#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.
Advertisement
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.
Advertisement
“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.
Around 10:59 am, the Police Control Room received a call of gunshots at a location along the Millennium Highway, Providenciales.
Officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force were dispatched and, based on preliminary investigations, were told that the occupant (s) of a red Suzuki Swift was at a business place when another car pulled alongside it, and the occupants started shooting.
The driver of the Swift drove off while the other unidentified vehicle sped off in a separate direction.
Officers found the Swift abandoned near Miracle Close, Blue Hills, shortly after.
Based on investigations, no injuries were reported.
This remains an active investigation.
The RT&CIPF is asking anyone with information or CCTV footage of the shooting that may assist the police with enquiries to contact 911, the closest police station, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 and anonymously give any information.
Additionally, persons are being asked to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app.
There are twelve new officers within the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.
The officers—Ronn James, Ernie Henry, Aron Charlery, Andrew Ottley, Emmanuel Dabreo, Damion Clarke, Jeffrey Kaye, Roan Waugh, Shan Livermore, Kemar Chambers, Michael Campbell, and Ajay Budhai—took an oath to protect and serve the citizens of the Turks and Caicos Islands yesterday (July 22nd) afternoon at Police Headquarters, Providenciales.
Commissioner of Police Edvin Martin, who administered the officers’ oath, said, “Thank you for choosing the TCI. It will not be a bed of roses. Policing requires hard work, and you ensure our communities are safe. Your arrival was anticipated and highly overdue.
“You are now officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, and you are committed to the safety of the people of these archipelagoes. We must lead by example and not let our guard down. Stand firm on the foundation of our motto- Service With Pride and Integrity. Integrity is doing the right thing in the absence of anyone watching.”
The President of the Christian Council, Pastor Wilbert Jennings, delivered the opening prayer and told officers to always call on God in their time of need.
Deputy Commissioner Rodney Adams, Assistant Commissioner Kendall Grant, acting Assistant Commissioner Mat Newton, Chairman of the Police Welfare Association Sgt. Jepson Victor and Human Resources Manager Rex Swann also attended the ceremony.
A 23-year-old male from the Bight, Providenciales, has been charged with the theft of a boat.
CHANDELER JOSEPH is expected to appear before a Magistrate next week to answer the following charges:
Two Counts of Theft
Two Counts of Handling Stolen Goods
The charges against Mr. Joseph followed a report of a stolen boat in the Turtle Cove district on July 19th,2024.
Inquiries were conducted shortly after Mr Joseph was arrested and subsequently charged.
The RTCIPF is asking anyone with information on illegal activities that may assist the police with enquiries to contact 911, the closest police station, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 and anonymously give any information.
Additionally, persons are being asked to download the CrimeStoppers P3 app.