News
South Caicos residents condemn tearing down historic buildings, work stopped for now
#TurksandCaicos, October 8, 2021 – South Caicos residents are counting it a big win and a respectful response to their outcry about demolition of historic buildings, when government on Tuesday pressed at least the pause button on plans to tear down the relics. Of particular concern to the people of south – for both historical and sentimental reasons – is the Old School building.
It has been rotting for decades now but the islanders want to see it restored as its treasured significance though dating back to the 1890s remains relevant, even visible in every South Caicos native. Every child received their formative education there up until the 1970s and those linked to the island are appalled at the idea that it was nearly torn down.
Gutting of the structure had already started but now it is saved, due to the intervention of the Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, Akierra Missick. Informed of the concerns of residents, she worked quickly to stop the demolition.
A town meeting was on Monday night held between the residents of South Caicos and the Government as the island is poised for significant take off with the coming of its new airport and increased tourism activity due to continuing resort developments.
On July 30, the TCI Government including Governor Nigel Dakin, Premier Washington Misick and DP E Jay Saunders signed a development agreement with JEM TCI Holdings Ltd for the expansion of the East Bay Resort on South Caicos.
The Office of the Premier in early August informed the expansion would include: outfitting the addition of forty-seven (47) room units, two (2) additional pools, a restaurant and bar, wedding facilities and brand enhancement. The government said of the investment, “This development is expected to increase stay-overs on the island of South Caicos and will enhance current offerings for visitors interested in dive and watersports activities.”
However, for some descendants of South Caicos looking on, there is concern that in an effort to modernise the tourism offering of the fishing capital, historic buildings are under threat.
Concern was expressed for the old library which was once a salt shed and the old school building, which dates back to the 1890s. The now derelict school was where children of South Caicos were educated right into the 1970s.
Comments from those who hail from the country’s ‘fishing capital’ revealed a readiness to challenge any idea of knocking these treasured relics down.
But the buildings will have to come down, explained the Minister of PPID in her own statement on Thursday.
“We have to acknowledge that whilst emotions may run high, the amenities in South Caicos should not remain stagnant. This Government is now guided by the National Physical Development Plan and part of the Plan requires the development of sites that are usable and beneficial to all users. The Old School in its present state was a building that was closed and unsafe for anyone to enter into or use. It was not serving the needs of the Community,” said Minister Missick.
There is hope the zealous residents will agree after a plan for the structure is presented. The Minister explaining the building is beyond salvaging.
“Based upon a structural assessment and visits by the Public Works Department, as well as independent contractors; all agree that the present state of the building cannot be rehabilitated or renovated. Further, the Ministry of PPID will work with the Ministry of Heritage to honor the history of the building to the Community of South Caicos in the new design, which will be a Youth and Heritage Centre,” she added, “This pause in the demolition will allow the Ministry of PPID to present the new design to the South Caicos Community and fence off the area properly to allow for the demolition to be done in a safe and secured manner.”
Caribbean News
Agriculture Ministry Providing Two Water Trucks to Serve St. Elizabeth and St. Catherine
#Kingston, Jamaica, April 24, 2024 – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining is to unveil two more water trucks this week, which will be used to service communities in St. Elizabeth and St. Catherine.
Portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, made the disclosure during Wednesday’s (April 24) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.
He also informed that of the $90 million earmarked to support farmers being impacted by the current drought, the Ministry will be
providing additional support for storage and drip-irrigation systems.
“So, we have targeted about 600 water tanks and about 400 12-millimetre drip irrigation hoses, and that distribution has already started. Additionally, we have earmarked about $8 million to really help with our livestock farmers,” Mr. Green said.
“We know the difficulty that you’re facing now in this time; [it’s] very hard to get the right nutritional support for your animals. As such, we will be providing some hay, and we will [also] provide some trucking of water to you. Again, our livestock farmers, if you are in need, please contact the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) and let us see how we can help in these times,” he further stated.
Mr. Green also encouraged farmers to download the RADA App, so that the Agency can “help guide you, not only in relation to what is happening on the rainfall side, but also in relation to your integrated pest management”.
“We do see some increases of certain types of pests during this time, and it’s important that our farmers are paying attention to that. It’s also important that you’re taking drought management seriously [by undertaking] soil mulching, looking at planting drought-tolerant crops, timely harvesting, implementing land husbandry treatments and contour ditches,” he stated.
Contact: Latonya Linton
Release: JIS
Photo Caption: Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, speaking during Wednesday’s (April 24) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.
Donald De La Haye Photo
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, April 19, 2024 – In an attempt to move to 24-hour-a-day operations Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) is steadily recruiting Air Traffic Controllers to work at the Providenciales/Howard Hamilton International Airport, according to Godfrey Smith, TCIAA CEO, reporting to the Appropriations Committee.
Speaking on April 8th Smith said a cabinet paper would be sent soon requesting six more Air Traffic Controllers to make round the clock operation at the Provo International possible and to open the airport in Grand Turk till 12 a.m.
Currently, 17 posts are filled and seven are vacant.
Smith was candid with his responses to recent industrial action from ATCs which led to resignations and firings.
“What we have to do is find systems to mitigate such actions and that has to start with filling these jobs, putting people in that want to
work and doing right by people – and we always try to do right by our staff. Persons may not think that we are but we always do – we ain’t pick no fight,” he said in the meetings held at the NJS Francis building ahead of the National Budget Communication.
Smith indicated that recruitment was an issue across the board, ‘we need to find ways to recruit a little bit better’ he told the committee. Also in need of a push was capital spending or projects according to the CEO, who said the agency had ‘not been very good’ at meeting that mark but insisted they had recognized the issue and could do better.
A very important key performance indicator drawn up by the TCIAA is increasing passenger satisfaction at the Howard Hamilton International Airport. For the TCIAA part of this means a 30 percent increase in seating by Q2 of this year.
When queried on if they could even handle this increase the CEO said,
“The fact of the matter is we already have the capacity there. What we need is to make the service a bit better.”
Staff shortages have become such a frustrating issue that the TCIAA is instituting a scholarship program created by Authority Chairman, Selvyn Hawkins
“What the board wants to do is basically allocate $25,000 annually for a scholarship and they’ve approved it already.”
This process would cover tuition and all other costs for one student.
The student would return as a summer intern and other breaks to work at the TCIAA and upon graduation, assume a role at the company.
“We identify a particular skill we need, we go after it and we build capacity that is in a nutshell the nexus of the program,” Smith said.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) is allocated $49 million this financial year; over $20 million goes to salaries.
-
News6 days agoDR man rented Jet Ski nine days ago in Providenciales; where is he now?
-
Health7 days agoDengue cases rising in Region
-
TCI News3 days agoExperience Turks and Caicos and Ministry of Tourism explore development of Cruise industry at Seatrade Global Cruise Conference
-
Caribbean News5 days agoCARICOM pushes need for Reparations Tribunal at Forum in Geneva
-
Education5 days agoCampus Brawl at Clement Howell High sends students to Hospital
-
Caribbean News1 week agoCARICOM, UN applauds published decree establishing Haiti’s Transitional Government
-
Caribbean News5 days agoCARICOM sends warning as Oil prices creep higher in the Israel v Iran conflict; 14 regional states import energy
-
Bahamas News1 week ago$36 Million Dollar Upgrade for World Athletics Relays in Nassau, Bahamas