TCI News
TCI: From the desk of Honorable George Lightbourne
Grand Turk, March 23, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – A UK parliamentary bipartisan committee has called on the Theresa May-led administration to set a date for all British Overseas Territories to legalize same sex marriages. It has also recommended the removing of belongership and its equivalents.
It says that these provisions are wrong and they are calling for UK residents to have voting rights and for them to be allowed to run for office in the Overseas Territories. The report also says that, if it’s not adhered to, it should be imposed by Order in Council.
These recommendations by the FAC are something that ought not be taken lightly. The proposed recommendations if implemented, have the potential to negatively impact the landscape of our country, morally, culturally, socially and politically, this includes the people of Grand Turk North. It is because of my love of my constituency and my love of my country I am compelled to speak about this matter.
Each country in the world is defined by its uniqueness and their core values which set them apart from other countries. In the Turks and Caicos we are no different. We are regarded as a beautiful, friendly, upright, law abiding, Christian country; a country where most persons fear god and subscribe to the teachings in the holy bible.
The Turks and Caicos islands is one of the most sought after destinations in the world by both those who seek to do good and sadly, those who seek to do us wrong.
We must be able to recognize and acknowledge one from the other and address them accordingly.
The FAC report is proposing among other things the allowance of man marrying man and woman marrying woman. This goes directly against our beliefs and it cuts us deep and should be wholeheartedly rejected without hesitation. The report also recommends that U.K. Citizens be allowed the right to vote in our elections and also run as candidates and Premier of this country. Again, we must send a strong message as this is not acceptable. We must stand strong and protect ourselves from any invasion into our political structure by persons who do not share our concerns and do not have any appreciation for our plight as a people.
The British regards us as a dependent territory and for many years I’ve asked the question what is it that we depend on the U.K for? needless to say, I have been unsuccessful in receiving a sensible answer. I am not surprised by the boldness of the U.K. After all they’ve gotten away with doing us so much wrong already. They have been allowed to take advantage of us without any meaningful resistance; further, I am not surprised by the fact that these are bi-partisan recommendations. What I am surprised by is the unilateral response to the report by our Premier. I am also surprised by the non response by the Leader of the Opposition.
I am of the view that a bi partisan report of such magnitude with the potential to negatively disrupt our way our life; interfering with those core principles that guide our day to day runnings should at the very least be given a bipartisan response. A response that would have captured the wishes of our total populace.
Such a damning report requires a response that would have clearly outlined and reflect in no uncertain terms the true wishes of our people. The response would have and should have been a country’s response that we could have all been proud of and contented with. Furthermore, it should have stated our country’s position. It should have been signed off by both the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition, after all, it is a national crisis.
Additionally, it should have established a red line and it should have said to the U.K. If you cross this line, this is what we will do; so there would be no surprises when they proceed with their anti TCI agenda. They would know exactly what the expected consequences would be.
I read the Premier’s response to the report and I was disappointed because it was a very weak response and it gave the impression that she either didn’t take the recommendations seriously or she doesn’t understand what is being proposed and the reason why I’m saying this is because in her response she said to the U.K.: ” no thank you”. Madam Premier the FAC is not asking for your permission to implement their plans but rather they are telling us what they are about to do and quite frankly they do not need your permission; they can and will do it by order in council whether we like it or not, the question becomes, what will we do? Tell the people of the Turks and Caicos islands, what are your intentions once the U.K. Implements their plans by order in council.
The U.K. has been taking over complete control of the TCI for a very long time but they were doing it incrementally; first they got rid of our constitution then they replaced it one that is equivalent to toilet paper where they have all the powers whilst at the same time allowing you to have elections providing you with a locally elected powerless government. We turned a blind eye to it and carried on as though we had powers to make decisions to advance our people’s agenda and because we went along with the saga and made believe like we had power, the U.K. Is now embolden and have decided to engage in what I would like to refer to as a “hostile take over” caring less about who you are, what you want and more about what they want. This latest attempt by the British presents a defining moment for us in the Turks and Caicos islands because it provides us a serious opportunity for some much needed self introspection. We now have a clear look into the minds of our adversaries and the ball is in our court, we can stick our head in the sand and act like ostriches and allow ourselves to be overthrown or we can arise and do what God wants us to do.
God has given us a beautiful country with smart able people, we have always managed our own affairs and there is nothing stopping us from continuing to do so. We ought not have a spirit of fear but one of soundness and optimism, however in our quest to pursue freedom we must understand that every Turks Islander has a contribution to make regardless his or her political affiliation. They must be respected and given the opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of our country. This means working with, promoting and creating opportunities for all our citizens whether we like them or not. This is the only way we will be able to transition from a country to a nation. Our Sovereignty awaits us but it requires political maturity and sound leadership.
