Category: CANA News

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Oct 24, CMC -Ten former Caribbean Community (CARICOM)leaders have reiterated the need for the Caribbean to be maintained as a zone of peace, saying that they are impelled to urge a pull back from military build up to avoid ‘any dimunition of peace, stability and development within our regional space that has the potential to pull the region into conflicts which are not of our making’.

The leaders, including the former Jamaica prime ministers, P.J. Patterson and Bruce Golding, as well as former Guyana president Donald Ramotar, said in a joint statement that when Caribbean Leaders had gathered at Chaguaramas in 1972, with the then Trinidad and Tobago prime minister Dr. Eric Williams as the chairman, ‘it was accepted that peace was a dominant factor in shaping the social and political framework for Caribbean development.

‘As a result, the ‘zone of peace’ has been codified and become a cornerstone in the architecture of our Caribbean sovereignty and the axis for our relationship with the countries of our Hemisphere, Europe and the world at large.’

The other former leaders who have signed the statement are Baldwin Spencer of Antigua and Barbuda, Said Musa and Dean Barrow of Belize; Freundel Stuart of Barbados, Edison James of Dominica, and Tilman Thomas of Grenada.

Former Trinidad and Tobago prime minister, Dr. Keith Rowley in a Facebook message supporting the statement, noted that on his 76th birthday ‘ I find it necessary and dutiful to sign on to this historic statement of former heads of CARICOM.

The main opposition Free National Movement (FNM) which has been urging the government to set a date for the next general election rather than hold a by-election, says it will decide later whether to contest the by-election set for November 24.

Earlier this week, National Security Minister, Wayne Munroe, said the ruling Progressive Labour Party (PLP), has already decided on Darron Pickstock as its candidate for Golden Isles constituency that had been represented by Vaughn Miller since 2017 until his death earlier this month. He will be buried on Friday. Prime Minister Phillip Davis has said he wants the PLP to regain the seat ‘to continue doing what we have been doing.

But FNM leader, Michael Pintard told reporters that the party will soon ‘make an announcement’ on whether it will contest the by-election.

‘Out of respect for our brother, Vaughn, we have been careful with the kinds of events that we have done, but we will resume on Saturday, after we’ve laid our brother to rest,’ said Pintard, who had previously called on the government to call an early general election instead of spending money on a by-election.

‘In due course we are going to make an announcement,’ Pintard said when asked if the FNM will contest the by-election.

He said Brian Brown has been working the ground for nine years, describing him as ‘a remarkable community worker.

‘People have fallen in love with him. He and his team are revving to go, and while we know that the government has a difficulty going to a general election now to ask for a new mandate, though we believe they need one, we are going to make an announcement in short order, but our people are in Golden Isles, and they are on the ground.’

Nomination Day for the by-election has been set for October 31.

Jamaicans and Haitians were bracing for the passage of Tropical Storm Melissa that is expected to rapidly intensify into a major hurricane this weekend.

Weather officials warned of life threatening and catastrophic flash flooding and landslides expected in portions of southern Hispaniola and Jamaica through the weekend. The Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that the storm is 215 miles, south east of Kingston, and about 225 miles south west of Port au Prince, the Haitian capital.

In Haiti, the Civil Protection Department reported that two people died and another was injured in a landslide in Fontamara, Port-au-Prince, bringing the number of victims of severe weather to three dead and five injured in the past 48 hours.

‘Tropical Storm Melissa exposes the Grand South and West departments to high risks of flooding and landslides, particularly threatening precarious housing and isolated communities. Road infrastructure, already vulnerable in low-lying areas and near rivers, could experience significant disruptions.

‘In addition, coastal communities risk significant material damage due to hurricane-like swells and strong winds. This situation requires maximum vigilance and increased preparedness,’ the authorities warn.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the government would be imposing several measures under the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA) to help save lives and properties.

He said that the DRMA provides ‘certain powers’ that thegovernment and other state entities ‘will use for the protection of lives and property’.

In addition, he is warning people against engaging in price gouging as the population stock up on non-perishable and other essential items amid fears that ‘there may be persons tempted to raise their prices’.

‘We will not have that in a disaster, and there the minister of industry, investment and commerce will shortly sign an order to this effect,’ Holness said.

