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  • Windies Women primed for crucial New Zealand clash

    Windies Women primed for crucial New Zealand clash

    As the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup gets underway, the West Indies Women’s squad has declared itself ready for its opening clash against defending champions New Zealand on Saturday, with both head coach Shane Deitz and captain Hayley Matthews expressing confidence in their team’s preparations while navigating an uncertain fitness question around a key veteran player.

    The upcoming matchup carries extra history: these two sides met in the 2024 tournament’s semifinal, where New Zealand scraped across the line to claim an eight-run victory in a low-scoring battle that could have swung either way. Deitz says he expects another tightly contested battle this weekend, noting the two squads are far more closely matched than the defending champions’ title status might suggest.

    “It doesn’t matter who is across the pitch from us – New Zealand is clearly a top side, and they showed that by winning the last tournament,” Deitz said. “That semifinal in Dubai two years ago was a close one; if a couple of breaks had gone our way, we could have been the ones moving on. These are two evenly built teams, and getting off to a strong start in this opening game will be critical. We’ve put in the work, the squad has done all the prep we need, and we’re ready to step onto the field.”

    Deitz also shared his expectations for the pitch conditions at the host venue, noting recent cool, wet weather will likely create opportunities for both bowlers and batters. “We’ve had a lot of rain and lower temperatures lately, so the wicket should have something in it for bowlers, especially with the new ball,” he explained. “But these are excellent grounds, so even with that assistance for the bowlers, the ball should come onto the bat well for batters too. If you hit your lines and lengths, you’ll get wickets, but if you settle in and time your innings well, you can put up a big total.”

    One major unanswered question remains, however: the fitness of star veteran all-rounder Chinelle Henry, who was stretchered off the field during a Wednesday warm-up match against Australia with an injury. Deitz declined to give any update on whether Henry would be available for Saturday’s opener, but Matthews acknowledged that missing the key player would be a significant loss for the side.

    “Chinelle is a leader in this dressing room, one of our opening bowlers, and a critical middle-order batter batting at five or six,” Matthews said. “If she can’t go, it’s going to be a massive blow for our whole group. But if that’s the case, we’ll adjust, find a way to move forward, and still fight to get wins.”

    While the 2024 semifinal loss is still fresh for the side, Matthews pushed back on the idea that a win on Saturday would be about revenge for that narrow defeat. “We didn’t play our best cricket that day, and coming up short was unfortunate,” she said. “But what I’m focused on is that getting to play them first in this tournament gives us a chance to set the tone for our whole campaign. This is a World Cup – every single match demands your full attention, but if we can get a result against the defending champions in our first game, it puts us in an incredible position going into the rest of the group stage.”

    Matthews, who was named player of the match when West Indies claimed the 2016 T20 World Cup title, has grown significantly in her role as team captain since that career-defining win. The Barbadian all-rounder said she has learned to balance her own on-field performance with the off-field responsibilities of leading a squad. “I’ve learned so much over the years – I’m a different person and a different player now than when I first took the captaincy,” she explained. “The biggest adjustment has been learning to separate my own batting and bowling performance from managing the whole team. As captain, it’s my job to make sure every player is in the best headspace to perform, and that’s a responsibility I take seriously.”

    In recent years, West Indies Women have struggled with inconsistency across long bilateral series, but the side has a long history of stepping up in major global tournament play – a trend Matthews says holds true for this current squad. “Looking back at the history of both our men’s and women’s programs, we always tend to rise to the big occasion, so I can’t argue with that,” she said. “This year, we’re hoping we can show up again when it matters most and make a deep run in this tournament.”

  • ‘What Could a 14-Year-Old Have Done?’ Child Advocates Question Viral Video

    ‘What Could a 14-Year-Old Have Done?’ Child Advocates Question Viral Video

    A widely shared video capturing a heated confrontation between a sports facility caretaker and a 14-year-old teenage basketball player has ignited fierce public anger across social media platforms, pushing child welfare advocates to demand a full, transparent investigation into the incident.

