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TCI Premier Statement at Natl Security Strategy Launch

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#TurksandCaicosIslands – January 22, 2020 — “Good Morning Everyone. Thank you to all that are present and those who are listening by radio and Face Book Live.

I want to begin by thanking the Joint Law Enforcement Team led by Deputy Commissioner of Police, H.E. The Governor, Victoria Farley and the Team at London for the work towards the delivery and launching today of such an important policy document.

Today is an important day in these Islands and is significant for a few important reasons:

  1. For the first time, the highest offices join together to jointly address areas under our remit in matters relating to national security and this coming together at the top is the right step to lead by example in an effort to move away from the too common practice of operating in silos across Government and is a step in the right direction to foster a new culture of sharing.
  2. Secondly, if you were to poll TCI as to the top issues of concerns you will hear issues around criminal activity, be it serious crime or illegal entry of migrants. Today this step is significant as well because we must abandon aged thinking that the Governor with his constitutional remit and mostly the Police alone are responsible for national security issues.
  3. And thirdly, today is significant because this work identifies key threats that we as a people must together whether across the public sector or private sector/citizenry must act on one accord to mitigate the impact of these threats.

The launch today of our country’s first ever National Security Strategy is critical; critical to identifying a list of threats (not exhaustive) that we can all put our resources, hands and minds strategically together to minimize its impact. Today calls for a change in mindset for the government and the people recognizing that national security extends beyond the Governor’s constitutional remit of internal and external security and extends to areas of ministerial responsibility. Today we are beginning what has begun to become commonplace for key government stakeholders, a critical coming together.

Importance of the Strategy

The importance of this Strategy cannot be overemphasized.

  1. It ensures continuity and even as we plan our roll out of the ever important Vision 2040, (Our Country’s Plan for the next 20yrs) we feature and emphasize the critical need for continuity in efforts by successive governments.
  2. This Strategy is important because it will call for all responsible agencies to complete and carry out additional plans for operations at its level.
  3. The benefit then for a small country with limited resources will be tremendous, in that resources will then be applied not in silos but as a whole and will then result in a smarter use of our scarce resources and
  4. And fourthly, as we have already begun to do and many have found it to be most useful. We then will enjoy a more joined up government approach to threat’s against this country’s national security.

The eventual dream and aspiration is for a Border Protection Agency which will foster better protection of our borders. Much work is underway and I must thank the UK Government for its unprecedented support. We have had the awesome opportunity to engage the UK Government more frequently on matters of national security and we have found in the Minister, Lord Ahmad an engaging and responsive Minister and we are eternally grateful.

We continue critical work with the US Coast Guard and the Bahamas Government. OPBAT and regional bodies remain critical partners for us.

THE THREATS IDENTIFIED

For the purposes of the Strategy, we have identified 9 threats that we will work at through our collaborative efforts and then through the agencies that have the direct responsibility.

As a small island nation, it should not be a surprise some of the threats and the reason why we believe that any of them can serve as a destabilizer for our country:

  1. The threat of illegal migration
  2. Disaster (be it natural, major accidents or epidemics)
  3. Serious Crime
  4. Critical National Infrastructure Failure
  5. Serious Public Disturbances
  6. Maritime Sovereignty
  7. Food Security and Scarcity
  8. Cyber
  9. Terrorism, Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism

These identified Threats have seen discussions at the Cabinet level, the National Security Council and its Advisory Group, with the Leader of the Opposition separately and as a member of the National Security Advisory Group and we now wish to present them to you as a people.

The Strategy does not only identify the Threats but outlines the Response and the Structure for Governance. This is a high level Document and each Agency has to prepare its strategy and implementation plan that sits under this. The establishment of the National Security Unit this year will be the center of/focal point for reporting and coordination. The Head of this Unit will be answerable to both the Office of the Governor and the Office of the Premier and will likewise speak on both our behalf under directive and standing authority. Critical hires will take place early in the next financial year.

I want to commend this Policy/Strategy to the people of these Islands. It will indeed be a Game Changer in the way we address national security and once fully applied and operationalized, we will be as a country all the better for it.

May God bless these Beautiful By Nature Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Full Statement on January 22, 2020 by Premier Sharlene Robinson

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Fredrico Johnson Appointed to Permanent Secretary

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Turks and Caicos, November 2, 2024 – The Office of the Deputy Governor is excited to announce the appointment of Fredrico Johnson to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Mr. Johnson is a distinguished senior management leader with over ten years of experience in both public and private sectors.  Most recently, he served as Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Home Affairs, where he directed the development and implementation of essential policies, ensured public service accountability, and promoted strategic initiatives focused on talent development and succession planning. His contributions to policy development included leading a delegation to the Bahamas for insights into a local government policy initiative and addressing public service backlogs, which greatly enhanced operational efficiency.

Additionally, Mr. Johnson previously served as District Commissioner, managing government services, projects, and financial planning on the island while collaborating with various government departments to deliver critical community services.

Currently, Mr. Johnson is pursuing a Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Walden University (expected 2025) and holds a Bachelor of Science in Management with a concentration in International Business from Johnson & Wales University. His ongoing professional development includes certifications in emergency management, urban search and rescue, and results-driven development.

In response to his appointment, Mr. Johnson shared his thoughts: “I am deeply honoured and humbled to be appointed as the Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Home Affairs. This role presents an incredible opportunity to serve our nation and its people, and I am driven by the belief that we must let our passion drive our success. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to my support system and mentors, who have offered encouragement, guidance, and prayers throughout the years. Their unwavering support has been invaluable on this journey. A special thank you goes to Permanent Secretary James Astwood for his exemplary leadership over the past few years. His dedication and commitment have laid a strong foundation for us to build upon. I am also grateful to our Deputy Governor for her visionary approach, which has provided young leaders in the public service with the platform to grow, flourish, and lead. To the entire team, I am excited to work alongside you as we continue progressing and enhancing our ministry’s service to the public. Together, I am confident we will achieve great things.”

H.E. Anya Williams, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, expressed her congratulations, stating, “It is with great enthusiasm that I congratulate Mr. Johnson on his appointment to Permanent Secretary. Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to public service. He assisted in leading strategic initiatives that not only improved operational efficiency but also significantly elevated the level of service within the Ministry of Home Affairs. I have every confidence that he will bring the same dedication and innovative thinking to this new role, and I look forward to witnessing the continued positive impact he will have on the Ministry and the public service at large.

Congratulations to Mr. Johnson on your well-deserved promotion”.

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Edgar Howell appointed as Deputy Secretary

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Turks and Caicos, November 2, 2024 – The Office of the Deputy Governor is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Edgar Howell as the new Deputy Secretary within the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, and Culture.

Mr. Howell brings a rich educational background, holding an Associates Degree in Biology from the College of the Bahamas (now the University of the Bahamas), a Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology and Biochemistry from the University of the West Indies, and a Master’s Degree with distinction in Education Management. He embodies the philosophy that “Education is a lifelong journey,” continually pursuing professional development opportunities that enhance his skills and benefit his responsibilities.

Most recently, Mr. Howell served as Director of Education for fifteen years, following a five-year tenure as Deputy Director of Education. His extensive experience also includes four years of teaching Math, Chemistry, and Integrated Science at Clement Howell High School and one year as Head Teacher at Oseta Jolly Primary School.

Mr. Edgar Howell shared his thoughts on his new role, “Stephen Covey advised – ‘You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage—pleasantly, smilingly, non-apologetically, to say ‘no’ to other things. And the way you do that is by having a bigger ‘yes’ burning inside.’ I accepted that my bigger yes is to nation-building and focused on education and families. While this appointment as Deputy Permanent Secretary includes wider TCIG responsibilities, my values of Faith, Family, Patriotism, and Stewardship keep my bigger yes well aligned. My parents instilled a belief that ‘a charge to keep have I, a God to glorify…’ As always, I lean on the promise of Isaiah 41:10 – ‘So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

E. Anya Williams, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service expressed her confidence in Mr. Howell’s capabilities, stating, “I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Howell on his new appointment. His unwavering dedication to the education sector over many years, coupled with his passion for nurturing the potential of our youth, is truly commendable. We eagerly look forward to the contributions he will further bring to our educational initiatives and the positive impact he will make in fostering the development of our community and the bright future of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Congratulations, Mr Howell, on your well-deserved promotion.”

