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  • Sygnus parks big money in Lakes Pen

    Sygnus parks big money in Lakes Pen

    Sygnus Group has significantly expanded its real estate portfolio with a strategic US$20-million investment to develop the Lakespen Industrial Park in St. Catherine, Jamaica. This major infrastructure initiative is designed to fuel the nation’s growing logistics and industrial sectors by offering secure, state-of-the-art operational spaces for businesses aiming to expand or modernize their facilities.

    During the project’s groundbreaking ceremony, Berisford Grey, CEO of Sygnus Capital and company co-founder, articulated the vision behind the investment: “Our commitment stems from a firm belief that Jamaica is positioned to lead the Caribbean in logistic infrastructure development.”

    The 55.4-acre property, acquired in March 2020, will feature 34 serviced lots ranging from one to three acres after accounting for essential infrastructure. The development plan emerged from a meticulous master planning process with leading architectural consultants and a comprehensive feasibility study conducted by a renowned Washington, DC-based industrial consultancy. This study identified a substantial market demand, revealing over 1 million square feet of need for industrial warehousing space in Jamaica.

    David Cummings, Vice President and Head of Real Estate & Project Finance at Sygnus, explained how these findings shaped their strategy: “The analysis uncovered a distinct market segment comprising businesses that lack the capital to develop their own facilities. This insight drove our decision to create an industrial subdivision with ready-to-build lots.”

    The Lakespen Industrial Park will incorporate robust security measures including a 2.4-meter perimeter wall with anti-climb features, surveillance systems, and an armed security presence. Critical infrastructure enhancements feature a 70,000-gallon water reserve tank and an underground electrical distribution system—a design element that provides crucial business continuity advantages, particularly following Hurricane Melissa’s recent impact.

    Cummings emphasized: “The underground electrical system was integral to our original design, not merely a reaction to hurricane conditions.”

    With regulatory approvals secured and a construction contract awarded to China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), the project remains ahead of its original 2026 schedule. Lot handovers are now targeted for summer 2027, following Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s call to accelerate economic activity after Hurricane Melissa.

    The development forms part of Jamaica’s broader strategy to establish the Lakes Pen and Caymanas corridor as a premier logistics hub. This initiative complements adjacent projects including the Port Authority of Jamaica’s Caymanas Logistics Hub and the Urban Development Corporation’s Raintree industrial park.

    Prime Minister Holness expressed strong confidence in the development: “These strategic decisions will transform the Caymanas area into a powerful logistics hub that integrates seamlessly with Portmore.”

    The Lakespen project joins Sygnus’s growing real estate investment pipeline valued at over US$300 million, which includes developments like One Belmont. According to Grey, approximately 40% of Sygnus’s deployed capital currently invests in Jamaican projects, supported by the company’s ability to secure international investment funding. Grey further emphasized the need for greater participation from Jamaican institutional and individual investors in alternative investment markets to drive value creation across the economy.

  • Last ‘Good morning’

    Last ‘Good morning’

    The community of Bonitto Heights in Mandeville, Manchester, was plunged into profound grief on Tuesday morning following the tragic death of nine-year-old Amoya Moore, a Villa Road Primary School student struck by a garbage truck while walking to school.

    The incident occurred approximately at 7:00 AM near the child’s residence, moments after she had exchanged morning greetings with the sanitation crew. According to an eyewitness who was washing his car nearby, the tragedy unfolded as the truck descended from Bonitto Heights. The man described hearing a piercing scream before witnessing one of the truck’s sidemen running in distress. Upon rushing to the scene, he discovered Amoya fatally injured on the ground.

    Manchester law enforcement authorities promptly impounded the vehicle for technical examination at the Mandeville depot while initiating a comprehensive investigation through both the Manchester Traffic Department and Area Three Accident Investigation and Reconstruction Unit. The driver remained in police custody for questioning throughout Tuesday afternoon as officers gathered official statements.

