#Barbados, February 17, 2020 — Three TCI approved projects employing the technical assistance of the Caribbean Development Bank are in limbo due to a lack of available expertise within the Turks and Caicos Islands, explained the CBD director at its Annual Press Conference held on February 11 in Barbados.
Daniel Best, Director of Projects at the
Caribbean Development Bank revealed that efforts are being considered at CDB to
help countries through the stagnating challenge of limited human resources,
which adversely affect implementation and completion of critical projects.
Strong turn out for town meeting related to problems with Providenciales dump
“We have within our member countries,
unfortunately, some capacity issues and it is not limited to TCI, this is across
the board. One of the things we are
doing as a bank is seeking how we can be more responsive to not just the infrastructure
or social needs but to the capacity needs,” said Mr. Best.
Magnetic Media quizzed Mr. Best about progress
on two of the three projects; the first, the Coastal Protection and Management
Technical Assistance which has been approved since 2016. While it is the most advanced, progress is slow
going for the construction of vital sea defences.
CDB Annual News Conference held Tuesday February 11, 2020 at HQ in Barbados
“All of the capital projects funded by the Caribbean
Development Bank undergo a climate vulnerability assessment and climate risk
screening, so this project would be one, when it gets to the capital projects
stage… (it) would be one that incorporates climate action. We are continuing the dialogue to drive this
particular intervention and others forward, so we really hope to see some
traction on that in this calendar year,” said Best.
In July 2017, the Premier and Finance
Minister, Sharlene Robinson informed the House of Assembly: “Mr.
Speaker that the Government is advancing is the loan assistance related to
Climate Resilient Coastal Protection and Management that we had hoped would
have been before us today for debate. This technical assistance will
focus on a feasibility study and prepare designs for coastal protection works
on the islands of Grand Turk, Salt Cay and Providenciales. Shoreline
management plans for the Islands will also form part of this technical
assistance.”
Three years later and the CDB Director admits
that the project still has a distance to go.
Daniel Best said plans are to work with the Turks and Caicos Islands
Government for project submissions to source designs for coastal defences.
FILE PHOTO
The second venture, a Solid Waste Management
Project is also severely waylaid by this human resource deficiency and that
fact will be particularly jarring for the people of northwestern
Providenciales, which is home to the communities of Wheeland and Blue Hills. Residents, across the islands are hopeful for
a remedy to longstanding qualms about management of dump sites.
Severe respiratory health problems resulting from smoke and fumes emanating from fires in and around the Providenciales Landfill have raised public interest in the approved Solid Waste Management Technical Assistance contract with the CDB.
Government panel at town meeting in 2019
“Unfortunately that project has not
progressed as fast as we would have wanted it to; the TA (technical assistance)
has been approved and we are in the process of working with the TCI to procure
consultants, to engage consultants,” informed Mr. Best.
“Arduous” is the way ahead for the solid
waste management assistance, the CDB Project Director explained.
Within the July 2017 ministerial statement,
Premier Sharlene Robinson announced the project and in 2019, the Technical Assistance
for Solid Waste Management was approved at the Cabinet level.
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From the July 26, 2017
ministerial statement to the House of Assembly: “Mr.
Speaker, Solid Waste Management involves everybody throughout the length and
breadth of these Islands, and it is my Government’s intention to advance a
technical assistance loan from the Bank to assist us in updating the waste
management strategy for the country as well as designing the best option for
waste disposal on each Island.
Our
Islands do not always depict our country’s tagline and as we clean up the
streets and communities, we must put in place proper management systems that
will address littering, indiscriminate dumping and management of landfills also
known for us as dump sites. Public education and fines will also be hallmarks
of the new Policy.”
Since then, the widespread
destruction and reconstruction resulting from Hurricanes Irma and Maria have generated
a substantial increase in the amount of debris being hauled to the dump site.
Additionally, the hazardous
practice of igniting coal kiln fires, suspicion of arson and spontaneously
combusting spot fires have worked to accelerated air pollution and community
frustration.
Doctor visits and respiratory cases have climbed among residents of the area; though in recent months, there has been a decline in instances of foul odors and toxic air.
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“There may be need for some
support in the country and this is one where we will certainly be putting a
lens on to see how we can actually get it moving faster,” the comment from Mr.
