TCI News
TCI: Press Release – Hon. Dr. Royal S. Robinson
#Providenciales, December 18, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – It is very disappointing, but par for the course for this Premier. She is acting like President Trump in blaming the Opposition for her failures. She seems to have forgotten that she campaigned for the job of Premier so that she could be the mover and shaker, but now that she 
is in the driver’s seat as the “best man for the job”, that the grass is only greener when looking from the outside. One of her Ministers some time remarked in the House of Assembly that he didn’t realize that governing was hard work. That sentiment seems to percolate from the head to the toe!
Let us look at the blame game with respect to Constitutional advancement that we all want. After the review led by Dan Malcolm, the UK rejected those proposals out of hand. Their response was read in the House of Assembly after it was received. Everyone knew that save and except the Premier. Yes the Opposition was engaged to move the process forward and we did on two occasions. We were to the point of having our position ratified by our Party Stalwarts. Process was that we would have that agreement and on a bipartisan basis hold a series of town hall meetings to gage the views of the public, even if it meant changing the thrust of the current position and adding more to bolster our position. We would then be able to say that we have the full backing and blessings of the Turks and Caicos Islands people when we engage the UK on a date for bipartisan Constitutional talks.
Before we could conclude all of the arrangements, the leadership contest came into play and we advised the Premier that we would disengage until this was concluded. The Premier, in trying to be “previous” and score petty political points set her own time to come on the back end of the JMC, an annual event between the UK and all the OTs. This did not give sufficient time to hold meaningful discussions and make the requisite changes. It was sheer laziness and no attention to detail the reason why the Premier sent up to the UK the exact text of a document that had already been rejected. Yes, we used it internally as a starting point of our discussions, but that had to be jettisoned before any discussions with the UK as were to be taking a different perspective, bearing in mind the failed previous attempt. The Premier got slapped around by the UK, even though they were mired in the stalled Brexit negotiations.
Madam Premier, do not blame the Opposition for your grief and despair. You wanted to come back from the UK 
flaunting a document to show that you had what it takes to govern on the heels of the disaster of the Service Charge Bill’s implementation date being pulled back. You just got hung by your own petard! Now you have to eat crow and wait for a full engagement by the Opposition and a demonstrable backing of the public for whatever is being proposed. It is instructive that in a previous correspondence that the UK cited the number of persons who attended the Malcolm’s exercise to be 200?
Remember, it was never the intention of the Premier for the hospitality workers to get what in the legal profession is called “an uplift” for Christmas! If that were so, she would have stated in the Gazette that the start date was 1st November as it is a 21 day lag between the end of the pay period and the day that payment to the workers would have been. So this Friday 21st the workers would have been assured a BLUETIFUL Christmas!
Hon. Dr. Royal S. Robinson, MBE
Chairman, Progressive National Party
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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