News
TCI Govt Officials fully endorse DDME App
By Deandrea Hamilton & Dana Malcolm
Editorial Staff
#TurksandCaicos, March 22, 2022 – Three months before the start of the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season and the Department of Disaster and Emergencies in the TCI has launched its new mobile app called DDME Alert and you can find it on both the Android and the Apple platforms.
At a ceremony held Friday at the Shore Club and attended by Governor Nigel Dakin; Deputy Governor Anya Williams; Minister of Immigration and Border Services Arlington Musgrove; Opposition member Alvin Garland and several other members of government and the Royal TCI Police Force, the striking mobile application was launched.
The UK Foreign Commonwealth Development Office had announced it would support the development of an app for the DDME, now the tool is here and provides real time hazard information, weather updates and access to emergency services to islanders.
Minister with responsibility for Disaster Management and Emergencies is Arlington Musgrove, at the launch on Friday afternoon he expressed being impressed but not surprised.
“You know, when I met Team DDME, they wasted no time in telling me they are a force to be reckoned with. They said they are very small, but they are definitely a force to be reckoned with. Not only in TCI, but in the whole region. 
This app is a good thing and I really want to encourage every turks and Caicos islander, residents and visitors alike to please download this app.
This is very important, especially in disaster, not only in hurricane, but there could be airplane crashing, fires – this app will be able to tell you things like where flooding is.
I want to thank DDME for bringing this app to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. I applaud you,” said Minister Musgrove.
An ‘IM OKAY’ feature to let friends and family know your status in the event of a disaster is another vital feature. A ‘friend walk’ feature allows one to share location with a friend and allows one to be tracked; both are designed to prove useful when communications are limited.
TCI remembers in 2017, when back to back hits of Hurricanes Irma and Maria destroyed over 70 per cent of buildings and cut off vital communication. These days earthquakes, tsunamis and man-made catastrophes are all equally as possible.
When the Governor spoke, he too acknowledged the hard working DDME team, particularly Joanna Wilson-Forbes and Mark Wilkinson, who he said not only have ideas but have been able to deliver on them.
“It’s intimidating being a small island state in the hurricane belt but there are two amazing things that now give us an edge, perhaps we did not want them to give us an edge. But the first is because we have had three category five hurricanes in 13-14 years, we’ve got an extremely experienced Government – by which I mean public service and ministers who’ve done this before and will do it well again and a really experienced public as well, who have been through it.
If you’ve got that type of experienced public, the best thing you can do, is give them the very best information so they can make really smart decisions and that is exactly what your application is doing, thank you for that.”
Governor Dakin, who is co-chair (along with the Premier) of the National Emergency Operation Center, NEOC, which is mobilized in the event of any kind of disaster, said the DDME App also gives leaders great information.
The Governor, Nigel Dakin issued a challenged. For everyone at the launch to get 10 individuals to download the app, asking those individuals to repeat the process for there to be maximum access to the information contained in the hub.
You can download the DDME app at DDME alert in the App Store or on Google play.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 14th, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Molo Hotel Group reached a pivotal juncture on Monday, May 13th, 2024, with the ceremonial signing of a development agreement at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales. The agreement, which received official Cabinet approval on March 13th, 2024, signifies a steadfast commitment to advancing the economic landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Molo Hotel Group is a family-owned business, renowned for its distinguished portfolio of high-quality hotels worldwide. The
development initiative encompasses the construction of three distinct IHG branded hotels: InterContinental Turks and Caicos, Kimpton Turks and Caicos and Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos. Scheduled for completion by 2027, each resort boasts a distinctive design from luxury to laidback sophistication spanning across the shores of Grace Bay Beach.
Kimpton Turks and Caicos – an epitome of luxury lifestyle living, will feature 192 guest rooms including three outdoor pools, a luxury spa and a fitness center. Additionally, seven dining options ranging from a beachfront restaurant to a rooftop bar.
Adjacent to the Kimpton, InterContinental Turks and Caicos will offer 59 classic luxury suites with panoramic ocean views. Mirroring its counterpart, this resort will offer an array of dining options and upscale facilities.
Steps away from the Intercontinental and Kimpton resorts, Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos will embrace a sense of community and contemporary elegance, offering 56 bedrooms. The resort will feature an onsite restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor pool, and fitness room.
Beyond the realm of hospitality, this development agreement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Molo is partnering with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) to actively promote hospitality as a career choice and support in developing training programs, career fairs, seminars, workshops, and events to raise awareness about hospitality careers. Molo has committed to provide employment and apprentice opportunities to TCICC students and provide mentoring and practical on property training to students.
The signing event was graced by Hon. Charles Washington Missick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier, Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Łukasz and Marcin Slominski, Owners of Molo, Ross Morrow, Managing Director Molo, Arik Kono, Vice President Upscale Development for IHG, Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Angela Musgrove, InvestTCI CEO, Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chairperson of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Delores Stapleton- Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Mr. Kevin Baxter, Dean of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Sheryl McLaughlin, InvestTCI Investment Services Executive.
Commenting on the development agreement, Premier, Hon. Misick, stated “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing of
IHG/Molo Hotels is a significant step towards a sustainable future for hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Three hotels, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo, will be introduced, enhancing our tourism product and creating employment opportunities.”
He further added, “Partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission are underway, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to developing human capital and elevating tourism offerings. This project will bring economic growth, embrace local talent, and enrich our economy.”
Additionally, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized “This collaboration confirms our commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity within our country. We have worked closely with Molo Hotel Group, and we are confident that this transformative project will further position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for travel and investment. Much to our delight, it will also provide opportunities for engagement with our Community College and small business community.”
The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, operating through its primary Investment Promotion
Agency, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, remains committed to attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investments to the country by providing a comprehensive suite of services. Through strategic initiatives and targeted promotion, the agency catalyzes sustainable development, driving innovation and small business opportunities across various sectors of the economy.
#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – Detectives of the Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have
charged a man who allegedly stole a vehicle.
The accused, DANVANTE BRISCO, 30, of Kew Town, Providenciales, was charged with:
- One Count: Robbery
- One Count: Taking Motor Vehicle Without Authority
- One Count: Using Offensive Weapon to cause fear
Mr. BRISCO appeared in court today (May 13 ) and was granted bail of $7500.00 with one surety.
The matter was adjourned to July 05 for a Sufficiency Hearing.
#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male appeared in court today (May 13th) charged with a series of firearm-related offences.
The accused, JAMES SIMON, was denied bail and remanded into custody pending a Sufficiency Hearing scheduled for July 05th, 2024.
Mr. SIMON faces the following charges:
- One Count: Robbery;
- One Count: Gang Membership
- One Count: Possession of a Firearm for the Benefit of a Gang
- One Count: Possession of Ammunition for the Benefit of a Gang.
The charges against Mr. Simon followed investigations by officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force into a robbery at the parking lot of a Casino where three males robbed a victim.
Additionally, Mr. Simon is charged with the following offences, having been arrested on May 02nd, 2024, along South Dock Road.
- One Count: Possession of a Firearm
- One Count: Possession of Ammunition
- One Count: Unlawful Entry
Officers also charged a teenage minor who was in the company of Mr. Simon on May 02nd with One Count of UNLAWFUL ENTRY.
The accused, seventeen and from Kew Town, Providenciales, pleaded guilty and will be sentenced on May 20th.
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