Best in response to Magnetic Media’s conveyance of public anxieties.
Daniel Best added, “I hear you
and I agree. It is an environmental
concern. It may not be a hurricane or a
cyclone, but it is an environmental concern and it is one that the CDB is
committed to working with the government of the TCI to resolve.”
Magnetic Media is a Telly Award winning multi-media company specializing in creating compelling and socially uplifting TV and Radio broadcast programming as a means for advertising and public relations exposure for its clients.
CHTA Education Foundation & Sandals Foundation Training Celebration with TCHTA in Providenciales 20 October 2026. Front Row, L to R: Suzanne & Louise CHTAEF Trainers, Wesley Clerveau, PS Ministry of Tourism, Deryck Meany for Sandals Foundation, TCHTA team: Stacy-Ann Wharton, VP – Nicholette Thomas Operations Manager - Omega Simmons Board Member
Turks and Caicos – Caribbean Supercharged Service, Learning & Leadership workshops were enjoyed by professionals from Grace Bay Car Rentals, a local sponsor, alongside a Heavy Machinery Rental Company, a Paint retailer, 8 resorts, a luxury villa management enterprise and 3 TCHTA sponsored junior chefs, including Team TCI Junior Chef 2026, Zaliya Dickenson, who will complete at the Taste of the Caribbean in November for her country.
These workshops were the result of the longstanding partnership between the CHTA Education Foundation and their sponsor, Sandals Foundation, who support the Caribbean Supercharged programme on a different island every year. This year, the Turks & Caicos Hotel & Tourism Association (TCHTA) hosted the initiative to the delight of its members.
The workshops targeted new team members, seasoned professionals, managers and supervisors. Topics included Foundations & Finesse within Customer Interactions, Delivering Clear Expectations for Service Consistency and Making Memorable Moments.
Sandals Foundation was pleased to also sponsor chefs, cooks, stewards, warehouse & purchasing staff from 7 resorts and 2 high schools for an intensive HACCP Preparation & Pre-Requisites informational day, including international coursebooks, team training booklets and each person’s international assessment fee. The course is approved by the Royal Society for Public Health UK, earns Continuing Professional Development Credits, and is recognized globally as the leading Food Safety Management System.
Deryk Meany, General Manager, Beaches TCI, represented Heidi Clarke, Executive Director, Sandals Foundation at the 20 October Celebration with energy and passion for professional development and life-long learning in tourism to ever uplift and grow ourselves. He asked participants to ‘never stop learning! Today is a step upwards in your personal growth and that of the industry. We are never too old to learn, to share our experiences within training and grow”
Wesley Clerveau, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, gave spirited, positive inspiration and congratulations to the participants “Stayover arrivals in TCI have increased by 6% between January & June this year, we are hot! The place visitors wish to be, and your time, application and learning in each workshop is invaluable to us as a destination and to you as citizens and residents. I urge you to put what you have gained into practice immediately and keep applying yourselves; the more you upgrade, the more service elevates, the more we all succeed”
Karolin Troubetzkoy, Chairwoman, CHTA Education Foundation commented “Congratulations to everyone who participated in this year’s workshops, thank you for being fully engaged and making the most of your opportunity.
Special mention to the 8 past participants that we reunited with and are now working in leadership positions, BRAVO! We are delighted for you and encourage you to stay focused and keep shining and growing upwards.
It has been the Education Foundations honor to work closely with our sponsor Sandals Foundation and partner with TCHTA again to create Caribbean Supercharged positivity within each of you”.
Stacey-Ann Wharton, Vice President TCHTA, congratulated everyone present and stressed the TCHTA ongoing commitment to learning and development of members teams and management, along with special TCHTA scholarships for the HACCP session for 3 Junior Chefs, showing the Associations commitment to nurturing talent from High School upwards.
PHOTO CAPTIONS
First Insert: Wesley Clerveau, PS, Ministry of Tourism
Second Insert: Deryck Meany, GM Beaches TCI representing Sandals Foundation
Third Insert: Stacy-Ann Wharton, Vice President, TCHTA
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Crown Land Unit, with coordination and support from the Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), conducted a multi-agency enforcement exercise in the Five Cays area on Thursday, September 17, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to address the illegal occupation and unauthorised use of Crown land.
