Carib Scope

分类： society

  • Bishop Fernander to step aside as president of BCC

    Bishop Fernander to step aside as president of BCC

    Bishop Delton Fernander will conclude his tenure as President of the Bahamas Christian Council (BCC) this year, initiating a leadership transition as the organization prepares for its April elections. Constitutional term limits prevent Bishop Fernander from seeking re-election, ensuring the council will elect a new president during the upcoming vote.

    Bishop Fernander, who assumed the presidency in 2017 following elections at Cousin McPhee Cathedral where he succeeded Dr. Ranford Patterson, will transition from his ecclesiastical leadership role to a significant national position. His departure coincides with his appointment as the new Chaplain for the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, effective Wednesday. He will replace Apostle Raymond Wells, whose service concludes at the month’s end.

    National Security Minister Wayne Munroe formally welcomed Bishop Fernander to his new capacity, emphasizing the appointee’s technical qualifications and their alignment with the defence force’s ongoing modernization initiatives. Minister Munroe noted that Bishop Fernander’s expertise would contribute substantially to the organization’s improvement goals.

    Beyond his presidential role with the BCC, Bishop Fernander maintains leadership of New Destiny Baptist Cathedral in New Providence and holds a PhD in Philosophy. His distinguished career includes previous service as Presiding Bishop of Kingdom Building Pastors and People International, with national recognition as an accomplished preacher, educator, and motivational speaker.

  • Bleu & Bougie to honour late consul general to New York

    Bleu & Bougie to honour late consul general to New York

    The Jamaican diaspora community in New York has posthumously honored former Consul General Alison Roach-Wilson for her exceptional diplomatic service and community leadership. Roach-Wilson, who passed away in November at age 62 following a battle with breast cancer, served as Jamaica’s top diplomat to New York since 2019 until her untimely death.

    On March 1, the Bleu & Bougie event series organizers paid tribute to Roach-Wilson’s legacy during a special ceremony at New Rochelle’s Greentree Country Club. The organization established the Alison Roach-Wilson Legacy Award, which was presented to her husband Omar and their three children—Brian, Patrick, and Vanessa—in recognition of her profound impact on the Jamaican community.

    Jerry McDonald, founder and CEO of Bleu & Bougie, characterized Roach-Wilson as the embodiment of excellence, purpose, and meaningful impact. ‘The CG was not only a diplomat but a servant of Jamaica who uplifted the diaspora at every level,’ McDonald stated. ‘She represented Jamaica with grace and an unwavering commitment to community.’

    Born in St. Catherine, Jamaica, Roach-Wilson migrated to the United States as a teenager, attending Erasmus High School and the American Business Institute in New York. Before her diplomatic appointment, she built an impressive corporate career, serving as vice president and associate director at Bear Stearns, director of finance at Greylock Capital Management, and as president and CEO of The Alison Roach Group, LLC. She also demonstrated entrepreneurial vision by founding Cyberlock Solutions, a cybersecurity company.

    In a fitting capstone to her distinguished career, Roach-Wilson received Jamaica’s Order of Distinction (Commander class)—the nation’s sixth-highest honor—just one month before her passing. The newly created award ensures that her legacy of service and dedication to the Jamaican diaspora will continue to be recognized and celebrated.

  • Minister condemns violent act against elderly man

    Minister condemns violent act against elderly man

    The Barbadian government has announced sweeping reforms to protect elderly citizens following a recent violent incident against a senior. Minister with responsibility for the elderly declared the nation’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the welfare, dignity, and security of older persons who built modern Barbados.

    The government will soon introduce the Older Persons (Care and Protection) Bill, which establishes comprehensive legal protections against physical, sexual, emotional, and financial abuse, plus neglect and abandonment. The legislation mandates severe penalties including fines up to $100,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both, sending a clear message of zero tolerance for elder abuse.

    Complementing these legal measures, the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs has launched the Social Empowerment Agency (SEA), operational since January 2, 2026. This innovative agency consolidates five core social services into a unified, person-centered organization dedicated to holistic support, skills development, and capacity-building for vulnerable populations including seniors.

