an annual remembrance for the approximately 700 African people who died in the 1738 sinking of the slave ship Leusden.

    Wijngaarde acknowledges the federation has faced significant challenges across its three decades. It has faced opposition from hostile groups, struggled to retain long-term volunteer engagement, and navigated internal tensions driven by clashing egos, differing strategic visions, and power imbalances. These challenges, he says, are themselves a legacy of the colonial system of division and dehumanization that the federation works against. To counter that, the organization centers a collective “we philosophy” rather than individualism, a core principle that has kept it moving forward.

    This 30th anniversary year marks a new milestone for the federation: for the first time, it will co-host July 1 emancipation commemorations alongside Indigenous Surinamese organizations, following months of collaborative planning. Wijngaarde says the partnership is designed to build collective power, and the next phase of the federation’s work will focus on collaborative development beyond remembrance — leveraging the spiritual and economic strengths of both marginalized communities, and seeking international partnerships when local knowledge and resources are insufficient.

    Wijngaarde welcomes the 2023 formal apology for Dutch slavery issued by King Willem-Alexander, calling it an important foundational step for future work. However, he criticizes the king’s 2025 visit to Suriname for falling short on substantive engagement, arguing that the wreath-laying ceremony at the Mama Sranan national slavery monument remained overly symbolic with little concrete discussion of ongoing harms. He notes that the Kwakoe statue remains the only small-scale public monument to slavery in Suriname, highlighting how much work remains to embed this history in public consciousness.

    Looking back on 30 years of organizing, Wijngaarde identifies three core values that have sustained the federation through challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, when the organization refused to pause its programming: patience, love, and mutual respect. Healing the intergenerational harm of dehumanization cannot happen overnight, he explains, so sustained patience is essential. The work also requires mutual love within the community, and respect for one’s culture and all community members.

    On July 1, the federation will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a full schedule of public events, including a historical exhibition, cultural performances, the launch of a commemorative book, a public community reception, and the annual wreath-laying at the Kwakoe statue.

  • Tropical Weather Outlook: Monday, 29 June 2026 (8 am)

    Tropical Weather Outlook: Monday, 29 June 2026 (8 am)

    Officials from the Meteorological Services, MBIA under the Grenada Airports Authority (GAA) have issued an updated tropical weather outlook covering the Tropical North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico, highlighting two active disturbances being tracked as of this update.

    The first system, marked as a low-pressure disturbance located off the southeastern coast of the United States, sits embedded along a stationary frontal boundary. The system currently maintains a disorganized structure of scattered showers and active thunderstorms. According to forecasters, environmental conditions in the region are only marginally conducive to limited tropical cyclone development over the next 48 hours as the system is projected to drift southward initially before shifting westward. Later this week, conditions are expected to degrade further, making cyclone formation even less likely. Meteorologists assign just a 10% chance of development over both the 48-hour and seven-day forecast windows.

    A second system, a tropical wave located in the central Atlantic, currently has its axis positioned along the 58th meridian west, stretching to the south of 14 degrees north latitude. The system is tracking westward at a speed of 10 to 15 knots, with scattered moderate convection concentrated along the wave axis and north of 6 degrees north latitude. Forecasters project the wave will pass over the island nation of Grenada between Monday night and Tuesday, bringing periods of cloudy conditions, light to moderate rain showers, and a chance of isolated thunderstorms to the area.

    In addition to the two monitored systems, forecasters confirmed that no additional tropical cyclone activity is expected across the entire monitoring area over the next 48 hours. This official update is scheduled to be next refreshed at 2 pm local time. The outlook was published by NOW Grenada, which notes it is not responsible for content or opinions shared by contributing agencies, and provides a channel for users to report problematic content.

  • Corea partners with JP Logistics to launch UK-SVG cargo service

    Corea partners with JP Logistics to launch UK-SVG cargo service

    A new specialized logistics corridor connecting the United Kingdom to St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is set to launch next month, following a newly announced partnership between Caribbean logistics leader JP Logistics Solutions (JPLS) and local SVG firm Corea & Co. (1988) Ltd.

    Starting June 1, Corea & Co. will officially serve as JPLS’s authorized agent in SVG, bringing a customer-centric shipping solution that fills a long-unmet gap in the regional market. JPLS, a leading Caribbean-owned logistics provider with established operations spanning the UK, Jamaica and the broader Caribbean region, has paired its cross-border expertise with Corea & Co.’s deep local market knowledge to build a flexible, niche-focused service.

