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Cruise Ships & Passengers in time for Christmas

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#TurksandCaicos, October 22, 2021 – Grand Turk residents will very soon begin to notice ships in port.  These ships will not be laden with the typical happy-go-lucky, tour-taking, souvenir-buying and lunch-eating cruise passengers but instead gritty get-down-to-work dredgers who are now hired to clear the path for cruise ships to return to the island.  It has been 18-months since a cruise ship has docked in the Capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands ad a Development Agreement signed on October 13 will end the drought in time for Christmas according to Washington Misick, Turks and Caicos Premier.

“The Turks and Caicos Islands Government signed an amendment to a contract with Carnival. Because we have had a contract, since 2006, with Carnival.  WE have had 11 meetings in person and over the internet since May of this year to get to where we go to.  We now have an agreement which we intend to consolidate at some stage, shortly.  That agreement sees and extra $25 million in the Grand Turk Crusie Center and that includes expansion of the current facility, including the dock facility.”

The new Development Agreement went unexplained prior to and during the signing ceremony.  There was criticism for the PNP Administration for missing the opportunity to inform residents of the contents of the document and what benefits there were, more specifically, for the Turks and Caicos.

The new agreement was characterized as “superior” and outlines a sizable investment from CarnivalCorp to elongate the dock and from it, the TCI Government gains some autonomy.

“…a Community Enhancement and Sustainability Fund for Grand Turk to make sure that we can protect the environment, we can investment money into the urban redevelopment of historic districts, we can improve what I will call the down town, because what we will have to do is almost to enhance and create a down town.  This money will now be available to those who are driving this fund and the decisions will be made by those Trustees.  Carnival (Cruise Line) will now have no input or control over how that is spent or any decision making relating to it; to me that is a huge step forward,” said the Premier in a press conference designed to expound on the Agreement.

The Turks and Caicos Islands will finance the projects of the new Fund from its portion of an increased passenger fee of $16 per person; at least $9 of the fee will belong to the Turks and Caicos, the balance is for Carnival.

“The government will receive the majority of that …” explained the Premier as he announced the new Community Enhancement and Sustainability Fund will not suffer from the complexities of the previous Infrastructure Development Fund.

Decisions, action and spending can be more promptly executed in order to improve the aesthetics of the island which has struggled to rebound to its grandeur since Hurricane Ike of September 2008; damages and destruction was compounded in 2017’s hurricanes Irma and Maria.

“The dredging is a substantial part of the work and ships cannot arrive when that is happening.  The dredging is on its way and it will take about three weeks to complete.  Once the dredging is completed the ships can start coming in.  And the rest of the work can take place while the ships are coming in.

We expect to welcome cruise passengers as early as the first week of December 2021.”

The Premier said the cruise industry of Grand Turk is responsible for 30 per cent of employment in the capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

 

Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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News

Multi-Agency Enforcement Action Conducted in Five Cays

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 20 February 2026 — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with key government agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Block and Parcel 60609/33 in the Five Cays area.

The exercise was led by the Crown Land Unit, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by the Planning Department and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.

The enforcement action followed a series of inspections conducted by the Crown Land Unit throughout Five Cays, which identified several illegally constructed buildings made of concrete and timber on sections of the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, occupied structures were served Letters of Illegal Occupation, delivered by hand to occupants and posted on structures where individuals were absent. Incomplete and unoccupied structures were served Notices of Unauthorized Occupation pursuant to section 22 of the Ordinance. A total of ten (10) Letters of Illegal Occupation and three (3) Notices of Unauthorized Occupation were issued during the exercise.

The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the law, protect Crown land, and manage informal settlements in a structured and lawful manner. Members of the public are reminded that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown land is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.

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Health

What to Look for with Self-Checks at Home

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February is National Self- Check Month and family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, OH, John Hanicak, MD, highlights why at home self-checks are extremely important when it comes to not just early cancer detection but identifying other illnesses too and offers tips on what to look out for.

“Sometimes Ilook at them as sort of like your check engine light on the car, just like therewould be a red flashing light that tells you that there’s something wrong with acar and prompts you to bring that in and get serviced. Your body does the samething. It gives you warning signs tolook intothat symptom a little bit further,” said Hanicak.

Dr. Hanicak saidself-checks are going to be a little different for everyone. 

However, in general, he recommends looking for anything that may seem abnormal, such asunexplained weight loss,blood in your urine, bumps and bruisesthat won’t heal,and changes in bowel habits. 

For example, if you suddenly start going to the bathroom a lot more than you used to, that could bea signof something more serious. 

He also suggestsdoing regular skin checksanddocumentingany molesor spotsthat start to look different. 

“Realize that you are your own person.There’s nobody else in the world exactly like you.You’ve got your own set ofideas, your own family history and your own genetics.Know what is normal for you, and when that changes, that’s the kind of thing thatwe would be interested in talking about,” said Dr. Hanicak. 

Dr. Hanicaknotes that self-checks are not meant to replace cancer screenings, as those are just as important to keep up with. 

Press Release: Cleveland Clinic

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