Carib Scope

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  • ‘Ain’t nothing got me scared’: MP hits back at FNM attacks

    ‘Ain’t nothing got me scared’: MP hits back at FNM attacks

    A tense exchange unfolded in the Bahamas’ House of Assembly on Wednesday, as Cabinet member JoBeth Coleby-Davis delivered an unapologetic defense of her reputation, pushing back against repeated heckling from opposition lawmakers tied to a controversial U.S. court indictment.

    The confrontation erupted midway through Coleby-Davis’ address during the annual national budget debate, when opposition legislators interjected from their bench to raise questions about the unsealed indictment that has dominated political discourse in Nassau in recent weeks. In a bold rebuke, the incumbent MP for the Elizabeth constituency pushed back against the innuendo, emphasizing that she has never been named as a subject of interest in any U.S. court filings connected to the case.

    Coleby-Davis framed the opposition’s attacks as a long-running pattern of personal smears that date back to her first term in office, recalling that similar attempts to undermine her credibility failed to sway voters during the most recent general election. “These some of the blows they throw last term, and the Bahamian people in Elizabeth even more voted for me,” she told the chamber.

    She recounted her first electoral victory, when she defeated the opposition Free National Movement (FNM)’s sitting chair by more than 300 votes as a relatively unknown political newcomer, despite months of unsubstantiated attacks on her character. “For four and half years, they throw blows, lies, all kind of things on my character, but I know the God I serve,” she said, adding that her faith carried her through the sustained criticism and helped secure her re-election.

    In a final challenge to the opposition, Coleby-Davis issued an open invitation for the FNM to field any candidate of their choosing against her in the next general election, making clear that the latest controversy has done nothing to intimidate her. “Ain’t nothing got me scared,” she reiterated to the chamber.

    The indictment controversy has become a major flashpoint in 2024’s budget debate, with opposition lawmakers consistently using procedural and debate time to press the governing Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) administration for greater transparency and faster action over the matter. Coleby-Davis’ forceful defense marks the most high-profile pushback from a PLP legislator tied to the ongoing controversy to date.

  • Prison Commissioner apologises ‘to the women of The Bahamas’

    Prison Commissioner apologises ‘to the women of The Bahamas’

    A top Bahamian corrections official has issued a public apology to the nation’s female population after making gender-biased remarks that sparked fierce backlash from political leaders and women’s advocacy groups, including widespread demands for his resignation.

    Doan Cleare, Commissioner of the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services, made the controversial comments during an official induction ceremony for the department’s 81st recruit cohort. In his remarks, Cleare claimed that female correctional recruits would face immediate dismissal for even a single mistake, while male recruits would be granted more leniency. He justified this double standard by arguing that qualified male candidates are far more difficult to recruit to the service.

    The incendiary comments quickly drew public outrage, prompting an immediate rebuke from National Security Minister Myles LaRoda, who addressed the controversy in the country’s House of Assembly. LaRoda confirmed that he had summoned Cleare to his office to address the incident, after which the commissioner submitted a formal written apology to both the minister’s office and the permanent secretary of the Ministry of National Security.

    In his public apology issued yesterday, Cleare acknowledged that his comments were “inappropriate and caused offence”. He emphasized that his words were never intended to demean, disrespect, or discriminate against women, noting that “as a public servant, I have always held women in the highest regard and deeply appreciate their invaluable contributions to public service, nation-building, and the advancement of our society.”

    Cleare added that he has worked alongside many “outstanding” women throughout his decades-long career, and has long respected their “professionalism, leadership and commitment”. He admitted that his remarks do not align with the core values, professional standards, and guiding principles of the Ministry of National Security, his own department, or the Bahamian government at large.

    Taking full responsibility for the lapse in judgment, Cleare acknowledged that as a senior leader and public official, he is required to communicate with professionalism, respect, and sensitivity in every public statement. “I offer my profound and heartfelt apology,” he said. “I sincerely regret the offence my remarks caused and acknowledge the disappointment and concern they may have occasioned.”

