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House Administration Committee recommends haste for license plates by prisoners

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#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.

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Monument Supports Hands for Hunger With Paradise Plates Debut  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ leading wine and spirits distributor, proudly supported Paradise Plates, Hands for Hunger annual fundraiser with a flavorful offering of its newest product, Monument Beverage Co.

Monument, which launched this July and is available across six major islands, made its Paradise Plates debut. Guests enjoyed three bold flavors: Peach Passion, Ginger-Lime and Melon Fizz as they socialized throughout the evening.

Monument brand ambassadors engaged guests with knowledge on the ready-to-drink beverage’s unique taste and look. Many attendees were delighted to learn that Monument is 100% Bahamian-made and owned and enjoyed seeing the various national landmarks on the packaging.

The booth was adorned with vibrant brand colors, striped arches, tropical florals and a photo worthy backdrop featuring Monument cans filled with florals cascading down the wall.

At the end of the event, the entire Monument inventory had finished, making Monument’s Paradise Plates debut a huge success.

For more details on Caribbean Wines & Spirits, new products and specials, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today.

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Bahamas News

Schweppes ‘the Art of Mixology’ Dazzles at Paradise Plates with Nemiroff Vodka

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Schweppes, in collaboration with Nemiroff Vodka dazzled guests with handcrafted cocktails during Paradise Plates, Hands for Hunger’s annual fundraiser held at Atlantis’ Imperial Ballroom.

The evenings’ theme, 70’s: Paradise Disco, inspired bold and delicious sips from Schweppes and Nemiroff.  The beautiful disco themed Schweppes booth, adorned with LED signs, lush greenery and hanging black and gold metallic orbs shined throughout the room.

Schweppes’ brand representatives and mixologists dressed in chic 70’s speakeasy attire engaged attendees throughout the night. Guests enjoyed receiving knowledge of each product and experiencing the vibrant energy of brand representatives.

Nemiroff Vodka, which is locally distributed by Caribbean Wines and Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor; offered a unique variety of vodkas which made the perfect blend with Schweppes. Guests enjoyed, Nemiroff’s Honey Pepper, De Luxe, Burning Pear, Wild Cranberry, and Bold Orange vodkas throughout the night.

Fan favorite cocktails of the night were: the Wild Cranberry Tonic and the Bold Orange Fizz.

Following a positive response at Paradise Plates, CWS is offering Nemiroff and Schweppes specials at local liquor stores for the entire month. With the purchase of any 1-liter Nemiroff vodka, enjoy a complimentary three-pack of Schweppes mixers, to recreate the magic of Schweppes and Nemiroff.

Cara Douglas-Adderley, Senior Marketing Director for Caribbean Bottling (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products and CWS shared the inspiration behind the Schweppes and Nemiroff promotion.

“We are thrilled to have paired Schweppes and Nemiroff for Paradise Plates this year, creating a premium cocktail experience for guests. After receiving such positive feedback, we wanted to extend that experience to consumers at home. Throughout October, consumers can visit their favorite watering hole, buy any 1-liter Nemiroff bottle and receive a free three-pack of Schweppes.”

Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to offer Schweppes, Coca-Cola’s premier mixer in collaboration with Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Nemiroff Vodka at Paradise Plates in support of Hands for Hunger’s mission.

For more information on CBC’s philanthropic work, new products and specials, visits www.cbcbahamas.com today.

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Beaches Turks & Caicos gives Enid Capron Primary a pre-term facelift

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Beaches Turks and Caicos has refreshed the grounds of Enid Capron Primary School in Five Cays, Providenciales, ahead of the new school year, with a landscaping team from the resort, pruning and cutting back overgrown branches to give the campus a cleaner, safer look.

The project focused on the school’s exterior plantings, where tangled growth had begun to encroach on walkways and outdoor learning areas. The team spent time trimming hedges, thinning dense shrubs and removing deadwood to improve sightlines and airflow around the buildings.

Assistant Landscaping Manager, Kemar Jones said the work at Enid Capron is a regular priority for the department, which views community giving as a core part of its mandate. He noted that supporting local schools, particularly through hands-on environmental work, has long been a focus area for his team.

Jones, said the effort reflects the group’s wider commitment to the islands. “As a team, our goal is to give back to our communities and especially providing support for the environment and education,” Jones noted. “The team is always ready to share our skills with making the school environment more comfortable for our students and teachers.”

General Manager Deryk Meany framed the project as part of Beaches’ broader approach to working alongside the community beyond the resort gates. “At Beaches Turks and Caicos, we operate as a team not only within the confines of the resort but also with our communities,” Meany added. “Being able to share our varied skills is always our main focus. Providing a comfortable learning environment allows for a greater relationship with our educational collaborators.”

He added that the resort seeks opportunities to support range of school-based initiatives, from environmental and leadership clubs to creative programmes.

Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture Hon. Rachel Taylor described the landscaping mission as a continuation of a long-standing relationship between the Ministry and Beaches Turks and Caicos. “This mission from our major private sector supporter, Beaches Turks and Caicos is a long standing activity,” Taylor said. “At Enid Capron Primary School, we are treated as family. Once we reach out to the resort, they have always responded in a positive way.”

Hon. Taylor said the support is particularly valuable in the areas of education and community development, where consistent private-sector engagement can amplify government efforts.

Nelene Swann, vice principal at Enid Capron Primary welcomed the refreshed grounds as a boost to morale before classes resume. “This is what true collaboration looks like,” she noted. “This is more than a facelift for the school. The team from Beaches Turks and Caicos has shown true commitment in adding to this learning environment for our students and teachers.”

She said the improved landscaping contributes to a more comfortable and inviting campus for all stakeholders. “This is a good way to start the new school year. This facelift will certainly make the facilities here at the school more appealing to our students, teachers and parents.

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