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TCI: Introduction of New Road Traffic and Motor Vehicle Driving Laws

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#Providenciales, October 29, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – In keeping with the Ministry of Home Affairs Public Utilities and Transportation’s mission to provide services that are accessible and delivered at a high standard to ensure the connectivity, well-being and safety of the Turks and Caicos Islands society, a number of important changes to the law have been made.

In this regard, the general public is hereby notified that as of November 4, 2019, drivers, vehicle and business owners, where applicable, will be required to adhere to the following:

1 – Have two licence plates issued by the Road Safety Department, coinciding with the date of their next birthday. The vehicle owner will be responsible for firmly attaching one licence plate at the front of the vehicle and the other at the back. Licence plates are assigned to drivers and must be transferred to any new vehicle that may own in the future. 

2 – Pay the prescribed Licence Plate Fees. Particular attention should be made of the fact that current vehicle and licence plate owners will be issued two licence plates for a total fee of $20.   Meanwhile, new vehicle owners will be issued two licence plates at a cost of $40.  

3 – Establish handicap parking spaces in the numbers and at the locations specified. This applies to all Government Departments and agencies, statutory bodies, churches, and private business in the Islands that are open to the general public.

Establishments that have 1 to 25 parking spaces are required to reserve 1 space for handicap permit owners; businesses with 26 to 50 parking spaces are required to reserve 2 spaces; businesses with 51 to 75 parking spaces are required to reserve 3 spaces; businesses with 76 to 100 parking spaces are required to reserve 4 spaces, and those with 101 and over parking spaces are required to reserve 5% of their total parking spaces for handicap permit owners.

4 – Apply for a handicap cap permit. In order to be considered for the issuance of a handicap permit and be compliant with the laws governing parking in the designated spaces. The fee for a handicap permit is $30. Once issued, permit owners will be required to display their permits when the vehicle they are driving, occupies a designated handicap parking space.

In addition to the above, the following new and or amended offences shall apply:

1-      An increase in fine from $200 to $500 as well as an increase in prison term from three months to six months for being found guilty of driving a vehicle without a valid driver’s licence on a second and subsequent offence.

2-      Parking in a designated handicap parking space without the required permit – $250 fine.

3-      Failure to wear head gear while riding a motor vehicle – $250 fine.

4-      Failure to provide the designated number of handicap parking spaces – summary conviction to a fine of $1,000.   

Attention should also be given to the introduction of a new service that provides for special on-site inspections for businesses owning 10 or more vehicles.  The fees for this new service are as follows:

10 vehicles – $250

11 to 20 vehicles – $400

20 to 30 vehicles – $540

30 to 40 vehicles -$680

40 plus vehicles – $1500  

Likewise, all individuals whose presence in the Islands is limited by time in any way because they are either work permit holders, residence permit holders, contract workers and the like, are advised that they will be issued driving licences that will expire three months after their period of legal residency.    

Finally, as of October 28, 2019, all vehicles entering the Islands will be required to be inspected and have licence plates affixed, prior to leaving the port.  Inspection days will be on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays of each week.

The above are all symbolic of the Government’s efforts to:

  • Improve safety on our roads,
  • Encourage compliance,
  • Extend special privileges to those who need them, and        
  • Facilitate joined up governance with internal and external agencies and departments, to mitigate national security risks at all levels.

The Ministry and Road Safety Department looks forward to the patience and support of the public as it works diligently to achieve these initiatives and outcomes.

For further information, please contact the Road Traffic Department.

Release: TCIG

TCI News

Orlando Mother Remanded for Bullet possession in Turks and Caicos

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Wilkie Arthur and Deandrea Hamilton 

Editorial staff

 

Remanded until July, but her attorney Leanna Brooks-Campbell is likely to make application for bail as the matter is now transfered to the Supreme Court.

American tourist from Orlando, Florida Shanita Shinee Grier, 45, who was arrested Monday, after two bullets were allegedly found in her baggage is the newest defendant facing the stiff penalties associated with breaching the Turks & Caicos Firearms Ordinance.

Grier was exiting TCI at the Providenciales International Airport with her daughter when the ammunition was detected, ending her Mother’s Day trip to the islands on an unexpectedly sour note.

Today, the chief magistrate remanded her to prison until July 5, 2024, however that can change.

She is facing charges of unlawful possession of ammunition; a crime punishable with a minimum 12 year sentence except in the case of a judge ruling that the case falls in the category of “exceptional.”

Then, and only then would it warrant a different sentence by a judge.

Support for the Floridian was impressive; Bryan Hagerich and Ryan Watson and their relatives filled the Magistrate’s Court on Old Airport Road informs Court Correspondent, Wilkie Arthur.

It was a show of patriotic solidarity on an issue which has elicited emotive views on all sides for Americans who are hoping to prove they were tourists on holiday and nothing more.

Bryan Hagerich of Pennsylvanian and Ryan Watson of Oklahoma also charged in two separate instances for being in possession of ammunition while wrapping up their TCI vacations in April and May respectively.

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InvestTCI facilitates the Development Agreement Between TCIG and Molo Hotel Group 

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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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TCI News

AMERICAN MOTHER AND DAUGHTER ALLEGEDLY ARRESTED FOR TWO BULLETS

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Deandrea Hamilton and Wilkie Arthur

Editorial Staff

 

A DAUGHTER reportedly brought her mother to the Turks and Caicos for Mother’s Day, and both were allegedly arrested, leaving the Turks and Caicos Islands today (Monday 13th, May,2024).

Officials say they were found with two rounds of ammunition in their luggage.

Police have confirmed the arrest to Magnetic Media after inquiries.

Turks & Caicos residents are already reacting to this latest report, “dumbfounded” by the mistake which keeps being repeated despite all of the high profile attention the matter has received in leading news organizations and the warning the US Embassy has issued. There is also the well publicized stance of the TCI Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions that these individuals must be punished according to the law.

In this newest case, the daughter was released, and the mother remains in police custody pending charge and court appearance later this week.

Police inform they will update soon.

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