My fellow citizens, we are at a crossroad. We have an opportunity to make a choice; a simple choice, a choice between good or evil. We can allow the U.K. to have their way and impose their belief and cultures on us or we can object it and chart a new course, a true path to real Turks and Caicos citizenship. Should we allow the the will of the U.K. to prevail we will find ourselves in an unfortunate predicament and we must not allow ourselves to be continually disrespected, and dominated into submission.
Our culture, values and biblical principles are worthy of retention and deserving of protection. My people wake up, speak up and fight back, do not accept it.
Hon. George Lightbourne
Independent writer
Born Here, Raised Here, but Still Unable to Vote: Is this a Conundrum for TCI Electorate?
By Ed Forbes
The Turks and Caicos Islands faces a growing demographic and democratic question that can no longer be ignored: What happens to young people born and raised here who reach adulthood without qualifying for Turks and Caicos Islander Status, and what does this mean for our country’s future?
This is not simply an immigration issue. It concerns population growth, national identity, political representation and the future
relationship between the people who call these Islands home and the system that determines who can participate in our democracy.
Consider a young person born in TCI, educated in our schools, raised in our communities and now working, paying taxes and contributing to the economy. At 18, that person may hold British Overseas Territories Citizenship (BOTC) but still lack Islander Status and, consequently, the eligibility required to register as an elector.
Section 55 of the Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution Order 2011 establishes the qualifications for voter registration, including the requirement to be a Turks and Caicos Islander. Being born here, growing up here or holding BOTC citizenship does not automatically satisfy that requirement.
Of course, birth in the Islands does not automatically confer Islander Status. The law provides different routes based on parental status, nationality, residence and other qualifying circumstances. We must respect those laws while asking whether they adequately address the realities of a population that has changed considerably over the past two decades.
The numbers make this discussion increasingly urgent.
According to Government population estimates, the TCI population grew from approximately 33,500 in 2011 to 47,674 in 2022. The Government’s 2025 projection placed it at approximately 52,299. That represents projected growth of roughly 56 per cent between 2011 and 2025.
Published demographic information has also suggested that fewer than one in four residents holds Islander Status. A separate comparison of the 2022 population estimate and the 2023 registered-elector list placed registered electors at approximately 19 per cent of the population.
These figures measure different things and come from different years. They should not be confused with the percentage of eligible voters who actually cast ballots. Nevertheless, they raise an important question: How will our electorate evolve as the population continues to grow?
We should not assume that every non-Islander resident is eligible for status, or that everyone without status was born here. Equally, we cannot ignore young people who may have spent their entire lives in these Islands yet remain outside the electorate because they cannot satisfy the existing requirements.
This situation did not begin yesterday. Children born here 15 or 20 years ago are now adults. Some may qualify under existing provisions but need assistance navigating the application process. Others may have no available route under current legislation. We need reliable figures to understand the scale of each group.
With the next general election roughly two and a half years away, the time to act is now.
The Government should not wait until an election is approaching to discover how many people may qualify to register, how many remain
excluded and whether legislative changes are needed. Islander Status applications and potential legislative reforms can involve lengthy processes. Any necessary changes require legal examination, consultation and sufficient time for implementation.
I propose that the Government work with the Islander Status Commission, immigration authorities and the Elections Department to conduct a comprehensive review of TCI-born adults who do not hold Islander Status. The review should establish how many qualify under existing provisions, how many have been refused or cannot apply, and the specific legal barriers involved.
Where a lawful pathway already exists, the Government should make it clear and accessible. Where genuine gaps remain, it should consult the public on whether a defined pathway should be established for qualifying individuals born, educated and lawfully raised here, with appropriate safeguards.
This is not a call to grant status indiscriminately or disregard immigration controls. It is a call to examine the consequences of our existing framework and determine whether it serves the long-term interests of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Let’s face it, a growing migrant population, an ageing Islander community and successive generations of young people whose electoral eligibility may be restricted present questions that deserve serious, evidence-based consideration.
We cannot change the past, but we can decide whether to confront this issue today or leave it for another generation. I strongly believe, voting eligibility is more than a right; it is a pathway to inclusion and a stake in our country’s future.
The question is no longer whether this deserves public discussion. It is whether we are prepared to begin in time to make informed decisions before the next election and beyond.
The clock is ticking. Let us establish the facts, examine the law and find a fair, lawful and sustainable way forward.
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Beaches Turks and Caicos has refreshed the grounds of Enid Capron Primary School in Five Cays, Providenciales, ahead of the new school year, with a landscaping team from the resort, pruning and cutting back overgrown branches to give the campus a cleaner, safer look.
