Category: CANA News

The Dominica government says with the exception of three primary schools, teachers at government-assisted schools are not public servants and that the ‘handling of salary payments is managed by the respective school authorities’.

The Roosevelt Skerrit administration made the statement indicating that it wanted to clarify the situation ‘in the interest of accuracy and public understanding’ following the circulation of a letter by staff of one of the island’s main secondary schools, the St. Mary’s Academy earlier this month.

Teachers had staged a brief industrial action on February 2, after salaries for January failed to be disbursed by the Ministry of Education. They said the protest was intended to highlight what they describe as long-standing inequitable treatment of educators at government-assisted schools.

According to a formal statement issued by the staff, salaries that were once reliably paid on time have faced persistent delays since December 2018.

The teachers said the issue is not unique to St. Mary Academy but affects assisted-school educators island-wide. They warned that late payments create financial hardship, leaving teachers unable to meet obligations such as loan repayments, which often incur penalties and additional interest charges.

‘The payment of salaries at the last hour-or after the end of the month-should not be normalized,’ the statement read, noting that teachers at assisted schools remain excluded from the timely arrangements afforded to other educators.

They said that while some public officers receive salaries in advance of national holidays such as Creole Day and Christmas, assisted-school teachers are consistently disadvantaged.

They said despite the challenges, St. Mary Academy has achieved a strong academic record, with consistent 100 per cent pass rates in several subjects and frequent top rankings both nationally and regionally.

‘Government-assisted schools operate as independent institutions and receive a monthly grant from the Government to assist with the payment of staff salaries,’ the statement said, adding that with the exception of the three primary schools ‘teachers at Government-assisted schools are not Government employees, and the handling of salary payments is managed by the respective school authorities.

‘Notwithstanding, through the Ministry of Finance, Government maintains an established practice of ensuring that grants to government-assisted schools are paid no later than the last business day of each month, once all requirements are met.

‘While staff employed at these schools are not public officers, the Government has consistently supported them through the salary grants and the facilitation of salary increases and back-pay, including the recent three per cent and two per cent adjustments negotiated with the Dominica Association of Teachers.’

The government said that it recognises the ‘important role played by government-assisted and private schools in the national education system’ and that as independent institutions receiving government assistance, ’employers are encouraged to collect grants promptly once they become available to facilitate timely payment to staff.

‘The Government of Dominica remains committed to supporting education across all sectors and encourages continued dialogue and cooperation to ensure that concerns are addressed constructively and in the best interest of students and teachers.’

Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), Timothy Antoine said the February 13 meeting of the ECCB’s Monetary Council will further discuss an initiative aimed at doubling the economies of member states.

He said that the Council will deliberate on ‘The Big Push Initiative,’ which ‘is a call for a decade of transformative actions that will double the GDP (gross domestic product) of the economies of the ECCU (Eastern Caribbean Currency Union) and elevate the quality of life of the people of ECCU’.

The ECCU groups the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Montserrat.

Antoine said that Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Gaston Browne, will present the Report on Monetary and Credit Conditions in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) at the meeting.

The Council will also receive the reports from the Technical Core Committee on Insurance, Eastern Caribbean Asset Management Corporation and the Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit Guarantee Corporation.

The Monetary Council is the highest decision-making body of the ECCB, consisting of the eight Ministers for Finance from ECCB member countries.

The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank was established in October 1983 .

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has warned that flying of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) over public or private property is prohibited unless permission is granted after Amerindian Affairs Minister, Sarah Browne-Shadeek, publicly complained on Sunday that a drone flew over her husband’s residence and violated her sister’s privacy.

Browne-Shadeek said on social media that a drone on Sunday flew over the home of her husband, adding ‘the drone came so low that a close female relative of mine who had just exited the bathroom felt exposed and ran for cover’.

She said she was forced to ask for a security guard for the safety of the family after noticing suspicious activities and that vehicles had been following her since an earlier incident at a hotel where ‘I was bullied’ in the presence of others.

‘I want to let those involved know that this will not move me or deter me from representing my people,’ she said.

The main opposition We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) on Sunday posted several aerial pictures of the Amerindian Affairs minister’s husband property, saying they were taken on Saturday.

