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Improved road, sidewalks, and more efficient infrastructure on the way for Village Road

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By KATHRYN CAMPBELL

Bahamas Information Services

 

#Nassau, The Bahamas, August 29, 2022 – A roundabout is being added in front of Queen’s College and the Bahamas National Trust to improve the safety of motorists and pedestrians who traverse Village Road, a major New Providence thoroughfare. The Ministry of Works and Utilities announced plans for the addition during a walkabout Friday, August 26, 2022.

“There are some additional works which are being scoped related to installing a roundabout in the front of Queen’s College and the Bahamas National Trust,” said Minister of Works and Utilities the Hon. Alfred Sears.

“We will be meeting with both of those stakeholders to discuss further what is intended in order to make this roadway more efficient and also improve the quality of life not only of the residents in this community but also the guests who come as students, teachers to Queen’s College and also guests and patrons to the National Trust and the other commercial establishments on Village Road.

The $6.4 million project which started in January of this year is expected to be completed in November. The project includes the installation of pipes and 8-inch water main for the entire length of Village Road, improvements to several junctions, lane widening, adding turning lanes, video camera traffic systems, underground work, repaving, new signage and striping.

Minister Sears led a team of engineers, representatives of Knowles Construction, the Bahamas National Trust and media on a tour of the project from Queen’s College to the entrance of St. Andrew’s Drive.   Bacchus Rolle, Parliamentary Secretary, and Luther Smith, Permanent Secretary were also present.

Resident engineer Albrion Symonette Jr. said the roundabout will require the installation of a circle and additional road pavement.

“The current situation has a lot of turning movements where there are conflicts and points at which cars can potentially crash and also creates a danger for pedestrians.

“Replacement of the roundabout will require us to do some demolition, some relocation of walls and relocation of vegetation. Once that is done that will improve the efficiency, flow of Village Road and also improve the safety of motorists and pedestrians most of whom are children because it’s a school zone after all.”

Mr. Symonette said among the challenges faced on the project is underground utilities.

“As you’re digging there are instances where you actually damage pipes. Damages along the way have caused some delays and setbacks,” he said.

Minister Sears highlighted the “extraordinary” collaboration with Knowles Construction, BPL, WSC, Cable Bahamas and the Ministry of Works and Utilities and celebrated the design and construction of the project by Bahamians.

“This project was designed by Bahamians. It is also being constructed by Bahamians so we have the Bahamian technical expertise and creativity who have carried the entre design process and now Bahamian expertise constructing and installing the infrastructure. This is a fact that we ought to celebrate that in The Bahamas a local talent in the Ministry and the private sector has undertaken this major project and it will be world class.”

“You would have seen as we did the walkabout this afternoon in some places excavation going to 8 ft., where cables are being laid not only for the present use but also for the further expansion going all the way to Paradise Island so that the infrastructure is being not only fit for present purpose but also for the expected expansion and rehabilitation along the way of the existing infrastructure.”

He extended thanks to stakeholders including businesses and residents for their “extraordinary” cooperation and the courtesy demonstrated by motorists as they are diverted from major roadways to side roads. “The report that I have gotten from Mr. Symonette is that the stakeholders have been extraordinarily cooperative. I want to thank all of the stakeholders, apologize for any convenience but by November we will have a dramatically improved road, sidewalks, and more efficient infrastructure along this very central road.”

 

PHOTO CAPTIONS: 

Header: Pictured first left: the Hon. Alfred Sears, Minister of Works and Utilities, leading a tour of the Village Road Improvement Project Friday, August 16, 2022. Also shown is Albrion Symonette Jr., resident engineer (centre) and Parliamentary Secretary Bacchus Rolle.

1st insert: Resident engineer Albrion Symonette Jr. (first left) along with the Hon. Alfred Sears, Minister of Works (centre) and Bacchus Rolle, Parliamentary Secretary, discuss the Village Road Improvement Project during a tour Friday, August 26, 2022.

2nd insert: A view of the Village Road Improvement Project at the entrance to Queen’s College and the Bahamas National Trust.

3rd insert: A scene from construction on the Village Road Improvement Project.

(BIS Photos/Patrick Hanna) 

 

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Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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Mottley Sworn in After Historic Clean Sweep in Barbados Election

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Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.

The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.

In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.

The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.

Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.

Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.

The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.

Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.

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Liberty Caribbean Committed to ‘Elevating Region’ at CANTO  

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Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago

Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM

 

Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.

CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.

Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.

“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.

“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity, such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”

Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.

“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.

Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.

Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.

Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.

“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.

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