TCI News
TCI: ‘Wheelanders’ fed-up with toxic air from dump site
#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – September 27, 2019 — Even right now the air is stink; putrid with the smell of a mix of garbage and smoke and residents are threatening to protest in the name of good health and quality living for themselves and their families.
“The situation is getting worse. The disposal of waste is polluting the air we breathe and they have no alternative to get rid of the waste here.”
A comment from a resident of Belglade Parker Gardens, who like many of her neighbours, no longer believe the dump is plagued by surrounding coal kilns or spot fires within it. This resident, a mother of four, believes the dump is being lit to cope with the overwhelming amounts of rubbish coming in from across the fast-developing island of Providenciales.
Photographs used to support the comments of this news report were shared with Magnetic Media by a male home owner of the community; he prefers to remain anonymous.
The home owners of the phase one affordable housing are getting the worst of the smoke, they especially from dusk to dawn.
“Last night was the worst. I turned on my A/c and my entire bedroom was in smoke. I’m ready to work on my placard to go protest if need be.”
The woman says her son is coughing continuously now. She too has developed sinusitis since last September as a result of the consistent burning of the dump, she said. “The slightest smoke and other air particles trigger my sinus. I have no recourse, no one is responsible enough to take charge of this recurring plight.”
The sentiments of this resident are common and have been taken to government officials before. In fact, a meeting was granted to residents of both Belglade Parker Gardens and Millennium Heights, where Minister of Health, Edwin Astwood and his Permanent Secretary, Desiree Lewis were present with the Environmental Health Director, Kenrick Neely and the Member of Parliament, Delroy Williams. At the time, the MP was acting Premier.
Among the actions which were to be taken as a result of the meeting, which was held at the Office the Premier in Providenciales in November 2018, was an air quality test.
It was also in 2018 that the Turks and Caicos Island Cabinet approved a loan for a solid waste management consultancy through the Caribbean Development Bank.
Member of Parliament for Wheeland, Delroy Williams has informed Magnetic Media that over the weekend government officials, including the Premier Sharlene Robinson, will update the thousands of residents affected by the toxic air, on a resolution.
The Providenciales landfill or dump is currently being managed by the Ministry of Health after the contract for Turks and Caicos Environmental Management expired as of October 28, 2018. ((CORRECTED))
#TurksandCaicos, June 9, 2023 – The male victim shot dead on June 07th, while seated in a parked vehicle has been identified as 25-year-old Karo Outten.
Outten, whose last known address was Five Cays, Providenciales, was shot multiple times in a vehicle, at a Tire Shop
along South Dock Road.
Commissioner of Police (ag) Rodney Adams in condemning the midday brazen killing said: “The South Dock community and its environs are reeling from the destructive actions of a few criminal elements desirous of continuing along the path of lawlessness. This incident occurred on the premises of a business place during which time, persons were conducting transactions and going about their errands in surrounding areas. The RTCIPF will not dodge our responsibility and wishes to assure the public that our Serious Crime Unit is actively pursuing all leads in a bid to arrest and charge the perpetrators. At the same time, the RTCIPF will ensure there is a sense of calm and security within the public domain”.
The RTCIPF can confirm this is the fifth murder of the year (June 08th).
Persons with information on this murder can communicate directly through any police station or call 911.
Release: RTCIPF
#TurksandCaicos, June 9, 2023 – FIVE Restaurants and Bars in Providenciales were yesterday evening (June 07th) served with Closure Notices after public health officials swooped down on their premises and found expired items used in the preparation of food.
Additionally, nine persons were apprehended and taken to the Detention Center for processing, and a number of prohibited items were confiscated.
At 6:40 p.m.the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force in collaboration with the Immigration Enforcement Unit, Customs Department, Environmental Health Department, and the Revenue Control Unit, arrived at a Liquor License premises along the Millennium Highway.
While at this location, it was observed that several persons were working Contrary to their Work Permits. A warning was issued, and two individuals – male and female were apprehended.
The Officers also conducted a search at a bar located in Kew Town behind the Ball Park.
A total of seven individuals (four males and three females) were apprehended and taken to the Detention Center for Processing. At this location, a number of prohibited items were seized.
Overall, several restaurants and cafeterias were served notices to close for failure to comply with health regulations. A number of items used for cooking and mixing alcoholic drinks were seized:
The items included:
- Expired/dented: Carnation evaporated milk – 63 cans
- Expired: Bluebird orange juice – 10 bottles
- 60 lbs. of raw and cooked meat (chicken and pork) – held at improper temperatures
- 20 lbs. of raw meat (fish, beef, and pork) – held at improper temperatures
The Environmental Health Department Closure Notice Ordinance states:
Failure to comply with this closure notice may result in one or more of the following as outlined in the Food & Drug Ordinance 2016, Part III (Sections 31 & 32).
A person who commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $10,000 (ten thousand dollars) or to a term of imprisonment for 12 (twelve) months or both.
If a person is convicted of an offence under this ordinance the court may on conviction, and on an application by or on behalf of the Chief Environmental Health Officer (Director) order that any license the person holds to operate such a business be suspended for a period specified in the order, or revoked.
These collaborative activities form part of “Operation Pursuit”.
Operation Pursuit involves a Multi-Agency operational framework, designed to locate, identify, and process persons engaged in ALL illegal activities within the TCI. These operations entail a collaborative effort from all our essential partners at the re-established Turks Caicos Islands Joint Law Enforcement Group (J-LEG).
Release: RTCIPF
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#USA, June 5, 2023 – Kamala Harris, United States Vice President will journey to Nassau Bahamas in June for a
top level meeting with Caribbean leaders, marking the first time she will visit the region since occupying office in 2021.
According to the White House in a statement, the meeting will bring attention to a range of regional issues. Harris and the Caribbean leaders will continue talks on the shared efforts to address the climate crisis, such as promoting climate resilience and adaptation in the region and increasing energy security through clean energy.
Additionally, the statement informed that Harris’ trip “delivers on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to advance cooperation with the Caribbean in pursuit of shared prosperity and security, and in recognition of the common bonds and interests between our nations.”
The June 8th meeting builds on and strengthens the U.S.-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030, which was launched by the Vice President and Caribbean leaders in Los Angeles at the Summit of the Americas as further mentioned by White House Statement.
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