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  • Cabinet Issues Warning Over Illegal Development and Land Sales in Barbuda

    Cabinet Issues Warning Over Illegal Development and Land Sales in Barbuda

    In a recent post-Cabinet media briefing, Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant has publicly issued a stern official warning from the Antigua and Barbuda Cabinet: any unapproved land sales, leases, and development projects across the island of Barbuda will not receive government recognition, and violators could face strict enforcement action, including the full demolition of illegally constructed structures.

    The announcement followed in-depth Cabinet discussions centered on two key land governance topics: the ongoing development of the long-awaited Barbuda Land Registry, and the national government’s preparations for the formal sale of Crown land on the island. During the meeting, Attorney General and Minister for Legal Affairs Sir Steadroy Benjamin presented a progress update on bringing the new land registry into full operation, a initiative the government has framed as a foundational step to establish a clear, binding legal framework for all land registration processes and property transactions across Barbuda.

    Cabinet members confirmed they were satisfied with the progress achieved so far, and publicly reaffirmed the government’s long-held position on institutional land authority on the island. The Cabinet made clear that under national law, the Barbuda Council does not hold the legal power to sell, lease, or otherwise transfer ownership of any land on the island. Any attempt by the Council to carry out these types of land transactions will be deemed legally void, and will never be recognized or upheld by the national government, the statement stressed.

    This position is consistent with the government’s longstanding stance on Barbuda’s land administration, as it works to roll out a formal, centralized land registration system for the island. Merchant confirmed that work is still ongoing to put in place all the required legal and administrative infrastructure to support consistent land registration and regulated transactions. Government officials anticipate that once fully operational, the registry will deliver much greater legal certainty for existing landowners, prospective investors, and developers by creating an official, verifiable system for recording and confirming all legal land interests.

    Beyond addressing unauthorized transactions, the Cabinet used the briefing to flag growing concerns over unapproved development activity. Ministers reiterated that every land transaction and construction project must comply fully with the national laws of Antigua and Barbuda, and any structures built without securing all necessary legal approvals will be subject to formal enforcement. Merchant noted that the discussion included specific references to ongoing development projects that have proceeded without the required permits, and emphasized that the government is fully prepared to take punitive action where violations are confirmed. Available enforcement actions include the demolition and complete removal of any unauthorized structures built in violation of national planning and development regulations.

    The official warning comes as the national government moves to strengthen oversight of land management across Barbuda, through both the creation of the centralized land registry and the rollout of what officials describe as a far more transparent and secure system for overseeing all land transactions. The Cabinet regards the new registry as a critical pillar of broader efforts to boost transparency in land governance, protect formal property rights, and ensure that all land-related activities are conducted strictly within the bounds of national law.

    Merchant added that the national government remains fully committed to fostering orderly, sustainable development across Barbuda, while ensuring that all land ownership transfers, transactions, and large-scale development projects adhere to established legal procedures. Thursday’s discussions form part of the Cabinet’s ongoing regular review of land management challenges in Barbuda, and the broader government initiative to build institutional systems that will deliver greater legal certainty for residents, developers, and investors alike.

  • Spain to Assist Antigua and Barbuda’s Push to Make Spanish Second Language

    Spain to Assist Antigua and Barbuda’s Push to Make Spanish Second Language

    A new collaborative partnership in language education and cultural exchange is taking shape between the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda and the European Kingdom of Spain, as the Caribbean government advances its ambitious plan to position Spanish as the country’s official second language.

    During a post-Cabinet press briefing held this Thursday, Maurice Merchant, Antigua and Barbuda’s Director General of Communications, shared key updates with reporters on the progress of the initiative. He confirmed that the national Cabinet has received a formal briefing on recent high-level talks between Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Spain’s ambassador accredited to Jamaica, which centered on expanding bilateral cooperation in language teaching and cross-cultural engagement.