    The altercation unfolded at the Russell Garcia Auditorium in Dangriga, where Brian Swazo, a caretaker employed by the local National Sports Council, was filmed confronting the minor player. Following the circulation of the footage and an official complaint filed against Swazo, law enforcement authorities took him into custody.

    The Child Advisory Body (CAB), a local child welfare advocacy organization, has issued a strong public condemnation of the incident, urging regulatory and law enforcement agencies not to dismiss the case as a trivial, fleeting viral news event. In a formal statement, the group emphasized that the incident raises serious questions about the treatment of minors in public recreational spaces that demand urgent, accountable action.

    Richard Martinez, president of CAB’s Dangriga regional branch, shared his concerns in an interview with local outlet News 5. Martinez highlighted that what disturbed him most extended beyond the aggressive behavior captured on camera to the alarming response from many online commentators. Large numbers of social media users have rushed to defend the caretaker’s actions and justify the use of force against the teenager, Martinez explained, without making any effort to hear the 14-year-old’s account of what led to the confrontation.

    “What could a fourteen-year-old have possibly done to the point that would warrant this extent of violence?” Martinez said in the interview. “The fact that people immediately jump to conclusions, saying that that extent of violence was warranted or it’s okay, I was very appalled, to say the least.”

    Amid growing public outcry, the National Sports Council is facing mounting pressure to complete its internal investigation into whether the incident violated the organization’s formal non-confrontation policy for all staff working at public sporting venues. CAB is now pushing for multiple leading child welfare and children’s rights organizations, including UNICEF, the National Committee for Families and Children and the National Commission for Families and Children, to issue public statements on the confrontation and back broader reforms to prevent similar violence against minors in public recreational spaces.

  • Let’s Bet relaunches for FIFA World Cup

    Let’s Bet relaunches for FIFA World Cup

    Ahead of the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup, the Saint Lucia National Lottery (SNL) has launched an upgraded version of its popular Let’s Bet online sports betting platform, giving local football fans and sports enthusiasts a revamped digital experience to engage with the tournament. The redesigned application made its official public debut on June 9 at a launch event hosted at Sandals Grande, Saint Lucia.

    Already a well-established name in international sports betting circles, the updated Let’s Bet platform comes with a suite of user-centric improvements. These include a modern new brand logo, refreshed visual design elements, streamlined navigation for faster access to betting markets, a wider range of wagering options, an intuitive simplified user interface, and enhanced cybersecurity protocols to protect user data and transactions.

    Camisha Richards, regional general manager for the initiative, emphasized that the overhaul represents a new chapter for the Let’s Bet brand. “From our updated logo to our fully reimagined platform, every adjustment has been crafted with the player experience as the top priority,” Richards explained during the launch. “We have now built a far more dynamic, all-inclusive experience that gives every bettor a simpler, more intuitive pathway to place sports wagers or enjoy other online gaming options.”

    Coinciding with the opening match of the FIFA World Cup between Mexico and South Africa, the upgraded platform was ready to accept a diverse range of wagers from day one of the tournament. Bettors can place bets on everything from the final score of a match to the first goal scorer, and even the exact minute a goal will be scored, expanding the ways fans can interact with the tournament.

    Beyond traditional football and sports wagering, the revamped platform has added new content to serve a broader audience. It now includes dedicated markets for eSports, alongside a larger selection of casual and casino-style games. To welcome both new and returning users, SNL has rolled out a variety of exclusive bonuses and promotional offers for sports fans and casino gaming enthusiasts alike.

    The platform’s launch is being supported by a new national marketing campaign titled “This Is The Place”, which promotes the upgraded experience across Saint Lucia. In addition to the digital rollout, SNL has planned a series of in-person interactive events at retail outlets and gaming centers across the island, including a major activation at the popular Blast Gaming Centre in the capital city of Castries. Visitors to these on-location events will have the opportunity to enter a giveaway for a brand-new 55-inch smart television as part of the launch celebrations.

