In a historic outcome that reshapes Bahamian politics, incumbent Prime Minister Philip Davis of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) has secured a decisive re-election victory, marking the first time a sitting leader has won back-to-back terms in nearly three decades. The snap vote, held on a Tuesday in May 2026 months ahead of the originally scheduled October poll, delivered a landslide for Davis and his party, which claimed more than 30 out of the 41 total seats in the national parliament. The early election was strategically called by Davis to avoid potential disruption from the annual Atlantic hurricane season, a decision that ultimately paid off for the ruling party. In his first public address following the confirmation of his victory, Davis struck a humble tone, acknowledging the will of the Bahamian people. “The Bahamian people have spoken, and I receive their verdict with humility and gratitude,” Davis said. “This victory is a mandate to keep moving The Bahamas forward, to expand opportunity, strengthen security, ease the pressure on families, and deliver progress across our islands.” The main opposition bloc, the Free National Movement (FNM), faced a devastating rout in the election. The party was projected to walk away with just 8 parliamentary seats, and both its sitting chair and deputy leader lost their bids for re-election. The losses extended to former Prime Minister Hubert Minnis, who was denied the FNM’s nomination for his long-held seat and launched an independent campaign to retain the post he had held for nearly 20 years. Minnis ultimately failed to secure enough support to hold the seat, closing a major chapter in the FNM’s recent history. Cost of living pressures dominated voter concerns throughout the campaign, with skyrocketing housing costs and stagnant wage growth emerging as the top issues driving Bahamian voters to the polls. Davis’ ability to address these public anxieties, paired with his strategic decision to call an early vote, cleared a path to his historic re-election, breaking a three-decade pattern of leadership turnover in the island nation.
分类： politics
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Skerrit links rising fuel costs to international conflict, highlights geothermal energy benefits
In a recent press briefing addressing growing economic pressure on Dominican households, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has traced the sharp spike in domestic fuel prices to the ongoing geopolitical conflict between the US, Iran and Israel, while crediting the country’s emerging geothermal energy project with preventing even more dramatic electricity cost increases for consumers.
Skerrit outlined the timeline of price increases, noting that when the conflict erupted on February 28, 2026, gasoline retailed at $14.96 per gallon and diesel stood at $13.84 per gallon on the island. In the months following the conflict’s start, global crude oil markets have seen a dramatic upward swing, sending ripple effects through fuel markets worldwide and reaching local consumers in Dominica directly.
“Since that date, global crude prices have jumped more than 30 percent, which has driven local pump prices up to $17.98 per gallon for gasoline — a 20.2 percent increase — and $20.53 per gallon for diesel as of May 7 this year,” Skerrit told reporters. He added that American consumers have faced even steeper jumps, with some reports showing domestic fuel prices in the U.S. rising as much as 50 percent since the conflict began.
The prime minister openly acknowledged the intense financial strain that elevated fuel costs are placing on everyday Dominican families, admitting that the current price of diesel is an enormous burden for households. Crucially, he noted that the island nation has no control over global geopolitical developments or international commodity prices that drive these increases.
To cushion the blow for consumers, the Dominican government has maintained fuel subsidies, but Skerrit explained that this policy is putting unsustainable new pressure on the country’s national budget. The government is already facing rising operating costs across critical public sectors, including schools, hospitals, and general public services, alongside ongoing recovery and reconstruction work following devastating floods that hit the island’s eastern and northeastern regions in April.
With diesel prices climbing 48 percent since February and global crude markets expected to remain volatile through the rest of 2026, Skerrit emphasized that fuel subsidies have become a growing drain on public finances. This budget pressure, in turn, limits the government’s ability to allocate funding to other core priorities: public health, education, infrastructure expansion, and ongoing disaster recovery.
In response to this balancing act, the prime minister announced that the government will implement monthly reviews of fuel pricing and subsidy policy, aiming to strike a sustainable balance between protecting consumers from sudden price shocks and maintaining responsible long-term fiscal management for the country.
Turning to a bright spot in the island’s energy landscape, Skerrit highlighted the critical role that Dominica’s investment in geothermal energy is already playing, even before the new geothermal power plant holds its official commissioning. The project is already supplying power to the national grid, and the prime minister said this domestic renewable capacity has insulated the country from far steeper increases in electricity prices.