    Per Merchant’s statement, Spanish authorities have already conveyed their clear readiness to support Antigua and Barbuda’s ambitious project through a comprehensive package of support. This support includes the deployment of specialized Spanish lecturers, development and provision of custom teaching materials, implementation of ongoing professional teacher-training programs, and access to cutting-edge educational software and other digital learning tools. All resources are targeted at raising the overall quality and accessibility of Spanish instruction across all levels of education in the country.

    Merchant added that the discussions also addressed targeted, sector-specific language training designed for frontline workers across key industries that drive Antigua and Barbuda’s economy. This includes training for employees in tourism, hospitality, airport and seaport operations, national security, and customs services — sectors that interact regularly with Spanish-speaking visitors and trading partners.

    Another key proposal put forward during the talks that received Cabinet attention is the plan to establish a permanent Spanish Language and Cultural Institute on the islands. This dedicated facility will function as a regional hub for immersive language learning, cross-cultural events, and sustained educational collaboration between the two governments.

    In a notable aside, Merchant highlighted that a number of Antigua and Barbuda’s senior government leaders already hold advanced fluency in Spanish. This group includes Foreign Affairs Minister E.P. Chet Greene, Cabinet Secretary Maria Browne, and Sports Minister Dwayne George, demonstrating the existing foundation of Spanish language capacity within the national administration.

    The Antigua and Barbuda government frames the push for broader Spanish proficiency as a strategic investment that will deliver long-term economic and diplomatic benefits. Officials argue that wider Spanish competency will boost the country’s competitive edge in the key tourism sector, expand cross-border commercial opportunities, strengthen its diplomatic engagement across Latin America and the Caribbean, and advance regional integration efforts across the Caribbean bloc.

    Cabinet has formally welcomed the progress of the talks with Spain and expressed unanimous support for continuing diplomatic and practical engagement with Spain and other interested international partners as the language initiative moves from planning to implementation.

  • Saint Lucia showcases labour reforms at ILO meeting

    Saint Lucia showcases labour reforms at ILO meeting

    Against the backdrop of this month’s International Labour Conference (ILC) hosted in Geneva, the Caribbean island nation of Saint Lucia has taken the global stage to outline its sweeping advancements across three core labour-focused priorities: workers’ rights protections, expanded social safety nets, and meaningful gender parity in the workforce, according to an official statement released by the country’s government.

    Leading the presentation for Saint Lucia, Minister for Labour and Social Justice Emma Hippolyte addressed a cross-sectional gathering of delegates from 187 member states of the International Labour Organization (ILO), bringing together representatives from national governments, employer associations, and labour unions. In her address, she detailed the sustained policy push Saint Lucia has pursued in recent years to cultivate a more equitable and inclusive national labour market that leaves no demographic group behind.

    A central pillar of Hippolyte’s address centered on the urgent need to embed gender equality into every layer of working life, with a particular focus on elevating the undervalued care economy. She emphasized that unpaid and underpaid care work forms an invisible backbone of national economic and social development, yet this critical sector has been systematically sidelined for decades, with women bearing the overwhelming majority of this unrecognized burden.

    “Addressing this longstanding oversight is a fundamental act of social justice,” Hippolyte told delegates, as she issued a call for more robust, coordinated international policy frameworks that can back national efforts to advance gender equality and inclusive participation across all sectors of the global workforce.

    Beyond its commitments to gender parity, the minister also outlined a series of tangible policy wins that Saint Lucia has delivered to improve working conditions and social welfare for all residents. Key achievements include the implementation of a binding national minimum wage, the conversion of nearly 1,900 precarious public sector contract positions into permanent, fully benefited roles, the expansion of public assistance programs to reach more low-income households, and ongoing progress toward rolling out universal healthcare coverage. She added that Saint Lucia has now completed ratification of all core ILO conventions, cementing its alignment with global labour standards.

    Most recently, Hippolyte noted, the country ratified ILO Convention 144, which governs tripartite consultation among governments, employers, and workers, and established its first-ever National Tripartite Advisory Committee to formalize this collaborative governance structure. She framed inclusive social dialogue as a foundational tool for building economic stability, boosting national resilience to external shocks, and driving long-term sustainable development that benefits all segments of society.

