News
Post Cabinet Report, Updated on Telecoms for Grand Turk from Minister
#TurksandCaicos, January 19, 2018 – Providenciales – His Excellency the Governor, Dr John Freeman, chaired the meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday, 17 January 2018, at the Hon. Hilly Ewing Building on Providenciales. All Ministers were present except the Hon. Deputy Premier.
At this meeting Cabinet:
- Noted the recommendations of the Procurement Board to award a contract in line with the Public Procurement Ordinance 2012 as follows –TR17/30 Supply of fencing materials for the TCI Ports Authority;
- Approved the waiver of import customs duty on furniture and appliances which qualify under the list of approved items in the Customs (Import Duty Exemption) (No.3) Order which were imported by a number of applicants to replace items damaged by the hurricanes and which were paid for before but not received by the deadline of 31 December 2017 as stipulated in the Customs (Import Duty Exemption) (No.3) Order;
- Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve, subject to amendments being made, the draft Liquor Licensing (Amendment) Bill 2018 for forwarding to the House of Assembly for Approval;
- Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve amendments to the Micro, Small, Medium Enterprise Development Ordinance 2015 subject to compliance monitoring of approved concessions being conducted by Invest TCI and summary reports being prepared for Cabinet;
- Received an up-date by the Hon. Minister of Education, Youth, Culture and Library Services on the re-opening of schools in TCI following the September hurricanes and on plans to re-open those that remain closed or are still in need of repair, including support from the private sector;
- Received an up-date by the Hon. Minister of Home Affairs, Transportation and Communication on discussions with Digicel and FLOW on plans to restore IT and telephone connectivity on Grand Turk and other islands in TCI which continue to suffer severe communications disruption following the September hurricanes;
- Received feedback from His Excellency the Governor on a meeting which he chaired on 16 January involving the Department for Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) and other agencies involved in TCI’s disaster management response. The meeting discussed hurricane preparedness priorities to be addressed ahead of the 2018 hurricane season as well as a revised TCIG command response structure and implementation timescales to ensure that TCI is fully prepared for this year’s hurricane season. His Excellency the Governor undertook to forward to Hon. Ministers a list of priority hurricane preparedness issues drawn up at his request by DDME for urgent consideration;
- Discussed the issue of access to the beach at Taylor Bay;
- Received an up-date from the Hon. Premier on action taken following the fire at the control tower at Grand Turk airport on 14 January;
- Received an up-date from the Hon. Premier on measures to repair and restore facilities at Grand Turk airport following damage as a result of the September hurricanes;
- Received an up-date from the Hon. Minister of Tourism, Environment, Heritage and Gaming on problems of banking and ambulance services on North and Middle Caicos. The Hon. Minister further requested an up-date on the situation regarding vector control on North and Middle Caicos and the temporary clinic on North Caicos;
- Received an up-date from the Hon. Minister of Tourism, Environment, Heritage and Gaming on problems encountered by a visiting overseas film crew;
- Received an up-date from the Hon. Premier on the forthcoming National Honours and Awards ceremony in Grand Turk in Grand Turk on 20 January.
Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course.
Press Release: TCIG
Turks and Caicos, May 23, 2026 – Invest Turks and Caicos Islands took center stage at one of the region’s most influential hospitality
investment gatherings this spring, serving as a Platinum Sponsor at ALIS CALA 2026 in Coral Gables, Florida.
Held April 28 to 30 at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel, the conference brought together more than 600 tourism, hotel and investment leaders from over 35 countries focused on the future of hospitality investment in the Caribbean and Latin America.
ALIS CALA — short for the Americas Lodging Investment Summit Caribbean and Latin America — is widely regarded as the region’s premier deal-driven hospitality investment conference. The platform emerged from the merger of the long-running Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) and Hotel Opportunities Latin America (HOLA), creating what organizers describe as a high-level space where investors, developers, lenders, hotel brands and government leaders connect around major regional projects and opportunities.
The event is known for attracting senior decision-makers, with roughly one in three delegates holding titles such as Chairman, CEO, President, Owner or Principal.
Invest Turks and Caicos said its participation focused heavily on showcasing investment opportunities across the territory, particularly in the Family Islands.
CEO Angela Musgrove delivered a presentation highlighting development opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands to what the agency
described as a full room of attendees and strong stakeholder interest.
In a statement following the conference, Invest Turks and Caicos said discussions centered on tourism expansion, sustainable development and long-term investment partnerships designed to position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a leading investment destination in the region.
The agency added that it looks forward to continuing conversations started at ALIS CALA and building new partnerships with investors, developers and strategic stakeholders interested in growth opportunities throughout the islands.
The conference itself focused heavily on capital access, hotel development pipelines, mixed-use tourism projects and investment confidence throughout the Caribbean basin — sectors where Turks and Caicos continues to attract increasing international attention.
