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TCI: Essential Five Cays access road needs permanent solution; unacceptable condition for the important gateway

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#Providenciales, June 1, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – Residents were yesterday informed that there is relief coming for the now decimated strip of roadway linking the southern communities of Five Cays, South Dock and Chalk Sound to the rest of Providenciales.

Incessant rains and localized flooding have bogged the area down in murky, mucky water which has eroded most of the road and created soggy sidewalks.  Crater sized potholes are like death traps for motor vehicles, some remain crippled on the sides of the road as hundreds of vehicles try to navigate the messy stretch of street every day.

The extreme flooding has made the commute into and out of the community frustrating, impossible for some vehicles and down right dangerous for all motorists.

There have also been reports of road rage.

One half of the road; the south bound lane is now completely eroded in some portions due to the water which has been allowed to sit for at least two weeks now.

Minister of Infrastructure, Deputy Premier Sean Astwood said the rain hampered pumping efforts but today, work will begin. 

Many residents to whom we spoke are disappointed in the delay in addressing the issue, but welcome the news of relief. 

This main vein is the only way in or out by vehicle and it leads to many critically and commercially important areas.

South Dock is the country’s gateway for everything.  All imported goods, to the tune of over 2.2 billion in the past five years, arrive at the port. Our groceries, our vehicles, precious commodities like fuel, cement and other consumer goods arrive by sea at South Dock’s port before they are distributed to Provo and the other islands of the Turks and Caicos.

One can also find industrial and mechanical businesses on South Dock Road; and as of 2014 a private luxury airport which welcomes millionaires who chose to vacation in the Turks and Caicos is also in the area.

Chalk Sound is a destination within Providenciales as home to some of the country’s most elite political, civic, church and business leaders.  It is also a real estate, recreational and environmental gold mine.  It is where you can find the $45 million, award winning Emerald Cay villa; multi-million-dollar homes, luxury villa rentals, the welcome mat of turquoise waters over which all airline flights fly and it is home to two of the most popular beaches in the country – Taylor Bay and Sapodilla. 

Chalk Sound is a national park and a safe haven for thousands of endemic rock iguanas.

Five Cays is one of the oldest and most historic and most populated residential communities in the country and the access road is also the only way one can get there in a motor vehicle.

At least two government-run schools, restaurants, tourist attractions, the coastal radar, churches and the fisheries hub of Providenciales sit within Five Cays.

Five Cays is the home of the Minister responsible for fixing the road, Deputy Premier Sean Astwod and ironically, South Dock, Chalk Sound and Five Cays all make up the constituency which Hon Sean Astwood represents in parliament.

The problem of flooding at the Five Cays access road is not new; it is very, very old.  An old enough problem and an essential enough roadway to command the proper engineering expertise and an immediate works project to change what happens at the access road every time there is heavy rain. 

#magneticmedianews

#fivecaysroadneedssolution

#roadto5caysbadlyeroded

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Invest Turks and Caicos Islands Takes Platinum Sponsor Role at Premier Hotel Investment Summit  

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Turks and Caicos, May 23, 2026 – Invest Turks and Caicos Islands took center stage at one of the region’s most influential hospitality investment gatherings this spring, serving as a Platinum Sponsor at ALIS CALA 2026 in Coral Gables, Florida.

Held April 28 to 30 at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel, the conference brought together more than 600 tourism, hotel and investment leaders from over 35 countries focused on the future of hospitality investment in the Caribbean and Latin America.

ALIS CALA — short for the Americas Lodging Investment Summit Caribbean and Latin America — is widely regarded as the region’s premier deal-driven hospitality investment conference. The platform emerged from the merger of the long-running Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) and Hotel Opportunities Latin America (HOLA), creating what organizers describe as a high-level space where investors, developers, lenders, hotel brands and government leaders connect around major regional projects and opportunities.

The event is known for attracting senior decision-makers, with roughly one in three delegates holding titles such as Chairman, CEO, President, Owner or Principal.

Invest Turks and Caicos said its participation focused heavily on showcasing investment opportunities across the territory, particularly in the Family Islands.

CEO Angela Musgrove delivered a presentation highlighting development opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands to what the agency described as a full room of attendees and strong stakeholder interest.

In a statement following the conference, Invest Turks and Caicos said discussions centered on tourism expansion, sustainable development and long-term investment partnerships designed to position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a leading investment destination in the region.

The agency added that it looks forward to continuing conversations started at ALIS CALA and building new partnerships with investors, developers and strategic stakeholders interested in growth opportunities throughout the islands.

