Caribbean News
TCI: Opposition Leader renders sobering message and solemn promise in first Parliamentary address
#TurksandCaicos, March 8, 2021 – The results of the 2021 General Election demonstrated that Turks and Caicos Islands’ people want more, said Hon Edwin Astwood, Leader of the Opposition PDM who for the first time after being sworn in addressed the nation in the first sitting of the first meeting of the first session of the 12th legislature.
“We must all, sitting on both sides of this House, expect more from each other and more from ourselves. This is particularly true, in light of the last General Elections. Turks and Caicos Islanders want more and as we intend to be the strongest opposition in the history of our country, we will ensure they get everything – our people get everything that was promised to them.”
The lone winner for the People’s Democratic Movement following an devastating defeat for the PDM, informed audiences tuned in via radio, internet and individuals in the gallery that the plan of the PDM team is to offer constructive solutions and to work with the government on the pressing problem, but watchfully so.
“Mr. Speaker that does not mean we will compromise the principals and tenants that our PDM party was founded on; Mr Speaker, the people have spoken. The PNP government won the strongest mandate in our country’s history. The people have sent a clear message the demand for a fundamentally new approach to solving problems of the day is well received by myself as Leader of the Opposition (LOO).”
Astwood, as the former Minister of Health, had become a key PDM government spokesperson amidst the Coronavirus Pandemic and said while there were gains, the people in the power of their vote demonstrated the PDM Administration’s solutions did not come soon enough.
“Mr. Speaker, we have seen the hurt of our people and even though some progress has been made it has not come fast enough to address their needs and the needs of those greatly impacted. Mr. Speaker, one of the wonderful things about democracy is that when the people are unhappy, it is their right, their obligation and their duty to express their unhappiness much to the regret, most times to the incumbents. Mr. Speaker, our obligation as the official opposition is that we will make sure this Honourable House sticks to the principals, beliefs and consents that would move Turks and Caicos Islands forward.”
The People’s Democratic Movement is also represented in the House of Assembly by Hon Alvin Garland, an attorney at law and the party’s appointment member to the Chamber.
“None of these seats in this Honourable House belongs to any of us, instead, it belongs to the People that put us here. Mr. Speaker, our people sent us here to get to work to ensure that our country works for them, their jobs, their livelihoods, their cost of living, their healthcare, their environment, the safety of our communities and the security of our country,” said the Member for Grand Turk South and Salt Cay on Swearing in day, Friday March 5, 2021.
Over 28 thousand people have watched the four hour ceremony at the Office of the Premier’s Facebook page alone.
Bahamas News
Work of NAECOB critical in ensuring high standards in education, says Minister Hanna-Martin
“We’re the Ministry of Education and they’re our schools. We are accountable to NAECOB. They ensure that what is happening on the campuses throughout the nation meets the physical standards and the qualitative standards of education. You would have heard classroom size and teacher/student ratio. We may have challenges, and we do at the Ministry of Education but when these issues are brought to our attention we are obliged and compelled to seek resolution to ensure that the standards are met.
the criteria to offer an educational service in The Bahamas as outlined in the Education Act. She said it is mandatory that all educational institutions/provider offering/proposing to offer an educational service in the Bahamas must be registered according to the NAECOB Act and the Education Act.BIS Photos/Mark Ford
Header: Seated at the table, from left: – Lorraine Armbrister, Permanent Secretary; Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin; Dominique McCartney Russell, Acting Director; Cassia Minnis, Registration Officer; Thelma Grimes, Council Chairperson; Howard Newbold, Inspector, Council Member; Shena Williams, Council and Inspector; Dorothy Anderson, Inspector; T. Nicola McKay, Deputy Chairperson; (seated behind) Willard Barr, Council and Inspector.
1st insert: Thelma Grimes, Council Chairperson
2nd insert: Howard Newbold, Inspector and Council Member
3rd insert: The Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, Minister of Education and Technical and Vocational Training
4th insert: Cassia Minnis, Registration Officer
#TheBahamas, March 27, 2023 – As the 50th anniversary of our nation’s independence approaches, Bahamians everywhere are teeming with excitement and expectancy around the year-long celebrations set by The National
Independence Secretariat.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister joined H.E Leslia Miller Brice, Chair of The National Independence Secretariat to unveil the Calendar of Events for the 50th Independence celebrations.
The calendar comprises a host of events, initiatives and recommendations for celebrations throughout all 33 islands of The Bahamas.
At this jubilant occasion the PM stated, “Celebrating independence is about acknowledging the greatness around us, the greatness within us, and the greatness ahead of us.
We are Bahamians. That identity is special.”
View the newly released calendar of events here:
#Kingston, March 28, 2023 – There are currently 12,362 seniors registered under the Government’s new Social Pension Programme.
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Karl Samuda, made the disclosure during the sitting of the Standing Finance Committee of the House on March 2, at Gordon House.
The initiative targets all Jamaican citizens 75 years and older who are not currently in receipt of a pension (overseas or local) or any other retirement, old-age or disability benefit or regular income, and are not living in a government
institutionalised care facility.
“We are evaluating the manner in which we qualify persons to go on the programme. This is a discussion we will have to have, as some people fall through the cracks simply because they might have a refrigerator, or they might be lucky enough to have a television at home,” Mr. Samuda said.
“The direction in which we are heading, to have those things, does not move you from poverty to prosperity. So, the Government has an obligation to do everything possible to improve their quality of life, and so we will be looking at that,” the Minister added.
Mr. Samuda said between March 2022 and January 2023, the programme disbursed $446 million.
To register for the social pension programme, persons may visit any of the Ministry’s parish offices islandwide.
They will be required to complete a social pension application form, accompanied by their Tax Registration Number (TRN), National Insurance Scheme (NIS) card, and proof of age in the form of a birth certificate or a valid passport.
They should also take along a valid identification (ID), such as a driver’s licence, passport or voter’s ID, proof of bank account and any other document that may be required to process the application, for example, proof of citizenship.
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