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Trim defends Govt’s record

Antoinette Connell
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Trim defends Govt’s record

Government’s fiscal programme is aimed at improving the lives of Barbadians, says Senator Roshanna Trim.

In her contribution to debate on the Appropriation Bill 2026 in the Senate yesterday, the new senator said that the Budget delivered last week showed a clear understanding of the realities facing countries like Barbados as it prioritised, among other things, where and how to invest.

Trim cited the war in the Middle East, the climate crisis, the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and other global issues as matters which the Government had to consider and said it had achieved much, given the resources available.

She stood by the Government’s record in managing the country and said that the clearest endorsement of that Barbados Labour Party administration’s record came from the people of Barbados in the last General Election.

Trim went on to speak on the money allocation to the Ministry of Transport and Works as well as the Ministry of People’s Empowerment and Elder Affairs, with particular focus on the newly established Social Empowerment Agency, the One Family Programme, and the National Crime Prevention Programme.

“These are ministries that shape the everyday experience of Barbadians. These are the ministries that meet people where they are at in their communities, and in their homes,” she said.

Turning to the issue of traffic congestion, Trim said the $159 million allocated to the MTW was part of an integrated effort to address traffic woes.

“Because traffic is not caused by one issue. It is the result of multiple systems not working together as efficiently as they should. It is roads, it is drainage, it is transport availability, it is route coverage, it is infrastructure, and yes, it is also behaviour,” she said.

In reference to the observation by some citizens that the public consultations now taking place on possible solutions to traffic congestion came after Government announced that flyovers were coming, Trim said a decision could be made but other suggestions sought.

On the criticism that the Government was operating backwards on the traffic crisis, the senator said: “It’s okay to have your idea in your head and still speak to other people.

“It is perfectly fine to decide that we want to take this route, but we are open to other suggestions because we understand that all of the ideas, all of the solutions do not reside here.” ( AC)

West Indies take proactive stance on fast-bowling trio ahead of packed schedule

Nationnews Desk
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West Indies take proactive stance on fast-bowling trio ahead of packed schedule

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has unveiled a detailed management plan for fast bowlers Jayden Seales, Shamar Joseph, and Alzarri Joseph, prioritising the long-term health of its pace attack as the region braces for an unforgiving international calendar.

In a strategic move designed to balance competitive action with physical preservation, CWI confirmed that Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph will feature in the upcoming West Indies Championship, but under carefully managed conditions.

Seales will be available for selection for the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force starting April 9, with his involvement confirmed for the first two rounds.

Should Red Force advance to the next phase, his continued participation will be reassessed. Shamar Joseph, meanwhile, will be eligible for competitive selection from April 13.

The Guyana Harpy Eagles pacer will be permitted to engage in managed practice sessions before that date, with structured loading plans overseen by the CWI Bowling Coach to ensure a measured return.

Alzarri Joseph will miss the domestic Championship entirely after being granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to honour his commitment in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

The tournament forms part of a broader rehabilitation program following an extended injury layoff. CWI will closely monitor his workload and progress throughout the PSL and into preparatory camps ahead of the home international window, adopting a cautious approach to his reintegration.

The decisions reflect the enormity of what lies ahead. West Indies are slated for a gruelling home stretch featuring an all-format series against Sri Lanka, a five-match ODI series against New Zealand, and a two-Test series against Pakistan.

Following that, the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will precede demanding away tours to India and Bangladesh.

“Our fast bowlers are among our most valuable assets, and this season demands the best of them across every format and every competition,” said Miles Bascombe, CWI’s Director of Cricket. “The plans we have put in place are deliberate; we are being proactive and precise so that Jayden, Shamar, and Alzarri are fit, available, and at their sharpest when it counts most.”

CWI emphasised that while it supports players competing in high-level franchise leagues, such opportunities must complement the broader performance program. (CMC)

Surge in homelessness a concern, says Saffrey

Josue Ramirez Nelson
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Surge in homelessness a concern, says Saffrey

President of the Alliance to End Homelessness Kemar Saffrey has highlighted a worrying spike in homelessness across various demographics.

Saffrey said that with the small spike in the number of people using the Spry Street, Bridgetown shelter, there is a rising concern over people opting to stay on the streets because of drug dependency and mental health challenges.

Stressing the need for Government intervention and a multi-agency approach, the advocate called for policies that assist those who are on the outskirts of society and facing struggles with addiction, mental illness and other conditions that affect their decision-making.

“There needs to be some sort of intervention at a governmental level because those persons are on either Government property or private properties, and they are in large numbers.

“We need to look at laws that are passed to assist these persons, especially ones that are not conscious of their decision-making “There are growing [numbers of] homeless persons even to the point of chronic homelessness, which we would call vagrancy, where a number of young men are now at that chronic stage – and all to do with substances that they are using. And also linked to mental health,” he said.

Women and children make up the majority of the demographic that come to the shelter for assistance, Saffrey said.

“We are seeing a continuous rising number of women using the shelter, especially women with children. And this is not only just coming from the walk-in process or the referral process, but they’re coming from a number of agencies.

“What we are finding, though, is worrisome: the amount of women that are coming to the shelter due to discomfort at home, and some are saying that they have to give up sex for lodging and some are saying they’re not comfortable home, and that is putting a little strain on us in trying to accommodate those people,” he said.

That trend is also extending to men, with some relatives asking if the shelter can assist in taking them off their hands because of housing conditions or if they don’t feel safe.

“The shelter is also assisting as much men as it can, even though the men are not coming as they should because of their own drug addiction and substances that they can’t necessarily use in the shelter,” he added.

Saffrey noted that these restrictions sometimes lead to people refusing the shelter’s services.

“There are some gripes that the shelter has some stringent rules. But the stringent rules are to protect the women and children and the occupants of the shelter, so that there always is a safe environment within the shelter when anybody comes to the shelter,” he said. ( JRN)

Keeping vibes alive

Stefan Walker
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Keeping vibes alive

The students kept the vibes alive as the 2026 Dasani Barbados Secondary Schools Athletic Championship (BSSAC) descended on the Usain Bolt Sports Complex yesterday.

After the early day on Wednesday, the action returned for a much longer card for day two, with car parks full and drivers occupying every available spot.

The opening ceremony ushered in the teams, led by their respective principals during the parade with the traditional Olympic Games theme in the background, which added that bit of flavour to the occasion.

The athletes looked confident, regardless of how large or small the team was, and it was excellent to see the Alma Parris Academy and some of the private schools there, even though with smaller student bodies or athletic resources.

The school’s track uniforms have become more unique every year, eclipsing the designs of bygone eras.

Bernadine Lowe, the deputy principal of Parkinson Memorial School, blessed the games after all in attendance stood in reverence to the National Anthem.

Khalil Bryan, the 2025 victor ludorum, said the athletes’ oath, Kevin Carter shared the officials’ oath, and Shernell Clarke sang the BSSAC anthem. The St Leonard’s Secondary Boys’ School Steel Orchestra serenaded the crowd with lead vocalist Joshua Osbourne delivering a sweet rendition of Push and Go Through that would make Marvay proud. The orchestra followed with hits like Tek Charge from Lead Pipe and Brucelee Almightee’s Tomorrow.

The stands, though not full, had plenty of action, especially on the students’ side.

A small band made up of The St Michael’s School (SMS) student Ethan John, Yael Ufford from Harrison College and Malique Hackett also from SMS kept the athletes bouncing all day. The St Michael’s School was so energetic that it bled over to the adults who moved with them from time to time.

As the races went on, the athletes’ village was full of activity as competitors and physical education teachers hustled about and kept themselves mentally sharp. The parents watched and at times ran to get a better view of the children competing, like Arnold “Gozzy” Goslin, a gospel artist and host of the radio show Bold Face Saturdays, who was there to happily watch his daughter compete.

Food is the source of life, and one of the two main canteens was Foxy’s, an establishment owned by Ann Harewood, who has been a long-standing vendor at BSSAC.

“I’m always happy, and I’ve been coming to BSSAC from the time it was at the National Stadium. Well, I love cooking, and I love people, and that’s why I love travelling and coming out to these events. I’ve been here all last week, and things have been going very well, very good indeed.”

One of the event sponsors, Digicel, was in attendance, and their representative encouraged patrons to spin the wheel and win prizes ranging from umbrellas to car brackets. The Nation Sports also spoke with Digicel marketing representative Yannick Burrowes, who shared about her days as an athlete.

“So what we’re trying to do here, we’re trying to raise awareness, but at the same time enjoy the vibes that we call BSSAC, as it is something that we all love. I was once an athlete too, so I can remember what it was like to be a part of the excitement.” (SW)

Trump’s signature to appear on US dollars in first for sitting president

Nationnews Desk
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Trump’s signature to appear on US dollars in first for sitting president

Donald Trump is set to become the first sitting US president to have his signature on US banknotes, the treasury department has announced.

Trump’s signature will appear alongside Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, an unprecedented move that the department said would mark America’s 250th anniversary.

“There is no more powerful way to recognize the historic achievements of our great country and President Donald J Trump than US dollar bills bearing his name,” Bessent said. US banknotes have traditionally carried the signatures of treasury officials.

It is the latest move by the administration to associate Trump’s name with a range of government programmes and public buildings.

The first $100 (£75) bills with the signatures of Trump and Bessent will be printed in June, with others to follow.

Notes currently being printed bear the signatures of former President Joe Biden’s Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, and Treasurer Lynn Malerba.

It has been tradition since 1861 for the US treasurer’s signature to appear on bank notes, a tradition that would end under the Trump administration’s plans.

Ahead of the 250th anniversary, Bessent said printing currency bearing Trump’s name would be a “powerful way to recognize the historic achievements of our great country” and the president.

Current US Treasurer Brandon Beach vowed the country’s currency will “continue to stand as a symbol of prosperity, strength, and the unshakable spirit of the American people”.

This year sees the 250th anniversary of the formal declaration when the 13 original American colonies, later states, declared their independence from Britain.

The Democratic Party governor of California and long-time Trump critic Gavin Newsom responded to the announcement with an attack on the president’s economic record.

“Now Americans will know exactly who to blame as they’re paying more for groceries, gas, rent, and health care,” he posted on social media.

Earlier this month, a federal arts commission approved a commemorative 24-karat gold coin bearing the image of Trump, also to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.

During his first term in office, President Trump’s name appeared on paper support cheques sent to millions of Americans during the Covid-19 pandemic. (BBC)

St Paul’s remains open despite gastro outbreak

Josue Ramirez Nelson
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St Paul’s remains open despite gastro outbreak

St Paul’s Primary School will remain open despite a gastroenteritis outbreak that has already disrupted classes, sent a teacher to hospital, and forced parents to rush to collect their children yesterday.

The Brittons Cross Road, St Michael institution was thrown into uncertainty yesterday after a teacher collapsed on the compound and required medical attention, while at least one pupil also fell ill.

By midday, parents were contacted to pick up their children, and a steady stream of pupils was seen leaving the school.

Despite the scare, education officials say the school will continue face-to-face classes under strict health guidance.

Deputy Chief Education Officer Julia Beckles, speaking to the media following a meeting with staff, said the decision was based on ongoing consultations with the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

“We came, and once we were here, we had a discussion with our colleagues as to how they are feeling, and to hear their views on the situation. We understand that the protocols that the Ministry of Health did suggest are being put in place as far as the cleaning is concerned. And we did have one case of a student who was not feeling well today, just one,” she said.

Beckles said the Ministry of Education Transformation would continue to defer to health officials on the matter.

“There are protocols to be followed, and one such is that in any case where we are dealing with a matter of health, we have to take our advice and our instruction from the Ministry of Health. So we are the Ministry of Education Transformation.

“And in this matter, where there seems to be a health challenge, we are being advised by the Ministry of Health,” she explained.

The outbreak has already had a noticeable impact on attendance, with a high number of pupils absent on Tuesday and Wednesday as concerns spread among parents and staff.

The Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) is taking a more cautious stance. Second vicepresident Andre Holder said the union continued to monitor developments closely and was maintaining its call for the school plant to be closed to facilitate a thorough sanitisation.

He reiterated yesterday that the union’s position was unchanged until conditions were deemed safe for the full return of in-person classes.

Meanwhile, some parents remain uneasy about the decision to keep the school open.

One concerned father, who arrived to collect his children, questioned why classes were continuing despite the reported outbreak.

“I don’t know why they sending the children to the school if they had the outbreak since last week. We are still bringing home the children for them to get sick again and everybody have to go to the doctor. So just close down the school at least for a week until everything get rectified,” he said.

Health officials have advised that enhanced cleaning protocols are being implemented at the school as authorities attempt to contain the spread of the illness, while keeping the facility operational.

(JRN)

CARICOM advancing coordinated positions on climate change issues

Nationnews Desk
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CARICOM advancing coordinated positions on climate change issues

Caribbean Community (CARICOM Secretary General, Dr. Carla Barnet says the regional integration grouping is advancing coordinated regional actions on climate finance, ocean governance and biodiversity protection to strengthen its preparedness and engagement ahead of major global environmental engagements.

Addressing the 124th  Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) – Environment and Sustainable Development, Barnett said these global environmental engagements include the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Seventeenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17).

“We are also initialising the development of the CARICOM Climate Finance Action Plan (2026–2030), to ensure we are no longer sidelined in the discussions on global climate funds, operationalising the Technical and Scientific Cooperation Centre (TSC) under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.”

Barnett said that the meetings are critical in ensuring representation and voice in many significant global processes which will bolster the sustainable resilience of CARICOM member states.

