Licensed taxi drivers at VC Bird International Airport are intensifying their efforts to address the growing issue of unauthorized pickups, which they claim undermines their livelihoods and disrupts airport operations. On Wednesday, representatives from the United Taxi Company (UTC) convened to discuss an eight-point plan aimed at restoring order and ensuring fair competition. The proposal, submitted earlier this week to Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin, outlines measures to curb the activities of unlicensed drivers and create a more structured system for airport-based transportation services. Among the key recommendations are increased police enforcement against illegal operators, the establishment of a separate licensing framework for airport taxis, a royalty arrangement benefiting UTC, and the implementation of a dispatch system to manage passenger pickups more efficiently. UTC President Ian Joseph emphasized that the plan is not about exclusion but about fostering fairness, safety, and accountability. He welcomed the formation of a government-led committee to review the proposals, viewing it as a positive step forward after weeks of mounting tensions. Attorney General Benjamin has indicated that the measures will soon be presented to the Cabinet for further consideration.
分类： society
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Kiwanis Club of Antigua AR Fusion donates sign to School For The Deaf
In a significant move to support inclusive education, the Kiwanis Club of Antigua AR Fusion donated new signage to the School for the Deaf on September 13, 2025. This institution, dedicated to nurturing children with speech impairments, shares its premises with the TN Kirnon Primary Schools. The new signage aims to improve the school’s visibility and accessibility, ensuring it is easily identifiable by the community. The school’s motto, ‘We focus on our abilities and not our disabilities,’ underscores its commitment to empowering students. Ms. Rebekah Warner, President of AR Fusion, emphasized that the enhanced signage will raise awareness about the school’s vital work in preparing students to communicate effectively with the world. Additionally, the school offers sign language classes, encouraging community members to learn and engage. Mrs. Francis, President of the Parent Teachers Association, expressed gratitude for the donation and highlighted the importance of continued collaboration with the Kiwanis Club. The project was supported by Iprint, which assisted in the design, production, and installation of the signs. Outgoing Lieutenant Governor Adrian Boyce of Barbados, present at the event, praised the initiative as a reflection of Kiwanis International’s mission to serve children globally.
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Report Calls for Stronger Disaster Communication Systems in Antigua and Barbuda
The Media Institute of the Caribbean (MIC), with support from UNESCO, has released a groundbreaking report titled ‘Disasters and Crises in the Caribbean Region: A Review of Experiences in Seven Islands.’ This comprehensive study examines disaster communication and information management across Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The report emphasizes the Caribbean’s heightened vulnerability to natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, volcanic eruptions, droughts, and health crises, stressing the urgent need for robust, culturally sensitive, and timely communication strategies before, during, and after disasters. The findings reveal that effective local media operations are as crucial as physical infrastructure in saving lives, combating misinformation, coordinating aid, and ensuring equitable recovery in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Key insights include the significant role of local journalists in disseminating emergency information and advocating for accountability, despite limited resources and hazardous conditions. The report also highlights the necessity for trauma-informed disaster reporting training, resilient news infrastructure, and stronger partnerships among media, government, and humanitarian organizations. Recommendations include targeted investments in newsroom tools and safety equipment, redundant communication channels, streamlined Freedom of Information processes, and formalized collaborations for coordinated crisis messaging. Kiran Maharaj, President of MIC, described the report as a ‘call to action’ for governments, media leaders, and international partners to strengthen the Caribbean’s communicative infrastructure in the face of climate and health emergencies. Dr. Paul Hector, Officer in Charge at UNESCO’s Caribbean Regional Office, underscored the importance of policy reforms, institutional investments, and community engagement to foster a safer and more resilient region. The full report is available at www.mediainstituteofthecaribbean.com and https://online.flippingbook.com/view/970074714/.
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Weak Investigative Capacity Stalls Trafficking Cases in Antigua, U.S says
Antigua and Barbuda has intensified its efforts to tackle human trafficking through expanded training programs and the adoption of a 2025 National Action Plan. However, persistent challenges such as weak evidence collection, inadequate victim protection, and court backlogs continue to hinder progress, according to the 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report. Authorities have trained first responders and established a Trafficking in Persons Prevention Unit to coordinate victim identification, outreach, and investigations. Standard operating procedures are in place to guide law enforcement, immigration, customs, labor, and social services in screening potential cases. Despite these measures, prosecutorial outcomes remain stagnant. In 2024, officials investigated 13 suspects across nine cases, a significant drop from the previous year’s 26 suspects in 25 cases. Notably, no prosecutions were initiated, and the country has yet to secure a conviction under the 2010 Trafficking in Persons (Prevention) Act, which imposes severe penalties, including up to 25 years for crimes involving children. Observers attribute these shortcomings to weak investigative capacity, particularly in evidence collection and case management, as well as systemic corruption. Court backlogs, exacerbated by insufficient resources, further delay justice. Although courts have the option to use virtual and written testimony to protect victims, these tools remain unused in trafficking cases. Victim protection remains a critical issue, with officials identifying 13 potential victims in 2024 but confirming none as trafficking victims. The last confirmed case dates back to 2019. The report highlights a widespread confusion between trafficking and migrant smuggling, complicating victim identification. Additionally, the small size of Eastern Caribbean nations, including Antigua and Barbuda, limits authorities’ ability to safeguard victim-witnesses, discouraging reporting and testimony. Prevention efforts, including multilingual public awareness campaigns and government funding for anti-trafficking activities, continue. However, the report underscores that without improved evidence handling, consistent application of screening protocols, and robust witness protections, training alone is insufficient to achieve prosecutions or convictions.
