TCI News
TCI: No dedicated manager, no consultation started as Provo dump smoke blamed for another wretched night in NW Provo
#Providenciales, October 3, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – The dump contract with TCEM should never have been allowed to expire without a new company identified to take over management of the site which is laden with worrisome problems; it is the perspective of many residents suffering sickening smoke from the property adjacent their homes.
It is unclear which is fuming more; the residents of northwestern Providenciales, the dump itself or the illegal fires being lit near it.
Government, nearly one year after allowing the Turks and Caicos Environmental Management (TCEM) contract to expire, still has no company to take over proper management of the solid waste facility.
There has also been no plan shared either about the repeated problem of fires in the surrounding bushes of the Provo landfill.
Illegal people camp out in these bushes and they are reportedly setting up coal kilns.
The dump or landfill has been plagued lately with spot fires and residents are in fear for their health.
It has also been a year since the Caribbean Development Bank loan was approved at Cabinet. The CDB, is to facilitate consultative expertise when it comes to solid waste management nationwide in the Turks and Caicos.
There are garbage management issues on just about every ‘Beautiful by Nature’ Turks and Caicos Island.
Salt Cay, South Caicos, North Caicos, Grand Turk and Providenciales dumping grounds have all been a subject of news reports in recent years.
Magnetic Media research has found that Grenada is also on the receiving end of help from the Caribbean Development Bank when it comes to solid waste management. A consultation job was originally due to recommend a way forward for Grenada between March 2015 and September 2016.
It has taken four years for that project to get off the ground and three years later, in 2019 the job was re-ordered by the CDB with a new deadline for bids on the project advertised as this past May.
Years later and Grenada is no closer to a solution because there is simply too much waste coming in and nowhere to relocate the outgrown space, according to Myrna Julien, Senior Public Relations Officer with the Grenada Solid Waste Management Authority in speaking to Now Grenada news in September 2018.
Residents of the two Wheeland communities are now also questioning the location of the dump site in Providenciales. These residents are convinced it was the dump which, last night polluted the air and filtered into homes where windows were opened or air-conditioning was used.
The PDM Administration had promised a comment on the weekend; that comment came today and informed that there was a tour of the property on October 1, by acting Health Minister and Premier, Sharlene Robinson and Delroy Williams, MP or Wheeland.
The comment, issued this morning also invited residents to a community meeting on Thursday October 3, 2019 at 6:30pm at Kingdom Dominion International Church in Millennium Heights commercial complex.
Premier Sharlene Robinson in her Mid-Term Address in January 2019 said that: “…As we are now embarking on a joint CDB/TCIG funded consultancy on Solid Waste, we await the findings before determining the Body to govern waste management.”
That was nine months ago and residents have boldly expressed in various WhatsApp chat groups and to their House of Assembly representative, Delroy Williams, that they are fed up and ready to see a change in the conditions at and around the Providenciales Landfill.
#magneticmedianews
#provodumpfires
Photo Captions:
Header: Photo by Belglade Parker Gardens resident, taken September 25, 2019.
Insert: Billowing black smoke from Saturday’s fire. (Magnetic Mdia photo)
Turks and Caicos, October 28, 2025 – We are closely monitoring the impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, and our thoughts and prayers are with our regional neighbours for their safety and well-being
We are now entering a critical period as Hurricane Melissa advances towards the Turks and Caicos Islands. Current projections indicate that Hurricane Melissa will begin to impact the Turks and Caicos Islands around midday tomorrow, Wednesday, 29th October.
This morning, Her Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Premier chaired a State of Preparedness Meeting. All Government agencies and critical services are mobilised. The safety and protection of every person across our Islands remains our highest priority. Our emergency response teams are prepared and the TCI Regiment is deployed across each of our Islands to support community readiness and immediate response. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are on active duty, with additional officers in North Caicos, Salt Cay, South Caicos and Grand Turk.
