Connect with us

TCI News

TCI: Time to question the UK; the cost of SIPT is simply too high and it’s not party politics, it’s just sense

Published

on

#Providenciales, April 17, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – I was asked, how does one protest the Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT) trial without seeming to be in support of the alleged corruption which invited an investigation and trial in the first place.

That seems to be the dilemma which has many islanders caged and gaged when it comes to disputing a matter which has long lost wide support and which has dashed many hopes that justice for the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands will ever really be served.

Nearly a decade and the defence has yet to present its case; some surmise it may be another three years for the duration of the trial which is costing tax payers $10 million per year.  A trial which is widely reported to be enriching everyone affiliated to the tune of millions and millions of dollars.

Meanwhile the people the trial purports to protect are struggling to make ends meet and suffer with subpar infrastructure in far too many instances.

It is a sketchy trade-off.

Even the original prosecutor has hung her hat; Helen Garlick is a fixture in the history of this case which is dragging on, lost momentum but which is costing the country – and again I say – a mandated $10 million per year.

Perhaps it is time for islanders to realise that the protracted case, which had over 200 prosecution witnesses is a waste of taxpayer money.

As another National Budget Debate approaches on May 1, 2019, the electorate and residents should ensure that whatever the positions are about this staggering bill, they are ventilated and expressed on the floor of the House of Assembly.

The public should be asking reasonable questions of the UK about the trial which they started.  By now, the initiators of the process should be called to give an account of its true cost, its prognosis and what will happen when a verdict is rendered.

Everyone knows that the nine individuals on trial for alleged corruption will fight to the death, so to speak; they will not give-in even if convicted in the judge-only case. There will be appeals, guaranteed.

Right now, each defendant has their expensive legal teams, which the public is paying for and those teams are arguing that there is no case against the nine accused.  Each defendant, despite the damning evidence presented over three years is already asserting their constitutional right to prove their innocence at any cost.

Sadly, the cost is to the public purse. 

The public purse is paying for everything and so far, records show the bill has been a staggering $100 million dollars plus.

The fact made me ask, ‘how could that $100 million have been better spent?’ 

It took some digging and some asking but it was found that the Turks and Caicos could actually have attended to many of our biggest national woes and even have brought to fruition a few lofty ideas.

The too-small-for-comfort Providenciales International Airport for example; the expansion could have been ten times bigger with that $100m investment.

Dreams of more and better outfitted schools and public buildings could be realized. If, for example, each cost about $5 million and were of the scope of the soon-to-come Long Bay Primary School, we could get twenty expansive projects, done!

However, if they were smaller, around the size of the new Post Office in Providenciales, then we could get nearly 70 brand new, fully outfitted public buildings.

Shift to border security, which is understandably a major bone of contention.  With an extra $100 million to spend, our elected government could purchase two-state of the art combat vessels and two helicopters.  The vessels could tout the features of the newly commissioned Royal Bahamas Defence Force HMBS Madeira and two helicopters, identical to the ones often used to assist us and owned by the US Coast Guard.

A check on recent figures of the Turks and Caicos Planning Department regarding the dream of a causeway to connect the archipelago with bridges revealed that it was estimated the connection attracted a $20 million price tag. The fact confirms that with $100 million we could establish the link a full five times over.

Before our elected Government and Opposition agree to the upcoming Budget, which includes another $10 million for the corruption trial, the British should demonstrate respect for the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands and explain their ‘end game’ when it comes to the SIPT.

If it makes sense; what they have to say about the trial then we can agree to stay the course.  If it does not, we should abort immediately and find a better use of the public’s money.

We have a right and a duty to hold leaders, including the United Kingdom, accountable for management of the country.   The 2011 TCI Constitution clearly lays that foundation.

At this point, it seems we are agreeing, year after year to flushing millions of much needed dollars down the toilet, all because we are worried about politics.

In this case, politics is irrelevant. 

In this case, a better quality of life for the people of the Turks and Caicos – no matter your politics – does.

It is our call and we must make it.

#magneticmedianews

#timetoquestiontheuk

#noendinsightforsipttrial

Continue Reading

News

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM REGULATIONS INTRODUCES “RATE YOUR RIDE” SYSTEM FOR TOURISTS VISITING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

Published

on

FROM THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March, 2024 – Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Department of Tourism Regulations is proud to unveil the “Rate Your Ride” system, a new initiative designed to enhance the vacation experience for tourists exploring our picturesque islands.

