News

Justice sector benefits from Canadian support

Published

10 years ago

December 30, 2016

Kingston, Jamaica, December 28, 2016 – The country’s justice sector has benefited from significant Canadian funding support totaling over J$4.25 billion (Can$44.2 million) over the past 16 years. Provided under the Global Affairs Canada initiative, the money has mainly financed the sector’s reform programme, spearheaded by the Justice Ministry.

The wide-ranging projects have been facilitated under the Justice Undertaking for Social Transformation (JUST) programme. The Global Affairs initiative manages Canada’s diplomatic and consular relations, promotes the country’s international trade and leads that country’s international development and humanitarian assistance endeavors. The JUST programme seeks to reform Jamaica’s justice system by making it more available, accessible, accountable, flexible, fair and affordable in a timely, courteous, respectful and competent manner for all citizens.

Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica, His Excellency Sylvain Fabí, says key areas of funding support include a J$1.9-billion (Can$19.8-million) provision for business process reform and technical assistance, J$1.85 billion (Can$19.2 million) to acquire modern equipment, and J$502.7 million (Can$5.2 million) for capacity building. Notable among the most recent provisions has been the recruitment of a statistician to collate the number of documented criminal cases within the court system, which will be captured under a statistics and data management system.

Portfolio Minister, Hon. Delroy Chuck, has indicated that this undertaking is expected to provide an accurate count, as the Ministry moves to address the high backlog of cases, estimated to be as many as 100,000.

Another recent input was the provision of state-of-the-art equipment to the Attorney General’s (AG) Department and Supreme Court. A total of 25 new desktop and laptop computers, along with backup storage devices and a projector, were presented to the AG’s Department. These will facilitate connectivity between the Department and the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as the courts. Additionally, funds have been earmarked for staff training in the use of these equipment.

Fifteen desktop computers, along with a high-density server, data backup and storage, and firewall protection devices, were presented to the Supreme Court. These are expected to significantly enhance administration of the new jury management system. The 15 computers are part of an overall 85 being provided, with the remaining 70 to be dispatched to parish courts across the island.

Speaking at the presentation ceremonies earlier this year, Mr. Fabí lauded the Government for embarking on the justice-reform programme to modernize the sector.

While noting that the endeavor could be “very exhaustive and daunting”, he deemed it important, pointing out that “Jamaica is definitely on the right path”. Mr. Fabí said work is under way to develop proposals for reforming the organizational structure of the Supreme Court and Parish Courts.

Additionally, he noted that work would shortly commence to develop new criminal procedural rules. “These rules are aimed at streamlining the trial process to make (the) management of criminal cases more efficient and predictable,” the High Commissioner said.

Other notable provisions have included grant support of J$1.93 billion (Can$20 million) to assist with crime reduction under the National Security Ministry’s Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP), and a similar allocation to the University of the West Indies (UWI) to facilitate the training of legislative drafters in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean

The High Commissioner said Canada welcomes the opportunity to assist, and that the Government “remains committed to supporting Jamaica in its reform goals and in ensuring that the country has a more efficient and responsive justice system”. Regionally, Canada also provided a $1.93-billion grant to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to facilitate improved administration.

Mr. Fabí said Canada also provided J$483.4 million (Can$5 million), through the Finance and the Public Service Ministry, to avail the Government of technical expertise in order to assist the Administration in fulfilling targets under the just-concluded International Monetary Fund (IMF) Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

Welcoming the equipment, Mr. Chuck said their acquisition is consistent with the Ministry’s “aggressive push” to modernize Jamaica’s court system in order to improve its overall efficiency. “Modernization of the court system cannot take place without 21^st-century cutting-edge technology, and these computers will go a very far way in helping our drive to provide a First-World standard of justice for all Jamaican citizens,” he added.

Equally, Mr. Chuck said the state-of-the-art equipment will enhance the operational efficiency and service delivery of the AG’s Department, which, he emphasized, is pivotal in the administration of governance and justice.

For her part, Attorney General, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte, also welcomed the provisions, noting that Jamaica’s long-standing relations with Canada have resulted in positive strides being recorded locally, particularly in the justice sector. Chief Justice, Hon. Zaila McCalla, emphasized that the timely delivery of justice is pivotal to the judicial system. “The donation of these modern pieces of equipment will go a far way in assisting the staff of the courts to operate more efficiently and effectively in undertaking our daily functions,” she added.

photo credit: Jamaica Gleaner

News

Multi-Agency Enforcement Exercise Targets Illegal Occupation of Crown Land in Five Cays

Published

2 days ago

October 25, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Crown Land Unit, with coordination and support from the Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), conducted a multi-agency enforcement exercise in the Five Cays area on Thursday, September 17, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to address the illegal occupation and unauthorised use of Crown land.

The exercise brought together representatives from the Crown Land Unit, ISU and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force. Security for the exercise was provided by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. Inspections were conducted across several parcels of Crown land throughout Five Cays, where instances of illegal occupation and unauthorised use had been identified.

During the exercise, a total of forty (40) Section 22 Notices of Unauthorised Occupation were served in accordance with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance. The notices related to various forms of unauthorised occupation and use of Crown land, including incomplete structures, shipping containers, derelict vehicles, trailer chassis, building materials and other items.

Where persons were not present, notices were affixed to the relevant structures or items. The exercise forms part of the Crown Land Unit’s continuing efforts to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land and to ensure that identified instances of unauthorised occupation are appropriately addressed.

The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands reminds the public that Crown land must not be occupied, developed or otherwise used without lawful authority.

The Crown Land Unit, supported by the ISU and its other partner agencies, will continue to identify and address instances of illegal occupation of Crown land across the Turks and Caicos Islands. Persons affected by notices issued during enforcement exercises are encouraged to comply with the requirements outlined and to seek guidance from the relevant authorities where necessary.

Bahamas News

Bahamas Issues Cybersecurity Alert Over Akira Ransomware Threat

Published

5 days ago

October 22, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Nassau, The Bahamas, October 22, 2026 — The National Computer Incident Response Team of The Bahamas (CIRT-BS) has issued a cybersecurity advisory warning businesses, government institutions and other organisations about the growing threat posed by Akira ransomware, a cybercriminal operation capable of stealing sensitive information, disrupting networks and demanding ransom payments.

Active since March 2023, Akira operates through a Ransomware-as-a-Service model, with affiliates exploiting weaknesses in computer networks to gain unauthorised access.

Once inside, attackers can steal confidential data, disable recovery systems and encrypt files, preventing organisations from accessing critical information.

Particularly concerning is Akira’s use of double extortion, threatening to publish stolen information unless victims pay. Some attacks involve data theft without encryption.

The October 22 advisory identifies vulnerabilities involving Cisco and SonicWall firewalls, VPN services, Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol, Veeam backup systems and outdated Windows and Linux operating systems. VMware ESXi and Nutanix AHV environments are also potential targets.

Attackers may exploit unpatched software, stolen login credentials and inadequately secured remote-access applications, including AnyDesk and RustDesk.

Warning signs include unexpected administrator accounts, unusual remote logins, unauthorised software installations, suspicious backup activity, mass file changes and ransom notes.

CIRT-BS recommends immediate security updates, multifactor authentication, restricted remote access, stronger network monitoring and secure backups maintained separately from operational systems.

Organisations should also remove unnecessary internet exposure of remote desktop services, limit administrative privileges and regularly test backup restoration.

The advisory does not identify any confirmed Akira attack against a Bahamian organisation but highlights vulnerabilities that could expose institutions to serious financial and operational disruption.

Cybersecurity incidents can be reported to CIRT-BS at soc@cirt.bs or through its official website.

News

BermudAir Launches Service to the Turks and Caicos Islands on October 26th, Expanding Air Connectivity Ahead of Winter Season

Published

5 days ago

October 22, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (October 22nd, 2026) – The Turks and Caicos Islands welcomes BermudAir as the airline begins its service to the destination on Monday, October 26th, marking the start of a wider expansion that will connect us with additional cities across the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.

BermudAir’s service will begin with a new nonstop service between Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Providenciales. The flight will depart from the Howard Hamilton International Airport at 8 am on Monday morning and arrives at 7.40 pm. Aboard the inaugural flight will be a delegation from the Turks and Caicos Islands led by Experience Turks and Caicos and the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA), and will include Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Anya Williams, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Zhavargo Jolly, as well s representatives of the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA), the board of the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourism Authority, Invest TC and local media.

BermudAir will operate the Fort Lauderdale–Providenciales route three times weekly, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, through May 3rd, 2027. making it easier for business travellers with the schedule offering the potential for same-day return trips. The airline is also launching nonstop service between Fort Lauderdale and Belize City, Belize, on the same schedule, offering travellers in South Florida direct access to both destinations.

The new service introduces BermudAir’s premium leisure inflight experience to the Turks and Caicos Islands. Flights will operate on Embraer E190 aircraft configured without middle seats, giving every passenger a window or aisle seat, alongside complimentary snacks and beverages.

Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Zhavargo Jolly, welcomed the airline’s arrival, noting the importance of expanding airlift to support the continued development of the destination’s tourism industry.

“Air connectivity remains one of the most important factors in the continued development of our tourism industry. BermudAir’s expansion represents an opportunity to strengthen our connections with key international markets while opening new doors for our sister islands. I am particularly encouraged by the planned direct service between Newark and South Caicos, which speaks directly to our vision of expanding tourism opportunities across the Turks and Caicos Islands. Our objective is to ensure that improved connectivity translates into greater economic activity, stronger local businesses and more opportunities for Turks and Caicos Islanders to participate in and benefit from tourism.” said Minister Jolly.

Commenting on the significance of the new route for the country’s development, the Honourable Arlington Musgrove, Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development (PPID), stated: “The introduction of BermudAir’s new service is a testament to the continued growth and development of our aviation sector. The Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, alongside the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority, remains dedicated to enhancing our airport infrastructure to accommodate increased airlift. We are committed to working to ensure that our facilities provide a seamless, world-class experience for all incoming passengers and we warmly welcome BermudAir to our shores.”

The Fort Lauderdale launch is the first of several new services BermudAir plans to introduce to the Turks and Caicos Islands for the 2026–2027 winter season. Additional connections to Providenciales are scheduled from:

Bermuda to TCI and Grand Cayman: Beginning December 18th, 2026
Anguilla: Beginning December 19th, 2026
Boston, Massachusetts: Beginning December 19th, 2026
Toronto, Canada: Beginning December 19th, 2026
Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina: Beginning December 20th, 2026
Newark, New Jersey to South Caicos: Beginning December 20th, 2026
St. Petersburg/Tampa, Florida: Beginning December 21st, 2026
Baltimore-Washington: Beginning December 24th, 2026

The expansion will give travellers more options for reaching the destination during the winter travel season, while broadening access from established and developing source markets. The additional routes also create opportunities for tourism stakeholders to reach new audiences and encourage visitors to explore more of the islands.

For flight schedules and bookings, visit www.flybermudair.com.