Carib Scope

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  • Pastor Ivor Davis Says Prayer Must Be Backed by Action to Tackle Crime in Antigua and Barbuda

    Pastor Ivor Davis Says Prayer Must Be Backed by Action to Tackle Crime in Antigua and Barbuda

    At the weekly Cabinet meeting held this Wednesday, Pastor Ivor Davis opened proceedings with a spiritual meditation that blended religious guidance with a urgent call to address pressing national challenges facing the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda.

    Drawing his core message from the New Testament book of Hebrews Chapter 4, Davis framed the work of governing around the importance of intentional listening amid a chaotic, noisy modern world. He reminded assembled Cabinet members that countless competing ideological, cultural and political voices constantly vie for the attention of leaders, making it critical to remain rooted in divine truth. The power of scripture, he explained, cuts through superficial divides to reveal hidden truth, correct missteps, and orient leaders toward just decision-making. Echoing the biblical text, he noted that believers have access to a higher source of understanding that grasps the full weight of human vulnerability and daily struggles, granting leaders permission to approach that source boldly to receive mercy, wisdom and timely support during crises.

    Turning from general spiritual guidance to the specific challenges confronting Antigua and Barbuda, Davis zeroed in on one of the nation’s most troubling crises: the growing involvement of young people in gun violence and other severe criminal activity. He acknowledged the deep concern that Prime Minister Gaston Browne has already voiced over the trend of teenagers and young adults being drawn into illegal activity, and reflected on the complex, unanswered questions about the systemic and social factors pushing youth toward harm.

    A key takeaway from Davis’ address was his rejection of the false divide between prayer and practical action. While he emphasized the critical role of faith and intercession in guiding national leadership, he stressed that prayer alone is not enough to resolve the nation’s challenges. “There are moments when God calls His people not only to pray but also to act decisively in confronting the problems before them,” he told the Cabinet. He further noted that bold governance will never satisfy every segment of the population, but expressed confidence that with wise counsel and divine guidance, leaders can craft policies that prioritize the long-term well-being of all Antigua and Barbuda residents.

    In his closing prayer, Davis asked for divine wisdom to guide every deliberation and decision the body would make in the coming term. Citing the biblical promise that God freely grants wisdom to all who ask, he prayed that the Prime Minister and every Cabinet member would align their decisions with what he described as God’s purpose for the nation. He offered a special, extended prayer for the nation as it grapples with ongoing crime and violence, calling not only for divine intervention but also a collective shift in how society engages vulnerable youth. Davis urged parents, adult community members, churches and local leaders to carve out intentional time to listen to the unmet needs of young people and struggling families, noting that many cries for help go unheard simply because society is too busy to pause and pay attention.

    As the country approaches the final quarter of 2026, Davis extended prayers for grace, collective healing and divine presence across every home, church and community in Antigua and Barbuda. He prayed for recovery for people living with illness, safety for travelers, and renewed strength for public servants across all sectors who dedicate their work to the nation. He closed with a special blessing for Prime Minister Gaston Browne, asking for a double portion of guidance, courage and strength to support the Prime Minister as he carries out his duties leading the nation.

  • Schulden staatsbedrijven kunnen financieel risico voor Staat worden

    Schulden staatsbedrijven kunnen financieel risico voor Staat worden

    The government of Suriname is rolling out enhanced oversight of long-term debt held by state-owned enterprises, parastatal entities and public agencies, a proactive policy reform designed to stop unanticipated financial distress at these organizations from creating unplanned burdens on the national public budget. A recent comprehensive screening of 120 state-linked entities identified 20 that currently hold outstanding long-term debt obligations, a figure down from an initial count of 22 after two entities completed early repayment of their liabilities, the government confirmed in official planning documents released earlier this month.

    Under the new framework, the country’s Debt Management Office has been assigned a formal mandate to centralize collection of debt data and issue regular public reports on outstanding liabilities across all state-linked entities. The core goal of this institutional change is to detect hidden budget risks at an earlier stage and implement targeted control measures before small-scale problems escalate into larger fiscal crises.

