News
PDM Leader Statement
#TurksandCaicos, April 21, 2022 – The PNP Government after being elected into power as the Government of the TCI have shown the people that they cannot handle the work. After 420 days into Office it is now quite clear that the workers the people hired on February 19th, 2021 are not the same workers who showed up for the job.
The objective “we come for this work” was all over each of their resume which convincingly got them on the job, but now that they are on the job it is quite clear they cannot handle the work, for which they were hired.
The people in this country are hurting more than ever before because this PNP administration does not understand the hardship and the real problems that are facing real people.
The minister of finance loves to talk about a “Booming” economy and a country doing extremely well, and people living “their best lives” but sadly he along with the honorable Premier and other members of this government are talking about a prosperous economy that does not exist for most Turks and Caicos Islanders.
Pricing is increasing daily it is now harder for the average Turks and Caicos Islander to providing for and put food on the tables for their families to eat. While this administration got the nerve to brag and boast about people in the TCI “living their best lives”? Honorable Premier and Honorable Minister of Finance, let me remind you that a country in which its people are struggling to make ends meet and provide for themselves and their families, is not one in which you can say “the people are living their best lives” but instead it is a country in which the Government is not handling the people’s work.
Over a year ago the People spoke; this PNP Government walked into Office with everything ready to go; They were handed this country on a golden platter, projects tendered and awarded, money in the bank, new development agreements, policies, and a prepared blueprint to move this country and its people ahead were all in motion and ready to go.
But instead of taking the realm of Government from day 1 as the great workers, they claimed they were on the election trail. They believe that the effective way of running a country is to talk ”the work” and not do “the work”.
We have seen that this high level of inflation is not transitory, and strong policies and measures must be put in place immediately. These Band-Aid measures that this PNP government is putting in place and promoting are not going to work to combat inflation, The measures do very little to lower the cost of goods and services. We need to see a fundamental change in policy and structures that will ensure any concession and tax write-off to suppliers will create real savings down to our people.
Many of our people in the TCI are running out of money long before payday. And in all this, wages and pay are off pace with inflation. Everything that we are earning is being wiped out by the high prices everywhere. This government must get to work and do something about this.
Our people can no longer afford to go to the grocery stores only to pick up an item look at it and put it back down because the price is too expensive for them to purchase. Our people can no longer tolerate having to choose whether to pay their mortgage or buy food for their children.
Our people can no longer bear having to sell their hard earn possessions just to keep a roof over their heads. And if the hard financial strain on families is not enough, violent crimes are at an all-time high, and even with the gun amnesty- crimes committed with guns are at an all-time high.
Too many innocent men and women across the country are being robbed, hurt, or killed, and too many homes and properties are being burglarized.
With this increase in crime, detection, and prosecution of those committing crimes are at an all-time low, and our Premier remains silent as a mouse.
This PNP administration’s Band-Aid crime measures are doing nothing to address the present crime situation, and do not address the root causes of crime.
Our national security is at the highest risk level than it has ever been. Aside from people, more and more guns and drugs are coming. Whatever the number of illegals that are intercepted is, there is about three times that number that get through undetected. And as more and more illegal persons call home and let their family and friends know that they made it, the numbers will only increase. It is becoming an overwhelming situation for our border control agent. And again, our Premier remains as silent as a mouse.
This PNP administration’s inability to effectively tackle the issues outlined has led me to one conclusion, that they simply do not have the mental readiness required to tackle the job the people hired them to do. And without serious interventions being put in place, sadly, our people’s issues will continue to be ignored and our economy is poised to worsen.
So, I close with the same sentiments I started with, and stated all through this document, “This PNP Government, just cannot handle the country’s work”
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
News
BermudAir Launches New York Area’s First Nonstop Service to South Caicos, Now Just a 3.5 Hour Flight from Newark
Twice-Weekly Nonstop Flights Begin December 20 with Fares from $347 One Way, Creating Direct Access to Salterra Resort & Spa
– New Route Expands BermudAir’s Winter Turks & Caicos Network –
[New York, NY – August 20, 2026] – BermudAir, the leading premium leisure carrier to Bermuda and the Caribbean, today announced it will introduce nonstop flights to South Caicos from Newark this winter. The route places one of the Caribbean’s most secluded island destinations just 3.5 hours from the New York area for the first time.
The new service starts on December 20, 2026, operating on Sundays and Thursdays, and will be the only nonstop service to the destination
from the New York area. This seasonal service will operate through April 25, 2027. Fares start at $347 one way ($773 roundtrip) and go on sale today.
The new South Caicos route creates gives travelers two distinct luxury resort options, with direct access to Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, recently named the No. 1 resort in Turks and Caicos by Condé Nast Traveler.
Set across 85 beachfront acres with a 3,000-foot private white-sand beach, Salterra brings a full luxury resort experience to an island still defined by its historic salinas, pristine waters, bonefishing flats and uninhabited cays. Upon landing at South Caicos International Airport (XSC), guests are approximately 10 minutes from the resort.
While flights go on sale today, the airline’s BermudAir Holidays vacation-packaging division will offer curated travel to South Caicos from next month, featuring flights, hotels and authentic island experiences, with bundled discounts and value-added perks, making it even easier to explore the destination.
Previously BermudAir announced seven new routes to Providenciales in Turks and Caicos, from Newark (EWR), Boston (BOS), Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), St Petersburg/Tampa (PIE) and Toronto (YYZ) which will all start in December except for Fort Lauderdale which begins October 26.
Expanded Winter Season
- To South Caicos:
- Twice-weekly nonstop from Newark (Sundays and Thursdays) from December 20 through April 25, 2027.
- To Turks and Caicos:
- Weekly nonstop from Newark (Saturdays) and one weekly direct service (Thursdays) from December 19 through April 29, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Boston (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Baltimore-Washington (Thursdays), from December 24 through April 29, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from Raleigh-Durham (Thursdays and Sundays), from December 20 through May 2, 2027;
- Thrice-weekly service from Fort Lauderdale (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), from October 26 through May 3, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from St Petersburg/Tampa (Mondays and Thursdays), from December 21 through May 3, 2027; and
- Weekly nonstop service from Toronto (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027.
“We’re thrilled to continue expanding our Caribbean network as the premium leisure carrier from North America,” said Adam Scott, Founder and CEO of BermudAir. “Now New Yorkers can fly nonstop to two distinct sides of the Turks and Caicos Islands — Providenciales and the secluded island of South Caicos, home to the exquisite Salterra and Sailrock South Caicos resorts.”
The airline consistently earns Net Promoter Scores of 70+, one of the highest ratings in the airline industry. All flights will be operated on comfortable Embraer E190 aircraft, offering passengers the airline’s signature warm service and authentic island hospitality.
“South Caicos has always felt worlds away, and that is part of its magic,” said Michael Tibbetts, Founder and CEO of Salterra. “Beginning this winter, guests can fly nonstop from Newark in 3.5 hours, land at one of the newest international airports in the region and be at Salterra minutes later. This route makes a long weekend escape and an extended stay to one of the Caribbean’s most unspoiled islands remarkably easy, without changing the sense of discovery that makes South Caicos so special.”
For more information or to book flights, visit www.flybermudair.com. Salterra will offer dedicated stay packages timed to BermudAir’s Thursday and Sunday nonstop service. To book a stay at Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, visit www.salterra.com
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Dasani products, proudly sponsored the fifth annual, Caribbean Hoopfest.
The tournament brings together Bahamian high school basketball teams and visiting teams from the United States for a competitive
showcase at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs Gymnasium. Following its inaugural year at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym and last year’s event at Loyola Hall, the tournament returned to the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym this year.
During the weekend tournament, CBC kept athletes well hydrated with in-kind donations of Dasani Water, Powerade and Minute Maid Juices.
During the tournament’s final day, CBC provided additional support by offering Sprite No Sugar samples and inviting attendees to participate in its Spin the Wheel for a chance to win exciting prizes.
CBC was proud to support this incredible event, which provides young Bahamian athletes with valuable exposure to U.S. basketball scouts and coaches. This opportunity gives them the chance to earn scholarships, continue their education, and pursue their basketball careers in the United States.
Event organizer, Donald Francois shared his appreciation for CBC’s support.
“I want to express our sincere appreciation for Caribbean Bottling Company, who has been a tremendous supporter and an important part of the success of our program. Without CBC’s support, Caribbean Hoop Fest would not be able to function at the level it does today. And without Caribbean Hoop Fest, we would not have been able to provide the opportunities that have helped young Bahamian athletes gain exposure and pursue educational opportunities in the United States,” he expressed.
Since the program’s inception, several Bahamian student-athletes have been selected for scholarship opportunities, highlighting the
tournament’s growing impact on the development and advancement of young basketball talent in The Bahamas.
They are: Kelvin McDowells – Guard, Wodson Antoine – Power Forward, Justin Lafleur – Guard and Sean John – Guard.
After another successful edition of the tournament, Francois shared what he hopes he and Caribbean Bottling Company can achieve in the future.
“Our vision is bigger than basketball. We want to use the platform of Caribbean Hoop Fest to educate, develop, and create opportunities for young people and their families throughout the Bahamas. With individuals and organizations committed to our mission, we believe we can continue to grow the program and make an even greater impact,” Francois said.
For more details on community support, events and new products visit Caribbean Bottling Company at www.cbcbahamas.com today.
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