News
Turks & Caicos Represented At UKOTs Environmental Ministers Meeting In Isle of Man
#IsleofMan, February 15, 2018 – Hon. Ralph Higgs, Minister of Tourism, Environment, Heritage, Maritime & Gaming, returned to the territory this weekend, after attending UKOTs and Crown Dependencies meeting of Environment Ministers, held in the Isle of Man to discuss the future of the environment in their jurisdictions. This meeting marked the third such annual meeting of the group, which provides a forum for Ministers to dialogue on issues of commonality among them, whilst seeking solutions, best practices and forging stronger partnerships.
This was the third Council of Environment Ministers of UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies and took place in Douglas, Isle of Man, the meeting was hosted jointly by Geoffrey Boot MHK, the Isle of Man’s Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, and Professor John Cortés, Gibraltar’s Minister for Education, Heritage, Environment, Energy and Climate Change and coordinated by the UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum (UKOTCF), a non-governmental organization.
The Minister was accompanied by Michelle Fulford Gardiner, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, where they join 13 other UKOTs and CDs, to discuss and focus on the topics of sustainability in the terrestrial and marine environment, climate change, the impact of natural disasters on communities, environmental resilience and the Isle of Man’s designation as the first entire nation UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Discussions were also facilitated on common opportunities and challenges specific to the group such as:
- Project Funding;
- Developmental pressures Vs. Environmental protection;
- International Conventions representation at COP
- Trade with the EU (post Brexit) withdrawal of the UK from the European Union
- Energy Efficiency
- Enforcement of illegal poaching
- Impact of plastics
Minister Boot of the Isle of Man, said; “Although very different in character, our islands all boast beautiful environments that are important to our economies and our way of life and we wish to retain and maximize the benefit.”
“The meeting was an excellent opportunity to share good practice and discuss common concerns and we learned a lot that we can put into effect in our islands. It was especially useful to discuss with the UK’s Environment Minister, Dr Thérèse Coffey, how our jurisdictions can work together, and more closely with the UK, to ensure a coherent approach on matters such a plastic waste, ocean acidification and warming. Minister Coffey invited the group to join the UK’s discussions on these matters.”
Professor Cortes of Gibraltar added; “The way our diverse territories work together in mutual support and for the protection and improvement of the environment and quality of life is our main strength and an example to others.”
“We are looking at a sustainable future within our territories but have also recognized our responsibility beyond our shores. Most of us are islands and so we are also championing the future of our oceans by joining the stand against plastic pollution and working towards improvement of the biological status of the many kilometers of sea that are the responsibility of the United Kingdom.”
Hon. David Osborne, Montserrat’s Minister for Agriculture, Trade, Lands, Housing and Environment, said; “By working as a group, we are much stronger in being able to achieve certain goals. Many of us are facing similar problems and, because of Brexit, much uncertainty remains. However, if we come together we can put forward ideas for ways to overcome these challenges, much can be achieved.”
Dr Mike Pienkowski, Chairman of UKOTCF, commented; “We have for over 30 years brought together groups of practitioners, decision makers and civil society across the Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies to share experiences and encouraged collective endeavour. This is now more relevant than ever, given the unique set of challenges faced by them especially in the face of climate change and some of the consequences of the UK’s departure from the European Union. The meeting heard about the work of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture to meet its international commitments and to support its fishing communities, which is huge interest to other jurisdictions.”
Ministers and representatives of the Falkland Islands, Pitcairn and St Helena, joined the meeting via Skype or other remote means.
UK Minister of Environment extended an invitation to the group to join her and her team to the Commonwealth Summit in April, as well as the celebration of the International Year of the Reef activities this year, where discussions can continue on these topics.
Hon. Higgs and Deputy Permanent Secretary, took advantage of the opportunity to also arrange meetings with Maritime & Ship Registry sector officials, and a site visit to the state of the art energy form waste plant.
Hon. Ralph Higgs quantified the meeting as a worthy assembly of like-minded decision makers with a diversity in social, economic, and political structures, but similar challenges. The Turks & Caicos Islands in the wake of two catastrophic storms realized some destruction of our natural environment, but saw firsthand how the resilience of healthy ecosystems such as the coral reef provides a service that went a long way in protecting our fragile islands. He reaffirm his government’s commitment to providing sustainable financing for conservation and climate change initiatives, as our environment lies at the foundation of our tourism industry.
Press Release: TCIG
Photo credit: David Kneale
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, April 19, 2024 – Slow but steady is how the ISU is carrying out its mandate to reclaim the 544 acres of illegally occupied land in the Turks and Caicos, revealing that 2.4 percent is now cleared and back under the control of its rightful owners; that 2.4% represents 13.15 acres of the initial 544.46.
In an April 11 newsletter discussing its 2023 year in review, the ISU revealed that at the completion of its mandate, almost half the land would go back to the hands of non-Crown landowners as the Unit is undertaking removals on private land, having been beseeched by the landowners who were dealing with squatters
It is expected that of the 544 acres of land, 11 percent will go back to the government 42 percent will go back to private landowners 45 percent was listed as ‘mixed’ and 2 percent had no clear owner.
