News
TURKS AND CAICOS POST CABINET MEETING STATEMENT from August 3, 2022
#TurksandCaicos, August 21, 2022 – His Excellency the Governor chaired the 24th meeting of Cabinet on Wednesday 3 August 2022 at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales.
All Members were present with the exception of Hon. Robinson.
The Hon. Deputy Attorney General represented the Attorney General’s Chambers.
Hon. Taylor joined virtually from Birmingham, UK. At this meeting Cabinet:
- Approved the Diaspora Program to gain greater understanding of the diaspora and to start formal engagement with Turks and Caicos Islands diaspora.
- Approved the Financial Assistance (Scholarship) to students to pursue Tertiary Studies overseas and noted the financial provision made to each awardee.
- Approved business license applications in a restricted category for TCI Mushrooms, Holiday Organic Farm, and Laugh Land Farm.
- Approved human resource policy regarding promotion, payment of increments and honoraria for the Financial Services Commission.
- Approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the business ‘Place’ and the Turks and Caicos Islands Government to acquire aerial images of the Turks and Caicos Islands to analyse land use trends, development of new communities, informal settlements and urban sprawl.
- Approved an application for Department for Environment and Coastal Resources to acquire management authority over Parcel 51203/34.
- Approved an application for consent to transfer a lease over Parcels 6113/274 – Long Bay Hills, Providenciales
- Approved the inclusion of a number of infectious diseases to the Notifiable Disease List, with a provision for the automatic inclusion of any future disease that the World Health Organization (WHO) considers a public health emergency.
- Approved in principle a draft Treatment Abroad Policy to be used as guidance for actuarial assessments.
- Approved the use of Covid-19 therapeutics Paxlovid and Molnupiravir on patients with non-severe Covid-19, but who are at a high risk of needing hospitalisation.
- Approved the issuance of personal protective equipment to operational officers across the Immigration and Customs Departments.
- Approved a code of conduct policy to set standards, procedures and obligations on the Immigration Agency / Immigration Consultancy.
- Approved a salary grading scale and wage adjustments for the Turks and Caicos Islands Airport Authority.
- Approved Planning Application PR 14707 for the renovation of existing pier on parcel 60906/238 (adjacent), Providenciales.
- Approved provision for non-refundable electrical license application fee.
- Approved an amendment to the Agricultural Policy to include customs duty exemption for farm vehicles to support agriculture development.
- Approved a Model Sand Mining License to the Ports Authority for period of 5-years to expedite maintenance and emergency dredging projects by the Ports Authority.
- Noted contract awards for the following:
- o PN 005561, TR 21/24, South Dock Port Redevelopment – Providenciales Phase 1 and 2
- o PN 005561, TR 21/24 South Dock Port Redevelopment – Providenciales Construction of Port Office Building, Providenciales
- o PN 005617, TR 21/51, Vehicles for Digitization E-Government Technology and Innovation (DETI)
- o PN 005619, PN 005621, PN 005622, TR 21/31, Furniture and Equipment for Schools
- o PN 005632, TR 21/14, Repairs to DECR Office – North Caicos
- o PN 005633, TR 21/32, Agricultural Development – Furniture and Equipment
- Approved a one year reduction in work permit fees to $500 for particular medical professionals as of 1 September 2022.
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
