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TCI: More Transparency in Government and other things Washington Misick had to say on Feb 20

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#TurksandCaicos, March 3, 2021 – The epic defeat of the former People’s Democratic Movement administration was a colossal party failure and a cold protest on its contract performance. With a win of 14 seats to 1, the glaring error of the former Government remained inevitable.

On the other hand, the overwhelming majority vote on February 19 by the Turks and Caicos Islands’ good people sent across a message of support, trust, and confidence in the now governing Progressive National Party (PNP).

On the day the landmark election victory was announced – February 20, 2021 – the former TCI minister assured the Turks and Caicos people that he would not let them down. Speaking from the Progressive National Party’s headquarters, C. Washington Misick vowed to “rebuild the country block by block.”

“On behalf of the incredible PNP team, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the faith and trust that you have placed in us. You have signed our contract with the people,” said Misick in his well-composed statement.

“You have given us the mandate to work on your behalf to rebuild the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“I promise that we will not let you down. It was a hard-fought contest,” he added.

The two-time leader also extended an olive branch to their competitors, vowed to govern for all, and called for unity to build better Turks and Caicos Islands.

“To the leadership, members, and supporters of the PDM, I know you are disappointed. My team and I extend a hand to you.

“The elections are over. Today, we are no longer dueling parties; we are team TCI. We will govern for all, and we need all-hands-on-deck for the work that is ahead,” the former chief reassured the Islanders.

Without hesitation, the former chief echoed the promise they made to the Islanders as a party on their 16th October 2020 re-election campaign launch.

“My fellow Islanders, we embrace this massive victory with humility,” he said.

“We are ever conscious of the difficult task ahead to deal with the ravages and risks caused by Covid-19, take care of our people and rebuild the economy,” he added.

“You have called upon us to ease the burdens and the pressures of increasing poverty, unemployment, the worsening standard of living, and crime.

Our mandate is to turbo-charge the economy; create jobs; cut the cost of living; provide quality healthcare and education; make a more secure TCI; invest in our future through agriculture, environmental protection, and infrastructural development; give our young people a chance for a better life and restore hope,” he continues as his speech resonates with the electorates who voted for change.

The newly sworn-in premier assured Islanders that their Government would work to earn their trust and honor their mandate: “You have spoken loudly and clearly. The Government must earn your trust. You want a Government that is accountable and transparent. You want a Government which consults you, and you must expect nothing less from us.”

Misick also promised a warm partnership with the businesses and fair policies that would promote a better business environment.

“With new legislation making it easier to do business and innovative policies and programmes, we will unleash the boundless creativity of our people.

“Together, we will rebuild the country block by block,” said Misick.

 As he wrapped up his speech, the two-time elected chief promised a transparent government allowing the media and the public greater access.

“The people of the TCI have elected us to lead, and we will lead. “We must, and we will take responsibility for our society, and we must be responsible to our people.

“There will be more transparency in Government. The media and the public will have greater access,” reassured Misick.

The landslide win was a resounding assurance that the people of Turks and Caicos had given the PNP administration a 4-year term of great work, with a cue of 14 elected leaders to materialize their manifesto.

Caribbean News

CARPHA Progresses to Eligibility for the First Disbursement of Pandemic Funding

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Following a landmark Public Signing Ceremony for the Pandemic Fund (PF) Technical Cooperation Agreement (“Reducing the Public Health Impact of Pandemics in the Caribbean through Prevention, Preparedness, and Response” [RG-T4387] Project) on December 14, 2023, in Trinidad, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) continues to progress towards the start of implementation.

 CARPHA fulfilled the IDB’s nine conditions prior to first disbursement, achieving full eligibility on March 15, 2024, and is now eligible for the first disbursement. This milestone achievement in just 3 months after the signing speaks to the commitment of both CARPHA, the Executing Agency, and IDB, the Implementing Entity, toward the regional PF project with the objective of supporting the reduction of the public health impact of pandemics in the Caribbean by building pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPR) surveillance & early-warning systems (EWS), laboratory systems and workforce capacity, regionally at CARPHA and in countries.

