TCI News
TCI: Robinson vs. Robinson; New Tax row erupts ahead of National Budget presentation
#Providenciales, May 1, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – One day before the National Budget is presented, the country hears that there is a new tax, planted inconspicuously in the Budget Booklet to financially weigh the people down… later, that claim of a new tax is refuted as untrue and there is a promise to remove it through parliamentary action.
PNP Appointed Member Royal Robinson found the item and first thing this morning began exposing, what he suspected was a sneaky maneuver to implement a General Service Tax or GST.
Hours later, the Premier and Finance Minister Sharlene Robinson issued her own statement to say there is no plan by her Government to introduce a new tax and that the item is old news, having be a part of documents laid in the House of Assembly a few times already this year.
Still, one has to wonder why the item appears in the booklet at all. One resident to Magnetic Media questions who put it there in the first place.
This morning, Royal Robinson in his statement to the public included the precise page from the Budget Booklet where the GST was listed under the Key Programme Strategies.
He accurately cites that the item four introduces a tax.
“Implementation of a General Sales Tax: Commencement 1st Quarter 2019/2020. The introduction of a GST in any country is a move toward tax reformation in the levying country. The Good and Services Tax (GST) subsumes many indirect taxes. And is a tax on both goods and services.”
The explanation includes that the tax would be complete by March 2020, which is the end of the current fiscal year.
“The Premier as Minister of Finance is using the old tried and proven adage that if you put it in print and in plain sight, the people will miss it. Not so, this time Madame Premier, we are up to your sneak attack and are now exposing you for the devious person you are.”
Ouch! But Premier Robinson shot back there had been earlier opportunities, missed by the Appointed Member to enquire of the GST and what it meant.
“Regrettably, this was not raised during the Meetings of the Appropriations Committee, then this information would have been given and the representative’s time would have better been spent.”
The country’s leader dismissed any notion that there is a clandestine plan afoot.
“No recommendation for a new tax has been made or accepted by my Government or Cabinet,” said the Premier, who added later that, “I assure the people of this country that we enjoy a strong financial position and are considering now how we can use the strong cash position for major national initiatives.”
The Budget presentation will be made at 11 a.m. tomorrow, May 1, 2019 and carried live on the Facebook page of the Office of the Premier, said Premier & Finance Minister Robinson.
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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.
