Carib Scope

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  • Dominica to see audit of fire hydrants as system is upgraded

    Dominica to see audit of fire hydrants as system is upgraded

    Following a devastating fire incident, Dominica’s National Security Minister Rayburn Blackmoore has mandated an immediate nationwide audit of fire hydrants, declaring fire emergencies matters of national security. The directive came during a formal ceremony where two new trucks were handed over to the Fire and Ambulance Service, highlighting critical infrastructure vulnerabilities exposed by the March 2nd blaze that destroyed multiple buildings including a Jollys Pharmacy branch in Roseau.

    Minister Blackmoore emphasized that fire personnel must have ‘immediate, unfettered access’ to functional hydrants during emergencies, sharply criticizing the current practice of having to locate personnel to unlock hydrants during critical moments. ‘This nonsense of having to call men when they are sleeping and looking for someone to come unlock hydrants has to stop in this country,’ Blackmoore stated unequivocally.

    The comprehensive audit will be conducted jointly by the Fire and Ambulance Services and the Dominica Water and Sewerage Company Ltd (DOWASCO), with particular focus on housing development areas to ensure both sufficient numbers and strategic placement of hydrants. The minister framed the recent fire as a learning opportunity to evaluate emergency response effectiveness and address systemic gaps in the island’s disaster preparedness infrastructure.

    Authorities have confirmed the March incident resulted in no injuries but revealed pressing needs for infrastructure modernization. In response, the government has mobilized multiple resources including financial incentives for fire personnel as part of broader efforts to upgrade the island’s emergency response capabilities.

  • Paddlers Received at Belcan Bridge with Drums and Roaring Cheers

    Paddlers Received at Belcan Bridge with Drums and Roaring Cheers

    In an unprecedented display of solidarity, participants of the 2026 La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge transformed the traditional competition into a powerful protest march on March 9th. More than twenty canoe teams arrived at Belcan Bridge in perfect synchronization, creating a striking visual of unity as they paddled in a single straight formation with no team advancing ahead of others.

    The emotional arrival was amplified by hundreds of supporters who gathered at the bridge with drums, music, and enthusiastic cheers. As the canoes approached, paddlers raised their oars and Belizean flags in a coordinated gesture of national pride and collective purpose.

    Participants articulated that their demonstration aimed to preserve the fundamental spirit of the historic race. One competitor emphasized to News 5 Belize: ‘The people are the ones that support us and motivate us and give us the strength to paddle.’ Another paddler framed the protest in emotional terms: ‘This is about love; it’s about Belize. We don’t want the race to die out.’

    Jesus Linares, President of the Belize Canoe Association, who actively participated in organizing the protest arrival, stated: ‘A lot of people thought this was talking, but this was not all talking.’ The movement garnered support from former participants as well, with ex-paddler Raynard Humphreys noting from the Civic Center observation point: ‘I am extremely impressed and proud to see that our Belizeans, for once, we stand up to something.’

    The demonstration represents a significant moment in Belizean sporting culture, showcasing how athletic events can serve as platforms for community expression and cultural preservation.

  • Agro Expo 2026 Set for March 31 at Botanical Gardens

    Agro Expo 2026 Set for March 31 at Botanical Gardens

    Antigua and Barbuda’s agricultural sector is poised for a vibrant showcase as the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy announces Agro Expo 2026. Scheduled for March 31st at the picturesque Antigua Botanical Gardens, this event will place special emphasis on engaging the next generation of agricultural pioneers and promoting technological innovation within the industry.

    The exposition, running from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, will feature a diverse array of agricultural displays including student garden projects, livestock exhibitions, and fresh local produce markets. A highlight of the day will be the prestigious Inter-school Garden Competition prize ceremony, honoring exceptional student and institutional contributions to agricultural education and practice.

    Organizers have curated an interactive experience designed to foster family engagement and public learning about sustainable farming practices. With an admission fee of $5, the event aims to be accessible while generating support for emerging agricultural talent. The ministry emphasizes that the expo represents a strategic investment in the nation’s food security future by encouraging youth participation, supporting young farmers, and recognizing environmental stewardship initiatives that will shape the agricultural landscape for decades to come.

