Carib Scope

分类： society

  • KSAMC moves to enforcement phase following close of signage regularisation campaign

    KSAMC moves to enforcement phase following close of signage regularisation campaign

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — After closing its three-month signage regularisation initiative on March 31, the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) has officially moved into the aggressive enforcement stage of its plan to crack down on unauthorised public signage across the region.

    Launched in January 2026, the amnesty-style campaign was crafted to give every individual, business and organisation that maintains publicly visible signage a clear, grace-period window to bring their approvals up to date and resolve any unpaid outstanding fees. Before the corporation ramped up enforcement, stakeholders were given full advance notice and multiple opportunities to come into compliance voluntarily, avoiding potential penalties and removal actions.

    Now that the grace period has expired, the KSAMC is gearing up to target all illegally erected and non-compliant signage distributed throughout Kingston and St Andrew. Robert Hill, chief executive officer of the municipal corporation, confirmed that all necessary personnel, logistics and equipment have already been mobilised to support widespread, organised enforcement operations.

    “Starting immediately, we will begin removing illegally placed and non-compliant signs across both Kingston and St Andrew,” Hill confirmed in a recent statement.

    Over the past three months throughout the regularisation campaign, Hill explained that KSAMC’s dedicated compliance teams have been proactively reaching out to local businesses, conducting on-the-ground assessments, and compiling detailed location data to map out the scope of unregulated signage. This groundwork will allow the corporation to carry out focused, efficient enforcement rather than random sweeps.

    “We are currently waiting on finalised data from our compliance teams, which will direct our targeted enforcement operations and guide the removal of signage from all non-compliant entities,” Hill added.

    To carry out the removal work safely and efficiently, the KSAMC has deployed heavy-duty trucks and specialised removal equipment purpose-built to extract unauthorised signage from both public and private locations without unnecessary damage to surrounding property.

    In a public briefing, the municipal corporation stressed that signage regulation is a binding legal requirement that applies universally to all publicly visible signage. This mandate holds regardless of whether a sign is located on public or private land, and regardless of the type of entity that owns it—covering commercial operations, non-profit groups, and public institutions equally.

    The KSAMC repeated that the three-month regularisation campaign was structured to deliver a fair, transparent path to compliance for all stakeholders. Beyond public outreach and one-on-one engagement with business owners, the campaign also included a temporary fee concession for entities settling long-outstanding signage approval fees.

    For entities that failed to take advantage of the amnesty campaign, the KSAMC is issuing a final warning to contact the corporation immediately to resolve their status before enforcement teams begin on-the-ground removal work. Hill confirmed that all enforcement actions will proceed strictly in line with local signage laws.

    This enforcement push forms a core part of the KSAMC’s broader urban improvement initiative, which aims to boost public safety by eliminating hazards that block pedestrian and driver sightlines, cut down on visual pollution across the city, and maintain a cleaner, more organised urban environment for residents and visitors alike.

  • Immaculate celebration

    Immaculate celebration

    In a heartfelt display of community support and spiritual encouragement, renowned gospel artiste Kevin Downswell delivered a special morning devotion performance at Immaculate Conception High School in St. Andrew this Monday. The event carried particular significance as it followed closely on the heels of the school’s athletic achievements, having secured fourth place in the prestigious ISSA/GraceKennedy Girls’ Championships just two days prior.

    The appearance by the celebrated musician served as both a celebration of the students’ accomplishments and an inspirational moment for the school community. Downswell’s performance provided emotional and spiritual reinforcement to young athletes who had recently demonstrated exceptional dedication and sportsmanship in national competition.

    This gathering highlights the important role that cultural and spiritual figures play in the educational ecosystem, particularly in recognizing student achievements beyond academic parameters. The timing of the event underscores how schools integrate motivational experiences into their regular programming to foster holistic development among students.

    The collaboration between educational institutions and artistic communities demonstrates a comprehensive approach to student development that values both competitive achievement and emotional well-being, creating meaningful moments of reflection and celebration within the school calendar.

  • NY-based ‘Carib queen’ thrilled by visit to Fancy

    NY-based ‘Carib queen’ thrilled by visit to Fancy

    In a significant cultural exchange, Nona Aquan, a Trinidad-born spiritual leader residing in New York, made a profound visit to the northeastern community of Fancy on Thursday, March 26, 2025. Despite being recognized as a “Carib queen,” Aquan prefers the maternal titles of “Mama” or “Aunty,” emphasizing her role as a community elder and spiritual guide rather than a monarch.

