Carib Scope

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  • Youth honour Sir Garfield Sobers

    Youth honour Sir Garfield Sobers

    On a solemn Wednesday in Bridgetown, thousands of mourners packed into the iconic Kensington Oval cricket ground, with young Barbadians making up a striking share of the crowd, all gathered to bid a final national farewell to beloved National Hero Sir Garfield Sobers. Among the sea of people paying respects were student groups from across the island, who came not just to offer condolences to Sir Garfield’s family, but to celebrate the indelible legacy that continues to shape Barbadian culture and sport today.

    Delegations from Springer Memorial Secondary School were among the first groups to arrive, with each student sharing deeply personal reasons for wanting to take part in the historic state funeral. For 16-year-old student Miracle Little, the opportunity to represent her school at the ceremony carried far more meaning than simply marking the passing of a famous athlete. “I think it was important to come here today… to represent the school as well as to express condolences for the family of Sir Garry,” she explained, noting that Sir Garfield’s impact stretched far beyond the boundary ropes of the cricket pitch.

    Her classmate Latara Bovell echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the legend’s foundational role in putting Barbadian cricket on the global map. “He was our national hero,” Bovell said. “If it wasn’t for him, I don’t think nobody would really be playing cricket or would even know Barbados as a place that plays cricket.” Accompanied by their teachers and parents, the Springer Memorial students joined the procession into the stadium, where stands that have hosted some of cricket’s most legendary matches filled with people from every walk of Barbadian life.

    One of the youngest attendees at the service was Nathaniel Nicholls, a student from Bay Primary School – an institution with a unique, personal connection to Sir Garfield. The cricket icon began his formal education at Bay Street Boys’ School, the predecessor to modern Bay Primary, and even honed his first cricket skills on the school’s playing fields as a child. For Nicholls, being selected to represent his school at the funeral was a point of immense pride. After taking part in the ceremony, he said he felt “happy and special” to be part of the national tribute.

    During his time at Kensington Oval, Nicholls got the chance to meet some of Barbados’ most prominent public figures, including the only living National Hero, global pop superstar Rihanna, and Prime Minister Mia Mottley. He also caught a glimpse of President Jeffrey Bostic during the proceedings. When told of Bay Primary’s historic link to Sir Garfield, Nicholls said simply: “It makes me feel like I’m a cricketer.”

    The state funeral brought together a cross-section of Barbadian society, from senior government officials and international dignitaries to Sir Garfield’s extended family, former cricket teammates, and ordinary residents who had grown up inspired by his achievements. Widely regarded as one of the greatest cricket players of all time, Sir Garfield Sobers transformed the sport and turned global attention to Barbados’ deep cricketing roots, earning the status of National Hero for his contributions to the country’s global identity. For the young people who turned out in force Wednesday, his memory will remain a guiding inspiration for generations to come.

  • DAIC: Business community mourns death of Valentine Poponne

    DAIC: Business community mourns death of Valentine Poponne

    The small Caribbean island of Dominica is grieving the loss of a foundational figure in its local commercial landscape, Valentine Poponne, who passed away over the recent weekend. Leading the tributes to the well-respected entrepreneur, the Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce (DAIC) has joined the entire national business community in extending formal condolences to Poponne’s loved ones.

    In an official statement released to the public, DAIC Public Relations Officer Natasha Yeeloy-Labad shared that the organization received the news of Poponne’s passing with profound sorrow. “Mr. Poponne was not just a prominent member of Dominica’s business circle; he was a familiar, trusted pillar who shaped the island’s commercial life for decades,” she noted.

    Widely recognized as the founder and proprietor of Valentine’s Store, Poponne built far more than just a retail establishment — the shop became an integral part of daily life for generations of Dominican residents, much like Poponne himself became a staple of the community.

    Yeeloy-Labad emphasized the unique role of small local businesses in tight-knit island communities, a role that Poponne embodied fully. “Unlike large chain operations, a small neighborhood store holds far more than the goods it sells on its shelves. It holds intergenerational relationships, hard-earned public trust, and a quiet, consistent commitment to service that molds a community slowly, over many years,” she explained.