    The entities with outstanding long-term debt include both financial and non-financial public institutions. Prominent financial institutions on the list are the Central Bank of Suriname, the Suriname Post Office Savings Bank, the Volkskredietbank Foundation, and the National Development Bank of Suriname. Among non-financial state-owned enterprises and agencies with outstanding long-term debt are major public service providers including Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname, the national electricity utility EBS, the water utility SWM, the land management agency SLM, national telecommunications provider Telesur, the Airport Management Authority, mining firm Grassalco, the Paramaribo Academic Hospital, the National Health Insurance Fund, and two additional public agencies MAS and BGVS.

    A key unresolved issue highlighted in the government’s 2027 Annual Financial Plan is the lack of updated debt data from several high-profile state entities, including CEVIHAS, FAI, the Port Authority of Suriname, and Canawaima Management Company. Authorities noted that closing these data gaps will be a priority in the first phase of the expanded monitoring program.

    The 2027 National Debt Plan explicitly lays out the rationale behind the government’s push for greater transparency and oversight. The expansion of monitoring will be rolled out in a phased sequence to build a complete, accurate picture of all potential financial obligations and contingent risks that the public sector could face. The policy focuses specifically on obligations that could transfer to the national government if state-owned enterprises are unable to meet their own payment commitments.

    To implement the new framework effectively, the government plans to secure targeted technical support to develop formal standardized guidelines for ongoing debt monitoring. The end goal is to detect financial risks and unplanned funding needs at an early stage, allowing policymakers to implement corrective interventions before these liabilities create downward pressure on the country’s overall public finances.

  • Dr Keith Mitchell bows out emotionally: “I was not voted out”

    Dr Keith Mitchell bows out emotionally: “I was not voted out”

    Grenada’s legislative branch is set to formally dissolve this Friday, clearing the constitutional path for a national general election that current Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell will announce the date of this coming Sunday. Before the body wraps up its current term, however, lawmakers gathered for an extraordinary sitting Thursday to honor one of the nation’s most consequential political figures: former Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell, who has represented the St. George North-West constituency for an unprecedented 42 years.

    First elected to parliament in 1983 following the collapse of Maurice Bishop’s left-wing People’s Revolutionary Government, Dr. Mitchell will step away from his legislative seat at this election, marking the end of one of the longest tenures in Caribbean political history. In what stands as his final address to the chamber as an elected lawmaker, Dr. Mitchell opened up about the emotional weight of the moment, reflecting on decades of public service that included significant triumphs, unforeseen challenges, and evolving connections with the constituents who kept re-electing him by growing margins.

    “This is expected to be the last time that I will be officially here as a parliamentarian, having served in this House for the last 42 years. I felt obliged to answer. The record should show them, in fact, the sentiments that I had on the final session of that service,” Dr. Mitchell told the chamber. “I’ve served the people of North West St George for 42 years. I am very emotional when I talk over this, Mr Speaker, because there were tough times.” He recounted how his support among voters grew steadily over his career, peaking when he won more than 90% of the constituency’s vote in the 1999 national election. That consistent backing, he emphasized, came from his relationship with local residents, not his hold on political power.

    “When you love people, and you show your relationship and consistency, not just the power and the position title, it means nothing,” he added.

    The address blended personal reflection, a retrospective of Grenada’s modern development, and a quiet defense of his political legacy. Dr. Mitchell made history as the first leader of a political party in the English-speaking Caribbean to win every seat in the national legislature, and he served two stints as prime minister spanning a total of nearly 20 years. During his time in office, he oversaw transformative shifts in the country’s physical infrastructure and economic outlook, progress he detailed for his fellow lawmakers Thursday.

    He highlighted the rapid expansion of electricity access across Grenada, which jumped from roughly 45% national coverage when he first entered office in 1984 to 98% within just five years. He also oversaw the country’s early transition from an outdated crossbar telephone network to digital telecommunications, a shift that put Grenada ahead of many of its Caribbean neighbors. Infrastructure investment, he argued, was never just about construction projects: major public works including the national stadium, the Ministerial Complex, the upgraded cruise ship port, and the new parliament building delivered tangible quality-of-life improvements, especially for rural residents who benefited from widespread road upgrades.

