分类： politics

WORLD BANK COMES TO T&T

In a landmark move set to reshape development cooperation and investment prospects for the twin-island nation, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago has formalized an agreement with the World Bank Group to open a permanent, fully operational office in the capital city of Port of Spain. The deal, inked at St Ann’s Diplomatic Centre by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar alongside senior World Bank Group leadership, brings all four core arms of the global institution—the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Development Association (IDA), International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA)—under one local roof.

The agreement establishes a clear legal and operational framework for the World Bank Group’s in-country presence, outlining a full suite of internationally recognized privileges and immunities that align with standard diplomatic practice for multilateral institutions. These protections include the inviolability of the organization’s office premises and archival records, limited immunity from legal proceedings for official acts, safeguards for the institution’s assets against seizure, search, or expropriation, and full autonomy over internal administrative and employment policies, which will remain governed by the World Bank Group’s own internal regulations. Additional terms grant the World Bank Group exemptions from all applicable taxes, customs duties, and levies on its operations, assets, and official transactions, while guaranteeing unrestricted access to global financial markets—the ability to hold and transfer funds in any currency without limitation—and the free import and export of equipment required for office operations, alongside access to secure, modern communication systems.

For Trinidad and Tobago’s government, the new permanent office represents far more than a diplomatic milestone: it is a strategic shift from intermittent, remote engagement with the World Bank to continuous, on-the-ground collaboration that will accelerate project delivery and strengthen national development efforts. Persad-Bissessar emphasized that the local presence will place the World Bank’s deep technical expertise and extensive financing capacity directly within Trinidad and Tobago’s borders, directly supporting the government’s core policy goals of economic diversification, private sector growth, and expanded job creation. A central pillar of this new partnership is a growing focus on public-private partnerships (PPPs), which the government has identified as a key driver of progress across critical infrastructure and social sectors.

Under the partnership framework, PPP initiatives will advance priority national projects in transportation infrastructure, integrated water management, public education, and healthcare delivery. These collaborations are designed to boost operational efficiency, speed up project implementation timelines, and expand access to much-needed capital for large-scale developments. Beyond public infrastructure, the partnership will also open new doors for local small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs, improving their access to affordable capital, specialized business advisory services, and global export markets. Critically, government officials note that the formalized partnership sends a clear, strong signal to international investors that Trinidad and Tobago offers a stable, transparent, and investor-friendly business environment.

A central component of the new agreement is the expanded role of the IFC, the World Bank Group’s private sector-focused arm, which will lead efforts to mobilize global investment and support project development across the country. To date, the IFC has already invested more than US$670 million in Trinidad and Tobago across key sectors including financial services, manufacturing, and business development, dating back to the country’s accession to the World Bank Group in the 1960s. The expanded local presence will now unlock even greater opportunities for local firms to access capital and participate in large-scale infrastructure and public service projects.

Planning Minister Dr Kennedy Swaratsingh first signaled the government’s intent to facilitate the new office in October of the previous year, framing the move as a critical step to unlock untapped financing opportunities for the Trinidad and Tobago private sector. In line with that vision, the government is currently working with the World Bank Group to develop a robust project investment pipeline, with projected financing for local business-focused projects ranging between US$1 billion and US$3 billion. Broader development financing initiatives across all sectors are projected to reach as much as US$5 billion over the next three to five years.

Beyond domestic benefits, the new permanent office also positions Trinidad and Tobago to serve as a regional hub for World Bank Group operations across the Caribbean, creating opportunities for the country to expand its regional influence and coordinate cross-border development initiatives. For both parties, the agreement marks a new era of continuous, close collaboration that is expected to deliver long-term economic and social benefits for the people of Trinidad and Tobago.

1 5 月, 2026
Michael Joseph defeats Richard Lewis to win SJRW for the ABLP

As vote counting progresses in the St. John’s Rural West (SJRW) constituency by-election, partial results released midway through the tallying process show a clear early lead for candidate Michael Joseph of the Antigua-Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP).

With 65 percent of all ballots cast already processed by election officials, Joseph has secured 1,223 valid votes so far. His main challenger, United Progressive Party (UPP) candidate Richard Lewis, trails the frontrunner with 903 counted valid votes to his name. Independent candidate Nigel Bascus has only captured 2 votes in the partial count, while 5 ballots have been formally rejected for failing to meet electoral validity standards.

