TCI News
Big 18 rolled out; recommendations would return Turks and Caicos to ‘strongest constitution ever’
#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – November 6, 2018 – The PDM Government is moving to get 18 amendments to the Turks and Caicos 2011 Constitution; the document has long been cited as ‘regressive’ and this latest thrust by the near two-year old PDM administration is bold and seeks to have more power put in the hands of the people elected as opposed to the people appointed.
If Premier Sharlene Robinson and her delegation, which is due to meet with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London on December 6, 2018, get their way for the Turks and Caicos people then it will mean an end to voting rights for the UK-appointed Attorney General and Deputy Governor in Cabinet.
“We agreed that the removal of the CFO was a non-issue, two we accepted the recommendations for the reinstatement of trial by jury under Fundamental Freedom. Three, we rejected the continued inclusion of the deputy governor as full member of Cabinet and further recommended that the Attorney General and the Deputy Governor be only ex-officio members of Cabinet with no voting rights.”
It would mean more say for elected officials in policing, a return of Crown Land management to a cabinet minister, reinstatement of trial by jury, removal of the mandate for the path to TCI citizenship at the constitutional level and the changes would return Cabinet to operations more akin to what was in the 2006 Constitution, where the Governor would follow the consensus on any given matter at Cabinet.
“Decisions to be made in Cabinet should follow the 2006 Constitution, emphasis on consensus and its meaning and the governor should be bound to follow Cabinet unless under special circumstances as set out,” she continued later during that press conference with four newly crafted provisions by her administration. “Allow locally elected government to be able to have more of a strategic say over the Police Force through a strengthened National Security Council which is now simply an advisory body.”
Two other new provisions from the PDM Government are likely to be favorites among Turks and Caicos Islanders and were described as, “Return Crown Land under the management of a Minister. Review the Public Service Management structure with a view to having a greater harmony between elected Government and Public Service Officers.”
The Premier said the recommendations have come from the citizenry during the consultation which was commissioned under then PNP premier, Rufus Ewing in 2015. Sharlene Robinson believes the season is better to make the requests for changes and added, there is no time to waste.
“These talks do not take two and three years,” reflecting on her previous role in constitutional construction for the Turks and Caicos Islands, Robinson added, “When we did the work in 2002 we never got the change until 2006. So it is not a short period of time that we have back and forth in terms of consultation and agreeing with the UK. I believe there is a spirit in the UK and an appetite for the all of the overseas territories.”
To our question on what the recommendations, if accepted in full or in part would result in for the Turks and Caicos Islands, Premier Robinson said: “It takes us back to the strongest constitution we have ever had, 2006 where local government was really in charge of managing its country. What we have now is a constitution that follows what transpired that caused the then 2006 Constitution to be suspended and it’s unfortunate that the UK believed the way to move forward and grow this country and to take us to where we need to be under their United Nations obligation was that they had to put so much controls in place.”
The plan to push for the Constitutional changes was explained in a press conference on Monday at the Office of the Premier in Providenciales. It was also shared that the Opposition PNP will not be joining the government in London this coming December for the high level meeting.
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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