    On behalf of DAIC’s Board of Directors, its full membership base, and the broader Dominican business community, Yeeloy-Labad extended the organization’s sincerest condolences to Poponne’s immediate family, close friends, and professional colleagues. She reflected that those who mourn him can find comfort in the lasting legacy Poponne leaves behind: a life well-lived, a record of faithful service to his community, and a memory held in deep warmth by all who knew him. “We mourn this great loss alongside all who loved and knew him,” the statement concluded. “May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

  • Thieves Steal Television, Air Conditioner From AIDS Secretariat

    Thieves Steal Television, Air Conditioner From AIDS Secretariat

    An overnight break-in at the AIDS Secretariat government office located on Long Street has left the facility missing a range of household and office goods, authorities confirmed this week. The disappearance of the property was first detected when administrative staff returned to work and opened the building at approximately 7 a.m. on Monday. Prior to the weekend closure, the office had been properly locked and secured by staff at around 9 p.m. the previous Saturday, indicating the burglary occurred sometime between Saturday night and Monday morning.

    Inventory of stolen items reveals a eclectic mix of goods taken by the intruders, ranging from large electronic appliances to everyday personal and office supplies. The stolen property includes a full-size television, a standalone air conditioning unit, two pairs of footwear, a winter jacket, sanitary hygiene products, coffee, and fresh eggs. Law enforcement investigators who processed the crime scene found clear evidence of forced entry attempts at the building’s western facade. Six glass louvre panels were completely removed from an exterior window on that side of the structure, and suspects also tried to bend the protective iron security bars covering the opening — though that particular attempt did not succeed.

    As of the latest update, the exact route intruders used to gain full access to the secured office building remains undetermined by investigators. Once inside the facility, the burglars specifically targeted the accountant’s office, forcing entry to the locked space and searching through documents and storage areas across the premises. Following the discovery of the break-in, law enforcement conducted a grid search of the surrounding neighborhood and nearby access routes in an effort to recover the stolen property, but no trace of the missing items has been found to date. The case remains open and active as investigators continue to process evidence and follow leads to identify the perpetrators.

  • Off-duty cop killed in Caroni attack

    Off-duty cop killed in Caroni attack

    A devastating act of violence has shaken the law enforcement community of Trinidad and Tobago, after an off-duty police constable was gunned down during an attempted armed robbery in Caroni late Tuesday night. Forty-eight-year-old Romell Kerry Douglas, assigned to the Four Roads Police Station, had his licensed service weapon stolen by attackers following the fatal shooting.

    The tragedy unfolded at approximately 11:05 p.m., as Douglas sat in his private vehicle at the intersection of Hydraulic Trace and Caroni South Bank Road in Kelly Village. Investigators confirm that a white Nissan Tiida pulled alongside Douglas’ car, and the individuals inside immediately initiated an attempted robbery. The confrontation quickly escalated into an exchange of gunfire: Douglas managed to return fire, striking one of the suspects before succumbing to his own gunshot wounds. First responders arrived on the scene 10 minutes after the incident, and Douglas was pronounced dead at the location. His service weapon remained missing, taken by the attackers during the chaos.

    One of the suspects involved in the attack, 19-year-old Adetola Ammon of Arima, was transported to the Arima Health Facility with gunshot wounds he sustained during the shootout, and later died in medical care. Law enforcement recovered the suspects’ Nissan Tiida shortly after the shooting, and as of Wednesday night, a coordinated, large-scale manhunt was already active for the two remaining at-large suspects.

    On Wednesday, senior leadership of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) paid public tribute to Douglas ahead of a scheduled news conference, holding a solemn minute of silence to honor the fallen officer. Senior officers including ASP Joel Forbes, ASP Ancil Corrie, and TTPS Public Information Officer ASP Owie Russell stood in respectful silence during the tribute. Russell confirmed that Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro and the entire TTPS executive had formally extended deep condolences to Douglas’ family, friends, and fellow officers.