    Villa Road Primary School Principal Brent James characterized Amoya as an exceptionally bright, respectful, and disciplined student who held special significance to him personally. “She literally fights to come and hug me each day,” James recounted, visibly emotional. “A child that had such great prospects, and for her life to just be taken away just like that is tragic.”

    The school immediately implemented crisis response protocols, with grief counselors and psychosocial support teams from the Ministry of Education’s Region Five office joining principals from three area schools to assist students and staff processing the devastating news.

    Neighbors remembered Amoya as a remarkably polite child who consistently greeted community members during her daily walks. Dean Williamson, a resident and father of two daughters, expressed the collective devastation: “It is a tragic situation and very devastating to the community. All of us are parents.”

    Senior government officials including Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie, Education State Minister Rhoda Moy Crawford, and the National Solid Waste Management Authority issued separate statements extending official condolences to the family and school community. Crawford, who represents Manchester Central and attended Villa Road Primary herself, announced plans to visit both the school and grieving family, simultaneously urging enhanced road safety awareness among all users.

  • GUIDING HAND

    GUIDING HAND

    Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have announced a groundbreaking transition for West Indian cricket star Andre Russell, who will assume the newly created role of ‘power coach’ following his retirement from the Indian Premier League. The Jamaican all-rounder, after 12 remarkable seasons in the world’s premier T20 franchise league, has chosen to conclude his playing career while remaining with the franchise in a strategic coaching capacity.

    Russell’s decision marks his second retirement announcement this year, having previously stepped away from international cricket with the West Indies in July. The 37-year-old athlete, who spent 11 seasons with KKR and contributed significantly to their championship victories in 2014 and 2024, could have entered next week’s IPL draft after not being retained by the franchise. However, following extensive discussions with KKR ownership, Russell embraced this innovative career shift ahead of the 2026 season.

    KKR CEO Venky Mysore, who has managed franchise transitions for 15 years, revealed that Russell’s new position represents a strategic evolution rather than a conventional retirement. ‘Very rarely do players feel like they are done,’ Mysore told ESPNcricinfo. ‘He’s probably right that he still has cricket left in him, but he also realized by the time 2026 IPL comes around, he’ll be 38. He’s a natural athlete, but body and age do catch up.’

    Russell’s legacy with KKR remains extraordinary – as one of only two players in IPL history to achieve the double of 2,000 runs and 100 wickets, he accumulated nearly 2,600 runs and over 120 wickets while earning MVP honors in 2015 and 2019. His new coaching role will leverage his exceptional skills in finishing games, power hitting, and athletic fielding – attributes that inspired the ‘power coach’ terminology that Mysore specifically developed for this position.

    The transition represents a growing trend among West Indian cricketers, with Russell joining contemporaries Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo who have similarly moved into coaching roles within the IPL following their playing retirements. Despite concluding his IPL playing career, Russell maintains his contract with Knight Riders ownership across other global leagues, including the Caribbean Premier League with Trinbago.

  • Look to Guyana for feedstock to save forex

    Look to Guyana for feedstock to save forex

    A compelling public letter from Fazir Khan of St Augustine has sounded an urgent alarm regarding Trinidad and Tobago’s substantial foreign exchange expenditures on poultry feed imports, calling for strategic regional collaboration with neighboring Guyana.

    The communication highlights recent disclosures by Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo revealing that poultry-sector companies accessed over US$150 million in forex reserves between 2020 and mid-2025. This staggering investment in imported feedstock represents a significant drain on the nation’s limited foreign currency resources.

    The analysis identifies a transformative opportunity emerging within the Caribbean Community. Guyana has achieved remarkable agricultural progress, cultivating approximately 12,000 acres of corn and soya in 2024 with ambitious expansion targets of 25,000-30,000 acres by 2025-2026. This development positions Guyana to achieve self-sufficiency in livestock feed while generating surplus grains for export to fellow Caricom nations.

