Carib Scope

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  • Market Bag: Tomatoes now $50 as Floyd Green shops at ‘Curry’

    Market Bag: Tomatoes now $50 as Floyd Green shops at ‘Curry’

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s agricultural sector is demonstrating remarkable recovery following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa in October 2025, with market prices for fresh produce experiencing significant declines at Kingston’s Coronation Market. Tomatoes have reached a new low of $50, signaling substantial progress in restoring the nation’s food production capabilities.

    Agriculture Minister Floyd Green recently appeared on the Jamaica Observer’s Market Bag program, hosted by Carlysia Ramdeen, to detail the strategic initiatives responsible for the sector’s rapid turnaround. The ministry’s comprehensive recovery program included critical support measures such as seed distribution, enhanced water management systems, and operational assistance for affected farming communities.

    Consumers nationwide are now enjoying the benefits of this agricultural resurgence, with additional produce items showing substantial price reductions. Carrots are currently available at approximately $100 per pound, while cabbage prices have stabilized around $150, making nutritious food more accessible to Jamaican households.

    Minister Green attributed this successful recovery to the extraordinary resilience and determination of local farmers. “The current market conditions directly reflect our farmers’ unwavering commitment,” Green stated during the interview. “Through strategic combination of resource distribution, operational support, and the incredible dedication of our agricultural workforce, we have successfully restored Jamaica’s food security.”

    The complete interview featuring Minister Green’s detailed assessment of Jamaica’s agricultural recovery is available for viewing across the Jamaica Observer’s digital platforms on the latest episode of Market Bag.

  • BOMB SCARE: Grand Bahama electricity cut for four hours after threat to power company

    BOMB SCARE: Grand Bahama electricity cut for four hours after threat to power company

    A severe disruption struck Grand Bahama on Tuesday morning when a bomb threat triggered the complete shutdown of the island’s primary electrical generation facility. The incident, which occurred shortly after 7 a.m., led to widespread blackouts and brought commercial activities in Freeport to an abrupt standstill.

    Upon receiving the threat, Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC) management immediately executed emergency protocols, evacuating all personnel from their generation plant located at the intersection of West Sunrise Highway and Peel Street. First responders, including firefighters and a specialized Police Bomb Assessment Team, swiftly descended on the facility to conduct a meticulous, systematic sweep of the entire compound. Their investigation concluded without discovering any incendiary or explosive devices.

    The precautionary measure resulted in an extensive power outage lasting approximately four hours, affecting countless residents and businesses. GBPC’s main customer service office in Freeport was also shuttered, with a posted notice informing the public of an indefinite closure. Electrical service was successfully restored across the grid by 12:30 p.m. following an official safety clearance from authorities.

    In an official statement, the power company emphasized its commitment to safety, explaining the proactive shutdown was necessary to safeguard its employees and the general public. The utility expressed understanding for the significant inconvenience caused and thanked the community for its patience and cooperation during the crisis.

    Assistant Superintendent of Police Nicholas Johnson confirmed the launch of a formal investigation to determine the origin of the threat and whether it was a malicious hoax. ASP Johnson issued a stern warning, emphasizing that threats against critical infrastructure are treated with the utmost seriousness by law enforcement, regardless of their eventual credibility. He highlighted the profound societal impact of such actions, which disrupt essential services, hinder traffic, and place the entire community on high alert.

  • Floyd Green goes shopping at ‘Curry’

    Floyd Green goes shopping at ‘Curry’

    Jamaica’s agricultural industry is demonstrating a remarkable resurgence as produce prices experience a significant downward trend across local markets. This encouraging development was highlighted during Agriculture Minister Floyd Green’s feature appearance on the Jamaica Observer’s popular Market Bag video series, filmed at Kingston’s historic Coronation Market.

    Minister Green joined host Carlysia Ramdeen to document the market’s vibrant activity and discuss strategic government initiatives that facilitated the sector’s robust recovery from Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact last October. The weekly program, which tracks agricultural commodity prices nationwide, revealed substantial price reductions including tomatoes at approximately $50 per pound, carrots at $100, and cabbage priced around $150.

    During the market tour, Minister Green specifically commended Jamaican farmers for their extraordinary resilience and dedication amid challenging circumstances. “What we are witnessing represents the tangible outcome of combined efforts—strategic seed distribution, enhanced water management systems, operational improvements, and most importantly, the determination of exceptional farmers committed to restoring Jamaica’s food security,” Green emphasized.

    The agriculture minister detailed how coordinated intervention programs involving seed distribution, irrigation support, and technical assistance enabled farmers to rapidly rebuild production capacity following natural disasters. This comprehensive approach has not only stabilized supply chains but also created favorable conditions for price normalization that benefits consumers nationwide.

