TCI News
Deputy Premier home broken into, other TCI Border Control officials face security threats
#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos – Wednesday July 18, 2018 – Border Control leaders of the Turks and Caicos were directly targeted in several acts of vandalism, violence and home invasion last fiscal year, yet there remains no extra security assigned to these high risk roles.
JULY 25, 2108 at COMMUNITY FELLOWSHIP CENTER CHURCH, Leeward Hwy
During the Budget contribution of the Deputy Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon Sean Astwood, it was explained that the men and women who led and continue to lead the crackdown on illegal immigration suffered varying levels of criminal attacks.
“Mr. Speaker, we have officers that were physically harmed, my PS’s car was vandalized and Mr. Speaker, my home broken into, but not once did we give up or did we let this country down. Mr. Speaker, some of those persons are here with us this morning and I will ask those from my Ministry in the gallery to stand and be recognized. Please allow me Mr. Speaker, to use this platform to publicly say thank you all, for believing in my vision and leadership and for the hard work you have put in, day and night. I say Thank You!”
It was more of a thank you message from the Border Control and Employment Minister, however, the dangerous revelation is now cause for pause.
Magnetic Media contacted the Deputy Premier today, he explained to us that he is also concerned by the lack of security and said while there has been no formal request for more personal security, the matter was raised, by him, at the National Security Council on two separate occasions.
“Of coarse I think security is necessary. Given the policies that my team and I are carrying forward as it relates to illegal immigration, it is necessary as the measures have created a high risk to our personal security,” said Minister Astwood via phone.
The last time the United Kingdom was faced with potential danger to law agents in the Turks and Caicos, there was immediate action and national spending approval. It was expressed to media, at the time, that there were very real threats to the attorneys and others who make up the Special Investigation and Prosecution Team, which is responsible for the ongoing corruption trial against the former Mike Misick administration.
The monies were added to public spending despite a firm rejection at the Cabinet level by the then Rufus Ewing led-PNP Administration. It caused a firestorm of controversy within the Territory, as locally elected officials were over ruled by the UK-appointed Chief Financial Officer. The multi-million dollar extra spending on SIPT security was never allowed to go to the House of Assembly for debate.
A Magnetic Media report on the controversial matter in August 2016 said this:
“Last year the UK forced the nation to pay a $2.2 million bill after the PNP Administration rejected the extra security costs, needed said SIPT due to death threats. The UK Chief Financial Officer pulled rank and bypassed locally elected Government to get approval to authorize the money through the FCO in London. The original request was for a staggering, $4.3 million under the TCI Police.”
In the most recent draft Budget booklet for the Turks and Caicos Islands, it is itemized on page 158, 159 that the SIPT is actually still being supported in boosted security by millions; $3.8 million in spending on security and operational is budgeted this upcoming financial year. For last financial year, the actual is placed at over $3.25 million.
The public purse, through the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police pays that enormous bill.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Deputy Premier and Minister of Border Control and Employment, Sean Astwood confirmed that only the Premier and Governor are designated security detail. Both he and the Deputy Governor – who is also often the face of enforcement in the TCI – are without personal security despite the nature of their jobs.
Magnetic Media has asked the Governor for comment.
Her Excellency the Governor is pleased to announce that following an expressions of interest process, and in accordance with Section 5 of the Financial Services Commission Ordinance 2007, Mr Dimaggio Rigby, Mr Geoff Scott and Mr Dennis Swann, have been appointed to serve as Commissioners on the Financial Services Commission Board of directors.
Mr Rigby brings specialist experience in cyber, media, and technology risks. He is currently employed in the City of London as a Cyber Insurance Market Consultant.
Mr Scott is a financial services professional with over 30 years’ successful track record in banking. He currently leads the Bermuda Bankers Association and was, until August 2022, the Chief Executive Officer of the Insurance Cooperation of Barbados Limited (ICBL).
Mr Swann is a Fellow of the Institute of Canadian Bankers. He has expertise in Human Resources and worked for the Bank of Nova Scotia for 12 years. He has previously worked within the TCI FSC.
