News
Deputy Governor defends hiring in Public Service
#TurksandCaicos, November 24, 2021 – Recruitment was halted amidst the Coronavirus Pandemic and has since resumed, there are no longer 300 plus job vacancies in the civil service according to Anya Williams, Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands, who heads the sector for TCIG.
“The Turks and Caicos Government began the financial year with a significant number of vacant posts due to the fact that recruitment for a number of both new and vacant positions was placed on hold last year due to the fact that the government, due to social distancing and other protocols was on work from home, shift and other hybrid work arrangements.”
The Deputy Governor, in response to questions related to concerns about what appeared to be slow progress in government hiring explained the confluence of events which led to so many job openings and millions in allotted salaries going unspent.
“The budget was passed late in the financial year in July 2021, however we have since then advertised over 200 posts with many having already been filled. Therefore as it stands the current number of vacancies is below the 300 recently quoted.”
While the reveal during debate on a recently passed Budget Supplementary drew criticisms that government hiring is over-selective and shuts out indigenous islanders, the Deputy Governor does not agree.
“The Turks and Caicos Islands Government remains the largest employer of Turks and Caicos Islanders with all positions at the highest level of Permanent and Deputy Secretary strictly reserved for Turks and Caicos Islanders and
over 75 per cent of our Head of Department positions held by Turks and Caicos Islanders as well.”
She also expressed that while some positions require higher level learning including professional degrees, the Public Service does not prohibit hiring of high school graduates into the civil service.
“… the civil service does have set criteria for all posts across government, which at some levels does require an Associate, Bachelors or Master’s Degree,” she said.
There was a reminder in the response, that TCIG is supportive of high school graduates improving themselves through higher education.
“This is in line with the country’s mandate to provide affordable and in most cases free access to tertiary level education through the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College for all interested Turks and Caicos Islanders to assist them in better qualifying for not only jobs in the public, but also the private sector.”
Turks and Caicos is short on staff generally however. Both the public and private sector finds recruitment extremely challenging, which increases the country’s dependence on the expatriate workforce. Even when TCIG finds a qualified professional, it naturally leaves a void elsewhere and vice versa.
“As recruitment is an ongoing process where positions often fall vacant due to both promotions and departures, we continue to advertise, interview and recruit positions on a continuous basis.
We continue to make a number of promotions across government which you would have seen from our various appointment announcements which we are very proud of. Of course every promotion then also results in a vacancy in the persons former role which we then need to fill,” shared HE Williams.
It had been reported in the House of Assembly that some $3.5 million was unspent, a savings largely attributed to jobs in the public sector not being filled but the DG assured, there is no waning in momentum when it comes to hiring at the government level.
“We recently carried out interviews for a number of senior management positions across government including at the Permanent Secretary and Deputy Secretary which we intend to announce in the days ahead.
We are committed to continuing to recruit and promote Turks and Caicos Islanders in the public service and we are proud of the work that the civil service has been able to carry out particularly during the pandemic which has been lauded in terms of our COVID-19 response and Reopening Strategy.”
Turks and Caicos, May 23, 2026 – Invest Turks and Caicos Islands took center stage at one of the region’s most influential hospitality
investment gatherings this spring, serving as a Platinum Sponsor at ALIS CALA 2026 in Coral Gables, Florida.
Held April 28 to 30 at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel, the conference brought together more than 600 tourism, hotel and investment leaders from over 35 countries focused on the future of hospitality investment in the Caribbean and Latin America.
ALIS CALA — short for the Americas Lodging Investment Summit Caribbean and Latin America — is widely regarded as the region’s premier deal-driven hospitality investment conference. The platform emerged from the merger of the long-running Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) and Hotel Opportunities Latin America (HOLA), creating what organizers describe as a high-level space where investors, developers, lenders, hotel brands and government leaders connect around major regional projects and opportunities.
The event is known for attracting senior decision-makers, with roughly one in three delegates holding titles such as Chairman, CEO, President, Owner or Principal.
Invest Turks and Caicos said its participation focused heavily on showcasing investment opportunities across the territory, particularly in the Family Islands.
CEO Angela Musgrove delivered a presentation highlighting development opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands to what the agency
described as a full room of attendees and strong stakeholder interest.
In a statement following the conference, Invest Turks and Caicos said discussions centered on tourism expansion, sustainable development and long-term investment partnerships designed to position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a leading investment destination in the region.
The agency added that it looks forward to continuing conversations started at ALIS CALA and building new partnerships with investors, developers and strategic stakeholders interested in growth opportunities throughout the islands.
The conference itself focused heavily on capital access, hotel development pipelines, mixed-use tourism projects and investment confidence throughout the Caribbean basin — sectors where Turks and Caicos continues to attract increasing international attention.
