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TCI Governor statement on Salary Cuts and return of UK Chief Financial Officer; says its ‘fake news’

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H.E. Nigel Dakin, TCI Governor (file photo)

#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – October 9, 2020 — I have been asked to comment, by Magnetic Media, on a piece of social media distributed by ‘CaribbeanNewsGlobal’ not least because it carries a photograph of a UK Minister and quotes unnamed, but supposedly well-placed sources in London, suggesting that the UK is making a set of financial demands on TCI.

These are non-attributed quotes, to an unnamed journalist, circulated by an unknown social media platform, purporting to be a Caribbean news outlet, that no one has heard of. As a result the story should be dismissed as an example of the very worst in social media fake news – if poorly executed. My statement of the 15th September, that includes a section on the economy, is the UK’s position. 

Without dignifying the story, but given the headline, there are two falsehoods that need to be squashed. The first, because in these difficult times families do not need to be subjected to unnecessary fear, is that there is no truth, whatsoever, that the UK is seeking a 20% reduction in civil service salaries.  No such conversation has taken place. 

The second, given those choosing to invest in TCI, or institutions intending to lend to TCI, follow commentary generated for internal consumption, it is also important to put on record – categorically – that there is no truth whatsoever that the UK has decided to ‘intervene in TCI’s finances’ nor any suggestion a CFO is needed. It was needed in the past because of previous rampant corruption.

Today the UK does recognise that the Finance Ministry in the TCI is first class and entirely able to manage the Territories Finances without UK oversight. This, after all, was the first year when TCI did not need to present its Budget for approval.

Hon Sharlene Robinson, TCI Premier & Minister of Finance

Given TCI presently carries an extraordinarily small debt and given the Government of TCI has been prudent – entering the COVID crisis with strong reserves – should the TCI Government wish to take on well sourced and competitive debt the UK will, I’m sure, be supportive. That support is necessary because the UK takes on the contingent liability for all Overseas Territories debts. But that is where the conversation presently rests with the UK – the Premier as Minister of Finance signalling she is looking for the best deal she can secure, and the UK waiting to hear what the Governments approach to debt will be. 

Given the UK itself is having to borrow very serious sums of money to weather the COVID19 crisis it will obviously be sympathetic to an Overseas Territory that, over the last years, carried almost no debt. 

Looking forward the Governor’s Office will not be giving a running commentary on so-called news – as it relates to the UK / TCI relationship – purporting to come from ‘Caribbean News Global’.  It is clearly a fake news platform.

One truthful statement that relates to the TCI / UK relationship, which of course helps confuse the reader by mixing established fact with falsehood,  is that the UK is indeed supporting TCI’s Ministry of Health having sent Professor Ian Cumming to support the Premier, Minister and Permanent Secretary along with an epidemiologist, with a PhD from Cambridge, to support our own excellent Dr Malcolm and a fast stream civil servant from the UK’s National Health Service to work with the National Laboratory, and other areas, as the Minister of Health wishes. That would seem the right thing to do at time of pandemic and is a far better real world characterisation of the present relationship between the UK Government and TCIG.

Caribbean News

Wal Registre’s Impressive Rise at BTC

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: When Wal Registre started his career at Beaches Turks and Caicos (BTC) on October 25, 1997 as a bartender, little did he know that 25 years after, he would have risen to the post of payroll administrator within the same organisation.

The Raymond Gardiner High School graduate was always good at accounting and mathematics and had the dream of excelling in the hospitality industry in an area that would best fit his passion and academic strength.

Having been promoted to bar supervisor in 1999, Wal’s vision for growth was still active as he recognised that being a team member at Beaches Turks and Caicos would allow him to excel beyond his comfort zone. Following the completion of a number of courses with the Sandals Corporate University (SCU), he transitioned to the Cost Control unit in the Accounting Department as the cost control clerk.

Wal pointed out that his ability to grow within the company was largely due to his commitment to excellence. The SCU courses that were offered gave him the added training needed to build on what he was able to learn on the job and from his mentors.

“At BTC, training is very important to each employee. There are many opportunities for professional development and with the guidance from the Learning and Development team, and the leaders within the company, team members can truly grow,” Registre added.

