Carib Scope

分类： society

  • GIZ Request for Proposals: Supervision check dam

    GIZ Request for Proposals: Supervision check dam

    The German development agency GIZ has issued a formal Request for Proposals seeking qualified construction supervision consultants for Grenada’s Climate-Resilient Water Sector (G-CREWS) Project. This initiative targets the enhancement of critical water infrastructure through specialized retrofitting operations.

    The successful candidate will provide expert oversight for up to 55 working days between February 2 and June 30, 2026. Primary responsibilities include supervising construction and modernization activities at three key dam intake sites: Zulu Dam, Mirabeau Dam, and Mt Plaisir Dam. The consultant must ensure all infrastructure installations strictly adhere to designated technical specifications and quality standards.

    A critical component of the role involves integrating comprehensive environmental protections, climate variability adaptations, and social safeguards—including gender-sensitive approaches—throughout the supervision process. The consultancy package additionally offers an optional provision for extending services to two additional sites beyond the core assignments.

    Interested parties must submit separate technical and pricing proposals in PDF format to [email protected] before the deadline of 4:30 PM Eastern Caribbean Time on January 20, 2026. All email submissions must include the specific subject line ‘Supervision check dam’ for proper processing. GIZ will provide automated confirmation receipts for all electronically received bids.

    Detailed specifications and requirements are available in the attached Terms of Reference document. This project represents a significant step in strengthening Grenada’s water security against climate-related challenges.

  • Ocean Academy Shuts Down In-Person Classes Amid Delays in Delivering Promised School

    Ocean Academy Shuts Down In-Person Classes Amid Delays in Delivering Promised School

    Ocean Academy High School on Caye Caulker, Belize, has been compelled to suspend all in-person instruction following a damning environmental health report that identified severe flooding, pervasive mold infestation, and dangerous mosquito breeding grounds throughout the campus. The alarming conditions, documented in a November 18th inspection by the Central Health Region’s Environmental Health Unit, present immediate health risks to students and staff, particularly those with respiratory conditions.

    The school’s three-story structure, built on low-lying land, has suffered from worsening flooding due to surrounding development on higher elevations, creating a problematic basin effect. Despite repeated mitigation efforts—including floor elevation projects, pumping thousands of liters of water, and quarterly engineering assessments—the institution has been unable to resolve the chronic issues.

    In response to the crisis, Ocean Academy has implemented a fragmented hybrid learning model, scattering classes across available spaces above local bars, shops, and village council offices. This makeshift arrangement has significantly compromised educational quality, with students attending sessions without proper desks, chairs, or teaching aids while balancing notebooks on their laps.

    The situation is particularly frustrating for the community given the unfulfilled promise of a new campus funded through a $70 million Caribbean Development Bank loan approved in 2015. Despite a ceremonial groundbreaking in 2019 attended by education officials, the designated 5.17-acre site remains vacant five years later. Political leadership changes between the United Democratic Party and People’s United Party administrations, coupled with cited administrative delays and COVID-19 impacts, have stalled construction indefinitely.

    Current Area Representative Andre Perez has characterized the 2019 ceremony as merely performative while asserting that legitimate construction will commence by May 2026. However, community trust has eroded after years of unmet commitments, leaving students to endure substandard learning conditions with no permanent solution in sight.

  • Flash-flood watch back in effect for Barbados

    Flash-flood watch back in effect for Barbados

    The Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS) has activated a flash-flood watch across the island nation effective Tuesday, December 30th, responding to predictions of concentrated moderate to heavy precipitation throughout the day. Meteorological experts indicate these weather patterns pose a tangible risk of triggering isolated flooding incidents, with low-lying and traditionally vulnerable regions facing the highest threat levels.

    Current atmospheric models project a persistent cloud cover leading to overcast conditions, potentially delivering additional rainfall accumulations of one to two inches. This follows overnight precipitation that already deposited similar quantities in specific parishes, including St. Andrew and St. Peter. The official advisory, initiated at 7:30 a.m., is scheduled to remain active until 6:00 p.m. unless meteorological developments prompt an earlier cancellation.