    Cleare’s apology came in response to mounting pressure from across the political and advocacy spectrum. Lisa Bostwick-Dean, president of women’s advocacy group Women United and a former senator, was among the most prominent voices calling for Cleare to step down immediately. Loretta Butler-Turner, a former leader of the Bahamian Opposition, said she was “appalled” by the comments and demanded that Cleare formally retract his statement. Michela Barnett-Ellis, the Member of Parliament for Killarney, described the commissioner’s remarks as “deeply concerning” and pressed LaRoda in Parliament to launch an investigation into whether the biased comments reflected actual disciplinary and termination practices within the correctional system.

    LaRoda confirmed that the permanent secretary will meet with Cleare later this week to hold further discussions on the incident. He also noted that Cleare had claimed the comments were made in jest, but added that he had reminded the commissioner that his senior public position gives all of his statements significant weight that requires careful consideration.

  • Coleby-Davis: BPL ready for summer

    Coleby-Davis: BPL ready for summer

    A fiery parliamentary budget debate has ignited sharp political tension in the Bahamas over the reliability of the nation’s power grid, after widespread weekend blackouts left thousands of residents without electricity and sparked accusations of government mismanagement from opposition lawmakers.

    At the center of the conflict is Energy Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis, who defended the preparedness of Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) to meet peak summer energy demand across the archipelago on Wednesday, pushing back against criticism from Long Island Member of Parliament Andre Rollins. Rollins, an opposition lawmaker, has accused the minister of intentionally misleading Parliament after days of outages that left Bahamians dealing with sweltering heat without power.

    Coleby-Davis outlined detailed capacity projections for the country’s major population centers to counter the opposition’s claims. She told Parliament that BPL is projecting a peak summer demand of 300 megawatts (MW) for New Providence, the country’s most populous island, where the utility currently holds 340MW of installed generation capacity. That figure is set to rise to 385MW by the end of the current month. For Abaco, peak demand is forecast at 27MW, against an existing installed capacity of 36MW, while Eleuthera is expected to see a peak of 20.5MW against a current 24MW capacity that will grow to 26.5MW by the end of July and 29MW in August. Grand Bahama, meanwhile, is projected to hit a record peak demand of 60MW this summer, up from 56MW in 2023, and Coleby-Davis confirmed that sufficient generation capacity has been secured to meet that need.

    The minister acknowledged growing public frustration over recent service interruptions, but emphasized that most current outages are a temporary side effect of BPL’s ongoing major infrastructure modernization project across New Providence. She explained that during construction work, circuits that normally split energy loads are forced to operate on single circuits, creating excess strain on the grid that increases the risk of unexpected outages. Comparing the project to a residential renovation, she noted that while careful planning can reduce customer inconvenience, it is impossible to eliminate all disruptions when rebuilding critical infrastructure while still maintaining active service.

    Crews have been working around the clock to balance grid stability and urgent modernization work, she added, pointing out that BPL has no incentive to allow extended outages, as the company loses revenue every minute power is unavailable. Coleby-Davis also pushed back against claims that the current grid challenges are unique to the Bahamas, noting that multiple U.S. states and Canadian provinces are currently grappling with similar grid stress driven by extreme summer heat waves. While she stressed that this context does not excuse the Bahamas’ service issues, it demonstrates that the problem is a widespread challenge for jurisdictions navigating rising summer temperatures and aging energy infrastructure.

    But Rollins rejected the minister’s explanation, arguing that the widespread outages prove the government is failing to deliver reliable energy. He highlighted that over the past weekend, some communities across New Providence remained without power for more than 24 hours, leaving residents stuck in dangerous heat. He also called attention to an “embarrassing” blackout that disrupted Cat Island’s annual rake and scrape cultural festival, arguing that the repeated service failures are a sign of regression, not progress, under the current government’s leadership. “We are regressing under the leadership of the member for Elizabeth,” Rollins told Parliament, drawing support from other opposition lawmakers.