    The latest Market Bag episode documenting this agricultural recovery premieres Friday at 6:30 PM on YouTube and social media platforms, providing consumers with transparent market information and celebrating the restoration of Jamaica’s local food production capabilities.

  • NWA begins $328m road repairs in western Jamaica post-Melissa

    NWA begins $328m road repairs in western Jamaica post-Melissa

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — A comprehensive $328 million infrastructure recovery initiative is now underway across western Jamaica, addressing extensive roadway damage inflicted by Hurricane Melissa’s catastrophic passage in October 2025. The National Works Agency (NWA) has commenced an intensive patching and rehabilitation program targeting the most severely affected transportation corridors.

    The category five hurricane made landfall on October 28, 2025, unleashing unprecedented destruction throughout Jamaica’s western region. The storm’s impact created substantial challenges for transportation networks, particularly across the parishes of St James, Trelawny, Westmoreland, and Hanover where multiple roadways suffered critical damage.

    Janel Ricketts, Community Relations Officer for NWA’s western region, identified specific priority areas for rehabilitation. The comprehensive repairs will focus on key transportation arteries including Montego Bay’s city center thoroughfares in St James, the Highgate Hall to Stettin main road in Trelawny, Norman Manley Boulevard in Negril, Westmoreland, and critical segments of the Shettlewood to Chester Castle main road in Hanover. Additionally, the West End roadway in Negril will receive complete asphalting treatment.

    The ambitious recovery project, scheduled for completion within six weeks, forms part of the agency’s broader $1.7 billion islandwide Graded Overlay (GO) Road Rehabilitation Programme. Motorists are advised to anticipate potential traffic disruptions during construction periods and are strongly encouraged to adhere to posted warning signage and follow instructions from traffic management personnel.

    This infrastructure rehabilitation represents a significant step toward restoring normalcy to regions hardest hit by the hurricane, reestablishing vital transportation links for economic recovery and community connectivity.

  • Seven vie for Miss George Alleyne Hall (UWI) title

    Seven vie for Miss George Alleyne Hall (UWI) title

    KINGSTON, Jamaica – The University of the West Indies Mona campus prepares to crown its next Miss George Alleyne Hall on March 7th, with seven distinguished students competing for the prestigious title. The selection process, described by event coordinator Domonique Williams as “fairly easy,” deliberately sought candidates who embody the hall’s core values of ambition and community engagement.

    This year’s competition theme, “Jewels of the Jungle, Gems of the Enchanted,” will see contestants evaluated on multiple criteria including poise, eloquence, presentation skills, and how effectively they personify their assigned gemstone. The pageant serves not merely as a beauty contest but as a platform for personal development and community representation.

    The diverse cohort of contestants includes Biology student Justeena Rhone, who values the opportunity for building meaningful friendships, and law student Moiya Richardson, who seeks confidence building through public speaking. International representation comes from Antigua and Barbuda’s Lesheka Hodge, studying management studies with psychology and international relations minors, who views this as her entry into the pageant world.

    Other notable participants include Barbados native Talia Small, who confronts social anxiety through competition; Kelsie Spaulding, who aims to promote her female empowerment project “Her Space”; Antoinette Robinson, inspired by a previous titleholder; and aspiring diplomat Katia Anglin, pursuing history and international relations. The coronation ceremony will take place at the George Alleyne Hall on the UWI Mona campus.

  • Minister Grange reaffirms commitment to Bustamante celebrations

    Minister Grange reaffirms commitment to Bustamante celebrations

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican government has unveiled comprehensive plans to commemorate the 142nd birth anniversary of Sir Alexander Bustamante, the nation’s first prime minister and revered national hero. Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange has confirmed that dual ceremonies will be held simultaneously on February 24, 2026, at both Bustamante’s birthplace in Blenheim, Hanover, and at Kingston’s National Heroes Park.

    The commemorative proceedings will commence with a floral tribute ceremony at the National Heroes Park at 9:00 AM, followed by a birthday tribute ceremony in Blenheim at 11:00 AM. Additionally, Pearnel Charles Jr, Member of Parliament for Clarendon South Eastern—where Bustamante served for approximately 18 years—has organized supplementary activities within his constituency to honor the late statesman.

    Minister Grange directly addressed recent concerns about potential disruptions to the Hanover celebrations, emphasizing the government’s unwavering commitment to preserving national observances. She referenced the February 2025 celebrations when similar concerns emerged regarding funding availability. “The Government, through the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, acted decisively in mandating the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) to fully fund and execute the Bustamante birthday celebrations,” Grange stated in an official news release, highlighting the administration’s dedication to maintaining these traditions.

    The minister elaborated on the profound significance of these annual commemorations, describing them as crucial opportunities for national reflection on Bustamante’s legacy of workers’ rights advocacy and nation-building contributions that fundamentally shaped modern Jamaica.

