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BAHAMAS: Distribution of 610 repair cheques for roofs in Grand Bahama

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#Bahamas, April 25, 2018 – Grand Bahama – Six hundred and ten more residents of Grand Bahama are now better prepared to repair their roofs as a part of the government’s national repair programme.  With a steady flow, those armed with the necessary identification, lined up on Monday, April 23, to receive their much anticipated assistance for roof repairs with the hurricane season fast approaching.

Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Works, Iram Lewis, said in addition to the 125 cheques previously distributed, they are in possession of 610 for those who were in tiers 2, 3 and 4.

Describing the day as a “great” one, Mr. Lewis added that people can now have their roofs repaired and ready for the hurricane season.  He added that because of the large number of cheques being distributed, people should only come to collect if they have been contacted.

He said, “We are presently compiling a fifth list that we’re sending into Nassau around the first part of May.  As soon as that list arrives in Nassau, they will also be processed and brought to Grand Bahama and we expect that everyone will have their cheques in hand prior to the commencement of the hurricane season.

“It means a lot to the people of Grand Bahama because it’s been long coming and when you drive around town, you still see a lot of tarp on roofs and a lot of homes [that] are still damaged as a result of leaks. We are just pleased that at this time, the government is able to assist the constituents from East Grand Bahama all the way to West, and some of the smaller cays.”

Targeting residents with roofing leaks, Mr. Lewis said it is important that they are stopped and the homes are saved.  He urged the residents to ensure that their homes are repaired properly and comply with building codes.

“And by all means, please get your insurance because based on what I’ve found out in a short period of time, there is no way the government can sustain such a programme.  It is a heavy burden on the government, but again we are about people and we are going to do our best to ensure that relief is given at this time.”

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture and Member of Parliament for Marco City, the Hon. Michael Pintard added that there are a number of people being assisted independently, either by the Member of Parliament, or various churches.  There are certain individuals being helped by two or three organizations.  “We are asking residents who have gotten the supplies that they need to decline to accept additional supplies from some of the non-governmental organizations, churches or the government, so that somebody else can get assistance.”

While there are not enough resources to help everyone, they can be “stretched”if those affected only accept their fair share of assistance.

Turning his attention to contractors, the Minister said that there are a number of them who have consistently gotten contracts from government whether under this or the previous administration.  “We’re asking that where possible, help particularly the senior citizens.  There are a number of single women with children living in very tough conditions.  We’re asking if you can assist by at a minimum, giving a reasonable figure for the work that you’re doing, but secondly, where you are able to volunteer some time, to do so in order to help.

“It is really a difficult time for a number of families, and we’re asking persons to just really have a conscience and offer some assistance.”

The Minister said that when contacting a contractor, check with the Ministry of Works, which is familiar with contractors and whether or not they are reliable.

“We will not deceive you, we will tell you up front that we have a historical difficulty with a particular contractor if we have on record where they have started jobs, collected the payment and have done nothing else.  Far too many horror stories exist where persons have paid, borrowed money in some cases, only to find that the work has not been done satisfactorily.”

Minister Pintard concluded by saying that government is there to make sure that the repairs are done.  He said they should ensure that their homes are sealed first, whether it is the roof, doors or windows.  These, he continued, should be sealed before any additional work is done inside.

Also present was Rev. Frederick McAlpine, member of Parliament for Pineridge Constituency, who said when receiving the funds, residents should be responsible and repair their roofs, and not pretend as if it’s “Christmas”.

“The government has done this.  They have held up their end of the bargain.  Please, we don’t want you to come back and say you didn’t get, or your roof isn’t repaired.  We have a list, we know who got their roof repaired (cheque) and so don’t call us out so we have to call you out.  We know who you are, we know what we did and we did it in good faith.”

All the government is asking, he said, is that the money is used for what it is intended, and that is to repair their roofs.

The deadline for the programme was Friday, April 20, 2018.

