TCI News

TCI: Statement from Oswald Skippings

Published

8 years ago

November 30, 2018

#Providenciales, November 30, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – The Rt. Hon. Theresa May, Prime Minister of Britain has reached agreement with the leaders of all 27 EU member states on a Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration marking the culmination of the UK’s exit negotiations with the European Union.

What is of extreme importance to us as a Turks and Caicos Overseas Territory, is what Uk Prime Minister considers as the achievements to be gained from this Brexit deal; I quote;

“We will control our own borders and end free movement once and for all”

Interestingly, Illegal immigration which relates to border control and is a direct constitutional responsibility of the British, is not a primary concern of theirs and they have been conspicuously negligent in carrying out that responsibility.

To add insult to injury, we are faced with court decisions that say that we are obligated to grant extended work permits to work permit holders. This is something that could be easily fixed by our immigration minister. As a former minister of immigration I was faced with the same problem 16 years ago. I fixed it but it was unfixed by the then incoming administration.

British Prime minister May’s second declared achievement in the Brexit deal is, and I quote;

“We will protect jobs with a deal that is good for our economy”

That again is strange when we consider the unregulated influx of Brits that has been placed in our Civil Service since the Interim Administration until presently, filling managerial and advisory positions with highly inflated salaries that are way above that of local counterparts. This needs to be fixed and is overdue. So it is indeed strange that the Brits are again fighting to stop something that they are imposing on us.

The third accomplishment referred to by the British prime minister and I quote;

“We will no longer send vast sums of money to the EU so we can spend more on our priorities, like investing in our long-term plan for the NHS”

This again is so interesting and considering the constitutional restraints and other legal impediments such as the Procurement Ordinance that is designed to secure and dump large sums of money into what was labeled the sinking fund and build large reserves while social services such as national health and education suffers and major government infrastructure such as the Parliament building and the Grand Turk airport terminal remain unattended.

Additionally, the public service is deprived of salary increases, gratuities, pensions and other benefits while the elected government is prohibited from usefully utilizing these funds to the benefit of its people and country. Strange indeed! What is good for the British goose is obviously not good for the Turks and Caicos gander.

Another such accomplishment mentioned and I quote;

“We will take back control of our laws, ending the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice in the UK”

We need to bear in mind that we have been subjected to the imposition of not only those European laws, but British laws that have been morally and otherwise alien and unacceptable to us as a people.

This is undoubtedly a wake up call for us as a people considering the double standards being displayed by the British. This is particularly important bearing in mind that both governments have been in pursuit of constitutional reform and the present administration is currently engaged in such efforts.

It’s becoming clearer by the day that if we are to overcome the myriad of overbearing colonial and domestic governmental challenges, then we have to be realistic and reconsider our traditional approaches to selecting a government. That old, traditional approach of blind addiction to a particular political party is no longer working in the best interest of our people and country.

It is now obvious that if we are to survive, overcome and achieve the progress, prosperity and the economic and industrial stability that so we desire, we are going to have to seek out the most committed, competent and suitable men and women to represent us as our government in the future.

Release: Oswald Skippings

Government

Government Outlines New Healthcare Vision as Interhealth Exit Accelerates Reform

Published

3 days ago

July 23, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

By Magnetic Media Newsroom

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Turks and Caicos Islands Government says the breakdown of its relationship with InterHealth Canada presents an opportunity to reshape healthcare delivery, with plans to expand local medical services, strengthen primary care and reduce dependence on overseas treatment.

During a national briefing following InterHealth Canada’s notice terminating its hospital contract, Premier Charles Washington Misick acknowledged publicly for the first time that Government and InterHealth had been negotiating an exit from the arrangement for more than a year after what he described as an “irretrievably broken down” relationship.

Despite the contractual dispute, Misick and Health Minister Kyle Knowles stressed that healthcare services will continue uninterrupted during the transition.

“Allow us to do our job,” Knowles appealed, assuring residents that Government is actively managing the transition and safeguarding patient care.

The Premier outlined what amounts to a broader healthcare transformation built around four connected levels of care: strengthened community-based primary healthcare; expanded polyclinic services; enhanced hospital-based secondary care with greater specialist capacity; and overseas tertiary treatment only for cases that cannot be managed locally.

Among the proposals are the long-discussed establishment of intensive care units, expanded use of currently unfinished hospital space, recruitment of more resident specialist physicians and stronger contract management to oversee future healthcare agreements.

Knowles said the new polyclinic model will broaden services available outside the hospitals, including dentistry, ophthalmology, laboratory services, diagnostic imaging, gynaecology and preventative screening, helping to reduce pressure on emergency departments while improving early intervention.

Misick also acknowledged that while the hospital system significantly improved healthcare access after opening in 2010, Government believes further reform is necessary to improve affordability, sustainability and the range of services available within the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The briefing marked the Government’s most comprehensive explanation to date of its plans beyond the InterHealth contract, signalling that officials now see the transition as an opportunity to redesign healthcare delivery rather than simply replace one operator with another.

News

Planning for Tomorrow: Why Sustainable Communities Begin with Good Planning

Published

3 days ago

July 23, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Turks and Caicos – Every thriving community tells a story long before the first home is built. The placement of roads, the routing of utilities, the protection of natural resources and the provision of schools, healthcare and emergency services are all the result of decisions made through careful planning. While these elements are often taken for granted, they form the foundation of safe, functional and sustainable communities.

