TCI News
TCI Premier leads fact-finding mission to ‘Zero Murders’ OT, Bermuda
#TurksandCaicosIslands – February 26, 2020 — The Premier Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson led a TCI Delegation to Bermuda to attend a two-day agenda organized by the Ministry of National Security Bermuda to meet with key stakeholders in the National Security and Education sectors on 19 -22nd February 2020. Premier and TCI Delegates paid a courtesy call on the Governor of Bermuda, His Excellency John Rankin and the Premier of Bermuda, Honourable David Burt.
Following initial meetings with the Governor and Premier of Bermuda, Premier Robinson and delegates met with the Minister for National Security, Commissioner of Police and various other key stakeholders in the National Security sector, received presentations from Bermudian Police and conducted site visits at various government institutions in Bermuda including:
- The Department of Court Services which oversees probations
- CedarBridge Academy High school
- West Pembroke Primary School
- The Gang Violence Reduction Team
- The Redemption Farm Project
- The Westgate Correctional Facility
- The Ministry of National Security
- The House of Assembly of Bermuda
- Bermuda Police Service Headquarters
Among topics discussed during meetings were that of criminal rehabilitation, action against gang-related offences and effective crime reduction and prevention methodology in Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Commenting on the visit, Premier Robinson stated: “Bermuda is a valued partner of the Turks and Caicos Islands because of our shared relationship with the United Kingdom as British Overseas Territories. They have a wealth of knowledge in dealing specifically with gang-related crimes, crime prevention, reduction and criminal rehabilitation. These methods have been tested and proven successful in Bermuda and can be the same for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Although the Turks and Caicos Islands still remains one of the safest countries in the region we must continue focused efforts in ensuring citizen safety – a task the Turks and Caicos Islands Government is fervidly committed to; therefore, through this visit to Bermuda, we were able to discuss possible effective approaches to crime reduction and prevention in the TCI and we able to see firsthand the success of these working models.
On behalf of the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, I would like to the thank the Governor of Bermuda, His Excellency John Rankin, the Premier of Bermuda Honourable David Burt and the Government of Bermuda for their gracious hospitality and their willingness to pass on knowledge and expertise and the Turks and Caicos Islands Government looks forward to continued collaboration with Bermuda to ensure the prosperity and longevity of both nations.”
A delegation of eight (8) lead by Premier Robinson traveled to Bermuda which included: The Minister for Education, Youth, Culture, Social and Library Services Hon. Karen Malcolm, Director of Education, Mr. Edgar Howell, Probations Officer, Mr. Jaron Harvey, Assistant Commissioners of Police with the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, Mr. Darron Williams and Mr. Kendall Grant, the Executive Director for the Office of the Premier, Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr. Ronlee James and the Executive Administrator of the Office of the Premier, Ms. Lareesa Robinson.
The team has since returned to the Turks and Caicos Islands.
TCIG PRESS RELEASE
#TurksandCaicos, September 29, 2023 – The Integrity Commission advises that the Register of Interests for Members of the Turks and Caicos Islands House of Assembly, as at 31st December 2022 has been completed.
Members of the House of Assembly are required by the Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution, Section 103(2), and the Integrity Commission Ordinance (the Ordinance), as amended, Section 52(1), to file with the Commission, Statements of Registrable Interests. The Commission would, therefore, like to inform members of the public that, it
has compiled the information contained in these Statements of Registrable Interests and has produced The Register of Interests 2022 for the Members of the House of Assembly, as at 31st December 2022.
The Register of Interests 2022 is now available for public inspection at the following locations:
- House of Assembly in Grand Turk
- Office of the Premier – Grand Turk and Providenciales
- Office of the Integrity Commission – Grand Turk and Providenciales (during the hours of 8:30am to 4:30pm from Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 4:00pm on Fridays.)
- Office of the District Commissioner – Middle Caicos, North Caicos, Salt Cay and South Caicos.
The Register can be viewed at these locations during normal working hours or at a time that is convenient for the respective offices.
For further information or any assistance please contact the Integrity Commission:
By telephone at: 946-1941(Grand Turk Office) or 941-7847 (Providenciales Office) By e-mail at: secretary@integritycommission.tc or info@integritycommission.tc
Dana Malcolm and Wilkie Arthur
Editorial Staff
#TurksandCaicos, September 29, 2023 – Concerning reports are coming out of Providenciales regarding the placement of students as the new term got started.
Wilkie Arthur, Magnetic Media Court Correspondent, had the opportunity to speak with several young people who were supposed to be in school. Instead, they were hanging out close to home, as they said they couldn’t afford the fees of the private schools they had been placed in.
Edgar Howell, Director of Education, during an August 31st press conference, had indicated that at least 26 students were awaiting assistance with placement in private high schools and 35 students were awaiting placements in primary schools. Parents should have heard from the ministry within days.
Arthur fielded concerns from them and their families who wished to remain anonymous.
“The schools are full and they don’t have any more money to continue the [private] schools they were going to. So, this bright September morning these children are actually just idle,” he explained.
By law (Education Ordinance 2009), all children between four and 16 years old in the Turks and Caicos Islands are considered of ‘Compulsory School Age’ meaning, they must be enrolled in an institution.
It has long been the practice of the Ministry of Education to place students in private schools and subsidize the fees when space has run out in public schools. This year was no different.
“The Ministry continues to provide assistance to the parents through the private school subsidy program and 375 students are being assisted for the 2023/24 school year,” Howell explained.
It’s not clear if these students were a part of that number.
We have since reached out to representatives at the Turks and Caicos Ministry of Education for information on students who are not in school, how many remain unable to fit into public school classes and what provisions are in place for those students; there has been no update.
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, September 29, 2023 – Upgrades are underway at the JAGS McCartney International Airport but Grand Turk Residents say they were subject to subpar conditions for far too long; the comments came at a town hall meeting hosted by the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority in the capital on Thursday September 21, at Dillon Hall.
“I am speaking on behalf of Grand Turk residents. It is unacceptable for the Airports Authority to treat residents how they do,” one resident told TCIAA executives at a town hall meeting in Grand Turk.
The airport was hit during Hurricane Fiona in late 2022, resulting in a destroyed roof and serious damage to the
terminals from extensive flooding plus damage to the domestic and international arrival areas, deeming the area unfit for use.
The hurricane damage last year only exacerbated the destruction wrought by previous storms including 2008’s Hurricane Ike and 2017’s Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
The JAGS McCartney International was reopened for domestic arrivals just this past June after phase one of a restoration project. The international terminal was scheduled to open soon after but repairs are still ongoing. Residents told TCIAA executives, the work was simply not executed quickly enough.
“The lack of attention that they paid to the JAGS McCartney Airport after the hurricane, having the residents of this island come in like we’re from a third world country for months? It’s unacceptable for residents of this island for you all to leave us like that,” a resident maintained.
Ongoing updates include fixing the perimeter fence and parking lot as well as the fire station. Residents appeared grateful but cautiously optimistic.
“We see the plans that you have— which is good, and we hope that the next time we have a disaster we don’t have to be waiting for months [and] be treated like that.”
-
News1 week agoPolice say DNA confirmed identity of headless body
-
News1 week agoCarnival cruise port is open to others Cruise ships — Management
-
News6 days agoInvest TCI Hosts Successful Second Annual General Meeting at the Ritz Carlton
-
Caribbean News1 week agoSmart City Project a Testament to Innovation, Progressive – Dr. Morris Dixon
-
Caribbean News5 days agoJamaica declares DENGUE OUTBREAK; control measures amped up
-
Bahamas News5 days agoGrand Bahama to be CARGO HUB, as Bahamas & Qatar ink MOU
-
Finance1 week agoUK holds steady on interest rates
-
News1 week agoGrand Turk drops in Rank for Cruising, Port profits down; Still Optimism High after major meeting with Carnival