    During her exclusive interview with iWitness News, Aquan articulated her philosophy of community support, stating: “I am here for the community as an elder who provides guidance in health, social matters, mental and physical wellbeing. My mission is to remind people to embrace sustainability by consuming what we cultivate in our gardens rather than manufactured foods.” She passionately advocated for a return to traditional practices, noting that “everything needed for healing, nourishment of body, mind, and soul can be found in the garden.”

    The spiritual leader expressed particular concern for women and children, whom she identified as the foundation of community future. “Children offer unconditional love and honesty that adults often withhold,” Aquan observed, highlighting the special connection she shares with younger generations.

    Her visit to Fancy left Aquan visibly moved, describing the experience as “wonderful” and “a blessing.” She recounted being brought to tears by the community’s singing and feeling a deep connection to her ancestors during the visit. The cultural exchange included Aquan sampling local delicacies such as boiled peanuts for the first time and noting similarities between Vincentian doucana and Trinidadian pastels.

    Accompanied by a seven-member delegation including North Windward MP Shevern John (who also serves as Minister of Social Welfare, Community Empowerment, Disaster Management, and National Heritage), Aquan witnessed exhibitions of traditional crafts and foods at Fancy Government School. The display featured woven baskets, coconut oil, root crops, and indigenous foods including doucouna, sweet potato pudding, and farine, with meals served traditionally in calabashes.

    Despite celebrating the thriving Garifuna culture in Fancy, Aquan raised concerns about the community’s declining population, evidenced by small classroom sizes. She humorously yet earnestly encouraged procreation, stating: “The classes should be like 20-30, not six or seven. The land provides for us.”

    Fancy Government School holds distinction as the only educational institution in St. Vincent and the Grenadines where Garifuna language, heritage, and culture are formally taught, despite not being part of the official national curriculum. The school regularly performs the national anthem in Garifuna at national events, serving as a vital repository of indigenous cultural practices.

  • Burst main forces BCC closure

    Burst main forces BCC closure

    A significant water infrastructure failure forced the abrupt closure of the Barbados Community College’s Eyrie Campus on Monday morning. The incident originated from a ruptured water main operated by the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) along Howell’s Road in St. Michael, which critically disrupted water supply to the campus and surrounding residential districts.

    Citing paramount concerns for the health and safety of its students and faculty, college administration made the decisive call to suspend all on-site operations effective 10:15 a.m. The institution swiftly enacted its contingency plan, transitioning all academic activities—including both daytime and evening classes—to remote learning platforms. Instruction continued uninterrupted through the college’s Trident Learning portal and Microsoft Teams, ensuring educational continuity.

    Emergency repair crews from the BWA were immediately dispatched to the site to conduct urgent repairs on the compromised pipeline. The water authority is working to restore service and address the damage. College officials have announced an anticipated return to standard campus operations and in-person classes beginning Tuesday, pending the full restoration of water services.

  • Youth Nature Rangers Receive Birdwatching Training to Support Conservation Actions

    Youth Nature Rangers Receive Birdwatching Training to Support Conservation Actions

    A cohort of young environmental enthusiasts recently engaged in an immersive field study at the McKinnons Wetlands ecosystem, gaining firsthand experience in avian observation and ecological conservation. The educational program enabled participants to identify diverse bird species indigenous to the region, including herons, egrets (locally termed “garlins”), West Indian whistling ducks, mangrove cuckoos, and pelicans (known regionally as “booby”).

    Under the guidance of acclaimed photographer Christine Andrews, attendees mastered practical birdwatching methodologies while analyzing how avian populations contribute to broader biodiversity and sustainable tourism development. The wetlands served as an accessible comparative environment to the North East Marine Management Area (NEMMA), a designated key biodiversity zone.

    Beyond ornithological studies, the session confronted pressing environmental threats. While traversing the narrow land bridge connecting Old Runaway and Yorks communities, participants documented instances of illegal dumping and marine debris accumulation. The discovery of waste materials within this fragile ecosystem sparked serious concerns among both youth and facilitators, prompting immediate dialogue regarding community awareness campaigns and improved waste management solutions.

