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Sri Lanka has creators; the platforms are years behind

A Sri Lankan creator can build a TikTok following in the millions, produce content that performs as well as anything coming out of Los Angeles or London, and earn nothing directly from the platform for it.

That is not an exaggeration. It is policy.

TikTok’s Creator Rewards Program remains limited to selected eligible regions, and Sri Lanka is not one of them. Neither is much of South Asia, much of Africa, and much of the Middle East.

YouTube, by contrast, has offered Sri Lankan creators a clearer and more direct path to monetisation for years. That proves this is not a technical impossibility. It is a choice other platforms have not made yet.

Platforms may argue that a limited eligible list is normal for a monetisation rollout, not exclusion, and that ad revenue viability genuinely varies by market. Fair enough. But that explanation does not change the reality on the ground: creators here are still producing content that drives engagement, attention, and time spent on these platforms, while the platforms benefit from that activity whether or not creators are paid directly for it.

What is actually changing, slowly. The situation is moving. Slowly.

Sri Lanka is now listed as eligible for Facebook Content Monetisation, after years in which many local creators building real audiences had limited access to direct platform monetisation. PayPal tells a similar story. Sri Lankans have long relied on PayPal-related workarounds, while full access to receiving and withdrawing funds has remained dependent on local banking pathways and partner-bank availability.

You learn to build around walls you did not put up and cannot take down. That is most of what local creator life actually is: quiet improvisation nobody outside the work ever sees.

Sri Lanka has a thriving, increasingly influential TikTok creator scene. Some creators here have audiences that would be the envy of mid-tier influencers in eligible markets. By visible measures, they may appear to be doing fine: sponsorships, brand deals, a public profile.

But doing fine through workarounds is not the same as being paid properly for what the platform itself profits from. The two get confused easily because the workarounds are genuinely resourceful. That does not make them sufficient.

Beyond individual creators

This is not just an inconvenience for people trying to make a living from content. It is a structural drag on a creator economy that a country like Sri Lanka could be building.

Brand deals exist here, and some creators do well from them. But without a stronger platform backed monetisation infrastructure, the market remains uneven. Rates are often negotiated through guesswork rather than evidence. A creator with real reach may have no reliable benchmark to point to, and a brand may have no reliable way to understand what fair value actually looks like.

That inconsistency is a direct consequence of having no strong platform-level monetisation infrastructure to build a market around.

When direct monetisation is absent, the creator economy becomes dependent on side doors: individual sponsorships, affiliate links, brand collaborations, donations, and payment workarounds. These methods can work, but they reward creators who already know how to negotiate, package themselves, and access international payment systems. They do not necessarily reward the creator producing the best work.

That matters because creator economies are not built only by viral personalities. They are built by systems: payment access, monetisation tools, brand standards, analytics, contracts, and trust.

Without those systems, talent exists, but it does not compound properly.

What creators here have built instead

In the absence of full platform support, creators have had to construct their own monetisation infrastructure from almost nothing.

Ko-fi linked to PayPal once that became more viable. Direct affiliate deals with brands willing to work around the gaps. Sponsorships negotiated one at a time, with no industry standard to lean on. Some creators rely on international audiences. Others build private communities, sell services, or use content as a funnel into entirely different work.

It works, mostly.

But ‘it works’ is a low bar when the alternative – being paid properly and consistently for content that performs – already exists for creators in selected countries.

Creators in markets like Sri Lanka are not asking platforms to invent a new internet for us. We are asking them to recognise the one we are already building.

What needs to change

This is not a call for charity. It is a call for platforms to recognise a market they are already benefiting from.

Sri Lanka has the creators. It has smartphone use, the internet culture, attention, and talent. What it lacks is the infrastructure that arrives at the same pace.

Until that changes, the responsibility also falls on local brands and businesses to close part of the gap themselves. That means building real partnerships, paying fairly, using clear expectations, and treating creator marketing as a serious discipline rather than an afterthought.

Creators should not have to prove, over and over again, that their work has value just because the tools around them arrived late.