The Rick Fox Political Timeline
“Are You Thinking About Politics?”
Fox publicly acknowledged growing calls for him to enter Bahamian politics, saying he had been hearing from women, youth, business owners and everyday Bahamians who were “ready for something different.”
October 19, 2025
“Then Jump, Man.”
Fox revealed a conversation with NBA legend Michael Jordan, who encouraged him to enter politics after asking whether he believed he could help young Bahamians.
November 24, 2025
“The Bahamas Must Be First”
Fox officially announced his intention to run in the 2026 General Election, promising transparency, affordability, opportunity and a modern Bahamian economy.
February 4, 2026
“Officially Picked”
The Free National Movement formally ratified Fox as its candidate for Garden Hills, instantly making him one of the most talked-about figures in the election cycle.
March 20, 2026
“From Courtside to Campaign Stage”
Fox mounted the national campaign stage for the first time at the FNM’s major campaign launch at Baha Mar Resort in Nassau.
March 30, 2026
“I’m Giving The Salary Back”
Fox announced he would not take a parliamentary salary if elected, saying the funds should instead go back into helping the people of
Garden Hills.
April 14, 2026
“Nomination Eve Goes Viral”
A heated confrontation involving Fox and PLP supporters outside the Parliamentary Registration Department exploded across social media after video captured the tense exchange.
April 16, 2026
“Pick Rick” Officially Launches
Nomination Day cemented Fox’s candidacy and formally launched the now-famous “Pick Rick” campaign branding.
April 19, 2026
“Vote and Win”
Jamiah Burrows won a vehicle through Fox’s civic participation challenge, part of a campaign effort encouraging voter engagement and turnout.
April 20, 2026
“The Wealthiest Candidate”
Financial disclosures revealed Fox as the wealthiest candidate in the 2026 election cycle, with reported assets exceeding $469 million, ending speculation about his financial standing.
April 25, 2026
“The Garden Hills Blueprint”
Fox unveiled detailed policy graphics outlining plans for:
- youth development,
- healthcare access,
- infrastructure upgrades,
- environmental restoration,
- entrepreneurship,
- and a proposed $10 million investment fund for Garden Hills.
May 4, 2026
“The Numbers Don’t Lie”
Fox’s campaign highlighted more than:
- 20 community clean-ups,
- 16 streets and locations served,
- and 13 solar lights installed across Garden Hills during the campaign.
May 6, 2026
“Shaq Steps In”
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal publicly endorsed Fox, helping elevate international attention surrounding the campaign.
May 8, 2026
“Buju Backs Rick”
Jamaican reggae icon Buju Banton threw his support behind Fox ahead of Election Day.
May 10, 2026
“Vanessa Williams Endorses”
Fox’s former wife, actress and singer Vanessa Williams publicly endorsed his campaign.
May 11, 2026
“Magic Joins the Campaign”
NBA icon Magic Johnson became the latest major celebrity to endorse Fox just one day before Bahamians went to the polls.
May 12, 2026
“Election Day”
Fox contested the Garden Hills constituency seat against PLP incumbent Mario Bowleg in one of the country’s most closely watched races.
May 13, 2026
“Grace in Defeat”
Fox publicly conceded the race and congratulated Bowleg on his victory in Garden Hills.
May 18, 2026
“We Pick Rick”
Despite losing at the polls, Fox officially entered Parliament after being appointed to the Senate by the FNM — with the party itself declaring:
“We Pick Rick.”
The appointment made Fox one of the most internationally recognized figures ever to serve in the Bahamian Senate.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in coordination with the Planning Department and key partner agencies, conducted a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, May 7, 2026, in the Lower Bight area in Providenciales. The exercise resulted in the complete removal of a total of eight (8) unauthorized structures and all associated debris from a
privately-owned parcel of land.
The operation was led by the Planning Department, with coordination by the ISU and support from the TCI Border Force, the Crown Land Unit, and Pelican Energy. Security for the exercise was provided by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. All agencies worked collaboratively to ensure the exercise was carried out in a safe, orderly, and controlled manner.
The enforcement action followed a structured and lawful process in accordance with the Physical Planning regulatory framework of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Section 45 Enforcement Notices were first issued on the affected parcel in December 2024, identifying unauthorized structures erected without the requisite approvals. This was followed by the issuance of Warning Notices on April 16, 2026, which advised occupants that they were in breach of planning and land use regulations and provided notice that demolition activities would proceed following the prescribed compliance period. Despite these notices and the time afforded for compliance, the unauthorized structures remained in place.
This exercise represents part of an ongoing commitment to ensuring that development within the Turks and Caicos Islands is lawful, safe, and aligned with national standards.
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