    The exchange comes as BPL proceeds with a multi-million dollar upgrade program intended to resolve longstanding grid reliability issues across the Bahamas. While the government frames the current disruptions as temporary growing pains on the path to a more stable energy system, the opposition has seized on public anger over the outages to ramp up pressure on the administration ahead of future political contests.

  • Tourism Ministry begins major redevelopment of Monte Río Beach in Azua

    Tourism Ministry begins major redevelopment of Monte Río Beach in Azua

    AZUA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Tourism has officially launched a major $265 million Dominican peso infrastructure development project at Monte Río Beach, a long-planned initiative designed to unlock the coastal site’s untapped tourism appeal and elevate the visitor experience for both domestic and international travelers. Tourism Minister David Collado led the inauguration ceremony, marking the start of what government officials project will be a transformative investment for the southern region of the country.

    Spanning more than 46,200 square meters of coastal land, the comprehensive upgrade touches every aspect of the beach destination’s public services and visitor amenities. Core civil works include full rehabilitation of existing access roads, new paved public streets, expanded designated parking lots, accessible sidewalks, reinforced retaining walls, and stabilized embankments to protect the coastal infrastructure from erosion. Beyond transportation and structural works, the project adds a full suite of new public facilities: a full-service beachfront restaurant, gender-inclusive public restrooms and outdoor shower stations, dedicated security booths for round-the-clock visitor safety, a children’s playground, an open-air public fitness area, and a elevated scenic overlook that showcases panoramic views of the Azua coastline.

    The initiative also addresses critical utility gaps that have long limited Monte Río Beach’s ability to accommodate larger crowds. Upgrades to the local potable water network, sanitation systems, stormwater drainage infrastructure, and regional electrical grid are all included in the project scope, alongside a full overhaul of public lighting across the entire beach area. To preserve the site’s natural coastal ecosystem, planners have integrated a large-scale landscaping and environmental restoration program, which will be paired with the addition of sustainable wooden beach walkways, clear directional and informational signage, strategically placed waste disposal stations, and durable public urban furniture for visitor comfort.

    Speaking at the inauguration, Minister Collado emphasized that the Monte Río Beach upgrade is more than a construction project – it is a catalyst for long-term economic development. Decades of unmet demand for improved public infrastructure at the popular coastal site have held back Azua’s ability to compete as a top-tier tourism destination in the Dominican Republic, a country whose economy relies heavily on tourism revenue. Collado noted that the completed project will not only draw more visitors to the region but also create new local jobs, support small business growth, and cement Azua’s position as a key contributor to national economic growth in the coming years.

  • U.S. Embassy and DNCD complete specialized training to combat illegal drug labs

    U.S. Embassy and DNCD complete specialized training to combat illegal drug labs

    In a landmark step for regional counter-narcotics efforts, the Dominican Republic has marked a historic milestone in the fight against synthetic drug trafficking with the launch of Latin America and the Caribbean’s first dedicated interagency task force focused on dismantling clandestine illicit drug manufacturing laboratories. The official launch followed the successful completion of the unit’s foundational specialized training program held in the nation’s capital, Santo Domingo.

    The collaborative initiative was jointly led by Leah Campos, the United States Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, and José M. Cabrera Ulloa, president of the Dominican Republic’s National Drug Control Directorate. At its core, the newly formed cross-agency unit is tasked with three core mission priorities: proactively detecting unlicensed drug production sites, securing these high-risk locations to prevent unauthorized access, and fully dismantling facilities used to produce dangerous controlled substances including methamphetamine, synthetic opioids like fentanyl, and a growing range of newly emerging psychoactive drugs.

