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New Housing Units Open At Cliffden, St. Philip

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Barbados, December 24, 2024 – As Government continues to fulfill its mandate of delivering innovative and climate resilient houses, the dream of home ownership for Barbadians is becoming more attainable, affordable, and accessible.

Minister of Housing, Lands and Maintenance, Dwight Sutherland, expressed this view yesterday, before handing over keys to new homeowners at Cliffden Development, St. Philip.

“We started a journey of diversifying our housing portfolio over the last two years. Yesterday, I spoke extensively at Whitepark Road, where we opened 16 Light Gauge Steel units, a project between the Government of Barbados and East West Barbados, a Chinese company formed here in this country, to provide…150 housing units.

“I am delighted this morning to hand over 11 Dura Villa hardwood houses to 11 families here at Cliffden in St. Philip. This project was a joint venture between Dura Villa out of Guyana, who manufactured these houses, and they were shipped disassembled, and we assembled them. Local contractors assembled these houses under the guidance of the Guyanese contractor, and we … provided employment for at least 20 local contractors and builders,” he stated.

Mr. Sutherland revealed that another 27 units are also being constructed in River Crescent, St. Philip, and said that the units in those two projects (Cliffden & River Crescent) should be completed by the end of January.

Of the Cliffden Development, he expressed delight in having imported 60 hardwood Dura Villa houses, and stated that his Ministry, along with the National Housing Corporation, had not just built the houses but had also provided the opportunity for persons who already had land to purchase these houses.

“…In an effort to push home ownership… affordable and resilient housing to the average Barbadian, we’re not only building the houses within the joint partnership between Dura Villa and National Housing, but also those persons who can afford a house and they have their own land.

“Ownership is the essence of the Barbadian dream; something that every Barbadian carries in his or her heart to own a home, and it is even more special when you move into your home at Christmas and during the festive season. And I know that is some extra pleasure, extra joy to these 11 families at Cliffden,” he remarked.

Minister Sutherland revealed that upon completion of the houses at River Crescent, 89 houses are expected to come to the island from Dura Villa, under a ‘turnkey project’, located at Dodds North, Concordia Gardens, just “a stone’s throw away” from Cliffden.

“So that is 11 plus 89, that’s 100 and 30, 130 houses before the end of the financial year. We should have, not all installed, but we should have purchased 130 houses. Our aim is to have 350 Dura Villa houses in this country before the end of the financial year, before the end of 2025, that is our aim,” he stated.

When asked about concerns regarding the close proximity of Concordia Gardens to Dodds Prison, Minister Sutherland stressed that the prison was built in a community surrounded by houses.

“The prison would’ve been built and [we would have] taken care of all of the safety measures in terms of land space, where their barriers are [and the] fencing is. And … as you drive going to the north of the prison, when you enter Church Village, what do you have next to the prison? You have houses. If you go to the Bushy Park racing section, what do you have next to the prison? Houses… if you go to Padmore Village, and I know the district very well… you have houses,” he explained.

The Housing Minister emphasised that safety measures were taken into consideration before the land was acquired for housing and had been studied and discussed in collaboration with his Ministry, the head of the prison, the permanent secretaries of the Ministries of Housing and Home Affairs, and Minister of Home Affairs.

He stressed that although Concordia is located across the road from the prison, a 20-foot buffer had been created and plants and hedges will serve the dual purpose of beautifying the area while acting as a safety precaution.

One of the homeowners, Sonia Gill, was ecstatic about having her own home on a ‘piece of the rock’. “It means a lot…. It is a blessing…. I said, but God, but God…. I can’t express the feeling and the joy of owning a piece of this rock,” she shared.

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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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