TCI News
PNP Deputy Leader touts ‘A Citizen’s Contract’ as more than another manifesto
#TurksandCaicosIslands – January 26, 2021 – Government portfolios would be shifted, a strong thrust on e-governance development and economic recovery from the top to the bottom is what the Progressive National Party, of the Turks and Caicos promises as nomination day approaches.
“We’ve got to take the country back to the point where people are not starving anymore. We’ve got to take the country back to the point where people are earning an income. This last nine months the Covid-19 pandemic, has seen Turks and Caicos people fall either at the level of or below the level of poverty this did not have to happen. The current government is sitting on 200 million dollars and watched people starve and brag about the amount of money that they have,” said Erwin (EJ) Saunders, the Deputy Leader and All Island Candidate of the Progressive National Party.
Mr. Saunders presented what the opposition is calling A Citizen’s Contract. He said the PNP wants to see islanders evolve from being workers only in the hotel sector to owners also… to a workforce which is ready for modern jobs and scholarships to match… food production would be scaled up and ensuring environmental enhancements would be more in depth.
A pressure point for residents is crime.
“We are going to drive down the out of control murder rate. We owe our people that, our people should be able to sleep comfortably at night time and our solemn promise to you is that at the end of our term, you will be sleeping comfortably at nighttime,” explained Saunders during the launch of the Contract on January 19 at the Progress House, the party’s headquarters in Providenciales.
In a unique season; the launch was electronic and so is the document. A 28-page contract, which offers a plan for greater accountability, poverty alleviation, strengthening support for the elderly and the youth and advancements in infrastructure was rolled out by endorsed candidates in the upcoming General Elections.
Absent was the party’s leader, Hon C. Washington Misick; apologies were given with a promise he would be back in the coming days.
Momentum is also slowed for both political parties, which cannot hold rallies and have to limit contact with voters due to the burst of Covid-19 cases in three islands of the British overseas territory slated for General Elections on February 18.
Still the PNP is optimistic, giving their manifesto the theme: no Turks and Caicos islander left behind.
“We wanted to be clear to the people our goals and objectives for the next four years. We wanted to be able to give to people, actually outline our plans and give it to them to show them the things we are going to achieve, not the things we are going to promise and then come back in four years and saying well you know we promised this but we weren’t able to deliver it. Everything that we’ve laid out in this manifesto is deliverable.”
Turks and Caicos, October 28, 2025 – We are closely monitoring the impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, and our thoughts and prayers are with our regional neighbours for their safety and well-being
We are now entering a critical period as Hurricane Melissa advances towards the Turks and Caicos Islands. Current projections indicate that Hurricane Melissa will begin to impact the Turks and Caicos Islands around midday tomorrow, Wednesday, 29th October.
This morning, Her Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Premier chaired a State of Preparedness Meeting. All Government agencies and critical services are mobilised. The safety and protection of every person across our Islands remains our highest priority. Our emergency response teams are prepared and the TCI Regiment is deployed across each of our Islands to support community readiness and immediate response. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are on active duty, with additional officers in North Caicos, Salt Cay, South Caicos and Grand Turk.
At this time, the hurricane is moving north-northeast. The country is expected to experience tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall and
significant storm surge. The storm surge poses a serious concern for low-lying coastal areas especially along our western and southern coastlines, which may result in coastal flooding. Based on the most current weather projections and anticipated impacts for the Turks and Caicos Islands, the National Executive have agreed the following actions:
1. Evacuation Advisories
Residents in specific low-lying and flood-prone coastal areas are likely to experience significant storm surge of 2-4 feet with accompanying rainfall. Strong advice is now place for residents in these areas to relocate to designated shelters which will be open from 4pm this afternoon. These areas include:
Middle Caicos
- Conch Bar Nearest Shelter: The Community Centre
North Caicos
- Sandy Point Nearest Shelter : Sandy Point Community Centre
- Whitby Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
- Bottle Creek Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
Providenciales
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- Chalk Sound Nearest Shelter Enid Capron Primary School
- Five Cays Nearest Shelter: Enid Capron Primary School
- Discovery Bay Nearest Shelter: All Saints Church, Leeward Highway
- Juba Sound Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
- Long Bay Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
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South Caicos
- Cockburn Harbour Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
- Old Airport Road Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
Should an evacuation order become necessary, it will be issued following the 6:00 PM Advisory this evening from the TCI National Weather Service.
2. Activation of Emergency Operations Centre
The National Emergency Operations Centre in Providenciales and all Islands Emergency Operations Centres will be activated at 4:00 PM today.
3. Shelters Access
Shelters across all Islands will open today at 4:00 PM to receive members of the public.
4. Shelter-in-Place
A Strong Shelter-in-Place Advisory is in place for all islands, commencing at 10:00 PM tonight. This will be in place until the all clear has been issued.
This means that from 10:00 PM tonight, all residents should be off the road, in a safe location, either at home or a designated shelter.
Please note that this position may be revised following the 6:00 PM Advisory from the TCI National Weather Service, depending on updated storm projections.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) has confirmed that all airports remain fully operational for today. They will advise the public about ongoing operations dependent on the weather impacts.
In times such as this, the role of commercial entities extends beyond business – it becomes a vital part of the community’s resilience. All retailers and service providers are urged to uphold their humanitarian responsibilities by maintaining fair pricing and ensuring essential goods and services remain accessible to all.
Residents and visitors are reminded to adhere strictly to all official advisories and evacuation orders as they are issued. Avoid unnecessary movement, secure your property, and ensure that you and your family are prepared with essential supplies. Stay prepared and stay safe.
Turks and Caicos, October 24, 2025 – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey delivered an impassioned address to male students at Clement Howell High School, calling on them to recognize their power, seize their potential, and “awaken the sleeping giants” within.
In a message that blended humility, faith, and personal experience, the Commissioner reminded the boys that the decisions they make today will shape their future.“The choices you make today determine who you become tomorrow,” he said.
Bailey, who revealed he was the first in his family to attend high school, urged the students to embrace education and discipline as tools of
transformation.“Knowledge is power. If you want to be a real man, you need to read,” he told them. “Remember your potential — if others can do it, so can you. Some of you are sleeping giants waiting to be awakened.”
He emphasized that circumstances of birth do not dictate destiny, challenging the young men to carry self-respect, faith, and moral conviction wherever they go. “Self-respect is key; respect yourself, respect others, and respect God,” he said. “The circumstances you were born into do not define who you are.”
The Commissioner also spoke about resilience, advising that true strength often lies in restraint.
“There will be challenges, and people may try to impede your development — but rise above negativity. Sometimes, strength means walking away,” he said. “Some of you are sleeping lions; it’s time to awaken that instinct and rediscover your true potential.”
In closing, Commissioner Bailey delivered a stirring challenge:
“Each morning, look in the mirror and remind yourself that you were created by God and are capable of great exploits. You are a possibility with potential. Step forward with confidence — this is your country, your islands. Be the best version of yourself.”
Following his speech, the Commissioner engaged the students in open dialogue, answering questions and listening to their perspectives on issues affecting young men in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.
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