”CARICOM is making significant strides in developing our regional public goods by advancing the CARICOM Ocean Policy, and we are now looking to bolster our contribution to the sustainable development of the “blue” economy.

“This draft CARICOM Ocean Policy harmonises our efforts in fisheries, green shipping, and marine conservation, ensuring that our most abundant resource is used sustainably for generations to come.”

Barnett said that the region’s progress on all these fronts is buttressed by unwavering partnerships, expressing her gratitude to the Guyana government of Guyana, the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UK FCDO), and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ)  for hosting the series of meetings that end on Friday.

“We are also meeting at a time of rapid and ongoing global change. As our region works to advance resilient and sustainable development, the global arena is experiencing increasing instability,”  Barnett said, noting there is a troubling weakening of multilateralism and international norms “principles which have so far provided guardrails for our CARICOM countries in advancing sustainable development.

“Despite these headwinds, the Caribbean Community remains proactive.  Our region has moved from the periphery to the very center of global environmental governance,” she said congratulating Jamaica’s Matthew Samuda and St. Kitts and Nevis’ Dr. Joyelle Clarke for their election as President  and Vice-President respectively of the Eighth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-8).

“It is unprecedented that two CARICOM member states serve in leadership positions of this body at the same time. These appointments are a signal of international confidence in Caribbean leadership.

“With two CARICOM member states at the helm, we are uniquely positioned to ensure that the triple planetary crisis – climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution – are addressed through the lens of the lived experience of Small Island and Low-lying Coastal Developing States (SIDS).”

Barnett said that as the region looks toward COP31, the complex climate landscape defined by prolonged vacillations about finance continues.

“This inertia puts CARICOM Member States at a severe disadvantage and compels us to take action in our best interest,” she said, adding that this COTED, will need to articulate a CARICOM Climate Finance Action Plan (2026–2030) that seeks to ensure that global promises of support are translated into transparent, accessible funding to support resilience.

“Simultaneously, we are at a critical juncture in the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations. With 8 billion tons of plastic waste already choking our ecosystems, the Caribbean is leading the call for a treaty that addresses the full lifecycle of plastics.

“Our regional unified voice will be essential to ensuring that global mandates match our national ambitions for plastic-free oceans,”  she said, adding that the region’s stewardship extends deeply into the protection of life on land and at sea.

“As we prepare for the UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP17) in Armenia later this year, we will have critical discussions on substantial challenges in securing support to update National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans, and towards preparing the Seventh National Reports to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

“It will be important to channel these and other challenges and priorities into a coordinated CARICOM message that our Ministers can communicate at the Conference of the Parties.” (CMC)

Industrial action still ongoing

Carlos Atwell
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Industrial action still ongoing

All shift work at Portvale has been put on hold and employees will only be required for regular day work hours as industrial action continues at Barbados’ lone sugar factory, just over a week into the 2026 harvest.

In a memo to all staff yesterday from operations manager Shanice Stevenson titled Temporary Suspension Of Crop And Shift Work, the Barbados Energy and Sugar Company Inc. (BESCO), which runs the Blowers, St James factory, stated that from today, “all shift work will be temporarily suspended, and regular day work hours will start. All workers are to report for work for the hours of 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday only, until further notice. Please note that during this time, workers’ rates will revert to their contracted out-of-crop rates”.

Called off

It called off the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. A-Shift scheduled for last night to allow staff to start work at 7 a.m. today.

Unity Workers’ Union and its members at the factory have taken protest action since last week Wednesday over the company’s refusal to recognise it as the bargaining unit, rather than the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU). The union also wants a revision of the shift system, which general secretary Caswell Franklyn said scheduled workers to be on the job every day.

When contacted yesterday, Franklyn said he could not comment on the letter as he was not officially made aware of it. He said the union had a meeting scheduled with the Chief Labour Officer and management of BESCO yesterday afternoon, but it did not materialise, and he was unsure whether it was going to be only postponed or cancelled altogether.

Last week, Franklyn said he had received official correspondence from BESCO, posted March 19, signed by general manager Marlon Munroe and copied to the Chief Labour Officer, stating that it was already in advanced negotiations with the BWU, and to engage in parallel talks would “be inconsistent with established industrial relations practice and would undermine the integrity of the collective bargaining process already underway”.

General secretary of the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados, Dennis de Peiza, told the Weekend Nation that while more than one union could be present at any one organisation, there could only be one bargaining unit.

“There can be more than one union representing people in the workplace, but usually one of them that has the majority of membership is the one that would be the bargaining unit.