    Dominican law enforcement and public security officials emphasized that the creation of this specialized unit directly responds to shifting global drug trafficking patterns that have seen a sharp rise in illicit synthetic drug production across the Americas. Unlike traditional drug crops such as cocaine or cannabis, clandestine synthetic drug labs carry unique and severe risks: they leave toxic chemical contamination that damages local ecosystems and communities, pose major public safety hazards including accidental explosions and chemical exposure, and create long-term public health challenges for surrounding populations.

    To ensure the unit can address these complex risks effectively, it draws together trained personnel from four key Dominican institutions: the Attorney General’s Office, the National Institute of Forensic Sciences, the national Fire Department, and the National Emergency System 911. All participating personnel completed hands-on training delivered by specialist instructors from the NOBLE international law enforcement capacity building organization, covering critical core competencies including hazardous material handling and response, crime scene security protocols, proper evidence preservation procedures, and the correct deployment and use of advanced personal protective gear.

    The entire project receives both technical guidance and financial backing from the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). It also aligns directly with the Dominican Republic’s national anti-drug priorities, forming a core component of the country’s newly enacted National Strategy on Synthetic Drugs, which was formally established through Presidential Decree 585-24. This effort is just one part of the longstanding ongoing bilateral security and anti-crime partnership between the Dominican Republic and the United States, which has expanded in recent years to address the growing regional threat of illicit synthetic drug trafficking.

  • BVI to scrap visas for work permit holders

    BVI to scrap visas for work permit holders

    In a landmark policy shift aimed at strengthening the territory’s economic competitiveness, the government of the British Virgin Islands has confirmed plans to eliminate visa requirements for foreign work permit holders within the coming weeks. The reform, designed to ease chronic recruitment headaches for local businesses and attract increased foreign investment, was formally announced by Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley during his 2026 State of the Territory Address earlier this week.

    Wheatley framed the visa change as a core pillar of a broader slate of pro-growth and business-friendly reforms that the administration is rolling out across the territory. “In the coming weeks, we will also be removing visas for work permit holders, giving relief to businesses who cannot onboard staff quickly enough to support their operations,” the Premier told attendees during the address.

    The planned visa elimination is part of a coordinated government push to overhaul the territory’s labour market, advance economic diversification, and streamline investment regulations. Prior to this announcement, the Wheatley administration has already advanced a series of incremental changes to improve labour processing, including the digitization of work permit application workflows, expanded public outreach to connect workers with open roles, and widespread education campaigns to inform both employers and employees of workplace rights. The government has also deepened collaborative partnerships with local business associations to cut red tape and improve the speed of public service delivery for hiring requests.

    Moving forward, the government plans to extend its labour reform efforts to high-priority sectors that have long reported staffing gaps, including hospitality, agriculture and fisheries, marine-based industries, and skilled trades. Officials note that the visa reform will align with the territory’s existing employment strategies and work to increase overall workforce participation across all key economic segments.

    The policy change comes amid years of consistent feedback from local employers, who have repeatedly flagged lengthy delays in labour and immigration processing as a major barrier to operating and expanding their businesses. Multiple sectors across the territory continue to struggle with unfilled vacancies, prompting the government to accelerate its timeline for labour market reforms. Prior digital overhauls, including the launch of end-to-end online work permit application systems and streamlined inter-agency coordination for employer requests, have laid the groundwork for the broader visa change announced this week.

    In addition to labour market reforms, the government is advancing parallel changes to improve the overall investment climate in the British Virgin Islands. These include draft legislation for a new comprehensive Investment Act, and plans to launch a dedicated trade and investment promotion agency that will operate as a one-stop service hub for both domestic and international investors looking to establish or expand operations in the territory.

    “My government is 100 per cent committed to creating a business-friendly environment that will facilitate the expansion of our economy,” Wheatley emphasized. While the government has confirmed the reform will roll out in the coming weeks, no exact implementation date has been released to the public as of yet.