    The core argument questions whether Trinidad’s major poultry integrators, feed millers, agricultural experts, mechanical engineers, and relevant government agencies have initiated formal engagement with Guyanese authorities. Such collaboration could secure long-term supply arrangements for Guyanese corn and soya, potentially priced to gradually reduce Trinidad’s forex exposure.

    Concurrently, the letter urges immediate assessment of Trinidad’s readiness for this regional transition, including evaluation of port facilities, storage capacity, handling capabilities, quality assurance protocols, and necessary legislative or contractual modifications to facilitate trade diversification from distant suppliers to a Caricom partner.

    The conclusion emphasizes that meaningful forex conservation requires more than routine reassurances. It demands a coordinated regional strategy where both private sector and government entities collaborate to transform Guyana’s emerging agricultural production into a stable, cost-effective, intra-Caricom supply chain for poultry feed, ultimately reducing risk and enhancing regional food security.

  • Question on baby challenge

    Question on baby challenge

    A provocative demographic proposal from Tobago’s highest-ranking official has ignited vigorous public discourse about parental preparedness and child welfare. Chief Secretary Farley Augustine of the Tobago House of Assembly has publicly encouraged citizens to increase the island’s birth rate, accompanied by promises of infant care packages containing essentials like booties, diapers, and other nursery items.

    The initiative, intended to address demographic challenges, has prompted critical examination from community members. In a sharply worded letter to Newsday, Diego Martin resident Richard Lobo questioned whether material incentives alone adequately prepare prospective parents for the comprehensive responsibilities of child-rearing.

    Lobo’s commentary highlights deeper concerns about long-term parental capabilities beyond initial infant care. The central inquiry challenges whether parents receiving these incentives will possess sufficient resources to provide consistent nourishment, proper healthcare, quality education, and emotional support throughout childhood and adolescence.

    The letter further warns of potential societal consequences, suggesting that inadequate parenting support systems might lead to problematic decision-making by children as they mature into adulthood. This response reflects growing public skepticism about governmental demographic interventions that prioritize quantitative population growth without addressing qualitative aspects of child development.

    The emerging debate touches upon fundamental questions about the role of government incentives in private family decisions and the necessary support structures for ensuring child welfare beyond the infancy stage.

  • Innovation labs bring virtual reality to students

    Innovation labs bring virtual reality to students

    In a significant advancement for special education, the Digicel Foundation has revealed plans to establish five additional fully-equipped Innovation Labs in specialized educational institutions by year’s end. The initiative targets Lady Hochoy Cocorite, Eshe’s Learning Centre, Cascade School for the Deaf, Servol Sunshine Hill, and St Dominic’s Trade School, providing cutting-edge technological resources to enhance learning experiences for students with disabilities.

    The comprehensive technology package includes state-of-the-art computers, immersive virtual reality systems, interactive smart boards, specialized assistive technology accessories, and ergonomically designed furniture. This infrastructure aims to foster more inclusive, hands-on educational approaches tailored to diverse learning requirements.

    Educational leaders from the beneficiary institutions recently conducted an observational tour of the existing Innovation Lab at Palmeras Learning Centre in St. James, established through Digicel Foundation funding in 2024. Under the guidance of IT instructor Faith Jackson and Principal Earlene Phillip, visitors witnessed firsthand the successful integration of technology into specialized curricula.

    Principal Phillip characterized the lab’s impact as transformative: ‘The Innovation Lab has fundamentally revolutionized our educational methodology. Students actively seek opportunities to incorporate technology into their daily learning activities. While the smart board remains particularly popular, the overall access to computers and internet resources for research and skill development has proven invaluable.’

    Diana Mathura-Hobson, Project Manager at Digicel Foundation, emphasized the broader vision: ‘These five institutions join an expanding community of educators dedicated to digital inclusion. Our Innovation Labs initiative strives to guarantee that students with special needs receive equitable access to technological opportunities.’