    The updated Let’s Bet platform is currently live and accessible to users at www.letsbetlc.com. Eligible users can create an account immediately and start exploring the new features in time to follow all the action of the FIFA World Cup, adding an extra layer of excitement to the global tournament for Saint Lucian fans.

  • Auguste left out of Windwards tournament trial squad

    Auguste left out of Windwards tournament trial squad

    Cricket fans across the Windward Islands are facing an unexpected storyline ahead of the 2025 Windward Islands Super 50 Men’s Tournament: the reigning Most Valuable Player will not feature in the preliminary training squad for defending champions Saint Lucia, and is set to miss the tournament entirely due to prior regional commitments. The Saint Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA) announced its 30-strong trial squad earlier this week, with last year’s standout performer Ackeem Auguste notably absent from the roster.

    Last year’s tournament was a breakout for Auguste, a full West Indies international who dominated the competition on home soil. The star batter compiled 346 runs at an extraordinary average of 115, and also claimed five catches – more than any other fielder in the tournament – to cement his MVP status. While Auguste will sit out this year’s event, two other standout performers from 2024’s title-winning campaign, fast bowler Keon Gaston and wicketkeeper Noelle Leo – both products of the Saint Lucia Cricket High Performance Centre, same as Auguste – have earned spots in this year’s trial squad. Reigning captain Kimani Melius is also set to return to lead the side’s title defense. Top-order batter Johnel Eugene will join Auguste on the sidelines, also sidelined by prior regional commitments.

    The bulk of the 2025 trial squad is made up of returning familiar names, including Dornan Edward, Jayden Elibox, Lee John, Mckenny Clarke, Shadrack Descarte, Shawnil Edward, Tarrique Edward, Theo Edward and Tyrel Chicot. A host of emerging young talents have also received their first call-ups to the senior trial squad, including Bjorn Fanis, Bolton Sayers, Cody Fontenelle, Dane Edward, Isiah Jones, Jard Goodman, Jonathan Daniel, Kensley Paul, Khan Elcock, Liam Joseph, Nathaniel Joseph, Neil Poyotte, Qwaine Henry, Royce Paul, Joshua Cepal and Stephen Naitram.

    SLNCA president Wayne Auguste expressed confidence in the depth of talent assembled for the trial process, outlining the association’s dual priorities for the 2025 tournament. “Our objective is not simply to defend the Windward Islands Super 50 title, but also to continue strengthening the pathway from national cricket to franchise and international cricket,” he explained. He emphasized the urgency of strong performances from Saint Lucian players, noting that the regional Windward Islands Volcanoes side has finished at the bottom of regional rankings over the past two seasons. “It is critical that all our players from the Windward Islands seize the opportunity and demonstrate that they are ready to make the step up to franchise level. Saint Lucia has consistently produced talented cricketers, and we want to see more of our players putting up their hands for higher honours,” he added.

    The current 30-player group will go through a multi-stage selection process to narrow down to the final squad that will represent Saint Lucia at the tournament, which is scheduled to run from July 25 to August 5 in Grenada. Over the coming weeks, selected players will complete a series of structured training sessions, fitness assessments, and trial matches as selectors and coaching staff evaluate candidates for the final roster.

    In an official statement, the SLNCA reaffirmed its confidence in the trial squad’s ability to carry on Saint Lucia’s proud cricketing legacy and mount a competitive title defense: “The SLNCA is confident that the players selected for the trial squad possess the talent, commitment, and determination necessary to uphold the island’s proud cricketing tradition and mount a strong defence of the championship.”

    Selectors built the preliminary squad after reviewing performances across three recent domestic competitions: the Prime Minister’s Independence T20 Tournament, the Saint Lucia Premier League (SPL) T20 Competition, and the Premier League Two-Day tournament. Player fitness, disciplinary record, and long-term developmental potential were also key criteria in the selection process.

    The trial period will officially get underway on June 14 with a mandatory baseline fitness test at the Saint Lucia Sports Academy, which will serve as a key benchmark for selectors moving forward. The first red-ball practice match is scheduled to kick off the following weekend at Saint Lucia’s iconic Mindoo Phillip Park. The final 15-man squad and team management will be announced to the public once the full selection process concludes.

  • Traffic Arrangements – Mt Gay/La Mode Public Road, St George

    Traffic Arrangements – Mt Gay/La Mode Public Road, St George

    Motorists and local residents in Grenada have received advance formal notification of a pending temporary traffic adjustment that will reshape travel along two major public roads mid-June 2026. The Traffic Division of the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) confirmed the new access rules for La Mode Public Road and Mt Gay Public Road, which will be converted to a one-way route heading exclusively toward Beaulieu. This temporary change will go into effect starting at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 13, and remain in place through 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 14, 2026.

    The traffic adjustment is not a random or arbitrary change; it is a required measure to accommodate critical infrastructure upgrades being carried out by the National Water and Sewerage Authority (NAWASA). Specifically, the organization will conduct pipeline installation work alongside subsequent road reinstatement along the affected corridor, activities that demand restricted vehicle access to ensure worker safety and keep construction timelines on track.

    For drivers who rely on the two affected roads to travel to St. George’s, RGPF has outlined a clear alternative route to avoid major travel disruptions. Motorists heading toward the capital can divert onto Mt Kumar Public Road, then connect through Grenville Vale to reach their destination, maintaining access even with the original route’s temporary restrictions.

    Importantly, the new one-way rule does not apply to all vehicles. Public service buses are exempt from the altered traffic arrangement, and will be permitted to continue operating along their regular scheduled routes throughout the entire construction period, protecting public transit access for residents who rely on bus service.

    In closing, RGPF has issued a formal apology for any disruptions or inconvenience the temporary traffic changes may cause for local commuters and visitors, and expressed gratitude in advance for the public’s patience and cooperation as the critical water infrastructure work moves forward. This announcement was officially released via the Office of the Commissioner of Police in Grenada.

  • Derde helft WK 2026: Canada en Bosnië Herzegovina delen de punten: 1-1

    Derde helft WK 2026: Canada en Bosnië Herzegovina delen de punten: 1-1

    On June 12, Group B international football action unfolded at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada, which was temporarily renamed Toronto Stadium for the match, ending in a 1-1 draw that saw both sides take one point apiece from the tense encounter. Argentine referee Facundo Tello officiated the fixture, which pitted host nation Canada against Bosnia and Herzegovina, with Canada dominating early possession and pressing high from the opening whistle, while the European side held firm to maintain defensive structure through the first half. The match delivered a string of missed chances and dramatic near-misses that kept fans on the edge of their seats throughout the 90 minutes plus stoppage time. In the 17th minute, Canada forward Jonathan David found himself unmarked inside the Bosnia and Herzegovina penalty area with a clear scoring opportunity, but the experienced striker failed to convert the gilt-edged chance, leaving the scoreline deadlocked. Four minutes later, Bosnia and Herzegovina took the lead against the run of play: from a corner kick, Jovo Lukić directed a powerful header past Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau, putting his side up 1-0. Before halftime, David was handed a second golden chance to draw Canada level, but he could not get control of the ball to convert, leaving the host side trailing 0-1 heading into the break, despite their consistent attacking pressure. Immediately after halftime restart, Canada ramped up their attacking efforts to find an equalizer, but Bosnia and Herzegovina goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj produced a string of key saves to keep his side in front. In the 53rd minute, a slick, coordinated attacking sequence from Canada looked certain to result in a goal, until Sead Kolašinac deflected the goal-bound shot onto the crossbar, fortuitously clearing the danger for his side. Seconds later, it was Bosnia and Herzegovina’s turn to miss a match-changing chance: Ermedin Demirović found himself one-on-one with Crépeau, but he failed to beat the Canadian goalkeeper to double his side’s lead. Canada continued to pour players forward through the second half, and came close to equalizing in the 63rd minute, only for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s backline to clear the danger off the line. The equalizer finally arrived in the 79th minute, when substitute Kyle Larin, with his first touch of the match after coming off the bench, converted a cross from Promise David to level the score at 1-1. In the final moments of stoppage time, Larin nearly netted a dramatic late winner for Canada, but Bosnia and Herzegovina’s defense cleared the effort off the line to preserve the draw. When the final whistle blew, both sides had to settle for one point each in the Group B standings, after a hard-fought contest defined by missed chances and resilient defending.

  • Miriam Blanchard resigns as Roseau North MP due to health concerns

    Miriam Blanchard resigns as Roseau North MP due to health concerns

    In a formal announcement made public on Friday, June 12, 2026, veteran Dominican political leader Miriam Blanchard has officially stepped down from her post as Parliamentary Representative for the Roseau North Constituency, confirming that pressing health concerns have prompted her decision to leave public office.

    The House of Assembly received Blanchard’s formal resignation letter dated June 9, 2026, which formally notified legislative leadership of her intent to vacate her parliamentary seat. For close to 10 years, Blanchard has stood as one of the most influential figures in Dominican politics, holding multiple senior cabinet positions across key government portfolios. Her career in public service included leadership roles overseeing infrastructure, national planning, economic development, labor policy, public service reform, and small business growth across the island nation.

    Among her most notable contributions was her central leadership role in steering the country’s large-scale reconstruction process after Tropical Storm Erika devastated large swathes of Dominica, leaving widespread destruction in its wake. Beyond disaster recovery, Blanchard also played an integral part in advancing dozens of national development initiatives that have shaped the country’s growth trajectory in recent years.

    In an official press statement released by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) shortly after the resignation announcement, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit offered a heartfelt tribute to Blanchard’s decades of commitment to the Dominican people, calling her contributions to the nation extraordinary.

    “As I reflect, I look back with immense gratitude on Miriam’s decision to answer the call to enter public life, choosing to raise her hand and be counted when the country needed selfless service,” Skerrit said in his remarks. He emphasized that throughout her tenure in government, Blanchard served with clear distinction, and maintained unwavering commitment to advancing the nation’s interests even as she privately navigated ongoing health challenges.

    The Prime Minister lauded Blanchard’s well-documented perseverance and deep dedication to public good, noting that she gave every part of herself to serving Dominican communities. He called on the nation’s citizens to stand with Blanchard as she turns her full attention to recovery, adding that now it is the country’s turn to lift her up and hold her in their thoughts and prayers.

    Skerrit also highlighted Blanchard’s relentless advocacy for the residents of her Roseau North constituency, noting she consistently worked to ensure local communities could access and benefit from national development gains. Expressing deep confidence in Blanchard’s well-known strength and resilience, the Prime Minister extended his wishes for comfort and restored health during this period of healing.

    To address the vacancy left by Blanchard’s departure, Skerrit gave formal assurance that constituent services and parliamentary representation for Roseau North will continue without disruption. He also confirmed that a by-election will be held to fill the empty seat within the timeline mandated by Dominica’s Constitution.

    Concluding his tribute, Skerrit said Blanchard’s public service legacy will remain a foundational part of Dominica’s ongoing progress, and pledged ongoing support from both the national government and the Dominica Labour Party for Blanchard and her family as she enters this new phase of her life.

    Joseph Isaac, Speaker of the House of Assembly who formally accepted Blanchard’s resignation letter, also issued a brief statement of thanks. “On behalf of the House of Assembly, I thank Hon. Blanchard for her service to her constituents and to the people of Dominica and wish her very best,” Isaac said.