    The Elder Affairs Programme forms the cornerstone of Barbados’ agenda for promoting healthy, active, and dignified aging. As the population of older citizens grows steadily, the program reflects government’s commitment to creating opportunities for meaningful contribution to national development while ensuring seniors live safer, more fulfilling lives.

    Government officials emphasized that Barbados stands at a pivotal moment in its journey toward becoming a truly inclusive society that values every citizen throughout their lifespan. The nation’s seniors, described as pillars of society who shaped post-Independence Barbados, deserve not only gratitude but comprehensive protection and support during their golden years.

  • Antigua and Barbuda approves nationwide street lighting upgrade

    Antigua and Barbuda approves nationwide street lighting upgrade

    The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has greenlit a comprehensive national initiative to enhance street and community lighting across the nation. This decision follows a detailed briefing from the Electricity Manager of the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA), who was specifically summoned to address mounting public apprehensions regarding insufficient illumination in numerous neighborhoods.

    Maurice Merchant, the Director General of Communications within the Office of the Prime Minister, confirmed the development. The Cabinet conducted a thorough review of conditions prevalent in residential zones, major thoroughfares, and public areas, systematically pinpointing locations deemed critically deficient and in need of immediate intervention to boost visibility and bolster public security.

    In response, APUA has formally committed to executing the necessary repairs and systemic upgrades. The utility authority asserts it possesses the full technical expertise, workforce, and requisite equipment to finalize the entire project within a sensible and efficient timeframe.

    The sweeping improvement program encompasses a multi-faceted approach: installation of brand-new streetlights, restoration of malfunctioning units, substitution of impaired fixtures, and complete system modernization where existing infrastructure is obsolete. Execution will be prioritized based on the severity of the deficiencies, ensuring the most affected areas are addressed first.

    Government officials project that the augmented lighting will yield significant multifaceted benefits. These include a substantial reinforcement of road safety for motorists and pedestrians, a powerful bolstering of crime prevention initiatives, and a tangible contribution to overarching national security objectives and broader community development goals.

  • ABWU Women’s Council Ignites Creativity with Successful Candle-Making Workshop

    ABWU Women’s Council Ignites Creativity with Successful Candle-Making Workshop

    The Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) Women’s Council successfully launched its revitalized programming with a therapeutic candle-making workshop this past Saturday. Over thirty women from the union’s membership gathered for a hands-on creative session, marking the first major initiative since the Council’s re-establishment at the 2025 Women’s Conference.

    Under expert guidance, participants were immersed in the artisanal craft of creating scented 8oz candles. The workshop, led by Union Shop Steward Menardia Mason, provided comprehensive instruction on the technical intricacies of the process. Attendees mastered precise temperature controls for incorporating dye colors and fragrance oils into wax, alongside designing decorative embellishments for their finished products.

    Mason expressed admiration for participants’ rapid skill acquisition and artistic expression. ‘The creativity in design and presentation was remarkable, and there was visible pride in their accomplished work,’ she observed. Beyond technical education, the event generated profound personal impacts, with one participant describing the experience as ‘both therapeutic and empowering—the ultimate relaxation.’

    Hazel Luke, Coordinator of the Women’s Council, emphasized the Council’s mission to develop tailored programming addressing women’s specific interests and needs. This workshop represents the beginning of a broader agenda, with numerous engaging activities planned throughout the year to strengthen community among female union members.

  • Leslie Land fire sparks call for owners to secure derelict properties

    Leslie Land fire sparks call for owners to secure derelict properties

    Fire authorities in Saint Lucia are issuing urgent calls for property owners to secure derelict buildings following a devastating Tuesday night fire that originated in an abandoned structure and rapidly spread through a Castries neighborhood. The conflagration, which began in a squatter-occupied building in Leslie Land, ultimately damaged seven structures and destroyed a utility pole before firefighters contained the flames.

    The Saint Lucia Fire Service reported that three structures—two residential homes and one business—were completely destroyed, while four adjacent properties sustained varying degrees of damage. Miraculously, no fatalities or injuries were reported despite the rapid spread of the fire through the densely populated community.

