TCI News
TCI: Alleged ‘fishy business’ at PNP primaries
#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, September 15, 2019 — The Progressive National Party on Tuesday held in-party elections and in one opinion it was the most democratic process the Turks and Caicos has ever seen from a political machine; to another some actions during the one-day run-off were ‘fishy’.
Devon Williams describes himself as a political pundit and questioned the validity of the PNP as the 2020 General Elections of the TCI approach. Williams, once known as a staunch supporter of the party is critical of the trajectory of the ship, which is captained by party elder, Washington Misick.
“Well I know they’ve been adding names to the list. The chairman added a lot of names to the list by himself. They wrote them on so I don’t take the process serious after that. If you have a list, you have a list and if you add names to the list then we don’t have a list. I don’t know what is going to come of it but I don’t take it serious.”
Mr. Williams, who had not voted and said he would not be voting in the run-offs gave us the comments within earshot of PNP supporters gathered at the site despite the rainy weather. The interview took place on the steps of the party’s headquarters on airport road in Providenciales.
“I saw them writing names on the list. That’s not right. If you go to vote and you see people writing names on the list, what are you gonna accept… you can’t accept that,” he said.
Williams believes the entire day was an idea contrived in contravention of the constitution of the PNP.
Magnetic Media was summoned to Progress House on the party election day, dubbed: Super Tuesday. The accusation was that names were being added to the delegate voting list manually. The alleged action was against the publicly announced rules or party delegate only voting; rules which asked those interested in casting a ballot to pre-register and which used as a criterion, one already being on the national electors list.
Llewelyn “Blow” Basden disputed the comment with, “No name is being added to the list after the deadline. After the deadline there was no names added, only if there was a spell check the name would be advanced,” Basden said this applied to “Nominees or Voters; electors.”
Yet, on cell phone video provided to Magnetic Media, we see Mr. Basden vociferously arguing the hand written addition of names to the list. ‘Blow’ was speaking loudly to the party leader in the short clip, clearly furious about the alleged manual addition of a name.
We asked “Blow” to explain his apparent change of heart but there was no comment.
From the Party, Magnetic Media is told there will be a news conference on Wednesday where this issue will be addressed.
In another argument on a purported PNP constitutional breach, there is pending litigation which accuses the Progressive National Party of establishing its new leadership against the party’s constitutionally outlined process. The member for Grand Turk North, George Lightbourne confirmed to us that indeed he issued a letter saying as much to his own Progressive National Party. Today, Lightbourne is the candidate in the PNP primaries for Grand Turk North with the least support; he only managed to secure two votes.
The party has been silent on the Lightbourne lawsuit and this latest accusation of impropriety at the September 10 primaries.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 14th, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Molo Hotel Group reached a pivotal juncture on Monday, May 13th, 2024, with the ceremonial signing of a development agreement at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales. The agreement, which received official Cabinet approval on March 13th, 2024, signifies a steadfast commitment to advancing the economic landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Molo Hotel Group is a family-owned business, renowned for its distinguished portfolio of high-quality hotels worldwide. The
development initiative encompasses the construction of three distinct IHG branded hotels: InterContinental Turks and Caicos, Kimpton Turks and Caicos and Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos. Scheduled for completion by 2027, each resort boasts a distinctive design from luxury to laidback sophistication spanning across the shores of Grace Bay Beach.
Kimpton Turks and Caicos – an epitome of luxury lifestyle living, will feature 192 guest rooms including three outdoor pools, a luxury spa and a fitness center. Additionally, seven dining options ranging from a beachfront restaurant to a rooftop bar.
Adjacent to the Kimpton, InterContinental Turks and Caicos will offer 59 classic luxury suites with panoramic ocean views. Mirroring its counterpart, this resort will offer an array of dining options and upscale facilities.
Steps away from the Intercontinental and Kimpton resorts, Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos will embrace a sense of community and contemporary elegance, offering 56 bedrooms. The resort will feature an onsite restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor pool, and fitness room.
Beyond the realm of hospitality, this development agreement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Molo is partnering with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) to actively promote hospitality as a career choice and support in developing training programs, career fairs, seminars, workshops, and events to raise awareness about hospitality careers. Molo has committed to provide employment and apprentice opportunities to TCICC students and provide mentoring and practical on property training to students.
The signing event was graced by Hon. Charles Washington Missick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier, Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Łukasz and Marcin Slominski, Owners of Molo, Ross Morrow, Managing Director Molo, Arik Kono, Vice President Upscale Development for IHG, Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Angela Musgrove, InvestTCI CEO, Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chairperson of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Delores Stapleton- Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Mr. Kevin Baxter, Dean of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Sheryl McLaughlin, InvestTCI Investment Services Executive.
Commenting on the development agreement, Premier, Hon. Misick, stated “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing of
IHG/Molo Hotels is a significant step towards a sustainable future for hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Three hotels, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo, will be introduced, enhancing our tourism product and creating employment opportunities.”
He further added, “Partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission are underway, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to developing human capital and elevating tourism offerings. This project will bring economic growth, embrace local talent, and enrich our economy.”
Additionally, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized “This collaboration confirms our commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity within our country. We have worked closely with Molo Hotel Group, and we are confident that this transformative project will further position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for travel and investment. Much to our delight, it will also provide opportunities for engagement with our Community College and small business community.”
The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, operating through its primary Investment Promotion
Agency, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, remains committed to attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investments to the country by providing a comprehensive suite of services. Through strategic initiatives and targeted promotion, the agency catalyzes sustainable development, driving innovation and small business opportunities across various sectors of the economy.
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