The exercise brought together representatives from the Crown Land Unit, ISU and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force. Security for the exercise was provided by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. Inspections were conducted across several parcels of Crown land throughout Five Cays, where instances of illegal occupation and unauthorised use had been identified.
During the exercise, a total of forty (40) Section 22 Notices of Unauthorised Occupation were served in accordance with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance. The notices related to various forms of unauthorised occupation and use of Crown land, including incomplete structures, shipping containers, derelict vehicles, trailer chassis, building materials and other items.
Where persons were not present, notices were affixed to the relevant structures or items. The exercise forms part of the Crown Land Unit’s continuing efforts to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land and to ensure that identified instances of unauthorised occupation are appropriately addressed.
The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands reminds the public that Crown land must not be occupied, developed or otherwise used without lawful authority.
The Crown Land Unit, supported by the ISU and its other partner agencies, will continue to identify and address instances of illegal occupation of Crown land across the Turks and Caicos Islands. Persons affected by notices issued during enforcement exercises are encouraged to comply with the requirements outlined and to seek guidance from the relevant authorities where necessary.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (October 22nd, 2026) – The Turks and Caicos Islands welcomes BermudAir as the airline begins its service to the destination on Monday, October 26th, marking the start of a wider expansion that will connect us with additional cities across the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.
BermudAir’s service will begin with a new nonstop service between Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Providenciales. The flight will depart from the Howard Hamilton International Airport at 8 am on Monday morning and arrives at 7.40 pm. Aboard the inaugural flight will be a delegation from the Turks and Caicos Islands led by Experience Turks and Caicos and the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA), and will include Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Anya Williams, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Zhavargo Jolly, as well s representatives of the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA), the board of the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourism Authority, Invest TC and local media.
BermudAir will operate the Fort Lauderdale–Providenciales route three times weekly, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, through May 3rd, 2027. making it easier for business travellers with the schedule offering the potential for same-day return trips. The airline is also launching nonstop service between Fort Lauderdale and Belize City, Belize, on the same schedule, offering travellers in South Florida direct access to both destinations.
The new service introduces BermudAir’s premium leisure inflight experience to the Turks and Caicos Islands. Flights will operate on Embraer E190 aircraft configured without middle seats, giving every passenger a window or aisle seat, alongside complimentary snacks and beverages.
Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Zhavargo Jolly, welcomed the airline’s arrival, noting the importance of expanding airlift to support the continued development of the destination’s tourism industry.
“Air connectivity remains one of the most important factors in the continued development of our tourism industry. BermudAir’s expansion represents an opportunity to strengthen our connections with key international markets while opening new doors for our sister islands. I am particularly encouraged by the planned direct service between Newark and South Caicos, which speaks directly to our vision of expanding tourism opportunities across the Turks and Caicos Islands. Our objective is to ensure that improved connectivity translates into greater economic activity, stronger local businesses and more opportunities for Turks and Caicos Islanders to participate in and benefit from tourism.” said Minister Jolly.
Commenting on the significance of the new route for the country’s development, the Honourable Arlington Musgrove, Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development (PPID), stated: “The introduction of BermudAir’s new service is a testament to the continued growth and development of our aviation sector. The Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, alongside the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority, remains dedicated to enhancing our airport infrastructure to accommodate increased airlift. We are committed to working to ensure that our facilities provide a seamless, world-class experience for all incoming passengers and we warmly welcome BermudAir to our shores.”
The Fort Lauderdale launch is the first of several new services BermudAir plans to introduce to the Turks and Caicos Islands for the 2026–2027 winter season. Additional connections to Providenciales are scheduled from:
Bermuda to TCI and Grand Cayman: Beginning December 18th, 2026
Anguilla: Beginning December 19th, 2026
Boston, Massachusetts: Beginning December 19th, 2026
Toronto, Canada: Beginning December 19th, 2026
Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina: Beginning December 20th, 2026
Newark, New Jersey to South Caicos: Beginning December 20th, 2026
St. Petersburg/Tampa, Florida: Beginning December 21st, 2026
Baltimore-Washington: Beginning December 24th, 2026
The expansion will give travellers more options for reaching the destination during the winter travel season, while broadening access from established and developing source markets. The additional routes also create opportunities for tourism stakeholders to reach new audiences and encourage visitors to explore more of the islands.