Carib Scope

分类： society

  • Major road repairs completed, more on the way, says Bradshaw

    Major road repairs completed, more on the way, says Bradshaw

    The Barbados Ministry of Transport and Works has unveiled an ambitious infrastructure agenda, announcing plans to initiate up to 20 road repair projects between January and June 2024. The revelation came from Santia Bradshaw, Barbados Labour Party (BLP) candidate for St Michael South East, during a political rally in Oistins, Christ Church on Tuesday evening.

    Bradshaw highlighted the comprehensive scope of ongoing infrastructure development, citing the substantial $250 million Scotland District road project as a cornerstone initiative. She specifically addressed longstanding concerns in Christ Church constituency by confirming Lodge Road has been prioritized for repairs after being a persistent community grievance.

    Infrastructure progress reports indicate significant achievements already underway, with 15 road projects completed in the Scotland District region, another 15 currently in progress, and 30 additional projects in advanced design phases. The minister also confirmed completion of soil stabilization work in the White Hill area.

    The extensive road rehabilitation program receives substantial funding through a BDS $100 million (approximately US$50 million) financing arrangement with the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF – Corporación Andina de Fomento). This international funding has enabled infrastructure improvements spanning multiple parishes, including Yorkshire in St Philip, Prior Park in St James, and Gibbons Terrace in Christ Church, with additional works in Cane Garden and Shop Hill.

    Addressing inevitable inconveniences caused by construction activities, Bradshaw emphasized the necessity of temporary disruption for long-term progress. “There may have been disruption, and there continues to be disruption, but Barbados must understand there is no country in the world where you can get progress without disruption,” she stated, affirming the government’s commitment to essential utility upgrades and infrastructure modernization.

    The minister credited the BLP administration’s strategic financial management for enabling these infrastructure investments, noting that despite inheriting a challenging economic situation seven years ago, the government pursued debt restructuring while simultaneously securing global financing to revitalize the nation’s road infrastructure and neglected bridge projects.

  • NODS reviews disaster readiness in schools

    NODS reviews disaster readiness in schools

    The National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) has initiated a systematic evaluation of emergency response capabilities within Antigua and Barbuda’s educational institutions, commencing with Buckley’s Primary School. This critical assessment represents the initial phase of a nationwide initiative designed to enhance school safety protocols.

    According to Public Relations Officer Midcie Francis, the comprehensive review meticulously examines institutional preparedness for various natural disasters, particularly focusing on earthquake and hurricane response mechanisms. The evaluation constitutes an integral component of NODS’ Primary School Disaster Management Programme, which seeks to fortify structural resilience and operational readiness across the education sector.

    During the Buckley’s Primary assessment, NODS officials conducted rigorous inspections of multiple safety dimensions. The evaluation encompassed evacuation route efficiency, student accounting procedures following emergencies, and inventory assessments of critical emergency supplies. The drill featured active participation from educators, students, and first responders, creating a realistic training environment that tested coordination and communication protocols.

    Francis confirmed the program’s expansion to other educational facilities, with Clare Hall Secondary School scheduled for subsequent evaluation. This systematic approach underscores the government’s commitment to establishing standardized emergency preparedness benchmarks nationwide. The initiative aligns with broader regional efforts to strengthen Caribbean disaster resilience amid increasing climate-related challenges.

  • Mitur receives U.S. students to promote tourism education

    Mitur receives U.S. students to promote tourism education

    The Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Tourism (Mitur) recently welcomed a delegation of twelve students from Elon University in North Carolina, marking a significant step in international academic collaboration within the tourism sector. The visit, organized through ongoing educational and cultural exchange initiatives, provided the students with immersive insights into the country’s tourism promotion strategies.

    The delegation received a traditional Dominican welcome featuring a vibrant merengue performance by the Ministry’s folk ballet, followed by an extensive tour of Mitur’s facilities. The educational component included a specialized presentation on Adventure Tourism opportunities across the Dominican Republic, delivered by Ángel Pichardo, Deputy Director of Domestic Tourism, who detailed the diverse offerings and strategic development in this sector.

    Accompanied by three faculty members and a representative from the CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange) program, the students engaged in activities coordinated by Mitur’s Directorate of Training and Community Extension. This initiative underscores the Ministry’s dedication to fostering global partnerships, advancing tourism education, and promoting cross-cultural understanding through structured academic exchanges.

  • Government Approves National Holiday to Commemorate Buckley’s Uprising from 2027

    Government Approves National Holiday to Commemorate Buckley’s Uprising from 2027

    In a landmark decision affirming national heritage, the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis has officially designated January 28 as an annual national holiday commemorating the historic Buckley’s Uprising. The announcement, made public on January 29, 2026, establishes the observance beginning January 28, 2027, permanently memorializing one of the Caribbean’s most significant labor movements.

