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Press Statement from the Office of the Leader of the Opposition

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#TurksandCaicos, January 6, 2018 – Providenciales – I was taken to task by the Chairman of the PDM because I had the audacity to demonstrate leadership where his party has failed to do so.   My intervention focused on the history of the development of the entire area know as Chalk Sound including the fact that it was under my administration that Belongers were given the opportunity to take up ownership of their own land hitherto seemingly reserved for others.  My real intention though was to appeal for cool headedness at a time when an property owner in Taylor Bay was being wrong and strong in his understanding of the reality, and the vehemence with which he threatened those who had every right to enjoy their heritage albeit no right to trespass over private property.  At my press meeting I indicated that I was undertaking research to better clarify the situation and would inform the public once I had better information.  I now have that information and recount below the important events leading up to today.

The Sapodilla Bay and Taylor Bay Community came into being through a Conditional Purchase Lease between TCIG and Condor Real Estate Limited in 1978 – a company 100% owned by Canadian Developers.   The condition being the pushing of a quarry graded roadway servicing the property along with what would be an extremely low price by today’s standard.  Subsequent to that the narrow strip of land not in Condor Real Estate ownership was itself the subject of a Conditional Purchase Lease.

Below is the chronology of the various conveyances of the land directly abutting Taylor Bay Beach and the adjacent beach assess:

  • October 17, 1984 parcels 60400/9 & 10 are transferred from the Crown to Clearwater Holdings Ltd. (a company owned jointly by foreign and local developers in return for the construction of road works in the Bight.
  • September 5, 1989 Worldwide Hotel Holdings Ltd. has a caution registered as purchaser
  • November 2, 1989 Worldwide Hotel Holdings Ltd. changes name to Paradise Cove Ltd.
  • March 4, 1991 parcels 60400/9 & 10 are transferred from Clearwater Holdings Ltd. to Paradise Cove Ltd. (Dick Clark)
  • October 3, 2007 parcels 60400/9 & 10 are transferred from Paradise Cove Ltd. to MWE Holdings Ltd. (a member of the Ashcroft Group of Companies).
  • March 2, 2016 parcels 60400/9 & 10 are mutated into parcels 60400/394-398. Since then a number of easements have been granted by MWE to homeowners in the area givin them access to the Beach.

The following is the Chronology of beach access parcel 60612/90 at the heart of the controversy

  • December 20, 1988 parcel 60612/90 is created from a mutation of parcel 60612/52 then owned by Condor Real Estate Limited
  • March 21, 1989 parcel 60612/90 is transferred from Condor Real Estate Limited to Gibraltar Investments Ltd.
  • December 5, 2007 parcel 60612/90 is transferred from Gibraltar Investments Ltd. to MWE Holdings Ltd.(a member of the Michael Ashcroft Group of Companies).

The intention all along seem to have been the prevention of the public – and in particular the local population from accessing the beach – with the full knowledge that the common law position has been for time immemorial and remains that the beach belongs to the public.  My research has uncovered that were private property abuts the edge of vegetation and there is accretion the accreted land becomes the property of the Crown.  Also, where private land is loss because of erosion and this results in an encroachment of the beach on to the boundary of the private property the principle remain that it becomes public.  In all and every case the beach belongs to the public.  However, when challenged in some common law jurisdiction the plaintiffs were successful.

So, despite what Don thinks the Taylor Bay Home owners do not own the beach.  However, they do own the access and that is the mischief that has to be cured; that is where the focus of attention ought to be placed.  The pressure must be applied to the Government to use existing legislation to compulsory acquire 60612/90 and any other property it deems necessary to secure access to the beach.   Attacking the Leader of the Opposition is not the answer, neither is a party on the beach.

 

 

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Invest TCI Strengthens Regional Investment Connections at Caribbean Investment Forum 2026 in Barbados

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Monday, 19th October 2026: Invest Turks and Caicos Agency (Invest TCI) strengthened its regional presence at the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) 2026, held October 5 – 7, 2026, in Bridgetown, Barbados, participating as both a sponsor of the Forum and representative of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ investment landscape.

The Caribbean Investment Forum brought together regional and international investors, government representatives, business leaders, entrepreneurs, investment promotion agencies, and development partners to explore investment opportunities, strengthen partnerships, and advance sustainable economic development throughout the Caribbean.

The Agency’s sponsorship of CIF 2026 formed part of its continued commitment to strengthening the visibility of the Turks and Caicos Islands within the regional investment community and building relationships with investors, development partners, investment promotion agencies, and businesses across the Caribbean.

The opening of the Forum was attended by the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, who emphasised the importance of scaling regional investment, strengthening economic cooperation, and transforming innovative ideas into commercially viable opportunities. Invest TCI was represented by Ms. Alexa Cooper, Domestic Investment Officer, and Mr. Hezron Henry, Marketing Support Officer. Throughout the Forum, the delegation engaged with stakeholders and promoted the Turks and Caicos Islands as a competitive investment destination while exploring opportunities for greater regional collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Speaking on her experience at the Forum, Ms. Alexa Cooper, Chief Domestic Investment Officer, said:

“CIF 2026 provided another valuable opportunity to engage with donor organisations, investors and Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) from across the Caribbean. A highlight for me was the introduction of an exclusive masterclass for fund managers, investors and support organisations, which offered practical insights into unlocking capital, strengthening investment ecosystems and supporting investment-ready businesses. I was equally impressed with the quality of projects pitched, which showcased the region’s innovation and investment potential. It was encouraging to see projects presented with a clearer understanding of investor expectations, reinforcing the importance of not simply developing projects, but ensuring they are well-structured, investment-ready and positioned to attract the right investment partners.”