One of Wal’s colleagues, Janet King, noted, “Wal’s commitment serves as an example to every team member here. His ability to grow from an entry level position to where he is now shows that everyone can succeed once they put their minds to it.”

While expressing his commitment to his profession, Wal’s dedication and discipline are traits that he values and chooses to pass on to those he leads. In sharing his advice to younger professionals seeking to enter the industry, he noted, “this organisation believes in quality work life balance that will allow each team member valuable time with family. This period helps me to maintain a bond with my family and explore the world. Training within this company is available for everyone and the ability to grow professionally is dependent on each person having the right attitude to grow.”

 

Release: BTC

Photo Captions

Header:Wal Registre, Payroll Administrator at Beaches Turks and Caicos makes final checks as he goes through documents at his desk at the resort

Insert: Anna Francis, Accountant in the Finance department at Beaches Turks and Caicos and Wal Registre, Payroll Administrator at the resort pause from discussing work related items to smile for the camera

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Caribbean News

Special Needs Unit Students at Thelma Lightbourne Primary School recognised by BTC

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands –  Parents and students from the Special Education Unit at the Thelma Lightbourne Primary School were recently recognized by the Beaches Turks and Caicos team during a special session at the institution as part of autism awareness activities.

Children’s Activities Manager Fedeline Julien shared, “educating students, parents, teachers and other adults about the best practices of dealing with children with autism is needed especially in our homes and schools. Children who are autistic do things differently and should be treated with patience and care.”

Robin Cox Foster, principal of the school said, “the partnership between Beaches Turks and Caicos and our school is always welcome. As the only resort on island that is an autism certified centre, they were readily available to share with our students and their parents. The involvement of the Sesame Street character, the presentations from the Kids Camp team to the parents allowed those present to appreciate their roles in being change agents for autism.”

Caring for a child with special needs was highlighted as an opportunity to create a closer bond between child and parent/caregivers.

Walter Moore, who has a son on the spectrum shared, “being able to deal with the many challenges of a special needs child will assist parents in being more patient and creative in how they care for a child. My son and I are best friends. He is comfortable talking with me about anything and I have to learn how to respect his likes and dislikes and create an environment that makes him happy.”

Beaches Turks and Caicos’ Kids Camp is an Advanced Certified Autism Centre which ensures that team members have the required knowledge, skills, temperament, and expertise to cater to all children. The resort offers age-specific programmes for infants, toddlers, pre-teens and teens.

 

Release: BTC

 

Photo Captions:

Header: Tanya Swann (left), Director of Sales, Groups and Conventions at Beaches Turks and Caicos introduces the team of volunteers who were present while Robin Cox-Foster, school principal looks on

1st Insert: Walter Moore (left) Beaches Turks and Caicos team member shares a moment with his son (right) and Sesame Street character Sesame Street

2nd Insert: Some members of the Beaches Turks and Caicos Sandals Foundation team share a moment at the Thelma Lightbourne Primary School during a presentation to the institution

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Government

PUBLIC STATEMENT – ROAD CLOSURES ON GRAND TURK

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#TurksandCaicos, June 2, 2023 – The Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development in collaboration with the Water Undertaking, Ministry of Home Affairs would like to advise the Public of the closure on the intersection of Airport Road and Osbourne Road area as part of the on-going Pipe Laying project on Grand Turk. The works are expected to last not exceeding 24 hours. The road will be closed for traffic during the period of June 03, 2023 from 7:00 Am to 7:00 PM.

Alternative re-route:

  • Vehicles heading North bound, turn right to Osbourne and turn Left to Barrack Hill Road.
  • Vehicles heading South bound, turn right to Ponce de Leon Street and turn left to Palm Grove Drive

TRAFFIC CONTROL PLAN

҉NOTICE OF ROAD CLOSURE TO FACILITATE INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS ON SATURDAY 3RD OF JUNE 2023 FROM 7AM TO 7PM PROJECT: UPGRADING OF WATER DISTIBUTION FACILITIES IN GRAND TURK TR 21/55 C

 

FROM THE MINISTRY OF PHYSICAL PLANNING 

AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT  

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