    Authorities have classified the flooding probability as medium-risk, outlining several potential consequences: accelerated soil erosion, accumulation of water on roadway networks and agricultural land, and elevated levels in ponds and reservoirs. These conditions may subsequently result in transportation disruptions, including traffic delays and potential isolated road diversions, particularly within urban corridors.

    While conditions are anticipated to improve by nightfall, emergency management officials strongly urge residents to maintain heightened awareness. The Department of Emergency Management (DEM) advises citizens to continuously monitor updates disseminated through official channels including the BMS, DEM, and the Barbados Government Information Service. A subsequent escalation to a flash-flood warning remains possible with minimal notice should atmospheric conditions deteriorate.

  • Kiwanis Nature Island Club hosts annual party with 32 youngsters

    Kiwanis Nature Island Club hosts annual party with 32 youngsters

    DOMINICA – In a heartwarming display of community spirit, the Kiwanis Nature Island Club of Dominica hosted its annual Christmas celebration on December 27, 2025, bringing festive joy to 32 young students. The event, held at the Goodwill Primary School Auditorium, transformed the venue into an enchanting winter wonderland for a day of merriment and gift-giving.

    The organization meticulously organized an engaging program featuring festive activities, lively music, delicious treats, and special surprises for the attending children. The highlight of the celebration proved to be the appearance of Santa Claus, who personally distributed gifts to each delighted child, creating unforgettable memories for all participants.

    Mary Winston, President of the Kiwanis Nature Island Club, emphasized the significance of this annual tradition. ‘This event embodies our fundamental mission to serve Dominica’s children,’ Winston stated. ‘Witnessing the radiant joy on these young faces reinforces our commitment to this meaningful work year after year. We extend our sincere gratitude to our dedicated sponsors, volunteers, and the Goodwill Primary School for their invaluable support in bringing this celebration to life.’

    The Kiwanis organization has established a longstanding reputation for implementing various community initiatives throughout Dominica, consistently working to inspire hope and create opportunities for local families. This Christmas celebration represents one of their many ongoing efforts to strengthen community bonds and spread positivity across the nature island.

    For additional information about the Kiwanis Nature Island Club of Dominica and details regarding future activities, the organization encourages community members to visit their Facebook page @Kiwanis Nature Island Club of Dominica.

  • Verona Foundation brings relief to hurricane-hit St Elizabeth

    Verona Foundation brings relief to hurricane-hit St Elizabeth

    In a powerful response to catastrophic destruction, the Verona Foundation, established by Kerry-Ann Henry to honor her late mother’s legacy, has launched its inaugural humanitarian mission in Jamaica’s storm-battered parish of St Elizabeth. The initiative was catalyzed by Hurricane Melissa’s devastating landfall in late October, a Category 5 storm that claimed 45 lives and left widespread devastation across multiple parishes including Westmoreland, Hanover, St James, and Trelawny.

    Henry, a Connecticut-based director of the New York Women’s Foundation who maintains deep roots in her Jamaican homeland, mobilized a 16-member relief team to deliver essential supplies to severely affected communities. The foundation’s December intervention targeted the districts of Slipe, Holland Village, and Burnt Savannah, where teams encountered families sheltering in makeshift structures with tarpaulin roofs and communities accessible only through debris-strewn roads littered with downed utility wires.

    The relief effort, supported through strategic partnerships with American corporations including WestPoint Home, Welspun, Loftex Home, Silk Home, 1818 Mills, and Pem America Inc, distributed comprehensive care packages containing non-perishable food, purified water, hygiene kits, cleaning supplies, clothing, temporary shelters, portable sanitation facilities, and bedding materials.

