News
Nearly $2.2 Million More for Physical Planning & Infrastructure Development
Minister Akierra Missick at Budget Supplementary
#TurksandCaicos, November 5, 2021 – “Mr. Speaker, members of this Honourable House, Strangers in the gallery, residents of the best constituency, ED5, Leeward and Long Bay, as well as those listening via Radio Turks and Caicos and live stream.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in full support of our Government’s 1st Supplementary Appropriation Bill for the FY (financial year) 2021/22, defined by our Deputy Premier and Minister for Finance as a “well-developed financial plan”.
This Supplementary Appropriation seeks to increase revenues from two hundred and seventy-four million (US$274M) to three hundred and sixty-three million (US$363M).
Mr. Speaker, as a result of the strong leadership and prudent financial management of team PNP over the past nine (9) months, our Government proposes to increase expenditure by roughly 1% that is right Mr. Speaker, 1% of the
existing budget.
Further Mr. Speaker, some seven million, seven hundred thousand dollars ($7.7M) will be reallocated across Ministries and departments. I am pleased to advise the Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development will benefit from additional funding in the amount of two million, one hundred and eighty-nine thousand, one hundred and thirteen dollars (US$2,189,113), Mr. Speaker. And this funding will support seven of our capital projects which need additional funding for completion.
Mr. Speaker, these projects and sums include:
- Rehabilitation of the Salt Shed in Salt Cay – US$70,000
- Reinstatement of Government Buildings in all islands- (Crown Lands Building) – US$125,000.00
- Additional works to Green Door – Shelters and Emergency Operations Centers – US$10,556.00
- Front Street Road Works – US$640,000.00 (for the upgrade of secondary/side access roads and making Front Street a Promenade, which includes reheating and stamping of asphalt)
- NJS Francis Building – US$1,000,000.00 (This allows for further much needed upgrades to the building. Present scope only allowed general repairs. Upgrades include fire alarm and fire suppressant, air conditioning system, lights, faucets, fittings & fixtures).
NJS Francis is the People’s House Mr Speaker, it should look and feel as such.
- Mechanical Workshop GDT – US$75,000.00
- Installation of City Water Lines in Long Bay, Wheeland, and Blue Hills – US$200,000.00 (requested amount to cover full water piping to Highland Estate, Wheeland)
Mr. Speaker, once the supplementary is passed, my team are in standby mode to move these additions forward. As you would be aware, Mr. Speaker, the Ministry of PPID launched the COVID Works program on September 1, 2021 and some $8.3M was allocated in our recurrent budget to facilitate this program.
However, Mr. Speaker, with the reopening of the Cruise Industry imminent, $2M from the COVID Works will be
redirected from those works to our Capital Projects under PWD to facilitate the construction of Grand Turk boaters and water-sports operators dock at South Base.
Mr Speaker, we also confirm that TCIG is now the owner of the Grand Turk Beach Vendors Market. This investment alone is a clear indication that this Government is investing in the Tourism product in the Capital. This site will provide a safe, clean, unique, exciting, and lively location for our Grand Turk vendors to establish their trade in the Islands.
This invest(ment) is in excess of $3M, including purchase and large-scale renovations and new construction on the site.
Mr. Speaker, as I prepare to take my seat, I want to reiterate my support for this supplementary and to thank the hardworking team at the Ministry of Finance and by extension the Budget Office for their continued hard work and dedication to duty.
Mr. Speaker, my team and I at PPID will continue to put the best interests of the people of this country at the forefront of every decision we make, as we work to provide the highest standard of service delivery across our departments and indeed these Beautiful by Nature, Turks and Caicos Islands. Mr. Speaker, may God continue to bless you and the Turks & Caicos Islands.”
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