In total, 5,709 voters are officially registered to cast ballots in this SJRW constituency contest. Election workers continue to process the remaining uncounted ballots, with full final results expected to be released once all votes are verified and tallied. The outcome of this contest will shape the current legislative representation for the constituency, making the remaining counting process a closely watched event for both major political parties and local voters.

1 5 月, 2026
Anthony Smith brings All Saints West into the ABLP Column

As vote counting continues in the Antigua and Barbuda general election, early results from Constituency ASW are starting to paint a clear picture of the preliminary race dynamics. Across the entire constituency, a total of 5,351 voters are officially registered to cast their ballots in this hotly contested electoral contest. As of the latest update, election officials have completed counting 80% of all ballots cast in the constituency. Early returns show the incumbent Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) candidate Anthony Smith Jr. holding a solid lead over his main challenger. Smith has secured 1,590 votes so far, putting him comfortably ahead of United Progressive Party (UPP) candidate Harold Lovell, who has accumulated 1,282 votes in the partial count. Election officials have also confirmed that 24 ballots cast in the constituency have been rejected, most commonly due to issues such as improper marking, voter irregularities, or damage that makes the voter’s choice unreadable. With roughly one-fifth of the constituency’s ballots still left to count, the race remains technically unresolved, though the current gap between the two leading candidates will be difficult for Lovell to close even with the remaining uncounted votes. This early result points to a strong performance for the ABLP in this key constituency, adding to the broader vote tally being compiled across the country as the nation waits for final official results.

1 5 月, 2026
Dr. Philmore Benjamin has won St. Mary’s North for the ABLP

As vote counting continues in a local electoral constituency, partial results released by election officials show a clear early lead for the candidate from the Antigua Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP). With three-quarters of all ballots already processed, the contest has already revealed a sharp division among the constituency’s registered voter base, which totals 5,347 eligible participants.

According to the official partial update from the election management body SMN, ABLP nominee Philmore Benjamin has secured 1,386 votes so far, putting him comfortably ahead of his main rival from the United Progressive Party (UPP). UPP candidate Johnathan Joseph has collected 988 votes to date, trailing Benjamin by nearly 400 votes with remaining ballots still to be counted.

A total of 17 ballots cast in the constituency have been formally rejected over the course of counting, for reasons including mismarked selections, irregular markings, and other violations of electoral rules that disqualify them from being included in official candidate totals.

As of the latest update, overall voter turnout across the constituency stands at 2,389 votes cast, which translates to a turnout rate of 44.68% of all registered electors. That figure means fewer than half of all eligible voters in the district have cast their ballots in this contest so far. Vote counting is ongoing, and full official results are expected once all remaining ballots are processed and verified.

1 5 月, 2026
Michael Freeland Turns St. George From Blue to Red

After all ballots were counted in the SGEORGE constituency election, official full preliminary results have been finalized and released to the public. Data from the counting process shows that a total of 5,997 registered voters were eligible to cast ballots in this electoral contest. Every single ballot cast in the race has been successfully processed, with 100 percent of precinct results now reported. Among the candidates on the ballot, Michael Freeland running for the Antigua Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) secured 2,198 votes, putting him in the lead of the final vote tally. Kelvin Dalso, representing the United Progressive Party (UPP), earned 1,359 votes in the final count. Independent candidate Gail Pero Georges finished the race with 55 votes cast in his favor. Additionally, 27 ballots were rejected during the verification process due to issues such as incorrect marking, damaged paper, or non-compliance with electoral rules. The release of these full results marks the conclusion of the official counting process for the constituency, with official certification of the results expected in the coming days.

1 5 月, 2026
Jadnanansing: Arbeid verdient waardering en eerlijke beloning

On the annual observance of Labor Day, Raj Jadnanansing, Deputy Minister of Suriname’s Ministry of Health, Welfare and Labor, has issued a formal message paying tribute to all working people across the South American nation who contribute daily to the country’s ongoing development and nation-building efforts.

In his official address, Jadnanansing emphasized that work forms the irreplaceable foundation of three core pillars of national progress: sustainable economic expansion, inclusive social development, and the preservation of individual human dignity. Going beyond a basic definition of work as the completion of routine tasks, he noted that employment grants people personal autonomy, long-term financial security, and the critical opportunity to build a better future for both themselves and their family members. Every worker, regardless of their occupation, job role, or sector of employment, makes an equally valuable contribution to Suriname’s overall advancement, the deputy minister added.