    This program operates within the Foundation’s Digital Citizenship framework, which seeks to equip youth and marginalized communities with essential digital skills, tools, and confidence for full participation in the digital landscape. With these additions, the Foundation will have established 20 Innovation Labs nationwide, systematically integrating adaptive and accessible technologies into specialized education systems.

  • Kes the Band to perform at New York’s Lincoln Centre

    Kes the Band to perform at New York’s Lincoln Centre

    Trinidad and Tobago’s acclaimed musical ensemble Kes The Band, fronted by lead vocalist Kees Dieffenthaller, is poised to make history as the headline act at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s third annual Unity Jazz Festival on January 8-9, 2026. This prestigious engagement places the Caribbean group among an elite roster of Trinidadian performers who have graced the iconic New York venue, following in the footsteps of legendary artists including trumpeter Etienne Charles and calypso icon Slinger ‘Mighty Sparrow’ Francisco.

    The band will deliver two distinctive performances across Lincoln Center’s renowned stages: a January 8 showcase at the Rose Theater followed by a January 9 appearance at The Appel Room, with both concerts scheduled from 9:30-11 PM. These performances will mark Kes’ first-ever stripped-down sets, featuring reimagined arrangements of their music catalog alongside special collaborative appearances with Charles, who will provide production support and infuse the concerts with his signature Afro-Caribbean storytelling aesthetic.

    This landmark event coincides with the band’s 20th anniversary celebrations and will precede the highly anticipated release of their new single ‘Rum and Coca Cola’ on December 12. While sharing its title with Lord Invader’s 1943 classic (later popularized by The Andrews Sisters), Kes’ composition presents an entirely original narrative centered around a character named Grace and her social drinking preferences. The single was developed in collaboration with music producer Tano.

    Beyond their artistic achievements, the band has demonstrated commitment to regional solidarity through their support of Jamaican recovery efforts following Hurricane Melissa’s devastation. They have actively participated in fundraising initiatives including the Jamaica Strong Benefit Concert alongside artists such as Shaggy and Inner Circle.

    The Unity Jazz Festival, now in its 38th season under the theme ‘Mother Africa,’ celebrates jazz’s global connections and cross-cultural storytelling traditions. The event will feature over 20 acclaimed and emerging artists across five stages, paying tribute to legendary pianist Eddie Palmieri while highlighting the enduring influence of Afro-Caribbean musical traditions.

  • Pleasantville, Five Rivers clash for girls’ intercol crown

    Pleasantville, Five Rivers clash for girls’ intercol crown

    The stage is set for an electrifying showdown in the Coca-Cola Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) girls’ national intercol final as Pleasantville Secondary seeks their second championship in three years. They will face east zone champions Five Rivers Secondary in the highly anticipated match scheduled for 3 pm on December 10 at Couva’s Ato Boldon Stadium. This contest will initiate a double-header event, culminating with the boys’ intercol finale between premier division champions Naparima College and Signal Hill Secondary at 5 pm.

    Pleasantville enters the final as clear favorites, having demonstrated exceptional dominance throughout the tournament. Their path to the championship match included a decisive 5-0 semifinal victory over defending knockout champions St Joseph’s Convent Port of Spain (SJCPoS) on December 6. The team showcased impressive offensive prowess with national player Nikita Gosine scoring twice, supported by additional goals from Zara Chase, Natalia Gosine, and Kaeley Martin. This victory provided redemption for Pleasantville, who suffered a penalty shootout defeat against SJCPoS in the previous year’s national intercol final.

    Five Rivers Secondary arrives at the championship through determined defensive performances and strategic scoring. Their semifinal victory came via a narrow 1-0 win against Signal Hill, secured by an early first-half goal from national youth team standout Hackeemar Goodridge. This result simultaneously eliminated Signal Hill’s opportunity to achieve a national knockout double. Goodridge has emerged as Five Rivers’ key offensive weapon, having scored the decisive goal in the east zone final against San Juan North Secondary on November 26, followed by an impressive four-goal performance in the national quarterfinal against Holy Faith Convent Couva.