    Hippolyte also highlighted targeted policy reforms designed to break down systemic barriers that have historically excluded women and other vulnerable groups from full participation in public life and the economy. Among these measures is the elimination of Value Added Tax on sanitary napkins, paired with government support for schools to distribute free menstrual hygiene products to female students, a policy that ensures no young woman has to miss class due to lack of access to essential supplies, protecting their right to uninterrupted education.

  • NIS under pressure, but ‘financially stable for a while’

    NIS under pressure, but ‘financially stable for a while’

    The chair of the National Insurance Services (NIS) board of directors in St. Vincent, Stephen Joachim, has publicly addressed the state of the country’s state-run social security system amid mounting demographic and economic headwinds, confirming that while the agency faces significant pressure, it remains financially secure for the foreseeable future.

    Joachim made the comments during an interview with local outlet Boom FM, coinciding with the upcoming leadership transition: incoming executive director Ronette Lewis will officially take over the role on July 1, stepping into the role at a moment when both the NIS and the wider government are grappling with fiscal strain, with the country carrying a heavy national debt.

    The most recent independent actuarial assessment of NIS’s long-term solvency, completed three years ago, projected that the system would remain fully funded through 2060 based on demographic and economic assumptions in place at the time. A new updated actuarial review is currently in its final stages of completion, Joachim confirmed. That 2021 projection was built around detailed calculations of future contribution inflows, scheduled benefit outflows and other core operational factors to reach the 2060 solvency estimate.

    However, Joachim issued a stark warning that unforeseen shifts in national fertility rates, combined with potential inaccuracies in earlier demographic data, could drastically alter that long-term outlook. When the previous assessment was conducted, modelers estimated St. Vincent’s fertility rate stood at roughly two children per woman. A few months back, officials revised that estimate down to 1.8, but the latest official government data puts the actual fertility rate much closer to 1.5. That downward shift carries massive implications for the long-term funding of the social security system, Joachim explained, as a smaller working-age population will be called on to support pension benefits for a growing cohort of retirees going forward.

    At its core, Joachim’s message emphasized that the NIS does not have an infinite pool of funds to draw from, and every policy decision regarding benefit levels and retirement age represents a delicate intergenerational balancing act between meeting the needs of current beneficiaries and preserving solvency for future generations. “Everybody wants lots of benefits,” he noted. “We could double your pension next week… but what happens to your grandchild? There’ll be no money there for your grandchild. You really want us to do that?”

    Joachim explained that policy trade-offs for the NIS are not simple questions of factual right or wrong, but require deliberate judgment to strike an acceptable balance between how much the system can pay out to current contributors and retirees, and how much reserves must be set aside to meet future obligations.

    Joachim also pushed back against public criticism of Lewis’s appointment, with many observers arguing that the role should be filled by a trained actuary, following the departure of former executive director Stewart Haynes, an actuary who led the NIS for nine years before resigning earlier this year to accept a new position in St. Kitts. Joachim rejected the idea that an actuarial background is a prerequisite for the top role, noting that what the NIS needs most is an experienced manager, not a technical specialist. “Why do you need an actuary? People just say it because Stuart was an actuary,” he said. “If anybody doubts me, speak to Stuart Haynes. He will tell you: ‘Steve, I do not use my actuarial skills to manage the NIS. This is about managing.’”

    In a pointed rebuke to critics of both the appointment and the board’s overall approach to the NIS, Joachim urged opponents to set aside empty sloganeering and engage with the actual mechanics of how the social security system operates. “At least be logical and sensible,” he said. “Tell me why you need to have an actuary. Tell me, do you understand the NIS and how it works? Do you understand what really happens in the NIS? I don’t think most people have a clue, so they automatically assume, because Stuart is an actuary, we have to have an actuary too.”

    While Joachim acknowledged that members of the public are fully entitled to hold differing opinions on NIS governance, he made clear that under his leadership, the board will stand by all decisions it has made after a thorough selection and review process, on the grounds that these choices serve the long-term best interests of all NIS contributors. “We had people who disagreed with us. I don’t have a problem with people disagreeing,” he said. “But you can’t say we didn’t do a thorough process.”

  • Gonsalves willing to join legal team to challenge dismissals

    Gonsalves willing to join legal team to challenge dismissals

    A brewing political and legal conflict has emerged in the country after opposition leader Ralph Gonsalves publicly accused the ruling New Democratic Party (NDP) government of illegally terminating 28 workers employed through the national Youth Employment Service (YES Programme). Gonsalves, a trained lawyer who has led the opposition, made the allegations during his regular weekly segment on Star Radio this Wednesday, outlining multiple violations of national law and constitutional protections in the mass dismissal.

    At the core of Gonsalves’ argument is a direct breach of Section 13 of the national Constitution, which explicitly prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, gender, place of origin, religious creed, and political opinion. According to Gonsalves, every single one of the 28 terminated workers was replaced by a known public supporter of the ruling NDP, a pattern that leaves no question of politically motivated discrimination. “You cannot discriminate against somebody on political grounds with respect to their job. You can’t do that,” Gonsalves emphasized during the broadcast.

    The opposition leader detailed that the 28 dismissed employees, most of whom served as community mobilizers and program coordinators, held formal letters of appointment confirming their roles. Despite this valid employment status, no performance assessments were conducted before their positions were eliminated. Worse still, Gonsalves reported that workers received no formal written termination notice as required by national labor regulation: some were informed of their firing via casual phone calls, while others were told in person by mid-level public administration staff.

    Gonsalves clarified that he does not hold the low-level staff who delivered the termination notices personally responsible for the decision, but says these messengers will be required to testify in court about who issued their instructions. He says the evidence already points directly to senior political leadership, most likely a sitting government minister or other high-ranking member of the ruling political directorate – the source of the discriminatory decision that underpins the unlawful firing.

    As of the broadcast, the dismissals took place back in April, and many of the affected workers have yet to receive the pay and severance they are legally owed. Under national labor regulations, Gonsalves explained, terminated workers are owed all outstanding pay for their final month of employment, a minimum of one month’s salary in lieu of formal notice, any earned compassionate gratuity, and compensation for unused accrued holiday time. Gonsalves also noted that the national Protection of Employment Act allows for wrongfully terminated workers to petition for reinstatement to their former roles, though he acknowledged the current government is unlikely to agree to such a resolution voluntarily.

    To date, neither the Public Service Union – the primary trade union representing the country’s public sector workers – nor the national Christian Council have released any public statement addressing the mass termination. In response to this lack of institutional action, Gonsalves announced that a full legal team has already been assembled to provide pro bono representation for all 28 affected workers. He confirmed he will personally lead the legal team if the group moves forward with a formal constitutional challenge to the dismissals.

    “The evidence is clear and a case will be made,” Gonsalves said, adding of the judicial process: “I know the wheels of justice grind slowly, but it grinds finely.” He called on the government to immediately remedy the unlawful action by providing all owed compensation to the fired workers, and has publicly pressed for accountability for the politically motivated discrimination he says violates the nation’s founding constitutional principles.

  • Minister Andrews tours major infrastructure projects across Carriacou

    Minister Andrews tours major infrastructure projects across Carriacou

    Grenada’s Minister for Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs and Local Government, Hon. Tevin Andrews, has recently wrapped up a thorough on-site assessment of multiple large-scale infrastructure developments across Carriacou, verifying that key projects spanning aviation, maritime transport, and road connectivity are on track to meet their completion timelines. The inspection tour comes in the wake of widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Beryl, and serves as a clear demonstration of the national government’s determined pledge to “build back better” — upgrading regional connectivity, strengthening socio-economic opportunity, and delivering infrastructure built to withstand future climate shocks.

    Among the most transformative projects underway is the Lauriston Airport Expansion and Night Landing Project. The initiative, which will eventually be renamed the Herbert Blaize Airport upon completion, is moving into its final construction phases. Terminal expansions, redesigned passenger check-in areas, and upgraded public seating are nearly finished, while installation of the long-awaited airfield lighting system for night landings continues to progress on schedule. The full project is set to wrap up and enter official operation in late August 2026.

    Work is also advancing steadily on the Windward Jetty Redevelopment, a climate-resilient overhaul of the critical maritime facility. After specialized heavy construction equipment was deployed to the site, building work on the redesigned structure has moved forward without major delays. Once completed between late July and early August 2026, the new jetty will restore and streamline local trade, commercial fishing operations, and passenger transit connections between Carriacou and neighboring Petite Martinique.

    Multiple road improvement projects are also actively underway across the island to address long-standing mobility challenges. On Bogles Road, crews are currently installing extensive new concrete pavement and upgraded structural drainage systems, upgrades that will cut down on commuting times, improve safety for school bus routes, and open up more reliable access for local agricultural producers. Two critical connecting corridors — the Mt Pleasant–Point Road link and the Beausejour–Cart Road link — are also undergoing full structural overhauls. Decades-old degraded roadways are being replaced with durable concrete pavements engineered to withstand the extreme weather patterns that increasingly impact the region, delivering long-lasting infrastructure for local residents.

    Minister Andrews praised the engineering teams and local contractors leading the work for their consistent professionalism and fast, efficient execution throughout the assessment. He noted that the simultaneous delivery of these transformative projects represents a historic, unprecedented investment in the future of the people of Carriacou. While acknowledging that temporary construction disruptions may inconvenience local residents, and asking the public for continued patience during this period of development, Andrews emphasized that these upgrades will deliver widespread long-term benefits: new local job opportunities, a major boost to the island’s critical tourism sector, and a durable foundational infrastructure that will support broad-based economic prosperity for years to come.

  • Senator calls for clarity on cost of drugs overhaul

    Senator calls for clarity on cost of drugs overhaul

    During Wednesday’s senate debate on the landmark Barbados Medical Products Bill, independent Senator Andrew Niles has publicly thrown his support behind long-overdue plans to modernize the Caribbean nation’s outdated pharmaceutical regulatory framework, while pressing the government to deliver full transparency around the overhaul’s public cost and long-term financial commitments.

    The core proposal at the center of the debate is the creation of the Barbados Medical Products Authority (BMPA), an autonomous governing body designed to take full oversight of the production, safety, and distribution of all medicines, medical devices, and health products sold and used across the island. Beyond regulatory modernization, the new authority is also a key pillar of Barbados’ national strategy to grow its domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity and build an export-focused industry that can diversify the country’s economy.

    In his remarks on the floor, Niles was quick to praise the policy direction of the bill, calling the proposed institutional upgrade a critical and positive step forward for Barbados’ health sector. “The bill is absolutely fantastic. I can’t fault it,” he stated, emphasizing that the modernization of the country’s pharmaceutical system fills a long-standing gap in national health governance. However, he stressed that major questions remain unanswered, particularly around the full financial scope of the initiative.

    Niles argued that the sweeping transformation of Barbados’ pharmaceutical sector will require substantial upfront capital investment from the public purse, and that Barbadian citizens have a right to clear, detailed documentation of the commitments their government is making. He called for the release of full financial projections, including profit and loss forecasts, balance sheets, and cash flow analyses for the entire transformation project, to allow for public and legislative scrutiny.

    The senator rooted his call for transparency in ongoing, well-documented challenges facing the existing Barbados Drug Service, the public body that currently manages pharmaceutical access for the island’s population. For years, patients relying on the public health system have faced widespread drug shortages, forcing many to pay out of pocket for private alternatives or switch to less suitable substitute brands when their required medications are unavailable. Niles argued that these existing systemic strains make it even more critical to understand how the new BMPA framework will be funded and sustained long-term, to avoid repeating the shortcomings of the current system.

    Beyond domestic financing, Niles also warned that Barbados must prepare for fierce global competition if it moves forward with plans to develop an export-oriented pharmaceutical manufacturing sector. Major established players in North America, Europe, India, and across Africa dominate the global pharmaceutical market, with decades of infrastructure, brand recognition, and economies of scale that new entrants cannot easily match. “As you get into manufacturing of pharmaceutical drugs or pharmaceutical products for export, you’re going to come up against the weight of all weight in this world,” he noted. He added that while the project is likely within Barbados’ capacity, open discussion of its full costs and competitive challenges is a necessary step to move the initiative forward successfully.

    The debate over the Barbados Medical Products Bill comes as the island nation works to upgrade its health infrastructure and expand its economic footprint in the high-value global life sciences sector, with legislative progress on the bill marking a key milestone in that effort.

  • Tancoo: Higher fines; no new taxes

    Tancoo: Higher fines; no new taxes

    In a landmark parliamentary vote that underscored deep political divides between the ruling administration and the main opposition bloc, Trinidad and Tobago’s Finance Bill 2026 has been passed into law after Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo firmly rejected opposition claims that the legislation would introduce new personal tax burdens for ordinary citizens. The final vote count delivered a lopsided result: 28 lawmakers supported the bill, no legislators voted against it, and all 13 opposition members from the People’s National Movement (PNM) chose to abstain from the final tally.

    During floor debate on the bill, Tancoo launched a sharp rebuke of the PNM Opposition, accusing the party of spreading deliberate misinformation to the public by claiming the 31-clause legislative package would bring new taxes for individual taxpayers. He dismissed these claims entirely, emphasizing that the bill is not a tax-raising measure but a comprehensive set of fiscal reforms designed to improve regulatory compliance, unlock private sector investment, and deliver on key campaign commitments made by the current UNC administration.

    While the bill includes no new personal income taxes, Tancoo confirmed that it does raise existing fines for tax and regulatory offenders to strengthen enforcement of fiscal laws. The only new fiscal structure introduced by the bill targets private companies operating drilling projects in marginal marine gas fields, requiring these firms to remit a set share of their production revenues to the national government. Beyond this energy-focused provision, Tancoo outlined that the legislation centers on four core priorities: delivering tangible tax relief for pensioners, expanding retirement benefits for frontline public safety officers, incentivizing charitable giving to national social causes, and boosting enforcement of existing tax regulations.

    Turning to the benefits for public safety workers, Tancoo explained that the bill addresses decades of unaddressed grievances from officers in the Police Service, Prison Service, and Fire Service. Many officers have long complained that they served in higher-ranking positions for extended periods leading up to their mandatory retirement, but never received the enhanced pension and retirement benefits tied to those roles. The new legislation fixes this gap: any officer who served continuously in an acting higher position for between one and three years before retirement will now have their pensions, gratuities, and other retirement allowances calculated as if they were formally appointed to that higher rank permanently.

    One of the most significant personal tax concessions included in the bill comes via an amendment to the Income Tax Act, contained in Clause 21(a). Starting January 1, 2026, all income earned from approved deferred annuity plans and approved pension fund plans will be fully exempt from income tax. To qualify for the exemption, deferred annuity policies must be purchased by a legal resident of Trinidad and Tobago and mature when the holder is between 50 and 70 years of age, and the exemption applies equally to all qualifying plans approved before, on, or after the January 1, 2026 implementation date.

    To encourage greater charitable giving to national public interest initiatives, the bill amends three core pieces of legislation: the Exchequer and Audit Act, the Income Tax Act, and the Corporation Tax Act. Under the new rules, both individual taxpayers and registered companies that make contributions to government-established national-purpose funds will qualify for generous tax deductions. For individuals, the maximum deduction is capped at the lower of 20% of total annual income or TT$20,000, while for companies the cap is set at the lower of 15% of chargeable annual profits or TT$100,000. Tancoo specifically noted that these new incentives will directly support high-priority initiatives such as the national Women’s Health Fund, which works to address period poverty among women and girls across the country.

    In a key move to stimulate new investment in the country’s critical energy sector, the bill creates an official classification for “marginal marine gas fields” — defined as offshore shallow water gas reserves that have no more than 300 billion cubic feet of recoverable contingent resources, carry an internal rate of return below 15%, are scheduled to begin production after January 1, 2026, and receive formal certification from the Minister of Energy. To encourage development of these smaller, previously undeveloped reserves, the legislation sets a moderate 8% royalty on net natural gas produced from qualifying fields, and offers investors a 130% capital allowance on all qualifying project expenditure, which can be claimed in 20% annual installments over a five-year period. Tancoo used the opportunity to criticize the former PNM administration, calling its energy negotiators “amateurs” who wasted millions in public funds on international travel and entertainment while failing to secure major investment deals. He countered that under the current UNC government, Trinidad and Tobago has attracted significant new investment from global energy giants including ExxonMobil, BP, Shell, and Perenco.

    The bill also brings long-sought reforms to the controversial Landlord Business Surcharge introduced by the current administration, replacing what Tancoo called the former PNM’s “imaginary” property tax system based on hypothetical rental income. The new legislation clarifies that the one-time TT$2,500 registration fee for the surcharge is applied per landlord, not per individual rental property, meaning landlords with multiple properties will only pay a single fee. Additionally, any amount a landlord pays in Landlord Business Surcharge can now be fully credited against their annual personal income tax liability, reducing overall tax burdens for small property owners.

    Following targeted consultations with domestic gaming operators, the government also made significant adjustments to the new gaming taxes rolled out in the 2026 national budget. The annual tax on non-roulette amusement games has been cut in half, from TT$25,000 to TT$12,500, while annual taxes on electronic roulette devices have been reduced from TT$200,000 to TT$120,000, bringing the rate in line with existing taxes on casino operations. To ease cash flow pressures for operators, the government has also scrapped the requirement to pay the full annual tax bill upfront, replacing it with equal quarterly installment payments. Any excess tax already paid by operators between April 1 and June 30, 2026, will be fully refunded. Finally, the bill raises the maximum number of amusement games permitted on certain licensed premises from 20 to 33, while imposing strict penalties — including a TT$25,000 fine, up to one year of imprisonment, and possible license revocation — for operators that exceed the legal limit.

  • St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force introduces digital combat uniforms

    St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force introduces digital combat uniforms

    BASSETERRE, Saint Kitts – In a key step forward for the ongoing modernization of the Federation’s national military, the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF) formally introduced its new line of digital combat uniforms for all infantry, Coast Guard, and reserve units this week. The official launch, held June 10, 2026, was paired with a public route march that doubled as a commemoration of the 59th anniversary of the 1967 defense of Camp Springfield, a defining moment in the nation’s military history.

    Acting SKNDF Commander Major Kayode Sutton framed the introduction of the digitally-patterned uniforms as a substantial milestone in the force’s ongoing evolution. In comments delivered ahead of the march, Major Sutton emphasized that the new uniforms followed full legislative review and formal approval from the country’s policymakers, marking a transparent, institutional progression for the military.

    “It’s a very important day for us,” Major Sutton said. “We remain unwavering in our commitment to the defense of Saint Kitts and Nevis, and we will continue collaborating closely with our regional and domestic security partners to guarantee the Federation stays safe and secure for all citizens.”

    Led by Major Sutton, the formation of unarmed uniformed personnel departed from the historically significant Warner Park at the start of the march, navigating through downtown Basseterre along Victoria Road, Cayon Street, and Church Street before pausing at Government Headquarters. There, Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew, who also serves as the Federation’s Minister of National Security, delivered brief commemorative remarks and conducted a formal inspection of the marching troops.

    Following the stop at Government Headquarters, the contingent continued along Liverpool Row, Fort Street, and Central Street before progressing along Burdon Street, returning to Cayon Street, and moving up Springfield Road to their final destination at Camp Springfield, the site of the 1967 defensive action honored during the event.

    Looking ahead, Major Sutton confirmed that the rollout of the new uniforms is just one component of a broader, sustained modernization agenda for the SKNDF. Advanced, ongoing training for all personnel will remain a core priority of the force’s upgrade efforts as it adapts to evolving national security needs in the region.

  • Prime Minister Drew: Climate Change Demands Urgent Action as Federation Faces Severe Drought

    Prime Minister Drew: Climate Change Demands Urgent Action as Federation Faces Severe Drought

    BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – June 11, 2026 – As the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis grapples with one of the most intense drought events recorded in recent decades, Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew, who also oversees the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), has sounded a clear call for immediate, decisive action to address climate change, warning that the crisis is no longer a hypothetical future risk but an immediate threat reshaping daily life for all citizens and residents across the island nation.

    Speaking before the National Assembly on Thursday, Drew framed the ongoing dry spell as a critical national challenge fueled by overlapping climate drivers: the cyclical weather pattern of El Niño, compounded by the long-term impacts of human-caused global climate change. He detailed how steadily climbing regional temperatures, shifted seasonal rainfall patterns, and growing volatility in extreme weather events have combined to put unprecedented strain on the Federation’s already limited freshwater supplies.

    According to Drew, the current crisis underscores the foresight of the St. Kitts and Nevis government’s flagship Sustainable Island State Agenda (SISA), a strategic framework designed from its launch to proactively tackle emerging climate hazards and build long-term national adaptive capacity. For small island developing states (SIDS) like St. Kitts and Nevis, which face disproportionate climate risk despite contributing very little to global emissions, these shifting conditions are not abstract statistics, he emphasized.

    “Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and increasingly unpredictable weather events are realities that small island developing states, such as ours, must now confront with urgency and determination,” Drew told legislative representatives.

    The Prime Minister openly acknowledged the widespread hardship the drought has imposed on local households, small businesses, and community groups across the Federation, moving to reassure the public that the national government is fully mobilized to respond to the emergency. “We understand the frustration and inconvenience that families, businesses, and communities are facing. This government does not minimize those concerns – these are serious issues, and we are responding to them with seriousness and resolve,” he said.

    Drew recalled that climate resilience has been a core policy priority for his administration since it took office in August 2022. Immediately upon assuming power, the government prioritized targeted investments to shore up national water security, after reviewing long-term climate forecasts that warned of growing drought risk and potential freshwater shortages across the islands. “We were only elected in 2022 and right away we got to work, Madam Speaker, because when we went into office, we picked up what was on the desk: a forecast that showed St. Kitts and Nevis would experience significant drought and water shortages. That is why we invested so much from day one,” he explained.

    To date, the government’s proactive interventions include expanded groundwater drilling programs, the construction of a large-scale new desalination plant, comprehensive upgrades to aging water distribution networks, and the installation of upgraded pipelines and pumping infrastructure to boost water output and improve service reliability across St. Kitts.

    Drew stressed that the nation’s approach to climate adaptation must be rooted in long-term strategic planning, intentional resilience-building, and sustained investment. “Our objective remains clear: to build a modern, resilient, and sustainable water system capable of delivering reliable access to water for every citizen and resident of Saint Kitts and Nevis,” he said.

    The national government has maintained close collaborative partnerships with regional and international stakeholders to advance these critical water security goals, including the Republic of China (Taiwan), whose financial and technical support has accelerated progress on key infrastructure projects.

    As climate change continues to exacerbate extreme weather and water scarcity risks for small island developing states across the Caribbean region, the government of St. Kitts and Nevis reaffirmed its commitment to rolling out practical, community-centered solutions that strengthen national resilience, protect vulnerable populations, and safeguard critical natural resources for future generations.