As Barbados prepares to embark on a transformative $160 million water infrastructure upgrade, authorities are emphasizing the importance of safeguarding residents and the environment during the construction phase. At a recent public stakeholder engagement session held at Lester Vaughan School, the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) presented a detailed Strategic Environmental and Social Management Plan (SESMP). This plan includes 18 targeted programs addressing occupational health and safety, road safety, traffic management, air quality, noise control, and compliance monitoring. Federico Scodelaro of the IDB explained that the SESMP aims to conduct a thorough evaluation of environmental and social impacts, establish effective mitigation strategies, and implement robust management procedures to minimize risks throughout the project’s lifecycle, from construction to eventual closure. Key risks identified include occupational accidents, dust and noise pollution, and potential disruptions to roads and small businesses, particularly in high-traffic areas. However, Scodelaro also highlighted the project’s positive outcomes, such as job creation, enhanced water supply reliability, and improved groundwater conservation. To ensure accountability, a three-tier grievance redress mechanism has been established, prioritizing urgent safety concerns for swift resolution. The infrastructure program is divided into four components: $100 million for replacing 100 km of deteriorated water mains, $50 million for leak detection and network optimization, $6 million for enhancing BWA’s technical capacity, and $4 million for staffing and monitoring. BWA Project Manager Shelley Parris underscored the project’s focus on improving service delivery, climate resilience, and environmental management. While acknowledging the challenges of funding and the scale of the work required, Parris expressed confidence in the BWA’s ability to manage the project effectively, citing past experiences with similar initiatives. The SESMP document is accessible online and at various public locations across Barbados.
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ECCB Governor urges Credit Unions to Strengthen Resilience Amid Global Challenges
In a compelling address at the Credit Union Summit held on September 24, 2025, at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort, Timothy Antoine, Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), urged credit unions across the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to bolster their resilience in the face of a rapidly evolving global financial landscape. Antoine described the credit union movement as a ‘force for good’ in the region, emphasizing its pivotal role in fostering financial and economic empowerment. He highlighted the current global economic challenges, including geopolitical tensions, trade wars, and the accelerating impact of artificial intelligence (AI), and called for proactive adaptation to harness the potential of these technologies while mitigating their risks. Antoine encouraged credit unions to ‘light candles in the darkest places,’ drawing on historical and faith-based resilience to continue empowering communities. Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew, speaking virtually from New York, echoed these sentiments, underscoring the critical role of credit unions in supporting ordinary citizens across the Caribbean, particularly where traditional financial institutions have failed. Dr. Drew noted the region’s ‘polycrisis,’ encompassing climate change, post-pandemic recovery, inflation, and geopolitical instability, and urged credit unions to rise to these challenges as they have in the past. The summit, themed ‘One Vision, One Future: OECS Credit Unions Growing Together,’ aims to foster collaboration and growth among credit unions in the region.
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Elderly rights bill set to go before House – Minister
Barbados is on the verge of enacting groundbreaking legislation aimed at safeguarding the rights of its elderly population. Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey, announced on Wednesday that the Rights of Older Persons Bill is in its final drafting phase and could be presented to Parliament by the end of the month. Humphrey made the revelation during the groundbreaking ceremony for a new Residential and Respite facility in Sterling, St Philip. He emphasized that the bill represents the final piece in a comprehensive series of social policy reforms, following the recent passage of the Child Protection Bill, Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, and the Social Empowerment Agency Bill. Humphrey highlighted the urgent need for the legislation, pointing out that Barbados is nearing the threshold of becoming a super-aged society, with 20% of its population aged 65 and over. He warned that the declining birth rate exacerbates the challenge of supporting an ageing population, stressing the shared responsibility of families, communities, and the state in caring for the elderly. The minister described the bill as both long overdue and transformative, urging the nation to view the ageing population as an opportunity to build a more inclusive and dignified society. ‘When we do this, then we will build a much better Barbados,’ he concluded.
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Gibbs pledges new focus on housing efficiency, upkeep
In one of his first public addresses as the newly appointed Housing Minister, Chris Gibbs outlined a significant reset in housing policy, emphasizing reforms for the troubled HOPE programme and a new maintenance-focused mandate for the National Housing Corporation (NHC). Speaking at the Barbados Annual Construction and Design Conference (BACDC) held at Sandals Royal Barbados, Gibbs addressed critical issues plaguing the housing sector, including the inefficiencies of the HOPE initiative and the NHC’s dual role in construction and maintenance. Gibbs, who replaced Dwight Sutherland following his resignation for personal reasons, pledged to transform HOPE into a project management-focused institution, leveraging public-private partnerships to deliver affordable housing solutions. He acknowledged the programme’s challenges, including delays and financing issues, but expressed optimism about its future. Gibbs also announced a strategic shift for the NHC, prioritizing maintenance over new construction to address long-standing inefficiencies. He proposed a two-tiered building strategy: an industrial model for planning and design, supported by innovative techniques, and an artisanal model for routine maintenance, engaging small contractors and artisans. This approach aims to streamline operations and ensure sustainable housing solutions for Barbados.
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Belize Police Department Rolls Out Online Criminal Record Application System
For years, obtaining a police record in Belize was synonymous with enduring lengthy queues at local police stations. This document, formally referred to as a record of conduct, is a prerequisite for various activities, including job applications, scholarships, professional licensing, and certain travel procedures. However, the process was often burdensome, particularly for residents in rural areas, who faced significant time, cost, and logistical challenges.
