Connect with us

TCI News

Seven million reasons for Grand Turk to be even more ‘Grand’; Premier promises that she is on it

Published

on

#Providenciales, November 29, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – Grand Turk residents have a right to be irritated by any inaction of any government administration which appears to be slow going on enhancements for the island.

For one thing, it may not be the economic hub for the Turks and Caicos Islands, but it is certainly the island with the largest visitor arrival numbers, falling a little shy of one million cruisers stopping in each year.

For another, Grand Turk – also the country’s dive capital – is the only island where the main developer has invested, with the government directly into a fund, which is now holding $7 million.  The Carnival Infrastructure Fund is loaded and the spending of the money has strict guidelines, chief of them being that every cent is for Grand Turk’s development and Grand Turk alone.

“When we are able to move forward with the Infrastructure Fund, because there is seven million dollars that can only be spent in Grand Turk and we intend spend as much as we possibly can to give it the urgent facelift and we have approved about three or four million in projects for exactly that.”

Premier Sharlene Robinson knows that her compatriots in Grand Turk are eager to see something happen to spruce up the Capital, and she addressed it when we spoke to her one on one on Wednesday November 28, 2018 at her office in Providenciales.

“So we want Grand Turk to understand that they are not left behind.  You have a pot of money that was just sitting there and we are going to spend it for the benefit of that island.”

We wanted to know more though, including when Islanders in the Capital of the country would see the work the fund is funding.  The Premier, who has two members of her Ministry of Finance team on a specially comprised committee with Carnival Cruise Line said now that a Letter of Understanding is signed nearly a dozen projects can get started… well, that is at least after the notoriously tedious procurement process is done.

“They’ve already held their initial meetings and agreed to projects and we have agreed to projects in Cabinet as well.”

Cited by the Premier and Finance Minister were:  “the removing of the boat (marooned since Hurricane Sandy in 2014); the demolishing of buildings at South Base; dealing with the animals and creating a pound; looking at upkeep of buildings and improvement of parks.”

Ten projects she revealed are coming.

“So when we came into office, one of the first things we did in our commitment to Carnival to help in the infrastructure of Grand Turk in terms of repairs, was to put over $2m in the budget for roads.  Believe it or not, the roads that are being done now were approved since last year March 2017, and we are now realizing them November 2018.  Which speaks a lot to the system.  But that was our commitment…”

The lack luster state of destination Grand Turk has drawn scathing reviews, is rumored to have cost a reduction in cruise stops and is confirmed as creating an embarrassing reputation despite Grand Turk’s natural beauties.  The Premier said her team is trying to boost morale through capital works projects.

“Grand Turk roads and the areas that we are doing now, some have never seen paved roads.  We have tourists who are riding all through and then you have residents who are taxpayers, just like everyone else.  It is really lifting Grand Turk, and I know it created a lot of excitement, unfortunately we had some vandalism but at the end of the day it is doing what we want it to do, we want people to feel that they are a part that they are not left behind.”

Grand Turk is also viewed by the PDM Government as a captive audience for repeat visits to the territory, whether in Grand Turk or other parts of the TCI.

“We know that this site is important not just for you (Carnival) but for us because it brings almost a million tourists, we can have Grand Turk as a walking advertisement for land tourists to come back into all the islands!”

Additionally, the Premier shared that Carnival Cruise Line has agreed to donate the construction of a multi-purpose complex, outside of the Infrastructure Fund; it will be double as a community center and a shelter on the former site of the Department of Education in North Backsalina, Grand Turk.

 

Photo Caption: Department of Education Grand Turk relocated; future community centre

 

#MagneticMediaNews

#majorfaceliftcomingforGT

#7millioninfundforGrandTurk

 

Continue Reading

News

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM REGULATIONS INTRODUCES “RATE YOUR RIDE” SYSTEM FOR TOURISTS VISITING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

Published

on

FROM THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March, 2024 – Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Department of Tourism Regulations is proud to unveil the “Rate Your Ride” system, a new initiative designed to enhance the vacation experience for tourists exploring our picturesque islands.

The “Rate Your Ride” system empowers tourists to provide valuable feedback on the quality of transportation services they receive while visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands. Through an easy-to-use online form, tourists can rate factors such as cleanliness, comfort, safety, and professionalism of drivers, helping us to assure the highest quality of service standards across all modes of transportation.