  • ABSAR Pays Tribute to Longtime Volunteer Lee J. Sagert After His Passing

    ABSAR Pays Tribute to Longtime Volunteer Lee J. Sagert After His Passing

    The emergency response community of Antigua and Barbuda is grieving the tragic loss of dedicated volunteer Lee J. Sagert, who passed away following a sudden medical crisis during an active rescue operation. Sagert, whose decade-long service impacted countless lives, collapsed while answering an emergency call, marking a profound loss for the Caribbean nation’s search and rescue capabilities.

    As a multifaceted emergency specialist, Sagert exemplified extraordinary commitment through his roles as firefighter, paramedic, and rescue technician. His journey began over ten years ago when he first arrived on the island and immediately immersed himself in life-saving work. Jonathan Cornelius, Director of the Antigua and Barbuda Search and Rescue (ABSAR) service, remembered Sagert as both mentor and friend whose passion for rescue work became his defining characteristic.

    ‘Lee died doing what he loved to do, what he devoted his life to doing,’ Cornelius stated in an emotional tribute, highlighting the cruel irony that a man who dedicated his existence to saving others ultimately succumbed during that very mission. Despite immediate medical intervention from fellow responders at the scene, Sagert failed to respond to treatment.

    Most recently operating from the Barbuda Ocean Club, Sagert handled the full spectrum of emergency responses—from fire incidents to medical crises and technical rescue operations. ABSAR’s official statement emphasized his invaluable contributions to national safety infrastructure, noting how his expertise strengthened emergency preparedness across both islands.

    The organization has extended heartfelt condolences to Sagert’s family and friends, acknowledging that his legacy will endure through the countless lives he touched and the emergency response systems he helped build. This incident has sparked reflections within the rescue community about the physical demands placed on volunteers and the emotional toll of constant emergency response work.

  • PRESS RELEASE: Manicel and Majorie Simon, a Haitian father and his Suriname-born daughter, are recognized by IICA as Leaders of Rurality of the Americas

    PRESS RELEASE: Manicel and Majorie Simon, a Haitian father and his Suriname-born daughter, are recognized by IICA as Leaders of Rurality of the Americas

    In a remarkable story of perseverance and community building, Manicel Simon and his daughter Majorie Simon have been distinguished as Leaders of Rurality by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). Their four-decade journey from immigrant struggle to agricultural leadership represents a transformative narrative of integration and empowerment in Suriname.

    Arriving in Suriname in 1981 with nothing but determination, Manicel Simon worked various jobs for 17 years before acquiring his own land in 1998. Today, at 64, he cultivates plantains, sweet potatoes, cassava and squash across 36 hectares—a testament to what he describes as ‘freedom through land ownership.’

    His daughter Majorie, born in Suriname and representing the second generation of this agricultural community, has become instrumental in formalizing collective efforts. As secretary and spokesperson for the Haitian Farmers Cooperative Society of Suriname, she helped establish the organization in 2015 to address the historical isolation of Haitian farmers.

    The cooperative has revolutionized the community’s prospects by facilitating access to training, agricultural machinery, water pumps, fertilizers, and technical assistance through partnerships with IICA, FAO, and the Caribbean Development Bank. Most significantly, it has enabled Haitian farmers to secure land rights after decades of precarious tenancy arrangements where farmers could be evicted after clearing and cultivating plots.

    Beyond production improvements, the Simons have fostered a sense of community identity and rights awareness among dozens of Haitian farming families. Their work includes digital outreach through a Facebook page with over 10,000 followers that markets products and has attracted European clients.

    Current challenges include market limitations in Suriname’s small economy, where seasonal overproduction causes price collapses. The cooperative now focuses on developing export capabilities and food processing infrastructure to create value-added products like plantain chips, cassava flour, and preserved foods that would provide year-round income stability.

    The recognition includes the Soul of Rurality award, celebrating their contributions to food security and sustainability. Their story exemplifies how agricultural production serves as a driving force for immigrant integration and community development, even under adverse conditions, while maintaining cultural connections through weekly church gatherings that strengthen community bonds.

  • JTA calls on ministry, ODPEM to speed up relocation of Hurricane Melissa victims

    JTA calls on ministry, ODPEM to speed up relocation of Hurricane Melissa victims

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — A mounting confrontation between Jamaican educators and government authorities has reached a critical juncture as the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) threatens to intensify its response regarding the prolonged use of school facilities as emergency shelters. The association’s stern warning comes directly following contentious remarks by Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie, who publicly dismissed the JTA’s authority to demand accelerated relocation of shelter occupants from educational compounds.

    The JTA’s Tuesday statement conveyed profound concern and escalating outrage toward Minister McKenzie’s response to their initial three-week ultimatum for clearing school shelters. The association characterized the minister’s comments as significantly exacerbating an already volatile situation, noting that rather than silencing teachers’ concerns, his statements have galvanized educators nationwide.

    Central to the dispute is the government’s unfulfilled commitment to relocate shelterees before the commencement of the new academic term—a promise that remains outstanding months after Hurricane Melissa’s devastation. The JTA emphasizes that educational institutions are fundamentally incompatible with prolonged emergency shelter operations, citing serious safety implications and compromised working conditions for teachers.

    The association maintains that the continued occupation of school facilities represents not merely administrative inconvenience but a fundamental failure in the government’s duty of care toward both educators and students. The situation raises critical questions about workplace safety standards and the preservation of educational integrity within Jamaica’s recovery framework.

    While remaining open to constructive dialogue, the JTA has positioned responsibility for potential escalation squarely with government authorities, warning that without immediate decisive action, they will consider all available options to protect their members and students—including measures that could disrupt normal school operations across the island.

  • Union slams BTVI for rejecting accredited degrees

    Union slams BTVI for rejecting accredited degrees

    A significant conflict has emerged between the Union of Tertiary Educators of The Bahamas (UTEB) and the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) regarding the recognition of faculty qualifications. UTEB President Daniel Thompson alleges that BTVI is systematically rejecting accredited degrees and professional certifications held by educators based solely on criteria established by the National Accreditation and Equivalency Council of The Bahamas (NAECOB).\n\nThompson contends that BTVI has implemented a new policy requiring all faculty credentials to appear explicitly on NAECOB’s approved list, despite many degrees originating from regionally accredited international universities. The union leader characterized NAECOB as a fledgling institution in its \”infantile\” stage, noting that only 14 institutions currently appear on its registry—a situation exacerbated by the council’s requirement that universities pay a $2,000 annual fee for listing.\n\nThe dispute centers on BTVI’s alleged violation of the industrial agreement governing faculty employment terms. Thompson described the institution’s position as \”ludicrous,\” \”unfair,\” and \”academically indefensible,\\” arguing that it dismisses globally recognized education standards. Kerima Smith, a BTVI business department faculty member, confirmed the policy affects approximately 40 full-time and 250 adjunct staff, potentially undermining professional development requirements outlined in their contracts.\n\nFaculty representatives emphasize that the industrial agreement specifically requires qualifications from accredited institutions, which they have obtained, and that BTVI has added an unauthorized additional validation step. The union has urgently called for government intervention to resolve what they characterize as a breach of trust and dangerous precedent for Bahamian higher education. Despite requests for comment, BTVI administration had not responded by press time.

  • Jamaican culture highlighted on PBS

    Jamaican culture highlighted on PBS

    South Florida’s vibrant Jamaican community has recently received national recognition through an in-depth PBS feature exploring its profound cultural impact. The documentary, aired last week by the American Public Broadcasting Service, showcases how Jamaican traditions in music, cuisine, and cultural identity have become integral to the region’s character.

    Prominent community figures highlighted in the segment include Lauderhill Mayor Denise Grant, Jamaican-born and representing one of South Florida’s most concentrated Jamaican populations; Xavier Murphy of Jamaicans.com; and Carson ‘Eddy’ Edwards, Miramar City Commissioner and organizer of the annual Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival.

    Mayor Grant expressed particular pride in Lauderhill’s selection for the feature, noting areas locally known as ‘Jamaica Hill’ that reflect the community’s strong cultural presence. ‘Jamaicans add so much value to our community and not just South Florida but the US as a whole,’ Grant told Observer Online, emphasizing the documentary’s focus on culinary traditions, music, art, and the distinctive Jamaican ‘vibes.’