“If we had not moved forward with geothermal development — even though the plant is not yet officially open, we have been drawing geothermal power for some time — every Dominican would be facing massive jumps in their electricity bills right now because of the war,” Skerrit explained. He noted that the Dominican electricity utility DOMLEC would otherwise rely almost entirely on imported diesel for power generation, leaving electricity prices directly tied to volatile global oil markets.
Looking forward, Skerrit reaffirmed that the government’s sustained investment of time and funding into geothermal development is a strategic move to strengthen Dominica’s long-term energy security and cut the country’s exposure to unpredictable swings in global crude oil prices. “We understand fully why the government has dedicated so many resources to advancing geothermal,” he added.
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Trinidad PM says country will not recognise Barnett as CARICOM SG after August
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – May 13, 2026 – A deep rift has opened within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) after Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago drew a hard line in public, confirming her nation will refuse to recognize Dr. Carla Barnett’s second five-year term as Secretary-General when her first term expires this coming August.
Persad-Bissessar made the position unequivocal in an interview with the Trinidad Express, emphasizing that the stance is non-negotiable regardless of backing from other regional member states. “Trinidad and Tobago only recognises Barnett as SG until the end of her term this August 2026. All CARICOM leaders could do as they please, but Trinidad and Tobago will not recognise her as SG for a next term. That’s not going to change,” she said, adding that “this is our final position.”
The dispute traces back to a February 2026 CARICOM summit held in Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, where regional leaders voted to reappoint Barnett, a Belizean economist who first took office as the bloc’s eighth Secretary-General in August 2021. CARICOM Chair and St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew confirmed in March that Barnett secured the required majority of votes to win reappointment. But Persad-Bissessar was not present for the vote, and her government has repeatedly challenged the legitimacy of the entire process.
Trinidad and Tobago’s top objection centers on the absence of Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sean Sobers from the key retreat where the appointment was finalized. Sobers could not attend due to a scheduling conflict: he was hosting an official visit from India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and fulfilling parliamentary duties. Persad-Bissessar accuses Barnett herself of sending a WhatsApp message to disinvite Sobers from the meeting, a claim that CARICOM leadership has denied. Drew has repeatedly stated Trinidad and Tobago was never uninvited to the retreat.
The Prime Minister has also condemned what she calls deliberate lack of transparency around the process, noting that Barnett personally drafted the press release issued under Drew’s name that defended her reappointment, while intentionally omitting any reference to the disinvitation text that remains visible in the CARICOM Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) WhatsApp group. To date, Persad-Bissessar says her government has received no answers to its formal questions about the incident, calling the lack of response “really shameful.”
Last week, Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit acknowledged the controversy had played out extensively in public, confirming that his government and other regional states view Barnett’s reappointment as valid. A closed-door, five-hour meeting of CARICOM leaders held over the preceding weekend addressed Trinidad and Tobago’s objections, but ultimately members voted to uphold the original February decision and rejected calls to restart the appointment process, local media reports confirm.
Persad-Bissessar stressed that while Trinidad and Tobago remains committed to the principles of regional integration within the 52-year-old bloc, she cannot stay silent about what she describes as the “dysfunctional and chaotic state” of CARICOM’s current governance. Rejecting suggestions that the dispute could be resolved through the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), the Prime Minister noted that Port of Spain does not recognize the CCJ as its final court of appeal, and her administration has no plans to change that status.
In a striking comment that underscores the depth of the rift, Persad-Bissessar said her government is completely unbothered by the prospect of Trinidad and Tobago being expelled from CARICOM over the dispute. “They are free to do as they wish. I’m not bothered. We have already made our position clear; they are free to expel us from CARICOM if they wish to do so. They are free to work with us if they wish to do so. Life goes on in Trinidad and Tobago, with or without CARICOM. The world stops for no one,” she said.
She added that Trinidad and Tobago is already proactively diversifying its trade partnerships to reduce reliance on the CARICOM single market, with ongoing efforts to build new economic ties with markets across the Middle East, South America, India, and Africa. The Prime Minister also clarified that the nation will continue to participate in future CARICOM meetings, so long as its representatives are not uninvited from key proceedings.