Commenting on the appointments, the Governor said:
“Following consultation with the Hon. Premier (in his capacity as th
e Minister of Finance) and the Hon. Leader of the Opposition, I have appointed Mr Dennis Swann, Mr Dimaggio Rigby and Mr Geoff Scott respectively, to serve as Commissioners (non-executive directors) on the Board of the Turks and Caicos Islands Financial Services Commission (FSC). I am confident that the combined experience of these three new Commissioners will help ensure the FSC delivers our vision for a technologically advanced financial services sector that is competitive and supports growth, is well regulated while agile and internationally respected.
I would like to thank Mr Keno Forbes for his previous service as a Commissioner.”
The appointments are for a three-year period, beginning in April 2024. Further details on the work of the Financial Services Commission can be found at TCIFSC.
Wednesday, April 17th 2024 – On Monday the 15th April at 11 am, the Turks and Caicos AIDS Awareness Foundation (TCAAF) unveiled their new brand to their supporters, members, the media, government departments and partnering NGO’s. The TCAAF, which is now the Turks and Caicos Health and Wellness Foundation (TCHWF) welcomed everyone to their new office which is oblique to the Edward Gartland Youth Centre, Downtown, Providenciales.
The TCHWF was founded in 2003 and is a registered non-profit organization in the TCI and a registered 501 (c) non-profit in the United States as well. TCHWF will focus on addressing broader health and social issues driven by the intersectionality of health and social factors, and disparities in services in the TCI.
At the ceremony, Dr. Dawn O’Sullivan, who provides medical care to persons living with HIV (PLHIV) through the Foundation and will continue to be the doctor on staff for TCHWF, gave the audience an insight on how the Foundation began. Dr. O’ Sullivan praised the board members, staff and volunteers for the success of the Foundation, which includes building the Edward Gartland Youth Centre. She explained that the rebranding was necessary since HIV is a chronic disease where you can take medication and live a long and healthy life, but support is needed for all persons living with chronic diseases and for the population that feels excluded or stigmatized.
TCHWF will provide holistic care to these populations. The new TCHWF office is comprised of a doctor’s office where patients can have consultations and be treated, and other comfortable spaces where persons can relax and unwind.
Nurse Nora Tyndall briefed the attendees on the services that the Foundation currently offers, such as the donation of a CD4 machine to the government so that patients can know their CD4 count before seeing the doctor. Other services being offered are free medical consultations, improved access to treatment and care, convenient access to medications, food cards, grocery distribution and the provision of formulas to infected mothers who give birth and cannot breastfeed. Nurse Tyndall highlighted that there is an increase in the number of pregnant women living with HIV in the TCI.
The new mandate of TCHWF is “Linking Lives, Transforming Communities”, the Foundation’s mission is to expand its services to connect HIV and non-HIV persons to entities and experts that can address varying needs.
The Executive Director of TCHWF, Anansa Jervis, highlighted the Foundation’s “aim to promote access to quality health services, information and education in the Turks and Caicos Islands.” Mrs. Jervis further explained that this would mean the need to “integrate HIV services and non-HIV services by increasing access to holistic and comprehensive health services needed for PLHIV and persons not living with HIV.” In this regard, the TCHWF intends to provide linkage to:
▪ The cultivation of youth empowerment and the development of life skills
▪ Health, hygiene, education and wellness strategies tailored to the needs of young women
▪ Care and support services for survivors of domestic violence
▪ Mental health, psychosocial services and recovery support services for persons with substance use disorders.
▪ Equitable access to HIV care and support services, addressing disparities.
To achieve these linkages, the Foundation has held discussions with various NGO’s and government organizations to provide the necessary services and support to persons with varying needs.
One of the Board Members of the Foundation, Giovanni Delancy, gave the closing address by expressing thanks to God, the members, staff, media and volunteers for attending the unveiling ceremony. He closed with “we will continue to bring awareness and education to those not only with HIV/AIDS but other STD’s and other diseases. Let us continue to make a difference wherever we go.”
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