TCI News
Beaches Resort does not owe TCI Gov’t; both sides want multi-million dollar dispute resolved
#TurksandCaicosIslands – January 30, 2019 – Sandals Resort International, SRI, is again speaking out regarding the indefinite closure of Beaches Resort Villages and Spa in 2021 and the issue of a multi-million-dollar figure in dispute between the resort company and the Turks and Caicos Islands Government.
The company last night said they welcome the statement by Premier Sharlene Robinson that the TCI Cabinet is giving the matter full attention.
In a startling twist, the statement by Beaches Resort overnight explained that the Turks and Caicos Tax Department imposed taxes and penalties “at a preposterously crippling rate of 10 percent per month, compounded, which translates to more than 213 percent per annum.”
The statement shared that it was actually a “disregard of the prevailing legally binding agreement in writing” which led to the compounded rate charges and SRI emphasized that, “To the contrary, it is Beaches Resorts that is currently owed many millions of dollars in over paid taxes.”
SRI explains in that press release that the company does not owe the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, that SRI is an exemplary payee and that despite widespread reports and chastisements aimed at Beaches Resort for trying to ‘side-step paying taxes’ to TCIG, that is simply not the case.
“Beaches TCI, has for the past 23 years in which it has operated in the Turks and Caicos Islands, punctually and accurately paid taxes according to law. As a matter of fact, we are first in line to pay our taxes.”
Premier Sharlene Robinson, in a statement on Monday also warned against the accusatory remarks clarifying that ‘it has not been a matter of Beaches avoiding taxes or of the former Governments or Ministers of Finances before me… intentionally leaving this matter unaddressed.”
Premier Robinson added, “I implore those, void of facts, to resist casting wild accusations and unwarranted attacks on elected and public officials and well as Beaches Resort itself.”
Beaches Resort calls this tax matter an “injustice” and said it did find some satisfaction that the Government, led by Premier and Finance Minister Sharlene Robinson, had “undertaken to remedy the egregious wrong but in spite of assurances has been unable to do so for over two years.”
Beaches TCI revealed that it was forced to take legal action against the TCI Government for breaches of the binding agreements.
Still the country’s leader expressed this, “I assure the people of the TCI that this matter will be settled in the very best interest of all the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. I ask those employees of Beaches, taxi drivers, other hotel operators, airline agents and airline workers who contacted me frantically for representation to know that they are being held in highest consideration.”
Premier Robinson said a lot of work has been vested toward a conclusion on the matter and confirmed that a hand delivered letter was received weeks ago by Government; issued by Beaches Turks and Caicos.
And as these statements come from the two leading entities in this unfolding saga, there is a three-page letter in circulation which paints a concerning picture about Government and Foreign Investor relations. The letter, though authentic in appearance, is an unconfirmed document.
The Premier in her Monday comment said, at the time, she was unable to disclose anything more than her statement explained; adding that she plans to be fully transparent on the issue and will set out the terms as soon as the occasion arises.
Some 50,000 people have read our original story of the ‘indefinite closure of Beaches TCI’ at MagneticMediaTV.com, which was posted on Friday, January 25, 2019.
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#USA, June 5, 2023 – Kamala Harris, United States Vice President will journey to Nassau Bahamas in June for a
top level meeting with Caribbean leaders, marking the first time she will visit the region since occupying office in 2021.
According to the White House in a statement, the meeting will bring attention to a range of regional issues. Harris and the Caribbean leaders will continue talks on the shared efforts to address the climate crisis, such as promoting climate resilience and adaptation in the region and increasing energy security through clean energy.
Additionally, the statement informed that Harris’ trip “delivers on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to advance cooperation with the Caribbean in pursuit of shared prosperity and security, and in recognition of the common bonds and interests between our nations.”
The June 8th meeting builds on and strengthens the U.S.-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030, which was launched by the Vice President and Caribbean leaders in Los Angeles at the Summit of the Americas as further mentioned by White House Statement.
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, June 5, 2023 – A champion swimmer, marathon runner, Ivy League graduate and world traveler with a huge smile– that is Alexandra Truwit; at only 22 years old, she has a whole life ahead of her, one that may have now been made exponentially harder by the loss of her foot in an incident which continues to be unconfirmed, but reported as a shark attack off the coast of Providenciales.
Magnetic Media learned Truwit, who is a very experienced swimmer, was on a private charter captained by an
employee of Big Blue Collective (not a Big Blue Charter). She was bitten by what eyewitnesses think could have been a Caribbean Reef Shark and her foot below the ankle was completely severed.
It’s a heartbreaking incident exacerbated by the young woman’s obvious love for- and proficiency in- the water.
The Yale website describes Truwit as a Two-time USA Swimming Academic All-American. Featured as a ‘Teen Titan’ in her high school, she was one of ten young people chosen for the school’s magazine.
Truwit, who has a twin brother, cites nail art and baking as her life joys. Already having survived ‘mono’ as a teen, she volunteers as a Special Olympics “hugger” and started a Special Olympics club at her high school.
She was airlifted from the Turks and Caicos on the day of her accident and there have been no updates on her condition so far. Residents in the TCI and the US have expressed via social media their best wishes for the young achiever and must now wait, hoping for the best possible outcome.
One resident said, “So sorry Alexandra you had to encounter such a traumatic experience while on vacation on our beautiful Island. I am praying for a successful surgery and speedy recovery for you, hopefully, the surgeon can work their magic for you.”
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, June 5, 2023 – There are sweeping changes coming to the civil service this year after years of complaints about delays and understaffing.
“For the year 2023/24, the office of the Deputy Governor has a very ambitious public sector transformation centered around improving service delivery and the customer experience.” 
This came from Governors Appointed Member Willin Belliard, as he rose in the budget debates on Thursday May 18 to detail the revamp.
Phase one of E-procurement which will allow for the virtual submission of tenders is to be implemented. Along with that will come E-Jobs, a similar system touted to make job applications virtual, swift and easy.
Implementation of the Human Capital Procurement Program is also on the list of deliverables. Human capital is sorely lacking in the Turks and Caicos across the public and private sectors with hundreds of vacancies sitting open and resignations continuing to pile up.
Public servants will also find it easier to enroll into the all new Public Sector Pension Plan with the advent of a portal to remove the need for paper based applications.
The previously announced pay grading exercise is on the table to be completed and a Contract management unit has now been created to manage the delivery of projects that taxpayers are funding.
Residents of the Turks and Caicos have complained bitterly about the state of the civil service in the country for years. From police records to the treasury, the service is characterized by low staffing, frustrating wait time and long lines.
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