By participating in the “Rate Your Ride” system, tourists play a crucial role in shaping the future of transportation services in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Their feedback will enable us to identify areas for improvement and ensure that every visitor enjoys safe, comfortable, and convenient travel throughout their stay in the Turks and Caicos.

The code will also be publicly accessible through the cooperation of volunteer drivers who will make the rating code available in their vehicles. Flyers and stickers displaying the code will be distributed at hotels, resorts and airports. The mandated display of these codes is expected to align with the rollout of our tourism regulations in 2025.

For more information about the “Rate Your Ride” system and other initiatives by the Department of Tourism Regulations, please visit gov.tc/tourismregulations/or contact us via telephone at 946-4970 and email at tourismregulations@gov.tc.

Continue Reading

News

THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIOURAL HEALTH SERVICES CONDEMNS RECORDING OF PERSONS WHO ARE IN CRISIS

Published

on

FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March 2024– The Department of Behavioral Health Services is appealing to the general public to refrain from recording and circulating videos of persons who may appear to be experiencing a mental health crisis. Anyone can experience a mental health crisis at some point in their life. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year. Persons may struggle with very common conditions such as Anxiety and Depression or be diagnosed with more serious conditions like Bipolar Disorder or Psychosis.

“There are a lot of misunderstandings about various mental health conditions and how they may manifest. In addition, there are a number of negative perceptions and misconceptions that society exhibits towards people with mental health problems. However, just as we would show care and concern for someone diagnosed with Cancer, or any other physical illness, in the same way, we need to be as caring and helpful to persons with mental illnesses”– stated Director of the Department of Behavioral Health Services, Dr. Alicia Malcolm.

The Department is urging the public to call the following numbers if you see someone who appears to be experiencing a mental health crisis:

338-5473/338-3616: Providenciales, North or Middle Caicos

338-3614/338-3612: Grand Turk, South Caicos, Salt Cay

338-6301: Nights and Weekends

If someone is putting themselves or someone else in immediate, serious risk of harm, call 911.

The Department of Behavioral Health services is here to help and provides the following services which are free and confidential:

Location of above services:

o             Sam Harvey Building, Down Town, Providenciales,

o             Primary Health Care Department, Cheshire Hall Medical Center, Providenciales 

o             Department of Behavioural Health, Duncombe Alley, Grand Turk

 

Let’s all do our part in creating a community where people with mental health problems feel respected, supported and cared for. 

For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/ or the Department of Behavioral Health Services Faceebook on https://www.facebook.com/TCIDBHS/.

Continue Reading

News

Breaking Ground: TCI Could Lead in Regional Communication Standards

Published

on

Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, 27th March 2024: The PR, marketing, and communications sector is poised for potential growth and could lead the Caribbean region in terms of industry standards says Damian Wilson. Wilson’s suggestion comes after the release of a new research report into the current trends and future direction of the sector as a possible emerging industry in the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

Wilson is the report’s author, which conveys the findings of research which he initiated. “One of the key research results is the considerable optimism by industry practitioners and government alike, with persons seeing growth potential. I believe that we can become regional leaders in this field. I believe that one of the initiatives that could be used to do this is by establishing a ‘TCI Centre of Communications Excellence’ within the TCI Community College. Such an institute would be dedicated to communication and media innovation with a particular focus on digital communications and ICT,” says Wilson.

He further explained, “I believe that the PR, marketing, and communications sector, like much of the country, is at a crossroads and could have an even greater impact on our socio-economic fabric. Some may have concerns about our small size, but I believe this makes us far more agile than our neighbours. All in all, any potential growth must be underpinned by new investments, professional development, and a strategy to integrate the sector into the broader economy.”

Wilson also said that he sees his research as a first step in understanding our own industry sectors in the TCI and would love to see more profound research and analysis conducted. He’s hoping that the report will spark discussion along those lines. The report is entitled ‘Current Trends and Future Direction: A Preliminary Report on the PR, Marketing, and Communications Sector in the Turks & Caicos Islands’. Anyone wanting a copy of the report can contact Damian Wilson via his email, damian.wilson.pr@gmail.com.

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING