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  • Price hints at Flow 5G roll-out

    Price hints at Flow 5G roll-out

    MONTEGO BAY, St James — Just months after investing $85 million to reconstruct and upgrade its communications network across Jamaica in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, telecom provider Flow Jamaica has deepened its long-term commitment to the country with the official launch of its dedicated business-to-business division, Liberty Business Jamaica. The launch event, held this week in Montego Bay, brought together dozens of local business leaders and government stakeholders, and included major announcements about the company’s upcoming technological expansion and local investment plans.

    Stephen Price, vice-president and general manager of both Flow Jamaica and Liberty Business Jamaica, revealed to attendees that the company is in the final stages of preparations for a 5G network rollout, hinting that the official launch could come in just a matter of weeks. Addressing recent temporary mobile service disruptions that some Jamaican customers have experienced, Price explained the interruptions are a side effect of ongoing large-scale infrastructure upgrades. He urged customers who have received notifications to upgrade their SIM cards to complete the swap promptly to get ready for the faster, next-generation connectivity that is on the horizon.

    The upcoming 5G launch aligns with Flow Jamaica’s previously announced goal of completing a full transition to a 100% fibre-optic network across the country by December 2025, a foundational infrastructure upgrade designed to support advanced new technologies including 5G.

    Beyond the 5G announcement, Price officially confirmed plans to open a dedicated Liberty Business Jamaica headquarters in Montego Bay, framing the choice of the western Jamaican city as a deliberate strategic decision. Price noted that Montego Bay is a critical hub for two of Jamaica’s most important economic sectors: tourism and business process outsourcing (BPO), both of which suffered catastrophic damage when Category 5 Hurricane Melissa swept through the island last October.

    In the immediate aftermath of the storm, Price recounted, Liberty Business deployed emergency satellite and mobile connectivity solutions to impacted businesses across western Jamaica, and was the only mobile network provider that maintained operational service in large parts of Montego Bay throughout the crisis. “Some of you had immediate needs that we were able to address right away using satellites and mobile solutions. I’m also proud to say that in the aftermath of the storm we were largely the only mobile network running in Montego Bay,” Price told the gathered stakeholders.

    The $85 million spent on post-Melissa recovery and upgrades marks the latest in a series of large-scale investments by the company, coming on the heels of major recovery spending following Hurricane Beryl in 2024. Price emphasized that despite the significant capital outlay, the investment is critical to supporting Jamaica’s business community and residents. Much of the post-storm recovery work in Montego Bay focused on hardening infrastructure for long-term resilience: crews moved vulnerable aerial transmission lines underground and replaced aging copper network infrastructure with modern fibre-optic cabling.

    Remarkably, Price reported, the majority of Montego Bay’s business community had their connectivity restored within two to three months after the hurricane. As of the launch, 82% of the company’s fixed-network customers across the impacted area have been fully reconnected, with work ongoing to restore service to the remaining 18%, and mobile service is almost entirely back to pre-storm levels. Network traffic has jumped nearly 40% since the storm, a shift Price said reflects Jamaica’s accelerating transition to digital-first services across all sectors. To boost future resilience, multiple mobile cell sites in St James Parish now have permanent satellite backup power and connectivity.

    Price also highlighted the scale of Liberty Business’s regional footprint: the division operates one of the largest digital infrastructure networks across the Caribbean, with roughly 50,000 kilometers of sub-sea fibre-optic cable and more than 17,000 kilometers of terrestrial fibre spanning 30 regional markets. Notably, the company provides wholesale connectivity services to competing telecom providers across the region, and even supplies internet connectivity to Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet firm. The hurricane recovery experience, Price said, reinforced how critical resilient communications infrastructure is to national disaster preparedness and ongoing business continuity.

    “Technology is not abstract. The solutions we provide have a direct impact on livelihoods and national resilience,” Price added.

    Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon welcomed the company’s expanded presence and new headquarters, noting that rapid urban growth in the city, driven by an influx of workers to the tourism and BPO sectors, has created increased demand for housing and strained existing public and private infrastructure. Digital tools such as resilient communications networks, smart data management, and digital advisory services, Vernon said, will be critical to supporting sustainable urban planning, improving municipal services, and cementing Montego Bay’s position as Jamaica’s top investment destination. He added that the city is eager to expand its partnership with Liberty Business beyond information and communications technology.

    “In short, this launch is a story of convergence: a company redefining its identity, a city undertaking modernity, and a nation embracing digital transformation. Together, these threads weave a narrative of resilience, opportunity, and progress. So we are not merely hosting a brand launch; we are embracing a partner in this journey to become a safe, vibrant, and digitally empowered city,” Vernon said.