    Local residents who spoke with the Trinidad Express Wednesday expressed profound shock at the killing, with many highlighting the deep anxiety the incident has sparked amid the country’s ongoing state of emergency. One resident told the outlet, “We have officers being killed during a state of emergency…imagine that. I don’t know what else we can do to get a hand on the crime situation in this country.”

    Leadership of the TTPS Social and Welfare Association has issued a strong condemnation of the killing, and issued a public appeal for community assistance to bring the remaining perpetrators to justice. Association head ASP Ishmael Pitt remembered Douglas as an exemplary, deeply professional and committed officer whose death represents an incalculable loss for both the association and the broader TTPS. “We condemn this in the strongest possible way,” Pitt said. “PC Douglas was a tremendous officer. He was very professional, very dedicated and this will definitely be a great loss to our membership and also to the Police Service at large.”

    Pitt confirmed that association representatives have already begun supporting Douglas’ next of kin, and are working to ensure all eligible organizational benefits are promptly made available to Douglas’ beneficiaries. When asked about widespread concerns that officers may be deliberately targeted amid the current state of emergency, Pitt emphasized that the association views any attack on an officer, on or off duty, as unacceptable. He declined to draw a direct link between Douglas’ killing and the current national security measures, instead urging all serving officers to maintain strict vigilance in both professional and personal settings. “Regardless of the period, it is always a matter of great concern whenever law enforcement officers come under this type of attack,” Pitt said. “We want to emphasise to all members the need to exercise every level of safety and caution while executing their duties, and even in their personal lives.”

    The Prison Officers Association of Trinidad and Tobago also issued a formal statement Wednesday extending its deepest condolences to Douglas’ loved ones and colleagues. “The loss of a fellow law enforcement officer is a profound tragedy that is felt across the entire protective services community. We mourn alongside the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and stand in solidarity with all those affected by this senseless act of violence,” the association said. “We pray that God grants strength, comfort, and peace to his loved ones during this time of immense grief and that his colleagues find courage as they continue to serve and protect the people of Trinidad and Tobago. May Police Constable Douglas’ service, dedication, and sacrifice never be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers remain with his family, friends, and the entire Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.”

    As of Wednesday night, the national murder toll for the current year stood at 220, a slight decrease from the 225 recorded at the same point in 2025.

  • Leisure : Did you know ? #46

    Leisure : Did you know ? #46

    In the 46th installment of its popular twice-weekly general knowledge quiz series *Did You Know?*, Haitian news and media platform HaitiLibre has shed light on a little-known cultural and economic practice that sustains rural communities across the country. The series’ latest question asked participants to identify the livestock that has long been called the “farmer’s bank” in Haitian rural culture – and the answer reveals how deeply goat rearing is woven into the fabric of Haitian daily life.

    Locally known as kabrit, goat breeding fulfills a critical socio-economic function for small farming households across Haiti’s rural regions. Unlike other forms of livestock that require large upfront investments, goats carry low entry costs for small-scale producers, and their hardiness allows them to thrive in Haiti’s often harsh tropical climate and steep, mountainous terrain that is poorly suited to larger cattle. For generations, these animals have served as a form of liquid living savings: when unexpected expenses arise – from children’s school tuition to emergency medical bills – a goat can be quickly sold to generate the needed cash, turning it into a functional, accessible bank for families shut out of formal financial services.

    Beyond their economic role, goats are also a core part of Haitian culinary tradition. Goat meat is one of the most popular proteins in local cuisine, and it is the key ingredient in tasso, Haiti’s beloved national dish. But while goats are uniquely resilient, their rearing still requires intentional, sustainable management to avoid negative environmental outcomes. Unregulated grazing has contributed to land degradation in Haiti’s fragile mountain ecosystems, so agricultural advocates are pushing for the adoption of modern, sustainable breeding practices that can protect both the livelihoods that depend on goats and the natural environment that supports the industry.

    The quiz feature itself is part of HaitiLibre’s expanding Quiz.HaitiLibre platform, a free public resource that offers general knowledge content for learners of all ages and skill levels. Launched officially with ongoing monthly updates, the platform added 31 new quiz games on July 1, 2026, bringing its total catalog of interactive quizzes to 180, with new content added every month. The free, no-registration platform offers three difficulty levels – easy, intermediate, and hard – and all content is available in both French and English, covering topics ranging from local Haitian culture and agriculture to global current events and general knowledge.