As populations grow and communities evolve, planning becomes increasingly important. It helps ensure that development takes place in locations that can support it, that infrastructure keeps pace with demand, and that public services remain accessible to those who depend on them. Good planning also considers the future, creating communities that can adapt to changing needs while preserving the quality of life enjoyed by current and future generations.

Where development occurs without adequate planning, however, the effects can be felt far beyond the boundaries of a single neighbourhood. Roads may be unable to accommodate emergency vehicles, utilities can become overstretched, and environmental resources may come under increasing pressure. Delivering public services in these circumstances often becomes more difficult and more costly, creating challenges that affect entire communities rather than individual properties alone.

For this reason, sustainable development can only emanate from careful planning. It must be ensured that homes, infrastructure and essential services develop together in a coordinated and responsible way. Every planning decision contributes to the broader picture of how communities function, grow and respond to future demands.

Supporting that process requires reliable information. Accurate data helps planners and policymakers understand where growth is occurring, identify emerging needs and make informed decisions about infrastructure, housing and public services. It also strengthens collaboration among government agencies by providing a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing communities.

Within the Turks and Caicos Islands, this collaborative approach is reflected in the work of the Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), which supports a range of initiatives aimed at improving the understanding of informal settlement development. Through activities such as GIS mapping, the Social Needs Assessment Survey and collaboration with partner agencies, the ISU contributes valuable information that helps support evidence-based planning and long-term decision-making.

Strong communities are not built overnight. They are shaped through thoughtful planning, informed decisions and cooperation across government and the wider community. As the Turks and Caicos Islands population continues to grow, maintaining that focus will be essential to creating communities that are safe, resilient and equipped to meet the needs of generations to come.

Education

Turks and Caicos Islands Students Excel at Cycle 13 WizdomCRM Regional AI Game National Awards Ceremony

Published

4 days ago

July 22, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Ministry of Education Representatives with Rubis and Top 3 Performers

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Wednesday, 22 July 2026: The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture proudly congratulates the students of the Turks and Caicos Islands on their outstanding performance at the Cycle 13 WizdomCRM Regional Virtual Sustainable Stock Market AI Game National Awards Ceremony.

The ceremony was held on Thursday, 16 July 2026, at the Blue Haven Resort, under the theme “Champions Today. AI Leaders Tomorrow.” It was hosted by the Ministry in collaboration with WizdomCRM.

Students across the Caribbean took part in the investment challenge, each beginning with a virtual portfolio of USD $25,000 and working to grow it through simulated investments on regional and international stock markets. Throughout the competition, students were guided by Mr. Rabbit, WizdomCRM’s AI Tutor, and supported by E-Classroom sessions, building financial literacy, critical thinking and investment skills.

The Turks and Caicos Islands emerged as the region’s top-performing territory, claiming the top six regional positions, securing 14 of the Caribbean’s Top 20 places, and placing four schools on the regional leaderboard. Leading the region was Marc Roubentz-Perceus of TCIPS Comprehensive High School, who grew his portfolio to USD $370,336.63. He was followed by Joshua Creese of Raymond Gardiner High School in second place, and Stendro Chalas of TCIPS Comprehensive High School in third. Raymond Gardiner High School was also recognised as the Top School for Cycle 13.

Hon. Rachel M. Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, said: “I congratulate every student who took part in Cycle 13. You

have demonstrated the confidence to compete with the very best students regionally, and you have shown our country what is possible. This success is not luck; it is the result of an ecosystem built by students, teachers, parents, school leaders and partners who continue to invest in educational excellence. As we look ahead, the Ministry is in active discussions with WizdomCRM to expand access to its AI-powered learning tools, including Super AI, the AI Tutor, the Plagiarism Checker and the Grammar Checker, so that our young people are equipped with the future-ready skills they need to succeed.”

The Ministry extends sincere appreciation to the dedicated teachers who mentored the students, and to Rubis Turks and Caicos, whose sponsorship provided the cash prizes awarded to the top three regional champions. The Ministry also thanks WizdomCRM, participating schools, parents and stakeholders for their partnership in this achievement, which reflects the Ministry’s continued commitment to innovation, digital learning and youth development across the Turks and Caicos Islands.

WIZDOM CRM – Top Performers Cycle 13

Position	Name	School	Portfolio Value	Regional Placement
1st	Marc Roubentz-Perceus	TCIPS Comprehensive High School	$ 370,336.63	1st
2nd	Joshua Creese	Raymond Gardiner High School	$ 264,841.31	2nd
3rd	Stendro Chalas	TCIPS Comprehensive High School	$ 247,738.09	3rd
4th	Ojed’harlie Jolissaint	Wesley Methodist School	$ 227,389.60	4th
5th	Tyshawn Wright	Raymond Gardiner High School	$ 189,064.18	5th
6th	Jah’keem Missick	Raymond Gardiner High School	$ 173,654.58	6th
7th	Curvin Handfield	Raymond Gardiner High School	$ 156,984.89	8th
8th	Chadazea Darville	Wesley Methodist School	$ 147,428.43	9th
9th	Vivaan Castleton	British West Indies Collegiate	$ 120,833.83	14th
10th	Damendine Simplus	TCIPS Comprehensive High School	$ 118,660.55	15th
11th	Dyvion Louis	Raymond Gardiner High School	$ 111,572.81	16th
12th	Colin Moriarty	British West Indies Collegiate	$ 106,854.81	17th
13th	Kensley Felix	TCIPS Comprehensive High School	$ 101,285.06	18th
14th	Redjino Saint-Louis	Raymond Gardiner High School	$ 99,927.39	19th