  • Antonio Taveras introduces bill to eliminate jail sentences for defamation

    Antonio Taveras introduces bill to eliminate jail sentences for defamation

    In Santo Domingo, a leading Dominican senator has tabled a sweeping legislative proposal that would reshape the nation’s defamation regulations, with the explicit goal of reinforcing constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of expression and press activity. Senator Antonio Taveras Guzmán’s bill targets long-standing provisions of the nation’s Law 74-25, pushing to bring the country’s legal framework in line with global human rights norms while upholding core principles of fairness and proportionality for alleged honor-based offenses.

    The proposal outlines a series of targeted amendments to existing legal articles that would fundamentally alter how defamation is penalized in the Dominican Republic. Under the current system, a range of honor-based offenses can result in lengthy prison sentences, and media outlets face severe operational sanctions that can force them to cease work. Taveras’ plan eliminates all custodial sentences for defamation, replacing them with proportionate financial penalties. For basic defamation, defined in the revised Article 208 as only the public spreading of verifiably false facts that cause tangible harm to an individual’s reputation, fines would be set between three and eight times the national public-sector minimum wage, in addition to any ordered civil compensation for damages.

    The bill also revises Article 209, which currently governs extortion-linked defamation. The proposal reclassifies this offense as an aggravated form of standard defamation, cutting maximum penalties from a 10-year prison term to a maximum of one year of custodial sentence, with a minimum penalty of just 15 days for offenses committed to extract unlawful benefits or coerce third parties. Article 210’s existing prison penalties for defamation would also be fully removed under the reform, leaving only fines and civil damage orders as applicable sanctions.

    One of the most significant protections for media organizations is included in the amendment to Article 212, which would explicitly ban any government or judicial body from issuing harsh operational sanctions such as outlet closures, broadcast license revocations, equipment seizures, or temporary suspensions of activity in any case involving alleged violations of personal honor or privacy.

    Perhaps the most politically controversial provision of the bill is the proposed full repeal of Article 310, a current regulation that criminalizes insults against public officials. Taveras argues that this article creates a separate tier of legal protection for government authorities, a departure from the constitutional principle of equality before the law, and undermines the ability of citizens and journalists to hold elected and appointed officials accountable in a democratic system.

    In justifying the full package of reforms, Taveras emphasized that the changes are designed to modernize Dominican defamation legislation, bring it into compliance with both the country’s own constitutional protections for free expression and widely accepted international human rights standards. The proposal strikes a new balance, he says, between the legitimate right of individuals to protect their personal reputation and the equally important rights of free expression and democratic oversight that are foundational to a functional democratic society.

  • Serena’s comeback at Queen’s over after Mboko injury withdrawal

    Serena’s comeback at Queen’s over after Mboko injury withdrawal

    One of tennis’ most iconic figures saw her bid for a Queen’s Club doubles title derailed before it could progress further Thursday, after 19-year-old partner Victoria Mboko was forced to withdraw from the west London grass-court tournament due to an acute left knee injury.

    Williams, the 23-time Grand Slam champion, made a widely anticipated return to competitive tennis earlier this week, stepping onto a professional court for the first time in four years. Her opening first-round clash alongside Mboko delivered a thrilling straight-sets victory over seeded pair Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe, capping a fairy-tale start to her comeback that captured global sporting attention. The win had set up a quarter-final matchup against Leylah Fernandez and Laura Siegemund, but the dream run at Queen’s ended prematurely when Mboko was unable to recover from the injury she sustained a day earlier.

    The Canadian world No. 9 suffered the injury during her Wednesday singles match against Karolina Pliskova, when a slip on the grass court left her unable to finish the contest. Visibly shaken by the incident, Mboko told on-court physios that her knee currently had no stability, and ultimately made the cautious decision to pull out of the doubles draw rather than risk worsening the damage. Tournament officials confirmed the withdrawal shortly after, leaving Williams to shift her focus to her next scheduled comeback appearance: the Berlin Open doubles event next week, where she is set to partner with Czech star Karolina Muchova.

