TCI News
TCI: Press Statement from the Office of the Leader of the Opposition
#Providenciales, June 8, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – It came as a shock to me in the late morning early afternoon of today (Thursday June 7th) when I was contacted by the Premier to participate in a meeting (by telephone) that was in progress with her and members of her team 
together with a senior management delegation from Scotia Bank’s local office as well as head of compliance for the Northern Caribbean. The purpose of the meeting as communicated by the bank’s representatives was to inform the government of a decision handed down from the bank’s head office as part of a global strategy to consolidate the banks operation. – the process we were told had already taken place in the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas and is ongoing in the BVI and other regional jurisdictions.
While it had been rumoured for several years that the bank was retrenching, during my term as Minister of Finance when the bank’s representatives were confronted with the issue they always denied it to be the case. I have in the past also personally made representation to the bank (not in writing) about the issue of de-risking certain categories of business to no avail – These global institutions operate on a one size fits all platform with the major emphasis on risk aversion and shareholder value, where despite the fact that a jurisdiction might be profitable if any business unit is not, it is regularly eliminated.
I empathize with the anxiety of the Bank of Nova Scotia Customers in our nation’s capital, and categorically deny any knowledge of the bank’s decision until today; out of respect for the banks staff, it was the proper thing to wait until the bank management met with staff before issuing a statement. Nevertheless, our people in the nation’s capital is faced with a problem not of their making and it behoves us as leaders to act with alacrity and cool headedness to address their anxiety and the inconvenience this sudden and disruptive decision will have on the public. All indications are that the decision of the bank is a fait accompli. This therefore require us not to waste time on matters outside of our sphere of influence but to act with courage to effectuate a system that addresses the problem – which is simply a risk-reward number for the bank, but disruption and inconvenience to the people of the nation’s capital as it has been for some time for the people of South Caicos, Middle and North Caicos. So, a solution has to be two pronged-intermediate and then long term and must take into consideration the plight of all who have either become unbanked or grossly inconvenienced.
In the first place, there are some low technology actions that should be encouraged and facilitated by the government – the first being cheque cashing business opportunities supported by legislation to regulate service standards and rates for cashing payroll and other cheques for the unbanked; the second is the standing up and operationalization of credit unions, the legislation for which already exist – waiting for the cabinet to introduce regulations before the ordinance could be accented to. The bank representatives have indicated possible favorable consideration for providing banking services for credit unions subject to an agreeable compliance protocol – the benefit of this would be formation of corporate vehicles to begin to build domestic capital and reduce the number of unbanked persons. Both of these could be done within the next 90 days while a longer-term solution is considered.
Ultimately though the world is not waiting for us. We can behave like victims or organize to control our own destiny God willing. In the ongoing innovation revolution, we must build a smart tech savvy country familiar with the power of digital technologies and advanced analytics to improve convenience, simplify everyday life, and help us make better decisions. Today we have one of the most powerful digital devices at our finger tips – the smart phone. We must use it for good and not as a thief of our time or a instrument of ridicule or divisiveness. Many developing countries have leaped frog over old technology in use in developed countries to the advantage of their people and improvement in productivity and competitiveness. I see this temporary setback be a teachable moment – a clarion call first to leadership to create an enabling environment including improvement in ICT that will allow the citizenry to engage in more self-help initiatives, and to the citizenry to combine their collective abilities and resources together so that everybody win.
Contrary to accepted intuition and despite past practices, I see the government as a competitor for the hearts and mind of the people not an adversary and where collaboration with it is in the interest of the people of these islands I have made it clear that I will pursue that path. – for me this is not a sign of weakness but one of self-confidence, courage of conviction, and strength of character. I trust the people of this country to judge the capacity, integrity and commitment of individual politicians and political parties at the polls, and when they get it wrong an opportunity presents itself to correct it every four years. In the meantime, in my capacity as leader of the opposition my vision for the country has never been bounded by election timetable but by my compass of what is right. That will continue long after I would have exited politics.
Release: Leader of The Opposition
By Deandrea Hamilton
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — The dramatic decline in murders may have captured public attention, but newly
released Year in Review graphics from Police Commissioner Fitz Bailey reveal a much broader policing strategy that the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force says is producing measurable results across the territory.
Among the standout achievements highlighted in the Commissioner’s 2025-2026 review is the recovery of 22 illegal firearms and more than 500 rounds of ammunition during 2025. The graphics also show that four additional illegal firearms were seized during the first quarter of 2026.
The Police Force credits proactive policing, intelligence-led operations and community partnerships with helping remove weapons from the streets and reducing opportunities for violence.
The review also points to what may be the most significant statistic in the package: a 61 percent reduction in overall crime. While the graphics do not provide a detailed breakdown of offences contributing to that decline, the figure suggests improvements extended well beyond homicide investigations and into broader categories of criminal activity.
Other accomplishments cited include strengthened border security operations, the detention of more than 1,100 irregular migrants, the dismantling of illegal settlements, the launch of a Human Trafficking Unit and expanded highway patrol initiatives.
The Force also highlighted increased engagement with communities through schools, churches and outreach programmes, investments in officer training and professional development, and modernization of information technology and communications systems.
For the tourism-dependent Turks and Caicos Islands, the review sought to reassure visitors that the destination remains safe. Police recorded 43 incidents involving tourists during the review period, including 18 offences against the person, 23 property-related offences and two offences against the state.
Using annual visitor estimates of approximately two million arrivals, the Force argues that tourists remain overwhelmingly safe while vacationing in the territory.
The review also confirms the much-publicized reduction in murders. According to the data, murders fell from 48 in 2024 to 27 in 2025,
representing a 43.75 percent decline. The graphics further indicate that no murders were recorded during the first quarter of 2026.
