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TCI Premier leads fact-finding mission to ‘Zero Murders’ OT, Bermuda

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#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).

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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.”

Premier leads delegation to Bermuda, who in 2019 recorded ZERO MURDERS

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

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Finance

Three Days to NIB Rate Increase for 2023

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By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, March 29, 2023 – On April 1st, the second round of increases on contributions at the National Insurance Board will kick in for the Turks and Caicos workforce.  Announced last year, the increases were instituted to keep the NIB from running out of money by 2027 as it services a population that is living longer with contributions that had not been increased in 30 years.

As the Government’s new financial year begins, increases at NIB will mean a higher cost for doing business and a higher cost for running the Government.

The private sector is expected to pay contributions at a rate of 11 percent on your taxable income. The hike is up from last year’s 10 per cent; six percent of which is to be paid by the Employer and five percent is to be paid by the Employee.  For wages of $2000, this will mean a $200 improvement in income per month to the NIB.  As for the burn on residents’ pockets, based on a minimum wage of $1200 monthly salary, that’s at least $60 dollars a month and $720 per year.

Public sector rates will move to 10.15 percent up from 9.15 per cent with the worker paying 4.575 per cent and the Government paying 5.575 per cent; that’s $54 a month and $648 a year at minimum wage.

The NIB rate as of April 1, 2023, will jump to 9 percent for self-employed individuals; For self-employed individuals at minimum wage, that is $108 dollars a month or $1296 per year.

As taxable incomes increase so will the contribution.

The increases follow a 2019 Actuarial review, undertaken every three years, which unearthed that the NIB was facing a dismal future, possible collapse. Contribution rates were growing at a rate much slower than NIB expenses, which included beneficiary payouts.  On that trajectory, the NIB’s earnings would be eclipsed by its income by 2027, forcing the worker protection plan to draw down on money saved for economic shocks like Covid-19.

Unsurprisingly, this was deemed untenable, and an immediate increase was recommended.

Despite this scramble to boost earnings, the NIB has simultaneously increased payouts.  Payouts for pensions, funeral grants, maternity grants and more will all attract bigger sums.

These incremental increases on contributions and payouts were all consultant recommendations, informed statements from the Board.

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Caribbean News

TCI Police Detective Holden Speaks Up on Blue Hills Rapes

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Dana Malcolm  

Staff Writer  

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, March 27, 2023 – Following the announcement that several women had been robbed and assaulted in Blue Hills in the past weeks, Magnetic Media queried why the Police would wait until they had a man in custody to release an alert. 

TCI’s newest addition to the top brass Detective Superintendent Dean Holden, Head of Crime, Safeguarding and Public Protection, told us that it initially appeared to be an isolated offence and not part of a series of incidents. 

“The full circumstances needed to be investigated to ascertain the facts before a public alert could be considered. Misinformation in such a case would only cause unnecessary public concern and confusion and could adversely impact the investigation and the safeguarding of persons involved—” he said. “Even now there is no definitive information that these offences are linked, and investigators remain open-minded.”  

Holden claimed an early alert with limited information could have hindered the investigation and they were trying to protect the women who may not have wanted to be identified based on where they lived.  

As it turns out, the public concern was very much warranted, because there have been more violent sexual attacks, and more victims got hurt, forcing their hands.  

“When further similar offences were committed, the overriding principle of sustained public protection was considered, hence the alert/release issued,” he said. 

That alert was coupled with the news that a man had been arrested. Whether those further similar incidents could have been prevented if the public was informed earlier and taken extra precautions, is the underlying question. To date, we don’t know how many victims there are. 

Police have increased patrols in the Blue Hills area and condemned the crimes as unacceptable. They have not indicated if anyone was charged for the offences yet.  

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Caribbean News

Louise Garland Thomas High School are TCISS Inter-High Track & Field 2023 Champions

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#TurksandCaicos, March 27, 2023 – After a festive three days of competition, the TCISS Inter-High Track & Field Championships 2023 have concluded with the A. Louise Garland Thomas High School reigning as Champions. Featuring a great turnout, eleven schools from across the Turks and Caicos Islands met to compete at the National Stadium March 9-11, 2023.

The competition was stiff among athletes, who were all competing for top spots and by extension a spot-on Team TCI’s CARIFTA 2023 team. From high-spirited invitationals to entertainment by DJ Shakes, spectators enjoyed the best Nationals competition yet.

Overall results:

  •     1st Place: A. Louise Garland Thomas High School
  •     2nd Place: Clement Howell High School
  •     3rd Place: Marjorie Basden High School

Twenty athletes have been selected for Turks and Caicos Islands National CARIFTA Team, some who would have competed in the TCISS Inter-High Track & Field Championships 2023 and some living abroad.

Here are the athletes:

  1. Roniesha Johnson U-17 Girls CHHS
  2. Branary Delancy U-17 Girls LGTHS
  3. Krysann Williams U-20 Girls LGTHS
  4. Anesha Varus U-20 Girls CHHS
  5. Lynn Antoine U-20 Girls Unattached
  6. Chyna Simmons U-20 Girls BWIC
  7. Rayvon Black U-17 Boys Denbigh/Jam
  8. Renaldo Registre U-17 Boys RGHS
  9. Jarmal Missick U-17 Boys HJRHS
  10. Melique Evans U-17 Boys CHHS
  11. Love Joseph U-17 Boys LGTHS
  12. Kaeson Garland U-17 Boys MBHS
  13. Shamar Garland U-17 Boys HJRHS
  14. Alieandio Durham U-20 Boys CHHS
  15. Bernard Hyde U-20 Boys CHHS
  16. Markey Zepherin U-20 Boys CHHS
  17. Rayvon Walkin U-20 Boys KC/Jam
  18. Anthon Walkin U-20 Boys KC/Jam
  19. Alidavidson Higgs U-20 Boys JC/Jam
  20. Darvioun Rigby U-20 Boys Keiser/USA

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