    Project Manager Britney McDonald delivered an educational briefing on mangrove species, elucidating their critical functions in coastline stabilization, marine life support, and pollutant filtration. McDonald further demonstrated the wetland’s dynamic tidal variations, illustrating how water levels and ecological conditions transition between Antigua and Barbuda’s distinct rainy and dry seasons.

    This initiative forms part of the broader “Strengthening Conservation Actions in the North East Management Area, Antigua and Barbuda” project, spearheaded by IHO-Nature Rangers with financial backing from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund and the World Bank. The program receives implementing support from the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute and partner organization Integrated Health Outreach.

  • WATCH: PM says Social Security pension increase is also on the cards

    WATCH: PM says Social Security pension increase is also on the cards

    The administration of Prime Minister Gaston Browne has unveiled a comprehensive two-phase approach to pension reform, combining immediate relief with methodical long-term planning. During his weekly ‘Browne and Browne’ radio address, the Prime Minister confirmed the immediate implementation of a 5 percent increase in state pension payments while outlining a more substantial future enhancement to Social Security pensions contingent upon rigorous financial evaluation.

    Browne characterized the approved 5 percent increment as an immediate measure to alleviate economic pressure on retirees, describing it as part of a broader initiative to strengthen income support systems. This initial adjustment represents the government’s responsive action to current economic challenges facing pensioners.

    The more significant Social Security pension augmentation remains pending comprehensive actuarial assessment. Browne emphasized that any modifications to the Social Security system must undergo thorough financial scrutiny to ensure systemic sustainability. ‘That will come after the actuarial review,’ the Prime Minister stated, indicating that both the timing and magnitude of potential increases would be determined by the evaluation’s findings.

    This dual-strategy approach reflects the administration’s attempt to balance urgent socioeconomic needs with responsible fiscal management. The government is concurrently examining multiple avenues to address cost-of-living concerns, including potential salary revisions, back pay resolutions, and additional pension modifications. Browne’s announcement positions the government as both responsive to immediate citizen needs and committed to evidence-based policy development for the national retirement security system.

  • TAMCC students explore career opportunities in cruise ship industry

    TAMCC students explore career opportunities in cruise ship industry

    Twenty tourism and hospitality students from T A Marryshow Community College (TAMCC) gained unprecedented access to career opportunities in the maritime sector during an immersive educational tour aboard the sophisticated MSC Virtuosa cruise ship. The event, orchestrated by Grenada’s Ministry of Tourism, Creative Economy and Culture, formed the concluding segment of the first quarter’s Immersive Edutainment Tour initiative under the national Tourism Awareness Campaign.

    Accompanied by two faculty members, the delegation comprised students specializing in Tourism and Hospitality, Food and Beverage, and Culinary Arts. They engaged in an comprehensive informational briefing that detailed diverse professional pathways within the cruise industry and provided operational insights into modern maritime hospitality management.

    Following the theoretical component, participants experienced a guided exploration of the vessel’s advanced facilities. The tour highlighted the ship’s technological innovations, including the spectacular LED-domed Galleria Virtuosa, premium dining establishments, entertainment venues, and state-of-the-art recreational infrastructure that define the Meraviglia-Plus class cruise experience.

    This maritime career day continues a series of educational excursions that previously included primary school visits to the George Brizan House of Nutmeg and Tri-Island Chocolate Factory in Beaulieu, alongside secondary school tours of Coyaba Beach Resort. These strategically designed edutainment initiatives aim to cultivate tourism awareness among Grenada’s youth while providing substantive exposure to the nation’s hospitality ecosystem, including cruise operations, hotel management, and cultural attractions.

    The program represents a significant investment in human resource development within Grenada’s vital tourism sector, creating tangible connections between academic preparation and industry requirements for the next generation of hospitality professionals.

  • Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre Marks Doctors’ Day with Tribute to Physicians

    Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre Marks Doctors’ Day with Tribute to Physicians

    ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre marked the annual observance of Doctors’ Day this Sunday with public tributes honoring medical professionals across Antigua and Barbuda. In a formal acknowledgment, the healthcare institution expressed profound gratitude for physicians’ unwavering dedication and exceptional service to patient care throughout the nation.

