News
$22 Million Allocation for Otis Morris and Home Affairs
By Deandrea Hamilton & Dana Malcolm
Editorial Staff
#TurksandCaicos, May 16, 2022 – Water, Energy and Corrections is what the Ministry of Home Affairs says it will be focusing on this Budget year according to Otis Morris, holder of the portfolio which has secured just over $22 million dollars this fiscal period.
TCI residents will benefit from a new utilities regulatory body to be established over the next three years. Morris said a consultancy had been carried out and would inform the Bill creating the new entity.
Some $200,000 has been allocated for the establishment of the new utilities regulatory bill and the hiring of core staff. When established the body will, “Regulate the activities of the electrical, water, petroleum and telecommunications sectors.” Morris said.
In terms of water, a vexing issue especially in his home island of Grand Turk, Minister Morris said the mandate to provide “consistent and high quality service with reduced periods of downtime to the islands of South Caicos, Grand Turk, Salt Cay” had been included in the national security plan.
In reducing the water insecurity experienced by these areas, the Minister of Home Affairs announced that a $1 million gallon tank in Grand Turk was almost completed. Along with that a new $1 million gallon reverse osmosis unit to convert salty brackish water into potable water was pledged for this 2022-2023 Budget Year.
Speaking of Grand Turk, Morris revealed that volunteer firefighters had been recruited and more permanent members were being hired. Fire trucks are also in the works for Grand Turk and Providenciales.
An impressive, £1.4 million has also been granted to the Turks and Caicos Islands Government to help transition the country towards Green Energy. The money, a grant from European Development Fund of the EU should finance the installation of solar lights and panels on various government buildings and within neighborhoods in the family islands, Morris explained.
There was no timeline given for the completion of the project but Morris said the ministry was fast tracking the amendment of the electrical ordinance to include provisions for renewable energy.
In the area of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitative Services for inmates at the prison, Minister Morris said inmates are now benefiting from a tweaked department, which heavier focus upon giving them the skills to re-integrate to society and reduce recidivism.
The minister said the department, formed earlier this year, will provide rehabilitative support within the prison and outside.
A probation styled service seems to be what the Home Affairs minister was describing when he said each inmate under the program is assigned to an officer who will help them navigate from the prison to probation. Additionally an IT department was just launched which will make formal education accessible to the inmates though online learning.
When it came to the Road Safety Department or Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which is tasked with bestowing and renewing drivers licenses and registering vehicles, the minister shared that an online applications process has been adopted to cater to new and renewal of drivers licenses.
It is hoped this will cut down the lines at the DMV.
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