Accompanying the Invest TCI delegation was Mr. Sean Penn, Chief Executive Officer of Sky Poultry Farm Ltd., the first commercial egg and poultry production facility in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Mr. Penn’s participation provided an opportunity to showcase the development of domestic enterprise within the Turks and Caicos Islands while highlighting the potential of agriculture and food production as part of the country’s broader economic diversification efforts.

Through his participation at CIF 2026, Mr. Penn had the opportunity to engage with regional stakeholders, gain exposure to developments within the Caribbean agricultural sector, and explore potential partnerships and opportunities related to agricultural investment, innovation, and enterprise development.

For Invest TCI, the combination of sponsorship, investment promotion and local business representation provided a multifaceted platform to advance the Agency’s mandate. It allowed Invest TCI not only to promote the Turks and Caicos Islands to prospective investors but also to facilitate greater exposure for a local enterprise operating within an emerging sector of the economy. The Forum also provided opportunities for the Invest TCI delegation to exchange knowledge with regional counterparts, strengthen institutional relationships, and gain insight into investment trends and opportunities affecting Caribbean economies.

As the Caribbean Investment Forum continues to expand its regional reach, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, was announced as the destination for the next edition of the Forum, providing another opportunity to bring together investors, policymakers, investment promotion agencies and businesses from across the Caribbean and beyond.

Invest TCI looks forward to the continued growth of the Caribbean Investment Forum and the opportunities it creates to deepen regional partnerships, promote investment, and connect Caribbean businesses with new markets and sources of capital. The Agency remains committed to attracting sustainable investment, supporting domestic enterprise, encouraging economic diversification, and developing partnerships that contribute to the long-term economic development of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

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Energy Minister Delivers Electrifying Keynote Opening Address at CAREC 2026  

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NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Bahamas’ Minister of Energy, Utilities and Aviation, The Honourable JoBeth Coleby-Davis, delivered an electrifying address during the opening ceremony of the 2026 CARILEC Resilient/Renewable Energy Community (CAREC) Conference and Exhibition, being held October 18–22, 2026, at the British Colonial Hotel in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Under the theme “Empowering Progress: Strategic Policy and Planning for the Energy Transition,” the event draws more than 200 industry leaders, policymakers, regulators, and energy professionals committed to advancing practical strategies for sustainable and reliable Caribbean power systems through renewable energy and emerging technologies.

During her address, titled “The New Energy Era: Transforming Policy into Progress,” Minister Coleby-Davis reminded attendees that The Bahamas’ national motto, “Forward, Upward, Onward, Together,” aptly describes what the region’s energy transition demands.

“Empowering Progress speaks directly to our national motto. Not waiting for progress, but creating the conditions that allow progress to happen. Meaningful progress, however, does not occur by accident. It requires vision, sound policy, strategic planning, strong institutions, and the determination to turn decisions into results,” said Minister Coleby-Davis.

Participants acknowledged that small island developing states share similar pressures, compounded by geographical challenges, small electricity markets, ageing infrastructure, geopolitical influences, and the growing threat of severe weather.

Tasked with ushering in a new energy era across the islands while addressing the challenges posed by The Bahamas’ unique archipelagic composition, Minister Coleby-Davis said, “Every island needs a different answer, but the same logic. As an archipelagic nation, we must provide electricity across many islands, each with its own demand and infrastructure needs. Our strategy, therefore, must be national in direction, but responsive to individual communities.”

Restating her Ministry’s three core messages—that energy is an economic and security priority, technology must be viewed as a tool to support strong institutional leadership, and natural gas should be considered a bridge, not a destination—Minister Coleby-Davis reiterated that “progress must now be reflected in functioning infrastructure, effective institutions, and better electricity services: from policy commitments to coordinated implementation, and from fragmented investment decisions to long-term planning.”

Organised by CARILEC and co-hosted by Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) and Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC), the annual Conference and Exhibition brings together the Caribbean energy community to advance practical solutions to the region’s most pressing energy challenges and accelerate progress towards more resilient, reliable, and sustainable power systems.

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Bahamas News

Monument Supports Hands for Hunger With Paradise Plates Debut  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ leading wine and spirits distributor, proudly supported Paradise Plates, Hands for Hunger annual fundraiser with a flavorful offering of its newest product, Monument Beverage Co.

Monument, which launched this July and is available across six major islands, made its Paradise Plates debut. Guests enjoyed three bold flavors: Peach Passion, Ginger-Lime and Melon Fizz as they socialized throughout the evening.

Monument brand ambassadors engaged guests with knowledge on the ready-to-drink beverage’s unique taste and look. Many attendees were delighted to learn that Monument is 100% Bahamian-made and owned and enjoyed seeing the various national landmarks on the packaging.

The booth was adorned with vibrant brand colors, striped arches, tropical florals and a photo worthy backdrop featuring Monument cans filled with florals cascading down the wall.

At the end of the event, the entire Monument inventory had finished, making Monument’s Paradise Plates debut a huge success.

For more details on Caribbean Wines & Spirits, new products and specials, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today.

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