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Turks and Caicos Cruise Tourism Earns US$116 million for 2023/2024  

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PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS  – Cruise Tourism in the Turks and Caicos Islands is booming, earning the destination a whopping US $116 million over the 2023/2024 period.

A new Business Research & Economic Advisors (BREA) report entitled “The Economic Contribution of Cruise Tourism to the Destination Economies, a Survey-based Analysis of the Impacts of Passenger, Crew and Cruise Line Spending” revealed that passenger and crew visits along with additional expenditures by the cruise lines and the destination itself generated a total of US$116.1 million in cruise tourism expenditure during the 2023/2024 cruise year.

The expenditure supported direct employment of 1,197 residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands paying $21.8 million in annual wages.

Quoting data collected from the Ministry of Tourism, the report said 945,040 cruise passengers arrived aboard cruise ships during the 2023/2024 cruise year. Of these, an estimated 796,670 passengers (84%) disembarked and visited the Grand Turk destination where the cruise port is located.

Utilising additional industry data and visiting cruise lines, the survey said 288,515 crew were aboard the cruise ships and 30 percent, or 87,710 crew, disembarked and visited the destination.

The report noted that passenger arrivals are up 15 percent from the last study in 2017/18.

“This is fantastic news, particularly for Grand Turk, our cruise capital,” said Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Josephine Connolly in response to the results of the surveys. “I am very proud of the work that our taxi drivers, tour operators, vendors and suppliers have been doing in Grand Turk to enhance the service and offerings to all who visit our shores. They have shown a commitment to truly develop the cruise industry and it is paying off.”

The Minister said that the Ministry of Tourism and Experience Turks and Caicos have been supporting tourism stakeholders in Grand Turk through a variety of initiatives.

“Through the TIDES programme from the Department of Tourism, we are ensuring that everyone is knowledgeable about the destination and can operate at a high standard. Experience Turks and Caicos recently held two workshops in collaboration with the Aquila Centre for Cruise Excellence in Product Development and Vendor Excellence for the cruise industry and the team has been working on developing new products such as Taste of Turks and Caicos which will introduce our enticing cuisine to cruise passengers every Thursday from November 7th as well as enhancing existing products with signage and maps,” Minister Connolly said.

The FCCA report is based on results from a survey conducted among passenger and crew onboard ships of member cruise lines. The surveys were undertaken during the eight-month period beginning in October 2023 and ending in May 2024 and were distributed onboard the ships via QR codes. Guests and crew completed the surveys online and they were only surveyed once during a cruise itinerary.

The survey found that passengers accounted for the group that spent the most followed by crew and cruise lines and destinations. For the entire 2023/2024 cruise year, the estimated 791,730 cruise passengers who disembarked and spent a total of US$81.4 million.

Passengers spent 73 percent of their onshore expenditure on shore excursions, watches and jewelry, and food and beverages.

Crew spent money on food and beverages, clothing, and other purchases which accounted for 74 percent of their onshore spending. For the entire 2023/2024 cruise year, the estimated 95,780 crew who went ashore and visited Grand Turk spent an estimated total of $4.5 million ($US).

Cruise lines made payments to local businesses for a variety of goods and services, including payments for port fees and taxes, navigation services, utilities and other supplies. The destination itself had employees and employee wages related to its cruise operations. Based upon data provided by the FCCA member cruise lines and the destination, the report estimates that cruise lines and the Turks and Caicos Islands itself were responsible for approximately $30.2 million in direct spending during the 2023/2024 cruise year.

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