Sri Lanka has the creators. It is time for the rest of the ecosystem to catch up to them.

Salesforce: Local firms now leaning on A.I. to hike income

Philippine companies are increasingly looking at artificial intelligence (AI) not only to improve productivity and reduce costs, but also to generate new revenue streams and expand how they serve customers, an American enterprise software company said.

Salesforce Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for Solutions in Asean Gavin Barfield said companies in the country are exploring agentic AI as a way to scale operations, particularly in industries that serve large customer bases.

‘The Philippines and India and other countries in Asean are similar. They have huge populations, and with huge populations, the ability to scale is often a challenge,’ Barfield said during a virtual media briefing on Wednesday.

He cited customer-service operations as an area where companies could use AI to handle large volumes of interactions while allowing human workers to focus on more complex cases.

‘We’re seeing companies looking at AI, not just in terms of productivity gains, but also in terms of driving the top line,’ Barfield said.

This includes using AI to open new revenue streams, improve customer service and attract new customers. Companies are also using AI for lead qualification, allowing sales teams to prioritize prospects and respond more efficiently.

Customer-service agents powered by AI can operate around the clock and respond to customers in real time, while human employees take over cases requiring more complex intervention, he said.

The comments came as Salesforce unveiled AIforce, a new interface layer designed to bring its data, workflows and business logic into other platforms where employees and AI agents work.

The company said AIforce allows users to interact with Salesforce through platforms such as Slack and Claude instead of navigating the Salesforce application itself. Users can ask questions, update records and trigger workflows using natural-language prompts.

Barfield said such applications could be particularly relevant in the Philippines, where companies serve large customer bases and face the challenge of scaling operations.

AI could allow companies to handle more customer interactions without relying entirely on additional manpower, he said.

He added that companies are also using the technology to make sales processes more efficient, particularly in identifying and qualifying leads.

Barfield said the country has significant room to use AI beyond internal efficiency, particularly in activities that directly affect customers and revenue.

‘There’s a massive amount of opportunity in the Philippines, and we’re seeing great interest from customers to use this technology both to boost productivity, but also to find new revenue streams.’

Based on Salesforce research released in March, about 45 percent of Philippine knowledge workers expected to use AI to both augment and automate tasks, while 68 percent said personal use of AI had increased their trust in using AI at work.

Further, the company has previously cited a Google estimate that widespread AI adoption could unlock a P2.8-trillion (or $50.7-billion) economic opportunity for the Philippines by 2030.

Meanwhile, the Philippine digital economy reached P2.74 trillion in gross value added in 2025, equivalent to 9.8 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. It employed 10.39 million people, or 21.2 percent of total employment.

New Clark City seen to attract high-value industries, investors

THE proposed 1,600-hectare high-tech industrial hub in New Clark City positions the Philippines as a key player in the global value chain – luring investors in strategic and emerging industries, creating quality jobs for Filipinos, boosting industrial competitiveness, and spurring the local economy.

Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo of the Department of Trade and Industry’s Industry Development and Investment Promotions Group, said the high-tech industrial hub under the Pax Silica initiative is among the many projects intended to fulfill the vision of President Marcos.

In his 2026 State of the Nation Address, Marcos said, ‘We continue to strive for bigger and greater things, venturing into areas heretofore unimaginable. That is, strategic and emerging industries that position our country in the global value-chain, such as in the fields of pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing, luxury goods, technology, and logistics.’

‘The Pax Silica Industrial Hub will create an eco-system that will have AI at its core. It will bring quality jobs to our people, accelerate our industrial competitiveness, and revitalize our economy. As a strategic component of the Luzon Economic Corridor, the hub will be an advanced manufacturing and logistics center in the global AI and technology value chain,’ Marcos said.

Rodolfo said the Philippines needs to move beyond exporting raw materials and focus on developing activities that add more value such as processing and manufacturing.

