Category: CANA News

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.

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has refuted claims made in an article published on Demerara Waves online news that the rescue and fire-fighting capacity at the Cheddi Jagan International airport has been downgraded.

In a statement late Thursday, the GCAA’s Director General, Lt. Col. (Retd) Egbert Field, said there has been no downgrade of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport’s status from category eight to category five and he has not signed any document to suggest such a change.

‘The GCAA wishes to highlight that unnamed sources in the article, unfortunately, provided inaccurate and misinformation regarding the category rating of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.The GCAA does not disclose or discuss inspection findings and reports on aviation stakeholders with third parties.’

The release added that the GCAA ‘maintains its commitment to the highest standards of aviation safety and regulatory oversight and assures the public that Cheddi Jagan International Airport continues to operate safely and efficiently.’

Bangladesh reached 296 for eight off their 50 overs after electing to bat against the West Indies in the third and final One Day International here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Thursday.

BANGLADESH 296-8 in 50 overs (Soumya Sarkar 91, Saif Hassan 80, Najmul Hossain Shanto 44, Towhid Hridoy 28, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 17, Nural Hasan 16 not out; Akeal Hosein 4-41, Alick Athanaze 2-37).

Guyana is set to host a major three-day regional training programme, in partnership with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), aimed at bolstering the Caribbean’s anti-doping efforts.

The Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organisation (Caribbean RADO), the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), and WADA are facilitating the Doping Control Officer Training Programme from October 24 to 26.

Delegates from ten countries will attend the workshop, which is being led by expert trainers from the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES).

The primary objective is to build capacity across the region by empowering participants to execute sample collection processes confidently in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code.

The workshop’s timing is crucial as Caribbean nations prepare for a packed 2026 international sporting calendar. Major events looming include the CAC Games in the Dominican Republic, the Commonwealth Games in Scotland, and the Youth Olympic Games in Senegal.

The training will provide participants with the theoretical background and practical skills necessary to ensure high standards of testing and compliance across their respective territories.

The Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) 60th Anniversary Medal Presentation Parade was on Wednesday marked by reverence and pride as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, decorated Officers and Other Ranks with prestigious military medals for their distinguished, faithful, and exemplary service to the nation.

A total of 871 special medals were approved; however, the Commander-in-Chief conferred 32 medals at the parade; the remaining recipients will receive theirs at a later date.

Addressing the event Ali noted that this year’s ceremony holds special significance as it coincides with the 60th anniversary of the GDF.

The president described it as six decades of unwavering commitment to national security and sovereignty.

The Commander-in-Chief emphasised that the awarding ceremony is much more than recognition; he said, ‘it represents sacrifice, leadership and perseverance.’

‘Each medal conferred today tells a story, a moment of sacrifice, an act of leadership, a mission fulfilled on the challenge, and a distinguished record of dedicated service,’ he said.

GDF ranks were awarded the Military Efficiency Medal, which is awarded to officers and ranks of the regular force who complete 10 years of continuous service without any disciplinary issues. The Border Defence Medal honoured those who protect Guyana’s frontiers, serving with patience, perseverance, and pride.

‘The mark of Guyana engraved on that medal is not just a symbol,’ he stressed, ‘It is a promise that our land will always be defended by those who love it most.’

Additionally, five new medals have been introduced under Ali’s authority to recognise the excellence of officers across diverse operations.

These include the Commander-in-Chief’s Special Series of Medals for Search and Rescue Operations, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response, Engineering and Border Operations, Special Operations, and Joint Services Operations.

These new medals affirm that service is not confined to combat,’ he said. ‘They honour those who save lives from floodwaters, who build bridges where isolation once stood, who deliver relief by air and river, and who work shoulder-to-shoulder with our partners in defence of national peace and safety.’

The head of state reminded the nation that the recipients symbolise the nation’s trust and resilience.

In addition to recognising soldiers, the president vowed the government’s unwavering commitment to modernising the GDF, not only in equipment but investments in technology, personal wellbeing, and training.