The Rick Fox Political Timeline
“Are You Thinking About Politics?”
Fox publicly acknowledged growing calls for him to enter Bahamian politics, saying he had been hearing from women, youth, business owners and everyday Bahamians who were “ready for something different.”
October 19, 2025
“Then Jump, Man.”
Fox revealed a conversation with NBA legend Michael Jordan, who encouraged him to enter politics after asking whether he believed he could help young Bahamians.
November 24, 2025
“The Bahamas Must Be First”
Fox officially announced his intention to run in the 2026 General Election, promising transparency, affordability, opportunity and a modern Bahamian economy.
February 4, 2026
“Officially Picked”
The Free National Movement formally ratified Fox as its candidate for Garden Hills, instantly making him one of the most talked-about figures in the election cycle.
March 20, 2026
“From Courtside to Campaign Stage”
Fox mounted the national campaign stage for the first time at the FNM’s major campaign launch at Baha Mar Resort in Nassau.
March 30, 2026
“I’m Giving The Salary Back”
Fox announced he would not take a parliamentary salary if elected, saying the funds should instead go back into helping the people of
Garden Hills.
April 14, 2026
“Nomination Eve Goes Viral”
A heated confrontation involving Fox and PLP supporters outside the Parliamentary Registration Department exploded across social media after video captured the tense exchange.
April 16, 2026
“Pick Rick” Officially Launches
Nomination Day cemented Fox’s candidacy and formally launched the now-famous “Pick Rick” campaign branding.
April 19, 2026
“Vote and Win”
Jamiah Burrows won a vehicle through Fox’s civic participation challenge, part of a campaign effort encouraging voter engagement and turnout.
April 20, 2026
“The Wealthiest Candidate”
Financial disclosures revealed Fox as the wealthiest candidate in the 2026 election cycle, with reported assets exceeding $469 million, ending speculation about his financial standing.
April 25, 2026
“The Garden Hills Blueprint”
Fox unveiled detailed policy graphics outlining plans for:
- youth development,
- healthcare access,
- infrastructure upgrades,
- environmental restoration,
- entrepreneurship,
- and a proposed $10 million investment fund for Garden Hills.
May 4, 2026
“The Numbers Don’t Lie”
Fox’s campaign highlighted more than:
- 20 community clean-ups,
- 16 streets and locations served,
- and 13 solar lights installed across Garden Hills during the campaign.
May 6, 2026
“Shaq Steps In”
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal publicly endorsed Fox, helping elevate international attention surrounding the campaign.
May 8, 2026
“Buju Backs Rick”
Jamaican reggae icon Buju Banton threw his support behind Fox ahead of Election Day.
May 10, 2026
“Vanessa Williams Endorses”
Fox’s former wife, actress and singer Vanessa Williams publicly endorsed his campaign.
May 11, 2026
“Magic Joins the Campaign”
NBA icon Magic Johnson became the latest major celebrity to endorse Fox just one day before Bahamians went to the polls.
May 12, 2026
“Election Day”
Fox contested the Garden Hills constituency seat against PLP incumbent Mario Bowleg in one of the country’s most closely watched races.
May 13, 2026
“Grace in Defeat”
Fox publicly conceded the race and congratulated Bowleg on his victory in Garden Hills.
May 18, 2026
“We Pick Rick”
Despite losing at the polls, Fox officially entered Parliament after being appointed to the Senate by the FNM — with the party itself declaring:
“We Pick Rick.”
The appointment made Fox one of the most internationally recognized figures ever to serve in the Bahamian Senate.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in coordination with the Planning Department and key partner agencies, conducted a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, May 7, 2026, in the Lower Bight area in Providenciales. The exercise resulted in the complete removal of a total of eight (8) unauthorized structures and all associated debris from a
privately-owned parcel of land.
The operation was led by the Planning Department, with coordination by the ISU and support from the TCI Border Force, the Crown Land Unit, and Pelican Energy. Security for the exercise was provided by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. All agencies worked collaboratively to ensure the exercise was carried out in a safe, orderly, and controlled manner.
The enforcement action followed a structured and lawful process in accordance with the Physical Planning regulatory framework of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Section 45 Enforcement Notices were first issued on the affected parcel in December 2024, identifying unauthorized structures erected without the requisite approvals. This was followed by the issuance of Warning Notices on April 16, 2026, which advised occupants that they were in breach of planning and land use regulations and provided notice that demolition activities would proceed following the prescribed compliance period. Despite these notices and the time afforded for compliance, the unauthorized structures remained in place.
This exercise represents part of an ongoing commitment to ensuring that development within the Turks and Caicos Islands is lawful, safe, and aligned with national standards.
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