 

By: Robyn Adderley

 

RECEIVING PAYMENT – The Ministry of Works continued with cheque distribution for roof repairs on Monday, April 23.  It is expected that some 610 cheques will be issued this week. (BIS Photo/Lisa Davis)

 

ASSISTANCE IS HERE – Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Michael Pintard, on Monday, April 23, urged contractors to assist where possible and urged those residents who have already received assistance for repairs, to decline further assistance so that others may be helped. Shown from left outside of the cheque for roof repairs distribution centre are Rev. Frederick McAlpine, Member of Parliament for Pineridge Constituency; Minister Pintard, Member of Parliament for Marco City; and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Member of Parliament for Central Grand Bahama, Iram Lewis.  (BIS Photo/Lisa Davis)

CHECKING IN – While staff at the Ministry of Works and NEMA distributed cheques for hurricane roof repairs on Monday, April 23, the Members of Parliament present checked in on how it was going.  From left are: Ministry of Works Parliamentary Secretary and Member of Parliament for Central Grand Bahama, Iram Lewis; Rev. Frederick McAlpine, Member of Parliament for Pineridge Constituency; and Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, and Member of Parliament for Marco City, the Hon. Michael Pintard. (BIS Photo/Lisa Davis)

 

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RTCIPF Observes World Down Syndrome Day

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On March 21st, 2024, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force joined the international, regional and local communities in observing World Down Syndrome Day. 

Officers showed their support by wearing brightly coloured and mismatched socks to raise awareness. 

The head of the Safeguarding and Public Protection Unit, Assistant Superintendent of Police Grantley Williams, Training Manager Mrs Odessa Forbes and Media Relations Officer Denyse Renne visited the SNAP Centre and interacted with the students.

In a message to the TCI community, the RTCIPF noted that stereotypes perpetuate stigma and hinder inclusion, preventing individuals from reaching their full potential. 

Instead, the RTCIPF calls for individuals to foster an environment of acceptance and support where everyone is valued for who they are. 

By breaking down barriers and challenging misconceptions, we can create a more inclusive society where individuals with Down Syndrome are empowered to live fulfilling lives and contribute meaningfully to their communities and, by extension, the TCI. 

As law enforcement officers, we must protect and serve all members of society, regardless of their abilities. 

Let’s work together to ensure that individuals with Down Syndrome are treated with dignity and respect and that their rights are upheld.

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CARICOM speaks out on Climate Change, looking to May meeting to amplify call for Climate Funding

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March 3, 2024

 

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) remains on the frontlines of global climate crisis, an issue the Region has been aggressively advocating on for the past thirty years. Despite the many commitments and promises of international partners, the window of opportunity to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels is rapidly closing.

Heads of Government are concerned that while COP 28 was widely regarded as a historic event, with the completion of the first global stocktake (GST), on progress in achievement of the Paris Agreement goals, the outcomes of GST show that emissions of greenhouse gases continue to rise and the nationally determined contributions (NDCs) of Parties will not keep global temperatures below the 1.5 degree goal enshrined in the Paris Agreement.

Heads of Government also expressed concern to be heading to COP 29 where a New Finance Goal will be articulated to replace the 100bn goal, which has not yet been met, even as developing countries require trillions to deal with the escalating impacts of climate change. Developed country parties have not provided enough finance at scale, technology and capacity building support required to help developing countries tackle their pressing needs to build their resilience, especially in adapting to the adverse and increasingly catastrophic impacts of climate change. The clear absence of definitive timelines for action and quantitative commitments for scaling up of investments, and particularly adaptation finance emerging out of COP 28, cause great concern to our Region.

The Conference noted that Small Island Developing States (SIDS), recognized as the most vulnerable group of countries and a special case for sustainable development, have been facing strong push back against the recognition of their special circumstances especially in the context of climate finance. There is limited international support for special allocations for SIDS within financing arrangements and available climate finance from international and private sources is limited, expensive and too onerous to access.

In light of the preceding, Heads of Government called for CARICOM to take a strategic, unified and coordinated approach to ensure that the Region remains influential in the climate and development arena through engagements with key partners and advocacy groups.

They called for renewed focus by the Region to advocate for inclusion of forests, nature-based solutions and blue carbon into market mechanisms with the aim of articulating clear regional positions and strategies.

Heads of Government reiterated the call for improved readiness programmes, simplified approval procedures, a change to the criteria for determining access to low-cost finance, and for the adoption of programmatic approaches to address the bottlenecks in accessing finance.

The Region reiterates its support for the Bridgetown Initiative’s call to expand capital adequacy of international financial institutions.

Heads recognized that the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States, scheduled to be held in Antigua and Barbuda, 27 – 30 May 2024, will be an inflection point for many of these discussions to be articulated. As such, the Region remains committed to participating in the Conference at the highest level.

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South Caicos Development Plans shared with Washington-Misick led Administration

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On Monday, 12 February 2024, the Premier led a delegation to tour the island of South Caicos to view the ongoing public and private sector projects, involving the remodelling and rebranding of the airport terminals, historical districts, and the East Bay Hotel.

The tour of the various developments reinforced the Government’s commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to boost the island’s activity and economy.

Photos courtesy of the TCI Office of the Premier

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