News
House Administration Committee recommends haste for license plates by prisoners
#TurksandCaicos, November 24, 2021 – Constitutionally charged through Section 64 with ensuring government departments deliver services efficiently to the general public, the Administration Committee of the House of Assembly is activated and turned in a report to parliament which should bring about more proficiency and expediency in several key offices.
From the report, findings revealed proactive interventions and recommendations which are already reaping returns said Alvin Garland, Opposition Appointed member who is Chairman of the Administration Committee.
Garland laid the report on Monday (November 22) and elaborated on its findings.
“The committee was concerned with the joint venture between Citizenship, Naturalization and Customer Service departments,” said the Chairman, who continued with, “It was noted that after the appearance by the Director of Citizenship & Naturalisation and the Registrar General, on the 11 June 2021, the Committee recalled the Permanent Secretary of Home Affairs department of citizenship and naturalization in the register general office on 3 August 2021 to conduct a walk-through of the various departments and discovered that there were apparent deficiencies in the various departments after the new system was implemented.
Mr. Speaker, the Committee then informed the Permanent Secretary of its concerns with their findings. That the software shown was not sufficient and was not satisfactory,” said Hon Garland.
A staff training exercise took place in September and daily reports are being produced in an effort to ensure there is close monitoring – by the Administration Committee – for at least the next three months.
“Hence the productivity of the staff has increased and the staff now feels more at ease with the new system.”
Another recommendation was for Road Safety Department to complete by next week, a draft Memorandum of Understanding which will accelerate the plan for license plates to be produced in-country by inmates at the Department of Corrections.
“The Committee encouraged the department of Motor Vehicles on having the policy finalised and presented to Cabinet for final approval to eliminate the challenges experienced in obtaining a drivers license and license plates etc. Mr. Speaker the Committee recommends that the draft memorandum of understanding be made available by next week to allow prisoners to begin printing license plates. The Superintendent of prisons is tasked with finding individuals who can be trusted.”
It is a solution which should end the issue of license plates being unavailable for months at a time to motorists. The lag time in vehicle owners receiving license plates has also been categorized as a national security threat.
The Committee, also staffed with John Malcolm, South Caicos Member; Harold Charles, Governor’s Appointed member; Jameka Williams, Government’s Appointed Member and Kyle Knowles, Wheeland district Member, also determined that the deputy director of road safety department position needs to be filled urgently.
“Due to workload of responsibility for the Department of Road Safety, that the positon of Deputy Director – if not filled – needs to be filled urgently and immediately.”
The group put forward that the community cabs program should be broadened to include work permit holders and limit cabs to 10 maximum, per operator.
“The Committee recommends that the regulations as it relates to Community Cabs be amended to allow work permit holders to have drivers’ license of the Community Cabs, the Committee also recommends that person with Community Cabs business license be allowed to have a maximum of ten cars.
While South Caicos was approved for equipment support for water production for its islanders there, Salt Cay was not “at this time”.
It was also determined, Permanent Residency Certificate applicants – at submission – should pay a non-refundable $1,000 deposit, which can be deducted from their final charge if approved for PRC status.
The findings were concluded through sessions spanning June to October and involved department heads and the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Transportation, Broadcasting, Energy & Utilities and Telecommunications Commission.
The report was approved as accepted by House of Assembly members, within the same sitting on Monday November 22, 2021.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands— Thursday, 24 September 2026: The Department of Disaster Management and
Emergencies (DDME) was invited by Digicel to deliver a hurricane preparedness presentation to members of their staff.
The engaging 90-minute presentation formed part of DDME’s ongoing public education and awareness efforts aimed at strengthening preparedness across the Turks and Caicos Islands. During the session, Digicel employees were provided with important information on the potential impacts of hurricanes and other emergencies, as well as the actions that individuals and organisations can take to reduce risks and protect lives, property and essential operations.
The presentation emphasised that preparedness is a shared responsibility and should begin well before a storm or other emergency threatens the country. Staff were encouraged to understand the risks associated with hurricanes, remain informed through official sources and develop personal and workplace preparedness plans.
DDME recognises the important role that businesses play in national disaster preparedness and resilience. Corporate organisations are
encouraged to establish and regularly review emergency plans that clearly outline responsibilities, communication procedures, evacuation arrangements, business continuity measures and recovery actions.
“Preparedness is most effective when it is planned and practised before an emergency occurs,” Jason Hills, DDME Director. “Organisations that invest in preparedness today are better positioned to protect their people, maintain essential services and support the wider community during times of crisis.”
Corporate organisations, schools and government departments interested in DDME’s assistance with hurricane preparedness training, emergency drills support or assistance with developing a business contingency plan are encouraged to contact the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies via email at ddme.tci@gmail.com.
Caribbean News
Royal Caribbean Group and Sandals Resorts Announce Landmark Partnership to Accelerate Their Leading Vacation Experiences
Royal Caribbean Group Investment to Advance Sandals and Beaches’ Growth and Broaden the Group’s Vacation Portfolio
Montego Bay, Jamaica and Miami, September 24, 2026 – Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) and Sandals Resorts today announced the signing of an agreement to form a partnership in the all-inclusive resort space with a 50% investment from Royal Caribbean Group. Building on Sandals and Beaches Resorts’ more than four decades of leadership in Caribbean hospitality, the joint venture will create new opportunities for continued resort growth while broadening the experiences across Royal Caribbean Group’s vacation platform.
The partnership brings together two of the travel industry’s most celebrated vacation companies, pairing Sandals and Beaches’ all-inclusive
resort expertise with Royal Caribbean Group’s vacation platform, including industry-leading brands – Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea – a portfolio of private destinations, new river cruising offering, and an industry-first loyalty program. United in a shared history in the Caribbean and connected by a love for their communities, the companies will offer travelers an unparalleled collection of cruise, private destination and resort experiences, serving guests across more vacation occasions and establishing their undisputed leadership in Caribbean vacations.
The joint venture expands Royal Caribbean Group into an adjacent vacation category, growing its participation in the approximately $2 trillion global vacation market, and meets the growing global demand for Sandals and Beaches Resorts by accelerating their expansion. The partnership will include Sandals and Beaches’ collection of premier all-inclusive properties across the Caribbean, and the companies will explore opportunities to broaden distribution, deepen guest engagement, and make it easier for travelers to discover vacation experiences offered across both portfolios.
“For nearly 60 years, we’ve reimagined what a vacation can be, constantly expanding the ways we inspire our guests to explore, connect and create lifelong memories,” said Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “We have been building a vacation platform that brings joy to millions of people around the world and creates meaningful relationships that last with our guests. Our partnership with
Sandals and Beaches Resorts is an important next step on that journey – bringing together two iconic leading vacation companies to further strengthen and grow one of the most admired resort portfolios in the world. The Stewart family has created powerful and beloved brands, and we are honored to build on that legacy. Together, we see tremendous opportunity to expand the reach of Sandals and Beaches Resorts and continue turning the vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations.”
“My father, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, founded Sandals Resorts with the belief that a company built in the Caribbean could stand on the world stage alongside the most respected names in hospitality. Today is proof of how far that vision can go,” said Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts. “This partnership is the natural next step in building on that conviction. It gives us the ability to grow faster with a partner that shares our values of exceptional hospitality, long-term investment, and the power of enduring brands. Together, we will introduce more guests to Sandals and Beaches Resorts while creating even more extraordinary experiences for those who have made our resorts part of their lives for decades.” Stewart added, “As we continue to grow, we will remain true to what has always defined us: delivering authentic vacations that exceed expectations while creating opportunities for our team members, travel advisor partners and the communities we call home. The future has never been brighter, and I know this moment would make my father incredibly proud.”
The joint venture will be governed by a board under the shared leadership of Stewart and Liberty. Stewart will maintain a leadership role in
guiding the company’s long-term strategic growth as Executive Chairman of Sandals and Beaches Resorts. Existing reservations, loyalty programs, resort operations and cruise operations will continue as usual, with the partnership bringing additional resources to support future opportunities.
Under the terms of the agreement, Royal Caribbean Group will acquire a 50% equity interest in Sandals and Beaches Resorts for approximately $3 billion, representing a forward EBITDA multiple of approximately 10x. Royal Caribbean Group has secured committed debt financing from Morgan Stanley to fund the investment. The transaction is expected to close in early 2027, subject to customary approvals and closing conditions, and is expected to be accretive to earnings next year.
BofA Securities and PJT Partners acted as financial advisors, and Latham & Watkins and Jones Day acted as legal advisors to the Sandals Group. Perella Weinberg Partners and Morgan Stanley acted as financial advisors and Kirkland & Ellis LLP acted as legal advisor to Royal Caribbean Group.
PHOTO CAPTION: Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, and Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts, mark the signing of an agreement to form a landmark partnership that expands Royal Caribbean Group into the all-inclusive resort space and supports the future growth of Sandals and Beaches Resorts. The signing took place at Royal Caribbean Group’s new headquarters in Miami, with the city’s skyline in the background.
The Caribbean tourism deal first reported as a possibility on Tuesday is now a signed agreement. Royal Caribbean Group plans to pay
approximately US$3 billion for a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts, putting the value of the business at about US$6 billion. The purchase is expected to close in early 2027, subject to approvals.
Founded in Jamaica by the late Gordon “Butch” Stewart in 1981, the resort business has a presence across nine Caribbean destinations, including Jamaica, The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos. Sandals has described its workforce as nearly 20,000 people, most of them Caribbean nationals.
“My father, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, founded Sandals Resorts with the belief that a company built in the Caribbean could stand on the world stage alongside the most respected names in hospitality,” said Adam Stewart in the announcement carried by PR Newswire. He will remain executive chairman, while the Stewart family retains a stake. The companies say existing reservations and resort operations will continue as usual.
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