The project focused on the school’s exterior plantings, where tangled growth had begun to encroach on walkways and outdoor learning
areas. The team spent time trimming hedges, thinning dense shrubs and removing deadwood to improve sightlines and airflow around the buildings.
Assistant Landscaping Manager, Kemar Jones said the work at Enid Capron is a regular priority for the department, which views community giving as a core part of its mandate. He noted that supporting local schools, particularly through hands-on environmental work, has long been a focus area for his team.
Jones, said the effort reflects the group’s wider commitment to the islands. “As a team, our goal is to give back to our communities and especially providing support for the environment and education,” Jones noted. “The team is always ready to share our skills with making the school environment more comfortable for our students and teachers.”
General Manager Deryk Meany framed the project as part of Beaches’ broader approach to working alongside the community beyond the resort gates. “At Beaches Turks and Caicos, we operate as a team not only within the confines of the resort but also with our communities,” Meany added. “Being able to share our varied skills is always our main focus. Providing a comfortable learning environment allows for a greater relationship with our educational collaborators.”
He added that the resort seeks opportunities to support range of school-based initiatives, from environmental and leadership clubs to creative programmes.
Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture Hon. Rachel Taylor described the landscaping mission as a continuation of a long-
standing relationship between the Ministry and Beaches Turks and Caicos. “This mission from our major private sector supporter, Beaches Turks and Caicos is a long standing activity,” Taylor said. “At Enid Capron Primary School, we are treated as family. Once we reach out to the resort, they have always responded in a positive way.”
Hon. Taylor said the support is particularly valuable in the areas of education and community development, where consistent private-sector engagement can amplify government efforts.
Nelene Swann, vice principal at Enid Capron Primary welcomed the refreshed grounds as a boost to morale before classes resume. “This is what true collaboration looks like,” she noted. “This is more than a facelift for the school. The team from Beaches Turks and Caicos has shown true commitment in adding to this learning environment for our students and teachers.”
She said the improved landscaping contributes to a more comfortable and inviting campus for all stakeholders. “This is a good way to start the new school year. This facelift will certainly make the facilities here at the school more appealing to our students, teachers and parents.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 9 October 2026: The Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) has earned international recognition after receiving the 2026 Educational Engagement Firebrand Award at the Ignition Community Conference (ICC) 2026.
The College was represented by Dr. P. Vijay Daniel, Lecturer in the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics, who
presented TCICC’s Island Smart Utility Platform project before an international audience of industry professionals, system integrators, educators, researchers and technology experts.
Organised by Inductive Automation, ICC is an international conference focused on industrial automation, technology, system integration and innovative applications developed using the Ignition platform.
TCICC’s award-winning project integrates Ignition with affordable ESP32 microcontrollers to support sustainable agriculture while providing students with hands-on experience in Internet of Things (IoT), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and automation.
The project was also featured in the conference’s Discover Gallery, providing TCICC with an opportunity to showcase its work to approximately 1,900 attendees from across the international industrial automation and technology sectors.
Speaking to the significance of the achievement for education and innovation in the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Honourable Rachel Marshall Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, remarked:
“I congratulate Dr. P. Vijay Daniel and the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College on this outstanding achievement. Recognition on an international platform demonstrates the talent, innovation and potential that exist within our education system. Initiatives such as the Island Smart Utility Platform show how education, technology and practical learning can work together to prepare our students for the opportunities of the future.”
The recognition also reflects TCICC’s continued commitment to strengthening applied, innovative and technology-driven education while preparing students for an increasingly digital workforce.
Reflecting on what the achievement represents for the College and its students, Dr. Candice Williams, President/CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, stated:
“This recognition is a significant achievement for TCICC and reflects our commitment to providing students with meaningful opportunities
to apply what they learn in the classroom. We are extremely proud of Dr. Daniel and the work being undertaken within the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics. This award demonstrates that innovation taking place at TCICC can achieve international recognition and contribute to the continued development of the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
For Dr. Daniel, the conference provided an important opportunity to share TCICC’s work internationally while engaging with professionals and experts from around the world.
Sharing his experience of representing the College on the international stage, Dr. Daniel said:
“Representing the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College at ICC 2026 was a proud and meaningful experience. Presenting our project in the Discover Gallery and receiving the Firebrand Award for Educational Engagement was especially rewarding because it recognised the work we have been doing with our students.
To see TCICC and the Turks and Caicos Islands represented on such a major international platform was truly special.”
Dr. Daniel also expressed appreciation to the Management of TCICC for its continued support and for providing him with the opportunity to represent the College internationally.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Insert: Dr. P. Vijay Daniel and Mr. Menelik Astwood (Chair of Faculty for Computing, Engineering and Mathematics).
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