    Dr. Mitchell also did not shy away from discussing the defining crises that shaped his time in office. He pointed to the massive national reconstruction effort after Hurricane Ivan, which caused damages worth more than twice Grenada’s entire annual gross domestic product, the controversial elimination of personal income tax in the 1990s, and the difficult fiscal restructuring he implemented after returning to the prime ministership in 2013. When his administration took office that year, Grenada was grappling with a severe fiscal crisis that pushed public debt to roughly 110% of GDP. His government responded with a debt restructuring program backed by the International Monetary Fund, a painful but necessary step to stabilize the nation’s finances.

    Acknowleging that his decades in office were not without missteps, Dr. Mitchell framed his departure as a voluntary choice, not one forced by electoral defeat or political pressure. “We all accept the fact that we are not perfect persons, and we all make mistakes. Who I am today was not the person I was in 1984,” he said. “I am not being pushed out of politics but was doing so willingly… no one voted me out. I expect the next time around I’ll be in the (public) gallery.”

    Current Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell offered a bipartisan tribute to his predecessor, honoring the decades of sacrifice Dr. Mitchell made for Grenada and acknowledging the critical role he played in restoring parliamentary democracy after the collapse of the PRG regime. “Regardless of where we may differ politically, we must acknowledge and respect the tremendous commitment required to dedicate decades of one’s life to public service,” the current prime minister said. “Dr The Rt. Honourable Keith Mitchell has served the people of St George North-West and Grenada for many years, and his contribution to our nation and the wider region is part of our history. On behalf of the Government and people of Grenada, I thank him for his service and extend best wishes to him.”

    As the country prepares for the upcoming election, Dr. Mitchell’s four-decade legacy stands as a defining chapter of modern Grenadian political history, marking a period of rapid transformation, difficult crisis management, and unprecedented long-term service to the nation’s electorate.

  • Govt promises brighter days

    Govt promises brighter days

    Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has officially confirmed that the national budget for the 2026/2027 fiscal cycle will be laid before Parliament on October 12, marking a key milestone for the United National Congress (UNC) administration that took office last year.

    In a response to questions from local media outlet the Express, Persad-Bissessar outlined that the upcoming budget will offer a full public accounting of the Trinidad and Tobago economy’s progress under her government, alongside a detailed breakdown of the administration’s policy agenda and developmental plans for core national sectors. A subsequent official statement from the Office of the Prime Minister clarified that Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo will deliver the budget address at 1:30 p.m. on the scheduled date inside the country’s Parliament building. Reaffirming a core campaign pledge, the Prime Minister emphasized that her administration remains fully committed to delivering improved economic prospects for all Trinidad and Tobago citizens.

    A central area of progress highlighted by the Prime Minister is the country’s energy sector, which has seen a flurry of major agreements, expanded upstream investment, and strengthened cross-border cooperation with neighboring Venezuela throughout 2026. Securing reliable additional natural gas supplies for the domestic market has been a top policy priority for the government, and several key milestones have already been delivered. In May, the state-owned National Gas Company (NGC) finalized a new gas supply contract with EOG Resources eight months ahead of the original negotiation timeline. Following that deal, NGC secured a binding term sheet for 50% of the total gas volumes from the Coconut development project, which is on track to launch commercial production in the first quarter of 2027. September brought another breakthrough, when NGC and Shell completed commercial agreements to move forward with the Aphrodite gas development, with first production expected in the second quarter of 2027.

    The government has also renegotiated production sharing terms with Perenco for offshore Blocks 2(c) and 3(a), aligned with new gas supply agreements between NGC and Perenco covering those blocks plus the Teak, Samaan and Poui fields. Investment in the country’s untapped ultra-deepwater acreage has also expanded significantly: in June, Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal approved Occidental Petroleum (Oxy) joining ExxonMobil on the TTUD-1 ultra-deepwater block, which was awarded to ExxonMobil in August 2025 and marked the global energy giant’s return to Trinidad and Tobago’s upstream sector after an extended absence.

    Progress is also advancing on the Manakin-Cocuina cross-border gas field, shared by Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. NGC recently signed agreements with bpTT to acquire a 20% participating interest in Block 5(b), which holds the Manakin field on Trinidad and Tobago’s side of the maritime border. This progress has been supported by a marked improvement in bilateral relations between Port of Spain and Caracas. On September 3, the two nations announced a new bilateral cooperation roadmap following high-level talks in Caracas, with energy collaboration identified as a top priority. Relations deepened further when Persad-Bissessar met acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez on September 23 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where the two leaders agreed to strengthen energy cooperation and advance a joint work agenda. This renewed bilateral relationship is critical for Trinidad and Tobago’s efforts to develop shared cross-border resources like Manakin-Cocuina, as well as its long-held goal of accessing gas from Venezuela’s Dragon field. Other major energy sector developments include ongoing progress on Shell’s Manatee project, and bp’s recent acquisition of Woodside’s 70% stake in the Calypso deepwater gas development, which will see bp take over as operator of the project. For 2025, NGC reported an after-tax profit of $3.46 billion, the highest annual after-tax profit the state energy firm has recorded in more than a decade.

    Beyond economic and energy progress, Persad-Bissessar is also pushing forward with social policy reforms to address public safety and harmful youth behavior, and has strongly defended recently passed legislation that raises minimum legal age limits for access to alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and gambling. The Miscellaneous Provisions (Alcohol, Cannabis, Dangerous Drugs, Gambling and Tobacco) Bill, 2026, which passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday, raises the legal age for purchasing, possessing, and consuming alcohol and tobacco from 18 to 21. It also increases the minimum age for cannabis use and possession, as well as gambling, from 18 to 25, and raises the minimum age for membership in most registered clubs from 21 to 25, with an exception for athletic-focused clubs. People under 25 are also barred from entering most licensed gambling premises, with the exception of race tracks, and age verification will be mandatory for all purchases of regulated products and entry to gambling venues. The bill amends seven existing national laws and introduces stiffer fines and prison sentences for violations.

    Persad-Bissessar argued that the new rules are designed to protect young people from addiction, and will ultimately improve their chances of building successful, fulfilling lives. “Some will not and will just set themselves backward. If you think this is restrictive, then you are mistaken. When you fail at life because of addictions and feel that the whole world is closing in on you with nowhere to go, and no idea how to kick the addiction and become depressed or suicidal, then you will know what restrictive is. I did this out of love; some of you may not understand now, but as you get older, you will,” she said. She expressed confidence that most young Trinbagonians will ultimately support the changes.

    The Prime Minister launched sharp criticism at the main opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) for opposing the bill, accusing the party of hypocrisy. She claimed PNM politicians would never allow their own children to access these substances or engage in underage gambling, but actively encourage other people’s children to do so. “Their contributions in Parliament were embarrassing and low-intellect in this debate. None of them would give their children or grandchildren these substances or encourage them to gamble, but out there encouraging other people’s children to participate. They are wicked and hypocritical,” she said. Persad-Bissessar argued that the measures will benefit generations of young Trinbagonians, acknowledging that opposition will persist but framing critics as self-interested parties who stand to lose income or political power from the reform. “As always, some will complain, some will support and some have no clue what what’s going on. The people complaining are those whose business will be affected, those who are politically aligned to the PNM, those who have miserable lives and want our young people to become losers at life like them; and lastly, those who are predators that target our young people,” she added. “The fact is that this legislation, when combined with proper educational programmes on the ill-effects of these substances and gambling, will help protect our young people. Young people who have a good start in life, free from addictions, will always have happier, more successful futures.”

    Persad-Bissessar also rejected opposition claims that the government failed to conduct sufficient public consultation on the age limit reforms, pointing out that the policy was explicitly included in the UNC’s election manifesto ahead of the April 28, 2025 general election. “Consultation occurred on April 28, 2025. I campaigned on everything that I am doing. These age increases were in the UNC manifesto,” she stated. She added that she expects the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) to enforce the new rules effectively, noting that the service already enforces existing age limits for alcohol and will simply adjust to the new higher threshold. The Prime Minister also pushed back against opposition complaints about parliamentary workload, arguing that PNM lawmakers are overpaid for a light schedule and too lazy to fulfill their elected duties. “They are too lazy. Every month Pennelope Beckles receives $52,000, PNM MPs $23,000 and the Presidents and PNM senators $17,000 to go to Parliament six or eight days a month. They also get tax breaks on vehicles and perks. They just came off two-and-a-half months holiday and are now complaining about the workload. There are people working 22 days a month for much less than these people are earning. They need to stop complaining and do their jobs or leave it and let someone else do it,” she said.

  • House passes bill

    House passes bill

    Lawmakers in Trinidad and Tobago have advanced landmark public health and youth protection legislation this week, giving initial approval to the Miscellaneous Provisions (Alcohol, Cannabis, Dangerous Drugs, Gambling and Tobacco) Bill, 2026, following a divided vote in the House of Representatives Wednesday. The final vote tally came out 23 in favor to 10 against, with no abstentions, after a full committee stage debate that saw multiple amendments adopted, with further changes already teed up for upcoming consideration.

    The core of the proposed regulation centers on mandatory national identification checks for age verification when consumers purchase alcohol and tobacco products, enter gambling facilities, and handle regulated cannabis. Attorney General John Jeremie, who sponsored the bill and closed the opening debate, confirmed that two key amendments will be brought forward in the next stages: one to add vaping products to the list of regulated goods requiring age checks, and another to formalize the mandatory ID requirement across all covered categories.

    A defining ideological pillar of the bill is its extension of youth protection beyond the traditional 18-year threshold for legal adulthood. Jeremie argued that legal adulthood at 18 does not automatically grant equal access to all regulated substances and activities, pointing to growing scientific evidence that young people’s biological and psychological development continues through their early 20s, with lasting impacts on decision-making capacity and long-term personal wellness. As such, the bill extends protective safeguards to the “emerging adulthood” demographic spanning ages 18 to 25.

    Research cited by the Attorney General confirms that early exposure to alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, and unregulated gambling significantly increases an individual’s lifetime risk of dependency. The legislative framework aligns with a regional age standard already adopted across the Caribbean Community (Caricom), drawing on successful policy precedents from other nations. For context, Jeremie noted that Singapore has incrementally raised its minimum legal age for regulated substances to 21, while the United States implemented a federal increase in the minimum sales age for tobacco and nicotine products from 18 to 21 back in 2019, and maintains a 21-year minimum drinking age. U.S. rules already require retailers to check photo ID for any buyer under 30 attempting to purchase tobacco products, a model that informed Trinidad and Tobago’s proposed ID requirements.

    Jeremie also referenced guidance from the Caricom Regional Commission on Marijuana, which explicitly warns against cannabis use before age 24 due to proven risks to long-term memory function and learning ability. Citing 2025 projections from the United Nations Population Fund, roughly 285,000 people – 19% of Trinidad and Tobago’s total estimated population of 1.5 million – fall between the ages of 10 and 24. “We cannot, on this side, sit idly by while nearly one-fifth of our nation’s human capital is compromised,” Jeremie said, framing the bill as a formal commitment “that Trinidad and Tobago will act decisively to protect its young people, to strengthen its communities and to uphold the values of responsibility and care that bind us together as a people.”

    The legislation drew sharp criticism of parts of the private sector from government supporters during debate. Defence Minister Wayne Sturge, who announced his support for the bill, accused segments of the local business community of prioritizing short-term profit over the well-being of young Trinidadians and Tobagonians. Sturge claimed that leading business associations “don’t care that they’re destroying young people” and are only focused on expanding their customer base. “They want more customers. That’s what they want,” he said.

    Sturge raised urgent alarms about the widespread public health and social damage of substance abuse among the country’s youth, arguing that regulatory intervention is necessary to protect vulnerable populations. “We have to protect the young people from the Chambers of Commerce because all they’re studying about is their right to make money. That’s all well and good, you know, as long as your poison doesn’t affect me. Or as long as your poison doesn’t affect the taxpayer,” he added.

    The Defence Minister pointed out that substance abuse is linked to a range of preventable chronic illnesses, which create significant financial and social burdens for both affected families and the state. When individuals become too unwell to work due to dependency, he explained, government and family members are forced to cover the resulting costs of care and support. While he acknowledged that some young people may oppose the new restrictions in the short term, Sturge expressed confidence that the policy will win broad appreciation over time. “This bitter medicine is what many young men and women in my constituency so desperately need,” he said, describing the bill as a “manifestation of parental love” and “tough love” for the nation’s youth.

    Wednesday’s debate featured contributions from multiple government ministers, including Minister of Sport Phillip Watts, Social Development Minister Vandana Mohit, Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal, and Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath. Members of the Opposition also took part in debate, led by Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles, alongside sitting MPs Colm Imbert, Hans des Vignes, Dominic Romain, and Keith Scotland. While the bill has cleared its first major hurdle in the House, details of the final mandatory ID requirements remain unresolved, as the agreed-upon amendments leave open the question of whether all buyers or only age-ambiguous buyers will be required to show identification going forward.

  • Drugs and alcohol fuel youth problems

    Drugs and alcohol fuel youth problems

    A sweeping new substance regulation law officially cleared Trinidad and Tobago’s Lower House this Wednesday, after heated parliamentary debate that highlighted a growing public health and safety crisis of underage substance abuse across the nation.

    Minister of the People, Social Development and Family Services Vandana Mohit, who spearheaded the government’s defense of the bill, opened her remarks by revealing startling data on State-managed interventions for at-risk minors. Currently, 130 children are enrolled in support programs for marijuana misuse, 59 receive assistance for problematic alcohol use, and 38 are being supervised for co-occurring abuse of both substances. Of all minors struggling with addiction, 20 are participants in the specialized Children’s Drug Treatment Court program, all falling between the ages of 14 and 17.

    At the core of the Miscellaneous Provisions (Alcohol, Cannabis, Dangerous Drugs, Gambling and Tobacco) Bill, 2026 are key adjustments to legal age limits: the bill raises the minimum legal age for purchasing and consuming alcohol and tobacco from 18 to 21, and pushes the legal age for cannabis use from 18 to 25. Mohit stressed that the legislation also updates the nation’s Children’s Act to strengthen protections for minors, arguing that early exposure to addictive substances creates lifelong harms that anchor cycles of criminality.

    To underscore the urgent need for stricter age limits, Mohit shared firsthand case profiles of minors currently receiving State care for addiction and behavioral issues. One case involved a teen with frequent school suspensions, persistent marijuana use, and persistent aggressive, defiant conduct. Another described an adolescent with diagnosed conduct and cocaine use disorders, who experiences regular violent outbursts. Other cases ranged from teen gang affiliation, threats of violence against family members, and charges of property crime like housebreaking and larceny, all tied to underage substance abuse. She also directly linked last week’s violent riot at the National Care and Empowerment Centre (NCEC), a residential treatment facility for young people, to unaddressed substance addiction among residents, framing the unrest as a clear warning of the cost of delayed intervention.

    The bill faced pushback during debate from Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, a former education minister and current opposition MP for St Ann’s East, who argued the new age restrictions unfairly target young adults rather than protecting children. Mohit rejected this critique, countering that preventing underage access to addictive substances addresses the root of problems that carry into young adulthood and fuel widespread crime across the country.

    Mohit added that the policy has earned backing from key stakeholder groups: segments of the business community, including bar owners, have voiced support, as have psychologists and frontline practitioners working with at-risk youth, including members of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and professional social workers. Business leaders, she noted, welcome policies that cut crime and create a more stable operating environment.

    Beyond substance regulation, the minister defended the current government’s decision to suspend a slate of youth-focused programs inherited from the previous administration, including the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Military-Led Academic Training Programme (MILAT). She claimed the previous administration left the programs in disarray, with documented cases of misconduct and misappropriation of funds. Many of the programs, she argued, functioned as unmonitored dumping grounds for vulnerable youth with no follow-up support or pathways to stable employment after completion, leaving many teens to fall back into harmful behavior. Inspections of legacy youth facilities under the previous government also found unsanitary conditions, she added, with no alternative housing arranged when inadequate facilities were shuttered. The current suspensions, she said, are part of a necessary review to restructure the programs to deliver tangible benefits for young people.

    Under Trinidad and Tobago’s existing framework, children who cannot be controlled by their parents or guardians can be formally designated as Children In Need of Supervision (CHINs) via court order, a classification that can eventually lead to designation as a Child In Conflict with the Law (CCL) if the minor faces criminal charges. The Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobato holds responsibility for overseeing these minors and coordinating intervention and treatment services.

