TCI News
FortisTCI Trains Over 100 Contractors and Their Workers in Environmental Health & Safety Standards
#Providenciales, August 23, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – FortisTCI recently trained 106 contractors and key members of their staff across the Turks and Caicos Islands in a series of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) workshops. The training seminars ensure that contractors working with FortisTCI understand and comply with the company’s Environmental Health and Safety Management Systems (EHSMS).
Participants completed various courses in CPR and First Aid, incident and accident reporting, working in confined spaces, working at heights, forklift operations, spill control, energy control procedures, fire extinguisher use, waste management, security control, business continuity management, housekeeping, waste management, and ethics. Contractors who completed the training were awarded a ‘Safety Passport,’ which gives them the approval to work on FortisTCI jobsites.
Training workshops were held on Providenciales on June 25 and 27 and again from July 16 to 17 for 72 contractors. Training sessions on the sister islands were held thereafter on July 19 and 22 on South Caicos for nine contractors, on Grand Turk from July 25 to 26 for 15 contractors, and on North Caicos from July 29 to 30 for 10 contractors.
The EHS Department and members of senior management at FortisTCI led the series of training sessions. Instructors included Vice President for Grand Turk and Sister Islands Allan Robinson, Grand Turk Operations Manager Neil Allen, Senior Project Engineering Consultant Michael Polonio, Senior Director of Financial Operations Catherine Munsayac, Director of EHS and Line Operations Dave Laing, Director of Plant Control Alvejes Desir, Manager of ISO Management Systems and Business Continuity Sharon Alli-Jose, Manager of EHS Marcus Francis, Senior EHS Coordinator Eustace Musgrove, and Work Methods Specialist Walter Wilson.
FortisTCI President and CEO Eddinton Powell said, “Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) is paramount at FortisTCI. There is no greater commitment we must have to work in the electricity industry. Thanks to the work of our EHS Department and the commitment of our employees and business partners, we live a health and safety culture that is a part of everything we do. Our commitment to training and education in this area and the policies we have established is a further pledge to operating with excellence in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Our focus on health and safety extends beyond our doors at FortisTCI, and I commend and congratulate all participants who completed the recent EHS workshops.”
Contractor and workshop participant Oneal Delancy spoke about his experience and said, “FortisTCI is making an important contribution in providing EHS training for contractors, who can improve their work methods not only while working with the company but can use this knowledge for the benefit of their own business and their employees. Ultimately, this training will have a lasting value for local business and the construction section.” Also speaking about the training, contractor Henry Handfield said, “The training was very informative and a great help to us. I am revisiting projects that I have done in the past and implementing the new things I have learnt.”
FortisTCI operates within international best practices and is an ISO 14001:2015, 45001:2018, and 22301:2012 certified company.
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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) is elated to announce that the construction of the new air traffic control tower and combined services building at Howard Hamilton International Airport is almost complete. The state-of-the-art facility has a tentative finishing date set for November 30th, 2024. This project, following the execution of its contract on May 21st, 2020, officially commenced construction on May 18th, 2022, marking a significant milestone for aviation safety and efficiency in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Despite the challenges that typically come with pioneering large-scale infrastructure projects, TCIAA remains focused on delivering a facility that will enhance air traffic management and streamline operations for both current and future demands. Here’s a look into some of the key project highlights:
- Critical Phases: One of the key phases already underway is the installation of the Control and Broadcast (CAB) unit, a pivotal component that will enable the new tower to be fully operational.
- Budget Adjustments: The original forecasted budget underwent uplifts primarily due to the significant costs associated with the CAB procurement and installation, as well as redefining provisional sums that were not outlined in the initially proposed project scope.
- Collaborative Efforts: The main contractor for the project is AE & S Construction Ltd, with BCQS Ltd serving as the Project Management Firm. Additionally, Aeronav has been engaged as a subcontractor responsible for the installation and configuration of the CAB unit. Together, these partners have played a significant role in driving the project forward, ensuring quality and adherence to the established timelines.
As a Design and Build project, a primary focus was aligning the architectural and functional design with the operational requirements of air traffic management while adhering to international regulatory standards. Given the inherent complexities of such construction projects, including defining project scope and ensuring accurate budget alignment, the TCIAA team underwent specialized training. This training
equipped team members with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively navigate the contract, resulting in enhanced project oversight and rigorous cost verification.
“Through this project, we have gained invaluable insights that have informed our approach to future developments,” said Wellenica Williams-Quant, the Projects Manager at TCIAA. “We have been able to refine our processes to ensure that we meet our strategic objectives.”
The completion of the new control tower is poised to deliver long-term benefits for The Howard Hamilton International Airport. The new tower will support safer, more efficient air traffic control operations, improve communication with aircraft, and will accommodate the increasing air traffic demands as Turks and Caicos Islands grow as a world-class destination. The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority extends its gratitude to all stakeholders, including the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands and our external aviation partners, for their continued support and collaboration throughout this project.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 11th October 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force led a successful operation in South Caicos on 9th and 10th October 2024, targeting illegal work activity. The operation resulted in the apprehension of seven individuals, including two females and five males.
Four of the apprehended individuals are currently detained by Border Force for illegally working in the Turks and Caicos Islands. They are being processed and face potential legal consequences. The remaining three individuals are in the custody of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) following the discovery of cannabis during the operation prompted by indications from the Border Force canine unit. One of these individuals will also face charges for overstaying in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
This operation highlights Border Force’s strategy to combat immigration and customs offences throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands. The inland operations, including workplace enforcement, aim to address the root causes of illegal immigration by tackling illegal working. Border Force is committed to not only apprehending and deporting illegal immigrants but also prosecuting both undocumented workers and employers who facilitate illegal employment.
Emilio Seymour, Director General of Border Force stated “Our recent operation in South Caicos demonstrates our commitment to fulfilling our obligations to the Turks and Caicos Islands. We will continue to enforce our nation’s immigration and customs laws through inland operations throughout TCI. I am incredibly grateful to our officers for their dedication and hard work, as well as the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force for their invaluable assistance.”
Border Force is issuing a stern warning to businesses and individuals alike: Employing undocumented workers is an offence. Those found guilty face significant penalties, including fines up to $10,000 and imprisonment for up to two years. Additionally, undocumented workers themselves are subject to deportation upon conviction. Individuals who harbour illegal immigrants or facilitate their entry into the Turks and Caicos Islands face even stricter penalties, including fines of up to $20,000 and imprisonment for up to four years.
Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity related to illegal immigration to the following channels: TCIintel@gov.tc, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s tipline at 866-347-2423, or online at https://www.ice.gov/tipline.
***MEDIA RELEASE***
Turks and Caicos, October 11, 2024 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force has identified 28-year-old EVANSON WALKIN, also known as “Archie,” as the victim of the fatal shooting that took place last evening (October 10).
At approximately 9:00 p.m., multiple calls were made to the Police Control Room, reporting that gunshots were heard in an area called Club Med in Five Cays. 
Upon arriving at the scene, detectives from the Serious Crime Unit found a male lying motionless, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was later positively identified as Mr. Walkin.
This investigation remains ongoing, and we are urging the public to provide any information that may assist in solving this crime.
If you have any details about this incident, please get in touch with your nearest police station, call 911, or reach the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842.
Alternatively, anonymous tips can be provided via Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 or through the Crime Stoppers P3 app, where video footage and other information can be shared discreetly.
We thank the public for their cooperation and assistance as we continue our efforts to bring justice to Mr. Walkin and his loved ones.
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