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Opposition Leader Dr. Godwin Friday said with general elections imminent, the country’s celebration of its 46th anniversary of political independence from Britain affords an opportunity to reflect on the socio-economic development of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

‘On the anniversary of national independence, we naturally pause to reflect on where we are as a nation and what we collectively and individually need to do to make things better. This year, with general elections imminent, it is an even more fitting time for such reflection,’ Friday said in a message marking the occasion on Tuesday.

Dr. Godwin Friday

‘We should consider whether the promise of independence has been realised. Specifically, we should ask ourselves whether we are better off than we were five years ago and whether we should be much further ahead than where we are now.’

Friday, who is leading the main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) hoping to prevent the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) of securing an unprecedented sixth consecutive term in office, said unemployment in the country ‘is too high and our young people suffer from it the most.

‘Sadly, many are leaving our shores to seek opportunity elsewhere in the region. The state of our healthcare system is unacceptable. Basic medical supplies are lacking and our hospitals and clinics are in poor condition. Crime and violence abound.

‘Protection of women and girls from abuse is lacking. The police are ineffective because they have been neglected themselves, in the limited training provided and the poor living and working conditions they have been made to endure.’

Friday said that voters will have an opportunity to change these negatives by casting their ballots at the next general election that many political observers say will be held next month ahead of the February 2026 constitutional deadline.

‘Soon, we will have the chance to vote on whether we want the current situation to continue or we want change for the better. Let us do our duty to our nation and make that decision responsibly,’ Friday said.

Friday said that the country has relied on the mercy of God as well as from the generosity and kindness of friends the world over.

‘To them, we are grateful. We have built and sustained our nation through our own hard work, enduring courage and solidarity with one another through good times and in times of adversity.

‘In celebrating another anniversary of national independence, let us recognise the contributions of fellow citizens to the growth and development of our nation. Many have made great sacrifice for us and have given of their best to secure our sovereignty and maintain our way of life.

‘Some have done so to cheers and acclaim, whilst others have toiled quietly away from the spotlight, seeking neither accolades nor compensation but achieving great things for us all to enjoy.’

Friday said that the country ‘needs us now to stand up and do what we can to overcome our current challenges.

‘We are keenly aware of the pressures of the rising cost of living and of finding employment in our country. So, what do we do? We redouble our efforts to be as productive as possible and we set our priorities well so that our families are cared for while we still do our best to help others.’

He said the challenges are serious and troubling and that ‘ the real purpose of our democracy and the most benefit comes when, instead of silence, we raise our voices and demand better. The best opportunity to do so is at general elections’.

The Guyana government Monday said that law enforcement authorities are pursuing one suspect following the deadly explosion at a gas station that left one person dead and several others injured.

‘I was also briefed on the identification of an individual of interest, and I have instructed that images of this person be circulated widely so that the public may assist the Guyana Police Force by sharing any information that could aid the investigation,’ said President Irfaan Ali, who is on an official visit to Saudi Arabia.

The scene of the deadly explosion on Sunday night that left one person dead and several others injured.

The explosion on Sunday night at a gas station in the capital, Georgetown, resulted in the death six-year-old Soraya Bourne and left four others injured. Those seriously injured are Sedyia McIntosh and Rishad Lorde. Comparatively minor injuries were sustained by Jennifer Cooper and Yvonne Jones.

‘I have directed that a full-scale investigation be launched immediately and that every available resource and investigative tool be utilised to determine the precise cause and circumstances of this incident,’ Ali said.

‘I also extend my deepest sympathies to those affected and their families. I have spoken directly with the medical teams attending to the injured and have instructed that every form of support and care be provided to those under treatment,’ he added.

Home Affairs Minister, Oneidge Walrond, has already convened a high-level meeting attended by the Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan; Head of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), Sheldon Howell; Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken; and Deputy Commissioners of Operations and Administration, Errol Watts and Ravindranauth Budhram.

The authorities have already ruled out a cooking gas cylinder being responsible for the explosion with Walrond saying ‘my heart goes out to the Bourne family during this unimaginably painful time’.

The Ministry said that it continues to work closely with the relevant security agencies to ensure that all aspects of this tragic event are thoroughly investigated and that justice is served.

In May, 2025 two loud explosions simultaneously occurred at the Ruimveldt Police Outpost and a nearby Guyana Power and Light substation on Mandela Avenue. At that time, two Spanish-speaking persons had been identified as the suspects.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Monday said that 13 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) are updating strategies and technical capacity to manage and safely dispose of medical waste like syringes, used laboratory and biological products and electronic parts.

PAHO said that The Bahamas, Belize and Jamaica are the Caribbean countries involved in the project funded by the Canadian government and aimed at building a network of public health officials immersed in medical waste management.

The other countries are Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Paraguay and Peru.

The programme is being implemented by PAHO that is supporting public health leaders in updating laws and technical standards, investing in infrastructure, and strengthening transport and final disposal systems through proper licensing, tracking, and environmentally safe landfills.

PAHO said that an estimated 70 per cent of the waste generated by hospitals and medical facilities in Latin America and the Caribbean is inadequately managed, posing a risk to public health and the environment.

It said much of this waste, which often contains bodily fluids, is either dumped in landfills or worse, carelessly discarded and eventually ends up in the ocean. Poor management risks the spread of disease and pollutes the water, air, and soil.

‘The tremendous need for medical waste management became even more stark when the COVID-19 pandemic drove a dramatic increase in the generation of waste,’ said Luis Francisco Sánchez Otero, regional advisor on chemical safety in PAHO’s Environment and Climate Change unit.

‘With Canada’s support, we’ve been able to help countries make progress in developing and implementing better disposal strategies.’

In August, PAHO organized a three-day fact-finding and learning mission in Medellin, Colombia, bringing together 21 public health professionals from 13 countries to study and share best practices in efficient medical waste management.

The group visited a handful of health facilities in Medellin, including basic health posts and hospitals that provide advanced care. The workshop promoted structured dialogue and urged participants to identify and document the gaps in medical waste management in their respective countries.

One lesson gained from the visit and workshop is the need to improve the regulatory frameworks governing medical waste management in Caribbean countries, especially for island nations like The Bahamas and Jamaica, which are geographically limited and already dealing with solid waste management challenges.

‘We found that most of the countries here are ahead in terms of legislation. So, we need to work faster and more efficiently in terms of developing our policies, guidelines, and standards,’ said Jennifer Savariau, Jamaica’s director of Medical Waste Management.