    Edwards, originally from Harbour View, Jamaica, commented on the diaspora’s remarkable ability to proudly represent their heritage: ‘Jamaicans have a way of really flying their flag in a big way.’ The feature also explored the diversity within Caribbean immigrant communities across South Florida.

    The PBS broadcast, produced by the Arlington, Virginia-based non-commercial network established in 1969, represents significant mainstream media recognition of how immigrant communities preserve and share their cultural traditions while simultaneously enriching American multicultural tapestry.

  • Former PNP councillor Roogae Kirlew fined $200,000 for failing to file statutory declarations

    Former PNP councillor Roogae Kirlew fined $200,000 for failing to file statutory declarations

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — A prominent educator and former political figure has been penalized for violations of Jamaica’s integrity legislation. Roogae Kirlew, who serves as Principal of Spanish Town Primary School and is a former councillor for the People’s National Party (PNP), received a total fine of $200,000 in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court this Tuesday. The ruling came after Kirlew admitted guilt to multiple counts of failing to submit mandatory statutory declarations to the Integrity Commission (IC) for the years 2019, 2020, and 2022.

    Presiding Judge Alwayne Smith oversaw the sentencing hearing where mitigating circumstances were presented by the defendant’s legal representative, Atiba Dyer. The defense counsel highlighted that Kirlew’s health complications during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019 significantly impacted his ability to meet filing deadlines. Dyer further explained that procedural confusion regarding submission protocols during that period contributed to the oversight.

    The court learned that all three outstanding declarations were eventually filed in 2022. Defense attorney Dyer appealed for judicial leniency, emphasizing his client’s contributions to society as a justice of the peace, religious minister, and educational leader. Kirlew’s parental responsibilities toward two dependent sons, aged 17 and 10, were also noted in the plea for consideration.

    Dyer assured the court that his client has demonstrated corrective action by voluntarily engaging with the Integrity Commission upon learning about the allegations. Kirlew, who was overseas at the time, returned to Jamaica in October 2025 specifically to address the compliance issues and made himself available for legal proceedings.

    The financial penalty was structured as $80,000 for the 2019 violation and $120,000 for the 2020 offense. For the 2022 breach, Kirlew received an admonishment and discharge, avoiding additional fines. The case underscores the ongoing enforcement of Jamaica’s integrity laws for public officials.

  • Former PNP councillor Roogae Kirlew fined $200,000 for failing to file statutory declarations

    Former PNP councillor Roogae Kirlew fined $200,000 for failing to file statutory declarations

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court has imposed a substantial financial penalty on Roogae Kirlew, a former People’s National Party councillor and current principal of Spanish Town Primary School, for violations related to statutory declaration filings. Presiding Judge Alwayne Smith ordered Kirlew to pay $200,000 in fines on Tuesday after the educator pleaded guilty to failing to submit mandatory integrity disclosures for multiple years.

    The case centered on Kirlew’s failure to file required statutory declarations with Jamaica’s Integrity Commission for the reporting periods covering 2019, 2020, and 2022. Defense attorney Atiba Dyer presented mitigating circumstances, explaining that his client had experienced illness during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, which initially prevented timely compliance. Dyer further cited administrative confusion regarding submission procedures during the relevant period.

    Legal representatives emphasized that all outstanding declarations were eventually submitted in 2022, demonstrating eventual compliance. The defense petitioned for judicial leniency, highlighting Kirlew’s contributions to society as a justice of the peace, religious minister, and educational leader who continues to support his two children, including one pursuing overseas education.

    The court learned that Kirlew proactively engaged with the Integrity Commission upon learning of the allegations against him, despite being overseas at the time. He returned to Jamaica in October 2025 specifically to address the compliance issues and coordinated with legal counsel to ensure proper handling of the matter.

    In its final ruling, the court imposed differentiated penalties: $80,000 for the 2019 declaration failure, $120,000 for the 2020 violation, and an admonishment and discharge for the 2022 oversight. The judgment underscores Jamaica’s ongoing enforcement of accountability standards for public officials and educators.