    During the 91st Anniversary Commemoration at Buckley’s Estate, Hon. Konris Maynard, Minister of Public Infrastructure and elected representative for St. Christopher #3, revealed the Cabinet’s approval under Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew’s leadership. The decision formalizes decades of advocacy by cultural custodians and community leaders who have preserved the memory of the 1935 uprising.

    Prime Minister Drew characterized the uprising as both a national turning point and an international catalyst for liberation movements. ‘The events here sent shockwaves across the Caribbean and to Africa,’ Drew stated during commemorative ceremonies. ‘This holiday ensures future generations understand the sacrifices made for the rights we enjoy today.’

    The government positions this recognition as part of broader initiatives to strengthen historical awareness and national identity. Minister Maynard described the estate as ‘hallowed ground’ where events ‘helped shape Caribbean democracy and laid foundations for labor rights and social reform.’

    Complementing the holiday designation, the government is advancing multiple preservation efforts including a monument construction at Buckley’s Estate, curriculum integration in national education programs, and expanded public commemoration activities. These measures collectively aim to enshrine the uprising’s legacy in the nation’s consciousness while promoting values of social justice, equality, and unity that continue guiding the Federation’s development.

  • Protest in Santiago rejects mining in the Cordillera Septentrional

    Protest in Santiago rejects mining in the Cordillera Septentrional

    SANTIAGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – A significant grassroots mobilization dubbed ‘United We Are More’ culminated in a massive protest march through Santiago on Wednesday, demonstrating widespread community resistance against purported mining initiatives in the ecologically sensitive Northern Mountain Range (Cordillera Septentrional). The demonstration united residents from multiple municipal districts including Río Grande, San Francisco de Jacagua, Pedro García, and Yásica Arriba, alongside religious authorities and civil society representatives.

    The protest, organized as a vehicular caravan, commenced in Canabacoa and proceeded along segments of the Duarte Highway before concluding at the Monument to the Heroes of Restoration. Father Nino Ramos, addressing participants, issued a stark warning regarding mining’s potential consequences, highlighting risks to rural livelihoods through environmental degradation, water contamination, widespread deforestation, and forced community displacement. He emphasized the demonstration symbolized resolute opposition to extractive industries in the region.

    This civic action garnered support from clergy members, environmental coalitions, neighborhood associations, and agricultural collectives. The protest also expressed solidarity with communities in San Juan de la Maguana and Restauración facing analogous concerns about mining expansion.

    Despite protesters’ assertions that mining operations pose existential threats to local ecosystems and communities, President Luis Abinader has publicly denied the existence of any mining contracts or development plans for the Northern Mountain Range. Echoing this position, Energy and Mines Minister Joel Santos clarified that activities conducted in the region have been exclusively exploratory, emphasizing no exploitation plans exist and that all operations occur under state oversight with strict adherence to environmental protocols and legal frameworks.

  • Elderly Dementia Patient Left Homeless Following House Fire

    Elderly Dementia Patient Left Homeless Following House Fire

    A devastating house fire in Belize City has left a seventy-nine-year-old dementia patient hospitalized and homeless, exposing the challenges faced by family caregivers. The incident occurred Sunday afternoon on Rio Bravo Crescent in the Faber’s Road Extension area, completely destroying the small metal residence and all possessions within.

    Kenneth Flowers, who lives with dementia, suffered significant burns across his face, torso, and arms when a gas explosion erupted as he attempted to prepare tea. Fire investigators determined the blaze originated from a faulty connection between a stove and a gas tank that had been deliberately disconnected for safety reasons.

    His daughter, Andrea Flowers-Sanchez, who serves as his primary caregiver, had temporarily left the home to acquire food when the catastrophe unfolded. She revealed to reporters that she had explicitly disconnected the gas tank and informed her father it was empty, but his cognitive condition led him to attempt reconnecting the apparatus independently.

    The emotional toll of caregiving was palpable as Flowers-Sanchez described the daily challenges of supporting a parent with dementia. “It’s hard in the sense that I don’t have real knowledge of dementia,” she explained. “Day by day I try to learn or read up to help him. Sometimes I lose him—he gets out of bed and wanders the street. It really hard because you deprived of your rest, but for my dad, I have to do it.”

    The family had resided in the home for less than two years, having received the property as a donation from Pickstock Area Representative Anthony Mahler. They were gradually making improvements to their living situation before the fire reduced their progress to ashes.

    While community members have donated clothing, the family urgently requires furniture—particularly a bed—as Kenneth Flowers currently sleeps on a sofa while recovering from his injuries. Despite the trauma, Flowers maintains perspective: “It gone fair enough. I’m still alive so it’s fair enough.”

    The incident has highlighted the precarious circumstances facing dementia patients and their caregivers in Belize, particularly regarding home safety and support systems for families managing cognitive disabilities.