    The final presents a classic tactical confrontation between Pleasantville’s explosive scoring capability—evidenced by their 5-0 victory over St Joseph’s Convent San Fernando in the south zone intercol final—and Five Rivers’ resilient defensive organization. This matchup promises to deliver compelling football as both teams pursue national glory.

  • Trinidad and Tobago retain Carifta Gymnastics crown

    Trinidad and Tobago retain Carifta Gymnastics crown

    Trinidad and Tobago has spectacularly defended its title at the Carifta Artistic Gymnastics Championships, demonstrating absolute dominance in the regional competition held at the National Cycling Centre in Balmain, Couva. The host nation’s 63-member squad achieved an extraordinary medal haul of 167 total medals—significantly surpassing their previous record—with 85 gold, 57 silver, and 25 bronze medals secured during the December 6-7 event.

    Jamaica secured a distant second position with 71 medals (31 gold, 25 silver, 15 bronze), capturing less than half of TT’s total count. The Bahamas completed the top three with 44 medals overall, consisting of 8 gold, 11 silver, and 25 bronze.

    The championship commenced with an opening ceremony addressed by Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Phillip Watts, who emphasized the significance of TT hosting the second edition of the tournament. Minister Watts described the event as “a proud milestone for TT and for gymnastics in our region,” highlighting the growing confidence in Caribbean athletic federations within the international sports community.

    Watts pointed to recent achievements in Caribbean gymnastics, notably national athlete Yandy Stafford’s Pan American gold medal, as evidence that regional competitors can excel globally with adequate support and opportunities. Beyond competitive results, the Minister stressed the championship’s role in promoting values such as balance, focus, respect, and perseverance among young athletes.

    The government committed to enhancing elite development programs while expanding access to properly managed grassroots initiatives across communities. Recognition was given to TT Gymnastics Federation president Suzanne Babooram and her team for their extensive organizational efforts, alongside coaches, judges, medical staff, volunteers, and sponsors who contributed to the event’s success.

    Minister Watts directly addressed participating athletes, encouraging spirited but fair competition and emphasizing the lasting friendships and lessons that extend beyond the podium. The championships concluded as a celebration of regional talent and sporting excellence, reinforcing Trinidad and Tobago’s leading position in Caribbean gymnastics.

  • Exporting doctors

    Exporting doctors

    In a surprising twist of medical workforce dynamics, Trinidad and Tobago faces the paradoxical situation of simultaneously experiencing a physician shortage and surplus. While healthcare facilities remain overwhelmed with patient demand, approximately 300 new medical graduates enter the system annually, with 7,345 doctors currently registered with the Medical Board.

    Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s administration has proposed an innovative solution: establishing a partnership with Guyana that would enable 50 local doctors to practice there. This initiative, announced on December 7, represents a strategic approach to addressing structural issues within the healthcare sector.

    The core problem lies in the experience gap faced by recent graduates. Despite completing internships, these new physicians are often perceived as insufficiently experienced for full positions, creating a professional catch-22 where they cannot gain experience without employment opportunities.

    Beyond the graduate experience dilemma, systemic challenges persist. Health authorities have consistently failed to hire adequate medical personnel, despite the World Health Organization reporting that physician density per 1,000 people doubled between 2010 and 2020. This understaffing affects both doctors and nurses, with health facilities remaining insufficiently expanded to meet population demands.

    Additional complicating factors include the declining tradition of visiting local general practitioners, which has reduced opportunities for new graduates, and allegations of medical equipment worth $100 million being left to deteriorate at the Couva facility opened in 2015.

    The proposed Guyana partnership offers multiple benefits: providing employment for emerging practitioners, breaking the experience-employment cycle, advancing regional integration, and potentially reducing pressure on domestic healthcare systems. While 50 doctors may not solve the entire problem, it represents a meaningful step toward addressing complex healthcare workforce challenges.