‘Ang gusto talaga ni Presidente ay ma-transform ang Pilipinas into a modern and technology-driven economy. At ang impact nito sa ating mga kababayan na gusto niya ay magkaroon ng malaking kita, mataas na sahod, at mas advanced ang mga trabahong magiging available sa ating mga kababayan,’ he said.

‘Ang objective talaga natin [sa pagsali sa Pax Silica initiative] ay makadagdag tayo ng value sa mga ini-export nating unprocessed materials. Tapos, kung mag-e-export tayo ng mga processed components ay tumaas tayo doon sa [global] value chain,’ Rodolfo said.

He said the NCC will be a hub for advanced manufacturing.

Rodolfo discussed potential job opportunities from these investments, including skilled, well-paid roles for Filipino engineers, scientists, technology experts, AI specialists, and other trained workers.

‘Ang estimate ng BCDA [Bases Conversion Development Authority] ay 200,000 quality jobs such as engineers, AI specialists, software developers, semi-conductor technicians, manufacturing supervisors, researchers, and scientists,’ he said.

Rodolfo pointed out that New Clark City will host academic and research institutions that will facilitate human capital development, such as the UP New Clark City extension office, the future Philippine Science High School’s Infinitum Center, which will be a continuing education center for science and mathematics teachers, and the planned Technological University of the Philippines and Polytechnic University of the Philippines campuses in New Clark City.

‘Hindi po hyperscale data centers ang itatayo natin dito [sa New Clark City] kundi mga pabrika, advanced manufacturing [industries] ang itatayo natin,’ he reiterated.

Rodolfo addressed concerns about water and electricity use for industrial projects, stressing how the government plans to provide enough resources while also considering the needs of local communities and other areas.

‘Kahit po mga factories kailangan nila ng kuryente. Kailangan din nila ng tubig. Ang usapan po natin doon sa mga developers at investors diyan. Una, build your own roads. Bring your own power. Secure and reuse your own water. existing capacity na nakatutok na sa mga communities around it. Magkakaroon po diyan ng additional power capacity additional water impounding stations. Kung ano po ang sosobra ay maiishare natin sa mga komunidad,’ he added.

Serene Insurance Sweeps 2025 Industry Awards

Serene Insurance Limited has secured three major industry awards, with the company named Indigenous Insurance Company of the Year 2025 and Promising Insurance Company of the Year 2025 at the 9th Ghana Insurance Awards.

The company’s Head of Underwriting, Barbara Odoi, also won the Professional Underwriter of the Year 2025 award at the 6th Chartered Insurance Institute of Ghana (CIIG) Excellence Awards.

The Ghana Insurance Awards were held on August 22, 2026, while the CIIG Excellence Awards took place on August 29, 2026.

The latest recognitions strengthen Serene Insurance’s standing in the general insurance sector, where it has positioned itself as the ‘New Face of Insurance’.

According to the organisers, Mrs. Odoi’s award recognised her professionalism, effective risk management, speedy claims processing and commitment to delivering an exceptional client experience.

The latest honours add to the company’s achievements at the 5th CIIG Excellence Awards, where its Head of Claims, Daniel Otoo, was named Claims Professional of the Year 2024, while its Chief Executive Officer, Mercy Naa Koshie Boampong, received the Insurance Professional of the Year 2024 award.

Reacting to the latest achievements, Mrs. Boampong said the awards demonstrated the commitment of the company’s board, management and staff to strengthening the Serene Insurance brand.

‘The honours are a testament to the dedication of our Board, Management, and Staff, whose collective efforts continue to strengthen the Serene Insurance brand and position the Company for sustained growth and industry leadership,’ she said.

Congratulating Mrs. Odoi, she said the recognition was also an endorsement of the company’s risk management practices.

‘The award is a powerful endorsement of our company’s rigorous, methodical, disciplined and robust risk management regime in a very unpredictable market, which demands outstanding underwriting, the bedrock of financial stability and customer trust,’ she said.

‘Having the Professional Underwriter of the Year on our team sends a clear message to our partners, brokers, and shareholders that their portfolios are managed by the absolute best in the business,’ she added.

