TCI News
TCI: PNP calls for new election, slams Premier for state of NJS Francis building
#Providenciales, November 20, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – The Opposition PNP is demanding the PDM Administration resign, dissolve the House of Assembly and order a new general election; Hon Washington Misick 
cites the crumbling state of the House of Assembly building and the leadership style of the Premier as the reason for the bold request.
Leader of Opposition business in the House of Assembly, Washington Misick today issued a statement.
“The vindictive and capricious style of leadership which this Premier embrace, has resulted in various cancellations or delays to several infrastructure projects, including JAGS McCartney International Airport, Waterloo, the South Caicos International Airport Terminal and the Cultural Amphitheatre (fish-fry village). However, the awarding of the contract for the repairs and refurbishment of the NJS Francis Building is perhaps the most egregious frustration of a contract award, given the building’s centrality to TCI democracy, being the physical seat of government.”
Misick is reports of a relocation of everything and everyone within the NJS Francis building.
“The conditions and the circumstances which have made the NJS Francis building unfit for occupation thereby resulting in the relocation of the employees, falls squarely at the feet of the Premier.”
The new headquarters for Parliament and government staff normally situated there is now to be the H.J. Robinson High school auditorium, explains the statement sent to Magnetic Media early this morning. The media statement is also where Hon Washington Misick, the former minister of finance gave account of what led to the relocation and dilapidated state of the NJS Francis Building.
“…the Premier reduced and then removed the 2.1 million-dollar originally allocation in the 2016/17 budget for the repairs to the building, and for which tenders went out in 2016. A contract with TCIG and a local contractor was signed in April 2017. However, instead of informing the contractor of the commencement date of the contract a letter of cancellation was sent on February 7, 2018.”
In a shocking irony, the PNP is now blaming the PDM Administration of stock-piling surplus monies.
“This hoarding of cash will only result in continuous degradation of infrastructure, more potential failures and mould infestation of government buildings. As has become the norm for the Premier, this national disgrace will once again be blamed erroneously on Irma and Maria. In the meantime, the delivery of services suffers because the government will now have to submit a supplementary appropriation bill and have it passed before it could retender the contract for the repairs and refurbishment. This is likely to take us well into 2020.”
The Leader of the Opposition said the revelation of a $55 million surplus clearly demonstrates that the country can afford to take care of its business and in conclusion, the former Chief Minister and current fifth All Island member said: “It is in the public interest that this government advises the Governor to dissolve the HOA and call a general election to avoid a complete systemic breakdown.”
#MagneticMediaNews
#WashingtonMisick
#PNPcallsfornewelection
Her Excellency the Governor is pleased to announce that following an expressions of interest process, and in accordance with Section 5 of the Financial Services Commission Ordinance 2007, Mr Dimaggio Rigby, Mr Geoff Scott and Mr Dennis Swann, have been appointed to serve as Commissioners on the Financial Services Commission Board of directors.
Mr Rigby brings specialist experience in cyber, media, and technology risks. He is currently employed in the City of London as a Cyber Insurance Market Consultant.
Mr Scott is a financial services professional with over 30 years’ successful track record in banking. He currently leads the Bermuda Bankers Association and was, until August 2022, the Chief Executive Officer of the Insurance Cooperation of Barbados Limited (ICBL).
Mr Swann is a Fellow of the Institute of Canadian Bankers. He has expertise in Human Resources and worked for the Bank of Nova Scotia for 12 years. He has previously worked within the TCI FSC.
Commenting on the appointments, the Governor said:
“Following consultation with the Hon. Premier (in his capacity as th
e Minister of Finance) and the Hon. Leader of the Opposition, I have appointed Mr Dennis Swann, Mr Dimaggio Rigby and Mr Geoff Scott respectively, to serve as Commissioners (non-executive directors) on the Board of the Turks and Caicos Islands Financial Services Commission (FSC). I am confident that the combined experience of these three new Commissioners will help ensure the FSC delivers our vision for a technologically advanced financial services sector that is competitive and supports growth, is well regulated while agile and internationally respected.
I would like to thank Mr Keno Forbes for his previous service as a Commissioner.”
The appointments are for a three-year period, beginning in April 2024. Further details on the work of the Financial Services Commission can be found at TCIFSC.
Wednesday, April 17th 2024 – On Monday the 15th April at 11 am, the Turks and Caicos AIDS Awareness Foundation (TCAAF) unveiled their new brand to their supporters, members, the media, government departments and partnering NGO’s. The TCAAF, which is now the Turks and Caicos Health and Wellness Foundation (TCHWF) welcomed everyone to their new office which is oblique to the Edward Gartland Youth Centre, Downtown, Providenciales.
The TCHWF was founded in 2003 and is a registered non-profit organization in the TCI and a registered 501 (c) non-profit in the United States as well. TCHWF will focus on addressing broader health and social issues driven by the intersectionality of health and social factors, and disparities in services in the TCI.
At the ceremony, Dr. Dawn O’Sullivan, who provides medical care to persons living with HIV (PLHIV) through the Foundation and will continue to be the doctor on staff for TCHWF, gave the audience an insight on how the Foundation began. Dr. O’ Sullivan praised the board members, staff and volunteers for the success of the Foundation, which includes building the Edward Gartland Youth Centre. She explained that the rebranding was necessary since HIV is a chronic disease where you can take medication and live a long and healthy life, but support is needed for all persons living with chronic diseases and for the population that feels excluded or stigmatized.
TCHWF will provide holistic care to these populations. The new TCHWF office is comprised of a doctor’s office where patients can have consultations and be treated, and other comfortable spaces where persons can relax and unwind.
Nurse Nora Tyndall briefed the attendees on the services that the Foundation currently offers, such as the donation of a CD4 machine to the government so that patients can know their CD4 count before seeing the doctor. Other services being offered are free medical consultations, improved access to treatment and care, convenient access to medications, food cards, grocery distribution and the provision of formulas to infected mothers who give birth and cannot breastfeed. Nurse Tyndall highlighted that there is an increase in the number of pregnant women living with HIV in the TCI.
The new mandate of TCHWF is “Linking Lives, Transforming Communities”, the Foundation’s mission is to expand its services to connect HIV and non-HIV persons to entities and experts that can address varying needs.
The Executive Director of TCHWF, Anansa Jervis, highlighted the Foundation’s “aim to promote access to quality health services, information and education in the Turks and Caicos Islands.” Mrs. Jervis further explained that this would mean the need to “integrate HIV services and non-HIV services by increasing access to holistic and comprehensive health services needed for PLHIV and persons not living with HIV.” In this regard, the TCHWF intends to provide linkage to:
▪ The cultivation of youth empowerment and the development of life skills
▪ Health, hygiene, education and wellness strategies tailored to the needs of young women
▪ Care and support services for survivors of domestic violence
▪ Mental health, psychosocial services and recovery support services for persons with substance use disorders.
▪ Equitable access to HIV care and support services, addressing disparities.
To achieve these linkages, the Foundation has held discussions with various NGO’s and government organizations to provide the necessary services and support to persons with varying needs.
One of the Board Members of the Foundation, Giovanni Delancy, gave the closing address by expressing thanks to God, the members, staff, media and volunteers for attending the unveiling ceremony. He closed with “we will continue to bring awareness and education to those not only with HIV/AIDS but other STD’s and other diseases. Let us continue to make a difference wherever we go.”
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