  • JAMAICA BUYS $31-B HURRICANE SHIELD

    JAMAICA BUYS $31-B HURRICANE SHIELD

    Just 10 days out from the kickoff of the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season, Jamaica has bolstered its financial defenses against catastrophic storm damage by locking in a $200 million expanded hurricane coverage package from global capital markets. This move comes on the heels of 2025’s Hurricane Melissa, which left behind a trail of destruction equal to more than half of the Caribbean nation’s total annual economic output.

    The new transaction replaces Jamaica’s previous three-year $150 million catastrophe bond, a shift that underscores the rising financial threat that severe tropical storms pose to the island’s economy and long-term recovery capacity. The World Bank announced the deal on Monday, noting that overwhelming investor demand allowed the government to increase the coverage size from its initial planned amount. The expansion comes as Jamaica prepares for another forecasted active Atlantic hurricane season, prioritizing protection against rare, high-impact storm events that can upend years of economic progress.

    This latest issuance follows the activation of Jamaica’s prior catastrophe bond after Melissa made landfall in October 2025. The storm met all pre-negotiated trigger parameters tied to its intensity and track, triggering a full payout to the Jamaican government that delivered immediate access to emergency funds during the critical immediate recovery period. This real-world activation served as a full-scale test of Jamaica’s existing disaster financing strategy, proving the instrument’s ability to deliver rapid relief when disaster strikes.

    Post-disaster assessments peg total damage, losses and associated recovery costs from Hurricane Melissa at roughly $12.2 billion, a sum that equals approximately 56.7% of Jamaica’s entire annual gross domestic product. That staggering figure lays bare the massive fiscal and economic vulnerability that climate-driven severe hurricanes create for small island developing states across the Caribbean. The storm damaged critical public infrastructure, coastal tourism assets, agricultural production and public utilities, leaving the government grappling with sustained budget pressure months into the ongoing reconstruction effort.

    Jamaica’s expanded catastrophe bond also highlights a growing global trend: climate-fueled disasters are increasingly becoming a major sovereign balance sheet risk for climate-vulnerable economies. For small islands like Jamaica that face repeated storm impacts, the ability to transfer risk to global capital markets has become a core part of climate resilience planning.

    “Having disaster risk financing in place is a key pillar of our resilience-building framework,” Jamaica’s Finance Minister Fayval Williams said in a statement released through the World Bank. “The catastrophe bond is an important piece ensuring capital market access for Jamaica.”

    The new bond forms a core component of what the World Bank calls Jamaica’s “multi-layered disaster risk financing strategy,” a comprehensive approach that combines parametric catastrophe bond coverage with dedicated budget reserves, contingent government financing agreements and other risk transfer tools. The overarching goal of this framework is to reduce the severe fiscal shock that major hurricanes typically impose on national budgets.

    The World Bank emphasized that Jamaica remains extremely exposed to the financial fallout of hurricane events, warning that severe storms carry lasting consequences for public safety, household livelihoods and broader macroeconomic stability across the island.

    The new bond is issued through the World Bank’s existing “capital at risk” notes program, a mechanism that enables vulnerable nations to shift disaster-related risk off their public balance sheets and onto a broad base of international institutional investors. Under the standard catastrophe bond structure, investors earn regular fixed returns as long as no qualifying triggering disaster occurs. If a major storm meets the payout conditions, however, investors forfeit part or all of their principal, which is redirected to the affected government for emergency recovery.

    This latest transaction will provide Jamaica with continuous hurricane coverage through to 2030, and carries an annual risk margin of 6.75%.

    World Bank Vice-President and Treasurer Jorge Familiar highlighted that the full payout after Hurricane Melissa confirms how well-designed parametric disaster financing instruments can deliver fast, predictable protection when disaster strikes. “The payout following Hurricane Melissa demonstrated once again how countries can prepare for disaster with well-designed parametric instruments that deliver fast and reliable financial protection when it is needed most,” Familiar said.

    The new catastrophe bond will be listed on the Singapore Exchange, with structuring led by global financial firms Aon Securities and Swiss Re Capital Markets.

  • ABWU Partners with Lupus Association, Donates $2,500 in Support of Awareness Efforts

    ABWU Partners with Lupus Association, Donates $2,500 in Support of Awareness Efforts

    A landmark collaboration between the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) and the Lupus Association of Antigua and Barbuda is set to transform how the Caribbean nation addresses the unmet needs of communities affected by lupus, kicking off with a EC$2,500 donation and a long-term pledge to expand outreach, education and patient support. The official launch of the partnership took place Friday, aligned perfectly with global Put on Purple (POP) Day, an international initiative dedicated to driving public attention to this chronic, often misunderstood autoimmune disease.

