News
Turks and Caicos Statutory Board review report released, Government to embark on vigorous reforms
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – March 3, 2018 – Seven days of dedicated focus by a Consultant has unearthed some disturbing truths about Statutory Bodies within the Turks and Caicos Islands, and country leaders say the findings will improve governance but not lead to any dismantling of boards.
“We would not be doing this if this was not going to offer the opportunity of genuine improvement and limited risking of these bodies. We started out because we had concerns and of course the NHIB (social health care board) was of a particular concern, but there were also more general ones… so yes, we think it will be better,” shared Governor Dr. John Freeman during the press conference to announce that the report was completed and available to the public.
Premier and Finance Minister, Sharlene Robinson added, “The public needs to understand that this exercise speaks to good governance overall but specifically the public wants to ensure that we are limiting government to financial risks.”
Reference was made, by both Governor and Premier, to the consistent budget-busting cost of medical care referrals for treatment abroad tied to the nine year old social health care plan. The announcement of a review of statutory boards came in November 2016, following a $2m overrun at the National Health Insurance Board (NHIB)
Over two meetings, the Cabinet of the Turks and Caicos Islands considered the recommendations in the report by former Chief Financial Officer of the Turks and Caicos, Stephen Turnbull which was on March 1, 2018 made public on the TCIG website.
“We actually had a presentation from the reviewer and we discussed this and we have moved very quickly through Cabinet because we deem it very important. While we ensure that we going to engage the statutory bodies, it is not going to be a long projected exercise we are going to move as quickly as we possibly can… to ensure there is good governance…” 
The Turnbull Report exposed old and new problems of the 13 Statutory Boards reviewed, and among the most prominent concerns are that the Boards are staffed with unqualified people, that some individuals were receiving inflated compensation and that all but one board had no strategic plan.
“The Consultant concluded that there is a lack of strategic planning and systemic organizational and senior leadership performance management which has created a culture which does not promote effective accountability, shared Governor, Dr. Freeman.
The Governor explained that he was reading a consolidated version of the actual report, adding that the Consultant found areas which Statutory Boards were not eager to embrace and others that question how selection of board members are made by the various leaders.
“He observed again, that some board members held no relevant qualifications or experience under the provisions for which they were appointed. It is therefore doubtful that the members could effectively contribute on strategic or operational matters.”
It is a widely held view that the board appointments by successive political parties elected as government are given as tokens of appreciation to staunch party members.
Next for the Governor, Premier and relevant Ministers is to hold meetings with each Board reviewed by Mr. Turnbull.
The Premier has six boards within her portfolio, the Home Affairs Minister is with one, as is the Minister of Education and the Minister of Health, who jointly shares responsibility for the NHIB with Finance. The Tourism Minister oversees two of the boards and the Governor has oversight of three statutory bodies.
The Press Conference was held at the Office of the Premier, Hilly Ewing Building on Thursday March 1, 2018 at 9am.
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
