(Kingston, Jamaica; 2026 April 17): Director-General of the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR), Ansord Hewitt, says prioritising inter‑regional cooperation is essential to building resilient digital infrastructure across the Caribbean.
Mr. Hewitt made the remarks while delivering the welcome address on the opening day of the 31st Caribbean Network Operators Group Forum (CARIBNOG31) on 2026 April 14.
“We cannot leave anyone behind. A strong digital core must serve all users, urban and rural communities, large institutions and small innovators, private and public services, as well as both vulnerable and non‑vulnerable populations. This requires us to continually examine national vulnerabilities, close capacity gaps, extend the reach of services, and design networks with resilience built in, not added as an afterthought,” Mr. Hewitt said.
He noted that the value of regional interconnectivity and cooperation was clearly demonstrated in recent natural disasters, including Hurricanes Melissa and Beryl.
“Close cooperation among regulators, operators, government agencies and the technical community was central to restoring services quickly and safely in the aftermath of these hurricanes. However, resilience cannot be episodic. It cannot rely solely on crisis response,” he added.
Mr. Hewitt stressed that digital resilience must be continuous, deliberate, and institutional, supported by sustained cross-border collaboration.
Meanwhile, the Hon. Daryl Vaz, Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, underscored the importance of digital resilience as a cornerstone of national development and economic stability.
“Though we may be geographically separated, we are deeply interconnected and not insulated from global disruptions. Here in Jamaica and across the wider Caribbean, our experiences with hurricanes and other natural hazards have exposed the vulnerability of our infrastructure. When networks fail, the consequences go far beyond inconvenience—they affect…
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Contact: OUR’s Public Affairs Unit; publicaffairs@our.org.jm – 876-968-6053