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Monorath: Elektrische voertuigen moeten eindelijk wettelijk geregeld worden
On Tuesday, Suriname’s Minister of Justice and Police Harish Monorath mounted a robust defense of proposed amendments to the country’s 1971 Road Act during a sitting of the National Assembly, framing the legal updates as a critical step to close long-standing regulatory gaps for the fast-growing electric vehicle segment.
Monorath told lawmakers that Suriname currently lacks a clear, modern legal framework to govern e-bikes, electric mopeds, and other light electric vehicles, a gap that has undermined law enforcement efforts and put public road safety at risk. Outdated existing legislation, he emphasized, has not kept pace with rapid technological innovation in the transportation sector, leaving ambiguity around which traffic rules apply to electric vehicle operators and how violations should be addressed through the judicial system.
Under the proposed changes, all electric vehicles will be formally brought under the scope of the Road Act and the Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Act. This adjustment will not only allow criminal prosecution for traffic violations committed by electric vehicle operators but will also formalize mandatory insurance requirements for all EV owners.
The revised regulatory framework will introduce clear, separate definitions for key EV categories, Monorath confirmed. Pedal-assisted e-bikes will be capped at a maximum speed of 25 kilometers per hour, while electric mopeds will be allowed to reach top speeds of up to 45 kilometers per hour.
The minister acknowledged that the Surinamese government currently does not have a complete count of e-bikes operating in the country, as many are imported in disassembled parts to avoid registration requirements. To address this, the government is developing a dedicated license plate system for e-bikes that will allow officials to clearly distinguish these vehicles from other road users.
Monorath also outlined ongoing preparations to implement the new rules, noting that law enforcement currently lacks the specialized equipment needed to conduct technical inspections of electric vehicles. Required testing equipment, including dynamometers and speed measurement tools, has already been ordered, and additional training will be provided to police officers and other implementing agencies to build capacity for enforcement.
Once the amended act enters into force, existing electric vehicle owners will receive a 12-month grace period to complete required inspections and secure mandatory insurance, Monorath announced. Public education campaigns will also be rolled out in three languages – Dutch, Sranantongo, and Spanish – to ensure all road users understand the new regulatory requirements.
During the National Assembly debate, lawmakers raised significant concerns about enforcement capacity, pointing out that existing traffic inspections are already under-resourced and inconsistent. Monorath acknowledged that consistent enforcement will remain a long-term challenge, but stated that stepped-up patrols, new equipment, and additional resourcing for the Suriname Police Force will collectively improve overall road safety outcomes.
The minister also flagged an additional unaddressed risk: the Suriname Fire Department currently lacks specialized equipment to safely extinguish electric vehicle battery fires. Additional specialized resources will need to be allocated for this purpose in coming years, he added.
Following the first round of debate, the sitting was adjourned until next Tuesday, to allow the committee of rapporteurs led by ABOP lawmaker Stanley Betterson and assembly members to conduct a second round of deliberations on the proposed amendments.
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Dominica police officers complete advanced drill and ceremonial training in Barbados
Two officers from the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF) have marked a major professional milestone after wrapping up a rigorous seven-week specialized training program on the neighboring island of Barbados, bringing home distinguished awards and a rare opportunity for further advancement.
Sergeant Sherwin Mitchel and Acting Corporal Tyron Sandy were among 43 trainees selected to take part in the All Arms Advanced Drill and Ceremonial Drill Instructors Course, a regional training initiative that brought together uniformed personnel from across 10 different Caribbean nations and territories. The participating groups spanned a wide range of public safety and national security institutions, including the Barbados Defence Force Regiment, Barbados Coast Guard, Barbados Police Service, Barbados Fire Service, Barbados Prison Service, Barbados Youth Advance Corps, as well as police and defense forces from Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Grenada alongside the CDPF contingent.
The curriculum of the course follows the long-established British Drill System, a framework widely adopted by uniformed services across Commonwealth nations. When the program concluded with a graduation assessment, both Mitchel and Sandy stood out among their peers to earn the Distinguished Drill Instructors Medal, one of the highest recognitions available to graduates of the system.