    Fire Prevention and Safety Officer Owen Cazaubon revealed that initial suppression efforts were severely hampered by inadequate water pressure from the nearest hydrant. “Fire officers, in attempting to refill their trucks, could not obtain sufficient pressure to effectively combat the flames,” Cazaubon explained. “This necessitated sourcing water from a distant hydrant, during which time the fire intensified and spread to neighboring buildings.”

    Despite these challenges, firefighters eventually brought the blaze under control, preventing further destruction and saving four additional structures that were imminently threatened. While the official cause remains under investigation, preliminary findings indicate the abandoned building served as the ignition point.

    The incident has prompted renewed warnings from fire officials about the dangers posed by neglected properties in urban areas. “These abandoned structures create significant hazards,” Cazaubon emphasized. “As we witnessed, a fire originating in one such property can quickly spread to neighboring structures, resulting in devastating damage and displacement. We currently have residents who have been rendered homeless due to this preventable tragedy.”

    The Fire Service is now urging owners of derelict properties in densely populated communities to take immediate responsibility for securing their buildings to prevent similar incidents in the future.

  • UWI Five Islands Postgraduate Debate Team Makes Historic 2nd Place Finish in First-Ever Inter-Campus Appearance

    UWI Five Islands Postgraduate Debate Team Makes Historic 2nd Place Finish in First-Ever Inter-Campus Appearance

    In a remarkable display of intellectual prowess, the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus has etched its name in academic debating history. The campus’s postgraduate debate team secured an extraordinary second-place finish at the prestigious 2026 UWI Inter-Campus Postgraduate Debate Competition, held February 20-21 at the Mona Campus in Jamaica.

    Making their inaugural appearance in the annual regional championship, the Five Islands Association of Postgraduate Students (F.I.C.A.P.S.) demonstrated exceptional skill and composure throughout the competition. The team, comprising postgraduate scholars Jake Taylor (Team Captain), Cedric Park, and Michelle Paige, received guidance from Postgraduate Representative Kimon Drigo and Debate Coach Odaissia Nichols.

    The team’s journey to the finals began on February 20th with a decisive victory against the UWI Global Campus. Debating the moot regarding CARICOM’s authority to impose economic sanctions on member states failing to implement regional policies, the F.I.C.A.P.S. team, arguing the Proposition, delivered a compelling performance that earned them a spot in the championship round. Their excellence was further highlighted when Cedric Park received the Overall Best Debater award for Day One.

    During the finals on February 21st, the debutante team faced the historically dominant UWI Mona team, debating the controversial topic of foreign military intervention to remove sitting heads of state when international legal mechanisms fail. Despite being newcomers, the Five Islands team held their ground against the debating ‘titans’ from Mona, ultimately securing second place in the competition.

    The achievement garnered significant recognition from debate authorities. Head Judge and international debate champion Germaine Barrett publicly praised the F.I.C.A.P.S. team during closing remarks, noting the extraordinary accomplishment of debutantes reaching second place and challenging an established debating powerhouse. Mona’s debate team captain, Omolora Wilson, acknowledged in post-debate interviews that they hadn’t encountered such formidable competition in recent memory.

    This historic placement positioned Five Islands ahead of UWI’s Global Campus and Cave Hill campuses, with St. Augustine unable to participate. F.I.C.A.P.S. has expressed gratitude to the UWI Five Islands Debate Society and campus leadership for their support and investment in student development. The team now looks toward future competitions with renewed determination, aiming to build on this momentum and continue representing Antigua and Barbuda on the regional academic stage.

  • Rotary Club of Grenada celebrates milestone Learn to Swim achievement

    Rotary Club of Grenada celebrates milestone Learn to Swim achievement

    In a groundbreaking achievement for inclusive education, students from Grenada School for Special Education (GSSE) have successfully completed an intensive eight-week swimming program under the Rotary Club of Grenada’s Learn to Swim initiative. The program concluded with an emotional graduation ceremony that highlighted the participants’ extraordinary perseverance and personal triumphs.

    The celebratory event radiated with palpable joy and accomplishment as students demonstrated their newly acquired aquatic skills. Beyond the technical mastery of swimming, the program represented a profound journey toward self-empowerment and social inclusion for children with special needs. Participants exhibited remarkable confidence and pride in their achievements, marking a transformative milestone in their personal development.