    Unlike general cargo shipping offerings, this new partnership’s service is tailored specifically to meet the unique needs of individuals, families and returning nationals relocating or sending personal belongings and traditional shipping barrels between the two regions. To cut down on inconvenience for senders, the service includes direct door-to-door pickup across the entire United Kingdom, eliminating extra steps for customers that often come with standard international shipping.

    The offering also supports multi-supplier order consolidation, a benefit that caters to both individual senders and small businesses looking to combine multiple retail purchases into a single shipment for lower costs and faster delivery.

    Paul Delves, the general manager of Corea & Co. (1988) Ltd., explained that the partnership addresses a very specific gap in SVG’s logistics market. “By focusing heavily on personal effects, direct local UK pickups, and multi-supplier consolidation, we are giving Vincentians a highly customised way to bridge the gap between the UK and home,” Delves said. “Whether you are a business consolidating retail orders or a relative sending a barrel from London, we are making the procurement and shipping process entirely seamless.”

    The new service is expected to simplify cross-border shipping for the large community of Vincentians based in the UK, as well as local businesses and families that rely on regular personal shipments from the region.

  • The UWI Issues Warning Regarding Fraudulent Website

    The UWI Issues Warning Regarding Fraudulent Website

    In a recent official advisory, the University of the West Indies (UWI) has sounded the alarm over a malicious, unauthorised website that impersonates the prestigious regional higher education institution, targeting vulnerable prospective students and members of the public seeking enrollment information.

    University representatives confirmed that the fraudulent platform mimics UWI’s official branding, layout, and program descriptions to trick visitors into sharing sensitive personal data including national identification information, bank details and contact information. In many cases, scammers behind the fake site have demanded non-refundable upfront payments under the false pretense of processing admission applications or reserving spots in popular academic programs. Victims who pay these fees never receive legitimate admission offers, and their personal information is often exploited for further identity theft or financial fraud.

    UWI’s administration has stressed that the university only conducts official enrollment and payment processing through its verified, centralised official website and authorised partner channels. The institution has urged anyone who has interacted with the fake platform to immediately monitor their financial accounts for unauthorised activity, report any suspicious transactions to their local banks, and file a formal complaint with local law enforcement and cybercrime units. UWI also noted that it is working closely with cyberspace regulatory authorities to take down the fraudulent website and track down the individuals responsible for the scam, reminding the public to double-check the URL and authentication of any website claiming to be affiliated with the university before sharing personal or financial information.

  • Joseph ‘Joe Black’ Anatole dies following apparent drowning in Concord on weekend

    Joseph ‘Joe Black’ Anatole dies following apparent drowning in Concord on weekend

    A 61-year-old resident of Concord, Dominica, has passed away following an apparent drowning incident that unfolded over the weekend, local law enforcement has officially confirmed.

    Identified as Joseph Anatole, who was widely known by the nickname “Joe Black” and originally from Castle Bruce, the victim had been living in Concord at the time of the incident.

    In an official statement from the police force, Acting Superintendent Fixton Henderson, the Public Relations Officer for the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF), outlined the timeline of the response. Officers assigned to the Marigot Police Station were dispatched to the scene just after 5:00 PM local time on Saturday, June 27, 2026, after receiving an emergency report that Anatole had been found unresponsive in the river running behind his home.

    First responders immediately transported the unresponsive man to the nearby Marigot Hospital, where a attending physician officially pronounced him dead later the same evening.

    To fully clarify the sequence of events that led to Anatole’s death, the CDPF has opened a formal investigation into the incident.

    Following the incident, Anatole’s remains have been transferred to a local funeral home, where they will be held until a post-mortem autopsy can be conducted to confirm the exact cause of death.

    The CDPF has extended its heartfelt sympathies to Anatole’s family, close friends, and all loved ones as they navigate this devastating loss.

  • Smarter security starts with visibility and control

    Smarter security starts with visibility and control

    For far too long, commercial property owners have treated on-site security as a reactive measure — a problem that only gets attention after a break-in, theft, act of vandalism, missing inventory or unauthorized access incident already causes damage. But a shifting security technology landscape is making proactive, intelligent protection far more accessible than ever before, extending cutting-edge capabilities beyond the reach of only large multinational corporations with deep pockets. Today, small and medium-sized business owners and residential property users alike can access affordable, reliable, user-friendly smart security solutions that were unthinkable just 10 years ago.