Beyond the individual awards for the two officers, Sergeant Mitchel earned an additional distinction: course organizers formally recommended him to return to Barbados to serve as a Senior Drill Instructor for future iterations of the All Arms Advanced and Ceremonial Drill Courses. If he takes up the posting, the role will put him on a path to qualify for two further prestigious honors: the Senior Drill Instructors Medal and membership in the elite White Cap Band.
In an official statement released following the graduation, leadership of the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force extended formal congratulations to both officers on their standout performance. The CDPF emphasized that the achievements of Mitchel and Sandy are a direct reflection of the force’s ongoing institutional commitment to continuous professional development and high-quality training for all personnel, boosting standards of service across the organization.
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Parmessar terug in DNA na ziekenhuisopname wegens chikungunya
Less than two weeks after being hospitalized for an unexpected acute illness, National Democratic Party (NDP) parliamentary faction leader Rabin Parmessar has made a full recovery and returned to his post in Suriname’s National Assembly (De Nationale Assemblée, DNA), where he was formally welcomed back by fellow legislators in a plenary session held Tuesday.
DNA Speaker Ashwin Adhin opened the Tuesday session by extending warm greetings to Parmessar on behalf of the entire legislative body, expressing sincere relief and joy at his return to parliamentary work. “We could not be happier to have you back among us once again,” Adhin said in his opening remarks.
In his first public address since his hospitalization, Parmessar thanked the dozens of colleagues, supporters and medical staff who extended support to him during his recovery. He specifically credited the quick response from fellow DNA members who arranged for immediate medical care when he first became ill, a timely intervention that he said made a major difference in his treatment outcome.
Parmessar confirmed Tuesday that official test results completed earlier that day confirmed he had been infected with chikungunya, a mosquito-borne viral infection that causes severe joint pain, fatigue and other acute symptoms. He emphasized that he would not have been able to recover so quickly without the constant support he received from the parliamentary community and medical teams. “It is only because of the thoughtful, prompt care and support from everyone that I am able to stand here again today,” Parmessar said.
The NDP leader also extended special thanks to clinical staff at Suriname’s Academic Hospital, where he received treatment. He noted that his return to work coincided with International Nurses Day, using the opportunity to highlight the critical work of nurses and frontline medical staff across the country, who continue to deliver care under challenging working conditions.
“I feel incredibly blessed to have received such outpouring of attention, high-quality care, and warmth from every single person during my illness,” Parmessar added, closing his remarks.
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Elias: NH ‘secretly disbarred’
A major construction industry leader in Trinidad and Tobago has leveled serious allegations of improper procurement practices against the state-run Housing Development Corporation (HDC), claiming his firm was secretly blocked from competing for 11 contracts under a suspended $3.4 billion national housing development initiative.
Emile Elias, executive chairman of NH International (Caribbean) Ltd (NH), the country’s largest local housing contractor, told local media outlet the Express that his firm was unfairly excluded from the bidding process entirely, rather than being rejected after a standard competitive tender review. In response to the exclusion, NH filed a formal challenge with the Office of Procurement Regulation (OPR) on April 21 this year, seeking an independent review of the HDC’s April 8 award notice for the 11 project contracts.
Three business days after NH submitted its application, the OPR’s three-person review panel—led by chair Rev Joy Abdul-Mohan with members Susan Torry and Joy Joseph-Lara—dismissed the challenge without holding an oral hearing. The panel cited NH’s failure to meet procedural requirements outlined in Section 50(20)(a) of the 2015 Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Act (as amended) and Regulation 4(b) of the 2021 Challenge Proceedings Regulations. The core reasoning for the dismissal was that the application was submitted after the statutory deadline for challenges to pre-qualification or preselection decisions by state procuring entities.
Elias pushed back against this ruling, noting that the OPR’s decision relies on a fundamental misreading of his firm’s challenge. Six days after the dismissal, NH sent a follow-up letter to the OPR asking for procedural clarification and highlighting what the firm calls the regulator’s error in the dismissal.