While the figures paint a picture of improving public safety, they also raise questions that many residents will likely want answered as the conversation turns from crime reduction to criminal accountability.
Notably absent from the review are statistics related to arrests, charge rates, case clearances, prosecutions and convictions. The graphics demonstrate that crime is declining and that firearms are being removed from communities, but they do not indicate how many suspects were arrested in connection with major crimes, how many cases resulted in charges, or how many offenders were ultimately convicted before the courts.
Those metrics have long been viewed as important measures of police effectiveness, particularly in serious crimes such as murder, shootings, robberies and firearms offences. While the latest review focuses heavily on outcomes and operational achievements, future reporting on arrest and conviction rates may provide a more complete picture of how successfully the criminal justice system is converting police investigations into courtroom victories.
Still, Commissioner Bailey’s review makes a clear argument: that a combination of proactive policing, strategic enforcement, border security initiatives and community engagement has contributed to a safer Turks and Caicos Islands.
News
Third Woman in Succession to Lead TCI Judiciary; New Chief Justice Brings 37 Years of Experience
Turks and Caicos, June 1, 2026 – The Turks and Caicos Islands has entered a new chapter in its judicial history with the appointment of
Hon. Madam Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards as Chief Justice, marking the third consecutive female leader of the nation’s judiciary and continuing more than a decade of women serving in the territory’s highest judicial office.
Justice Cummings-Edwards formally assumed office on May 1, 2026, succeeding former Chief Justice Hon. Justice Mabel Agyemang, whose six-year tenure was credited with significant reforms aimed at strengthening the courts and improving access to justice.
A native of Guyana, Justice Cummings-Edwards brings more than 37 years of legal and judicial experience to the role. Before arriving in the Turks and Caicos Islands, she served in some of the highest judicial offices in Guyana, including Acting Chief Justice and Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary. She also earned recognition for advancing court modernization, digitization, improved case management systems and expanded access to justice.
The appointment, announced by Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam following the advice of the Judicial Services Commission, brings to the Turks and Caicos Islands a jurist widely respected throughout the Caribbean legal community.
In announcing the appointment, the Governor said it followed a rigorous and highly competitive selection process and noted that Justice
Cummings-Edwards’ appointment “reaffirms the enduring importance of an independent judiciary in upholding the rule of law, protecting constitutional governance and maintaining public confidence in the administration of justice.”
Accepting the appointment, Justice Cummings-Edwards said: “I am honoured to be appointed Chief Justice of the Turks and Caicos Islands and grateful for the confidence placed in me. I look forward to working collaboratively with my judicial colleagues, the legal profession and justice-sector partners to build on the strong foundation established and to further strengthen the delivery of justice in a manner that is fair, efficient and accessible to all.”
She added: “I remain committed to upholding the rule of law and serving the people of these Islands with integrity and dedication.”
Attorney General Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles welcomed the new Chief Justice at her swearing-in ceremony, describing her as a judicial leader with “extensive judicial experience, a strong commitment to the rule of law, and to strengthening the Turks and Caicos Islands’ Judiciary.”
Justice Cummings-Edwards’ appointment continues a notable trend in the Turks and Caicos Islands, where women have occupied the office of Chief Justice for more than a decade, reinforcing the territory’s reputation for strong female leadership at the highest levels of the judiciary.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
Turks and Caicos, June 1, 2026 – As the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season begins today, Turks and Caicos Islanders are being encouraged to prepare both practically and spiritually, with national disaster officials launching a series of island-wide prayer services while government agencies finalize readiness plans for the months ahead.
The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) kicked off its annual hurricane season prayer initiative on Sunday, May
31, with a service at Providence Baptist Church in North Caicos. The initiative reflects the country’s longstanding tradition of seeking divine protection at the start of the Atlantic hurricane season.
The prayer circuit will continue on June 7 at Abundant Life Ministries International in Providenciales, June 14 at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in South Caicos, June 21 at the Church of God of Prophecy in Conch Bar, Middle Caicos, and conclude on June 28 at St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral in Grand Turk.
While churches unite in prayer, government agencies are strengthening operational readiness.
On May 28, Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam chaired the first State of Preparedness Meeting for the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season, bringing together key government officials, emergency responders, utility providers and critical infrastructure partners ahead of the June 1 start of the season.
According to the Governor’s Office, representatives from the DDME, Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment, healthcare and emergency services, along with utility and infrastructure leaders, reviewed national readiness plans, shelter preparedness, continuity of essential services, inter-agency coordination and response strategies.
The Governor emphasized the importance of proactive preparation, coordination and public awareness to ensure the Turks and Caicos Islands remains resilient throughout the hurricane season.
The discussions come as forecasters at the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, predict a below-normal Atlantic
hurricane season for 2026. NOAA says there is a 55 percent chance of a below-normal season, a 35 percent chance of a near-normal season and a 10 percent chance of an above-normal season. Forecasters are predicting between eight and 14 named storms, including three to six hurricanes and one to three major hurricanes.
Despite the relatively favorable outlook, NOAA officials continue to caution against complacency.
“Although El Niño’s impact in the Atlantic Basin can often suppress hurricane development, there is still uncertainty in how each season will unfold,” said National Weather Service Director Ken Graham. “That is why it’s essential to review your hurricane preparedness plan now. It only takes one storm to make for a very bad season.”
For Turks and Caicos, that message resonates strongly. The islands remain among the Caribbean territories most vulnerable to hurricanes, and memories of major storms such as Hurricanes Ike, Irma and Maria continue to underscore the importance of preparedness.
As hurricane season opens, officials are urging residents to secure emergency supplies, review family preparedness plans, stay informed through official channels and participate in community readiness efforts. And for many across the islands, that preparation begins with prayer.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
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