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President Ali urges bold action on global crises at UN General Assembly
In a compelling address at the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Guyana’s President Dr. Irfaan Ali emphasized the urgent need for bold and decisive action to tackle the multifaceted crises gripping the world. Against the backdrop of a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape, President Ali highlighted the Caribbean’s vulnerability to climate change, alongside the broader global challenges of armed conflicts, food insecurity, and economic instability. He called for introspection within the UN, questioning its effectiveness in addressing escalating geopolitical tensions and humanitarian disasters. ‘Where are we at 80?’ Ali asked, pointing to the intensification of conflicts, worsening food insecurity, growing displacement, and the existential threat of climate change. He expressed deep concern over the erosion of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) due to shrinking development aid and reduced peacekeeping budgets. Ali also condemned the ongoing humanitarian crises in Gaza, Sudan, and Haiti, labeling the situation in Gaza as ‘mass extermination’ and urging immediate action to halt the violence and advance a two-state solution. Additionally, he warned of emerging threats such as cybercrime, misinformation, and transnational organized crime. As the UN commemorates its 80th anniversary, President Ali joined a growing number of leaders voicing frustration over the organization’s inability to maintain global peace and security in an increasingly volatile world.
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Antigua and Barbuda PM Tells UN: Take Polluters to Court if Diplomacy Fails
In a bold address at the United Nations Climate Summit, Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne issued a stark warning to global leaders: if diplomatic efforts fail to address climate change, small island nations will resort to legal action to hold major polluters accountable. Browne emphasized that advancements in attribution science—research linking extreme weather events to fossil fuel emissions—now provide the necessary evidence to pursue such cases in court. ‘If diplomacy fails, then we should use the courts to hold these large polluters accountable,’ he declared. Browne framed the issue as a matter of survival for small island developing states (SIDS), which face existential threats from rising sea levels, intensifying storms, and escalating climate-related damages. He stressed that the 1.5-degree Celsius target set by the Paris Agreement is non-negotiable for these vulnerable nations. Browne also criticized the global financial system as ‘unfit for purpose,’ highlighting the staggering $387 billion annual cost of climate adaptation and the inadequacy of current climate finance. He endorsed the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative, which advocates for a rules-based phase-out of coal, oil, and gas, supported by financial and technological transfers. Antigua and Barbuda has taken proactive steps with its National Adaptation Plan and plans to update its climate targets this year. However, Browne emphasized that national efforts alone are insufficient. He called for the international community to adopt the ‘polluter pays’ principle, expand concessional financing, and ensure access to affordable renewable technologies. ‘Let us treat the 1.5-degree limit as a lifeline, not as a line in the sand,’ he urged. ‘And let us act—not tomorrow, but today—so that the smallest and most vulnerable nations among us are not left to face the greatest storms alone.’
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NWD Advises of Brief Water Outages During Meter Replacement in Select Areas
The Nevis Water Department (NWD) has issued a public notice regarding planned water service interruptions in select areas due to a meter replacement initiative. The project, scheduled from Thursday, September 25th, to Monday, September 29th, 2025, aims to replace non-functional water meters with new units to enhance system efficiency and ensure accurate billing. Residents in Brown Hill and Hanley’s Road are expected to experience brief water outages during the process. The NWD emphasized its commitment to improving service quality and promoting water conservation through this initiative. Customers with concerns are encouraged to contact the NWD customer service team at (869) 665-9061, (869) 765-5319, or via email at neviswaterdepartment@gmail.com. The department expressed gratitude for the public’s cooperation and understanding during this essential upgrade.
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Three Bills scheduled for the September 25 Sitting of the Nevis Island Assembly
The Nevis Island Assembly is set to convene on Thursday, September 25, 2025, with a legislative agenda featuring three significant bills. Premier and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Mark Brantley, will lead the proceedings, introducing two new bills for their first readings. These include the Nevis Limited Liability Company (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Nevis Public Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Both pieces of legislation aim to refine existing frameworks governing corporate structures and public entities on the island. Additionally, the Assembly will advance the Nevis Limited Partnership Bill, 2025, which was initially introduced on July 03, 2025, to its second and third readings. The session will commence at 10:00 a.m. in the Nevis Island Assembly Chambers in Charlestown, marking a pivotal moment in the island’s legislative calendar. This meeting underscores the administration’s commitment to enhancing regulatory frameworks and fostering economic growth.
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Mrs. Prince Drew Participates in Historic Gathering of First Ladies and Gentlemen at UNGA80
In a landmark event commemorating the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, Mrs. Diani Prince Drew, spouse of the Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, joined First Ladies and Gentlemen from around the globe at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on September 24, 2025. The gathering, co-hosted by the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen Global Platform (SFLG), the Spouses of CARICOM Leaders Action Network (SCLAN), and the Alliance of Spouses of Heads of State and Representatives of Latin America (ALMA), was facilitated by the Global First Ladies Alliance (GFLA). The event centered on the theme “The Role of First Ladies and Gentlemen – United for Peace and Prosperity,” emphasizing their growing influence as catalysts for change. Participants underscored their commitment to advancing human dignity, peace, education, health, and social progress, transcending political boundaries. A Joint Statement was unveiled, reaffirming their dedication to fostering regional cooperation, supporting communities impacted by conflicts and crises, and promoting dialogue and inclusion as pillars of peace and security. Mrs. Prince Drew, representing SCLAN, highlighted Saint Kitts and Nevis’ dedication to people-centered solutions aligned with the Government’s Sustainable Island State vision. She emphasized that collaborative efforts across regions can pave the way for a more secure, compassionate, and prosperous future for families worldwide. The event featured opening and closing remarks from prominent figures, including Mrs. Olena Zelenska of Ukraine, Mrs. Ann Marie Davis of The Bahamas, and Mrs. Rossana Briceño of Belize, with representatives from Lebanon, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and numerous other nations also in attendance.