TCI News
PNP Opposition slams leadership of PDM, charges Government with victimization and inefficiency
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – March 22, 2018 – The 15-month old PDM Government is coming under fire this week by the Opposition PNP which is critical of the administration’s reaction to hurricane damages caused by two major storms in September and of its inability to deliver on its election promise of ‘change’.
“One would expect that the PDM would have followed through on the plans that they presented to this country in their Change Document, unfortunately the only change that they have made clear and pronounced, is their intention to change the time and if we know what is happening in Florida, there is a bill before the legislature which is now on its way to Washington, which will be rubber-stamped which will actually set the time in Florida at the same time that we currently have. So that change and every other attempt to change has been regressive.”
Opposition Leader for the Progressive National Party, Washington Misick, during a press conference on Tuesday lambasted the leadership style of the Premier, Sharlene Robinson and pointed to a missing new fiscal policy and desperately needed hurricane recovery plan.
“There has been no attempt to speak to the country about how government intends to raise revenue or make any changes in the revenue system and how it intends to pay for the social services that the country needs. There has been no recovery policy, in terms of after the storm,” Hon Misick continued with, “I haven’t heard of any recovery plan by this government to make sure that people who have been badly impacted by the storm, particularly the most vulnerable among us are properly housed and proper provision is made in the event there is a recurring storm this coming season.”
Misick, who is the former Minister of Finance said that while he is unable to say how large the fiscal year end surplus will be, he can say it will be huge and is due to the lack of spending by the PDM Administration. He pointed out what he believes, and what many believe should have happened since the hurricane.
“We have not heard anything about the construction or the expansion or the identification of new hurricane shelters. We have the elderly and the vulnerable who are still living in appalling conditions with the roofs leaking. We have our schools that haven’t been repaired, we have children who are attempting to learn in deplorable conditions… the lack of their ability to draw down on the money, to spend the money to repair schools to repair government buildings to make sure that the vulnerable is cared for. None of that is happening, the funds have just been building up and so we will close the year at the 31 March, with a huge surplus.”
Mr. Misick called it inefficiency on the part of the PDM Administration to not have spent the money collected from taxpayers.
A strong accusation of victimization was leveled at the People’s Democratic Movement Government and the party’s leader and country’s Premier, Sharlene Robinson was described as autocratic, not democratic.
“The whole approach has been almost to see who they can punish; if it is not the constituency that did not support them it would be a contractor who got a job that they should not have gotten. We see that in the case of the South Caicos (airport) terminal, we see it in the case of the Fish Fry Village development and we see it in the case of others.“ Washington Misick continued, “One of the big problems that we face today is one where we don’t actually have a democratic approach to delivering for the people of these islands because we’ve got a leadership that is positional, in other words, expects everyone to cow-tow to her because of her position and using that to victimize rather than to empower people.”
Hon Washington Misick estimated that it would be impossible for the Turks and Caicos to progress under this style of leadership.
Turks and Caicos, October 28, 2025 – We are closely monitoring the impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, and our thoughts and prayers are with our regional neighbours for their safety and well-being
We are now entering a critical period as Hurricane Melissa advances towards the Turks and Caicos Islands. Current projections indicate that Hurricane Melissa will begin to impact the Turks and Caicos Islands around midday tomorrow, Wednesday, 29th October.
This morning, Her Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Premier chaired a State of Preparedness Meeting. All Government agencies and critical services are mobilised. The safety and protection of every person across our Islands remains our highest priority. Our emergency response teams are prepared and the TCI Regiment is deployed across each of our Islands to support community readiness and immediate response. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are on active duty, with additional officers in North Caicos, Salt Cay, South Caicos and Grand Turk.
At this time, the hurricane is moving north-northeast. The country is expected to experience tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall and
significant storm surge. The storm surge poses a serious concern for low-lying coastal areas especially along our western and southern coastlines, which may result in coastal flooding. Based on the most current weather projections and anticipated impacts for the Turks and Caicos Islands, the National Executive have agreed the following actions:
1. Evacuation Advisories
Residents in specific low-lying and flood-prone coastal areas are likely to experience significant storm surge of 2-4 feet with accompanying rainfall. Strong advice is now place for residents in these areas to relocate to designated shelters which will be open from 4pm this afternoon. These areas include:
Middle Caicos
- Conch Bar Nearest Shelter: The Community Centre
North Caicos
- Sandy Point Nearest Shelter : Sandy Point Community Centre
- Whitby Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
- Bottle Creek Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
Providenciales
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- Chalk Sound Nearest Shelter Enid Capron Primary School
- Five Cays Nearest Shelter: Enid Capron Primary School
- Discovery Bay Nearest Shelter: All Saints Church, Leeward Highway
- Juba Sound Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
- Long Bay Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
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South Caicos
- Cockburn Harbour Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
- Old Airport Road Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
Should an evacuation order become necessary, it will be issued following the 6:00 PM Advisory this evening from the TCI National Weather Service.
2. Activation of Emergency Operations Centre
The National Emergency Operations Centre in Providenciales and all Islands Emergency Operations Centres will be activated at 4:00 PM today.
3. Shelters Access
Shelters across all Islands will open today at 4:00 PM to receive members of the public.
4. Shelter-in-Place
A Strong Shelter-in-Place Advisory is in place for all islands, commencing at 10:00 PM tonight. This will be in place until the all clear has been issued.
This means that from 10:00 PM tonight, all residents should be off the road, in a safe location, either at home or a designated shelter.
Please note that this position may be revised following the 6:00 PM Advisory from the TCI National Weather Service, depending on updated storm projections.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) has confirmed that all airports remain fully operational for today. They will advise the public about ongoing operations dependent on the weather impacts.
In times such as this, the role of commercial entities extends beyond business – it becomes a vital part of the community’s resilience. All retailers and service providers are urged to uphold their humanitarian responsibilities by maintaining fair pricing and ensuring essential goods and services remain accessible to all.
Residents and visitors are reminded to adhere strictly to all official advisories and evacuation orders as they are issued. Avoid unnecessary movement, secure your property, and ensure that you and your family are prepared with essential supplies. Stay prepared and stay safe.
Turks and Caicos, October 24, 2025 – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey delivered an impassioned address to male students at Clement Howell High School, calling on them to recognize their power, seize their potential, and “awaken the sleeping giants” within.
In a message that blended humility, faith, and personal experience, the Commissioner reminded the boys that the decisions they make today will shape their future.“The choices you make today determine who you become tomorrow,” he said.
Bailey, who revealed he was the first in his family to attend high school, urged the students to embrace education and discipline as tools of
transformation.“Knowledge is power. If you want to be a real man, you need to read,” he told them. “Remember your potential — if others can do it, so can you. Some of you are sleeping giants waiting to be awakened.”
He emphasized that circumstances of birth do not dictate destiny, challenging the young men to carry self-respect, faith, and moral conviction wherever they go. “Self-respect is key; respect yourself, respect others, and respect God,” he said. “The circumstances you were born into do not define who you are.”
The Commissioner also spoke about resilience, advising that true strength often lies in restraint.
“There will be challenges, and people may try to impede your development — but rise above negativity. Sometimes, strength means walking away,” he said. “Some of you are sleeping lions; it’s time to awaken that instinct and rediscover your true potential.”
In closing, Commissioner Bailey delivered a stirring challenge:
“Each morning, look in the mirror and remind yourself that you were created by God and are capable of great exploits. You are a possibility with potential. Step forward with confidence — this is your country, your islands. Be the best version of yourself.”
Following his speech, the Commissioner engaged the students in open dialogue, answering questions and listening to their perspectives on issues affecting young men in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.
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