  • Public Works Crews to Work Six Days a Week to Get Roads Ready for Commonwealth Meeting

    Public Works Crews to Work Six Days a Week to Get Roads Ready for Commonwealth Meeting

    As Antigua and Barbuda prepares to welcome global leaders for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) kicking off on November 1, the national government has ramped up its infrastructure upgrade efforts by rolling out an accelerated road repair programme. Public works teams across the twin-island nation will shift to a six-day working week, with mandatory additional overtime, to meet the tight one-month deadline for finishing priority infrastructure projects ahead of the high-profile international gathering.

    Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications, announced the details of the intensified initiative during a public briefing on Thursday, confirming that priority will be given to roadway networks surrounding key meeting venues and along the primary travel routes expected to be used by visiting international delegations. Last Wednesday, a full senior leadership delegation from the Ministry of Works, including Director of Works Collis King, Junior Works Minister Senator Shanella Govia, Permanent Secretary Sandra Joseph, and Deputy Director Telly Cornelius, presented the full scope of required work to the national Cabinet to secure approval for additional resources.

    Following the presentation, Cabinet signed off on requests to immediately source extra construction equipment and stockpile all necessary raw construction materials, clearing the way for work to accelerate across all priority zones. Addressing pre-existing disruptions to road projects that were stalled due to critical material shortages, Merchant noted that the new supply security framework will allow the ministry to restart paused work in affected communities.

    Collis King, Director of Works, confirmed that the adjusted six-day work schedule with extended overtime hours will apply to all field crews to keep the programme on track. The first phase of upgrades is laser-focused on roads close to core meeting venues and the primary visitor routes, per Merchant. Once these high-priority works are completed, the programme will expand island-wide, reaching communities that have long struggled with severe roadway degradation.

    Unlike full-scale roadway reconstruction projects, this accelerated initiative focuses on high-impact, quick-turnaround improvements including resurfacing, milling, edge cutting, and patching to deliver safe, smooth travel routes before the summit. Work has already launched along the Hodges Bay-Sunsail corridor leading to Anchorage, with similar upgrades underway across other priority routes. Active construction is also continuing in the popular English Harbour and Dockyard region.

    In the capital city of St. John’s, drainage upgrades near the Performing Arts Centre are already 80 percent complete. Once drainage work is finalized, crews will immediately move forward with resurfacing works on High Street, one of the capital’s busiest central thoroughfares.

    To back the expanded programme, the national government has allocated an additional EC$20 million to the Ministry of Works. Merchant confirmed that this funding is drawn from an EC$87 million financing package recently negotiated with a consortium of local commercial banks.

    Notably, the government emphasizes that this intensified infrastructure push is not a short-term fix solely for the CHOGM event. Cabinet has outlined long-term plans to retain the newly acquired equipment, roll out enhanced operational planning, provide specialized staff training, and strengthen management frameworks to boost the Ministry of Works’ ongoing capacity to deliver road projects across the country for years to come.

  • ABDF Calls All Reservists to Important Briefing

    ABDF Calls All Reservists to Important Briefing

    As Antigua and Barbuda ramps up comprehensive preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), the island nation’s defense branch has issued a mandatory call for all current and aspiring reserve personnel to attend a key operational briefing.

    Scheduled to take place at Camp Blizzard on October 10, 2026, starting at 4:00 p.m., the closed briefing will center exclusively on defense-related duties, operational activities, and official commitments tied to the high-profile international summit, according to an official public notice released by the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF).

    The mandate makes attendance non-negotiable for all active reservists, while ABDF officials have also extended a formal request that all individuals interested in joining the reserve corps participate in the session. The official notice urges all required attendees to adjust their personal and professional schedules well in advance to ensure prompt arrival and full presence at the briefing.