Normal principle

“The employer has to establish who is the body which is recognised as the bargaining agent within the workplace. The normal principle is that the one which has, as we use the term, 50 plus one [per cent], is the bargaining unit. If it’s an existing bargaining unit that is being challenged, then the other party has to do what is required and to seek to establish that it has [the majority]. In other words, they have the onus to prove,” he explained.

De Peiza said the easiest way for a union to challenge another to be recognised as a bargaining unit was to involve the Labour Department, ask the Chief Labour Officer to conduct an audit and ascertain which union in fact had the majority of workers.

He maintained that the issue did not necessarily have to be contentious, as two or more unions could still collaborate and present a joint front if they so desired to reach a common goal. Barring this, he added, there were mechanisms in place to deal with such matters, from the level of the Chief Labour Officer to the Minister of Labour and beyond.

Franklyn said there was a plan in place at the level of the Labour Department to ascertain which union had the majority, but the decision was still at BESCO. As such, he said he would not let up the pressure until the right thing was done.

Meanwhile, owner of Ashbury Plantation in St George, Michael Gill, said he was at a loss as to what was going on but the industry was suffering.

“It doesn’t make any sense to anybody or the country. What is happening, they’re just at loggerheads, it seems. I wish I knew really what the whole truth is of what’s going on,” he said on television last night.

Gill also warned against anyone buying sugar cane on the streets as he said canes were just piling up and being infested with rats, so those buying cane from the roadside were putting their health at risk. (CA)

BHTA head worried crime could cripple island’s economy

Shawn Cumberbatch
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BHTA head worried crime could cripple island’s economy

Barbados Hotel And Tourism Association’s (BHTA) chief executive officer senator Ryan Forde is worried that the island’s crime problem could cripple communities and the economy.

“I am no lawyer nor am I in any of our security forces. I, however, have a similar fright of many of us Barbadians, as I am generally scared. Crime is not a political yo-yo, so an Opposition nor a Government should not try to use it as political cheap shots,” the Independent Senator said recently on Day 2
of debate on the Appropriation Bill, 2026, in the Senate.

“Yes, we may be a great island to invest into and a great island to vacation, but I have had the pleasure of living in this island during two different phases, one of comfort and one of nervousness based on
the changing challenging times.

“The accessibility to guns, to drugs and the shortcomings of our judicial system have been a major problem. The problem is one that our governments have been attempting to improve over the last decade and change. However, the speed of the criminal is way faster than the Government system,” he added.

Forde acknowledged that crime and public safety are “set to receive significant funding . . . with an aim at combining enforcement, justice and prevention systems”.

He stressed the importance of finding a way “to address our young people and at the same time address the more senior individuals who control them, or try to, and who also control, possibly,
the illegal entry [of firearms] into Barbados because somebody has to control it, it doesn’t just show up”.

He told Senate colleagues: “I’m scared for myself, but so are our communities and our businesses, and I can say that for tourism as well. Surviving the COVID-19 to then face crime, at least one of them
we could try to control.

“In another setting, on crime prevention, I will speak further as it has the potential to cripple our communities and our economy. However, I hope that the estimated budget for crime prevention is spent wisely,” Forde said.

“And as outlined in the three strategic priorities of balanced crime strategy, which includes enforcement, prevention and rehabilitation, institutional strengthening, investing in forensic science services and legal systems as well as the human resources side of our security forces, as many of them are understaffed there, some of them are not motivated.”

This was in addition to “the social intervention linkages, the integration with youth and community programmes”.

During his hour-long contribution, the BHTA chief defended the tourism sector from criticisms and highlighted its importance. He recommended several areas of improvement to increase the industry’s contribution to the country’s overall success.

“September and October are our two weakest months of the year, and that is where we should
be angling right now to direct a lot of business from a Government perspective, as well as from a leisure perspective and private sector perspective,” Forde suggested.

“Another area that I wish for the Ministry of Tourism to push very heavy on is our reporting metrics, . . . working with the Immigration [Department] and our ports of entry to understand who the individuals are coming into our country.”

He also spoke about focusing on “how tourism can invest into another data platform for major festivals and events” like the Crop Over Festival.

Traffic changes around Tom Adams Financial Centre

Nationnews Desk
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Traffic changes around Tom Adams Financial Centre

Traffic diversions will be in effect in the immediate environs of the Central Bank of Barbados on Sunday.

Planned maintenance to the underpass of the Tom Adams Financial Centre is scheduled to take place between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

As a result, traffic will be diverted onto Church Street Minor and Polgreen Alley.

Signage and traffic wardens will be in place to assist both pedestrians and motorists. (PR/SAT)

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