At this time, the hurricane is moving north-northeast. The country is expected to experience tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall and
significant storm surge. The storm surge poses a serious concern for low-lying coastal areas especially along our western and southern coastlines, which may result in coastal flooding. Based on the most current weather projections and anticipated impacts for the Turks and Caicos Islands, the National Executive have agreed the following actions:
1. Evacuation Advisories
Residents in specific low-lying and flood-prone coastal areas are likely to experience significant storm surge of 2-4 feet with accompanying rainfall. Strong advice is now place for residents in these areas to relocate to designated shelters which will be open from 4pm this afternoon. These areas include:
Middle Caicos
- Conch Bar Nearest Shelter: The Community Centre
North Caicos
- Sandy Point Nearest Shelter : Sandy Point Community Centre
- Whitby Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
- Bottle Creek Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
Providenciales
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- Chalk Sound Nearest Shelter Enid Capron Primary School
- Five Cays Nearest Shelter: Enid Capron Primary School
- Discovery Bay Nearest Shelter: All Saints Church, Leeward Highway
- Juba Sound Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
- Long Bay Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
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South Caicos
- Cockburn Harbour Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
- Old Airport Road Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
Should an evacuation order become necessary, it will be issued following the 6:00 PM Advisory this evening from the TCI National Weather Service.
2. Activation of Emergency Operations Centre
The National Emergency Operations Centre in Providenciales and all Islands Emergency Operations Centres will be activated at 4:00 PM today.
3. Shelters Access
Shelters across all Islands will open today at 4:00 PM to receive members of the public.
4. Shelter-in-Place
A Strong Shelter-in-Place Advisory is in place for all islands, commencing at 10:00 PM tonight. This will be in place until the all clear has been issued.
This means that from 10:00 PM tonight, all residents should be off the road, in a safe location, either at home or a designated shelter.
Please note that this position may be revised following the 6:00 PM Advisory from the TCI National Weather Service, depending on updated storm projections.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) has confirmed that all airports remain fully operational for today. They will advise the public about ongoing operations dependent on the weather impacts.
In times such as this, the role of commercial entities extends beyond business – it becomes a vital part of the community’s resilience. All retailers and service providers are urged to uphold their humanitarian responsibilities by maintaining fair pricing and ensuring essential goods and services remain accessible to all.
Residents and visitors are reminded to adhere strictly to all official advisories and evacuation orders as they are issued. Avoid unnecessary movement, secure your property, and ensure that you and your family are prepared with essential supplies. Stay prepared and stay safe.
Turks and Caicos, October 24, 2025 – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey delivered an impassioned address to male students at Clement Howell High School, calling on them to recognize their power, seize their potential, and “awaken the sleeping giants” within.
In a message that blended humility, faith, and personal experience, the Commissioner reminded the boys that the decisions they make today will shape their future.“The choices you make today determine who you become tomorrow,” he said.
Bailey, who revealed he was the first in his family to attend high school, urged the students to embrace education and discipline as tools of
transformation.“Knowledge is power. If you want to be a real man, you need to read,” he told them. “Remember your potential — if others can do it, so can you. Some of you are sleeping giants waiting to be awakened.”
He emphasized that circumstances of birth do not dictate destiny, challenging the young men to carry self-respect, faith, and moral conviction wherever they go. “Self-respect is key; respect yourself, respect others, and respect God,” he said. “The circumstances you were born into do not define who you are.”
The Commissioner also spoke about resilience, advising that true strength often lies in restraint.
“There will be challenges, and people may try to impede your development — but rise above negativity. Sometimes, strength means walking away,” he said. “Some of you are sleeping lions; it’s time to awaken that instinct and rediscover your true potential.”
In closing, Commissioner Bailey delivered a stirring challenge:
“Each morning, look in the mirror and remind yourself that you were created by God and are capable of great exploits. You are a possibility with potential. Step forward with confidence — this is your country, your islands. Be the best version of yourself.”
Following his speech, the Commissioner engaged the students in open dialogue, answering questions and listening to their perspectives on issues affecting young men in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.
