News

PRESS STATEMENT; Delivered By The Hon Premier, Sharlene Cartwright Robinson

Published

7 years ago

January 26, 2017

Providenciales, TCI, January 25, 2017 – The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands is saddened over this recent event involving the death of persons found in the waters of the Turk and Caicos Islands in what can only be described as a tragedy. We offer our condolences to the people of Haiti and the Haitian community here in these Islands.

We must however use this experience to call on the Haitian community to consider seriously the risk of loss of life. This experience must remind this community of the dangerous journey between our countries. It also brings again to national dialogue the matter of human trafficking. The truth is someone profits from this dangerous voyage with reports of persons paying large sums of monies for an opportunity for the life that is sold to them. This cannot be tolerated and we as a new Government will take bold steps to address what has become a serious concern for us as a people.

We reiterate the statement made by this country when we passed the anti – human trafficking laws: we will not and cannot tolerate this practice and will do what we must to ensure those engaged in this criminal activity are dealt with to the fullest extent of the law.

We must also use this opportunity to speak to those living in the Turks and Caicos Islands who encourage persons to take this illegal and dangerous journey. This experience again must encourage you to reconsider your role. We have in recent years detained those who have entered illegally who have come to shore with local numbers for relatives and friends. I wish to remind you that encouragement or harboring of these illegal landings and illegal immigrants is against the laws of the land.

Finally we wish for persons to take our message forward for those that are considering this journey and those that are determined to disregard the laws of the land, our new Government will take bold steps and will strengthen efforts and resources for a border protection system that will not take this issue lightly. We cannot relent into a state of hopelessness.

Whilst we are saddened at this great loss of human life, measures must be put in place to protect persons from themselves, potential victims from human traffickers and our borders from breaches by illegal entrants. We join the Police in their call for assistance. No one stands to gain in the continuance of this practice and firm policy positions will be taken and strict enforcement of the laws of these lands will follow. We must again appeal to the relatives and friends living in these Islands and in Haiti to discourage your family and friends to place value on the lives of your loved ones.

All lives are precious and over the next few days we are asking for assistance to help to identify those who have lost their lives in this recent tragedy.
Within the last month, our Government has recorded three illegal sloops making landfall and this issue continues to plague these Islands as already limited resources is having to be directed towards detention and repatriation costs. We will also seek to strengthen our regional and international relationships in a multi country and multi prong approach to addressing this long standing issue.

We will work with the Haitian Consulate and the Governor’s Office to continue the dialogue on this issue with the newly elected Haitian Government as a matter of urgency. We will nonetheless do what we must as a country to protect our borders.

On a final note, the Minister of Border Control and I visited the scene yesterday together with the Commissioner of Police and were welcomed by exhausted but committed men and women of a joint operation. Other ministerial colleagues with responsibility for disaster, health and infrastructure has also showed their support to this hardworking team. We are grateful to the members of the Joint Response Team for the dignity with which they have carried out this daunting task.

Again I must call on all people to act responsibly and to respect the rights of the victims and their families. This call comes on the heel of my receiving several times over images of human bodies. Let’s be kind in this regard.

Press Release: TCIG Press Office

#MagneticMediaNews

News

InvestTCI facilitates the Development Agreement Between TCIG and Molo Hotel Group

Published

2 days ago

May 14, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 14th, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Molo Hotel Group reached a pivotal juncture on Monday, May 13th, 2024, with the ceremonial signing of a development agreement at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales. The agreement, which received official Cabinet approval on March 13th, 2024, signifies a steadfast commitment to advancing the economic landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Molo Hotel Group is a family-owned business, renowned for its distinguished portfolio of high-quality hotels worldwide. The development initiative encompasses the construction of three distinct IHG branded hotels: InterContinental Turks and Caicos, Kimpton Turks and Caicos and Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos. Scheduled for completion by 2027, each resort boasts a distinctive design from luxury to laidback sophistication spanning across the shores of Grace Bay Beach.

Kimpton Turks and Caicos – an epitome of luxury lifestyle living, will feature 192 guest rooms including three outdoor pools, a luxury spa and a fitness center. Additionally, seven dining options ranging from a beachfront restaurant to a rooftop bar.

Adjacent to the Kimpton, InterContinental Turks and Caicos will offer 59 classic luxury suites with panoramic ocean views. Mirroring its counterpart, this resort will offer an array of dining options and upscale facilities.

Steps away from the Intercontinental and Kimpton resorts, Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos will embrace a sense of community and contemporary elegance, offering 56 bedrooms. The resort will feature an onsite restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor pool, and fitness room.

Beyond the realm of hospitality, this development agreement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Molo is partnering with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) to actively promote hospitality as a career choice and support in developing training programs, career fairs, seminars, workshops, and events to raise awareness about hospitality careers. Molo has committed to provide employment and apprentice opportunities to TCICC students and provide mentoring and practical on property training to students.

The signing event was graced by Hon. Charles Washington Missick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier, Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Łukasz and Marcin Slominski, Owners of Molo, Ross Morrow, Managing Director Molo, Arik Kono, Vice President Upscale Development for IHG, Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Angela Musgrove, InvestTCI CEO, Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chairperson of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Delores Stapleton- Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Mr. Kevin Baxter, Dean of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Sheryl McLaughlin, InvestTCI Investment Services Executive.

Commenting on the development agreement, Premier, Hon. Misick, stated “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing of IHG/Molo Hotels is a significant step towards a sustainable future for hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Three hotels, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo, will be introduced, enhancing our tourism product and creating employment opportunities.”

He further added, “Partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission are underway, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to developing human capital and elevating tourism offerings. This project will bring economic growth, embrace local talent, and enrich our economy.”

Additionally, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized “This collaboration confirms our commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity within our country. We have worked closely with Molo Hotel Group, and we are confident that this transformative project will further position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for travel and investment. Much to our delight, it will also provide opportunities for engagement with our Community College and small business community.”

The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, operating through its primary Investment Promotion

Agency, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, remains committed to attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investments to the country by providing a comprehensive suite of services. Through strategic initiatives and targeted promotion, the agency catalyzes sustainable development, driving innovation and small business opportunities across various sectors of the economy.

Crime

Male Charged with Robbery

Published

3 days ago

May 13, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – Detectives of the Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have charged a man who allegedly stole a vehicle.

The accused, DANVANTE BRISCO, 30, of Kew Town, Providenciales, was charged with:

One Count: Robbery
One Count: Taking Motor Vehicle Without Authority
One Count: Using Offensive Weapon to cause fear

Mr. BRISCO appeared in court today (May 13 ) and was granted bail of $7500.00 with one surety.

The matter was adjourned to July 05 for a Sufficiency Hearing.

Crime

Dock Yard Male Charged

Published

3 days ago

May 13, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male appeared in court today (May 13th) charged with a series of firearm-related offences.

The accused, JAMES SIMON, was denied bail and remanded into custody pending a Sufficiency Hearing scheduled for July 05^th, 2024.

Mr. SIMON faces the following charges: 

One Count: Robbery;
One Count: Gang Membership
One Count: Possession of a Firearm for the Benefit of a Gang
One Count: Possession of Ammunition for the Benefit of a Gang.

The charges against Mr. Simon followed investigations by officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force into a robbery at the parking lot of a Casino where three males robbed a victim.

Additionally, Mr. Simon is charged with the following offences, having been arrested on May 02^nd, 2024, along South Dock Road.