    One of the most transformative innovations in modern security is the integration of artificial intelligence into video camera systems. Traditional security setups relied on passive recording: if an incident occurred, security teams or business owners would be forced to sift through hours of raw footage to piece together what happened. AI-powered cameras flip this model on its head, enabling a fully proactive approach to threat detection.

    Contemporary AI-enabled systems can automatically identify people, vehicles, and anomalous activity that falls outside expected patterns. They push instant alerts directly to a user’s mobile device, delivering real-time visibility into any on-site event from anywhere in the world. Most modern systems are also trained to distinguish between human intruders and animals, drastically cutting down on the number of false alarms that waste time and desensitize users to genuine threats.

    A growing number of modern security cameras also come equipped with built-in speakers and microphones, supporting two-way audio communication between remote users and on-site visitors. For example, if a business owner receives an after-hours alert of an unauthorized person on their property, they can pull up a live feed on their phone and speak directly to the individual through the camera. In most scenarios, simply making a remote presence known is enough to deter criminal or mischievous activity before it escalates into damage or loss.

    Remote monitoring capabilities have also opened up new flexibility for business owners managing multiple locations or who spend significant time off-site. Whether a manager is at home, traveling for work, or overseeing a chain of storefronts spread across a region, they can access live feeds and receive critical alerts from virtually any internet-connected location.

    Storage is another key consideration when evaluating modern security camera systems, with two primary options: local and cloud storage, each with distinct benefits. Local storage saves all footage to on-site hardware, most commonly a Network Video Recorder (NVR). This setup typically offers large storage capacities at a lower long-term cost, since it does not require recurring monthly subscription fees for cloud hosting. Cloud storage, by contrast, saves encrypted footage to secure remote online servers. The core advantage of this model is that footage remains intact and accessible even if on-site hardware is damaged or stolen during a break-in. Cloud storage also simplifies remote access to footage and makes sharing recordings with law enforcement or insurance providers far easier.

    While smart cameras are a foundational component of any comprehensive security strategy, they only address part of a property’s protection needs. That is where modern access control systems enter the picture. Put simply: cameras record what happened after an event occurs, while access control prevents unauthorized access from happening in the first place.

    Traditional physical key systems carry a long list of inherent limitations. Keys can be easily lost, copied, or shared with unauthorized individuals without management knowledge. When an employee leaves the company, rekeying or replacing all facility locks is a costly, time-consuming inconvenience. Modern access control systems replace physical keys with secure digital credentials, which can come in many forms: keycards, mobile phone-based credentials, PIN codes, fingerprint scans, or facial recognition. This digital model allows business owners to granularly control who can access specific areas of a facility, and during what times access is permitted.

    For example, a warehouse employee can be restricted to only access the facility during their scheduled working hours, while a general manager can be granted 24/7 access across the entire property. If an employee leaves the organization, their access credentials can be revoked immediately with no need to change locks or reissue keys to the entire team. Many modern access control systems also automatically generate entry logs, creating a clear audit trail that shows which individual entered a restricted space and at what time. This builds greater accountability among staff and helps business owners refine operational security protocols over time.

    Like smart cameras, access control systems are also leveraging AI to become more proactive. Newer AI-powered access solutions can automatically flag unusual entry patterns, detect repeated attempts to access restricted areas, and alert management if an individual attempts to enter outside of their pre-approved schedule.

    The greatest security benefit, however, comes from integrating AI-powered cameras and access control systems into a single connected ecosystem. For instance: if a door is opened after hours, the access control system automatically logs who opened it, while the connected security camera instantly triggers recording to capture live footage of the event. Instead of sorting through hours of recordings to identify the individual and what occurred, management gets a complete, contextual report in seconds.

    For businesses, this integrated combination of technologies delivers measurable benefits: enhanced overall security, reduced inventory and property loss, clearer staff accountability, and invaluable peace of mind for owners and managers. The advantages are just as compelling for residential users: smart integrated systems protect household members, track visitor activity, send alerts for package deliveries, and provide reassurance when homeowners are away on vacation or travel.

    Before investing in a new camera or access control solution, industry experts recommend walking through a few simple assessment questions to narrow down the right fit for your needs: which specific areas of my property require monitoring and protection? Do I need remote access to live feeds and instant alerts? Should I store footage locally, in the cloud, or use a hybrid model that combines both? What access restrictions do I need for different people across different areas of my property? Can my chosen camera and access control systems integrate with one another?