    Visitors to the platform can access the full catalog of quizzes, including the entire back catalog of the *Did You Know?* series, at https://quiz.haitilibre.com/en. The platform encourages user feedback via a comment form at the end of each quiz, and invites users to share the resource with friends and family to help more people expand their knowledge of Haiti and the wider world.

  • Protests against murder charge for MV Barima captain, others; Indigenous Amerindians among activists picketing President’s office

    Protests against murder charge for MV Barima captain, others; Indigenous Amerindians among activists picketing President’s office

    On Wednesday, July 29, 2026, widespread coordinated protests broke out across Guyana, sparked by public outrage over murder charges filed against three Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) employees in the deadly July 18 sinking of the MV Barima passenger vessel. The disaster has left 72 people confirmed dead and another 30 missing, presumed drowned, and protesters are demanding both accountability for senior government officials and justice for the accused workers.

    Demonstrations were held at three key locations: two coastal road sites on Demerara’s East and West coasts, and a mass picket outside the Office of the President in Georgetown. At Den Amstel Public Road on West Coast Demerara, roughly 30 demonstrators gathered in solidarity with 33-year-old Delon Granderson, a T&HD Goods Superintendent from Fellowship. Carrying hand-painted placards, protesters chanted “jail the criminals, free the innocent,” and called for the immediate removal of two senior cabinet members: Juan Edghill, the minister responsible for maritime transportation, and Deodat Indar, minister of maritime regulation. Placard messages included “wrongly accused, wrongly judged,” “free Delon Granderson,” and direct accusations that the two ministers “sank the evidence.”

    A separate protest at Melanie Damishana Public Road on East Coast Demerara centered on support for 40-year-old MV Barima captain Kevin “KP” Price, a local villager. Protesters there joined calls to release Price, Granderson, and the third accused, Chief Mate Rondell Dwayne Roberts, while also condemning the government for what they called selective justice. Demonstrators drew a contrast between the swift murder charges against the T&HD workers and the ongoing lack of progress in the death investigation of Adrianna Young, whose body was recovered from a hotel pool in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo. Protesters chanted that “Anil Nandlall and the DPP were silent with Adrianna’s case but they suddenly have voice,” rejecting claims of equal treatment under the law.

    The three accused workers—Granderson, Price, and Roberts, 42, of Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara—were formally charged with the murder of the 72 confirmed victims of the July 18 sinking, when the overloaded passenger vessel went down in rough coastal waters overnight.

    Outside the Office of the President, a larger coalition demonstration brought together Indigenous Amerindians organized by the Amerindian People’s Association (APA), joined by civil society activists, opposition politicians, and ordinary members of the public. Many of the victims of the sinking were Indigenous people traveling to coastal communities, leading protesters to highlight systemic neglect of Indigenous safety and rights. Placards carried messages including “indigenous lives matter,” “our First People deserve first class treatment,” and calls to hold senior leaders accountable for the disaster. One protester told Demerara Waves that the tragedy exposed deep-rooted failures across Guyana’s entire public transportation system, both on land and at sea. “It is reckless, it is lawless and the protocols are not in place. The same thing translates on the sea,” he said, calling for full systemic reform and stricter enforcement of safety rules to protect all Guyanese commuters.

    Representatives from three opposition groups—We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), the People’s National Congress Reform/ A Partnership for National Unity, and the Alliance For Change—joined the demonstration, with unarmed police maintaining a presence at the site. Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed reiterated a longstanding demand for the MV Barima wreck to be salvaged, arguing that recovering the vessel is the only way to recover remaining victims, give grieving families closure, and uncover the full truth of the disaster. He accused the government of blocking salvage efforts to avoid accountability, saying “they know they will be held accountable.” Mohamed also announced he had assembled a team of lawyers to secure substantial compensation for survivors and bereaved families, and revealed plans to organize rolling protests across all 10 of Guyana’s administrative regions in the coming weeks.