    Henry’s philanthropic commitment stems from childhood observations of her mother, Verona Whyte, an entrepreneurial force known for assisting vulnerable populations in Kingston’s Sherlock Crescent and other communities. Witnessing Melissa’s aftermath from abroad compelled Henry to transform compassion into concrete action, embodying her foundation’s commitment to fostering resilience through targeted generosity.

    The Verona Foundation represents both a tribute to maternal benevolence and a structured response mechanism for future crises, demonstrating how diaspora connections can effectively channel international resources toward localized recovery efforts while maintaining dignity and solidarity with affected populations.

  • Ex-boxing champ Joshua discharged from hospital after fatal car crash

    Ex-boxing champ Joshua discharged from hospital after fatal car crash

    Nigerian authorities confirmed Wednesday evening that former world heavyweight boxing titleholder Anthony Joshua has been released from medical care following a devastating road accident that claimed the lives of two close companions. The incident occurred along the heavily traveled Lagos-Ibadan expressway in southwestern Nigeria, where the sports icon’s sports utility vehicle collided with a stationary truck under circumstances now under official investigation. Preliminary findings from the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) indicate a tire rupture may have precipitated the catastrophic impact. Joint statements from Lagos state spokesman Gbenga Omotoso and Ogun state representative Kayode Akinmade clarified that while Joshua remains emotionally devastated by the loss of his friends, medical professionals determined his physical condition permitted recovery outside clinical supervision. Both state governments coordinated the athlete’s treatment following Monday’s tragedy. Before returning home, Joshua paid respects at the mortuary where deceased companions Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele were being prepared for transportation to their final resting places.

  • Relatives mourn Arima fireman, but grateful for closure

    Relatives mourn Arima fireman, but grateful for closure

    The Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service community is reeling from the tragic death of Fire Officer Bruce Lezama, whose body was discovered on December 30 after a five-day search operation. The 47-year-old ambulance driver, attached to the Ambulance Section North based at the Northern Division headquarters in Port of Spain, was last seen alive on Christmas Day.

    Lezama’s disappearance triggered immediate concern when he failed to report for duty on December 27. Security footage from his residence in Andy Estate, Arima, revealed the horrifying circumstances of his abduction—two assailants were captured attacking the fire officer before forcibly removing him in his own vehicle, which was later found abandoned.

    An intensive search operation involving fellow fire officers, relatives, and the Hunters Search and Rescue Team culminated in the grim discovery along the Arima Old Road. The identification process, while not formally completed, strongly suggests the remains are those of the missing firefighter.

    The Fire Services Association Second Division expressed profound devastation in an official statement signed by President Keon Guy. The association confirmed the suspension of all coordinated search operations and emphasized providing support to grieving family members and colleagues who described Lezama as a quiet, professional, and dedicated public servant.

    Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles, speaking as both a political figure and Lezama’s constituency representative, revealed additional disturbing details during a media briefing. She confirmed that CCTV evidence showed not only the abduction but subsequent financial transactions from Lezama’s bank account before his body was disposed of. Beckles used the tragedy to criticize the government’s crime reduction policies, citing this incident alongside other recent violent crimes including a double murder in Arima on Christmas morning and the death of a nine-year-old child in a construction vehicle accident.

    The incident has raised serious questions about public safety and crime prevention measures in Trinidad and Tobago, particularly regarding the protection of emergency service personnel who dedicate their lives to serving the community.

  • Murders fall below 700 for first time in over 31 years — Chang

    Murders fall below 700 for first time in over 31 years — Chang

    Jamaica has reached a monumental milestone in public safety as the nation records its lowest homicide rate in over three decades. National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang announced that murder cases have fallen below 700 for the first time since 1994, representing a dramatic 40% year-over-year reduction compared to 2024 figures.

    This achievement becomes even more significant when viewed against historical data. The current numbers show an astonishing 60% decline from Jamaica’s peak violence period in 2009, when the nation recorded 1,683 murders. This transformation translates to approximately 1,000 lives saved compared to that benchmark year.