In its correspondence with the OPR, NH outlined that the only pre-qualification notice published connected to the program was released by an HDC subsidiary in the Sunday Express on July 20, 2025. That notice was explicitly marked for internal use only, and was not tied to any specific housing project under the $3.4 billion program. Per Trinidad and Tobago’s public procurement law, this notice did not qualify as an official pre-qualification invitation for the current contracts, so NH never launched a challenge to it—a fact the firm clearly stated in all 11 of its review applications, noting that the pre-qualification challenge section of the application forms was not applicable to its case.
Elias explained, “When we challenged, we did not challenge on the basis that we had a pre-qualification for the project and our pre-qualification was not accepted. We did not challenge that because there was no pre-qualification for any project as defined under the act.”
Instead of challenging a pre-qualification outcome, NH’s core complaint centers on the HDC’s refusal to run an open, competitive bidding process for the contracts, and alleged breaches of statutory requirements for transparency, non-discrimination, equity and fairness in public procurement. Elias emphasized that NH and the general public had no advance knowledge that procurement for these projects was underway until the HDC published its formal award notice on April 8, 2026. “There was simply no invitation for pre-qualification issued by the HDC in relation to the projects, and NH, like the wider public, only became aware that procurement proceedings were afoot in relation to these projects when it had sight of the notice,” the firm’s letter to the OPR reads. “NH could not, therefore, challenge something that it knew nothing about.”
As the head of the country’s largest housing contractor, Elias called the exclusion baffling. “How could you invite tenders and somehow contrive not to even invite NH? Remember, we did not tender and say, ‘Look, our price was higher and we did not get the job.’ Nothing like that. We were not allowed to tender. We were secretly disbarred, and all of this, I am sure, will come out in the OPR investigation.”
In a surprising move, Elias confirmed that NH has no plans to pursue immediate judicial action over the dismissal, instead placing full confidence in the OPR to conduct a transparent and thorough investigation into the allegations. “We will permit the OPR to complete its investigations without additional court proceedings acting as a kind of distraction. The big point is this country is relying on the OPR to prevent the abuses of the past, and these abuses took place in all governments. OPR is our best chance of stopping all of this from happening, hence my unwavering support, as well as that of the Joint Consultative Council (JCC),” he said.
Elias also raised additional red flags about the qualifications of some of the firms that were awarded contracts under the program. He noted that multiple awardees are trucking companies and small hardware retailers with no prior experience constructing residential housing, despite the large size and technical demands of the $3.4 billion program. A search of the national companies registry revealed that some firms awarded multi-million-dollar contracts hold only $2 in total share equity, split between two $1 shares, a fact Elias says warrants further scrutiny from regulators.
The $3.4 billion housing program was suspended by the HDC earlier this year at the OPR’s instruction, following a whistleblower submission that raised concerns about irregularities in the public-private partnership procurement process. Last weekend, the Sunday Express published additional allegations of potential collusion between two winning contractors and a senior HDC official connected to two of the 11 awarded contracts.
When contacted for comment on the latest allegations, HDC chairman Feeroz Khan declined to speak on the record. “Given that the matters relating to the procurement process in question are currently engaging the attention of the Office of the Procurement Regulation, senior counsel has advised that the matter is sub judice, and hence it would be improper to comment on same,” he said.
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Faris removed from Privileges Committee
A high-stakes parliamentary controversy in Trinidad and Tobago has resulted in the removal of Opposition Senator Faris Al-Rawi from the Senate Privileges Committee, as the panel prepares to launch a formal investigation into alleged improper interference by Al-Rawi and fellow Opposition Senator Janelle John-Bates. The controversy centers on the pair’s involvement in drafting and editing a witness statement for former health minister Terrence Deyalsingh, which was submitted to the Senate’s Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC).
During yesterday’s plenary sitting of the Senate, Senate President Wade Mark confirmed a series of appointments to the Privileges Committee for the duration of the inquiry, which was formally referred to the panel on May 1, 2026. In the reshuffle, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation will take the seat previously held by Government Senator Darrell Allahar, Opposition Senator Dr Amery Browne replaces Al-Rawi on the committee, and Independent Senator Sophia Chote steps in for Independent Senator Michael de la Bastide. Al-Rawi, who has publicly stated he is serving as Deyalsingh’s legal counsel, will not participate in the committee’s work while he is the subject of its investigation.