In its latest bulletin, the NHC said that a Hurricane Watch is in effect for the southwestern peninsula of Haiti from the border with the Dominican Republic to Port-Au-Prince and Jamaica

‘Melissa is moving slowly toward the north near two miles per hour (mph) and that a turn to the west is forecast on Saturday and this general motion is expected to continue through Monday.

‘A turn to the north and northeast is forecast on Tuesday and Wednesday. On the forecast track, the center of Melissa is expected to move near or over Jamaica early next week and could be near or over eastern Cuba by the middle of next week’

The NHC said that the maximum sustained winds have increased to near 65 mph with higher gusts. ‘Rapid intensification is now forecast over the next several days, and Melissa is forecast to become a hurricane tomorrow and a major hurricane by Sunday,’ it added.

The NHc said that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area in Haiti later this weekend and Jamaica beginning late this weekend or early next week.

‘Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin in Haiti tonight or Saturday and in Jamaica late Saturday into Sunday,’it said, adding that ‘Melissa is expected to bring total rainfall of 15 to 25 inches to portions of southern Hispaniola and Jamaica through Tuesday, with local maxima of 35 inches possible across the Tiburon Peninsula of Haiti.

‘Additional heavy rainfall is likely beyond Tuesday. The uncertainty at that time range precludes exact storm totals. Potentially catastrophic flash flooding and landslides are

possible across portions of Jamaica and the southern Dominican Republic, while catastrophic flash flooding is anticipated in southern Haiti.’

Police Commissioner Dr Kevin Blake says the hurricane preparedness plan of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), has been fully activated and members will be deployed to protect critical infrastructure .

‘Our operational response which includes our quick response, our highway patrol and mobile units are briefed and ready for deployment. We have reviewed and updated our shelter security plans,’ Blake told a media briefing on Friday,’ adding ‘we also have an operational management team specifically looking at the Corporate Area given the number of vital infrastructure that exist there’.

He said that the JCF’s highway patrol has been dispatched to monitor key arterial routes and flood-prone corridors, while ‘mobile patrols will maintain security in our business and residential districts and the quick response unit stands ready to support evacuation, rescue and post-impact security’.

Hoteliers and loccal tourism stakeholders are also bracing for the passage of the weather system.

Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett, urged all stakeholders to act with safety as the priority, describing preparedness as the foundation of recovery.

Bartlett noted that the ministry is working closely with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and the Meteorological Service of Jamaica to safeguard the sector.

‘Resilience has been our trademark. our rallying cry. It has long been at the heart of our tourism success. We have learnt from experience that preparedness is key.

‘I urge all our stakeholders. all our tourism workers. to activate their internal disaster risk management systems and ensure that safety remains the top priority,’ he said, adding ‘let us remain calm, vigilant, and united in our efforts to protect both our people and our industry. Remember the mantra. Preparation, not panic’.

Residents of 10 rural communities in Suriname are expected to benefit from a multi-million US dollar electrification project funded by the Barbados-based Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Development Fund (CDF).

The US$11.8 million project to install hybrid renewable micro-grid systems at Cajana and Galibi is a part of a broader initiative to enhance energy access and support a just energy transition in Suriname’s rural communities.

The rural electrification project is financed by a US$10.01 million concessionary loan and US$0.49 million grant from the CDF; and US$1.3 m in-kind contribution from the Suriname government of Suriname. The project commenced with the signing of the loan and grant agreements on April 24, 2024, with a projected implementation of 18 months.

A CDF delegation headed by its chief executive officer, Rodinald Soomer, visited the Dutch-speaking CARICOM country confirming that installation of the micro grids for the project is over 90 per cent complete and should be fully completed and commissioned before the end of 2025.

‘These micro grids will provide reliable, clean, and sustainable electricity to 1,906 residents in 10 rural communities of the Cajana and Galibi regions; and the completion of this project will mark a significant milestone in Suriname’s pursuit of inclusive and resilient growth,” according to a statement issued by Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat.

It said that Soomer during his visit to Paramaribo, held talks with President Jennifer Greelings-Simons on ‘opportunities for increasing CDF’s support to the implementation of Suriname’s economic diversification and sustainable growth agenda.

‘This includes leveraging the CDF’s experience in increasing youth and community participation in the inclusive growth of the agriculture and tourism sectors,’ the Secretariat added.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.0 rocked Trinidad and Tobago on Friday night, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injury.

The Seismic Research Centre (SRC) at the St. Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) said that the quake, which occurred at 7.50 pm (local time) was at a depth of 44 kilometers (km). It was felt 36 km north west of Port of Spain, 61 Km of Arima, east of here and 73 km north west of San Fernando in south Trinidad.

This is the second quake to hit Trinidad within the past 24 hours.

The SRC said that a tremor with a magnitude of 3.5 rattled the country as well as Grenada at around 12.52 pm (local time).

It said that it was at a depth of 53 km and that it was felt 64 km south, south west of St. George’s in Grenada, 104 km north west f Port of Spain and 120 km north west of Arime in Trinidad.

There were also no reports of damages or injuries.

Residents of 10 rural communities in Suriname are expected to benefit from a multi-million US dollar electrification project funded by the Barbados-based Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Development Fund (CDF).

The US$11.8 million project to install hybrid renewable micro-grid systems at Cajana and Galibi is a part of a broader initiative to enhance energy access and support a just energy transition in Suriname’s rural communities.

The rural electrification project is financed by a US$10.01 million concessionary loan and US$0.49 million grant from the CDF; and US$1.3 m in-kind contribution from the Suriname government of Suriname. The project commenced with the signing of the loan and grant agreements on April 24, 2024, with a projected implementation of 18 months.

A CDF delegation headed by its chief executive officer, Rodinald Soomer, visited the Dutch-speaking CARICOM country confirming that installation of the micro grids for the project is over 90 per cent complete and should be fully completed and commissioned before the end of 2025.

‘These micro grids will provide reliable, clean, and sustainable electricity to 1,906 residents in 10 rural communities of the Cajana and Galibi regions; and the completion of this project will mark a significant milestone in Suriname’s pursuit of inclusive and resilient growth,” according to a statement issued by Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat.

It said that Soomer during his visit to Paramaribo, held talks with President Jennifer Greelings-Simons on ‘opportunities for increasing CDF’s support to the implementation of Suriname’s economic diversification and sustainable growth agenda.

‘This includes leveraging the CDF’s experience in increasing youth and community participation in the inclusive growth of the agriculture and tourism sectors,’ the Secretariat added.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.0 rocked Trinidad and Tobago on Friday night, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injury.

The Seismic Research Centre (SRC) at the St. Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) said that the quake, which occurred at 7.50 pm (local time) was at a depth of 44 kilometers (km). It was felt 36 km north west of Port of Spain, 61 Km of Arima, east of here and 73 km north west of San Fernando in south Trinidad.

This is the second quake to hit Trinidad within the past 24 hours.

The SRC said that a tremor with a magnitude of 3.5 rattled the country as well as Grenada at around 12.52 pm (local time).

It said that it was at a depth of 53 km and that it was felt 64 km south, south west of St. George’s in Grenada, 104 km north west f Port of Spain and 120 km north west of Arime in Trinidad.

There were also no reports of damages or injuries.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Friday announced the fixtures for next month’s CG United Super50 Cup, which will be played entirely in Trinidad.

The tournament will be played in a round-robin format over 11 days from November 19 to 29 at three different venues: the Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA), Queen’s Park Oval (QPO) and Sir Frank Worrell Cricket Ground (UWI SPEC).

The six regional squads: Trinidad and Tobago Red Force (TTRF), Barbados Pride (BF), Guyana Harpy Eagles (GHE), Jamaica Scorpions (JS), Leeward Islands Hurricanes (LIH) and Windward Islands Volcanoes (WIV), will battle for the top prize of US$100,000, with US$50,000 being awarded to the runner-up, while the 3rd and 4th placed teams will each take home US$25,000.

A new champion will be crowned following last year’s debacle, which saw the Barbados Pride and Jamaica Scorpions failing to take field in the final, resulting in CWI not naming a winner.

On the opening day on November 19, the Scorpions and Harpy Eagles will face off, with the Red Force and Barbados Pride clashing in the morning matches, while the Hurricanes and Volcanoes will take the field in for the afternoon contest.

Jamaica has launched a five-year initiative to address the country’s urban climate and societal challenges by integrating nature-based solutions (NbS) into urban planning and community development.

Dubbed ‘Jamaica Urban Solutions for the Environment’ (J-USE), the initiative is funded by Global Affairs Canada with an investment of four million Canadian dollars (One CDN$=US$0.71 cents) and is being implemented by the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ), which is contributing an additional CDN$1.2 million in support. Nature-based solutions leverage the natural environment to mitigate climate risks, enhance biodiversity, and deliver social and economic benefits to communities.