    Williams’ surprise return to the sport after a four-year retirement has sparked widespread speculation over whether she will extend her comeback to Wimbledon, the grass-court Grand Slam where she has enjoyed unparalleled success. The 42-year-old has not yet confirmed her plans, nor has she revealed whether she intends to compete in any singles events during her comeback tour, but she noted earlier this week that she has not ruled out entering the Wimbledon doubles draw.

    As Williams does not hold a high enough ranking to earn automatic entry into the All England Club main draw, she would require a wildcard from tournament organizers to compete. Wimbledon chief executive Sally Bolton addressed the question of a potential wildcard entry Thursday, declining to pre-empt the wild card committee’s official decision, which is set to be announced next week. Still, Bolton acknowledged the massive wave of excitement Williams has generated by returning to grass-court tennis, noting that her presence at the Championships would be a massive boost for the sport.

    Williams, who claimed seven Wimbledon singles titles and six doubles titles alongside her sister Venus, said earlier this week that All England Club organizers had given her flexibility to make a decision in her own time. The tennis legend shared that her motivation to return to competitive play stemmed from a desire to compete in front of her two young daughters, Olympia and Adira, who were in the stands to watch her opening win at Queen’s on Tuesday.

    Her decision to return to competitive tennis for the first time since her 2022 US Open third-round loss to Ajla Tomljanovic drew some questions over whether the comeback was a prudent choice, but Williams silenced any doubters in her opening match, delivering the powerful serves and aggressive groundstrokes that defined her legendary career to the delight of a sold-out crowd. In a characteristically humble assessment, Williams rated her comeback performance a C minus after the win, noting that returning to competition on grass—one of the most challenging surfaces to adapt to after a long layoff—made the outing far from easy. Still, she called her opening showing decent, leaving fans hopeful that she will bring her iconic talent back to the biggest grass-court stage in the sport in the coming weeks.

  • On The Grill @ Ja Pegasus

    On The Grill @ Ja Pegasus

    Nestled in the bustling core of New Kingston, Jamaica Pegasus hotel has breathed new life into its weekly culinary gathering, the “Tuesday On The Grill Experience”, transforming it into a standout al fresco dining destination that pairs world-class hospitality with authentic Caribbean flavor. Set against the glimmering backdrop of the property’s iconic Olympic-size outdoor pool, this reimagined weekly event welcomes guests to a relaxed yet refined evening of unlimited dining, live entertainment, and local culture for a price point of J$9,000 per person, with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available for separate purchase at the on-site bar.

    For three judges from the Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards – lead reviewer Oneal Johnson, Adolph Raynor, and guest judge Selena Mohammed-Wilson – a recent visit to the relaunched series turned into the kind of effortless, memorable night that many local diners and visitors crave. From the moment the group arrived, the poolside setting felt inviting and perfectly suited to Jamaica’s tropical climate. Soft, warm lighting danced across the pool’s surface, while a curated live band provided a dynamic yet unobtrusive soundtrack: energetic enough to lift the mood, but quiet enough to let guests enjoy uninterrupted conversation over their meals. It is a rare balance that makes the venue ideal for both group outings and intimate date nights.

    The undisputed star of the evening, however, is the expansive all-you-can-eat buffet, which showcases a thoughtful mix of beloved Jamaican specialties and popular international dishes. The spread includes everything from richly seasoned jerk pork from a live carving station and succulent grilled pork chops to tender, fresh-caught crayfish, flaky roasted salmon fillet, crisp seasonal salads, and creamy house-made macaroni and cheese. Diners with a sweet tooth are equally well-catered for, with a dedicated dessert stand stocked with rum chocolate mousse pudding cups, glazed donuts, moist chocolate cake, creamy cheesecake, and artisanal cupcakes. With such a wide range of options, every return trip to the buffet brings a new opportunity to discover a dish that excites the palate.