    The murder charges have split official response, even within the government. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Mark Phillips publicly stated he did not believe the captain and his crew had any intention to kill the passengers on board. Lawyers for the accused have already argued there is no evidence of premeditation or intent to kill required for a murder conviction. But Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Hack defended her decision to recommend the elevated charges, saying the decision was rooted in evidence presented to her office, relevant legal principles, binding case law from the United Kingdom, other Commonwealth jurisdictions, and the European Court of Human Rights, as well as broader public policy considerations.

    For his part, President Irfaan Ali has continued to hold one-on-one meetings with survivors and bereaved families, posting on his official Facebook page Wednesday that he remains committed to standing with affected communities through their healing process, beyond just the immediate aftermath of the disaster. “I continued my one-on-one engagements with survivors and families affected by the MV Barima tragedy,” he wrote, adding that the meetings uphold his earlier commitment to ensure all families receive the care, support, and assistance they need.

    Prime Minister Phillips clarified earlier this week that any final decision on salvaging the MV Barima will be guided by the wishes of victim families. He rejected opposition claims of a government cover-up, saying “Government has nothing to hide. I can tell you up front, we have nothing to hide.” He also denied that the government was pressuring families to oppose salvage efforts, and confirmed that no compensation would be offered to families before the Commission of Inquiry investigating the tragedy releases its final findings and recommendations.

  • Haiti’s Minister of Agriculture tours Grand’Anse

    Haiti’s Minister of Agriculture tours Grand’Anse

    In a working visit focused on advancing food security and rural development in Haiti, Minister of Agriculture Marcelin Aubourg, a professional agricultural engineer, recently traveled through Haiti’s Grand’Anse department to conduct on-site oversight of initiatives under the Resilient Agriculture for Food Security Project (PARSA). The primary goal of the tour was to evaluate on-the-ground progress of two high-priority infrastructure initiatives: the construction of family-sized rainwater harvesting tanks and the expansion and upgrade of rural road networks. Both sets of projects are designed to remove longstanding barriers to accessing agricultural production zones and lift living standards for local communities that have long struggled with limited infrastructure.

    The first stop on the minister’s itinerary was the commune of Pestel, where the delegation first traveled to the small community of Deron to check progress on the local water tank program. After walking through the construction sites and speaking with contractors, the team sat down with local residents to hear first-hand accounts of how the new infrastructure has already changed daily life. Beneficiaries told the delegation that the 3,000-gallon rainwater harvesting tanks, installed through the Ministry of Agriculture’s leadership, have put an end to a years-long struggle for consistent access to clean water for household and agricultural use, opening the door to a more stable and dignified quality of life for the whole community.

    Leaving Pestel, the ministerial convoy traveled next to the commune of Beaumont, where they inspected ongoing construction on a 300-meter rural road expansion that spans the second communal section of Chardonnette and the nearby locality of Dumois. The journey into Chardonnette itself served as a stark reminder of the daily challenges area residents face navigating poorly maintained roads, underscoring the urgent need for the upgrades the project is delivering.

    Across every community the delegation visited, local residents, parishioners, and the local parish priest turned out to extend a warm welcome to Minister Aubourg and the entire PARSA project team. Conversations with locals were marked by broad smiles and repeated expressions of gratitude for the tangible improvements the projects have already brought to the region.

    To wrap up the multi-site supervisory tour, the minister and his team traveled to Fonds-Rouge Torbeck, the ninth communal section of Jérémie. In this area, the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development (MARNDR) has already completed several key infrastructure projects through the PARSA framework. Finished works include more than 350 linear meters of rural road constructed with reinforced concrete strips, erosion protection infrastructure for the critical Hypollite natural spring, and resurfacing of roughly 200 linear meters of unpaved dirt road. Local leaders say these completed upgrades already represent a tangible, meaningful improvement to daily life for area residents, while creating new opportunities for long-term growth and investment in the region’s agricultural sector.

  • New Liquor Laws Proposed, But Who Will Enforce Them?

    New Liquor Laws Proposed, But Who Will Enforce Them?