The privilege dispute was first raised on May 1 by Government Senator David Nakhid, who filed a formal complaint against John-Bates and Al-Rawi over their documented contributions to the witness memorandum submitted to PAAC. Forensic traces in the document — including tracked edit history and embedded metadata — confirmed that both senators made direct edits and provided input to the witness statement. Nakhid argued that active involvement by sitting parliamentarians in preparing or revising witness submissions to a legislative committee undermines the institutional independence and integrity of the parliamentary process, and may constitute contempt of Parliament. He emphasized that all parliamentary committee proceedings must remain fully free of political interference and any attempt to coach witnesses ahead of testimony.
After reviewing the complaint, Senate President Wade Mark ruled that the allegations were serious enough to warrant a full investigation by the Privileges Committee. John-Bates, a former member of PAAC, has already issued a formal apology to the full Senate and offered her resignation to Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles. As of yesterday, Beckles had not announced a final decision on the resignations of either John-Bates or Al-Rawi. John-Bates was absent from yesterday’s sitting due to illness, so People’s National Movement (PNM) Deputy Political Leader Sanjiv Boodoo was sworn in to serve as acting Opposition senator for the session.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar waded into the dispute yesterday, publicly asserting that Beckles lacks the institutional authority to remove Al-Rawi and John-Bates from their senate positions. She went on to launch a scathing attack on the PNM and its leadership, claiming that Beckles is waiting for direction from what she called the party’s “fake elite financiers.” Persad-Bissessar argued that the PNM operates as little more than a political front for these wealthy, unaccountable backers, accusing Beckles of continuing the policies of previous PNM leaders Keith Rowley and Stuart Young — policies she claims prioritize low-wage menial work for ordinary supporters while protecting billions in benefits for connected elite interests.
The Prime Minister also criticized Beckles and the PNM’s policy agenda as regressive, contrasting the government’s current priorities of advancing artificial intelligence data center development, national economic revitalization, new international trade agreements, education modernization, and expansion of both energy and non-energy economic sectors with what she described as the PNM’s 2030 vision: reviving the outdated CEPEP and unemployment relief program (URP) workfare schemes.
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OPR launches probe into tendering
Trinidad and Tobago’s Office of Procurement Regulation (OPR) has opened a formal investigation into state-owned enterprise LandmarkTT Properties Limited over potential violations of public procurement law tied to a $100 million residential development project in Corinth, San Fernando. The probe was triggered by formal complaints alleging the company bypassed mandatory open competitive bidding for the Allamby Residential Development, instead awarding contracts through an unapproved selective tendering process.
In an official correspondence dated April 20 addressed to LandmarkTT, the OPR outlined core concerns over both procedural compliance and public accountability for taxpayer funds. Regulators confirmed they have been unable to locate any legally required public disclosures detailing the contract award, including the identity of the winning bidder and the final contracted value. Under Section 36(1) of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Act, all public bodies are mandated to publish this information promptly to uphold transparency and accountability for public spending.
The OPR also reminded LandmarkTT that any procurement conducted outside the legal framework can be ruled void and illegal under Section 6(1) of the act. While selective tendering is permitted for narrow, specific circumstances, OPR chair Beverley Khan emphasized that LandmarkTT must provide clear, documented justification for why open bidding was deemed inappropriate for this multimillion-dollar project.
The regulator ordered LandmarkTT CEO Nischall Shane Poona to submit all relevant procurement records within seven working days, setting a compliance deadline of April 29. OPR officials confirmed late yesterday that LandmarkTT met the deadline, and all submitted documents are now under active review. At this stage of the investigation, the agency declined to issue any further comment to preserve the probe’s integrity. The OPR additionally requested a full roster of all contracts and framework agreements LandmarkTT has entered into since its establishment earlier this year, along with a formal explanation for the failure to publish required contract award notices. The agency also issued a statutory warning that non-compliance with its information requests, without reasonable cause, constitutes a criminal offense under the act that carries a maximum fine of TT$100,000 on summary conviction.