In a separate post Opposition Leader, Azruddin Mohamed said, with the building in the background that there was ‘Not a troolie leaf in sight. Minister Sarah Browne-Shadeek, some of our Indigenous people want to live like you too in a more than 100 million dollar home. As MP Deon La Cruz rightly stated, they do not wish to be born and die in troolie house’.

The GCAA said flying the aircraft over or near private or public property is only possible if there is explicit permission from the property owner and that drones are expressly forbidden from operating within 150 metres of any congested area, organized open-air assembly, or within 100 metres of any vessel, vehicle, or structure not under the operator’s control.

The GCAA warned that a ‘breach of these regulations constitutes a serious criminal offence’ and violators could be fined up to one million dollars (One Guyana dollar=US$0.004 cents) and/or two years imprisonment.

Non-compliance with permit conditions, and operations outside the limitations specified in the GCAA directive or failure to adhere to an approved operations manual will result in immediate suspension of UAV drone permit and be prosecuted as a breach of the GCAA regulations.

The regulator said that to ensure that persons adhere to the legislation and avoid undue violations, it is appealing to the public to comply accordingly with its directive.

The public was urged to immediately report any and all unauthorized operations, suspicious or unsafe drone activity to the nearest police station or to the GCAA safety hotline at 608-4222.

‘The full force of the law will be applied to defaulters. The GCAA is committed to maintaining the integrity of Guyana’s airspace,’ the GCAA said.

The United States has re-affirmed its support for Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimè after he assumed leadership of the interim government in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country following the end of the mandate of the Provisional Transitional Council (CPT) last Saturday.

‘The United States takes note of the peaceful transfer of power by the coordinator of the Provisional Transitional Council (CPT), Laurent Saint-Cyr, to Prime Minister Fils-Aimé and the Council of Ministers, acting in an interim capacity to prepare for the general elections in Haiti,’ Washington said in a statement posted on the US Embassy in Haiti.

Washington said that it is ready to work with the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers to ‘achieve our common priority, which is stabilising Haiti.

‘We recognise the responsibility of the authorities called upon to guide the country at a crucial moment and emphasize the importance of efforts made by Haitians themselves to restore stability, strengthen security and advance the aspirations of the Haitian people.

‘As Secretary Rubio stressed, sustainable progress in Haiti depends on responsible governance, improved security conditions and a supported international partnership in favor of Haiti’s sovereignty. The United States remains committed to working alongside Haitian leaders and regional partners to contribute to stabilise Haiti,’ the statement added.

The CPT was established in April 2024 to restore political stability, address the security crisis caused by powerful armed gangs, and facilitate a transition of power following the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

The nine-member council was created to select a new prime minister and cabinet, prepare for, and oversee the nation’s next elections, which are planned for early 2026. Since April 2024, Haiti has held no national elections.

It left office last Saturday with its tenure marred by infighting, poor governance and paralysis, as well as persistent allegations of influence peddling, corruption , collusion with armed gangs and of diverting public resources for personal gain.

Although there is broad agreement between Haiti’s civil and political leaders that the CPT should step down, a consensus yet to emerge over what structure should replace it.

Saint-Cyr in a statement on Saturday, said ‘we need to put our personal interest to the side and continue progress for security,’ adding that the Council of Ministers ‘under the direction of the prime minister will take charge’.

In a weekend address to the country Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé recalled that February 7 embodies republican continuity, popular sovereignty, and the irreversible aspiration of the Haitian people to live in freedom, security, and dignity.

‘The time for coming together has come. The state is reclaiming its place. Life must go on. Haiti will not perish,’ Prime Minister Fils-Aim said, as he commended the efforts and sacrifices made by the CPT members during nearly two ‘extremely complex’ years, while acknowledging that the transition remains incomplete, particularly due to persistent insecurity and the impossibility of holding elections within the initially planned timeframe.

Fils-Aimé said faced with this reality, the country will not succumb to discouragement or division and that the mission of the transition remains clear and unchanged that is to restore security, organize free, inclusive, and democratic elections, and hand over power to leaders legitimately elected by the people.

He pledged the state’s total commitment to the fight against insecurity and that armed gangs and their accomplices will be relentlessly pursued with the Haitian National Police (PNH) and Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd’H) will act with rigour, coordination, and continuity until complete control of the country.

Aware of the extent of social suffering, the Prime Minister announced the immediate implementation of an emergency humanitarian plan to provide food assistance, healthcare, and shelter to the most vulnerable populations, affirming that security and dignity must go hand in hand.