Mrs. Odoi said the recognition reflected teamwork and professionalism within the company.

‘This acknowledgement reinforces an incredible honour that reflects the eternal impact of teamwork and strong professionalism. This is the demonstration of the dedication and analytical insights of an exceptional team who continue to push me to be better every single day,’ she said.

A member of the First Sky Group, Serene Insurance has created jobs for more than 97 Ghanaians and engaged more than 280 agents nationwide. It also serves more than 60,000 institutional and retail clients.

The company attributed its performance to growth in gross written premiums, underwriting profit, branch expansion and its agency network, as well as efficient claims processing.

CPHO: Dumanjug baby’s death ‘coincidental’ to MR vaccination

The death of a seven-month-old baby in Dumanjug was found to be coincidental to the administration of the measles-rubella (MR) vaccine, according to the Cebu Provincial Health Office (CPHO), as the province recorded low vaccination coverage during this year’s supplemental immunization campaign.

Lorraine Gemperoso, National Immunization Program coordinator of the CPHO, said a surveillance team was sent to Dumanjug following the death of the infant last month.

The case was also discussed during a regional adverse events following immunization (AEFI) surveillance meeting attended by pediatricians and other medical experts who reviewed the findings gathered by the investigation team.

‘Ang atong findings ato, coincidental ra gyud siya, not directly related to the vaccine [Our findings came out that it was coincidental and not directly related to the vaccine],’ Gemperoso said during the Higustan Ta! Media Forum on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026.

She said the same finding was reached in the case involving another patient in Danao City, Cebu, who also died following vaccination. Gemperoso said the patient in the Danao case had an underlying condition.

The Dumanjug Municipal Health Office (MHO) had earlier said there was no official finding establishing that the MR vaccine caused or contributed to the infant’s death.

The child had received the vaccine on Aug. 10.

According to the MHO’s initial review, the child had previously consulted the Dumanjug Primary Care Facility on July 9 for acute gastroenteritis without signs of dehydration. The child was treated and recovered.

Before the vaccination, the child underwent health education and assessment, including vital-sign and temperature checks. The caregiver consented to the vaccination administered by a nurse, and post-vaccination instructions were given.

The MHO said the child began experiencing diarrhea and vomiting on Aug. 23. The symptoms persisted and were followed by fever the next morning, prompting the caregivers to seek medical attention.

The case was reported to the Department of Health Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit on Aug. 25 as an adverse event following immunization for investigation.

On Aug. 27, representatives from the DOH, CPHO and Dumanjug MHO conducted a case investigation at the Dumanjug Primary Care Facility and visited the family for dialogue and information gathering.

The MHO also ordered the collection and analysis of a water sample from the family’s household as part of its fact-finding efforts.

Mayor calls for facts

Dumanjug Mayor Guntrano ‘Gungun’ Gica, meanwhile, addressed questions over accountability in a series of responses to comments on his social media post about the baby. Gica said the loss of a child was serious and that the family deserved answers, but stressed that accountability should be based on facts, evidence and due process.

Gica also clarified that the placement of the baby’s photograph at the Dumanjug birthing facility was not meant to erase, justify or diminish what happened.

He said the photograph was placed there as a remembrance of the child’s life and as a reminder that ‘every mother matters, every child matters and every life is precious.’

‘As a father, it hurts deeply to lose a daughter. No parent should ever have to experience such pain,’ Gica said in his post.

He said the municipality had discussed the memorial gesture with the family, whom he said appreciated the effort.

‘We will continue to stand by the facts, uphold due process and serve our community with compassion, professionalism and integrity,’ Gica said.

Cebu vaccination coverage remains low

The Dumanjug case comes as Cebu Province posted only 21.2-percent coverage in this year’s MR Supplemental Immunization Activity, down sharply from about 90 percent in 2023. The Aug. 10 to Sept. 4 campaign targeted children aged six months to 59 months and included Vitamin A supplementation.

CPHO officials attributed the low turnout to vaccine hesitancy and misinformation on social media, with some LGUs recording coverage as low as 10 percent.

Dr. Mario Joyag Jr. of the CPHO warned that low vaccination rates could leave children vulnerable to measles and complications such as pneumonia.

The CPHO plans to intensify community education and train health workers to address parents’ concerns, while strengthening house-to-house vaccination and other outreach efforts.

CRICKET-CPL-LEAD Falcons soar into first-ever CPL final with dominant victory over Warriors

Antigua and Barbuda Falcons etched their name into Caribbean Premier League history on Thursday night, becoming the first team to book their place in the 2026 final with a devastating nine-wicket victory over the Guyana Amazon Warriors at Kensington Oval.

In a performance that will be remembered for generations, the Falcons recorded the second-fastest win in CPL history, needing just 32 balls to chase down a paltry target of 77 after bowling the Warriors out for a mere 76.

The demolition job was orchestrated by spin twins Shadab Khan and Sufyan Moqim, who claimed four wickets apiece in a mesmerising display of leg-spin bowling.

Khan’s stunning hat-trick of googlies in his second over completely shattered the Warriors’ middle order, leaving the 2023 champions reeling at 45 for 6.

The Falcons’ decision to bowl first after winning the toss proved inspired.

While the Warriors made a steady start to reach 34 for 1 inside the PowerPlay, the quality of the Falcons’ bowling attack, which has been the cornerstone of their campaign, came to the fore immediately after.

Moqim struck first, removing Glenn Phillips and Mohammad Haris in quick succession before Khan produced his magic.

The Pakistani spinner dismissed Shimron Hetmyer, trapped Mehidy Hasan Miraz LBW, and then bowled Quentin Sampson through the gate with a perfectly flighted delivery to complete his hat-trick and ignite wild celebrations among the Falcons fielders.

Moqim then returned to claim two more wickets, accounting for Khary Pierre and Shai Hope, before Khan picked up his fourth. A brief resistance from Romario Shepherd, who struck two boundaries, was swiftly ended by Shamar Springer as the Warriors’ innings folded in just 16 overs.

The run chase was never in doubt once Rahkeem Cornwall took strike. The powerful opener came out with clear intent, taking the attack to Warriors captain Imran Tahir, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Khary Pierre in a brutal display of power hitting.

Cornwall raced to 49 from just 16 balls, narrowly missing Andre Russell’s record for the fastest CPL fifty, before falling to Tahir with victory in sight.

His innings included some exquisite strokes that left the Warriors’ bowlers searching for answers.

Evin Lewis, who had wisely surrendered the strike to Cornwall during the onslaught, took over the mantle upon his partner’s departure.

Despite suffering from cramp, Lewis punished Shamar Joseph for 21 runs in six deliveries, ensuring the Falcons would cross the finish line in emphatic fashion.

Amir Jangoo, who had earlier taken a sharp catch behind the stumps, had time to strike a boundary before Lewis fittingly hit the winning runs, completing the chase in just 5.2 overs.

The Falcons advance to their first CPL final on Sunday, where they will face the winner of tomorrow night’s eliminator between the Guyana Amazon Warriors and the Jamaica Kingsmen.

’Monkey Tail’ tragedy: Ondo death toll hits 49 as 170 people fall ill

The death toll from suspected poisoning linked to locally produced alcoholic drinks and herbal mixtures known as ‘Monkey Tail’ in Ondo State has risen to 49.

The Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, disclosed this on Wednesday night, saying about 170 people had so far been affected by the suspected toxic drinks.

The latest deaths were recorded in Irele Local Government Area, where eight people reportedly died after consuming the suspected poisonous substances.

Ajaka said health officials had deployed response teams to Irele and other affected communities to monitor the situation, treat victims and investigate the source of the suspected poisoning.

He said the government had not yet determined whether the affected drinks came from one source or different sources.

‘Altogether, about 170 people have been affected, including those admitted and those who have died. Our teams are already in Irele as I speak,’ Ajaka said.

The commissioner said the state government was working with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

He added that the issue had also been discussed at a national meeting involving state health commissioners and officials of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.