    As Belize’s urban landscape and nightlife economy have evolved dramatically over recent decades, with residential neighborhoods expanding around existing bars, clubs, and liquor-selling outlets, the nation’s outdated liquor regulatory framework has failed to keep up with shifting community needs. In response, the Belizean government has launched a public consultation process to modernize the century-adjacent rules, with proposed reforms covering key areas including licensing protocols, noise management, operating hours, and regulatory structure. But at the first public consultation held Tuesday night at Belize City’s House of Culture, local residents made clear their top priority is not what the new law says — it is who will guarantee the new rules are actually enforced.

    The consultation, covered by News Five reporter Shane Williams, centered on one of the most pressing community concerns: the dangerous overconcentration of liquor-selling establishments near educational institutions. Standing outside Belize City’s All-Saints Primary School, which has served hundreds of children aged 5 to 13 since its founding in 1958, Williams noted that more than five licensed alcohol vendors operate within a short walk of the school grounds. A local resident from the Kings Park neighborhood confirmed that at least five alcohol-serving clubs sit within 100 feet of the school, a persistent complaint from local families. He added that even after a shooting incident two weeks prior at a popular Bayman area nightlife spot, the venue has continued operations as if no event occurred.

    Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner explained that many of the problematic existing licenses were issued decades ago, long before current land use patterns developed. Today, the city council has enacted a formal policy rejecting new liquor license applications for locations near schools and houses of worship. “For new applications that come before the board, in respect to schools and churches, we keep those context in mind and try to ensure we don’t grant any liquor licenses in those areas,” Wagner explained. “Of course, you have established businesses that have been there for some time. Any changes to legislation will require us to figure out how to grandfather these existing operations into the new framework.”

    While proximity to sensitive community sites remained a core concern, most attendees quickly shifted the conversation to what they called the far bigger issue: systemic failure to enforce existing liquor regulations. A Wilson Street resident shared a harrowing personal experience to illustrate the gap between law and practice. His 99-year-old grandmother lives in an upstairs unit of his home, and he described a recent night when loud bass from a nearby nightclub blared nonstop until 4 a.m. “I went to bed at nine, woke up at four, and the music was still playing — I could hear it clearly from my bed,” he recalled. “I took a video, called the police, and they said there was nothing they could do because the club had a permit. When I went down to the club myself after 4 a.m. to ask to see their after-hours permit, police already on site pulled pepper spray and warned me to step away.”

    This experience struck a chord with other attendees, many of whom shared similar stories of intimidation after reporting regulatory violations. One Kings Park resident noted he had repeatedly reported violations to local authorities and even received direct threats from license holders for speaking out, saying “I’m not afraid to say it because I received threats from somebody that they will do me harm, but I care less.”

    Some business owners also criticized the draft reforms for being one-sided. Linsford Rosado, owner of local open-air nightlife venue Thirsty Thursdays, argued the proposed changes focus almost exclusively on bars and nightclubs while ignoring a longstanding unaddressed issue: unregulated liquor sales to minors at small neighborhood shops. “The reform seems to be one-sided. I haven’t heard anything about the shops that sell liquor even to minors,” Rosado said. “As you walk into any shop in Belize, the first thing you see is alcohol. This is not just a nighttime problem — it’s a daytime problem, it’s a Sunday problem, because liquor is being sold hand over fist in every small shop across the country.”

    Officials from the Ministry of Local Government noted that feedback collected from public consultations across Belize will be used to refine the final comprehensive reform package. The stated goal of the update is to create a modern regulatory system that strikes a fair balance between supporting the growth of the local hospitality and nightlife industry and protecting the quality of life for residents living near licensed establishments.

  • Retired at 55… But Still Waiting to Be Paid?

    Retired at 55… But Still Waiting to Be Paid?

    In a deeply concerning revelation that exposes systemic failure in Belize’s public administration, veteran attorney Richard “Dickie” Bradley has slammed the country’s civil service for leaving thousands of retired public employees stranded in a crippling bureaucratic maze, with many passing away before ever accessing the pensions they earned through decades of public service.

