TCI News
Burning rubber at Provo Landfill; fire again blamed on arson… again
#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos – Wednesday 25, 2018 – Targeted acts of sabotage are said to be behind the toxic-looking fire once again raging at the Providenciales landfill and those surreptitious attacks have forced a stop on tire-shredding in Providenciales, explained the managers of the dump site.
Residents of the Belgrade Parker Gardens and Millennium Heights subdivisions have been, since last night, expressing dire concern about the blazing inferno and the black smoke emanating from the dump site, also known as the Providenciales landfill. 
It is thought that the fire from three months ago was still burning, but according a media release today, Turks and Caicos Environmental Management says this is a new fire, a new act of arson and the black smoke is because rubber tires are burning.
“On Wednesday, July 25 at approximately 1:30 a.m., a fire started at the Providenciales Landfill. The event appears to be an intentional arson and police and fire service personnel will be conducting a formal investigation. Specifically, the waste tires were set on fire, which is the reason for the size and dark color of the smoke plume,” said Turks and Caicos Environmental Management, TCEM.
Magnetic Media is informed that the Minister of Home Affairs and Member of Parliament for the area, Delroy Williams did visit the property earlier today; however there has been no statement from him as yet about the nagging and unhealthy problem.
TCEM is talking though and amidst the residents’ watchful eyes say they are facing serious challenges in Grand Turk too.
“This appears to be the latest in a series of arsons at the TCI’s two landfill facilities, both in Grand Turk and Providenciales. It is at least the fourth such incident in recent months.”
The tire shredder which finally arrived last year was attacked in these arsons also, explained the waste management company, which despite having security guards on duty, has been unable to fend off the alleged arsonists. 
“… to exacerbate the current situation, TCEM’s waste tire shredder was targeted and burned in February of this year. But for that incident, which delayed the processing of waste tires, the Providenciales tire pile would by now have been shredded.”
The crimes have been reported to the Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force but there have no updates on the investigations.
Contractually, TCEM is supposed to shred tires and the company is also expected to have systems established to mitigate fires. In the media statement it was shared that, “Fire response protocols are in place and have been enacted. TCEM personnel, with the assistance of the TCI Fire Service, is working exhaustively to contain and snuff the fire. Tire fires are difficult to extinguish but we will abate it as quickly as possible.”
Meanwhile the air is polluted with a pungent odor, the blue sky is interrupted by billowing black smoke and reports are that the smoke can be seen from Grace Bay in the east and Chalk Sound in the south west of Provo.
The burning scrap rubber is believed a very serious threat to human health according to research our media house has explored. In fact, Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide in a published study says that: “Specifically, emissions from burning tires are highly mutagenic (more mutagenic than emissions from the burning of all other bulk materials that researchers have tested). Emissions from burning tires contains significant amounts of the following known human carcinogens…”
Yes, the same carcinogens identified as causing cancer.
Turks and Caicos, December 9, 2024 – What defines a person’s legacy: their struggles, their triumphs, or the impact they leave on others? For one Grand Turk native, Clyde Holiday, better known as “Crab”, the answer lies in an unwavering commitment to perseverance, faith, and community.
Born to an American Air Force father and a Turks Islander mother, this fearless son of the soil grew up in a small island community. From a young age, he embraced challenges, first as a motorcyclist and later as a skilled operator of heavy equipment and a businessman.
A passion for machinery and mechanics led him to Florida, where he perfected his craft and also worked in the restaurant industry. He later earned a certification as a marine mechanic. His entrepreneurial spirit, however, was not without hurdles.
Like many self-starters, he encountered failures in his early ventures. Yet, he refused to let setbacks define him. His first business venture came with a partnership chance with a Bahamian businessman in the meat industry which was a major breakthrough.
It proved that opportunity often arrives disguised as hard work, but success was fleeting. Entangled with the wrong crowd, he succumbed to addiction—a devastating chapter that brought legal troubles and shattered dreams.
What followed was a journey of redemption. While incarcerated, he experienced a moment of spiritual reckoning, drawing strength from his
faith and a Bible verse that stayed with him: “God gave men dominion over all things, but only He can change a man.”
Rejecting despair, he leaned into his community, church, and family, finding support in his first wife and guidance from local leaders. Emerging from this crucible, he rebuilt his life, uniting his faith and entrepreneurial drive.
His turning point came in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, when the storm devastated Turks and Caicos, leaving the government financially crippled.