Pilot projects will be established at the Abilities Foundation, the Danny Williams School for the Deaf and Torrington Bridge in Kingston.

Addressing the launch of the initiative, Water, Environment and Climate Change Minister, Matthew Samuda, commended the programme and the collaborative partnership facilitating it.

‘Canada, over the last 10 years, has been one of our strongest partners for climate action and environmental protection, and I wish to firmly put the Government’s thanks on record for their continued support. Whether it be through central government or entities such as the EFJ, they’re indeed very strong partners of ours,’ he said.

Samuda said that ‘adaptation projects of this nature are important because it acknowledges that infrastructure will never be sufficient to mitigate or to be a part of your adaptation plan.

‘In a country where over 50 per cent of our population lives within our urban centres, this sort of nature-based solution that serves the function of adaptation is incredibly important,’ he added.

Samuda said Jamaica now has the capacity to conduct more informed climate risk analyses through the launch of its climate risk analysis tool – the Jamaica Systemic Risk Assessment Tool (J-SRAT).

‘We have already established the Jamaica systemic assessment. It means we have already assessed the climate risk for all of Jamaica’s infrastructure – public or private; Jamaica Public Service (JPS) and the National Water Commission (NWC) would have worked with us. We have already assessed which roads, drains, everything that needs to be changed, fixed and made stronger.

‘I think we need to overlay the project choices with where there is greatest risk, to see if this can benefit some of those areas. The National Adaptation Plan calls for over five billion US dollars. I believe that estimate is significantly (understated). it is way more than that; so, this is a step in the right direction.

‘Canada partnering with EFJ represents more than just choosing a capable organisation but reflects our commitment to placing decision-making, resources and leadership in the hands of local institutions that really understand their communities’ needs and context,’ Samuda said.

Canada’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, Mark Berman, said the J-USE project reflects a shared vision between Jamaica and Canada to advance climate-resilient, sustainable urban development, while ensuring that climate action delivers inclusive benefits for all members of society.

He said that the project forms part of Canada’s CDN$5.3 billion climate finance commitment, with a targeted focus on supporting small island developing states in advancing climate resilience.

‘This J-USE investment reflects Canada’s recognition that the climate crisis requires urgent innovative responses, especially for countries like Jamaica. Through this five-year four million Canadian dollars initiative, we’re not simply funding micro projects.

‘A key pillar of this initiative is the development of a sustainable funding mechanism that will leverage public and private resources to create an urban environmental solutions fund that continues long after this direct investment ends,’ Berman said.

J-USE project manager, Joni Jackson, said that the initiative comprises three core components, namely the establishment of a sustainable financing mechanism; policy advocacy to promote the integration of nature-based solutions into national policies, plans, strategies, and legislation; and the implementation of gender-responsive, socially inclusive nature-based climate solutions in urban areas.

Chris Husbands capped an incredible comeback season by winning the final race to ride off with the jockeys’ title here earlier this week.

Husbands, who spent most of last year on the sidelines battling injuries, captured the final race of the season, the CAN$30 000 Crimson Maple Cup Stakes, onboard Clarayouthebest on Tuesday to capture his fourth title at Fort Erie. The 36-year-old Barbadian ended the meet with 41 victories and CAN$480 519 in total winnings to dethrone 2024 champion Juan Crawford, who finished with 32 wins and CAN$361 833 in winnings.

Husbands thanked local trainers Mark Fournier and Joe Humber for believing in him and giving him opportunities to ride in his comeback season

‘When I first came back to Fort Erie, it was hard to find my focus again, but my agent, Paul Souter, he kept pushing, he kept me going, kept me working, and now here we are,’ said Husbands.

In the final race, Husbands launched four-year-old bay filly, Clarayouthebest at the leader Moral Terpitude on the homestretch, to win by a neck in a time of 1:45.67 in the race over 1700 metres.

‘Going into that first turn, I was a bit back, I had to check out but it was okay because I didn’t really want to be on the inside anyway, but then when I got the chance to drop back in down the stretch, I went for it, and it turned out exactly how I wanted,’ said Husbands after the race.

It was his third win of the day, following victories in the opening race with Tentomidnight and Maiken the Viking in the day’s fourth race.