    The remarkable turnaround stems from a comprehensive security strategy implemented through the Ministry of National Security and Peace. The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) spearheaded this transformation through several key initiatives: substantial personnel expansion, infrastructure modernization, improved compensation packages, technology integration, and merit-based promotion systems that have advanced over 2,100 officers since 2024.

    Operational effectiveness received a significant boost from flagship programs including Project ROCK and the deployment of advanced surveillance, communications, and intelligence systems. Complementing these enforcement measures, prevention-focused efforts like the Live Good Anti-Violence Campaign have targeted the underlying social causes of criminal behavior.

    Minister Chang extended gratitude to all security personnel including the Jamaica Defence Force, the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency, correctional officers, and border security teams. He emphasized that this achievement represents a national effort that has fundamentally altered Jamaica’s security trajectory, positioning the nation for sustainable crime reduction in the coming years.

  • Rhino Waste Solutions and EVA Foundation spread clean holiday cheer

    Rhino Waste Solutions and EVA Foundation spread clean holiday cheer

    Rhino Waste Solutions, a division of Rotoplastics Trinidad Limited, has initiated a significant community outreach program focused on enhancing sanitation standards and environmental stewardship in southern Trinidad. The initiative, launched during the holiday season, involved the distribution of over 5,000 rolls of garbage bags to various communities within the Siparia and Fyzabad regions on December 11 and 17.

    The comprehensive program reached more than 15 educational institutions, religious organizations, and community groups. According to company representatives, this environmental initiative is designed to continue into the new year with plans to distribute an additional 7,000 rolls of garbage bags to 26 schools, orphanages, senior care facilities, and community organizations across southern Trinidad. The timing of these distributions aligns with the beginning of the new academic term to maximize impact.

    The corporate social responsibility effort is being conducted in partnership with the registered non-governmental organization EVA Foundation and enjoys support from Siparia West/Fyzabad councillor Jason Ali. The collaboration aims to address the seasonal increase in waste generation during the Christmas period when communities typically experience heightened disposal challenges.

    Councillor Ali emphasized that the donation would substantially augment the Siparia Borough Corporation’s waste management operations by providing residents with practical tools for more effective waste containment. Educational professionals from recipient schools noted that the contribution would support daily maintenance of clean and safe learning environments, as schools typically consume multiple garbage bags each day for sanitation purposes.

    This holiday initiative follows Rhino Waste Solutions’ previous collaboration with the Arima Borough Corporation in July, which involved the donation of four 65-gallon wheelie bins to support recreational facility revitalization projects. The company has indicated plans to expand similar donation programs to northern and central regions of Trinidad in the future.

  • JDF says alleged actions of soldier contrary to core values

    JDF says alleged actions of soldier contrary to core values

    A member of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) is facing serious criminal charges following an incident involving the unauthorized discharge of a firearm in a public area on Christmas morning. Private Rushane Brown, a 30-year-old soldier from Comfort Hall, Manchester, was apprehended after allegedly firing shots into the air approximately at 5:15 am in St. Elizabeth.

    The incident came to light when an off-duty police officer witnessed the alleged firearm discharge and confronted the soldier. Following an investigation, Brown has been formally charged with multiple offenses including possession of a prohibited weapon, unauthorized possession of ammunition, and unlawful discharge of a firearm in a public space.

    In an official statement released Wednesday, the Jamaica Defence Force expressed strong disapproval of the alleged actions, emphasizing that such behavior contradicts the organization’s core values and professional standards expected of all personnel. The military institution explicitly stated that it does not tolerate unlawful, reckless, or irresponsible conduct by any members, regardless of whether they are on or off duty.

    The JDF has committed to full cooperation with the Jamaica Constabulary Force to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation process. Military officials reaffirmed their dedication to maintaining the highest standards of discipline and accountability, while assuring the public that incidents of this nature receive the most serious attention and appropriate disciplinary measures.