LandmarkTT was launched earlier in 2026 as a special-purpose vehicle under the Ministry of Land and Legal Affairs, created to pilot a new public-private partnership model for delivering high-quality, unsubsidized housing across the country. A February 2026 ceremony saw Minister of Land and Legal Affairs Saddam Hosein preside over the swearing-in of the company’s inaugural board of directors. Multiple attempts by the *Express* to secure comment from Minister Hosein on Wednesday evening went unanswered.
This investigation marks the second high-profile procurement probe into Trinidad and Tobago’s housing sector in as many weeks. In mid-April, the OPR ordered the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) to suspend the award of TT$3.4 billion in housing contracts pending a full compliance review of their procurement processes. That enquiry was launched after concerns were raised by People’s National Movement (PNM) MP Camille Robinson-Regis, followed by a formal call for investigation from MP and former prime minister Stuart Young.
In an official statement released following that order, the OPR confirmed the halt to the HDC contracts, noting that the review was launched to verify full compliance with the 2015 Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Act (as amended) and its associated regulations, handbooks, and guidelines. The action was taken under the OPR’s statutory powers laid out in Sections 14(1)(a), (c) and (d) of the act. Like the current LandmarkTT probe, the OPR declined further comment at that stage to protect the integrity of the ongoing enquiry, with the statement officially signed by Chair Beverley Khan.
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“Just Swipe and Go”: Government Launches Revolutionary Healthcare Card System; 8,500 Public Servants to Immediately Benefit
BASSETERRE, Saint Kitts – May 13, 2026 – The government of St. Kitts and Nevis has ushered in a new era of streamlined, affordable healthcare access for public sector workers with the official launch of a revolutionary Digital Insurance Card system, branded with the tagline “Just Swipe and Go”. The cutting-edge initiative will immediately extend benefits to roughly 8,500 public servants, eliminating longstanding financial and administrative barriers to medical care.
Developed through a public-private partnership between the St. Kitts and Nevis government and National Caribbean Insurance (NCI), the launch marks the next critical phase of the administration’s sweeping healthcare reform agenda. It comes five months after the December 2025 expansion of lifetime health coverage for all public sector employees and retirees, a policy that increased maximum lifetime benefits to one million Eastern Caribbean dollars and expanded coverage for eligible dependents of retired workers.
Speaking at the official launch ceremony on Wednesday morning, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dr. Honourable Terrance Drew framed the new digital card system as a core commitment of his government to embed healthcare as a universal human right, rather than a limited privilege. “We believe that health care is a human right, that health care should not be a privilege, but it should be a human right,” Drew emphasized during his remarks.
Unlike the previous reimbursement model that forced patients to cover full medical costs out-of-pocket before waiting weeks for manual claim approval, the new NCI WellCare Digital Insurance Card allows eligible users to only pay their required co-payment directly at the point of care. The remaining balance of any medical bill is settled instantly through NCI’s cloud-based digital claims processing network.
NCI Chief Executive Officer Diana Williams Humphreys explained that the system was co-designed after extensive stakeholder consultations with the government, centered on the feedback of public servants who struggled with the burdens of the old process. “We heard you, and we have delivered today,” Williams Humphreys said. She walked through the simple user workflow: when an insured patient arrives at a participating provider’s office, pharmacy, or diagnostic clinic, they only need to present their digital card and a government-issued photo ID. The provider processes the claim in seconds through a dedicated card reader, with no manual forms to fill out and no extended wait for reimbursement. “There’s no claim form to be filled out. There’s no waiting for reimbursement, and real time access to health benefits,” she added.
Currently, the network includes participating healthcare providers across St. Kitts, Nevis, and Anguilla, with officials confirming that additional providers will be added to the system on an ongoing basis to expand access for eligible users.
Drew used the launch to highlight how the old reimbursement model placed crippling upfront financial burdens on ordinary citizens, many of whom faced hundreds of dollars in unplanned out-of-pocket costs just to access necessary care. He connected the digital card initiative to a broader package of public sector welfare reforms his administration has advanced, including sweeping pension adjustments and improved retirement benefits for Government Auxiliary Employees (GAEs).
“Now you have a gratuity, now you have a pension, and now you have health care, until the Lord decides to take you from this earth,” Drew said, underscoring the government’s commitment to lifelong security for the nation’s public service workforce.