    This call for reservists comes amid a broader national push to finalize security and logistics arrangements for CHOGM, which is set to convene in Antigua and Barbuda from November 1 to November 4, 2026. The Antigua and Barbuda government has confirmed that the country’s preparation framework relies on a tightly coordinated cross-agency approach, bringing together the ABDF, national police force, multiple domestic security and border management agencies. Regional and international partners are also providing additional support to ensure the summit runs smoothly and safely for all attending heads of government and delegations.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Government Hires Former Works Director Alden Crump as Consultant

    Antigua and Barbuda Government Hires Former Works Director Alden Crump as Consultant

    The government of Antigua and Barbuda has tapped into decades of institutional experience by naming former Director of Works Alden Crump as a special consultant to the Ministry of Works, a move designed to address growing demands on the country’s expanding infrastructure and road development program. The announcement of the appointment was made by Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant during a post-Cabinet press briefing held on Thursday.

    Cabinet’s decision to bring Crump on board stems from a recognized need to supplement the technical and managerial capabilities of the current Director of Works, equipping the ministry to deliver on its fast-growing pipeline of public projects. “After careful discussion, Cabinet has approved the engagement of Alden Crump, the former Director of Works, as a consultant to the Ministry of Works, reporting directly to the sitting Director,” Merchant confirmed during the briefing.

    Though Crump had been preparing to enter retirement, Cabinet has tapped his decades of on-the-ground expertise to strengthen core operations within the ministry. His specific mandate will center on boosting productivity, streamlining management processes, and resolving longstanding bottlenecks that have slowed project delivery as the infrastructure program scales up.

    The appointment coincides with a major acceleration of infrastructure works across Antigua and Barbuda, covering road upgrades, drainage system improvements, and a range of other public works projects. A key priority for the current program is completing all critical upgrades ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, scheduled to take place in the country this November.

    Cabinet also received an update on the ministry’s recent operational performance, with officials noting that strengthened oversight of projects and procurement contracts has already generated cost savings across multiple project areas. Even with these early gains, government leaders acknowledge that continuous operational improvement will be critical as the scope and scale of the national infrastructure program continues to grow in the coming months.

  • World Bank Data Shows Gap Between Women’s Economic Rights and Support Systems in Antigua and Barbuda

    World Bank Data Shows Gap Between Women’s Economic Rights and Support Systems in Antigua and Barbuda

    The 14 member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have made significant progress in enshrining women’s economic rights in national legislation, but critical gaps remain in building the institutional and service infrastructure needed to turn these legal protections into tangible daily benefits for working women, according to the World Bank’s latest *Women, Business and the Law 2026* report. The report, which draws on data collected as of October 1, 2025, evaluates economies through two complementary 100-point scoring frameworks to paint a complete picture of gender equity in economic participation. The first score measures progress on 40 core legal protections for women’s economic inclusion, ranging from equal pay for work of equal value to equal property rights. The report finds that 10 of the 14 CARICOM members have already codified at least 60% of these targeted protections. Leading the regional ranking, Grenada and Guyana both posted a score of 72.7, edging just above the 72.2 average for the broader Latin America and Caribbean region. Yet when it comes to the second, equally important metric measuring the enabling systems that bring these laws to life, the entire region falls short. This second score assesses 40 on-the-ground implementation measures, including accessible affordable childcare infrastructure, dedicated anti-discrimination bodies to investigate workplace gender bias, and targeted support for women entrepreneurs. In a stark finding, the report notes that every single CARICOM member state scored lower on implementation than it did on legal protections. Eleven of the 14 nations have put in place fewer than 40% of the required implementation measures. Only Belize, Trinidad and Tobago, and Jamaica exceeded the Latin American and Caribbean regional average implementation score of 46.1. The report’s analysis highlights a key structural challenge holding back progress: while legislative reforms can be adopted relatively quickly through parliamentary processes, building and sustaining the supporting systems requires long-term, consistent investment in public budgets, trained staffing, and robust data collection—resources that many small island developing states that make up CARICOM struggle to secure at scale. Until these gaps in institutional and service infrastructure are addressed, the report warns, the bulk of the unpaid burden of enabling women’s continued participation in the workforce will continue to fall disproportionately on individual families and private employers, limiting the broader economic gains that greater gender equity can deliver. Women’s labor force participation and entrepreneurship are widely recognized as core drivers of sustainable economic growth across the Caribbean, making the gap between legal progress and implementation a pressing issue for regional long-term development prospects.