In a strong appeal for national unity, he invited all stakeholders including political parties, civil society, the private sector, religious leaders, artists, youth, women, farmers, the general public, and the diaspora, to overcome divisions and unite around a republican pact based on the roadmap ‘Security; Elections; and Economic Recovery’.

In a solemn pledge, Prime Minister Fils-Aim said he would lead this decisive phase with truth, courage, firmness against terror, and humanity toward the suffering of the people, reiterating that the State would remain impartial, the guarantor of freedoms, justice, and the transparency of the electoral process.

The Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago says despite an ‘immediate and significant spike’ in the export of domestic crude production to the international market since 2018, ‘the overall trend reflects a persistent decline driven by falling domestic production’.

The Energy Chamber noted that since the closure of the Pointe-a-Pierre refinery in 2018, Trinidad and Tobago has transitioned to exporting all of its domestic crude oil production to the international market.

It said currently, the country exports three primary blends, bpTT’s Galeota Mix, Woodside’s Calypso Crude, and Heritage Petroleum’s Molo Crude and together, these representTrinidad and Tobago’s total production of approximately 50,000 barrels per day (bpd).

The Energy Chamber said in contrast, prior to 2018, exports averaged only 30,000 bpd, consisting mainly of Galeota and Calypso crudes, while Heritage’s Molo Crude was refined locally.

‘Despite the absolute increase in export volumes post-2018, the overall trend reflects a persistent decline driven by falling domestic production. This downward trajectory in output was evident even before the refinery’s closure and continues to limit the country’s foreign exchange (Forex) earning potential.’

It said compounding this volume decline is a cooling global market.

The Energy Chamber said crude prices are currently low, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) at US$58 and Brent at US$63.

‘These figures sit well below the US$100 peaks seen in 2022, continuing a downward price trend that further pressures the energy sector’s revenue generation,’ the Energy Chamber added.

All-rounder Jason Holder wrote his name into the history books on Saturday by becoming the first West Indian to take 100 wickets in all three formats of the game.

The 34-year-old Barbadian reached the landmark when he had Scotland captain Richie Berrington caught on the deep point boundary, as the West Indies began their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign with a 35-run victory.

Holder has now captured 162 wickets in 69 Tests, 159 wickets in 138 One Day Internationals and 101 T20I wickets in 90 matches.

Speaking in an interview on Monday, Holder said he was humbled by the achievement.

‘For me personally, 100 wickets in this format is a blessing to be fair. I guess at the start of my career I wouldn’t have imagined this moment, being the first to take 100 wickets in each format of the game, but I take it as it comes.

‘I’m very, very happy and I thank my teammates over the years, and hopefully I can get a few more,’ Holder said.

However, despite his landmark achievement, Holder said what was more important was the fact West Indies secured two important points to start the tournament.

‘First and foremost, to get two points on the board was key. It was a very crucial game for us to start the campaign really well. Credit to the boys, we played a really good game.

‘I think we were challenged at certain stages of the game, and we came through in those tough situations, which are strong signs for the team going forward,’ Holder said.

With the Windies set to take on England in a crucial Group C clash on Wednesday, Holder said consistency was key.

He said the fielding department was an area that needed urgent improvement.

‘I think we ticked a lot of boxes in the first game. We keep challenging ourselves in each department and we all know we can improve in each department as we go on in this tournament.

‘But for me, just be consistent; consistent with our attitude, consistent with our bowling and also consistent with batting as well. We’ve definitely got to touch up in the field; we’ve been letting ourselves down and dropping a few chances so that’s an area we can definitely improve on as well too,’ Holder said.

‘But all in all, I’m really happy with how we started, and I just think for us it’s really important to continue to build.’

Jamaica has announced plans for the construction of a state-of-the-art medical dome, which will accommodate up to 100 beds on the grounds of the Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) in Montego Bay, northwest of here.

Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton said that the 10,000 square-foot facility, engineered to withstand a category 4 hurricane, is being donated through partnership involving the Jamaican government and international non-governmental organisations Judah 1 and Kennedy Quick Reaction Fund.

Tufton said that in addition to hospital beds, the dome will also be equipped with X-ray machines, autoclaves, clinical equipment and a range of essential supplies. It is expected to arrive by late February and will be located near the hospital’s Accident and Emergency department to ensure a seamless flow of patient care.

Tufton said that the additional 100 beds will push CRH well beyond its previous levels and that the dome will also provide critical breathing room while work continues on the main hospital building and contractors make steady progress in restoring capacity lost during Hurricane Melissa, which damaged approximately 157 beds.

So far, 75 beds have been restored, bringing the hospital to 259 beds or about 75 per cent of its pre-hurricane capacity.

‘So again, for the gift of the 100-bed dome and all the other equipment supporting that, the health team is absolutely thrilled,’ Tufton said.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Founder of Judah 1, Everett Aaron, said that the dome will help to address the urgent needs at the hospital.

He said it is important to not only deliver temporary relief but durable solutions that can serve communities over the long-term.

The Chief Operating Officer of Kennedy International Logistics and Services, which operates the Kennedy Quick Reaction Fund, Christie Hutcherson, said engineers from the University of Miami have been working on the interior design and layout of the dome.

She noted that the donation not only includes the structure but also medical essentials like mattresses, medications, and basic clinical tools, all of which are gifts to the Jamaican people.

‘We know that this support has been needed for some time. From the beginning, we were faced with a choice to move fast with a short-term solution or to take the time necessary to deliver something that would be meaningful and sustainably support Cornwall over the long haul. We chose the harder path, not because it was easier but because it’s the right thing to do,’ she said.

Barbados has been relegated from World Group II after being defeated by Bolivia 3-2 in their Davis Cup tie at the Raymond Forde Tennis Centre over the weekend.

In Saturday’s opening day of the best-of-five rubber, Bolivia’s Juan Carlos Pradao Angelo gave his country a winning start by defeating Kaipo Marshall 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, before Darian King leveled the tie by beating Murkel Dellien 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 in a hard-fought contest.

Bolivia regained the lead on Sunday with their doubles pair of Borias Arias and Dellien edging King and Stephen Slocombe 6-3, 2-6, 6-3, but King once again came to Barbados’ rescue by downing Angelo in straight sets in the reverse singles 7-5, 6-1, to level the score at 2-2.

The tie came down to the deciding match between Marshall and Dellien, with the winner set to remain in Group II while the loser relegated to Group III.

In a thrilling contest, Dellien came out victorious 7-6, 7-6, to spark wild celebrations among the Bolivian contingent.

The extradition matter involving Opposition Leader, Azruddin Mohamed and his billionaire businessman father, Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed, was adjourned for a week on Monday after the elder Mohamed was reported o have fallen ill.

Principal Magistrate, Judge Latchman, agreed to the adjournment to February 16 after hearing representation by attorney Siand Dhurjon, one of the lawyers representing the Mohameds.

The prosecutor for the United States, Glenn Hanoman, said that the lead prosecutor, Jamaican attorney Terrence Williams was also absent from Monday’s proceeding due to a pressing overseas engagement.

Mohammed, the leader of the main opposition We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, along with his 73-year-old father were sanctioned by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for allegedly smuggling more than 10,000 kilogrammes of gold worth more than US$50 million and in the process failing to pay the relevant taxes to the Guyana government.

Last October, a US Federal Grand Jury unsealed a 11-count indictment on the Mohameds for alleged wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering. Subsequently, the US requested his extradition to face trial for those alleged crimes.

The Mohameds are also challenging the validity of the extradition request in two separate civil cases in the High Court.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne says ‘powerful countries’ including the United States, should take use China as an example in treating with small vulnerable countries as he praised the Asian country for its ongoing relationship with Antigua and Barbuda.

Browne, speaking at a ceremony marking the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Horse on Sunday night, said that the geopolitical shifts that have taken place within this hemisphere have resulted in countries being intimidated.

‘I think it is an example of how powerful countries should treat with small vulnerable countries. China is not intimidating us; China has never made any demands of Antigua and Barbuda to do anything that is not in our self-interest.

‘You would also recognize that above and beyond the cooperation that is taking place at the governmental level, they are also enhancing people-to-people exchanges. For example, nearly 300 Antiguans and Barbudans have been given an opportunity to travel to China to experience the Chinese culture and to seek to have a formal cultural integration and diversity,’ Prime Minister Browne told the ceremony that was also attended by Governor General, Sir Rodney Williams.

(Details in Politics section)