    Acknowledging current fiscal constraints due to Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts, Grange expressed appreciation for public understanding while stressing the immeasurable value of heritage celebrations. “The value of heritage commemorations, particularly for young Jamaicans still coping with the impact of the hurricane, cannot be understated,” she explained. “These celebrations offer a sense of continuity, pride and inspiration at a time when our people, especially our youth, need it most.”

    The minister issued a nationwide call to action, encouraging participation from all societal sectors including educational institutions, community organizations, cultural groups, and families. She specifically urged school communities, youth groups, and cultural organizations to actively engage in both the Hanover and Kingston events, emphasizing the importance of keeping Bustamante’s legacy alive in both ceremonial practice and national consciousness.

    Interested parties seeking additional information about scheduled activities or wishing to confirm participation are advised to contact the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission directly.

  • Cooper orders probe into Exuma runway lights after patient’s death

    Cooper orders probe into Exuma runway lights after patient’s death

    A critical emergency medical evacuation flight arriving at Exuma International Airport on Wednesday evening encountered potential operational complications due to alleged runway lighting malfunctions, resulting in the subsequent death of the intended patient. Chester Cooper, Member of Parliament for Exumas and Ragged Island, confirmed the tragic outcome and announced he has formally requested a comprehensive investigation by the Civil Aviation Authority of The Bahamas.

    Initial reports indicate that while routine sundown inspections confirmed the runway lighting system was fully operational, the emergency flight may still have been impacted by illumination issues during its approach. Cooper has committed to keeping the public informed as the investigation progresses and more details become available.

    The incident has ignited political tensions and drawn attention to broader healthcare deficiencies in the region. Debra Moxey-Rolle, opposition FNM candidate for Exumas and Ragged Island, characterized the event as symptomatic of systemic healthcare failures. She revealed that concerns about airport infrastructure were raised as early as October 2025, resulting only in temporary repairs that have since deteriorated.

    Moxey-Rolle highlighted multiple healthcare crises plaguing the community: emergency medical flights costing approximately $1,800 per evacuation, non-functional morgue facilities due to excessive heat, absence of ultrasound technicians forcing pregnant women to travel to New Providence for basic prenatal care, and reduced laboratory services operating just twice monthly—or sometimes once—due to funding shortages.

    The situation has prompted urgent calls for accountability and improved healthcare infrastructure, with residents questioning why basic medical services remain inaccessible despite repeated appeals to elected officials.

  • Moore: Govt failing to tackle crisis of mothers prostituting daughters

    Moore: Govt failing to tackle crisis of mothers prostituting daughters

    A year after Bahamian Social Services Minister Myles Laroda alerted Parliament to an alarming surge in maternal-facilitated child prostitution, advocates report a complete absence of government-funded national measures to combat this deeply entrenched crisis. The Bahamas Urban Youth Development Centre (BUYDC) reveals that vulnerable minors continue to be commercially sexually exploited, primarily driven by severe economic deprivation that forces desperate mothers into unthinkable choices.

    Prodesta Moore, BUYDC’s founder and president, characterizes this not as a sudden epidemic but as a decades-old systemic failure stemming from intergenerational poverty, housing insecurity, and profound trauma. While public awareness has increased since Minister Laroda’s 2025 disclosure that girls as young as 14 were being exploited to pay household bills, Moore confirms that concrete governmental response remains conspicuously absent.

    Critical gaps persist across multiple fronts: emergency housing for at-risk youth, economic stabilization programs for struggling families, trauma-informed counseling, and rehabilitation services remain underdeveloped. Prevention education in high-risk communities and sustainable funding partnerships with frontline NGOs have similarly failed to materialize despite repeated advocacy efforts.

    BUYDC, established in 2010 by Moore, has pioneered trauma-informed care, mentorship programs, housing referrals, and life-skills training specifically targeting youth coerced into transactional sex due to economic desperation. The organization emphasizes that the crisis transcends criminal justice matters, representing instead a catastrophic failure of social protection systems when families resort to exploitation for basic subsistence.

    Minister Laroda, when contacted by The Tribune, maintained that the government continues working to mitigate the issue and eliminate instances of child exploitation, though he acknowledged the challenges of complete eradication. This stands in stark contrast to advocates’ assertions that the government has failed to implement targeted interventions despite its public acknowledgments.

    Moore stresses that meaningful change requires immediate political commitment, coordinated leadership, and substantial financial investment—elements that have yet to materialize in any comprehensive national strategy. The organization remains prepared to collaborate on immediate solutions, emphasizing that the window for effective intervention is rapidly closing for countless vulnerable youth.