    Beyond food and music, the experience adds extra layers of fun for guests. For those inspired by the live band, an open dance floor is available to let loose, while rotating local artisans set up stalls throughout the evening to showcase and sell handcrafted Jamaican goods, giving guests the chance to sneak in a little retail therapy while they dine.

    What ties the entire experience together, the judges noted, is the attentive, professional service that has become a hallmark of the Jamaica Pegasus brand. Staff members greeted guests warmly upon arrival and checked in consistently throughout the night, ensuring every guest felt comfortable and well-cared for, upholding the hotel’s long-held reputation for premium hospitality.

    After an evening of good company, incredible food, and live music under the starlit Caribbean sky, the three judges agreed that the relaunched “Tuesday On The Grill Experience” checks every box for anyone seeking a standout night out in Kingston. It delivers a winning combination of stunning natural setting, diverse, high-quality cuisine, engaging entertainment, and top-tier service that keeps guests lingering long after the last course. For locals and travelers alike, this weekly poolside gathering has quickly cemented its place as a can’t-miss Kingston dining destination.

  • ‘Sorry’ is not enough

    ‘Sorry’ is not enough

    A widespread, island-wide power outage that shut down communities and economic activity across Jamaica last month has triggered urgent regulatory reform, with the country’s energy minister announcing mandatory compensation rules will be written into all future electricity operating licenses. Addressing Jamaica’s House of Representatives on Wednesday, Energy Minister Daryl Vaz framed the sweeping policy change as a direct response to critical gaps exposed by the June 5 blackout, which left no corner of the country untouched by power loss. Currently, Jamaican law includes no binding requirements for utility providers to compensate customers for financial losses stemming from large-scale outages — a flaw Vaz says has been made untenable by the scope of harm from last month’s incident. The outage disrupted daily life for households, forced business closures across all sectors, and halted operations at public institutions nationwide. Vaz emphasized that countless businesses and ordinary Jamaicans have documented tangible losses from the event, making the issue of compensation non-negotiable moving forward. “I have consistently maintained that businesses and Jamaicans have suffered demonstrable losses because of an outage of this magnitude. The commitment that I’m making to you is that the new licence and the new Act that will go with the licence will have mandatory compensatory measures and sanctions,” Vaz told parliamentary members. The minister specifically highlighted the disproportionate harm faced by small, informal and micro-businesses, including street vendors and independent event promoters, many of whom sank upfront investments into activities that were scrapped by the blackout. For these operators, he argued, a simple apology is meaningless: “What do you say? Sorry? Sorry can’t help them to send their child back to school Monday morning when they have spent the money to invest and they can’t get a return.” Beyond the lack of outage compensation rules, Vaz also renewed longstanding criticism of Jamaica’s existing power sector regulatory framework, noting that even customers who suffer damaged appliances from power surges face notoriously slow, unsuccessful claims processes that rarely result in payment for losses. The announcement of regulatory reform came as opposition lawmakers put forward additional targeted relief for those affected by the June 5 blackout. Dr. Dayton Campbell, opposition Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Eastern, called on the government to implement immediate support for event organizers and other groups that lost income when planned weekend activities were canceled. Campbell’s proposal would allow approved event permits to be transferred to new future dates, rather than forcing affected organizers to re-pay full permit fees for a rescheduled event. Vaz embraced the suggestion, describing it as a pragmatic, reasonable solution that works for both impacted residents and local municipal governments. “They can use it at another time for another event, which means that the municipal corporation doesn’t have to find the money to refund,” he explained, adding that he plans to open discussions with the Ministry of Local Government to move the proposal forward. The June 5 blackout affected every registered power customer across Jamaica. The Jamaica Public Service Company, the country’s main utility provider, has already submitted an initial incident report to the Office of Utilities Regulation, with a full final report due as investigations into the root cause of the outage continue.