TCI News
TCI: Our landfill, an issue or a crisis?
Grand Turk, December 15, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – I suppose it depends on who you ask. We can not solve a crisis without treating it as a crisis. “By Greta Thunberg”
As I interact and converse with more and more people on the island, it became clear to me that we all share similar concerns for the good of the nation and are all obligated to illuminate the things that unites us as humans without fear or favor.
Let me explain and one can come to their own conclusion.
We all live in the most beautiful country in the world, these Turks and Caicos Islands. Now, I may be a bit bias as I’m a son of the soil . Nevertheless, it needs to be addressed as it’s a matter of sickness or health.
Once these beautiful by nature islands became exposed to the outside world, development began to expand rapidly and so did the population of course. I don’t believe anyone envisioned sanitation control being an issue. At the time, the public dumps were considered some distances away from public dwelling. Since then, a number of communities has emerged around the dumps.
Figuratively speaking, some homes in Grand Turk, are located literally in rock throwing distance from the public dump. We have got to recognize this as more then an issue my fellow Turks Islanders.
Usually, the most powerful stories are those that are driven by violence and destruction. However, I felt compelled to shine the light on this particular matter because of the long lasting negative impact it could have on humanity. It should not be minimized and needs to be addressed with a sense of urgency.
Case in point: Whether it’s the work of an arsonist or spontaneous combustion of materials, in less then four years, the dump in Grand Turk has been on fire a number of times. Each time, billows of smoke permeated the air all over this tiny island. The smoke and the smell at times is unbearable and the fires would be smoldering for weeks on end. Now just imagine the families with small children and babies living in close proximity of this. It’s nothing less then a matter of sickness or health.
I’m not a medical doctor, but common sense would tell you if toxic fume is inhaled over a long period of time, just like cigarettes, it could result in acute respiratory issues and other illness. In most developing countries, solid waste is regulated in five categories, generation, collection, processing, transporting and disposal of waste. It’s pretty clear to us as to which companies and or facilities are generating the most waste, and the question remains, are they doing enough to support the country as a whole in this area.
Proper management of the other four categories has been a challenge to our country for years. Particularly in Grand Turk, we have had our share of less then satisfactory services of garbage collection.
We now have large quantities of medical drugs, human and chemical waste being disposed of in the public dump. Some of these are intrinsically hazardous to our health. The potential health effects of both waste itself and the consequences of not managing it properly continues to plague us.
Human waste: In the bygone days, “out houses”, was the primary way to contain human waste. At least it was concentrated in one area with limited infiltration into our water waterways. The way it’s being disposed off now, its in close proximity of our ponds and waterways. It will have a negative impact to the surrounding natural resources, pollutes the environment and presents a serious human health hazard.
Most developed countries uses gravity to usher waste from homes and businesses to neighborhood lift stations, where it is stored and pumped into pressurized mains, which take the sewage to the treatment plant. This process helps to remove contaminants and produce treated wastewater that is safe enough for release into the environment. Unfortunately, we don’t have that luxury. Therefore, Having a proper dump station is of paramount importance.
These concerns were addressed with Honorable Edwin Astwood, who advised that he shares some of the same sentiments. The Ministry further stated that a Tender is currently being put out for management of the dumpsites and they are requiring the most environmentally friendly option. One of the options could possibly eliminate the municipal waste at the sites, with no emissions into the atmosphere, which should also include recycling.
If this is of any consolation, time will tell. Nevertheless, we should not remain silent or complacent until it comes to fruition.
There’s an extreme need to have a comprehensive and holistic discussion on a way forward. We realize it’s a monumental task, but something has to be done as time is running out. I passionately embraced Mahatma Gandhi’s idea: “ We must be the Change we wish to see in the world” In this case, in our beloved Turks and Caicos Islands.
Respectfully submitted,
Ed Forbes ( Concerned citizen of GT)
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
News
BermudAir Launches New York Area’s First Nonstop Service to South Caicos, Now Just a 3.5 Hour Flight from Newark
Twice-Weekly Nonstop Flights Begin December 20 with Fares from $347 One Way, Creating Direct Access to Salterra Resort & Spa
– New Route Expands BermudAir’s Winter Turks & Caicos Network –
[New York, NY – August 20, 2026] – BermudAir, the leading premium leisure carrier to Bermuda and the Caribbean, today announced it will introduce nonstop flights to South Caicos from Newark this winter. The route places one of the Caribbean’s most secluded island destinations just 3.5 hours from the New York area for the first time.
The new service starts on December 20, 2026, operating on Sundays and Thursdays, and will be the only nonstop service to the destination
from the New York area. This seasonal service will operate through April 25, 2027. Fares start at $347 one way ($773 roundtrip) and go on sale today.
The new South Caicos route creates gives travelers two distinct luxury resort options, with direct access to Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, recently named the No. 1 resort in Turks and Caicos by Condé Nast Traveler.
Set across 85 beachfront acres with a 3,000-foot private white-sand beach, Salterra brings a full luxury resort experience to an island still defined by its historic salinas, pristine waters, bonefishing flats and uninhabited cays. Upon landing at South Caicos International Airport (XSC), guests are approximately 10 minutes from the resort.
While flights go on sale today, the airline’s BermudAir Holidays vacation-packaging division will offer curated travel to South Caicos from next month, featuring flights, hotels and authentic island experiences, with bundled discounts and value-added perks, making it even easier to explore the destination.
Previously BermudAir announced seven new routes to Providenciales in Turks and Caicos, from Newark (EWR), Boston (BOS), Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), St Petersburg/Tampa (PIE) and Toronto (YYZ) which will all start in December except for Fort Lauderdale which begins October 26.
Expanded Winter Season
- To South Caicos:
- Twice-weekly nonstop from Newark (Sundays and Thursdays) from December 20 through April 25, 2027.
- To Turks and Caicos:
- Weekly nonstop from Newark (Saturdays) and one weekly direct service (Thursdays) from December 19 through April 29, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Boston (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Baltimore-Washington (Thursdays), from December 24 through April 29, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from Raleigh-Durham (Thursdays and Sundays), from December 20 through May 2, 2027;
- Thrice-weekly service from Fort Lauderdale (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), from October 26 through May 3, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from St Petersburg/Tampa (Mondays and Thursdays), from December 21 through May 3, 2027; and
- Weekly nonstop service from Toronto (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027.
“We’re thrilled to continue expanding our Caribbean network as the premium leisure carrier from North America,” said Adam Scott, Founder and CEO of BermudAir. “Now New Yorkers can fly nonstop to two distinct sides of the Turks and Caicos Islands — Providenciales and the secluded island of South Caicos, home to the exquisite Salterra and Sailrock South Caicos resorts.”
The airline consistently earns Net Promoter Scores of 70+, one of the highest ratings in the airline industry. All flights will be operated on comfortable Embraer E190 aircraft, offering passengers the airline’s signature warm service and authentic island hospitality.
“South Caicos has always felt worlds away, and that is part of its magic,” said Michael Tibbetts, Founder and CEO of Salterra. “Beginning this winter, guests can fly nonstop from Newark in 3.5 hours, land at one of the newest international airports in the region and be at Salterra minutes later. This route makes a long weekend escape and an extended stay to one of the Caribbean’s most unspoiled islands remarkably easy, without changing the sense of discovery that makes South Caicos so special.”
For more information or to book flights, visit www.flybermudair.com. Salterra will offer dedicated stay packages timed to BermudAir’s Thursday and Sunday nonstop service. To book a stay at Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, visit www.salterra.com