The investigation, he said, would continue until the source of the suspected poisonous substance was identified.

The latest incident follows an earlier outbreak in Odigbo Local Government Area, where several deaths were reported in communities including New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Oniparaga.

The state government had banned the production and sale of locally brewed alcoholic and alcoholic-herbal drinks in Odigbo as a precautionary measure.

The police also arrested Oloruntoba Babatunde, popularly known as ‘Meko,’ over alleged involvement in the production of substances suspected to contain methanol.

Police spokesperson Jimoh Abayomi said the suspect was assisting the command with its investigation. He added that 14 other people had been arrested for allegedly violating the ban on the sale of herbal products.

Abayomi said the bodies of those who died were undergoing medical and forensic procedures as investigations continued.

Residents turn to prayers

The deaths have caused fear in affected communities, with residents combining medical treatment with prayers and traditional spiritual activities.

In Araromi-Obu, Pastor Segun Ajiboye led residents in prayers for the recovery of those affected and an end to the deaths.

‘We are asking God to intervene in our community and put an end to all these deaths. We do not want to witness another death among our people, especially the youths,’ he said.

The traditional ruler of Odigbo Kingdom, Rufus Akinrimade, also said the palace had started spiritual cleansing and prayers following the deaths.

The monarch, however, warned residents not to ignore the health dangers associated with consuming unregulated alcoholic drinks.

He said the deaths appeared to be linked to the consumption of locally made alcoholic substances whose source was unknown.

Akinrimade urged residents, especially young people, to avoid drinking alcoholic or herbal preparations when they are unsure of their contents or how they were produced.

Government warning

The Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, had earlier said the substance linked to the deaths was not a contaminated commercial beverage but a locally produced gin.

Speaking on Channels Television, Ajanaku said the government’s investigation showed that the drink was produced somewhere around Odigbo Local Government Area.

‘It is not a contaminated beverage. It is a local gin being manufactured somewhere around Odigbo Local Government Area,’ he said.

The state government said surveillance and investigations would continue in the affected communities to identify the source of the suspected toxic drink and prevent the situation from spreading to other parts of the state.

Firm expands credit footprint with new branch, targets SMEs

Irvin Global and Investment Limited, a Nigerian financial services company, has expanded its operations with the opening of a new branch in Enugu, strengthening its drive to provide structured credit solutions to individuals, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and corporate organisations.

The expansion comes as businesses and households continue to seek accessible financing options to manage working capital, personal financial obligations and investment needs amid evolving economic conditions.

Headquartered in Abuja, Irvin Global and Investment Limited provides credit products designed around the financing needs of salary earners, entrepreneurs, contractors and businesses.

The company said its growth from an initial vision to bridge the gap between financial opportunities and everyday Nigerians has resulted in a billion-naira institution serving thousands of customers across the country.

Its expansion strategy is being led by Nwangwa Uzonna, group managing director and group chief executive officer of Irvin Global and Investment Group.

Under his leadership, the company said it has maintained a focus on governance, credibility, responsible lending and strategic expansion.

According to the company, its operating philosophy is anchored on integrity and servant leadership, with an emphasis on building a financial institution capable of sustaining its impact beyond economic cycles.

The Enugu branch is expected to strengthen Irvin Global’s presence in the South-East while bringing its credit offerings closer to businesses and individuals in the region.

Speaking at the branch opening, Joy Olowokere, general manager, Business Development, reiterated the company’s commitment to deepening customer relationships, improving turnaround time and maintaining compliance standards across its operations.

Irvin Global’s credit portfolio includes payday credit, a short-term financing facility designed to help salary earners meet urgent obligations before their next payday.

Its payroll credit solution enables organisations to provide structured access to loans for employees through payroll-backed arrangements, combining employee financial support with defined repayment structures.

For businesses, the company offers SME credit, targeting working capital requirements, inventory purchases, equipment acquisition and business expansion.

The institution also provides asset financing to enable individuals and businesses to acquire productive assets, including vehicles, machinery and equipment required for operations and growth.