The conference itself focused heavily on capital access, hotel development pipelines, mixed-use tourism projects and investment confidence throughout the Caribbean basin — sectors where Turks and Caicos continues to attract increasing international attention.

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Multi-Agency Enforcement Action Conducted in Lower Bight

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in coordination with the Planning Department and key partner agencies, conducted a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, May 7, 2026, in the Lower Bight area in Providenciales. The exercise resulted in the complete removal of a total of eight (8) unauthorized structures and all associated debris from a privately-owned parcel of land.

The operation was led by the Planning Department, with coordination by the ISU and support from the TCI Border Force, the Crown Land Unit, and Pelican Energy.  Security for the exercise was provided by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. All agencies worked collaboratively to ensure the exercise was carried out in a safe, orderly, and controlled manner.

The enforcement action followed a structured and lawful process in accordance with the Physical Planning regulatory framework of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Section 45 Enforcement Notices were first issued on the affected parcel in December 2024, identifying unauthorized structures erected without the requisite approvals. This was followed by the issuance of Warning Notices on April 16, 2026, which advised occupants that they were in breach of planning and land use regulations and provided notice that demolition activities would proceed following the prescribed compliance period. Despite these notices and the time afforded for compliance, the unauthorized structures remained in place.

This exercise represents part of an ongoing commitment to ensuring that development within the Turks and Caicos Islands is lawful, safe, and aligned with national standards.

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Beaches Turks and Caicos and Sandals Foundation Champion Early Childhood Literacy with Star-Studded Reading Road Trip

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: The grand opening of the Treasure Beach Village at Beaches Turks and Caicos brought more than just high-energy celebrations to the shores of Providenciales as the Sandals Foundation led a star-studded Reading Road Trip at four local primary schools.

Dozens of celebrities, global media representatives, resort guests, and hospitality executives took a purposeful break from the weekend’s festivities to connect directly with the island’s youngest learners. The initiative transformed standard kindergarten classrooms at Enid Capron Primary, Thema Lightbourne Primary, Ianthe Pratt Primary and Oseta Jolly Primary into dynamic literacy hubs as visitors including American Actor and Playwright Jesse Eisebberg, and Real Housewives of New York City and author Kelly Bensimon read books and engaged in fun literacy games and activities.

The carefully designed activities aimed to strengthen students’ foundational reading comprehension skills and saw visitors actively animating characters, reading aloud, playing interactive literacy games, doing phonetic exercises and collaborative arts and crafts.

For local educators, the initiative represented a valuable opportunity to broaden students’ horizons. Through meaningful interaction with media representatives, students learned firsthand about exciting careers in writing, photography, and broadcasting.

Nelene Swann, Vice Principal of Enid Capron Primary, highlighted the profound impact of the unique global connection. “The experience for the children was good as they interacted and shared in a cultural blend while learning about new cultures and different career options,” Swann shared.

For American actor and playwright Jesse Eisenberg, who spent his afternoon volunteering at Oseta Jolly Primary School, his visit coincided with a special occasion on the school’s calendar, creating an even more memorable atmosphere for the youngsters.

“Our school was celebrating Boys Day which allowed [Eisenberg] to share in the experience and even provide great mentorship advice. Lessons such as the importance of consistency were well received by students in this developmental phase,” says Handsfield.

The Sandals Foundation has long championed early childhood education as a fundamental pillar of its philanthropic mission across the region.

Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation, expressed her pride in the weekend’s grand opening educational outreach noting, “The Reading Road Trips provided a one-of-a-kind experience to guests and students as they shared in the power of play, imagination and life – all through the wonders of books. At the heart of our mission is to facilitate the creation of fun and dynamic learning environments that inspire students. We are proud to be a partner in TCI’s education tapestry and will continue to support initiatives that enable students’ holistic development.”

While the grand opening festivities brought a special influx of international participants to the classrooms, the commitment to local schools remains a consistent, year-round priority for the local resort staff. Employees regularly dedicate their personal time to mentor, tutor, and read with primary school students, fostering an incredibly strong bond between the hospitality sector and the local education system.

General Manager Deryk Meany emphasized the immense joy these initiatives bring to his dedicated staff. “This was a blast for the resort team members. The heart of the hospitality industry extends far beyond the resort’s doors and through the Reading Road Trip and other team member volunteer initiatives, we are proud to share our time, resources and expertise to the school community.”

Even as the official grand opening celebrations conclude, the positive impact of these classroom interactions will continue to resonate deeply throughout the Providenciales community and the world – example of a powerful model for community-integrated tourism.

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