    Speaking at the donation presentation ceremony, ABWU General Secretary David Massiah emphasized that the initiative goes far beyond a single charitable contribution. He framed the partnership as a lasting promise built on collective solidarity with those navigating life with lupus, including working residents who balance daily management of the condition with holding down employment and caring for their families. “Today, we are not simply making a presentation. We are making a commitment rooted in solidarity,” Massiah said. “The ABWU is proud to stand alongside the Lupus Association as we work together to raise awareness about a condition that affects many individuals and families within our nation, including workers who continue to face the daily challenges associated with lupus while striving to earn a living and care for their loved ones.”

    Massiah also highlighted a common, harmful gap in public understanding of the disease: unlike many visible health conditions, lupus’ impacts are often hidden from casual observation, even as it imposes severe, multifaceted burdens on patients, ranging from chronic physical pain to emotional distress, mental health struggles and crippling financial strain from ongoing medical care.

    Linda Mussington, president of the Lupus Association of Antigua and Barbuda, welcomed the new collaboration, noting that the union’s broad reach across the country will help the association extend critical lupus education to younger demographic groups, a population that has seen rising diagnosis rates in the nation. “With the Antigua Workers’ Union, I know that the exposure is going to really take us further, because we have also seen that there are so many young people in Antigua that have lupus,” Mussington explained.

    The partnership announcement also coincided with a milestone for the ABWU: the union is currently marking its 59th year of service to Antigua and Barbuda’s workers and broader community. Stacey Ladoo, assistant secretary of the Lupus Association, thanked the union for its targeted support and commended the organization for its decades-long commitment to advancing public welfare across the islands.

  • ‘China heeft de touwtjes in handen’: waarom Putin’s bezoek aan Beijing na Trump ertoe doet

    ‘China heeft de touwtjes in handen’: waarom Putin’s bezoek aan Beijing na Trump ertoe doet

    In a carefully timed sequence of high-stakes diplomacy that underscores China’s growing influence on the global stage, Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to arrive in Beijing on Tuesday for a landmark summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking the 25th anniversary of the 2001 Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation between the two nations. While the commemoration forms the official centerpiece of the meeting, analysts widely agree that the true significance of this Wednesday gathering stretches far beyond a simple anniversary celebration, shaped heavily by its placement just days after U.S. President Donald Trump concluded his own high-profile summit with Xi in China.

    Putin’s visit was formally announced immediately following Trump’s departure from China, where the American leader touted broad new trade agreements with Beijing but offered little tangible evidence of progress on the world’s most pressing geopolitical flashpoints, including cross-strait tensions over Taiwan and the ongoing Israel-U.S. military conflict against Iran. This timing works distinctly to Russia’s advantage, analysts note, as it reinforces Putin’s confidence that Beijing has no plans to dilute its close bilateral ties with Moscow amid shifting Western pressure. For China, the back-to-back visits of the leaders of the world’s two most prominent rival powers to the U.S. serves as a clear diplomatic statement: it demonstrates that China, as a major global power, can engage with competing powers on its own sovereign terms.

    Both nations currently face sweeping Western economic and political sanctions, and both view the Trump administration’s unpredictable foreign policy as reckless and destabilizing. Over the past decade, Beijing and Moscow have built a deep, comprehensive strategic partnership, and analysts do not expect any major overhauls to this relationship during Putin’s current visit. Even so, the gathering itself makes clear that China is actively cementing its position in an increasingly fragmented global order.

    Experts note that while no major diplomatic breakthroughs are anticipated from the summit, the two sides are expected to further deepen their already robust strategic cooperation, particularly in the economic and defense sectors. Key areas of mutual benefit include China’s pursuit of discounted access to Russian energy exports, while Russia has grown increasingly dependent on Chinese technology, most notably for unmanned aerial drone systems.

    A key dynamic shaping the meeting, analysts emphasize, is that the visit holds far greater strategic importance for Putin than it does for Xi. Following the costly and protracted war in Ukraine that has isolated Moscow internationally, Russia has shifted into the role of the junior partner in the bilateral relationship, and is widely believed to be seeking additional military support from Beijing. One senior foreign policy analyst notes that China currently holds all the leverage in negotiations, meaning Putin, like Trump before him, will come to Beijing to seek concessions rather than dictate terms.

    At the same time, analysts warn against framing the Sino-Russian relationship as purely hierarchical. Both nations share a core common goal: building a multipolar global order that rejects the dominance of a single hegemonic power that imposes its will on other sovereign states.

    The consecutive back-to-back summits with Trump and Putin above all highlight China’s deliberate self-positioning as an indispensable neutral mediator in an increasingly divided world. Beijing frames itself as a neutral power without permanent enemies, even as it maintains its close strategic alignment with Moscow.

    The ongoing Israel-U.S. conflict against Iran has disrupted global energy markets, hitting China’s economy harder than it has impacted Russia. While Russia sees short-term economic benefits from the market disruption, both nations share a long-term goal of regional stability and an end to the conflict. The recent Trump-Xi summit made clear that China refused to grant Trump’s key demand: backing U.S. efforts to end Iran’s regional influence through force. Moscow has welcomed this stance, as it confirms China will not abandon Russia’s close regional partners including Iran.

    The war in Ukraine will certainly feature heavily in closed-door talks, but analysts agree China has no plans to pressure Russia to accept any specific negotiated outcome. Beijing has positioned itself as a willing neutral mediator in the conflict, but it also has no interest in seeing Russia suffer a humiliating defeat that would undermine its strategic standing.

    While the visit is unlikely to produce major headline-grabbing diplomatic breakthroughs, it leaves one conclusion inarguable: by hosting the leaders of the United States and Russia back-to-back on its own soil, China has cemented its status as an indispensable power at the center of the modern global political landscape.

  • Nevis Honours 14 Outstanding Students with 2026 Boys of Excellence Awards

    Nevis Honours 14 Outstanding Students with 2026 Boys of Excellence Awards

    CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – May 18, 2026 – Fourteen outstanding male students from across Nevis have been recognized for their exceptional academic achievement, community service, leadership, and personal character as recipients of the 2026 Boys of Excellence Awards, presented by the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) Department of Gender Affairs.

    The celebratory award ceremony, which took place at the Malcolm Guishard Recreational Park, brought together government officials, educators, families, and community members to honor the young men who have set a positive example for their peers through contributions to their schools, households, and local neighborhoods. Each awardee was selected for demonstrating core values including selflessness, academic dedication, athletic excellence, volunteerism, and ethical conduct that align with the program’s mission to lift up exceptional young boys across the island.

    The 2026 cohort of honorees represents 14 primary and secondary schools across Nevis, each bringing their own unique strengths and contributions to their communities: Kyran Hendrickson of Cecile Browne Integrated School, praised for his integrity, willingness to support classmates and teachers, and commitment to fostering unity among peers; Ezra Hanley of Ivor Walters Primary School, recognized for his strong academic record, humble demeanor, and outstanding sportsmanship; Kemarii Reed of Maude Crosse Preparatory School, a top-performing Grade 3 student who serves as captain of the Positive Vybz Steel Orchestra and volunteers regularly for community and faith-based events; Naiim Morton of Montessori Academy, a longstanding, well-respected school member known for his consistent academic excellence and polite, caring approach to all members of the school community; Kaijay Powell of Nevis Academy, a multi-talented student involved in cricket, football, and drama who prioritizes lifting up peers who feel excluded; Jah-lique Chambers of Charlestown Primary School, a disciplined, humble student dedicated to building core life skills of responsibility and accountability; Izariel Webbe of St. Thomas Primary School, a talented student-athlete who competes in quiz bowls, football, and track and field, exemplifying teamwork and determination; Hazo Ottley of St. James Primary School, a quiet, compassionate multi-instrumentalist and athlete who serves as a positive influence among peers; Elvorn Herbert of Violet O. Jeffers Nicholls Primary School, a peer-focused leader and student-athlete whose maturity and compassion outpace his years; Te’adrian Toss of Elizabeth Pemberton Primary School, a well-rounded student-athlete who balances academic success with strong social leadership; Aaron Daljit of Joycelyn Liburd Primary School, a consistently top-ranked student, talented steelpan musician, and regular volunteer at school, church, and home; Cleston Bartlette of Gingerland Secondary School, a model student and community volunteer who serves as a student ambassador, defense force cadet, and church drummer; Jedaiah Carter of Nevis International Secondary School, an honor roll scholar-athlete who has medaled in all school cross-country events and represented the school at regional inter-high competitions; and Kymarni Newton of Charlestown Secondary School, a record-breaking athlete who won bronze at the 2026 CARIFTA Games and set a new Under-18 Junior National Record, while also representing Nevis on the national Under-17 Football Team for three consecutive years.

    Awards were presented by a panel of senior Nevisian government leaders, including Deputy Governor General Her Honour Mrs. Hyleeta Liburd, Deputy Premier the Honourable Eric Evelyn, Senior Minister the Honourable Spencer Brand, Minister of Education and Youth the Honourable Senator Troy Liburd, Minister of Social Development the Honourable Senator Jahnel Nisbett, and Special Advisor to the Premier the Honourable Latoya Jones.

    In her remarks at the ceremony, Minister Nisbett emphasized the importance of the annual awards program, noting that selecting just 14 honorees each year is an increasingly challenging process, as growing numbers of Nevisian boys exceed community expectations.

    “This activity annually is really to shine the light on not only the good but the excellent. And these fourteen young men are indeed excellent… It’s such a difficult decision annually because so many of our boys are really exceeding our expectations,” Minister Nisbett said, urging the awardees to continue serving as role models for their peers and upholding the values of the Boys of Excellence title.

    Guest speaker Trevor Heron, a psychosocial therapist, addressed the honorees under the event’s theme “Boys to Men: Adopting Good Habits and Attitudes.” He encouraged the young men to lean on the supportive community around them, embrace Nevis’ strong core values, and remain intentional about pursuing their goals.

    “You have the right people around you… What we love about Nevis is its values, and it will not compromise, and those values are going to build you and propel you to excellence. Be intentional. Your gifts are designed to make room for you… to position you. Your gift is going to open doors for you,” Heron said. “So young men, stay focused, be intentional in all you do and you will succeed.”

    The annual ceremony was held in advance of the International Day of the Boy Child, observed globally on May 16, aligning the award celebration with international efforts to recognize the achievements and potential of young boys.

  • CARIFTA champion Cenac commits to Kansas

    CARIFTA champion Cenac commits to Kansas

    Rising Saint Lucian track and field star Destinee Cenac is set to take the next big step in her athletic and academic journey, after confirming she will join the University of Kansas (KU) track and field program on a full athletic scholarship for the upcoming season. The 17-year-old high jump standout will begin her dual pursuits of higher education and elite training in Lawrence, Kansas this coming August.

    A current student at St Joseph’s Convent and a member of the local Morne Stars Athletics Club, Cenac has already built an impressive competitive resume across regional youth athletics. At this year’s national secondary school track and field championships, she delivered a dominant performance, claiming gold medals in three events: her signature high jump, as well as the 100-meter and 200-meter sprints in her age division.

    Her road to the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) Games was paved with consistent standout results: Cenac cleared the 1.70-meter mark multiple times in qualifying rounds, including a winning performance at February’s Independence Games that secured her spot at the regional junior championship. Under the guidance of her coaches, brothers Len and Lenyn Leonce, Cenac went on to claim the Under-17 high jump gold medal at this year’s CARIFTA Games, hosted at Grenada’s Kirani James Stadium over the Easter weekend. It was at this competition that she set a new personal best, clearing 1.72 meters to take home the top prize.

    After weighing multiple athletic scholarship offers from programs across the United States, Cenac — alongside her mother Junita — made the decision to commit to KU’s Jayhawks program. The young athlete had the opportunity to connect with Jayhawks head coach Stanley Redwine and assistant coach Brian Wellman in person, before holding a virtual meeting with Tom Hays, KU’s associate head coach who specializes in vertical jump training and will oversee Cenac’s development once she arrives on campus.

    Hays, one of the most respected vertical jump coaches in collegiate track and field, has twice been named Midwest Region Assistant Coach of the Year, most recently in 2021 when he guided jumper Rylee Anderson to her second consecutive Big 12 conference title. Cenac will join a KU program with a proven track record of developing elite Caribbean talent: Saint Lucian 400-meter runner Michael Joseph, currently competing for the Jayhawks, has already set new national records for his home country and qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

    For Cenac, the move to KU is also a chance to carry forward a long legacy of high jump excellence from her small Caribbean nation. She aims to follow in the footsteps of icons including Levern Spencer, the Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning high jumper, and her own Morne Stars teammate Jenneil Jacobie. Right now, the 17-year-old is wrapping up her final CXC secondary education examinations ahead of her departure for Kansas this summer.

  • NIA Empowers Dozens of Women with Tools for Wealth and Home Ownership

    NIA Empowers Dozens of Women with Tools for Wealth and Home Ownership

    CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – In a landmark initiative targeting gender-inclusive financial progress, the Department of Gender Affairs under the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) hosted its inaugural annual Women’s Asset Building Seminar on May 11, 2026. Held at the Malcolm Guishard Recreational Park under the theme “Own Your Future: Women, Wealth and Home Ownership”, the event gathered nearly 50 women from across the island for a hands-on session focused on closing the gender wealth gap and supporting long-term financial security.

    Unlike generic informational events, the seminar was designed to deliver actionable, real-world tools that address a common systemic gap: women’s frequent prioritization of family care over their own financial stability and wealth building. Honourable Senator Jahnel Nisbett, Minister of Gender Affairs, noted that the strong turnout and active participant engagement marked the event as a resounding success for the local community.

    “This wasn’t just another talk shop,” Nisbett emphasized in remarks following the seminar. “Too often, women put all their energy into caring for their children, partners and aging parents, leaving no time or space to plan for their own financial wellbeing. This workshop was built specifically for them, to show that it’s never too late to reach those personal and financial goals – whether that’s owning a home, building a retirement nest egg, or protecting the assets they work hard for.”

    A diverse cross-sector panel of industry experts led targeted sessions across core financial topics relevant to asset growth. Orvis Tyson, Senior Adviser at Sagicor, walked participants through strategies for leveraging insurance protection and growing long-term investments. Tesia Burton, Branch Manager at Republic Bank, broke down foundational knowledge around savings habits, accessing loans, and building and maintaining strong credit – a critical requirement for qualifying for home mortgages. Karen Claxton-Amory, an inspector with the Nevis Social Security board, shared actionable tips for maximizing retirement income to support long-term stability. Althea Campbell, a practicing local attorney, delivered clear guidance on legal protections for property ownership and strategies to safeguard personal assets against unforeseen circumstances.

    Nisbett highlighted that the interactive format of the event encouraged open dialogue: participants freely shared their own personal financial challenges and asked targeted questions that aligned with their individual goals. The overwhelming majority of attendees requested additional follow-up sessions to continue building on the knowledge gained, and all panel facilitators provided their personal contact information to offer customized one-on-one guidance for participants after the event concluded.

    Chaired by Deslyn Johnson of the NIA Department of Gender Affairs, the seminar also included an on-site networking opportunity where participants could connect directly with representatives from key local institutions. These included a local legal aid clinic, the NIA Department of Physical Planning, the Nevis Housing and Land Development Corporation (NHLDC), independent structural engineering and architectural consultants, and the Ministry of Finance, giving attendees direct access to resources for pursuing home ownership after the event.

    Nisbett closed by extending formal thanks to the expert facilitators, engaged participants, and internal NIA staff who collaborated to conceptualize and execute the first-of-its-kind event, which is set to become an annual offering to support women’s financial empowerment across Nevis.

  • Caribbean nations move forward on regional joint investigation teams framework following Barbados forum

    Caribbean nations move forward on regional joint investigation teams framework following Barbados forum

    After two days of intensive legal discussions hosted in Bridgetown, Barbados, Caribbean nations have formally committed to advancing the development of a unified regional framework for cross-border Joint Investigation Teams (JITs), a landmark initiative designed to crack down on transnational financial crime and streamline asset recovery across the region. The forum, organized by the Office of the Attorney General of Barbados and backed by funding from the Inter-American Development Bank and the Regional Security System (RSS), brought together legal and security stakeholders from across Caribbean territories to address longstanding gaps in cross-border law enforcement cooperation.

    Rhea Reid-Bowen, Director of Strategic Services and International Affairs at the RSS, outlined key consensus outcomes from the closed-door talks. Participating states have agreed to finalize a draft model framework agreement for the JIT initiative, which will then be circulated to national attorneys general across the region for preliminary review. According to Reid-Bowen, attendees universally concluded that a regional JIT system would deliver substantial public safety benefits for Caribbean communities, and agreed that the framework should draw on the existing successful Eurojust model, adapted to fit the unique legal structures and operational needs of Caribbean jurisdictions.

    As part of the roadmap for rollout, delegates recommended launching a pilot JIT project involving at least two Caribbean territories within the next several months to test the new framework and identify areas for adjustment. Discussions also openly addressed the core challenges that could hinder implementation, most notably the significant variations in national legislation across Caribbean states that have historically complicated cross-border probes and asset seizure efforts. Reid-Bowen emphasized that these hurdles are not insurmountable, noting that intentional collaboration and carefully drafted framework agreements can mitigate these risks.

    “For the JIT mechanism to work effectively, participating countries must align on clear rules for evidence admissibility, information disclosure, and the protocols for deploying foreign law enforcement agents across territorial borders,” Reid-Bowen explained in remarks following the forum. “That is why the model framework must include flexible, broadly applicable standards that give local competent authorities the space to craft specific agreements tailored to the needs of each individual joint investigation they launch.”

    Reid-Bowen further highlighted that a coordinated regional JIT structure would transform the speed and effectiveness of criminal investigations across the Caribbean. The forum agreed that the formal concept paper for the initiative will next be submitted to national cabinets for domestic approval, and shared with key regional bodies including the CARICOM Council for National Security and Law Enforcement to build broad cross-regional political support for the project.

    Unlike traditional mutual legal assistance processes, which are often slow and bureaucratic, a regional JIT framework will allow law enforcement agencies to collect and share evidence directly across borders, cutting down on delays that often allow criminal actors to launder or move illicit assets. The system will also strengthen real-time intelligence sharing, improve coordination between prosecutors, judges and law enforcement teams across multiple jurisdictions, and reduce conflicts that arise when separate national investigations into the same criminal network run parallel to one another, Reid-Bowen added.

    Looking forward, the RSS plans to explore formal partnership opportunities with Eurojust and EL PACTO to expand the initiative’s reach, supporting cross-continental investigations that connect Caribbean criminal networks to actors in Europe and Latin America.

  • New tests to gauge environmental damage

    New tests to gauge environmental damage

    Twenty-five years after the permanent closure of the Mobil Oil Refinery at Needham’s Point, Barbados has reignited its push to revitalize the long-contaminated coastal site with the completion of a comprehensive modern environmental assessment, local outlet Barbados TODAY has confirmed.

    Speaking to reporters this week, Minister of Energy Kerrie Symmonds outlined that the field work, carried out last month, was designed to map the current scope of soil and groundwater pollution caused by decades of historic oil leakage. The assessment collected and analyzed detailed sub-surface data to pinpoint the exact boundaries of contamination and track any hidden spread of pollutants through underground layers. Symmonds noted that a full site characterization report documenting the site’s current condition is now being finalized for the ministry. Additional structural work on the site’s aging abandoned oil tanks is also scheduled, with targeted remediation recommendations set to be released once all field work is wrapped up.

    The contamination crisis at Needham’s Point is not a new issue: pollution from the defunct refinery has raised red flags among environmental officials and local stakeholders since the facility shuttered 25 years ago. The site’s location just steps from two of Barbados’ most high-profile luxury resorts – Hilton Barbados Resort and Radisson Aquatica Resort – and the popular tourist destination Pebbles Beach has amplified concerns about the potential public health and environmental hazards posed by the unchecked pollution.

    The first major revelation of the full scale of contamination came in 2002, when a scientific analysis was commissioned ahead of the construction of the new Hilton hotel. That assessment, carried out by Fiton Technologies Corporation – a firm initially contracted by state-owned Needham’s Point Holdings Ltd – uncovered far more extensive pollution than earlier investigations had indicated. Though a full contamination survey was not part of Fiton’s original mandate, the firm mapped the full area and depth of pollution, identifying multiple sources of contamination beyond the original expected leakage from fuel tanks that supplied the old Hilton hotel’s boilers.

    In line with requirements from the Owen Arthur administration’s Ministry of Physical Development and Environment, the 2002 report recommended that all contaminated soil and groundwater at the site be remediated to at least the Dutch ‘C’ cleanup standard, a globally respected benchmark for industrial site remediation. Fiton was originally brought on to deploy its proprietary biocatalysis cleanup technology at the site, but its survey upended prior assumptions about the contamination source and scope. The team found four underground pipelines that once served the former Mobil Refinery running across the Needham’s Point property boundary. Three of the pipelines still held pressurized dark heavy crude oil, while the fourth contained thick, highly viscous oily residues. Most critically, two of the pipelines were actively leaking oil into areas that were already undergoing remediation, rendering those cleanup efforts ineffective. The pollution was also found to have spread beyond the refinery’s original boundaries, reaching the nearby Gravesend Military Cemetery and the headquarters of the Barbados Light and Power Company.

    But Jamar White, Director of Natural Resources at the Ministry of Energy, emphasized that all existing studies on the site – including one dating back to 1998 – are now outdated, making a new baseline assessment critical. “It was important to understand the current-day level of contamination present at the site and how it could impact surrounding areas,” White explained of the government’s decision to order a new survey. The administration commissioned an international environmental firm with specialized expertise in industrial site remediation to conduct the modern site characterization, which launched in November 2025. The assessment process has included extensive stakeholder consultations and the installation of purpose-built monitoring wells and boreholes to collect accurate sub-surface data, laying the groundwork for future cleanup and redevelopment of the prime coastal plot.