  • Bill Express and Elhydro power rural student travel with islandwide top-up access

    Bill Express and Elhydro power rural student travel with islandwide top-up access

    KINGSTON, Jamaica – A significant enhancement to Jamaica’s National Rural School Bus Programme (NRSBP) now enables students and parents to reload transportation cards through an expanded network of physical locations across the island. GraceKennedy Payment Services (GKPS) has formally partnered with Elhydro Limited to introduce in-store top-up services available at all Bill Express outlets, according to a recent company announcement.

    This collaborative initiative addresses critical accessibility challenges by establishing dependable, tangible locations for managing student travel finances throughout rural parishes. The service operates exclusively on a cash basis, with deposited funds becoming active on bus cards within 30 minutes of transaction completion. Notably, the program imposes no restrictions on transaction frequency or maximum top-up amounts.

    To utilize the service, customers must present the alphanumeric identifier displayed on the student card. Initial registrants need to supply additional details including full name, contact number, residential address, and optional email information. All collected data will be utilized solely for transactional, informational, and promotional purposes according to the company’s privacy guidelines.

    Eligibility guidelines permit independent top-ups by students aged 15 and above presenting valid identification, while younger students require adult accompaniment during transactions.

    Margaret Campbell, Chief Executive Officer of GraceKennedy Money Services, emphasized the corporation’s dedication to national social development during the partnership signing ceremony at GraceKennedy’s Kingston headquarters. “This integration transcends mere financial transactions by actively supporting the educational continuum of Jamaica’s youth while delivering practical convenience and reassurance to families,” Campbell stated.

    Terence Slater, Regional Manager at GKPS, highlighted the program’s extensive reach through over 300 retail facilities. “Our strategic objective focuses on serving customers across all geographical constraints, particularly benefiting residents in remote regions experiencing connectivity limitations,” Slater explained.

    Elhydro Limited Vice President Major Paul Brown noted the partnership’s critical timing, observing how the physical top-up solution assists families still grappling with internet infrastructure damage caused by Hurricane Melissa.

    To facilitate adoption, GraceKennedy will implement a subsidized transaction fee of $25 JMD until June 30, 2026, after which the standard $65 JMD charge will apply. Launched in September 2025, the NRSBP provides affordable transportation solutions for students across thirteen rural parishes including St. Andrew, St. Catherine, Clarendon, and Portland.

  • Eastern Caribbean Judges Complete Three-Day Orientation in St. Lucia

    Eastern Caribbean Judges Complete Three-Day Orientation in St. Lucia

    The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court’s Judicial Education Institute (JEI) has successfully completed its comprehensive Judicial Officers’ Orientation 2026, a transformative three-day training event held in Saint Lucia from February 2-4, 2026. This intensive program brought together recently appointed judges and masters to advance their professional capabilities and reinforce the integrity of the regional judicial system.

    The inaugural day established foundational principles, featuring Ms. Myrtene Cenac’s compelling analysis on statistical applications in judicial operations, demonstrating how data-driven methodologies can bolster transparency and accountability. Justice Agnes Actie followed with practical guidance on active case management strategies to ensure timely and cost-effective resolution of legal matters. The afternoon sessions culminated with retired Chief Justice Dame Janice Pereira’s authoritative address on building public trust through strict adherence to the ECSC Code of Conduct, while Justice Alvin Pariagsingh provided expert analysis of the updated Costs Regimes under the Civil Procedure Rules 2023.

    Day two embraced contemporary challenges through examinations of digital transformation and implicit bias. Mr. Mark Ernest delivered a comprehensive overview of technological integration in judicial processes, highlighting artificial intelligence applications, digital recording systems, electronic case management, and virtual courtroom technologies. In a particularly impactful session, Justice Peter Jamadar of the Caribbean Court of Justice addressed unconscious prejudices in judicial decision-making, presenting effective strategies to mitigate bias and promote equitable proceedings. Additional sessions covered interim remedies and the critical functions of court registrars, with Justice of Appeal Eddy Ventose concluding the day with an authoritative discussion on public law claims.

    The final day focused on practical judicial skills with Dame Janice Pereira leading an interactive workshop on precision in judgment writing, emphasizing clarity in reasoning and effective communication techniques for oral judgments. Justice of Appeal Trevor Ward conducted an in-depth exploration of sentencing principles, including proportionality and reasoned decision-making, complemented by scenario-based exercises to enhance sentencing consistency. Justice Ventose, as JEI Chair, formally closed the orientation, acknowledging participants’ active engagement and the collective success of the program.

    This landmark event reaffirms the ECSC’s commitment to judicial excellence through continuous professional development. Participants departed with enhanced capabilities in technological adaptation, ethical standards, and practical judicial skills essential for navigating the evolving legal landscape. The judiciary expressed profound gratitude to all speakers, facilitators, and participants whose dedicated engagement strengthens the rule of law throughout the Eastern Caribbean.