    Julia Lawrence, President of the Rotary Club of Grenada, emphasized the program’s deeper significance: ‘This initiative represents Rotary in action. We believe every child deserves opportunity, inclusion, and the chance to build confidence in a safe environment. Witnessing these students progress and celebrate reinforces why we serve.’

    The initiative extends far beyond recreational activity, providing essential water safety skills that could potentially save lives while simultaneously fostering greater independence and self-assurance. The program’s comprehensive approach included the donation of specialized swimwear to ensure all participants could engage with dignity and full participation.

    Critical to the program’s success was the expertise of Deb Eastwood from Get Grenada Swimming, whose dedicated instruction and patient methodology guided students through their aquatic journey. The initiative reflects Rotary’s core values of Service Above Self, Fellowship, and Inclusion, demonstrating how community organizations can create meaningful social impact.

    This swimming program forms part of the Rotary Club’s broader commitment to youth development and community transformation in Grenada, representing a sustainable model for empowering vulnerable populations through practical skill development and social inclusion.

  • APUA Responds to Increasing Reports of Ruptured Water Lines

    APUA Responds to Increasing Reports of Ruptured Water Lines

    The Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) has officially identified systemic causes behind a recent escalation in water main breaks across the island. In a public statement released on Monday, February 23, 2026, the authority’s Water Business Unit confirmed that the rising frequency of pipeline ruptures is a direct consequence of two primary factors: critically aging infrastructure and a significant increase in overall water production. The utility explained that substantial sections of the existing distribution network were engineered decades ago and were never designed to withstand the higher volumes and corresponding system pressures of contemporary water output. This combination of antiquated piping materials and intensified operational strain has created a vulnerability, leading to more frequent and disruptive failures. In response, APUA has initiated a comprehensive, phased modernization program targeting its primary water mains. This initiative involves the systematic replacement of old pipes with advanced, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) piping, a material lauded for its superior durability and resistance to corrosion. While these long-term upgrades are underway, the authority has assured the public that dedicated emergency response teams remain on active, daily deployment to swiftly address new leaks and other operational faults. For residents encountering water disruptions or related issues, APUA continues to operate its 24/7 Contact Centre, available at the hotline number 211.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Nurses Association Appoints New Executive Committee Headed by Laurellyn Williams

    Antigua and Barbuda Nurses Association Appoints New Executive Committee Headed by Laurellyn Williams

    The Antigua and Barbuda Nurses Association (ABNA) has formally introduced its newly appointed Executive Committee, marking a significant transition in nursing leadership. This accomplished team of healthcare professionals assumes responsibility for guiding the organization’s mission to enhance medical services, bolster nurse welfare, and champion exemplary patient care standards throughout the nation.

    The comprehensive leadership roster features Laurellyn Williams as President, supported by dual Vice Presidents Kesha Willock and Emelda Peters Smith. Administrative functions will be managed by Secretary Eletha George with Wanda Ferris as Assistant Secretary. Financial oversight falls to Treasurer Alden Robins and Assistant Treasurer Petal Adams Nedd, while Oona Cabral-Knight will serve as Public Relations Officer.

    Complementing the core leadership, five Executive Officers complete the administrative framework: Mcbert Arthur, Jenita Cuffy, Tanasha Roberts, Sonia Farrell Willock, Michelle Sealey, and Nerissa Skepple Thomas.

    The Association has publicly acknowledged the contributions of the departing administration, recognizing their dedication and service to the nursing community. Simultaneously, ABNA has extended warm congratulations to the incoming committee members, emphasizing their commitment to advancing professional development opportunities, strengthening interdisciplinary cooperation, and amplifying nursing perspectives in healthcare policy formulation.

    The newly constituted leadership has identified key priorities including the enhancement of continuing education programs, improvement of working conditions for nursing professionals, and strengthened advocacy within the national healthcare landscape. The Association encourages both its membership and public stakeholders to rally behind the new committee as they commence their strategic initiatives aimed at elevating nursing standards and healthcare delivery across Antigua and Barbuda.