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
#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
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
News
BermudAir Launches New York Area’s First Nonstop Service to South Caicos, Now Just a 3.5 Hour Flight from Newark
Twice-Weekly Nonstop Flights Begin December 20 with Fares from $347 One Way, Creating Direct Access to Salterra Resort & Spa
– New Route Expands BermudAir’s Winter Turks & Caicos Network –
[New York, NY – August 20, 2026] – BermudAir, the leading premium leisure carrier to Bermuda and the Caribbean, today announced it will introduce nonstop flights to South Caicos from Newark this winter. The route places one of the Caribbean’s most secluded island destinations just 3.5 hours from the New York area for the first time.
The new service starts on December 20, 2026, operating on Sundays and Thursdays, and will be the only nonstop service to the destination
from the New York area. This seasonal service will operate through April 25, 2027. Fares start at $347 one way ($773 roundtrip) and go on sale today.
The new South Caicos route creates gives travelers two distinct luxury resort options, with direct access to Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, recently named the No. 1 resort in Turks and Caicos by Condé Nast Traveler.
Set across 85 beachfront acres with a 3,000-foot private white-sand beach, Salterra brings a full luxury resort experience to an island still defined by its historic salinas, pristine waters, bonefishing flats and uninhabited cays. Upon landing at South Caicos International Airport (XSC), guests are approximately 10 minutes from the resort.
While flights go on sale today, the airline’s BermudAir Holidays vacation-packaging division will offer curated travel to South Caicos from next month, featuring flights, hotels and authentic island experiences, with bundled discounts and value-added perks, making it even easier to explore the destination.
Previously BermudAir announced seven new routes to Providenciales in Turks and Caicos, from Newark (EWR), Boston (BOS), Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), St Petersburg/Tampa (PIE) and Toronto (YYZ) which will all start in December except for Fort Lauderdale which begins October 26.
Expanded Winter Season
- To South Caicos:
- Twice-weekly nonstop from Newark (Sundays and Thursdays) from December 20 through April 25, 2027.
- To Turks and Caicos:
- Weekly nonstop from Newark (Saturdays) and one weekly direct service (Thursdays) from December 19 through April 29, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Boston (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Baltimore-Washington (Thursdays), from December 24 through April 29, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from Raleigh-Durham (Thursdays and Sundays), from December 20 through May 2, 2027;
- Thrice-weekly service from Fort Lauderdale (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), from October 26 through May 3, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from St Petersburg/Tampa (Mondays and Thursdays), from December 21 through May 3, 2027; and
- Weekly nonstop service from Toronto (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027.
“We’re thrilled to continue expanding our Caribbean network as the premium leisure carrier from North America,” said Adam Scott, Founder and CEO of BermudAir. “Now New Yorkers can fly nonstop to two distinct sides of the Turks and Caicos Islands — Providenciales and the secluded island of South Caicos, home to the exquisite Salterra and Sailrock South Caicos resorts.”
The airline consistently earns Net Promoter Scores of 70+, one of the highest ratings in the airline industry. All flights will be operated on comfortable Embraer E190 aircraft, offering passengers the airline’s signature warm service and authentic island hospitality.
“South Caicos has always felt worlds away, and that is part of its magic,” said Michael Tibbetts, Founder and CEO of Salterra. “Beginning this winter, guests can fly nonstop from Newark in 3.5 hours, land at one of the newest international airports in the region and be at Salterra minutes later. This route makes a long weekend escape and an extended stay to one of the Caribbean’s most unspoiled islands remarkably easy, without changing the sense of discovery that makes South Caicos so special.”
For more information or to book flights, visit www.flybermudair.com. Salterra will offer dedicated stay packages timed to BermudAir’s Thursday and Sunday nonstop service. To book a stay at Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, visit www.salterra.com