    For business owners in Grenada looking to explore modern security options, Amalgamated Security Services Ltd. (ASSL) offers tailored support to match security solutions to unique business needs and budget constraints. The ASSL team provides complimentary on-site assessments to evaluate a property’s current security posture, demonstrate the latest AI-powered camera and access control technologies, and deliver customized recommendations with no obligation. To schedule a free site assessment and technology demonstration, contact ASSL at 435-ASSL (2775) or [email protected] to protect your people, property, and business with modern, accessible security.

    *Disclaimer: NOW Grenada is not responsible for the opinions, statements or media content presented by third-party contributors. To report abusive content, follow the official reporting channel on the NOW Grenada platform.

  • Cross-border Inheritance and compliance considerations

    Cross-border Inheritance and compliance considerations

    For centuries, Caribbean migration has reshaped global communities, with millions of Caribbean-born people building new lives across North America, Europe, and beyond while retaining deep cultural and property ties to their home islands. What once operated as an informal, trust-based arrangement for cross-border family assets, however, has grown increasingly complex in the modern era of regulatory compliance, according to Kevon K K Charles, a Grenada-based attorney with dual admission to practice in Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago.

    Charles, who specializes in estate law, notes that many of the most complicated estate cases he handles start with a deceptively simple line: All of the estate’s beneficiaries live outside of the country where the assets are held. This pattern is nothing new: generations of Caribbean families have seen children leave the islands for opportunities abroad, settling in New York, Toronto, London, Trinidad, and other destinations, while family property and assets remain in the home jurisdiction, such as Grenada. But when a family member passes away, what was once uncomplicated shared family property becomes an inheritance matter spanning multiple legal systems, regulatory regimes, and financial institutions.

    “One of the Caribbean’s greatest exports has always been its people,” Charles explains. Today, it is extremely common for an estate to hold property in one Caribbean jurisdiction, have beneficiaries residing in a second country, and manage assets through financial institutions based in a third. Unlike decades past, modern estate administration does not stop at a country’s border; legal teams must navigate conflicting local laws, differing banking requirements, and layered global compliance standards all within a single inheritance case.

    Locating dispersed beneficiaries is rarely the hardest part of the process, Charles stresses. The biggest challenge comes from meeting the strict verification requirements set by financial institutions and legal bodies that control access to the deceased’s assets. Banks routinely demand certified government-issued identification, proof of permanent address, detailed tax information, and additional anti-fraud verification before releasing any funds to foreign-based beneficiaries. Attorneys working on the case often must obtain apostilled authenticated documents or formal grants of representation recognized in multiple countries. Even transferring real estate requires compliance with property laws in all involved jurisdictions, turning what should be a private family matter into a formal international transaction.

    Charles says one of the most frequent questions he receives from families is equally straightforward: If my brother lives in Canada, why can’t we just transfer his share of the inheritance directly to him? Legally, the transfer may be permitted, but practically, large cross-border transfers trigger automatic additional scrutiny from global financial institutions, especially when the recipient has no prior relationship with the sending bank or the purpose of the transfer is not immediately clear. This does not mean the transfer is blocked entirely, Charles clarifies, but it does mean families must follow a lengthy, multi-step process to complete the transaction.

    A major shift from past generations is the new centrality of formal documentation. While mid-20th century Caribbean estate matters relied heavily on interpersonal trust within families, modern inheritance requires extensive paperwork to move forward. Death certificates, formal grants of representation, government-issued identification, proof of address, source of funds verifications, and tax declarations – documents that were once considered secondary are now core to processing an estate efficiently.

    From his daily practice handling multi-jurisdictional estates, Charles has observed that inheritance law still formally defines who is entitled to receive a deceased’s assets. But modern global compliance frameworks ultimately dictate when and how those beneficiaries will actually gain access to their lawful inheritance. As he notes, the pattern of Caribbean migration created this new landscape: the grandparents of current families left the Caribbean seeking opportunity abroad, built wealth in their new host countries, and retained property and roots back in their home islands. Today, the estates they leave behind span oceans, not just islands, with beneficiaries scattered across multiple countries and assets split between jurisdictions to match.

    This analysis forms part of a ongoing series examining the shifting relationship between wealth, property ownership, and regulatory compliance across the Caribbean. NOW Grenada notes it is not responsible for the opinions or content shared by contributing writers, and invites readers to report any abusive content through official platform channels.

  • LETTER: Sick Leave Does Not Mean a Lack of Integrity

    LETTER: Sick Leave Does Not Mean a Lack of Integrity

    In an anonymous letter addressed to the editor, a growing crisis in modern professional environments has been brought to light: the alarming erosion of empathy for employees taking sick leave. Far too often, workers on medical leave face unfair, snap judgments from colleagues and peers who know nothing about the specific realities of their health conditions or recovery journeys.

    One of the most common misconceptions that fuels this unfair judgment is the belief that any employee on sick leave must be confined to bed or trapped within their four walls around the clock. The reality of healing looks vastly different from person to person. While some acute illnesses and invasive medical procedures demand strict, extended bed rest, many other health scenarios allow – and even recommend – light activity as part of the recovery process. This can include gentle short walks to boost circulation, routine trips to pick up essential groceries, scheduled visits to healthcare providers, or simply spending time in fresh air to improve mental and physical wellbeing. Crucially, not all illnesses are visible to the outside eye, and no two recovery timelines or paths follow the same rigid template.

    It is undeniable that a small subset of employees do abuse workplace sick leave policies, claiming illness to take time off while pursuing activities that clearly have nothing to do with healing. But the letter argues that it is a deep injustice to paint every worker on medical leave with the same broad brush because of the poor choices of a few. These widespread, negative assumptions do more than make individual workers feel bad – they erode trust across entire teams and lay the groundwork for a toxic, hostile workplace culture that harms everyone.

    The author also reflects on a shifting norm in workplace relationships: where once colleagues would routinely reach out for a quick check-in, pass along well wishes, or offer support to a teammate on sick leave, those small, meaningful acts of kindness have become increasingly rare. Today, empathy in many workplaces has become a selective commodity, often extended only to popular, well-connected workers, while others are left without support or open to harsh judgment. All too often, a worker’s treatment during sick leave comes down to personal popularity rather than shared human respect: if a colleague is not personally liked, their health struggles are dismissed or ignored entirely.

    The letter makes a clear, pressing argument: respect and empathy should be extended equally to every employee, no matter the nature of personal relationships or the tangled dynamics of workplace politics. No outsider can ever fully understand what another person is navigating physically, mentally, or emotionally, even when they work side by side. As a community, the author argues we must work collectively to rebuild workplaces where people feel supported rather than scrutinized during their most vulnerable moments. A workplace rooted in a culture of genuine empathy does not only improve individual employee wellbeing – it also makes entire organizations stronger, by building a foundation of mutual respect that binds teams and businesses together for long-term success.

  • PM Drew, Chairman St Juste reviews progress of Prime Creative Arts Centre – WIC News

    PM Drew, Chairman St Juste reviews progress of Prime Creative Arts Centre – WIC News

    In a key milestone check for a transformative public infrastructure project in St. Kitts and Nevis, Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew joined Calvin St. Juste, Executive Chairman of the national Citizenship Unit, for an official site walkthrough of the under-construction Prime Creative Arts Centre this week.

    Funded through the federation’s Citizenship by Investment Public Benefit Option — a strategic program that channels international investment into community-focused public works — the arts center broke ground in January 2026, and leadership has now marked steady progress across the build six months in. Designed to become the nation’s flagship modern cultural hub, the complex will bring long-awaited dedicated resources to St. Kitts and Nevis’ growing creative community. When finished, the facility will house multiple state-of-the-art spaces, including indoor and outdoor performance venues, professional-grade music recording and production studios, specialized craft workshops for local artisans, and flexible classrooms and co-working areas for creators at all career stages.

    Beyond providing infrastructure, the project is structured to deliver economic benefits at every stage of development. Project leaders confirmed that the construction process prioritizes hiring local builders, contractors, and skilled tradespeople, generating immediate employment opportunities and injecting direct stimulus into the local economy while helping domestic industry experts build specialized, long-term skills. St. Juste emphasized during the tour that the tangible progress rising from the ground reflects the government’s core commitment to directing investment toward projects that deliver tangible, direct benefits to all citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis.

    When complete, the center will empower local artists to refine their craft, turn their creative talents into sustainable, full-time careers, and contribute to expanding the federation’s creative economy — a key driver of growth that also supports the nation’s thriving tourism sector by enhancing its cultural appeal.

    The full three-year construction timeline is on track, with a grand opening currently scheduled for 2029. Once open, officials expect the Prime Creative Arts Centre to stand as a lasting landmark of national growth, a celebration of local Caribbean heritage, and a community resource that will serve generations of creators and visitors alike.