    The crisis centers on the mandatory retirement age of 55 for most Belizean public officers, where retirement has become far from the well-earned rest workers expected. Instead of receiving their entitled benefits upon exiting the workforce, hundreds of retirees are now forced to spend months – and in some cases multiple years – trekking between disconnected government offices to push their pension claims through.

    Bradley, who has represented dozens of affected retirees, emphasized that the current broken system stands in stark contrast to processes just a generation ago. Decades back, retiring civil servants walked away from their final day of work with their final pension cheque already in hand. That efficient, worker-centric system has long disappeared, Bradley argues, replaced by a fragmented, unresponsive bureaucracy that shifts all responsibility for claim processing onto the retirees themselves.

    “You don’t wake up one day suddenly 55 – you spend years knowing retirement is coming, but the system still can’t get your paperwork processed in advance,” Bradley explained. “Today, retirees have to travel all the way to Belmopan, run from one department to the next chasing their own files, just to get administrators to calculate the amount of pension they are owed. It is absolutely disgraceful.”

    Worst of all, the months-long delays have already had fatal consequences: Bradley confirmed that multiple elderly retirees have died before their pension claims were finalized, never getting to access the benefits they dedicated their working lives to earn. The ongoing crisis has sparked growing calls for the Belizean government to overhaul the civil service’s pension administration system, streamline processing protocols, and address the neglect that has left a generation of public servants in limbo after their careers end.

  • WASCO shares progress on projects to improve water supply

    WASCO shares progress on projects to improve water supply

    Residents across the Caribbean island nation of Saint Lucia are set to see tangible progress toward more consistent, dependable access to clean water in the months ahead, as four major public water infrastructure projects move through key pre-construction and active development phases. The timeline for accelerated delivery of these critical upgrades was outlined by Maurice Norville, head of the Project Management Unit at the Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO), during the organization’s regular monthly press briefing held this Wednesday.

    The largest of the four initiatives by investment value is the $22.8 million John Compton Dam Raw Water Pipeline Project, which remains on schedule to break ground in January 2027. Pre-construction activities are already well underway: the project has filled key leadership roles including a dedicated full-time engineer and community liaison officer, who have already held a series of consultative meetings with local landowners and agricultural producers to walk through project plans and address community concerns around potential impacts. Evaluation of proposals from firms competing for the supervision engineering consultant contract is ongoing, with selection expected to wrap up by the end of August and the winning firm onboarding by September. Discussions around required land acquisition for the pipeline route are also continuing, with no reported delays to the current construction timeline.

    The $5 million Theobalds Water Supply Rehabilitation Project, which will upgrade aging distribution infrastructure in the Theobalds region, is currently in the contractor procurement phase. Six competitive bids from regional construction firms were submitted to WASCO back in June, and the evaluation process to select a winning bidder is now active. A contractor is scheduled to be named in August, with physical construction kicking off the following month. The full rehabilitation work is projected to take 15 months, with a formal completion deadline set for December 2027.

    Further along in development is the $2 million Patience Water Supply Redevelopment Project, which has already reached 80% overall completion. Key core infrastructure is already finished: the raw water intake structure is fully constructed, civil site work for the new water treatment plant has been wrapped up, pumping station construction is 85% complete, and 40% of the new distribution pipeline has already been installed. The new treatment plant equipment is currently in transit from Europe, with delivery expected by the end of July. Following delivery, installation and testing of the new facility will take approximately two months, putting the full project on track to open by the end of October this year.

    The final initiative, the Northern Pipeline Project, has completed all core pre-construction contracting phases, with both the supervising consultant and main construction contractors formally signed on. Construction is slated to get underway in August. The Department of Physical Planning has already issued all required legal notices to landowners whose properties will be affected by the pipeline route, and utility corridor surveys are continuing. Currently, half of the required property boundary surveys have been completed, and WASCO officials confirmed this partial progress will not delay the planned start of construction. Site staking has already been finished, and survey teams are now finalizing elevation and benchmark data ahead of the contractor mobilizing to the site next month.

    Collectively, the four projects are designed to address longstanding gaps in water access, upgrade aging infrastructure, and boost the overall reliability of Saint Lucia’s national water supply for communities across the country, with work ramping up significantly over the remainder of the year.