  • STATEMENT: Postponement of Community Appeal – SNAR Freedom Flight

    STATEMENT: Postponement of Community Appeal – SNAR Freedom Flight

    A long-planned animal rescue relocation mission known as Freedom Flight, set to depart this weekend, has been forced to delay its journey after sudden, unanticipated flight and logistics complications threw preparations off course. Organizers of the effort shared the disappointing update this week, acknowledging the letdown for all parties that have spent months laying groundwork for the mission.

    What began as a coordinated push to transport rescue dogs to new placements has required a last-minute schedule shift, after issues with flight arrangements and on-the-ground logistics emerged without warning. The project brought together a wide network of contributors: full-time event organizers, community volunteers, veterinary care partners, receiving animal rescue organizations, and grassroots supporters from across the region, all of whom dedicated time, resources, and energy to bringing the mission to fruition. For every person and group invested in the effort, the announcement of a delay comes as a heartbreaking disappointment, organizers said.

    Despite the setback, there is one key reassuring update: all the rescue dogs slated for travel remain in good health and safe hands under the care of the organizing team. Event leaders noted that countless community members have followed the Freedom Flight journey closely, offering consistent support along the way, and expressed deep gratitude for the public’s ongoing patience, understanding, and encouragement as the team works to reset the mission.

    Organizers say they are working quickly to resolve the outstanding logistical and flight issues, and expect to share a revised travel timeline and additional details with supporters in the coming weeks.

  • Staat betaalt al ruim SRD 918.000 aan dwangsommen in zaak Baitali

    Staat betaalt al ruim SRD 918.000 aan dwangsommen in zaak Baitali

    A months-long legal dispute between the Suriname government and local construction firm Baitali N.V. over a major IDB-funded infrastructure tender has left the administration squeezed between a binding court ruling and warnings from its international financier, with hundreds of thousands of Surinamese dollars already paid in default penalties. The conflict centers on the rehabilitation of two key arteries: Van ’t Hogerhuysstraat and Slangenhoutstraat, a project backed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

    When bidding opened for the contract in December 2024, five private construction firms submitted formal proposals. Baitali N.V. tabled the lowest bid at roughly $19.3 million USD, but in a surprise decision in March 2025, the Ministry of Public Works and Spatial Planning (OWRO) awarded the contract to Kuldipsingh Infra N.V. for a higher sum of $22.7 million USD.

    Baitali immediately challenged the award, arguing its bid had been wrongfully invalidated and that evaluation criteria had been applied without transparency or objectivity. The firm first filed an objection with the ministry’s internal Project Implementation Unit (PIU), then escalated the complaint directly to the IDB. When Baitali received no adequate response to its claims, it brought the case to Suriname’s civil courts.

    In a subsequent summary judgment, the district court ruled largely in Baitali’s favor, finding the company had been improperly excluded from the tender process. The court’s ruling ordered three key actions: the original award to Kuldipsingh Infra must be withdrawn, the entire tender process must be reopened with Baitali’s bid reinstated as a valid submission, and all work on the project must be halted immediately.

    Though the Surinamese state initially filed an appeal against the court’s decision, the appeal was later withdrawn at the request of OWRO Minister Stephen Tsang, cementing the ruling as a legally binding final judgment. Even after the ruling took effect, however, the state failed to implement its terms promptly, leading to accruing daily penalty fines.

    As of the ministry’s latest public statement released Friday, the state has already paid out 918,450 SRD in accrued penalty fines for the delayed implementation of the court order. The conflict gained an additional layer of complexity when the IDB, the project’s primary funder, issued its own findings: the bank concluded Suriname’s original tender process followed all applicable rules, and it found no evidence of corruption or procedural misconduct. While the IDB stated it would ultimately respect the final decision of Suriname’s domestic authorities, it also explicitly warned that altering the original tender outcome could carry negative consequences for the project’s financing.

    In January 2025, Baitali returned to court to escalate the dispute, arguing the state had still not complied with the binding ruling. The firm is now requesting that daily penalty fines be increased to 1 million SRD per day, and the case remains pending before the district court.

    The impasse has placed the Surinamese government in an unprecedentedly difficult position. On one side, it faces an unappealable court order that requires full compliance under continued penalty. On the other, it relies on the IDB’s financing for the infrastructure project, and the bank has explicitly backed the original tender outcome. The final resolution of the standoff will likely depend heavily on the outcome of Baitali’s ongoing lawsuit seeking stiffer penalties, leaving the future of the long-delayed road project uncertain.

  • Ishmael: Littering raises flood risk during hurricane season

    Ishmael: Littering raises flood risk during hurricane season

    As Barbados prepares for the official start of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season on June 1, a top health official is sounding the alarm over a preventable public hazard that is worsening flood risk across the island nation: widespread indiscriminate littering and unregulated illegal dumping.

    Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness Davidson Ishmael emphasized that cross-government interagency preparedness drills were completed well ahead of the season’s arrival to coordinate response plans, but individual public action remains a critical missing piece in the country’s flood mitigation strategy. Speaking out about his own observations of negligent waste behavior as a Barbadian citizen, Ishmael called for a radical shift in how residents approach community cleanliness and personal responsibility for waste disposal.

    “I remain deeply concerned by the careless littering I see every day across the country,” Ishmael stated. “I watch drivers toss trash out of car windows while moving down the road. I have even seen people drop food wrappers directly on the ground just steps outside their own front porches.” He explained that this casual negligence has dangerous downstream consequences: discarded debris rarely stays in the spot it is dropped. Wind and rain carry waste into storm drains, where it accumulates to clog the island’s water runoff infrastructure.

    Contrary to common assumption that severe flooding only accompanies major hurricanes, Ishmael noted that even weak, passing weather systems that bring heavy rainfall can trigger destructive flooding when drains are blocked by plastic, food wrappers, plastic bags, and other improperly discarded waste. “When drainage systems are blocked, what should be a harmless, easy runoff of rainwater becomes dangerous flooding,” he explained. “That flooding can trap residents in their homes, preventing them from moving in and out, and causes widespread damage to personal property – everything from personal vehicles to residential structures.”

    To help residents and community groups properly dispose of large waste items that often contribute to clogging and illegal dumping, Ishmael highlighted two ongoing government initiatives that are available year-round to reduce community waste buildup. The first is a free coordinated bulk waste collection service run by the country’s Sanitation Service Authority (SSA). For large unwanted items such as old mattresses, bed frames, and out-of-use household appliances that cannot be disposed of through regular weekly collection, residents or community groups can coordinate with the SSA to schedule a dedicated collection day. Teams will collect all pre-organized bulk waste from a designated central location using specialized heavy equipment at no additional cost to residents.

    The second available resource is a commercial skip rental service also operated through the SSA, designed specifically for organized community clean-up events. Ishmael explained that any neighborhood planning a clean-up drive can rent a skip from the authority, fill it with collected waste over the course of the event, and the SSA will then transport the full skip and its contents away after the activity concludes.

    Beyond pre-season preparation, Ishmael also outlined the SSA’s core role in post-storm recovery, noting that the agency is on standby to mobilize immediately to clear accumulated debris and waste from impacted communities following any hurricane or severe storm. He also reminded residents to address another common preventable hazard ahead of the season: securing loose outdoor items that can become dangerous airborne projectiles during high winds. This includes galvanized metal sheeting – which is commonly used for property fencing, outdoor sheds, and even small animal enclosures across the island – which should be tightly secured with nails and additional bracing where needed. Residents are also advised to remove or secure any loose lumber or other loose materials stored around residential properties well before any severe weather arrives to eliminate avoidable safety risks.

    Ishmael’s remarks come as part of broader national public outreach to encourage individual preparedness ahead of what forecasters have predicted could be an active Atlantic hurricane season, stressing that collective small changes in public behavior can drastically reduce the risk of preventable damage and disruption.