Jadnanansing extended explicit recognition to workers across every major industry in Suriname, including healthcare, education, construction, retail and services, mining, agriculture, and white-collar office sectors. He stressed that the consistent dedication and hard work of these individuals lay the groundwork for all social progress and economic growth that the country achieves.

At the same time, the deputy minister framed Labor Day as an occasion for reflection on the remaining challenges facing Suriname’s labor market. He openly acknowledged that gaps persist in ensuring fair working conditions, living wages, safe workplace environments, and accessible upskilling and training opportunities for all workers. To address these gaps, Jadnanansing confirmed that his ministry remains committed to improving the employability of Surinamese citizens through partnerships with key local institutions including the SAO, SPWE, SHTTC, and RACO. These efforts are designed to help Surinamese workers take full advantage of emerging economic opportunities, particularly in fast-growing new sectors such as sustainable energy and the country’s expanding oil and gas industry.

In addition to outlining government action, Jadnanansing called on employers, workers, and national trade union movements to continue collaborating to build a shared culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and collective problem-solving. He noted that only through this kind of collaborative approach can Suriname achieve long-term, sustainable progress that benefits all segments of society.

Looking ahead to Suriname’s expected period of major economic transformation, the deputy minister reaffirmed that the national government will continue to advance policy and legislation that prioritizes social justice. He emphasized that all workers and their families must receive a fair share of the benefits from future economic growth, ensuring that development is inclusive rather than concentrated among a small subset of the population.

1 5 月, 2026
ABLP’s E.P Greene emerges as winner in St. Paul

Election officials have released partial vote tallies for the electoral district of St. Paul, offering an early glimpse into how the local race is unfolding. Of the 3,321 registered voters eligible to cast ballots in this constituency, counting is currently complete for 64% of all ballots submitted.

As of the latest update, candidates from two major parties have secured the bulk of the counted votes. Antigua Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) candidate E. Paul Chet Greene has pulled out to a substantial early lead, collecting 939 votes from the counted precincts. Trailing behind Greene is United Progressive Party (UPP) challenger Franz De Freitas, who has earned 450 votes so far in the partial count. Independent candidate Alan Weston rounds out the field of contenders, having garnered 16 votes on counted ballots.

Local election authorities also confirmed that five ballots cast in the St. Paul race have been rejected, most commonly due to issues such as improper marking, signature mismatches, or other procedural errors that invalidate the vote. Counting operations are still ongoing across remaining uncounted precincts, with official full results expected to be published once all ballots have been processed and verified.

1 5 月, 2026
Pringle Retains All Saints East & St. Luke for the UPP

As vote counting nears completion in the ASESL electoral constituency, preliminary official results have begun to take shape that paint a tight competitive race between the two leading candidates. According to the latest data released by election officials, a total of 4,220 registered voters are eligible to cast ballots in this constituency, with counting work currently at the 93% completion mark.

Leading the preliminary vote count is United Progressive Party candidate Lars Jamale Pringle, who has secured 1,320 votes so far. Trailing closely behind Pringle is Antigua Barbuda Labour Party candidate Lamin Newton, who has accumulated 1,206 votes to date, putting him just 115 votes behind his opponent with just 7% of ballots remaining to be counted.

In addition to the valid votes cast for the two candidates, election officials have confirmed that 12 ballots have been rejected for a variety of reasons, including irregular marking, incomplete voter information, and other procedural issues that invalidate the submissions.

With counting still ongoing, neither candidate has yet claimed victory, and political observers note that the remaining uncounted ballots could still shift the final outcome, though Pringle’s current lead puts him in a strong position to secure the constituency seat. Local electoral authorities expect to release full final results within 24 hours once all remaining ballots are processed and verified.

1 5 月, 2026
Maria Bird Browne Holds St John’s Rural East for ABLP

Incumbent candidate Maria Bird Browne of the Antigua Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) has successfully held onto the St John’s Rural East parliamentary seat, securing a decisive victory over her opponent Ashworth Azille from the United Progressive Party (UPP) in Thursday’s general elections.

With 87 percent of ballots counted from a total of 5,187 registered electors, the latest vote tally solidified Browne’s advantage: the ABLP candidate earned 1,794 votes, while Azille of the UPP collected just 872 votes. Preliminary counts also recorded 19 rejected ballots that were deemed invalid for tabulation.

Browne’s win in the constituency reinforces the ABLP’s long-standing strong base of voter support in the rural district, marking a key gain for the party in the overall national election cycle. Political analysts note that the substantial margin of victory reflects sustained voter confidence in the incumbent’s representation and the ABLP’s policy platform among residents of St John’s Rural East.