  • From despair to hope …Prosthetics initiative helps amputees walk again

    From despair to hope …Prosthetics initiative helps amputees walk again

    A cross-border health partnership between the governments of Trinidad and Tobago and India is transforming the lives of hundreds of people living with limb loss, with more than 800 citizens already receiving free custom prosthetics and a new regional center set to expand access across the Caribbean.

    Trinidad and Tobago’s Health Minister Dr. Lackram Bodoe confirmed that since the initiative launched last year, 803 people have received prosthetic devices, with 12 more recipients added just this week. Despite the program’s rapid progress, a waiting list of more than 1,000 people still remains, highlighting the unmet need for accessible prosthetic care in the region. Last week, during an official visit by India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar formally opened the National Prosthetics Centre in Penal. The new facility will not only serve local patients but also extend prosthetic services to member states of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), with Jaipur Foot USA partnering as a key stakeholder in the program.

    Health officials note that diabetes stands as one of the leading causes of non-traumatic lower limb amputation in Trinidad and Tobago, driving much of the demand for the program. For many low-income patients, a single prosthetic limb can cost $25,000 or more, putting life-changing mobility out of reach. The program eliminates this financial barrier, providing devices completely free of charge to eligible recipients. Local outlet the Sunday Expedition spoke with several beneficiaries, who shared their personal journeys of loss, hardship, and renewed hope after receiving their prosthetics.

    Anita Singh, a 43-year-old single mother from Point Fortin, lost her left foot to diabetic complications in 2020 following a cracked heel that developed into a life-threatening sepsis infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the amputation, Singh worked full-time and supported her three children, but post-surgery complications left her unable to return to work. Without financial support from her children’s father and after multiple unsuccessful applications for government social assistance, she relied entirely on family and friends to make ends meet. “Just when I felt like giving up on the possibility of walking again, the current Government introduced a free prosthetic limb drive,” Singh shared. “Receiving that opportunity was one of the happiest moments of my life. After everything I had endured, it meant more than just receiving a prosthetic leg—it meant getting a second chance. It meant hope, independence, confidence, and the possibility of walking again.”

    For 53-year-old Vindra Parson of Gasparillo, who had an below-ankle amputation as a young adult due to congenital spina bifida, the program has allowed her to accomplish long-held goals she once thought impossible. Prior to receiving her new prosthetic through the initiative last year, Parson relied on clunky, ill-fitting devices that eroded her confidence and limited her activities: her first government-issued prosthetic was made of leather, followed by one crafted from blue PVC pipe that drew unwanted stares in public, and a third that lasted 15 years before wearing out. Her new custom prosthetic, which closely matches her natural skin tone and is water-resistant, has opened up new possibilities. She has since swum at Clifton Hill beach, hiked to the top of Maracas Waterfall and Argyle Waterfall, and explored the Gasparee Caves—all activities she could never do before. “A lot of people think that when a limb is amputated life is over, but that is not so at all,” Parson said. “I do not see any limitations in the things that I can do. I would really like to thank Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and the Indian government and everybody involved in this initiative. The kindness and service that was provided was amazing. I went there at 7 a.m. and when I left in the evening I walked out wearing a new prosthetic that was designed and made for me in hours. That is truly remarkable and unheard of.”

    Sean Cupid, 53, of Brazil, Trinidad, developed diabetic complications that led to a below-knee amputation in 2018, after he was diagnosed with diabetes nearly two decades earlier. As the sole breadwinner for his wife and three sons, Cupid struggled financially after his security contract ended, and he purchased his first prosthetic second-hand from eBay. When that device wore out, he received a free custom fitting through the program in October. Cupid, who has never used a wheelchair despite his amputation, encourages other amputees to pursue prosthetic care to regain their independence. He has even made his contact information public to support other patients navigating life after amputation. “This is not the end of your life,” Cupid said. “I am physically challenged—that is how I saw it and continue to see it. I am not limited to a wheelchair. People are afraid to get prosthetics because they are fearful of falling, but I would advise anybody to do it. This helps people get back independence in their life.”

    The program also supports children born with congenital limb differences, not just adults who have undergone amputation. Joseph Ramkumar, a father from central Trinidad, has a three-year-old son Joash who was born with a right limb difference after the umbilical cord wrapped around his foot during pregnancy, a condition that was not detected during prenatal ultrasounds. Despite the difference, Joash is active, highly intelligent, and moves faster than his father, though he walks with a slight limp. The program will create a custom adaptive shoe to improve Joash’s balance and support his development as he grows. “I commend this effort; it will help many people,” Ramkumar said.

    With the opening of the new permanent National Prosthetics Centre, program organizers expect to cut wait times and expand access to hundreds more patients across Trinidad and Tobago and the broader Caribbean region in the coming years.