标签： Barbados

The Barbados Licensing Authority (BLA) has initiated a phased restoration of vehicle inspections and the issuance of roadworthy certificates at its Pine, St Michael headquarters, following a week-long disruption caused by a malfunctioning online platform. The issue began on October 20 when the BLA’s outdated vehicle registration system experienced a critical failure, rendering the server inoperative. Andre Lashley, the Authority’s IT consultant, stated, ‘The legacy system managing vehicle registrations suffered a severe breakdown, necessitating the replacement of the old IT infrastructure with a modern platform.’ Immediate efforts to resolve the issue involved collaboration between the IT consultant, BLA staff, and the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Smart Technology (MIST). Due to the system’s complexity, restoration is still ongoing. However, a strategic approach was adopted to prioritize essential services, such as weighbridge operations and vehicle inspections. An interim solution combining manual processes and a partially online platform has been implemented to resume critical vehicle services while the new system undergoes testing. BLA staff are also addressing a backlog of pending inspections and registrations. Chief Licensing Officer Treca McCarthy-Broomes assured Public Service Vehicle (PSV) permit holders that permits expiring during the outage will remain valid until full system functionality is restored. To manage the anticipated surge in demand, the BLA plans to enlist approved private garages to assist with vehicle inspections, with a list to be published soon. McCarthy-Broomes urged agents and customers to ensure all required documentation, including application forms, insurance documents, and inspection certificates, is complete before attempting vehicle registration.

The Caribbean Vegan Conference, a groundbreaking event held on October 25, 2025, at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel, united legal experts, environmental activists, and plant-based advocates from across the Caribbean, the Americas, and Europe. Co-hosted by the Caribbean Vegetarian-Vegan Charity (CVVC) and the British Vegan Society, the conference spotlighted the intersection of animal rights, environmental sustainability, and dietary choices. Chief Justice Leslie Francis Haynes, a keynote speaker, framed animal rights as “the new legal frontier,” challenging attendees to rethink societal norms regarding animal treatment. He questioned, “If a being can feel, express, and emote, does it not deserve legal rights?” Haynes also critiqued societal conditioning that distances children from the origins of their food, stating, “We desensitize them by renaming pigs as pork and cows as beef, obscuring the reality of consumption.” Lalu Hanuman, a CVVC trustee, emphasized veganism as “the diet of the future,” citing Albert Einstein’s belief in the transformative power of plant-based diets for human health and survival. Hanuman highlighted the meat industry’s devastating environmental impact, including deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and antibiotic overuse, which contributes to antimicrobial resistance. He criticized selective animal welfare advocacy, noting, “Animal welfarists often champion only ‘cuddly’ animals while consuming meat and fish without hesitation.” Cheryl Haynes, CVVC co-trustee, celebrated the nutritional potential of Caribbean herbs and plants, urging attendees to embrace the region’s natural bounty. The conference concluded with an inspiring video of the late Benjamin Zephaniah, leaving participants motivated to align their lifestyle choices with their values and their impact on the planet.

The Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS) has activated a Flash-Flood Watch for the island as a tropical wave sweeps across the region, bringing intermittent heavy showers. Issued early Friday, October 31, 2025, the alert warns of potential flash flooding, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas, with rainfall totals expected to reach up to two inches. Conditions are forecast to improve by late Friday night, but residents are advised to remain vigilant. Sudden flooding on roads, fields, and properties could disrupt travel, while water levels in drains and ponds may rise significantly. The BMS emphasizes the importance of adhering to guidance from the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) and staying updated through official channels, including the Government Information Service. A Flash-Flood Watch indicates favorable conditions for flooding but does not guarantee its occurrence. The watch remains in effect until 6:00 p.m. Friday or until further updates are provided. For real-time information, visit www.barbadosweather.org or contact the BMS at 535-0022.

In response to the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, the Liberty Caribbean Foundation has launched an immediate regional relief initiative to aid affected families, employees, and communities across Jamaica. The charitable arm of Flow and Liberty Business, in collaboration with regional crisis teams and partners under Liberty Latin America, has strategically positioned essential supplies, including food, water, emergency kits, and connectivity solutions, ready for deployment as soon as local authorities provide safe access.

Ensuring the safety and well-being of staff remains the top priority, with teams actively verifying the status of all employees. While outreach efforts continue, the Foundation is prepared to commence relief shipments at the earliest opportunity, pending official clearance.

Inge Smidts, CEO of Liberty Caribbean, emphasized the organization’s commitment: ‘Our first duty is to our people and the communities who rely on us. We have mobilized resources across the region to ensure a swift, coordinated, and responsible response. Wherever we can safely deliver assistance, we will be there to provide immediate relief and support long-term recovery.’

The Foundation is working closely with national and local authorities, community organizations, and trusted relief partners to ensure efficient aid distribution, avoid duplication, and prioritize the most vulnerable households and shelter populations. Simultaneously, Liberty Caribbean’s crisis-management teams are focused on restoring critical communications infrastructure and supporting employee welfare.

Smidts added, ‘Recovery will be a sustained effort. Beyond emergency supplies, we are committed to partnering with local organizations on rebuilding and resilience initiatives that restore livelihoods and strengthen communities. The Foundation will remain engaged for as long as it takes.’

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in southwestern Jamaica on October 28 as a devastating Category 5 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph, tying it with Hurricane Dorian (2019) and the 1935 ‘Labor Day’ hurricane as the strongest Atlantic hurricane landfall on record by wind speed.

The Foundation is calling for public and corporate support to scale relief operations. Donations will directly fund the procurement and delivery of essential supplies and support long-term recovery programs in the hardest-hit communities. Secure online donations can be made at: https://www.libertycaribbeanfoundation.org/hurricane-relief.

Deacons Primary School in St Michael will remain closed on Friday, October 31, 2025, as the Ministry of Educational Transformation escalates its efforts to address a severe rodent infestation plaguing the institution. This marks the third closure this week, following shutdowns on Monday and Thursday due to reports of vermin on the premises. In a statement released on Thursday night, the ministry confirmed that extensive remediation work is underway to restore hygienic and safe conditions at the school. The ministry emphasized the interconnectedness of schools and their surrounding communities, stating, ‘Our schools are not only vital to our communities but are also physically embedded within them. Consequently, issues affecting the community inevitably impact the school environment.’ The Educational Transformation Management Unit (ETMU) is investigating potential lapses that may have allowed the rodents to infiltrate the school grounds. The unit is collaborating with the school’s leadership to implement recommendations aimed at upholding the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene. Over the next 72 hours, staff will focus on decluttering the premises as part of the cleanup process. The ministry also announced plans to enhance monitoring and enforcement of waste management practices across all schools nationwide to minimize opportunities for vermin to thrive. Officials reiterated their commitment to maintaining open communication with education stakeholders, who have expressed support for the ongoing remediation efforts. The ministry reaffirmed its dedication to ensuring safe and healthy environments in all schools across the island.