1 5 月, 2026
Column: De beste vriend van wantrouwen

Sometimes, it is not formal legislation, policy documents or official government procedures that reveal the deepest flaws of a country’s political culture, but small, unorthodox, and controversial incidents. The public uproar surrounding Jean “Saya” Mixon, an entrepreneur linked to Suriname’s Minister of Justice and Police Harish Monorath, is a striking case in point.

Monorath confirmed to local outlet Sign-in TV that Mixon, who accompanied him during an official visit to the Geyersvlijt police station, was one of his four personal advisors. He clarified that the role is unpaid and that Mixon does not have an official office at the ministry, adding that he holds the authority to appoint advisors to his team as he sees fit.

The revelation immediately ignited fierce backlash across social media and political circles. When Minister of Internal Affairs Marinus Bee told parliament on Thursday that Mixon could not hold an advisory position under the government’s formal appointment rules, many hoped Monorath’s misstep would be corrected transparently and properly. Instead, the parliamentary debate ended with the controversy more unresolved than when it began.

Despite sharp criticisms and widespread demands that Monorath acknowledge and fix his error, the minister avoided meaningful accountability. He only conceded that Mixon does not hold an advisory position in a legal, formal sense — a semantic dodge that he treated as a full resolution to the controversy, as if clever wording could erase the reality of Mixon’s public role alongside a top cabinet official. To compound the confusion, Monorath added that Mixon is part of his “intelligence network.”

This vague statement leaves a host of critical questions unanswered. Is this an official government role? An informal private network? A personal trust position? An information source? Who provides oversight for this position, what official powers come with it, and why was a person in this vague role openly accompanying the minister on an official visit to a police facility?

Across all modern governments, the term “intelligence” is never casual. It relates directly to information gathering, national security, risk assessment, and confidentiality — core functions of state that demand clear protocols, strict oversight, and no room for ad-hoc political improvisation. When a cabinet minister treats this area lightly, it creates dangerous uncertainty about where the line between formal state authority and private political networks is drawn.

Without issuing a public condemnation of Mixon as an individual, it is impossible to ignore that he is widely known as a controversial figure in Suriname. While legal status — whether convicted or acquitted of past charges — matters, good governance demands more than just adherence to the letter of the law. It requires political wisdom, moral judgment, and an acute awareness of public trust and institutional reputation. For a Minister of Justice and Police, the question of what signal an appointment sends to the public is non-negotiable.

When a minister responsible for law enforcement openly appears alongside a controversial entrepreneur with an undefined official status, it fuels public doubt. That doubt spreads beyond ordinary citizens to police officers, international diplomatic partners, and foreign investors. No one argues that ministers should cut themselves off from informal contacts outside formal government structures; governance naturally draws insight from all layers of society. But those relationships should be managed discreetly, carefully, and with full awareness of associated risks, not paraded openly on official stages as if there is nothing out of the ordinary about the arrangement.

The argument that Mixon does not draw a government salary is also no reassurance. Influence does not always come with a formal paycheck. Proximity to political power is often far more valuable than a regular wage. Access to top officials, informal status, expanded personal networks, and future political favors can deliver far more influence than a formal employment contract.

Beyond the immediate controversy, this incident exposes a deeper pattern in Suriname’s governance culture: the normalization of informal advisors, personal confidants, and associates of top political leaders who operate entirely outside formal regulatory and oversight structures. No one knows exactly what these figures do, but their presence is an open secret across the political system.

Suriname is a small, vulnerable nation that faces intense international scrutiny over its management of border control, anti-money laundering efforts, drug trafficking, counter-terrorism financing, and institutional resilience. Any hint of unclear informal power structures weakens the country’s standing on these critical global issues.

Parliament also deserves criticism for its handling of the controversy. While both coalition and opposition lawmakers raised legitimate questions, the body ultimately accepted Monorath’s semantic dodge about Mixon’s formal legal status. When the country’s highest oversight body settles for wordplay instead of accountability, it robs itself of its purpose and becomes nothing more than a toothless tiger.

It is fair to question whether the current government understands how fragile public and international trust in Suriname’s institutions really is. In an era of transnational organized crime and costly reputational damage, Suriname cannot afford to allow shadowy power centers to exist alongside formal state authority. Monorath had a clear opportunity to bring clarity to the situation, and instead he delivered confusion — the oldest and most reliable ally of public distrust.

1 5 月, 2026