This was his opportunity to step up and as a heavy equipment operator, he worked for years under an IOU agreement, repairing infrastructure and helping his country rebuild.
His sacrifices eventually paid off, enabling him to invest in a thriving grocery business and apartments.
What others viewed as disaster, he transformed into opportunity—a lesson in resilience for a nation still grappling with systemic challenges.
Today, he oversees seven businesses, embodying the potential of self-made success. Yet his greatest pride lies not in personal wealth but in community impact.
A staunch advocate for youth empowerment at an earlier age.
He calls for targeted education programs in schools to nurture trade skills, because not everyone is college bound. He also calls for unionization of suppliers to lower costs of goods, and reforms to strengthen economic self-sufficiency.
His philosophy challenges politicians and citizens alike to rethink their roles in how they can help shape the country’s future.
For skeptics, his story raises difficult questions about the role of personal responsibility versus systemic reform. Is it enough to inspire individuals, or must societies provide the structures to support their potential? His life suggests both are necessary. By turning personal struggles into public contributions, he exemplifies how individual resilience can intersect with collective progress.
When asked how he wishes to be remembered, his response is as inspiring as his journey: “For my love, charity, and care for the people of this great country.”
His life serves as a testament to the power of perseverance, faith, and a vision that extends beyond self-interest—a legacy that challenges us all to think bigger.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Employment Services Department is happy to announce the opening of our Online Work Permit Portal, effective 13th January 2025. This new system will make the work permit application procedure more efficient and straightforward.
Both will be able to access the portal:
• Corporate Applicants: Businesses or groups submitting applications on behalf of their staff members.
• General Applicants: People who apply for work permits directly.
A link to the portal APS Login and a demo video Application Processing System 18.Nov.2024.wmv with step-by-step instructions https://borderforceapps.gov.tc/download/guide.pdf is provided to ensure a smooth transition and ease of use. These resources will guide users through the registration process and demonstrate how to navigate and use the portal effectively.
This initiative is part of our commitment to improving efficiency, reducing processing times, and enhancing accessibility for all applicants.
We encourage all stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the portal before its launch. Training resources and detailed instructions are available to ensure a smooth transition.
For more information or assistance, please get in touch with the Employment Services Department at:
- Phone: 338-5639/4115
- Email: lsgibbs@gov.tc or cjoutten@gov.tc
- Website: APS Login
The Department appreciates your cooperation as we transition to this innovative platform to serve you better.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Pan American Health Organization hosted a Training of Trainers on the Strategic Risk Assessment using the Strategic Tool for Assessing Risk (STAR) in St George’s, Grenada from 5 -7 November 2024.
The objectives of this training were:
- to Train Health Disaster Managers and counterparts on the STAR Methodology
- conduct a multi-stakeholder strategic risk assessment for Grenada
The Strategic Tool for Assessing Risk (STAR) Tool has been developed by WHO (the World Health Organisation), to support member states in risk assessment using a standardised methodology.
STAR is a comprehensive toolkit to enable countries and regions to conduct a strategic, rapid, and evidence-base assessment of public health risk for planning and prioritisation of health emergency and disaster risk management activities.
Participants for this training included a multi-stakeholder group from Grenada as well as Health Disaster managers from Bahamas, Belize, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, St Vincent, Trinidad and members from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).
Joining the PAHO/WHO team as a facilitator for this training was the Director of Health Disaster, Education and Training of the Health Emergency Management Unit, Miss Charlene Higgs.
The Ministry of Health and Human Services congratulates Miss Higgs on this great accomplishment and her leadership role in the area of Health Disaster and Emergency Management in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth.
-
Caribbean News1 week ago15,000 new cases of HIV infections in the Caribbean, a 22% jump and PAHO explains why
-
Health1 week agoDangerous mpox strain detected in USA; PAHO issues a warning but not mass vaccinations
-
Bahamas News1 week agoLaRoda makes clarion call for end to all violence as country prepares to observe 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
-
News1 week agoIndia offers SEVEN POINT Plan to CARICOM at Summit in Guyana
-
Caribbean News1 week agoEight Regional countries pick up new INFECTION; now OROPOUCHE VIRUS caught in Cayman and DR
-
Bahamas News1 week agoPaint Fair’s Colour & Design event
-
Caribbean News1 week agoCARPHA Hosts Regional IATA Infectious Substances Transport “Train-the-Trainer” Workshop with the Pandemic Fund’s Support
-
News6 days agoMinistry of Tourism and Experience Turks and Caicos to host Christmas House Lighting Competition