The “Rate Your Ride” system empowers tourists to provide valuable feedback on the quality of transportation services they receive while visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands. Through an easy-to-use online form, tourists can rate factors such as cleanliness, comfort, safety, and professionalism of drivers, helping us to assure the highest quality of service standards across all modes of transportation.

By participating in the “Rate Your Ride” system, tourists play a crucial role in shaping the future of transportation services in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Their feedback will enable us to identify areas for improvement and ensure that every visitor enjoys safe, comfortable, and convenient travel throughout their stay in the Turks and Caicos.

The code will also be publicly accessible through the cooperation of volunteer drivers who will make the rating code available in their vehicles. Flyers and stickers displaying the code will be distributed at hotels, resorts and airports. The mandated display of these codes is expected to align with the rollout of our tourism regulations in 2025.

For more information about the “Rate Your Ride” system and other initiatives by the Department of Tourism Regulations, please visit gov.tc/tourismregulations/or contact us via telephone at 946-4970 and email at tourismregulations@gov.tc.

Continue Reading

News

THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIOURAL HEALTH SERVICES CONDEMNS RECORDING OF PERSONS WHO ARE IN CRISIS

Published

on

FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March 2024– The Department of Behavioral Health Services is appealing to the general public to refrain from recording and circulating videos of persons who may appear to be experiencing a mental health crisis. Anyone can experience a mental health crisis at some point in their life. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year. Persons may struggle with very common conditions such as Anxiety and Depression or be diagnosed with more serious conditions like Bipolar Disorder or Psychosis.

“There are a lot of misunderstandings about various mental health conditions and how they may manifest. In addition, there are a number of negative perceptions and misconceptions that society exhibits towards people with mental health problems. However, just as we would show care and concern for someone diagnosed with Cancer, or any other physical illness, in the same way, we need to be as caring and helpful to persons with mental illnesses”– stated Director of the Department of Behavioral Health Services, Dr. Alicia Malcolm.

The Department is urging the public to call the following numbers if you see someone who appears to be experiencing a mental health crisis:

338-5473/338-3616: Providenciales, North or Middle Caicos

338-3614/338-3612: Grand Turk, South Caicos, Salt Cay

338-6301: Nights and Weekends

If someone is putting themselves or someone else in immediate, serious risk of harm, call 911.

The Department of Behavioral Health services is here to help and provides the following services which are free and confidential:

Location of above services:

o             Sam Harvey Building, Down Town, Providenciales,

o             Primary Health Care Department, Cheshire Hall Medical Center, Providenciales 

o             Department of Behavioural Health, Duncombe Alley, Grand Turk

 

Let’s all do our part in creating a community where people with mental health problems feel respected, supported and cared for. 

For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/ or the Department of Behavioral Health Services Faceebook on https://www.facebook.com/TCIDBHS/.

Continue Reading

News

Breaking Ground: TCI Could Lead in Regional Communication Standards

Published

on

Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, 27th March 2024: The PR, marketing, and communications sector is poised for potential growth and could lead the Caribbean region in terms of industry standards says Damian Wilson. Wilson’s suggestion comes after the release of a new research report into the current trends and future direction of the sector as a possible emerging industry in the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

Wilson is the report’s author, which conveys the findings of research which he initiated. “One of the key research results is the considerable optimism by industry practitioners and government alike, with persons seeing growth potential. I believe that we can become regional leaders in this field. I believe that one of the initiatives that could be used to do this is by establishing a ‘TCI Centre of Communications Excellence’ within the TCI Community College. Such an institute would be dedicated to communication and media innovation with a particular focus on digital communications and ICT,” says Wilson.

He further explained, “I believe that the PR, marketing, and communications sector, like much of the country, is at a crossroads and could have an even greater impact on our socio-economic fabric. Some may have concerns about our small size, but I believe this makes us far more agile than our neighbours. All in all, any potential growth must be underpinned by new investments, professional development, and a strategy to integrate the sector into the broader economy.”

Wilson also said that he sees his research as a first step in understanding our own industry sectors in the TCI and would love to see more profound research and analysis conducted. He’s hoping that the report will spark discussion along those lines. The report is entitled ‘Current Trends and Future Direction: A Preliminary Report on the PR, Marketing, and Communications Sector in the Turks & Caicos Islands’. Anyone wanting a copy of the report can contact Damian Wilson via his email, damian.wilson.pr@gmail.com.

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING