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  • SER moet koers uitzetten voor duurzame ontwikkeling Suriname

    SER moet koers uitzetten voor duurzame ontwikkeling Suriname

    In a significant move to reshape national economic policy, President Jennifer Simons has formally reinstated the Socio-Economic Council (SER) as Suriname’s principal advisory body for sustainable development strategies. The installation ceremony, held Thursday at the Presidential Cabinet, marks the council’s return to active service after years of dormancy.

    The newly constituted SER—chaired by Reggy Nelson and comprising representatives from government, private sector, and trade unions—has been tasked with providing both solicited and unsolicited counsel to the government and National Assembly. President Simons emphasized that Suriname must avoid over-reliance on future oil and gas revenues, urging instead for diversified economic development aligned with global trends and social justice principles.

    Chairman Nelson echoed this vision, warning that exclusive focus on hydrocarbons would lead the nation into an economic dead end. He outlined the council’s mandate to identify sustainable sectors and formulate targeted policies for their growth. The SER will prioritize addressing complex challenges including international tensions whose impacts are already affecting Suriname’s economy.

    Deputy Chair Robby Berenstein (trade unions) stressed the need for building consensus around socioeconomic policies, while Mervel Kotzebue (private sector) acknowledged the council’s historical inactivity but expressed optimism about its renewed mandate. Kotzebue emphasized creating long-term strategies for economic resilience, noting Suriname’s vulnerability to repeated economic shocks despite potential oil opportunities. Energy transition and climate change have been identified as cross-cutting themes in all council deliberations.

  • LETTER: Residents of Ottos Newtown Frustrated with their Member of Parliament

    LETTER: Residents of Ottos Newtown Frustrated with their Member of Parliament

    The community of Ottos Newtown is engulfed in a profound crisis of civic neglect, with residents issuing vehement accusations against their parliamentary representative, Hon. Daryl Matthew, for years of inadequate representation. What was historically regarded as a modest yet functional neighborhood has undergone a stark transformation into a zone of urban decay, characterized by a comprehensive breakdown of essential public services and infrastructure.

    Central to the grievances are critical failures in fundamental municipal upkeep. The road network is reported to be in an advanced state of disrepair, while inconsistent water supply severely disrupts daily life. The sanitation crisis manifests in dual forms: mountains of uncollected bulk waste present a severe public health hazard, and the community’s public bathroom facilities remain padlocked and enveloped by invasive overgrowth, rendering them inaccessible and symbolizing official abandonment.

    Further exacerbating living conditions is the defective drainage infrastructure. Sidewalk drains throughout the constituency are clogged with accumulated debris and refuse, creating significant flooding hazards during rainfall and contributing to the area’s unsanitary environment. This infrastructural neglect coincides with a noted rise in criminal activities and the pervasive sight of derelict vehicles, painting a picture of a community in distress.

    The physical decay is powerfully mirrored by the symbolic state of the local Constituency Office. Residents report that the office has been largely abandoned and visibly neglected since the last election cycle, with natural overgrowth reaching window height. The recent flurry of cleaning activity observed at the office, timed with the approaching general elections, is widely perceived by the community as a cynical and superficial attempt to garner votes, rather than a genuine commitment to service.

    This has fostered deep-seated disillusionment among the electorate. Expressions like ‘Daryl forget about us’ capture the prevailing sentiment of being utterly disregarded. The core issue, as articulated by residents, transcends mere infrastructure; it is a fundamental breach of democratic accountability and proactive representation. There is a growing consensus that political engagement should be a continuous endeavor, not a ritual revived only during election seasons.

    Consequently, voter apathy has reached alarming levels, with many concluding that participation in the electoral process is futile. Having invested their vote in Hon. Matthew as a Labour Party representative, the overwhelming feeling is one of betrayal and disappointment, with many labeling him the worst representative they have experienced. As a final recourse, the community is issuing an appeal to the Prime Minister for immediate intervention, warning that without a restoration of genuine representation, they are prepared to vote the incumbent out of office.

  • Foul odour at farm eliminated after BADMC clean-up

    Foul odour at farm eliminated after BADMC clean-up

    Agricultural producers at Spencer’s in Christ Church expressed profound relief on Thursday as the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (BADMC) successfully concluded remediation efforts to address a hazardous waste incident that had plagued the community earlier this month.

    Following comprehensive investigative and containment operations, the previously affected zone now shows no traces of the foul odor that had generated widespread concern among local farmers and residents. Barbados TODAY correspondents confirmed the complete restoration of the area, with the contaminated section thoroughly covered and secured.

    The environmental crisis emerged on March 12 when reports surfaced regarding the illegal disposal of septic waste in proximity to active agricultural lands. This prompted immediate intervention from the Ministry of Agriculture, which coordinated a multi-agency response involving the BADMC, Barbados Water Authority, and environmental and public health officials.

    BADMC deployed specialized equipment to encapsulate the contaminated area with substantial soil coverage, effectively containing the hazardous materials and neutralizing the offensive odor that had permeated the surrounding community.

    Agriculture Minister Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight emphasized the collaborative nature of the government’s response, noting that interagency cooperation ensured prompt containment of the environmental threat. While initial assessments indicated that waste materials had not been deposited directly on cultivated plots, the minister characterized the incident as completely unacceptable regardless of the precise location.

    Local agricultural workers had reported ongoing concerns about waste dumping activities in the area, with multiple trucks allegedly disposing of septic materials near farmlands over an extended period. These practices raised serious apprehensions about potential soil and water contamination that could jeopardize both crop viability and farmer livelihoods.

    The situation gained significant traction through social media platforms, amplifying calls for regulatory action from agricultural stakeholders and environmental advocates across Barbados.

  • Nathan, Shamari star on penultimate day of BSSAC

    Nathan, Shamari star on penultimate day of BSSAC

    The Usain Bolt Sports Complex witnessed extraordinary athletic achievements during the second day of the 2026 Dasani BSSAC finals, with two young Barbadian athletes delivering standout performances despite contrasting fortunes.

    Nathan King from the Lodge School achieved a spectacular personal best in the Under-20 boys’ high jump, clearing 1.97 meters to claim victory. This remarkable height not only secured his gold medal but also exceeded the 1.95m qualifying standard for the upcoming regional championships. However, in a cruel twist of timing, King’s achievement came after the Athletics Association of Barbados had already finalized its team selection, rendering him ineligible for this year’s CARIFTA Games despite meeting the competitive standard.

    The victory represented a significant personal triumph for King, who faced substantial adversity earlier in the season. “I sustained an injury around January when the track and field season began,” King revealed to Barbados TODAY. “I took a break until February, then gradually worked to regain my rhythm. The recovery process proved challenging due to persistent knee issues, but through physiotherapy treatment and determined effort, I returned to competition form.”

    King’s performance marked considerable improvement from his fourth-place finish at the 2025 CARIFTA Games in Trinidad and Tobago, where he cleared 1.90m. Despite the disappointment of missing this year’s team selection, the ambitious athlete remains focused on securing a scholarship through his athletic achievements.

    Meanwhile, St George Secondary’s Shamari Greenidge-Lewis delivered what many considered the performance of the championships, shattering the Under-20 Boys’ 400m record with an electrifying time of 46.26 seconds. His blistering pace demolished the previous record of 46.80 seconds set by Jonathan Jones in 2018.

    “It feels incredible—I just won the race of my life,” an elated Greenidge-Lewis exclaimed following his record-breaking run. “After clocking 47.30 yesterday while easing up near the finish, I knew the record was within reach if I executed perfectly today.”

    The young sprinter celebrated his achievement with an exuberant victory lap along the homestretch, earning enthusiastic applause from the crowd. Greenidge-Lewis credited his coaches from Extreme Velocity, Juquan Beckles and Glen Williams, for his development: “My coaches consistently believe in me—they’re among the best in Barbados. When I listen to their guidance and execute our race strategy, I know I can accomplish great things.”

    His record-setting time automatically qualifies him for the World U20 Championships, where he aims to compete for medal honors. Greenidge-Lewis will return to competition on the final day of the championships to contest the 800m and Open Boys’ 4x400m relay events.

  • Kustwachtraad krijgt actieve rol in beleid: geen formeel orgaan

    Kustwachtraad krijgt actieve rol in beleid: geen formeel orgaan

    In a significant shift from ceremonial duties to substantive governance, Suriname’s Minister of Home Affairs Marinus Bee has redefined the role of the Coast Guard Council during its inaugural meeting with newly appointed members. The minister declared that the council would evolve into an active participant in policy formulation and operational guidance rather than maintaining a purely symbolic function.

    Bee emphasized that regular consultations would be established between the ministry and the council, mirroring the existing coordination framework with the Coast Guard directorate. This repositioning explicitly establishes the council as a substantive partner within the decision-making architecture of Suriname’s maritime security apparatus.

    ‘The council exists not merely to facilitate but to contribute intellectually, provide directional guidance, and share responsibility,’ Minister Bee stated during the proceedings.

    The reconstituted council features broad interdepartmental representation including Rudie Roeplal as chairman, with members Samantha Liu, Ludwig Mendelzoon, Luciano Coutinho, Biswadath Somai, Clyde Griffith, Reginald Karwofodi, Marita Lautan-Wijnerman, and Rildo Aserie. This diverse composition draws expertise from multiple government ministries and the President’s Cabinet, designed to foster integrated approaches to coastal policy development and oversight.

    Minister Bee expressed confidence in the council’s capabilities, particularly highlighting the chairman’s extensive experience. The minister characterized the collective expertise as forming a robust foundation for effective collaboration and decision-making processes.

    Through this emphasis on structured dialogue and substantive involvement, the ministry is implementing a governance model where the council actively contributes to strategic direction rather than merely providing advisory input. The clear message emerging from this restructuring is that effective leadership requires not just positional authority but deliberate guidance, with expectations for the council to play an instrumental role in strengthening policy development and oversight mechanisms within Suriname’s coastal security framework.

  • NEP workers with five years’ service to be transitioned to full‑time public sector posts – PM Skerrit

    NEP workers with five years’ service to be transitioned to full‑time public sector posts – PM Skerrit

    In a landmark development for Dominica’s employment landscape, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has announced the permanent integration of National Employment Programme (NEP) participants into full-time government service. The policy shift, unveiled during a Wednesday press conference, specifically targets individuals with five or more years of service within public sector placements who meet specific qualification criteria.

    The transformative initiative represents what Skerrit characterized as a ‘natural and strategic evolution’ of the NEP, which has served as a critical workforce bridge since its 2013 inception. The program has historically provided practical experience and employment pathways for young Dominicans seeking entry into professional environments.

    ‘This transition recognizes the dedication and skills of long-serving NEP workers and their contributions to national development,’ stated Prime Minister Skerrit. ‘By offering permanent positions, we aim to provide security, benefits and growth opportunities, enabling them to better serve our communities.’

    Eligibility requirements mandate that candidates possess at least an associate degree, demonstrate consistent satisfactory performance, perform substantive duties, and meet standard public service entry qualifications. The move follows recently regularized positions for over 110 non-established officers, forming part of a broader governmental agenda to enhance job security and benefits for temporary public service personnel.

    Official statistics reveal the program’s substantial impact, with more than 300 participants previously advancing to permanent or acting positions within public service. Hundreds more have transitioned to sustainable employment across both public and private sectors throughout the initiative’s twelve-year operation.

    The regularization initiative will extend to government statutory bodies and agencies, reflecting the administration’s commitment to workforce stabilization and economic security. The NEP operates through government-funded salary support for placements across public and private sector organizations, targeting previously unemployed citizens.

  • “Fruit from a poison tree”

    “Fruit from a poison tree”

    In a dramatic political development, Trinidad and Tobago’s parliamentary opposition has formally demanded the immediate dismissal of Defense Minister Wayne Sturge from both cabinet and government positions. The call comes amid explosive allegations connecting the minister and the ruling United National Congress (UNC) administration to recently assassinated businessman Danny Guerra.

    Opposition Chief Whip Marvin Gonzales presented what he characterized as compelling evidence during a People’s National Movement (PNM) press conference in Port of Spain on Wednesday. Drawing extensively from law enforcement documents and investigative media reports predating Guerra’s death, Gonzales constructed a narrative of concerning associations between government officials and alleged criminal activities.

    Guerra, a real estate developer and DG Homes proprietor, met his demise on March 13 when unidentified assailants ambushed him outside his Sangre Grande business establishment. His violent death occurred precisely two months after his January 2 release from preventive detention, where he had been held for nearly six weeks under a state of emergency order.

    The previously issued preventive detention order outlined serious allegations against Guerra, identifying him as the leader of an organized criminal gang with purported involvement in arms trafficking, money laundering, and illegal quarrying operations. Most alarmingly, the document asserted the gang maintained access to ‘a cache of high-powered firearms’ and intended to ‘imminently execute the assassination of a Government minister’ while escalating attacks against rival factions in public spaces.

    Gonzales specifically highlighted media reports suggesting Guerra had contributed approximately $20 million to the UNC’s electoral campaign, a financial injection allegedly instrumental in securing the crucial Toco/Sangre Grande constituency during last year’s election. The opposition whip further referenced visual evidence showing Minister Sturge socializing with Guerra during campaign events.

    ‘Wayne Sturge as Minister of Defence has access to confidential information relating to the security of Trinidad and Tobago,’ Gonzales asserted. ‘Based on these reports, he is an example of a fruit from a poison tree that benefited significantly from what appears to be criminal wrongdoing in the election campaign.’

    The opposition contends that the minister’s alleged connections represent a severe national security threat that demands immediate prime ministerial intervention. The unfolding scandal raises profound questions about political financing, national security protocols, and the integrity of governmental institutions in the Caribbean nation.