Since the signing of the Technical Cooperation Agreement and as part of the conditions prior to first disbursement, CARPHA has achieved the following key outputs (i) the development of the PF Project Operations Manual, Multi-annual Execution Plan, Procurement Plan, Financial Plan, Procedure for CARPHA’s Financial Reporting System; (ii) vacancy announcements for two tranches of consultants with the subsequent hiring of five (Technical Coordinator, Financial Specialist, Procurement Specialist, Operations Officer and Project Operations Coordinator) and (iii) the establishment of the Project Execution Unit (PEU) and Project Execution Steering Committee (PESC). The dedicated PEU will be responsible for execution according to its planned timelines, which will be led by the Dr. Lisa Indar, the Project Director (CARPHA’s Director of Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control Division).

 CARPHA, as the lead regional public health agency and an expression of Caribbean Cooperation in Health is mandated by its Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) to support its 26 CARPHA Member States (CMS) in bolstering national systems and coordinating regional response to public health threats. The Agency works closely with regional and international agencies and uses regional mechanisms, surveillance systems, and networks for coordinating its public health response work.

In July 2023, the PF Governing Board announced that CARPHA’s regional entity proposal, entitled ‘Reducing the Public Health Impact of Pandemics in the Caribbean through Strengthened Integrated Early Warning Surveillance, Laboratory Systems and Workforce Development’ was successfully selected for the first round of financing. It was one of only 19 proposals selected from over 300 submissions and the only regional project. The three priority areas in the proposal are: (i) Comprehensive disease surveillance and EWS, (ii) Laboratory systems and (iii) Human resources and public health and community workforce capacity.

This project is expected to begin implementation in March 2024, starting off with a blended onboarding session. A Stakeholder Meeting with countries is tentatively planned for July 2024.

CARPHA remains dedicated to working together with the IDB, CARPHA Member States and the Pandemic Fund to successfully implement the regional proposal geared toward reducing the public health impact of pandemics in the Caribbean.

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Men who had Murdered Man, Marley Higgs’ cell phone face Court

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Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Correspondent

The prosecution intends to try two young North Caicos men, both age 21 for the offense of possession of property of a murdered man, property that was stolen and landed in their possession.

The phone belonged to Peureton ‘Marley’ Higgs, who is believed to have been an innocent gunned down at his apartment complex in the Glass Shack area in a spray of bullets on February 2 that killed another man and wounded two others, including a ten-year-old little girl.

The cell phone was described as white in colour, an iPhone, in a hard black case. 

On Monday, March 18th, JEFFVANO HANDFIELD of North Caicos pleaded not guilty to the offense, and the matter was adjourned to April 2024. He was granted bail in the matter.

A second North Caicos man was charged similarly.  

SARENO CAPELLAN aka, Kino Williams is the second individual brought before the court pertaining to the said cellphone. He appeared in court a week after JEFFVANO HANDFIELD, the date being Monday March 25th 2024.

The case for the Crown is that both men sometime in February of this year possessed the cellphone knowing or suspecting it to be stolen property.

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Caribbean News

Supreme Court Closed for Easter

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NOTICE is hereby given that the Easter Recess shall commence on Friday 29th April, 2024 and end on Friday 5th April, 2024. During the Easter Recess Judge Selochan will be available to deal only with matters that are urgent or require prompt attention.

Court Business During the Easter Recess

A person who wishes to have a matter heard during the recess must file a certificate of urgency along with an affidavit, which must set out the reasons why the matter is urgent or requires prompt attention. The matter will not be listed during the recess unless the Judge deems it fit for urgent hearing.

Opening Hours During the Easter Holiday

The Supreme Court’s last sitting day for the first term is Thursday 28th March, 2024. The Court will officially resume sittings on Monday 8th April, 2024. The Supreme Court Offices in both Grand Turk and Providenciales will continue to operate while the Court is not sitting during the recess.

The Court Office will be closed on the following public holidays:

  • Friday 29th March, 2024 (Good Friday) CLOSED
  • Monday 1st April, 2024 (Easter Monday) CLOSED

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