TCI News
What is the role of the Turks and Caicos’ recently appointed Nat’l Security Permanent Secretary?
#TurksandCaicosIslands – The Turks & Caicos Islands Government is on January 23, 2020 announced the appointment of Tito Lightbourne as the Permanent Secretary of the new National Security Secretariat.
A media release explained that Mr. Lightbourne joined the Public Service in April 2007 as a Budget Analyst in the Budget Department subsequent to attaining a Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree from Florida International University in 2005 and a Masters of Business Administration degree from Nova South Eastern University in 2006.
Successively, Mr. Lightbourne then moved on to the Human Resource Management Directorate (formerly Office of Public Service Management) as a Human Resource Officer in 2009, Executive Administrator within the Office of the Chief Executive in 2010, Director-Democratic Services within the Office of the Deputy Governor in 2012 where he still serves today as Executive Director.
Coincidentally, Mr. Lightbourne’ s first appointment to the Public Service was under the supervision of the then Budget Director, Mrs. Anya Williams who is now the Deputy Governor for the Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service and Mr. Lightbourne’ s immediate supervisor since both of their appointments in 2012.
Commenting on his new appointment, Mr. Lightbourne stated; “I am deeply humbled and honored to serve in the position of Permanent Secretary, as this is one of the most senior roles in the TCI Public Service. This role will specifically focus on developing and enhancing the National Security Infrastructure of the TCI under the remit of the National Security Council (NSC), equally reporting to the Governor and Premier. Moreover, this coordinated and meticulous approach to resolving matters of National importance is new to the TCI and will build on some of the existing inter-agency working groups, such as the Joint Law Enforcement Taskforce (JLET) amongst others.”
“In addition, I am also very grateful to the Governor’s Office, Office of the Premier and the UK for the work that has already been undertaken in this area and the support provided by way of a seconded National Security Advisor to TCI.”
Commenting on the appointment, Her Excellency, Deputy Governor, Anya Williams said; “It gives me great pleasure to formally congratulate Mr. Tito Lightbourne on his appointment as the Permanent Secretary of the new National Security Secretariat. Tito has served as the Executive Director of my office during my entire tenure as Deputy Governor and over the past 7 years has demonstrated sound professionalism and astute leadership in the carriage of his duties.
“As the Executive Director and Accounting Officer for the Office of the Deputy Governor, Tito held direct oversight responsibility for the Office of the Deputy Governor itself, the Contracts and Performance Management Unit, the Human Resource Management Directorate, the Training Unit and the Cabinet Secretariat. In addition, as the Senior Executive to the Head of the Public Service, he was responsible for engaging at a senior level with all ministries and departments across government to follow up ongoing delivery, performance and other initiatives matters across government, thereby giving him insight into the operations of the entire government. He has led on policy and program development in a number of key areas as a member of the working group on Pay & Grading, Pensions and Gratuities and Procurement to name a few. Has served as a key member of the Procurement Board. Has been the Manager of the Civil Service Professional Development Fund since its inception and has been an all-around great team member and leader in his respective field.
“I am grateful to Tito for his service over the years and could not be more proud of his accomplishments. Congratulations on your well-deserved promotion Tito! I look forward to working with you in your new capacity as the Permanent Secretary of the National Security Secretariat where I know you will do extremely well!”
#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.”
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