  • Police fires gun to quell feud with van conductor

    Police fires gun to quell feud with van conductor

    A tense confrontation between a traffic officer and a bus conductor near Calliaqua Playing Field escalated dramatically on Thursday afternoon, culminating in a police corporal discharging his firearm twice to restore order. The incident occurred during peak afternoon traffic as students were returning from the Inter-Secondary School Athletics Meet at Sir Vincent Beache Stadium.

    According to eyewitness accounts and official reports, the altercation began when a traffic officer signaled an overloaded passenger bus to stop while it was en route to Kingstown. What started as a routine traffic intervention rapidly deteriorated into a physical altercation, with witnesses reporting the traffic officer throwing his helmet at the bus conductor during the heated exchange.

    The escalating violence drew significant public attention and created substantial traffic disruptions along the busy roadway, with vehicles backing up in both directions due to the obstruction. The situation reached a critical point when a uniformed police corporal arrived on the scene, running along the opposite lane before discharging his service weapon twice into the air as a deterrent measure.

    Authorities subsequently escorted both the bus conductor and the vehicle to a nearby police station for further investigation. No injuries were reported from either the physical altercation or the firearm discharge, with police characterizing the shots as a necessary de-escalation tactic rather than directed fire. The incident highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in maintaining public order during high-traffic events involving large student populations.

  • Sobers insists T&T excluded from Caricom decision

    Sobers insists T&T excluded from Caricom decision

    A significant diplomatic dispute has erupted within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) following Trinidad and Tobago’s formal protest against the reappointment process of Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett. Foreign Minister Sean Sobers has emphatically stated that his nation was entirely excluded from consultation procedures prior to Barnett’s reappointment, learning of the decision only after it was finalized.

    Minister Sobers characterized the unilateral action as both ‘disrespectful and insulting,’ expressing profound disappointment that established diplomatic protocols were disregarded. The controversy emerged when CARICOM Chairman and St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew announced that a ‘required majority’ of member states had approved Barnett’s second term during February meetings in St. Kitts.

    Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has declared Trinidad and Tobago’s intention to reduce its substantial financial contribution to CARICOM, which currently constitutes 22% of the organization’s total budget. This financial leverage represents the largest single contribution among member states.

    The political conflict has intensified domestically, with Minister Sobers launching sharp criticism against Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles for her support of the reappointment process. Sobers dismissed Beckles’ comments as ‘inane’ and indicative of her ‘continued pattern of supporting wrongdoing,’ while defending the government’s position as principled opposition to procedural violations.

    Central to the dispute is the allegation that three CARICOM members—Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, and The Bahamas—were systematically excluded from critical discussions during the February retreat where Barnett’s reappointment was decided. Minister Sobers maintains this violates the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas governing CARICOM operations.

    The government has framed its stance as a defense of democratic principles and transparent governance, vowing to pursue formal review mechanisms while reconsidering its financial commitments to the regional body.

  • Exam easy, easy!

    Exam easy, easy!

    Students across two primary schools in Arima, Trinidad, expressed widespread relief and satisfaction following yesterday’s Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) examination, with many describing the test as surprisingly manageable. The Express conducted interviews at Arima Presbyterian and Malabar Government Primary Schools, capturing the emotional responses from students and parents alike.

    Arianna Maharaj of Arima Presbyterian Primary School enthusiastically declared the exam ‘easy,’ a sentiment echoed by her father Vishal, who shared his overwhelming excitement and anticipation for the results. The day held double celebration for 11-year-old Annilie Amoroso, who emerged from the examination compound wearing a birthday crown and sash. Despite encountering one challenging mathematics question, Amoroso expressed confidence in her performance and hopes to secure placement at Bishop Anstey High School East.

    Maya Noreiga provided comparative insight, noting that ‘past papers were harder than the actual exams,’ while acknowledging her aspiration to attend St. Joseph’s Convent. Her mother, Natasha Caldon, attributed this confidence to thorough preparation that left her daughter ‘comfortable, happy and at peace.’

    The examination experience varied among participants. Caleb Austarlie reported minor difficulties with creative writing but found preparation exercises ‘relaxing,’ aiming to join his sister at Arima Central Secondary School. Conversely, Kemiley St Benard described mathematics as ‘kind of hard,’ though she maintained belief in her overall performance.

    Parental perspectives highlighted the emotional toll of preparation. Kerishma Johnson characterized her daughter’s study period as ‘frustrating,’ while Kristin Martinez acknowledged the ‘plenty work’ involved in completing numerous booklets. At Malabar Government Primary, Janae Bharose completed the exam with visual concessions, expressing happiness that the intensive ‘exam style’ preparation had concluded despite mathematics challenges.

    The collective mood reflected significant relief as families transition from examination stress to celebratory anticipation of results, marking both an educational milestone and personal achievement for Trinidad’s youth.