Another key offering is Local Purchase Order (LPO) financing, which provides financing support to contractors and suppliers executing confirmed purchase orders but facing liquidity constraints.

Irvin Global said its credit facilities are structured around clear documentation, defined repayment terms and responsible borrowing principles.

BARBADOS-ENVIRONMENT – Barbados explores harvesting sargassum at sea before it reaches beaches

Barbados is exploring the use of pump harvesters to collect sargassum at sea before the seaweed reaches the island’s heavily affected beaches. National Project Coordinator of the Sargassum Seaweed Collection Unit, David Carter, said the initiative is aimed at reducing the amount of sargassum reaching shorelines while limiting the environmental damage associated with removing large quantities of seaweed from beaches.

‘We’re using the pump harvester to get away from destroying the beaches,’ Carter told reporters on Wednesday.

He was speaking as a visiting team from the Dominican Republic explored opportunities for sustainable sargassum management in Barbados.

Carter said the equipment would be placed in the water and use floating booms and mesh to help prevent fish and turtles from being drawn into the harvesting system.

‘It is just to get the sargassum out of the water through a pump system, so that this sargassum can be used later for biogas and stuff like that,’ he said.

The Sargassum Seaweed Collection Unit, part of the Ministry of the Environment, is considering River Bay in St Lucy as a possible location for the first pump harvester. Skeetes Bay in St Philip is also being assessed.

Carter said River Bay’s relatively calm conditions make it more suitable for the equipment, while rougher seas at Skeetes Bay could present logistical challenges.

The proposed approach would allow sargassum to be harvested before it reaches the shoreline, where its removal can contribute to coastal erosion.

Meanwhile, about 150 workers are deployed daily to clear sargassum from beaches across the island. Carter said approximately 3.6 million pounds of the seaweed had been removed from Barbados’ beaches so far this year.

Among the most challenging locations are River Bay, Skeetes Bay and Long Beach in Christ Church.

Carter said some beaches, including Enterprise, also known as Miami Beach, have gone several weeks without being cleared, creating frustration for beachgoers and seaside businesses.

He said the authorities are continuing to examine ways to harvest and utilise the seaweed, including its potential use in the production of biogas and other products.

Tinubu’s reforms must be consolidated, First Lady, Lalong tell ex-lawmakers

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu on Thursday said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms must be consolidated beyond their current phase to secure the gains for present and future generations, as she welcomed the endorsement of the President for a second term by former presiding officers of state legislatures.

She said the President had worked tirelessly since assuming office to reposition the economy and lay a sustainable foundation for national development, stressing that nation-building is a continuous process that requires consolidating gains already recorded.

The First Lady spoke at the National Summit of the Forum of All Progressives Congress Former Presiding Officers of State Houses of Assembly of Nigeria (APC-FOPSHAN), held at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

Her position was reinforced by former Plateau State Governor and former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Senator Simon Lalong, who said Nigerians should return Tinubu in 2027 to enable him to complete the reform programme, particularly the economic restructuring triggered by petrol subsidy removal.

Mrs Tinubu, the summit’s Special Guest of Honour, said former Speakers and Deputy Speakers were well placed to appreciate the difficult choices of governance and the courage required to pursue reforms in the national interest.

‘Since the inception of this administration, Mr. President has worked tirelessly to reposition our economy and lay a solid foundation for sustainable national development.

‘Nation-building is a continuous process, and the gains already recorded must be consolidated for the benefit of present and future generations’, she said.

The First Lady particularly acknowledged the forum’s endorsement of President Tinubu for another term, describing the support as significant because of its members’ governance and legislative experience.

‘I especially acknowledge and appreciate your endorsement of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for a second term in office. Coming from men and women who have themselves presided over legislative institutions, your endorsement carries special significance.

‘You understand the demands of governance, the difficulty of making critical decisions, and the courage required to pursue reforms in the national interest.

‘On behalf of Mr. President, I thank you for this expression of confidence, support and goodwill’, she said.