    The medical center’s recognition emphasized that physicians’ ‘invaluable service doesn’t go unnoticed,’ specifically thanking them for their persistent contributions to advancing healthcare delivery standards. Beyond institutional appreciation, the facility extended an invitation to the broader community, encouraging patients and families to participate by sharing personal accounts of exemplary doctors who have positively impacted their health journeys.

    This celebration aligns with the international tradition of Doctors’ Day, an annual commemoration that highlights the critical role physicians play in enhancing and preserving lives through medical expertise and compassionate care. The initiative serves to strengthen the bond between healthcare providers and the communities they serve, fostering mutual appreciation and recognition of medical professionals’ vital societal contributions.

  • THA: Heinous act

    THA: Heinous act

    Authorities in Tobago have declared a state of emergency following the deliberate sabotage of four critical water wells, an act being characterized as ‘domestic terrorism.’ The Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) confirmed that coordinated vandalism targeting electrical systems at high-production facilities has resulted in the loss of 2.1 million gallons of daily water output, severely impacting seventeen communities across the island.

    The affected wells—Arnos Vale Well #4, Bacolet Well #3, Bloody Bay Well #1, and Claude Noel Highway Well—were systematically disabled between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. on Saturday. WASA Chief Executive Dain Maharaj described the operation as ‘well-planned and well-coordinated,’ noting that perpetrators specifically targeted infrastructure vital to Tobago’s water distribution network.

    In response to the crisis, the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) has partnered with WASA to implement emergency restoration protocols and enhance security measures. Ricky Joefield, THA Secretary for Public Utilities, confirmed that technical teams are conducting repairs while truck-borne water supplies are being deployed to affected households, hotels, and businesses. Security patrols have been intensified around all WASA facilities, with plans to install additional CCTV surveillance systems.

    Law enforcement agencies are investigating the incident, with penalties for convicted saboteurs including substantial fines and imprisonment. WASA has established emergency hotlines (639-6850, 639-6853, 639-9272) for water requests and encourages citizens to report suspicious activity via 465-2949.

    As of last night, WASA reported successful restoration of three primary wells—Arnos Vale, Bacolet, and Claude Noel Highway—with water quality testing underway at Bloody Bay Well #1 before full reactivation. The authority is developing an interim distribution schedule to mitigate impacts during the upcoming Easter holiday period, though repair cost assessments remain pending.

  • Attack on the lifeblood of the island, says Farley

    Attack on the lifeblood of the island, says Farley

    Tobago’s water distribution network has been severely compromised following what officials are describing as a calculated assault on essential infrastructure. Between Friday evening and early Saturday morning, perpetrators systematically targeted multiple water facilities across the island in what the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) characterizes as a ‘coordinated and deliberate’ operation.

    Chief Secretary Farley Augustine issued a stern declaration on Saturday, emphasizing the gravity of the situation: ‘This transcends petty theft or vandalism. We are confronting a direct assault on our critical public infrastructure that approaches the threshold of domestic terrorism.’

    The comprehensive attack damaged installations at strategic locations including Arnos Vale Well #4, Bacolet Well #3, multiple facilities along the Claude Noel Highway, and the Bloody Bay infrastructure complex. Thieves specifically targeted and removed critical power cables, paralyzing the island’s water distribution capabilities.

    The immediate aftermath has triggered widespread water disruptions affecting numerous communities. The Courland supply zone has experienced particularly severe impacts, leaving residents in Crown Point, Plymouth, Les Coteaux, Culloden, and Seaview without reliable water access. Additional disruptions are anticipated along the Claude Noel Highway corridor, potentially affecting Signal Hill, Patience Hill, Lambeau, and Lowlands. The single well and treatment plant serving residents from Bloody Bay to Castara has also been compromised.

    Augustine highlighted the multidimensional threat posed by the infrastructure attack, noting vulnerabilities for households, medical facilities, educational institutions, commercial enterprises, and Tobago’s vital tourism industry. ‘This constitutes nothing less than an attack on the island’s lifeblood,’ Augustine stated, while urging citizens to maintain vigilance and report any suspicious activities to authorities.

    The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service has been formally notified of the incident. Augustine has mandated that the investigation receive priority status, warning that perpetrators will face maximum legal consequences. ‘We refuse to allow criminal elements to hold our island hostage,’ the Chief Secretary affirmed.