Magnetic Media has asked if private owners are covering their own costs when it comes to clearing squatters from their properties. 
It would come as no surprise to residents that the vast majority of informal settlements (37) were discovered in Providenciales, another nine were found in Grand Turk and a single settlement in North Caicos.
The Turks and Caicos has the unsavory distinction of being the only UK territory where shanty towns or informal settlements are so firmly established.
It’s not just irregular migrants desperate for a place to call home who are perpetuating the land crisis. Legitimate residents have been found in breach as well according to sources speaking to the news team.
According to the newly minted ISU, here is what will happen if you build on a lot without direction from the Planning Department.
You will be served an eviction notice if your structure is found to be illegally occupying Crown Land. The ISU says then, you will have one month to secure other accommodation and leave.
If the structure is unoccupied after 28 days, reclamation procedures will commence.
If the structure is occupied, individuals will be evicted before reclamation, the ISU says.
The ISU anticipates that there will be claims against eviction orders and is advising people who wish to contest the notice, visit a Crown Land Unit office.
Those contests came in a flood following eviction notices in November 2023 and the Crown Land Unit is still trying to straighten them out with a promise that residents will be treated fairly.
Garfield Ekon
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, April 18, 2024 – Tourism and real estate sales continue to boom in the Turks and Caicos Island (TCI), over other Caribbean territories, with sales numbers and pre-construction sales numbers reflecting an incredible environment.
There are hosts of opportunities for new development offerings, some currently under construction and some that are about to announce their plans. A number of the larger parcels of beachfront land in Providenciales will be reshaped into high-end, branded hotels, and residences to keep pace with the seemingly endless demand for investment and vacation properties.
In a report by the Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty, it states that “our superb tourism offerings continue to attract A-listers from around the globe as seen throughout the social media channels as well as buyers looking for a place to call home amongst the abundant turquoise blue ocean views throughout, the temperate climate, and tranquil laid-back Caribbean atmosphere,” the report said.
It added that the first quarter of this year witnessed another major groundbreaking celebration in Providenciales, by the same developers of The Ritz-Carlton Residences with The St Regis on Grace Bay, as well as the formal public sales launch by Grace Bay Resorts with The Point.
The two new luxury developments have already recorded over 70% (St Regis Tower I of three towers) and 65% (The Point) units sold/reserved. The Loren on Turtle Cove, which broke ground in June 2023, is showing a unit sales production of 52%, and Andaz Turks & Caicos after officially breaking ground last year, is reporting unit sales production at 65%. ARC at South Bank is 50% sold with construction to start in May of this year.
“This new condominium inventory is satiating the overdue demand with buyers who are willing to wait for up to three years for the completion of the resort properties. We are also gaining momentum on some of the boutique new developments, such as Villas at Blue Mountain, with multiple pre-sales which will soon start construction, and The Summit at Blue Mountain, which has strong momentum and is well under construction,” the report further added.
While the pre-construction sales in the Condominium Sector are high and not officially recorded within our TCREA MLS statistics, in this 1st Quarter, the re-sale condominium sales volume was $18M, 25%-65% lower in comparison to the past three years with the average price remaining high at $1.1M which resulted in a $/SF of $1,100 at the luxury end (+$1.5M).
Caribbean News
Paid internship opportunity in Energy Data Collection, Application DEADLINE is April 19
April 19, 2024 – The Caribbean Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE) in cooperation with the Energy and Utilities Department (EUD), Ministry of Public Safety and Utilities (MPSU), is looking for a motivated intern to work in close collaboration with regional and national institutions to survey and collect energy-related data that will be used to create the Energy Report Cards (ERCs) for the Turks and Caicos Islands. A stipend for the intern will be provided by CCREEE.
The intern will be based at the EUD/MPSU. The internship program will provide students and/or young professionals with a unique opportunity to work with the energy sector institutions and stakeholders in TCI, gain practical experience in the energy sector, and contribute to the knowledge management functions of the Regional Energy Information System within the CARICOM Energy Knowledge Hub (CEKH).
SCOPE OF WORK
The CCREEE in collaboration with the EUD/MPSU will collect specified data and information that will be used to develop the TCI Energy Report Cards which will be made accessible through the CARICOM Energy Knowledge Hub (CEKH). The hub may be accessed by registering at https://cekh.ccreee.org. The Energy Report Cards will also offer important support to the CCREEE work program, including support for energy planning and the development of sustainable energy projects.
DESIRED PROFILE
- Bachelor’s degree or on course for completion of one by December 2024.
- Interest in the energy sector and willingness to learn about the socio-economic, technical and environmental aspects of the energy landscape; studies in sustainable energy, environmental sciences or related fields are an asset but not a National or resident of one of the relevant countries.
- Proficiency in English.
INTERNSHIP TIMEFRAME
The internship will run for a period of eight (8) weeks from May 27 to July 19, 2024.
APPLICATION
The intern applicant should send their application (motivation letter and CV) on or before April 19, 2024 to recruitment@ccreee.org and copy eud@gov.tc.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
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