Mrs Tinubu also urged former legislative leaders to remain active in public service, saying their departure from political office should not mark the end of their contribution to governance and national development.

According to her, their years as Speakers and Deputy Speakers had equipped them with institutional knowledge, political experience, and networks that could still be deployed to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.

‘Leaving political office should never mean leaving public service. Nigeria still needs your wisdom, experience, and networks’, the First Lady said.

She urged the former lawmakers to use the forum to ‘preserve institutional memory, mentor younger legislators, promote democratic stability’ and contribute to the development of the communities where they served.

Mrs Tinubu described the summit as a celebration of service, leadership, experience and sacrifice, noting that former presiding officers had occupied critical positions in democratic institutions and contributed significantly to legislation, governance and development in their respective states.

She also accepted her designation as Grand Patron of the forum, saying she was humbled by the honour and would seek to advance its ideals.

‘I am particularly humbled by the honour extended to me to act as the Grand Patron of this forum. I pray to the Almighty God to give me the wisdom to serve the ideals of the forum. I say thank you’, she said.

The First Lady commended the National Chairman of the forum, Senator Wasiu Sanni-Eshilokun, its Board of Trustees and leadership for organising the summit and bringing members from across the country together.

She said their presence demonstrated a continued commitment to national service, and expressed hope that the gathering would deepen unity among former legislative leaders and strengthen democratic development.

Meanwhile, Lalong, who was Guest Speaker at the summit themed ‘Bold Leadership, Bold Reforms: From Subsidy to Renewed Hope,’ said the President had chosen the difficult path of confronting structural economic problems rather than pursuing politically convenient options.

He said the removal of the petrol subsidy on May 29, 2023, was one of the administration’s most consequential decisions, arguing that successive governments had struggled to confront the problem despite its impact on public finances.

‘President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has exemplified those bold steps and come 2027, Nigerians will reward him to complete the great work’, Lalong said.

According to him, the subsidy regime had allowed the country to devote enormous resources to consumption rather than investment in productive sectors.

‘For decades, Nigeria consumed what we did not produce. We succeeded in making our future children pay for cheap petrol.

‘Everyone knew the truth but no leader had the courage to confront it’, he said.

Lalong acknowledged the difficulty of the subsidy decision but argued that leadership sometimes demands choices that impose immediate costs in pursuit of longer-term objectives.

‘It was not an easy decision. It was not politically convenient. But sometimes, leadership is tested not by the decisions that are easy to make, but by the courage to make decisions that the moment demands’, he said.

He said the bigger challenge was ensuring that resources freed by the reforms were redirected to productive investments that create jobs and improve living standards.

‘The real significance of subsidy removal therefore is not simply that one subsidy disappeared. It is that Nigeria has been compelled to confront a fundamental question: how do we move from consuming public resources to investing these resources in productive capacity for our nation?’ he said.

Lalong identified agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, education, energy and technology as sectors requiring increased investment to make the reforms meaningful to Nigerians.

‘We must invest in agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, education, energy, and technology’, he said.

He also called on political leaders to help explain the rationale behind the reforms to Nigerians, saying the responsibility for sustaining the programme went beyond the Presidency.

‘Our duty today goes beyond assessment. Our duty is to be ambassadors of this difficult but necessary reform.

‘President Tinubu has done his part by taking the bold decision. Our part is to help our people understand that the pains of today are the gains of tomorrow’, he said.

Lalong also stressed the legislature’s role in scrutinising expenditure, strengthening oversight, and ensuring fiscal responsibility as the reforms progress.

‘The journey from subsidy to Renewed Hope is a journey from dependency to productivity, from consumption to investment, and from short-term fix to long-term economic transformation.

‘It is a journey that requires courage from the executive, responsibility from the legislatures, discipline across government and patience from the people.

‘President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated the courage to begin this difficult journey. Our responsibility is to ensure that reforms succeed, that their gains are consolidated, and that Nigerians emerge stronger, more productive, more prosperous’, he said.