  • Devastating Corozal Fire Destroys Family Home

    Devastating Corozal Fire Destroys Family Home

    A devastating fire has completely destroyed a family home in the Finca Solana area of Corozal District, Belize, leaving two brothers with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. The blaze erupted on Tuesday, consuming the small wooden structure before firefighters could contain it. While crews successfully prevented the flames from spreading to neighboring properties, the residence was already fully engulfed upon their arrival.

    Homeowner German Edel Zetina, who was at work in Belize at the time, received the tragic news from his sister. He returned to find his entire home and possessions reduced to ashes. In an emotional interview, Zetina confirmed that the cause remains undetermined, with authorities awaiting the official fire investigation report.

    The brothers have lost all their belongings, including clothing, furniture, appliances, and personal items. Zetina has made a public appeal for assistance, specifically requesting building materials and financial support for labor costs to reconstruct their home. The community now faces the challenge of helping the displaced family rebuild their lives from complete devastation.

  • Environment Ministry reports deadly collapse at El Cangrejo Mine in Puerto Plata

    Environment Ministry reports deadly collapse at El Cangrejo Mine in Puerto Plata

    A devastating mine collapse in the María La O sector of Sosúa, Puerto Plata, has claimed the lives of a father and son while leaving a third individual injured. The tragedy occurred at the El Cangrejo materials mine, where the victims were reportedly conducting maintenance and testing on heavy machinery rather than active extraction, according to an official investigation led by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.

    In the aftermath, a specialized technical commission from the Vice Ministry of Soils and Water, alongside the Provincial Directorate of Environment and Senpa officials, conducted an urgent site inspection. Their preliminary findings revealed a critical lack of compliance: the mining operation was being conducted without valid environmental permits for either extraction or transportation activities.

    The Ministry’s subsequent statement highlighted a pattern of negligence, disclosing that prior technical assessments had explicitly warned of significant soil instability risks at the location. These reports had recommended specific remediation measures to mitigate the very dangers that ultimately led to the fatal incident. The institution extended its deepest condolences to the bereaved families while issuing a stern reaffirmation of its zero-tolerance policy toward illegal mining operations. Officials urgently called for nationwide strict adherence to environmental and technical safety regulations governing all extractive industries to prevent future catastrophes.

  • ONESVIE calls for stronger earthquake-resistant construction laws in the Dominican Republic

    ONESVIE calls for stronger earthquake-resistant construction laws in the Dominican Republic

    SANTO DOMINGO – In a critical move to address seismic vulnerability, the Dominican Republic’s National Office for Seismic Evaluation and Vulnerability of Infrastructure and Buildings (ONESVIE) is advocating for comprehensive legislative reforms to modernize the nation’s earthquake-resistant construction standards. The proposed measures aim to replace technical regulations that have remained unchanged since 1978, which officials deem dangerously obsolete given contemporary urban development challenges.

    Leonardo de Jesús Reyes Madera, Director General of ONESVIE, issued a stark warning regarding widespread non-compliance in the construction sector. He revealed that numerous structures have been erected without proper permits or adherence to existing standards, creating substantial public safety hazards. Reyes Madera emphasized that mandatory compliance is essential for both private developers and government-contracted projects, calling for intensified oversight by the Ministry of Housing and Construction.

    The director further criticized certain construction professionals for neglecting their ethical responsibilities, often bypassing even minimum seismic provisions. He argued that the current enforcement framework, based merely on a presidential decree, lacks the necessary legal authority for effective implementation. During an appearance on the AcentoTV program “¿Y tú… qué dices?”, Reyes Madera highlighted ONESVIE’s technical advisory role in assessing structural vulnerability while advocating for a strengthened culture of prevention, regulatory adherence, and professional accountability to safeguard communities in seismically active regions.

  • Aadham O’Garro to Be Sentenced Friday After Guilty Plea to Firearm Charge

    Aadham O’Garro to Be Sentenced Friday After Guilty Plea to Firearm Charge

    A Green Bay resident is facing sentencing this Friday after admitting to firearms offenses in a case that highlights ongoing law enforcement efforts against illegal weapons. Adham O’garro of #3 George Street entered a guilty plea for the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, bringing a swift conclusion to his legal proceedings.

    The charges stem from a targeted police operation last Saturday evening in the Grays Farm area. At approximately 7:00 PM, authorities conducted a search of a property where they discovered O’garro in possession of a 9mm Glock pistol. The weapon, found concealed in his right front pocket, contained a loaded magazine with 15 rounds of ammunition.

    During this morning’s court appearance before Chief Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel, the case took a significant turn when O’garro accepted full responsibility for the weapons charges. This development led prosecutors to formally withdraw all charges against two additional individuals who had been initially implicated in the case. The court acknowledged O’garro’s acceptance of sole accountability for the illegal firearm possession.

    The upcoming sentencing hearing will determine the legal consequences for O’garro’s violations of firearms legislation. The case represents another successful intervention by law enforcement in removing illegal weapons from community circulation, particularly concerning given the weapon’s loaded status and concealed nature at the time of discovery.