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Rosa Ng denounces institutional pressure against Chinese businesses
Santo Domingo.- Rosa Ng, a prominent community leader and former Dominican trade representative in China, has raised alarm over what she describes as a pervasive climate of uncertainty and institutional harassment targeting the Chinese community in the Dominican Republic. Ng asserts that state agencies have been systematically shutting down businesses owned by Chinese citizens, fostering a hostile environment for Asian investors.
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CWA pushing for modern farming at Agriculture Week
As the 19th Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) unfolds in Basseterre, St. Kitts, Acting Prime Minister Geoffrey Hanley has emphasized the urgent need to transition from traditional farming practices to modern, climate-resilient methods. Addressing regional and international stakeholders, Hanley highlighted the pivotal role of technology and innovation in transforming the agricultural sector, particularly in St. Kitts and Nevis. He stressed that traditional farming alone is insufficient to meet contemporary challenges, advocating for the adoption of advanced techniques such as hydroponics, aquaponics, climate-smart farming, improved irrigation, and renewable energy to power farms. Hanley acknowledged the sector’s inherent difficulties, including hurricanes, droughts, pest outbreaks, rising costs, and market access issues, but expressed confidence in the resilience of Caribbean people. He called for strengthened regional cooperation, knowledge sharing, and a renewed commitment to making agriculture a sector of pride and prosperity. Food security and the development of the next generation of farmers remain central to the region’s agenda, with new initiatives supporting aquaculture, agri-parks, livestock production, and access to financing and training. Hanley also urged young people to view agriculture as a viable and innovative career path, dispelling outdated perceptions of the sector. Agriculture Minister Samal Duggins echoed these sentiments, describing agriculture as the lifeblood of the Caribbean people and a critical component of the region’s future.
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Community college tutors walk out, disputing hiring process
Tutors at the Barbados Community College (BCC) took to the streets on Tuesday, staging a protest against what they perceive as an unjust recruitment process. The industrial action, marked by chants of “enough is enough” and “good work deserves promotion,” saw staff members walking out of classrooms and gathering at the main gate with placards demanding fairness in hiring practices. The protest was sparked by the controversial appointment of a new head of department, with staff alleging that long-serving and highly qualified internal candidates were overlooked in favor of external applicants. Richard Green, General Secretary of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW), described the situation as “untenable” and called for urgent talks with BCC management to resolve the issue. NUPW President Kimberley Agard emphasized that this incident was “the straw that broke the camel’s back,” citing years of unresolved grievances among staff. Approximately 60 workers participated in the protest, which is set to continue until management agrees to engage in dialogue. BCC Principal Annette Alleyne acknowledged the protest but assured that classes continued with minimal disruption. She reiterated the college’s commitment to addressing staff concerns through open dialogue and clarified that the partnership with the National Transformation Initiative (NTI) was part of a broader institutional strategy, not imposed by the board chair. Alleyne also denied claims that the NUPW intervened in the interview process for the disputed position. A meeting between BCC management and the NUPW has been scheduled for Wednesday morning to discuss a resolution.
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Minister: ‘End certification obsession’ in education
Caribbean education systems must move beyond their traditional focus on academic certificates and grades, instead fostering a culture that emphasizes innovation, critical thinking, and a strong sense of regional identity, according to Chad Blackman, Minister of Educational Transformation. Speaking at the opening of the Second Regional Transforming Education Symposium and Policy Dialogue (TESPD 2025) held at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord’s Castle, Blackman highlighted the need for a paradigm shift in how success is measured in the region.
For decades, Caribbean societies have placed immense value on academic achievements, often equating high marks with success. However, Blackman argued that this approach has limited the region’s potential. ‘While certification opens doors to higher education or better jobs, it has not prepared us to be innovators or critical thinkers rooted in Caribbean confidence and philosophy,’ he stated.
The minister also addressed the entrenched culture of school pride and the informal hierarchies associated with schools across the Caribbean. He noted that in small societies like Barbados, the question ‘Where did you go to school?’ often leads to immediate judgments about a person’s capabilities. Blackman called for the dismantling of such attitudes as part of the broader ‘decolonisation’ of the education system. ‘Every school must be a school of excellence, and the process of accessing these schools should not be burdensome but should reflect the inherent potential of every child,’ he emphasized.
Blackman’s remarks aimed to set the stage for the symposium, which brought together policymakers, educators, and development partners to explore how Caribbean education systems can be restructured to meet 21st-century challenges. He stressed that the transformation must go beyond structural reforms, advocating for a cultural shift in how learning and success are valued across the region.
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Six remanded on robbery, burglary charges
In a significant court hearing at the No. 1 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court in Barbados, six individuals, including four teenagers, faced a total of 44 charges, primarily related to robbery and burglary. The accused—Deroy Leroy Holder, Serrian Jamali Scott-Fagen, Dakari Deshawn Carmichael, Runako Jeremiah Nurse, Tyreall Jamar Kidd, and Damon Hayden Cummins—appeared before Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes on Tuesday afternoon. The charges, all indictable, were read without pleas being taken.
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WASCO announces 48-Hour emergency shutdown of northern water network
The Water and Sewerage Company Inc. (WASCO) has declared an ’emergency shutdown’ of its Northern Network, set to commence at 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. This drastic measure is essential to address a rupture in the raw water transmission line, with repair operations anticipated to span 48 hours. During this period, residents from Millet to Cap Estate will experience significant disruptions in water pressure and supply. WASCO has further warned that even after the repairs are completed, customers residing in elevated areas or at the extremities of the distribution network may encounter prolonged delays in water restoration. In light of these challenges, the company has urged consumers to proactively collect and conserve water wherever feasible. This announcement has exacerbated existing grievances among customers, who have taken to social media to voice their dissatisfaction with WASCO’s monopoly over water treatment services on the island. For assistance, the public is encouraged to contact the North Control Room at 457-3958, 457-3960, 451-9812, or 482-0052 for water trucking support.